Recap: The Idol (S1, Ep5) — Deeply Miserable Finale Drags Itself to a Tiring Conclusion
When I first started watching The Idol, I felt as though there was hope for it, that it had things to say and interesting ideas to execute. When I finished […]
Sam Layton is a Chicago suburb native that's trying his best to make a career out of his (probably unhealthy) habit of watching too much television. When he's not working as the Third Coast Review's current sole TV reviewer, he's making his way through college or, shockingly, watching too much television.
Recap: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (S16, Ep6) — The Gang Clings to the Past in Best Episode of the Season
Always Sunny is not a show particularly interested in themes or character progression—any moment of apparent growth is cut off at the knees by just how awful these people are. […]
Recap: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (S16, Ep5) — Stellar Cameos Can’t Save Dull Episode About Celebrity Liquor
Well, that was disappointing. When I learned that none other than Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul were going to be on Always Sunny this week, I was very excited. This […]
Recap: The Idol (S1, Ep4) — Penultimate Episode Painfully Drags Its Way Towards the Finale
This one wasn’t even fun. I really, truly hated last week’s episode of The Idol with a passion that I haven’t felt for bad TV this year. After two decent […]
Recap: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (S16, Ep4) — Dennis Delights in Exerting Control Over the Gang
If there’s one thing you can count on when it comes to Always Sunny, it’s that Dennis (Glenn Howerton) always gets at least one episode to be a complete and […]
Recap: The Idol (S1, Ep3) — Abysmal Episode Showcases the Worst the Series Could Possibly Be
I’ve been going pretty easy on The Idol when compared to a lot of the other criticisms of it. People really hate this show, don’t they? I don’t really blame […]
Recap: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (S16, Ep3) — The Gang Deals With Curses on a Banal Episode
I was hopeful after the pretty solid season premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—it wasn’t perfect, but it was better than almost everything Always Sunny has put out over […]
Review: Chicago- (and Food-) Centric Series The Bear Improves in Every Way with a Miraculous Second Season
Perhaps the hardest part of making a good show is having a second season that can, at the very least, live up to the first. (Unless your show is on […]
Recap: The Idol (S1, Ep2) — Series’ Second Episode Remains a Stale, Uncomfortable Mess
After last week’s episode of The Idol, I had no idea what to expect when I turned on the second one. I didn’t expect it to get better, but some […]
Preview: Music Box Theatre Celebrates Wes Anderson and Asteroid City With Four New Classics
This Friday, in anticipation of filmmaker Wes Anderson’s upcoming Asteroid City, the Music Box Theatre hosts 4 by Wes; from Friday, June 16, to Tuesday, June 20, the Music Box […]
Recap: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (S16, Ep1 & 2) — Season Premieres With Two Episodes That Return to Basics
I’ll admit, I’ve been a little concerned for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia for the past few years. After eleven seasons of phenomenal television (its first season is a little […]
Recap: The Idol (S1, Ep1) — New HBO Series from Euphoria Creator Offers Similar Mixed Bag of Strong Production, Shallow Story
Both singer Abel Tesfaye (aka The Weeknd) and writer/director Sam Levinson are obsessed with the trappings of fame. This obsession manifests in their art—many of Tesfaye’s earlier albums focus on […]