Around the Tubes: 9/8/2017

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: Life in 12 Bars, The Mindy Project, Space's Deepest Secrets: Cassini, Active Shooter: America Under Fire, Swim Team, Gary Owens: I Got My Associates, People, and Ball Street.

- Ahead of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend, Showtime has released the full-length trailer and key art for the new Showtime Documentary Film, Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars. Following the festival, the film will make its world television debut exclusively on Showtime on Saturday, February 10 at 9:00. Also making its debut at TIFF this weekend is the new Showtime Documentary Film LOVE MEANS ZERO, which presents an in-depth look at famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri and will premiere on Showtime in 2018.


- Check out the new trailer for the final season of The Mindy Project! The sixth and final season of The Mindy Project premieres Tuesday, Sept. 12 only on Hulu. New episodes will stream weekly on Tuesdays.


- Science Channel will follow the final moments of NASA’s Cassini spacecraft before it crashes into the atmosphere of Saturn. On Friday, September 15th the Cassini mission will end its remarkable 13-year tour of Saturn by plunging into the gas giant and burning up. Cassini has spent months diving close to Saturn’s rings, offering the world remarkable never-before-seen images of the planet. Now we’ll see what it looks like from inside its famous rings. Science Channel captures the months of lead-up to the mission’s ‘Grand Finale,’ as well images taken right before the crash, in Space's Deepest Secrets: Cassini, premiering Tuesday, September 19 at 9:00. The network will also go live on September 15 at 7:50 a.m., broadcasting Cassini’s final moments.

- Showtime announced a powerful new eight-part documentary series, Active Shooter: America Under Fire, that delivers an in-depth exploration of mass shootings and their devastating consequences. From the first-hand perspective of survivors, families of the victims, witnesses and heroic first responders, the series goes beyond the sensationalistic coverage of these nightmarish moments to offer a comprehensive report on these tragic events. Active Shooter: America Under Fire will premiere Friday, September 29 at 9:00 on Showtime, on-air, on demand and over the internet.


- Lara Stolman’s inspiring debut documentary, Swim Team, follows three diverse young men—Michael McQuay Jr., Robert Justino and Kelvin Truong—from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, who fall on the autism spectrum. New Jersey reports the highest rate of autism in the country, with one in 26 boys on the spectrum. On the McQuays’ team, the Jersey Hammerheads, these young men find inclusion, independence and space to achieve their loftiest goals. Swim Team has its national broadcast premiere on the PBS documentary series POV (Point of View) on Monday, October 2, 2017 at 10:00 (check local listings). POV is American television's longest-running independent documentary series, now in its 30th season. Swim Team is a co-presentation with the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM).

- The outrageously funny Gary Owen is back with his third SHOWTIME comedy special, Gary Owens: I Got My Associates, premiering Friday, September 8 at 9:00. In this hour-long special, Owen’s stories are as unbelievable as they are true, running the gamut from celebrity weddings and bumping into LeBron James in the bathroom to the dichotomy of his hillbilly family and being married to the daughter of a founding member of the Black Panthers. Filmed at the Stardome in Hoover, Alabama, Owen also includes his thoughts on being the father of teenagers and serving in the military, as well as what he thinks of gamblers, prisons and even hand washing. No one sees the world quite like he does in this hilarious new special.

- The legendary Madonna graces this week’s cover of People, with an exclusive look at her charity work for the African nation of Malawi, which recently culminated with the opening of the country’s first ever pediatric hospital. Madonna, a mother to six children – four of whom she adopted from Malawi – gives People and PEN unprecedented access to her incredible journey in helping a country she holds so dear.

- Showtime announced the pilot order for the new half-hour comedy series Ball Street, starring Emmy® nominated and Golden Globe winning actor Don Cheadle (HOUSE OF LIES) and two-time Tony® Award nominee and Grammy winner Andrew Rannells (Girls, The Intern). Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg will direct and executive produce the pilot. Ball Street was created by David Caspe (Happy Endings) and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend’s Girl), who will serve as executive producers and showrunners. Production on the pilot is scheduled to begin in February. The project is a co-production between Showtime and Sony Pictures Television Studios. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc. takes us back to October 19, 1987 – aka Black Monday – the worst stock market crash in the history of Wall Street. To this day, no one knows who caused it. Until now… Ball Street is the story of how a group of outsiders took on the blue-blood, old-boys club of Wall Street and ended up crashing the world’s largest financial system, a Lamborghini limousine, Don Henley’s birthday party, and the glass ceiling.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 9/3/2017

Ray Donovan: I guess I was wrong that the lack of Daryl in the present timeline meant he had something to do with Abby’s death but he actually showed up this episode. But I am a bit fuzzy on the Abby is dying timeline. They seem to be jumping around so did this week happen before Abby collapsed and went to the hospital or after? Then I was also wrong that the guy Bridget met in the premiere was the recipient of Abby’s heart instead Ray tried to kill him. Um, when has Ray ever failed to kill someone (aside from his father I guess)? And why even try to kill someone who was already dying, does he not have enough money, or can blackmail someone with enough money?

The Last Ship: It was only a matter of time that Civilian Chandler would run into the Nathan James, I probably had under three episode, but that was an interesting reintroduction of him to his former crew. Of course he will likely become acting captain as the new captain seems to be MIA.
You can download The Last Ship on iTunes.

The Strain: And more people finally finding each other. Maybe Gus can actually contribute to the story after being mostly meaningless so far. But I am still a little puzzled what actackly went down with the Nazi vampire. Okay, I get Setrakian poisoned his blood, but still, how did he come immune from turning despite being bit? Seems convenient.
You can download The Strain on iTunes.

Preacher: Wait, the guy escaped the ambulance? I guess we will get how next week.
You can download Preacher on iTunes.

The Challenge: Dirty 30: More Redemption House? I guess at least the losers from the last try to get back into the game are not still there (that we know of). But I wonder just how long the Challenge took. I have watched every season but I am sure it would take he hours to get it right and I think some of these kids were not even born when season one debuted.
You can download The Challenge: Dirty 30 on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 7/1/2017

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 Scared Famous, Cloves, Neurotica, Wild Castles, Second Nature, Chatty Catties, and PodcastOne.

- VH1 this week announced the new spine-chilling competition series Scared Famous will premiere on Monday, October 23rd at 9PM ET/PT. Legendary rapper Redman is named the Master of Scare-a-Monies for 10 of the biggest reality stars as they try to endure gruesome challenges and terrifying scares that pay homage to recent horror hits. Over 2 weeks, these celebrities will move into an eerie estate in Savannah, Georgia, one of America’s most haunted cities, and test their limits for a chance to donate $100,000 to his or her favorite charity. They must rely on alliances, strategy and friendships, but supernatural forces beyond their control may be their true undoing.

- Tune in to the AT&T* AUDIENCE Network concert special "CLOVES" airing Friday, September 1, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114 and on-demand through DIRECTV NOW. In this episode, the 21-year-old London-via-Melbourne singer/songwriter CLOVES with series host Ted Stryker for an in-depth interview.

- In the new IFC Comedy Crib series Neurotica, a plucky dominatrix named Ivy struggles with her OCD and fights to maintain her business when a fancy new MegaDungeon opens in her small town, which could easily be mistaken for Stars Hollow. Created by and starring Jenny Jaffe and produced and directed by Jetpacks Go!.

- The abandoned castles of Europe are magnificent markers of the continent's tempestuous history, but where they once hosted royalty, these empty, hulking structures are now overtaken by the wildlife and rich natural environments flourishing around them. From the exquisite brown bears and aquatic salamanders of Predjama Castle, to the Neuschwanstein Castle that inspired the fictional fortresses of some of Disney’s most iconic princesses, explore the curious history of these imposing European structures and the creatures that now call them home. New episodes of WILD CASTLES will premiere on Smithsonian Earth each Friday, starting today.

- Second Nature was directed and co-written by Seattle's Michael Cross, and was shot in Cross' hometown of Ellensburg, WA with an entirely Northwest-based crew and supporting cast. The film aims to bring light to gender inequality by showing how the rivalry between men and women is alive and well. When mayoral candidate Amanda (Collette Wolfe – Interstellar, Hot Tub Time Machine) uses a magic mirror to reverse the gender roles in her small town, she gains the upper hand on her womanizing opponent, Bret (Sam Huntington – Superman Returns, Sully). As each experiences life in the other’s shoes, they must decide which reality they prefer before they’re stuck in the flipped world forever.


- Following a successful, multi-city theatrical run this past Fall, Pablo Valencia's award-winning comedy, Chatty Catties, featuring Deaf actor John Autry (GLEE) as the voice of Leonard the Cat, is coming to iTunes and Amazon this Tuesday!

- PodcastOne, America’s largest advertiser-supported podcast network, is launching a new, premiere line-up of original sports programming under the banner of PodcastOne Sports.
PodcastOne Sports debuts September 5th with the launch of Attack Each Day: The Harbaugh’s Podcast. Hosted by University of Michigan football coach, Jim Harbaugh, Attack Each Day will feature regular visits by family and friends, including Baltimore Ravens Head Coach and brother, John Harbaugh, former coach and father, Jack, and former University of San Diego player, J.T. Rogan.

I Want My Music Television: 8/29/2017

Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift


At first listen of the song you knew the video would be built around the old Taylor is dead line. Still I spent most of the video missing the Our Song era of Taylor. People have been making a lot out how this is “dark Taylor Swift” but it does not sound much different than her last two albums. To me, dark Taylor would sound more like Safe and Sound. Unfortunately the Civil Wars no longer exist; instead she is making another record with the dude from Bleachers who is getting kind of stale (he recently did the underwhelming Lorde sophomore album). If there is a silver lining is that Taylor’s first singles are the worst song off the album, hopefully that is the case here.


The Sky Is a Neighborhood - Foo Fighters


I think like many people around the eclipse, I watched Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart video, apparently so did the Foo Fighters who weirdly are using the same eye-light effect.


Every Little Thing - Carly Pearce


I am a long proponent of sad bastard songs and this one by Carly Pearce is the saddest of 2017 so far.


Batdance - Prince


I cannot count the number of times I went to YouTube searching for Batdance only to remember, oh yeah, Prince hates the internet. A month or two his estate has slowly putting his music videos on the site and last week, we finally got an offiial version of Batdance. I am so happy.

Previewing Mysteries of the Missing

There was a time when my biggest complaint about the cable news stations was they would get obsessed over insignificant stories like random dead white chicks and missing plains from halfway across the world with no Americans on board. Just wall to wall coverage despite no new news to report for days. Much simpler times. When Natalie Holloway’s dad popped up recently I thought, what a reprieve to what modern news has devolved into.

For those that miss these types of stories, Science Channel has a new show that will delve into stories that puzzled us all and still do with Mysteries of the Missing. Tonight’s premiere starts off with CNN’s favorite missing plain, Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. In a time of security cameras, satellites, and cameras in almost every phone, it is increasingly shocking how a plain leaving from Kuala Lumpur, traveling to Beijing could just disappear. The show goes over the various theories (a couple I never heard of before) as well as talking to aviation specialist as well as a hacker that has been banned from a couple airlines.

The series features other prominent vanishing acts including the three Alcatraz escapees who managed to flee the island fortress in 1962; the Lost Roanoke Colony in North Carolina; the unexplained cause of a 1908 explosion in an extremely remote part of Siberia that is said to have been the equivalent of a thousand atom bombs; and the notorious Bermuda triangle, among others. The series is narrated by Lost’s Terry O’Quinn.

Mysteries of the Missing airs Saturdays at 10:00 on Science Channel.

Around the Tubes: 8/25/2017

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 Prince, Cold War Kids, Baker Grace, Aly + AJ, The Third Rail with OZYThe Third Rail with OZY, Jerry Lewis, the SAG Life Achievement Award, and 2017 VMAs.

- Showtime has acquired the rarely seen Prince concert film Sign O’ the Times, which will air on American television for the first time in more than a decade, premiering September 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Created as a companion to the 1987 Prince double album of the same name, Sign O’ the Times features live performances of songs including “U Got the Look” (with Sheena Easton), “If I Was Your Girlfriend” and “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” in addition to the title song and a striking rendition of the Prince classic, “Little Red Corvette.” Much of the film was shot at Prince’s own Paisley Park Studios, as well as on tour in the Netherlands and Belgium.

- Tune in to the AT&T* AUDIENCE Network concert special Cold War Kids airing Friday, August 25,at 9:00 via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114 and on-demand through DIRECTV NOW. In this episode, Cold War Kids perform fan favorites and sit down with series host Ted Stryker for an in-depth interview.

- Stepping out today with her debut single, 16 year old newcomer Baker Grace makes an immediate impression with Am I Talking To You? Showcasing gorgeous vocals and songwriting ability belying her tender years, the track features Baker's sparkling tone decorating a sparse arrangement.



- Musical duo, Aly + AJ, who have sold over 2 million records worldwide, return today after a 10 year musical hiatus, with their brand new track, Take Me. “This is just the start,” muses Aly Michalka, who, along with her sister AJ Michalka, exude an excitement impossible to ignore. Their energy completely renewed, the track, "Take Me" exudes that same vigor - it's teaming with a slow burning restlessness that’s nestled amongst textured melodies and 808 drums, with nostalgic synth hits.

- OZY Media and PBS new prime time show, The Third Rail with OZY, premieres Friday September 8, 2017 at 8:30 pm ET and is hosted by OZY CEO and founder Carlos Watson. Watson grew up in Miami and holds an A.B. in Government from Harvard University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. After stints on political campaigns, graduating from law school, time at McKinsey & Company, starting his own college prep company and anchoring on MSNBC, Carlos Watson channeled his skills toward building Silicon Valley based-OZY, a media company focused on the future.

- Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will celebrate the life and career of acclaimed comedian, actor and filmmaker Jerry Lewis, whose irrepressible zaniness and frantic creativity made him a defining figure of American entertainment in the 20th century, with a five film tribute on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4 in honor of of the nearly 50 years Mr. Lewis spent hosting The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon encouraging viewers to donate to the charity. Lewis, who passed away Sunday Aug 20 at the age of 91, knew success in movies, on television, in nightclubs, on the Broadway stage from his early films with Dean Martin, to his solo career eventually writing, producing and directing many of his own films.

- Morgan Freeman – Academy Award® winning actor, producer, voice actor and activist – has been named the 54th recipient of SAG-AFTRA's highest tribute: the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. Freeman will be presented the performers union's top accolade at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan.21, 2018 at 8:00. Given annually to an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession," the SAG Life Achievement Award will join Freeman’s exceptional catalog of preeminent industry and public honors, which includes a Screen Actors Guild Award, an Academy Award, HFPA’s Cecil B. DeMille Award®, an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, seven Image Awards, a Silver Berlin Bear, several Obies®, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

- MTV today announced additional performers set to take the stage at the 2017 “VMAs” airing live from the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, August 27 at 8:00. Logic will perform his hit single “1-800-273-8255” featuring Khalid, and Gucci Mane will take the stage with previously announced Fifth Harmony to perform their song “Down.” Additionally, the show will feature special performances by breakout artists Post Malone and Julia Michaels. MTV is announcing that singer-songwriter Alessia Cara and rapper KYLE will perform at the 2017 "MTV VMAs" on Sunday at 8pm ET/PT.

I Want My Music Television: 8/24/2017

Future Me - Echosmith



Broken Glass - Rachel Platten


Echosmith and Rachel Platten debut major label albums were cheesy fun and what set them apart was that they sounded more like classic pop songs instead of what passes as current pop, which is basically vaguely EDM with that weird dolphin sound in ever song. So it was very disappointing that both of their new songs of their sophomore albums have that same vague EDM sound like everything else there right now.


Feel Good - Neon Trees


Well at Neon Trees are still doing their same power-pop songs for better or worse.


Versace On the Floor - Bruno Mars


Was Bruno Mars trying to make a Prince video, because I kind of see it. Granted, Prince would have gotten that dress of much faster.

The 100 Greatest Two Hit Wonders of All Time

1. The Presidents of the United States of America

2. Spin Doctors

3. Steppenwolf

4. Irene Cara

5. The Chi-Lites

6. Whitesnake

7. Terence Trent D'Arby

8. Tesla

9. A Flock of Seagulls

10. Twisted Sister

11. Tone-Loc

12. Rancid

13. Scorpions

14. Fine Young Cannibals

15. Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

16. Amerie

17. The Romantics

18. Corey Hart

19. Delta Rae

20. The Power Station

21. Quiet Riot

22. Mr. Mister

23. The Dandy Warhols

24. Extreme

25. James Bay

26. John Parr

27. Carl Thomas

28. Domino

29. Kim Wilde

30. Soul Coughing

31. General Public

32. City High

33. Candlebox

34. Bloodhound Gang

35. MisterWives

36. Rugburns

37. JoJo

38. The Motels

39. Berlin

40. Del Amitri

41. Naked Eyes

42. Embrace

43. The Refreshments

44. Ready for the World

45. Stereo MC's

46. Glass Tiger

47. Echosmith

48. Was (Not Was)

49. The Rembrandts

50. Everlast

51. Sixpence None the Richer

52. Sophie B. Hawkins

53. Soul for Real

54. Seven Mary Three

55. Sister Hazel

56. Filter

57. Junior M.A.F.I.A.

58. Erin McCarley

59. Europe

60. Zero 7

61. The Foundations

62. Switchfoot

63. Howie Day

64. Phantogram

65. Fun Lovin' Criminals

66. Suzanne Vega

67. The Spencer Davis Group

68. One eskimO

69. Damn Yankees

70. Cameo

71. Walk the Moon

72. Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise

73. Inner Circle

74. Snap!

75. Level 42

76. Stacie Orrico

77. Falco

78. Glenn Medeiros

79. Nine Days

80. Vanessa Hudgens

81. Broken Bells

82. Animotion

83. Blue Swede

84. Fort Minor

85. Vanilla Ice

86. Lit

87. The Soup Dragons

88. Jackie DeShannon

89. The Ting Tings

90. Ugly Kid Joe

91. Amy Macdonald

92. The Donnas

93. Veruca Salt

94. Lita Ford

95. Mad Season

96. White Zombie

97. Another Bad Creation

98. White Lion

99. Dream

100. The KLF

Previewing The Last Ship: Season Four

So The Last Ship found a cure for the outbreak in the first season, spread it across America in season two, and then shipped it across the globe in season three. So what is left for season four especially after Captain Chandler walked away from the ship in the season finally to raise his kids after his father died? Well apparently the virus, called Red Rust on account that is the color food is turning, that threatened humanity is now destroying the food supply. But fear not, there is a virus resistant strain, except it is being horded somewhere is Iran. Maybe. So on to Mesopotamia the Nathan James goes this season.

Civilian Chandler is still on the show, he and his brood has found their way to Greece (maybe no so coincidentally the Nathan James will be travelling the Mediterranean early in the season) and has found a hot Greek family to shack up with. Except with the food shortage, pirate have to taking food from local fishermen, including those Tom is cohabitating. And Tom thought his days of hero-ing were over.

It has been sixteen months since the events of last season and even early in the first couple episodes, the show visits, Nebraska, Morocco, Greece and Spain, with more foreign countries to come. And like past seasons, there are plenty of explosions and tense action that should keep you entertained for the rest of the summer.

The Last Ship airs Sundays on TNT.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 8/19/2017

Orphan Black: 147 clones? Wow, Dyad was busy. They are apparently all dead now but I wonder how many dude clones were there. I was just disappointed they ruined Alison, turning her into a hippy for no apparent reason with two episodes left. I was hoping we would get a cheesy sitcom spin off with her and Donnie.
You can download Orphan Black on iTunes.

Ray Donovan: So are they going to continue to tease Abby’s death without actually saying the word or at least show the body? Sure Ray found her convulsing and foaming from the mouth, but we never heard what happened to her. Ray did mention the head injury from the car accident which of course was cause by the hot leaked actress. Except Ray did not bring that up when she showed of at his office. But I did find it interesting that she told Ray she “shot” her husband, not that she killed her. It would be more interesting if the husband is not dead because it seems like Ray cleans up a dead body at least one a season. I believe the very first scene of the series was Ray getting rid of a dead body.

Claws: I am not sure what was more entertaining, the Whitney Houston scene or the Humpty Dance scene. Still I do not understand why Roller and Uncle Daddy let Desna, and Virginia, live for trying to kill the former. And I am not sure if I am racist and think every black man looks the same, but I am pretty sure that was Desna’s doctor friend that the Dixie Mafia met with in the last scene.
You can download Claws on iTunes.

The Strain: So Setrakian has been part of a bone marrow experiment this whole time? And that was kind of an easy escape, why not try that earlier? And why I am complaining, why did the Master not swarm Eph after learning his location. New Horizons was right there presumably swarming with Strigoli.
You can download The Strain on iTunes.

I’m Dying Up Here: Bill got the chair? I know the show positioned him as the next big thing, but never really deserved it in my eyes. Then he did not even bother to kill himself afterward. The other big question beside how did Bill get on Carson, let alone the chair is what happened to Teddy’s club? Did someone set it on fire or was it electrical because the pimp said it passed inspection but not because he updated it. Not that I really cared because after watching the whole season, I wish we would have gotten a second season of Roadies instead.

Preacher: What the fork is up with the freaky dude with the eye? Seriously, the butter thing, what was that?
You can download Preacher on iTunes.

The Challenge: Dirty 30: She may look and act like a ditz, but, wow, Jenna looked like a beast as the only one who pushed her opponent off and she did it twice.
You can download The Challenge: Dirty 30 on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 8/18/2017

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 Good Behavior, Halt and Catch Fire, Austin City Limits, Conan, Might Cruise Ships, A Season With, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Watergate *But Were Afraid to Ask, Anna of the North.

- Award-winning actress Michelle Dockery will be back on the bad side when she returns as thief and con artist Letty Raines in the hit TNT drama Good Behavior. Juan Diego Botto, Terry Kinney, Lusia Strus and Joey Kern also star in the seductive drama. The second season of Good Behavior is slated to premiere across TNT's television, mobile and digital platforms on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 10:00.


- AMC announced today that the award-winning Blue Man Group will appear in the season premiere episode of Halt and Catch Fire, which begins its fourth and final season on Saturday, August 19th at 9:00. The network will also be launching an exclusive sweepstakes where fans can enter to win a Blue Man Group prize package, including two tickets to see a Blue Man Group performance, a human paintbrush canvas of Gordon Clark (Scoot McNairy) as seen in the season four premiere, and much more. The sweepstakes will launch on Friday, August 18th at 3:00pm ET and run until September 1st.

- The iconic PBS series Austin City Limits (ACL) announces a new season premiering October 7 with an an epic hour featuring global superstar Ed Sheeran. With this season, ACL becomes the longest-running music show in television history, providing viewers with a front-row seat to the best in performance for over 40 years, and continues its legendary run showcasing more stars, innovators and highly-anticipated debuts. The series airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide and full episodes are made available online for a limited time at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the initial broadcast

- TBS’s Conan will take the show internationally for the seventh time in two years as the popular host travels to Israel. Conan Without Borders: Israel will be a primetime special premiering Tuesday, September 19 at 10:00 on TBS. O’Brien plans to visit Tel Aviv and Jerusalem among other locales to be announced in the coming weeks.

- Embark on a journey across the globe on some of the world’s most luxurious cruises and remarkable trains, exploring breathtaking landscapes on land and sea while experiencing the unique ways passengers can travel the world. Voyage on some of the most extraordinary vessels and locomotives and meet the engineers and crews behind these incredible machines as they travel to locales near and far; with first-class amenities, it’s no wonder these trains and cruise ships are so distinguished. MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS and MIGHTY TRAINS premiere on Sunday, September 3 at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET/PT, respectively, on Smithsonian Channel.

- SHOWTIME Sports will chronicle the 2017 Naval Academy football team with weekly installments of the all-access documentary series A SEASON WITH NAVY FOOTBALL. The third edition of the groundbreaking franchise, A SEASON WITH, immerses viewers behind the scenes and into the lives of the football players and coaches at the storied Service Academy with weekly 30-minute episodes throughout the 2017 season. The series premieres Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, four days after Navy begins its season on the road against Florida Atlantic University. New episodes will premiere each Tuesday as the Midshipmen balance the rigors of academics, athletics and military service while navigating a challenging 2017 NCAA FBS football schedule.

- The innovative hybrid publisher, Riverdale Avenue Books is releasing Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Watergate *But Were Afraid to Ask by Brian J. O’Connor and Lori Perkins on August 14th. Select chapters will be available for free to read on RiverdaleAveBooks.com on August 8th, the 43rd anniversary of Richard Nixon’s resigning from office.

- Anna of the North today unveil new single ‘Money’, another infectious alt-pop gem from the ever-more endearing Norwegian-Kiwi duo who stand on the precipice of blowing up.

Previewing Episodes: The Final Season

There are many advantages to shortened seasons utilized by cable networks. But there is one huge disadvantage, where major network shows tend to only have three month breaks, when you are only airing ten episodes a year, that means you are off the air for forty two weeks a year, or a nine and a half month hiatus. And that is the minimum. Sometime it takes longer to come back. Case in point, they announced the last season of Episodes so long ago, Matt LeBlanc managed to air all twenty-two episodes of his next show, Man with a Plan. Seriously, the last episode of Episodes aired March 15, 2015.

Ten months is a long time to remember what happened on a television show, so what happened almost two and a half years ago is very vague. I remember the show within a show was canceled but not that much else. That, of course, makes me ask, if the fake show was canceled why not cancel the real show? What else is there possible to do?

The answer is quite clear at the start of the season premiere; Matt LeBlanc’s new fake gameshow The Box is great. They even spend the first eight minutes show up the fake game show where contestants are stuck in a box (natch) and can build up advantages within the game by answering trivia questions that they can use to make their experience inside the box better or the competitors lives worse to the point they quit the game.

Things are not as entertaining with Beverly and Sean’s new show which they pitched but then was turned over to different showrunner who is ruining their show. At least in their eyes. Yet like two ships passing in the night, the writing duo again crosses path with the former Friends star professionally, and again with mixed (but hilarious for the audience) results. The first couple seasons of Episodes were hit or miss, but the final season is firing on all cylinders, I kind of wish, this season was the starting point and we got four seasons after this premise. Especially a behind the scenes show about The Box.

Episodes airs Sundays at 10:00 on Showtime.

Previewing Dice: Season Two

Two years ago, networks were getting creative with rolling out new series kind of like NBC when they dumped the entire first season of Aquarius On Demand after the premiere. Showtime tried this out with Dice. But much like Aquarius which aired weekly in its second season, it looks like Dice will do just that even though Showtime cares more about subscribers who will watch whenever than appointment viewing.

But that really is the only change with the second season of Dice. Mr. Clay starts off the new season still paying off his gambling debt and even after playing a string of shows he is still owes the casino money. Then after a weird encounter with a rabbi, Dice wakes up in a parallel universe where he never became a comic and is now living as a salesman. And it is really disturbing just how much “normal” Andrew Dice Clay looks like most of my uncle’s friends. Then it dawned on me, oh my, if Andrew Dice Clay went into hedge funds, he may have ended up being The Mooch, the White House communication director for a week and a half Anthony Scaramucci.

I spent most of the first season of Dice wondering, just who is this show for. And it took the past election to realize, people who work for Donald Trump. The type of guy who still find jokes about sniffing underwear, use homosexual terms as an insult, wish they could still grab women without their consent, and vote for Donald Trump will love this show. I guess liberals who want to make fun of how sad these people’s lives are may also enjoy hate-watching Dice too.

Dice airs Sundays at 10:30 on Showtime.

Previewing Divided: Season Two

I used to watch a lot of game shows; The Price Is Right was one of the few things I watched in college. But as I grew older I moved into more scripted fare. But now that I grow even older and I have no idea what is going on from week to week and need a five to ten minute “previously on” package, maybe I should get back into game show. They even have their own network now. Okay, do not ask me if I receive GSN, if I do it is in the 100 tier I never scroll through.

But I did get sample one of their original programming, Divided, returning for a second season tonight with back to back episodes. The first episode features a “full time live streamer.” And no, one of the questions is not how exactly does she make any money (unless the live stream does not involve clothing). The show features four contestants who have to answer each question unanimously and the longer they take to agree, the less money they make if they get. And if they get it wrong, their bank is divided in half. There is also a “Takeover” button where one person can answer for the group.

Then halfway through the episode one person is booted by the group, but if three people do not unanimously, again they have to debate while losing money until they agree. Then at the end of the game, the final bank is divided into sixty, thirty, and ten percent and the remaining three have to agree who leaves with what percentage, and of course everyone’s cut goes down as they debate who gets what.

One of the first things I noticed about the show is how poorly the layout is. Just in the first episode one player said he was picking A but B showed up on the board because he pressed the wrong button. Then later, another player went to lock in his pick, but pushed the Takeover Button by accident. I also found the final dividing round unnecessarily evil. Although the episode I watch, they surprisingly can to a decision quite quickly. But the questions were interesting, I only got one wrong and I was kind of shocked how wrong they all were in the first question of the night dealing with how many vegetarians there are in the nation. But I clearly would be horrible on this show because I am not very agreeable or persuadable. I would probably burn the two Takeovers early which would leave me to getting booted.

The new season of Divided will feature a number of special themed episodes, including Baby Boomers vs. Millennials, Military Night (featuring representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines), all teachers, all lawyers, all poker players, and “Second Chance” episodes where contestants voted off the show early get a second shot at the prize money.

Divided airs Tuesdays at 10:00 on GSN.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 8/13/2017

Ray Donovan: At the start of every season these days I usually start with complaining about having no clue with what happened last season. The good thing about Ray Donovan is usually the wrap everything up in a little bow at the end of each season so you really do not need much of a refresher. So when they run their “previously on” segment to recap last season, I could go, oh yeah, Ray and the family took down that Russian oligarch (although they were a season early on doing an evil Russian businessman storyline), now there is a fresh slate for the new season.

It is still pretty vague what the big storyline for the season will be. Ray does see a story about a famous person whose personal pictures are released on the internet, presumably without her consent (I believe a starlet earlier in the series tried to release her own sex tape so you never know). The actress in question, does randomly show up in her underwear and runs away. There is also a scene with Susan Sarandon which will probably have a bigger impact later this season.

Then there was the big plot point (and the reason I am writing this now instead of my usually preview because Showtime said no pre-air reviews), they killed off Abby… Maybe. They heavily hinted at it but stopped short of explicitly saying she was dead or showed a body. They annoyingly do this next episode two until we get definitive proof in episode three. We do get to see a lot more of Lili Simmons next week who shows up in Ray’s office. Though again, you will have to wait until episode three to learn just why she was walking half naked in the middle of the road at night.

Claws: So Roller did know Desna tried to kill her. At least he let her call Dean before offing her. Sure, she did save him but that also saved her too so not really to make things square between the two. But overall the weakest episode this season.
You can download Claws on iTunes.

The Strain: Wait, why is Gus still on the show? His little raid on a bunch of cops surveyed absolutely no purpose. If you are not working to bring down the Master at this point, go away. And why did Dutch up the stairs? That is bad horror movie logic, go down and leave. As she planning on jumping rooftops to escape?
You can download The Strain on iTunes.

I’m Dying Up Here: Am I supposed to care about Bill because I really do not. Nor his dad. I actually cared more about the dog then either of them.

Shadowhunters: So Haley Dunfey has a English accent now? Awesome. This girl really likes work, she is on one of the biggest shows on television doing twenty-four episodes a year yet keeps on showing up in numerous movies and shows. And she almost made this show enjoyable.
You can download Shadowhunters on iTunes.

Preacher: So what happened with the dude with the eye? He had a big part of last week but did not show up at all this week.
You can download Preacher on iTunes.

The Challenge: Dirty 30: Boooo, Jenna is the best post-Nany contestant on the show. Hopefully she makes her way back on the show next week. Her and Darrell.
You can download The Challenge: Dirty 30 on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 8/11/2017

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 Episodes, Dice, Major Crimes, Shameless, White Famous, SMILF, Louis Armstrong, Mondo Cozmo, The Band Perry, MTV VMA, and Six Words Fresh Off the Boat: Stories of Immigration.

- SHOWTIME is giving viewers nationwide an early opportunity to sample the season premieres of the network’s hilarious comedy series EPISODES and DICE for free, ahead of their debuts on Sunday, August 20th at 10 p.m. and 10:30pm ET/PT, respectively. Starting today, consumers can watch the series premiere for free on YouTube (EPISODES / DICE) and SHO.com (EPISODES / DICE). Consumers can also sample the premieres of EPISODES and DICE across multiple television and streaming providers’ devices, websites and applications and their free On Demand channels.

- TNT's Major Crimes faces its three most challenging cases, struggling to solve mysteries mired in complex political conflicts having little to do with identifying and arresting murderers. As Cmdr. Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell) grows accustomed to her new boss, Assistant Chief Leo Mason (Leonard Roberts), the detectives find themselves questioning their faith in the rapidly changing priorities of the justice system and their ability to reason through difficult changes in their personal relationships. Finally, they must accept the necessity of risk, in all its different guises, as they prepare to face the inexplicable but increasingly undeniable return of Phillip Stroh (guest star Billy Burke).

- SHOWTIME has announced the premiere dates for its fall comedy slate, including two new half-hour comedy series and the return of the hit hour-long comedy SHAMELESS. WHITE FAMOUS – starring Jay Pharoah (Saturday Night Live) and based on the personal experiences of Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx – will debut Sunday, October 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, airing after the hit drama series RAY DONOVAN. SMILF – starring Frankie Shaw (Mr. Robot) and based on her Sundance Film Festival Jury Award-winning short film of the same name – will launch Sunday, November 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, following the 9 p.m. ET/PT season eight premiere that night of the hit series SHAMELESS. On November 5, WHITE FAMOUS will move to 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

- In celebration of the late, great Louis Armstrong’s 116th birthday today, Verve Records/UMe have released the digital collection, The Complete Decca Singles 1935-1946, bringing together every single and B-side Pops released during his first decade on Decca Records. Totaling 136 tracks – with many available digitally for the first time – the comprehensive collection is now on all digital retailers and streaming services just as the annual music extravaganza Satchmo SummerFest gets underway in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter for three days and nights of contemporary and traditional jazz in honor of the legendary trumpet player and singer. The Complete Decca Singles 1935-1946 is available here: https://UMe.lnk.to/LouisCompleteDecca

- Taking a much-deserved victory lap as his full-length debut Plastic Soul [Republic Records] earns unanimous critical praise worldwide, “The Best New Rock Act of 2017,” Mondo Cozmo (who named his music after his dog) shares an incendiary live performance video of the record’s title track “Plastic Soul” (Live From Exit/In Nashville) on VEVO. Watch it here.

- Tune in to the AT&T* AUDIENCE Network concert special The Band Perry airing Friday, August 11, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114 and on-demand through DIRECTV NOW. In this episode, the Grammy® Award-winning trio The Band Perry perform fan favorites and sit down with series host Ted Stryker for an in-depth interview.

- MTV yesterday announced that platinum-selling, Grammy-award winning, Top Dawg Entertainment recording artist Kendrick Lamar, will take the “VMA” stage for the first time as a solo headline performer. The “VMAs” will air live from the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, CA, on Sunday, August 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Lamar joins an extensive line-up of A-list performers for the show, including Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd and more, promising more music and unpredictable moments than ever before.

- Marrying the acclaimed immigration-themed ABC Television Network series Fresh Off the Boat with the New York Times bestselling Six-Word Memoir series by Larry Smith, Kingswell Press is thrilled to publish Six Words Fresh Off the Boat: Stories of Immigration, Identity, and Coming to America (on sale: September 5, 2017).

I Want My Music Television: 8/7/2017

Perfect Places – Lorde


Pure Heroine was a great album that I had on heavy rotation, I just realized that I listened to the new Lorde once when it came out and that is out. Perfect Places was my favorite track off that album, I may have go back and revisit it. I do really like the video; it reminds me a time when people actually spent money on videos by going to exotic locations. Just imagine how great those Rio-era Duran Duran videos would have looked in hi-def.


Bibia Be Ye Ye – Ed Sheeran


How do I put this nicely: Ed Sheeran is very white so it is weird to see a bunch of black people sing his songs. But I wonder if Ed has a Graceland in him, that could be interesting.


Boys - Charli XCX


Charli XCX can be very hit or miss for me and I am learning towards the latter for my early assessment of Boys. I like the chorus but the repetitive chorus may get very annoying.


Feels Like Summer - Weezer


Feels like Summer is another in a long line of underwhelming Weezer singles, but you gotta love the Guns N' Roses circa Paradise City send up.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 8/6/2017

Claws: So does Roller know who tried to kill him or does he really have selective amnesia? It is kind of a huge troll move if he does know at this point. Or he really fears the Russians and that he is throwing the scent that way?
You can download Claws on iTunes.

The Strain: Poor maid, Zach is totally going to get her killed soon.
You can download The Strain on iTunes.

I’m Dying Up Here: So the new guy pursues Cassie, gets a chance to nail her in the broom closet (because having sex apparently is the best way to end sexual tension), turns her down and then uses her as a wingman. Only on television or movies. But still, that is more believable than the other Boston guy banging the hot roommate in the baby’s room.

Preacher: So Preacher sinks the old cowboy in the bottom of a swamp and next week it looks like he will have another weirdo to deal with next week in the form of the dude we met this week.
You can download Preacher on iTunes.

Casual: I guess I was wrong that the season would end on a wedding. That is not to say we did not get any big news, Alex is going to be a father. Wow. That is a scary prospect. And his baby mama is not much of a responsible adult either. Should make for an interesting season four.
You can stream Casual on Hulu.

The Challenge: Dirty 30: That challenge was kind of disappointed. I think they have done ones like that before but it was much longer than one pass through. They should have done until one team had all the rings or the most rings after a time limit.
You can download The Challenge: Dirty 30 on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 8/4/2017

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 Tim & Faith: Soul2Soul, Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars, X Ambassadors, and Sublime.

- Showtime Networks has announced that the concert special from Grammy® Award-winning superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Tim & Faith: Soul2Soul will premiere on Friday, November 17 at 9:00 on Showtime, on-air, on demand and over the internet. The special was shot over the summer in the U.S. on this year’s Soul2Soul The World Tour. Tim & Faith: Soul2Soul is directed and executive produced by the award-winning Magical Elves production team of Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz (Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Katy Perry: Part of Me). The tour documentary includes live performances from their Soul2Soul tour, as well as unprecedented access to Tim and Faith, with never before seen interviews and behind the scenes footage capturing their unmatched chemistry on and off the stage.

- Showtime® continues to expand its powerful documentary portfolio with the world premiere of two riveting films at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars, directed by Oscar®-winner Lili Fini Zanuck (Rush, Driving Miss Daisy), is an unflinching and deeply personal journal into the life of legendary 18-time Grammy® winner Eric Clapton. Also debuting at TIFF is LOVE MEANS ZERO, the story of the celebrated yet controversial tennis coach Nick Bollettieri, directed and produced by Jason Kohn (Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)). Following their debuts at TIFF, both documentaries will premiere on SHOWTIME in 2018.

- Tune in to the AT&T* AUDIENCE Network concert special "X Ambassadors" airing Friday, August 4, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114 and on-demand through DIRECTV NOW. In this episode, X AMBASSADORS perform fan favorites and sit down with series host Ted Stryker for an in depth interview.

- Southern California's reggae-punk pioneers Sublime have tapped two-time Academy Award-winning director Bill Guttentag (You Don't Have to Die, Twin Towers) to write and direct a full-length documentary on the iconic band.

Previewing The Guest Book

Greg Garcia’s My Name Is Earl was the single funniest Pilot I have ever seen. I came away from watching first episode of Greg Garcia’s The Guest Book thinking, well that certainly was not the funniest thing I have ever seen. Actually I am not sure it was funny at all. But the thing is, The Guest Book is sort of an anthology with different people staying at a cottage. Sure the townspeople stay the same, but if you do not like one episode, the main characters will be gone by the next episode. Of course if you hate the townspeople, you are out of luck. The end of each episode even teases the next tenant involving a musical montage performed by a duo house band at the local strip bar. So when Rizzo talks about doing something to the chick from 24 that could land herself in jail, I figured, fine, I will give it another try.

The second episode opened with maybe the most creative “previous on” package that I can remember (except for Braindead’s musical recaps) which anyone who watches too much television and wants someone to talk about it with can relate to. Then what Rizzo ended up doing to the chick from 24 is something you will never guess. Then the episode end with, oh, hello Kellie Martin, where have you been? Becca Thatcher was a seminal figure of my youth, she then did ER. But where has she been since? (According to IMDB, she has basically been in made for television movie hell for almost two decades). Since she is the town’s cop, she is one of the few people who sticks around for the season. She sets a speed trap for the next group to stay at the cabin including the dude from Dexter, the chick from Casual, and the guy from You’re the Worst.

As you can guess so far, the weekly guests are a who’s who of actors you probably know but have no clue what their real names are: Abed from Community! Pam from The Office!! Mags Bennett from Justified!!! But it was not until the chick from My Name Is Earl shows up as a former porn star who is going on vacation for the first time with her new boyfriend and his kid that I realized I was really enjoying the show. That episode kicks off a string of great and weird episodes including an Alzheimer’s patient who new treatment goes to well and a guy who throws a surprise first date.

And maybe that is what I did not like about the first episode is that it was not as weird as the later episode in that it features the very worn out plot of guy and his overbearing wife. The final episode of the episode does not actually feature any new guests but the townspeople become front and center because of something big and shocking in the penultimate episode. But the ending left me hoping the Guest Book gets to get opened again for a second season. Hopefully Jason Lee can grow a bushy mustache by then for a cameo.

The Guest Book airs Thursdays at 10:00 on TBS.