Summer TV Roundup, Week 6


 We’re heading into the midst of July. We’re in the middle of summer and very early in the new Emmy cycle, so the flood of new shows has slowed to a trickle. But you might need something to kill time while enjoying air conditioning, and you’re wondering what of these new shows is worth your time to check out. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this summer.

Fridays:
Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, Fridays at 10 p.m. on HBO (Premiered June 26)
About: This new comedy for HBO finds Larry David in his element. He’s bringing his unique style of comedy and unique view of the world to a sketch comedy series that skewers key moments in American history. It featured an introduction in the pilot from Barack Obama, who is a producer along with his wife, Michelle. This week’s second episode featured a sketch with Jerry Seinfeld and a closing sketch with the late Rob Reiner, who gets a dedication at the end. It was simply brilliant, an incredibly clever and entertaining half hour. I really enjoyed the episode and I appreciate the concept. This is one of the best new shows of the summer and a great way to end the week. It’s worth seeking out.
Pilot Grade: A-
Second Episode: A

Streaming Series:
Elle, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered July 1)|
About: Elle Woods has been a fixture in the culture for 25 years. Brought to life by Reese Witherspoon in a pair of films, and possibly another future installment, now we’re learning more about a young Elle in a new series on Prime Video. This time Lexi Minetree takes the lead role and the action drops back to 1995. Elle is about to be a junior in high school, living a privileged life atop the social pyramid in Southern California. When business turns bad for her father, they’re forced to relocate to the Pacific Northwest. There, Elle is a fish-out-of-water who struggles to find her place and fit in with a different group of people. This is almost basically the theme and story of the first Legally Blonde film, except without law school and the unrequited romance part. It also feels a lot like Clueless, owing to the setting and time period. Both those things could be good, but this isn’t. Minetree’s Elle lacks the charm of the way Witherspoon brought her to life in the movies. The season is eight episodes, all now streaming. Episodes range between 45 minutes and an hour. It makes sense why Prime Video would want to tap this piece of IP for a new series, it just didn’t hit hard enough to hold my interest through two episodes. It will be good enough for fans of the genre or the films to get hooked.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Human Vapor, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered July 2)
About: This new series is a re-make of a film from 1960. It centers on a man with a bone to pick who has the ability to turn himself into a gas and seek revenge. It’s an interesting concept and the way the series is put together looks solid. But as with anything, expanding a story from a feature film into an eight-episode series forces you to bloat it. This series is available in an English dub, or you can watch it in its original language with subtitles. For fans of science fiction looking for a quick summer binge, this eight-episode series will work OK. Its episodes range from 45 minutes to an hour, with the subject moving at a decent pace. It’s worth seeking out.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

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