Entertainmental: November Idiot Boxing

I realize now that headline might be confusing; I’m not here to advocate fisticuffs with morons. I’m actually writing about the hot November TV premieres that will have you sitting out the monsoon season in comfort and entertainment. Without further ado, here’s what’s coming in November.

November 6

Master of None, Netflix – It’s almost hard to believe we’re only a week away from the premiere of this insanely under-marketed new series. One of the best stand-up comics in the game, Aziz Ansari, leads this incredibly promising new sitcom that he was working on with the late Harris Wittels. Stars Aziz Ansari.

November 8

Flesh and Bone, Starz – I’ll be honest, a drama about the “high-stakes world of ballet” doesn’t normally rev my engine. But Starz is actually doing some mighty impressive original TV-making right now, so I wouldn’t count this one out without giving it a try. Stars Sarah Hay, Ben Daniels, and Damon Herriman.

Agent X, TNT – This show looks almost inconceivably stupid. The premise, that there’s a secret organization, even more secret than the CIA and Secret Service combined, which has only one agent, who’s so incredibly powerful he can’t be stopped by anyone, and answers only to the vice president, (played by Sharon Stone), is so prima facie absurd it sounds like an SNL skit. I have to watch an episode just to see if it’s as bad as it sounds… Stars Sharon Stone and Jeff Hephner.

November 13

W/ Bob & David, Netflix – As I’ve said before, I’m not sure how I feel about all this resurrecting of shows that’s going on. On one hand you get amazing ideas like bringing back the X-Files. Then again on the other hand, they’re reviving Full House and Gilmore Girls, too. But one idea I’m sure I’m on board with is resurrecting Mr. Show, arguably the best sketch comedy show ever produced. Thank you, Netflix. Stars Bob Odenkirk and David Cross.

November 15

Into the Badlands, AMC – All right, AMC. I admit, I’m intrigued. This looks like a transition piece between AMC’s The Walking Dead and their forthcoming Hap & Leonard. An action thriller in a post-apocalyptic feudal wasteland, which looks to be sporting a healthy serving of nods to Lone Wolf and Cub and Japanese cinema altogether. I’m interested. Stars Daniel Wu, Martin Csokas, and Orla Brady.

November 19

The Art of More, Crackle – Sony-owned Crackle is a bit of an enigma. A streaming service that hopes to compete with Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu that utterly fails to in every measurable way, and yet… here’s a heck of an interesting looking series with big production values and big name stars. How do they justify that? Do you know anyone who uses Crackle? This one is about the “high-stakes world…” (can they ever come up with a different description than that?) of art collecting. Stars Dennis Quaid and Kate Bosworth.

November 20

Jessica Jones, Netflix – Marvel Studios’ first foray into original TV programming gave us the abomination that is Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a show so bad even shameless comic book fanboys like me, who normally rubber stamp anything Marvel, laugh derisively at. Then they partnered with Netflix and gave us the incredibly overrated but decent Daredevil. Now finally comes their first genuinely interesting looking new TV property. Jessica Jones is the wife of legendary Marvel character Luke Cage, and a bit of a legend in her own right. In this dark-looking new series she’ll hope to kick a*s and save the day as a private investigator in New York City. Stars Kristen Ritter, Mike Colter, and David Tennant.

The Man in the High Castle, Amazon – Based on the novel by the great Phillip K. Dick, and created by one of the sharpest minds behind The
X-Files, Frank Spotnitz, this is perhaps Amazon’s most ambitious original programming foray yet. Imagine a world where the Allies lost and the Nazis are walking around like they own the place. Trust me, it sounded way less played out and film school reject-y when it came out in 1962. Stars Rupert Evans, Alexa Davalos, and DJ Qualls.

By Ygal Kaufman