The premiere of Poppa’s House  on CBS delivers a comedic take on generational dynamics, starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. as a father-son duo navigating personal and professional challenges. The story centers around "Poppa," a seasoned but old-fashioned radio host and divorced father whose life is upended by modern influences at both work and home. His new co-host, Ivy (played by Essence Atkins), brings psychological insights that clash with his traditional style, setting up playful and witty exchanges. At the same time, Poppa must deal with his son, Junior (Wayans Jr.), who struggles to balance his dreams of becoming a director with his responsibilities as a father and husband. The authentic chemistry between the real-life father and son anchors the show, blending humor with emotional depth. Essence Atkins shines as Ivy, offering a lively dynamic with Wayans Sr., while Tetona Jackson, playing Junior’s wife Nina, adds layers to the family drama. Their interactions promise plenty of room for both conflict and growth throughout the season. The episode opens with Junior asking his father for a favor—he needs time off from working for his father-in-law, JJ, to pursue a promising directing opportunity. The playful back-and-forth between Poppa and Junior sets the comedic tone for the series. However, the tension escalates when Nina criticizes Junior for not accepting a promotion at her father’s company, arguing that private school tuition would have been manageable if he had taken it. Junior, in turn, dismisses private education as overrated, highlighting the show’s recurring theme of generational disagreements. Meanwhile, Poppa’s challenges at work introduce another source of conflict. During his radio show, Poppa’s House , a listener calls to criticize his preference for old-school civil rights music, prompting a witty rebuttal from Poppa. The comedic tension peaks when Ivy calls into the show from inside the studio, revealing herself as his new co-host. Poppa resists the partnership initially but reluctantly agrees to work with her to avoid breaching his contract, setting the stage for future workplace humor. Overall, the premiere episode delivers a solid mix of comedy and heartfelt moments, driven by strong performances and clever writing. The banter between the Wayans duo feels natural, offering both humor and authenticity that will likely resonate with viewers. The interplay between tradition and modernity gives the show substance beyond punchlines, hinting at deeper family dynamics and personal growth throughout the season. Poppa’s House  is set to air every Monday on CBS, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Paramount+. With its charming cast and engaging premise, the show is poised to become a favorite for fans of family-centered comedies. I'll definitely be tuning in for more. What did you think? Drop a comment and remember to vote in our poll.

Time to tie up loose ends! Only Murders in the Building is back in full swing for episode 9. The penultimate episode of the comedy-mystery’s fourth season wastes no time dropping the pieces into place to unravel the latest murder mystery. Absent this go-round are the fictional podcast movie doppelgängers and elaborate side character backstories, as episode 9 provides valuable insight and new revelations, building an important bridge to the big reveal.  When we last saw our trusty trio of true crime podcasters, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel (played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez) had just received a critical clue from former Arconia resident Helga, giving them a new lead in the murder of stunt double Sazz Pataki (played Jane Lynch, in a recurring role). Before her unfortunate demise, Sazz had shared with Helga a foreshadowing, of sorts, of her death involving her former stuntman protege and her last movie, the mysterious Project Ronkonkoma .  At the close of episode 8, we are led to believe the podcasters assumed Glen Stubbins (Paul Rudd),  famed stuntman they met at the stunt person bar, Concussions, may be the protege in question. For those taking notes, Glen, stunt double to the deceased actor Ben Glenroy from season 3, was last seen in a hospital bed recovering from a gunshot wound to the head.  The crime solvers rush to the hospital with a get-well gift of aged lager, corned beef, and questionable smelling salts with the hopes of interrogating the stuntie, only to find Glen remains comatose. Charles, Oliver, and Mabel are denied entrance to see Glen with a gate-keeping ICU nurse, dripping in her own Irish brogue, and mildly offended by the Eire-inspired tropes, running interference. (Kudos, if you read that with an accent!) But, all is not lost, the nurse agrees to alert Charles, Oliver, and Mabel when Glen wakes up.  While they wait, Charles agrees to throw Oliver a bachelor party, Mabel agrees to take the beer, and the trio run into the bartender from Concussions. Still skeptical of their intentions to solve Sazz’s murder only for their podcast purposes, the bartender does clear up that Glen was not, in fact, Sazz’s protege. He was brought in to replace the protege when the novice stuntmen proved to be a dangerous disaster on set, the complete details of which were only known to Sazz, the protege, and the director.  In another series of flashback sequences, we learn how Sazz first ran (literally) into her young stunt ingenue, taking him under her wing to develop his stuntman skills, and bringing him in as her protege to work on the now infamous Project Ronkonkoma — a movie, as it turns out, to be a passion project directed by no other than the incomparable Ron Howard.  Back in Charles’ apartment, the murder mystery crime solvers add these new details and persons of interest to their murder board and plot how to contact Ron. Oliver, in true showman fashion, regales Mabel and Charles with a fantastical tale of being friends with Ron Howard after he and the acclaimed director randomly shared an impromptu off-menu soup dinner at a Chinese restaurant… once…back in 1988. A great story for the grandkids but offered no discernible way for them to contact Ron now. Needing to keep the crime-solving in the world of reality, Mabel calls on movie producer, Bev Melon (Molly Shannon), for assistance in connecting with the director. As luck would have it, Bev tells Mabel that Ron Howard is actually in NYC shooting a new movie. Knee-deep in her own dilemma of a script-gone-bad for the fictional podcast movie, Bev agrees to tell Mabel where Ron is filming if the young sleuth agrees to review the troubled script of their impending Only Murders movie.  The super sleuths make their way to Ron’s new movie set. Though, despite Charles’ “do-you-know-who-I-am” TV nostalgia and Oliver’s “Ron-Ron Howard knows me” name-drop, the professional podcasters are ceremoniously thrown out by security, only to immediately be mistaken for contract background actors. The episode rekindles the comedy magic of the Only Murders formula found in the interplay of the three OG stars, particularly, in this laugh-out-loud moment when the sleuths hilariously find themselves in a scream-emoting audition line-up to get in the movie. Oliver gets in on theatrical merit; Charles, who is recognized from his Brazzos TV days, gets a mercy walk-on, and Mabel’s frozen-in-time scare face lands her a questionable slot.  As Charles and Oliver suit up in the most unforgiving spandex green screen blue suits to stand in as CGI “Klongos” characters on set, Mabel is called back to the hospital by the nurse. Glen Stubbins is awake! Charles and Oliver remain on set to carry out their roles as background scene players and an off-chance to speak with Ron Howard. However, their time on screen, one of the more humorous bits of the entire episode, was short-lived when a disagreement about the bachelor party during their one-and-only scene gets heated, the duo is thrown off set and lose their only opportunity to visit with Director Ron.  Woven in between the laughs, we find a heart-warming moment where Charles finally comes to terms with Oliver getting married. Believing that he would always be Oliver’s “emergency contact,” a poignant reference to that person who be your first to call when needed most, Charles now understood what the impending wedding meant for their friend dynamic. Oliver’s contact would now be Loretta. The tender moment passes quickly when an unexpected patron, none other than Ron Howard, himself, enters the restaurant, bringing our true crime podcasters back to their task at-hand. Across town, the “emergency contact” theme resurfaces when Mabel arrives only to learn from the nurse that Glen had in fact died in an unfortunate turn of events. The nurse had no explanation for what could have happened between the time he awoke and the time she called his “emergency contact” in his phone — someone she thought to be one, Sazz Pataki.  Unbeknownst to the good nurse and Mabel, a masked man had slipped into Glen’s hospital room undetected during those intervening minutes and silenced the hapless stuntman for good. More questions and clues come when the nurse confirms that it was a man who answered on behalf of Sazz.  Now, with a third murder in as many weeks plaguing the young mystery-solver, Mabel heads home. Back at the Arconia, she finds Marshall, the troubled screenwriter, waiting for her outside of her apartment. Marshall has been struggling to find “Mabel the character’s” true voice for their fictional movie, and asks for her help. With her thoughts still back at the hospital, she reluctantly invites Marshall in, adding script editor to her growing list of “To Dos.”  Time speeds up as we learn that Ron Howard does in fact remember “Ollie Putnam” from their one and only dining experience at that very restaurant. Over another round of soup and a trip down memory lane, Charles and Oliver question the director on Sazz’s protege during the Konkonkoma movie debacle. Ron recounts moments back on set with his failed movie production — the stunt-gone-wrong, the loss of his eyes brows, and a stolen pair of his favorite shoes, the tread of which where a dead-ringer (pun very much intended) for the footprints at the crime scene. When asked if he could remember what the pseudo stuntman looked like, Ron did one better, showing Charles and Oliver a photo captured on his phone, in a file of “those forever banned from his movie sets.” As Charles and Oliver come to grips recognizing the young man on Ron’s phone photo reel, they rush to radio their crime-solving partner, but appear to be too late. Mabel, herself, has her own revelation in the West Tower of the Arconia, when she finds an original screenplay of “Only Murders in the Building - The Movie” tucked in between the 12 ounce cans of Olde Belgium Lager in her refrigerator.  Wait, what? Could it be that Sazz Pataki’s stuntman protege-turned-killer also has a way with words? Why was Sazz’s byline on a movie script that Marshall was to have written? The answers to these questions and, no doubt, many more will have to come in the season 4 finale of “Only Murders in the Building,” streaming now on Hulu.  What did you think? Drop a comment and remember to vote in our poll.

Episode 4 of Doctor Odyssey introduced “Wellness Week” to viewers, and troubling waters were afoot. A new chef shakes things up and Captain Massey navigates keeping everyone safe in the midst of a hurricane.  The thrilling episode began with Max playing his first “Boys, Butches, and Bis” game with Massey, Tristan, and other Odyssey employees. While playing, Massey corrects Rosie, their engineer, who has the notion that climate change isn’t real. He urges that in all his years of sailing he hasn’t seen hurricanes last this long or storms be this strong, clearly foreshadowing the natural disaster to come.  The Odyssey welcomed Agnes Simkin on board. According to an excited Avery, Simkin is an acupuncturist and a psychic. When Max and Tristan mock the new guest, Avery challenges them, providing a differing opinion on alternative medicine and western medicine. Bethany, the owner of B. Welle’s Health and Beauty, and her chef, Vivian, are the next to arrive. Bethany is very fond of Avery, but Vivian tends to ruffle Avery’s feathers a bit.  The first medical emergency of the week happens when Agnes falls to her knees after insulting Avery’s nursing work and drinking a “Diva Dust” smoothie. The dust is made of minerals, superfoods, and probiotics, according to the product’s creator, Judy Riva, known as the “smoothie diva.” Max reveals that Tara powder, a toxic substance that binds to proteins and prevents their absorption by the liver, is also an ingredient in the smoothies.   When Vivian and Tristan first meet, their banter sparks a connection, and he wins her over by courageously trying a piece of raw goat liver and becoming her sous chef. In the middle of cooking dinner, they share a soft kiss.  It’s clear Avery isn’t too fond of the newfound connection as she scowls when Tristan smiles at the chef and declares that she finds the food “awful.”  Tristan goes to confront Avery about what her issue is, even accusing her of being jealous, which of course Avery rebuffs. Vivian hears some of the encounter, saying that it’s not cool to hear people talk about you. Avery and Vivian get sassy with each other, but Captain Massey instructs them to knock it off because they have “bigger fish to fry.” The storm is coming.  On the deck, Avery starts vomiting, insisting that something is wrong with the meal that was served. Max brings her to the infirmary, and she starts experiencing harsh rebound pains. They soon realize that what she’s dealing with isn’t food poisoning, but actually appendicitis.  As Tristan and Max start operating on her, the hurricane gets worse, shaking the ship and sending equipment across the medical bay. Tristan and Max had to “brace for impact” from the storm multiple times during the surgery. However, with guidance from Captain Massey, the boys got it done and saved Avery’s life. The Odyssey also made it out of the storm successfully.   Avery’s appendicitis isn’t the only medical issue that Tristan and Max deal with. Bethany is diagnosed with copper poisoning, and Agnes performs a ridiculous acupuncture procedure on Judy, which Tristan and Max then must treat. The episode ends in the medical bay with Captain Massey, Max, and Tristan looking over Avery as she recovers. Vivian extends an olive branch, well in this case, Chicken Cassoulet with basil oil. Captain announces that Vivian is going to be the chef for the rest of the season due to their original chef departing. This will definitely rock the boat in the future.  Captain decides to give the trio a break after everything that transpired. Avery tells Tristan and Max to enjoy some free time, but they decide to stay right by her bedside.  Next week is Halloween week, and the cruise will get a little spooky as it appears actual zombies are on board. How will the big three handle it? You’ll have to see. Episode 5 will premiere October 24 on ABC at 9 PM and will stream on Hulu the day after. What did you think of the episode? Drop a comment and remember to vote in our poll.

This episode kicks off with tension as Randall shouts at Boyd while he tries to assist the others in attending his wounds. It feels like Randall’s survival is no accident—it seems part of a larger plan to break Boyd’s spirit. As the sun rises over Fromville, Kristy and Kenny return with the group from their dangerous food-foraging mission to the strange village in the woods. Kristy gets medical attention, while the others unload the food supplies. Back at Colony House, Victor’s father and Donna anxiously search for Victor. Just then, Victor and Sara walk in, hoping to find Jasper—but instead, they make the startling discovery that Victor’s father is alive and was on the ambulance. Victor takes off not wanting to face his father. Meanwhile, Tabitha confesses to the children that she made it back to the real world. Julie struggles to understand how her mother traveled from a tree in the woods, through a lighthouse, and then back to reality. Things escalate when Jade barges in, demanding answers about the tree. Jim, however, is skeptical and dismisses Jade’s urgency. Jade warns them that the town is growing restless, hungry for answers. Though Tabitha agrees to attend the town meeting, Jade says to hell with the meeting and suggests that they head straight to the tree. Boyd and Kenny reflect on the fragile state of the town. Kenny shares troubling news—there’s something else out there, prowling the settlement. When Kenny asks why Randall was left alive, Boyd explains that they want them to be faced with their grim reality. “They can pretend during the day,” Boyd says, but with Randall scarred—and more bitter than ever—”they won’t be able to keep pretending.” Guilt weighs heavily on Marielle after Nikki’s death. Kristy tries to comfort her, but Marielle insists that Kristy, as the patient, should rest. Later, when Randall shows signs of distress, Kristy rushes to check on him, though Boyd’s attempt to intervene might do more harm than good. Donna shows Victor’s father the room at Colony House Victor made his own There he reflects on the painful hope that kept him going—the hope of finding his son. But he also reveals the devastating acceptance he had to make: that his family was dead. He regrets that his search ended too soon and believes that’s why Victor keeps his distance. "I gave up on them," he admits sadly. At the town meeting, frustrations boil over. The townspeople demand answers from Tabitha, but instead of gratitude, they accuse her of not bringing back help. As if the police would have believed her wild story. Meanwhile, Victor recalls how he once convinced himself that everything he saw was a dream. He would express himself through drawings. Now, he's beginning to doubt if creating drawings from those visions was a mistake. Sara urges him to reconnect with his father, but Victor fears that his father is still waiting for the boy he once was—not the grown man he has become. At Colony House, Julie and Elgin bond. Elgin shares unsettling details about a woman who has been haunting both his dreams and his waking reality. The two smoke weed together—weed that Julie either found in Ellis' room or stashed there herself. As they talk, Julie confides in Elgin about the disturbing voices she hears in her head. Back at home, Jim and Jade bicker about Tabitha’s encounter with the tree. When Jim protests, Tabitha insists she has to go—and after some arguing, Jim reluctantly agrees to let her lead Jade to it. Boyd and Ellis clash over Boyd’s reluctance to take risks after Dale’s reckless departure to search for the tree. Boyd challenges Ellis to choose someone to sacrifice, which stings deeply. Later, Boyd lashes out at the surviving EMT, rejecting her efforts to calm the growing unrest in town. His anger, however, is misdirected and unfair. Fatima is on a grim mission of her own—searching for spoiled crops and possibly even dead bodies. Ellis finds her in the greenhouse, where the rotting plants are hidden. When he confronts her, Fatima finally confesses: she’s been eating the spoiled crops and fears something is wrong with their unborn child. As dusk nears, young Ethan heads outside, despite the snow beginning to settle. He encounters Victor’s father and invites him to join him at the barn to feed the animals. The moment feels innocently hopeful—but it's laced with tension, given that Tian-Chen was killed in that same barn. Ethan, in his childlike honesty, explains that Victor “gets grumpy sometimes” and to not take his running away to heart. The episode concludes with a shocking twist that shatters any lingering hope of escape, leaving the townspeople more disillusioned than ever. Final Thoughts This episode focuses heavily on relationships, exploring emotional connections and the strain of unresolved issues. While some progress is made in communication, the townspeople continue to turn against their leadership, driven by fear and frustration. However, they may soon learn the hard way that rushing into action without fully understanding the dangers is a fool’s game. Now its your turn to share your thoughts in the comments and vote in our poll!

This week, only one episode of Ryan Murphy’s chilling series Grotesquerie premiered, featuring an epic twist that revolutionizes everything viewers thought they knew.  The seventh episode, titled “Unplugged,” already started with a twist. In front of Lois, Merritt and Fast Eddie revealed their love and plans to move in together once she starts filming her newly booked series, “half-ton trauma.”  When Lois, who is drunk, receives the news, she reacts poorly and confesses to Merritt that she and Ed had a “dirty thing” going on in the past. The hospital orderly denied it and encouraged Lois not to get messy in front of her daughter. Lois’ reaction escalates further as she goes on to fat-shame her daughter, asking Ed if he enjoys “lifting Merritt’s folds.” Lois declared that her ultimate goal was to push everyone to be as strong as she was, so they could face the town’s killing nightmare. She makes a scene, knocking her glass off the table before storming out.  Despite some emotional resistance from Nurse Redd, and without Merritt’s knowledge, Lois decides to take her husband off life support. Lois reminds Redd that she had wanted to free up his bed, and despite her manipulations, she never relinquished her legal right. Lois gives Marshall a ritual “he would have appreciated,” which includes Red Vine, poetry, and whiskey.  The determined detective then stops by Father Charlie’s church, where he is labeled a cold-blooded killer in a newspaper. In his office, she spots a creepy book filled with pages of the gruesome murder plans.  Megan, who recovered from being shot, speaks with the bishop about the next story for the church newspaper. Bishop agrees that it’s time for Megan to take over the newspaper and boasts about her reporting on the violent murders garnering national attention.  Back at the police department, Lois is surprised with a party congratulating her on solving the case. However, she’s also surprised to learn that she’s being forced to retire, which she strongly opposes. What happens next leads to a shocking discovery and a mind-numbing turn of events that changes the trajectory of the show.  While cooking some hearty stew, Lois starts putting the pieces together of the convenience of Megan replacing Father Charlie as editor. She accuses the quirky nun of working with Charlie, being the brains behind the sick, twisted murders. Megan initially denies the allegations, but after Lois refuses to back down, Megan becomes hysterical and attacks Lois with a knife. The battle between the two was vicious, yet hilarious.  Megan ends up stabbing Lois, then the episode shifts into another world. A world where Lois is the one who cheats in her marriage to Marshall and is in a coma. Not only is Marshall alive and well, but Megan is also a detective, Merritt has a doctorate degree, Ed, Merritt’s husband, had an affair with Lois, and Charlie is Lois’ doctor. Insanity doesn’t even begin to describe this alternate universe.  Things take an even crazier turn when Marshall decides to pull the plug on Lois. Doesn’t that sound familiar? During the unplugging process, Lois’ mind goes back into the original reality, where she gets ahold of her gun and blows Megan’s head off. This leads to Lois waking from her coma.   According to Ryan Murphy, in a Variety article, it is revealed that everything from episode 1 to episode 7 occurred in Lois’ coma-induced dream, which has strong Alice in Wonderland undertones.  Murphy explained that Lois will have to tell everyone what’s been happening in her mind and fight for her survival. A love scene between Niecy Nash and Travis Kelce was also teased, followed by a joke from Murphy about not wanting to “piss off the Swifties.”  Episode 8 of “Grotesquerie” will begin to explore this new reality and move into a new plot. It will premiere October 23 at 10 PM on FX and will stream on Hulu the next day.  What did you think of the episode? Drop a comment and remember to vote in our poll.

No need to adjust your TV sets, this season of “Only Murders in the Building,” no doubt, will have you seeing double. With actor portrayals of our favorite true crime podcasters, an array of stuntman lookalikes, and a cavalcade of cameos, the return of Hulu’s hit mystery-comedy has once again kept audiences laughing and guessing, with twice the fun and twice the cast of characters. Though no one seems to be overly alarmed with the growing number of dead bodies regularly found at the Arconia, the luxurious NYC apartment building at the center of each mystery and home to the three amateur super-sleuths played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, it took no time for Season 4 to become a twisted tale of “a podcast, two murders, and a wedding.” Four years in, the show holds true to its winning formula, with its blend of humor, suspense, and heartfelt moments, as well as its clever writing and engaging plot twists. To round out the strong ensemble cast, guest appearances abound with some well-known faces of the big screen. This season, our trusty trio has been investigating the mysterious murder of Sazz Pataki, played by Glee fav Jane Lynch, Charles' Brazzos stunt double, whose death made up Season 3's ending cliffhanger. Though the mystery surrounding Sazz's demise was further complicated when the trio questioned whether Sazz or Charles was the intended victim. Added to the mix, a second possible murder was uncovered mid-season — that of Professor Milton Dudenoff, the film teacher with an uncanny connection to several residents of the Arconia’s West Tower, and whose apartment may have been the site from which the fatal shot came for Sazz. Fresh off the heels of celebrating the Season 3 murder reveal of Ben Glenroy, No. 4 began with Charles (Martin) as the former television actor, Oliver (Short), the washed-up Broadway director, and Mabel (Gomez), the young artist still looking for a permanent residence, accepting an invitation to Hollywood to announce their podcast being made into a movie. The fun begins with a twist when actors Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria, join the tomfoolery playing themselves playing the “Only Murders” podcast characters.  Thus, at the same time Charles, Oliver, and Mabel are trying to solve Sazz’s murder, they find themselves navigating a story of their lives with the impending movie production of their podcast. The show within a show, is led by high-powered studio exec Bev Melon, played by SNL alum Molly Shannon, and double-trouble directors, ironically-named the Brothers Sisters — a demure set of creepy not-so identical twins. It does not take long to uncover that the two circumstances are somehow connected. The fun ensues as we get to watch them unfold simultaneously.  Not long on the west coast, the true crime friends rush back to NYC after receiving information involving Sazz’s suspicious death. Making quick work of their investigative skills, the podcasters discover the shot fired into Charles’ apartment came from the West Tower, revealing the residents there, aka the Westies, as the primary suspects in the Sazz take-down.  The Westies include a family of sauce loving restauranteurs, their neighbors — Vince Fish, a widower dealing with an ongoing battle of severe to moderate conjunctivitis, and Rudy, the misunderstood side-hustling fitness guru with a year-round penchant for Christmas. Each has a storied connection to Dudenoff, most notably through the professor’s illegal subletting scheme with their rent controlled apartments. In a series of investigative prowess and context clues, the investigators uncover that Professor D may have, in fact, met the same fate as Sazz in the basement of the Arconia. However, the plot thickens when an attempt is made on Oliver’s life during a photo shoot for their fictional movie, indicating they may be moving closer to the truth. The trio retreats to a “safe house” in Long Island — the home of Charles’ sister, Doreen, and her unnerving doll collection, played by the hilarious Melissa McCarthy. Not a minute of comedic timing is lost in these scenes as one-by-one the safe house becomes a half-way house of sorts as not only the podcasters’ acting doppelgängers, but also Oliver’s lady love, Loretta (played by the returning Meryl Streep), arrive on the scene. So much for an undisclosed location.  When their character study-turned method acting leads the podcasters’ onscreen alter egos to dabble in the crime-solving and offer a new perspective in looking at the two possible murders in the building, the sleuths return to the city.  Now believing that Sazz had somehow stumbled onto the Westies’ plot to kill the professor, the podcasters, now a crime-solving sixtet, decide to invite the Westies to a “celebrity-studded game” of Oh Hell at Oliver’s apartment to confront them about killing their benefactor, for what they believed was his retirement money. Still with me?  Then, let’s fast-forward to “Lifeboat,” the flashback-loaded episode 8 where we learn of the Westies’ backstories and their possible role in the death of their beloved professor. Through eerily similar monologues, the residents detail how they came to be neighbors and fellow ham radio enthusiasts in the Arconia’s west tower. What began as an innocuous invitation to join a weekly card game with a family of perfect strangers for comfort and companionship, eventually culminated into each receiving a hand-written invitation from the Professor to sub-let one of his apartments.  The podcasters and their acting twins turn the tables when they invite one of those former Westies named Helga to this sort of “gotcha” party. A young locksmith whose work for Dudenoff also garnered her an invite into the “found family” friend group, Helga, had developed a fondness for Dudenoff. In part, because he reminded her of her late father. When Helga explains that a power-surge in the building on the very night she received a letter from the professor that he was off to Portugal, she tells the group she grew suspicious as the surges often indicated the building’s incinerator was in use, and accused her fellow Westies of plotting to kill Dudenoff.  In a poignant turn in the plot, the remaining Westies admitted that they, too, had received letters from the professor on that night. However, they were asked by the professor, who had just received sobering medical news, to assist with a rather dark and final personal request. To spare Helga, who was still grappling with the loss of her father, the others were asked to not tell the young locksmith. So, keeping up the ruse and honoring their promise to keep the professor’s memory alive by continuing to cash his retirement checks and telling the world he had relocated to Southwestern Europe.  Through it all, Charles wrestles with the idea of confronting a friend’s killer using his emotion suppression techniques, Oliver excitedly plans his impending wedding with Loretta (yes, there was a proposal back at the safe house), as Mabel, ever the stoic, remains the “straight-man” of the group, and, at times, the only adult in the room.  With one mystery down and one to go, it will be Helga who gives the sleuths their next break-through clue to get back to solving Sazz’s murder — it seems in one of her final conversations over the ham radio, Sazz talked about a stuntman protege she found to be dangerous.  But, who? What? And why?  Only time and two more episodes will tell.  Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, “Only Murders in the Building,” the four-time Emmy winning series, originally premiered in August 2021. Currently streaming each Tuesday on Hulu.  Drop a comment and vote in our poll below to share your thoughts!

Title:  The Wingman (ARC) Author:  Stephanie Archer Genre: Sports Romance Rating:  Enjoyed Spice: Flamin Hot Cheeto Synopsis: Darcy is fresh off a long term relationship/broken engagement with her college boyfriend. Now she’s living in a new city with her best friend, NHL star Hayden Owens. What better way to get back into the dating scene than having the NHL’s biggest playboy, as your wingman?  Thoughts:  Normally not a fan of friends-lovers all that much but this was a great exception. Hayden’s crush on his best friend Darcy, is adorable. Everyone but her knows, and the ribbing he gets from his teammates is pretty cute. Darcy’s low on confidence after spending years hiding her true self for someone who didn’t appreciate her. Her attempts to get back into the dating pool are hilariously and sadly the norm irl, but having a hot playboy bestie/roommate more than makes up for it. The romantic and sexual exploration between two friends who have been secretly harboring feelings for one another for years, is both hilarious and charming. Hayden Owen’s “kink” for buying her jewelry is a green flag for me. However, its the way he lifts her up and pushes her to let her true self out, that I loved about him most.  Quotes:  “You want my advice? Hold out for a guy who wants to TI-83 you all night long.”  -Hayden                                                 IG =  @booksteantravel Rating: LOVED= 5 Stars. A new fav. Will be talking about every chance I get.  ENJOYED= 4-3 Stars.  It wasn’t a life changer but I would recommend it.  0-2 Stars/ DNF= I will not post a review about a book I didn’t enjoy or did not finish. Good vibes only. I support anyone who’s brave enough to create their own work and put it out into the world for others.  Spice:  Puffy Cheeto- No Spice.  Crunchy Cheeto- Closed Door/Fade to Black Flamin Hot Cheeto- Spicy. A few detailed scenes.  Takis- Erotica. With more mature themes.

Episode 6 of Ryan Murphy’s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, titled “Herald Street,” may be the most explosive episode yet as the New England Patriots tight end tries to balance his double life and does the unthinkable.  The episode opens with Aaron and Chris showing their passion in the stunning city of Cabo. Soon after, when they go out to eat, Aaron reveals that Shayanna is pregnant with his child. Aaron acts nonchalantly about it, even asking Chris if he’s thinking about having kids, but Chris is clearly taken aback.  Aaron has some explaining to do when he gets home because Shayanna finds a gun inside a black bag also filled with money. She declares that they’re having a family now and advises him to stay away from Sherrod.  The Patriots player’s violent side is revealed to the public when his mask slips. While he’s out shopping for baby gear with Shayanna, he receives a call from Chris, who instructs him to stop calling, claiming their relationship isn’t real. When fans approach Aaron asking for a picture, he reacts angrily, knocking the phone out of one’s hand and pushing him.  Chaos ensues when Aaron and Sherrod go to a club. Aaron gets drunk, sniffs cocaine, and cheats on Shayanna. He also nearly gets into a fight with a man who accidentally spills a drink on him, and then hallucinates that the man is laughing at him.  Aaron loses control, pulls up beside the guy at a stop sign and shoots him and his friends in cold blood. Sherrod disposes of the gun, and Aaron hides the car at his cousin’s place.  Aaron’s dark thoughts about the murders are interrupted by the welcome news from his agent, who arrives to inform him that his contract is being extended and he’ll be earning $40 million.  At Shayanna’s baby shower, Aaron makes a surprise appearance and proposes in front of their family and friends. Shayanna gleefully says yes.  Sherrod’s unannounced arrival at Aaron’s house bar, seeking answers for Aaron’s avoidance, would soon put an end to this joy. He jokingly warns the tight end not to anger him again and encourages him to appreciate his life, given that he got away with the murders.  Aaron’s career faces a challenge when he suffers a high ankle sprain, which is expected to keep him out for 4-6 weeks. Bill Belichick and the doctors instruct Aaron to avoid putting weight on it so he can progress from being “injured to hurt” by the time the Seahawks game arrives.  Aaron and his issues spiral even more after his injury. He develops an unhealthy habit of taking pain meds and smoking, which makes him completely unproductive, leading Shayanna to feel like she’s doing everything. Aaron gets angry when she insists that they build their baby’s crib together. As he starts constructing it, he starts getting dizzy and kicks the crib, leaving Shayanna mortified.  After the whole ordeal, his cousin comes by to visit and reminds Aaron not to throw his whole life away. Aaron realizes that he has to get back on the field, however, it’s clear he has no interest in taking care of his body.  The episode concludes with Aaron getting a new tattoo that reads “God forgives” and his friendship with Sherrod beginning to crack.  Josh Andrés Rivera keeps elevating his performances as the season goes on. He’s playing Hernandez’s inner turmoil and difficulty to navigate being famous and wealthy perfectly. Episode 7 will premiere October 22 on FX and will stream on Hulu the day after. Drop a comment and vote in our poll.

Matty’s team taking on a case involving a developmentally delayed teenager opens the door for poignant storytelling, especially as they navigate the complexities of the legal system and the societal perceptions surrounding disability. Matty, with her life experience, advocates for this young man and challenges biases along the way. Alfie may be one of my favorite characters of the show after Olympia and Matty of course. While school is very important - Alfie is the brains behind the whole shebang. He tells his granny what he needs to bust the partner who they consider partly responsible for Matty's daughters death. I really enjoy the dynamic of "YouThree" (Billy, Sarah and Matty). The fact the three of them share an office is hysterical. Its almost like grandkids having to watch over their grandmother. Take your grandmother to work day but the grandmother is too savvy for them. Now on to the case of the week: Olympia is leveraged by one of her class action lawsuit clients into taking on a case of her developmentally delayed nephew accused of murder. Time for the team to walk fast (keep up Matty) and get to work. The family that owns the store where the murder victim was found (also the son is the best friend (Charlie) of Michael) are at court to show their support. After some sweet talking to the Judge, Olympia is able to secure her continuance (two days is better than nothing). Skye P. Marshall is brilliant in this role if I haven't said that enough. While Elijah and Olympia are very cute, I am rooting for her and Julian to get back together - they have a fire energy with the fighting. Plus how cute are Senior and Olympia as father and daughter in law. I say this contingent on the reasoning behind the divorce. Senior hinted that Julian did something very wrong to cause the divorce. Also, I need the relationship between father and son explored more - what is up with that resentment? Matty comes up with the brilliant idea to discredit the senior witness who places Michael and the crime and its none other than veteran actor Hal Williams (227)! So great to see him on my screen! Also he ends up giving them the break they need in the case. Matty gets the break, which annoys Sarah and Matty tries to get Olympia to recognize the whole team. I hate when my favs Olympia and Matty butt heads but Olympia has to school her on her privilege and it is a teaching moment for an "old dog." The team see a video from the store of Michael stealing condoms. My heart went out to Michael's mother who is fiercely fighting for her son. This triggers Matty regarding her daughter and what she missed. Kathy Bates is fantastic in the more dramatic scenes when describing her daughter. The subplot with Olympia and Julian adds another layer to the narrative. Their differing views on parenting not only humanize them but also highlight the generational gaps in their approaches, which could lead to some meaningful discussions about responsibility and understanding in modern parenting. This kind of interplay between personal and professional challenges deepen the show’s emotional resonance, allowing viewers to connect with the characters on multiple levels. Another break in the case comes when Alfie points out how easy it is to fake a picture with AI which gets Matty and Olympia thinking someone at the store faked the video of Michael stealing condoms. Olympia further explains why she has been "icing out" Matty to use her as her secret weapon later and sends her to the store for recon. It turns out to pay off because in dramatic OG Matlock fashion the last minute courtroom show down reveals that Charlie caused the death of Arianna and Michael is free to go. The only nitpick I had with the scene is that the Judge did not declare a mistrial or set Michael free - it was kind of just implied. Back at the office, Matty makes a show of how Olympia hurt her and storms off leaving her dinner, causing Olympia to show up at her fake home to apologize and drop off her dinner. All of it was a setup so Alfie could get Olympia's code to her phone. Clever girl. I’m excited to see how the show balances these serious themes with the lighter, more humorous moments that define its charm. The combination of courtroom drama and personal stakes has a lot of potential to create engaging, thought-provoking episodes! What did you think of the episode? Drop a comment and remember to vote in our poll below.

Welcome back friends. Class is in session and Sir is covering good manners. [SPOILERS]   His first pupil this episode is Christian, his estranged brother who inadvertently signed up for a pop quiz when his car failed to start. Lucky for him, Sir is sitting in the back seat advising him not to try the engine again. Who knew Sir was also a mechanic? The man is an Onion with so many layers. But one thing stays constant, his pursuit for Gabrielle.  This episode is filled with revelations about Sir, his mindset and emotions towards Gabi. You can tell the writers were having a good time breaking down this script as we see him bare more of himself while also sharing a glimpse of his childhood. Sir has a heart…kind of… Lesson number one: it is impolite to answer a question with a question, “I raised you better than that,” Sir said to Christian. Lesson number two: “I am loved. I have purpose now. And Gabrielle needs me,” Sir continued. Lesson number three: “Gabrielle is family,” and warns Christian from blocking his efforts to reunite with her. Lets say it together – Christian, you in danger boy. Do you know who else is in danger? Lacey. She has a painful concussion and weaves in and out of consciousness at Sir’s new hideout. In her moments of blackout, we are taken to her childhood, where we see Bella kept a knife under her bed. We also learn how Sir tortured her with messages in puzzle books. It’s amazing she ever got her voice back. The clock is running down on “Where is Lacey?” and with the payphone destroyed, Gabi must find a way to reach Sir. Everything has escalated and no one is immune to the fallout of all her lies. Exhausting all potential leads, Gabi decides to use a new case to draw Sir out of hiding. The Runaway Prison Bride hits Sir’s sweet spot and he re-engages after seeing Gabi faint at a press conference. Using Lacey’s phone, the battle of wits commences but Sir is not amused. “You are disappointing me Gabrielle,” he says. Gabi tries to tell him what he wants but all she is focused on is confirmation that Lacey is ok. Sir, staying in control – lets her know “wrong answer.” Gabi forgot. It’s his ball. His bat. His game. Gabi’s road to forgiveness is filled with potholes. Margaret’s super vision is still weak (only works when Gabi is not around) and Trent is still heartbroken that Gabi didn’t trust him with the truth. “Grief does not give you a pass to break the law,” Trent said. Focusing back on the Runaway Prison Bride, Sir calls Gabi again, and this time, she takes it slow. Listening to him. Processing and digesting his words. He believes they are destined to be together, like Romeo and Juliet. But there is always someone trying to pull them apart. Gabi realizes who Betty’s captor is – her lawyer. Done out of friendship, not malice, the lawyer is arrested.  After finding a clue at Sir’s old hideout, the M&A team goes to a book store Sir was at and buys the same books as he did. Gabi sees the message Sir is sending her. The books he bought were also books Gabi got for Lacey when she was child. Lacey is okay. And Gabi knows where to go find them. Now, things get a little surreal for me. We see Lacey on the ground as Gabi enters the room. We are treated to a face-to-face between Gabi and Sir – their push and pull is captivating. It is here where the audience is pulled into the scene, holding their breath as the episode nears a close.  Will Romeo sway Juliet to his side? Sir professes to Gabi in an unexpected way that confirms for me the delight the writers must have had in their room. Sir says, “I thought I was saving you…. this time – it has to be your choice…. So, will you go with me?” Pregnant pause. What did Sir just say?! Lacey, gathers her strength and stabs Sir from behind with the knife Gabi hid in a book she tossed to the ground. In pain, Sir yells “Gabrielle!” and Gabi instantly stops Lacey. This cry for help reveals their heightened bond. This connection for him is real. Sir feels safe with Gabrielle. Protected. As Gabi calls for help, the camera shot widens – Sir is gone. Disappeared from the room. Where did he go? Was he even there?  As Lacey is rushed to the hospital, the last few words from Sir, linger in the air for me.  “It’s Just the two of us now, for the rest of our lives”.  Will it be like this for them? Forever?  The chase continues next week Thursday on NBC and Streaming on Peacock. What did you think of the episode? Drop a comment and vote in our poll below.

I was first put on LaDarrion Williams "Blood at the Root" via X (formerly Twitter) when I saw a tweet about it. It had to show up on my algorithm as a fan of the supernatural. Anyone that knows me, knows I am a huge Harry Potter fan (I mean I have a tattoo) and love fantasy stories. This story is described as Harry Potter meets an HBCU. I had the pleasure of interviewing the author LaDarrion Williams during my time over at SpoilerTV and I will link that interview below for you to watch. At the time of the interview, I was halfway thru the book and recently finished it. Everything I said during the interview about what I loved about the book was of course true and now that I have finished it, I can give a complete review and lay out my thoughts. I've seen other reviews saying that the book is too much like Harry Potter. As I consider myself somewhat of a Harry Potter expert, I have to address this criticism. JK Rowling did not invent the idea of witches and magical folk attending school to learn about their craft and history; that isn't new she just offered a fresh take, her take and LaDarrion does that here. When you are telling the story of a young person with powers attending school, of course you can expect to have mysterious professors, love interests and bullies. It comes with any young adult story that features a teenager. That concept does not change because of Harry Potter. LaDarrion tells the story of a young black boy with magic attending an all black school in the deep south. It is unique and different than and welcoming. This leads me into my next criticism I would like to address: the story is too black. I am not sure how any content can be too black as this story is a representation of us. Can a person be too black? I do not understand those that felt that way. If you felt the book had language that was too strong or language you do not use then I would be able to understand that, but too black? No, there is no such thing. Malik, the main character is like many black boys from the South. He grew up playing outside, eating soul food and enjoying being a kid until he life was changed with the discovery of his magical abilities and what he believes to be the murder of his mother. Growing up in the system is hard and the book explores what that is like for a black child honestly. I love how Malik looks after his little foster brother, their relationship is one of my favorites. There is also the relationship with his love interest Alexis that brings teenage drama but also adult drama at the same time. Malik's group of friends he makes at the school are so important and so real and they definitely bring the comic relief. Malik's relationship with is grandmother reminds me so much of my aunties growing up. The magic rooted in hoodoo and creole is a brilliant touch. The pacing of the story flowed really well and each character made sense. There is a twist of course that I won't spoil but it had my mouth on the floor and feeling so bad for Malik. This book is a love letter to the black community. Don't take my word for it, pick up a copy and check out my interview with author LaDarrion Williams for SpoilerTV below: What did you think of the book? Drop a comment.

Title:  Strikeout Author: Millie Perez Genre:  Sports Romance Format: ebook Rating:  Enjoyed Spice: Flamin Hot Cheeto Synopsis: Mateo Martinez, starting pitcher of the New York Monarchs needs one thing. A nanny for his daughter. What he doesn’t need? Is the temptation that is Isabella Morales as his LIVE IN nanny.   Thoughts: From the dedication to the very last page, I was in love. This book was a beautiful picture of the love and heartbreak of being so close, yet so far removed from your roots, cultura and people as well as a sweet and spicy love story.  Mateo is not only a hot professional ball player who is Latine, he’s also an older man and  a single dad who loves his baby girl to pieces. Isabella is still trying to get her life back on track after a traumatic and very public end to her last relationship. Getting out of her childhood bedroom in her parents apartment is step number one.  When Mateo’s search for a more permanent nanny for his daughter reaches her ear, via her mother, who is best friends’ with Mateo’s mom, Isabella decides this could be her chance to get out from under her parents and finally launch her business.  What follows is a mix of spicy and tender moments between the two that left me smiling like a lunatic and getting a little hot beneath the collar. Although the romance was beautiful and funny and all the things I look for in a good story. My favorite parts are where we get to see Mateo’s struggles with the disconnect he feels with his heritage, his people and his cultura. When he talked about that disconnect for the first time in public, it hit something deep in my soul. As a born Nuyorican who didn’t grow up speaking Spanish, I felt every one of his words and when Mateo said “Yo soy Boricua aunque naciera en la luna”, I cried big fat tears. ‘Cause same. I’m always looking for characters that look and sound like me and my familia. I’m constantly looking for myself in the pages of books and as usual, Millie Perez let me (and thousands of other Latine kids, raised away from their ancestral lands) feel seen, between the pages of this book.  Quotes:  “Who pissed in your Cafe Bustelo?”  -Anthony “So I guess that means, for the time being, that your needs are  of my concern.”                               -Mateo “Listen, man, if I was ambidextrous, I’d probably be doing double-handed criss-cross applesauce, too.”                                -Ace  “Yo soy Boricua aunque naciera en la luna.”                                -Mateo  **************                                               Rating: LOVED= 5 Stars. A new fav. Will be talking about every chance I get.  ENJOYED= 4-3 Stars.  It wasn’t a life changer but I would recommend.  0-2 Stars/ DNF= I will not post a review about a book I didn’t enjoy or did not finish. Good vibes only. I support anyone who’s brave enough to create their own work and put it out into the world for others.  Spice:  Puffy Cheeto- No Spice.  Crunchy Cheeto- Closed Door/Fade to Black Flamin Hot Cheeto- Spicy. A few detailed scenes.  Takis- Erotica. With more mature themes. What did you think of Strikeout? Leave a comment and vote in our poll below: