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Natalie Portman impresses in 'Lady in the Lake', but did she get this specific East Coast accent right?
Natalie Portman in "Lady in the Lake"
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Courtesy Apple TV+
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12:56
TV Talk: ‘Lady in the Lake,’ ‘The Decameron,’ plus Olympics TV
Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with Steve Greene, freelance TV critic, and Jen Chaney, television critic for Vulture.
Good TV can be a little harder to come by in the middle of the summer, but there are still some worthy options to consider. Each week on AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s daily news program, esteemed television critics help us decide what to watch.
Freelance critic Steve Greene and Vulture critic Jen Chaney share their thoughts on Lady in the Lake, Kleo and Time Bandits, plus some of their takeaways for upcoming Olympics TV viewing.
Lady in the Lake
Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram star as women living parallel lives. Set in 1960s Baltimore, murder and mystery ensue as Portman's character tries to get to the bottom of it.
"Both Ingram and Portman give great performances. My only note for Natalie Portman, not that she needs notes from me, is as a Marylander, her Maryland accent needed a little bit of work. Sometimes I hear it in the Os, but it's a little bit inconsistent. It is a hard accent to do." —Jen Chaney, TV critic for Vulture
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"The show really spreads out the action among everyone in a way that keeps the two women at the center of it but also shows the effect that their choices and their decisions have on everyone else in their lives as everything is being intertwined." —Steve Greene, freelance TV critic
Kleo [Season 2]
An ex-assassin looks for revenge against her handlers in the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
"There's so much color and so much life, and I think the visual style of the show makes it very easy to watch." —Steve Greene, freelance TV critic
Time Bandits
An 11-year-old history buff creates an alliance with a band of thieves as they go through historical time periods and attempt to save his family and the rest of the world. It stars Kal-El Tuck, Lisa Kudrow and features creators Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement.
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"Apple's characterizing this as children's programming, which I think given the fact that Kal-El Tuck as Kevin, the young boy at the center, he's the main reason to watch it, so I think that's earned. He's really good." —Steve Greene, freelance TV critic
The 2024 Paris Olympics
- NBC's streaming outlet Peacock is the best place to go for the most immersive experience.
- NBC will have some new personalities involved, including rapper Snoop Dogg and comedian Leslie Jones.
- Viewers will undoubtedly sign up for Peacock to watch the Olympics, so the question becomes — how will NBC attempt to retain those subscribers? How will they promote or advertise while people are watching the games?
- You can go to the movies this year to watch. The opening ceremonies are going to be on IMAX screens around the country, and some theaters are going to be showing events on other Olympic days.
Read More: Your guide to keeping up with the Paris Olympics
Listen to the full conversation
Listen
12:56
TV Talk: ‘Lady in the Lake,’ ‘The Decameron,’ plus Olympics TV
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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