Let’s all gather back around the campfire known as the internet and map out our weekend viewing.
This week’s TAOBW has some special bonus footage with a podcast option and a local option for your weekend that the interns are really excited about. If things aren’t as strong on television during the weekend, we refuse to let you be bored and will look for local options for entertainment as you’ll see at the end of this week’s article in our bonus footage section. You’ll have some good options on cable this weekend for movies and sports, along with a strong streaming section again this week.
Thank you to all the readers who send in emails with suggestions for television shows or local events.
Streaming
Candy (Hulu): True crime and more true crime as Jessica Biel is leading the cast of Hulu’s newest gem. Over the last week, Hulu released each of the five episodes of the limited series to our streaming devices. Jessica Biel is playing Candy Montgomery in a true story about a Bible school-teaching, mother of two, volleyball-playing axe murderer. If you’re coming to this party looking for the Jessica Biel we knew from the Camden family in 7th Heaven, you will not be finding her here. I was thoroughly impressed with this show and found myself very invested in the story early on. Hulu’s “Candy” was the best thing TAOBW watched throughout the past week and therefore goes first.
The Twilight Zone (Paramount+): I want to go ahead and put it in print that I love Rod Serling’s original The Twilight Zone. I’ll never forget the episode about the creature on the wing of the plane; it blew my mind as a kid. The Twilight Zone was truly ahead of its time and was due a reboot (2019) that is currently streaming. Jordan Peele directs and works wonders with this series. The casting with each episode is tremendous, and the show finds a way to completely change the pace from episode to episode as they move from one person’s experience inside of the Twilight Zone to another. Each episode is a stand-alone episode and you can jump in anywhere, but I suggest starting in the beginning with this one.
Molly’s Game (Netflix): I’ve been keeping this ace up my sleeve, waiting for the right time to give you Molly’s Game. An incredible movie with a stellar cast. Oh, and did I tell you Kevin Costner is here? If Kevin Costner (I’m doing everything I can to not mention Yellowstone) shows up for a movie, it’s probably going to be good. Enough about him, though. Enter Molly Bloom, played by Jessica Chastain. Molly is targeted by an FBI investigation after running an underground poker game that grew into a poker empire filled with famous actors, athletes, tycoons, and other celebrities. Another selection based on a true story and a perfect movie for just about any of our readers.
Sports
NBA Playoffs (Thursday, 6 p.m., ESPN): Could we really ask for more from the NBA playoffs this season? The only knock I really have on the current product is the increased amount of block/charge and reviews that dominate the viewing experience. If I’m not mistaken, someone wrote a story about it once. Every game in every series seems to be coming down to the wire and the performances of young upstart superstars. In the West, the Memphis Grizzlies — without Ja Morant, who is doubtful to return this playoffs due to a knee injury — continue their uphill battle against the former world champion Warriors while the Celtics are trying to solve the human Rubik’s Cube known as Giannis Antetokounmpo in the East. I’m still leaning toward Steph Curry leading the Warriors back to a title this year, and Draymond Green getting tossed out of several more games. The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are still alive and seeking an NBA finals run, but both look to be on the verge of coming up short with juggernauts ahead. Basically, turn your television to either ESPN, ABC, or TNT this weekend if you’re looking for basketball. There will be plenty.
NASCAR Cup Series: AdventHealth 400 (Sunday, 2 p.m., FS1): Kansas City, Kansas began hosting NASCAR races in 2002. The 1.5-mile, asphalt oval will be seeing NASCAR’s new Next Gen cars for the first time. What is a Next Gen car? It’s just a common name for the current type of racecar that’s currently being used in the Cup Series by all drivers. Mix a little speed with some evolution and out comes the Gen-7 car, as it features improved aerodynamics, brand-new technology, and downforce packages. I’ll say one thing: when the editors absolutely begged me to start TAOBW, I never stopped to consider I’d be writing about downforce packages, but here we are, inside the belly of the downforce packages beast.
UFC Fight Night: Blachowicz Vs Rakić (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., ESPN 2): In what might be a mouthful to say, the main event for this UFC Fight Night has a top-of-the-line main event. Jan Blachowicz (Poland) recently lost his light heavyweight title but looks to make a strong return to the octagon against Aleksandar Rakić (Austria). After multiple strong wins, Rakić gets “the shot to get the shot,” basically meaning if he defeats Blachowicz, he will then move in to the title picture and have a shot to regain his old belt. Rakić enters the fight looking as a favorite, as the Austrian leads an impressive card. Also, worth giving a look at is Ryan Spann, who fights in the co-main event out of Memphis, Tennessee.
Cable
The Martian/Ford v Ferrari (Sunday, 4 p.m., FX): Matt Damon is doing a double dip on FX Sunday night. Let’s just be real here: The Martian moves me in a way not many recent films of the past decade have. Overall, I must admit I usually like Damon’s work — while keeping in mind he’s done some bad movies — but I find these two are two of his best. I’d probably skip the next paragraph unless you want to read me talk about Diddy and Matt Damon.
Billboard Music Awards (Sunday, 7 p.m., NBC): I was going to suggest that you watch the Billboard Music Awards until I read that Diddy would be hosting it and he’s uncanceled a recently canceled hip-hop artist. I’m not even getting into that topic, but I feel it my duty to suggest you just watch the Matt Damon movies instead of this. I have a feeling this show is going to be bad, and we will know less of the artists than ever. “Jordan, I hate Matt Deeeemon,” you say in a Bostonian accent. I get it, but you won’t hate it anything like you’ll hate three hours of Diddy hosting an awards show. Don’t waste your time with this one. Sorry, Diddy.
BONUS FOOTAGE
Going Out?
Hippie Tipi Barn Sale (Burkesville, Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.): We’ve been over this before: you can’t spend all weekend in front of the television. I scoured the local calendar to find something that looks like fun for the entire family this weekend, and I think I’ve found it. Apparently, Burkesville hosts something called a Hippie Tipi Barn Sale, and it happens this Friday (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). The Hippie Tipi Facebook page says, ”There will be antiques, re-purposed items, handmade creations, boutique clothing, vintage goods, funky junk, food, live music, and lots of good family fun.” I’m excited to take the crew from TAOBW, because if we tell you to go, we’re going, too. Come out and help us navigate through the large number of vendors that will be in attendance. Visit the Hippie Tipi Barn Sale Facebook page for more information.
Need a Podcast?
Batman Unburied: No, we aren’t changing the name of this to The Art of Binge Listening. I will give you some suggestions from time to time on podcasts and other avenues of being entertained. If you’ve been interested in some of the Batman talk on here lately, check out the new podcast Batman Unburied. This podcast will bring another completely different twist on the Bruce Wayne story we’ve grown accustomed to, as Bruce is a forensic pathologist working at the Gotham hospital in the newest rendition of the Dark Knight. Batman will take on a character that may be new to many of you, The Harvester, a serial killer that evades the Gotham Police. (Editor’s Note: As the link below indicates, this podcast is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.)
Readers are encouraged to send suggestions for “The Art of Binge Watching” and/or tell Jordan how you really feel about his what-to-watch picks via email at Jordanwillis5393@gmail.com
