Spotlight

Max’s award-winning comedy-drama, Hacks, ended season two with Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Emmy-Award winner Jean Smart) firing her young comedy writer, Ava Daniels (Emmy-Award nominee Hannah Einbinder). Up until then, viewers watched Vance’s career struggle against younger, more relevant stand-up comedians, leading her to bring in a younger writer, Daniels. Their unlikely partnership ebbed and flowed poignantly and entertainingly before its shocking end last season.

Season three joins the two a year later with Vance back on top following her Netflix special and Daniels in Hollywood. Ava is in love, and Deborah is enjoying her return to fame. A chance meeting in an elevator reunites them, ultimately leading to the restarting of their professional partnership. Ava works to set boundaries to protect herself from their past dynamics, and as fans can imagine, this might not go over well with the strong-willed Vance.

Season three sees Deborah and Ava navigate professional setbacks and triumphs, finding common ground amidst their differences. The highly anticipated season includes fan favorites Deborah’s manager Jimmy (Paul W. Downs), his assistant Kayla (Megan Stalter), and her estranged daughter D.J. (Kaitlin Olson). New cast members include Helen Hunt (Mad About You), Christina Hendricks (Good Girls) and Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future).

Hacks premieres May 2, 2024. For more details, click here.

If you think you’re too jaded for a county fair, our version will change your mind. The LA County Fair starts May 3, 2024, and runs every Thursday through Sunday, through Memorial Day, from 11 am to 11 pm. The fair’s permanent home in Pomona sits on 500 acres, with entertainment for all ages and ample parking. The grounds are spotless and cared for, Fairplex staff are helpful and friendly. There’s an outdoor concert arena, a speedway, a big carnival with rides, an organic farm, livestock competitions, a farm animal petting area, garden exhibit, and art stuff to do. NextFest LA, the indie music fest, happens here. Visit the Low and Slow Car Show. Go at night for the date vibe and neon lights, and enjoy the lounges. This is your chance to experience county fair food (fried ice cream!) to play carnival games, win prizes, listen to music, and have all-around safe family fun. Check out the Marketplace Pavilion to take a wine or cheese class, and to buy a flight of Gold-Medal-winning wines and beer, and taste and buy olive oil from around the world. The fair presents multi-cultural performances and aims for inclusivity. A day at the fair costs around $22 with discounts for kids, families and seniors. Perfect for toddlers to grannies, May weather will be in the 70s and 80s. 

For tickets, click here.

I spend a lot of time, perhaps too much time, thinking about stuff that I’m guessing other people do not think about. For instance — what is the difference between a speed ‘bump’ and a speed ‘hump?’ Why does the little dispenser cap at the top of a toothpaste tube always seem to be positioned backward? Who decided the world needed a breakfast pastry that could be eaten hot or cold? Well … get ready, because the story of Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts has been immortalized by none other than Jerry Seinfeld, making his feature film directorial debut with Unfrosted! Seinfeld co-wrote the screenplay with his writing team of Spike Feresten, Barry Marder, and Andy Robin. The film, which premiered May 3 on Netflix, is loosely based on the true story of the creation of Pop-Tarts toaster pastries. In this tale of ambition, betrayal, sugar, and menacing milkmen, cereal company Kellogg’s attempts to beat their rival (Post Consumer Brands) to the market with a revolutionary breakfast pastry in 1963 Battle Creek, Michigan.

The film stars an incredible ensemble of comic actors and comedians, including Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Max Greenfield, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant, Dan Levy, James Marsden, Jack McBrayer, Peter Dinklage, Christian Slater, Bobby Moynihan, Sarah Cooper, Mikey Day, Kyle Mooney, Drew Tarver, Tony Hale, Cedric the Entertainer, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, Jon Hamm, Patrick Warburton, John Slattery, Ken Narasaki, Bill Burr, Darrell Hammond, Seinfeld himself, and others!

To watch, click here.

The season 11 premiere of Vanderpump Rules on Bravo attracted over three million viewers, which was a serious increase from the season 10 premiere. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the reasons why and about “#scandoval” and all the dirty details of the season 10 finale. To recap — Tom Sandoval cheated (for months!) on his girlfriend of nine years, Arianna Maddix, with bestie Rachel, about which other cast members secretly knew! Scandalous! Juicy! Yes, it was!

Like millions of other people, I started watching. I’m not particularly proud to say so, but boy, I’ve enjoyed it. The series takes place in and around Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant, Sur. After watching the past several seasons, I just had to go.

Sur is absolutely gorgeous! Each room’s patios are covered in lush pink tones and fabulous chandeliers, surrounded by decadent floral scenery. With a hip and tropical vibe, this place is known for amazing cocktails and major drama at the bar, but not the food! However, we really enjoyed the fare. We began by sipping delicious (and again, tropical) house sangria, while sharing their signature Fried Goat Cheese Balls (on mini crostini, with mango chutney). Really wonderful. We also shared the Cotto Ham Benedict and the Sur Butcher Cheeseburger (with brie cheese, bacon, onion marmalade, arugula, and picked onion). The burger was killer, and a must-have. Whether or not you’re a fan of Vanderpump Rules, I highly recommend Sur!

Located in West Hollywood. For menu and reservations, click here.