This day (05 June) will live in infamy
Take the day off
If you’ve reached this point in the week and you’re thinking you deserve a day off, today is absolutely the day to take it off. And here’s the justification you need:
1986 saw the release of one of your favourite films (and mine) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. While that film was released in 1986, it was actually set in 1985. And more specifically, the day Ferris Bueller took off was June 5.
That makes today the 40th anniversary of Ferris Bueller taking his day off - a day that changed the lives forever of Ferris, future wife Sloan Petersen, and best pal Cameron.
On the topic of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, I’m not sure this reference got as much attention as it deserved on Your Friends & Neighbors a few weeks ago:
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News Desk
Warner Bros Discovery is laying off staff in the cable TV division (the number is in the double digits, but well below 100) as it seeks efficiencies. Read: Deadline
VR motion controller support for the Apple Vision Pro is expected to be announced as early as next week. Read: 9to5Mac
Prior to being killed earlier this week, King of The Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss bizarrely interrupted a panel discussion about the show at the ATX TV Festival. Read: Variety
Cinema loyalist Nicole Kidman will lead new Prime Video series Girls and Their Horses. Read: Variety
No, Banijay isn’t (immediately) planning to buy ITV Studios. Or so says CEO Marco Bassetti at a SXSW London event. Read: THR
Russell Simmons is suing HBO and the filmmakers behind the On the Record documentary for $20 million, alleging they defamed him and ignored evidence that supported his version of events. Read: Variety
CBC drama Saint-Pierre has begun filming on season 2. Add it to the lengthy list of interesting-looking Canadian shows not available to see here in Australia (inexplicably). Read: Deadline
The total budget for both seasons of Andor: $650m. Read: THR
Jane Sibbett has given an interview with People about leaving Hollywood and embracing spiritual energies or whatever claptrap… I didn’t pay much attention. But, I do ask why Friends is all the article is really interested in attributing her work to, with Herman’s Head not mentioned until 7 paragraphs in? #JusticeForHermansHead
Emily Hampshire from Schitt’s Creek will star opposite Paul Bettany in Marvel‘s Vision series for Disney+. Read: Deadline
Russell Crowe, Jacob Tremblay, Shailene Woodley & Annabelle Wallis will star in new Netflix Ted Kaczynski film Unabom. Fun fact: This is the first mention of the Unabomber on the Always Be Watching newsletter. Read: Deadline
Trailer Park
The Rainmaker debuts on USA Network August 15.
Based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham, Rudy Baylor, who is fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond as well as his law school girlfriend, Sarah. Rudy, along with his boss, Bruiser, and her disheveled paralegal, Deck, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.
Heads of State debuts on Prime Video July 2.
The story follows the two world leaders, who must set aside their rivalry to thwart a global conspiracy after becoming targets of a ruthless foreign adversary.
Maxton Hall returns for season 2 on Prime Video Nov 7.
Disney’s Snow White debuts on Disney+ June 11.
007 game First Light is coming to PS5, Xbox, PC, and the Switch 2 in 2026.
That’s the newsletter for today.
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