Saturday, March 05, 2022

Around the Tubes: March 5, 2022

          

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 Girl From Plainville, 7 Days, Desus & Mero, Alf, The Circus, Pusha T, Neneh Cherry, Joy Oladokun, Benee, Chelsea Cutler, and Elyanna.


“The Girl From Plainville” is inspired by the true story of Michelle Carter’s unprecedented “texting-suicide”  case. Based on the Esquire article of the same name by Jesse Barron, the limited series explores Carter’s relationship with Conrad Roy III and the events that led to his death and, later, her conviction of involuntary manslaughter.  Check out the official trailer and key art for Hulu's "The Girl From Plainville" starring Elle Fanning.  "The Girl From Plainville" premieres on Hulu with three episodes Tuesday, March 29, 2022. 



- 7 Days, the charming rom-com from filmmaker and MD Roshan Sethi c(co-reator of The Resident) starring GERALDINE VISWANATHAN (Bad Education) and KARAN SONI (Deadpool).  Co-Written by Roshan Sethi and Karan Soni, executive produced by The Duplass Brothers.  Set up on a pre-arranged date by their old-fashioned Indian parents, Ravi (Karan Soni) and Rita (Geraldine Viswanathan) seemingly have nothing in common, making for an afternoon that, while pleasant enough, couldn’t be any more awkward. He’s conservative and clearly nervous, while she’s doing her best to politely keep on smiling. But then circumstances conspire and force Ravi to spend the night at Rita’s place. Before long, he sees that she’s not the straight-laced girl she initially pretended to be—for starters, she’s quick to pound a beer for breakfast. As their time stuck together stretches towards a full week, though, Ravi and Rita develop an unlikely bond, and in the face of a heartbreaking turn of events, that bond grows into something stronger. 7 Days is a delightful rom-com that doubles as a showcase for its two stars, Soni and Viswanathan, both of whom carry this two-hander with natural charm and easygoing chemistry, and a culturally specific spin on its genre’s familiar tropes. Optimistic and full of heart, director/co-writer Roshan Sethi’s debut captures love in the time of isolation and will leave you on a feel-good high.



DESUS & MERO will return to SHOWTIME for season four on Thursday, March 10 at 11 p.m. ET/PT, with Denzel Washington joining Desus Nice and The Kid Mero in studio for the season premiere. Returning to its original weekly schedule with new episodes dropping every Thursday night, the WGA Award-winning and Critics Choice-nominated late night series features the duo giving their take on the day’s hot topics and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more. Upcoming guests this season include Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland, Pusha T and Damson IdrisJ.D. Amato (The Chris Gethard Show) joins as series showrunner and executive producer for season four.       


All 102 episodes of the classic '80s live-action series ALF, 26 episodes of ALF: The Animated Series, 21 episodes of the animated series ALF Tales, and TV movie Project: ALF exclusively on Shout! Factory TV March 25.  Shout! Factory TV is available on a variety of platforms, live and on-demand, and ad-supported free or subscription with no ads.  For full list of platforms, you can visit www.shoutfactorytv.com.


The Emmy-nominated series THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH returns this Sunday for its seventh season as President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address amid the international crisis created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. From Eastern Europe to Washington, D.C., hosts John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon explore the showdown between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin and the fight between authoritarianism and democracy.  For a preview, go to: https://youtu.be/xVQZKxTGFeY.


Riding a wave of incredible buzz from his new Kanye West-produced single "Diet Coke," Pusha T has linked up with longtime friend, and collaborator Nigo to release the new track "Hear Me Clearly," from Nigo's forthcoming Victor Victor Worldwide/Republic Records album I Know Nigo.  Japanese cultural and fashion icon Nigo has previously released two acclaimed singles from the highly-anticipated project: "Want It Badfeaturing Kid Cudi and "Aryafeaturing A$AP Rocky. Set for release on March 25th, the album is executive-produced by NIGO and Pharrell notably serve as the album's executive producers. I Know Nigo will be Nigo's first musical body of work in nearly two decades. 


Neneh Cherry graced us with “Buffalo Stance” in the late 80s, a generation-defining song about inner city life that turned music on its head. Paired with her ferocious energy and a punk attitude like no other, the genre defying track dominated the world, reaching No.3 in the UK and the US, where it went Gold. It took the No.1 spot in Neneh’s native Sweden and The Netherlands plus Top 5 in Belgium, Canada, Finland, Greece, Norway, Switzerland and more. “Buffalo Stance” switched up the game not only in music but in culture and fashion too and we’ve not looked back since, until today via Republic Records.  An artist that’s ever evolving, exploring and collaborating, Neneh hands the creative reins over to long-time friend, one of pop’s treasured musical geniuses and woman behind some of the most memorable songs of recent decades, Robyn, for a new version of her seminal track. It’s the first single from Grammy nominated artist since the release of her acclaimed album Honey and is the product of one Swedish icon passing the baton on to another. In true Robyn fashion, “Buffalo Stance” has been transformed into a slinky, scandipop song - slowed down and stripped back with electronic shimmers and layered vocals, it’s an intoxicating re-imagining. Robyn also enlists polymath musician Dev Hynes to add his special touch on the production and Mapei for a fresh take of that iconic rap.  LISTEN TO ‘BUFFALO STANCE’ HERE


Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Joy Oladokun’s new song, “Fortune Favors The Bold” featuring special guest Tim Gent, is out today—listen/share HERE.  Reflecting on the song, Oladokun shares, “We wrote this song as a sort of way to imagine a world where victims are heard and addictions are met with compassion. Natalie, Jeremy and I all felt that the most powerful people we’ve encountered in our lives were also the most compassionate. This song is both a celebration of those people and a way of hoping that the influence of kindness and care continues to spread until this world is a radically different place.”


With the buzz building in her growing international fan base amid the sound of increasing critical applause, New Zealand alternative pop star BENEE unveils her eagerly anticipated Lychee EP today via Republic Records—listen HERE.  BENEE says, “Being locked down in New Zealand felt like things were going to be like this forever and like I was wasting time. I was afraid that I’d run out of ideas or I would find it difficult to get through this writing trip. However going into rooms with new production collaborators like Greg Kurstin and Rostam, and reconnecting with Kenny, was really liberating and actually let the energy I had been lacking back into my songs. There is something crazy about landing in LA from New Zealand and throwing yourself into songwriting. The exact same thing happened for me two years ago when I arrived in LA and wrote ‘Supalonely’ on the first day. I love that this EP has the emotional breadth to channel much of the anxiety that I was feeling at home in songs like ‘Doesn’t Matter’ and ‘Hurt You Gus’ but then also switching to the new energy I found when writing ‘Beach Boy’ as well as ‘Never Ending’ which is my current favourite!” Read her letter on Lychee to fans HERE.


Platinum-Certified singer, songwriter, and producer Chelsea Cutler reveals the deluxe version of her sophomore album When I Close My Eyes—listen to the EP & watch the video for her new single “What Everybody Wants” HERE. The album features three new songs, including “What Everybody Wants” and recent release “the lifeboat’s empty!”.  Chelsea says, “when i released WICME this past October, i felt like i wasn’t fully ready to start moving on conceptually or sonically. i kept on writing and finished three new songs i truly loved and decided that we needed to do a deluxe version. i am so excited to be able to continue this era with my fans, especially with the tour starting next in just a few days xo”


Palestinian-Chilean singer and songwriter Elyanna releases her EP Elyanna II via Universal Arabic Music. The EP features her new single “Al Kawn Janni Maak” (La Vie En Rose) and official video styled by Lana Del Rey and directed by her sister Caroline “Chuck” Grant, out now—listen HERE and watch HERE.  Lana Del Rey recently posted on Instagram about working with Elyanna, saying, “I love this video so much, might be one of my favorite videos my sister made. I was stylist that day, I think everything turned out perfectly. Not gonna lie, working behind the scenes is one of my favorite things, whether it’s digging holes for giant wood planks to make a clothing line or playing a gaffer, I like to get my hands dirty, it’s amazing what one family can do with friends to make a beautiful video possible. Especially with the right camera man. So proud of everyone who worked on this shoot.”

Sunday, February 27, 2022

57 Channels and Only This Is On: February 27, 2022

 

The Walking Dead:  So Daryl, the ultimate loner, is going to join the creepy futuristic soldiers?  I feel a twist coming a mile away.  He is going to turn out to be a plant to see what the soldiers are really up to.

 

Billions:  For a guy who wants to do everything by the book, bribe the governor with the naming rights to an Olympic Stadium seems very underhanded.  Then you have Bonnie storming out after Prince put the training wheels back on her bike.  Is it safe to assume she goes to her former flame’s firm?  How many more will be there by the end of the season?  Prince has started to stock his firm with his own people.  It was also interesting to see Chuck and Wendy play nice.  Could they mend fences to take down Prince together?

 

Snowpiercer:  So, Pike was one of the few people who sided with Layton against Wilfred and now that he is back, he is already plotting against him and possibly trying to kill him?  Alrighty.

 

The Endgame:  So one of the most notorious international fugitives allows themselves to get caught.  Where have I seen this before?  Though maybe not entirely The Blacklist but female, they really did not really tell up much about what this show is going to be about.

 

Big Sky:  They really put extensions on Drew Carey’s brother just to kill him again halfway through the season again?  But let me guess, there is a triplet out there somewhere that will pop up in season three.  Hopefully we do not find out.