Watch Less
These days, there is so much information being given about every topic—not all of it accurate, or meaningful—that we can lose sight of the simple things: is this film or show actually good? What makes it important? And, mostly, what are people missing because they are so caught up in the biggest trending topic or news story? That’s where Watch Less comes in: our aim is to strip away the excess from the biggest stories and moments hitting television and film to get down to brass tacks: what’s hot, what’s not, and what’s being slept-on for today’s entertainment lover. Our aim is to explore pop culture through discussions, either through the knowledgeable staff at Complex or with the actors, directors, writers, and creatives who are doing the work and able to expound upon the themes shaping our culture today.
episodes
‘Charm City Kings’ Star Jahi Di’Allo Winston is the Future | Watch Less, Episode 52
Ahead of Charm City Kings premiering on HBO Max on October 8, the film’s star Jahi Di’Allo Winston breaks down everything from working alongside Meek Mill and Baltimore’s bike culture to his appreciation for Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and where his future is headed.
The End’s Not Near, It’s Here | Watch Less, Episode 51
The Summer Man’s season finale.
Channel Surfing with Dulce Sloan | Watch Less Episode 50
Daily Show correspondent, actor, and That Blackass Show host Dulce Sloan joins the Watch Less podcast to discuss her Blackass podcast, her journey in acting and stand-up comedy, and her love for wrestling. Be sure to check out Dulce on That Blackass Show, which dissects Black TV shows and movies with some of your favorite Blackass guests.
‘Lovecraft Country’ Catch-Up | Watch Less, Ep. 49
Weeks removed from their conversations about the beginning of the series (and their interview with series star Jonathan Majors), Frazier and Khal dive headfirst into the released episodes of HBO’s Lovecraft Country. Has Misha Green’s series worked? Are were here for the mythology or the conversations surrounding social issues? And what’s up with those modern needle drops? All that (and more) is discussed in this dedicated look at Lovecraft.
‘Ted Lasso’ Star Brett Goldstein on the Show’s Emotional Beats and Creating AMC’s ‘Soulmates’ | Watch Less Ep. 48
This week, Watch Less invites writer-actor Brett Goldstein to the pod to discuss his busy schedule. Not only has he starring on (and writing for) Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso (starring Jason Sudeikis), but he’s created Soulmates, a new anthology series for AMC, alongside Will Bridges (Stranger Things, Black Mirror). Oh, and he has his own podcast, Films To Be Buried With. We cover all of this, and more.
‘Power’ Moves With Series Creator Courtney Kemp | Watch Less Episode 47
Days ahead of the premiere of the next book in the Power saga, the Starz universe begins Power Book II: Ghost, looking at how Tariq and those closest to him pick up the pieces after his father’s death. Series creator Courtney Kemp discusses her feelings on Tariq’s journey, her love of action films and the MCU, and writing television in a time of COVID.
Days of X-Men Past | Listen to Watch Less, Episode 46
With The New Mutants marking the official return of the box office during the COVID-19 pandemic, Frazier and khal look back at Fox’s X-Men Cinematic Universe. They’ve also got some thoughts on what Disney could do with the X-Men franchise they inherited after the Fox sale. Come for the X-talk, stay for khal pitching the cold open for a Wolverine reboot.
David Arquette Champions New Pro Wrestling Doc, ‘Scream 5’ | Watch Less, Episode 45
Scream star and former WCW World Heavyweight Champion David Arquette has had a tumultuous time within the world of pro wrestling. Arquette joins Watch Less to talk about the doc that chronicles his fight to reclaim his pro wrestling legacy, You Cannot Kill David Arquette. Arquette also talks the upcoming Scream 5, recent releases like Spree, and much more!
‘Lovecraft Country’ Star Jonathan Majors on His Process and Making Sure We Show Up | Watch Less Ep. 44
In this special BONUS episode of Watch Less, Jonathan Majors—star of HBO’s intriguing new series Lovecraft Country—gets candid about the new show. Majors not only breaks down his process as an actor, but he shares stories of working on Lovecraft, Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, and teases his role in Jeymes Samuel and Jay-Z’s upcoming Western, The Harder They Fall. Is this a Lovecraft podcast now?
‘Sneakerheads’ Star Allen Maldonado is #1 on the Call Sheet | Watch Less, Episode 43
On this week’s episode, one of the hardest-working young Black actors in Hollywood today—Allen Maldonado—joins to break down his career thus far. From his relationship with Kenya Barris to finally being #1 on the call sheet for his upcoming Netflix series Sneakerheads, Maldonado shares jewels on his time in the game. Be sure to check out Sneakerheads when it premieres September 25, 2020, on Netflix.
How HBO’s ‘Lovecraft Country’ Marries Horror and the Black Exprience | Watch Less, Episode 42
Ahead of its Sunday night premiere on HBO, Frazier and khal couldn’t wait to give some spoiler-free talk about Lovecraft Country, a new series from Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams that’s created by Misha Green (Underground) and stars Jonathan Majors (Da 5 Bloods), Jurnee Smollett (Birds of Prey, Underground), and Courtney B. Vance (The People v. OJ Simpson, Uncorked). Without getting too deep into the show’s story, they take a look at the cast, world-building, and similarities in feel to another HBO gem, Watchmen. Later, they talk Shia LaBeouf being rumored to join the MCU and a long-lost black-ish episode finally hitting Hulu. Also, be sure to check this out and our appearance on this week’s episode of The Alarmist, where we get to the bottom of who’s to blame for the Kanye West and Taylor Swift feud.
Summer Horrorfest: ‘The Rental’, ‘You Should Have Left’ and ‘The Relic’ | Listen to Watch Less, Episode 41
Watch Less’ love of horror isn’t resigned to our interview with Elijah Wood (Episode 15) ; this week, we had a 2020 horror marathon! Inspired by Dave Franco’s directorial debut The Rental (which is currently the No. 1 film at the box office), Frazier and khal watch and review The Rental, You Should Have Left (starring Kevin Bacon), and a smaller film, Relic. New school horror fans, this episode is for you.