'The Studio,' Zayn's Viral Moment and 'Mid-Century Modern'
Recommendations for your weekend
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Examining the hate for Meghan Markle and Blake Lively. (E.J. Dickson for The Cut)
All of the (hilarious) similarities between Alec Baldwin’s new family reality show and “The Comeback.” (Tom Smyth for Vanity Fair)
How did “Adolescence” do it? (Jake Kanter for Deadline)
Inside Jonathan Majors’ attempted return to the spotlight from the perspective of crisis PR experts. (Nate Jones for Vulture)
Watch
“The Studio” (Apple TV+)
Undoubtedly one of—if not the—funniest shows of the year so far. From the minds of Seth Rogen and his creative partner Evan Goldberg, this fast-paced send-up of the movie business is incredibly written and full of fantastic performances and a slew of cameos that I won’t ruin for you here (Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O’Hara are particularly great in supporting roles, though!). Seth Rogen stars as the new head of a major movie studio who is tasked with making a Kool-Aid movie. Seriously. Episode 2 nearly gave me a conniption (which was basically the point, so it did its job), and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this season has in store.
“Mid-Century Modern” (Hulu)
From the creators of “Will & Grace,” this feels like your classic multi-cam sitcom, but with a big gay twist. Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham star as three best friends who move in with one another in Palm Springs after the fourth member of their friend group dies. The late Linda Lavin plays Nathan Lane’s mother and also lives with them.
This isn’t my ideal brand of comedy by any means, but there’s something kind of revolutionary feeling about watching a show that feels at once so familiar because of its form but that delivers such gay-forward humor. It’s like the cheesiness of the medium is excused because they’re making jokes about bottoming and threesomes. Anyway, I’m a few episodes into the 10-episode drop and really enjoying myself.
Zayn Sings “Night Changes” For First Time in 10 Years
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This one goes out to my fellow Directioners. Zayn Malik performed “Night Changes” (the best One Direction song) for the first time in 10 years, on the 10th anniversary of him leaving the group and nearly six months since Liam Payne’s tragic death. I got full-body chills when a friend sent me a clip of this—and I’m not even a Zayn boy—but this just scratched an itch for me, you know?
Self-Promotion
“Southern Charm” Reunion, Garcelle’s “RHOBH” Exit Gets Ugly, The Latest From “Summer House” & More
Chatted all about the latest from “Southern Charm,” “Summer House,” “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and more on yesterday’s podcast episode.
Frankie Grande & Peppermint on Reality TV’s LGBTQ+ Representation Problem
Frankie Grande of “Big Brother” and Peppermint of “The Traitors” joined me to discuss their experiences on reality TV and their decision to pen an open letter in collaboration with GLAAD calling for a “reality check on reality TV” when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation both in front of the camera and behind it.
Currently
It’s nearly 80 degrees and sunny in New York City today—go outside and enjoy it! We love fake spring.