235 | Kristian R. Hill (God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines)

My Summer Lair Chapter #235: How Many Of The Techo Six Can You Name?

Future Shock is a 1970 book by American futurist Alvin Toffler and Adelaide Farrell. The shortest definition for the term Future Shock  is a personal perception of “too much change in too short a period of time.” And that truly describes Detroit. It’s no surprise director Kristian Hill featured the book in his documentary God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines.

In 2008 Marvel Studios released Iron Man. This is how it all started. By 2012 all of Marvel’s cinematic superheroes had assembled in Avengers. The MCU was up and running; having established a formidable pop culture experience.

Similarly Detroit was home to a group of techno DJs…a sonic Avengers: The Techno Six.

Smokey Robinson, J Dilla, Jackie Wilson, White Stripes, Eminem, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, The Supremes I’ll even toss in Stevie Wonder…Detroit has given us so much music. And you know all these musicians; you know all their hits.

But one of Detroit’s greatest musical contributions has been overlooked and undervalued: Techno. The electronic-music phenomenon was created by Detroit DJs in the 1980s…big banged by The Techno Six. That spark transformed dance music internationally and blossomed into the multibillion-dollar industry of EDM today. 

And just who were The Techno Six who gifted us all with this incredible techno music? That’s the exploration of Kristian R. Hill’s God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines…screening at Tribeca Film Festival.

Though often techno sounds like the future and sci-fi and space ships God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines lets us look back in the past…like a time machine. So let’s visit Detroit in the late 80s by talking to director Kristian Hill.

God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines trailer:

God Said… @ WT F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Friday June 17, 2022 at 11am

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter so we can have some fun…dancing to loud techno!

#SetTheVCR: June 13-19, 2022

We got miracles and music, high stakes baseball and basketball…so it’s either The Summer I Turned Pretty or the latest #SetTheVCR.

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Hurt Myself Today In 1995

Saw one of those retro rock posts: Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt was released today in 1995 as a Fun Fact. Whatever.

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230 | Dani Doucette (Run With Me)

My Summer Lair Chapter #230: Are You Prepared To Enter The Daniverse?

Electro Pop Artist Dani Doucette joins My Summer Lair from sunny Costa Rica. She wisely departed the frozen north which is where I am recording. You can even hear the Sunshine in her voice. Sigh.

You can also hear her sun infused voice on her freshly released Run With Me EP.

Listening to her 7 song EP inspired me and I wrote the following haiku as a sort of review:

Sugar High
Universe Craved heart
Run With Me

So that is clearly an excellent place to start this really warm conversation about Dani, her spirited music, hot sci-fi movies oh and her inspired upcoming tour which isn’t like how most bands tour. You gotta wait for that such a cool creative idea.

But first as you’d expect from a podcast called My Summer Lair we gotta start with the Sun…

Dani Doucette @ WT F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Wednesday January 19, 2022 at 11:30am EST

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter because the F in FOMO doesn’t stand for Fun.

223 | Siddhartha Khosla (Only Murders in the Building)

My Summer Lair Chapter #223: What’s Your Favourite TV Show Theme?

If you have watched NBC’s This Is Us or more specifically for this My Summer Lair conversation Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building you have heard (and most likely enjoyed) Siddhartha Khosla’s music.

He is the film and television composer, singer/songwriter, and producer of the critically acclaimed band, Goldspot.

His other sonic TV credits include Nancy Drew, Love Victor, Marvel’s Runaways and the usual…lots more.

Only Murders in the Building is so fun: basically Steve Martin and Martin Short are old and thus can solve “Only Murders in the Building.” Heh all that crime and grit in NYC and for them it’s limited to their building. Which thankfully is stuffed with quirky weirdos. Their madcap antics are joined by Selena Gomez who does her best to keep the old dudes in line.

All of their sleuthing is deftly scored by Siddhartha’s music who I refer to as a sonic character. Like a boomerang certain themes continue to circle back and if you listen closely you’ll hear clues.

As we talked Season 2 of Only Murders in the Building is being shot right now; expect that on June 28, 2022. In America you can check out the TV series on Hulu; in Canada on Disney Plus.

I wanted to do some detective work to know how this fantastic soundtrack came together and connect with the individual who fashioned it.

Here is my conversation with the soundtrack composer Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Siddhartha Khosla @ WTF

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Monday December 13, 2021 at 11:30am

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter because you’ll be wise to listen to more than just true crime podcasts.

223 | Siddhartha Khosla (Only Murders in the Building)

My Summer Lair Chapter #223: What’s Your Favourite TV Show Theme?

If you have watched NBC’s This Is Us or more specifically for this My Summer Lair conversation Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building you have heard (and most likely enjoyed) Siddhartha Khosla’s music.

He is the film and television composer, singer/songwriter, and producer of the critically acclaimed band, Goldspot.

His other sonic TV credits include Nancy Drew, Love Victor, Marvel’s Runaways and the usual…lots more.

Only Murders in the Building is so fun: basically Steve Martin and Martin Short are old and thus can solve “Only Murders in the Building.” Heh all that crime and grit in NYC and for them it’s limited to their building. Which thankfully is stuffed with quirky weirdos. Their madcap antics are joined by Selena Gomez who does her best to keep the old dudes in line.

All of their sleuthing is deftly scored by Siddhartha’s music who I refer to as a sonic character. Like a boomerang certain themes continue to circle back and if you listen closely you’ll hear clues.

As we talked Season 2 of Only Murders in the Building is being shot right now; expect that soon. In America you can check it out on Hulu; in Canada on Disney Plus.

So dope it got to Season 2: coming out June 28, 2022.

I wanted to do some detective work to know how this fantastic soundtrack came together and connect with the individual who fashioned it. Here is my conversation with the soundtrack composer Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Siddhartha Khosla @ W T F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Monday December 13, 2021 at 11:30am EST

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter because the F in FOMO doesn’t stand for Fun.

#SetTheVCR: May 03-09, 2021

Another streamer joins the TV party! It’s gonna be one of those #SetTheVCR types of week.

Monday, May 03

NBA Special Edition: Marvel’s Arena of Heroes (7:30/6:30c PM / ESPN2 & ESPN+)

ESPN and Marvel announced a groundbreaking collaboration today to launch the first-ever Marvel-inspired alternate presentation for the Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans game on Monday, May 3. The latest development in Marvel and ESPN’s long history of sports content collaboration, the telecast will integrate elements from an original Marvel story and iconic characters including Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Black Widow, and Doctor Strange throughout the live game, including 3D virtual characters, custom graphics and animation packages.
~~

Sammy Suggestion: Mongrel Home Cinema (A Brand New Streamer!)

A selection of award-winning cinema, curated by Mongrel Media and Magnolia Entertainment.
~~~~

Welcome the latest screener slash platform: Mongrel Home Cinema launched on April 30. Mongrel Media is an independent Canadian film distributor established in 1994; Mongrel is also a dog that does not belong to one officially recognized breed. Which if you’ve seen the movies Mongrel Media distributes you understand how apt that name is. In partnership with New York-based Magnolia Pictures this streamer will only be available for Canadian audiences offering art-house movies, cool indies: a curated collection of films from both companies’ catalogues. 10 titles will be added on the first Tuesday of every month.

Subscriptions are available through Mongrel (mongrelhomecinema.com) or the Android or iOS app for $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually. (Get: 3 weeks free using promo code: MONGRELSOCIAL)

Some launch title suggestions: Before Trilogy, Ex Machina, Under The Skin, The Lobster, Frances Ha (highly recommended movie…excellent soundtrack) and you know…many others.

If Netflix is like Blockbuster where you “rent” James Bond or Jurassic Park Mongrel Home Cinema is like Queen Video: all taste and curated.

Tuesday, May 04

The Avengers (Anytime / Disney+)

ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF NEW YORK! When an unexpected enemy threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
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Sammy Suggestion: Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Anytime / Disney+)

“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.
~~~~

Happy Nerd Christmas: May The 4th Be With You All. The Bad Batch is the newest Disney+ TV show (sandwiched between MCU shows Falcon and Loki). It is both a sequel to and spin-off from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Which was highly enjoyed by many but I did not check it out. Still The Mandalorian was solid one of the recent Star Wars offering I found enjoyable. Feel free to hang out with Baby Yoda if animated clone troopers are not your jam.

Wednesday, May 05

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. (Anytime / CBC Gem)

Drawn from a cache of personal video recordings from the past 22 years, director Steve Loveridge’s Sundance award winning MATANGI / MAYA / M.I.A. is a startlingly personal profile of the critically acclaimed artist, chronicling her remarkable journey from refugee immigrant to pop star.
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Sammy Suggestion: Weird Science (Anytime / Netflix (Canada))

Teen misfits Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) design their ideal woman on a computer, and a freak electrical accident brings her to life in the form of the lovely, superhuman Lisa (Kelly LeBrock).

~~~~

One of the best Robert Downey movies from back in the day. If you got kids they gotta watch just for the old timey computers (Wyatt’s computer is a Memotech MTX512 with an FDX add-on. So cool!). And that whole mutant bikers scene is just: weird. Still Weird Science for sure doesn’t age it just improves. Two dorks with bras on their head use their computer to make a hot girl. Tis a John Hughes classic.

Thursday, May 06

Dark Side of the Ring: Season 3 (9/8c PM / Crave)

Exploring the darkest stories from the golden age of professional wrestling and trying to find the truth at the intersection of fantasy and reality.
~~

Citizen Penn (Anytime / Discovery+)

The humanitarian efforts of Sean Penn and a dedicated team of volunteers as they set up a long term base to bring aid to Haitians after the devastating 7.0 earthquake struck in 2010.
~~

Sammy Suggestion: From Cradle to Stage (Anytime / Paramount+)

Virginia Hanlon Grohl, mother of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, shares personal stories about Dave’s childhood alongside family anecdotes from fellow “rock moms.”
~~~~

In 2017 Virginia Grohl mother of Foo Fighters Dave Grohl published From Cradle to Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars. A kind of Behind The Music that was more like Behind The Mothers who were Behind The Music. That book has been adapted into a six-part docuseries. The musician-and-mother guests set to appear on the series are Imagine Dragons‘ Dan Reynolds and Christine Reynolds, Pharrell and Dr. Carolyn Williams, Miranda and Bev Lambert, Brandi and Teresa Carlile, Rage Against The Machine‘s Tom Morello and Mary Morello, plus Rush‘s Geddy Lee and Mary Weinrib. Though it debuts today on Paramount+ you may wanna save this for Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Friday, May 07

Sammy Suggestion: Jupiter’s Legacy (Anytime / Netflix)

They’re the first generation of superheroes. But as they pass the torch to their children, tensions are rising — and the old rules no longer apply.
~~~~

I recently had the opportunity to speak to Steven DeKnight (a writer and a director on Netflix’s Daredevil; now show-runner and executive producer of Jupiter’s Legacy) who said: “Personally, I’m a fan of weekly episodes. It creates a communal viewing experience and leads to the vital “water cooler” conversations.” Though he later added: “How many episodes per season isn’t decided by the writers or even the showrunner. That’s the studio/network.” Which for Jupiter’s Legacy is Netflix as adapted from the Mark Millar comic book. I asked him about weekly vs binging because we’ve seen how successful the MCU shows were on Disney+ in part because of their weekly experience. Now that you’ve lived with weekly releases and binge releases for a few years: where do you stand? As for this Netflix show you can tell from title what it’s about. “Jupiter’s Legacy follows the story of the world’s first superheroes who received their powers in the 1930s. In the present day, they are the revered elder guard but their superpowered children struggle to live up to the legendary feats of their parents.” Basically Superboy or Robin is never gonna be as cool as Superman or Batman. So how do you live up to that legacy? I’ve read many Mark Millar comics which has given us movies such as Kick-Ass and Kingsmen but I haven’t read this 10 issue series so this is all new to me. The comics haven’t left a heavy legacy for the TV show to live up to.

Saturday, May 08

Sammy Suggestion: Greenland (8/7c PM / HBO)

John Garrity, his estranged wife and their young son embark on a perilous journey to find sanctuary as a planet-killing comet hurtles toward Earth.
~~~~

Gerard Butler stars in a ground-level movie about the end of the world: think Deep Impact but as an indie movie. A comet is on a collision course with the Earth, its impact expected to cause an extinction-level event in a day or so. Thus Butler’s a structural engineer who must race against the clock to get himself and his family (shout to Morena Baccarin!) to a secure shelter in Greenland. The problem? Well many because the movie’s running time is 119 minutes so of course there’s a number of obstacles in their way otherwise this would be a short movie. What you think people fall in love in the first 10 minutes of a rom-com?!

Sunday, May 02

The Nevers (9/8c PM / HBO & Crave)

Joss Whedon’s Nevers is described as “a science fiction drama about a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world.” August, 1896. Victorian London is rocked to its foundations by a supernatural event which gives certain people — mostly women — abnormal abilities, from the wondrous to the disturbing. But no matter their particular “turns,” all who belong to this new underclass are in grave danger.
~~

Sammy Suggestion: A Nolan Doubleheader (Anytime / Crave)

INCEPTION: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief with the rare ability to enter people’s dreams and steal their secrets from their subconscious, when he is offered a seemingly impossible task: Plant an idea in someone’s mind. If he succeeds, it will be the perfect crime, but a dangerous enemy anticipates Cobb’s every move.

TENET: Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a Protagonist (John David Washington) journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.
~~~~

I saw Tenet on September 20, 2020. I didn’t expect that’d be my last movie for such a long time. Tenet requires more than 1 viewing so this is most helpful: it was added on Crave on May 7. With Inception Nolan clearly established the physics of that world (well dream world) so viewers knew what was possible (if they didn’t always know what was real.) With Tenet I don’t feel Nolan fully firmly established the physics or rather it was too complex so viewers end up doing calculus instead of enjoying a movie. In Star Trek I dunno what dilithium crystals are but I know when the ship is in trouble: you know? So here ya go: A Nolan Doubleheader: Tenet and Inception are on Crave.

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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.

192 | Andrew Farriss (Self-Titled Album & INXS)

My Summer Lair Chapter #192: Do You Enjoy Country Music?

You first met Andrew Farriss on October 13 1980 with INXS’ self-titled debut album.

By 1987’s freshtastic album Kick Andrew Farriss was the principal songwriter along with magnetic frontman Michael Hutchence. I can’t even put it into words: INXS has been a wild ride: a truly great band with truly great songs.

Unfortunately no matter how fun the roller coaster is…it comes to an end. Thankfully Andrew Farriss has returned with a new ride and it’s a country EP and LP.

Country? Oh yes country: Trains are a coming, arrows flying through the air, horses, outlaws…this is country like Wild West movies not like jukebox country songs about pickup trucks and cheating wives. Oh outlaws: I can do that. This is amazing.

The EP is Love Makes The World released on October 2nd, 2020 while the self-titled LP is out March 19, 2021.

In the media release for the album Andrew says:

“I have always seen myself as a songwriter more than anything. Being the main songwriter in a band as talented as INXS, with a superhuman front man such as Michael, it was a songwriter’s dream. The lessons that I took for writing for INXS into my own career, is that maybe I can do things a little bit differently. I don’t mind not being pigeonholed. I am not interested in that; I appreciate all genres. I don’t think you have to necessarily stay in your little box and behave yourself. I think working with people outside your comfort zone is great for the future of music, that is what makes great change in music.” 

Launching from track 7 the sublime song Apache Pass finds Andrew singing about Geronimo.

And I dunno why but Geronimo is something we yell out when taking a large leap. Based on that I tease him are you ready to yell Geronimo as you take the leap to being a frontman and principle songwriter?

When you look back at those early INXS videos he’s hidden in the corner there; mostly behind keyboards…now there’s no more Michael Hutchence with his simmering heat: Andrew is front and center in the recently released videos and the upcoming shows. Geronimoooo for true!

Welcome Andrew Farris to My Summer Lair.

Andrew Farriss @ WT F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Monday March 15, 2021 at 6pm (EST)

#CouchWorthy: Framing Britney Spears

NY Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears (Anytime / Crave) The New York Times Presents on FX is their version of PBS’s Frontline. They’re following The Killing of Breonna Taylor with umm: Framing Britney Spears. Crazy.

Gimme More hard hitting journalism. This documentary about the I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman pop star’s Toxic legal fight to wrest control over her life and Circus career from her father’s conservatorship because she’s not A Slave 4 him. (“Anytime there’s that amount of money to be made, you have to question the motives of everyone close to that person.” Which is a quote from the doc.

(But why is “follow the money” an acceptable narrative for Britney Spears and over on HBO with Allen v. Farrow they’re greedily exploiting a family in disarray with a callous disregard for journalism lusting instead for cheap Buzzfeed click validation. Always Always Always follow the money before you follow the truth: Who Benefits from Allen v. Farrow? Who is making money from this docuseries? Who & Why? Reveal em like a Scooby-Doo monster. And that includes the legion of subpar “journalists.” Don’t cherry pick: nut up and follow the money for everybody.)

Anyways I can’t name any more Britney hits without Google’s assistance. #FreeBritney I guess.

This special aired in America on Friday, February 5 but in Canada we experienced a Blackout.

#SetTheVCR: Framing Britney Spears will be on Crave for Canadians this Friday, February 26.

Americans have had since February 5 to react, make podcasts, write blogs, issue corny Tik Tok challenges and take a fully unearned and unauthorized haughty and pious position condemning Justin Timberlake and I dunno who else. Your turn is next eh?

Our insupportable streaming rights impact our cultural creators.

On the socials Crave got Wonder Woman 1984 inundated for this Britney Spears documentary.

Canada’s streaming “rights” are still Toxic. (I’m not googling new Britney songs to make my point. What I know is what I know.) But how does this make sense?

In Canada we have FX; now we have Disney+Star which has FX and Hulu stuff.  However neither are carrying Framing Britney Spears. Oops!… I Did It Again, eh?

You know who will do the Work Bitch? Crave. Which makes no sense; this streaming rights system is stupid. This only confirms Canada is a Circus.

A Stephen King book comes out: everywhere: all platforms on the same day.

Like in music a Radiohead album comes out it’s everywhere…every platform on the same day.

Why have we made it acceptable to wait a month…or longer for movies and TV shows but books and music are universal?

Can you imagine if albums were this complicated?! After we “#FreeBritney” can we “#FreeCanada” next?

Crave (On Demand) | February 26, 2021

FX on Hulu | February 5, 2021

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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.

#SetTheVCR: February 01-07, 2021

Another week of TV and another set of Super Duper TV recommendations. It’s also I believe the first time Britney Spears has been mentioned or even acknowledged. So that’s Super Cool right?

Monday, February 1

Lennox Lewis: The Untold Story (Anytime / Crave)

An inside look at the career of Lennox Lewis from his rough upbringing to the Olympics and the professional ranks where he established himself as one of the greats in the history of the sport.
~~

Sammy Suggestion: Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America (Anytime / CBC Gem)

From Executive Producers Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter comes a new series that focuses on groundbreaking songs pivotal to the evolution of American music and culture. Don’t miss the series premiere Sunday, October 13 at midnight.
~~~~

2019’s Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America surfaces on CBC Gem. Check out the talent behind the camera: executive producers Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Shawn Gee and Alex Gibney. Whew. Each episode of this documentary series focuses on a novel song pivotal to the evolution of American music and hip hop culture. The six episodes of this AMC series are devoted to MC Shan and Marley Marl’s “The Bridge,” Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” Run-DMC’s “Rock Box,” Outkast’s “Elevators,” and Queen Latifah and Monie Love’s “Ladies First.” Amazing.

Tuesday, February 2

Fake Famous (9 p.m. / HBO)

In the future, everyone will be FAKE FAMOUS for 15 minutes as detailed in this documentary about the rise of the social-media influencer.
~~

Sammy Suggestion: Two Sentence Horror Stories (8 p.m. / The CW)

An anthology series featuring updated tales of horror and haunting for the digital age, inspired by the viral fan fiction of two sentence horror stories.
~~~~

Tonight’s episode of Two Sentence Horror Stories (Essence) is special because Laura Mennell the troublemaker from Project Blue Book guest stars. Should be fun and joyful mischief. “A young woman struggling to make ends meet starts work at a high-end nail salon, but the horrifying physical toll the job takes leads her to suspect something much more sinister may be at play.” Oh Oh.

Wednesday, February 3

Sammy Suggestion: Critical Thinking (Anytime / Netflix (Canada))

Based on a true story, CRITICAL THINKING tells the inspiring tale of Mario Martinez, the Cuban-American teacher, and his chess team at the Miami Jackson High School.
~~~~

Critical Thinking is the latest in the “help the at-risk kids inspirational sometimes based on a true story” movie genre. We’ve had Antonio Banderas as an unwavering teacher reaching problem kids with dancing. Hilary Swank as an unwavering teacher who used writing to reach problem kids. Even Tiffany Haddish in Night School took a turn as an unwavering teacher to help problem students. The latest addition to this genre is John Leguizamo an unwavering teacher and “white knight” teaching his inner-city kids chess! Because life isn’t a game of checkers. He also directed this movie and it got some decent buzz at SXSW so perhaps it can teach us something special.

Thursday, February 4

The Head (Anytime / HBO Max)

THE HEAD is a six-episode survival thriller set in an isolated and inaccessible Antarctic research station in which winter has fallen on the South Pole, and the sun will soon disappear for the next six months.
~~

Sammy Suggestion: 30 for 30: Al Davis vs. the NFL (9 p.m. / ESPN)

The story of the long-running feud between Raiders owner Al Davis and NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.
~~~~

The latest 30 for 30 is a fantastic story; I know some of this but not the whole story. (Oakland is a crazy sports town though we don’t recognize it as such: Moneyball for baseball, the Raiders and how they influenced hip hop culture while the Warriors offered Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Chris Mullin to Curry…and yet with the exception of baseball teams leave Oakland.) One thing I’ve never understood is the primary difference between how the NFL is covered vs the NBA. NFL owners figure prominently in daily sports coverage and reporting. Owners get blamed for losses sometime. I don’t get the difference. It’s rare for NBA owners to be interviewed or blamed or even acknowledged. Anyways. Here’s the story of Al Davis vs. the NFL. (For Canadians this’ll be on TSN on Friday night at 7 p.m..)

Friday, February 5

Space Sweepers (Anytime / Netflix)

Chasing after space debris and faraway dreams in year 2092, four misfits unearth explosive secrets during the attempted trade of a wide-eyed humanoid.
~~

Greenland (Anytime / Prime Video)

A family fights for survival as a planet-killing comet races to Earth.
~~

Bliss (Anytime / Prime Video)

A brilliant painter turns to anything she can to complete her masterpiece, spiraling into a hallucinatory hellscape of drugs, sex, and murder.
~~

Sammy Suggestion: Framing Britney Spears (10 p.m. / FX)

Anytime there’s that amount of money to be made, you have to question the motives of everyone close to that person.
~~~~

The New York Times Presents on FX is their version of PBS’s Frontline. They’re following The Killing of Breonna Taylor with umm: Framing Britney Spears. Crazy. Gimme More hard hitting journalism. This documentary about the I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman pop star’s Toxic legal fight to wrest control over her life and Circus career from her father’s conservatorship because she’s not A Slave 4 him. I can’t name any more Britney hits without Google’s assistance. #FreeBritney

Saturday, February 6

Sammy Suggestion: Irresistible ( 8 p.m. / HBO)

An American political comedy film written and directed by Jon Stewart, about a Democratic strategist who tries to help a local candidate win an election in a small right-wing town.
~~~~

That this movie is from writer and director Jon Stewart is what makes it Irresistible. Expect political satire and comedy with sharp edges as a Democrat political consultant (Steve Carell) helps a retired Marine colonel (Chris Cooper) run for mayor in a small Wisconsin town. Thanks to Rose Byrne it’s not going well. February 26 on Crave for Canadians.

Sunday, February 7

The Circus: Inside the Wildest Political Show on Earth: Season 6 (8 p.m. / Showtime & Crave)

Come one, come all to THE CIRCUS. This documentary series pulls back the curtain on the Trump era of presidential politics, revealing the stories behind the headlines.
~~

Sammy Suggestion: Super Bowl LV (6:30 p.m. / CBS)

The American Football Conference champion Kansas City Chiefs will play the National Football Conference champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Because Tom Brady is not capable of sitting out a Super Bowl.
~~~~

This is an outstanding Super Bowl! If Brady wins he’s 7 for 10. 70% in The Final Game! I thought Jordan’s 6 for 6 100% was nuts. If Mahomes wins it’s like a passing of the torch. Like when Jordan won his first NBA Championship in 1991 against Magic and the Lakers. (By then Bird’s back was bad, Celtics were done. And in the fall of 1991 Magic tested positive for the HIV virus and retired. So Jordan naturally rightfully became The Man!). Either way it’s ruckus. And Malvern’s own The Weeknd is performing at halftime. This’ll be a Super Sunday: may it be as spicy as your chicken wings.

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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.

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