MOVIE TIP

Roadie: My Documentary

Prime

There are certain occupations that exist outside what most folks — parents, for example — would consider the norm and possibly even in the “THIS is what our tuition money paid for?!” range. At the top of that list might be “band roadie.” But it’s a necessary occupation and has its own culture and rituals. Many who choose that path are lifers. TJ Hoffman spent decades as a roadie for several hardcore bands as well as Skid Row, but ultimately left the brotherhood to make films. And “Roadie: My Documentary” is one of them. Interview subjects span the whole stylistic gamut — from New Age and country to metal, pop, rock and on. The stories are funny, revealing and even noble, going beyond stereotypes and revealing themes of loyalty, pride, frustration and the joy of shoulder-to-shoulder with stardom adventure. You don’t need to be a huge music fan to appreciate this. Hoffman has the insider’s knowledge and appreciation, but he’s got a nice empathy for storytelling, pacing and heart.

— Rick Koster

TV TIP

Patti Stanger: The Matchmaker

8 p.m. Thursdays, The CW

Patti Stanger was made for TV. She is brash, bossy, funny, smart and says exactly what she thinks. Do I believe in her advice for lovelorn singles? Eh, maybe not. But she is great fun to watch her do her matchmaking thing. She has a new TV offering, similar in structure to her erstwhile “Millionaire Matchmaker” show on Bravo. This one co-stars Nick Viall, a two-time “Bachelorette” contestant and one-time “Bachelor,” uh, bachelor who doesn’t add a lot to the proceedings here. This new series is more staid than “Millionaire Matchmaker.” Even Stanger seems like a slightly kinder, gentler version of herself. When you’re talking about reality TV, staid and kinder are the last things you want to be. Let’s pump up the drama, people!

– Kristina Dorsey

ALBUM TIPS

There is So Much Here

Glen Phillips

Starting Here

Toad the Wet Sprocket

The connective here, of course, is that Phillips is the main songwriter for Toad the Wet Sprocket as well as a hyper-prolific solo artist. “Starting Here” came out in 2021 and was the first TTWS recording in eight years. It was originally supposed to be another Phillips solo effort before he brought the rest of the Toaders on board. Fans know the band for their wistful, ultra-melodic pop songs — and there’s no shortage on “Starting Here.” “There is So Much Here,” though, released last year, is even better and leads me to believe the album’s title is a reference to Phillips’s seeming inability to NOT write great songs. As an interesting and possibly useless parallel, the sheer volume and quality of his output reminds me of ... TAYLOR.

— Rick Koster