It is definitely safe to say that season one the Apple TV+ series, Schmigadoon! was an absolute breath of fresh air. Because not only did this series find a way to reinvent the musical in a compelling and imaginative way, but it was also filled to the brim with creative stories and dynamic characters and well… its wonder did not go unnoticed. For fans flocked to this series and enjoyed everything it had to offer to the point where it was granted a second season. One that… we haven’t heard a whole lot about, until today that is.
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Since Apple TV+ took the time to release some first look photos of season two of the series. Giving us at long last, a sample of things to come, and they were also kind enough to provide us with some details on this season’s journey. So, without further ado, because you’re undoubtedly eager to see those photos, here they are and here are those season two details, courtesy of Apple TV+.

‘Today at the 2023 Winter Television Critics Association press tour, Apple TV+ showcased a first look at the highly anticipated, second season of “Schmigadoon!,” the Emmy and AFI Award winning, hit musical comedy series from co-creator Cinco Paul. “Schmigadoon!” will return for season two with all new original songs and guest stars on Friday, April 7, with the first two episodes of its six episode second season, followed by new episodes every Friday through May 5, 2023.
 
Having found true love in the town of Schmigadoon, season two of “Schmigadoon!” will find Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) in Schmicago, the reimagined world of ’60s and ’70s musicals. The second season of Apple’s broadly acclaimed comedy will include new original musical numbers from co-creator and executive producer Cinco Paul, as well as returning stars Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, Ariana DeBose, Martin Short, Dove Cameron, Jaime Camil, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ann Harada, Jane Krakowski, and Aaron Tveit are set to return, with Tituss Burgess and Patrick Page joining the cast for season two. 
 
“Schmigadoon!” is co-created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, and produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group and Broadway Video. Paul serves as showrunner and wrote all of the original songs for the series. Lorne Michaels is executive producer. Andrew Singer executive produces on behalf of Broadway Video with Micah Frank as co-executive producer.
 
Following its global debut on Apple TV+, “Schmigadoon!” has earned global acclaim and accolades, including Emmy and AFI Award wins and a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for star Kristin Chenoweth. Viewers can catch up on the complete first season of “Schmigadoon!,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
 
The series will premiere alongside highly anticipated Apple Originals also set to make their global debut this winter and spring on Apple TV+, including “Truth be Told” season three, “Dear Edward,” “Hello Tomorrow!,” “The Big Door Prize,” “Jane,” “Liaison,” “The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy,” and more.
 
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have been honored with 310 wins and 1,363 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
 
About Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $6.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.’

Truly, Apple TV+ is one of the pioneers in the streaming market. Simply because they have strived to not only tell the best stories out there, but the most original and thought-provoking ones as well. Which has given life to a bevy of unique shows (and movies) from across all kinds of genres on this intrepid network, and an upcoming one that meets that criterion is Hello Tomorrow! For a show set on a moon colony about an inspiring salesman, is about as unique and as special as it gets and that premise, alongside the cast, has piqued everyone’s interest and left us quite eager to learn more about this series. 

Thankfully, Apple TV+ knows exactly when to satiate our curiosity about such matters, which is why they offered up quite the gift today at the Television Critics’ Association Winter Press Tour. Specifically, a trailer for this series. So, we can finally garner an idea of how unique and how special this show is going to be and well, without further ado… it is time you experience that firsthand. So, here is that stunning trailer (and some updated details on the show) to excite your imagination further as we inch toward the release of Hello Tomorrow!
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'Set in a retro-future world, “Hello Tomorrow!” centers around a group of traveling salesmen hawking lunar timeshares. Crudup stars as Jack, a salesman of great talent and ambition, whose unshakeable faith in a brighter tomorrow inspires his coworkers, revitalizes his desperate customers, but threatens to leave him dangerously lost in the very dream that sustains him. The ensemble cast starring alongside Crudup includes Haneefah Wood, Alison Pill, Nicholas Podany, Dewshane Williams, Emmy Award winner Hank Azaria, Matthew Maher, and Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver.
 
Co-created by Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen, “Hello Tomorrow!” is produced by MRC Television. Stephen Falk, Jonathan Entwistle, Bhalla and Jansen serve as executive producers alongside Crudup. Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil and Noah Weinstein serve as executive producers for Mortal Media.
 
The series will premiere alongside highly anticipated Apple Originals also set to make their global debut this winter and spring on Apple TV+, including “Truth be Told” season three, “Dear Edward,” “Jane,” “Liaison,” “The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy,” and more.
 
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have been honored with 310 wins and 1,363 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
 
About Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $6.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.'

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Night Court’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that we live in some supremely cynical times and understandably so. After all, war is raging once again after but a short period of peace, and the government is filled with politicians that don’t wish to serve the people, but instead outdated ideologies and concepts that the people have said time and time again they don’t want in their lives. Not to mention, we’ve just seen rotten behavior from people over the past couple of years, at a time when we should have been united against a common and unseen foe. All of which has us wondering if this is the new normal in the 21st Century, and if we should be simply adjusting to a sour world where everyone is in it for themselves. 
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Thankfully though, there are plenty who feel that the answer to that pondering is, no. That we shouldn’t just give into the darkness in what is likely a temporary time in American history. For there have been flickers of hope regarding the ugly. For that war is opposed by the majority and elections have taken a turn for the better in the past couple of years and people are starting to recognize that we can’t just be rotten toward one another all the time. We have to believe in each other and try and lift each other up, and that is starting to spread, even into our daily entertainment. Which for a time was also quite gritty in nature… and for proof that popular culture is leaning into positivity… then look no further than Night Court on NBC.

For this ‘new-boot’ of a classic, embodies that positive concept by simply following up on life after the Honorable Harry Stone left the airwaves in 1992. For when we return to Night Court in ‘Pilot’ and ‘The Nighthawks’, we are immediately introduced to Judge Abigail ‘Abby’ Stone, Harry’s daughter. Who has decided that following in her father’s footsteps would be a wonderful honor, wherein she could potentially do good for the world. For she believes that there is more to people than the black and white concepts that the law applies to them and using that view could in fact, make the world a better place. But she has her work cut out for her, because her team is a little jaded and understandably so.

Because this court is busier than ever really, and that puts her team to the test… to the point where the public defender quits without giving it a second thought and that… is where this story begins to explore its central theme. Because in order to get what she feels is a balanced court that truly gives everyone a chance to tell their story, she turns to an old family friend, Dan Fielding. Who, after leaving Night Court has fallen on some tough times. For he’s loved, he’s lost, and he’s jaded from what he has seen of the world, to the point where he’s not even sure the system works. Which is why he offers a little free legal advice to the people he serves subpoenas to, since that keeps him busy, and he is equally as skeptical of Abby’s offer to return to Night Court as a defender.
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But out of kindness and as a favor to his old, departed friend, he gives it an attempt, a slightly salty one at that and that’s when Abby really works her own form of magic. Because she consistently speaks to how everyone in this courtroom deserves a fair shake, and that a man that has seen both sides of the coin and understands balance and what’s right and what’s fair, should fight for them and help them and give them the chance to correct a wrong and wouldn’t you know it? Eventually her words reached Dan and he agreed and did his best to do more as a defender and a person. And that… is a beautiful way to subtly speak to our need, to do more in this life and believe in people and what they are capable of…  and work to bring the best out in them. So, we can begin to shed the cynicism that has seemingly gripped our world. 

Of course, that makes it sound as though Night Court has transformed into a drama in its second iteration, but that’s simply not the case. Because between those beautiful moments, and even during… there are jokes to be found, the kind that work and make you laugh out loud heartily. Making this… a phenomenal ‘new-boot’ of this franchise. Because it is filled to the brim with dynamic and eclectic characters, and they are fun, and the show is fun. Plus, it is meaningful and heartfelt and that is just wonderful to see. Since it speaks to how much love went into creating this series and well, now that Night Court is back in session… it will be interesting to see what other uplifting and downright hilarious moments await us, from a series that is determined to lift our spirits up and inspire us during these trying times. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Leverage: Redemption’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Anyone in America that starts their own business, have a bevy of dreams about that business floating about in their head. For starters, they dream of it being successful. Enough to grow into a powerful empire for certain, the kind that everyone knows from a brand recognition standpoint and of course… they dream of that level of success being sustained for generations on end. Likely by having a son or a daughter take over the family business down the line, since they will be close enough to it, to know it, and handle it, and grow it… and keep the memory of its founder alive. But alas, those are dreams that don’t always come to fruition.
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Because for every success story in that vein, there are countless failed businesses that didn’t make it out of the gate that far, much less build a generational foundation. And sometimes… people want different things out of life when they grow into adulthood and running their parents’ company or following in their footsteps isn’t one of them. Which can lead to a different direction for the company in question or… at the very worst, a child begrudgingly takes over that business and runs it into the ground. Potentially sullying the legacy of the family name and leaving disaster and devastation in their wake and well, that particular dark side to running a family business is top of mind today, because it just so happened to be featured in the next episode of Leverage: Redemption on Amazon Freevee.

For ‘The Big Rig Job’ is a story that saw Team Leverage become entangled in a family business that had taken quite the turn. For the once proud Stewart Trucking Company, a business known for its integrity and honesty and outright care of its employees and customers, had fallen on dark times with its founder and CEO passing way. For his idiot children, Paige, and Luke, saw the business as their ticket to fame and fortune and they were hoarding profits by offering up pyramid scheme style contracts to prospective drivers. But one driver, Ravi, wasn’t going to stand by their shady business practices and that motivated him to seek out the team so they could teach these entitled brats, a thing or two about legacy and respect. Which the team was happy to do.

Because they were in fact, easy marks and well… what the team learned about them as people, spoke to how easily a family business can fall to pieces when the wrong people are in place and when the plan is to hand it to people that simply don’t want it. Which should have made for a bleak tale. One that also should have spoken to the lack of hope revolving around such matters when a business falls into the wrong familial hands. But this was also, the holiday episode, and you can’t have a holiday story be filled with little hope. Which is why the team dug super deep into their affairs, to discover all of their nefarious dealings. The kind that dealt with mob bosses and gun running so that justice could be served beyond teaching two grown brats a lesson. 

Thankfully, they did get their just desserts as well and did indeed learn some valuable lessons about humility and respect. But above all, what made this episode so satisfying, was that Team Leverage basically saved Stewart Trucking and made it stand for something again. By removing the cancer that was destroying the company and by opening up doors to people who would actually want to run it right. Making for one delightful episode when all is said and done, one filled with some classic Christmas elements to boot. Since in many ways, Paige and Luke are modern day Scrooges and our heroes this go round, don’t really have any major emotional attachments here. They just want to do what’s right and that’s wondrous and satisfying and of course… leaves us eager to see what awaits us next from this magnificent series. Until next time.

We are living in quite the incredible time when it comes to television. After all, there are more shows on the air than there ever have been before, courtesy of the advent of the streamer, and to top it off, this surge in television shows has motivated a bevy of producers and writers to ponder upon some unique possibilities. Such as what a classic television might look like if it were revived in modern times for modern audiences. Not to mention, what might happen, if by chance… a refreshed version of a classic was given the opportunity to also serve as a sequel of sorts.
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Wherein the audience that knows the story can see what happened to the original characters after all these years, and how they’ve grown, and that’s led to the creation of some fascinating and powerful stories that utilize those concepts. Which all speak to the power of the march of time and how the years and life experiences can change us for sometimes better, sometimes worse. If anything, this particular type of show is top of mind today, simply because later tonight… a brand-new reimagining/sequel/revamping of a classic comedy will air on NBC. For ‘Night Court’ (2023) is a story that carries on the legacy of Judge Harry Stone and a few others along the way in a fascinating manner. 

A feat that this story accomplishes by introducing us to Judge Abby Stone (played by Big Bang Theory alum Melissa Rauch), the daughter of dear Harry, and she is following in her father’s footsteps and stepping behind the bench of the iconic New York Night Court with an old family friend alongside her. Because this is a story that also features the return of one Dan Fielding (played once again by the iconic John Larroquette), who returns to his old stomping grounds to defend folks this time around instead of handling prosecution duties, and well… that setup alone speaks to the uniqueness and significance of this continuation/‘new-boot’ of the franchise. 

Simply because this is a show that works to update a classic and pay tribute to what came before, and the new show honors the old easily, courtesy of the return of a Stone behind the bench and Dan himself, but what truly has us at NTG excited about this particular series… is what the cast and crew had to say about it at this week’s Television Critics’ Association Winter Press Tour event. Since they took to the stage to discuss this series and what it has to offer and what we learned was quite hopeful for certain. For this writer more or less came to learn that this series is going to be a beautiful blend of positivity and nostalgia, and that sentimental stuff that demands we give shows in this vein a look and our time. 

By giving us growth and thoughts on the journey that is life, likely through Abby and Dan. Since they have seen a few things and experienced a bevy of powerful moments since we last saw the Stone family and Dan in 1992. But make no mistake about it, this is a comedy through and through, one that will indeed lean into the laughs to provide us with a smile in these trying times. To top it off… it will undoubtedly bring up discussions and demand about the original series. Giving new life to an old story that was memorable enough that it warranted a new chapter. One that airs tonight on NBC at 8p EST with a two-episode series premiere, and we here at NTG hope you give it a look, because the passion we heard regarding this project, truly hints at something as special and as funny as the original.

John Larroquette on Revisiting Dan Fielding
“How often does an actor get a chance to revisit some character that he played three-and-a-half decades ago?  And what was the length of that journey and what happened to him in his life. And that became interesting to me, of how he might appear in 2022 as opposed to 1992, when we last saw him.”
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Melissa Rauch (Executive Producer/Abby Stone) Regarding the Show’s Blend of Old and New
“So, it's a bit of a new‑boot, a bit of a revival, because we really pay our respects to the original. It's obviously very much a part of the DNA in this show. Fans of the original, there's so much for them to love.  We're revisiting these wonderful stories in these walls that we all know and love. And, of course, we have the amazing John Larroquette reprising his role of Dan Fielding. So, there's all these Easter eggs that original fans will love.”

Dan Rubin (Executive Producer) Regarding the Show’s Balance of Realism and Comedy
“I mean, there are issues we'll creep in from time to time, and I think that we try and tell those stories. But I think first and foremost we're trying to make you guys laugh and take a little escape from the day‑to‑day of, yeah.”

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Koala Man’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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Something that each and every one of us search for when we finally obtain our dream job, is validation. Validation that we are in fact, the right person for the job and that we are indeed the professional we've aspired to be. Because a touch of imposter syndrome comes into play when we finally settle into our dream role. And that plays with our minds and our hearts and leaves us in an insecure place. To the point where we need to hear from someone in the field, that this is indeed where we belong. But even then, there are no guarantees that will solve our problem.

Because imposter syndrome is quite powerful in nature. Which in turn begs the question… how then do we defeat it? Which is a question that oddly enough, the next episode of Koala Man on Hulu works to answer, in the most hilarious ways imaginable of course. For when we caught up with Kevin/Koala Man in ‘Deep Pockets’, he was in fact… struggling with imposter syndrome. Something brought on by the local tradies in his town since they slammed him for not having some kind of certification as a superhero, and for trying to do their job whilst helping others. Which left Kevin beside himself and wondering just how on earth he could find some kind some kind of validation regarding his dream role.

Of course, Kevin thought that perhaps speaking with Big Greg might help with that. Since he could have deemed Koala Man, Dapto’s Official Protector. But he sure as heck didn’t and that only helped to sink Kevin further. And to make matters worse, his Koala Man hotline was either silent or filled with hate voicemails and it just seemed as though, Koala Man would soon be forgotten, because Kevin was beginning to believe he was nothing more than a joke. Which was a brilliant way to subtly explore the power of imposter syndrome in a lighthearted and funny manner. Since it did put those worries on display in full in a palatable fashion, and thankfully… a powerful case is what allowed for Kevin to overcome it, with a strange assist from his family no less.

Because at school, Vicky found a way to get all soda banned. A move that pushed Liam and Alison to work with the tradies to smuggle in soda and make a killing in the process and of course, Koala Man was kinda, sorta, not really assigned to the case. But he searched for the culprits as is, and eventually, with Vicky’s help… came to learn at least one of his children were indeed smugglers. Which led to the most hilarious sequence of the episode, wherein the tradies and Koala Man duked it out Anime style, in a manner so over the top that it took soda to defeat them and left the family in a wild place since the tradies had powers untold. 

But above all, that fight and that investigation, is what taught Kevin and the audience, how to overcome imposter syndrome. And what it boils down to, are two key things. A support network that is honest with you and will inform you that you’ve made it, and a sense of self-worth. Which is a little harder of course, but when you have it… you’ll believe in what you do and who you are, and you won’t need the town’s mayor to sign off on your talents, nor will you have to fight a Mighty Morphin’ Power Tradie to find it. If anything, all of these elements make this, a wonderful episode. One that informed us that this season of storytelling, will be full of depth and fun and everything we can ask for and more from an outlandish and wonderful story that continues to ponder upon… what life might be like if we decided to try and become a superhero. Until next time.  

It is definitely safe to say, that the romantic comedy is enjoying quite the renaissance. For the advent of peak television and the arrival of the streamer has put these films back in high, high demand. To the point where so many networks are producing and releasing enjoyable rom coms left and right and one particular network that is providing audiences with some quality romantic comedies… is E! Because they know how beloved these stories are and that’s why… they’re preparing to send more rom coms our way. 
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For recently, E! set the premiere dates for three, yes… three, new and original romantic comedies to air in the next few months and well, here are those dates and all the details on these delightful movies, and a super trailer for them to boot! To properly prepare us for this bevy of new romantic comedies, courtesy of E!  

• Starring: Em Haine, Cecilia Deacon, Wern Lee, Markian Tarasiuk, Aren Buchholz and Roraigh Falkner
• Premieres: Sunday, Feb. 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
• Synopsis: Eliza is smart and independent, but after years of bad boyfriends she finds herself newly single, jobless and questioning all of her decisions. Throwing caution to the wind, Eliza follows best friend Sofia to the Hamptons and decides to change her approach to romance. They’re going to follow the rules of dating from a 50-year-old self-help book. The book seemingly works and Eliza finds herself in the center of a love triangle between Rich, a perfect doctor, and Doug, the towel boy at a Hampton’s hotel. Torn between two very different but equally viable suitors, Eliza realizes that deep at heart, she’s really a 1980s John Hughes heroine.
• Production company: Timeless Pictures in association with Basset Hound Distribution
• Executive producers: Ben C. Silverman, Alexandre Coscas, Michael R. Goldstein, Aidan Heatley, Jared Goetz and Christian Mercuri
• Director: Rich Newey
• Screenwriter: Rob Lotterstein

• Starring: Isabella Gomez, Ruairi O’Connor, Ronan Raftery
• Premieres: Sunday, Feb. 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
• Synopsis: An East L.A. chef is invited to a manor in Ireland to cook for the royal banquet in an effort by a Lord to convince his grandmother not to sell their home. Meanwhile, budding romances threaten to derail the entire plan.
• Production company: MarVista Entertainment
• Executive producers: Megan Ellstrom, Larry Grimaldi, Angie Day, Hannah Pillemer, and Fernando Szew
• Director: Christine Luby
• Screenwriter: Sarah Endsley, based on a story by Heather Provost and Scott Damian

• Starring: Chloe Bennet, Anthony Konechny, Blair Penner
• Premieres: Sunday, March 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
• Synopsis: After learning that her dream job has fallen through, Riley has a drunken night out with her best friend Nate … only to find themselves the next morning in Las Vegas and married. With no job prospects on the horizon, Riley takes Nate up on his offer to move back to his hometown in Tennessee to help rescue his family’s business. Riley’s determination to make a name for herself in the company is complicated by the arrival of Nate’s ex-girlfriend and his attractive older brother. Will Riley and Nate be able to keep up the ruse, or will romances both new and old get in the way?
• Production companies: All Canadian Entertainment, Motion Picture Corporation of America
• Executive producers: Brad Krevoy, Amanda Phillips, Lorenzo Nardin, Ivan Hayden, Mike Rohl and Doran S. Chandler
• Producer: Mick MacKay
• Director: Mike Rohl
• Screenwriter: Meg Jackson

There was a time when the winter season was devoid of new television programming. For the winter hiatus was epic in nature and once shows went off the air, they took their time in returning. But as time has rolled along and the demand for fresh television has come into play, not only has the winter hiatus grown far shorter, but the return of network television has become nothing short of an event, and for proof… just look at what NBC did earlier today. 
 
For the network dropped a bevy of trailers for their winter lineup, across all of the various subdivisions of the NBCUniversal family, the kind that inform us that the winter season on NBC and Peacock, and SYFY, is going to provide us with thoughtful entertainment, and some hilarity as well and even something fresh and new. So, without further ado, here are those trailers, and stayed tuned here at NTG for more regarding this year’s winter lineup, as we preview and dig deeper into NBC’s winter programming lineup.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of Latino and Latinx culture that we’ve discussed at length regarding the NBC series, Lopez vs Lopez, is the machismo and bravado that is prevalent among Latino males, and it makes sense as to why this topic has come up often in said discussions. Simply because, this series has captured the essence of it perfectly. For it has put how that machismo drives a lot of Latino men and how it pushes them to be brave and strong in the face of any adversity on display often, and in doing so, we’ve come to learn how that impacts others and how it can cause toxic moments to take place within a family. But what these explorations have yet to do, is explain why this exists. Because there has to be a reason as to why this behavior is such a standard and well, the next episode of this series took the time to do just that.
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For ‘Lopez vs Pride’ is an episode that saw Mayan enjoy quite the accomplishment. In that, her amazing skills as a TikTok artist, had netted her a sponsorship contract with a dog treat/dog food company. Something she was extremely proud of, and rightfully so, but alas… when she let everyone know about this news in the company of her father… things got a little weird. Mainly because George slipped into that machismo and prideful mode, puffing up his chest about his own accomplishments and quite frankly, looking down upon Mayan and her own and at first, she thought nothing of that. Because that was what she grew up with, and that was the culture. But her boss and Brookie pointed out, that wasn’t healthy behavior at all. For he tried to steal her thunder and ripped on her accomplishments and that wasn’t right.

Which in turn, prompted Mayan to call George to the carpet on such matters, to no avail. Because he saw what he did as nothing wrong, as though he was pushing her to be better and that she should be proud of her own work. But she disagreed and wanted him to try out saying something nice for a change in moments such as this, something that was honest and raw and informed her that he was proud of her. And she got that… the long way round of course. Because she was signed up to do a live stream at the office to sell those products and well, she had quite the plan to make this a success. Because this company touted its food as human and animal edible, but the flavor was gross and she was going to sneak a little turkey into her mouth and Brookie, her volunteer, to make this seem palatable. But Brookie went MIA when her lizard went MIA and that prompted George to step in and help his little girl, since he wasn’t going to let her struggle. Which led to disaster. Since George ate the real treats and puked live and went viral for it. 

But… he was proud of his little girl for standing up in front of the internet and doing this live, and he also kind of dug that she was sneaky in selling it, and that brought forth the moment she wanted and the little moments leading up to this, explained why this machismo exists. Because in a super subtle and impactful manner, George’s journey informed us that Latino men are engrained with the concept that as men, they should be tough and brave and stand out from the crowd. And that means they need to flex their chest and accomplishments and never once speak to the accomplishments of others. Simply because, they are also taught from an early age that such outside feedback is nonsense, a man should know when he’s done a great job and take pride in his own work and that is… a hollow way of thinking, and toxic. Since people DO need to hear that and it does lead to insults and unnecessary pushing out of the false belief that what they were taught is the right way to motivate others. 

Which brought forth quite the brilliant episode, one that really dug deep into these origins and deconstructed something that is rarely discussed in a television setting, much less in the everyday world or Latino and Latinx culture. So, this episode deserves a round of applause for finally calling this out and exploring its genesis so maybe, a better way can come to life. Plus, it also deserves a round of applause for pondering upon how mixed families could and should deal with the possibility that mixed children might be ashamed with one aspect of their heritage, since that was a concern here regarding Chance. One that was resolved in a brilliant and smooth manner. If anything, this show just continues to impress through and through, and it keeps tackling incredible topics and it keeps putting every aspect of Latino and Latinx culture on display be it positive or negative. And it will be fascinating to see what else we are going to learn as season one of this incredible series continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘BMF’. To revisit the season two premiere, click here.
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There comes a point in our lives, where being in business for ourselves, seems like quite the wondrous idea. Because doing so, would mean no more overbearing bosses, no more co-worker nonsense. We could just do our own thing and make our own hours and make our own lives and of course… collect a better paycheck. Since we know what we are doing and will easily excel at our area of expertise and well… it doesn’t take long for us to learn, that those thoughts are pipe dreams at best. For when we set out on our own and start our own business… we quickly come to learn that this is no walk in the park. It requires A LOT of work and sometimes there will be interpersonal conflicts and people who think they’re our boss and how we respond to that is essential since… it can determine whether or not we stay in business.
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If anything, that harsh lesson about self-employment is top of mind today, simply because, both Terry and Meech were forced to learn it in the next episode of BMF. For ‘Family Business’ is a story that saw these brothers dig into their new lines of work and well… it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Terry for instance, came to learn that working with his father as a partner was an impossibility. For dear old dad thought he should be in charge and guide the business as he saw fit, Terry’s ideas or thoughts be damned and that made life difficult for Terry. Because his ideas were great and were quickly growing the business, and they were constantly being shot down by a ‘boss’ that demanded results but refused to do anything to get them, leaving Terry beside himself and unsure of what comes next.

As for Meech, well he came to learn quickly that greed is a big problem in this business. Which we all know, but Meech didn’t at this stage in his empire. He just thought offering up great pay and great product would lead to people falling in line quickly. Which is why he approached everyone in Ohio that his cousin knew, while he was out there celebrating his grandmother’s birthday, with incredible confidence and bravery about the job, and with an assist from Terry, it seemed as though the empire was going to grow with minimal fuss. But alas, new co-workers and their desire to have it all led to greedy moments that threatened Meech’s plans. Prompting him to have to get quite creative in ensuring that his new co-workers understood he was the boss, whether they liked it or not.

All of which once again made for a fascinating episode. Since this featured more genesis points regarding the empire and explored how Terry might come back into the fold. But it also featured more big moments beyond that. Since Charles and Lucille’s relationship is on the rocks with little hope in sight of a reconciliation at the moment and of course, B-Mickie is getting deeper and deeper into Bryant’s pocket. Thanks to the fact that Bryant is doing anything and everything to look like the hero to B-Mickie. Even going so far as putting his mother in a proper care facility for her dementia. And of course, the surprise of the hour, involved Lamar. Simply because he was able to get the drop on the cop that was watching his room and escaped into the night, where Alvin picked him up. Which means it is only a matter of time before that threat, resurfaces.

In the end, it really seems as though the writer’s room of this show is setting the stage for an explosive season. One that could see a grand fight come forth between Lamar and the Flenory brothers and other ugly battles between B-Mickie and Meech and even Detective Bryant. But while we wait to see how that turns out, we can sit back and celebrate another quality tale from a quality series. Because this was just engaging through and through and once again let the characters shine and gently grow before our eyes and you really cannot ask for more than that from a series, that has earned our trust when it comes to the decision to take its time in exploring the genesis of this powerful empire. Because we know we are in good hands when we settle in to watch this show, and it will be fascinating to see if intensity awaits us or more character development is in the cards when BMF returns, next week. Until then.