There is a bounty of programming to be enjoyed throughout the month of November on HBO and on HBO Max. Let’s celebrate this not just because it is Thanksgiving soon, but also because HBO began in November. Did you know that? Yes, it was November 08, 1972. And though the programming has changed over the years HBO still thrives as a place of quality content., despite AT&T. Oops, did I type that? I guess John Oliver and I share the same thoughts –
A few quick points:
- New Episodes from Some of Our Faves
- Documentaries Aplenty
- THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS on Max
- More from Bob Costas
- and the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame!
Original Series: We continue with SUCCESSION. Ambushed by his rebellious son Kendall at the end of Season 2, Logan Roy begins Season 3 in a perilous position. Scrambling to secure familial, political, and financial alliances, tensions rise as a bitter corporate battle threatens to turn into a family civil war. Find it resuming SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 07 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
Stick around for INSECURE. The Emmy-winning HBO comedy series is on its fifth and final season which resumes SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 07 (10:00-10:30pm ET/PT). The final ten episodes will debut weekly on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM immediately follows. The eleventh season resumes SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 07 (10:30-11:00pm ET/PT).
–Season 11, Episode 3 “The Mini Bar”
Debuts: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 07 (10:30-11:00pm ET/PT).
In a last-ditch effort, Larry enlists Cheryl’s help with a project and, later, concocts a plan that could finally save his newest creative venture. Story by Larry David & Jeff Schaffer; Directed by Jeff Schaffer
–Season 11, Episode 4 “The Watermelon”
Debuts: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (10:30-11:00pm ET/PT).
After agreeing to take Susie’s new rabbi golfing, Larry then cashes in on her favor. Later, Larry’s appeal to Woody Harrelson’s animal rights activism comes with unexpected consequences. Story by Larry David & Jeff Schaffer; Directed by Jeff Schaffer
–Season 11, Episode 5 “IRASSHAIMASA”
Debuts: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21 (10:30-11:00pm ET/PT).
While he and his date swap secrets, Larry runs afoul of the rules and regulations at a sushi restaurant. No good deed goes unpunished for Freddy Funkhouser. Story by Larry David & Jeff Schaffer & Carol Leifer; Directed by Robert Weide
Bob, Eureka and Shangela hold court Monday nights as WE’RE HERE continues. This Emmy-nominated unscripted series recruits local residents across small-town America to participate in a one-night-only drag show. It picks up on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 01 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT). Episodes debut weekly on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Their next stops –
–Season 2, Episode 4: “Selma, Alabama”
Debuts: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Bob, Eureka, and Shangela bring drag to Selma, AL, where the queer community remains hidden despite the city’s historical significance to the civil rights movement. There, they help recently transitioned Akeelah find the confidence to live life beyond closed doors, release Joseph’s deep-seated pain, and encourage Deborah to prioritize herself for a change. Directed by Peter LoGreco.
–Season 2, Episode 5: “Evansville, Indiana”
Debuts: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Hoping to open hearts and minds in Evansville, IN, Bob, Eureka, and Shangela help Methodist Pastor Craig promote LGBTQ equality to his congregants, inspire Tunisian refugee Kaïs to celebrate all facets of his identity, and facilitate the long-overdue wedding of civil rights activists Barbara and Yvon. Directed by Peter LoGreco.
Holding down their timeslots are HBO’s pundits. REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER, can be found FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 at 10:00pm ET and subsequent Fridays through his last installment of the show’s 19th season on NOVEMBER 19 and LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER runs Sunday nights. He starts the month on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 07 at 11:00pm ET but wraps up his 8th season on 11.14.21.
Originals Exclusive to HBO Max: The Max Original comedy THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS debuts on HBO Max with the first two episodes THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18. The ten-episode series continues with three new episodes on November 25 and December 2, leading up to the final two episodes of the season on December 9. Created by Emmy-nominated writer/producer Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, the show follows four college roommates as they arrive at New England’s prestigious Essex College. A bundle of contradictions and hormones, these girls are equal parts lovable and infuriating as they live out their new, free lives on campus. The series stars Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott. Additional series regulars include Midori Francis, Gavin Leatherwood, Chris Meyer, Ilia Isorelys Paulino, Lauren Spencer, and Renika Williams.
The multi-camera family comedy HEAD OF THE CLASS, from executive producer Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso) alongside executive producers and showrunners Amy Pocha & Seth Cohen (both from American Vandal) will debut on the streaming service on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 35 years after the original series, created by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, aired. revolves around a group of overachieving high school students who meet their greatest challenge — a teacher, Alicia Gomez (Isabella Gomez from One Day at a Time), who wants them to focus less on grades and more on experiencing life.
International Max Original KAMIKAZE will debut with two episodes SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14 in 46 countries and territories where HBO Max is available across the US, Europe and Latin America, marking the first Max Original commissioned and produced in Europe that will stream day and date on HBO Max. Two episodes will subsequently debut each week until December 5 in the US. The story follows the fierce and charming 18-year-old Julie (Marie Reuther) on a journey of rediscovery, after losing her parents and brother in a plane crash. Suddenly, she finds herself alone in a large mansion with expensive cars in the garage, and, in theory, everything that most people only dream of: youth, beauty and money – lots of money – but material possessions hold no value to Julie anymore and she is forced to search for a reason to go on. She embarks on a wild and turbulent trip that takes her from her native Denmark to the far corners of the world. The series is based on the novel “Muleum” by Erlend Loe.
And slipping onto the streamer after last month’s post was up were two titles: PARA – WE ARE KING (WIR SIND KING). It debuted on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26. In this one, four young women, best friends for life: Jazz (Jeanne Goursaud), Fanta (Jobel Mokonzi), Hajra (Soma Pysall) and Rasaq (Roxana Samadi), grew up on the rough streets of Berlin’s Wedding district. They’re about to enter adulthood with uncertain futures ahead of them, but one thing is 
certain: They have big dreams. An accidental find gives them hope for quick money and a better life, but their friendship is put to the test. It won best TV Drama in Germany and HBO Max is its state-side home. The second is the international young adult Max Original series, PARADISE (PARAÍSO), debuts with four episodes THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, with the remaining three episodes debuting Thursday, November 4. The 1990s-set mystery hails from Movistar+ and The Mediapro Studio in Spain and is directed by Fernando González Molina (“Palm Trees in the Snow”), who also serves as executive producer. Levante (Spain), 1992, the summer is coming to an end in a coastal town when three 15-year-old girls, Sandra, Eva and Malena, disappear without a trace from a nightclub. When the police investigation appears to be taking the wrong direction, Javi, Sandra’s younger brother, takes things into his own hands, along with Quino and Álvaro, his best friends, and Zeta, the class bully. Together they discover the girls are being held by something not of this world.
Also said to surface are GILMORE GIRLS Season 1 Part B on NOVEMBER 01; That set will be the back six episodes of the 12-part season; FRAYED Max Original Season 2 Premiere on NOVEMBER 04; SOUTH SIDE Max Original Season 2 Premiere on NOVEMBER 11, and something called RAP BATTLEFIELD, it is not a rap competition series but a scripted show, on NOVEMBER 11 the premiere of A THOUSAND FANGS (Mil Colmillos) uploads, though that is what they said in October.
HBO Saturday Night Movies: Four Saturdays in November but only two movie premieres; an HBO special takes up one slot. Here is a bit about Land and Boogie.
After experiencing an unspeakable tragedy, a middle-aged woman retreats to an isolated cabin in the Wyoming wilderness. Surviving hardship, a near-death experience and a surprise friendship, she becomes comfortable living again. That is the premise of LAND which debuts SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 06 (8:00-10:25pm). It is a drama directed by Robin Wright in her feature directorial debut, from a screenplay by Jesse Chatham and Erin Dignam. It stars Wright, Demián Bichir and Kim Dickens. The film premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Our other new title comes on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 (8:00-9:30pm). BOOGIE is its name and it is about a Chinese American basketball phenom who struggles to balance his dreams of playing in the NBA with his immigrant family’s pressure to earn a scholarship to an elite college. Starring Taylor Takahashi, Taylour Pa Paige, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. Written and directed by Eddie Huang.
Movies Exclusive to HBO Max: There are only two more Same-Day Movie Premieres to go and KING RICHARD is the next one to debut. It stars two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith and is based on a true story that will inspire the world or so the promo material states. Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on Compton, California’s abandoned tennis courts – rain or shine – the girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them. This origin story of the tennis phenoms will be available in theaters and on HBO Max on the same day. Streaming only on the $14.99/month Ad-Free HBO Max plan for 31 days from its theatrical release which is FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19. Here is the trailer –
A Christmas movie makes it onto the schedule (God, I hope this doesn’t mean they want to compete with Hallmark’s seasonal flicks). Max’s title is called 8-BIT CHRISTMAS. It is a humorous and heartfelt look back at the adventures of childhood. Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, the story centers on ten-
year-old Jake Doyle’s ( Winslow Fegley of Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made) herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas. The film stars Neil Patrick Harris (HBO Max’s IT’S A SIN), June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie) and Steve Zahn (HBO’s THE WHITE LOTUS). Harris plays Adult Jake Doyle (and also narrates) while Raphael and Zahn play Young Jake’s parents, Kathy and John. You can start your December Holiday a bit early when this movie uploads sometime in November. Another picture arrives THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 entitled LA PASION DE MARADONA; from Argentina, I believe.
HBO Documentary Films: Two documentary series arrive in November. First up is the four-part documentary series BLACK AND MISSING. This work follows sisters-in-law and Black and Missing Foundation founders Derrica and Natalie Wilson as they fight an uphill battle to bring awareness to the Black missing person cases that are marginalized by law enforcement and national media. The series, which was three years in the making, takes on new urgency given the renewed national conversation on “missing white woman syndrome.” This intimate look at Derrica and Natalie’s personal crusade to locate missing Black people also highlights stories of hope and closure as the Black and 
Missing Foundation contributes to the resolution of several high-profile missing person cases. It debuts back-to-back episodes TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (8:00-10:00pm ET/PT), with the final two episodes airing back-to-back on Wednesday, November 24 at the same time. All four episodes of the series will debut on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. The other multi-parter is HOW TO WITH JOHN WILSON Season Two. It debuts FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 (10:00-10:30pm). John Wilson, documentary filmmaker and self-described “anxious New Yorker,” made his HBO debut as writer, director, cameraman, executive producer and narrator of the critically acclaimed, six-episode docu-comedy series. In a uniquely hilarious odyssey of self-discovery and cultural observation, Wilson covertly and obsessively films the lives of his fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on relatable topics. The awkward contradictions of modern life are eased by Wilson’s candid, unpolished commentary, with episodes offering up his distinct take on a range of deceivingly simple topics. Building upon Wilson’s previously released “how to” short films, the episodes take wildly unexpected turns but are grounded in John’s refreshing honesty. Here is a little tease, if you’re not familiar.
Always at the end of the year, HBO rapidly churns out the backlog of documentary works it has left over so, a few titles pile up this month. An exact date is not set for A CHOICE OF WEAPONS: THE LEGACY OF GORDON PARKS. Inspired by Gordon Parks this documentary explores the power of images in advancing racial, economic, and social equality as seen through the work of Gordon Parks, one of America’s most trailblazing photographers, and a new generation of artists he inspired. Directed by John Maggio; executive produced by Alicia Keys, Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, Jelani Cobb, Jacqueline Glover, Peter 
W. Kunhardt Jr. and Peter Kunhardt. No date at this time either for LIFE OF CRIME 1984-2020. A fave at the Venice Film Festival it is a relentless ride through the streets and prisons of Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, the and desperate fight to survive there. There are two more films in the Music Box Series: MUSIC BOX: DMX: DON’T TRY TO UNDERSTAND. This is a film with rare access to the late rapper (pictured) after his release from prison – a portrait of a man struggling with addiction, fame, and his inner demons in the final years of his life and MUSIC BOX: JAGGED, an intimate exploration of Alanis Morissette and her groundbreaking 1995 album Jagged Little Pill (controversy attached to this one). It debuts FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19 (11:00pm-12:40am) There is one more to list 
entitled SIMPLE AS WATER. This film from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Megan Mylan (Lost Boys of Sudan, Smile Pinki), debuts TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 (9:00-10:40pm ET/PT). The critically acclaimed film celebrated its world premiere on the closing night of the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. Epic in scope but intimate and elegant in feel, the film is a meditation on the elemental bonds between parent and child. A masterful look at the impact of war, separation and displacement, the film takes audiences into Syrian families’ quests for normalcy and through the whirlwind of obstacles — to building life anew. Filmed over the course of five years in five countries including Turkey, Greece, Germany, Syria and the US, Mylan’s sensitive camera reifies the universal importance of family. AXIOS offers us its fourth season finale on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28 (6:00-6:30pm).
HBO Original Special: The 2021 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY will air on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20 (8:00-11:00pm ET). The Ceremony honors this year’s Inductees: Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go’s, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters, and Todd Rundgren in the Performer category, along with Kraftwerk, Charley Patton and Gil Scott-Heron for Early Influence, LL Cool J, Billy Preston and Randy Rhoads for Musical Excellence, and Clarence Avant for the Ahmet Ertegun Award. Talents present include Angela Bassett, Christina Aguilera, Mickey Guyton, H.E.R., Bryan Adams, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Paul McCartney, Drew Barrymore and Lionel Ritchie.
HBO Max Original Special: Comedian, actress and producer Aida Rodriguez takes the stage in the Bronx for her first hour-long stand-up comedy special, AIDA RODRIGUEZ: FIGHTING WORDS, debuting THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 on HBO Max. Rodriguez (pictured) tackles the issues of the day ripped straight from the headlines and from the pages of her personal life story. With her grounded and unapologetic point of view, she gets candid about being worn out from political comedy, embracing both sides of her Puerto Rican / Dominican heritage, getting back into the dating game, and more. A comedic, no-holds-barred exploration of identity and family, the special concludes with a documentary of Rodriguez’s travels to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic for a celebration of these vibrant cultures as cameras capture her reuniting with her estranged father and paying it forward for up-and-coming comedians. A work called COMEDY CHINGONAS uploads on NOVEMBER 18. It is a compilation show featuring an all-Latina cast that included Latina comedians Luz Pazos, Vanessa Gonzalez, Debbie Gutierrez, Carmen Carrera, Xazmin Garza, Jill Michele Meleán, Crist Guzman and Mariannette LaPuppet.
WarnerMedia Kids & Family: Last month we barked that shows often get lost in the big shuffle that is the streaming service called HBO Max and the example we used was SESAME STREET. Well, not only does it still exist but it launches its 52nd season this month. With more than 4,500 episodes, this programming has reached children in 150 countries in 70+ languages and it is still going strong and leads off with Kasey Musgraves (see below)The show’s racial justice curriculum, which began with its Coming Together initiative, will be a focus this season. A five-episode storyline will feature Elmo on a farm, filmed on location at Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem, New York. Also, joining the cast is Elmo’s newly-adopted puppy Tango, who first appears in a 2021 special; you can also find MY SESAME STREET FRIENDS Max Original Season 2 Premiere. There is also TOM AND JERRY IN NEW YORK Max Original Season 2 Premiere on NOVEMBER 18. 
Plus, GEN:LOCK locks into its Season Two Premiere on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 04. The series is executive produced by and stars Michael B. Jordan and also executed produced by Alana Mayo. Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society, is co-producing the series alongside WarnerMedia’s Rooster Teeth. It takes place fifty years in the future and tells the story of an oppressive authoritarian force that threatens to conquer the world. Dakota Fanning, Maisie Williams, Golshifteh Farahani, G.K. Bowes, Asia Kate Dillon, Kōichi Yamadera and David Tennant all return for the second season. In this new season, a war leaves behind only a handful of highly skilled soldiers fighting for the future of humanity as a deteriorating Earth, due to an unstoppable climate collapse, has two distinct factions vying for power. A team. Master of a mech-suit device are out to save the day. It is up to Chase (Jordan), Miranda (Fanning), Cammie (Williams), and their team of intrepid fighters to take on the cause. Or something like that – here is the trailer.
HBO Sports: *NOTE* – Like many, including us, we reported that HARD KNOCKS IN SEASON: THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS was said to debut WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 yet there has been no official inclusion in press releases regarding its presence. However, HBO’s schedulebot does list that the HBO Sports series is on the docket for a 10:00pm ET start time. No doubt a special announcement regarding this event series is forthcoming.
REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL offers another installment on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (10:00-11:00pm); BACK ON THE RECORD WITH BOB COSTAS ends its first season with an installment debuting FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 and THE SHOP UNINTERRUPTED just debuted another installment on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29. Guests appearing are David Beckham, James Corden, Saweetie, Bubba Wallace, Yvonne Orji and Paul Rivera. A Sports Documentary arrives on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 09 (9:00-10:30pm) called DEAR RIDER: THE JAKE BURTON STORY. This feature documentary, from Red Bull Media House and Emmy-winning director Fernando Villena, is a celebration of the life and vision of Jake Burton Carpenter (1954-2019), the pioneer who propelled the sport of snowboarding into a global and cultural phenomenon. features interviews with Jake’s family, friends, and fellow snowboarders, including action sports icons Shaun White, Kelly Clark and Mark McMorris as well as a wealth of archival material and home movies. It pays homage to Jake’s beloved and loyal “riders,” the audience he faithfully addressed every year for decades on the first page of his snowboard company’s catalogs. Acclaimed actor Woody Harrelson, a close friend of Jake’s, narrates catalog passages interspersed throughout the film.
HBO Latino: Singling out two titles here. AREA CHICA INFIERNO GRANDE (Hell In the Goal) appears MONDAY, NOVEMBER 01 and LAS NINAS (Schoolgirls) on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05. After a soccer team reaches the semifinals, the head of the club learns the referee has been bribed by their rival. Such is the storyline for the first title, a 20-minute short. The latter film is a movie. In this coming-of-age drama set in 1990s Spain, an 11-year-old’s staid life changes with the arrival of a new classmate at a Catholic girls’ school.
Other Movies & Shows: You know there is a list of content as long as your arm of rotating fare that we are not going to spell out. But I will mention from Crunchyroll comes anime titles Tokyo Revengers, Noblesse and TSUKIMICHI – Moonlit Fantasy. Final Space Season Three and United Shades of America Season Six upload on 11.13. Two classic sitcoms arrive – Hanging with Mr. Cooper on 11.01 and Dawson’s Creek on 11.08. In movies, I’ll list a few such as – Full Metal Jacket, Caddyshack, A Clockwork Orange, The Care Bears Movie, Rules of Attraction and The Wolverine hitting on NOVEMBER 01. Part of the fun is being surprised when a cinematic gem catches your eye, so be on the lookout.
Next Month’s Tease: She was the voice of Marion in Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends and he was Remus Lupin in the HP franchise. They are whom and in what together?
Last month’s answer – We told you Robin Wright’s directorial debut lands in November – see LAND on the schedule.
Final Clip: I don’t think we’ve shown you this one, have we? Just call me a mensh I guess – whatever that is.
Enjoy the month! Discover HBO.
