007: Road to a Million – season 1 (2023)
What started off as a cross among Fear Factor, The Amazing Race, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire quickly settles into the dullest version of all 3 of those things, settling into an 8 episode slog that could have been a 4 episode thrill ride. Skip it.
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The Consultant – miniseries (2023)
Ever seen Christoph Waltz be weird and creepy? Well waddya know, here’s your chance at long last to finally see him barge into a story, make things weird, and perfectly stay his welcome. The Consultant is a grimly light (yes) workplace satire in which a “consultant” comes along to run things “better.” It’s a quickly paced, somewhat addicting new show you probably haven’t heard of, but should check out.
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Citadel season 1 (2023)
Sometimes this action-packed show thinks it’s the James Bond of TV, and other times it stretches so hard that it almost dips its toes into Austin Powers… It styles itself as slick and fun, and quite honestly, that’s what it delivers at the end of the day. Hot people used to be hot people spies but don’t remember being hot people spies. It doesn’t always realize its potential but it gets the job satisfyingly done.
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Gen V season 1 (2023)
Filling The Boys-shaped hole in all our hearts, Gen V stepped up to the plate and rarely missed a pitch. It was filthy and gory, but most importantly, heartfelt. Bringing in some characters and plots from its flagship show without ever letting them overshadow the new cast members, Gen V carved its own path that allows it to be The Boys season 3.5, while steadfastly its own thing. Only 2 things left to do: bring on season 2, and bring on The Boys season 4.
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Jury Duty – miniseries (Amazon Freevee – 2023)
What a brilliant concept, and an excellent execution. Jury Duty hires a cavalcade of unrecognizable actors (and famous actor James Marsden) to put on a court case so convincing that the one member of the jury not in on the “joke” had no idea it was all fake. All I say is watch it, watch it, watch it. Please.
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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 5 (2023)
Man is this show finishing out strong. It’s always nice when a show goes out at the top of its game, and after a penultimate season that didn’t quite do it for me, season 5 knocks it out of the park. It’ll make you fall in love with Midge, Joel, and the gang all over again. Farewell, Midge. Tits up.
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Nate Bargatze: Hello World – standup special (2023)
Standup is not typically for me, and Nate’s routine here is no exception. It had a couple of zingers, but was otherwise laugh-free.
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