In the TV world, this month has pretty much been one long lead-up to May 27. In one day, we’re getting the release of two massive shows: Stranger Things 4 and Obi-Wan Kenobi. But while those super-sized stranger things episodes should keep you busy most of the weekend, there’s a lot of other TV out there that you can check out if you’re not into Demogorgons and lightsabers (or if you’re so into them that you watch them very, very quickly) . Tonight, Hulu has a new documentary about XXXTentacion, while Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 wraps up on ABC and The Flight Attendant Season 2 finale drops on HBO Max. And Friday also brings the new Letterkenny spinoff shoresythe Season 9 finale of The Blacklistand the Jose Andres documentary We Feed People.
Our list of editors’ picks for the week of May 26-June 1 is below, but if that’s not enough and you’re looking for even more hand-picked recommendations, sign up for our free, spam-free Watch This Now newsletter that delivers the best TV show picks straight to your inbox. You can also look at our massive collection of recommendations, as well as our list of suggestions for what to watch next based on shows you already like.
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THE BEST SHOWS AND MOVIES TO WATCH TONIGHT
XXXTentacion, Look at Me: XXXTentacion
Hulu
Look at Me: XXXTentacion
Thursday, May 26 on Hulu
Documentaries about deceased celebrities are always dicey territory, made even dicey when the subject is someone as polarizing as XXXTentacion. Before his murder of him in 2018, the young rapper, real name Jahseh Onfroy, gained a cult following throughout his short career as he wrote about struggling with mental illness. His legacy of him is also inextricably linked with his legal issues and history of violence, most notably his 2016 arrest for brutally abusing his girlfriend of him, Geneva Ayala. look at me gives Ayala the space to speak for herself about their relationship and the intense backlash she faced from his fan base, while also featuring interviews with his family, collaborators, and XXXTentacion himself. No one would blame you for wanting to avoid anything related to such a controversial figure, but directed by Sabaah Folayan, this film doesn’t seem like the average posthumous canonization. –Allison Picuro [Trailer]
More highlights tonight:
- The Flight Attendant Season 2 finale (HBO Max)
- Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 finale (8/7c on ABC)
- Welcome to Flatch Season 1 finale (9/8c on Fox)
For everything new to watch tonight, head over to our listings page.
THE BEST SHOWS AND MOVIES TO WATCH THIS WEEK
Ewan McGregor, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Disney+/2022 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Limited series premieres Friday, May 27 on Disney+
Ewan McGregor has been keeping his Jedi skills fresh by using the Force to open automatic doors, practice that will finally pay off when he gets his lightsaber back in his new Disney+ limited series. Obi-Wan Kenobi picks up with the Jedi master 10 years after the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and it also marks the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker. Defenders of the prequels, this is your time to shine. Here’s everything we know about the series. –Kelly Connolly [Trailer]
David Harbor and Tom Wlaschiha, stranger things
Netflix
Stranger Things 4
Season 4 premieres Friday, May 27 on Netflix
The beloved sci-fi adventure series is finally back for its fourth season after an endless three-year break. It’s Netflix’s TV event of the year. It might single-handedly revive the steamer’s stock price. There’s a lot riding on this season, and if the trailer is to be believed, the Duffer Brothers & Co. are going to deliver. The kids face a new threat from the Upside Down, while Hopper (David Harbour) fights to survive in a Soviet prison camp. The first seven episodes drop on Friday, with the final two coming July 1. –Liam Mathews [Trailer | Review]
shoresy
Hulu
shoresy
Series premieres Friday, May 27 on Hulu
This spin-off of Canadian comedy Letterkenny Gives more screen time to one of the show’s most popular characters, hockey bro and insult dispenser Shoresy. And when I say more screen time, I mean it; we’ll actually see the normally hidden Shoresy’s face. And you know what? He looks an awful lot like Letterkenny creator Jared Keeso. Letterkenny‘s been quality for years, so there’s no reason to think this won’t be good, too. Give your balls a tug and tell your mom to check it out. -Tim Surette [Trailer]
Sam Bloch and Jose Andres, We Feed People
National Geographic/Sebastian Lindstrom
We Feed People
Friday, May 27 on Disney+
Ron Howard directs this National Geographic documentary about Jose Andres, Michelin-starred chef and founder of the World Central Kitchen, an NGO that provides meals to people affected by natural disasters. Andres is an inspiring figure, and this moving documentary shows the work that goes into organizing large-scale food preparation and delivery operations in disaster areas. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]
James Spader and Fisher Stevens, The Blacklist
Zach Dilgard/NBC
The Blacklist
Season 9 finale Friday, May 27 at 8/7c on NBC
One of broadcast’s longest-running dramas ends its ninth season with criminal mastermind Red Reddington (James Spader) facing off against Marvin Gerard (Fisher Stevens), his attorney who betrayed him. Red can’t have Gerard as an enemy, because he could bring down Red’s whole criminal empire if he starts running his mouth to the right people. Plus, Gerard was involved with the death of Liz Keen (Megan Boone), so he’s gotta go. We’ll be seeing Red at his most vengeful of him. -Liam Mathews
Norm MacDonald
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special
Monday, May 30 on Netflix
Before his death last year, Norm Macdonald made a one-hour stand-up special in secret, which he intended to be released after he passed. This is that special. Macdonald, who had privately been living with cancer since 2012, recorded Nothing Special in his living room without a live audience, and it will be released alongside a bonus featurette filled with interviews from Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, Molly Shannon, and David Spade discussing their experiences with him. More than anything, it feels right that Macdonald got to craft his own send-off, especially considering how shocking news of his death he was to so many people. –Allison Picuro
Louis Partridge and Anson Boon, Pistol
Miya Mizuno/FX
Pistol
Series premiere Tuesday, May 31 on Hulu
Danny Boyle is one of the biz’s most daring directors, and he takes a big swing — more Trainspotting than Slumdog Millionaire — with this dramatization of the Sex Pistols’ rise from working-class degenerate obscurity to punk rock legends. Shot as though it was made in the ’70s, Boyle splices and dice stock footage and classic music performances (Bowie! Hawkwind!) into this original drama for a frenetic ride that ultimately honors the revolutionary era of music in England. It’s also messy and hedonistic, maybe too much so, a bit like the Pistols themselves. –Tim Surette [Trailer]
Iman Vellani, Ms Marvel
Marvel Studios
A Fan’s Guide to Ms. Marvel
Wednesday, June 1 on Disney+
Ms. Marvel doesn’t make her official TV debut until June 8, but you can hype yourself up a week early with this short documentary. A Fan’s Guide to Ms. Marvel is, like it says on the tin, your complete guide to the upcoming Disney+ series, giving you everything you need to know about the character’s comic book history and taking you behind the scenes of the show. The documentary also features interviews with the star of Ms Marvel, newcomer Iman Vellani, as well as the filmmakers. Getting in on the ground floor of the next big thing? That’s super. –Kelly Connolly [Ms. Marvel trailer]
RECENTLY RELEASED
Phil Rosenthal, Somebody Feed Phil
Netflix
Somebody Feed Phil
Season 5 now on Netflix
Somebody is once again feeding Phil. In Season 5 of the Netflix charmer, Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal travels to Oaxaca, Mexico; Maine; Helsinki, Finland; Portland, Ore.; and Madrid, Spain, to eat good food and meet cool people around the world. And he’s doing it all on Netflix’s tell me. Finally, a non-controversial Netflix expense. –Kelly Connolly
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