The Five Most (and Least) Anticipated Shows of 2019-20

One thing I noticed as the networks were releasing their schedules, I am not watching much next fall, especially dramas, which I will only be watching three of. It could stem from not really wanting to watch twenty-two episodes of a show over the course of a year anymore and just the lack of creativity. Sure there will a few cable shows that have not been announced yet that will take up time, most likely Homeland, Mr. Robot, and The Walking Dead, but I may be watching less television this fall than I have in a while this fall. Here are the few bright spots that caught my eye.

1. The Great (Hulu, TBD): Hulu did not release a trailer but did show one during their Upfronts and let me tell you, this show looks like a hoot. It is an absurdist look at Catherine the Great, not to be confused with HBO’s super serious take on the Russian princess starring Helen Mirran. The Hulu show stars the much younger Elle Fanning with Nicolas Hoult hamming it up as a Prussian suiter. Definitely keep an eye out for this one.

2. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC, Midseason): When pilot announcements started rolling in, the only one that really caught my eye was Jane Levy starring in a musical. That is all I needed to know. And that is basically all I know at this point because NBC did not release a trailer. Hopefully this turns out better than NBC’s last musical Rise.

3. Dollface (Hulu, TBD): Another Hulu show that they did not release a trailer to the public but I got to see, and this is actually weirder than The Great. It reminded me of Man Seeking Woman but from the woman’s point of view and that woman is Kat Dennings. It will be nice seeing her in something that is not as bad as 2 Broke Girls.

4. Snowpiercer (TBS, Spring): Here is a show that may have been on my list last year too because it has seemed to be gestating for a while now. Based on a very good movie which I came away thinking, this could have made for a great television show having each car be its own episode. But due to the lengthy production time and word that the show is moving from TNT to TBS (because, you know, the movie was so forking funny), I was a little worried, but TBS also announced it has been announced for season two. So maybe there is hope still that it will live up to the hype in my head.

5. Perfect Harmony (NBC, Thursdays at 8:30): NBC’s other musical show, this one about a church choir. Since it stars Pitch Perfect’s Anna Camp, I am hoping for some gratuitous cameo.


As the great philosopher Butt-Head once pondered, how would we know if something was cool if there weren't things that sucked, here are the five shows you could not pay me to watch next fall

1. BH90210 (Fox, Wednesdays at 9:00) – No, not a reboot, a fake reality show, because… who knows.

2. Batwoman (CW, Sundays at 8:00) – Batwoman was just horrible in the last CW crossover, why they thought giving not-Batman her own show is very puzzling.

3. Katy Keen (CW, Midseason): A Riverdale spinoff, the second one, except I knew who Sabrina the Teenage Witch is, who the fork is Katy Keen.

4. Nancy Drew (CW, Wednesdays at 9:00): Not a Riverdale spinoff technically, but certainly looks like it.

5. The Unicorn (CBS, Thursdays at 8:30): Boyd Crowder deserves better than a crappy CBS sitcom.


Here are the few things I will be watch on network television this fall:

Mondays
8:00 – The Neighborhood (CBS)

Tuesdays
9:00 – Mixish (ABC)
9:30 – Blackish (ABC)

Wednesdays
8:00 – Survivor (CBS)
8:00 – The Goldbergs (ABC)
8:30 – Schooled (ABC)
9:00 – Not Just Me (Fox)
9:00 – Modern Family (ABC)

Thursdays
8:00 – Superstore (NBC)
8:30 – Perfect Harmony (NBC)
9:00 – The Good Place (NBC)
9:30 – Sunnyside (NBC)

Fridays
8:00 – The Blacklist (NBC)

Sundays
9:00 - Supergirl (The CW)

Previewing Catch-22

At the Hulu upfronts, George Clooney joked about how this was the first upfronts he has attended in twenty-five years and tells a story about being backstage with Jennifer Aniston wondering if their shows were any good. Yeah, things turned out well for ER and Friends. After ER, Clooney went on to be the biggest movie star in a while when movies stars just did not do television. Why take up three-fourth of the year for a tenth of the paycheck?

But with the proliferation of different outlets who play with episode counts so you are not stuck doing a role for twenty two episodes, television is becoming easier to get a pet project down than some small scale movie. In the one for them, one for me format, the one for me is slowly turning into limited series. Reece Witherspoon is even now juggling three different shows on three different outlets. The first, Big Little Lies, just landed one of the biggest film stars alive, Meryl Streep to join the cast.

So it is the perfect time for Clooney to finally return to the small screen. His pet project is an adaptation of the dark war comedy Catch-22. But here is the thing, though George Clooney is the face of the show, the guy who did the presentation at the upfronts, and will likely do the talk show rounds, Clooney is not really the star of the show. He is not even in all of the six episodes, though he is a producer and directed a pair of episodes. Same goes for two other well-known television actors Kyle Chandler and Hugh Laurie. And though Clooney has been away from television for a while, he still kept each episode runtime at a brisk, network like forty to forty-five minutes.

Those three big name stars all play upper management in the air force, but the story of Catch-22 belongs to the airmen that doing the actual flying. Unfortunately the show falters when the fail to cast anyone as charismatic as those three elder statesmen. Even half way through the series, it is hard to distinguish most of the younger characters aside from the main POV character. It probably does not help that our military service was pretty racist and sexist during World War II so we are stuck with a very white male, undistinguishable cast. There is only one woman who does not spend most her time on screen in various stages of undress, and that nurse is one of the more memorable characters because of it.

There is also an issue with tone. Clooney and Laurie are hamming it up while Chandler just tweaks his Coach Taylor-ness up to eleven which is just humorous itself. But the lead guy acts like he is in a serious war movie and does not seem to know what to do when someone makes a joke around him. It is not until he has a groin injury does he do or say anything that makes me laugh. In the end, Catch-22 comes off like a Bob Hope movie if a Bob Hope movie had nudity, foul language, and graphic deaths. Well, also a very large-budgeted Bob Hope movie. The show was beautifully shot in Italy which almost makes it worth a look.

Christopher Abbott (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot) plays the lead airman who is trying his best to end his tour no many how many times his commanders raise his missions. There are attempts to get a medical, desertion, and even doing multiple missions a day in the hope he can complete them all before the number is raised. It is weird that Clooney just disappears for half the series considering how much of an antagonist he is to Abbott at the beginning, and really the show comes alive when he goes full ham during his scenes. Catch-22 is decent, but it is hard not to come away thinking how much better it could have been with some more tweaks to the casting and writing.

All episodes of Catch-22 are available to stream on Hulu starting tomorrow.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: May 12, 2019

Supergirl: So just when Kara was going to reveal herself to Lena, Lena says something about betrayl so Supergirl puts her glasses back on. Meh. Maybe Supergirl will tell Lena by the end of the season setting up Lena slowly turn evil next season. There really needs to be a change in that dynamic.
Supergirl on iTunes.

Killing Eve: I am not sure what made less sense, the French assassin not retaliating for Eve stabbing her or Eve having the French Assassin locked in a container with two armed guards and just let her walk away. She has killed a bunch of people including one of your co-workers Eve.
You can download Killing Eve on iTunes.

Billions: Really, a draw? They can pay for Rich Eisen but not any judges? But kudos to the nerd who bet push. But silliness aside, both Axe and Chuck took a big hit from their adversaries this week. I hope at least one of them if not both get their comeuppance this season because if we are just going to have them in these big holes only for them to come out on top by the finale will be pretty boring.

Good Girls: So Beth takes an entire week off from being a drug kingpin? And only decides to go back to it because someone would not put out her gluten filled cupcakes? Kind of an unnecessary episode.
You can download Good Girls on iTunes

Shadowhunters: Petty horrible show, and even though they had to wrap up the series in a two and a half movie, that actually kind of had a satisfying ending. Still, I am glad it finally got canceled.
You can download Shadowhunters on iTunes.

Survivor: Edge of Extinction: Just when you thought Rick could not get any more annoying. If Lauren does not win, this will be the biggest travesty in the show's history.
You can download Survivor: Edge of Extinction on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists: It seems like they have spent most of this season trying to convince the head of security that the trio had nothing to do with the death that we really have not spent much time figuring out who exactly did it. The British dude has to move to the top of the very short list right now.
You can download Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists on iTunes.

The Challenge: War of World: Good riddance Paulie, please go back to Big Brother.
You can download The Challenge: War of Worlds on iTunes.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: What a great ending, just when you though the worst was about to happen to Dagger she sees the light. But did Cloak put Mayhem back in his dark space? He told her doppelganger he put her away. We did see a record store there when Dagger went there so I guess that is some voodoo plain where all that other worldly things go.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Doom Patrol: So poppa Stone is still, barely alive. I guess that would happen because it is hard to do Cyborg without him. We also almost got the death of Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man but hilariously he was shot in the mineral part of him. I wonder if he will just stay in the background or if he will ever come face to face with the Doom Patrol again. He as to have some part in the finale, right?

The Blacklist: So the president’s big plan is to kill himself to become martyred? Yeah, that does not make any sense. If you can pull off a conspiracy like that, how about just bury the bad information?
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: I thought we were going to start another season without any Fitz, but he finally showed up in the end tag. But what exactly was he injecting? Of course that may not have been Fitz because we got not-Coulsen this episode. I take this is some sort of multi-verse thing. Except the guy in the wall had some sort of cybernetics. So who know? Hopefully we find out sooner rather than later.
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: May 11, 2019

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 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™, Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men, When Whales Walked: Journeys in Deep Time, James Bay, Bene, Of Monsters and Men, Joan as Police Woman, Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience, Russia's Wild Sea, CTRL ALT DELETE, Must Watch: The Chase, featuring Ken Jennings, and Billions.

- With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™ just 30 days away, FOX Sports gets fans ready for the biggest live event of the summer with its “All Eyes on Us” spot, taking fans inside a heart-pounding, midfield moment with the defending World Champion, U.S. Women’s National Team. Alex Morgan, Mallory Pugh, Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz and Becky Sauerbrunn take on all comers with slick stepovers, nutmegs and turf-shattering tackles, showing the grit and skill they need to take on all challengers.


- Showtime has released all four episodes of the highly anticipated docuseries Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men early to its subscribers. Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men episodes are available now for on-demand streaming or download on the Showtime and Showtime Anytime apps and on partner on-demand platforms.

- Created in a first-ever partnership between PBS and Smithsonian Channel, When Whales Walked: Journeys in Deep Time is a two-hour film tracing the epic origin stories of some of the world’s most spectacular creatures. From Abu Dhabi to Argentina, Kenya to China, the program takes viewers on a global adventure as top scientists investigate clues from the fossil record and use 21st-century technology to unlock the evolutionary secrets of crocodiles, birds, whales and elephants. Using innovative storytelling techniques, 3D graphics and CGI to bring ancient beasts to life, When Whales Walked offers surprising insights into the evolution of these magnificent animals, exploding myths about the path these species took over millions of years. Narrated by actor Lee Pace (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Hobbit), the film premieres Wednesday, June 19 at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) on both PBS and Smithsonian Channel and will also be available for simultaneous streaming on PBS.org.

- Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multiplatinum singer-songwriter James Bay surprised fans and released his new Oh My Messy Mind EP featuring new single and fan favorite song “Bad.” Check out Oh My Messy Mind HERE and “Bad” HERE.

- Hailing from the suburbs of Auckland, 19-year-old indie pop artist Bene returns with her latest single “Evil Spider,” out today—listen HERE! Coming off the heels of her Gold-Certified hit “Soaked,” the up and coming singer and songwriter also announces her upcoming debut EP is set for release on June 28th.

- Multiplatinum Icelandic quintet Of Monsters and Men announce their new album Fever Dream to be released on July 26th. Pre-order Fever Dream here and check out albums first single “Alligator” here.

- Joan Wasser aka Joan as Police Woman is pleased to release a unique reworking of the Prince classic "Kiss". Listen to it HERE . The second track to be released from her forthcoming Joanthology retrospective album ( out May 24th on Play It Again Sam), Joan’s version of "Kiss" is stripped back, raw and uniquely Joan; the cover became a live favorite on her Damned Devotion tour.

- The critically acclaimed Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience will return this fall for a 20-city amphitheater tour, bringing the music of Emmy® Award-winning Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi to stunning new life at outdoor theatres across North America. As we say goodbye to one of the biggest shows and scores in television history, relive the greatest musical pieces and footage from all eight seasons in an immersive outdoor concert experience. Tickets for the tour will be available HERE starting Monday, May 13, 2019, at 10:00am local time and a full list of dates can be found below.

- Smithsonian Channel takes the Sea of Okhotsk by storm with Russia's Wild Sea, the first comprehensive documentary revealing this untouched area of natural wonders. Located almost 4,000 miles from Moscow in Russia’s Far East, the Sea of Okhotsk is a constant survival battleground for humans and a range of wildlife that includes orcas and humpback whales, as well as tigers prowling the forests. The two-part special from award-winning director Franz Hafner tells the fascinating stories of the region’s inhabitants and presents the incredible contrasts of the sea’s beauty and wilderness, rarely seen on film. Russia's Wild Sea debuts on Wednesday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel, with the second hour premiering Wednesday, June 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

- CTRL ALT DELETE, the Emmy-nominated web series stars Ed Begley Jr. in Season 2, set to launch Wednesday! Amy Brenneman is the consulting producer, and Naomi Grossman who was Emmy-nominated for her role in season 1 is of course back! The trailer is here.

- Before James Holzhauer became world famous as a Jeopardy! record breaker, he first showcased his trivia prowess as a masterful player on Game Show Network’s The Chase. In Must Watch: The Chase, featuring Ken Jennings, premiering on May 13 at 4 pm ET on Game Show Network, viewers will see a condensed encore presentation of James’ incredible appearance on The Chase, along with exclusive commentary and insight into the professional sports bettor's strategy provided by fellow Jeopardy! superstar, Ken Jennings.

- Showtime has picked up a fifth season of its hit drama series Billions. Starring Oscar® nominee and Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner Paul Giamatti, and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Damian Lewis, Billions airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Billions is currently averaging 4.2 million viewers per week across platforms. The season four finale will air on Sunday, June 9.

Previewing Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men

If there is one thing I can impart thing to my young nieces, it is that the Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nuthin to fork wit. You know, because as a wise man once said, Wu-Tang is for the children. Unfortunately their parents have yet to let me play Wu-Tang Clan for them. And I am guessing they will not let me show them the new documentary, Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men either.

Now you might ask yourself, isn’t four hour long episodes a lot for on one group. But there are ten members (including Cappadonna) and that just comes out to twenty-four minutes per member. Really, there are a couple of events in the Wu-Tang Clan history that could have warranted a full documentary, like the one copy of the Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album, or the aborted tour with Rage Against the Machine. The ODB could have carried his own documentary.

The group came together in their home of Staten Island for the first time together there in two decades to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Naturally the first episode deals with the origin story of each member on how they grew up in Staten Island and how they all ended up toward RZA to form the rap super group. We do get some debate of just how the rappers found the name Wu-Tang Clan.

The second episode naturally goes from there as their first album just explodes as Wu becomes a cultural phenomenon that even white kids from the suburbs like me are buying up the album. Of course when that many young men get a taste of the spotlight, they start going their separate ways. And then we get to the low point at the end of the third episode with the death of the ODB.

The final episode is a bit of scattershot that bounces around too much. The album auction is talked about, then they go somewhere else, come back to that album, talk about something else, and then finally came back to the album. Again, they could have spent most of that final hour on Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album, and I would have been fine with it.

I also could have gotten more of the Rage tour. I was actually working at the local ampatheater at that time and remember distinctly that tour stop. So Atari Teenage Riot (anyone actually remember them) were the opening act… and then nothing for over an hour. I learned later the reason for the delay from a buddy backstage was because the Wu members wanted to finish their basketball game. And since the delay, Rage Against the Machine literally had the plug pulled on their set because of a strict local ordinance that all concerts had to end by at least 11:00 which pretty much cut their set in half. And from MTV News stories at the time, we were one of the luckier stops on the tour. Certainly the doc does not make the tour look like all was good, but from my vantage point; they could have gone deeper on what went wrong and why. Not that I am bitter that I was not asked to participate in the doc.

Nas, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Seth Rogan. Jim Jarmush were all asked but I wonder how much of those interviews hit the cutting room floor because they are all blink and you miss them type segments. This is a shame because it is always nice to hear from people who were inspired in music documentaries. One dude we do hear a lot from is RZA’s brother who was the group’s money man. And boy does he have a lot to say, he has more new interview moments that even some of the actual Wu members for better or worse.

Like I wish we would have gotten more from the members when they were brought together for the doc. Maybe the best part of the whole thing is when they collectively start trashing Once Upon a Time in Shaolin as the camera is constantly cutting to RZA who basically put the album together in a shady way. And while I can nit-pick all I want, Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics of Men is worthy of four hours of any fan’s time. And be sure to sit down some members of the younger generation with you so they can see real rap music.

Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men airs Fridays at 9:00 on Showtime.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: May 5, 2019

Supergirl: Just when you though The Dreamer could not be any lamer she breaks out some electric blue whip for no apparent reason. Isn’t sleeping her superpower? How does the whip tie into that? And Wonder Girl’s lasso is much cooler.
Supergirl on iTunes.

Killing Eve: We all know the French assassin likes everyone to know she is the one doing the killing, but literally killing someone in a sex window in Amsterdam is going to be hard to top.
You can download Killing Eve on iTunes.

Billions: When Taylor reached out to Wendy I thought that maybe Wendy was back to being in the middle but instead of being in between Chuck and Axe, she was now between Taylor and Axe. But that did not last very long as she was quick to help Axe try to crush Taylor. But I wonder just what did McPhee’s outburst will have any effect on her.

Good Girls: Yeah, we need more of the cash advance dude. I am not sure how they can possibly add him to the cast, possibly another undercover FBI agent, but that really needs to happen. But sure, they got Stan’s bail but how do they keep them out of prison? I was banking on the FBI dude dying, but now I have a feeling Internal Affairs will be catching up to him soon with him opening admitting to coercing false testimony.
You can download Good Girls on iTunes

The Chi: O Poppa, dressing up as The Big Poppa for picture day. How classic. But really cheap to have Brandon being tapped on the shoulder only for it to be just another chef.

The Act: I guess I never realized it until now but we never did get to see the titular act last week, they just yadda yadda-ed to the escape. Though we did not really get to see it this week either but I guess it was apropos that we got to see Gypsy’s point of view of it while it was happening. But you still have to feel bad for her, ten years seems like a lot after all of the abuse she went through even though prison may actually seem like an improvement to her previous life. There really should be a place for her where there is a punishment but not hard time, like a halfway house. The update could have a little longer, maybe with actually footage of the real Gypsy. I guess there is a documentary on HBO for the real stuff.
You can stream The Act on Hulu.

Survivor: Edge of Extinction: Just when you thought Rick could not get more insufferable. Really, you are worried that Ron’s giving you an expired Advantage will make you look like an idiot? You are doing that all by yourself Rick with your buffoonish outburst afterwards and you constant dumb jokes. Everyone else has to stay on him next week like Andrea did Malcomn after that. I cannot take this guy anymore.
You can download Survivor: Edge of Extinction on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists: Wait, some random teenager ran over the black chick? That better not be the end of that. But that just makes me think the cop actually did it now. Although, why?
You can download Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists on iTunes.

The Challenge: War of World: Paulie, what a wuss. You cannot make these big proclamations of taking out Kyle and then wuss out. Especially with Kyle hurt. Hopefully karma comes for him before the final.
You can download The Challenge: War of Worlds on iTunes.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: Okay, so that dinner party was not some misdirect, it was an actual memory planted by what has turned out to be the big bad. I guess that answers my question from last week of why kidnap someone who can conger light daggers in her hands. When you can manipulate memories, I guess you can think you can get away with that. Is it wrong that I found the darkest timeline the most interesting?
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Doom Patrol: Just when you thought nothing could get more weird than a dude with a second dinosaur head and celery for a hand, here comes a swarm of killer butts like this a bad B-movie from the eighties. Awesome. Though it did seem like there was something else to the Doom Patrol’s plan going into the the underground bunker considering Rita was conspicuously missing. But I would have never guessed she was hiding inside Robot Man. Of course the big question now, is Silas dead? He did get punched multiple times with a metal hand. But this is a comic book show, so not exactly something that is too hard to come back from.

The Blacklist: Glow in the dark put-put golf? I was born way too early. That looked awesome.
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: May 4, 2019

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 Handmaid's Tale, Veronica Mars, City on a Hill, Desus and Mero, Catch-22, Brendan Schaub You'd Be Surprised, The Day We Walked on the Moon, It’s Bruno, Fletcher, Of Monsters and Men, I Used to be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story, Anthony Hamilton, JP Cooper, This Is Not Happening with Roy Wood Jr., Family Style, Black Monday, The Chi, and other Hulu Upfront news.

- At the Hulu '19 presentation, we released the official trailer for season three of The Handmaid's Tale as well as the first look at the Hulu revival of Veronica Mars. The new season of The Handmaid's Tale premieres Wednesday, June 5. Veronica Mars premieres all episodes on Friday, July 26, only on Hulu.




- Showtime released the poster and new trailer for its upcoming one-hour drama series City on a Hill starring Golden Globe® winner and Emmy® nominee Kevin Bacon (The Following) and Screen Actors Guild® Award winner Aldis Hodge (Underground). Premiering on Sunday, June 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, City on a Hill is currently in production on 10 episodes in New York and Boston.


- Showtime is bringing fans more Desus and Mero, expanding the show to two nights a week for a special summer run. The network’s first-ever late-night talk show will air two nights a week starting Monday May 6 and will air Monday and Thursday nights at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT all summer long, up until its August hiatus beginning Monday, August 5. Desus and Mero features the duo chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more, as well as giving their take on the day’s hot topics in their signature style in front of a small live studio audience from New York City. Upcoming guests on Desus and Mero will include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Charlize Theron, Amy Poehler, Gabrielle Union, Seth Rogen, Spike Lee, Bill Hader, Regina Hall and many more.

- Hulu has released a new featurette on the making of Catch-22 featuring soundbites with George Clooney (Director/ 'Scheisskopf'), Grant Heslov (Director/ 'Doc. Daneeka'), Luke Daives (Co-Writer), Ellen Kuras (Director), Christopher Abbott ('Yossarian') and Kyle Chandler ('Col. Cathcart). All 6 episodes of Catch-22 premiere on Friday, May 17, only on Hulu.


- Showtime presents podcast host and comedian Brendan Schaub in his first television comedy special, Brendan Schaub You'd Be Surprised, premiering Friday, May 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime. A modern-day renaissance man, the former college football player, retired mixed martial arts fighter and current talk-show host takes center stage on premium television for the first time in a stand-up comedy special as he shares his tale and completes a life-long dream. Brendan Schaub You'd Be Surprised was filmed at Spreckels Theatre in San Diego on January 19.


- Half a century after humanity’s historic first step on the Moon, Smithsonian Channel will launch a six-week celebration of this historic accomplishment. Six-part series Apollo's Moon Shot explores the Moon program through unique and rare access to Apollo artifacts from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, while a companion augmented reality app enables users to participate in the mission. One-hour documentary The Day We Walked on the Moon relives those iconic 24 hours through the surprising revelations of the men and women who were there and those impacted across the globe. Apollo's Moon Shot premieres Sunday, June 16 at 8 PM ET/PT, and the APOLLO’S MOON SHOT app will be available for download free of charge on iOS and Android platforms this June. The Day We Walked on the Moon premieres Sunday, July 7 at 9 PM ET/PT and will be available to stream on the Smithsonian Channel app and at SmithsonianChannel.com beginning Sunday, June 30.

- There’s just no coming between a man and his dog, as the Netflix/Stage 13 new scripted series It’s Bruno attests. It’s the brainchild of Solvan “Slick” Naim, whose entry into filmmaking started with music. As a kid, whenever he would hear a song he loved, he would create characters and a narrative to go with it. Before he turned to filmmaking, he was pursuing a career in music as a rapper. In a way, it’s what makes Slick’s visual style so dynamic. “It’s Bruno” plays like vibrant, pulsing and visual beats surrounding the tight bond between a man and his dog. Streaming May 17 on Netflix.


- Grammy® Award-nominated multiplatinum Icelandic quintet Of Monsters and Men make their much-anticipated return today with the new single “Alligator.” Get it HERE via Republic Records and watch the lyric video HERE.

- Vevo announces the release of Fletcher's live performances of "Undrunk." Hailed by PAPER as "one of the most exciting female artists to emerge in pop," FLETCHER's new single, "Undrunk," is simultaneously heart-wrenching and infectious, capturing the post-breakup yearning for a do-over. It also brings to light the harsh reality of calling it quits and that "Some things you can't undo / and one of them's you." Creating infectious pop music in its most authentic form, FLETCHER's genuine approach to storytelling can elicit a visceral connection for anyone listening.

- As part of its ‘Fuse Docs’ series, I Used to be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story directed by Jessica Leski follows four diverse women across different generations as they explore what it means to be a superfan obsessed with bands from the Beatles to One Direction. What turns a fan into a Stan? From Beatlemaniacs to Directioners, obsession with a famous boyband is a curious thing. The Beatles, Backstreet Boys, Take That and One Direction all inspire a particular, fanatical fascination. In this surprising coming of age story, the focus is on four diverse women across different generations who struggle with the challenges and contradictions that come with their obsession. Directed by Jessica Leski. The film has its television world premiere on Fuse May 18.

- In a three-day immersive experience, Grammy Award winning artist Anthony Hamilton will join the ranks of other world-famous musicians and scientists to put a focus on climate-change solutions. The event scheduled for May 17-19 will be curated by Earth's Call, a new nonprofit organization that finds and funds innovative solutions to fight the climate crisis. The concert will anchor the three-day immersive experience of sight and sound. Highlights for the weekend in and around Aspen can be found here. Hamilton will join Grammy Award winning artists Colbie Caillat, Mickey Hart, Patti LaBelle, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Alan Parsons — along with the Compton Kidz Club and the Earth's Symphony Orchestra, the latter led by Grammy Award winning conductor Cheche Alara — will perform at the Benedict Music Tent, home of the Aspen Music Festival and School.

- The unmistakably British singer-songwriter JP Cooper follows the rapid success of debut album ‘Raised Under Grey Skies’ with ‘Sing It With Me’ ft. Astrid S – his first release of 2019. Never shy of working with other artists, ‘Sing it With Me,' is the most joyous of collaborations. With voices that meld together into one, the harmonies complement each other in all the right ways. Slowly adding layers, the track begins with the soulful vocals of Cooper and eventually builds up to an explosive chorus that commands the attention of any room. The perfect soundtrack for the dance floor or a day on the beach, 'Sing It With Me' can translate to any occasion. With a driving beat and passionate vocals, the track has an infectious energy that leaves listeners captivated by the duo.

- Comedy Central just posted the unedited version of Gastor Almonte's appearance on This Is Not Happening with Roy Wood Jr. over on Facebook Watch - check out Reverse Drive-By here:

- Stage 13, the award-winning content studio that is a division of Warner Bros. Digital Networks, continues to premiere its unique and relevant original programming with the streaming debut and series launch of Family Style on Monday, May 13. The show will launch on Stage 13’s siteand YouTube channel and on Facebook Watch during Asian Pacific American Heritage month. The original 12-episode, unscripted series offers a lively look at not just Asian food, but the history and culture that bring the food to the dish.

- Showtime announced today that it has picked up a second season of its series Black Monday. The comedy about a motley crew of underdogs causing the worst stock market crash in the history of Wall Street stars and is executive produced by Emmy® nominee and Golden Globe® winner Don Cheadle. Two-time Tony® Award nominee and Grammy® winner Andrew Rannells (Girls) and Regina Hall (Girls Trip) star in and produce the series. Black Monday is created by showrunners and executive producers David Caspe (Happy Endings) and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend’s Girl). Emmy® nominees Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Preacher, Superbad, Future Man) serve as executive producers. Black Monday will resume production on 10 episodes later this year for a 2020 debut on the network.\

- Showtime has picked up the hit drama series The Chi for a third season. Created and executive produced by Emmy® winner Lena Waithe (Boomerang, Master of None) and executive produced by Academy Award®, Emmy and Golden Globe® winner Common (Selma), THE CHI is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. The cast includes Jason Mitchell (Mudbound, Straight Outta Compton), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (Queen of Katwe), Jacob Latimore (Sleight), Alex Hibbert (Moonlight), Yolonda Ross (Treme) and Armando Riesco (Bull). The second season is currently airing Sundays at 10 p.m. PT/ET.

- In other Hulu Upfront news:
The company has surpassed 28 Million U.S. customers
Hulu has expanded its partnership with Marvel Television with two new live-action series, Marvel’s Ghost Rider and Marvel’s Helstrom
Hulu inks a new multi-year deal with Vox Media Studios to create food-focused Hulu originals with David Chang & Chrissy Teigen
Hulu strikes original programming deal with TIME’s 100 Most Influential Honoree, Chrissy Teigen
Hulu expands slate of original series with straight-to-series order for Nine Perfect Strangers starring and produced by Academy Award® Winner Nicole Kidman and Emmy® Award-Winner Bruna Papandrea
Hulu will launch new binge advertising experience as it expands suite of behavior-driven ad formats
Hulu greenlights limited series, The Dropout, starring Kate McKinnon as Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes
Hulu renews freshman comedies Pen15 and Ramy

Previewing Into the Dark: All That We Destroy

After the first couple episodes tied very strongly into their holidays, the last couple Into the Dark episode seemed to tenuously linked to the supposed theme. March’s Ides of March episode only had a vague revenge plot but did not even feature an “Et Tu Brute” moment. Now for May, we are treated to a Mother’s Day episode that does not even mention the holiday once.

All That We Destroy features a geneticist mother who clones someone for his son which makes her a mother on two levels even though neither actually celebrates the holiday at any point during the episode. Samantha Mathis (American Phycho) plays the mother who is working on cloning to help cure people of disease in the near future as organ donors. Except she has diverged from her research to make the perfect clone for her son Israel Broussard (Happy Death Day).

See her son is a psychopath with homicidal tendencies and in her mind killing a clone is more in a moral grey area than having him snap and killing an actual human being. Sure this sucks for Aurora Perrineau (who was in the first Into the Dark episode though this is not a cross-over; although, since she is a clone in the future, I guess it is plausible) who plays the clone as she just repeatedly beaten to death while seventies soft rock song Every Time I Think of You is playing and then dragged naked to be cloned again. But hey, Into the Dark has already killed her off before. Things get even more complicated when another ethnically ambiguous woman (Dora Madison, Dexter) moves in the area and takes a likening to the son.

Setting aside dude killing a woman over and over again trope, All That We Destroy is the creepiest and haunting installment to date. It asks hard questions about technology and just how far should we go for the people we care about. Sure the twist ending can be seen from a mile away, but it still remains a satisfying ending.  It almost makes you forget the whole thing has nothing to do with Mother's Day.

Into the Dark Power Ranking
1. The Body (October)
2. All That We Destroy (May)
3. Down (February)
4. New Year, New You (January)
5. Pooka! (December)
6. I’m Just Forking with You (April)
7. Treehouse (March)
8. Flesh and Bone (November)

Into the Dark: All That We Destroy premiere tomorrow on Hulu.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: April 28, 2019

Supergirl: After eighty years of Superman, you just kind of have to accept that everyone around him and Supergirl are blind and just do not notice them when they put on glasses, but seriously, no one realize Kara is Supergirl in the middle of a riot in a men’s prison that Supergirl started?
Supergirl on iTunes.

Killing Eve: The first couple episodes were kind of a bore, but at least th assissin is, you know, assassinating again. That tie gag was pretty entertaining. I doubt she is going to pull off “boring and strait” going forward which I guess is why she is back with Constantine. How long will that last?
You can download Killing Eve on iTunes.

Billions: It only took half the season but we finally get a sighting of Bobby’s baby momma, and what it may seem like it may be the last. Usually Chuck getting beat is always the low for any episode, but seeing Wags in a dress may actually be worse. But the ending is exactly why someone calling themselves “they” is stupid because when you really want to use that person in a plural you have to specify.

Good Girls: So Ruby is just going to go to prison and let her brother go too for Beth? I am sure there is a twist coming soon that will make the investigation go away, but this just does not make much sense to me. That twist better happen soon.
You can download Good Girls on iTunes

The Chi: How messed up is our legal system if a guy who confesses in detail to a murder, there is an eye witness to the crime, gets released that easily?

The Bold Type: Wait, the new editor has a boyfriend? I thought for sure he was brought in to possibly be the third side of a love triangle with Jane and Pinstripe.
You can download The Bold Type on iTunes.

The Act: With that end tag of admitting to dramatizing aspect of the story leads me to question almost everything, but as much as I wish no one was stupid to post their murder on their shared Facebook page with the person they killed, I definitely believe this two would be that stupid. Especially the part of leaving the geo-tagging on. But I hope all the trial scenes in the final feature copious amounts of reaction shots and commentary from the neighbors like the Jury on Survivor. Their reaction shot to Gypsy walking was fun.
You can stream The Act on Hulu.

Survivor: Edge of Extinction: Last week I said it was stupid for Wardog to turn on Kelley because if you are the second biggest threat in the game, you do not want to target the first because then you are the biggest threat. And everyone recognized this and promptly sent Wardog to sit next to Kelley on the jury. But unlike Kelley, Wardog has no chance of beating eight or nine other people to get back in the game. As Gabby from David vs. Goliath said when Wardog responded, “Not over yet” after she welcomed him into the eighth place club, “Wardog my man I’ve seen u in challenges.” Really the only thing that could have been better than that Tweet this week would have been had Lauren stood up after Wardog was voted off and screamed, “The North remembers!”
You can download Survivor: Edge of Extinction on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists: So the black chick bashed the black dude in the head and he breaks into her hospital room after she gets run over by a car to say… I am not entirely sure what was going on in that scene. And if he did not run her over, who did?
You can download Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists on iTunes.

The Challenge: War of World: Poor Nany, I actually though she was going to win this season, and then they had to go and dissolve the team, and worse, her old teammate Turbo was pretty much the reason Nany lost. And how pathetic was Wes’s taping skill? It was shocking how fast Georgia got out of that.
You can download The Challenge: War of Worlds on iTunes.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: Oh snap, Rebecca Logan is evil. I guess I should have seen that coming. And a grief support group does seem like a great place to find girls considering they just obviously lost someone and could very well be alone. But I don’t know, maybe you do not try to kidnap a girl who can create light daggers and light bombs.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Gotham: Well we finally got Batman, an actual full episode of Batman even if he spent most of the time in the shadows. But I guess it is understandable because the one full show of Batman e got looked very CGI. Certainly was not the little kid from the show. We also got a different Catwoman in what was either a bad perm or a wig. But at least they got an equally bad actress, so that was consistent. Never quite figured out who Barbra Keen was. They teased her to be Harley Quinn for a season but never ended up pulling that trigger. Then she shows up ten years later with red hair for no apparent reason (other than I guess they needed a reason why her daughter was a redhead). I actually thought she was Poison Ivy at first. Weird she or really any of the other rouges gallery that were not main characters showed up for the finale. Could have had them just hang out in Arkham with The Riddler. Speaking of the younger Barbra, I kind of feel bad for the kid knowing when she got stolen by The Joker what The Joker would do to her eventually. Though when The Joker shot the elder Barbra, I thought she was going to be the one that ends up in a wheelchair because of it. But the worst of all, why have Gordon crow his iconic mustache just to have him quickly shave it off?
You can download Gotham on iTunes.

Doom Patrol: Well that was filler. And what happened to Beard Hunter at the end of last episode? But at least we got another Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man update. I wonder if the team runs into him later this season.

The Blacklist: Oh wow, Lizzy told Red it was her who turned him in. I really though Red was going to shoot Dembe during his speech because he has shot a couple people from a chair after giving a long speech before. Then in the second episode we finally get fake Red’s origin story. But just where is Lizzy’s mom now? I vaguely remember teasing her but I do not believe we have ever actually seen her in present day or know what happened to her.
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: April 27, 2019

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 Catch-22, Wu-Tang Clan, Private Lives of the Monarchs, Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler, Aly & AJ, Gloria Gaynor, Gastor Almonte, Hombre, and Showtime Documentary Films.

- Hulu has released the official trailer of the anticipated limited series Catch-22. All 6 episodes of Catch-22 premiere on Friday, May 17, only on Hulu.


- Wu-Tang Clan: Triumph on The Tonight Show:


- Smithsonian Channel slips into the bedchambers and back rooms of Britain and France’s royal palaces to discover the Private Lives of the Monarchs. Hosted by Tracy Borman, joint Chief Curator of the Royal Palaces, this five-part series uncovers the nitty-gritty, down and dirty and outright strange about the most iconic rulers of our history books – from the infamous Henry VIII to the “mad” King George III and up to Queen Victoria’s long-lasting reign. The series takes Borman through the royal palaces and castles of these monarchs to seek out rare documents and artifacts that tell the hidden and illicit stories of their reigns – their affairs, ailments, drug use and more. Private Lives of the Monarchs premieres Monday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

- Singers, songwriters and producers Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler are surprising their fans with an extended play titled brent, releasing on May 3rd. Their new single, “you were good to me,” is out now—watch the video HERE!

- iconic sister duo Aly & AJ release the second song from their up coming EP Sanctuary. Driven by a booming kick drum, an incredibly catchy chorus, and arpeggiated synths reminiscent of 80's pop, "Don't Go Changing," is a danceable plea for things to stay the same.

- Legendary songstress Gloria Gaynor has unveiled a new single “Joy Comes In The Morning” from her forthcoming gospel album Testimony out June 7th. LISTEN HERE. Fans will automatically receive the song as an instant-grat track with each pre-order of the album. “Joy Comes in the Morning” captures Gaynor’s smooth, soulful vocals with an authenticity that could only come from someone who has experienced the challenges and trials of life. With lyrics like, “…joy comes in the morning no matter how bad it feels, right after the storm ends and I promise it will,” Gaynor describes her own faith experience and encourages every listener to cling to hope through the darkest of times. For more information and future announcements, please visit: gloriagaynor.com.

- Comedy Central just posted the unedited version of Gastor Almonte's appearance on This Is Not Happening with Roy Wood Jr. over on Facebook Watch - check out "Reverse Drive-By" here:

- Showtime has announced the cast for Hombre, its new pilot from Academy Award® nominee Jonas Cuarón (Gravity). Marisé Alvarez (The Vessel), Greg Grunberg (A Star Is Born), Pepi Sonuga (Famous In Love), Adriana Santos (Taken) and Noah Reyes will join executive producer and Golden Globe® winner Gael García Bernal (Mozart In The Jungle, Coco) for the emotional thriller, which is set to begin production at the end of April in Los Angeles. The project is created by Cuarón, who will also direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. Hombre is a co-production from Showtime and Makeready. Hombre centers on a Mexican-American family man named Marcos Osuna (Bernal) who is living undocumented in the United States. When his wife Leticia is detained by ICE, Marcos, both desperate and resourceful, goes to unprecedented lengths to get her back. The project is an emotional thriller about a man enmeshed in a dangerous double life, contending with powerful forces set on thwarting his unwavering desire to unite his family.

- Showtime Documentary Films today announced a four-part documentary series that will chronicle the history of the iconic L.A. club The Comedy Store, directed and executive produced by Mike Binder (Black or White) and executive produced by Oscar® nominee and Emmy® winner Mike Tollin (THE FRANCHISE). The project is expected to premiere on SHOWTIME in 2020. This documentary series brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at The Comedy Store, which over the past 47 years has launched the careers of a breathtaking array of stars. As a Comedy Store alum, former stand-up comic Binder spotlights one of pop culture’s great laboratories with never-before-seen footage and incisive, emotional interviews with some of the biggest names in comedy. Among the comedians who got their start or developed at the Comedy Store are David Letterman, Jay Leno, Richard Pryor, Paul Mooney, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Tom Dreesen, Sam Kinison, Paul Rodriguez, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Marc Maron, Whitney Cummings, Iliza Shlesinger, David Spade, Sebastian Maniscalco, Annie Lederman, Jeff Ross, Theo Von, Bobby Lee, Bob Saget, Howie Mandel, Joe Rogan, Chris D'Elia, Jimmie Walker and many more.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: April 21, 2019

Killing Eve: Hopefully now that the assassin ha a new handler she starts going on missions because these first two episodes have been a bit of a bore without her targeting someone. Granted the last time she got a new handler, she killed him. But I did love her code to call her bosses was a Clueless reference.
You can download Killing Eve on iTunes.

Billions: Whenever I see a woman throw up on screen, for some reason I have been conditioned to think she is pregnant. That crossed my mind for a second with Taylor. Then it was beyond obvious to me when it happened that that Axe’s boat was not boke but wanted more time with the investor though we never did get the scene of him revealing that Machiavellian scheme saying the coast guard was in on it. Again, I have been conditioned to think these things. I apparently was wrong on both accounts.

Good Girls: They are really going to tease out Ruby turning on Beth, aren’t they? I bet the FBI dies before that happens. Hopefully they do not wait until the finale.
You can download Good Girls on iTunes

The Act: When you need an evil grandmother, of course you bring in Mags Bennett. Kind of wish the whole episode was flashbacks because Gypsy and creepy guy added nothing this week. Especially since next week is entitled Bonnie and Clyde so presumably that episode will be them on the run already. We really could have used more time with Dee Dee and her mother. But we did get the origin story of the wheelchair and where Dee Dee became overly protective. I still would have liked seeing where the genesis of the feeding tube came in because that had to be a big con by Dee Dee if it seems like Gypsy never really needed it.
You can stream The Act on Hulu.

Survivor: Edge of Extinction: Oh Wardog, you were playing this great game subtly decimating the Kama tribe, and then in two fell swoops you just eliminated your two biggest shields. I get David, he was coming for you but Kelley makes absolutely no sense. You do not take the biggest target out of the game if you are the second biggest target. Victoria has been playing a very shrewd game so I can totally see her swing back with Gavin to team up with the spited Lauren and Julie. The big question I guess is where does Aurora land? In the past she says she goes with the numbers, but she just seemed to make a pact with Ron, so her and her Extra Vote could put the new Power Trio in an actual power position. Granted how apropos it would be if Wardog goes out because Lauren plays her Idol.
You can download Survivor: Edge of Extinction on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists: Oh snap, black chick got frisky… and then gets run over for her trouble. Could the guy who’s head she bashed in come to fast enough to mow her down? Honestly, I do not particularly care considering we still do not know who murdered the douchy guy from the first episode. And I vaguely remember Hanna getting run over and that reveal turning out to be lame.
You can download Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists on iTunes.

The Challenge: War of World: Ugg, they were doing so well this season, eliminating one team per episode and as we inch to the end we get an annoying cliffhanger. And Georgia can only pick three people, it is not worth waiting to find out. Seriously, this is the very reason so many people wait until the end to binge shows not.
You can download The Challenge: War of Worlds on iTunes.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: We finally get to see inside Cloak’s dimension and… well it looks a lot like what he sees when he touches someone and sees their fear. And the way to get out was for Dagger to break the rules?
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Gotham: Well that came together as a fitting finale… except there is still one more to go. I guess we will get a full Batman episode which seems like it will just be Batman Begins. Well, they already did Dark Knight Rises for the last couple episodes anyway.
You can download Gotham on iTunes.

Doom Patrol: I was really excited for the idea of Beard Hunter, then he had and go and eat sink hair. Eww. I could have done without that.

Blindspot: A little disappointing that Weller’s mother just turned out to be a junkie that was taken advantage of by Sandstorm. Oh well, on the other hand it would have been way too predictable.
You can download Blindspot on iTunes.

The Blacklist: Yep, I called it was an inside job when they “killed” the kid when the father did not pay.
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: April 20, 2019

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 Loudest Voice, Manifest, Best Ever Trivia Show, Jade Bird, Aly & AJ, Disgraceland, Halo, and Shrill

- Showtime has announced that it will premiere its highly-anticipated seven-part limited series The Loudest Voice, starring Academy Award® and Golden Globe® winner Russell Crowe as Fox News founder Roger Ailes, on Sunday, June 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Production is currently underway in New York City.


- This is your calling. You are on the verge of discovering something new! From Oscar-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away) and executive producers Jeff Rake (The Mysteries of Laura), Jack Rapke (Flight, Cast Away), Jackie Levine (Allied, The Walk) and Len Goldstein (Hart of Dixie, Roadies), Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings you NBC’s #1 hit series Manifest: The Complete First Season on DVD July 23, 2019. Fans can uncover the mystery from all 16 exhilarating episodes from season one for the suggested low retail price of $29.98 for the DVD ($34.99 in Canada). Manifest: The Complete First Season is also available to own on Digital via purchase from digital retailers.

- Game Show Network, the leader in game shows and competitive entertainment, has announced today that Best Ever Trivia Show, hosted by Sherri Shepherd (“The View”) will debut on June 10 at 4:00 p.m. ET. In Best Ever Trivia Show, three contestants face off against three Trivia Experts. The winning player then goes head-to-head in the final round against the Expert who performed the best over the course of the show – the Ultimate Trivia Challenge. If the player gets more correct answers than the Expert, the player wins $10,000 along with the opportunity to come back and win up to a grand total of $30,000 and take his or her spot in trivia history.

- Jade Bird: I Get No Joy on The Tonight Show:


- Iconic sister duo Aly & AJ release the music video for "Church," the lead single off their forthcoming EP Sanctuary, directed by Alex Ross Perry, director/writer/producer of Her Smell, the critically acclaimed film starring Elizabeth Moss. Perry is also credited for the sister's vampiric "Take Me" video off their 2017 EP, Ten Years, that concluded a decade long gap in their discography.

- It’s the things we do in the bad times that enchant the story of ‘Wild Streak’, the aching new single from Melbourne duo N.Y.C.K. (Dominique Garrard and Nicholas Acquroff). When everything falls apart, our wild streak comes to the fore.

- The rock and roll true crime podcast Disgraceland released season 3 episode 5 on The Grateful Dead. So far in season 3, host Jake Brennan has dissected Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love, Snoop Dogg, and Ike & Tina Turner. Recently, the show peaked at #4 on the overall Apple Podcasts Top Podcasts chart ahead of The New York Times' The Daily and Serial following the launch of season 3.

- Showtime has announced that Emmy and Tony® nominee Pablo Schreiber (First Man, Orange Is the New Black) has been cast as the lead in the highly anticipated Showtime series Halo, based on the iconic Xbox® franchise. Schreiber will play Master Chief, Earth's most advanced warrior in the 26th century and the only hope of salvation for a civilization pushed to the brink of destruction by the Covenant, an unstoppable alliance of alien worlds committed to the destruction of humanity. Newcomer Yerin Ha will play a new character within the HALO world: Quan Ah, a shrewd, audacious 16-year-old from the Outer Colonies who meets Master Chief at a fateful time for them both.

- Hulu has renewed Shrill for a 8-episode second season.

Previewing Ramy

In a measure of full discourse, I have to admit I much prefer comedies that are, you know, actually funny. I just want something with a high laugh per minute ratio. It seems like more and more shows that are listed as comedies are becoming increasingly less funny because, I don’t know, art, or something else pretentious. And some of these shows are fine, but if you do not have a high laugh ratio, just please stop marketing yourself as a comedy.

I had high hopes for Ramy from stand-up comedian Ramy Youssef and producer Jarod Carmichael, also a stand-up comedy who’s The Carmichael Show was a traditional multicam with a very high laugh per minute ratio, just something you do not see any more unless you are an old person watching CBS. Unfortunately is one of those shows listed as a comedy but is really a drama that has a few extra laughs than, say, This Is Us.

Youssef naturally stars as the titular character that is a Muslim man living in Jersey and just is torn between the two. He wants to be a good Muslim who follows the Koran, but does not want really follow all the tenets like washing his feet before praying. It also eats at him that he has never actually dated a Muslim but has dated plenty of Jews.

In a bit of Hulu synergy, of those Jewish women is the lead of PEN15. In one of the funnier moments of the first couple episodes, after they hook up he checks the condom for leaks, which is something I have never thought of before but may be doing in the future. In another PEN15 reference, we get a full episode of Ramy in middle school though this Ramy is played by an actual young actor, and being a young Muslim boy in the early 00’s, Ramy has a completely different middle school expierence than two nerdy girls.

The best part of the early episodes was Ramy’s foul mouth little sister who seems much more Jersey than Muslim. At least she was the best thing about the show until she gets her own and I learn that you can in fact have too much of a good thing. Same for the mother, who spends a whole episode trying to be a ride share driver but ends up not working as a standalone episode. Grant ed the best episode may be the one where Ramy drives his disabled co-worker to a girl he met online in hopes of getting laid.

The season ends with Ramy returning to his roots to visit his family in Egypt. But the actual final scene may be the weirdest ending to a show ever that is based in reality. I just sat there wondering, am I really seeing this? Although if ending there was an attempt to get people to watch a potential second season, I definitely want to see how they write themselves out of what happened.

All episodes of Ramy premiere tomorrow on Hulu.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: April 14, 2019

Killing Eve: Nothing worse than when something is overhyped when it turns out to be just good. After all the buzz around this show I decided to give it a try when it popped on Hulu earlier this year. And it was perfectly fine, certainly not worth all the praise it got when it first aired. And after finished the first season I was kind of surprised that Sandra Oh got all the award recognition when the crazy French assassin was the best part of the show. And by best, I man pretty most the only good part. I do understand The French assassin’s obsession with Eve on account she is crazy, but I never quite understood why Eve replicated especially after the assassin killed her buddy. The season two premiere was a bit of a bore, probably because the crazy French assassin spent most of the episode in the hospital. But she did give us the two most memorable parts when she posed as a doctor why she was looking for money to steal and then killing the kid after he mentioned he wanted to die.
You can download Killing Eve on iTunes.

Billions: Again we start up with another meeting between Axe and Chuck, and even end t to boot. And this season has been a little lack luster with those two actually being buddy-buddy. Maybe we can get some tension with Wendy going to war with Chuck over this because Axe vs. Taylor is not cutting it. Wendy was conspicuously absent from Chuck’s victory speech.

Good Girls: Oh snap, Ruby is snitching! But just what will she say? Dude wants Beth for some unknown reason to me. How about going after the actual gangster? But how does Beth actually get out of this? I have a feeling it is going to be some not really makes any sense way like how Ray Donovan somehow seems to skate by beside a mountain of evidence.
You can download Good Girls on iTunes

The Bold Type: So Jane learns her new boss exposed himself at his old job but later discovers he did it in a pro-feminist way? Wait, what?!? Um, no matter how noble the reason, there is no good reason to pull your junk out in front of your boss and a female co-worker. This may win most absurd plotline of the year. And it will only get worse when Jane inevitably starts forking the dude.
You can download The Bold Type on iTunes.

The Act: Oh my goodness, this episode was so creepy. From everything that happened in that movie theater, which is just what a romantic comedy would look like if everything went wrong, to Gypsy buying a knife. And as creepy as that boy is, it is just as funny to think of how much of a tool that kid is. I actually worked in a pizza parlor for a summer so I got a huge kick at just how incompetent that kid is. Yet what a dichotomy of the person who he thinks he is and who he really is, just perfectly mirrors Gypsy who is really living two lives herself, who she wants to be and who her mother thinks she is. But if the actual act goes down next week, that means we will two episode of aftermath. I am fine with that. I kind of really want to know where is Gypsy now. I have avoided Googling because I do not want to spoil the show.
You can stream The Act on Hulu.

Survivor: Edge of Extinction: Well, they teased a wild Tribal and we certainly got a wild Tribal which lasted half the episode. I do not remember anyone playing themselves out of the game faster at Tribal than Julia who just blew up her game with some assist from Aurora who just openly admits working with both halves of the Lesu divide. The closest thing I can think of was the guy who lost to the porn star in Thailand who just started attacking everyone at the Final Tribal Council. It was so wild I even missed some big moments the first time I watched like Ron throwing out Victoria’s name with Victoria over his shoulder.

But the thing is, the Tribal could have been much wilder. Sure it is fun watching people running around during Tribal, but in the end, it was a very straight, almost unanimous vote, had Julia and Aurora not given away their plan or spooked Julie, it could have been wilder. We learned from Kelley when David asked her that the plan was actually David. But Victoria and Julia both on Twitter confirmed that Kelley was actually the plan going in. So presumably the Kama six would be voting for Kelley, the Lesu three voting for David and who knows who David and Rick were voting for. But it also seemed obvious that David and Rick were reforming their Idol to play for David. And you have to believe that if David plays an Idol, Kelley would play hers, followed by Lauren. Leaving whoever David and Rick voted for. Unless they vote for Kelley then we would have had a revote where no one who received votes would be eligible to vote for. Which would have been really wild.
You can download Survivor: Edge of Extinction on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists: So we end the episode with both O.G. Liars trapped, Mona by the creepy janitor while Alison is in the trailer of a dead girl. Who knew those locked from the outside? Most interesting to happen since the first episode.
You can download Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists on iTunes.

The Challenge: War of World: Good riddance Bear, please do not ever come back.
You can download The Challenge: War of Worlds on iTunes.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: So much for Mayhem, already sucked into Cloak’s Void but instead of Derek like in Janet’s Void, the cop who killed her boyfriend is there as the only other person sucked in there. Although since the Void seems to be similar to what Cloak sees when he touches people, his Void is filled with your fears. How fun.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Doom Patrol: Finally, what I have been waiting for since it was first talked about: The Underground. And it, mostly, did not disappoint. The explanation as to why some of the personalities look like Jane, that no one knows, was a little lame. Weird that Karen was one of them that looks like Janes, seems like they should have cast some generic blonde who looks like she came from the Hallmark Channel. But I loved that there was personality jail. And we really need more of Penny Farthing.

Blindspot: I just how loved how Rich believe that Bill Nye the Science Guy was some secret supervillain. But it turns out Kurt’s mother is alive. I do not really remember her ever even being mentioned on the show before. I remember his father was suspected of kidnapping a person that everyone thought was Jane for a couple seasons.
You can download Blindspot on iTunes.

The Blacklist: Well, that was one of the more warped Blacklisters to date. Maybe top five. But it looks like we are back at the beginning of the season with Ressler looking into Red’s real identity and Red looking for who put him in prison.
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: April 13, 2019

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 Black Hole Hunters, Meg Mac, Ladies Night, Noah Kahan, Anna of the North, Our Cartoon President, XY Chelsea, Dark Forces, and Hulu spring/summer premiere dates.

- Smithsonian Channel is putting viewers in the passenger seat of the journey towards a cutting-edge outer space discovery. On the heels of today’s groundbreaking scientific announcement, the network will air a new one-hour documentary following a team of international scientists as they attempt to document the first-ever image of a black hole. Black Hole Hunters premieres Friday, April 12 at 9 PM ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

- Meg Mac is thrilled to unveil her new single, ‘I'm Not Coming Back’. Using beautiful harmonies interwoven with an anthemic drum beat, the song explores the idea of letting go of someone who is only around when they need you.

- Rap and R&B royalty holds court with the BET premiere of Ladies Night, starring Salt-N-Pepa (SNP), DJ Spinderella and SWV. With a legacy spanning over three decades, Salt-N-Pepa has landed their biggest career accomplishment to-date, a Las Vegas residency. While simultaneously preparing for their opportunity of a lifetime, the trio has made the ambitious decision to launch the Ladies Night national tour in collaboration with SWV. The stakes are high and reputations are on the line as everyone scrambles to meet expectations and deadlines. We follow along as individual personalities, group egos, personal conflicts and professional obligations all take center stage to discover whether or not the ladies can push it to greatness together. Tune in for the action-packed, drama-filled season of Ladies Night starting Tuesday, April 30 at 10:00 PM ET/PT on BET and BET HER.

- Noah Kahan announces his highly anticipated debut album, Busyhead, will be released this summer on June 14th. In celebration of the release, Noah will be heading out on The Busyhead Tour across North America this fall, returning to headline larger venues coming off of a 2018 sold out tour. The tour kicks off at Granada Theater in Dallas on September 19th and includes dates in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Nashville, San Francisco and more. See the full list of dates below. Album pre-order and ticket on-sale will be available this Friday, April 12th at 10AM local time at noahkahan.com.

- Anna of the North today premieres a brand new track and accompanying video for "Used To Be", the second song to come from her forthcoming record, due for release in the Fall. Having sold out worldwide shows and amassed over 150 million streams so far, Anna is also embarking on her first North American headline tour later this month.

- Showtime will premiere the second season of its animated comedy series Our Cartoon President on Sunday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, and will feature an animated appearance from Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness. Additionally, Showtime has released the official key art and trailer for season two, which will consist of 10 half-hour episodes. To watch and share the trailer for the second season of Our Cartoon President, head over to YouTube.

- Showtime released a first-look trailer for XY Chelsea, which will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday, May 1. Directed by Tim Travers Hawkins, produced by Pulse Films and executive produced by Academy Award® winner Laura Poitras (RISK, Citizenfour), XY Chelsea tells the historic story of whistle-blower Chelsea Manning, whose 35-year sentence in a maximum security prison was commuted by President Obama in 2017. Shot over two years and featuring exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes verité with Manning, the film begins on the momentous day in May of that year when she leaves prison and follows her through her journey of discovery, while also examining her place in the conversation on national security and the fight of the transgender community for rights and visibility. XY Chelsea will premiere on SHOWTIME on Friday, June 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Manning was arrested again in March of this year and remains in custody after refusing to testify in front of a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who was arrested in London on Thursday. To watch the trailer, go to YouTube.

- Lexicon today announced that they have cast Orlando Jones (American Gods) to topline Dark Forces, the third film from director Anthony O’Brien (THE TIMBER) who will direct from a screenplay jointly written by Lexicon co-founders, producers Mark Mathias Sayre (WATERLILY JAGUAR; DOE; THE CLEARING, DOUBTING THOMAS) & Justin Foia (POINT DEFIANCE). Dark Forces is a horror film that pays homage to its many sub-genres: “While recovering from brain surgery at a rehabilitation center, acclaimed monster movie director Jerry Graves (Jones) becomes haunted by the ghastly creatures and grisly scenes of his own horror films.”

- Coming to Hulu later this spring and into the summer:
Ramy, all episodes April 19
Into the Dark: All That We Destroy (Mother's Day), premieres May 3
Catch-22, all episodes May 17
Ask Dr. Ruth, premieres June 1
The Weekly, season 1, premieres June 2 on FX, June 3 on Hulu (weekly)
The Handmaid's Tale, Season 3, premieres June 5 (weekly)
Into the Dark: They Come Knocking (Father's Day), premieres June 7
Into the Dark: Culture Shock (Independence Day), premieres July 4
Harlots, Season 3, premieres July 10 (weekly)
Veronica Mars, season 4, all episodes July 26
Four Weddings and a Funeral, season 1 premieres July 31 (weekly)

57 Channels and Only This Is On: April 7, 2019

Supergirl: Weird that the alien hating Ben Lockwood had a very that cannot possibly be Supergirl look on his face instead of an of course all aliens are evil look. I bet he actually starts defending her soon. But I do wonder if the president is in cahoots with Lex Luther.
Supergirl on iTunes.

Billions: I wonder what came first: the Chicken Man storyline or if the writers just wanted to put a Springsteen song in the show and Atlantic City talked about a chicken man in the first line? Or could someone have possibly heard that Chicken Bill song? At any rate, the ending to that storyline was funny. At least finally we got someone who uses old timey pronouns to talk about Taylor. Makes it much easier to tell that someone is not talking about multiple people despite using plural pronouns. And was that Michael Bolton with a bad haircut at the fundraiser? Then we went three for three in Chuck and Axe scenes this season. Are we going to go a full season of them meeting? I do hope that if (when) Axe helps Chuck to become Attorney General, Chuck then does prosecute Axe.

The Walking Dead: My first thought as a blizzard was bearing down on the Kingdom people, my first thought was, why not check the weather first. Yeah, there is no way I could survive a zombie apocalypse or even world without power. I am constantly checking the weather. But when dis Alexandria become the wide open space where people could get lost even in a blizzard? Shouldn’t muscle memory kick in? And I was a bit confused what was going on with Alpha. It sounded like she left for a bit in time and then comes back to be whipped? What is going on there?
You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Black Monday: Well they took about ten minutes to explain how it was Blair and Dawn who were running the Georgina Play on Mo and I am still a little confused. And a pretty cheap reveal that it was Mo’s presumed dead mentor who ended up being the person who crashed down on his stretch Lambo by grabbing Blair’s tie with the pin on it. But so is the other Lehman Brother now dead since the old dude fell on him?

The Act: How ironic after making Gypsy think she was sick all this time, it is DeeDee who has an actual life threatening disease. And earlier I wondered how no doctor did anything about Gypsy not being as sick as DeeDee let on,, I also wonder why no one really questioned why DeeDee said Gypsy was four years younger than what her Medicaid card said? And was that dad on the phone wanting to wish her a happy birthday? I believe that was his first appearance. So what exactly was his deal? He cares enough to call on her birthday, but never actually visits and Gypsy does not seem to know anything about him. Then, just when you thought the show could not get any weirder, Gypsy gets introduced to BDSM. And that was the second guy she met on a Christian dating site, the first sent her a picture of his junk. My goodness.
You can stream The Act on Hulu.

Survivor: Edge of Extinction: Had someone told me before the episode aired that one of the Kama Six would go home even though Devins did not align with his former tribe and neither Kelley or Lauren played their Idol I would have punched them in the face and told them April Fool’s Jokes are not funny and you are two days late anyway. But shockingly three of the Kama six joined Joe’s lackey and Lese to boot one of their own.

I was shocked two weeks ago when Wardog came up with a pretty smart plan of voting for Wendy because if they were tied, Kama would not go to rocks for Wendy and they didn’t. Then this week he came up with a smart plan of going to rocks with Lesu and Joe’s Lackey going to rocks against the six that voted for rocks. And even when Devins stupidly rather be seven in an alliance of six, he somehow orchestrated a better plan that did not even involve rock by convincing the black chick, the redhead, and the hillbilly (I still have no idea who any of these Kama people are to take out one of their own. Wardog is the type of annoying hard head they you do kind of want to sit next to in final tribal, but between these two moves, he does have a good argument to make that he deserves to win.

Still, I want to see the scene where those Kama players actually convinced Kelley and Lauren that they would vote with them to the point where they were convinced enough to not play their Idol. Sure they do not know it, but the redhead making Aubrey thinking she was with her is exactly how she blindsides Aubrey with an Idol in her pocket. But these are truly the greatest Tribal when the people in the dominate alliance act annoyingly smug only to be blindsided. The title of the episodes was the old guy’s most smug quote about how he is the puppet master. And his reaction was priceless when that fourth vote for his buddy came up.

Hopefully he is next although looking at the promo it is going to be a wild one. The brunette Kama chick tell old dude and the blonde she wants David, Lauren tells the black chick she wants Ron, Kelley suggest the brunette to Wardog, the redhead tells unseen people Kelley. This all culminates with Aubrey actively trying to be made into an overtly shocked gif with Probst saying he has never seen anything like it (okay, Probst is the king of hyperbole so it may be over exaggerated). But with three Idols split amongst four people and an Extra Vote floating around three distinct voting blocs (the Lesu 4, the Kama 4, and the three that were blindsided this week), should be a wild one.
You can download Survivor: Edge of Extinction on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists: So we got our first murder suspect (assuming you do not count the three people who actually talked about throwing the dude off the roof). Although the he chews the same gum is a pretty flimsy thing to pin a murder on someone.
You can download Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists on iTunes.

The Challenge: War of World: Well the no more teams is really going to hurt my Nany/Turbo pick. Although my imaginary bookie still has to pay out if Turbo wins, right? Lucky for everyone else they did get a British person out (and the biggest one to boot) right before the switch and now they are down to three. Now the question how will the voting block break down now that there are no teams? I wonder if the teams will actually stick together. Hunter and Georgia will likely not work together but everyone else seems to be on good term. There is also the question of if the elimination will not be gender specific are will they be able to call out anyone?
You can download The Challenge: War of Worlds on iTunes.

Cloak and Dagger: When Hot Lady Cop saw herself in the reflection; I thought for sure this was a Jekyll and Hyde situation. Nope, actually two of them. This should get interesting. Though I was not entirely sure how Cloak could easily transport the gangs money and drugs with him but was not able to transport a person.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Doom Patrol: After last episode’s loll, though we might have hit a speed bump on the show, but then they follow up their weakest episode by introducing a living street. Awesome. And then Diane may be the most entertaining Crazy Jane personality to date. A nineties rom-com lover who can make anyone, presumably with a heart which is why it did not work on Robot Man, fall in love with her and do her bidding. Again, great. But it looks like next week we are actually going to go inside Crazy Jane’s head, which will likely be another outstanding episode.

Blindspot: It seemed like they were really playing fast and loose with time this episode. Can you really get to upstate New York that fast. They should have had a 24 type clock and had the episode play out in real time.
You can download Blindspot on iTunes.

The Blacklist: Based on last week’s promo, I thought maybe the rest of this season would be Haram vs. Red but the former gave up on his quest for Sammar pretty quickly. Instead this week, it looks like they are finally going back to Red trying to figure out who had him arrested. Maybe at the end of it, Lizzie will finally figure out who Red really is.
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.