Here's what we're reading, watching, playing, and listening to this week

How we're spending our leisure time.

Everyone has a bit of quiet downtime once in a while. Whether you're sitting quietly at home or trying to relax on a plane or just giving your busy mind and hands a break, it's important to relax.

A good way to do that is to read a book, listen to some music or watch a movie or show. See what's caught our attention for the week of June 23rd.

Ara Wagoner

Still on the YouTube Music train — whoop whoop — so I've been rediscovering more and more music from my past, present and future. Whenever the nonsense in politics reaches new heights of absurdity, I always seem to come back to a gem from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas called Sidestep. The only thing better than Charles Durning's slippery charm as the Governor of Texas may be him soft shoe tapping through the actual Texas State Capitol building. It suits this month very well.

As a reminder to any YouTube Music newcomers: if you see an album missing in YouTube Music, use the Send Feedback tool to say what it is, if it's available on Google Play Music (or if the video versions are available but not the actual organized album version), and that you want it. I've gotten 5-10 albums to appear in the catalog doing this — though no matter how I beg, I can't get them to add the 2017 Beauty and the Beast score...

Marc Lagace

Is it just me, or is the Netflix catalog feeling a bit stale these days. It seems that every week there's new content added, but all too often it's another "gritty mini-series about gruesome murders" or an old show or movie that I've already seen. It's gotten to the point where I've debated canceling my Netflix subscription outright.

But then they go and release an incredible comedy special like Hannah Gadsby: Nanette and I'm smitten all over again. To my mind comedy is Netflix's greatest strength and I love how it offers its platform to unparalleled exposure for up-and-coming comedians. Hannah is a celebrated LGBTQ* comedian from Australia who grew up in Tasmania which only decriminalized homosexuality in 1997. In this hour-long special, Hannah explains why she plans to "quit comedy" as she breaks down the trappings of her brand of self-deprecating stand-up, and opens up about her life experiences. Often transcending comedy itself with tense, and emotionally-charged moments, this feels very important to watch in 2018 and especially as the world celebrated Pride Month.

Just when I was thinking Netflix couldn't offer me anything I haven't seen before, this comedy special came along to prove me dead wrong. I highly recommend checking it out.

Tom Westrick

I'm back onto Netflix for my primary media consumption. I blew through the latest season — or half season, rather — of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. It's… interesting. It's odd that they ended it for now on a half season, with a few unresolved plot lines. I also think the concept has run as long as it can at this point. I hope the current plot lines get finished, but wouldn't be sad if the show ended after that.

I've also started watching Cheers, and flew through the first two seasons so I could get to Frasier's introduction. Seeing a young Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer after watching them in newer shows is a bit strange, but I'm adjusting. It's been funny and emotional so far, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Andrew Martonik

I'm watching the World Cup, obviously. Absolutely as much World Cup as possible. You don't even have to like soccer in order to enjoy the spectacle of some of these huge matches between accomplished countries with superstar players.

I've been watching via YouTube TV, which has been really great for reminding me of when matches start and providing live streams with recording. DirecTV Now also has the proper Fox Sports deal to stream all of the games. Fox Sports GO is the place to stream it if you have a cable subscription to authenticate, though.

It's really worth watching, especially now that the group stages are getting to the point of eliminating teams and we start to see seeding for the knockout rounds coming into view.

Your turn

What are YOU reading, watching, or listening to this week? Let us know in the comments!

Update, June 23, 2018: This is a weekly series where we tell you what we're into, so check back every weekend!