Everything I Watched in September 2023
And what I thought about it all
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Back with another monthly watch list recap!
Once a month I send out a list of everything I watched the previous month to give you some ideas of things to add to your own watch lists, so I’m here to share the rundown of all of the stuff I watched in September.
Also note that I only include seasons of TV shows that I finished in any given month — if it’s still on or I’m still currently watching it, then I’ll include it when it’s over.
You’ll find that my reactions to things lean positive, because 1. I actively try to seek out stuff that I expect to be entertaining, has been well reviewed and/or has value to me — I’m not just going to watch the most popular show on Netflix because everyone else is if I don’t think I would like it — and 2. I’ve given myself more leeway recently to give up on shows that I’m not enjoying (here’s the list of all the shows I dropped last year). I used to force myself to finish things even if I hated them, which is truly unnecessary and a waste of time.
Keep scrolling for the list of everything I watched in September 2023 (and here’s the list from August if you want more ideas for things to watch):
Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn (Apple TV+) 👍
This docu-series delivers a first-hand account of Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO of Renault and Nissan who finds himself at the center of an international scandal after being arrested in Japan. What happens next is… wild. It’s a story that features so many unbelievable details, twists and turns that it feels fake, and yet — it’s all very true.
Project Runway - Season 20 (Bravo) 👍👍
I absolutely loved this all-stars season. They did a fantastic job with casting this group, delivering a solid mix of recent standouts with more veteran stars that were fun to have back on our screens. It was also interesting seeing which former favorites of mine I didn’t love as much this go-round (Korto), while others made more of an impression on me this time (Brittany, Laurence). While I think this show should have a host (Karlie Kloss’ stint at the helm here will be best remembered by “not even to dinner with the Kushners?”), I think the judges panel remains solid, the guest judges were great and they’re still coming up with unique challenges after all these years. (No spoilers, but I was also very content with the winner!)
Bottoms (in theaters) 👍👍
After being a little delayed in getting to see this, I finally got my ass to a theater to see Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott absolutely slay this absurdist, queer, hilarious and raunchy high school comedy. It takes some unexpected turns, but ultimately sticks the landing. The cast was awesome in this, and I was particularly impressed with Kaia Gerber in her supporting role. I’d like to see more acting from her!
The Real Housewives of Atlanta - Season 15 (Bravo) 👐
Unfortunately, this was the worst season “RHOA” has ever had. What sucks about it is that the ingredients were there for a much better season — there are some big stars on this cast, they’re remain undeniably funny and there was some authentic drama happening within the group and in some of their personal lives. The production left a lot to be desired, some of the biggest stars felt like they were only half in it and refusing to engage with some of their cast mates and the person with the most drama happening in their marriage never seemed to be completely honest about what was going on. There are rumors of a big cast shakeup, so who knows what we’ll get next season.
Selling The OC - Season 2 (Netflix) 👍👍
The sophomore season of this “Selling Sunset” spinoff hit so hard. I enjoyed the first season, but this one really solidified the space that I’m keeping for these insane people in my life. What’s so interesting to me about the dynamic of this show is that it basically defines the “the show villain vs. the actual villain” meme. Alex Hall and Polly clearly thought while filming that they would remain the central protagonists and come off well, but it couldn’t have turned out more differently. Bring on season 3!
Winning Time - Season 2 (Max) 👐
After delivering an incredible first season, this show about Magic Johnson and the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers really fumbled the ball (yes, I know that’s a metaphor from a different sport — let me live). There were great moments here and I still loved the overall style of the show, but the timeline was way too convoluted to follow and it lacked focus. Sadly, this was its last season, but if you never watched season 1, you won’t be disappointed if you go back now and watch. It’s worth it.
Theater Camp (Hulu) 👐
The trailer for this one made me super excited to see it and missing the opportunity to see it in theaters made me even more eager to finally watch it when it hit Hulu earlier this month, but ultimately I was a bit disappointed by this. It features a great cast of Molly Gordon and Ben Platt and Ayo Edebiri and Patti Harrison and Noah Galvin, and there were definitely hilarious moments. But there were also definitely moments that didn’t land, and it was a little too oddball for me. It felt like it wanted to give Christopher Guest, but it didn’t even come close.
The Super Models (Apple TV+) 👍👍
One of the best docu-series I’ve seen this year, no doubt. It’s four episodes that track the origins, careers, impacts and legacies of the original four supermodels: Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford. I learned so much about their lives, the climates they came up in, the racism that Naomi faced (and thus, how her initial career opportunities differed from her contemporaries) and the controversies they all faced. This was incredibly well-done.
American Auto - Seasons 1 & 2 (Peacock) 👍
I love slowly working my way through a half-hour show to give myself something to watch before going to bed or in the background while getting some work done, and recently it’s been this recent two-season NBC show starring Ana Gasteyer. She stars as the unqualified CEO of a car company with an eclectic cast of characters as her minions at work. It ranges from amusing to laugh-out-loud funny at times, so I’m glad I gave it a watch.
The Other Black Girl (Hulu) 👍
I really enjoyed the book on which this series is based, with the exception of the ending, so I was curious if it would work better on the show — and it did! I thought this was super fresh, and it totally nailed the unique tone that this story needed. It’s a mix of eerie thriller, workplace drama, satire and, later on, almost sci-fi-y elements. The two leads are great, and the supporting cast (shout out to Garcelle!) is just as great. Loved this one.
Minx - Season 2 (Starz) 👍👍
For a second there, we thought we would never get a follow up to this show’s iconic first season when HBO Max cancelled the show more than halfway through its filming. Thankfully, Starz stepped in to save the day and brought season 2 of “Minx” to the light of day. The show doesn’t miss a beat as it continues to tell the story of an adult magazine geared towards women, the inherent challenges and politics involved in the production and growth of the publication and the hilarious cast who bring it to life.
Flora and Son (Apple TV+) 👍
Directed by John Carney (“Once,” “Begin Again”), this movie follows a single mother and son in Dublin who go from being at odds to bonding over music after the mother starts taking virtual guitar lessons from a handsome guy in California (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). It’s a heartwarming but not-too-sappy story filled with some cute tunes and genuinely funny moments. A solid, 90-minute watch!