This is a preview of our pop culture newsletter The Daily Beast’s Obsessed, written by editor Kevin Fallon. To receive the full newsletter in your inbox each week, , Succession, and Barry will be over for good—and a few days later, depending on what Apple TV+ decides to do, Ted Lasso may be as well. (Season finales for Yellowjackets and Somebody Somewhere are also airing this weekend, with the former, at least, guaranteed to return, and the latter’s renewal hopefully coming—if there is such a thing as a God.) The TV programmers really said, “Have a lovely long weekend, America! Except for you, TV journalists. Don’t even think about making plans.”
In these past few years, a slew of pivotal, era-defining series have ended. It makes for a strange moment—for the industry, but also for me, a person who writes about TV and how it relates to him. I’m not sure yet what this moment means…but it means something!
Prime Studios
I do think that Mrs. Maisel really stuck the landing. I found its finale episode to be spectacular, with the perfect amount of fan service, while still doing justice to character arcs. (Plus, there was a random scene in which Broadway star Leslie Kritzer cameos as Carol Burnett singing “Shy” from Once Upon a Mattress, which I like to think was added to the episode just for me.) And while I often find quoting the title within a project to be hokey, there is a moment when Midge is called “the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” for the first time, and I did cry.
Moreover, the series ended with a scene of laughter, which I won’t spoil—but know that it just felt right. Tits up!
The Barbie Bonanza Is Just Getting Started
A new Barbie trailer came out this week, this one with actual details of the plot. Gauging by the overwhelming reaction on social media, it previews what will be a cinematic masterpiece unlike the human race has ever experienced before. (Personally, it made me more skeptical of it possibly meeting high expectations. But, like Prince Harry, I can’t afford my own security detail, so I will not be elaborating any further, for fear of the internet mob.)
There are, however, two moments from the trailer that have gone viral, and which I am obsessed with. This line that Barbie blurts in the middle of a group dance routine, is endlessly relatable.
Warner Bros. Pictures
And this isn’t just Ryan Gosling being epically hot as Ken, but it also raises an important question: How tall does this screengrab suggest Ken/Gosling is?!?!
Warner Bros. Pictures
Marry Me?
A TikTok user named @throatgoatnancyreagan attended a recent concert of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and posted a video montage of himself eating a new hot dog each time Swift transitioned to a new “era” of her career on her setlist.
More From The Daily Beast’s Obsessed
This is the best deep-dive I’ve read into why everyone hates Vanderpump Rules star Raquel Leviss, a participant in the infamous #Scandoval, so damn much. Read more.
The new Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game sets a new high bar for video-game excellence, and apparently has been monopolizing all of my colleague’s time. Read more.
Ahead of the Succession finale this weekend, read this excellent take on the Kendall Roy characters, and why he’s doomed to commit the same sins of his father. Read more.
What to see this week:
The Little Mermaid: If I had to witness the horrors of “Scuttlebutt,” we all must. (Now in theaters)
Platonic: Seth Rogen? Charming and funny. Rose Byrne? Charming and funny. The two of them together? You’ll never believe it: charming and funny! (Now on Apple TV+)
Kandahar: Gerard Butler keeps making the most Gerard Butler-iest of movies. (Now in theaters)
You Hurt My Feelings: This Julia Louis-Dreyfus starrer is one of my favorite movies of the year. (Now in theaters)
What to skip this week:
FUBAR: Believe it or not, Arnold Schwarzenegger deserves better. (Now on Netflix)
