Brian Williams is making a comeback with a Netflix podcast
Plus, new horror and drama hits streaming this weekend
At a glance
What matters most
- Brian Williams is launching a weekly Netflix podcast called 'We're Back!' later this year, marking his return to media after stepping away in 2021
- New horror and fantasy titles like 'Dust Bunny' on HBO Max and 'Shelby Oaks' on Hulu are drawing attention this weekend
- Season three of the Colombian thriller 'Fake Profile' is now on Netflix, though critics say it leans more on drama than plot
- The second season of 'Beef' has landed with a thud among some critics, who say it doesn't live up to the original's impact
Across the spectrum
What people are saying
A quick look at how the same story is being framed from different angles.
On the Left
Brian Williams' return with a Netflix podcast is a smart use of a seasoned journalist's voice in an era hungry for substance. At a time when misinformation spreads fast, having experienced interviewers engage thoughtfully with cultural figures matters. Meanwhile, shows like 'Dust Bunny' and 'Shelby Oaks' prove streaming can still support bold, imaginative storytelling-if we don't let glossy dramas drown them out.
In the Center
Williams' move to Netflix reflects how traditional media figures are adapting to new platforms, and his podcast could fill a niche for fans of long-form interviews. The mixed reception of 'Beef' season two shows even acclaimed series can stumble, while titles like 'Dust Bunny' and 'Fake Profile' highlight how streaming success often depends on balancing originality with audience expectations.
On the Right
After his departure from mainstream news, Brian Williams' return on Netflix feels more like a nostalgia play than a necessary addition to the media landscape. While his interview skills are solid, the podcast may appeal more to older audiences than to the streaming generation. Meanwhile, shows like 'Fake Profile' thrive by giving viewers what they want-drama and intensity-without overcomplicating the story.
Full coverage
What you should know
After nearly five years off the air, Brian Williams is stepping back into the media spotlight with a new weekly podcast for Netflix. The show, titled We're Back! With Brian Williams, will feature in-depth interviews with pop culture figures, blending Williams' seasoned journalistic style with lighter, more personal conversations. The move marks a quiet but notable return for the former NBC News and MSNBC anchor, who left mainstream broadcasting at the end of 2021 and has kept a low profile since.
The podcast, which Netflix plans to release later this year, is part of the streamer's growing push into audio content. While Netflix has experimented with podcasts before, pairing one with a recognizable news name like Williams signals a desire to reach audiences who value long-form conversation and credibility. Williams hasn't held a regular on-air role since his departure, though he did guest-anchor a special on CNN+ before the platform shut down.
Meanwhile, this weekend brings a fresh batch of titles across major streaming platforms. On HBO Max, Dust Bunny-a whimsical horror-drama from Bryan Fuller, the mind behind Pushing Daisies-debuts with Mads Mikkelsen in a standout role as a mysterious creature under a young girl's bed. The film blends eerie visuals with emotional depth, earning early praise for its originality and tone.
Hulu adds Shelby Oaks, a found-footage thriller that's been building buzz since its festival run, while Shudder releases Night Patrol, a gritty supernatural cop story set in a near-future city. For fans of steamy international drama, Netflix drops season three of the Colombian hit Fake Profile. Though critics note the plot feels thinner this time, the show's intense romantic entanglements continue to draw viewers in.
Not every return has been warmly received. The second season of Beef, once hailed as one of TV's sharpest dramas, is facing sharp criticism. Some reviewers say the new season trades the raw emotional power of the original for a more familiar rich-versus-poor storyline, anchored by Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac as a troubled country club couple. Without the same urgency or authenticity, it's struggling to recapture its earlier magic.
Streaming audiences now have more choices than ever, and the mix of new releases shows how platforms are balancing bold originals with franchise续作 and star-driven projects. Williams' return adds another layer to that landscape-not as a nightly news anchor, but as a voice for deeper, more reflective storytelling in a space increasingly crowded with noise.
Whether it's a haunting bedtime tale, a pulse-pounding thriller, or a veteran journalist finding a new format, this week's lineup reminds us that streaming isn't just about what's new-it's about who's coming back, and why we're still listening.
About this author
Zwely News Staff compiles multi-source reporting into concise, viewpoint-aware coverage for readers who want context without noise.
Source Notes
The best new movies on Netflix, HBO and streaming right now (April 17-19)
Dust Bunny arrives on HBO Max, Shelby Oaks comes to Hulu, and Night Patrol stalks Shudder.
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Dust Bunny’ on HBO Max, a Scary-Whimsical Story About a Monster Beneath an Adorable Little Girl’s Bed
Mads Mikkelsen anchors this odd fantastical dramedy from ‘Pushing Daisies’ creator Bryan Fuller.
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Fake Profile’ Season 3 On Netflix, Another Crazy Season Of The Steamy Colombian Thriller
More than ever, the plot of this series feels like filler between sex scenes.
Brian Williams To Host Podcast Series For Netflix
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Netflix Enlists Brian Williams for New Podcast Interview Show ‘We’re Back!’
Brian Williams, who’s been off the TV airwaves for the last five years, is going into business with Netflix. The former NBC News and MSNBC anchor will host “We’re Back! With Brian Williams,” a weekly interview show with pop-culture figures...
Beef season two review – the best show on TV becomes an unlovable White Lotus rip-off
Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac are a miserable couple who run a country club and get blackmailed in a rich v poor potboiler that has been done so much better before – not least in the stunning first series. What a shameWe may have to start...
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