Jeff "Jmunney" Malone's Self-Styled "Expert" Thoughts on Movies, TV, Music, and the Rest of Pop Culture
September 18, 2020
Awards Shows, Emmys, Television 2020 Emmys, Emmy predictions, Emmys Leave a comment
CREDIT: televisionacad/Instagram
The Emmys are happening “virtually” in 2020. But nothing about my predictions and preferences is virtual! Check out my rundown below for the 72nd Primetime edition, and then let’s all tune in together on ABC on Sunday, September 20 and see how it goes.
September 18, 2020
Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Television Conan, Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Creative Arts Emmys, DIY Conan, Emmys, I Can See Your Voice, Ken Jeong, Larry Wilmore, Neil Young, PEN15, Ratched, Ryan Murphy, Sarah Paulson, The Masked Singer, The Times, Wilmore Leave a comment
Wilmore (CREDIT: YouTube Screenshot)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
TV
–Ratched Season 1 (September 18 on Netflix) – Ryan Murphy sends Sarah Paulson beyond the cuckoo’s nest.
-PEN15 Season 2 Part 1 (September 18 on Hulu)
–Wilmore Series Premiere (September 18 on Peacock) – The Comedy Central alum is back to chatting.
-Creative Arts Emmy Awards (September 19 on FXX)
-72nd Primetime Emmy Awards (September 20 on ABC)
-DIY Conan (September 21 on TBS) – Conan O’Brien’s fans make an entire episode of his show.
–The Masked Singer Season 4 Premiere (September 23 on FOX)
–I Can See Your Voice Series Premiere (September 23 on FOX) – Ken Jeong’s on another wacky singing competition show.
Music
-Neil Young, The Times EP
September 11, 2020
Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Television American Dad!, American Head, Archer, Creative Arts Emmys, Drew Barrymore, Emmys, Jeopardy!, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Flaming Lips Leave a comment
Archer Season 11 (CREDIT: YouTube Screenshot)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
TV
–Jeopardy! Season 37 Premiere (September 14, check local listings)
–American Dad! 300th Episode (September 14 on TBS)
–The Drew Barrymore Show Series Premiere – Everybody loves Drew!
–Archer Season 11 Premiere (September 16 on FXX) – Returning to the core premise after several seasons afield.
-Creative Arts Emmys Days 1-4 (Streaming September 14-17 on Emmys.com)
Music
-The Flaming Lips, American Head
July 23, 2020
Awards Shows, Emmys, Television $100000 Pyramid, 2020 Emmys, Conan, Emmy Wish List, Emmys, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Holey Moley, Last Week Tonight, Match Game, RuPaul's Drag Race, Saturday Night Live, Sherman's Showcase, The Masked Singer, To Tell the Truth, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Whose Line is it Anyway? Leave a comment
CREDIT: ABC; IFC
The 2020 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 28. As per annual tradition, I have assembled a Wish List for as many categories as I have something to say about. There is no minimum or maximum number per category, nor is there any strict adherence to official Emmy rules. And of course, there is the necessary caveat that I have not seen everything. Even with much of the country shut down for the past few months, that’s impossible.
Now that I have made my way through the avalanche of award-worth Dramas, Comedies, and Limited Series, it’s time to get a little silly with the Variety shows. And this year, I decided to also talk about Reality, as there are enough competition shows that I plainly love to be able to fill out a ballot.
Conan is my top choice among the talkies, as Mr. O’Brien and company adapted quite naturally to the new reality of at-home production and Zoom interviews. The Soul Train/American Bandstand homage that is Sherman’s Showcase is the easy choice in Sketch Series; seriously folks, you gotta check this show out. And while I don’t always include SNL in the field, it earned a spot this year thanks to the resiliency demonstrated in its at-home episodes.
Moving on to Reality, where my Competition Program picks are dominated by game shows, naturally enough. At the top of the heap is the mini-golf showcase Holey Moley, one of the most purely fun and positive shows on the air right now. And Joe Tessitore and Rob Riggle are the perfect silly/serious M.C. pair to present the whole shebang.
KEY:
Bold=My winner
CREDIT: YouTube Screenshot
Variety Talk Series
CONAN
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
July 22, 2020
Awards Shows, Emmys, Television 2020 Emmys, Bad Education, Devs, Dispatches From Elsewhere, Emmy Wish List, Emmys, Mrs. America, Normal People, Quiz, The Plot Against America, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, Watchmen 1 Comment
CREDIT: YouTube Screenshot
The 2020 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 28. As per annual tradition, I have assembled a Wish List for as many categories as I have something to say about. There is no minimum or maximum number per category, nor is there any strict adherence to official Emmy rules. And of course, there is the necessary caveat that I have not seen everything. Even with much of the country shut down for the past few months, that’s impossible.
(Check out my previously published thoughts on Drama and Comedy.)
It was a banner year for Limited Series, or at least it was a banner year for Limited Series being on my radar. Damon Lindelof and Co.’s take on Watchmen is the cream of the crop, although it’s not my top pick in most of the acting categories. That would be the very unique Dispatches From Elsewhere, which goes 3 out of 4 and misses out only Lead Actress due to having nobody in the running in that field. As for the rest of the nominations, I had a lot of fun spreading the love around to the likes of the passionate lovers of Normal People, the game show freaks of Quiz, the political ladies of Mrs. America, the politically concerned citizens of The Plot Against America, and Nick Offerman’s glorious beard.
KEY:
Bold=My winner
Limited Series
Devs
Dispatches From Elsewhere
Mrs. America
Normal People
The Plot Against America
Quiz
Watchmen
July 20, 2020
Awards Shows, Emmys, Television 2020 Emmys, Better Call Saul, Emmy Wish List, Emmy wishlist, Emmys, Evil, Killing Eve, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Mr. Robot, On Becoming a God in Central Florida, Pose, Stargirl, Succession, The Good Fight, The Mandalorian, The New Pope, Undone 3 Comments
CREDIT: YouTube Screenshots
The 2020 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 28. As per annual tradition, I have assembled a Wish List for as many categories as I have something to say about. There is no minimum or maximum number per category, nor is there any strict adherence to official Emmy rules. And of course, there is the necessary caveat that I have not seen everything. Even with much of the country shut down for the past few months, that’s impossible.
I’m kicking off my Emmy Wish List discussion with some Drama this year. The top shows in this field are absolutely-without-a-doubt Pose and Better Call Saul. The former was nearly my favorite show of 2019, while the latter is right up there for 2020. And you know what? I just couldn’t pick between the two of them for Outstanding Drama Series, so I’m calling a tie! Nor could I pick between Bob Odenkirk or Billy Porter for Lead Actor, so it’s another tie! (I’ll probably pull for Bob come the night of the ceremony, as he’s yet to win, while Billy is the reigning champ.)
The Albuquerque and ballroom crews are dominating most of the acting categories, especially Rhea Seehorn, who I believe was a co-lead this season though she was once again submitted as Supporting. Stunningly, she’s yet to ever be nominated; that had better change this year. Meanwhile, also on BCS, Tony Dalton made an undeniable impression as Lalo Salamanca in his first full season as a regular cast member.
Over in Supporting Actress, I’ve got the ladies of Pose all stacked in there, much as the Game of Thrones ladies were last year at the actual Emmys. And also much like the actual Emmys, my top pick is actually from another show; in this case, Carly Chaikin, who got to do her most complicated work yet in Mr. Robot‘s final season.
Other notables: Evil makes a strong impression in its first season, Rosa Salazar shows up for a rotoscoped performance, and my Guest picks come almost entirely from The Mandalorian.
KEY:
Bold=My winner
!( )!=I haven’t caught up to the current season of this show, but I still wanted to recognize it.
*=I have placed this nominee in a different category than the Emmy ballot.
Drama Series
Better Call Saul
Evil
!(The Good Fight)!
The Mandalorian
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Mr. Robot
Pose
Stargirl
Undone
March 21, 2020
Podcasts, That's Auntertainment Cheer, Christmas, Emmys, Jeopardy!, karaoke, Little Women, Mr. Rogers, Podcasts, Saturday Night Live, SNL, Thanksgiving, That's Auntertainment, Tom Hanks, TV, Whose Line is it Anyway? Leave a comment
I started hosting a podcast with my aunt several months ago, and I’ve come to think that I should post my new episodes here so that all my readers can conveniently access them. So below are the first eight episodes of That’s Auntertainment! (as well as five mini-episodes, and one “update” episode).
September 20, 2019
Awards Shows, Emmys, Television 2019 Emmys, Emmy predictions, Emmys Leave a comment
CREDIT: FOX/YouTube Screenshot
Here’s my rundown of who I think will win in the major categories and who I would prefer at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, happening Sunday, September 22.
Disclaimer: I have not watched all the nominated shows, although I wish I had time to.
DRAMA SERIES
Prediction: Game of Thrones
Preference: Pose
COMEDY SERIES
Prediction: Veep
Preference: Russian Doll
LIMITED SERIES
Prediction: When They See Us
Preference: Sharp Objects
TV MOVIE
Prediction: Deadwood: The Movie
Preference: ???
VARIETY TALK SERIES
Prediction: Last Week Tonight
Preference: Last Week Tonight
VARIETY SKETCH SERIES
Prediction: Saturday Night Live
Preference: Documentary Now!
COMPETITION PROGRAM
Prediction: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Preference: RuPaul’s Drag Race
LEAD ACTOR, DRAMA
Prediction: Billy Porter
Preference: Billy Porter
LEAD ACTRESS, DRAMA
Prediction: Emilia Clarke
Preference: Jodie Comer
SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA
Prediction: Peter Dinklage
Preference: Jonathan Banks
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA
Prediction: Maisie Williams
Preference: Fiona Shaw
LEAD ACTOR, COMEDY
Prediction: Bill Hader
Preference: Bill Hader
LEAD ACTRESS, COMEDY
Prediction: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Preference: Natasha Lyonne
SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY
Prediction: Tony Hale
Preference: Anthony Carrigan or Henry Winkler
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY
Prediction: Olivia Colman
Preference: Sarah Goldberg
LEAD ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES
Prediction: Jared Harris
Preference: Sam Rockwell
LEAD ACTRESS, LIMITED SERIES
Prediction: Michelle Williams
Preference: Michelle Williams
SUPPORTING ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES
Prediction: Michael K. Williams
Preference: ???
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, LIMITED SERIES
Prediction: Patricia Arquette
Preference: Patricia Clarkson
September 20, 2019
Cinema, Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Television Ad Astra, Between Two Ferns, Between Two Ferns: The Movie, black-ish, Brittany Howard, Crank Yankers, Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Disenchantment, Emmys, Evil, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Jaime, Loro, mixed-ish, Schooled, Single Parents, South Park, Superstore, The Conners, The Goldbergs, The Good Place, The Masked Singer, The Unicorn, Young Sheldon Leave a comment
CREDIT: Netflix
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–Ad Astra (Theatrically Nationwide) – Dad Astra.
–Between Two Ferns: The Movie (Streaming on Netflix)
–Loro (Limited Theatrically) – Bunga bunga!
TV
It’s that time of year again!
–Disenchantment Season 1, Part 2 (September 20 on Netflix)
-Creative Arts Emmy Awards (September 21 on FXX)
-71st Primetime Emmy Awards (September 22 on FOX)
–The Conners Season 2 Premiere (September 24 on ABC)
–black-ish Season 6 Premiere (September 24 on ABC)
–mixed-ish Series Premiere (September 24 on ABC)
–The Masked Singer Season 2 Premiere (September 25 on ABC)
–The Goldbergs Season 7 Premiere (September 25 on ABC)
–Schooled Season 2 Premiere (September 25 on ABC)
–Single Parents Season 2 Premiere (September 25 on ABC)
–It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 14 Premiere (September 25 on FXX)
–South Park Season 22 Premiere (September 25 on Comedy Central)
–Crank Yankers Season 5 Premiere (September 25 on Comedy Central)
–Superstore Season 5 Premiere (September 26 on NBC)
–Young Sheldon Season 3 Premiere (September 26 on CBS)
–The Good Place Season 4 Premiere (September 26 on NBC)
–The Unicorn Series Premiere (September 26 on CBS)
–Evil Series Premiere (September 26 on CBS)
Music
-Brittany Howard, Jaime
July 12, 2019
Awards Shows, Emmys, Television 2019 Emmys, Conan, Documentary Now!, Drunk History, Emmy Wish List, Emmys, Last Week Tonight, Norm MacDonald Has a Show, The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale Leave a comment
CREDIT: Rhys Thomas/IFC
The 2019 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 16, and as that annual occasion approaches, I typically put together my own list of which shows and performers I would like to see recognized. But I’ve had some mixed feelings about putting that together this year, as I’ve grappled with the fact that in the era of Peak TV, it becomes more and more impossible to capture all my favorites in one place. Ultimately I decided I wouldn’t be too formal or too precious about it. If there are ten shows I really want to see nominated, then I’ll list ten on my wish list. But if there are just two I really like in another category, then I’ll just list two.
I’ve already run through Comedy, Drama, and Limited Series, and you know what? I’ve also got some thoughts on Variety shows, as they are a steady part of my TV diet. For Variety Talk, I am delighted to say that my top choice is the revitalized CONAN, as Mr. O’Brien has rediscovered plenty of his mojo by slimming down a half-hour. And let’s not forget Norm MacDonald Has a Show, a brilliant bit of comedic chaos. As for Variety Sketch, Documentary Now! may just be my very favorite show of 2019
Nominees are listed in alphabetical order. My top choices are in bold.
CREDIT: TBS/YouTube
Variety Talk Series
CONAN
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Norm MacDonald Has a Show
CREDIT: Allyson Riggs/IFC
Variety Sketch Series
Documentary Now!
Drunk History
The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale
