TV Watchlist: 'Frasier' Is Back and Brie Larson Learns 'Lessons in Chemistry' on Apple TV+

Plus Mike Flanagan's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "Goosebumps" bring spooky delights Week of October 7 - 13 As Halloween nears, the spooky content is growing like an out-of-control pumpkin. This is especially true since this week also includes the dreaded Friday the 13th. Among the ghoulish offerings are “The Fall of the House of Usher” from master of the macabre Mike Flanagan; a new live-action “Goosebumps” series and a true crime show called “John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams” (with an episode directed by the elusive Carpenter himself). But don’t worry, there’s plenty of non-scary stuff happening this week, including the return of “Frasier;” a documentary on Juul (“Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul”); a new movie starring Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones (“The Burial”); another new movie starring Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Clarke (“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”); and a brand new prestige drama starring Brie Larson (“Lessons in Chemistry”). See, something for thrill-seekers and scaredy cats alike! On with the television! The Fall of the House of Usher Thursday, October 12, Netflix Source: Netflix Mike Flanagan has made some of the most iconic Netflix original series – “The Haunting of Hill House,” “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and, arguably, his masterpiece, “Midnight Mass” (see below). And this week he’s back with another limited series about supernatural dealings and a very screwed up family, “The Fall of the House of Usher.” It’s also his final Netflix project, at least for the foreseeable future, as he has recently signed a big deal with Amazon. “The Fall of the House of Usher,” as the title suggests, is based on the story by Edgar Allan Poe. But instead of just being an adaptation of a single story, it’s an intoxicating bouillabaisse that combines and remixes Poe’s most famous stories, everything from “The Black Cat” to “The Raven” to, yes, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” The Usher brood are used as a container for all of these tales, with Flanagan reimagining them as a group of deceitful, petty jerks (the family is now part of a pharmaceutical empire being sued for its addictive painkillers actually killing people – sound familiar?) It’s sort of like “Succession” with ghosts. And Flanagan (and frequent collaborator) Michael Fimognari have created something really singular – it’s arguably the darkest and funniest series that Flanagan has ever attempted, with his usual troupe of actors (among them: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Rahul Kohli, Kate Siegel and Zach Gilford) turning in wonderful performances. Get ready. “The Fall of the House of Usher” will freak you out. [[TRAILER](] Archer Wednesday, October 11 at 10 p.m., FXX Source: FXX Honestly, it felt like this day would never come. But after 14 (!) seasons and 140 episodes, “Archer” is finally coming to a close. It’s important to remember how quietly experimental “Archer” was, sometimes deviating from its main focus (a kind of workplace spy comedy) to go on wild stylistic tangents, often for entire seasons (“Archer: Danger Island” anyone?) while still maintaining all the hallmarks that made the show so compelling in the first place. Creator Adam Reed is one of the most original voices in modern animation, creating such cult favorites as “Sealab 2021” and “Frisky Dingo” before “Archer,” so it will be exciting to see what he does next. And there will always be endless “Archer” reruns to keep us warm. What a ride it’s been. [[TRAILER](] The Burial Friday, October 13, Prime Video Source: Prime Video This looks delightful. “The Burial” tells the true story of Jerry O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones), a funeral home owner who hires a flashy lawyer named Willie E. Gary (Jamie Foxx) to help him with a lawsuit against a big funeral home company. Talk about David versus Goliath. But if you know anything about the case (and, really, don’t Google it), the case had some unpredictable twists and some huge upsets. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was warmly reviewed (it has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and generally seems like the kind of movie that they don’t make very often anymore. Also, how are you going to really argue against a movie with a cast that also includes Jurnee Smollett, Mamoudou Athie, Bill Camp and Alan Ruck? That’s right: you’re not going to argue with it. You’re just going to sit back and watch. [[TRAILER](] Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul Wednesday, October 11, Netflix Source: Netflix If you’ve ever been annoyed by someone vaping too close to you, unleashing a noxious cloud of blueberry-scented horror, then this is the documentary for you. “Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul” charts the high-tech e-cigarette company that was first released in 2015 and quickly rose to huge prominence. (By 2018 Phillip Morris had bought a 35% stake in the company for a whopping $12.8 billion.) Of course, what seemed like a revolutionary technology was, in fact, just as bad for you as cigarettes, leading to a precipitous downfall. This four-part documentary series is based on “Big Vape: The Incendiary Rise of Juul” by Jamie Ducharme, is directed by R. J. Cutler and is produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin. Spielberg does not want you to vape, kids! [[TRAILER](] Midnight Mass Netflix Source: Netflix After two “Haunting” seasons, writer/director Mike Flanagan unleashed his most personal, idiosyncratic work. And not only is it his masterpiece but it’s one of the best limited series in recent memory – a haunting, elegiac piece that will also scare you half to death. “Midnight Mass” is set on the isolated town of Crockett Island. That’s where Riley (Zach Gilford) returns home after spending some time in prison and where he connects with Erin (Kate Siegel), his former childhood sweetheart. It’s also where various townspeople come under the sway of an enigmatic new priest (Hamish Linklater), sent to replace the town’s aging priest. That’s about all you need to know – and all you should know – going into “Midnight Mass.” It’s a thoughtful, nearly mystical examination of death and what it means to be human, and it’s backed with enough haunting images and moments that will probably be seared into your brain for as long as it’s working right. Deliberately paced and beautifully composed, time to re-watch “Midnight Mass,” or give it a go for the first time. ‘Tis the season. [[WATCH](] Source: Apple TV+ “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” Sunday, October 8 at 9 p.m., Showtime The final film from the late, great William Friedkin is an update of the 1953 play by Herman Wouk (the original play was based on his 1952 novel “The Caine Mutiny”). The setting of the story, about a U.S. Naval captain who, following signs of mental instability, faces a court-martial, has been updated, but the drama remains the same. Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, Jake Lacy, Lance Reddick (in what would ultimately be one of his final roles), Lewis Pullman and Jay Duplass star. “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” got solid reviews following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and some of Friedkin’s most compelling works, particularly later in life, were for television (just watch his crackling remake of “12 Angry Men”), meaning this is a court-martial you shouldn’t want to skip. If only to say goodbye to one of the masters. [[TRAILER](] “Frasier” Thursday, October 12, Paramount+ Oh baby I hear those blues a-callin’ tossed salads and scrambled eggs. That’s right, your favorite radio psychiatrist is back (once again, of course, played by Kelsey Grammer). And he’s moved from Seattle, back to Boston, in an attempt to forge a relationship with his grown adult son (Jack Cutmore-Scott). Here’s the thing – the only two confirmed returning cast members (in guest starring roles not series regulars) are Bebe Neuwirth and Peri Gilpin. But he’s in Boston. Certainly some of his pals from “Cheers” are still there? Will he even visit the old bar? These are the questions looming over this “Frasier” reboot. Let us pray some of them get answered. [[TRAILER](] “Goosebumps” Friday, October 13, Disney+ and Hulu Few horror gateway drugs are as powerful as “Goosebumps,” the series of paperback YA books written by R.L. Stine in the 1990s, that were both creepy and funny, gooey and wholesome. By 2022, the “Goosebumps” series had become the second best-selling book series in history, which makes a new live-action series all the more alluring. Developed by Rob Letterman (who directed the first “Goosebumps” movie) and Nicholas Stoller, the new series follows a single narrative instead of adapting the anthology format of the previous series (where each episode was based on a different book). From the looks of things, Justin Long plays an adult who is maybe possessed by a vengeful spirit? Leading the small town’s children to figure out how to stop him, while uncovering the town’s ancient evil? Listen, we really don’t know. But that sounds pretty “Goosebumps”-y to us. And really, isn’t that all you need? [[TRAILER](] “John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams” Friday, October 13, Peacock There’s one big difference between “John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams” and every other true-crime documentary series currently streaming – Carpenter himself directs one of the episodes. (All six episodes drop tonight.) Now, this might not seem like a big deal, except for the fact that Carpenter hasn’t directed anything since 2010s underseen “The Ward.” Since then he’s focused on his music and scoring movies like last year’s “Halloween Ends,” while also touring and, of course, playing video games. Even if the series itself is ho-hum, we’re better Carpenter’s hour will be compelling as hell. Talk about a Halloween treat! [[TRAILER](] “Lessons in Chemistry” Friday, October 13, Apple TV+ Based on the best-selling debut novel by Bonnie Garmus, the first two episodes of “Lessons in Chemistry” arrive tonight on Apple TV+, followed by new episodes weekly. Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) is one of the smartest women in her lab, and her affinity for chemistry is promising, until she gets pregnant without being married and finds herself fired as a result. In a patriarchal turn-of-the-century society, she gets redirected to a cooking show TV program, but she teaches her fanbase, at-home wives and husbands who tune in, more than just recipes. The cast also includes Lewis Pullman, Stephanie Koenig, Kevin Sussman and Aja Naomi King. A prestige drama with heart, a message and a nifty 1960s aesthetic? We’ll take it. [[TRAILER](] 2034 Armacost Ave. | Los Angeles, CA 90025 [Unsubscribe](