There have been plenty of recent big misses from celebrities and comedy legends, but also a couple of surprising and worthwhile shows that deserve a spot on your watchlist.
WATCH
“The American Experiment”
In the spirit of our nation’s 250th anniversary, tune in to this excellent five-part documentary series executive-produced by Tom Hanks about the birth of the United States. Commentary and insights come from a balanced mix of prominent political leaders across the ideological spectrum, from Mike Pence to Hillary Clinton, as well as renowned authors and guest historians.
This timely and moving account of our country’s tenuous beginnings emphasizes the hard-won victory in the Revolutionary War, and the formidable task of creating a nation that preserves that liberty. The Founding Fathers devised a system to guard against potential abuses of power from dictators or the rise of tyranny. As Washington said in his inaugural address, this new government was “staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”
In the “experiment of self-governance,” the series reminds us that the Constitution’s once-aspirational words, “We the People,” are still inspirational today — and that in a divided country, there is no substitute for the power of discourse. (TV-14, 5 episodes, Netflix)
“The Agency”
Michael Fassbender has effortlessly played assassins and killers before (“Black Bag,” “The Killer”), so who better to play the cool, rogue, dry-humored CIA agent at the center of this first-rate spy series?
Codenamed Martian, Fassbender anchors a solid cast, including Richard Gere and Jeffrey Wright, as they navigate internal station politics and external CIA London versus British MI6 powerplays with competing international agendas. Deep-cover operatives are inserted into conflicts with regional adversaries and violent paramilitary factions around the globe. The result is an intelligent, slow-burning thriller that rewards patience, with each season culminating in a tension-filled cliffhanger where, as the series reminds us, “The truth is a moving target.” (TV-MA, Seasons 1 and 2, 10 episodes each, Paramount+)
MAYBE
“Lucky”
Anya Taylor-Joy (“The Queen’s Gambit”) stars as Lucky in this limited-series heist thriller based on the bestselling novel. After her husband abandons her following their $10 million heist, Lucky goes on the run from both the FBI and a ruthless mob boss. Frequently underestimated by her pursuers as “a girl who is 90 pounds soaking wet,” Taylor-Joy gets to flex her action-star muscles in high-octane cat-and-mouse chases. But despite its stylish premise, the series feels stretched out and unsure of what it wants to be. Annette Bening, as the crime boss, and Timothy Olyphant, as Lucky’s imprisoned con-artist father, are the standouts. (TV-MA, 7 episodes, Apple TV+)
“The Five-Star Weekend”
Jennifer Garner plays a recently widowed, famed food influencer struggling to keep from falling apart. Looking for healing, she invites four friends from different stages of her life to spend the weekend at her Nantucket beach house. Adapted from an Elin Hilderbrand novel, it’s girly, hokey, and soapy, but its delectable visual feast — a charming seaside town, an enviable beach house, and plenty of scrumptious food — may be satisfying for those seeking easy escape. (TV-MA, 8 episodes, Peacock)
SKIP
“The Hawk”
Co-creator and star Will Ferrell leans into slapstick and crass humor in the critically panned “The Hawk,” playing a former golf legend chasing an unlikely comeback. Ferrell’s unsympathetic character, Lonnie, never quite lands on his signature caricature personas that have fueled his past with big laughs. Instead, the series feels dull, dated, and pales in comparison to classic golf comedies like “Caddyshack” or “Happy Gilmore.” Even a game supporting cast, including Molly Shannon and Fortune Feimster, can’t rescue this one from the rough. (TV-MA, Season 1, 10 episodes, Netflix)
“Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness”
Larry David’s “latest sketch comedy series that reimagines American history, as only he can,” on paper sounds promising for fans who miss the acclaimed “Curb Your Enthusiasm” series, which ended two years ago. But his trademark improvisational cranky humor doesn’t translate well to the new format. Absurd historical scenarios (from drafting the Declaration of Independence to include bans on sharing umbrellas and desserts) are more cringeworthy than clever and go on far too long. Skip this unless you really need a Larry David fix shored up by cameos of notables like Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Hamm, and the late Rob Reiner. (TV-MA, 7 episodes, HBO and Max)
“Office Romance”
A raunchy rom-com with the unlikely pairing of Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”) fails as both a romance and a comedy. They play workaholics whose secret office romance threatens their careers. The pair lack chemistry, the humor is unexpectedly crude, and the plot is strained and stale. A waste of time and talent. (Rated R, 1hr 54 mins, Netflix)
“Not Suitable for Work”
This ambitious coming-of-age comedy follows a group of Manhattan twentysomethings trying to find fulfillment and professional success chasing their dreams on Wall Street, in acting, and fashion. Described as a Gen Z version of “Friends” — a comparison creator Mindy Kaling has embraced — it hasn’t so far earned the comparison unless you are a Gen Z viewer with a high tolerance for forced angst. (TV-MA, Season 1, 9 episodes, not yet renewed. Hulu)
UNDER THE RADAR
“The Sheep Detectives”
Yes, there’s a flock of talking sheep trying to solve the murder of their beloved shepherd, but accept the premise and even the most jaded viewer may find this delightful family fare. Pitched as “Knives Out” meets “Babe,” this clever whodunit balances goofy humor with emotional gravity, tackling themes of grief, ignorance, and embracing differences. It features an all-star cast, with live-action performances from Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson, while photorealistic computer-generated sheep characters are voiced by Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Chris O’Dowd, and others. It’s a gem. (PG, Suitable for older kids, 1hr 49 mins, Prime Video)
