Hello, Dabblers!
It has been a minute since the last post. Experienced a bit of block, but I have some new ideas to fuel some upcoming posts.
For today, let’s take a look at 3 very different shows that we absolutely flew through and I think you will too. If you’re looking for your next binge-worthy show, one of these might just be the ticket!
Schitt’s Creek
Where to Stream: Netflix (Seasons 1-3) | Xfinity On Demand
I was skeptic when we started watching this one. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge Eugene Levy fan and I tend to steer clear of comedies with Chris Elliot. Just not my kind of humor, generally.
This one is something else though! It does get better as it goes, so hang in there until you get to know the characters. Creek is an easy one to blaze through because it’s a sit-com with short episodes.
Creek is about the financial fall of the Rose Family. The father, Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) was the top-dog at a video store; the mother, Moira (Catherine O’Hara) is a washed-up soap opera actress; the two children, David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy) are grown, spoiled brats. When they lose all of their wealth and belongings in a tax repo, they are forced to rebuild. The one thing they still own is a small town that Johnny had bought as a joke – Schitt’s Creek – and the government didn’t place any value on it. They go from a palatial mansion to a run-down motel in Schitt’s Creek. Chaos ensues.
My favorite character is a tie between David and Alexis. David’s expressions are hilarious and for some reason, I crack up every time Alexis says, “David.” She says it with almost a 13-year-old valley girl accent and it gets funnier every time.
Special shout-out to the Moira Rose character. Her non-accent accent is so quirky and I look forward to any episode where she does her high-pitched, bloody murder scream, which is usually about something wrong with her wardrobe or wigs.
Queer Eye
Where to Stream: Netflix (Original)
This is another one that I didn’t expect to like. I never watched the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and I can barely even tolerate Carson Kressley when he’s on RuPaul’s Drag Race as it is.
Side-bar: I ended up dancing near him at a night club once where he was either very inebriated or his dance moves were just that bad. I think it was the former, but it could also be both.
In any case, this reboot of sorts is light, fun, and refreshing. While it centers around the same concept of the Fab 5 making over a male fashion nightmare (some are worse than others and not all are exactly straight), the show has extra heart.
The New Fab 5
- Bobby Berk, Interior Design
- Karamo Brown, Culture
- Tan France, Fashion
- Antoni Porowski, Food & Wine
- Jonathan van Ness, Grooming
One of my favorite episodes is one where the Fab 5 work with a police officer (Episode 3, “Dega Don’t”). As you can imagine, there are some deeper themes relating to the black community and police, as Karamo deals with his feelings on the matter. It is inspiring to see the conversation between Karamo and the police officer client that helps each of them to break down barriers/misconceptions. They give us hope that progress and bridges can be made in our very divided country. It will have to come from one-on-one interactions and genuine conversations like this one, I think.
As a special treat, I didn’t know that Jonathan van Ness was a part of this. You may recognize him from the YouTube series, Gay of Thrones (Warning: Spoiler Alert!) where he recaps Game of Thrones episodes in an absolutely hilarious way.
In case you were wondering, Antoni Porowski is the cutest of this bunch, IMO.
The Great British Baking Show
Where to Stream: Netflix (Seasons 1-4)
I’ve never watched a cooking or baking show in my life before this. It always seemed a bit senseless to me if I can’t gobble up the goodies in the end.
I don’t know if it’s my love of Downton Abbey or what, but I was all-in for this show from the beginning. I didn’t even care that I couldn’t taste the confections.
GBBS (gotta shorten this title somehow) is a competition baking show, judged by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, and hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. From what I understand, Mary Berry is something of a Martha Stuart in England, sans legal entanglements, I assume. I don’t think she’s ever had a show with Snoop Dogg (Lion?) either. But I don’t know a thing about Paul Hollywood.
Anyway, there’s something so charming about it all and many of the baked goods are incredible. I did learn certain terms and techniques while watching the show. I also learned that the Brits like to refer to cake material as a “sponge” and that you don’t want a “soggy bottom.” Who does?
My only gripes are when Sue Perkins shouts “BAKE!” in the most annoying way (I can deal when Mel does it though) and whenever Mary Berry says, “scrummy.” Just say scrumptious, please. Scrummy isn’t even a word.
Still, we went right through the available seasons on Netflix in a matter of a couple weeks and I am going through serious withdrawals without it.
Wondering where you can stream a particular show or movie? Tired of Googling to find out?
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I’ve recently discovered JustWatch and it has been a life saver! Search any movie or show and it will tell you which platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc.) are streaming it. It will also show which platforms allow you to rent or buy digitally.
🎶 Today’s Jam 🎶
“Wait” by Maroon 5
It’s a strange video, so bear with it, but the song makes me get on up and dance!
Dilly Dabbler 
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