newyorkpost--2020-08-18--The Best Shows on Netflix: 50 Top Series for August 2020

Do you ever feel like you ’ ve already watched every television series on Netflix ?
After being ( largely ) stuck in our homes for the last six months and change , we don ’ t blame you for feeling that way — but it simply ain ’ t true .
In moments like this , when you ’ re searching for something –nay , ANYTHING— to watch , Decider is here for you .
( It ’ s right there in our name , after all ! )
Over the last few weeks , the Decider team had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate about which of the thousands of shows on Netflix were the best of the best .
Some feelings were hurt , sure , but it was all in pursuit of the greater good .
That good being YOUR good .
No matter what you ’ re in the mood for —an uproarious comedy , a serious docuseries , a campy laugh riot , or an Emmy-winning drama— we ’ ve got something for you .
So please , take a spin through our list of the 50 best shows on Netflix , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updating .
Check early , check often , and happy bingewatching !
SEE ALSO : Netflix ’ s Top 10 Most Watched Movies and Shows , Updated Daily

Do you ever feel like you’ve already watched every television series on Netflix? After being (largely) stuck in our homes for the last six months and change, we don’t blame you for feeling that way — but it simply ain’t true. In moments like this, when you’re searching for something –nay, ANYTHING— to watch, Decider is here for you. (It’s right there in our name, after all!)
Over the last few weeks, the Decider team had some furious (yet socially distanced) debate about which of the thousands of shows on Netflix were the best of the bes–t. Some feelings were hurt, sure, but it was all in pursuit of the greater good. That good being YOUR good. No matter what you’re in the mood for —an uproarious comedy, a serious docuseries, a campy laugh riot, or an Emmy-winning drama— we’ve got something for you. So please, take a spin through our list of the 50 best shows on Netflix, a list that we’re constantly updating. Check early, check often, and happy bingewatching!
SEE ALSO: Netflix’s Top 10 Most Watched Movies and Shows, Updated Daily
50 'Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later' (2017) CREATOR: Michael Showalter, David Wain
CAST: Elizabeth Banks, Lake Bell, Michael Ian Black
RATING: TV-MA Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later is as ridiculous as you want it to be and just what you expect from David Wain and Michael Showalter. What started in 2001 as a satire of ‘80s camp movies has become a franchise with the same hilarious ensemble, and the 10 Years Later series is just an excuse for them to flash forward and make a bunch of early-‘90s references and wardrobe choices over its eight-episode arc. If you’re of a certain generation that appreciates that nostalgia, it’s the perfect kind of entertainment. Watch Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later on Netflix
49 'Dead To Me’ (2019) CREATORS: Liz Feldman
CAST: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden
RATING: TV-MA Dead To Me is a comedy about two women who meet in a grief support group after both suffer tragic losses. Their shared love of wine and The Facts of Life binds them, but there’s also secrecy and mysteries to be solved as their lives become more intertwined. Linda Cardellini and Christina Applegate toggle seamlessly between comedy and drama, and the nuanced writing elevates the series. Watch Dead To Me on Netflix
48 'Wild Wild Country' (2018) CREATORS: Maclain Way, Chapman Way
CAST: Ma Anand Sheela
RATING: TV-MA Wild Wild Country is a fascinating true story of a cult that moved into and basically took over a small Oregon town, much to the locals’ chagrin. The group’s leader, Bhagwan Shree Rashneesh, was so shrouded in mystery that he rarely appeared publicly, leaving his personal assistant, Ma Anand Sheela, to be the public face of the group. Sheela would ultimately be tried in federal court for arson, wire-tapping, and several other crimes, and Wild Wild Country details the corruption and secrecy that shrouded her and the mysterious, controversial group. Watch Wild, Wild Country on Netflix
47 'Atypical' (2017) CREATOR: Robia Rashid
CAST: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Keir Gilchrist, Michael Rapoport
RATING: TV-14 Atypical is a rarely told story of what happens when someone with autism comes of age. When 18-year-old Sam (Keir Gilchrist) starts to catch feelings for women, his family grapples with his independence, the choices he’s making, and how it affects their own lives to see him growing. Though Gilchrist is not autistic in real life, he is portrayed deftly and sensitively, and the show features a supporting cast of autistic students. Watch Atypical on Netflix
46 'Grace and Frankie’ (2015) CREATORS: Marta Kaufmann, Howard J. Morris
CAST: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin
RATING: TV-MA Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, reunited on screen a few decades after 9 to 5, are in their element together on Grace and Frankie. As the title characters, they play two women who are strong-willed and opinionated (especially when it comes to each other), and yet they only have each other to lean on after their husbands fall in love and leave them during their retirement years. The A-list cast includes Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston, who, along with Fonda and Tomlin, are clearly having fun with the material and make it all the more fun to watch. Watch Grace and Frankie on Netflix
45 'Shadow and Bone' (2021) CREATOR: Eric Heisserer
CAST: Jessie Mei Li, Ben Barnes, Archie Renaux, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, Kit Young
RATING: TV-14
Shadow and Bone is half lavish fantasy saga, half gripping teen drama. Based on the beloved books by Leigh Bardugo, the show follows young Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a lowly cartographer in Ravka’s First Army. A dangerous journey across the Shadow Fold reveals that Alina might just have the power to save her world forever: she is a Sun Summoner. However, instead of making Alina feel special, this revelation puts a target on her back. While she battles enemies from all sides, she also has a group of charming thieves on her trail. And don’t get us started about Alina’s love life… Shadow and Bone is the kind of fantasy epic that sweeps you away. — Meghan O’Keefe Watch Shadow and Bone on Netflix
44 'The Witcher' (2019) CREATOR: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
CAST: Henry Cavill, Anya Cholatra, Freya Allan
RATING: TV-MA Is The Witcher high art? No, though a case could be made for the way Henry Cavill is able to communicate volumes through just grunts in the gory Netflix fantasy saga. The Witcher is addictive, escapist, melodramatic, bloody fun. Based on the best-selling books and video game, Netflix’s big blockbuster series works because of the chemistry of the main cast. Even as plots get more convoluted and magic all the more preposterous, we want to follow these broken souls as they battle evil and build a dysfunctional found family all their own.
43 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' (2015) CREATORS: Tina Fey, Robert Carlock
CAST: Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Carol Kane
RATING: TV-14 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is based on a ridiculous but riveting premise right out of the gate: a woman (Ellie Kemper) is rescued from a doomsday cult with no knowledge of the past 15 years and moves to New York City to start anew. Kemper’s wide-eyed ingenue performance was cultivated on The Office, and she’s perfected it so that her Kimmy is nuanced and more emotionally grounded, even when she’s dealing with stuff like getting her GED or, you know, facing “The Reverend” who imprisoned her for most of her life. Watch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix
42 'Teenage Bounty Hunters' (2020) CREATORS: Kathleen Jordan
CAST: Maddie Phillips, Anjelica Bette Fellini
RATING: TV-MA Cruelly cancelled after one perfect season, Teenage Bounty Hunters told the story of Sterling (Maddie Phillips) and Blair Wesley (Anjelica Bette Fellini). These two quippy fraternal twins belied Southern stereotypes and brought escaped convicts to task as the titular TBH. Besides being fun, the show provided a sweet love letter to Southern culture as well as a breathlessly fresh spin on LGBTQ+ romances. Don’t let its one season run deter you. Teenage Bounty Hunters is one of the best binges you can find on Netflix. — Meghan O’Keefe Watch Teenage Bounty Hunters on Netflix
41 'Lovesick' (2014) CREATOR: Tom Edge
CAST: Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas, Daniel Ings
RATING: TV-MA Lovesick is like High Fidelity but with STDs. When Dylan (Johnny Flynn) learns he has chlamydia, he has to contact his long list of former sex partners to notify them. The series flashes back to those relationships and we see how and why they ended. The show allows those stories to piece together a more complex look at Dylan and his two closest friends who relive the flashback with him. It’s a funny and realistic look at the hope and promise young relationships offer (before the chlamydia infection, of course) and is surprisingly sweet. Watch Lovesick on Netflix
40 'Flowers' (2016) CREATOR: Will Sharpe
CAST: Olivia Colman, Julian Barratt, Daniel Rigby
RATING: TV-MA This dark (and I mean DARK) British comedy is charming and weird and sure to leave a lasting impression on you. Julian Barratt and Olivia Colman star in this half-hour series that takes on everything from the ridiculousness of family drama, the deep desire to fit in, and the relentless struggle of mental health but all with sweetly uplifting undertones. Discover the two wonderful seasons on your own but just know you’ve not seen much like this before, and when I think about it, I still feel it in my heart. —Lea Palmieri Watch Flowers on Netflix
39 'After Life' (2019) CREATOR: Ricky Gervais
CAST: Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Ashley Jensen, Penelope Wilton
RATING: TV-MA After Life is a classic Ricky Gervais series. Gervais stars as Andy, a happy man with a seemingly perfect life which is upended by the death of his wife. Andy’s entire demeanor changes, and his depression manifests as unfiltered anger at the world. This is a man who calls a small child a “c–t”; no one is protected from his brutal and brutish honesty. The series evolves and we watch Andy slowly redeem himself, but not before he works his way through the five stages of grief by way of cleverly crafted insults. Watch After Life on Netflix
38 'Lost In Space' (2018) CREATORS: Irwin Allen, Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless
CAST: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Parker Posey
RATING: TV-PG If it wasn’t enough that the Robinson family was chosen to help colonize a new star system in order to save the human race (no pressure), their spacecraft is damaged en route and they’re forced to colonize an unknown planet way off their original course. The danger they face as they try to reconnect with their ship and survive in a new world is riveting thanks to a wonderful cast. Similar to Battlestar Galactica, much of the story is told in flashbacks that relate the family’s former life on their home planet to the trials they face stranded in outer space. Watch Lost In Space on Netflix
37 'Bridgerton' (2020) CREATORS: Chris Van Dusen
CAST: Regé-Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor, Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan
RATING: TV-MA Bridgerton is a show about the joys of seduction. Based on the best-selling romance novels by Julia Quinn, the series — and first Netflix hit from Shondaland — follows a brood of gorgeous siblings as they try to find true love in the marriage market of Regency London. The first season wooed us with a steamy romance between eldest daughter Daphne and the rakish Duke of Hastings, but the show is way more than just sexy. It’s also a giddy soap opera full of hilarious fools, scheming mamas, and one wallflower with a pen of steel. Watch Bridgerton on Netflix
36 'Godless' (2017) CREATORS: Scott Frank
CAST: Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, Merritt Wever, Scoot McNairy
RATING: TV-MA Written, directed and created by Scott Frank, the gritty Western Godless follows the injured outlaw Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell) who is on the run from his boss/mentor Frank Griffin (a menacing Jeff Daniels) after stealing the loot from a train heist gone horribly wrong. Goode seeks solace in La Belle, a town with a population of mostly women after a mining accident killed all their men. As Frank Griffin leaves a trail of violence and destruction is his wake, the inevitable showdown between the two men draws closer over the course of seven gripping episodes. Featuring a strong supporting cast of Michelle Dockery, Merritt Weaver, Scoot McNairy and Sam Waterson, Godless is a grim, bloody, and rewarding Western that deserves your attention as well as your patience in terms of its pacing.—Karen Kemmerle Watch Godless on Netflix
35 'Sex Education' (2019) CREATOR: Laurie Nunn
CAST: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson
RATING: TV-MA Awkward virgin teenager Otis (Asa Butterfield) is just coming into his own physically and sexually, as are all of his high-school classmates. His mom (Gillian Anderson) is a sex therapist who overshares and gets a little too detailed when it comes to the mechanics of bumping and grinding. So really, there’s only one thing for him to do: use the information she gives him to advise his peers about their own sex lives. The series is graphic and filthy and charming and sweet all at the same time. Watch Sex Education on Netflix
34 'The Queen’s Gambit' (2020) CREATORS: Scott Frank and Allan Scott
CAST: Anya Taylor-Joy, Marielle Heller, Moses Ingram, Thomas Brodie-Sangster
RATING: TV-MA Who says chess is boring? In the fall of 2020, the world found itself gripped by the story of orphan Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy). Left to fend for herself in a 1950s Kentucky orphanage, the precocious redhead finds her salvation in two places: the world of chess and the tranquilizer pills the headmistress uses to numb her traumatized charges. Beth uses chess like a superpower, letting her prodigious talents buoy her first out of poverty and then into the glamorous upper echelons of the mental sport. The only problem? The higher she gets in her journey to the top, the more she is haunted by her twin demons: grief and addiction. — Meghan O’Keefe Watch The Queen's Gambit on Netflix
33 'Cheer' (2020) CREATOR: NA
CAST: Monica Aldama, Gabi Butler, Lexi Brumback, Jerry Harris
RATING: TV-MA The lesson of Cheer is that hard work pays off, but it doesn’t hurt if you have a backup team providing mat talk, the effusive form of positive hyping you provide your peers from the sidelines. The docu-series follows the competitive cheer squad from Navarro College, coached by the tough but maternal Monica Aldama. The students at the heart of the series are at their physical peak, but all are flawed or have been dealt difficult hands in life, and their stories of perseverance make you root for them beyond their final competition. Watch Cheer on Netflix
32 'Black Mirror' (2011) CREATOR: Charlie Brooker
CAST: Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Hayley Atwell
RATING: TV-MA Black Mirror is basically Twilight Zone: the Next Generation, but with so much style and star power. The anthology series focuses on a collection of dystopian what-ifs, exploring everything from horrifying political scandals to the nightmare that is social media to simulated realities with a Belinda Carlisle soundtrack. The international cast and filming locations give the series a grander scale than anything Rod Serling would have ever imagined. Watch Black Mirror on Netflix
31 'Easy' (2016) CREATOR: Joe Swanberg
CAST: Aubrey Plaza, Judy Greer, Jane Adams, Dave Franco
RATING: TV-MA Easy is a star-studded modern rom-com produced in an anthology format: for those with short attention spans or early bedtimes, each standalone episode can be watched on its own with little commitment, though there are recurring characters and themes throughout. While some episodes take a lighter tone (and go heavy on the sex—hope you’re ready to watch Malin Ackerman and Orlando Bloom go at it for days), others are more nuanced and explore a more emotional intimacy. Watch Easy on Netflix
30 'The Society' (2019) CREATOR: Christopher Keyser
CAST: Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, Sean Berdy
RATING: TV-MA It’s either a dream come true or your worst nightmare: you’re in high school and everyone in your town disappears. When a group of teens return to their small Connecticut town after a field trip to find everyone else who lives there gone and realize they’re cut off from the rest of the world, they have to go all Lord of the Flies and make up their own rules for survival. But not all of them survive. Watch The Society on Netflix
29 'Never Have I Ever' (2020) CREATORS: Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher
CAST: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison
RATING: TV-14 Inspired by Mindy Kaling’s own memories of being a horny teen stuck in suburbia, Never Have I Ever tells the story of young Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), a boy-crazy teenager struggling to deal with her surging hormones. Also adding to Devi’s frustrations? Coping with the recent death of her beloved father. Never Have I Ever is a delectable treat of a binge full of heart, wit, and a healthy number of horny daydreams. — Meghan O’Keefe Watch Never Have I Ever on Netflix
28 'Squid Game' (2021) CREATORS: Hwang Dong-hyuk
CAST: Lee Jung-jae, Jung Ho-yeon, Park Hae-soo
RATING: TV-MA Squid Game took the world by storm when it premiered on Netflix in the late summer of 2021. The show follows a horrific secret game where in hundreds of struggling Koreans play children’s games to the death for the chance to win a fortune. The series drew folks in with its macabre humor and social commentary, but it maintained a hold on audiences thanks to its brilliant ensemble cast of characters you loved (and hated) to root for. Watch Squid Game on Netflix
27 'I Think You Should Leave' (2019) CREATORS: Tim Robinson, Zach Kanin
CAST: Tim Robinson, Andy Samberg, Sam Richardson, Fred Willard
RATING: TV-MA Based on the cast alone and their notable (and totally bonkers in a great way) character work, I Think You Should Leave is worthy of your time. Tim Robinson has assembled the best (and often weirdest) minds working in comedy today, including Cecily Strong, Sam Richardson, Will Forte, Fred Willard, and Vanessa Bayer. Despite the fact that many of the comedians involved have a connection to SNL, this show allows for far more daring, inventive, and deranged sketches than they’d ever pull off over in Studio 8H. Watch I Think You Should Leave on Netflix
26 'The Baby-Sitters Club' (2020) CREATOR: Rachel Shukert
CAST: Sophie Grace, Alicia Silverstone, Momona Tamada, Shay Rudolph, Malia Baker, Xochitl Gomez
RATING: TV-G The newest iteration of The Baby-Sitters Club is a gem. Funny, heartfelt, full of humor and style (as Claudia, Momona Tamada’s wardrobe is perfection), and a fresh, modern update of the books. It’s incredibly faithful to the original text but also full of storylines that have been revamped to feel relevant for the present day. This series was a labor of love for a crew who grew up on the original series, and that attention to detail shows. Watch The Baby-Sitters Club on Netflix
25 'Nailed It!' (2018) CREATOR: NA
CAST: Nicole Byer, Jacques Torres
RATING: TV-PG Nailed It! Is like the anti-Great British Baking Show. On the Baking Show, people who are genuinely talented take on incredibly difficult bakes, usually to impressive results. On Nailed It!, less … erm, qualified folks who are more likely to create a cake wreck try their best, to often hilarious results. No shade—there’s room here for both shows, and thanks to the delightful Nicole Byer and the expertise of Jacques Torres, Nailed It! is great fun. Watch Nailed It! on Netflix
24 'Gilmore Girls' (2000) CREATOR: Amy Sherman-Palladino
CAST: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel
RATING: TV-14 Rory and Lorelai Gilmore are mother-daughter goals (if your goals include coffee drinking, conversing solely in pop-culture references, and enduring complicated dealings with men that likely stem from your complicated paternal relationships). Set in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut (voted Warner Bros. Set I’d Most Like To Live In), the show sets the bar for quirky supporting cast and rapid-fire dialogue. Watch Gilmore Girls on Netflix
23 'The Haunting of Hill House' (2018) & 'The Haunting of Bly Manor' (2020) (TIE) CREATOR: Mike Flanagan
CAST: Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, Timothy Hutton, Elizabeth Reaser, Henry Thomas
RATING: TV-MA Families tormented by the haunted mansions they live in are well-worn stories by now (oh, boo hoo, you have to share your huge house with the undead), but The Haunting of Hill House depicts that trauma and its devastating aftermath in new and disturbing ways, told through intertwining storylines of past and present. Watch the paranormal wreak havoc on the young Crain family, and see how their adult lives have unraveled as a result. And for a bonus trip to the dark side, visit the spooky environs of Bly Manor in Flanagan’s follow up to Hill House: The Haunting of Bly Manor. Watch The Haunting Of Hill House on Netflix
22 'Stranger Things' (2016) CREATOR: The Duffer Brothers
CAST: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard
RATING: TV-MA Stranger Things really put Netflix on the map. This throwback sci-fi/horror drama about a group of small-town nerds who stumble across an elaborate, inter-dimensional, supernatural government conspiracy gave Netflix its first Game of Thrones-level mainstream hit. The show mixes everything that a generation of kids loved (King novels, Carpenter movies, Spielberg characters, X-Men plots) and mutates them into something both viscerally authentic to the 1980s and surprisingly now. Watching Stranger Things makes you feel like being a teen again, with all the confusion and screaming drama amped up to 11 (pun intended).—Brett White Watch Stranger Things on Netflix
21 'Magic For Humans' (2018) CREATOR: Justin Willman
CAST: Justin Willman
RATING: TV-14 Criss Angel and David Blaine are so ‘90s. If you want a magician who represents what we as a culture need in 2020, let me suggest the charming Justin Willman. Willman’s blend of magic and comedy is a refreshing antidote to self-serious magicians of yore, and yet the feats he pulls off are every bit as entertaining and impressive. Watch Magic For Humans on Netflix
20 'One Day At A Time' (2017) CREATORS: Norman Lear, Whitney Blake, Allan Manings, Gloria Calderón Kellett, Mike Royce
CAST: Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez
RATING: TV-PG That Rita Moreno is still blessing us with her acting is an honor. That she has such wonderful material to perform is a gift. In this update to the 1975 sitcom of the same name, Moreno serves as the matriarch of a Cuban-American family living with her daughter, Penelope (the fantastic Justina Machado), and Penelope’s two kids. The show is anchored by her complex and realistic (and yet still hilarious) chemistry with Machado. Watch One Day At A Time on Netflix
19 'When They See Us' (2019) CREATOR: Ava DuVernay
CAST: Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Jharrel Jerome
RATING: TV-MA Ava DuVernay’s telling of the story of the Central Park Five, the five Harlem teens who were wrongfully convicted of raping the Central Park Jogger in 1990, is gripping television that could only have been made right now, given all that has unfolded in the time since the event. Through DuVernay’s expert lens, the story that unfolds over the four episode miniseries humanizes everyone involved in the tragic event, while illuminating how the criminal justice system places little value on the lives of those within it. Watch When They See Us on Netflix
18 'The Great British Baking Show' (2010) CREATOR: Anna Beattie
CAST: Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, Sandy Toksvig
RATING: TV-14 There is no greater defeat than when Paul Hollywood jams his thick finger into a contestant’s loaf and declares it underbaked. No greater joy than when he tastes a loaf that’s been dappled with some combination of orange peel and cardamom and extends a congratulatory handshake to its creator. This is the extent of the emotional highs and lows of The Great British Baking Show. The British competition series has gained renown for its gentle demeanor — even the harshest baking critiques are delivered with kindness. And the grand prize? Why, there are no sponsorships here. All you get is a giant plate, a bouquet, likely picked from the pastoral landscape upon which the series is filmed, and the satisfaction of knowing you rose to the occasion and had this talent in you all along. Watch The Great British Baking Show on Netflix
17 'Cobra Kai' (2018) CREATORS: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
CAST: William Zabka, Ralph Macchio
RATING: TV-14 Cobra Kai is the rare reboot that not only works, but shines new light on its original material. The series follows the original characters from the hit ‘80s franchise The Karate Kid into the 2020s. Daniel LaRusso has gone from underdog to rich bully and Johnny Lawrence is now the unlikely hero we’re rooting for. But beyond that, it’s one of the few shows to effortlessly blend action, comedy, romance, and nostalgia. Quite simply, it’s a knockout. Watch Cobra Kai on Netflix
16 'Better Call Saul' (2015) CREATORS: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould
CAST: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Michael McKean, Giancarlo Esposito
RATING: TV-MA Bob Odenkirk didn’t even understand why he, of all people, was being asked to audition for the role of Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad. And yet, what was meant to just be a four-episode arc has turned into a career-making role that carries an entire spin-off series. It’s no small feat to take a con man who served as the wisecracking comic relief in one series and turn him into a beloved, if flawed, character, but Odenkirk has flourished in the role. Turns out, Saul has plenty of story to tell outside of the world of Walter White. Watch Better Call Saul on Netflix
15 'Mindhunter' (2017) CREATOR: Joe Penhall
CAST: Jonathan Groff, Anna Torv, Holt McCallany
RATING: TV-MA Mindhunter follows two FBI agents played by Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany, in the Behavioral Science Unit, as they profile serial killers to understand their motives and methods. Based on the book Mindhunter: Inside The FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by former FBI agent John E. Douglas, the series has executive producer David Fincher’s stamp on it in many ways; dark and chilling at times, it seeks to understand what’s going on in the minds of not just killers, but then men who are studying them. Watch Mindhunter on Netflix
14 'The Good Place' (2016) CREATOR: Michael Schur
CAST: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, D’Arcy Carden
RATING: TV-14 Everyone loves a TV show that flips the script, and The Good Place’s first season is right up there at the top of the list in terms of television shows where you just didn’t see the big twist coming. The Good Place is equal parts comedy and philosophy lesson, a true original that perfectly blends highbrow concepts, middlebrow comedy, a plethora of visual puns, and Ted Danson to create a magical show. Watch The Good Place on Netflix
13 'Dear White People' (2017) CREATOR: Justin Simien
CAST: Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton
RATING: TV-MA Based on the 2014 film of the same name, Dear White People pulls off the difficult task of blending humor and satire with racial commentary. Set on a college campus full of white students who would identify as “woke,” the series takes a look at the realities of the black students on campus who have to navigate life among their peers and challenge the status quo. There are some truly genius episodes (the Scandal parody is a must-see) that make this show shine. Watch Dear White People on Netflix
12 'Community' (2009) CREATOR: Dan Harmon
CAST: Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, Gillian Jacobs, Chevy Chase
RATING: TV-14 Community is that perfect ensemble show where you truly can’t pick a favorite character because they all complement each other so well and each cast member adds the perfect element to the weird, meta, referential humor in the scripts. (And just as it’s hard to believe superstar Cardi B was once just a reality star on Love & Hip Hop, we tend to forget that Donald Glover a.k.a. Childish Gambino is also Troy Barnes, of “Troy and Abed In The Morning” fame.) Watch Community on Netflix
11 'Queer Eye' (2018) CREATOR: David Collins
CAST: Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France
RATING: TV-14 Queer Eye is the comfort show we all needed in 2018 when it premiered as a reboot of the early aughts’ Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, and it continues to be a comfort in 2020. Leaving the “straight guy” behind, the new version of the series opens itself up to new clientele, be they gay, straight, or trans. The entire makeover crew, known at the Fab Five, are cast to perfection to create a judgment-free zone where you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll most definitely start referring to literally everything as “gorgeous.” Watch Queer Eye on Netflix
10 'Derry Girls' (2018) CREATOR: Lisa McGee
CAST: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell
RATING: TV-14 A show set in 1990s Northern Ireland at the height of the “Troubles” might sound like a march through despair, but Derry Girls is an uproarious hilarious look at the embarrassments of teen life. The show follows four native Derry girls and the English-born male cousin who gets hooked into their idiosyncratic world. With devastating one liners and foreign-sounding slang, Derry Girls pulls off that magic trick of comedy: by being hyper specific, the show feels emotionally universal. Don’t sleep on this one. (But, uh, maybe watch with the subtitles on? You’ll have a greater appreciation for showrunner Lisa McGee’s exquisite joke writing.)—Meghan O’Keefe Watch Derry Girls on Netflix
9 'Unbelievable' (2019) CREATOR: Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman, and Michael Chabon
CAST: Toni Collette, Kaitlyn Dever, Meritt Wever
RATING: TV-14 Netflix’s Unbelievable may have been snubbed at the 2020 Emmys, but it remains one of the most essential dramas of the past few years. Based on a 2015 ProPublica story, Unbelievable follows a teenager named Marie (Kaitlyn Dever) who is accused of lying after she reports her rape to the police. Years later, two female detectives (Toni Collette and Meritt Wever) pick up the investigation and give it the attention it deserves, and before long, they connect Marie’s case to a serial rapist. Despite the dark subject material, Unbelievable succeeds because of its female-centric, victim-first POV, which ensures that the emotional impact of sexual assault, rather than the assault itself, remains at the forefront of the narrative.—Claire Spellberg Watch Unbelievable on Netflix
8 'Bojack Horseman' (2014) CREATOR: Raphael Bob-Waksberg
CAST: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, Aaron Paul
RATING: TV-MA BoJack Horseman‘s very first episode revolves around BoJack (Will Arnett) begrudgingly accepting he needs a ghostwriter for his memoir. Within minutes of meeting her, Diane (Alison Brie) tells BoJack, “You’re responsible for your own happiness.” BoJack immediately dismisses the notion as depressing before making a couple of self-deprecating jokes and throwing up a truly staggering amount of cotton candy. Six seasons later it’s clear that Diane was right all along. As BoJack Horseman proved, we are all responsible for our own happiness and, more importantly, the journey it takes to get there.—Kayla Cobb Watch Bojack Horseman on Netflix
7 'Arrested Development' (2003) CREATOR: Mitchell Hurwitz
CAST: Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Tony Hale, Jessica Walter, Jeffrey Tambor
RATING: TV-MA Arrested Development is like a live-action Simpsons, each episode richly layered with visual gags you’ll pause your TV to rewatch, and scripts full of jokes that are destined to become catchphrases. (“There’s always money in the banana stand” will be on my tombstone, mark my words.) It’s the series that formally introduced us to Michael Cera, Tony Hale, and Will Arnett, revitalized Jason Bateman’s comedy career, and gave Liza Minelli vertigo. Watch Arrested Development on Netflix
6 'New Girl' (2011) CREATOR: Elizabeth Meriwether
CAST: Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris, Max Greenfield, Hannah Simone
RATING: TV-14 We’ve all already watched New Girl in its entirety several times, right? This sitcom feels designed to be enjoyed over and over again. It’s just one of those shows that might be even more perfect now as the thing that helps me drift off to sleep or gives me the same Schmidt chuckle on a day when I need it most. New Girl is both sharper and sweeter than it really ever gets credit for and knowing it’s on Netflix is knowing you’ve lot a loft-full of caring roommates ready to give you the equivalent of a streaming hug.—Lea Palmieri Watch New Girl on Netflix
5 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' (2005) CREATORS: Michael Dante DiMartino, Brian Konietzko
CAST: Zach Tyler, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena
RATING: TV-Y7 Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of those shows that kids and adults can both appreciate on multiple levels. Rooted in comic book mythology, ATLA takes place in a fantasy world where the four elements — air, water, earth and fire — can be manipulated in order to maintain harmony and balance in the world. Its killer soundtrack and smart writing elevate the animated series and make it a great watch (with or without kids). Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix
4 'Breaking Bad' (2008) CREATOR: Vince Gilligan
CAST: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt
RATING: TV-MA Broke and desperate high school teacher uses his chemistry knowledge to become drug kingpin in order to provide for his family. (When we put it that way, the plot of Breaking Bad actually seems kinda… realistic? But the story of meth cookers Walter White and his student, Jesse Pinkman, is far more brutal and gory than that simple log line.) Bryan Cranston’s performance as Walter White (and White’s alter ego, Heisenberg the drug dealer) is one of the great performances in recent years, and helped to place Breaking Bad alongside The Wire and The Sopranos as one of the defining dramas in this golden age of prestige television. Watch Breaking Bad on Netflix
3 'Russian Doll' (2019) CREATORS: Leslye Headland, Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler
CAST: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee
RATING: TV-MA There are comparisons aplenty between Russian Doll and Groundhog Day, and while it’s true that the protagonists of both are stuck in a time loop, destined to repeat the same day over and over, tonally and visually they are drastically different. Natasha Lyonne’s Nadia doesn’t just relive each day, she dies each night (in a sometimes shocking, sometimes hilarious fashion). Eventually fate brings Nadia together with Alan, who’s stuck in his own time loop, and they have to figure out how their paths intersect. You’ll definitely be downloading Harry Nilsson’s “Gotta Get Up” after watching. Watch Russian Doll on Netflix
2 'GLOW' (2017) CREATORS: Liz Flahive, Carly Mensch
CAST: Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Marc Maron
RATING: TV-MA GLOW begins as a series that’s presumably about an out-of-work actress (Alison Brie) taking a job as part of an all-female wrestling ensemble out of desperation. Along the way she finds herself working alongside her ex-best friend (Betty Gilpin) and a scummy B-movie director (Marc Maron), and as it turns out, everyone is a lot more complex, difficult, and kind than they first appeared. GLOW has become one of the great dramedies in recent years, with incredible performances from Gilpin, Brie, and a hugely talented supporting cast. Watch GLOW on Netflix


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Kristaps Porzingis’ ridiculous technical ruins playoff debut

The refs spoiled Kristaps Porzingis ’ postseason debut and a thrilling NBA playoff game with two dubious calls on Tuesday night .
Porzingis was ejected from Game 1 of the Clippers-Mavericks series after a brief altercation with Los Angeles forward Marcus Morris , led to the referees giving the Latvian star his second technical of the night .
Dallas led 71-66 with 9:10 left in third when Luka Doncic was called for palming the ball .
Morris was eager to grab the ball and ended up grabbing Doncic , who sought to push his way free .
Porzingis came over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morris , who responded with a push .
Referees gave former Knicks technical fouls .
“ I saw him getting into Luka ’ s face and I didn ’ t like that .
That ’ s why I reacted.
” Porzingis , who 14 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes , said .
“ That ’ s a smart , smart thing to do from their part .
I ’ ve just got to be smarter and control my emotions , especially on the first one.
” The decision drew the ire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LeBron James and Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki .
“ Man that was BOGUS AS HELL MAN !
!
!
!
!
Cmon man , ” the Lakers star wrote .
Not even the instigating Morris thought Porzingis deserved to be tossed .
“ I wish that Porzingis played because it ’ s playoffs , man — nobody should get thrown out in playoffs , ” Morris , who the Clippers acquired from the Knicks at the trade deadline , said .
“ I know that really hurt their team .
Not my fault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was that serious.
” Crew chief Kane Fitzgerald said officials determined after watching replay that Porzingis had escalated the incident when he approached Morris .
Porzingis had picked up his first technical foul in the first half for his reaction to a foul called when he believed he ’ d blocked a shot .
The Clippers swarmed Doncic from the outset , forcing him into three turnovers in the first two minutes while racing to a 10-0 lead .
“ KP had my back .
He did it for me .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had my back , ” Doncic , who finished with 42 points , said .
“ Not just me , but the whole team appreciates that .
I don ’ t think it was fair to take him out of the game , especially in the playoffs.
” Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday .

The refs spoiled Kristaps Porzingis’ postseason debut and a thrilling NBA playoff game with two dubious calls on Tuesday night.
Porzingis was ejected from Game 1 of the Clippers-Mavericks series after a brief altercation with Los Angeles forward Marcus Morris, led to the referees giving the Latvian star his second technical of the night.
Dallas led 71-66 with 9:10 left in third when Luka Doncic was called for palming the ball. Morris was eager to grab the ball and ended up grabbing Doncic, who sought to push his way free. Porzingis came over and he and attempted to brush away Morris, who responded with a push. Referees gave former Knicks technical fouls.
The Clippers rallied for a 118-110 win.
“I saw him getting into Luka’s face and I didn’t like that. That’s why I reacted.” Porzingis, who 14 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes, said. “That’s a smart, smart thing to do from their part. I’ve just got to be smarter and control my emotions, especially on the first one.”
The decision drew the ire of those on social media, including LeBron James and Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.
“Man that was BOGUS AS HELL MAN!!!!! Cmon man,” the Lakers star wrote.
Nowitzki added, “That ejection is super soft.”
Not even the instigating Morris thought Porzingis deserved to be tossed.
“I wish that Porzingis played because it’s playoffs, man — nobody should get thrown out in playoffs,” Morris, who the Clippers acquired from the Knicks at the trade deadline, said. “I know that really hurt their team. Not my fault, but I didn’t think it was that serious.”
Crew chief Kane Fitzgerald said officials determined after watching replay that Porzingis had escalated the incident when he approached Morris.
Porzingis had picked up his first technical foul in the first half for his reaction to a foul called when he believed he’d blocked a shot. The Clippers swarmed Doncic from the outset, forcing him into three turnovers in the first two minutes while racing to a 10-0 lead.
“KP had my back. He did it for me. He did it for his teammate. He had my back,” Doncic, who finished with 42 points, said. “Not just me, but the whole team appreciates that. I don’t think it was fair to take him out of the game, especially in the playoffs.”
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday.
— With AP


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Oracle joins Microsoft in hunt to buy video-sharing app TikTok

President Trump said the wildly popular TikTok app will be ...

Oracle is reportedly looking to purchase TikTok, giving Microsoft more competition for a politically sensitive acquisition of the popular video-sharing app.
The software giant led by President Trump-supporting billionaire Larry Ellison has held preliminary talks with TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, as it “seriously” considers purchasing the app’s operations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Financial Times reported early Tuesday.
California-based Oracle has been working with a group of American investors, including General Atlantic and Sequoia Capital, that already own a piece of ByteDance, the outlet reported, citing “people briefed about the matter.”
Oracle declined to comment, and TikTok said it doesn’t comment on “market rumors.” A ByteDance spokesman did not respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday.
Oracle could challenge Microsoft’s bid to take over TikTok, which Trump has ordered ByteDance to sell within 90 days based on “credible evidence” that the Beijing-based company poses a national security threat. US officials have alleged that TikTok could share American users’ data with the Chinese government, which TikTok says it does not do.
Ellison, Oracle’s co-founder and chairman, is among a small number of Silicon Valley magnates who have backed Trump. He held a fundraiser for the president’s re-election campaign at his California home in February that reportedly sparked a protest among Oracle employees.
Microsoft said earlier this month it was talking with ByteDance about buying TikTok’s operations in the same four countries that Oracle is reportedly targeting. The Redmond, Washington-based tech titan said it planned to wrap up the discussions by Sept. 15, the deadline Trump initially set for a sale to take place under an Aug. 6 executive order.
Twitter has also reportedly approached TikTok about a deal, though there have been “serious concerns” about the San Francisco-based company’s ability to finance it, the Financial Times reported.
No matter the buyer, a sale will be crucial for TikTok’s ability to keep operating in the US as Trump’s order could reportedly boot it from US app stores and bar American companies from buying ads on the platform.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston are doing ‘Fast Times’ together

UPDATE : The star-studded cast of the “ Fast Times at Ridgemont High ” table read got even starrier with the addition of Brad Pitt and Jimmy Kimmel .
They join previously announced Jennifer Aniston , Julia Roberts , Matthew McConaughey , Morgan Freeman , Henry Golding , Shia LaBeouf and Spicoli himself , Sean Penn and Dane Cook .
Exes Aniston and Pitt previously appeared together on Aniston ’ s hugely popular NBC comedy series “ Friends.
” The biggest all-star summer movie event of 2020 is technically from 1982 .
On Aug. 20 , comedian Dane Cook is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fundraiser/virtual live table read of “ Fast Times at Ridgemont High , ” the iconic teen pic directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe .
The movie was authentic and raw when it came to teen comedies and is hailed as a pop culture touchstone — and the teen comedy celebrates its 38th anniversary today .
The virtual live table read will be unrehearsed , which means it should be a glorious , anything-goes event with an all-star roster including Cook , Jennifer Aniston , Julia Roberts , Matthew McConaughey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shia LaBeouf and Spicoli himself , Sean Penn ( though he won ’ t be playing the stoner surfer — more on that later ) .
Additional casting will be unveiled shortly .
Heckerling and Crowe will make a special introduction at the top of the event .
To find out who will be playing who , viewers will have to tune into the live event .
The event will take place on Aug. 20 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on CORE ’ s official Facebook page and TikTok .
The event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the humanitarian organization co-founded by Penn and CEO Ann Lee , currently on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 providing testing and relief services in the United States .
It also will support the REFORM Alliance , which is focused on passing laws to reform the criminal justice system and protecting the incarcerated population from the spread of COVID-19 .
The livestreams will feature a donate button , and all proceeds will benefit CORE as well as REFORM Alliance .
“ I ’ m honored that so many talented , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to celebrate our movie , and to create their own special version of it , ” said Heckerling .
“ And I ’ m a huge fan of Sean .
He has such a big heart , and I fully support CORE and all of his causes.
” Crowe added : “ Sean brought magic to us on day one , and he is still bringing that magic to the world .
We are so excited to be a part of this 2020 take on ‘ Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
’ Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sean , for always honoring the best things in life , love and creativity .
It is , as a great man once said , totally awesome.
” Said Penn : “ On behalf of our dedicated team at CORE , I ’ m so appreciative of the support Dane has given and continues to give to our work .
I ’ m always game for a giggle .
So , to gather remotely for a night of laughs with so many talented folks while providing CORE with much-needed resources to continue our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onboard to play !
” Surprisingly Penn won ’ t be playing Spicolo , but he said that he is “ very confident in the new guy.
” Executive produced by Cook and Ivan Dudynsky , the virtual table read of “ Fast Times at Ridgemont High ” is presented in association with Deviants Media Inc. and JWP.ws , follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

UPDATE: The star-studded cast of the “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” table read got even starrier with the addition of Brad Pitt and Jimmy Kimmel. They join previously announced Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, Henry Golding, Shia LaBeouf, Dane Cook and Spicoli himself, Sean Penn. Exes Aniston and Pitt previously appeared together on Aniston’s hugely popular NBC comedy series “Friends.”
The biggest all-star summer movie event of 2020 is technically from 1982. On Aug. 21 (rescheduled from Aug. 20 so as not to conflict with Joe Biden’s speech on the final night of the Democratic National Convention), comedian Dane Cook is presenting “Feelin’ A-Live,” a fundraiser/virtual live table read of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” the iconic teen pic directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe.
Watch the teaser above.
The movie was authentic and raw when it came to teen comedies and is hailed as a pop culture touchstone — and the teen comedy celebrates its 38th anniversary today. The virtual live table read will be unrehearsed, which means it should be a glorious, anything-goes event with an all-star roster including Cook, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, Henry Golding, Shia LaBeouf and Spicoli himself, Sean Penn (though he won’t be playing the stoner surfer — more on that later). Additional casting will be unveiled shortly. Heckerling and Crowe will make a special introduction at the top of the event. To find out who will be playing whom, viewers will have to tune into the live event.
The event will take place on Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CORE’s official Facebook page and TikTok. The event will benefit the emergency relief nonprofit CORE, the humanitarian organization co-founded by Penn and CEO Ann Lee, currently on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 providing testing and relief services in the United States. It also will support the REFORM Alliance, which is focused on passing laws to reform the criminal justice system and protecting the incarcerated population from the spread of COVID-19. The livestreams will feature a donate button, and all proceeds will benefit CORE as well as REFORM Alliance.
“I’m honored that so many talented, wonderful people are willing to get together to celebrate our movie, and to create their own special version of it,” said Heckerling. “And I’m a huge fan of Sean. He has such a big heart, and I fully support CORE and all of his causes.”
Crowe added: “Sean brought magic to us on day one, and he is still bringing that magic to the world. We are so excited to be a part of this 2020 take on ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High.’ Thank you to this cast, and to Sean, for always honoring the best things in life, love and creativity. It is, as a great man once said, totally awesome.”
Said Penn: “On behalf of our dedicated team at CORE, I’m so appreciative of the support Dane has given and continues to give to our work. I’m always game for a giggle. So, to gather remotely for a night of laughs with so many talented folks while providing CORE with much-needed resources to continue our vital work, then consider us fully onboard to play!”
Surprisingly, Penn won’t be playing Spicolo, but he said that he is “very confident in the new guy.”
Executive produced by Cook and Ivan Dudynsky, the virtual table read of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” is presented in association with Deviants Media Inc. and JWP.ws, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Pentagon investigating possible drone sighting near Air Force One

The Air Force is probing whether a drone flew close to Air Force One on Sunday evening as President Trump returned to the White House from New Jersey , according to a report .
Reporters aboard Air Force One for the trip tweeted about the incident shortly before landing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland , the Wall Street Journal reported .
Sebastian Smith , a reporter for Agence France-Presse , wrote that “ while descending , we flew right over a small object , remarkably close to the president ’ s plane .
Resembled a drone though I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jennifer Jacobs from Bloomberg , tweeted multiple people “ saw what appeared to be a drone just below the plane.
” The White House referred questions to the Pentagon , which said it was aware of the report .
“ The matter is under review , ” said a statement from the Air Force unit which oversees Air Force One operations at Joint Base Andrews .
“ The 89th Airlift Wing ’ s C-32A aircraft landed safely without incident.
” Trump spent the weekend at his golf resort in Bedminister , New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , in the hospital in Manhattan .
Robert died Saturday at age 71 .

The Air Force is probing whether a drone flew close to Air Force One on Sunday evening as President Trump returned to the White House from New Jersey, according to a report.
Reporters aboard Air Force One for the trip tweeted about the incident shortly before landing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Sebastian Smith, a reporter for Agence France-Presse, wrote that “while descending, we flew right over a small object, remarkably close to the president’s plane. Resembled a drone though I’m no expert.”
Another reporter, Jennifer Jacobs from Bloomberg, tweeted multiple people “saw what appeared to be a drone just below the plane.”
The White House referred questions to the Pentagon, which said it was aware of the report.
“The matter is under review,” said a statement from the Air Force unit which oversees Air Force One operations at Joint Base Andrews. “The 89th Airlift Wing’s C-32A aircraft landed safely without incident.”
Trump spent the weekend at his golf resort in Bedminister, New Jersey after visiting his sick brother, Robert Trump, in the hospital in Manhattan. Robert died Saturday at age 71.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Trump slams Michelle Obama after she called him ‘wrong president’ in DNC speech

The finale of Monday ’ s Democratic National Convention may have been ...

President Trump hit back multiple times at former First Lady Michelle Obama Tuesday morning following her Monday evening headlining speech at the Democratic National Convention.
“Somebody please explain to @MichelleObama that Donald J. Trump would not be here, in the beautiful White House, if it weren’t for the job done by your husband, Barack Obama. Biden was merely an afterthought, a good reason for that very late & unenthusiastic endorsement,” the commander-in-chief tweeted Tuesday morning.
The president continued that, “My Administration and I built the greatest economy in history, of any country, turned it off, saved millions of lives, and now am building an even greater economy than it was before. Jobs are flowing, NASDAQ is already at a record high, the rest to follow. Sit back & watch!”
The pair of tweets marked Trump’s first official response to the former first lady’s speech.
During her speech Monday, Obama criticized her husband’s successor, calling him “the wrong president for our country” who was “clearly in over his head.”
“Let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country.
“He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is,” she said.
A short time later, the president issued two more tweets hitting the Obamas.
“Looking back into history, the response by the ObamaBiden team to the H1N1 Swine Flu was considered a weak and pathetic one. Check out the polling, it’s really bad. The big difference is that they got a free pass from the Corrupt Fake News Media!” he wrote in the first of the two posts.
“The ObamaBiden Administration was the most corrupt in history, including the fact that they got caught SPYING ON MY CAMPAIGN, the biggest political scandal in the history of our Country. It’s called Treason, and more. Thanks for your very kind words Michelle!” he continued.
Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office Tuesday morning, the president doubled down on his early morning tweets, criticizing the former first lady’s speech that he believed got undeserved praise.
“She was over her head, and frankly she should have made the speech live, which she didn’t do. She taped it and it was not only taped, it was taped a long time ago because she had the wrong deaths. She didn’t even mention the vice presidential candidate in the speech.
Previous 1 of 6 Next Advertisement Donald Trump BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Michelle Obama speaking during the DNC last night EPA Advertisement Michelle Obama and Barack Obama Getty Images Joe Biden and Michelle Obama Getty Images Advertisement
And, you know, she gets these fawning reviews. If you gave a real review it wouldn’t be so fawning. I thought it was a very divisive speech, extremely divisive,” Trump said.
Touching on the original point from his first tweet, he argued again that it was Obama’s husband, the former president, who was responsible for the Republican’s surprise 2016 victory.
“I thought the speech was very divisive. And frankly, I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for Barack Obama. See, we’re standing in the White House. I wouldn’t be in the White House except for Barack Obama because they did a bad job — Biden and Obama. And if they did a good job, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be building buildings someplace and having a good time,” he continued.
In another tweet late Tuesday morning, the president continued his argument that the country was more partisan with President Obama at the helm.
“People forget how divided our Country was under ObamaBiden. The anger and hatred were unbelievable. They shouldn’t be lecturing to us. I’m here, as your President, because of them!” Trump wrote.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Tearjerking moment man asks his brother with Down syndrome to be his best man

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Someone get the tissues! Will Claussen had a special surprise for his brother Henry Joe, who has Down syndrome. On Aug. 15, Will buried a bottle with a note inside in his back yard in Hackensack, Minnesota. Will’s fiancé, AJ Johns, filmed the moment Henry Joe started digging and found the bottle. Watch the teary moment when Henry Joe reads the note and says, “Yes!” with a koala hug.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--First day of DNC ends with bizarre Billy Porter music video

The finale of Monday ’ s Democratic National Convention may have been the keynote speech from Michelle Obama — but the encore was an oddball music performance from “ Pose ” star Billy Porter and rock legend Stephen Stills .
Most cable outlets cut away from the convention just moments after the former first lady ’ s speech — before Porter and Stills began a rendition of Buffalo Springfield ’ s hit protest song “ For What It ’ s Worth.
” But for those who experience the surreal performance , reactions were mixed .
“ This is the corniest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life , ” one Twitter user wrote about the spectacle .
The DNC version stayed true to its 1966 roots as the music video flashed recent scenes of protest playing out across the country .
The video was edited in a style more reminiscent of 80s cable access television than a modern day music video .
As Porter sang “ What a field day for the heat , a thousand people in the street , ” an image of a Black Lives Matter protest emerged behind him in a repetitious pattern that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athletes kneeling — a popular form of protest against racial injustice — were also included in the video .
Reactions to the music video were a mix of approval , amusement and confusion .
“ The Billy Porter/Stephen Stills thing is literally the only thing I ’ ve enjoyed in quarantine that isn ’ t a carbohydrate , ” wrote one woman on twitter .
Another Twitter user was left confused by the performance .
“ I ’ m sorry , someone needs to explain the Billy Porter thing…I don ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The finale of Monday’s Democratic National Convention may have been the keynote speech from Michelle Obama — but the encore was an oddball music performance from “Pose” star Billy Porter and rock legend Stephen Stills.
Most cable outlets cut away from the convention just moments after the former first lady’s speech — before Porter and Stills began a rendition of Buffalo Springfield’s hit protest song “For What It’s Worth.”
But for those who experience the surreal performance, reactions were mixed.
“This is the corniest bullsh– I’ve ever seen in my life,” one Twitter user wrote about the spectacle.
The DNC version stayed true to its 1966 roots as the music video flashed recent scenes of protest playing out across the country. The video was edited in a style more reminiscent of 80s cable access television than a modern day music video.
As Porter sang “What a field day for the heat, a thousand people in the street,” an image of a Black Lives Matter protest emerged behind him in a repetitious pattern that mimicked Andy Wharhol prints.
Pictures of athletes kneeling — a popular form of protest against racial injustice — were also included in the video.
Reactions to the music video were a mix of approval, amusement and confusion.
“The Billy Porter/Stephen Stills thing is literally the only thing I’ve enjoyed in quarantine that isn’t a carbohydrate,” wrote one woman on twitter.
Another Twitter user was left confused by the performance. “I’m sorry, someone needs to explain the Billy Porter thing…I don’t get it,” the man said.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Trump administration turns up heat on Huawei

The Trump administration intensified its crackdown on Huawei , imposing new restrictions on the Chinese smartphone giant ’ s access to crucial components .
The US Commerce Department said Monday it will tighten rules enacted earlier this year that prevent Huawei from obtaining semiconductors without a special license — this time preventing even non-US companies from selling parts to Huawei if those parts are produced with US technology .
President Trump in a Monday interview with Fox News said that Huawei spies on Americans , adding that the company “ is a disaster.
” “ They used to have free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , dubbing the Chinese tech giant “ Spywei.
” “ What happens is Huawei comes out and they spy on our country.
” Huawei has denied that it spies on US citizens for the Chinese government .
In 2017 , China enacted the “ National Intelligence Law , ” which states that “ Any organization or citizen shall support , assist and cooperate with the state intelligence work.
” The US government ’ s economic blacklist of companies affiliated with Huawei will grow by 38 to a total of 152 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Huawei has continuously tried to evade ” US restrictions .
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told Fox Business the restrictions on Huawei-designed chips imposed in May “ led them to do some evasive measures .
They were going through third parties , ” Ross said .
“ The new rule makes it clear that any use of American software or American fabrication equipment is banned and requires a license.
” A new , separate rule requires companies on the economic blacklist to obtain a license when a company like Huawei acts “ as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consignee , or end user.
” The department also confirmed it will not extend a temporary general license that expired Friday for users of Huawei devices and telecommunication providers .
Parties must now submit new license applications for transactions previously authorized .
Existing US restrictions have already had a heavy impact on Huawei and its suppliers .
The May restrictions do not fully go into effect until Sept. 14 .
Earlier this month , financial magazine Caixin reported Huawei will stop making its flagship Kirin chipsets next month due to US pressure on @ @

The Trump administration intensified its crackdown on Huawei, imposing new restrictions on the Chinese smartphone giant’s access to crucial components.
The US Commerce Department said Monday it will tighten rules enacted earlier this year that prevent Huawei from obtaining semiconductors without a special license — this time preventing even non-US companies from selling parts to Huawei if those parts are produced with US technology.
President Trump in a Monday interview with Fox News said that Huawei spies on Americans, adding that the company “is a disaster.”
“They used to have free rein over our country,” Trump said, dubbing the Chinese tech giant “Spywei.” “What happens is Huawei comes out and they spy on our country.”
Huawei has denied that it spies on US citizens for the Chinese government.
In 2017, China enacted the “National Intelligence Law,” which states that “Any organization or citizen shall support, assist and cooperate with the state intelligence work.”
The US government’s economic blacklist of companies affiliated with Huawei will grow by 38 to a total of 152, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying that “Huawei has continuously tried to evade” US restrictions.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told Fox Business the restrictions on Huawei-designed chips imposed in May “led them to do some evasive measures. They were going through third parties,” Ross said. “The new rule makes it clear that any use of American software or American fabrication equipment is banned and requires a license.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Aaron Boone liking Yankees’ chances against loathed Rays

The Orioles have already hung around longer than most people thought when the 60-game season opened , but when it comes to crunch time in the AL East the Yankees and Rays are the betting favorites to fight it out for the title .
Having dropped three of four to the Rays at Tropicana Field earlier this month when the Yankees took exception to Rays hurlers pitching their hitters up and in throughout the weekend adds more flavor to a rivalry that has evolved into so much more than the Red Sox-Yankees .
So , away from Tropicana Field and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to put some distance between themselves and the pesky Rays .
The Yankees hold a 2 ½-game lead over the second-place Rays after beating the Red Sox , 6-3 , Monday night at the Stadium .
Since the remaining six games against the Rays are in The Bronx it is imperative the Yankees don ’ t suffer the same fate they did in St. Petersburg , Fla. “ I thought we did a lot of things in that series pretty well .
Even though we didn ’ t score a ton of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played I thought we gave ourselves a lot of opportunities and that is what you have to do against them , ’ ’ Aaron Boone said Monday of his team that went 4-for-27 ( .148 ) with runners in scoring position during the series .
“ Give yourself as many opportunities as you can because you know it is going to be challenging to score and score big against them but if we give ourselves opportunities and capitalize when we have those chances and to continue to pitch well against them then we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only will the Yankees be without Giancarlo Stanton , who hurt is hamstring running the bases against the Rays , Aaron Judge and DJ LeMahieu also will miss the series .
Masahiro Tanaka , who threw five shutout innings in a 1-0 loss to the Rays on Aug. 7 , draws the first game .
Blake Snell goes for the Rays .
“ Obviously they are a very good team and we need to beat them to get to where we want to get to , ’ ’ Tanaka said .
“ Obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but definitely they have become a good team .
It ’ s an important series for us.
’ ’ The Yankees will carefully watch the workload of Aroldis Chapman , as the gas-throwing lefty returns from the COVID-19 injured list but Boone made it clear he returns as the pitcher who will be asked to get the final three outs .
“ He will be the closer .
We will build him up slowly this first week as far as not have him do any back-to-backs and we will kind of monitor him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ A save situation [ Monday night ] he will be in there in the ninth.
’ ’ Boone brought Chapman into the ninth inning with a four-run lead and was impressed with the first outing in which Chapman hit triple digits several times .
As for pitching in back-to-back outings , Chapman said the plan is for that to occur next week .
Zack Britton , who went 8-for-8 in save situations filling in for Chapman , will pitch in front of the Chapman which will add depth to a late-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green , who have pitched very well .
Boone didn ’ t have Gio Urshela in Monday night ’ s lineup against Red Sox lefty Martin Perez but it was only to give the third baseman a rest .
Boone started Thairo Estrada at third and Miguel Andujar in left .
“ I told Miggy [ Sunday ] night that we were going with him in left field .
It was a close decision for me , ’ ’ said Boone , who didn ’ t start left-handed hitting outfielders Brett Gardner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like in this stretch getting [ Tauchman ] a day now and wanting to get Thairo in there it just worked out that way.
’ ’ Andujar made his fifth start in left field compared to one at third base where he has much more experience .
Estrada , who homered , started his first game this season .
Andujar turned the wrong way on Alex Verdugo ’ s fly ball in the sixth that bounced on the warning track and into the seats for an RBI ground-rule double .
Boone inserted Tauchman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had more to do with Tauchman being an elite outfielder and not Andujar failing to catch what Boone said would have been a tough play for a veteran left fielder .
Tyler Wade at second base was the only left-handed hitter in Boone ’ s lineup .

The Orioles have already hung around longer than most people thought when the 60-game season opened, but when it comes to crunch time in the AL East the Yankees and Rays are the betting favorites to fight it out for the title.
Having dropped three of four to the Rays at Tropicana Field earlier this month when the Yankees took exception to Rays hurlers pitching their hitters up and in throughout the weekend adds more flavor to a rivalry that has evolved into so much more than the Red Sox-Yankees.
So, away from Tropicana Field and at Yankee Stadium the Yankees get a chance to put some distance between themselves and the pesky Rays. The Yankees hold a 2 ½-game lead over the second-place Rays after beating the Red Sox, 6-3, Monday night at the Stadium.
Since the remaining six games against the Rays are in The Bronx it is imperative the Yankees don’t suffer the same fate they did in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“I thought we did a lot of things in that series pretty well. Even though we didn’t score a ton of runs outside of the one game we played I thought we gave ourselves a lot of opportunities and that is what you have to do against them,’’ Aaron Boone said Monday of his team that went 4-for-27 (.148) with runners in scoring position during the series. “Give yourself as many opportunities as you can because you know it is going to be challenging to score and score big against them but if we give ourselves opportunities and capitalize when we have those chances and to continue to pitch well against them then we will like our chances.’’
Not only will the Yankees be without Giancarlo Stanton, who hurt is hamstring running the bases against the Rays, Aaron Judge and DJ LeMahieu also will miss the series.
Masahiro Tanaka, who threw five shutout innings in a 1-0 loss to the Rays on Aug. 7, draws the first game. Blake Snell goes for the Rays.
“Obviously they are a very good team and we need to beat them to get to where we want to get to,’’ Tanaka said. “Obviously that goes for every team around us but definitely they have become a good team. It’s an important series for us.’’
The Yankees will carefully watch the workload of Aroldis Chapman, as the gas-throwing lefty returns from the COVID-19 injured list but Boone made it clear he returns as the pitcher who will be asked to get the final three outs.
“He will be the closer. We will build him up slowly this first week as far as not have him do any back-to-backs and we will kind of monitor him this week,’’ Boone said. “A save situation [Monday night] he will be in there in the ninth.’’
Boone brought Chapman into the ninth inning with a four-run lead and was impressed with the first outing in which Chapman hit triple digits several times.
As for pitching in back-to-back outings, Chapman said the plan is for that to occur next week.
Zack Britton, who went 8-for-8 in save situations filling in for Chapman, will pitch in front of the Chapman which will add depth to a late-game pen that has Adam Ottavino and Chad Green, who have pitched very well.
Boone didn’t have Gio Urshela in Monday night’s lineup against Red Sox lefty Martin Perez but it was only to give the third baseman a rest. Boone started Thairo Estrada at third and Miguel Andujar in left.
“I told Miggy [Sunday] night that we were going with him in left field. It was a close decision for me,’’ said Boone, who didn’t start left-handed hitting outfielders Brett Gardner and Mike Tauchman. “I just felt like in this stretch getting [Tauchman] a day now and wanting to get Thairo in there it just worked out that way.’’
Andujar made his fifth start in left field compared to one at third base where he has much more experience. Estrada, who homered, started his first game this season.
Andujar turned the wrong way on Alex Verdugo’s fly ball in the sixth that bounced on the warning track and into the seats for an RBI ground-rule double. Boone inserted Tauchman into left in the seventh but said it had more to do with Tauchman being an elite outfielder and not Andujar failing to catch what Boone said would have been a tough play for a veteran left fielder.
Tyler Wade at second base was the only left-handed hitter in Boone’s lineup.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Utah man throws wife in river during fight over dinner arrangements

A Utah man was arrested Monday for allegedly tossing his wife into a river at a waterside resort in a @ @ @ @ @ arrangements , a report said .
Douglas Harold Green , 61 , is accused of @ @ @ @ @ at the Provo River Resort , according to a police affidavit obtained by Deseret News @ @ @ @ @ told police the two were arguing over dinner arrangements when her husband “ reportedly became @ @ @ @ @ her in the river , ” the affidavit says .
Green then dragged his wife @ @ @ @ @ forced her in.
” The husband reportedly threatened witnesses who attempted to aid his wife @ @ @ @ @ Police said the victim had bruises on both arms .
Green was charged with aggravated @ @ @ @ @ committing unlawful detention and assault .

A Utah man was arrested Monday for allegedly tossing his wife into a river at a waterside resort in a fit of rage over dinner arrangements, a report said.
Douglas Harold Green, 61, is accused of carrying out the attack Sunday at the Provo River Resort, according to a police affidavit obtained by Deseret News.
Green’s wife told police the two were arguing over dinner arrangements when her husband “reportedly became angry and threatened to drown her in the river,” the affidavit says.
Green then dragged his wife to the water and “forced her in.”
The husband reportedly threatened witnesses who attempted to aid his wife, the report said.
Police said the victim had bruises on both arms. Green was charged with aggravated kidnapping in the course of committing unlawful detention and assault.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--The story behind Michelle Obama’s viral DNC ‘V-O-T-E’ necklace

Even Michelle Obama ’ s jewelry at the 2020 Democratic National Convention delivered a stirring message .
The former First @ @ @ @ @ that spelled out “ V-O-T-E ” during her rousing speech on Monday night — and @ @ @ @ @ on social media .
The chain is from ByChari , a small , Los Angeles-based @ @ @ @ @ bling for around $ 300- $ 400 .
Owner Chari Cuthbert told The Post she @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election and was planning on selling one again this time around .
“ @ @ @ @ @ Obama ’ s stylist asked for one and am thrilled she is wearing it !
@ @ @ @ @ statement .
Several people appeared to be following Obama ’ s lead and looking for @ @ @ @ @ brand on Monday night .
“ Ok , seriously , where can we buy Michelle @ @ @ @ @ ?
” one person tweeted .
Another quipped , “ The DNC convention was 95 @ @ @ @ @ % Michelle Obama ’ s necklace .
”

Even Michelle Obama’s jewelry at the 2020 Democratic National Convention delivered a stirring message.
The former First Lady wore a gold necklace that spelled out “V-O-T-E” during her rousing speech on Monday night — and it was an instant hit on social media.
The chain is from ByChari, a small, Los Angeles-based boutique, that sells similar bling for around $300-$400.
Owner Chari Cuthbert told The Post she created a VOTE necklace for the 2016 election and was planning on selling one again this time around.
“I was honored when Michelle Obama’s stylist asked for one and am thrilled she is wearing it!” she said in a statement.
Several people appeared to be following Obama’s lead and looking for their own necklace from the brand on Monday night.
“Ok, seriously, where can we buy Michelle Obama’s VOTE necklace?” one person tweeted.
Another quipped, “The DNC convention was 95% cringe worthy and 5% Michelle Obama’s necklace.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Amed Rosario’s hitting woes still a big Mets concern

Amed Rosario ’ s starting job was proclaimed safe last week .
Now the Mets have to transform him from an automatic out to a productive hitter .
Maybe the first step was taken Monday night , when Rosario went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the Mets ’ 11-4 victory over the Marlins .
Granted , Rosario ’ s biggest hit of the game was a gift — Jon Berti spun in the wrong direction on a drive to right field in the second inning that went for an RBI double — but Rosario gave himself a chance by hitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been lacking .
The underachieving shortstop raised his slash line to a still dreadful .211/.211./.310 , with slick-fielding Andres Gimenez behind him on the depth chart .
In 71 plate appearances this season , Rosario is still without a walk .
His amount of weak contact has been a concern .
“ [ Rosario ] has got to be more disciplined with the zone , ” manager Luis Rojas said before the game .
“ We have seen how much he is expanding .
This kid has the ability to put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start expanding , you are going to end up chasing early and putting the ball in play .
When you do that the ball is not going to be hit very hard and that is what ’ s happening to him.
” Michael Conforto expressed confidence the Mets can resurrect their season in the same manner as last year .
The Mets used a surge after the All-Star break in 2019 to remain in playoff contention until the final week of the season .
“ I think we can all pull things from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our best , ” said Conforto , who went 1-for-3 Monday .
“ That part of the year was when everything kind of melted away .
There was the trade deadline .
A lot of people were saying our season was over and we got back to enjoying ourselves and having fun and not worrying so much about what was surrounding the team.
” Jeff McNeil returned to the starting lineup as the DH after coming off the bench as a pinch hitter a day earlier .
McNeil , who missed two games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bruise in his left knee during a collision with the left-field fence at Citi Field , finished 1-for-4 with an RBI .
Top prospect Ronny Mauricio was added to the Mets ’ 60-player pool and catcher Rene Rivera was placed on the 45-day injured list .
Rivera , who has been sidelined with a hyperextended left elbow , is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur from the joint .
Mauricio , a shortstop , joins pitcher Matt Allan and catcher Francisco Alvarez among top prospects added to the 60-player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working out at the Mets ’ alternate training site in Brooklyn .

Amed Rosario’s starting job was proclaimed safe last week. Now the Mets have to transform him from an automatic out to a productive hitter.
Maybe the first step was taken Monday night, when Rosario went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the Mets’ 11-4 victory over the Marlins.
Granted, Rosario’s biggest hit of the game was a gift — Jon Berti spun in the wrong direction on a drive to right field in the second inning that went for an RBI double — but Rosario gave himself a chance by hitting the ball with authority, something he had been lacking.
The underachieving shortstop raised his slash line to a still dreadful .211/.211./.310, with slick-fielding Andres Gimenez behind him on the depth chart.
In 71 plate appearances this season, Rosario is still without a walk. His amount of weak contact has been a concern.
“[Rosario] has got to be more disciplined with the zone,” manager Luis Rojas said before the game. “We have seen how much he is expanding. This kid has the ability to put the bat on the ball and when you start expanding, you are going to end up chasing early and putting the ball in play. When you do that the ball is not going to be hit very hard and that is what’s happening to him.”
Michael Conforto expressed confidence the Mets can resurrect their season in the same manner as last year. The Mets used a surge after the All-Star break in 2019 to remain in playoff contention until the final week of the season.
“I think we can all pull things from last year when we were playing at our best,” said Conforto, who went 1-for-3 Monday. “That part of the year was when everything kind of melted away. There was the trade deadline. A lot of people were saying our season was over and we got back to enjoying ourselves and having fun and not worrying so much about what was surrounding the team.”
Jeff McNeil returned to the starting lineup as the DH after coming off the bench as a pinch hitter a day earlier. McNeil, who missed two games over the weekend after sustaining a bone bruise in his left knee during a collision with the left-field fence at Citi Field, finished 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Top prospect Ronny Mauricio was added to the Mets’ 60-player pool and catcher Rene Rivera was placed on the 45-day injured list. Rivera, who has been sidelined with a hyperextended left elbow, is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur from the joint. Mauricio, a shortstop, joins pitcher Matt Allan and catcher Francisco Alvarez among top prospects added to the 60-player pool in recent days. All are working out at the Mets’ alternate training site in Brooklyn.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Democrats don’t acknowledge what’s happening in our cities: Goodwin

It ’ s the most bizarre TV since “ Tiger King.
” The Democratic ...

Who needs conventions, who needs crowded arenas? Democrats used the magic of technology and clever casting to give their party a passable first night.
Forced by the coronavirus to create a make-believe gathering, planners employed all of Silicon Valley’s bells and whistles to present a simulated intimacy involving both ordinary people and party stars.
Minus a few glitches, the flow was seamless, sometimes too smooth to be credible. We saw more of Joe Biden via taped videos than we have in the last four months of the campaign.
In the real world, he’s been hiding in his basement. Monday night, he was here, there and everywhere, shaking hands, embracing people, giving flawless, forceful speeches.
You know there was heavy editing because he never once got stuck in a tongue twister or got lost in a long sentence. If he’s really that good, why has he been hiding?
Not surprisingly, the star of the night was Michelle Obama. The former first lady delivered a forceful argument on behalf of Biden by stressing his empathy as a match for the moment.
Her direct manner and passion had to call forth the regret of many Dems who had hoped she would seek the presidency, or at least agree to be Biden’s running mate.
Yet her speech was also a reminder of one of the less appealing aspects of the Obama years, namely the sense that all good people would see things their way. That attitude was a prime reason Donald Trump was elected, as he gained the votes of so many who felt betrayed by both the Obama presidency and the Republican Party.
Missing, of course, from her speech and all the others was a real crowd, the boisterous partisans who spend their own money and wear funny hats to be props for the television cameras. Speeches delivered from remote locations without audiences can’t have a real punch, and Monday night’s didn’t.
They too often came across as stern lectures, unleavened by human interaction.
It turns out that a convention without people is very sober and not that much fun.
Other things were missing, too, and these were missing by design.
What do Democrats stand for, besides unity and diversity and … hating Trump? Good luck trying to find out. Apparently you don’t need ideas when you are the party of identity politics.
The attacks on the president were merciless, with direct accusations that he killed people by his handling of the pandemic.
He was also accused of defunding the post office to suppress votes, which is now a talking point that lacks only veracity.
Another notable feature was the frequent mentions of Black Lives Matter and pictures of those words on signs, banners and streets. It was a sign of how desperate Dems are to turn out the black vote, and the repetition struck me as flawed to the point of dishonesty.
Around the country, the violence that started out as a sidelight of the protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has now become the dominant feature. Murder rates are up double digits in most big cities — 29 percent in New York, for example — and vandalism, looting and arson are common.
Many cities, such as Portland and Seattle, are seeing the collapse of policing and the nightly tallies of shooting and homicide are horrifying.
Yet you would never know any of that from Monday night.
Another clash of politics vs. reality was letting Gov. Andrew Cuomo posture as the champion of fighting the virus. Some 20 percent of all American deaths took place in New York, and the governor’s directive requiring nursing homes to take infected patients helped spread the killer disease among the most vulnerable patients.
Yet there was Cuomo declaring, “Our way succeeded” and adding such oddities as, “It was beautiful” and “Love wins.” The only thing missing was his meatball recipe.
The major unanswered question that the first night danced around is Biden’s fitness. He and running mate Sen. Kamala Harris are avoiding the press to an unprecedented degree, a decision doubly perplexing given that most of the media wants Biden to win and could be counted on to feed him only softball questions.
Thus, the campaign’s decision not to subject Biden even to friendly encounters suggests there is enormous concern about his incoherence and mental infirmities. So if he can’t campaign or even give interviews, how can he possibly be president?
Does he intend to isolate himself in the Oval Office?
An invisible nominee is incredible, but even more incredible is that the strategy seems to have worked. Until now.
With Biden hiding, Trump has had the spotlight to himself, and often the light has been harsh. The president’s habit of thinking out loud has helped Biden build a big lead in most polls.
In response, the Biden team seems to have seen their lead as a license to continue running out the clock. But central to that strategy is not making mistakes, lest the other team get extra chances to score. And I believe that Biden has carried the disappearing act too far and Trump is starting to gain on him, according to some recent polls in the battleground states.
The Biden mistake within the mistake is his silence on the crime and violence epidemic. The fact that nearly all these cities are run by Democrats puts a special obligation on Biden and his party to find solutions.
But you can’t solve a problem you don’t acknowledge, and the failure to address the urban bloodshed is a major miss.
If that pattern continues all week, Dems will have given Trump a major opening. Count on him to hammer it home until November.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Wow, the Democratic Convention was a bizarre night of television

It ’ s the most bizarre TV since “ Tiger King.
” The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday night with all the glamour and excitement of a Zoom conference .
The Home Shopping Network produces more dynamic programming and is far better at pushing product .
Inexplicably , former “ Desperate Housewives ” star Eva Longoria Bastón served as host .
Wearing a white sleeveless sheath dress and a permanent expression of teary concern , Longoria Bastón repeatedly invoked the convention ’ s theme , “ We the People.
” She should have demanded a script doctor .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ we the people , ’ ” she said .
Also : “ ’ We the people ’ means all the people , even those with whom we might not agree.
” Fourth-grade social studies class is more sophisticated and less insulting .
Early on , a regretful American identified only as Eric ( avoid that pitchfork mob , Eric ! )
spoke to us from what looked like a safe room , clutching what looked like a cocktail , as he apologized for voting for Trump .
Eric informed us that unlike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which includes “ unity.
” It was the night ’ s only moment of comedy .
They say politics is Hollywood for homely people .
How better to hammer this home than this virtual convention , seeing our elected officials sitting in drab settings : the kitchen Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro gave her address from is something even the poorest “ House Hunters ” couple wouldn ’ t countenance ( those white appliances ! )
.
Or Kirsten Gillibrand ’ s sad , spartan office-slash-sunroom — where ’ s the pageantry ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending their lobbyist money on ?
The virus has been quickly killing off those things that were slowly dying anyway — movie theaters , retail shopping , for-profit college .
Add political conventions , and possibly Joe Biden ’ s presidential hopes , to that list .
Not even Andrew Cuomo — who became must-see TV for New Yorkers at the height of the pandemic , entertaining us with a possible nipple ring , musings on his daughter ’ s boyfriend , the foam COVID mountain that wouldn ’ t qualify for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nor could the dragging out , yet again , of Bruce Springsteen and his 9/11 anthem “ The Rising.
” Nothing , not even The Boss , could pierce the dead air here .
Whatever brain trust produced this non-event saved the most charismatic , admired person in the party , Michelle Obama , for last .
The Dems should have dropped Michelle O ’ s pre-taped speech online and called it a day .
Who but the most supreme masochist would have stuck out these grim , pedagogical two hours just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next day ?
“ I know a lot of folks are reluctant to tune into a political convention right now , ” Obama said .
“ Believe me , I get that.
” Oh , Michelle .
You have no idea .

It’s the most bizarre TV since “Tiger King.”
The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday night with all the glamour and excitement of a Zoom conference. The Home Shopping Network produces more dynamic programming and is far better at pushing product.
Inexplicably, former “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria Bastón served as host. Wearing a white sleeveless sheath dress and a permanent expression of teary concern, Longoria Bastón repeatedly invoked the convention’s theme, “We the People.”
She should have demanded a script doctor.
“YOU are the ‘we’ in ‘we the people,’” she said.
Also: “’We the people’ means all the people, even those with whom we might not agree.”
Fourth-grade social studies class is more sophisticated and less insulting.
Early on, a regretful American identified only as Eric (avoid that pitchfork mob, Eric!) spoke to us from what looked like a safe room, clutching what looked like a cocktail, as he apologized for voting for Trump. Eric informed us that unlike Trump, Biden has a platform, which includes “unity.”
It was the night’s only moment of comedy.
They say politics is Hollywood for homely people. How better to hammer this home than this virtual convention, seeing our elected officials sitting in drab settings: The kitchen Sen. Catherine Cortez Mastro gave her address from is something even the poorest “House Hunters” couple wouldn’t countenance (those white appliances!). Or Kirsten Gillibrand’s sad, spartan office-slash-sunroom — where’s the pageantry? The optics? Just what are these pols spending their lobbyist money on?
The virus has been quickly killing off those things that were slowly dying anyway — movie theaters, retail shopping, for-profit college.
Add political conventions, and possibly Joe Biden’s presidential hopes, to that list.
Not even Andrew Cuomo — who became must-see TV for New Yorkers at the height of the pandemic, entertaining us with a possible nipple ring, musings on his daughter’s boyfriend, the foam COVID mountain that wouldn’t qualify for a science fair — could save the night. Nor could the dragging out, yet again, of Bruce Springsteen and his 9/11 anthem “The Rising.”
Nothing, not even The Boss, could pierce the dead air here.
Whatever brain trust produced this non-event saved the most charismatic, admired person in the party, Michelle Obama, for last. The Dems should have dropped Michelle O’s pre-taped speech online and called it a day. Who but the most supreme masochist would have stuck out these grim, pedagogical two hours just to see someone they can view painlessly the next day?
“I know a lot of folks are reluctant to tune into a political convention right now,” Obama said. “Believe me, I get that.”
Oh, Michelle. You have no idea.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Upset-filled UEFA Champions League tournament changes betting view

On to the semifinals of an upset-filled UEFA Champions League tournament .
Paris Saint-Germain meets RB Leipzig on Tuesday and Bayern Munich takes on Lyon on Wednesday , both in Lisbon , Portugal .
Here ’ s how the matches break down : Paris Saint-Germain vs. RB Leipzig : PSG meets up with the up-and-coming Bundesliga club for a game I am particularly excited about .
PSG was trailing Atalanta up until the 90th minute , and then of course added one more to win in extra time .
I am a big fan of Atalanta and really wanted it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the better side .
The advanced metrics back this up as well , with PSG ’ s expected goals of 2.8 vs Atalanta ’ s 0.5 .
If Neymar brought his shooting boots with him , PSG could have easily scored three goals in the first half .
Kylian Mbappe came on in the 60th minute , and his elite talent really showed .
He is expected to start against Leipzig and will be a handful to contain for the full 90 minutes .
RB Leipzig really impressed me in its win against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertaining brand of soccer .
If you watched that game , you know what I mean .
Even without former superstar Timo Werner , Leipzig created enough chances to get past Athletico Madrid .
Athletico played pretty poorly , but nonetheless it was a very impressive game from Leipzig .
Most people know how exciting the team is offensively , but Leipzig is not too shabby defensively , either .
It ranked second in the Bundesliga in expected goals allowed , just barely trailing juggernaut Bayern Munich .
These games have been very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the World Cup nature of the play .
So , while I do like Leipzig ’ s defense more than most , I expect an attacking game .
I would have liked over 2¹/₂ goals , but that has been steamed and now the Over 3 is the only playable option .
I give Leipzig a fair shot , but I am playing PSG .
With Mbappe back in the lineup and Werner missing for Leipzig , I think PSG will just be too much for the Germans .
Bayern Munich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a surprise after the French side pulled the huge upset over Manchester City on the weekend .
Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 8-2 in the quarterfinal , which is the most impressive and resounding victory I have witnessed in a long time .
Yes , Barcelona has its own issues .
I expected Bayern to win something like 4-2 , but wow , that was something .
What really impressed me was Bayern ’ s press and its dominance in the midfield .
Barcelona could not possess or win the ball back at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I couldn ’ t believe it dominated Barca like that .
Lyon made the most of its scoring opportunities versus Man City , while the English side had four quality chances and scored only once .
The Raheem Sterling miss was like blowing a layup in basketball .
I think Bayern is an unstoppable force at this point , and Lyon has gotten a bit lucky .
I like Bayern -2 goals at plus money and Over 3¹/₂ goals .
All eight games so far have had at least three goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one on the counter , and Bayern won ’ t have issues scoring .
Bayern 4-1 is what I see playing out here .

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On to the semifinals of an upset-filled UEFA Champions League tournament. Paris Saint-Germain meets RB Leipzig on Tuesday and Bayern Munich takes on Lyon on Wednesday, both in Lisbon, Portugal. Here’s how the matches break down:
Paris Saint-Germain vs. RB Leipzig: PSG meets up with the up-and-coming Bundesliga club for a game I am particularly excited about. PSG was trailing Atalanta up until the 90th minute, and then of course added one more to win in extra time. I am a big fan of Atalanta and really wanted it to hold on, but PSG was the better side.
The advanced metrics back this up as well, with PSG’s expected goals of 2.8 vs Atalanta’s 0.5. If Neymar brought his shooting boots with him, PSG could have easily scored three goals in the first half. Kylian Mbappe came on in the 60th minute, and his elite talent really showed. He is expected to start against Leipzig and will be a handful to contain for the full 90 minutes.
RB Leipzig really impressed me in its win against Athletico Madrid. It plays a really entertaining brand of soccer. If you watched that game, you know what I mean. Even without former superstar Timo Werner, Leipzig created enough chances to get past Athletico Madrid. Athletico played pretty poorly, but nonetheless it was a very impressive game from Leipzig.
Most people know how exciting the team is offensively, but Leipzig is not too shabby defensively, either. It ranked second in the Bundesliga in expected goals allowed, just barely trailing juggernaut Bayern Munich.
These games have been very open in the Champions and Europa leagues due to the World Cup nature of the play. So, while I do like Leipzig’s defense more than most, I expect an attacking game. I would have liked over 2¹/₂ goals, but that has been steamed and now the Over 3 is the only playable option. I give Leipzig a fair shot, but I am playing PSG. With Mbappe back in the lineup and Werner missing for Leipzig, I think PSG will just be too much for the Germans.
Bayern Munich vs Lyon: Bayern Munich draws Lyon in a surprise after the French side pulled the huge upset over Manchester City on the weekend. Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 8-2 in the quarterfinal, which is the most impressive and resounding victory I have witnessed in a long time. Yes, Barcelona has its own issues. I expected Bayern to win something like 4-2, but wow, that was something.
What really impressed me was Bayern’s press and its dominance in the midfield. Barcelona could not possess or win the ball back at all. The eight goals are eye-popping, but I couldn’t believe it dominated Barca like that.
Lyon made the most of its scoring opportunities versus Man City, while the English side had four quality chances and scored only once. The Raheem Sterling miss was like blowing a layup in basketball.
I think Bayern is an unstoppable force at this point, and Lyon has gotten a bit lucky. I like Bayern -2 goals at plus money and Over 3¹/₂ goals.
All eight games so far have had at least three goals. I think Lyon can definitely get one on the counter, and Bayern won’t have issues scoring. Bayern 4-1 is what I see playing out here.