57 Channels and Only This Is On: 2/4/2018

Shameless: Usually all the progress the Gallagher’s made during the season goes doen the drain in the season finale. Except last season Fiona bought an apartment in an up and coming neighborhood and things actually looked to be turning around, at least for her. So I figured the fall was coming this season when she got sued and her options were to basically give them the building or sell it, spend the money and declare bankruptcy. But she managed to keep the building as the final credits ran. Granted the rest of the clan are back in dire straits: Lip lost love yet somehow gained a dependent, Ian is off the prison, Debbie has three less toes than she started the season with, Carl just angered his wife by leaving, and Frank got screwed by a child and had to hide in a Port-a-Potty which is up there with amputating toes in a kitchen and digging up your ex-wife. But hey, Svetlana got ger sugar daddy. I am not sure why Kev and Vee made so much a deal out of the pre-nup, dude in the diaper cannot possibly have much time left. And getting him to die by narural causes will be undoubtedly be a storyline next season.

The Chi: I hate when shows get cute like that. The thing is when they dole out information like that, I actually figured out the kid was the one that shot Ronnie pretty early on. The only question was why and how.

Supergirl: I believe this was the first time Saturn Girl was absent from an episode since she arrive and she was sorely missed. They need to make her a main castmember (really she can replace Lena who still cannot seem to decide which accent she wants to use) or just give her and the Legion their own show.
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.

The Challenge: Vendettas: Oh wow, the British kittie has claws. I was beginning to think they were going to step in at some point the more violent she got, but they just kept on letting her play dirty.
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Path: Well that was nice of Cal to save Eddie, you would fear that Cal was dark enough to leave him down there so he could take over the movement. But why was I too soon for Vera and her mother for Eddie to become a martyr? I take it that moment will come in the finale.
You can stream The Path Hulu.

The X-Files: Just when I thought we were getting some monster of the week based on the Slender Man case, the person behind the monster ended up being Scully’s son. But did he know that Scully was his mother? He gave her the dream of his house. But I kind of want to know the backstory. No, not of the powers, but how he landed two chicks? And why have them attack each other? Wasn’t it to draw Scully there? Then why run when she showed up and the other agents killed each other? Again the mythology episodes are the most confusing. But I guess we got an answer to was the season finale episode was: it was a vision the son planted in Scully’s head… I think.
You can download The X-Files on iTunes.

Knightfall: So what exactly did Landry’s mother say to the Pope to keep him from being burned from the stake? My initial thoughts were they are a descendant of Jesus (which would make the Judas / Jesus spat at his trial a bit of foreshadowing). Back at the castle, interesting that the king still call’s the Queen’s unborn child his, I guess he will get a male heir anyway he can.
You can download Knightfall on iTunes.

The Good Place: Mmmm, that was interesting, not quite, oh snap, they are really in the Bad Place interesting, but still makes me very interesting in where season two goes. Is season three just going to be redo’s. Sure I guess the first three episodes can be how the others find each other (please save Jason for last because that has to be great). But then what are the other nine episodes?

I was also surprised after the episode aired that there was debate of what was going on. To me it was obviously a simulation of what would have happened had they not died. But apparently there are people who thought they were actually placed back in time and they are living real life again.
You can download The Good Place on iTunes.

Blindspot: So the guy who “killed” Jane’s kid adopted dad is the guy Roman is hanging around. So he is just using Jane and the task force to bring down his niece’s enemies? But really my favorite part of the episode was the end when they were talking about going on an Olympic break and it ends with the actor who plays Kurt in a thick Australian accent saying, “Go U.S.A.” Really? I know Australia does not have a huge Winter Olympics presence, but that was a bit silly.
You can download Blindspot on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Well, I just more confused. I was under the impression that the timeline they are in was one where they never travel to the future but there was YoYo as a Kree slave taking about knowing she had traveled back in time. But I am not entirely sure how that happened. Am I just wrong and maybe the seer who told May that she was raised by May was seeing a different timeline? And why exactly was Fitz left behind originally. Also weird the pre credits scene was in the future and did not tease what happens next.
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 2/2/2018

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, The Trade, Our Cartoon President, Operation Odessa, Escape to the Great Dismal Swamp, Groundbreakers: Superheroes Behind Mask, The Chi, and The Alienist.

- Hulu is incredibly excited to debut its Super Bowl commercial for upcoming original series Castle Rock from J.J. Abrams and the world of Stephen King. Please see below for the link to the spot and make sure to tune in to the big game this Sunday! Castle Rock premieres Summer 2018, only on Hulu.


- From Columbus, Ohio to Guerrero, Mexico and countless cities in between, the opioid epidemic has ravaged communities on both sides of the border. This Friday, February 2 at 9:00 Showtime will debut The Trade, a timely new five-episode docu-series spotlighting the crisis through the eyes of those most affected: the growers, addicts, cartel bosses and law enforcement hopelessly caught in its web. THE TRADE is executive produced and directed by Oscar nominee and Emmy® winner Matthew Heineman (Cartel Land).


- Showtime is giving viewers an early opportunity to sample the premiere episode of the new animated series Our Cartoon President, executive produced by multiple Emmy® winner Stephen Colbert, Chris Licht (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and R.J. Fried. The half-hour parody series follows the tru-ish misadventures of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and his merry band of advisors and family members. Along with the early episode, Showtime has unveiled the poster art for the series. Our Cartoon President is set to debut on air with two back-to-back episodes on Sunday, February 11 starting at 8:00.


- The newest addition to the Showtime Documentary Films slate, Operation Odessa will make its world premiere at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas. The documentary will premiere on SHOWTIME on Saturday, March 31 at 9 PM ET/PT on-air, on demand and over the internet. From the director and producers of The Seven Five, OPERATION ODESSA is a true crime documentary about a Russian mobster, a Miami playboy and a Cuban spy who sold a Soviet submarine to a Colombian drug cartel for $35 million. An early ’90s gangster epic that hopscotches from Brooklyn to Miami and Cali to Moscow, the film tells the true story of three friends who set out to hustle the Russian mob, the Cali cartel and the DEA for the score of a lifetime. What really happened to the sub, the money and the three amigos has remained a shadowy underworld myth until now.


The Great Dismal Swamp, a vast and impenetrable wilderness covering parts of Virginia and North Carolina, was a treacherous maze of waterways, full of poisonous snakes, blood-sucking insects and black bears. For centuries, rumors circulated that enslaved people had escaped to the swamp, choosing to brave the dangerous environment rather than endure the cruelty of slavery. This film uncovers groundbreaking discoveries that are helping to rewrite history by shedding light on the resistance and resilience of enslaved people who found refuge in the Great Dismal Swamp. Escape to the Great Dismal Swamp premieres Monday, February 19 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel as a part of its Black History Month programming.

- We are excited to announce an amazing campaign with our client, Comcast Xfinity, to celebrate and kickoff Black History Month. The Groundbreakers: Superheroes Behind Mask campaign features an original short, print ad and commercial and radio spot, featuring creatives behind some of America’s beloved superheroes and animated series. Premiering TODAY, Xfinity will use the power of the X1 platform to spotlight the pioneering talent behind some of America’s most beloved superhero stories and designs while chronicling the deep-rooted history and representation of the Black community.

- Showtime has renewed its hit drama series The Chi for a second season, it was announced today by Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. Created and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Lena Waithe (Master of None) and executive produced by Academy Award®, Emmy and Golden Globe® winner Common (Selma), The Chi explores the humanity behind the headlines sensationalizing the South Side of Chicago. Ayanna Floyd Davis (Empire, Hannibal) has signed on for season two as executive producer and showrunner. Produced by Fox 21 Television Studios, the series will go back into production in Chicago later this year.

- The Alienist scored an impressive launch last Monday night to become cable’s #1 new drama series this season in Live +3 delivery. This gripping, turn-of-the-century murder mystery has so far reached a cumulative 13.1 million total viewers in telecasts airing last week, nearly half of whom were new to the network. The premiere TNT telecast alone averaged 3.1M total viewers and nearly 1M viewers 18-49 in Live +3, and the network’s Live +35 multiplatform projection is 16 million, making it TNT’s most successful launch event since 2012. New episodes of The Alienist premiere Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT only on TNT.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 1/28/2018

Shameless: I did not think the show could get much more shameless that digging up Monica but Frank coming in and chopping off Debbie’s toes may top that. I just could not watch that. And Fiona, I am not sure it was wise to assult the wife of the dude who is suing you for a couple million dollars.

The Chi: How are you going to end an episode there? This is the very reason why people binge shows now. But since Brando n ended up not using the gun in the first place, he is not going to do much here except for maybe a beat down. But would he even do that in front of a kid. But when dude ambushes you like that, you got to do something more than yell at him.

Supergirl: Well that had to be the worst iteration of the Suicide Squad ever. Seriously, that is all the backup Supergirl can find, her ex’s new wife and two rouges, one I do not even remember? Isn’t the president an alien? Silver Banshee? Seriously, after two and a half seasons, they should have been able to find some better that what they came up with. Or at the very least open up a portal and also some of the superheroes on the other show. They certainly would have been more reliable. Or how about Braniac 5? Isn’t he a robot so he why would he even have chromosomes that would be affected by the blue sun. And wasn’t there a female Braniac early in the show? Whatever happened to her?
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.

Lucifer: So I watched the episode with the Closed Caption on and I was a little surprised the spelled the captain’s name “Kane” instead of the Biblical spelling Cain. I wonder if this was on purpose by the show? Maybe they are fans of the wrestler who spells the name that way?
You can download Lucifer on iTunes.

The Challenge: Vendettas: I did not care that the Grenade was three different options when it was unveiled but at least they are switching up the options every round. Although the British chick chose wrongly because you have to pick your Vendetta to sit out (or make them eat if you are really vindictive). Choosing the teams was the worst option. Now instead of one person hating you, who probably already disliked you, now everyone who lost is bitter at you. And you are included in that loser group because apparently you did not pick your team wisely. And speaking of the dumb British chick, seriously, how does Nicole able to convert a straight chick to hook up with her every season?
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Path: Called it, black Christian dude was gay. Now the question is will Hawk reciprocate? But more importantly, wait, Vera is Steve’s kid?!? Now I was thinking that was her mother’s voice in that video with Steve but was not ready for Vera to casually mention that it was her father. Now how did they keep that a secret this whole time?
You can stream The Path Hulu.

The X-Files: The dumber an X-File is, the more enjoyable the show is. I even had to Google that actor half way through just to see if he had been on before and I just forgot. Although thanks to the Mandela effect, I was beginning to think I did remember him on the show.
You can download The X-Files on iTunes.

Vikings: I was shocked when no one we knew died two episodes ago, they just all died this episode. Astrid, Bjorn’s son and his freaky side piece, the king’s brothe by his own hand. Still surprising that Ivar and Lagatha made it out alive considering that is what the fight was about. But Lagatha looked really old in her last shot, I almost did not recognize her at first. But I liked the juxtaposition of Floki talking how they should not start the cycle of murder and revenge and that battle born out of that very cycle. But that last shot was very surprising. When Rollo did not show up last week to explain his actions, I just did not think we would see him at all this season. And last week I wondered why Rollo would back Igar, then it donned on me as he sailed presumably to Kattagard, he wanted to be the new king. But how long will his reign last? I cannot imagine Bjorn will not be back with reinforcements, like I suggested last week, he should recruit the British.
You can download Vikings on iTunes.

Waco: Tim Riggins with a mullet and math teacher glasses singing My Sharona has to go down as the weirdest thing we will see in 2018.
You can download Waco on iTunes.

Knightfall: So now the king now knows about Landry and the Queen, but does he believe it? And are all popes in history even because in all period shows and movies from this time all seemed to be very shady.
You can download Knightfall on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Wait, the ruthless Kree warrior was able to be killed when she floated into a rod held by Daisy? That was kind of lame.
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 1/26/2018

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 COVER STORY: The Notorious Lottery Heist and Billions.

- Game Show Network’s one-hour documentary special COVER STORY: The Notorious Lottery Heist, premiering on January 28th at 7:00, will explore the story behind the biggest criminal conspiracy in lottery history. Imagine spending $5 and winning a $16.5 million lottery jackpot. You’d claim the prize immediately. But in December of 2011, this Iowa Lottery winner waited until the deadline was almost up before trying to make an anonymous claim, only to eventually walk away from their life changing prize when told they had to reveal their identity. The lottery commission thought this was highly suspicious and initiated an investigation. It took nearly two years before a crime was uncovered in their own backyard – a conspiracy emanating from inside the lottery itself.

- Oscar nominated actor John Malkovich will have a guest starring arc in season three of the hit Showtime drama Billions, playing Russian billionaire Grigor Andolov. Starring Oscar nominee and Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner Paul Giamatti and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Damian Lewis, the third season of BILLIONS will premiere on Sunday, March 25 at 10:00.

I Want My Music Television: 1/25/2018

Lottery - Jade Bird


When I released my Winter 2018 Music Preview, one thing was clear: ain’t nothing is coming out until maybe the summer. At least nothing by anyone people have actually heard of. Winter is usually the time when you have to dig deep looking for new artist. And here is one to look out for: Jade Bird. Lottery is one of those instantly catchy songs you cannot get out of your head even after one listen. The song is a mix of pop and folk while also harkening back to the alt rock nineties Liith Fair days.


Trigger Bang – Lily Allen featuring Giggs



Heaven's Gate - Burna Boy featuring Lily Allen


It seemed to take forever for the last Lily Allen, it seems like she did not take the same amount of time for a new one. Not only did she release a new single, she also popped up on one by some dude named Burna Boy. I do like her song better, it continues the growth from the last album which was plit in two, a new grown up Lily and old snotty Lily. I hope the next one is all grown up Lily.


Walk On Water - Eminem feayturing Beyoncé


The Marshall Mathers Album 2 was my favorite Eminem album since… maybe ever. But oh my goodness, Revival, what was he trying to revive, the bad Relapse album. Sad thing is this song is about how a perfectionist Eminem is yet this and the whole album is actually worse than Relapse. I think it was wise Beyoncé sat out the music video, maybe should have skipped the song completely.

Previewing The Detour: Season Three

As interesting as the premise for the first season of The Detour was where it was a season long National Lampoon’s Vacation the question is, are they going on a trip every season? Just like later Vacation movies that stayed stationary, The Detour wisely stayed put in the second season. And then at the end of the season they became fugitives and had to go on the run.

But season three is not a repeat of season one with the Parker family is on the lamb. We actually pick things up when the family has decided to stop running. And the place they do this is Alaska, a place where everyone in the state is running away from something. It is also a place where the sun is still out at 4:00 AM in the summer which makes for plenty of funny jokes.

The town the family settles in just happens to have an alpaca for a mayor and a deputy mayor who refers to himself as Straight Jack. The family comes up with some of the dumbest jobs they can think of at the top of their heads before realizing everyone in the state is just as messed up as they are.

That is not the lower forty-eight does not slowly find them. Sure it takes until episode five for Robin’s sister to find them. Also, Edie, the USPIS agent from last season is still on the case for no apparent reason because clearly she is not very good at her job. And of course the children are still there and as wacky as usual. Clearly the new setting has not done them well. Of course with parents like theirs, they were never going to grow up well adjusted.

The Detour airs Tuesdays at 10:30 on TBS.

Previewing The Alienist

Let’s get this out of the way first: The Alienist is a horrible name for a television show. Sure not Better Off Ted bad where the name is so bad it keeps me from watching, but it just does not flow off the tip of the tongue and I doubt many people will be going to work or school asking “Did you watch The Alienist last night?”

But I will give TNT credit that they have really gone all in on trying to become a prestigious television network after being the CBS of cable for over a decade. Even if mixed results, their last period piece, Will, was dead on arrival, Animal Kingdom never really got me while Good Behavior and Claws are watchable, the both have glaring flaws. Which is why it continues to get shut out of awards contention. But The Alienist may be its most ambitious show as it just begs nominations with its meticulous period setting and top notch acting. (I am also very looking forward to the just greenlit Snowpiercer show based on the movie.)

The Alienist is set in 1896 New York City, Teddy Roosevelt is the police commissioner and cops communicate via banging their nightsticks on the lampposts. This is also a time when mental health practitioners are called “Alienist” because they treat people who alienate themselves from society. These doctors “Alleviate the conditions, not to cure them.” Daniel Brühl (Captain America: Civil War) is the titular character who links a teenage boy prostitute to a previous murder three years ago when the police for is ready to close the case with a murder already to die probably before it goes to trial.

The Alienist has a weird group around him making the weirdest superhero team up ever. Luke Evans (Professor Marston and the Wonder Women) is a newspaper illustrator who likes too much fun. On the other end of the fun spectrum is Dakota Fanning (Push) who only wants to be taken seriously as the first woman to hold a position with the police department in New York City. Oh and there is history between the two. She does not seem to care for him while he seems to be oblivious to it and still think they are good friends. This friction is the best part of the early episodes.

A close second is a pair of brothers who may have very well be the very first CSI team, they are one of the first to use fingerprints to help solve a case), who are the closest thing to comic relief this very serious show gets. But where the show lacks in humor, it more than makes up for in detail. The sets are exquisite, looking just as good as any movie set in the time period right down to the clothing. Although you may feel bad for Fanning that the corsets are too historically accurate as her character is very vocal of her displeasure of the eveningwear as we the audience get to see the busies they leave behind.

As good as the show looks; I fear the show may suffer from the same problem other shows that just focus on one case for another season. As good as The Killing was its first couple episodes; it became a growing slog with every new red herring. Hopefully The Alienist has found a way to keep the show fresh episode after episode instead of feeling like a two hour movie that is stretched into ten (or God forbid, more) episodes even though as of the first couple episodes there is nothing that comes close to a B-plot. On the bright side, none of the main characters have children they will have to spend an entire episode looking for.

The Alienist airs Mondays at 9:00 on TNT.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 1/21/2018

Shameless: The Gallagher just cannot have nice things. Just when something goes their way, some bad will undoubtedly happen. Clearly the apartment building was too good to be true and it is surprising it took this long for something to epically go wrong. Poor Fiona. Then I would normally say if you are going to marry a crazy chick, make sure she is rich, but if I were Carl, I would have to worry about her murdering you in your sleep… or worse, a John Wayne Bobbit situation.

Supergirl: Wait, did Mon-El not only spoil the episode, but spoil the whole season when his explanation as to why he did not want to fight Reign was he knew being from the future he knows Supergirl would be fine and Reign will just eventually leave? What the fork, man? I hate that guy. Oh well, at least Saturn Girl was there to randomly quote Bon Jovi.
You can download Supergirl on iTunes.

The Gifted: So next season will be the Hellfire Club versus the handpicked X-Men replacements? Awesome. Why was that not this season which mostly sucked? Now if the only kill off the teens. And, pretty much everyone else but the triplets.
You can download The Gifted on iTunes.

The Challenge: Vendettas: When they announced the Grenade was a choice, I thought, well, might as well just take the money, it is the only guarantee. Now I wonder if anyone will choose the other two options.
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Path: “You’ll die like the rest of them”? I knew Vera was an opportunist but I did not realize she was evil. Who are the rest of them are and just what is Vera’s motives? Then later her mother says, “The martyrdom is coming.” They have to be secret cultist right? Also, I’m calling it, the black Christian kid is gay.
You can stream The Path Hulu.

Vikings: I was wondering all season where Rollo was this whole time? I remember Bjorn asked to sail the Mediterranean with him but they got side tracked with Ragnor’s death, but I forgot what happened to Rollo. Apparently he went back to France. Though backing Ivar is a strange play and we do not even get to hear from him why. But as Lagathha and Bjorn plan on how to fight off Ivar and the French army, isn’t the answer obvious: get the brits who already hate Ivar to join in. Granted they just lost a king to a bee sting. Seriously, how did anyone survive back then if a bee sting can take down a king.
You can download Vikings on iTunes.

Knightfall: Things are picking up, Landry found the Grail (presumably) and his mother. The king’s former advisor finally figured out who the real father of the queen’s baby is (but how will he use ths information?). That cannot end well for Landry. Even more shocking is the new Templar took a sword through him. Granted, just a flesh wound, nothing the Holy Grail wouldn’t fix.
You can download Knightfall on iTunes.

The Good Place: Of course Dax Sheppard was part of The Bad Place. And I have not watched one football game this season, but if the Buddhist Monk manages to will the Jaguars to the Super Bowl, I may have to actually watch that game.
You can download The Good Place on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Well that was confusing. So those “flashbacks” were of the history had the SHIELD team had not been taken? And we only get May, Fitz and Simmons. And the latter died (I think). Though Daisy is last seen on footage and presumably breaks up the world moments later? I wonder had it been better had they just done an entire alternative universe episode. Or at the very least put all the “flashbacks” at the start of the episode instead of sprinkling them in.
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

Around the Tubes: 1/19/2018

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 Hulu, Eddie Griffin: Undeniable, The Lost Tapes: Malcolm X, CONAN, and Late Night with Seth Myers.

- This week at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, Hulu announced: Hulu officially confirms a new order for Catch-22 Limited Series Event from George Clooney, Paramount Television and Anonymous Content. ER makes its streaming debut on Hulu today in a new deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. All 331 episodes are now streaming. The Handmaid’s Tale S2 will premiere on April 25th with two new episodes. Hulu picks up March of The Penguins 2: The Next Step to Hulu Documentary slate. Hulu adds a second installment of National Treasure – titled Kiri – to the Hulu Originals slate. All four parts will premiere on April 4th. Fourth and final season of Casual will premiere on July 31st.

- Celebrating his 30-year anniversary in comedy, veteran comedian Eddie Griffin takes to the stage in the hilarious new special Eddie Griffin: Undeniable, premiering on Showtime on Friday, February 9 at 10:00 on-air, on demand and over the internet. Filmed at the Berklee Performing Arts Center in Boston, Massachusetts, Griffin offers his prolific and entertaining point of view on the state of the world, tackling politics, racism, relationships, religion and humanity as a whole. Ultimately reflecting on his long-standing career, he pays tribute to close friends and late comedians Charlie Murphy, Bernie Mac, Dick Gregory and Richard Pryor (among others) with flawless impersonations. With his quick wit and animated delivery, Griffin does not mince words in this comedy event.


- A historic voice in the 1960s civil rights movement, Malcolm X was and continues to be a fascinating yet controversial figure. During his life, he gave voice to the anger and frustration that African Americans experienced during the tumultuous 1950s and 60s in the United States, gaining a reputation for his fiery rhetoric and spellbinding speeches. THE LOST TAPES: MALCOLM X relives the pivotal years of this trailblazing activist using rarely seen footage and audio tapes, including never-before-seen footage of Nation of Islam rallies and recordings made at the Audubon Ballroom on the day of his assassination. The Lost Tapes: Malcolm X premieres Monday, February 26 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel.

- TBS’ CONAN will travel internationally for the eighth time in three years for CONAN Without Borders: Haiti, a primetime special premiering Saturday, January 27 at 10:00 on TBS. After hearing President Trump’s disparaging remarks about Haiti, O’Brien immediately decided to announce his intentions to visit the island nation. On January 14, he tweeted “Still reeling from @realDonaldTrump’s very negative Yelp review of Haiti, which means I’ll love it. Headed to Haiti later this week to explore and make some new friends. Stay tuned for my report.”

- Jillian Jacqueline: “Reasons” on Late Night with Seth Myers: