View from the Peak - Everything coming to Paramount+ in April 2024

 

This April, Paramount+ brings exciting adventures the whole household will enjoy. March Madness has kicked off, already delivering plenty of upsets and drama. The crew of the U.S.S. Discovery makes its final voyage when Star Trek: Discovery returns for its fifth season. Everyone’s favorite little explorer, DORA, and the iconic echidna ,Knuckles, embark upon their own adventures that will win over the young and young-at-heart. And The Challenge: All Stars get the heart racing with an action-packed season four. For a closer look at all the entertainment coming to Paramount+ in April, check out the latest edition of View from the Peak.

PEAK CONTENT

Angourie Rice, Avantika Vandanapu, Reneé Rapp and Bebe Wood in Mean Girls Get in loser, we’re going streaming! Mean Girls, the musical hit that dominated the box office this winter, raking in more than $100 million at the box office, has arrived on Paramount+ as the No. 1 movie on the service among subscriber households. From the comedic mind of Tina Fey, the film, based on her popular Broadway musical, currently ranks as the No. 3 comedy of all time on the service. Even more fetch: audiences excited by this new twist have been revisiting the original Mean Girls, causing a 100% rise in streams month over month.

STREAM MEAN GIRLS ON PARAMOUNT+

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

David Ajala , Mary Wiseman, Doug Jones, Sonequa Martin-Green, Wilson Cruz, Blu Del Barrio and Callum Keith Rennie in Star Trek: Discovery Next month, the U.S.S. Discovery completes its mission to explore the outer reaches of space (and time). Launched in 2017, the series is one of the longest-running streaming dramas at 65 episodes and helped launch the resurgence of the Star Trek franchise, introducing fans to Picard, Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks, Prodigy and Section 31. At SXSW, we sat down with Showrunners and Executive Producers Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise to talk about the journey to the final season. Star Trek: Discovery brought Star Trek into the new frontier of streaming. Could you speak to the importance of that journey? Kurtzman: We were one of the first shows to launch on a streaming service. We were just making a new Star Trek series, which hadn't been on the air for 12 years. We weren't necessarily constrained by network rules so we were able to tell different kinds of stories, and that was exciting. We are able to open up and create bigger worlds than you would ever be able to create on a television show but also tell the kinds of stories you couldn’t tell on a network show. Captain Michael Burnham and crew have been through a lot since igniting a Klingon War in the pilot. Looking back, what do you think is the show's enduring message? Kurtzman: The show is called Discovery and it's about the discovery of different worlds and planets and species, but it's also about these characters discovering themselves and different things about each other. Hopefully, you'll feel emotionally satisfied by where we take you in the end. Paradise: As with any iteration of Star Trek, there is an underlying hope and optimism at the heart of Discovery. This show in particular is focused on the crew as a family and that emotional connection between them. When a family unit comes together, we can overcome the most challenging of obstacles. We have to imagine you have some big plans for the show's send-off. What can fans look forward to this season? Paradise: This season people can look forward to action, adventure and fun. There's an exciting quest element to this season that will put our heroes in all sorts of different situations. It's a satisfying journey for the season itself and a satisfying end to the series as a whole. Star Trek: Discovery heads into the final frontier on April 4 with season five.

WATCH THE TRAILER

FAMILY FUN

Since launch, Paramount+ has prioritized kids and family, providing a mix of bingeworthy programming for the whole household including PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig, SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We continue to invest in this genre, finding creative ways to immerse viewers of all ages while introducing them to new characters and worlds with fresh originals. Two new series are making their way to the service in April, starting with DORA, a reimagining of the iconic Nickelodeon children’s cartoon. “Dora the Explorer made television history 20 years ago as the first animated Latina character in a leading role, and its cultural impact on preschoolers around the world can still be felt today," said Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation. “The new series will build upon Dora’s legacy with all-new CG animation and character-driven storylines, welcoming a new generation of kids into her fantastical world, while empowering them to explore, learn and grow.” Knuckles, the other original arriving in April, is the first expansion of the cinematic world of Sonic the Hedgehog. The series continues the adventures of the eponymous hot-head echidna, voiced by Idris Elba, whom we met in the film Sonic the Hedgehog 2. “He’s a fun character to play and I’m glad that everyone really liked the character,” Elba said. “It’s exciting that there’s a spin-off for the people who really love Knuckles and Sonic in the same expanded universe.” The adventure begins when DORA premieres on April 12 and Knuckles premieres on April 26.

WATCH THE KNUCKLES TRAILER

WATCH THE DORA TRAILER

DID YOU KNOW?

The Challenge: All Stars is headed to South Africa where 24 contenders will compete for the grand prize of $300,000. Longtime fans of the MTV series should look out for cast favorites who haven't appeared in the franchise for some time, including Kefla Hare (1999), Flora Alekseyeun (2002), Adam Larson (2006) and Rachel Robinson (2012). In celebration of Earth Week, Paramount+ will launch Earthly Adventures, a special collection of content that gives viewers a comprehensive tour of our planet and brings them face-to-face with exotic creatures and natural wonders. Subscribers can explore national parks in the US and (safely) travel through the wildest parts of every continent. The upcoming documentary series, CTRL+ALT+DESIRE, tells a gripping story of online addiction and infatuation that resulted in a Florida manhunt to capture Grant Amato for the murder of his parents and brother. The three-episode series chronicles Amato’s obsession with a Bulgarian webcam model that led him to steal $200,000 from his family before attempting to stage a murder-suicide to cover up his crimes.

WATCH THE CHALLENGE: ALL STARS TRAILER

TEE TIME

Paramount+ hits the greens next month as top golfers from around the globe compete at The Masters. Our live coverage of golf’s biggest tournament begins with Masters On the Range, featuring interviews with players and expert commentary and analysis from the CBS Sports team. In total, expect more than 100 hours of “Masters Live” content across four live channels on the service, including five Masters specials preceding live third and final round coverage. Tee up when The Masters begins on April 8.

STREAMING SOON

In April, the global sensation that is the NCIS franchise will air its 1,000th episode with an episode of the flagship series, NCIS, airing April 15! We’re commemorating this milestone with “NCISVerse: The First 1,000, an Entertainment Tonight Special'' that will stream live on Paramount+ for all premium subscribers on April 8. The special, hosted by ET’s Kevin Frazier, will include exclusive interviews with stars from all five series, never-before-seen looks at the making of TV’s #1 primetime drama franchise and insights about how the fictional crime-stoppers have impacted the real NCIS.

ORIGINALS, EXCLUSIVES, PREMIERES & EVENTS 4/1: Talk to Me* A group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand and become hooked on the new thrill and high-stakes party game until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. 4/4: Star Trek: Discovery season five premiere In the final season, Captain Burnham and her crews uncover a mystery that sends them on an epic adventure across the galaxy to find an ancient power whose very existence has been hidden for centuries. 4/7: CMT Music Awards** Streaming live from Austin, Texas, the event celebrates the biggest stars in country music, featuring electrifying performances and tributes to industry legends. 4/10: The Challenge: All Stars season four premiere Old-school legends, redemption-seekers and ex-lovers reunite in South Africa to compete for $300,000. In this game, anyone can win, relationships matter and only one all-star will claim the title. 4/12: DORA premiere Everyone’s favorite bilingual explorer, Dora, returns with her monkey best friend, Boots, to embark on a colorful adventure within a fantastical rainforest. 4/14: The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden – The Greatest Arena Run of All Time** Get a front row ticket to Billy Joel’s history-making 100th sold-out concert of his legendary residency at the world-famous Madison Square Garden. 4/16: CTRL+ALT+DESIRE Terror grips a small Florida town when a mother, father and son are found gunned down in their home. The mystery deepens when 29-year-old Grant Amato, son and brother of the deceased, is named prime suspect.  4/26: Knuckles premiere The new live-action event series follows Knuckles on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the echidna warrior. The series takes place between the films Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. LIBRARY SHOWS April 1 Jeff Dunham: I'm with Cupid April 3 Bubble Guppies (Season 6) Bubble Guppies: Bubble Puppy’s Fin-tastic Fairy Tale Bubble Guppies: Guppy Style! Bubble Guppies: The Puppy and the Ring CMT Crossroads (Seasons 21-22) CMT Presents The Judds: Love Is Alive - The Final Concert April 8 NCISVerse: The First 1,000** April 10 Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out (Seasons 19-20) April 17 Mighty Planes (Seasons 1-4) RENO 911! (Season 8) The Last Cowboy (Season 4) April 24 Air Disasters (Season 9-10) How Did They Fix That? (Seasons 1-2) MOVIES April 1 Arsenal* B.A.P.S. Bandslam* Black Lotus Blades of Glory Catch and Release Chaplin Cheech & Chong's Still Smokin'* Cloud Atlas Cold Mountain Daddy's Home Deep Impact Domestic Disturbance* Drive Me Crazy Edge Of Darkness El Dorado Emma Empire Records Face/Off First Blood Galaxy Quest* Get Rich or Die Tryin' Gunfight at the O.K. Corral Hotel for Dogs I Love You, Man Identity Inherent Vice Jacob's Ladder* Juice Just Like Heaven Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Last Night* Life Like a Boss Magnolia Malcolm X Max Steel* Mimic Muriel's Wedding* My Baby's Daddy Nebraska Nick of Time* Planes, Trains and Automobiles Rambo: First Blood Part II Rambo III Saturday Night Fever Secret in Their Eyes* Team America: World Police Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III The Crossing Guard* The Evening Star* The Heartbreak Kid The King of Comedy The Ring The Ring Two The Ring Two (Unrated) The Score The Secret Garden The Station Agent The Transporter Refueled* The Uninvited TMNT Total Recall Transformers Up in Smoke Vacancy Varsity Blues Whip It Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Wild Card* Wuthering Heights* April 11 School For Scoundrels* April 12 Deliver Us from Evil April 25 The Painter SPORTS 4/2: Coppa Italia Semifinal – Juventus vs. Lazio 4/3: Coppa Italia Semifinal – Fiorentina vs. Atalanta 4/6: Serie A – Roma vs. Lazio  4/6: American Cornhole League – Pennsylvania Ringers vs. Arizona Burn* 4/6: New Zealand Sail Grand Prix* 4/6: United Soccer League – Louisville City FC vs. Indy Eleven*  4/7: PBR – Professional Bull Riders Sioux Falls* 4/7: High School Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships*  4/7: We Need to Talk*  4/7: HBCU All-Star Game* 4/8-4/14: Masters Live* 4/9: UEFA Champions League – Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich 4/9: UEFA Champions League – Real Madrid vs. Manchester City 4/10: UEFA Champions League – PSG vs. Barcelona 4/10: UEFA Champions League – Atlético Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund 4/11: UEFA Europa League Quarterfinals Leg 1 4/11: UEFA Europa Conference League Quarterfinals Leg 1 4/13: We Need to Talk at The Masters presented by AT&T* 4/13: The 2019 Masters: A Sunday Unlike Any Other presented in partnership with Rolex* 4/13: The Asia Pacific Amateur Championship: An Invitation to The Masters* 4/13: The Masters Third Round Coverage* 4/14: The Masters Final Round Coverage* 4/14: The Latin America Amateur Championship: An Invitation to The Masters* 4/14: Jim Nantz Remembers Augusta: The Spanish Inspiration presented in partnership with Rolex*  4/16: AFC Champions League – Al Ain vs. Al Hilal 4/16: UEFA Champions League – Barcelona vs. PSG 4/16: UEFA Champions League – Borussia Dortmund vs. Atlético Madrid 4/17: UEFA Champions League – Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal 4/17: UEFA Champions League – Manchester City vs. Real Madrid 4/17: AFC Champions League – Ulsan Hyundai vs. Yokohama F. Marinos 4/18: UEFA Europa League Quarterfinals Leg 2 4/18: UEFA Europa League Quarterfinals Leg 2 4/20: NWSL – Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC* 4/20-4/21: PGA Tour – RBC Heritage (Third and Final Round Coverage)* 4/21: PBR – Professional Bull Riders Tacoma* 4/22: Serie A – AC Milan vs. Inter Milan 4/23: AFC Champions League – Al Hilal vs. Al Ain 4/23: Coppa Italia Semifinal – Lazio vs. Juventus 4/24: Coppa Italia Semifinal – Atalanta vs. Fiorentina 4/24: AFC Champions League – Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Ulsan Hyundai 4/27: Formula E – Monaco E-Prix* 4/27: Sail Grand Prix* 4/27-4/28: PGA Tour – Zurich Classic of New Orleans (Third and Final Round Coverage)* Throughout April: Italian Serie A competition Throughout April: Scottish Professional Football League competition Throughout April: UEFA Europa League competition Throughout April: UEFA Europa Conference League competition  Throughout April: Barclays Women’s Super League competition Throughout April: Argentina Liga Profesional de Fútbol competition  * Title is available to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers. **All Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers can live stream CBS titles via the live feed on Paramount+. Those titles will be available on-demand to all subscribers the day after they air live. Dates for library titles are subject to change.

Wednesday Season One Blu-Ray Review

 

Full Disclosure Notice:  Warner Bros. Discovery sent me this Blu-Ray for free so I could review it.  If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission.

 

It seemed like streaming might kill of physical media, the studios had slowed or completely stopped the production of DVD’s for the television shows in hopes that you would sign up for their streaming services.  But it seems like as streaming has yet to turn profitable, those studios are missing that revenue stream from physical media.  That return to physical media is creating some strange bedfellows.  Wednesday is a Netflix original produced by Amazon MGM Studios, and is being distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery.

 

Wednesday also seems like something that could have only happened during the streaming era.  Watching the show, you can just feel the Netflix executives looking at the streaming numbers for CW shows like Riverdale and trying to figure out how they can get their own Riverdale.  It turns out the Addams Family IP was available and they got the Smallville creators to do the show.  But of course, being streaming, they had to have a much higher budget and bigger names so they got budding star Jenna Ortega to play the titular character and Tim Burton to direct the first four episodes (the duo is re-teaming this summer for the Beatlejuice reboot which could explain why it has been a year and a half since the series premiere and the second season has yet to start filming).  Then frequent Burton collaborator Danny Elfman was brought in to do the score which includes a cello version of Paint it, Black which just adds to the prestige of the show.

  

There is also an impressive adult cast.  Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzman, and Fred Armisen pop up as Morticia, Gomez, and Uncle Fester respectively.  Though, these are mostly just cameos because the show is about Wednesday being sent off to the Nevermore Academy, a private school for monstrous outcasts that her parents went to.    Thing is the only member of the family to stick around, and then steals most scenes it is in.  The staff there includes Brianne of Tarth herself; Gwendoline Christie playing the principal and former Morticia roommate at the academy.   The nineties version of Wednesday Addams, Christina Ricci plays the schools den mother… and its horticulture teacher… and its librarian. She is also the school’s first “normie” teacher (which is not suspicious at all).  The rest of the high school aged cast look, and act, like they were plucked from central CW casting.  Though Emma Myers as Wednesday’s extremely peppy werewolf roommate is a standout.  It is the perfect mix of annoyingly perky and likeable.

 

Considering every other iteration of The Addams Family was about them interacting with normal people, it is weird that Wednesday sees the family’s only daughter going to a school filled with vampire, werewolves and sirens.  Though, even in a school full of outcast weirdos, Wednesday manages to be the biggest outcast.  Still, the CW-ification of the character is strong besides the high school setting.  Despite being an outcast in a school full of outcasts, Wednesday yet somehow finds herself in the middle of a bizarre love triangle with a classmate and a townie.    And of course there is now a murder mystery that has to be solved because there always has to be a mystery now.  But hey, all the money Netflix pumped into the show does enhance the show over your run of the mill CW crap.  Burton’s direction does give it a very stylish look.

 

The Blu-Ray includes all 8-episodes on two disks and… that is about it.  If physical media is going to make a comeback, studios need to add a little something to entice fans to buy it.  Look at the music industry which is almost all streaming now.  But a lot of the physical albums released  now are deluxe editions with disks of B-sides, outtakes, and / or even full concerts.  If we are going to bring back Blu-Rays, bring back the extras.  Where are the deleted scenes, outtakes, audio commentaries, featurettes, or even special packaging?  If you want someone to buy a physical copy of your show or movie, give the people something to display.  But if you were interested in Wednesday, but not enough to sign up for Netflix, now is your chance to watch the show, which logged 6 billion minutes of viewing in its first five days and remains Netflix’s most popular English TV series of all time with 252.1 million views, at about the price of a month or two of the service.

 

Wednesday Season One is now available to purchase online and in-store from major retailers on Blu-Ray and DVD. 

57 Channels and Only This Is On: March 24, 2024

  

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lived:  “We have to go back!”  Oh Rick, it is not like Philadelphia is an island in the Pacific.   But of course they are going back, there is still two episodes left.

 

Shōgun:  I was not expecting Chekov’s earthquake to happen  so soon.  But that dinner scene was one of the funniest things this show has done so far.

 

Survivor:  Last week was anti-climactic because of a medical elimination and this week was anti-climactic because they did not even try to hid how obvious the voting was going to be.  But yet another reason why these long episodes are an epic fail, they could have cut out a lot of that begging if there was a half hour less of screen time.

 

Halo:  Wait, there are zombies now?  Can’t we deal with the lizard people first?  So Halsey is infected.  I have never played the game so I am not sure if there is a cure or not.

 

Resident Alien:   Between the lady cop almost killing her grandma, Sarah Conner trying to cheer up the alien with an ostrich, and the funny carrier pigeon bit, this was the best episode in a long while.  Making it even better, there were no annoying kids this week.

 

Around the Tubes: March 23, 2024

  

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 Chucky, Pearl Jam. Gary Clark Jr., Nikka Costa, The Veronicas,  Back To Black, Ariana Grande, Ginger Winn, and Dinosaur.

- Season 3 Part 2 of Chucky premieres April 10 at 10pm on USA & SYFY: "CHUCKY" OFFICIAL TRAILER LINK HERE

- Kicking into high gear, Pearl Jam unveil a hard-charging brand new record entitled “Running” available today via Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records. Listen HERE. It heralds the arrival of the band’s anxiously awaited twelfth studio album, Dark Matter, on April 19, 2024. Pre-order HERE.  The band will also continue their support of independent retailers by offering various, limited edition galactic color variants of Dark Matter exclusively at select indie retail stores with 8 different colorways in the US and 2 additional for international. More info HERE.

- The Soho Sessions, an exclusive music-driven community known for curating exceptional live experiences in NYC, returns for a very special performance with Gary Clark Jr., celebrating the Austin-based guitar hero’s new album, JPEG RAW (Warner Records), out Friday, March 22, 2024. The Soho Sessions will air in a special free broadcast on premier streaming platform Veeps at 5 p.m. ET. During the broadcast, viewers will have an opportunity to make donations to Music Will, the largest nonprofit music program in the U.S. public school system.  Gary Clark Jr.’s upcoming album JPEG RAW – the fourth studio release from the four-time Grammy winner – is a powerful and expansive artistic statement that marks a grand step in his musical evolution. While retaining the deep and true resonance of his blues foundations and guitar virtuosity with subtlety yet conviction, he reaches well beyond this time. 

- Tthe LA-based soul and funk singer Nikka Costa releases her second single “Keep It High” after returning from a six-year hiatus with “Dirty Disco” + music video last month. These two records set the tone for her disco and soul fused, progressive album Dirty Disco coming out on June 7th, which is recorded with and produced by Justin Stanley (Prince, Jamie Lidell, Beck etc). Along with the talents of versatile musicians such as Brandon Coleman (Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Donald Glover, Flying Lotus), Greg Phillinganes (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder) and Kaveh Rastegar (John Legend, Beck), Nikka Costa brings you in her Dirty Disco immersive world.

- Iconic hitmaking sisters The Veronicas return with Gothic Summer, their first international album release in 10 years. After a much needed disconnect, Lisa and Jessica Origliasso soon found themselves in the throes of an unexpected 6th album. Gothic Summer was born. Listen HERE. “Gothic Summer is about alternative realities, its more subconsciously motivated and metaphorical than our previous records,” said the duo on their latest release. “It’s a dark comedy, a lot like life – we laugh, so we don’t cry.”

- Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film BACK TO BLACK, based on the life of Amy Winehouse, will be released in theatres across the US on May 17^th. The soundtrack, “Back To Black: Songs from the Original Motion Picture” will be available in the US on April 12^th via UMR / Island Records / Republic Records.  The standard twelve song set features three original recordings from Amy’s highly influential debut, “Frank”,  three songs from Amy’s multi award-winning masterpiece “Back To Black” and includes a new track, ‘Song for Amy’, sung by Nick Cave. The film's score was composed and recorded by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.  Pre-Order ‘Back to Black: Songs from the Original Motion Picture': https://shop.republicrecords.com/collections/amy-winehouse

- GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, and international superstar, Ariana Grande debuts at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”, marking Grande’s ninth #1 on the chart and making her the first artist with multiple #1 hits in 2024 following “yes, and?”.   Grande’s critically acclaimed new album eternal sunshine debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, her sixth #1 album.  The simultaneous #1 debuts on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 charts, mark the first of Ariana’s career and first among all artists in 2024.

- South Carolina-born, South Africa-based singer-songwriter Ginger Winn shares dreamy, swirling track and video "Super 8" out now. To celebrate the release, the artist will host two single release parties–one in Woodstock, NY at Early Terrible and one in Florence, Italy at La Menagere on March 23. Free tickets with RSVP are available, with complimentary food and drinks, for Woodstock, NY here and Florence, Italy here.  Inspired by the complexities of being a young woman and the hard fought realities of making one’s own ever-winding dreams come true, Winn's ethereal yet booming vocals invite listeners into the hazy dream-like reality of her anxious yet ambitious mind on "Super 8." It unfolds with an acoustic guitar and is carried by Winn's delicate vocals mixed with swelling horns as the artist chronicles the intricacies of falling in love with recollections that feel familiar yet distant–as if to watch flashbacks play back on Super 8 film. The track is a tribute to the fleeting dreams of one's twenties, as Winn shares, "This song is about dreaming of love, falling into it, and celebrating it, a story of the little moments we all share. Where your imagination shows you what it’s like to fall in love with a stranger, walk down a road in Italy you’ve never been, or finally making it to New York City—These dreams feel so out of reach for so many of us, but at the same time, they are what drives all of us." 

- Dinosaur follows Nina (Ashley Storrie), an autistic woman in her 30s, who adores her life living with her sister and best friend Evie. However, when Evie rushes into an engagement after only six weeks and makes Nina her maid of honour, Nina is floored. Forced to reconcile with her sister’s impulsive decision, Nina grapples with what this new challenge means.  All episodes exclusively premiere Friday, April 5

57 Channels and Only This Is On: March 17, 2024

  

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lived:  I appreciate Rick said what needed to be said, that is really an unfortunate haircut.   But I feel like I missed a lot of backstory between Rick and Jadis.

 

Shōgun:  So who did Blackthorn hook up with?  I thought is Mariko at first but it was just too dark to tell.  And is this going to be the very first Chekov’s earthquake?

 

Survivor:  Medical eliminations are always the worst episode.  It is just an anticlimactic ending.  I wish they would still go to Tribal.  Poor Venus, her only ally is gone and his Idol goes with him.  Of course it will not matter if her Tribe never goes to Tribal as it seems like a possibility.  If there is no swap, that one tribe way show up with just one member left.

 

Halo:  Wait, Paranasosky has been the big bad this whole time?  I was under the impression that the new British guy was moving the chess pieces around.  I really missed she was the one running everything.   

 

Resident Alien:   That may have been the grossest hour n cable television ever.  I really did not need to see two aliens go at it.

 

Ghosts:  So they are just going to ignore Flower for a while?

Around the Tubes: March 16, 2024

 

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 Ariana Grande, The Black Crowes, Milan Ring, and Marcus King.

- GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and international superstar, Ariana Grande releases a new version of her critically acclaimed album, eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe), out now.  Listen to eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe) HERE via Republic Records.  The new eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe) features four additional songs including brand new releases, “supernatural (feat. troye sivan)”, “imperfect for you (acoustic)”, “true story (acapella)”, and previously released “yes, and? (feat. mariah carey)”.  Ariana recently appeared on Saturday Night Live as musical guest, performing “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” and “imperfect for you”

- Legendary rock band The Black Crowes released their hugely anticipated 10th studio album, Happiness Bastards, via the band’s own Silver Arrow Records. Serving as a salute to their past and a celebration of the present and future, the new album, which is their first original release in 15 years, includes 10 new tracks, with a very special feature from GRAMMY-winning country superstar Lainey Wilson on “Wilted Rose.” LISTEN TO HAPPINESS BASTARDS HERE.  Produced by GRAMMY Award-Winning producer Jay Joyce, the project emphasizes The Black Crowes’ influence as one of the most vital rock bands of this generation. Following decades marked by sex, drugs, fights, breakups, and divorce, Happiness Bastards finds the brothers leaving their bullshit behind and leaning into their creative common ground to deliver their most compelling work to date. 

- Celebrated Eora/Sydney R&B musician, producer and engineer Milan Ring fully embraces her new era with the announcement of her love-struck second studio album, Mangos. Out May 10 via Astral People Recordings, the record is preceded by today’s release of latest single, "Photograph".  In a brief moment of bliss towards the backend of the record, the trip-inspired ‘Photograph’ focuses on savouring the moment and losing hours simply by being with someone you like. Milan infuses the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz within the lyrics – a powerful code of conduct on how to experience the most in life. “In a world that is finger snap instant, it’s nice to have a medium that forces one to wait. I’m not sure how the light will hit the film. All I know is that for a second, I tried to remember,” she adds.  Watch the "Photograph" visualizer HERE

- Last night GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Marcus King exclusively debuted his new song “Delilah” on NBC’s The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. A remarkable track from his forthcoming Rick Rubin-produced album Mood Swings, released on April 5 via American/Republic Records. Watch the video HERE.  Discussing the forthcoming song, which will only be available via The Tonight Show until album release, King stated, “it’s a coming-of-age tale about learning how to love and how to allow yourself to stay still long enough to be loved.” On performing on piano and letting his vocals be the focus rather than guitar, he quipped,  “There was no hiding behind the guitar at all.”  Pre-order Mood Swings HERE.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: March 10, 2024

  

The Regime:  This show seems to be at a 6 when it should be turned up to 11.  All this show accomplished in its first episode was it just really made me miss The Great.  That is how you do an eccentric dictator and the exhausted person trying to control them.

 

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lived:  Is it really that hard to leave this place?  Rick’s helicopter went down, everyone else died, and yet even in this situation Rick cannot escape and has to go back to Philly?  Just go back to the caravan and blend in.  It does not seem like it would be this hard.  Maybe this should have been a movie.  Rick would have been able to escape after ninety minutes but now they have to keep him there for six episodes before he escapes.

 

Shōgun:  Oh wow, that dude on the dock went out like a G.  But can’t that guy swim?  Seems like he could have caught up to boat if they just wait. 

 

Death and Other Details:   Just how many twists can you force into one mystery?  Victor Sams being the dead mom was just stupid.  I know I am the first person to say if we do not see a body, they probably are not dead, but we literally saw that bench blow up.  To explain that away as just the daughter’s faulty memory was just stupid.  But I guess it is fitting to get a stupid ending to a stupid show.  Good riddance.

 

Survivor:  I complain a lot about how bad the casting has gotten and the casting director should be fired, but who is putting these people into Tribes?  It seems like every season in the New Era, the same Tribe goes to Tribal almost every single week.  Maybe try making more even Tribes.  But of course one of only two interesting contestants went home. 

 

Halo:  Oh yeah, I forgot that one chick existed.  Where exactly has she been this whole time?  Why bring her back now?

 

Resident Alien:   So the alien hunter is still alive.  I vaguely remember him dying in a prison escape for his kid, but not the specifics.  Wasn’t he shot?  But I guess on an alien show, gunshot wounds are not as fatal as they are in real life.

 

Ghosts:  Wait, so did Flower not get sucked off (and if not, who did) or did the séance work, and she reappeared in a well for no apparent reason?

Around the Tubes: March 9, 2024

         

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 A Gentleman in Moscow, Bon Jovi, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo,  Dropkick Murphys, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Idol, Marcus King, The Black Crowes, Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City, The Department, and Grey’s Anatomy.

- SHOWTIME today released the official trailer for the new eight-episode series A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW. The series will premiere Friday, March 29 on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan before its on-air debut on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on Sunday, March 31 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The series will premiere on Paramount+ in Canada, the UK and Australia on March 29 and on Paramount+ in Latin America, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and South Korea on May 17.  An adaptation of Amor Towles’ internationally best-selling novel, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW follows Count Alexander Rostov, played by Emmy^® Award-winning actor Ewan McGregor (Star Wars franchise, Halston, Trainspotting), who, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, finds that his gilded past has placed him on the wrong side of history. Spared immediate execution, he is banished by a Soviet tribunal to an attic room in the opulent Hotel Metropol and threatened with death if he ever sets foot outside again. As the years pass and some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold outside the hotel’s doors, Rostov’s reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. As he builds a new life within the walls of the hotel, he discovers the true value of friendship, family and love.

 

- Hulu has debuted the trailer and for upcoming original documentary series "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story."   The 4-episode docuseries premieres all episodes April 26, 2024 on Hulu.

- GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and international superstar, Ariana Grande releases the official music video for “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”, directed by Christian Breslauer, from her seventh full length album, eternal sunshine, out now.  Watch the “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” official music video HERE.   Listen to eternal sunshine HERE via Republic Records.

- Tickets for the North American leg of Olivia Rodrigo’s arena tour are completely sold-out, but a captivating new immersive, one-of-a kind experience will be available for all fans in cities along the tour route. The GUTS World Tour Bus Experience will provide attendees a GUTS-inspired world with exclusive benefits for American Express Card Members, and limited-edition offerings from Starbucks and Sony’s LinkBuds S. Admission is free.  The colorful bus will make its first stop at The Music Yard in Charlotte, NC this Friday, March 8 – before Rodrigo’s show at Spectrum Center. Additional stops will include tour venues and local points of interest. Visit www.oliviarodrigo.com/tour or follow @liviesHQ for more information on the bus.  The GUTS World Tour Bus Experience offers an interactive fan experience designed to evoke an iconic 1990s mainstay – a teenage girl’s bedroom. Mixing creatively curated décor and interactive, shareable encounters, the bus interior includes memorabilia, a closet full of authentic SOUR tour outfits worn by Rodrigo, a mirrored acrylic vanity and more. Visitors will have the chance to enter giveaways and purchase exclusive merch. There will be photo moments including opps with a crescent moon (similar to the one seen in the live set), and star-filled toilet. There will also be craft tables where fans can add unique and personalized elements to their merch.

 

- Dropkick Murphys are inviting fans worldwide to virtually join them in their hometown of Boston to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day together through the Dropkick Murphys St. Patrick’s Day Livestream From MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston on Sunday, March 17. Premier streaming platform Veeps will air the sold-out performance LIVE at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT. Tickets are on sale for $24.99 at https://veeps.events/dropkick-murphys.  All ticket purchasers have access to unlimited repeat viewings of the Dropkick Murphys performance stream during the 7-day replay period, and Veeps All Access subscribers can access the show for free as part of their subscription and can rewatch as many times as they want for a full year.

- Celebrating the city that deeply influenced his music and joyful outlook on life, the release of the music video for "University of Bourbon Street" displays Jimmy Buffett's love affair with New Orleans. This standout track from his final album, Equal Strain On All Parts, features the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band and encapsulates the spirit of the city that left an indelible impact on Buffett.  "University of Bourbon Street” (Mailboat Records, distributed by Sun Records) is an autobiographical anthem where Buffett reminisces about his transformative years in New Orleans. The song and video together capture the essence of the city's lively streets, its rich musical heritage, and the joyous, unbridled festivities that can only be found in the heart of NOLA. Buffett's lyrics narrate his journey from Mississippi to New Orleans, where he was educated not in classrooms but through the city's vibrant street life, its music, and its culture.  Watch the “University of Bourbon Street” video here.

- Rock legend Billy Idol is set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his landmark album Rebel Yell with a deluxe expanded edition due April 26 via Capitol/UMe. Available for pre-order on Friday, March 8, the reissue includes a selection of previously unreleased songs and demos, the Poolside remix of Idol’s smash hit “Eyes Without A Face” and the never-before-heard Billy Idol/Steve Stevens original “Best Way Out of Here” from the original sessions. Idol’s never-before-released cover of the Rose Royce single “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” from the album’s original recording sessions will be available to download/stream on March 8 as well; pre-order the album and stream the new single on March 8 HERE.  Originally released in November 1983, Rebel Yell is the twice-platinum follow-up to Idol’s self-titled debut. The album features the iconic singles “Eyes Without a Face,” Flesh for Fantasy,” “Rebel Yell,” and “Catch My Fall.” The reissue is available in 2xLP, 2xCD, and digital formats. See below for complete track listings.

-  All hail the king of country soul - today, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Marcus King released “Hero,” the third single from his forthcoming Rick Rubin-produced album Mood Swings, released on April 5 via American/Republic Records. King also announced he will return to the Tonight Show on Monday March 11 2024 for a highly anticipated performance.  Pre-order Mood Swings HERE.  On “Hero,” co-written with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), King’s arresting vocal shares the tale of relationship struggles, crediting exes, divine intervention and Auerbach for inspiration for the timeless track.

- Legendary rock band The Black Crowes release the music video for “Wanting and Waiting,” directed by Christopher Acosta, for the lead single from their wildly anticipated new album Happiness Bastards, dropping March 15th via the band’s own Silver Arrow Records. Marking their first music video in 16 years since 2008’s “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution,” the Crowes are back with a vengeance. The album’s artwork and lyrics lay the backdrop for Chris Robinson’s signature flare as he claps and confidently struts around his brother and bandmates. Amidst fiery imagery that complements the red-hot energy emanating from Robinson, dressed in a matching red suit, he passionately cries out “blood on fire!” The Black Crowes, as explosive as ever, are reveling in the anticipation of releasing their celebratory album - and they are clearly enjoying the ride. Since its release in January, “Wanting and Waiting” has dominated the airwaves at top 10 in four radio formats, including AAA, Americana, Active Rock, and Canadian Active Rock.  Watch the new music video HERE.  Pre-Order Happiness Bastards HERE.

- AspireTV, the network that celebrates and reflects Black life, style and culture, has entered into a production partnership with EMMY nominated producer,  Ri-Karlo Handy of Sunwise Media, to develop and produce new original programming as the network continues to expand the aspireTV Studios slate this year. The first series to be greenlit under this agreement is Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City.  Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City is a travel series that follows the Harlem Globetrotters as they span the globe on their 2024 world tour. The show combines adventure and cultural immersion; utilizing a documentary style that transports viewers to the soul of the city and the heart of the people wherever the team travels. The Globetrotters share untapped secrets of culture, cuisine and adventure from the most renowned cities around the globe. The Harlem Globetrotters have been touring the world for almost 100 years, visiting over 120 countries which has given them unfiltered access, connections and exploration of Brown and Black culture throughout the world. Going into production this Spring, locations to be featured on the series include, but not limited to: Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Egypt, and Thailand. AspireTV has ordered eight 30-minute episodes.

- Paramount+ announced today that Joe Wright, the director behind the Golden Globe and multi-BAFTA winning films Pride and Prejudice, The Darkest Hour and Atonement, will direct and executive produce the new drama series from Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, THE DEPARTMENT. An espionage political thriller series based on the critically acclaimed hit French drama Le Bureau des Legendes, THE DEPARTMENT will debut on Paramount+ for subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan later this year.  Tony Award-winning writer Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow) will executive produce and write all ten episodes. George Clooney and Grant Heslov will executive produce through their Smokehouse Pictures along with David C. Glasser and 101 Studios.  “Joe Wright is a visionary director with a gift of focusing on intricate details to craft immersive and visually striking stories,” said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “And, Jez and John-Henry are masterful writers whose witty and emotionally charged language dives deep into their characters’ moral complexities, while simultaneously creating a propulsive narrative. Bringing these powerhouse creatives together alongside George Clooney and Grant Heslov is sure to give The Bureau the reinvention it deserves."

- Ahead of the milestone 20th season premiere on ABC, all 420 episodes of the beloved medical drama are now available on Hulu.  “'Grey’s Anatomy' is one of our top performing next-day titles, and we are very excited to now be the only streaming destination to offer every 'Grey’s' episode ever, both past and current,” said Hulu General Manager Lauren Tempest.  “In addition to bringing lifelong fans back to Grey Sloan, we hope that new audiences will discover and fall in love with the characters and stories that have captivated us for so many years.”

57 Channels and Only This Is On: March 3, 2024

 

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lived:  If I am not mistaken the writer of the comic said his biggest regret was cutting of Rick’s hand and they is why they did not do it on the show.  Yet, the very first thing Rick does on the spin-off was cut off his hand.  It is really stupid to keep Rick around so long.  A one handed guy who keeps trying to escape is just too much trouble.   

 

Shōgun:  Okay, that was pretty cool despite all the reading.  At least Hulu offers an English dub. 

 

Death and Other Details:  We are back to the back up?  That seems so long ago.  Last week’s episode with all the bad acting really disrupted the flow of the show.

 

Halo:  Why did the one chick rip off her wig for no apparent reason?  I forget anything else that happened this week.  I just want to know what was up with that wig.  Did it have some significant meaning on the other planet, now it is worthless?  How will her son recognize her?  What a weird scene.

 

Ghosts:  Okay the boyfriend faking he saw ghost was pretty funny, one of the funnier plots on the show.  I kind of wish he got the power when he fell down the stairs.  How long until Sam meets another Ghost seer?