Houston comedian's runaway Netflix hit based in Bayou City returns for one Mo season

a little mo

Mo Amer/Facebook

In 2022, Houston comedian Mo Amer sparked some major buzz with his eponymous Netflix series. Now, he's back — but for a very limited time.

Amer recently announced that his Netflix sitcom Mo has been renewed for a second season. In what could be a downer for fans, Mo will also end after that season’s last episode.

For the uninitiated, the single-camera comedy stars Amer (who also co-created the show with fellow comic/streaming sitcom star Ramy Youssef) as Mo Najjar, a Palestinian refugee looking to gain asylum in his Houston homebase.

Mo debuted last August to rave reviews, scoring a 100-percent critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show has also recently won a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series (Under 40 Minutes). Amer has also been nominated for the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards, in the category of best lead performance in a new scripted series.

Following his bumbles across town (he gets fired from a pretty basic cell phone store job), Mo hustles for gigs as his family waits for the government hearing and process. Charming and warm at times, the show weaves relatable family elements (Mo is especially protective of his brother who is on the autism spectrum), postcard shots of Houston and cameos (Bun B and Paul Wall), and the existential burden immigrants and refugees face every day.

Oh, and it's damn funny.

"I’m thankful to continue to tell a universal story of struggle that relates to so many refugees and millions of underrepresented humans trying to be seen around the globe," Amer said in a statement, "and to be able to bring the people who loved and rooted for Mo Najjar along for the ride as we close this chapter of his story."

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Goofiness keeps Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves light on its feet

Movie Review

In the franchise world in which we now live, movie studios are always looking for the next big thing that will ensure fans come flocking to the theater. The role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons has gotten a pop cultural boost in recent years thanks to the Netflix show Stranger Things, and now – just shy of its 50th anniversary – it’s getting its own blockbuster movie, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Michelle Rodriguez and Chris Pine in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

The somewhat complex story centers on two of the titular thieves, Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), who lead a group of rogues who make a living by stealing, but only from those who deserve it. One such altruistic mission, a relic that can bring back the dead, leads to the pair getting caught and put in jail, separating Edgin from his daughter, Kira (Chloe Coleman).

Fellow thief Forge (Hugh Grant) agrees to look after her, but after a daring escape, Edgin and Holga discover that Forge is even more of a scoundrel than they thought, rising to the title of Lord in their absence with the help of the sorceress Sofina (Daisy Head), and poisoning Kira’s mind against them. They must gather the rest of the team, including Simon (Justice Smith) and Doric (Sophia Lillis), to try to take him down and recover the relic once and for all.

Written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, with help from co-writer Michael Gilio, the film has the unenviable task of turning the famously dense game into something that pleases both fanatics and those unfamiliar with its many characters, creatures, and locations. It’s clear the filmmakers are trying to strike a balance between the two, loading the story with terms they barely attempt to explain while at the same time making the movie as goofy as possible.

Only the second of those two approaches truly works. The problem the filmmakers run into is that this is an introductory film that barely seems to care about introducing its characters. A lengthy speech by Edgin at the beginning attempts to do that, but is staged in such a way that the humor of sequence takes precedence over the details of the people. The only reason the characters wind up likable is because of the sheer amount of time spent with them and the actors’ performances.

Well, that and the comedy sprinkled throughout the film. If Daley, Goldstein, and Gilio do anything right, it’s not taking the material too seriously. The world has already seen Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, so adding in funny elements like the wise-cracking Edgin, a supremely fat dragon, and more keeps the film from getting lost in its own minutiae. Not all the jokes land, but 75-80 percent of them do, which is enough to keep the film buoyant.

Pine, as he’s shown in the recent Star Trek and Wonder Woman films, has charm to spare. He occupies this particular role extremely well, and so even if you can’t remember his character’s name, his performance carries the film. Rodriguez is an acquired taste, but her surly demeanor and physical prowess works for her here. The supporting actors shine at times, but the film doesn’t showcase them enough to make them stand out.

While miles better than the reviled 2000 Dungeons & Dragons, Honor Among Thieves is a merely okay beginning for a possible new franchise. There’s some excitement to be had and it stays light on its feet thanks to the comedy, but more attention paid to the story is warranted if they decide to make sequels.

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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves opens in theaters on March 31.

Top Houston bartender dishes on hospitality-focused healthcare nonprofit

What's Eric Eating Episode 276

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," Two Headed Dog owner Lindsay Burleson joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss I'll Have What She's Having, the Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to improving access to healthcare for hospitality workers. The conversation begins with a brief history of the organization, which was founded by a group of Houston chefs and physicians.

From there, Burleson discusses many of I'll Have What She's Having initiatives, including free mammograms, access to birth control for both men and women, and a new focus on mental healthcare. While the group is led by some of Houston's most prominent female chefs, bartenders, and restaurateurs, Burleson notes that its programs are for everyone.

"What we really want is for people to have access," she says. "We want people at Whataburger to use this. We want the line cook, the bartender, the dishwasher. We want anybody to be able to have access to this mental healthcare. We don't want it to be lip service."

While the discussion centers around the programs I'll Have What She's Having offers to hospitality workers, people outside the industry can do their part by contributing to the organization's fundraisers. Burleson previews the group's Rock & Roll Picnic that will feature some of the city's top culinary talent along with live music. Tickets for that event will go on sale soon.

Prior to the interview, Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson joins Sandler to discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Gordon Food Service opening new grocery stores across the Houston area; Dessert Gallery's plans to open a second location in The Woodlands; and the opening of Muse, a stylish new restaurant in the former Emmaline space.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Clarkson and Sandler discuss their recent meals at PS21, the new French restaurant in Upper Kirby, and Theodore Rex, the modern fine dining restaurant in the Warehouse District. Listen to the full episode to hear what they thought about their meals at both establishments.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturdays at 3 pm on ESPN 97.5.

Get IV therapy and more at this modern urgent care center that's helping Houstonians heal

Feel Better

What if an urgent care center felt more like a spa? One that still provides all the necessary medical expertise and treatment, of course, but also offers wellness options like IV therapy, anti-aging technology, and even an innovative approach to treating depression.

That's what Houstonians can experience at NeuMed Modern Urgent Care + IV Therapy, which is currently found in Spring Branch, The Heights, Washington Avenue, and Galleria, and will debut its fifth H-Town location in Montrose this June.

NeuMed is on a mission to create a healthier community by providing prompt medical treatment and intravenous therapy in a fresh and mindful environment. And like all other urgent care centers, it's open extended hours — including weekends and holidays — and never requires an appointment.

Here's what you can expect when you visit NeuMed Modern Urgent Care + IV Therapy:

Urgent care
The walk-in clinics provide a convenient, fast alternative to emergency rooms — and even primary care providers — by treating minor injuries and illnesses such as strep throat, infections, cold and flu symptoms, allergies, rashes, burns, bites, and more.

Services range from physicals and check-ups to X-Rays and stitches, with so much more in between.

Health insurance is accepted, and NeuMed is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, Humana, and Medicare.

NeuMed Urgent Care is also the place for convenient, affordable sports physicals and sports-related injuries.

Receive quick, expert care for back and neck strain, bursitis and tendonitis, finger or toe dislocations, joint sprains and strains, minor closed fractures, and other sports injuries.

Additionally, you can also get such preventative care as annual well exams, lab testing, and vaccinations.

IV therapy
NeuMed has created 11 doctor-formulated infusions to help you feel on top of your game with private zero-gravity infusion suites.

Choose from Neu-Energy (great for jet lag or just getting through a busy week), Neu-Immunity (helpful for both preventing and fighting illness and infections and speeding up recovery), and Neu-Beauty (hydrates for glowing skin and supports strong growth of hair and nails), among others.

Moms-to-be will love Neu-Mother, which eases morning sickness, reduces uterine irritability, and helps supplement baby's growth and development. Athletes, meanwhile can enhance their performance and replenish protein building blocks with Neu-Athlete.

In a rush? Stop in for a Quick Drip (a half liter of fluids with one vitamin enhancer of your choice) or a Neu-Shot for an instant boost. The most popular Neu-Shots include biotin and vitamins D3 and B12.

For a limited time, first-time IV patients can receive $100 off of their first full drip session — so you’re only out of pocket $79.

There's even an IV therapy happy hour from 12-2 pm Monday through Thursday, where you can enjoy a Quick Drip IV (500cc) with a Free Neu-Enhancer of your choice for only $79.

Other treatments
Those seeking the latest in anti-aging technology will find it here with NAD+ therapy as well as bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including testosterone pellet therapy.

This spring, you'll also be able to receive ketamine infusion therapy to help treat drug-resistant depression.

The details
NeuMed offers competitively priced and value-packed IV therapy and urgent care memberships. It also posts a full pricing list for all urgent care services at competitive prices, so there's never a surprise medical bill.

You'll want to follow NeuMed (neumed_) on Instagram too, as they consistently post high-value specials.

And perhaps best of all: A portion of your proceeds at NeuMed is donated to help reforest Houston. To date, this has helped replant more than 40,000 square feet of land.

Visit NeuMed Modern Urgent Care + IV Therapy at:

Galleria/Tanglewood: 5706 San Felipe St., 832-219-9743
Houston Heights: 2401 N. Shepherd, suite A130, 832-879-2450
Spring Branch: 1406 Wirt Rd., 832-203-5912
Washington Ave.: 1150 Durham Dr., suite 300, 832-558-5536

Photo courtesy of NeuMed

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