Sunday, September 24, 2023

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 24, 2023

  

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon:  So the miracle child was born to a zombie.  Cool.  Does that explain why he is super weird?  They will probably just make him immune from zombieism.

 

The Chi:  Well, that was not the Avengers assembling that I predicted, it actually was a really embarrassing assassination attempt.  Then Emmitt tries to blame it on the gun jamming; the dude shot am missed multiple times before that.  But Victor definitely finishes him off, right?  Either Douda or Emmitt has to die next episode because Douda has to know it was Emmitt since he set up that meeting.  I guess we will have to wait awhile because the show is going on hiatus.   But I guess this ws the last we will see of Kevin, that certainly looked like a farewell.

 

Billions:  Finally, some R.E.M.  Great ending to a not so great episode. Why  was there so much about how Bobby owes Chuck when Bobby is not even in the episode?  The whole DMV thing just seemed like a forced attempted to get Chuck and Wendy at the same place and for the writers to add some forced sports references.

 

Only Murders in the Building:  Now that is how you make an entrance. Welcome back Detective Williams. Sorry you had to slum it on The Idol; hopefully she is available for the final two episodes and this was not a one off. Charles and Oliver's plan to distract her was hilarious. I did notice that they would have missed the interrogation of the first guy (though he is so insignificant I forgot his name if we ever knew it in the first place) and Bobo. I wonder if missing their interview will be important.

But maybe not because Loretta confessed. I had an inkling that it was going to happen, but thought that was going to be the cliffhanger for the penultimate episode, not this one. What pushed her over the edge was Donna talking about protecting her child at all cost which put Donna at the top of my murder board. Could she have sabotage the play to save her kid the humiliation of producing a bomb? She seemed extremely angry that the critic who wrote the bad review for the play was at the sitzprobe (I am now extremely disappointed that none of my high school musicals had sitzprobes).

So now I am thinking they pin the murder on Donna next week, but the big twist at the end is that she just poisoned Ben Glenroy and then we learn who pushed him down the elevator shaft in the final and that will be... mmm, I kind of like Tobert until he started dating Mabel. I guess I will stick with him unless someone really sticks out next week. Though, if it was him, then Detective Williams would have been wrong to say, "The killer is someone in this room." Maybe I will say Howard as a backup, he seems way too eager to be part of the podcast.

 

Ashoka:  So Erza has been hanging out with the rock people from Frozen this whole time?  Wild that him and Thrawn just let each other live in peace this whole time.

 

The Challenge: USA:  Hopefully Wes will keep his word and stay retired, but I will not hold my breath.  If only he took Johnny with him

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Around the Tubes: September 23, 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 Only Murders in the Building, The Caine Mutiny Court-MartialLove in Fairhope, Chucky, Olivia Newton-John, Daya, Nickelback, and Stephen Sanchez.


Check out multi-Grammy®/Academy Award® winner Steve Martin perform “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” -  a new song written specifically for the show by Oscar®, Grammy®, Tony®, and Olivier Award-winning songwriters/producers Benj Pasek & Justin Paul ("La La Land," "Dear Evan Hansen," and "The Greatest Showman"), Grammy®, Emmy®, and Tony®-winning songwriter/ composer Marc Shaiman ("Hairspray") and Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning songwriter Scott Wittman ("Hairspray").  SINGLE: Apple Music | Spotify



SHOWTIME today released the official trailer and key art for the highly anticipated original film THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, written and directed by Academy Award®-celebrated filmmaker William Friedkin and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk of the same name. The captivating film follows a U.S. naval first officer who’s standing trial for orchestrating a mutiny after his captain shows signs of becoming unhinged and jeopardizes the lives of his crew. Following the film’s premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, will premiere on streaming and on demand foall SHOWTIME and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers on Friday, October 6, before making its on-air debut on SHOWTIME on Sunday, October 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.



If you were given the chance to bring your fantasy love story to life on TV, how would it look? Would it be a picture-perfect fairy tale or something a bit messier? This uniquely unscripted romantic series follows five women at different stages in their lives as they experience reimagined romance in the picturesque small town of Fairhope, Alabama, a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone else’s business and matters of the heart matter most. In “Love in Fairhope," real people star in a story inspired by their own where fantasy and reality collide.  "Love in Fairhope," a uniquely unscripted romantic series, premieres on Hulu Wednesday, September 27.  TRAILER: HERE


- Chucky... Next stop, Washington, D.C.  Season 3 Premieres October 4 at 9PM on USA & SYFY.  Season 3, Part 1 (four episodes) premieres October 4 and Part 2 returns with more episodes in 2024.  Tune in for returning fan favorites Devon Sawa and Jennifer Tilly, and guest stars including Saturday Night Live's Sarah Sherman and Kenan Thompson!  Episodes Will Stream Next Day on Peacock.  Text "CHUCKY" to 201-500-3347 to join the Chucky party and be the first to get any new camPAIN 🔪 updates!  Official Season 3 Trailer Here


-  On November 17, MCA/UMe is set to release both vinyl and CD editions of Dame Olivia Newton-John’s smash-hit, tenth studio album, 1978’s Totally Hot, a record that further reinforced her status as a surefire international superstar. In celebration of Newton-John’s first-ever platinum-certified album’s 45th anniversary, Totally Hot returns to vinyl for the first time in decades in two different options, in addition to being made available anew on CD and on all major digital platforms.   Totally Hot will be released in the following formats: limited-edition 1LP neon coral red vinyl, standard weight 1LP black vinyl, 1CD, and Digital. All versions of Totally Hot can be pre-ordered HERE.


Daya has released her latest single “Downtown,” alongside an official visualizer. The sensual electropop track is now available for streaming on all major digital platforms.  LISTEN TO “DOWNTOWN" WATCH THE OFFICIAL “DOWNTOWN” VISUALIZER  Following the success of "Juliene," Daya's first single release of the year, which marked the commencement of an exciting new era in her career, "Downtown” offers fans a look into the pop star’s sultry side while documenting a thrilling night out.  Daya's journey through the music landscape has been nothing short of remarkable. With a string of hits that have resonated with fans globally, the artist has cemented her status as a true pop icon. 


Nickelback unveiled the music video for their single “High Time,” off of their 2022 album Get Rollin’. With a funky groove and country rock twang, “High Time” takes listeners on a hazy cross-country road trip that reminds us it’s always 4:20 somewhere. Frontman Chad Kroeger sings about “strumming’, thumpin’ on the dashboard”, which listeners are sure to do as their friends sing along in the backseat of a long drive while they get rolling - literally.  The world-renowned rock band is currently bringing their “fiery, raucous, unapologetic and rock-driven” energy (The Tennessean) across North America with their 53-date Get Rollin’ tour, in support of their 10th studio album by the same name. Their electrifying set explores their record-breaking, genre-defying discography of arena-ready singalongs, hard-hitting rock anthems and emotional ballads. With hits spanning nearly three decades, the band continues their incomparable legacy as “one of rock’s biggest-ever bands” (KERRANG). Nickelback’s Get Rollin’ tour holds the #7 spot on Pollstar’s LIVE75 chart which ranks worldwide active tours by average tickets sold for shows performed over the last 30 days. In April 2024, Nickelback will join Morgan Wallen, Eric Church, Post Malone, Hardy, Diplo, Wiz Khalifa, Bailey Zimmerman and more at the iconic Stagecoach Country Music Festival in California.  


 Multi-platinum emerging artist Stephen Sanchez has released his debut album, Angel Face, out now via Mercury Records/Republic Records. The 13-track album is filled to the brim with 50s and 60s-inspired love songs, including RIAA 3x Platinum Certified hit, “Until I Found You.” Listen to Angel Face HERE. Along with the album, Stephen has released cinematic music videos for “Death Of The Troubadour” and “High,” directed by Charlie Rees - watch “Death Of The Troubadour” HERE and watch “High” HERE.


Sunday, September 17, 2023

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 17, 2023

 

 The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon:  So they are just not going to explain why Daryl is in France?  Didn’t he literally ride off into the sunset at the end of the main series?  But the new setting is breathing some new life into the show even if the religious stuff is a little heavy handed.  Really, that kid is going to be able to bring back souls to zombies?  C’mon.

 

The Chi:  In this week’s installment of should I know who that is: the dude Keisha met at the barber shop.  I feel like I have already asked this about this character this season.  But one episode until the break.  Will we finally see a team up to bring down Douda?  It seems like they have teasing it all season.

 

Billions:  I think we all know what Chuck will call on Axe to do when the time comes.  Of course with just four episodes left, that time will come soon.  But that double turn did not make much sense.  Doesn’t the US government look like fools for letting the Russian back on our soil?

 

Only Murders in the Building: I am mildly disappointed that, with the episode entitled CoBro, we did not get to see any actual footage of the movie this week, or more Girl Cop for that matter; but that disappointment quickly went away with Mel Brooks literally phoning in a cameo. It was also nice to get Theo back (cast this guy as Superman because I did not realize that was him until he started signing). Uma was also great as usual. I may have to steal her line about three types of people: alive, dead, and dead to me.

 

There was a popular theory that Loretta was actually Ben Glenroy's mother. We did learn this week that his and Dicky's parents were Ben Glenroy's birth parents, but I wonder if Peggy was on the right track and she is Dicky's mother but thought Ben Glenroy was her kid because his parents adopted her kid, which is actually Dickie, not Ben.

 

So where exactly is Mabel now? I always assumed she would find a way to stay at the Arconia by the end of the season because it would be weird for her to investigate a murder in a building she no longer lived in. I wonder if maybe Theo is letting her squat in the empty Dimas apartment for now. But it is really sad she did not let her favorite olds she had moved. At least two of the three amigos are back together; hopefully they bring Mabel back into the fold next week too. They are much better together than apart.

 

Ashoka:  I mentioned that Daryl Dixon got a little too religious, but at least he did not get swallowed by a whale.  I figured when the map was destroyed, they would use the space whales to get to the other side of the galaxy, but I was not expecting them to travel inside them.

 

The Challenge: USA:  Why are they still trying to make Survivor vs. Big Brother a thing?  There are two Big Brother players left.  It is over, Survivor won.  Team up and get rid of the remaining vets like it seemed like to be the plan in the beginning of the season.


Saturday, September 16, 2023

Around the Tubes: September 16, 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 Cake, Jack Johnson, Noah Kahan, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley And The Wailers, The Who, and Van Morrison.


- Hulu has debuted the key art for the upcoming Original series "Black Cake," based on Charmaine Wilkerson's New York Times-bestselling novel.  The series premieres with three episodes on November 1, with new episodes launching weekly, only on Hulu.  Based on The New York Times-bestselling book by Charmaine Wilkerson, “Black Cake” is a family drama wrapped in a murder mystery with a diverse cast of characters and a global setting, from Marissa Jo Cerar, Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films, and Aaron Kaplan's Kapital Entertainment. The story takes place in Jamaica, Italy, Scotland, England and Southern California. Cerar wrote the adaptation and serves as showrunner on the series, which spans decades. In the late 1960s, a runaway bride named Covey disappears into the surf off the coast of Jamaica and is feared drowned or a fugitive on the run for her husband’s murder. In present day California, a widow named Eleanor Bennett, loses her battle with cancer, leaving her two estranged children, Byron and Benny, a flash drive that holds previously untold stories of her journey from the Caribbean to America. These stories, narrated by Eleanor, shock her children and challenge everything they thought they knew about their family’s origin.

 


Jack Johnson’s third live album Songs for Maui, a benefit album to support those affected by the Maui fires, is digitally out today. Featuring Hawaii’s own Paula Fuga and John Cruz, Songs For Maui features a ten-track collection of chart-topping songs recorded live on location at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater during Johnson’s special 2012 Hawaiian Islands tour. Listen here: https://JackJohnson.lnk.to/SFM.  “We know it will be a long road ahead for those affected by the fires. We hope the positive energy from this show can carry on to help raise funds and support families in need. Aloha, Jack”


Following a surprise performance together at his recent sold-out show at Los Angeles’ Greek Theater, Noah Kahan enlisted Lizzy McAlpine for a newly recorded version of his deeply moving fan favorite, “Call Your Mom,” officially out now—listen HERE.  Written about giving unconditional support to a loved one during life’s darkest moments, the touching song reaches new heights with this highly anticipated collaboration. The two singer/songwriters’ voices perfectly blend together and capture the lyrics’ powerful emotions, as they plead, “Don’t let this darkness fool you, all lights turned off can be turned on. I’ll drive, I’ll drive all night. I’ll call your mom.”


September 12th, 2023, marks 20 years since Johnny Cash passed away, but the Man in Black’s legacy endures. His hard-fought wisdom and his rich baritone have made him one of the most respected figures in post-World War II country music. He wasn’t Nashville, he wasn’t rock n’ roll, and he wasn’t honky tonk. He was simply Johnny Cash, and he first made a name for himself with a series of singles for Sun Records that the label eventually anthologized and released in 1958 as his aptly-titled sophomore album, Johnny Cash - Sings The Songs That Made Him Famous.  On October 13, 2023, Sun will once again release this career-making recording, originally issued on the label 65 years ago. Beyond a reissue, this is a ceremonial release remastered from the original tapes and exquisitely packaged with its classic artwork elegantly complemented by exclusive, tangerine orange vinyl. Album is available for preorder here


- CATCH A FIRE, Bob Marley And The Wailers' seminal first release on Island Records, universally regarded as the album that put reggae music on the global stage, is being re-issued via UMe on November 3rd to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its original release in 1973. “Slave Driver,” one of the most powerful tracks on the album, will be released as a single, accompanied by remarkable live performance footage recently unearthed from the legendary Edmonton show in England in 1973.  A hugely anticipated new film, BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, celebrating the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity, is in theatres on January 12, 2024. Produced by Ziggy Marley, Cedella Marley, and Rita Marley, and with Stephen Marley as the music supervisor, the film tells the inspirational story of how Bob overcame huge adversity to become one of the world’s most revered musical and cultural giants through the power and beauty of his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family, the film stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob and Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita.  Stream Slave Driver (The Sundown Theatre in Edmonton, England. May 1973) HERE.  Pre-Order Catch A Fire’s 50th Anniversary Editions HERE


The suite of songs by The Who on which, more than half a century ago, Pete Townshend foresaw the invention of the internet, of virtual reality and pandemic-style lockdown, is heard as he intended for the first time. UMe has released Who's Next/Life House as a lavish, multi-format Super Deluxe edition and is now available to order HERE.  Featuring 155 tracks, of which 89 are previously unreleased and 57 feature fresh remixes, the set will delight longtime Who fans with its long-sought, complete picture of Townshend's incredibly prescient songwriting, while captivating a new audience with his visionary description of a future that has, in many ways, come true. It features all of his songs, in their many stages of development, from the abandoned, audacious Life House project, started In 1969 as a follow-up to The Who's epic Tommy, and from the undisputed rock classic of 1971 that it evolved into, Who's Next.


Van Morrison unveils his 45th studio album, Accentuate the Positive, which is now available to pre-order HERE ahead of its release on November 3rd.  This electrifying homage to rock ‘n’ roll is launched alongside its first single, a new take on the Johnny Kidd classic ‘Shakin’ All Over’. Listen HERE.  Like this year’s acclaimed Moving On Skiffle, Accentuate The Positive sees Van Morrison returning to one of his childhood passions: this time rock ‘n’ roll. Growing up in Belfast shortly after World War II, he was immensely inspired by the heady sounds of 20th century blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Listening to artists such as Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and The Everly Brothers, it wasn’t long until Van was intuitively reinterpreting these sounds with his own band in local hometown venues.

 




Sunday, September 10, 2023

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 10, 2023

  

The Chi:   I have been following Emmitt’s Chekov’s Gun all season predicting that it would be used on Douda eventually.  Well, now Douda has it, so that it probably not going to come to fruition.  But now it seems fairly obvious that the Men’s Club is going to bring down Douda one way or another.  The question is, does someone kill him, or are they all going to testify against him?  Killing Papa’s papa will likely be the last straw.

 

Billions:  I did not realize that was Connerty until he started speaking.  Now I am struggling to remember what exactly happened to him and why Kate is so scared of him.  I think he tried to bring Chuck down for being too obsessed with Axe but crossed the legal line to do so.  But I do not remember why he would be an albatross to Kate.  We also saw a return, albeit short absent of the DA kind of screwed over by getting his old job back. I was waiting to see what revenge she would do to Chuck.  Sex tape was not on the top of the list.  Shockingly Chuck did not throw his boy under the bus.

 

Only Murders in the Building:  I pegged Flobert the killer (or at least one of the attempted killers) since the season premiere. Though after this episode and hoe he gave off strong Jan vibes, I am now thinking he may end up being the final red herring of the week before we learn who the real killer(s) was.

 

As for this week's red herring, Jonathan never made a good one. Seems if you killed the star, either the show will shut down or they would bring in another star to replace the current one. I guess this begs the question, why is Oliver having someone who, I believe, was last seen in the chorus of The Lion King be his lead?

 

But I have to say all the President McKinley stuff was hilarious.

 

Ahsoka:  I liked the scene where Ahsoka was running through the wet grass, Sabine falling a step behind, both of them never tiring. I am sure that is better than Erza is doing right now.

 

The Challenge: USA:   So are the finale two Big Brother players going to finally realize that Fessy and Josh are not going to help them and finally join Survivor and get rid of the vets?


Saturday, September 09, 2023

Around the Tubes: September 9, 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 The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, The Circus, The X-Files, Jack Johnson, The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, Noah Gundersen, and Claire Rosinkranz.


On the heels of its Venice Film Festival premiere, SHOWTIME will debut THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, written and directed by Academy Award®-celebrated filmmaker William Friedkin and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk of the same name. The captivating film follows a U.S. naval first officer who’s standing trial for orchestrating a mutiny after his captain shows signs of becoming unhinged and jeopardizes the lives of his crew. Following the film’s premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, will stream exclusively on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan on Friday, October 6, before making its linear debut on Sunday, October 8, at 9pm ET/PT on SHOWTIME.  THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL is set to premiere on Paramount+ in all international markets where the streaming service is currently live, including the UK, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and South Korea.  Featuring an outstanding ensemble cast, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL stars Kiefer Sutherland (24), Jason Clarke (Oppenheimer), Jake Lacy (White Lotus), Monica Raymund (Chicago Fire), Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick), Jay Duplass (Transparent), Tom Riley (The Nevers) and Lance Reddick (John Wick).


Fresh off a fourth Emmy nomination, THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH returns to streaming with six new episodes on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, beginning Sunday, October 8 and premieres that day at 7 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME linear. Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri pull back the curtain on this critical and volatile moment for the nation.  The acclaimed docuseries, which just received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Recorded News Program, returns to examine the high stakes political drama of the emerging presidential race. THE CIRCUS lays bare this extraordinary and precarious moment, as the president seeks reelection amid a bitterly polarized political environment and a former president aims to challenge him while facing criminal charges for his conduct, including attempting to subvert the very democracy he hopes to lead once again. The show follows President Biden’s mounting campaign, Donald Trump’s unfolding legal battles and impending trials, and the longshot Republican candidates attempting to dethrone him as the party’s standard bearer all while the future of American democracy hangs in the balance.


"THE X-FILES" premiered on September 10, 1993 with a long running course of 11 truth-seeking seasons which are available on Hulu.  Don't know where to start? Hulu just launched three "best of" collections on the series page to help you out! Check it out HERE.  Be sure to also check out the series “Extras” tab for special content including “Top 25 UFO Sightings,” “Best of Agent Mulder,” “Best of Agent Scully” and many more.


In support of those affected by the tragic and life-altering fires on Maui, Jack Johnson announces Songs For Maui, a live benefit album featuring Hawaii’s own Paula Fuga and John Cruz. Digitally available September 15, through Brushfire and Republic Records, Songs For Maui will feature a ten-track collection of chart-topping songs recorded live on location at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater during Johnson’s special 2012 Hawaiian Islands tour.  “All our love is going to our friends and family on Maui right now. As we began to brainstorm ways we could support the community, we found tracks from an acoustic show from 2012 that Paula, John and I played at the MACC on Maui. While listening to the songs we thought back to the time we spent that spring, both on stage but also bonding with our Maui ‘ohana. We know it will be a long road ahead. We hope the positive energy from this show can carry on to help raise funds and support families in need. Aloha, Jack”


The Rolling Stones, come roaring out of the traps today with the release of their rocking single “Angry” (Listen Here.) It arrives alongside the announcement of their hugely anticipated new album, Hackney Diamonds, to be released October 20th. The exciting news was shared today by Mick, Keith and Ronnie at a special media launch event at the historic Hackney Empire, East London's epicentre of pioneering art for almost 125 years. The launch was hosted by Jimmy Fallon and streamed worldwide via YouTube.  The 12-track album, for which full track list information will be revealed soon, was recorded in various locations around the world, including Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles; Metropolis Studios, London; Sanctuary Studios, Nassau, Bahamas; Electric Lady Studios, New York; and The Hit Factory/Germano Studios, also in New York.  Pre-Order Hackney Diamonds


Today, world-renowned rock band The Black Crowes announce the box set of their chart-topping sophomore album, The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion, via American Recordings/UMeThe album, which entered the US Billboard album chart at No. 1 upon release in 1992, was named after a post-Civil War southern hymnal and is home to some of the band's biggest hits, including "Remedy," “Sting Me,” and "Thorn in My Pride” which were #1 on the Billboard Main Stream Rock Airplay chart for a combined total of 21 weeks. Rich and Chris Robinson, alongside producer George Drakoulias, revisited the archives for the instant classic album and created a special super deluxe edition featuring unreleased studio recordingsrare B-sides, a live performance from Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston, TX, on February 6, 1993, and a newly remastered album from the original 1/4″ production master. Highlights for the forthcoming boxset include 14 unreleased recordings, including a new mix of the Memphis soul classic song "99 Pounds" originally by Ann Peebles and written by Don Bryant, and a previously unreleased studio recording of "Miserable."    At the end of the Southern Harmony and Musical Companion recording sessions in early 1992, the band performed live on the famed Southern Tracks Studio floor in Atlanta, GA, on January 4, 1992. The session was captured by a film crew and, true to The Black Crowes form, turned into a party. These never-before-released until now, live, studio recordings, feature five songs, including their cover of Ry Cooder's "Boomer's Story." Also included in the super deluxe edition, Southern Harmony Live, featuring all the tracks off the album, performed live in Houston, TX, on February 6, 1993. This legendary and much-bootlegged show has now been mixed from the 24-track tapes and is available alongside the original album, which has been remastered from the 1/4″ production master.   Set For Release December 1, 2023, via UMe.  Pre-Order HERE.


Soundly Music and acclaimed Washington-based singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen are excited to announce the release of If This Is The End, Gundersen’s brand new full-length studio album and first offering since 2021’s A Pillar of Salt. Born out of a soul-searching period in Gundersen’s life where he was working a construction job after having enjoyed a fruitful career in music, the songs on If This Is The End detail the regret and failure of those years, but it also highlights his newfound outlook on hope and the transformative power of love.   I found myself disillusioned with the industry and no longer knew my place in it,” Gundersen recalls. “The world around me has changed rapidly and I sometimes have difficulty grasping it. There were moments when I felt I had lost the wind from my sails, but I still love creating music and I love these songs.” Stream and purchase If This Is The End on all platforms HERE.


Gearing up for her highly anticipated debut album out next month, 19-year-old Southern California singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Claire Rosinkranz shares a new single entitled “Wes Anderson” today—listen HEREJust Because is set for release on October 6th via slowplay/Republic Records—pre-order/pre-save Just Because HERE.  Produced by Afterhrs and Paul Phamous, the track’s quirky beat brushes up against loose guitar. Over this soundscape, Claire takes control of the story and asserts herself, “Let me set the picture like Wes Anderson, only to recoil into the depths of heartbreak. She surges back on the refrain and wonders, “When will you wake up? Get over your heartbreak. It unfolds as an internal dialogue worthy of one of the legendary auteur’s characters.

 

Sunday, September 03, 2023

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 3, 2023

  

The Chi:   In this week’s installment of should I know who these people are:  the gay dudes at Victor’s party?  Then is Kevin really going to leave The Chi?  How can you be on The Chi if you are not located in The Chi?  And how did his school afford such a fancy ballroom for prom?  And what kind f school lets them play uncensored songs at a school function?  Oh, and one last question, did the cops find the cashe of guns in the car?  You are not taking someone to the station for just speeding, but doubt they would let them out that night if they found that many unregistered guns.

 

Billions:  A couple episodes I wondered if the bassoon segment was a reference to Only Murders in the Building, now I wonder if The Trolley Problem is a reference to .he Good Place.  Or has the show run out random non sequitur that they have to steal other shows’.  But did they really need a lengthy morbid betting scene just to get to how Prince ties into the insurence company that would have to deal with the hurricane?

 

Only Murders in the Building:  Sazz!!! But it was strange that Joy was the red herring of the week, but she disappeared only for Sazz to do a therapy session. Though the other love interests came off as more sketchy this week. The Ben Glenroy book was creepy, especially for someone who kept having standoffs with the guy. Then by Flobert trying to incriminate Johnathan, which just made him look guiltier. But with all the talk of Charles maybe dating another killer this week, would they really have one of the other three amigos do the same? But guess this week answers the question of who did Charles tell Ben Glenroy to stay away from last season.

 

Justified: City Primeval:  So Raylan got a demotion when he shot someone who drew on him (okay he did goad that to happen) and someone wants to make him chief after shooting someone reaching for a cassette.  Poor Clement, just wanted someone to listen to his demo and no one ever wanted to.  But as lower tier Justified this revival was.  Sign me up for Raylan hunting fugitive Boyd.  But I wonder who was on the other line.  Was it Art?  Has Tim or Rachel taken over for him?

 

Ashoka:  So a human dude forks a green chick and their kid is a human with green hair?  Alrighty.  But I watched the cartoons and did not remember Sabine being a Jedi at all.  But I am sure at being a Jedi, she is better than Ezra.

 

The Challenge: USA:  Oh joy, another episode where the players whose personal backstories were featured in were the ones who were sent into elimination. How predictable. Granted they did spoil one of the players in the promo last week. Hopefully the shakeup at the end of the episode actually shakes things up.  Though I fear like the Vets might actually have the advantage.  There are six of them if you count Josh and Fessy.  On the surface there are seven Survivor and just three Big Brother.  There was a hot chick alliance, but with two of the three Big Brother members going home in two straight episodes, is that still a thing?  Will less hot alyssa want to continue to work with the Survivor chicks or work with the Big Brother guys and hope Josh and Fessy join them?   Then who gets to nominate people?  Just the winner?  The top two or three?  I just hope Survivor and Big Brother gang up on the Vets.  Someone please send Josh in.  I cannot image any of the females will want to potentially want to be teamed with him in a final.