Watching: Waddle into ‘Penguin Town’

Or brace yourself for a strange hybrid.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story June 14, 2021 By Margaret Lyons Television Critic Dear Watchers, Peacock announced today that it has renewed "Girls5eva" for a second season. Now all I need is for Peacock to publish the sheet music for the series so I can assemble my own girl group to sing "Four Stars." Have a beautiful week. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT I already watched 'Meerkat Manor.' Welcome to "Penguin Town."Netflix 'Penguin Town' When to watch: Arrives Wednesday, on Netflix. Welcome to Simon's Town, South Africa, where African penguins arrive annually for mating season. This bouncy documentary follows the "Meerkat" formula: occasionally jokey narration, here by Patton Oswalt, that anthropomorphizes adorable animals and explains their social hierarchies and natural ecosystems. (Yes, humans are ruining it.) "Penguin Town" follows some specific penguin couples — the Bougainvilleas, who are middle-aged and have been together for years, and the Culverts, who are "newlyweds" — as well as a single penguin, Junior, who is recovering from a seal attack. As with all nature shows, death and danger are part of the story, but there's more than enough squee-worthy footage, and as a bonus, lots of new reasons to hate sea gulls. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT I already watched 'The King of Queens.' Eric Petersen and Annie Murphy share an unfunny marriage in a new AMC satire.Jojo Whilden/AMC 'Kevin Can F**k Himself' When to watch: Now, on AMC+. Allison (Annie Murphy, "Schitt's Creek") is a sitcom wife married to a big dumb jerk (Eric Petersen), and their scenes together are a literal sitcom: broad humor, ambient misogyny, multicamera formatting with a laugh track. But when she's not around her husband, Allison's scenes are like a bleak drama, in which she's a struggling liquor store clerk who hates her life. The challenge is that neither mode is all that fun: Why would I want to watch either a bad sitcom or yet another poverty-drag drama whose characters bemoan feeling trapped in their hometown? This show is more interesting than good, but it has such a tricky and surprising premise that my curiosity overpowered a general lack of pleasure. Your mileage may vary! Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT SUBSCRIBE TODAY If you've found this newsletter helpful, please consider subscribing to The New York Times — with this special offer. Your support makes our work possible. Also this week A scene from "Holey Moley."ABC/Christopher Willard The 1978 mini-series version of "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" is now streaming on Acorn TV. Seems like a weird time for a show whose premise is "sedition, but make it 'Everwood,'" but "The Republic of Sarah" — about a New Hampshire town that secedes thanks to a plucky history teacher and historical technicalities — begins Monday at 9 p.m. on the CW. The season finale of "Cruel Summer," a '90s-set teen mystery that has been one of my faves this spring, airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. on Freeform. It is quite juicy! "Dave" returns for its second season on Wednesday at 10 p.m., on FXX. The reboot of "iCarly" arrives Thursday, on Paramount+. A new season of the darling "Summer Camp Island" begins Thursday, on HBO Max. "Holey Moley" returns for its third season Thursday at 8 p.m. on ABC. EXTRA-CREDIT READING Ned Beatty, Actor Known for 'Network' and 'Deliverance,' Dies at 83 In a career that spanned more than four decades and more than 150 movie and TV roles, Mr. Beatty was rarely the star but almost always made a strong impression. By Neil Vigdor Quinta Brunson's Viral Fame Knows No Bounds The comedian's first book, "She Memes Well," balances jokes, autobiography and serious thoughts about the state of the country. By Gina Cherelus They Fought to Make 'In the Heights' Both Dreamlike and Authentic The creative team of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes and Jon M. Chu explain what it took to create a euphoric spectacle that stayed true to its cultural roots. By Carlos Aguilar Hollywood Take on Christchurch Massacre Provokes Anger in New Zealand Members of the Muslim community denounced as "white saviorism" the director's decision to focus on the response by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. By Natasha Frost Baron Davis Directs Now. If There's a 'Space Jam 3,' He Wants In. The former N.B.A. star's first movie, "Domino: Battle of the Bones," is as in-your-face as his playing style. And he's got plenty more big-screen ideas. By Sopan Deb Milton Moses Ginsberg, 85, Unconventional Filmmaker, Dies His movies about a psychiatrist's disintegration and a werewolf in the White House originally bombed, but they both drew favorable attention many years later. By Richard Sandomir Pandemic Bakers Are Going Pro Once again, a period of turmoil has generated a new wave of professional bakers. By Heather Murphy Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. Tips and advice to help you live a little smarter Since you receive Watching, we think you'll like the Smarter Living newsletter as well. Every Monday, get a weekly roundup of the best advice from The Times on living a better, more fulfilling life. Sign up here. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Watching from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. 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