Michael Jordan's career is chronicled in the 10-part Netflix docu-series, 'The Last Dance'. AFP
Michael Jordan's career is chronicled in the 10-part Netflix docu-series, 'The Last Dance'. AFP
Michael Jordan's career is chronicled in the 10-part Netflix docu-series, 'The Last Dance'. AFP
Michael Jordan's career is chronicled in the 10-part Netflix docu-series, 'The Last Dance'. AFP

From 'Tiger King' to 'The Crown': 10 TV shows that helped us get through 2020


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

This was a year mostly spent indoors. As the coronavirus pandemic took hold and our sphere of existence was bound to the few square metres of our homes, many of us started finding ways to make our time indoors more enjoyable and productive.

Some of us read those classics we'd been meaning to for years or broke the spines of new releases. Others learnt how to make bread, picked up a new instrument or became seasoned Monopoly players.

But most of all, we watched TV. As far as entertainment goes, 2020 was the year of the telly, especially considering how the pandemic forced many cinemas across the world to close. As such, we take a look at 10 shows released this year that helped us get through 2020.

'Tiger King'

Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, poses with one of his tigers. AFP
Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, poses with one of his tigers. AFP

Coronavirus-related restrictions were beginning to be implemented across the world when Tiger King premiered on Netflix in March. The scandalous and dangerous world of big cat conservationists and collectors immediately reeled in the attention of millions. It's easy to see why.

The eight-episode documentary series was filled with the kind of drama you'd be hard-pressed to find even in the most overstuffed of soap operas, except it was real. From death threats and murder-for-hire to polygamous relationships, drug lords and personality cults, Tiger King could not have come at a better time to distract us from the world-changing effects of the pandemic.

'The Last Dance'

This sports documentary has an almost Shakespearean plot curve that focuses on Michael Jordan's last season with the Chicago Bulls. The 10-episode series, which debuted on ESPN in April before becoming available on Netflix in July, fuses archival footage with interviews with basketball personalities including Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.

The documentary series was praised by critics for its storytelling pace and rhythm. However, according to ESPN, the show received some criticism from the basketball community with sources close to Pippen saying he was "wounded and disappointed by his portrayal".

'Never Have I Ever'

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in 'Never Have I Ever'. Netflix
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in 'Never Have I Ever'. Netflix

A teen comedy drama created by The Office star Mindy Kaling and screenwriter Lang Fisher, Never Have I Ever is a thoroughly original telling of what it is like growing up as a first-generation Indian-American.

The coming-of-age series is partially based on Kaling's life growing up in Boston. It focuses on a 15-year-old girl as she struggles with the death of her father and a socially disastrous freshman year in high school.

'Ramy'

Egyptian-American actor Ramy Youssef in 'Ramy'. AP
Egyptian-American actor Ramy Youssef in 'Ramy'. AP

With its down-to-earth humour and refreshing take on what it's like being a practising Muslim in the US, Ramy immediately caught the attention of many when it debuted on Hulu last year. The second season was released this year, bringing on Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali.

The series has been praised for the way it introduces western audiences to varied perspectives from those with roots in the Middle East, and it won its creator Ramy Youssef the award for Best Performance by an Actor In a Television Series – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes last year.

'Space Force'

Panned by critics but seemingly loved by audiences, Steve Carell's return to comedy tells the story of the people tasked with creating Space Force, the ridiculed sixth branch of the US Armed Forces.

The show may not be one of the most impressive to come out this year, but is still worth mentioning for its offbeat, awkward telling of the attempt to put American astronauts on the Moon again.

'I May Destroy You'

Devastating, witty, funny, honest and dark, I May Destroy You is perhaps one of the sharpest shows to come out this year, with an amazing performance by the show's creator and lead actress Michaela Coel.

The comedy-drama is set in London and tells the story of a young woman who seeks to rebuild her life after being sexually assaulted.

'The Boys'

The show returned for its second season this year with a gory, action-­filled, not-too-flattering look at the world of superheroes. With a menagerie of flawed characters and a storyline with more twists and turns than a silly straw, it is easy to see why the series is loved by critics and audiences alike.

Showing on Amazon Prime, The Boys continues telling the story of a group of outcast superheroes who are hunted by a multibillion-dollar conglomerate that represents celebrity superheroes and hides their dirty secrets.

'The Crown'

The fourth season of the Netflix Original drama chronicling the life of Queen Elizabeth II was released last month. And it didn't take long for it to become a magnet for controversy for the way it depicts the British royal family, namely Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana – whose character made her debut in the show this season – and their tempestuous relationship.

The controversy reached its climax when the UK's Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told The Daily Mail that the show's producers should make it clear that The Crown is a work of fiction.

"It's a beautifully produced work of fiction, so as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that," he said last month. "Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact."

Netflix soon responded saying it saw “no need” to add the disclaimer to the series.

'The Queen’s Gambit'

The show that made chess glamorous, The Queen's Gambit – based on the Walter Tevis novel of the same name – tells the story of an orphaned chess prodigy as she becomes a celebrity in the world of the game while battling a drug and alcohol addiction.

The Queen's Gambit became Netflix's most-watched scripted miniseries a mere four weeks after its release. With soaring production value and a stellar performance by lead actress Anya Taylor-Joy, the show is definitely one of the most interesting to come out this year.

'Paranormal'

Last month, Netflix released its first Egyptian Original series, Paranormal, setting a milestone for thrillers produced in the Arab world. The show is based on the bestselling novel series of the same name by the late Ahmed Khaled Tawfik, who is hailed as the first contemporary horror and science-fiction writer in the Arab world.

The story, set in the 1960s, centres on haematologist Refaat Ismail who tries to uncover the truth behind a series of supernatural events. A spooky ride with plenty of blood-chilling scenes, Paranormal is definitely one of the most impressive shows to come out this year, especially considering the standard it sets for Arabic-language thrillers.

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The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:

Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')

Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate

MATCH INFO

Watford 1 (Deulofeu 80' p)

Chelsea 2 (Abraham 5', Pulisic 55')

Jetour T1 specs

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Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

The specs

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Transmission: seven-speed

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Citizenship-by-investment programmes

United Kingdom

The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).

All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.

The Caribbean

Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport. 

Portugal

The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.

“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.

Greece

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.

Spain

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

Cyprus

Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.

Malta

The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.

The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.

Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.

Egypt 

A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.

Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties

Fund-raising tips for start-ups

Develop an innovative business concept

Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors

Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19

Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.) 

Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months

Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses

Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business

* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna

MATCH INFO

Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')

Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)

T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Qualifier A, Muscat

(All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv) 

Fixtures

Friday, February 18: 10am Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain 

Saturday, February 19: 10am Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain 

Monday, February 21: 10am Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines 

Tuesday, February 22: 2pm Semi-finals 

Thursday, February 24: 2pm Final 

UAE squad:Ahmed Raza(captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia

Favourite things

Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery

Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount

University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China

Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai

Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China

Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs

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Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

While you're here
Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

World Test Championship table

1 India 71 per cent

2 New Zealand 70 per cent

3 Australia 69.2 per cent

4 England 64.1 per cent

5 Pakistan 43.3 per cent

6 West Indies 33.3 per cent

7 South Africa 30 per cent

8 Sri Lanka 16.7 per cent

9 Bangladesh 0

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets