Apple TV
Christmas creep is a real phenomenon, but once Halloween passes, the Holiday special announcements start piling up to the point that covering them requires one to admit that the most wonderful time of the year is coming, whether we like it or not. Part of this is simply due to
Champion
Netflix used the long Juneteenth weekend to debut its yearly marketing extravaganza, the ridiculously-named Tudum, and drop release dates and photos (and a trailer or two) from its upcoming series. However, one upcoming series got left off the menu, the brand new co-production Champion, which Netflix is doing alongside the
Eurovision
Eurovision is upon us this May 2023, and the contestant lineup has finally been set. Artists from around Europe (plus Israel and Australia) are chosen by various processes depending on the country, some by hand-selected juries of musicians from the competing nations, others by a national contest that most American
HBO & HBO Max
Think of your favorite incarnation of David Bowie. Is it the 70s androgynous alien rock god? The big-suited 80s positivity guru pop star? The darker, more cynical electronica Bowie of the mid-to-late 90s? The anxious, sometimes despairing artist of the 2000s? The introspective creator of the 2010s, looking into the
Movies
The story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745–1799), composer, violinist, and fencer, deserves to be told, and Searchlight Pictures’ Chevalier, directed by Stephen Williams (Watchmen) with a script by Stefani Robinson (Atlanta) is a terrific movie. Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Elvis) in the title role, with a great
Netflix
Netflix's next co-production with the BBC will bring the Champions to life and introduce them to American audiences. The series Champion, from Queenie author Candice Carty-Williams, was part of the BBC's announcement of a plethora of diverse voice projects announced back in May 2021. Those projects,
Eurovision
While the joint hosting for Eurovision 2023 between winner Ukraine and runner-up U.K. is a blessing for those who want to attend the music competition safely, it also means there are a lot of cooks in this kitchen. Most of those joint production groups are behind the scenes, so
Movies
Americans may be credited with inventing the modern day musical, but for decades, Britain has made substantial contributions to the canon. Les Mis, The Lion King, The Rocky Horror Picture Show – none of these iconic moneymakers would exist were it not for the efforts of supremely talented Britons. That’s
Eurovision
Eurovision 2023 is going to be one of the history books. The 2022 contest winner, Ukraine, will not be hosting in the home country due to the continuing attacks by Russia. Instead, the contest will be held in the runner-up country, the U.K., in Liverpool, as a joint broadcast
Music
Despite the controversy over initially allowing Russia to compete, Eurovision 2022 had a happy ending. After the massive outcry demanding the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) ban Russia for invading its neighbor Ukraine unprovoked, Putin declared his country was exiting the competition completely, including counter-banning the EBU-sponsored network that made Russia
Music
When Ukraine swept the popular vote at Eurovision 2022, making it one of the all-time top vote-getters and soundly beating first runner-up U.K., it was a cathartic win and vote of support from the Eurovision voters across the globe. It was also a major logistical problem. Winning Eurovision isn&
Music
Eurovision week arrives once a year in the second week of May, come hell or high water, and in some cases, war. The music competition, which is supposed to represent a peaceful Europe where the only nationalist conflict is who sang best, is being held for the first time while