With the brand-new year comes new television programs and motion pictures. Two members of NPR’s Popular culture Happy Hour group tell us about the television shows and films they’re looking forward.
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
So with the new year comes brand-new TV programs and motion pictures. However although I live for new things to see, I can’t watch all the brand-new things. So we asked Pop Culture Happy Hour’s Linda Holmes and Aisha Harris to learn what’s on their radar. Hi, you 2.
LINDA HOLMES, BYLINE: Hey there.
AISHA HARRIS, BYLINE: Hey there.
MARTÍNEZ: Linda, let’s start with you. What’s must see viewing for you?
HOLMES: So among the important things that I am really thrilled about this year is a series on Peacock called “Poker Face.” It is basically “Columbo” starring Natasha Lyonne, who individuals know from “Russian Doll” and other things. It was produced by Rian Johnson, who is fresh off of “Glass Onion,” and it’s quite a case-of-the-week show that follows this female Charlie as she goes from town to town. She’s on the run herself from – for reasons that you will discover. And she – all over she goes – it’s a little bit, you understand, one of those things where everywhere she goes, there’s a mystery that requires resolving. And she encounters all sort of fantastic guest stars like Lil Rel Howery and great deals of really cool and fascinating folks.
And I am delighted about this even if I like “Columbo,” and it has quite the spirit of that program. It also has all those wonderful guest stars. And I love Natasha Lyonne. So I have actually seen the first just, like, 6 of these. There will ultimately be 10. I’m really thrilled about “Poker Face” on Peacock.
MARTÍNEZ: She has this feel about her that she can determine when someone’s lying to her, so I believe, yeah, it’ll most likely be enjoyable to enjoy. OK, now there’s likewise an upcoming action funny that’s on both your radars – “American Born Chinese,” a television series that’s going to air on Disney+.
HARRIS: Yeah, and this is based upon the graphic book by Gene Luen Yang. It’s – generally it follows numerous storylines and includes a mythic Chinese god and a kid of Chinese immigrants who’s struggling to fit in his school as one of the couple of Asian kids at his school. So it handles identity and themes of teenage years and how those things collide. And I’m truly delighted for this action series adaptation of it due to the fact that it is going to be starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu, who are reunited from my favorite motion picture of 2022, “Everything All over Simultaneously.” So I’m truly excited for it. It’s also created by Kelvin Yu, who is an actor and writer who’s dealt with “Master Of None” and “Bob’s Burgers” to name a few things. So some great pedigree here. It looks actually interesting.
HOLMES: Yeah, I’m ecstatic about this one, too. I believe that cast reunion, coming so soon on the heels of “Everything Everywhere At One Time,” is so interesting. I would enjoy pretty much any of those stars in anything. So I absolutely prepare to check this one out, too.
MARTÍNEZ: I suggest, there are fights between Chinese mythological gods. That’s all anybody has to say to me to have me see that. Aisha, so what about returning television series that you’re going to be following?
HARRIS: Well, I’m actually ecstatic specifically for the return of “Yellowjackets” on Showtime. It was type of, I believe, a surprise struck in 2015. It’s not based on any, you understand, familiar property. It has to do with a girls’ high school soccer team who are fighting for survival after their plane crashes in the middle of no place. And they’re on their method to a tournament in 1996. And then it leaps backward and forward between the events that happened while they were stranded there and then their lives as grownups in the present day. And it has an incredible all-star cast that includes Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis. And I’m so interested and curious to see how Season 2 type of digs into all of the mysteries that were still left at the end of Season 1. There are some things that were sort of finished up, but there were a lot of loose threads there. So Season 2, I hope, is going to respond to some more of those concerns and provide possibly even more secrets and puzzles for us to resolve.
HOLMES: Yeah, I enjoyed “Yellowjackets.” I think among the most amazing things about a brand-new year of television is constantly thinking of what’s coming back that – you know, television programs disappear for a very long time now. So I am thrilled to ultimately see the return of not just “Yellowjackets,” but likewise, you know, “Succession,” which I like, “Severance,” which premiered on Apple last – in 2022, and which I believed was terrific. “Ted Lasso” will become back, likewise on Apple. So, like, just there’s a lot to eagerly anticipate that I already know that I like.
MARTÍNEZ: All right. I can’t let either of you go without hearing more about a movie from each of you. So, Aisha, you go first.
HARRIS: As quickly as it hits theaters, I am going to be in the – well, not the front row, due to the fact that I want to have the ability to see it, but in the middle, as completely central as possible, to see “Magic Mike’s Last Dance.” I enjoyed “Magic Mike XXL.” I’m one of those individuals who in fact believes that it’s better than the very first “Magic Mike,” which I think was likewise great. However I’m extremely thrilled since it’s type of continuing in the tradition of “Magic Mike XXL,” which featured older ladies in that movie like Jada Pinkett Smith and Andie MacDowell, and here Salma Hayek plays a – what looks like possibly a love interest for Channing Tatum. Therefore I’m just very much anticipating it. This is the kind of thing where you go to the films for, and it makes sure to be a very entertaining experience among a lot of other people who are delighted to see “Magic Mike’s Last Dance.”
MARTÍNEZ: And Aisha, they – I do not care what they needed to spend, I much better hear Donna Summer season someplace in that film.
HARRIS: (Laughter).
MARTÍNEZ: You can’t name a motion picture “Last Dance” and not have Donna Summertime somewhere in that movie singing. Linda, what about you?
HOLMES: Well, I’m fired up about “Magic Mike’s Last Dance.” I share that with Aisha. Those are fantastic, actually fantastic films, I agree. And I’m likewise anticipating the extension of a series, which is “Creed III,” which is coming out this year. It’s the brand-new type of “Rocky” universe movie, although this is the 3rd one that is about Adonis Creed, who is played by Michael B. Jordan. And in this one, he – his sort of – I can’t tell if they’re nemesises (ph) or frenemies or what, but the co-star is Jonathan Majors, who’s a great star. And Michael B. Jordan directed this. You know, the very first one was directed by Ryan Coogler, who is now doing all sort of amazing stuff. And he stepped away from directing after the very first one. However this one is directed by Michael B. Jordan. It’s his function directing launching. And it’s very amazing. I actually wish to see what this guy does in the director’s chair, in addition to the reality that, you know, I actually take pleasure in watching him in these films. So “Creed III” – enjoy it.
HARRIS: Yeah.
MARTÍNEZ: Linda Holmes and Aisha Harris, hosts of Pop Culture Pleased Hour. Linda, Aisha, thanks.
HOLMES: Thank you.
HARRIS: Thank you.
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