Around the Tubes: July 10, 2021

  

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting.  This post includes blurbs on HootieFest, McCartney 3,2,1, The Go-Go’s, Claire Rosinkranz, Audra McLaughlin, Joy Oladokun, The Valet, and Showtime.

- Hootie & the Blowfish is pleased to announce their inaugural destination concert vacation event: HootieFest: The Big Splash in partnership with CID Presents & On Location. Hosted January 26 - 29, 2022 on a picturesque stretch of white sand beach at Moon Palace Cancún, the four day celebration of all things rock will feature three headlining performances on the beach by the band, as well as appearances by Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Better Than Ezra, Spin Doctors, Toadies, Sister Hazel and Drivin N Cryin. Additional details, including pool party performances are still to be announced.  HootieFest packages will go on sale to the public on July 15 at 1 p.m and include all-inclusive resort accommodations, concert access, roundtrip airport transportation and more. A 24-hour pre-sale will begin July 14 at 1 p.m. ET. To sign up for early access, visit https://hootiefest.com

- All six episodes of "McCartney 3,2,1” premiere July 16 on Hulu. Synopsis: Paul McCartney sits down for a rare, in-depth, one on one with legendary producer Rick Rubin to discuss his groundbreaking work with The Beatles, the emblematic 70s arena rock of Wings and his 50 years and counting as a solo artist. In this six-episode series that explores music and creativity in a unique and revelatory manner, join Paul and Rick for an intimate conversation about the songwriting, influences, and personal relationships that informed the iconic songs that have served as the soundtracks of our lives.

- On July 8, 1981, The Go-Go’s released their platinum-selling, landmark debut, Beauty and the Beat. To celebrate the anniversary of its release, on September 10, 2021, UMe/Interscope will release Beauty and the Beat – 40^th Anniversary Limited Edition pressed on pink vinyl with new cover art featuring a never-before-seen photo taken from the original album cover shoot. Each copy is numbered and will only be available at uDiscover, The Sound of Vinyl and the band’s official store. Pre-order, HERE.  The Go-Go’s skyrocketed to superstardom after they released one of the most successful debut albums of all time. Beauty and the Beat is a collection of hook-laden, infectious songs that stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard charts for six consecutive weeks, spawning the hits “Our Lips Are Sealed” (named one of Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Pop Singles) and “We Got The Beat” and also earned them a Grammy® nomination for “Best New Artist.”  They have the notable distinction of being the only all-female band to write their own songs and play their own instruments on a No. 1 album. 

- After building anticipation for its arrival, Gen Z singer-songwriter Claire Rosinkranz releases her anxiously awaited sophomore EP, 6 Of A Billion, today via slowplay/Republic Records.  Listen to 6 Of A Billion—HERE.  She heralded the project with her most recent single “Boy In A Billion.” In a week, it has already amassed over 1 million total streams. Attracting critical praise, The Honey Pop fittingly described Claire as “what’s next in pop music.” In addition to plugs from DORK and more, Clash raved the track “underlines her alt-pop prowess.” The project also boasts “Frankenstein,” which has reeled in 6 million streams and counting.

- Country-soul newcomer/former "The Voice" Season 6 finalist Audra McLaughlin is pleased to announce the release of her latest single, "(Can't Buy) Fun Like This," available TODAY through major music retail and streaming outlets following its exclusive premiere on Taste of Country yesterday. LISTEN HERE.

- Breakthrough singer, songwriter and musician Joy Oladokun’s new deluxe album, in defense of my own happiness (complete), is out today via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records. Stream/purchase HERE.  The special extended edition includes all 14 tracks from her major label debut, in defense of my own happiness, as well as the ten additional songs from her self-released 2020 record, in defense of my own happiness (the beginnings), and one new track, “judas”—listen HERE.

- “The Valet” Starring Eugenio Derbez Set for Worldwide Release on Hulu and Disney+.  Lionsgate Remake of French Film Picked up by Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer Platforms to Premiere Summer 2022 as a Hulu Original in the U.S. and Internationally on Disney+ as a Star Original.  The film, the English-language remake of the French hit The Valet, is directed by Richard Wong and stars Eugenio Derbez and Samara Weaving in her first lead role in a romantic comedy.  Max Greenfield, Betsy Brandt, Marisol Nichols, Noemi Gonzalez, Carmen Salinas, Ravi Patel, Tiana Okoye, Diany Rodriguez, Armando Hernández, Carlos Santos, Amaury Nolasco, John Pirucello and Alex Fernandez round out the cast. 

- Showtime Networks Inc. and Amblin Partners have renewed their exclusive output agreement, under which qualifying Amblin Partners films theatrically released through December 31, 2024 will air across SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on SHOWTIME multiplex channels and streaming service. The agreement allows Showtime Networks Inc. to exhibit high-profile Amblin Partners features across its premium services on-air, on demand and online. The announcement was made by Kent Sevener, Executive Vice President, Content Acquisition, Showtime Networks Inc.  The new SHOWTIME deal extends the company’s long-term relationship with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin, that began in 2010, and adds up to 18 additional films to an already robust library of Amblin Partners titles available on SHOWTIME networks and streaming service.  Upcoming theatrical releases include Spielberg’s untitled film starring, among others, Oscar^® nominee Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Paul Dano and Gabriel LaBelle; Distant, starring Anthony Ramos and Naomi Scott; Easter Sunday, starring comedian Jo Koy; and Last Voyage of the Demeter, which stars Corey Hawkins. 

- SHOWTIME has announced that Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award^® winner Kiefer Sutherland (24) will star as President Franklin D. Roosevelt in THE FIRST LADY. Sutherland joins Oscar^®, Emmy and Tony winner Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom), who also executive produces, as former first lady Michelle Obama, Oscar and Emmy nominee Michelle Pfeiffer (French Exit) as Betty Ford and Emmy and Screen Actors Guild winner Gillian Anderson (The Crown) as Eleanor Roosevelt. 

Previewing This Way Up: Season Two

COVID not only wrecking the filming schedule, it also ruined the writing too.  Not that screenwriters can write from home or over video conference, some shows decided to include the pandemic into their show, mostly to poor results.  Superstore is the only one that handled adding it to the show successfully, because after a couple months of going to the store with COVID protocols, we were ready to laugh at just how ridiculous how things were.  But for most shows, it really would have been best if they just pretended it did not happen.

 

This Way Up is doing something slightly different in that it still takes place in this world, but shut down does not happen until the last seven minutes of the season finale. So really, we will have to wait until season three to see if the show hits COVID straight on or if they will skip over the pandemic almost complete and start the next season after everything has gone back to “normal.”

 

Hopefully there is a third season because the second one is just as sharp and witty as the first.  If you missed the first season, it will take you less than two and a half hours to catch up (so go do that now because there are spoilers for the first season coming up).  Then the second season is another tight six episodes topping out at twenty-five minutes.  The first season ended with Africa kissing the father of one of her students while her sister kissed a girl.

 

Going into the second, only one of those kisses turned into a full-fledged relationship.  And it was not Shona who remains engaged to Vish though he spends the entire season in New York City (while COVID does not affect any of the character until the end, I have a sinking suspicion Aasif Mandvi was not able to make it to England to film in person there which is why Vish is stateside) as Shona has to make due with a Vish doll that partakes in a weird threesome.  But Shona still has to work Charlotte which makes this awkward.  But awkward is what makes this show so charming and this season features a pretty awkward sauna session and bachelorette part.  Hopefully COVID does not delay a potential third season and the next one comes sooner than two years.

 

All episodes of This Way Up season two will be premiere on Hulu tomorrow.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: July 4, 2021

 

Kevin Can Fork Himself:  Ha, she reported the drug dealer who in turn ratted out the person that was supplying the drugs she was trying to buy.  That was the first time I laughed during this show so far.  But since we saw the neighbor in the “drama” setting this week, does this mean Kevin has the magical powers?  If she manages to kill him, will there be no sitcom?  Not that I think she will manage it.

 

The Chi:   So we got all the teases from the premiere last week but they still held out just who shot the mayor.  Surprisingly they revealed the shooter’s identity right off the bat.  Though I had absolutely no clue who that was at first.  It turned out to be Brandon’s mother who I do not believe we have seen since Brandon’s funeral back in the season three premiere.  And now I am left wondering if she was a bad shot or if she was not trying to kill them since he survived.  If it is the former, why not walk over to him and put a bullet in his head just to make sure?  That was just a pretty random reveal to bring back someone like that a season and a half later.

 

Black Monday:  I was wondering where Wayne was (okay, I was wondering where Horatio Sanz was, I had no clue his character’s name was Wayne) he was the only original one missing.  I guess he is dead now since everyone ended up being splattered with Wayne at the end.  But who killed Wayne and everyone else and shot Blair seems as obvious as how abducted everyone (seriously, Mo got picked up after Blair asked where he was): the preacher’s daughter.  But then it crossed my mind, what if it was Blair’s wife?

 

Flatbush Misdemeanor:  What is up with the rise of mean therapists?  The Winter Soldier was seeing one and now this one is so angry she is berating the dude’s neighbors for being so loud.

 

In the Dark:  They are just going to tease the lesbian dying all season aren’t they.  That scene on the road where they got out of the car really looked like the scene at the end of episode one.  Then she gets kidnapped at the end.  But by who?  The cops or the queen pin’s people?  Or possibly a friendly?  But I thought for sure the annoying dude would somehow skip out of the threesome, but good for him.  So does the Blind Chick call him or the other boyfriend when the lesbian does not show up?

 

The Bold Type:  I thought they brought Pinstripe back for Jane’s happy ending.  Instead Jane not only declines the promotion but quits all together.  Huh?  So now the editor in chief is going to be someone who was just hire back because she was fired for leaking information about the board of the magazine.  So stupid.  Good riddance to this show.

 

Good Girls:  So why did Annie try to escape only to cover for the guy keeping her captive?  And at what point does the bro squad recruit Matt Sarasan to their squad.  Granted, he does not know much, or really anything.  But it would be nice to be included.

Around the Tubes: July 3, 2021

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting.  This post includes blurbs on  This Way Up, The L Word: Generation Q, POV, Lord Huron, Joy Oladokun, Noah Kahan, Claire Rosinkranz, and Audra McLaughlin, 

- Season two of the BAFTA award-winning series This Way Up is set after the events of the season one finale, with things in flux for Aine (Aisling Bea, "Living With Yourself;" "Quiz") and her sister, Shona (Sharon Horgan, "Catastrophe;" "Military Wives"). Aine's starting to leave her time in rehab behind and live less cautiously, which may not be entirely wise. Will she and Richard (Tobias Menzies, "The Crown;" "Game of Thrones") make a go of it? Or continue to exist in the odd tension of the employer and employee? How will Shona and Charlotte (Indira Varma, "Game of Thrones;" "Luther") manage running a new business together and having feelings for each other? Will Shona be able to go through with marrying Vish (Aasif Mandvi, "Evil;" "The Brink")? Planning a wedding? Can she tell him what happened? Is there anything more to tell?

- In anticipation of its big premiere, SHOWTIME is debuting the official season two trailer for THE L WORD: GENERATION Q. The series returns with its first new episode of the second season on Friday, August 6, available on streaming and on-demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers. Before making its on-air debut on Sunday, August 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, each new episode of the second season will be available on Fridays to stream via on-demand. The first five episodes of season two will air Sunday nights, with the final five episodes of the season airing Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT up until its October 11 season finale

- American Documentary | POV is proud to announce the national broadcast premiere of David Osit's Mayor on Monday July 26th at 10 p.m. (check local listings) and online at pov.org. The film will also be available to stream for free on pov.org until August 25th, 2021. Mayor is director David Osit’s second film to broadcast on POV after his documentary Thank You For Playing, which won the ‘Outstanding Arts & Culture Documentary’ at the 2017 News and Documentary Emmy Awards. Mayor was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick and has picked up awards from Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and CPH:DOX, among others. 

- With their Fall 2021 headline tour quickly selling out, Lord Huron announces three new dates in Oklahoma City on October 21^st, Dallas on October 22^nd, and Austin on October 23^rd. Tickets for these dates will be available tomorrow, June 29^th at 10:00AM CST via artist presale (pw: longlost21) and Thursday, July 1^st at 10:00AM CST via general on-sale. Visit www.lordhuron.com for more info and ticket links.

- The official visualizer for “Bigger Man,” Joy Oladokun’s new collaboration with Maren Morris, is debuting today. Watch/share HERE.  “Bigger Man” is from Oladokun’s acclaimed major-label debut, in defense of my own happiness, and will also be featured on her new deluxe record, in defense of my own happiness (complete), out next Friday, July 9 via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records. The special extended edition includes all 14 tracks from in defense of my own happiness, as well as the ten additional songs from her self-released 2020 record, in defense of my own happiness (the beginnings), and one new song, “judas.” See below for complete track list. The release adds to a breakout year for Oladokun, who made her debut on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” last week performing “sunday” from Nashville’s newly opened National Museum of African American Music. Watch/share HERE.  

- Following the recent announcements of his forthcoming album I Was / I Am set for release on September 17^th and upcoming fall headline tour, Noah Kahan reveals his latest single “Godlight” out now—listen HERE!  “Godlight” is a soaring anthem about fame, ego, and self-reflection, as Noah sings, “To know me, is to hate me, is to hate what I’ve become…I’m not the way I was, I’m not the way I was.” Of the meaning behind the song, Noah says, “I was on tour with a lighting director who said I needed more ‘Godlight’ on stage. ‘Godlight’ is the light that fixates on the singer, while the rest of the band is blackened down. In my life, I was chasing that. This ego was growing, and I saw it growing. I knew it was affecting my relationships. If the younger version of me who was making songs just for the love of music saw myself giving so much of a shit about the attention on me instead of the music, I’d be really disappointed. The song is like I’m singing to my older self at a family reunion.”

- Gearing up for a big summer, Gen Z singer-songwriter Claire Rosinkranz is back with a brand-new single entitled “Boy In A Billion” today via slowplay/Republic Records. It paves the way for her anxiously awaited sophomore EP, 6 Of A Billion, set for release on July 9.  Listen to “Boy In A Billion”— HERE.  Even before the song officially dropped, it had already stirred up widespread buzz online. A TikTok of Claire writing “Boy In A Billion” raked in over 4 million views (watch HERE). She didn’t stop there though. Welcoming her followers into the creative process, countless fans witnessed the recording of the song on Claire’s social media accounts (watch HERE). 

- Country soul singer-songwriter Audra McLaughlin knows that money can't buy happiness, as reflected by her upcoming single, "(Can't Buy) Fun Like This." Due for release on July 9 and currently available for PRE-SALE on Spotify and Apple Music at this LINK, McLaughlin's summertime anthem indicates she would rather wear a pair of cut-offs to a backwoods party and share a box of red with her friends than sport Louis Vitton and sip Dom Perignon with the Jones.

- As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, C‑SPAN is releasing the results of its fourth Historians Survey of Presidential Leadership, in which a cross-section of presidential historians and professional observers of the presidency ranked the country’s 44 former chief executives on 10 characteristics of leadership.  Former President Donald Trump enters the ranks for the first time in the #41 position. His highest rankings were in Public Persuasion (#32) and Economic Management (#34). The historians ranked him in last place (#44) for Moral Authority and Administrative Skills.  — Full rankings for each of the 44 presidents, as well as a Gallery of Insights with shareable/social media graphics, are available at www.c-span.org/presidentsurvey2021.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: June 27, 2021

  

Kevin Can Fork Himself:  I was really looking forward to this show when it was announce but, wow, those first to episodes were bad.  The sitcom parts were not funny and the drama parts were just boring.  Well except when Kevin got stabbed.  Except it never really happened so that was kind of lame too.

 

The Chi:  I am surprised we got the tease from the first episode this early.  Though as Keisha was getting birth and the kids’ roaming the halls, I kept wondering, so when is the mayor going to get shot?   As the episode went on, I looked at how much time was left wondering if they dare save that for later.  But we finally got it.  Except we still do not know who the shooter is.  I was typing out “killer” but I am not entirely sure he is dead, he was shot in the side so as long as someone finds him in time, he could easily survive.  And what exactly is a racial equitable Olympics?  HE was about to explain, but then they were playing music over the explanation.

 

Black Monday:  So Blair built a panic room but all he does in there is panic?  But it looks like he will be going on the offensive, but who will he go after?  I still think the preacher’s daughter is the prime suspect, going after Blair and killing her father in retaliation for her husband hanging himself.

 

Flatbush Misdemeanor:  Okay, betting on a 100 to 1 Homecoming King is pretty funny. 

 

Motherland: Fort Salem:  Man, this show really needed a much longer “previously on” segment.  The mythology is just so convoluted.  Now I am not entirely sure who the bad guys are.  Is it the main’s chick’s mother / girlfriend?

 

In the Dark:  I asked when talking about the season finale, with the blind dude figuring out Murphy was involved in the crimes, are they just going to go on the run?  I said that mockingly, but it turns out that is the case.  Though I have a feeling, it Murphy can somehow implicate the chief in letting Dean skate for Tyson’s murder, she will be allowed to stop running.  But what will happen to the dog school?  Will Murphy’s parent come back and run it?

 

The Bold Type:  poor Jane, while Sutton and Kat were participating in a sex montage with their season one relationships, she was working.  But I guess they really could not bring back the cheating Pinstripe.  I guess being the next editor is a decent consolation prize.

 

The Blacklist:  Well, that was annoying.  Right before the penultimate episode, new broke that Lizzie would not be back for the next season.  Since she would not be back but Red would, it because pretty obvious that Lizzie was not going to shoot Red.  But I guess it could be worse, I was under the assumption Ressler was going to shoot Lizzie to keep her from shooting Red for some dumb moralistic reason.  Sure, Townsend’s goon coming out of nowhere was almost as dumb.  Then Red shot the goon so no hunting down that dude, or even Townsend who got incinerated last week, so why bother killing her that way?

 

Poor Lizzie, dies without even finding out who her mother is.  She could not even read Red’s later because she was not allowed to open it until he was dead.  But seriously, who even wants to see a ninth season of this show without Lizzie?  Really,, NBC cancels Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Good Girls but they are going to air a ninth season of this show without one of the co-leads?  So forking stupid.  Sure, I will watch, but it will mostly be a hate-watch, much like most of this season.

 

Good Girls:  So why are they stealing the printing press?  Why not ask Rio for help?  I guess his version of helping would be to take out the old lady.  But you would think someone would mention it.  But what was with Dean just blurting out his wives crimes?  And then hiring one of the guys who heard him as his lawyer.  People on this show is getting pretty dumb.

 

 

Around the Tubes: June 26, 2021

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting.  This post includes blurbs on  Only Murders in the Building, Lorde, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The One and Only Dick Gregory, The Beach Boys, Ariana Grande, Corinne Bailey Rae, Noël Wells, Molly Burman, POV, Ziwe, Solar Opposites, Couple's Therapy, and Batwoman.

-  "Only Murders in the Building” premieres August 31 on Hulu.  From the minds of Steve Martin, Dan Fogelman and John Hoffman comes a comedic murder-mystery series for the ages. “Only Murders In The Building” follows three strangers (Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. As they record a podcast of their own to document the case, the three unravel the complex secrets of the building which stretch back years. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living amongst them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it’s too late.

- In a surprise move, GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum artist LORDE released new song “Solar Power.” The song, which appropriately dropped timed to the only solar eclipse of the year, came alongside the announcement of her highly anticipated third studio album of the same name, Solar Power. Today the artist additionally revealed the album release date as August 20^th and announced her 2022 World tour dates. The 40+ show tour, promoted by AEG Presents in the US and Canada, is her first North American tour since 2018 and kicks off in North America in Nashville on April 3 at the Opry House before concluding at the Santa Barbara Bowl on May 7. Tickets go on-sale to the general public starting Friday, June 25, 2021 at 10am local. Fans can sign up for Lorde’s email list for first access to pre-sale tickets and for more info on tour dates HERE. .Pre-Order / Pre-Save / Pre-Add Solar Power HERE.  Listen to “Solar Power” HERE

- Beloved Platinum-selling American Alternative Rock band, Toad the Wet Sprocket, are set to release their first new studio album in eight years, STARTING NOW (via The SRG/ILS Group), available everywhere on August 27^th.  The ten song collection explores finding hope after life’s uncertainties force us to change and learn how to survive on a new path.  “Some time around the end of 2019 it became clear that it was time for a new Toad record. We’d taken a long break from recording together and it felt like we had the right songs and the right energy again.” says lead vocalist, Glen Phillips. “If there’s a theme to these songs, it’s hope. We’ve all been through a crazy couple of years and I wanted to take a deeper look at what it’s like to be thrown far off center and find a new way of living on the other side. How do we not just survive but actually ground ourselves in such unusual times?” LISTEN:       “Starting Now”

- SHOWTIME^® released a trailer for THE ONE AND ONLY DICK GREGORY, the directorial debut from producer Andre Gaines (The Lady and The Dale, Bill Nye: Science Guy). The documentary feature unpacks the career of Dick Gregory, the activist, pop-culture icon and thought leader who changed the lives of millions across the world through constant disruption and awareness. The film will premiere on Sunday, July 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. 

- The Beach Boys are thrilled to share an unreleased live version of fan favorite “Susie Cincinnati” as the next preview to their forthcoming new box set, Feel Flows – The Sunflower and Surf’s Up Sessions 1969-1971, due August 27 via Capitol/UMe. Written and sung by Al Jardine, the rollicking, horn-laden performance was recorded nearly 45 years ago at a legendary stadium concert in Anaheim, Calif. on July 3, 1976 that heralded the return of Brian Wilson to the live stage for his first full show with The Beach Boys in many years, part of the “Brian’s Back” publicity campaign that also signaled his return to the studio and the release of the group’s new 15 Big Ones album, celebrating 15 years of the band. At this famed concert, The Beach Boys band was augmented with a full horn section and the brass gives “Susie Cincinnati” a whole new edge. Originally released in 1970 as the B-side to Sunflower standout, “Add Some Music To You Day,” the song was remixed for 1976’s 15 Big Ones. “Susie Cincinnati” (Live) is available to stream and download now.  Pre-order Feel Flows – The Sunflower and Surf’s Up Sessions 1969-1971.  Stream/share “Susie Cincinnati”

- Vevo, the world's leading music video network, announces the release of Ariana Grande’s Official Live Performance of “pov” from her album Positions. Vevo’s Official Live Performances are the result of close creative collaboration with artists and their teams, resulting in a series of very special exclusive performances.

- Corinne Bailey Rae's multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed self-titled debut album is to be reissued on 180g vinyl for the first time since its original release. Available on black vinyl as well as a special edition brick-red version, this is the first time it has been issued on vinyl as per the original LP tracklist, which now includes the bonus track "Another Rainy Day." Pre-order the LP HERE

- Actress, filmmaker, comedian and singer-songwriter Noël Wells is excited to present the brand new music video for “Follow Me,” a song lifted from her acclaimed solo debut album, It’s So Nice! (order via ItsSoNice.net HERE). Directed by Christian O’Keefe and Michael Priestley at Overlay Films (@overlayfilms), the song’s journey follows someone who has been disconnected from their body and soul after a traumatic event, and who eventually leaves the past behind and chooses their freedom, inviting people to follow. “This song was the most intimate song on my debut album,“ Wells said. “The re-release of it feels very appropriate for the time, as we’re re-emerging into a changed world and the lyrics really are about someone going through a rebirth.”

-19 year old Molly Burman has made real inroads these last couple of months with her debut single proper, "Fool Me With Flattery" and last month's "Everytime" both picking up strong press, radio and fan support internationally. Today, she follows up with another slice of gold in perhaps her most immediate song yet with the empower-pop smarts of "Debt".  Molly comments on the themes behind it: "Debt was inspired by a night out I had, a night that I’m sure many can relate to. I was just out to have a good time and dance and a guy was very insistent that he buy me a drink, this then made him feel some sort of entitlement to my body and he continued to harass me throughout the night. I wanted to make a fun, groovy song that people could dance to, but also wanted to get out my frustration. No one owes you their body just because you bought them a drink or were nice to them, we aren’t here to make you feel good about yourself, we’re just trying to go out and have a boogie, so leave us the hell alone!"

- POV returns to PBS on Monday, July 5th with its 34th season, a slate of films that reaffirm public media’s vital role as a platform for the people and in sparking national dialogue. America’s longest-running documentary series’ newest season follows artists, activists, elders, comedians, frontline workers and politicians across the globe as they navigate their personal stories and the larger histories under which they take shape.  The season kicks off with writer and comedian CJ Hunt’s directorial debut, The Neutral Ground, on Monday, July 5. All films are accompanied by educational resources and will be available to stream on all PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video App. Premieres continue through fall 2021, with primetime specials in early 2022. 

- What does it mean to be rejected by the only country you call home? When a ruling from the Dominican Republic Supreme Court strips citizenship from Dominicans of Haitian descent, over 200,000 are suddenly rendered without nationality, identity or homeland.  Award-winning director Michèle Stephenson’s new documentary, Stateless, follows the families of those affected by the 2013 ruling, uncovering the complex history and present-day politics of Haiti and the Dominican Republic through the grassroots electoral campaign of a young attorney named Rosa Iris.  Stateless has its national broadcast premiere on the PBS documentary series POV on Monday, July 19, 2021. POV is American television's longest-running independent documentary series, now in its 34th season. The critically acclaimed film is the winner of the Blackstar Film Festival Best Feature Documentary Award (2020) and is an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival. Stateless will also be available to stream for free for 30 days at pov.org until August 18, 2021.

- SHOWTIME has renewed the critically acclaimed late-night variety sketch series ZIWE, starring and executive produced by Ziwe (DESUS & MERO^®), for a second season of 12 episodes to be split into two installments. The inaugural season of ZIWE included interviews with Phoebe Bridgers, Fran Lebowitz, Andrew Yang, Eboni K. Williams, Gloria Steinem and Stacey Abrams, along with musical performances by Ziwe, sketches and more – including unscripted and unpredictable interactions with everyday people.  “This show has exceeded my wildest imagination thanks to my brilliant cast, crew and iconic guests,” said Ziwe.  “I am famously delighted to continue my collaboration with Showtime and A24.”

- Hulu has renewed adult animated Original series “Solar Opposites” for a 4^th season (12 episodes), from 20^th Television Animation. 

- SHOWTIME announced it has picked up an extended third season of the acclaimed docu-series COUPLES THERAPY, from Sundance Award-winning filmmakers Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg and Eli Despres. The third season – split into two distinct runs to premiere in 2022 – will continue to feature world-renowned psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr. Orna Guralnik, along with fresh sets of couples in each season-three installment.

- Watch as Javicia Leslie takes on the mantle of DC Super Hero Batwoman, when Batwoman: The Complete Second Season arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on September 21, 2021 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Strap yourself in for a thrilling ride with all 18 episodes from the second season, plus never-before-seen bonus content including deleted scenes and a gag reel. Batwoman: The Complete Second Season is priced to own at $39.99 SRP for the DVD ($44.98 in Canada) and $44.98 SRP for the Blu-ray ($49.99 in Canada), which includes a Digital Copy (U.S. only). Batwoman: The Complete Second Season is also available to own on Digital via purchase from digital retailers, and to stream on HBO Max starting July 27, 2021.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: June 20, 2020

  

Fear the Walking Dead:  Oh wow, they actually set off the bombs, I just figured they would figure out a way to redirect them or at the very least they would turn out to be duds.  So is next season just them living in nuclear fallout?  Are they going to move up north?  Is there a place where they could go to avoid the blast?  Won’t the winds carry this to Virginia and affect the other show?  Although pretty laughable that nuclear bombs went off and only manage to kill one person.  Sure a couple other people died prior that may have been taken out by the bomb.  But just how do Morgan and Grace survive just by hiding under a truck?   The zombie had chemical burns.  At least jump in the car and shut the door with the dog. 

 

The Chi:  Well that was a pretty pathetic protest, just three people... and the principal left work early.  But hey, if he left early, why not everyone?  But Jake macking on Jemma was super-obvious, I knew that kiss was going to happen the moment when they ganged up on Kevin while discussing the protest.   At least they did not draw it out.  But how long until they tell Kevin?

 

Black Monday:  So Tiffany wanted Blair to let the world know her father was a monster.  But then did Blair not use that platform to do just that?  Just to gain political points?  That seems like a good way to get shot again.  Or was that casket dropping meant for him?

 

Cruel Summer: Well I got one major theory right with the gun being Annabelle and Kate used that to kill Martin. My Angela theory turned out very wrong (unless that is season two but the writers said that it could be a continuation of the story or they may turn the show into an anthology).  She turned out to be Guy Pierce (who I predicted to be the murderer) in Mare of Easttown, someone you would think would tie into the mystery just because they are part of the cast, but turned out to be just very insignificant.  But if this does turn into an anthology, Jeanette’s mom taking about her time back in high school with Kate’s mom could be interesting.  Maybe we can find out what really happened to Kate’s birth father.  And / or find out who Tennille’s real father is.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale:  Wait, so June facilitated an exchange for Fred, but did not even try to get Hannah to be part of the exchange?  I get from a story prospective you need something to motivate June next season, but at least ask.  And are the higher ups in Giliad going to be fine that they exchanged so many political prisoners for someone who died in custody?  I guess that is good for Serena because maybe they will be hesitant trying to trade her for anyone.    But where does Serena go next season?  Does she have to continue to give secrets to keep her and her child’s secrets?  Will she even trust the Americans?  Will she thank them for getting rid of Fred? 

 

But at least Fred was able to speak some truth on his way out, pointing out how gross the June and Nick coupling is.  What the fork is going on there.  June does not seem happy back with her husband, but Nick is the literal enemy.  Is she using him so he will help her to get Hannah back or does she truly love the guy who was forced to rape her.

 

The Bold Type:  I never particular liked this show, but the girl getting high this week was easily the best thing to ever happen on the show.

 

The Blacklist:  Oh, hey, I got another prediction right; Lizzy’s mom from last season was not really her mom.  Except, why not tell her she was an imposter.  Lizzy just blew up her life, figuratively, and literally tried to blow up Red, because of that lie.  But that was the only part of this episode I understood.  They have retconned Lizzy’s story so many times, it is hard to keep track of it.

 

Around the Tubes: June 19, 2021

              

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting.  This post includes blurbs on This Way Up, American Rust, Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James, Carrie Underwood, Lord Huron, Nonah Kahan, Styx, American Giglio, and UFO.

- Season two of the BAFTA award-winning series is set after the events of the season one finale, with things in flux for Aine (Aisling Bea, "Living With Yourself;" "Quiz") and her sister, Shona (Sharon Horgan, "Catastrophe;" "Military Wives"). Aine's starting to leave her time in rehab behind and live less cautiously, which may not be entirely wise. Will she and Richard (Tobias Menzies, "The Crown;" "Game of Thrones") make a go of it? Or continue to exist in the odd tension of the employer and employee? How will Shona and Charlotte (Indira Varma, "Game of Thrones;" "Luther") manage running a new business together and having feelings for each other? Will Shona be able to go through with marrying Vish (Aasif Mandvi, "Evil;" "The Brink")? Planning a wedding? Can she tell him what happened? Is there anything more to tell?  This Way Up season two on Hulu July 9, 2021

- SHOWTIME will premiere its new drama series AMERICAN RUST, starring Emmy winner and Tony nominee Jeff Daniels (THE COMEY RULE, The Newsroom, Godless, The Looming Tower) and Emmy nominee Maura Tierney (YOUR HONOR, THE AFFAIR, The Report, Beautiful Boy), on Sunday, September 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The season will consist of nine episodes.

- SHOWTIME Documentary Films today announced the new documentary feature BITCHIN’: THE SOUND AND FURY OF RICK JAMES, directed by Emmy^®-nominee Sacha Jenkins (WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN, BURN MOTHERF*CKER, BURN!). BITCHIN’ is an intimate yet propulsive look at Rick James, one of rock, funk and R&B’s most legendary and often underappreciated figures. The film will have a World Premiere at the Tribeca Festival tonight as part of the festival’s inaugural Juneteenth programming slate, ahead of the SHOWTIME premiere later this year.  Featuring rare footage of James’ incredible live shows, never-before-seen home video, original interviews with legendary artists, collaborators and friends, and a treasure trove of recorded interviews with James (who died in 2004), the documentary presents a full picture of James’ dramatic rise and fall, focusing in on the “Punk-Funk” music he left behind.

 

 

- Seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner and three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year Carrie Underwood has recorded her first-ever gospel LIVE performance DVD, My Savior: LIVE From The Ryman. The DVD will be released internationally on July 23 by Gaither Music Group in partnership with Capitol Records Nashville with distribution by Capitol Christian Music Group/Universal. Filmed at the celebrated Ryman Auditorium, known around the world as “The Mother Church of Country Music,” the country music superstar brings her best-selling, critically-acclaimed studio album My Savior (Capitol Records Nashville) to life on that legendary stage with breathtaking performances of traditional gospel hymns Underwood grew up singing such as “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.”

- Lord Huron continue to celebrate the release of their latest album, Long Lost, by bringing “Mine Forever” to the stage on The Late Late Show with James Corden – watch the performance HERE.  Upon release, Long Lost captured #1 on The Americana/Folk Album and Tastemaker Albums Chart, #2 on Vinyl Albums & Alternative Albums chart, #3 Top Rock Albums Chart, #4 Top Album Sales Chart and #23 on the Billboard 200 chart.

- Hot off the heels of the release of his latest single, “Part of Me,” Noah Kahan announces his highly-anticipated sophomore album, I Was / I Am, will be released on September 17^th. I Was / I Am is available for pre-order now HERE.  The critically acclaimed Vermont singer and songwriter took two years of milestones and transformed them into I Was / I Am, alongside his Busyhead collaborator and Grammy Award-winning producer Joel Little (Taylor Swift, Lorde, Shawn Mendes, Jonas Brothers, Khalid) and engineer Mark Rankin. Preserving his commitment to vivid lyricism, Noah crafted the new music with faster tempos and sweeping hooks, recharging his overall vision.

- A new era of hope, survival, and prosperity is here with the release of CRASH OF THE CROWN, STYX’s new studio album, which was written pre-pandemic and recorded during the trying times of the pandemic.  The legendary rockers--James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals)--released their 17^th album today on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which is available as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD, and on digital platformsand at Styxworld.com.  They’ve already released two singles from the new album:  the title track which premiered exclusively during Eddie Trunk’s “Trunk Nation” program on SiriusXM Satellite Radio last month, and “Reveries” which dropped June 4.

- SHOWTIME has picked up the drama series AMERICAN GIGOLO, starring Jon Bernthal (Ford v Ferrari, The Walking Dead) and written and directed by Emmy nominee David Hollander (RAY DONOVAN). Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original film, will executive produce along with Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed. Bernthal also serves as a producer. The project is a production of Paramount Television Studios. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine and Jana Winograde, Presidents of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.  AMERICAN GIGOLO is a present-day reimagining of the iconic 1980 film. Bernthal will play Julian Kaye, who is introduced 15 years after he's been arrested for murder and struggling to find his footing in the modern-day Los Angeles sex industry, while seeking the truth about the set-up that sent him to prison all those years ago and also hoping to reconnect with Michelle, his one true love, played by Gretchen Mol (Boardwalk Empire).

- SHOWTIME announced it will air UFO, a four-part docu-series from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Glen Zipper exploring our fascination with unidentified flying objects, and what clandestine influence the American government, lucrative private companies and the military may have in shielding the truth behind extraterrestrial phenomena to further their own agendas. Directed by Mark Monroe (Icarus) and Paul Crowder (Riding Giants), the series explores unsettling theories of a subject that recently reached national headlines, and has historically been the focus of powerful politicians and CEOs, while average citizens pursuing the very same truth have been ridiculed and ostracized. The series is a co-production by Bad Robot and Zipper Bros Films. SHOWTIME will release all four episodes of the new series UFO to its subscribers at midnight on Sunday, August 8, prior to its on-air debut that night at 9 p.m. ET/PT.