Dragon Ball Figures: Watching: A Fantastic Cult Comedy

July 26, 2021

By Margaret Lyons

Television Critic

Dear Watchers,

LeVar Burton's guest stint hosting "Jeopardy!" begins tonight.

Have a wonderful week.

Continue reading the main story

I like outside-the-box comedies.

Matthew Holness, left, and Matthew Berry in a scene from "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace."Amazon

'Garth Marenghi's Darkplace'

When to watch: Now, on Amazon.

If you've ever caught a glimpse of "Invitation to Love," the soap opera within the world of "Twin Peaks," and thought, "I mean, I'd watch a few episodes …," try this British comedy that has been stuck in relative obscurity but is now streaming. Created by Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade, the show debuted in 2004 but is a parody of a terrible '80s sci-fi horror show, with introductions from that fictional show's star and creator, the revered occult author Garth Marenghi (Holness).

Continue reading the main story

One challenge for entertainment about crummy entertainment is that it has to be both: The stand-up material on "Hacks" has to be hacky; the screamy, dreary sitcom on "Kevin Can ___ Himself" has to be a screamy, dreary sitcom. It's why there's only one "Horsin' Around" special episode of "BoJack Horseman" — it's a parody, sure, but it still needs to land like a real T.G.I.F. sitcom. "Darkplace," the show-within-the-show here, is gloriously, happily terrible, with wigs that cost fives of dollars, purposefully bad audio and lines like: "Broccoli! She's turning into broccoli!"

The bigger a fan you are of "Mystery Science Theater 3000," the more you will like this. And "What We Do in the Shadows" fans will be thrilled to see Matt Berry here, full of puffy absurdity.

When do my shows come back?

Michael C. Hall in a scene from "Dexter: New Blood." Seems like "Dexter: Regular Old Blood," but OK.Kurt Iswarienko/Showtime

"Naked and Afraid": Aug. 1, Discovery
"Cribs": Aug. 11, MTV
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine": Aug. 12, NBC
"Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens": Aug. 18, Comedy Central
"Work in Progress": Aug. 22, Showtime
"Archer": Aug. 25, FXX
"The Other Two": Aug. 26, HBO Max
"PEN15": Aug. 27, Hulu
"What We Do in the Shadows": Sept. 2, FX
"Billions": Sept. 5, Showtime
"American Crime Story": Sept. 7, FX
"Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team": Sept. 17, CMT
"The Morning Show": Sept. 17, Apple TV+
"Sex Education": Sept. 17, Netflix
"Grey's Anatomy": Sept. 30, ABC
"Dexter: New Blood": Nov. 7, Showtime

Continue reading the main story

I want to watch some of the Olympics.

Sunisa Lee, an American gymnast competing in Tokyo.Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Yes, the Olympics are underway, and some highlights (all times EDT) in the next few days include:

Basketball

Men's and women's 3x3 basketball finals air live starting at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday on USA and will air again during prime time on NBC Sports.

Gymnastics

Women's team finals air Tuesday at 8 p.m. on NBC, but if you want to watch it live, coverage begins at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday online and on Peacock.
The men's individual all-around final begins at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday (also online and on Peacock) and airs in prime time starting at 8 p.m. on NBC.
Thursday is the biggie, though: Women's individual all-around airs live online and on Peacock starting at 6:50 a.m. and will be replayed in prime time starting at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Softball

The gold medal game between the United States and Japan airs live starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday on NBC Sports.

Swimming

Swimming gets the primo slots this week, with finals for various races airing live in prime time every night starting at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Follow all of The Times's Olympic coverage here.

Subscribe Today

We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times with this special offer.

EXTRA-CREDIT READING

Critic's Notebook

How TV Went From David Brent to Ted Lasso

Two decades ago, TV's most distinctive stories were defined by a tone of ironic detachment. Today, they're more often sincere and direct. How did we get here?

By James Poniewozik

Critic's Notebook

A Celebration of Life, a Note of Unease and … Commercials

The pandemic-era Tokyo Olympics began on NBC, with an uneasy balance of news and sports, along with reminders that this is big business.

By James Poniewozik

QR Codes Are Here to Stay. So Is the Tracking They Allow.

Fueled by a desire for touchless transactions, QR codes popped up everywhere in the pandemic. Businesses don't want to give them up.

By Erin Woo

The World Through a Lens

Scenes From a Dude Ranch on the High Plains

For more than 10 years, a British photographer spent her summers at a dude ranch in northwest Wyoming. Here's what she captured.

By Claire Thomas

The Extraordinary History (and Likely Busy Future) of Quarantine

"Until Proven Safe," by Geoff Manaugh and Nicola Twilley, is about the lifesaving measure that has also been abused for political purposes over the centuries.

By Jennifer Szalai

essay

The Enduring Whimsy and Wonderment of Eric Carle

The beloved children's author and illustrator died in May. But his irrepressible spirit lives on in his books.

By Jonathan Kozol

Screenland

I'm Obsessed With 'Old.' The Twist: I Won't See It.

M. Night Shyamalan's new movie has a trailer that eerily resonates with our strange times; and that's enough for me.

By Carina Chocano

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