By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of 4 TV magazines. Author of TV Dot Com.
Netflix has more subscribers than any streaming service in the world. Consequently, when a new show or movie is added to Netflix, it gets more media attention and consumer interest than if it were added to another service or channel. But not everything that Netflix adds is primo so The TV Answer Man is letting you know about three recent additions that are definitely not worth your time.
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3 New Netflix Titles Not Worth Your Time
Griselda (Limited series)
The Netflix original dramatic series stars Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) as a real-life cocaine trafficker who ruled with an iron fist in Columbia and Miami in the 1980s. Griselda wants to follow in the gold-paved footsteps of Netflix’s successful series, Narcos, but it’s the equivalent of a cocaine brick that’s actually filled with baking soda. The problem lies with the star. Despite throwing herself into the part, including going through a laborious makeup regiment every day, Vergara simply doesn’t have the acting chops to make Griselda a compelling drama. She brings little urgency or excitement to the role, serving little more than a big-name prop to the various criminal activities on screen. It doesn’t help that the supporting cast is equally lackluster. Next time, guys, hire great actors regardless of their Q Score.
The Greatest Night In Pop (Documentary)
The documentary chronicles an amazing night in January 1985 when more than three dozen of pop music’s biggest stars assembled in one studio to record a song for African famine relief. The tune, We Are the World, became an international sensation and helped raise millions in humanitarian aid. The Greatest Night In Pop is not without its charms as participants such as Lionel Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Huey Lewis and Cyndi Lauper recount their experiences in recording the song. But the problem here is that the documentary feels like it’s only telling half the tale. Richie, who co-wrote the song with Michael Jackson, serves as executive producer of the documentary and frequent interviewee. Perhaps not coincidentally, there are three villains in the piece — Al Jarreau, Prince and Waylon Jennings — and they are all dead and unable to speak for themselves. Jarreau, the doc says, got a bit loopy thanks to some wine imbibing. But it’s 1985 and 40 or more rock stars are in one studio in the wee hours of the morning and you’re telling me that’s the only evidence of someone being under the influence? Hard to believe and it makes you wonder what The Greatest Night In Pop is not telling us. (Prince gets thrown under the bus for not coming to the event and Waylon Jennings gets bashed for leaving early.) Would love to see a new documentary on the recording from a team of journalists, sans the guiding hands of those who have their reputations invested.
Maestro (Netflix Original Film)
Bradley Cooper stars (and directs) as composer extraordinaire Leonard Bernstein in this Netflix original bio film, which focuses largely on Lenny’s marriage to actress Felicia Montealegre Bernstein, played by Carey Mulligan. The movie is getting rave reviews from the critics — and Oscar nominations. But Maestro serves as a perfect example of why there is often an opinion gap between the audience and the critics. Cooper, a highly underrated actor, is sensational as Bernstein, channeling the conductor with incredible skill. But the movie is an incredible bore! Who cares about the messy lives of Mr. and Mrs. Lenny? It’s just one scene after another of the two pecking at each other like two birds sitting on a telephone wire. Jesus, the birds might actually be more interesting.
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The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
