The weekend is here, so it's time to relax and catch up on our what-to-watch list. From the notorious Pacers vs. Pistons game in 2004 to an '80s cult classic, Cheddar's digital team might have a few suggestions to get you through.
NOTE: Spoilers possible. Proceed with caution.
Untold: Malice at the Palace - Netflix
Picked by Producer Lawrence Banton
Undoubtedly one of the most intriguing NBA spectacles in the history of the game was the November 2004 brawl between members of the Indiana Pacers and fans of the Detroit Pistons. Famously known as the "Malice at the Palace," Netflix unearths its own basketball diaries to get the inside scoop of the infamous night, and more importantly, the players' angle. Hear from NBA veterans Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Ron Artest, Reggie Miller, Ben Wallace, and Jermaine O’Neal as they describe how on-court antics led to off-court chaos with fans.
Reservation Dogs - Hulu
Picked by Copy Editor Mike Nam
A bit of a reference to the Quentin Tarantino title Reservoir Dogs, the half-hour comedy on FX + Hulu show follows four indigenous teens in Oklahoma doing whatever they can to escape to the mystical land of California. The production is led by Taika Waititi (a New Zealander of Māori indigenous descent) and Sterlin Harjo (a member of the Seminole Nation with Muskogee heritage). Shot entirely on the Muscogee Nation reservation in eastern Oklahoma, it's a groundbreaking series for Native American representation, and judging from the first episodes already available, it's pretty funny and moving too.
What If...? - Disney+
Picked by Copy Editor Mike Nam
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is doubling down on its multiverse plans following the streaming show Loki with the premiere of the animated What If…?, a title shared by a Marvel Comics series with the same premise: what if a single event was altered leading to an entirely different parallel universe. The series is narrated by Jeffrey Wright (who also plays Commissioner Gordon in DC's upcoming The Batman) as the all-seeing Watcher. The first episode showcases what might have happened in the MCU if Peggy Carter received the super soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers. The show features a lot of the live-action Marvel stars reprising their voices including Hayley Atwell and Sebastian Stan. Episode 1 is now streaming on Disney+.
The Prince - HBO Max
Picked by Sr. News Editor Dina Ross
I just finished up Letterkenny, the offbeat, off-color sitcom about the hicks, skids, and jocks living in a small Canadian town. Now, what do I watch while eagerly awaiting seasons 10 and 11? Hopefully, Gary Janetti is answering my call. The show's creator talked to Cheddar this week about his offbeat, off-color cartoon about the British royal family. While it's clear not everyone thinks it's funny … there must be someone who does because HBO Max dropped the entire series earlier this month. So, I guess I'll settle in with some tea and biscuits and see what the hubbub is all about.
Streets of Fire - Netflix
Picked by Cheddar Reporter Alex Vuocolo
As a movie buff, I sometimes get frustrated with the lack of deep-cuts available on Netflix. More and more, the OG streaming service relies on original content rather than licensing to fill up its catalog. That being said, sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised at its more obscure selections, and this month Walter Hill's visionary 1984 film Streets of Fire popped up under "Recently Added." It's a hard movie to categorize, but I'll do my best: Imagine West Side Story but super violent and with a dash of '80s neon. It's like a bunch of '50s-style greasers got their hands on a time machine and raided a West Hollywood thrift shop circa 1988. Interestingly, it's not a musical, but it feels like one. There's a rock n roll musicality to the direction that gives the whole movie a jaunty, propulsive tone. As the director of The Warriors, Hill wasn't new to flamboyant, colorful cult films with an almost fantastical urban backdrop, but Streets of Fire is arguably his most outrageous — and somehow most unheralded — effort.
Looking for more to watch? Check out our recommendations from last week and the week before.
