I Want My Music Television: 4/26/2018

No Tears Left To Cry - Ariana Grande


Ariana Grande is back with moderately entertaining music, but Lionel Richie did a much better job dancing on the ceiling.


Us - James Bay


The first two songs James Bay released from his sophomore album were full, what the fork is happening type songs. The third one is much better.


Bad Bad News - Leon Bridges


I like Leon Bridges and all and this new song is very fun, but I am getting a little tired of people dancing weirdly genre of music videos.


Kings & Queens - Mat Kearney


Here is another unnecessarily choreographed music video, this time from Mat Kearney. At least Bridges’s song had a danceable groove.

Previewing The Handmaid's Tale: Season Two

We got a lot of The Handmaid’s Tale in Trump America think pieces when the show debuted all of which made me roll my eyes. Gilliad is a place run by religious zealots and Trump is by far the least religious and least moral president of my lifetime (and possibly ever) and I lived through a president who stuck cigars in an intern. Sure when (or if) Trump gets impeached, maybe we would have to worry about America turning into Gilliad under Mike Pence, a guy who forced aborted fetuses to have funerals while he was governor of Indiana (that sweeping abortion law was just deemed unconstitutional last week), but certainly not while Trump is still president. If Gilliad were to happen and he was not treated like the other adulterers, Trump would be like the Commander, taking his mistress to sex clubs on the weekend.

That is not to say The Handmaid’s Tale did not deserve all the praise that was heaped on it. The show was a shock to the system, haunting and even funny at times. Elisabeth Moss played the titular with gusto, a compliant slave on the outside with an inner monologue almost as snarky as that of Veronica Mars. While her fellow Handmaids escaped to Canada or send to the fields to work until they die, Moss ends the season still in the service of the Waterford’s.

At the end of last season, Aunt Lydia promised retribution to the Handmaids who refused to execute Janine by stoning. The new season starts up with Lydia fulfilling that promise including an apt and sadistic punishment for the Handmaid who first spoke up for Janine. Well everyone by Offred is punished because she is with child an and a trip to the doctor proves very helpful to June who gains help from someone I did not quite expect.

Where the first season was a rush of blood to the head, the second feels like it has fallen into the dreaded sophomore slump. All the fresh ideas in the first season just feel like retreads when they continue to happen in season two. And at every turn of something interesting in the first couple episodes, things just seem to reset again.

As great as Elisabeth Moss was in the first season, it feels like the second season could have been better spent on the secondary characters that are only sporadically seen at least in the first couple episodes. We get to see Moira adapt to her new life in Canada in the premiere but is not seen for at least the next five episodes. Rory Gilmore, who was last seen in episode five of the first season, does finally reappear in the second episode of this season where we get to see more of the “Unwomen.” Rory does show up one more time in the first half of the season, but I really would like to see more of the camp she was sent to.

We do get to see Rory with her family prior to the revolution and seeing just how Gilliad came to be is always fascinating. Also in flashbacks this season we get to meet June’s mother, who may be even more opinionated than her daughter, as well as Luke’s first wife who makes a great juxtaposition to what June is dealing with in that episode. Apparently the writers are keen on those Trump comparisons because “Resist” sign show up to a speech by Mrs. Waterford in one of her flashbacks. And just when you thought the people of Gilliad could not get any creepier, the Waterford’s get a new houseguest.

Sophomore slumps happen to the best of them and it is not as if The Handmaid’s Tale completely falls off a cliff. There is no Landry kills a dude moment or even a Carrie has sex with a terrorist who killed the vice-president by hacking his pacemaker moment. And unlike Lost, the flashbacks are still interesting in the second season. Really the problem is the flashbacks in the second season are more interesting than what is happening in present day. And there is the problem, the present day scenes have gotten a little stale. But something does happen at the end of the last episode I saw that hopefully sets a spark for things to pick up in the back half of the season.

The first two episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale are available today on Hulu with new episodes every Wednesday.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 4/22/2018

Homeland: Another round of electro-shock therapy for Carrie. Last time was at the end of season one. Though I do not remember her being all that much saner in season two. She did jeopardize Brody by accusing him early only to start boning him. Granted there was months, maybe years between those two seasons so maybe it will work for at least until the end of this season. But Carrie did change, actually gave up running an operation in Russia to win custody for Franny… which lasted almost a full day before giving up Franny and running back to Saul. But I do not understand how catching Simone would save Keane’s presidency. Even proving Russian meddling, I do not see how you can walk back firing your Cabinet.

The Walking Dead: Eugene certainly knows how to play the long game. Sure puking on Rosita was a bit much. But now that Negan was captured (and somehow not killed by slitting his throat during the middle of a zombie apocalypse and no modern medicine) are they really going to do a Maggie vs. Rick next season? Didn’t they already do a big showdown of to kill or not to kill with Carol and Morgan a couple seasons ago? Speaking of Morgan…
You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Fear the Walking Dead: …he is on this show now? Isn’t the spin-off five to ten years behind the original? Did they just fast-forward that much? And just where are they now? The show was in southwest near the ocean but I am not sure that is where they were. I guess all those questions will be answered next week because we did not see any original cast member for more than five seconds this week. And I have to say I am not digging the Token Hot Chick from Lost’s new haircut.
You can download Fear the Walking Dead on iTunes.

Billions: There are fewer things I need to see than a naked old dude. And that is the second naked old naked dude on Showtime in as many months. But those Rhodes boys are messed up. So Papa Rhodes did not turn on his son because he squeezed out his casino land? But if he likes ruthless moves, shouldn’t the Ice Juice thing gain enough respect because that was pretty ruthless all around. Chuck screwed over his father, best friend, and his own back account just to spite Bobby Axelrod.

Supergirl: Did I take copious amounts of drugs or did I really see Kara do Beastie Boys karaoke? That was weird. But where was Saturn Girl? I feel any episode without Saturn Girl is not an episode worth watching.
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.

Lucifer: Wait, how did Cain lose his mark? Was it just by spending time with Decker?
You can download Lucifer on iTunes.

Good Girls: Why do they continue to pay off the blackmailer. Have they yet to realize if she turns them in, the blackmailer is implicating herself too?
You can download Good Girls on iTunes.

Rise: Ted Mosby just continues to be annoying. After just overtaking the orchestra practice from the conductor last week he does the exact same to the set designer this week. Get a grip dude.
You can download Rise on iTunes.

The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars: The first two seasons of Champs vs… sucked for many reason. One of which was that the non-Champs just are not ready for how crazy and stupid the game is. So a switch up was needed. But even that was ruined because the Champs are sticking together even when they are on different teams. Meh. Hopefully this is over quickly like the other Champ vs. seasons.
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Looming Tower: Well, here is the problem with these true crime shows, you know how it ends. I guess there were some surprises, like Martin getting his job back. And that interrogation scene was fascinating after the fact. And I wonder if all the time spent on John’s personal life was simply because of that answering machine scene. But it was a little creepy that John called his mistress instead of his wife and children. But where was Bobby during the attack? He strolls up disheveled but not quite too coved in dust and debris completely out of nowhere just for that scene.
You can stream The Path Hulu.

Survivor: Ghost Island: Meh, I really did not need a return of the gross food challenge. But I am surprised that Gervise's uneaten grubs were not on Ghost Island Seriously, why even have a Ghost Island if half the people sent there do not get anything? Random Blonde #2 could have at least gotten her something that automatically put her in the second round or something.
You can download Survivor: Ghost Island on iTunes.

The Americans: Was I supposed to see anything in that warehouse scene because I felt like I should have been increasing the brightness on my screen because I had no clue what was going on.
You can download The Americans on iTunes.

Gotham: I wondered why they killed Ra’s Al Guil but now I am wondering why they killed him only to bring him back? And why does he no longer want to be dead?
You can download Gotham on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: So did they change the future? I am a bit confused at just what happened especially with Ruby. What was with that white burst? Was that just gavitonium dispersing out of her? And did they not destroy the chamber? If Daisy was to become the Destroyer of Worlds and Von Strucker was the only one that could build it, wouldn’t destroying that be smart?
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 4/20/2018

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz, Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack, Sigrid, Shaggy, James Bay, Amanda Brown, Sheppard, I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman, and Catch-22.

- June 8th sees the release of the complementary OST to the new Eric Clapton documentary, Life In 12 Bars. From Showtime Documentary Films and directed by Oscar-winner, Lili Fini Zanuck, the film takes an unflinching and deeply personal look into the life of the legendary 18-time Grammy Award winning guitarist and multi-million selling recording artist. Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars is currently available on Showtime via streaming and on demand. The OST, available as a 2-CD and 4-LP set plus digital formats, comprises 32 tracks spanning Clapton’s long and illustrious career. (The LP version will be released at the later date of July 20th). It includes tracks by The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Muddy Waters and Clapton’s solo work.

- On May 18, Virgin/UMe lets love rule with the release of Lenny Kravitz’s massively successful Greatest Hits for the very first time on vinyl in the United States. Kravitz’s three-times-platinum 15-track Greatest Hits, originally released in 2000, will finally be made available to all retail outlets in a 2LP 180-gram black vinyl configuration. Additionally, a limited-edition exclusive 180-gram version available from uDiscover will feature custom clear mixed with smoky silver and white swirls on LP1, and custom clear mixed with blue and white smoky swirls on LP2.

- UMe is pleased to announce the release of Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack on June 8. The album comes on the heels of the film’s streaming debuts on Hulu and Amazon Prime following last year’s successful theatrical run and the DVD/Blu-ray releases. The soundtrack is the first official career retrospective compilation for the guitar virtuoso, Mick Ronson, known affectionately as “Ronno.” As well as highlights from Ronson’s solo records, the compilation includes material from his key collaborations with David Bowie, Elton John, Ian Hunter, Michael Chapman and Queen. The album also includes a previously unreleased cover version of “This Is For You” by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and a piano tribute to Ronson from Bowie’s piano-man and band alumni Mike Garson (David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins). The soundtrack includes extensive essay & liner notes and will be available on CD and digital and heavy-weight 180-gram black vinyl. There will also be a limited edition red vinyl version available exclusively at uDiscover. Pre-order Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack now on CD/digital or vinyl. Limited edition red vinyl.

- High Five is the third in a collection of brand new material from BBC Sound of 2018 winner and the most exceptional breakout star of the year, Sigrid. The colossal pop song ‘High Five’ is about “the importance of those relations where you both dare to be completely honest with each other, rather than exchanging superficial ‘high fives’” says the 21-year-old pop sensation. The anthemic track follows the beautifully poignant ‘I Don’t Want To Know’ and the unadulterated ‘Raw’, a collection of songs that will culminate in an EP. Last week Sigrid sold-out her Somerset House headline on 11 July within hours, the first to sell out in the Summer Series, which includes Jorja Smith, De La Soul and MGMT. Sigrid begins festival season with a much-anticipated Coachella performance this weekend. Listen to High Five here.

- Iconic Jamaican reggae singer Shaggy is back with the visuals to his new single Why featuring Toronto singer, Massari. Why is available on all streaming platforms via 300 Entertainment and Brooklyn Knights Entertainment. Shaggy has had an incredible year. Currently, he is readying a joint album release with Sting and a performance at Queen Elizabeth’s birthday party.

- Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multiplatinum singer-songwriter James Bay unveils the official music video for his latest single “Us.” Watch it HERE.

- Amanda Brown has built her career off of taking risks that provoke intense reactions. Her highly anticipated new album, Dirty Water, brims with a distinct confidence, the kind earned by choosing personal truth over people pleasing. The album meditates on the complexity of life’s ups and downs, as told by Brown’s unmistakable vocals -- capable of awe-inspiring power and delicate nuances. Dirty Water is set to release on May 11 and the album’s next single, “No Good,” is now available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play, and Spotify.

- Brisbane hitmakers Sheppard drop their brand new single Riding The Wave this week along with news of their second album Watching The Sky which will hit stores globally on June 8. Check out Riding The Wave Here.

- Hulu has ordered 11 episodes of I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman to return on September 6th, 2018. This season of the hit variety series will return just in time for some seriously funny conversation around the midterm elections.

- Hulu announced this week that Emmy-winning actor Kyle Chandler has joined the cast of Catch-22, from Paramount Television, Anonymous Content, George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Kyle Chandler has been cast as Colonel Cathcart in Hulu's six-part limited series Catch-22, from Paramount Television, Anonymous Content, George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Colonel Cathcart is a full Colonel that takes himself very seriously. George Clooney will now play Scheisskopf. Scheisskopf is a training commander at cadet school in California. Ambitious, humorless, inept, angry, sadistic – and above all else, obsessed with parades and winning parade tournaments. At cadet school he makes the men’s lives a living hell. Deep down he’s just an angry idiot, so there’s no real danger he’ll ever be sent overseas. And then: he is sent overseas. As the Head of Operations for the entire Mediterranean Theater. And straight back into Yossarian’s life.

The Voice Season Fourteen Knockout Round Power Rankings

I got a press release this week that season three’s Amanda Brown will be releasing her debut album soon. She was a staple in my Best of the Voice list until the best orginals list since she had not released anything despite her season aring in 2012. It is nice to see she is finally releasing her own music.

I bring this up now because nothing that happening on the current season of the show is worth mentioning. Yeah, I am officially out on this season. I am kind of surprised I made it this far. But before I go, here is my final ranking of this subpar season.

1. Spensha Baker (Team Blake) – Can we just advance her to the finals? I fear America’s dislike of black chicks may hurt her. But if anyone can do it, Blake probably can.

2. Terrence Cunningham (Team Alicia) – He was so subtal on Stars it seemed like he went way too far in the other way this week. And that song is too repetitive for a singing competition.

3. Tish Haynes Keys (Team Kelly) -After all the RnB singers who over did it this round, Tish was actually kind of understated, at least at first.

4. Kelsea Johnson (Team Alicia) – Kind of boring, but let’s be honest, no one really stuck out this round.

5. Kyla Jade (Team Blake) – I have liked Kyla, but that was a bit much.

6. D.R. King (Team Kelly) – Again, a way bit too much.

7. Rayshun LaMarr (Team Adam) – Again, just way too overdone.

8. Gary Edwards (Team Adam Blake) – Kind of boring.

9. Mia Boostrom (Team Adam) – I have been waiting for Mia to sing a song that did not suck and while this song is not bad, it is repetitive.

10. Brynn Cartelli (Team Kelly) – Sure, good for fourteen, but I do not grade on a curve.

11. Sharane Calister (Team Alicia Adam) – Wait, who was she again? Did she just show up this round? I have no idea what songs she did in the first two rounds. Or why Adam used his Steal on her.

12. Jackie Foster (Team Kelly Adam Alicia) –I believe this is the second or third time Evanescence has been on this show and yet no one has done My Immortal which seems like it would be great for a singing competition. As for Jackie, she did nothing to take this away from boring karaoke and anything worthy of a Steal.

13. Johnny Bliss (Team Alicia) – Alive is one of those songs that is alright the first time you hear it but gets annoying with every successive listening. And Johnny did nothing to improve it. Actually he made it worse by screaming at the end.

14. Britton Buchanan (Team Alicia) – That was kind of breathy. And nothing more annoying than someone leaving their instrument during the middle of a song. Nothing says this I just a prop than that.

15. Dylan Hartigan (Team Kelly Blake Kelly) – Did he really try to turn a Ray LaMontange song into a slow jam baby-making song? Weird.

16. Christiana Danielle (Team Alicia) – The most overrated this season, I was right for Alicia to cut her loose.

17. Alexa Cappelli (Team Kelly) – Maybe one of the least memorable singer to ever make the Live Shows. I am not saying Jorge was good or anything, but at least I remember him.

18. Drew Cole (Team Adam) – Drew really needs to be banned from picking the songs he sings. Dude just has horrible taste in music.

19. Pryor Baird (Team Blake) – His weakest performance but lucky for him he was going up againsta lay-up.

20. Kaleb Lee (Team Blake Kelly) – When the Caleb / Justin was announced I thought it was going to a bloodbath with Kelly’s vaunted Block going against someone who did not even deserve a Steal. And though Caleb did not really deserve to advance on its own merit, wow, did Justin bomb.

21. Reid Umstattd (Team Adam) – Montage win… yawn.

22. Jackie Verna (Team Adam) – Well that was boring.

23. Wilkes (Team Blake) – What the flying fork was that? Sad thing is I do not even think he was the first dude to sing this shirty song on the show. Hopefully he is the last.

24. Austin Giorgio (Team Blake) – When the Steal was introduced, Blake made some of the most dumbfounding Steals, but eventually started Stealing some worthy contestants. Now with the introduction of the Save, he is back to making dumbfounded decisions again.

But who cares what I think, here is how they ranked by their highest iTunes ranking.

1. Brynn Cartelli (58)
2. Kyla Jade (81)
3. Caleb Lee (94)
4. Reid Umstattd (107)
5. Kelsea Johnson (129)
6. Spensha Baker (135)
7. Johnny Bliss (181)
8. Britton Buchanan (180)
9. Christiana Danielle (197)
10. Wilkes (205)
11. Rayshun LaMarr (250)
12. Dylan Hartigan (272)
13. Terrence Cunningham (280)
14. Mia Boostrom (280)
15. Pryor Baird (281)
16. Tish Haynes Keys (318)
17. Jackie Foster (321)
18. Drew Cole (323)
19. Sharane Calister (333)
20. Austin Giorgio (338)
21. Jackie Verna (406)
22. Alexa Cappelli (422)
23. Gary Edwards (492)
24. Livia Faith and Terrence Cunningham (513)
25. Brynn Cartelli – Beneath Your Beautiful (866)
26. Britton Buchanan and Jaclyn Lovey (836)
27. Brynn Cartelli and Dylan Hartigan (933)
28. D.R. King and Jackie Foster (1227)
29. Terrence Cunningham – My Girl (1357)
30. D.R. King (1306)

And if you average the peaks in each round (of those that charted all three of their songs):

1. Brynn Cartelli (121.3)
2. Terrence Cunningham (138)
3. Britton Buchanan (155)
4. Christiana Danielle (164.6)
5. Drew Cole (226)
6. Rayshun LaMarr (301.6)
7. Reid Umstattd (312)
8. Kelsea Johnson (324)
9. Dylan Hartigan (341.3)
10. Pryor Baird (343.3)
11. Wilkes (353.5)
12. Sharane Calister (400.6)
13. Spensha Baker (433.3)
14. Kaleb Lee (450.5)
15. Jackie Foster (524.5)
16. Jackie Verna (538)
17. D.R. King (801)

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 4/15/2018

Homeland: How profound that the president says she is turning into the person her detractors says she is. Maybe that is the overarching theme to this season. But poor Carrie, relegated to “Useful Idiot.” Sure horrible parent definitely (wait, did she run over Frannie or not). The senator makes sense because all of ours seem like partisan hacks that are quick to say anything they think will help their side or hurt the other. But, c’mon, just how easy was it for the Russian to get into the hospital? After these people were able to extract Simone, how do you not beef up presence at the hospital? How could you not at least have someone right outside the room?

The Walking Dead: Meh, I thought Simon was a much better villain than Negan. They killed off the wrong bad guy.
You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Billions: Well Chuck’s buddy turned on him pretty quickly. I wonder if Chuck accounted for that or not. Chuck was quick to end the conversation after his buddy said that would be the last time they talked after it was over. And just what will Connelly do with that information? He almost got turned by Bobby in the first season, could he be the next to turn on Chuck?

Good Girls: I wonder a what point the “Good Girls” decide to cut their losses because they just seem to dig themselves a bigger hole every week, now being blackmailed monthly. Oh wait, they cannot because there would be no show.
You can download Good Girls on iTunes.

Rise: So Simon did not even last an episode at the private school? I guess that was longer than I thought, I did not think he would make it there. And what was with the hissy fit his father threw when he gave in? I hope the season does not end with him enjoying the musical.
You can download Rise on iTunes.

The Challenge: Vendettas: The was complete and utter bullshirt. Not only that but this was the second straight season they had a second Reunion show where they announce the winner.
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Looming Tower: The biggest problems with historical shows are that they are easily spoiled by Wikipedia. And when I started watching this show I did not even go to Wikipedia for spoilers, I just wanted to see what John O’Neil’s official title was. And there I saw his death was dated 9/11/2001. Oops. I stopped reading there so I did not know how exactly he died. To leave the FBI to take a job as head of security of the World Trade Center was really tragic. But that was a weird chose of editing of the show. They started off with more time spent in the 2004 hearing than the previous episodes before, but then end with the exact same hearing but the real people. I wonder if we are just going to get stock footage in the finale.
You can stream The Path Hulu.

Survivor: Ghost Island: I routinely peruse Twitter during ad breaks and one Tweet that caught my eye was someone asking for the number of Idols played setting the number at 1.5. I had to reply over because after everyone but Dominick and Wendell went to “get water” they would have to play their Idols. Then Chris would be stupid not to play his. Michael may even play his out of fear.

I was shocked that Wendell saved his and it turns out Chris is just that stupid. I guess I should have figured that by risking his vote at Ghost Island. Sure the first guess is just fifty-fifty but there is only a twenty-five percent chance of guessing right twice in a row. And just how stupid do you have to be to have someone gunning for you, risk your vote for an extra day to use your Idol. Take the Idol and vote and use them both. How many Idols were at Ghost Island because people held on to them too long?
You can download Survivor: Ghost Island on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: I wonder if the near miss with the robots will scare Simmons or embolden her thoughts of invincibility even more. I still think the more invincible they think they are, the more likely one of them dies. I can totally see Fitz sacrificing himself thinking he has to make it out alive, only to die but only to find out Simmons is already pregnant so no need for him to be around. That would worry me. But Daisy showed exactly why she deserved the Destroyer of Worlds treatment because she wiped the floor with Ruby in pretty short order.
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 4/13/2018

-

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Claws, Patrick Melrose, The Chinese Exclusion Act, Florence + the Machine, Snow Patrol, The Weeknd, Madison Ryann Ward, Drop the Mic, and Million Dollar American Princess: Meghan Markle.

- TNT's Claws is back, and the fierce women of the Nail Artisans of Manatee County are now under new management – the Russians. Niecy Nash, Carrie Preston, Judy Reyes, Karrueche Tran, Jenn Lyon, Jack Kesy, Kevin Rankin, Jason Antoon, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Suleka Mathew, Harold Perrineau and Dean Norris star in the hour-long dramedy series, which returns for season two on Sunday, June 10, at 9:00 on TNT.


- Showtime has unveiled a new video tease for its new five-part limited series Patrick Melrose starring Oscar nominee and Emmy® winner Benedict Cumberbatch. Based on the acclaimed Patrick Melrose series of semi-autobiographical novels written by Edward St. Aubyn, the series will premiere on Saturday, May 12 at 9:00. Patrick Melrose is an acerbic and fearless look at the protagonist’s harrowing odyssey from a deeply traumatic childhood to his remarkable survival as an adult. In scheduling Patrick Melrose for five consecutive Saturdays, Showtime is expanding to a new night of original programming, joining the network’s existing sports and movie offerings on Saturday nights.

- On May 6th, 1882 – on the eve of the greatest wave of immigration in American history – President Chester A. Arthur signed into law a unique piece of federal legislation. Called the Chinese Exclusion Act, it singled out by name and race a single nationality for special treatment: making it illegal for Chinese laborers to enter America on pain of imprisonment and for Chinese nationals ever to become citizens of the United States. The Chinese Exclusion Act, a two-hour film for national broadcast on PBS during the 2018 season, will explore in riveting detail this little known, yet deeply resonant and revealing episode in American history – one that sheds enormous light on key aspects of the history of American civil liberties, immigration, and culture – during one of the most formative periods of U.S. history. Directed by Ric Burns and Li-Shin Yu. Narrated by Hoon Lee and featuring the voices of Russell Wong, Fenton Lee, Yuet-Fung Ho and Josh Hamilton. Produced by Steeplechase Films and the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). Premieres Tuesday, May 29, 2018 from 8:00 on PBS.


- Florence + the Machine unveil a brand new track, Sky Full Of Song today. Listen and watch the A.G. Rojas-directed video HERE. In partnership with Record Store Day, a limited edition, double A-side 7” vinyl will follow on April 21.

- Today, Snow Patrol debut their music video for Life On Earth, a new song from Wildness, the band’s first record in seven years. The music video was premiered today by British Astronaut Tim Peake and was shot at the European Space Agency in Holland. Watch the music video for Life On Earth here.

- Grammy Award®-winning and multi-platinum selling music artist The Weeknd has released a video for Call Out My Name. Watch the video HERE. The Weeknd secured his third consecutive #1 album with My Dear Melancholy,. In addition to the #1 album, all 6 tracks from the project landed in the Top 40 of the Hot 100.

- While on a trip to New York, Madison Ryann Ward wrote the melody to Mirror, a song that would go on to be the first single on her upcoming debut album. The idea came to her while at a taping of Jimmy Fallon where she watched her friend James Poyser play in the show’s band, The Roots. Eager to work out the chords for the melody that floated around in her head, she ducked in a Guitar Center in Times Square to find a keyboard and record a voice note on her phone that same night.

- Drop the Mic continues to bring the heat with more epic celebrity rap battles in Season 2 including:
Seth Rogen vs. Joseph Gordon-Levitt Shawn Mendes vs. Odell Beckham Jr.
Charli XCX vs. Tove Lo James Corden vs. Dr. Phil
Mark McGrath vs. Jodie Sweetin Karrueche Tran vs. Taye Diggs
Shaggy vs. Matthew Lillard Chris Jericho vs. Laila Ali
Hanson vs. Sam Richardson Michael K. Williams vs. Trevor Jackson
Redemption Battle with The Walking Dead's Chad L. Coleman vs. Chandler Riggs
Previously announced battles include Shaquille O’Neal vs. Ken Jeong, Luis Fonsi vs. Terry Crews, Molly Ringwald vs. Jon Cryer, Jerry Springer vs. Ricki Lake, Assassination of Gianni Versace star Darren Criss vs. Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo, Jay Pharaoh vs. Marlon Wayans, Luis Guzman vs. Gabriel Iglesias, Lindsey Vonn vs. Gus Kenworthy, and “Glow” vs. “Pro” which includes Glow cast members Jackie Tohn, Kate Nash, Sunita Mani and Britney Young battling against WWE Superstars Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Carmella and Alicia Fox. Drop the Mic, hosted by Method Man and Hailey Baldwin, returns to TBS on Sunday, April 15th at 10:30 with season premiere rap battle showdowns with Shaquille O’Neal vs. Ken Jeong and Jerry Springer vs. Ricki Lake. Drop the Mic is produced by CBS Television Studios and Fulwell 73 Productions.

- As the world waits for the wedding of Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle on May 19, Smithsonian Channel™ takes a unique look at the couple’s relationship through a historical lens to spotlight how this revolutionary royal couple is following in a long tradition of exceptional American women who married into European nobility. This special edition of the hit series MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES combines archival material and interviews to explore Meghan Markle’s story in the context of other American “princesses” – from Consuelo Vanderbilt to Rita Hayworth and Grace Kelly – who crossed the Atlantic before her to marry into European aristocracy. Million Dollar American Princess: Meghan Markle premieres Sunday, May 13 at 9:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

I Want My Music Television: 4/12/2018

A Good Night - John Legend featuring BloodPop®


The whole swipe right theme is so obvious; it is surprising no one did it as a video before John Legend. And I do like the disco vibe of the song.


Framed - Eminem


Hasn’t Eminem already done the creepy insane asylum music video already?


Pynk - Janelle Monáe featuring Grimes


Well Janelle Monáe is not at all subtle with visuals here.


Rich - Maren Morris


Well that was funny and a much better Maren Morris song than the horrible super bland EDM-light Middle song.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 4/8/2018

Homeland: Finally Carrie’s sister has put her foot down and started to get custody of Franny. Long overdue. I never knew how anyone could think Carrie could care for a child. Hopefully Carrie never gain full custody of her again. But the bigger news of the episode is that Saul and Carrie are back at a black site interrogating a possible terrorist that Carrie was banging. Very similar to Brody in season two. Except they did not almost kill Brody. But if Dante is dead and Simone is in the wind, what is next? A manhunt for Simone? Although that scene with Simone and the Senator was weird. Was he really just testing her or is there more? I think there may be more conspirators out there. Maybe the Senator. Maybe the Vice President. It would be weird to bring in Beau Bridges for just one scene

Billions: Kind of an unfortunate Mark Cuban cameo. He might be as toxic as Bobby at this point. That judge was pretty indignant for someone who asked a prosecutor to look the other way on his son’s indiscretion. Asking him to step aside is a pretty small ask compared to his.

Rise: Of course the best episode so far would be the one with the most football. Granted I do not remember Matt Sarasen having an embarrassing lose like that.
You can download Rise on iTunes.

The Challenge: Vendettas: They pulled that, find out who wins at the reunion crap last season and it is still annoying. If you are going to pull that crap, just do what Survivor does and put the reunion show on right after the finale. Almost as dumb was the Mercenaries brought in to play High / Low the easiest card game to win. And everyone but Cam did. Seriously, at least make it interesting and do Blackjack or something a little more challenging.
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

Legion: Usually I need a lengthy “Previously On” montage to start every season, but I was not even mad we did not even get one for this show because I do not think anything even happened last season. I remember Aubrey Plaza turning out to be evil and David getting sucked into that orb, but was there anything else last season that was even important? And was David getting sucked into that orb really that important? He started in the company of his friends, albeit in a comatose state. Everyone was so interested what happened in the orb, which, yes was interesting, but what happened in that year outside that orb? Just how did they find David and get him out of the orb? And why do we need a dance sequence in every season premiere?
You can download Legion on iTunes.

The Looming Tower: It is really depressing watching the changeover in government because it looks so very similar to the most recent change. A new president who does the opposite out of spite and a new cabinet who has to treat the president like they are teaching a third grader. But I am surprised out how bad Secretary Rice looks. In eight months she does deliver the memo about Bin Laden wanting to strike America, but here she does not like talk of possibilities.
You can stream The Path Hulu.

Survivor: Ghost Island: One of the worst parts of maybe the last decade of Survivor seasons is everyone now knows you take the annoying people to the finals because they are easy to beat. So all of the likable people get booted early and more and more annoying people who would be out first in early season stay on television to annoy the viewers longer. Then this week it was extremely shocking that that the annoying dude was sent home, even by his own majority original Tribe, instead of the hot chick that everyone knows is a strategic threat. Horrible move but I applaud it because I would much rather have a hot chick than an annoying dude on my television screen.

And looking at the previews, it looks like the original Naviti will vote out another of their own as the Chris vs. Dominick feud will be reunited which will thankfully be another annoying dude gone. But I guess you are expendable if you go into merge eight-five. On the other hand, with three Hidden Immunity Idols, a Legacy Advantage, and Kellyn’s Extra Vote, and who knows what else at Ghost Island next week, you may want to have a vote splitting majority just in case. Speaking of Ghost Island (though neither were found there), why did the show burn two of the five best moments in Survivor history in one episode? But anyway, I cannot get enough of the Ice Cream Scooper and “It’s a forking stick!”
You can download Survivor: Ghost Island on iTunes.

The Blacklist: Yeah, I am kind of with the what the big deal about someone going around killing child rapists crowd. Give that girl a medal.
You can download The Blacklist on iTunes.

The Americans: Does Elizabeth running more jobs than usual this season? She got three this episode, the home nurse, infiltrating the summit, and getting back in touch with the general. I am guessing this is intentional without Philip any more But how does Philip no longer have time for clients now? Shouldn’t he have more time for the travel agency now that he is no longer moonlighting as a spy? And while Elizabeth was doing her nursing, I wonder how much preparation goes into get assignment. Did she go to nursing school? Read a couple books to pass as a nurse? Is she completely winging it?
You can download The Americans on iTunes.

Gotham: I have a sinking suspicion that Jerome’s brother will end up being The Joker. And I know he is not a Batman villain, but how can you have a bad guy brunch without Black Manta.
You can download Gotham on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: I am now convinced that one of the people who think they are invincible are going to die by the end of the season.
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 4/6/2018

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Brian Wilson, Yellow Submarine, Erin O’Dowd, Jade Bird, Rosetta Tharpe, The Affair, Ice Bridge: The Impossible Journey, Catch-22, and The Last O.G..

- Harmonies. That’s what Christmas songs are all about for music legend Brian Wilson. From the seminal 1964 classic The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album to his acclaimed 2005 solo effort What I Really Want for Christmas Wilson has been bringing holiday cheer to the world for more than five decades. This holiday season, for the first time Wilson and his crack band of musicians and vocalists along with long time bandmates Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin will be performing the Christmas Album in its entirety along with cuts from his solo Christmas album and other holiday fan favorites. For ticket info please visit: brianwilson.com.

- Abramorama announced today a deal with Apple Corps Ltd. and Universal Music Group (UMG) to theatrically release The Beatles’ classic 1968 animated feature film, Yellow Submarine, across North America this July in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Abramorama, Apple Corps Ltd. and UMG have teamed to give Beatles fans of all ages the opportunity to come together and share in this visually stunning movie and soundtrack. Abramorama originally partnered with Apple Corps, Imagine Entertainment, White Horse Pictures, StudioCanal and UMG’s Polygram Entertainment on the Ron Howard documentary The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years. Abramorama has a proven track record in the music-driven film space, partnering numerous times with Neil Young, Pearl Jam and Green Day and now once again with Apple Corps Ltd.

- Erin O’Dowd announces her debut album, Old Town, set for release on May 4, 2018 via Horton Records. Produced by Travis Linville, Rolling Stone acclaimed singer-songwriter and longtime guitarist for Hayes Carll, the album is a tribute to O’Dowd’s Oklahoma roots. Noted for her skilled songwriting and often compared to legends like Emmylou Harris and Loretta Lynn, Old Town is a refined introduction to who O’Dowd is as an artist. The album offers a fresh perspective of roots music that weaves introspective lyrics through influences of classic country, psychedelic folk, and soul-driven Americana. In addition to a variety of instrumentation by Linville, Old Town has an all-star instrumental lineup, including Grammy-nominated John Fullbright on keys and legendary Midwest pedal steel player Roger Ray of the Red Dirt Rangers. American Songwriter announced the album and premiered the video for the first single, “Trick Pony” today. Old Town is available for pre-order on April 6 via iTunes, with a free instant download of “Trick Pony”.

- Jade Bird: Lottery: The Tonigh Show:


- As The Godmother of Rock & Roll Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s highly-anticipated induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Early Influences wing approaches, Verve/UMe is bringing the trailblazer’s vaunted catalog into the digital age, making more than 200 songs available for download and streaming, most for the first time ever. The initiative, which includes seven long out-of-print albums and all 130 singles she recorded for Decca between 1938 and 1956, began on March 30 with the release of three albums: 1951’s gospel hymns LP Blessed Assurance, originally on a Decca 10-inch LP and now expanded with three rare bonus tracks; an expanded edition of her acclaimed 1958 Decca collection, Gospel Train, with two rare bonus tracks; and her spirited 1960 self-titled album Sister Rosetta Tharpe,

- Showtime has released a new teaser for season four of the Golden Globe® Award winning drama series The Affair. The series, starring Golden Globe nominee Dominic West, Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson, Emmy® Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Maura Tierney and Screen Actors Guild Award® nominee Joshua Jackson, will premiere on Sunday, June 17 at 9:00.


- An astonishing discovery found jutting from an eroding coastal cliff on an island in the Chesapeake Bay in 2012 is challenging scientists’ long-held theory about the first humans to inhabit North America – where they originated, and how and when they arrived. It points to an explosive theory: Ice Age people made an epic journey across a massive ice bridge spanning a frozen Atlantic about six thousand years before people trekked across what is now the Bering Strait. The extraordinary find could rewrite history and upend our understanding of early human migration. Using archaeology, geology and genetics, a new one-hour documentary follows the expedition and search to uncover new evidence that could unravel the 20,000-year-old mystery. The film uses re-creation and state-of-the-art CGI to bring to life the ancient frozen wilderness and the fearsome Ice Age beasts that once ruled our continent. Ice Bridge: The Impossible Journey premieres Wednesday, April 18 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- Hulu announced this week that Golden Globe Award-winning actor Hugh Laurie has joined the cast of Hulu's Original limited series Catch-22 from Paramount Television, Anonymous Content, George Clooney and Grant Heslov.

- He’s back! TBS’ The Last O.G. starring Tracy Morgan, Tiffany Haddish and executive produced by Jordan Peele has claimed cable’s top comedy slot with Tuesday’s premiere generating 1.8M total viewers and 882K 18-49 viewers in Live + Same Day and is expected to hit a Live +7 projection of 1.252M. The series is tracking as #1 among all cable comedies this year, including premium services. This marks the biggest cable comedy premiere since 2016, the largest scripted cable comedy premiere since 2015, and the strongest TBS original debut ever. More than 6.9M total viewers (3.3M 18-49) tuned into the show over a three-night, five-telecast launch on TBS and TNT following the NCAA Final Four tournament.

Previewing The Last O.G.

In a measure of full disclosure, I have never been much of a Tracy Morgan fan. Not when he was on Saturday Night Live and gave up on 30 Rock mostly because of him after one episode. But I have to admit, I laughed quite a lot at the trailer for his new show, The Last O.G. Plus it is on TBS, secretly one of the best networks on television with each of their original live action shows are at the very least watchable. The show was also created by recent Oscar winner Jordan Peele.

The show stars Morgan as a recently released from prison for drug dealing after fifteen years and is ready to reunite with his girl (Tiffany Haddish, The Carmichael Show) only to find out she is married to a boring white dude who is raising fifteen year old twins. Even Tracy Morgan can do the math on that. While trying to reconnect, he has to do it at a halfway house run by Cedric the Entertainer.

Okay, The Last O.G. turned out to be one of those movies where most if not all of funniest bit are in the trailer and the rest of the movie drags while moving slowly onto the next joke. Gentrification is a great joke in the trailer, but is rarely mentioned after that. A person coming back to a place that has moved on without them is a great hook for a story but really Morgan is quick to adapt on the new show.

Instead the show is basically split into two different stories. There is Morgan trying to connect with his children with Haddish unfortunately wasted as the wet blanket who rightfully found a better life for her and her kids. The other is with Cedric with Morgan and the other ex-convicts acting like baboons. Obviously this is the more entertaining part of the show. But even that may not keep me from tuning in, which would be the first TBS show I did not finish the season in years.

The Last O.G. airs Tuesdays at 10:30 on TBS.

The Voice Season Fourteen Battle Round Power Rankings

Well that was an utterly boring Battle Round. Every time there was a Steal, I thought… why? And then realize, oh, they were Stolen because there was not anyone better. At least it was boring until the final episode where the top four singers on my Blind Audition Power Rankings were left to perform. Or so I thought. We finally got someone worthy of a Steal. Except Livia was on Team Alicia and Alicia was the only one who had a Steal left so we knew that was not happening.

This has been my main complaint since they have introduced the Steals is that it screws over anyone who goes late because clearly the coaches use their Steals early. I have long thought the solution is to give the coaches unlimited Steals with the caveat that they can only take two of them into the Knockouts (and from the Knockouts, one Steal to the Playoffs). Then after the round, you set it up like the Twitter Save where all that coach’s Steals in rapid succession perform one last Save Me song then the coach picks two. So win-win, we get the best talent advancing (assuming the coaches pick wisely which is not always the case) and hopefully no one goes home prematurely.

But after Livia was inexplicably was sent home, you would think that was the last bit of fireworks of the season because we knew Alicia was going to Steal whoever last the last Battle, but first we got I thought would be a routine Montage, the first ever transgendered dude on the show got montaged off the show after an awkward three second clip, Blake picked between two novelty acts, then the big shocker was left for the end, Carson announced Hannah Goebel left the show “for personal reason.” Wait, what?

Hannah was number two on my Power Ranking, and when the pairing was announced, I though Hannah vs. Alexa was the biggest mismatch on Team Kelly. The thing is, this has only happened once with someone leaving the show and that turned out someone left to enter rehab and that singer ended up dying not much later. Hannah did mention on social media that night that she is well and still has her voice but it is vague on what exactly made her leave. She did stay around late enough to record her Battle song for iTunes so whatever happened did happened quickly. So hopefully she is truly doing well. And if the personal reason was something out of her control they let her try out again because she was one of the few standouts this season. But here is my rankings of those that will be going to the Knockouts.


1. Terrence Cunningham (Team Alicia) – He topped my list after the Blinds and no reason to have him fall even if this performance was quite subdued. I may have even picked Livia instead.

2. Spensha Baker (Team Blake) – Blake’s black chick who wanted to sing country last season came off as a novelty, but Spensha comes off as much more genuine. She can win.

3. Drew Cole (Team Adam) – I wrote Drew off as a novelty in the Blinds, but that was really good.

4. Wilkes (Team Blake) – A couple seasons ago Lauren Duski sang a cool country version of a nineties song and then Blake had her sing mostly boring country songs. Wilkes auditioned with a nineties rock song but I hope does not make him sing boring country songs every week.

5. Britton Buchanan (Team Alicia) – Had he had been doing Christian death metal, I may have thought it was Landry Clarke up there.

6. Rayshun LaMarr (Team Adam) – That was one of the Battles where it not even worth picking, they were both good, enough to advance, but neither will make much dent in the Live Shows.

7. Tish Haynes Keys (Team Adam Kelly) – Yeah it was even, and neither deserved to go home, but that shows Kelly’s inexperience but it is not like Tish will go far.

8. Jordyn Simone (Team Alicia Adam) – Was I supposed to be able to tell these two apart?

9. Kelsea Johnson (Team Alicia) – Seriously, why did they dress and style them the same? Toss a coin.

10. Johnny Bliss (Team Alicia) – Montage win… yawn, and yet another Asian chick gets montaged off the show.

11. Dallas Caroline (Team Blake Alicia) – Maybe one of the more deserving Steal’s this season, but what really hurt her was going right after Livia who actually deserved a Steam much more than Caroline.

12. Pryor Baird (Team Blake) – Tom Petty is one of the greats and has a large enough catalogue that he should be sung every season, but this song really is not made for competition show. I am still waiting for someone cool enough to sing It’s Good to Be King.

13. Mia Boostrom (Team Adam) – Interesting voice but needs better songs.

14. Reid Umstattd (Team Adam) – Well that was kind of shocking but Reid actually benefited from having to sing out his comfort zone, made it look like a high degree of difficulty.

15. Jaclyn Lovey (Team Alicia Blake) – Kind of boring but in a weak season I guess it was worthy of a Steal.

16. Miya Bass (Team Adam Alicia) – I thought she over did it at time, but there were not many people really worthy of Steals this season so I guess it was good enough.

17. D.R. King (Team Kelly) – Nothing more disappointing than hearing someone singing Sign of the Times and turning out not to be the Prince song. Not only that, this was the second straight season for the song, which is not worthy of a crappy song like this. I guess D.R. did as well as he could.

18. Kyla Jade (Team Blake) – Poor Kyla. Usually whenever Blake picks a crappy pop song in the Battles it usually gets montaged especially when it is a mixed matched one Kyla would have been better off having people seen ten seconds or less of this.

19. Brynn Cartelli (Team Kelly) – Well that was kind of creepy giving a song about sex to a twenty something dude and a fourteen year old girl.

20. Dylan Hartigan (Team Kelly Blake) – Not the most head scratching Steal Blake has ever made, probably not even in the top five, but I was still puzzled. Maybe Blake felt sorry for his situation.

21. Gary Edwards (Team Adam) – Montage win… yawn. And probably for the best, the three seconds we saw was extremely awkward.

22. Jackie Verna (Team Adam) – Honestly, I kind of wish both singers in the Battle went home.

23. Jorge Eduardo (Team Kelly) – I think knocked Kelly for being inexpienced by going with her heard over her head, but picking the boring dude with the guitar is the most shroud thing you can do on this show. Meh.

24. Alexa Cappelli (Team Kelly) – Montage win by forfeit… double yawn.

25. Kaleb Lee (Team Blake Kelly) – That was a pretty wasted Steal.

26. Justin Kilgore (Team Kelly) – I am not sure what was more shocking, that Kelly picked him or that Blake did not Steal Molly.

27. Jackie Foster (Team Kelly Adam) – I did not get the fuss.

28. Christiana Danielle (Team Alicia) – It is weird Kings of Leon does not get used very often on the show, Sex on Fire was sung the first season but I cannot remember anyone since. As for the performance, I was kind of meh on both, too sleepy.

29. Sharane Calister (Team Alicia) – I was not familiar with that song and hope never to hear from it again.

30. Austin Giorgio (Team Blake) – Montage win… yawn.

31. Jamilla (Team Kelly) – Double montage win… yawn.

32. Jaron Strom (Team Blake) – Montage win… yawn.

Alright, let’s go ahead and put these ranking into a mathematical equation to see who has the strongest team:

Alicia – 155
Adam – 150
Blake – 131
Kelly – 92

Yeah Kelly’s inexperience is showing with one of the weakest teams in memory. I like Tish, but she is going nowhere. Caleb was the biggest waste of a Steal. Plus there was a couple of questionable Battle Round pairing and picks But Alicia pairing two of her five Blind Auditions do not seem to be hurting yet. But all you need it one person to win, and she has the best of the season right now. But who cares what I think, here is how the Battles ranked on iTunes.

1. D.R. King and Jackie Foster (57)
2. Britton Buchanan and Jaclyn Lovey (59)
3. Livia Faith and Terrence Cunningham (85)
4. Justin Kilgore and Molly Stevens (91)
5. Brynn Cartelli and Dylan Hartigan (95)
6. Davison and Reid Umstattd (108)
7. Christiana Danielle and Shana Halligan (153)
8. Amber Sauer and Jorge Eduardo (181)
9. Drew Cole and Miya Bass (182)
10. Rayshun LaMarr and Tish Haynes Keys (190)
11. Jordyn Simone and Kelsea Johnson (228)
12. Jordan Kirkdorffer and Wilkes (297)
13. Kaleb Lee and Pryor Baird (332)
14. Jamai and Sharane Calister (335)
15. Jackie Verna and Stephanie Skipper (390)
16. Dallas Caroline and Spensha Baker (492)
17. Genesis Diaz and Mia Boostrom (519)
18. JessLee and Kyla Jade (653)
19. Terrence Cunningham (966)
20. Christiana Danielle (1000)
21. Brynn Cartelli (1075)
22. Jaclyn Lovey (1086)
23. Alexa Cappelli and Hannah Goebel (1387)
24. Austin Giorgio and Brett Hunter (1401)
25. Livia Faith (1441)

And if you average the peaks of those who charted on both the Battles and the Blind Auditions, here is how they rank:

1. Terrence Cunningham (67)
2. Britton Buchanan (142.5)
3. Christiana Danielle (151)
4. Brynn Cartelli (153)
5. Jaclyn Lovey (166.5)
6. Justin Kilgore (168.5)
7. Drew Cole (177.5)
8. Jorge Eduardo (203.5)
9. Rayshun LaMarr (327.5)
10. Prior Baird (374.5)
11. Dylan Hartigan (376)
12. Reid Umstattd (414.5)
13. Kelsea Johnson (421.5)
14. Wilkes (428)
15. Sharane Calister (434)
16. Dallas Caroline (526.5)
17. D.R. King (548.5)
18. Spensha Baker (582.5)
19. Jackie Verna (606)
20. Jackie Foster (626)
21. Kaleb Lee (629)

One shocking thing about this list, the two people who sat atop the Battle Round iTunes chart, D.R. and Jackie F. are both in the bottom five of the combined list. Then over ten singers who either did not make the top 1500 for either their Battle of Blind Audition seem pretty high. Here is how the teams rank mathematically:

Alicia – 61
Kelly – 54
Blake - 52
Adam - 43

Alicia is dominating with the top three spots. If those three are her team going into Top 12, she could dominate the Live Shows too. Of course keep in mind last year’s winner Chloe did not make a dent in iTunes until the Knockouts. Speaking of the Knoutout Round, the show did not release the pairings this year (other than the three you can spot in the promos). But we are getting a new twist where Coaches can “Save” an artist they did not pick which sounds like the Coach’s Comeback but it happens in real time and much like the Saves, the people who perform late get screwed.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 4/1/2018

Homeland: John McCain used to joke when there was speculation that John Kerry wanted him to be his vice president that the only job of the VP was to check on the president’s health daily. But I guess in these days and times the second in line has to check to see if the president will still be the president tomorrow. But anyway, Carrie has had sex with a lot enemy of the state (really, anything over zero should be considered a lot) but to do so while your child, a chick conceived by an enemy of the state was just even too crazy for Carrie. And what was Carrie going to say to Dante when he asked why she went to see his ex-wife? That she thought he was a spy? She had that exact moment with Brody. Well minus the sex but Saul did barge in right afterwards. Speaking of Brody, when Carrie took Frannie to the motel, I actually thought that Frannie might run into her half-sister. That last we saw of her was a maid for a motel.

The Alienist: Poor Lazlo, finally catches his man but dies just before he can learn why the murderer did what he did. But a very interesting scene at the end with Lazlo chatting with father. That should make for an interesting flashback for a second season. I just hope they do not retread a season long murder mystery again.
You can download The Alienist on iTunes.

Good Girls: Um, wouldn’t it just been easier to blackmail the sleeze ball into returning the television that digging through the trash to look for the receipt?
You can download Good Girls on iTunes.

Rise: Some weird happenstances this week. Lou’s wife wants the foster kid gone, he puts up the deck lighting (which looked pretty tacky), now she is fine with him staying indefinitely. Simon’s mom does not want Simon in a heathens musical to the point she is going to pull him from the school, her daughter is sad at him leaving the school, Simon can not only stay at the school but stay in the heathen musical. But hey, there was a well-placed Iron and Wine song. And I did enjoy the coach’s saying he is not going to do some touchy feely speech with the drunk. And just how long does the coach’s daughter hooks up with the drunk?
You can download Rise on iTunes.

The Challenge: Vendettas: So at the beginning of the season they announced there would only be one winner, no gender specific winners like in many recent seasons. Yet they still do gender specific eliminations every week and here in the last challenge they did not eliminate any women because there were two more guys and had to go into the finale even. Lame. And why are there eight finalist this season? Hopefully the finale is only one episode because I am ready for this to end.
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Path: I thought that if Vera’s mom believed the end and rebirth was triggered by Eddie’s death that she may try to hasten it, I just never thought Vera would be caught in the middle. Once I saw the hole in her chest, it did cross my mind that there would be a Resurrection. The episode did air the week of Easter. But I have to wonder if that was really Steve Myer visiting the mom or just a delusion? And was that his corpse that they were digging at the end? As for next season, I have a feeling it may be Pete Campbell with Mary by his side vs. the Myerists.
You can stream The Path Hulu.

The Looming Tower: So not only was the FBI feuding with the CIA back in the nineties, they did not have a particular good relations with the State Department as that trip to Africa got pretty prickly with the Ambassador.
You can stream The Path Hulu.

Survivor: Ghost Island: Um, so no one went to Ghost Island on this episode of Ghost Island? Just when I thought not having any advantage there three of four weeks was lame.
You can download Survivor: Ghost Island on iTunes.

The Americans: So the Soviets are just fine with Philip retiring, Elizabeth is just not allowed to talk to him. But I guess it eases things that there are still two Jennings spies in America. At least for now, Paige already apparently failed an easy assignment of staking out a building because Elizabeth had to kill a dude. But seriously dude, stealing someone’s ID and blackmailing them for a date was a horrible way to pick up a chick.
You can download The Americans on iTunes.

Gotham: It seemed like since season two the show was making Barbara Harley Quinn, but no, she is now apparently the new Demon’s Head, lead of the League of Assassins. Wait, what?
You can download Gotham on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Who knew we really need a General Hale flashback episode? It did not dawn on me until this episode when they flashed back to the early nineties that Hale could have possibly ran into Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel aka Brie Larson in the March 2019 movie). I stupidly thought for a second we would get a cameo. But hey, we did get cameos by young Sitwell and Von Strucker as well as the German from Agent Carter. I was a little surprised that Ruby turned out to be Hale’s real daughter though she turns out to be not a normal daughter but one engineered by Hydra to be the Destroyer of Worlds, of course the name Deke calls Daisy in the future as she is the one accused of cracking the Earth in two.

We did get a small but interesting segment without Hale. I am a bit surprised that Simmons’s big take away from seeing herself in the future is that she is invincible. My big take away is that she lost her arms. Yeah, Fitz-Simmons may make it to the Lighthouse, but that does not mean they will get there is one piece. And Fitz does not even need to make it, just his DNA. But saying you are invincible seems like famous last words to me.
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 3/31/2018

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on The Handmaid’s Tale, The Challenge, Patrick Melrose, Conan, I’m Dying up Here, Animal Kingdom, Garbage, Ian Erix, Marian Hill, Shaggy, Sawyer Fredericks, and Showtime.

- Hulu released the full length trailer for the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale. The first two episodes of the 13-episode season launch on Wednesday, April 25th.


- MTV’s legendary competition show The Challenge returns with the premiere of an epic ten-week special event The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars. Hosted by WWE Superstar and former challenge competitor, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, “Champs vs. Stars” will feature ten celebrities and all-star athletes along with ten highly skilled, fan-favorite champions from past “Challenge” seasons. For the first time ever, teams will be mixed with both celebrities and “Champs” where they will face off in weekly eliminations, until one team will prove they are the ultimate “Challenge MVP.” Winners will compete for a chance to take a share of the $150,000 cash prize to donate to their beloved charities. “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars” premieres April 17, 2018 at 10:00.

- Showtime has announced that its new, five-part limited series Patrick Melrose starring Oscar® nominee and Emmy® winner Benedict Cumberbatch will premiere on Saturday, May 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Based on the acclaimed Patrick Melrose series of semi-autobiographical novels written by Edward St. Aubyn, Patrick Melrose is an acerbic and fearless look at the protagonist’s harrowing odyssey from a deeply traumatic childhood to his remarkable survival as an adult. In scheduling Patrick Melrose for five consecutive Saturdays, Showtime is laying the groundwork to expand to a new night of original programming, joining the network’s existing sports and movie offerings on Saturday nights.

- TBS’ Conan will take the show internationally for the ninth time in three years as the popular host travels to Italy. Conan Without Borders: Italy will be a primetime special premiering Wednesday, April 11 at 10:00 For his latest adventure, O’Brien put a different spin on his usual travel shows bringing along fan favorite show staffer Jordan Schlansky.

- Showtime has released the trailer for the second season of I’m Dying up Here. Created and executive produced by Dave Flebotte and executive produced by Golden Globe® winner Jim Carrey and Michael Aguilar, the fictional I’m Dying up Here explores L.A.’s famed ’70s stand-up comedy scene, with an ensemble cast led by Academy Award® winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter) and Ari Graynor. The 10-episode season of I’m Dying up Here will premiere on Sunday, May 6 at 10:00.

- his summer, the infamous Cody family is back as TNT's hit drama Animal Kingdom returns for its third season. In last season’s shocking cliffhanger, Baz (Scott Speedman) was shot while on his way to Mexico after framing Smurf (Ellen Barkin) for murder. Season three opens with Smurf in jail and her grandson J (Finn Cole) in charge of the family business. The Cody men find themselves increasingly divided as they fight for both control and their independence, but have to come together when outside threats emerge. Deran’s (Jake Weary) drifter dad Billy (Denis Leary) comes back to make amends, but may have other motives.


- Garbage announced the release of the 20th anniversary edition of their legendary second album Version 2.0. Due for release on Stunvolume/PIAS on June 22, the package will feature the whole original album, as well as 10 B-sides from the era. Pre-order the digital album HERE and visit Garbage.com for updates on standard and deluxe Vinyl formats. The typically visceral "Lick The Pavement" is the first offering from the reissue and is out today. Listen to the song HERE.

- Misfit Mindz Entertainment, an imprint of Nordican Music Group/The Orchard/Sony Music Entertainment is set to release a benefit record from Ian Erix -- featuring survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting -- with 100% of all profits going to victim's families and survivors of gun violence in addition to non-profits that support social justice movements, such as the student formed March For Our Lives and #NeverAgainMSD organizations. The recording, "Raise Some Hell", pays homage to the recent lives lost, but is not a sad or sappy song. It is, instead, an up-tempo and empowering battle anthem calling the youth to hold truth to power and rise up against injustice anywhere they see it.

- On April 20, Island Def Jam/UMe is set to properly fete Donna Summer, the undisputed Queen of Disco and The First Lady of Love, with Summer: The Original Hits. This catchy collection of Summer’s greatest hits is a companion to Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, an exciting new Broadway musical based on her rich and storied life. Previews for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical commenced on March 28, 2018, at the legendary Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City with the official opening on April 23, 2018.

- Platinum-certified Philadelphia duo Marian Hill’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Unusual, is set for release on May 11th. The album features ten tracks written and produced by Jeremy Lloyd (production/songwriting) and Samantha Gongol (vocals/songwriting) of Marian Hill. See the full Unusual tracklist below. Pre-order Unusual now here.

- Legendary reggae musician, Shaggy teamed up with Canadian crooner, Massari to release their new record, Why via 300 Entertainment and Brooklyn Knights Entertainment. With an accompanying lyric video, "Why" is an uptempo club jam with a smooth chorus.

- Sawyer Fredericks is thriving on independence and artistic freedom. As a follow-up to his acclaimed debut album, 2016's A Good Storm, the highly-anticipated Hide Your Ghost sheds the high gloss major label treatment, and stays true to Frederick's honest and elegantly stripped down style, a self-described "free range folk", incorporating elements of blues, roots rock, and jazz with live instrumental arrangements throughout. The album is available today, March 30, on iTunes, Spotify, FYE.com, and all FYE locations.

- Showtime Networks Inc. has announced the launch of its stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME and its authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME on LG Smart TVs. SHOWTIME is the first cable network to launch on LG webOS Smart TV platforms including on the recently debuted 2018 LG OLED TVs with AI ThinQ® and LG SUPER UHD TVs with AI ThinQ.

Previewing New Wave: Dare to Be Different

When I was in high school, getting out of bed was hard. I would have my alarm clock set to the local top forty station and would routinely hit snooze three to five times before finally falling out of bed. I distinctly remember one morning when the alarm went off and as I reach for the snooze button I paused because they were playing It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine). Since it was rare to play an “oldie” but goodie, I thought I would wait until the end of the song to hit the snooze but. Except when the song ended, they started playing It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) and I sat up, fully awake wondering if I was actually hear the same song twice. Now fully awake and lo and behold the song started for the third straight time.

Off to the bathroom, It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) was playing when I went into the shower and was still playing when I came out. It played throughout breakfast. It played throughout the commute. Sometimes in between the song, a mysterious voice would come on and say, “The end is coming.” Then back to It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine). Naturally this was a big discussion at school that day. Keep in mind this was before someone could pull out their phones to answer any question. Was it the end of the world? Was this a warning?

It turned out that the radio station was changing format and their name (naturally to The End) and started playing alternative music. And it became my new favorite radio station until it turned into a hip-hop station maybe five years later. Which is also around the time I stopped listening to radio as the format slowly was being bought up by the same two companies and turning stations across the nation into basically McDonalds for the airwave with the exact same playlists.

But for people of my age and older, radio stations meant something important. You do not have to have lived in New York City in the eighties to appreciate New Wave: Dare to Be Different because this is a universal love letter to the local independent radio station. Grant it will probably help if you enjoy New Wave music.

WLIR 92.7 started as a radio station in 1959 and switched over to a progressive rock station in the early seventies. But it was the format switch in 1982 to New Wave and other underground sounds of the era that put the station on the map. U2, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, The Clash, and The Cure were all credited to getting their first American airplay on the small Long Island station. They also claim to be the first to play Madonna and Prince. The documentary culls interviews from musicians who got their start on the station as well as DJ’s, fans and an intern named Gary Dell'Abate.

I am not sure if kids today even listen to the radio (I am not entirely sure why anyone these days would listen) but I am sure they would be befuddled by some of the segments in the documentary. Early on, there is a lengthy segment about people fine tuning their radios to find the station. Does anyone even turn a radio anymore? I do have two myself. Later they talk about import and try telling a kid who streams everything that there was a time when people would spend ten to twenty dollars just get an import single with just one or two songs on it.

Much like my local radio station that launched with twenty-four straight hours of It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) which did not last long, WLIR and its new format did not last a decade. Except its demise had to do with their FCC license. I will not go into detail, not to spoil the documentary because they make it hilariously confusing ending to the film.

New Wave: Dare to Be Different airs tonight at 8:00 on Showtime.