The twelfth season of the American Horror Story, is Delicate.
Based on Danielle Valentine's book, Delicate Condition. This is the first season of the AHS to be based on a novel, instead of having an original storyline.
In Delicate we see Emma Roberts, Denis O'Hare, Dominic Burgess, Zachary Quinto, Billie Lourd, Grace Gummer, Leslie Grossman, Matt Czuchry, Kim Kardashian, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Cara Delevingne, Julie White, Juliana Canfield, and Maaz Ali all star in Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's long running series.
This season was split into two parts, with the second part landing earlier this month. With only nine episodes (along with short episode run times) this was one short season. That is after we got over having five episodes in September, then waiting six months for four short, abrupt AF episodes.
Spoilers for the super random The Auteur finale below. You have been warned!
In flashbacks, Siobhan meets Anna for the first time and forces Dr. Hill to work for her.
Then in 2024, Dex and Kamal join Anna in the ambulance, which Ivy drives to an underground facility. As Anna goes into labor, Ivy shoots Kamal and the baby bites Dex's hand off; Ivy forces it down Dex's throat, killing him.
After Anna gives birth to a demonic boy, Ivy tells her that her baby was the price for her Oscar.
Later, Anna awakens paralyzed from the waist down, where she is greeted by the cult, the Delicates. Siobhan reveals herself as the leader and offers Anna beauty and power.
As Dex's father enters, Siobhan explains that she is Dex's mother and that Anna's fetus was replaced with her own. Siobhan kills Ivy for killing Dex and explains that the cult's true intention is to use Dex's preserved testicles to breed superpowered children who will kill all men.
After Anna agrees to join, Adeline appears and tells Anna that only light can snuff out the dark. Anna joins Adeline in chanting, causing Siobhan to disintegrate. Anna, no longer paralyzed, puts on Siobhan's headpiece and finds her baby, now human, and her Oscar in the next room.
So lets just say, this show is now no longer, the cult must-see it once was. I really have no idea what I just watched over this twelfth season. It was a bit of a red hot mess with the most random, abrupt, just get it over with finale. Kim Kardashian however did have some wild lines.
Will she be back for season thirteen? Let's just say, surely that will be the final season right FX? Surely?
If you are interested in Australia, AHS streams now on Binge.
Heartbreak High is back baby! In Term Two we get fresh hottie from Dubbo (with secrets), a new sports teacher (former Recovery host, Stan Bump star Angus Sampson) and a mystery assailant.
We also get into the election cycle on a school level scale. As race for school captain is a major storyline throughout the second season @ Hartley High.
Rebooted for Netflix, the first season received universal praise from critics, while the second season divided critics and audiences. I must say, season one was super woke, but season two with Sampson's character kind of went a little far.
We see a large number of season one's cast return. Ayesha Madon, Thomas Weatherall, James Majoos, Chloé Hayden, Asher Yasbincek, Will McDonald, Gemma Chua-Tran, Bryn Chapman Parish, Sherry-Lee Watson, Brodie Townsend, Chika Ikogwe and Rachel House.
Sadly hunky Josh Heuston only has a very small role in this season. BOO!
With Sam Rechner, Kartanya Maynard and Angus Sampson joining the series as newcomers in the second season.
Season two landed earlier this month. But you all know I don't have Netflix anymore. Sadly. Lucky I was cat sitting for the neighbours who do.
So I binged all eight episodes filled with songs from The Veronica's, Tina Turner, Cub Sport, Mallrat, Nia Archives and more.
Yes some episodes are like one giant music video!
Season one won a pile of awards. Including an International Emmy Award, while receiving 15 AACTA Awards nominations, including Best Drama Series, winning six. How will season two fair at the next AACTA awards? I don't think it will do as well against a strong run of Aussie series. Total Control's final season, Binge's already renewed Strife, Prosper, the second big season of The Newsreader along with Amazon's The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.
So the verdict on season two?
Well..... The season ended with a year 11 prom in flames with Flame Trees playing out by legendary Sarah Blasko. It also had an open ended finale with year 12 on the horizon. Will Netflix give this Aussie original another go? I think it will based on previous accolades.
Maybe without Angus Sampson trying to be a schoolyard Trump or Sky News after dark commentator.
Either way nice to see streaming giant, Netflix investing in Australian content. Even if it is just another reboot. Did you miss the news about incoming reboots? Melrose Place, Heroes, X Files and more may all be on the cards. Oh baby Jesus!
The Swarm (German: Der Schwarm) is a German co-produced sci-fic miniseries, adapted from the novel by Frank Schätzing.
Der Schwarm depicts the struggle with aggression by a mysterious deep sea intelligence that is reacting to human-caused environmental damage.
With a huge budget of €40 million, making Der Schwarm the most expensive German TV production (produced in English) of all time. The series had its world premiere at 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in Berlinale Series back in February 2023.
I have to admit, I slept on The Swarm on Binge (in Australia), as it premiered on ZDF back in February to March, last year.
In an interview, Barbara Eder (one of the directors, alongside Luke Watson and Philipp Stölzl) confirmed that there are ideas already for a second season, but their implementation has yet to be decided after the figures for the first season have been evaluated. As when I watched the final episode, it does end on a bit of a, to be continued.... note.
The eight episode run features European actors, Cécile de France, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Jack Greenlees, Lydia Wilson, Krista Kosonen, Alexander Karim, Leonie Benesch and German star Barbara Sukowa with Japanese actors Takuya Kimura and Takehiro Hira.
As the series got an airing on the new The CW, it also features american actors Rosabell Laurenti Sellers and Dutch Johnson, and Canadian Joshua Odjick. With a story on a global level, it's great to see so much diversity across the cast. Nice to also see Vancouver, BC get into the mix.
For me though the first six episodes were the series best. it did start to lose a bit of steam as the series continued.
As the US network 2023-2024 (shortened) TV season (which The Swarm was part of The CW's lineup) is coming to an end. I will 100% be getting though a number of my watchlist series.
I am also hoping to use my neighbours Netflix whilst cat sitting to smash the latest Heartbreak High season. So look out for that, alongside new local SBS series, Swift Street. An easy new binge bringing Melbourne's multicultural streets to the small screen.
For now though, it's Anzac Day, so while taking a minute/a break/a well deserved day off, The Swarm streams on Binge. Where High Country will conclude next week, The Girls on the Bus from HBO MAX is currently streaming alongside most likely the final season of The Cleaning Lady.
Reasonable Doubt is just another show I slept on. Cause it landed all the way back in September 2022!
Created by Raamla Mohamed for Hulu, streaming in Australia on Disney+, the series stars Emayatzy Corinealdi as a corporate defense lawyer navigating challenging high-profile cases.
Reasonable Doubt stars McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Aderinsola Olabode, and Michael Ealy.
Reasonable Doubt was renewed for a second series back in April of last year. One year ago and still no word on the second series. However the first nine episodes were an easy ass binge. I did all nine this past weekend. Yes I watched a lot of TV and a few films in the mix this past weekend.
The first season has generally received positive reviews from critics. The series was created by former Scandal writer Raamla Mohamed, while loosely based on the experiences of celebrity attorney Shawn Holley.
Holley is also a producer for the show, with Kerry Washington directed the series pilot. Kerry Washington received a nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series at the 2023 Black Reel Awards for Television
So what's it about?
Jax Stewart (Corinealdi) is a successful defense lawyer at an up-scale Los Angeles law firm. She navigates difficult cases amid a separation from her husband (Freeman) and the reappearance of a former client (Ealy) she worked with in her previous job as a public defender.
What did other critics say? Daniel D'Addario of Variety asserted, Reasonable Doubt plays like the juicy soap Shonda Rhimes would never write; its excesses, often, grab and hold our attention. Yes it totally has Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder vibes.
Nina Metz of Chicago Tribune gave the series a grade of 3 out of 4 stars and said, "There's a lot to like about "Reasonable Doubt," which is sharp and fun and moves at a good clip. And it's smart about keeping things just this side of ridiculous." Yep the old HTGAWM six months earlier flashback after a cliffhanger we work towards, does keep you guessing, however there is some trashy side stories to work through across the nine episodes.
But Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly hit the nail on the head. She gave the show a B+, stating, "Reasonable Doubt is enjoyably Shonda-esque, in that it's a steamy, speed-plotted soap built around a morally ambiguous female power player whose life is filled with ridiculously attractive men. But Mohamed also weaves in frank and nuanced stories about marriage, parenting, and the importance of (and challenges with) female friendships," and complimented Corinealdi's performance.
Yep the men are sure attractive!
This was a fun, easy escape from the day-to-day working 9-5 life.
If you have Disney+ and need something new to watch, give Reasonable Doubt a try!
The 2024 IT girl is back. Zendaya is a queen! As we wait for Euphoria season three, this little romp might keep us hooked on her. Well Dune: Part II was Zendaya in sci-fi mode, in Challengers she is a glamourous former tennis champ, now her husband's tennis coach.
However with flashbacks we see a love triangle play out between Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist.
Challengers comes from Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes.
Throughout the film, we follow a professional tennis champion who plots a comeback with the help of his wife, a former tennis prodigy who retired after an injury, as he goes up against another player, who also happens to be his former best friend and wife's former lover.
Challengers opened last week. An interesting school holidays film really. It has some seriously homoerotic imagery throughout. That sauna scene! So it is no wonder, the film received critical acclaim. While having a banging, brash soundtrack by legends Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross.
Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a former tennis prodigy turned coach after a career-ending injury, is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend, who is also Tashi's former boyfriend.
So if you are fans of tennis, love triangles and/or Zendaya, this film is totally for you!
I enjoyed it, even though it was a later Sunday evening session. The session was also largely packed into a smaller cinema. Even though it was a smaller cinema, it had engaged young things watching every full on scene without playing on their phones. That is a win for director Guadagnino if you ask me.
This last few weeks cinema has really picked up. The year started fairly bleak following the strikes on 2023. I am happy to say cinema has it's mojo back!
Monkey Man is another fun, action packed revenge film. Think John Wick but in Mumbai. The film has some serious political and social undertones. Monkey Man explores themes of societal challenges, including corruption, discrimination, caste system, poverty and the experiences of the Hijra community in India.
Dev Patel stars while this is his directorial debut. He even broke his hand in the process of filming this film in Indonesia.
Monkey Man has received generally positive reviews from critics. The banging soundtrack, hard hitting action sequences, makes this an intense, wild ride.
The pumping tunes, the lack of guns, hand to hand combat made this film standout from your everyday action film. I enjoyed this two hour full throttle combat film a lot more than I thought I would. The final showdown was insanely fun! BYO fireworks!
OK no spoilers, this film was fire. A lot of fun, glad some decent movies are finding landing. Also Dev Patel is looking fine! How much working out have you been doing, damn!
Big Mood commenced on Stan late last month while Channel 4 in the UK the same time. The six-part series is written and created by Camilla Whitehill, starring Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West.
Advertised as riotous comedy-drama that follows Maggie (Coughlan) and Eddie (West). OK episode one was funny, but it becomes much more of a dark comedy with more emphasis on dark than comedy as the six episodes roll on.
Maggie and Eddie have been best friends for 10 years, through thick, thin, and multiple eyebrow trends. But with their thirties looming and Maggie’s mental health spiralling, can their friendship survive?
Also appearing in the series, Sally Phillips, Amy Gledhill and Freya Parker, with a guest appearance from Joanna Page, playing herself.
Now I wanted to like this as I love a UK short and sharp series now. But this was a little tough to watch.
If you are having a rough time right now, maybe give this one a miss. Stan really needs to work on getting some more content deals signed. Currently the content is a little inconsistent without any regular original series of their own dropping.
At least All American is back on week to week. I did also discover a random Showtime one and done comedy which I am also half way through, I Love That for You. Which is truly FAB! I cannot wait to finish that bad boy! Eight episodes of pure fun!
Sadly Big Mood, wasn't enough to put me in a good mood.
So if you have missed it, my second quarters TV blog series is well and truly up and running. Yes from seasons to quarters, my TV posts will now be a little more structure. The latest series is Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24'.
Keep an eye out for posts related to American Horror Stories latest season, Delicate soon. Along with the third season of Chucky wrapping and new Aussie drama with serious The Dry vibes, High Country.
I am also scrapping the at home version of film reviews from streaming services. Meaning it's cinema or bust for my Post Strike Cinema 24' series.
I did love the Netflix Gillian Anderson/Billie Piper (Day and Night baby!) SCOOP film. I also watched the cute Aussie film FIVE BLIND DATES on Amazon. Fabulous. Townsville and Sydney, never looked so good!
The cast for this Aussie feature is ace too. Led by Shuang Hu, with Desmond Chiam, Tiffany Wong, Renee Lim, Tzi Ma, Yoson An and Rob Collins. I have to agree with the review that the film was "feel good and comforting". It definitely ticked my mothers film requirement boxes and mine. Even my 88 year old father liked it!
OK so all that out of the way, next month means business for the network series shows I watch from the US of A.
Following the strikes, it's been a short USA TV season. Nice short, sharp ten episode (or in some cases 12, 13) runs. None of the bullshit 22 episodes of filler, filler with the occasional killer episode. That said Shanola Hampton as Gabrielle "Gabi" Mosely's second season of Found (Binge, USA - NBC) unfortunately will be 22 episodes .
So of my (limited) US network shows I am awaiting on here is the current state of US play, before their upfronts and a number of season/series finales next month.
So May is D Day! Station 19 (already) confirmed to concluded with the shortened seventh season will end next month. New to the USA alphabet network, ABC 9-1-1 has already been renewed for an eighth season. I will be waiting for Disney+ to get the seventh season. Sadly Channel Seven has first run rights in Australia.
ABC has a strong number of shows returning next season, along with also saying goodbye to the Good Doctor next season. Making way for a new Ryan Murphy series, Dr. Odyssey. Speaking of Mr Murphy, will the other 9-1-1 show jump ship and move across? 9-1-1: Lone Star was postponed this year, so we are still waiting for season five. I have a feeling FOX might let it go to ABC. Time will tell.
Now to CBS, their lineup is stacked. Fire Country has been much better in its second season. That said the scripts and dialogue are still a little corny. This network has so many shows renewed already, I feel my Queen Latifah lead film version of The Equalizer might end next month.
The film series recently ended, so it could be good timing. Also this show has no real path forward.
Now over to The CW. The trainwreck network! With the final season of Superman & Lois pushed back to the 2024-2025 season. The final ten episodes were announced last year. Alongside the fourth season of the caped hero pushed back, spinoff series All American: Homecoming will also return after a year or so break.
The OG series All American is currently airing its 13 episode sixth season. Which is limping along. The ratings have fallen with limited original programming on the network. The CW is really on struggle street.
I would not be surprised like The Equalizer, if All American calls it a day at the end of this sixth season.
Next station that is really struggling, FOX. Man O Man. They lost their biggest series 9-1-1 to ABC, where it has grown in popularity. The Cleaning Lady sadly lost its leading man Adan Canto mid filming of the current third season. In Australia it streams weekly on Binge.
While the show started strong, it's one of those shows that could have ended after two seasons. I really believe of all the network series I watch, this will be the one that gets the chop. If they lose 9-1-1: Lone Star to ABC, the station is in real trouble. New series Rescue: HI-Surf is getting some buzz, however will it get the viewers it needs.
The station really lags behind on ratings. CBS and NBC are really killing it. While ABC have some good nights, shows that makes them miles ahead of poor old FOX.
Speaking of NBC, as above, I enjoyed the short and sharp new series Found. However will it work over 22 episodes, with multiple breaks and September - May run period?
Found was a lucky find as all my previous NBC series (The Blacklist and Young Rock) have since completed their runs.
Well that was a long post! So until next time! BYE
Girls5eva has set the bar LOW in the Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' TV blog series. Failed Peacock series now Netflix's acquisition concluded it's (likely last) third series last month.
Since 2021, Girls5eva follows four women who were part of a girl group named Girls5eva, which was briefly popular around the year 2000 before fading into one-hit-wonder status.
Their unfulfilled lives, reunite them to try to find musical success again. Peacock made the senisble decision not to continue the series, following the second season airing.
Later it moved to Netflix for its third season, which premiered it's latest six episode run mid-March.
This is the shortest season thus far. But did feel like a slog when watching it. Why did I watch it you ask? I have that awful obsession where I need to see shows through, to their bitter, bitter end. In some cases more bitter than others. Like remember Revenge? Or Empire. Fuck their last seasons were grime AF!
Joining the cast for season 3 include Adriane Lenox, Ron Canada, Thomas Doherty, Catherine Cohen, and Ingrid Michaelson. Netlfix had this in the can early as, filming for this season was completed before the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
Spoilers below about the season finale. You have been warned!
In the season three finale (in my mind, maybe the final ever) it's two days before their Radio City Music Hall performance, the group has sold no tickets and has begun souring on each other.
Wickie attempts to sell their documentary to a streamer, but pivots to faking a true crime documentary with Percy as the murderer.
Dawn meets Richard Kind, who encourages her to seek moderate fame. Paula thinks that Caroline is her soulmate but learns that she has moved on.
Summer manipulates resale bots to sell out Radio City. The group performs for their friends and family. Dawn gives birth and names the baby Lesley, after Wickie. Wickie's song Yesternights plays on the fictional finale of The Crown, and due to this newfound fame, is offered the chance to contribute to the soundtrack of a film.
It ends on a mini cliffhanger, however it's time to go Girls5eva! Also all those lazy Netflix title references and leaning into Prince Andrew and The Crown. Come on! I know Netflix saved your life once, however they are clear of the strike now, so they have content galore. Scoop on the other hand (speaking of Prince Andrew) was fab!
I do also need to watch season two of Heartbreak High! Will have to wait till I am cat sitting again for more Netflix. It is the one streamer I no longer pay for.
Back to Black is based on the life of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. An artist I adored. Rehab will still be one of the biggest songs of a generation. Likewise the record Back to Black was a game changer. Mark Ronson saw serious talent in this young lady. Sadly at 27 Amy passed away. This film was both a celebration of her life, whilst also being tragic.
Amy Winehouse is played by Marisa Abela, also known from her role in HBO's Industry. Which is apparently returning for a third season soon. Hopefully!
Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and written by Matt Greenhalgh, alongside Abela, Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan, and Lesley Manville also star.
Sadly Winehouse passed, back in July 2011. Since then, several filmmakers attempted to create biopic projects but none of them progressed.
Then in 2018, Winehouse's estate announced they had signed a deal for a film about her life and career. By July 2022, film studio, StudioCanal moved forward with production. Filming commenced in London from January to April 2023.
Getting an earlier release here in Oz by StudioCanal, we got the film this week as did Winehouse's native United Kingdom, followed by United States, getting the film mid next month.
I loved the music, the story (well in the film) behind Fuck Me Pumps. Valerie of course was a highlight, the tune Mark Ronson added with Winehouse to his brilliant Version record.
Amy was lost too soon. Her addiction appeared to be crippling. Her love for Blake Fielder-Civil (played by Jack O'Connell was heartbreaking. Her love of her delightful grandma was so sad.
The reviews aren't outstanding, however I loved this film. The music. The icon, that was Amy Jade Winehouse.
If you want to relive one of 2000's best stars, get to the cinema right now!
Well if you are a long, long, long, time reader of this old blog thing, you know I hate missing the start of a film.
So when I missed the first few minutes of Civil War, I was a little upset. I am sure this set up the context of how the United States has a rapidly escalating Second American Civil War, which has engulfed the nation.
Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman. We follow a team of journalists who travel across the United States whilst the war unfolds and ultimately ends.
It's terrifying, while feeling super real. The final scenes are intense AF.
The entire film has you constantly wondering if Trump wins in November, will the country descend into further chaos. A country with some many guns, so much division. The United States is really in need of some unity.
Civil War had its world premiere at South by Southwest mid-March. It's another A24 film, showing they are the leading studio right about now. Will this be a box office success? It's already getting positive reviews from critics, will the box office also be positive?
The Rotten Tomatoes rating is currently 83%. I also really enjoyed the true grit of this film. From the road movie style to the constant threat these journalists face whilst covering the war. It couldn't have been released at a more relevant time. With aid workers, journalists and innocent civilians being killed in the Middle East, this is an important film for our times.
Cinema got their mojo back with this film.
4.5 Stars. Great job A24, cast, crew and all creatives. Finally a dark view of the future, but an interesting, thought provoking new piece of cinema.
So new ABC & ABC iView comedy series White Fever, landed yesterday. I finished it this evening! What! Yes it was that easy to binge! Created by & starring Ra Chapman (Wentworth) as Jane a Korean-Australian adoptee with a love of hairy white guys. The total opposite to me! You could bang Chris Pang and you choose a fat ginger, WHY?
Anyway, her friends call her out for having a white man fetish, my friends call me out for my slightly different, maybe completely opposite to Jane's "type".
But when Jane reignites a connection with her childhood friend played by Chris Pang. Jane and Yu Chang have some very awkward moments. One sexy one though too.
The cast is fire alongside Chapman & Pang. With Greg Stone (Jack Irish), Roz Hammond (Bay Of Fires), Harvey Zielinski (Deadloch, Love Me), Katie Robertson (Five Bedrooms), Jillian Nguyen (Barons) and Cassandra Sorrell (Bump).
This is top-notch ABC local content. Fast, furious good half hour, good fun comedy.
White Fever was written by Ra Chapman, a real life Korean-Australian adoptee, so this is kinda auto-biographical.
Writing also by Michele Lee, Clare Atkins and Harvey Zielinski.
I am leaning into comedy this Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' series. Don't throw any shade but I just started Abbott Elementary. I am also loving that sick!
White Fever's first season is absolutely so much fun. It's slightly off beat, it's got heart, but oh so much fun!
Mary & George is currently airing on Starz in the USA, while it landed on Binge early last month here in Oz.
This British historical drama miniseries is based on Benjamin Woolley's 2017 non-fiction book The King's Assassin.
The main plot is around the affair between James VI and I and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham.
The seven-part limited series has received positive reviews from critics.
The brilliant Julianne Moore is lead Mary & George as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham. While Nicholas Galitzine plays Mary's son George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham.
So thank you Sky Atlantic for giving us this rude ass romp! If in the USA there are major spoilers below about the seventh and final episode, War.
In War, the series finale, Mary tracks down Sir Francis in order to avenge Sandie, he reveals George gave his blessing to the killing.
Whilst in Spain, Prince Charles is presented before the infanta and George philanders. Following setbacks, George ultimately fails to bribe Spain's Chief Negotiator in securing further marriage talks and, humiliated, vows revenge.
On doctor's orders, King James travels to the countryside to rest. Mary strategically joins him, appealing to his loneliness. George and Prince Charles return from Spain. Though the king is initially disappointed and dismissive of them both, George brings him to the forest and they make love. For one of the last times in the series we get some man-on-man action!
Once again a united front, George influences King James to allow him to address Parliament in order to toughen up on Spanish relations. There, with Sir Edward's support, he encourages full-blown war. King James, who is committed to peace, is shocked to hear of George's betrayal from Mary and sets fire to the forest. When George arrives, the king deems their love affair an old fool's lust, strips George of his titles, and sentences George to hang for treason to both George and Mary's shock.
He then collapses, and George and Mary return him to the countryside estate, where George smothers him to death so he may not relay his orders to Prince Charles.
In the next few years, Charles is crowned and Katherine gives birth to a son. In 1628, while at war with France, George is stabbed to death by a former soldier embittered by his disregard for human life and peace.
So it has a kind of Game of Thrones finale to it. Death all around! Julianne Moore was honestly brilliant in this series. A mad, power hungry mother with a seductive son! What a tale. It all streams now on Binge! Oh if you don't like gay sex, don't watch this!
Ted Lasso is a gem of a TV show. One gem I had completely passed over. Despite it landing during those dark 2020/2021 days.
Apparently it concluded the end of May last year. Online and viewing the episode "So Long, Farewell" it does feel a lot like a swan song.
Developed by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly, based on a character Sudeikis portrayed in a series of promotional media for NBC Sports's coverage of England's Premier League.
Across the three seasons on Apple TV+, Ted Lasso, an American college football coach, is unexpectedly recruited to coach a fictional English Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond, despite having no experience coaching soccer.
The team's owner, Rebecca Welton, gained ownership of the team in a divorce from her unfaithful ex-husband, Rupert. She has hired Lasso secretly hoping he will cause the team's downfall and devastate Rupert, who cared more about AFC Richmond than anything else. Ted's charm, personality, and humor begin to win over Rebecca, the team, and those who had been skeptical about his appointment.
The show is an awards machine for Apple TV+, it's first season (alone) was nominated for 20 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most nominated first-season comedy in Emmy history.
Sudeikis, Waddingham, and Goldstein won for their performances, and the series won the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Sudeikis also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.
Even President Joe Biden, was photographed with the cast holding an AFC Richmond jersey, and First Lady Jill Biden in the Oval Office on last March.
Last episode from over a year ago's spoiler below. That said I only just caught up on this gem of a series!
As So Long, Farewell kicks off, Richmond can win the league if they win against West Ham and Manchester City loses or draws their final game.
News hits that Bex is divorcing Rupert over his infidelities. Ted has informed Rebecca that he and Coach Beard will be going home. Rebecca considers selling the club.
Nate becomes assistant kit man under Will; he later tearfully apologizes to Ted. Trent gives Ted and Beard a draft of his book. Roy and Jamie fight over who gets to be with Keeley, but she turns them both away.
During the game West Ham takes a two goal lead; at half time the players reveal they all have pieces of the believe sign and they put it together before returning to the pitch.
Richmond equalize the score. Rupert assaults the new West Ham manager and gets jeered. Sam scores the winning goal and Richmond finishes second in the league. After Rebecca farewells Ted at the airport, she runs into the man from the houseboat in Amsterdam.
Beard stays in England and marries Jane. Roy becomes Richmond's manager and starts sessions with Dr. Sharon. Ted asks Trent to change the book's title, The Lasso Way, because it was never about him; Trent retitles it The Richmond Way. Beard,
Roy and Nate put the Believe sign back up. Ted returns home and coaches his son's soccer team. The series is as sweet as apple pie. It's heart warming, like a big hug from a long lost friend. I enjoyed the first season whilst I was travelling in Vietnam, the second continued to be cute, whilst season three had some warm moments, however the longer episodes slowed the comedy quickness from the first season.
Overall this is an outstanding series from Apple TV+. Still top this day in their top viewed. This will be hard to top in my quarter two, Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' blog series. Tomorrow or Thursday, the Starz, historical UK romp, Mary & George! It's almost like Three Women again with lots of penis!
The Regime has concluded. HBO's second miniseries (well True Detective is more of an anthology series, however still short, sharp this season) of 2024.
2024 promises to be the year of the miniseries for the premium cable network. With The Sympathizer commencing next Monday on Binge.
So back to this Kate Winslet political satire miniseries. Now it's nowhere near the brilliance of Winslet's last HBO outing, Mare of Easttown.
Alongside Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Andrea Riseborough, Martha Plimpton, and Hugh Grant all star.
The Regime started early month, concluding this afternoon on Binge. Across the six episode run, The Regime depicts a year within the palace of a crumbling authoritarian regime. After not leaving the palace for quite some time, Chancellor Elena Vernham (Winslet) becomes increasingly paranoid and unstable and turns to a volatile soldier, Herbert Zubak, as an unlikely confidant.
As Zubak's influence over the chancellor grows, Elena's attempts to expand her power eventually result in the palace and the country fracturing around her.
The miniseries has received mixed reviews, however Kate Winslet’s performance has been singled out for praise from critics.
Now this was far from brilliant. Is HBO hanging out for 2025 to come with series like the White Lotus, Last of Us and Euphoria set to stream? I think so. At least they are not Showtime with barely any content on the horizon. Yellowjackets third season will clearly not save Showtime alone.
Either way there was a few giggles to be hard, however it was far from HBO's best when it comes to comedy.
While The Regime concludes, we eagerly await the much hyped The Sympathizer before waiting for House of Dragon's return for a shorter eight episode second season.
Wow so I totally missed a Ghostbusters film at the pictures. I saw the 2016 all female edition. However I somehow missed the 2021, Ghostbusters: Afterlife film. Well the world was going completely bat shit crazy back then!
So on a Saturday afternoon I was off to see, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
This is the fifth film in the Ghostbusters franchise, starringPaul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Celeste O'Connor, Logan Kim, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and William Atherton.
With newcomers to the Ghostbusters franchise Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Emily Alyn Lind, and James Acaster.
So maybe I need to see Afterlife? Or I will just take you on today's journey. Set three years after the events of Afterlife, the veteran Ghostbusters must join forces with their new recruits to save the world in New York City from a death-chilling god who seeks to build a spectral army.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire opened late last month. With school holidays finally incoming now Easter is done, the film looks to be a success.
The sequel has grossed over $115 million worldwide, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 2024.
Money is fine, but is it any good? Look if I am honest it felt a little all over the shop.
There was so loud school holidays brats in my session, however at times they were more entertaining than this film. The reboot, the sequel, the breathing life back into old franchises is really getting tired.
Although at the the conclusion of the film, I did hear younger members of the audience singing the OG theme song. Maybe the younger crowd will breathe new life into this franchise.
I can't pass this film as I almost nodded off a couple of times. 2 Stars.
Now as the weather finally starts to cool down, we enter the new TV quarter, Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24'. There will be loads be a load more US network TV as short post strike seasons are back. How will they fare versus tough competition from the big streaming giants. Like Apple TV+ launching huge new series almost on the weekly!
So if you want to visit all my previous lists click through the links HERE
For now my jumbo best of Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23'/24' mega, must-see or must miss TV list below from one all the way down to ninety one. Thats a shit load of TV over the warmer months. How will I go over the cooler months?
1. Expats - Miniseries 2. Strife - Season One (AU) 3. Hijack - Miniseries 4. Total Control - Season Three/Series Finale (AU) 5. Life & Beth - Season Two 6. The Act - Miniseries 7. Prosper - Miniseries (AU) 8. Slow Horses - Seasons One - Three 9. Trigger Point - Seasons One - Two 10. C*A*U*G*H*T - Season One (AU) 11. The Newsreader - Season Two (AU) 12. Power Book IV: Force - Season Two 13. Gen V - Season One 14. Scrublands - Miniseries (AU) 15. Dr Death - Season Two 16. American Horror Stories - Season Three 17. SkyMed - Season One 18. Paper Dolls - Miniseries (AU) 19. SkyMed - Season Two 20. Bump - Season Four (AU) 21. Three Women - Miniseries 22. Smothered - Season One 23. The Real Housewives of Sydney - Season Two (AU) 24. Totally Completely Fine - Season One (AU) 25. The Bear - Season Two 26. Reacher - Season Two 27. NCIS: Sydney - Season One (AU) 28. Twisted Metal - Season One 29. Only Murders in the Building - Season Three 30. Erotic Stories - Season One (AU) 31. Found - Season One 32. After the Verdict - Miniseries (AU) 33. Vigil - Season Two 34. RFDS - Season Two (AU) 35. Heat - Miniseries (AU) 36. Faraway Downs - Miniseries (AU) 37. Population 11 - Season One (AU) 38. The Unusual Suspects - Miniseries (AU) 39. Halo - Seasons One - Two (combined between the two summers, season one binged, season two watched live weekly on Paramount+) 40. Waco: The Aftermath - Miniseries 41. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024 TV series) 42. Billions - Season Seven/Series Finale 43. Elite - Season Seven 44. Physical - Season Three/Series Finale 45. Hightown - Season Three/Series Finale 46. The Morning Show - Season Three 47. The Couple Next Door - Miniseries 48. A Murder at the End of the World - Miniseries 49. Death and Other Details - Season One/Series Finale 50. Sort Of - Season Three/Series Finale 51. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters - Season One 52. Fellow Travelers - Miniseries 53. The Lovers - Miniseries 54. Wolf Pack - Season One/Series Finale 55. Wilderness - Miniseries 56. True Detective: Night Country - Season Four 57. The Other Black Girl - Season One 58. Shining Vale - Season Two/Series Finale 59. Power Book III: Raising Kanan - Season Three 60. Wreck - Season One 61. Apples Never Fall - Miniseries 62. Special Ops: Lioness - Season One 63. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart - Miniseries (AU) 64. Feud: Capote vs. The Swans 65. Rap Sh!t - Season Two/Series Finale 66. Rabbit/Hole - Season One/Series Finale 67. Bargain (Korean: 몸값) - Miniseries 68. Wolf Like Me - Season Two (AU) 69. Lawmen: Bass Reeves - Miniseries 70. The Tourist - Season Two (sort of AU) 71. Slip - Season One 72. Ahsoka - Season One 73. Cruel Summer - Season Two/Series Finale 74. Still Up - Season One 75. Harlan Coben's Shelter - Season One/Series Finale 76. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - Season One 77. Upload - Season Three 78. You & Me (2023 British TV series) - Miniseries 79. Far North - Miniseries 80. Starstruck - Season Three 81. True Lies (TV series) - Season One/Series Finale 82. The Curse - Season One 83. Reservation Dogs - Season Three/Series Finale 84. Tell Me Lies - Season One 85. The Continental: From the World of John Wick - Miniseries 86. Saint X - Season One 87. Echo - Miniseries 88. Loki - Season Two 89. Fear the Walking Dead - Season Eight/Series Finale 90. Leopard Skin - Miniseries 91. ted - Miniseries
American Rust is back after originally being canceled after one season by Showtime, five months later the series was revived for a second season by Amazon Freevee.
The second season, titled American Rust: Broken Justice landed pre-Easter with all ten episodes landing at once on on Amazon Prime Video.
The second season began shooting in Western Pennsylvania in November 2022 and completed in May 2023. So there are some spoilers below the trailer. Read on at your own risk!
American Rust: Broken Justice ended on a huge cliffhanger! A hella bold move to do after already being cancelled once before!
But are enough Amazon viewers itching for a third season? I feel Showtime really lost out getting rid of this season when they did! Its not like they got many series on the go right now!
So we are not sure about the futures of the talented two leads, Del Harris (Jeff Daniels) and Grace Poe’s (Maura Tierney). Both get praise while the series itself generally gets a fairly bad wrap! Just look at Rotten Tomatoes!
This season's big bad is Russell Wolfe (Christopher Denham). But he isn't the only bad guy. Not to mention the bodies pile up and up in this second season. From an explosive package in episode one to cop shootings.
The season also features Lee (Julia Mayorga), investigative cop Steve Park (Rob Yang), Billy (Alex Nuestaedter) and Issac (David Alvarez) & Fisher (Kyle Beltran).
Former Showtime legend Luna Lauren Velez also joins as Detective Angela Burgos. She sort of creates a second love triangle in this season.
Velez is excellent in this series, real heart, real true grit!
With an additional tenth episode this run, I smashed this over Easter. It was an easy binge for me. Also nice to get into something else on Amazon.
I enjoyed this. It is a bit of poverty porn (not as bad as season one) but the characters are flawed and real.
American Rust shows us a real gritty America. Both seasons stream on Amazon right this second!
So another The Walking Dead spin-off is done and dusted. These six episode, easy to digest, smaller cast series are a hell of a lot better than the OG parent show.
The Ones Who Live is sixth spin-off and overall seventh television series in The Walking Dead franchise.
The series is set after the conclusion of the original The Walking Dead series, with Danai Gurira and Andrew Lincoln and Pollyanna McIntosh reprising their roles from previous The Walking Dead franchise series.
Premiering late February, on AMC and AMC+, this is a new deal for Stan in Australia to broadcast all the new The Walking Dead spin-offs. The six episodes (originally set to be a movie trilogy) is based on a love story of two people kept apart by an unstoppable power, trying to find each other. Rick Grimes & Michonne are back baby!
Andrew Lincoln is (and always will be) Rick Grimes, the former sheriff's deputy from King County, Georgia, the former leader of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, and Michonne's husband who was presumed to be dead. He later becomes a Sergeant Major in the CRM (Civic Republic Military). While Danai Gurira is back as Michonne: A katana-wielding warrior, former leader of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, and Rick's wife who left her group to search for him.
The long lost lovers are joined by Pollyanna McIntosh as Jadis Stokes / Anne: The warrant officer of the CRM, who disappeared along with Rick Grimes on a CRM helicopter. McIntosh also appeared in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: World Beyond's second season in a main role.
SPOILERS BELOW. Look out!
So how does it end? Will it remain a miniseries? Or will AMC not be able to help themselves like the previous two spin-offs? I totally reckon it will be back for a second run. SPOILERS incoming. You have been warned, twice!
Rick and Michonne return to Cascadia Base where Michonne sneaks in and finds and destroys Jadis' dossier before attending a briefing for the Frontliners where Michonne learns that the CRM intends to abduct select children from Portland before destroying the city with chlorine gas.
Rick is given the Echelon Briefing in which Beale informs him of the truth about the destruction of Omaha and the Campus Colony and the upcoming attack on Portland.
Beale reveals that, believing that humanity only has around fourteen years left, the CRM is going to declare martial law on the Civic Republic and destroy survivor communities all across the world, scavenging their resources to ensure their own survival.
Rick kills Beale with his own sword and Rick and Michonne rig up a makeshift bomb on the chlorine gas arsenal before being confronted by Thorne who had deduced the truth about Michonne's identity.
Michonne is forced to kill Thorne and the bomb and the gas kills the CRM Force Command and all of the Frontliners.
With the CRM's atrocities exposed and its command structure decimated, the civilian government takes over and reforms the CRM to aid other survivors while enabling free travel to and from the city. Rick and Michonne return home and are finally reunited with their children, Judith and R.J.
After surviving so many bombs, was the fairytale ending the end of this series? I will leave it as a miniseries for now, as we launch into Q2 streaming with Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24'!
Yes it's a little racy, but as P!nk would say, SO WHAT!
It's sort of part II for summer, with the sequel to Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23', its the RATED Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24'.
Still thinking of a name for quarter two's telly. So stick around for that gem! It will kick off with the latest Walking Dead finale, streaming on Stan!
So the writers strike is over meaning network TV from the Divided States of America is dribbling back onto our screens. Welcome back Station 19 and All American!
I have gone rogue this month, awarding a tie for first place. I hope that is OK. One local title and one international miniseries with an Aussie lead.
I did promise the two summer RATED's coming together. That may happen this week, time pending. The post Easter week is always CRAZY!
Happy this short public holiday filled Easter 2024!
If you need more series to catch up on, below are my previous RATED's:
1. (TIE) Total Control - Season Three/Series Finale (AU) 1. (TIE) Expats - Miniseries 2. Life & Beth - Season Two 3. The Act - Miniseries 4. Prosper - Miniseries (AU) 5. Slow Horses - Seasons One - Three 6. Trigger Point - Seasons One - Two 7. Dr Death - Season Two 8. Paper Dolls - Miniseries (AU) 9. SkyMed - Season Two 10. Three Women - Miniseries (filmed by Showtime, then given away in the USA to Starz) 11. Totally Completely Fine - Season One (AU) 12. Reacher - Season Two 13. Found - Season One 14. After the Verdict - Miniseries (AU) 15. Faraway Downs - Miniseries (AU) 16. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024 TV series) 17. Population 11 - Season One (AU) 18. Hightown - Season Three/Series Finale 19. Death and Other Details - Season One/Series Finale 20. Halo - Season Two 21. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters - Season One 22. Wolf Pack - Season One/Series Finale 23. True Detective: Night Country - Season Four 24. Power Book III: Raising Kanan - Season Three 25. Wreck - Season One 26. Apples Never Fall - Miniseries 27. Feud: Capote vs. The Swans 28. Bargain (Korean: 몸값) - Miniseries 29. The Tourist - Season Two (sort of AU) 30. Cruel Summer - Season Two/Series Finale 31. You & Me (2023 British TV series) - Miniseries 32. The Curse - Season One 33. Echo - Miniseries 34. Leopard Skin - Miniseries 35. ted - Miniseries
