Hacks and TV host foot rubs
It’s a bit of a quiet one in the world of TV today, so maybe start with
over at (a newsletter I like quite a bit) who writes about limited series The Hack, which is about the phone hacking scandal from 2008-ish that brought down Murdoch paper News of The World:I’m told that News UK which owns The Times and The Sun, is seriously pissed off with ITV for dredging up some old wounds now more than a decade and a half on. Don’t hold your breath for any positive coverage of ITV’s stock performance on their business pages.
“The Hack,” isn’t the first attempt to dramatize the phone hacking saga. Back in 2014, George Clooney was scheduled to direct a movie based on Davies’ book “Hack Attack.” Even though it had Sony’s backing, it disappeared into the ether with the excuse that no-one wanted to invest in it for fear of angering Rupert Murdoch.
“The Hack,” portrays The Guardian in a very positive light, positioning the newspaper as the Washington Post of its time. But rather than revel in the glory The Guardian’s TV critic pans the drama giving it two stars and ending the review suggesting that the portrayal almost seems quaint, given all the other invasions of privacy we suffer today. “The Hack” almost transforms into a period piece about – God help us – simpler, happier times,” the review concludes.
Where were you when…
My tolerance for self-adulating TV talent is pretty low and the idea of Colbert and Kimmel each going on each others show yesterday to talk up their importance as the last line of defence in western democracy is not something I was especially keen to watch last night. Even though I do generally like both of these guys.
That said, it was interesting hearing Colbert giving a recollection on how he found out about the cancellation of The Late Show.
News Desk
Apple TV+ has extended its deal with Peanuts and will continue to be the exclusive streaming home of the brand until 2030. Sigh. Read: thefutoncritic
My annual surprise that The Chi is still being made comes to an end with the announcement that the Showtime series will conclude with season 8. That’s not me throwing shade on The Chi, a show I’m not sure I ever actually watched… it’s just one of those quiet shows that keeps humming along in the background of the culture. Read: Variety
An FCC filing suggests Apple is set to release the next iteration of its Vision Pro headset. Read: Road To VR
CBS will air a 30th anniversary special for Everybody Loves Raymond in November… 29 years after the show debuted. Read: thefutoncritic
Afterlife With Archie is being adapted as a TV series by Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. It is based on a comic in which zombies take over Riverdale, eating/killing multiple beloved characters. It was a fun book, but I’m not sure we need this as a TV show. Also, aren’t we all done with zombies by now? Read: Variety
Lioness has been renewed for a third season. Read: thefutoncritic
Trailer Park
Landman returns for season 2 Nov 16 on Paramount+.
The Lost Station Girls debuts on Hulu Oct 8.
A teenage girl disappears. Three young women are brutally murdered. All brunette, all last seen near the Perpignan train station. A decades long quest ensues to bring the missing home and bring the serial killer responsible to justice.
Hazbin Hotel returns to Prime Video Oct 29 for season 2.
The Kardashians returns for season 7 on Hulu/Disney+ Oct 23.
That’s the newsletter for today.
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