Around the Tubes: November 4, 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 Letterkenny, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Eels, Adam Blackstone, Kid Cudi, Futurama, The Cost of Inheritance: An American ReFramed Special.

- Join us on December 26 back in Ontario for the last time as LETTERKENNY returns for its 12th and final season on Hulu! The residents of Letterkenny belong to one of three groups: the Hicks, the Skids, and the Hockey Players, who are constantly feuding over seemingly trivial matters that often end with someone getting their ass kicked. In Season 12, the small town contends with a comedy night at Modean's, a country music hit, the Degens' bad influence, a new nightclub, and an encore at the Ag Hall. And that’s just for starters.

- The Equal Strain On All Parts (Mailboat Records, distributed by Sun Records) album journey began one year ago. The studio was booked for early 2023, and as Jimmy Buffett’s longtime collaborator of 50 years, Michael Utley recalls, “There were no songs; just ideas in Jimmy’s head. The first song he sent us was actually ‘Fish Porn’” — which raised a few eyebrows! Jimmy and his longtime friend and fishing buddy, novelist Carl Hiaasen came up with this clever story that's guaranteed to bring a smile. Co-producers Utley and Mac McAnally were not worried and knew the songs would come. The album came together quickly and was recorded in Key West, Nashville, New Orleans and Los Angeles.   The 14-track record (with 11 originals and 3 covers) is classic Jimmy Buffett.   He also invited a feast of well-known friends, including Paul McCartney, Emmylou Harris, Angelique Kidjo, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The album also features contributions from his frequent co-writer and honorary Coral Reefer Will Kimbrough and PEI artist Lennie Gallant. Find Equal Strain On All Parts here.

- Catch A Fire, Bob Marley And The Wailers seminal first release on Island Records, universally regarded as the album which put reggae music on the global stage, is out now, as a beautiful deluxe edition via UMe. The release celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the album’s original release in 1973. In addition three classic tracks, Slave Driver, Get Up, Stand Up & Stop That Train, all recorded live at the Wailer’s legendary performance at the Sundown Theatre in the village of Edmonton, North London in 1973, are now live on the Bob Marley YouTube channel. A hugely anticipated new film BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, celebrating the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity, is in theatres February 14th, 2024. Produced by Ziggy Marley, Cedella Marley and Rita Marley, and with Stephen Marley as the music supervisor, the film tells the inspirational story of how Bob overcame huge adversity to become one of the world’s most revered musical and cultural giants through the power and beauty of  his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family, the film stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita.

- Critically acclaimed rock group EELS have announced the release of a new compilation album, EELS So Good: Essential EELS, Vol.2 out on December 15th via E Works/[PIAS]. Pre-orders are available here.  Spanning over 15 years, seven studio albums and featuring some of EELS best loved songs, the album includes hits such as "Fresh Blood" and "That Look You Gave That Guy", new favorites from 2020’s Earth To Dora, as well as three previously unreleased tracks and five that are being pressed to vinyl for the very first time, including "Royal Pain" from the motion picture Shrek The Third, and "Man Up" from the official soundtrack of "Yes Man".

-  Emmy® award-winning musical director, musician, singer, and songwriter Adam Blackstone heralds the holidays with a brand new mistletoe-ready single entitled “Christmas Kisses” featuring Keke Palmer. Listen to “Christmas Kisses” HERE. It arrives as the lead single from Blackstone’s forthcoming second solo album and first Christmas album, A LEGACY CHRISTMAS, which is set for release on November 24 and will also feature guest artists to include Andra Day, BJ The Chicago Kid, Boyz II Men, and more.  On “Christmas Kisses,” Adam’s inimitable delivery uplifts Keke’s soaring and soulful vocals. Between cheery guitar, vibrant horns, and lively drums, she leans into melodies that are just as warm as a fireplace on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, Adam heats up the verses before the chantable chorus, “Don’t forget about my kisses on this Christmas.” The holidays have never been this romantic, thanks to “Christmas Kisses.”

- GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum sonic visionary, artist, producer, actor and director Kid Cudi releases “At The Party” featuring Pharrell Williams & Travis Scott, the next single from his anxiously awaited ninth full-length studio album, INSANO. Pre-order/Pre-save HERE via Republic Records. It stands out as his first full-length offering since 2022 and one of the most anticipated records of this year.  Listen to “At The Party” featuring Pharrell Williams & Travis Scott, HERE

- Hulu has renewed the adult animated series “Futurama,” which hails from 20th Television Animation, for two seasons (seasons 13 and 14) and an additional 20 episodes. Hulu originally revived the beloved series in 2022 with a 20-episode order. Season 11 premiered on Hulu on July 24th, following a massive presence at San Diego Comic-Con. The season is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 86%, and was on Nielsen’s Top 10 Original Series List for six of the weeks during its run. Season 12 is expected to debut on Hulu in 2024.

-  PBS, WQED, WORLD, and American Documentary announced that the new documentary The Cost of Inheritance: An American ReFramed Special will have its national broadcast premiere on January 8, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS App. The film will launch on WORLD on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The one-hour film traces the nation’s legacy of systemic inequities to modern-day America, introducing audiences to descendants of enslaved persons and slave owners, profiling their complex intertwined histories, and detailing how their quest to bridge divides galvanized them to seek reparations together. The film’s world premiere will be at DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, on November 12, 2023. View the trailer here.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: October 28, 2023

 

Fear the Walking Dead:  Thankfully they explained who that the big reveal was because did not remember that guy at all.  He was from, what, the second season?  I vaguely remember him and his family took in the main cast but then (shocker!) turned out to be evil.  But I think it is pretty reasonable to assume that someone you bashed in the head with a hammer died and did not just lose an eye. 

 

Billions:  I wonder at what point they decided to end the series with Take the Money and Run.  I would not be at all surprised if it they thought of it right after deciding to do a show about evil people with a lot of money.  But good riddance to this show.  Oh, wait, they are developing Million, Trillions and shows set in London and Miami (where it sound like Wags will be going).  Meh.

 

Survivor:  These Gen Z’ers are annoying.  You are grown men, stop playing with your Pokémon.  Even someone on The Challenge was talking about those things for small children.  At least one of them got voted out. 

 

The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion:  Finally a season without the same old boring cast members with the same old alliances… well, at least until the champions arrive.  Though it does seem at this point they may not show up until the “Chaos” section.  And everyone working together for The Challenge was weird.  What happens when they succeed?  Where is the drama?  But poor women, they all decide to vote for a guy and the very first women nominate another woman.  I do wonder how the whole vote would have gone down if anyone other than Berna had voted first.  They really should do a secret vote like in USA. 

 

Doom Patrol:  So the Butt’s with Teeth can talk now?  Cool.  Though how did the one Butt with Teeth become the scientist lady? 

 

Loki:  So all time has been destroyed?  Well, Marvel had a good run.  Oh wait, there is still two episodes left?  How do you continue after the destruction of all time?