TUCSON, Ariz. — Looking to camp out on the couch and take down a show that will keep you up way too late and help you procrastinate from doing more important tasks? Here are five shows to stream.
COBRA KAI
Premise: The drama catches up with the characters in "The Karate Kid" more than three decades after the events of the iconic film. Johnny and Daniel continue their childish, martial arts-fueled rivalry well past middle age.
Stars: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Mary Mouser, Peyton List.
Service: Netflix.
Why it's impossible to stop watching: Making the move from YouTube to Netflix, season three -- which came out New Year's Day -- crane kicks its way in fine form, with thrills and laughs to spare, as well as loads of fan service for fans of the original movies.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Premise: A bumbling flight attendant, prone to binge drinking and flings galore, wakes up in a hotel room with a dead body and no recollection of how she got there.
Stars: Kaley Cuoco, Michael Huisman, Zosia Mamet, Rosie Perez.
Service: HBO Max.
Why it's impossible to stop watching: Cuoco has found the perfect landing spot after her 12-season run on "Big Bang Theory," taking on a role that lets her show off her comedy chops while stretching her dramatic muscles. Witty, irreverent writing keeps the story lively and unpredictable.
THE BOYS
Premise: The gritty drama, which is leavened by light touches, delves into a world filled with comic book-style superheroes who have blended into pop culture.
Stars: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, Antony Starr.
Service: Prime Video.
Why it's impossible to stop watching: The series provides a tongue-in-cheek answer to the question of what the world would be like if it had superheroes. Snappy dialogue, impressive effects, and a high-speed story make the show easy to obsess over.
THE MANDALORIAN
Premise: A gun-slinging bounty hunter, accompanied by a tiny green toddler, make their way across the galaxy far, far away.
Stars: Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito.
Service: Disney+.
Why it's impossible to stop watching: Picking up the considerable momentum built in the first season, the story continues to stretch in season 2, delivering a slew of shocking cameos and mesmerizing settings that are the stuff of "Star Wars" fanatics dreams. Have your tissues ready for the bittersweet ending.
THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
Premise: A female chess phenom battles sexism and poverty to rise to the top of the competitive chess world of the 1960s.
Stars: Anna Taylor-Joy, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Harry Melling, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd.
Service: Netflix.
Why it's impossible to stop watching: Taylor-Joy proves to be a master of quirky performances, channeling layers of intrigue and depth into her eccentric character. The costumes, music, and settings capture the flavor of the 60s with relish, and the plot plays out with the calculated precision of a grandmaster.
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This was first published by Phil Villarreal at KGUN in Tuscon, Arizona.
