So I set up my dad with Amazon Prime on a Kindle Fire. But do *I* have Amazon Prime? Do *I* have a Kindle Fire? Nooooooooooo! Hey, it’s all just part of being the selfless guy I am. But here’s my biannual rundown of the new shows I’ve watched recently, mostly via my old-fashioned cable.
LOVED
Baskets (FX) Zach Galifianakis is Chip Baskets, a sad clown in Bakersfield, California. This is worth watching simply for Louie Anderson’s heartbreakingly funny and subtle performance as Chip’s mom. But for me the show scores on all fronts: It’s hilarious and sad and cruel and sweet and adds up to something kind of beautiful. I love the mellow, bleak Bakersfield setting, and I always when Galifianakis shows up as his uptight twin brother Dale.
LIKED A LOT
Horace and Pete (louisck.net) Another great year for Louis C.K., co-creating Baskets and surprising us with this wholly original web series. Maybe it ultimately cost a little more than it should’ve, and I’ll admit to have hoped for a few more laughs. (There are many laughs, but it is not the main thrust of the show.) But it was fascinating viewing, more theater than television. Steve Buscemi (as Pete, partner in the bar with Horace, played by Louie) is terrific, but Alan Alda steals the series with his prickly performance as Uncle Pete. The bar setting feels very comfortable, ironic for a show that delves into so many uncomfortable topics.
Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter (Adult Swim) The ridiculous sci-fi plot was far outweighed by the delightful absurdity here. Jon Glaser has created another classic comedy character with the crazy Cajun, Neon Joe. He-yump!
W/ Bob & David (Netflix) Mr. Show was one of my all-time faves, and this sequel of sorts proved that Bob Odenkirk and David Cross hadn’t really lost a step. Some really funny bits, and great to see the old “gang” together again.
LIKED
Maya & Marty (NBC) What a nice surprise to have weekly sketch/variety show featuring one of my absolute comedy heroes, Martin Short. Maya Rudolph does solid work playing off of him, and I admire her comedic bravery: “You want me to eat this? I’ll eat it.” An hour is probably a little bit long for the show; sometimes it seems like they’re working with the B material. But so far it’s been packed with guest stars (Steve Martin, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, etc.), and we get the return of Jiminy Glick, which for me is worth the price of admission.
KIND OF LIKED, KIND OF DIDN’T
The Family (ABC) This show wanted me to watch it: Matt Saracen! Andrew McCarthy! Music by Mogwai, for god’s sake! The central concept, a kid who went missing a decade ago supposedly returns, was kind of intriguing. But I don’t really like shows based around One Big Mystery. Give me strong characters instead! Yet there was only one likable character in the whole show (an FBI agent played by Hoboken’s own Matthew Lawler), the frequent-flashback trope got tiresome pretty quick, Alison Pill who was charming on The Newsroom was annoying here, the show seemed a bit too sympathetic to pedophiles (!), and overall it was just kind of dumb. Oh, and hey young Liam James, I’ve now found you boring in three different things: This, The Killing, and The Way, Way Back.
Vinyl (HBO) Terence “Boardwalk Empire” Winter. Martin Scorsese. Mick Jagger. Starring Bobby Canavale. How could they go wrong? This show is too big to fail! And yet, something’s not quite right. Certain music nerds I know have griped about accuracy but that doesn’t bother me too much here. Yet it’s as if they’re trying too hard and the heart and soul has been left behind. (Could this be Terence Winter’s Treme?) It’s enjoyable enough, but not something I looked forward to watching each week.
First Impressions (USA) Impressionists compete for a $10,000 prize, while being encouraged by Dana Carvey, host Freddie Prinze Jr., and special guests. This has kind of a cheesy/cheap feel to it, and it’s sad that in just a six-week run of episodes, you hear several of the same impressions (Chris Rock, Christopher Walken, Owen Wilson….). But it was harmless, a few contestants seemed pretty talented, and it was fun to see (the actual) guests Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Jay Leno….
DIDN’T LIKE
The X-Files (FOX) What a disappointment! The show had meant a lot to me back in the day, and I was excited about the relaunch. But it really felt like they announced it, promoted it, and then suddenly realized it was premiering in two days and they hadn’t written or shot any episodes. I was shocked at what truly felt like the lack of a plan or outline. After the undeniable little thrill of seeing Mulder and Scully together again, first I thought we were getting a big (hokey) conspiracy miniseries. But then there were these generally pointless and/or silly stand-alone episodes. And then at the end they picked up the conspiracy thing again. The writing was rotten and the production was really cheap looking. I wanted to believe! Yet I know I’ll keep watching, so I hope they step it up next time.
TWO AND DONE
Damien (A&E) Full disclosure: I’d never seen The Omen. So, this past winter, the three originals aired on cable, and I watched them — with diminishing returns. But now I was invested so sure I’d watch the series. They tried their best to tie it to the original movie, but the quality just wasn’t there.
Superstore (NBC) I don’t mind having a guilty-pleasure sitcom in my life, really I don’t. And I liked the idea of a show in a big box store. I was excited to see Mark McKinney from The Kids in the Hall (who made the unfortunate decision of using a really annoying voice), less excited for Ugly Betty and Mad Men’s fake Chachi. But Superstore generated no laughs and no emotion — No Sale.
STOPPED WATCHING AFTER 5 MINUTES, 33 SECONDS
F is for Family (Netflix) This animated offering was not for me.
JURY STILL OUT
O.J.: Made in America (ESPN) I didn’t watch the miniseries so I figured I’d give this documentary a go. Though I’ve only watched one of the five parts so far, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be great. But I get a sick thrill putting O.J. Simpson in my “Jury Still Out” category.
JURY CAME BACK
Ash vs Evil Dead (FOX) Though the rest of the episodes didn’t hold up to the total fun of the pilot, it was certainly entertaining enough. How wrong can you go with Bruce Campbell? And bonus points when it was revealed that the photo of somebody supposedly “roughed up” by protesters at a Trump rally was really a makeup test from this show.
STILL WATCHING THE SIMPSONS?
I am.
THANK YOU AND GOODBYE
Childrens Hospital (Adult Swim) Ah, I remember when it was just a wee little web series. Now after 7 seasons, they’ve closed up shop. Could be hit-or-miss (more so in the last couple of seasons), but when it was “on” it was the funniest thing on TV. Where will Henry Winkler go now?
LOOKING FORWARD TO
As soon as I finish the second season of Kimmy, I’m going to dive into Lady Dynamite (Netflix) — love that Maria Bamford. Hoping for very good things from Danny McBride’s Vice Principals and Richard Price’s The Night Of (both HBO). Of course, I love my Summer Olympics. And just yesterday they announced there would be another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, so I think that is pretty, pretty, pretty good!
SHOWS I USED TO WATCH AND IN MANY CASES STILL DO
Links to Edition I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X and XI.
Jack Silbert, curator