Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Wednesday, February 17th, 2021. I'm writing this from the Twin Cities suburbs, where AllYourScreens HQ is powered by coffee and oranges.
WARNERMEDIA EXPANDS KIDS PROGRAMMING
WarnerMedia announced today that it is massively expanding its original children's programming and plans to debut nearly 50 new programs in the next two years.
Later this year, a new preschool programming block called "Catroonito:-" will premiere on HBO Max and the Cartoon Network. That block will launch with about 20 new programs, many of them built around familiar children's programming. Shows already on order for the block include Bugs Bunny Builders, Mush-Mush And The Mushables and Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go. There will also be an original series from Sesame Workshop entitled Bea's Block.
Other shows in development include Tom & Jerry Junior and a spin-off of Craig Of The Creek entitled Jessica's Big Little World. There are also some shows that had been announced, including Little Ellen, Lucas The Spider, Batwheels and Mecha Builders.
There is also a number of teen-oriented programs coming in the pipeline, including three 44-minute Ben 10 specials, two new seasons of Total Drama Island, a fourth season of Craig Of The Creek, a second season of Gremlins (ahead of the season one premiere) and a third season of Victor and Valentino.
New programs include Infinity Train: Book Four and Jade Armor. Projects in development include The Amazing World of Gumball Movie, Teen Titans Go! The Night Begins to Shine, Tweetie Mysteries as well as the previously announced Tiny Toons Looniversity.
Given the expansion of kids programming, it will interesting to see if HBO Max makes kid-friendly profile settings available that would limit a profile access to just kid-safe programming.
RUSH LIMBAUGH, DEAD AT 70
Conservative media icon Rush Limbaugh died today of complications due to his battle with lung cancer. It's impossible to discuss his career without devolving into a political argument. But I think it's fair to say that when the FCC eliminated the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 it opened the way for partisan talk radio. And Limbaugh was perfectly positioned to take advantage of the new media landscape. Freed of the need to be fair or even acknowledge other viewpoints, Limbaugh and his impressive broadcast skills single-handedly created the conservative radio world. His success also made possible the rise of even more strident conservative hosts, who pitched themselves as "like Rush but meaner."
"Have you ever noticed how all newspaper composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?" - Rush Limbaugh, 10/8/90
TODAY'S PREMIERES
1) Amend: The Fight For America (Netflix)
Amend deploys a groundbreaking narrative format featuring a number of luminaries including Mahershala Ali, Diane Lane, Samuel L. Jackson, Pedro Pascal, and Yara Shahidi breathing life into speeches and writings by the 14th Amendment’s most ardent advocates and foes such as Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Andrew Johnson among them. It also offers insights from an inclusive array of contemporary thought leaders and experts.
2) Behind Her Eyes Series Premiere (Netflix)
A single mom becomes entangled in a twisted mind game when she begins an affair with her psychiatrist boss while bonding with his mysterious wife.
3) Good Trouble Season Premiere (Freeform)
With Jerod’s case on the line, Callie takes a job with a high profile defense lawyer. After sleeping with Evan, Mariana has to make a decision regarding her relationship with Raj. Meanwhile, Malika’s future is on the line with her impending trial.
4) Hello, Me! (Netflix)
Miserable and unsuccessful, a woman thinks she's lost all her spark — until one day, her spunky younger self appears in front of her demanding change.
5) House Hunters: Comedians on Couches Unfiltered Season Premiere (Discovery+)
Some comics sit around (on Zoom's answer to a couch) watching snippets from the HGTV show House Hunters while they mock the decisions made by the potential home owners.
6) I Survived A Crime Series Premiere (A&E)
Hosted by award-winning ABC News reporter Gio Benitez, the show takes viewers on a journey into the experience of being a victim of a sudden crime, from the moment those attacked first perceive the danger through the potential long-lasting effects. Using surveillance and cell phone footage captured during the crime, the series follows individuals going about their daily lives who were confronted with a dangerous situation and forced to make a quick decision on how to protect themselves or their families.
7) MeatEater (Netflix)
Steve sets his sights on game such as mule deer, duck, wild turkey, bear and moose in travels that take him to hunting hot spots across the US.
This newsletter is called "Too Much TV" because....well, it's hard to keep track of all the new television premiering everyday. To help you prioritize your viewing, click here to see our list of more than 400 upcoming television premieres, movies and finales. You'll find listings from more than 70 networks, as well as streaming services and web shows.
I'll be back with another one on Monday. If you have any feedback, send it along to Rick@AllYourScreens.com and follow me on Twitter @aysrick.