Around the Tubes: May 31, 2025

   

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on King of the Hill, Bono, Lorde, Robert Randolph, Al Jardine, Sophia Warren, and Jayne Kelli.

- Hulu announced the beloved adult animated series “King of the Hill” Revival is set to premiere Monday, August 4, 2025 with 10 episodes.  Check out a first look clip from the new season 14 show opening.  The season 14 revival picks up several years after we last saw the Hill family - Hank and Peggy Hill are now retired and return to a changed Arlen after years of working in Saudi Arabia; and Bobby is 21 and living his best life while navigating adulthood as a chef in Dallas.

- Island/Interscope/UMe today announced details of Stories Of Surrender EP, a new Limited Edition 3-track Live EP from Bono, set for release on May 30^th to accompany the acclaimed Apple Original Film titled Bono: Stories of Surrender, also available from May 30^th on Apple TV+. Listen HERE.  The Stories Of Surrender EP features live recordings of three U2 tracks – “Desire,” “The Showman,” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – taken from Bono’s one-man stage show of the same name, itself inspired by his bestselling memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.

- Fresh off the back of a completely sold-out North American tour and record-breaking demand across the UK and Europe, Lorde today releases her next single, “Man of the Year”. Listen to “Man of the Year” HERE and watch the music video HERE.  The track, co-produced by Lorde and Jim-E Stack, follows the breakout success of “What Was That”, which debuted at #1 on US Spotify and climbed to #5 globally – marking her highest streaming debut since “Royals”.

- “When Will The Love Rain Down” marks a powerful new chapter in Robert Randolph’s Sun Records debut. With a thundering groove and a towering vocal performance from Grammy-winning vocalist Judith Hill, the song is the third single from Randolph’s forthcoming album Preacher Kids (out June 27) and the first track recorded for the project—a deeply emotional standout that shaped the tone of the entire record.  Built on a bedrock of blues and gospel, “When Will The Love Rain Down” began as an instrumental jam, its haunting pedal steel lines and moody percussion creating a space for something bigger to take root. Randolph sent the track to Hill, and what she returned was so moving, so immediate, it couldn’t be touched.  Watch the video for “When Will The Love Rain Down” HERE. 

- The legendary Al Jardine, co-founding singer, songwriter and guitarist of The Beach Boys, has just released his first new collection of songs in 15 years with the eclectic new 4-song digital EP, Islands In The Sun. Available to stream and download everywhere today, the EP is chock full of Jardine’s sharp songwriting, iconic, summery voice and the type of good vibes and trademark harmonies that only a Beach Boy can provide. The album was recorded at Al’s home studio on the California coast and produced by Al alongside Stevie Heger (co-producer of Al’s debut studio album, A Postcard from California) and longtime Beach Boys/Brian Wilson sound engineer Jeff Peters.  Stream Islands In The Sun: https://AlJardine.lnk.to/IslandInTheSunPR

- Austin, TX-based alt-pop singer-songwriter Sophia Warren shares her resilient, raw sophomore EP, Adesso, the second in a series of three EPs, out now via Tigris 33/UMG. Along with the full project, Warren moves through her anxious fog as she attempts to quiet her mind on "Purple" and its matching visualizer, out now.  Cinematic and atmospheric, Adesso, meaning "now" in Italian, is a defiant declaration of independence–meeting Warren where she is today, unbound to anything or anyone. Produced by Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Slowdive), each track is its own intimate sonic portrait of Warren's inner-most struggles, fears and hopes as she sets off on a path towards healing and deeper self-discovery. Looking for peace within this present moment, Warren says the project allows her to finally be herself, not defined by love or loss, sharing, "The EP asks, who am I without them? What do I truly want? These songs are about me peeling back the layers of uncertainty and learning to trust my own voice. It’s scary, it’s raw, but it’s real." Adesso serves as the second installment in a three part series of EPs that trace Warren's experiences of growing up.  Watch "Purple" (Official Visualizer)

- Nashville-based indie folk-pop singer-songwriter Jayne Kelli has released her new single, "Sister Golden Hair" (a cover of the America song), today, May 30, 2025! Recommended if you like: Ainslie Wills, Jill Andrews, Rose Cousins, Caroline Spence, Andrea Von Kampen.

Listen to "Sister Golden Hair":

 

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube Official Audio

Multi-link stream/save

Transmissions from Pluto: Coming to Pluto June 2025

 

Summer has officially arrived, and Pluto TV is bringing the heat with a jam-packed lineup of movies, music, and marquee moments. Summer of Cinema kicks off with hundreds of fan-favorite films now streaming — from Interstellar and Heat to Clueless, Mission: Impossible, and 28 Days Later. We're also celebrating cultural milestones and bold voices with special programming for Pride Month and Black Music Month, plus the return of our award-winning Free Movie Weekend initiative, supporting local theaters across the country. And don’t miss Broadway’s biggest night as The Tony Awards: Act One streams live and free on Pluto TV’s Live Music channel on Sunday, June 8 at 6:40PM ET. Hosted by Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry, it’s your front-row seat to the kickoff of Tony Awards night. Whether you're here for the drama, the drag, or the double features, it’s all streaming free — only on Pluto TV. SUMMER OF CINEMA Pluto TV is bursting with movies with Summer of Cinema, a season-long programming spotlight running through June, July, and August. This marquee initiative brings hundreds of fan-favorite films and blockbuster franchises to the forefront, including Mission: Impossible, Indiana Jones, Terminator, Star Trek, Interstellar, and The Wolf of Wall Street, delivering on our brands promise to offer content that is not only free but premium. Whether you’re in the mood for action, adventure, or a cinematic classic, Pluto TV is your destination to stream it all — totally free. FREE MOVIE WEEKEND Pluto TV is bringing back its award-winning 'Free Movie Weekend' program this summer. The initiative supports family-run and independent theaters across the country by offering complimentary movie tickets on select weekends, encouraging local attendance. This year, Pluto is teaming up with Oscar-winning director and champion of independent film and movie theaters, Sean Baker, to help amplify the program’s core mission: making beloved movies easily accessible to audiences while celebrating the importance of the theater-going experience as an invaluable part of the film entertainment ecosystem. If you are interested in attending or covering any of these screenings, please reach out to pr@pluto.tv.  We’ll see you at the movies this summer!  TONY AWARDS: ACT ONE Broadway’s biggest night kicks off on Pluto TV! Tune in to The Tony Awards: Act One, a live pre-show hosted by first-time nominee Darren Criss and Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, streaming exclusively on Pluto TV’s Live Music channel on Sunday, June 8 from 6:40–8:00 PM ET / 3:40–5:00 PM PT. Catch the first round of Tony Awards, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments — exclusively on Pluto TV. BLACK MUSIC MONTH RETURNS This June, Pluto TV turns up the volume for Black Music Month with the return of The Black Collective — a special pop-up category celebrating the artists, anthems, and iconic moments that define Black music. From June 2–30, Pluto TV will spotlight a dynamic mix of documentaries, films, concert specials, and music video marathons across the following channels: Black Cinema Black Visionaries Live Music Vevo True School Hip-Hop Love & Hip Hop 4UV XITE Gospel Vevo R&B Yo! MTV Programming Highlights: Rappers Turned Actors on Black Cinema – June 16 at 5PM ET Kendrick Lamar Birthday Block on Vevo True School Hip-Hop – June 16–22, 11AM–8PM ET Music Mondays on Live Music – Every Monday in June Dope 10th Anniversary Celebration on Black Visionaries – June 19 at 8PM ET On Demand All Month: Prince: Sign ‘O’ the Times, Tina Turner: Simply the Best, and Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You  These channels and the artists they spotlight stream year-round on Pluto TV. But this month, we’re putting them front and center for a celebration worthy of the soundtrack of our lives. PRIDE MONTH ON PLUTO TV This June, Pluto TV is proud to celebrate LGBTQ+ voices, stories, and icons with a vibrant lineup of programming in honor of Pride Month. From drag royalty to landmark anniversaries, the month-long celebration spans both linear channels and on-demand collections — featuring comedy, documentaries, queer cinema, and more across channels like Revry, Stand-Up TV, Cheaters, and Sketchy AF. Programming Highlights: New Series: King of Drag – Premiering June 22 on Revry A ground-breaking, first-of-its-kind series following a group of drag kings as they compete in challenges vying for the coveted title of “King of Drag.” Featuring celebrity judges from Lisa Rinna to Paul Feig to icons of drag Tenderoni and Sasha Velour and hosted by Murray Hill.   Pride Month on Pluto TV Competition – Daily from 9AM–11AM ET, featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars   “Pulse Nightclub Night of Remembrance” on Revry – June 12   Scott Thompson’s Birthday Marathon on Sketchy AF – June 12 from 6–9AM ET   Pride Night on Stand-Up TV – Saturdays at 7PM ET   World Pride Ball on Revry – June 27   Happy Pride Day! special on Cheaters – June 28 at 5PM ET   Chicago Pride and NYC & SF Pride Weekend Programming on Revry – June 29 Plus, explore even more titles on demand all month long with the Pride and Queer Voices collections, including: The Book of Queer, Saving Face, Queen of the Desert, Between the Miles, Stonewall, A Very Sordid Wedding, and more! It’s a full month of bold, joyful, and powerful storytelling — streaming free on Pluto TV. NATIONAL GAME SHOW MONTH National Game Show Day is the best day to buzz in, spin the wheel, and celebrate game shows—classic and current. Every June 1st, Fremantle Game Show Channels honor the hosts, contestants, and games that have enthralled and excited viewers for generations. National Game Show Day was created by Fremantle, the minds behind The Price Is Right, Family Feud, Let’s Make a Deal and more. It was officially certified as a day to celebrate game show glory. This year, we’ve expanded the celebration to a full month with over 475 fresh episodes! It’s episodes that have never aired on the channels before, many of which are not available anywhere else. Catch the fun 24/7 on these channels: Family Feud (hosted by Steve Harvey), The Price Is Right (hosted by Drew Carey), BUZZR, The Price Is Right: The Barker Era, Family Feud Classic, Let’s Make a Deal (hosted by Wayne Brady), and Supermarket Sweep. NEW MOVIES 28 Days Later American Hustle Anaconda Beverly Hills Cop Beverly Hills Cop II Beverly Hills Cop III Boyz N' The Hood Caddyshack Clear And Present Danger Clueless Days Of Thunder Doc Hollywood Drive (2011) Eagle Eye The Fifth Element The Firm Four Brothers Friday the 13th Parts 1-8 Get Rich Or Die Tryin' Good Will Hunting Heat Raiders Of The Lost Ark Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull Instant Family Interstellar Jack Reacher Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Julie & Julia Kiss The Girls Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life Lara Croft: Tomb Raider My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) New Jack City Only The Brave Passenger 57 Patriot Games Pompeii (2014) Practical Magic Purple Rain Running Scared (2006) Shooter (2007) Stand By Me Star Trek (2009) Star Trek Beyond Star Trek Generations Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan Star Trek III: The Search For Spock Star Trek Into Darkness Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Star Trek V: The Final Frontier Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Star Trek: First Contact Star Trek: Insurrection Star Trek: Nemesis Star Trek: The Motion Picture Terminator 2: Judgment Day Terminator Genisys Terminator: Dark Fate Titanic Tropic Thunder Transformers Transformers: Dark of the Moon Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Wolf Of Wall Street XXX XXX: State of the Union

57 Channels and Only This Is On: May 25, 2025

 

Mobland:  I am confused by that ending.  Was the cop conspiring with the mobster, or is just going along with him because he does not want to be killed.

 

The Walking Dead: Dead City:  Um, if Negan got out of the tunnel first and left the other dude there to be eaten, how did the other dude beat Negan to Hershal?  How did he even get out of the tunnel.

 

The Last of Us:  Well, we finally learned what happened to the therapist’s husband.  Does seem reasonable what Joel did.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale:  Well, that solves the whole love triangle festering for the last couple seasons.  Though the one thing they are going to have a hard time resolving is how the Aunt Lydia becomes the same Aunt Lydia in the log line for the spin-off.  How is she still doing this after everything that happened in this episode?

 

Survivor:  I loved when Eva called out Kyle as just another boring lawyer cosplaying as a teacher, playing the middle.  Unfortunately, the jury went with the boring winner.  Do they not realize they could have gone down as a memorable season if they had picked a memorable winner, not one we have seen many times before?  Yawn.

 

Hacks:  Um, so where do they go from here?  Does Deborah become Ava’s mouthpiece?  Does Ava have a non-compete clause?  Though, it would be reasonable if that guy gets fired for covering up an abusive star and his replacement tears up the non-compete clause.  I also would no be surprised if he gets fired and they hire Deborah back.