Andy Samberg and John Mulaney voice Dale and Chip, respectively, on Disney+’s Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangersimage: Courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc It seems like a hip, ingenious idea: hire a few of The Lonely Island guys and a few of the Crazy Ex Girlfriend writers to deliver a fresh, off-kilter take on an animated … Read more
Christopher Kelly and Rhea Seehorn in Better Call Saulphoto: Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television fans of Better Call Saul‘s predecessor have debated: Did Walter White really spend that series’ five seasons breaking bad, or did he simply finally find his way to his true self? Perhaps that question, considering the nuance Saul has spun for her, … Read more
Hold Your Fire directed by Stefan Forbesimage: Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films release In the star trek episode “A Taste of Armageddon,” William Shatner’s Captain Kirk gives a memorable speech to the head a planetary fact engaged in a seemingly intractable civil war. “We’re human beings with the blood of a million savage … Read more
Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in hacksphoto: Karen Ballard/HBO Max It’s hard to top the first season of hacks, HBO Max’s acerbically funny series about two women (one Gen-Z, one boomer) navigating the male-dominated world of standup comedy. With a singular blend of caustic humor, incisive social commentary, and heartbreaking pathos—not to mention a lead, … Read more
Jessica Biel as Candy Montgomery in candyphoto: Tina Rowden/Hulu The ax murder of Betty Gore isn’t the only attack on women in Hulu’s candy, a screamingly sexist limited series even the most fervent true-crime fans can safely skip. Created by Nick Antosca (TheAct) and Robin Veith (mad men), this five-part docudrama takes on the infamous … Read more
Bill Hader in barryphoto: Merrick Morton/HBO After two episodes of nonstop tension and escalating crazy—Barry kidnapping Cousineau and exploding at Sally at her workplace, Bolivians gunning for Chechens—barry had to ease up on the gas. There are still surprising turns in this week’s descent into assassin-actor delusion—we check in on each wing of the story … Read more
Melanie Lynskey in candy; Martin Freeman in breeders; Jean Smart in hacksphoto: Tina Rowden/Hulu; Mark Johnson/FX; Karen Ballard/HBO Max Welcome to What’s On, our weekly picks of must-watch shows. Here’s what you need to watch from Sunday, May 8 to Thursday, May 12. All times are Eastern. Happy viewing. [Note: The weekend edition drops on … Read more
photo: Mary Ellen Matthews/SNL Benedict Cumberbatch showed up on SNL‘s stage for his second hosting stint, ostensibly plugging his starring role in this weekend’s blockbuster Doctor Strange 2. Cumberbatch noted that the majority of pitches he’d gotten from writers involved the movie. The show didn’t ultimately go there, as foreshadowed by the monologue, which focused … Read more
Colin Firth (left) and Vincent Vermignon (right) in The Staircase photo: HBO Max recommending The Staircase without knowing how it ends feels tantamount to TV malpractice. But the limited series from HBO Max, which released just five of eight episodes to critics, almost justifies taking that risk. Almost. Created by Antonio Campos (The Devil All … Read more
Colin Firth as Ewen Montagu and Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Cholmondeleyphoto: Giles Keyte/Courtesy See-Saw Films and Netflix Operation Mincemeat, a richly engaging World War II spy drama from director John Madden, opens with voiceover narration which asserts that a good story contains that which is seen, and also that which is hidden. Over the course … Read more