What to watch between the Olympics and the Paralympics
Because our souls are empty now
The Olympics opening and closing ceremonies are the happiest and saddest day of my life, and usually when the ceremonies close I am left in a dark, sad hole for two years until the next games finally start. This year, finally, it looks like we’ll actually be able to watch all or most of the Paralympics, which are usually barely if at all on TV and not really streaming either. Luckily, Peacock has significantly improved its Olympic streaming this year and that includes making the Paras fully available. HUZZAH. So in two weeks we’ll get back to our Olympic glory but, until then, what are we supposed to do?? Work? Live? Be normal? I think not. Below, I present to you, your options for what to watch while you sit on the couch, in the haze of an Olympics intermission, desperately wishing you could just watch one more minute of artistic swimming before you die.
For the Alternative History Buffs
Sweet Lady Jane (Prime), The Great (Hulu), The Decameron (Netflix), Harlots (Hulu), Miracle Workers (Hulu)
Spend two weeks glorying in the bright, colorful, goofy, feminist, occasionally plague-ridden bounty of modern takes on historical figures, the rightful descendants of Sofia’s Maria Antoinette and the TV cousins of Broadway’s excellent SIX.
For an Old School Binge
The West Wing (Max), Buffy/Angel (Hulu), The Wire (Max), Twin Peaks (Paramount +)
If your mid-Olympics depression requires some comfort bingeing, tune in to one of the old shows that never let you down. I myself and currently in the midst of a Buffy/Angel tv/podcast rewatch/recap binge and Giles and I have never been happier.
To Make the Most of Your New Peacock Subscription
Columbo, Murder She Wrote, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Traitors, Those About to Die
If you’re planning to cancel Peacock after the Paras, spend the next two weeks solving murders with Columbo, pretending to the solve murders that you actually committed with notorious serial killer Jessica Fletcher, gleefully indulging in murders with Alfred Hitchcock, watching Alan Cummings lord over people who want to murder each other in a Scottish castle, or watching murder as a sport in Rome (but no spoilers, I’m waiting until the season is over to binge).
To Indulge in Reality Without Leaving Your House
The Perfect Wife (Hulu), Six Schizophrenic Brothers (Max), Brandy Hellville (Max), RenFaire (Max)
This is a great time to indulge in some of the year’s best (or creepiest) documentaries that you may have missed. Just maybe follow some of these up with a few episodes of The Golden Girls (Hulu).
To Stay in the Sporty Spirit
Field of Dreams (Tubi), Remember the Titans (Disney +), Friday Night Lights (Netflix), A League of Their Own (Prime, $3.99), Cool Runnings (Disney +)
Perhaps you want to stay in the athletic spirit, and who can blame you? Above are some of the best sports movies (and one TV show) ever made (I did not include Rudy because you’re already sad). Yes, two are about baseball and two are about football but, sorry, I don’t make the rules. Take it up with Denzel.
If this isn’t enough to get you through the next two weeks, visit your local library, learn to make a souffle, cry into your pillow at night. You just have to make it until August 29th. I believe in you.
Kat