Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Monday, March 15th, 2021

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Monday, March 15th, 2021. I'm writing this from the Twin Cities suburbs, where AllYourScreens HQ is powered by what is likely an unhealthy amount of coffee.

This is a shorter than normal newsletter. Mondays are generally jam-packed with news, but this is a bit of a lightweight day.

WALMART CONSIDERING ITS OWN ANDROID TV-BASED STREAMING DEVICE
Walmart could be coming to market with its own Android TV-based streaming device carrying its onn. branding. This is according to Protocol’s Janko Roettgers, who spotted an FCC filing for a potential product named onn. 2K Streaming Stick. It includes a remote that supports Google Assistant voice control and has branded buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max.

It’s important to note that FCC filings often don’t mean the product ever hits the market. But it does provide another reminder that Walmart continues to work on ways to reenter the media sector.

THIS COULD BE A REAL BOON FOR INDEPENDENT COMICS
GamesRadar is reporting that the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter partnered with the online bookstore Bookshop.org for it to be a marketplace for successfully crowdfunded book projects - especially comic books and graphic novels. With the partnership, Bookshop.org will market and sell these Kickstarter-funded books (from various publishers) direct to its online customers - and sell them on behalf of independent bookstores as well:

"With this partnership, we want to celebrate the long literary lives books can live after being brought to life on Kickstarter," says Kickstarter's director of publishing & comics outreach Oriana Leckert. "By spotlighting these shining examples on Bookshop, we can help extend those lives, showcase the brilliant work that’s being done on Kickstarter, give backers a renewed sense of pride for their contributions, and support the inspiring efforts of Books Through Bars - all at once.”

NOT THAT YOU HAVE TO BE TOLD THAT IT'S A STRANGE YEAR FOR THE MOVIE BUSINESS.
As expected, the streamers did very well at this this Academy Award nominations announcement. But here is a statistic that is jarring: half the Best Picture nominees have $0 reported domestic box office, and the top grossing nominee (Promising Young Woman) has $5.4 million.

I AM *SHOCKED* THAT NFT'S CAN BE HACKED

This is a complex and fairly insane story. So read the thread here for a bit more context. Although it doesn't explain why someone would invest in NFT's in the first place.

TODAY'S PREMIERES
1) Abla Fahita: Drama Queen Series Premiere (Netflix)
Falsely incriminated, Abla Fahita is separated from her kids, but the self-indulgent diva will stop at nothing to redeem herself and reunite her family.

2) America's Most Wanted Reboot Series Premiere (Fox) 
Elizabeth Vargas hosts this reboot of the familiar Fox series from the end of the lat century.

3) Black Ink Crew: Secrets Unlocked (VH1)
The cast members go back to where it all began to give their unfiltered opinions on the early days at the shops. They discuss the moments that sparked the most talked about relationships, feuds and more.

4) Bloodlands (Acorn TV)
The four-part drama stars award-winning Irish actor James Nesbitt (The Missing, Cold Feet) as Tom Brannick, a veteran detective who delves into his own dark past to try and solve an infamous cold case.

5) Bulletproof (The CW)
Bishop (Noel Clarke), along with Pike (Ashley Walters) and his family head to South Africa for a much-needed vacation but all hell breaks loose when a new acquaintance of Pike’s daughter goes missing and the boys land right in the middle of a case, a shoot-out and a very sticky situation.

6) Intervention Season Premiere (A&E)
After suffering a back injury, Susan was prescribed OxyContin and she became addicted to them. When the doctor quit prescribing them to her, she turned to heroin. After losing custody of her son, Susan's addiction escalated.

7) Struggle Alley (Kağıttan Hayatlar) (Netflix)
An abandoned child, left to the streets. Faced with an eerily familiar image, can he heal before it's too late?

8) The Last Blockbuster (Netflix)
This nostalgic documentary reveals the real story of Blockbuster's demise, and how one last location in Oregon keeps the spirit of a bygone era alive.

9) The Lost Pirate Kingdom Series Premiere (Netflix)
The real-life pirates of the Caribbean violently plunder the world's riches and form a surprisingly egalitarian republic in this documentary series.

10) Zero Chill Series Premiere (Netflix)
Talented teen figure skater Kayla is forced to leave everything behind when her family follows her twin brother, Mac, to a prestigious hockey academy.

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 tomorrow. If you have any feedback, send it along to Rick@AllYourScreens.com and follow me on Twitter @aysrick.