Marvel stars to host 'SNL'
Marvel stars to host 'SNL'
And Nolan's next adds two big names
What to know
Jonathan Majors, Simu Liu to host SNL… Taylor Swift and Saweetie will support the Marvel stars as musical guests Nov. 13 and Nov. 20 respectively. Hard to argue with these two picks! While Liu has welcome comedy experience, I’m thrilled to see what the always-energetic Majors brings to the show. In my opinion, Rami Malek currently holds the belt for the season’s best episode — we’ll see if Kang or Shang-Chi can take him down. 📺
Peacock to air Netflix original series Longmire… TV streaming rights are weird. Longmire was cancelled at A&E after 3 seasons. Netflix, as it’s wont to do, rescued the show for another 3 seasons. Now all 6 seasons will be available on Peacock. It’s exceptionally rare for a Netflix original to go anywhere other than Netflix (they don’t even make DVDs for many of their originals anymore). It seems there are some strange legal arrangements at play here. 🍿
Netflix debuting its gaming platform on Android Wednesday… Netflix games are finally going wide. Netflix subscribers will be able to play Stranger Things: 1984, Stranger Things 3, Shooting Hoops (?), Card Blast (??), and Teeter Up (???) on mobile tomorrow. While that’s not a huge debut library, at least there won’t be fees, ads, or in-app purchases. Also, congrats Android users on finally getting something first! iOS release to follow. 🎮
Harry Potter AR mobile game Wizards Unite is shutting down… Toto, we’re not in 2016 anymore. When Niantic debuted Pokémon Go 5 years ago, it really seemed like AR gaming was the future. Clones, both official and unofficial came fast, including Warner’s deal with Niantic to make a Potter version. It’s safe to say Wizards Unite didn’t strike the same gold as PoGo — and that maybe this whole AR gaming thing was a fad? 🪄
HBO Max greenlights Camp Friends comedy series about summer camp counselors-in-training… I know a lot of people who will find this show very relatable 🏕
Lady Gaga says she spoke in an Italian accent for nine months straight to get into Gucci character… Gaga is very talented but I don’t believe this for a second 🇮🇹
Robert Downey Jr. and Matt Damon cast in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer… this project is getting more exciting by the day 💣
Paramount boss teases Spider-verse-esque Star Trek animated movie… yes, please 👽
Cinematographers group calls for end of functional firearms on set… plus one 🎥
For more pop culture news, discussion, and what-to-watch recommendations subscribe to my pals over on the Kickball Friends podcast. 🎙
What’s new this week:
The Harder They Fall — Nov 3 Netflix western film | 🍅 88%
Eternals — Nov 5 in theaters Marvel movie | 🍅 56%
Spencer — Nov 5 limited theaters drama film | 🍅 88%
Big Mouth season 5 — Nov 5 Netflix adult animated series | 🍅
Finch — Nov 5 Apple Tom Hanks sci-fi film | 🍅
Dexter: New Blood — Nov 7 Showtime drama series | 🍅 78%
What to watch:
One of the more delightfully surprising Netflix trends in recent years has been the rise of its international productions. Prior to the streaming era, it was difficult to see international television in the U.S. — save for BBC transfers on PBS. Now thanks to in large part to Netflix, domestic TV viewers are exposed to excellent global series from Asia, Europe, South America, and beyond. Lupin, whose first 10 episodes are available on Netflix, is a prime example of this foreign exchange program. The French crime series, starring an eminently watchable Omar Sy, garners easy comparisons to Steven Moffat’s Sherlock. Both are stylish and twisty modern updates of century-old book series, both grip you with big cliffhangers and “how’d he do that” magic, and both take full advantage of their London/Paris locations. Lupin might not be as intricately plotted as Sherlock, but it makes up for it with rich backstories and a lot of humanity. One small note: The back 5 episodes of Lupin are not as strong as the first, but there’s enough plot momentum to get you to the satisfying conclusion. Omar Sy recently signed a multi-year movie deal with Netflix — and if this series is any indication, they’re going to be great.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!