6 things you have to watch on TV this weekend
It's a Prime Video-heavy weekend with the Expats finale, a Jenny Slate special, and a new animated series
TV Lists Cirocco Dunlap
Welcome to the weekend edition of What’s On. Here are the big things happening on TV from Friday, February 23 to Sunday, February 25. All times are Eastern. [Note: The weekly edition of What’s On publishes on Sundays.]
1. The Second Best Hospital In The Galaxy is star-studded animated fare
Prime Video, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: Russian Doll writer Cirocco Dunlap helms the animated series The Second Best Hospital In The Galaxy. It features an all-timer of a voice cast, including Stephanie Hsu, Keke Palmer, Natasha Lyonne, Maya Rudolph, John Waters, and, yes, all five Culkin brothers. The eight-episode season follows two doctors who try to find a cure for anxiety, motivated by their individual lives and relationships. Here’s an excerpt from The A.V. Club’s review:
“TSBHITG is visually stunning. The vivid hues—heavy on neon purples, lime greens, and fluorescent blues—give it a signature aesthetic. The designs of the alien creatures incorporate elements from animals, humans, birds, and deep sea critters, providing some playful variety. The animated format succeeds in bringing a show like this to life, too, in that it allows for what would otherwise be these characters’ internal experiences to play out before our eyes.”
2. Jenny Slate proves she’s a Seasoned Professional
Prime Video, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: In her second stand-up special, Seasoned Professional, comedian and actor Jenny Slate talks about her baby, her relationships, and her experiences with Covid-19, among other things. Look for The A.V. Club’s in-depth interview with Slate on the site today.
3. Hideo Kojima presents Connecting Worlds
Hulu, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: Connecting Worlds delves into the life and mind of video game designer Hideo Kojima. The show features interviews with Kojima as well as Guillermo del Toro, Norman Reedus, and Grimes as it tries to provide insight into Kojima’s creative process.
4. Poacher
Prime Video, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: Created by International Emmy winner Richie Mehta (Delhi Crime), Poacher is a new investigative thriller about the world’s largest ivory poaching ring. The eight-episode crime drama, which made its global premiere at Sundance, is set in India and stars Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya.
5. The wonderful Expats airs its finale
Prime Video, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: If you’ve been sleeping on Lulu Wang’s extraordinary Expats, there’s still time to catch up. The six-part first season wraps up with a gut-wrenching finale. Set in Hong Kong, the show centers on three American women—played by Nicole Kidman, Sarayu Blue, and Ji Young-yoo—whose lives are forever intertwined by a tragedy. You can read The A.V. Club’s review of the show here.
6. Well, we guess it’s time for Shane Gillis on Saturday Night Live
NBC, Saturday, 11:30 p.m.: In one of Saturday Night Live’s many confusing decisions of late, comedian Shane Gillis is set to host the show on February 24. It’s a controversial decision, because five years ago Gillis was hired as a featured player, but he was fired before his debut after videos surfaced of him using anti-Asian slurs in his stand-up act. Gillis will be joined by musical guest 21 Savage. Look for The A.V. Club’s recap on Sunday.