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Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
A Billy Joel doc, ‘Quarterback' and more to watch this weekend
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who still needs to binge some of the Emmy contenders before TV's biggest night. The nominations for the 77th Emmy Awards were announced earlier this week and Apple TV+'s 'Severance' lead the pack with 27 nominations. If this week's breaking news headlines kept you too occupied to see how your favorite TV show fared, check out the list of nominees here. Plus, our awards czar Glenn Whipp weighed in on this year's snubs and surprises. We also had some fun and thoughtful conversations with nominees: Noah Wyle ('The Pitt'), Adam Scott ('Severance'), Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg ('The Studio'), Jeff Hiller ('Somebody Somewhere'), Tony Gilroy ('Andor') and the 'Adolescence' team. But if you'd rather watch TV than read about it, we've got that covered too. This week's streaming recommendations include a sprawling two-part documentary on the life of musician Billy Joel that'll surely change your commute playlist before the workweek starts again, and the return of Netflix's behind-the-scenes look at the lives, both on and off the field, of NFL quarterbacks. Also in this week's Screen Gab, actor Brittany Snow drops by to talk about her new Netflix thriller, 'The Hunting Wives,' about a woman who moves to a small Texas town and gets drawn into the dangerous world of the wealthy and influential women in her orbit. Must-read stories you might have missed CBS to end 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' next year: The network attributed the cancellation to 'a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.' Commentary: Why the Emmys still matter in a time of turmoil: The day we stop celebrating and arguing about art is the day we'll know the bastards have won, writes critic Mary McNamara. Alan Tudyk: Resident alien, android and voice actor: He scored his first starring role with 'Resident Alien,' but he's long been celebrated in genre circles, and for good reason. Hollywood's being reshaped by generative AI. What does that mean for screenwriters?: As AI creeps further into Hollywood, screenwriters like Billy Ray, Paul Schrader, Bong Joon Ho and Todd Haynes, along with a new class of tech disruptors, are navigating the uncertain future of storytelling. Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes' (HBO Max) Over the decades, Billy Joel has created countless iconic hits that have cemented his legacy in pop music, but despite his rock star status, he's always been a man of few words, preferring to let his songs do the talking. HBO Max's new two-part docuseries, however, gives him the mic to tell the stories behind the music in his notable albums, including 'Piano Man,' 'The Stranger' and 'Storm Front,' exploring how his upbringing, marriages and addiction shaped his creative works. Part 1 of the series, premiering Friday at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT, is notable in how it reframes the narrative around his relationship with his former wife and manager Elizabeth Weber, explaining how she was instrumental in guiding his career and helping him become a superstar — and how songs like 'Big Shot' and 'Stiletto' were inspired by the rocky times in their marriage. (You'll want to tune in to Part 2 next week as well.) It's a compelling and nuanced portrait of an imperfect person who created timeless music and whose influence continues to reverberate. — Maira Garcia 'Quarterback' (Netflix) After watching weeks of 'Love Island' (Team Amaya Papaya 4eva!), I was in need of a palate cleanser. I found it in the second season of 'Quarterback,' the seven-part series that follows three big names in the NFL's most visible position. This year's roster features the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, the Detroit Lions' Jared Goff (formerly of the Rams) and singing favorite Kirk Cousins, who appeared in the show's first season as QB of the Minnesota Vikings before moving to Atlanta — and then the bench. Football nerds will geek out on the play calling, but what makes the show such a must-watch is seeing the human side of the pros. Watching fashionista Burrow pick out what designer items he loved and also talk about iguanas and fossils made me kind of infatuated with my football enemy. As for Goff, I really want to pet his dog Quincy. Cousins is again the star. He ups his suburban every-dad vibe by getting a haircut at Great Clips (and shows the stylist his roster photo for inspiration) but the highlight is the music. We see him explain his love of Celine Dion, find out which Tom Petty song gets him fired up and watch him rehab an Achilles injury as he sings 'Put One Foot in Front of the Other' from Rankin/Bass Christmas classic 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.' However, the show's obvious highlight is watching him sing Cher's 'Believe' while waiting in a drive-through. If Cousins retires from the NFL, I will be first in line to buy a ticket for his Vegas cabaret. — Vanessa Franko A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they're working on — and what they're watching With her recent turns on TV, Brittany Snow has leaned into characters with some mystique. Earlier this year, she appeared in the second season of Netflix's 'Night Agent' as Alice, a new partner and mentor to the show's central character Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) in his first mission after joining the highly classified counterintelligence program. Without spilling spoilers, let's just say viewers were left with many questions about the character. In her latest series, 'The Hunting Wives,' Snow plays Sophie, an East Coast transplant with a mysterious past who steps into an elite Texas circle where power struggles, jealousy, betrayal and murder lurk beneath the surface. Available to stream on Netflix beginning Monday, the soapy thriller is based on the book by May Cobb. Snow stopped by Guest Spot to discuss the intrigue of playing an outsider, her upcoming role as a journalist and the reality competition series she savors watching. — Yvonne Villarreal Sophie is a complex character wrestling with her past, as well as her attraction to socialite Margo (Malin Akerman), and all she represents — the freedom to do what she wants, with little concern for social mores or the law. What intrigued you about playing her? And what would Brittany Snow, unencumbered by image or expectations, be doing? I related a lot to Sophie when I read the scripts for 'Hunting Wives.' I spent my 20s being very careful, shy and afraid of people's perceptions of me. In my early 30s, I really did have an awakening of some sort which challenged my childhood beliefs of needing to be 'good' and 'perfect.' I started realizing who I wanted to be and the woman I already was. I finally felt 'in' my body, and I didn't need to necessarily fit in. Sophie is having that awakening as well, in a different way, but one I could very much relate to. Margo represents a side of Sophie that she has shut herself off from, mostly because she's scared of that side of herself and perhaps scared of taking up that much space. At first, the power of Margo is alluring to her because it makes her more aware of her own. As the series continues, you see Sophie realize who she really is, which creates the disillusionment of Margo and what Margo represents. I loved that aspect of the script and I loved playing a character who has a complete transformation by coming back to herself. I think this show is the very embodiment of what I would be doing if I were unencumbered by image or expectations. It's fun, brave and I worked hard to have the confidence to do a show like this. It's all very full-circle for me. The series brings Sophie into an elite and conservative social circle in Texas. You can sense both her discomfort and curiosity. What was it like having the character explore that world? I am always drawn to characters who are curious. It's in my nature to sit back and observe closely. Sometimes to my detriment, I do it too well. I think the interesting thing about Sophie is her immediate curiosity as opposed to an immediate judgment. It would be a different show if she was unwilling to understand the atmosphere she's been put in. Because she's trying so hard to fit in and understand, she gets in over her head. It then takes some unraveling for her to see the truth and hold firm in her opinions. I, myself, am pretty opinionated but I am also very understanding. I think this show has a great duality of seeing both sides with an open lens — a viewpoint that is fun and doesn't take itself too seriously. You recently completed filming on Hulu's series about the Murdaugh murders. You play Mandy Matney, the real-life journalist who helped unravel the family's unsolved mysteries. What kind of research did you do for the role? And what struck you most about Mandy's journey? I was so honored to play Mandy. She is a force, and I admire her greatly. I was already familiar with her podcast ['Murdaugh Murders Podcast'] and had listened to the show when it first came out. When I found out I would be playing her, I reached out to her directly and asked if we could have conversations about the murders but more importantly, about her life. We talked on the phone, hung out, had dinners, drinks and became friends. I read her book and listened to every episode of her podcast again, as well as every interview I could get my hands on. I learned so much about her, but mostly what a strong and fierce woman she is and continues to be. Her story is so much more than the Murdaugh murders, it's about overcoming so many hardships and spearheading a new way women were perceived in her field. What have you watched recently that you're recommending to everyone you know? After David Lynch's passing, I wanted to go back and rewatch all the classics. We started with 'Blue Velvet' [Pluto TV, Tubi], 'Eraserhead' [HBO Max], 'Lost Highway' [VOD], 'Mulholland Drive' [Philo] (my favorite), then read all the complicated articles after. I know you are never supposed to truly 'get' that movie, but after a couple rewatches, I do sort of feel like I 'get' it and what happens, in my own way. I love figuring out movies like that. Figuring out the puzzle and how it fits, only to me. I recommend everyone going back and doing that again with all his films. What's your go-to 'comfort watch,' the film or TV show you return to again and again? 'Top Chef' [Peacock]. I've seen every single episode multiple times and it truly relaxes me. Chefs have this elegance and clear intention in making great dishes. It makes me appreciate food more. When I watch it, sometimes I eat dinner as well and I eat in the most lovely and present way. It also weirdly makes your food taste better. I can't explain it.
Los Angeles Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Det. Angel Batista has questions for ‘Dexter,' plus what to stream this week
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who can't stop watching their favorite fictional serial killer. The 'Dexter' universe expands this week with the arrival of another spinoff. And it brings Dexter Morgan, the titular antihero played by Michael C. Hall, back from the dead. 'Dexter: Resurrection' picks up after the events of 'Dexter: New Blood' — we promise, we're not trying to start a drinking game here — where the serial killer vigilante was seemingly killed. In anticipation of the show's Friday premiere, Greg Braxton, our certified 'Dexter' expert, spoke with Hall about reviving the killer role — check it out here. And this week's Guest Spot features David Zayas, Hall's co-star who plays Angel Batista, discussing his return. Also in this week's Screen Gab, our streaming suggestions include a cozy crime comedy featuring an antiques expert heroine and another home improvement series from the Chip and Joanna Gaines factory. Must-read stories you might have missed When Lena met Megan: How a DM blossomed into 'Too Much': Netflix's 'Too Much' isn't a story about friendship or sex. It's about love — Lena Dunham's version, and she knew Megan Stalter had what it took to be the star. Maggie Q brings the heat to cold cases in 'Ballard,' a 'Bosch' spinoff series: The actress, known for her action-heavy roles in 'Nikita,' 'Mission: Impossible III' and 'Designated Survivor,' stars in 'Ballard,' about a LAPD detective based on a popular character in Michael Connelly's bestselling novels. Up, up and … eh? A rebooted 'Superman' gives the Man of Steel a mind of marshmallow: Director James Gunn launches his DC Extended Universe with a high-energy Superman played by David Corenswet, joined by co-stars Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan. Commentary: Can 'Love Island USA' watch parties offer a guide for saving linear television?: You don't have to love 'Love Island USA' to appreciate that in this increasingly fractured time of TV viewership, it is drawing people together. Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times 'The Madame Blanc Mysteries' (Acorn TV) Back for a fourth season, this series set among British expatriates in the south of France (played by the island of Malta) is nominally a detective show — there's always a crime to solve — but at heart it's a small-town comedy more interested in the lives of its quirky repeating characters than in whodunit. Series co-creator Sally Lindsay stars as Jean White, an antiques expert regularly called upon by Police Chief André Caron (Alex Gaumond) to analyze some clue or give the history of vintage stolen goods. Completing her world are alliterative, spritely rich oldsters Judith and Jeremy (Sue Holderness and Robin Askwith); garage owner Gloria (Sue Vincent); taxi driver Dom (Steve Edge), whose long-simmering passion for Jean has at last come to a boil; and, excitingly, Tony Robinson, who was Baldrick on 'Blackadder,' as Dom's formerly larcenous Uncle Patrick, now running the local bar where all the characters inevitably wind up. As is the case with many such shows, it gets sillier as it goes on; but if you want serious, there are plenty of dark serials happy to take your time. This place is sunny. — Robert Lloyd 'Mini Reni' (HBO Max, Discovery+) As someone who can spend an alarming amount of time watching Sunday-reset cleaning videos on TikTok as a way to convince myself it has motivating powers, I am always on the lookout for home improvement shows that have the same effect. In the series, shiplap queen Joanna Gaines ditches hubby Chip to tackle 'quick' home makeovers. With each episode, she has about a week to transform three rooms — 'There's no demo day. We're just using things like paint, trim, tile and furniture' to change a space, she assures us. It's still an ambitious undertaking for the average person — I have towel hooks that I've needed to hang for months, so the thought of having secret doorways installed anywhere in my space is just not happening — but it feels just as good to believe you're getting ideas for a project down the line. — Yvonne Villarreal A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they're working on — and what they're watching 'Dexter: Resurrection,' the latest addition to the ever-expanding 'Dexter' universe, makes good on its title. After being shot in the chest — by his son, no less — and pronounced dead in the 2021 series 'Dexter: New Blood,' Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), the forensics specialist who moonlighted as a serial killer vigilante, is now very much alive and well enough to deliver some more narrative intrigue in the series for Paramount+ with Showtime. While there are newcomers added to the mix, returning characters include Angel Batista (David Zayas), Dexter's friend who is now a captain at the Miami Metro Police Department where they once worked together — and he's on a mission to fill in questions about Dexter's past. Zayas stopped by Guest Spot to talk about what to expect in the new sequel series and how his own experiences in law enforcement inform his onscreen roles. — Yvonne Villarreal Fans had hoped for the long-teased face-off between Batista and Dexter in 'Dexter: New Blood,' but it didn't happen. 'Dexter: Resurrection' provides that anticipated reunion. What can you tease about the dynamic that plays out between these characters? The dynamic between Batista and Dexter is now a cautious cat-and-mouse game. Batista is also still in shock about the revelation that Dexter been alive all these years. One would imagine that your own experiences in law enforcement have loosely inspired or informed at least one scenario in the police or detective roles you've played in your career. What's interesting to you about getting to explore that other career dramatically and/or cinematically? I always explore the human element and the circumstances of the scene regardless of the position the character holds. Having been a real police officer, it helps me break down certain characters that I have encountered in my previous career. You're back in the new season of 'The Bear,' as the supportive husband of Tina, who is played by your real-life wife, Liza Colón-Zayas. Describe what one of the show's intense workplace scenes would look like if it were set in the Zayas kitchen. I think a scene in our kitchen would become intense. Liza would just kick me out. She calls the shots in the kitchen. What have you watched recently that you're recommending to everyone you know? Season 4 of 'The Bear' [Hulu]. The characters are so real and unapologetically flawed. It makes every moment of the show important and captivating. What's your go-to 'comfort watch,' the film or TV show you return to again and again? 'The West Wing' [HBO Max]. It always gives me hope of how our political system should work for the people of this country.
Los Angeles Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
12 movies, TV shows and concert clips to watch this Fourth of July weekend
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who needs something to watch while complaining about the annoying people shooting off fireworks well past the celebratory window. In anticipation of the long holiday weekend, we're forgoing the usual Screen Gab format this week to give you an extended list of home viewing recommendations that our pop culture experts at The Times plan to binge — or what they think you should binge. It's an eclectic guide of new and old favorites, comforting and under-the radar picks — and there's cats too! Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times 'Sinners' (Max, beginning Friday) Anybody who has yet to see 'Sinners': It's time. Ryan Coogler's Mississippi-set period vampire horror film stars Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers who've come back to their hometown to open a new juke joint together. They bring their musically gifted cousin, played by Miles Caton, along for the ride. And it's quite a ride! Audiences were so excited to see this original film that some people traveled across state lines just to catch it in Imax 70mm — in fact, the demand was so high, the genre-bending hit received a second run at these larger-than-life Imax 70mm theaters. Even a standard format showing at my local suburban multiplex was packed on a weeknight the first time I went to see it. So while my TV is a poor substitute for a movie theater, I'll definitely be watching 'Sinners' again this weekend. And in a step toward accessibility, at-home viewers have the option to watch a version with Black American Sign Language. — Tracy Brown 'Andor' (Disney+) As a kid of the original 'Star Wars' generation — a wide-eyed 5-year-old when 'A New Hope' opened in 1977 — I often imagined what this galaxy might look like in a more grown-up light: complex, morally messy, beyond good and evil. 'Andor' comes as close as anything — maybe a little too close. As compelling as its second season is, I've found myself needing to take it slow: In an age of endless conflict, deepening divides and the shadows of authoritarianism, it cuts deep. The season traces the brutal machinery of empire: propaganda, collaborators, betrayal and the looming massacre of civilians on Ghorman, a peaceful planet crushed for daring to protest. At the recent nationwide 'No Kings' protests, some demonstrators carried 'Andor'-inspired signs that read 'We are the Ghor' and 'The galaxy is watching.' Finishing it on the Fourth feels right — like binge-watching as an act of civic reflection. — Josh Rottenberg 'Trainwreck: Poop Cruise' (Netflix) At a time when the headlines have you wondering — 'Has everything gone to s—?' — we're reminded of a 2014 maritime disaster where that sentiment very much applied. This installment of Netflix's 'Trainwreck' docuseries tells the tale of the infamous cruise ship disaster involving an engine fire on the Carnival Triumph that left 4,000 people aboard without electricity and plumbing. You can imagine where things go from there. If you always thought cruises were a terrible idea, this documentary will be validating. It's a wild and bizarre 55 minutes that'll forever change the way you look at lasagna. And it'll make you ask an existential question you never thought to consider: Would you be this dramatic about pooping in red biohazard bags if you were stranded out at sea? — Yvonne Villarreal 'Mid-Century Modern' (Hulu) Three gay men 'of a certain age,' one of whom is named Bunny and played by Nathan Lane, move in together in Palm Springs under the gimlet eye of Bunny's mother, played by the late, great Linda Lavin? Honestly, I couldn't explain under oath why I haven't watched this series yet. An increasingly rare multi-cam comedy filmed in front of a live audience, it promises the comfort of nostalgia — remember when you knew it was a comedy because you could hear people laughing? — and the bittersweet pleasures of lived-in lives. And though Bunny's claim that he and his friends Jerry (Matt Bomer) and Arthur (Nathan Lee Graham) are all in the same boat life-cycle-wise (Bomer and Graham are, respectively, 22 and 13 years younger than Lane), well, 'The Golden Girls' had a similar grouping and look how well that turned out. — Mary McNamara 'The Rehearsal' (Max) Confession time: Whenever I'm preparing for an event that requires me to speak in front of a large crowd, I write it out, practice and keep the notes handy as I'm doing said activity. That's what makes Nathan Fielder's 'The Rehearsal' refreshing — I'm not the only one who rehearses something — though he goes to some extremes with his stunts. The replica of Alligator Lounge in Season 1, which he creates so a man named Kor Skeete can reveal his education status to his trivia buddy, was nothing short of remarkable — I remember walking past the actual bar many times when I lived in Brooklyn. And the rest of the season was just as wild; one simulation has Fielder rehearsing to be a parent with Angela, a woman who is considering motherhood, leading to many awkward moments and conversations. Season 2 is no different, focusing on plane crashes and pilot communication, which sounds serious, but like the first season, Fielder takes many interesting tangents along the way. I'll take a cue from our awards columnist Glenn Whipp, who wrote about the show, and not spoil the conclusion, but you'll want to come along for the ride. — Maira Garcia Live Aid (YouTube) July 13, 1985, was a formative day of TV for millions of Gen-Xers, sincerity and irony swirling on the biggest concert stage imaginable. Phil Collins made a stink about flying transatlantically on the Concorde so he could play both in London and, later that night, in Philadelphia. But even though he had the No. 1 album in the country ('No Jacket Required'), now he seems like the least significant presence there. I've returned to many clips of the massive charity concert over the years (don't blame me if this YouTube site becomes a rabbit hole) and this weekend feels like a good one to remind myself of hope and '80s-style dreaminess. We stayed up late to watch Simon Le Bon and Duran Duran murder 'A View to a Kill.' A reunited Led Zeppelin were somehow even worse. Bleary-eyed, I'd been awake since 3 a.m. watching early MTV transmissions from Australia, which held its own Live Aid-related concert, to catch INXS. Return to the show for its two high points: Queen somehow condensed the whole of its grandeur into 21 unforgettable minutes. It's been called the greatest live set in rock history, but that actually happened earlier in the day when U2 played the hypnotic 'Bad' and Bono leapt into the crowd to hug a fan in danger of getting crushed, photographers circling them like it was a peace summit. It was everything I wanted pop to be. My band (average member age: 14) learned the song the next day. — Joshua Rothkopf 'Superman and the Mole Men' (VOD) How else can Superman rewind time without flying so fast he reverses the planet's spin? By whisking fans back to his feature film debut in 1951's 'Superman and the Mole Men,' a kitschy adventure with an unexpectedly moving moral compass. This black-and-white indie launched George Reeves' short and tragic career as the hero from Krypton. The producers considered it a teaser for his more famous TV series, 'Adventures of Superman,' which was released the next year. The plot is simple: Clark Kent and Lois Lane trek to a rural oil town to investigate a well that's drilled all the way to the center of the Earth. Small, hairy hominids emerge — but the twist is that Superman must protect these Mole Men from the prairie mob who want to shoot the outsiders on sight. It's rousing to watch this classic defender of truth, justice and the American way bend guns, take bullets and huff: 'I'm going to give you one last chance to stop acting like Nazi stormtroopers.' — Amy Nicholson 'Snowfall' (FX on Hulu) The race car epic 'F1' is as hot as burning rubber at the box office, and is expected to bring in large crowds over the Fourth of July weekend as it re-establishes Brad Pitt as a top movie star. Pitt is joined in the winner's circle by Damson Idris, who plays rookie driver Joshua Pearce. Idris' star turn is a sharp departure from his portrayal of Franklin Saint, a ruthless drug kingpin in 'Snowfall,' the FX drama streaming on Hulu about the rise of crack cocaine in South Los Angeles during the '80s. The series was one of the most popular shows in FX history, and was a vivid showcase for Idris, as Saint evolved from ambitious, charming entrepreneur to lethal thug. Although he was born in Peckham, London, Idris was cast in 'Snowfall' by co-creator John Singleton, who believed that he could convincingly portray the demeanor of a youth growing up in the rough streets of South Los Angeles. When 'Snowfall' completed its six-season run in 2023, the actor said in a Times interview that he was 'obviously focused on movies. I want people to see me on the big screen.' — Greg Braxton 'Marie Antoinette' ( History's punching bag and France's last queen, Marie Antoinette, is reimagined as a wily, independent thinker in this inventive, lush and revisionist drama. Season 1 of 'Marie Antoinette' opens in 1770, when at 14, she's married to Louis Auguste, the Dauphin who later became King Louis XVI. The beauty of France and opulence of Versailles play a starring role though out the series, as does actor Emilia Schüle, who masterfully portrays the queen as she learns how to deal with the pressures of her role. Released earlier this year, Season 2 finds the royal couple at the height of power but on the precipice of danger when France drops into alarming debt, the royal's political enemies launch a misinformation war against the crown (thus the fabricated 'Let Them Eat Cake!' line) and the starving masses are ready to revolt. Antoinette becomes a de facto leader when her meek husband crumbles under pressure. It's a must for those who love a fresh takes on oft-trod chapters of history. — Lorraine Ali 'Nyaight of the Living Cat' (Crunchyroll, starting Sunday) If you've ever watched 'The Last of Us' or 'The Walking Dead' and thought 'this would be so much better with cats,' 'Nyaight of the Living Cat' is the show for you. The anime series is set in a world where a mysterious virus turns humans into cats after they come into contact with afflicted felines, making places like cat cafés the ultimate danger zones. I can't say I've ever wondered about a cat version of a zombie apocalypse, but now that this show is on my radar, I can't wait for its premiere. And considering 'nya' is Japanese for 'meow,' I am hoping the show will lean into cat-related puns as it traces the fallout of this catastrophic viral outbreak. — T.B. 'Miami Vice' (VOD) Legend has it that NBC programming exec Brandon Tartikoff scrawled 'MTV Cops' on a cocktail napkin, setting the template for what became 'Miami Vice.' It's not true, but it's a good story. Watch the two-hour pilot episode and wait for the moment, near the end, when Phil Collins' 'In the Air Tonight' comes on while Crockett (Don Johnson) and Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) are driving the black Ferrari Daytona Spyder en route to take down a Colombian drug lord. The lighting, the editing, the integration of images and the music … yeah, it's 'MTV Cops.' But it's 'MTV Cops' made by Michael Mann, who, as executive producer, signed off on every aspect of the series in its first two seasons, using the show as a sandbox to hone techniques and themes that would show up in his 1986 crime thriller 'Manhunter' and 'Heat' and pretty much everything else he has done. My son once asked me what the Eighties were like. I played him Jan Hammer's synth-laden 'Miami Vice' theme. And, yes, with the pastels, the Wayfarers and contemporary music, it's a Reagan-era time capsule. But those first two seasons are really timeless — thrilling, ambitious, outrageous to this day. Watch the pilot and then the two-parter 'Calderone's Return.' You'll be hooked. — Glenn Whipp 'Bored to Death' (Max) Before streaming ate the world, I could measure my love for a series by whether I bought the seasons on video, and I am happy to say I am the proud owner of all three seasons of this excellent, quirky, nonjudgmental 2009 comedy, starring Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis and Ted Danson. Set against, of all things, the New York literary world, it features Schwartzman as writer Jonathan Ames — also the name of the series' creator, adapting his own 'long short story' into this fairy tale of Brooklyn — who, suffering after a breakup, fueled by an excess of Raymond Chandler, white wine and pot and unable to finish a second novel, advertises himself as an 'unlicensed private detective.' Adventures follow, taking the very formal, very serious Jonathan into odd corners of the city and odder corners of humanity. With Galifianakis as best friend Ray, an angry comic book artist, and Danson as other best friend George, a hedonistic magazine publisher (and later restaurateur, publishing being even then what it is), rounding out television's greatest three-way bromance. — Robert Lloyd
Los Angeles Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The true story behind ‘Smoke,' plus ‘Odd Mom Out' and ‘Pavements' for your weekend streaming
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who can't stand the heat outside, but can tolerate it onscreen. The eerie and bizarre story of John Orr, a Southern California arson investigator who authorities say moonlighted as a serial arsonist suspected of setting some 2,000 fires in the 1980s and 1990s, has been chronicled in the 2021 podcast 'Firebug' and, earlier this year, received the deep-dive treatment from L.A. Times writer Christopher Goffard. Now, there's a new Apple TV+ series, 'Smoke,' loosely inspired by the true crime case. Author and screenwriter Dennis Lehane, who created the new drama, stopped by Guest Spot to discuss it. Also in this week's Screen Gab, TV critic Robert Lloyd reminds us that Bravo used to dabble in scripted programming, recommending 'Odd Mom Out,' the short-lived comedy about a stay-at-home mother and her experiences navigating the bizarre and outrageous world of Manhattan's elite; and film reporter Josh Rottenberg suggests finding time to watch a hybrid documentary-biopic film about the '90s indie band Pavement. Must-read stories you might have missed The movie business isn't going to collapse. Jerry Bruckheimer explains why: Thirty-five years after 'Days of Thunder,' the hard-charging 'F1' producer is not slowing down: Bruckheimer talks fast cars, big-budget spectacle and the state of Hollywood. 'My Mom Jayne' led Mariska Hargitay to see her mother 'like a superhero': The 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' actor created an emotional and revealing documentary about her mother, Jayne Mansfield, who died when Hargitay was just 3 years old. 'The Bear': Apologies and reconciliations lift the mood in Season 4: The latest season of 'The Bear' shows Carmy and the crew reacting to various obstacles, including a negative restaurant review, but everyone's on the road to happiness. 'Countdown' makes Los Angeles a prominent character — and it's in danger: The Prime Video action series follows a task force consisting of members from various law enforcement agencies that are brought together after the murder of a Department of Homeland Security agent. But it's Los Angeles that is in serious danger. Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times 'Odd Mom Out' (Peacock) In my review of the new season of 'The Bear' this week, I neglected to mention Abby Elliott, who plays Sugar, the level-headed sister of Jeremy Allen White's Carmy (or to mention Sugar's new baby, the most adorable infant I have ever seen on screen); ironically, it was because, laboring to express how great she is in it, I had set that bit aside — as it turned out, permanently. Happily, I was already planning to use this space to recommend her earlier series, Jill Kargman's very funny 'Odd Mom Out,' Bravo's brief experiment (2015-17) in scripted comedy, giving me this chance to self-correct. In 'Mom,' whose three seasons stream on Peacock, Kargman, a very talented amateur, stars as a version of herself in a series based on her 2007 book 'Momzillas,' about competitive parenting among Upper East Side New Yorkers, a war her boho-punk mother of three character declines to enter. (She is what most of us would call rich, but not obscenely so, and has good values.) Elliott, in a whimsical comic turn, plays Brooke, the pregnant and thin wife (later ex-wife) of her brother-in-law, whose charities include providing 'prophylactic gastric bypasses for at-risk kids with morbidly obese parents' and sending bouncy castles to Africa. — Robert Lloyd 'Pavements' (available on various VOD platforms) If you were young and vaguely disaffected in the '90s, Pavement was either your favorite band or the band your favorite band wanted to be — a group whose slanted (and enchanted) songs defined slacker cool, mixing lo-fi chaos, shaggy pop hooks and a shrugging disinterest in 'career, career, career,' as they put it in their semi-hit 'Cut Your Hair.' So it's only fitting that Alex Ross Perry's drolly funny anti-rock-doc ditches the usual mythology-building formula in favor of something far weirder. Blending real tour footage, a faux biopic, a tongue-in-cheek jukebox musical and a museum filled with half-fake relics, the film is part tribute, part Gen X time capsule, part absurdist prank. 'Stranger Things' star Joe Keery is the film's unexpected MVP, playing himself with deadpan commitment as he fixates on nailing lead singer Stephen Malkmus' Stockton accent — right down to requesting a photo of his tongue for research. By the end, 'Pavements' becomes both a joke about the band's legacy and a surprisingly sincere celebration of it. — Josh Rottenberg A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they're working on — and what they're watching He spent his days as a fire captain and arson investigator in Southern California, but authorities say John Orr lived a secret life as a prolific arsonist responsible for a string of fires that terrorized the region in the '80s and '90s. An unpublished novel he wrote, 'Points of Origin,' detailed an arson spree that mirrored real-life incidents and helped authorities secure enough evidence to arrest him. The firefighting veteran was eventually convicted on 20 counts of arson and 4 counts of murder and is serving life in prison. Orr continues to maintain his innocence. This true story, chronicled in the 2021 podcast 'Firebug,' is the basis for Apple TV+'s new nine-episode crime drama 'Smoke.' Created by Dennis Lehane ('Black Bird'), the series follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton) and Detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett) as they pursue two serial arsonists. The first two episodes are available to stream, with the remaining seven releasing weekly every Friday until Aug. 15. Lehane stopped by Guest Spot to discuss the show's gnarly fire sequences and getting Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke to provide the show's theme song. — Yvonne Villarreal You've authored several well-known novels, including 'Gone, Baby, Gone,' 'Mystic River' and 'Shutter Island,' and you're familiar with exploring moral ambiguity. What stood out to you when you first listened to 'Firebug'? And what about it made it a story you wanted to tell for the screen? What really stood out for me with 'Firebug' was John Orr's myopic duality. He clung to the identity of a hero arson investigator even as he was running around lighting up Glendale and surrounding areas, resulting in several deaths. On top of that, he was writing a book about an arson investigator chasing a serial arsonist. And the book was quite bad. I found that kinda delicious. I was also intrigued by his methods for setting the fires and was taken by the fact that he'd once nearly died in a fire when he mistook his reflection for another firefighter and ran deeper into a burning house. Everything else in the show is pure fiction. I didn't want to tell a story about John Orr in 1980s California; I wanted to tell a story about our culture now, about people who feel so unmoored they'd rather cling to the fiction of themselves over the fact. Tell me about the planning and work that went into crafting the fire sequences in the series — how you decided when to use special effects or real fire, and the precautions that needed to be in place for the latter. And is there a fire sequence in the series that stands out for you? The moments that stand out most are the first fire — Dave's dream — and the last — the sawmill fire. The first of these was 100% real. It was shot on a burn stage with pipes blasting flame all around the room as Taron — not a stunt man — walked through it. It looks so impressive because a) we planned really hard; and b) Sam McCurdy, our director of photography, is a painter with light and reflection. Our sawmill fire and the subsequent car ride thru the burning forest was the opposite — it was predominantly CGI, but we'd realized by then that the key was to shoot as much real fire as we could (which, in this case, wasn't terribly much), so the CGI wizards had real flame to compare their work to. How did you get Thom Yorke to write a song ('Dialing In') for the show's theme? Our music supervisor, Mary Ramos, had heard that Thom was a fan of 'Black Bird' [Lehane's previous Apple TV+ series that also starred Egerton and featured much of the same creative team]. We reached out to see if he had any interest in writing a song for our credit sequence. And he actually called us back. He and I spoke about the underlying themes of the show and he read a bunch of the scripts. Then he went off and wrote the song. He sent it back to us and someone, I think it was Mary, said, 'Now you have to give him notes.' And I was like, Um … no, no, I don't. He's Thom Yorke. Giving him notes on music would be like telling Scorsese where to put the camera. I passed along this note:'Thank you.' What have you watched recently that you're recommending to everyone you know? (Please explain) 'Dept. Q' [Netflix]. Scott Frank, as always, crushes it as both a writer and a director. It's got one of the best pilots I've ever seen, and the cast, led by Matthew Goode and Kate Dickie, is impeccable. It's so rich in character and atmosphere that I wanted to fly to Edinburgh to simply hang out with every character after I finished watching. What's your go-to comfort watch, the film or TV show you return to again and again? (Please explain) 'Midnight Run' [Netflix] is my cinematic chicken soup for the soul. It's smart, hilarious, infinitely quotable, sports one of the greatest casts ever assembled, and it's non-stop, breakneck fun from the first shot to the last. I've probably seen it 30 times.
Los Angeles Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘The Chosen,' a celebration of Black life and motorcycle diaries for your weekend streaming
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who needs a break from politicians' interpretations of the Bible. The fifth season of 'The Chosen,' the faith-based TV series that has found success releasing select seasons in theaters, has begun its three-week rollout on Prime Video. George Xanthis, who plays John the Apostle, stopped by Guest Spot to discuss the show. Also in this week's Screen Gab, our streaming recommendations include a documentary that delves into the origin story of New Orleans' first Black Mardi Gras krewe, and the latest installment in the travelogue adventures of actors/BFFs Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, known for their motorcycle journeys in 'Long Way Round' and 'Long Way Down.' This time, the pair is riding from McGregor's home in Scotland to Boorman's in England. Must-read stories you might have missed Is it too late to reverse Hollywood's runaway production? Writers on the 'stark' reality: Writers from six of the year's most entertaining and acclaimed TV series open up about runaway production, the binge model and tuning out (or into) social media. In 'The Waterfront,' 'Dawson's Creek' creator Kevin Williamson returns to his gritty roots: The main characters in the new Netflix series are a multigenerational cast of adults whose lives are glossier and grittier than what audiences remember from the 'Dawson's' gang. Before social media, Barbara Walters said 'Tell Me Everything.' And many did: A new documentary coming to Hulu recounts Walters' groundbreaking TV career from the early days of 'Today' to 'The View.' A dream team reunites to bring zombie horror home again in '28 Years Later': Director Danny Boyle, screenwriter Alex Garland and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle return to the terrifying world they created for 2002's '28 Days Later.' Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times 'A King Like Me' (Netflix) Matthew O. Henderson has made a lively, lovely documentary about the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club of New Orleans, preeminent among the krewes that parade on Mardis Gras. (You will know them by the painted coconuts they toss, their makeup and grass skirts.) It's a history, a celebration and a disquisition, whose interests range from the benevolent societies that provided a form of neighborhood insurance, to the electioneering of men hoping to become that year's king — Louis Armstrong served in 1949 — to surviving racism, Katrina and COVID (or not). The question is raised of whether the Zulus, Black men who have paraded in a sort of altered blackface and 'African' dress for more than 100 years, should give up the long-controversial makeup or preserve it as a generations-old tradition; Henderson doesn't take a side, but lets his subjects have their nuanced say. And as any film about New Orleans must, it's full of music and food, hanging out and dancing in the streets. — Robert Lloyd 'Long Way Home' (AppleTV+) When 'Outlander' debuted on Starz in August 2014, many Americans were as dazzled by Scotland, with its looming fells, pristine lakes and lyrical accents as they were by the time traveling love story. Since then, Scotland has become the new England, at least on television. Streamers are bursting with all manner of Scottish series, from the classics ('Rebus,' the 2000s original available on BritBox and the remake, on ViaPlay) to the brand new ('Dept. Q' on Netflix). In between are shows too numerous and diverse to name but given my penchant for murder mysteries, it is not surprising that my favorites include: 'Case Histories' (Acorn TV, Tubi), 'Shetland' (BritBox), 'The Loch' (BritBox), 'Karen Pirie' (BritBox) and 'Annika' (PBS) — all of which offer breathtaking scenery, ancient stone edifices and, most important, a glowering, windswept alternative to Los Angeles, particularly in summer That's exactly what I was looking for when I tuned into 'Long Way Home' on Apple TV+. The fourth installment of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's motorcycle adventures around the world begins at McGregor's Scottish home, winds its way through Scandinavia into the Arctic, thence through the Baltic states and through continental Europe before finishing up back in Scotland. Having no European vacation plans of my own, it seemed a fine visual substitute; McGregor is always a charming screen presence, as is Boorman. It's been five years since they joined forces for 'Long Way Down,' 20 since their first trip in 'Long Way Round,' and watching two 50-somethings hitch themselves onto vintage bikes to embark on a 19,000-mile journey to the Arctic and back is pretty inspiring — even if one of them has a name and face that guarantees a certain starstruck quality from even citizens of rural Finland and both have a multiperson camera crew/backup team should anything go seriously wrong. Unlike other travelogues, this series does not linger over cuisine, haute or otherwise (there is a continual quest for coffee), aiming instead for a scattering of local crafts, traditions and events. The ever-shifting landscape is, in fact, amazingly beautiful, the people they meet along the way are often quite fascinating. The best parts, of course, are the unexpected bad weather, an unexpected road closure, an impromptu concertand mosquitoes. The bikes grumble and occasionally break down, as do the 50-somethings, which is reassuring to us ordinary folk who get to see the glory of all without having to straddle a motorcycle for two months. At 10 episodes that average 40 minutes, 'Long Way Home' covers a lot of ground in a way that is both slow and speedy. My only complaint? Not nearly enough Scotland. — Mary McNamara A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they're working on — and what they're watching Season 5 of 'The Chosen,' the TV series about the life of Jesus that became a surprise hit, already played in movie theaters earlier this year, but fans looking for ways to fill prime rest hours can now watch all eight episodes at home. Created by Dallas Jenkins, the faith-based drama has attracted a devoted audience since its premiere in 2017 with its look at Jesus' life and teachings — and has found success leaning into an unconventional distribution strategy, with theatrical releases of Seasons 3 through 5 that have made millions at the box office. The first two episodes of the fifth season, which is titled 'Last Supper' and chronicles the events of Holy Week, are available to stream on Prime Video, with the next three episodes dropping Sunday, before concluding with another three-episode release on June 29. Australian actor George Xanthis, who plays John the Apostle, stopped by Guest Spot via email to talk about the show's success and the Pixar film that's become scripture to him. — Yvonne Villarreal 'The Chosen' is striking a chord with an underserved audience often overlooked by major Hollywood studios. As an actor, did you feel any stigma about venturing into faith-based content? What has the experience of making it — and the response to it — illuminated for you? I'll start by saying that upon reading the first episode and finding out I was playing a 'fisherman' by the name of 'John,' I actually had no idea the project was faith-based! I think that tells you where this series has found success — it doesn't read or play like something that is strictly faith-based, or something that is attempting to convert you. It's a show about the real people that would have lived through first century Judea, how they battled against crippling Roman occupation and how they found refuge in a peaceful, love-preaching Rabbi. I guess I didn't have time to feel any stigma, and before I knew it, we were a megahit all around the globe! For the audience, there's often a blurring of lines between performer and role. That would seem to be an interesting dynamic when portraying a figure of faith — how do you grapple with that push and pull of serving as a conduit for someone's relationship to their faith while maintaining your grip on your function as an actor? The show's success has come from taking these 'saints' in the apostles and bringing them away from the paintings and iconography we recognize and telling an origin story that audiences can relate to. At the end of the day, I am not necessarily depicting a saint as a figure of faith, but rather, I am a fisherman from Capernaum with a hot temperament learning to control his impulses with the lessons of love and compassion his Rabbi is teaching him. It's important to respect people's identification with these figures in whatever way they want to, but for me the best feedback I've received from fans about my portrayal of John has been how they see parts of themselves in John, when he makes mistakes, when he learns from his mistakes, when he makes them AGAIN and so on. You've played real-life figures like George Stephanopoulos in 'Impeachment: American Crime Story' and John Travolta in an Olivia Newton-John TV biopic. How does your approach and your mission with those known figures compare to what you're striving to achieve with your portrayal of John the Apostle? I started out in this industry in comedy, both stand-up and sketch comedy. A large part of my comedic success has come from doing impressions and impersonating notable people. When I got the roles of John Travolta and George Stephanopoulos, my process was the same as any impression — find the voice, find the body, mold myself into the people based on what I could see of them and mimic them as well as I could. With John [the Apostle], I'm depicting a real person but I don't have the luxury of watching videos of him. So instead, the character arc helps govern my character building. An eager-to-please 'Son of Thunder' has a short temper, sometimes waning patience but at the center of him is a compassionate soul who always looks out for others he cares about. It means my palate to play with is quite broad, and John's temperament for any given moment usually exists somewhere between these extremes of 'thunder' and 'love.' What have you watched recently that you're recommending to everyone you know? The most recent series I finished was 'Peaky Blinders' (Netflix). Being an Australian and part of the Commonwealth, British-based television holds a special place in my heart, and I loved watching Birmingham come to life through the brutal eyes of Thomas Shelby. It's a bucket list item of mine to be in a British film or series watching so much of it growing up. Here's to hoping! What's your go-to comfort watch, the film or TV show you return to again and again? There are so many, but becoming a new father, I realized just how much I have watched 'Toy Story' (Disney+) and how much time I still have for that film. I'll still watch it on planes as I make the 14-hour commute between Australia and the U.S. when there's nothing else to watch. Fun fact: I can quote the movie word-for-word from beginning to end. Pick a moment, and I can carry on the movie verbatim — voices, music, sound effects and all!
