For Your Summer Viewing Pleasure

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Okay, so we've all expanded our never-ending reading lists, thanks to Lucy last week. But who's watching what on these long, late, hot summer evenings?

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!!

What's On? Jungle Reds Bingewatch

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Of course we watched THE CROWN. And I was riveted, The personalities the history. The clothes. The lipstick. Phillip the pill. Margaret the wacko spoiled one, Elizabeth trying so hard but she can't help it, she's got to be the Queen.  And I was doubly riveted because it felt like I was learning history at the same time.

Turns out, sadly, I wasn't, necessarily. So many articles are now revealing so many things that did happen at all the way they are portrayed in the series. Which is really too bad, but I don't want to list them because I don't want to spoil--if it would be spoiling--the show if you haven't seen it. I mean, it's STILL good, but you kind of have to google as you go. (Well, Rhys doesn't have to.)

But on to happier TV stuff.  Well, not exactly happier. We just finished watching Ozark, which is so incredibly suspenseful I watched the first episode curled up in a chair, saying to Jonathan--I CAN'T WATCH THIS!! And then proceeded to to be glued.

We are also--and I hesitate to reveal how behind we are--watching Breaking Bad. So now you are laughing, because that's pitiful. But wow. It's incredible. (I know, I know, I don't have to tell you.) And Mrs. Maisel, hilarious.  And my private secret treat: Project Runway. Though it's better with Tim and Heidi.

So, Reds are readers, catch us up. Point us in the right direction. What are you watching?  

HALLIE EPHRON: J'adore The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The first episode is so brilliant, and it just keeps going to a fantastic finish. Can you even imagine trying to break out as a stand-up comedian? 

I'm catching up on Vera which happily I missed. And just watched the last episode of The Detectorists and looking forward to the new season about to drop. Sadly, apparently the last. Love those sad sacks so much.

My guilty pleasure is watching (again) the episodes of Sherlock. I saw them but can't believe how much I forgot. I wonder if there will be any more. And can't wait for the new episodes of GLOW. Who knew I'd love ladies' wrestling.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Hallie, I rewatch Sherlock, too. They are just so brilliant!!! And I love The Detectorists but am way behind. Where are you getting that?

JENN McKINLAY: I just started watching Game of Thrones a few months ago. Ack! I know! WAY behind but I had to work up to it. And now, I am desperately crushing on Jon Snow. Also I am addicted to YOUNGER, which is the greatest show ever!!! (A forty year old woman can't get a job in publishing because she's been out of the loop, raising her daughter in the suburbs, so she pretends she's 26 and gets hired - SO GOOD)! And now I am going to have to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel because it sounds wonderful and I trust you and Hallie implicitly! 

INGRID THOFT: "Mrs. Maisel" is definitely going on the list, but I can’t do “Game of Thrones", which is too complicated and too violent.  I think I was the only person on the planet who couldn’t get into “Breaking Bad,” and that’s worse than being late to the show, Hank!  I just watched “Loch Ness” on Acorn, which I enjoyed, and I’m planning on tuning in to “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.”  I’m caught up on “This is Us,” one of the few network shows I watch, and I’m definitely in love with Sterling K. Brown.  There.  I admitted it.

DEBS: Ingrid, who isn't in love with Sterling K. Brown??? 

HANK: Me. No This Is Us for me. Too sad.  And Ingrid,  it took me two attempts to like Breaking Bad. But when I feel, I fell hard.

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Jenn, I've been thinking about watching YOUNGER, and you've sold me on it. Besides, who doesn't like to fantasize she could pass as fourteen years younger? Like everyone else, I've got "Mrs. Maisel" on my list, and I'm also excited about the Philip K. Dick-based series ELECTRIC DREAMS which just went up on Amazon.

Youngest and I both adore THE GOOD PLACE, and if you haven't been watching, you need to see it right now. Original and oh-so-funny. I've also been enjoying THE EXPANSE, from the SyFy (sic) network. In fact, I liked the first season so much I've put the second on hold while I finish the novels upon which the series is based. Coming up later this year, Harlan Coben has a series titles SAFE that sounds great, and very Coben-esque: a thriller set in a gated suburban community. And of course, I will keep on watching anything from HGTV. Drew and Linda's Nursery Addition? Yes. Rehab Addict Rehab? Sure. Flip or Flop Poughkeepsie? Bring it on.

LUCY BURDETTE: I barely watch TV so I'm not much use. John is the resident expert. But even he quit on BREAKING BAD, because it was too scary. (His golf buddies tease him relentlessly about admitting this.) We are in the second season of THE CROWN, though I think the first was more compelling. Now will have to watch Mrs. Maisel!

RHYS BOWEN: I regret to say I'm with Lucy. I don't watch much TV. I devoured the Crown. I'm now into the second season of Victoria although I don't find that as compelling for some reason. I am a sports nut and currently watching the Australian Open tennis from which I will go straight into the Winter Olympics. I do confess to a secret pleasure in Project Runway and the Amazing Race. And I must watch Mrs. Maisel. I've heard so much about it.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Can I even admit that I haven't watched The Crown? Ack! I will, I will. I just haven't got to it yet. Rick watched Breaking Bad but I just couldn't work up to it. We did the first season of Game of Thrones, and now I'm wondering if we should pick it up where we left off. What say, GOT fans?

HANK: Yes, yes! I even love hearing the Game of Thrones theme music. Don't stop!

DEBS: I've just started re-watching Vera from the beginning, because it is so good, and I've missed episodes or parts of episodes here and there. And I've only seen Shetland intermittently, so would like to watch all those from the beginning, too. And I am totally in love with an old series from the mid-nineties that's been running on my PBS station, called Pie in the Sky, starring Richard Griffiths as a police detective turned chef. I adore it! Haven't missed an episode since I discovered it.

Our big couple thing lately has been Star Trek: Discovery, the new series that takes place time-wise ten years before the original Star Trek. It is SO good!!! Sonequa Martin-Green, who plays Michael Burnham, the first black female first officer in the Star Trek canon, is just riveting. And Jason Issacs as the captain? What's not to like?

HANK: SO, reds and readers, point us in the right direction! Are you liking The Alienist? (SUCH a great book! But the TV show? Hmmm.)  What are you watching?