By Jacob VanGundy
| Published 21 seconds ago

Resident Alien, starring Alan Tudyk, is a Syfy original comedy that was released in 2021 and didn’t make much of a splash on release. However, with a pristine Rotten Tomatoes score indicating critical approval and a spot in the top shows when it arrived on Netflix, the series found a new lease on life. Real fans of the show have been saying all along that Resident Alien is great, but putting it on Netflix helped grow that audience. 

Based on a Dark Horse comic by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, in theory, the show had a pre-existing fanbase to build off of, albeit a small one.

Part comedy, part sci-fi, part procedural, and part mystery thriller, Resident Alien has something for everyone with a straightforward plot that gradually builds on itself. It follows a marooned Alien, who was sent to end all life on Earth but instead crash-landed in rural Colorado forcing him to take on a human disguise and gradually learn about humans.

Most shows about aliens living among humans lean on one joke and hope it holds. Resident Alien doesn’t do that. It uses the joke to get in the door, then quietly builds something smarter and more observant than it has any right to be.

Disguised as Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, a man he knows nothing about, he ends up becoming the small town’s only doctor. Things get weirder for the new Harry from there, throwing him into an increasingly complicated web of social dynamics and mysteries. 

Harry doesn’t misunderstand humans in cute ways; he misunderstands them in ways that expose how arbitrary many of our social rules actually are. Watching him struggle with basic concepts like politeness, grief, or compassion is funny because it’s accurate. A lot of human behavior only makes sense if you grew up inside it.

The show thrives on restraint. It resists the urge to constantly reassure the audience. It lets scenes run a little long. It allows discomfort. Sometimes the joke is simply that Harry says the wrong thing and no one laughs. Sometimes the scene ends without a joke at all.

Resident Alien never forgets that its central character is dangerous. This isn’t a cuddly outsider learning to love Earth. Harry is capable of mass murder, and the show keeps that fact in play. His growing attachment to humans creates tension because of what we know he could do to them. .

The series is an ideal showcase for Alyn Tudyk’s comedic talents, giving him a unique character with no understanding of human interaction, creating plenty of opportunities for slapstick comedy and genuine emotion. It’s the kind of role he was born to play.

Resident Alien doesn’t treat the town around Harry as background noise. They aren’t just there to react to his weirdness. They have problems that existed before he arrived and would continue if he left. Because of that, much of Resident Alien’s success also comes from a stellar supporting cast built up by the show, a great mix of established actors and lesser-known names. Those include Sara Tompko, who is often the straight man to Tudyk’s slapstick, Corey Reynolds as a butt of the joke sheriff, and Alice Weterlund as a bartender unknowingly pining for an alien.

Resident Alien flew under the radar on release, creating a dedicated but small fan base on the Syfy channel, hampered by not being available on any of the major streaming services. While it initially failed to reach the popular zeitgeist, it was an immediate critical darling, garnering a 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes after the first two seasons.

Now that it’s finally on Netflix it has found a larger audience, briefly making its way onto Netflix’s top ten shows when it first arrived on the platform. The show’s audience was always there; it just needed the right platform to find it. 

Resident Alien is worth your time. It trusts the audience and uses science fiction the way it’s supposed to be used, as a tool to look at ordinary life from an uncomfortable angle.

If you’re looking for the typical Marvel action sequences, you’re not going to find them in Wonder Man.

Unlike Marvel Studios’ previous attempts to lean into comedy on Disney+, Wonder Man gets in its lane and stays there.

It’s very rare when punches are thrown in this series, and most of those come during an in-universe look at a cheesy Wonder Man movie.

For anyone who’s still on the fence, Watch With Us will now answer this question: Is Marvel’s new Wonder Man series worth watching? And if so, why isn’t anyone talking about it?

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Frozen’s Josh Gad and The Sopranos actor Joe Pantoliano both make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debuts on the new live-action Disney+ series Wonder Man. The two veteran actors are part of an off-kilter version of Hollywood that exists within the MCU, where superpowered individuals have been banned from the entertainment industry due to an edict […]

It’s Marvel’s Version of ‘Entourage’

It’s been almost 15 years since Entourage wrapped up its run on HBO, but Wonder Man seems like its successor. This show doesn’t become as farcical as Apple TV‘s Emmy-winning comedy The Studio, and it manages to walk a fine line between parody and a straightforward comedy. To give this series credibility, a handful of real actors appear as themselves, including Josh Gad, Ashley Greene, Mario Lopez and Joe Pantoliano.

The irony is that aside from perhaps Gad, those established performers are lower on the A-list than Wonder Man‘s stars, both of whom play struggling actors. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II leads the series as Simon Williams, while Ben Kingsley reprises his role as Trevor Slattery from Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The biggest thing that Simon and Trevor have in common is a desire to be recognized for their acting prowess. They’re trying to break into a ridiculous world that may not want them, but every rejection makes them desire it even more.

Abdul-Mateen and Kingsley Have a Fun ‘Bromance’

The relationship between Simon and Trevor is the beating heart of this series. Wonder Man depicts their first meeting and their subsequent encounters in the initial episode, which is done in a very charming way. Trevor actually gets a great audition out of Simon by helping him get out of his own way. If their friendship had only grown out of that moment, it would be almost heartwarming.

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Unfortunately for Simon, Trevor does have an ulterior motive for getting so close to him. We’re not going to spoil it for you here, but Trevor’s future may depend upon his willingness to figuratively stab Simon in the back. That’s the underlying tension, because these two guys genuinely like each other. Simon and Trevor may not agree about their acting methods, but their shared love for performing gives them something real to latch on to. Bro-mancing was also a big part of Entourage, which is why the comparison between the two shows seems so appropriate.

‘Wonder Man’ Shakes Up the MCU Formula for the Better

Let’s get this out of the way: Simon does have superpowers, but he isn’t interested in being a hero. Simon isn’t looking to become an Avenger or a costumed vigilante; he just wants to make his mark on the entertainment industry. However, he has to hide his powers, or else he’ll never get another opportunity to show off what he can do in front of the cameras.

There are only a handful of times in the entire series that Simon uses his powers, and he does so accidentally more often than intentionally. That’s something that may frustrate MCU fans who could use an action fix, but it’s a refreshing dose of character and small stakes drama/comedy that brings the Marvel Cinematic Universe back down to Earth. That’s the entire point of this show, and if that sounds good to you, then this is the superhero series you need to watch.

Maybe that’s why no one is talking about Wonder Man. Because it offers something more subtle than the usual superhero fare, the show isn’t discussed on social media as much as, say, The Boys. Hopefully, that doesn’t mean no one is watching. It’s enough that Wonder Man fulfils what it sets out to accomplish — to look at superheroes from a different angle that doesn’t involve one mindless action sequence after another. That’s what makes Wonder Man truly special — the show’s superpower is its restraint and your reward.

Wonder Man is now streaming on Disney+.

Including David Tennant‘s DI Alec Hardy and future Oscar winner Olivia Colman‘s DI Ellie Miller in Broadchurch; Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) in True Detective; detectives Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) and William “Bunk” Moreland (Wendell Pierce) in The Wire, and the iconic Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) in The X-Files, a great crime series can often live and die by the chemistry of a pair of cops.

This was no better on display than in Rick Rosner‘s CHiPs, with the duo of Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox delighting audiences for six seasons as California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers Jon Baker and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello. Running for 139 episodes, the series became a flagship success for NBC and earned millions of doting fans. This was thanks largely to the chemistry of Estrada and Wilcox, with their electric partnership not just limited to in front of the camera.

The duo recently appeared at Big Lick Comic-Con in Roanoke, VA, where they spoke on a panel hosted by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt. During the event, Estrada detailed a shocking story in which a stunt on the show nearly cost him his life, only for Wilcox to step in and use his military veteran instincts to save the day. “I had a little accident, plowed into a car, and then ended up with two punctured lungs, broken wrists, as you can see. Fractured ribs and cracked my jaw a little bit,” Estrada said, adding:

“So I hit the ground, and the next thing is Larry jumps on top of me and makes me focus because I’m now bleeding internally and turning blue, and he kept me focused and actually helped start to save my life there because we had to wait for the helicopter to come get me, to take me to UCLA. They wanted to open me up, see if I ruptured my aorta, and I said, ‘No, you’re not doing that.’ […] Larry helped save my life because of his experience in Vietnam. He saw it right away and jumped on it.”

A Rolls-Royce Brought Estrada Back to the Series

After refusing to come back to the show because of his accident, Estrada admitted in the same interview that the promise of a brand-new Rolls-Royce — “convertible Corniche with bamboo interior” — was enough to entice him back. Thanks to a clause in his contract, Wilcox was also able to land himself a black Rolls-Royce Corniche from production, which was the least he deserved after saving his co-star’s life.

For more updates on the best new and classic shows, stay tuned to Collider.

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Release Date

1977 – 1983-00-00

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  Erik Estrada

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  Robert Pine

  Joseph Getraer

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  Paul Linke

  Arthur Grossman

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Zayn Malik
I ‘Love’ Gigi Hadid … But I Was Never ‘In Love’ With Her

Published
February 11, 2026
7:43 AM PST

I don’t believe in suffering for an outfit, especially on a regular weekday when I have places to be and zero patience. When I want to look slimmer fast, I always choose the path of least resistance with clothes that feel comfortable, flattering and easy to style. Thankfully, I’ve learned exactly which dresses never let me down, and I’m sharing my favorites below.

These are the 13 dresses on Amazon that I rely on when I need an instant outfit win without spending a fortune. Between ruched wrap styles that define the waist, flowy maxi dresses that smooth and A-line shapes that are forgiving, these pretty options do the heavy lifting for me. I just zip one on, grab my bag and go — no tailoring required! The best part? All of my picks are affordable with prices starting as low as $18.

13 Dresses That Provide a Slimming Appearance

1. My Favorite: This waist-cinching maxi is a standout when I’m craving an accentuated silhouette. The cinched middle creates that coveted hourglass effect, and the flared bottom drapes right over the hips and lower stomach.

2. Wrinkle-Free: I love how this casual maxi dress makes me look streamlined without feeling tight or restrictive — the loose silhouette does all the work. Add in the wrinkle-free fabric, and it’s an easy win for travel or everyday wear.

3. Wrapped Winner: Whenever I want to look slimmer and show a little leg, this colorful wrap dress is my go-to pick. The cinched waist defines my shape and the slit makes it perfect for date nights, rooftop dinners or warm-weather events.

4. Has Pockets: I reach for this easy maxi dress when I want everything to feel smoothed out. It glides over the midsection and hips effortlessly, thanks to the lightweight, flowy fabric. Plus, the pockets make it easy to wear all day without carrying a bag.

5. Loose and Slimming: I love how a flowy maxi dress, like this top-rated option, can still feel flattering. The laid-back fabric skims over my curves and makes it comfortable enough to lounge in all day.

6. Curve-Accentuating: There’s something very polished about a belted wrap dress that’s made with super soft knit materials. The defined waist and clean wrap lines give it that expensive-looking, body-flattering finish.

7. Totally Transitional: This cinched mini dress is one I reach for when the weather starts to shift. Designed with a waist-defining fit, puffed sleeves and a flowy hem, this dress is easy to go from day into night.

8. Date Night-Ready: When date night calls for something flattering (but not fussy), this sheer wrap dress is my answer. I appreciate the shaping cinched-waist detail that give me an hourglass look. Plus, the see-through accents add a little allure in the best way.

9. Must-Have Midi: This A-line midi dress does all the flattering work for me. The flared skirt creates a lean silhouette that moves nicely as I walk. With 41 colors to choose from, it’s easy to make this option feel casual or elevated.

10. Floral Favorite: This floral midi dress hits that sweet spot for wedding-adjacent events, like bridal showers or rehearsal brunches. It cinches at the waist and flows out just enough to feel elegant without stealing the spotlight.

11. Knitted Perfection: I reach for this contrast knit maxi when I want something polished that still feels comfortable. The defined waist creates shape, and the bold stripes slim and lengthen the lower half.

12. Mini Moment: This knitted black mini is one dress I live in during the cooler months. The slimming fit-and-flare shape works beautifully with tights, boots and an oversized coat.

13. Clever Ruching: This ruched shirt dress is one of my favorite silhouettes for a reason. The collar and button front keep it streamlined, while the belted ruching smooths and defines my waist.

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