‘September 5,’ ‘Traitors,’ ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ top EW’s Must List

There’s nothing like having 15 minutes to decide what’s most essential as you pack to escape encroaching flames, but that’s what so many Los Angelenos lived though last week — if they were lucky enough to get to grab anything at all. But through the devastating disaster, it’s been heartening to see the city rise up to support the relief efforts. If you are still looking for places to donate, Entertainment Weekly, along with our sister brands PEOPLE and InStyle, are supporting the L.A. Food Bank, which is doing critical work feeding L.A. County, including those displaced by the wildfires. The harrowing experience has also reminded us of entertainment’s importance as a creative outlet and distraction from the awful things in life. Personally, a Saturday viewing of the delightful Robbie Williams biopic Better Man was a cathartic and necessary escape from the tragedy. I hope you all are finding small delights as well. It’s with that in mind that we share these five staff recommendations. —Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief

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“September 5”

This brisk (only 95 minutes!) historical thriller is told from the perspective of an American sports broadcasting crew who had to pivot their live coverage from the 1972 Munich Olympics to the Israeli athletes taken hostage just yards away from them. The broadcast, watched by an estimated 1 billion people worldwide, is widely considered to be the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. A painstaking recreation of a 1970s newsroom, and excellent performances by a fantastic ensemble, make this edge-of-your-seat thrill ride an excellent addition to the pantheon of great journalism films. —Lauren Huff, Staff Writer

Read EW’s interview with September 5 director Tim Fehlbaum.

“The Traitors”

Alan Cumming‘s delectable competition of deceit and murrrderrr is back for round 3 on Peacock, with an all-star cast of reality TV greats like Survivor‘s “Boston” Rob and The Challenge‘s Wes, as well as a bunch of Bachelor and Housewives alums who have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into. —P.G.

Read EW’s interview with Alan Cumming all about he actually chooses the Traitors.

“All In”

A rotating cast of funny folks (including SNL‘ers John Mulaney, Chloe Fineman, and Jimmy Fallon) read and perform a collection of vignettes in this Broadway “comedy about love” by writer Simon Rich. Babies and pirates steal the show, as they should. —Dalton Ross, Editorial Director

“His Girl Hollywood”

In EW senior writer Maureen Lee Lenker‘s new swoon-worthy feminist novel, you’ll fall in love with first-time director Arlene as she discovers the star of her big movie is a boy she once loved, who left her to break big on Broadway. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Staff Writer

Read EW’s exclusive excerpt from His Girl Hollywood.

“Deal or No Deal Island”

Who knew a bunch of briefcases could lead to so many fights, feuds, and frenemies? NBC’s hybrid reality-adventure-meets-game-show is back for a second season. Even if you don’t fully understand the rules, you can simply revel in watching competition kings and queens like Dr. Will Kirby and Parvati Shallow do battle. —D.R.

Read EW’s story from the set of Deal or No Deal Island season 2.