Television
The Simpsons (Disney +)
When I was younger, I had a friend whose parents wouldn’t let them watch The Simpsons when we were growing up. And we grew up in the heyday of The Simpsons. It had just started airing – I had a 7th-grade yearbook picture where I was wearing white overalls with one shoulder undone and a Lisa Simpson shirt that read, “I only look sweet and innocent.” I was INTO this show.
So, I was quite shocked when I heard one of my friends wasn’t allowed to watch. One of my family’s favorite (and only) bonding activities was sitting around the TV on Sundays or Thursdays at 8 pm and laughing along with Homer’s silliness and Marge’s ridiculous ways of going about things. Looking back, Marge was a character to be ridiculed in my family’s eyes. She’s making Bart apologize and making Homer do the right thing. She’s telling Lisa it’s okay to be sad! I mean, who wants to see someone be sad?
As adults, my friend and I have bonded quite extensively over our mothers and the way we were treated while growing up. Their mom and mine were close friends when we were in high school, so we had similar experiences, struggles, and patriarchal values.
Also, as a grown-up, I find myself so impressed with Marge’s character because even when it’s not cool or convenient, she holds people and businesses accountable. She has firm boundaries. She understands and accepts her kids as they are. (“Bart… well, he has a… ‘spark,’” she said.) She doesn’t ask them to be someone they are not or put on airs or try to hide anything about their family.
I mean, so far – we’re only on season 4.
And, so I can see how my friend’s mom didn’t want them to watch The Simpsons. She didn’t want her child to see that there was a different way to be a parent. A gentler way.
High Potential (ABC or Paramount +)
I watched the pilot to see how a network drama feels to my brain.
This one feels great.
Here’s the description from ABC:
A single mom with an exceptional mind, whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual partnership with a by-the-book detective.
It opened with a song from “The Gossip,” which made my heart feel very warm.
Then, the rest of the episode unfolded with mystery, humor, and heart.
It feels a bit like Psych but more mature.
Kaitlin Olson is awesome as always and has a really great chemistry with her onscreen kids.
Also of note is Judy Reyes, who is probably best known for playing Carla on Scrubs. I recently fell back in love with her because of the indie movie Birth/Rebirth, which I became slightly obsessed with earlier this year.
I’ll be keeping up with this one week to week, so I’ll probably have two episodes down by the time you read this. I haven’t watched a true procedural drama in quite some time. This should be fun.
Okay, I watched episode 2, and it started with tap dancing, so yeah. Between that and the lollipop prominence in the first episode, it’s like this show was made for me. ABC might be the only network making sold network TV again.
I wouldn’t know, I don’t watch any other network shows. Should I try? What else is good except this and Abbott Elementary? (which returns on October 9 and I cannot wait).
English Teacher (FX / Hulu)
Speaking of new shows…
I kept hearing rumblings about this one. My brain hasn’t been in a place where it feels like watching new shows lately, but something clicked back into place, and I got hungry for new comedy. So, here’s where I ended up.
Oh boy, this is fun.
This is fresh, and this is funny.
It’s a standard teacher show on the surface, but the writing is so sharp, and the characters are so different than any I’ve seen in a show like this before. I love how real they feel.
It’s grittier than Abbott Elementary, but I wouldn’t call it better. I love getting to see gay relationships presented so matter of factly.
The supporting cast are all fabulous. The standout for me is Enrico Colantoni, who gives me the warmest of warm fuzzies due to his roles in Just Shoot Me and Veronica Mars. In English Teacher, Colantoni plays the principal.
The other star of the show is the kids. They are fucking hysterical. I hope they change the world.
One of the InstaGays from The Other Two is a waiter in episode 3!
I’m caught up to what’s live and will be continuing to watch this show. Have you seen it? What do you think?
Saturday Night Live Season 50 Premiere (Peacock)
Jim Gaffigan was perfect as Tim Waltz.
I don’t think the writers knew quite what to do with Jean Smart.
Jelly Roll seems like a genuinely nice human being.
I like it when Michael Che gets groans from the audience.
It felt like Bowen was hosting, not Jean Smart.
I miss Chloe Troast and Molly Kearney.
For All Mankind (Apple TV +)
As far as I’m concerned, Ed Baldwin should be Dead Baldwin 10 times over.
Why is no one else watching this? It’s so compelling.
Australian TV (Or Dropout TV)
Australian Survivor Heroes vs. Villains
We took a break this week because we had to recover from last Sunday.
Movies
Don Verdean (Amazon Prime)
This was fine.
IF (Paramount+)
This annoyed me.
