One of the big advantage of cable shows (other than the lack of FCC regulation) is the shorten season. When you only have eight to thirteen episodes a year to fill than the network standard of twenty-two, you storyline can be more concise and can easily trim the fat. But for some reason, occasionally cable channels expand their shows episode number (okay, that reason is obviously money). The worst in memory was when Rescue Me went from thirteen to twenty-two one season and the show cratered creatively. It quickly went down to ten the next season.
So I am a little worried to hear History has boosted the number of Vikings episodes this season from ten to twenty. Okay, they did have a seven month break between episode ten and eleven. The voice over for the intro even says, “Last season on Vikings,” even though it is still technically still season four. But no matter how you cut it, there will be twenty episodes of the show that air over twelve months.
There was a very specific break in between blocks this season as the first half ended with Ragnor being humiliated in Paris only to desert his land. A teaser at the end of the last episode jumped ahead about a decade with a returning Ragnor placing his sword in the ground that as surrounded by a crows and shouted, “Who wants to be king?” Welcome back Ragnor.
The new half of the season starts with the same question that ended the last. Sorry to anyone hoping to learn what happed between Paris and the return, no flashbacks in the premiere? Instead we get reintroduced to Ragnor’s grown sons including Gimpy who has grown into a son that only Donald Trump could love. Seriously, that kid is all sorts of horrible even though he cannot use either of his legs but still manages to crawl everywhere to watch people have sex.
As you can expect from a half season that starts with a dude striking the ground with his sword, there is plenty of conflict this season. Ragnor wants to go back to England while in his absence, Bjorn has found a map of the Mediterranean with plenty of Roman outposts to plunder. Granted this path goes through France which means permission from Uncle Rollo. And while the guys are away, the women back home will play, and not nice as Lagertha seems to want her throne back. Here is hoping this is enough storyline to keep the show from dragging on now that it has doubled its yearly episode output.
Shameless: Oh Fiona, you really missed out on a great opportunity, a laundromat with a whirlpool and 4K Smart TV? That would have done great business.
The Walking Dead: It seemed obvious Maggie not dead, but why lie to Negan about it? Clearly he will find out sometime and it is a silly lie.
You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.
Gotham: I cannot decide I like crazy Barbra or not. Clearly she is not a good actress, but still, sometime it is entertaining, other times it is annoying. Maybe the key would be to keep her to small doses. And just go ahead and reveal the comic book character she is portraying because I think most peole have figured that out by now.
You can download Gotham on iTunes.
Supergirl: Ugg, Supergirl should have just ley let Mon-El die, he is completely worthless anyway. And if it was not obvious before, it is now very clear Mon-El was brought in to be a love interest to Kara. Meh, they should have brought me on for that role. Sure Mon-El may be able to fly all through the night, but can he rock a party 'til the early light? Mon-El can't satisfy Kara with his little worm, but I can bust her out with my super sperm.
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X: Somehow Jay made it through two tribal without using his Idol or getting voted out (okay, one of them he had Immunity). And the second Tribal he could just sit back and laugh while stupid people drew rocks. I think you are better of switching your vote. You have a fifty-fifty chance one of you alliance is going home anyway and a one in six chance it is you. Flip and with nine people still in the game, there are plenty of chances of getting back into the game, draw the rock and you have no chance. Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X on iTunes.
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 Snowpiercer, Lang Lang’s New York Rhapsody, Wild New Zealand, Twin Peaks, How the Universe Works, Anna of the North, Stephen Kijak's We Are X.
- TNT, a division of Turner, has ordered a pilot for Snowpiercer, a futuristic thriller based on the award-winning film by Bong Joon Ho. A co-production of Tomorrow Studios and Turner's Studio T, the hour-long drama pilot is being executive-produced by writer-showrunner Josh Friedman (Avatar 4, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and Tomorrow Studios' Marty Adelstein (Aquarius, Prison Break, Teen Wolf) and Becky Clements (Good Behavior, Aquarius, Last Man Standing), and the original film’s Bong Joon Ho, Park Chan-wook, Lee Tae-hun and Dooho Choi, along with CJ Entertainment. Snowpiercer is set seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland, and the remnants of humanity inhabit a gigantic, perpetually moving train that circles the globe. Class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival are questioned in this riveting television adaptation.
- The PBS ARTS Fall Festival continues next Friday, November 25th at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) with Lang Lang’s New York Rhapsody, the internationally acclaimed pianist’s love letter to New York City, which he considers his adoptive home. Embracing a wide range of styles and voices to capture New York’s magic, this episode features music that helped make New York famous from Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and Danny Elfman to Lou Reed, Alicia Keys, and Don Henley. Also included is a rare performance of the original 1924 jazz band arrangement of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
- Hidden away on the far side of the world is a spectacular wilderness. A place of fabled landscapes, bizarre creatures and unpredictable climates. New Zealand is the land that time forgot. Produced by BBC Earth. Wild New Zealand takes you on an adventure though this breathtaking land of searing mountainscapes, mysterious lakes and rivers, dramatic volcanic plateaus and vast open plains to discover some of the most incredible animals on the planet. See the wilds of New Zealand like you've never seen them before. Wild New Zealand is a three part special event that premieres Sunday, November 27, at 8, 9, and 10:00 as party as Destination Wild.
= Showtime is kicking off the holiday season by offering a new collection of over twenty-five Twin Peaks items, available for purchase online exclusively on SHO.com. The merchandise includes printed sweatshirts, blankets, tees, mugs, scarves, tote bags and more. A portion of the items will feature original artwork by TWIN PEAKS creator David Lynch. The Twin Peaks collection is available for purchase on store.sho.com/twinpeaks, with additional items to be added in the coming weeks. The new Twin Peaks will premiere in 2017 on Showtime.
- Science Channel continues to provide the most wide ranging and in-depth space programming available and announces today the return of the network’s blue-chip series HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS. The all-new season returns to ask all-new questions about how our universe was put together while revealing the inner workings of our planet, the solar system, the galaxies and the universe itself. How the Universe Works premieres Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 10:00.
- Coming December 26th during the holiday season, when many reflect on what they are most grateful for, HBO’s Every Brilliant Thing strikes a delicate balance between sobering loss and cathartic laughter. Adapting the hit off-Broadway one-character show of the same name written by Duncan Macmillan and starring British comedian Jonny Donahoe, this deeply affecting film recounts a life lived in the shadow of suicide. Emmy® winners Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (HBO’s “Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures,” “Wishful Drinking”) produce and direct the heart-wrenching yet humorous presentation.
- Oslo based duo Anna of the North unveil the video for their single "Us" - a delicate and ethereal visual accompaniment to the song, which has been streamed over 3 million times on Spotify.
In the past couple years, networks have gotten creative rolling out new shown, but none was more bold when TBS debuted Angie Tribeca during a twenty-five hour commercial free marathon. The second season had a more traditional roll out, same for every new TBS show since. TBS has gotten creative again for their latest new show Search Party which premieres tonight with back to back episodes at 11:00. And then will premiere two new episodes every night this week (yes even Thanksgivings night; a marathon of the first four episode preceding it) with the final two episodes this season airing Friday.
It is probably for the best that they are airing Search Party over a short period of time because it feels more like a very long indie movie instead of an episodic series. The show focuses on a group of self-absolved millennials, one of which Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) who becomes obsessed when a college acquaintance goes missing and is presumed dead while the other placate her new obsession.
Search Party is listed as a “dark comedy” but is pretty lite on the second half. Ironically the hardest I laughed all season was at the conclusion of the mystery in the season finale which may leave more people upset rather than in a laughing mood. But the adventure in the show is the mystery and the long line of interesting characters we meet why trying to find Shantel Witherbottom (yes that is the missing girl’s name) including a crazy real estate agent, an Inappropriate a capella group, a weird fetish model, a cult, and a shady zookeeper.
Search Party airs at 11:00 every night this week with back to back episodes on TBS.
Shameless: I figured Fiona would rip up the check, but I thought she would use that money to fix up the place and let the cat lady think she already paid for it. That 50k could have replaced enough washers to make a good start for the business. But why deposit the check into her account later? That could end badly unless she can get the cat lady to buy the new washers.
The Walking Dead: Wait, did we know that Rick’s kid is not really his kid? If so I missed that. I also missed what was going on with Maggie? It seemed like they implied to Negan she was dead, but clearly she is not. But where can she possibly be where Negan will not find her? Speaking of Negan, I am already out on him and his overacting. Every time I hear him say Rick, I think of the annoying SNL skit where Amy Poehler annoyed her stepfather Rick (played by Horatio Sanz).
You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.
Masters of Sex: I have gotten gay vibes from Art from the beginning, apparently so did Bob. So I was a bit surprised when Art did not reciprocate. And what a way to start a marriage with a little deception because it was pretty clear Ginny called the reporters to their wedding. Should be interesting how that affects their marriage next season. It will also be interesting to see what happens to Libby. I just hope this does not turn into a Betty Draper situation where she is just a complete drag everytime she is on screen after the divorce.
Supergirl: Oh man, that was cold, Alex goes gay for hot lady cop and hot lady cop just shuts her down, Maybe Maxwell Lord is still lurking if she wants to go back to guys. Actually what happened to Maxwell Lord? He was on this big anti-alien crusade and just stops in between season? Maybe he went on the same sabbatical as Cat.
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.
Timeless: One thing I noticed during there scene together was that either Flynn is really tall or Wyatt is really short.
You can download Timeless on iTunes.
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X: Ballsy move knowing you are being targeted and not play your Idol. Of course when you are in overwhelming minority, maybe it is a good risk, now that buys you an extra week to hope the majority alliance implodes. Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X on iTunes.
Blindplot: Poor Chrissy Seaver, her first boyfriend on the show was murdered basically because she let him study a tattoo. Then her next one turned out to be a mole for the group she is investigating and either ended up shooting him or was shot by him (obviously the former, whenever they do they who got shot cliffhanger, it is always the bad guy). And now that Roman has had his memory wiped, hopefully he becomes more interesting now because he has been a bit of a bore up to now.
You can download Blindspot on iTunes.
As Showtime usually does with many of its shows, they premiered the first episode of The Affair new season early through various outlets. If you have not seen it yet, be warned I am going to spoil it because something huge happens at the end that I do not want to be vague about it, so head to your On Demand station or Showtime Anytime pass to watch it now. I will be vague about the other episodes I have seen. You have been warned.
At the surface, you would think The Affair was some intense family drama, but it was sneakily a murder mystery too as we learned early in the series that one of the characters was murdered. We finally learned last season that it was in fact Helen that ran over Scott Lockhart but Noah actually stood up in court and took the rap for his ex-wife. The new season picks up three years later, because apparently vehicular manslaughter is not a very serious crime in New York State. There is still the multiple act structure, but just like in the second season, it looks like some episodes, one person’s POV will take up the entire hour.
With that murder now solved, they replaced with another mystery, who stabbed Noah (I will no spoil whether he survived the attack yet, on account I do not know if he did or not yet). And what a bizarre scene, Noah clearly knew someone was there but does not turn around. And what kind of attacker just stabs once and leaves not making sure they got the job done? Of course the potential killer list is very long with all the Lockhart’s, really all of Montauk, he son was very cold at the funeral, and the eldest daughter did not even bother to show up.
I believe last season, the first couple episodes were solo perspective episodes, but in the early episodes of season three, Noah I the only one who gets a full hour to himself. The second episode gets split between Helen and Allison split time. Although this is a split from previous seasons because the two never cross paths in each other act, but we do get to see Helen’s visit to the prison from her perspective. And much like last season which saw the addition of the perspectives of Helen and Cole, this season we get the point of view of Juliette, a French Lit professor Noah meets in the first episode and we get to see the dinner party he attends (Haddie Braverman also is there as a student of both Juliette and Noah's) from her perspective in episode three.
Hopefully this opens up the show even more as the two person point of view got stale pretty quickly in season one as you were confined to following just two characters around. Even upping that to four got tedious at the end of season for. Maybe everyone is a possibly this season. I would wager a guess that Cole’s bride will get an act or two. But really, I just hope the bratty daughter gets her own episode. C’mon, who would not want to see how she ended up in a hot tub with her father last season? And this season is even better now she is dating an erotic photographer who calls himself Furkat who livens up the episode where Helen comes to visit. Actually I am now kind of hoping for a Furkat perspective episode.
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 Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs, Homeland, Bon Jovi, Every Brilliant Thing, 50 Years With Peter Paul and Mary, Hockney, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and Rate My Media.
- This is a reminder that the PBS ARTS Fall Festival continues this Friday, November 18th at 9:00 (check local listings) with Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs, the Tony Award-winning star’s critically acclaimed cabaret show dubbed “an emotional firestorm” by The New York Times. In a special that gives PBS audiences a front row seat at “Club Cumming”, the cabaret setting for the star’s personal and intimate performance, Cumming performs songs that mark poignant moments in his life that were originally written or made famous by artists like Annie Lennox (“Why”), Rufus Wainwright (“Dinner at Eight”), Keane (“Somewhere Only We Know”), Billy Joel (“Goodnight Saigon”), a medley of hits by Adele, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry title “Someone like the Edge of Firework” and more.
- Showtime has released the new poster art and a behind the scenes look at season six of its Emmy and Golden Globe-winning hit drama series Homeland, which will premiere on Sunday, January 15 at 9:00. Season six returns to U.S. soil after spending the last two seasons shooting abroad in South Africa and Berlin. This season focuses on the aftermath of a U.S. presidential election and the transition between election day and the inauguration for a female president-elect, played by acclaimed stage and screen actress Elizabeth Marvel. Currently in production in New York, HOMELAND stars Emmy, Screen Actors Guild® and Golden Globe Award winner Claire Danes, Emmy nominee Rupert Friend, Elizabeth Marvel, Oscar® winner and Emmy nominee F. Murray Abraham, and Emmy and Tony® Award winner Mandy Patinkin.
- With over 130 million albums sold, an extensive catalog of hit anthems, and nearly 3000 concerts performed in 50 countries for over 35 million fans, Bon Jovi is simply one of the world’s most successful bands, ever. As their new album, This House Is Not For Sale, debuts at #1 in the US, Australia and Japan and in the Top 5 in 54 other countries, Island/UMe announces that a comprehensive vinyl box set of 25-LPs, entitled Bon Jovi: The Albums, will be released in February 2017. It will include all Bon Jovi albums and additional titles (as outlined below) for premium collectors. The box set release will coincide with the kick-off of the band’s This House Is Not For Sale Tour in North America.
- Coming December 26th during the holiday season, when many reflect on what they are most grateful for, HBO’s Every Brilliant Thing strikes a delicate balance between sobering loss and cathartic laughter. Adapting the hit off-Broadway one-character show of the same name written by Duncan Macmillan and starring British comedian Jonny Donahoe, this deeply affecting film recounts a life lived in the shadow of suicide. Emmy® winners Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (HBO’s “Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures,” “Wishful Drinking”) produce and direct the heart-wrenching yet humorous presentation.
- 50 Years With Peter Paul and Mary is a new documentary by four-time Emmy Award-winning producer/ director Jim Brown that focuses on portions of the trio's career not included in previously aired PBS specials. This program features rare and previously unseen television footage including a BBC program from the early 1960s that embodies many of the trio's best performances and most popular songs. This is Peter Paul and Mary at the peak of their artistry, a time when this popular and influential trio dominated the Billboard music charts. 50 Years With Peter Paul and Mary will be available on DVD and select video on-demand platforms on December 9th.
- Hockney, the definitive two-hour documentary on one of the most significant artists of our time, gets its world television premiere on Smithsonian Channel, Monday, December 12 at 8:00. For the first time David Hockney has given access to his personal archive of photographs and films, and the result is an unparalleled visual diary of an unconventional artist who is now reaching new peaks of popularity worldwide.
- TBS's Emmy®-nominated, award-winning late-night show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee has been renewed for a second season starting in 2017. Hailed by The New Yorker as "America’s new Comedian-in-Chief," Samantha Bee will continue her weekly series for another year following her bare-knuckled coverage of the 2016 Presidential election. The show, which is executive-produced by Bee, Jason Jones, Jo Miller, Miles Kahn and Tony Hernandez, currently airs Mondays at 10:30. In 2017, it will move to a new timeslot, Wednesdays at 10:30, starting Jan. 11.
- Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, president-elect Donald J. Trump utilized fear-inducing rhetoric to forge a platform for his candidacy. While it ultimately led him to victory, these tactics left the nation, especially children, emotionally distressed over fears of terrorism, crime, sexism, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and mass deportations. Now, as thousands of Americans take to the streets in protest of Trump and over 200 reported incidents of related harassment and intimidation occurring since the election concluded, few can argue against the existence of the “Trump Effect.” For disenfranchised Americans seeking a voice and a platform to combat the Trump Effect – as well as fake news, a first-of-its-kind web app, Rate My Media, is providing empowerment.
I was a bit surprised to learn The Librarians are just on their third season, it seems like it has been on for much longer than that. I guess maybe the movies makes the series seem older than it really is. Like it has been the last two winters, The Librarians is a fun and silly diversion while other more serious shows go on a winter hiatus.
This season it looks like the team will be attacked on two fronts, one from a familiar mystical threat, this time in the form of the Egyptian God of Chaos who looks to unlock pure evil. But new this season is the new government agency with the normal jumbled governmental words of the Department of Statistical Anomalies headed by Vanessa Williams. The Librarians may not be reinventing television, but it remains cheesy fun that will keep your television glowing warmth while you wait for your shows to slowly return after the holidays.
There may be fewer people better at what they do then the people who make trailers. If only the trailer editors were the ones actually made the movies because ninety percent of the time, the actual movie does not live up to the trailers. Even when you know there is no way the movie was going to be any good, these trailers put that seed of doubt in your head. So it is very noticeable when there is a bad trailer (like the Ghostbusters reboot). Weirdly enough, the best show in recent memory, Mr. Robot, also had a really bad trailer. It was so bad I was going to pass on it until I saw Dalia Royce had a starring role.
I had a similar reaction when I saw the first trailer for Good Behavior. Like Mr. Robot, the Good Behavior trailer was very vague and like many shows in the post-Golden Age era seemed way too self-important. After seeing the first episode I understand why the trailer is vague; there is a pretty big plot twist at the end of the first episode and it would be hard to properly market the show effectively without spoiling the very interesting reveal. But wisely, TNT is running back to back episodes for the premiere so you will not have to stew waiting to see where the show goes next.
Unfortunately the show is not running back-to-back-to-back episode for the premiere because the second episode could give you a false idea where the show is going next because another curveball comes in episode three. And I cannot really talk much about it because I do not want to spoil anything for you. But the thing is, three episodes in and I still am not sure where exactly the show is heading and that is a refreshing when most everything on television these days is telegraphed from the first frame.
It is hard to explain the show without spoiling it (which is probably why this is one of the few trailer fails in recent memory. One of the few things you can deduct from the title Good Behavior is that our main character, played by Dontown Abby’s Michelle Dockery, is a recent parolee who is released from prison early because of good behavior. Now she has to decide to continue that good streak, which could lead her to reuniting with her son, now under the supervision of her mother, or go back to her petty theft past. A chance encounter throws all that up in the air.
Unlike Mr. Robot, the Pilot of Good Behavior is not a tell all your friend to get on board early type of show but what I really liked about it was that I had no idea where the show was going. Okay, I was not a fan of the direction I thought the show was taking after the big plot twist at the end of the first episode, but by the end of the third episode I was back to guessing just exactly where the show was heading next and in a landscape where most television shows are telegraphed fairly easily, Good Behavior is a refreshing show that actually leaves you guessing as to what is coming next.
Shameless: Interesting that Fiona and Frank have the same everyone has to contribute philosophy. Okay, so Frank just used it so further line his pockets.
The Walking Dead: What happened to the tiger guy? This week was back to the excruciating torture porn type show.
You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.
Masters of Sex: Poor Art, finally realizing just how poor his marriage is, I wonder if there is a scenario where Art stays in St. Louis and Nancy goes to New York. Then you had Virginia sitting through the most icky intake session ever. Hard pass on that.
Gotham: Sucks to be the actress who played Kristin Kringle, she gets killed off, brought back only to be killed off a couple weeks later.
You can download Gotham on iTunes.
Supergirl: Why was Supergirl so stressed that Lena asked both her and Kara to her party, couldn’t that have been easily resolved by having Martian Manhunter stand in for one of them like when she convinced Kat that Kara was not a superhero? And everyone had to know when Lena took that dramatic pause, she was going to follow it up with …mom. I got that feeling right when he mom walked into the room. But the real question is that Mrs Luther (who I do not recall ever was on Smallville or her birth mother.
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X: Just when I thought the Legacy Advantage as one of the dumbest twists in the history of the show, now Adam can steal someone else’s reward, or the Guaranteed Way to Get Voted Out Next Advantage. And, um, can none of these people count, I had to recount myself to make sure I am right, but if they wanted Jay out, they could have split the vote just in case he had an Idol. Okay, I have never been much of a fan of vote splitting unless you have an overwhelming majority or you definitely know someone has an Idol and you want to flush it out, so many things can go wrong (ask Tyson who’s failure to properly execute a split led to him being voted out) so I do not have much of problem with no vote splitting. I do have a problem with them targeting Michelle for no reason other than no one with an Idol would see it coming. Seriously, just target Jay if you want him out, the guy is clearly not bright enough to find an Idol or to use even if he had one. But how apropos that in Trump’s America, this season of the show saw all the minorities go first and now the guys are voting out the women for no good reason. Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X on iTunes.
Blindplot: I have been hoping for a Rich Dotcom spinoff and now I think I found his supporting cast as the weapons expert can join Rich’s team. His point of view scenes were great, especially sheepish Curt.
You can download Blindspot on iTunes.
The Blacklist: So after three and a half season, Red finally admitted what everyone has assumed since the first episode, he was Lizzie’s father. Now the big question, what did Red tell Kirk that made him let Red go.
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.
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 Affair, The Breakthrough Prize, Underfire: The Untold Story of PFC. Tont Vaccaro, and Vice News Tonight.
Showtime is giving viewers nationwide the opportunity to sample the season three premiere of the network’s Golden Globe-winning drama series The Affair for free, ahead of its linear debut on Sunday, November 20 at 10:00. In addition, immediately following the third season premiere on-air, Showtime will make the second episode available early only to subscribers starting at 11 p.m. ET on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and to subscribers of its stand-alone streaming service Showtime, and at midnight on Showtime On Demand®. With the premiere episode being told from the perspective of Noah (Golden Globe nominee Dominic West), the second episode will offer viewers a more comprehensive picture of the season ahead, providing additional perspectives from Alison (Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson) and Helen (Emmy Award® nominee Maura Tierney). This season, BAFTA and César Award-nominated Irène Jacob joins the cast, providing the series’ new fifth perspective. THE AFFAIR also stars Screen Actors Guild® nominee Joshua Jackson. Consumers who do not subscribe to Showtime can watch the TV-14 rated version of the season three premiere for free now on YouTube and SHO.com. The episode is also available for download as a free video podcast on iTunes. Consumers can also sample the premiere of THE AFFAIR for free across multiple television and streaming providers’ devices, websites and applications and free On Demand channels.
- The Breakthrough Prize will mark its fifth anniversary celebrating top achievements in the fields of physics, life sciences and mathematics, with a star-studded ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 4, at the NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. The ceremony, to be broadcast live on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, will be hosted by Academy Award®-winning actor Morgan Freeman and will feature a special performance by 15-time Grammy®-winning singer, songwriter and producer Alicia Keys. The ceremony will be directed and produced, for the fourth time, by Don Mischer, alongside executive producers Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare of Don Mischer Productions.
- In World War II, Tony Vaccaro played two risky roles, serving as a combat infantryman on the front lines, as well as a photographer who shot 8,000 photographs. Though he began as a young GI eager to record the war, he vowed never to take another war photo on the day the conflict ended, horrified by what he had seen. Directed by Max Lewkowicz (the New York Emmy®-winning “Morgenthau”), Underfire: The Untold Story of PFC. Tont Vaccaro chronicles the life and vision of this remarkable man, exploring how photography defines the way the public perceives armed conflict, and revealing the sheer difficulty of survival while taking photos in a war zone. The poignant documentary debuts MONDAY, NOV. 14 (8:00-9:15 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.
- For some Americans, abstaining from voting this year was a statement. Vice News Tonight's Dexter Thomas spent election day with 22-year-old Ohio resident Danielle Anderson, who made a point of staying home instead of heading to the polls. Thomas' full interview with Danielle is available on HBO Go and HBO Now. Watch VICE News Tonight weeknights on HBO at 7:30pm.
Once Upon a Time: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? Again, if the Animal Farm animals show up, I am out. And didn’t Hook’s brother already die in Neverland? Did he have another one I forgot about already?
You can download Once Upon a Time on iTunes.
Shameless: You gotta love that Carl turns out to be part Indian and he cop mentor ends up being part Puritan, who oppressed Carl’s “People”. But haven’t they already done the Fiona and Vee on the outs storyline? I am ready for them to just reconcile or at least just completely blow things up.
The Walking Dead: I was just whining last week how depressing the show had gotten, to the point is was moving into torture porn territory. And this week they introduce a self-professed king and his pet tiger who does not seem to be evil at all. Where has King Ezekiel been hiding all this time?
Masters of Sex: So the first time (I think) Virginia ever professed her love was while pretending to be other people. Kind of sums up that relationship. And of course while they are off looking for clinics stealing their method, Nancy is plotting her own exodus who got even more underhanded by telling Art she is tired with the swinging lifestyle only to go back to her favorite swing afterwards. Should be interesting to see what her endgame is.
The Strain: Wow, what a brat, setting off a nuclear bomb because his father killed his undead mother. Little Godweather may have just vaulted up to the top of the list of the worst TV kid ever, and that is a pretty extensive list.
You can download The Strain on iTunes.
Gotham: “Stop the press,” good original Batman shout out. But I am getting tired of the Mad Hatter storyline, that is not a villain that deserves his own season long story arc, a villain of the week episode would have sufficed.
You can download Gotham on iTunes.
Supergirl: I get a strong Smallville vibe between Kara and Lena. I just hope if that is the case we do not have to wait five long and slow seasons to have the two turn against each other as she embrasses the darkside. But on the flipside of that, having Kara and Mon-El accept each other after one episode when their races have been in a blood feud for centuries seemed a bit fast. It would be a bit disappointing if all the new characters (Mon-E;, Lena Luther, Miss Martian, hot lesbian vop) turn out to be allies with only an episode or two of being an anagonist at top. One of them has tto go full heel at some point.
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.
Timeless: Wait, why did Flynn go back to the Alamo again? Just to kill everyone four days earlier? Kind of a waste of a time machine if you ask me. But one interesting part was Flynn teling Santa Anna he should grant quarter to the women and children as he is also a father. Could Flynn be Lucy’s currently unknown father? Seems obvious until I actually think about the logistics as he does not seem that much older than her (not that stops Hollywood as I believe the Gilmore Girls are only about nine years apart in real life). But then ago, current day Flynn could have gone back thirty-ish years and impregnated Lucy’s mother.
You can download Timeless on iTunes.
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X: So three post swap Tribal and three times the majority generation sent home one of their own. The Millennials go into the merge with the advantage but a lot of bad blood so it may very well be one of them heading off to the jury first. Except here we are at the merge and I still have no interest in rooting for any of these people. Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X on iTunes.
The Good Place: The DJ monk finally got found out by his “lifepartner” though I was a bit disappointed that there was not his “real” version of him on The Bad Place train. But what was with the no new episodes until January? Why are they not airing up to the week before Thanksgiving? What exactly is NBC airing the next two weeks then? I looked up next week, but the regular line up is being pre-empted here for the Browns Thursday Night Football game. So expect the NFL primetime game ratings to continue to decline.
You can download The Good Place on iTunes.
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 Homeland, Kid Cudi, The Human League, Bob Marley & the Wailers, UB40, Assignment Explorer, Underfire: The Untold Story of PFC. Tony Vaccaro, The Lost Tapes: Pearl Harbor, and The Circus.
- Showtime has released the first teaser for season six of its Emmy and Golden Globe-winning hit drama series Homeland, which will premiere on Sunday, January 15 at 9:00. Season six is currently in production in New York, after spending the last two seasons shooting abroad in South Africa and Berlin. Homeland stars Emmy, Screen Actors Guild® and Golden Globe Award winner Claire Danes, Emmy nominee Rupert Friend, acclaimed stage and screen actress Elizabeth Marvel, Oscar® winner and Emmy nominee F. Murray Abraham, and Emmy and Tony® Award winner Mandy Patinkin.
- Grammy Award®-winning multiplatinum artist and trendsetter KID CUDI premieres the music video for his new single “Surfin’” [feat. Pharrell Williams]. The song is available at all digital retailers via Republic Records/Wicked Awesome Records.
- A Very British Synthesizer Group is a sound and vision anthology featuring all the hits of The Human League. The 2CD Deluxe Edition and the Deluxe 3LP box set versions cover the entire history of the group in 30 songs including 7 previously unreleased DJ edits from the earliest incarnation to the phenomenon that was Dare and all that happened in its wake. The incredibly successful left turn of working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the return to being a glorious live act and the glamorous robotic pop of 2011’s Credo album. Both packages include a 20-page booklet featuring a new essay by David Buckley plus rare memorabilia and photographs. The 3LP box set includes special vinyl discs that were mastered at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios.
Bob Marley & the Wailers were at the peak of their artistic powers when they arrived at the Lyceum London for two shows on July 17 and 18, 1975, having just released Natty Dread the year before and about to unleash Rastaman Vibration on the world. The Rolling Stones mobile studio was on hand to record both shows, with seven songs from the second released as Live!, in December of that same year. The recording was subsequently broadcast as part of the syndicated radio program King Biscuit Flower Hour in 1976. The Marley Family will now release for the first time the complete sets from both shows, Bob Marley & the Wailers - Live!, as a three-LP set in 180-gram black vinyl and as a digital package on December 16 in a tri-gatefold package that also includes a reproduction of the tour program from the band’s historic ’75 U.K. tour. In addition, on the same day, a seven-inch live vinyl disc will also be made available as an exclusive at UDiscover and the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, JA.
- Released December 2nd by UMe, Unplugged + Greatest Hits is a 2CD package containing a brand new Unplugged album plus UB40’s Greatest Hits. As founding members of Britain’s biggest reggae band UB40, singer Ali Campbell, second vocalist Astro and keyboardist Mickey Virtue topped the UK singles chart on three occasions and sold 70 million records as they took their smooth yet rootsy musical blend to all corners of the globe. But, in all their years of stellar success, the trio never transferred the spirit of UB40 into an acoustic setting. Now with ‘Unplugged’ they breathe new life into an intoxicating mix of timeless covers and classic UB40 originals.
- For anyone who has ever been inspired by the great storytellers of National Geographic, the opportunity to join their ranks has arrived. National Geographic today launches Assignment Explorer, its first-ever nationwide casting call for a digital correspondent to serve National Geographic’s online audience. The role will complement the team of on-air reporters on the network’s long-running, critically acclaimed series Explorer, which relaunches Monday, Nov. 14, at 10:00 as a one-hour weekly magazine-talk hybrid, hosted in studio by broadcaster, journalist and author Richard Bacon (@richardpbacon).
- In World War II, Tony Vaccaro played two risky roles, serving as a combat infantryman on the front lines, as well as a photographer who shot 8,000 photographs. Though he began as a young GI eager to record the war, he vowed never to take another war photo on the day the conflict ended, horrified by what he had seen. Directed by Max Lewkowicz (the New York Emmy®-winning “Morgenthau”), Underfire: The Untold Story of PFC. Tony Vaccaro chronicles the life and vision of this remarkable man, exploring how photography defines the way the public perceives armed conflict, and revealing the sheer difficulty of survival while taking photos in a war zone. The poignant documentary debuts Monday, November 14 (8:00-9:15 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.
- They were all major events that would leave a lasting imprint on America, and their narratives were shaped by the news coverage they received. With no narration or interviews, relying entirely on radio reports, television footage, rarely seen photographs, and other media, a new Smithsonian Channel series, THE LOST TAPES, will dive deeper into these gripping events, recapturing moments as they happened, raw and unfiltered. The first installment, The Lost Tapes: Pearl Harbor, will premiere Sunday, December 4 at 9:00. ET/PT, to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the attacks that brought the U.S. into World War II.
- In the final week of the campaign, more breaking bad news for Hillary Clinton and tightening of the polls creates confusion and uncertainty about the outcome of the election. In a race where lots of people say they know what’s happening, nobody really f***ing knows. This Sunday at 8:00 on Showtime, The Circus team fans out across the country, going to battleground states – including Utah, Iowa, Arizona, New Hampshire and Wisconsin – in an effort to understand what’s going on in this volatile race.
- A petition calling on CNN and MSNBC to host a presidential debate among independent candidates Gary Johnson, Jill Stein and Evan McMullin, and signed by over 1,500 individuals representing 50 states who stated they were “gravely concerned about the shortcomings of our political process” was submitted to the news organizations today. The petition was circulated by IndependentVoting.org, the country’s largest association of independent voters.
The Daily Show used to be my right before bedtime ritual, turn it on and watch the first segment while the dogs did their last doggy business of the day so they do not have an accident at night. I did give Trevor Noah a try but it was rough and never really got much better. I guess having a foreigner tell us how messed up our country comes across as mocking while when New Jersian John Stewart did it the show was more cathartic. What makes the transition worse is that The Daily Show had a deep bench of correspondent yet no of them were the ones that got promoted. John Oliver started the mass exodus going to HBO, but since then a few former Daily Show members have found a soft landing at TBS. First husband and wife team Jason Jones and Samantha Bee got a pair of shows, she is doing a weekly version of The Daily Show while he is headlining The Detour.
Now Wyatt Cenac has found himself on the latest TBS comedy, People of Earth. He plays a skeptical journalist sent to report on an alien abduction support group lead by Ana Gasteyer (Suburgatory) meeting in a church overseen by Oscar Nuñez (The Office). But it comes more and more obvious that Cenac may have a close encounter while traveling to the small town after seeing deer everywhere he goes. See animal attracts are the number one cover up for alien abductions, or so the support group would have others believe.
The reoccurring line the aliens tell the abductees is, “Don’t get weird.” Thankfully few people in the group take their advice. There is the guy who blames the lizard people for everything wrong in his life including abducting his wife, though she may have just left a year ago. But the weirdest of them all may be Gerry, the one guy in the group who was not actually abducted but wants nothing more than to be taken away. And though they ask the humans not to get weird, the aliens are just that. And by weird, I mean the funniest part of the show, I just wished they were a bigger part of the show.
Shameless: Really, you are inviting real cops to your speakeasy? Not the brightest idea, surprisingly that did not turn out bad. Really things are looking up for most of the Gallagher’s, except Frank whose homeless shelter is about to b destroyed. I wonder when things are going to turn around or are could the family finally be succeeding for the first time?
The Walking Dead: So having to wait months to learn who Negan exacted his revenge, we have to wait until the third segment. I was leaning towards thinking it would be the gay dude whose name I have yet to bother to learn yet. Instead it was my second pick who spent most of last season kind of moping around waiting to die and from a tactical perspective was the smart person to take out as he was the biggest. The shocker though was thanks to Daryl getting out of time, there was a second causality and it was Glenn who they went out of their way to make us think he was dead, going so far to take the actor’s name out of the credits. So really a drag of an episode and when Negan forced to cut off Carl’s arm, I was starting to realize this show is just turning into torture porn. It may be time for me to just dump the entire Walking Dead franchise; it is just getting too depressing.
You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.
Masters of Sex: Mmmm, a same sex team at Masters and Johnson, this should be interesting, mostly the female team. Also clever of Betty to the biological father to gain control of the baby. I still think this may not work out for her.
The Strain: Wait, the bomb the Nazi vampire set off last week was supposed to be nuclear? Shouldn’t that have done a bit more damage? And is Quinlin really that fast to outrun a nuclear blast? Alrighty. Unfortunately the Silver Angel cannot outrun the vampires. Le sigh. At least we will not have any of those weird scenes with Gus speaking English and Angel speaking Spanish.
You can download The Strain on iTunes.
Gotham: I joked last week I joked the moment between Riddler and Penguin was more believable than Batman and Catwoman. It turns out that Penguin actually has feelings for the Riddler… Alrighty.
You can download Gotham on iTunes.
Supergirl: Holy Miss Martian sighting! I take it this version is not Hank’s niece like in Young Justice; instead she may end up being Hank’s love interest.
Timeless: I figured that Lucy and the gang would show up in a James Bond novel, but for another week, no major changes in her modern day life. Meh.
You can download Timeless on iTunes.
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X: Two weeks after the tribe swap and second time where the majority tribe going in loses a member. But unlike last week, this seems like the right move. Adam was on the bottom rung of the Millennial tribe and last week’s vote saw there were cracks in the Gen Xers so that makes it worth the gamble. Teaming up with Zeke and his new allies may actually work if they all make the merge. Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X on iTunes.
Blindplot: Please give Rich Dotcom his own spin-off, or just add him to the team.
You can download Blindspot on iTunes.
The Good Place: Oh snap, the Bad Place guy has the real Eleanor. I wonder if the real monk is also on the train. And the more she name drops, the more I think Tahani does not really belong in the Good Place either.
You can download The Good Place on iTunes.
The Blacklist: Poor Aram, he lands a hot chick only for to be evil, but of course that always seems to be the case in shows like these. He may not have, but I should have known better.
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.
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 Stephen Colbert’s Live Election Night Democracy’s Series Finale: Who’s Going To Clean Up This Sh*t?, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Your Brain on Video Games, The Race Card, Zero Days, Conan, The 50th Annual CMA Awards, the National Geographic Channel, and Major League Baseball.
- Showtime has released a new “presidential” teaser for its live election special, Stephen Colbert’s Live Election Night Democracy’s Series Finale: Who’s Going To Clean Up This Sh*t? The special is a partnership between The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and SHOWTIME, featuring Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning late night host Stephen Colbert. Colbert will bring his unique comedic perspective, political satire and social commentary to Showtime live on Tuesday, November 8 at 11:00 on air, on demand and over the internet.
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will commemorate the 40th anniversary of their self-titled debut album by releasing two companion vinyl box sets featuring their entire studio album repertoire via UMe and Reprise/Warner Bros. Records. Several of these albums have been out of print on vinyl for years and all albums have been remastered for this release except where noted. All LPs in each of the limited-edition box sets will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl with replica artwork.
- Next week on TBS, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee will feature a thought-provoking interview with President Barack Obama. A legal scholar and former junior Senator from Illinois, Mr. Obama has served the past eight years as the President of the United States of America. Samantha Bee's interview of President Obama will air on TBS Monday, Oct. 31, at 10:30.
- Often scrutinized for crude violence, many have accused video games of increasing aggressive behavior, especially among impressionable youths. Violent video games remain a controversial subject and as the demographic for gaming widens, researchers are diving deeper into the mainstream perception that video games have hidden negative effects on otherwise peaceful people. Science Channel explores the effects of video games on the human psyche in Your Brain on Video Games which premieres Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 9:00.
- The first promo spot for TNT's provocative new series The Race Card, starring Charles Barkley, can be seen below.
- With global attention on cyber warfare intensifying in recent weeks thanks to the latest WikiLeaks email releases, Russian hack attacks, and with less than two weeks until the U.S. presidential election, SHOWTIME today announced it has accelerated the world television premiere date of Zero Days to Saturday, Nov. 5 at 9:00. As the subject continues to make headlines across the U.S and world, this film becomes more relevant and powerful documentary as viewers are being confronted by these issues in their daily lives.
- TBS's late-night show Conan will be heading back to New York City for the first time since 2011 for a week of shows airing Oct. 31 – Nov. 3. Joining host Conan O'Brien during the week will be special guests Louis C.K., Ryan Reynolds and Tracy Morgan, along with comedian Rory Scovel, the band The Sugar Hill Gang and more. Taped at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater, the week of episodes will kick off the beginning of CONAN's eighth year on TBS, a division of Turner. It will also continue O'Brien's string of innovative road show broadcasts from cities across the United States and around the globe. The preliminary schedule for Conan in NYC is included below, with additional guests and musical performances to be announced soon:
CONAN in NYC
Monday, Oct. 31: Musical guest The Sugar Hill Gang
Tuesday, Nov. 1: Louis C.K.
Wednesday, Nov. 2: Ryan Reynolds and comedian Rory Scovel
Thursday, Nov. 3: Tracy Morgan
- AT&T* is giving Country Music fans a front row seat at The 50th Annual CMA Awards red carpet. AUDIENCE® Network presents an exclusive look at the "AT&T CMA Awards Red Carpet" show hosted by Bobby Bones, host of iHeartRadio's nationally syndicated radio program "The Bobby Bones Show," and a performance by Country Music star Chris Janson. Janson's "Buy Me A Boat" was named Country Song of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in May.
- From the top of One World Trade Center, National Geographic announced today an extensive global rebrand across the company’s world-class media platforms, experiences and nonprofit organization. This evolution further builds on last year’s expanded joint venture with 21st Century Fox and cements National Geographic’s position as a leader in premium content with an unparalleled global reach. The rebrand will touch every aspect of National Geographic (at both the for-profit National Geographic Partners and the nonprofit National Geographic Society), including the visual presentation of the global channels in 171 countries, the iconic magazine, nationalgeographic.com, all of the company’s social and digital platforms and the National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C.
- Major League Baseball and Shout! Factory, a multi-platform media company, announced a new entertainment distribution alliance for the annual World Series film and World Series Collector’s Edition box set. The announcement was made today by Chris Tully, Executive Vice President, Media for Major League Baseball and Shout! Factory’s founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos.
- Today Main Street Alliance (MSA) released its first political web ad, featuring MSA Executive Committee member and small business owner Kelly Conklin. A poll conducted in September found nearly 60 percent of small business owners siding with Donald Trump. With less than two weeks until Election Day, Conklin, owner of Foley-Waite LLC, a woodworking company in Kenilworth, New Jersey, makes his case against a Trump presidency. “Donald Trump is a recession waiting to happen,” Kelly says. “And on November 8th you have a choice, whether we are going to go ahead on a steady course or whether we are going to plunge the country into one of its darkest eras ever. The master of disaster or a proven entity who can do the job."
Once Upon a Time: When the new teacher’s aide showed up talking about a princess from another land, I was really hoping this was going to be a Galavant crossover because that actress played a princess on the show. But alas, she turned out to be Princess Jasmine from Aladdin.
You can download Once Upon a Time on iTunes.
Shameless: It was a long time coming, but Fiona is really laying down the law. But I wonder which Gallaher moves out first. I have a feeling they will all move out and will be back together by the season finale. Also, Frank’s new family will actually be disbanded by the end of the season.
Masters of Sex: Oh no, as soon as the baby was delivered, I had a sinking suspicion something was wrong, then Barton told Dr. Masters to scrub up. Now we are likely to have a custody battle that I cannot see Betty even getting her day in court back in the seventies.
The Strain: Did the writers forget that Gus had an older brother? Or did I misremember things? But I am pretty sure he was played by Weevil Navarro.
You can download The Strain on iTunes.
Gotham: At the end, I actually thought for a moment the Penguin and the Riddler were going to kiss. Of course they have more chemistry than Batman and Catwoman who had an extremely awkward kiss themselves.
You can download Gotham on iTunes.
Supergirl: And here is why I feared the show getting demoted to The CW, they bring in Metallo and then turn him into a male stripper. What the frack? And what was with Hank hiding as a little girl. Speaking of Hank, what was with Superman outing everyone’s secret identity? At the DEO, he called Hank Jonn and Supergirl Kara.
Timeless: I hope it does not become a thing where episodes where history does not change become less interesting. Actually things changed last week and I was still disappointed that nothing dramatic happened in Lucy's home like in the first episode where her sister no longer existed and now has a fiancee. I kind of want something dramatic to happen every week.
You can download Timeless on iTunes.
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X: Never a good sign when one of your tribemates have to ask, “Is he trying to throw this?” Even worse when the answer is probably no, he is just that incompetent. Poor David. But at least he was able to replenish his Idol after questionably giving his last one to Jessica. I actually thought he might actually lose it again on CeCe and that would have been at least defensible. Now he may be fourth in a four person tribe. Yeah he still has an Idol, but if his tribe loses two more Immunity Challenges before the merge that will not do him much good. Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X on iTunes.
We have known for a while now that ancient rulers had very expansive thoughts of the afterlife, just look at the enormous pyramids in Egypt that houses the tombs of the pharaohs. But a recent tomb uncovered in China puts those Egyptians to same with a tomb to an emperor there that is the size of Manhattan and features an entire army made out of clay, including horses, carved in exquisite detail. And now explorer Albert Lin has been given unprecedented access to the tomb of China’s first empower for the new special China’s Megatomb Revealed premiering Sunday at 9:00 on the National Geographic Channel.
“The Terracotta warriors are just the tip of the iceberg in the largest tomb complex ever discovered, which has gone largely unexcavated… until now. These silent statues guard explosive, macabre findings that paint a very different picture of the ancient world from what we thought we knew.” Some new information uncovered include evidence that Europeans were in contact with the Chinese millennia before Marco Polo. A skull with a crossbow bolt embedded in the back. And much more.
China’s Megatomb Revealed premieres tomorrow, Sunday, at 9:00 on the National Geographic Channel.
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 Twin Peaks, POV (Point of View), Years of Living Dangerously, Stephen Colbert’s Live Election Night Democracy’s Series Finale: Who’s Going To Clean Up This Shi*t?, Green Day iHeartRadio Album Release Party on AT&T, Wheel of Fortune, Bob Hope: Home for the Holidays, Trolls: Crazy Party Forest, and Don the Con.
- Showtime has released the first behind-the-scenes look at the new Twin Peaks, which will premiere in 2017 on Showtime, on-air, on demand and over the internet. This first glimpse on set features original cast members Kyle MacLachlan, Miguel Ferrer, Kimmy Robertson, Harry Goaz, Dana Ashbrook and James Marshall sharing their thoughts on returning to the television phenomenon, as well as insight from new cast members Jim Belushi, Amy Shiels, Robert Knepper and Chrysta Bell into what fans can expect from the new Twin Peaks.
- Ryan and Amy Green faced every parent’s worst nightmare when their infant son Joel was diagnosed with brain cancer. But Ryan, an independent video game developer, imagined that something larger and brighter could come out of his family’s struggle: a poetic video game that would help him share an experience so rarely discussed—raising a child with cancer. Their heroic and life-affirming story is documented in Thank You for Playing, an Official Selection of the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, which will premiere during the 29th season of the PBS series POV (Point of View) on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016 at 10:00 (check local listings). American television’s longest-running independent documentary series, POV is the recipient of a 2013 MacArthur Foundation Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.
- National Geographic Channel (NGC) will premiere the second season of the Emmy award-winning documentary series Years of Living Dangerously— Sunday, Oct. 30, at 8:00. Years of Living Dangerously will move to its regularly scheduled time, Wednesdays at 10:00, beginning Nov. 2. The full list of season two correspondents includes Jack Black, Gisele Bündchen, Ty Burrell, Don Cheadle, America Ferrera, Thomas Friedman, Joshua Jackson, David Letterman, Aasif Mandvi, Nikki Reed, executive producer Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ian Somerhalder, Cecily Strong, Sigourney Weaver and Bradley Whitford. They give first-person accounts from locations — some shockingly close to home, others in far-flung corners of the globe — where the effects of climate change are most prevalent. They cover crucial issues, like severe hurricanes, deforestation, the solar energy crisis, climate migrants, historic droughts and the rapidly increasing extinction rate of our planet’s wildlife. The result is a gritty and raw look at not only how our species has impacted our planet but also how we can save it for future generations.
- In an unprecedented partnership between The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Showtime, the Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning late night host Stephen Colbert will bring his special brand of political satire and social commentary to a live Showtime election special. Stephen Colbert’s Live Election Night Democracy’s Series Finale: Who’s Going To Clean Up This Shi*t? will air on Tuesday, November 8 at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT.
- Tune in to watch Green Day iHeartRadio Album Release Party on AT&T, airing exclusively via nationwide broadcast Friday, October 21 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on the AUDIENCE Network, DIRECTV Ch 239/U-verse Ch 1114. Green Day's new album Revolution Radio is out now on Reprise Records.
- GSN, the leader in game shows and competitive entertainment, announced today that it has secured the telecast rights to season 31 of the iconic game show Wheel of Fortune, debuting Monday, October 24 and airing weekdays at 11:00 and 11:30am.
- There's no place like home for the holidays. And there really was no place like Bob Hope's home for the holidays with Bob, Dolores and the Hope family. Bob Hope's TV Christmas connection began on December 24, 1950 with The Comedy Hour and from then on, each and every holiday season, Bob invited friends from the world of entertainment and sports to celebrate the season in hilarious and heartwarming fashion. America's greatest entertainer hands out laughs galore in Bob Hope: Home for the Holidays! Street date, November 1.
- Ubisoft, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced that the extraordinary world of DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls is coming to life in an all new mobile game, Trolls: Crazy Party Forest! Based on DreamWorks’ Trolls, the upcoming animated feature film transporting audiences into a fresh and irreverent broad comedy filled with music, heart and hair-raising adventures, Trolls: Crazy Party Forest! is a free-to-play game where players can build their own Troll village and interact with their favorite characters including Poppy, Branch and their friends from the movie. The new game, developed by Ubisoft’s mobile team, is now available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android devices worldwide.
- DontheCons.com, the world’s leading website dedicated to the honoring the legacy of the world-leading con jobs promulgated by Donald Trump (a/k/a Don the Con), today announced the winner of greatest Don the Con Con Job contest. With over 20 million votes recorded in multiple rounds, The “Make Trump Rich Again” Con narrowly defeated Trump U as the greatest con of all time.
Once Upon a Time: I thought pulling out characters from a high school reading list was bad, but that may have been better than revisiting Cinderella’s origin story.
You can download Once Upon a Time on iTunes.
Shameless: So did none of the other Gallagher’s think to use a ladder to get to the second floor? Well I guess it was more entertaining to take a sledgehammer to the wall.
Masters of Sex: Interesting bit of quid pro quo with Virginia “admitting” that her agent took part in the survey and refused the second book because they did not include his data because he was too good in bed. And id Libby really going to hook up with the lawyer? Seems like a really bad match.
Supergirl: So the demotion to The CW means no more cave based DEO instead there is a new building base in city because… why not? Oh well, at least the show is still fun.
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.
Timeless: To let Lincoln die or not to let Lincoln die, that is the question. Might as well save him because they already messed up the timeline. Maybe Lucy’s sister would have returned had they saved Abe. I thought maybe they would change the timeline because Lincoln’s son became obsessed with finding Lucy and never married the person he was supposed to marry and they just messed up the timeline. But nice twist where it turned out Lucy’s father is not really her father even though I was disappointed nothing changed, I was kind of hoping there would be something that changed every time they traveled back in time.
You can download Timeless on iTunes.
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X: My main rule for the Hidden Immunity is never use it for someone else unless you can give it to someone in your alliance that will switch the numbers into your favor. At Tribal, I thought it was a bold move, but the more I think about it, I think it was the wrong move. Then the promo showed why it was a really dumb idea to give away your Idol because next week, Jeff says, “Drop your buffs.” So unless he is on the same tribe as CeCe and Jessica, dude will really want that Idol back. Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X on iTunes
The Good Place: So Chidi and Tahanni are really soulmates, right? But does that make Eleanor and the monk soulmates and that was the mix up?
You can download The Good Place on iTunes.
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 Great Performances, The Affair, Kid Cudi, The Circus, Years of Living Dangerously, Mighty Planes, Punkin Chunkin, Untamed With Filipe DeAndrade, Garth Brooks/Yankee Stadium/Live, and #ChooseKindness.
- PBS announced today the broadcast premiere dates for the diverse slate of performing arts specials that will air as part of the 2016 PBS Arts Fall Festival. Compelling specials from Great Performances and Live from Lincoln Center, as well as Bill Murray: The Mark Twain Prize and Alan Cumming Sings Happy Songs, will join Hamilton’S America as a part of this year’s festival. “PBS is thrilled to unveil the full lineup and airdates for the 2016 PBS Arts Fall Festival,” says Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “The quality and variety of programs that compose this year’s festival, from Broadway performances to comedic tributes and cabaret acts, will keep viewers coming back to PBS every Friday night this fall.” As previously announced, Hamilton’S America, from Great Performances, launches the PBS Arts Fall Festival on Friday, October 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings).
- This week, Showtime released the first look video for season three of its critically-acclaimed series The Affair, premiering on Sunday, November 20 at 10:00. THE AFFAIR stars Golden Globe nominee Dominic West, Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson, Emmy Award® nominee Maura Tierney and Screen Actors Guild® nominee Joshua Jackson.
- Grammy Award®-winning multiplatinum artist and trendsetter KID CUDI debuts the visual for his latest song “Frequency” via Republic Records/Wicked Awesome Records this week.
- The SHowtime campaign documentary series The Circus is making an early return this week to cover the fallout from the dramatic new developments in the presidential race. The Circus is cutting its two-week break in half and will air all new episodes on Sundays at 8:00 on Showtime through the election.
- National Geographic Channel (NGC) will premiere the second season of the Emmy award-winning documentary series Years of Living Dangerously— Sunday, Oct. 30, at 8:00. Years of Living Dangerously will move to its regularly scheduled time, Wednesdays at 10/9c, beginning Nov. 2. Produced in collaboration with The Years Project and from executive producers James Cameron, Jerry Weintraub and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Years of Living Dangerously once again features some of Hollywood’s biggest influencers who are passionate about environmental issues, and it reveals emotional and hard-hitting accounts of the effects of climate change from across the planet. The full list of season two correspondents includes Jack Black, Gisele Bündchen, Ty Burrell, Don Cheadle, America Ferrera, Thomas Friedman, Joshua Jackson, David Letterman, Aasif Mandvi, Nikki Reed, executive producer Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ian Somerhalder, Cecily Strong, Sigourney Weaver and Bradley Whitford. They give first-person accounts from locations — some shockingly close to home, others in far-flung corners of the globe — where the effects of climate change are most prevalent. They cover crucial issues, like severe hurricanes, deforestation, the solar energy crisis, climate migrants, historic droughts and the rapidly increasing extinction rate of our planet’s wildlife. The result is a gritty and raw look at not only how our species has impacted our planet but also how we can save it for future generations.
- Season three of the popular Smithsonian Channel series Mighty Planes soars to new heights with some of the world’s most incredible aircraft. From one of the most legendary spy planes to NASA’s cargo-hauling giant, there is no shortage of extraordinary planes carrying out massive undertakings. MIGHTY PLANES tells the stories of the pilots, engineers, avionics specialists, load masters and ground operators behind the machines, and of course, the airplanes that bring it all home. The six-episode season premieres Sunday, November 6 at 8:00.
- Projectile pumpkins take over the sky as Punkin Chunkin returns to Science Channel with a three hour simulcast with Discovery Channel – that’s more primetime gourd-chunkin hours than ever before! Punkin Chunkin is the epic gathering of unconventional engineering teams and builders who compete using a variety of technologies - air cannons, catapults, trebuchets and other homemade contraptions - to see who can propel a pumpkin the farthest. This signature Science Channel television event celebrates the science and engineering skills of all those who compete, as well as their creativity, ingenuity, teamwork, and passion. Punkin Chunkin returns in all its glory after a two-year absence as a simulcast on Science Channel and Discovery Channel Saturday, Nov. 26 at 8:00.
- When filmmaker Filipe DeAndrade won Nat Geo WILD’s Wild to Inspire short film compeititon in 2014, he never dreamed that the opportunity would lead to his own wildlife series. However, his winning short film, “Adapt,” left audiences and judges moved and inspired, proving to Nat Geo WILD just how much experience and unmistakable talent the aspiring filmmaker possessed. Two years later, DeAndrade’s dream of using his passion for filmmaking to showcase his love for wildlife has become a reality — today at Wildscreen, Nat Geo WILD announced its new digital series, Untamed With Filipe DeAndrade, premiering on the network’s YouTube Channel in March 2017.
- AT&T's AUDIENCE® Network will present the exclusive concert event Garth Brooks/Yankee Stadium/Live. Filmed in 4K this past summer, the spectacular concert event will broadcast nationwide on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 8:00 across all AT&T platforms.
- Radio Disney Country Artist Jessie Chris announced today she is a proud supporter of Disney's new national #ChooseKindness Anti-Bullying Campaign. Jessie, who was the victim of extreme bullying in school herself, has filmed an Anti-Bullying PSA, and is joining several other artists and celebrities hoping to drive awareness to this growing epidemic.
I knew going into this season, The Voice was going to be a drag just by the announcement of Miley Cyrus as coach and I figured I would be going back to just watching the YouTube highlights. I did watch the post Olympics preview and was unimpressed by the two they featured. Unfortunately there was nothing else on Tuesdays so I did turn in those days, but found myself flipping around to wrestling and news to see what stupid thing Donald Trump said that day to avoid Miley who is just completely unwatchable. Then this week the Best of the Blinds happened and I realized, I have not even bothered to go back watch the Mondays show. Not a good sign. But for the first time in a long time, there was actually someone who tried out that I actually had on my iPod, except the dude from Mêlée did not get anyone to turn (granted for a reason). Then there was an actual ringer, Billy Gilman, who apparently had a hit record when he was a child and probably has already won. Oh and we got two daughters of famous athletes on this season: Ron Harper and Valeri Bure. Meh.
This is the time I usually give digital ink to how well the contestants did on iTunes, but to be honest, I never really cared enough yet this season to check. And really, it is not just Miley, the contestants have been stale for a while now aside from a small blip two seasons ago. Watching the early seasons of The Real World on MTV Classics reminded why The Voice is becoming stale; just like The Real World recycled stereotypes (the naïve county folk! The token black guy!! The hot lesbian!!! The douchebag frat boy!!!!), it is the same singers every season. Blake has to have his downhome boring county boy. Adam has to have his big voiced diva and cute but bland white boy. Even the weird indie chick has become a cliché. I should be disappointed that the chick that turned (Don’t You) Forget About Me into a jazz standard got montaged, but instead, I just went, meh. Really the two black sisters who sang Stevie Nicks were the only Blind Auditions this season that I thought were just a baseline of interesting. Season six was the only season where I jumped ship during the Battle Round and I get the sense that not only will that happen this season, but I may actually be done with the series.
I tend to think I am up on television news, even if the show does not even air on television. Yet I had no clue what Freakish was when Hulu sent over their screener link for the show. Nor did I even recognize anyone in the cast other than The Walking Dead’s Chad L. Coleman. The press release actually had links from the cast list to their YouTube and Vine pages which also gave me pause. Then I started to watch the first episode and realized that the reason I had never heard of the show was because it was not made for me really looking back, casting YouTube and Vine stars should have also tipped me off).
So it was pretty clear that I am well out of the show’s targeted demographic as it is more aimed to teens. But the story is still as old as time… or at least as old as John Hughes because the detention setting has a very Breakfast Club feel to it, with Coleman as the coach is supervising. Except the school is extremely busy for a Saturday morning as computer club, orchestra practice, and a basketball pickup game are all going on.
Oh yeah, there is also a chemical plant explosion that happens on the same day and everyone has to head to the bomb shelter at the bottom of the school. Except most of the students do not want to spend the week their waiting fr the all clear, and that is when things get a little, are I say, Freakish.
Like I said, I am out of the show’s demographics but the show gave me some nostalgia vibes to the stuff I watched on Nickelodeon as a kid or the Saturday morning teen block of shows with a supernatural twist that gives it a modern flavor. Of course all the main characters (the bad boy, the basketball star and his cheerleading girlfriend, the computer nerd, the normal guy, and his violinist sister) have a secret. So if you have a teen in middle school (or are one), this may be something to watch together. Although I should point out to overprotective parents, even though the show seems to be geared to the younger set there is one curse word in the first episode.
You can stream all ten episodes of Freakish starting today on Hulu.
