Earlier this year I had a 7 day free trial of Apple TV+, and used it to blitz the famous Ted Lasso I’d heard so much about. Then in June, there was an offer for Sky customers to get 3 months for free, so I’ve able to explore its contents a lot more! There are some wonderful things on there, hopefully my top five (in no particular order) has something to suit everyone – TV shows, films, even a musical, across the spectrum from comedy to sci-fi drama.
“Come From Away” – Musical
Filmed live on Broadway and set in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada in September 2001. When the twin towers were hit, 38 transatlantic planes were diverted to Gander, and the towns population doubled for several days. This is the story of those few days. The score is wonderful, and with the main props just being a load of mis-matched chairs arranged to form each scene.
“The Morning Show” – TV – Drama
There are currently two series available, and a third is in the works. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was a comedy, but it was much darker than I expected! A co-host of a morning TV show is fired for sexual misconduct, and the show deals with the fallout of that, as well as the culture that allowed it, and bringing in someone new to replace him.
“Ted Lasso” – TV – Comedy
Ted is a coach of an American Football team, and is brought over to manage fictional, struggling football team, AFC Richmond by the ex-wife of its former owner, who wants to drive the club into the ground. Ted is adorable, ever positive, and knows literally nothing about the beautiful game. I’ve heard someone describe him as a secular Ned Flanders, which I think could be a perfect description! It’s not just about him though, the cast is great and keeps it well rounded.
“CODA” – Film – Drama
CODA stands for “Child Of Deaf Adults”. Ruby is one, and works with her family on their fishing boat before school, partly so they have a hearing person on board. But she wants to sing and go to college, something her family just don’t understand. It’s a beautiful film, it shows the deaf family as just normal people, with a sense of humour, and with problems, just like the rest of us.
“Severance” – TV – Sci-fi Drama
Only one series has been created so far, but I believe there is more to come. A company called Lumen runs a procedure on its recruits so that at work they remember nothing of their life outside of work, and outside of work, remember nothing of their work life. Such a strong concept, and lots of interesting connotations that follow on from it. Something weird is going on, but we don’t know what.
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