Though there is still talk in DC to kill the Ellison deal, it isn’t likely. Paramount, a Skydance company, is said to move quickly on changing the media landscape and absorb WBD and all its content. It makes us sick to our stomachs, but it is what it is. For now, let’s just focus on our thing, which is looking at some of the programming coming to HBO next. Here is What’s On.
A few quick points:
- Three A24 Films Debut in June
- We’re Down with the Funk of EARTH, WIND AND FIRE
- Plus, Larry David is Back
- Also, favorite animations like RICK & MORTY & REGULAR SHOW Return
- And an Acclaimed Spanish Athlete Gets Recognition
- Plus, a Pride Collection is launched
HBO Original Series: It’s the same old schmuck but with a brand new show! Larry David returns. The HBO Original sketch comedy limited series LIFE, LARRY AND THE PURSUIT OF UNHAPPINESS, from creator Larry David and Jeff Schaffer, and produced by Higher Ground, debuts FRIDAY, JUNE 26 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes of the seven-episode series will debut weekly leading up to the finale on Friday, August 7. President and Mrs. Obama wanted to honor America’s 250th anniversary and celebrate the unique history of our nation on this special occasion….But then Larry David called.
In addition to David, the series will feature select CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM actors and noteworthy guest stars. Higher Ground was founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. As the clip below indicates, a famous scene from history is relived for comedic effect, always with Larry David at the center.
Get ready for some dragon’s breath and huge battle clashes as HOUSE OF THE DRAGON launches its third season. It is all said to start with the epic Battle of the Gullet. Season three of the HBO Original drama series debuts SUNDAY, JUNE 21 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. The eight-episode season will air new episodes weekly, leading up to the season finale on August 09. It stars Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, James Norton, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, Abubakar Salim, Tom Cullen, Tommy Flanagan, Dan Fogler, Joplin Sibtain, and Barry Sloane.
The highly anticipated battle scenes of the intense sea battle are not to be missed, especially when you add the mighty dragons and their riders. The consequences of that battle will be far-reaching for both the Greens (supporters of King Aegon’s claim to the Iron Throne) and the Blacks (supporters of Queen Rhaenyra). Here is hoping it is catastrophic, chaotic, and colossal.
Both John Oliver and Bill Maher will be doing their respective things in June. Will they chat up about gerrymandering, Hantavirus or Ebola fears, Trump’s latest rant, the Iran crisis, Cuba, or what? You’ve got to tune in to find out. Find LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER continuing in June, starting SUNDAY, JUNE 07 (11:00-11:41 pm ET/PT) and REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER continuing in June, starting FRIDAY, JUNE 05 (10:00-11:00 pm ET/PT).
Original Series Exclusive to HBO Max: The Max Original Unscripted Series ON THE ROAM continues uploading a new installment THURSDAYS on the streamer until its conclusion on Thursday, June 18. The docuseries follows Jason Momoa as he travels the country chasing art, adventure, and friendship through the lens of craftsmanship.
HBO International Titles: The new original docuseries THE TOPURIAS, produced by Señor Mono for HBO Spain, is set for a FRIDAY, JUNE 05 launch. It consists of three 50-minute episodes and will offer an inside look at the life of Spanish-Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria, alongside his family and closest circle. The production traces the athlete’s journey from winning his first featherweight world title to preparing for the historic UFC Freedom 250 event, scheduled for June 14 at the White House. According to the platform, the series will provide unprecedented access to the fighter’s private life, portraying his roles as a father, son, brother, entrepreneur, and global MMA figure. Our next title comes from Poland. Beginning on FRIDAY, JUNE 12, is the first season of PROUD, which runs for eight episodes. Created by Karol Klementewicz, the series introduces viewers to Filip, a cocky young gay man who believes life should be lived on his own fabulous terms. Party now, worry later— that’s been his philosophy. But life, as it loves to do, throws him a curveball. Ignacy Liss plays Filip. After a sudden family tragedy, Filip becomes responsible for his infant niece. Suddenly, the carefree life he thought he’d mastered involves late-night feedings, emotional baggage, and the looming question of whether he’s actually capable of caring for someone other than himself.
One other title, also a documentary, launches on FRIDAY, JUNE 19. It is ULTRAS: PASSION AND DEATH. From England to Morocco, ultra soccer fans create communities mixing passion with aggression. This doc, by Sweden’s Ragnhild Ekner, explores fan culture’s social impact, creativity, and psychology through supporter groups worldwide. There is nothing like a fully engaged soccer fan! Also continuing their installment are SONG OF THE SAMURAI, which continues FRIDAY, JUNE 05 through FRIDAY, JUNE 26, and MARGARITA: MAKE YOUR STORY COUNT, with dozens of episodes to go.
HBO & HBO Max Theatrical Movies: We see three new theatrical movies arrive. They are all from A24, and each offers something different. They are Pillion, How To Make A Killing, and Undertone.
Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård star in PILLION, which is about a timid man who is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive. Oh, my! This feature debut from Harry Lighton is a sensual, funny, and thoroughly unconventional love story. It debuts on SATURDAY, JUNE 06 (8:00 – 9:50 pm ET/PT) on HBO and the night prior on HBO Max. The next title settles in on SATURDAY, JUNE 20 (8:00 – 9:45 pm ET/PT) and the night prior on HBO Max. It is HOW TO MAKE A KILLING, written & directed by John Patton Ford. Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way. Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, Topher Grace, and Ed Harris also star.
Our final movie for the month is called UNDERTONE. It will debut on HBO on SATURDAY, JUNE 27 (8:00 – 9:45 pm ET/PT) and the night prior on HBO Max. This A24 title is a horror tale. The IMDb says: “The host of an ‘all-things-creepy’ podcast moves into her dying mother’s house to be her primary caregiver.” When her podcast is sent 10 audio recordings of a young pregnant couple experiencing paranormal noises, she realizes the woman’s story is a mirror of her own, and each new recording scratches at her sanity, drawing her into a fate she cannot escape.
HBO Documentary Films: We have four unique titles to mention in this category. We lead off with BRING ME THE BEAUTIES: A MODEL CULT. It plays out over three installments weekly beginning on MONDAY, JUNE 01 (9:00 – 10:00 ET/PT). It chronicles Hoyt Richards, who, at 16 years old, meets an enigmatic Manhattan socialite on a Nantucket beach and is pulled into his spiritual group, Eternal Values. Soon after, Richards ascends to fame as one of the first male supermodels of the 1980s. Eternal Values, the cult-like group, and its larger-than-life leader, Frederick von Mierers, leveraged the glamorous world of 1980s New York to prey upon a community of young models and professionals, seducing them with his New Age cocktail of metaphysical and spiritual teachings and entangling them in a web of fabrication and exploitation. So, it is not a film about male fashion models, but a true crime case of how some of them were groomed & manipulated. The installments break down as follows –
–Chapter 1: “The Promise”
Debut date: MONDAY, JUNE 1 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT)
Hoyt Richards recounts how, in 1978, he met Frederick von Mierers, a self-proclaimed guru preaching a seductive gospel of Eastern philosophy, astrology, and New Age spirituality. To the outside world, Hoyt was a successful, jet-setting model, but at the same time, he lived an ascetic life while espousing Frederick’s teachings and funding much of his lifestyle.
–Chapter 2: “The Antichrist Tapes”
Debut date: MONDAY, JUNE 8 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT)
In preparation for Frederick’s prediction of a coming global cataclysm in 1999, the group sets up a compound in North Carolina, where he claims alien spaceships can land to take them to safety. Jacki Adams, another top model, joins the group, only to trigger a series of events that end up publicly exposing the true nature of the Eternal Values.
–Chapter 3: “Mind Games”
Debut date: MONDAY, JUNE 15 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT)
The group splinters and eventually dwindles in North Carolina. As 1999 approaches, Hoyt grows skeptical and escapes to California, where he grapples with the shame and regret of recruiting others while hurting his own family, as he reconnects and reflects on his experiences with former members.
Then on SUNDAY, JUNE 07 (9:00-11:00 pm ET/PT), HBO brings on the soul and the funk all wrapped up in a rousing, good time. Acclaimed producer, director, and musician Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson tells the story of the legendary nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning band Earth, Wind & Fire, tracing their genesis through late founding member Maurice White, chronicling their evolution, highs and lows, and relevance from the 1970s into the present day while exploring the deep philosophical and spiritual meaning behind their message and music. It is EARTH, WIND & FIRE (TO BE CELESTIAL VS. THAT’S THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD).
Next on the schedule is THE WELCOME TABLE, directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Josh Fox (GASLAND). It tells the story of climate refugees across six continents, celebrating the voices and experiences of people living at the forefront of the climate crisis, displaced from their homes by climate disasters. Featuring John Boutté, John Cameron Mitchell, and celebrated New Orleans musicians, the film weaves together stories of migration and resilience through music, performance, and the installation of a 1,000-foot table along the New Orleans levee, where communities gather in conversation, solidarity, and celebration. It is presented beginning on TUESDAY, JUNE 23, on HBO at 9:00 pm. HBO doesn’t release its runtime. The last one is a racy one coming TUESDAY, JUNE 30 (9:00 – 10:19 pm ETPT). It is BANG MY BOX: THE ROBIN BYRD STORY. Before the internet and the ubiquity of social media influencers, there was Robin Byrd – the spirited, anything-goes New York City public access host, clad only in her signature black crochet bikini. From 1977 to 1998, Robin created, produced, and hosted the late-night call-in show that incorporated performances and interviews with adult entertainers and experimental artists. Each show ended with a bawdy song and dance, turning her unapologetic, eponymous show into a national platform for sex-positivity and free speech. This film celebrates a woman who defied expectations and remains a pioneer in the world of content creation and a cult icon. 
HBO Max Kids & Family: Just when you think you can fade out this category, good titles drop. For June, we have REGULAR SHOW: THE LOST TAPES uploading on MONDAY, JUNE 08. It is a relaunch of the acclaimed animated series. MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN has new installments arriving on SUNDAY, JUNE 14, and the beloved RICK AND MORTY Season 9 rolls out MONDAY, JUNE 15. You can debate whether these are suitable for your family on your own time.
HBO Sports: Plenty of live sports play on the streamer. Check out hockey, baseball, soccer, wrestling, and more.
Other Shows On HBO or HBO Max: Another collection is being assembled. In June, you will find the PRIDE COLLECTION. Contained therein are the following titles: HEATED RIVARY (Crave Original); Schitt’s Creek, I LOVE LA, EUPHORIA, SIX FEET UNDER, PILLION, HACKS, 
Love, Simon, PROUD, THE LAST OF US, HARLEY QUINN, Am I Ok, THE PARENTING, LOOKING, Jay & Pamela, ENIGMA, OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH, AND JUST LIKE THAT, THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS, The Book of Queer, BACK TO THE FRONTIER, SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE and more. If you want to support by watching shows about the community or by people of the community, they are all in one place.
Next Month’s Tease: We haven’t mentioned it, at least not yet, but HBO Max is out to generate the next big comedy and it comes in July. It is the latest Chuck Lorre production and stars Kevin Sussman. Do you know what it is?
Last Month’s Tease: I know, I’ve realized too late that I’ve dropped this clue before. I asked if you recognize the characters of Vhagar, Syrax, Caraxes and Vermithor. They are, of course a few of the mighty and fiery dragons of HOUSE OF THE DRAGONS, coming in June.
Final Clip: Here is that exciting Coming Soon clip that just hit. Check it out if you haven’t before we conclude.
Enjoy HBO and HBO Watch
