If you’re ever in a pinch and looking for something to watch, did you know you can watch free (legally, with ads) movies on YouTube? I’ll often use this to scope out something before paying for it, or if it’s not streaming elsewhere. Here’s a sample of a few sources…
Starting in 2018, every John Mulaney appearance on SNL has included a musical sketch—Diner Lobster was the first. For that one, most of the songs and “plot” are lifted from Les Misérables. As someone who was in musicals in high school and is not afraid to catch one here and there, I appreciate these very much. In fact, some of the shows I was in are covered here—namely Fiddler on the Roof and South Pacific. Anyway, these do a great job of showing a very meta and surreal take on life in New York, current events, and a bunch of musical numbers. Keep an eye out for Pete Davidson and other cast members laughing.
2018: Diner Lobster
2019: Bodega Bathroom
2020: New York Musical
2020: Airport Sushi
2022: Subway Churro
2024: Port Authority Duane Reade
Diner Lobster: Behind the Scenes
Bonus: John Mulaney starred and wrote (with others) in a parody of Original Cast Album: Company, a documentary about the recording of the music from the Sondheim play. I get the impression he may have been a theater kid.
This post was mostly inspired by watching an interview with Rashida Jones on Conan O’Brien’s podcast and forgetting who her mother was (and that said mother was on Twin Peaks).
This is my last one of these, I swear! I finished Frasier and my TNG rewatch, but I had to include these. Stephen Root is a favorite actor and Penny Johnson Jerald is a biggie. She managed to appear on TNG and in major roles in DS9 and The Orville. And Daniel Davis as Moriarty is obviously a TNG favorite.
As I’ve watched Frasier, I’ve found even more people than I listed in my last post about actors appearing on Cheers, Frasier, and Star Trek. I only have about a season left, but can there really be more?!
For the first two, we get a M*A*S*H / Star Trek / Frasier overlap!
Star Trek: The Next Generation is pretty much my favorite TV show. I have it, and many of the movies with the original cast, on repeat at most times. I recently decided to take a little break from Trek and gave Cheers a whirl. Little did I know, many actors who appeared on/in Star Trek were also on Cheers and Frasier. Here are some examples of the crossovers!
If you haven’t noticed from my previous posts, I like going down rabbit holes with film and TV. There are some interesting overlapping stories between Hugh Hefner, Peter Bogdonovich, Dorothy Stratten, and Bob Fosse.
Star 80 (directed by Bob Fosse)
Cliff Robertson as Hugh Hefner
Eric Roberts as Paul Schneider
All That Jazz
Roy Scheider playing Bob Fosse
Fosse/Verdon
Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse
Lin Manuel Miranda playing Roy Scheider playing a fictionalized Bob Fosse
Welcome to Chippendale’s
Nicola Peltz as Dorothy Stratten
Dan Stevens as Paul Snider
Other
John Ritter as a look-a-like Peter Bogdonovich in They All Laughed (directed by Peter Bogdonovich)
Peter Bogdonovich as a fictionalized Hugh Hefner in Law & Order: Criminal Intent
I’ve pretty much been a lifelong Star Trek fan, right down to watching Star Trek: The Next Generation when it first premiered in 1987 and all the way through to when it ended in 1994. It’s also my go-to TV show to have on in the background since I know it well. While some of the newer Trek shows have been a mixed bag (I’m looking at you, Picard seasons 1 and 2), Strange New Worlds is pretty solid and the closest to older the older formula. Surprisingly, I had a hard time finding sites with comparisons between the cast of the original series and Strange New Worlds. Well, here you!
Jeffrey Hunter as Captain PikeAnson Mount as Captain PikeLeonard Nimoy as SpockEthan Peck as SpockMajel Barret as Number OneRebecca Romijn as Number OneMajel Barret as Nurse Christine ChapelJess Bush as Nurse Christine ChapelBooker Bradshaw as Dr. Joseph M’BengaBabs Olusanmokun as Dr. Joseph M’BengaNichelle Nichols as Nyota UhuraCelia Rose Gooding as Nyota UhuraWilliam Shatner as James T. KirkPaul Wesley as James T. KirkJane Wyatt as Amanda GraysomMia Kirshner as Amanda GraysomWilliam Shatner as George Samuel KirkDan Jeannotte as George Samuel KirkArlene Martel as T’PringGia Sandhu as T’Pring
All images are the property of CBS, Paramount+, etc.
Hey, have you watched The Bear? I started watching it shortly after it premiered last year and was hooked right away.
The music alone was enough to sell me! It’s stacked with artists I’ve seen live; Wilco, Brian Wilson, The Decemberists, Pixies, R.E.M., Van Morrison, The Psychedelic Furs, and Smashing Pumpkins (and plenty more I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing). If you have a show with multiple songs by The Replacements in a single episode, that’s reason enough for me to watch.
But it’s not just the music. While I’ll say the first couple of episodes are a little repetitive, by mid season 1 you could tell this show was headed away from the expected. Filming in a real Italian beef shop in Chicago was a nice touch – the creator of the show grew up with the owner of Mr. Beef. While Marty Mathewson is a lot in real life (or at least what I’ve seen on YouTube), he’s a welcome addition to the show.
Season 2 changes this up a bit and the frequent “yes chef” exclamation feels more at home. The Christmas episode of Season 2 pretty much had my jaw on the floor from the casting. If I were to make a list of 20 people I’d want to see guest star on a show, about half of them are in that one episode.
Anyway, check it out on Hulu if you haven’t had a chance!
Stephen Quirk 