Friday, February 25, 2022

3 Streaming-Exclusive Shows - And One Movie! - That Are Worth The Price

How is it that we have more options than ever on TV,  but we still end up re-watching Brooklyn 99 or Frasier again? (C'mon, I know it can't be just me.)

I've been looking for new shows to get myself out of the re-watch rut, so today I thought I'd shine a light on a few of my recent favorites that are streaming-exclusive. I'm talking shows you have to pay for, that are WORTH paying for.

Ready?

Starting with the one, the only:

Ted Lasso
Apple Plus



I'm late to this fandom, but so happy to be here. Believe the hype, my friend; Ted Lasso is every good thing you've heard and more, plus incredibly binge-able. Hilarious, smart, and unexpectedly kind, you'll find yourself rooting for just about everyone on screen, not just Ted himself. The friendships in this show are a revelation, and will renew your faith in TV shows, if not humanity.

Don't let the sports backdrop scare you off; this is not a sports show. Ted Lasso is the warm hug of sit-coms: plenty of laughs, just enough dramatic tension to keep you hitting "play next", and an occasional sniffle from the best kinds of feels. It also has lots and LOTS of swearing and some sex, so despite the happy feels, this one's not for the littles, parents.

(One tiny caveat: Skip season 2, episode 9. It's a bizarre one-off episode focusing on a side character, and the show's far better without it, imo.)

Ted Lasso alone is worth buying a month of Apple Plus, but while you're there, also give Schmigadoon a try. John and I enjoyed it even without understanding most of the Broadway references, so if you're a big musical theater fan, Schmig is a must-watch.

****

Next on my list of clear-your-schedule-because-you-WILL-be-bingeing-this,

Only Murders in the Building
Hulu



If you grew up watching mysteries on PBS, this is your show. A thoroughly modern whodunnit with plenty of humor, twists, famous guest stars, and fabulous outfits. Martin Short was born to ham it up for this role, and Steve Martin is his perfect straight man - with Selena Gomez rounding out the trio as the aloof-but-exasperated twenty-something. Tina Fey and Sting guest star, and the mystery will keep you guessing 'til the end - which makes it extra hard to resist watching "just one more."

John and I zipped through Only Murders in under a week - and that was us trying to pace ourselves! The show resolves nicely but also leaves you with a big juicy teaser for next season - which they just announced is coming this year, woohoo! Ahhh, I can't wait.


*****

Next up:

 Star Trek: Lower Decks
Paramount Plus


Thank to our Apple Plus subscription we got to watch the first episode of Lower Decks for free... and that's all it took for us to purchase a month of Paramount Plus so we could see the rest. One. Episode.

With that said, the first episode is arguably the best episode - or at least top 2 - of season 1, so if you don't like it, this show's probably not for you. But y'all. Y'ALL.

Hang on, let me back up. I need to preface this.

Star Trek was my very first fandom. I was the little nerdling reading Trek books in class while wearing a Bajoran earring. I went to all the local Trek conventions. I got offended when people called me a Trekkie, preferring the more dignified term, "Trekker." My tiny group of friends and I wrote Star Trek trivia quizzes in our spare time... through high school. I had it bad, ok?

Now, Lower Decks takes that entire universe I love, and lovingly lampoons it. It's a tiny bit like Galaxy Quest, at least in spirit, while managing to be both more ridiculous and, incredibly, officially licensed. This isn't parody, it's Star Trek's first ever official comedy, and wow does it deliver.

Because it is official Star Trek, Lower Decks doesn't mock us fans or any of their established characters, but it does use the entire lexicon of the Star Trek universe we know and love. If you're a long-time fan you're going to catch so many Easter eggs: names and plot points and items and aliens from every series, ship, and movie, right up to JJ Abrams' affinity for lens flares, haha. You don't have to know Trek well to enjoy Lower Decks - it stands on its own - but just like all the new Star Wars series, there's plenty here to delight hard core fans. We even get some surprise guest stars!

For all its silliness, the first season finale made John and I cheer, and even get a little misty. The nostalgic call-backs definitely give this comedy some heart. We haven't watched season 2 yet, but it's next!


*****

As usual my "quick list post" is getting excessively chatty, so let me end with one final streaming-exclusive I think you'll love:

Red Notice
Netflix


Red Notice is a movie, not a show, but it's a Netflix exclusive and I just feel like more people should be talking about it, mkay? If you love Ocean's 11-style action/comedy/heist/popcorn flicks, queue this one up immediately. Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, and The Rock are basically themselves together, which is to say perfection, and it's a funny, fluffy good time.

*****

Right, now it's your turn! What streaming-exclusive shows do you love? Tell me your favorites, especially the less-than-blockbuster ones we may be missing.

Oh, and if you're looking for more, here are 4 of my favorite Netflix shows from 2020, and
4 More Binge-Worthy Shows That Are Like A Warm Happy Hug - maybe check to see if you've tried all 8 of those!

*****

P.S. I'm a little late posting today because something truly extraordinary happened yesterday, and I can't wait to tell you all about it next week. For now, though, here's a hint:


You're probably seeing a lot of coverage of the Galactic Starcruiser today, and if you're wondering why my release date is later than everyone else's, I promise there's a really cool reason. Stay tuned! I have so much to tell you.

32 comments:

  1. There were two movies that made the cost of Apple TV+ worth it regardless of anything else for me: the first being the stage recording of Come From Away and the other one is Wolfwalkers! Both are so so SO good! I also really loved Schmigadoon on there!

    I need to start Ted Lasso - I know everyone says it's great, but I haven't taken the dive yet. Hopefully I will soon, though, to join in with everyone else's enjoyment of it. :)

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  2. While I ended up loving both seasons of Lower Decks, it was a bit jarring for the first few episodes to laugh so much at Star Trek. It felt kind of wrong to make fun of a normally serious universe. But the jokes and the characters are great and I have embraced Lower Decks into my Star Trek fandom.

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  3. I think that my husband and I may have been the only ones who enjoyed the one-off Ted Lasso episode. It was a nice palate cleanser and gave us more information about one of my favorite characters. Plus now every time I hear the song from the end it makes me smile.

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    1. I liked it too! Definitely different and threw me off when I first watched it, but knowing what it was/that it was coming made for a fun rewatch. :)

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    2. Ted Lasso also has one of the best Christmas episodes of all time.

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    3. My husband and I loved that episode too! Coach Beard is our favorite character!

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  4. OMG, you got to see the Starcruiser??? I'm dying waiting on 3/1 now! So exciting!

    For another streaming-only gem, I'll recommend Vox Machina on Prime Video. It's basically an animated D&D campaign -- it's the animated show based off the group from the Critical Role podcasts, which were a bunch of voice actors coming together and playing D&D for fun that turned into the coolest show ever. If you've ever played one session of D&D, watch it. If you liked Onward, watch it. If you like fantasy at all, watch it. (Quite a bit of sex and language, though, so if kiddos are present, don't watch it.)

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    1. I can't believe I forgot to mention that one but I 100% agree! The first two episodes especially go really extreme on the gross-outs and M-rated stuff, but once they get into the main story arc starting in episode 3, although the violence stays pretty extreme, the other elements don't seem quite as excessive and the story itself gets better and better basically every episode! I loved it so much!

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  5. If you have Apple +, definitely cue up Oscar-nominated CODA. This is a fantastic little movie about a Child of Deaf Adults (hence the title). I admit, it was a bit cheesy in a couple parts near the beginning, but I was fully in by the end. It is worth it purely to witness the ASL, which is not just a language, but more of an experience. I cried many, many tears. So lovely.

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    1. "happy tears" by the way, not depressing at all.

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    2. CODA was SO SO great. Totally agree with this recommend.

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  6. Boilmer's Enterprise beauty shot scene is the funniest minute and a half of television ever.

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  7. If you like murder mysteries or playing with genre, watch The After Party while you've got Apple. Also, if you liked Always Sunny, Community, or Silicon Valley, Mythic Quest is also worth your time.

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    1. If you like Always Sunny, Community and Silicon Valley, please check out You're The Worst (I think it's on Hulu in the states, I watched on D+ in Canada - it's an FX show). It's about horrible people (and has many many sex scenes and jokes), but it's so well written and is one of the best depictions of mental health issues I've ever seen on television. I think about it daily.

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  8. I've also heard good things about Murderville; my husband binged the whole thing in a day. Murder + celebrities + improve = 5 stars!

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  9. If you're already spending the money for Apple+, please also watch Central Park. Especially if you want to hear Daveed Diggs rap as an older white woman. It's bizarre, as only a Josh Gad production could be, but so so good.

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  10. I love Sweet Magnolias. The three leads support each other standing up to exes, teenagers, and the town bully.

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  11. Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure on Disney+ is a must watch for fans of Tangled, such a great series that ties into the movie so well - you have to start with Before Ever After mini-movie, it sets off the series. Three seasons and so great.

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  12. If you're already subscribing to Apple+, and you like nature shows, it's definitely worthwhile to check out the show Tiny World. They get the most amazing footage of miniscule creatures in various environments.

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  13. I love Lower Decks. It’s so much fun. Check out Star Trek Prodigy on Paramount+, too. The first few episodes are a little slow but it gets really good.

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  14. SWEET MOTHER OF BOWIE, that Starcruiser thing is BEYOND AWESOME! I kinda remember them announcing that they were building it, back in The Before Time. What the actual hell, Paramount-- THIS is how you do an Experience! This makes the Trek set-up at the Hilton (which is a TOTAL DUMP,BTW) look like one of my brother's backyard Halloween parties! I AM GOBSMACKED, Y'ALL.

    Your Pal,

    Storm the Klingon

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  15. On Netflix, I highly, HIGHLY recommend a show called "Samurai Gourmet". It's this quirky show about a recently retired Japanese salaryman who loves to experience different kinds of food. He's a bit timid, so he imagines himself as an ancient Samurai to help himself gain confidence. I know it sounds odd, but give it one episode and you will be hooked.

    On HBO, there is a show called "The Great Pottery Throwdown". It's Great British Bake Off, but with pottery. And it's just as delightful. (seriously, one of the judges brakes down into tears when a contestant does really well. He just loves pottery THAT MUCH). There's also a show on HBO called "All That Glitters". It's GBBO, but with jewelry.

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    1. I love the pottery judge so much! He's so wholesome.

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  16. Acorn TV or free on Hoopla if your library offers it...My Life is Murder with Lucy Lawless. It's an awesome detective show (with LUCY LAWLESS) set in Australia and New Zealand. Lucy plays a retired, widowed detective who is so good at solving murders that the police keeppulling her in to consult. Lots of snark. Great scenery. A young, perky, tech wizard 'assistant' who drives her crazy. It's so much fun. Oh, and she bakes bread. Season 2 was released recently.

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  17. As long as you’ve got Paramount + you MUST try Five Bedrooms. It’s charming, funny, quirky, and sometimes heart tugging. The storyline is five people, each with their own story of why they can’t afford to buy a home by themselves in Melbourne, Australia, do so together. I frequently have to Google Aussie terms and nicknames for things, which just adds to its charm. The first two seasons are on Peacock. If the third season isn’t added soon I will have to do a P+ trial to get my fix!

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  18. On Netflix there is the Ip-Man film series starring Donnie Yen. He played the blind,Chirrut Imwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars story. Ip-Man is based on a true story about a martial Arts master. The film series begins in the 1930's.
    I cannot recommend these films highly enough. Donnie's performance is wonderful. They also have some of the best martial Arts fight sequences on film.

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  19. I have to (gently and politely) disagree that the Ted Lasso bottle episode "Beard After Dark" was a very interesting look at Coach Beard's life and is more enjoyable upon second viewing. The other stand alone episode is the Christmas one, which I also loved.

    Fantastic series!

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  20. Have you watched the Fraggle Rock reboot on (I think) Apple+? I've been contemplating shelling out for the subscription for it, and I'd trust your opinion if you liked it!

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    1. I've seen just the first two episodes, and I LOVED IT! Mokey looks kinda weird; I think they may have decided that she was "reading as older" in appearance, so they youthed her up a bit. Otherwise, it's the same but BETTER!

      I'm actually kinda shocked and confused that Jen hasn't mentioned it; when I saw the title of this post, I thought for sure one of the three would be Fraggles!

      Your Pal,

      Storm the Klingon

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  21. Not available until Friday (3/4) but Mystery Science Theater 3000 is poised to make it's return, on it's own streaming platform, The Gizmoplex.

    The show that wouldn't die (cancelled 3 times!) is coming back and breaking new ground as it does so.

    Hi-keeba!

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  22. My husband LOVES Lower Decks! Living in SoCal, he's especially tickled they have a USS Cerritos XD Cerritos is a whatever city in LA, certainly no big name, like the USS Melbourne. I am personally obsessed with Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman on Netflix. I am just so butthurt they only made one season for it. We both got into The British Bake-Off, but you need to cool off between seasons since you get so invested in who you're rooting to win. I know this show has been talked about to death, but I SERIOUSLY loved Squid Game on Netflix. I'm gonna have to go in for a second watch now that I know what happens.

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  23. I gotta add another one while I'm at it :D If you're into historical shows (albeit very bloody and violent) is Barbarians on Netflix. SO GOOD! It's a German show that focuses on the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 A.D., during which Germanic warriors halt the spread of the Roman Empire. They actually have the Romans speaking in Latin, which I've never seen depicted in tv/movies. For some reason, Hollywood seems to think Roman soldiers only spoke the Queen's English. Haha! But seriously, really interesting show & worth checking out. Season 2 just got approved.

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