Carol Kane & Michaela Watkins Reveal Hilariously Horrific Family Dinner ‘Nightmares’!

Screen Gab, the newsletter for those who have faced embarrassment over a family meal is ready for your perusal.

Featuring stars like Carol Kane and Michaela Watkins of “Dinner With the Parents,” who share hilarious anecdotes from their own family meals, and a ton of excellent viewing recommendations in this week’s Guest Spot.

Also, in Screen Gab No. 128, we spotlight two titles available on Peacock for streaming and commemorate the 25th anniversary of “Family Guy.”

In Case You Missed It

Important stories you may have overlooked

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Recommendations

Suggestions from The Times’ film and TV experts

‘Hapless’ (Peacock)

“Hapless,” a hilarious British sitcom by Gary Sinyor, has been likened to “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” with storylines apt for the latter. The protagonist, Paul Green portrayed by Tim Downie, often finds himself in unfortunate situations, much like Larry David. However, while Larry is a wealthy celebrity with ample free time, Paul is a harassed, middle-aged, low-level reporter for “the fourth-largest Jewish publication in the U.K.,” who handles his mundane assignments disinterestedly and questions everything, even the insignificant. Also known as “The Jewish Enquirer,” the show is known for its culturally specific humor, often focusing on Jewish customs. It can be uncomfortably relevant at times. In one episode, Paul’s nephew is upset because a schoolmate called him a “racist Jew Zio.” “Isn’t he in a Jewish school?” Paul asks his sister. “Yes,” she replies. “I’m aware of that. It’s the latest trend.” It’s all laugh-out-loud funny. — Robert Lloyd

‘Drive-Away Dolls’ (Peacock)

“Drive-Away Dolls” may not be flawless, but it’s undoubtedly entertaining. Ethan Coen, in his first fiction feature without his brother Joel, teams up with his wife Tricia Cooke to create a wildly eccentric crime story about two lesbian friends (Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan) who accidentally end up driving a car with a severed head and a suitcase full of custom sex toys in the trunk. Despite guest appearances by Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, Bill Camp, and Beanie Feldstein, the film is truly a showcase for the delightful chemistry between Viswanathan and Qualley. Moreover, long-time fans of the Coen brothers will want to watch Ethan’s solo venture for its outrageous humor and compare it to Joel’s solemn “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” to attempt to discern who contributed what in their joint filmography. — Mark Olsen

Catch Up

All you need to know about the film or TV series that’s the talk of the town

How often is “Family Guy” played in my house? Let’s just say my son now automatically rushes to the screen as soon as he hears the theme song, chuckling at the sight of the animated characters descending the golden staircase (I know it’s not made for kids, but we let him enjoy the intro). Ever since I started watching the series in the early 2000s on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, it has been a source of comfort for me.

“Family Guy” is great because it’s funny, crude, satirical, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I always enjoy watching it because I know at least one thing in an episode will make me laugh. But what makes it outstanding is its range, from wacky musical numbers like “A Bag of Weed” to thought-provoking character studies — the Season 8 bottle episode “Brian & Stewie” comes to mind.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of “Family Guy,” a significant milestone given that the show has faced cancellation more than once. It is now one of the longest-running American animated series, following long-standing shows like “The Simpsons” and “South Park.” Now is a good time to reflect on the series and its impact on popular culture. The season finale of Season 22 just aired on Wednesday and is available to stream on Hulu.

This week, we published an interview with the showrunners and lead voice cast of “Family Guy,” including Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis, and creator Seth MacFarlane. They extensively discussed their time on the show and how it’s the best job they’ve ever had, which is evident in every episode — everyone is still enjoying themselves. MacFarlane mentioned that he sees no reason to call it quits, which is good news for fans of the show because we have many reasons to continue watching. — Maira Garcia

MORE TO READ: ‘The best job ever’: The cast of ‘Family Guy’ reflects on 25 years of irreverent humor

Guest Appearance

A weekly conversation with actors, writers, directors and more about their current projects — and what they’re currently watching

Chances are, if you’ve watched TV comedy in the past decade, Michaela Watkins and Carol Kane have made you laugh. With a series of recurring roles and guest appearances, and starring roles in Hulu’s heartwarming family portrait “Casual” and Netflix’s wacky joke machine “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” the duo have been omnipresent, but never together. That changes now: “Dinner With the Parents,” which debuted Thursday on Amazon Freevee, brings these comedic forces together for the first time, along with Dan Bakkedahl, Jon Glaser, and others. Based on the popular British series “Friday Night Dinner,” this version follows the Langers, including matriarch Nana (Kane) and her daughter, Jane (Watkins), as they gather every Friday for a completely normal family dinner. (Picture “New Girl’s” True American game transferred to a suburban gated community.) Watkins and Kane joined Screen Gab ahead of the premiere to share their funniest dinner-with-the-parents stories and what they’re currently watching. — Matt Brennan

What have you recently watched that you’re recommending to everyone you know?

Watkins: I’ve been rewatching movies that left a big impression on me when I first saw them in the theater. Given the current state of our world, I find myself yearning for a time when I wasn’t so overwhelmed by news. I’ve been rewatching “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind” [Starz], “The Ice Storm” [Max], “Time Bandits” [Max]. I recently saw “The King of Comedy” [Fubo] and was blown away. Sandra Bernhard’s performance is incredible! A new show I’ve been enjoying lately is “Palm Royale” [Apple TV+]. All the actresses are fantastic, but Kristen Wiig is always the most intricate comedienne I’ve ever seen on screen.

Kane: I find TCM particularly comforting. Watching a black-and-white movie somehow soothes and inspires me. The lighting is often intricate and artistic. I greatly admire Bette Davis, Claude Rains, Gary Cooper, and Mary Astor. Davis has always been a great source of inspiration for me because of her courage and honesty on screen. Julie Harris in “Member of the Wedding” is deeply moving and breathtaking, as is Ethel Waters, and the young Brandon de Wilde.

What is the movie or TV show you return to time and again?

Kane: I treasure the works of John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands. “A Woman Under the Influence,” “Opening Night.” [Both available on Max and Criterion Channel.] There is always more to see and learn from both of them, as well as Peter Falk and Ben Gazzara! The cinematography of Al Ruban is shattering in some way. It’s so intimate. For a great comedy, I love “Annie Hall” [Prime Video, Fubo, MGM+] — Diane Keaton. Not to mention “Reds” [Pluto TV]. How can we even talk about anything directed by Martin Scorsese starring the magnificent Robert De Niro; they are my bucket list. I am forever grateful to have gotten to work with Mike Nichols, Hal Ashby, and Cassavetes. I better stop now, I know your readers don’t have ALL DAY!

Watkins: “When Harry Met Sally” [VOD, multiple platforms]. I was in Budapest last year when I contracted COVID and the only thing that could give me any relief was watching it on my computer. It’s a perfect film from start to finish.

Tell us about the most hilarious/embarrassing/odd thing that happened during a meal with your parents.

Kane: In the 1950s, my dad showed up at the dinner table in Cleveland, Ohio, dressed as Marcel Marceau in white long johns and full clown-white Marceau makeup!

Watkins: When I was in my early 20s, my sister hosted Thanksgiving at her apartment in New York City. My entire family came, as did her in-laws. I even invited my boyfriend so he could meet everyone for the first time. After countless hours in the oven, the turkey was still frozen. By the time we sat down to eat it, it was almost 10 p.m. My nervous boyfriend hadn’t eaten anything all day except a bottle of scotch. When he finally spoke, he stood up and yelled/slurred “I HOPE EVERYONE NOTICED I TOOK OFF MY HAT.” The look on my mother’s face still gives me nightmares.