Damian Lewis attends Showtime's "Billions" Season 2 premiere at Cipriani on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Here comes the weekend again, so it's time to relax and peruse our what-to-watch list. From the long-awaiting return of Billions to a show about a murder mystery podcast and everything we love (and hate) about New York, Cheddar's digital team might have a few suggestions.
Billions: Season 5 - Showtime
Picked by Producer Lawrence Banton
After more than a year-long mid-season hiatus when the pandemic shut down production, Bobby Axelrod, played by actor Damian Lewis, is back to managing his hedge fund. Showtime’s Billions explores the sometimes erratic behavior of the billionaire and his pursuit to manipulate markets in his favor. The entire series is a tug-of-war between good and bad. And for the not-so-business savvy, you can even use it as an introduction into the world of institutional investing! Of course, the show isn’t strictly business: there’s drama and lots of it! Sex, lies, videotape, and billion-dollar investments is what keeps fans running back to this series.
New York Stories - The Criterion Channel
Picked by Reporter Alex Vuocolo
Excuse my local bias here, but The Criterion Channel this month started streaming dozens of classic films based in New York City. The collection, titled "New York Stories," is broken up into multiple categories, from "Downtown" to "New York Romance'' to "New York in the 1970s." Some are likely familiar to film buffs, such as The Naked City, West Side Story, and Do the Right Thing, but there are dozens of fascinating deep-cuts also based in the Big Apple. If you're looking for a seedy crime drama, I recommend Abel Ferrara's King of New York, starring Christopher Walken. If you like documentaries, you can't go wrong with Paris Is Burning, which chronicles drag culture in Harlem. For a thriller, go with the original The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, which no doubt has some of the best native New York character actors in the history of cinema. And for my personal favorite, check out Martin Scorsese's underrated After Hours. It's the story of a guy who sets off into the night and finds himself in a whirlwind of bizarre characters and absurd situations that might just be familiar to long-time residents and visitors alike.
Only Murders in the Building - Hulu
Picked by Sr. News Editor Dina Ross
While searching for The D'Amelio Show last week, I saw Only Murders in the Building promoted on Hulu. It's been a while since I enjoyed some of the absurd comedy that Steve Martin and Martin Short are so well known for, but I'm here for it now. Selena Gomez is certainly a surprising addition to the new Three Amigos and I'm excited to see how she mixes with a couple of comedic greats.
Looking for more to watch? Check out our recommendations from last week and the week before.
Earlier this month, New York City experienced one of the deadliest fires it has seen in decades. 17 people lost their lives in the Fordham section of the Bronx. This was due to a faulty space heater which reportedly began on the lower floor of the 120 unit building. Thanks to the F. D. N. Y. And heroic neighbors, many were able to get out in time. Unfortunately, the toxic smoke surged upwards through a safety door. Now, many advocates say negligence by policymakers and landlords has led to the deaths in black and brown communities from fires that honestly could have been preventable. Legislative Director of Citizen Action of New York, Rebecca Garrard, and the Chair of Journalism and New Media Studies at St. Joseph's College Theodore Hamm, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Revenue operations platform Clari recently raised $225 million in a Series F financing round led by Blackstone, bringing the company's valuation to more than $2.6 billion. Calri says more than 450 companies from around the world use its A.I.-powered platform to make their revenue operations more connected, efficient, and predictable. Clari CEO Andy Byrne joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
With so many nutrition apps, social media influencers, and diet trends, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to getting healthy. Christina Jax, registered dietitian, nutritionist and health advisor, at the nutrition app LifeSum, says diets shouldn't be just about weight management. She joined Cheddar to give some tips on how to approach health and wellness in a holistic way.
Like countless cities, Las Vegas turned into a ghost town when Covid hit, shutting down casinos, nightclubs, restaurants, and everything else that keeps its economy running. But Sin City has surged back to life, as many bachelorettes and bachelors flock there to celebrate their last months as singles. Travel expert Lee Abbamonte gives an update on the state of the travel industry two years into the pandemic, including how Vegas has lured tourists back to the crowded city.
As controversy dogs the run-up to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, China is hiring TikTokers and other social media influencers to promote the nation's history, culture, diplomatic efforts, and current trends.
Talent Resources Sports is partnering with ABG Entertainment to host Sports Illustrated The Party during the weekend of Super Bowl LVI, featuring musical performances by Kygo, Jack Harlow, and other guests. David Spencer and Mike Heller, co-CEOs and founders of Talent Resources Sports, joined Cheddar to discuss the details behind putting on the event. “We’re just really pumped that after all of the things that got canceled people will finally have a place to let some steam off in such an exciting moment, such a charged moment with the Super Bowl,” Mike Heller said about putting on the live event after previous COVID-related cancellations.
Coming off of a horrible week for Peloton on the stock market, another character from a TV series died after riding the stationary bike. Mike Wagner on "Billions" was the latest fictional tragedy, just a month after "Mr. Big" suffered a similar fate on the "Sex and the City" reboot "And Just Like That." Peloton tweeted it had not worked with the Showtime series on the episode.
