Around the Tubes: November 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 George and Tammy, The Circus, Next at the Kennedy Center, The Black Beauty Effect, Ziwe, A Charlie Brown Christmas, José Feliciano, Taylor Swift, Neil Diamond, John Legend, Bret Michaels, Back in the Groove, Your Honor, and Switch.

- SHOWTIME^® today announced that it has picked up the six-part limited series GEORGE & TAMMY, starring Oscar winner Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye) and Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals, Revolutionary Road).  The series is created by Abe Sylvia (The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Nurse Jackie), directed by John Hillcoat (The Road) and produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios, Freckle Films, Mad Chance, Brolin Productions, Aunt Sylvia’s Moving Picture Co. and Blank Films Inc.  The premiere episode of GEORGE & TAMMY will debut simultaneously on SHOWTIME and on the Paramount Network behind Yellowstone commercial free on Sunday, December 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.  The remainder of the season will be available exclusively on SHOWTIME, with new episodes available on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME as well as PARAMOUNT+ with SHOWTIME bundle subscribers on Fridays, before making its on-air debut on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The series will also begin rolling out across additional Paramount+ markets outside the US and Canada. 

- The Emmy^® nominated docuseries THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH continues its seventh season with a behind-the-scenes look at the final days of a bitterly contested midterm election.  Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri, are joined by guest host Paola Ramos – host and correspondent for VICE News, contributor to MSNBC, and author of Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity – as they travel the country documenting a political environment full of warning signs for the Democratic Party. With sustained economic headwinds and daunting historical trends for the party in power, the GOP is on offense as Democrats attempt to hold onto control of both houses of Congress.  For a preview, go to: https://youtu.be/c2-hz-TUlX8. 

- PBS announced that the third episode of NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER, a series from the pubcaster’s first multi-year collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will feature the Grammy Award-winning hip hop group The Roots. Anchored by an unforgettable concert in the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall, the special explores how The Roots continue to push the boundaries of their art form while using their platform as the inaugural artist-in-residence of the Center’s Hip Hop Culture Program to foster the next generation of cultural leaders. NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER “The Roots Residency” premieres Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS Video app.   “For more than 50 years, PBS and the Kennedy Center have shared a joint mission to bring the best of the performing arts to the American public,” said Sylvia Bugg, chief programming executive and general manager of general audience programming at PBS. “NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER showcases the richness of the nation’s stage, helping to contextualize the cultural impact of contemporary artists like The Roots who are not only extraordinary musicians but passionate community leaders. As the series continues, we look forward to sharing a diversity of genres and stories.”

- Comcast NBCUniversal and FaceForward Productions announced acclaimed actress Meagan Good will appear in the upcoming three-part docuseries The Black Beauty Effect, set to premiere on November 25^th on the Black Experience on Xfinity channel, a first-of-its-kind destination of Black entertainment featuring the ultimate in Black storytelling. From creator and executive producers Andrea Lewis (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Black Actress); and executive producer Emmy-nominee CJ Faison (Giants & Junebug), Jackie Aina and Kahlana Barfield Brown, the docuseries will spotlight the social change that has taken place in the beauty industry, as told from the perspective of the successful Black women who galvanized it.  The Black Beauty Effect is a three-part docuseries capturing the current evolution, revolution, and disruption taking place within the beauty industry. Black beauty influencers, celebrities, and entrepreneurs have taken up the torch passed down from their pioneering predecessors. Each hour-long episode examines a different aspect of beauty – hair, skin, and makeup – through the lens of some of the beauty industry’s most iconic game-changers. The Black Beauty Effect peels back the gorgeous glow we see in advertisements to tell the ugly truths that have plagued the beauty industry for far too long.

- SHOWTIME has released a new trailer for the highly anticipated new episodes of ZIWE, the critically acclaimed late-night variety series, starring and executive produced by Ziwe (Dickinson, Succession, The Great North). The second season will return to SHOWTIME with six new episodes starting Friday, November 18 on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers, before making its on-air debut on Sunday, November 20 at 11 p.m. ET/PT.   To watch and share the new trailer; go to: https://youtu.be/kTceoAGnF90. 

- In the vivid and thought-provoking new three-part television series, SEARCHING: OUR QUEST FOR MEANING IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE Alan Lightman asks deep and timeless questions: Where do we humans fit in the grand scheme of things? Why do we yearn for permanence in an impermanent universe? Are we just atoms and molecules, or something more? How does consciousness arise from the material neurons in our brains? What aspects of our humanity will be preserved as we evolve beyond biology, from Homo Sapiens to Homo Techno, part human and part machine? What are the smallest things in nature, and the largest and farthest?  To explore these questions, MIT physicist and best-selling author, Lightman (Einstein’s Dreams, The Diagnosis), engages in lively, revealing and sometimes even humorous dialog with Nobel Prize-winning scientists, philosophers, ethicists and faith leaders.  SEARCHING: OUR QUEST FOR MEANING IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE will debut with three one-hour episodes on public television stations starting on January 7, 2023 and streaming on demand on PBS.org for 60 days. This series is made possible through the support of the John Templeton Foundation.

- Craft Recordings proudly announces the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas—Vince Guaraldi Trio’s timeless score from the beloved 1965 animated special—in immersive Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. The album, which features such holiday classics as “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Linus and Lucy,” and “O Tannenbaum,” is premiering exclusively on Apple Music today. A Charlie Brown Christmas has remained a holiday staple for nearly 60 years (not to mention the best-selling jazz album of all time, alongside Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, after earning 5x platinum certification by the RIAA in May). Now, fans can experience this music like never before.  Apple TV+, meanwhile, is now the exclusive home of the 1965 animated special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, as well as a wide selection of PEANUTS programming, including many of the classic specials from Mendelson/Melendez Productions. In addition, Apple TV+ is the home of their all-new special Lucy’s School and a fresh season of their original series The Snoopy Show, both produced for Apple TV+ by PEANUTS and WildBrain.

-  Legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist, José Feliciano, today released his highly anticipated new album, Love & Christmas, to all streaming services through Anthem Records. The new collection of songs, Feliciano’s first since 2020’s critically acclaimed, Behind This Guitar, express the enduring themes of his music and life; passion, inclusiveness, community, family and the joy of the Christmas season.  Love & Christmas also features the first new Christmas song written and performed by Feliciano in over 50 years, making it the first since the release of his beloved, bilingual holiday classic “Feliz Navidad.”  Titled “Viva La Navidad,” the up-tempo, fun, and rockin’ new track is the cornerstone of this new collection of songs, celebrating the joy of the holiday season. Stream “Viva la Navidad” HERE.

- The U.S. leg of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour was announced this morning just days after the eleven-time GRAMMY winner broke streaming, physical and vinyl album sales around the world. Taylor’s critically acclaimed album, Midnights, is the fastest selling album of her career. Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour will be supported by (each artist’s dates are listed on the graphic below) Paramore, beabadoobee, Phoebe Bridgers, girl in red, MUNA, HAIM, GAYLE, Gracie Abrams, and OWENN. It will be presented by Capital One and produced by Taylor Swift Touring and promoted by the Messina Touring Group (MTG).  To ensure tickets to Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour get into the hands of fans, Taylor Swift has partnered with Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program.  Fans can register HERE for the TaylorSwiftTix Presale powered by Verified Fan starting now through Wednesday, November 9 at 11:59PM ET. Registered fans who receive a code will have exclusive access to purchase tickets on Tuesday, November 15 starting at 10AM local venue time. Only fans that have received a unique code will have the chance to purchase tickets starting at $49 up to $449. In addition, VIP packages will start at $199 up to $899 on a first come, first served basis.

- With his first break into songwriting in the 1960s, his meteoric rise in the 1970s, and plenty of crushing disappointments and heart-stopping triumphs along the way, Neil Diamond has maintained an almost unthinkable level of superstardom for five straight decades. So how did a poor Jewish kid from Brooklyn become one of the most universally adored showmen of all time? There’s only one way to tell it: a Broadway musical set to his era-defining smash hits that entranced the world. A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical begins preview performances today, Wednesday, November 2, with an official opening night set for Sunday, December 4, at the Broadhurst Theatre. Tickets for A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, are available HERE.  

- ulti-platinum, 12-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend released a breathtaking version of his hit song “Nervous” today with Colombian-American chart-topping singer and songwriter Sebastián Yatra.  Stream the new bilingual interpretation of the song HERE. "Sebastian is such a gifted artist,” said Legend.  “I’m so glad we could collaborate again on this special version of Nervous!"  “I was actually a bit nervous to do “Nervous” with John because singing alongside one of the best singers in the world can be pretty overwhelming,” said Sebastián. “He is an incredible vocalist and performer and puts so much emotion into everything he does. I’m so grateful to be a part of such a special song.”

- Taylor Swift scores one of the most historic weeks in the 64-year history of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, as she becomes the first artist to claim the survey's entire top 10 in a single frame. Leading the way for Swift on the Hot 100, "Anti-Hero" launches at No. 1, marking her ninth career leader. Swift now claims 13 of the top 15 spots on the chart with the entire standard version of Midnights.

- Music icon Bret Michaels, fresh off the Stadium Tour, is joining forces with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for their Homes for the Holidays television series. Michaels will be featured in the holiday TV special, giving Gold Star and fallen first responder families the ultimate holiday gifts – mortgage-free homes.  Michaels states, “As the son of a veteran and coming from a family of veterans, first responders, frontline workers, teachers, and utility workers, I could not be more honored to join forces with Tunnel to Towers and give back to the men and women who have selflessly sacrificed so much for our freedoms. In this holiday season,” continued Michaels, “I would ask you and your family to consider giving back to these amazing veterans and first responders.”

- We are excited to announce the premiere date for Hulu's new unscripted series "Back in the Groove," hosted by Taye Diggs. The special four-night event kicks off Monday, December 5 with two episodes, on Hulu. Two all-new episodes available to stream daily through Thursday, December 8.  Check Out the Date Announcement: HERE. Three single women in their 40s, all stuck in the grind of their everyday lives, will check OUT of their comfort zones and check INTO The Groove Hotel, a magical resort on the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic - where the goal is to rediscover their youth, live joyously, and hopefully find love with men HALF. THEIR. AGE. As the saying goes, “you can’t fall in love with someone else until you fall in love with yourself!” At the Groove Hotel, these three women will have the opportunity to do both! Whether they find the perfect fling, friendship, true love, or something in between, this is their chance to take charge and break through the double standards older women face every day. And they’re going to have a lot of fun doing it! The show is hosted by Taye Diggs, who knows a thing or two about getting into the groove.

- The premiere date for the SHOWTIME^® drama series YOUR HONOR has shifted. The 10-episode second season of the series starring Oscar® nominee and Emmy® winner Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) will debut on demand and on streaming Friday, January 13, 2023 and on-air on Sunday, January 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The first season of YOUR HONOR ranks as the top debut season ever on SHOWTIME.   

- Game Show Network, the leader in game shows and competitive entertainment, has announced actor Jeff Hephner as host of its quick-moving trivia game show, SWITCH. The first season of the half-hour original series will premiere early 2023.  In SWITCH, five players begin the game by taking positions behind large numbers from 1 to 5. After a trivia question is asked, players with correct answers move towards the number 1 spot, and players with incorrect answers move towards the number 5 spot. The goal of the game is to finish the third round of questions in the number 1 position, thus winning the game and earning the right to play the bonus round for $10,000. 

57 Channels and Only This Is On: October 30, 2022

 

House of the Dragon:  This show reminds me of classic TV where only the red shirts die. Every time someone bites it, I just go, oh no... oh well. I could not even tell you if that was Jace or Luke that died (but am proud of myself that I could actually name both of them).  Viserys is the only person who has dies that has been worth caring about but I think you did not even need to be a book reader to know early on he was not going to last long. Really, the shocking part with his death was that he made it to episode 8. Hopefully without any more time jumps / actor changes (presumably), they will give up reasons to care about some of these characters next season.

 

The Walking Dead:  Last week I was unsure why the mayor left her zombie son and some rando in the room with that one dude, and now this week I am left even more confused by that action.  Also kind of confusing, how they were able to grab Ezekiel without making a sound.

 

Let the Right One In:  The sister came around pretty quickly to her brother just killing people.  But know we now why the henchman is helping some mad scientists, he was providing him with drugs to sell.  But my question is: are these killers in NYC vampires or just people hopped on these drugs?

 

Quantum Leap:  So that other leaper is from the future (or possibly a real good actor, though no one on this show is a good actor).  But why accuse someone from the past of following you?  Is Ben following him, but forgot because of the amnesia?  Could Future Leaper have leaped into someone in 2022 and did something that caused Ben to go after him without telling anyone.  Is Future Leaper tied to Al’s daughter?  This is starting to get too complicated.

 

The Surreal Life:  It seems like the majority of “celebrities” recruited this time around are more infamous than actually famous.

 

Reboot:  Really good first season, but kind of sputtered at the end.  The whole storyline about the new executive burying the show and Paul Rieser having to fall on the sword just fell flat.  It would be a shame if he is not on a potential second season, though obviously they will find a way to bring him back.  Probably by blackmailing the executive.  Also 8 episodes was just too short.

 

La Brea:  Of course Paara was related to the head of the Exiles, but still have not found out where exactly did these people came from and how they speak perfect English.  Are they time travelers?  Did the time travelers teach them English?  We did get conformation that Gavin’s mom is the one creating all these sink holes but we still need to know the how and the why.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale:  Moving back to New Bethlehem seems like a horrible idea.  But it would get them closer to Hannah.  I really do not trust the U.S. government official to pull off a successful raid on wherever she is being kept.  But “Do you have an irony deficiency” may have been the cheesiest, and at the same time, best line ever on the show.

 

Tell Me Lies:  Oh my, what a finale.  It was pretty obvious by the last episode Stephan was driving the night Macy dies, but still very heart wrenching to finally see it for ourselves because they did a really good job fleshing out Macy is that short flashback.  She may actually be the most likeable person on this whole show, either her or Bree.

 

Okay, Mr. Brightside time.  Great song.  Great song placement.  Lucy’s look on her face was an all timer for the unintentional comedy scale.  I just broke out laughing and had to rewind a couple times.  And you cannot feel bad for Lucy after making out with Stephen while Diana was performing in her a cappella group (I am going to need more of that a cappella group in season two).  How is that dude a prize for those two women to fight over?  I kind of get Lucy, being an impressionable freshman, but Diana; it is time to find a real man.

 

Just do not ask Bree for help finding one because bombshell number two was Evan hooked up with Lucy shortly after Bree left for the semester.  That is going to make that awkward wedding even more awkward.  I kind of think Pippa know of this hook-up due to a few things she said at the reception.  Now the question is, who else knows, and has/will anyone tell Bree?

 

Speaking of the reception and the last bombshell of the season: Stephen has a new fiancée.  I guessed it was not going to be Diana, but as I cycled through everyone it could be, Lucy’s high school friend did not cross my mind (for some reason, I was trying to remember if Macy had a sister).  I am so ready for a second season.  How did they meet?  What does Lucy think of this?  Wrigley’s brother killed himself, right?  Or could he be in prison because of Macy’s death?  The only problem with those scenes in the future is we know Stephen gets away with it, at least up until then.

 

But the biggest question may be (well, other than why does Bree still have the same hairstyle at her wedding that she had back when she was a freshman in college seven years ago?): should I patiently wait for season two (which there better be one; get on that Hulu) or just break down and read the book in the meantime?

 

Survivor:  Gabler has to go down as pulling off one of the dumbest merge plans of all-time.  You do not offer up your tribe member at the vote unless you are on the outs.  He just lost a number and showed he is not loyal which will put him on the chopping block. The old orange and red could have easily hanged up on the blue, now it is just anarchy out there.

 

The Challenge: Ride or Dies:  Okay, the double decker Hall Brawl was cool, but that one second head start felt like nothing.  But, sign, it seems like we are at a slow march until all the rookies are out of the game.  There is no fun in that.

 

Stargirl:  So I take it, the Helix Squad will be showing up in the finale just when the battle will seemed to be lost.  Granted, I had no clue who any of those people were.

 

Big Sky:   Holy Buddy Garrity sighting!!!!  Then we had a meeting of the creepy dude and somehow neither died.  I have a feeling their next meeting, one will not be walking away from that encounter..

 

Pennyworth:  So are Bet and Salt really dead?  Or are they going to be resurrected somehow .  The dude is already mostly machine at this point.

 

A Friend of the Family:  Jan has been at a private school this whole time?  That was more bizarre than I was expecting.

Around the Tubes: October 29, 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 Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva,  Elton John, Taylor Swift, Neil Diamond, Helen Ganya, Noah Kahan, Joy Oladokun, Shania Twain, Paris Jackson, POV, The Staircase, Matt Rogers: Have You Heard of Christmas?, and 2nd Chance.

- Hulu announced recent that it will be the exclusive US streaming destination for the biggest Hindi film of the year, "Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva." The visual spectacle, the first in a planned trilogy, will be available on Friday, November 4th in both its theatrical Hindi and an English dubbed version for the very first time!  DATE ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO: HERE  "Brahmāstra" – the Trilogy, is a three-part film franchise and the beginning of India’s first original universe, The Astraverse.  It is a new original cinematic universe inspired by deeply rooted concepts and tales from Indian history but set in the modern world, with epic storytelling of fantasy, adventure, good vs evil, love and hope; all told using cutting edge technology and never-seen-before visual spectacles.

-  On this day, exactly 47 years ago, Elton John’s legendary performance at Dodger Stadium launched him into global stardom, and next month, he will come full circle, returning to Dodger Stadium to grace us with his final North American show. Exclusively streamed live on Disney+ on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium” is a once-in-a-lifetime live, global original concert event that offers fans from around the world a front-row seat to witness the groundbreaking magic of the Rocket Man back at Dodger Stadium.  The historic three-hour livestream, from Disney Branded Television and produced by Fulwell 73 Productions and Rocket Entertainment, will showcase Elton John as audiences have never seen him before, paying tribute to the icon and the seminal moment in 1975 that cemented his global success.  The concert will begin with “Countdown to Elton Live” from Dodger Stadium, beginning at 7:30 PST / 10:30 EST. “To feel the energy from the best fans, not only in Dodger Stadium again, but this time around the world from those watching live at home, will be truly extra special for me," said Elton John. “I’m thrilled to celebrate this momentous evening globally. I hope everyone feels the power and joy of performing on a stage as iconic as Dodger’s. Just like I did almost 50 years ago.” 

- Taylor Swift’s 10^th full-length studio album, Midnights, shattered Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music streaming records in less than 24 hours. Midnights was the biggest album debut for Spotify ever as it became the “Most Streamed Album in a Single Day.”  In addition, Taylor eclipsed the record as the “Most Streamed Artist in a Single Day” in Spotify history.  Midnights also remarkably breaks the all-time record for “most single day streams for an artist in Spotify history,” surpassing the record set by Bad Bunny earlier this year. Not to mention, this critically adored album captured 67 #1’s worldwide on iTunes and Apple Music with 98 #1’s worldwide. Midnights also notably broke the record for the biggest pop album of all time on Apple Music by first-day streams and "Lavender Haze" Debuted #1 on Apple Music Top 100: Global. With two tracks from the album hitting #1, Taylor has earned 55 #1 hits on US iTunes singles, the most of any artist. On Amazon Music, Taylor also received the most first day album streams globally of any artist in addition to the most Alexa requests ever. In addition, “Anti-Hero” is the #1 trending video on YouTube in the US.

- Capitol/UMe celebrates the full breadth of Neil Diamond’s holiday spirit with the release of A Neil Diamond Christmas, a special, artist-curated compilation of the greatest songs culled from Neil’s four beloved and best-selling Christmas albums. The tracks Neil has personally selected for this compilation all originally appeared on September 1992’s The Christmas Album, October 1994’s The Christmas Album Volume II, October 2009’s A Cherry Cherry Christmas, and November 2016’s Acoustic Christmas.  A Neil Diamond Christmas appears in four physical configurations: 2LP 180-gram black vinyl, an exclusive, limited-edition gold opaque 2LP 180-gram vinyl, 2CD, and 1CD. All of the tracks on A Neil Diamond Christmas have been newly remastered under the artist’s direction by Neil’s longtime engineer, Bernie Becker. Additionally, Neil and Bernie created a stunning new mix of “O Holy Night,” originally released on The Christmas Album. Preorder A Neil Diamond Christmas HERE.

- Helen Ganya shares a striking video for “i will hold that hand for you”, the captivating opening track from her upcoming album polish the machine out November 18th via Bella Union. The music video was created by filmmaker and video artist Sapphire Goss who mixes analog and digital to create grainy, shimmering and otherworldly visuals. Goss took the ideas behind the song and created a cold, metallic, liquid dystopian landscape held together by the warming sentiment at the heart of the song. Listen / watch HERE.  “i will hold that hand for you” follows the singles “afterparty” and “young girls never die”.

- Vermont singer and songwriter Noah Kahan’s new album Stick Season is his most successful and widely praised release to date—debuting at #14 on the Billboard 200 Chart, #4 on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums Chart, #5 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums Chart, and #5 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums Chart. Not to mention, the record debuted at #6 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Albums USA Chart, with its breakout self-titled single “Stick Season” currently at #2 on the AAA Radio Chart this week.  Noah recently kicked off his sold-out North American “Stick Season Tour” with Adam Melchor as support. The 2022 string of shows run through November, with a second leg of tour dates added in 2023 that are quickly selling out—see the complete list of tour dates below. Next spring, Noah will join Dermot Kennedy across the UK on “The Sonder Tour.” Tickets are available now HERE.

- The official music video for “Sweet Symphony,” Joy Oladokun’s new collaboration with Chris Stapleton, is debuting today. Directed and produced by Gemini (Mason Allen and Nicki Fletcher), the video features puppet versions of Oladokun and Stapleton performing the song. Watch/share HERE.  Of the video, Oladokun shares, “I felt really inspired as a black kid watching Sesame Street and the Muppets because we live in a world where our differences separate us, and these shows were so clearly modeled through the art form that differences don’t matter. I love the surrealism and realism that puppet art blends together because it teaches us cool lessons about how we should treat other.”

- Gearing up for another monumental chapter, five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning legend and the best-selling female artist in country music history Shania Twain will release her new album, Queen of Me, on February 3, 2023. It notably stands out as her sixth original full-length offering, first record since 2017, and official debut for her new label partner Republic Nashville, a division of Republic Records.  On November 14th at 3pm PT/6pm ET, Shania will join celebrated TV personality Nancy O’Dell for TalkShopLive where fans can hear stories around the making of Queen of Me and pre-order the autographed LP and limited edition box sets. Link HERE.

- Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, and activist paris jackson reveals her new single “just you” out now via Republic Records—listen HERE.  paris delivers another emotionally charged anthem with “just you,” which she describes as a “love song”. On the track, a steady beat builds in the background as guitars echo. Her soulful delivery breaks through as she ponders, “floored, how did i fall so swift and far for you my dear?” Once again, paris channels nineties alternative and grunge with her signature artistic spirit.  She recently delivered a stripped-back, acoustic performance of the song for SPIN—watch it HERE.

- POV delves into the lives of two midwives – one a Buddhist and one a Muslim, who defy strict ethnic divisions to work side by side at a health clinic in western Myanmar, in the absorbing documentary, Midwives. Directed by Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing and produced by Snow, Emmy Award® winner Mila Aung-Thwin (Up the Yangtze), Bob Moore (Last Train Home) and Ulla Lehmann (Wood and Water), Midwives makes its national broadcast premiere on POV Monday, November 21, 2022 (check local listings) and will be available to stream with no PBS Passport membership necessary until December 21, 2022 at pbs.org, and the PBS Video app.  In addition to standard closed captioning for the film, POV, in partnership with audio description service DiCapta, provides real time audio interpretations for audiences with sensory disabilities. POV, currently celebrating its 35th anniversary season, is America’s longest running non-fiction series.

- Get on the case with the Max Original drama series as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases The Staircase: Limited Series on DVD December 27, 2022. Created by Antonio Campos (The Devil All the Time), The Staircase: Limited Series is priced to own at $24.98 SRP for the DVD ($29.98 in Canada). Follow all 8, one-hour episodes from the gripping series, plus all-new bonus content including Inside the Episode featurettes and a set tour! The series is also available to own on Digital via purchase from digital retailers and to stream on HBO Max.  Inspired by a true story, The Staircase explores the life of Michael Peterson, his sprawling North Carolina family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson. On December 9, 2001, Michael makes a frantic 911 call reporting Kathleen has fallen down the stairs of their Durham, NC home. But when the district attorney brings murder charges, members of Michael’s blended family must choose whose side they’re on and which version of events to believe. As the case becomes engulfed in a media circus, a French documentary film crew arrives to meticulously chronicle its many twists and turns. Intertwining multiple perspectives and timelines, this gripping limited series explores the elusive nature of truth.

- - SHOWTIME announced today that the network will air the debut comedy special, MATT ROGERS: HAVE YOU HEARD OF CHRISTMAS?, from breakout multihyphenate Matt Rogers (I LOVE THAT FOR YOU, Fire Island). The special will premiere on Friday, December 2 on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers and on-air that night at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Based on his popular long-running live show of the same name, this musical extravaganza will feature an original set of holiday pop music and comedy to get audiences in the Christmas spirit, all while Rogers seeks to win approval as the next “Pop Prince of Christmas.” Taped in front of a live audience in Joe’s Pub within The Public Theater in New York City, MATT ROGERS: HAVE YOU HEARD OF CHRISTMAS? will also feature performances and short comedic bits with guest stars Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens) and comedy duo Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson (F***ing Identical Twins) to further spread some holiday cheer.  "Ever since I was a young boy, I have wanted to be seasonally ubiquitous,” said Rogers. “So I am thrilled to finally be joining the ranks of Christmas legends like Mariah Carey and Santa with this special, MATT ROGERS: HAVE YOU HEARD OF CHRISTMAS?, and I look forward to sharing this vulnerable, intimate and ultimately incredibly stupid night."

-  SHOWTIME Documentary Films announced today they are teaming up with Bleecker Street to release 2ND CHANCE, the documentary from director and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Ramin Bahrani (The White Tiger, 99 Homes, Chop Shop), in theatres. The film will open in New York and Los Angeles on Friday, December 2, expanding to additional cities December 9. SHOWTIME will then premiere the film on air, on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers next Spring. Bahrani’s feature-length documentary debut is an exploration of the life and legacy of Richard Davis, the charming yet brash inventor of the modern-day bulletproof vest who shot himself 192 times to prove his product worked. A hero to police and the military until tragedy brought him down, Davis offers an American story of guns, violence, lies and self-deception. The announcement was made by Vinnie Malhotra, Executive Vice President, Nonfiction Programming, Showtime Networks Inc., and Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street.   Davis parlayed his self-tested invention into the launch of Second Chance, which became one of the largest body armor companies in the world. He directed sensational marketing films, earning him celebrity status among police and gun owners across the country. But the death of a police officer wearing a Second Chance vest catalyzed Davis’ fall, revealing a man full of contradictions cultivated over decades of reckless behavior. Equally as questionable as he was captivating, Davis saved thousands of lives while endangering exponentially more.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: October 23, 2022

 

House of the Dragon:  So the cripple is into feet.  At least the writers finally gave some of these side characters some actually characterization.  Then you have Cristen Cole straight up murdering some random dude that we barely met with multiple people watching… and once again gets a promotion afterwards. Speaking of characters we barely met, were we really supposed to care about the twins with the same name racing against Cristen and One Eye to find Aemon?  It does not seem like much would be different on who got there first and that was the bulk of the episode.  Buy Rhenese if off to tell Rhenira about the Green’s plan, thus finally starting the Dance of the Dragons.  I guess the old head of the Kingsguard will join them.  But why exactly was he just able to leave with no problem, but they quickly stopped and hung the other dude?

 

The Walking Dead:  Oh, so the mayor wants to put all the blame on Eugene even though she knows her former lackey was the one that had the zombies released.  So I guess that is where the tension will come from.  Well that and the new climbing zombies.  But when are we going to get the fast zombies we were promised during Worlds Apart? And which variant is more frightening?  But back to the mayor and her lackey, what was going on with the kid zombie, at first I thought she was going to like the kid zombie eat the lackey, but then brought in another body to eat, so what is the lackey supposed to do?

 

Let the Right One In:  Okay, those monkeys are creepy.  But if the monkey could break its restraints, why couldn’t the brother?  But the sister was quick to learn that is was not just their blood and blood banks that were keeping the brother fed.  And who was that henchman working with and how much does the other guy know?  The father said it was just those two.  The henchman also ran into the other storyline, I wonder just how often those two storylines intercut this season.  And what will the henchman do when he learns the boss owns that car?

 

Quantum Leap:  I first though the guy who knew ben was with Al’s daughter, but why would Ben be following him?  Could there be a third team out there leaping?  But can that dude actually see Ben, or did he somehow know that the person he leaped into was not really that guy and guessed it was Sam?  And if not Al’s daughter, does that guy have a hologram following him around?  Would Ben be able to see them?  And most importantly, why no teaser of where Ben leaps next week?  But overall, seems way too early to be breaking the rules of the original and leaping to a time earlier than the leaper.  That was a big no-no in the original. 

 

La Brea:  The killed off the chick who knew how to get in the tower?  I am beginning to think this is a The Hatch situation where it takes way too long to get into.  Though, since this is a time travel show, that chick it out there somewhere.  But the Isaiah family tree is confusing.  So his mother is in 1987, who presumably will travel back in time with her husband and father, conceive Isaiah, leave her father to raise her son?  When do they go back in time?  Where exactly is 60(ish) year old mom now?  Where is dad at any age?

 

Andor: Oh wow, The Waif sure cleans up nicely.  I needed context clues to even realize that was her (though I needed someone to inform me that the Lady in Red was the shop assistant).  But my problem with the first with the first six episodes was they seemed like two district movies that did not have much to do with each other besides the lead character. You could have started on episode 4 and not be confused for the next two episode. Finally, those two blocks of episodes are coming together.  I am guessing this next block will be Bix and / or Vel (I definitely did not have to look up those names) breaking Andor out of prison.  Vel is certainly not actually going to kill him, letting him rot in prison knowing what he knows also seems risky.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale:  I was annoyed after making Serena slowly more sympathetic only for her to become pure evil again seemingly just to fill the main antagonist roll with Fred gone. But I guess the writers are trying to make Serena sympathetic again. She is beginning to feel like one of those WWE wrestlers who go back and forth being the good and bad guy every other feud they are in.  But who is the antagonist of the show now?  The family that was keeping Serena hostage?  Is Lawrence finally going to go full heel after going back and forth more often than Serena?

 

Tell Me Lies:  Well, the promo monkeys fooled me into thinking it was the brother who fell off the deck.  Instead it was Wrigley whose football career may be over.  But now that almost everything is out there, it feels like the levee is going to break in the finale and I am all for it.  Will someone have photographic proof of Stephan and Macy that night?  Was Facebook a big thing at that time?  Will we get to see what happened that night?  I am not sure I believe Stephen’s retelling, I would really like to see how that night unfolded myself.

 

Survivor:  Voting out Geo was the right move, you do not want to blindside someone who can turn around and steal your Idol, but I wished the Survivor Gods somehow willed Ryan to be voted off after one of the misguided plays of all time.  Also pretty dumb: Janine and Jesse risking their vote.  I am not sure what is dumber, losing your vote with so few people in your tribe, or losing your vote with the merge on the horizon?  So Geo is out and the other two lost their vote.  Compare that to the last time here Noelle came out of it with an Extra Vote and a secret alliance.  Do not be greedy people.  At least Janine still has her Idol, Jesse is out a vote and one of his tribe mates he was ready to vote out has every reason to join her secret alliance over him.  A lot of moving parts next week (even though no dumb turn back time this season, but the preview made it look like there will still be a dumb twist), Jesse seem like the most likely to get voted out next week.  Unless he somehow benefits from whatever the new dumb twist turns out to be.

 

The Challenge: Ride or Dies:  Ugg, I was so glad when Kacee and her loser brother were booted, why were they brought back?  I was so happy to have a season with no Josh and very little Kacee.  Plus they really need to outlaw helping people during the elimination.  It is so stupid they allow that.

 

Stargirl:  Oh yeah, I completely forgot they left the Green Lantern storyline on a cliffhanger.  I also forgot Keith David was playing a talking skull.  Cool.  Since this was just “Part 1” I guess we will continue this diversion from who killed The Gambler.  Though, at this point, it is pretty obviously Dragon King.

 

Pennyworth:  So V (of Vendetta fame) is just some aging hippy?  That is a huge letdown.

Around the Tubes: October 22, 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 Welcome to Chippendales, Taylor Swift, The 1975, Glass Animals, Joni Mitchell, and The Circus.

- Check out the trailer and key art for Hulu's upcoming Original limited series "Welcome to Chippendales," which premieres Tuesday, November 22 with two episodes. New episodes stream Tuesdays.  A sprawling true-crime saga, “Welcome to Chippendales” tells the outrageous story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, an Indian immigrant who became the unlikely founder of the world’s greatest male-stripping empire—and let nothing stand in his way in the process.  The series stars series regulars Kumail Nanjiani, Murray Bartlett, Juliette Lewis, and Annaleigh Ashford, with recurring guest stars Quentin Plair, Robin de Jesús, Andrew Rannells, Spencer Boldman and guest stars Nicola Peltz Beckham and Dan Stevens.

- TAYLOR SWIFT'S 10^TH STUDIO ALBUM Midnights IS OUT NOW.  LISTEN HERE 

- Vevo, the world's leading music video network, announces the release of The 1975’s Official Live Performance of “Part of the Band” off their new album Being Funny In A Foreign Language, out today via Dirty Hit. Vevo’s Official Live Performances are the result of close creative collaboration with artists and their teams, resulting in a series of very special exclusive performances. “Part of the Band” follows The 1975’s previous Vevo Official Live Performances of “Oh Caroline” and “Someone To Love.” The 1975 previously worked with Vevo in 2017 on Vevo Presents performances of “Somebody Else,” “Lostmyhead” and “Medicine.”

- Record-breaking, BRIT and GRAMMY Award-nominated, Billboard Music Award-winning global sensations Glass Animals have made history yet again. After their global hit “Heat Waves” smashed the record for “the longest charting song by a group in Billboard Hot 100 history,” the band has now achieved “the longest charting song by any artist in Billboard Hot 100 history,” as “Heat Waves” hits 91 total weeks on the chart.

- The second episode of NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER “A Joni Mitchell Songbook,” premieres Friday, Nov. 18, at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS Video app. This special highlights the timeless and genre-defying influence of Joni Mitchell with an all-star lineup that includes Renée Fleming, Lalah Hathaway and Raul Midón, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza.

- The Emmy^® nominated docuseries THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH continues its seventh season this week in northwestern Georgia, home of far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, to chart her meteoric rise in power in the Republican Party.  Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon, and Jennifer Palmieri spend the week in Georgia’s 14th District to examine the source of Greene's popularity. Her political career forged in controversy, the firebrand congresswoman is poised to take on more power if Republicans take back control of the House of Representatives.  For a preview, go to: https://youtu.be/ESasWP4I5Mg.