by tim parks
I have always used television as my solace. Like when I was a kid and would get lost in endless reruns of Gilligan’s Island and The Brady Bunch and the infinitum list of shows that would captivate me and shield me from the feelings of dread that I was much different than my four older brothers. Unlike them, I can’t retain the knowledge of how to change the oil in my car, but I can immediately tell you any number of trivial pursuits that are stored in my memory banks.
These days the images flickering on the small screen, like phantom ghosts of my past that aren’t haunting me; rather, they are wrapping their spectral arms around me, hugging me in these unprecedented times. Granted, I was a TV junkie before the Coronavirus emerged as the deadly threat that it is, but my viewing habits have definitely increased over the past month.
And let’s face it, watching the news has become a daily exercise in frustration, well more so the daily Coronavirus Task Force Briefings from the Orange, I mean White House. I can feel my blood boil as Trump and his big bag of bullshit are foisted on us, the stench discernable through the television set. Nothing a little Clorox can’t cure, though. Gurl, it makes me want to throw something!
But if I was to hurl something at the screen; there would go my great escape. And, as I have stumbled onto some new shows, I wouldn’t be able to share the ones that you can add to your list of what to watch. Besides, TV’s are expensive, but you’re welcome none-the-less.
Reel Life
Show of hands – how many of you at one point or another stopped watching Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness to make sure it wasn’t some new Christopher Guest mockumentary? Anyone? Is this thing on? Well, then, the cheese stands alone. But I was one of the countless people that latched onto this train wreck, unable to believe what my eyes were viewing and my ears were hearing, as far as the exploits of gay gun-totin’ and mullet-sportin’ Joe Exotic and his hatred for “that bitch Carole Baskin,” set against the world of big cats.
Given its subject matter of gay porn, the Netflix documentary Circus of Books is more heartfelt than titillating – or would that be d**killating? Whatever the case may be, the inside look at one of Los Angeles’ most famous video, magazine and bookstores tells the story of how an innocuous Jewish couple, Karen and Barry Mason, ran what became a touchstone for many gay men during its 30 years in business; as captured by their daughter Rachel Mason, who chronicles their personal lives and how their business oneintertwined with LGBTQ history.
Another slice of the history pie comes in the form of A Secret Love, another Netflix documentary offering that details the 65-year relationship of lesbians Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel. Donahue was involved in the women’s professional baseball league, which served as the inspiration for 1992’s A League of Their Own. so obviously her part was played by Rosie O’Donnell. All kidding aside, and before I make a tired softball joke, their story sheds light on the trials and tribulations of maintaining their decade’s long relationship, before Donahue’s death last year.
Netflix’s limited series, Hollywood, comes from our favorite prolific Tinsel Town man Ryan Murphy. The City of Dreams, circa post-World War II, is the backdrop to this tale of an aspiring ensemble of actors and filmmakers looking to get their big break and features Darren Criss, Patti Lupone, Mira Sorvino, Jim Parsons and Jack Picking stepping into Rock Hudson’s shoes.
The story is served not-so-straight-up with a twist, as in it dives into the supposition of what if the archaic studio system had been broken down, leaving a level playing field for all walks of life, people of color and openly gay actors. Hollywood is available to binge-watch on Friday, May 1.
What a Drag!
Drag queens continue to dominate the television screen, whether it’s as a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race or having been a contestant on that particular platform heel, err, just platform will suffice.
Four former cast members, Jujubee, Alexis Michelle, Thorgy Thor and BeBe Zahara Benet, headline Dragnificent! on TLC– you know, The Learning Channel and not to be confused with the ’90s girl group.
The quartet “sprinkle their glitz” on a plain Jane type during each episode and the show itself is very on par with another LGBTQ makeover show, Queer Eye. So, think of it as Queen Eye for the Straight Gal or even Say Yasss to the Dress. While not a groundbreaking idea, it’s a cute show and features the ever-timely subject of feeling comfortable in one’s own body, seeing as our refrigerators have not been neglected during this shelter-in-place – am I right?
We’re Here has a similar and different premise all in one; yes, that’s the true definition of an oxymoron. The six-part unscripted HBO series features – wait for it! – former Drag Racers Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela Laquifa Wadley. However, the focus is on taking small-town types and preparing them for a one-night stand, well, in the sense that they will be performing in drag for a single evening.
We are in the thick of a meaty tuck with RuPaul’s Drag Race’s latest season, but there is another Mama Ru spin-off with RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race that will air for four episodes on Friday nights on VH-1. While the celebrities thus far have been more along the lines of those seen on Dancing with the Stars – a nicer way to say ones on the D List – they none-the-less give it their best shot under the tutelage of former cast members, like Bob the Drag Queen, Trixie Mattel and Miss Vanjie. Vanjie!
Ladies with an Attitude
Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere must be brought to you by the letter M, because each episode is fraught with macroaggression. I’ll give you a minute to look it up. As it stands, it’s a sometimes-uncomfortable exercise in fractured mother/daughter bonds in an albino white Ohio suburb, all delivered with powerhouse performances by Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Lexie Underwood and Megan Stott.
Two other Hulu series, Mrs. America and High Fidelity, focus on the now and then aspects of how sisters doin’ it for themselves. Give me an amen, or at the very least testify hands, which are like jazz hands that you move on either side of your head, just at ear level, up to the top of your head in a rinse and repeat motion.
Anyhoo, Mrs. America showcases the real-life both sides of the coin aspects of the Equal Rights Amendment fight during the ’70s with Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett) and Alice Macray (Sarah Paulsen) on the opposition against Women’s Rights stalwarts Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne), Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba, which, incidentally pairs very nicely with salmon) and Betty Friedan (Tracey Ullman). If they ever do a biopic of Bea Arthur, Ullman would be a shoo-in, as she is very close in appearance to Maude-era Arthur on the series.
On High Fidelity, the loves and losses of record store owner Rob (Zoe Kravitz) are illustrated through her love of music and is reminiscent of the first season of Sex & The City with the breaking of the fourth wall to address the audience.
But, if you like your ladies having catfights and risking alcohol poisoning, The Real Housewives of New York City and Beverly Hills have begun airing their recent seasons and Bravo should think about renaming the franchise to Bitches Being Messy.
Why you may ask? Because they are! Especially NYC’s Sonja Morgan with her brand of driving an alcohol-fueled crazy train that is already off the rails after just a few episodes, with new addition Leah McSweeney coming in at a close second. RHOBH has two new cast members this year, actress Garcelle Beauvais appears to be a cool chick, but socialite Sutton Stracke could add another s word to her name, as in snot.
Cut. Print. That’s a Wrap!
Hopefully, these viewing options will provide a brief, but albeit, necessary distraction of ways to combat boredom during the very real threat of the Coronavirus epidemic. Stay safe and happy viewing!