Tag: Hulu

Hulu’s three true-life stories examined

Truth can set you free…if you can handle it. 

Hulu has dropped three miniseries, eight episodes each, based on true events. 

Is this OK? Is this good TV? Is this informative in a harmful way? Let’s take a look.

Pam & Tommy

Casting/styling for realistic looks: Amazing

When first-look pictures came out, I was shocked at how Sebastian Stan and Lily James looked.

Accuracy: Iffy

Look, this is about a celebrity couple and their sex tape. It seems like some parts are accurate, like their whirlwind beach wedding, but some things happened but not in the order portrayed.

The show is based on an article (and bits of Tommy Lee’s biography), but this is the type of show where we’ll never know the whole truth, especially without the consent of Pam or Tommy.

Pamela has spoken out on her approval of the show, Lily James seems to have gotten her voice right.

Rating: C

This is a super-stylized show (#iykyk), and it’s not for everyone. The saga of Pam & Tommy is a lot about sex, but they still should have some privacy for their own items.

This was a private tape, and it feels wrong to capitalize on it, even if it’s for cultural context.

The Dropout

Casting/styling for realistic looks: Only the styling

Amanda Seyfried has a unique look, so it’s hard not to see her as herself, and she only has a slight resemblance to Elizabeth Holmes.

But they’ve got the look of her down. The red lips, the messy hair, the black outfits? Check.

Accuracy: Good

This is based on the podcast of the same name, so it has more research behind it. Plus, the story has been in the news for a while.

The imagery of Seyfried as Holmes for her 2017 testimony looks accurate.

The facts are there, from what we know. You’ll never know private conversations, just like we’re still unsure how real the deep voice of Holmes is.

Rating: B-

To help interpret the different years, music is used. But it’s so incredibly distracting, especially in the first two episodes, which cover roughly 2001 to 2007. We get it, the music was different then; it’s fine.

In my opinion, Holmes is a narcissist, and I have more questions about her than answers, even after watching a few episodes.

It’s an interesting story of ambition, technology and capitalism, but it could be harmful for the trust in healthcare.

The Girl from Plainville

Casting/styling for realistic looks: Great for the lead, OK for everyone else

Elle Fanning looks like Michelle Carter for the most part, especially in the later years.

But the supporting characters don’t look like their real-life counterparts at all.

Accuracy: Mixed

There’s fact and fiction in this miniseries based on an Esquire article.

She liked “Glee,” and talked about it often. But the couple didn’t see each other that much before he died.

The key, though, is the text messages are real. They’re part of court record, so they’re detailed exactly as they were typed.

Rating: B+

As much as I found Elle Fanning’s portrayal gritting (probably because she’s playing a vapid 15-year-old at the start), it’s such an intriguing story.

I zipped through the first few episodes and haven’t stopped thinking about it.

It’s a little scary to focus on something dubbed the “texting suicide case,” but I think we see something beyond glamorizing suicide by instead focusing on grief and social media’s influence on society.

All of the episodes for all three series are on Hulu. It’s a lot of true-life stories, but remember TV isn’t real.

2020 award nominations prove broadcast TV is dead. Here’s why.

One. That’s it.

Between the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, only one broadcast show, “This Is Us,” received a nomination. 

Giving the streaming platform growth, this isn’t surprising. Broadcast nominations have been waning for years, but 2020 is proving to be a new low.

Is it worth broadcast shows even trying anymore? They’re fighting an uphill battle against cable and streaming.

Here are issues broadcast networks deal with:

Limits

Comedies have to be 22 min. Dramas are 44 min. Two-hour reality shows have 30 minutes of ads. And there’s no wiggle room. Remember when “Friends” had extended episodes? Not a thing anymore.

Watch any Netflix half-hour series and the times, and you’ll notice all sorts of fluctuation. One episode will run for 34 minutes, 23 minutes, 38 minutes, 26 minutes. The time is based on the story, not the ads.

There’s also the language limit. You can’t swear (unless you work with “The Good Place” forking model). Broadcast networks have to work with certain standards (thanks, FCC), when cable and streaming do not.

Revenue

Ads still run king in media, but subscriptions are providing more and more revenue.

Netflix has hiked its prices steadily over the last few years, and it doesn’t even have ads. Hulu has an ad-free service. I’m waiting for Disney+ to add more/any ads. Apple TV+ doesn’t have ads, but it also doesn’t have that much content yet.

Advertisers follow the money. One screw up and you’re done. In an age when one Tweet can cause an upheaval, for better or worse, it can be a domino effect. 

Networks have to rely on ad dollars, which is why when the Roseanne debacle happened it was handled within hours, before more reputation damage could be done.

Creativity

Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes, two network juggernauts, signed Netflix deals in the last year.

Why? Creativity. They can expand their work without any constraints. It’s no-holds-bar in the best kind of way.

Now, do I think Murphy’s “The Politician” is a great piece of TV? No. (In fact, I found all the characters irritating and plot way too overdone.) But, it’s different, and no one can deny that.

After 10+ years of dominating ABC and being the center of TGIT, Rhimes can leave the set plots behind and explore, even past the confines of “Scandal.”

Can you blame them?

Summer TV 2019: Watch, Try or Skip

Summer season is for being outside, not inside.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t try or catch up on some TV shows.

Here are my quick takes:

Holey Moley

I tried this clearly made for summer TV show, but it was about as dumb as I thought it would be.

It’s “Wipeout” meets putt-putt with appearances by Kenny G and Stephen Curry in the pilot.

It’s mind-numbing entertainment that at least kind of pokes fun at itself, but that’s about it.

Skip it

Younger

I’ve heard good things about this TV Land show, and it lived up to the hype.

Hilary Duff gracefully stepped into a more adult role, and Sutton Foster rocks as a 40-year-old moonlighting as a 26-year-old. I wish they’d sing more, but it would be pushing the realism, which it’s already doing.

Is it a far-fetched concept? Yes, but at least it’s funny and the characters are charismatic. I watched the first five seasons within two weeks and I’m already ready for season six to come out on Hulu.

Watch it

Dead to Me

Why the Emmys are calling this a comedy is beyond me, though from what I’ve heard it’s solely because it’s a half-hour show. What a rule.

I figured out the maybe not-so-obvious twist by episode 2, so it wasn’t quite the nailbiter I wanted it to be. It was hard to root for most of the characters, but I did root for the friendship between Christina Applegate’s Jen and Linda Cardellini’s Judy.

Try it

Nailed It

I started watching this last summer, but recently fully caught up.

This Netflix show can’t survive much longer, because it’s so obvious the contestants are set up to fail. The times are too short, the designs are too intricate and the directions are vague at best.

But watching three people epically crash and burn in 25 minutes is pretty laugh-out-funny.

Watch it (with friends and alcohol if you can)

UnREAL

I hope this parody of “The Bachelor” is more parody than real, because if it’s more real than parody, yikes!

Without spoilers, the drama, created by an ex-Bachelor producer, contains so many crazy twists and turns that every character is terrible in one way or another.

Season 4 was a Hulu exclusive, and it was so incongrous with the rest of the show I wouldn’t recommend watching it. But if you’re a Bachelor fan, I’d recommend it since it is similar to hate-watching the reality show.

Try it

What shows are you watching this summer?

Award shows 2018: Do network shows have a place anymore?

At the Golden Globes this year, only one out of 11 TV award winners was a network TV show representative (Sterling K. Brown won best actor in a drama series for NBC’s “This is Us.”)

Tomorrow’s SAG Awards only have five network TV show nominations among all the categories.

Do network shows even stand a chance anymore?

Now that Netflix consistently pulls out award-winning shows, with Amazon and Hulu reaching their stride in quality shows, is it time to separate out network shows from paid services shows?

The way people watch Netflix shows vs. a show on ABC, Fox, etc. is so different. You can binge a Netflix series in a weekend, while NBC draws out one season of “This is Us” from September to April or so (but maybe that’s so we can all take a sobbing break).

Plus, Hulu and those networks have advantages network shows don’t. On a network like CBS, you can’t swear, show nudity, depict graphic violence and other things. Rules must be followed. On online networks, the rules don’t apply. Anything can happen. And it usually does.

Another big difference is network shows play to commercial breaks. They place cliffhangers and plot points in just the right spot to keep you watching. On Netflix, it seems like most original drama episodes end on cliffhangers so you’ll continue watching. And Netflix doesn’t even ask the pesky question “Are you still watching?” when it’s an original show. It can play out like one long, continuous story, and viewers soak it right up.

Network shows just can’t play the same game online networks can. So is it fair to pit them against each other in award categories?

Plenty of quality shows still exist on ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and the CW. Should they be recognized in a different way? Or does that just further depict the difference in the TV formats?

It may be time to revisit how award shows handle TV shows.

‘Moone Boy’ brings feelings of nostalgia to Hulu

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on June 9, 2015. “Moone Boy” premiered five years ago today.

Being a kid was the best.

No cares in the world, not much responsibility, no work … just lots of time with friends, family and fun.

Childhood is personified in a unique way on Hulu’s “Moone Boy.” Created by Chris O’Dowd, of “Bridesmaids” fame, the comedy follows an Irish family, specifically the lone son, Martin Moone, of the household and his invisible friend, Sean Murphy, played by O’Dowd, in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

The Irish family is also very Catholic, which causes conflict when one of the sisters is with child, whose father works at the town’s church.

The interactions between Martin (David Rawle) and his invisible friend make the show fun. It’s an inventive concept that you don’t see on TV often, though “The Whispers” on ABC seems to be taking the creepy angle of invisible friends (I can’t make myself watch that show yet).

O’Dowd is a writer, producer and director on the show, and his love for childlike antics and Ireland shine through in this comedy. He’s also not afraid to poke fun at himself, which means he sometimes dresses in hilarious outfits and makeup.

His character, although a figment of Martin’s imagination, has a life of his own, sometimes deviating from Martin’s moves.

“Moone Boy” also has a sense of nostalgia. The theme song includes drawings on loose-leaf paper — you know, the kind you had in second grade — and the fashion is a mix of ’80s and ’90s.

Martin isn’t the sharpest kid, but he has ambition. And he’s learning through success and failure, but usually with his invisible friend by his side.

Unfortunately, while “Moone Boy” has all of its new season 3 episodes on Hulu, only seasons 1 and 2 and episode 1 of season 3 are available without Hulu Plus. With only six episodes per season and each episode less than 30 minutes, it’s a quick watch. (Note: This show is still available on Hulu, which is a paid subscription site now.)

Golden Globes 2016: How will ‘Empire,’ ‘Transparent,’ Jon Hamm, Viola Davis and others fare?

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Jan. 8, 2016.  The 2017 Golden Globes air Sunday, Jan. 8, on NBC.

Just because Tina Fey and Amy Poehler aren’t hosting the 2016 Golden Globes doesn’t mean the show won’t be unpredictable.

With older heavyweights such as “Modern Family” and “Breaking Bad” out of the picture, many new entries have hit the awards stage.

So who will win? We’ll find out Sunday. But for now, here are my picks for frontrunners and underdogs in the TV categories this year.

 

DRAMA

Frontrunner: “Empire”

The Fox drama was snubbed by the Emmys, but it’s one of most-watched shows of last winter.

It’s different because of the music, so it has a good shot of taking the win.

Underdog: “Narcos”

Have you heard of this Netflix show? I hadn’t until I saw the nominations. The other dramas are more known, so I doubt “Narcos” can pull an upset.

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA

Frontrunner: Viola Davis, “How to Get Away with Murder”

She won the Emmy and had a magnificent speech about equality to follow.

Her character isn’t a class act, but Davis is on stage. Her star power is key to this ABC drama.

Underdog: Caitriona Balfe, “Outlander”

Balfe is a first-time nominee, but this Starz show has only a niche audience.

While some love this drama, it won’t have enough votes to win any big categories.

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA

Frontrunner: Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”

I’m sure many people will root for Rami Malek from USA’s “Mr. Robot,” but since AMC’s “Mad Men” finished its run this year and Hamm already won the Emmy, I predict another win during his swan song for this role.

Underdog: Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”

Schreiber has been nominated before for this role, but he seems like a perennial nominee, not a winner.

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY

Frontrunner: Jamie Lee Curtis, “Scream Queens”

I have to admit, this category is tough to decide. But Curtis is the big star on this list, and “Scream Queens” is her return to the horror genre.

Sometimes Emmys go to bigger celebrity names, so Curtis could pull out the win.

Underdog: Rachel Bloom, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”

Like I said, this category is tough to choose, but Bloom doesn’t have enough meat to her name yet.

Her CW show is hit or miss with critics, even though it spent some time in development.

Her nomination brings attention to the show, but don’t expect her to get a chance to sing a speech on stage.

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY

Frontrunner: Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”

Tambor won last year for bringing a transitioning character to life on the small screen. The second season recently premiered, and critics still like the show.

Because the Amazon comedy brings to light a current topic, expect it, and Tambor, to get attention.

Underdog: Rob Lowe, “The Grinder”

I’m not a fan. But others love the silliness of this Fox show about family, law and finding your way.

But out of all the nominees, Lowe’s work isn’t strong enough to carry a win.

BEST COMEDY

Frontrunner: “Transparent”

Again, it brings to light a current topic. It won last year. Expect a repeat.

Underdog: “Casual”

Hulu is making a showing for its original programming this year. But being a newcomer in a category that includes “Transparent” and “Veep” makes it an unlikely contender.

Ricky Gervais hosts the Golden Globes at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 on NBC.

New Year’s 2017: 3 wishes for the new year

New Year’s resolutions may not happen, but I can hope these wishes come true, right?

As we usher in 2017, here are my wishes for TV.

No more crossovers

This might be an unpopular opinion, but these two-, three-, and now four-part crossover episodes are too much.

With the success of The CW‘s superhero shows, I get the marketing behind combining all the shows over a week, with each individual show airing a new episode. But when they started these with “The Flash” and “Arrow,” it wasn’t entirely necessary to watch both shows to keep up.

But the recent 4-part crossover between “The Flash,” “Arrow,” “Supergirl” and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” ended that. I didn’t watch the “Supergirl” part. But “The Flash’s” part ended on a cliffhanger, so then I had to watch “Arrow.” And then “Legends of Tomorrow” finished the saga.

That’s a lot of time to spend on one “event.” And I watch only “The Flash” regularly.

Even though they show what’s happened, it’s still confusing. I felt lost keeping up with some of the story lines because I didn’t know the characters. But I’d be confused not watching the episode of “The Flash” because I might miss stuff.

It shouldn’t be a requirement to watch four shows to fully understand one week of programming. It’s like being an outsider on a show you don’t watch…except you do.

Keep shows available online for at least a month

I made a similar plea for this last year, but I still wish for it.

With Hulu for only subscribers now, it’s more difficult to keep up with weekly TV. It’s doable since networks post content on the websites, but some networks still make you wait eight days unless you verify a cable provider.

But most networks give you only two weeks to watch a show. During midseason breaks, you might get the chance to catch up, but it’s not a guarantee.

We all need time to catch up, even with our favorite shows. So give us a break. Especially in a binge-watching culture, some people would rather watch a few episodes at a time instead of week-to-week.

CBS All Access is the next up and coming thing, especially with “The Good Wife” spinoff “The Good Fight” coming exclusively to it in 2017 (though the first episode will air Feb. 19 on CBS), I’m guessing it won’t be long before TV show won’t ever be free online, but I don’t want to subscribe to multiple TV streaming services.

end the revival trend

“Fuller House.” “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.” “The Exorcist.”

So many shows and movies are rebooted, revived, etc. And yes, it’s great nostalgia. But I’m done.

“The Exorcist” was creepy but predictable. “Fuller House” isn’t that good of a show. “Gilmore Girls” filled a need to hear the final four words…and then sent fans into a tizzy over what’s next.

Sometimes it’s better to just let a show end in its time and be good, instead of filling an empty void in our hearts.

What do you want for TV in 2017?

My New Year’s wishes for TV in 2015

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Dec. 30, 2014.
To be fair, one of my wishes did come true in 2015.

If it hasn’t been your day, your month or your year, “Friends,” with the help of The Rembrandts, lets you know that friends will be there for you.

And so will TV. Sorry, but new shows and old re-runs will not disappear anytime soon.

While TV is enjoying a greater status these days, there’s always room for improvement.

Here are my wishes for TV in 2015 (There are some spoilers if you haven’t watched certain shows, so be warned.):

KEEP SHOWS ON NETFLIX

I’m watching “Ugly Betty” with a friend of mine, but we just found out the dramedy is disappearing from Netflix on Jan. 4. Not cool.

We still have 1½ seasons to go, and there’s no way we will be able to finish in time.

Why do shows stay on the streaming service for only a limited time? Myriad reasons, but I don’t care.

If I’m watching a show on Netflix, I don’t want to have to hunt for it elsewhere because the streaming service decided to remove it.

AIR THE GOOD FINALE OF ‘HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER’

Remember when many HIMYM fans (including me) were disappointed in the finale of the long-running CBS comedy? You know, the finale where Barney and Robin divorce, the Mother dies and Ted woos Robin … again?

After the should’ve-been-expected uproar, the alternative ending leaked prior to the season 9 DVD release. It’s not that different from what originally aired in March, but it’s infinitely better.

Anyone who buys the DVD or searches for it on YouTube can watch it, but since it’s what many fans wanted, the alternate ending should air on one of the numerous networks that air the show in syndication.

HAVE A PROPER SEND-OFF FOR HOWARD’S MOM ON ‘THE BIG BANG THEORY’

Carol Ann Susi died in November. The actress played a host of minor TV characters, but in her role as Howard’s mom on “The Big Bang Theory,” she was never actually seen, partly (I’m guessing) because she’s not actually that overweight.

Her voice will be missed on the CBS comedy, and she’s too memorable to just have the character slip through the cracks and never be talked about again.

I don’t know how the producers will make it work, but it’s necessary to give her something.

GET SCHMIDT AND CECE BACK TOGETHER ON ‘NEW GIRL’

Putting Nick and Jess together so early in the Fox comedy’s run might have been a bad idea, but the show’s other will-they-or-won’t-they couple has been apart for too long.

Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece (Hannah Simone) have matured in ways viewers might not have thought were possible. When was the last time Schmidt had to put money in a certain jar?

The two have developed a solid friendship, so now it’s time for showrunner Elizabeth Meriwether to bring them together again.

AIR ‘DOWNTON ABBEY’ IN THE US AND ENGLAND SIMULTANEOUSLY

I have friends in England, and I’m super thankful they haven’t spoiled “Downton Abbey” for me.

I’m anxiously awaiting its Jan. 4 return, but it aired months ago across the pond.

It’s silly to wait to air the BBC show in the U.S., especially when spoilers are so easy to come by.

BRING ‘GRACEPOINT’ BACK

I’m still a bit shocked at how “Gracepoint” ended Dec. 11. I wouldn’t say I’m not satisfied since the pivotal question of who killed Danny was answered, but it left me wanting more.

Maybe I need to watch “Broadchurch,” of which the Fox drama was based. But I want to see how Anna Gunn would portray her character’s rebuilding.

MAKE CABLE SHOWS EASIER TO WATCH ONLINE

I would love to watch “The Newsroom” or “Olive Kitteridge,” but I don’t have an easy way to access them.

I also don’t believe in illegally streaming shows.

Hulu and cable networks such as HBO and Showtime need to make an agreement so that everyone can watch multiple shows in one place instead of having multiple online subscription services.

Binge-watching prevalent, but weekly watching still a good way to watch TV

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on March 15, 2016.
NOTE: “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” premieres Nov. 25. All four 90-minute episodes will be released at once.

Is TV really TV anymore?

With Netflix, Hulu, On Demand and more, it’s no surprise people are overwhelmed with options.

So how do people watch? It depends. But binge-watching has become a norm.

I just got into watching Netflix. I know, I’m really behind. But the main reason definitely has something to do with “Gilmore Girls.”

“Gilmore Girls” is one of many shows getting the reboot/revival treatment. Four episodes, each centered around a season, will come to Netflix sometime soon.

Amy Sherman-Palladino, one of the creators, doesn’t want to release the episodes all at once, which made me consider how I want to watch these new episodes.

I’ve wanted to see more “Gilmore Girls” for years, so I’m conflicted about having to wait any more than I already have. But I also think it’ll be nice to savor the episodes.

As with most things in life, there are two sides to this story:

3 ADVANTAGES OF BINGE-WATCHING

More continuity. You can clearly see how events, relationships and more unfold throughout a show if you binge-watch.

Easier to follow. Watching episodes one after the other makes you less likely to forget something since it stays fresh in your mind.

Satisfaction of finishing a show. There’s something rewarding about finishing a show after days of binge-watching … or even making it through a season in a weekend. Though there might be other things to do …

3 ADVANTAGES OF WEEKLY WATCHING

Builds suspense. Cliffhangers stay cliffhangers when you have time between shows. You can think of all the possibilities and then be surprised when something changes.

Satisfaction of waiting. Waiting for something gives it more value. Nothing is spoiled, it’s cherished. Plus you’ll have time to do other things. I mean, really, 30 minutes of one show weekly vs. four hours of one show in one day … you do the math.

Less chance for spoilers. If you’re binge-watching a show, chances are it aired in real time a while ago. Which likely means there are lots of articles and social media posts and friends who can spoil the plot for you. Watching in real time lessens the chance of spoilers because you’re watching plots unfold as the show airs.

When it comes to “Gilmore Girls,” I’ll take what I can get … as long as it’s sooner rather than later. In the mean time, I’ll keep binge-watching and watching shows weekly.

Which do you prefer: binge-watching or weekly watching? Why?

Event series now part of TV culture

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on April 15, 2015.

Blink and you’ll miss them.

“Gracepoint.” “The Slap.” And, to an extent, “Marvel’s Agent Carter” (the ABC show might return for a second season, though it’s up in the air).

What is with all these “event series”? Which, by the way, is basically a fancy term for “miniseries.”

TV networks are airing seven- to 10-episode series, with events concluding by the last episode.

Why now? I can think of two reasons: “American Horror Story” and “True Detective.”

These shows have captivated audiences, and even though they air for multiple seasons, they are a different show each time, with new cast members and premises.

Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk (of “Glee” fame) have churned out four seasons of “American Horror Story,” each in a different location but always with lots of thrills. Season 5, surrounding a hotel, has nabbed Lady Gaga as a star.

“True Detective” brought Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey to the small screen, alongside Woody Harrelson. Audiences were drawn to the mystery, and both actors received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for their work. Season 2 will star Vince Vaughn and Rachel McAdams.

With these shows drawing in viewers and big-name stars, it’s no wonder other networks are following suit.

Most movie actors have little desire to commit to a TV show since it could last many years. But an event series is a short-term commitment, leaving actors free to pursue other projects.

Uma Thurman was on NBC’s “The Slap.” Anna Gunn was on “Gracepoint.” But now they can dive in to other roles.

A 10-episode show is a short-term commitment for a viewer, too. I watched all eight episodes of “The Slap” over the course of a few days.

With Netflix and Hulu feeding the binge-watching phenomenon, networks have to adapt, hence the event series.

Not every show will work as an event series, but the concept is here to stay.