Welcome back to the latest edition of TAOBW. On this week’s episode you’ll learn about some good streaming options and also figure out if you need an Apple television to watch Apple TV (you dont).
The interns and I have tried to find offerings from all the various streaming platforms to make sure you’re getting the best suggestions. Cable doesn’t have a ton of strong options this week, but we found a classic that’s running in marathon form and perfect for your holiday weekend.
Eventually, you’re going to make your way in from the lake, pool, Russell Creek or whatever body of water you choose to soak in this Memorial Day weekend. Strap on your seatbelts, get your DVR ready and let’s get to talking about social security lawyers, comedians, true crime, cars going fast and a piece of history.
Streaming
The Big Conn (Apple TV): Eric C. Conn, it’s all in the name. The former Eastern Kentucky lawyer from Stanville, Kentucky (Floyd County) scammed the Social Security Administration out of more than $600 million in disability benefits over a span of several years. The documentary is a four-part series that takes you through what led up to—and the fallout from—the biggest social security fraud case in United States history. Conn left a staggering line of people who lost government benefits from their associations with him, and you’ll hear their story as well as the stories of many others who got in the “Conn Man’s” path.
Severance (Apple TV): If I had a dime for every television show I’ve seen like Severance, I would have zero dimes. Adam Scott (Parks and Rec), Christopher Walken (Everything), John Turturro (Everything else that Christopher Walken wasn’t in) and probably new-to-most-of-you Britt Lower (Man Seeking Woman) join forces to figure out what the big secret is about their job. Why, you ask? Well, they’re instructed to stare at computers all day and alert others when they see certain numbers. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, when they leave work, they don’t remember anything about their jobs because their memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. The premise of this show sounds absolutely insane Just watch it, and remember this surgery is not currently available in the United States—I’ve checked.
Keeper of Ashes: The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders (Hulu): Hulu has really been on a hot streak lately and nothing changes this week. Hulu’s latest documentary tells the sad story of three murders that occurred on the morning of June 13, 1977, at Camp Scott in Oklahoma. One of the more fascinating parts of this story lies with the host of the series and former Tony award winning actress, Kristen Chenowith. Chenowith was supposed to be on that same trip in 1977 but missed due to illness. She returns to her hometown to help tell the story of what happened that night and the continued ramifications that are still felt today.
George Carlin’s American Dream (HBO): Famed director Judd Apatow brings us this batch of absolute gold. The documentary tells the life story of one of the most influential and best comedians in the history of people being funny. Carlin had a career that lasted a half-century, headlined 14 HBO specials, and appeared on the Tonight Show more than 130 times. He was an expert in the field of counterculture as this two-part series tells the story of one funny man, lots of funny jokes, tons of people being offended and that same funny man not caring if you’re offended.
Sports
NASCAR Cup Series: Coca-Cola 600 (Sunday, 5 p.m., FOX): Wooo! Welcome to Ric Flair country! NASCAR is heading to Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend. The Coca-Cola 600 will be live from Charlotte Motor Speedway as several drivers seem to be the favorites of oddsmakers: Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. No big surprises there, as Larson dominated the race last year, but has only won one race this year. I’m going with Chase Elliott this weekend, so let’s all fire up our grills, grab our torque wrenches, put on our eagle shirts (not the Hotel California version of Eagles or the ones from Philadelphia) and do Memorial Day weekend right with some racing.
Indianapolis 500 (Sunday, 1 p.m., NBC): The greatest spectacle in all of racing will be going down 191 miles away from us at the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana. My favorite thing about the Indy 500 has always been the traditions, ceremonies, and celebrations. Hang in there long enough and you’ll see an excited adult man chugging milk while thousands of people go crazy. In my opinion, that’s what sports are all about anyway.
Cable
Band of Brothers (Saturday, 8:30 a.m., History): You’ve been given some really good options this week but this one is the best. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to binge this 2001 hit limited television series. Tom Hardy, Tom Hanks, Damian Lewis, Michael Fassbender and many more star in this excellent series created by Steven Spielberg. Band of Brothers tells the story of the members of “Easy Company” (part of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment), assigned to the United States Army’s 101stAirborne Division during World War II.
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.
