Around the Tubes: September 23, 2023

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 Only Murders in the Building, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Love in Fairhope, Chucky, Olivia Newton-John, Daya, Nickelback, and Stephen Sanchez.

- Check out multi-Grammy®/Academy Award® winner Steve Martin perform “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” -  a new song written specifically for the show by Oscar®, Grammy®, Tony®, and Olivier Award-winning songwriters/producers Benj Pasek & Justin Paul ("La La Land," "Dear Evan Hansen," and "The Greatest Showman"), Grammy®, Emmy®, and Tony®-winning songwriter/ composer Marc Shaiman ("Hairspray") and Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning songwriter Scott Wittman ("Hairspray").  SINGLE: Apple Music | Spotify

- SHOWTIME today released the official trailer and key art for the highly anticipated original film THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, written and directed by Academy Award^®-celebrated filmmaker William Friedkin and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk of the same name. The captivating film follows a U.S. naval first officer who’s standing trial for orchestrating a mutiny after his captain shows signs of becoming unhinged and jeopardizes the lives of his crew. Following the film’s premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, will premiere on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers on Friday, October 6, before making its on-air debut on SHOWTIME on Sunday, October 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

- If you were given the chance to bring your fantasy love story to life on TV, how would it look? Would it be a picture-perfect fairy tale or something a bit messier? This uniquely unscripted romantic series follows five women at different stages in their lives as they experience reimagined romance in the picturesque small town of Fairhope, Alabama, a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone else’s business and matters of the heart matter most. In “Love in Fairhope," real people star in a story inspired by their own where fantasy and reality collide.  "Love in Fairhope," a uniquely unscripted romantic series, premieres on Hulu Wednesday, September 27.  TRAILER: HERE

- Chucky... Next stop, Washington, D.C.  Season 3 Premieres October 4 at 9PM on USA & SYFY.  Season 3, Part 1 (four episodes) premieres October 4 and Part 2 returns with more episodes in 2024.  Tune in for returning fan favorites Devon Sawa and Jennifer Tilly, and guest stars including Saturday Night Live's Sarah Sherman and Kenan Thompson!  Episodes Will Stream Next Day on Peacock.  Text "CHUCKY" to 201-500-3347 to join the Chucky party and be the first to get any new camPAIN 🔪 updates!  Official Season 3 Trailer Here

-  On November 17, MCA/UMe is set to release both vinyl and CD editions of Dame Olivia Newton-John’s smash-hit, tenth studio album, 1978’s Totally Hot, a record that further reinforced her status as a surefire international superstar. In celebration of Newton-John’s first-ever platinum-certified album’s 45th anniversary, Totally Hot returns to vinyl for the first time in decades in two different options, in addition to being made available anew on CD and on all major digital platforms.   Totally Hot will be released in the following formats: limited-edition 1LP neon coral red vinyl, standard weight 1LP black vinyl, 1CD, and Digital. All versions of Totally Hot can be pre-ordered HERE.

- Daya has released her latest single “Downtown,” alongside an official visualizer. The sensual electropop track is now available for streaming on all major digital platforms.  LISTEN TO “DOWNTOWN" WATCH THE OFFICIAL “DOWNTOWN” VISUALIZER  Following the success of "Juliene," Daya's first single release of the year, which marked the commencement of an exciting new era in her career, "Downtown” offers fans a look into the pop star’s sultry side while documenting a thrilling night out.  Daya's journey through the music landscape has been nothing short of remarkable. With a string of hits that have resonated with fans globally, the artist has cemented her status as a true pop icon. 

- Nickelback unveiled the music video for their single “High Time,” off of their 2022 album Get Rollin’. With a funky groove and country rock twang, “High Time” takes listeners on a hazy cross-country road trip that reminds us it’s always 4:20 somewhere. Frontman Chad Kroeger sings about “strumming’, thumpin’ on the dashboard”, which listeners are sure to do as their friends sing along in the backseat of a long drive while they get rolling - literally.  The world-renowned rock band is currently bringing their “fiery, raucous, unapologetic and rock-driven” energy (The Tennessean) across North America with their 53-date Get Rollin’ tour, in support of their 10^th studio album by the same name. Their electrifying set explores their record-breaking, genre-defying discography of arena-ready singalongs, hard-hitting rock anthems and emotional ballads. With hits spanning nearly three decades, the band continues their incomparable legacy as “one of rock’s biggest-ever bands” (KERRANG). Nickelback’s Get Rollin’ tour holds the #7 spot on Pollstar’s LIVE75 chart which ranks worldwide active tours by average tickets sold for shows performed over the last 30 days. In April 2024, Nickelback will join Morgan Wallen, Eric Church, Post Malone, Hardy, Diplo, Wiz Khalifa, Bailey Zimmerman and more at the iconic Stagecoach Country Music Festival in California.  

-  Multi-platinum emerging artist Stephen Sanchez has released his debut album, Angel Face, out now via Mercury Records/Republic Records. The 13-track album is filled to the brim with 50s and 60s-inspired love songs, including RIAA 3x Platinum Certified hit, “Until I Found You.” Listen to Angel Face HERE. Along with the album, Stephen has released cinematic music videos for “Death Of The Troubadour” and “High,” directed by Charlie Rees - watch “Death Of The Troubadour” HERE and watch “High” HERE.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 17, 2023

 

 The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon:  So they are just not going to explain why Daryl is in France?  Didn’t he literally ride off into the sunset at the end of the main series?  But the new setting is breathing some new life into the show even if the religious stuff is a little heavy handed.  Really, that kid is going to be able to bring back souls to zombies?  C’mon.

 

The Chi:  In this week’s installment of should I know who that is: the dude Keisha met at the barber shop.  I feel like I have already asked this about this character this season.  But one episode until the break.  Will we finally see a team up to bring down Douda?  It seems like they have teasing it all season.

 

Billions:  I think we all know what Chuck will call on Axe to do when the time comes.  Of course with just four episodes left, that time will come soon.  But that double turn did not make much sense.  Doesn’t the US government look like fools for letting the Russian back on our soil?

 

Only Murders in the Building: I am mildly disappointed that, with the episode entitled CoBro, we did not get to see any actual footage of the movie this week, or more Girl Cop for that matter; but that disappointment quickly went away with Mel Brooks literally phoning in a cameo. It was also nice to get Theo back (cast this guy as Superman because I did not realize that was him until he started signing). Uma was also great as usual. I may have to steal her line about three types of people: alive, dead, and dead to me.

 

There was a popular theory that Loretta was actually Ben Glenroy's mother. We did learn this week that his and Dicky's parents were Ben Glenroy's birth parents, but I wonder if Peggy was on the right track and she is Dicky's mother but thought Ben Glenroy was her kid because his parents adopted her kid, which is actually Dickie, not Ben.

 

So where exactly is Mabel now? I always assumed she would find a way to stay at the Arconia by the end of the season because it would be weird for her to investigate a murder in a building she no longer lived in. I wonder if maybe Theo is letting her squat in the empty Dimas apartment for now. But it is really sad she did not let her favorite olds she had moved. At least two of the three amigos are back together; hopefully they bring Mabel back into the fold next week too. They are much better together than apart.

 

Ashoka:  I mentioned that Daryl Dixon got a little too religious, but at least he did not get swallowed by a whale.  I figured when the map was destroyed, they would use the space whales to get to the other side of the galaxy, but I was not expecting them to travel inside them.

 

The Challenge: USA:  Why are they still trying to make Survivor vs. Big Brother a thing?  There are two Big Brother players left.  It is over, Survivor won.  Team up and get rid of the remaining vets like it seemed like to be the plan in the beginning of the season.

Around the Tubes: September 16, 2023

 

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 Black Cake, Jack Johnson, Noah Kahan, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley And The Wailers, The Who, and Van Morrison.

- Hulu has debuted the key art for the upcoming Original series "Black Cake," based on Charmaine Wilkerson's New York Times-bestselling novel.  The series premieres with three episodes on November 1, with new episodes launching weekly, only on Hulu.  Based on The New York Times-bestselling book by Charmaine Wilkerson, “Black Cake” is a family drama wrapped in a murder mystery with a diverse cast of characters and a global setting, from Marissa Jo Cerar, Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films, and Aaron Kaplan's Kapital Entertainment. The story takes place in Jamaica, Italy, Scotland, England and Southern California. Cerar wrote the adaptation and serves as showrunner on the series, which spans decades. In the late 1960s, a runaway bride named Covey disappears into the surf off the coast of Jamaica and is feared drowned or a fugitive on the run for her husband’s murder. In present day California, a widow named Eleanor Bennett, loses her battle with cancer, leaving her two estranged children, Byron and Benny, a flash drive that holds previously untold stories of her journey from the Caribbean to America. These stories, narrated by Eleanor, shock her children and challenge everything they thought they knew about their family’s origin.

- Jack Johnson’s third live album Songs for Maui, a benefit album to support those affected by the Maui fires, is digitally out today. Featuring Hawaii’s own Paula Fuga and John Cruz, Songs For Maui features a ten-track collection of chart-topping songs recorded live on location at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater during Johnson’s special 2012 Hawaiian Islands tour. Listen here: https://JackJohnson.lnk.to/SFM.  “We know it will be a long road ahead for those affected by the fires. We hope the positive energy from this show can carry on to help raise funds and support families in need. Aloha, Jack” - Following a surprise performance together at his recent sold-out show at Los Angeles’ Greek Theater, Noah Kahan enlisted Lizzy McAlpine for a newly recorded version of his deeply moving fan favorite, “Call Your Mom,” officially out now—listen HERE.  Written about giving unconditional support to a loved one during life’s darkest moments, the touching song reaches new heights with this highly anticipated collaboration. The two singer/songwriters’ voices perfectly blend together and capture the lyrics’ powerful emotions, as they plead, “Don’t let this darkness fool you, all lights turned off can be turned on. I’ll drive, I’ll drive all night. I’ll call your mom.” - September 12th, 2023, marks 20 years since Johnny Cash passed away, but the Man in Black’s legacy endures. His hard-fought wisdom and his rich baritone have made him one of the most respected figures in post-World War II country music. He wasn’t Nashville, he wasn’t rock n’ roll, and he wasn’t honky tonk. He was simply Johnny Cash, and he first made a name for himself with a series of singles for Sun Records that the label eventually anthologized and released in 1958 as his aptly-titled sophomore album, Johnny Cash - Sings The Songs That Made Him Famous.  On October 13, 2023, Sun will once again release this career-making recording, originally issued on the label 65 years ago. Beyond a reissue, this is a ceremonial release remastered from the original tapes and exquisitely packaged with its classic artwork elegantly complemented by exclusive, tangerine orange vinyl. Album is available for preorder here - CATCH A FIRE, Bob Marley And The Wailers' seminal first release on Island Records, universally regarded as the album that put reggae music on the global stage, is being re-issued via UMe on November 3rd to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its original release in 1973. “Slave Driver,” one of the most powerful tracks on the album, will be released as a single, accompanied by remarkable live performance footage recently unearthed from the legendary Edmonton show in England in 1973.  A hugely anticipated new film, BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, celebrating the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity, is in theatres on January 12, 2024. Produced by Ziggy Marley, Cedella Marley, and Rita Marley, and with Stephen Marley as the music supervisor, the film tells the inspirational story of how Bob overcame huge adversity to become one of the world’s most revered musical and cultural giants through the power and beauty of his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family, the film stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob and Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita.  Stream Slave Driver (The Sundown Theatre in Edmonton, England. May 1973) HERE.  Pre-Order Catch A Fire’s 50th Anniversary Editions HERE - The suite of songs by The Who on which, more than half a century ago, Pete Townshend foresaw the invention of the internet, of virtual reality and pandemic-style lockdown, is heard as he intended for the first time. UMe has released Who's Next/Life House as a lavish, multi-format Super Deluxe edition and is now available to order HERE.  Featuring 155 tracks, of which 89 are previously unreleased and 57 feature fresh remixes, the set will delight longtime Who fans with its long-sought, complete picture of Townshend's incredibly prescient songwriting, while captivating a new audience with his visionary description of a future that has, in many ways, come true. It features all of his songs, in their many stages of development, from the abandoned, audacious Life House project, started In 1969 as a follow-up to The Who's epic Tommy, and from the undisputed rock classic of 1971 that it evolved into, Who's Next. - Van Morrison unveils his 45th studio album, Accentuate the Positive, which is now available to pre-order HERE ahead of its release on November 3rd.  This electrifying homage to rock ‘n’ roll is launched alongside its first single, a new take on the Johnny Kidd classic ‘Shakin’ All Over’. Listen HERE.  Like this year’s acclaimed Moving On Skiffle, Accentuate The Positive sees Van Morrison returning to one of his childhood passions: this time rock ‘n’ roll. Growing up in Belfast shortly after World War II, he was immensely inspired by the heady sounds of 20th century blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Listening to artists such as Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and The Everly Brothers, it wasn’t long until Van was intuitively reinterpreting these sounds with his own band in local hometown venues.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 10, 2023

  

The Chi:   I have been following Emmitt’s Chekov’s Gun all season predicting that it would be used on Douda eventually.  Well, now Douda has it, so that it probably not going to come to fruition.  But now it seems fairly obvious that the Men’s Club is going to bring down Douda one way or another.  The question is, does someone kill him, or are they all going to testify against him?  Killing Papa’s papa will likely be the last straw.

 

Billions:  I did not realize that was Connerty until he started speaking.  Now I am struggling to remember what exactly happened to him and why Kate is so scared of him.  I think he tried to bring Chuck down for being too obsessed with Axe but crossed the legal line to do so.  But I do not remember why he would be an albatross to Kate.  We also saw a return, albeit short absent of the DA kind of screwed over by getting his old job back. I was waiting to see what revenge she would do to Chuck.  Sex tape was not on the top of the list.  Shockingly Chuck did not throw his boy under the bus.

 

Only Murders in the Building:  I pegged Flobert the killer (or at least one of the attempted killers) since the season premiere. Though after this episode and hoe he gave off strong Jan vibes, I am now thinking he may end up being the final red herring of the week before we learn who the real killer(s) was.

 

As for this week's red herring, Jonathan never made a good one. Seems if you killed the star, either the show will shut down or they would bring in another star to replace the current one. I guess this begs the question, why is Oliver having someone who, I believe, was last seen in the chorus of The Lion King be his lead?

 

But I have to say all the President McKinley stuff was hilarious.

 

Ahsoka:  I liked the scene where Ahsoka was running through the wet grass, Sabine falling a step behind, both of them never tiring. I am sure that is better than Erza is doing right now.

 

The Challenge: USA:   So are the finale two Big Brother players going to finally realize that Fessy and Josh are not going to help them and finally join Survivor and get rid of the vets?

Around the Tubes: September 9, 2023

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, The Circus, The X-Files, Jack Johnson, The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, Noah Gundersen, and Claire Rosinkranz.

- On the heels of its Venice Film Festival premiere, SHOWTIME will debut THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, written and directed by Academy Award^®-celebrated filmmaker William Friedkin and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk of the same name. The captivating film follows a U.S. naval first officer who’s standing trial for orchestrating a mutiny after his captain shows signs of becoming unhinged and jeopardizes the lives of his crew. Following the film’s premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, will stream exclusively on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan on Friday, October 6, before making its linear debut on Sunday, October 8, at 9pm ET/PT on SHOWTIME.  THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL is set to premiere on Paramount+ in all international markets where the streaming service is currently live, including the UK, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and South Korea.  Featuring an outstanding ensemble cast, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL stars Kiefer Sutherland (24), Jason Clarke (Oppenheimer), Jake Lacy (White Lotus), Monica Raymund (Chicago Fire), Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick), Jay Duplass (Transparent), Tom Riley (The Nevers) and Lance Reddick (John Wick).

- Fresh off a fourth Emmy nomination, THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH returns to streaming with six new episodes on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, beginning Sunday, October 8 and premieres that day at 7 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME linear. Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri pull back the curtain on this critical and volatile moment for the nation.  The acclaimed docuseries, which just received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Recorded News Program, returns to examine the high stakes political drama of the emerging presidential race. THE CIRCUS lays bare this extraordinary and precarious moment, as the president seeks reelection amid a bitterly polarized political environment and a former president aims to challenge him while facing criminal charges for his conduct, including attempting to subvert the very democracy he hopes to lead once again. The show follows President Biden’s mounting campaign, Donald Trump’s unfolding legal battles and impending trials, and the longshot Republican candidates attempting to dethrone him as the party’s standard bearer all while the future of American democracy hangs in the balance.

- "THE X-FILES" premiered on September 10, 1993 with a long running course of 11 truth-seeking seasons which are available on Hulu.  Don't know where to start? Hulu just launched three "best of" collections on the series page to help you out! Check it out HERE.  Be sure to also check out the series “Extras” tab for special content including “Top 25 UFO Sightings,” “Best of Agent Mulder,” “Best of Agent Scully” and many more.

- In support of those affected by the tragic and life-altering fires on Maui, Jack Johnson announces Songs For Maui, a live benefit album featuring Hawaii’s own Paula Fuga and John Cruz. Digitally available September 15, through Brushfire and Republic Records, Songs For Maui will feature a ten-track collection of chart-topping songs recorded live on location at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater during Johnson’s special 2012 Hawaiian Islands tour.  “All our love is going to our friends and family on Maui right now. As we began to brainstorm ways we could support the community, we found tracks from an acoustic show from 2012 that Paula, John and I played at the MACC on Maui. While listening to the songs we thought back to the time we spent that spring, both on stage but also bonding with our Maui ‘ohana. We know it will be a long road ahead. We hope the positive energy from this show can carry on to help raise funds and support families in need. Aloha, Jack”

- The Rolling Stones, come roaring out of the traps today with the release of their rocking single “Angry” (Listen Here.) It arrives alongside the announcement of their hugely anticipated new album, Hackney Diamonds, to be released October 20^th. The exciting news was shared today by Mick, Keith and Ronnie at a special media launch event at the historic Hackney Empire, East London's epicentre of pioneering art for almost 125 years. The launch was hosted by Jimmy Fallon and streamed worldwide via YouTube.  The 12-track album, for which full track list information will be revealed soon, was recorded in various locations around the world, including Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles; Metropolis Studios, London; Sanctuary Studios, Nassau, Bahamas; Electric Lady Studios, New York; and The Hit Factory/Germano Studios, also in New York.  Pre-Order Hackney Diamonds

- Today, world-renowned rock band The Black Crowes announce the box set of their chart-topping sophomore album, The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion, via American Recordings/UMe. The album, which entered the US Billboard album chart at No. 1 upon release in 1992, was named after a post-Civil War southern hymnal and is home to some of the band's biggest hits, including "Remedy," “Sting Me,” and "Thorn in My Pride” which were #1 on the Billboard Main Stream Rock Airplay chart for a combined total of 21 weeks. Rich and Chris Robinson, alongside producer George Drakoulias, revisited the archives for the instant classic album and created a special super deluxe edition featuring unreleased studio recordings, rare B-sides, a live performance from Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston, TX, on February 6, 1993, and a newly remastered album from the original 1/4″ production master. Highlights for the forthcoming boxset include 14 unreleased recordings, including a new mix of the Memphis soul classic song "99 Pounds" originally by Ann Peebles and written by Don Bryant, and a previously unreleased studio recording of "Miserable."    At the end of the Southern Harmony and Musical Companion recording sessions in early 1992, the band performed live on the famed Southern Tracks Studio floor in Atlanta, GA, on January 4, 1992. The session was captured by a film crew and, true to The Black Crowes form, turned into a party. These never-before-released until now, live, studio recordings, feature five songs, including their cover of Ry Cooder's "Boomer's Story." Also included in the super deluxe edition, Southern Harmony Live, featuring all the tracks off the album, performed live in Houston, TX, on February 6, 1993. This legendary and much-bootlegged show has now been mixed from the 24-track tapes and is available alongside the original album, which has been remastered from the 1/4″ production master.   Set For Release December 1, 2023, via UMe.  Pre-Order HERE.

- Soundly Music and acclaimed Washington-based singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen are excited to announce the release of If This Is The End, Gundersen’s brand new full-length studio album and first offering since 2021’s A Pillar of Salt. Born out of a soul-searching period in Gundersen’s life where he was working a construction job after having enjoyed a fruitful career in music, the songs on If This Is The End detail the regret and failure of those years, but it also highlights his newfound outlook on hope and the transformative power of love.   ”I found myself disillusioned with the industry and no longer knew my place in it,” Gundersen recalls. “The world around me has changed rapidly and I sometimes have difficulty grasping it. There were moments when I felt I had lost the wind from my sails, but I still love creating music and I love these songs.” Stream and purchase If This Is The End on all platforms HERE.

- Gearing up for her highly anticipated debut album out next month, 19-year-old Southern California singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Claire Rosinkranz shares a new single entitled “Wes Anderson” today—listen HERE! Just Because is set for release on October 6^th via slowplay/Republic Records—pre-order/pre-save Just Because HERE.  Produced by Afterhrs and Paul Phamous, the track’s quirky beat brushes up against loose guitar. Over this soundscape, Claire takes control of the story and asserts herself, “Let me set the picture like Wes Anderson,” only to recoil into the depths of heartbreak. She surges back on the refrain and wonders, “When will you wake up? Get over your heartbreak.” It unfolds as an internal dialogue worthy of one of the legendary auteur’s characters.

 

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 3, 2023

  

The Chi:   In this week’s installment of should I know who these people are:  the gay dudes at Victor’s party?  Then is Kevin really going to leave The Chi?  How can you be on The Chi if you are not located in The Chi?  And how did his school afford such a fancy ballroom for prom?  And what kind f school lets them play uncensored songs at a school function?  Oh, and one last question, did the cops find the cashe of guns in the car?  You are not taking someone to the station for just speeding, but doubt they would let them out that night if they found that many unregistered guns.

 

Billions:  A couple episodes I wondered if the bassoon segment was a reference to Only Murders in the Building, now I wonder if The Trolley Problem is a reference to .he Good Place.  Or has the show run out random non sequitur that they have to steal other shows’.  But did they really need a lengthy morbid betting scene just to get to how Prince ties into the insurence company that would have to deal with the hurricane?

 

Only Murders in the Building:  Sazz!!! But it was strange that Joy was the red herring of the week, but she disappeared only for Sazz to do a therapy session. Though the other love interests came off as more sketchy this week. The Ben Glenroy book was creepy, especially for someone who kept having standoffs with the guy. Then by Flobert trying to incriminate Johnathan, which just made him look guiltier. But with all the talk of Charles maybe dating another killer this week, would they really have one of the other three amigos do the same? But guess this week answers the question of who did Charles tell Ben Glenroy to stay away from last season.

 

Justified: City Primeval:  So Raylan got a demotion when he shot someone who drew on him (okay he did goad that to happen) and someone wants to make him chief after shooting someone reaching for a cassette.  Poor Clement, just wanted someone to listen to his demo and no one ever wanted to.  But as lower tier Justified this revival was.  Sign me up for Raylan hunting fugitive Boyd.  But I wonder who was on the other line.  Was it Art?  Has Tim or Rachel taken over for him?

 

Ashoka:  So a human dude forks a green chick and their kid is a human with green hair?  Alrighty.  But I watched the cartoons and did not remember Sabine being a Jedi at all.  But I am sure at being a Jedi, she is better than Ezra.

 

The Challenge: USA:  Oh joy, another episode where the players whose personal backstories were featured in were the ones who were sent into elimination. How predictable. Granted they did spoil one of the players in the promo last week. Hopefully the shakeup at the end of the episode actually shakes things up.  Though I fear like the Vets might actually have the advantage.  There are six of them if you count Josh and Fessy.  On the surface there are seven Survivor and just three Big Brother.  There was a hot chick alliance, but with two of the three Big Brother members going home in two straight episodes, is that still a thing?  Will less hot alyssa want to continue to work with the Survivor chicks or work with the Big Brother guys and hope Josh and Fessy join them?   Then who gets to nominate people?  Just the winner?  The top two or three?  I just hope Survivor and Big Brother gang up on the Vets.  Someone please send Josh in.  I cannot image any of the females will want to potentially want to be teamed with him in a final.

Around the Tubes: September 2, 2023

  

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 Bob Barker, Chucky, Heist 88, James Bay, Chelsea Cutler, Bastille, Tom Waits, POV, and Hulu unscripted true crime TV shows and films.

- Game Show Network will honor the late Bob Barker with an eight-hour marathon of Match Game episodes featuring him this Saturday, September 2, starting at 9 am.  Join us to pay tribute to the legendary Bob Barker.

- Watch the Chucky Season 3 Teaser HERE  Season 3 returns on October 4 with fan favorites.  In Chucky’s unending thirst for power, season 3 now sees Chucky ensconced with the most powerful family in the world — America's First Family, inside the infamous walls of the White House. How did Chucky wind up here? What in God’s name does he want? And how can Jake, Devon, and Lexy possibly get to Chucky inside the world’s most secure house, all while balancing the pressures of romantic relationships and growing up? Meanwhile, Tiffany faces a looming crisis of her own as the police close in on her for “Jennifer Tilly’s” murderous rampage last season.

- SHOWTIME will debut HEIST 88, led by two-time Emmy Award winning actor Courtney B. Vance (The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, Lovecraft Country) and produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Bassett Vance Productions and Gunpowder & Sky. Inspired by one of the largest bank robberies in U.S. history, the film will stream exclusively on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME starting on Friday, September 29, and on SHOWTIME Sunday, October 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.  Inspired by true events, HEIST 88 is the unbelievable story centered on Jeremy Horne (Vance), a criminal mastermind with an innate ability to convince anyone to do just about anything, who decides to pull one last job before going to prison. He recruits four young bank employees to steal close to $80 million dollars in a daring and brazen assault on the U.S. banking system. The film takes place in a time before widespread computerization and the vast cybersecurity of today. It also reunites Vance with Keesha Sharp, who portrayed Dale Cochran in the award-winning limited series The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, and Bentley Green, who recently starred alongside Vance in the drama series 61st Street. HEIST 88 also stars Keith David (The Nice Things), Xavier Clyde (City on Fire), Nican Robinson (Beef) and Precious Way (Days of our Lives).

- Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Bay releases the official music video for his brand-new single “Goodbye Never Felt So Bad” out now via Mercury/Republic Records.  Watch the official music video for “Goodbye Never Felt So Bad” HERE & Listen to the track —HERE.  The music video shows James doing what he does best - performing live. Footage taken from his tour on the road shows fans dressing up in his iconic hat, singing along to the song even before it was released. It highlights his performance skills and captivating a crowd.

- In response to overwhelming fan demand, Platinum-Certified singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer Chelsea Cutler shares her anxiously-awaited new single “Your Bones” today—listen HERE. Chelsea also finally reveals her highly-anticipated third studio album, Stellaria, will arrive on October 13th. Pre-order/Pre-save HERE.  “Your Bones” initially made waves online across social media, as fans embraced it as an anthem to their own love stories. Thus far, it has amassed 40 million views and counting on TikTok. On the track, cinematic piano underscores emotional verses. In between hummable whistling, Chelsea delivers a powerful affirmation, “I love you down to your bones, naked and afraid, they tell me that’s when you know. I feel you, taking me home, dusk until the dawn, you’re where I wanna go.”

- Bastille have come together with multiple Academy Award^® and Grammy^®-winning composer Hans Zimmer to release a special reworking of their era-defining international hit single, Pompeii.  The glistening rendition, entitled Pompeii MMXXIII came about as frontman Dan Smith and Zimmer were working together on other projects. A captivating live recording of the track was filmed in Cardiff with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, watch a clip of the video here.  Hans Zimmer says, “It’s been proven time and time again that a beautiful, crafted song by a great band can have many lives and Pompeii is a shining example of this. Working hand in hand with Bastille and my team at Bleeding Fingers has been an exhilarating experience and an honour to be part of this remarkable journey. I'm so excited to share this rendition with you all!"

- Forty years ago this week, Tom Waits’ transformative creative breakthrough, Swordfishtrombones, was released into the wild, ushering in a new and critically acclaimed era for Waits and his longtime songwriting and production partner, Kathleen Brennan.  To honor this metamorphic period, Waits’ spectacular middle-period albums – released on Island Records between 1983 and 1993 – have been newly remastered from the original tapes for reissue on vinyl and CD via Island/UMe, personally overseen by Waits and Brennan.  Swordfishtrombones (1983), its sprawling and superb sequel, Rain Dogs (1985), and the trilogy-completing, tragi-comic stage musical, Franks Wild Years (1987), kick off the series today with their new CD releases. The trilogy will be released on vinyl on September 22.  The epic song-cycle, Bone Machine (1992) and the Waits (with Robert Wilson and William S. Burroughs) musical fable, The Black Rider (1993), will arrive on vinyl and CD on October 6. September, incredibly, marks the 40th anniversary of Swordfishtrombones, and the 30th of The Black Rider.   All of the albums are available to stream and download with the newly remastered audio, allowing fans to hear how these landmark recordings now sound better than ever.  Stream and purchase the albums here: https://tomwaits.lnk.to/IslandVinylReissuesPR

-– Multi Emmy® Awards and Peabody Award winning series, POV, exposes–in real time–institutional neglect experienced by a group of disabled Black and brown artists on lockdown inside Coler Specialty Hospital, a New York City rehabilitation and nursing center, during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in Fire Through Dry Grass.  Co-directed by one of the residents, Andres “Jay” Molina (feature debut), and Alexis Neophytides, the documentary follows Jay and his fellow Reality Poets as they fight the city to protect the lives of 500 vulnerable nursing home residents. Animated sections of their poetry highlight the danger and imprisonment they feel—and their refusal to be abused, confined, and erased by a system that acts as if their lives don’t matter. The documentary was produced by Jennilie Brewster and Neophytides. Oscar® nominees Sara Bolder and Jim Lebrecht (Crip Camp) are the executive producers.  Fire Through Dry Grass makes its national broadcast premiere on POV, Monday, October 30, 2023 at 10pmET/9C (check local listings) and will be available to stream without PBS Passport membership until January 30, 2024 at pbs.org, and the PBS 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 in its 36th season, is America's longest running non-fiction television series.

- This month, Hulu spotlights a robust lineup of compelling unscripted true crime TV shows and films, including all new “Cold Case Files: DNA Speaks”, Hulu Original “Never Let Him Go,” “The Jewel Thief” and more. Rest assured, we've got you covered!

NEVER LET HIM GO: COMPLETE DOCUSERIES (HULU ORIGINAL)

In 1988, Scott Johnson, a gay American mathematician, was found dead beneath a cliff in Sydney, Australia. Steve Johnson, Scott’s brother, would spend the next 35 years trying to solve the mystery of Scott’s death. He could have never imagined the tinderbox he would crack open—a wave of anti-gay violence, homophobia, and fear that cast a shadow for decades. “Never Let Him Go” delves into Scott Johnson’s extraordinary life and mysterious death, and Steve’s dogged, multi-decade quest for justice.

(Streaming Wednesday, September 6)

THE JEWEL THIEF (HULU ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY)

“The Jewel Thief” is the unbelievable first-hand account of Gerald Blanchard, one of the most creative, calculating and accomplished criminal masterminds in modern history. Two unlikely Winnipeg detectives track Blanchard across the globe as he perpetrates a series of increasingly elaborate heists in a quest for fame and notoriety through a life of crime. 

(Now Streaming)

MOTHER UNDERCOVER: COMPLETE DOCUSERIES (HULU ORIGINAL)

The gripping new four-part docu-series, “Mother Undercover,” tells the tales of four courageous mothers on a mission to save or get justice for their children. Across four captivating episodes, audiences will witness the extraordinary lengths mothers will go to protect their children. In incidents of murder, international kidnapping, mass suicide and judicial corruption, these four mothers transform into undercover detectives, mounting covert operations and taking matters into their own hands. The series showcases the strength and resilience of these women who give new meaning to the saying “a mother’s love knows no bounds.”

(Now Streaming)

DEMONS & SAVIORS: COMPLETE DOCUSERIES (HULU ORIGINAL)

The three-part series “Demons and Saviors” tells the remarkable story of Christina Boyer– once infamously known as the “poltergeist girl,” now a woman convicted of murdering her three-year-old daughter. Thirty years into a life sentence, Christina still proclaims her innocence. The series follows a group of amateur sleuths who have become consumed by their obsession to exonerate her. Exploring Christina’s troubled upbringing, her alleged telekinetic abilities, and the questions that remain about the death of her daughter, “Demons and Saviors” investigates what is the conspiracy and what is the truth.

(Now Streaming)

SOUND OF THE POLICE (HULU ORIGINAL)

“Sound of the Police” examines the fraught relationship between African Americans and the police, often rife with tension, fear, suspicion and hostility on all sides. Framed by some of the most recent conflicts between Black Americans and police officers, which garnered national media attention, the film traces the country’s complex racial history that set the path for policing in Black communities and fuels the ongoing conflict between African American communities and law enforcement.

(Now Streaming)

COLD CASE FILES: DNA SPEAKS: COMPLETE SEASON 1 (ONLY ON HULU) 

"Cold Case Files: DNA Speaks" is a new, 10-part documentary series focusing on murder cases that remained unsolved for decades and were ultimately cracked with DNA evidence. It explores these stunning scientific developments – as well as the unwavering dedication of families and investigators – that eventually brought the killers to justice. 

The Emmy-nominated "Cold Case Files" was the original forensic science crime show when it first aired in 1999. This brand-new series is narrated by the original host and executive producer, celebrated journalist Bill Kurtis, and builds on the success of the original with spectacular cinematography, extraordinary crime scene footage, and cutting-edge science.

(Now Streaming)

BTK CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL KILLER (A&E)

The horrific crimes and psyche of notorious serial killer Dennis Rader. This documentary provides unprecedented access into the mind of Rader, who is currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences in El Dorado Correctional Facility. Dr. Katherine Ramsland shares the intimate details of Rader's past and his gruesome murders while providing insight to arm criminologists and law enforcement on how to better identify and potentially deter extreme violent offenders in the future. The author and renowned professor of forensic psychology leads the examination of Rader's transformation from an American boy to an American monster who wreaked havoc in Wichita, Kan., and went uncaptured for 30 years.

(Now Streaming)

BETRAYAL: THE PERFECT HUSBAND: COMPLETE DOCUSERIES (HULU ORIGINAL)

Jen Faison and Spencer Herron were the perfect couple. She was a successful television producer and he was a beloved teacher of the year at a Georgia high school. For over seven years, Jen thought she was living in a fairy tale romance, but one fateful spring afternoon, when the police showed up at her home, the façade came quickly crumbling down. Her perfect life was torn apart when she learned she was the victim of the ultimate Betrayal. Behind the fairytale romance was a web of lies, affairs and criminal sexual assault. Spencer Herron, the man she thought she knew and loved, was living a double life.

(Now Streaming)

57 Channels and Only This Is On: August 27, 2023

 

The Chi:  In this week’s installment of should I know who that is: the chick in the shower with Douda.  And did we know Quentin was an informant?  But what I am really following this season is Emmitt’s gun.  He learned his father took it this week and wants it back, but I do not think he actually got it back.  Though, if that is Chekov’s gun which will go off in the third act of the season (and I assume in Douda’s direction) does that make the bag of guns Chekov’s arsenal?

 

Billions:  Chuck had a secret meeting at the tomb of Ulysses S. Grant with… Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?  I know this show loves gratuitous cameos, but that was a bit absurd.  For a second, I thought maybe he was meeting with Axe.  Knowing this show, they probably will team up to bring down Prince, but it will probably be Wendy that facilitates that.

 

Only Murders in the Building:  It was a little annoying that they tried to hide who was calling Mabel when it was obvious that is was the person who gave the voiceover at the start of the episode. Otherwise, why else was Cinda there? But I have to say, I enjoyed wellness hippie Cinda than the murder podcaster Cinda.

 

It looks like next episode will be Joy being the red herring of the week which should be hilarious.  I cannot imagine they would make another of Charles’ girlfriend a kill no matter how funny that would be.  The whole fish thing was great.

 

Kimber as this week’s red herring was also very entertaining.  I think I would watch a Kinber trying to make it as an influencer in the New York theater type spin-off. Then the whole White Room stuff was hilarious. I just hope we get a full cast album of Death Rattle Dazzle because all these songs are bangers. But I am not sure I will be able to watch another musical without trying to find who they stuck the sing-talky song too.

 

Justified: City Primeval:  That scene in the diner really felt like the opening scene of the original series.  But instead of ending with a “Justified” killing, for the second time this season, two people trying to get Clement with two different schemes, ruined the other.

 

Ashoka:  Why are they spending so much time and energy trying to find Ezra Bridger?  There are so many Jedi out there who are better than Ezra.  And when did being stabbed in the stomach with a lightsaber stop being fatal?  It felt like a death sentence in the movies, but just a flesh wound on the television shows.

 

The Challenge: USA:  The hat trick plan has to be one of the dumbest things ever.  You just eliminated someone who was not a threat and it should be pretty obvious to all the Survivor and Big Brother people what the Vets were doing.  Of course the big question is will the Survivor and Big Brother people get back on the same page and target the Vets again.