What to Watch and Skip This Week: Part One

    2025 is upon us and in order to decide what to watch and what to avoid, here are a few tips for the year so far in regards to new television.

    The most intriguing of the offerings, at least to me, is 'Going Dutch' on FOX, which premiered on January 2, 2025. In the series, "After an epically unfiltered rant, an arrogant, loudmouth U.S. Army Colonel is reassigned to the Netherlands, where he is punished with a command position at the least important army base in the world. After serving with distinction in every warzone of the last three decades, he now finds himself in charge of a base with no guns, no weapons and no tactical purpose. Instead, it has a Michelin-star-level commissary, top-notch bowling alley and the best (and only) fromagerie in the U.S. Army. Surrounded by a diverse group of underdogs, the colonel tries to reinstall military discipline and professionalism with the help of the base's previous interim leader, who just happens to be his estranged daughter." With a score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, the ensemble cast includes Danny Pudi, Denis Leary, and Joe Morton. But what did the critics say?

    Joel Keller of Decider says, "There’s potential in Going Dutch, though the pilot was less funny than we expected, given the presence of Leary and Pudi. Denis and Jack Leary are among the executive producers, with Joel Church-Cooper as the showrunner. Church-Cooper’s past series, with Brockmire being the most prominent, indicate to us that the potential we saw in this first episode is what is going to help it improve over time. In the first scenes, where the old-fashioned, un-PC-but-trying Col. Quinn can’t seem to process how he landed at Stroopsdorf, we get mostly standard gags about the tough commander railing against the perceived “soft” troops he’s inherited. Then there’s a scene when Patrick and Maggie have an actual heart-to-heart talk about their relationship, and how Patrick acknowledges that they’ll have to mesh their respective styles, where the potential of this show reveals itself. Leary is especially good in this scene, recalling his best work in his best-known series, Rescue Me. What we hope is that Church-Cooper can refine the show so that the “hard-ass commander vs. ragtag troops” trope becomes grounded more in character than anything else. There were a couple of chuckleworthy moments where we see soldiers making cheese and other non-military activities, but we know that for Going Dutch to succeed, we’re going to have to explore all the characters beyond what we saw in the pilot."

    On the opposite side of the coin, 'Beast Games' on Prime Video is a complete mess. In the series, "1,000 contestants compete in physical, mental and social challenges, for a chance to win a five million dollar cash prize; contestants use their strength and wit to stay in the game, with the hope of being the multi-million-dollar winner." Critics were quick to give it a score of 14% on Rotten Tomatoes, but what did they say?

   Chase Hutchinson of IGN Movies writes, "Beast Games isn’t just surprisingly dull. It's also almost entirely devoid of anything to get invested in. Though future episodes may delve deeper into competitors’ personalities and motivations – the bread and butter of any reality show – once their ranks are whittled down, the beginning of the series is so impatiently frenetic that we’re barely introduced to any of them. Some of this, again, carries over from YouTube, where MrBeast’s output often feels like a bunch of TikTok videos crammed together out of fear that you’ll get bored unless something new is thrown in your face right this second. But Beast Games is uniquely out of its depth. The spread of games is vast – they include contestants trying to convince their teammates to eliminate themselves and a block-stacking challenge – but they all prioritize breadth over depth. The ones that could be more psychologically tense have no weight, passing with breakneck speed so we can get to the next one then the next one and so on. They all feel like they were made up in five minutes, and there’s nothing memorable about them aside from how they steal the iconography and callousness of Squid Game. An ongoing TV series requires more than a YouTuber bludgeoning his audience with reminders of what’s at stake. Even when Beast Games stumbles into a potentially fun challenge – like a trivia game where we get to see the personalities of the players briefly shine through – each sequence is so edited to pieces that you don’t actually feel any of its impact. It’s headache-inducing rather than anything close to harrowing or humorous. When Donaldson jumps in to brag via voiceover how they have thousands of cameras on set (a weird flex if there ever was one), it made me wish he had fewer. An editor who could’ve built some breathing room into the proceedings would’ve been nice, too."

Photo by Georgia Vagim on Unsplash

'Family Guy's First Halloween Special "makes a Halloween special feel natural and exciting to its world"

         On October 14, 2024, 'Family Guy' released its very first Halloween special on Hulu, which is entitled 'Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater', which has received predominantly positive reviews. It is worth noting that the series has had episodes dedicated to the spooky holiday before, with one of the episodes containing my personal favorite moment from the series, but this could well be the start of an annual holiday tradition. The ensemble cast includes Glen Powell, Derek Jacobi, Alex Borstein, Mila Kunis, Seth Green, and Seth MacFarlane. But what did the critics say?

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

        Daniel Kurland of CBR says, "Halloween episodes can be a rich staple in animated series — just look at The Simpsons — but Family Guy has been rather selective with this holiday, and only indulged in it a handful of times. In fact, Halloween specials only started in the hit adult cartoon's ninth season. This is certainly territory that's still fresh for Family Guy to explore making the recent announcement that it will be exploring holiday specials that are exclusive to Hulu — rather than its terrestrial home, FOX — interesting. Family Guy has such a fluid reality that it makes a Halloween special feel natural and exciting to its world. This is true whether the show's special decides to do a more conventional and grounded take on the holiday, or a more grandiose genre parody like the “Blue Harvest” Star Wars specials. “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater” doesn’t attempt to recreate any holiday classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street or Halloween, but it’s also hardly a “normal” Family Guy episode. The special clocks in at the typical Family Guy episode length and more or less operates like a standard installment, rather than a more heightened and cinematic experiment that's akin to South Park's Paramount+ specials. "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater" certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it still makes for an entertaining enough addition to anyone's Halloween watchlist that also takes advantage of an entertaining and well-utilized guest star." Adding, "Peter, Peter Pumpkin Cheater” begins simply enough, where a conversation about Halloween costumes becomes a microcosm of Stewie and Brian’s growing pains as friends. Stewie really isn’t asking for much here, but his need to lock in plans and put a label on their dynamic prompts claustrophobic and limiting feelings in Brian that wear down his patience. Previously, Family Guy demonstrated astute insight into how both Stewie and Brian only have each other and don’t have any real friends beyond one another, as much as they’d like to believe otherwise. Their riff hits a boiling point on Halloween night and prompts some Frankenstein-esque theatrics. This results in Rupert the teddy bear coming to life and seeking to settle Stewie’s feud in a very Chucky-meets-Ted manner. Stewie and Brian’s complicated relationship is one of Family Guy’s richest and most rewarding character dynamics. Family Guy confidently embraced this bond for many of its most important and successful episodes and arcs. It’s not surprising to see that “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater” turns to this friendship as one of its core ideas. In fact, there’s a satisfying simplicity to how such a wild episode essentially boils down to Stewie's and Brian’s toxic and codependent friendship. There’s nothing in this episode that hasn’t been said before in Family Guy, but there’s a newfound sense of urgency and higher stakes that are accomplished through the murderous roadblock that sets out to sever their ties."

'Murder in a Small Town' Reviews: "it’s just a simple pleasure to be around these actors for an hour or so"

         On September 24, 2024, Fox premiered 'Murder in a Small Town', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the series, "Karl Alberg moves to the idyllic coastal town of Gibsons to become the new police chief and soothe a psyche that has been battered by big-city police work. Unfortunately, the gentle paradise has more than its share of secrets, and Karl needs to call upon all the skills that made him a world-class detective in solving the murders that, even in this seemingly idyllic setting, continue to wash up on his shore. Cassandra, a local librarian, becomes Alberg's muse, foil and romantic interest. The show is based on the Edgar Award-winning, nine-book "Karl Alberg" series by acclaimed novelist L.R. Wright." The ensemble cast includes Rossif Sutherland, Kristin Kreuk, Mya Lowe, and Aaron Douglas. But what did the critics say?

        Rory Doherty of Paste Magazine says, "Murder in a Small Town hits its marks, with a likeable cast and a welcome emphasis on the dynamics between the outsider detective and the local suspects, but refuses to transcend the modest ambitions of your garden variety network mystery series." Adding, "It’s difficult to tell if each of this season’s eight episodes will adapt a different one of Wright’s novels; she only wrote nine of them, so Murder in a Small Town will have to get creative fast if that’s the case. Of course, it’s impossible, to a frustrating degree, to judge if the Karl Alberg mysteries is a well-structured and formatted season of television because we were only allowed to see a single episode, and therefore we’re reluctant to recommend the series beyond this single entertaining hour of drama. If head writer and executive producer Ian Weir makes the series as actor-focused as the slight but charming first episode, then audiences who want to solve crimes and switch their brain off should be thrilled. Thrilled might be the wrong word—they’ll feel a warm, pleasant glow."

Photo by Georgia Vagim on Unsplash

        Devan Suber of AV Club notes, "If it’s a little obvious in its intentions, it’s just a simple pleasure to be around these actors for an hour or so. And frankly, that’s its own kind of achievement." Continuing, "Murder In A Small Town doesn’t aim for the depth of the greatest procedurals, but it has enough low-key dramatics and small-town charm to keep us interested. That said, there is an edge that pops up in the back half of the show’s 90-minute premiere that throws a moral dilemma into the proceedings. As it stands now, it’s not entirely clear whether the series is building a season-long arc or planning to be something like a new Castle, an episode-of-the-week show that’s powered by a will-they-won’t-they (and one that, like that ABC mystery, also features Stana Katic). There are enough ingredients in both the cast and the setting to make for a pretty good small-town drama, and the nebulously Canadian backdrop is a refreshing change from all of the shows that have tried to cast that country as America. The comparatively sunny tone helps, too, though there is a feeling of not wanting to get too dark even as it alludes to, say, histories of domestic abuse."

       Rob Owen of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review was less impressed, calling it a, "Dull crime procedural based on the Karl Alberg book series by author L.R. Wright. Karl (Rossif Sutherland) moves to a seaside village to get away from big-city police work and falls for a local librarian (Kristin Kreuk) while investigating local crimes."

'Rescue: HI-Surf' Reviews: "Set on Oahu’s North Shore, “Rescue: HI-Surf” delivers just what its title promises. Surf. Rescues"

         On September 22, 2024, FOX premiered 'Rescue: Hi-Surf', which has received a predominantly positive reception from critics. In the series, "the personal and professional lives of the open-water lifeguards who patrol and protect the North Shore of O'ahu, the most famous and dangerous stretch of coastline in the world. Each episode features dedicated, heroic and adrenaline-seeking first-responders saving lives in the difficult and often life-threatening conditions of Hawaii's Seven Mile Miracle." The ensemble cast includes Adam Demos, Robbie Magasiva, Arielle Kebbel, Kekoa Kekumano, Alex Aiono, and Zoe Cipres. But what did the critics say?

        Therese Lacson of Collider notes, "There's a plethora of first-responder television shows out there. From paramedics to firefighters to cop procedurals, the land of network television is littered with these types of shows. Normally, the series follows a ragtag gang made up of a mix of veterans and rookies who tackle day-to-day emergencies and save the lives of the locals around them. In that manner, Rescue HI-Surf follows the typical procedural formula: A group of open-water lifeguards patrol the perilous waters on the North Shore of Oahu. Created by Matt Kester, who is probably best known for his work on Animal Kingdom, the freshman season of Rescue HI-Surf offers a perspective on an often forgotten group of first responders, but as far as TV shows go, Rescue HI-Surf doesn't live up to the potential of some of its contemporaries." Adding, "Despite the authenticity of the series regarding being a lifeguard, where it fumbles is where the show is meant to build the most heart: its leading characters. Rescue HI-Surf primarily centers around the team's captain, Sonny, played by Robbie Magasiva, and his fellow lifeguards. Arielle Kebbel plays Em, an experienced veteran who is a natural leader and often acts as Sonny's right hand. Adam Demos plays Will, an Australian who had a previous relationship with Em and is currently trying to leave the beach to become a firefighter. Kekoa Kekumano plays Laka, a seasoned guard who is also a carefree partier, with a wild lifestyle that may become a problem. Joining the lifeguards are two rookies, Alex Aiono as Kainalu, the son of an influential politician on the island who has to prove he's far from just a nepo baby to his fellow co-workers, and Zoe Cipres as Hina, one of the few female guards coming in who has shown a lot of promise and graduated at the top of her class."

Photo by Johnny Such on Unsplash

       Robert Lloyd of Los Angeles Times says, "Set on Oahu’s North Shore, “Rescue: HI-Surf” delivers just what its title promises. Surf. Rescues. (Fox is currently running two other rescue shows, “9-1-1” and “9 1-1: Lone Star,” whose final season begins this week.) Here again is that combination of lightly developed workplace issues, romantic complications and wisecracking banter one finds in most every broadcast procedural, a formula that can keep viewers watching for years. All conflicts are put aside, naturally, when lives are at stake, which here requires regular plunges into the Pacific in aid of tourists too dim to read the posted warnings or follow a lifeguard’s good advice, as well as the merely unlucky. Robbie Magasiva plays the captain of the ocean safety team, who has bad dreams and oversees a crew leaning appropriately, if slightly, to Hawaiian and Asian actors; Arielle Kebbel is his lieutenant, who wants to be a captain herself. Adam Demos is her engaged ex, a laid-back Australian studying to be a firefighter, Kekoa Kekumano the hard-partying wolf, Alex Aiono the rich kid whose politician father weasels him a place on the team and Zoe Cipres the more talented poor girl whose place he takes (though she’ll get her own by the end of the pilot)." Adding, "John Wells, of “The West Wing” fame (and “ER” and “Third Watch” and so on), who worked with creator Matt Kester on “Animal Kingdom,” directs the first two episodes and shoots the action in a dizzying array of camera angles and lenses, careening movements, drone shots, underwater shots and on-the-water shots, rapidly piled one upon another higgledy-piggledy; the effect is akin to being slammed by big waves, which might be the intended effect but makes the crises and the rescues seem more staged than not. I would have liked a little boring local culture instead of the B-roll clips that speed by between scenes — lots of chickens — but that’s just me. Everybody’s pretty, the scenery’s nice, there’s some surfing. I can see people tuning in. “Baywatch” ran for 11 years."

       Rob Owen of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review was less impressed, stating, "Rescue Hi-Surf” (9 p.m., Fox): Lifeguard drama set and filmed in Hawaii. Some character arcs, but largely it’s all about the rescues. Much less wild (and less entertaining) than “9-1-1.”

'Universal Basic Guys' Reviews: "Simply put: Universal Basic Guys is a deeply unfunny show"

         On September 8, 2024, FOX premiered 'Universal Basic Guys', which has received predominantly negative reviews from critics. "Universal Basic Guys centers on two brothers, Mark and Hank Hoagies, who lose their jobs to automation and are given $3,000 a month in a new basic income program. Now, they're using their free time and free money to find purpose in a world where they're no longer needed." The ensemble cast includes Fred Armisen, Adam Malamut, Ally Maki, and Talia Genevieve. But what did the critics say?

        Aramide Tinubu of Variety was less than impressed, stating, "The 13-episode first season has action-packed plot points involving creatures, magic and the Philadelphia Eagles. In Episode 3, “The Devil You Know,” which has all manner of butt-wiping and dingleberry jokes, the brothers, with Darren in tow, accidentally encounter the infamous Jersey Devil. In Episode 8, “Poconcos,” Mark, Hank, Tammy and Darren find themselves in a Jumanji-like magical game, where things quickly dissolve into chaos due to their inability to communicate. Though both of these storylines are thematically sound, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. “Universal Basic Guys” lacks the slickness, clarity and comedic timing to transcend the two confoundingly ignorant main characters."

        Joel Keller of Decider says, "Simply put: Universal Basic Guys is a deeply unfunny show. And when it’s not funny, then all of the other problems the show has are amplified." Adding, "There doesn’t seem to be much of a chance that any of these characters will go much deeper than their archetypes because the Malamut brothers seem to be enamored with just how Philly these guys are (which makes sense, since that’s where they’re from). We don’t even get a commentary on how these guys are living off UBI and trying to figure out where they stand in the world. It’s just dumb guys doing the things dumb guys do when they have too much time on their hands."

       Rob Owen of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review agrees, stating, "My assumption is creators/brothers Adam and Craig Malamut just wanted an excuse to refer to the characters as “basic,” which fits." Continuing, The first episode, well-timed after HBO’s “Chimp Crazy,” features Mark trying to one-up a birthday gift his wife received from her boss. Hank buys her a sick, elderly monkey that tears off his face, one of several shock-humor moments. “It’s all about attitude,” a faceless Hank tells his wife. “You see two holes in my face; I see two mouths.” Fans of Fox’s existing male-­skewing animated comedy lineup will likely welcome “UBG,” which offers a similar comedic point of view: dumb dudes doing dumb things designed to make viewers laugh."

Photo by Kevin Woblick on Unsplash

        Angie Han of Hollywood Reporter writes, "The series, created by Adam and Craig Malamut, does reveal occasional glimmers of a potential to become something more distinctive... But such moments are spread too thin over the course of a 13-episode first season better described as fine than fun."