Fear & Loathing in My TV Choices

I need something a hell of a lot lighter than Beef now that I've finished Beef; plus we need to talk about Succession hair

So after obsessively devouring the 10-episode season of Beef, I loved it. The acting is incredible, the story is an intricate Jenga of events, and it literally made me audibly gasp and my jaw drop slack after certain cliffhangers. A true feat! And that soundtrack! Like tell me you’re an elder millennial without telling me you’re an elder millennial.¹

And yet. I have that sticky, ucky feeling after finishing the show, the one I’ve gotten after watching certain things (any Gillian Flynn adaptation, the movie Nocturnal Animals, American Horror Story²). This isn’t really like my horror movie aversion; this is about facing the grossness, the ugliness of society (and in some cases, the grossness of the creator).

Regarding Beef, I’d recommend it again and again, and I have. I don’t regret watching it—it’s probably the best show I’ve seen this year—but man, do I need a chaser. My issue with Beef is more about me than the series, and I did question if I should have subjected myself to it. I felt like, yeah—I don’t want to miss out on art that has value for me in other ways. But what I do need is an after-Beef palate cleanser.

Perhaps you’ve heard that you need balance in everything! That’s what this is. Post-dark show, it’s time for a light show! Please meet my contenders:

Ted Lasso: Oh, Ted, I keep forgetting you exist! I have every intention of watching this and know that mustache is gonna say some dumb happy shit that will make me smile. But also, I feel no real urgency as no one has said “Did you watch the latest season of Ted Lasso! Finish it before you’re spoiled on the end!” or “I know season 2 kind of fell off, but it REALLY comes back this season!” Will watch at some point.

Wellmania: I had no idea this show starred Queen of Meme Celeste Barber until I clicked into the good-enough-but-not-amazing pilot. I’m getting bored by wellness trends and culture being an easy punchline (and not just because I live in LA and love a lot of this stuff); it just feels like low-hanging fruit. And lest we forget, someone having the job of a yoga instructor was a joke in TV and movies in the ‘90s. This shit is mainstream! I’ll keep watching, but right now, something about it isn’t clicking. Regardless, I love a messy woman lead, and I am endlessly charmed by Australians (I think we all are). Which reminded me of…

Starstruck: Not a new show, but one I started ages ago and keep forgetting about! Not enough people know about Starstruck and I blame myself for forgetting it’s there. Don’t take that as a knock on its quality! It’s a cute romantic comedy show on HBO Max (apparently just Max now but you’ll have to pry the HBO branding out of my cold dead hands) with New Zealander Rose Matafeo playing a normie who, sort of reluctantly, dates a hot, charming movie star. Basically all of our teen dreams. What I meant by clicking above is this: this show clicks. The cast’s chemistry, the dialogue, all of it. I’m mad at myself for not consuming this like candy, but that’s about to change.

Meanwhile!

Succession: What Is This Hair

Who dyed Kendall’s hair with shoe polish? It was all I could think about in last week’s episode. This happens sometimes with men with dark hair who realize they’re graying and dye it. That’s fine! I’ve dyed my grays since my 20s! Men can do it too, but sir, not since Mr. Big (RIP) in the first Sex and the City movie has a silly male gray cover job been so distracting. Please look at how cute Jeremy Strong is with his normal hair.

P.S. Tomorrow I’m finally entering a movie theater in the year of our lord 2023: I’m seeing Air, with the guys from Good Will Hunting.

1. Personal favorite song/scene pairings: “Somewhere Only We Know” at the close of ep 7 and the use of Björk’s “All Is Full Of Love” toward the beginning of the finale.

2. I’ve only ever watched Coven in full but have read way too many recaps despite my misgivings.