57 Channels and Only This Is On: 8/22/15

Hannibal: Oh Hannibal, telling the Red Dragon "They're listening" and dropping the phone (though I am a bit surprised he did not say "They know" calling back to his conversation with Jacob Hobbs). And I know the Red Dragon is evil, killing people and all, but did he really have poison the Graham's dogs?
You can download Hannibal on iTunes.

Ray Donovan: I really hate Chekhov's Gun an annoying cliche that any gun introduced in the first act has to go off in the third. Though the gun did go off shockingly no one actually died. I though BunchyBrendan's new girlfriends would be the one that bit the bullet even though I doubt anyone with Parkinson's would be a very good shot. I still think she will not be long for this world (surely the Ayrian Brotherhood who may or not be stalking Terry will not like her presence). We actually got the Deadwood reunion and it was as anticlimactic as expected (what was not expected was that word leaked this week that HBO is in early stages of a Deadwood movie, a decade after it aired; it is official, no media property will ever die; here is hoping for a Rome revival too).

Masters of Sex: For the last two months or so I have been complaining Pretty Little Liars teased Allison becoming a youth soccer coach to never bring it up again. But Masters of Sex almost made me forget my disappointment by having Bill start coaching pee-wee football. Awesome. Though I cannot imaging many things being more entertaining than that, Bill new gorilla patient that presumably he will treat next week will come close.

The Strain: Poor Nazi Vampire, not only does the Master not choose you as his new vessel, he forces you to watch him transfer into the some cheep Marilyn Manson wannabee. I wonder if this will make him switch sides and actually team up with the Jew (as he likes to call him). That seems slightly unlike since the Master has a thrall over all his underlings though maybe the Ninja Vampires have some cure for that that will allow the Nazi join their cause against the Master.
You can download The Strain on iTunes.

Falling Skies: When they started the episode with the execution I thought great, we will not have to wait the entire episode with the Masons trying to escape because we all know that none of the Masons will ever die (um, unless you do not count Lexi). Then they flashed the dreaded "eight hours earlier" tile. Ugg. I hate "X Amount of Time Earlier" tiles. At least the show did come up with a creepy twist behind the evil lady's plans: she was some sore of body snatching decoy with black blood (I told them to check that thing on her neck).
You can download Falling Skies on iTunes.

Tyrant: The show has done a somewhat decent trimming some of the useless characters from the first season, the journalist buddy fled the country (granted Barry ended up killing his daughter which would have actually made an interesting plot if he was still around), the daughter is home alone back in American. I do not even remember Justin Kirk being mentioned this season. The matriarch was also pretty much worthless but at least she went out with a literal bang thanks to possibly Jamal's dumbest plan to date (which says a lot). It will be interesting to see where everyone's loyalties lies as both his wife and son look like they may join the bastard son's side realizing Jamal actually killed his mother. Then there is also Barry and as the promo monkeys would have use to believe more people will learn next week just how not dead he is. The first season was a drag, but season two has really picked up steam as it has gone along and for the first time in two seasons I am kind of excited to see what happens next.
You can download Tyrant on iTunes.

Mr. Robot: The ending of the last episode really kind of hurt my brain and left me pondering for days what exactly just happened. Anything seemed on the table. So it was a bit of a let down that it turned out that the big twist this was something I, and pretty much everyone else predicted from the first episode: Mr. Robot is just in Elliot's head. I did go away from that theory when Mr. Robot started having conversations with other people. My working theory was the more Mr. Robot interacted with people, the more delusional Elliot was, though I have to wonder if the rest of fsociety are even real. But I still have to wonder, what was up with the scene with Mr. Robot and American Psycho dude last week? Was that actually Elliot thinking he is Mr. Robot? Did it not really happen, Elliot just thought it did? Even though I was a bit let down this week, I am still extremely excited for the finale next week. I hope we learn more about the Elliot / American Psycho relationship and maybe a flashback on how they met. And faux Lily Kane definitely will be taking that job with Evil Corp, right? That has to be the big plot point, division, with Elliot next season.
You can download Mr. Robot on iTunes.

Around the Tube: 8/21/15

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Public Morals, Vet School, Miranda Lambert, Primal Quest, Babygirl, Impractical Jokers, Falling Skies, Hispanic Heritage Awards, The Carol Burnett Show, America's Greatest Makers, and Black Ink Crew.

- Curated by the show’s music supervisor, Tracy McKnight, the Public Morals Spotify playlist includes music featured in the powerful new drama series. Writer, director, executive producer and star Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan, The Brothers McMullen) reveals the playlist below and provides details on why each song was chosen. Public Morals premieres Tuesday at 10:00 on TNT.

- Grab your stethoscope, leave your nerves at the door and step into the high-pressure, big-reward world at one of the top vet schools in the country, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Nat Geo WILD has exclusive access to follow first-year students mastering the basics, and fourth-year students handling difficult cases from hamsters to horses. Will this cream-of-the-crop crew crack under the pressure of first injections, squirmy patients and animals they’ve never seen before? Vet School premieres Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10/9c on Nat Geo WILD.

- Miranda Lambert and MuttNation Foundation are happy to announce their 8th Cause for the Paws – Back to Basics in Luckenbach, Texas on September 18th & 19th. Having raised $2.1 million since the inception of the Foundation, Miranda continues her tireless support of helping animals in need. MNF co-founder Bev Lambert has been busy putting together the final touches on this special 2-day event in their home state of Texas. “A lot goes into an event like this,” Bev explains, “but nothing makes Miranda and I more happy and fulfilled than seeing a rescue dog in the arms of a loving family. That’s what MuttNation is all about.” Get your tickets here: tickets.muttnationfoundation.com

- Primal Quest, North America’s premier Expedition Adventure Race, announced today an exclusive programming deal with Outside Television, the only national television network solely dedicated to action adventure programming. Outside Television will document the extraordinary pursuit of teams of adventurers as they traverse the Sierras and trail run, mountain bike, paddle, ascend and rappel over 450 plus miles non-stop for 10 days. This edition of Primal Quest is set to take place from August 20-28 in Tahoe, Calif. A trailer can be viewed at outsidetelevision.com/video/primal-quest-2015.

- Set in the Bronx, Babygirl is a bittersweet drama about teenager Lena who, since she can remember, has watched her mom Lucy squander her life on a series of deadbeat men. When Victor, her mom's latest boy toy starts hitting on her, Lena sets up an elaborate honey-trap, hoping to show her mom what a scumbag the guy really is. But the plan backfires. Trapped in a twisted love-triangle between Victor and her mom, Lena finally realizes that the only way out is to stand up and finally confront some difficult truths about her home. Available on iTunes and VOD on August 25, 2015.

- truTV's Impractical Jokers foursome – Joe, Sal, Q and Murr –in celebration of their groundbreaking 100th episode, will take on their most challenging dare yet: an epic high-wire walk five stories in the air above New York City during the show's first ever LIVE punishment spectacular hosted by Howie Mandel. To build excitement for the big day, beginning on Monday, August 31, truTV will feature a week of Impractical Jokers specials leading up to the LIVE punishment in New York City.

- Premiere Props will be auctioning off over 1500 props from TNT’s hit series Falling Skies on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 at their headquarters in El Segundo, CA. The series finale (Reborn) will air on Sunday, August 30 at 10:00pm (ET/PT) on TNT. The final standoff brings the Masons, the 2nd Mass, and their new allies into the bowels of an iconic American location, wrought with new and unpredictable obstacles. Despite great loss along the way, they must persevere with hopes of once and for all reclaiming Earth and humanity. The auction features items from all five seasons of the series and allows fans the chance to own memorabilia from their favorite show. Fans can starting bidding now, placing bids online at icollector.com, liveauctioneers.com and invaluable.com

- The Hispanic Heritage Foundation announced today that the 28th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards, presented by Target, will take place on September 17th at the Historic Warner Theatre and broadcast October 9th on PBS during Hispanic Heritage Month. Legendary actress, singer and previous Hispanic Heritage Award Honoree Rita Moreno will host the program and perform.

- Every legend has a beginning. And this September, Time Life, one of the premiere distributors of Classic TV on DVD, will release the very first steps of a TV icon with The Carol Burnett Show: The Lost Episodes. Showcasing the early days of one of the most honored and beloved shows in television history, the 6-disc Collector's Set will feature episodes from the program's first five seasons - unseen by the public for more than 40 years!

- Compelling branded storytelling, strategic content distribution and advanced advertising are the pillars of a partnership announced today between Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and Intel Corporation during the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco. In 2016, the two companies will team up with Emmy®-winning executive producer Mark Burnett (Survivor, Shark Tank, The Voice) to launch a brand new TBS original series – America's Greatest Makers (working title). Building on the success of last year's Intel 'Make It Wearable' challenge, the series will be an entertainment event spanning the breadth and scope of the Turner portfolio, across multiple screens an d levels of engagement.

- The parlor is back in business as VH1’s Black Ink Crew returns Monday, August 24 at 9:00. The cast must navigate personal obstacles while they continue to prove their artistic talents at Black Ink Tattoo Studio. VH1’s Black Ink Crew will feature 8 brand new episodes and a reunion special that will bring to light their hard earned skills and haunting mistakes. Prepare to expect the unexpected when VH1’s Black Ink Crew returns Monday, August 24th at 9:00. Additionally, the entire cast will come together to try and mend their relationships with a reunion special airing Monday, October 19th at 9:00.

I Want My Music Television: 8/19/15

Leave a Trace - Chvrches


When I first heard the new single off of the new Chvrches album I thought it may be a Mumford & Sons or Kacey Musgraves situation where the sophomore album sounds like like average leftovers from a great debut. But the more I listen to Leave a Trace, the more I like it so I will hold my judgement until September when I hear the whole album (though I would not be too angry if for their third album Chvrches pulls the anti Mumford Sons, who when electric on album three, and goes acoustic). The video kinda has a lo-fi eighties feeling to it which actually goes with the new wave sound.

Put a Flower in Your Pocket - The Arcs


For those who thought the latest The Black Keys album was trippy, wait until you get a load of Dan Aurbauch's side project The Arcs and their weirdly violent cartoon animal human hybrid starring music video.

Live Forever - The Band Perry


People have been bemoaning the death of rock and roll for about a decade or so now, but here is the thing, rock did not die, it put on a cowboy hat because that is the only place on the radio dial that plays guitars anymore. What used to pass as Adult Contemporary has also been gobbled up by ten gallon hats (which is why we have gotten country albums from Jewel, Sheyrl Crowe, and Hootie of Blowfish fame). The Band Perry have always been in that AC wing of country radio but it sounds like they are aiming for the Taylor Swift crowd because the first single off their next album sounds, and the video looks, nothing remotely resembling country. Unfortunately the result is a bland, sounds like every other boring and simplistic third rate pop song from last decade (the song was produced by RedOne who helped out with songs from Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, and Pitbull; Pharrell and Diplo are also reportedly part of the upcoming album which does not have a release date yet). Between albums, the group teamed up Fall Out Boy for CMT Crossroads and the male part of the group looked like they raided the other group's wardrobe. None of it works.

Love Myself - Hailee Steinfeld


Speaking of embarrassing third rate pop songs from last decade. After breaking out in True Grit, Hailee Steinfeld has been dabbling in musical movies lately. Last year she was in the rather mediocre but had its moments Begin Again from the writer director of Once as the Hulk's guitar playing estranged daughter. Earlier this year she popped up in Pitch Perfect II and even though her song from the movie did not become an Anna Kendrick size hit, she still got a record deal out of it. And the result is maybe one of the most embarrassing pop songs since R.E.M. released Shiny Happy People (if the double entente of the chorus is not that obvious, she wears a Self Service t-shirt). You have to wonder how something like this is allowed to happen. If this is the best her music career has to offer, them maybe she should stick to movie, or at the very least she needs to beg her buddy Taylor Swift for some of her castoffs.