A new week brings an all-new installment of our Channel Surfing TV picks. Dan Fogelman and Sterling K. Brown team up again in the mystery drama, Paradise. See an alternate take on a popular superhero in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Then, everyone is trying to get their hands on the ultimate cure in Common Side Effects.
Protecting the President
Dan Fogelman and Sterling K. Brown worked together on the critically acclaimed drama, This Is Us. The pair are hoping to replicate the success of their previous venture in the new series, Paradise.
The story follows a secret service agent (Brown) who becomes a trusted member of a president’s inner circle. When his principal, now out of office, is found dead under suspicious conditions, the resulting high-stakes investigation uncovers deep dark secrets and lies.
The first episode of Paradise released early on Sunday, January 26, on Hulu, but the official three-episode premiere is Tuesday, January 28.
Webslinger in Training
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes place in an alternate timeline than the one we see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For example, Norman Osborn becomes Peter Parker’s mentor instead of Tony Stark. Also, he is classmates with familiar names such as Lonnie Lincoln (Tombstone), Nico Minoru (Sister Grimm), and Pearl Pangan (Wave). Despite the differences, this updated version will celebrate the icon’s early comic book roots showing his journey into becoming a superhero.
The head writer is Jeff Trammel, who has done excellent work on Craig of the Creek. Mel Zwyer serves as the supervising director. The voice cast includes Hudson Thames, Colman Domingo, Eugene Byrd, Grace Song, Zeno Robinson, and Hugh Dancy. Some of the MCU actors will voice their animated counterpart such as Charlie Cox as Daredevil.
Stream the first two episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man beginning Wednesday, January 29, on Disney+.
Taking Big Pharma
You ever wonder why pharmaceutical companies invest in treatments rather than cures? It’s because from a market standpoint, they can make more money treating a condition indefinitely than supplying a one time cure. But, what if if someone could take the power away from their hands?
In Common Side Effects, a man named Marshall has discovered a mushroom that can serve as the ultimate cure. Though he wants to get it out as soon as possible to help out humanity, there are many powerful interests trying to stop him including the DEA, Big Pharma, and international businessmen.
The two-episode series premiere of Common Side Effects airs Sunday, February 2, on Adult Swim.
