The other day I went to Trader Joe’s. After I paid for my groceries, I walked back to my car. But as I approached my blue Prius, I noticed a woman trying to open my trunk. I could’ve shouted at her to stop, or called her a thief. But watching her, and noticing the grocery cart by her side, I figured she probably thought my car was her car. An honest mistake. So, I was polite about it. And she was polite about it. And we both had a good laugh about how one blue Prius looks exactly like another blue Prius, and how that make / model / color is ridiculously common in Los Angeles. Then she went to find her car. But when I got done loading my groceries into my trunk, I noticed something. Her Prius was red, and mine was blue.
Was she trying to steal my car? Was she color blind? Was she one of those dingbats who can’t remember the color of her car? I never settled on an answer, and that’s just the way I like it. I ❤️ ambiguous stories.
Which brings me to the point of this thread. I’m really enjoying Inventing Anna on Netflix. The Shonda Rhimes show is based on the (mostly) true story of a young woman who conned New York high society—and almost got away with it. Part of the show’s appeal is that it skewers the rich & shameless. But the heart of the show is a procedural about a real life reporter who went as deep down the rabbit hole as she could to answer a key question: who the hell is Anna Delvey? We’ve got two more episodes to go, so hopefully that answer is just around the corner.
But once we finish Inventing Anna, we’ll need a new show. So, what are you watching? Share your recs in the comments 👇
I started watching Wentworth on Netflix a few weeks ago and honestly, I think that’s one of the best shows ever made. It’s kind of an Australian “Orange is the New Black” in that it follows women in prison. But honestly the characters in the acting are just so compelling. I also started watching Love is Blind even though I don’t really like reality shows. (I don’t know why I’m watching it – I guess there was just something compelling about the premise.) I just finished the first season that came out in 2020, and I’m just aghast. Everything is going in one direction and then you find out at the very end that one of the participants wasn’t at all what they seemed. I started watching season two but they’re actually releasing episodes on a schedule (curses, Netflix!) so that’s probably a good thing. It’s like the absolute worst guilty pleasure “why the hell am I watching this but I can’t look away” kind of show.
Also on the whole point of the car – when I was 12 I spent the week at my aunt’s house. There was a shopping center a short bike ride away. One day I was returning to my bike and I saw somebody messing with it and trying to unlock it. I yelled at them - get away from my bike! Only then did I realize that it wasn’t actually mine – I had locked mine up at an entirely different rack, and I slunk away with my tail between my legs.. Several decades later, I’m *still* embarrassed. 😬
I know what you mean about the car and the bike and embarrassment. One reason I didn't yell was that even though I was sure it was my car, I wasn't 100% sure and part of me, deep down, was probably like, play it cool, or this will be embarrassing for you. That said, after several decades, I think the statute of limitations has run out, and you're free to just chuck that feeling into the trash can and never look back. Also, thanks for your recs! I've never heard of Wentworth, but an Australian "Orange is the New Black" sounds great. Australians, in my experience, make most things better.
If you want to watch another crime-centered show skewering high society, check out Pam & Tommy on Hulu. It’s very funny and gives a great perspective on how and why the sex tape happened. Plus, Jason Mantzoukas voices Tommy’s penis!
Honestly, you had me at Jason Mantzoukas voices Tommy’s penis. I freaking love Mantzoukas. Years ago, my wife and I got the chance to see Oh Hello on Broadway and he was the surprise guest. We went crazy.
Honestly, I have almost opened someone else's car door. The shock is real.
Speaking of the shock. On Valentine's Day we watched the Bride of Frankenstein and I was absolutely floored to find out that the Bride is in the movie all of five minutes. I couldn't get over this for days. (Or maybe I was higher than I thought).
I've been screaming to people to watch Yellowjackets. It's so dark and good nostalgia in the way that it actually FEELS like being a teenager in the 90s without a lot of cheap nostalgia we get these days. As you know, I love reality tv, and Housewives of SLC and Season 3 of the Circle are killing it for me lately. But for real, RuPaul's Drag Race is always a feel good favorite.
What?! Really?! I never seen The Bride of Frankenstein, but I would've thought the bride would be a big part of the movie. Hmmm. I need to check out Yellowjackets, I really do. So, please keep yelling at me until I do.
Just finished Inventing Anna and enjoyed it, although I don't think we will ever truly understand what goes on in her head. If you like foreign murder mysteries, I recommend "The Chestnut Man". If you have HBO/Max streaming service, there is a fairly new comedy that's quite sweet called "Somebody, Somewhere" that is really growing on me. Also on HBO is The Gilded Age which we are really liking too.
I've been resisting the temptation to google the real Anna or read the New York Magazine article the show is based on. But I think you might be right that she's ultimately unknowable. Thanks for the HBO / Max recs! We do have that service, so I'll have to check out those shows.
I am watching both of Ricky Gervaise's series on Netflix -- "After Life" and "Derek". Such an odd mix of pathos, belly laughs, grief, insight, sheer joy, irreverence -- a complete fusion of opposites. I laugh so hard and then I cry and then I think about his messages for hours. I knew he was a fine comedian, but had no idea what a great writer and actor he is. And he's totally desensitized me to foul language. (It is just words.) Have a look!
I really love the show 911 Lone Star (and no, not just because it has Rob Lowe in it.)
I started watching Wentworth on Netflix a few weeks ago and honestly, I think that’s one of the best shows ever made. It’s kind of an Australian “Orange is the New Black” in that it follows women in prison. But honestly the characters in the acting are just so compelling. I also started watching Love is Blind even though I don’t really like reality shows. (I don’t know why I’m watching it – I guess there was just something compelling about the premise.) I just finished the first season that came out in 2020, and I’m just aghast. Everything is going in one direction and then you find out at the very end that one of the participants wasn’t at all what they seemed. I started watching season two but they’re actually releasing episodes on a schedule (curses, Netflix!) so that’s probably a good thing. It’s like the absolute worst guilty pleasure “why the hell am I watching this but I can’t look away” kind of show.
Also on the whole point of the car – when I was 12 I spent the week at my aunt’s house. There was a shopping center a short bike ride away. One day I was returning to my bike and I saw somebody messing with it and trying to unlock it. I yelled at them - get away from my bike! Only then did I realize that it wasn’t actually mine – I had locked mine up at an entirely different rack, and I slunk away with my tail between my legs.. Several decades later, I’m *still* embarrassed. 😬
I know what you mean about the car and the bike and embarrassment. One reason I didn't yell was that even though I was sure it was my car, I wasn't 100% sure and part of me, deep down, was probably like, play it cool, or this will be embarrassing for you. That said, after several decades, I think the statute of limitations has run out, and you're free to just chuck that feeling into the trash can and never look back. Also, thanks for your recs! I've never heard of Wentworth, but an Australian "Orange is the New Black" sounds great. Australians, in my experience, make most things better.
If you want to watch another crime-centered show skewering high society, check out Pam & Tommy on Hulu. It’s very funny and gives a great perspective on how and why the sex tape happened. Plus, Jason Mantzoukas voices Tommy’s penis!
Honestly, you had me at Jason Mantzoukas voices Tommy’s penis. I freaking love Mantzoukas. Years ago, my wife and I got the chance to see Oh Hello on Broadway and he was the surprise guest. We went crazy.
Honestly, I have almost opened someone else's car door. The shock is real.
Speaking of the shock. On Valentine's Day we watched the Bride of Frankenstein and I was absolutely floored to find out that the Bride is in the movie all of five minutes. I couldn't get over this for days. (Or maybe I was higher than I thought).
I've been screaming to people to watch Yellowjackets. It's so dark and good nostalgia in the way that it actually FEELS like being a teenager in the 90s without a lot of cheap nostalgia we get these days. As you know, I love reality tv, and Housewives of SLC and Season 3 of the Circle are killing it for me lately. But for real, RuPaul's Drag Race is always a feel good favorite.
What?! Really?! I never seen The Bride of Frankenstein, but I would've thought the bride would be a big part of the movie. Hmmm. I need to check out Yellowjackets, I really do. So, please keep yelling at me until I do.
Just finished Inventing Anna and enjoyed it, although I don't think we will ever truly understand what goes on in her head. If you like foreign murder mysteries, I recommend "The Chestnut Man". If you have HBO/Max streaming service, there is a fairly new comedy that's quite sweet called "Somebody, Somewhere" that is really growing on me. Also on HBO is The Gilded Age which we are really liking too.
I've been resisting the temptation to google the real Anna or read the New York Magazine article the show is based on. But I think you might be right that she's ultimately unknowable. Thanks for the HBO / Max recs! We do have that service, so I'll have to check out those shows.
The Tinder Swindler is also about a con artist. It was an enjoyable watch
Ooooh! That one sounds good!
I am watching both of Ricky Gervaise's series on Netflix -- "After Life" and "Derek". Such an odd mix of pathos, belly laughs, grief, insight, sheer joy, irreverence -- a complete fusion of opposites. I laugh so hard and then I cry and then I think about his messages for hours. I knew he was a fine comedian, but had no idea what a great writer and actor he is. And he's totally desensitized me to foul language. (It is just words.) Have a look!
I've heard really good things about After Life!