Big thanks to CableTV.com’s Olivia Bono for filling in for me the past couple of weeks. During my time off, I got in some cycling, paddle boarding, and a small tour to celebrate the release of my band’s new album. And, of course, I caught up on some TV—if you haven’t watched The Bear on Hulu yet, get on it.
This week’s What to Watch recommendations include the finale homestretch for Better Call Saul, the returns of What We Do in the Shadows and Chad, Netflix’s Resident Evil and Persuasion reboots, and a double shot of comedian Nikki Glaser. Remotes at the ready!
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What’s premiering this week
Better Call Saul | AMC, AMC+ | Drama
Season 6 Pt. 2 premiere, Monday, July 11: There are only six—six!—episodes of Better Call Saul left before the series finale on August 15! We know this last batch of episodes finally dovetails small-time lawyer “Slippin’ Jimmy” McGill (Bob Odenkirk) into the Breaking Bad timeline as Saul Goodman. We don’t know what becomes of Kim (Rhea Seehorn) or Future Saul at the Cinnabon, hence, capital-T Tension. We’ve also heard that Breaking Bad’s Walter and Jesse will be showing up soon; no word on Badger and Skinny Pete.
The Open | NBC, Golf Channel, Peacock | Sports, golf
Coverage begins Thursday, July 14, 12 a.m. EST: The 150th edition of The Open is being held in St. Andrews, Scotland, so US golf fans will be staying up late to catch all of the action—or waking up early, you do you. Rest up, because there will be 12 hours of daily Open coverage across NBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, and Peacock (Premium tiers only) through Sunday, July 15. For betting types, Caesars Sportsbook lists Rory McIlroy at 9–1 odds, while Tiger Woods (still hangin’ in there) sits way down at 40–1.
What to watch on Netflix this week
Resident Evil | Netflix | Drama, sci-fi
Series premiere, Thursday, July 14: You can’t kill the Resident Evil franchise, though some of those latter-year movies certainly tried (sorry, Milla Jovovich). This Resident Evil series, no relation to Netflix’s animated Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, is set in 2022 and 2036, following the survival tale of young Jade (Ella Balinska) in a decimated world of 6 billion T-virus zombies. Meanwhile, the Umbrella Corporation is very interested in finding her. Why? She’s the daughter of former boss Dr. Albert Wesker—ooo, intrigue!
Persuasion | Netflix | Drama, romance
Movie premiere, Friday, July 15: Ever since the first trailers for Netflix’s Persuasion remake dropped, Jane Austen purists have been gasping on their fainting couches (I’m assuming they all own at least one). Director Carrie Cracknell’s Persuasion goes full-on period rom-com, borrowing modernized elements from Emily in Paris, Dickinson, and even Fleabag. Austen-ites complaining that this Persuasion isn’t dark enough should at least enjoy the effervescent charms of stars Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis, right?
What to watch on Hulu this week
What We Do in the Shadows | FX, Hulu | Comedy
Season 4 premiere, Tuesday, July 12: What We Do in the Shadows was recently picked up for Seasons 5 and 6, a bloody nice way to kick off the vampire comedy’s fourth. This season, the century-spanning roommates have to contend with the home renovation of their Staten Island mansion, caring for baby Colin Robinson (not as cute as Baby Yoda), and Nadja’s maybe-brilliant-maybe-terrible plan to open a vampire nightclub. There’s also the matter of Nandor’s 37 resurrected wives—better step up that renovation.
Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons | Hulu | Documentary
Docuseries premiere, Thursday, July 14: If you thought Secrets of Playboy was a shocking expose of a once-beloved American brand, wait until you try on Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons, the new docuseries from journalist/filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer. The three-episode series chronicles the rise, crash, and burn of billionaire VS CEO Les Wexner, and “the underworld of fashion, the billionaire class, and Jeffrey Epstein are all revealed to all be inextricably intertwined.” Strap in.
What to watch on HBO Max this week
FBoy Island | HBO Max | Reality, romance
Season 2 premiere, Thursday, July 14: All reality dating shows are trash, but at least HBO Max’s FBoy Island is upfront about its trashiness. The setup: Three women look to find a new love among 26 dudes. The twist: 13 of said dudes are non-committal “FBoys” looking only to win $100,000 at the end, and it’s up to the women to figure out who’s who. FBoy Island is D-U-M-B, but at least there’s hilarious host Nikki Glaser—she’s everywhere right now—and gorgeous Caribbean scenery. What more could you ask for?
Nikki Glaser: Good Clean Filth | HBO, HBO Max | Comedy, standup
Standup special premiere, Saturday, July 16: Like I said, Nikki Glaser is everywhere: FBoy Island, E!’s Welcome Home, Nikki Glaser?, the Nikki Glaser Podcast, the One Night with Nikki Glaser standup tour, and now her first HBO special, Good Clean Filth. As the title suggests, Glaser likes to talk about sex, dating, and the relative hierarchy of her private areas (hint: one’s about to get a promotion over the other). Hurry and watch before she launches Nikki Glaser’s Food Truck and Nikki Glaser’s CBD Dispensary next week.
W2W wildcards of the week
Chad | TBS | Comedy
Season 2 premiere, Monday, July 11: The second season of Chad, created, written by, and starring Nasim Pedrad (Saturday Night Live, New Girl), was originally scheduled to premiere back in April—what happened? No idea, but let’s enjoy TBS’s last-and-best scripted original comedy while we can. Persian teen Chad (Pedrad) is desperate to be a popular all-American high-schooler, and he nearly achieved it by being elected class president last season. Spoiler: Chad’s presidency doesn’t last long.
The Rehearsal | HBO, HBO Max | Comedy, reality
Series premiere, Friday, July 15: Nathan Fielder’s 2013–2017 Comedy Central series Nathan for You is one of the ultimate cult classics of all time, and his new show The Rehearsal just might top it. Where Nathan for You gave a hand to small business entrepreneurs, The Rehearsal helps individuals prepare for a major upcoming life event through “rehearsal” simulations with actors, sets, and a stage crew. The Rehearsal may or may not live up to the legacy of Nathan for You, but it’s a must-see (and must-cringe) for fans.
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