Around the Tubes: 6/29/2018

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 Garbage, Ariana Grande, Neil Diamond, Donna Summer, Hulu, Fear Factor, Halo, Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out, Baby Driver, and King of the Desert Lions.

- Garbage last week released the 20th anniversary edition of their legendary second album Version 2.0 via Almo Sounds/UMe. The package features the whole original album, as well as 10 B-sides from the era. The album is available to stream and download starting today HERE.

- Ariana Grande surprises fans ringing in her 25th birthday with “Raindrops,” a track from her upcoming fourth studio album Sweetener. The song was released alongside a video directed by Grammy Award®-winning director Dave Meyers. Watch “Raindrops” video HERE. Preorder Sweetener HERE.

- On August 17, Capitol/UMe will celebrate one of the century's most electrifying live albums, with the release of Neil Diamond's Hot August Night Ill, a live concert DVD/CD Blu-Ray multi-disc set. Hot August Night Ill chronicles Diamond's triumphant return to the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in August 2012.The magical evening was Diamond's 40th anniversary celebration of the original multiplatinum-selling Hot August Night collection that was recorded at the very same venue in 1972. Diamond's noted concert performance and onstage musical prowess is in full evidence on Hot August Night Ill, which features 33 songs including 31 greatest hits. Clocking in at over 2 hours and 20 minutes in length, Hot August Night Ill will be released in multiple audio/video configurations, including 2CD, 2CD + 1DVD, and 2CD + 1Blu-ray, as well as digital and download options. The multidisc set's accompanying video content contains rare behind-the scenes footage with both the band and the crew, showcasing the undeniably palpable energy surrounding Diamond's return to this most historic venue.

- The musical legacy of Donna Summer, the undisputed Queen of Disco and The First Lady of Love, remains hotter than ever as she once again tops the charts with her track ”Hot Stuff (Ralphi Rosario & Erick Ibiza 2018 Rework),” taken from Summer: The Original Hits, hitting No. 1 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.

- In a new library agreement with Viacom, Hulu is now the exclusive streaming home to full libraries of fan-favorite series including: Daria, Nathan for You, My Super Sweet 16, and New Edition Story. In addition, the deal brings a suite of 11 series from the Nickelodeon family and over 20 films to Hulu, titles now available to stream include: Big Time Rush, School of Rock, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, Hunter Street, Make It Pop, Every Witch Way, and WITS Academy. Also returning to Hulu will be hit series Alvinnnn!!! and the Chipmunks, Kung Fu Panda and Penguins Of Madagascar. The new deal is part of Hulu’s commitment to expanding its library with programming for the whole family. More series and films from Nickelodeon will continue to rollout throughout the year.

- MTV’s Fear Factor returns with celebrity episodes on Tuesday, July 17th at 10PM ET with a two-hour premiere. Hosted by Ludacris, the series will include ten, one-hour celebrity episodes filled with new stunts inspired by urban legends, popular scary movies and viral videos from today’s cultural zeitgeist. The celebrity contestants will confront their fears, be pushed beyond their comfort zones and take action against some of their biggest stressors.

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- Halo, the award-winning and record-shattering series of video games, is bringing its universe to SHOWTIME. The network has ordered a 10-episode season of the live-action, scripted drama HALO (working title), based on the hallowed Xbox® franchise, with Kyle Killen (Awake) serving as executive producer, writer and showrunner. Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) will direct multiple episodes and also executive produce the hour-long series. Produced by SHOWTIME in association with Microsoft/343 Industries, along with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, HALO will begin production in early 2019. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc.

- MTV’s Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out returns for SEASON 11 on Thursday, July 12 with two back-to-back episodes beginning at 11PM ET/PT, followed by new episodes Thursday and Friday nights at 11PM ET/PT. This season’s star-studded roster includes Rick Ross, TIP & Hustle Gang, Vic Mensa, KeKe Palmer, Winnie Harlow, Matt Barnes, Trick Daddy, Amara La Negra, Rich The Kid, Tyga, Justine Skye, Cordell Broadus, and many more.

- Showtime will offer the world television premiere of the Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominated film Baby Driver on Saturday, July 14 at 10:00. Showtime subscribers will also be able to watch the film across all platforms including SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and the SHOWTIME stand-alone streaming service.

- After spending nearly six years filming a remarkable pride of endangered desert lions, Smithsonian Channel is now bringing viewers the compelling narrative of their lives in Namibia’s extreme, searing terrain. This story, about one of the world’s most magnificent coalitions of five male lions, has not only touched the hearts of millions all over the world, it has even changed national law. King of the Desert Lions premieres on Wednesday, July 11 at 8:00.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 6/24/2018

Claws: Really, Desna and her boy toy were in the same place at the same time and did not run into each other? I hope they do not pull that all season. But, goodness, was that commercial entertaining.
You can download Claws on iTunes.

I’m Dying Up Here: Ron has done some pretty dumb and self-destructive things this season but marrying a stripper after one week has to top that list. While the episode was going on I was wondering what would last longer, his employment on the show or his marriage. I guess it should not be too surprising the marriage did not last the episode. Also not surprising is that Cassie’s SNL audition did not go well, the real question was what messed it up. It turned out to be Nick OD’ing.

Supergirl: Good riddance Toyman Jr. and Mon-El. So is the latter going back to work on his marriage? It seemed like he made his choice an episode or two ago and picked Kara. And where was Saturn Girl? She completely disappeared in the second half, she was not at the goodbye, nor was she seen on the spaceship with Toyman Jr. and Mon-El leaving. Is she staying here with Braniac 5 (which I hope) or did she go back to the future? Speaking of whatever happened to: what happened to Chad Lowe? He seemingly died last week, but was seen moving this week and then never seen after that.

Just really an uneven and poorly planned out season, well with the exception of the introduction of Saturn Girl. Seriously, if she is not coming back next season, just give Saturn Girl her own show, be it on The CW or the upcoming DC streaming service. As for what will definitely be on the show next season, it looks like we will be getting some Bizzaro Russian Supergirl while Lena Luther starts Phase 2 with Miss Tessmacher. Well, it cannot possibly be worse than this season… can it?
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.

The Bold Type: There are very few things more annoying when a show has a big game changing moment in a season finale only for everything to go back to normal early in the next season. So when Jane go fired last week, I figured she would be back at Scarlett but the end of this episode. Jane even has a meeting with Jacqueline, except Jacqueline shockingly does not hire Jane back saying Jane needs this as a learning expierence. Kudos to Jacqueline for doing so. Granted I will take that back if Jane is back at the magazine by the end of next episode.
You can download The Bold Type on iTunes.

The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars II: Poor Stars, the show did everything to help you this season and still cannot win. But c’mon, how could Louise and Casper get to the food eating challenge first, get the least disgusting foods and leave the round last?
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Handmaid’s Tale: Well that was cold that Offred straight up told the Commander that it is not his baby. Well assuming he believes her. But he did get her back vry cruely. Except then he did the most gracious thing (well aside from freeing her) by letting her see June see her kid. Unless it was his plan all along to strand her there. But that would not make sence to strand your very pregnant Handmaid, but still not the smartest idea to let her travel.

Then right in the middle of this heavy episode is the driver’s wife randomly making out with a guard. And what about the beginning. Did Rory Gilmore put some sort of poison in her lady area to induce a heart attack on her Commander?
You can stream The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: Well Cloak and Dagger finally spent more than a minute and a half together on screen for the first time this episode though I guess nothing really happened when they were together. Basically we just got a recap of them learning about their powers. Then Dagger threw herself off a pier. Was she actually trying to kill herself or just testing the limits of her powers? She did manage to cut through a steel safe afterwards.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.