Week of July 19 – 25

It’s Shark Week. Yes, you heard right. It’s Shark Week. And while it’s easy to get overwhelmed and obsessed with Discovery’s shark-centered programming, we must also acknowledge that there are plenty of other great options, including a new Sterling K. Brown-led historical adventure (“Washington Black” on Hulu), a new “Match Game” with Martin Short (on ABC), the return of “South Park” (on Comedy Central) and, oh yeah, long-awaited sequel “Happy Gilmore 2” (on Netflix). Do you think the sharks would love “Happy Gilmore 2?” We do too.

On with the television! 

Washington Black

Wednesday, July 23, Hulu

Source: Hulu

How is there a vaguely steampunk-y adventure series, based on a Booker Prize shortlisted novel, starring the great Sterling K. Brown, not the show on everybody’s lips? Created by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, a journalist-turned-writer who is responsible for one of the best episodes of Jordan Peele’s “Twilight Zone” reboot, and based on the award-winning novel by Esi Edugyan, “Washington Black” follows the title character, played by Ernest Kingsley Jr. George Washington “Wash” Black begins life on a sugar plantation in Barbados, eventually coming under the wing of the eccentric Medwin Harris (Brown) and, judging by the promotional materials, his amazing flying machine. All six episodes of the new series, which also stars Tom Ellis, Billy Boyd, Iola Evans, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Rupert Graves, will stream on Hulu today. This is a little strange because of how Disney this series already feels. But hey, if you’re watching it on the combined app experience, there’s little difference anyway. This could be a sleeper smash. [TRAILER]

Stick

Wednesday, July 23, Apple TV+

Source: Apple TV+

The first season of Apple TV+’s “Stick,” which really looks to capture the same magic as “Ted Lasso,” is coming to an end. And it’s unclear if the show will get a second season. So make sure to watch the season (series?) finale of the show that stars Owen Wilson, as a former professional golfer who agrees to mentor a young golf prodigy (Peter Dager). The series has a great cast, which also includes Marc Maron, Judy Greer, Timothy Olyphant and Ryan Kiera Armstrong, along with a host of huge directors helming the episodes (including Valerie Faris & Jonathan Dayton, David Dobkin and John Hamburg). Swing away! [TRAILER]

Happy Gilmore 2

Friday, July 25, Netflix

Source: Netflix

Speaking of golf comedies, Happy Gilmore is back. Adam Sandler returns, along with his original co-writer Tim Herlihy, for a new adventure with the hockey-player-turned-pro-golfer. (Sandler’s “Murder Mystery” director Kyle Newacheck steps in for Dennis Dugan, who still reprises his acting role from the first film.) What trouble is Happy Gilmore getting into this time? Well, according to Netflix, nearly 30 years after winning his first Tour Championship, the retired golfer returns to the sport to pay for his daughter’s (played by Sandler’s real-life daughter Sunny Sandler) ballet school. Isn’t that precious? Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller and Dugan return from the original film, with new cast members played by Benn Safdie and Bad Bunny joining the cast. (There seem to be lots and lots of cameos, with appearances by Scott Mescudi, Haley Joel Osment, Margaret Qualley, Nick Swardson and a host of actual professional golfers.) We’re hoping that this is one of the better direct-to-Netflix Sandler vehicles. “Happy Gilmore 2” could wind up being one of the most watched comedies of the summer. Hopefully the movie, like Happy’s golf swing, connects. [TRAILER]

Shark Week

All week long, Discovery

Source: Discovery

That’s right – it’s everyone’s favorite time of year, Shark Week! Discovery’s annual programming block devoted to the fearsome creatures of the deep returns for its historic 37th year. (This is genuinely nuts.) What’s nice is that the programming, which first emphasized the intensity and scariness of sharks, has shifted over the years to taking a more conservatory tone, as the truth about sharks – their specialness, and their importance in the ecosystem – has been better documented. Sharks are cool! Remember this! Things kick off on Sunday with “Dancing with Sharks” and continue on Monday with “Great White Sex Battle” (um), “In the Eye of the Storm: Shark Storm” and “Jaws vs. Mega Croc.” Throughout the week we’ve also got “Black Mako of the Abyss,” “Great White North Invasion,” “How to Survive a Shark Attack” (not crazy about this one), “Alien Sharks: Death Down Under” and a special episode of “Expedition Unknown” – “Shark Files.” The only way you’ll be able to appreciate Shark Week anymore than you already do is if you have gills! [TRAILER]

The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Hulu

Source: Hulu

If “Washington Black” has you hungry for more Sterling K. Brown, why not return to his breakout role in the brilliant “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” In the miniseries, from Ryan Murphy and the incredible writing team of Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (who also executive produced), Brown plays prosecuting attorney Christopher Darden. Some of the best sequences in the series are watching Darden at home, surrounded by friends and family, explaining to them why he thought O.J. was guilty. If, for some reason, you never saw “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” it’s high time. It’s got a ridiculously stacked cast playing people you probably remember from the news – Cuba Gooding Jr. is Simpson, Bruce Greenwood is Gil Garcetti, Nathan Lane is F. Lee Bailey, Sarah Paulson is Marcia Clark, David Schwimmer is Robert Kardashian, John Travolta is Robert Shapiro and Courtney B. Vance is Johnnie Cochran. Talk about an all-star cast. [WATCH]

Source: A24

“The Hunting Wives”

Monday, July 21, Netflix

This Texas-set