Around the Tubes: February 4, 2023

  

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 Black History Month, The Circus, Headliners with Rachel Nichols, How I Captured My Killer, Rick and Morty, Shania Twain, Stephen Sanchez, Lyn Lapid, and Claire Rosinkranz.

- In honor of Black History Month, Hulu will continue to shine a light, as it does all year long, on Black stories and storytellers in our “Black Stories Always” hub. This month's noteworthy TV and film premieres include the third and final season of Wu-Tang: An American Saga, the final season of FX’s Snowfall, Onyx Collective’s docuseries The 1619 Project, the fifth season premiere of Freeform’s Grown-ish, Onyx Collective’s Bruiser, Andscape’s Three Ways and new episodes of the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning series Abbott Elementary…and much more!  Explore Hulu's library of not-just-for-February series and films featuring visionary Black storytellers and creators from titles such as FX’s Kindred, The Wonder Years, Onyx Collective’s Reasonable Doubt, Beba, FX’s Atlanta, NAACP award-nominated Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story; as well as comfort classic sitcoms like 227, Living Single, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Family Matters.

- As a year of high stakes political drama kicks into gear, the Emmy-nominated series THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH returns for a new season on Sunday, February 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri pull back the curtain on this extraordinarily fractured and volatile moment for American democracy.  THE CIRCUS hits the ground running in 2023 to examine a new era of divided government as President Joe Biden braces for withering GOP-led House investigations. Meanwhile bitter divisions among Republicans signal a tumultuous year ahead for the party and the nation. And while President Biden mulls a bid for reelection amidst questions about his mishandling of classified documents, former President Donald Trump is facing multiple investigations of his own, as well as staring down a list of potential Republican challengers, in his third run for the White House.

- SHOWTIME SPORTS announces an expanded role for veteran journalist, host and NBA reporter Rachel Nichols, who joined SHOWTIME Basketball in September 2022. She will host and co-executive produce HEADLINERS WITH RACHEL NICHOLS, a new interview series premiering on SHOWTIME streaming and on demand platforms, as well as host the existing weekly video podcast WHAT’S BURNIN’.  HEADLINERS WITH RACHEL NICHOLS will feature sit-down interviews with the most compelling figures in basketball and culture, seeking the biggest stories in the game. HEADLINERS WITH RACHEL NICHOLS will focus on marquee matchups across the NBA and establish an on-site presence covering the gameday experience like never before. Utilizing her relationships with players, coaches and front office personnel, HEADLINERS WITH RACHEL NICHOLS will bring fans an inside look into their favorite stars while delivering fresh perspectives. In a media landscape overflowing with loud debates and scoop-chasing, HEADLINERS WITH RACHEL NICHOLS will deliver exclusive interviews as she has done with award-winning success throughout her career. Full episodes will premiere across SHOWTIME streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers.

- The Hulu Original Docu-series, "How I Caught My Killer" is now available to stream, only on Hulu.   “How I Caught My Killer” is a true-crime docu-series that highlights the real-life stories behind unique homicide cases with in-depth interviews, authentic archival material and cinematic recreations all packaged together into a fresh spin in the genre.  TRAILER: HERE

- Go on an intergalactic adventure across the multi-verse with the critically acclaimed animated hit comedy series from Adult Swim when Rick and Morty: Season 6 will be available to own Steelbook Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray Disc and DVD beginning March 28, 2023 (April 4, 2023 in Canada). Get ready to binge on one of cables #1 watched comedies - and follow the misadventures of America’s favorite crazy scientist and his grandchildren with this outrageous set which includes all 10 episodes from Season 6, along with copious special features curated for the fans, including an all-new featurette Rick and Morty: Inside Season 6.  It’s season six and Rick and Morty are back! Pick up where we left them, worse for wear and down on their luck. Will they manage to bounce back for more adventures? Or will they get swept up in an ocean of piss! Who knows?! Piss! Family! Intrigue! A bunch of dinosaurs! More piss! Another can't miss season of your favorite show.  With Blu-ray’s unsurpassed picture and sound, Rick and Morty: Season 6 Blu-ray release will include 1080p Full HD Video with DTS-HD Master Audio for English 5.1.

- Five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning legend and the best-selling female artist in country music history Shania Twain proudly presents her eagerly awaited new album, Queen of Me. Listen to Queen of Me—HERE. Fans can also shop https://officialstore.shaniatwain.com/ for signed LPs, CDs, box sets, exclusive picture discs, cassettes, and more. RUN, DON’T WALK!  Building anticipation for the SHANIA-SSANCE, the Queen herself heralded the record with a series of fan-favorite bops, including “Waking Up Dreaming,” “Last Day of Summer,” and “Giddy Up!” Each track incited widespread acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, Variety, People, Consequence, NME, Music Week, and so many more.

- Platinum-certified Nashville-based singer and songwriter Stephen Sanchez and platinum-certified Los Angeles singer and songwriter Em Beihold teamed up last night to deliver an unforgettable duet of “Until I Found You” on The Late Late Show With James Corden.  Watch the performance HERE.  This notably marks their first television performance of the song together. Em initially jumped on Stephen’s platinum-selling anthem “Until I Found You” last spring. To date, their version has amassed a staggering 219 million Spotify streams and counting.

 

- 20-year-old breakout songstress Lyn Lapid recruits Canadian singer and songwriter Ruth B. for her new single “Do U Really?” out now on Mercury Records/Republic Records—listen HERE.  After a delicate piano intro, “Do U Really?” glides along on a hypnotic guitar-laden beat. Lyn’s vocals echo with unfiltered emotion as she asks, “Do you really want to fall in love? Do you really want to settle down? Or are you happy just to mess around?” It showcases her growth as an artist, vocalist, and lyricist, placing her talents and spirit in the spotlight.

-  19-year-old Southern California singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Claire Rosinkranz is back with a new single entitled “Sad In Hawaii” via slowplay/Republic Records—listen to “Sad In Hawaii” HERE and watch the lyric video HERE.  On the track, a head-nodding bass line overtakes a swooning old school sample as Claire details an unforgettable (for all the wrong reasons) trip to Hawaii. Her vocals flutter from confessional verses into the anthemic chant, “Probably still rocking my Nikes, but I’ll still be said in Hawaii.”

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 29, 2023

 

The Last of Us:  It was obvious that lady was not going to last long, but man, that maybe the creepiest television death of all time with the infected kiss. 

 

Your Honor:   I was wondering after the first episode just who knew about that baby.  Clearly the judge did not.  But what exactly did they talk about in prison if not that?  It is not like they were together very long.  I did not even realize they got so close that they were having sex.  Now the question is do her parents now?  They have yet to mention their grandkid.  But how awkward that the kid has the first named of a person killed by the person who provided the last name?  Though I forget if she knew about that whole thing.  If not, does the judge tell her?

 

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches:  It is hilarious that even though they are speaking English, they put on subtitles for the Irish ladies.

 

The Challenge: Ride or Dies:  Good riddance Fessy, please never come back.  And take all those Big Brothers with you.  But with the 100 hour finale, hopefully that not mean they do not stretch out the two episode finale is already too much.

Around the Tubes: January 28, 2023

 

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 People Puzzler, The 12th Victim,  Eels, and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

- Next Monday, January 30, watch as PEOPLE PUZZLER host Leah Remini invites her family (George Marshall, William Kilmartin, and Jason Coulliard) to test their crossword skills, pop culture knowledge, and Leah's patience, as they play for charity in a special episode!  Leah Remini's Family Game Night will air Monday, 1/30 at 6:30 pm ET on Game Show Network.  WATCH A CLIP FROM THE EPISODE.

- SHOWTIME Documentary Films announced THE 12^TH VICTIM, a four-part docuseries that sheds new light on the infamous 1958 Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate murder case, in which the teenage couple was charged and convicted of brutally killing 11 victims at random. Told through a stylistic blend of archival and recreated footage and countless film and television series inspired by the killings, THE 12^TH VICTIM reexamines Fugate’s guilty verdict, who was 14 years old at the time of the killings, through a modern lens, questioning the media and judicial system’s treatment of her despite her self-proclaimed innocence. Executive produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville, the series will premiere on Friday, February 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes airing weekly on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. All four episodes will also release on demand and on streaming platforms for SHOWTIME subscribers on February 17.  To watch the trailer of THE 12^TH VICTIM, visit: https://youtu.be/2Qy0ucSZuo0.

- Critically acclaimed rock group, EELS is today announcing the limited-edition vinyl reissues of their earlier records, Hombre Lobo, End Times, and Tomorrow Morning which will be released via E Works/[PIAS] on March 17. Alongside the news, EELS is also sharing “Anything For Boo” (Unplugged – Gentle Souls 2021 KCRW Session) – listen HERE.   EELS will hit the road this Spring for the long-awaited Lockdown Hurricane tour of Europe and North America, starting March 26 in Nottingham, UK – tickets available HERE. In advance of the tour, EELS have shared a “25 Years of EELS Live in 8 Minutes” video – watch HERE. Available at the live shows only, EELS will be releasing two new very limited vinyl editions of two live sessions – Live at Largo (2019) and Gentle Souls: 2021 KCRW Session. These will be unique to the tour and not available anywhere else. 

- For a record-breaking fourteen seasons and 435 episodes, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet™ aired on ABC-TV from 1952 through 1966, becoming one of the most cherished cultural touchstones of the twentieth century. The gentle humor of the prolific and popular sitcom was brought to the screen by the real-life Nelson family: Ozzie and wife Harriet with their sons, David and Rick, all portraying themselves in a trend-setting blend of fact-meets-fiction comedy decades before Seinfeld and other semi-reality based shows. ​​ THE OFFICIAL COMPLETE SEASON NINE contains all 33 full, fun-filled episodes including rare adventures not seen on television in decades. Lyle Talbot and Mary Jane Croft appear as Ozzie and Harriet’s best friends Joe and Clara Randolph along with classic television and film guest stars Frank Cady, Joe Flynn, Linda Evans, Barry Livingston, Lori Saunders, Richard Deacon, Roberta Shore, James Stacy, Parley Baer and other familiar faces. THE OFFICIAL COMPLETE SEASON TEN contains all 25 full, fun-filled episodes including rare adventures not seen on television in decades. David Nelson’s real-life wife June Blair joins the cast as their characters become married. Lyle Talbot and Mary Jane Croft appear as Ozzie and Harriet’s best friends Joe and Clara Randolph along with classic television and film guest stars Linda Evans, Jimmy Hawkins, Barry Livingston, Roberta Shore, James Stacey, Lori Saunders, Frank Cady and other familiar faces.  THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET™ SEASONS 9 + 10 available on February 21st.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 22, 2023

 

The Last of Us:  Did this really need to be 80 minutes?  The season is 9 episodes, why not do ten episodes with shorter run times?  This episode could have ended with Joel disposing of the body in Boston and that would have been an interesting end to the episode and leaving you wanting more.  Are these long episode just done to screw people who are paid by the episode? 

 

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches:  Um, why was the hot brain surgeon having an orgasm at the same time her mother was having sex?

 

Leverage: Redemption:  Ooo, the Leverage team got got.  Except I only vaguely remember the guy who entrapped them.

 

The Challenge: Ride or Dies:  Well, at least two of the three most annoying people went home this week.  Now if on Fessy follows his Big Brother brethren out the door next week.

 

Big Sky:  I actually did not even realize this was the finale until it was over.  Here is hoping ABC puts everyone out of their misery and finally cancels the show.

Around the Tubes: January 21, 2023

 

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 Extraordinary, Animaniacs, Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, Shoresy, and Stand.

- That awkward moment when everyone has a superpower except you.  Hulu has released an official first look clip of new comedy series "Extraordinary, a hilarious new spin on superpowers from debut writer Emma Moran and the producers of "Killing Eve."  In the first look clip – the opening of episode two “Magic Bullets” – Carrie (Sofia Oxenham) and Kash (Bilal Hasna) believe that putting Jen (Máiréad Tyers) in a stressful situation will bring about her power. When an extra spicy meal fails to provide results, Jen runs into her regular, non-committal hook up, Luke (Ned Porteous) as she tries to remain cool…  All eight episodes will launch on Wednesday, January 25th. 

- Check out the official trailer for the final season of Hulu Original animated series "Animaniacs"!   Season three premieres with all 10 episodes on February 17 on Hulu.    Trailer Available: HERE  Yakko, Wakko, and Dot return with an all-new season of laughs, songs, pop culture parodies, and enough zany antics to fill a water tower (or at least 10 episodes!). Pinky and Brain's never ending plans to take over the world journey them to the ends of new lands, deserts, and even the space time continuum. And while new friends, Starbox and Cindy continue their play date, the Warner siblings must battle their way out of a video game, learn the secrets of being a teen influencer, and escape a mad scientist's island all while finding time to teach us about the threat of global warming!

- Check out the trailer and key art for the upcoming Hulu Original docu-series "Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne." All episodes will be available to stream on Hulu February 14. TRAILER: HERE  Cara is an actress, one of the world’s most photographed people and an award-winning LGBTQ+ icon. On this immersive journey, she puts her mind and body on the line in search of answers regarding human sexuality, its joys, mysteries, and constantly changing nature.  In every episode, she shares her own personal experiences. Uniquely unfiltered and authentic, there’s no limit on how far Cara’s willing to go to explore what makes us all human.

- “Letterkenny” spin-off “Shoresy” will return exclusively to Hulu, in the U.S. for a 6-episode, second season. The critically acclaimed first season debuted on Hulu on Friday, May 27, 2022.  View Clip Announcement Here.  The series follows the foul-mouthed, chirp-serving, mother-loving, fan favorite character, Shoresy (Keeso), and the embattled Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs as they continue their quest to never lose again. Production is set to begin in Sudbury this spring. “Shoresy” is created by and stars Jared Keeso, and is produced by New Metric Media in association with Play Fun Games.

- SHOWTIME Sports Documentary Films has released the official trailer for its upcoming documentary STAND, the feature-length examination of the remarkable life of social activist and basketball prodigy Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. STAND premieres Friday, February 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and will be available across the network’s on-demand and streaming platforms at premiere.  To watch the trailer, go to: https://s.sho.com/3H1lTd1.  Directed by Joslyn Rose Lyons, making her feature-length directorial debut, the film features in-depth interviews with basketball and entertainment stars including Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, Shaquille O’Neal, Jalen Rose, Mahershala Ali, Ice Cube and more. 

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 15, 2023

 

 

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches:  Nothing will ever top Denise Richards: nuclear physicist, but Alexandra Daddario: brain surgeon comes really close as most unbelievable occupation for an actor.  But at least that James Bond movie was campy, it seems like we are supposed to take this show seriously.

 

Leverage: Redemption:  That was a fun detour where the team gets scooped on a target.  I wonder if we will see that lady again.  It would be fun to see other Leverage teams.

 

The Challenge: Ride or Dies:  So in the past five weeks, one whole team has gone home?  What a stupid forking twist this has been.  Unfortunately Fessy won the elimination to stay in the game, yet for some reason the other two teams have not been completely eliminated yet.  Ugg.

 

Big Sky:  I guess I cannot say this show has gone off the rails because that would imply it was on the rails at any point, but this whole Buck being the big bad has just gotten absurd.  This is definitely not a story worthy of a full season.

 

Ghosts:  After his introduction last week, I was not expecting the new guy to be around very long.   In two episodes he has been fired and quit.  Now I wonder if he will flee after learning about the ghosts.  He has already seen a keyboard type by itself, what else will he see?

Around the Tubes: January 14, 2023

  

  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 Yellowjackets, History of the World, Part II, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, How I Met Your Father, Up Here, Elvis Costello, Burt Bacharach, Complete Mountain Almanac, Tennis, Jessia, and Circa Waves, 

- SHOWTIME has released the first official teaser for the highly anticipated second season of the Emmy-nominated drama YELLOWJACKETS. As the sun rose this Friday the 13th, the official YELLOWJACKETS social channels went live with a flickering candle and as fans engaged, the candle melted in real time for an hour until dawn broke and finally revealed the first official teaser for season two. Season two will return starting Friday, March 24 on streaming and on demand for all SHOWTIME subscribers, before making its on-air debut on Sunday, March 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Season one, which has a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and received seven Emmy nominations, averaged over 5 million weekly viewers across platforms and was the second-most streamed series in SHOWTIME history. Produced for SHOWTIME by studio Entertainment One (eOne), the series is currently in production in Vancouver.

- We are excited to share the new teaser for Hulu's upcoming 8-episode comedy series "History of the World, Part II," which premieres Monday, March 6 with two episodes. Two new episodes will drop daily, with our finale on Thursday, March 9.  Additional cast announced today include: Pamela Adlon, Tim Baltz, Zazie Beetz, Jillian Bell, Quinta Brunson, Dove Cameron, D'Arcy Carden , Ronny Chieng, Rob Corddry, Danny DeVito, David Duchovny, Hannah Einbinder, Jay Ellis, Josh Gad, Kimiko Glenn, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Jake Johnson, Richard Kind, Johnny Knoxville, Lauren Lapkus, Jenifer Lewis, Poppy Liu, Joe Lo Truglio, Jason Mantzoukas, Ken Marino, Jack McBrayer, Zahn McClarnon, Charles Melton, Kumail Nanjiani, Brock O’Hurn, Andrew Rannells, Emily Ratajkowski, Sam Richardson, Nick Robinson, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, Timothy Simons, J.B. Smoove, David Wain, Taika Waititi, Reggie Watts, and Tyler James Williams.

- Hulu has released the official trailer and key art for "Wu-Tang: An American Saga" season three. The final season launches with three episodes on Wednesday, February 15. New episodes will follow every Wu-Wednesday, with the finale dropping on April 5.  Off the release of their debut album and their continued rise to fame, we follow the Wu-Tang Clan over the course of their five-year plan as they face and overcome different challenges. While each of the members go on separate journeys to figure out where they fit in the music world, RZA struggles to stay on top of things in order to fulfill the promise he made to his Wu brothers. As money, fame, ego, and business threaten to tear the group apart, they must find a way to come together and cement their legacy.

- Check out the trailer for season two of Hulu Original series, "How I Met Your Father." The comedy series returns for its second season with one episode on Tuesday, January 24. New episodes will follow weekly, only on Hulu. In the near future, Sophie (Duff) is telling her son the story of how she met his father: a story that catapults us back to the present where Sophie and her close-knit group of friends are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life, and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options.

 - Mae Whitman revealed the premiere date and a first look at her upcoming Hulu Original musical romantic comedy series “Up Here.” The series premieres all episodes March 24 on Hulu.  A musical romantic comedy set in New York City in the waning days of 1999, following the extraordinary story of one ordinary couple, Lindsay and Miguel, as they fall in love and discover that the single greatest obstacle to finding happiness together might just be themselves – and the treacherous world of memories, obsessions, fears and fantasies that lives inside their heads.

- The Songs of Bacharach & Costello, personally compiled by Elvis Costello, brings together all of the published songs that Costello has written with the legendary Burt Bacharach, one of the great composers of popular music in the 20^th and now 21st Century.  Releasing March 3 via UMe, The Songs of Bacharach & Costello, celebrates a collaboration which began in 1995 and which continues to this day.  Those who were surprised by the writers of “I’m Not Angry” and “What’s New Pussycat?” working together perhaps overlooked that Bacharach was engaging in musical collaboration for only the second time in his storied career - the first resulting in just a handful of songs musically written with Neil Diamond.  It was Costello who wrote the first musical draft of “God Give Me Strength,” communicating from Dublin to Los Angeles by fax - back in the 20th Century - and far from being offended by this presumption, Bacharach sent back an amended copy, laying out the signature intro motif for flugelhorn, adding the expansive bridge section and making all sorts of subtle but crucial amendments to the melodic and rhythmic phrasing of Costello’s first draft.  Listen to the live tracks here: https://elviscostello.lnk.to/TSOBACPR

- With their self-titled debut album due out January 27 via Bella Union, and having previously shared a video for lead track “May”, Complete Mountain Almanac share a second single, “February”, from this much-anticipated release. Commenting on the track lyricist Jessica Dessner says: “February is a song that began as a reckoning with the profound physical changes wrought by breast cancer and how they threaten to dismantle every aspect of life, and yet, somehow the spirit rises, remains constant, immutable, a force, like nature.” Vocalist Rebekka Karijord adds: “To me, February is like an ancient myth. A road trip dance, moving between vulnerability and resilience. It journeys through layers of odd meters, restlessness and mystery, and then lands in a musical landscape of acceptance and clarity.  Complete Mountain Almanac is the musical collaboration of Norwegian-born, Sweden-based singer and composer Rebekka Karijord and American-born, Italy-based poet, dancer and multimedia artist Jessica Dessner, joined by her brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National.  Listen to "February" HERE

- Acclaimed indie-pop duo Tennis is back with a new single and music video out today. "Let's Make A Mistake Tonight" is the second release from Tennis' highly anticipated sixth studio album, Pollen, arriving next month via their own Mutually Detrimental label on Friday, February 10, 2023. Pre-orders are available now. The "Let's Make A Mistake Tonight" self-directed official music video is streaming now.  "'Let’s Make a Mistake Tonight' is all hubris, attitude, and wish fulfillment. I’m turning water into wine," says Tennis. "I’m reshaping my reality through projection or denial. While tracking with Patrick I kept envisioning the same scene: I’m in the passenger’s seat. Patrick drives with one hand on the wheel and one on my thigh. This song plays us out."  LISTEN TO "LET'S MAKE A MISTAKE TONIGHT"  WATCH "LET'S MAKE A MISTAKE TONIGHT" OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO  PRE-ORDER POLLEN

-  Months after sharing the viral first verse with fans on TikTok, JUNO Award-winning pop artist JESSIA, releases her new heartfelt ballad, “Nobody Hates You,” today via Artist Driven Records in partnership with Republic Records. The earnest, candidly written track reminds listeners the importance of self-love and allowing themselves grace when facing personal struggles.  “Many of us walk through life with a preconceived notion of how people view us. We think that asking for help is annoying, vulnerability is a burden, and relationships are fickle,” says JESSIA. “We feed ourselves these narratives that tear us down and keep us spiraling. We believe them all to be true. I wrote this song to challenge these thoughts and remind people that ‘Nobody Hates You.’”  Stream / Download “Nobody Hates You” HERE

- Circa Waves have released their new album Never Going Under, listen here.  Never Going Under is the band’s highly anticipated fifth album, which is out today via PIAS / Lower Third, and features the singles “Hell On Earth”, “Do You Wanna Talk”, “Carry You Home” and “Living In The Grey”.  Never Going Under is the encapsulation of a continued upward trajectory for Circa Waves over the last decade. Becoming one of Britain's most influential and adored guitar bands across five genre-defining albums. 

Previewing Your Honor Season Two

 

Many Limited Series that get renewed are accused of doing so for category fraud reasons though you really cannot lob that accusation at Your Honor because it managed to rack up zero Emmy nominations.  While critics and award shows did not warm up to the show, Showtime did tout that it “ranks as the top debut season ever” for them.  Not Dexter, not Homeland which won Outstanding Drama Series its debut season, not Yellowjackets that had a lot of buzz last yet, but Your Honor.  But according to star Bryan Cranston, this season is definitely the last.

 

For those that need a refresher on season one: Judge's son kills gangster's son accidentally, judge gets black guy to steal the car in hit and run but gets caught, gangster thinks black guy did it, gangster's other son kills black guy in prison and gangster blew up his house, black guy’s little brother was not in the house, tried to kill gangster's other son but hit judge's son.  That little brother has been promoted to the main cast this season along with the two living Baxter children, as well as Big and Little Mo. 

 

The second season opens up with the judge in prison looking like Ted Kaczynski.  It has been a year since the events of last season and the judge is being force fed because as the guards tell him, “We’re not gonna let you die here.”  There is about five minutes of this before we get some flashback on how we got here and why the judge is there.  Things start to pick up when Rosie Perez arrives as a Assistant US Attorney who gets things set in motion of where this season is going forward.

 

For critics, and any viewers out there, that were not that into the first season, not much has changed this time around.  All the characters are still inherently stupid for the sake of pushing the plot forward.  Then giving more screen time to the kid who killed the judge’s son seems like an unnecessary detour.  Also unnecessary was the plot twist at the end of the premiere that is really forced just to add tension to the second season.  While the first season might have been the top debut season, I do wonder how many will turn into season two.  It may be best that Cranston already announced that it is ending.  Hopefully they do not reverse course again.

 

Your Honor airs Sundays at 9:00 on Showtime, but episodes will be available to stream and view On Demand for subscribers the preceding Friday.

The Twenty-Five Best Movies I Saw in 2022

1. The Menu

2. Prey

3. Fresh

4. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

5. Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe

6. Rosaline

7. The Valet

8. DC League of Super-Pets

9. Inside Out

10. Spider-Man: No Way Home

11. OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)

12. Significant Other

13. Honor Society

14. Emergency

15. The Princess

16. No Time to Die

17. The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

18. Crush

19. Orphan: First Kill

20. See How They Run

21. Darby and the Dead

22. Werewolf by Night

23. No Exit

24. 7 Days

25. Turning Red

57 Channels and Only This Is On: January 8, 2023

 

 Quantum Leap:  Really, they are going to entitle an episode, “Fellow Travelers” on a show like this and have it be the title of a song and not have the leaper run into any other fellow travelers?  What a troll move.

 

Leverage: Redemption:   I am surprised how much Hardison we are getting this season.  Though I wonder just where the actor was because clearly he is just doing this on a green screen on the set of whatever else he was filming at the time this season was being filmed.

 

Big Sky:  Oh yeah, Jenny’s mom is still around.  But instead of tying into the overall mystery, she instead stumbled upon some weird cult?  Alrighty.  This show is just all over the place this season.  Oh, and Lyle Lovitt is back, but Hootie is gone.  Weren’t these guys introduced as partners?

 

Doom Patrol:  Um, so are they just not explain why Cliff kept the zombie butt with teeth in the freezer?  That was pretty obvious he did not close the freezer.  Of course there is still one out there living with the scientist.  So who exactly will be the big bad this season: Immortus or the zombie butts with teeth?  Maybe the bigger question is when will we get to see the remainder of this season and Titans?  I kind of assumed that after this half season of Doom Patrol, Titans would return, but that is not on the January schedule.  So when, then?  Maybe they should have waited until after Pennyworth ended to start Titans, then maybe there would not be this break between superhero shows.  But HBO Max seems to be a mess right now with little rhyme or reason.

 

Quantum Leap:  Really, they are going to entitle an episode, “Fellow Travelers” on a show like this and have it be the title of a song and not have the leaper run into any other fellow travelers?  What a troll move.

 

Leverage: Redemption:   I am surprised how much Hardison we are getting this season.  Though I wonder just where the actor was because clearly he is just doing this on a green screen on the set of whatever else he was filming at the time this season was being filmed.

 

Big Sky:  Oh yeah, Jenny’s mom is still around.  But instead of tying into the overall mystery, she instead stumbled upon some weird cult?  Alrighty.  This show is just all over the place this season.  Oh, and Lyle Lovitt is back, but Hootie is gone.  Weren’t these guys introduced as partners?

 

Doom Patrol:  Um, so are they just not explain why Cliff kept the zombie butt with teeth in the freezer?  That was pretty obvious he did not close the freezer.  Of course there is still one out there living with the scientist.  So who exactly will be the big bad this season: Immortus or the zombie butts with teeth?  Maybe the bigger question is when will we get to see the remainder of this season and Titans?  I kind of assumed that after this half season of Doom Patrol, Titans would return, but that is not on the January schedule.  So when, then?  Maybe they should have waited until after Pennyworth ended to start Titans, then maybe there would not be this break between superhero shows.  But HBO Max seems to be a mess right now with little rhyme or reason.

Ghosts:  I really do not care for the new assistant, a little too annoying.  But the ghost living in his care is pretty entertaining so there is a bit of a payoff.  I wonder how long they will last.

Around the Tunes: January 7, 2023

 

  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 Koala Man, How I Caught My Killer, Shania Twain, I Didn’t See You There, and Murder in Big Horn.

- "Koala Man" star Hugh Jackman ("Big Greg") has debuted the official trailer for the Hulu Original animated series "Koala Man."  Check out his post on Instagram HERE.   "Koala Man," which stars Michael Cusack, Hugh Jackman, Sarah Snook, Jemaine Clement, Demi Lardner and more, will premiere all 8 episodes on Monday, January 9th on Hulu.  "Koala Man" follows middle-aged dad Kevin and his titular not-so-secret identity, whose only superpower is a burning passion for following rules and snuffing out petty crime in the town of Dapto. Though it may seem like any other Australian suburb, forces of evil both cosmic and man-made lie in wait to pounce on unsuspecting Daptonians. On a quest to clean up his hometown, and often roping his frustrated family into his adventures, Koala Man stands at the ready. He’ll do whatever it takes to defeat villainous masterminds, supernatural horrors, or worse: jerks who don’t take their rubbish bins down on the proper days.

- Check out the trailer for Hulu's upcoming Original docu-series, "How I Caught My Killer." All nine episodes premiere Thursday, January 12, only on Hulu.  TRAILER: HERE  “How I Caught My Killer” is a true-crime docu-series that highlights the real-life stories behind unique homicide cases with in-depth interviews, authentic archival material and cinematic recreations all packaged together into a fresh spin in the genre.  Whether it’s a fraught letter to a friend, an urgent text message detailing a heated argument, a private diary entry describing a horrifying experience, or an ominous social media post revealing a motive for murder…these victims all leave a case-breaking clue that will one day help to solve their crime.

- Strutting into 2023, five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning legend and the best-selling female artist in country music history Shania Twain shares a brand-new single entitled “Giddy Up!” today.  Listen to “Giddy Up!” HERE and watch the video HERE.  The track sets the stage for her eagerly awaited new album, Queen of Me, arriving on February 3, 2023. It notably stands out as her sixth original full-length offering, first record since 2017, and official debut for her new label partner Republic Nashville, a division of Republic Records.

- The award-winning documentary feature I Didn’t See You There will have its national broadcast premiere on PBS television series POV this Monday, January 9, 2023 at 10:00 pm ET (check local listings) and will be available to stream with no PBS Passport membership necessary until February 9, 2023 at pbs.org, and the PBS Video app.  As a visibly disabled person, filmmaker Reid Davenport sets out to make a film about how he sees the world, from either his wheelchair or his two feet, without having to be seen himself. The unexpected arrival of a circus tent outside his apartment in Oakland, CA leads him to consider the history and legacy of P.T. Barnum’s Freak Show and its lingering presence in his daily life in the form of gawking, lack of access, and other forms of ableism. Informed by his position in space, lower to the ground, Davenport captures indelible images, often abstracted into shapes and patterns separate from their meaning. But the circus tent looms in the background, and is reverberated by tangible on-screen interruptions, from unsolicited offers of help to careless blocking of ramps. Personal and unflinching, I Didn't See You There forces the viewer to confront the spectacle and invisibility of disability. Offering both a perspective and stylistic approach that are rarely seen, Reid brings an urgently needed storytelling eye to filmmaking with a documentary that is powerful and emotional, thoughtful and raw, intimate and political.

- SHOWTIME Documentary Films announced that MURDER IN BIG HORN will make its SHOWTIME debut on demand and on streaming Friday, February 3 and on-air on Sunday, February 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT following its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, January 22. Directors Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin craft a powerful portrait of tribal members and their communities within Big Horn County, Montana battling an epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) that has been prevalent since colonization.  The three-part docuseries examines the circumstances surrounding many of these cases, told solely through the perspectives of those involved: Native families, Native journalists, and local law enforcement officers. All three episodes will also release on demand and on streaming platforms for SHOWTIME subscribers on February 3.  To watch the trailer, visit https://youtu.be/FxdY-KRQaa0.