As we get ready to close the books on June and move into the second half of the year on an official basis, my friends at Netflix are looking toward the future, while also keeping a keen eye on where things are in the present. Earlier this month, a question was posited: Where is the craziest place that you’ve gone to sneak-in a Netflix fix? They even whipped-up a little chart with some common locations for sneaky streamers, and I’ll fully admit to matching #1… perhaps while in the process of #2. Yes, I’ve maybe watched a show on the throne, but I don’t make a habit of it – most of my viewing is actually right here in my office at Rock Father HQ, but it you have an interesting locale for streaming, I’d like to hear about it! So what’s new from Netflix? A lot of stuff, but I’m focusing on a few pics from our family to yours, as well as one piece of news that I’m really digging…
Netflix picks from Rock Father HQ: The Rock Father, The Rock Daughters and Mom!
CHELSEA – My wife has been a huge fan of Chelsea Handler for as long as I can remember. CHELSEA LATELY was a fixture of viewing here at HQ, and when the news came down that Handler was heading for Netflix as part of a multi-gig deal, my wife and I were both on-board. While I may not have gravitated to her naturally, I became a fan of Chelsea through my wife, and having seen everything available on Netflix thus far, we’re looking forward to what’s next. There’s a lot of interesting points about the newly-launched CHELSEA, starting with the fact that it’s the first talk show on Netflix, and the first really timely programming, rolling out three new episodes a week. Despite my own relationship with Netflix as a longtime member of the #StreamTeam, I can’t go without noting that both my wife and I see the show as something of a work-in-progress, perhaps adapting to its unique pedigree. There’s something that seems a tad “off” (like having no theme song), but it’ll probably even out in time. With the interview segments separated by pre-taped bits, there’s a lot of potential here, and worth watching (FOR GROWNUPS!)
THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS – SADDLE UP – I’ve written much about this Grammy-winning musical duo over the years, and one thing that really sets Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander apart from the pack is how they’ve been able to consistently roll out concept albums paired with great video content. Their latest offering, SADDLE UP, found the Brothers heading out for a month-long trek along The Great Divide, and the end result is a fine album, and a very entertaining (and educational) companion film. I love seeing these guys in a position to reach the larger audience that having SADDLE UP available on Netflix can provide. Definitely check this out with the whole family, and see more from The Okee Dokee Brothers on their official website.
VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER – Having already written at length about DreamWorks Animation’s new version of one of my childhood favorites, I should probably just direct you to this feature in which I sing the praises of the heroic youngsters and their flying robot lions. Actually, I will – so go read it – but also, watch some VOLTRON. You can thank me when your binge is done!
WORD PARTY – Premiering July 8, 2016 – For the younger members of the family, Word Party is the new vocabulary building show from The Jim Henson Company that follows four adorable baby animals as they sing, dance and play. The show invites our youngest viewers to help teach the baby animals new words, practice these new words themselves, and celebrate these achievements with a “Word Party!” Word Party is produced using the groundbreaking Henson Digital Puppetry Studio, a proprietary technology from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop that allows puppeteers to perform digitally animated characters in real time – enabling the animation to be more lifelike and spontaneous.
LOST IN SPACE (2018) – Nope, you can’t watch this one for another two years, but news of an update to Irwin Allen’s 1960s sci-fi adventure has my interest piqued! As a kid growing up in the Chicago suburbs back in the early 1980s, the original series was a staple of viewing thanks to the UHF broadcasts by WFLD, Channel 32. I remember being slightly weirded-out when it switched from black-and-white to color, but I loved the show – and even though it tends to get panned, I dug the 1998 movie reboot as well. Here’s what Netflix has to say about the new series…
“Taking its cues from the original series, the show centers around the Robinson family, who is forced to come together in a time of crisis. Stranded light years from their intended destination, they find themselves battling a strange new alien environment and also their own personal demons. Equal parts family drama and sci-fi adventure, it is a survival story for the ages.”
I’ll be waiting.
So about that sneaking…
THE ROCK FATHER is part of the Netflix #StreamTeam, bringing you regular updates and features about great streaming content on a monthly basis.
