I am ridiculously optimistic about this fall...
I am ridiculously optimistic about this fall...
Hi All,
I’ve been away from my desk the past few weeks — I was hosting a friend from Denmark, had Covid (ughughuhguhg), and was up at Campfire Cirlce (more on this in a bit!). Summer has generally felt off to me — there have been some highs but a lot of lows and just generally it didn’t feel like * summer * you know?
However, this fall is coming together beautifully.
First off, I was up at camp for the last week of summer and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. It was so great to see my campers again. I’ve been working with this same group for 10 summers now and I’ve been able to watch many of them grow up. Specifically, it was really special to work with the 18-year-olds this summer. Two of my campers I’ve known since they were 8 and now I’m watching them go off to university! We made sure to really bring the camp magic for their last hurrah.
I now have a full cup of camp energy and I’ve been spending this week getting organized for back to school. Classes start for the 2nd year of my MBA next week. I’m studying finance and leadership this semester. I’m also taking over the TRSM MBA podcast, Yonge and Dundas. I’ll be publishing my first episode next week so make sure you hit subscribe! I’m just generally really excited for back to school this year.
The other big thing on my radar going into next week is TIFF. I’ve already had multiple phone calls/coffee dates etc planning out how my friends and I are going to make the most of the return to in-person TIFF. If you know of a party or an industry event you think I should be at I’m shamelessly asking for you to invite me. I’ll obviously be at the WIFT x TIFF party this week and I’m hoping to see some of you there!!!
Okay — enough intro, time to give you the good and then go get a pumpkin spice latte en route to the cottage for the long weekend!!!
Things to watch this week:
Let’s start with a PSA: Rookie Blue aka one of my all-time favourite Canadian TV shows is now streaming on Netflix. This show originally aired on Global from 2010-2015 and if you have never watched this show, you need to. Just trust me… Sam and Andy will melt your heart. There are some storylines that have not aged well (it’s a cop show after all) but overall it’s still a great watch.
Fair warning… the list is LONG this week:
Today on Netflix we’ve got some ridiculous shows starting with the instant classic reality show Dated & Related. I have so many questions and I cannot wait to watch this entire thing in one sitting. Watch the trailer here.
Also on Netflix today:
Devil in Ohio — looks super creepy. Based on the book by the same name. If you want to start your fall scary shows, start with this. Check it out the trailer here.
You’re Nothing Special is a Spanish coming-of-age series. Looks like a lot of fun. Watch the trailer here.
For real estate TV fans, watch Buy My House. Four real estate tycoons buy houses from average people. Looks mindless in a good way. Check out the trailer here.
If you have kids, I’d recommend Ivy & Bean. It looks adorable.
Let’s move on to CBC Gem. Today, Fakes starts streaming. This is a global show created in partnership between CBC and Netflix (aka huge deal). The concept is brilliant: “This the story of two best friends who accidentally build one of the largest fake ID empires in North America”. I’m IN. In fact… this might be my TOP pick of the week:
If you are a huge nerd like the majority of my friends, you’re already on this one… The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power premiers today on Prime Video. I have never gotten into Lord of the Rings but many people I love love it and this is getting positive press. Watch the trailer here.
Over on Apple TV+, the coming-of-age TV shows continue (it’s back-to-school season so this makes sense to me) with Life by Ella. It’d put this audience at the 11-14-year-olds. It looks very cute. Watch the trailer here.
Lastly, we’ve got House of Hammer. I’m sure you heard about the scandal about Armie Hammer — this is the documentary about it. It’s wild and not for the faint of heart (read — do not watch this in front of kids). It’s on Discovery+ Check out the trailer here.
On Monday, we’ve got a cute Korean show on Netflix, Once Upon a Small Town. Romcom vibes for sure. Watch the trailer here.
I will 10000% be watching Bravo on Monday, to check out the premiere of Real Girlfriends in Paris. It looks like Emily in Paris but the reality show. Here for it. It should be on Hayu soon for those of you who watch Bravo that way. Watch the mini teaser here.
On Wednesday, the beloved Netflix show Chef’s Table is back with a new spin Chef’s Table: Pizza Pizza. Order a pizza and then watch this. Check out the mouth-watering trailer here.
Also as per usual, Netflix releases their true crime docs on Wednesdays so this week we’ve got Indian Predator: The Diary of a Serial Killer. Here’s the trailer.
On Thursday, there is a new cute rom-com on Disney+ — Wedding Season. I am really looking forward to watching this. I have multiple weddings this fall so I feel like this is on brand for this season. Check out the trailer here.
Also on Disney+, we’ve got another coming-of-age show, this time it’s a documentary series called Growing Up. This one is directed by Brie Larson so I’m very curious. Watch the trailer here.
Finally, for my Christine Baranski fans, The Good Fight is back for its 6th and final season on Thursday. Cannot wait. Episodes air on W in Canada. Check out the trailer here.
Other things to check out:
🎶 Well I’m always here for a little Harry Styles so let’s start with him. He’s been all over lately. I’ve had this song on repeat all day. I loved his interview with Nardwuar. He’s the Rolling Stone global cover star. However, I’m worried about the fallout from the Don’t Worry Darling drama. If you don’t know what I’m talking about go check out my friend Liz Duff’s TikToks. She really breaks down all the drama. I honestly think this might be the first hit on his near-perfect public image. He can only hope that the positive press out of TIFF for My Policeman will overshine DWD. I’ll be watching closely.
🎶 My song of the week is Teenage Tears by Arkells (ft. Tegan and Sara). I love this combo and it’s just as melancholy as you’d expect a song about teenagers crying to be. Watch the music video here.
🍿 Did you hear the rumour that Lea Michelle can’t read? It’s a ridiculous internet conspiracy theory and I say “ridiculous” because it’s hilarious… to everyone but her. She has *finally* addressed these rumours (lol) in a New York Times article. It’s behind the paywall but if you can read it, check it out.
📺 Elan Gale is a big-deal reality TV producer. If you are a Bachelor fan, you know him. A few weeks ago Bustle did a feature on him and it’s fascinating.
🎬 This is another older article, and I missed sending it out earlier but it’s a must-read. We’re heading into TIFF season and leading the way in Canadian film and TV are Black Women. This NOW article is fantastic and showcases these incredible women.
🍿 I have recently become obsessed with Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Date. It is a brilliant concept. Her episode this week with Yungblud is a 10/10. She’s got a very specific sense of humour and I love it. Totally worth checking out and going through her back catalogue.
🏅 My Tiktok of the week is Can it Kirkland? Basic concept: a group of guys get together and drink Kirkland and brand-name booze to see if they can tell the difference. Hilarity ensues. Personally, it’s the theme song that does it for me. It’s stuck in my head for hours after I watch a video.
Have a great long weekend,
-Paula
📝📝📝 This newsletter was not edited by Emma this week, I needed to send it out early so pls excuse typos etc :) :) 📝📝📝
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.