Space Force & Eurovision

Returning to mundane, easy topics: a Netflix series with Steve Carrell, and a Netflix movie with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams.

 Space Force.  One season, 10 episodes, the US establishes a Space Force, led by General Naird (Carrell).  Ostensibly this is to militarize space in favor of US interests, but we find that the Chinese managed to get to the Moon and establish a base there.  Although the President is not identified by name, his behavior is consistent with the current leader, including, but not limited to, explicit instructions to give the Russian liaison whatever sensitive information he asks for.  The general’s wife (Lisa Kudrow, aka Phoebe from "Friends") wound up in prison (I couldn’t figure out why) for a long time, so long that she recommends they change to an open marriage.  His teenage daughter is attractive but somewhat difficult.  John Malkovich plays the civilian scientist advisor.  I found the humor consistently top quality and eagerly await the next season.   I’m not a big fan of “The Office”, but I’d say Carrell and his fellow cast members all do a stellar job.

 Eurovision Song Contest.  This is a single movie.   For decades, the Europeans have competed in music competition, the Eurovision Song Contest.   Back when we lived in Paris we ignored it, as the entries were always insipid pop crap.  ABBA is probably the best known winner (1974, “Waterloo”).  At it happens, whichever country wins, hosts the next year’s contest, and in this narrative, Iceland’s finance minister Karlossen (Michael Persbrand) realizes that the contest is a net loss for the host country – so he manages to get Lars Erikssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Eriksdottir (Rachel McAdams) to be Iceland’s champions, safe in the hope they can’t possibly beat the competing artists.  This includes the Russian champion, Alexander Lemtov, played by Dan Stevens from "Downton Abbey".  The irony is that this year’s Eurovision was actually cancelled due to the coronavirus, so in its place we get this movie.   Just as Space Force works well for Steve Carrell fans, this works for Will Ferrell fans.  And if you’re an ABBA fan, so much the better.