Disney+ tells the story of the scheming British upper class in “Rivals”, while in “Before” (Apple TV+) a child psychologist is confronted with a dark secret. The overview reveals which streaming highlights the coming week has in store.
Some people who can still remember the 80s consider the introduction of private television to be the first step in the decline of our society. “Rivals”, a novel by the British author Jilly Cooper, was also written at that time – a story that takes place in the TV world and among nobles. “Rivals” is part of the so-called “Rutshire Chronicles”, with which the now 87-year-old author became famous. In Great Britain, Cooper’s bestsellers, which can be described as a mixture of “Dallas”, “Succession” and “Bridgerton” in the 80s, are as well known as the works of Rosamunde Pilcher, another Englishwoman, here. However, Cooper’s books have little to do with the delicately calculating romance of classic romance novels. Cooper is about the British upper class with all its vices: sex, deceit, intrigue – but of course there are also sincere love and noble motives to be found in the pit of sin. In the UK, “Rivals” was made into a series and can now be seen on Disney+. You can find out what Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Co. still have to offer in the next few days in the overview.
After his wife’s suicide, child psychiatrist Eli (Billy Crystal) no longer finds the energy for his job in “Before” (from October 25th, Apple TV+). But Noah (Jacobi Jupe), plagued by delusions, needs his help – and seems to be connected to Eli’s own past. (Image: Apple)
“Rivals” – Disney+
“Rivals” tells the story of TV womanizer Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner), who moves from the BBC to a private broadcaster in 1986 in eight episodes (from October 18, Disney+). This promises him fame and a lot of freedom – but for this Declan has to move from London to the countryside with his wife and two teenage daughters. There, Declan and his family soon find themselves caught up in the power struggle between two ruthless men: Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), who brought the hot-blooded political talker to the station, and his rival Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassel), a snob of the highest order Tory politician. Strangely, Declan’s older daughter Taggie (Bella McLean), a kind-hearted person, finds herself strangely attracted to mean neighbors.
“Rivals” will initially locate its audience in the British region, because many people here are familiar with Cooper’s novels. In fact, there is no real counterpart in Germany or the USA for their mixture of sex and scandal entertainment, combined with stories of aristocracy, love and intrigue plus biting social criticism. This is probably due to the fact that nowhere else can you work through class society as much as in Great Britain. Nevertheless, the series also has a lot to offer for non-English people: good acting, sophisticated dialogue, very high-quality visuals, lots of sex and a colorful mix of intrigue included.
Michael Bully Herbig (front) presents the first “Halloween Special” of his successful format “LOL: Last One Laughing”. Also present (clockwise from left): Mirja Boes and Torsten Sträter, Tom and Bill Kaulitz, Palina Rojinski and Olaf Schubert as well as Annette Frier and Sasha. (Image: Amazon Prime Video)
“Before” – Apple TV+
His dreams are scary, reality loses its credibility, and then an eight-year-old boy scratches his fingers bloody on the front door: his wife’s suicide throws Eli (Billy Crystal) off track. The child psychiatrist needs a clear mind. Because the boy in front of his house is plagued by delusions that have to do with Eli’s past. Both begin disturbing therapy in the Apple TV series “Before” on October 25th.
There is an inexplicable connection between Eli and Noah (Jacobi Jupe). The shy boy is prone to violent outbursts that no one can explain. The psychiatrist is also faced with a puzzle that becomes more mysterious the closer he gets to the child. What does the boy have to do with his wife Lynn (Judith Light, “Who’s the Boss?”)? Why does he recognize the country cabin from a postcard on his fridge?
In ten oppressive episodes, “Before” (idea and script: Sarah Thorp) reveals disturbing truths that Eli has to face. Only if he thinks about his own life and processes his grief can he save himself and the boy in the psychological thriller with horror elements.
Bruce Springsteen (center) and his E Street Band provide a unique look behind the scenes of their current world tour. (Image: Disney)
“LOL: Halloween Special” – Prime Video
Halloween is known to be a scary festival, but apparently not for Michael “Bully” Herbig: six months after the start of the regular fifth season of his legendary comedy show “LOL: Last One Laughing”, the 56-year-old is bringing the format with a ” Halloween Special” (three episodes, from October 21st, Prime Video). Under the motto “It’s okay to be frightened – don’t laugh!” The challenge for four celebrity couples is once again to keep a straight face for as long as possible while the opposing teams make scary monkeys in front of everyone for three hours.
The following couples take on the terribly funny challenge: Mirja Boes (winner of season five) and Torsten Sträter (winner of season one), Palina Rojinski (participant in season three) and Olaf Schubert (participant in season three), Annette Frier (participant in Season two) and Sasha (new) as well as Bill and Tom Kaulitz, who are the only team who have no “LOL” experience at all.
“Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band” – Disney+
He is one of the most influential and probably hardest-working musicians in rock history: Since his musical beginnings in the early 1970s, Bruce Springsteen has released 21 studio albums that have sold more than 70 million copies in the USA alone. “The Boss”, as Springsteen is often called by fans and companions, is legendary, but above all for his live concerts, which usually last between three and four hours. The 75-year-old has been on a major world tour with his current album “Only the Strong Survive” since 2023. The preparations and performances can now be seen in the documentary “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band” (from October 25th, Disney+).
Directed by Springsteen’s long-time collaborator, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Thom Zimny, the film looks behind the scenes of the musician’s adventurous life: the audience will witness band rehearsals and special performance moments, all from concerts in 2023 and 2024. In addition, Springsteen, who produced the film together with Jon Landau, Thom Zimny, Adrienne Gerard and Sean Stuart, also has his say again and again.
