One Woman Makes Discovery+ Absolutely Worth It
TV reviews, TV opinions and also sometimes other opinions
**This post discusses the new Discovery+ app, 90 Day Bares All and 90 Day Diaries but there aren’t any spoilers**
I love television, but, like most people, I do not like spending money on television. I currently have Netflix, Hulu with Live TV, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, and Peacock subscriptions. It basically cost the same thing as cable, although it was only inevitable that streaming services would focus on profit rather than user ease. Take Peacock, for example, they announced new subscription plans based on how much of The Office you want to watch. These services think they know what you want and they’re starting to put up fences around the goods.
In the case of Peacock, it’s absolutely silly to think anyone would pay extra to watch a show everyone has seen a million times. You can buy the entire series on DVD for less than a Peacock subscription. Hell, you can turn on Comedy Central or COZI TV at pretty much any time and The Office will just…be on. If streaming services insist on creating these additional apps, they have to give us more than that. They have to give us the classic comfort content we crave and new stuff that makes shelling out an extra $5 a month worth it.
Enter Discovery+: the first streaming app that actually figured that out. When I first heard about the app I thought, Okay, I guess it’ll make it easier to watch 90 Day Fiancé? But I frankly didn’t see the point of an app that was just…Investigation Discovery Cold Case episodes and TLC shows I watch when nothing else is on. Before the app premiered, they announced there would be Discovery+ original shows (and, more importantly, 90 Day spin-offs), which made things a bit more interesting.
As a devoted 90 Day fan, I knew I had to at least try the new shows out. I figured they’d be more of the same stuff we already see on TLC. The current reality TV landscape doesn’t really provide much in the way of “surprises.” You can follow most of these people on social media and know what’s happening in their lives. So, what could Bares All or 90 Day Diaries really entertain me with?
Well, the answer is: Shaun Robinson.
Shaun Robinson has long been 90 Day’s secret weapon. She comes in at the end of the season to host the Tell All of every version of the show. She holds people accountable. She asks the tough questions. She stirs the pot, smiles and then disappears between seasons. On Bares All, she takes centerstage. Bares All is like a weekly Tell All companion to whatever version of 90 Day is currently airing on TLC. We get unseen moments and 90 Day favorites like Angela pop in to give their insight on current couples. Because it’s in the app, it can also be…uncomfortably hilarious and slightly X-rated.
Shaun Robinson gets these couples to open up in a way that’s more intimate and realistic than anything you’d see on their Instagram feeds. She encourages them through rap performances in a way that is so sincere, you know she truly does believe this is her 90 Day family and she just wants everyone to get along. It’s a dynamic you can’t get anywhere else but the Discovery+ app and that alone makes it worth it.
From there, it’s easy to get pulled into the other Discovery+ original series. Even 90 Day Diaries (which is basically a cleaned-up version of 90 Day Self-Quarantined) offers some interesting new content by focusing on genuine life updates from past couples, rather than old drama. It was gross when the show tried to encourage Danielle to chase after Mohamed on Happily Ever After, but it’s nice to see them work through their feelings in a healthier way on 90 Day Diaries.
So, yes, Discovery+ does have all the reality stuff you already watch on TLC, OWN, Investigation Discovery and the Food Network when nothing else is on. But…at the same time, they capitalize on the people and personalities that already make their shows feel special in a way other streaming services haven’t figured out yet. It makes for an app that has quickly joined my list of TV binge comforts during coup-week. It’ll also be interesting to see what 90 Day spin-off they come up with next. And hey, if you have Verizon, you can try it for free for 6 months.
Here’s a quick list the TV I watched during the week. Listen to today’s episode of the podcast for my takes on Dark, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Cobra Kai, Bridgerton and more.
Veneno (HBO Max) - I watched this entire show in a single day. It’s incredible. It came out in America November of last year and I regret that it wasn’t on my year end list. Just…go watch it. Immediately. Thank you.
Lazor Wulf (Adult Swim) - I’ve been revisiting this show because it comforts me and I like watching it when I smoke weed. Also, someone from the show will be visiting the podcast next Friday, so do your homework and watch the season 2 finale this weekend in preparation for that!
90 Day Bares All (Discovery+) - Goddamn it, it’s so good. It’s really so good. It’s like a Tell All episode on steroids.
90 Day Diaries (Discovery+) - DANIELLE AND MOHAMED ARE BACK.
90 Day Fiancé (TLC) - My weekly recap is on Vulture, but wow, I am loving Stephanie so much.
Unexpected (TLC) - This show has surpassed Teen Mom/Teen Mom 2 in my eyes. Some day, I will write a detailed comparison of the two.
Best Leftovers Ever (Netflix) - I couldn’t get into the energy of this show. I want that weed cooking show to come back.
Haha, there was a coup this week. Idk, what do ya want me to say?