Hi it’s me Charlotte! Very exciting news, we have a guest contributor today. I’m going to post more frequently with guest contributors to spice up our recommendations and so that I can stay relevant.
I’m cooking up my own newsletter episode to post next week where I discuss not one but FOUR new British procedurals, the similarities between Wednesday and my beloved Veronica Mars, and like seven new books. Some good some bad some medium (looking at you Deuxmoi).
Without further adoooo, here is Rachael Burke, my college bff (who is from New England…we know how I feel about that location…) and current writer producer at The Drew Barrymore Show, among many other stunning accomplishments (I wrote her title as my college bff as though it were a full time job preceding her job as writer producer lol).
*****DISCLAIMER- RACHAEL’S VIEWS ABOUT WHITE LOTUS DO NOT REFLECT MY OWN. IN MY OPINION, THIS SEASON IS BETTER THAN LAST AND HAS NO FLAWS.
Hello, it’s me, one of C’s college BFFs! C and I first met on the third day of college (while brushing our teeth) as little deer who didn’t know how to stand. We have since learned how to stand. (But still often lose our balance.) I now work in “the biz” like C herself.
I am not sure if C’s fan base has solidified their fandom name, so taking a note from Beyoncé, I’ll call you the “C hive.”
As any good English major would (sucking up to C who was also an English major), I must make you aware of the “unreliable narrator” that I am. My personality type can be described by what C and I call “sensi,” which means I take things very personally. That includes PERSONALLY taking on the tone of TV shows as if I am involved, so I must be careful watching anything sad or scary because it can be detrimental to my mood, as I get sucked in to empathize with the characters. C-hive, I just want you to be aware of the biases so that you can decide for yourself whether to take my advice… but I am a fun gal, so you should!
FILM
Stutz (Netflix)- In the new Netflix film Stutz, Jonah Hill spotlights his therapist, Stutz, and his unique yet simple theories and exercises on how to get through life. Both Stutz and Jonah open up to make the vulnerability less overwhelming and therapy less lofty and more accessible. If you’re like me, you’ll slyly send it to your friends who are averse to therapy under the guise of it being a “Jonah Hill movie.”
TV
Fleishman Is in Trouble (Hulu)- The vague name and marketing of this show couldn’t have been more unappealing to click on (boring line drawings of white people with ambiguous expressions), yet click I did as I was desperate for a laundry-folding show (and I’d chain-smoked all current reality dating show episodes). What a lovely surprise! The charming yet biased narrator frames the show (a la Pushing Daisies) and pulls you in to people-watch and snicker about crushes and mean people like a true friend would! The show feels fresh, despite focusing on a simple story, by putting great detail on tiny cunning observations about life and people. Plus, the momentum of surprising well-placed bursts of suspense make you want to keep watching.
White Lotus (HBO Max)- White Lotus Season 1 skewered privilege with sharp, specific satire found in shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm. However, this second season is depression session. Maybe it’s due to my own past romantic triggers (TMI, or never TMI for the C-hive), maybe it’s due to the lack of a charming or funny (albeit undoubtedly imperfect) character to latch onto — besides Jennifer Coolidge – but this season makes me feel icky. The overarching theme is romantic temptation — but not in a sexy or funny way — in a way that leaves a sad pit in one’s stomach. This show highlights a vacation “escape,” but fails to provide a TV escape for viewers (like me who are “sensi”), while instead providing a reminder of how disappointing humans can be in romantic relationships, friendships, within families, and to strangers. The delightfully entertaining comedic satire on power and privilege that Season 1 perfected is all but missing in Season 2 thus far (except for one very hot couple — you know the one).
Verdict (apparently this is how I am measuring shows…maybe I should go to law school now): If you’re ~sensi~, peep the Survivor cameos in the first two minutes and then turn this show off. The only thing worth watching is the beautiful vistas and wanderlust we all crave during winter months, but you can just peep the drone shots of Selling Sunset for that.
STARSTRUCK (HBO Max) -In college, C and I told each other stories about our crushes that we hoped would come true – i.e. the baseball team captain realizes he likes your awkward self, dumps his mean GF, asks you out by reciting your favorite TV show romantic scene dialogue, and then ferociously (consensually) makes out with you. …Just kissing, of course! We were late bloomers! HBOMax’s Starstruck combines romance, the fantasy of crushes, and the awkwardness of reality into the best romcom of the last 20 years. (This show is old news to many C-hive readers, as it has already been fervently recommended by THEE C-ritic herself.)
PODCAST
The Left Right Game- Hands down the piece of art I most recommend is The Left Right Game by SONOS/Q Code. Tessa Thompson stars in this podcast that defies genre… bending fantasy, horror, thriller, and sci-fi (like ingredients in a Cobb salad) in one new unpredictable yet refreshing treat for your ears. Plus, the immersive sound design makes you feel like things are creeping up behind you (in a fun, safe way!), but please don’t sue me if you shriek in public. I’m lawyered up.
Where to listen: Wherever you stream your podcasts (probs because that is what people say)
OK, me again, bye!! thanks for reading this special episode and thank you to RACH for her hilarious and skewering commentary (cough cough White Lotus).