Let’s get right to the point. It’s time to Run for the Roses here in Commonwealth. Saturday is The Kentucky Derby, our one day of the year where this state is firmly, inarguably front-and-center on the international stage.
Everyone on TAOBW staff (and almost everyone involved with The County Line in any capacity) is excited about it, and we hope your weekend is full of derby parties and winning some money in those derby pools. I’ll tell you the winner momentarily, but first, we must talk about what else is on TV this weekend because we’ve got some new stuff on our streaming platforms and let’s be honest, the Kentucky Derby only lasts two minutes.
If you watched Ozark throughout last week after reading, you’re welcome. Thanks to all the readers and our editor for the kind birthday wishes this past week, but now is the time to conclude the mushy stuff the editor makes me do. Let’s start the show.
Streaming
Outer Range (Amazon Prime): Do you love Yellowstone? Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the Duttons faced off against foes that aren’t of this world? Nope, me either, but I do love Yellowstone and if you do too, I think you’ll enjoy what I’m calling “Spookystone.” Think Signs — the 2002 horror/sci-fi/thriller mashup from M. Night Shyamalan — meets Yellowstone.
Josh Brolin is one of the best actors alive and takes on the role as the patriarch of his family, Royal Abbott. The Abbott family is dealing with the recent disappearance of their daughter-in-law while fighting off neighbors who are making a move on their land. Sound familiar? This show has a more eerie feel than the one focused on our friends at the Dutton Ranch, but much like Yellowstone, Outer Range brings us an amazing cast that includes Jamie Dutton’s biological father from Yellowstone (Will Patton) along with Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) and Tom Pelphrey (Ozark).
OK, did you get all of that? Now consider all that tension along with the Abbotts finding a huge and otherworldly hole right in the middle of their field. What? Why? Watch and find out. The first six episodes are currently streaming on Amazon Prime with the following two episodes to be released in the next week.
Waco (Paramount+): Waco aired in 2018 on the Paramount Network but is now streaming on Paramount+. This is a six-part series that tells the tragic story that took place in Waco, Texas in 1993.
David Koresh, along with nearly 100 of his followers, took part in an armed standoff with ATF agents attempting to execute a search warrant for the property. Everything went haywire in this bizarre true story that spanned a total of 51 days. By the end, 86 people lost their lives.
The entire situation and how it was handled have been disputed by many, as the ATF has been much-maligned for some of their practices and how they handled the extreme circumstances on that terrible day in 1993. The dramatization of this real event into a series gives us an incredible of a cast, with Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights), Julia Garner (Ozark) and Rory Culkin (Kevin McCallister’s little brother), and shows us how not just people but entire towns can be scarred permanently.
7 Days Out (Netflix): The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby is upon us and what better way to prepare for it than with Netflix’s 7 Days Out series. Scroll down when you get to the 7 Days Out page, and you’ll see The Kentucky Derby episode. The derby provides us with the most exciting two minutes in sports, but way more goes into providing us with that two minute of excitement than you would probably imagine. This series gives you a true leadup to the Derby as it tells the story of the week leading up to the Run for the Roses and just what it takes to put on the biggest horse race known to man.
The Staircase (HBO Max): What’s that you said? You want TAOBW to give you a true crime option for this week? I guess if you’re going to twist my arm, I’ll give you The Staircase. Many of you have probably already heard the story of the death of Kathleen Peterson, the wife of novelist Michael Peterson. Kathleen is played by Toni Collette and pretty much anything she touches turns to gold.
If you don’t know much about Michael Peterson, I’ll tell you everything you need to know: Two of his wives have lost their lives at the bottom of a staircase and Michael currently lives in society just like the rest of us. HBO has done great work with this one as RogerEbert.com has already called it “a masterful, stark true crime epic.” HBO is currently streaming all eight episodes for you to lose yourself in this weekend.
Sports
148th Kentucky Derby (Saturday, 1:30 p.m., NBC): Coverage for the 148th Kentucky Derby begins at 11:30 a.m. as races and pre-derby coverage will show on NBC and USA. If you’re just interested in watching the actual derby itself, it starts at 5:57 p.m.
I told you earlier that I’d be giving you the winner, so meet Mo Donegal. The colt marches into this contest facing 10-1 odds and a tough starting spot on the inside rail at No. 1. Many think this spot will be tough for Mo Donegal to have the success of his father, Uncle Mo. Mo Donegal will be looking to do something his dad couldn’t do, however: win the Kentucky Derby. Uncle Mo dealt with illness during his 3-year-old season and retired to stud in 2012. He immediately produced Nyquist (2016 winner) and is back at it again with Mo Donegal. Combine all of that with 10-1 odds and this sounds like trainer Todd Pletcher will be providing us with a winner here.
NASCAR Cup Series: Goodyear 400 (Sunday, 2:30 p.m., FS1): Darlington raceway in South Carolina will play the weekend home of NASCAR and the Goodyear 400. Darlington has produced the closest finish in NASCAR history in 2003 with Ricky Craven narrowly defeating Kurt Busch at the finish line by 0.002 seconds (about 1.5 inches). Martin Truex Jr took the checkered flag last time around at Darlington and will look to do so again but not without a little competition. Since the Spring of 2019, Kyle Larson has competed in three races at Darlington and finished second in all three races. Sunday, business is picking up for Kyle Larson as TAOBW sees him as your winner as we usually do.
NBA Playoffs: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ABC) Godzilla vs. Mothra, Hulk Hogan vs. the Ultimate Warrior. In the long history of epic matchups, we now have Ja Morant vs. Steph Curry. It really doesn’t get any better than that as best guard in the world (Curry) takes on the best guard of tomorrow and possibly today (Morant).
Many of you might know Morant from his time here in Kentucky at Murray State University and others might know him from the fact that his father looks just like the popstar Usher. I’m looking for the Warriors to pull this series out, but the series is currently tied 1-1 as we head to Golden State for game three. At this point in the series, we’ve seen a harsh intentional foul that’s led to a suspension, a double bird (not Larry), Ja scoring 47 in Game 2 and lots of trash talking between the two star guards and their teammates. Tune in Saturday night and enjoy this one as it’s sure to be a barn burner.
Cable
A Saturday Night Live Mother’s Day (Sunday, 8 p.m., NBC): I know, I know you’re probably going to tell me about SNL not being very good anymore and I’ll be the first one to agree with you. I have good news, though, as SNL is doing a Mother’s Day special on Sunday night. That’s right: SNL on a Sunday night but with Sunday being Mother’s Day, it fits perfectly. The sketches you will see aren’t new and from the episodes that we all grew accustomed to in our younger days. Oh, and Betty White has a hilarious skit on this show.
In closing, I lied about being not being mushy anymore. I want to give a huge shout out to my dog-loving, Diet Coke-guzzling, salad-eating, book-reading, meatloaf master of a mom. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom, and thank you for everything you’ve done for me as well as not telling my father that I watch this much television because there’s no way he’s still reading at this point. If my mother doesn’t mention this to me, I’ll then know she doesn’t read until the end either. Here’s to you, Susan, as this week’s TAOBW is dedicated to you.
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.
