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Thursday 25
“Baketopia” (HBO Max streaming) Yes, it’s another baking competition. If you’re gonna pay extra for a monthly streaming service, you might as well get the exact same programming as all the old cable channels you used to subscribe to.
“DOTA: Dragon’s Blood” (Netflix streaming) As I understand it (dimly, at best), DOTA (or Defense of the Ancients) is a fan-developed multiplayer online “battle arena mod” for the video game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. Evidently, it’s become so popular that it now rates its own faux anime TV series.
“John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise” (Peacock streaming) NBC’s streaming service tries to cash in on that whole “true crime” fad. Sadly, they pick ol’ John Wayne Gacy, the serial killing clown who’s had roughly 100 documentaries made about him already. Guys, that’s not how you do it. You’re supposed to dig up an obscure unsolved murder like the mysterious death of a Canadian perfume heiress or something and waffle over clues for eight episodes before failing to definitively pinpoint the killer. Now that’s some good true crime.
“The Restaurant: 1951” (Sundance Now streaming) Described as “Sweden’s answer to ‘Downton Abbey’,” this four-episode drama follows the Löwander family during the summer of 1951 as they operate a restaurant in the Stockholm archipelago for the season. Doesn’t that sound quaint?
Friday 26
“Invincible” (Amazon Prime streaming) Comic book creator Robert Kirkman (who gave us “The Walking Dead”) has another of his works translated to television. This animated series is based on the Image Comics character of the same name, a teenager who inherits his father’s superpowers—only to learn that pop might not be as much of a good guy as they say he is. Steven Yuen, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, Mark Hammil, Gillian Jacobs and Seth Rogen provide the voices. And despite the cartoonish milieu, this one promises to be bloody as hell.
“The Irregulars” (Netflix streaming) Netflix ignores Sherlock Holmes for a moment, concentrating instead on The Baker Street Irregulars, a gang of brainy teens who help Dr. Watson solve supernatural crimes in Victorian London.
“Cocktails and Tall Tales with Ina Garter and Melissa McCarthy” (Discovery+ streaming) Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten and comedienne Melissa McCarthy get together (virtually) for some cocktails and a nice chat.
Saturday 27
“The 52nd NAACP Image Awards” (KRQE 7pm) Entertainer of the Year: Regina King, Trevor Noah, Viola Davis, Tyler Perry or D-Nice? Discuss among yourselves.
Sunday 28
“Chad” (TBS 10:30pm) Nasim Pedrad (“Saturday Night Live,” Aladdin) is the creator-writer-star-producer of this sitcom about a Persian-American high schooler desperately trying to fit in, cope with his mother’s dating life and reconcile his cultural identity. TBS offers up a sneak preview of the pilot.
Monday 29
“Elliot From Earth” (Cartoon Network 7am) This British-French-American cartoon (from some of the makers of “The Amazing World of Gumball”) centers a young boy who suddenly finds himself living on a spaceship packed with aliens from all corners of the universe.
Tuesday 30
“Pooch Perfect” (KOAT-7 7pm) Rebel Wilson hosts this dog grooming competition. Because now every channel needs a dog grooming competition.
Wednesday 31
“Laundry Guy” (Discovery+ streaming) “Cleaning Expert” Patric Richardson teaches people how to clean “treasured items” that hold “heartwarming stories.” Because in 2021 citizens of the once great and innovative nation of the United States are reduced to paying $6.99 a month to watch people wash their clothes.
“K-Pop Evolution” (YouTube streaming) If it weren’t for viral YouTube videos, we Americans would have no idea what K-pop was anyway. So it’s only fitting that YouTube Originals is producing this documentary series about Korean pop groups. … Hey, if you’ve got 15 floppy haired, vaguely asexual Korean boys in matching suits just lying around, you too could start your own K-pop band!
Godzilla vs. Kong (HBO Max streaming) Two giant monster titans meet for the first time since 1962’s Godzilla vs. King Kong. It’s also opening in theaters today, but HBO Max provides this Warner Bros. release free to subscribers. Microwave some popcorn and root for your fave.