Hulu to Stream All Past and Future Seasons of Ryan Murphy’s Award-Winning Hit Shows from FX and 20th Television AMERICAN CRIME STORY, AMERICAN HORROR STORY and POSE

 Hulu to Stream All Past and Future Seasons of

Ryan Murphy’s Award-Winning Hit Shows from FX and 20th Television

AMERICAN CRIME STORY, AMERICAN HORROR STORY and POSE

 

The Most Recent Installment of the ACS Franchise

IMPEACHMENT: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

Will Stream for the First Time on Hulu Beginning March 7^th

 

The Third and Final Season of the Groundbreaking Drama Series POSE

Will Debut for the First Time on Hulu Beginning March 7^th

 

LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2022 – Hulu will stream three of Ryan Murphy’s most acclaimed and award-winning hit shows from FX and 20th Television, American Crime Story, American Horror Story and Pose, it was announced today by Joe Earley, President of Hulu.

 

For the very first time on SVOD, the acclaimed limited series Impeachment: American Crime Story will be available on Hulu beginning March 7^th. Written by award-winning playwright/producer Sarah Burgess from producers Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson,Impeachment tells the story about the events that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton through the eyes of the women at the center of the storm.  The nine episode saga stars Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp, Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky, Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones, Clive Owen as Bill Clinton and Edie Falco as Hillary Clinton, among many others. The first two installments of the series, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story will also be available to stream on Hulu. 

 

Also streaming for the first time on Hulu will be the third and final season of the groundbreaking and award-winning drama series Pose, with all three seasons dropping March 7^th. The series, from producers Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, made history with Billy Porter becoming the first openly gay black man to win an Emmy Award for lead actor in a drama category and Michaela Jaé (Mj) Rodriguez becoming the first trans actor to be awarded a Golden Globe.  The show also won a Peabody and an AFI Award.

 

All of the prior ten installments of American Horror Story are currently available on Hulu and the series will return with season 11 this fall. American Horror Story has been ordered through season 13.

 

“We are thrilled that these captivating and trailblazing series from Ryan Murphy have come to Hulu,” said Earley. “American Crime Story, American Horror Story and Pose all resonate deeply with audiences in their own ways, and continue to set the standard for riveting, character-driven, inclusive storytelling.  Alongside our partners at FX and 20^th Television, we are proud to offer these prestigious and thought-provoking titles to our subscribers.”

 

The collection of these three shows (168 episodes) has collectively earned 165 Emmy Award nominations and won 42 Emmy Awards.

 

AMERICAN CRIME STORY

(2016-present, 3 installments, 29 episodes)

The People v. O.J. Simpson:  American Crime Story (2016, 10 episodes) is a limited series that takes you inside the O.J. Simpson trial with a riveting look at the legal teams battling to convict or acquit the football legend of double homicide. The series explores the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution overconfidence, defense shrewdness, and the LAPD’s history with the city’s African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt.  From Executive Producers Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Brad Falchuk, The People v. O.J. Simpson:  American Crime Story stars John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Paulson, David Schwimmer, Courtney B. Vance, Sterling K. Brown, Nathan Lane, Kenneth Choi, Christian Clemenson and Bruce Greenwood. The limited series is produced by 20th Television and FX Productions. It received 23 Emmy Award nominations, winning the most Emmy Awards (10) of any show that year including Outstanding Limited Series.  It also won Golden Globe, BAFTA, AFI, TCA, Peabody, DGA, PGA and WGA awards. 

 

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018, 10 episodes) profiles spree-killer Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss), whose cross-country path of destruction earns him a spot on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List before his murder of international fashion icon Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramírez) on the steps of Versace's South Beach residence in 1997. The series examines how cultural homophobia and prejudice delayed law enforcement’s search for Cunanan, as well as Versace’s relationship with his sister and muse Donatella (Penélope Cruz). The Assassination of Gianni Versace is a story of failed ambition, and how the pursuit of an “American Dream” ended in murder and suicide. Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk, Alexis Martin Woodall, Dan Minahan, Tom Rob Smith, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski are Executive Producers. It is written by Tom Rob Smith, and Ryan Murphy directed the premiere episode of the series, which stars Darren Criss, Edgar Ramírez, Penélope Cruz and Ricky Martin. It is produced by 20th Television and FX Productions. It received 19 Emmy Award nominations, winning seven Emmys including Outstanding Limited Series. It also won Golden Globe, AFI, TCA, PGA, WGA and GLAAD awards.

 

Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021, 9 episodes) is a limited series examining the national crisis that led to the first impeachment of a U.S. President in over a century. It tells this story through the eyes of the women at the center of the events: Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein), Linda Tripp (Sarah Paulson) and Paula Jones (Annaleigh Ashford). All three were thrust into the public spotlight during a time of corrosive partisan rancor, shifting sexual politics and a changing media landscape. The series shows how power lifts some and disposes of others in the halls of our most sacred institutions. Impeachment:  American Crime Story is executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Sarah Burgess, Sarah Paulson, Brad Falchuk, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Michael Uppendahl. The series is produced by 20th Television and FX Productions.

 

O.J. and Versace combined for 42 Emmy nominations, winning 17 Emmy Awards. Impeachment will be eligible for Emmys this year.

 

 

AMERICAN HORROR STORY

(2011-present, 10 installments, 113 episodes)

American Horror Story is an anthology horror drama created and produced by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, who redefined the horror genre. The television series sprouted a legion of dedicated fans who anticipate what terrors the next chapter will hold. As the longest running hour-long series in FX’s history, AHS has aired 10 installments and been renewed through a 13^th installment. American Horror Story is executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Alexis Martin Woodall, John J. Gray and Manny Coto. It is produced by 20th Television.

 

American Horror Story: Murder House (2011, 12 episodes) transformed the television industry establishing a new dawn for the limited series genre. Other installments include American Horror Story: Asylum (2012, 13 episodes), American Horror Story: Coven (2013, 13 episodes),  American Horror Story: Freak Show(2014, 13 episodes), American Horror Story: Hotel (2015, 12 episodes), American Horror Story: Roanoke (2016, 10 episodes), American Horror Story: Cult (2017, 11 episodes), American Horror Story: Apocalypse (2018, 10 episodes), American Horror Story: 1984 (2019, 9 episodes) and American Horror Story: Double Feature (2021, 10 episodes). The upcoming untitled 11^th installment returns in the fall.

 

The constellation of stars who have graced AHSincludes Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Evan Peters, Billy Porter, Lady Gaga, Lily Rabe, Francis Conroy, Denis O’Hare, Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, James Cromwell, Emma Roberts, Taissa Farmiga, Billie Lourd, Finn Wittrock, Matt Bomer, Leslie Grossman, Adina Porter, John Carroll Lynch, Kate Mara, Angelica Ross, Michael Chiklis, Patti LuPone, Wes Bentley, Chloë Sevigny, Cheyenne Jackson, Zachary Quinto, Mare Winningham, Billy Eichner, Gabourey Sidibe, Patti LaBelle, Clea DuVall, Danny Huston, Morris Chestnut and Macaulay Culkin, among the many. 

 

American Horror Story has earned 99 Emmy nominations, winning 16 Emmys, and has also won Golden Globe, SAG and Critics’ Choice awards.

 

POSE

(2018-2021, 3 seasons, 26 episodes)

Pose is a drama spotlighting the legends, icons and ferocious house mothers of New York’s underground ball culture, a movement that first gained notice in the late 1980s. The groundbreaking series featured the largest cast of transgender actors in series regular roles, including Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Hailie Sahar and Angelica Ross, who co-star alongside Tony Award^® winner and Golden Globe^® nominee Billy Porter, Angel Bismark Curiel, Dyllón Burnside, Sandra Bernhard and Jason Rodriguez. The Golden Globe-nominated drama also featured the largest recurring cast of LGBTQ actors ever for a scripted series.  Over its three seasons, POSE has won 24 Emmy nominations, winning five Emmy awards.

 

Pose was co-created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals, who executive produce alongside Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Sherry Marsh and Janet Mock. Our Lady J is co-executive producer. Tanase Popa is supervising producer. Lou Eyrich, Jeff Dickerson and Kip Myers also serve as producers. The seven-episode third season is produced by 20^th Television and FX Productions.

 

 

About Hulu

Hulu is the leading premium streaming service offering live and on-demand TV and movies, with and without commercials, both in and outside the home. As part of Disney’s Media and Entertainment Distribution segment, Hulu is the only service that gives viewers access to current shows from every major U.S. broadcast network; libraries of hit TV series and films; and acclaimed Hulu Originals including Emmy® and Golden Globe Award-winning series The Handmaid’s Tale and The Act; Golden Globe Award-winning, Emmy® Award nominated and Peabody-winning series Ramy; and Emmy® Award nominated series Pen15, Shrill, and Wu-Tang: An American Saga, alongside hit series Only Murders in the Building, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Great, Little Fires Everywhere, Normal People, and Solar Opposites; Oscar® and Emmy® nominated documentary film Minding the Gap, Golden Globe-Award winning and Oscar® nominated THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY, and critically acclaimed Hulu Original films VACATION FRIENDS, PALM SPRINGS, RUN and HAPPIEST SEASON. The service also streams live news, entertainment and sports from 20th Television, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Discovery Networks – available all in one place.

 

About FX

FX, a division of Disney General Entertainment, is a multiplatform brand that develops, produces, commissions and markets original programming for Hulu and the FX and FXX linear channels in the U.S., and Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other international territories. The FX brand mark appears above the title across its entire slate of originals. Over the past two decades, FX has been responsible for some the most-critically acclaimed and award-winning shows on television. Some of the brand’s current and legacy titles include the dramas American Horror Story, American Crime Story, The Americans, Damages, Fargo, Justified, Nip/Tuck, Pose, Rescue Me, The Shield and Sons of Anarchy; the comedies Archer, Atlanta, Better Things, Dave, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Reservation Dogs and What We Do in the Shadows; and a growing slate of docuseries and documentary films.

 

About 20th Television

One of the Disney Television Studios, 20thTelevision is a prolific supplier of entertainment programming, including Hulu’s upcoming THE DROPOUT from Elizabeth Meriwether and starring Amanda Seyfried; its most watched comedy ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING from Dan Fogelman, John Hoffman and Steve Martin and its critically acclaimed drama DOPESICK from Danny Strong and starring Michael Keaton; ABC’s new comedy hit THE WONDER YEARS from Saladin Patterson and Fred Savage;  FX’s star-studded IMPEACHMENT: AMERICAN CRIME STORY from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson and Sarah Burgess;  NBC’s top series THIS IS US from Dan Fogelman;  Fox’s No. 1 drama, 9-1-1 and its spinoff 9-1-1: LONE STAR from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear; FX’s No. 1 series AMERICAN HORROR STORY from Ryan Murphy, in addition to dozens of others. 20th Television shows have amassed a collective 1867 Emmy nominations and 214 Emmy wins, as well as multiple Golden Globes, Humanitas Prizes and Peabody Awards. The studio’s landmark series from its 70 year library include such classics as BATMAN, MODERN FAMILY, M*A*S*H, GLEE, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, BONES, EMPIRE, FRESH OFF THE BOAT, 24, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, NEW GIRL and THE X-FILES.

 

James Stewart and John Wayne Star in Director John Ford’s Acclaimed Western, Celebrating Its 60th Anniversary on 4K Ultra HD™ For the First Time

First 4K Ultra HD in the Paramount Presents Line Debuts May 17, 2022 

with New and Legacy Bonus Content 

 

 

One of the greatest Westerns in cinematic history arrives for the first time ever on 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range (HDR) as part of the Paramount Presents line when THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE debuts May 17, 2022 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

 

Four-time Academy Award®-winning^* director John Ford brought together an all-star cast for what is considered by many critics to be a quintessential—and yet pioneering—Western late in his storied career.  Starring James Stewart and John Wayne (together for the first time), alongside Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, John Carradine and Lee Van Cleef, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE tells the engrossing story of a senator (Stewart), his old friend (Wayne), and a despicable outlaw called Liberty Valance (Marvin). 

 

THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE was selected in 2007 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”  Adapted from a short story by Dorothy M. Johnson, the screenplay by James Warner Bellah and Willis Goldbeck gave us the often-quoted line “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

 

Meticulously remastered in stunning 4K Ultra HD for its 60^th anniversary this year, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE is presented in collectible packaging featuring a foldout image of the film’s original theatrical poster and an interior spread with key movie moments.  The release also includes access to a Digital copy of the film and a Blu-ray Disc™ with a new Filmmaker Focus featuring film historian Leonard Maltin discussing John Ford, the film, and its legacy.  The Blu-ray™ also includes legacy bonus content as detailed below:

·       Filmmaker Focus - Leonard Maltin on The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance—NEW!               

• Feature commentary by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich, along with his archival recordings with John Ford and James Stewart                                         
• Selected scene commentary with introduction by Dan Ford, along with his archival recordings with John Ford, James Stewart and Lee Marvin                             
• The Size Of Legends, The Soul Of Myth                               
• Chapter 1: Changing Of The Guard                                       
• Chapter 2: The Irascible Poet                                   
• Chapter 3: The Hero Doesn't Win, The Winner Isn't Heroic                                          
• Chapter 4: Most Things Happen By Accident                                    
• Chapter 5: The Great Protector                               
• Chapter 6: Spotlight - Lee Marvin                                         
• Chapter 7: Print The Legend                                    
• Original Theatrical Trailer           

 

Paramount Pictures Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s Cinematic Masterpiece

NEW- Official 4K UHD Trilogy Trailer HERE

 Experience the Acclaimed Classic

on Home Entertainment Platforms

 

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – March 1, 2022 — In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s Academy Award^®-winning^* masterworkThe Godfather, Paramount Pictures will be releasing all three films in the epic trilogy on 4K Ultra HD for the first time ever on March 22, 2022, with all the films having been meticulously restored under the direction of Coppola.

 

“I am very proud of The Godfather, which certainly defined the first third of my creative life,” said Francis Ford Coppola.  “With this 50th anniversary tribute, I’m especially proud Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone is included, as it captures Mario and my original vision in definitively concluding our epic trilogy. It’s also gratifying to celebrate this milestone with Paramount alongside the wonderful fans who’ve loved it for decades, younger generations who still find it relevant today, and those who will discover it for the first time.”

 

Coppola’s masterful film adaptation of Mario Puzo’s novel chronicles the rise and fall of the Corleone family and the film trilogy is rightfully viewed as one of the greatest in cinematic history.  In preparation for the 50^th anniversary of the first film’s original release on March 24, 1972, Paramount and Coppola’s production company American Zoetrope undertook a painstaking restoration of all three films over the course of three years.  Every effort was made to create the finest possible presentation for today’s audiences who can watch the films using technology that has advanced dramatically since 2007 when the last restoration was completed by eminent film historian and preservationist Robert Harris.  Using that work as a blueprint, the team spent thousands of hours to ensure that every frame was evaluated to create the most pristine presentation while remaining true to the original look and feel of the films.

 

The monumental effort included the following:

• Over 300 cartons of film were scrutinized to find the best possible resolution for every frame of all three films.
• Over 4,000 hours were spent repairing film stains, tears, and other anomalies in the negatives.
• Over 1,000 hours were spent on rigorous color correction to ensure the high dynamic range tools were respectful of the original vision of Coppola and cinematographer Gordon Willis.
• In addition to the 5.1 audio approved by Walter Murch in 2007, the original mono tracks on 
  The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II have been restored.
• All work was overseen by Coppola.

 

“We felt privileged to restore these films and a little in awe every day we worked on them,” said Andrea Kalas, senior vice president, Paramount Archives.  “We were able to witness first-hand how the brilliant cinematography, score, production design, costume design, editing, performances, and, of course, screenwriting and direction became famously more than the sum of their parts.  It was our commitment to honor all of the filmmakers’ exceptional work.”

 

Newly restored and remastered in Dolby Vision, all three films in the landmark trilogy will be released together with HDR-10 on 4K Ultra HD Digital and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray^™ for the first time ever.  The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set will include The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, and Coppola’s recently re-edited version of the final film, Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone.  The disc set includes legacy commentaries by Coppola, as well as access to Digital copies of The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II and Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone.

 

In addition to the widely available 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set, a 4K Ultra HD Limited Collector’s Edition will also be released in deluxe packaging and includes a hardcover coffee table book featuring stunning photographs, as well as portrait art prints on archival paper.  Both 4K Ultra HD sets include new bonus content including an introduction to The Godfather by Coppola, a featurette about the preservation process, photos by acclaimed photographer Steve Schapiro, home movie footage, and comparisons of the new restoration to earlier versions of the films.  A full list of new and legacy bonus content follows:

NEW BONUS CONTENT:

·       Introduction to The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola

 

·       Full Circle: Preserving The Godfather—Paramount Pictures archivists detail the incredible restoration process with archival footage showing the evolution of the film through various home entertainment incarnations as picture and audio technologies make quantum leaps over the decades.

 

·       Capturing the Corleones: Through the Lens of Photographer Steve Schapiro— In this reflective and frank discussion, special photographer Steve Schapiro shares his unique perspective and cherished memories as a witness to the making of this seminal film.  Commentary on curated archival images makes for a fascinating, never-before-seen addition to the production’s history.

 

·       The Godfather: Home Movies— An assortment of 8mm home movie footage shot in 1971 offers a candid glimpse into the production of The Godfather.  Shot on location at the Norton family estate on Staten Island’s Emerson Hill, this is the first time it’s been made available to the public.

 

·       Restoration Comparisons— Before and after highlights showcase extensive picture quality improvements to The Godfather.

 

LEGACY BONUS CONTENT:

• The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn’t
• Godfather World
• Emulsional Rescue—Revealing The Godfather
• …when the shooting stopped
• The Godfather on the Red Carpet
• Four Short Films on The Godfather

• The Godfather vs. The Godfather: Part II
• Cannoli
• Riffing on the Riffing
• Clemenza
• The Family Tree
• Crime Organization Chart
• Connie and Carlo’s Wedding Album
• 2008 Credits
• Behind the Scenes
• A Look Inside
• On Location
• Francis Ford Coppola’s Notebook
• Music of The Godfather
• Nino Rota
• Carmine Coppola            
• Coppola & Puzo on Screenwriting
• Gordon Willis on Cinematography
• Storyboards – The Godfather: Part II
• Storyboards – The Godfather: Part III
• The Godfather Behind the Scenes 1971
• Additional Scenes
• Galleries
• Trailers
• Acclaim & Response
• Additional Material
• The Filmmakers
• The Godfather: Part III—newly remastered and restored versions of the original theatrical cut and Coppola’s 1991 cut (note: these are exclusive to the 4K Ultra HD Collections)

 

Upscaling Analog Laserdisc in a Digital World.

Today I hooked up my Panasonic DVD Recorder DMR-E55 because it has a good digital comb filter and so I basically have one composite video cable going directly into the Kramer switch/scaler and another composite cable going directly into the Panasonic and then have component video output going from the Panasonic into the Kramer, which then outputs both depending on what I choose to 1080p/60 via HDMI out into my Samsung 4K LED UHDTV in my bedroom. Then I have a coaxial digital audio cable for AC3 on Laserdisc going into the Sony Decoder and from the decoder I have the SPIDIF TOSLINK fiber optic digital cable going into a four port TOSLINK SPIDIF Switch so I can choose between devices because in keeping with their minimalist approach, the SONOS Playbar only has one digital input because SONOS expects the user’s television to act as a switch. 

So now I could experiment and tune up the picture using Video Essentials. So what were the results?

I found Video Essentials helped me tune in the fleshtones, but more often than not I prefer to do it by eye to get the best possible picture though the disc is still very good and I intend on using it again as I learn how to fine tune the image.

Composite video direct looked softer than I expected, but the colors were rich. Running it through the Panasonic with the digital comb filter to output the image at 480p progressive scan and then upscale to 1080p/60 yielded cleaned results, but I had to recalibrate for component separately. 

The image quality was very sharp and solid, but not blu-ray quality. I have to tell the truth here so sorry for disappointing anyone. I still need to do more work, but in both cases it is a definite improvement, but since this is a model from 2012, I don’t expect it to look like the 773 and I have not seen a 773 in person so I am assuming that it is better because of the new chipset and so forth. 

Yet for $56 dollars off EBay, I think this is a can’t go wrong deal. Now I also wanted to see how DVD and VCD looked from the Panasonic into the Kramer and so forth and the DVD playback was what one would expect from upscaled DVD. I can confirm that the Sonos did a great job with both Dolby Digital direct into the Playbar and DTS sounded even better. I had forgotten how great DVD DTS can sound. Aggressive and sharp.

The biggest surprise was trying a genuine Malaysian import copy of Star Wars and with the CD stereo and upscaled and cleaned up image, I have never seen a VCD look so good in my life. Amazing. I was the most impressed by that because my expectations were low.

So that is it. Thank you for reading. 

Namaste.

(C) Copyright 2022 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

HBO MAX RENEWS PEACEMAKER FOR A SECOND SEASON

 

• Following the stellar launch of PEACEMAKER, HBO Max has renewed the critically acclaimed and fan favorite series, written and directed by James Gunn and starring John Cena, for a second season. The eight-episode first season of the DC spinoff series premiered on Thursday, January 13 and will have its finale on February 17.  Gunn will direct and write all episodes for season two.

• Rolling Stone heralded the series as “inspired” and “thrilling,” highlighting that “in a wildly oversaturated market for tales of hyper muscular men and women punching their way to justice, PEACEMAKER stands out.” PEACEMAKER debuted as the #1 new original streaming series for social engagement on Twitter across all of television and remains the #1 social show YTD across Max Originals on multiple social platforms.

• Logline: PEACEMAKER follows the explosive escapades of the character that John Cena reprises in the aftermath of James Gunn’s 2021 film “The Suicide Squad” – a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it.

• Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max quote: “The brilliance of James Gunn once again shines with Peacemaker. He took this character, brought to life by the inimitable John Cena, and created an exceptional series that’s simultaneously thrilling, hilarious and heartfelt, showcasing the humanity beneath this team of misfits living in a superhuman world. As the first original DC show to have its series premiere on HBO Max, we are thrilled that the viewers agreed to give peace a f***ing chance.”

• James Gunn quote: “Creating Peacemaker has been one of the true highlights of my life, both professionally and otherwise, with John Cena and the incredible creative team around me, as well as our partners at HBO Max. To have something we all love so much be loved by the audience in turn has been a wonderful experience. I can’t wait for folks to see where Team Peacemaker goes in Season Two!”

• John Cena quote: “I am incredibly honored and humbled by the response to Peacemaker and the experience of playing this character. Thank you to James Gunn, Peter Safran, HBO Max, the crew, and my castmates who worked tirelessly to make this unforgettable series.”

• Season 1 cast: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Chukwudi Iwuji, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick.

• Season 1 credits: James Gunn wrote all eight episodes of PEACEMAKER and directed five, including the first. Gunn, Peter Safran and Matt Miller serve as executive producers on the series, with John Cena as co-executive producer and Stacy Littlejohn as consulting producer. Based on characters from DC, PEACEMAKER is produced by Gunn’s Troll Court Entertainment and The Safran Company in association with Warner Bros. Television.

From Emmy®-Winning Directors Judd Apatow And Michael Bonfiglio, The Two-Part Documentary Explores Carlin’s Tumultuous Life and Enduring Legacy

 

• GEORGE CARLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM, a two-part documentary directed by Judd Apatow (HBO’s “Girls,” “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling”) and Michael Bonfiglio (HBO’s “May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers”), will debut this May on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.  
   
• Synopsis: GEORGE CARLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM chronicles the life and work of legendary comedian George Carlin. Dubbed the “dean of counterculture comedians,” Carlin’s career spanned half a century during which he headlined 14 HBO comedy specials and appeared on “The Tonight Show” over 130 times, constantly evolving with the times and staying sharply resonant up until his death in 2008 and beyond.  Carlin’s ability to zoom in on societal ills has proven eerily prophetic and much of his work resonates today with alarming (and still hilarious) clarity. The documentary examines a cultural chameleon who is remembered as one of the most influential stand-up comics of all time.
   
• The documentary tracks Carlin’s rise to fame and opens an intimate window into Carlin’s personal life, including his childhood in New York City, his long struggle with drugs that took its toll on his health, his brushes with the law, his loving relationship with Brenda, his wife of 36 years, and his second marriage to Sally Wade.  Intimate interviews with Carlin and Brenda’s daughter, Kelly Carlin, offer unique insight into her family’s story and her parents enduring love and partnership. 
   
• Documentary features a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival material including archival films, photos, audio recordings, letters, and diaries and interviews with Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Patton Oswalt, Stephen Colbert, Bill Burr, Bette Midler, W. Kamau Bell, Sam Jay, Judy Gold, Jon Stewart, and others. Joining them to share their memories of Carlin are daughter Kelly Carlin, manager Jerry Hamza, second wife Sally Wade, and others. 
   
• Credits: HBO Documentary Films, Rise Films and Apatow Productions present GEORGE CARLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM, directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio; edited by Joe Beshenkovsky; executive produced by Judd Apatow, Michael Bonfiglio, Teddy Leifer, Jerry Hamza, and Kelly Carlin.  For HBO: executive producers, Lisa Heller and Nancy Abraham.