Time to hit a High Score
Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Wednesday, August 19. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
High Score (Netflix, 3:01 a.m., complete limited series): Between this new Netflix docuseries and last night’s Dead Pixels premiere, it’s apparently video game week here at What’s On Tonight. Here’s our own Sam Barsanti on this look at the history of classic video games:
In the final episode, High Score comes around to a thesis that puts some of the preceding disjointedness into focus: Video games, the series argues, are built on everything that came before them, whether it’s technology or people, so everyone’s video gaming story is part of video game history. It’s a nice idea, but coming so late in the narrative makes it feel tacked on. One thing that’s not tacked on and can’t possibly be praised enough, though, is the narration from Charles Martinet—better known as the voice of Super Mario. He is an absolute joy to listen to throughout the entirety of High Score, especially when he seemingly can’t pronounce his character’s name without saying it like Mario does (Maaario). It’s just a shame that the rest of High Score can’t live up to its best parts.
Read the rest of Sam’s pre-air review, then pack a few health potions and get started.