Home » What’s On: HBO Schedule For May 2016

What’s On: HBO Schedule For May 2016

by Jef Dinsmore
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HBO-Logo-SpaceThe time of year that most of you have been waiting for has arrived and we’re not talking Spring. We are talking about the three big series that launched on 04.24 and continues into May. Yeah, we know where you are Sunday nights; with HBO for its award-winning drama and comedy series. But there is a bit more on the schedule besides those crowd pleasers and we draw your attention to them in the What On: article below. 

Enjoy the ALL VIDEO Edition!

 

Original Series: Without further ado we mention GAME OF THRONES. The ten-episode sixth season of the series continues with a new episode debuting SUNDAY, MAY 01 at 9:00pm. The ensemble cast for the sixth season includes Emmy and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Aidan Gillen, Diana Rigg, Jonathan Pryce, Max von Sydow, Liam Cunningham, Gwendoline Christie, Natalie Dormer, Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner. Executive producers, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger and Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis and George R.R. Martin; supervising producer, Bryan Cogman; producers, Chris Newman, Greg Spence and Lisa McAtackney. They all work hard to bring you the show you love! The following is one of the best clips in this writer’s opinion.

Unfortunately, HBO withholds timely information regarding episodic breakdown for this series, (and many other ones) but really that is not such a bad thing because then you won’t get teased by any upcoming plot lines except for the Next Week clips that air. Since the series is now in uncharted territory beyond the book series who knows where it all could lead. Following is what we do know:

— Episode #52 (season 6, episode 2): “Home”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 01 at 9:00pm

 

Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) trains with the Three-Eyed Raven (Max von Sydow). In King’s Landing, Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) advises Tommen (Dean Charles Chapman). Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) demands good news, but has to make his own. At Castle Black, the Night’s Watch stands behind Thorne (Owen Teale). Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) proposes a plan, and Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide) entertains other proposals. Written by Dave Hill; directed by Jeremy Podeswa. Other HBO playdates: 05.01 at 11:30pm & 1:30am; 05.02 at 12:15am; 05.03 at 9:00pm & 4:00am; 05.05 at 12:15am; 05.06 at 9:00pm; 05.07 at 11:50pm and 05.13 at 8:00pm.

 

— Episode #53 (season 6, episode 3): “Oathbreaker”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 08 at 9:00pm

No description is available. Other HBO playdates: 05.08 at 11:30pm & 2:00am; 05.09 at 11:40pm; 05.10 at 9:00pm & 4:25am; 05.12 at 11:00pm; 05.13 at 9:00pm; 05.14 at 10:00pm and 05.20 at 8:00pm.

 

We do know that the exciting dramatic hour will lead us right to California and to SILICON VALLEY. The ten-episode season three of this comedy continues with a new episode SUNDAY, MAY 01 beginning at 10:00pm followed by other episodes subsequent Sundays at the same time. The Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated series takes a comic look at the modern-day epicenter of the high-tech gold rush, where the people most qualified to succeed are the least capable of handling success. A collaboration between Mike Judge and Alec Berg, the series stars Thomas Middleditch, T.J. Miller, Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani, Martin Starr, Josh Brener, Amanda Crew, Matt Ross, Suzanne Cryer and Jimmy O. Yang. Mike Judge, Alec Berg, Michael Rotenberg and Tom Lassally executive produce; created by Mike Judge & John Altschuler & Dave Krinsky. 

We can offer you a couple of details regarding early May episodes for this one too.

 — Episode #20 (season 3, episode 2): “Two in the Box”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 01 at 10:00pm

 

The new and improved Pied Piper impresses Dinesh and Gilfoyle, but worries Richard; Jared and Erlich both face housing issues; Gavin suggests a controversial move. Written by Ron Weiner; directed by Mike Judge. Other HBO playdates: 05.02 at 1:00am & 2:30am; 05.03 at 3:35am & 10:00pm; 05.04 at 4:10am; 05.05 at 11:30pm and 05.07 at 2:30am.

 

— Episode #21 (season 3, episode 3): “Meinertzhagen’s Haversack”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 08 at 10:00pm.

 

Richard searches for a way around Jack; Gilfoyle opens himself up to recruiters; Dinesh draws unwanted attention from a recent purchase. Written by Adam Countee; directed by Charlie McDowell Other HBO playdates: May 08 at 1:00am & 3:00am; 05.09 at 4:25am; 05.10 at 10:00pm; 05.11 at 4:10am; 05.12 at 10:30pm and 05.14 at 3:40am.

 Filling the 10:30pm position is VEEP. It continues its ten-episode fifth season with a new episode SUNDAY, MAY 01. This Emmy-winning series stars Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus as former Vice President Selina Meyer, who became president after her predecessor stepped down. The cast also includes Emmy winner Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott, Matt Walsh, Timothy C. Simons, Sufe Bradshaw, Kevin Dunn, Gary Cole, Sam Richardson and Hugh Laurie. Dave Mandel, Frank Rich, Chris Godsick, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Lew Morton executive produce.

 

 This show is one political mess we don’t mind watching. Here is a look at most of the May episodes:

 — Episode #40 (season 5, Episode 2): “Nev-AD-a”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 01 at 10:30pm.

 

 Amy, Dan, Jonah and Richard try to win the presidency for Selina. Back in D.C., Selina brings in respected Washington fixture Bob Bradley (Martin Mull), aka “The Eagle,” and, after nudging out Tom James on the newly created banking task force, meets billionaire banker Charlie Baird. Meanwhile, Mike tries to get healthy before his baby arrives; Kent investigates Sue’s age; and Amy and Dan share a charged moment.

Written by Lew Morton; directed by Chris Addison. Other HBO playdates: 05.01 at 12:30am & 3:00am; 05.03 at 5:00am; 05.04 at 8:30pm; 05.05 at 11:00pm; 05.05 at 11:00pm & 5:30am and 05.06 at 3:10am.

 

— Episode #41 (season 5, episode 3): “The Eagle”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 08 at 10:30pm

 

Mike must deal with the consequences of Selina’s tweet. Feeling usurped by Bob, Amy begins to be troubled by his behavior. At a museum gala, Gary finds himself the belle of the ball. Written by Steve Koren; directed by Chris Addison. Other HBO playdates: 05.08 at 12:30am & 3:30am; 05.10 at 5:20am; 05.11 at 8:30pm; 05.12 @ 10:00pm & 5:30am and 05.13 at 4:25am.

 

  — Episode #42 (season 5, episode 4): “Mother”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 15 at 10:30pm.

 

Selina rushes to the hospital while attempting to win the presidency. Amy and Dan discover the O’Brien camp has staged a fake protest, and task Jonah and Richard with organizing their own pro-POTUS demonstration. Mike and Wendy meet with a potential surrogate. Written by Alex Gregory & Peter Huyck; directed by Dale Stern. Other HBO playdates 05.15 at 12:30am & 3:30am; 05.17 at 5:25am; 05.18 at 8:30pm; 05.19 at 10:30pm; 05.19 at 10:30pm & 5:15am and 05.20 at 1:40am.

 Oh, and before we forget how about the new show that has debuted. It is AFTER THE THRONES. Each week, the show will recap the latest episode, explaining the who, what, when and where, exploring the complicated politics and history of GAME OF THRONES plus add absurd and not-so-absurd theories about future episodes. It is hosted by Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan.

 

Presenting a satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events, LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER continues its third season with a new edition SUNDAY, MAY 08 at 11:00pm. Recently he talked about troubled Puerto Rico, Obama’s awkward visit to Saudi Arabia lead poisoning Outspoken comedian/social commentator Bill Maher continues the 14th season of REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER on FRIDAY, MAY 06 at 10:00pm. Sitting at his panel lately has been the likes of Thomas Middleditch, Lesley Stahl, Susan Sarandon and Kathy Griffith. HBO partners with VICE Media, a premier new media company, on the innovative news magazine show VICE which continues its fourth season FRIDAY, MAY 06 at 11:00pm. Such topics have included Afghan Women’s Rights and the Future of Energy.

 And Now This…

 

Movies: As far as the theatrical premieres in May are concerned they follow the same pattern as in April. Three of the four Saturdays are reserved for FANTASTIC 4, PAN and THE INTERN and the other slot is taken by a HBO Films presentation. Here is a look at debut choices.

Four young people are transported to an alternate universe and discover their superpowers when FANTASTIC 4 debuts SATURDAY, MAY 7 (8:00pm) Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell star in the latest adaptation of the popular Marvel comic. A young boy runs away to the magical Neverland, where he follows his destiny, becoming Peter Pan. Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara and Levi Miller star in the fantasy PAN, debuting SATURDAY, MAY 14 (8:00pm). A retiree (Robert De Niro) returns to the workforce as an intern at an online fashion magazine and finds himself helping the founder (Anne Hathaway) sort out her personal and professional life when THE INTERN debuts SATURDAY, MAY 28 (8:00 p.m.). We single out PAN for you below. 

 

 

HBO Documentary Films: Only one non-fiction work appears to debut in May. It is the Oscar-nominated CLAUDE LANZMANN: SPECTRES OF THE SHOAH. This film, debuting MONDAY, MAY 02 at 9:00pm, explores the arduous 12-year journey that led to the creation of the French iconoclast’s “Shoah,” a nine-hour-plus examination of the Holocaust. The film features previously unseen outtakes from the landmark documentary and focuses on key moments in the 90-year-old auteur’s life, revealing his hopes and expectations for the future. And apparently it is so strong that it stands alone in May on the do

 

HBO Films: Following its critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway run, the HBO Films presentation ALL THE WAY, a riveting behind-the-scenes look at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s tumultuous first year in office in the wake of President Kennedy’s assassination, debuts SATURDAY, MAY 21 (8:00-10:15 p.m.), exclusively on HBO. Bryan Cranston reprises his Tony Award-winning role for the film, which is directed by Jay Roach from a screenplay by Robert Schenkkan, who has adapted his Tony Award winning play of the same name. Co-starring with Cranston are Anthony Mackie, Melissa MAY HBO LINEUP – 3 Leo, Bradley Whitford and Frank Langella. The HBO Films presentation follows Johnson during his early administration, as he sacrifices his past, his ties with the South and all that brought him to power in order to pass the landmark Civil Rights Act, and focuses on his efforts to secure his legacy, control his demons of insecurity and win the presidency on his own terms.

 

 

HBO Kids: Even though this type of programming is on the light side the creations of Sesame Children’s Workshop is a huge presence. Elmo and Oscar the Grouch did make that singing appearance on LAST WEEK TONIGHT a couple weeks ago. So we include such programming here monthly. The award-winning SESAME STREET continues its 46th season with a new episode debuting SATURDAY, MAY 07 at 9:00am with other new episodes debuting subsequent Saturdays at the same time.

 

HBO Sports: We still continue to see the sporting stalwarts Gumbel and Lampley with their respective shows. REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL goes behind the box scores and statistics to tackle timely subjects in the world of contemporary sports. Featuring a top lineup of contributors, the next monthly edition debuts TUESDAY, MAY 24 at 10:00pm. Hosted by the four-time Sports Emmy winner, THE FIGHT GAME WITH JIM LAMPLEY delves into intriguing storylines, newsmakers and issues that are top-of-mind in boxing. The latest edition debuts WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 at 11:00pm.

 

 

Other Movies and Shows: Sprinkled throughout the schedule is always a collection of various programming that just might peak your interest when you are surfing for something else to watch. That something else could include the following movie debuts: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., THE PIANIST, JUPITER ASCENDING, DARK FLOORS and KILLING ME SOFTLY. That first one is a retelling of a 1960’s TV spy series, followed by Adrien Brody’s Oscar winning role; the other three listed have appeared on other platforms but are on the main channel for the first time in May. They are clearly a sci-fi flick, a horror and a thriller. Dive in on one of these or your favorite repeat. Let’s single out a clip.

 

 

HBO’s Other Platforms: Here we go now with a quick round of other choices. It is a diverse batch of goodies. HBO Latino: One nice format on this channel is the short film. It always seems to have one. The latest is TRABAJO (Job). It is about an 11-year old Dominican deaf boy searching for a job. Truthfully, I might have mentioned it before. Definitely new to this channel is MAGALLANES. This “taunt, quietly, gripping political thriller” (Variety) a Peruvian cabbie, once a colonel’s aide, tries to make amends for past sins. Also launching is a new series about a man returning from a sojourn declaring a new god, a new religion and a new faith in DIOS INC. HBO Family: SESAME STREET can’t hold up this channel alone. It has a bit of help from THE ELECTRIC COMPANY which airs throughout any given week. This iteration of the show is the ‘00’s version not the original ‘70’s show. HBO Signature: This is this writer’s favorite HBO channel besides the main one. We can always find something. Can you? This month we single out four different titles on the schedule starting with MISTRESS AMERICA. It is all about a college freshman in NYC getting whisked into an urban adventure. There is also THE TROUBLE WITH SPIES with Donald Sutherland as a bumbling British spy and Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut LOST RIVER with a single mother and two sons trying to survive. In observance of Memorial Day, on 05.30 this channel marathons all ten episodes of THE PACIFIC. HBO Comedy: Again this month the channel appears light on stand-up; a number of them appear on the streaming sites instead. That leaves more room for comedic movies if that’s your bent. To name a few there is SOUL PLANE, SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR, ACCORDING TO SPENCER and my favorite in this batch BAD SANTA with Billy Bob Thornton. HBO Zone: We list the three following titles simply because we like the sound of them: MONEY TALKS, WICKED DEEDS and CARNAL WISHES. If we could single out one how about the WWII epic THE PACIFIC.   

 

 HBONow/Go: A number of movies always swap in and out of the streaming services every month. Yes, we know a number of sites offer this information and though we are not as through as some we still like to do our bit to inform watchers of at least some of them. It is a last call for now on such titles as SUPERMAN RETURNS, TAKEN 3, NIGHT At THE MUSEUM and 20 episodes of DENNIS MILLER: LIVE. Available soon will be BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS, DRESSED TO KILL and four seasons of MR. SHOW WITH BOB AND DAVID.

Cinemax: The fourth and final season of the Emmy-winning BANSHEE continues when a new episode debuts FRIDAY, MAY 06 at 10:00pm, and wraps up with the series finale debuting MAY 20. The show stars Antony Starr as Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pa., where he continues his criminal pursuits while enforcing his own code of justice. Other cast members include Ivana Milicevic, Ulrich Thomsen, Hoon Lee, Frankie Faison, Matt Servitto, Ryann Shane, Lili Simmons, Matthew Rauch, Tom Pelphrey and Chris Coy. Joining the cast this season are Eliza Dushku, Ana Ayora and Casey LaBow.  All we have is episode titles and a clip – “Only One Way a Dog Fight Ends”, “Truths Other Than the Ones You Tell Yourself” and “Requiem”.

 Cinemax is also running a marathon of all five or the classic PLANET OF THE APES movies starring Roddy McDowell. It also features debuts of the movies CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES with John Travolta, Clint Eastwood’s AMERICAN SNIPER, TAKEN 3 and more. The following shows you more.

 

Next Month’s Tease: A talent appearing on HBO in June made an impression on Ellen. Who is the talent and in what programming will this person be appearing in? 

Last month we needed you to figure out that The United Network Command of Law & Enforcement is the fictional espionage organization U.N.C.L.E. for the movie we highlighted above.

 

Final Clip:  How about celebrating that the entire series MR. SHOW WITH BOB & DAVID, which ran on HBO from 1995 to 1998, is hitting HBONow/Go soon.

That’s enough, don’t you think? Check our Schedule Page and Episode Reviews to help you keep abreast of what is in store at your Home Box Office. 

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2 comments

Shannon April 29, 2016 - 9:57 pm

Bill Simmons in June

Reply
Jef Dinsmore April 30, 2016 - 7:36 pm

That wasn’t who I had in mind, though he is debuting his new show in June. Stay tuned for a post regarding it soon.

Care to try again?

Reply

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