16. summer viewing
August in Philadelphia is one of the more demoralizing times to be here. The heat and humidity are so unrelenting that it makes everyone irritable and makes me want to hide out in my apartment watching television all month long. Which is exactly what I did! I am changing up my normal approach to the newsletter this month to elaborate on my watch list. So here are the shows I have been watching, some of which you should consider adding to your watch list. Mind you, I started two of the following shows in July; but I do acknowledge that this is an appalling amount of television for someone to watch in one month. Did I mention the unbearable heat in Philly?? Anyways….
The Watchlist
Last Screened:
Love Island, Season 12 (UK - ITVX)
One of my favorite things about watching Love Island (UK) is the class politics of the program. The girls LOVE a tradey (i.e. an electrician, a gardener, a construction worker) and the footballer, rugby player, and even the finance guy were treated with suspicion. To be fair, that was incredibly justified for the guy in finance. His behavior, along with his co-conspirators, led to the highest number of complaints to the UK’s Office of Communications since 2021—the Faye and Teddy season. There was no shortage of well-deserved discourse about this season. If you watched it, I am in desperate need of someone to debrief the season with!
The Gilded Age, Season 3 (HBO Max)
If Season 4 of this show was released the literal second that Season 3 ended, it would have been too late. HBO shows seem to really hit their stride in Season 3 (see, for example, Hacks). Does Meryl Streep’s daughter put on the best acting performance I have seen on television? Absolutely not. Are some of the plot points just looney-tunes convenient? Absolutely. Is Christine Baranski still sitting down in full costume on a 19th century chair somewhere in midtown? Probably. Would I die for Clock Twink? You fucking bet.
Love Life, Season 1 (Netflix)
My favorite Anna Kendrick performance of all time is still Twilight, but this is a close second. This is a two season anthology that got cancelled by HBO Max and the first season focuses on Darby (Kendrick) as she navigates dating in New York City. The concept is a bit yawn, but it was cute and the ending was more satisfying than I expected!
Severance, Seasons 1 and 2 (Apple TV+)
I got bullied into watching this by both my sister and husband (and my youngest brother who is not even old enough to watch this show). I must begrudgingly tell you that it did indeed rock. It’s so good. The cinematography is incredible and really does capture winter in Rochester, NY. Which isn’t necessarily where the show is meant to be set, although I wonder if Kodak and Xerox served as inspiration for Lumon. I still maintain it’s scarier than anyone who bugged me to watch it would admit to!
Seven Samurai (BMFI)
Oh, you thought I only watched slop? Well! The Bryn Mawr Film Institute ensures that I maintain some amount of credibility as a media scholar by providing opportunities to watch your most annoying film friend’s favorite movies. But if you’ve been reading this substack for a minute then you know this isn’t my first Kurosawa film. If you have a chance to see it in theaters (with an intermission—bless), I would recommend it. Otherwise, plan a break and get lots of snacks!
K-Pop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
If you have a child between the ages of maybe 7-12 in your life, you know. This is so much more than the title suggests (and the title suggests the entire plot). This movie had so much heart, the songs were genuinely very fun, and the animation was striking. It’s very well done and while it is well on its way to being Minion-ed, I would still recommend it if you want something fun and light, in a tight 90 minutes!
The Decameron (Netflix)
I have very much been living under a rock because somehow this show came out, got nominated for an Emmy and I was none the wiser? I have failed. When I saw Tony Hale’s name in the credits I knew I was in for a good time. This is a limited series set in 14th century Italy, but rather than a drama it’s a dark comedy about the Black Death! It feels very much like someone started researching medieval plagues in the depths of pandemic isolation, stumbled across Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron and thought: hey, that’d make a great series! And you know what? It does. This was a bit of a slow burn but about halfway through the show I was totally hooked. It was the best show I watched all summer.1
Currently Watching:
Platonic, Season 2 (Apple TV+)
I forgot this show existed until they launched Season 2 and I thought: eh, might as well. I guess I also forgot how funny Rose Byrne is in it. I like Seth Rogen just fine and really enjoyed him in The Studio, but there’s only so much of his comedy that I can consume in a short span of time. This worked for me because the antics are toned down compared to his movies. It’s nice!
Foundation, Season 3 (Apple TV+)
If you know me personally then I am sure you know this is a show I watch because I love my husband. Three seasons in and I genuinely can’t tell you what is happening in this show or how much time has passed within the story. It’s so confusing. The visuals are stunning. I love the girl who swims, she’s rad.
The Leopard (Netflix)
This is another limited series set in Italy, but it’s a drama about the unification of Italy under Garibaldi. I obviously had to watch it. The scenery is…..I’m sorry can I please go back to Europe? I love a period drama with exquisite costume design and subtitles. Sign me up!
Now Playing on RBTV Radio
Wonderwall - Oasis2
Talk Tonight - Oasis
Slide Away - Oasis
Harmony Cobel terrifies me!!! She made Severance too scary to be considered a favorite.
I had to!!!