Around the Tubes: July 1, 2023

   

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Billions, Futurama, Self Reliance, Benee, Daya, Bob Marley, Lauren Spencer Smith, The Rolling Stones, POV, Paramount+, and Goliath.

- On the heels of today’s Paramount+ with Showtime launch, SHOWTIME announced the official trailer for the seventh and final season of the hit drama BILLIONS.  Each of the 12 episodes will stream weekly on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME beginning on Friday, August 11, with the season premiere debuting on air Sunday, August 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. The series stars Oscar^® nominee and Emmy^® winner Paul Giamatti, Corey Stoll and Maggie Siff, and this final season also marks the return of Emmy^® winner Damian Lewis as fan-favorite Bobby “Axe” Axelrod.

- After a brief ten-year hiatus, Futurama has crawled triumphantly from the cryogenic tube, its full original cast and satirical spirit intact. The ten all-new episodes of season eleven have something for everyone. New viewers will be able to pick up the series from here, while long-time fans will recognize payoffs to decades-long mysteries – including developments in the epic love story of Fry and Leela, the mysterious contents of Nibbler's litter box, the secret history of evil Robot Santa, and the whereabouts of Kif and Amy's tadpoles. Meanwhile there's a whole new pandemic in town as the crew explores the future of vaccines, bitcoin, cancel culture, and streaming TV.

- In a deal with MRC and Paramount Global Content Distribution, Hulu has acquired the U.S. rights to Jake Johnson’s feature directorial debut, “Self Reliance''. The hilarious and thrilling film is also written by and starring Jake Johnson, and boasts an all-star cast including Johnson (“New Girl”, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “Minx”), Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, Andy Samberg, GaTa (“Dave”), Emily Hampshire (“Schitt’s Creek”), Mary Holland, Boban Marjanović, with Christopher Lloyd, and Wayne Brady. The fiercely competitive deal was struck on the heels of the world premiere of the MRC-financed film at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival in March, which was a festival favorite, screening to a standing-room-only audience. The hilarious film will premiere as a Hulu Original on September 8.  When a man is offered a million dollars to play a game in which hunters try to kill him, he thinks he has found the perfect loophole: they can only attack when he’s alone. His only problem is that none of his friends or family believe the game is real.

- The highly anticipated Official Song for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, “Do It Again” by BENEE ft. Mallrat, is now officially live and available across all major music platforms–listen HERE!  This dynamic collaboration between two artists from the host nations – BENEE from Aotearoa New Zealand and Mallrat from Australia – captures the essence of unity, celebration, and empowerment that defines the FIFA Women’s World Cup™.  The two have joined forces on a vibrant and infectious anthem that promises to captivate fans worldwide and provide an unforgettable soundtrack to the tournament.

- Multi-talented pop sensation Daya unveils "Juliene," her first single release since the widely acclaimed EP In Between Dreams. “Juliene” is available today on all DSPs.  "'Juliene' is a celebration of pleasure and desire,” says Daya. “It's about releasing any shame and inhibitions and surrendering wholeheartedly to the thrills and temptations of the present moment." With this track, Daya invites her audience to embark on a liberating journey, embracing the joys of living life to the fullest.  In addition to her highly anticipated solo releases, Daya is currently experiencing a solid moment with her collaboration "Sometimes..." alongside Snakehips and hip-hop duo Earthgang. The track has been met with widespread acclaim and is currently on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic chart, further solidifying Daya's versatility and ability to captivate audiences across genres.

 

LISTEN TO “JULIENE”

- Bob Marley's immortality continues with Africa Unite, a majestic, posthumous album celebrating the vibrant fusion of Reggae and Afrobeats!  Africa Unite is an extraordinary album that pays homage to the Reggae icon's greatest hits, beautifully reimagined and infused with the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats. Scheduled for release on August 4, 2023, Africa Unite features inspiring collaborations between Bob Marley's classics and a stellar line-up of contemporary African musicians. This ten-track masterpiece includes Sarkodie, Tiwa Savage, Teni, and Oxlade, which will be announced before the album’s release. Each artist brings unique flair and artistry, paying tribute to Bob Marley's enduring influence while adding their refreshing voices to his iconic compositions.  Stream ‘Africa Unite’ NOW!

- “That Part," Lauren Spencer Smith created a quintessential love song for 2023. In the official video, released today, Lauren connected with real couples and documented landmark moments in their respective relationships — a prom, a proposal, a vow renewal, and a wedding— before pulling the curtain back on her own relationship and showing her and her boyfriend Matt moving in together. Click here to watch the full video.

- The Rolling Stones' Forty Licks, the album that gathered together fully three dozen of the most enduring and anthemic songs from the group's peerless career and added four then-new tracks to their incredible story, is to be released digitally for the first time on July 26. Two days later, it will be available, again for the first time, in a lavish, limited edition four-disc, 180-gram black vinyl version, housed in a wide spined gatefold sleeve. At the same time, Stones fans will also have an opportunity to enjoy the reimagined Dolby Atmos® versions of the album’s 40 tracks – streaming where available. With Dolby Atmos, fans will experience an immersive journey through the iconic album as details in every song are revealed with unparalleled clarity and depth.  Pre-order now: https://therollingstones.lnk.to/40LicksPR

- There is so much incredible entertainment to stream up here on Paramount Mountain. With the launch of the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan yesterday, premium subscribers now have access to the critically acclaimed programming on SHOWTIME including iconic and award-winning series such Yellowjackets, Billions, The Chi, Dexter and a host of titles from across several decades that pushed boundaries and revolutionized premium storytelling. The introduction of the brand’s prolific and diverse slate of franchises reinforces Paramount+’s promise of being a total household service with the biggest series and movies from across every genre.  In addition to SHOWTIME content coming to the service next month, audiences will be drawn into the hunt in Special Ops: Lioness, the upcoming Paramount+ Original series by Taylor Sheridan and starring Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman. There will also be plenty of family fun with the premiere of the Paramount+ Original Movie Zoey 102 and the return of Big Nate. And premium subscribers will get an in-depth look at the life and legacy of legendary NBA player Wilt Chamberlain in the original SHOWTIME documentary Goliath. For a closer look at all the entertainment coming to Paramount+ in July, check out the latest edition of View from the Peak.

- SHOWTIME SPORTS has released the official trailer for GOLIATH, a three-part documentary series examining the historic life, career and impact of Wilt Chamberlain, one of the greatest and most misunderstood athletes of all time. The series premieres on Friday, July 14 on demand and on streaming platforms for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers before making its on-air debut on SHOWTIME^® on Sunday, July 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT with additional episodes premiering each Sunday. GOLIATH is produced by Village Roadshow Television and Gotham Chopra’s Religion of Sports in association with Kevin Garnett’s Content Cartel, Happy Madison Productions and Heeltap! Entertainment.

 

- Following its award winning festival run, the Oscar® nominated A House Made of Splinters directed by POV alum Simon Lemeng Wilmont (The Distant Barking of Dogs) and produced by Oscars® nominee Monica Hellström (Flee) will make its national broadcast premiere on Monday, July 17, 2023 (check local listings) and will be available to stream until October 15, 2023 at pbs.org, and the PBS App.  In addition to standard closed captioning for the film, POV, in partnership with audio description service DiCapta, provides real time audio interpretations for audiences with sensory disabilities.  Now in its historic 36th season, POV marks its place as America’s longest running non-fiction series with an in-depth look at the lives of children whose world is upended by poverty, addiction and the unfolding war in Ukraine as their caretakers grapple with the everyday struggles to keep them safe.

- Paramount+ today has launched the highly anticipated Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, a cornerstone integration that makes Paramount+ the new streaming home for SHOWTIME. The SHOWTIME portfolio of edgy, critically acclaimed programming will now complement the broad and popular Paramount+ library in a seamless offering that appeals to everyone, at a competitive price of $11.99 per month. The Paramount+ Essential Plan (without SHOWTIME) is available for $5.99 per month.  “By adopting the boundary-pushing programming of SHOWTIME onto our platform, Paramount+ has fortified itself as the ultimate total household destination in streaming,” said Tom Ryan, President & CEO, Paramount Streaming. “Together, these powerhouse brands will showcase the breadth and depth of our content offering from across Paramount. At this price point, we’ll put the value of the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan up against any other.”

57 Channels and Only This Is On: June 25, 2023

 

Fear the Walking Dead:  They killed off the big bad already?  So is the unseen person who overheard the radio transmission going to be the new big bad?  Who is that?  We still have not seen Strand whom I only remember is still alive because he was mentioned in the aftershow.  Where exactly has he been?  I vaguely remember him being on a boat with Alicia.  But she may or may not be dead.

 

The Walking Dead: Dead City:  Holy Smash Williams sighting!  Though the anti-man cowboy look does not really suit him.  Who thought was a good idea? Well, it is about a good idea as Maggie teaming up with the dude who bashed her husband's head in.

 

Cruel Summer:  So Megan was pregnant?  I wonder if the blood she was cleaning up in the premiere was hers not the dead guy’s.  I am also wondering is possibly she was telling the truth that the dude did run away and was hiding out in the cabin and it was not her or Isabelle that killed her and the baby was the big secret they were holding.  But if not them, who?  The brother?  The gun crazy neighbor?

 

Class of ‘09:  So we are not going to learn who tried to kill Tayo or why?  Just that it was probably someone inside the FBI and Tayo was promoted to director for his troubles?  What a stupid show.  Good riddance.

 

The Blacklist:  Is Red dying… again?  He risks his life to see a ballet recital; he has been dismantling his criminal empire, trying to end blood feuds.  What else would he be doing things if not to get his affairs in order?  But unlike the last time when he had a miraculous recovery and Lizzie ended up dying instead, since the series is ended, he will probably actually die this time.