You have no idea!
At tvplus we watch an absurd amount of television. And while we might not like all of it, we do our best to give every show a fair viewing. But it’s not all work. We do get passionately attached to shows.
Streaming allows us to follow series and binge to our hearts’ delight, and also fit our favourite shows in around all the live TV viewing that we do professionally. It allows us to sit back with a sweet, funny pickme-up after reviewing intense dramas and thrillers on dark topics. And sometimes it just lets us switch off and enjoy for a moment when we’re neckdeep in season 4 of a twisty, detail-driven show with 40 different essential characters.
This issue, here’s what tvplus is watching for fun… and why. Name: Genevieve Terblanche. Position: senior writer, obsession or nothing.
I am watching: dark comedy Barry, seasons 1-2 (2018-now, two more seasons are in the works) on Showmax.
My take on this show: a lowrent hitman named Barry (Bill Hader, Tom, 2012-2014 in sitcom The Mindy Project, 2012-2017) gets the idea that he can change his life after he stumbles across an acting class while stalking one of his targets. It’s a lot more complex than just that, as Barry explores the ideas of authenticity, lying, whether it’s really possible to change who we are, and what that costs. Brilliant action scenes, and episodes are under 30 minutes each, which makes it easy to binge.
My favourite moment so far: seeing Barry open up to his acting teacher and father figure Gene (Henry Winkler, himself in reality travel show Better Late Than Never, 2016-2018) and confess to murder in season 2, episode 4, only for Gene to charge him for the time as “an advanced acting class”.
Why I am watching it now: I’ve been watching sketch show SNL (Saturday Night Live, 1975-now) clips on YouTube as a mood lifter and seeing Bill in character as Stefon reminded me that I needed to go back to Barry. Familiar faces: Sarah Goldberg (Lolly in comedy series Hindsight, 2015) as Barry’s love interest and acting partner Sally.
Name: Lucia Poolman.
Position: editor who has two little munchkins and one hubby clamouring for her attention.
I am watching: supernatural comic book adaptation Preacher (2016-2019) – all four seasons are on Amazon Prime Video.
My take on this show: Dominic Cooper (Howard Stark in five episodes of Marvel series Agent Carter, 2015-2016) is a crookturned-preacher. He drinks and smokes, and he has the ability to make people do as he commands. He’s on a mission to find God following a crisis of faith, with help from his ex-girlfriend Tulip (Ruth Negga, see below) and his Irish vampire bestie Proinsias Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun, Eli Dingle, 2006-2010 in soapie Emmerdale, 1972-now). My favourite moment so far: the weird moments, like unexpected explosions… and the cows in random scenes – they serve a purpose later in the episode. Why I am watching it now: I had a need for something off the beaten path. It’s like a cross between the religious satire movie Dogma (1999) and the comedy series The League Of Gentlemen (1999-2002). Familiar faces: Ruth (Raina in sci-fi series Marvel’s Agents Of SHIELD, 2013-2020) is marksman Tulip, Graham McTavish (Dougal in fantasy series Outlander, 2014-now) is immortal hitman The Saint Of Killers, and it was created by Seth Rogen (Susan in sci-fi series Future Man, 2017-now).
Name: Andrea Lewis.
Position: scheduler who had a love/hate relationship with her jobs in retail.
I am watching: seasons 1-4 of comedy Superstore (2015-now) on Netflix. Season 5 is on Vuzu (*116) and the sixth and final season is on 1Magic (*103).
My take on this show: the show follows the antics of a group of employees at Cloud Nine department store who’re like a dysfunctional family with all their different personalities. The series is fun with all the shenanigans the staff get up to, and I’m reminded of the camaraderie that happens while working in a store. But most importantly it’s L-O-L funny and I appreciate that it’s also not afraid to deal with important social issues.
My favourite moment so far: it’s Halloween in season 3 episode 5 and the rotting skeletal corpse of a creepy employee falls out of a wall in the store… but the customers assume that it’s just a really good Halloween display. Meanwhile, an employee who’s a skilled make-up artist wants to make an undocumented staff member look like the dead guy so that he can use the skeleton guy’s passport (found in a locker) to travel. Unbelievable and hilarious.
Why I am watching it now:
It’s on my list of favourites that I can watch repeatedly. Familiar faces: America Ferrera, who plays lead character Amy, was Betty Suarez in sitcom Ugly Betty (2006-2010).
Name: Ipeleng Rakgantsho. Position: a writer who now understands my colleague Genevieve’s love for reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009-now). Cover girl, put the bass in your walk! Hands down the best series I’ve watched in a while.
I am watching: youth drama series Tiny Pretty Things (2020now) season 1 on Netflix.
My take on this show: based on a 2015 novel of the same name, Tiny Pretty Things follows a group of ballet students at the fictitious and super-elite Archer School Of Ballet in Chicago. If the students are good enough, they’re offered a spot at the dance company following their graduation. Let me tell you something, the claws are out and these dancers will do just about anything for the chance at joining the dance crew: attempted murders, betrayals, horrifying scandals, nothing is left on the table.
My favourite moment so far: the dance routines… only. I believe that I was meant to enjoy Tiny Pretty Things. It’s a coming-of-age tale with many twists and turns. But the subpar storylines and dramatic acting are flat-footed.
Why I am watching it now: I started watching in December when it premièred and I wanted to see the ending, which had me shook. I might consider tuning in if there’s a season 2. Familiar faces: Damon J Gillespie (Robbie in musical drama series Rise, 2018) plays Caleb, who’s hiding chilling secrets.
Name: Craig Falck. Position: deputy editor who is streaming content while cycling indoors… a lot.
I am watching: season 1 of the locally filmed international sci-fi series Raised By Wolves (2020now) on Showmax – there will be a season 2.
My take on this show: directed by Ridley Scott (1979 sci-fi hit movie Alien and the 2012 prequel movie Prometheus – this has the exact same look and feel), two androids – Mother and Father (Amanda Collin and Abubakan Salim) – raise kids on an Earth-like planet. But while they’re programmed to follow a set education pattern, the two “parents”, who have incredibly advanced Artificial Intelligence, discover that beliefs are inherent and no matter how much you try to control people, they will defy you if they want to.
My favourite moment so far: watching the two children learn about the wrongs and cruelty of our species is eye-opening – because it’s true.
Why I am watching it now: I’ve followed Niamh Algar (read below) on Instagram since miniseries MotherFatherSon (2019), and I have been patiently waiting for this show since she started posting about filming in Cape Town over two years ago. Familiar faces: Niamh (Orla in drama miniseries MotherFatherSon, 2019) plays Sue, and Travis Fimmel (Ragnar Lothbrok in historical drama Vikings, 20132021) plays Marcus – they’re an atheist couple who murder their way onto The Ark spaceship.
Name: Kashief Achmat.
Position: scheduler who unwaveringly believes that soup is just a savoury smoothie.
I am watching: one-season anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996) on Netflix.
My take on this show: 14-yearold Shinji Ikari is forced to pilot a mega robot to fight aliens from outer space in a postapocalyptic Japan. He gets roped into the military by his father and is trained by the famous Misato Katsuragi, who becomes his mentor. Together with other military kids like no-nonsense Leo, they go about protecting humanity from these aliens called Angels. It’s considered to be one of the best animes of all time, making it a no-brainer to watch.
My favourite moment so far: the first fight Shinji has with an Angel is nerve-racking. You see him get beaten to a pulp, and then in a moment of clarity, he’s able to control the machine perfectly and goes in for the kill with satisfying ferocity.
Why I am watching it now: it has been recommended to me countless times on top-10 anime show lists, and I’ve been blown away with how deep and layered the story is.
Familiar faces: none – because it’s animated. Netflix has somehow managed to get this anime and many other classics on its library so be sure to look out for them. There are English dubbed versions, but the Japanese voices are just more authentic, not that you’ll know them.
Name: Tumi Kunene.
Position: senior designer who is frequently craving biscuits. Any and all biscuits. Shrugs!
I am watching: drama series Power Book II: Ghost (2020now) on DStv Catch Up.
My take on this show: this is the spin-off sequel to the drama series Power (2015-2020). If you’re currently binge-watching Power, spoiler alert: stop reading further!
My favourite moment so far: streetwise and booksmart teen Tariq (Michael Rainey Jr, who reprises his role from Power) is at college – he needs to complete a four-year degree to get his inheritance. He’s also working with drug queenpin Monet Tejada (musician and actress Mary J Blige, Cha-Cha in season 1 of comic book series The Umbrella Academy, 2019-now) to move drugs on campus while also raising cash to pay for his mom Tasha’s (Naturi Naughton, Brenda in drama series The Playboy Club, 2011) lawyer – she’s on trial for the murder he committed when he killed his dad Ghost (Omari Hardwick, Andre, 2013-2014, in drama series Being Mary Jane, 20132019) in season 6 of Power. Why I am watching it now:
Mary J Blige triggered my interest when I saw the posters. Never thought she’d have a big role. I never watched Power, but I followed well on the storyline. Familiar faces: Lauren Baldwin is played by Paige Hurd (spoilt, opinionated and irritating First Daughter Gayle in White House drama series The Oval,
2019-now).