Netflix is taking us into actual space

The upcoming Inspiration4 is set to be the first all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth. It'll launch in mid-September. And it will all be available to watch on Netflix.

Tied to the launch of the show is a documentary series from Jason Hehir, the director of The Last Dance. Debuting on Netflix will be Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space. The first four episodes will debut in 2-episode batches on Sept 6 and 11, followed by a feature-length episode at the end of the month that will include footage from the space trip. A special made for kids, A StoryBots Space Adventure, will debut on Sept 14.

The first great thing to come out of 2021.

2021's Doogie gets her opening titles

Doogie Kamealoha MD will launch on Disney+ on Sept 8. Today the streamer revealed the familiar-ish opening titles.

Ordinarily I'd be a bit cynical about stuff like this. But right now I am all about comfort nostalgia. It's been a crappy two years and maybe the Hawaii-set Doogie Kamealoha MD is exactly what I need in life.

(I'd rather see episodes of The Byrds of Paradise available to stream somewhere. But I'll take Kamealoha.)

A big August ahead

Just a quick note for Aussie Always Be Watching readers:

There are several highly anticipated shows coming up this month that you might need a hand to find. So, here's a guide to what is streaming where in this age of hugely fragmented streaming:

Hacks - This HBO Max series has been picked up locally by Stan. The full season streams from this coming Friday (6 August).

Reservation Dogs - Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo's comedy series hails from FX On Hulu and streams locally on Binge from August 10.

Heels - The Starz wrestling drama, starring Stephen Amell and created by Loki head writer Michael Waldron, debuts on Stan August 15.

Nine Perfect Strangers - The new Hulu drama that re-teams Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty with TV series creator David E. Kelley and star Nicole Kidman debuts on Amazon Prime Video August 20.

Kevin Can F*** Himself - The AMC dramedy streams worldwide outside the US on Amazon Prime Video from August 27.

Only Murders In The Building - Steve Martin returns to TV alongside old pal Martin Short in this new Hulu series. In Australia and the UK it streams on Star (within Disney+).

TeeVee Snacks

Cobra Kai actor Xolo Maridueña will play the titular hero Blue Beetle in the upcoming HBO Max film based on the DC Comics character. Read: The Wrap
Discovery CEO David Zaslav reports that they are not seeing any pushback from Washington over plans to merge Discovery and WarnerMedia. Read: Deadline
Speaking of Discovery, it added 13 million subscribers with the launch of Discovery+. Read: The Streamable
Crunchyroll reports 5 million subscribers. Read: The Streamable
Lucille Ball's radio show Let's Talk To Lucy is set to be re-released as a podcast. I know this isn't screen-related, but thought you may be interested. Read: The LA Times
Channel 4 in the UK, TVNZ in New Zealand, and PBS in the US are among international networks to buy new Aussie series RFDS. Read: TBI
HBO will no longer go ahead with film Days of Abandonment after Natalie Portman pulled out of the production set for Australia. Read: C21

The LEGO Star Wars Halloween special

Streaming on Disney+ this October will be Terrifying Tales - an animated LEGO Star Wars special. What caught my interest is that among the voice cast for the special are Tony Hale and Christian Slater. Slater will be performing as Kylo Ren (as played by Adam Driver in the live-action movies).