TV Update

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

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Girls5eva - Season Three

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.

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Back to Black

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!

4 Stars.

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Civil War

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.

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - White Fever - Season One

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!

Until next time!

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Mary & George - Miniseries

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!

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Ted Lasso - Seasons One to Three

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!