#lorrainetoussaint

Siempre Bruja (Netflix) – Spain.  The story’s not bad...  the acting’s not good... but oh that world!   The Caribbean coast of Cartegna with some scenes in the present and some scenes in the past.   And the heroine, Angely Gaviria sure is plucky!!  

Miracle Workers (TBS) – When I saw the cast list for this I was super stoked.  If Steve Buscemi was God and Karan Soni (Deadpool) was his angel executive assistant and Daniel Radcliffe’s angel ran the prayer department it would make for a pretty funny workplace comedy right?!?  Someone forgot to tell the writers.  Sad face emoji.

Workin Moms (Netflix) – Canada. There are 2 basic kinds of comedies... 1. You root for the likable people and laugh with them when trouble comes a calling... or 2. You watch messy not particularly likable people trying to wade through the trouble they bring on themselves by doing stupid things. This show is the second kind.

The Fix (ABC) – I like me some Robin Tunney.  And Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje is awesome.  And I was so excited to see Merrin Dungey!!  BUT... created by Marcia Clark with a story line not even trying to be subtle about asking ‘what if OJ did it again?’ … a little too self-indulgent for me.  Which sucks cuz there are so many interesting actors here.  

The Village (NBC) – NBC tries valiantly to keep its THIS IS US viewers with another tear-jerker ensemble drama.  This one’s based in NYC where “Family’s where you find it, kid,” and since they’re in NYC the ensemble is far more diverse.   Lorraine Toussaint rules !!

After Life (Netflix) – UK.  It’s Ricky Gervais.  Soooooooo  If you like Ricky Gervais you’ll be disappointed as this isnt nearly as funny as his other projects … and if you don’t like Ricky Gervais you’ll be pleasantly surprised because he’s actually really enjoyable when he’s not trying super hard to be funny.  

Abby’s (NBC) – Only Boston would allow a Bar in someone’s backyard!!  Not very practical to say the least.  But really this fails because the the lead (Abby) is not likable or funny at all.   Not sure how this got green lit with her as the lead.  The excellent supporting cast cannot save this show.  

Tacoma FD (TruTv) – Kinda like The Office if it were about firefighters.   Great silliness and fun. What a treat to watch a comedy that’s FUNNY.  

Pen15 (Hulu) – Two adult (?) women play junior high characters, surrounded by young people playing junior high characters.  Feels like they (the creators) wanted to blow up all the bad stuff that happened to them in junior high so they could laugh about it now ...   I mostly felt like:  seriously its junior high, get over it, what else is on.

What We Do in the Shadows (FX) – Kinda like The Office if it were about Vampires.   Perfect for the late night tokers.  Harvey Guillén is as priceless as he was on The Magicians.  

In the Dark (CW) – Now here’s a leading lady.  Perry Mattfeld plays her drama as well as her smart ass comments.  And even when she makes bad choices, its a CW show so you know she’s gonna grow and become a better person.  Or is she?   Maybe she will stay bitchy... Im hoping so.  Anyway i’m still watching to find out.  Its hard to put this into a genre or even say why it works.  Its too old for the tweenies and too young for Gen X... but there it is.