Category Archives: If We Controlled Your Remote

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If We Controlled Your Remote… 4/24/20

Posted on April 24, 2020 by and

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

Early this morning, Apple TV+ released the first three episodes of its new limited series, Defending Jacob, which is based on the 2012 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name. Andy Barber (Chris Evans, The Avengers) has a seemingly idyllic life in a small Massachusetts town with wife Laurie (Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey) and teenage son Jacob (Jaeden Martell, Knives Out). However, their lives are suddenly upended when a horrific crime rocks their small community, and the evidence begins to point toward Jacob. As assistant DA, Andy is initially called in to investigate the crime, but as the evidence comes to light, Andy finds himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his family and his sworn duty to find and protect justice. Is his love for his son clouding his judgment? Is Jacob as innocent as he claims, or is there a dark side to Andy’s son that he didn’t know about?

After checking out the premiere, I was definitely eager to see more and to see how this mystery plays out. I found the story, characters, and performances to be quite compelling – the show is a blend of character drama, legal thriller, and mystery, with lots of twists and turns and episodic cliffhangers. The talented cast also includes Cherry Jones (Transparent), Pablo Schreiber (American Gods, Orange Is the New Black), Betty Gabriel (Counterpart), and Sakina Jaffrey (Lost in Space). Apple TV+ has been doing a great job of slowly building up its arsenal of strong original programming.

Early this morning, the first three episodes were released on Apple TV+, and a new episode will drop each Friday. If the past is any indicator, the first episode should also be available for sampling by non-subscribers as well.

I’ll also be watching/recording Extraction, The Blacklist, and The Graham Norton Show.
 
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If We Controlled Your Remote… 4/23/20

Posted on April 23, 2020 by

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

For the past few weeks, NBC’s Superstore has been setting the pieces in motion for Amy’s (America Ferrera) announced exit from the series. Last week, while Amy was off meeting Jonah’s parents and brother for a lunch date, the rest of the employees were having fun playing “Customer Safari,” trying to snap pictures of the customers in specific situations. Meanwhile, at the lunch, Jonah’s brother kept harassing him, and Amy wanted to step in, but Jonah asked her not to. Amy reluctantly held back for as long as she could, but when she finally did speak up, she accidentally caused Jonah’s father to admit to having an affair. Amy’s support of Jonah inspired Jonah’s mother to demand a divorce. When Amy returned to the office, she received a call from Zephra corporate, asking her to interview for the Director of Customer Experience for Cloud 9 position. However, if she gets this promotion, it would require her to relocate to the headquarters in Palo Alto.

The fifth season finale was supposed to be Amy’s final episode, but production was cut short by an episode due to all this Corona madness. So if Amy gets this job, will that cause a rift between her and Jonah, or will he go with her to California? (I don’t recall seeing anything about any other actors leaving the series, but anything could happen.) Tonight’s episode is labeled “Part 1,” so perhaps Amy’s exit will be pushed to the sixth season premiere. But either way, it’s going to be sad saying goodbye to this character after five amazing seasons. I’m sure the series will still be a lot of fun – the rest of this hilarious ensemble cast has had plenty of storylines that didn’t even involve Amy. That said, it will certainly be different show without her. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out in tonight’s season finale.

On tonight’s episode, “California Part 1,” after Mateo and Cheyenne disagree on how to celebrate her 21st birthday, Cheyenne enlists Bo’s help; to Garrett’s chagrin, Glenn plays matchmaker to help Jerry and Sandra complete their family; Dina tries to help Amy keep a big secret from Jonah.

Don’t miss the season finale tonight on NBC at 8/7c.

I’ll also be watching/recording Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Will & Grace, Top Chef, and The Great Food Truck Race.

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If We Controlled Your Remote… 4/22/20

Posted on April 22, 2020 by

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, What We Do in the Shadows returned for its second season on FX (and now Hulu as well), and I was quickly reminded of why I absolutely love this hilarious show. As the season opened, Guillermo was secretly defending the others from vampire assassins that were constantly descending upon the house. The vampires didn’t even know they were under attack and continued to look down on Guillermo and take him for granted. This was even more evident when Laszlo and Nadja would constantly express their love and admiration for their latest familiar, Topher (Haley Joel Osment), who would act perfect in front of the vampires but reveal his true lazy Bro self to Guillermo. When Topher was accidentally electrocuted, the vampires had him revived by an underqualified necromancer, who ended up turning him into a bloodthirsty zombie, whom they eventually had to kill (again).

In last week’s second episode, after holding a seance, Nadja found herself haunted by the ghost of Jeff (the reincarnation of Gregor). When she tried to fix things with a second seance, the situation just got worse – all three vampires found themselves face-to-ghostly face with their own spectral doppelgangers, each looking to complete some unfinished business. Nadja and hers got along like (doppel)gangbusters, quickly becoming like old girlfriends. Unfortunately for Nandor, it had been so long since he died that he had forgotten his native language, and so he had trouble communicating with his doppelganger. However, Laszlo had the most awkward of situations – his doppelganger revealed that his unfinished business was that he never “finished” when Nadja killed him during sex, and so he wanted Laszlo to give him the “happy ending” he never got. While the others eventually said goodbye to their doppelgangers, Nadja’s stuck around, inhabiting a creepy Annabelle-like doll. So we’ll likely see her again this season.

This show is so much fun and always has me laughing throughout. I can’t wait to see what this group gets up to in tonight’s new episode.

On tonight’s episode, “Brain Scramblies,” the vampires attend their first human Super Bowl party, while Guillermo’s search for virgins uncovers a deadly threat.

Don’t miss the fun tonight on FX or Hulu at 10/9c.

I’ll also be watching/recording The Goldbergs, Schooled, American Housewife, Single Parents, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Survivor, The Masked Singer, Dave, and It’s Personal With Amy Hoggart.

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If We Controlled Your Remote… 4/20/20

Posted on April 20, 2020 by , , and

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.
 
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If We Controlled Your Remote… 4/19/20

Posted on April 19, 2020 by and

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, Epix kicked off the latest series from the award-winning team behind Downtown Abbey. Belgravia opens in Brussels in 1815, on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, as James Trenchard (Philip Glenister, Mad Dogs) and his wife Anna (Tamsin Greig, Episodes) attend what will become a legendary ball hosted by the Duchess of Richmond. James is a merchant trader and Anna the daughter of a schoolmaster, so this party was well above their social status, but it was wartime, and James had earned the nickname of “The Magician” for his ability to locate supplies for the army. The Trenchards had been invited to the party by the Duchess’ nephew, Lord Edmund Bellasis, who was seeing their daughter Sophia. Just as dinner started, the party was abruptly interrupted and the men are called off to the battlefield. While Napoleon was defeated, Edmund didn’t survive the battle.

The show then jumped ahead 26 years. James Trenchard and his family have moved up the social ladder in the post-war era. James got into the building business, partnering with those designing upscale neighborhoods like Belgravia, London. They have become part of the nouveau riche, and Anne has been invited to the Duchess of Bedford’s home for afternoon tea. She first talks with the Duchess of Richmond, and we learn that Sophia died less than a year after that fateful ball. Then Anne runs into Caroline, Countess of Brockenhurst (Harriet Walter, The Crown), whose only son was Edmund, and the two bond over the loss a child. Later, at family dinner, we see that James and Anna’s son Oliver has grown up to become a bit of a disappointing lazy snob thanks to the money his wife brought to their marriage.

As the premiere came to a close, we learned that Edmund and Sophia had secretly gotten married and consummated their union. However, Sophia discovered that the wedding had been a sham as Edmund headed off into battle with his buddy, the “reverend,” and that she later died in childbirth. Later in the evening, Anne raises the idea to James that they should tell Caroline about her grandson, but James isn’t too keen on the idea.

Where have they been hiding this grandson for the past 25 years?! And how will Caroline react to this news – will she welcome him as a son and heir, or will she be upset?

I think folks who enjoyed Downton Abby will also enjoy this series. By the end of last week’s episode, Belgravia felt very similar with its soapy and outrageous twists and turns. It also deals with similar class themes, not only between the titled and the nouveau riche, but also the upstairs/downstairs interactions in this new era, like in last week’s episode, as the Trenchard house staff gossiped about their employers. And there was even the wisecracking, grumpy old Duchess of Richmond, who felt a lot like Downton’s Dowager Countess. I’m looking forward to seeing more of the series.

In tonight’s second episode, Anne tells Caroline a secret that puts the women in opposition; a surprise guest at a lavish party hosted by Caroline forces James to reveal a truth that threatens to tear the Trenchards apart.

Note: If you’re not an EPIX subscriber, for a limited time you can access it for free without a login via the Apple TV app if you have a TV or streaming device that offers this app.

Otherwise, catch it tonight on EPIX at 9/8c.

Tonight, I’ll also be watching/recording Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, The Simpsons, Duncanville, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, Killing Eve, Westworld, and Run.
 
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