[April Bradford]

Stream or Skip? April recommends… 'A League of Their Own' (2022)​

There are so many shows available nowadays, both on Freeview and paid streaming services that it can be hard to decide what to watch. In good news, I’m here to (hopefully) help!

As you may already know, the iconic 1992 movie A League of Their Own starring Tom Hanks, Madonna and Geena Davis was recently rebooted as an eight-episode TV series.

Now, this is not a standard cut-and-paste reboot. Rather, it’s an adaptation with new characters and a new storyline. Of course, the general premise stays the same as the movie; we follow the formation of a World War II-era women's professional baseball team.

Meet the new Rockford Peaches. Image Credit: Prime Video​

Nick Offerman's (Parks and Recreation) Dove fills in for Tom Hanks's Jimmy. It’s not quite the same but he still brings impressive acting chops.

If you loved Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell in the original movie as Mae and Dorris, you’ll be happy to hear a similar character dynamic is found in the TV series between D'Arcy Carden’s (A Good Place) Greta and Melanie Field (Heathers, You) as Jo.

While there is no direct replacement for Geena Davis’ Dottie Hinson, the TV series largely centres on Abbi Jacobson (Broad City) as Carson Shaw. Carson fills many of the same roles as Dottie such as her position as the team’s catcher. Her husband is away at war and she takes the chance to follow her dreams.

Now, one key difference is the themes. While the movie showed the heartbreak of having a spouse fighting in the war and sexism in baseball, the TV series also explores racism and the underground LGBTQ+ community.

Chanté Adams as Maxine faces a different path. Image Credit: Prime Video​

Here is the official synopsis from Prime Video:

‘A League of Their Own evokes the joyful spirit of Penny Marshall's beloved classic, while widening the lens to tell the story of an entire generation of women who dreamed of playing professional baseball. The show takes a deeper look at race and sexuality, following the journey of a whole new ensemble of characters as they carve their own paths towards the field, both in the league and outside of it.’

Chanté Adams plays Maxine, an aspiring pitcher and a new perspective in this story. We go back and forth between Maxine and Carson’s journeys and the struggles they face.

This show heavily features queer marginalisation, queer love, and the struggles of the period. If this isn’t a side of the story you’re interested in, you may simply prefer to rewatch the original movie. However, if you are interested in a more realistic and in-depth look at homophobia, racism and sexism, definitely check out the series.

It’s available now to stream on Amazon Prime.

Not quite sold? You can watch the trailer here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8qMhtkB18k

Let me know if you watch it as I’d be keen to discuss it! What else are you watching at the moment? Pop down to the comments – I don’t bite!

 

[Ricci]

I don't have any streaming services, I decided it was something I could forgo as the need to economise grew, so I'm stuck with good old free to air. One of the things I'm loving at the moment is the new series of Vera. I love Brenda Blethyn and think she is the perfect Vera. The one thing that does drive me crazy in general about free to air though is the amount of re-runs for the umteenth time There are some quality tv shows available both here and abroad but we never seem to get them, or we get half a series or a few stand alone episodes.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I don't have any streaming services, I decided it was something I could forgo as the need to economise grew, so I'm stuck with good old free to air. One of the things I'm loving at the moment is the new series of Vera. I love Brenda Blethyn and think she is the perfect Vera. The one thing that does drive me crazy in general about free to air though is the amount of re-runs for the umteenth time There are some quality tv shows available both here and abroad but we never seem to get them, or we get half a series or a few stand alone episodes.

And commercials

 

[Suzanne rose]

We have too much choice. Foxtel , Netflix Amazon, Stan and Disney .
Yes I have all of them and told my kids we need to cut down.

Hubby watches foxtel cricket footy ect
We all watch Netflix and Amazon Prime
19 year old son loves Disney plus

I am watching a series on Stan ...The Originals and as soon as its finished I'm cutting Stan

 

[SeniorSnoopy]

I've watched all 8 episodes and thoroughly enjoyed them. I rewatched the film directly after and although there are many differences, there are many similarities too.

 

[roundman58]

Having watched the entire series, treat it as new stand alone story. It is a lot more confronting, and personal than the original film. It tends to focus on individuals more than the team as a whole.
Quite enjoyable if you separate the movie and the series.

 

[Ezzy]

There are so many shows available nowadays, both on Freeview and paid streaming services that it can be hard to decide what to watch. In good news, I’m here to (hopefully) help!

As you may already know, the iconic 1992 movie A League of Their Own starring Tom Hanks, Madonna and Geena Davis was recently rebooted as an eight-episode TV series.

Now, this is not a standard cut-and-paste reboot. Rather, it’s an adaptation with new characters and a new storyline. Of course, the general premise stays the same as the movie; we follow the formation of a World War II-era women's professional baseball team.

Meet the new Rockford Peaches. Image Credit: Prime Video​

Nick Offerman's (Parks and Recreation) Dove fills in for Tom Hanks's Jimmy. It’s not quite the same but he still brings impressive acting chops.

If you loved Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell in the original movie as Mae and Dorris, you’ll be happy to hear a similar character dynamic is found in the TV series between D'Arcy Carden’s (A Good Place) Greta and Melanie Field (Heathers, You) as Jo.

While there is no direct replacement for Geena Davis’ Dottie Hinson, the TV series largely centres on Abbi Jacobson (Broad City) as Carson Shaw. Carson fills many of the same roles as Dottie such as her position as the team’s catcher. Her husband is away at war and she takes the chance to follow her dreams.

Now, one key difference is the themes. While the movie showed the heartbreak of having a spouse fighting in the war and sexism in baseball, the TV series also explores racism and the underground LGBTQ+ community.

Chanté Adams as Maxine faces a different path. Image Credit: Prime Video​

Here is the official synopsis from Prime Video:

‘A League of Their Own evokes the joyful spirit of Penny Marshall's beloved classic, while widening the lens to tell the story of an entire generation of women who dreamed of playing professional baseball. The show takes a deeper look at race and sexuality, following the journey of a whole new ensemble of characters as they carve their own paths towards the field, both in the league and outside of it.’

Chanté Adams plays Maxine, an aspiring pitcher and a new perspective in this story. We go back and forth between Maxine and Carson’s journeys and the struggles they face.

This show heavily features queer marginalisation, queer love, and the struggles of the period. If this isn’t a side of the story you’re interested in, you may simply prefer to rewatch the original movie. However, if you are interested in a more realistic and in-depth look at homophobia, racism and sexism, definitely check out the series.

It’s available now to stream on Amazon Prime.

Not quite sold? You can watch the trailer here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8qMhtkB18k

Let me know if you watch it as I’d be keen to discuss it! What else are you watching at the moment? Pop down to the comments – I don’t bite!

Enjoyed the trailer. Unfortunately l don't have paid t.v. otherwise I'd enjoy watching this movie.