Since Wisconsin is showing staggering COVID-19 numbers at the moment, we strongly suggest you stay inside and/or keep distance from others for the time being. Fortunately, there’s a ton of things to watch, read, and listen to at home while waiting for things to (probably never) get better. Here are some recommendations for November 2-9. And VOTE.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Fargo on Hulu
One of the best shows on television is back, this time with a season based in Kansas City in the year 1950. The seventh episode aired last night (and is available on Hulu today) and, after something of a methodically slow burn early on, things have started to get exciting. The fourth season features Chris Rock, Jason Schwartzman, Timothy Olyphant, Andrew Bird, Jessie Buckley, and an Italian guy that kind of looks and sounds like Jack Black doing the Nacho Libre voice. It’s super good!
Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast
We know we’ve recommended this podcast in prior Rec Rec installments, but Jason Mantzoukas and Thomas Middleditch are this week’s guests, so you know it’s going to be amazing.
SNL Election Special on NBC
Sure, the world is on fire, hundreds of thousands of people died painful and absolutely unnecessarily deaths that could have been avoided, the economy is in shambles, the country is divided, and morale is lower than it’s been in a lifetime, but at least we get to see Alec Baldwin do a C+ Trump impression on a weekly basis. Finally, a rare break for Jim Carrey! And Kenan Thompson as the goddamn fly that landed on Mike Pence that one time…it almost makes all the pain, loss, and atrocities worthwhile. If you feel like punishing yourself with a satirical version of the shitshow we’re sure to witness on Tuesday, SNL is doing an Election Special. Hooray!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
The Fucking Presidential Election
God help us.
Office Ladies Podcast
Every Tuesday, two cast members of The Office—Jenna Fischer (who played Pam) and Angela Kinsey (Angela)—break down an episode of the beloved early 2000s comedy. They’re not just former co-stars, but they’re also best friends. Between the fun and upbeat tone, the insider’s details for each and every episode in chronological order, and the memory of…simpler times before social media/a pandemic/a country on the brink of civil war, The Office Ladies have you covered.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Ted Lasso on Apple TV+
No matter how things go Tuesday (or appear to be going, at least, if results aren’t known and there’s no concession), there’s almost no chance Wednesday will be anything even remotely resembling “normal.” If you want—no, if you need—a temporary mental break to recharge before reentering a new layer of hell, Ted Lasso is nothing short of outstanding. The Apple TV+ series that stars Jason Sudeikis as an eternally upbeat football coach who’s be inexplicably given the reins of a EPL soccer squad is so good. And it will temporarily give you renewed faith in humanity…at least until you log onto social media again.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Packers vs. 49ers on NFL Network/Amazon Prime
At least we still have the Packers. Green Bay looks to bounce back after a disappointing loss to the lowly Vikings yesterday when they travel to San Francisco (or whatever nearby municipality the team’s new taxpayer-funded stadium is actually located in) to take on the Niners.
Doughboys Podcast
We’ve also talked about this podcast a number of times, but it’s literally one of the only good things happening these days. Now that the ‘Boys are done with its Rockaroundtheclockdoughberfest theme month for October, Wiger and Night Spoon will return to the normal programming.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
The Mandalorian on Disney+
This is the way. After a one-year wait, fans can watch Mando and “The Child” in the second season of the Disney+ series. Episode two airs this Friday.
How To With John Wilson on HBO Max
We’ve watched the first few episodes of this series and, admittedly, it’s tough to put into words. So we’ll lean on the HBO Max series synopsis:
“In a uniquely hilarious odyssey of self-discovery and cultural observation, John Wilson covertly and obsessively films the lives of his fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on relatable topics.”
Sounds pretty good, right? Well it is!
Killing Eve Season 3 on Hulu
Killing Eve is pretty awesome. If you haven’t seen this thrilling, chilling, tantalizing, and occasionally humorous series, you can watch the first two seasons on Hulu right now before the third season drops on the streaming service this Friday.
Hot Science, Summoner
This Friday, Milwaukee electronic musician Hot Science will release an excellent EP. We premiered it Monday (listen to it now). November 6 is also a “Bandcamp Friday,” so buy this and/or other releases from independent musicians on Friday to give them a little extra support.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Flannel Fest @ The Cooperage (Virtual Livestream on YouTube)
Since we’re currently living in an unending hell and we’re still months (maybe years?) away from seeing live music in any meaningful in-person capacity due to people’s selfishness and months of government inaction in midst of disaster, the 2020 iteration of Flannel Fest will have to be enjoyed in a livestream format. Even though it will be an entirely virtual affair this time around, the lineup is still absolutely worth watching.
Boone & Crockett and The Cooperage have rounded up and impressive, Milwaukee-focused list of performers including WebsterX, Astral Hand, Zed Kenzo, BLOOD, You Win !!!, SistaStrings, Mark Waldoch & The Hallelujah Ward, and Chris Rosenau. This time around, Flannel Fest will also serve as a way to benefit The Cooperage—which, like many other venues, has been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic—and the Save Our Stages campaign. Put on your favorite flannel attire (or just wear whatever, since you’ll be at home) and tune to the Saturday, November 7 livestream.
2020 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony on HBO Max
If you want even more socially distant music entertainment, HBO Max is screening the induction ceremony for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class. That class includes: Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, The Notorious B.I.G., T. Rex, and Ahmet Ertegun Award honorees Jon Landau and Irving Azoff.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
The Eric Andre Show on Adult Swim
Following a lengthy hiatus, the incomparable Eric Andre is back to ranch it up and antagonize celebrity guests and unsuspecting civilians in the fifth season of his amazing Adult Swim series. Catch up on the new episodes that have already aired before another new episode airs on November 8. Bird up!
Moonbase 8 (Series Premiere) on Showtime
We don’t know much about Moonbase 8, but with a cast that includes Fred Armisen, Tim Heidecker, and John C. Reilly, the new Showtime series about “three subpar astronauts living in NASA’s Moon Base Simulator in the desert with high hopes of being the next chosen to travel through to the moon” is mandatory viewing…once we figure out how to get Showtime on our TV. The series premiere airs Sunday night.