Key & Peele to End After This Season
After Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key started their Key & Peele sketch show on Comedy Central back in 2012, their comedy was finally noticed by the world. The two have been working together for a long time (since their time on MadTV, and long before that too) and now it's time for their work to hit the next level. After five successful seasons, their show is coming to an end. The duo told The Wrap:
This is our final season – and it’s not because of Comedy Central, it’s us. It was just time for us to explore other things, together and apart. I compare it to Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. We might make a movie and then do our own thing for three years and then come back and do another movie.
I’m thinking we could do that every three years – take a year, go bang out a movie. That’s the plan right now.
It makes sense given how much they've got on their plate. There's Keanu, the film about two guys posing as gangsters to save a cat, there's a Police Academy reboot, their "Substitute Teacher" sketch is getting a full movie treatment, Key has been popping up in a lot more films, and Jordan has plans to direct a film soon. If the show is any indication of where their career is going, we're in for some great comedy. It's a good thing the show's ending now, too, since a lot of sketches aren't hitting as hard as they used to. There is a sense that the show is losing steam. It's better to go out on top before it runs itself into the ground. Season 5 has already been filmed in full, and it's final episode will air sometime in September. Just for fun, here's my favorite sketch.
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[via The Wrap]
[The Weekly Swarm] 7/20 - 7/26
Last week was fun, wasn't it? We had a ton of great content from Pitchfork 2015, including some amazing photos from Vanessa and a stupendous mini video of Chance the Rapper's video from Jeremy. We also published an expose on the CPD's secret agreement with the FBI to purchase cell phone spying equipment from my good friend, Freddy. We also found out that Hulk Hogan is a racist, effectively ending Hulkamania's 30+ year reign. Rumors that LeBron James might star in a Space Jam sequel also came out, but hopefully that won't actually come about. Danielle also reviewed Bojack Horseman Season 2, and while I'm only halfway through the season, I highly recommend it.
You can read all this and more in The Weekly Swarm.
[Review] Go Set A Watchman
[RH Photos] Pitchfork Music Festival 2015
Inside Chicago Police's Secret Cell Phone Spying Agreement with the FBI
Hulkamania Has Finally Run Dry
Trailer for Alejandro G. Inarritu's The Revenant is Astounding
[Review] Felt
New SPECTRE Trailer Reboots The James Bond Iconography
LeBron James Signs Deal with Warner Bros., Sparks Space Jam 2 Rumors
Pixar Turns Back Time with The Good Dinosaur Trailer
Riot Fest Chicago 2015 Day Lineups Available
[RH Photos] Pitchfork Music Festival 2015
[RH Video] Chance the Rapper Closes Out Pitchfork Music Festival 2015
Hulu is Considering Ad-Free Subscriptions
WWE Battleground 2015: Results and Match Reviews
The Flash's Season 2 Costume is Comic Book Friendly
Here's the Reason Why The Muppets Are Coming Back to TV
LeBron James Signs Deal with Warner Bros., Sparks Space Jam 2 Rumors
[Review] MTV's Scream: Aftermath
[Review] Bojack Horseman Season 2
[Review] Bojack Horseman Season 2
Cartoons can be bleak. As adults, we still chase that same joyful escape from the real world with the familiarity of cartoons. In an age where cartoons have taken a turn from being imaginative to more realistic, we strive to make even the darkest realities funny as a way to cope. Bojack Horseman brings something else to that dark reality: emotional struggle. The struggle we all dismiss when engaging in fantasy such as watching cartoons or lying to co-workers at the bar that, “everything is going great,” even when it’s not. The story about a washed-up, '90s sitcom star pulled at our heartstrings in season one, which aired on Netflix in 2014. One year later, we return to find Bojack in seasons two going through the familiar motions of trying to date, reviving his dead career, pushing away his friends, regretting life decisions and finally being taken seriously enough to land his dream role of playing Secretariat. The tagline for season two, “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way,” symbolizes Bojack’s constant struggle to feel happiness.
It seems too far and few in-between that we find cartoon characters who have realistic lives like the rest of us; they fell in love with someone who didn’t love them back or they felt betrayed as as a child by their neglectful parents just as Bojack did. The rawness of Bojack Horseman, a alcoholic, narcissistic horse-child with a bad attitude, has it better than most people as a former TV star and especially so as an upcoming dramatic actor with a best-selling novel. Yet, like the gleaming stars we know to envy, their lives are like any other behind the scenes: somewhat depressing. It’s the lighthearted quips in the darkness of season two of Bojack Horseman that should bring audiences to laugh and maybe cry as the helm of characters navigate through Bojack’s actions once again.
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The show blends in familiar slapstick situation comedy like Mr. Peanutbutter hosting his own wacky game show, Todd being mistaken for the dictator of war-torn Cordovia and Vincent Adultman revealing he actually is just two stacked children under a long trench coat. Yet, with season two, we see these characters develop more as they try to get their self-worth in check. Bojack and the gang look for validation of their lives from others in season one, whereas in season two it’s the other way around. Coupled with the crazy antics only cartoon characters can get into, Bojack Horseman continues to make people laugh.
In episode three, “Still Broken,” the cast of Horsin’ Around are at Herb Kazazz’s funeral, Bojack’s former best friend and creator of the show. It’s an excerpt from a speech by Henry Winkler that summarizes the show perfectly by being able to bring laughter into the worst situations:
“In his last days, Herb’s cancer had gone into remission; he was full of hope. But on the drive home from the hospital, his brakes gave out. He crashed into a truck full of peanuts. He survived the crash, but he was allergic to peanuts. He died instantly. Let us now read his final tweets:
I’m gonna live forever #cancerfree #invincible #tweetingwhiledriving
Oh no, I think I’m gonna hit that truck #hopefullyitisntfullofpeanuts
#ohnoitwasfullofpeanuts“
The way the all-star cast (Amy Sedaris, Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, Aaron Paul and Kristen Schaal) take real-life situations like death, rejection, betrayal, brokenheartedness and failure while trying to be the best versions of themselves shows how struggle can define us. It can work out for the best, it can be the worst thing that has ever happened to you; but you can get through it. Or in Herb’s case, at least enough for a tweet.
#gowatchbojackhorseman
[Review] MTV's Scream: Aftermath
Like most horror television shows, MTV's Scream is what you would call an "event" series. While nothing may be going on in the the day to day narrative, these kinds of shows rely on "events" to keep people hooked and talking. In The Walking Dead, for example, at the end of one of these event episodes would spell out a character death or some kind of grisly action. It's basically the same principle here. Since Scream has been so reliant on character death to anchor each episode, the first episode without one certainly has a lot to make up for.
We're four episodes in now, so it's time for some actual development. How does the show stack up now that it's not killing anyone off? Well...
The TV series has been trying to separate itself from the films for a while now. One major way it's drawing distance is the whole Brandon James thing. As I mentioned before, Brandon James was a previous killer that terrorized the TV series' town and the new killer is modeling himself after him. The new Ghostface mask is based on James' face, and a lot of the story is wrapped up in trying to solve both of those mysteries. This episode, as the title suggests, is dealing with the fallout of Riley's (the nerdy girl who was killed in the last episode as she Facetimed with the nerdy guy) death. As people scramble around trying to cradle up some emotions, Emma (the main girl) is finally a bit interesting. After being forced to choose between friends' lives last episode, she's distrusting everyone and is finally making some proactive choices, which is something Sidney Prescott, the main girl from the Scream films, is known for. But it's just a shame that what she decides to do is just so damn stupid.
Emma, Best Friend Whose Name I Forget, and Noah end up going to the killer's former lair and find all of the stuff the killer wanted them to find. While this scene was meant to play out as tense it's just goofy all around. And unlike the fantastic goofiness the show's been able to enjoy so far, this episode just dragged on and on. As the characters find out the same things the audience is already aware of, the only new bit on info is on the two Bro Guys' hidden camera enterprise. Through this we learn the killer is aware of all of their hidden camera shenanigans, we learn that main girl Emma isn't a horror trope virgin (as she explicitly states the video they have of her is her first time), and we learn that these kids are terrible with technology. A couple of clicks onto a laptop end up sharing a private video across multiple phones and devices. At least we know how the killer was sharing to everyone's phone now.
I know this show's main goal isn't to reveal who the killer is, but why's they're killing, but I need something more to go on. Since we're nearly halfway through the first season, I hope there's a change coming soon.
Assorted Musings:
- Rich Girl Brooke also had a story this week. We learn a little about her absentee mother and father who's wrapped up in some scandal, but any scene that attempts to give her character also has her in a bikini. Really hard to take seriously.
- Also, kids voting on which popular girl should die next is sadly all too true.
- You might wonder why I'm sticking to this show as I grow increasingly tired of it, but like other horror shows, it's the only one of its kind. I really want to see where this experiment goes. Can't say I'd be here for Season 2, however.
LeBron James Signs Deal with Warner Bros., Sparks Space Jam 2 Rumors
Space Jam may be a flawed film, but it's strengthened by the nostalgia of people in their mid-to-late 20s, an amazing soundtrack, and came directly in the middle of the Chicago Bulls' '90s dynasty. Of course, the Looney Tunes were at an all-time high in popularity, and who didn't love Michael Jordan back then (outside of Detroit)?
Nobody since has been able to capture Jordan's popularity, but many have come close. One such basketball player, LeBron James, may be the closest to Jordan that we've had since he arrived in the NBA. However, he also has faced a ton of criticism, something that Jordan didn't experience at the same level. Nevertheless, if there were to ever be a Space Jam sequel, LeBron James would be the de facto star... for better or worse.
Yesterday, word came out that Warner Bros. inked a deal with LeBron James for the basketball star to appear in various WB projects spanning film, TV, and online digital content. Warner Bros. released a statement with the announcement that reads:
“LeBron James has one of the most powerful, well-known brands in the world and we are excited to be in business with him and his partner, Maverick Carter, and SpringHill Entertainment,” Warner Bros. CEO and Chairman Kevin Tsujihara said. “The combination of LeBron’s global media presence and Warner Bros.’ unmatched production and distribution expertise is a big win for fans everywhere.”
Last month, it was reported that Warner Bros. filed a new trademark on Space Jam, re-sparking rumors from 2014 that also had LBJ attached to star in the sequel. There's nothing concrete, but the new deal could pave the way for LBJ to lace up against the Monstars. Would you be interested in seeing King James team up with Bugs, Daffy, and the other Looney Tunes?
[via /Film]
Here's the Reason Why The Muppets Are Coming Back to TV
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The Muppets have made quite the comeback over the last few years. After Disney put out two very successful films, it's time to branch out the Muppets to other properties. First being a new show on ABC that riffs on famous mockumentary style shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and ABC's own Modern Family. Thanks to ABC, we finally get a look at something that's never been seen before, the ten minute pilot pitch that convinced them to turn it into a series.
Directed by The Office's Randall Einhorn and written by The Big Bang Theory's Bill Prady and The Simpsons' Bob Kushnell, the clip is full of adult tinged meta humor (like Gonzo pointed out how overused the "mockumentary" format is) and the direction for the overall series. If you pay attention, you'll realize a lot of the jokes here are for an adult audience but with enough silly bits to keep kids' attention. Since it's most likely going to run during ABC's primetime (which includes great shows like The Goldbergs, The Middle, and Fresh Off the Boat), this is exactly the type of show it needs to be. If you're a fan of The Muppets, definitely check this out. It'll be the best ten minutes of your day.
The Muppets premieres on ABC later this fall.
The Flash's Season 2 Costume is Comic Book Friendly
I was a big fan of The Flash's first season. Since CW worked out all of the DC superhero kinks with Arrow, The Flash got off to a great start and never let up. A show not afraid to shy from how wacky its comic book origins (as the show featured two speedsters, a psychic gorilla, and time travel shenanigans), season two is already shaping up to be wonderful. We've got a bit more info on the series since San Diego Comic Con, and now we've got a look at Barry Allen's fresh new costume featuring a comic book accurate insignia (with white like the future Flash revealed in the finale instead of just red and gold like he had last season).
Also, according to an interview with Collider, season two will also taking the show more into its comic book roots. The Flash is going to be more known to the public (like his comic book counterpart, Flash won't hide in the shadows like Batman), Barry's getting a new love interest, the show's going to introduce a multiverse aspect (which means dead characters have a chance of coming back) and Flash will develop a new lightning based power. It's all very exciting and I can't wait to hear more. If the show can maintain its quality even when all of this goofier stuff hits, we're in for a good time.
The Flash season 2 premieres on The CW October 6th.
WWE Battleground 2015: Results and Match Reviews
WWE Battleground 2015 will probably be notable as a SummerSlam set-up rather than its own decent PPV event. The card was pretty solid overall, yet I couldn't help but feel a strange middling quality to Battleground. Looking at the main event, the John Cena vs. Kevin Owens rematch match, and the debut of NXT women's talent on the main roster, I felt like I'd watched good work but know everyone involved is capable of much better. They're probably all saving it for SummerSlam next month, which is the #2 show of the year. That's fine. Besides, it's just Battleground, and the next few weeks of TV should be interesting.
As you probably know by now, The Undertaker is back, and he's got his eyes on Brock Lesnar. Also, The Undertaker is looking his age, and a bit like Rip Torn, for that matter. As Normal Mailer learned while making Madstone, Rip Torn fights dirty. Truly, Rip Torn is just the type of crazy son of a bitch who'd run in during the main event of Battleground 2015. If Rip Torn runs in during SummerSlam 2015, it will be one of the best pay per views of all time. (Sorry, WrestleMania X7.)
Let's go through the Battleground 2015 card match by match.