ft. ‘Hacks’ & 20 Minute Stir-Fried Honey Ginger Sesame Noodles

May 14, 2021 by Sydney Grant

TGIF! Question: Why did this entire week feel like Thursday? Apparently, masks are no longer a thing, which means it’s no longer safe to go out in public. Well, yes, if by “safe” you mean from coronavirus, sure. But I’m talking about safe as in “people I know might actually recognize me now,” which, if you ask me, is in many ways much worse. Regardless, life is slowly making its return to normal, so make sure to soak up some rays this weekend. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!

However you’re planning on spending your weekend, enjoy these quarantivities!

Quarant-streams

‘Hacks’

Watch this to join me in starting the official TVGla Jean Smart Fan Club:

In a time when we needed it most, HBO Max has gifted us with Hacks, as though the streaming gods predicted we would all need some more Jean Smart in our lives this weekend. For my fellow Mare of Easttown fanatics, you’ll be delighted to see Smart shine in this show as Deborah Vance, a legendary comedian whose Las Vegas residency is in danger of being cut in favor of a younger, “hipper” act. As it so happens, Vance’s agent also reps a twenty-something-year-old comedy writer in desperate need of some work after a bad Twitter joke landed her on the wrong side of cancel culture, and so the rest, as they say, is history.

A washed-up comedian with a superiority complex and an up-and-coming millennial who deals with her problems by hooking up with her Postmates may be a recipe for disaster, but it’s also a recipe for excellent television. Although Hacks verges on dark comedy, most of the premise is lighthearted enough to distract you from the world being a hot mess and the CDC taking away the ability to hide your face in public, so basically, it’s perfect.

Stream it via HBO Max.

‘Love, Death & Robots’

Watch this if an hour-long show sounds like too much of a commitment:

Love, death, and robots — oh my! Netflix’s NSFW (as in, extremely graphic and certainly not for everyone — don’t say I didn’t warn you) animated anthology series returned today for another season of (you guessed it) love, death, and robots. The first season may appear overwhelming at first glance with its whopping 18 episodes, but each one ranges from only six to 17 minutes in length. So, armed with the proper snacks, you can easily rip through the entire thing in one night. Each “short” features a different animator and, thus, animation style, so you never really know what you’re gonna get. Will this episode feature a claymation-esque redneck named Ugly Dave, or an anime shapeshifter? You never know!

However, it’s worth noting that not all episodes were (in my humble opinion) created equal, so you might want to check out this article that outlines the ones worth watching. Although I haven’t gotten a chance to check out the latest season yet, as an animation nerd I can’t wait to watch all eight episodes in one sitting this weekend. Plus, did I mention that Michael B. Jordan voices one of the characters? I rest my case.

Stream Seasons 1 & 2 via Netflix.

Quarant-reads

‘Seven Days in June’ by Tia Williams

Read this if you saw last week’s rec and went, “Where is my trashy beach read?!”

Finally — the buzzy beach read I promised! If you had a second shot at love, would you take it? After sharing a week-long affair years ago, writers Ava and Shane meet again. Shane is eager to re-spark their romance, but Ava isn’t so sure she’s willing to give the man who broke her heart another chance. But who is she to deny their chemistry?? Make sure to slather on that SPF, because this book is HAWT.

Purchase via Amazon.