Hi it’s me!
I had a momentous month because I got to work on set for the first time. For the last year I’ve been developing new unscripted TV series for 9th Degree and a couple weeks ago we went to shoot a presentation (the thing the network reviews before deciding if a show goes to series) for a major TV network. I directed a scene and did four “in the moment” interviews. I’ve (clearly) been TV obsessed for my entire life, so this was pretty effing cool!!
Anyway, other things happened too!
There was a girl taller than me in my pilates class who got comments about her height and machine adjustments because she has “such long legs.” I was like, Hello? remember when you used to make little comments to me? Is this what it’s like to be normal height?
I announced that the Will Smith slap situation was the Vibe Shift that everyone has been discussing. I thought I was soooo fun edgy cool original until minutes later a Jezebel article came out announcing that the Will Smith slap situation is the Vibe Shift.
I joined a Facebook group called “Buy Nothing Santa Monica NW” where people post things they’re giving away for free. It’s a fun concept and I even gave away some of my high-end skincare (I’m on an acne healing journey at the moment), but I was blown away but the things that people have the AUDACITY to “give away". People will post empty egg cartons and be like “free empty egg cartons!” or empty candle tins or even in one case 5 TOILET PAPER ROLLS but like just the cardboard part. Are you kidding me? What’s next, Snickers wrappers?
So this month was lighter on television because like I said, I was ON SET. But I did manage to watch all the scam shows. And of course, Bri is back by popular demand with her Oscars recap.
NON SCAMMY SHOWS
Life and Beth (Hulu)- A very sweet, funny, emotional mid-30s coming of age story. I laughed a lot! I cried a lot- there’s an episode dedicated to Amy’s Trichotillomania that made me weep. She has very lukewarm sexual chemistry with Michael Cera but I still enjoyed their love story.
Starstruck (HBO Max) - I loved season 1 so much that I rewatched the entire season immediately. Season 2 is out now and I watched episode 1 and the finale (my sister was watching so I just decided why not). It’s still hilarious and enjoyable but it’s a little less fun without the will they won’t they. Alastair Roberts from my beloved Stath Let’s Flats has a prominent character who was a highlight.
Porno y Ice Cream (Amazon Prime)- This Argentinian comedy is set in Buenos Aires (where I did my STUDY ABROAD hate to brag) about a group of misfits that create a band. I did not find Argentinians to be funny generally when I lived there. I would scoff or roll my eyes when they showed me Youtube vids they thought were funny. I was pleasantly surprised by how hilarious this show is! I probably should have done less eye rolling in college lol.
Winning Time (HBO)- A sporty show about the history of the Lakers. It’s good but would be great if I knew who any of these people were. Maybe I’ll research someday.
SCAMMY TRUE CRIME
Girl from Plainville (Hulu)- Whew, I was completely drawn in. This one is about the case of the teenage girl who was convicted for convincing her bf to commit suicide via text. VERY dark but somehow still watchable. Elle Fanning plays Michelle Carter hauntingly well. In the most horror movie/ serial killer moment, she recites a Leah Michelle Glee monologue. Lots of Glee references and 2012/14 “preppy” fashions. I also watched I Love You Now Die the documentary about Michelle carter on HBO for reference about the characters and it’s very well done.
Dropout (Hulu)- Continues to reign supreme in the scam space (lol I sound like a Barstool writer). Episode 4 with the white male executives (starring Alan Ruck!!) from Walgreens bumbling around was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while. John Carreyrou (the reporter who broke the Elizabeth Holmes story) is played by Marnie’s BF from GIRLS. What else do you need?
Bad Vegan (Netflix)- I was made to feel very bad for this bad vegan Sarma even though she stopped paying her restaurant staff and committed fraud.
WeCrashed (Showtime)- By this point I was scammed out (after Inventing Anna, Bad Vegan, and Dropout, etc. etc.) but I forged ahead. Anne Hathaway is a very good over the top vegan yoga deep voiced girlie.
Law and Order SVU/ Law and Order (Peacock)- better than ever! How do they do it?? I dip back in every once in a while and this season the cases are top drawer.
The Thing About Pam (Peacock)- Another true crime situation!! Maybe they should space these out a little bit. I listen to the Dateline podcast so I loved that Keith Morrison narrates. I didn’t get much out of it that I hadn’t heard on the original dateline episode, but Renee Zellweger is very spooky.
REALITY
Is It Cake? (Netflix) - There are a lot of random complicated rules but it is fun to see people make intricate cakes. The contestants have to choose objects that are cake, then three of them compete to make object-looking cakes for comedian judges who have to choose which objects are cakes. Then the judges eat the cakes regardless.
Summer House (Bravo) - I have been in Ciara’s shoes, I have! But she needs to let Austen fly away. She will be grossed out by him as soon as she snaps out of whatever spell he has on her. Paige’s sly smile during the argument was uncomfortable, Kyle’s comments were the comic relief we needed, Andrea’s tears were heartbreaking. He loves Paige and she doesn’t love him. Danielle’s defense of her bff was commendable. Lindsay could not care less and just wants to text her boys.
OTHER FAVE THINGS FROM THIS MONTH
Maren Morris new album
The Ringer Prestige TV Podcast - This plus the reality tv podcast cover most of the shows I watch and they feel like my friends gabbing about the things I care about.
Celsius energy drink- hehe, oopsie
Grapefruit Trader Joes Candle is back on the shelves
Wearing hat - now that masks are not needed, I feel too much of my face is being perceived. Hats help (picture cool girl baseball cap, not like a weird gardening hat)
Precious You- he book I just started reading. It seems juicy so far.
BRI’S OSCAR CORNER
I did it, you guys. I did it. I watched 9/10 of the 94th Academy Awards Best Picture nominees and then some. Nothing blew my mind from the films I watched, but every picture was pretty solid. Now I am a proper film critic, and all of my opinions from this point forward are valid and correct.
CODA was a delightful watch. Whenever someone is good at singing in a movie or in real life, I start to cry, which happened while watching it in a Caffè Nero. The performances were great, and Troy Kotsur winning Best Supporting Actor felt perfect. Honestly, CODA winning best picture wasn't disappointing, but I felt a couple of films were overlooked.
I put this down on my disorganized google doc as the Best Picture winner. I want to reiterate that I do not feel CODA getting the award was a snub, but Drive My Car could have easily won Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, AND Best Director. Drive My Car is a highly emotional three-hour drama that felt like a calming therapy session with open roads and foggy scenery. I felt a sense of calmness throughout and had no sense of time.
It's genuinely upsetting that Tragedy of Macbeth did not receive any accolades. The cinematography, the look, and the acting performances are collectively crisp and pleasing. Additionally, everyone knows that black and white films signify the pinnacle of sophistication. Apple TV+ is pushing out some great content. The release ofTed Lasso probably motivated the people of Apple TV+ to step it up. Denzel Washington should at least have gotten the Oscar for Best Actor for his exciting portal of Macbeth.
Here are some quick wrap up bullet notes:
After a decade of denial, I can proudly say I have deep real feelings for Benedict Cumberbatch.
Venus and Serena's red carpet fashion was unmatched.
Being The Ricardos is a story that I didn't need to know.
Judi Dench saved Belfast.
The Dune cast scares me in a good way.
In conclusion, The Academy should really consider creating new categories to make the Oscars more entertaining. Imagine having Worst Picture and Worst Song. Now that would be a must-watch ceremony.
OK THANKS!! TTYL!!