Spring Series Ender - Monarch

Monarch is another one and done series. Meaning this week its Monarch and Stargirl all ending on network TV for good. Are TV dramas in the USA heading down the same path as the Australian drama market? More cheap reality crap for America like here in Australia???

The main problem with the series was Susan Sarandon stars as Dottie Cantrell, but only in episode one. Spoiler alert, Dottie goes bye-bye in episode one. However my favourite was and generally is when they are in a series, Beth Ditto.

Alongside Sarandon & Ditto, Trace Adkins, Anna Friel, Martha Higareda, Iñigo Pascual + Joshua Sasse star in the former Fox series. Streaming in Australia through on Paramount+.

The series premiered September 11, after a slight delay from originally set for a January, 2022 launch. Maybe the nine month delay was a sign the series was doomed from the start.

So what's it all about you ask? Dottie and Albie Roman lead a country music dynasty at the center of a multigenerational family drama. Daughter Nicky Roman does all she can to protect the dynasty's reign in country music while ensuring her own stardom.

With some fun musical acts (all covers, no originals) the series had some fun moments, however after the short lived Queens, Empire and Glee tapping out, is there still room for musical dramas on network TV?

Well that is another series I don't need to worry about for the 2023-2024 series. Tomorrow I will take a look at the final ever Stargirl episode too. Until then, sleep tight. BYE!

Spring Season 1 Ender - Colin From Accounts

Colin From Accounts was technically released on the 1st day of December, however I am including this in my Spring Season Ender series. Let's face it summer is not yet here, I am still sleeping with blankets and no air con.

Created and written by, and starring, Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, the series is Binge's second original production after Love Me. Please Binge keep up the local release. Cause damn, your on fire, two from two!

Premiering on Binge + Foxtel services on 1 December 2022, with all eight episodes dropping.

Set in Sydney, Australia and centred on Ashley (Harriet Dyer) & Gordon or Flash (Patrick Brammall), two singles who are brought together by a car accident and an injured dog. 

Flawed, funny people choosing each other and being brave enough to show their true selves, scars and all, as they navigate life together. It's a modern-day romantic love story.

Critics are digging the series thus far. So I am to be honest!

Kylie Northover from SMH gave the show 4-stars stating "Yes, that's right: it's a romcom. But Australian romcom offerings, particularly on television, are something of a rarity, so to see one executed well, and with particular emphasis on the 'com', is a genuine treat."

Film and TV critic Luke Buckmaster from Guardian Australia also gave the series 4-stars, praising the writing efforts of co-stars Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall: "Here we're in good hands, with Dyer creating the show and co-writing it with Brammall, the pair developing their roles from the inside out – creating personalities that slowly reveal layers, nuances and virtues in ways that feel genuine and germane to the narrative."

I was hooked on this series following the other local Foxtel comedy series Upright.  I smashed this in like 24-36 hours. All eight (roughly) less than 30 minute episodes were so raw, honest, but more importantly funny.

Dyer was a real highlight. With sexy support act Tai Hara being a good addition as Dyer's ex. Helen Thomson as Lynelle is also a series highlight. Episode six, Good Room is pure gold!

So happy for these excellent late Australian TV entries. FUN! Get amongst the excellent Colin from Accounts NOW!

Spring Season 2 Ender - Upright

Upright has just aired its second season on Foxtel's Showcase along with Binge. Season one follows the story of Lucky and Meg (Tim Minchin and Milly Alcock), who are trying to get an upright piano across the country. Season two commences years after his adventure with Meg, Lucky struggles to adjust to his new life as a successful musician and its not long before Meg comes bursting back into his chaotic world.

Episode one is literal chaos!

With some fine supporting cast this season, it was a super fun, wild little ride!

Queenie van de Zandt was a total highlight!

All of season two's eight episodes premiered on November 15, 2022. So it's pretty fair to say i smashed through them quick smart.

Streaming on Binge, it streams alongside new Aussie sensation Colin From Accounts, which I am also loving sick! You can also catch Upright on Foxtel streaming services.

In the last couple of episodes (SPOILERS) the dymanic duo are trapped at the Wellfulness Commune, Lucky starts to unravel its secrets as Meg finally gets the chance to speak to her mother. With a big finale wrapping up with the duo, escaping the commune, Lucky and Meg race back to Sydney hoping to make it in time to meet Billie at the airport.

I liked Upright a lot this time around. I forgot the first season aired all the way back in 2019. Where it aired week to week unlike this total drop.

If you need some adventure, comedy, original Aussie story telling, this might be the right vibe for you now.

All two seasons now streaming. A season three announcement is yet to be announced. However I never thought a second season would be possible, so who knows?

The Masked Cinema 2022 - The Menu

What is The Menu all about? Well it's described as a dark comedy horror. What does that even mean? Grim comedy with some gruesome murders?

No spoilers here team. Just a brief overview of one of the most original films I have seen in 2022.

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit), Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Reed Birney, Judith Light & John Leguizamo.

The Menu has received largely positive reviews from critics, who praised the screenplay, direction, production design, and cast performances. It's a really wild ride, where at some points you really don't know what is actually going to happen.

Ralph Fiennes is equally terrifying and brilliant all at once whilst Anya Taylor-Joy is as intriguing as she was in The Queen's Gambit.

Nicholas Hoult could play the most annoying character, however sometimes these characters get there just deserved.

It's weird, bold and at times deeply disturbing. Like the White Lotus does with annoying rich people at fancy hotels, this takes the wealthy to a fancy AF restaurant where all hell could and maybe does take place.

The Menu was an interesting Friday evening watch. I think it was all too much for me after a long ass week. That said, I did enjoy parts of it, the themes, 3 Stars. Until next time!

Spring Season 2 Ender - Sort Of

Sort Of had its second season land on Stan recently. I binged season one back in April of this year.

The Canadian series had its second round of eight real episodes show heartbreak, love, loss and humour all in the neat 20 minute or so episodes.

I really enjoyed the second season, even with the heartbreaking last couple of episodes. I smashed all eight episodes in the one week. Such an easy watch.

Bilal Baig as Sabi Mehboob, is so refreshing to watch. With smart wit, a can do attitude the show is like Fisk, a warm blanket. Funny, but real, touching and relatable. Also interesting to see an original, fresh show stream.

If you are looking for a show about young love, building on a dream, trying to keep the family happy. Sort Of is totally for you. Both seasons can be streamed now on Stan. Good job acquiring this title Stan.

Spring Season 2 Ender - Fisk

Wow how quick did the six episodes of season two's Fisk go by?

ABC, you've done it again! Another great little thirty minute sitcom, which first commended airing on 17 March 2021. Sadly at the 2023 ABC Upfronts there was no mention of a third season of Fisk... Well yet.

The show has been a ratings goldmine for the ABC, whilst the iView catch up numbers are even more impressive! The life of lawyer Helen Tudor-Fisk, is slightly less impressive. From having a photocopier dumped in her office to a library riot. It was quite the blast for season two.

Kitty Flanagan is outstanding as Helen Tudor-Fisk, whilst Julia Zemiro as Roz Gruber is my absolute favourite. The high hair, the relatable office all-rounder nightmare. So good.

Aaron Chen as George is also pure gold, whilst we all know a Ray Gruber (Marty Sheargold) right?

This could easily be one of my favourite series of Spring. I do love comedy. Fisk is miles ahead of some of the recent same-same dramas. Even Yellowstone is a little dull this season.

Oh well for a laugh, a but of good hearted fun, Fisk streams both seasons one and two NOW on ABC iView.

Spring Season 3 Ender - Pennyworth - The Origin of Batman's Butler

Pennyworth moved to HBO Max for its third season, which also gained the clunky title of The Origin of Batman's Butler.

The season concluded last week, however there has been so much TV to whiz through, plus Canberra, it's been a week.

Jack Bannon plays lead Alfred Pennyworth, a younger version of the iteration of the character previously portrayed by Sean Pertwee in Heller's and Cannon's Fox series Gotham (2014–2019), with the series serving as a prequel to both Gotham, & V for Vendetta.

No fourth season is currently in the works with HBO Max, with a number of DC comic books on shaky ground.

Season three really got a little more back to basics after a rather bat shit (mind the Batman pun) crazy season two.

With a fair amount of action and Pennyworth finding and falling out of love, season three whizzed past after dropping the first three episodes all in one go.

I think I enjoyed this season a lot more than the past one, however I don't know how much longer this can go on for?

With HBO Max and DC cutting titles, it could be the end of the road for Pennyworth. We may just need to wait for the next Batman film to get our next fix of Alfred.

Next up it's off to Canada for sweet comedy Sort Of streaming on Stan. Speaking of streaming, Pennyworth - The Origin of Batman's Butler, streams in Australia on Binge.