Jess Carpenter

Jess Carpenter is a freelance writer whose work has been published in Psych Central, NAMI, Scary Mommy, and more. Her debut novel, Les is More, is available for preorder online.
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Oprah Talks COVID-19

If you need a bit of hope, or want to see how coronavirus is from someone asymptomatic but positive, this is a game changing show.

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Chrissy’s Court

If you’re looking for something funny that you can watch on the go, this is the show for you. Quibi may be gone, but you can still it on Roku Originals.

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Love is Blind

Not nearly as catty as The Bachelor and a lot less out there than Married at First Sight, it seems that love really might be blind after all — and this show’s ready to renew our faith in falling in love.

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Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

An inventive new comedy-drama for anyone that wants something insanely out of this world but also a little bit relatable.

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Noelle

Funny, heartwarming, and adorably eccentric, Disney+’s Noelle is ready to become a holiday classic in your home.

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Mistletoe & Menorahs

Perfect for showing that different views can be respected and appreciated, this holiday romance has something for everyone.

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The Trial of the Chicago 7

The Trial of the Chicago 7 offers plenty of precedents, reminding us of philosopher George Santayana’s warning that “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”

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Homeland

The compelling qualities that first drew me to write in the genre are the same attractions that are abundant in Homeland: plot, tension, moral ambiguity, and paradigm-shattering twists.

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What the Constitution Means to Me

Well-written, heartfelt, and necessary, What the Constitution Means to Me isn’t your typical streaming special, but thanks to Heidi Schreck’s captivating performance and distinctive point of view, it’s a must-see on any platform.

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Secreto Bien Guardado (Argentina)

This Argentinian watercooler drama has sparked debate all around the world. Our Buenos Aires-based correspondent explains why.

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The Queen’s Gambit

Between the terrific performances, the fantastic period details, and the way it approaches chess as a thrilling, tension-filled competitive sport, this series makes braininess cool.

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The Haunting of Bly Manor

Though it’s only had two installments so far, the “Haunting” series is shaping up to be a superb showcase for long-form supernatural storytelling. If you like your horror more gothic than gory, Bly Manor absolutely fits the bill.

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What Lovecraft Country Can Tell Us About Our History

My husband and I first bonded over science-fiction and fantasy. He learned on our first date that I was a Star Wars fan and gave me a Millennium Falcon replica on our second. He had me at “I know.” We still watch sci-fi and fantasy movies and binge TV shows together. From the MCU to

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The Forty-Year-Old Version

Blank’s storytelling style embraces the part of everyone that deals with the issues of feeling old, over, but not done yet.  It’s a hopeful look at how to persevere in a culture that ignores you.

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Agents of Chaos

This documentary leaves no room for reasonable doubt that our democracy fell under attack in 2016, and that it could happen again.

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Transport Me: Holiday Movies from Around the World

If you and your family are getting tired of the same old Christmas stories year after year, why not dig a little deeper and try these picks from around the world?

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From SNL to the Director’s Chair: Kyle Mooney Talks Nostalgia, Freestyle Raps & Y2K

He stood out for hilariously awkward and offbeat SNL characters like the eccentric Bruce Chandling and the painfully relatable Chris Fitzpatrick. Whether parodying cringeworthy YouTube personalities or channeling the overly sincere energy of ’80s public access TV, Kyle Mooney’s knack for finding humor in the bizarre and uncomfortable has always set him apart. Beyond SNL,

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Romance Me: Meet Your Holiday Streaming Date

Single this holiday season? Luck-y you. You’re free to binge – and fall for – all the charming, seductive, irresistible protagonists across the streamers. Check out these holiday-themed stories for starters.

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The Holdovers

A cross-generation comedy drama that’s earned five Academy Award nominations, The Holdovers will tug at your heartstrings as it wrestles with themes of grief and loneliness, and it will ultimately nurture hope.

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Dune: Part Two

A mesmerizing immersive experience, Dune: Part Two is a film you won’t quickly forget. From the collective talents of its high wattage ensemble cast to the stunning cinematography, costumes and sound design, its a blockbuster that will stimulate all the senses along with your emotions.

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What to Watch (and Avoid) with Friends and Family over Thanksgiving

What to watch – and what to skip – if you’re spending Thanksgiving with kids, teenagers, older generations, or all of them under one roof? Your 2022 Watercooler Guide to holiday movies.

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Tokyo Vice

On one level, Tokyo Vice is the story of one man’s kamikaze mission to bring down the Yakuza. But it’s also a mesmerizing noir drama that unfolds into a tense thriller — and ultimately serves as an important reminder that freedom of the press is worth fighting for.

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Awards Season Catchup: A Watercooler Guide to Shōgun

An immersive must-watch embraced by critics, the new Shōgun brings a new perspective on the epic historical drama about the battle between East and West in 17th century Japan.

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What the Netflix Hit The Diplomat Can Teach Us All

In the midst of all the hype about a dating show (Love is Blind) and a dark, LA-set comedy (Beef), a complex political drama that requires undivided attention rose to the top of the Netflix chart in 2023.  At its core, The Diplomat is a series about bureaucratic machinations, yet the show ups the ante

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