Happy Fridat, everyone! I’m back to give you some Pop Culture recommendations for your weekend. In this week’s newsletter I share my thoughts on the Amazon’s Prime Video new series THE CONSULTANT. I also talk about the series PARTY DOWN that was resuscitated after 12 years and the completely bonkers movie COCAINE BEAR. And as always there is a playlist with five songs I enjoyed during the week.
QUICK THOUGHTS
THE CONSULTANT is a darkly comedic thriller that satirizes the dysfunctional dynamics of the workplace. The show follows Regus Patoff, a consultant who is brought in to help struggling companies. But Patoff soon shows he is more interested in manipulating employees and exacerbating crises than solving problems. The employees are forced to follow their boss's sinister mind games, creating a twisted take on the consultant-client relationship and office politics. By focusing on the abuse of power through the lens of a menacing boss and his underlings, the show provides insight into how manipulation can thrive in the corporate world. Yet it also finds awkward humor in these situations, mining relatable dynamics from extreme circumstances. Featuring strong performances and sharp writing, THE CONSULTANT offers a fresh, cynical perspective on the dark side of the business world. Though the characters and relationships are exaggerated, the show may induce cringes of recognition for anyone subjected to a toxic work environment and frightening superiors. If you enjoy shows skewering the pitfalls of career culture, THE CONSULTANT provides a viciously fun take.
PARTY DOWN returns after a 12 years hiatus, for its third season with the same mix of offbeat comedy and heartwarming characters that viewers have come to love. The show follows a group of struggling actors and writers who make ends meet by working as caterers in Hollywood. While they are all chomping at the bit for their big break, they find solace and camaraderie in their shared experiences. The third season of PARTY DOWN sees the characters take on increasingly wacky jobs and navigate the complicated dynamics of their workplace. New characters are introduced and old ones are given a chance to shine as the show continues to explore the hopes and dreams of its colorful cast. The writing is sharp and witty, and the performances are top-notch. Every character feels unique and the show really shines when they are all together, proving that comedy is often at its best when it comes from a place of earnestness. Overall, PARTY DOWN’s third season is a joy to watch. It has all the elements that make a great comedy. Old-school fans of the show will not be disappointed, and for those who have yet to experience its delights, this is a great time to jump on board.
COCAINE BEAR is a absurd comedic film based on the true story of a drug-smuggling incident that occurred in Kentucky in 1985. The film follows the misadventures of a 175-pound black bear who finds himself in possession of an entire duffle bag of cocaine that has been dropped from an airplane by a local drug smuggler. This film is a wild ride from start to finish, with a mix of dark humor, unexpected plot twists, well done visuals that bring the story to life. The actors do a great job of with their characters and the film’s soundtrack is filled with catchy tunes that keep the energy up throughout. COCAINE BEAR succeeds in telling a unique and hilarious story. Still, it also has some underlying messages about drug trafficking and the need for people to take responsibility for their actions. The film is well-paced and never becomes too preachy, but it does make an important point about the consequences of illegal activity. Overall, Cocaine Bear is an entertaining film that is sure to leave viewers with something to ponder. It is a fun, silly movie that is sure to make viewers laugh.
TOP 5 SONGS
These were the 5 songs on heavy rotation in my house last week. You can listen to them on Spotify and YouTube.
I need to see "Cocaine Bear." The trailers make it look fantastic. Also: Bully & Soccer Mommy is the collab I didn't know I needed!