Around the Tubes: March 5, 2022

          

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 The Girl From Plainville, 7 Days, Desus & Mero, Alf, The Circus, Pusha T, Neneh Cherry, Joy Oladokun, Benee, Chelsea Cutler, and Elyanna.

- “The Girl From Plainville” is inspired by the true story of Michelle Carter’s unprecedented “texting-suicide”  case. Based on the Esquire article of the same name by Jesse Barron, the limited series explores Carter’s relationship with Conrad Roy III and the events that led to his death and, later, her conviction of involuntary manslaughter.  Check out the official trailer and key art for Hulu's "The Girl From Plainville" starring Elle Fanning.  "The Girl From Plainville" premieres on Hulu with three episodes Tuesday, March 29, 2022. 

- 7 Days, the charming rom-com from filmmaker and MD Roshan Sethi c(co-reator of The Resident) starring GERALDINE VISWANATHAN (Bad Education) and KARAN SONI (Deadpool).  Co-Written by Roshan Sethi and Karan Soni, executive produced by The Duplass Brothers.  Set up on a pre-arranged date by their old-fashioned Indian parents, Ravi (Karan Soni) and Rita (Geraldine Viswanathan) seemingly have nothing in common, making for an afternoon that, while pleasant enough, couldn’t be any more awkward. He’s conservative and clearly nervous, while she’s doing her best to politely keep on smiling. But then circumstances conspire and force Ravi to spend the night at Rita’s place. Before long, he sees that she’s not the straight-laced girl she initially pretended to be—for starters, she’s quick to pound a beer for breakfast. As their time stuck together stretches towards a full week, though, Ravi and Rita develop an unlikely bond, and in the face of a heartbreaking turn of events, that bond grows into something stronger. 7 Days is a delightful rom-com that doubles as a showcase for its two stars, Soni and Viswanathan, both of whom carry this two-hander with natural charm and easygoing chemistry, and a culturally specific spin on its genre’s familiar tropes. Optimistic and full of heart, director/co-writer Roshan Sethi’s debut captures love in the time of isolation and will leave you on a feel-good high.

- DESUS & MERO will return to SHOWTIME for season four on Thursday, March 10 at 11 p.m. ET/PT, with Denzel Washington joining Desus Nice and The Kid Mero in studio for the season premiere. Returning to its original weekly schedule with new episodes dropping every Thursday night, the WGA Award-winning and Critics’ Choice-nominated late night series features the duo giving their take on the day’s hot topics and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more. Upcoming guests this season include Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland, Pusha T and Damson Idris. J.D. Amato (The Chris Gethard Show) joins as series showrunner and executive producer for season four.       

- All 102 episodes of the classic '80s live-action series ALF, 26 episodes of ALF: The Animated Series, 21 episodes of the animated series ALF Tales, and TV movie Project: ALF exclusively on Shout! Factory TV March 25.  Shout! Factory TV is available on a variety of platforms, live and on-demand, and ad-supported free or subscription with no ads.  For a full list of platforms, you can visit www.shoutfactorytv.com.

- The Emmy-nominated series THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH returns this Sunday for its seventh season as President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address amid the international crisis created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. From Eastern Europe to Washington, D.C., hosts John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon explore the showdown between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin and the fight between authoritarianism and democracy.  For a preview, go to: https://youtu.be/xVQZKxTGFeY.

- Riding a wave of incredible buzz from his new Kanye West-produced single "Diet Coke," Pusha T has linked up with longtime friend, and collaborator Nigo to release the new track "Hear Me Clearly," from Nigo's forthcoming Victor Victor Worldwide/Republic Records album I Know Nigo.  Japanese cultural and fashion icon Nigo has previously released two acclaimed singles from the highly-anticipated project: "Want It Bad" featuring Kid Cudi and "Arya" featuring A$AP Rocky. Set for release on March 25th, the album is executive-produced by NIGO and Pharrell notably serve as the album's executive producers. I Know Nigo will be Nigo's first musical body of work in nearly two decades. 

- Neneh Cherry graced us with “Buffalo Stance” in the late 80s, a generation-defining song about inner city life that turned music on its head. Paired with her ferocious energy and a punk attitude like no other, the genre defying track dominated the world, reaching No.3 in the UK and the US, where it went Gold. It took the No.1 spot in Neneh’s native Sweden and The Netherlands plus Top 5 in Belgium, Canada, Finland, Greece, Norway, Switzerland and more. “Buffalo Stance” switched up the game not only in music but in culture and fashion too and we’ve not looked back since, until today via Republic Records.  An artist that’s ever evolving, exploring and collaborating, Neneh hands the creative reins over to long-time friend, one of pop’s treasured musical geniuses and woman behind some of the most memorable songs of recent decades, Robyn, for a new version of her seminal track. It’s the first single from Grammy nominated artist since the release of her acclaimed album Honey and is the product of one Swedish icon passing the baton on to another. In true Robyn fashion, “Buffalo Stance” has been transformed into a slinky, scandipop song - slowed down and stripped back with electronic shimmers and layered vocals, it’s an intoxicating re-imagining. Robyn also enlists polymath musician Dev Hynes to add his special touch on the production and Mapei for a fresh take of that iconic rap.  LISTEN TO ‘BUFFALO STANCE’ HERE

- Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Joy Oladokun’s new song, “Fortune Favors The Bold” featuring special guest Tim Gent, is out today—listen/share HERE.  Reflecting on the song, Oladokun shares, “We wrote this song as a sort of way to imagine a world where victims are heard and addictions are met with compassion. Natalie, Jeremy and I all felt that the most powerful people we’ve encountered in our lives were also the most compassionate. This song is both a celebration of those people and a way of hoping that the influence of kindness and care continues to spread until this world is a radically different place.”

- With the buzz building in her growing international fan base amid the sound of increasing critical applause, New Zealand alternative pop star BENEE unveils her eagerly anticipated Lychee EP today via Republic Records—listen HERE.  BENEE says, “Being locked down in New Zealand felt like things were going to be like this forever and like I was wasting time. I was afraid that I’d run out of ideas or I would find it difficult to get through this writing trip. However going into rooms with new production collaborators like Greg Kurstin and Rostam, and reconnecting with Kenny, was really liberating and actually let the energy I had been lacking back into my songs. There is something crazy about landing in LA from New Zealand and throwing yourself into songwriting. The exact same thing happened for me two years ago when I arrived in LA and wrote ‘Supalonely’ on the first day. I love that this EP has the emotional breadth to channel much of the anxiety that I was feeling at home in songs like ‘Doesn’t Matter’ and ‘Hurt You Gus’ but then also switching to the new energy I found when writing ‘Beach Boy’ as well as ‘Never Ending’ which is my current favourite!” Read her letter on Lychee to fans HERE.

- Platinum-Certified singer, songwriter, and producer Chelsea Cutler reveals the deluxe version of her sophomore album When I Close My Eyes—listen to the EP & watch the video for her new single “What Everybody Wants” HERE. The album features three new songs, including “What Everybody Wants” and recent release “the lifeboat’s empty!”.  Chelsea says, “when i released WICME this past October, i felt like i wasn’t fully ready to start moving on conceptually or sonically. i kept on writing and finished three new songs i truly loved and decided that we needed to do a deluxe version. i am so excited to be able to continue this era with my fans, especially with the tour starting next in just a few days xo”

- Palestinian-Chilean singer and songwriter Elyanna releases her EP Elyanna II via Universal Arabic Music. The EP features her new single “Al Kawn Janni Maak” (La Vie En Rose) and official video styled by Lana Del Rey and directed by her sister Caroline “Chuck” Grant, out now—listen HERE and watch HERE.  Lana Del Rey recently posted on Instagram about working with Elyanna, saying, “I love this video so much, might be one of my favorite videos my sister made. I was stylist that day, I think everything turned out perfectly. Not gonna lie, working behind the scenes is one of my favorite things, whether it’s digging holes for giant wood planks to make a clothing line or playing a gaffer, I like to get my hands dirty, it’s amazing what one family can do with friends to make a beautiful video possible. Especially with the right camera man. So proud of everyone who worked on this shoot.”

57 Channels and Only This Is On: February 27, 2022

 

The Walking Dead:  So Daryl, the ultimate loner, is going to join the creepy futuristic soldiers?  I feel a twist coming a mile away.  He is going to turn out to be a plant to see what the soldiers are really up to.

 

Billions:  For a guy who wants to do everything by the book, bribe the governor with the naming rights to an Olympic Stadium seems very underhanded.  Then you have Bonnie storming out after Prince put the training wheels back on her bike.  Is it safe to assume she goes to her former flame’s firm?  How many more will be there by the end of the season?  Prince has started to stock his firm with his own people.  It was also interesting to see Chuck and Wendy play nice.  Could they mend fences to take down Prince together?

 

Snowpiercer:  So, Pike was one of the few people who sided with Layton against Wilfred and now that he is back, he is already plotting against him and possibly trying to kill him?  Alrighty.

 

The Endgame:  So one of the most notorious international fugitives allows themselves to get caught.  Where have I seen this before?  Though maybe not entirely The Blacklist but female, they really did not really tell up much about what this show is going to be about.

 

Big Sky:  They really put extensions on Drew Carey’s brother just to kill him again halfway through the season again?  But let me guess, there is a triplet out there somewhere that will pop up in season three.  Hopefully we do not find out.

Around the Tubes: February 25, 2022

         

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 The Man Who Fell to Earth, Hip Hop 50, Florence + the Machine, Eddie Vedder, Mandy Moore, James Brown, and George Thorogood.

- SHOWTIME has released the official trailer for THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, which will premiere on Sunday, April 24 at 10 p.m, with the first two episodes airing back to back. ET/PT. The new series stars Oscar nominees Chiwetel Ejiofor and Naomie Harris, along with Jimmi Simpson, Rob Delaney, Sonya Cassidy, Joana Ribeiro, Annelle Olaleye, Kate Mulgrew, Clarke Peters and Bill Nighy.  Inspired by the Walter Tevis novel of the same name and the iconic David Bowie film, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH will follow a new alien character (Ejiofor) who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future. Harris plays Justin Falls, a brilliant scientist and engineer who must conquer her own demons in the race to save two worlds.

- As part of the network’s HIP HOP 50 banner, SHOWTIME announced that CYPRESS HILL: INSANE IN THE BRAIN (w/t) will premiere Wednesday, April 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Chronicling the legendary L.A. rap group Cypress Hill, the documentary film will debut along with two newly acquired titles LA MADRINA: THE SAVAGE LIFE OF LORINE PADILLA, premiering Friday, April 15 at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT, and BUSHWICK BILL: GETO BOY, premiering Friday, April 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.   Told through the intimate lens of photographer and director Estevan Oriol (LA Originals), CYPRESS HILL: INSANE IN THE BRAIN is a smoke-filled journey across the lives and careers of the groundbreaking, genre-defying Hip Hop group, Cypress Hill. Their unique sound, influenced by their Latin roots and West Coast upbringing, was built on a movement rooted in true authenticity: from cultivating the flower, to smoking it, to rapping about it, their influence is forever burned into the musical landscape of Hip Hop as they continue to stay relevant after 30 years. Using a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival footage captured by Oriol himself, as well as images of band members B Real, DJ Muggs, Sen Dog and Eric “Bobo” Correa, CYPRESS HILL: INSANE IN THE BRAIN tells the story of a brotherhood that has withstood the test of time to create a truly original, everlasting legacy.

- Florence + the Machine debut a new song, “King,” today alongside a video by acclaimed director Autumn de Wilde. Listen and watch here.  “King” is a meditation on womanhood, family, femininity and the subverting of expectations in which Florence Welch declares: “I am no mother, I am no bride, I am king”.  “As an artist, I never actually thought about my gender that much,” Florence says. “I just got on with it. I was as good as the men and I just went out there and matched them every time. But now, thinking about being a woman in my 30s and the future, I suddenly feel this tearing of my identity and my desires. That to be a performer, but also to want a family might not be as simple for me as it is for my male counterparts. I had modelled myself almost exclusively on male performers, and for the first time I felt a wall come down between me and my idols as I have to make decisions they did not.”

- Eddie Vedder’s highly anticipated album, Earthling, debuts #1 on Billboard’s Current Albums Sales, Album Sales, Rock Albums Charts.  Across the globe and in the US Earthling has made history as it marks Vedder’s highest solo album debut on the Billboard Top Album Sales, Top Rock Albums, Top Current Album Sales Chart, and #1 on Alternative Album Sales (per MRC Data), #1 on the Canadian Top Current Albums, Top Canadian Album Sales, Alternative Album, Current Digital Albums, and LP Vinyl Albums Charts, and continues to hit new highs in numerous countries including Switzerland (#3), Belgium (#5), Netherlands (#5), Germany (#11), UK (#36). In addition, the album was the highest international debut in Italy (#10) and hit Top 10 in Australia.  The album is available on all streaming platforms HERE, on cd (available now) and deluxe cd, vinyl & cassette (pre-order) available HERE. In addition, Vedder was also able to have a limited number of LP’s manufactured with simplified packaging. The records, dubbed “Fresh Pressed” resembled test pressings and were only available at pearljam.com.

- Mandy Moore joins Delilah, the undisputed queen of sappy love songs, on her popular podcast, Love Someone: A Podcast with Delilah on the latest episode.   Delilah says: "For six seasons we've watched her masterful performance as the beloved matriarch, Rebecca Pearson, on the hit series, This Is Us. It's my favorite show - in fact, it's the ONLY show I tune into regularly and I'm pretty devastated it's coming to an end. But Mandy Moore had an amazing music and movie career before the series, making me so excited to see what's next for her. She's got a beautiful new baby boy and some exciting projects in the works. Join us for the inside scoop!"  Log onto www.delilah.com/podcast to listen. The podcast is also available everywhere podcasts are played: iHeart Radio App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Pandora and more.

- Celebrating the pioneer of funk James Brown, Urban Legends, a division of UMe, Universal Music Group’s global catalog company, has teamed up with multi-instrumentalist and member of The Roots, Stro Elliot, to create Black & Loud: James Brown Reimagined by Stro Elliot, out NOW. The album, consisting of ten remixes of classic James Brown songs, will be available digitally on DSPs, physically as an LP on black vinyl, and will also have a clear vinyl color variant available as an e-commerce exclusive on the Urban Legends website HERE. Listen to the first single, "Machine No Make Sex," now HERE.

- As George Thorogood himself once put it, "I guess a good song is a good song is a good song, you know?" And what we have here is a collection of hard-stompin,' party-down, good songs—all penned by Mr. Thorogood himself. Scheduled for release on April 15, 2022, the aptly named album The Original George Thorogood brings together the best from the rock and roll heart and fevered brain of George Thorogood and his unstoppable, longtime band, The Destroyers. The Original George Thorogood will be released on CD, digitally, and in two vinyl LP configurations, including black vinyl and, for the ultimate collector, a limited-edition Translucent Orange LP. Preorder The Original George Thorogood HERE now.

Previewing Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber starts with the CEO of UberCab asking a potential employee, “Are you an asshole?”  Then he distracted by someone else and goes on a lengthy monologue that feels like I was watching at 1.5x speed.   Once done, he finally returns to the potential employee and asks, “Are you an asshole?”  The first time he asked, I though the obvious answer should be no, but after the monologue then I was thinking that UberCab CEO really hopes he answers yes.  I will not spoil what the answer was, not because I fear it will ruin the opening scene for you, but to be honest, the opening scene came me at such a breakneck speed, I forgot what the answer was, or if he even game an answer.

 

Super Pumped is created by the duo behind Billions, Brian Koppleman and Sam Levine.  Watching it, you probably would not even need me to tell you as the new show seem Billions after doing copious amounts of cocaine.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Travis Kalaneck, founder of Uber (you will learn what happens to the “Cab” part of the name fairly early) comes across as a mix between Bobby Axelrod and Mark Zuckerberg, specifically the Social Network version, not the real one.  And much like how the finance talk on Billions goes way over my head, much of the tech talk goes way over my head, especially comes from someone who seems to be talking at 1.5x speed.

 

Another way you can tell the show is done by the team behind Billions, it seems like they spent most of their budget on music.  In the first episode, there is not one, not two, but three Pearl Jam spanning three of their first for albums.  Before you get mad that Vitology gets skipped over, a song from that album shows up in the second episode.  Then even more Pearl Jam songs in episode three.  Okay, they do not spend their entire budget on artists that will cost you a pretty penny (considering the amo8unt of earl Jam songs, I have to wonder if you get a discount if you buy in bulk) because they also managed to get Quintin Tarantino to narrate the first season.

 

With Gordon-Levitt dialed to eleven for most of his performance and the always hyper Tarantino narrating (though, it is surprising how little he actually narrates) it is nice the show also features Coach Taylor himself, Kyle Chandler.  He plays the money guy who does not always sees eye to eye with founder who likes to speak first, think about what he says either.  While not in the main cast, Noah Weisberg plays an employee of Uber and is probably best known (only known?) as Danny Michael Davis, the Mark Zuckerberg stand in at SPRQ on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.  Facebook is the subject of the already announced second season of Super Pumped.

 

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber airs Sundays at 10:00 on Showtime.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 20, 2022

 

Billions:  Finally a cameo I recognize.  Though if this season is about the Olympics, why bring in a college basketball coach?  Where are the Olympics?  Michael Phelps?  Carl Lewis?  Simone Biles?     But that running total of expenses was extremely cheesy and I have to wonder why it took six seasons to do that?

Are they finally going to give Sacker a storyline?  I feel like everyone I feel like mentioning her, I have to look up her name, she has been that insignificant.  Everyone under Chuck always have except when the one guy went after him yet Bobby always had people under him who seemed integral to the plot.  I wonder if she has a play separate from Chuck and Prince.  Everyone always has their own play, this is Billions.  I guess we just have to wait to see what that is.

 

Snowpiercer:  We have not seen Melanie this season and she was absent for most of the second half of last season, and now she is just haunting everyone.  They never found her body, will we actually see her alive again?  She cannot possibly be at the Horn of Africa where they are traveling to, can she?    They seem to be going further and further from where she was last seen so it does not seem they will be back her way anytime soon.

 

Pam & Tommy:  There was a scene in Wayne’s World where the titular character went to a gas station and when interacting with the attendant there, broke the fourth wall and said he knew that this was a small part, but couldn’t they have gotten a better actor for the part.  The joke was, they swapped out that actor with Charlton Heston.  I thought of this scene when Tommy confronted Third Eye Blind.  I was expecting fireworks considering the lead singer is as big a douchebag as Tommy Lee, but they cast some bland actor who could not have been a more boring, non-descript white dude.    Meh.  But I will say, this episode sucked the least.  I had a big laugh at Nikki Sixx reading the newspaper.  Like that ever happened.

 

Single Drunk Female:  Why do so many employees at that grocery store wear tank tops under their work aprons?  Especially since I believe the most recent episode took place in April.  I am not sure I am returning to a store like that.

Around the Tubes: January 19, 2022

        

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 The First Lady, Deep Water, Eddie Vedder, The Police, Benee, Letterkenny, NBA All-Star 2022, Beyond Ed Buck, Super-Pumped, How I Met Your Father, and Billions.

- SHOWTIME has released the official trailer for THE FIRST LADY, which is set to premiere on Sunday, April 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The new anthology drama stars Oscar^®, Emmy^® and Tony winner Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom), as former first lady Michelle Obama, Oscar and Emmy nominee Michelle Pfeiffer (French Exit) as Betty Ford and Emmy and Screen Actors Guild^® winner Gillian Anderson (The Crown) as Eleanor Roosevelt. Produced for SHOWTIME by Lionsgate Television, the 10-episode series, created by Aaron Cooley, is executive produced by Oscar winner Cathy Schulman (Crash), who also serves as showrunner, and Oscar and Emmy winner Susanne Bier (The Undoing) executive produces and directs all of season one.

- In recognition of all the twisted Valentines out there, Hulu has released a teaser trailer along with the poster for the psychological thriller “Deep Water,” starring Ben Affleck (“Gone Girl”) and Ana de Armas (“Knives Out”), directed by expert thrill master Adrian Lyne (“Fatal Attraction,” “Indecent Proposal”). “Deep Water” will debut March 18 exclusively as a Hulu Original in the U.S.  Based on the celebrated novel by famed mystery writer Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr. Ripley), “Deep Water” takes us inside the marriage of picture-perfect Vic (Affleck) and Melinda (de Armas) Van Allen to discover the dangerous mind games they play and what happens to the people that get caught up in them. Directed by Adrian Lyne from a screenplay by Zach Helm and Sam Levinson, based on the novel “Deep Water” by Patricia Highsmith, “Deep Water” stars Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas, Tracy Letts, Lil Rel Howery, Dash Mihok, Finn Wittrock, Kristen Connolly, Jacob Elordi, Rachel Blanchard, Michael Braun, Jade Fernandez, Grace Jenkins, Brendan C. Miller, Devyn Tyler and Jeff Pope. The film is produced by Arnon Milchan, Guymon Casady, Benjamin Forkner and Anthony Katagas.

- Watch an intimate conversation between Vedder and Bruce Springsteen which was filmed on Bruce's farm in New Jersey as the two break down Vedder’s new album, Earthling - from production and appearances by Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr, Elton John and Andrew Watt, to Vedder’s songwriting. Directed by Thom Zimny, the special originally debuted on Amazon Live and is now available on Eddie Vedder’s YouTube page.  Watch it HERE

- The Police - Greatest Hits is being reissued on vinyl via UMe/Polydor in celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the original release. Remastered at Abbey Road and cut at ‘half-speed’ for ultimate sound quality, the set contains two heavyweight black LPs with expanded artwork and packaging in a bespoke gatefold sleeve which enhances the original artwork.  A multi-platinum selling global smash on CD, it had a limited vinyl release upon its original release in 1992 which has long been out of print resulting in the original vinyl copies becoming highly sought after by fans. This collection is a perfect introduction to The Police for new admirers, original fans and vinyl collectors alike. It is available to pre-order now from https://ThePolice.lnk.to/TheGreatestHits.

- New Zealand alternative pop star BENEE presents the music video for her dreamy new single “Beach Boy” out now—watch HERE. “Beach Boy” heralds the arrival of her much-anticipated LYCHEE EP on March 4^th.  Once again, BENEE delivers a larger-than-life cinematic visual (directed by Rory Pippan, creator of her hit “Supalonely” video), her widescreen vision filled with “BitchCraft” and escapades with a vampire boyfriend.

- - Hulu reveals first look teaser trailer and exclusive image from debut season of the "Letterkenny" spin-off starring "Shoresy" creator and writer Jared Keeso in title role.  Debut season slated to launch Spring 2022.  The six-episode, half-hour Hulu Original comedy sees the foul-mouthed, chirp-serving, mother-loving, fan favorite character, Shoresy, join a senior AAA hockey team in Sudbury on a quest to never lose again.

- NBA TV will be the destination for extensive coverage of NBA All-Star 2022, with live and original programming starting Thursday, Feb. 17. Wall-to-wall live programming from Cleveland will include All-Star practices and media availabilities throughout the weekend as the NBA celebrates its 75th Anniversary season, plus the latest news and analysis from a premier roster of commentators via the network’s signature studio show, NBA GameTime.  Two members of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team – Charles Barkley and Julius “Dr. J.” Erving – will be featured in Basketball Stories: “Sir Charles & The Doctor” on Monday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m. ET. The hour-long one-on-one conversation with the two former Philadelphia 76ers teammates will include them discussing their time together in the City of Brotherly Love, top moments from their careers and more.

- ALLBLK, the popular streaming service for Black TV and film from AMC Networks, announced the world premiere of Beyond Ed Buck, streaming Thursday, February 24. Co-executive produced by Jayce Baron and Pose star, Hailie Sahar, Beyond Ed Buck begins by examining and analyzing the tragic deaths of Gemmel Moore (2017) and Timothy Dean (2019), two gay Black men who died at the hands of democratic political donor, Ed Buck. Buck was found guilty of several charges, including supplying fatal doses of methamphetamine to both men in July of last year. 

- SHOWTIME has renewed the new anthology series SUPER PUMPED for a second season, to be based on Mike Isaac's next book, a deep dive into Facebook's transition from groundbreaking startup to the power it has become. The new season will focus on the relationship at the center of that metamorphosis –  between Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerberg –  and the world-changing forces unleashed, intentionally and unintentionally, as a result. The second season pickup comes ahead of the premiere of the first installment SUPER PUMPED: THE BATTLE FOR UBER, based on Isaac’s bestselling book, which is set to debut on Sunday, February 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Each season of the SUPER PUMPED anthology series, featuring an entirely new cast of actors, will explore a story that rocked the business world to its core and changed culture. As in season one, Brian Koppelman and David Levien (BILLIONS, Rounders) and Beth Schacter (BILLIONS) will executive produce, write and serve as showrunners on the series. Paul Schiff will also serve as executive producer. The anthology series is produced by SHOWTIME and is part of Koppelman and Levien's overall deal with the network.

- Hulu has renewed How I Met Your Father for a 20-episode second season. The Hilary Duff starring first season debuted on Hulu on Tuesday, January 18^th.  In the near future, Sophie is telling her son the story of how she met his father: a story that catapults us back to the year 2022 where Sophie and her close-knit group of friends are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life, and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options. 

- SHOWTIME has picked up a seventh season of its acclaimed drama series BILLIONS, starring Oscar^® nominee and Emmy^® winner Paul Giamatti, Corey Stoll and Maggie Siff. Season six is currently airing on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.  In season six of BILLIONS, the dust of season five clears to reveal a world that has evolved. With Axe (Damian Lewis) gone and Michael Prince (Stoll) assuming his place, Chuck (Giamatti) must develop a new strategy that is keener and more sophisticated than before. All the players, from Wags (David Costabile) to Wendy (Siff), from Taylor (Asia Kate Dillon) to Sacker (Condola Rashad), and of course Senior (Jeffrey DeMunn), must sharpen their weapons and look for new alliances in order to survive. Daniel Breaker (Girls5eva), who stars as Scooter, the brilliant and locked-down Chief of Staff for Prince, has been upped to series regular. The ground is ever shifting and the stakes absolute. New king, new war, new rules.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: February 13, 2022

  

Claws:  Well, that ended exactly how I thought it would end after they started the season with Desna shooting a pregnant Quiet Ann.  The writers probably thought they were being clever, butt by adding that scene they really telegraphed the turn big time. Plus I really hate shows about antiheroes where they do not get the comeuppance that they deserve.  Only Uncle Daddy, but he still got to go to gay heaven, so not even the worst ending he could have had.  Then that illusion was confusing, I still am not sure where that second boat came from and how Quiet Ann got on it.

 

Billions:  Last week I was wondering what happened to the Los Angeles Olympics that were already awarded in 2028.  While that city has yet to be mentioned, Chuck did say they were going to try to, “steal the Olympics.”  This show really tries to make it look like it takes place in the real world; it is surprising they would take on something this big especially since the Olympics are clearly not going to move, so it is very obvious Chuck is going to win this war.  But hey, we did get Scooter and Wags bonding over Cat in the Cradle… that was entertaining.

 

Snowpiercer:  Wow, I was not expecting Layton to take over Snowpiercer that quickly.  Though I am not entirely sure what happened.  How did Layton get on the train so fast?  And why did he try to break the window.  Seems like a really dumb thing to do.  But now what?  They go to the Horn of Africa and just hope it is habitable?

 

Pam & Tommy:  Okay, Tommy listing off his list of enemies was pretty funny.  But was that supposed to be Motley Crue that Tommy was recording with?  I thought they were broken up when this whole thing was going on, or at least Vince Neil was no longer there.  But the most interesting Motley Crue event of this week was not on this show but the Nikki Sixx/Eddie Vedder fued.  But really sad Sixx thinks this is a competition, Pearl Jam is one of the greatest bands of all time that still puts out decent albums and the Crue are a joke hair metal band that everyone stopped paying attention before Pearl Jam even put out their first album.  I was shocked to see that Motley Crue has actually put out two albums this century.

 

The Book of Boba Fett:  That really felt like a fast food version of television: sure it tvstes good, but the more I think about it, the more I regret it.  It looked great, Mando was great, The Grogu return was great.  Fennic going ninja on the evil doers was great.  The Freetown citizens coming through like the Knights of the Vale was great.  The Wookie refusing to die was great.  Yet, the episode was not great.  It suffered from the superhero syndrome of having to unnecessarily having to destroy a city in the final fight.  I forgot the Rancor was still around.  I do not understand how Raylan got so injured that he was presumed dead, but will be kept alive by Boba’s tank and the mod guy.  It looked like he got shot in the shoulder and only was shot once unlike the deputy who was shot multiple times.  And it was disappointing that Cad Bane made a great entrance only to die in his second appearance.  For a second, I thought that was going to be him in the tank\.  But hey, Darth Maul was cut in half and still survived.

Around the Tubes: January 12, 2022

       

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 The Dropout, Conversations with Friends, Eddie Vedder, Aerosmith, Foxes, Lauren Spencer-Smith, Cat Stevens, Futurama, I Love You for That, Vice, and Attica.

- Check out the official trailer and key art for Hulu's "The Dropout." The limited series premieres on Thursday, March 3rd with three episodes. New episodes stream weekly.  Money. Romance. Tragedy. Deception. Hulu’s limited series “The Dropout,” the story of Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried) and Theranos, is an unbelievable tale of ambition and fame gone terribly wrong. How did the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire lose it all in the blink of an eye? 

- Check out Hulu’s teaser for upcoming original limited series "Conversations with Friends" based on Sally Rooney's best-selling novel starring Alison Oliver, Sasha Lane, Joe Alwyn, and Jemima Kirke. "Conversations with Friends" premieres with all 12 episodes on Hulu and BBC Three in May 2022.  "Conversations with Friends" follows Frances (Alison Oliver), a 21 year old college student, as she navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time.

- Eddie Vedder unveils his highly anticipated new album, Earthling, via Seattle Surf/Republic Records. It is available on all streaming platforms HERE, on cd (available now) and deluxe cd, vinyl & cassette (pre-order) available HERE.  He celebrates the arrival by sharing the opener and latest single “Invincible.” The track echoes with raw energy, cinematic synths, heavenly harmonies, and lush guitars.  Fans can also tune in for an exclusive, intimate conversation between Vedder and Bruce Springsteen presented by Amazon Music. In the special, which was filmed on Bruce’s farm in New Jersey, the two break down Vedder’s new album, Earthling - from production and appearances by Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr, Elton John and Andrew Watt, to Vedder’s songwriting. Directed by Thom Zimny, the special will debut on Amazon Live Friday, February 11^th beginning at 2PM EST and will be available exclusively for 48 hours. The interview will be made available on Eddie Vedder’s YouTube page on Sunday, February 13^th.

-  In the first of many announcements celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the four-time GRAMMY® winning and Diamond-certified rock legends Aerosmith, one of their earliest recordings, Aerosmith – 1971: The Road Starts Hear (UMe), will make its CD and digital debut on April 8. This rare recording from 1971 was recently discovered in Aerosmith’s Vindaloo Vaults and was originally only available as a limited-edition cassette and vinyl release for Record Store Day in 2021. The heavily sought-after RSD release quickly sold out and debuted on the Billboard 200, hitting No. 2 on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart, No. 12 on the Top Rock Albums chart, No. 13 on the Vinyl Albums chart, and No. 19 on the Top Album Sales chart.  The Road Starts Hear can now be preordered/presaved, HERE. In addition, the band’s official online store will also feature a new 1971 collection of exclusive merchandise, available HERE.

- Foxes (Louisa Rose Allen) releases her highly-anticipated new album, The Kick on [PIAS] Recordings. Including the recent singles "Body Suit", "Absolute", "Sky Love", "Dance Magic" and "Sister Ray", The Kick is Foxes’ first album in over five years. Serving as a form of escapism, the record was written and recorded via zoom with producer Ghost Culture (Daniel Avery, Kelly Lee Owens) during the height of the pandemic.  LISTEN TO THE KICK.  Inspired by the desire for freedom that the world collectively shared over the last 18 months of lockdowns, the near-animalistic desperation to socialise, and a longing to dance again, Louisa naturally pivoted the sonics to feed that escapism and create a record that simultaneously feels close to the euphoric, dancefloor-filling pop roots that brought us hits like ‘Let Go For Tonight’, ‘Youth’ and ‘Body Talk’, while still feeling completely fresh.

 

- After independently releasing a series of singles and building a core fan base, Vancouver Island sensation and singer/songwriter Lauren Spencer-Smith partnered with Island Records and Republic Records, both divisions of Universal Music Group (UMG). The innovative partnership allows Lauren Spencer-Smith to keep her independent spirit via her own imprint while tapping into premium services from both labels.  The collaboration was structured with manager and business partner David Ehrlich.  Listen to “Fingers Crossed” — HERE.

- Fifty years since its release, the original motion picture soundtrack for Hal Ashby’s 1971 classic cult film “Harold and Maude,” made up exclusively of songs by Cat Stevens, is now available in new 180g 1LP / 1CD / Digital release formats via A&M/Cat-O-Log/UMe. The new edition of the soundtrack combines Cat Stevens’ nine original songs, as well as dialogue from the film, for the first time.  Hal Ashby’s 1971 film about the unlikely friendship-turned-love story of suicidal teenager Harold Chasen (played by Bud Cort) and 79-year-old free spirit Maude (played by Ruth Gordon) is now widely praised as a bona fide cult classic. Filled with dark humor and existential drama, the film represents the potentially glorious benefits that can arise from a balanced partnership between conservative pragmatism and colorful free-spirited idealism. It reveals the deep lying synergy that exists between seemingly opposing views and how, when united, they can flourish to their mutual advantage.

- The future is looking bright for Fry, Leela and Bender at Hulu.  20th Television Animation and Hulu announced today the return of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's brilliantly subversive animated sci-fi comedy, FUTURAMA.  The announcement was made by Craig Erwich, President, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment and 20^th Television Animation Head Marci Proietto.  The order is for 20 new episodes and the series will go into production in February, with a 2023 premiere.  The show’s returning voice cast includes stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman.

- SHOWTIME has officially started production on I LOVE THAT FOR YOU, the half-hour comedy series starring and executive produced by Emmy^® nominee Vanessa Bayer, with Molly Shannon and Jenifer Lewis also leading the cast.  Previously titled I LOVE THIS FOR YOU, the eight-episode series began production in Los Angeles last week and is set to premiere this spring.  Inspired by Bayer’s own story of overcoming childhood leukemia, I LOVE THAT FOR YOU centers on Joanna Gold (Bayer) who dreams of becoming a host at a home-shopping channel. Shannon plays Jackie, the charismatic star of the network and Joanna’s idol. Lewis plays Patricia, the network’s icy, enigmatic founder and CEO. Additional series regulars include Paul James, Ayden Mayeri, Matt Rogers and Punam Patel.

- SHOWTIME has renewed the Peabody Award-winner and two-time Emmy^®-nominated documentary series VICE for an upcoming third and fourth season. Season three will premiere Sunday, May 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with the first eight episodes airing weekly on Sundays leading to a midseason finale on June 19. The remaining eight episodes of the season will air later this year. Known for delivering immersive reporting from the frontlines of global conflict, civil uprisings and more, this season of VICE will cover a new slate of groundbreaking stories from its team of global correspondents.  Each half-hour episode of VICE relentlessly pursues untold stories of social justice, civil rights and identity, tackling complex geopolitical stories from remote parts of the world and on domestic grounds. The VICE reporting team includes a diverse group of award-winning journalists, including Hind Hassan, Alzo Slade, Seb Walker, Paola Ramos, Gianna Toboni, Ben C. Solomon, David Noriega, and Krishna Andavolu. The series was honored with a 2021 Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for excellence in journalism.

- SHOWTIME Documentary Films has received the first Oscar nomination in its history, with the feature-length documentary ATTICA from Emmy^® winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson (Freedom Riders, The Murder of Emmett Till) and co-director Traci A. Curry in final contention for Best Documentary Feature at the March 27 ceremony. ATTICA recounts in vivid detail the five-day 1971 prison rebellion at the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York, which took the lives of 29 inmates and 10 hostages – the deadliest single day of violence Americans inflicted on each other since the Civil War. ATTICA can be seen for free for viewing through the end of February’s Black History Month on Sho.com and YouTube, as well as across multiple streaming and on-demand platforms.

- Showtime Networks Inc. and Bleecker Street have entered into a new and exclusive three-year output agreement, effective in March, under which SHOWTIME will exhibit high-profile Bleecker Street feature films across its on-air, on demand and streaming premium services. Each film will come to SHOWTIME within five months of initial release. The deal will comprise up to 12 films per year, all of which will be released theatrically by Bleecker Street,