#TheRoundUp By Enzer - No. 79

HOT ON TV

Based on the novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris, The Other Black Girl (USA, Hulu) is an intriguing thriller that keeps you wanting more. 

A gift that keeps giving, all ten episodes are terrifically written and produced, with a cast that should be the talk of the town. 

#ItDeservesARenewal

Sinclair Daniel plays the lead, Nella, an incredible pick and who has (I believe) cemented her place on the scene. 

Another ground-breaking series, released in the latter of 2023 is Fellow Travelers (USA, Showtime). 

Starring Matt Bomer (Hawkins) and Jonathan Bailey (Tim). I bet those two are the draw-cards. 

Anyway, the series, a clever mesh of romance, thriller, history, and drama follows two men who found love in a hopeless place, among other outcomes. 

The show is #BUZZING on many schedules – it should on yours too. 

New comedy gold, Survival of the Thickest (USA, Netflix), is a hilarious take on the vivacious New Yorker’s quest to triumph the city, and all else life throws at her. The show features an amazing supporting cast led by Michelle Buteau as Mavis. 

In case you were holidaying under a rock, CBS (USA) premiered a Big Brother (USA) spinoff for the holidays titled Big Brother Reindeer Games (USA). The game featured past contestants, many of whom are past winners, with some regarded as legends of the game. Nicole Frantzel-Arroyo surprisingly won beating out contestants who I thought she never stood a chance with. Well done mama! 

Peacock (USA) was not too late to the rumble too! Nope, the streamer debuted its Love Island (USA) spinoff, Love Island Games (USA), featuring former contestants...wait for it, from around the world. Yes, a group of former (and probably controversial) islanders made their way to a villa in Fiji to battle it out in themed challenges, as couples, for a couple of Benjamins. I am not hopeful for a second season, though.

The UK version of Big Brother returned to our small screens this past October with a brand new look, cast, and broadcaster in ITV (UK). One thing stood out from this reboot: the production quality is the best, like ever. 

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (USA, Syndicated) deserves a mention. 

I could watch and sing along over and over and over again like the subservient SWIFTIE I am not. #LOL

HOTTER:

The Golden Globe Awards (USA, CBS) recently handed out the 2024 gongs. This year’s telecast was a huge step forward from the last editions, featuring an unexpected guest list and a remarkable winners roster. This show is back with a BANG. Let's just hope it was not all for the sake of being politically correct.

The Primetime Emmy Awards 2023 (USA, Fox), that aired later than expected, also rocked! 

The homage to cult television classics was a highlight. 

And the acceptance speeches were surprisingly good this year. 

Great work on the 75th Anniversary logo too.

Some Enzer’s World (E.W.) favorites are back on again or have returned for new seasons, including: 

- All The Queens Men (USA, BET Plus)
- The Bear (USA, Hulu)
- The Morning Show (USA, Apple TV Plus)
- Kingdom Business (USA, BET Plus)
- The Gilded Age (USA, HBO)
- Elite (Spain, Netflix)
- The Crown (UK, Netflix)
- Good Trouble (USA, Freeform)
- Reacher (USA, Amazon Prime Video)
- Loki (USA, Disney Plus)
- The Wheel of Time (USA, Amazon Prime Video)
- Top Boy (UK, Netflix)
- The Santa Clauses (USA, Disney Plus)
- Doctor Who (UK, BBC One)

New shows include: 
- Krapopolis (USA, Fox)
- Lessons in Chemistry (USA, Apple TV Plus)
- Faraway Downs (USA, Australia, Disney Plus)
- NCIS Sydney (USA, Australia, Paramount Plus)
- Frasier (USA, Paramount Plus)

WEB TV:

Web shows to watch:
- Apple Music Live (USA, Apple Music)
- BigBoyTV (USA, YouTube)
- In Conversation with Trevor (Zimbabwe, YouTube)
- Jacked Radio (Netherlands, YouTube)
- Mister Supranational 2023 (Poland, YouTube)
- The New World (Dis)Order (Italy, YouTube)
- Tiny Desk Concert (USA, YouTube)
- Used To Be Young (USA, Youtube)
- Vantage (India, Firstpost)
- We RIIZE (South Korea, YouTube)
- Grace Family Christmas 2023 (USA, YouTube)
- The Game Awards 2023 (USA, Syndicated)
- Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball (UK, Online)
- Christmas with Brandy & Sy’Rai (USA, YouTube)
- Club Shay Shay (USA, YouTube)

Don’t miss E.W.’s T.V. Moments on Blogger, X and Facebook! 

Use the hashtag #EWTVMoments to find all of the selected videos. 

A.I. UPDATE:

American Idol (USA, ABC) is back in February for another round of auditions and live shows.

Am I excited for the upcoming season?

No. Well not yet, I hope. 

#EnzerLovesIdol

E.W. GLOBAL:

Hot off heels of their success with other programs, the Ramaphakela duo is back with another smash show – Miseducation (South Africa, Netflix). 

The show is about ‘that’ notorious child of a top government official (Mbali played by Buntu Petse) who abruptly shifts her destructive spirits to another part of the country, far from all the fame and love lost. #LOL

It's a BANGER. Great escapism. Amazing talent. #ThumbsUp

Also scintillating is the second season of Entangled (South Africa, 1 Magic). 

Following the lives of a group of energetic adults as they navigate a life filled with heartbreak, disappointment, and difficult choices - this one is probably a guilty pleasure for most. 

Fingers crossed for a third season. 


Other shows to catch and/or watch:
- Adulting (South Africa, Showmax)
- Kokota (South Africa, Mzansi Magic)
- Outlaws (South Africa, Showmax)
- Straat (South Africa, KykNet)
- In The Dock (South Africa, Mzansi Magic)
- The Serial Killer’s Wife (UK, Paramount Plus)
- Yoh! Christmas (South Africa, Netflix)
- Devil’s Peak (South Africa, M-Net)

THROWBACK:

No worthy throwback show. Maybe next time. 

 #TotallyBingeWorthy

DAILY INSPIRATION

Malcolm Forbes says: “Your adrenaline has to race. If you don’t feel exhilarated by achieving your objectives and excelling in what you’re doing, then you will never do very much well."

"You can do a lot of things competently.”

“You have to have a sense of being turned on by the thought of making something go well. It’s doing something better than it has ever been done before, or creating a new refinement in what you’re doing right now.”

Enthusiasm generates immense power. There is a vast difference between doing something with enthusiasm and joy and doing it routinely. There would be virtually no limit to what you could accomplish if you did everything of significance with enthusiasm. 

Being enthusiastic isn’t merely talking energetically and gesturing wildly about your passion. It can take a quieter path. Enthusiasm, can be revealed through the earnestness and persistence with which you seek to get others involved. Enthusiasm, can be shown by your strength in commitment, and your refusal to be discouraged. Maybe it’s that spark in your eye or that warm smile and the unmistakable genuineness that emanates from you as you explain, again and again, your mission. 

Enthusiasm is contagious. An enthusiastic teacher inspires their students. Enthusiastic salespersons excite interest. An Enthusiastic employer motivates their employees. External behavior shapes and influences internal feelings. 

Acting as if you were enthusiastic will often generate an inner sense of enthusiasm. 

SPEAK OUT

#QUOTES:

“Happiness is an attitude of mind born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances.” - J. DONALD WALTERS

“To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man’s life.” - T.S. ELIOT

“There’s a wonder in the way we’re always free to change the world by changing how we see.” - CYNDI CRAVEN

“Talk about it only enough to do it. Dream about it only enough to feel it. Think about it only enough to understand it. Contemplate it only enough to be it.” - JEAN TOOMER

“Visionaries are not special people. The gift of true vision requires only a willingness to open your eyes to first find the horizon. Once fixated on the horizon comes the ability to see beyond, where the true magic of life exists.” - RICK BENETEAU

“Being rich has more to do with a picture than a bank account. It is all about the picture you see in your mind about your life that determines what’s in your bank account.” - DOUG FIREBAUGH

“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.” - ALBERT EINSTEIN

“The time for extracting a lesson from history is ever at hand for those who are wise.” - DEMOSTHENES

“True happiness is not attained through self-gratification. But through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” - HELEN KELLER

“I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow. But through it all, I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.” - AGATHA CHRISTIE

#CELEBS:

View all of the recently shared #EyeCandy and many more items on E.W.’s Flickr page at: E.W. on Flickr
 

MUSIC SPOT

THIS ALBUM ROCKS!:

Scarlet (Doja Cat – Kemosabe Records; RCA Records)

SONGS WE LIKE: Paint the Town Red; Demons; Agora Hills; Attention
ALBUM NAME: Okay
ALBUM COVER ART: 3/5

BUZZING MUSIC VIDEOS OF NOW:

1) Can’t Catch Me Now – Olivia Rodrigo
2) Bake A Man – Spice
3) yes, and? - Ariana Grande





View all of E.W.’s top music videos right now by simply typing in: 

‘MUSIC SPOT #SongOfTheDay’

...into your X and/or Facebook Search Bar(s) (then click search) and all of the posts will appear on your screen.

To find new music videos, cover versions, classics, lyric videos, acoustic versions, or live performances, type in:

‘MUSIC SPOT #FreshVideo’ 

or

‘MUSIC SPOT #CoverSongOfTheDay’

or

‘MUSIC SPOT #Classic’

or 

‘MUSIC SPOT #LyricVideo’ 

or

‘MUSIC SPOT #Live’ 

Listen to all of the recently shared songs, songs trending on E.W., and some of the E.W. Recognitions’ winning songs on E.W. Radio’s Spotify page, right now, at: E.W. Radio Playlist on Spotify

#EWRadio #ListenWhile

A bunch of other playlists, can be found at: E.W. on Spotify

FLICK PICK

A movie night wouldn’t be a movie night if one of these movies isn’t showing:

- After Everything (USA, Syndicated): The last of the After series is for the franchise’s die-hard fans, I’m sure. So, knock yourselves out, you die-hard fans of the After series.

- Barbie (USA, UK, Syndicated): Oh! A glitzy film. Worth it, though.

- Best. Christmas. Ever! (USA, Netflix): Hilarious is an understatement.

- Maestro (USA, Syndicated): Our Oscars pick. No doubt.

- My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (USA, Syndicated): Very Greek. You'll feel like you’ve traveled to Greece. Pristine sceneries. Oh, and the comedy is good, too.

- Napoleon (USA, Syndicated): Another Oscars pick.

- Oppenheimer (USA, Syndicated): Everyone is raving about this film, so I guess I’ll rave about it too. See, I’m raving.

- Priscilla (USA, Syndicated): Who knew Priscilla could steal our Elvis Presley hearts? Who knew?

- Puppy Love (USA, Syndicated): Great for a date night. The. Best. Choice. *winks*

- Rustin (USA, Syndicated): Great historical film.

- The Archies (India, Syndicated): No one can ever come close to the spectacle that was Riverdale, except maybe the film The Archies. It’s (literally) an Indian version of Riverdale. That’s all I’m saying.

- Homewrecker (South Africa, Netflix): If co-workers, are going to be making me jittery like that, then I QUIT!
 

IN THE NEWS

The madness has gone up a notch. Here are a few nuggets:

- Former United States President, Donald Trump was blocked from contesting for another term in a few U.S. states. We’ll see how that pans out.

- The United States House of Representatives has a new Speaker (again). 

- United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda Migration Plan flopped. *WHISPERS*: He must be pissed.

- Another ‘military coup’ happened in West Africa. Gosh, felt like a migraine.

- A Danish royal shuffle happened. #Yawning

- Boeing is back in the news for the wrong reasons.

- Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine forces are at it again in the Middle East.

- Russia is still butchering Ukraine. 

No comment.

*GB News (UK) is the 11th #EWRecognitions' Best Television Channel/Network/Station/Platform - News. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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‘til Next Time

>>> Totally Unbiased <<<