As you continue social-distancing, keeping a safe six feet away from other humans and hibernating indoors, you may find yourself in need of some extra entertainment. Lucky for you, your daily local news team at 97.9 The Hill has specially curated a list of their favorite movies, books, TV shows and music for you to dive straight into.

Keep reading for some fantastic recommendations especially picked for you by some of our staff!

Ron Stutts (Morning Show Host)

TV: We just binge-watched every episode of High Fidelity on Hulu.  It’s based on the movie starring John Cusack, as a record store owner, but this updated version has Zoe Kravitz in the lead role, and she’s fantastic.  I thought the whole series was great and couldn’t stop watching until I had watched them all.  If I had anything critical to say, I wish the television version of the motion picture had featured a little more music…I mean, it did have music, but not as much as I remember in the movie.  Maybe that’s just my bad memory.  At any rate, if you think you might like to hang out in a record store, if you like music, in general, and if you like Zoe Kravitz, you’ll love it.  If you don’t know her, you will after you watch it!  I recommend it big time!

Nicki Morse (Midday Host)

TV: If I’m need of comedic relief in short shows, Schitt’s Creek, Episodes and The Good Place can be found on Netflix.

If you’re into period pieces, The Crown is a good one on Netflix. The Marvelous Mrs. Maizel and Downton Abbey can be found on Amazon.

I’m currently into Damages which is an FX show streaming on Hulu. And if you haven’t seen Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale or Killing Eve, no better time than now to get hooked!

Aaron Keck (Afternoon Show Host)

Movies: Take the time to catch up on a series of movies. Watch all the Star Wars films in a row, or binge James Bond!

Books: Maybe a bit on the nose, but The Plague by Albert Camus. It’s one of my favorite novels, and it’s all about ordinary people stepping up heroically to help people in need during a medical crisis.

Oh, and there’s also this: you can stream Broadway musicals from home and save 150 bucks on seeing them live! I’ve seen the Bernadette Peters Into the Woods and the Angela Lansbury Sweeney Todd and they’re both incredible.

Aubrey Williams (General Manager)

Music: Weezer – Blue Album – listen to the whole thing. It’s jubilant and will make your heart happy.

The Frights – The Frights. Also American surf punk. So fun.

Movie: Looking for a Friend for the End of the World. Maybe a little close to home at this point… but it’s a great one.

Book: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. You’ll laugh the whole time!

Brighton McConnell (News Director)

Movie: When Harry Met Sally – I just watched it recently!

Book: Where Nobody Knows Your Name: Life In the Minor Leagues of Baseball by John Feinstein

Elle Kehres  (Reporter)

Books: For your young adult reader – or for the grown adult who still loves YA fiction (me), anything by Sarah Dessen is fantastic.

Otherwise, if you need a series that transports you to another world, I’m currently plowing my way through A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Albums: Oh boy, to chill out, put on John Mayer’s Continuum, make yourself a cup of tea and craft/paint your way to distraction – that’s what I do anyways.

After that, my other all-time favorite album is Konk by The Kooks. Go ahead, lose yourself in some brillaint British melodies.

Aaron Johnson (Production Director)

TV: Justified, Letterkenny – Hulu
Altered Carbon – Netflix
The Grand Tour – Amazon Prime

Movies: All James Bond and  Pink Panther films

Books: Anything written by Tom Clancy or Clive Cussler

Victor Lewis (Digital Content Editor)

Book: Stephen King lends himself particular well to the quarantine environment. The Stand might be more than a little on-the-nose, but the superflu subject matter and All-American post-apocalyptic road trip vibe mesh well with a classic tale of Good vs. Evil. Plus, The Stand is an 800+ page brick, making it perfect long-haul reading material. For extra cabin-fever points, see The Shining.

Music: Just put Funkmammoth’s Pride of the Prairie on. It’ll be alright.

Movie: Got about four hours? Can I interest you in Lawrence of Arabia, one of the best uses of your time ever committed to celluloid? If movies are steak, Lawrence of Arabia is a dry-aged porterhouse.

Video Game: Shadow of the Colossus is free on PS+ this month. I hadn’t played it before now, but, lemme tell you — I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything so desolate, so beautiful, and so heartbreaking. Quality quarantine time, certainly well spent.

Kenny

TV: I will say in anticipation of Fargo Season 4 coming out next month, I strongly recommend Fargo Seasons 1-3 (especially Season 2) all available on Hulu. I just recently finished a re-watch. It is just brilliant TV.

Music: I am very happy Alanis Morissette is making new music and it is good. If you forgot how great she is, go back and listen to her live performances on YouTube from 1994-2004. Or, if you have a record player, buy her 1997 unplugged album on vinyl.

Jada Jarillo (Marketing and Operations Manager)

Album: A Little Something More by Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. Because it’s awesome.

Book: Charms for the Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons. This books enchanting readability, combined with it’s journey through local North Carolina history and portrayal of a family featuring strong female characters is a must-read for every Southern woman.

Tracey Himmel (Account Executive)

Book: The Gentleman from Moscow by Towles

Movie: Young Frankenstein – directed by Mel Brooks

Anna Griffin (Creative Account Coordinator)

Movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse is hands-down the best superhero film, in my humble opinion. The artwork is fantastic and everyone in the family is sure to love it! (For the kiddos – Frozen 2 was just added to Disney+ three months ahead of schedule!)

Albums:

  • John Denver’s Greatest Hits (by John Denver)
  • Wild World by Bastille; a more somber album in regards to its message, but stunning nonetheless
  • Plastic Soul by Mondo Cozmo
  • Possession by Joywave (just dropped on 3/13!)
  • “Let’s Rock” by The Black Keys
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97.9 The Hill's Staff Picks: Social Distancing Edition
As you continue social-distancing, keeping a safe six feet away from other humans and hibernating indoors, you may find yourself in need of some extra entertainment. Lucky for you, your daily local news team at 97.9 The Hill has specially curated a list of their favorite movies, books, TV shows and music for you to […]
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