It’s been a minute since I’ve shamelessly promoted my semi-syndicated streaming TV column, so let’s kick off May with some of that. You can read my extracurricular works in Coachella Valley Independent (based in Palm Springs), Inlander (Spokane), and Salt Lake City Weekly (self-explanatory). Now, back to business here at CableTV.com (undisclosed location).
This week’s What to Watch picks include the return of The Other Two, Bridgerton prequel Queen Charlotte, historical satire White House Plumbers, Pete Davidson’s Bupkis, and WWE Backlash wrestling action. Let’s watch!
Jump to your preferred streaming service
What’s premiering this week
The Other Two | HBO Max | Comedy
Season 3 premiere, Thursday, May 4: The Other Two debuted as a Comedy Central original in 2019, moved to HBO Max in 2021, and now comes back for season 3 just in time for the service to rebrand as Max—these two can’t catch a break. Actually, they’re doing pretty well for themselves in 2023, as actor Cary (Drew Tarver) and talent manager Brooke (Heléne York) are finally out of their pop star younger brother Chase’s (Case Walker) shadow and thriving … ish. Catch up on TV’s funniest showbiz satire on HBO Max before season 3 drops.
WWE Backlash | Peacock | Sports, wrestling
Coverage begins Saturday, May 6, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT: Live from the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, it’s WWE Backlash 2023. On the card: Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn vs. The Bloodline, Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar, Rhea Ripley vs. Zelina Vega, Seth “Freakin’” Rollins vs. Omos, Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky, Austin Theory vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed, and, of course, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny vs. real wrestler Damian Priest in a “San Juan Street Fight.” ¡Preparémonos para retumbar!
What to watch on Netflix this week
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | Netflix | Drama
Series premiere, Thursday, May 4: There’s now a Bridgerton Extended Universe, thanks to the arrival of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story from Shondaland. As fans will gather from the title, this new limited prequel series centers on young Queen Charlotte’s (India Amartefio) arranged marriage to King George (Corey Mylchreest) and their rocky-but-sexy rise to power. All six episodes of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, five written by Shonda Rhimes herself, will stream on May 4.
Sanctuary | Netflix | Drama
Series premiere, Thursday, May 4: Not to be confused with 2008–2011 Canadian sci-fi series Sanctuary or 2019 Swedish thriller Sanctuary, Netflix’s new Sanctuary is a Japanese YA drama set in the world of pro sumo wrestling (it’s a versatile title). The setting is new to Americans, but the setup (young underdog vs. seemingly undefeatable veteran) is familiar, and Netflix promises “a gritty look into the underbelly of professional sumo, a world full of young men with ambitions for money, women, fame, and power.” Sold!
What to watch on HBO Max this week
Series premiere, Monday, May 1: It’s billed as a historical drama, but White House Plumbers has a bitingly comedic edge—what else would you expect from the producers behind Veep and Succession? Sub-competent White House hired guns E. Howard Hunt (Woody Harrelson) and G. Gordon Liddy (Justin Theroux) run a series of increasingly illegal and outright loony covert ops in a 1971 campaign to reelect Richard Nixon; as you may have heard, it didn’t work out. This Watergate wackiness also stars Judy Greer, Toby Huss, and Leana Heady.
Shark Night | HBO Max | Horror
Movie, now streaming: You never know what cinematic masterpieces are going to turn up on HBO Max in any given month—like Shark Night, which premiered in 2011 as Shark Night 3D in theaters (this 3D thing is going to take off eventually). Shark Night has everything you need in a shark flick: Terrorized bikini babes (including Sara Paxton and Katherine McPhee), a hapless local sheriff (Donal Logue), and a deadly sea creature that somehow wound up in a lake (don’t think too hard about it). Enjoy it with the herbal treat of your choice.
What to watch on Peacock this week
Bupkis | Peacock | Comedy
Series premiere, Thursday, May 4: Can SmartWater spokesman Pete Davidson carry his own Curb Your Enthusiasm–style series as a fictionalized version of himself? At least he has a solid supporting cast behind him in Bupkis: Edie Falco as his mom and Joe Pesci as his grandfather, as well as guest stars Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, John Mulaney, Steve Buscemi, Bobby Cannavale, Jon Stewart, Method Man, Charlie Day, Kenan Thompson, Chase Sui Wonders, Simon Rex, and … Al Gore? All eight episodes of Bupkis stream on May 4.
The Hunt | Peacock | Drama, thriller
Movie, now streaming: The Hunt was released theatrically on Friday, March 13, 2020, just in time for the pandemic lockdown. More bad luck followed when the movie was released digitally for home viewing a week later to conservative media denouncements about “liberal elites” hunting down “deplorables” for sport and an unintentionally ironic tweet from the then-“president” about the incitement of chaos. Never mind the noise and just enjoy 90 minutes of Betty Gilpin (Mrs. Davis) kicking non-partisan ass.
W2W wildcards of the week
Silo | Apple TV+ | Drama, sci-fi
Series premiere, Friday, May 5: The latest post-apocalyptic show from Apple TV+ is adapted from the novels of Hugh Howey, about a toxic Earth and its remaining 10,000 human survivors who live in a silo a mile below the surface. Said survivors (including Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, Rashida Jones, Common, and Harriet Walter) have been underground for so long that they don’t remember moving into the silo or who built it or if it’s maybe safe to venture topside—hence, unrest and intrigue. Two of 10 Silo episodes stream on May 5.
2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards | MTV | Special, awards
Special, Sunday, May 7: Drew Barrymore hosts the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards live from the Barker Hangar (an actual airport hangar) in Santa Monica, California. Stranger Things and The Last of Us lead the TV nominations with six apiece, Top Gun: Maverick inexplicably has the most movie noms, and The Bear from Cocaine Bear is up for Best Villain, while Hulu series The Bear is nowhere to be found—not cool. At least Jennifer Coolidge will rightfully receive the Comedic Genius Award, so there’s that.
Want more TV recommendations?
Sign up for our newsletter to stay tuned for the latest recommendations plus deals, contests, and more.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions.
