Saturday coffee: RIP David Lynch
Also, “SNL” docs, TikTok and “Goonies 2”
I want to keep a bit more on top of entertainment news that develops during the week, so I’m restarting this digest, but now in a more condensed format1. In February, I’m going to make this feature the first of a few exclusives for paid subscribers, so consider dropping a few bucks each month to support my writing.
RIP David Lynch
The big news: David Lynch, creator of “Twin Peaks” and director of several surrealist masterpieces, died Thursday at 78. Read more.
Chrisicism: One of my greatest embarrassments as a movie fan is that I’m not as immersed in Lynch’s filmography as I should be. I’m familiar with his work, but I’ve only seen Mulholland Drive. But I know this is a major loss to the film world. One of my goals for 2025 is to immerse myself in older books and movies, and close some of these important gaps. Lynch was already someone I was considering catching up with, and he’s bumped to the top of the list. In fact, Perry and I have already discussed a Lynch focus on We’re Watching Here after we finish our Altman retrospective (which I promise we’ll return to soon!).
TikTok’s ticking clock
The big news: On Friday, The Supreme Court upheld a law that could lead to a ban of TikTok. Incoming President Trump has said he’ll work to find a way to keep TikTok ticking. Read more.
Chrisicism: This is a huge story, although it’s more a blow for U.S. influencers than for TikTok, which should be just fine without America’s money. I’m of two minds. Yes, I feel for influencers, and I’ve lost more than a few evenings to TikTok scrolls. But the more we learn about social media, the less healthy it seems. It spreads misinformation, encourages division, and is the source of countless addictions and anxiety disorders. So, while I understand the ramifications, it’s still hard for me to feel too bad about losing something so bad for our well-being. I’m also not confident it’s going to happen.
More Goonies and Gremlins?
The story: The dream of the ‘80s is alive at Warner Brothers, which is apparently moving forward with Gremlins 3 and Goonies 2, both written by Christopher Columbus. Read more.
Chrisicism: I’ll believe this when I see a trailer. Both sequels have been rumored for decades. I get it; it’s proven – and still beloved – IP, even if both have been absent from the big screen for 35 and 40 years, respectively (how old do you feel now?). I have a lot of affection for the originals, and I’m sure there’s an audience – my kids love Goonies and Gremlins. But I have my reservations. I don’t want to see old Goonies, and I don’t want a new group of cute kids (and, let’s face it: The Goonies affection is 75% nostalgia-driven). Gremlins is a property that could conceivably be revived every few years – it’s not actor dependent. But I don’t want a Gremlins movie with heavy CGI and lacking Joe Dante’s sense of humor.
SNL50 festivities begin
The story: As Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th season, the first round of celebrations kicked off this week with the debut of four hour-long docs on Peacock. Watch the docs.
Chricisism: I’m a longtime SNL nerd. I’ve read James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales’ Live from New York. I’ve seen several documentaries. I listen to several SNL-related podcasts. So you can bet I’ll be watching these Morgan Neville-produced documentaries. In fact, I’ve already viewed the first, which features the auditions of many SNL cast members (and a few celebrities who didn’t make the cut). There’s also an episode on the writing process, a deep dive into the famous “Cowbell” sketch and a look at the show’s infamous 11th season. I may plow through these this weekend, and I’m sure I’ll have more to say soon.
Remember ‘Severance’?
The story: The Ben Stiller-directed, Adam Scott-starring sci-fi thriller returns to Apple TV+ this weekend for its second season – and apparently, it’s great!
Chrisicisms: I don’t know if there’s a show I’m more excited for this year – even if I need a cheat sheet to remind me what happened in the show’s first season, which streamed nearly three years ago. The first season of Severance was one of TV’s great mind-benders – possibly the best show of its type since those early seasons of Lost. It’s a thrilling, surreal science fiction story with so much to say about work-life balance and what it means to be a person. I was a bit worried the show couldn’t live up to that first season, but I’ll I’m hearing are raves. I’m sure I’ll make time for this over the long holiday weekend.
While this is a news digest version, I’m going to experiment a bit before making it an exclusive feature. Some weeks it might be news and links to things I’ve read over the week. As I watch more TV and read, it could also become a place for some quick thoughts about what I’m consuming. I look forward to seeing it evolve!