Amanda's Picks

This is the time of year when most of your favorite network series have wrapped up or are just about done. I already miss Abbott Elementary which had a strong sophomore season and will be a contender at September’s Emmy Awards. My other faves, Ghosts, Accused and Will Trent are also done and depending on the writers’ strike, will all be back next season. I do have the fifth and final season of Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, now with more yelling and too many parents, and the third and possibly final season of Ted Lasso, which seems to have lost its way, but is still one of the best comedies on TV. With no new talk shows to take up my time, this is what I’m watching and looking forward to.

Jewish Matchmaking- If I was not a borderline successful B movie actress and entertainment writer, I would be a professional matchmaker. I never missed an episode of Millionaire Matchmaker or my personal favorite, Confessions of a Matchmaker, with the toughest most straight-shooting matchmaker in all of Buffalo. I wanted to savor the new Netflix show Jewish Matchmaking, but I binged it in two nights. I couldn’t stop watching the supremely gifted Aleeza Ben Shalom who puts dating apps to shame with her 15 years of experience and 200 marriages. On Jewish Matchmaking, Ben Shalom pairs couples all over the country and in Israel, guiding them along with sayings like “When in doubt, go out” and “Date ‘em till you hate ‘em.” My friend who also binged the show, agrees that being Jewish we might get a little more out of the show, but really, anyone would root for Fay and Shaya to make it and yell at Dani to get over her eyebrow thing. Now it’s on to Indian Matchmaking, from the same producers.

Florida Man - I admit I checked this Netflix show out for the title. It definitely has a Florida vibe but not in a palm trees and Disney way. Edgar Ramirez plays Mike, a disgraced Florida cop who flees to Philadelphia where he is forced to work for a creepy gangster. When the gangster’s girlfriend flees to Florida (so much fleeing), he sends Mike to find her. I’m only two episodes in and Florida Man has already delivered a shark attack, raccoon and alligator sightings, dubious charter fishermen, seedy hotels and a probably corrupt cop. And boy does it take aim (pun intended) at the Sunshine State’s obsession with guns. Every episode features a “Florida Man” story involving epic stupidity and usually illegal weapons. Oh, and because the state is more friendly to filmmakers, Florida Man was actually filmed in North Carolina.

Schmigadoon! - The second season of Schmigadoon! on Apple+ brings last year’s cast back in new roles and in a new location, Schmicago! In season one struggling couple Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) stumble on a magical land called Schmigadoon where everyone sings and dances because they’re very cheery. When they once again find themselves in a slump, Josh and Melissa decide to go back to Schmigadoon, but end up in the much seedier and darker Schmicago. Where season one was all Oklahoma, Sound of Music and Music Man, this season is Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair and Sweeney Todd. The leads are charming and fun and the supporting cast, mostly returning from the first season, includes Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth who runs an orphanage and Alan Cumming as a butcher who really loves his cleaver. Titus Burgess has a pivotal role as the “unreliable narrator” a la Pippin. Schmigadoon does get dark, but it’s a wild ride and a must for Broadway fans.

The Game Show Show- It’s ABC so you get one episode a week of this four-part documentary series. The first episode was dedicated to quiz shows, mixing vintage TV footage with celebrity interviews to tackle everything from the quiz show scandals of the 50s to Jeopardy, Password and Richard Dawson’s insistence on kissing all the female contestants on Family Feud. The premiere was entertaining, informative and flew by. It also reminded me why I was addicted to Hollywood Squares and that I could watch Paul Lynde crack jokes all day.

Bupkis - If you like comedian/actor/tabloid magnet/Kardashian ex, Pete Davidson, you might enjoy Bupkis on Peacock. It’s more or less about Pete Davidson, which means it’s more or less funny and more or less offensive. I’ve stuck with it for several episodes because of the killer cast including the always-fabulous Edie Falco who plays Pete’s mom as well as Brad Garrett, Bobby Cannavale and Joe Pesci, who spoiler alert is still alive. There’s also a dizzying array of guest stars including Jon Stewart, Ray Romano, John Mulaney and Al Gore. But since it’s still about Pete Davidson, I see myself abandoning ship very soon.