We've seen GOOD OMENS on Amazon Prime, which we loved. Based on the 1990 comedic novel by the late Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, ancient adversaries must work together to prevent Armadeddon in the present day. Swaggering around as Crowley the demon must have been the most fun David Tennant has had since his stint as Doctor Who! But it was Michael Sheen as Aziraphale the angel who stole the show for me. Jon Hamm has a pretty great part, too, as the angel Gabriel. I'm glad that Pratchett and Gaiman finally got their book to the screen. It was one of Terry Pratchett's last wishes.
And then there was ENDEAVOR, but, sigh, it (and hopefully Shaun Evan's mustache) is finished for the season as of last night. No spoilers here, but apparently they are filming another season. I always want to get back to Oxford, and I adore Shaun Evans, even with facial hair!
Fortunately, there's a new season of weird and wacky STRANGER THINGS to look forward to! The kids are growing up in this quirky series on Netflix, and there are of course monsters and goo galore. We watched the first two episodes for our Friday night date night. So far, we think Winona Ryder is even more fabulous this season. And the MALL has come to town!
Then on regular TV (the things I watch while doing kitchen chores), there's the new season of MASTERCHEF, and the first season of a new reality competition SONGLAND, which I've really enjoyed. In each episode, aspiring songwriters audition for a different recording artist and the same three music producers (Ryan Tedder, Shane McAnally, and Esther Dean). I love seeing that creative process between the artists, producers, and the songwriters--it's like writers brainstorming, but it sounds a lot better!
Over to you, REDS!
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Okay, I will confess. The other day, I had some easy computer stuff to do and I thought--okay, I'll give this a try. MY super-cook stepson and his wife had asked me if I'd ever seen THE GOOD PLACE, and I kind of..dismissed it. A sit-com? On a regular network? How good can it be? SO I decided I'd multi-task, and and watch one episode while I worked. I WATCHED FIVE. IN A ROW. I am telling you, it is hilarious. Amazing. SO funny, and so thought-provoking, really, and I bet I think of it every day. I got Jonathan hooked, too.
We love THE GOOD FIGHT, the sequel to The Good wife. And all The White Queen, Spanish Princess historicals, Which are driving me crazy because they are not terribly accurate. We have a dear friend who is a Brit, and I want him to come over and watch with us to point the errors so I don't have incorrect history in my head. And oh, we are loving THE LOUDEST VOICE, about Roger Ailes. But can you believe it? You can only watch one episode a week. Come ON, how old-fashioned can you be?
LUCY BURDETTE: We are two episodes into season two of BIG LITTLE LIES. I was someone who thought they should have left the ending the way it was after season one. But oh my gosh the powerhouse women who are writing and acting in this show are amazing! We love every one of the performances--Meryl Streep oozes evil. It's astonishing.
In movie land, we watched and loved the new PAVAROTTI documentary. He was so talented and such a fascinating human being. Even if you don't think you love opera, it's wonderful. Left us with so many questions about talent and fame and whether it's worth it in the cost of your intimate life to be famous...a good topic for another blog???
DEBS: Oooh, I want to see the Pavarotti documentary!!
JENN McKINLAY: My only summer viewing to date has been to binge DEAD TO ME on Netflix! SOOOO good. Other than that, I've been at the movies to escape the summer heat. My fave so far was Spiderman: Far From Home. Tom Holland is the best Spiderman EVER.
RHYS BOWEN: I have been doing no summer viewing, apart from BBC World and CNN as I've been traveling since June 1. It has been frustrating not being able to get the Women's World Cup on our TV (you have to pay for the extra channels) So I'll have catching up to do when I get home. I love THE GOOD PLACE, Hank. So clever and such brilliant twists. And fun and different. I want to see Rocketman and and the Pavarotti documentary. Also I've been thinking about being famous and why some people have this drive to be outstanding and others with similar talents do not. Is it some gene we can identify? Let's definitely blog about it! Back to my croissant and cafe au lait.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I finally took the recommendation from everyone I know and binged RUSSIAN DOLL.
Amazing, I want to go back and see it all again just to reverse-engineer the gorgeous, complicated story line. The other thing I've been binging on - you're all going to laugh because it's SO nerdy - are Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. There are a whole bunch you can stream on YouTube, including the ground-breaking 1987 MIKADO directed by John Michael Phillips with Eric Idle as KoKo, the Lord High Executioner.
Another seasonal fave is to re-watch classic summer blockbusters. The Smithie and I kept our family tradition by viewing INDEPENDENCE DAY on July 4th, and I've also seen DEEP IMPACT (the east coast gets wiped off the map.) Youngest and I watched GEOSTORM before she left for Kosovo. It's a terrible movie, but so much fun to snark at with the right companion. With all the earthquakes and aftershocks going on, I may put SAN ANDREAS into the DVD player to see Duane Johnson rescuing people while California falls into pieces.
DEBS: Julia, we love INDEPENDENCE DAY, and usually watch on the 4th, too. But we missed it this year, so maybe will catch up after our company leaves this week.
HALLIE EPHRON: I've been making my way through ENDEAVOR and DEAD TO ME. Loved THE GOOD PLACE. And I just started watching UNFORGOTTEN on PBS. Anyone who missed RUSSIAN DOLL should watch it. BEST of the year, imho. Does anyone subscribe to BritBox? Is it worth adding??
DEBS: And what about FLEABAG? Anyone watching that? I keep reading that it is fabulous, and I have it on my Prime Watchlist but haven't gotten to it.
READERS, clue us in on what's on your screens?
AND CAN I JUST SAY HOORAY TO THE USA WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM!!! Now that's something to celebrate!!
