Around the Tubes: 8/25/2017

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 Prince, Cold War Kids, Baker Grace, Aly + AJ, The Third Rail with OZYThe Third Rail with OZY, Jerry Lewis, the SAG Life Achievement Award, and 2017 VMAs.

- Showtime has acquired the rarely seen Prince concert film Sign O’ the Times, which will air on American television for the first time in more than a decade, premiering September 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Created as a companion to the 1987 Prince double album of the same name, Sign O’ the Times features live performances of songs including “U Got the Look” (with Sheena Easton), “If I Was Your Girlfriend” and “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” in addition to the title song and a striking rendition of the Prince classic, “Little Red Corvette.” Much of the film was shot at Prince’s own Paisley Park Studios, as well as on tour in the Netherlands and Belgium.

- Tune in to the AT&T* AUDIENCE Network concert special Cold War Kids airing Friday, August 25,at 9:00 via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114 and on-demand through DIRECTV NOW. In this episode, Cold War Kids perform fan favorites and sit down with series host Ted Stryker for an in-depth interview.

- Stepping out today with her debut single, 16 year old newcomer Baker Grace makes an immediate impression with Am I Talking To You? Showcasing gorgeous vocals and songwriting ability belying her tender years, the track features Baker's sparkling tone decorating a sparse arrangement.



- Musical duo, Aly + AJ, who have sold over 2 million records worldwide, return today after a 10 year musical hiatus, with their brand new track, Take Me. “This is just the start,” muses Aly Michalka, who, along with her sister AJ Michalka, exude an excitement impossible to ignore. Their energy completely renewed, the track, "Take Me" exudes that same vigor - it's teaming with a slow burning restlessness that’s nestled amongst textured melodies and 808 drums, with nostalgic synth hits.

- OZY Media and PBS new prime time show, The Third Rail with OZY, premieres Friday September 8, 2017 at 8:30 pm ET and is hosted by OZY CEO and founder Carlos Watson. Watson grew up in Miami and holds an A.B. in Government from Harvard University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. After stints on political campaigns, graduating from law school, time at McKinsey & Company, starting his own college prep company and anchoring on MSNBC, Carlos Watson channeled his skills toward building Silicon Valley based-OZY, a media company focused on the future.

- Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will celebrate the life and career of acclaimed comedian, actor and filmmaker Jerry Lewis, whose irrepressible zaniness and frantic creativity made him a defining figure of American entertainment in the 20th century, with a five film tribute on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4 in honor of of the nearly 50 years Mr. Lewis spent hosting The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon encouraging viewers to donate to the charity. Lewis, who passed away Sunday Aug 20 at the age of 91, knew success in movies, on television, in nightclubs, on the Broadway stage from his early films with Dean Martin, to his solo career eventually writing, producing and directing many of his own films.

- Morgan Freeman – Academy Award® winning actor, producer, voice actor and activist – has been named the 54th recipient of SAG-AFTRA's highest tribute: the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. Freeman will be presented the performers union's top accolade at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan.21, 2018 at 8:00. Given annually to an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession," the SAG Life Achievement Award will join Freeman’s exceptional catalog of preeminent industry and public honors, which includes a Screen Actors Guild Award, an Academy Award, HFPA’s Cecil B. DeMille Award®, an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, seven Image Awards, a Silver Berlin Bear, several Obies®, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

- MTV today announced additional performers set to take the stage at the 2017 “VMAs” airing live from the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, August 27 at 8:00. Logic will perform his hit single “1-800-273-8255” featuring Khalid, and Gucci Mane will take the stage with previously announced Fifth Harmony to perform their song “Down.” Additionally, the show will feature special performances by breakout artists Post Malone and Julia Michaels. MTV is announcing that singer-songwriter Alessia Cara and rapper KYLE will perform at the 2017 "MTV VMAs" on Sunday at 8pm ET/PT.