What to know
Will Smith has apologized to Chris Rock… Speaking of better late than never, Smith took nearly 24 hours to apologize to Rock for slapping him on stage at the Oscars. This doesn’t erase or fix everything that went down Sunday night. As Jim Carrey pointed out, watching the audience give Smith a standing ovation was “sickening.” 🏆
Disney vows to repeal Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law… Better late than never? At least we finally got a full-throated statement from Disney on this homophobic legislation. And to think it only took a barrage of questions for the CEO, an employee walkout, and several corporate divisions speaking out! Disney, stick to your word on this. 🏳️🌈
Moon Knight reviews praise Oscar Isaac… Oscar Isaac doesn’t half ass things. We should know this by now. Critics are usual sweet on Marvel, so it’s always good to take MCU reviews with a grain of salt. That said, I’m optimistic about this bold new series which finally debuts tomorrow! 🌖
UCB Theater to reopen under new management… The pandemic hit the improv comedy industry hard, but now one of its flagship institutions is crawling back. Hopefully the new managers (who appear to have some private venture backing) will follow through on their promises to forefront diversity and pay performers. 🎭
Michael Che suggests he’s leaving SNL at the end of the season… Che and Jost have had a great (and record-long) run on the Update desk. It’s time for new blood. Now if only the rest of the SNL’s veterans would follow Che’s lead and let the show fully transition to its newer voices. 🌐
Michael Bay slams the CGI in his upcoming movie Ambulance… What in the self-own is this? Does Bay know that he directed the movie he’s criticizing? How does telling people it looks bad help promote it? 🚑
The Full Monty is getting a sequel series on Disney+… I’m guessing just in the UK and if it comes to the U.S. it will be on Hulu? Stripping middle-aged men doesn’t exactly scream “family friendly.” 🇬🇧
Bridgerton season 2 breaks Netflix opening weekend record… What’s bigger than a big Netflix show? The second season of a. big Netflix show. 📈
Aaron Sorkin reimagining Camelot for Broadway revival… It’s going to be weird when J. Edgar Hoover swoops in to save the kingdom. ⚔️
Euphoria fans have no idea who Maude Apatow’s dad is and he’s cool with it… I think he’s someone famous 🤔
Pixar movie Lightyear is getting a theatrical release… Good! 🚀
One third of U.S. Netflix users share their password… The other two-thirds use “12345678” or “password” 🔐
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died over the weekend at 50
What’s new
The Girl From Plainville — Mar 29 | Hulu limited series | 🍅 100%
Moon Knight — Mar 30 | Disney+ Marvel series | 🍅
Apollo 10 1/2 — Apr 1 | Netflix drama film | 🍅 90%
The Bubble — Apr 1 | Netflix comedy film | 🍅
What to watch
I never did recommend Euphoria. While refreshingly bold and utterly star-making for Zendaya and Hunter Schafer, I found the first season to be abrasive and too rough around the edges. I liked it fine and appreciated how unique it was. But the show appeared to be overly stylized and aggressively written just for the sake of being overly stylized and aggressively written. Then we got the astounding standalone specials and season two. It’s still the same show, but creator Sam Levinson has found the magic balance between stylization, character-driven writing, and heart. It’s a vastly improved series deserving of all the attention it gets. Levinson’s gonzo, excessive approach to modern teenagedom is as distinct as ever (seriously, there are few shows as visually arresting and specific as this one); there are still shocking, discomforting, and unsettling storylines too — but the rough edges have been slightly smoothed and finessed. What results is a show that has a lot of valid and revealing things to say about being a teenager, falling in love, and going through grief. Levinson isa lso giving his cast quite a showcase, none more so than Zendaya, who after the fifth episode is surely headed for a repeat Emmy win. I could have recommended Euphoria after season one, but I’m glad I waited through season two.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!