What I’m Watching - Winter 2025
As I've gotten older, the term "watching TV" has taken on a much different meaning. I have two young kids, and they're basically night owls, going to bed most nights at least an hour later than the tired bodies and brains of my wife and I would prefer. We rarely watch TV together anymore, and most of what we watch is either done very slowly or is more of a solo endeavor while prepping dinner or cleaning up the dishes. With that said, here we go:
Bad Monkey - Apple TV+
Based on a novel by Carl Hiassan, This is THE show that my wife and I are watching right now, albeit extremely slowly. Vince Vaughn is the perfect lead for this, and the supporting cast, the location, and the entire vibe of the show make it so good. It’s funny, dark, and absolutely perfect.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew - Disney Plus
The latest series in the Star Wars universe is really fun. Skeleton Crew is aimed at a younger audience, with most of the main cast being children. It may be a bit of nostalgia, but I'm reminded of a movie like The Goonies, and that just makes me smile. I don't typically cast the most critical eye at Star Wars stuff. Either I like it, or it doesn't work for me, and I let it pass by. This one is definitely in the first category.
The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power - Amazon Prime
This is a show that I've been watching slowly since the new season premiered and would have been featured on the Autumn edition of this series had it ever been produced. This is an entertaining glimpse at a universe I've always loved. It's not a perfect series, but it's still fun. I started a new job a few months ago, and anything that wasn't immediately related to my family or the job hit the back burner.
As mentioned in the previous blog post, I guested on the Basic AF Show to talk about Apple TV+, so if you'd like to hear more thoughts from me about streaming, give it a listen!
What I’m Watching - Summer 2024
As summer slowly gives way to cooler weather in New England, Here are a few shows I’ve been watching:
The Acolyte - Disney+
I know. The Acolyte wasn’t without some issues, but I enjoyed it. Watching it excited me for the second season of Andor, due in 2025. I thought season one was the best original Star Wars content released on Disney+.
Better Call Saul - Netflix
It took me a while to return to Better Call Saul, and I’m so glad I did. As many did, I watched Breaking Bad live or via the cable box on demand on AMC back when it debuted in 2008 because that’s what we did then.
Better Call Saul debuted in 2015. I watched the first few seasons on cable and enjoyed the show, but then life happened. I came back to it more recently, checking in with the series over the last few years and finally finishing it this summer.
The series is excellent, and I was pleased with how the story played out and the finale. I may like it better than Breaking Bad, but that could be recency bias more than anything else.
The Great American Recipe - PBS
This has been around for a few years, but I’ve just recently discovered it. I’m a big fan of The Great British Baking Show (AKA Bake Off), which has a similar vibe. Kind people make good food and share their stories with each other. The judges are all chefs who want to see everyone succeed, and I’m here for all of it.
What I’m Watching - Spring 2024
I only have a little downtime for TV these days. My kids are my full-time job, and as a stay-at-home dad, I'm also the responsible party for the bulk of the food prep, transportation, cleaning, etc. So, while I'm not sitting down to watch movies with my wife (she's also busy working and being a fantastic mom and wife), I do find small windows of time, most often while doing those aforementioned household chores, to stream a show or two. Here are a few shows that I'm slowly watching and enjoying:
Franklin - Apple TV+
I read Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson last year and found the story of one of America's founding fathers to be fascinating. Of course, growing up, Franklin has always loomed large as an important character in the history of the United States. The Apple TV+ series focuses on the eight years that Franklin spent lobbying the French to aid in the cause of independence.
The cast is splendid, led by Michael Douglas as Franklin. I know this may seem an odd choice for casting, but Douglas is enjoying the role and playing him with the demur whit that Franklin seems to have embodied. I also quite enjoy Noah June as Franklin's grandson Temple.
Clarkson's Farm - Amazon Prime
Jeremy Clarkson is best known for his time on Top Gear and later The Grand Tour. I've watched some of each series and have enjoyed them both. Clarkson's Farm, now on its 3rd season on Amazon Prime, follows the efforts of Clarkson and a humble band of characters as they work to make Diddly Squat farm a success. They're up against the weather, Clarkson's own incompetence, and the local council, and these challenges make for entertaining and occasionally poignant moments.
Tasting History with Max Miller - YouTube
Max Miller had a successful career at Disney when he was furloughed during the COVID-19 Pandemic, giving him more time to focus on his YouTube Channel and eventually to publish his first cookbook. Tasting History with Max Miller combines two things I really enjoy, History and Food. Max picks one recipe tied to an important moment from the past, and while he cooks the recipe, he devotes most of his time to sharing its place in history.
Some of my favorites from Max include his detailed breakdown of the menus of the Titanic, recipes from Ancient Rome and Egpyt, and a particularly tasty Pecan Pie that I made a few Thanksgivings ago. Our guests were divided, although I preferred this earlier rendition, popularized before Caro Syrup became a thing.
What's on your watch list
Do you have any recommendations that I might enjoy? If so, please send me a note. I'd like to hear from you.