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HBO Max has a reputation to uphold. It's one of the O.G. premium cable networks and has been the home of prestige TV for decades—it's the home of the dragons, the mushroom-zombies, the goombahs, and the rich people misbehaving at luxury resorts. But it's also got a whole lot of weird and funny stuff to make a marathon out of.
So this week, we're skipping the tentpoles for the time being as we wait for the remaining new series to arrive (Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, on July 23), and focus on three hidden gems for U.S. viewers—My top pick is a wild show that turns real Florida headlines into hilarious chaos, and then there's a chilling true-crime docuseries, and a near-perfect show that skewers show business.
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
A real-estate heir, three deaths, one confession
If you're a fan of true-crime documentaries or docuseries (and who isn't?), this Emmy-winning phenom from director Andrew Jarecki and the team behind Capturing the Friedmans helped kick off and define the modern true-crime boom.
If the HBO series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, or the real headlines surrounding the story that were happening at the same time, weren't on your radar back in 2015 when season one was airing, now's your chance to delve into one of the most riveting murder stories in modern history. Told across two six-episode parts (2015 and then 2024), the series investigates Robert Durst, the eccentric heir to a New York real estate empire who was long suspected in the deaths of three people—his wife Kathie in 1982, his friend Susan Berman in 2000, and his neighbor Morris Black in 2001.
But what's perhaps most astonishing is Durst's gall—he sat for extended on-camera interviews with Jarecki, one of which ends with an infamous hot-mic confession when Durst went to the bathroom, and preceded his arrest, which came a day before the finale aired. Part one delivers the jaw-dropping build-up to that moment, while part two dives into the trial, conviction, and Durst's ultimate death in prison. It's still addictive true-crime TV that has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Other Two
Siblings learn to cope with the massive fame of their little brother
If you’re into shows that skewer or take down the entertainment industry and its ridiculous wheelings and dealings—think The Comeback or The Studio—then this three-season, Emmy-nominated comedy series from former Saturday Night Live head writers Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider (with Lorne Michaels executive producing) is going to fit your weekly binge-watching nicely.
The Other Two follows siblings Cary Dubek (Drew Tarver), a perpetually auditioning gay actor, and his sister Brooke (Heléne Yorke), a former dancer with zero ambition, whose lives are upended when their 13-year-old brother Chase (Case Walker) becomes an overnight, Bieber-like pop sensation after a music video he makes goes viral.
While the character isn't quite as over-the-top as Andy Samberg’s Conner4Real, the series does a great job of lampooning internet tropes and Hollywood backstabbing as "ChaseDreams" rockets to fame. But the focus remains on the family dynamic, as everyone tries to jump on Chase’s coattails—their mom Pat (Molly Shannon) lands her own hit talk show, and Cary and Brooke seethe with envy while chasing their own relevance. Ken Marino and Wanda Sykes co-star in this brilliantly written series about fame that’s secretly a heartfelt family story.
It's Florida, Man
A celebrity cast recreates real Florida headlines
I live in Canada, and even I'm aware of the "Florida Man" memes and wild headlines that come out of the Sunshine State. And apparently, so were Danny McBride and David Gordon Green, the guys behind Eastbound & Down and The Righteous Gemstones, who executive produced It's Florida, Man, an anthology comedy series that uses a cast of well-knowns to recreate some of the state's craziest news stories.
With two delightful seasons to rip through, each insane 25-minute episode highlights a real-life and true "Florida Man" news story. Office Space and Widow's Bay actor Stephen Root narrates you through each tale, while real Floridians corroborate them straight to camera. But the best part of It's Florida, Man, is the rotating cast that joins in on the fun to dramatize everything from wrestling gators and revenge plots, to professional mermaid feuds, and out-of-control rabbits.
The guest roster includes Jake Johnson, Anna Faris, Juliette Lewis, Ego Nwodim, Randall Park, Adam DeVine, Chet Hanks, Tiffany Haddish, Haley Joel Osment, Johnny Knoxville, Taika Waititi, and many more. As one real Floridian says on camera, "Come here on vacation, stay on probation." 'Nuff said.
Ready, set, binge
While shows House of the Dragon and Rick and Morty continue to dominate HBO Max's top 10, don't forget that there's still a ton more to watch on the service to make sure you're getting the most out of your sub. And when you're ready for the next binge, our streaming section has more recommendations for you, too.
