Around the Tubes: 7/27/2018

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 First, Shameless, Wrecked, Meg Myers, James Bay, Dagny, Too Stupid To Die, Just Another Immigrant: Romesh at the Greek, Constance, Beast Mode, The Chi, The Affair, and Turner On Demand movies for August.

- Check out the first teaser for upcoming Hulu Original drama series The First. All eight episodes of The First debut on Friday, Sept. 14, only on Hulu.


- TBS comedy Wrecked premieres its third season on Tuesday, August 7 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). This season, the Wrecked gang find themselves shipwrecked on a mysterious billionaire's private island where they’re forced to hunt each other to the death in a basic-cable battle royale. Season three stars Ally Maki, Asif Ali, Brian Sacca, Brooke Dillman, Jessica Lowe, Rhys Darby, Will Greenberg, and Zach Cregger, along with guest stars Rob Corddry, Eugene Cordero, Jonno Roberts, Karan Soni, Rachel House, Robert Baker, and Will Hines. The series is executive-produced by Justin Shipley, Jordan Shipley and Jesse Hara.


- Showtime has unveiled the official trailer and poster for season nine of its No. 1 comedy Shameless, premiering on Sunday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Starring Oscar® nominee and Emmy and SAG Award® winner William H. Macy and Golden Globe® nominee Emmy Rossum, Shameless is one of the network’s longest-running and most successful series ever and attracts the youngest-skewing audience of any Showtime series.


- Meg Myers’ new album 'Take Me To The Disco' is out now on 300 Entertainment and has been met with raves, leading the Associated Press to declare her “a genuine rock goddess,” saying “Myers definitely isn’t fooling around and there’s no denying the woman’s sheer talent, both as a songwriter and as a singer who can go from kittenish to face-melting in the same song.” The new album has also earned Meg a pick on NPR’s New Music Friday podcast, and praise from the New York Times, who dubbed Meg’s sound “seething and then exploding,” and Billboard, who called the new music “cathartic” and “life affirming.”

- Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multiplatinum singer-songwriter James Bay released the official music video for his new single “Just For Tonight.”


- The critically acclaimed Norwegian indie -pop songstress Dagny unveils her cover of Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Landslide.” The song was featured in a prominent and emotional scene in tonight’s episode of Freeform’s The Bold Type. Listen to Dagny’s “Landslide” Cover Here! And watch the scene from The Bold Type Here.

- MTV, in conjunction with Gunpowder & Sky, this week announced that its new stunt series Too Stupid To Die will premiere on Tuesday, August 21st with back-to-back episodes beginning at 10:00. The highly anticipated series, developed with Zach Holmes, the online sensation and daredevil who was banned by YouTube, will feature bizarre pranks, hilarious antics and outrageous stunts. In the debut episodes, viewers are introduced to rural Indiana where this amateur stunt crew has nothing better to do with their time than take rat traps to the face, dodge golf carts, set off explosives, practice public archery and open a dangerous kissing booth, just for starters. Too Stupid To Die is the story of a backyard group of friends who are making a name for themselves with nothing but blood, sweat and fearlessness.

- Showtime will premiere the comedy special Just Another Immigrant: Romesh at the Greek, from comedian and star of the network’s series JUST ANOTHER IMMIGRANT, Romesh Ranganathan, on Friday, July 27 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. Ranganathan’s true-life adventures and preparation for his performance at the historic Greek Theatre were recently chronicled in the network’s comedic docuseries. Cameras followed the UK comedian as he moved to Los Angeles and committed to selling out the 6,000-seat theater. Just Another Immigrant: Romesh at the Greek is the grand finale to Ranganathan’s journey in America. To watch and share a clip from the special, go to: https://youtu.be/k0ydB0ntjRg.

- Turner's TNT has ordered the scripted dramas Constance and Beast Mode (working title) to pilot. KC Perry (The Originals) wrote Constance, which stars Academy Award nominee Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas), with Emmy® nominee Jesse Peretz (Glow, Girls) attached to direct. Constance is produced by Team Downey, in association with Sonar Entertainment and Studio T, with Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey (Sherlock Holmes), Amanda Burrell, Bill Dubuque (Ozark), Tom Lesinski (Mr. Mercedes), Jenna Santoianni (Mr. Mercedes), Peretz, Shue and Perry serving as executive producers. Beast Mode is written and executive produced by David Schneiderman and produced by Ann Wolfe and MACRO in association with Studio T, with executive producers Stefanie Huie (Triangle) and MACRO’s Charles D. King (Mudbound), Kim Roth (Inside Man) and Poppy Hanks (Fences).

- Fan favorites Shamon Brown Jr. (Papa), Barton Fitzpatrick (Reg) and Michael Epps (Jake) have been upped from guest stars to series regulars for the highly anticipated second season of The Chi. The hit Showtime drama series is currently in production in Chicago and will return to the network in 2019. The Chi averaged 4.5 million weekly viewers across platforms and ranks as the highest-rated Showtime freshman season since Billions in 2016.

- Showtime has renewed its Golden Globe® Award winning drama series The Affair for a fifth and final season. Season four of the series is currently airing on Sundays at 9:00, with the finale airing on August 19. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “We love the intimacy, the nuance and the emotional honesty of THE AFFAIR’s subjective examination of both infidelity and fidelity,” Levine said. “Sarah Treem has always envisioned this as a five-season series, and we will be fascinated to see where she takes her talented cast and all of us next year in its climactic season.”

- Emmy-winning writer and producer Lena Waithe (THE CHI) has signed a first-look deal with Showtime, expanding her relationship with the network that launched her first series as a creator and executive producer. Waithe will work with SHOWTIME on comedy and drama projects that she both writes and produces through her company Hillman Grad Productions. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks.

- What's steaaming in August on tntdrama.com, the TNT App, tbs.com and the TBS App:
Mad Max: Fury Road: Streaming 8/5 - 9/3
San Andreas: Streaming 7/23 - 8/21
I Am Legend: Streaming 8/5 - 9/3
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.: Streaming 7/1 - 8/29
The Intern: Streaming 8/1 - 8/30
How To Be Single: Streaming 8/5 - 9/3
St. Vincent: Streaming 8/11 - 8/31
Central Intelligence: Streaming 8/13 - 9/11

Previewing Castle Rock

One thing that all comic book adaptation do, whether the show is good or not, is throw out a constant barrage of Easter Eggs for the fanboys to salivate over and make them come back for every episode, myself included. There are very few other things that have enough content to flood a screen with references of their work, but Stephen King is definitely one of them with fifty-nine novels and over two hundred short stories under his belt. And now he is getting an television show based on the amalgamation of his work, Castle Rock.

No, this is not an Avengers type team up where Pennywise will come face to face with Carrie (though the actors who portrayed them in movie versions are actually in the new cast as different characters). Instead, the show is sprinkled with plenty of references to King’s work like the titular city is the setting of twenty-four of his stories and the local prison is named Shawshank. In a measure of full disclosure, I am not the biggest Stephan King reader, so my latter example is one of the few Easter Eggs I got and had to be told of the former.

So I am coming at Castle Rock as a King novice. Sure It scared me as a kid like nothing else did (that forking spider still occasionally haunts my dreams) and most recently I made it through Under the Dome that got significantly worse with every passing episode. Naturally Castle Rock is about a town where dark things happen; scene three features a, um, interesting way to try to kill oneself. A town where all the men from there either work at the state penitentiary, which actually looks like a castle from the outside, or they are currently living there.

The show centers on a prodigal son (André Holland, A Wrinkle in Time) who is a death row lawyer who comes home when a whistleblower informs him an inmate (Bill Skarsgård, Deadpool 2) has been discovered at his hometown prison. And of course both men have mysterious pasts. The lawyer, back in 1991, went missing as a child in the dead of winter only to be discovered unharmed days later. While at the prison, an entire wing is shut down despite overcrowding and, you guessed it, the mysterious inmate has been living in this quarantined wing all by himself for an undisclosed amount of time.

To be honest, the first episode is kind of a bore. Thankfully Jane Levy (season one Mandy Milkovich on Shameless) shows up in the second episode to add some levity to the show but is not there long enough to really get a feel for why the character is there. She just pops up randomly in a church group and asks the lawyer questions the audience certainly wants to know (not that he give a satisfying answer). Weirdly Mickey Milkovich gets more screen time on the first couple episodes as a prison guard than his on screen sister.

Levy also has a job as assistant to the town’s local real estate agent (Melanie Lynskey, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) who may be the weirded of the town folks we meet in the early in the series. She lived across the lawyer as a child and, um, the connection, we learn, gets really weird.

For better or worse, Castle Rock is the general thought of King’s work, really creepy and kind of slow. Despite dying in the third scene, that character may best sum up your typical thought of a King creation with his Verse of the Day calendars stopping on the same verse every year even when the verse was on different days. And lhe leaves of with the most ominous and Kingsian line so far, “I used to think the Devil was a metaphor but the devil was a boy.” The start of Castle Rock may not be great, but it was good enough to hook me in. Granted, so did Under the Dome and that took a creative nose dive in season two.

The first three episodes of Castle Rock are on Hulu today with new episodes every Wednesday.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 7/22/2018

Claws: Well that was some inappropriate bedside manner from Jenn. Sad thing is was that the moment she started touching him; I knew that was exactly where they were going with that. And Jenn blaming Desna for Bryce felt a little misguided. It was Bryce and Uncle Daddy who went there to kill Slata, you cannot be mad at someone else when they start shooting back.
You can download Claws on iTunes.

The Affair: No future Noah / Cole segment at the beginning? Instead we get a present day Helen / Vic trying to have a kid. Then we get the mild surprise of starting with a Vic-centric half episode. Which was just his mid-life crisis mixed with rich person bucket list. I just said the last time Vic was on the show he was my most standup guy on the show and now he is blowing curing kid disease to go joy riding with a starlet’s daughter… in more ways than one. But hey, if Helen will not give him a baby, the daughter might be the better option anyway. Speaking of old dudes spreading their seed with younger women… poor Cole, went through all those exorcism steps only to learn that is what led his father to kill himself.

Sharp Objects: I came away from the premiere thinking the step-father did it (mostly because the actor is evil in pretty much everything I see him in) but this week we had one eyewitness say a woman in white did it which makes me think the mother is a doth protest too much type a person. Then we learn the murderer yanked out teeth with pliers and then a couple scenes later the sheriffs fixing a stop sign… with a forking pair of pliers hanging on the sign. It cannot be that obvious, can it? The sheriff seemed kind of offended at the idea of a women doing the deed.

The Bold Type: Um, Jane, have you never seem a clarinet case in your life before? That was way too big for a clarinet. But I could have done without the very special episode about guns. And a bit eye rolling that Sutton is turning Betsy into earing. And it was a bit weird how many times they said Sutton’s last name this episode, maybe more times in the entire first season, considering her last name is shared by the most famous gun control legislation of all time.
You can download The Bold Type on iTunes.

The Challenge: Final Reckoning: Nothing more annoying than the first couple episodes when it takes forever to get to the first elimination round. And it will be annoying is Bananas/Tony and Brad/tattoo guy dominate this season just because they are by far the strongest teams.
You can download The Challenge: Final Reckoning on iTunes.

Harlots: So Emily Lacey’s new “boarding house” is just a black chick, a little person, and, I guess herself. I cannot image that the brothel will be very successful. It seems like only a mater a time before she picks a side between Quigley and Wells.
You can stream Harlots on Hulu.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: So crooked cop has lady cop kill the drug dealer last week when it seemed to me that it would have been smarter and this week the crooked cop (presumably) kills the beat cop but lets the lady cop, who again is the bigger threat, live. Another confusing thing to me is just how do Cloak and Dagger’s abilities work together? He sees people fears while she sees their hopes, but together, they saw the comatose scientist in a Groundhogs Day loop and then saw when they touched her mother together, they saw her father slap her mother. Are they just seeing what that person is thinking right then and there? They need to explain that better.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 7/20/2018

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 UnREAL, Def Leppard, Greta Van Fleet, >Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dark Money, In Case of Emergency, Sacred Sites, Saved By the Bell, and The Wrong Mans.

- Everlasting has moved its set to Hulu. In a new deal between Hulu and A+E Studios, the fourth and final season of fan favorite drama series, UnREAL, is now available to stream in its entirety on Hulu. The final installment joins Hulu’s award-winning originals slate and brings together the complete UnREAL library, all on Hulu. Starting this week, fans of UnREAL can immediately dive into the new season. The deal also brings the complete series together on Hulu, making it possible to discover, watch and re-watch all of the steamiest moments, most memorable elimination ceremonies and killer cliffhangers from throughout the show’s four seasons.

- Def Leppard unveil their Spotify Singles. As part of the streaming platform’s coveted initiative, the multiplatinum rock legends performed the classic “Hysteria” in addition to a brand new cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus.” Listen and share the singles HERE.

- Greta Van Fleet released its brand new single, When The Curtain Falls, to fans via socials. You can click HERE to listen to the song.

- Lynyrd Skynyrd: If I Leave Here Tomorrow, the newest addition to the Showtime Documentary Films slate, will premiere on Saturday, August 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME on-air, on demand and over the internet. Directed by Stephen Kijak and featuring rare interviews and never-before-seen archival footage, Lynyrd Skynyrd: If I Leave Here Tomorrow takes viewers on a trip through the history, myth and legend of one of the most iconic American rock bands. Rising from the swamps of the Deep South, these good ol’ boys from Jacksonville, Florida came to define an era with their hard-rocking boogie-woogie sound, soulful lyrics, drunken and dangerous antics and their controversial use of the rebel flag. The film also serves as a portrait of late band leader Ronnie Van Zant whose life was cut tragically short, but whose legacy endures to this day in songs like the “Simple Man,” “Country Boy,” and “Whiskey Rock-a-Roller."


- Your vote can be bought, but at what cost? Dark Money follows local Montana journalist John S. Adams, who is determined to uncover the truth about funding in his state’s elections. The film gains insights over the course of three election cycles, as it solves an increasingly complicated and blurred puzzle. Dark Money traces Adams’ steps and sheds light on the grassroots movement to unveil the mysterious financing behind our elections. Dark Money has its national broadcast and streaming debut on the PBS documentary series POV and pov.org on Monday, October 1 at 10 p.m. (check local listings). POV is American television’s longest-running independent documentary series, now in its 31st season.

- Written, directed, and produced by NYC filmmaker Stefanie Sparks, In Case of Emergency is a new comedy coming to Prime Video and iTunes July 23, preceded by a special screening in New York City at The PIT Loft on July 18. Described by Vox Magazine as “a poignant comedy in the same vein as Bridesmaids,” In Case of Emergency is one woman’s sometimes raunchy, always funny internal battle of style vs. substance. Following an accident, NYC socialite Sarah Williams is forced to reevaluate her life goals. Is she ready to put away her judgements and pearls to descend into the subways of redemption? Or will she continue up the photo shopped elevator towards a lonely, bitter Park Avenue high rise?

- From the supposed tomb of King Arthur to ancient Egyptian temples once controlled by female priests, the world’s religious sites are home to alluring secrets and mysteries. This summer, Smithsonian Channel brings back Sacred Sites to explore even more enigmatic religious sites found around the world. Featuring advanced scientific discoveries and archaeological research, new episodes will bring viewers to sanctified and historical locations stretching from Europe to North Africa, through the Mayan civilization in the Americas, across the path of the Camino de Santiago and more. Sacred Sites returns Monday, August 13 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- Missing your favorite pals from Bayside High? It's alright, 'cause you're Saved By the Bell! On October 2nd, 2018, Shout! Factory invites TV aficionados to a very special class reunion with the 16-disc collector's release of Saved by the Bell: The Complete Collection, a "Max-ed" out, completist's DVD set of the iconic and addictive '90s Saturday morning sitcom. Relive the laughter, lessons and love with Zack and his friends in this 16-disc collector's set, featuring every episode from 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss' to 'The College Years', and it's available today for pre-order, at Amazon.com!

- Showtime has announced the casting of Jillian Bell (22 Jump Street) in a lead role of the half-hour comedy pilot The Wrong Mans, also starring and produced by Ben Schwartz (House of Lies) and written and executive produced by James Corden (The Late Late Show with James Corden), Mathew Baynton (Yonderland) and Ian Maxtone-Graham (The Simpsons). J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), BBC Studios’ Angie Stephenson and Bad Robot’s Ben Stephenson also serve as executive producers. Jim Field Smith (EPISODES) is also executive producing and directing the pilot, which is based on the BBC series created by Corden and Baynton.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 7/15/2018

Claws: Okay, things are starting to get confusing. Last week, Quiet Ann confessed to her lesbian lover who seemingly used that information to arrest the doctor but they just went on as nothing happened. Then this week Desna walked in on her man and Slata and they explained how they were playing Desna. What? Whose side is the Haitian on? He made plans with Uncle Daddy last season so who exactly is he playing? Things got convoluted in the second half of last season and it looks like they are doing the same this season. But as long as teenaged white girls are using Public Enemy as their dinner plans I will be entertained enough.
You can download Claws on iTunes.

The Affair: So it is confirmed Noah and Cole are looking for Alison in the future. Kind of boring but at least there is not going to be some stupid plot twist. Though maybe there still will be, maybe Alison is not alone. Noah’s daughter is still in the title sequence but is currently sight unseen and barely mentioned other than being at college with an age appropriate boyfriend. It took me a while to realize that was Alison’s new beau at the meeting. Weird that we learned that he had a wife in the future timeline. But it does say something that the most interesting part of a Cole/Alison episode is the one minute prologue. But is Cole really going to go for a walkabout in California, just where Noah is (though in the future they are in Pennsylvania)?

Sharp Objects: I actually watched the premiere back to back with Justice League and it left me longing for fun Amy Adams. And after looking it up, it has been eight years since The Muppets, maybe her last upbeat project. Someone needs to write her a comedy quick.

I’m Dying Up Here: Ron just continues to fail upwards, his own spin-off? Wow. He tried to get off that show all season only to get a raise for his troubles. Although, was that ending Ron dead from an overdose or just resting? But it was interesting after last season ended with another inconsequential club burning down that were some stakes at the end of the this season with the strike. Makes me wonder if Richard Pryor actually joined a strike like this.

The Bold Type: I certainly did not have Jane landing back at Scarlet in the back half of the season. I was actually thinking that reporting on someone else that had a run in with Jacqueline’s abuser actually made it less likely for Jane to get her job back but that ended up being the reason.
You can download The Bold Type on iTunes.

The Challenge: Final Reckoning: I wonder just how the person who is buried and who did the digging was chosen. Clearly Britni was put at a disadvantage. Poor Jenna, I am not sure Jemmy would have done much better. And just where was Banana’s partner? They just seemed to completely gloss over his partner was not there with no explanation. But the biggest question is how do you possibly get booted for fighting when a million dollars is on the line? You cannot goad me into a fight if for even a tenth of that.
You can download The Challenge: Final Reckoning on iTunes.

The Handmaid’s Tale: When Offred was having flashbacks to her other daughter, I thought, oh, no, after all that trouble other people went through, she is not really going to go back solely just for the other daughter. At least she gave the baby with Rory Gilmore who killed (?) Aunt Lydia and is punished with escape for it. I wonder if this was the first Handmaid he helped escaped. He had no children (that we saw) and was kind of old to be a new father yet was in the need for another Handmaid. Kind of annoying that Offred almost escapes in episode one, could have escaped in the antepenultimate episode if had not been for a frozen garage door. And then could have escaped for a third time this season, but decided to stay.

Then, oh snap, the cut off Serena’s pinky. Sure it does not seem that big a deal coming off an episode where the drowned a pair of teenagers. I actually thought Offred was going to offer, or possible Serena would ask, to go with Offred at the end. I wonder if Serena tries to leave next season, remember when she was in Canada, the American guy offered her a place in Hawaii.

And what of Offred next season? If they drowned the adulterers, what is the punishment for stealing a baby? It has to be worse than cutting off a finger. And just how does she expect to get her other kid back and reunite with her family? Sure Waterford offered more visits if she behaves but kidnapped what he thinks is his child is not really behaving? Does Serena help?
You can stream The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.

Reverie: Finally something interesting… Mara’s brother-in-law survived the murder-suicide attempt. She has already entered the Reverie of a comatose patient, clearly she will do that again before the season is up.
You can download Reverie on iTunes.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: The token Groundhog’s Day episode is beginning to be an annoying television trope. But it should be interesting how the doctor changes things. Though if his mind is as mushy as it was in the time loop, it may be a while before he can help anyone. And I cannot imagine Roxxon is keen on him being conscience again.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 7/14/2018

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 Castle Rock, Casual, Ariana Grande, Lord Huron, The Avett Brothers, Mobb Deep, POV, Who Is America?, Shark Squad, Now What with Amanda de Cadenet, Conan, and Final Space.


- Hulu are excited to debut the official trailer for upcoming Hulu original series Castle Rock. The psychological-horror anthology series from J.J. Abrams and Stephen King premieres Wednesday, July 25th only on Hulu.


- Hulu released the trailer for the fourth and final season of Casual. All 8 episodes will premiere on Tuesday, July 31st. All episodes of the series will be available to binge on Hulu at that time.


- Today, Grammy Award®-nominated, multiplatinum, record-breaking superstar Ariana Grande releases, God Is A Woman, the second single from her highly anticipated fourth studio album Sweetener via Republic Records. The brand-new single was produced by ILYA for MXM, written by Ariana, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Rickard Göransson, and ILYA. Listen to God Is A Woman HERE. The official lyric video for God Is A Woman has also been revealed, watch it HERE.

- Lord Huron’s Spotify Singles debut today, including a performance of their hit single “When The Night Is Over” as well as a cover of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon.” Listen/share the singles HERE. Additionally, the band will preform “Never Ever” on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” on August 8 and will appear on “CBS This Morning: Saturday Sessions” on August 11.

- The Avett Brothers announced that they will be ringing in 2019 with two shows at Charlotte, North Carolina’s Bojangles Coliseum on December 30th and December 31st. Tickets will be available to Avett Guild members starting on Tuesday, July 10th at 10am and will then go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 13th at 10am. CID Entertainment will once again be offering special VIP and travel packages. More info can be found at theavettbrothers.com.

- You cannot mention rap’s most timeless duos without naming Mobb Deep. To celebrate the 25thAnniversary of their monumental debut release Juvenile Hell, Urban Legends/UMe released both a standard black vinyl LP and a limited edition red vinyl pressing of this iconic release. This is the first time that Juvenile Hell has been available on vinyl, and both versions can be ordered at shop.urbanlegends.com.

- In celebration of their 40th Anniversary, JOHN LYDON’s PUBLIC IMAGE LTD (PiL) have announced The Public Image Is Rotten: The North American Tour, will kick off in New Orleans on Tuesday, October 9 (see below for all dates). Tickets go on-sale starting Friday, July 13 at 10:00AM local time. Further PUBLIC IMAGE LTD activity includes the release of The Public Image Is Rotten a career–spanning box set (out July 20) and a new documentary film of the same name, the latter of which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York and at London’s Raindance Festival. Directed by Tabbert Fiiller and released by Abramorama, the film will make its North American theatrical premiere on Friday, September 14 in New York City at Metrograph with more theatrical dates in October-November to coincide with PiL’s North American fall tour. View the trailer for The Public Image Is Rotten film (here).

- In “one of the most dangerous places on earth," where the Taliban maintains a substantial presence, a young woman faces obstacles to pursuing a seemingly simple passion: sports. Born and raised in Pakistan’s mountainous tribal region of Waziristan, Maria Toorpakai emerged to become the country’s top female squash player and one of the top 50 in the world. Directed by Erin Heidenreich, The War to Be Her premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and makes its national broadcast on the PBS documentary series POV and pov.org on Monday, July 23 at 10 p.m. POV is American television’s longest-running documentary series now in its 31st season.

- Showtime announced a brand new satirical half-hour series from comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Famous for creating a roster of iconic moments and incendiary characters, Baron Cohen returns to series television for the first time in more than a decade, writing and directing Who Is America? In the works over the past year, the seven-episode series will explore the diverse individuals, from the infamous to the unknown across the political and cultural spectrum, who populate our unique nation. The first episode will debut on streaming, online and On Demand this Sunday, July 15 at midnight ET (9 p.m. PT July 14) and will premiere on air that same night at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with subsequent episodes airing on Sundays at 10:00.


- Around the world, a group of scientists are risking life and limb to come face-to-face with the most fearsome sharks in the ocean. From researchers in Guadalupe attempting to attach a camera to a great white, to a dedicated “shark lab” in the Bahamas investigating shark migration and overall intelligence, join a thrilling journey into the hidden habitats of these premier marine predators. Shark Squad is now streaming on Smithsonian Earth™ – available on Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Android™ and at SmithsonianEarthTV.com.

- Showtime has ordered a new pilot Now What with Amanda de Cadenet (working title), for a half-hour weekly news-magazine format created and hosted by Amanda de Cadenet (The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet). The show takes a thematic approach exploring America’s current social, sexual, cultural and political issues, seen through de Cadenet’s sharp, feminist lens. Emmy® nominee Inuka Bacote (Eastsiders), and Danielle Oexmann (Vice Does America) will serve as co-showrunners. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks.

- Team Coco and TBS are bringing Conan O’Brien’s unique brand of comedy to San Diego in a nightly pop-up comedy club. TEAMCOCOHOUSE will be open beginning Wednesday July 18th through Saturday July 21st. Located at 327 Fourth Ave, a few blocks from the convention center, TEAMCOCOHOUSE will showcase a daily lineup of comics handpicked by Conan, podcasts, panels, screenings, giveaways and special appearances by friends of Team Coco, as well as O’Brien himself.

- Oh my double crap! TBS announced this week that San Diego Comic Con will be the next stop on the Final Space intergalactic circuit. Series creator Olan Rogers along with the cast and producers of the recently renewed epic space opera will descend on fans for an action-packed Q&A about the adventures and mystery of Final Space, including a special fan contest announcement. The panel will be followed by an autograph signing at a separate location.

Final Space- Q&A with the Cast and Creators of the TBS Animated Series

Panelists: Olan Rogers, David Sacks, Tika Sumpter, Tom Kenny, Coty Galloway
Date: Friday, July 20, 3:30 – 4:10 p.m. PT
Location: Hilton Bayfront San Diego, Indigo Ballroom

Signing: Friday, July 20, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. PT
Tickets to the limited autograph signing will be available at 9 a.m. PT on Friday, July 20 at the Sails Pavilion of the Convention center.

Previewing Harlots: Season Two

About halfway through watching the second season of Harlots, I had to ask myself, is this show just Lady Billions? Instead of the eternal struggle between a District Attorney and a Hedge Fund manager, we have two feuding madams. And I spent most of the first season thinking that Bobby Axelrod has to go to prison. When that did not happened, I resigned he would not spent much, or any time in prison.

With Charlotte going under cover at the end of season one, I figured early in season two that the season would end with the demise of Lady Quigley. But what if this really is Lady Billions and the two warring factions are in it for the long haul for countless seasons? What if the team up half way through the third season to take down greater threats to them? With no satisfying take down in sight on Billions, hopefully Harlots take a different path.

The new season of Harlots starts with an eviction. And so the battle between Lady Quigley and Margaret Wells begins anew. Someone who is part of the battle does find themselves in prison during the first episode (and is not the only main character that finds themselves behind bars) and loses their wig in the process. We also get a mini murder mystery this season as well as Liv Tyler with a British accent a lady of privilege who runs into Charlotte. Lucy finds a wealthy client this season and finds herself away from the warring factions for most of the early season. Oh, and Emily Lacey starts her own brothel because we all could use a little humour in our lives.

The first two episodes of Harlots are available on Hulu now with a new episode arriving every Wednesday.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 7/8/2018

Claws: Finally the Quiet Ann-centric episode I never knew I needed. And I am still not sure I need it. I guess the AA Meeting was pretty entertaining. But, wait, Quiet Ann has a brother who is a gay politician? What? How have these groups of criminals not exploited that yet. But what is with that ending? Did Arlene fake getting fired in hopes to get a sting just like it went down?
You can download Claws on iTunes.

The Affair: Gee, the police got there pretty quick. Is the station right next to the school? But is there anyone Noah will not hook up with? How exactly was he able to stay faithful for twenty years? Or was Alison not his first affair. Then there was Helen and very telling she left after saying she could not live without her kids and did not say Vic. I almost thought she was going to say Noah first. But poor Vic, probably the most stand up person on the show, really the only one, and he just got a death sentence. Although making Helen raise a kid alone without him at his age is kind of selfless. I was waiting for Helen to ask, which one after that woman answered Bush. But I guess the oldest W. babies are only seventeen. As for the intro, it looks like I was wrong thinking that Noah and Cole were not looking for Alison because Anton’s comment about having a type pretty much confirms it. Which then begs the question, what the fork is Anton doing there?

I’m Dying Up Here: After a season of self-sabotage, Ron finally did the ultimate, he just upped and quit. But will it last or will he be happily back on the show by the finale last week? And just when you thought Bill’s dumbest thing he would do this week would be making fun a bunch of bikers, he tries to schedule a strike against Goldie. That will probably end p with his getting blacklisted more than getting paid by Goldie.

The Bold Type: I was wondering with Jane blaming a diversity hire for not getting a job if Kat would support her friend or call her out for being racist. I guess conflict should have been the obvious answer.
You can download The Bold Type on iTunes.

The Handmaid’s Tale: After everything that went down the last two episodes, they just yadda-yadda Offred getting back safe and sound. Or as safe and sound as a handmaid in Gilliad can be. And just when you thought Rory Gilmore’s life could not get any worse, she end up in the house of probably the most dysfunctional family in Gilliad. Then her commander asked if she healed properly. What exactly did they do to her? I assumed when it happened last season they removed her lady parts but since she is back to making babies, that cannot be the case. But holy fork, they punished the driver’s teenaged wife with death by public drowning?!? Out oll the cruel things they do in thid country, that may be right below the ritual rape.
You can stream The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: Wait, wasn’t drilling for an “energy source” a plot point on Runaways? I wonder if it is connected even though Marvel television shows never reference each other except for the Netflix shows. Granted Freeform and Hulu are at least partially owned by Disney (and may soon be majority owner). Also the shows are on different coast. Still now that the Runaways have actually ran away, maybe they will make their way to New Orleans. But I will not hold my breath.

So there is a guy who worked with her father that Dagger cannot see his hopes. Instead they are locked away in his brain guarded by Cloak’s dark energy. Of course this begs the question is this because he is in a catatonic state or does the scientist was working on these powers when the rig exploded and he was the one that shut down his brain and is waiting for Cloak and Dagger to unlock it?

As for a question that likely will go unanswered on the show, why did the dirty cop have the hot lady cop kill his distributer? Didn’t he clear the streets of all the other drug kingpins to let this guy have a monopoly and get a cut for eliminating the competition? Doesn’t he need someone running the operation? Having the drug dealer kill the hot lady cop who is on to him seemed like the better strategy. Unless he is going to try to get her into his business. But still, it is not like she will be able to run the business.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 7/6/2018

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 I Am the Night, The Challenge: Final Reckoning, Sideswiped, Bob Marley, The Band, Jeff Lynne’s ELO: Wembley or Bust, The Score, POV, Claws, Animal Kingdom, and Sportsball.

- TNT has released the official trailer for the new limited series I Am the Night (formerly titled One Day She'll Darken) from executive producer and director Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman, Monster). The newest installment in a thrilling collection of limited series called the TNT Suspense Collection™, the series stars Chris Pine, who also is an executive producer. The talented roster joining Pine includes India Eisley, Jefferson Mays, Leland Orser, Yul Vazquez, Dylan Smith, Golden Brooks, Justin Cornwell, Jay Paulson and Connie Nielsen.


- Below is the latest super tease for this upcoming season of MTV’s The Challenge: Final Reckoning, set to premiere on Tuesday, July 10th at 9PM ET.


- YouTube Premium premieres the official trailer for its new original dating comedy series, Sideswiped, a multi-generational comedy about relationships - both romantic and familial. Based on a true story from Carly Craig, this eight-episode comedy series about dating in the digital age will debut on YouTube Premium July 25, 2018.​ A lifetime of saying no has left “Olivia” single and miserable on her 35th birthday. This workaholic verging on a breakdown vows to plunge into the hellish world of Tinder by dating all 252 of her matches. She is spurred on by her sister “Jayne” - a young married woman experiencing a seven-year itch. The sisters are joined by their recently widowed mother, “Mary,” who is now also a part of the online dating scene.


- On August 24, The Marley Family, Island Records, and UMe will collectively proclaim the sun is shining in celebration of 40 years of Kaya, Bob Marley & The Wailers’ historic March 1978 release. This most special anniversary edition will feature Stephen “Ragga” Marley’s exciting and vibrant new “Kaya 40” mixes of all ten tracks from the original album alongside its original mixes in 2CD and 180-gram 2LP configurations. (The digital version will be a standalone release of Stephen’s mixes only.) The album will also be available as a limited edition 180-gram 2LP green vinyl version exclusively at BobMarley.com.

- On July 1, 1968, The Band’s landmark debut album, Music from Big Pink, seemed to spring from nowhere and everywhere. Drawing from the American roots music panoply of country, blues, R&B, gospel, soul, rockabilly, the honking tenor sax tradition, hymns, funeral dirges, brass band music, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll, The Band forged a timeless new style that forever changed the course of popular music. Fifty years later, the mythology surrounding Music from Big Pink lives on through the evocative storytelling of its songs including “The Weight,” “This Wheel’s On Fire,” “Tears of Rage,” and “To Kingdom Come,” its enigmatic cover art painted by Bob Dylan, the salmon-colored upstate New York house – ‘Big Pink’ – where The Band wrote the songs, and in myriad descendant legends carried forth since the album’s stunning arrival. On August 31, Capitol/UMe will release Music From Big Pink in newly remixed and expanded 50th Anniversary Edition packages, including a Super Deluxe CD/Blu-ray/2LP/7-inch vinyl box set with a hardbound book; 1CD, digital, 180-gram 2LP black vinyl, and limited edition 180-gram 2LP pink vinyl packages. All the Anniversary Edition configurations feature a new stereo mix for the album, produced by Bob Clearmountain from the original four-track analog masters, achieving a striking clarity and incorporating some previously unreleased chatter from the studio sessions. The 50th Anniversary Edition's CD, digital, and box set configurations also include five outtakes and alternate recordings from the 'Big Pink' sessions and a previously unrelesed a cappella version of "I Shall Be Released."


- The concert documentary, Jeff Lynne’s ELO: Wembley or Bust, will make its U.S. television premiere on Showtime on Friday, July 27 at 9:00 on-air, on demand and over the internet. Celebrating Lynne’s enduring and ongoing musical legacy, director Paul Dugdale documents Lynne's ELO performance in England’s famed Wembley Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 60,000 fans.


- One of 2018’s hottest breakthrough acts, LA rock band The Score – Eddie Anthony and Edan Dover – release “Glory” last week via Republic Records. Get it HERE. The Score recently supported Echosmith on a successful cross country run. They’ve become synonymous with high-energy and hypnotic live shows powered by a string of smashes, including the red hot single “Unstoppable.”

- In “one of the most dangerous places on earth," where the Taliban maintains a substantial presence, a young woman faces obstacles to pursuing a seemingly simple passion: sports. Born and raised in Pakistan’s mountainous tribal region of Waziristan, Maria Toorpakai emerged to become the country’s top female squash player and one of the top 50 in the world. Yet she has had to hide her talents from the Taliban, which is strongly—and violently—opposed to women in sports. From a young age, she disguised herself as a boy, going by the name Genghis Khan, so she could play, only to eventually be plagued by death threats from the radical group.Directed by Erin Heidenreich, The War to Be Her premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and makes its national broadcast on the PBS documentary series POV and pov.org on Monday, July 23 at 10 p.m. POV is American television’s longest-running documentary series now in its 31st season.

- TNT has renewed two of its core, powerful dramas – Animal Kingdom and Claws – following their impressive summer premieres. The two-night, two-telecast season three launch of Animal Kingdom combined for 4.3M Total Viewers and 2.0M 18-49 viewers so far, the premiere airing alone generating 978K 18-49 in Live +7. The season two premiere of Claws drew 1.3MM 18-49 in Live +7, +38% higher than last year’s series debut. Season two is now tracking +9% ahead of season one, ranks among the top 5 cable dramas this year, and is currently posting the largest YOY growth among all returning cable dramas.

- Rooster Teeth, the entertainment and media company behind some of the biggest online series in history, today announced the return of Sportsball, a weekly video podcast for sports fans who don’t take themselves too seriously, featuring no-holds-barred interviews, special guests and free-flowing-no-shits-given conversations on the latest sports news. Sportsball relaunches July 16 with new co-host Mia Khalifa who joins Rooster Teeth’s resident sports enthusiast and former ESPN radio host, Tyler Coe.

I Want My Music Television: 7/2/1018

The Space Program - A Tribe Called Quest


One thing I have wonder is why pretty much every song ever is on every streaming site but pretty much every television show and movie are exclusive to those streaming site? Unfortunately music sites are have dabbled with exclusivity for a couple years so which is kind of stupid. Seriously, The Carters, I am not signing up for Tidal just to listen to your album when 99.9% of all other music I can find on Spotify. Then earlier this year Apple Music relaunched their video section with some exclusive music videos most notably an Alison Brie starring Beck video and an eight minute video from A Tribe Called Quest. Which begs the question do people who even subscribe to Apple Music watch music videos there instead of YouTube? Month later the Tribe video has finally hit YouTube and thankfully Apple has not commished many videos since.


If You Know You Know - Pusha T


So the month of G.O.O.D. music is over and this Pusha T song is easily the best song of the five albums, maybe the only actual good song.


Ape(shirt) - The Carters


As for the other little early promoted album that came out recently, I still have not listened to the joint The Carter album because I have no desire to sign up for Tidal, and if this is the best song like many have said, I am not missing much. Beyonce the rapper is kind of horrible.


Gold Rush - Death Cab for Cutie


I was a little disappointed that Richard Ashcroft did not show up in the latest Death Cab for Cutie music video.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 7/1/2018

Claws: Things are getting super weird. First they start with a fifties sitcom (right after the Brady Bunch homage last week). Then Desna’s boyfriend starts seductively feeding strawberries to his mother. Then the bizarre courtroom show of Jenn vs. Bryce. Jenn gets drunk in a way I would have never thought of. Oh and I just noticed the portrait of Bryce and Jenn in their bedroom which is… interesting.
You can download Claws on iTunes.

I’m Dying Up Here: Mocking Muhammad Ali has to be the dumbest thing Bill has ever done and he has done some really dumb things. But the stuff with Goldie and her daughter got really deep. So the daughter picks the sleaziest old dude as the guy she lost her virginity to. And then when Goldie almost kills him, Amanda just so happens to confess the only guy she had sex with is now dead. Pretty convenient which makes me wonder if she is telling the truth or not.

The Bold Type: For a prude who has only slept with now five guys and has had many super moral stands, it is weird how anti-religious Jane is. Sure, how her mom died is reasonable to turn her back on the church, but she does (mosty) seems to live by its rules.
You can download The Bold Type on iTunes.

The Handmaid’s Tale: I wonder why Offred did not run at the beginning. Was it just because she had just seen her daughter and realize she did not want to abandon her again? Was it because she was pregnant? Did she fear getting caught again? Then what about the Waterford’s visit maker her want to run? And are garage doors really that tough? And I think that is the first time I ever heard anyone call Mr. Waterford Fred. But is he and his wife really that stupid to not look for footprints in the snow? So what now? Offred is stuck in the middle of nowhere with no transportation and a new baby.
You can stream The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: What a lame basketball game. So after seeing how horrible the lives of opposing team’s players are, Cloak (presumably) bricks the final shot. And yet, though the referee was clearly trying to throw the game, he does not even blow the whistle on the play. But Dagger is clearly becoming the star of the show as she is finally able to harness her abilities and then exploiting them for her own personal gains. And then pushing Cloak over the guardrail hoping it would trigger his powers was the best part of the show yet.

But the big reveal was that Cloak’s brother’s buddy is in cahoots with the officer that killed the brother. Huh? And it seemed like the friend knew the cop killed the brother. So were they working together back then? Did the friend learn of the murder later? And I wonder if Cloak’s storyline with his brother’s killer will end up tying in with Dagger looking into Roxxon.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 6/29/2018

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 Garbage, Ariana Grande, Neil Diamond, Donna Summer, Hulu, Fear Factor, Halo, Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out, Baby Driver, and King of the Desert Lions.

- Garbage last week released the 20th anniversary edition of their legendary second album Version 2.0 via Almo Sounds/UMe. The package features the whole original album, as well as 10 B-sides from the era. The album is available to stream and download starting today HERE.

- Ariana Grande surprises fans ringing in her 25th birthday with “Raindrops,” a track from her upcoming fourth studio album Sweetener. The song was released alongside a video directed by Grammy Award®-winning director Dave Meyers. Watch “Raindrops” video HERE. Preorder Sweetener HERE.

- On August 17, Capitol/UMe will celebrate one of the century's most electrifying live albums, with the release of Neil Diamond's Hot August Night Ill, a live concert DVD/CD Blu-Ray multi-disc set. Hot August Night Ill chronicles Diamond's triumphant return to the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in August 2012.The magical evening was Diamond's 40th anniversary celebration of the original multiplatinum-selling Hot August Night collection that was recorded at the very same venue in 1972. Diamond's noted concert performance and onstage musical prowess is in full evidence on Hot August Night Ill, which features 33 songs including 31 greatest hits. Clocking in at over 2 hours and 20 minutes in length, Hot August Night Ill will be released in multiple audio/video configurations, including 2CD, 2CD + 1DVD, and 2CD + 1Blu-ray, as well as digital and download options. The multidisc set's accompanying video content contains rare behind-the scenes footage with both the band and the crew, showcasing the undeniably palpable energy surrounding Diamond's return to this most historic venue.

- The musical legacy of Donna Summer, the undisputed Queen of Disco and The First Lady of Love, remains hotter than ever as she once again tops the charts with her track ”Hot Stuff (Ralphi Rosario & Erick Ibiza 2018 Rework),” taken from Summer: The Original Hits, hitting No. 1 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.

- In a new library agreement with Viacom, Hulu is now the exclusive streaming home to full libraries of fan-favorite series including: Daria, Nathan for You, My Super Sweet 16, and New Edition Story. In addition, the deal brings a suite of 11 series from the Nickelodeon family and over 20 films to Hulu, titles now available to stream include: Big Time Rush, School of Rock, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, Hunter Street, Make It Pop, Every Witch Way, and WITS Academy. Also returning to Hulu will be hit series Alvinnnn!!! and the Chipmunks, Kung Fu Panda and Penguins Of Madagascar. The new deal is part of Hulu’s commitment to expanding its library with programming for the whole family. More series and films from Nickelodeon will continue to rollout throughout the year.

- MTV’s Fear Factor returns with celebrity episodes on Tuesday, July 17th at 10PM ET with a two-hour premiere. Hosted by Ludacris, the series will include ten, one-hour celebrity episodes filled with new stunts inspired by urban legends, popular scary movies and viral videos from today’s cultural zeitgeist. The celebrity contestants will confront their fears, be pushed beyond their comfort zones and take action against some of their biggest stressors.

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- Halo, the award-winning and record-shattering series of video games, is bringing its universe to SHOWTIME. The network has ordered a 10-episode season of the live-action, scripted drama HALO (working title), based on the hallowed Xbox® franchise, with Kyle Killen (Awake) serving as executive producer, writer and showrunner. Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) will direct multiple episodes and also executive produce the hour-long series. Produced by SHOWTIME in association with Microsoft/343 Industries, along with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, HALO will begin production in early 2019. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc.

- MTV’s Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out returns for SEASON 11 on Thursday, July 12 with two back-to-back episodes beginning at 11PM ET/PT, followed by new episodes Thursday and Friday nights at 11PM ET/PT. This season’s star-studded roster includes Rick Ross, TIP & Hustle Gang, Vic Mensa, KeKe Palmer, Winnie Harlow, Matt Barnes, Trick Daddy, Amara La Negra, Rich The Kid, Tyga, Justine Skye, Cordell Broadus, and many more.

- Showtime will offer the world television premiere of the Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominated film Baby Driver on Saturday, July 14 at 10:00. Showtime subscribers will also be able to watch the film across all platforms including SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and the SHOWTIME stand-alone streaming service.

- After spending nearly six years filming a remarkable pride of endangered desert lions, Smithsonian Channel is now bringing viewers the compelling narrative of their lives in Namibia’s extreme, searing terrain. This story, about one of the world’s most magnificent coalitions of five male lions, has not only touched the hearts of millions all over the world, it has even changed national law. King of the Desert Lions premieres on Wednesday, July 11 at 8:00.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 6/24/2018

Claws: Really, Desna and her boy toy were in the same place at the same time and did not run into each other? I hope they do not pull that all season. But, goodness, was that commercial entertaining.
You can download Claws on iTunes.

I’m Dying Up Here: Ron has done some pretty dumb and self-destructive things this season but marrying a stripper after one week has to top that list. While the episode was going on I was wondering what would last longer, his employment on the show or his marriage. I guess it should not be too surprising the marriage did not last the episode. Also not surprising is that Cassie’s SNL audition did not go well, the real question was what messed it up. It turned out to be Nick OD’ing.

Supergirl: Good riddance Toyman Jr. and Mon-El. So is the latter going back to work on his marriage? It seemed like he made his choice an episode or two ago and picked Kara. And where was Saturn Girl? She completely disappeared in the second half, she was not at the goodbye, nor was she seen on the spaceship with Toyman Jr. and Mon-El leaving. Is she staying here with Braniac 5 (which I hope) or did she go back to the future? Speaking of whatever happened to: what happened to Chad Lowe? He seemingly died last week, but was seen moving this week and then never seen after that.

Just really an uneven and poorly planned out season, well with the exception of the introduction of Saturn Girl. Seriously, if she is not coming back next season, just give Saturn Girl her own show, be it on The CW or the upcoming DC streaming service. As for what will definitely be on the show next season, it looks like we will be getting some Bizzaro Russian Supergirl while Lena Luther starts Phase 2 with Miss Tessmacher. Well, it cannot possibly be worse than this season… can it?
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.

The Bold Type: There are very few things more annoying when a show has a big game changing moment in a season finale only for everything to go back to normal early in the next season. So when Jane go fired last week, I figured she would be back at Scarlett but the end of this episode. Jane even has a meeting with Jacqueline, except Jacqueline shockingly does not hire Jane back saying Jane needs this as a learning expierence. Kudos to Jacqueline for doing so. Granted I will take that back if Jane is back at the magazine by the end of next episode.
You can download The Bold Type on iTunes.

The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars II: Poor Stars, the show did everything to help you this season and still cannot win. But c’mon, how could Louise and Casper get to the food eating challenge first, get the least disgusting foods and leave the round last?
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Handmaid’s Tale: Well that was cold that Offred straight up told the Commander that it is not his baby. Well assuming he believes her. But he did get her back vry cruely. Except then he did the most gracious thing (well aside from freeing her) by letting her see June see her kid. Unless it was his plan all along to strand her there. But that would not make sence to strand your very pregnant Handmaid, but still not the smartest idea to let her travel.

Then right in the middle of this heavy episode is the driver’s wife randomly making out with a guard. And what about the beginning. Did Rory Gilmore put some sort of poison in her lady area to induce a heart attack on her Commander?
You can stream The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: Well Cloak and Dagger finally spent more than a minute and a half together on screen for the first time this episode though I guess nothing really happened when they were together. Basically we just got a recap of them learning about their powers. Then Dagger threw herself off a pier. Was she actually trying to kill herself or just testing the limits of her powers? She did manage to cut through a steel safe afterwards.
You can download Marvel's Cloak and Dagger on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 6/22/2018

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 U2, Eric B and Rakim, Florence + the Machine,Cold War Kids, Noah Kahan, The Supremes, Leonard Bernstein, Public Image Ltd., Welshly Arms, Hulu, and Desus Nice and The Kid Mero.

- UMC/Island/Interscope announced three new vinyl reissues from U2. Remastered and pressed on 180gsm double LP black vinyl, Achtung Baby (1991), Zooropa (1993) and The Best of 1980-1990 (1998) will be released on July 27th. Achtung Baby (1991), Zooropa (1993) and The Best of 1980-1990 (1998) are available to pre order now here.

- Ever since they burst upon the scene in the late 1980s, Eric B & Rakim have been universally recognized as one of hip-hop's greatest creative units. Eric's distinctive soundscapes and Rakim's complex raps remain unequaled, and the duo's classic recordings remain a benchmark of the genre. Although the pair's albums have remained immensely influential, all have been out of print for some time, making the UMe release The Complete Collection 1987-1992 an especially timely package. Not only a mighty monument to Eric B & Rakim's larger-than-life catalog, this ten-disc vinyl/CD set is the first U.S. career expanding box set for a hip hop artist. The Complete Collection 1987-1992 incorporates two-LP vinyl editions of each of Eric B & Rakim's four original albums—1987's Paid In Full, 1988's Follow the Leader, 1990's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and 1992's Don't Sweat the Technique— plus two bonus CDs of vintage remixes, none of which have ever appeared on an album, and only a handful of which have previously been available digitally. All four LPs are housed in a ridged slipcase that also houses a 36-page book and the two bonus CDs. The bonus CDs include no less than 26 vintage remixes, including such influential classics as Coldcut's "Seven Minutes of Madness" mix of "Paid In Full," the "Six Minutes of Soul" reworking of "I Know You Got Soul," Marley Marl and M.C. Shan's mix of "My Melody," and "Friends," Eric B & Rakim's Top Ten 1989 collaboration with Jody Watley.

- Florence + the Machine unveil a new song, “Big God,” and video today—watch it, choreographed by Akram Khan and Florence and directed by Autumn de Wilde, HERE. “Big God” is the third track to be released from Florence + the Machine’s hugely anticipated fourth studio album High As Hope, out June 29 on Republic Records.


- Cold War Kids: Can We Hang On?: Late Night with Seth Myers:


- As he quietly becomes an international sensation with nearly 110 million cumulative streams to his name, Vermont singer and songwriter Noah Kahan returns with his new single, “Come Down,” today—listen here.

- On June 29, in anticipation of the upcoming 60th anniversary of Motown — a.k.a. Hitsville U.S.A. — and inspired by the album’s own recent 51st anniversary, Motown/UMe is releasing a 51-track, 2-CD Expanded Edition of The Supremes’ tenth studio effort, the chart-topping The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland. The collection magnifies the scope of a seminal album that made history, including 27 tracks that are heard here for the first time via a number of updated mixes and alternate versions, as well as electrifying live performances captured at the Copacabana nightclub in New York City in May 1967, the last recorded performance of the original trio: Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard.

- In a dazzling musical career that spanned more than forty years, Leonard Bernstein distinguished himself as a conductor, pianist and educator, as well as a passionate musical communicator. But it was his work as a composer that made the most enduring impression upon the public. Bernstein's timeless compositions have become deeply ingrained in the American soundtrack, encompassing the Broadway stage, the pop scene and the jazz world. Now, just in time for the 100th anniversary of his birth on August 25, some of his greatest works have been assembled for Jazz Loves Bernstein, available June 29 via Verve/UMe. The two-CD/digital collection spans the musical and emotional breadth of the Bernstein songbook, with interpretations of the maestro's classic tunes spanning more than half a century, performed by some of the era's finest jazz singers and musicians.
Starting today, Bobby’s Scott rare 1959 recording of “Ya Got Me” is available for streaming and for immediate download with digital album pre-order. Pre-order Jazz Loves Bernstein now.

- n celebration of Public Image Ltd.’s (PiL) 40th Anniversary, Abramorama and Verisimilitude have released the first official trailer and poster of the new music documentary The Public Image Is Rotten. The career-spanning documentary, tells the story of music icon John Lydon and his pioneering group PiL with a level of depth and intimacy never before seen. Following a sold-out screening at Camden London’s Odeon Cinema, the film will be released in multiple theaters across the United Kingdom and select European cities throughout the summer, followed by a North American theatrical tour in the fall kicking off at New York City’s downtown Metrograph on September 14. Watch the trailer for the film The Public Image Is Rotten HERE.

- Cleveland-based, blues and gospel-influenced Alternative band Welshly Arms debuts the video for their single, “Sanctuary,” today—watch and share here. The video exclusively premieres on Billboard, who hails the song as an “earnest, dramatically arranged track.”​ It was directed by Los Angeles-based director Dan Henry and shot in the desert near Acton, CA.

- Hulu announced a deal to acquire whistleblower doc Crime + Punishment as a Hulu documentary. After debuting at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, CRIME + PUNISHMENT went on to win the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact Filmmaking, and has garnered numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the 2018 Independent Film Festival in Boston. Stephen Maing directed, produced and filmed, and Academy Award Winner Laura Poitras serves as an executive producer. The premium streaming service will partner with IFC Films to release the documentary simultaneously in theaters and on Hulu on August 24th.

- Showtime has ordered a weekly half-hour late-night series starring Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, scheduled for premiere in 2019. The first ever weekly late-night talk show on Showtime will feature popular TV and podcast personalities Desus and Mero, speaking highly off the cuff and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President and CEO of Showtime Networks Inc.

2018 Summer Preview

For a couple straight years I did not do a Most Anticipated list for my upcoming music round up post because I was finding it hard to come up with five albums to get remotely excited about. So last spring I was excited to actually have five worth talking about. I thought this may be a turning point for the music industry who had been decimated by low revenues for years. But streaming was finally starting to turn a profit which in turn record labels were spending more money on diverse artist. Then I started to compire my summer preview... and the album outlook is pretty dire again. Seriously, there are only five albums that I will even give one listen two listed listed to be released in July right now and even then one of them is a live album by a two hit wonder from the eighties. Even January is not that dire for music.

Granted we did get some surprise late spring releases. For the past month Kanye West has put out an album each week with little notice. Sure if you cherry picked the best tracks from each of the for albums and you would still get a pretty mediocre compilation. I do not even care for the last one coming this week. Then Saturday, Jay-Z and Beyonce released a joint album under the name The Carters stealing a little of Kanye's thunder. Granted that album was received only slightly better than the G.O.O.D. albums. So maybe we will get a few more surprised albums this summer though after Kanye, Jay-Z, and Beyonce, there are very few artist that most people could get excited for a surprise release. But here are the albums I will at the very least give one spin on Spotify this summer. Click on the album for an Amazon pre order or click on the band's name to be taken to their iTunes page.


June 22
Passwords - Dawes
Bad Witch - Nine Inch Nails
All o This Life -The Record Company

June 29
High as Hope - Florence + The Machine
The Now Now - Gorillaz
Greetings from the Neon Frontier - The Wild Feathers
Uniform Distortion - Jim James
Our Country: Americana Act II - Ray Davies

July 6
Ascension - A Flock of Seagulls

July 13
Wide Awake - Rayland Baxter
Love Monster - Amy Shark

July 20
Take Me to the Disco - Meg Myers
All Ashore - Punch Brothers

August 10
Know. - Jason Mraz

August 17
Thank You for Today - Death Cab for Cutie

Agust 24
Parallel Universe - Plain White T's

August 31
My New Moon - Amos Lee
Runaway - Passenger
Villains - Emma Blackery

August 17
Sweetener - Ariana Grande

September 7
Raise Vibration - Lenny Kravitz
Egypt Station - Paul McCartney
Ruby - Macy Gray

September 14
Cry Pretty - Carrie Underwood

September 21
Piano and A Microphone: 1983 - Prince

TBA
Weezer (The Black Album) - Weezer
The 1975
Avril Lavigne
blink-182
The Doobie Brothers
Grimes
Robyn
Slick Rick
Taylor Swift
Tenacious D

And of course this could be the quarter that Dr. Dre releases Detox.

I Want My Music television: 6/18/2018

Fall In Line - Christina Aguilera feat. Demi Lovato


Were those children in the beginning supposed to be young Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato because the former has to have a decade on the latter. It is kind of weird to have this female empowerment song and video that ends with: directed by a dude. As for the song itself, meh.


Lost My Mind - Lily Allen


When Lily Allen released her last album, songs went into two categories, her usually bratty songs that she did on her first two album while the other half were more adult sounding. At the time I said I wished Lily would dump the bratty persona and just do grown up songs. Her new album is mostly adult sounding, unfortunately it is mostly boring.


Rocket Man - Little Big Town


Elton John was made for MTV. Too bad most of his best songs predated the music video format. Weird that \Little Big Town went with a Phantom Zone look for their version of Rocket Man.


Give Yourself A Try - The 1975


Is the lead singer of The 1975 transitioning into Haley Williams?