As we slide into the heart of the holiday season, let’s slap chop through some topics that are lighting up the Pop Thruster afterburner this week.
Pluribus is the one
It’s the best TV show airing right now, and with apologies to our pal Landman, it ain’t even close.
With the first season’s finale just a few days away now – it’s set to be released the night on December 23rd on Apple TV – I’m as enchanted with Vince Gilligan’s latest as I’ve been with his previous masterworks (see: the best 100 TV shows ever for more on that).
Episode 9 is entitled “La Chica o El Mundo,” and with Manousos’long and perilous journey to meet with Carol complete, all I know about this show – in the best possible way – is that I have no idea where it’s taking us next.
The TV diet: holidays edition
I do love me some Landman. With Season 2 heading into its back half, I’m expecting the action to pick up pace, but I’ve genuinely enjoyed the slow building tension we’ve gotten thus far this season. It’s a confident, expertly crafted show that knows exactly what it is, and I enjoy its at times weird mix of drama and comedy.
Other somewhat further afield fare that I’m consuming currently:
- Colin from Accounts – Talk about quirky: this is a fun Aussie romcom that begins when a guy is driving down the street and… you know what, I’ll stop right there. Just check it out on Paramount+ if this kind of thing is of interest.
- Physical – I’m enjoying this ‘80s-drenched dramedy, starring Rose Byrn, quite a bit more than I expected. Byrne is just great as an aerobics-obsessed housewife with an eating disorder, and the groovy-meets-Reagan era San Diego vibes are the best you’ll find this side of Anchorman. Available on Apple TV.
- Mad Men – What, again? Yeah, again and again. If you’re looking for an excuse to revisit this classic, it’s newly available on HBO Max (or whatever it’s called) these days. Related: 9 things that drive me nuts about the Mad Men pilot, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”
‘90s indie film fest
A few months ago I checked out The Daytrippers, a fun and super indie vibes New York City talkfest (side note: all of those words are catnip for yours truly) directed by Greg Mottola, who would go on to direct two of my favorite movies of all time – Adventureland and Superbad.
That has led to a personal ‘90s indie film fest of sorts. My latest screenings (he said slightly sniffily):
- Living in Oblivion – The cast in this one alone – Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, Peter Dinklage – made me want to love it… but I really didn’t. The lengthy “here’s what happened by way of a character’s dream” conceit didn’t land.
- Clockwatchers – This spiritual kin of Office Space, about temp workers at a company from hell (or at least purgatory) absolutely did land. Among a stellar cast that includes Toni Collette and Lisa Kudrow, Parker Posey steals every scene she’s in.
Both Living in Oblivion and Clockwatchers are available on TubiTV (for free!) right now if you’re interested.
Books
Audiobooks have helped me to get in some book time of late, and I don’t care in the slightest if that “counts” as “reading” books or not.
- The Uncool by Cameron Crowe – my wife and I both tore through this memoir by the writer and director of classics such as Almost Famous and Say Anything. If you’re reading these words, you’re into pop culture so therefore I can’t recommend this one more highly.
- The Gods of New York by Jonathan Mahler – a fascinating non-fiction narrative that recounts the history of NYC circa 1986-1990 through the prism of its “egotists, idealists, and opportunists.”
Headphones
I was gifted a fairly high-end pair of Sony headphones, and I feel slightly sheepish in admitting that I had no idea what kind of difference that they could make. The noise canceling feature alone will save me some sanity, noting that that my home office doesn’t have a door.
Games
I haven’t been much of a gamer in many years, but have greatly enjoyed dabbling with Firewatch, by Campo Santo, this week. Its strengths include that its immersive and easy to play, and most importantly the writing and story make it seem like you’re in an interactive story that you actually care about. It’s even strangely moving, I must say.
The main character is voiced by Rich Sommer, good old Harry Crane himself from Mad Men.
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