Stein: Cavs have offered Varejao for Channing Frye
February 17, 2016Jason Giambi to serve as guest instructor at Indians’ spring training
February 18, 2016THURSDAY, YOU GUYS. And not just any Thursday. The Cavs are back, pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday, and the NBA trade deadline is almost here, so we’re almost finished with the never-ending “Will-they-or-won’t-they-trade-K-Love” rumors. Plenty of reasons to be smiling today, right?
All of this is welcome news considering that February seems to be moving at the exact speed Justin Beiber in which grows facial hair. While the winter we came this close to avoiding is now in full swing, February is just meandering its way along, cold, gross, and, quite honestly, boring AF at times—especially when it comes to sports. Come to think of it, that sounds a lot like Beiber’s facial hair, too.
This overabundance of snow and serious lack of sports leaves one needing plenty of ways to pass the time. There’s no better way to wait-out winter than by binging on a good story—whether you read it, watch it, or listen to it. And, since we’re smack-dab in the middle of awards season, I thought I’d give out a two story-related awards of my own.
Best Surprise: Master of None
I’ve been fan of Aziz Ansari’s for ages now, thanks to a healthy obsession with Parks and Rec and an opportunity to catch him doing stand-up in Playhouse Square a few years ago. Still, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started Netflixing1 the 10-episode comedy when it dropped last November. What I got was possibly one of the most unexpected gems I’ve come across in ages.
The semi-autobiographical-but-still-fictional story follows the life of Dev, a thirty-something struggling actor living in New York whose biggest (and only) claim to fame is totally slaying a Go-Gurt commercial. He’s navigating the always-awkward world of dating in the digital age. He’s babysitting for friends who have their lives a little more together than he does. And, he’s trying to pick a taco place for dinner—with the help of Yelp, Google, countless reviews, lists, and Internet research.
Dev’s best friends Arnold (Eric Wareheim), Brian (Kelvin Yu) and Denise (Lena Waithe) are with him every step of the way, brilliantly funny as they discuss everything from Tinder etiquette and technology to parenting, “growing up,” and race. They tackle the tough things—and a lot of not-so-serious ones—in a way that you, as a viewer, can totally relate to in a meaningful way. Probably because you and your idiot friends have had the exact same conversations over tacos and beer. Rounding out the cast is Dev’s charming and adorable girlfriend Rachel (SNL alum Noël Wells), and his parents—played by Aziz’s actual parents—who steal every single scene they’re in.
Master of None is a truly a story about one man’s everyday life, told through a lens that somehow relatable and hilarious and compelling all at once. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t laugh out loud throughout. I’d also be .lying if I said I didn’t watch all 10 episodes in one particularly quiet weekend. Ok… it was one particularly quiet Sunday. And as the credits were rolling on the tenth and final episode, I might have been weeping just a little. Because Aziz brought all the feels—and then some.
If you haven’t caught an episode yet, I hope I’ve convinced you to give it a shot. You want to watch last night’s Broad City first? I’m OK with that. But after? Please?
Biggest Disappointment: Serial, Season 2
Oh my God, you guys. We need to talk about this podcast.
I’ll start by saying that, following the conclusion of Serial’s inaugural season, I was absolutely obsessed. Consumed, really, by the profound level of storytelling and detail Sarah Koening and team brought to the world when dissecting the conviction of Adnan Syed. I found Serial late, during the week between the eleventh and twelfth (and final) episodes, but I was completely captivated from the first episode. Because I already confessed to binging on Master of None, I might as well tell you that, driven by sheer determination and complete FOMO, I binged on 11 episodes of Serial in four or five days. We’re all friends here, right?
I was devastated when the season ended without the conclusive answer I so desperately wanted, and waiting over a year for Season 2 sounded like torture. I, like so many other fans of the podcast, couldn’t wait for an update from the Serial team. What—or whom—would Sarah’s next story be? The anticipation was real—but after listening to Season 1 in its entirety a second time, it also seemed incredibly worth it.
And then… The disappointment set in. When Koenig and crew announced that the subject matter for Serial’s second season would be possible Army deserter Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, I felt an instant sense of deflation. Is it a matter of subject matter? Well… Yes. I’m not particularly interested in military-related stories. But, as a fan, I committed myself to giving it a shot. After all, Sarah is the queen of storytelling—and Bergdahl’s five-year imprisonment at the hands of the Taliban had to be enthralling, right?
I wish I could tell you, dear readers, that I found a love for Bergdahl’s story and Serial’s second season. But, in a twist of corny irony, I found myself deserting the podcast altogether. If we’re being totally honest (and we are), I don’t even remember the last episode I listened to.
This time around, I found Sarah’s story line much less linear and much more difficult to follow. Military acronyms and phrasing were being thrown around like wildfire, and not only could I not keep up—I find myself not wanting to. The conversations between Bergdahl and Hollywood screenwriter Mark Boal weren’t engaging or interesting, and Sarah’s retelling of Bergdahl’s escape-turned-capture for the sake of military whistleblowing wasn’t much better.
I’d love to know if any of you agree—or disagree with my completely lack of interest this time around. Based on the fact that the most I’ve heard about Serial at all was excitement over an update on Syed’s appeal and not at all related to Season 2, I feel like I can’t be alone.
Alright, you guys. Get out there and slay this Thursday like Dev in that Go-Gurt commercial.
- Verb, ya’all. [↩]
10 Comments
Azizis one of my favorites. Master of None is particularly awesome. For those who haven’t seen it, tough out the first2 or 3 episodes…in my opinion, they’re a bit rough. But the rest of it is freakin’ spectacular.
Not sure where to start with this, but the possibility for comedic gold seems endless…
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/there-is-now-a-dating-website-for-alabama-fans-only-023232014.html
The comments section is on fire. lol
Completely agree on Serial. Like you, I immediately had reservations when I heard what the subject was going to be. And I hate to say it, but my fears have been realized. This is just not a compelling enough story to be worthy of the Serial treatment. Last week Sarah went to Baltimore and covered Adnan’s hearing. The three mini-episode updates were infinitely more interesting than anything in season two.
And, there’s another problem, too. The switch to two weeks between episodes is a disaster. By the time a new episode comes around, I can’t even remember what the last one was about. There’s no chance to build momentum or excitement. At this point, I am only listening out of duty, so I have something to compare Season Three to.
I also bailed on Season 2 of Serial. Pretty sure I lasted just two or three episodes. I feel bad for Sarah as it seems as if they knew this one wouldn’t be as fulfilling for listeners, but this one simply doesn’t have the same captivating twists and turns as Season 1.
Totally agree on the two-week gap. I found the story so hard to follow that nothing resonated at all, and then two weeks later I was even more lost. Props to you for sticking with it. You’re a more dedicated fan than me 🙂
Yep. You nailed it.
Just leaving this here…
http://www.match.com/cpx/en-us/partner/mlb/cleveland-indians/
Cavs traded for Channing Frye.
I echo everything everyone’s stated about Season 2 of Serial. I thought there was a chance after episode 1. It was reminiscent of season 1 and it led straight to the second episode. But after that really nice cliffhanger they’ve failed and failed pretty spectacularly. Not only is the story not working, but the two week gap is a complete disaster as Andrew said. I’m still half listening, out of obligation, but man oh man it’s not even close to appointment listening. Not even close.
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