The Nix

Why are we attracted to stories about anti-heroes, or even just straight-up villains. We dig in, and recommend some our favorite pop culture about not-so-great people.

Also discussed:

J: The Vast of Night (Amazon Prime), I May Destroy You (HBO), Insecure (HBO), Letterkenny (Hulu), Love Victor (Hulu, At Home With Amy Sedaris (TruTV), Kim Stanley Robinson's Aurora, AMC reopening, Shamir's "On My Own"

F:USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, Love Life (HBO Max), Selling Sunset (Netflix), Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith

Special guest Dr. Ken Nielsen joins for a rewatch and discussion about the enduring queerness of the Golden Girls. We also recommend some black-authored works that are engaging us in this profound moment in time.

Discussed: Bettye Lavette ("Thing Have Changed"); Angela Davis (Freedom Is a Constant Struggle); Bell Hooks (All About Love); Dear Martin (Nic Stone); The Hate You Give (Angie Thomas); Samuel Getachew; Nnamdi (Black Plight); Quiz (AMC); Dirty John (USA); Hate Thy Neighbor (Viceland); I May Destroy You (HBO); Pom Poko (HBO Max); Rita (Netflix); 13th (Netflix), Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (Amazon Prime), Pipeline (Broadway HD); Feel Good (Netflix); Betty (HBO); We're Here (HBO); The Hollow (Netflix)

HBO Max is here, after a bumpy rollout. We've got thoughts on its new shows, including Love Life and Legendary. Plus, we've got recs for what to watch in their back catalog, and what's coming soon on the platform that has us excited.

Also discussed: Feel Good (Netflix), The Enchantress (Michael Scott), If You See Her (Ania Alhborn), Mary (Amy Cross), Run the Jewels -Ooh La La , Drag Race finale (VH1), Shut Up Little Man (Amazon), Sick Around The World (YouTube), Every Little Step (Amazon), Hollywood Season (HBO), Filthy Rich (Netflix), Run (HBO), The Great )(Hulu), Defending Jacob (Apple), Have a Nice Trip, Man (Netflix)

HBO Max: Love Life, On the Record, The Not-so-Late Show with Elmo, Legendary, Looney Tunes, Craftopia, Larry Kramer: In Love in Anger (2015), Pom Poko (1994), Harold & Maude (1971), Freaks (1929), Adventure Time: Distant Lands (June 25), I'll Be Gone In the Dark (June 28)

HBO's new reality show We're Here takes drag on the road to small-town America. It's way better than you think.

Irreplaceable You (Netflix),Godless (Netflix), Blow the Man Down (Amazon), The Great (Hulu), Big Fish, Jimmy Yang, Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games prequel book), Out (Disney+), Betty (HB0), Have a Great Trip (Netflix), Indian Summers (Amazon)

Netflix's mystery comedy is back - was it worth a second season?

Also discussed:

F: The Kitchen, Notes from a Drug Scandal, Warriors of Liberty City, Upload, Double Tap, Anne Rice AMC news

Both: Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood

J: Brahams: The Boy II, We're Here, Ashley McBryde (Hang in There Girl from Never Will)

Relax, don't do it! This week we're reviewing Ryan Murphy's new Netflix series, Hollywood.

Also discussed:

F: Cursed (Amazon), October Faction (Netflix), True Grit (Amazon), Night of the Hunter (Amazon), Hellboy (HBO), Billions (Showtime), White Boy Rick (Hulu), Clue (Amazon), Wheat and Tares (Amazon), Art & Craft (Amazon), Malevolent (Neftlix) Lighthouse (Amazon)

J: Into the Night (Netflix), Midnight Gospel (Netflix), Parks & Rec (NBC) Reunion, The Warlock, Asaf Avidan "Earth Odyssey"

Hugh Jackman and Alison Janney start in Bad Education, an HBO movie about a real-life school embezzlement scandal. We review it, and also the wonderful Netflix documentary, Circus of Books, about unlikely gay-porn purveyors.

Also discussed: Necromancer, Stephen Sondheim's 90th Birthday Celebration, We're Here, Nailed It Holiday, Midnight Gospel, Beastie Boys Story, Ru Paul, Jinx Monsoon, Castle Rock, Galaxy Quest, Never Surrender, 10 Things I Hate About You, Defending Jacob, Disney's Robin Hood, 100 Human, Friday Night With the Morgans, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels

We've got thoughts on the first 3 episodes of Mrs. America, about efforts to pass the ERA. We've also finished Devs and have some things to say.

Also discussed: Too Hot to Handle, Josie and the Pussycats, American Animals, Fiona Apple's Fetch the Bolt Cutters, Tales From the Loop, Insecure

We review the new HBO show Run, and Fanny tricks Justin into watching the entirety of a 70s movie from her childhood, Tim, starring a young Mel Gibson in jeans shorts.

Also discussed: Better Things, The Best Worst Thing That Could Have Happened, Merrily We Roll Along, Stephen Sondheim, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Kim's Convenience, Saturday Night Live, Dirty Money, Uncut Gems, Rules for Being a Girl, Lady Gaga

We take advantage of shelter in place to watch the 80s flick Young Sherlock Holmes - did it stand up to our fond memories?

Also discussed: Drag Me to Hell, A Fish Called Wanda, 101 Dalmatians, John Oliver, Tales From the Loop, Quincy, Next in Fashion, Nailed It, The Magician, Adam Schlesinger (Song: Fountains of Wayne, "Sick Day")