From A-list comedy to rock blockbusters, the TV and
movies keeping Sali Hughes and her family companyMY STAY-AT-HOME
WATC H L I S T
A
t the time of writing, we’re facing
a summer of unique uncertainty. I’ve
learned not to make plans other than to
keep my family as healthy and safe as
I can – a goal that leaves plenty of time
in the day to fill with something more cheering.
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t enjoyed the pyjamas, the
lie-ins and only doing the front of my hair for
Zoom meetings over the last couple of
months, but I’ve especially enjoyed the
unexpected abundance of family time.
Snapchat and Xbox’s stronghold on my
offspring’s leisure time has loosened,
I’ve lost interest in social media, and my
husband can’t quite finish his book, so
it didn’t take long for us to congregate
around the TV instead. It’s been a joy to
step away from our individual watchlists
in favour of communal viewing. I thought
it would be a challenge to find shows
and movies that appeal to us all, but
with NOW TV it’s been a breeze.
Our latest obsession is the comedy
series Intelligence [right]. David Schwimmer stars as
an arrogant US security agent on secondment to the UK
Government’s cyberterrorism unit. Despite its futuristic
setting, it’s essentially an office sitcom based on the same
relatable politics and absurd annoyances that exist in every
workplace. It’s also a reminder that Schwimmer was one
of the most naturally gifted comic actors among the
Friends cast (Jennifer Aniston was the other – don’t
write in to complain because I will die on this hill).
We’ve also fallen hard for Parks And Recreation, Amy
Poehler’s long-running mockumentary about the parks
department of the fictional US town of Pawnee. Combining
the realism of The Office with the gag count of 30 Rock,
it’s terrific family viewing – even if I do have to keep my
impure thoughts about Nick Offerman’s
Ron Swanson safely in my head. You
can stream every episode on NOW TV.
We then streamed the Freddie Mercury
biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which was
so extraordinarily well cast that I forgot
I was watching actors and not rock stars.
Mercury’s epic yet tragically short life is
a lot to pack in, but the film is incredibly
touching (I defy anyone to remain
unmoved by the Live Aid sequence) and
captures the start of the AIDs epidemic,
a time our kids should know about.
Less thought-provoking but a veritable
riot is the Will Smith movie Gemini Man,
streaming this June on NOW TV. Smith plays a jaded,
weary assassin who has his eye on retirement when he’s
forced back into the job. Why? To defend himself against
his younger, stronger clone. Slick, silly and charming,
it’s the most fun you can have from your own armchair.
After all, where else are we spending our summer?McMillion$
I’ve been desperate
to watch this
miniseries exploring
the McDonald’s
Monopoly scam. If
you love true crime,
you’ll be hooked.
Streaming now
Sky DocumentariesI Know This
Much Is True
Mark Ruffalo stars
in this beautiful,
harrowing story
of the complex
love between
twin brothers.
Streaming weekly
Sky AtlanticManifest
Lost fans will love this
supernatural story of
a plane that suddenly
returns five years after
disappearing, the
passengers and crew
all alive and well.
Stream every episode
Sky OneSali’s top box sets The shows to settle down with this month
Stream Sali’s picks and more with NOW TV *^18+^
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July 2020 | REDONLINE.CO.UK