There's Something on Spike TV: "The Mist"

Robert here! It looks like the poor citizens of Maine are once again at the mercy of supernatural horrors as Stephen King's The Mist is being adapted into a miniseries for Spike TV. The new trailer dropped yesterday and it looks like this adaptation has it all: creepy priests, commentary on the decline of western consumerism, Frances Conroy, and even a same-sex kiss (that doesn't turn out so well :/).

All of that being said, as much as The Mist is perfect fodder for the miniseries treatment, I'm left feeling a little apprehensive by the current prospects of this one...

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Feud: Bette and Joan "Hagsploitation"

Previously on Feud: Bette and Joan 
1. "Pilot" 2. "The Other Woman" 3. "Mommie Dearest" 4. "More or Less" 5. "And the Winner Is" (Part 1) (Part 2)

By Spencer Coile  

Although initially centered on the drama that took place during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Feud persists. As we enter into episode six, "Hagsploitation," both Bette and Joan have no bona fide hits on the horizon. Sure, Joan is tackling Strait Jacket and Bette has her hands full on TV (much to Joan's judgement) on Wagon Train, but in 1964, the success of Baby Jane has waned. In fact, in a scene that features vase throwing and Mamacita standing her ground, Joan laments that it had been nine months since any offer came her way. Clearly, as the title suggests, there is something more pervasive and sinister that happens in Hollywood, far more dastardly than the actual feud that persists between Bette and Joan: the exploitation of older actresses for the benefit of their audience... 

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Feud: Bette and Joan "And the Winner Is" (Part 1)

Previously on Feud: Bette and Joan
1 "Pilot" 2 "The Other Woman"  3 "Mommie Dearest"  4 "More or Less" 

-Do you have any comment on your co-star Joan Crawford being snubbed?

-Define "snub"! 

by Nathaniel R

If you had told me at any point before Feud: Bette and Joan was announced to the world that there would one day be a TV show that spent a full hour recreating the drama of a single Oscar night, I would never have believed you. If that imaginative hurtle was cleared I would then preemptively call it the single greatest TV hour in the history of television. But here we are with Feud and the reality is, if not the fantasy, still the best hour of Feud as a series. The concept of the series has so far outpaced the reality of it that it's lapped by several times already. Which is to say that if you've been reading along you know that I don't love the show. So I'll turn over the finale 3 episodes to team members who are maybe enjoying it a bit more (with one last Feud-related post from me after the season has wrapped). Still, I can't not review this Oscar-themed episode.  "And the Winner Is..." was entirely riveting even though all Oscar buffs had spoiler alerts in their DNA!

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On This Day: Pharrell Williams, "Out" Nominees, and the 1964 Oscars

On this day in showbiz history, some gay Oscar lore, lots of two time Oscar winners, and future Oscar winner Pharrell Williams (and much more)...

1883 Oscar favorite Walter Huston (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre) born in Toronto. Without him no Huston acting dynasty!

1887 Helen Keller learns "water" from teacher Anne Sullivan, the moment will serve as the emotional climax of the popular stage and screen drama The Miracle Worker

1900 Two time Oscar winner Spencer Tracy (Boys Town, Captain Courageous) born...

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"Chewing Gum" Season 2 is Here!

Chris here. One of the delights of this television season has been Chewing Gum, Netflix's wacky sex-crazed British import. Written by and starring Michaela Coel, the series follows Tracey as she haphazardly tries to lose her virginity in a conservative household. Think of it like a dopier alternative to Amazon's Fleabag, but just as much of a breakthrough for its writer-star. The silly and sweet comedy came to stateside Netflix only in October, and thankfully the wait for the second season has been short: it arrives today!

But why is Netflix launching so quietly? If you want a trailer for the season, you'll find some from its British launch but none from the streaming service. Lately, Netflix has become a dumping ground for all too much great product they don't properly promote - like this year's Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner I Don't Feel At Home in This World Anymore. This show may have not made waves like other new shows, but Chewing Gum has the makings of a cult phenom - all led by the distinctive voice and brilliant physical comedy of Coel.

And better yet: each season is a lean six episodes! If nothing else, you have a raunchy palette cleanser for your Big Little Lies obsession! Have you caught up to Chewing Gum?