Issue #11:🥩Beef🥩, more hernia-inducing television, and a delightful surprise from Amazon Freevee
Missed u, freaks!
Hello you! I’m emerging from the depths of my electric blanket to write to you about a few things I’m into right now😎As always, thank you for reading, and feel free to send me an email at sendmethelinknewsletter@gmail.com with what you’re into😎
Jury Duty, Amazon Freevee
This meta Bad Trip-esque show is an Amazon Freevee (formally IMDb TV) series about a jury through the eyes of one unsuspecting juror, Ronald Gladden. Unbeknownst to him, everyone on the jury and in the courtroom is an actor, and the case is entirely fake. While actor James Marsden (playing a heightened, asshole version of himself) is an obvious entry point for audiences, the real stars are the endearing weirdos making up the rest of the jury and courtroom. Scene stealer and irl comedian Edy Modica, whose episode of HBO cult favorite High Maintenance is 💫excellent and hilarious💫 plays a juror along with actors you may recognize from shows like The Sex Lives of College Girls and Parks and Recreation. Or, you might not recognize them at all, which is what makes this concept work for our protagonist, and ultimately us as an audience. The series has potential to be cruel, but instead it ends up being a delightful and hilarious hero’s journey about camaraderie and the goodness within us all. I laughed out loud A LOT!
Beef, Netflix
I love this show!!! By now you’ve definitely heard of A24 and Netflix’s new series, Beef, about a chance road rage incident that devolves into an intense and DARK character study of two people on the damn verge. Technically I don’t know if there can be multiple tour de forces in one project, but Ali Wong and Steven Yeun (who have worked together before on the awesomely weird and horny animated comedy Tuca & Bertie) give absolutely incredible performances. The series is deeply funny and anxiety-inducing, and the whip smart writing drives the plot forward in a way I haven’t seen much on television before. Lots of hot people in this one, def give it a watch for that at the very least ;)
Swarm, Prime Video
Please file Donald Glover’s Swarm under ‘TV That Will Make Your Stomach Hurt’ (see also: Euphoria, probably The Idol if it ever comes out which btw, I won’t be watching even if it does, Black Mirror, True Detective, etc). Shot on film and looking gorgeous, the series explores fandom and the extreme lengths we go to protect our favs. TBH I was surprised Swarm was a Prime Original because it reads very A24 x HBO or Hulu to me, but Glover has a deal with Amazon so🫡get that Bezos money Donald🫡 I particularly enjoyed this episode of Into It with Sam Sanders, where Sanders sits down with co-creator Janine Nabers to talk about the making of the series, the not-so-inconspicuous connection to Beyoncé, and the conversation around accusations of Glover’s misogynoir that has resurfaced since the show’s release. Swarm is worth the watch, but be prepared to potentially get a hernia because it’s extremely unsettling!!! Oh and Dominque Fishback is a ⭐️
More to consider
A spring playlist because I love u!
Mae Martin’s new special SAP on Netflix is sooooo funny and good. If you want more Mae (who doesn’t 🥵), watch their excellent scripted series Feel Good, also on Netflix.
Do you want to look like a glowy baby angel? Of course you do! This face masque will turn you into a cherub floating on a cloud <3
L’Oréal bought Aesop for $2.5 billion and softy-boy-meme-lords coast to coast are losing their damn minds. Imagine if Glossier was acquired by Estée Lauder…that’s kind of the vibe.
I got a little stoned recently and watched Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants and had a spiritual experience (read: sobbed and texted all of my friends how much I love them). If you’re a millennial girl, gay, or they, watch and thank me later babe😎
#blessed (via @hewasthrfriendd on Letterboxd) For anyone out of the loop on Scandoval, this article about why Vanderpump Rules is must-see TV is helpful and validating!!!! I’m counting down the days until the reunion.
Lucky us! We’re getting a third and final installment of Ti West’s horror trilogy franchise with MaXXXine. Halsey, Moses Sumney, Lily Collins, and Bobby Canavalle are also set to join. Halsey is on an acting streak and received rave reviews for her performance in Tony Tost’s directorial debut Americana, which premiered at SXSW this year. I’m excited to watch!
Calling all cinephile freaks! I’ve really enjoyed programming on sexydeadmedia from culture critics Jas Keimig and Chase Burns. You can follow along for their weekly column about movies and tv you can’t find on streaming services, ranging from Disney’s iconic Life Size (move over, Barbie), to one of the most fucked up movies I’ve ever seen, Old Boy.
And lastly:
See you next time :~)
<3 Hannah
GASPED as this came into my inbox! Spring has FINALLY sprung!!