Look at me, Ma! Another week and another post. So many good shows and movies and we’re only just getting started with 2022!

For Lord of the Flies Fans: Yellowjackets on Showtime

Season 1 just wrapped on Sunday with ten episodes. And, Season 2 was greenlit awhile ago. They’ve received some award nominations for a reason. This show is something else. Set in present day New Jersey with flashbacks to highschool in 1996, the Yellowjackets, the girls’ soccer team, make it all the way to the State Championship but don’t actually get there since their private plane crashes. And the wheels fall off more than the plane from there. Great flashback sequences to what went down as they attempted to survive in the wilderness and then follows present day team members that made it back, dealing with 25 years of trauma and unfinished business of sorts. Awesome cast with some favorites like Juliette Lewis and Melanie Lynskey. Definitely a binge-worthy show.

For Carrie Bradshaw Fans: And Just Like That on HBOMax

There’s been mixed reviews about this show but I’m a fan. I dig that Sex and the City got a revival no matter how old they are or if Samantha isn’t there. It’s just fun but it is different from the original series. It’s always funny to me how much people don’t really appreciate shows for what they are and want them so badly to be like the originals, wrapped up with a nice little bow. I just appreciate being entertained by some favorite characters of mine. Second chance shows are some of my favorites, being the nostalgic crazy that I am. There will ultimately be ten episodes for the limited series, ending on February 3. They’ve had some talks about a second season but we’ll see. Cosmos all around for Carrie and the girls!

For Romantics with a Twist: Wolf Like Me on Peacock

My hubby laughs at me all the time that I just watch shows because of the cast, no matter what the show is about. I say damn straight I do – isn’t that what Hollywood is hoping for?! I saw ads for this show and it looked intriguing right out of the gate and yes, it had some cast members I dig – Josh Gad and Isla Fisher. Six episodes and it hasn’t been greenlit for more but with any luck it will. Really fun and different. And I’m not saying anything more because you just have to see it and discover the secret.

For Dramedy Fans: Somebody Somewhere on HBO Max

Funny lady Bridget Everett’s new show that just debuted on Sunday. It’s really good and not laugh a minute by any means. Laughter-through-tears sort of show with her struggling through some family trauma in a small town in Kansas where she grew up. It’s charming more than anything. New episodes every Sunday. Give her a watch!

For Reality TV Fanatics: Ugliest Houses in America on Discovery+

I love Retta since her Parks & Rec days. This show was really fun and only five episodes. My hubby and I watched it and realized what some people think is ugly we actually like, the ol’ one man’s trash is another man’s treasure mantra. There are some unique houses out there that just need a little TLC but not a complete makeover. The winner on the show received a $150k renovation by a famous HGTV crew. And, it looked like a lot more than that. Check it out and see what house gets the works!

Bonus Show: Finding Magic Mike on HBO Max

If you’re a fan of Channing and the boys like me, then this show is for you. After the popularity of the movies, they opened a couple of live shows, one being in Vegas. So this show is about finding a new member of the cast and $100k for the winner, too. Ten guys competed for the top spot with some drama along the way. Cool celebrity guests popped into episodes too. Seven episodes total and lots of hotness.

For Donofans: Ray Donovan: The Movie on Showtime

When the series was abruptly cancelled, fans rallied for more and the cast realized just how popular the show really was. Liev Schreiber who plays Ray couldn’t believe it. The rally cry was enough to get a final movie so that the show got a proper wrap-up. Sure, it wasn’t a full season like they had planned but nearly two hours is better than nothing. I dug it – it was a solid way to finish the show. If you haven’t watched Ray Donovan, there’s seven binge-worthy seasons. It’s one of my favorite shows.

For Campy Horror Fans: Scream at the actual movie theater

It’s been 25 years since this franchise started with now a fifth and likely final movie. It honored the original movie really well. The OG cast, or at least the ones that weren’t killed off along the way, all made an appearance with the new cast. It was also the only movie of the five that Wes Craven wasn’t apart of, since he passed away in 2015. I think he would have liked it. The duo directors did a nice job with it. So venture out and see it at the movies – it was the first big release of the year that actually happened. So give your favorite theater some love. There’s really nothing like the experience of seeing a movie in the theater. Just the best!

That’s what I got – another week, more recos. Enjoy and if you don’t like anything here, welp, I don’t have a letters to the editor option so keep it to yourself.

For the record I don’t believe in New Years’ resolutions because for the exact reason I’m about the explain.

Every year I go crazy and think this is the year I write more. This is the year I finally put my college education to the test, having been a full-time adult since 2000. This is it! And guess what – I spit out a couple of posts and go on my way. On my way back to too much social media, too much TV, movies, etc, etc, etc.

Last year I didn’t even write one post – not one! Just fucking lazy, always. I will say I did spend some of 2021 writing a bit of the long-awaited book. Long-awaited by me and my ma, to be clear. Someday it will make an appearance and all five of you will get it on clearance at your local bookstore.

Anyway, I’ve never called them resolutions. I like to think of them more as pacts with myself.

To be fair, January has already been a little touch and go, even though it is my birthday month so my motivation to get rolling on writing has been meh. Here we are on the 12th and it already seems like a three-peat to the last couple of glorious dumpster fires we’ve experienced. And, I don’t know about y’all but I only like three-peats in sports!

So as I enter my 44th year (yep, 44 at the end of the month- yeehaw!), here I go again! Fingers crossed this is my year to keep with my “loose” promise to myself.

I’ve gathered you all here today to share a regular series of posts about my TV and movie recommendations. I’ve been inspired for a long time with TVLine‘s daily “What to Watch” email. Their site is awesome and one of my favorite resources for finding out what’s coming up. Now, I have no intention of posting daily. That’s just bananas. But, I will attempt to post more often then once or twice a year.

And, this is for my handful of friends and family who always tell me 1) I need to figure out how to make money at this and 2) they always appreciate my mountains of recommendations.

For Romantics: With Love on Amazon Prime

This cute little series dropped on Prime in December. It’s very Hallmark movie-esque but dirtier, which wouldn’t take much since Hallmark is basically G-rated. It’s a lot of fun and follows a great family through the annual holidays. Only 5 episodes. No word just yet if there will be a Season 2 but here’s hoping.

Bonus Show: Emily in Paris, Netflix

I honestly don’t know why this show has so many haters. It’s really fun. Lily Collins (as in Phil Collins’ daughter) is so lovable and it’s in Paris, with amazing French actors or ones that are acting like they’re French. It’s also created by Darren “Sex and the City” Star.

It’s full of fashion, romance, drama, comedy. AND, it’s already been greenlit for Season 3 and 4! So, even though there are A LOT of meanies out there, there’s a lot of folks like me watching it. Netflix is ruthless and doesn’t greenlit just any show for not one but two seasons right as Season 2 barely came out. Ok, Emily in Paris soap box OVER. Watch it though – it’s fun and light-hearted and fuck me do we need as much light-hearted as possible these days, AMIRIGHT?! 10 episodes each for Season 1 and 2.

For Drama Queens: Yellowstone, Paramount Network, Paramount+

Two words: Beth Dutton. That’s all you need to know. Others could argue with me that Kevin Costner is all you need to know but nope, Kelly Reilly, who plays his daughter, is a force of nature. She actually referred to herself as a tornado in an episode and she was not kidding. Season 4 just wrapped so you’ll have plenty of time to have a glorious binge of this ridic family drama. It’s like a western Sopranos with beautiful scenery. The Season 4 finale broke records so chances are good you may already be watching but if you’re not, get on it.

For Serial Killer Fanatics: Dexter: New Blood, Showtime

It’s no secret that the fans were not happy with the finale of the original Dexter series. I didn’t love it but I wasn’t furious like most. But, when word broke that 10 years later the creators were putting another season together to give the fans a proper wrap-up, man I couldn’t jump on the Dexter and his Dark Passenger Train fast enough – choo choo!

Ten episodes later the finale just aired on Sunday. It was great and definitely left the possibility for more. The new season broke Showtime records, as it should. If it really is the end, I’m ok with that too. It was serial-killer greatness.

For Nerds: The Book of Boba Fett, Disney+

I don’t know about you but I never had Jon Favreau on my Bingo card for being not only the master behind Iron Man but the nostalgic flair of Star Wars, too. Would you have ever thought the funny dude in Swingers was going to do ALL THIS?!

First, he killed it with The Mandalorian and I mean KILLED IT. Now, Boba. One of the most beloved characters from the original series finally gets his full story told. It’s nerdom at its finest. So well done. Only seven episodes total, dropping weekly on Wednesdays, through February 9. For us 40 – 50 somethings who grew up with Star Wars it’s a nostalgic ride and then some.

For Dramady Fans: The Tender Bar, Amazon Prime

Assfleck, and no, I didn’t stutter, is awesome in this! Based on a memoir, which is probably even better than the movie, his nephew and their crazy family, the grandfather being Christopher Lloyd (YES! DOC BROWN!) live their lives in the 70s and 80s with lots of family drama and a great, GREAT neighborhood bar. It’s so good. Assfleck has racked up a few award nominations for it already and really hoping he wins.

For Reality TV Fanatics: Dirty Jobs, Discovery Channel, Discovery+

Mike Rowe is back and better than ever. Back for Season 9 after a 10-year haitus, Mike’s still finding hard-working Americans to shine a spotlight on every week. It’s always so fun – he’s such an entertainer and just a good human. It airs Monday nights and it’s unknown how many episodes we’ll get but there’s a few so far in January. Enjoy Mike getting dirty…again!

For Comedians: The Righteous Gemstones, HBO

Danny McBride. That’s it. Just watch. It’s ridiculously funny. If you don’t like his movies, then it’s not for you and you’re wrong. Just like bacon. There’s no not liking it. John Goodman is in it too and Adam Devine, just to name some more star power. And Walton Goggins. Look him up, Justified fans. He’s worth watching in ANYTHING. Season 2 just started on Sunday. It’s already been greenlit for Season 3. If you have trouble with people making fun of religion, well too fucking bad – this shit is hilarious! Watch and laugh!

For Betty Fans: Golden Girls , Hulu; Hot in Cleveland, Paramont+

December 31st was really tough losing America’s sweetheart Betty White. She was literally days away from her 100th birthday. A special movie was made to celebrate the milestone, which is still debuting in theaters on her birthday, January 17. Get your tickets! And, donate to your favorite animal rescue, zoo, charity, anything to support animals and make Betty’s birthday a great day for her furry friends.

So if you’re like me and loved her so, Hulu has all the Golden Girls episodes for you to relive again. I’ve watched them a lot over the past few years and will continue to. Hot in Cleveland is another awesome show and lady cast with Betty starring. So, so funny! Have a marathon with both shows! The long weekend is coming up so I’ll be celebrating Betty’s birthday how I know best – in front of the TV, mostly.

For Bob Fans: Bob Saget Stand-Up Specials, HBOMax, Amazon Prime, Comedy Central

We lost a comedy legend over the weekend at the far-too-young age of 65, Bob Saget.

Now, most people of course know him from Full House but he’s actually a really funny and really dirty comedian, too. Like the polar opposite of the dad he played on TV.

My BFF and I were fortunate to see him once at a comedy club in Denver. He’d been on my comedy bucket list for years because I’d seen the stand-up shows and heard the rumors that he was unreal. And he was – so funny. A dude tried to heckle him and lost miserably, totally white-girl wasted and got booted from the club. It was a pretty epic scene that Bob used to his benefit and worked into his act the entire night. It was a ton of fun.

I believe all the comics who have posted tributes of him, saying he was the kindest and nicest human being, too. Just a good dude that wanted to make people laugh. He will be so missed by so many, just like Betty.

Some of his stand-up specials are on Amazon Prime and HBO Max but the really funny stuff is some of his Comedy Central Roast work with other fellow comedians. They are raw and ruthless to whomever they’re fileting and they’ve roasted sooo many. Some of the funniest shit EVER. Check them out.

Just Because: The Cutting Edge, Showtime, and I’m sure other streaming services, too

Since my pop passed away in 2003 (fuck you cancer!), any time this movie is on I have to watch. It’s been on Showtime recently and I’ve watched it at whatever place in the movie I happen into it. It was one of his favorites. For being a tough S.O.B. you would never think it would be a movie he would have dug but he did. I think it’s been showing up recently because of the Winter Olympics being just around the corner but I always like to think it’s because my pop is around and needs to get his romantic comedy fix. Toe Pick forever, Pop!

That’s all she wrote, for this time anyway. Hope you enjoyed and maybe found something you’d like to check out. And if you didn’t, well, I can’t please everyone. I’m not bacon.