Previously on… Prime Video introduces AI recaps
ALSO: Wheel of Fortune accidentally evokes a national tragedy
Prime Video is set to introduce AI created video recaps for full seasons of its original series. The company says it will use AI to summarize key plot points, promising “theatrical quality video” that includes synchronized voice narration, snippets of dialogue and music.
This is helpful for shows that return after lengthy gaps, or are entertaining and pretty forgettable.
As per Variety:
“Video Recaps marks a groundbreaking application of generative AI for streaming,” Gérard Medioni, VP of technology at Prime Video, said in a statement. “This first-of-its-kind feature demonstrates Prime Video’s ongoing commitment to innovation and making the viewing experience more accessible and enjoyable for customers.”
Prime Video’s Video Recaps are available for supported series via a “Recap” button on the show’s detail page when a customer navigates to the next season. Once selected, customers will see any available recaps for that title, either video- or text-based, and from there they can select their preferred recap option.
I’m wondering how long it will be until similar tech is used for ‘previously on’ segments for episodes. There’s a genuine craft to creating those episodic recaps, providing viewers with key information they need for the upcoming episode, while also not making it all too obvious.
One of the best shows for this was The West Wing. I jumped on YouTube to find a clip of one of them which was a funny montage of all the characters giving their names and job titles. Instead, I found this Previously On clip, which I don’t remember from the show…
News Desk
Stargate vet Martin Gero will run a new Stargate show for Prime Video. What isn’t clear is whether this is a clean reboot or a continuation of the established Stargate universe of shows. Read: THR
Former Paramount co-CEO Chris McCarthy will take on a job at NBCUniversal as its official Taylor Sheridan wrangler. Read: THR
Kevin Costner is in talks to play Bill “Bubba” Clinton in a UN-focused series titled United. Read: Variety
Leslie Bibb will star in Scandi-noir 1983 Cold War crime series Top of The Rock, which has absolutely nothing to do with NBC or the Rockefellers. Read: C21
The new Ken Burns six-part, 12-hour documentary series The American Revolution has an all-star guest cast of actors which includes Paul Giamatti reprising the role of John Adams. Read: THR
You’re not really a Walking Dead creator unless you have sued AMC. Fear The Walking Dead’s Dave Erickson reckons that AMC shortchanged him backend payments. Read: THR
I’d like to answer it: “Never Forget”
Set designers do some incredible work. And then there’s the “Now Boarding” gimmick set for Wheel of Fortune in the US.
For a week of shows, the iconic game show is themed around airline travel with a makeshift set supposed to look like an airport and an airplane. To make it all work, behind the contestants are windows showing video screens with clouds and the sky outside of them.
That’s all fine, except viewers were seeing something else than had been intended. I doubt the set designers had planned to evoke one of America’s most significant tragedies. This, as per a Reddit user:
Trailer Park
Heated Rivalry is a queer ice hockey romance drama debuting on HBO Max in Australia on Nov 28. Please, no jokes about high sticking.
Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there is room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile and as powerful as real love.
Innato debuts Dec 23 on Netflix.
When the diesel killer is released from prison, a new wave of identical crimes hits the city. Sara ends up working with the police to hunt down the copycat while confronting her own demons.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures returns for season 3 on Disney+ Dec 8.
That’s the newsletter for today.
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