Around the Tubes: 11/9/2018

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 The Family Business: Trump and Taxes, Dollface, MythBusters Jr, John Mellencamp, Matt Nathanson, Anthony Hamilton, Hailee Steinfeld, Brooke Moriber, Hudson Thames, A Murder in Mansfield, and Catfish: The TV Show.

- Showtime is offering the documentary short film The Family Business: Trump and Taxes for free online and across multiple platforms. Directed by Emmy® nominee Jenny Carchman and produced by Oscar® nominees Liz Garbus and Justin Wilkes of The Fourth Estate, the film follows a team of New York Times investigative reporters through their diligent and intense efforts in uncovering the information that led to this exclusive report. The film is now available for online sampling on YouTube, Facebook and SHO.com. It is also rolling out across multiple television and streaming providers’ devices, websites, applications and authenticated online services and their free On Demand channels.

- Today Hulu announced a 10-episode series order for Dollface, a new comedy from ABC Signature Studios. The new Hulu Original Series will star actress Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls), who is also set to executive produce the comedy alongside Creator and Writer Jordan Weiss (Harley Quinn) and Showrunner Ira Ungerleider. Additional executive producers include Margot Robbie, Brett Hedblom and Tom Ackerley for LuckyChap Entertainment; Bryan Unkeless and Scott Morgan for Clubhouse Pictures; Nicole King and Stephanie Laing (Vice Principals). Matt Spicer (Ingrid Goes West) will executive produce and direct the first episode.

- Adam Savage will return to television as host and executive producer of MythBusters Jr., when the new Science Channel series premieres on Wednesday, January 2 at 9:00. For the ten-episode series Savage has teamed-up with six of the nation’s leading young ‘makers’, robotics wizzes, builders, and inventors, all under the age of 16, who show off their amazing ingenuity and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) skills.

- John Mellencamp announces the preorder for his 24th album, Other People’s Stuff [Republic Records], available everywhere on Friday, December 7th. Pre-order Other People’s Stuff HERE.

- Tune in Friday, November 9 at 9:00 to watch the broadcast premiere of the concert special “Matt Nathanson” on AT&T* AUDIENCE Network via DIRECTV Ch 239. The show will also be available streaming on-demand through DIRECTV NOW and WatchTV.

- Iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum-selling R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Anthony Hamilton is using his voice to speak out about the importance of the 2018 midterm elections and he’s doing so through a timely new song and music video via ESSENCE.com. “Love Conquers All” tackles tough, uncomfortable subjects like gun control, criminal justice reform, and prioritizing education,” Hamilton tells ESSENCE. “An artist has two choices. Stay quiet, or use your voice.”

- Academy Award®-nominated actress and multiplatinum recording artist Hailee Steinfeld releases Back To Life, from the upcoming motion picture Bumblebee. Get it HERE via Republic Records.

- Songwriter and ex-Broadway singer Brooke Moriber has released the title track of her upcoming Cry Like A Girl LP, recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, with legendary producer Fred Mollin (Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Shawn Colvin) at the helm. The song is a powerful country-pop cut that showcases Brooke's powerhouse vocal delivery and lyrics that challenge what it means to "cry like a girl". Watch The Last Goodbye.

- Singer, songwriter, and modern renaissance man Hudson Thames drops the video for his brand new single “Last Call” today via Republic Records. Watch HERE.

- Two-time Oscar®-winning director Barbara Kopple has partnered with America’s leading true-crime network, Investigation Discovery (ID) to explore the legacy of the notorious 1989 murder of Noreen Boyle in Mansfield, Ohio in the new documentary, A Murder in Mansfield. The film chronicles Noreen’s son Collier’s journey for answers and peace in the aftermath of his mother’s death nearly three decades ago. A A Murder in Mansfield will have its national television debut exclusively on Investigation Discovery on November 17, 2018 at 9:00.

– MTV today announced that new episodes of Catfish: The TV Show will premiere on Wednesday, November 28th at 9:00. “Catfish’s” next chapter will attempt the impossible: finding someone to replace longtime co-host Max Joseph. The explosive eight new episodes will feature Nev Schulman as he auditions actors, athletes and influencers to help him track down online daters and bring them face-to-face for the first time.

Around the Tubes: 11/2/2018

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 Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Beastie Boys, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Maggie Lindemann, Sigrid, America's Mississippi, Shut up and Dribble, Our Cartoon President: Election Special 2018, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Looking for Alaska, and Common Knowledge.

- Showtime has announced the next chapter of the Penny Dreadful saga with Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. John Logan, creator, writer and executive producer of the Emmy nominated series Penny Dreadful, will continue in those same roles. Joining him as an executive producer will be Michael Aguilar (Kidding). Production is expected to begin in 2019. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.

- Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch Played a 15-Year-Long Prank on Ad-Rock:


- Ahead of the midterm elections on Tuesday, November 6, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee will air a bonus episode on Monday, November 5 covering local political races to make one final plea to viewers to please, for the love of God, vote. On Wednesday, November 7, the show will unpack the results of the elections and air footage taken at the polls. Both episodes will air on TBS at 10:30.

- After over 700 million career streams to date, rising alterna-pop icon Maggie Lindemann takes a refreshingly new personal approach with her new track ‘Human’. Maggie’s gift for elegantly crafted modernist pop remains in check, as does her ability to write melodic hooks which immediately embed themselves in the memory. But as the chorus sinks in (“I wish I was human, I wish that I could see shit like you do, where it’s sunny all the time but it’s useless, and if you saw through my eyes you’d understand why”), it’s clear that she’s exploring her personal challenges with mental health struggles.


- New video ‘Sucker Punch’ cements the Norwegian star Sigrid’s rise to pop prominence. Directed by AB/CD/CD the video is a confident, spontaneous, authentic pop-tastic visual.


- Smithsonian Channel turns its lens on the mighty Mississippi, a leviathan that carves through the American landscape and shapes the nation like no other river, in a new, visually stunning three-part series, America's Mississippi. Connecting the east to the west, the country to the city and America to the world, this iconic river supports and challenges both humans and animals – beginning as a mere trickle, beating through the heartland and becoming a wild force as it drives south toward the Gulf of Mexico. Filmed in ultra-high definition to reveal the true beauty of the river, the series captures the extraordinary abundance and diversity of wildlife that lives along North America’s greatest waterway. America's Mississippi premieres Wednesday, December 5 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- Narrated by acclaimed sports journalist and commentator Jemele Hill, the highly-anticipated three-part documentary series Shut up and Dribble is a powerful inside look at the changing role of NBA athletes through the lens of our shifting cultural and political environment. Hill is among one of the many luminaries featured in the documentary that includes former NBA players, executives, sports journalists and pop-culture icons. Shut up and Dribble is directed by Gotham Chopra and executive produced by LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Chopra.


- Just ahead of one of the most consequential midterm elections of our time, the Showtime animated series OUR CARTOON PRESIDENT takes a look at the political field in an expanded election special on Sunday, November 4 at 10:30 on Showtime. Our Cartoon President: Election Special 2018 focuses on Cartoon Trump’s deepening concerns about what he fears is a coming Democratic “Blue Wave” and his possible impeachment.

- Hulu announced that Jessica Williams, Nikesh Patel, Rebecca Rittenhouse and John Reynolds have been cast in the upcoming limited romantic comedy series Four Weddings and a Funeral.

- As announced by John Green via twitter, Hulu is excited to confirm that our leads for Looking for Alaska have been cast – Kristine Froseth as ‘Alaska Young’ and Charlie Plummer as ‘Miles Halter.’

- Game Show Network, the leader in game shows and competitive entertainment, has added Joey Fatone (*NSYNC, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) as host of its new knowledge-based game show, Common Knowledge. The new half-hour series will premiere January 14 at 5:30 p.m. ET and will air Monday through Friday.

Around the Tubes: 10/26/2018

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 The Lost Tapes, Ariana Grande, The Avett Brothers, Van Morrison, Summer Walker, White Lies, Ne-Yo, and streaming on Turner.

- Smithsonian Channel’s hit series The Lost Tapes returns this fall with all new episodes, transporting viewers back in time to relive iconic moments in American history. From the chaos of the 2002 sniper shootings in Washington, D.C. and catastrophic super tornado outbreak of 1974 to the harrowing and heroic Apollo 13 mission, The Lost Tapes retells these unforgettable stories solely through contemporary footage, audio recordings and news reports. The effect is like channel-surfing through history – live, as it happens. As viewers experience the story break, rare and never-before-broadcast materials, seen exclusively in the series, add new depth and dimension to the screaming headlines, capturing the mood and instant reactions of Americans who found themselves, suddenly, a part of history. Beginning with the previously announced TET OFFENSIVE episode on Sunday, November 18, The Lost Tapes continues airing new installments on Sundays at 9:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- Multiplatinum, record-breaking superstar Ariana Grande announces the first leg of The Sweetener World Tour. American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Thursday, November 1 at 10am local time through Saturday, November 3 at 10pm local time. Get Sweetener HERE.

- The Avett Brothers took the stage on Late Night with Seth Meyers to debut a new soon to be released song “Roses and Sacrifice.” Watch HERE. The Grammy-nominated band is set to headline the Concert for Hurricane Florence Relief at Minges Coliseum in Greenville, NC on Tuesday November 13th. The Avett Brothers recently released their Red Rocks dates (July 5-7) for 2019, see full tour dates HERE.

- Van Morrison releases a new track - Got To Go Where The Love Is – on all digital platforms today (25th October 2018). Listen to Got To Go Where The Love Is here.

- Critically acclaimed Atlanta songstress Summer Walker releases her full-length debut, Last Day of Summer [LVRN/Interscope Records]. Get it HERE. She preceded the album with the buzzing singles “CPR”which racked up nearly 8 million Spotify streams and “Girls Need Love” with over 5.4 million Spotify streams. The music video for the latter eclipsed 3 million YouTube Views in under a month and surpassed 4 million to date.

- Following news of their forthcoming album Five, today White Lies are pleased to share new track "Believe It" alongside its lyric video. Watch it HERE. To be released on February 1, 2019 through [PIAS] Recordings, Five sees the trio return following its predecessor, 2016’s Friends, while marking the tenth anniversary since their inception.

- Tune in Friday, October 26 at 9:00p ET/PT to watch the broadcast premiere of the concert special
“NE-YO” on AT&T* AUDIENCE Network via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114. The show will also be available streaming on-demand through DIRECTV NOW and WatchTV.

- What's streaming in November on tntdrama.com, the TNT App, tbs.com and the TBS App:
Step Brothers: Streaming 11/1 - 11/30
The DUFF: Streaming 11/1 - 11/30
My Best Friend's Wedding : Streaming 11/1 - 11/30
Sully: Streaming 11/12 - 12/11
Jurassic Park: Streaming 11/1 - 11/15
The Hunger Games saga: Streaming 11/1 - 11/30

Around the Tubes: 10/19/2018

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 The Real World, Anthony Hamilton, Kansas, Mr Little Jeans, HONEYHONEY, America in Color, Cover Story, TEAMCOCOHOUSE, M.D. Live, and Black Monday.

- MTV Studios, a unit of Viacom’s (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) MTV, announced today a partnership with Facebook Watch to reimagine the groundbreaking series MTV’s The Real World for three all new seasons debuting Spring 2019. Drawing on Facebook’s global platform, the new seasons will be native productions in Mexico, Thailand and the United States, respectively, to explore friendship, and the cultural and social environment in each. Available exclusively on Facebook Watch, the new seasons will introduce interactive social and community features that empower fans to shape the action and connect across mobile, desktop and Facebook's TV app.

- Iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum-selling R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Anthony Hamilton made a stop by his hometown radio station WUNC for a candid conversation. The Interview, which lasted for about 48 minutes, touched on few topics regarding Hamilton's thoughts on being married, not being the star of the church choir, racism and more. Check out the full interview on WUNC.org.

- America’s preeminent progressive rock band, KANSAS, will be touring select cities in the United States and Canada next spring, expanding the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of their massive hit album Point of Know Return. For the first time in history, the band is performing the album Point of Know Return in its entirety. The tour showcases more than two hours of classic KANSAS music including hit songs, deep cuts, and fan favorites. Tickets and KANSAS VIP Packages for most dates go on sale to the general public Friday, October 19, 2018. Ticket information can be found at kansasband.com.

- Norway's Mr Little Jeans (Monica Birkenes) returns today with her politically charged track, "Unfollow", premiering on THE FADER. With glitchy textures and a slow-building bass line, the song has a breezy aesthetic, but carries a darker narrative that tells of the now LA based artist's political frustrations. She explains - "Lyrically, Unfollow was something that had been rummaging around my head ever since Trump got elected. The sinking feeling of this new, horrid reality is something I'll never forget. I was completely unprepared for even the possibility of this happening, let alone how deeply this would depress and affect me. It brought to a harsh light how much of a bubble my closest and I had been living in."

- CBS Television Studios released this week the soundtrack for Season 1 of their hit TBS comedy series The Guest Book. Available everywhere, Season 1: Live at Chubby's features an 11 track collection of cover songs and new original songs written and performed by the critically acclaimed Americana duo HONEYHONEY. Comprised of Benjamin Jaffe and Suzanne Santo, who also have recurring roles in the show, HONEYHONEY were approached by Executive Producer Greg Garcia (My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope) and Music Supervisor Jonathan Leahy (Girls, Mr. Robot) to write several songs for the series, along with the award-winning theme song "Fine By Me", and were eventually cast as actors as well. After it's debut season last year, The Guest Book became the highest rated new comedy show on cable reaching more than 3 million viewers per episode. The New York Times raved "Helping considerably: the music of the alt-country blues duo HONEYHONEY, which is smartly deployed throughout the series." Watch the video for "Arrow of Love" HERE.

- Smithsonian Channel continues putting the color back into history, restoring it to life with the return of America in Color. Season two dives even deeper into historical archives, private collections and home movies, digitizing over 23 miles of footage, in search of the people, places and moments – big and small – that helped define the 20th century. Through rare imagery of the birth of American traditions like the Girl Scouts and the first Indianapolis 500 to in-game footage of the infamous 1919 Black Sox World Series and even the legendary Rockefeller family’s own home movies, the series continues to use startlingly detailed restoration and colorization to bridge the decades and present history as it was lived – in color. Building on the decade-by-decade approach of season one, season two captures the country’s explosive transformation: the men and women who drove it, its impact on the land and society at large, and the birth of a mass culture that we still recognize today. From the Golden Age of Hollywood to the Wild West and organized crime, the new season explores some of the most significant moments in American history, now in color for the first time. AMERICA IN COLOR returns Sunday, November 18 at 8:00.

- Tune-in Sunday evening to explore the incredible stories of contestants who won the largest prizes and had the most memorable wins on some of the most popular and beloved game shows. From Ken Jennings’ record 74-game-winning streak on “Jeopardy!” to Caitlyn Burke guessing a 27-letter “Wheel of Fortune” phrase with just one letter, to Georgia School Superintendent Kathy Cox winning $1 Million on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” this Cover Story will go in depth with never-before-seen interviews of TV’s greatest contestants and delve into the effects of the winnings on their life - what they did with their huge prizes and where they are now.

- Team Coco and TBS are bringing back the successful comedy pop-up which launched last July at San Diego Comic-Con. TEAMCOCOHOUSE will open its doors as part of the 15th annual New York Comedy Festival, on Wednesday, November 7th at SONY HALL, 235 W 46th St New York, NY 10036. The newest version of TEAMCOCOHOUSE will showcase a daily lineup handpicked by Conan – stand-ups, podcasts, musical acts, magicians, a talk show, and special appearances by friends of Team Coco, as well as O’Brien himself.

- On the heels of the 10 episode series order of M.D. Live (working title), the groundbreaking, live, factual series that seeks solutions worldwide for people with medical mysteries and crises who are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, Turner today announced that renowned, award-winning journalist Ann Curry has signed on to anchor and executive produce. The innovative show that will tap into the worldwide phenomenon of medical crowdsourcing is co-produced by Turner and Lionsgate Television.

- The new SHOWTIME comedy Black Monday is adding to its guest star lineup with Emmy® and two-time Oscar® nominee Bruce Dern (Big Love), Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) and Horatio Sanz (Saturday Night Live, Glow) signing on, along with Julie Hagerty (Airplane, Instant Family), Vanessa Bell Calloway (SHAMELESS, Saints & Sinners), Tim Russ (iCarly) and Jason Michael Snow (Book of Mormon). The 10-episode series is executive produced and stars Emmy® nominated and Golden Globe® winning actor Don Cheadle and stars two-time Tony® Award nominee and Grammy® winner Andrew Rannells (Girls) and Regina Hall (Girls Trip). Paul Scheer (The League) also stars. Creators David Caspe (Happy Endings) and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend’s Girl) serve as executive producers and showrunners. Emmy nominees Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Preacher, Superbad) are executive producers and directed the pilot. Currently in production, BLACK MONDAY will premiere in January.

Around the Tubes: 10/12/2018

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 Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Enemies: The President, Justice and the FBI, The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Keb’ Mo’ and Rosanne Cash, Meg Myers, Finesse Mitchell: The Spirit Told Me to Tell You, Fair Game with Kristine Leahy, Kidding, Raised By Wolves, Misery Index, The Wild Andes, China From Above, Naomi Watts, Too Stupid To Die, and M.D. Live.

- Hulu has given a straight-to-series order to Wu-Tang: An American Saga. The upcoming drama series created and written by Alex Tse (SuperFly) and Wu-Tang Clan front man The RZA, has received a 10-episode order from Hulu and will be executive produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer (Empire, Genius) and Francie Calfo (Empire, Genius), Wu-Tang Clan’s The RZA and Method Man, and Tse. Imagine Television creative executive James Seidman will oversee the project for Imagine. Based on one of the most influential and important groups in hip-hop history, the series marks the latest high-profile original series order from Hulu that aims to deliver authentic, culturally-relevant storytelling to today’s audiences. The series will explore and expand the world of the Wu-Tang clan, and marks Hulu’s second project with Brian Grazer’s Imagine following the Emmy and Grammy Award winning documentary, The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years.

- As the ongoing clashes between the Trump administration, the Department of Justice and the FBI continue to make headlines, Showtime will premiere a new documentary series from Oscar and Emmy award-winning director Alex Gibney. Enemies: The President, Justice and the FBI will provide an in-depth look into the long history of conflict between American presidents and the FBI. The four-part documentary series will premiere its first episode on Showtime on Sunday, November 18 at 8:00.


- The Avett Brothers will headline “Concert for Hurricane Florence Relief” at Minges Coliseum on Tuesday, November 13th, 2018. Future Islands and Valient Thorr, both illustrious bands with connections to eastern North Carolina, will perform in the benefit show. Tickets -- $75 Lower level and $65 --Upper level go on sale on Friday, October 12th at https://ecutickets.net and by phone at 800-DIAL-ECU (800-342-5328). Proceeds from the concert will entirely be donated back to the resilient people and organizations contributing to Hurricane Florence Relief efforts.

- On the one-year anniversary of his passing, The Lumineers today release their version of Tom Petty's Walls. "Tom Petty is a musical hero of mine, and Walls is such an incredible song," shares the band's Wesley Schultz, continuing "When I got married, my wife walked down the aisle to the song." All proceeds from the song will benefit MusiCares, a charity of the Recording Academy™, which provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need.

- Keb’ Mo’ and Rosanne Cash have released the official music video for their timely anthem song, "Put A Woman In Charge," an upbeat track with a timely message about female empowerment and embracing women in leadership roles. Following the recent passing of his mother, Mo’ hopes the track can be a gift to women everywhere, that were like his mom; intelligent, hard-working, savvy, and resilient.

- MTV yesterday confirmed that Academy Award®-nominated actress and recording artist Hailee Steinfeld will host and perform at the “2018 MTV EMAs” airing live globally from Bilbao Exhibition Centre, Spain on Sunday, November 4 at 7:00. MTV revealed Steinfeld as host this morning through a Facebook Live sketch that broadcasted across its international platforms.

- Meg Myers arrives to today with her brooding and powerful visuals for her song, "Jealous Sea," premiering exclusively on Refinery29. The video was directed by Clara Aranovich, who also directed the video for "Numb", and sees Meg walking the streets of Los Angeles at night, as she slowly embraces her inner powers and wild side. Clara elaborated on the visuals- "Anyone who’s seen Meg perform live can attest that she has incredible presence; it’s as if she becomes someone or something else all together, as if she’s channeling odd forces. For JEALOUS SEA, I was compelled to make something that showcases this side of Meg, this power she has, a power I feel all women secretly hold."

- Finesse Mitchell takes the stage in his first stand-up special Finesse Mitchell: The Spirit Told Me to Tell You, premiering on Friday, October 19 at 10:00 on Showtime on-air, streaming and on demand. In the hour-long special directed by Devon Shepard and shot at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California, the Saturday Night Live alum discusses everything from L.A. life and staying out of the club to juggling the non-stop demands of marriage, fatherhood and “adult-ing.”


- FOX Sports announced the premiere of Fair Game with Kristine Leahy on Monday, Oct. 22 (5:30 PM ET) on FS1. The network’s new weekday sports show features host Leahy in conversations with the biggest names in sports and entertainment.

- Showtime has ordered a second season of its comedy series Kidding, starring two time Golden Globe® winner and Emmy® nominee Jim Carrey in his first series regular role in more than two decades. Ordered for 10 episodes next season, Kidding is created by Dave Holstein (WEEDS, Raising Hope). The first season of Kidding currently airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with its season finale on November 11.

- Turner's TNT has greenlit straight to series Raised By Wolves, a serialized sci-fi series from master storyteller and filmmaker Ridley Scott (The Martian, Blade Runner, Alien: Covenant), who will also mark his television directorial debut with the series. Acclaimed writer Aaron Guzikowski, the visionary behind the highly lauded film Prisoners, will serve as showrunner as well as a writer. The series is being produced by Scott's Scott Free Productions in association with Turner's Studio T and Madhouse Entertainment, with Scott, Guzikowski, David W. Zucker (The Man in the High Castle) and Jordan Sheehan (The Terror), and Madhouse Entertainment’s Adam Kolbrenner (Prisoners) and Robyn Meisinger (Prisoners) serving as executive producers. The International rights to the series will be distributed through Turner International. Raised by Wolves centers upon two androids tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. As the burgeoning colony of humans threatens to be torn apart by religious differences the androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a treacherous and difficult task.

- Turner’s TBS has ordered the comedy game show Misery Index, a new unscripted series inspired by the outrageously entertaining card game Sh*t Happens. Critically acclaimed and in demand comedy troupe The Tenderloins — Brian “Q” Quinn, James “Murr” Murray, Joe Gatto and Sal Vulcano — creators and stars of truTV’s Impractical Jokers, cable’s #1 original comedy series, have joined the series to help infuse comic relief. The game will feature two teams — each consisting of one contestant and two Tenderloins. Teams will compete against each other by attempting to determine the ranking of hilarious and miserable real-life events — from getting fired to accidentally sexting your grandfather — on a scale of 1-100.

- For more than three years, filmmaker Christian Baumeister and his intrepid team braved volcanic peaks, caustic lagoons, dense tropical forests and lightning-strewn salt flats to capture the remarkable diversity of life and landscape found in the Andes Mountains. Traveling to six countries and covering more than 20,000 miles by off-road vehicle, they faced extreme challenges as they ventured to seldom explored locations in search of some of the world’s rarest creatures. The Wild Andes showcases this spectacular region and its animal inhabitants in striking detail with a new three-part series, premiering Wednesday, November 7 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- A country of staggering contrasts, China is home to the world’s highest mountains, arid deserts, bustling megacities, the ruins of ancient civilizations and the source of Asia’s biggest rivers. Now, a new four-part series from Smithsonian Channel reveals the secrets and patterns of life in traditional and modern China in stunning ultra-high definition, portraying 40 locations across all four corners of the country. Through a combination of innovative aerial photography and on-the-ground human stories, China From Above showcases this breathtaking nation like never before and reveals a country that has long fascinated and mystified. China From Above premieres Monday, November 12 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- Showtime has announced that Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated actress Naomi Watts has joined the cast of the network’s upcoming eight-episode limited series about Fox News founder Roger Ailes. Based on extensive reporting by Gabriel Sherman for his bestselling book, The Loudest Voice in the Room, the series stars Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind) in the title role. Crowe also serves as an executive producer on the series. Emmy® nominee Kari Skogland (The Handmaid’s Tale) will direct the first two episodes. Production is set to begin next month.

- MTV, in conjunction with Gunpowder & Sky, today announced that its new stunt series Too Stupid To Die will premiere on Friday, November 2nd at 9:30. The highly anticipated series, developed with Zach Holmes, the online sensation and daredevil who was banned by YouTube, will feature bizarre pranks, hilarious antics and outrageous stunts.

- Turner announced M.D. Live (working title), the first live, non-fiction series that taps into the worldwide phenomenon of medical crowdsourcing. The two-hour weekly event set to premiere in 2019 will feature patients battling various ailments that are undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or uncured. A recurring panel of highly accredited doctors will discuss potential diagnoses before throwing live to the crowd for additional feedback, solutions and support. TNT has ordered 10 episodes of the series from Lionsgate Television.

Around the Tubes: 10/5/2018

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 Marvel’s Runaways, Black Monday, Escape at Dannemora, The Family Business: Trump and Taxes, Rod Stewart, Cover Story, Vanessa Hudgens, Her, Gun Tracks of Vietnam, FOX Sports Films, and Shut Up and Dribble.

The official teaser for Hulu’s Marvel’s Runaways season 2 is now available! All episodes of season 2 will be available to steam on December 21st.


- Showtime has released a provocative first look at its new comedy series Black Monday, starring and executive produced by Emmy® nominated and Golden Globe winning actor Don Cheadle and starring two-time Tony Award nominee and Grammy® winner Andrew Rannells (Girls) and Regina Hall (Girls Trip). The series was created by David Caspe (Happy Endings) and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend’s Girl), who will serve as executive producers and showrunners. Emmy nominees Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Preacher, Superbad), who will also executive produce, directed the pilot.


- Showtime has unveiled the posters and a behind-the-scenes video for Escape at Dannemora. The seven-part limited series stars Academy Award® winners Benicio Del Toro (Traffic) and Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), and Golden Globe® nominee Paul Dano (Love & Mercy, There Will Be Blood), and is executive produced and directed by Emmy® winner Ben Stiller. Escape at Dannemora is based on the stranger-than-fiction prison break in upstate New York in the summer of 2015 which spawned a statewide manhunt for two convicted murderers, aided in their escape by a married female prison employee who reportedly carried on months-long affairs with both men. The series will premiere on November 18 at 10:00


- On the heels of The New York Times' breaking news story revealing new information about President Trump’s financial history, SHOWTIME has announced The Family Business: Trump and Taxes, a new documentary short film directed by Emmy® nominee Jenny Carchman and produced by Oscar® nominees Liz Garbus and Justin Wilkes of The Forth Estate. The film follows a team of New York Times investigative reporters through their diligent and intense efforts in uncovering the information that led to this exclusive report. The Family Business: Trump and Taxes will premiere this Sunday, October 7 at 8:30 on Showtime, after an all new episode of The Circus.

- Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rod Stewart will release his 30th solo album Blood Red Roses, which critics and fans around the world are raving about experiencing as a complete album collection today and live in concerts during Stewart’s sold-out North American summer tour. Released last week by Republic Records in the U.S. on CD, vinyl, digital download and across streaming platforms, Blood Red Roses’ release has been heralded by first single “Didn’t I,” which scored Stewart his 23rd Top 10 Hit on the Billboard AC airplay chart.

- Game Show Network’s Cover Story, a one-hour documentary series that looks at the fascinating personalities, memorable moments and outrageous scandals in and around the most popular games and shows of all time will return to Sundays this fall at 7 p.m. ET, beginning on October 21 with Cover Story: Game Show Super Contestants.

- Los Angeles-based electronic duo Phantoms (aka Kyle Kaplan and Vinnie Pergola), alongside superstar actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens, release the official music video for new single “Lay With Me” today. The music video is inspired by the history of friendship between Phantoms and Vanessa, giving a wink to the TV/Film phenomenon, High School Musical.


- Her unveils the live video for “Neighborhood” filmed at Studio La Fabrique in Paris—watch and share HERE! The video, directed by Rodrigue Huart, is part of the upcoming film “Are You Still Here” set for release this November.


- Smithsonian Channel is set to honor American veterans this November with two premieres offering unique perspectives and new insights on crucial aspects of the Vietnam War. One-hour special Gun Tracks of Vietnam premieres Sunday, November 11 at 9:00 and explores the ingenuity of American servicemen and the ongoing legacy of one of America’s fiercest fighting units. The following Sunday, November 18 at 9:00, The Lost Tapes returns with Tet Offensive, bringing to life a defining moment of the Vietnam War. Both premieres feature rare audio and exclusive never-before-televised 8mm films – some shot directly by soldiers during combat.

- This month, FOX Sports Films, in association with Major League Baseball, expands the company’s coverage of America’s pastime with documentaries, honoring legendary player moments from Kirk Gibson, Jim Abbott, and Aaron Boone. The three one-hour films air throughout the month of October as FOX Sports also delivers the Major League Baseball Playoffs starting at 5:00 pm ET with National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 1 Thursday, Oct. 4 on FS1. The announcement was made by Charlie Dixon, EVP, Content at FOX Sports. The first documentary, Walk-Off Stories: Improbably Gibson, debuts Sunday, Oct. 7 at 11:30 pm ET on FS1 following the MLB on FS1 postgame coverage. Set Apart: The Jim Abbott Story premieres Sunday, Oct. 14 on FOX. Walk-Off Stories: From a Battle to a War airs Sunday, Oct. 21 on FOX.

- Showtime has announced the airdate for its upcoming docu-series Shut Up and Dribble, with the first episode premiering on Saturday, November 3 at 9:00 on Showtime on-air, streaming and on demand. The remaining two episodes will continue at 9:00 on Saturday, November 10 and Saturday, November 17. Narrated by acclaimed sports journalist and commentator Jemele Hill, the three-part documentary series is a powerful inside look at the changing role of NBA athletes through the lens of our shifting cultural and political environment. Hill is among one of the many luminaries featured in the documentary that includes former NBA players, executives, sports journalists and pop-culture icons. SHUT UP AND DRIBBLE is directed by Gotham Chopra and executive produced by LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Chopra. To watch and share a first look from the docu-series, go to: https://s.sho.com/2OsUXt2.

Around the Tubes: 9/28/2018

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 The Circus, Cucuy: The Boogeyman, High Voltage, Lenny Kravitz, Noah Kahan, CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion, 2018 American Music Awards, The Lost Tapesand whata is streaming on TNT and TBS.

- On the eve of a highly anticipated hearing regarding charges of sexual misconduct swirling around Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, new accuser Julie Swetnick gave her first and only TV interview since leveling shocking allegations against Kavanaugh to John Heilemann, co-host of The Circus on Showtime. Swetnick is the first Kavanaugh accuser to speak on camera.


- Hybrid Entertainment's upcoming original movie, Cucuy: The Boogeyman, scheduled to premiere on SyFy on Saturday, October 13th (7p/6p CT) is a timely twist on the indelible legend of a story young children are told by their mothers about a Latin American boogeyman known as the Cucuy who would come at night to snatch misbehaving children and take them back to his cave to be eaten.


- SP Releasing will release writer/director Alex Keledjian’s horror thriller High Voltage, set within the gritty and competitive Los Angeles music scene, releasing in limited theaters and on-demand on Friday, October 19th through SP Releasing’s output deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film will open in at least ten cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, and more, and will also be available on all major digital platforms same day. DVD and Blu-Ray release will follow November 20th.
Written, produced and directed by Alex Keledjian (Project Greenlight; FEAST), the film stars David Arquette (SCREAM 1-4; EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS), Allie Gonino (The Red Road; GEOGRAPHY CLUB), Perrey Reeves (Entourage; OLD SCHOOL), and Luke Wilson (OLD SCHOOL; Roadies).

- Lenny Kravitz's first five albums - 1989's Let Love Rule, 1991's Mama Said, 1993's Are You Gonna Go My Way, 1995's Circus, and 1998's 5 - honored with an extensive vinyl reissue campaign courtesy of Virgin/UMe, with each release appearing on 2LP 180-gram black vinyl in addition to individualized limited-edition, color variants. Both the 2LP reissues and color variants for Mama Said, Are You Gonna Go My Way, Circus, and 5 are all available as of September 21, while Let Love Rule will kick off its 30th anniversary in style on November 30. Four of the five double-LP reissues also feature exceptional non-album tracks, many of them appearing on vinyl for the very first time.

- Today, global singer/songwriter sensation Noah Kahan unveils his latest single, “False Confidence,”—listen HERE. “False Confidence” sets the stage for further music to be released by Kahan this fall.

- Critically acclaimed German born pop iconoclast bülow releases brand new single “Two Punks In Love” today via Republic Records/ Wax Records. Listen HERE. Today, bülow also announces debut U.S. performances hitting the road to support Fickle Friends on a SOLD OUT tour this Fall.

- CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion reveals a compelling and often amusing look at the history of disability portrayals in entertainment. From the early days of silent films to present-day Hollywood blockbusters, this historic film takes a detailed look at the evolution of “disability” in entertainment over the last 120 years by going behind the scenes to interview celebrities, filmmakers, and studio executives. With heart and humor, CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion utilizes clips from Hollywood’s most beloved motion pictures and television programs to shine a light on how the media impacts society and the monumental effect these portrayals have on inclusion.


- dick clark productions and ABC yesterday announced an all-star lineup of soul and gospel legends who will come together to pay homage to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, at the “2018 American Music Awards.” Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans, friends of the late, luminary singer/songwriter, will take the AMAs stage for a moving tribute honoring Franklin’s gospel roots and iconic gospel album, Amazing Grace. Consulting Producer for the tribute is the Emmy Award®

- Twenty years later, in a country shaken by political unrest and the fight for gender equality, we’re still living with the legacy of the Clinton presidency. The 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton rocked the country to its core and set the stage for the next two decades of polarization and controversy in America. Now, a new episode of Smithsonian Channel’s critically acclaimed The Lost Tapes relives the scandal, using only contemporary film and audio to allow viewers to experience history without comment. The hour-long episode delves into the collective memory of America to pose the question: At a time when everyone took a side, would you take the same one now? The Lost Tapes: Clinton Impeachment airs Monday, October 29 at 9:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- Turner’s TNT has secured critically acclaimed and Emmy® Award-nominated writer and producer Frank Pugliese (House of Cards) to serve as showrunner for The Angel of Darkness, a new limited series based on the sequel to author Caleb Carr’s best-selling The Alienist. A huge critical and ratings success, The Alienist is a top 10 cable drama, having reached more than 50 million people across multiple platforms.

- What is streaming on TNT and TBS in October:
Star Wars saga: Episodes I through VI streaming 10/1-10/30
The Conjuring 2: Streaming 9/24 - 10/31
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Streaming 10/1 - 10/30
Frankenweenie: Streaming 10/1 - 10/31
The Interview: Streaming 10/1 - 12/31
Godzilla: Streaming 10/1 - 10/31

Around the Tubes: 9/21/2018

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 Veronica Mars, The Guest Book, Dark Money, Saved by the Bell, Top Ten Deadliest Beasts, Africa’s Hunters, Eryn Allen Kane, Ben Howard, Crash Test Dummies, Grown-ish, and Let Science Speak.

- Yesterday, Kristen Bell confirmed that Veronica Mars will return as part of the Hulu Originals slate in 2019 and that fans will be able to watch all past episodes on Hulu beginning in summer 2019.

- Greg Garcia’s anthology comedy series The Guest Book, which premiered as 2017’s #1 new cable comedy, returns to TBS on Tuesday, October 23 at 10:00 with back-to-back new episodes. Subsequent episodes will air on Tuesdays at 10:30. As planned with every new season of The Guest Book, season two features a new town, new series regulars, and new guest stars. In the small oceanside community of Mabel Beach, vacationers who stay at the Bare Feet Retreat record their confessions, alibis, and farewells in the cottage’s guest book. They are hosted by town locals Bodhi, Nikki and Tommy, played by series regulars Jimmy Tatro (American Vandal), Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black), and Dan Beirne (Fargo).


- Your vote can be bought, but at what cost? Dark Money follows local Montana journalist John S. Adams, who is determined to uncover the truth about funding in his state’s elections. The film gains insights over the course of three election cycles, as it solves an increasingly complicated and blurred puzzle. Dark Money traces Adams’ steps and sheds light on the grassroots movement to unveil the mysterious financing behind our elections. Dark Money has its national broadcast and streaming debut on the PBS documentary series POV and pov.org on Monday, October 1 at 10:00. (check local listings). POV is American television’s longest-running independent documentary series, now in its 31st season.

- It's a bummer that summer's over, but Shout! Factory starts the new school year off with a bang by unveiling the final list of bonus features for Saved by the Bell: The Complete Collection, a "Max-ed" out, completist's DVD set of the iconic and addictive '90s Saturday morning sitcom. On October 2nd, relive the laughter, lessons and love with Zack and his Bayside High Pals in the ultimate 16-disc collector's set of this iconic '90s sitcom, featuring every series episode and BRAND NEW Bonus Features, available now for pre-order at Amazon.com!

- An eight-foot Terror Bird with a head the size of a horse, a giant venomous lizard called Megalania and an aquatic scorpion the size of a human being. These aren’t fantasy creatures but rather some of the most brutal predators to ever walk the face of the Earth. Premiering Wednesday, October 24 at 8:00, Smithsonian Channel’s Top Ten Deadliest Beasts will count down the 10 most lethal animals in all of history, with computer-generated imagery showing these killers as they were in all their glory.

- Smithsonian Earth continues its epic journey through Zambia’s Luangwa Valley with all-new episodes of Africa’s Hunters. This stunning series takes viewers into the backyard of some of Africa’s greatest predators, following the lions, leopards, wild dogs and hyenas that call the region home. The second season picks up from where we left our amazing cast of characters just a year ago – checking in with the lonely lion cub Misfit of the Nsefu pride and introducing us to the new leopard queen Olimba, who’s taken over from Kamuti’s rule. Along the way, witness the triumphs of a hard-earned kill, the heartbreak of loss and the bonds of brotherhood that endure in the Luangwa Valley. Filmed with military-grade thermal cameras that allow the filmmakers to go unnoticed at night, Africa’s Hunters captures the every movement of these predators 24/7 over the course of several dedicated years. Viewers will get an unfiltered look into the lives of these amazing creatures like never seen before. New episodes are now available on Smithsonian Earth™, which is available on Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Android™ and at SmithsonianEarthTV.com.

- Critically acclaimed Detroit-raised and LA-based R&B singer and songwriter Eryn Allen Kane shares a new single entitled Feel The Need. Get it HERE. The song heralds the arrival of her forthcoming eight-track EP, Imperial Soul, arriving at all DSPs on September 28, 2018. Listen to Feel The Need HERE.

- Ben Howard returns today with three brand new songs, written and recorded during the sessions for his recently acclaimed third album, Noonday Dream. One of the new songs 'Hot Heavy Summer' features a collaboration with American electro pop duo Sylvan Esso, and last night featured as Annie Mac's Hottest Record on Radio 1. Listen to all three tracks here.

- Canadian rock band Crash Test Dummies will reunite for the first time in 17-years to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their seminal sophomore album God Shuffled His Feet. They will perform the album in its entirety as well as other fan favorites including “Superman’s Song” and “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead.” The north American tour launches November 23rd at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, MN and will feature the original line-up of Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts, and Mitch Dorge. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 21st at noon EST. Fans can get tickets on the official Crash Test Dummies website: crashtestdummies.com/#/tour.

- Freeform announced the start of production on season two of hit comedy series Grown-ish. Reprising his role as Doug is musical artist, rapper and actor Diggy Simmons in a recurring role for season two, quickly became a fandom favorite for his character’s relationship with Jazz Forster. Simmons recently released his latest single “It Is What It Is” and "Anchors" off of his highly-anticipated sophomore album that will be released later this fall.

- Let Science Speak is a six-part digital short documentary series about the importance of science in our ever-evolving world. Through intimate storytelling, Let Science Speak highlights not only what is at risk for our lives, our country, and our planet when science is under attack, but what that means for the humans behind the research, and the people behind the facts. The series goes beyond the "War on Science" headlines to humanize environmental scientists, illustrating how their work is intrinsically connected to personal values that many Americans hold dear, including innovation, health, faith, civic duty, class, race, and family. Let Science Speak will premiere during the 2018 Tribeca TV Festival on September 20th and will be available to watch at letsciencespeak.com.

Around the Tubes: 9/14/2018

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 Into The Dark, Discover and OWN on Hulu, John Mellencamp, Sir Rod Stewart, A Murder in Mansfield, The Circus, Los Comandos, and Towards the North.

- In partnership with Blumhouse Television, Into The Dark is a horror event series from prolific, award-winning producer, Jason Blum’s independent TV studio. The series includes 12 super-sized episodes, with a new installment released each month inspired by a holiday and will feature Blumhouse’s signature genre/thriller spin on the story.


- Discovery Inc. and Hulu today announced an expansive distribution agreement that will extend Discovery’s portfolio of high quality real life entertainment brands to Hulu’s on-demand and live TV subscription streaming services. The new partnership makes Hulu the #1 streaming home for popular unscripted series and reinforces Hulu’s commitment to offering programming the whole family can enjoy. Today’s multi-year agreement increases Hulu’s offering of top Discovery programming to nearly 4,000 episodes of popular shows including Deadliest Catch, MythBusters, Say Yes to the Dress, Naked and Afraid, Property Brothers, Gold Rush, Street Outlaws, Chopped, Chopped Jr., Fixer Upper, House Hunters and House Hunters International, available outside of Discovery’s networks exclusively to Hulu across all of its subscription plans.

- Concurrent with the Discovery partnership, Hulu reached a licensing agreement with OWN – which is part of the Discovery Networks family – to bring four of the network’s top-rated scripted series exclusively to Hulu. All past episodes of Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots, If Loving You is Wrong, The Paynes and Love Thy Neighbor are now available to stream for the first time, only on Hulu. They join the complete library of acclaimed OWN series Queen Sugar from Ava DuVernay and Warner Horizon.

- Set to coincide with a highly anticipated new album release, John Mellencamp will embark on a 2019 tour of “The John Mellencamp Show” which will feature the rock icon’s classics plus some new material. Hailed by critics and fans alike as one of music’s most authentic and crowd pleasing concert performers, Mellencamp will begin the tour February 7th in his home state of Indiana at South Bend’s Morris Performing Arts Center and will span two months ending in Clearwater, Florida at the famed Ruth Eckerd Hall. Produced by AEG Presents, “The John Mellencamp Show” will start promptly at 8pm and will not have an opening act. Every ticket purchased online will receive a physical copy of Mellencamp’s forthcoming album “Other People’s Stuff” set for release on November 16th by Republic Records. Tickets for the tour will be available to the general public beginning Friday, September 21st at 10:00am local time. Pre-sale and VIP tickets will be available beginning Wednesday, September 19th at 10:00am local time. For more information and all ticketing information please visit Mellencamp.com.

- Music legend Sir Rod Stewart scored his 23rd Top 10 hit on the AC chart this week with his latest single “Didn’t I.” The song soared into the Top 10 just five weeks into its release, quickly becoming a radio favorite and standout live performance on Stewart’s sold-out summer tour. The song is from his upcoming 30th studio album Blood Red Roses, which is due out September 28th via Republic Records.

- Two-time Oscar®-winning director Barbara Kopple has partnered with America’s leading true-crime network, Investigation Discovery (ID) to explore the legacy of the notorious 1989 murder of Noreen Boyle in Mansfield, Ohio in the new documentary, A Murder in Mansfield. The film chronicles Noreen’s son Collier’s journey for answers and peace in the aftermath of his mother’s death nearly three decades ago. A Murder in Mansfield will have its national television debut exclusively on Investigation Discovery on November 17, 2018 at 9:00.

- Showtime announced that prominent political strategist and commentator Steve Schmidt will join the network’s heralded weekly political docuseries The Circus as a recurring on-air contributor when the show returns on Sunday, September 16 at 8:00. Schmidt has made previous appearances on The Circus, offering trenchant insight based on his more than two decades working at the highest levels of national Republican politics. In the show’s fall run, Schmidt will join hosts John Heilemann, Alex Wagner and Mark McKinnon as they crisscross the country covering the most high-stakes midterm elections in modern history — with titanic implications for the presidency of Donald Trump.

- On World Refugee Day, public television’s WORLD Channel announced the lineup of films for season 3 of Doc World, a series that showcases stories that dive deep into the heart of international issues, giving viewers a chance to understand the lives and concerns of people beyond U.S. borders. The series continues this weekend, with two new films debuting this Sunday, September 16,: Los Comandos and Towards the North, following refugees in Latin America fleeing their homes in search of asylum.

Around the Tubes: 9/7/2018

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 Shatterbox, Madison Ryann, Dark Money, 93Queen, and World Refugee Day.

- Turner's TNT, in partnership with Refinery29, today announced the World Premiere and digital release date of season two of the Shatterbox, the film series that gives female storytellers a platform to create short films that redefine identity, imagination and storytelling through the female lens. The latest collection debuts Saturday, September 8, across TNT’s digital ecosystem, including its TVE apps available for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Firestick, Xbox One, Smart TVs, its website (TNTDrama.com/Shatterbox), and social platforms including YouTube and Facebook. To celebrate the launch, the films will also have an exclusive screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and have a presence at Refinery29’s iconic experiential event, 29Rooms New York, which takes place September 6-9 and September 13-16.

- rising vocalist and songwriter Madison Ryann Ward shares the video for her debut single “Mirror”—watch and share HERE. Refinery29 praises the video saying, “The powerful visuals of the music video match Ward's soulful, smooth vocals.” “Mirror” was released earlier this spring after Ward was featured recording the track with producer Rick Rubin in his Malibu studio on Jay-Z’s episode of the hit Netflix series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman. When Letterman asks Ward about her objective in making music, she replies, “Just to be honest. And to move people in a way that they’ve never been moved before.”

- Your vote can be bought, but at what cost? Dark Money follows local Montana journalist John S. Adams, who is determined to uncover the truth about funding in his state’s elections. The film gains insights over the course of three election cycles, as it solves an increasingly complicated and blurred puzzle. Dark Money traces Adams’ steps and sheds light on the grassroots movement to unveil the mysterious financing behind our elections. Dark Money has its national broadcast and streaming debut on the PBS documentary series POV and pov.org on Monday, October 1 at 10 p.m. (check local listings). POV is American television’s longest-running independent documentary series, now in its 31st season.

- When Rachel “Ruchie” Freier introduces us to Borough Park, Brooklyn, one of the world’s largest enclaves of Hasidic Jews, she acknowledges the community’s prevailing view of a woman’s role: “The focus of a woman is being a mother. Any profession, or extra schooling, is discouraged.” In Paula Eiselt’s debut feature documentary, 93Queen, America’s first all-female EMT corps is born against this unlikely backdrop. 93Queen, directed by Paula Eiselt and produced by Eiselt and Heidi Reinberg, makes its national broadcast premiere on the PBS documentary series POV and pov.org on Monday, September 17 at 10:00.

- On World Refugee Day, public television’s WORLD Channel announced the lineup of films for season 3 of Doc World, a series that showcases stories that dive deep into the heart of international issues, giving viewers a chance to understand the lives and concerns of people beyond U.S. borders. The first three films of the season, kicking off Sunday, September 9, entitled: Sky and Ground, Los Comandos, and Towards the North, all follow refugees fleeing their homes in search of asylum.

Around the Tubes: 8/31/2018

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 Showtime, The First, Ray Donovan, Bob Marley, James Bay, Imagine Dragons, Ariana Grande, America From Scratch, and Turner movies.

- Showtime will be available to more than 71 million households during a Free Preview Weekend from Friday August 31 through Monday, September 3. Viewers nationwide will be able to sample the network’s award-winning programming on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and select distributors' TV Everywhere portals. The Free Preview weekend will include early sampling of the series premiere of the new half-hour comedy Kidding, starring Golden Globe winner Jim Carrey in his first series regular role in more than two decades. Showtime will also air full-season marathons of Shameless ahead of the season nine premiere on Sunday, September 9 at 9:00 The fourth, fifth and sixth seasons of Shameless will air on back-to-back days starting on Saturday, September 1 through Monday, September 3.

- Check out the official trailer for upcoming Hulu Original drama series The First. All eight episodes of The First debut on Friday, Sept. 14, only on Hulu.


- Showtime has released the season six poster and new behind-the-scenes video for its hit drama series Ray Donovan, which premieres on Sunday, October 28 at 9:00. Ray Donovan stars multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee Liev Schreiber, with Oscar® winner and multiple Emmy-nominated actress Susan Sarandon and Jon Voight in his Golden Globe winning role.


- On August 24, The Marley Family, Island Records, and UMe will collectively proclaim the sun is shining in celebration of 40 years of Kaya, Bob Marley & The Wailers' historic March 1978 release. This most special anniversary edition will feature Stephen "Ragga" Marley's exciting and vibrant new "Kaya 40" mixes of all ten tracks from the original album alongside its original mixes in 2CD and 180-gram 2LP configurations. (The digital version will be a standalone release of Stephen's mixes only.) The album will also be available as a limited edition 180-gram 2LP green vinyl version exclusively at BobMarley.com

- Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multiplatinum singer-songwriter James Bay shares an acoustic version of his latest single “Just For Tonight” (Acoustic) today. Check out “Just for Tonight” (Acoustic) HERE via Republic Records.

- Tune in Friday, August 31 at 9:00 pm ET/PT to watch the broadcast premiere of the concert special “Imagine Dragons” on AT&T* AUDIENCE Network via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114. The show will also be available streaming on-demand through DIRECTV NOW. The multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning band Imagine Dragons will bring their passionately inventive alt-rock sound to a special, one-hour concert this Friday night on AT&T AUDIENCE Network. Watch the trailer for “Imagine Dragons” on AT&T AUDIENCE Network HERE.

- Multiplatinum, record-breaking superstar Ariana Grande debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with her critically acclaimed fourth studio album, Sweetener. In addition, Sweetener broke the record for largest streaming week for a pop album by a female artist. This is ARIANA’s third album to debut at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Get Sweetener HERE.

- Americans everywhere are asking tough questions about the foundation of our democracy and how we think about politics at this crucial time in our democracy. America From Scratch produced by Rewire for PBS Studios as part of the Twin Cities PBS initiative “In It Together” is taking everyone back to the basics and giving the public a much-needed refresher on civics while asking viewers: If we were to build America from scratch today, what would it look like? Breaking down key ideas related to social sciences, civics and current events, the 11-episode series America From Scratch explores the biases and frustrations in our current system and aims to encourage creative thinking about how we structure our public life and how we define the common good. Actor, musician and writer Toussiant Morrison hosts the series, propelling the action forward with the force of his curiosity in exploring provocative questions such as: Should your data have rights? Should we have a president? What if there were no states? Should we elect our Supreme Court Justices? Should we rewrite our Constitution? America From Scratch sources expert insight from around the world and seeks input and commentary from ordinary viewers across the country. The most recent installment of the series, Should Voting Be Mandatory?, comes just in time for primary season as various states prepare to go to the polls. Watch that particular video here:

- What's streaming in September on tntdrama.com, the TNT App, tbs.com and the TBS App: Catch Maleficent, Alice Through the Looking Glass and more fairytale movies, streaming now on TBS.Don't miss The Dark Knight Rises and Blackhat, this month on TNT.

Around the Tubes: 8/24/2018

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 The Last Ship, Ariana Grande, The Spencer Lee Band, Rose Villain, Air Disasters, Naked With Niecy Nash, Our Cartoon President, and Too $hort.

- TNT is revealing The Last Ship's new, action-packed long-form trailer. The Last Ship will complete its mission when the show returns for its fifth and final season on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 9 p.m.


- Grammy Award®-nominated, multiplatinum, record-breaking superstar Ariana Grande releases the highly anticipated fourth studio album, Sweetener, via Republic Records. The album debuted at #1 in over 90 countries on the iTunes Album Chart. Sweetener includes three previously released tracks, “No Tears Left To Cry” now officially certified RIAA PLATINUM, “The Light Is Coming”, and current second single “God Is A Woman”. Get Sweetener HERE.

- The Spencer Lee Band releases their self-titled debut EP, The Spencer Lee Band [School Boy Records/The Brain Music/Republic Records]. Check out the lyric video for “River Water” HERE and The Spencer Lee Band EP HERE.

- Rising pop antihero Rose Villain reveals the vertical video for her new single, “Funeral Party,” via Republic Records—watch here. The track is produced by SIXPM and is Villain’s first release with Republic. Of the song, Villain says, “It’s a song about the definitive end of a relationship, where he acted like a total jerk, and she moved on with a bang.”

- A 747 explodes in the skies above New York. An Indonesian airliner crashes in the jungle with no survivors. A Taiwanese commuter aircraft clips a highway on takeoff and plunges into a river. In the aftermath of the world’s deadliest airplane tragedies, the world is often left to wonder: What happened? Smithsonian Channel's long-running series AIR DISASTERS returns with a new season to uncover the truth behind what went wrong and how to prevent these fatal crashes in the future. The 11th season of Air Disasters premieres Sunday, September 30 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- It’s time to slay in a whole new way. Turner’s TNT has ordered a pilot for Naked With Niecy Nash, a decidedly unique show with a late-night feel hosted and executive produced by the queen of Claws and author of the best-selling book It’s Hard to Fight Naked, the inimitable Niecy Nash. Nash, never afraid to get real and tell it like it is, will serve up a tall glass of humor, advice, and one-of-a-kind “Niecy-isms” on all things love, sex, romance and relationships with everyday people. The pilot will tap Niecy’s unparalleled strengths to inspire, empower and make viewers laugh out loud. Nothing is off limits and no topic will be out-of-reach.

- With one of the most consequential midterm elections of our time looming, the Showtime animated series Our Cartoon President takes a look at the political field in a special one-hour episode that involves Cartoon President Trump, his closest advisors, leaders of the Democratic party, a Russian president and an unforgettable hot air balloon ride. Premiering Sunday, November 4 at 10:30 on Showtime, Our Cartoon President: Election Special 2018 focuses on Cartoon Trump’s deepening concerns about what he fears is a coming Democratic blue wave and the threat of impeachment.

- “Hey dad, can you play that new Too $hort?” a seemingly upper class-born girl asks as she hops into the car with her family. Directed by Embryo, the hilarious new music video for Too $hort’s star-studded “Ain’t My Girlfriend (feat. French Montana, Ty Dolla $ign, Joyner Lucas and Jeremih)” track features a formally-dressed family driving through their neighborhood in a minivan, having the time of their life singing along to the raunchy and explicit lyrics. The creative visual features a comical cameo from the Bay Area legend and makes for a fitting introduction to his forthcoming studio album The Pimp Tape [Dangerous Music/EMPIRE]- available everywhere November 9. Pre-order the album HERE.

- Showtime has announced that Emmy nominee Kari Skogland (The Handmaid’s Tale) will direct the first two episodes of the network’s eight-episode limited series about Fox News founder Roger Ailes, based upon the extensive reporting of Gabriel Sherman in his bestselling book, The Loudest Voice in the Room, and starring Academy Award® and Golden Globe® winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind) in the title role.

- Lt. Governor Dan Patrick put out a tweet saying he is agreeing to debate Fox News personality, Geraldo Rivera, who is not a candidate for any public office in Texas, nor anywhere else in the United States. This comes as Patrick continually refuses to debate his actual opponent, Democratic Lt. Governor Nominee, Mike Collier.

- Following Micheal Cohen's guilty plea and Paul Manafort's guilty sentencing, BetDSI.com has cut odds on the possibility of the House impeaching President Donald Trump. As the odds currently stand, Trump is a slight underdog to be impeached during his first term, but he's an overwhelming favorite to be impeached before the end of his projected Presidential tenure. A bettor would have to risk $500 just to win $100 if he believes Trump will be impeached before 2021.

Donald Trump is impeached by the House during first term

Yes +100
No -130

Donald Trump is impeached by the House before Nov. 3, 2020

Yes -500
No +350

Around the Tubes: 8/17/2018

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 JEOPARDY!, Toto, Greta Van Fleet, Joseph Angel, Secrets, SafeWord, The Alienist, America Says, Scream, and Hulu Fall Premiere Dates.

- After 35 years in syndication, JEOPARDY! - the most honored quiz show in television history – makes its streaming debut now on Hulu. To celebrate the premiere, Hulu has curated 60 episodes of some of JEOPARDY!’s flagship special events, including a TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS, a COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIP, a KIDS WEEK, as well as some of the show’s fan-favorite contestants throughout its history.


- Toto have released their personal interpretation of Weezer’s “Hash Pipe”. The smoking rendition of the song is a direct response to the run-away success being witnessed globally for Weezer’s covers of the hits “Africa” and “Rosanna.” Toto’s rendition is available HERE. Toto is currently touring North America in support of the band’s recent release 40 Trips Around The Sun. For more details keep an eye on totoofficial.com.

- With the band’s new single “When The Curtain Falls" already Top 10 at Rock Radio and nearly eight-million streams to its credit, Greta Van Fleet presents the companion music video, a performance piece that finds the band in an esoteric foreign landscape filled with mystical symbolism, celestial events and otherworldly psychedelia. Filmed in Southern California and conceived and directed by acclaimed visual effects artist Benjamin Kutsko (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Iron Man”), you can check out the video here!

- Rising artist and multiplatinum songwriter Joseph Angel shares his debut single “Shame” via Republic Records—listen here. “Shame” is the debut song from the vocalist, songwriter and producer, who is known for penning Rihanna’s triple-platinum smash “Love On The Brain” from ANTI, among many other chart-topping hits.

- Archaeologists investigating a site in Iraq destroyed by ISIS have discovered a 2,700-year-old temple that reveals new insights into one of the Bible’s most famous stories, “Jonah and the Whale.” That’s just one of the revelations explored in the new season of Smithsonian Channel’s popular series Secrets, which follows the world’s leading archaeologists as they use modern technologies to solve some of history’s oldest riddles. A mysterious tomb from the final days of the Vikings, a forgotten princess of Egypt and the true origin of King Solomon’s mines are among other startling finds revealed in season five of Secrets, which premieres Monday, September 24 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- MTV’s highly anticipated series SafeWord, returns for a second season on Friday, August 24th at 11PM ET/PT with celebrity captains Michael B. Jordan and Steelo Brim, with cameos by Tiffany Haddish and Issa Rae. On MTV’s “SafeWord,” stakes are high when a pair of close celebrity friends act as “captains” of their respective “teams” and go head-to-head in hilarious games and social media challenges that push them out of their comfort zone.

- TNT has ordered The Angel of Darkness, a new limited series based on the sequel to best-selling author Caleb Carr’s The Alienist. A huge critical and ratings success, The Alienist is 2018’s #1 new cable series in 18-49, having reached more than 50 million people across multiple platforms. It also earned six Emmy® Award nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series. The Alienist’s lead cast including Daniel Brühl (Rush), Luke Evans (The Girl on the Train) and Dakota Fanning (American Pastoral) will return for The Angel of Darkness in an all-new storyline.

- Game Show Network, the leader in game shows and competitive entertainment, announced today its original hit series America Says, hosted by John Michael Higgins, will return for a 95-episode second season. The announcement comes on the heels of a successful premiere season, which has seen the show build over its lead-in by +26%, while also performing over +40% above YTD time period average among our core W25-54 demo.

- MTV, together with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Entertainment, today announced that Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee, Grammy Award®-winning artist and philanthropist, Mary J. Blige, will appear in MTV’s Scream later this year. She joins the previously announced all-star cast including Keke Palmer, Tyler Posey, Tyga, Giorgia Whigham, Jessica Sula, RJ Cyler, C.J. Wallace and Giullian Yao Gioiello. The news comes as the network just closed four consecutive quarters of YoY prime ratings growth – its best streak in seven years- and ranks as the fastest growing network in prime among Top 40 networks across all of television.

- Hulu's Fall 2018 Programming Slate Premiere Dates (click links for trailers):
Minding the Gap (documentary): August 17
Crime + Punishment (documentary): August 24
Safe Harbour (Season 1): All Episodes, August 24
I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman (New Episodes): September 6
The First (Season 1): All Episodes, September 14
Into the Dark (Year-round Event Series): The Body: October 5; Flesh and Blood: November 2
Light as a Feather (Season 1): All Episodes, October 12
Marvel's Runaways (Season 2): All Episodes, December 21

Around the Tubes: 8/10/2018

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 Safe Harbour, The Circus, Crime + Punishment, Wyeth, The Fog, and Showtime TCA news.

- Hulu has boarded the critically acclaimed Australian series Safe Harbour for its U.S. debut as a Hulu Original Series. In a deal with NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution, the four-part event drama is the latest internationally-produced series to join Hulu’s growing slate of thought-provoking original series, and will make its debut on August 24th. Safe Harbour will stream on Hulu alongside a growing list of successful international co-productions including the Peabody Award-winning National Treasure, as well as its relevant, provocative original dramas like the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning The Handmaid’s Tale and Emmy-nominated The Looming Tower. Since co-producing and launching series such as Hard Sun and Harlots, consumption of high-caliber international dramas on Hulu has tripled over the past year alone.

- As the country readies for one of the most consequential midterm elections in recent history, the third season of the groundbreaking political documentary series The Circus returns with nine new episodes starting on Sunday, September 16 at 8:00 on Showtime. Hosted by John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Alex Wagner, The Circus launched the first part of its third season this past spring recording the series’ biggest premiere week ever, growing 10 percent in its second week and delivering a series high of 1.3 million viewers, topping its election week total in 2016. This fall, The Circus returns to its roots. The show will hit the campaign trail for the midterm elections, which will not only determine control of Congress but how the Trump presidency will play out. The series will continue to cover the impact of the administration’s policies as well as the legal and political controversies swirling around the White House. The Circus will follow multiple individual stories and key characters from the campaigns, and capture their unique perspectives in weekly half-hour shows. With intimate, behind-the-scenes access, cameras will offer viewers a look at what the public rarely sees and explore the high human drama of American politics.

- Crime + Punishment, premiering August 24 on Hulu, examines the United States' most powerful police department through the efforts of a group of active duty officers and a private investigator who risk their careers and safety to bring light to harmful policing practices which have plagued the precincts and streets of New York City for decades. Amidst a landmark class action lawsuit over illegal policing quotas, director Stephen Maing chronicles the real lives and struggles of a group of black and Latino whistleblower cops and the young minorities they are pressured to arrest and summons.


- Wyeth tells the story of one of America’s most popular, but least understood, artists – Andrew Wyeth. Son of the famous illustrator N.C. Wyeth, Andrew had his first exhibition at age 20, and his painting “Christina’s World” was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in 1948. While Wyeth’s exhibitions routinely broke attendance records, art world critics continually assaulted his work. Detailing the stunning drawings and powerful portraits he created in Chadds Ford, Pa. and on the coast of Cushing, Maine, Wyeth explores his inspirations, including neighbor Christina Olsen and his hidden muse, the German model Helga Testorf, who he painted secretly for 15 years. Through unprecedented access to Wyeth’s family members, including sons Jamie and Nicholas Wyeth, and never-before-seen archival materials from the family’s personal collection and hundreds of Wyeth’s studies, drawings and paintings, American Masters presents the most complete portrait of the artist yet — bearing witness to a legacy just at the moment it is evolving. Directed by Glenn Holsten, the film will be available on Digital HD on September 8 and on DVD September 11 via PBS Distribution. Premieres Friday, September 7 at 10:00PM on PBS (check local listings).

- New York based Rialto Pictures will release John Carpenter’s landmark horror movie The Fog on October 26, in its first-ever major restoration. The horror classic, in a full 4K restoration from Studiocanal, opens October 26 for limited runs at the Metrograph, in New York, Landmark’s Nuart in Los Angeles, and The Music Box Theatre in Chicago. Additional screenings will occur during the week of Halloween throughout the Alamo Drafthouse circuit and other specialty theaters.

- Some Showtime quick hits from TCA's

First Kidding Trailer:
Season 9 of Shameless will have 14 episodes starting September 9.
Ray Donovan returns October 28 at 9:00.
New limited series Escape at Dannemora premieres November 18 at 10:00
LeBron James documentary Shut Up and Dribble premieres in October
Four part series Enemies: The President, Justice and The FBI premieres November 18
The eighth and final season of Homeland to premiere in June

Around the Tubes: 8/3/2018

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 The Last Ship, Showtime, U2, Fall Out Boy, Noah Kahan, Ella Fitzgerald,JP Cooper, Sophie Sanders, A Murder in Mansfield and Queen Fur.

- TNT's epic drama The Last Ship will complete its final mission when the show returns for its fifth and final season on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). Eric Dane (Grey's Anatomy), Bridget Regan (Agent Carter) and Adam Baldwin (Firefly, Chuck) star in this action-packed series chronicling the aftermath of a global catastrophe that nearly decimated the world's population.


- SHOWTIME is offering first-time customers of the SHOWTIME streaming service the opportunity to sign up at an introductory price of $4.99 per month for the first three months of their subscription, starting today through September 3. New customers who subscribe on Showtime.com or through the SHOWTIME app on Android, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Samsung Smart TVs or Xbox One or download from the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV will pay the initial promotional price for three months and then roll to $10.99 per month. A seven-day free trial is also available on most platforms.

- Island Records, Interscope and UMC announced the vinyl reissue of The Best of 1990-2000 from U2, remastered and pressed on 180g double LP black vinyl and available on September 28th. The release will follow that of Achtung Baby (1991), Zooropa (1993) and The Best of 1980-1990 (1998) – all also remastered and pressed on 180g double LP black vinyl – out now.

- Following their electrifying early morning performance of their hits “The Last of The Real Ones,” “Uma Thurman” and “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)” in NYC’s Central Park for Good Morning America’s “Summer Concert Series” today (watch the full set here, including online exclusives “Champion” and “Centuries”), multiplatinum modern alt-rock pioneers Fall Out Boy have announced they will release all seven of their studio albums on vinyl as a lavish box set titled The Complete Studio Albums on September 28 via Island/DCD2/UMe. Spanning the band’s storied and wildly successful 15-years-and-counting recording career, the comprehensive collection contains all of Fall Out Boy’s best-selling studio albums, starting with the band’s 2003 pop-punk debut, Take This To Your Grave, including 2005’s career-defining double-platinum hit platter, From Under The Cork Tree, and capping off with their most recent album M A N I A which earned the band their fourth No. 1 record upon release this past January. This must-have on-wax collection also includes 2013’s combo Save Rock And Roll (PAX•AM Edition) for the first time ever on 12-inch vinyl. The Complete Studio Albums will be made available in two versions — a standard edition on 180-gram black vinyl, and as a limited-edition, 180-gram clear vinyl collection. View the unboxing video here.

- Vermont singer and songwriter Noah Kahan debuts the acoustic version of his latest single, “Come Down”—listen here. Tickets are currently on-sale for Kahan’s first-ever North American and European headlining tour taking place this fall, and several shows have already sold out including Boston, Chicago and Toronto. See the full list of tour dates below. Tickets are available now at NoahKahan.com/tour.

- Following the limited-edition Record Store Day release of Ella Fitzgerald’s unreleased 1956 album Ella At Zardi’s on pink and blue vinyl, which earned Fitzgerald her first No. 1 on the 24-year-old Jazz Albums Chart and her second No. 1 on the Traditional Jazz Albums chart, the acclaimed live album will receive a wide release as a double LP on black vinyl on August 17 via Verve/UMe. Preorder Ella At Zardi’s on vinyl now

- Critically acclaimed UK singer and songwriter JP Cooper releases “All This Love” [feat. Mali Koa] today via Republic Records. Get it HERE. The music video also brings the story to life in vivid animated form. Drawing inspiration from Tim Burton classics and Disney’s Coco, this Day of the Dead-inspired parable unfolds with epic energy.

- Rising Nashville songwriter Sophie Sanders has unveiled the first single from her forthcoming record, Steep and Shining Spaces. “Still Waters” featuring Amy Grant premiered Wednesday on Billboard. Last fall, Sanders traveled to Amy Grant and husband Vince Gill’s home studio to record the track with the help of Grammy-nominated producer Felix McTeigue. Born and raised in Nashville’s music community, Sanders grew up with a deeply ingrained love for writing, but never took interest in songwriting until after college; she wrote some of her first songs while in the Peace Corps and has been writing ever since. Steep and Shining Spaces is a collection of those songs and an intimate look at her life over the past half decade. “Still Waters” is available today via Spotify and iTunes.

- Two-time Oscar®-winning director Barbara Kopple has partnered with America’s leading true-crime network, Investigation Discovery (ID) to explore the legacy of the notorious 1989 murder of Noreen Boyle in Mansfield, Ohio in the new documentary, A Murder in Mansfield. The film chronicles Noreen’s son Collier’s journey for answers and peace in the aftermath of his mother’s death nearly three decades ago. A Murder in Mansfield will have its national television debut exclusively on Investigation Discovery on November 17, 2018 at 9 :00.

- Showtime has announced the pilot order for the hour-long drama series Queen Fur, created, written and executive produced by Eileen Myers (MASTERS OF SEX) and starring Lily Mae Harrington (Some Freaks). Sian Heder (Orange Is the New Black) will direct the pilot. Deb Spera (Army Wives) will also serve as an executive producer. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. A co-production between Showtime and Sony Pictures Television, Queen Fur is set in a small town in Central Florida – a place where beauty pageants, gun culture, Cuban revolutionaries and Southern hospitality co-exist and collide. And at the center of it all is Macy Dunleavy (Harrington) – a curvy, sexy, unapologetic high school dropout who is finding her womanhood and is ready to seize a big opportunity