In good conscience, the only show I can steer you towards this week is Cunk on Earth. Initially released on the BBC a few months ago, the show is now getting a global release on Netflix. It is Diane Morgan reprising the role of Philomena Cunk, intrepid TV presenter who lacks culture and intellectual curiosity. It is a character that first originated on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe back in 2013 (alongside Barry Shitpeas).
While Barry Shitpeas has not lived much beyond the various Wipe shows, Morgan has reprised Cunk a number of times in specials like Cunk on Christmas and the series Cunk on Britain. This week Cunk has gone global with a show that won't comedically be for everyone, but for those into it - this is the TV event of 2023.
So, if there's nothing especially notable to watch this weekend that is new, is there anything I can recommend?
The past few weeks I have been catching up on Alaska Daily, which only recently made its way onto Disney+/Star recently. It is Hilary Swank as a disgraced journo who finds a job working for a small paper in Alaska. The first two episodes have Tom McCarthy (Spotlight) involved, but after that the show is very much on the decline - I almost through my remote control at the stupidity on screen in episode 5. But, if like me, you hunger for shows about journalists, it is just watchable enough.
With the Star Trek show Picard returning in a fortnight for its third and maybe final season, I'm reminded I only saw the first few episodes of the first season. I think I'll spend this week and next slowly catching up. A number of Star Trek purists have been complaining about the show, which, if I'm to be honest, only makes the show more appealing to me.
on this day...
As this newsletter goes out, it will be on 3 Feb 2023. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that 40 years ago on this date, the final episode of Greatest American Hero was broadcast on the US ABC network.
That wouldn't be the end of the show. One more episode was produced - a spin-off pilot for Greatest American Heroine in 1986. While the show was never greenlit, often repeat broadcasts will include the episode as the series finale.
the paywall
Next week will be the last free edition of the Always Be Streaming newsletter. After next week, it will become a bonus for paid supporters of the Always Be Watching newsletter.
Because I don't much like the idea of asking for money. Nor do I especially enjoy putting anything behind a paywall, I have in place a discount for anyone who decides they'd like to become a supporter in order to keep getting the weekly TV guide newsletter.
Anyone who signs up to support Always Be Watching and, thus, keep getting the weekly streaming newsletter, can get this 20% off deal.
returning shows:
Harlem (s02)
new tv:
Cunk on Earth - Netflix
Stars: Diane Morgan
Philomena Cunk's epic landmark mockumentary on civilisation, tracing humanitykind's journey from prehistory to the present day.
Freeridge - Netflix
Stars: Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Bryana Salaz
Gloria, Ines, Demi, and Cameron unleash a curse bringing dark misfortune into their lives.
Class - Netflix
Stars: Gurfateh Pirzada,Piyush Khati,Anjali Sivaraman
Hindi remake of the show Elite. Three students from a poor neighborhood join an exclusive high school for Delhi elite where dark secrets and rumors ultimately lead to murder.
Dear Edward - Apple TV+
Stars: Connie Britton, Taylor Schilling
The story of Edward Adler, a boy who survives a plane crash that kills every other passenger, including his family members; as Edward and others try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed.
The Ark - Syfy
Stars: Christie Burke, Christine Wolfe
Spacecraft Ark One encounters a catastrophic event on a mission to secure the survival of the human race; the remaining crew must survive with a lack of life-sustaining supplies, loss of leadership, and over a year until they reach the target planet.
The Watchful Eye - Freeform
Stars: Mariel Molino, Kelly Bishop, Amy Acker
Elena Santos, a young woman with a complicated past, manoeuvres her way into working as a live-in nanny for an affluent family in Manhattan, where she quickly learns that everyone in the mysterious building has deadly secrets and ulterior motives.
movies:
True Spirit - Netflix
Stars: Teagan Croft, Cliff Curtis,
An Australian teenager plans to become the youngest sailor to have travelled the world alone. In doing so, the intrepid 16-year-old not only seeks to fulfil her dream, she also faces her greatest fears at the same time.
Infiesto - Netflix
Stars: Iria del Rio, Isak Ferriz
As the coronavirus upends their lives, two detectives doggedly pursue those responsible for an abduction they realize is part of a sinister pattern.
"Barry shitpeas." Still makes me giggle.
