Hey, it’s Che Diaz!
Just kidding, it’s me Charlotte. I am having a bit of a blanduary January because… I had Covid! And while many were able to flounce around mere days after getting it, I was bedridden (by bedridden I more just mean I sat on my couch and watched 4 full seasons of Greys Anatomy 11-15) for what felt like, and maybe was, 2 full weeks. During my isolated alone time, my mind wandered and made up millions of scenarios best case and worst case. I’m not sure what’s real or my Omi daydreams anymore.
I emerged from my quarantine with arm muscles that felt like noodles, a weird eczema situation under my nose, and a deep clarity about the meaning of life.
A few recent realizations:
Stores have annual sales more than once a year and it’s not a life or death scenario where you have to spend money that day.
Duvets and their evil covers are only for people who have unlimited time on their hands to play a never-ending losing game. (I found myself in a situation with my duvet where I decided to cut a hole in the corners so that I could tie it to the cover. I tied it to the wrong corners and emerged drenched in sweat and feathers).
An apple air-fried for 10 mins with cinnamon and maple syrup is the best snack of all time.
Little Mix is doing just fine after Jesy’s departure.
Podcasts have lost their oomph.
Peacock is the new HBO Max.
People doing 75 Hard this year mysteriously stopped posting about it about a week ago… weird.
Ok, I have so many shows to talk about!! this is a long one because I released the Best Of Episode at the beginning of January and didn’t include all my new finds. And this week has an exciting guest contributor… the new C-Ritically Acclaimed film critic, Bri McBride!
Scripted Shows
How I Met Your Father (Hulu)- The perfect show for me right now. It has a laugh track and feels so nostalgically pre-covid that I started crying. Chris Lowell (aka Piznarski from Veronica Mars aka my #1 celebrity crush) is in it and thriving. So is Kim Catrall!! We get our Samantha fix.
Yellowstone (Peacock) - I’m all in on Yellowstone. I just fast forward the parts where the ranch hands get into fistfights. As a Montanan, I was disappointed to see that many Montanans were represented but not the Patagonia puffy jacket, knit hat and mittens, Subaru-driving, growler drinking, NPR listening, ski bum environmentalists that I grew up around. Maybe they’ll make that a separate show where people just discuss things mentioned on Wait Wait Don’t Tell me last week and the latest Louise Penny mystery.
And Just Like That (HBO Max) - Hey It’s Che Diaz! I feel like this was written in 2015 at the peak of hashtag woke and they are scared of offending everyone so everything is doused in life lessons and cringe performative learning and activism. Sigh! But I watch every week and love any Hey It’s Che Diaz joke to come my way.
Pen15 (Hulu)- I really love this show but it hurts me to revisit middle school because I’m very sensi at the moment.
What We Do In The Shadows (Hulu)- A highlight of the last couple of months for me. Who knew that Vampires being embarrassing would be so hilarious? Natasia Demetriou who is also in my beloved Stath Let’s Flats is the funniest person on earth and has the most hypnotizing voice and accent.
Stath Let’s Flats Season 3!!! (HBO Max)- The season opens with Stath meeting a child and saying “are you a kid?” and then looking at the dad and saying “he knows himself” watch here. I repeat this to myself multiple times a day and laugh and laugh.
We Are Lady Parts (Peacock)- only 6 episodes and flew by!! I can’t wait until season 2. Love a good redemption/ love story/ comedy situation.
Toast of London (Youtube) - Matt Berry from What We Do In The Shadows is a neer do well British Actor (you should have seen how I spelled that the first time around. Whew.) who thinks very highly of himself. It’s funny and there’s an American version coming our way soon.
Station 11 (HBO Max)- reminds me of one of those books you read when you’re a middle schooler and get completely lost in. It’s a sad/ post-pandemic world that music and the arts bring back to life. And Veronica Mars’ dad is in it so..
Evil (Paramount+)- Evil is WACKY. I saw some things that I can’t unsee. But it’s so different and delightful. I’m also learning a lot about religion that I somehow missed in the four Sunday School classes I attended as a child.
Emily In Paris (Netflix)- Emily is a bad friend and an annoying coworker.
Virgil (Peacock)- oooohhh hoo hoo. This is a British mystery that takes place in a Submarine. So many twists, turns, tortured pasts, and dramatic moments!!
Stay Close (Netflix)- another British mystery and it’s a Harlen Coben one for Netflix which means it has a very glossy sheen and everyone wears impeccable long wool coats.
Greys Anatomy (Netflix)- As I mentioned, I did watch seasons 11-15 of Greys Anatomy. They really know how to pair up characters for love interests. They just go round and round until everyone has kissed everyone or has died in a car accident (I wish more characters would move away to the other side of the country. No need to die every time).
Trophy Wife (Hulu)- Similar to How I Met Your Father, a simple, happy comedy that is just what I need right now.
Righteous Gemstones (HBO Max) my other beloved show is back and maybe not better than ever. I think I wasn’t in the right headspace for the first episode and need to give it another chance!
Euphoria (HBO Max)- Hard for me to watch teens being cool and doing drugs right now but I’m entranced by it (by it I mean Jacob Elordi).
Unscripted
Summer House (Bravo)- is back thank the lord!! I can’t wait to see Paige and Craig’s relationship progress, as well as single Lindsay Hubbhouse and her burgeoning flirtation (take 2) with Carlito.
Hype House (Netflix)- A show about Tik Tok teens- very good storylines but made me sad for teens and popularity via the internet :/
Real Housewives of Miami (Peacock)- I LOVED this before it was canceled. I’m so glad they’re back. Adriana, Alexia, Lisa are as weird as ever. Miami is its own lil world.
Real Housewives of OC (Bravo)- I’m enjoying them again, what can I say? Gina and Emily are hidden gems.
The Bachelor (ABC)- I’m enjoying the Bachelor again too! What is happening?? The women on this season are hilarious and messy.
Also, I just started watching Joe Millionaire and will report back.
Movies
Don't Look Up (2021) Whenever I see Leonardo DiCaprio in a movie, his talent always surprises me, no cap. Don't Look Up is a campy end-of-the-world flick with every movie star you could imagine. Although I side-eye some character development choices and jokes delivered by Jonah Hill's Kushner-inspired role, I think the message of climate change is presented in a clear, entertaining way. Doomsday is upon us. Why not give us a film with Timothée Chalamet in a mullet?! Grade: B
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Spider-Man doesn't get into MIT, so he asks a wizard who lives in Greenwich Village to cast a spell. If you have been following the Spider-Man franchise since 2002, you will probably puke from joy after watching. Even if you don't know what is happening (like my mom, who I forced to go with me), it is a fun time with impeccable storytelling. Grade: A
Lamb (2021)- Lamb tells the tale of a couple that parents a half-human half-lamb child. This concept might sound creepy, and it is, but I did not expect Ada (said lamb child) to have a better winter wardrobe than me. The premise of this film is interesting, and the setting is immaculate, but for such a strange movie, the ending is bland and doesn't make sense. Grade: C+/B-
Moonlight (2016) I don't know why I waited so long to watch this. I did not think this film would make me hysterically cry for an hour. I even went to great lengths and cleaned my room to take my mind off the heartbreak I experienced. Moonlight is a coming-of-age story of Chiron, an African-American, and his struggles with living in poverty and dealing with his sexuality. The music, the acting, and the visuals were breathtaking. Lala Land didn't stand a chance. #IYKYK. Grade: A
Thank you to the amazing Bri who watches the films that I somehow can’t bring myself to watch (even though I will lit-er-ally watch 4 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy in 10 days).
I read 5 books this month but I am going to do a book spectacular next month (with affiliate links hehe) because my fingers are fatigued from typing so fast and my contacts are shriveling up in my eyes as we speak.
OK BYE! TYYL, TA TA FOR NOW! SHARE W/ YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY <3
Great newsletter. They are getting better and better!
Excellent!!
Sorry you got Covid but v happy you’re well again. I feel like you watched a lot of tv for us all and I personally thank you Stay well gv