6 things you have to watch on TV this weekend
Mr. & Mrs. Smith premieres on Prime Video, Ayo Edebiri hits Saturday Night Live, the Grammys are back, and more
TV Lists Jon Batiste
Welcome to the weekend edition of What’s On. Here are the big things happening on TV from Friday, February 2 to Sunday, February 4. All times are Eastern. [Note: The weekly edition of What’s On publishes on Sundays.]
1. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine team up for Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Prime Video, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: Sure, no one asked for a Mr. & Mrs. Smith reboot, but the good news is that we’re not getting some lame update of the 2005 film. Instead, Prime’s smart action drama series leans heavily on the romance and marriage between spies John (Donald Glover) and Jane Smith (Maya Erskine), and it’s pretty damn clever to boot. We chatted with series co-creator Francesca Sloane all about it. And here’s a bit from our review:
The show’s most appealing thrills aren’t found in its gun-toting action scenes, high-octane chases in stunning locales, or undercover spying. No, the true adventure lies in the dissection of a nuanced, somewhat cursed relationship. Against all odds, Mr. & Mrs. Smith works because of this.
2. Ayo Edebiri takes over Saturday Night Live
Saturday, NBC, 11:30 p.m.: While it’s easy to debate whether or not Saturday Night Live is still funny, there’s no question that Ayo Edebiri certainly is. The Bear’s Emmy-winning star is set to make her SNL hosting debut, where she’ll be joined by musical guest Jennifer Lopez. The A.V. Club’s recap of the show publishes Sunday.
3. Acclaimed documentary Kokomo City hits streaming
Paramount+, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: Directed by D. Smith, Kokomo City chronicles four Black trans women and their experiences as sex workers. After its breakout at Sundance last year, the doc makes its way to Paramount+. The film also airs on Showtime at 9 p.m.
4. Netflix presents Charlie Kaufman’s animated movie
Netflix, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: Charlie Kaufman’s Orion And The Dark centers on Orion (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), a school kid who is afraid of the dark. When his fear manifests as a literal embodiment, he has to learn how to embrace it. The voice cast includes Paul Walter Hauser, Angela Bassett, Natasia Demetriou, Ike Barinholtz, and Carla Gugino. Check out The A.V. Club’s review of the film.
5. Let’s Talk About Chu (and sex)
Netflix, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: The Taiwanese comedy Let’s Talk About Chu follows a vlogger, Chu Ai (Kimi Hsia), who uses her platform to talk frankly about sex and to break taboos, even as she struggles to deal with relationships while searching for a partner in her real life.
6. The Grammys return
CBS, Sunday, 8 p.m.: Trevor Noah hosts the 66th annual Grammy Awards, which airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+. Top nominees this year include SZA, Victoria Monét, Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Jon Batiste. Expect performances from the likes of Eilish, Dua Lipa, Joni Mitchell (!), Billy Joel, Rodrigo, and SZA. Look out for The A.V. Club’s coverage of the night on Sunday night and Monday morning.