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

 

There is so much incredible content coming to Paramount+ this February. Football fans, get ready to fire up the hot wings and enjoy a refreshing beverage, when streaming Super Bowl LVIII in all its glory. We have brand-new seasons of hit original series Halo and The Family Stallone premiering next month, along with the debut of the animated original film The Tiger’s Apprentice. Fans can experience all the high-octane thrills and chills of the action blockbuster Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning when it hits the service tomorrow. For a closer look at all the entertainment coming to Paramount+ in February, check out the latest edition of View from the Peak.

SUPER BOWL

CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz, Tracy Wolfson and Tony Romo On Sunday, February 11, Paramount+ subscribers of every tier can stream all the action of CBS Sports' coverage of Super Bowl LVIII, kicking off live from Las Vegas at 6:30 pm ET.  Super Bowl LVIII will cap a record-breaking season for the NFL on CBS across Paramount+. We scored our most-streamed regular season which brought in double-digit, year-over-year growth in households, minutes and average-minute audience. And the AFC Divisional matchup between the Chiefs and Bills was the most-streamed live event ever on Paramount+. Thanks to football fans, the NFL on CBS became one of the top drivers for Paramount+ subscriptions in 2023. Super fans will be able to enjoy seven hours of pregame coverage on gameday, starting at 11:30 a.m. ET with Nickelodeon’s NFL Slimetime. Super Bowl Sunday is highlighted by The NFL Today, which features four hours of pregame coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET, in addition to halftime and postgame shows.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Tom Ryan, President and CEO of Paramount Streaming As we look ahead to a new year of unbeatable streaming entertainment, we wanted to give you a special view from the proverbial peak this month. We sat down with Tom Ryan, President and CEO of Paramount Streaming, to hear about what’s ahead for Paramount+.  Q: 2023 was a transformational year for Paramount+.  Any personal highlights?  We made tremendous strides on our path to profitability last year. Despite two strikes and a market slowdown, we grew the business in Q3 to hit 63 million subscribers and increased engagement by 46 percent. We also welcomed SHOWTIME to the Paramount+ lineup, coupling its edgy and ambitious slate with Paramount’s diverse mix of content to deliver an unbeatable streaming experience the whole family can enjoy.  Holding strong as one of the fastest growing services for the third year in a row, I’m incredibly proud of our team for continuing to defy the odds and the critics.   Q: Looking ahead to 2024, what’s on the horizon? This year, we’re investing in content, partnerships and markets with the greatest returns and doubling down to increase audience engagement and retention by prioritizing key tentpole moments that will drive revenue across advertising and subscriptions. That begins with our upcoming stream of Super Bowl LVIII and continues all year long with the addition of highly anticipated shows and films such as Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Knuckles and season two of Halo which are strategically programmed for the whole household.   Q: When it comes to the industry at large, what do you think sets Paramount+ apart? Increasingly, consumers are telling the marketplace that they want an option with something for everyone, and with Paramount+ we have created a destination for the entire family. Paramount Streaming is the only scaled player in SVOD and FAST and we have always understood the importance of reaching the total addressable market. We also have a unique advantage by holding the keys to Paramount’s iconic and immense library and lineup of brands. From SpongeBob to Star Trek, these are titles and brands that have defined culture and entertainment for decades.   Q: When it comes to the industry at large, what do you think sets Paramount+ apart? I think we are going to see live streaming play a more significant role in the SVOD space. We have been live streaming sports and events on Paramount+ for nearly a decade, and while it brings its own unique challenges, I think we are going to see this offering play an increasingly significant role in subscriber growth and retention, especially as cord cutting accelerates. I also expect that we’ll see an uptick in unique and differentiated bundles, such as the ones we have with Walmart+ and Delta, where our partners benefit from bringing the diverse and popular Paramount+ library to its audiences and the service in turn experiences deeper levels of engagement.

BEHIND THE STREAMS

Pablo Schreiber in Halo In its first season, Halo introduced audiences to the interstellar conflict between the human race and the zealous alien threat known as the Covenant, and season two promises to up the action and the drama. Master Chief John-117 (Pablo Schreiber), who leads the Spartans, his team of elite super soldiers, risks everything to prove what no one else will believe: the Covenant are preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold. With the galaxy on the brink, John embarks on a journey to find the key to humankind’s salvation, or its extinction—the Halo. “We’re bringing higher stakes for everyone,” said executive producer Kiki Wolfkill. “The clock is ticking and that escalates the impact of every decision. There is a propulsion you feel throughout the season—new locations, new challenges to our Spartans and mysterious entities unveiled alongside some very beautiful human moments. The result is both scale and intimacy, loss and hope. We want the audience to not just see our Spartans' journey but feel it, too." The fight for humanity continues when Halo season 2 premieres on February 8.

WATCH THE TRAILER

DID YOU KNOW?

This year, Black Americans in the arts are at the center of Black History Month. On Paramount+, we’ve curated our Black Voices collection, a streaming collection that highlights the stories and boundless contributions of Black trailblazers in the arts, culture, history and beyond. This year’s collection includes inspiring films based on true stories, such as Selma, Red Tails and The Inspection; classic films like Dreamgirls, Beverly Hills Cop and Shaft; and new, critically acclaimed originals such as Lawmen: Bass Reeves, The Chi and America in Black. Just in time for the Lunar New Year, the Paramount+ Original movie The Tiger’s Apprentice is a mystical adventure for the whole family, telling the story of a Chinese-American teen who discovers he, along with the celestial animals of the zodiac, carries the fate of the world. The film is voiced by an incredible cast, including Henry Golding, Brandon Soo Hoo, Lucy Liu, with Sandra Oh and Michelle Yeoh.  The Family Stallone returns for a second season in February with 10 new episodes and some major life changes for our favorite Hollywood household. Fans will watch as the Stallones leave their Los Angeles home and move across the country, with Sly and Jennifer settling down in Palm Beach, Sophia and Sistine starting new adventures in New York City, and Scarlet exploring all that Miami has to offer. Before the season finale, the family reunites in Italy for an unforgettable vacation.    With Valentine's (and Galentine’s) Day on the horizon, we’ve got nothing but love and laughs in February’s Peak Romance collection. New swoon-worthy movies this February include all three Bridget Jones films, Friends with Benefits, Like Water For Chocolate, In & Out and Jersey Girl. These join current hits like How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, Love in Taipei and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! and classic romances like Breakfast at Tiffany's, Pretty in Pink, Dirty Dancing, Funny Face and more!

EXPLORE THE BLACK VOICES COLLECTION

STREAMING SOON

Justin Hartley in Tracker, Vanessa Lachey and LL Cool J in NCIS: Hawai'i and Utkarsh Ambudkar and Rose McIver in Ghosts The wait is over! Brand-new seasons of CBS’ hit series are set to stream next month on Paramount+. CBS Premiere Week kicks off after the Super Bowl on February 11 with new original drama Tracker starring Justin Hartley followed by a week of fan favorite shows returning with original episodes. Premium subscribers can tune in live for the premieres of beloved comedies, such as Ghosts, Bob Heart's Abishola and Young Sheldon and the full line of pulse pounding crime dramas, including NCIS, Blue Bloods, CSI: Vegas, FBI, The Equalizer and more. Premiere dates for returning CBS titles can be found below in Library Shows.

ORIGINALS, EXCLUSIVES, PREMIERES & EVENTS 2/1: A Bloody Lucky Day premiere A down-on-his-luck taxi driver has an uncharacteristic streak of good fortune when he agrees to drive a mysterious man to a faraway city in exchange for an exorbitant fare. 2/2: Kokomo City* The lives of four Black trans sex workers confront the dichotomy between the Black community and themselves in this intimate documentary. 2/2: Past Lives* In this Academy Award® nominated film, Nora and Hae Sung—two deeply connected childhood friends—are parted after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Decades later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront destiny, love and the choices that make a life. 2/2: The Tiger's Apprentice The life of Chinese-American teenager Tom Lee changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians.  2/4: The 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards** It’s music’s biggest night! Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers can livestream the GRAMMY Awards hosted by Trevor Noah and featuring powerful performances from Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Luke Combs, Travis Scott and more. 2/6: #Cybersleuths: The Idaho Murders premiere In this docuseries, TikTok true-crime sleuths sift through clues, explore leads and try to unravel the brutal murders of four students at the University of Idaho. 2/8: Halo Season 2 premiere With the galaxy on the brink of destruction, Master Chief John-117 leads his team of Spartans against the alien threat known as the Covenant. 2/21: The Family Stallone Season 2 premiere There's no place like Stallone. Season 2 of the reality series follows Sly, Jennifer and their daughters as they leave Los Angeles.  2/27: As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial This eye-opening documentary follows Bronx rap artist Kemba as he explores the growing weaponization of rap lyrics in America's criminal justice system and abroad. LIBRARY SHOWS February 7 Bar Rescue (Season 8) Behind The Music (Season 2) Danger Force (Season 2) Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League (Season 1) MTV Couples Retreat (Season 3) Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City Season 1-3 The Love Experiment (Season 1) February 9 Super Bowl Greatest Commercials (2024)** February 11 Tracker (Season 1)** February 12 Bob Hearts Abishola (Season 5)** NCIS (Season 21)** NCIS: Hawai'i (Season 3)** The Neighborhood (Season 6)** February 13 FBI (Season 6)** FBI: International (Season 3)** FBI: Most Wanted (Season 5)** February 14 The Smurfs (2021) (Season 2) VH1 Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition (Seasons 2-3) February 15 Ghosts (Season 3)** So Help Me Todd (Season 2)** Young Sheldon (Season 7)** February 16 100 Days to Indy (Season 1) Blue Bloods (Season 14)** Fire Country (Season 2)** S.W.A.T. (Season 7)** February 18 CSI: Vegas (Season 3)** The Equalizer (Season 4)** February 21 Black Ink Crew Los Angeles (Season 2) Black Ink Crew New York (Season 10) February 28 Air Disasters (Seasons 18-19) Survivor (Season 46)** February 29 Elsbeth (Season 1)** LIBRARY MOVIES February 1 12 Years a Slave 23 Walks A River Runs Through It* A Thousand Words* A Walk on the Moon Agent Revelation Alfie (1966) Alfie (2004) All Styles American Hangman An Unfinished Life Animal Kingdom Another Kind of Wedding Arrivederci, Baby! Barefoot in the Park Bangkok Dangerous* Beastly Beautiful Girls Benefit of the Doubt Birthday Girl Bounce Bound Boys and Girls Bridget Jones’s Baby Bridget Jones's Diary Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason Brown Girl Begins Captive Carolina Case 39 Chicago Chocolate City Clue Cold Brook Cold in July* Colewell Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind* Daniel* Dead Water Dirty Dancing* Dirty Pretty Things* Don't Look Now* Downeast Drillbit Taylor* Echo in the Canyon Ella Enchanted Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt) Enduring Love Enough Said* Extraordinary Measures Fade to Black Fancy Pants Foxfire Freedom Writers Freedom's Path French Postcards Fresh Friedkin Uncut Friends with Benefits Fully Realized Humans Fun in Acapulco Funny Face Game 6 G.I. Blues Girls! Girls! Girls! God's Pocket* Hamlet (2004) Hands Up Harlem Nights Harold and Maude Hell or High Water Hellion* Home for the Holidays Hoop Dreams In & Out It Started In Naples International Falls Interview With the Vampire Italian for Beginners Jersey Girl Just a Kiss KEVIN GARNETT: Anything Is Possible* Kinky Boots (2006) Labor Day Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life Lee Daniels' The Butler Like Water for Chocolate Lincoln Love Jones Love Spreads Love Story Lucky Them* Magnolia Maid in Manhattan Malena Margot at the Wedding Mindhunters* Moonlight and Valentino Morning Glory Murder On The Orient Express* (1974) Muriel’s Wedding Night Falls On Manhattan* No Country for Old Men No Strings Attached Once Upon A Time In The West* Passion Play: Russell Westbrook* Perfect Sense Phil Premature* Project Ithaca Red Tails Rhapsody of Love Risky Business Roman Holiday Romeo and Juliet* Run with the Hunted Sabrina (1954) Sahara Savage Save the Last Dance Shaft (2000) Shuttlecock: Director's Cut Sidewalks of New York Sirens Slow Burn* Sound of Violence Sunset Boulevard Superpower* Superstar Swingers The Appearance The Cider House Rules The Fighting Temptations The First Nudie Musical The Get Together The Good Girl* The Great Gatsby (1974) The Harder They Come The Help The Honeymooners The Iron Giant The Ladies Man The Ledge The Long Kiss Goodnight The Long Shadow The Love Guru The Loved Ones The Original Kings of Comedy The Out-of-Towners (1970) The Out-of-Towners (1999) The Ramen Girl The Romantics The Secret Life of Bees The Sunlit Night The Weather Man The Wrong Todd Tigerland Tone-Deaf Trading Places True Grit (1969) Urban Cowboy Vampire in Brooklyn Virtuosity* Walkaway Joe We Own the Night We Were Soldiers What Breaks the Ice* What Women Want When a Stranger Calls When We Were Kings Wuthering Heights (2003) Why Stop Now William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet* Win A Date With Tad Hamilton! Wish You Were Here Your Sister's Sister Zodiac February 10 Pixie* February 11 The Last Voyage of the Demeter* February 23 End of Watch* SPORTS 2/2-2/3: AFC Asian Cup Quarterfinals 2/3: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Wichita State @ Memphis* 2/3-2/4: PGA TOUR – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Third and Final Round Coverage)* 2/4: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Purdue @ Wisconsin* 2/4: Serie A – Inter vs. Juventus 2/6-2/7: AFC Asian Cup Semifinals 2/8: NFL Honors* 2/9: Super Bowl Greatest Commercials 2024* 2/10: Serie A – Roma vs. Inter 2/10: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Illinois@ Michigan State* 2/10: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Gonzaga @ Kentucky* 2/10: The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary* 2/10: AFC Asian Cup Final 2/11: Serie A – AC Milan vs. Napoli 2/11: YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE! The Show That Changed Sports Television Forever* 2/11: Super Bowl LVIII 2/13: UEFA Champions League – Copenhagen vs. Manchester City 2/13: UEFA Champions League – RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid 2/14: UEFA Champions League – Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Sociedad 2/14: UEFA Champions League – Lazio vs. Bayern Munich 2/15: UEFA Europa League & UEFA Europa Conference League 2/16: Barclays Women’s Super League – Chelsea vs. Manchester City 2/17: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Texas @ Houston* 2/17-2/18: PGA TOUR – The Genesis Invitational (Third and Final Round Coverage)* 2/18: Professional Bull Riders – Los Angeles* 2/18: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Purdue @ Ohio State* 2/20: Concacaf W Gold Cup – U.S. Women’s National Team vs. TBD 2/20: UEFA Champions League – Inter vs. Atlético Madrid 2/20: UEFA Champions League – PSV vs. Borussia Dortmund 2/21: UEFA Champions League – Napoli vs. Barcelona 2/21: UEFA Champions League – Porto vs. Arsenal 2/15: UEFA Europa League & UEFA Europa Conference League 2/23: Concacaf W Gold Cup – U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Argentina 2/24: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Houston @ Baylor* 2/24: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Washington @ Arizona* 2/24: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Alabama @ Kentucky* 2/25: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Creighton @ St. John’s* 2/25: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Purdue @ Michigan* 2/25: NCAA Men’s Basketball – Ohio State @ Michigan State* 2/26: Concacaf W Gold Cup – U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Mexico Throughout February: Italian Serie A competition Throughout February: Concacaf W Gold Cup competition  Throughout February: AFC Men’s Asian Cup competition  Throughout February: Scottish Professional Football League competition Throughout February: UEFA Champions League competition Throughout February: Barclays Women’s Super League competition Throughout February: 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.

Around the Tubes: January 20, 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, Sister Hazel, Zara Larsson, Kool and the Gang, Marcus King, Modern English, The Thread, and The Last Repair Shop.

- GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and international superstar, Ariana Grande announces her highly anticipated seventh full length album, eternal sunshine, to be released on March 8^th via Republic Records and available now for pre-order HERE.  Last Friday, Ariana Grande released the album’s lead single “yes, and?” - written and produced by Ariana Grande, Max Martin, and Ilya Salmanzadeh - accompanied by an official video directed by Christian Breslauer.

- Kicking off 2024, platinum-selling, iconic country/rock band Sister Hazel announced the release of their new track, "Love You More," on Glide Magazine earlier this week. "We wanted this song to be fun and to represent a positive way forward after hard times. Life keeps going and there can always be a person that loves you for who you are," said band's guitarist Ryan Newell when he explained the personal message of the song to Glide Magazine. Sister Hazel is not afraid to be vulnerable, and that shows on their new single about taking a chance on love after being burned. "Love You More" was written by Andrew Copeland, Ryan Newell, and Jack Sizemore, and was produced and mixed by Ben Jackson. The song is being released today by Nashville-based label Rock Ridge Music, with distribution via Warner/ADA. "Love You More" is available for streaming and download here.

- Multiplatinum chart-topping global pop powerhouse Zara Larsson has premiered anthemic new single, “You Love Who You Love.” Get it HERE. The song is the latest track to be taken from her upcoming new album VENUS, due February 9, 2024 Sommer House/Epic Records. Get “You Love Who You Love” HERE and pre-order/pre-save VENUS HERE. VENUS’ goddess-energy is exemplified on “You Love Who You Love,” where Zara summons the Scandi pop-rock anthems of Max Martin in this cautionary tale on toxic relationships. Produced by rising duo MTHR and penned with Larsson’s frequent collaborator MNEK, Zara recalls that “we started writing over PRIDE, and began talking about how amazing it is that anyone can love anyone - but that doesn’t mean you always should! We’ve all had that friend, or been that friend, who keeps going back to someone who’s bad for them, and ‘You Love Who You Love’ is saying enough is enough.”

- The Norwegian Pearl will be sparkling with mirror balls, glitter, and a full-lighted dance floor as The Ultimate Disco Cruise & Beyond embarks from Miami, Florida, on February 19, 2025, for its 5-day voyage. Music lovers from the 70’s era of Disco will take a journey back in time as they relive some of the most fun-loving songs that everyone sings along to.  Filled with non-stop music entertainment that includes award-winning hitmakers KOOL & THE GANG, the latest members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame THE SPINNERS, SHALAMAR featuring HOWARD HEWETT, CAROLYN GRIFFEY, and JEFFREY DANIEL, TAVARES, ROSE ROYCE, THE BROTHERS JOHNSON, LISA LISA, THE LEGENDARY BLUE NOTES, THE TRAMMPS featuring EARL YOUNG, ORIGINAL STONE CITY BAND, GEORGE McCRAE, DOUBLE EXPOSURE, BEE GEES GOLD, and BOOGIE WONDER BAND among others.

- Marcus King announced the release of his new Rick Rubin-produced song “F*ck My Life Up Again,” via American/Republic records. Listen to the song, HERE. Watch the visualizer video, HERE.  The new song marks a significant sonic shift for Marcus King, who has historically been hailed for his virtuosic guitar riffs and preternatural talent. But on “F*ck Up My Life Again,” King lets the spotlight shine on his deeply soulful and arresting vocals, perfectly enhanced with r&b percussion, shimmering organ, lush string arrangements and even a Marcus King guitar solo, though in true Rick Rubin experimental fashion, glitched up and played backwards. The hook is unshakeable, harkening timeless symphonic soul with a decidedly modern take. King lays his feelings bare, reflecting on his tendency to chase unhealthy codependent relationships.

- Modern English is excited to announce the Friday, February 23 release of 1 2 3 4,  the legendary British new wave/post-punk band’s first album of new material in eight years. Produced by Mario J. McNulty (David Bowie, Lou Reed, Nine Inch Nails), mixed by Cenzo Townsend and mastered at Abbey Road, 1 2 3 4 retains the intrinsic spirit of its early post-punk days, and is also a sterling sonic example of what Modern English have always done best.   The album encompasses seething songs with a punk bite (“Long in The Tooth,” “Plastic”), keyboard-forward melodic rockers ("Not Fake,” "Crazy Lovers") and simmering, darkwave-meets-post-punk gems (“Exploding,” “Out to Lunch”). With a touch of subtle themes lifted from After the Snow (1982) and Ricochet Days (1984) that include the environment, aging, failed relationships, love and more, 1 2 3 4 finds the legendary band delving into nostalgia but, as always, exploring new creative territory. With singles “Long in the Tooth” and “Crazy Lovers” released in advance of the announcement, today the band offers “Not My Leader,” a scathing observation on politics in both the U.S. and the UK and how they aren’t dissimilar. 

- Life Stories, a nonprofit media organization that produces and distributes films about people whose lives inspire meaningful change, announced it will stream THE THREAD, a new documentary interview series on YouTube in which exceptional individuals share the different paths they have taken to lead meaningful lives.  16 episodes of THE THREAD will premiere weekly from March 4 - June 17, 2024 and feature interviews with Gloria Estefan, Martin Sheen, Kurt "Big Boy" Alexander, Tony Hawk, Katie Couric, Mitt Romney, and other notable figures. THE THREAD will be made available to the public through the Life Stories website (LifeStories.org), Life Stories YouTube channel, and as a podcast across all major platforms.  THE THREAD: Season One trailer can be seen here: https://youtu.be/jE6blJo48Sw

- ALLBLK, the popular streaming service for Black television and film from AMC Networks, presents the world premiere of new sci-fi movie, Lunar Lockdown. The movie premieres on ALLBLK on Thursday, February 1, 2024.  In the year 2075, the Earth is no longer the home of the United States’ most violent criminals. These convicts are sent to the moon to serve their time under the rule of Warden Felicity Myers (LisaRaye McCoy, A House Divided, Single Ladies). When inmate Christina Jenkins (Laila Odom, Salt-N-Pepa) arrives at the prison she quickly finds out that serving her time quietly is not an option. The women of Orion Colony Prison are used in every way a human can be for personal gain. When an opportunity arises, Jenkins and a group of inmates come together to fight to regain their freedom and dignity.  Additional cast includes Cameo Sherrell (The Haves and the Have Nots), Janeshia Adams-Ginyard (Station 19), Jhone Y. Lucas (The Gen Zone), Leila Weisberg (Deadly Desire), Erica Peeples (All American: Homecoming), Mark Fleischmann (Infinite), and Nari Blair- Mangat (Cinderella).

- From Oscar® and Grammy®-nominated and Emmy®-winning filmmaker, musician and LAUSD star alumni Kris Bowers (A Concerto is a Conversation, Green Book, King Richard, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) and Oscar® winning director Ben Proudfoot (two-time Oscar® nominee for The Queen of Basketball and A Concerto is a Conversation), comes THE LAST REPAIR SHOP, a film about LAUSD’s unique free and freely-repaired musical instrument repair shop, which helped launch countless illustrious careers and millions of music lovers.  Watch Now Here (Full 39-Minute Film): https://youtu.be/xttrkgKXtZ4?si=HO02BhzJAZPN5rMO

Previewing the Woman in the Wall

 

You know you are in for an interesting show when it starts off with a whisper before a woman wakes up in the middle of the road, surrounded by cows, with a little blood on her white nightgown.  When she gets home, “Stay awake” is scribbled on a door and a knife in the picture of Jesus.  Oh yeah, and by the end of the first episode, there will be a woman in the wall.  Hence the title: The Woman in the Wall.

 

The woman who wakes up in the middle of the road is played by Ruth Wilson (The Affair).  She has a long history of trauma-based sleepwalking that goes back to her time in the infamous Magdalene Laundries, institutions that housed promiscuous woman who were forced to work without pay aside from some meager food provisions.  They were essentially prisons.  Wilson’s painful time there is resurrected when she receives note saying, “I know what happened to your child” with a phone number on the back.

 

Around the same time, Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters) is investigating the death of a priest of whom he has a history with.  It does not take very long before the woman and the wall and the dead priest start to interconnect.  The Woman in the Wall is a harrowing tale focusing on one of Ireland’s deepest shame which is only heightened by an unreliable narrator who’s ever growing sleep problems are making her mental state get worse as the show goes along.

 

The Woman in the Wall airs Sundays at 9:00 on Showtime with Paramount+.  Episodes are streaming the previous Friday on Paramount+ with the Showtime plan.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 14: 2024

  

Percy Jackson and the Olympians:   I typically only subscribed to Disney whenever a Marvel and/or Star Wars show was on, but I am now getting it for free so I was able to catch up on this show.  I never read the books, but saw the movie.  It seems like they are taking 10-15 minute scenes from the movie and turning them into 35-45 minute episodes, just with actual children instead of casting adults to play teenagers.  This show really could have used some Daddario because the kids are kind of annoying, especially the titular character.  At least some of the Gods are fun.  Jason Mantzoukus as Dionysus is one of the most inspired casting choices.  Professional wrestler Edge as Ares is another on the nose casting choice that worked.  Shame they did not get Daddario to be Medusa.  Oh well.

 

La Brea:  So Eve was lost to time last season (how gullible do you have to be to believe she just happened to still be in the same time being held by whoever those evil people are), Josh and Riley are also in some TBD time (why were they so certain they are going to a place with a hospital) and Ty somehow warped to two weeks before the show began.  What a wild start.

 

Fargo:  YMCA as the soundtrack to the militia rounding up certainly was an inspired choice.  But I do wonder how the weirdo was able to enter the farm undetected with another person, but Dot, whom I have to assume knows the farm, could not sneak out undetected.

 

The Challenge: Battle for a New Challenge:  Can we just end Chaos already?  It has been a full month since anyone went home.  We at still have at least CT left for the Champs.  It seems like a safe bet he is going to choose "Chaos" get revenge on the time Jay sent him home.  For Jay's sake, hopefully they will not be competing in Hall Brawl or Pole Wrestle.

 

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters:  If they needed the ball to get home, how exactly did young Kurt Russell get home?  Will he not be able to get home the same way now?  Sigh.  This was a failed experiment; hopefully they do not do any more of this.  Just stick to the mildly entertaining movies.

Around the Tubes: January 13, 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 Wednesday, Rick and Morty, Ariana Grande, The Black Crowes, Kid Cudi, Superhot: and The Spicy World of Pepper People.

- From the creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (“Smallville”), and director Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice), the kooky and spooky first season of “Wednesday,” the TV series based on Wednesday Addams of the iconic Addams Family, which streams on Netflix and is produced by MGM Television, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, comes to DVD and Blu-ray March 26, 2024. "Wednesday" Season One will be available to purchase online and in-store from major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.  The series stars Jenna Ortega as Wednesday, Gwendoline Christie as Principal Larissa Weems, Jamie McShane as Sheriff Donovan Galpin, Hunter Doohan as Tyler Galpin, Percy Hynes White as Xavier Thorpe, Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair, and Joy Sunday as Bianca Barclay. Guest stars include Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams, Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams, and Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester.

- Go on an intergalactic adventure across the multi-verse with the critically acclaimed animated hit comedy series from Adult Swim when Rick and Morty: The Complete Seventh Season will be available to own Steelbook Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray Disc and DVD beginning March 12, 2024. Get ready to binge on one of cables #1 watched comedies - and follow the misadventures of America’s favorite crazy scientist and his grandchildren with this outrageous set which includes all 10 episodes from Season 7, along with copious special features curated for the fans, including a deep look into season 7 and its characters: "Directing Unmortricken", "The Characters of Season 7", and "Inside Season 7"  Rick & Morty has won 2 Emmy Awards and has received 5 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Animation Program for 2023.

- GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and international superstar, Ariana Grande releases the official video “yes, and?” today directed by Christian Breslauer. Watch HERE.  The video comes just hours after she dropped the single via Republic Records – listen HERE.

- Legendary rock band The Black Crowes announce their hugely anticipated new album, Happiness Bastards, set for worldwide release March 15 via the band’s own Silver Arrow Records. Produced by GRAMMY Award-Winning producer Jay Joyce, the project is The Black Crowes’ tenth studio album and their first original music in 15 years.  Happiness Bastards is a blistering record that is both fresh, yet quintessential rock n’ roll. The thrilling news is kicked off with the release of the riff-ripping lead single “Wanting and Waiting,” an exhilarating taste of what’s to come with the signature flair and attitude of one of the most vital rock bands of this generation. Listen to “Wanting and Waiting” HERE and watch the single reveal HERE. 2024 marks 40 years since the inception of The Black Crowes, and the Robinson Brothers are claiming this momentous year as their own. Following decades marked by sex, drugs, fights, breakups, and divorce, they are leaving their bullshit behind. Serving as a salute to their past and a celebration of the present and future, the new album includes 10 original tracks, with a very special feature from GRAMMY-nominated superstar Lainey Wilson. While they have dealt with their share of differences over the years, they are now two happy bastards, with a triumphant album to show for it. Pre-Order Happiness Bastards HERE.

- After much anticipation, GRAMMY® Award-winning multi-platinum sonic visionary, artist, producer, actor and director Kid Cudi proudly presents his anxiously awaited ninth studio album, INSANO, out now via Republic Records. Listen HERE. It stands out as his first full-length offering since 2022 and features Travis Scott, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Lil Yachty, DJ Drama as well as the late XXXTentacion. The INSANO album art will come with 4 cover-art variations featuring artwork by renowned artist and designer, KAWS as well as one rendition featuring a character by renowned multimedia artist Glassface. Check them out HERE.

- Hulu has debuted the trailer for upcoming original docu-series "Superhot: The Spicy World of Pepper People."   The docu-series will premiere all ten episodes on January 22, only on Hulu.  Superhot spicy peppers are on fire lately - but while most experiment with heat, others live their lives in pursuit of fire. “Superhot” is a wild ride into the Spicy World of Pepper People – the self-proclaimed chili heads who have taken the chili pill and want to find out how deep the rabbit hole goes. This 10-part series goes deep into a subculture fueled by spice: from the elite growers who strive to create new superhots to the chili eaters who chase the endorphin rush of consuming them. Along the way, one legendary chili head sets out on a quest to answer the spiciest of questions: is there a pepper that can challenge the world’s hottest? 

The Ten Most Anticipated Events of 2024

 

The strikes really put a damper on 2024 as a bunch of things got delay.  Here are the few things this year worth getting at least a little excited about.

 

10.  Obligatory Super-Hero Mentions:  It seems like we may be close to the end of the superhero era.  There will be no DC movies and just one set in the MCU.  Yet, for some reason, Sony’s Spiderverse is still plowing full steam ahead with movies based on characters named Madam Webb and Kraven the Hunter.  Yeah, I have no clue who they are either.

 

9.  2024 Elections (November 5):  Usually elections are higher on my anticipated lists, but if we are barreling towards a race between a senile old man and a senile old man who is also a raving lunatic, my excitement level is fairly low.  Only one of those old farts kicking the bucket or the 14^th Amendment can save us now.

 

8.  Mean Girls (January 12):  A movie musical based on a musical that was based on a movie sounds like a horrible idea, but I am still mildly intrigued by this.

 

7.  The Final Season of La Brea January 9):  Sigh, the guiltiest guilty pleasure on television is coming to an end.

 

6.  True Detective: Night Country (January 14):  I am cautiously optimistic about this one considering it has been diminishing returns since the first season.  But putting it up north adds an interesting wrinkle.

 

5.  House of the Dragon (TBD):  It seemed like the first season was just a preamble with all the time jumping.  Things should finally pick in the second season.

 

4.  Shōgun (February 27):  I am all for a cool samurai show.

 

3.  Ballerina (June 7):  The first attempt at John Wick without John Wick did not get good reviews and was probably little watched as it was on Peacock.  But center a movie around Ana De Armas could be a better second attempt.

 

2.  Self Reliance (January 12):  I am always up for an Anna Kendrick movie especially when it premieres on Hulu.

1.  2024 Paris Olympics (July 26):  There is nothing I get more excited more than the Olympics.  I usually watch as much as I can.  Then to make this installment even better, NBC just announced that they hired Snoop Dogg to be a correspondent.

 

The Twenty-Five Best Movies I Saw in 2023

 

1.  CODA

2.  Everything Everywhere All at Once

3.  John Wick: Chapter 4

4.  Joy Ride

5.  Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

6.  Plane

7.  Beastie Boys Story

8.  The Beanie Bubble

9.  Do Revenge

10.  Fall

11.  Quiz Lady

12.  Boston Strangler

13.  No One Will Save You

14.  The Choice Is Yours

15.  Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend

16.  Flora and Son

17.  All the Bright Places

18.  Shazam! Fury of the Gods

19.  Scream

20.  Kate

21.  Werewolves Within

22.  Wildflower

23.  X

24.  See You on Venus

25.  Avatar: The Way of Water

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 7, 2024

 

 Fargo:  Okay, that opening at the debate was hilarious.  But given our political climate, I think Roy could still easily win as long as no one uncovers the murder he just committed. Which I have a feeling will happen considering how many people knew Danish was going there.  I also wonder just how many bodies are under that windmill.

 

The Challenge: Battle for a New Challenge:  Ha ha ha, Cara Maria talked all this trash and got beat at a physical challenge by a literal stick figure.

 

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters: Once half the cast went through the portal last week, the grandmother still being alive was the easiest best ever, even though the last time we saw her she was being eaten by giant bugs.  Now the question is just how long does she think it has been since was sucked into the portal.  But at least they explained how Kurt Russell does not look 90 like his character should be.  But trying to figure out how time works down there and when will they actually come out when they find a way out is now hurting my brain.

Around the Tubes: January 6, 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 Death and Other Details, The Woman in the Wall, The Chosen, Hazbin Hotel, and The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration.

- Hulu has debuted the trailer for the upcoming original series "Death and Other Details."   The 10-episode murder mystery series premieres January 16, 2024 with two episodes, then one episode weekly, with a two-episode finale on March 5, 2024.  Set amidst the glamor of the global elite, “Death and Other Details” centers on the brilliant and restless Imogene Scott (Violett Beane), who finds herself in the wrong place/wrong time (okay, it was kinda her fault) and becomes the prime suspect in a locked room murder mystery. The setting? A lavishly restored Mediterranean ocean liner. Suspects? Every pampered guest and every exhausted crew member. The problem? To prove her innocence, she must partner with a man she despises—Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin), the world’s greatest detective.

- SHOWTIME today unveiled the official trailer and key art for THE WOMAN IN THE WALL, the six-episode thriller starring and executive produced by BAFTA and Golden Globe Award winner Ruth Wilson (THE AFFAIR, His Dark Materials) and co-starring BAFTA Award nominee Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Peaky Blinders). THE WOMAN IN THE WALL will premiere on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME^® plan on Friday, January 19, before making its on-air debut on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on Sunday, January 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The series also will premiere on Paramount+ on January 19 in Canada, on January 20 in Latin America, Brazil, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and later in the year in Japan.  Written and created by BAFTA Award nominee Joe Murtagh (Calm with Horses), THE WOMAN IN THE WALL centers on Lorna Brady (Wilson), a woman from the small, fictional Irish town of Kilkinure, who wakes one morning to find a corpse in her house. Chillingly, Lorna has no idea who the dead woman is or if she, herself, might be responsible for the apparent murder. That’s because Lorna has long suffered from extreme bouts of sleepwalking ever since she was ripped from her life at the age of 15 and incarcerated in The Kilkinure Convent, a (fictional) home to one of Ireland’s infamous Magdalene Laundries for women. There, Lorna gave birth to her daughter Agnes, who cruelly was taken from her and whose fate Lorna never has known. 

 

- Tickets are now on sale for Season 4 of The Chosen's theatrical release, the first time all episodes of a full season of a TV series will debut exclusively in theaters. The official Season 4 trailer also premiered recently: Watch The Chosen: Official Season 4 Trailer Here  The Chosen Season 4’s theatrical release is distributed by Fathom Events. Tickets can be purchased at: wwww.TheChosenRiseup.com.

- A24 Music and Prime Video shared the second single, “Poison,” from the highly anticipated adult animation series Hazbin Hotel. The high-energy pop track is written and produced by composers Sam Haft and Andrew Underberg, and features showstopping vocals by Blake Roman.  The first season of Hazbin Hotel consists of eight episodes, with four episodes premiering on Prime Video January 19, 2024 and two episodes rolling out weekly through February 2. The series will be available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.  Fans can continue to visit HazbinHotel.com to pre-order special packages that include exclusive Season One merchandise until January 12, when early access to the first two episodes will be available to stream on the A24 App one week before they release on Prime Video, along with a virtual Q&A event with Vivienne Medrano and special guests. They can listen to the first single, “Happy Day in Hell,” which debuted October 20, here. 

- CBS presents THE SUPER BOWL SOULFUL CELEBRATION 25^th ANNIVERSARY, (previously known as the “Super Bowl Gospel Celebration”), to air Saturday, February 10 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+ (live for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand on Pluto TV and cbs.com the day after the special airs)*. Cedric the Entertainer and Tichina Arnold of CBS’ THE NEIGHBORHOOD are confirmed to host.  “I’m thrilled to return to the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration stage in Vegas as co-host of the 25th anniversary broadcast on CBS with my dear friend and ‘The Neighborhood’ co-star, Tichina Arnold,” said Cedric the Entertainer. “A huge congratulations to Melanie Few for creating this amazing celebration of music, faith, and football."

The 100 Best Songs of 2023

1. Stick Season - Noah Kahan 

2. all-american bitch - Olivia Rodrigo 

3. I know it won't work - Gracie Abrams 

4. Into Your Room - Holly Humberstone 

5. get him back! - Olivia Rodrigo 

6. I Remember Everything - Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves 

7. From the Start - Laufey 

8. ceilings - Lizzy McAlpine 

9. bad idea right? - Olivia Rodrigo 

10. Feather - Sabrina Carpenter 

11. Can’t Catch Me Now - Olivia Rodrigo 

12. Kill Bill - SZA 

13. Bewitched - Laufey 

14. Jealous Moon - Sarah Jarosz 

15. De Selby (Part 2) - Hozier 

16. Maestro (Tears Don't Lie) - Wilder Woods 

17. When the Lights Go Out - Sarah Jarosz 

18. Hey Driver - Zach Bryan feat. The War and Treaty 

19. Dance the Night - Dua Lipa 

20. Buy My Round - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats 

21. White Horse - Chris Stapleton 

22. Date Night (Remix) - Kita Alexander feat. Morgan Evans 

 23. True Blue – boygenius 

24. Francesca - Hozier 

25. History Books - The Gaslight Anthem feat. Bruce Springsteen 

26. vampire - Olivia Rodrigo 

27. There It Goes - Maisie Peters 

28. Elvis Impersonators - Holly Humberstone 

29. Houdini - Dua Lipa 

30. Talk Too Much - Reneé Rapp 

31. Run - Maisie Peters 

32. Positive Charge - The Gaslight Anthem 

33. greedy - Tate McRae 

34. Emily I'm Sorry - boygenius 

35. the way things go - beabadoobee 

36. A Night to Remember – beabadoobee and Laufey 

37. Madman's Eyes - Dave Matthews Band 

38. Dial Drunk - Noah Kahan 

39. The Last One - Maisie Peters 

40. All Things End - Hozier 

41. The Cave - NEEDTOBREATHE 

42. Spider Bites - The Gaslight Anthem 

43. Where do we go now? - Gracie Abrams 

44. Devotion - Arlo Parks 

45. Columbus & 89th - Sarah Jarosz 

46. Double Life - Cold War Kids 

47. Homesick - Noah Kahan 

48. 30 - Nas 

49. Little Fires - The Gaslight Anthem 

50. Fantasy - Lauren Spencer Smith with GAYLE & Em Beihold 

51. Autumn - The Gaslight Anthem 

52. Northern Attitude - Noah Kahan with Hozier 

53. Dreams – NEEDTOBREATHE feat. Judah & The Lion 

54. Glue Song - beabadoobee 

55. Heart They Didn't Break - Maddie & Tae 

56. Pretty Girls - Reneé Rapp 

57. Honey - Samia 

58. Fall In Love With Me - Morgan Wade 

59. Pegasus - Arlo Parks ft. Phoebe Bridgers 

60. I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) - Taylor Swift 

61. Monsters - Dave Matthews Band 

62. Strangers - Nickel Creek 

63. Blades - Arlo Parks 

64. Dawns - Zach Bryan feat. Maggie Rogers 

65. Break Free - Dave Matthews Band 

66. Atomic City - U2 

67. The Band And I - Maisie Peters

68. Ultraviolet - MisterWives 

69. Character Development - Allison Ponthier 

70. Sarah's Place - Zach Bryan feat. Noah Kahan 

71. Stay Right Here - Allison Russell 

72. Boyhood - The Japanese House 

73. The Alcott - The National feat. Taylor Swift 

74. Your Mind Is Not Your Friend - The National feat. Phoebe Bridgers

 75. Single Soon - Selena Gomez 

76. Tropic Morning News - The National 

77. Every Chance I Get (I Want You in the Flesh) - Dan Auerbach 

78. So Long - Danielle Ponder 

79. Running Out Of Time - Paramore 

80. Bruises - Reneé Rapp 

81. Feel Good - Jaime Wyatt 

82. Underground - City and Colour

83. Dilemma - Green Day 

84. exes - Tate McRae 

85. Act Natural - Margaret Glaspy 

86. Medal - Emily King 

87. missin u - Tori Kelly 

88. Pretty Boy - LÉON 

89. Body Better - Maisie Peters 

90. Pegasi - Jesca Hoop 

91. Midnight Heat (Live) - Christone “Kingfish” Ingram 

92. Death Wish - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 

93. Days Move Slow - Bully 

94. Odyssey – Beck and Phoenix 

95. I've Loved You For So Long - The Aces 

96. Get Back - Margaret Glaspy 

97. One That Got Away - MUNA 

98. Texas - Jessie Murph feat. Maren Morris 

99. Nervous System - JOSEPH 

100. Thinking About You - Beck

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 24, 2023

 

A Murder at the End of the World:  Yep, I called it, the ending sucked big time.

 

Fargo:  Wild we got an entire episode without Dot.  But somehow the cop’s husband seems almost as bad as Don Draper.  Can either possibly make it to the end of the season?

 

Survivor:  Yep, I called it, Dee won.  But what I would never had guessed was the clusterfork at the last vote where everyone eligible got one vote and for some reason, someone changed their vote from Dee. Why change?  If you think you are getting votes, flipping was not going to change anything.  What stupid ending to a other mediocre at best season.  Hopefully they did a better job casting next one. 

 

The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion:  Okay, that was a cool elimination.

 

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters:  So the evil cooperation found the hacker and just let her go scot free just because Monarch showed up?  What a waste of a storyline.  And when did Kurt Russell get an army?