Hi!
As my friend Rachael via Kylie Jenner says “this is my year of realizing things.” And wow that could not be more true. (PS the new season of the Kardashians is intriguing. They got me again.) At 30 years and 11 months, I am a strange combination of immature, naive, while also being completely worn down by the grind of work and life. I’m a little adrift. Maybe I’ll start a bitcoin company or something where nobody needs to email me and I just receive bitcoins every week and then star in a podcast where I just read my newsletter aloud and make millions on a deal with Amazon Music. It takes 1.5 hours of work a day and otherwise I can go do my thing like go to the grocery store, listen to audio books, and go to my workout classes.
That sounds fun, right? Well, as you may have guessed by my forlorn tone, I am on a work hiatus for the next few months. The cons are that I am sad. The pros are that I excel at not working and am blossoming and thriving with the space and flexibility.
I’m someone who gets exhausted easily and I get anxious when I make social plans because I worry about how tired I will be. Now, during my Work Hiatus (tm), I have time to be social and meet new people and do new things. It’s exciting! I took a tennis lesson today and am going to a concert tonight! My tennis instructor said I was good but my sister not so helpfully reminded me that someone you’re paying for a service will likely say nice things to you.
Ok here are my recs!!
The Other Two (Max) - They’re back! I have to watch on my phone because the new Max app doesn’t download on my TV… Still, even on phone, the laughs are pouring in (out?). I like that Brooke quits her job in the “industry” by announcing it to a full board room of people “I’m leaving the industry to do good!” and then immediately turns invisible and becomes desperate to get back “in”. The fomo is relatable even after my two weeks of Work Hiatus. 4/5
Succession (Max) - Watching the succession finale on my PHONE was not ideal, but it did not disappoint. I loved the kitchen scene and Peter’s special cheese. I don’t really have any other commentary bc you can listen to like 70 podcasts about the different meanings of Shiv and Tom’s hand hold (hand upon hand placement) and Kendall’s moment at the end. I’m sad to see it go but it seems like the right time. 5/5
High Desert (Apple TV+) - The way I remember how to spell desert is because my mom always says “one more s for dessert!” This new show with Patricia Arquette is super entertaining and similar to Poker Face with the tinted glasses, husky voice, complicated female lead. It’s less mystery of the week and more weird desert stuff and Patricia Arquette being charming and fun to watch. There’s a strange plot line with her mom’s doppelgänger that I don’t quite understand yet. 3.5/5
Platonic (Apple TV+)- Apple TV+ is thriving!! Platonic is a solid comedy with Rose Byrne and Seth Rogan being messy bffs who run around LA doing silly things. It made me revisit two masterpiece films Neighbors and Neighbors 2 (then I of course had to watch 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street). It’s basically Neighbors 3 because so much of the cast overlaps. 4/5
Friday Night Lights (Netflix)- As I tend to do in times of unrest, I rewatched all of FNL from start to finish. My only note is that they could have made Julie less annoying and could have made the football scenes shorter. After reading Minka Kelly’s book, it is fascinating to see her grow throughout the series.
Fatal Attraction (Paramount+)- Because I’m not a movie buff, I do not have the same issues with this show that other critics have. It has Pacey, it has Lizzy Caplan, it has Amanda Peet and it’s dark and twisty and has been appointment TV for me this month. 4/5
Note that I just started watching the new season of my fave I Think You Should Leave and will have thoughts next newsletter. Also note that Hawaii 5-0 is my new comfort show.
OMG unscripted has been so good this month. Whew.
Smartless Documentary (Max) - Again, watched on my phone. If anyone knows how to get the Max app to work on Samsung tv, plz let me know. This was my number one show of the month! (Shout out to my friend Paige who developed it!) I love watching their real friendship (especially Jason Bateman and Will Arnett bc they seem like actual siblings). It’s so interesting to see how they prepare for and react to live shows. They all light up in front of the audience. My favorite parts were watching Will respond to Jason’s rigid food rules, Will being a good dad, and Sean Hayes and Matt Damon talking about my favorite episode of Will and Grace when Matt Damon plays a guy who joins the gay mens chorus to get a free trip to Europe. 5/5
Selling Sunset (Netflix) - Chrishell has been activated. You know they were all thinking it when she called Nicole out at dinner for being “cracked out.” They’ve all turned full Bratz doll which is fine but they don’t need to do all of that lol. 4/5
The Ultimatum Queer Love (Netflix) - SOME INTERESTING CHARACTERS HERE. I’ve only seen four episodes but Vanessa is a perfect TV villain (I wish somebody had told her about her extensions situation, but alas, I guess it adds to her villain status). Lexi is a star and I hope she continues to blossom. 3/5 because I fast forward half of the story lines and only watch Vanessa + Lexi and their former partners’ stories.
Vanderpump Rules (Bravo) - Similar to Succession, what more is there to say that hasn’t already been said? I kind of wish there had been less yelling at the reunion. I understand the animosity, but it’s not fun to watch yelling for an hour. 2/5?? 5/5?I don’t know.
Summer House (Bravo)- The reunion is interesting after a very odd/ disjointed season. Paige really goes hard at reunions. Let’s all be nicer to Carl and Lindsay, especially Carl hehe. 4/5
Kardashians (Hulu)- as mentioned The Kardashians is back and I’m hooked back in! Very interested in Khloe’s surrogacy journey and bonding with her new baby Tatum. 4/5
Ok bye TTYL!!!
1. Your tennis instructor wouldn't just tell anyone who pays them lessons that they're good at tennis. Sounds like you got some serious talent
2. Imo not enough screaming in the Vanderpump Rules reunion. I need to make a coffee table book of all James' one-liners
3. Speaking of screaming, I'd love to hear your review of ITYSL season 3. I got in a lot of trouble and was victim to bedtime toenail kicks when I was squirming with laughter in bed at 1am binge watching it on my phone.