Get weird (and wise) with ‘Kate Berlant Live'
A Los Angeles native with an artist and a stage performer as parents, Berlant has been experimenting with surrealism and absurdism since the 2010s. Fans know her as a longtime collaborator of comedian John Early: Both had their own sketch specials on Netflix's 'The Characters' (2016) and together, they released a comedy special titled 'Would It Kill You to Laugh?' (2023), in which they play characters with a penchant for pettiness or a tendency toward hilarious self-seriousness.
As an actress, Berlant favors roles in movies with a trippy bent, playing supporting characters in movies from Boots Riley's Oakland-set satire 'Sorry to Bother You' (2018) to the surreal dark comedy 'Dream Scenario' (2023). And as a podcaster of 'Berlant and Novak,' she and fellow stand-up Jaquelin Novak chat it up about their dogged pursuit of all things wellness.
Berlant's Hulu comedy special, 'Cinnamon in the Wind' and her one-woman show 'Kate' both straddle the tension between authenticity and performance. Don't miss her latest musings with 'Kate Berlant Live.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
You won't believe the twists in this psychological thriller starring Cate Blanchett — and you can stream it now on Hulu
Last we saw Cate Blanchett onscreen, she was — spoiler alert! — popping up in a surprise cameo in the final episode of Netflix's "Squid Game," as a Los Angeles recruiter for an American version of the deadly games. It's just the latest role in the actor's incredibly varied and vibrant filmography, which has spanned spy thrillers ("Black Bag"), horror comedies ("Rumors") and psychological dramas ("Tár") in recent years. That surprise "Squid Game" appearance had us thinking about the Aussie star's previous roles, one of the most memorable being her turn as a tempted teacher in the 2006 Richard Eyre-directed "Notes on a Scandal." Blanchett's performance as a woman embroiled in a scandalous affair is tremendous, is made even better by scene mate Judi Dench's darkly brilliant turn as a lonely veteran educator who becomes besotted by Blanchett's character, until she uncovers the fellow teacher's illicit affair with an underage student. "Notes on a Scandal" is currently available to stream on Hulu — here's why you should add it to your watch list. Get both Disney Plus and Hulu in one bundle, one of the best streaming deals around. The arrival of willowy, charismatic new art teacher Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) ruffles more than a few feather brushes at St. George's comprehensive school in London — the statuesque blonde looks a whole lot like Cate Blanchett, so all the intrigue is certainly understandable. And one of her many secret admirers is veteran history teacher Barbara Covett (Judi Dench), who has grown bitter and lonely in her spinster existence. Barbara strikes up a friendship with Sheba and thrills over their close bond. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. That is, until she discovers that Sheba is having a secret affair with one of her teenage students (Andrew Simpson), despite him being very much underage and Sheba being married to the much older Richard (played by Bill Nighy). As Barbara becomes the keeper of Sheba's explosive secret, the relationship between the women turns dark and territorial. "Notes on a Scandal" is a true tour-de-force two-hander between two of the industry's finest and most skilled performers. Both Dench and Blanchett rightfully earned Oscar nominations for their performances (for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively) in the thriller with Patrick Marber's sharply adapted screenplay and Philip Glass's original score also recognized by the Academy. With "unshowy authority," the filmmaker "gets the best out of Dench and Blanchett and, with great shrewdness, elicits from these two actors all the little tensions and exasperations — as well as the genuine tenderness — in their tragically fraught relationship," writes Peter Bradshaw for The Guardian. Richard Eye's film feels like a pulpy throwback to the kind of smart erotic thrillers that dominated the 1990s. "Sexy, aspirational and post-politically correct, 'Notes on a Scandal' could turn out to be the 'Fatal Attraction' of the noughties," Carina Chocano surmised for the Los Angeles Times. And for The Times, James Christopher sums up the darkly delicious "Notes on a Scandal" most simply, calling it "a potent and evil pleasure". Watch "Notes on a Scandal" on Hulu now
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I've watched most of Netflix's top-streamed shows in 2025 — here are 3 to watch and 2 you should skip
I'm a streaming writer by trade — my job is to recommend television shows and films on major platforms like Netflix. Typically, my recommendations are rooted in what's trending or new to the platform, and I eagerly research new loglines every month for upcoming original releases. But the best indicator, in my eyes, is always viewer data, and Netflix has just dropped an interesting look into its most-watched television shows of 2025 so far. Netflix recently shared its latest Engagement Report, revealing the shows and movies that its subscribers binged from January to June 2025. The report details a huge 99% of all content viewing occurred in the first half of 2025, with over 95 billion hours streamed globally. The appeal of Netflix Originals remained strong throughout the report, with audiences continuing to engage in not only new productions but also older, much-loved entries in the streamer's catalogue. Netflix notes that nearly half of the viewing for Netflix Originals in this report came from titles that debuted in 2023 or earlier. That said, as a certified binge-watcher, I can attest that not everything in Netflix's original television catalogue is worth watching — even with the hours upon hours of streams that titles have received in the past six months. I've put together three of the best Netflix shows I've watched this year — and two I wouldn't recommend — to compare to the streamer's data. I've also taken into account Rotten Tomatoes scores and other reviews from fellow Tom's Guide writers. So, without further ado, here are the top three shows to watch on Netflix and two you should definitely skip. As per Netflix's report, the UK series "Adolescence" reigned supreme as the most-watched show, amassing 144.8 million views in the past six months to date. The show was released on March 13, 2025, and has been viewed globally for 555 million hours. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Over a 3.5-hour runtime, the series catapulted audiences into the chilling story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of murdering a teenage girl who went to his school. The one-shot crime drama proceeds to follow the unravelling of Jamie's family, including his dad Eddie (Stephen Graham). It also details the ins and outs of the police investigation fronted by Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters), whose son attends Jamie's school, and the harrowing assessment of Jamie's condition made by Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty), the clinical psychologist assigned to his case. The show scored a massive 98% RT score, with audiences giving it a 74% rating, securing it as a must-watch limited series. Even here at Tom's Guide, our reviewer said that it "might be the best original show Netflix has ever made". If you're a fan of gripping crime dramas, "Adolescence" is not to be missed. This cult-followed K-drama has been the most talked about Netflix Original series in years, and the entire show takes out three spots in the top ten most-streamed list. "Squid Game" season 2, which debuted late last year, beats out the final season that dropped last month, cultivating 117.3 million views and 840 million hours streamed globally. Across all three seasons, the show has received over 231 million views. The series follows Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-Jae) as he accepts a strange invitation to compete in a series of children's games for a share of a 45.6 billion won prize. After the first round, Gi-hun and the other 455 players learn the harsh realities of the games — the pot only grows by 100 million won once a player is eliminated (read: killed). With a solid 86% rating on RT, and a nice 66% audience score, "Squid Game" delivers on drama, mystery and nice comedic moments, courtesy of some interesting character arcs. Now that all seasons are available to stream, you could easily binge the series on a weekend… and give yourself something to talk to your colleagues about on Monday. Hilarious, easy-to-watch and stars Kate Hudson? Sign me up! After debuting in February, this basketball-based comedy has received over 41 million views and 209 million hours streamed, which is no mean feat for a Mindy Kaling production. When a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Hudson) is appointed the president of the Los Angeles Waves, a prestigious basketball team and her family's business. Often overlooked by her brothers, the board and the players, Isla works to prove herself the right person for the job — and (spoiler alert), does just that. The series was renewed for a second season and has a nice 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It delves into tough topics but plays it all off with a healthy dose of tomfoolery, secret brothers and loving relationships — platonic ones, too. I cannot wait for the next instalment, and my only wish is for a LeBron James cameo. Despite performing rather well in Netflix's report, ranking in fourth after "Adolescence" and "Squid Game" seasons 2 and 3, "Zero Day" received an underwhelming response from me (and Rotten Tomatoes). The limited series follows former US President George Mullen (Robert De Niro), who, as the head of the Zero Day Commission, leads an investigation into a devastating cyberattack that wreaked havoc and caused thousands of fatalities across the country. The series was De Niro's first major television role, but even the beloved actor couldn't save it from getting a poor 53% RT critics score and 53% audience rating. Admittedly, I always try to finish a series, but I couldn't make it past the first episode for this one, and not even the appearance of Lizzy Caplan could reinvigorate my spirits for this political thriller. There's a lot to unpack here, but let's start with the figures from the report, shall we? The second season of "XO, Kitty" was released on January 16, 2025, and has since achieved 35.3 million views and 143 million hours streamed in the past six months. Comparatively, the rom-com's first season obtained 14.7 million views in that time, with eager rewatchers anticipating the new season. Starring the beloved younger sister from the "To All The Boys" movies, Katherine "Kitty" Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) takes on Seoul, Korea, as she attends the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS) alongside her long-distance boyfriend, Dae (Choi Min-young), and rediscover a connection to her mom, a former student of KISS. Now, I am a sucker for a rom-com series or film, and there's a fond place in my heart for the Netflix original movie trilogy, in which Kitty comes to life. But that's where I draw the line, unfortunately, as this spin-off seriously fell flat. The interwoven storylines and endless love triangles are often confusing, the side characters are somewhat annoying, and the only episode I thoroughly enjoyed in the latest season was when Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) came to visit — and his brief appearance didn't restore my faith in the series. I'd argue the 63% audience score may be conflated with the love for the movies, but I seriously hope season three gives fans (and Kitty) the justice they deserve.
Tom's Guide
4 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, HBO Max and more (July 22-28)
We're in the middle of summer, and the weather outside is certainly good enough that sitting at home watching movies might not be your top priority. However, the best streaming services are hoping to tempt you to stay indoors with a host of new flicks to watch this week. The biggest arrival is the debut of the long-awaited sports sequel 'Happy Gilmore 2' on Netflix. Adam Sandler is once again donning the hockey jersey of one of his most beloved comedy characters and stepping back onto the green for another round of anger-fueled golf. Plus, in the premium video-on-demand streaming world, 'Dangerous Animals' and 'Materialists' are hoping to convince you they're worth the rental fee, and they both make a good case for themselves. Below are my picks for the top new movies you can stream this week across all the biggest streaming services around. And don't forget to check out our companion guide to the best new TV shows you'll want to binge-watch over the next seven days. 'Jaws' is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer, but if revisiting the Steve Speilberg classic isn't enough shark action for you, you might want to consider 'Dangerous Animals,' which frankly makes 'Jaws' look like a pleasant day at the beach. While the flimsy narrative has more holes in it than a surfboard chewed by a great white, Jai Courtney's deliciously unhinged performance is reason enough to give this intense thriller a watch. Zephyr (Hassie Harrison) is a drifter traveling around Australia's sunny Gold Coast who is abducted by a deranged serial killer called Tucker (Courtney) while going for a spot of surfing late at night. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Awaking chained to a bed in the hull of a rusty boat, Zephyr learns that Tucker has an obsession with sharks and feeds his various victims to these sharp-toothed sea creatures while filming the whole thing on a battered old camcorder. With time running out, Zephyr must find a way to escape and stop Tucker's reign of terror before she can become shark chum. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 21 In 2023, writer/director Celine Song blew me away with 'Past Lives.' It was among my favorite films of the year, and to this day ranks as perhaps the most heartachingly romantic movie I've ever watched. Her follow-up is 'Materialists,' and while the reception hasn't been quite as universally positive as it was for her debut, I'm still very eager to check this out. More of a romantic comedy than a romantic drama, and mining the well-worn genre trope of trying to find love in the increasingly tumultuous modern dating world, 'Materialists' stars Dakota Johnson as a New York City matchmaker who finds himself stuck in a thorny love triangle. On one side is the seemingly perfect guy (Pedro Pascal), and on the other is her imperfect ex-boyfriend (Chris Evans). Good luck choosing between them. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 21 I previously named "Until Dawn" as one of the top five worst movies I've seen in theatres in 2025 so far (and I've seen nearly 50 of them), so I can't exactly give this slasher horror a ringing endorsement. But, if you're a huge fan of the 2014 video game which inspired it, or just want a trashy horror that you can watch while also mocking alongside friends or a loved one, then 'Until Dawn' might fit the bill. At least now it's on Netflix, you don't have to pay a rental fee. This is a video game adaptation that is very loosely inspired by the PlayStation title from which it takes its name, as the characters, setting and location have all been changed. Instead of taking place in a snowy mountaintop cabin like the game, this version of 'Until Dawn' sees a group of friends trapped in a secluded house, and also stuck in a time loop. Each new loop brings a new terror, and it's their mission to survive the night and break free. Watch on Netflix from July 24 'Death of a Unicorn' is a horror-comedy with moments of fun, but it never quite manages to blend the two genres successfully enough to take full advantage of its admittedly novel premise. It falls into a less-exciting middle ground, and the subpar effects on the titular mythical creatures don't help much either. At least, a solid cast adds some star power with Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega and Richard E. Grant all involved and giving it their all throughout. The movie opens with a father (Rudd) and his spiky teenage daughter (Ortega) heading to an important business weekend where the former hopes to complete a lucrative business deal. On the way, they accidentally hit and kill a unicorn. Bringing the creature's corpse to the home of the father's billionaire boss kickstarts a chain of increasingly chaotic events. As the wealthy Leopold family, headed up by the smarmy Odell (Grant), looks to exploit the unicorn's healing properties for personal financial gain, nature fights back as a pack of vicious horned creatures arrive on the scene and cause complete chaos. Watch on HBO Max from July 25 Andy Sandler is stepping back onto the green as the long-awaited sequel to 'Happy Gilmore' arrives on Netflix this week. It's been almost 30 years since we last saw Gilmore, but it doesn't appear he's done all that much maturing in those decades. Based on the trailers, this comedy looks just as rage-fueled and loud-mouthed as its predecessor. Curiously, the plot of 'Happy Gilmore 2' is being kept under wraps, with Netflix itself not even offering an official logline, but based on the trailer, we can surmise that the sequel sees Gilmore come out of retirement and return to the professional golf scene to pay for his daughter's ballet school. It seems a standard setup for a sequel, but maybe there's a hidden twist? Questions can be asked about whether we need a 'Happy Gilmore' sequel after all this time, but I'm confident this original movie will be a Netflix hit and go straight to No. 1 in the streaming service's top 10 most-watched list. Watch on Netflix from July 25
