Image via NBC
This is a big weekend in sports and TV. Millions of people will be gathering around their televisions to tune into Super Bowl LVI as the Los Angeles Rams go against the Cincinnati Bengals and to watch Dr. Dre and his crew take on the halftime show, on Sunday, Feb. 13. And if football isn’t enough to get your fill of spots this weekend, the 2022 Winter Olympics are also in full swing. It’s a big weekend for NBC and Peacock, and they are segueing right into the premiere of their The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot, Bel-Air, right after the Super Bowl. Bel-Air is a dramatized retelling of the beloved 90s sitcom and will introduce Philly native Jabari Banks to the world as he makes his acting debut taking over Will Smith’s role in the reboot.
For those in the mood to head to a theater this weekend, Marry Me and Death on the Nile are hitting theaters on Friday, Feb. 11. Both films have had several delays due to COVID, but Marry Me arrives right on time for Valentine’s Day celebrations. The rom-com stars Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, and Maluma, and it’s about a superstar whose heartthrob boyfriend cheats on her ahead of their wedding, causing her to impulsively marry an NYC math teacher who was in the crowd at one of her shows. Death on the Nile might have faced quite a few controversies before its release, and while the Armie Hammer controversy didn’t stop the film from hitting theaters, it’ll be interesting to see how it performs at the box office. Netflix’s biggest offering this week is Inventing Anna, starring Ozark’s Julia Garner, which tells the story of a journalist investigating how Anna Delvey convinced New York’s elite she was a German heiress and scammed them and banks into giving her money. Check out our picks for this week below, and check back in next week to see what’s in store for the rest of February.
'Bel-Air'
When: Feb. 13
Where: Peacock
Most people were probably skeptical after hearing that a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot was in the works, and rightfully so. The sitcom is such a classic and it was so impactful, and projects like that should probably remain untouched. Reboots can be exciting or they can be disappointing, and it’s extremely hard to appease a devoted fanbase like the one the Fresh Prince has amassed over the years. Bel-Air is attempting to put a spin on the classic anyway, by reimagining the beloved story with a dramatic twist on what Will’s journey from West Philadelphia to the West coast was like.
The drama will take place in modern-day America and the characters will deal with heavier issues than in the original version. Will Smith was inspired to recreate the show after seeing a mock trailer of a dramatic reimagining of the show written and directed by Morgan Cooper, which was shared on YouTube in 2019, and he expressed interest in turning it into a show. The series stars newcomer Jabari Banks, who was also born and raised in West Philadelphia, as well as Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Karrueche Tran, and more. Let’s just say they have some really big shoes to fill. The series is scheduled to premiere on Peacock on Feb. 13, after Super Bowl LVI. —KR
'Death on the Nile'
When: Feb. 11
Where: In theaters
This, the third adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, is also the direct sequel to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express, which also was directed by and starred Kenneth Branagh based on a Michael Green screenplay with an ensemble cast. It’s one of those films that you really need to be prepared for; sure, its standalone in nature, but we’re talking a dense cast; Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Letitia Wright, and Gal Gadot is already enough for one film. [Ed note: This film also has Armie Hammer among its cast. It’s hard to tell how large of a role he plays, but do keep that in mind before copping your tickets.] It isn’t a film for everyone, but for those of you who thrive on the idea of Branagh building a Christie Cinematic Universe, this may be your only chance to live your life in a theater devoid of haters. —khal
'Inventing Anna'
When: Feb. 11
Where: Netflix
Julia Garner, who continues to own Ozark, takes on the role of Anna Delvey, a woman who deceived so many people that the Times had to do a story on it. For those who remember when that story hit, it took over various timelines as more people discovered the magnitude of Delvey’s grift. Shonda Rhimes picking it up and turning it into a nine-episode series is intriguing, with a cast featuring the likes of Laverne Cox and Jennifer Esposito to help unpack this insane tale for the bingers out there. —khal
'Marry Me'
When: Feb. 11
Where: In theaters and Peacock
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend so a rom-com has to be added to the list. Jennifer Lopez is returning to the big screen with Marry Me to reignite the romantic comedy flame after a long hiatus from the genre. Lopez, who has starred in other fan favorites like The Wedding Planner and Maid in Manhattan, is starring as a Latina superstar named Kat Valdez who is about to marry singer Bastian (Maluma) at a concert. Owen Wilson plays Charlie Gilbert, an unsuspecting math teacher who goes to the show against his will, and after Kat finds out her superstar fiance has been cheating on her before she hits the stage, she picks out Charlie from the audience and marries him instead.
This role seems as close to the actress’ real life as possible, as it deals with the aspects of love, heartbreak, superstardom, and fame, and what it’s like for millions of people to be invested in her personal life. Wilson knows a thing or two about rom-coms, too, (he has starred in Wedding Crashers, Marley & Me, and Meet the Parents) and the pair do their best to give fans of the film genre what they’ve been missing. Colombian superstar Maluma plays the good-looking bad boy ex-boyfriend, and Sarah Silverman provides some of the film’s funniest moments as Charlie’s coworker and friend, Parker. Will this film be enough to spark up a rom-com rebirth? Probably not, but if you don’t have any plans this weekend, head to a movie theater near you or hit play on Peacock. — KR
Super Bowl LVI
When: Feb. 13
Where: NBC and Peacock
One of the biggest nights in sports is taking place this weekend. After an intense football season, Super Bowl LVI (56) between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals is going down on Sunday, Feb. 13, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. While most people are tuning in to watch the big game, millions of others will be watching for this year’s Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, which is featuring performances by Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige. The Super Bowl kicks off on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Judging by the halftime show’s preview that dropped last month, fans are in for quite a show. Watch the 2022 Super Bowl live on NBC, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports App, Telemundo, and Peacock. —KR
Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
When: Feb. 4 — Feb. 20
Where: NBC, Peacock
When we say “never not watching,” we mean it. That means when we have some free time during an Olympics season, you’re damn right we’re going to throw on some live Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics coverage in the middle of the day. Skiing and curling and ice skating and the slalom, among other events, make the Winter Olympics more exciting than you’d imagine, and having Peacock means you not only get to tune into the regularly nightly highlights, but you get even more live coverage of the Games. Amazing timewaster that only comes around every couple of years. —khal