This week in television can be best described as ... diverse.
You’ve got a sequel to a beloved animated superhero franchise, a docu-series about a comedian who's shaking up norms in the industry, and an emotional story about family coming back together following tragedy and war.
Each week on AirTalk, LAist 89.3's daily news show, we're joined by television critics who help parse through tv releases and tell us what's worth a binge. This week we were joined by Angie Han, TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter, and Kristen Baldwin, TV critic for Entertainment Weekly.
This week’s shows include:
- X-Men 97 (Disney+)
- Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show (HBO & Max)
- We Were The Lucky Ones (Hulu)
- Diarra from Detroit (BET+)
- Homicide: New York (Netflix)
- Manhunt (Apple TV+)
Listen to the full conversation
X-Men 97
A sequel, set a year after the events of the 90’s classic X-Men: The Animated Series. Leader Professor Charles Xavier is out of the picture and senior members of his school are now in charge. Some of the school's oldest members, including Cyclops and Storm, help lead operations and resolve new challenges.
"It feels so retro, it kind of comes back to feeling new and exciting and fresh again. It's a little bit more polished than the old one was, [but] it comes back to that same visual style, which in this day and age makes it stand out." –Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter
Overall take: The show brings back some of its throwback roots, even using the iconic theme after roughly three decades. The story immediately throws viewers right back into the story. While the show's art style remains similar, some character designs have minor tweaks (Storm being the most notable example).
Fun facts: Many have speculated whether Professor X is dead in X-Men 97. Why, you ask? That answer lies at the end of the original series. No spoilers.
When and where: The first three episodes are available on Disney+. Episode four releases Wednesday, April 3.
Read Angie's written review for 'X-Men 97' here.
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Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show
The documentary series follows actor-comedian Jerrod Carmichael, documenting the ups and downs of his personal life.
“This docuseries offers a very frank and at times quite unflattering portrait of him as he strives to, quote, live more truthfully as a friend, a partner, a son, and an out gay man.” –Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly
Overall take: Your preconceived notions of just what a reality show is will be upended. Whether you’re a fan of Carmichael or just curious about the premise, this could be a worthwhile watch.
When and where: Episode one premieres March 29 at 11 p.m. Pacific Time on HBO and streaming on Max.
Read Kristen's written review for 'Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show' here.
We Were The Lucky Ones
The Kurcs, a family of Jewish Poles who lived through the horrors of the Holocaust, attempt to find one another following the end of World War 2. Seven family members, facing trauma and geographical divides, ensue their search after surviving concentration camps, hiding, and seeking refuge in the U.S.
“Every time they think they've hit rock bottom it just continues to get worse...and yet at the same time it has this core of a really strong, warm [story].” –Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter
“It's never easy to press play on anything about the Holocaust, but I agree with Angie... it definitely rewards you with some ugly cry uplift.” -Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly
Overall take: The perseverance depicted here is what gives this one a lot of heart, coupled with some notable performances from the likes of Joey King and Logan Lerman.
Facts: The show is based on a historical fiction novel by Georgia Hunter, who used the experiences of her family as inspiration for developing the life of the Kurcs family.
When and where: The first three episodes are available on Hulu. Episode four releases Thursday, April 4.
Read Angie's written review for 'We Were The Lucky Ones' here.
