What Shows are you currently watching?

[Volante99]

Started the "McMahon" series too -

Pretty disappointing- I was hoping they'd get more into the psychology of the man, dig a bit deeper, the true inner workings of the company and the puppet master that is Vince, but so far, it seems like just another history of the WWF/WWE (both the good and the bad) with some cursory commentary from Vince and a handful of wrestlers.

To be fair, I haven't finished it, but so far I would only recommend if you want an overview of how the WWE got to where it is today and a few of the scandals they've faced over the years.

If you're a more hardcore wrestling fan, there really isn't anything new or revealing here.

[jingle.boy]

Bro, you gotta watch Parenthood. So damn good.

Yeah... this shocks me, Bill.  That show is right up your alley.  As good, if not better, than This Is Us.

[Adami]

Yeah... this shocks me, Bill.  That show is right up your alley.  As good, if not better, than This Is Us.

I was weary of saying anything about This Is Us. Mostly because I've never seen it. But also because I think Bill will take that as a challenge and will then see the show as "is it better than This is Us?" vs, is this a damn good show that has little to do with This is Us?

[cramx3]

Started the "McMahon" series too -

Pretty disappointing- I was hoping they'd get more into the psychology of the man, dig a bit deeper, the true inner workings of the company and the puppet master that is Vince, but so far, it seems like just another history of the WWF/WWE (both the good and the bad) with some cursory commentary from Vince and a handful of wrestlers.

To be fair, I haven't finished it, but so far I would only recommend if you want an overview of how the WWE got to where it is today and a few of the scandals they've faced over the years.

If you're a more hardcore wrestling fan, there really isn't anything new or revealing here.

I finished last night.  They definitely try to put things together in the end to paint the picture of who he really is.  I don't think they quite nailed it though.  I feel like he was still overall presented not nearly as bad of a person as he seems.  The show felt more like a history of WWE under Vince.  I quite enjoyed it as a former WWE fan, but I think they could have done a better job at the more recent news and digging into that.  I'm sure the timing of the filming played a big role in how this show ended up being the way it is though.

Started the Penguin with the first episode last night and enjoyed it.

New season of Love is Blind starts this week too

[Stadler]

I was weary of saying anything about This Is Us. Mostly because I've never seen it. But also because I think Bill will take that as a challenge and will then see the show as "is it better than This is Us?" vs, is this a damn good show that has little to do with This is Us?

Fair, but I'll give it a shake.  Got to finish The Bear, first, then catch up on some of the 20/20 and Datelines I've recorded.  Big true crime fan! 

[Volante99]

I finished last night.  They definitely try to put things together in the end to paint the picture of who he really is.  I don't think they quite nailed it though.  I feel like he was still overall presented not nearly as bad of a person as he seems.  The show felt more like a history of WWE under Vince.  I quite enjoyed it as a former WWE fan, but I think they could have done a better job at the more recent news and digging into that.  I'm sure the timing of the filming played a big role in how this show ended up being the way it is though.

I guess I was hoping they would go a bit deeper into Vince's childhood. How did Vince and his mother end up in a trailer in North Carolina? Who exactly was his stepfather? What was he like as a child by the people who knew him? Any truth to the rumors of sexual abuse from his mother? (Nasty stuff but probably relevant when you're talking about a guy with multiple sexual assault/abuse related lawsuits).

[hefdaddy42]

We watched the new Batman movie over the weekend in prep to watch The Penguin tv show.  Thought the movie was good, although a bit too long.

I really enjoyed that film more that I expected to, but you're right, it's really long.

[cramx3]

Caught up on the Penguins newest episode, shaping up to be a good season.

Watched the first episode of a new reality competition show, The Summit.  Actually thought it was better than I expected going in. 

Also, been watching Wheel of Fortune with Ryan Seacrest a lot lately.  Just been timing with dinner in recent weeks and with the new host figured I'd check it out, now I'm solving puzzles with dinner every night it seems.

[ReaperKK]

Yeah... this shocks me, Bill.  That show is right up your alley.  As good, if not better, than This Is Us.

I really liked Parenthood and hated This Is Us.

[jingle.boy]

I really liked Parenthood and hated This Is Us.

[pg1067]

I really liked Parenthood and hated This Is Us.

I've never seen the actual show, but based on what I've seen from previews and stuff, This Is Us is probably the show that will play on an eternal loop if I ever find myself in hell.

[Adami]

Can someone pitch This is Us to me?

Right now I am turned off by it for 2 pretty lame reasons.

1) It was described, multiple times, to me as essentially crying porn. That isn't a hook.
2) I love Milo but dude looks dumb as hell with a mustache.

[jingle.boy]

Can someone pitch This is Us to me?

Right now I am turned off by it for 2 pretty lame reasons.

1) It was described, multiple times, to me as essentially crying porn. That isn't a hook.
2) I love Milo but dude looks dumb as hell with a mustache.

It was a great 'spouse' TV show.  Something that appealed (to a certain degree) to both of us.  Family values and relationships (both good and friction), lots of different time periods showcasing the evolution of the Pearson family - the kids as babies, toddlers, tweens, teens, and adults.

[pg1067]

Can someone pitch This is Us to me?

Right now I am turned off by it for 2 pretty lame reasons.

1) It was described, multiple times, to me as essentially crying porn. That isn't a hook.
2) I love Milo but dude looks dumb as hell with a mustache.

I don't know who Milo is, but #1 here is spot on why I think it looks awful.

[Adami]

It was a great 'spouse' TV show.  Something that appealed (to a certain degree) to both of us.  Family values and relationships (both good and friction), lots of different time periods showcasing the evolution of the Pearson family - the kids as babies, toddlers, tweens, teens, and adults.

That's a fair point. I did my rewatch of Parenthood with my wife (who was seeing it for the first time) and she loved it so much. We're about to finish Gilmore Girls (rewatch for me, her first time) so maybe we'll try that one in the future as a couple show.

[hefdaddy42]

Can someone pitch This is Us to me?

I loved it, and you should watch it.

[Adami]

I loved it, and you should watch it.

Going once, going twice...SOLD!

[hefdaddy42]

[MirrorMask]

I'm halfway through season 3 of The Bear and once again I get reminded this show is not really for me. Bunch of neurotic people in serious need of therapy who behave like manchildren always needing to have the last word. Episodes are like, 35 minutes, and 29 are spent on characters (mainly Carmie and Richie) saying "fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you".

And in episode 5 there's a guest spot from John Cena, what this show needed that was lacking? yay, ONE MORE character who is manic and talks in rapid fire contrast with the other characters. I get that writers can write conflict well but it's so exausting. At this point I'm just rooting for Sydney 'cause she's the only level headed person and a gentle soul that deserves success.

"You already complained about the show, while do you keep watching?" well, it's not a total disaster. It's obviously well written, well shot and well acted. Here and there I like some of the stories. Also, I've already seen most of the shows I really like, so by now I'm scrapping the bottom of the barrell with streaming services, and I'm back on Disney+ only because of a promotion where I pay just 2 euros per month for 3 months. It's 10 short-ish episodes, it's not a massive waste of time to watch them and I'm certainly not neglecting several other shows I love. Frankly I won't even have 3 months worth of content I love left to see on Disney, so I might as well see a show that it's not total garbage, rather than pointlessly dig up the most obscure shows and take a gamble on them just to fill time.

[DoctorAction]

Apple TV: do yourself a favor and watch Severance. So good.

Watched it a couple of years back. Up there with my favourite shows of all time. Amazing TV.

We've been stuck to The Rookie like glue. I think it's that it's just good enough, with a mostly good cast, and we can watch it with no expectations. I love it. Having said that, we're almost at the end of season 4 and it has been the weakest season. John's love interest (the firefighter, Bailey) is awful, and seemingly turns up at every scene. We liked the doctor ex girlfriend. She was ace (and nearer his age). Will probably rest it for a while after the season finale.

[Stadler]

Can someone pitch This is Us to me?

Right now I am turned off by it for 2 pretty lame reasons.

1) It was described, multiple times, to me as essentially crying porn. That isn't a hook.
2) I love Milo but dude looks dumb as hell with a mustache.

Granted, I'm a fan of the show for sure, but I don't think either of those two are fair, or should be your decision point.  Well, maybe Milo does look dumb in a moustache, but I noticed it precisely zero times in the entire series.  And besides, Mandy Moore looks absolutely phenomenal in all but the old age scenes, so there's that counter balance. 

I know what "porn" is supposed to connote in the slang sense of the word, and frankly I don't even get that first sentence.

[Stadler]

I'm halfway through season 3 of The Bear and once again I get reminded this show is not really for me. Bunch of neurotic people in serious need of therapy who behave like manchildren always needing to have the last word. Episodes are like, 35 minutes, and 29 are spent on characters (mainly Carmie and Richie) saying "fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you".

And in episode 5 there's a guest spot from John Cena, what this show needed that was lacking? yay, ONE MORE character who is manic and talks in rapid fire contrast with the other characters. I get that writers can write conflict well but it's so exausting. At this point I'm just rooting for Sydney 'cause she's the only level headed person and a gentle soul that deserves success.

"You already complained about the show, while do you keep watching?" well, it's not a total disaster. It's obviously well written, well shot and well acted. Here and there I like some of the stories. Also, I've already seen most of the shows I really like, so by now I'm scrapping the bottom of the barrell with streaming services, and I'm back on Disney+ only because of a promotion where I pay just 2 euros per month for 3 months. It's 10 short-ish episodes, it's not a massive waste of time to watch them and I'm certainly not neglecting several other shows I love. Frankly I won't even have 3 months worth of content I love left to see on Disney, so I might as well see a show that it's not total garbage, rather than pointlessly dig up the most obscure shows and take a gamble on them just to fill time.

Interesting; with the understanding that I'm not yet at Ep 5, so I have no idea what John Cena brings to the table (pun intended), I don't refute any of that (except for one thing, gimme a minute) but that's exactly why I like it.  The dynamic is so good.  I'm not seeing any growth yet in Carmy, but I love the evolution-so-far of Richie, and we'll see - well, I'll see, you guys already know - if it sticks during the difficult times.

The part I refute: Sydney. I get it, she's necessary for the show, but the parts just with her or with her and her dad is when my eyelids get hazy.  She seems to want the prize, but from what I've seen so far, I'm not convinced she either knows what it takes or is willing to actually give it - being single and defying your dad is NOT "doing what it takes" - to get there.  I might be proved wrong, but we'll see.

[MirrorMask]

Whopsies, the whole season is out, and reading here and there I got the impression that everyone had watched the entire season already, my bad. At least I didn't spoil anything substantial.

And yes, I agree that we have yet to see some growth in Carmy, I'm all for antiheroes but he has to give you something to root for him sooner or later.

[Stadler]

Mirror, though I deeply appreciate the gesture, don't worry about me; I get it. I'm late to the party.  I do not expect you guys to curb your discussions because of me.  If I don't want to read something I won't, and if the surprise really mattered to me, I would have watched it with everyone else.  I own it.

By the way, pet peeve of mine: reading the Fish facebook thread, and he started his tour the other night.  The setlist has been a big topic of conversation - like with DT - and there are one or two that have posted "I want to be surprised, so please do not reveal anything!"   And I'm like, so YOU want to feel "special", we all have to adjust what we say and how we say it?  Stay off the site for five fucking days, and guess what, you'll be surprised!   But someone says "well, there's information here, like meetups and stuff".  Yeah, and life isn't free.  Some things have a cost.  You now have a decision to make: do I meet up, and risk my surprise being blown, or do I get surprised and maybe miss the meetup?   

I don't know, maybe I'm cranky today, but just seems "entitled" to me.

[Adami]

Granted, I'm a fan of the show for sure, but I don't think either of those two are fair, or should be your decision point.  Well, maybe Milo does look dumb in a moustache, but I noticed it precisely zero times in the entire series.  And besides, Mandy Moore looks absolutely phenomenal in all but the old age scenes, so there's that counter balance. 

I know what "porn" is supposed to connote in the slang sense of the word, and frankly I don't even get that first sentence.

To be fair, I did state that my reasons were lame 

Crying porn, the way I use it, is meant to be something that gets off on making you cry. So essentially the show just tries to make you cry as much as possible. And of course tissues are used.

[Stadler]

To be fair, I did state that my reasons were lame 

Crying porn, the way I use it, is meant to be something that gets off on making you cry. So essentially the show just tries to make you cry as much as possible. And of course tissues are used.

You're not helping. I definitely used tissues but I don't remember crying all that much...  . 

No, seriously, I mean, it has it's moving scenes, but while I AM a cryer, I don't recall any overt or obvious plays like that. 

[hefdaddy42]

There were definitely emotional moments in the series, and I got misty occasionally, but it wasn't every episode or anything.

[pg1067]

I'm halfway through season 3 of The Bear and once again I get reminded this show is not really for me. Bunch of neurotic people in serious need of therapy who behave like manchildren always needing to have the last word. Episodes are like, 35 minutes, and 29 are spent on characters (mainly Carmie and Richie) saying "fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you" - "no fuck you".

Yikes...if this is even remotely accurate, then this is definitely not a show for me.

[jingle.boy]

There were definitely emotional moments in the series, and I got misty occasionally, but it wasn't every episode or anything.

My best guess is that I could count on one hand the number of times I got choked or teared up.

Yikes...if this is even remotely accurate, then this is definitely not a show for me.

The meter on the number of angry/yelling "fuck-you" kinda comments is off the charts - so, it would seem this show is not for you.

[Stadler]

I mean, you're not really 'wrong' per se, but in the context of the show, I'm not sure this is a fair characterization.  It'd be like watching a police drama and saying "well, there were GUNS everywhere so...".

There's one scene that is SPECIFICALLY Richie and Carmy yelling "fuck you", "no fuck YOU" to each other, but it's in context.  They communicated to each other in their own way, including Richie telling Carm he lived him, WHEN THEY WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FREEZER DOOR and couldn't see each other.  But in person, face-to-face, they are both so retarded - in the literal sense of the word of "being held back" -  emotionally that all they could muster in their frustration, fear, anger and (perhaps) relief (not all directed at each other) is "fuck you".  It meant something, it wasn't just the easy way out in terms of dialogue.

[Jamesman42]

Finished season 4 of The Expanse quickly (10 episodes). Fuck. I love this show. The main crew is all awesome. Looks like we will see Naomi's son and his dad be a focal point for season 5. 

[jingle.boy]

I mean, you're not really 'wrong' per se, but in the context of the show, I'm not sure this is a fair characterization.  It'd be like watching a police drama and saying "well, there were GUNS everywhere so...".

There's one scene that is SPECIFICALLY Richie and Carmy yelling "fuck you", "no fuck YOU" to each other, but it's in context.  They communicated to each other in their own way, including Richie telling Carm he lived him, WHEN THEY WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FREEZER DOOR and couldn't see each other.  But in person, face-to-face, they are both so retarded - in the literal sense of the word of "being held back" -  emotionally that all they could muster in their frustration, fear, anger and (perhaps) relief (not all directed at each other) is "fuck you".  It meant something, it wasn't just the easy way out in terms of dialogue.

I'm with you 100%. But I suspect Paul is not.

[MirrorMask]

The irony - after seeing the fifth episode and thinking "geez why do I even bother", came the sixth episode which was my favorite of the season so far. Interesting spotlight on a side character. Brilliant episode and that's why I stick around, for stories like that... I get that restaurant kitchens are stressful, I don't need to be reminded every single episode, that's all.

[Stadler]

Sort of general observation, not specific to any one episode, but... I think we need the reminder of the chaos of the kitchen, since it is a) so relentless, and b) impacts so many things.  Think of it the opposite way; how many shows/movies whatever start off by setting a stage - chaos, drinking, cheating, whatever - then you never really see it again.  Sure it's in your brain, but without the reminder I don't think you quite get the emotional resonance of it.  Without that, so much of what DOES land wouldn't, IMO, and you greatly risk the jumping of the shark.  It's one of my big beefs with procedurals; like in Law and Order, they replaced Jack McCoy, with this guy that comes in like a walking stereotype of the hard ass driving change, etc., then by the third episode they're all out having drinks together and everything is koombaya.  WTF? That's not how it works in real life. 

[Train of Naught]

I just started Supernatural and it's such a chill watch! I'm only a few episodes in, but I'm loving the vibe. Sam and Dean are such a fun duo, especially when they're joking around in the car. Just finished that episode with the creepy ghost in the house, and it gave me some good chills but not too scary, you know?

It's like a mix of humor and spooky stuff, which is right up my alley. I'm curious how things will unfold