Happy Friday, friends! We survived another week of working from home, caring for kids (while working from home) and wearing masks everywhere we go. This is week 15.
We've reached the point in the summer TV schedule were there aren't a lot of new shows premiering, so I don't have anything upcoming for you to put on your radar this week. Let's hop right into this week's picks.
1. When They See Us (Netflix) - Today, Friday June 19, is Juneteenth. This holiday marks the emancipation from slavery in the United States. If you want to learn more about the history of this day, give this NPR report a listen.
To continue educating yourself about racism and how to fight for justice, I highly recommend When They See Us, directed by Ava DuVernay and produced by Oprah Winfrey. It's a four-part mini series that tells the true story of the five young men wrongfully convicted of an attack in Central Park in New York City in 1989. At the time, the media referred to them as the "Central Park Five."
Kevin, Korey, Antron, Yusef and Raymond have their lives turned upside down when they are brought in as suspects for a murder. The show follows their stories from that pivotal moment, into their interrogations, trial, convictions and prison time.
This is heavy. There were moments in each episode where I felt physically sick from what was happening to these innocent young men. It's hard to watch, but it is important.
After you finish, there's a fifth hour called When They See Us Now. In that additional hour, Oprah Winfrey interviews Ava DuVernay about her choices as the series director, talks with the actors who play the young men and the adult men, and then closes by speaking with the five real men about their experience, where they are now, and how they're trying to move forward.
2. Taste the Nation (Hulu) - This Thursday Hulu released Padma Lakshmi's new travel food show, Taste the Nation. The timing is perfect, since this week was the finale of Top Chef All Stars LA and we would have been without Padma for who knows how long!
The show focuses on immigrants to the United States and how they keep their food traditions alive. The very first episode takes you to El Paso, TX. Warning: you will drool while watching this.
In honor of Juneteenth, Hulu has made episode four, The Gullah Way, available for free on YouTube. You can watch here.
3. Dating Around (Netflix) - One of my besties texted me to ask if I was watching Dating Around and I have to admit, I hadn't heard of it. With The Bachelor franchise filming on hold, there's been a void in my TV life of trashy dating shows.
The premise is that each episode one person goes on five dates. At the very end (usually the last 90 seconds) they reveal who the one person is they chose to go on a second date with.
I've watched four episodes so far and what I love about is that they feature a wide range of singles - men, women, gay, straight, people in their 20s and people in their 60s!
Each episode is only 30 minutes, so it's very easy viewing. There are currently two seasons available with six episodes each.
4. Ilana Glazer: The Planet is Burning: (Amazon) - Ilana Glazer is one of the co-stars of the beloved TV show Broad City. Though I never watched it, I have many friends who do and are obsessed with it. When I saw Glazer had one-hour stand up special on Amazon, I decided to give it a whirl.
First, Glazer's approach to stand up is way more physical than I was expecting. She dances, skips, lays on her back and much, much more as she moves through her set.
She covers everything from dating to Diva cups. It can get raunchy at times, so I definitely wouldn't watch this with kids in the room.
I needed a break from work and really wanted to laugh. This did the trick!
5. Cougar Town (Amazon) - If you never watched Cougar Town when it originally aired on ABC, now is the time to try it! The show co-stars Courtney Cox and Busy Philipps. Need I say more?
Cox plays Jules Cobb, a forty-something woman rebuilding her life after divorce. She works in real estate and lives with her teenage son, Travis, who is played by Dan Byrd.
This show was always a sleeper, which is a shame, because it's laugh-out-loud funny.
All six seasons are available on Amazon.
6. Clueless (Netflix) - During quarantine Netflix has been adding a bunch of classic movies to the platform and this month, Clueless has become available!
Streaming this brings back so many memories of watching it again and again and again with friends - the music, the classroom banter, the crushes, the clothes (!!) and of course, the closet.
"In conclusion, may I remind you, it does not say 'RSVP' on the Statue of Liberty!"
There you have it. This week's watch list. I'll be back next Friday with a fresh round of suggestions.
*Images courtesy of Unsplash, The Atlanta Voice, Vulture, Esquire, The Boston Globe, Spoiler TV and Deadline.
