If We Controlled Your Remote… 4/20/20

Have you ever been at a loss as to what to watch? Too many shows to pick from? We’re here to give you our opinions on what we feel is worth watching. Check it out and then let us know in the comments below what you’re choosing for tonight!

Kyle’s Choice

Last week, ABC kicked off the new series The Baker and the Beauty, the US version of an Israeli romantic comedy series (the orthogonal version is available on Amazon Prime). Daniel Garcia (Victor Rasuk, Jack Ryan, How to Make It in America) works in his family’s Miami bakery and has been dating girlfriend Vanessa (Michelle Veintimilla, Gotham) for year, but he’s not sure he wants to move to the next level. So when she surprises him by proposing in a crowded restaurant, Daniel’s response is “No.” Vanessa storms out of the restaurant, but not before pouring Daniel’s soup all over him. One of those looking on at this embarrassing situation is international superstar Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelley, Dynasty, The Vampire Diaries), who just went through her own very public break-up. Noa invites Daniel to join her and her entourage for a night on the town, and the two really hit it off. While Daniel and Noa may have some sparks, they come from two very different worlds and cultures. Daniel isn’t used to being part of the spotlight and comes from a close working-class family, while Noa is used to the paparazzi and a rich, lavish lifestyle.

Daniel’s brother Mateo (David Del Rio, Grease Live!) is in disbelief when he learns who Daniel is with, and his younger sister Natalie (Belissa Escobedo) is overjoyed, as she is Noa Hamilton’s number-one fan, viewing her as a role model. Daniel’s parents, Mari (Lisa Vidal, Being Mary Jane) and Rafael (Carlos Gómez, Madam Secretary, The Glades), are also surprised but happy to find out about the proposal and subsequent rejection, as they never really liked Vanessa. Vanessa, on the other hand, realized that she may have overreacted and was on her way to apologize for her ambush proposal when she sees the paparazzi photos of Daniel and Noa together.

I enjoyed last week’s premiere way more than I expected to. It has lots of humor but also quite a bit of heart. The connection between Daniel and Noa feels genuine, and the Garcias also feel like they could be a real family. I really appreciated how they love and support each other, while also having a bit of fun ribbing on one another. I’m looking forward to seeing how this “two people from two different worlds” relationship plays out as both Noa and Daniel try to figure out how to proceed with their relationship and navigate each other’s lives. And I also want to see how Vanessa reacts to all this and if she’s going to try to win Daniel back.

On tonight’s episode, “Ruin My Life,” Noa and Daniel’s relationship begins to flourish; after an unwanted birthday party for Noa, Daniel discovers more about her past; a food critic puts in an outrageous food order the Garcias cannot refuse to take.

Traverse the relationship between Noa and Daniel with them tonight on ABC at 10/9c.

I’ll also be watching/recording 9-1-1, Prodigal Son, Better Call Saul, Breeders, and Almost Paradise.
 
Jump with us to see else we think you should watch.
 

Phoebe’s Choice

I don’t know how long you’ve been reading these blogs, but if you’ve seen mine the last few years, you know I love American Dad! above all of Seth McFarlane’s other TV shows. TBH, I don’t know if anyone reads these other than Jenny, so if you’re Jenny, then you know I love American Dad! Last week, they opened their 16th season with a hilarious tale of Stan’s early years in the CIA. As he was telling his story of taking on the Colombian drug lord El Narco, it was obvious that the villain was actually Roger, though Stan had still not put that together. El Narco fooled and embarrassed Stan over and over but kept him around to have a fool to blame all his problems on. The townspeople adopted the practice, incorporating it into a holiday called Fool’s Day.

When Stan finally realized, in the present, that his foe oh so long ago was Roger, he took Roger back to Colombia at gunpoint. He was unable to get the townspeople to turn on their beloved El Narco and even found peace in understanding the communal Fool’s Day is good for the people. There was a lot of classic Stan/Roger banter, with commentary from Francine & the kids, as the story unfolded. All in all, a solid start for a new summer season of one of the funniest cartoons still running.

On tonight’s episode, “Downtown,” Hayley drives Steve to a testing center in “no good” downtown but they end up stranded in a worse suburban neighborhood. Stan, Francine, and Roger mistakenly go downtown to rescue them.

Go downtown tonight with Hayley and Steve on TBS at 10/9c.

I’ll also be tuning in for the delightful Dispatches from Elsewhere.
 

Jenny’s Choice

There’s a new show that started last week on HGTV called Celebrity IOU, and that’s my pick tonight. It was such a fun episode that I have to recommend it. Basically, it’s the Property Brothers stars, Drew and Jonathan Scott, who team up with celebrities who want to change the homes and lives of someone in their life who matters to them.

Last week, Brad Pitt wanted to have the guest cottage on his longtime friend’s property made over. He met the makeup artist when he was first starting out in Hollywood, and they became quite close friends. They’ve worked together on many of his films and love each other like siblings. She moved into the house fifteen years ago and has been talking about redoing what was essentially being used as only storage for all her makeup wizardry cases. So Brad wanted to have it done into both a guest cottage plus storage and a work space. In that tiny, cramped little place, the brothers ingeniously worked not only a living area, kitchen, nice-sized bathroom, a bed (Murphy bed that pulled down over the sofa!), a new patio to take the indoor space outdoors, and a big, hidden storage closet for all her makeup cases, but also a built-in, slide-up, lighted makeup mirror where she could sit and work on clients. It was beautiful and made Brad tear up. His friend was shocked and also emotional. You could see how much it and Brad meant to her.

I’m excited because tonight’s episode features Melissa McCarthy, who it seems as if she’s probably one of the most humble and real actresses I’ve ever seen. Hope the episode tonight doesn’t disabuse me of that!

On tonight’s episode, “Melissa McCarthy’s Hero Home Makeover,” Melissa McCarthy visits Chicago to give back to her aunt and uncle, both retired cops; Melissa creates an upstairs retreat where her aunt can entertain and a downstairs man cave equipped with all the comforts her uncle deserves.

Don’t miss the fun tonight on HGTV at 9/8c.

I’ll also be watching 9-1-1, Almost Paradise, Chopped, Prodigal Son, Songland, Spring Baking Championship, The Baker and the Beauty, & Whose Line Is It Anyway?.
 

Megan’s Choice

While I thoroughly enjoyed 9-1-1: Lonestar, I am extremely happy that the original 9-1-1 has returned with some incredible new episodes so far. It has been nice getting to see more of Chimney and Maddie’s relationship but also enjoyable watching Maddie hold herself together through the hostage situation on last week’s episode. She is a very strong woman, but it is a nice change to see her show vulnerability with Chimney. I like the fact that she doesn’t want to say “I love you” to Chimney because she feels the words have been overused, and she explained it perfectly. She loves Chimney, but those words feel empty to her after all her years in an abusive relationship with her ex-husband. I’m also interested to see where the story line with Michael and his tumor goes, because on one hand I like his character, but on the other I feel like his death would cause some intense ripples throughout the whole show, making for some heart-wrenching episodes.

On tonight’s episode, “Eddie Begins,” Eddie’s journey to rescue a boy from a well turns into a mission to save himself from his past.

Find out if Eddie is able to save the boy tonight on FOX at 8/7c.

I’ll also be watching The Voice, Prodigal Son, and Songland.