As the Backstreet Boys said, it's gonna be May! And there are three great shows and one critically acclaimed film coming to take your time away from spring gardening. Get to a theater or go sit on your couch but whatever you do, don't hurt our feelings in this busy month.
Release date: May 1, 2023
How to watch: HBO + HBO Max; trailer
Why to watch: Initially scheduled for March, this limited series depicting the real life bumbling of Nixon's "masterminds" G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt has a cast worth losing elections over. With Justin Theroux and Woody Harrelson as the aforementioned White House "plumbers," the cast includes Game of Thrones' Lena Headey, the hilarious Judy Greer (Arrested Development, Reboot), Mad Men and Sabrina the Teenage Witch's Kiernan Shipka, Dohmnall Gleeson, White Lotus's F. Murray Abraham, and Kathleen Turner. The cherry on top? Executive producer and director David Mandel of Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld fame. Expect razor sharp dialogue and truth being far funnier than fiction.
Release date: May 4, 2023
How to watch: HBO Max; trailer
Why to watch: This funny and underrated pickup from Comedy Central is hitting its stride in its third season, now on HBO Max. The "inside Hollywood" series about two siblings living in the shadow of their more famous younger brother comes from former Saturday Night Live writers Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider. Helene York and Drew Tarver have excellent chemistry as the titular other two, and SNL legend Molly Shannon throws herself into the role of a Kris Jenner-esque matriarch. Throw in recurring characters played by Wanda Sykes and Ken Marino and you won't want to spend your time with any other two.
Release date: May 19, 2023
How to watch: Freevee; trailer
Why to watch: Popular bestselling writer and journalist Shea Serrano signed a first-look television deal with Amazon Studios, and Primo is his first offering on Amazon's Freevee service. While this is Serrano's first time at the helm of a show, he'll be supported by veteran executive producer Mike Schur of The Good Place and Parks and Rec fame. The semi-autobiographical sitcom set in San Antonio, Texas follows an aspirational teenager being raised by his adoring mother and his five uncles (the "primos" of the title). Serrano has an enviable following on social media and his writing combines the heart and humor that Schur's shows are known for. All eight episodes will be available to stream on Freevee.
Release date: May 26, 2023
How to watch: In theaters; trailer
Why to watch: Indie filmmaker Nicole Holofcener (Walking and Talking, Friends With Money) reunites with her Enough Said star, comedy genius Julia Louis-Dreyfus, for this marital dramedy set in NYC. The film premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews, which included famous fan Michael J. Fox. While Louis-Dreyfus unsurprisingly received the bulk of acclaim, her costars more than hold their own, including Tobias Menzies in his leading man era, Succession's Arian Moayed (currently lighting up Broadway with Jessica Chastain in A Doll's House), David Cross (Arrested Development), Michaela Watkins (Saturday Night Live) and Zach Cherry (Severance). A24, whose current track record is second to none, is releasing the film in theaters nationwide.