Yeah, thanks. I just wanna confirm that my employees' benefits won't lapse.
Sure, I'll hold.
You're here early.
Oh, been getting here at 8 all week.
Rise and grind. What the sports guys say on Twitter.
Sports guys also dress like Justin Bieber's pastor?
No, not just that.
I, too, released a statement after Bieber's monkey incident.
-Insulting you is getting harder. -Oh, thank you.
So I took Eliza's advice to embrace being the big boss.
Buy, sell, flip, flop, love it, list it. I'm not talking to anyone, I'm on hold.
Speaking of Eliza, how are you feeling
after everything that happened or didn't happen?
Bad. Really bad.
I almost told her I liked her moments before she got back with her husband.
Nothing dropping a shot of Jäger into a pint of ice cream won't cure.
We're better off as friends. Now we can go back to acting normal.
Eliza! [chuckles] Looking good, looking sharp, looking chill.
In my Blockbuster uniform that I always wear?
Sure, whatever. Shut up.
Timmy got here at 8.
Eight a.m.?
-Oh, it's not that early. -[Eliza] Not for most people,
but you claim it's not worth waking up that early
because your breakfast burrito place doesn't open until 11.
But your breakfast burrito place is a gas station that's open 24 hours.
You do not want to see clientele at Gas-n-Guzz before 11.
We call them Morning Joes and they're an absolute nightmare.
Not important.
I took your advice, throwing myself into the business.
In fact, I made a to-do list.
At work by 8 and a list, did somebody rise and grind?
I did. Opened a bank account, transferred utilities into my name,
and I even talked to a lawyer about legal stuff.
-They're good with that. -Smart.
It's all on me. No corporate. I am the Blockbuster dad now.
I got bills to pay and ties to wear and James Patterson books to read.
So you can call me "the Blockbuster daddy."
Ehh. Why are we listening to weird music?
Is this "End of the World as We Know It", but no lyrics? The melody won't hold.
Blockbuster daddy is on hold with our health insurance agent.
Don't wanna let your bennies lapse.
-[man] You're all set, Mr. Yoon. -Thank you, sir.
All that's left on my list is get Percy to put the lease in my name.
Get on Zazzle and start designing me a mug,
"World's Best Blockbuster Daddy."
This new "daddy" thing aside, with Timmy this focused
and the influx of customers from my block party idea...
-You mean my video. -...I think we're gonna be okay.
If I don't fire somebody by 5, I'll lose the store.
Whoo!
[Percy] What happened? I thought things were going great.
You had the customers from that news thing.
For the first time your store has more people than rats.
Damn.
I've only seen your hair turn white three other times.
When your parents got a divorce,
when you were slow dancing to "November Rain" with Denise Carrera--
You held a fart so long, you went to the emergency room.
--and your mom made your 13th birthday a roast.
-Cherished memories. Thank you. -You're welcome.
Everything is way more expensive without corporate.
Payroll taxes, zero vendor discounts.
You know I needed permits to keep the store legal?
I did not.
I stopped paying a Scottish mob for protection.
That unhoused gentleman in a kilt only comes around
because you keep giving him $20.
I basically have to fire one of my friends, my family.
I'll tell you, man, that sucks big time.
Whose can is getting canned?
...there for an hour,
and she agreed to buy the bird, then she said I could...
It's bad when she makes eye contact with the bailiff.
-She gave me a check... -I'm glad this place didn't close.
I'd really miss this.
-Me too. -"Balance $400."
-No! -Who gets the parrots?
Some sad breaking news out of Iron Creek,
where our beloved local movie reviewer has passed away.
It's that guy who comes in every month to do his Hollywood Harold's Flicky Picks.
Then blows up our bathroom.
-...every Wednesday and Friday since 1950. -Rest in peace.
Funny man James Eugene Carrey,
the always unapologetically Canadian thespian, is in a new movie.
But unfortunately, I'm gonna havetosay"no, sir" to Yes Man.
-Who got the parrot? -We don't know, that guy died.
What? Hollywood Harold died?
That's crazy. He was a-- He was a hero.
I try to reserve "hero" for first responders
and geese Sully Sullenberger murdered.
A local legend taken too soon.
I'm Miranda Golder fillinginfor Remington Alexander,
who is on vacation.
Bye. What was that all--?
Ooh! We're back, baby.
[Connie] Neither of them deserves the parrot.
...medical center said returnthe bird...
[rock music playing over speakers]
What the hell is this? Olivia Rodrigo's unfortunate cousin?
It's my daughter's band, the Trampoline Busters.
There's no corporate, we can play whatever we want.
-Your daughter released an album? -Mm-hm.
On SoundCloud.
I burned a CD so I could listen to it in my Volvo,
but I only have a tape deck.
-This is my first time listening to it. -Bleak.
Ooh! I love this one. The drums are so quick.
These lyrics are clearly about you.
What?
"I'm not a little girl, proper and polite.
I'm a grown-ass woman, I don't wanna split my Sprite."
No, they're not.
It's about becoming your own person.
Fighting to break free from the man. Right?
Yeah. You're the man.
I get it. Moms suck.
My mom wouldn't even let me get a tattoo. It would have been so cool. Look.
-That's a pentagram. -It's more.
It's five triangles.
See, moms don't get it.
Things have been a little tense lately, but we're on the upswing.
We run a thriving island in Animal Crossing, okay?
If Ali had a problem with me, she'd tell me.
True. Because teenage girls are never passive-aggressive.
This feels like having to give up a child.
I can't imagine them not being here.
I did have one last-ditch idea that just might work.
Lay it on me.
So you know how Blockbuster used to pay half my rent?
Is there any way that you could reduce my rent--?
One thing we know is, you're not gonna fire Kayla.
-Is that something we know? -That's my daughter.
You can't fire my daughter. I'm your friend.
-Fire Eliza. -Eliza's off the table.
She's basically a minimum wage MBA.
Not Carlos, that man is a movie genius.
He got someone to rent Garden State after 2004.
[Percy] He's good.
Not Connie. She brings soup and hugs.
One time she hugged me with soup in her hand and burnt my back.
-You let it go, the soup is good. -That butternut squash is bomb.
She's the same age as most of our clientele.
Who else will know Hank Ackerman means Hugh Jackman?
-I want some butternut squash soup. -And not Hannah. She's good at...
She's the sweetest person.
And I just took everyone off the table. It's an empty table.
Not Kayla.
Yes, Kayla. If this will be fair, we have to consider everyone.
How about I consider raising your rent?
-Damn it. -Yeah.
-This will be harder than I thought. -Mm-hm.
It's like taking up skateboarding at 38 again.
The last time I drew a dick on a arm cast.
That's right. It was very realistic.
Hollywood Harold's love of movies inspired
millions and millions of Michiganders.
-Mm. -Okay. Thousands.
He was literally married to movies.
He gave Schindler's List five smooches.
We have to find a new purpose for this rack that honors his legacy.
Okay?
Any ideas?
Yeah.
A section for all those movies where a man and woman fall in love,
and they're perfect for each other.
But the man starts aging in reverse.
All those movies?
A rack dedicated to trilogies where the middle one is the best,
like National Treasure.
Only two National Treasure movies.
Wicker Man is the third.
Why are you in this meeting?
Concerned customer.
-What about an adult section? -Oh, Jesus, Connie.
-Ew. -No, no. Not like stag films.
I mean movies with sophisticated, adult themes like The Remains of the Day.
Should duty come before love?
Va, va, voom!
Maybe leave the rack empty. A symbol of what we've lost.
An empty rack is a symbol we're going out of business,
which is a vibe we're actively working against.
What about employee picks?
Okay, I like that.
A little basic, but Harold would've put his own spin on things.
Like Halvsies, you watch the beginning of one movie and the end of another.
The time he did the beginning of Bambi with the end of E.T.
Oh! It was just a straight-up sob fest, no relief.
But you could put your own spin on things.
Employee picks, but I'll figure out a twist.
-Hollywood Harold would have loved that. -I'd like to say a few words about him.
To quote my favorite musician, [clears throat]
"You are not, not the worst."
Double negative.
"You will not, not, not control me." Triple negative. Double, triple negative.
"Eliza Walker, you're the worst." Still think these lyrics aren't about you?
[chuckles]
How was that about Harold?
-I got something. -What you got?
I lost it.
Hate that when it happens.
Sucks.
-It's back. -I love that.
I know we said no to psychological warfare,
but there's something in the area making the employees decide for us.
I bet if we just ask them a few questions,
the person I should fire would become obvious.
Yeah. Like a reverse job interview.
Exactly.
Clockwise, you working, and counterclockwise your ass fired.
I bet one doesn't need this job.
No offense, who'd work at Blockbuster
if they didn't absolutely have to?
Ultimately, I decided even if it is a microchip,
let the government spy.
I promised Helen we'd see Jeff Dunham live.
Totally, but I asked why you took the job.
Not why you took the jab.
Oh!
Okay, well, let's see.
For one, you all, of course.
Number two, gotta get my steps.
And three, probably watching judge shows with Hannah.
So you're saying you don't need this job?
I guess not totally, financially.
-All we needed to hear. -Yeah.
Emotionally on the other hand, that's another story.
Before I started working here, I don't know how I filled my days.
Got catfished a bunch, of course.
SWAT'd myself more than once.
Hooked on nasal sprays for a piece,
mostly just farted around Shondaland in my pajama jeans shorts.
One night, I was putting Christmas lights on the roof
and I just started inching towards the edge. Inching.
Inching, inching.
I cannot thank you enough for this job.
Saved my life.
Literally. You remember that Malaysian airplane that disappeared?
I was supposed to be on it the day you hired me.
That'll do. Thank you.
Is something going on?
As if.
Is that a new gray patch?
Oh, yeah, trying something.
Keep up the hard work.
Carry on. Bye.
Carlos. What do you consider your job strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
-Pick a name. -He don't have time.
I'm replacing the Hollywood Harold section with Employee Picks.
Pick a name, then a movie you think that person would like.
Another great idea.
A new way to connect with customers and each other.
You're like our Zuckerberg except you won't destroy democracy,
and don't eat your hair.
Thanks, man.
Hannah.
-That man deserves a raise. -You're moving in the wrong direction.
I didn't say I'd give him a raise.
-You're out of Cool Ranch. -You ate it all.
I told you to put two rows in!
Have you noticed Timmy acting strange?
I feel someone's about to get voted off the island.
I don't know. Listen...
Do I have an annoying presence on Instagram? My daughter--
Personally, I unfollowed you because you'd write "needed this today"
under all of Michelle Obama's posts.
You unfollowed me? When?
Wow. I've been misjudging all my relationships.
-I can see you doing that. -I don't know that you're one to judge.
Once a week you post a picture of Snoopy drinking rosé
with "in dog wines I've only had one" under it, so...
Come on, Connie, this is serious.
I think that Ali is blaming me for all of the problems between her dad and me.
Listen to these lyrics,
"A studio apartment isn't a home, you're gonna be 43 and alone.
Drinking wine with no remorse while I become another child of divorce."
It's just so funny.
Snoopy using stemware.
Can you imagine?
Have you done your Hollywood Harold movie picks yet?
-Is there a spending limit? -It is not a Secret Santa.
Is this a test to determine who gets fired?
-What? -Someone's getting fired?
So listen, Kay.
Kay-money, Kmart.
Oh, no, thank you.
Um, I wanted to check in, see how you're liking things here.
Oh.
Walking into a dusty time capsule every day,
and having some gross dude in a Gremlins T-shirt mutter,
"You weren't born when this movie came out,"
is honestly every 16-year-old's dream.
-So you hate it here? -No.
Let's just say that every time I have to come in,
it gets a bit harder to get out of bed.
Kayla, I am very sorry, but I think I'm gonna have to let--
-[door opens] -What the--?
Hey, Kayla.
There's a boy who needs to be reminded about his privilege,
I know you love that kind of stuff. Go give him a thing or two.
Make Daddy proud. Okay.
Sneaky man. You tried to fire my daughter.
-She literally told me she hates it here. -Fire Eliza.
Talk about a person who doesn't wanna be here.
Always saying she's overqualified
and using those triple-point Scrabble words to confuse me.
Firing Eliza would be insane.
I see what's happening here.
You keeping her around for eye candy.
-Oh, come on. -You got a big old crush on her.
Look at you.
Wow.
You can't do that in this climate.
That is not it.
I am glad we're just friends.
I'm rooting for her and Aaron.
-They're my Ross and Rachel. -Mm-hm.
-She saved us with that block party. -I saved you with the block party.
I'm the reason we went viral.
Because you lit a 40-foot gorilla on fire.
Look, it's Kayla.
I can't fire adults who actually need this job.
"Can't" is not in a man's vocabulary.
Quoting Love and Basketball is not gonna change my mind.
Maybe tripling your rent will.
These people's lives are in my hands.
It's too much pressure.
Like when the judge told me to point to which parent I wanted to live with.
-If not Kayla, who? -[knocking on door]
Hey, hi. So you might get some calls from angry parents
because I confused Hungry Caterpillar with Human Centipede.
You can't be mad, though.
I told you that I did not know a lot about most movies.
Okay, bye.
[door closes]
She makes mistakes, but she's a good kid.
-Sorry to interrupt again. -Oh, no.
The Human Centipede situation has escalated
and the superintendent of all schools is on the phone for you
and he's "I can hear him breathing" upset.
Again, don't be mad.
[man] Hello? Hello?
Hello? Is anyone there?Hello?
I'll fire Hannah.
-Tomorrow. -Timmy.
-I wanna soften the blow. -Timmy.
It's not my fault the nearest Edible Arrangements is in Ann Arbor.
Whoa.
Is someone getting fired?
-Yes. -No.
[Timmy sighs]
-How did you know? -[Connie] You're acting weird,
-a patch of your hair turned gray. -Again?
Percy asked, "Would you freak out if you didn't work here anymore?"
Jesus, Percy.
In my mind, it was a trick question.
So who is it?
It's, uh--
It's--
Any chance I could just text the person?
Guys, the employee picks with a twist section is nowhere near finished.
-Who's your pick? -I'm in the middle of something.
It's important. Why is no one taking it seriously?
I put up my picks.
I got Eliza, so I went with Bad Moms, Bad Moms Christmas,
-Throw Momma from the Train. -Stop.
Carlos, why are you obsessing over stupid Hollywood Harold
when someone is getting fired?
I love Hollywood Harold,
and someone getting fired doesn't make him any less dead.
-So someone is getting fired? -Just tell us who it is, Timmy!
Okay.
-I am so, so sorry, but it's-- -I quit.
-Kayla, no. -You can't leave us.
You need to teach me what "lit" means.
Me quitting makes things easier for everyone.
Plus, this place sucks.
-Kayla. -Sucks?
-[Eliza] Kayla. -[Connie] What the--?
-[Carlos] Is she serious? -[Eliza] Oh, my God.
This seems like a bad time, I know.
I'm looking for a Robert De Niro movie where he doesn't play a naughty grandpa.
Any ideas?
I can't believe she actually quit.
It's crazy.
I'm gonna miss her. Not the part of her that likes to point out my faults,
like how my relationship with my daughter is a total mess, but "her" her.
What? Why aren't you taking this problem seriously?
Because it's not a problem.
It's not a problem that Ali hates me
even though I gave up so much to be her mother?
Including Harvard.
Subtle.
Look, it's a good thing she's lashing out.
Your family went through a rough six months.
Means she's working through it.
It's when they bottle it up you gotta worry.
My son drove his car through the front of a Wendy's.
He's a lawyer now.
Huh.
But it's so unfair.
Her dad is the one who cheated.
Not that I'd tell her that.
Why does she have to take it out on me?
She feels safe enough to.
She knows no matter what she says,
you'll always love her.
You're a good mom, Eliza.
You really think so?
Thanks.
I really needed that.
Of course.
I'm here for you.
Whenever we work the same shift.
Kind of a rough day, huh?
I mean, mine got rough a couple of hours ago, but...
you've had a rough one since you got here.
Yeah. Whatever, you know.
What's up with you and Hollywood Harold?
Don't say you'll miss his show-stopping hairline.
Um...
Look, my family moved to the States when I was 5
and we only got one channel.
So I saw a lot of Hollywood Harold.
I learned English from the movies he played.
That's why I still say "buddy."
I thought you just really loved Encino Man.
I didn't have any friends as a kid.
And... he felt like a friend.
That's so sweet.
I wish you told me.
You and Hollywood Harold are like a platonic rom-com.
I wanted people to care about the employee picks
the way that Harold made me care about movies.
I did take the employee picks seriously.
It was easy since I picked myself.
That makes no sense.
Harold would've loved it.
Think he would love... this?
-We could dedicate this section to him. -You made a plaque for Harold?
No, I made it for you because you're my buddy.
[both laughing]
-Aw. Thanks. -In a twist
-with beloved Iron Creek movie reviewer. -The news is covering him again.
Searching the home of deceased local man "Hollywood" Harold Davidson,
authorities discovered the corpses of over 50 ferrets
in what PETA is calling "a veritable ferret Waco."
You don't need to see your hero like this.
...according to Iron Creek FirefighterChiefLouanna Eggers,
they couldn't open the door and escape because ferrets don't have thumbs.
[knocking on door]
Hey. You all right?
Not really. Turns out being the Blockbuster daddy sucks.
Still not loving that nickname.
But trust me, I know how you feel.
You can't always be everyone's friend when you're trying to do what's best.
And it sucks.
But I'm sorry.
Thanks.
Why didn't you ask for my help? I thought we were a team.
I guess that would've been awkward since I was on the chopping block too.
No, you weren't. I can't live without you.
Um, the store can't survive without you.
'cause you're so great.
As my employee and my friend, because we're friends.
Of course we're friends.
Why are you acting so weird lately?
Why are you? I'm stressed. Mercury's in retrograde. Shall we?
Okay.
-I just hope Kayla's all right. -Oh, no one needs to worry about Kayla.
She already gets paid to put on makeup
while lip-synching John Mulaney bits on TikTok for some reason.
Oh, I'm old.
Gray streak isn't helping.
But for what it's worth,
I'm really proud of you.
Thanks.
Maybe I am getting the hang of being a "boss" boss, after all.
Someone called me "sir" and I didn't look around for my dad.
My first tough day is officially in the books.
-I'm not letting you let Kayla quit. -[Timmy] It's done.
I love Kayla like a daughter you made me hire,
but I can't keep her on as a favor.
It's more than that. The truth is...
I asked you to hire her
so that I had an excuse to spend more time with her.
Aw.
Shut up. When she was younger, I could just pick her up,
take her to get ice cream and she loved it.
Loved being around her daddy.
But it's not like that anymore.
That's painful for a certified girl dad like myself because I love her.
Or whatever.
Why didn't you tell me?
I got a reputation to maintain in these streets.
As the owner of a party store?
Look, the point is this, I'll pay her salary,
just don't tell Kayla that I--
-[Kayla] Tell me what? -Um...
Uh, that I found the money and you don't have to quit after all.
Yeah, okay, whatever.
I love the enthusiasm.
-I'll put this back in my locker. -Is that my new Hydro Flask?
Yeah, but I love it or whatever.
Yeah, hashtag "girl dad."
-Being a parent sucks. -Right!?
-Right. -No.
Blockbuster daddy does not count as parenting.
Don't normalize that nickname.
-I won't. It's catchy. -All right.
Ah. I can't believe it.
I didn't have to fire anyone and now you owe me big time, Percy.
Goes to show things always work out when you do your best
and you lead with kindness, and--
[car alarms blaring]
What the hell?
[Eliza] What set off all those alarms?
[dramatic music playing]
Oh, no.
They're back.