Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Friday, March 26th, 2021

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Friday, March 26th, 2021. I'm writing this from the Twin Cities suburbs, where AllYourScreens HQ is powered by thoughts of a hopefully quiet weekend.

OKAY, I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS
There aren't a ton of details yet, but Business Insider's Claire Atkinson has a piece today reporting that NBCU executives are considering launching a Universal-branded streaming service that would be separate from Peacock. And while the story doesn't offer a ton of details, apparently the idea would be to include Universal movies as well as the NBCU stuff currently headquartered at Hulu. Which sounds a lot like Peacock?!?!?

Honestly, I can usually figure out why a deal makes sense to the participants, even if it's an insanely dumb idea to everyone else. But I admit that I am stumped by this idea. Unless there are some relevant details that not only haven't been publicly disclosed, but are also not obvious to outsiders.

One of the problems from the NBCU side when it comes to Peacock is that they are concerned the name doesn't have any international appeal. And...really? NOW you're concerned about this? Peacock barely has a cachet in the U.S., so I think it should have been obvious to everyone that the name "Peacock" means about as much in France as the name "Fred." Apparently, NBCU executives believe that the Universal name is more beloved worldwide. It certainly might be slightly more recognizable worldwide, but the name doesn't provide any sense to the average person of the type of movie or TV show they might find on a Universal streaming service. The average subscriber would be hard pressed to name a handful of movies made by Universal and the name hasn't been familiar to TV audiences since its heyday in the 70s and 80s. Then there's that inconvenient problem that the name Universal is part of a fair number of high-profile regional religions around the world.

But aside from the name, what would be the point of a Universal-branded streaming service? What purpose would it serve, what niche in the market would it fill in 2021? I just find myself stumped by the entire idea and I can't even speculate how any of this would work in the real world.

TV IS A GLOBAL BUSINESS. IT'S TOO BAD TV PR ISN'T YET
I wrote about a Lebanese-produced series called Awake a couple of weeks ago when it premiered in the U.S. on the international streamer MHzChoice. And like a lot of the more-obscure international TV shows I cover, the review received a modest amount of attention when it first posted. But over the past week or so, the review has finally made its way to distributors in the Middle East, as well as all sorts of random web sites in the region. The review has gotten a lot of attention in a slow burn sort of way and that's one of the reason I cover shows other web sites might ignore. There is a spot in the entertainment journalism industry for a site that highlights the good stuff that isn't flashy or familiar.

But while the television industry is increasingly global, the PR part of the business is still very focused on home countries and specific familiar regions. I write a lot about international shows that premiere in the U.S. on global platforms such as Netflix and Amazon. And I can tell you from personal experience that getting even a minimal level of information about a show produced overseas can be a challenge. Publicists based in the U.S. generally don't interact with their counterparts in other regions. So they have no idea who to speak with about a series produced in Spain or India or Nigeria. And while I don't mind reviewing a series with little or no context, I'd love to be able to speak with the showrunner of a series produced in Turkey or the producer of an Egyptian miniseries. It just doesn't happen and it's too bad because these are projects and people who deserve global attention. 

I'm going to flesh this out a bit more over the weekend. But I am really passionate about international television and I realize that I (and the rest of the industry) have a lot to learn about the industry based outside of Hollywood, the U.K. and Australia.

TODAY'S PREMIERES
1) A Week Away (Netflix)
Troubled teen Will Hawkins (Kevin Quinn) has a run-in with the law that puts him at an important crossroad: go to juvenile detention or attend a Christian summer camp. At first a fish-out-of-water, Will opens his heart, discovers love with a camp regular (Bailee Madison), and sense of belonging in the last place he expected to find it.

2) Bad Trip (Netflix)
In a hidden-camera comedy from the producer of “Bad Grandpa,” two pals embark on a road trip full of funny pranks that pull real people into the mayhem.

3) Cocktails and Tall Tales with Ina Garten and Melissa McCarthy Series Premiere (Discovery+)
Ina Garten and Melissa McCarthy connect over stories, secrets and even a double date.

4) Elizabeth & Margaret: Love & Loyalty (Netflix)
The documentary takes an intimate look at the complex, widely misunderstood relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret.

5) Ghost Adventures Season Premiere (Discovery+)
Zak Bagans and his crew investigate the most haunted places in the world.

6) Inside Pixar Batch 3 Premiere (Disney+)
How exactly are animated films made using computer graphics? Pixar's creative minds introduce and break down how a movie is made through understandable explanations using metaphors and examples.

7) Magic For Humans By Mago Pop (Netflix)
Illusionist Mago Pop takes to the streets of Barcelona, where he amazes folks of all ages and walks of life with tricks that inspire delight and wonder.

8) Nailed It! Double Trouble Series Premiere (Netflix)
When two clueless cake "artists" team up, the reveals are even more ridiculous. From best buds to brothers and sisters, these bakers are twice as bad.

9) Ni De Cona (Netflix)
Trying to fix their relationships, four couples attend a spiritual retreat at a Caribbean resort, where temptation and mishaps add problems to the mix.

10) Pagglait (Netflix)
Widowed soon after marriage, a young woman grapples with an inability to grieve, quirky relatives and a startling discovery about her late husband.

11) The Irregulars Series Premiere (Netflix)
In 19th-century London, a group of misfits works to solve supernatural crimes at the behest of Dr. Watson and his elusive partner, Sherlock Holmes.

12) The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Series Premiere (Disney +)
In present day Minnesota, The Mighty Ducks have evolved from scrappy underdogs to an ultra-competitive youth hockey powerhouse. When 12 year-old Evan Morrow is unceremoniously cut from the Ducks, he and his mom, Alex, set out to build their own team. With a new group of misfit kids and an old rundown rink managed by a familiar face -- Gordon Bombay -- they begin a journey to challenge the cutthroat culture of youth sports today, and rediscover the joy of playing just for the love of the game.

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