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.  

Share:
More In Culture
California Starts Largest U.S. Food Waste Recycling Program
California's new composting law will affect what residents do in their kitchens. As of this week, Californians will have to recycle excess food in an effort to reduce emissions caused by food waste. Cities and counties will turn recycled food into compost or use it as a renewable energy source. California's new law is the largest mandatory residential food waste recycling program in the country. Rachel Wagoner, Director of the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery called the law 'the biggest change to trash' since recycling started in the 1980s. She joined Cheddar Climate to discuss.
Sweetgreen Launches Salad Subscription Service 'Sweetpass'
Fast-casual restaurant chain Sweetgreen is rolling out its first salad subscription service called sweetpass as it looks to customers tackling new year weight loss and health goals. Members will receive up to 30 percent off of purchases.
Severe Snowstorm Blankets D.C., Mid-Atlantic Region
Washington DC and the surrounding areas saw a record breaking snow storm Monday as a strong storm system works its way across the eastern U.S. The extreme weather event caused extensive damage in the greater Washington area, leaving thousands in the region without power. Jonathan Porter, Chief Meteorologist, AccuWeather, joined Wake Up with Cheddar to discuss the fierce storm.
Over 3,000 Flights Canceled on Monday Over Severe Weather, Crew Shortages
Airlines canceled more than 3,000 flights on Monday over severe weather and crew shortages. The cancellations come on one of the busiest travel days of the holiday season, and is a continuation of the industry-wide disruption that started before Christmas. Thomas Pallini, Aviation Reporter for Insider joined Wake Up with Cheddar to discuss.
End of Child Tax Credit Could Mean Slide Back Into Increasing Child Poverty
Millions of Americans with young children have relied on the child tax credit since the federal government began issuing checks in July 2021. The last round of payments was sent out just before the Christmas holiday — at the same time as the omicron variant surged. Leah Hamilton, associate professor of social work at Appalachian State University, joined Cheddar to discuss what the end to the tax credit means as the U.S. sees the end of many relief programs and its highest number of COVID cases since the start of the pandemic. "It'll become harder for families to meet their basic needs, increasing national childhood poverty rates and the proportion of families who have difficulty putting food on the table, maintaining stable housing, and paying their bills," Hamilton said. She also pointed to research that the credit as a long-term investment in children offsets claims that it contributes to macroeconomic impacts like inflation.
NYT Piece Claims Silicon Valley Investors and Founders Contorted Legal Tax Break to Avoid Taxes on Investment Profits
Several Silicon Valley insiders are being accused of contorting a 1990s-era tax break to avoid taxes on millions of dollars of investment profits. The tax break is known as the qualified small business stock exemption, and it allows early investors in certain companies to avoid half of the taxes on up to $10 million in capital gains. A piece recently published in the New York Times says venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz replicated the tax exemption by giving shares of companies to friends and family, who would otherwise face a 23.8% capital gains bill. The CEO of Roblox is also accused of replicating the tax break for his family members at least 12 times. Although the loophole known as 'stacking' is considered to be legal, the Times piece implies that the exemption has been manipulated for the ultra-wealthy to become more wealthy. Greycroft co-founder and Chairman Emeritus Alan Patricof joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Competitive Stock-Trading Mobile App Zingeroo Raises $8.5 Million
There is a new player in the mobile app stock trading space. Zingeroo recently announced a funding round of $8.5 million. The company says it aims to bring 'friendly competition' to stock trading, by literally breaking trading down into daily and weekly competitions between friends. Zingeroo also says it hopes its new approach can make trading more accessible, educational, and social than ever before. Zingeroo co-founder and CEO Zoe Barry joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell for more.
Load More