It’s a new week which means a new streamer. Sorta. CBS All Access will be rebranded as Paramount+ on March 4, 2021. It now joins Disney+, Apple TV+ and Discovery+. It’s easy to see why Hollywood is synonymous with creativity. Well this week’s + includes bountiful TV recommendations.

Monday, March 1

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell (Anytime / Netflix)

The late rapper known as the Notorious B.I.G. is seen and heard in archival interviews, home movies. With rare footage and in-depth interviews, this documentary celebrates the life of The Notorious B.I.G. on his journey from hustler to rap king.
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Playing With Power: The Nintendo Story (Anytime / Crackle)

This 5-part docuseries covers the origins and journey of Nintendo from the 1800s until today.
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Sammy Suggestion: Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself (Anytime / Crave)

Magician Derek DelGaudio wows audiences with his mesmerizing tricks and autobiographical storytelling.
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This is magic! Yes! But it’s also the spark magic ignites…it’s the same spark we’ve seen in Justin Willman’s Magic for Humans. Know that DelGaudio’s remarkable one-man show, which enjoyed a lengthy Off-Broadway run between 2017 and 2018, is brimming with card tricks, optical illusions, and even teleportation. What?! However, echoing Magic for Humans DelGaudio transforms the usual magic hustle into a powerful meditation on existential yearning and his own bumpy quest for meaning in life. I mean what’s more important? The magic or the magician? The story or the writer? Oh this’ll be a solid cup of tea. Bonus? If you don’t know the magician then you know the names in the credits: executive producer Stephen Colbert and director by Frank Oz. Now it just got interesting didn’t it? (This was on Hulu for Americans since January 22, this is it’s Canadian debut.)

Tuesday, March 2

The Flash: Season 7 (8/7c PM / The CW)

The Flash is back for a seventh season of this superhero drama proving he isn’t a…Flash in the pan! #Rimshot
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Sammy Suggestion: Tombstone (Anytime / Disney+ Star)

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his brothers, Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), have left their gunslinger ways behind them to settle down and start a business in the town of Tombstone, Ariz. While they aren’t looking to find trouble, trouble soon finds them. Oh, and also the best portrayal of Doc Holiday you’ll ever see.
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Oh Snap! Tombstone is among the recently launched Disney+ Star “adult” collection. Outstanding ruckus with fantastic mustaches. “You called down the thunder, well now you’ve got it! You tell ’em I’m coming! And Hell’s coming with me you hear!” Dope movie quote that can easily be used at work next time you’re on a professional zoom.

Wednesday, March 3

Moxie (Anytime / Netflix)

Amy Poehler directs and co-stars this Netflix movie about a shy teen and her self-published zine: Inspired by her mom’s rebellious past and a confident new friend, a shy 16-year-old publishes an anonymous zine calling out sexism at her school.
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Sammy Suggestion: Mr. Mercedes: Season 1 & 2 (Anytime / Peacock)

A crime-drama series based on a Stephen King novel: Retired detective Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson) is in an ongoing psychological rivalry with psychopathic serial killer Brady Hartsfield (Harry Treadaway), Mr. Mercedes.
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Mr. Mercedes arrived on Peacock back on October 15, 2020 (from the rarely viewed Audience Channel; which I believe is now defunct.) Easily one of the best Stephen King adaptations…in yo’face Castle Rock; and sorry IT with John Ritter and see you in hell Langoliers with Bronson Pinchot! Brendan Gleeson is an Irish treasure and as detective Bill Hodges he’s outstanding as is the show’s soundtrack. Mr. Mercedes rocks the disco and jams the nightclub. Based on Stephen King’s spellbinding Mr. Mercedes trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch) for over 3 TV seasons the David E. Kelley series combined supernatural elements, a murder mystery; devious characters, and characters seeking redemption. There’s also a lazy turtle if you dig animals. Enjoy…you’re so in for a treat. At the time this past October Peacock only offered the first two seasons; tomorrow the third (and final?) season debuts on Peacock. The show concluded on November 12, 2019 and I doubt there’s any reason for a fourth season still I’m eagerly sharing it now because with strong ratings “never say never.”

Thursday, March 4

Pacific Rim: The Black: Season 1 (Anytime / Netflix)

Kaiju vs Humans continues in this sci-fi animated series. Can’t we all just get along?
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Mr. Mercedes: Season 3 (Anytime / Peacock)

Season 3 of the crime-drama series based on the Stephen King novel.
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Persona: The Dark Truth Behind Personality Tests (Anytime / HBO Max)

PERSONA explores the unexpected origin story of America’s great obsession with personality testing, uncovering the intriguing history behind the world-famous Myers-Briggs Type Indicator while raising a slew of ethical questions and demonstrating how some personality tests may do more harm than good – like impacting online dating matches or job prospects.
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Sammy Suggestion: The Inside Story (11/10 PM-ish / TNT)

Inside the NBA – the Sports Emmy Award-winning studio show known for its entertaining style and unfiltered commentary – pulls back the curtain on its more than 30-year history in this four-part documentary series.
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The TV Guide description says it well: “Inside the NBA – the Sports Emmy Award-winning studio show known for its entertaining style and unfiltered commentary – pulls back the curtain on its more than 30-year history in this four-part documentary series. Interviews with celebrities, crew members, sports reporters and more illuminate the show’s evolution into a cultural phenomenon with untold stories that highlight the chemistry between Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.” The first episode Ernie Johnson: The Traffic Cop airs tonight following the Heat vs Pelicans game (so around 11pm-ish), followed by Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9pm. TNT is among the best NBA game packagers and I wish they could broadcast more games. So good. So fun. Even if the games are blowouts the Inside The NBA team is often entertaining and deeply sarcastic. That’s all I ask! I dunno if I’ll be able to get through this without tears. We’ll all seen so much.

Friday, March 5

WandaVision (Anytime / Disney+)

The season finale to the wildly popular and addictive WANDAVISION: Living idealized suburban lives, super-powered beings Wanda and Vision begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.
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Coming 2 America (Anytime / Prime Video)

Akeem and Semmi are back! Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began.
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Boss Level (Anytime / Hulu)

Trapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his murder, former special forces agent Roy Pulver (Frank Grillo) uncovers clues about a secret government project that could unlock the mystery behind his untimely death.
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Sammy Suggestion: Yes, God, Yes (Anytime / Netflix (Canada))

A devoutly religious teen grapples with her own sexual awakening, and attends a Catholic school retreat in the hopes of suppressing her newfound urges.
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Remember Saved? 2004 movie with Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin…few other friends. A Simpsons sarcastic view of American Christianity after a girl attending a Christian high school becomes pregnant. Well if dug that than here is Yes, God, Yes: “A Catholic girl finds herself having tempting thoughts after an AOL chat turns unexpectedly racy.” AOL chat! Hah. Another movie where the main character umm: takes matters into their own hands while facing eternal damnation.

Saturday, March 6

Sammy Suggestion: Becky (9/8c PM / Showtime)

A crime drama about a rebellious teenager named Becky who is brought to a weekend getaway at a lake house by her father in an effort to try to reconnect after her mother’s death. The trip immediately takes a turn for the worse when a group of convicts on the run, led by the merciless Dominick, suddenly invade the lake house.
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Becky the Kevin James ghetto Cape Fear family terror movie comes to Showtime (for Americans tonight; it’s already on Prime Video for Canadians). Kevin James looks creepy and solid but…does he have range? It’s great he’s trying new things; branching out from comedy. Will the audience accept this though? Bit of a hard sell. Doesn’t help this looks like Home Alone with blood. Only one way to find out!

Sunday, March 7

The Circus: Season 6The Simpsons: Season 32 (8/7c PM / Fox)
The longest running animated TV show in history, Homer and Marge Simpson raise Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie in Springfield, where eccentric residents make everyday life interesting.
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Sammy Suggestion: World War Z (Anytime / Tubi)

Former United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatens to destroy humanity itself.
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Pour one for my homies. Since February 2019 it’s doubtful we’ll ever get a World War Z sequel (directed by Fincher!). J. Michael Straczynski was one of the (many!) World War Z writers an adaption of the Max Brooks novel. Despite some obvious flaws Z offered a few fresh zombie experiences which considering how dense that genre is; is not easy to do. That Jerusalem scene!! A revisit is in order as we continue to zoned out shuffle through this pandemic until we have “herd” immunity.

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

My Summer Lair Chapter #184: Do You Have A Favourite Magic Era?

Today’s adventure is interviewing Jamie Allan an iMagician. He combines magic with iPads though as you’ll hear magic has a compelling history of employing technology to create innovative solutions. Magicians were the original Silicon Valley.

As Arthur C. Clarke pointed out, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to roll with a number of magicians and I find it irritating when they attempt to dispel the magic: it’s a card trick or using a previously bent coin. No it’s not!

I’m fully invested: the magic is 100% real magic. That even in an era laced with science and where enlightenment is peddled as a drug: I make room for magic. It is one of my pop culture food groups.

Which is why I so hope Illusionarium opens as expected: ready for this?

“Conceived by British magician Jamie Allen, this experiential exhibit blends Jamie’s encyclopedic knowledge of the history of magic with state-of-the-art technology, bringing the illusions of the past into the 21st century. Comprised of a series of four magical rooms, each representing a different era starting with the 17th century, visitors are guided through ever-evolving styles of magic spanning hundreds of years.” Clearly: I’m 100% IN.

Penn & Teller are part of this; that right there is worth the price of admission; David Copperfield made some valuable contributions, Harry Houdini who died in 1926 makes an appearance and this all takes place in Toronto…Canada which was the home of magician Doug Henning.

Illusionarium @ W • T • F

Host & Photography by Sammy Younan

Recorded: Saturday December 12, 2020 at 1pm (EST)

From Batman to Burt Reynolds to James Bond? This week’s #SetTheVCR has a lot of action to offer. And BONUS! We’re moving #SetTheVCR to Monday, so have two Sundays this week. All that extra #couthworthy goodness, just in time for the inaugeration. Thanks, Obama – er – Biden.

Sunday, January 17

Tiger: Docuseries Part 2 (9 p.m. / HBOMax & Crave)
TIGER is a two-part documentary offering a revealing look at the rise, fall, and epic comeback of global icon Tiger Woods. Part 2 is the conclusion.
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Inside the Mind of Agatha Christie (10 p.m. / PBS)
The TV special Inside the Mind of Agatha Christie profiles the prolific British author and creator of such classic literary as sleuths Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.

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Batwoman: Season 2 (8 p.m. / The CW & Showcase)
Javicia Leslie takes over as BATWOMAN in the second season of the CW drama.

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Sammy Suggestion: Pennyworth: Season 2 (9 p.m. / Showcase)

Former British SAS soldier Alfred Pennyworth forms a security company and goes to work with Bruce Wayne’s billionaire father, Thomas, in 1960s London.
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The Canadian Debut: Alfred Pennyworth is no longer in Batman comics (RIP!) but he lives on in TV with all kinds of EPIX adventures. “In Pennyworth: Season 2 civil war has erupted in London, leaving Alfred in the middle and looking for an escape route.” Season 2 will feature the introduction of Lucius Fox (Simon Manyonda) who if you’ve read DC Comics will make you say oooo. (Please Note: in Canada Pennyworth: Season 2 debuts tonight on Showcase. It premiered in America on December 13 on EPIX.)

Monday, January 18

Sammy Suggestion: AMERICAN MASTERS: HOW IT FEELS TO BE FREE (9 p.m. / PBS)

Jazz iconoclast Nina Simone, Emmy and Tony winner Cicely Tyson and action star Pam Grier are among the Black female entertainers celebrated on a new AMERICAN MASTERS.
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Although Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier are among the entertainers celebrated in the latest episode of American Masters: the highlight is of course: Nina Simone. Keep her alive and keep her relevant: she’s so good. A stunning talent who truly demonstrated How It Feels to Be Free.

Tuesday, January 19

Sammy Suggestion: THE NIGHT CALLER: DOCUSERIES (ANYTIME / SUNDANCE NOW)

A 4-part true crime docuseries exploring a killer’s harrowing legacy – of tragedy, grief, responsibility and redemption – through the eyes of those closest to the killer and his victims whose lives he altered irrevocably.
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I did not know about any of this. (How does serial killer marketing work? Why do we know some names/crimes and not others?) “From 1959 to 1963, a mysterious attacker terrorized Perth, Australia, committing random and extraordinarily violent crimes. Determined to find the culprit, the Perth police arrested two different suspects. And in a climate of fear, both men were convicted. But the violence didn’t stop. Even when the actual killer was caught and confessed to all the crimes, the first two men remain behind bars.” Woah. Did you know about all this? New Day, New True Crime. There are four episodes in the docuseries and they’ll drop weekly on Sundance Now.

Wednesday, January 20

Presidential Inauguration (Anytime / All The Channels)
Broadcast networks and cable news outlets will offer live coverage from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., of the “Presidential Inauguration” of Joe Biden.
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Sammy Suggestion: SPYCRAFT: DOCUSERIES (9 p.m. / Netflix)

The spy game is a serious business, and throughout history, the tools and technologies developed for it have mattered as much as the spies themselves.
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Q (the good one…the best one) was Desmond Llewelyn and oh how he tolerated James Bond. He worked hard to make Bond look good; and do his duty for Queen and Country. His passing in 1999 was sad; so think of this docuseries Spycraft as a tribute. This eight-episode series gives viewers an unprecedented look at the incredible spy gadgets and the agents that put them to use with accounts from ancient history to modern day intrigue. If you’ve ever visited the Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. one of the startlingly rooms is the bug room: old school bugs were so big (how did that work?) eventually they got smaller and better, even becoming cameras. We tend to think of technology we use: phones getting smaller, better…improving with each iteration. Spy gadgets do as well. So this is your mission if you choose to accept it!

PS: What does it say that the only way to find an official trailer for this series is from Netflix Uzbek. Hmm….

Thursday, January 21

Walker: Season 1 (8 p.m. / The CW)
A reimagining of the long-running series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” WALKER follows the adventures of Cordell Walker, a widower and father of two with his own moral code, as he returns home to Austin after being under cover for two years, only to discover there’s harder work to be done at home.
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Sammy Suggestion: Batman Beyond & Batman: The Animated Series (Anytime / HBO Max)

BATMAN BEYOND, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, and a number of other popular DC titles are finally heading to HBO Max
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True Story: When Batman Beyond debuted on January 10, 1999 I was like: no thanks. I did not enjoy seeing how the Batman story “ends.” The show slowly steadily won me over: I’ve even read some of their DC Comics. Still Batman’s legacy will always include these 2 special shows. Batman: The Animated Series is one of the best representations of Batman: especially stunning episodes such as Almost Got ‘Im. It’s worth a revisit. The 4 seasons of the Animated Series while the 3 seasons of Beyond have been added to HBO Max including a number of associated movies.

Friday, January 22

WandaVision (Anytime / Disney+)

Living idealized suburban lives, super-powered beings Wanda and Vision begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.

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The Sister: Season 1 (Anytime / Hulu)

Almost a decade into his new devoted married life Nathan is rocked to the core when Bob, an unwelcome face from the past, turns up on his doorstep with shocking news, triggering a series of catastrophic decisions.

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Fate: The Winx Saga (Anytime / Netflix)

Fairies attend a magical boarding school in the Otherworld, where they must learn to master their magical powers while navigating love, rivalries and the monsters that threaten their very existence.

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Sammy Suggestion: DEREK DELGUADIO’S IN & OF ITSELF (ANYTIME / HULU)

IN & OF ITSELF chronicles conceptual storyteller Derek DelGaudio’s attempt to answer one deceptively simple question: Who am I?
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This is magic! Yes! But it’s also the spark magic ignites…it’s the same spark we’ve seen in Justin Willman’s Magic for Humans. Know that DelGaudio’s remarkable one-man show, which enjoyed a lengthy Off-Broadway run between 2017 and 2018, is brimming with card tricks, optical illusions, and even teleportation. What?! However, echoing Magic for Humans DelGaudio transforms the usual magic hustle into a powerful meditation on existential yearning and his own bumpy quest for meaning in life. I mean what’s more important? The magic or the magician? The story or the writer? Oh this’ll be a solid cup of tea.

Saturday, January 23

Sammy Suggestion: I am Burt Reynolds (ANYTIME / Crave)

Burt Reynolds was the epitome of American macho. Known for his charm, his iconic mustache and penchant for women and cars. His career includes more than 200 films and TV series, a nude photo on a bearskin in Cosmopolitan, but also a fight against drug addiction due to stunt injuries. Through rarely viewed archive material and interviews with his family, friends and colleagues, an intimate portrait of one of America’s most beloved stars is drawn.
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Burt Reynolds is cool. I don’t know if it’s the mustache or the swagger but Burt Reynolds is cool. And while I enjoyed him in many movies; I don’t know that much about him. The latest in the Paramount Network’s I Am documentary series is I Am Burt Reynolds. Previous I Am documentaries include MLK, Patrick Swayze, Evel Knievel, Paul Walker, Jackie O and it all began with Richard Pryor in 2019. It’s their version of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentaries. (The Paramount Network is a cable TV channel with an app so most Americans have access to it. However in Canada we’ve gotten the bulk of their I Am documentaries via Crave.)

Sunday, January 24

Sammy Suggestion: Bridge and Tunnel: Season 1 (ANYTIME / EPIX)

Written, directed and produced by Edward Burns, this dramedy series set in 1980 revolves around a group of college grads setting out to pursue their dreams in Manhattan while still clinging to the familiarity of their working-class Long Island home town.
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Bridge and Tunnel is written, directed and produced by Edward Burns…remember him? This dramedy is set in the 1980s and focuses on a group of recent college grads setting out to pursue their dreams in Manhattan. However they are clinging to familiarity of their working-class Long Island hometown so that’s the tension. As I can personally attest growing up in the 80s is not easy.

–28-

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

Today’s Adventure is interviewing Jamie Allan an iMagician. He combines magic with ipads as you’ll see (though magic has a long history of employing technology).

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to roll with a number of magicians and I find it irritating when they attempt to dispel the magic: it’s a card trick or using a previously bent coin. No it’s not!

I’m fully invested: the magic is 100% real magic. That even in an era laced with science and where enlightenment is peddled as a drug: I make room for magic. It is one of my food groups.

So enjoy…good Saturday viewing. Watch this space for the My Summer Lair episode.

-28-

From Season 2 of My Pal Sammy: After Did You See The Mariachi Band in Umbrella Academy?

A solo My Pal Sammy podcast is lovingly recorded. This solo Sammy episode covers…the Mariachi Band that cameoed in one episode of the Netflix series Umbrella Academy.

And in this My Pal Sammy podcast there’s more…

Mourning culture: It’s sad baby!
AGO: Illusions: The Art of Magic running until November 8, 2020: It’s magic baby!
NBA’s Return: It’s hoops baby!
The Umbrella Academy Mariachi Band: it’s music baby!

Does that make sense out loud?

I dunno…press play. Couldn’t find the Mariachi Band scene on YouTube (come on nerds!) so here’s a fantastic Sunny cover from the show’s soundtrack.

p.s. Intro Music by Yung Kartz “Forget Me”

–28-

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

It’s back!! Yes! Today on Netflix Magic for Humans one of my all time bestest most favourite most special Top Dog #1 Netflix tv shows returns with a third season. It’s got comedy and it’s got magic and it’s got discovery as host Justin Willman learns what it means to be…human. You know what it doesn’t have?

Camera or editing tricks because that is not magic. So…how is he doing what he’s doing? Or a better question: why is he doing what he is doing?

The premise is simple and wonderful: comedian and magician Justin Willman performs magic tricks for people on the street. You think you’ve seen before right? You think you know where this going right? Let this show surprise and delight you; inject some wonder back into your life.

Some of Season 1’s episodes/themes included Self Control, Guilt Trip, and Love while Season 2 focussed on Christmas, Daddy Issues, and Time is Relative. What themes can we expect for Season 3?

Power Trip
“Power exists in many forms, and Justin seeks to experience them all. He takes on a power washer, teaches the impact of kind words, stuns with the power of the mind and influences influencers.” The first scene in the trailer provides Justin’s magical response to power.

Vices
“Vices have a lot of power over us. To understand his own indulgences, Justin delves into the world of vices and meets people who can’t say no to urges. Welcome to a binge full of junk food, child gambling and smashing stuff with bats.” Think Season 1’s marshmallows will be back?

Home
“Home is where the heart is, but it’s also usually a place where we keep our stuff. Justin explores the latter via a garage sale, a visit to a tiny home, a trip to Ikea and a revelation of how our smart homes are making us dumb.” Wonder if he scored those tasty Ikea meatballs…

Self Care
“Self care is important for a happy and healthy life. Justin explores the many ways we can better ourselves in our busy lives at the spa, staying on top of chores, letting a shrink into our brains or learning to heal our own wounds.” This show is part of my self-care routine.

The End
“All things eventually come to an end, and Justin takes on the tough theme of “kicking the bucket” by visiting a thrift store full of expired items, talking with those on the other side and helping kids prepare their bucket lists.” Since like Houdini magicians have been adept at cheating death. I’ll probably take some notes on this episode.

Know Fear
“When you face your fears, you often learn that the thing you were afraid of is not so scary after all. Justin faces his fears by performing nude, being saran wrapped, and overcoming his past trauma of indulging in hot peppers.” Full Frontal Nudity! Justin visits a nudist resort. But like…when you’re naked like that what do you do with your hands?

Tradition
“Traditions don’t need to make sense, they just need to bring us joy. Justin takes on his favorite traditions by becoming the tooth fairy, becoming one with a pinata, and learning the proper ways to consume (and drop) food.” My Magic for Humans tradition is sadness when a season is over. If we have the power to prevent forest fires perhaps if we all get together we can make Season 4 happen?

Now that would be magical.

Magic for Humans: Season 3 is now on Netflix.

-28-

Sammy Younan

Girth Radio Presents…

It’s back!! Yes! Today on Netflix Magic for Humans one of my all time bestest most favourite most special Top Dog #1 Netflix tv shows returns with a third season. It’s got comedy and it’s got magic and it’s got discovery as host Justin Willman learns what it means to be…human. You know what it doesn’t have?

My Summer Lair Chapter #155: Are You A Human Who Is Ready For Magic?

There’s this hope that comes with watching streaming service tv shows. You kinda hope a show comes back for another season yet at the same time if it doesn’t you’re good: you enjoyed everything they gave you. Well hope no more: Magic for Humans returns for a third season. Cue the fireworks.

Season 1’s six episodes were released on Netflix on August 17, 2018. Season 2 magically appeared on December 4, 2019, and on May 15, 2020, we get 7 episodes for Season 3. Oh Yes!

If you haven’t already, go check them all out. Magic for Humans is hosted by comedian and magician Justin Willman who often performs his magic tricks for people on the street similar to early David Blaine magic specials. I really dig this show (especially as a fan of magic!!) and Justin insists there’s no camera or editing tricks. Hmmm. See for yourself!

Though for this My Summer Lair conversation you’ll probably want to also check out The Last Dance: the Chicago Bulls—Michael Jordan documentary. Highly recommended: even if Last Dance didn’t pertain to this conversation watch it anyways.

As you’ll hear in my Justin interview I’m curious what happens when somebody dedicates himself to his craft in this case magic. We saw that with Jordan and his fully devoted connection to basketball and being the best. He was incredibly successful: as a leader, as a basketball player, as a teammate and yet you can’t help but speculate what that dedication cost him.

This all sounds heavy but trust me this conversation is playful and fun and inspiring. Just like Magic for Humans, we get into wonder and joy.

Magic for Humans: Season 3 is on Netflix:

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Justin Willman @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Monday May 11, 2020 at 3pm EST

Sammy Younan

Girth Radio Presents…

We got Happy Days and Perfect Dudes. We got The Wrong Missy and a Joker. This is either #SetTheVCR or one strange week. Either way, you will not be bored.

My Summer Lair Chapter #147: How Did Harry Houdini Come Into Your Life?

“Nobody has neutral feelings about Harry Houdini. His personality does not inspire mild emotions. No one has ever said, “I’m ambivalent about the guy.” Many people along this journey adore Houdini for his ambition, his ingenuity, his relentlessness, and for the way he became larger than life. But there are also people that can’t stand him.”

Harry Houdini cuts both ways: he’s got his fans and he’s got his haters. The term we use now is polarizing: he’s a polarizing figure. The quote is from The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini by Joe Posnanski. The title relates to the quote because even now; dead since 1926 Houdini’s afterlife still includes his fans and his haters. Even in death, Harry Houdini’s fame and life remain polarizing.

(It’s equally fascinating that Houdini was so passionate about being the best and making the necessary sacrifices to be the best (ever?) that people would respond to him with such passion. Passion generates passion. It should be like a law of physics or something.)

All of this is exactly what you want in an American superhero. When you contemplate these larger than life characters and their wild stories filled with lies and half-truths and deceptions and myths it prompts an obvious question. What is it about America that it’s able to create these compelling superheroes? I’m talking about Harry, Evel Knievel…Babe Ruth. Superman.

We cover all of these superheroes in this charismatic conversation that kicks off with Joe sharing a magical moment with an American superhero Muhammad Ali.

Joe Posnanski @ W • T • F

Host & Photography by Sammy Younan

Recorded: Thursday March 12, 2020 at 5:30pm (EST) at WeWork