Look, everybody! I said I’d share my latest TV recommendations and I have done it! Look at me following through! It’s definitely been the season for watching TV. Snuggly weather. Kids sick at home on and off. Plus, my husband has had some changes at work, which means I don’t always have to share the remote at night haha.
I think that you will notice a theme in my recommendations this time around. Yep. I think this latest obsession has come from me wanting to watch true crime documentaries – I don’t know why but I get a thrill from watching the interviews where someone sits in a chair, looks all serious at the camera and then spills the tea! However, when I watch them I do not necessarily know that I have the stomach to constantly consume stories of horrific murders/serial killer stuff these days (never say never again – depends on the day). A lot of the cases in my list (the top 3) below are absolutely horrible, morally reprehensible and are definitely not victimless, but I know I can follow the story, have all the appropriate learning moments, reactions, thoughts, feelings and still go to sleep at night. With everything going on in the world lately, I do not also need the visual aspect of gore inside my head giving me nightmares!
As this is my first time sharing some reccos, I must make the disclaimer that there might be some spoilers. Sorry not sorry as you can find out everything by googling the real news stories, but I try not to give every damn detail because I want you to be able to enjoy/consume stuff the way I did. Also, if you don’t like something just know that you watched at your own risk!
On a more serious note, there will be content that some may find triggering so please look after yourself.
Any time you want to discuss these shows, my Instagram DMs are open (and the comments section below)!
The Age of Influence – Disney Plus (2023)
This is a 6 part documentary series – each one includes a wild story about an influencer. It includes stories about fraud, ugly feuds – lawsuits included, criminal enterprises, child exploitation.
If you’ve followed cases like Ruby Franke, Belle Gibson, or Anna Delvey then you’ll probably find these stories interesting.
I am always fascinated by the world of social media and influencing. I am a sucker for documentaries about the dark sides of influencing. I think it’s because I think the online world does reflect human nature at its best and worst, whether you are an influencer/content creator/public figure or whether you are a follower/subscriber/commenter. I am bemused at best (Episode 3: Battle of the Influencers), horrified at worst when I see these stories.
I am also passionate about how exploitative ‘kidfluencing’ is and how much this kind of enterprise can attract awful adults who are supposed to be caring for these kids (Episode 5: The Bad Momfluencer). I feel like the first generation of kids who could be exploited on family Youtube vlog channels or websites are now old enough that we are seeing the damage and fallout. I hope documentaries like this warn people to think critically about the content they create or consume.
Watching these episodes, it never fails to blow my mind that some people (con artists/fraudsters/scammers/drug dealers) will openly flaunt their crimes in the name of seeking attention and fame. Not only is that ridiculous and dumb of them when it catches up with them in the long run, but it’s crazy how long they get away with this stuff for before facing their consequences!
I could honestly write a review for every individual episode – I have so many thoughts! – but that might take too long! Just give it a watch and tell me what you think!
Call Her Alex – Disney Plus (2025)
I did not know much about Alex Cooper (creator of the podcast ‘Call Her Daddy’) before watching her documentary. I knew she was loud (in a good way), bold and had some kind of history of talking about sex and relationships – the spicy stuff. I knew that I had only stumbled across her podcast on Spotify because I was intrigued by some of her celebrity interviews as her podcast has evolved (and she has racked up many big names).
The documentary was supposed to follow Alex’s life and how she came to be a multi millionaire with an empire that sets out to empower women. It documented her putting on a tour of live shows around the US, along with the stress and anxiety of wanting to pull it off well.
During filming of the documentary, Alex knew she would have to tell her story about being the survivor of a female university soccer coach who sexually harassed her for 3 years. It was a harrowing experience for her, with her being denied justice and having to give up the track she had been on as an elite athlete. It was a compelling story and I’m sure her courage in sharing it will allow others to feel seen or less alone.
I found this documentary so insightful and it showed so much of how she became the person she is (and the journey along the way). I now understand so much more about the big character behind the podcast and I enjoy it more as a result, being someone who came late to the game.
I think you could watch this without knowing anything about her and still enjoy it. You could quite possibly find yourself listening to her podcast afterwards as a result.
Scamanda – Disney Plus (2025)
It’s kind of funny because her name is Amanda and the 4 part documentary series is called Scamanda haha.
If you were interested in the Belle Gibson case, you’ll definitely see similarities in Amanda Riley’s story. This is a scammer who wasn’t just in it for the money. She was absolutely obsessed with the attention she could get for fraudulently claiming to have suffered from cancer.
The series includes interviews with the voice of the podcast of the same name: ‘Scamanda’, a journalist who broke the story with a former friend of Amanda’s, Lisa, who became suspicious. Many more people affected by Amanda’s actions spoke up so it makes for good viewing. I like when documentaries feature interviews from actual witnesses and people who have been involved with the subject. It’s far more compelling than something that’s been edited together out of news footage and ‘experts’ who have had nothing to do with a case/story.
When the story moves into…”and then she started a blog”…you know it’s going to be wild.
It will never fail to blow my mind that these types of scammers are so narcissistic. Amanda gave zero shits about who she exploited and how it would impact them! One example (of many) was when she had already been criminally investigated for her fraudulent behaviour, but it was taking time for cases to be built against her. She moved to a place 40 minutes away and worked at a school as a teacher and then principal! When another teacher sadly had a recurrence of her cancer, Amanda suddenly announced that she too had found out hers had returned. The fundraising the school community had done for the genuine sufferer was now being shared between them (let that sink in – despicable!). Sadly, the teacher passed away. That is only one example of her exploiting those who were vulnerable.
I always think it would be so risky to fake having cancer. On the one hand, it’s a very emotional topic for so many, because cancer has touched so many people. Those who have suffered or have watched loved ones suffer want to help. There is a lot of compassion for sufferers and their loved ones. However, because so many people have experienced it directly or as a supportive person for a sufferer, they know what makes sense and how things work, due to experience. They can figure out when something doesn’t add up because they’ve been there.
Amanda Riley really went to enormous lengths to convince people. It’s probably the most elaborate scam I’ve heard of (so far – sadly she is far from the only one out there).
One question that was never satisfyingly answered for me was whether her husband knew. You’ll have to watch and let me know your thoughts.
The Quilters – Netflix (2024)
This is a very short documentary (33 minutes long). It is about maximum security prisoners who are participating in a restorative justice project – making quilts for foster children so that they have something beautiful and personal to keep of their own. These men have done horrible things in their lives, but you see the joy they find in creating something to bring joy to children they’ve never met. I imagine some of them can identify with them.
In order to participate, they have to have had exemplary behaviour behind bars. During the filming of this short doco, one man makes a mistake and cannot return (he is found with a small knife type implement in his cell because he was working on parts of a quilt – kind of tragic really).
This is a great short watch before bed. It won’t cause nightmares. It’s compelling. It’s easy to watch. Also, these guys are way better at sewing than I ever will be. Quilting is so technical! I had no idea!
Catch ya next time x
I don’t have Disney+, so can’t watch those recommendations, but The Quilters has been on my list for a while. Knowing it’s only short, I might have to watch once I’m finished with Dept Q (I’m utterly enthralled) tonight.