I’m so Barry happy you’re Along For The Ride with this week’s #SetTheVCR. We got a Magic Batman Shark. That sounds odd but it’ll make way more sense on Wednesday which is 4-20!

Monday, April 18

NBA Playoffs Continue! (TBD / TBD)

Round 1 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs unfold; today will see 3 Game 2s; though the Playoffs will be on every single night this week across ESPN and TNT.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE BATMAN (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

Welcome to Emo-Batman! When the Riddler, a sadistic serial killer, begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city’s hidden corruption and question his family’s involvement.
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If you want to want to watch a billionaire with a $10 strip mall emo-haircut fight crime then by all means #SetTheVCR.

Tuesday, April 19

C’mon C’mon (Anytime / Prime Video Canada)

Johnny and his young nephew forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together in this delicate and deeply moving story about the connections between adults and children, the past and the future.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: 30 FOR 30: SHARK (8:30 P.M. / ESPN & TSN)

This 30 for 30 documentary examines the legendary career of professional golfer Greg Norman, and how it was shaped by one stunning day at the Masters Tournament in 1996.
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I adore the 30 for 30s because they often share stories I’ve never heard before. The latest documentary is Shark focusing on golfing Legend Greg Norman. This documentary is co-directed by Jason Hehir (The Last Dance, The Fab Five, Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space) and Thomas Odelfelt. Heir talking about the doc said: “Despite all his success, he’s perhaps remembered most for his failure at the Masters, particularly his excruciating collapse on final Sunday in 1996. I was excited for the opportunity to tell the story of one man’s career through the prism of such a sacred site, and to examine the power of one place to mold a man’s legacy, for better or worse.” I dunno what any of that means since I know so little about golf but this is totally “driving” my interest. “Wood” you like to join me?

Wednesday, April 20

Tumbleweeds with Killer Mike (10 p.m. / Vice)

Hosted by Killer Mike, in celebration of 4/20. A four-episode series in which Killer Mike is rolling through America, visiting one dispensary at a time, meeting up with local comedians, business owners and celebrating cannabis culture.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: CYPRESS HILL: INSANE IN THE BRAIN (8:00 P.M. / SHOWTIME & CRAVE)

As part of Showtime’s”Hip Hop 50″ banner, the documentary chronicles the legendary L.A. rap group and their decades-long career and influence. adds a description
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You’d be Insane in the Brain if you skipped this Cypress Hill documentary; especially because today is 4-20. Directed by Estevan Oriol (dude did LA Originals on Netflix…excellent doc!) this’ll cover their Latin roots and West Coast upbringing and ah most likely…weed. Did you know DJ Muggs is the DJ behind Jump Around? Show Title (Time / Channel) – You’d be Insane in the Brain if you skipped this Cypress Hill documentary; especially because today is 4-20. Directed by Estevan Oriol (dude did LA Originals on Netflix…excellent doc!) this’ll cover their Latin roots and West Coast upbringing and ah most likely…weed. Did you know DJ Muggs is the DJ behind Jump Around? Showtime’s partnership with Mass Appeal for Hip Hop 50 “rolls on” as Bushwick Bill: Geto Boy will air next; no broadcast date has been confirmed.

Thursday, April 21

The Girl From Plainville (9 p.m. / W Network)

Hulu’s The Girl From Plainville comes to Canada via the W Network. Inspired by the true story of Michelle Carter’s unprecedented “texting-suicide”?case. Based on the Esquire article of the same name by Jesse Barron, the 8 episode limited series explores Carter’s relationship with Conrad Roy III and the events that led to his death and, later, her conviction of involuntary manslaughter.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: YAKAMOZ S-245: SEASON 1 (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

After disaster strikes Earth, a marine biologist on a submarine research mission must fight to survive with the crew as a conspiracy comes to light.
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Yakamoz S-245 a Turkish action drama on Netflix is rumoured to be a spin-off of Into The Night. Is that true?! Into The Night is fresh: if you ain’t watching it you’re fired. And so is your Mom. If the rumour is true I’m 100% IN. S-245 is written by Into the Night writer Jason George; hopefully this’ll hasten a third season renewal the TV show. As you know in this universe a plane full of passengers are trying to outrun a burning sun. Daylight tastes like burning. So with this spin-off set on a submarine dealing with a harsh sun, this’ll be like Into the Deep.

Friday, April 22

The Simpsons: When Billie Met Lisa (Anytime / Disney+)

The fourth Simpsons short created for Disney+: In When Billie Met Lisa, Lisa Simpson is discovered by chart-topping artists Billie Eilish and FINNEAS while searching for a quiet place to practice her saxophone.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THEY CALL ME MAGIC: DOCUSERIES (ANYTIME / APPLE TV+)

This four part docuseries offers a rare glimpse into the incredible real-life story of Magic Earvin Johnson, who left his mark on history through his work – both on and off the court – and continues to impact our culture today.
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I’m certain people watching HBO Max’s Winning Time focused on Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s rookie season and the birth of Showtime Lakers are wondering how accurate is it? Magic has truly lived up to his nickname: from the highest rated NCAA game (vs Bird), to elevating a floundering NBA giving the rocky organization sustaining status; to playing in LA with some of the greatest Lakers teams; to his abrupt retirement following his devastating HIV announcement, to become a Dodgers owner and a business man in the Black community. There’s a lot to get into…is 4 parts enough? This should make for a magical evening (all 4 episodes are out today) and remember kids: “You can live through anything if Magic made it.”

Saturday, April 23

Captive Audience (Anytime / Hulu)

This limited documentary series explores the evolution of true crime storytelling through the lens of one family’s 50-year journey and two brothers; one a hero, the other a villain.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ALONG FOR THE RIDE (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

The summer before college Auden meets the mysterious Eli, a fellow insomniac. While the seaside town of Colby sleeps, the two embark on a nightly quest to help Auden experience the fun, carefree teen life she never knew she wanted.
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While I’m always up for a teen movie eh…I’m not feeling this…at all. Still let’s talk about it. I’m not sold on the girl or the boy I dunno who either of em are. There’s something off about this trailer…though I thankfully wouldn’t put it in Kissing Booth territory. No teen movie is as bad as Kissing Booths. But to reclaim fun and Summer all the things she never understood or felt she wanted is played out. Is there something else going on here that the trailer is hinting at? It’s a teen movie on Netflix. I’ll go Along For The Ride for at least the first 15 minutes.

Sunday, April 24

Billy The Kid: Season 1 (10:00 p.m. / EPIX)

An epic romantic adventure series based on the life of famous American outlaw Billy the Kid — from his humble Irish roots, to his early days as a cowboy and gunslinger in the American frontier, to his pivotal role in the Lincoln County War and beyond.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: BARRY: SEASON 3 (10:00 p.m. / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

Desperate to leave his violent past behind in favor of his newfound passion, Barry (Bill Hader) is attempting to untangle himself from the world of contract killing and fully immerse himself in acting. But getting out is messy.
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For Season 3 Bill Hader is not only writing Barry (well co-writing with Alec Berg) but he’s also directing it (well sometimes Alec Berg directs too). The last time this TV show aired was May 19, 2019. I barely remember the characters’ names now. This is the description of tonight’s episode: “As an increasingly desperate Barry (Bill Hader) searches the dark web for jobs, Sally (Sarah Goldberg), now the creator and star of her own show, begins to feel the pressures of success. Meanwhile, Noho Hank (Anthony Carrigan) braves his first big test in interrogation, and Gene (Henry Winkler) ruminates over Fuches’ (Stephen Root) crushing reveal.” Might hafta watch Season 2 before I get back into Season 3; otherwise I’ll “miss the mark.”

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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.