Wednesday, October 23, 2024

View From the Peak - Everything coming to Paramount+ in November 2024

 

Billy Bob Thornton / NWSL / Emily Osment / Richard Gere /

This November Paramount+ is serving up a feast of entertainment for every member of the household. We have a double serving of thrilling new series that are sure to leave you wanting more. Taylor Sheridan fans can indulge in an all-new story featuring a star-studded cast as they navigate the fortune-seeking world of Texas oil rigs in Landman. And, from Oscar-winning actor and producer, George Clooney, The Agency will transport viewers into the world of international intrigue and espionage. Sports fans can also enjoy an incredible spread of games over the holiday week including the NWSL Championship, UEFA Champions League marquee matches, as well as NFL ON CBS and Big Ten on CBS action. 

For a closer look at all the entertainment coming to Paramount+ in November, check out the latest edition of View From the Peak.


BEHIND
THE STREAMS

Demi Moore and Billy Bob Thornton in Landman
Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore in Landman
 

In November, audiences will be treated to the premiere of the new original series Landman, from Taylor Sheridan, Co-Creator of Yellowstone and starring Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton, Golden Globe nominee Demi Moore and Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm. Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, the series tells the gripping story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires in the world of oil rigs fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics. To learn more about the highly anticipated series based on the podcast “Boomtown,” we sat down with co-creator and executive producer Christian Wallace.

  • Can you tell us about the process of bringing the complex world of oil rigs to life with Taylor and how much of the podcast informed the creative process?

    Taylor and I spent more than two years talking about Landman. When I first met with him on the set of 1883, he already had a main character in mind who worked for a West Texas oil company. I’m from that region and worked as a roughneck on an oil rig, so that world is familiar to me. Those experiences and the reporting I did for Boomtown informed our conversations as we figured out the other characters and their journeys. Some scenes that made it into the show were inspired by real events, some were based on stories I’d heard growing up, and others came entirely from Taylor’s imagination.

  • The stakes are high in Landman and the show's characters have vastly different motivations. Set the stage for us for where we meet them in the first episode.

    Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) is dealing with so many problems—from explosions in the oil patch to implosions in his family life. His son, Cooper (Jacob Lofland), is the “worm” (new guy) on an oil rig and is trying to learn the ropes without getting killed. And Angela (Ali Larter), Tommy’s ex-wife, is constantly giving him a hard time, even while she’s miles away on a beach in Cabo. They’re a dysfunctional but loving family unit whose fortunes are directly tied to the volatile West Texas oil patch.

  • What are you most excited for audiences to see in this new series (without giving any spoilers)?

    I’m excited for audiences to see a slice of Texas that has never really been seen before. Other series have tackled big-city oil tycoons, but our show explores both the C-suites and the gritty, blue-collar world of oil rigs. West Texas is a dusty and often dangerous place, but it’s also filled with good people trying to make an honest living. Although few understand this place, the work and the resources extracted from there affect our daily lives and impact everything from geopolitics to economies across the world. Our cast and crew did an incredible job of bringing these complexities to the screen, and I can’t wait for people to see how their hard work and talent paid off.

Don’t miss this star-studded cast in Landman premiering November 17.

WATCH THE TRAILER



IN THE
SPOTLIGHT

Michael Fassbender and Jodie Turner Smith in The Agency
Michael Fassbender and Jodie Turner Smith in The Agency
 

Martian (Michael Fassbender), currently undercover for the CIA, has been ordered to abandon his covert persona and return to London Station for his most pivotal mission yet. However, after years of establishing a clandestine character, which includes a passionate romance, the agent must contend with where his furtive existence ends and his true identity begins.

A fresh take on the hit French drama The Bureau, The Agency, starring Fassbender, also features critically lauded actors Jeffrey Wright, Richard Gere, Jodie Turner-Smith, Katherine Waterston and John Magaro. The 10-episode espionage thriller from SHOWTIME® is helmed by decorated creatives including Oscar-winning actor and producer, George Clooney and BAFTA-winning director, Joe Wright, as well as acclaimed screenwriters Jez and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow).

Prepare for your biggest mission yet when The Agency premieres on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME* November 29.


HIGH
SCORE

NFL on CBS
NFL Players C.J. Stroud, Josh Allen and Travis Kelce

Sports fans on Paramount+ have a lot to be thankful for this year. The action begins on the football pitch with CBS Sports' coverage of the NWSL Championship match on Nov. 23 and continues with UEFA Champions League, featuring marquee matches Bayern Munich vs. PSG on Nov. 26 and Liverpool vs. Real Madrid on Nov. 27.

The action then shifts to the football field with NFL ON CBS Thanksgiving Day action featuring the Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions. Additional live, local-market NFL games will air on Dec. 1. CBS Sports will also showcase college football coverage on Paramount+ including Minnesota vs. Wisconsin and Stanford vs. San Jose State on Black Friday. Coverage continues with Big Ten on CBS action on Nov. 30.


TECH TALK

Kids Themed Collections

At Paramount+, we’re always refining and evolving our platform to deliver a best-in-class viewing experience for our subscribers.

Kids Themed Collections

We recently introduced themed collections for Older Kids profiles on Paramount+ leveraging generative AI to create new curations of collections that feature our popular kids-first content for families. The feature enhances our ability to promote new and library series that our audiences haven't seen before. In a series of research studies, we spoke directly to kids and parents and identified the most resonant themes such as Space Exploration, Goofy Stuff, Daring Stunts, Treasure Hunting, Secret Worlds and Exploring Nature.

These generative AI collections are the latest example of how Paramount+ is committing to enhancing the discovery and viewing experience for kids and families.

*Themed collections are available on the “Older Kids” profiles, which are intended for audiences ages 6-13.


STREAMING
SOON

Montana Jordan and Emily Osment in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
Montana Jordan and Emily Osment in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage

After a long day of binging on an epic Thanksgiving feast, there’s nothing better than relaxing with the whole family and binging great movies and shows together. The Paramount+ library is filled with options for your family to enjoy including Thanksgiving-themed favorites like Free Birds, Home For The Holidays, Addams Family Values, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and more.

And don’t miss a special Thanksgiving episode of the new CBS series Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage on Thursday, November 14, available to stream live for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME* subscribers.

ORIGINALS, EXCLUSIVES, PREMIERES & EVENTS

11/1 The Dead Don’t Hurt*
Pioneers Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) and Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen) fight for their lives – and love – on the American frontier during the Civil War. Written and directed by Viggo Mortensen.

11/17 Landman series premiere
Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, this 10-episode series is a modern-day tale of fortune-seeking in the world of oil rigs. Based on the podcast “Boomtown” from Imperative Entertainment and Texas Monthly, the series is a story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.

11/29 The Agency series premiere
In this all-new political thriller, a covert CIA agent is ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart; hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.


LIBRARY SHOWS

November 6

My True Crime Story (Season 2)

November 13

Baby Shark's Big Show! (Season 2)
Inside the Factory (Season 7)


November 20


Jersey Shore Family Vacation (Season 7)


LIBRARY MOVIES

In the spirit of giving, the Paramount+ library offers a cornucopia of options for your family to enjoy this holiday season including family favorite A Boy Named Charlie Brown for the little ones and beloved films for older family members including Flashdance, Good Will Hunting, What Women Want, My Cousin Vinny, A Night At the Roxbury*, Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights, Home for the Holidays and many more.

November 1

'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy
3:10 to Yuma
48 Hrs.
A Boy Named Charlie Brown
A Christmas Carol (1999)
A Night At The Roxbury*
A Thin Line Between Love And Hate
A Thousand Words
Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights
Alfie (2004)
All I Want For Christmas
All the World Is Sleeping
Another 48 Hrs.
Bad Santa
Bad Santa 2
Billionaire Boys Club*
Black Snake Moan
Blades of Glory
Blinded by the Light
Catch and Release*
Chloe*
Christmas Eve
Cloud Atlas
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Daddy Day Camp
Death at a Funeral* (2010)
Deck The Halls (2011)
Double Jeopardy
Eat Pray Love
Election
Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas
Ernest Saves Christmas
Everybody's Fine
Faster
Fences
First Shift
Five Feet Apart
Flashdance
Flight
Free Birds
Friday Night Lights
Go
Good Will Hunting
GoodFellas
Hacksaw Ridge
Happy Christmas
Head of State
Home For The Holidays
Hook
Hotel for Dogs
Ida Red*
Identity*
Inglourious Basterds
Insomnia
Joyeux Noel
Just Mercy
Last Man Standing
Last Vegas
Leap of Faith*
Letters from Iwo Jima
Like Crazy
Looper
Luce*
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
Magnolia
Michael Clayton
Morning Glory
My Cousin Vinny
My Fair Lady
My One and Only*
No Strings Attached
Noah
Oliver! (1968)
Once Upon a Time in America
Out of Sight
Paddington
Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary II
Rounders
RV
Santa Stole Our Dog!*
Scrooge
Shaft (2000)
She's All That
Siberia
Snatch
Super 8
Surf's Up
Taps
Taxi Driver
The 12 Days of Christmas Eve
The Age of Adaline
The Baby-Sitters Club*
The Dead Don't Hurt*
The Dead Zone*
The Duchess
The English Patient
The Fighting Temptations
The Good Liar*
The Guilt Trip
The Honeymooners*
The Hurt Locker
The Infiltrator
The Kite Runner
The Long Kiss Goodnight
The November Man
The Prince and Me
The Prince Of Tides*
The Smurfs Christmas Special
The Social Network
The Stepfather*
The Terminal
The Tuxedo
Those Who Wish Me Dead
Top Five*
Tremors
Two for the Money
Unforgiven
Urban Cowboy
Vacancy*
Wayne's World
We Were Soldiers
What Lies Beneath*
What Women Want
While You Were Sleeping
Yours, Mine & Ours
Zack and Miri Make a Porno*
Zookeeper


November 8

Dream Horse*

November 13

Pele: Birth of a Legend*

November 22

Mr. Brooks*
Deadlock


November 26

Pig*
Transporter 3*


November 28

Chef*

November 30

Clouds of Sils Maria*
The Lovers*



SPORTS

11/2: College Football on CBS – Air Force @ Army*
11/2: Big Ten on CBS – Oregon @ Michigan*
11/3: NFL ON CBS Week 9 (check local listings)
11/3: Courage in Sports: Gridiron Greatness*
11/5: UEFA Champions League – Real Madrid vs. AC Milan
11/5: UEFA Champions League – Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen
11/6: UEFA Champions League – Inter vs. Arsenal
11/7: UEFA Europa League – Galatasaray vs. Tottenham
11/9: EFL League One – Wrexham vs. Mansfield Town
11/9: EFL Championship – Burnley vs. Swansea City
11/9: NWSL Playoffs Quarterfinal – Kansas City Current vs. TBD*
11/9: Big Ten on CBS*
11/10: Serie A – Inter vs. Napoli
11/10: NFL ON CBS Week 10 Doubleheader (check local listings)
11/16: NWSL Playoffs Semifinal*
11/16: Big Ten on CBS*
11/17: NFL ON CBS Week 11 Doubleheader (check local listings)
11/23: USL Championship*
11/23: Big Ten on CBS*
11/23: NWSL Championship*
11/23: Serie A – AC Milan vs. Juventus
11/24: NFL ON CBS Week 12 (check local listings)
11/24: Serie A – Napoli vs. Roma
11/26: UEFA Champions League – Bayern Munich vs. PSG
11/27: UEFA Champions League – Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
11/28: NFL ON CBS Thanksgiving Day – Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
11/28: CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic – Illinois vs. Arkansas*
11/28: UEFA Europa League – Tottenham vs. Roma
11/29: Big Ten on CBS – Minnesota @ Wisconsin*
11/29: College Football on CBS – Stanford @ San Jose State*
11/29: EFL Championship – Sheffield United vs. Sunderland
11/30: EFL Championship – Stoke City vs. Burnley
11/30: Big Ten on CBS*
Throughout November: Argentina Liga Profesional de FĂºtbol competition
Throughout November: Scottish Professional Football League competition
Throughout November: English Football League competition
Throughout November: Concacaf Men’s Nations League competition
Throughout November: Serie A competition
Throughout November: AFC Champions League Elite competition
Throughout November: UEFA Champions League competition
Throughout November: UEFA Europa League competition
Throughout November: UEFA Conference League 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. Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to CBS titles to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service as well as on-demand. Essential tier subscribers have access to these titles on-demand the day after they air.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

57 Channels and Only This Is On: October 20, 2024

 

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol:  So to find Carol she is cozying up to the lady who kidnapped him and is searching for him.  What could possibly go wrong?

 

Only Murders in the Building:  So did Paul Rudd make a deal that they could kill him off last season as long as he could come back and be the killer the next season?  Though will two episodes left, it is likely Glen Stubbins will just be the last red herring of the season.  On the other hand, with so many doubles this season, there is bound to be an evil twin out there.  So I would not be surprised if there is an extra Stubbins and that is the one Sazz was talking about.

 

But then again, they brought up Winnie being poisoned for the second week in a row making it seem like the killer has been around since the first season.  So that is another clue that it is probably not Glen Stubbins or a potential evil twin.  Also, it sounds like we are getting a wedding this season and I am guessing there will be a high probability that it will turn into a killer reveal party with one of the guests.  Well, either that or someone will die at the wedding… or maybe both.

 

 Tell Me Lies:  It became fairly obvious as the first season went along that Drew was not at the engagement party because he was either dead or in prison.  Though, I always assumed if it were the former, that Drew killed himself.  Drew dying because Wrigley gave him too many painkillers is rough.  If Wrigley was having a hard time coping in season two, I fear for him during season three.  Granted the bartender giving the obviously underage kid alcohol has some liability too.

 

The Bree-Lucifer storyline was the weakest of the season, but at least it ended hilariously.  At east I was laughing as it was explained to Bree what was really going on.  I guess it will not take very long for her to get back Evan next season.  The biggest question for me all season was does Bree know in the future that he hooked up with Lucy and we did get than answer in dramatic fashion.  You knew something big was about to go down when the wedding string quartet started playing Mr. Brightside.

 

Now the biggest question is how did Evan and Stephen stay friends for long enough so Stephan could sabotage his wedding?  That was an extremely long and petty grudge Stephan held.  Man, it was extremely cathartic watching Leo beat Stephan to a bloody pulp.  I really hope a renewal notice is coming soon.  

 

Survivor:  That was one of the most brutal blindside in a long time.  I do not remember the last time someone got that mad at getting voted off.

 

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras:  Oh wow, it seemed like all Rachel needed was to compete by herself.  But it will be interesting how alliances fall into place now that it is an individual game, especially after two members of the vacation alliance got sent home.

 

Agatha All Along:  Sigh, Ralph Boehner is back.  And for no apparently reason, Agatha was wearing a Boehner Family Reunion shirt with the tagline: Pitch a Tent.  Sigh.

 

The Old Man:  In what was the least shocking plot twist, Maeby is not actually dead.  I think I had that.

 

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Around the Tubes: October 19, 2024

  

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on John Legend, Olivia Newton-John, Joy Oladokun, Ringo Starr, Glass Animals, and Conan Gray.


Multi-platinum, 12-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend has partnered with YouTube sensation and early childhood educator Ms. Rachel for a special collaboration on his latest single, “L-O-V-E,” from his new album My Favorite Dream, out now via Republic Records: Kids & Family. The original version of the bright, up-tempo anthem, which features backing vocals from Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen, and their two oldest children, Luna and Miles Stephens, has been reimagined with Ms. Rachel’s signature blend of wonder and learning, perfectly complementing Legend’s soulful vocals in this heartwarming rendition celebrating love, joy, and connection.  Watch the video HERE. Stream/download My Favorite Dream HERE.  "L-O-V-E" is one of my favorite tracks on this album because it’s about celebrating our shared humanity, and I wanted to share that message with someone who brings joy and learning to so many families," says Legend. "Ms. Rachel is a superstar in our home. My babies are thrilled to see me performing with her.  It was an honor to sing with someone whose work has meant so much to my own children and millions of families around the world."


The angelic voice of Olivia Newton-John is the gift that keeps giving. This holiday season is sure to be filled with joy, love, and light with the release of “Angels in the Snow,” a new album featuring reimagined Christmas recordings by the four-time GRAMMY®-winner. The new collection will be released on vinyl, CD, and to all streaming services on November 22, 2024, on Green Hill Productions (part of Sun Label Group), a subsidiary of Primary Wave.  Through the years, the late singer recorded numerous classic and contemporary holiday songs for various projects. This album features some of Olivia’s favorites that have been reimagined with new audio and arrangements to bring joy and her unique voice to your holidays. In addition, it features an updated version of “O Come All Ye Faithful” featuring Jane Lynch, and additional duets with dear friends, John Travolta (“White Christmas”) and Michael McDonald (“All Through the Night”). The new single, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” ft. Jane Lynch is out today. (Stream the single and pre-order the album HERE).


Acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and performer Joy Oladokun’s anticipated new studio album, Observations From a Crowded Room, is out now via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records. Stream/purchase HERE. In conjunction with the release, the official video for “Am I?” is also out now. Watch/share HERE.  Written, produced and largely performed by Oladokun alone, the album marks a personal and creative turning point for the Nashville-based artist and was crafted during a period of intense introspection and questioning. The 15-track collection—comprised of 12 songs and 3 spoken interludes—finds Oladokun reflecting on her place in the world, both as a person and an artist, while blending her pop-folk roots with electronic and psychedelic elements. Ahead of the release, album tracks “I’D MISS THE BIRDS,” “NO COUNTRY,” “QUESTIONS, CHAOS & FAITH” and “DRUGS” have received widespread critical attention from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard. Stereogum, Consequence, Brooklyn Vegan, Atwood Magazine, OUT Magazine and more.


 Ahead of the European and U.K. run of their “Tour Of Earth,” GRAMMY® and BRIT-nominated band Glass Animals stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform an electrifying rendition of their single “A Tear in Space (Airlock)” from their critically acclaimed fourth studio album I Love You So F***ing Much—watch HERE. Last night, the Diamond-selling band hit the stage in Paris as they continued their global headline tour following the recently wrapped North American leg, where they sold out arenas and amphitheaters across the country including New York’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum.  Last week, Glass Animals returned to BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge to perform their single “Show Pony” and a cover of Djo’s “End Of Beginning.” The band was also featured on SPIN’s October Digital Cover, where they talked about defying all odds and braving the storm to become one of the biggest bands in the world. Last month, they shared the otherworldly music video for “Show Pony”—watch HERE. The cinematic video, directed by Eoin Glaister, is a sci-fi tale of love, friendship, and heartbreak, which thematically sits at the heart of I Love You So F***ing Much.


Ringo Starr will release a brand-new country music album, Look Up, produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett, on January 10, 2025. This stunning collection features 11 original songs, recorded this year in Nashville and Los Angeles. The track “Time On My Hands” is available to stream today.  PRE-ORDER LOOK UP HERE.  LISTEN TO “TIME ON MY HANDS” | HERE.  Nine of the 11 songs on Look Up were written or co-written by Burnett, one by Billy Swan and the other co-written by Starr and Bruce Sugar. Starr sang and played drums on all the songs and co-wrote the album’s closer, “Thankful,” featuring Alison Krauss. Burnett enlisted some of Nashville’s finest and hottest talent for the record, including Billy Strings, Larkin Poe, Lucius, Molly Tuttle and the aforementioned Krauss. The album’s debut track, “Time On My Hands,” written by Paul Kennerly, Daniel Tashian (who is a co-producer on the album along with Sugar) and Burnett, is out today.


platinum-selling singer, songwriter, and pop king Conan Gray shares a new single entitled “Holidays” out now.  Tonight, Conan headlines a sold-out Kia Forum in Los Angeles as part of his sold-out global Found Heaven On Tour.   Listen to “Holidays” HERE via Republic Records.  "Truthfully “Holidays” is a song about friendship.” Conan Gray comments on the new single, “The holidays have always been a bittersweet time for me, for so many reasons. Something about the air, the sappy music, the families, and all the expectations. But most of all, it’s witnessing the passage of time. Catching up with old friends and realizing that you might just be “catching up” forever now. That you’ll never be 17 again, living in the same town, waiting for winter break to end."


Sunday, October 13, 2024

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 13, 2024

 

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol:  So those two chicks kidnapped that dude just to pump out babies?  This franchise has officially run out of ideas.  But I was thinking this week, just how exactly does Carol plan on finding Daryl now that she is in France. 

 

Only Murders in the Building:   At the end of the first season, after they solved the murder, Mabel mentioned about loose ends before grabbing some more campaigns. A new murder presents itself and those loose ends were never brought up again.  Finally, two and half seasons later, the new Three Amigos have brought up those loose ends.  This implies the killer is someone who was around from the beginning.  I think we can cross off Uma and Lester.  Was Tie-Dye guy mad he got written off?   Since the murder seems to have been carried off by multiple people; maybe he recruited all of Mabel’s forgotten love interests.  The Arconiacs have also not been seen in a while.  Then there was the serial murderer that Merv talked about during the blackout episode.   What exactly is the legal status of Teddy Dimas?

 

But one thing we were told to ask by Detective Williams was the “why now?”  Winnie gets poisoned, Jan has a note on her door, and then there is long break at the end of season two, before Sazz is shot.  So why now?  Why were there no threats from the killer with that year break in the middle?  Or were there and we just did not see them? 

 

We did not see the Westies in season but there were theoretically around.  Thankfully they revealed they were the one cashing the checks.  It was extremely obvious it was them, especially when Howard saw there were five different signatures.  Still, I do not think any of them are the killer.  He is the hall pass of one of them.  I still think this will tie back to the first season and Teddy might have shot to the top of my murder board.

 

So much going on at the end, I have not even brought up the old lady cat fight!  Oh my.

 

 Tell Me Lies:  Umm, why was the one sorority sister on the discipline board of someone who was accused of raping one of her sister?  Why would you think she would be impartial?  Except she through her sister under the bus and let the guy get off.  Oof.  So is that really why Lucy and Lydia grew apart?  Then why would Stephan say to Lucy that Lydia was excited to see her?  Does Stephen not know what went on and think they are still friends?  Grant, there is a very high probability that he was just being a troll.

 

There has been a lot focus on Drew the last couple weeks.  I wonder if he will finally make an appearance this season.   I still hold on to the prediction that he is either dead (probably by his own hand) or in prison by the time we get to the wedding.

 

Survivor:  Uh-oh, you do not make big moves this early, that one lady is in trouble.  She even broke two rules of the new era, if someone wants to make a big move early: let them, and let them be the target.  Do not make a counter big move and then become the target.  And certainly do not make a big move to keep the annoying guy because you think you can beat him.  Other people will think that two and will probably get you out first especially if you just pull off a big move.

 

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras:  Ummm, so what are they going to do with no male Era 1 players anymore?  Is Rachel in the clear or can other Eras still chose Rachel, they will just have to pick a different guy to go into the arena.  Are the two guy captains who do not win just automatically going in from here on out?

 

Agatha All Along:  Ummmm, is everyone but Scarlet Witch’s kid dead now?  Where was Rio?  Is she going to come in and save everyone?  She does not really seem like the saving people in danger kind of person.


Saturday, October 12, 2024

Around the Tubes: September 12, 2024

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Wicked, Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler, Marcus King, Slash, and The Oak Ridge Boys.  


In partnership with the global release of Universal Pictures’ new cinematic event, Wicked, today Republic Records and Verve Records announce that the most anticipated soundtrack of the year, Wicked: The Soundtrack, will be released via Republic Records / Verve Records on November 22, to coincide with the film’s arrival in theaters.  Pre-order Wicked: The Soundtrack HERE. Watch the Wicked musical event spot HERE.  Based on one of the most beloved and enduring stage musicals of the past two decades, the film adaptation of Wicked is destined to the the film event of the holiday season. Wicked: The Soundtrack will include the iconic songs “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” “Dancing Through Life,” “The Wizard And I” and more like you’ve never heard them before!  Full track listing below.


Multi-Platinum singers, songwriters, and producers Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler return today with their second single offering from their highly-anticipated forthcoming brent iii album titled “A-frame,” out now—listen HEREbrent iii the full-length album is set for release on November 1st via Mercury Records and will be followed by the duo’s Brent Forever: The Tour across North America this fall.  Jeremy and Chelsea wrote “A-frame” on a writing trip together in a cabin in Big Bear, CA, inspired by the A-Frame’s natural acoustics and reverb. The song instantly transfixes as it urges a return to a simpler life and simpler love, with both artists singing, “Sitting by the fire, with a bottle of gin. Baby it’s your world, I’m just happy that you let me in.”


GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter Marcus King announced new acoustic tour dates with stops at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA, The Caverns in Pelham, TN, and more. Tickets are on sale today at 10am local time, available on https://www.marcuskingofficial.com/tour/  Alongside the announcement, King today released two new renditions of “Hero” (from Mood Swings) and “8 A.M.” (from The Marcus King Band’s Carolina Confessions). The new versions feature Drew Smithers on guitar, who will be joining King on the acoustic run, and King on guitar & vocals. Recorded live at the legendary Bluebird Cafe during his sold-out performances from this summer, the pristine new recordings highlighted the organic guitar playing of Smithers and further accentuated King’s soulful powerhouse vocals in an intimate live setting.  Listen to new renditions of “Hero” and “8 A.M.” HERE.  Watch live performance of “Hero” HERE


On SLASH’s critically acclaimed sixth solo album Orgy of the Damned, the iconic, GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, goes back to what has always been at the heart of his playing: the Blues.  Released on May 17, 2024, Orgy of the Damned is available worldwide everywhere on Gibson Records HERE. A first for SLASHOrgy of the Damned spent 13 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart in the U.S. The new album also debuted as the #1 Blues Album in the U.S and the U.K., #2 on the U.S. Rock Albums Chart, as well as achieving Top 10 Chart positions in 7 countries around the world.


GRAMMY® Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys have announced the release of their upcoming album Mama’s Boys, set to drop on Friday, October 25 via Lightning Rod/Thirty Tigers. This album marks their fifth collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb and was recorded at Nashville’s legendary RCA Studio A and Blackbird Studios. Building anticipation for the release, the third single, "That’s The Way Mama Made It," written by Leroy Powell, David Cobb, and Duane Allen, features the newest Oak Ridge Boy, Ben James on lead vocals and is now available for download and streaming on all digital platforms, with an exclusive premiere on RFD-TV.  “Leroy Powell came into the control room with parts of a song going around in his head,” shares Duane Allen. “He was almost in a writer’s trance. David Cobb and I were there early. Leroy needed help with lines and words. Very quickly, the structure of the song fell in place. I felt it should be a Ben James feature, so we recorded the tracks in a key at the top of my range. You may have heard about songs being written in Nashville, and you go right into the studio and record it. This is it!!!!”  To preorder: orcd.co/mamasboys


Sunday, October 06, 2024

57 Channels and Only This Is On: October 6, 2024

  

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol:  I never thought any show could have a dumber name than High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but this may actually take the cake.  At least High School Musical was likely in on the joke of the silly name.  This is just stupid.  Also stupid: flying to France in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.  No way am I getting in that thing.

 

Only Murders in the Building:  We finally meet Dudenoff… and he is dead (seems obvious the Westies are cashing the checks).  So do we have a serial killer on our hands or just two killers who had the same idea to get rid of a body?  This makes me wonder if the power goes of randomly in any of the first three seasons.  But I guess this exonerates the Brothers Sisters.  But they never did explain why the one’s footprint was on the windowsill.  Did she visit her mentor; look out the window and just leave?  I wonder if that will come back up.  But I did get a vibe from the writer who threw the directors under the bus this week.  The guy does have 20/10 vision which would make for a good sniper shot.  Granted he did have an alibi during his episode, though he would not be the first person to fake an alibi.

 

 Tell Me Lies:  I never thought we could possibly get a Thanksgiving episode as good as Slapsgiving during How I Met Your Mother, but this may have topped that.  There was at least more slapping.  Sure, it was convoluted how they got everyone in the same place at the same time, but it was definitely worth it.

 

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras:  Sigh, another week, another Era 1 player going home.  So Rachel is just the captain every week now?  What if she goes home next week?  Can they no longer send in Era 1?

 

Joan:  Great soundtrack, the rest of the show is forgettable.  Who knew the greasy guy from Fear the Walking Dead was still working?  I cannot remember seeing him in anything since he was killed off.

 

Agatha All Along:  I am still not all that interested in the trial of week format, but Aubrey Plaza being unhinged upped the entertainment level infinitely this week.

 

The Ark: Oh wow, they made it to the planet, but not surprising some did not stay.  People gotta be on the titular ship.  So are they just going to have two storylines next season?  Not that I think there will be a next season.  With Chucky canceled, this will likely follow.

Saturday, October 05, 2024

Around the Tubes: October 5, 2024

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs James Bay, Ariana Grande, Anthony Hamilton, Elvis Costello, and Penelope.


- Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Bay excitedly presents his anxiously awaited fourth full-length album, Changes All The Time, out now via Mercury Records. Listen HEREThese eleven tracks embody the apex of Bay’s output as not only a generational songwriter, but also as a deft and dynamic guitarist with a distinct voice of his own. The lead single and album opener “Up All Night” with The Lumineers and Noah Kahan arrived to critical acclaim upon its release, quickly becoming a fan favorite.  This week, the single climbed to #1 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay Chart, marking his first #1 at the format. It has also amassed over 30 million global streams. GRAMMY.com declared it ““the folk-pop collaboration that dreams are made of,” while HOLLER. raved, ‘Up All Night’ perfectly encapsulates the shared ability of James BayNoah Kahan and The Lumineers to wrap raw, vulnerable emotionality in an infectious, jubilant melody.” NME echoed this excitement, “The single comes as a huge anthem, and sees the trio powering through their personal woes to ensure that they make the most of life.” Guitar.com professed, Up All Night arrives as a triumphant, foot-stomping tune – with a soaring guitar solo, to boot – sure to get any crowd going when Bay heads out on tour.   Listen to “Up All Night”HERE.


GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, and international superstar, Ariana Grande releases eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe and also live), featuring seven new live versions of songs from eternal sunshine, including hit singles “yes, and?” and “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”.  Listen to eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe and also live) HERE via Republic Records.  This week, Ariana will release live videos of the new versions released on eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe and also live).  Beginning today, with the live video release of “intro (end of the world)” and will be followed daily with live videos of “eternal sunshine” (October 2), “don’t want to break up again” (October 3), “supernatural” (October 4), “yes, and?” (October 5), “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” (October 6), and “imperfect for you” (October 7).


GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum singer, songwriter, producer, actor, author, father, and R&B icon Anthony Hamilton celebrates the immense impact of Black women on his life with his new single “QUEEN. This single arrives at a significant moment as the nation gears up for a historic election and the possibility of electing the first Black female president.  Get it HERE via his own label My Music Box in partnership with BMG.  “QUEEN” is a soulful anthem dedicated to celebrating Black women’s strength, beauty, and resilience. Written and performed by the legendary Anthony Hamilton and produced by Jermaine Dupri, this song is an homage to the QUEENS who have shaped history, nurtured generations, and continue to lead with grace and power. With heartfelt lyrics and a powerful melody, “QUEEN” aims to become a global anthem that resonates with people of all backgrounds, uplifting and honoring the essence of Black womanhood. 


 In early 1987 Elvis Costello played a six-night, sold-out stand at the Royal Albert Hall in London; three shows with the Attractions and three devoted to his 1986 album, King Of America, and other realms, with a band billed as The Confederates (the dictionary definition for ally or accomplice and nothing to do with America’s Civil War), featuring guitarist James Burton and bassist Jerry Scheff from Elvis Presley’s legendary TCB Band, drummer Jim Keltner, keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and T-Bone Wolk, who added accordion and mandolin to the ensemble. The electrifying never-before-released concert is included on the six-disc box set King Of America & Other Realms, releasing November 1 via UMe, and is being previewed today with Costello’s performance of “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line,” written by Jimmy Bryant and made famous by Waylon Jennings.  Stream “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line” and pre-order King Of America & Other Realms here: https://elviscostello.lnk.to/KingOfAmericaDeluxe


- PENELOPE, the Acclaimed Sundance Coming-Of-Age Episodic Co-Written by Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, Showrun by Mel Eslyn Starring Megan Stott ("Little Fires Everywhere") and Austin Abrams ("Euphoria"), now streaming on Netflix U.S.  Feeling out of place in the modern world, 16-year-old Penelope (Megan Stott of Little Fires Everywhere) finds herself almost cosmically drawn to nature. With no plan in place, she leaves her family behind for the beguiling wilderness where she begins to establish a different kind of life for herself. As she learns by necessity, survivalism coalesces with coming of age in this poignant tale co-written by indie stalwarts Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, and directed and show-run by Eslyn.


Sunday, September 29, 2024

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 29, 2024

 

Snowpiercer:  The show ends like it began, with the tailies fighting to take control of Snowpiercer.  Apropos I guess.

 

Only Murders in the Building:  More Ben Glenroy double?  If he keeps showing up, I may have to put him on my murder board.  Of course, that is if he survived the episode.  It would be funny if they killed off Paul Rudd twice.  I certainly do not think the Brothers sisters did it.  And it is not just because it is way too early to for them to find the murderer.  We still need a why and a why now.  Then there is also the how: how did they get access to both apartments.  Of course if it is not them, what about the shoes?  Are we just going to learn that it is a common sole? 

 

 Tell Me Lies:  I was skeptical that Lydia’s brother possibly raping Pippa caused their riff in the future, but now I think that just might be it.  And since he did the same thing to Diana’s sorority sister, it seems even more likely that is what he did to Pippa.   But it surprising that we are over halfway through the season and we are just at October.  I wonder if they are going to just do one semester this season.  But it was a bit disappointing with an episode entitled, Evil, Ornery, Scandalous, and Evil” and not overt Sublime reference inside of it.

 

Survivor:  Nothing like an episode entitled, “Epic Boss Girl Move” to spoil that someone in the bro alliances was going home.

 

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras:  Sigh, another week, another Era 1 player going home.  This is getting boring.

 

Agatha All Along:  The first episode was very entertaining, but many they should have stuck with a new prestige parody every week because I am not looking forward to a new Witches’ Road trial for the next month.  This week’s episode really drug along.

 

The Ark: Oh way, they really made it to an inhabitable planet.  Though, I have a feeling something might happen in the finale that will keep them on the ark even longer.  They are trying to blackmail people into blackmailing other people on the ark.  Maybe that is not the place to stay very long.