sunday nights on HBO are back, (uncle) baby (billy)!
the righteous gemstones season 3 is here, plus new restaurants, a great summer thriller, and more
Thank you for reading The Lately! This issue is my weekly culture catch-up where I discuss what I’m watching, reading, and generally enjoying lately. If you like this newsletter, please consider becoming a subscribing member.
This past week was BUSY, y’all!** With trips to Disneyland and Santa Barbara, several dear friend’s birthday parties, and a Father’s Day celebration (all of which I shared on my Instagram) I’m honestly amazed I had time to read and watch as much TV as I did. But *very serious voice* we make time for the things that are important to us.
**Catch me saying y’all now that the below show is back!
Watching Lately
The Righteous Gemstones Season 3
Enchanté! All is right with the world again because these siblings fighting to win Daddy’s love and legacy are once again on our TVs. No I’m not talking about the Roys; put some respect on the Gemstone name.
The first two episodes of The Righteous Gemstones season 3 are now streaming on Max (not used to that yet, don’t know when I will be.) When we’re reintroduced to this ministering family, we learn Eli, the patriarch played by John Goodman, has stepped down as head of the church, leaving his wildly incompetent, full grown children in charge. And it’s not even a little bit surprising to find they have already begun to run everything their parents worked so hard to build straight into the ground.
The first two episodes brought us doomsdayer Steve Zahn, Casey Wilson in the craziest wig, so many dildos and monster trucks and all around levels of unhinged unmatched by any other shows on television. Not to take the Lord’s name in vain or anything, but God, I love it so much!
Never Have I Ever Season 4
I binged the final season of Never Have I Ever on Netflix in under 24 hours, and I have to say I’m going to miss Devi and the absolute chaos she wrought on Sherman Oaks High. Spoiler alert, but it gave me great satisfaction that in the fourth chapter of NHIE, one of Devi’s former love interests, Paxton Hall Yoshida, returns to high school as the teacher (okay, assistant swim coach) he looked like he should have been all along.
A totally charming conclusion, and my TikTok FYP has been serving me nothing but the cast’s adorable press tour videos. Netflix sure knows how to run that PR machine, I’ll give them that.
The Other Two
This show is a prophecy that keeps coming true. First, weeks ago, they write that Chase Dreams is going to join the cast of Disney’s next live action movie Bambi. A few weeks later, BAM! Disney announces they will be making a live action Bambi. Then, Cary voices the role of Globby — Disney’s first openly gay character, who is also “a collection of dust particles and snot.” A few weeks later, BAM! Disney announces they have their first animated non-binary character, literal ice!
Every week I think this show can’t top itself, and then every week it does. Every Thursday, I find myself texting “this episode of the other two is unreal levels of good omg lmk as soon as you’ve seen it” to everyone I know who watches. This moment in particular during the most recent episode was magnificent.
Reading Lately
Thicker Than Water
I finished reading Megan Collins’ Thicker Than Water and from page 70 on, I could not put it down! Twisty and dark, this thriller felt fresh and thought provoking and fans of character driven domestic suspense will enjoy it greatly.
I especially enjoyed the dynamics between main characters Julia and Sienna, sisters-in-law, who through dual POV offer very different perspectives on a man they both love and his potential involvement in the murder at the center of the story.
Romantic Comedy
I’m currently reading Curtis Sittenfeld’s Romantic Comedy, a — you guessed it — rom com about a sketch comedy writer for a late night TV show (a la SNL) who has all but given up on love until she falls for the week’s hot pop star host. I am not far in yet, but what I have read, I am enjoying immensely!
Eating Lately
Bacari (Sherman Oaks)
One of my favorite restaurants in LA just opened their newest location in Sherman Oaks, and I had the opportunity to dine in Thursday night. Bacari offers a wide variety of Mediterranean & Italian small plates in consistently the most aesthetically pleasing and vibey venues across the city. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, the broccoli might have been life changing. Other highlights included the brussel sprouts, shrimp, sea bass, and the Strawberry Fizz cocktail.
Little Dom’s Seafood (Carpenteria)
I hopped up the PCH Friday to see Kelsea Ballerini’s HEARTFIRST tour in Santa Barbara (more on that below) and stopped by Little Dom’s Seafood for lunch. I still haven’t been to their LA location, but now I really want to try it. Their fish sandwich, arugula salad, and potatoes with garlic were all delicious.
Bar Lis (Hollywood)
Saturday night was my first time at this Hollywood rooftop bar inspired by the French Riviera. Find me on their dance floor again in the near future. It’s a great spot and if the pictures below are any indication, I had a great time.
Products Lately
Birthdate Candles — less than one month until MY birthday so a reminder that you can use my code SAMANTHAD10 for a discount on YOUR birthdate candle
CATCHER White/Black Sneakers — Steve Madden was kind enough to send me a pair of these shoes. Super comfy and cute and now a wardrobe staple
Columbia Hiking Shoes — upgrading my summer hiking game with these
Saltair Santal Bloom — I’ve been using the body lotion and body mist, but I’m obsessed with the scent of this whole collection
Listening Lately
Kelsea Ballerini HEARTFIRST Tour (again)
Last October, I saw Kelsea Ballerini perform at the Greek Theatre in LA, one of the first shows on the first leg of her HEARTFIRST tour. It was only days after her album dropped and my friend and I were maybe the only two people in the entire venue that already knew the words to every single song. I’ve said it before, but I get OFF BOOK for artists I love.
Cut to Friday night…the first night of part two of Kelsea’s tour, in Santa Barbara. The album has been out for months, as has her brutally honest divorce EP, Mountain With A View, which came out this year on Valentine’s Day.
With an hour until the concert and (admittedly) two margaritas in my system, I decided to upgrade my seats to pit and oh my goodness was it worth it! Kelsea sounded (and looked) incredible; plus this time around, I wasn’t the only person in the crowd who knew every word! And this view? No regrets on the extra money spent and absolutely worth the drive.