Apple TV+ series 'Government Cheese' tops streaming releases; Amazon's '#1 Happy Family'

Apple TV+ has filled its resume with winners in recent years. For anyone arguing the service is infallible, " Government Cheese" may give pause . Or, perhaps, it won't.

After previewing the first of three episodes of this dramedy set in the 1960s starring British actor David Oyelowo , it will either prove to be an acquired taste or catch fire. I'm betting on the former rather than the latter.

Oyelowo stars as Hampton Chambers, a small-time crook who finds himself in prison for writing bad checks. In three years, he takes the opportunity to find his version of a higher power and make a genuine effort at reform.

He becomes a master machinist who develops something revolutionary for its time, a self-sharpening drill bit, and has hopes to market and sell it once he returns to life outside. But, you know, convict.

It also doesn't help to learn upon his release that he's in debt to a group of criminal brothers who immigrated from Montreal and orchestrated his release through convoluted means.

His primary challenge, however, his family.

His wife Astoria (Simone Missick) promptly informs him his quarters are in the garage. One son, Harrison, is visibly upset by his presence and the other, Einstein (Evan Ellison), is an eccentric genius more interested in exploring the wonders of the world rather than putting his intellect to other uses, such as being a doctor.

From the onset, it's not difficult to see these elements converging during the course of its 10-episode run, with his dealings with that family of Quebecois brothers forcing him question his place in life.

"Government Cheese" is quirky, which is a strength and detriment because it also plays it straight much of the time. Finding the right balance will be key to this series success. Is it worth checking out? I can't provide a definitive "yes," but there's enough there to make it interesting.

 "#1 Happy Family USA" lampoons reactions to 9-11

Streaming on Prime Video, streaming April 17

There was a time when a basic question was asked with respect to joking about the events of Sept. 1, 2001.

"Too soon?"

The answer to that question until recently has always been "yes" and by recent, I mean with the release of the satiric animated comedy "#1 Happy Family USA" on Prime Video.

Call it "Family Guy" or "The Simpsons" on steroids freed from the constraints of broadcast television, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It has a sharper edge, the wit bites like an 800-pound grizzly bear, providing some insight into the turmoil the American Muslim community faced in the wake of 9-11.

And that turmoil offered many sides and the show, created by Ramy Youssef and Pam Brady, attempts to tackle them all, but not always successfully.

Among them: dealing with stereotypes foisted upon you from all aspects of society. In short: being "othered," made to feel like an outsider, even in your home country. Then there's the issue of self-erasure. What's that mean?

The family at the center of this animated series has to learn to navigate their new world order, which includes self-erasure and learning to code-switch, which offers some of the series most hilarious and pointed moments.

It's worth a look.

Other releases this week:The return of "The Last of Us," on HBO. I've heard from more than a few people it's pretty good…"Leverage: Redemption" Season 3 on Prime Video.

Coming soon: Just in case you've been waiting patiently…we give you the best 'Star Wars' series ever

'Reacher' continues to flex its muscle in streaming ratings

The Prime Video series once again sits atop the streaming ratings and it one respect it's not even close. Its nearest competitor is more than 400 million streaming minutes behind this popular series, which returned to form in its third season.

• "Reacher" (Prime Video) – 1.3 billion minutes

• "Adolescence" (Netflix) – 907 million

• "1923" (Paramount+) – 833 million

• "Love is Blind" (Netflix) - 749 million

• "Beauty in Black" (Netflix) – 733 million

• "Running Point" (Netflix) – 652 million

• "Invincible" (Prime Video) – 587 million

• "Severance" (Apple TV+) – 583 million

• "The Wheel of Time" (Prime Video) – 534 million

• "Temptation Island" (Netflix) – 464 million

George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What to stream this week: Releases from Apple TV+ and Prime Video