May TV Checklist

 

Well, May was a full month of television. Lots to review. I’ll talk about Obi-Wan Kenobi and Stranger Things next month. Meanwhile, here’s what I was watching:

BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC)
I am cherishing every episode of this amazing series. Knowing this is the last season, some deaths were to be expected but the impact has been simply heartbreaking at times. There have been a couple slower episodes to set things up for some truly incredibly scenes. I love a good long con and this season nailed it with some tragic results. Can’t wait to see what happens in the last batch coming this July. I’m on pins and needles.

OZARK (NETFLIX)
I am pretty satisfied with how the series ended. I wouldn’t say it was one of the best ever but it made sense to me. I don’t want to spoil things for those who still have it on their ‘to watch’ list but I found myself both for and against Ruth for the last half of this season. And Wendy should make many mothers happy that they are not like her.

BARRY (HBO)
This season started a little slow but the last couple episodes have been awesome. It looked like Barry was not given much to do but that has changed. The action scenes from the last episodes were so well done and funny. And Barry casually explaining how to mess with someone made me laugh out loud. Looking forward to how they’ll wrap up this season and set up the next one.

GASLIT (STARZ)
I didn’t realize how bumbling Watergate really was. That is assuming this show is trying to be accurate though. I think it’s interesting to take the angle of John Mitchell’s wife (Julia Roberts) instead of a straight up docudrama. Sean Penn is practically unrecognizable as John Mitchell behind all that makeup. I have also enjoyed the plethora of actors in this show including: Dan Stevens, Patton Oswalt, Shea Whigham, Hamish Linklater, Nelson Franklin and Chris Messina. 

MOON KNIGHT (DISNEY+)
I knew nothing about this Marvel hero before seeing this show. The first episode was really good as the main character was as confused as I was, but I was intrigued. Unfortunately, this show was even for me. I enjoyed the first, second, fourth and end of the sixth episode. Three and five did not grab me at all. I did enjoy seeing the dual nature of Oscar Issacs’ protagonist. Not sure if I’d be drawn to a second season if there was one though.

JULIA (HBO)
This was a surprisingly enjoyable show about Julia Child and the first cooking show. I do like to look behind the scenes of a show being produced. I enjoyed Fran Kranz (Dollhouse) as the executive producer who had no faith in Child. I liked Sarah Lancashire as Julia Child and Brittany Bradford as a producer who wanted to help. But the big draw for me is David Hyde Pierce as Julia’s ultra-supportive husband, Paul. It’s rare to see such a husband on film. Also, it’s fun to see him interact with fellow Frasier co-star Bebe Neuwirth.

THE PENTAVERATE (NETFLIX)
I wanted this to be funnier. You can tell that Mike Myers is having a lot of fun playing multiple characters and I enjoyed most of his incarnations. I think I liked his Shep Gordon and Ken Scarborough the most. This show just had too many immature bodily function jokes. I was hoping for something a bit more clever. While there are good lines, great comparisons between Canada and USA and a couple fun Netflix interruptions, this just needed more care and humour. 

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)
Not a great season. While I respect Lorne Michael’s idea of having almost all new hosts, it doesn’t always mean a quality show. They need to have some ringers back to host and even it out. The live sketches were okay, I enjoyed the work of newer actors James Austin Johnson (killer Trump & Biden impressions) and Andrew Dismukes (lovably awkward teen roles). The Weekend Updates were pretty solid this season. I just don’t like Michael Che laughing at his own jokes. Most of the pre-taped stuff was fun but the big highlight was the Please Don’t Destroy group consisting of Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy (two of three are kids of SNL writers). Their quirky ‘stay-in-their-office’ antics were a hit from the start. Loved their opener of different seltzers to looking for a missing cat to three sad virgins. They were comedy gold. Look up their stuff on YouTube. You can thank me later.

WELCOME TO FLATCH (FOX)
Still love Shrub. That’s all I see going for this show. Not sure I’ll be back.

ATLANTA (FX)
As I said in the last TV post, episodes that don’t feature Donald Glover or Bryan Tyree Henry seem out of place. Those random episodes come off as somewhat pretentious. I’m not sure I’ll be back for their fourth season.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR (FOX)
Lots of crying kids as they get eliminate. How did A’dan get so lucky to last that long – his attitude alone should be enough to oust him.

MR. MAYOR (NBC)
So sad that this show didn’t get picked up for another season. I really liked the ending storyline of the bratty influencer going up against the mayor in a recall vote. I guess their cliffhanger won’t get resolved – though I wasn’t a fan of the reveal. I hope that Bobby Moynihan finds another hilarious supporting role, he definitely deserves it. 

THIS IS US (NBC)
I’ll admit that the show stuck the landing. The second last episode did a beautiful job of saying goodbye to a major character. The train idea worked for me. I also enjoyed the final episode where they intercut a funeral with an average rainy Saturday afternoon. The last shot surprised me a bit but I got the idea of sitting back and enjoying the love of one’s family. Not as Kleenex inducing as I was expecting but well done nonetheless.

THE GOOD DOCTOR (ABC)
Well, they finally had the wedding after loads of lead up. Loved Glassman’s speech – although the flashbacks made this seem like a series finale instead of season finale. They knew they were coming back as evidenced in a scene that was clearly stolen from ER. Little shocked how similar it was. The ER episode is my favourite one so Good Doctor better bring it when they return this fall.

THE WONDER YEARS (ABC)
Really enjoyed this new show. Glad it got picked up for a second season. Dule Hill and Don Cheadle are great and the rest of the family is definitely growing on me. The scene under the table in the out-of-nowhere hurricane was reminiscent of Arnold and Winnie from the original. Fred Savage would be proud (if he were allowed back on set).

YOUNG SHELDON (CBS)
It’s funny how I enjoy watching everyone but Sheldon. Well, not a fan of the mom and the ‘hip’ youth pastor either.  Georgie’s storyline was great at the end of the season and they are really laying into the family strife. I find myself more concerned than laughing. Let’s see how they handle this next season. 

What are you watching?