6 things to watch on TV this weekend
Ewan McGregor hits Showtime, Jerrod Carmichael debuts a reality show, and more
TV Lists Nellie Bowles
Welcome to the weekend edition of What’s On. Here are the big things happening on TV from Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31. All times are Eastern. [Note: The weekly edition of What’s On publishes on Sundays.]
1. Ewan McGregor is A Gentlemen In Moscow
Paramount+ with Showtime, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: Based on Amor Towles’ novel of the same name, A Gentlemen In Moscow centers on Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov (Ewan McGregor), who, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, is banished to live in a luxurious hotel. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Leah Harvey round out the cast, and the show drops episodes on Paramount+ on Fridays and airs on Showtime on Sundays. Here’s a bit from The A.V. Club’s review:
McGregor delicately guides the Count through the country’s many political changes and the character’s own internal revolutions, from entitled dandy to devoted dad, and in the process conceives a fine Russian gentleman indeed—proper accent or not.
2. Jerrod Carmichael makes a reality show
HBO, Friday, 11 p.m.: The Rothaniel standup takes his audience along for a ride in HBO’s reality docuseries Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, which intimately follows him around as he headlines gigs, navigates fame, and goes on a quest to find love.
3. Disney+ adds Renegade Nell to its adventure slate
Disney+, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: Sally Wainwright (Gentlemen Jack, Happy Valley) brings us Renegade Nell, a historical action drama led by Derry Girls’ Louisa Harland. She plays fugitive Nell Jackson, who goes on the run after being framed for murder and becomes a notorious robber. When a magical spirit called Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed) appears, she realizes her destiny is bigger than her criminal pursuits. Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester, Pip Torrens, and Frank Dillane co-star.
4. Spermworld digs into family planning
FX, Friday, 9 p.m.: Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the investigative docuseries Spermworld (based on Nellie Bowles’ The New York Times article) paints a portrait of how sperm donors are connecting with potential parents in online forums—and roadside motels and suburban bathrooms.
5. Ramy Youssef makes his Saturday Night Live debut
NBC, Saturday, 11:30 p.m.: It’s a good time to be Ramy Youssef. The actor, who recently starred in Poor Things and dropped an HBO comedy special, makes his way to Studio 8H tonight with the help of musical guest Travis Scott. Look for The A.V. Club’s recap after the show.
6. Lisa Frankenstein comes alive (on streaming)
Peacock, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: In case you missed the delightful horror-comedy Lisa Frankenstein in theaters, now you can enjoy it on Peacock. Written by Diablo Cody and directed by Zelda Williams, it chronicles goth girl Lisa (Kathryn Newton), who falls in love with a resurrected Victorian corpse dubbed the Creature (Cole Sprouse). Check out The A.V. Club’s review of the film.