The Brief

It’s both a blessing and a curse that we’ve reached a time when there’s just so much television to experience, with so many different places to find it.

If you're going to invest the time it takes to scroll across your streamer of choice and check out new shows, you want some payoff, right?

That’s where I step in, with help from a few friends, as a deus ex machina of sorts — a way for you to resolve that inner conflict of what to choose and make sure it’s something worth investing in.

On LAist 89.3’s AirTalk, we're joined by television critics each week to give you a rundown of shows fresh out of the oven. They serve you a taste of what to expect and from there, you can choose whether or not to indulge in the rest.

Now it's my turn to add to their topline thoughts and offer my impression of a few initial episodes. I may not have "TV critic" as my title, but I watch TV — and as a fan of film and television, I can at least give you an informed perspective. I'll even toss in my Gen-Z filter.

Sound good? Grab a snack and read on before you hit the remote.

Listen here

This week, AirTalk’s Larry Mantle talked about the latest on television and streaming with Jen Chaney, TV critic for Vulture, and Kristen Baldwin, TV critic for Entertainment Weekly.

This week’s shows included:

• Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (Max)
• Real Housewives of Salt Lake City [Season 4] (Bravo & Peacock)
• What We Do in the Shadows [Season 5] (FX & Hulu)
• Judge Steve Harvey [Season 2] (ABC & Hulu)
• The Changeling (Apple TV+)

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake

Still from Fionna and Cake

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Photograph by Courtesy of Max

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Max

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Streaming on Max

First impression: Having originally just been a fan-fiction bit in the original series, Fionna and her cat, Cake, assume the role of adventurers after they’re transported into the land of Ooo.

Lasting impression: The original Adventure Time series was one that I got a chance to see a lot of growing up. Its world-building is at a level that very few shows intended for kids have reached. My journey watching the show ended years prior to its 2018 series finale, but that had less to do with the quality of the show and my growing interest in other shows. That being said— it's cool to see Fionna and Cake built off of years of lore that the original show set up, progressing the story after hard-fought wars and generations of adventures.

This new show is meant to get into themes that are less intended for pre-teens, essentially aging with the audience it originally had. You hear this through the language it uses and the early plot development you get of Fionna, crying over someone who’s broken up with her and trying to understand her passions in life.

The first two episodes are seemingly building up to the meat of the show’s plot, with character roles yet to be fully established, but it’s a ride I think folks of all ages could appreciate.

Who's behind it: The show’s executive producer and showrunner is Adam Muto, who also worked on Adventure Time and Adventure Time: Distant Lands.

When and where: The first two episodes are streaming now on Max, with Episode 3 releasing Thursday, Sept. 7.

Judge Steve Harvey [Season 2]

Streaming on Hulu

First impression: An arbitration-based courtroom comedy that stars Steve Harvey, who hears a defendant and plaintiff out on their small claims, and then decides who’s in the right.

Lasting impression: The first episode of Season 2 really does run the gamut of what you’d hope for and expect from these small-claims court shows: non-offensive, low-stakes, and does a great job of keeping the comedy at the center of each case.

You see couples and friends bickering over money they feel that they're owed, with the court of public opinion giving decisions I thought were all fair. These aren’t arguments that’ll make your blood boil, yet they still do a great job of keeping you entertained. This is a testament to Harvey’s ability to riff off what each guest gives him, as well as the gallery that the production staff brought in to clap and react to everything.

These kinds of shows were the center of a lot of kids' lives growing up, usually being something you’d watch at home on a sick day, and just like Judge Judy, it leaves you feeling entertained for an afternoon.

Who's behind it: The showrunner is Myeshia Mizuno, who has worked on other arbitration-based courtroom programs like Money Court and Couples Court with the Cutlers.

When and where: All 10 episodes in Season 2 are streaming now on Hulu. Season 1 unfortunately is not available to stream as of now.

What We Do in the Shadows [Season 5]

Airing on FX and streaming on Hulu

First impression: A mockumentary that follows a handful of vampires in Staten Island, along with Guillermo, a human that’s familiar to housemate Nandor The Relentless. The fifth season finds Guillermo in a sticky situation after he starts to turn into a vampire after being bitten.

Lasting impression: Probably one of my favorite TV shows out right now, its witty humor and creative situations do a great job of building off the premise originally taken from the film of the same name.

Vampires have served as symbols for immigration and sexuality over the years, and what makes this show great in Season 5 is how it takes advantage of this in a way that’s directly relatable to an everyday person. Not to delve too far into spoilers, but the fifth season has characters find their identities through ethnic enclaves and getting into humorous situations related to their sexual preferences.

Who's behind it: The show’s creator is Jemaine Clement, who’s best known for his role in the film and show versions of What We Do In The Shadows. Worth noting: He also split directing and writing duties for the original film with Taika Waititi.

When and where: All episodes are out now and streaming on Hulu.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.

Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are not allowed to collect information about a child's or family member’s immigration status, unless necessary under state or federal law. Bonta’s office says there currently is no such requirement, though that could change with federal programs like Head Start.

“Childcare and preschool facilities should be safe and secure spaces so children can grow, learn and simply be children,” Bonta said in a statement.

His office says daycare centers also should not keep information about a formerly enrolled child longer than is required by state law.

The new law also requires facilities to inform the attorney general’s office and the state’s licensing agency if they get any requests for information from law enforcement related to immigration enforcement.

Facilities also must ask families to regularly update a child’s emergency contact information to make sure someone can be reached in case a parent is detained by federal immigration officials.

The Santa Ana winds are here to welcome us into the weekend, bringing warmer temperatures.

The winds will reach Point Mugu to the Santa Clarita Valley, down to Orange County and parts of the Inland Empire valleys and foothills east of the 5 Freeway.

Peak gusts are expected to reach 35 to 55 mph. The western San Gabriel Mountains, Highway 14 corridor, Santa Susana Mountains and the western Santa Monica Mountains are under a high wind warning until 6 p.m., when gusts could reach 65 mph.

As for temperatures, highs for L.A. County beaches will reach the upper 70s and up to the low 80s for inland areas.

Parts of Orange County and Coachella Valley will see temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s, with the warmest areas expected to reach 88 degrees.

Getting together with friends at a bar or pub tends to get a lot harder when children and needy pets enter the mix. One solution — Breweries! Beer gardens! Brewpubs!

Because parents (of kids and pets) want to go out, too — and not necessarily to a fast food restaurant with an indoor playground and no beer.

Thankfully, the Orange County suburbs where I live have gotten on board with my family- and pet-friendly craft brewery dreams. The key ingredients for me are spacious patios, a water bowl for the pooch, and food — either made onsite or, at the least, easy and quick to order and get delivered from somewhere else. Board and pub games are an added bonus.

Plus, of course, great beer from small, independent, local breweries. On the beer front, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of beer I encountered on my self-arranged tour of breweries in the Costa Mesa-Huntington Beach area.

Gone are the dark, dank days of nothing but IPA (IYKYK); now, you can find everything from pickle-tinged blondes, to mild sours, to rich and creamy stouts. If you’re not a big beer fan, every place I visited also had their own craft-made hard seltzers on the menu, as well as some non-alcoholic beverages.

Here are some of my favorites:

Riip (Huntington Beach)

Riip in Huntington Beach has two spots with full kitchens specializing in pizza and a wide variety of IPAs and other beer styles.

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Jill Replogle

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LAist

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Riip has been a family favorite since the company opened its first tasting room in Sunset Beach in 2015, with board games and tables the kids could write on. They have since expanded a lot, with a pizzeria next door and another location near Fountain Valley, which also serves excellent pizza, and has a small arcade to keep the kiddos busy.

One thing they do especially well: For serious IPA drinkers, Riip is your place. They usually have at least half a dozen different IPAs on tap, along with a decent variety of other beers, lighter and darker.

This place is great for … dinner after the kids’ [insert sport] game. Also for date night.

At Flashpoint Brewing Company in Huntington Beach, you can check out the brewing vats and other machinery up close while enjoying the results.

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Jill Replogle

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LAist

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Flashpoint Brewing Co. (Huntington Beach)

I only recently discovered Flashpoint, which opened in 2020 on an industrial street near Huntington Beach Central Park. I actually love this aspect of craft brewery taprooms: they’re often located outside of trendy food and retail areas because they need to be able to actually brew beer there as well as serve it.

Flashpoint has a big patio lit with fairy lights. The tall doors of their brewing area, and an adjacent room with the taps and more tables are rolled up during opening hours, giving it a spacious, indoor-outdoor feel.

One thing they do especially well: All the beers I tried were highly drinkable. In other words, not crazy hoppy or overly heavy on flavors. The nectarine sour was especially good, refreshing with just the right amount of tartness.

This place is great for … An early evening toast, watching the clouds turn pink.

Green Cheek Beer Co. in Costa Mesa serves great beer and food, including shareable, snackable items like pad thai cauliflower.

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Jill Replogle

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LAist

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Green Cheek Beer Co. (Costa Mesa)

Green Cheek Beer Co. now has three locations in Orange County and one in Oceanside. Their Costa Mesa spot is conveniently located not far from the city’s Bark Park. So, naturally, after my pooch has fun, I deserve a cold one.

Green Cheek has a huge covered patio filled with long picnic tables. My dog, Ace, was very happy to find a bowl of water set out for their canine visitors, and lots of pets from the humans.

One thing they do especially well: Green Cheek makes great beer. But what I love most about their Costa Mesa spot is that you can soak up the alcohol with food, including smash burgers, tots, and pad thai cauliflower, from their good and reliably fast kitchen.

This place is great for … reading a book, or making a new friend! Their long picnic tables make it easy to opt in or out of the surrounding social scene.

Bootlegger's Brewery outside the LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa has a quiet patio for day drinking, and a lively trivia night scene.

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Jill Replogle

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Bootlegger’s Brewery (Costa Mesa)

Within walking distance of Green Cheek is Bootlegger’s Brewery. Bootlegger’s started in Fullerton, and now also has tasting rooms in Costa Mesa and Redlands.

Their Costa Mesa spot is on the outskirts of the LAB Anti-Mall, a collection of small businesses and restaurants, at least one of which will deliver food to your table. A section of the parking lot has been turned into a nice outdoor patio with sun shades for daytime and heat lamps for chillier evening hours.

One thing they do especially well: Their Kosher Crusher pickle blonde ale. They debuted it last fall and it is seriously good — light, refreshing, and just a little bit zesty.

This place is great for … “working” on a Friday afternoon (I was not the only one there typing one-handed on my laptop with a beer in the other), and then inviting friends to join you for happy hour.

There's an ambiance for everyone at Salty Bear Brewing Co. in Costa Mesa.

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Jill Replogle

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LAist

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Salty Bear Brewing Company

Salty Bear is part of The Camp, an uber-cool retail and restaurant complex also within walking distance of Green Cheek and Bootlegger’s (you can do a tasting tour!).

Salty Bear is worth a visit for the aesthetics alone. It has a great bar with midcentury tiling and dimpled red leather. The sprawling, leafy outdoor patio provides plenty of room for the kids to wander.

One thing they do especially well: Their Coastline Strawberry Blonde made me nostalgic for the fruity beers that got me hooked on craft beer in my 20s — but so much better.

This place is great for … Kickin’ it on the patio with friends, either listening to live music, or letting your kids practice performing on the teepee-themed outdoor stage.

Other options in OC south of the 405:

Steady Kitchen and Taps, 18055 Magnolia St, Fountain Valley

Synth Beer Company, 2960 Randolph Av, Costa Mesa

Brewing Reserve of California, 2930 College Ave D, Costa Mesa