NETFLIX
Netflix has recently added a new stand-up special from Pete Holmes. Holmes, best known for either best known for his CollegeHumor shorts Badman – which he still produces in some form on his YouTube channel – or his TV show Crashing has named his special well, as it works as a good description of the comedian himself – I Am Not for Everyone.
Throughout his hour, Holmes manages to cover a wide variety of topics, including New Year’s, the ridiculousness of counting down the year, raising a family, the savagery of children, judging others, and belief. Through it all, Holmes effects several voices and mannerisms, often imitating Igor from Frankenstein. Holmes manages to bug his eyes out, and often changes his posture in his impression, making for a noticeable shift and manages to connect the material to his routine well.
Still, Pete Holmes: I Am Not for Everyone is a small venue stand-up special. It’s worth your time if you already have an interest in Holmes’s brand of comedy, but much like the name of the special – it’s not for everyone.
BINGE
Binge has just added the first season of My Adventures with Superman. This series, the first Superman animated series since 2006’s Legion of Super-Heroes is a fresh take on the first superhero. Here, Clark Kent – played by Jack Quaid (The Boys, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Oppenheimer) – has just moved to Metropolis and gotten a job at the Daily Planet, as an intern. He’s young, optimistic, and just trying to fit in. Over the course of the first two episodes, he quickly starts using his abilities to help others and soon suits up as Superman.
Clark’s not the only intern at the Planet though, he’s joined by friend and roommate Jimmy Olsen – Ishmel Sahid (Jury Duty, as well as kid-coms like That Girl Lay Lay and Cousins for Life) – who’s obsessed with aliens and the ambitious Lois Lane – Alice Lee (Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, Brittany Runs a Marathon, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist) – who wants to expose big stories and become the star reporter. My Adventures with Superman is interesting in how it plays its material. The show’s entire aesthetic borrows stylistic elements from anime and has an art design like Voltron: Legendary Defender and She-Ra: Princesses of Power – which had some of the same influences. Superman typically discovers a new ability every episode and is given a “power-up” sequence each time – often with flashes of an invading alien armada that may hint at a darker take on Krypton this time around.
My Adventures with Superman is full of charm and appropriate for all ages. There’s a bit of action, and the show manages to tease out the obvious attraction between Clark Kent and Lois Lane. The show manages to be a fun experience overall. All episodes are now streaming.
DISNEY +
New on Disney+ is the film Quiz Lady. The comedy film teams Awkwafina (Ocena’s 8, Crazy Rich Asians, Renfield, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens) with Sandra Oh (Under the Tuscan Sun, Sideways, Turning Red) as they play sisters Anne and Jenny Yum. Anne is a socially awkward actuary who takes solace in a TV quiz show. She plays along at home and is shown to have an amazing memory for trivia. When their mum takes off and gets kicked out of her retirement home the sisters learn she’s left an $80,000 debt with the local Tongs.
To pay off the debt and save Anne’s dog – Mr Linguini – Jenny pushes Anne to appear on the quiz show, using a video to make her go viral and getting her an audition. Quiz Lady manages to produce at least one well-deserved laugh every few minutes. Awkwafina manages a fun performance and Sandra Oh clearly enjoys her irresponsible character.
They’re joined by an interesting cast, including Holland Taylor (Legally Blonde, Two and a Half Men, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You), Jason Schwartzman (The Darjeeling Limited, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Asteroid City), Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Veep, Toy Story 4), Will Ferrell (Elf, Step Brothers, Casa de mi padre, Barbie) in a role that calls back to his Celebrity Jeopardy Saturday Night Live sketches and an interesting cameo by Paul Reubens (Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Matilda, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday) in his last role.
Quiz Lady is an enjoyable watch and well worth your time.
Photo Credit: Netflix, Warner Bros. Australia/Binge, Disney+
