Laurie Ulster
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
If you love the idea of an old-fashioned Star Trek that lives up to today’s standards of inclusion and diversity (so, minus the ‘60s sexism), this is going to be right up your alley.
Watching Star Trek: Picard? Binge These Q and Guinan Episodes First
Q (John de Lancie) and Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) are back in S2 of Star Trek: Picard, so let’s revisit the memorable TNG episodes featuring these two fan-favorite characters.
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary will catch you off guard and surprise you. It captures the balance between comedy and heart, much like its mockumentary predecessors—but with a new spin, because the work these characters are doing truly matters.
The Center Seat
A combination of a deep dive and a crash course into Star Trek from its inception up through the early 2000s, covering the shows, movies, and the phenomenon itself.
Star Trek: Prodigy
The values of Star Trek, and then some: unity, diversity, individuality, optimism, idealism and hope. What more could you ask for? How about the return of Captain Janeway? Yeah, it’s got that too.
Star Trek: Lower Decks
An action-packed sci-fi comedy set in a Star Trek universe that it both reveres and lovingly mocks.
Why Star Trek: Picard Works Better as a Binge
To understand the power of the Star Trek franchise, binge watch Picard. The time is right.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, a Musical About Grief, Is Perfect for Our Time
At its heart, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is a musical about navigating grief. Because of that, it makes a beeline through the clutter of my thoughts and reaches straight into my heart.
Laurie Ulster
The Baby-Sitters Club
A fine spiritual, if not always literal, successor to the books, depicting an inclusive and optimistic view of the world at a time when it’s sorely needed.
The Oprah Conversation
A timely, much-needed series that combines raw honesty with the moderation only Oprah can bring, offering a road map for how to move forward.
Say I Do
Inspiring, love-filled, and will give you hope for humanity. Each episode centers around a couple’s complex love story, while one is secretly planning the wedding of their dreams.
Upload
You will go into it thinking (especially in the first episode), what a light, silly, predictable sci-fi show. Prepare to have your expectations far exceeded.
Hamilton
Dazzling, rousing, and enlightening, Hamilton is a cultural phenomenon that’s as entertaining as it is inspiring. The Broadway show united politicians and won a Pulitzer, a Grammy, and record-breaking Tony nominations, and it’s now available for everyone to see thanks to streaming.
Eurovision Song Contest
A hilarious homage to the international song contest that launched ABBA, Celine Dion and many others, Eurovision doubles as a vicarious vacation adventure — one with outlandish performances, actual hits, and Will Ferrell.
Black-ish: “The Juneteenth Episode”
In 30 comedic minutes, this special “Juneteenth” episode manages to give insight into the end of slavery in the United States—the date it actually ended, how it was ended, and what happened after it did.
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?
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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