Around the Tubes: 8/16/13

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on The Borgias, The Almighty Johnsons, Fangasm, Black Sabbath, Civil War 360, Jose Brown Group, Rachel Ann Weiss, In the Meantime, Trending Down, and TNT renewals.

- Neil Jordan, creator of the Showtime original series THE BORGIAS, has released a new e-book The Borgia Apocalypse: The Sscreenplay, based on his original, two-hour finale script for the critically-acclaimed period drama. Available via e-retailers now, the e-book provides fans with a final farewell to one of history’s most infamous families. You can download it now on Amazon.

- - Expanding its stable of international hits such as Lost Girl and Continuum, Syfy today announced it has acquired the first two seasons (23 episodes) of the popular New Zealand scripted series The Almighty Johnsons from independent television distributor ALL3MEDIA International. The action-packed comedy drama The Almighty Johnsons follows the Johnson boys, four typical fun-loving guys – who have inherited the power of Norse Gods. But these four brothers are no flashy superheroes. Everyday Gods have everyday struggles – searching for love, overcoming sibling rivalry and fulfilling their God-like destiny – while still enjoying a few beers with their mates. Season 1 of The Almighty Johnsons, consisting of 10 episodes, will premiere on Syfy in 2014.

- Syfy celebrates superfan culture with Fangasm (formerly titled Fandemonium), a new docu-series that follows seven very different people whose niche uber-obsessions run the gamut from comic books and collectibles to science fiction and fantasy to cosplay and live action role playing. Living together and working together at Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo, Los Angeles’ largest pop-culture convention, the cast must contend with each others oversized personalities and conflicting passions as they vie for a opportunities within Lee’s organization. Because when different passions come together – you get a real big bang. Fangasm debuts Tuesday, September 24 at 10:00 on Syfy.

- In celebration of Black Sabbath's nineteenth studio album, 13, Taylor Guitars is giving one lucky fan the opportunity to celebrate with an ultimate sweepstakes. One winner and a guest will fly from the domestic United States to see lead guitarist and Taylor player Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath perform in Las Vegas on September 1, 2013. Guests will enjoy accommodations at the MGM Grand, a Taylor GS Mini guitar signed by Iommi, a signed copy of 13, and a Taylor Guitars prize pack. Now through August 23, fans can enter-to-win by visiting the Taylor Guitars website.

- Smithsonian Channel is set to premiere Civil War 360, a powerfully moving three-part documentary miniseries that explores one of the most divisive eras in American history from multiple perspectives. Celebrity hosts Ashley Judd (“The Union”), Trace Adkins (“The Confederacy”), and Dennis Haysbert (“Fight For Freedom”) each helm an hour-long program that takes viewers back to a time when their ancestors – and those of many viewers -- were involved in the conflict. Through exploration of iconic and often poignant Smithsonian artifacts, the hosts gain insight into their own family’s experiences and uncover new dimensions of our nation’s history. The series debuts on Smithsonian Channel on consecutive Sunday nights at 8:00 beginning October 27, 2013.

- For anyone who likes the jazzy-pop of Harry Connick Jr. will want to give Jose Brown Group a try.



- While fans of female singer-songwriters may want to check out Rachel Ann Weiss.



- UP, America’s favorite channel for uplifting entertainment, presents the UP Original Movie In The Meantime (#InTheMeantime), starring Kali Hawk (Bridesmaids, Couples Retreat), Darrin Dewitt Henson (The Express, “Soul Food”), Terri J. Vaughn (Friday, “The Steve Harvey Show,” “Sugar Mommas”) and Grammy©-nominated artist Musiq Soulchild in his film debut. A romantic comedy with heart, In The Meantime will premiere exclusively on UP on Saturday, August 17, and Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 7, 9 and 11 p.m..

- Noted British actor and BAFTA Award winner Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man, Notting Hill) is the most recent actor to join the cast of the SHOWTIME comedy pilot Trending Down. The pilot also stars Oscar® winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) and acclaimed actress Kathryn Hahn (Revolutionary Road) in the lead roles of Thom and Lee Payne. Ifans will star as Thom Payne's (Hoffman) boss, Jonathan Clow. TRENDING DOWN is a blistering attack on our youth-obsessed culture, and centers on Thom Payne, a man facing his own obsolescence after his advertising agency is taken over.

- TNT yesterday renewed is summer programs Rizzoli and Isles, Major Crimes, and Perception (Falling Skies was also re-upped a couple weeks ago). So if you have been enjoying Maxwell and King, Franklin and Bash, and /or The Hero you may want to get prepared for a goodbye.