Favorites 'Only Murders,' 'Reservation Dogs' Returns Among August's Streaming Recommendations

by Julian Spivey

Photos: Hulu, Max & Apple

---

Reservation Dogs: Final Season – Hulu on Wednesday, August 2
“Reservation Dogs” has been one of the best series on television since it debuted in 2021, despite never seeming to catch on to the masses. If you’re not watching this series about a group of Native American teenage friends dealing with the tragic death of one of their friends in rural Oklahoma then you’re truly missing out on greatness. Featuring a cast of almost completely indigenous actors and a behind-the-scenes crew of indigenous people it’s a unique look into the lives of a group of people we rarely see and it’s told with beautifully realistic performances led by young actors Devery Jacobs, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Paulina Alexis and Lane Factor. “Reservation Dogs” is funny, heartwarming and gut-wrenching all at the same time. It’s truly special. 

---

Only Murders in the Building: Season 3 – Hulu on Tuesday, August 8
The third season of Hulu’s smash Emmy-nominated comedy-mystery “Only Murders in the Building” features its biggest star-studded cast yet with the likes of Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd joining Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez for their latest podcast murder mystery, which takes place behind the scenes of Oliver’s (Short) latest play when the lead of the show (Rudd) winds up dead. “Only Murders in the Building” has probably been Hulu’s most successful comedy to date and the chemistry between Martin, Short and Gomez is outta sight. 

---

Strange Planet – AppleTV+ on Wednesday, August 9
You’ve probably seen them and belly-laughed, those cartoons of the aliens bemused and befuddled by daily life on Earth in cartoonist Nathan Pyle’s Strange Planet cartoons that are wildly popular online. Now comes “Strange Planet,” the television series, featuring Pyle’s characters in an animated sci-fi-comedy giving their unique and poignant observations on life. The voice cast for “Strange Planet” includes Hannah Einbinder of “Hacks” and Danny Pudi of “Community,” which gives me hope it’ll provide as many laughs as Pyle’s drawings have over the years. 

---

Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop – Netflix on Wednesday, August 9
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the hip-hop musical genre so there’s no better time for a documentary series on the women who’ve shined in what’s often a male-dominated genre. ‘Ladies First,’ a four-part docuseries, will feature interviews with artists of the genre as well as journalists and music executives to help bring the story of the women of hip-hop to the forefront featuring the stories of Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Da Brat, Roxanne Shante, Sha Rock and more, as well as some of today’s hottest acts like Latto and Saweetie. 

---

Tracy Morgan: Takin’ It Too Far – Max on Thursday, August 17
I’ve always loved Tracy Morgan’s wild and seemingly unscripted type of humor, especially as a guest on late-night talk shows. I’ve also loved his performances through the year in shows like “Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock” and “The Last O.G.” But I’ve never really paid a whole lot of attention to his stand-up routine, which I understand is much dirtier and have even been the source of controversy a time or two. But as much as Morgan has made me laugh over the years it’s probably time to get into his stand-up routines and there’s no better chance than his latest special, “Tracy Morgan: Takin’ It Too Far” debuting on Max on Thursday, August 17. Let’s see if he actually “takes it too far.” I’m sure social media will let us know moments after the special drops.