Cold, bitter nights are often in the forecast for many this time of year so, what better way to spend it than all warmed up in front of HBO. Yeah, yeah, a bit of a stretch because really, we need no excuse to settle in front of the best quality entertainment that the letters H-B & O can offer. We hope you can find such enjoyable fare in the month ahead as we take a peek at some of the titles arriving for February 2022. Grab a hot chocolate and snuggle in to discover What’s On.
A few quick points:
- Find time for MY BRILLIANT FRIEND
- John Oliver Is Back to Work
- Ridley Scott Takes Us Back to Kepler 22b
- Plenty of Movies This Month!
- and LOONEY TUNES
HBO Original Series: One returning series begins with another season in February and that’s where we start. The eight-episode, third season of HBO and RAI’s My Brilliant Friend franchise continues. MY BRILLIANT FRIEND: THOSE WHO LEAVE AND THOSE WHO STAY, based on the third book in Elena Ferrante’s quadrilogy, debuts MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28 (10:00-11:00pm ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. The franchise follows Elena Greco and the most important friend in her life, Raffaella Cerullo, whom she has always called Lila. They met in the first year of primary school in 1950 and their story goes on to cover more than 60 years of their lives and explores the mystery of Lila, Elena’s brilliant friend and – in a way – both her best friend and her worst enemy.
Filmed in Italian and Starring Margherita Mazzucco and Gaia Girace, Season 3 picks up with Elena and Lila, both now grown women, during the great open sea of the 1970s. Lila took her young son and left her husband and a comfortable life to work as a factory worker in the toughest of conditions, while Elena left the neighborhood to study in Pisa, and is now an author of a successful novel that has paved the way to an affluent and cultivated world. They now navigate a scenario of hopes and uncertainties, still united by their strong and ambivalent bond.
PAINTING WITH JOHN, written, directed by and starring musician, actor, director and painter, John Lurie, debuts its six-episode second season on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18 (11:00-11:30pm ET). The unscripted series will be available on HBO and to stream on HBO Max. Part meditative tutorial, part fireside chat, each episode finds the artist ensconced at his worktable, honing his intricate watercolor techniques while reflecting on what he’s learned about life. Season two introduces Cowboy Beckett and combines stunning images of Lurie’s paintings, original music, and irreverent point-of-view on topics such as tapping into one’s childlike artistic side, his overall ambivalence toward fame, and more. The series reminds viewers to prioritize a little time every day for creativity and fun.
–Season 2, Episode 1: “What?”
Debuts: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
John sacrifices his handsomeness for humanity – and the introduction of Cowboy Beckett.
–Season 2, Episode 2: “Children Kicking Hamburger All Over the Highway”
Debuts: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
John yells at the moon for not keeping an appointment and gives a lecture about new technology in the theater.
–Season 2, Episode 3: “The Bugs Are Winning” 
Debuts: FRIDAY, MARCH 4 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
John recounts the time Joey Ramone waved at him.
–Season 2, Episode 4: “Your Hands Have Turned into Lightbulbs”
Debuts: FRIDAY, MARCH 11 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
John scares people on bicycles while trying to explain that life is a beautiful and wonderful thing.
–Season 2, Episode 5: “Small Car”
Debuts: FRIDAY, MARCH 18 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)</span
John encounters a drunk pilot and decides it is safe to fly with him, while Ann Mary shares how she makes Weapon Potatoes.
–Season 2, Episode 6: “Old Man Dancing” (Season finale)
Debuts: FRIDAY, MARCH 25 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
John talks about attending the 1962 World Series with his father.
Another big drama, this one playing through the month, is EUPHORIA. It is an American adaptation of an Israeli show of the same name, and all episodes are written by Sam Levinson who also serves as executive producer. It follows a group of high school students as they navigate love and friendships in a world of drugs, sex, trauma and social media and well, they’re all messed up. The series picks up with episode 5 on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 06 (9:00-10:00pm ET) and concludes FEBRUARY 27 at the same time.
Following chronologically, THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES is next on Sunday nights. It continues SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 06 (10:00-10:30pm ET) and also ends its season FEBRUARY 27. Here is a breakdown:
–Season 2, Episode 6: “Never Avenge Yourselves, But Leave It to the Wrath of God”
Debuts: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 06 (10:00-10:30PM ET/PT)
After surviving a harrowing attack, Jesse (Danny McBride) takes matters into his own hands. Eli (John Goodman) attempts to make amends, while Kelvin (Adam Devine) struggles to control his flock. Written by Danny McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff Fradley; Directed by Jody Hill
–Season 2, Episode 7: “And Infants Shall Rule Over Them”
Debuts: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 (10:00-10:30 PM ET/PT)
With Eli (John Goodman) temporarily out of the picture, the Gemstone siblings are left to quarrel over who’s in charge – until some wise words help pave a way forward. As Tiffany (Valyn Hall) tracks down Baby Billy (Walton Goggins), Gideon (Skyler Gisondo) faces his future. Written by Danny McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff Fradley; Directed by Jody Hill 
–Season 2, Episode 8: “The Prayer of a Righteous Man”
Debuts: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (10:00-10:30 PM ET/PT)
As the dust settles back at the compound, Jesse (Danny McBride), Kelvin (Adam Devine), and Judy (Edi Patterson) consider where they stand. Baby Billy (Walton Goggins) reconnects with a figure from his past. Written by Danny McBride & Grant Dekernion & Jeff Fradley; Directed by David Gordon Green
–Season 2, Episode 9: “I Will Tell of All Your Deeds”
Debuts: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27 (10:00-10:30 PM ET/PT)
While the Gemstones celebrate the launch of Zion’s Landing, Baby Billy (Walton Goggins) faces a chance to embrace fatherhood. Written by Danny McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff Fradley; Directed by Jody Hill
Also concluding FEBRUARY 27 is the newest dramedy SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE. It is only seven episodes and plays beginning SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 06 (10:30-11:00pm ET/PT). Sam (Bridget Everett) grapples with loss and acceptance, but singing is Sam’s saving grace. It leads her on a journey to discover herself and a community of outsiders who don’t fit in but don’t give up, showing that finding your people, and finding your voice, is possible.
–Season 1, Episode 4: “Feast of St. Francis”
Debuts: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 06 (10:30 -11:00 PM ET/PT)
After Pastor Deb asks for an impromptu meeting, Joel prepares for the worst, and promptly breaks out in a vicious neck rash. With money tight, Sam gets creative in sourcing a solution for the upcoming corn harvest, and later, confronts Rick. Written by Patricia Breen; Directed by Robert Cohen
–Season 1, Episode 5: “Tee-Tee Pa-Pah”
Debuts: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 (10:30 -11:00 PM ET/PT) 
With a tornado looming, Sam prepares for a different kind of storm as she shares the truth about Rick with Tricia. After impulsively adopting a dog, Joel realizes he wants more out of life. Written by Hannah Bos & Paul Thureen; Directed by Jay Duplass
–Season 1, Episode 6: “Life Could Be A Dream”
Debuts: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (10:30 -11:00 PM ET/PT)
After a surprising update concerning her recent job performance, Sam must evaluate her next step. Meanwhile, Tricia and Charity’s working relationship grows complicated, and a visit to Mary Jo in rehab brings some difficult family truths to light. Written by Patricia Breen; Directed by Robert Cohen
–Season 1, Episode 7: “Mrs. Diddles” (Season finale)
Debuts: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27 (10:30 -11:00 PM ET/PT) </span
In her quest to reinspire Joel, Sam recruits a small team to help and reveals a new potential location for Choir Practice. Later, on a purple party bus, Sam realizes just how far she’s come. Written by Hannah Bos & Paul Thureen; Directed by Jay Duplass
The big Monday night drama just got rolling in all its finery & high fashion. Seek out THE GILDED AGE. Written by Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield, and directed by Michael Engler and Salli Richardson-Whitfield, the nine-episode drama series stars an ensemble cast of Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson, Simon Jones, Harry Richardson, Thomas Cocquerel, Jack Gilpin, with Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski. It picks up with Episode 3 on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 07 (9:00-10:00pm ET). Take in this Invitation to the Set to grasp the grandeur.
All the talking heads are back as John Oliver finally joins Maher, Gumbel and Costas in 2022. REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER kicked off his 20th in January and continues this month beginning FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04 (10:00-11:00pm ET). He already sparked controversy with the ‘sick of COVID paranoia’ remarks he and guests made recently. Oliver will get his chance to say something biting when LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER stats back up, with Season 9, beginning SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (11:00-11:30pm ET). Better late than never, John.
Original Series Exclusive to HBO Max: Ridley Scott’s Sci-fi story returns. Uploading to the streamer this month is RAISED BY WOLVES Season Two. In the new season, Android partners Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), along with their brood of six human children, join a newly formed atheistic colony in Kepler 22 b’s mysterious tropical zone. But navigating this strange new society is only the start of their troubles as Mother’s “natural child” threatens to drive what little remains of the human race to extinction. The show also stars Travis Fimmel as Marcus, Niamh Algar as Sue, Kim Engelbrecht as Decima and includes Winta McGrath, Jordan Loughran, Matias Varela, Felix Jamieson, Ethan Hazzard, Aasiya Shah, Ivy Wong, Peter Christoffersen, Selina Jones, Morgan Santo, James Harkness, and Jennifer Saayeng. Uploads begin THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 03 on HBO Max. The first season will be available to sample for free starting February 2 on hbomax.com/watch-free until February 15.
Also debuting is THE GIRL BEFORE. Jane stumbles on the rental opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to live in a beautiful ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect, on condition she abides by a long list of exacting rules. After moving in, she discovers that a previous tenant, Emma, met a mysterious death there – and starts to wonder if that’s her fate too. Gugu Mbatha-Raw and David Oyelowo star. Find it uploading THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10. 
On THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 a series called LAS BRAVAS arrives. It is a Mexican drama about an all-woman futbol (soccer) team. Another sci-fi drama surfaces entitled DREAM RAIDER beginning THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17. It is an HBO Asia Original series. Very simply – In the near future where criminals are able to hack into your mind to commit crimes, the only people that can stop them are the Dream Raiders (pictured). Another series, from the same part of the world, is ADVENTURE OF THE RING, which follows the lives of different couples when they encounter an engagement ring. It appears THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10. Be warned, you have to be willing to do the subtitle thing to enjoy both of these.
HBO Max is touting another trash reality show like F-BOY ISLAND wasn’t bad enough. Did I ever mention how shows like this make me cringe anywhere near the letters HBO? *Sigh*. This one is ABOUT LAST NIGHT (arriving THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10), a new game show series produced and hosted by Ayesha and Stephen Curry. They invite three celebrity couples to go head-to-head in relationship trivia and games, competing to see who knows their partner best. The final couple will have the chance to compete in a bonus round against the Currys as they compete for an additional donation of their choice. Another series of that ilk is 40 MEANS NOTHING (40 No Es Nada), coming THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 03. Three brave women in their forties travel to paradise with a willingness to experiment, open up, and be surprised by love. Hear me give out another big *Sigh*.
Note, with a new season is RICK AND MORTY with Season #5, and the season finales of AND JUST LIKE THAT on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 03 and PEACEMAKER on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17.
HBO Saturday Night Movies: There are always plenty of movies to fill the schedule. Some of them no longer drop on Saturday nights. Note, we will always lead off with those titles that arrive on our expected movie night on the cable channel. This month those movies are NIGHTMARE ALLEY, CRY MACHO, THE KING’S MAN and FREE GUY. All of these titles are returning or appearing on HBO Max and play.HBO a day or two prior to their Saturday night premiere on HBO’s cable channels.
Arriving on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 05 is the latest movie by Guillermo del Toro. It is the neo-noir psychological thriller NIGHTMARE ALLEY. An ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is. Shades of HBO’s CARNIVALE in this one for sure. It stars Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Rooney Mara and Willem Dafoe. It is a remake of a 1947 classic. Clint Eastwood’s latest, which had a Same-Day Premiere earlier this year, plays next debuting on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 (8:00-10:00pm). It is CRY MACHO. The film stars Eastwood as Mike Milo, a one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder who, in 1979, takes a job from an ex-boss to bring the
man’s young son home from Mexico. Forced to take the backroads on their way to Texas, the unlikely pair faces an unexpectedly challenging journey, during which the world-weary horseman finds unexpected connections and his own sense of redemption. On SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, THE KING’S MAN arrives and serves as the third movie in the Kingsman franchise. The ensemble cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance, and focuses on several events during World War I and the birth of the Kingsman organization. On SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 comes FREE GUY. Here, a bank teller who discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, decides to become the hero of his own story… one he rewrites himself. It stars Ryan Reynolds.
And movie premieres don’t seem exclusive to Saturdays anymore: ANTLERS shows up FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18 (8:15-9:55pm)! It is also from horror maestro Guillermo del Toro. In an isolated Oregon town, a middle-school teacher (Keri Russell) and her sheriff brother (Jesse Plemons) become embroiled with her enigmatic student (Jeremy T. Thomas) whose dark secrets lead to terrifying encounters with a legendary ancestral creature who came before them. This film is directed by Scott Cooper (Black Mass). Taking the last Friday of the month – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25 (8:00-9:50pm), is Wes Anderson’s latest. It is THE FRENCH DISPATCH. It is a love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional 20th-century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in “The French Dispatch.” It is always hard to explain an Andeson film, so watch this:
MALIGNANT is another one of those non-Saturday night movies to pop up. HBO sneaks in this Same-Day Premiere on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 03 (10:05-11:55pm ET). A few short films show up also: CRACKED, MASS AVE, THE SNAKES and WHEN THE SUN SETS. I guess we are going to have to change the way we market the movies going forward.
Movies Exclusive to HBO Max: Steven Soderbergh has got one to launch on the streamer. Zoë Kravitz stars in KIMI. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Seattle, an agoraphobic tech worker, the title character, discovers evidence of a violent crime while reviewing a data stream, and is met with resistance and bureaucracy when she tries reporting it to her company. To get involved, she realizes she must face her greatest fear by venturing out of her apartment and into the city streets, which are filled with protestors after the city council passes a law restricting the movements of the homeless population. It uploads THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10.
HBO Documentary Films: The new documentary year rolls out slowly but I’m counting on titles being added to this month’s schedule after this post is published. WarnerMedia is great at doing that to me. As we know now, two documentaries about historic men of note get our attention. Not locked into a date at 
this time is FREDERICK DOUGLASS: IN FIVE SPEECHES. Makes sense as it is Black History Month and he was a great orator. The other title is locked in for TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 and is called ICAHN: THE RESTLESS BILLIONAIRE. That looks like it should be about big-time aggressive NYC shareholder Carl Icahn, but this film and the Douglass one are completely off the radar at this time. We will see what develops as HBO Documentary Films rolls out a lineup for the new year.
HBO MAX Original Documentary Films: There are two documentaries exclusive to the streamer. They are JUST CALL OUT MY NAME and BILARDO. The former title debuts THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10. Having known each other and been friends for fifty years, Carole King and James Taylor, considered two of the most influential singer/songwriters of their generation, are shown in concert on their Troubadour Reunion Tour 2010. This title comes over from CNN. The latter title is from Argentina and is a four-episode sports documentary out of Argentina about Carlo Bilardo, El Doctor del Fútbol. Or, for us gringos, a look at the once player and former long-time coach of Argentina’s national soccer team. It uploads THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24.
HBO Max Kids & Family: Hey, Looney Tunes has got somethin’ screwy! Its LOONEY TUNES CARTOONS VALENTINE’S EXTWAVAGANZA! Ah, come on, a peek won’t hurt ya’.
It uploads THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 03. Also arriving is Season Two of Cartoonito’s ODO on THURSDAY FEBRUARY 10 and while we are talking about being for the younger set there is SESAME STREET presented on THURSDAYS in February. Episodes include #5213 — “A Trip to the Dentist”, #5214 — “The Hair Dance” and # 5215 — “Let’s Grow Together”. The family will also be able to find APPLE & ONION Season 2C on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11 and CRAIG OF THE CREEK Season 4A and YABBA-DABBA DINOSAURS Season 2, both showing up on THURSDAY FEBRUARY 17. On THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 you can have your preschooler find something new with BING! (pictured).
HBO Sports: An HBO Sports Documentary drops with one big iconic NFL great at the center. Well, actually he was a QB – TERRY BRADSHAW: GOING DEEP. The piece is a unique look at the life of the four-time Super Bowl Champion and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. In August of 2021, Bradshaw took the stage at the Clay Cooper Theater in Branson, Missouri for a series of live performances that offered a mix of singing, music, colorful stories, and honest and emotional reflections on his life. Presented in Bradshaw’s own words, this is a first-person account of one of the most popular and versatile sports personalities of modern times. Find it beginning TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 01 (9:00-10:30pm ET). REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL sports a brand-new set this year, check it and the latest edition’s reports when it debuts TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 (10:00-11:00pm).
HBO Latino: It is on the light side with just two movies listed. SIN SENAS PARTICULARES (Identifying Features) is a movie from Mexico in which a mother travels across Mexico in search of her son whom authorities say died while trying to cross the borders into the United States. It debuts FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04. Out of Peru comes a tale about soccer kids in the movie LA FOQUITA debuting FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18.
Other Movies & Shows: Here is where we can dump plenty of titles, but we’ll keep it to just a few. There are more episodes from SOUTH PARK Season 25 and TACOMA FD Season 3 to discover. Also find SHAQ LIFE, ROBOT CHICKEN Season 11, OFF THE AIR Season 11 and TOP GEAR Season 30. In classic TV find all five seasons of NBC’s CHUCK and from over at TruTV there is BIG TRICK ENERGY.
Some movie titles to drop as they rotate into the sites include 3:10 to YUMA (2007), A BRIDGE TOO FAR (1977), CHINATOWN (1974), FAME (1980), THE ONES BELOW (2015), RABBIT HOLE (2010), ROB ROY (1995), SWEENY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2007), WEST SIDE STORY (1961) and YUN (2018).
Next Month’s Tease: How did the Los Angeles Lakers get their name?
Last month’s answer – ‘kepler 22b’ was all you were given. It is the planet that RAISED BY WOLVES takes place on.
Final Clip: I still struggle with these types of reality programming on HBO, nevertheless, here is PAINTING WITH JOHN.
Enjoy HBO and HBO Watch!
