TV critic and lifestyle/entertainment writer in the GTA. Pets and sports lovers welcome.https://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3m3rydoov2s26Monster: The Ed Gein Story took me a long time to get through and I’m still feeling queasy. Did you make it through or did you have to turn it off? My full thoughts in today's @theglobeandmail.com https://www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film-and-tv/television/article-netflix-monster-ed-gein-charlie-hunnam-serial-killer/22 Oct 2025 13:48 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3rydoov2s26https://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3m3b2z5csak2u"It’s not told from Gacy’s point of view, and strips his power by ignoring him and focusing on the wreckage he caused." Excited to announce my @avclub.com debut, a hot take on Peacock's serial killer drama, "Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy" https://www.avclub.com/devil-in-disguise-john-wayne-gacy-review-tv-peacock15 Oct 2025 20:21 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3b2z5csak2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lmf6lglxwk2bThat time I witnessed an incredible community coming together to create something beautiful and impactful. North of North is downright joy. https://www.indiewire.com/features/interviews/north-of-north-netflix-canadian-production-nunavut-1235113573/09 Apr 2025 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmf6lglxwk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lmchveeecc2iThe Handmaid's Tale Cast and Crew Urge People to 'Take Action' or Face a Real-Life Gilead "Misogyny is at the reptilian brain stem of white nationalism, and it's never going to go away." https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-handmaids-tale-season-6-predictions/08 Apr 2025 12:26 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmchveeecc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3llegciiroc2p“I can’t imagine how cathartic it is to turn on a show where people are acting out their rage. These 40-year-old women are literally burning it all down because of what they’ve been through in their lives.” https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-yellowjackets-star-christina-ricci-believes-the-show-strikes-a-chord/27 Mar 2025 13:38 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3llegciiroc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lkebv7fg4s2fThese two are sheer goals. [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 Mar 2025 18:54 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkebv7fg4s2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lkebrnpssk2fNeed a weekend watch? Netflix's Adolescence has a 100% score on @rottentomatoes.com, or so says this article quoting my review. https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/netflix-adolescenc-100-percent-rotten-tomatoes14 Mar 2025 18:52 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkebrnpssk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lkbfooxclc2iNetflix’s newest crime drama Adolescence is astoundingly immersive… but that also makes it really hard to watch. My review for @thewrap.com https://www.thewrap.com/adolescence-review-netflix/13 Mar 2025 15:24 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkbfooxclc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3ljkvpceonc2e“We will never be the 51st state.” Trudeau is exiting as the PM who stood up for Canadians. Dictator Trump, however, continues showing us exactly who he is. So let’s just start calling a spade a spade.04 Mar 2025 16:39 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljkvpceonc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3ljbfe66jw22d…How did we get here?28 Feb 2025 21:52 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljbfe66jw22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lj6axtzl322sI'm a softballer for life. But knowing the Win or Lose creators had to axe their original vision for the series (especially in today's climate) feels extra icky. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-pixars-win-or-lose-could-have-been-a-home-run-but-strikes-out-when-it/27 Feb 2025 15:56 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lj6axtzl322shttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3limpvexdkk2uJust trying to change the vibe around here.20 Feb 2025 16:35 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3limpvexdkk2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lhgr5sdclc2yAre TV schedules looking overly familiar? It's no accident. I shared my thoughts on why in today's Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-theres-a-reason-familiar-franchises-are-populating-tv-schedules-ip-is/05 Feb 2025 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhgr5sdclc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lh3afhe5uc2sTonight feels like an appropriate night for a Canadian Bacon rewatch. (It’s available free on Tubi, if anyone wants to join.)01 Feb 2025 00:17 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lh3afhe5uc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lgjfcpx5hs2tI miss human connection while shopping. Stood at the Starbucks cash for 10 minutes without even a smile while they served mobile and drive-thru orders. Finally gave up and ordered on the app. Why is this the new normal?!? 😭24 Jan 2025 21:57 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lgjfcpx5hs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lg4jyidlj22p“Yes, Minister” is one of my forever comfort shows—one I used to watch with my dad growing up. 💜 [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 Jan 2025 19:16 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lg4jyidlj22phttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lfq54je3ws2cGrief is something that affects us all so differently. So it was interesting to learn more about how grief and coping shape the characters in the new medical drama, Doc. Which, by the way, filmed steps away from my old high school in Mississauga/Oakville. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-new-medical-drama-doc-puts-focus-on-grief-and-the-importance-of/14 Jan 2025 20:54 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfq54je3ws2chttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lf5wtd6py227Is Jerry Springer responsible for the birth of Trash TV? Or does the onus fall on trainwreck viewers. Netflix’s newest doc raises the question (while tossing plenty of punches). https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-netflixs-latest-doc-blames-jerry-springer-for-the-birth-of-trash-tv/07 Jan 2025 15:14 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lf5wtd6py227https://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lek6wxu5i223Just reliving some 2024 TV things over here. What moments would you add? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-the-top-10-most-talked-about-tv-moments-of-2024/#comments30 Dec 2024 18:46 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lek6wxu5i223https://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lbsdepszy22sToday’s workspace. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦25 Nov 2024 20:11 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbsdepszy22shttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lbnqonxpe22xSpent six hours in queue trying to get my daughter Swift tickets. No luck, again. On the plus side, I had tons of time to make this from scratch.24 Nov 2024 00:26 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbnqonxpe22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lbil4dnnl22xDid anyone actually realize they were remaking Cruel Intentions? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-new-cruel-intentions-series-is-a-love-letter-to-the-original-film-but/21 Nov 2024 23:03 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbil4dnnl22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/amberdowling.bsky.social/post/3lbhmtq7gmc23I wasn’t expecting to love this series the way I did, but damn was it uplifting and delightful. https://www.tvguide.com/news/a-man-on-the-inside-netflix-michael-schur-ted-danson/21 Nov 2024 14:01 +0000at://did:plc:axt3sv5zhqcs4snff57rthy4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbhmtq7gmc23