No one has peace this week’s #SetTheVCR: that’s the State of the Union it doesn’t matter where you’re From or even if you’re a jeen-yuhs. It does make for excellent TV, though.

There’s a Super Bowl at the end of this week so until then here are some Super #SetTheVCR recommendations.

We got football and monsters! I mean that’s an excellent week right there; #SetTheVCR or not right?

Netflix is all in on creating a 30 for 30.

When ESPN started 30 for 30 like a hundred years ago (seriously Volume 1 started on October 6, 2009; how long ago does that feel to you?) there was nothing like it. I eagerly watched all of em and discovered sweet docs like The Two Escobars. I didn’t know many of those sports stories plus the docs were compelling and generally well done.

It was all good in the hood.

Now years later HBO is cranking out sports docs, Netflix as you can see has RSVPed to the party, Showtime has great offerings, (Showtime has the upcoming Kevin Garnett doc dropping this November…so IN for that.), YouTube…so now I’m starting to get picky.

I can’t watch all of this; nor do I want to. I run this risk of overlooking hidden gems like The Two Escobars but so be it.

Everyone’s pop culture is just as defined by what they haven’t consumed as they are by what is their jam.

Long winded way to confess: I’ll get around to watching Untold: Malice at the Palace though again that was all deftly covered in the Showtime doc on Ron Artest. 2019’s Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story. I dug that doc; better than Showtime’s The Resurgence: DeMarcus Cousins.

As for the rest of Untold…I’m like eh…maybe. I’m sure the docs are fine and I don’t know any of these stories but I’m also good.

Here’s the trailer; note the Volume 1:

Caitlyn Jenner I vaguely know as an Olympian but there’s no captivating story there. I dunno who Christy Martin (boxing) and Mardy Fish (tennis) are and I accept that’s the reason for their documentaries. Still hard to muster any enthusiasm up for that. The last one has potential: a hockey team bought by a man with mob ties. I could possibly watch Untold: Crime & Penalties on August 31st.

On the flipside HBO announced Music Box…that’s their 30 for 30 but all music related.

I already saw Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage which was an embarrassing tragedy and I’m talking about the documentary.

Coming up they got Jagged about the Alanis album Jagged Little Pill, Listening to Kenny G (eh…maybe again…show me a trailer), Untitled DMX and Untitled Juice WRLD. I’d be up for the last two for sure.

Their trailer:

Here’s an article describing Music Box for more details…

While here’s the Untold series…see if there’s any interest for these.

In the meantime I am curious about Netflix’s Naomi Osaka docuseries but 3 parts at 45 minutes each is a lot of commitment. I dunno if she’s done enough and won enough to justify 3 parts.

Tiger Woods and Tom Brady though…they are clearly winners and need a Last Dance badly. How can we make that happen?

–28-

Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

Sammy Younan

Girth Radio Presents…

It’s August…like how did that happen? Because the calendar is so scary let’s kick off this week’s #SetTheVCR with some frightful recommendations.

Sammy Younan

Girth Radio Presents…

Lotta documentaries this week if only so I maintain my street rep: I keep it real. Ok, that may be terrible but these tv recommendations are not!

My Summer Lair Chapter #132: So What Happened When You Hung Out With…A Bad Boy?

There’s a scene in the first episode of Season 3 of Hip-Hop Evolution on Netflix where Tupac is leaving a courtroom and all these white journalists are around him and they’re asking for comments and Tupac yells out “Thug Life! Thug Life!” and one of the white journalists responds: “I don’t know what that means.” Heh.

Now granted part of that is this is beginning of Thug Life; it hasn’t taken on that iconic connotation yet however a lot of the mainstream media was incredibly negative when it came to hip-hop they either didn’t get it or we’re racist or a combination. So thankfully we have Hip-Hop Evolution to correct some of that bogus narrative.

3 Seasons are currently on Netflix; with the forth and final season to debut January 2020.

It’s crazy to see that evolution: season 1 is DJ Kool Herc and sweet block parties; it sounds chill and fun and by the time we get to Season 3 Tupac is getting shot and robbed while NWA is coming Straight Outta Compton. Surreal. In between is Public Enemy, Dre, Tribe Called Quest and so much more.

And while those hip hop stories so expertly captured by the show’s director and creator Darby Wheeler (and host Shad K) it’s the stories off camera that are hilarious and just as surreal and even…incredible. Wait until you hear the Isiah Thomas story; just wow!

Darby Wheeler @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Friday November 1, 2019 at 6:00pm EST at WeWork

Sad to hear via email my friend’s little monkey is not feeling well. That sucks. I can sympathize with the ailing child as my tummy hurts a bit too…today I made 20 chicken nuggets and sat down with them to watch HBO’s 4 hour Elvis documentary: The Searcher.

Only a guy who self-appointed himself as the king before he wins a championship could produce a show where he sits on a throne presiding over a heavily edited ceremony. LeBron James’ latest tv effort The Shop aired on HBO on Thursday August 28 at 11pm.

I’m currently in United States of America but I’d remiss if I didn’t remind you to #SetTheVCR tomorrow night aka National Nostalgia Night.