Movies and TV shows are the name of the game this week, and not just because the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards are airing tonight. It’s going to be an interesting show, given that the writers strike has already had a huge impact on Hollywood. Drew Barrymore was scheduled to host, and very excited to do it—but gave a heartfelt, statement to Variety explaining that she was stepping down out of respect for those on the picket lines who would have normally been writing for the annual awards show. The awards are still scheduled to go on without a host, but it remains to be seen just how pared down it will be. More on that below. 

In other news, if you have yet to catch up on the first four episode of HBO Max's Love & Death with Elizabeth Olsen, Lily Rabe, Jesse Plemons, and more, then this is the week to do it. Episode five drops on Thursday and is so superb and riveting, it should win Emmys for everyone involved. (Wait until you see Olsen’s performance in the next episode.) “Holy shit, Elizabeth allows you to go deep inside her eyes and understand the character in a profound way,” executive producer Lesli Linka Glatter tells Glamour. Also, keep your eye on Tom Pelphrey, who plays Don Crowder, because you’re in for a ride when he takes over as Candy's attorney. We’ll have more with Pelphrey later this week on Glamour. Stay tuned.

Speaking of great performances, Ben Affleck’s latest, Air, hits Prime Video this week. I declared it my favorite movie of the year back in March, and that statement remains true. Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, and Viola Davis all give award-worthy performances to tell the story of how Nike rose to world dominance thanks to the brand’s pursuit of a young Michael Jordan. 

In terms of new movies, Book Club: The Next Chapter, release in the aters this Frieday.  While the first installment still reigns supreme, the sequel is a fun romp through Italy. Glamour digital director Perrie Samotin sat down with Candice Bergen for a wide-ranging interview about the film, plus her iconic roles in Murphy Brown, Sex and the City, and more. Look for that later this week. 

On that note, I’ll see you back here next week for the premiere of XO, Kitty as well as the season finales of young sheldon, Grey's Anatomy, Blue Bloods, and more. 

Sunday, May 7

2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards (MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, etc.): Get the popcorn poppin’ as the annual pop-culture TV and movie awards show airs from Los Angeles. Drew Barrymore was scheduled to host but has stepped down in solidarity with the writers currently on strike. As of press time, the show was still scheduled to go on—though hostless and no longer live—with Jennifer Coolidge being honored with the Comedic Genius Award. Leading nominations include Top Gun: Maverick, Stranger Things, The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Wednesday, Vanderpump Rules, and more. Presenters (as of press time) include Ashley Park; Ayo Edebiri; The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Christopher Briney, Lola Tung, and Gavin Casalegno; Dominique Fishback; Halle Bailey; Kaia Gerber; Riley Keough; Sam Claflin; Sarah Michelle Gellar; Sherry Cola; Stephanie Hsu; and more. 8 p.m. ET on MTV, simulcasting across BET, BETHer, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land & VH1

Fatal Attraction (Paramount+): Another new episode of the series based on the hit 1987 movie drops today. Showrunner Alexandra Cunningham tells Glamour, “I wanted to show a holistic portrait of a person (in this case, Alex, played by Lizzy Caplan) struggling with what she’s struggling with in emotional isolation with no support. To me, especially the way Lizzy plays her, Alex is a fully fledged person in pain. I hope that as many people as possible at least see our intention, because at the time of the original movie, no one brought up any mental illness or diagnoses to the character of Alex. It was the ’80s and we didn’t talk about that stuff. It was painful and embarrassing.”

Tuesday, May 9

Hannah Gadsby: Something Special (Netflix): Gadsby’s third Netflix comedy special, filmed at the iconic Sydney Opera House, drops today. Per Netflix, “The comedian talks about a wedding (theirs!), more than one traumatic encounter with a bunny, and much more.” Streaming

Wednesday, May 10

FX'S Class of 09 (Hulu): The limited-series suspense thriller stars Brian Tyree and Kate Mara, and follows a class of FBI agents from three distinct points in time who grapple with immense changes as the US criminal justice system is altered by artificial intelligence. The first two episodes of the eight-episode series stream today, with a new episode every Wednesday

Thursday, May 11

Love & Death (HBO Max): In episode five—possibly my favorite—titled “The Arrest,” Candy (Elizabeth Olsen) retains Don Crowder (Tom Pelphrey, who shines in these final three episodes) as her attorney after detectives amp up their questioning against the woman who last saw Betty Gore alive. Meanwhile, Allan admits his affair to Betty’s relatives, and Pat becomes frustrated over being kept in the dark about the case. This episode was written by David E. Kelley and directed by Clark Johnson. 

Ghosts (CBS):  Tonight’s the second-season finale (titled “The Heir”) and here’s what we know. Per CBS: “When a woman shows up claiming to be the rightful heir to Woodstone Mansion, Sam (Rose McGiver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) enlist the help of a lawyer. Meanwhile, Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones) tries to decide how to spend half of Sam’s advance on his autobiography. Also, a surprise event takes place that could dramatically change life at the manor.” 8:31 p.m. ET/PT, 7:31 p.m. CTn Scott Jones) tries to decide how to spend half of Sam’s advance on his autobiography. Also, a surprise event takes place that could dramatically change life at the manor.” 8:31 p.m. ET/PT, 7:31 p.m. CT

Academy of Country Music Awards (Prime Video):The 58th ACMS air (rather, stream) tonight on Prime Video and are hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. Enjoy performances by Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jo Dee Messina, Ashley McBryde, Jelly Roll, Cole Swindell, Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen, The War and Treaty, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman, and Parton herself Streaming on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch at 7 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. CT, and 4 p.m. PT from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The full rebroadcast will stream the next day for free on Amazon Freevee

Friday, May 12

Air (Prime Video): If you missed watching Air in the theater (which is still the best option for this film, in my opinion), then you’re in luck because Prime Video will start streaming Ben Affleck’s critically acclaimed film today. It currently has a 92% Certified Fresh Tomatometer rating, a 98% verified audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and an A CinemaScore.

Book Club: The Next Chapter (Focus Features): Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Giancarlo Giannini, Andy Garcia, and Don Johnson are back for the sequel to the beloved film from 2018. This time the four best friends take to Italy for Fonda’s character’s bachelorette party. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure. Bill Holderman is back to direct, along with cowritwer Erin Simms. And stay tuned for our Icons Only feature  with Candice Bergen later this week. In theaters

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple TV+): The documentary incorporates archival and scripted elements to recount Michael J. Fox’s extraordinary story in his own words. According to the press release, “Intimate and honest, and produced with unprecedented access to Fox and his family, the film chronicles Fox’s personal and professional triumphs and travails, and explores what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease. With a mix of adventure and romance, comedy and drama, watching the film feels like…well, like a Michael J. Fox movie.”

Mulligan (Netflix): In this animated series from Robert Carlock and Sam Means, Earth is destroyed by an alien attack, so a band of survivors has to start society over from scratch in hopes of getting things right this time. Nat Faxon, Chrissy Teigen, Tina Fey, Sam Richardson, Dana Carvey, and Phil LaMarr star, in addition to recurring guest stars Daniel Radcliffe, Ayo Edebiri, Ronny Chieng, and Kevin Michael Richardson. 

The Great (Hulu): Season three drops all 10 episodes today, in which Catherine (Elle Fanning) and Peter (Nicholas Hoult) attempt to make their marriage work after some seemingly insurmountable problems. According to the synopsis, “Peter witnessed his own attempted murder at Catherine’s hands and she also imprisoned all of his friends. On top of this, Peter is at a loose end playing First Husband to Catherine’s reign, so he busies himself with fathering, hunting, and salty culinary ventures. But they’re not enough to keep him contented as visions of his late father (played by Jason Isaacs) get in his head about his failures as Peter the Great’s son. Catherine the Great starts making a name for herself beyond her borders and, inspired by a visit from the US ambassador, sets up a conference where peasants, nobles, and merchants can all give their input on developing a new Russia. She learns that even the best political leaders sometimes need to make compromises in order to progress.” 

Queer Eye (Netflix): Seven episodes premiere today in which the guys (Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, and Tan France) travel to New Orleans. 

City on Fire (Apple TV+): Inspired by the international best-selling novel of the same name by Garth Risk Hallberg, this new series follows a NYU student who is shot in Central Park on July 4, 2003. According to the official description, Samantha (Chase Sui Wonders) is alone; there are no witnesses and very little physical evidence. Her friends’ band is playing her favorite downtown club, but she leaves to meet someone, promising to return. She never does. As the crime against Samantha is investigated, she’s revealed to be the crucial connection between a series of mysterious citywide fires, the downtown music scene, and a wealthy uptown real estate family fraying under the strain of the many secrets they keep. Charlie (Wyatt Oleff) is a friend of Samantha’s who is struggling to cope with the death of his father on 9/11 two years earlier. After she is shot, he stops at nothing to unravel the mystery of what happened. The eight-episode season also stars Jemima Kirke, Nico Tortorella, Ashley Zukerman, Xavier Clyde, Max Milner, Alexandra Doke, Omid Abtahi, Kathleen Munroe, and John Cameron Mitchell. Three episodes avail on May 12, followed by one new episode weekly through June 16, 2023

Children Ruin Everything (Roku):In season three, Astrid (Meaghan Rath) and James (Aaron Abrams) continue to hang in there while raising their three young children and not losing their minds.