TV Check-In -- The Pitt, Survivor, DTF St. Louis and More

It's been awhile since our last TV check-in, and frankly, it's because I'm not watching TV as much as I usually do. With March Madness being in full swing, I've had a tough enough time keeping up with my staple shows, let alone making time to watch new releases. But in the off days of ball, I've been trying to make time to check out the new shows that are out there. And with that, a TV Check-In is overdue.

Today, I'll be breaking down what shows I'm In On, and what shows I'm Out On, of what is currently airing. Some of these shows I've only made it through an episode or two -- some I'm watching weekly -- and some I have yet to delve into. In the comments below, let me know what shows you're watching so I know what I need to check out! Most of what I watch is based on what I hear through word-of-mouth -- so if I'm missing out on a good one -- let a Bean know.

Shows I haven't Dug Into Yet:

Paradise -- Season 2

I watched the first season, and I believe the 2nd season's finale just aired recently. I found the first season incredibly uneven -- AWESOME Pilot episode, downright terrible middle episodes, with an incredible episode mixed in once in awhile. So while I've had it on my list, I haven't gotten to S2 yet -- let me know if I'm missing out.

The Madison

I'm not much of a fan of the Taylor Sheridan-universe -- Yellowstone, Land Man, Tulsa King, 1883/1923, even Mayor of Kingstown. Yellowstone and Mayor of Kingstown definitely had their moments, but Land Man and Tulsa King feel like shows for my parents, not for me. The Madison feels more like the latter than the former, but I do love me some Kurt Russell, so maybe it's worth a shot.

Something Very Bad is Going to Happen

Short and sweet -- Beans doesn't do horror if he can avoid it. Sinners and Weapons got me in the theater with positive word of mouth, and if this show is truly that good, I'll give it a shot -- but I need some convincing in order to do so.

Invincible -- Season 4

I watched the first 2 1/2 seasons of Invincible, but I've fallen off a cliff with this show. I really really liked Season 1, but for whatever reason, my taste for this show has changed, and I couldn't get into it with season 3. If season 4 is great -- comment below that I need to give it another chance.

Shows I'm All IN On:

The Pitt -- Season 2

I simply could not be more in on The Pitt. I don't know what it is about this show, but I've watched every single episode of this 2nd season at least twice. I just can't get enough. I love the drama amongst the doctors, the high-stress cases and patients, the frenetic pace, picking up on things on 2nd viewing I missed the first time around. I also love that, week-to-week, season-to-season -- I have no idea which direction they are taking this show. Any number of things can change with every single episode, and it creates amazing tension.

I especially love what they're doing with the core character -- Dr. Robby -- in this season. Without spoiling, they're taking a direction with his character that I think is incredibly ballsy. It's the move of a show that has full confidence in what it's doing, and I have full confidence in them as well. Love this show, if you haven't already, go give it a shot on HBO Max.

Survivor 50

I'll link my previous Survivor blog below which includes my season predictions, cast breakdown, and much more. Through 5 episodes, while I have my nitpicks -- I think they're off to an electric start. I love seeing legends of the game return, I think there's plenty of people to root for and root against (super important feature), and the challenges themselves have been classic Survivor.

Do I think it's necessary to have Zac Brown be the feature of half of an episode? Sure don't. Have I loved the fact that the same tribe keeps going to Tribal? (by their own doing -- not blaming the show for them voting off their strongest tribemates). I have not. Do I love the "Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol" that everyone keeps finding and doesn't even get to use? No sir I don't. But overall, I've loved the drama, and it sounds like the next episode will have a tribal council for the ages.

Jury Duty: Company Retreat

Shoutout my buddy Tommy for putting me onto this one over the weekend. The much-anticipated follow-up season to the original Jury Duty -- a hilarious concept show where everyone is an actor except one, who is the target of the chaos occurring around him during a court trial.

The follow-up season follows Anthony, who goes on a company retreat where everyone around him is an actor. I've only watched the first episode, but this season promises to be even funnier than the original, as the antics and situations arising from this premise are lending itself perfectly to comedy. Very excited to see where the season goes.

Shows I'm Giving a Chance:

Love Story

Emily and I watched the first 3 or 4 episodes of this one -- a show about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette's relationship in the 1990's. We enjoyed the first few episodes enough -- not the greatest acting I've ever seen across the board, but an interesting look at a time period and historical figures I knew very little about. Haven't heard the greatest things about the back-half of the season -- but I'd like to finish it up and decide for myself. Stay tuned.

Daredevil: Born Again -- Season 2

I enjoyed season 1 of the revamped Daredevil series on Disney+ -- it had it's faults, sure -- but was enjoyable enough, and was more akin to the original Daredevil series than the other entrants to the MCU's TV universe. Charlie Cox as Daredevil will always be one of my favorite castings in the MCU, and I liked getting to see the return of some characters I loved (Jon Bernthal's Punisher, and Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin). 3 episodes into season 2, I’m really enjoying the action and gritty nature of the show. It can be a bit tough to watch considering they basically have their own ICE in the show hunting down “vigilantes” — but I like what they’ve done through 3 eps.

Bait

Really enjoying this 30-minute dramedy from Amazon Prime through the first few episodes. Starring Riz Ahmed, it follows his character Shah Latif, an aspiring actor, who after auditioning for the role of a lifetime, sees his life spiraling into existential crisis. I really love the family dynamic it's crafting, the chaos, the pace, and how funny it is. It gives me similar vibes to The Studio in the way it’s shot and paced —- and it captures familial stress/chaos in a similar way to The Bear. Interested to see how the full season goes -- but through 3 episodes, it's trending positively.

Shows I'm OUT On:

DTF St. Louis

In fairness, I've only given both of these shows a one-episode trial run. But one episode was enough for me to tap out -- regardless of it being "set" in the homeland. Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Linda Cardellini, a murder-mystery premise -- all signs pointed to this being a good show. But the first episode was genuinely one of the strangest hours of TV I've watched in awhile. So if there's someone out there watching this week-to-week that swears by it, let me know, because as it stands, I’m all the way out on this show.

Rooster

Another HBO show I was so excited for -- I mean, Steve Carrell in an HBO comedy, what more could you want? But I found myself again not buying in after one episode, and perhaps I just need to give it more of a chance. But it wasn't hitting on the comedic notes for me, and the story itself wasn't giving me enough reason to return.

BONUS Section: Summer House Drama

Feel like I have to chime in here based on the fact that I've watched a solid amount of Summer House with Emily, and the drama that has broken this week is rivaling the buzz of "Scandoval." I know the people involved just well enough to have an opinion on it, but not well enough to have all the information necessary -- so I'll keep my thoughts brief.

I like West -- he's the Missouri Boy, Mizzou guy, podcast with Sophie Cunningham. That being said, it is objectively a very very bad look for him to be starting a relationship with Amanda -- fresh off a divorce, from a "friend" of West's for that matter (at least acquiantence, right? seems like Kyle and him were friends) -- while West himself used to date Ciara, one of Amanda's best friends.

The biggest loser in this situation to me seems like Amanda -- who for years had built up goodwill from people sympathetic with her situation with Kyle, who were happy for her when she finally divorced him. Ciara was there supporting her every step of the way -- just for Amanda to stab her in the back and go after her Ex. Seems pretty crazy to me..

But let's not act like Kyle is the Ariana to Amanda's Tom Sandoval -- if anything, Ciara is the Ariana in this situation. Kyle is an enormous piece of shit. Just the biggest douchebag you'll ever see. I mean a gigantic man-child loser. So I don't think he deserves much sympathy in this situation -- even if he and West were close, it doesn't seem to me they were as close as Ciara and Amanda were.   I will also add that I know it has been a long time since Ciara and West broke up — but it’s more the principle of not going after your friend’s ex that is landing Amanda in hot water.

In closing, these Bravo drama situations always make me laugh. It's why reality TV -- love it or hate it -- will always be king. Because people become rabid on social media reacting to it, and the reunion shows do absolute numbies. Good for Summer House.