Welcome back to a new #SetTheVCR and a new streaming service. The latest New Kid on the Block is Peacock from NBCUniversal (a subsidiary of Comcast. So clearly they got lots of “content” to offer.). The service will launch on July 15, 2020. Is TV getting stressful? Aren’t you glad you have the following TV recommendations to make your life easier? You’re welcome!

Sunday, January 19
Avenue 5: Season 1 (10 p.m. / HBO)

Sammy Suggestion: Assholes: A Theory (10 p.m. / documentary Channel)
Often when you bring up Kanye West you instantly get some variation of “he’s an ass” or “he’s an asshole” as if it was some sort of empirical fact. (Which I’ve always found utterly and entirely irrelevant: he’s paid to be creative and he does that well across a number of disciplines.) The asshole culture such as it is; is documented in this fascinating documentary by director John Walker. Built around an engaging conversation with philosopher Aaron James, an associate professor of philosophy at the University of California; and the author of the bestseller Assholes: A Theory. James’ book sets out to establish an academic definition of asshole so it can be studied and understood; this documentary picks up on James’ work and book and investigates “the contemporary “asshole culture” which of course brings us full circle to Kanye West. Is Kanye West an asshole…according to the documentary and professor James’ work? See for yourself.

Monday, January 20
Sammy Suggestion: Emanuel (9 p.m. / Starz)
Executive produced by Stephen Curry Emanuel is a documentary about the Charleston church shooting (Dylann Roof) back in 2015 and the inevitable aftermath. Curry’s coming along as an executive producer (even with that odd mini-golf show!). As more NBA players become movie/tv show producers (Kevin Durant, LeBron James etc.) Curry’s off to a strong start.

Tuesday, January 21
Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty Netflix
Arrow: Season 8 (8 p.m. / The CW)
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: Season 5 (9 p.m. / The CW)

Sammy Suggestion: Project Blue Book: Season 2 (10 p.m. / History Channel)
So about a year ago, I had the good pleasure of reviewing Project Blue Book for Geek Hard. Effectively saying this show filled the X-Files hole in my heart. (Helps it’s also shot in Vancouver.) The show is based (and inspired) by Josef Allen Hynek a real live man who developed the sixfold Close Encounter classification scale from which Spielberg would name his movie…Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Dr. Hynek was hired by the Air Force to explore and document incidents they couldn’t…understand. For example, the first two episodes of this season dive into The Roswell Incident. Oh Snap! This is why this show is one of my Top Must See TV Picks for 2020!

Wednesday, January 22
Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak Netflix

Sammy Suggestion: NBA: San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans (9:30 p.m. / ESPN)
This NBA season we’ve been guilt-tripped by channels like ESPN that NBA ratings are down. We’re not watching enough NBA. This is understandable since so many key players like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and many others are injured. If they ain’t playing there’s nothing to watch, right? Well now Zion Williamson’s NBA debut is tonight; he is injury-free and expected to launch an incredible professional basketball career. And it begins now. ESPN has graciously bumped the Rockets-Nuggets game so we can all watch…will you watch Zion?

Thursday, January 23
The Dead Lands: Season 1 Shudder

Sammy Suggestion: Star Trek: Picard: Season 1 (9 p.m. / CTV Sci-Fi Channel & CBS All Access)
Nerd Prayers Up: Please Don’t Suck. Jean-Luc Picard’s last appearance was 2002 in Star Trek: Nemesis. Patrick Stewart said: “During these past years, it has been humbling to hear many stories about how The Next Generation brought people comfort, saw them through difficult periods in their lives or how the example of Jean-Luc inspired so many to follow in his footsteps, pursuing science, exploration and leadership. I feel I’m ready to return to him for the same reason – to research and experience what comforting and reforming light he might shine on these often very dark times. I look forward to working with our brilliant creative team as we endeavor to bring a fresh, unexpected and pertinent story to life once more.” Same! I abandoned Star Trek: Enterprise and have no interest in Star Trek: Discovery. So as much as it’s a return for Patrick Stewart I too am coming back to Star Trek. Nerd Prayers Up: Please Don’t Suck.

Friday, January 24
Rise of Empires: Ottoman Netflix
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Netflix
The Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow Netflix
Godzilla: King of the Monsters Crave

Sammy Suggestion: Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously (Anytime / ShoutFactoryTV.com)
I believe this is the debut of ShoutFactoryTV on #SetTheVCR! Yes, this is another streaming service however…there is no app! And it is free (for Canadians and Americans! BOOM!). So go forth and consume. They offer lots of sweet nerd shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000 and lots of sweet nerd movies like my recommendation. Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously is a 2016 documentary that followed Neil during his 2013 American and UK tours promoting The Ocean at the End of the Lane. (Excellent book if you haven’t read it; watch the doc then pick up the book.) Dream Dangerously features interviews with then DC editor Karen Berger, Terry Pratchett, Bill Hader and Michael Sheen. Now that is warm company for a cold Friday night in January.

Saturday, January 25
Sammy Suggestion: Betty White: First Lady of Television (Netflix)
On January 12th Netflix added Betty White: First Lady of Television a documentary about the ol Golden Girl. Which in hindsight is stupid. Why wouldn’t you drop that on her birthday which was January 17…like marketing and all that…be easy not lazy. Anyways Happy Birthday Betty White! (He says as he suggests it on January 25 not January 17!)

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Also published on Medium.