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June 6, 2023
TV in 2023…so far (Part 2: The Series Likely to Continue)
By Dan Pal
In my last post, I discussed the series finales of four great shows: Succession, Barry, Ted Lasso, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. There are many other significant, or could be significant, shows that finished their seasons in the last few months. I recommend some of these more than others but they all offer something worthy to consider. I haven’t watched every show on network or streaming television but these I felt had promise which is why I checked them out. So, here’s my assessment of the other shows I’ve been watching this year that have either been green lit for another season or are likely to return.
Dave (FX, Hulu)
This is one of my favorite comedies. Dave Burd plays a version of himself as an aspiring and neurotic rapper. Over the course of three seasons the series has grown to take some interesting risks both in terms of tone and structure. The season that just wrapped may be its best. Dave is now a successful rapper touring the country and trying to emulate and meet some of his own favorite rappers such as Drake. What makes Dave such a fun show to watch is the shear earnestness of the title character. His Jewish roots bring a host of character traits that are often in the vein of a young Woody Allen but with a harder edge and stronger determination. He makes some very hilarious and witty comments throughout the series that often lead to trouble such as a tour van explosion and a female stalker. The latter appears in the final episode of season three that finds Dave trapped in his house with none other than Brad Pitt playing himself. Pitt deserves an Emmy for this guest starring role that brings everything we love about Pitt into a tight and sometimes humorously macabre episode. It’s just one of many episodes that demonstrates the risks this series takes. Definitely worth binging!
Bupkis (Peacock)
Here’s another show featuring a performer playing a version of themselves, in this case its Pete Davidson. The former SNL cast member was always fun to watch even if he essentially played variations of his same character throughout his tenure on the series. On Bupkis, Davidson takes us into his personal life, living with his mother and dealing with his various troubles and setbacks. What’s most interesting about the show is seeing the great Edie Falco play his mother and Joe Pesci play his grandfather. Both are quite wonderful in their roles. It’s surprising Pesci hasn’t done more playful work like this. The series itself has its ups and downs. Generally speaking perhaps four or five of the eight episodes are worth seeing. Some of the others go a bit off the rails narratively including one which involves a pretty ridiculous and over-the-top chase scene. Sometimes the writing is great and other times just not very funny. Of course, given the nature of Davidson’s public persona (a substance abuser with mental health issues and a propensity for romances with major celebrities) it’s not that off the mark for the series to be somewhat bittersweet. Here’s a guy with a lot of success that always seems to be struggling. It all makes for an interesting but somewhat downbeat portrait of the comedian/actor. Still, watch it for Falco and Pesci and some enjoyable guest stars such as Bobby Cannavale, Jane Curtin, Steve Buscemi, and John Mulaney.
Shrinking (AppleTV+)
This show features another cast of recognizable known stars, in particular Jason Segal as Jimmy, a therapist who recently lost his wife, and Harrison Ford as his mentor/therapist working in the same office. The series generally plays it pretty broad but the ensemble of actors create some interesting characters that gel right from the first episode. Christa Miller does some great work as neighbor Liz and another SNL cast member, Heidi Gardner, has a small but pivotal role as a troubled patient named Grace. Some of the scenarios are a bit hard to swallow, such as Jimmy’s unethical friendship with his patient Sean (Luke Tennie) and the relationship between Jimmy and his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) which is a bit too contentious at times. Alice is one of those teenagers (she appears much older) that looks with scorn at most of what her father does and seems to wield too much power in their home. Still, it’s great to see Ford in a continuing television role. He’s really good here too, although a subplot involving a health situation he is experiencing doesn’t really go anywhere. This is the kind of show that could go on for several seasons. It was co-created by Segal, along with Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein and Bill Lawrence so they know what they’re doing and generally do create characters we care about. I look forward to seeing where else the series can go.
The Big Door Prize (AppleTV+)
The premise for this series is intriguing: a machine mysteriously shows up in a neighborhood store that acts as a kind of fortune teller spitting out cards that tell people what their true destinies are. It sounds more science fiction than it ultimately is though. Each episode tends to center on one of the townspeople and how learning their “true” destinies effects their lives in the present time. This includes some interesting characters such as the town mayor (Crystal Fox), a priest (Damon Gupton) and a restaurateur (Josh Segarra.) The major characters of the series that form its through line are high school teacher Dusty played by Chris O’Dowd, his wife Cass (Gabrielle Dennis), and forlorn student (Sammy Fourlas) who recently lost his twin brother. Generally, this is another pretty great ensemble cast. Each episode gives different actors a chance to shine. Most of the scenarios are pretty funny and the tone is generally consistent. At ten episodes, though, this first season felt like it ran out of steam towards the end. However, there is an interesting detail that pops up in the finale that suggests there is much more story to tell. I’m curious about it but I’d have liked some of the sci fi elements to surface a bit more evenly throughout the season. Still, there are some great stories here and another enjoyable cast that makes the show worth watching.
Somebody Somewhere (HBO/Max)
Having just been renewed for a third season, Somebody Somewhere is the type of critically acclaimed shows that people discover and become sucked into without there being a lot major swings on an episode by episode basis. It stars Bridget Everett as Sam who in season one returned to her small hometown in Kansas dealing with loss and grief. Her relationship with her family is strained but she does strike up a friendship with a gay man she knew in high school named Joel, played by Jeff Hiller. The town seems to be filled with social misfits including a transgender man named Fred and Sam’s angry sister Tricia. What makes the show really work is how these relationships evolve and how the connections between characters get stronger and deeper. Every episode is filled with low-key comedy with a few occasional attempts at broader humor, including a scene in which Sam and Joel experience a bout of explosive diarrhea while on the phone with each other. Generally though, this is the kind of show that leaves one feeling they’d like to spend more time with the characters because they feel so real and the actors’ performances seem so lived-in. Everett and Hiller both deserve Emmy nominations for the work they did in this second season. Everett can play the broad strokes, sing, and exhibit profound sadness. Hiller could potentially play Joel as a gay stereotype but he never goes there. Joel is a solid, flawed, and interesting character. Somebody Somewhere should continue reaching an audience if it sticks to its tonal balance while continuing to explore such rich characters and situations.
Poker Face (Peacock)
I’m not usually a big follower of mystery series but this one was worth checking out because of the great Natasha Lyonne who stars as Charlie, a woman with the ability to tell when someone is lying. This puts her at great advantage when trying to solve murders. Note that she’s not employed by anyone though! Charlie just happens to stumble across towns where something sinister happens as she drives through them on her way across the U.S. This might sound a bit like a series of Murder She Wrote coincidences and, basically, they are. What makes this show so good is Lyonne. She is quickly becoming THE character actress of her generation. Her smoky “New York” accent harkens back to actresses such as Sylvia Miles (Midnight Cowboy) and Julie Kavner (Rhoda, The Simpsons.) Her delivery is often quite humorous thanks, in part, to the writing and Lyonne infuses it with a lot of heart and truth. Poker Face also has a number of major names associated with it behind and in front of the camera. Rian Johnson is the creator. He’s best known recently for his Oscar-nominated screenplays for Knives Out and Glass Onion. Johnson clearly knows how to craft a mystery. I may not always love how characters meet their fates here but the scenarios surrounding them are very well-constructed. There are also guest stars in each episode, among them during this first season: Nick Nolte, Chloe Sevigny, Judith Light, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hung Chau, and Adrien Brody. Some are better than others but it’s always great fun to see them playing on screen with Lyonne. If I had any complaint though it’s that often Lyonne doesn’t show up until well into some of the episodes. Instead much time is spent building up the mystery during the opening scenes. Whenever she’s on screen though, Lyonne lights it up with humor and impeccable energy.
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Another actress who soars in their new series is Keri Russell in The Diplomat. I admired her work on The Americans but here she reaches a whole new level. Russell plays an ambassador, Kate Wyler, who has to deal with an international crisis involving, partly, Iran and England. The concept might sound heady and a bit too dark given the many issues we see happening around the world today but this is a series that knows how to strike a balance between intrigue and audience satisfaction. There’s actually a lot humor throughout the first season too. Russell, in particular, while strong like her Americans character is also a bit disheveled and not interested in the glamour and prestige associated with her position. (I love that Russell, often known for her beautiful hair lets it lay uncombed and greasy which says so much about her character.) Kate has a strained relationship with her husband, the former diplomat, played by Rufus Sewell and the actors have great chemistry together. Sewell is very relaxed in the role and is also given some witty one-liners. There’s a whole ensemble here that, like a few of the other shows I’ve discussed, gel right from the get-go. I found myself a bit overwhelmed by the plot details after the first episode but that did not remain a problem. I found it very involving and riveting throughout the season. If there’s any series that has the potential to take the place of Succession as the new critical darling of television today, this is it.
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Another series that got a huge response when it premiered on HBO this winter was The Last of Us. On the surface this is another of those stories where America is plunged into an apocalyptic existence after a global pandemic. Pedro Pascal stars as Joel Miller who takes charge of a 14-year-old girl named Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, who could be humanity’s last great hope of survival. Such stories aren’t my typical cup of tea but the actors and writing really make it work as something that is intriguing and unpredictable (unless you’ve read the book it is based on.) To be sure, there are some “monstrous” scenes that might be a turn-off if you’re not into deformed humans and jump scares but the heart of the series rests on the relationship between the two main characters and their various run-ins with other survivors. The series also boasts some great guest stars, especially Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as an unlikely pair of lovers whose own arc makes for an exceedingly heartfelt and emotional run off episode. The first season ends with a bit of a twist that sets up a potentially troublesome development to the main characters’ bond. The bleakness may be a turn off for some but the adventure makes it worth the ride.
Cunk on Earth (Netflix)
There is no shortage of hilarious series coming out of Great Britain. Seriously. If you’ve not seen some of these in the last few years you’ve missed perhaps some of the funniest television out there: Fleabag, This Country, Ghosts (the U.K. version), among others. The latest is the mockumentary series Cunk on Earth starring Diane Morgan as Philomena Cunk, a woman exploring the world’s greatest inventions and interviewing real-life experts about them. Playing it totally straight, Morgan asks some of the most ridiculous questions about everything from Mona Lisa to nuclear power that often rattle the interviewees who have to ween their way to some sort of real answer. Morgan has done this before with previous projects such as Cunk on Shakespeare and Cunk on Britain but this was my first exposure to this truly comic take on travel and history documentaries. With only five episodes, Cunk on Earth can be binged in just a couple of hours. It’s definitely worth a watch!
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
This is the only broadcast network series on my list. (Yes, I’ve watched Saturday Night Live too but that almost 50-year-old series is a whole other matter…) Abbott Elementary is the most consistently funny show on television these days. Quinta Brunson deserves all of the awards attention she gets for running a series that manages to not make us tired of the mockumentary format shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation perfected in the 2000s. Set in an inner-city grammar school, the series boasts a very talented cast that offers never-ending laughs. Actors like Brunson, Janelle James, Tyler James Williams, and Chris Perfetti are masters of delivering comedic one-liners and reaction shots that rival the best of those from previous series. Occasionally, the characters can feel a bit flat in their development but this is episodic versus serialized television comedy. It’s that consistency that makes them feel like goofy friends you enjoying spending some time with. I’d love to see the series evolve to take us deeper into the lives of characters such as Ava and Jacob but for now it’s great to have a show like this that feels warm, similar to those ensemble comedies of the past (Friends, Cheers, Mary Tyler Moore) while diving into some series issues such as school funding and inept leadership with a great sense of humor. Abbott Elementary will likely be around for many years bringing much needed laughs to our evolving world.
Beef (Netflix)
Finally, there’s Beef which bridges the world of comedy and drama like other recent much-lauded series such as Atlanta and Ramy. The set-up involves two characters Danny and Amy who launch into an action-oriented fighting match when they are on opposite ends of a rage road incident. There’s a great evolution during the ten episodes in which the stakes get increasingly higher and the characters’ lives spiral out of control. Oscar nominated actor Stephen Yeun (Minari) and comedienne Ali Wong star as the enemies who won’t let their rage die. There’s also a great supporting cast including Young Mazino as Danny’s brother Paul and Maria Bello as an eccentric art dealer. Much of what happens in this season of Beef essentially ends the present story. It’s currently being positioned as a mini-series for the Emmys but I think there’s a good chance another season, perhaps with other characters, will be produced. This is the kind of television series that years ago would have been unheard of as it probably would have been condensed into an exciting Tarantino-esque independent film. That is not to diminish this series at all. It’s truly captivating and full of suspense. Definitely worth a watch.
In an upcoming post about 2023 TV I hope to comment on other series I’m not quite through with such as Lucky Hank, Love and Death, Stath Lets Flats, and The Other Two. I’m also looking forward to finally catching up with the latest seasons of Dead to Me and Party Down.
TV in 2023…so far (Part 2: The Series Likely to Continue)
By Dan Pal
In my last post, I discussed the series finales of four great shows: Succession, Barry, Ted Lasso, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. There are many other significant, or could be significant, shows that finished their seasons in the last few months. I recommend some of these more than others but they all offer something worthy to consider. I haven’t watched every show on network or streaming television but these I felt had promise which is why I checked them out. So, here’s my assessment of the other shows I’ve been watching this year that have either been green lit for another season or are likely to return.
Dave (FX, Hulu)
This is one of my favorite comedies. Dave Burd plays a version of himself as an aspiring and neurotic rapper. Over the course of three seasons the series has grown to take some interesting risks both in terms of tone and structure. The season that just wrapped may be its best. Dave is now a successful rapper touring the country and trying to emulate and meet some of his own favorite rappers such as Drake. What makes Dave such a fun show to watch is the shear earnestness of the title character. His Jewish roots bring a host of character traits that are often in the vein of a young Woody Allen but with a harder edge and stronger determination. He makes some very hilarious and witty comments throughout the series that often lead to trouble such as a tour van explosion and a female stalker. The latter appears in the final episode of season three that finds Dave trapped in his house with none other than Brad Pitt playing himself. Pitt deserves an Emmy for this guest starring role that brings everything we love about Pitt into a tight and sometimes humorously macabre episode. It’s just one of many episodes that demonstrates the risks this series takes. Definitely worth binging!
Bupkis (Peacock)
Here’s another show featuring a performer playing a version of themselves, in this case its Pete Davidson. The former SNL cast member was always fun to watch even if he essentially played variations of his same character throughout his tenure on the series. On Bupkis, Davidson takes us into his personal life, living with his mother and dealing with his various troubles and setbacks. What’s most interesting about the show is seeing the great Edie Falco play his mother and Joe Pesci play his grandfather. Both are quite wonderful in their roles. It’s surprising Pesci hasn’t done more playful work like this. The series itself has its ups and downs. Generally speaking perhaps four or five of the eight episodes are worth seeing. Some of the others go a bit off the rails narratively including one which involves a pretty ridiculous and over-the-top chase scene. Sometimes the writing is great and other times just not very funny. Of course, given the nature of Davidson’s public persona (a substance abuser with mental health issues and a propensity for romances with major celebrities) it’s not that off the mark for the series to be somewhat bittersweet. Here’s a guy with a lot of success that always seems to be struggling. It all makes for an interesting but somewhat downbeat portrait of the comedian/actor. Still, watch it for Falco and Pesci and some enjoyable guest stars such as Bobby Cannavale, Jane Curtin, Steve Buscemi, and John Mulaney.
Shrinking (AppleTV+)
This show features another cast of recognizable known stars, in particular Jason Segal as Jimmy, a therapist who recently lost his wife, and Harrison Ford as his mentor/therapist working in the same office. The series generally plays it pretty broad but the ensemble of actors create some interesting characters that gel right from the first episode. Christa Miller does some great work as neighbor Liz and another SNL cast member, Heidi Gardner, has a small but pivotal role as a troubled patient named Grace. Some of the scenarios are a bit hard to swallow, such as Jimmy’s unethical friendship with his patient Sean (Luke Tennie) and the relationship between Jimmy and his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) which is a bit too contentious at times. Alice is one of those teenagers (she appears much older) that looks with scorn at most of what her father does and seems to wield too much power in their home. Still, it’s great to see Ford in a continuing television role. He’s really good here too, although a subplot involving a health situation he is experiencing doesn’t really go anywhere. This is the kind of show that could go on for several seasons. It was co-created by Segal, along with Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein and Bill Lawrence so they know what they’re doing and generally do create characters we care about. I look forward to seeing where else the series can go.
The Big Door Prize (AppleTV+)
The premise for this series is intriguing: a machine mysteriously shows up in a neighborhood store that acts as a kind of fortune teller spitting out cards that tell people what their true destinies are. It sounds more science fiction than it ultimately is though. Each episode tends to center on one of the townspeople and how learning their “true” destinies effects their lives in the present time. This includes some interesting characters such as the town mayor (Crystal Fox), a priest (Damon Gupton) and a restaurateur (Josh Segarra.) The major characters of the series that form its through line are high school teacher Dusty played by Chris O’Dowd, his wife Cass (Gabrielle Dennis), and forlorn student (Sammy Fourlas) who recently lost his twin brother. Generally, this is another pretty great ensemble cast. Each episode gives different actors a chance to shine. Most of the scenarios are pretty funny and the tone is generally consistent. At ten episodes, though, this first season felt like it ran out of steam towards the end. However, there is an interesting detail that pops up in the finale that suggests there is much more story to tell. I’m curious about it but I’d have liked some of the sci fi elements to surface a bit more evenly throughout the season. Still, there are some great stories here and another enjoyable cast that makes the show worth watching.
Somebody Somewhere (HBO/Max)
Having just been renewed for a third season, Somebody Somewhere is the type of critically acclaimed shows that people discover and become sucked into without there being a lot major swings on an episode by episode basis. It stars Bridget Everett as Sam who in season one returned to her small hometown in Kansas dealing with loss and grief. Her relationship with her family is strained but she does strike up a friendship with a gay man she knew in high school named Joel, played by Jeff Hiller. The town seems to be filled with social misfits including a transgender man named Fred and Sam’s angry sister Tricia. What makes the show really work is how these relationships evolve and how the connections between characters get stronger and deeper. Every episode is filled with low-key comedy with a few occasional attempts at broader humor, including a scene in which Sam and Joel experience a bout of explosive diarrhea while on the phone with each other. Generally though, this is the kind of show that leaves one feeling they’d like to spend more time with the characters because they feel so real and the actors’ performances seem so lived-in. Everett and Hiller both deserve Emmy nominations for the work they did in this second season. Everett can play the broad strokes, sing, and exhibit profound sadness. Hiller could potentially play Joel as a gay stereotype but he never goes there. Joel is a solid, flawed, and interesting character. Somebody Somewhere should continue reaching an audience if it sticks to its tonal balance while continuing to explore such rich characters and situations.
Poker Face (Peacock)
I’m not usually a big follower of mystery series but this one was worth checking out because of the great Natasha Lyonne who stars as Charlie, a woman with the ability to tell when someone is lying. This puts her at great advantage when trying to solve murders. Note that she’s not employed by anyone though! Charlie just happens to stumble across towns where something sinister happens as she drives through them on her way across the U.S. This might sound a bit like a series of Murder She Wrote coincidences and, basically, they are. What makes this show so good is Lyonne. She is quickly becoming THE character actress of her generation. Her smoky “New York” accent harkens back to actresses such as Sylvia Miles (Midnight Cowboy) and Julie Kavner (Rhoda, The Simpsons.) Her delivery is often quite humorous thanks, in part, to the writing and Lyonne infuses it with a lot of heart and truth. Poker Face also has a number of major names associated with it behind and in front of the camera. Rian Johnson is the creator. He’s best known recently for his Oscar-nominated screenplays for Knives Out and Glass Onion. Johnson clearly knows how to craft a mystery. I may not always love how characters meet their fates here but the scenarios surrounding them are very well-constructed. There are also guest stars in each episode, among them during this first season: Nick Nolte, Chloe Sevigny, Judith Light, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hung Chau, and Adrien Brody. Some are better than others but it’s always great fun to see them playing on screen with Lyonne. If I had any complaint though it’s that often Lyonne doesn’t show up until well into some of the episodes. Instead much time is spent building up the mystery during the opening scenes. Whenever she’s on screen though, Lyonne lights it up with humor and impeccable energy.
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Another actress who soars in their new series is Keri Russell in The Diplomat. I admired her work on The Americans but here she reaches a whole new level. Russell plays an ambassador, Kate Wyler, who has to deal with an international crisis involving, partly, Iran and England. The concept might sound heady and a bit too dark given the many issues we see happening around the world today but this is a series that knows how to strike a balance between intrigue and audience satisfaction. There’s actually a lot humor throughout the first season too. Russell, in particular, while strong like her Americans character is also a bit disheveled and not interested in the glamour and prestige associated with her position. (I love that Russell, often known for her beautiful hair lets it lay uncombed and greasy which says so much about her character.) Kate has a strained relationship with her husband, the former diplomat, played by Rufus Sewell and the actors have great chemistry together. Sewell is very relaxed in the role and is also given some witty one-liners. There’s a whole ensemble here that, like a few of the other shows I’ve discussed, gel right from the get-go. I found myself a bit overwhelmed by the plot details after the first episode but that did not remain a problem. I found it very involving and riveting throughout the season. If there’s any series that has the potential to take the place of Succession as the new critical darling of television today, this is it.
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Another series that got a huge response when it premiered on HBO this winter was The Last of Us. On the surface this is another of those stories where America is plunged into an apocalyptic existence after a global pandemic. Pedro Pascal stars as Joel Miller who takes charge of a 14-year-old girl named Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, who could be humanity’s last great hope of survival. Such stories aren’t my typical cup of tea but the actors and writing really make it work as something that is intriguing and unpredictable (unless you’ve read the book it is based on.) To be sure, there are some “monstrous” scenes that might be a turn-off if you’re not into deformed humans and jump scares but the heart of the series rests on the relationship between the two main characters and their various run-ins with other survivors. The series also boasts some great guest stars, especially Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as an unlikely pair of lovers whose own arc makes for an exceedingly heartfelt and emotional run off episode. The first season ends with a bit of a twist that sets up a potentially troublesome development to the main characters’ bond. The bleakness may be a turn off for some but the adventure makes it worth the ride.
Cunk on Earth (Netflix)
There is no shortage of hilarious series coming out of Great Britain. Seriously. If you’ve not seen some of these in the last few years you’ve missed perhaps some of the funniest television out there: Fleabag, This Country, Ghosts (the U.K. version), among others. The latest is the mockumentary series Cunk on Earth starring Diane Morgan as Philomena Cunk, a woman exploring the world’s greatest inventions and interviewing real-life experts about them. Playing it totally straight, Morgan asks some of the most ridiculous questions about everything from Mona Lisa to nuclear power that often rattle the interviewees who have to ween their way to some sort of real answer. Morgan has done this before with previous projects such as Cunk on Shakespeare and Cunk on Britain but this was my first exposure to this truly comic take on travel and history documentaries. With only five episodes, Cunk on Earth can be binged in just a couple of hours. It’s definitely worth a watch!
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
This is the only broadcast network series on my list. (Yes, I’ve watched Saturday Night Live too but that almost 50-year-old series is a whole other matter…) Abbott Elementary is the most consistently funny show on television these days. Quinta Brunson deserves all of the awards attention she gets for running a series that manages to not make us tired of the mockumentary format shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation perfected in the 2000s. Set in an inner-city grammar school, the series boasts a very talented cast that offers never-ending laughs. Actors like Brunson, Janelle James, Tyler James Williams, and Chris Perfetti are masters of delivering comedic one-liners and reaction shots that rival the best of those from previous series. Occasionally, the characters can feel a bit flat in their development but this is episodic versus serialized television comedy. It’s that consistency that makes them feel like goofy friends you enjoying spending some time with. I’d love to see the series evolve to take us deeper into the lives of characters such as Ava and Jacob but for now it’s great to have a show like this that feels warm, similar to those ensemble comedies of the past (Friends, Cheers, Mary Tyler Moore) while diving into some series issues such as school funding and inept leadership with a great sense of humor. Abbott Elementary will likely be around for many years bringing much needed laughs to our evolving world.
Beef (Netflix)
Finally, there’s Beef which bridges the world of comedy and drama like other recent much-lauded series such as Atlanta and Ramy. The set-up involves two characters Danny and Amy who launch into an action-oriented fighting match when they are on opposite ends of a rage road incident. There’s a great evolution during the ten episodes in which the stakes get increasingly higher and the characters’ lives spiral out of control. Oscar nominated actor Stephen Yeun (Minari) and comedienne Ali Wong star as the enemies who won’t let their rage die. There’s also a great supporting cast including Young Mazino as Danny’s brother Paul and Maria Bello as an eccentric art dealer. Much of what happens in this season of Beef essentially ends the present story. It’s currently being positioned as a mini-series for the Emmys but I think there’s a good chance another season, perhaps with other characters, will be produced. This is the kind of television series that years ago would have been unheard of as it probably would have been condensed into an exciting Tarantino-esque independent film. That is not to diminish this series at all. It’s truly captivating and full of suspense. Definitely worth a watch.
In an upcoming post about 2023 TV I hope to comment on other series I’m not quite through with such as Lucky Hank, Love and Death, Stath Lets Flats, and The Other Two. I’m also looking forward to finally catching up with the latest seasons of Dead to Me and Party Down.