Pop Xulture Newsletter # 44
Summer Watching 2026. 5/29/26
As Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” fills the airwaves, below is a list of TV and films to watch during the summer months. Not necessarily “summer” vibes, as I wrapped up six shows in the last week (!), I realized something: I gravitate toward originality.
I just saw a Disney ad for summer, it only pushed sequels and remakes: Toy Story 5, live action Moana, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. Antithetically, I keep hearing how amazing and original Obsession is, which may be why it’s on a record-breaking streak. I haven’t been intentionally looking for groundbreaking, genre-bending media, but it’s exactly what I needed. Here’s a spoiler free list of what I’ve been watching:
TV Shows
RJ Decker
Based on Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 Double Whammy book series, the show follows a private investigator played by Scott Speedman. I wish every episode took advantage of being set in Florida’s weirdness like the pilot did, but overall this first season is enjoyable. The ensemble cast works very well, although it’s Scott Speedman’s empathetic yet resilient persona that shines.
Jury Duty: Company Retreat
If you didn’t get caught up in the buzz of Jury Duty in 2023, I highly recommend it. What is now considered the first season, modeled a reality show (ugh, I know) where a fake trial was held to see what one unknowing participant would do (FYI: it’s a comedy!). This new season follows another unsuspecting average Joe on a…company retreat. Except the “hero” may not be so average.
Kaleidoscope
This show’s episodes can be watched in any order! On the surface, Kaleidoscope is a slick heist story. On deeper levels we’re treated to tales of relationships, addiction, loyalty, true crime (!), and much more. I came for Netflix yet again pushing boundaries (think House of Cards and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch), I stayed for clever and intriguing storytelling.
The X-Files
Sure, the show’s been around for thirty years and you may not be a fan of creepy yarns, but I’ve been wondering why The X-Files is still relevant. As I just moved into Season 3, I noticed something unique: The episode “Paper Clip” was dedicated to “superfan Mario Mark Kennedy” And in “D.P.O.,” The Rosemary’s music video is credited to prominent “members of the AOL X-Philes Form.”
I told my wife it seemed abnormal (1) to have such dedicated fans during a shows infancy, (2) that a creator (Chris Carter) would unreservedly embrace them, and (3) wondered if the internet’s advent played a major role. My wife agreed saying it was the first time a police procedural was joined to a Sci-Fi thriller, which meant people could gather in community to geek out and spread the word online. In a beautifully innocent way, The X-Files is still relevant because it is (mostly) good storytelling married to a love and appreciation for its fans.
Paradise
As one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while, it’s also the most effortlessly genre-sliding show I’ve ever seen. I can’t even tell you the premise because where Season 1 starts and where Season 2 ends are so different. And yet the acting, the story, the revelations, are exactly what they need to be. Watch the Season 1 trailer here and if it looks remotely interesting start watching – that’s not the quarter of it!
Psych
I’ve watched a few episodes of Psych over the years and the premise of a detail-oriented person seeming to have supernatural abilities was always fun and intriguing. Taking a Sherlock-Holmes-odd-couple-charade comedy and mixing niche references with inside jokes shouldn’t be marketable or successful. But here it is. I was galvanized with a new fervor when some friends recently told me that the show hits its stride in Season 3.
And a Couple Films
The Bride!
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s reimagining of 1935’s Bride of Frankenstein is weird, brutal, and…a dark comedy. I had to suspend belief (and not for the reasons you’d think), but it was worth it for incredible visuals and Jessie Buckley & Christian Bale’s riveting performances. My wife’s review is pretty spot on.
Breakdown: 1975
This documentary tells the story of how the films of 1975 changed the course of history…and then failed. To comprehend, watch for yourself.
Enjoy, in Him,
-Chris (the Bearded Wonder) Fogle