I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Panic, Olivia Rodrigo, Lord Huron, Nelly Furtado, Emily Kinney, Joy Oladokun, Glass Animals, The Making of a Woman, Super Pumped, and Hulu's summer schedule.
- Experience the world of Panic online on behalf of the series premiere on Amazon Prime Video May 28th! A thrilling VIRTUAL manhunt for you and up to five friends or family. Popular varsity athlete Noah Kaplan has gone missing from the town of Carp, Texas. You must crack codes and hack websites to figure out where he's gone, why he's vanished and why the cops are interested in strange graffiti that's started to appear all over town. Is Noah in danger? Or is the worst yet to come? Work together to follow Noah's online footsteps before the trail goes cold. Every second counts. Let the game begin. Let the panic set in. Experience for free. Limited availability.
- Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, today released multi-platinum, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Olivia Rodrigo’s second performance in her LIFT series, “favorite crime,” shot on film. "favorite crime" will act as the track's sole visual following the release of Olivia’s highly-anticipated debut album, SOUR - out now on Geffen Records. Vevo also recently announced Olivia as their first LIFT artist of 2021 and unveiled a live performance of her RIAA Gold certified single, “deja vu,” also shot on film.
- Upon release of Lord Huron’s anxiously awaited fourth full-length album, LONG LOST, the band delivered unforgettable performances across the television circuit. In celebration of the release, the band performed “I Lied” with Allison Ponthier on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – watch HERE. The following morning, Lord Huron took the stage at CBS This Morning: Saturday with performances of “Not Dead Yet”, “I Lied”, & “Mine Forever.” Lord Huron will be heading out on a Fall 2021 headline tour in support of Long Lost. Tickets are on sale now HERE. Get Long Lost HERE.
- Grammy® winning singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado signaled a new era in pop music by fusing her multicultural musical heritage and unabashedly honest lyrical style with trip-hop for a bold approach that resonates to this day. Today, “All Good Things (Come To An End),” the fifth single from her third studio album, Loose, which is certified gold or platinum in 26 countries, transitions from an introspectively lush dreamscape to a dance-friendly fusion that retains the feel of its timeless sentiment with a new remix from gold- and platinum-awarding winning German production duo Quarterhead (Ofenbach, Robin Schulz, Sabrina Carpenter, Dan+Shay). Written by Nelly Furtado, Chris Martin, Danja and Timbaland, the song remains a fan favorite with more than 250 million streams globally across digital service providers, according to Universal Music Artists app. Stream / purchase “All Good Things (Come To An End) (Nelly Furtado x Quarterhead)” HERE
- Jullian Records and actress/singer-songwriter Emily Kinney (The Walking Dead, Showtime’s Masters of Sex, ABC’s Ten Days In The Valley) are pleased to present the brand new music video for “When the Midnight Fireworks Start,” a track lifted from Kinney’s recently released full-length album, The Supporting Character. Directed by Davy Greenberg, shot by Sam Price (@esbyprice) and premiering today with BUST Magazine, “When the Midnight Fireworks Start” is a moon ceremony, a sort of letting go of the past and focusing on where Kinney sees her music going in the future. Filmed during the last full moon, the clip also serves as a little prayer to the universe to help Kinney find the best path for her and the music. Watch the music video via BUST HERE and on YouTube HERE.
- Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Joy Oladokun will release her highly anticipated major label debut album, in defense of my own happiness, next Friday, June 4 via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records. With in defense of my own happiness, Oladokun forges her own path, sharing the unique perspective she’s gained from living in today’s world as a black, queer woman and first-generation child of Nigerian immigrants. Born in Arizona and now living in Nashville, her musical exploration began at age ten when she was inspired to learn guitar after seeing a video of Tracy Chapman—the first time she’d ever seen a black woman play the instrument—and has since gone on to become “a fierce voice demanding equality” (NPR Music).
- Glass Animals delivered their first-ever U.S. awards show performance, as they took the outdoor stage at Billboard Music Awards in Los Angeles to perform their global smash hit “Heat Waves” live—watch HERE! The band has been delivering some of the most colorful and creative live performances throughout quarantine, and last night’s did not disappoint. Featuring a pastel art sculpture by French artist Cyril Lancelin titled “pyramid pillows,” the band gave a signature, high-energy performance to a live audience of vaccinated fans. Not only was this Glass Animals’ first-ever U.S. awards show, but it was also their first live U.S. performance since their last show pre-Covid lockdown in March 2020 at Los Angeles’ iconic Troubadour.
- AspireTV, the network that celebrates and reflects Black culture and urban lifestyle, announced that the three-part limited series The Making of a Woman will premiere Saturday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET, as part of AspireTV’s celebration of Black Music Month. The Making of a Woman chronicles the journey of Syleena Johnson as she creates and completes her 11th studio album, “Woman.” An empowering story of hope, drive and determination, centered around music that highlights the challenges all women face in their quest for growth, happiness and success. “We are thrilled to kick off Black Music Month with the premiere of the limited series The Making of a Woman,” said Tina Rodriguez, Senior Director of Programming & Acquisitions, AspireTV. “Grammy-nominated R&B singer Syleena Johnson’s powerful voice and lyrics resonate with so many of our own experiences, and we look forward to sharing more of her story with the AspireTV viewers.”
- SHOWTIME has given a series order to SUPER PUMPED, an anthology series with the first season based on Mike Isaac’s bestselling book Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber. Emmy winner Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Trial of the Chicago 7) has signed on to star in the first installment as Travis Kalanick, Uber’s hard-charging CEO who was ultimately ousted in a boardroom coup. Brian Koppelman and David Levien (BILLIONS, Rounders) and Beth Schacter (Soundtrack) will executive produce, write and serve as showrunners on the series. Paul Schiff, Stephen Schiff and Allyce Ozarski will also executive produce and Isaac will co-executive produce the project. The anthology series will be produced by SHOWTIME and is part of Koppelman and Levien's overall deal with the network.
- SHOWTIME has announced that Emmy winner Kyle Chandler (Bloodline, Friday Night Lights) will join SUPER PUMPED, a new anthology series with the first season based on Mike Isaac’s bestselling book Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber. Chandler will star as Bill Gurley, the plainspoken, brilliant Texan venture capitalist who bets his sterling reputation on Uber’s success – and then has to live with the consequences.
- HULU ORIGINALS SUMMER 2021 SLATE:
FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES
PLAN B
Premiere Date: May 28, 2021
Genre: Comedy Film
Synopsis: After a regrettable first sexual encounter, a strait-laced high school student (Kuhoo Verma) and her slacker best friend (Victoria Moroles) have 24 hours to hunt down a Plan B pill in America's heartland.
CHANGING THE GAME
Premiere Date: June 1, 2021
Genre: Documentary Feature
Synopsis: Emmy® award-winning filmmaker Michael Barnett’s urgent and subsuming sports documentary illuminates what many have called the civil rights issue of our time: transgender inclusion in sports. “Changing The Game” takes us into the lives of three high school athletes—all at different stages of their athletic seasons, personal lives, and unique paths as transgender teens. Their stories span across the U.S. — from Sarah, a skier and teen policymaker in New Hampshire, to Andraya, a track star in Connecticut openly competing on the girls track team. The film centers on Mack Beggs, who made headlines when he became the Texas State Champion in girls wrestling – as a boy.
THE NEW YORK TIMES PRESENTS: WHO GETS TO BE AN INFLUENCER?
Premiere Date: June 4, 2021
Genre: Documentary Feature
Synopsis: “Who Gets To Be an Influencer?,” from The New York Times and producer/director Lora Moftah, chronicles the rise of Collab Crib, one of the first mainstream Black creator mansion, exclusively documenting their whirlwind drive to achieve social media stardom in 90 days. The intimate, character-based film captures the influencers wrestling with a nagging, and profound, challenge: how can they succeed in a nascent industry that seems tilted to their disadvantage? For a growing number of Gen Z’ers, the quest to become a social-media influencer isn’t just a passing fad: this is their preferred path to making it big. And for Black creators, the stakes and hurdles are even higher in a social-media ecosystem that has been dominated by white influencers.
FALSE POSITIVE
Premiere Date: June 25, 2021
Genre: Horror/Thriller Film
Synopsis: After months of trying and failing to get pregnant, Lucy (Ilana Glazer) and Adrian (Justin Theroux) finally find their dream fertility doctor in the illustrious Dr. Hindle (Pierce Brosnan). But after becoming pregnant with a healthy baby girl, Lucy begins to notice something sinister through Hindle's gleaming charm, and she sets out to uncover the unsettling truth about him, and her own “birth story.” As if getting pregnant weren't complicated enough...
SUMMER OF SOUL (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Premiere Date: July 2, 2021
Genre: Documentary Feature
Synopsis: In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Marcus Garvey Park. The footage was never seen and largely forgotten–until now. “Summer of Soul” shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Baretto, Abbey Lincoln & Max Roach and more. Summer of Soul premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Together with Disney’s new BIPOC creator initiative Onyx Collective, Searchlight Pictures will release it theatrically and it will also stream on Hulu.
MCCARTNEY 3,2,1
Premiere Date: July 16, 2021
Genre: Docuseries
Episodes: 6
Synopsis: Paul McCartney sits down for a rare in-depth one-on-one with legendary producer Rick Rubin to discuss his groundbreaking work with The Beatles, the emblematic 70s arena rock of Wings and his 50 years and counting as a solo artist. In this six-episode series that explores music and creativity in a unique and revelatory manner, join Paul and Rick for an intimate conversation about the songwriting, influences, and personal relationships that informed the iconic songs that have served as the soundtracks of our lives.
HOMEROOM
Premiere Date: August 12, 2021 (New Announcement)
Genre: Documentary Feature
Synopsis: A Sundance Official Selection, “Homeroom” follows Oakland High School’s class of 2020 as they confront an unprecedented year. Anxiety over test scores and college applications gives way to uncertainty springing from a rapidly developing pandemic. Efforts to eliminate the school district’s police force unfold against the backdrop of growing nationwide demands for systemic change.
SERIES
LOVE, VICTOR
Premiere Date: June 11, 2021
Genre: Young Adult Series
Season: 2
Episodes: 10 (Binge)
Synopsis: The popular teen dramedy returns as season two finds a newly out-of-the-closet Victor entering his junior year at Creekwood High. But being out brings with it new challenges as Victor faces a family struggling with his revelation, a heartbroken ex-girlfriend in Mia, and the difficulties of being an openly gay star athlete -- all while navigating the excitement of his relationship with Benji.
THE HANDMAID’S TALE
Season Finale: June 16, 2021
Genre: Drama Series
Season: 4
Episodes: 10 (Weekly)
Synopsis: In the fourth season of “The Handmaid's Tale,” June (Elisabeth Moss) strikes back against Gilead as a fierce rebel leader, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges. Her quest for justice and revenge threatens to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships.
THIS WAY UP
Premiere Date: Summer 2021 (TBC)
Genre: Comedy Series
Season: 2
Episodes: 6 (Binge)
Synopsis: Season two of the BAFTA award-winning series is set after the events of the season one finale, with things in flux for Aine (Aisling Bea, “Living With Yourself;” “Quiz”) and her sister, Shona (Sharon Horgan, “Catastrophe;” “Military Wives”). Aine’s starting to leave her time in rehab behind and live less cautiously, which may not be entirely wise. Will she and Richard (Tobias Menzies, “The Crown;” “Game of Thrones”) make a go of it? Or continue to exist in the odd tension of the employer and employee? How will Shona and Charlotte (Indira Varma, “Game of Thrones;” “Luther”) manage running a new business together and having feelings for each other? Will Shona be able to go through with marrying Vish (Aasif Mandvi, “Evil;” “The Brink”)? Planning a wedding? Can she tell him what happened? Is there anything more to tell?
NINE PERFECT STRANGERS
Premiere Date: August 18, 2021
Genre: Limited Series
Episodes: 8 (First three episodes drop on August 18, then weekly release)
Synopsis: Based on The New York Times bestselling book by author Liane Moriarty, “Nine Perfect Strangers” takes place at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation as nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living. Watching over them during this 10-day retreat is the resort's director, Masha, a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. However, these nine “perfect” strangers have no idea what is about to hit them.
ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING
Premiere Date: August 31, 2021
Genre: Comedy Series
Season: 1
Episodes: 10 (First two episodes drop on August 31, then weekly release)
Synopsis: From the minds of Steve Martin, Dan Fogelman and John Hoffman comes a comedic murder-mystery series for the ages. “Only Murders In The Building” follows three strangers (Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. As they record a podcast of their own to document the case, the three unravel the complex secrets of the building which stretch back years. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living amongst them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it’s too late.
THE D’AMELIO SHOW
Premiere Date: Late Summer 2021 (TBC)
Genre: Unscripted Series
Season: 1
Episodes: 8
Synopsis: From relative obscurity and a seemingly normal life, to overnight success and thrust into the Hollywood limelight overnight, the D’Amelios are faced with new challenges and opportunities they could not have imagined. Charli, who at 16 became one of the biggest celebrities with over 150 million followers combined and #1 on the TikTok platform in less than a year, has the world at her fingertips and is working to balance fame and family life with dancing, running a budding empire, making new friends in LA and battling the naysayers online. Her sister Dixie, is now 19 and experiencing her own overnight rise to fame with over 78 million followers combined, one of the fastest growing YouTube channels and ranked within the Top 10 Most Followed Creators on TikTok. Dixie is now pursuing a music career in LA. For mom Heidi and dad Marc, raising teenagers is hard enough before adding in a cross-country move, supporting their daughters’ dreams and doing the best they can to stay close as a family and protect their girls from the dark side of fame, while also trying to adjust to life in Hollywood.
KIDS PROGRAMING
TROLLS: TROLLSTOPIA
Premiere Date: June 10, 2021
Genre: Animated Series
Season: 3
Episodes: 7 (Binge)
Synopsis: The Trolls are back with nonstop fun and new friends joining the hair-raising adventures! As the Troll tribes strengthen their friendships through games like wormhole scavenger hunts and massive piñata battles, they also learn about each others’ culinary traditions in an epic Trolls-style potluck.
THE MIGHTY ONES
Premiere Date: July 1, 2021
Genre: Animated Series
Season: 2
Episodes: 10 (Binge)
Synopsis: The misadventures of “The Mighty Ones” continue as they explore their backyard wonderland and learn more about the strange creatures they share it with. A flood forces the Mighty Ones to live as pirates searching for dry land, Rocksy dabbles in a home makeover, and Very Berry makes a new feathery “friend” who may or may not see her as food. These mighty little beings are relatively fearless, a little misguided and always have each others’ backs come snow, wind or any atmospheric phenomenon that threatens the yard they call home.
