What to Watch / January 29, 2025
Shortish week but it does include one massive live event that does not involve football so let's get to it already:
Wednesday - January 29
Disney+ / Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, S1 (animated). Voiced by a man named after two rivers (Hudson Thames, What If...?), Spidey gets a new spin in this alternative-reality animated series that is, somehow, not part of the MCU universe. Strong voice cast includes Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), and Hugh Dancy (Martha Marcy May Marlene). Reviews are fair - it's 'bright, high-energy and inoffensively young-skewing' though its attempts to recreate the look of the original animated series have drawn criticism for undermining solid writing and excellent voice work. Trailer here.
Netflix / American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson (docuseries). Reviews are strong for this 4 part docuseries that revisits the murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman, the ensuing investigation, and months-long trial that resulted in the acquittal of O.J. Simpson. Trailer here.
Returning - Apple TV+, Mythic Quest
Thursday - January 30
Prime Video / You're Cordially Invited (movie). From writer-director Nicholas Stoller (Platonic) comes this high-concept comedy about two destination weddings set at an exclusive resort. Hilarity, we hope, ensues when the wedding parties led respectively by sister-of-the-bride Reese Witherspoon (Election) and father-of-the-other-bride Will Ferrell (Stranger Than Fiction) discover that the venue has been double booked. Oh, dear. Also stars Celia Weston (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), Geraldine Viswanathan (Miracle Workers), Meredith Hagner (As the World Turns), Jimmy Tatro (22 Jump Street), and comedian Leanne Morgan, who pretty much steals every scene she's in. Reviews are mixed to negative ('the performers’ strenuous efforts are not enough to compensate for the sheer stupidity of much of the proceedings') but let's face it: you get to watch two bankable stars pretend to be at each other's throats for 90 minutes and you don't even have to leave the couch. Trailer here.
Various / FireAid (special). 6pm Pacific. Live-streamed on seemingly all the streamers and channels, two massive benefit concerts at LA's Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum will feature Green Day, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morissette, Peso Pluma, Olivia Rodrigo, Jelly Roll, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Stevie Nicks, and many others, all with the goal of raising money to help those affected by the recent fires in LA. Check out fireaidla.org for more information. Current list of streamers includes Apple Music and Apple TV, Paramount+, Netflix, Peacock and NBC, Hulu and Disney+, Facebook, Instagram, SiriusXM's LIFE with John Mayer channel, SoundCloud, and YouTube (with more options likely to be added).
Hulu, ABC / Scamanda (docuseries). Former teacher Amanda Riley got more than 300 people to donate over $100,000 to her, all to help support her as she bravely fought cancer. Astute readers of the show's title will not be surprised to learn that Amanda did not actually have cancer. Oh, Amanda.
Returning - CBS, Elsbeth, Matlock, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and Ghosts; Netflix, Mo; Netflix, The Recruit; Paramount+, School Spirits
Friday - January 31
Apple TV+ / Vietnam: The War That Changed America (docuseries). Marking the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, this well-reviewed 6 part docuseries narrated by Ethan Hawke (Reality Bites) features extensive (and little seen) footage along with reunions from vets and civilians affected by the war. Notably, Apocalypse Now film editor Walter Murch helped select the clips included in the series. Trailer here.
Prime Video / Tom Green: Country, S1. He's back and this time in overalls so you know it's getting real. (The New York Times calls this 4 part series in which Green gets his farm in order 'charming.' Trailer here.
Returning - CBS, S.W.A.T. and Fire Country
Sunday - February 2
Max / Common Side Effects, S1 (animated). King of the Hill producers Greg Daniels and Mike Judge are behind this animated comedy about the discovery of a mysterious mushroom and the battle over it. I went to a party like that once. Reviews are positive: 'a compelling blend of suspense, spirituality, understated comedy, and just enough mystery dangling on the hook.' Just like that party. Trailer here.
Paramount +, CBS / 67th Annual Grammy Awards (special). Trevor Noah (The Daily Show) hosts. 5pm PT.
Returning - PBS, Funny Woman
Monday - February 3
Returning - Bravo (and Peacock), Below Deck Down Under; The CW, All American; NBC, The Voice
And that's it for the week!
See you next week!
Moira