The 5 Best New TV Shows of August 2024

As a cinephile and someone who has spent countless hours delving into the rich history of cinema, I must say that “Hollywood Black” is a truly enlightening and captivating series. Justin Simien’s four-part docuseries not only sheds light on the significant contributions of the Black community to film but also does so through the perspectives of contemporary creators who have been influenced by this history.

Without a doubt, we’re in August now! For some, it might mean vacations, school shopping, or the alluring lure of the ice cream truck that’s been waiting since Memorial Day. But for us here in the world of television, it means a schedule as clear as a summer sky. It wasn’t an easy task to pick five standouts from this month’s lineup of filler and fluff. However, Netflix always seems to bloom—and exploring beyond the standard streaming services reveals a wealth of fresh content. Here, you’ll find a modern take on Greek mythology, an engaging reality competition, a heartwarming comedy about menopause, and more.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Netflix)

In this adaption of Holly Jackson’s best-selling YA book, Pip Fitz-Amobi, a 17-year-old prodigy more engrossed in school projects than crushes (played by Emma Meyers from ‘Wednesday’), takes on the role similar to Nancy Drew in today’s Britain. When a gruesome crime that rocked her small town five years ago resurfaces, Pip becomes fixated. The local narrative was that a high schooler, Andie Bell, went missing and her boyfriend, Sal Singh, took his own life. But Pip, who had an unsettling final encounter with Sal, is convinced of Sal’s innocence. Driven by this conviction, she delves into the investigation, uncovering secrets she’d rather not know about her friends and family, thus maturing in the process. While the season finale may be a bit disjointed, the preceding episodes are both suspenseful and sharper than typical teen dramas. The mystery hooks you, but it’s Meyers’ portrayal of Pip’s growth that keeps you engaged.

The Anonymous (USA)

Social strategy games are the reality TV subgenre of the 2020s, thanks largely to the popularity of Peacock’s murder-mystery riff The Traitors and, before it, Netflix’s social-media-inspired The Circle. Both feature character-rich casting, hardcore strategy, diabolical twists, and savvy editing to addictive effect—and both are the work of British-American production company Studio Lambert. Now they’ve come to USA, a channel you probably haven’t thought much about since Suits ended in 2019, with a competition that combines elements of both shows.

This show, known as “The Anonymous”, features contestants engaged in a two-pronged competition for cash prizes. Real-life social gatherings and structured games offer chances to win immunity, while fostering personal relationships. However, part of the day is also spent anonymously criticizing each other in a chat room reminiscent of Circle. Each round concludes with nominations for elimination, one of whom is eventually chosen by “The Anonymous” – the contestant who has hidden their identity the most effectively. Although the rules are intricate, watching a few episodes quickly becomes addictive. The added appeal: alongside Big Brother champion Xavier E. Prather and Survivor alum Nina Twine, the cast includes Andy King, famous for his role in Netflix’s Fyre Fest documentary. While it might not be on par with The Wire, for August, it certainly hits the spot.

The Change (BritBox)

After attending her 50th birthday party, where her insensitive husband (Omid Djalili) compliments her as “well fit for your age and a great mom” while she cleans up, Linda realizes she’s entering menopause. Interpreting this as a sign, she decides to escape from her unappreciative family by taking a break on her old motorcycle. Along the way, she leaves behind a record of her “invisible work” over the past 25 years in the form of a ledger. Linda, portrayed by creator Bridget Christie, seeks tranquility and the recovery of a time capsule she buried as a child. Her journey leads her to a typical British village where she encounters various quirky locals such as chatty pub-goer Tony (Paul Whitehouse) and the enigmatic Eel Sisters, Susan Lynch and Monica Dolan’s restaurant owners.

The Change is a narrative that explores the awakening of feminism in midlife, showing some parallels with Peacock’s controversial work Apples Never Fall and the remarkable Georgian film My Happy Family. However, it stands out as an exceptionally tender and compassionate story for its genre. Unlike many of Linda’s fellow new residents who grapple with evolving societal expectations regarding gender and race, their willingness to engage in dialogue within their small community prevents them from becoming stereotypical figures in cultural conflicts. The highlight is Christie’s humorous yet introspective performance that transcends quirkiness and self-righteousness to offer a seldom-seen depiction of a woman accepting and thriving in an often misunderstood life stage.

Hollywood Black (MGM+)

In his four-part documentary series, filmmaker Justin Simien (known for “Dear White People” and “Bad Hair”) explores the question: What constitutes a Black movie? This investigation delves into the Black community’s impact on and portrayal in cinema over the years, from the silent era to the present. Using Donald Bogle’s book “Hollywood Black: The Stars, the Films, the Filmmakers” as a guide, Simien presents this history through the eyes of contemporary creators and stars who were influenced by it, such as Ryan Coogler, Issa Rae, Ava DuVernay, Gina Prince-Bythewood, executive producer Forest Whitaker, and others. The series delves into iconic films like “Stormy Weather,” “The Wiz,” and “Boyz n the Hood,” as well as lesser-known titles. The final episode, which begins with the election of Barack Obama, is inspired by firsthand accounts of a 21st-century revolution in representation but also acknowledges the delicate nature of that advancement.

KAOS (Netflix)

You would expect the king of the gods to have a pretty massive ego, but even by that standard, Zeus is a real piece of work. He swallowed his first wife, Metis, whole. His courtship, if you can call it that, of Hera (who was also his sister) involved transforming himself into an adorable cuckoo bird; he also used the animal trick on mortals, committing rapes in the form of a bull, a swan, etc. Pandora’s box? That was all Zeus. In the Netflix series KAOS, premiering Aug. 29, Prometheus—who was famously condemned by Zeus to be forever bound to a cliff and have his infinitely regenerating liver pecked out by an eagle—calls him a “transcendent, unmitigated bastard.”

In the realm of British humor, Charlie Covell’s intricate insults are well-known, as demonstrated in his creation, the acclaimed teen dramedy “The End of the F***ing World“. With “KAOS“, Covell reimagines Greek mythology for a modern era where Jesus hasn’t arrived to banish the ancient gods. This retelling combines humor and political intrigue, portraying the Olympians as a kind of divine crime family. Jeff Goldblum, known for his skill in playing oily, unsettling characters, takes on the role of Zeus, dressed in a lightning-bolt embellished tracksuit. While the concept is not entirely novel, it’s made more appealing through intelligent casting, witty dialogue, and an imaginative use of timeless mythological tales from Western culture. [Read the full review.]

2024-08-30 16:06

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