This week’s TV reviews: The Four Seasons, Legends, Marty: Life Is Short & Spider-Noir

The Four Seasons S2

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

Tina Fey’s great series, based on Alan Alda’s equally great 1981 film, was one of the best shows to come out last year. The tight script (so funny!), the superb cast (Will Forte! Tina Fey! Steve Carell!) and the compelling premise (a group of married friends taking quarterly vacations!) made it a must-see.

It was green-lit for a second season, and we’re finally getting to see what became of our favourite middle-aged besties post the untimely passing of their friend Nick (Carell).

Things were left on a cliffhanger, with the crew finding out Nick’s new lover Ginny (Erika Henningsen) was pregnant with his baby. Talk about awkward! Especially for his ex, Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), whose entire life imploded thanks to her husband’s infidelity.

As we slide into a second series, the big question is: will the friends continue to vacation together after all that drama? And will Ginny be invited along for the ride?

There’s an embargo in place, so I can’t tell you much, but rest assured: we WILL get answers.

The story picks up in the spring, with the crew reconvening to scatter their friend’s ashes. But it’s not long before Jack’s (Forte) best-laid plans for their shared trip to the country come spectacularly adrift, setting the stage for this year’s story to unfold.

The strength of this excellent series is its faultless ensemble cast, who have an opportunity to really bed into their roles this season — if you’ve peeped the hilarious trailer, chaos is a-coming.

Can’t wait for you all to see this one.

Marty, Life Is Short

Streaming now on Netflix

Martin Short is an absolute ray of light. He’s had to endure so much awful heartbreak over the years. This doco was filmed before the tragic death of his daughter this year, and before he farewelled lifelong friend Catherine O’Hara, who appears in this, waxing lyrical about her love for the diminutive comedian. Marty is a one-of-a-kind, his relentlessly positive outlook on life something to aspire to — fans will adore this doco. Don’t miss it.

Legends

Streaming now on Netflix

Absolutely hoovering up episodes of this fabulous British crime drama, starring Steve Coogan (this time he’s playing it straight) as a man heading up an undercover operation to bring down drug rings operating in the UK during the early Nineties. It’s based on a true story — back in the day they really did use everyday customs officials (think: the people who check your bags!) to infiltrate dangerous gangs. This is an incredible story, underrated and awesome.

Shut Your Big Fat Mouth John Safran!

Sunday, 7.30pm, SBS

“Is my entire schtick on the precipice of being made illegal?” asks rabble-rouser, raconteur and documentarian John Safran, as he takes a deep dive into the concept of free speech in Australia. He’s asking what happens when we draw the line around what is offensive and what isn’t — should everyone get to say what they want? Or is it time for “merchants of offence” to zip it?

For the record: I’ll never tire of Safran’s schtick. Long may he offend.

Spider-Noir

Wednesday, streaming on Prime Video

Another day, another comic book spin-off — but this one feels very different indeed. For a start, it stars Nicolas Cage — he’s reprising his Into The Spider-Verse role (this time in live-action form) to play a 1930s detective by the name of Ben Reilly, or “The Spider”. Viewers of this noir interpretation of the comic can choose to watch the series in gritty black and white, or colour — I’m opting for the former. Our spidey senses are tingling in anticipation!