Around the Tubes: December 6, 2024

 I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Rivals, Chad Power, A Thousand Blows, Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts, Elton John, Wicked, Ella Eyre, Becca Hannah, and Devon Thompson.

- Hulu has released the first images from the highly anticipated second season of the Emmy and BAFTA award-winning “Rivals.” The UK Original returns in 2026 on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, in the US and Disney+ internationally.

- Hulu Original comedy series “Chad Powers” has been renewed for a second season. Glen Powell will return as the titular character.  The series is based on the “Eli’s Places” segment from ESPN and Omaha Productions, where Eli Manning disguised himself in prosthetics to participate in a walk-on tryout at Penn State.  Season one stars Glen Powell as Russ Holliday/Chad Powers, Perry Mattfeld as Ricky, Quentin Plair as Coach Byrd, Wynn Everett as Tricia Yeager, Frankie A. Rodriguez as Danny and Steve Zahn as Coach Jake Hudson.

- Check out the official trailer and key art for "Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts"  The latest special in the Hularious stand-up slate premieres Friday, December 19th on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, in the US, and on Disney+ internationally.

- Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty and Stephen Graham reunite for the dawn of a new era as “A Thousand Blows” returns its highly anticipated second season. Check out the new trailer below!  The critically acclaimed series from creator Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”) returns on January 9, 2026 on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

- Elton John’s festive classic “Step Into Christmas” has officially been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), recognizing more than one million certified units in the United States.  Originally released on November 23, 1973, “Step Into Christmas” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart in the US. Over the past decade, the song has cemented its place as a seasonal favorite, spending a total of 44 weeks to date on the Billboard Holiday Airplay chart and re-entering the UK charts every December since 2011. During the 2020–21 winter season, it achieved its highest UK chart position to date at No.8. In 2023, exactly fifty years after its release, the single was certified Triple Platinum by the BPI. Listen to “Step Into Christmas” HERE.

- Republic Records and Verve Records proudly present the release of Wicked: For Good (Original Motion Picture Score), available everywhere today. The album features the expansive, emotionally charged original score from Universal Pictures’ Wicked: For Good, composed by Academy Award^® and GRAMMY^® nominee John Powell and GRAMMY^® and Academy Award^® winner Stephen Schwartz, the legendary composer-lyricist of the Wicked stage musical.  Following last year’s critically acclaimed Wicked: The Original Motion Picture Score—recently nominated for two GRAMMY^® Awards (Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media and Best Instrumental Composition for “Train to Emerald City”)—Powell and Schwartz return with a sweeping musical journey that underscores the epic conclusion of the untold story of the witches of Oz.

-  One of the UK’s most talented and distinctive voices, Ella Eyre, today announces shows at The Blue Note in New York and Los Angeles for February 2026. The news comes on the back of the release of her new album, everything, in time - out now via Play It Again Sam. Tickets for the shows go on general sale this Friday, December 5.  A decade after her Top 4 debut Feline and countless high-octane collaborations, Ella finally unveils a body of work that is as unfiltered, fearless, and fully-formed as she is. A self-curated collection of 15 songs, everything, in time sees the London-born powerhouse step into a sound that is rooted in rich soul, bold R&B, retro funk, and emotional truth.  Stream the new album everything, in time.

-  LA via Boston soulful/R&B singer-songwriter Becca Hannah shares glittering, cozy tune, "Thick & Thin" ft. Ari Lachenauer out now, alongside the colorful visual. On January 23, the artist will share her soft, glossy debut album Tonight In My Dreams, available for pre-save now.  "Thick & Thin" explores the warmth, joy and innocence of partnership once the honeymoon phase ends. Hannah shares the song developed after a discussion of choosing your partner even in the midst of growing pains and uncertainties. Hannah says, "While jamming on my porch, Tristan showed me a new song seed with a soulful, mo-town inspired guitar lick. It sounded like a cozy yet invigorating Sunday morning. We were having this discussion about the nuances of relationships after the honeymoon phase simmers, and the beauty of choosing your partner even in the midst of growing pains and uncertainties. Those testing moments encourage vulnerability and deepen connection, which is how we can truly expand and thrive.”  Listen: "Thick & Thin"

- Alternative indie artist Devon Thompson unveils her spellbinding new single and music video, “Hunger,” a shimmering dream-world creation born from loneliness, longing, and the ache of modern city life and recorded at the legendary Teatro in Oxnard, CA, home to iconic sessions from Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Emmylou Harris. “Hunger” marks Thompson’s most intimate and sonically lush release yet.  Blending bright, airy tones inspired by The Smiths and The Sundays with an undercurrent of emotional unrest, “Hunger” explores the painful irony of feeling most alone when surrounded by people.   LISTEN & WATCH