Beef Season 1

 

One of the biggest talked about shows this year was Netflix's Beef. Here's my thoughts on season one.

Life Lessions: Not Dead Yet Season 1

 

Gina Rodriguez returned to television last season with a new comedy, Not Dead Yet, and it's pretty good. Here are my thoughts.

A Little Gem of A TV Series: Primo Season One

 

If there was a little gem of a TV show, Amazon Freevee's Primo would be that show. 

Created by Shea Serrano and Executive Produced by Mike Schur, this coming-of-age comedy is about Rafa, a 16-year-old high school junior who's navigating school, societal expectations, and a hectic home life that's anchored by his single mom, Drea, and his five uncles. 

If you are a fan of any of Mike Schur's comedies (Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Good Place), you'll like this series. It's got plenty of humor, heart, and cultural representation of an American-Mexican family. 

Christina Vidal, as Drea, is one of the highlights of the series, along with Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, who plays the lead character, Rafa.  Plus, the dynamic between Rafa and his uncles is hilarious at times. With the first season containing only eight episodes, it went quickly and left me wanting more. 

Overall, I give the first season a 9.5/10.

Have you seen Primo? Leave a comment below.

You can catch Primo on Amazon Prime/Amazon Freevee.

My Summer TV Binge 2023 Part 2

 

Talk about the summer of catching up. Here's part two of my Summer TV Binge of 2023!

The Diplomat

Netflix's The Diplomat, starring Keri Russell, has to be the one everyone needs to watch. It's a true political thriller that works, but only with Russell. The series is about Kate Wyler, a newly appointed United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, who is adjusting to the spotlight while dealing with an international crisis, making alliances all with a marriage that's about to collapse. 

I loved watching this series, as I couldn't stop until the end. While the writing has its primary storylines and one-dimensional characters like the President of the United States, it is played well by Michael McKean. It still works. Kerri Russell is a gem in this series, and I hope to see more in season two. I highly recommend this series. 

Overall, I give it a 9/10.

Primo

If there was ever a little gem of a TV show, I watched this summer, it would be Amazon Freevee's Primo. Created by Shea Serrano and Executive Produced by Mike Schur, this coming-of-age comedy is about Rafa, a 16-year-old high school junior who's navigating school, societal expectations, and a hectic home life that's anchored by his single mom, Drea, and his five uncles. 

If you are a fan of any of Mike Schur's comedies, you'll like this series. It's got plenty of humor, heart, and cultural representation of an American-Mexican family. Christina Vidal, as Drea, is one of the highlights of the series, along with Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, who plays the lead character, Rafa. With the first season containing only eight episodes, it goes quickly and leaves me wanting more. 

Overall, I give the first season a 9.5/10.

You can catch Primo on Amazon Prime/Amazon Freevee.

Not Dead Yet

Not Dead Yet was last season's new ABC comedy that stars Gina Rodriguez as Penelope "Nell" Serrano, a journalist who fell apart after a wedding failed and moved back to LA. She soon gets assigned to write obituaries by her new boss and soon begins to encounter ghosts of those whom she's writing their obituaries. 

As she can only see and hear them, she has conversations, and they offer her advice on rebuilding her life while helping her write their obits by telling her their stories. And soon after they get published, ed the ghosts disappear. 

If the premise seems a bit familiar, it's not. I thought the same thing when I heard about this series and quickly thought of Ghosts, but that's not true. This series has a good concept for what it is, even though the supernatural of talking to dead people is never explained, and it has a strong ensemble cast from Hannah Simone, Rick Glassman, and Lauren Ash, plus some stunning star guest stars. It has its moments with its life lessons. 

Overall, I give the first season a 7.5/10. 

Beef

This Netflix series has had some buzz when it premiered in April. It was my brother that had told me to watch it because I might enjoy it. Well, I finally watched it, and I immensely enjoyed it. The Netflix mini-series stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun play two people involved in a road rage incident. It takes you on a roller coaster ride from comedy-drama/psychological and tragicomedy to a thriller, and it works. 

Wong and Yeun are amazing and deservedly deserve Emmy nominations for this series. But I think this ten-episode series felt too long that it could be somewhere between a six and eight-episode series. There are some supporting characters that I didn't care for too much that made me lose interest. But after the ending, I'm up for a season two. 

 

Overall, I give this series an 8/10.

Those are some of my Summer binge-watching 2023. Here's to the fall! 

The Crew, A New Netflix Comedy

 

On Friday, Netflix has released the first trailer for the new original comedy series, The Crew. 

Starring Kevin James (The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait), as the crew chief to a NASCAR team that isn't quite the champion that you would expect. Soon, Kevin's character and his team learn that their owner is stepping down and gives his daughter ownership, who thinks to make some changes to get the team winning. So James has to protect his team from her attempts to change the team.

From the trailer, it's your typical Kevin James sitcom that I'm sure it'll bring in the laughs.  I'm a fan of James from The King of Queens, Paul Blart Mall Cop, and the first season of Kevin Can Wait. So I do look forward to checking out The Crew. 

Trailer:

What did you think of the trailer? Will you be checking out Netflix's The Crew? Leave a comment below.

The Crew will begin streaming on Netflix on February 15th.

Mr Mayor "Pilot"/"Mayor's Day Out" Series Premiere Episode Preview

Here's a preview of the new comedy series, Mr. Mayor that'll have a one-hour premiere on Thursday, January 7th on NBC. Here's a preview! 

"Pilot"

In the series premiere, Neil Bremer (Ted Danson) starts his first day as mayor of Los Angeles, where he faces new challenges on the job and at home.

"Mayor's Day Out"

After visiting a marijuana dispensary in support of his legalization plan, things go awry for Mayor Neil Bremer. Neil puts Mikaela in charge of the mayor's office for the day.

Photos:

Promo/First look:

Excited about the new series? Will you be tuning in? Leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts. 

You can catch the series premiere of Mr. Mayor Thursday, Jan. 7th at 8/7c on NBC.

Superstore to End with Season 6

Well, it looks like Cloud 9 will be out of business.

On Thursday, NBC has announced that Superstore will conclude at the end of its current sixth season. The final 11 episodes will begin airing Thursday, Jan. 14th in a new time slot at 8:30/7:30c, where it now follow the Ted Danson led comedy, Mr. Mayor. 

"We're grateful to universal Television and NBC for letting us make 113 episodes of a show we're so proud of, and for giving us the chance to work with such an incredibly talented group of actors, writers, and crew," said executive producers Justin Spitzer, Gabe Miller and Jonathan Green in a statement. "We're thankful most of all to the viewers who've stuck with us for the past six years (or discovered us somewhere along the way). We'll do our best to go out strong and give you the satisfying ending you deserve."

NBCUniversal scripted content president Lisa Katz said in a statement, "Superstore has always been a signature NBC series that has never failed to make us laugh while also thoughtfully examing important issues people care deeply about. This has been an amazing group of writers, producers, actors, and crew to work with and we are both incredibly grateful for all their contributions. This show will forever hold its place among the top workplace comedies for which we have cherished history."

The end-date announcement comes just weeks after original series star America Ferrera exited the series. In her farewell speech to the cast, the actress indicated that she was open to the idea of reprising her role as Amy before the series' eventful conclusion.

Well, this is one way to kick off the holiday season, I guess. Wow! I'm a bit shocked to have read the news that Superstore would be ending after this season. I would have thought they give the series maybe another year or so. But maybe the writings were on the wall with America leaving and the new time slot change that it's time for the show to end. 

I understand that you must be upset and mad, but here's a bright side to things, the show has lasted six seasons. Not a lot of comedies last six seasons and gives a proper ending.

I think that the best to end the series is to bring back Amy and give her and Jonah a final send-off: or maybe have Amy come back because she misses being around her Cloud 9 family. Whatever it is, I'm sure they're gonna give us one hell of an ending. 

What are your thoughts about the news of Superstore? Leave a comment below!

Superstore returns Thursday, Jan. 14th on NBC, also catch up with episodes on Peacock Streaming Service.

 

Mr. Mayor Teaser

On Tuesday, NBC has released the first teaser for the new comedy series, Mr. Mayor. 

Created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this Ted Danson starring comedy is about how a wealthy businessman runs for Mayor of Los Angeles for all the wrong reasons. But once he wins he must figure out what he stands for all while gaining the respect for his staff, and connect with his daughter, all while controlling the coyote population.   

Here's the teaser: 

The teaser looks fun. The scenes with Danson and Holly Hunter looks exciting. The series had me at "from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock" but now it's my most anticipated new series to watch in the new year. I can not wait!! 

What did you think of the teaser to Mr. Mayor? Leave a comment below!

Mr. Mayor premiere Thursday, Jan. 7th at 8/7c on NBC.

Welcome Back to Cloud 9: Superstore "Essential" Season Premiere

 

The season premiere of Superstore brought us much need laughs but also left us with a cliffhanging moment. Here's a recap!

The season premiere picks up where we left off with a short recap of Amy informing the staff that she and Jonah will be leaving for California for her new position. But here comes the COVID-19 and all things don't go anyone's way, even Marcus, who decided to go to a spring break party and caught the COVID. 

The episode shows off serious moments like when the staff learned about George Floyd's murder. While Amy tries to handle both managing the store and being on zoom calls with corporate that's pretty much taking a lot out of her. 

But after a crazy day, Sandra and Cheyenne's idea to store extra stuff for them in the ceiling didn't go so well as it became too heavy and collapse. Later on, Jonah learns that Amy will be going to California but he corrected her saying that they are going to California. That moment ends with Jonah hugging Amy, she gives a worried look. 

"Essential" was a very good and funny episode. The episode was so well written that had really good moments in the chronicle order as we catch up. 

While I loved the whole Glenn getting deep washed from Dina but it was mostly Sandra and Cheyenne that stole most of the episode with their crazy idea of storing items from the customers. And that Tom Hanks scene was another treat in this episode, the second time goes so well (with This Is Us). 

The 100th episode will be a special one no doubt about it. I think it will be a tearjerker, to say the least, but an episode that probably would throw some flashback moments, wouldn't you say? The tear-jerking moment will be Amy saying goodbye and leaving Jonah and the Cloud 9 family. 

Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch the 100th and Amy's final episode of Superstore Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

Superstore Season 6 Behind the Scene Featurette

NBC has released a behind the scenes look into the sixth season of Superstore.

The cast says thanks to the fans for helping the show make it to 100 episodes. Plus America's final episode. 

Here's the video:

You can catch Superstore season premiere Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8/7c on NBC.

Superstore Season 6 Promo Amy's Farewell Episodes

 On Saturday, another promo for the sixth season of Superstore aired during Saturday Night Live. This promo shares the moments of what Amy has been to the series. 

Here's the promo:

You can catch the season premiere of Superstore Thursday, October 29th at 8/7c on NBC.

Superstore Season 6 Promo "More Essential Than Ever"

 

The latest promo for the new season of Superstore aired during the new episode of Connecting. 

Here's the promo:

The season premiere of Superstore begins Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8/7c on NBC.

Superstore Season 6 Promo: Amy Saves the Best For Last

 

During Wednesday's Billboard Music Awards, NBC released a new promo for the new season of Superstore. 

The promo shows as Amy works her final days at Superstore, she saves the best news for last. 

Here's the promo:

The season premiere of Superstore begins Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8/7c on NBC.

Superstore Season 6 Promo

During Saturday Night Live's Season Premiere this weekend, NBC released a first teaser for the new season of Superstore. 

While the team deals with the COVID, it looks like Dina is having a little bit of fun with Glenn. 

Here's the promo:

The season premiere of Superstore Thursday, Oct. 29th at 8/7c on NBC.

The Conners Season 3 Promo

 

They're back!

The Conners are back and moving to Wednesdays this fall. Looks like the family is taking the whole COVID in stride. 

Here's the promo:

Excited for the return of The Conners? Leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts. 

The corners returns Wednesday, October 21, at 9/8c on ABC.

A.P. Bio Season 3 Review

The third season of A.P. Bio premiered this month, and the new season looks better than ever.

The eight-episode season three comedy series dives into more wacky and crazy stuff than the previous two seasons. From Helen being part of Jack's student to Ralph dealing without having Helen as his crime partner, that's just the first episode.

The season pushes the characters not only with hilarious moments but heart-warming ones. Jack, who's trying to record a video for a university to get out of Toledo, backfires and realizes that he's better off in Toledo with the students and friends.

One episode that I believe might be the season's highlight is episode three, and the first ten minutes of the episode are just catching up to what is just ten minutes of the episode. It might seem dumb to read it and go, "What?" but trust me, once you see it, it's pretty hilarious as it's like making fun of the steaming services previously on this show.

The season finale, of course, didn't disappoint as it dives into the celebration of Katie Holme's day. That's the day they celebrated when she got the part of Joey Porter on Dawson's Creek. I don't think I should say anything more after that.

I very much enjoyed the third season of A.P. Bio. While the second season was good, this season was much better. There was strong writing and character development this season. I can't stress enough the chemistry between Paula Pell and Patton Oswalt, as they're one of the best comedic duos on television.

I highly recommend taking a look at the new season of A.P. Bio. Overall, I give this season a 9/10.

You can catch seasons 1-3 of A.P. Bio, available on Peacock Stream Service.

Spending Time with Friends: Happy Endings: The Complete Series

Back before the whole pandemic hit, I had bought the complete series of Happy Endings on DVD to check out to see if all the hype about the show was real. After carefully "binge-watching" the whole thing, I've come to say this..... Here are my thoughts!

The series' premise is as simple as possible: It's about six best friends who get into real dysfunctional adventures in Chicago, Illinois.

You got overachiever businessman Brad (played by Damon Waynes, Jr.) along with his neurotic perfectionist wife Jane (played by Eliza Coupe) as they are crazy in love with each other; aloalsowith Jane's silly little sister Alex (played by Elisha Cuthbert), who's a happy-go-lucky boutique owner.

Then you got Dave (played by Zachary Knighton), a daydreamer and an aspiring restaurateur and food truck owner. The slicker manchild is Max (played by Adam Pally), who can't hold both a job and a relationship, and the outgoing party girl, Penny (played by Casey Wilson), who is searching for Mr. Right.
The premise starts when the wedding of Alex and Dave ends.  Alex becomes a bride because she isn't ready for marriage. The group reunites with Ale, X returning and trying to preserve their friendship as Alex and Dave decide to stay friends.

After the series dropped the whole Alex and DaDaveroken engagement arc in the first season, the series focused on the group dynamic of the six best friends.

After watching all three seasons of the series, I very much enjoyed it. These characters kept me wanting to see more and more of what wacky stuff they'll be going on in the next episode.

While the first season had some ups and downs, the series found itself during that season's end. The second and third got a whole lot better with some fantastic episodes like "Secrets and Limos," "Spooky Endings," "The Kerkovich Way," "Party of Six," and "The Marry Prankster," just to name a few.

While the so-called "series finale" ended at Jane's older sister's wedding and Alex and Dave broke up for their second time dating each other, I thought it ended well with the six characters still at each other's hips having fun as life will move on.

It's still a head-scratcher why ABC decided not to let this series continue. It's like a recent decision that the network made about a previous comedy getting canceled (Single Parents). ABC must still want quantity over quality shows, which hasn't helped them in recent years.

While Happy Endings isn't in my top five best comedies of all time, it's a good enough show for me to pop an episode in and get something that I know will be very funny.

Overall, I give the series an 8.5/10.

You can catch the complete series of Happy Endings available on Blu-ray & DVD and Hulu.

The Spirit of Toledo: A.P. Bio: "Ride the Ram"/"Kinda Sorta" Season Finale

"Ride the Ram" 

It's school spirit week, and as the school is battling its rival in the annual Ram Championship, Whitlock tries to do what it can to win. Even though the blood drive was ruined, Helen saved the day by giving enough blood to win. But when it came to the principal challenge, Ralph couldn't do it due to his procedure.

 

Jack comes in to help Ralph after he had ruined their time at his birthday dinner the other night. Jack gets on the mechanical ram, and instead of going up against the rival principal, he's going up against Heather's former love crush. After Heather's move on Chad, he gets thrown off, and Jack wins it for the school and Ralph's friendship.

"Ride the Ram" was a delightful and hilarious episode. The Ralph and Jack character relationship is so good in this episode that it gives Jack a rethinking of their friendship that, at times, he denies it. Paula Pell does it once again with another standout supporting performance. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

"Kinda Sorta"

In the season two finale, Jack has a one-shot out of Toledo if he helps Sarika get into Harvard. But he and the class must help Sarika make a good impression by changing her outlook and not being so rude-looking. After training, Jack and Sarika meet with the advisor of Harvard, who happens to be someone Jack dated. Yikes!

Jack tries his best not to get sexual with the advisor, but after seeing Lynette with someone else at the bar that night, he is considering going for it. But that all ended when he stopped it and ran to see Lynette, telling her about this dream he had with her and their four fat Toledo kids. The two finally become exclusive as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Jack learned that Sarika had snuck her paper into the advisor's bag and that her aunt was impressed with his book. Jack's got an appointment to see her, but will he go? Also, Jack learns from Ralph that he has a new student...Helen! Helen didn't graduate high school. Oh boy!

"Kinda Sorta" While it felt like two parts of the series finale and season finale, I'm glad that the series was saved and moved to the Peacock Streaming Service. I love this episode! This episode was such a good development for the character of Jack to realize that staying in Toledo isn't all that bad with someone that he has feelings for in Lynette. Also, I can't get enough of the Jack and class dynamic, and helping Sarika was just the icing on the cake. I can't wait to see what Season Three has in store. I hope Elizabeth Alderfer, who played Lynette, returns because she was so good in season two.

Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch A.P. Bio on NBC.com, the NBC app, and the Peacock Streaming Service.

Powers to Believe: A.P.: Bio: "Handcuffed"/"Spectacle"

"Handcuffed" 

When Jack needs a new cell phone, he asked Mary to be on her plan; but in return must help her get rid of her boyfriend. Trying to give the bad news to her boyfriend, he doesn't accept and his handcuffed to Jack's mother's stairlift. Jack plays into Mary until it was too late and she goes back to him. That is until Jack stops her and tells her that she can do a lot better than with that guy; in return, the two will share a phone plan and get out of being handcuffed as well.

Principal Ralph can't take the stress of informing his staff of the cuts and moves. But that's when Anthony came in to interview Ralph for the school paper; Anthony helps give the bad news and is given the power to tell everyone from the gym coach to janitor about the changes. Even trying to get out of a B- grade but Helen took care of that after noticing he dipping the chip into way too much dip.

"Handcuffed" was a very good episode. I enjoyed a lot from Mary and Jack's friendship story to Anthony's reign of power. But the one that really had me laughing was Paula Pell's performance as Helen stealing scenes and that dipping the chip into way too much dip was so funny. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

"Spectacle" 

There's a talent show but will Jack and his class win it?

As the school talent show is about to begin, Jack thinks he can win it with his class and after searching for some talent from his class he had found it. It was a play and while at first, it was a good idea; Jack turned it and went a whole other direction by using what everyone likes in entertainment from dub music to dancing. At first, it wasn't going so well until Jack went back to the original idea and won the show.

Meanwhile, Mary and Stef try to help Michelle out with her bell concert for the talent show but instead Michelle does it all on her own. While Helen and Ralph come up with who will be the new M.C. the talent show; spoiler alert it's them!

"Spectacle" was so good with the performances from Paula Pell and Patton Oswalt with their chemistry just put to a whole new level. When watching these two I don't think they're doing it on scripted but improvising. I didn't really like the whole bell concert storyline in this episode because it just left too predictable. While Jack and the classmate's story was good on average but had a nice ending to it. Overall, I give this episode an 8/10.

You can catch A.P. Bio available on NBC.com, NBC app, and Peacock streaming service.

An Emotional Goodbye: The Good Place "The Final Chapter: Whenever You're Ready" Series Finale

Note: I apologize for not writing this up and posting it. It's been almost four months since this aired. And well, let me say that after watching it the first time, it was tough to protect it during the second time because it was so emotionally powerful.

The series finale of The Good Place might be one of the best finale endings in quite a long time, and saying goodbye to these characters is overwhelming emotions. The episode picks up as everyone enjoys their time in A Good Place, from learning ethics to seeing everyone doing their own thing and being happy. The new system looks to work for the best as the Judge learns from Michael and Chidi.

But things took a turn quickly when Justin won the Super Bowl in the video game with his dad, and he felt it was time for him to leave. After throwing a party, Justin walks with Janet to the doors to the universe. Tahani reunited with her sister and learned that their parents had passed the system, but what they had expected wasn't the case with their parents as they showed love and affection. After many moments, she decides she's ready, but instead of leaving, she wants to be like Michael and work as an intern.

Later, Eleanor learns that Chidi is on the verge of wanting to leave and tries to keep him here by taking him to all the places he loves. But Eleanor knows that to be happy, she can't ruin someone's happiness, too. After an emotional and memorable scene of the two at sunset, Chidi leaves Eleanor while sleeping. But a surprise comes when, just as Chidi walks into the door to the universe, Justin pops out to give Janet the necklace he had made for her, and after another moment, he walks with Chidi.

Soon, Eleanor felt it was time; she brought Mindy St.Clare to The Good Place to agree to take the test. She gets the Judge to grant one last favor for Michael; he becomes a real-life boy who goes to Earth and lives out his best life, from learning guitar to cooking a meal in the microwave.

Just before Eleanor leaves, she talks with Janet and has one last drink with her. Soon, she walks into the door to the universe to see her body turn into stars, where one falls to Earth to a man who almost threw out someone's mail but returned it, that happens to be Michael.

"Whenever You're Ready" was one of the best series finales since Parks and Recreation. The finale felt like a natural closure to the series, with the characters deciding to leave or stay and become something else, like Tahani wanting to do what Michael has done. Each character had a memorable moment; the one that stuck was Chidi and Eleanor with that sunset, in which Chidi described the ocean waves. This episode should get an Emmy nomination for best writing. Overall, I give this episode a 10/10, while the season gets a 9.5/10.

You can catch The Good Place on Netflix and Google Play.