New this week: 'Moonbase 8,' Kylie Minogue & Niall Horan
(Showtime via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. — “Outrage”: If you’re looking for some distractions on election day, the excellent Women Make Film series is still going strong on TCM. — AP Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSIC— The final solo recording from late jazz legend Dave Brubeck will be released Friday. Showtime’s “Moonbase 8” stars Fred Armisen, John C. Reilly and Tim Heidecker as astronauts trying to qualify for a moon mission. For Showtime subscribers, the full series will be available Sunday night on the channel’s apps and on-demand platforms.
Union tells actors not to work on pandemic film "Songbird"
LOS ANGELES The union that represents film actors told its members Thursday not to work on the upcoming pandemic thriller Songbird, saying the filmmakers have not been up-front about safety measures and had not signed the proper agreements for the movie that is among the first in production after coronavirus closures. Actors had reportedly been rehearsing remotely for the film produced by Michael Bay and directed by Adam Mason. "Also, as noted in the Do Not Work order, the producers have not yet become signatory to our agreement. We have no further comment.The small film was among the first to attempt to resume production after the long closure. One of the companies, Invisible Narrative, told Deadline, We are actively working to resolve this paperwork issue with the guild.
The best and worst of Super Bowl ads
During advertising’s biggest night, Super Bowl Sunday, marketers battled it out to bolster their brands. PLANTERSPlanters teased its Super Bowl ad nearly two weeks before the game, releasing a teaser that showed its Mr. Peanut mascot seemingly being killed. The actual Super Bowl ad was relatively inoffensive, with a baby Mr. Peanut appearing at the funeral. There's a more involved marketing campaign with Ryder, but the Super Bowl ad didn't communicate much. HARD ROCK INTERNATIONALHard Rock International went all in on its first Super Bowl ad, maybe too much so.
Super Bowl ads dialed up fun as an antidote to politics
This undated image provided by Hyundai Motor America shows from left John Krasinski, Rachel Dratch and Chris Evans in a scene from the company's 2020 Super Bowl NFL football spot. But during commercial breaks in the Super Bowl, advertisers did their best to serve up an antidote heavily spiked with fun. “We’re going to be so deluged with political ads over the next nine months.”For the most part, Super Bowl advertisers tried to oblige. “This year it’s all about a return to Super Bowl basics,” said Kelly O’Keefe, managing partner of consultancy Brand Federation. “You cannot co-opt his message and blackball him at the same time.”Microsoft showcased Katie Sowers, the first female coach in a Super Bowl game.