Is it just me or is Adam Scott starting to look a lot like Tig Notaro?
Both are hot!
Hello you!
I hope you’re taking care during these strange times.
Slowing down and sitting with small moments of joy has been huge for me in the pandemic and beyond. For example, I’ve been riding this high for weeks:
I hope something from this newsletter makes your month a little more interesting, or at least distracts you a bit from the swirling news cycle.
As always, thank you for reading :)
<3Hannah
What I’m into right now:
Severance, Apple TV+
This show is sooo good. I’ve been looking for something to replace the Yellowjackets-shaped hole in my heart and Severance definitely delivers. The series is about a team of co-workers that take work-life balance to a new level by surgically splitting their brains, literally compartmentalizing their work and personal lives. When a former employee appears outside of work, questions arise about the company they work for and the true intentions of the severance procedure. Ben Stiller directed 6 out of the 9 episodes (he also directed Escape at Dannemora in 2018, another excellent mini-series to check out if you haven’t already). The cast includes Adam Scott, Britt Lower (Man Seeking Woman remains one of my all time favorite FX shows), John Tuturro (luv), PATRICA ARQUETTE are you kidding me, and more. Looks like I’m headed back to the reddit boards for this one, yeehaw!
Scams
One morning last month I woke up feeling academic so I watched the Netflix documentary, The Tinder Swindler. It kicked off my appetite for more scam stories that aren’t the main ones we all know and love, e.g. Fyre Festival, Anna Delvey, Elizabeth Holmes and her fake blood (? never fully got into that one).
I’m fascinated by tricksters and like most people assume that I’d never fall for whatever snake oil they happen to be peddling that day (yes I would).
Here are some of my favorite scam stories as of late:
Twin Flames, Wondery - Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn 99, In the Heights, Encanto) narrates an investigation into the The Twin Flames Universe, a combination scam, cult, and multi level marketing scheme that promises it’s followers true love. But at what cost! This mini-series is chilling, please listen so we can talk about it.
The Belle Gibson episode of Maintenance Phase - I’ve listened to this episode a couple times because, not a revelatory thought here, I’m very intrigued by people that fake or use illness for attention. Absolutely unsettling.
Serial Squatters - This is dark, dude. I didn’t know serial squatting was a thing! Yikes.
This bumper sticker
Poetry! You can buy it on Etsy here.
More to consider:
Ear Hustle, the first podcast created and produced inside of a prison, drops it’s ninth season today. Start at the beginning with season 1 if you know what’s good for ya.
Anything from thanknewt.com, but specifically these charm chains.
Bowen Yang and co getting the praise they deserve.
The latest episode of the A24 Podcast, which is a conversation between Simon Rex (Red Rocket) and Angus Cloud (Euphoria). I like the A24 podcast because it’s not heavily produced - it’s just two people from the A24 universe shooting the shit. The pairings are excellent, for example I revisit the John Early and Toni Collette episode at least twice a year because it’s perfect in every way.
I can’t wait for Catherine Cohen’s stand up special The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous. which is coming to Netflix on March 15th.
Suspect, another Wondery podcast mini-series that covers a case local to Seattle. Vulture dubbed it “maybe the best true crime podcast of the year” in 2021. Again, just really great reporting here. I was on the edge of my seat.
Next up in my quest to get through my Letterboxd watchlist is The Batman (Paul Dano hive rise up) and Support the Girls.
See you next time :~)