Last month, we were hoping for changes towards the better, and though we had interesting content, the rest of the WBD business turned to crap. Yes, we are well aware! An unopportune price hike at HBO Max hit us, and the day when WB content, including HBO & DC, is owned by yet another entity looms. Zaslav has been horrible to the model and is willing to sell it all off so that he can rake in even more money for his own sorry ass. The letters WB, which stand for the venerated studio of Hollywood fame, and HBO, mean little to him. So, let’s look at the positive and just focus on some of the content coming in November, shall we?
A few quick points:
- Rachel Sennot Arrives at HBO
- THE SEDUCTION Retells a Famous French Tale
- A24 Offers More Top-Notch Movies
- Plus, we peek at THE VALLECAS FILES
- And some THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
- Plus, there is ARod and Yoko this month.
HBO Original Series: Okay, I don’t love L.A. and don’t really want to be reminded of how awesome some people think it is, but it could be my in to catch Rachel Sennot, whom many people like as well. The opportunity comes with I LOVE LA. This HBO Original comedy series from the co-creator and star of the movies Bottoms and Shiva Baby debuts SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 02 at 10:30 pm ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes of the eight-episode season will debut weekly until the finale on Sunday, December 21. The show is all about a codependent friend group that reunites, navigating how the time apart, ambition, and new relationships have changed them. Costarring Odessa A’zion, Jordan Firstman, True Whitaker, and Josh Hutcherson.
Here is a breakdown of the first three episodes:
–S1 Ep01 – “Block Her”
Debut Date: Sunday, November 02 (10:45-11:20 pm ET/PT)
Newly 27, Maia hyper-fixates on the state of her life in Los Angeles while attempting to impress her boss, Alyssa. But when her carefully laid plans are upended by the surprise arrival of her chaotic BFF Tallulah, Maia must contend with complicated feelings towards her oldest friend.
–S1 Ep02 – “Roger & Munchy”
Debut Date: Sunday, November 09 (10:30-11:01 pm ET/PT)
While settling into her role as her best friend’s manager, Maia must do damage control when Tallulah’s erratic frenemy accuses her of stealing a Balenciaga bag. Meanwhile, Charlie searches for dirt on a movie star to share with a high-profile client, and Alani visits her dad’s office.
–S1 Ep03 – “Girl’s Girl”
Debut Date: Sunday, November 16, (10:40-11:12 pm ET/PT)
After Paulena’s rant goes viral, Tallulah grows increasingly anxious over the online hate, while Maia wrestles with following Alyssa’s advice or her own managerial instincts after securing an important brand deal.
Just getting underway back on 10.26 was IT: WELCOME TO DERRY. That series continues SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 02 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT). The second episode is entitled “The Thing In The Dark,” and their third goes by “Now You See It.” The creepy is going to build here for sure. To whet your appetite, how about an Invitation to the Set & an In The Weeks Ahead clip?
We’re not done with Sunday nights. The Tim Robinson comedy series THE CHAIR COMPANY continues as well. If you’re not watching, you should. The show, billed as a comedy, is like BARRY; there is quite a bit of danger and action involved. It continues on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 02 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT) with episode #4.
Here is a brief breakdown, which, as you will see, isn’t all that helpful, and the Weeks Ahead Trailer:
–S1 Ep04 – ” Bahld Harmon birthplace (disputed)” Debut Date: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 02 (10:10-10:45 pm ET/PT)
While developing a new hypothesis, Ron finds himself at the center of a series of confusing encounters.
–S1 Ep05 – “I won. Zoom in” Debut Date: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 09 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT)
While investigating a new avenue, Ron is led down a dangerous path.
–S1 Ep06 – Episode 06 Debut Date: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 (10:05 – 10:40 pm ET/PT)
A shake-up at work leads to unforeseen consequences.
What a night, right? After a movie concludes at the 8:00 hour, we have IT: WELCOME TO DERRY, THE CHAIR COMPANY, I LOVE LA, followed by LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER. The show begins the month on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 02 (11:20 pm-12:10 am) with the 28th installment of the season. Also note that the show has expanded to about 50 minutes now and has recently tackled Benjamin Netanyahu, Presidential Libraries, and the possible Paramount/Skydance Merger. REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER, as of late, has had Rep. Nancy Mace, Louis C. K., Van Jones, Mark Cuban, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Kate Bedingfield on as guests. The show will continue its discussions & rants for the month beginning FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 07 (10:00-11:00 pm ET/PT).
Original Series Exclusive to HBO Max: Not sure why there are even series considered exclusive to the streaming site at this point. If it plays there, it should also play on the linear cable channel. Nothing new or continuing here.
HBO International Titles: Around here, we differentiate between original US content and international fare. This time around, we have three titles, one a true crime documentary series from Spain and something different from Brazil, and a steamy one from France. First up is THE VALLECAS FILES. Three decades after the mysterious death of a 17-year-old girl, her family relives the traumatic events in Spain’s most infamous paranormal case. What seems to make this case most interesting is not just a one-sided case. Not only does it look at paranormal activity and the notion of a poltergeist, but also the power of suggestion and psychological manipulation. The story combines testimonies from the family and interviews with specialists who have followed the case since its inception. No clarity of how the installments roll out, but it debuts FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 07 on HBO Max. On THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 (10:15-11:15 pm ET/PT), we get the title ÂNGELA DINIZ: MURDERED AND CONVICTED. Directed by Andrucha Waddington, the six-episode series debuts on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. The series is inspired by the acclaimed podcast “Praia dos Ossos” and revisits the story of Ângela Diniz, a woman who, through her freedom and autonomy, defied the standards imposed on women and was brutally punished for it. Her final relationship ended in tragedy when she was murdered at point-blank range with four gunshots by her boyfriend Doca Street, under the claim of “legitimate defense of honor” — a case that fueled feminist movements across the country. The cast includes Marjorie Estiano as Ângela and Emilio Dantas as Doca Street.
As for the steamy piece from France, we get THE SEDUCTION, which debuts on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 on HBO Max. The six-episode French HBO Max Original series plays out one episode weekly until December 19 on the streamer. To be the hero of your own story, you sometimes have to be the villain in others’. Marquise de Merteuil, betrayed by Valmont, embarks on a daring journey to become Paris’ leading courtesan. Freely adapted from the novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, a thrilling exploration of the price of emotional & sexual freedom in a world where women had little. Anamaria Vartolomei as Isabelle de Merteuil, Diane Kruger as Madame de Rosemonde, Vincent Lacoste as Vicomte de Valmont, and Lucas Bravo as Comte de Gercourt. The tale has been adapted many times since the story was first published in 1782. Perhaps we most recall the 1988 movie Dangerous Liaisons, directed by Stephen Frears and starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Uma Thurman, based on Hampton’s play and set in the 18th century around Paris. It was nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Directed by Jessica Palud, this production takes the tale back to its native country.
HBO & HBO Max Theatrical Movies: The two new movies that make it to our screens are once again A24 titles. The first one is the romance title Materialists, and the second one takes us to New Mexico in Eddington. And both movies have the man of the hour in them – Pedro Pascal. Here is a look at each.
From Oscar nominee Celine Song (Past Lives) comes this romantic drama, MATERIALISTS, set against the backdrop of New York City’s luxury-driven dating culture. Starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, the film follows Lucy (Johnson), a successful matchmaker who swears she will either die alone or marry into money…until a chance encounter with a broke ex-boyfriend. The movie clocks in just shy of the 2-hour mark at 117 minutes and is rated R. Does Lucy want the materialistic moneyman or take back her down-to-earth former lover? Find out when it debuts on HBO on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 08 (8:00-9:57 pm ET/PT) and on HBO Max the day prior.
A standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in May of 2020 in Eddington, New Mexico. A provocative, era-defining thriller from Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) plays out in EDDINGTON. The film will debut on HBO linear on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 (8:00-10:30 pm ET/PT) and make its streamer debut the day prior. What is the big brouhaha that got these two town officials in a tizzy? The year the film takes place in should give you some sort of clue. In late May 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Ted Garcia (Pascal) of Eddington, New Mexico, implemented a lockdown and enforced mask mandates based on the Governor’s orders at the state level. Local sheriff Joe Cross (Phoenix) disapproves, arguing the mandates violate freedom of choice. Joe lives with his emotionally unstable wife, Louise (Emma Stone), and her conspiracy-theorist mother, Dawn(Deirdre O’Connell). Against his wife’s wishes, Sheriff Cross runs against the mayor in an election for the position, in opposition to Mayor Garcia’s stance.
HBO Documentary Films: Not one or two, but three documentaries make it to the slate in November. It all starts on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (8:00-9:42 pm ET/PT) with ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO. It is a rare and revelatory inside look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s first year in New York City in the early 1970s. It delivers an immersive, cinematic experience that brings to life a chapter of explosive creativity and political activism in their lives. Directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald (HBO’s ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER), the documentary takes Lennon’s first legendary solo musical event and uses it as the starting point to explore 18 defining months in the lives of John and Yoko. Filmed in a meticulously faithful reproduction of the duo’s New York City apartment, the documentary offers a bold new take on a seminal time in the lives of two iconic artists and how their work continues to resonate today.
The next title up is called THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. As gun violence becomes normalized, a $3 billion industry of drills, demos, and bulletproof gear has turned survival into routine. Tracing these rituals from classrooms to conventions, the film reveals a nation rehearsing for violence instead of ending it. Equal parts absurd and unsettlingly real, the film addresses the active shooter preparedness industry in this 85-minute piece. It is all if to say, we can’t stop it from happening, so be prepared, you could be in the bullseye! The film, directed and executive produced by Zackary Canepari and Jessica Dimmock, debuts TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (9:00-10:25 pm ET/PT). One mystery title remains. I cannot find anything about OBSESSION: THE MURDER OF A BEAUTY QUEEN. It says it is an HBO Original debuting on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28. I’m guessing it is either an HBO Documentary Film or a work from a foreign country, like Mexico.
HBO Max Kids & Family: Ever heard of TOM AND JERRY GOKKO SHORTS? Me neither, but they are big in Japan and now come to the U. S. via HBO Max. This series is similar to Tom & Jerry Kids Show, as they make Tom, Jerry, and Tuffy look cuter and younger (especially Tom, due to his being shorter) and tone down the violence. Some episodes of this show make references to, and even reuse the set pieces and gags of, specific Tom and Jerry cartoons from the Golden Age of Animation. The word “Gokko” means “make-believe play” in Japanese. They make the scene on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 04. Other shows for the young’uns include new installments of BARNEY’S WORLD on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 03, LET’S GO BANANAS on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 07, SILLY SUNDAYS on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, TEEN TITANS GO! on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, and BUGS BUNNY BUILDERS on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22.
HBO Sports: Even if they don’t use the HBO Sports logo anymore, I still do. So, by my standards, the documentary ALEX VS AROD belongs here. The HBO Original three-part documentary series directed by Religion of Sports’ Gotham Chopra and Erik LeDrew debuts THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 06 (9:00-9:55 pm ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes will debut on subsequent Thursdays at the same time. From the pinnacle of athletic success to the depths of scandal, Alex Rodriguez saw his prolific baseball career marred by a high-profile suspension for performance-enhancing drug use. Told through a series of intimate interviews with Rodriguez, this series explores the dualities of one of the most polarizing figures in sports.
–Part I
Debut date: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Drafted first overall in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft, 18-year-old Alex Rodriguez quickly rose to stardom as a shortstop with the Seattle Mariners. Seven years later, his transformation into one of the most polarizing figures in sports begins when he signs a controversial, record-breaking contract with the Texas Rangers.
–Part II
Debut date: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 (9:00-10:20 p.m. ET/PT)
After three seasons with the Texas Rangers, Alex Rodriguez joined the New York Yankees and shifted to third base, with longtime captain Derek Jeter entrenched as the team’s shortstop. Soon, Rodriguez’s personal life dominates tabloid headlines, and a 2009 report links him to past performance-enhancing drug use. That same year, he won his first championship with the Yankees, capping an eventful chapter for the divisive star.
–Part III
Debut date: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 (9:00-10:15 p.m. ET/PT)
In 2013, a newspaper exposé once again linked Alex Rodriguez to performance-enhancing drugs, triggering Major League Baseball’s longest-ever PED suspension and a storm of public hostility. Rodriguez eventually returns to the Yankees with a renewed mindset, setting the stage for a deeper reckoning with his past and a more grounded view of his future.
Other Shows On HBO or HBO Max: HBO Comedy has a long run of VEEP because, I guess, it is Election time once again. HBO Drama has a binge of THE WHITE LOTUS Season 3 in November. But the latest press release draws our attention to a new Collection on the streamer. They call it the WEST COAST WATCHLIST, but it really only focuses on Los Angeles.
Cue the palm trees and traffic jams! In honor of the premiere of the HBO Original series “I Love LA,” we’re heading west with a watchlist that could only be made in Los Angeles. From red carpets to real life, these 
titles channel the spirit, style, and sunshine of the city that defines entertainment. I won’t list absolutely everything, but here is a sampling. From the “Only in LA: The Best Scripted TV” category are: I LOVE LA, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, HACKS, ENTOURAGE, INSECURE, BARRY, TOGETHERNESS, and ARLI$$. From the “LA, Unscripted” category, we list Sweet Life: Los Angeles, Hollywood Demons, Kendra Sells Hollywood, ANGEL CITY, and HARD KNOCKS: LOS ANGELES. From the “Reel LA” category, you’ll find titles like Inland Empire, Real Women Have Curves, MaXXXine, A Hollywood Christmas, and Singin’ In the Rain. Explore all the titles when the Collection arrives on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 01 on HBO Max.
Next Month’s Tease: After four seasons (and counting) on Saturday Night Live, Sarah Sherman’s unholy alter ego makes an appearance on HBO in December. Certainly, if you follow this comedian or stay caught up on HBO news, you might be able to guess.
Last Month’s Tease: Last time it was a visual clue, remember? It was a picture of a blood-splattered child releasing a blood-curdling scream. Yes, of course, it was from IT: WELCOME TO DERRY!
Final Clip: How about a little of France’s THE SEDUCTION?
Enjoy HBO & HBOWatch
