TV Shows To Watch: 'Welcome Home Franklin,' 'A Bloody Lucky Day,' and 'Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All'

We are heading into Super Bowl weekend, a point in time where many folks default to hanging out on their couch and watching television. So what’s worth watching on the days before the game? And if you’re busy prepping for the big game, what’s worth checking out after it?

Each week on AirTalk, LAist 89.3's daily news show, we're joined by television critics who help parse through notable releases and tell us what's worth a binge. This week we were joined in-studio by NPR television critic Eric Deggans, and Steve Greene, freelance TV critic.

Listen to the full conversation for a rundown of the variety of shows they hit on. I’ll dig into three of them a little further to offer added insights.

Listen to the full conversation here

This week’s shows/topics include:

• The Super Bowl (CBS & Paramount+)
• The New Look (Apple TV+)
• A Bloody Lucky Day (Paramount+)
• Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All (Netflix)
• One Day (Netflix)
• Welcome Home Franklin (Apple TV+)

Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home Franklin

Streaming on Apple TV+

A new installment in the streamer’s expansion of the original Charlie Brown, Peanuts Gang series. This TV special focuses on Franklin, an often overlooked member of the group who finally gets to shine with an origin story.

Overall take: What makes the Peanuts universe so special is that it transcends generations. In the case of Franklin, many grew up with the character being the sole source of POC representation in the group. Nonetheless, I appreciate him as a character and this approach they’re taking makes him all the more endearing.

Fun fact: As AirTalk’s Larry Mantle noted in our live segment, the creation of Franklin as a character was the result of pressure from Harriet Glickman, a local Angeleno who wrote to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz to add a character of color to the animated group. Harriet Glickman is also the mother of now-retired LAist Senior Editor Paul Glickman.

When and where: The TV special premieres on Friday, Feb. 16.

A Bloody Lucky Day

Streaming on Paramount+

A taxi driver thinks it's his lucky day after buying a lottery ticket, with his day only getting improved when a passenger offers $1 million. This excitement soon dies down when this long trip they take together unveils more sinister intentions.

Overall take: In a sense, the thriller brings a premise that’d be reminiscent of Michael Mann’s movie Collateral. And although you might not be as familiar with actors in A Blood Lucky Day, the experience will similarly keep you glued to your seat.

Fun facts: The series is an adaptation of a South Korean webtoon comic series of the same name, it’s author goes by the pseudonym Aporia. Webtoons are better known in South Korea than in the U.S., but in recent years it has become a growing, profitable industry estimated to be worth north of $60 billion.

When and where: All 10 episodes premiered Feb. 1 and are now streaming.

Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All

Streaming on Netflix

This stand-up special from comedian Taylor Tomlinson focuses on her work, how the newfound popularity has impacted her dating life, and more.

Overall take: Tomlinson is a comedian whose age demographic fits into millennials and Gen-Z, so those in that age group who haven’t had a chance to stumble onto her work should expect Have It All to resonate quite well.

Fun facts: This is Tomlinson’s third stand-up special for Netflix, and it comes at a notable time in her career. She’s also become the host of CBS' After Midnight, a late-night comedy panel game show inspired by Comedy Central’s @midnight. If both of these TV-related programs interest you, she’ll be performing on May 9 at Netflix’s ‘Netflix Is A Joke’ festival event at The Hollywood Bowl.

When and where: The comedy special premieres Tuesday, Feb. 13 on Netflix.