# What documentaries and docudramas have you seen recently? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** documentary-bio\ **Created:** [August 27, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335 "2024-08-27T22:20:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/81 "2025-07-10T19:03:40Z")
**Becoming Led Zeppelin** (Netflix) If you’re a huge Led Zep fan, you’ll love it. But there are a lot of long live performances padding out the length. Oddly, they kind of gloss over the origin of their name – Keith Moon saying they’ll go over worse than a lead balloon…like a lead zeppelin. They do attribute the name to Moon but not the whole story. (As a bonus: I was watching with captions on and an early scene showed Little Richard singing “Long Tall Sally” and I discovered the lyrics that were unintelligible to me for all my life. What sounds like “Long tall Sally she biffy spee she got…” it turns out she’s “built for speed”.) ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/82 "2025-07-10T19:07:22Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > We’ve been watching a bunch of these Netflix docs recently, too. The **Trainwreck** series has been one of our favourites (topics like Woodstock '99, Toronto mayor Rob Ford, American Apparel, Travis Scott’s Astroworld concert, etc.). I just saw T **rainwreck: Poop Cruise** , about the ill-fated Carnival cruise ship that suffered a fire and power failure and was dead in the water for 5 days with non-working toilets. They interview passengers and crew. A flaw is that at the end they quote many passengers talking about how great the crew had been but the documentary fails to include anything positive about the crew’s actions. I’ve been on a dozen cruises and I’m sure I’ll go again. If you were on the fence you will probably never go near a cruise ship. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/83 "2025-07-10T19:28:01Z")
I expected **Poop Cruise** to be a bit more, uh, poop-filled? Was a lot less gross than the name suggests. I saw the **7/7** doc last night and that was excellent! I had to watch all four episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/84 "2025-07-10T19:38:05Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I saw the **7/7** doc last night and that was excellent! I had to watch all four episodes. Episode 3 was the real stand-out. If, like me, you know nothing about or have forgotten about that particular incident, it’s a riveting 60 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![MacDoc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macdoc/32/18696_2.png) [@MacDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDoc)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/85 "2025-07-10T20:09:12Z")
Enjoyed that -I also knew nothing of it. It you want a gripping follow-up but in book form… **The Only Plane in the Sky** about 9-11 is just terrific. … Also watched a season of an expat multi-generation Icelandic community ice fishing on Lake Winnipeg…they earn their money. 😮 ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/86 "2025-07-24T14:55:24Z")
**Sunday Best** on Netflix is about Ed Sullivan’s life-long dedication to integration and civil rights. I came for the great performances by black artists on his show, but came away with quite a lot of respect for a man who has always been a bit of a cartoon caricature to me. The high point is his succinct letter to TV critic Harriet Van Horne. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/87 "2025-07-24T16:46:15Z")
I’ve also been watching some of the **Trainwreck** episodes: the most recent one, about _P.I. Moms_, could have been 15 min shorter…and it was only 45 min long. Heh. Interesting enough story, but not really what I’d consider a trainwreck. I feel like the upcoming one about Area 51 might be similar, but I’ll still watch it. 🙂 I think my biggest complaint about the series is how hard Netflix makes it to know when there’s a new episode/what’s coming up next: they seem to treat them as completely separate titles vs entries in a collection. I hadn’t known about the **7/7** or **Sunday Best** documentaries, but I’ve added them to my list! I enjoyed the first part of HBO’s Billy Joel documentary ( **Billy Joel: And So It Goes** ), and am looking forward to tomorrow night’s second half. Speaking of HBO, heads up that S2 of **In The Eye Of The Storm** starts on Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/88 "2025-07-24T18:52:54Z")
I was never a die-hard Billy Joel fan growing up—though I did enjoy plenty of his hits. Honestly, I always thought he came off a bit arrogant. But after watching the documentary **Billy Joel: And So It Goes** , I’ve changed my tune. Turns out, I misjudged him. He’s not just incredibly talented—he’s thoughtful, generous, and far more humble than I gave him credit for. The documentary was a real eye-opener. Definitely worth a watch. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/89 "2025-07-25T04:59:53Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > I think my biggest complaint about the series is how hard Netflix makes it to know when there’s a new episode/what’s coming up next: they seem to treat them as completely separate titles vs entries in a collection. My biggest complaint about Trainwreck is when Netflix shows me a promo for an episode without making it clear (to me) that it’s an upcoming episode that isn’t available yet. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/90 "2025-07-25T05:37:30Z")
There’s a part 2 of the Joel doc. I’m waiting on it. American Experience on PBS “Nazi-town” was kinda creepy. I watched the doc about Channel Z on TCM yesterday. Very interesting. I DVRd the Magic box there as well. Haven’t watched it yet. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/91 "2025-07-25T06:25:18Z")
Not a documentary, but **Dopesick** is a very powerful and moving docudrama about how Purdue Pharma relentlessly promoted Oxycontin and the terrible tragedies of deaths and opioid addiction that resulted. It’s an 8-part miniseries but trust me, well worth the time. > **[Dopesick (TV Mini Series 2021) ⭐ 8.6 | Drama](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9174558/)** > > 1h | TV-MA ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/92 "2025-07-26T23:39:47Z")
I’ve been watchjing the new episodes of Life After People. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2025, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/93 "2025-07-27T10:42:06Z")
We just watched The Pigeon Tunnel, directed by Errol Morris. It’s a fascinating conversation with John le Carre mostly about his father and the nature of betrayal. ---
**Author:** ![MacDoc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macdoc/32/18696_2.png) [@MacDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDoc)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2025, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/94 "2025-07-27T11:51:00Z")
I enjoyed it too. … Been watching Surgeons…a Brit reality show and for many will be too real. Not for the faint of heart. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Fft5igeEIEM/maxresdefault.jpg "The Surgeon's Cut | Official Trailer | Netflix") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fft5igeEIEM) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2rwNqPpujf8/maxresdefault.jpg "Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death | Series Trailer | Channel 5") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rwNqPpujf8) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/95 "2025-07-27T11:55:35Z")
> [@MacDoc](#): > > I enjoyed it too. My wife and I are such nerds that we watched two nights in a row. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2025, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/96 "2025-07-27T14:01:52Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > **Mr. McMahon** , a six episode doc on Netflix I watched this after Hulk Hogan died. I knew Vince McMahon had been in hot water before, but I didn’t realise quite how insane he is. His relationship with his family had some real _Succession_ vibes. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/97 "2025-07-29T04:15:04Z")
I watched **Sunday Best** tonight and came away genuinely moved. I hadn’t fully appreciated how courageous Ed Sullivan was—he insisted on breaking racial barriers by featuring Black performers on _The Ed Sullivan Show_ long before it was socially acceptable. He helped launch artists like **Harry Belafonte** , **Stevie Wonder** , **Nat King Cole** , **Nina Simone** , **James Brown** , **The Supremes** , **The Jackson 5** , **Mahalia Jackson** , **Ike & Tina Turner** , and many others—ushering their talents into the American living room when segregation was still the law of the land. Ed was humble, too: _“I never thought I was the attraction. I just kept looking for the best thing to put on the show.”_ This wasn’t just showbiz—it was social progress. A true door-opener. And, I was one of those lucky, wide-eyed kids who sat cross-legged in front of the TV with my family and watched the **Beatles** perform on his show in 1964. I became a life-long fan. Not quite as much a fan as I was with [**Topo Gigio**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlue9HZkIPM)…but, close. After watching this documentary, I understand just how much heart and backbone was behind the curtain. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/98 "2025-07-29T04:51:19Z")
@Tibby , did you catch pt. 2 of the Billy Joel doc. He is truly a fascinating human. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/99 "2025-07-29T05:34:24Z")
I did! And, I agree. Fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335/100 "2025-07-29T05:41:30Z")
I haven’t seen it, but I hear he builds custom motorcycles, so he’s gotta be somewhat cool. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-documentaries-and-docudramas-have-you-seen-recently/1006335.md?page=6)