How did WB mess up Potter?
How did WB mess up Potter?
And CNN's streaming failure
What to know
The future of Potter is shockingly uncertain… Are you aware that one of the world’s biggest franchises has a movie coming out this week? The Wizarding World’s Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore hits theaters Friday rocking a 59% RT score. Warner finds itself in a tough situation with its 2nd biggest IP brand. The Beasts series has underwhelmed critics and audiences, it had to recast Johnny Depp, it’s got Ezra Miller’s recent arrest to deal with, and then the mother of all problems: JK Rowling and the Unfortunate Opinions on Sex and Gender.
Variety reveals that a once promised 4th and 5th Fantastic Beasts movies are no longer guaranteed — especially if movie three flops this weekend. If Warner Discovery is smart it will do everything it can to get Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint back for a Cursed Child film adaptation. Though maybe it should consider an Aurors show on HBO Max first? That fake trailer from 2011 provides a good blueprint. 🧙🏻
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried has died at 67 after battling long illness… Gottfried is a legend among comedy circles for his fearless and brash style — and also among millennials for voicing Iago the parrot in Aladdin. The tributes from stand ups are pouring in online, showing just how respected and beloved he was. Gottfried appeared on the Comedy Central Roasts of Bob Saget, Joan Rivers, Donald Trump, and Roseanne Barr. How are the last two the only ones still with us? 🎤
CNN+ reportedly has fewer than 10,000 subscribers… That’s not a great start for a name-brand streaming service. It kind of makes no sense that CNN would have its own streaming platform, especially when that platform doesn’t include the live CNN feed. CNN is owned by Warner, why isn’t that content just on HBO Max? I’m fully expecting Warner Discovery to kill this project and bring all that content under its imminent umbrella streaming service. 📰
Actors Will Poulter and Mads Mikkelsen call out method acting nonsense… A growing number of actors are taking a stand against bad on-set behavior under the guise of method acting. (Such as Jared Leto making the Morbius crew wheel him to the bathroom.) Film sets can be intimate experiences and it’s about time people started to call out toxicity that parades as art. 👏
Apple reveals first photos of Maya Rudolph’s new comedy series… Rudolph plays a billionaire flanked by Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Joel Kim Booster, Nat Faxon, and Ron Funches. Uh, yes please! I’m kind of shocked this show isn’t on Peacock. 🍎
Justin Bartha to reprise National Treasure role in Disney+ series… OK, it’s not Nic Cage but I’ll take it. 🇺🇸
What’s new
Killing It - Apr 14 | Peacock comedy series | 🍅
Swimming With Sharks - Apr 15 | Roku drama series | 🍅 67%
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - Apr 15 | Fantasy film in theaters | 🍅 59%
The First Lady - Apr 17 | Showtime drama series | 🍅
What to watch
It’s 1972, a fledgling feminist magazine creator teams up with a smarmy pornography publisher to launch her dream publication — hijinks ensue. That’s the genius log line of HBO Max’s raunchy and brainy new comedy Minx. Created by Ellen Rapoport, this watchable half-hour takes on big themes of women’s liberation, morality, and gender issues, sets it all among beautiful ‘70s production design, makes excellent use of leads Ophelia Lovibond and Jake Johnson — and on top of it all, manages to be a funny workplace hangout comedy. Like the magazine Minx featured in the show (which includes feminist articles alongside photos of naked men), Minx the series combines high brow ideas with sex jokes, sight gags, and a welcome bit of buoyancy. All comedy series should be this joyful and clever — and also include Lennon Parham.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!