Coppola's "chaotic" production... allegedly

And Paul Mescal is so hot right now

What to know

• Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis production is reportedly a chaotic mess… The budget is allegedly exploding (Coppola put up a lot of his own money), key creatives like the production designer and the entire VFX team have walked (there’s apparently no art department remaining?), and the set vibe in general is apparently an “absolute madness.” That’s according to THR’s sources at least. If you ask Coppola, he’ll tell you he’s “on schedule and on budget,” and everything is gravy. No matter what’s going on there, never put up your own money. 👀

• Paul Mescal replacing Blake Jenner in Richard Linklater’s 20-year Merrily We Roll Along… Paul Mescal, so hot right now. This recasting does bring up the tricky thing with Richard Linklater’s Boyhood approach to movie making. While it’s possible not much was shot with Blake Jenner, who left the project after being accused of domestic abuse in 2019, what happens if Linklater has to replace an actor 10 years or 15 years into a 20-year production? Would he just kill the project entirely? We better hope nothing happens with Ben Platt, Beanie Feldstein, and now Paul Mescal. 🤔

• Parade revival headed to Broadway with Ben Platt, Micaela Diamond… Speaking of Ben Platt, he’s headed back home to Broadway. The Jason Robert Brown musical is set for a March-to-August limited engagement, which seems sensible in the current theater climate — and likely fits Platt’s busy schedule. Demand is strong for this one, already crashing the ticketing webste. 🎭

• Paramount+ orders Dungeons and Dragons live-action series… Every streamer wants a high fantasy drama. But what about the D&D movie Paramount is releasing in theaters in March? No one from the movie is involved with this show, so it’s unclear whether the show is related. That won’t be confusing at all. 🐲

• DGA has the good sense to nominate Station Eleven, Severance in TV awards… Finally, the love Station Eleven so deserves. 🏆

• Elizabeth Banks promises complex themes in Cocaine Bear… Such as what it means to be a bear on cocaine? 🐻

• Read the script for Tár or read the script for The Menu… Either way you’re going to learn something about problematic people. 📝

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What’s new

• The Golden Globe Awards — Jan 10 | NBC award show

• Velma — Jan 12 | HBO Max adult animated series | 🍅

• The Drop — Jan 13 | Hulu comedy movie | 🍅

• The Last of Us — Jan 15 | HBO zombie drama series | 🍅 100%

• A Man Called Otto — Jan 13 | Drama film in theaters | 🍅 66%

• Returning: Hunters s2, Servant s4, Your Honor s2, Mayor of Kingstown s2

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What to watch

There is something naturally comforting about half-hour series As We See It, whose singular season is available on Prime Video. Probably because it hails from Jason Katims, a master of big hearted, network-style television. This simple but affecting comedy-drama hybrid about autistic adults isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It doesn’t have an indie aesthetic; it never diverts into disconnected standalone episodes; it isn’t vying for award recognition with flashy set pieces and fancy camera moves. This isn’t to slight “comedies” that do those things, like Atlanta or Barry, but rather to compliment Katims and company for making something special that’s also familiar. As We See It would have been the best show on NBC or ABC in 2012. Its storylines about misfitted characters looking to find themselves and make connections with family, friends, romantic partners, and each other are not new, but because the focus is on an underrepresented group (the autistic community) and it’s all done with great care and efficacy, the show just works. It’s funny and heartwarming and moving, but never preachy or saccharine — all while showing a perspective we don’t often see, but can definitely relate to. You’ll find yourself quickly falling in love with the characters and lamenting that after the 8 episodes, they’re gone. (Amazon canceled the series, but hey, at least now the commitment is low.) Katims is so good at making this type of show. If you love his past work (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) or if you wish TV turn out more character-based, emotional comedies like Scrubs, Parks and Rec, Ted Lasso, and Abbott Elementary, As We See It is for you.

For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!