Beyoncé is celebrating *my* birthday with a new album 🎂
Hi All,
Happy Friday… or should I say, Happy Birthday to me :)
That’s right, folks — today is my birthday! I had a coffee with one friend, hung out with a dog all morning, and later I’ll be having dinner with some friends. Just a perfect low-key day.
I want to get back to my low-key celebration day, but before we jump into it — huge thanks to everyone who reached out last week. Your notes were all so appreciated. I’m still replying to them and it’s just been so lovely to connect.
Anyways — let’s get this going :)
Things to watch week:
Let’s start with a surprise drop from last week, Shania Twain’s documentary, Not Just A Girl is now streaming on Netflix and I’m very much here for it. I’m hopeful that this more retrospective doc does something more interesting or goes against the trend of the current music doc that all the pop stars are making (aka self-serving PR) because I love Shania and I think she deserves something good. The trailer is giving me hope but we shall see… Watch the trailer here.
Sports fans have lots to watch over the next 10 days — the Commonwealth Games began live streaming yesterday Thursday, July 28, and go on to Monday, August 8, on CBC Gem and CBC TV.
Out fresh today on Netflix, we’ve got a new Neil Patrick Harris show called Uncoupled. The general premise is easy to get into: a newly single man tries to relearn how to mingle. Cue the rom-com montage over eight episodes. It’s just fun. Check out the trailer here.
Over on CBC Gem, we’ve got new episodes of The New Wave of Standup. I’ll give this one a special shoutout because it features comedian Jarrett Campbell. We worked together a few years ago, so go support people we know IRL.
On Monday, August 1, CBC Gem has a collection for Emancipation Day. There are two back-to-back specials, Freeup! Emancipation Day 2022 and Freeup! Freedom Talks — both on Gem and airing live on CBC TV starting at 8:00 p.m. (8:30 NT). Canadian Jazz Legend with Africville roots, Joe Sealy, will be honoured as this year’s recipient of the Rosemary Sadlier award. Jully Black, TiKA, and Measha Brueggergosman will also all be featured as well as communities such as St. Catharines, Owen Sound, Halifax and Toronto’s Little Jamaica, as well as St. Lawrence Hall, the site of the 1851 North American Convention of Coloured Freemen, and the Buxton National Historic Site, an endpoint on the underground railroad.
Also on Monday, Crave has HBO’s Industry. The second season continues to follow the young bankers of Pierpoint & Co's London office. As per usual, it will be scandalous. Check out the trailer here.
On Wednesday, we’ve got another music doc on Netflix — Trainwreck: Woodstock 99. Think FyreFest 1999. I’m into it. Watch the trailer here.
I’m really looking forward to this next one. The highly hyped Hulu show The Bear is finally streaming in Canada on Disney+. The first two episodes are on Wednesday, with a weekly release schedule. Chefs have called this show “really realistic,” TV critics have called this show “really good.” Check out the trailer here.
On Thursday, romcom fans need to watch Netflix’s Wedding Season. It’s a fake dating story, so I already love it. Watch the trailer here.
If you are watching Crave/HBO’s FBoy Island, the season finale airs on Thursday. If you are watching this let me know… because I’m deeply curious who is watching this show.
Finally, on Thursday on Amazon Prime, the sports series All Or Nothing is back with All Or Nothing: Arsenal. The series is a success for a reason and turning its attention to this football club will be great. Check out the trailer here.
Other things to check out:
🎶 Obviously we need to start with Beyoncé. Her new album, “Renaissance,” is out today. It’s iconic… like her… and me. Thanks for the incredible birthday gift babe.
Also gracing me with a wonderful birthday album is Maggie Rogers. Her new album, “Surender,” is fantastic. I’m already on my third listen.
Last weekend, Canadian icon and legendary songwriter Joni Mitchell performed a full set for the first time in 20 years. The fan videos came out first and now the official videos are starting to be released — but it doesn’t matter how you watch the footage, just watch it all. It’s incredibly moving.
📻 Arcade Fire's Win Butler sat down with Tom Power for a full interview and it’s great. Highly recommend the listen.
📺 If you are a 1D fan, you’ve already seen this but if not, The X Factor released “never before seen” footage of One Direction being put together and it’s great. The OG 3 are perfect. All hail 1D mother Nicole Scherzinger.
I’m cautiously optimistic and excited about the new League of Their Own TV show. I love the movie and I don’t really know how they are going to spin it into a TV show but I’m here for it. The trailer just came out but we’ll have to wait a few more weeks before we get to watch the full show.
Mindy gifted us all this week with a trailer for the third season of one of my favourite summer shows, Never Have I Ever. I can't wait to curl up with this show in a few weeks.
I’m endlessly curious about Hailey Bieber and how she’s building her career as a lifestyle guru. I think she’s one to watch in this space and it seems like the “establishment” are on the same page. This week she released an episode of her show Who’s in my Bathroom with… Gwyneth Paltrow. It feels like a stamp of approval from the OG lifestyle guru… or perhaps a passing of the torch to the next generation. I’m so curious.
Anyways — speaking of lifestyle stuff, I’m off to go get my free birthday gift at Sephora :)
Have a great weekend,
-Paula
📝📝📝 This newsletter was graciously edited by Emma Sakamoto 📝📝📝
Editor’s Pick:
I’m back with a YA book recommendation! I recently read June Hur’s The Red Palace, about a palace nurse solving a murder mystery in Joseon-era Korea. I love reading historical fiction that isn’t set in North America or Europe, and this one was great. The mystery is compelling, the details of court life in the 1750s are fascinating, and the slow-burn romance is excellent. I particularly recommend if you are curious to read about women’s experiences in history.
This newsletter was written by me — Paula Sanderson — a freelance Television Producer and current MBA student based in Toronto. After years of recommending the best shows to my friends, I decided to start a newsletter so everyone could get the recommendations. If you want to learn more about what I do professionally or follow me on the various social channels click here.