Amazon’s newest original series, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” had a big night at the Golden Globes last Sunday, scooping up statuettes for star Rachel Brosnahan (Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy TV Series) and the show itself (Best Musical or Comedy TV Series). Now, to celebrate those wins, and get the series in front of as many eyeballs as possible, the streaming service will offer the show for free to non-subscribers this coming weekend.
The promotion will begin on Friday, January 12 at 12:01 a.m. local time, and end on Monday, January 15 at 11:59 p.m. local time. “Mrs. Maisel” will be available online, on the Prime Video app on mobile devices and smart televisions, and on Amazon’s Fire TV.
“Big kudos and congrats to Rachel for her first Golden Globe and to [creator] Amy [Sherman-Palladino] for an outstanding first season,” said Greg Hart, vice president of Prime Video, in a statement. “We are excited for new viewers to join in the celebration and stream the series for free this weekend.”
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” follows a ’50s housewife (Brosnahan) who suddenly finds herself single, and forges a career as a stand-up comedian. “Gilmore Girls” creator Sherman-Palladino is the brains behind the series, and directed, wrote, and produced the show alongside her husband and producing partner, Daniel Palladino. It was picked up for two seasons during Amazon’s original order.
McKellen was on Graham Norton’s radio show over the weekend, and Norton asked McKellen if it would bother him to see another actor as Gandalf. McKellen was appalled: “What do you mean, another Gandalf?” He continued, “I haven’t said yes because I haven’t been asked. But are you suggesting that someone else is going to play it? Gandalf is over 7,000-years-old, so I’m not too old.”
Hear, hear! Sure, in a prequel you’d expect Gandalf to be younger, but they could make him younger with visual effects — or just leave him as he is. Who would complain?
According to Deadline, this new LOTR prequel series is being produced by Amazon Studios in cooperation with the Tolkien Estate and Trust; HarperCollins; and New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which produced Peter Jackson’s blockbuster LOTR and “The Hobbit” movies. McKellen is already part of that franchise family. So … why not?
The Night King is responsible for all kinds of problems, not least of which apparently include the delay of “Game of Thrones” Blu-ray deliveries.
A U.K.-based fan known on Reddit as Daft_Dragon was entertained by Amazon and posted about it on Monday. The “Game of Thrones” aficionado shared an email that came from Amazon as an update on a Season 7 Blu-ray order. The message informed the customer that the package would arrive “one or two days later than expected” for an interesting reason: “adverse weather conditions caused by the arrival of the Night King.”
Daft_Dragon seemed to take the delay in stride, and instead of complaining, wrote that “it seems Amazon UK have a sense of humour about delivering Season 7 in the snowy conditions.” We like that attitude. When winter comes, you just have to be glad to avoid White Walkers.
We reached out to Amazon UK and got confirmation that the email was a “genuine Amazon email.” Alas, the message we got was not “Game of Thrones”-themed, too.
This post has been updated with Amazon’s confirmation.
“Transparent” — despite his earlier remarks that he’d left the Amazon series in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against him.
After Tambor was accused of harassment by a former assistant and an actress on the show, the Emmy winner issued a statement saying, “Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to ‘Transparent.’”
However, in a report by the New York Times, his representative said the actor remains with the show. “Transparent” creator Jill Soloway refuses to comment on Tambor’s status while Amazon investigates the charges.
“What he said was that given the toxic atmosphere and the politicization on the set, it’s very hard for him to see how he can possibly return. But no final decision for next year has been made, either by Jeffrey or by Amazon,” Tambor’s rep said.
Writers are currently at work on a fifth season of “Transparent,” though it continues to remain unclear if Tambor would continue to star in it.
With the novel “Good Omens” being adapted for TV, fans have been begging author-cum-showrunner Neil Gaiman for a look at Hamm in character. On Thursday, Gaiman delivered, tweeting out an image of Hamm against a backdrop of what looks like a concrete wall. Hamm is dressed in light colors from head to toe, with a look of concern on his face.
Gaiman is clearly beyond thrilled with the actor in the role. He tweeted a worthy introduction to God’s messenger, describing Hamm in character as Gabriel as “a thing of beauty, and a joy for ever.”
So for you, for me, for all of us. FOR PEOPLE NOT YET BORN. This is what Jon Hamm looks like as the Angel Gabriel in the upcoming TV series of GOOD OMENS. A thing of beauty, and a joy for ever. pic.twitter.com/OK84PDZXLs
Along with Hamm, the stars of “Good Omens” include David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Anna Maxwell Martin, Josie Lawrence, and more. The project is currently in the works, and the six-part miniseries is expected to premiere in 2019. It will air on BBC Two in the U.K. and stream on Amazon Prime for U.S. viewers.
Ahead of the action flick’s late December release, Amazon has lined up early showings for Prime members. The company announced Wednesday that it was selling tickets to screenings at 1,000-plus theaters nationwide. The events will be held on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at select Regal, ArcLight Cinemas, and National Amusements theaters, and likely AMC Theaters, as well, according to Amazon.
Moviegoers will see the film 12 days early, which is exciting considering that it is expected to be a big box office draw this holiday season. The movie is a standalone sequel to 1995’s “Jumanji” and puts a modern spin on it and the children’s book the flick was based on. It stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan as a group teenagers stuck in the bodies of video game characters.
With its early showings, Amazon is both rewarding its Prime members and encouraging others to join. Each member is allowed to buy 10 tickets (while supplies last) to attend a nearby screening. Tickets for Amazon’s Dec. 8 showings can be purchased online via Atom and IMDb.
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” officially opens on Dec. 20.
At a loss for what to watch this week? From new TV, we’ve got you covered.
TV Worth Watching
Four-Way Superhero Crossover (Monday & Tuesday on The CW)
It’s time for the 2017 Arrowverse crossover, aka The Crashing of Barry and Iris’ Wedding! The four parts of “Crisis on Earth-X” start Monday, Nov 27 with “Supergirl” at 8 p.m., followed by “Arrow” at 9 p.m. The drama continues Tuesday, Nov. 28 with “The Flash” and “Legends of Tomorrow.” Here’s the synopsis, from The CW:
“Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Iris West’s (Candice Patton) wedding brings the gang together, but things go awry when villains from Earth-X attack. All of the superheroes band together with help from their super friends like Citizen Cold (Wentworth Miller), The Ray (Russell Tovey), Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), and Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh) to take on their most formidable villains yet. Earth’s mightiest heroes — Green Arrow (Stephen Amell), Supergirl (Melissa Benoist), The Flash (Grant Gustin), and White Canary (Caity Lotz) — lead their teams into battle to save the world.”
Here’s the super-promo:“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Season 5 Premiere (Friday on ABC at 8 p.m.)
DC doesn’t get to have all the fun this week. “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” returns with a special two-hour Season 5 premiere, titled “Orientation (Part One)” and “Orientation (Part Two). It airs from 8 to 10 p.m. on December. 1.
Per ABC, “Coulson and the team find themselves stranded on a mysterious ship in outer space, and that’s just the beginning of the nightmare to come.”
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” Season 9 Finale (Sunday on HBO at 10 p.m.)
The new adventures of Larry David conclude December 3 with the Season 9 finale. Episode 10, “Fatwa!” could be the last we ever see of the pretay, pretay, pretay good character. Will they kill him off? The HBO synopsis simply reads, “Larry has a scheduling conflict, takes issue with work associates, and hosts a pair of ungrateful house guests.” Yep, sounds like Larry.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
“Logan Lucky”Director Steven Soderbergh teamed with an all-star cast — Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Seth MacFarlane, Riley Keough, Katie Holmes, Katherine Waterston, Dwight Yoakam, Sebastian Stan, Brian Gleeson, Jack Quaid, Hilary Swank, and Daniel Craig — for this “caper comedy with a twist,” which arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand on November 28. The release comes with deleted scenes.
“The Defiant Ones”
This four-part documentary about the bond of trust and friendship between Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine is available on Blu-ray and DVD on November 28.
Director Allen Hughes filmed Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre with over a three-year period, with both men speaking frankly about their highs and lows. The series also includes interviews with major music icons including Snoop Dogg, Bruce Springsteen, Gwen Stefani, Bono, David Geffen, Eminem, Nas, Stevie Nicks, Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, Jon Landau, Patti Smith, Lady Gaga, Doug Morris, Tom Petty, Trent Reznor, Diddy, Alonzo Williams, and will.i.am.
“Rememory”
Peter Dinklage, Julia Ormond, Martin Donovan, Anton Yelchin, Henry Ian Cusick, Evelyne Brochu, and Matt Ellis star in this sci-fi mystery arriving on DVD, Blu-ray, Digital HD, and On Demand November 28. When an inventor (Donovan) turns up dead, a mysterious man (Dinklage) steals his latest invention: a device able to extract, record, and play a person’s memories. The Blu-ray and DVD include a behind-the-scenes featurette and audio commentary with writer-director Mark Palansky and star Peter Dinklage.
“Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life”
Chug some coffee and watch the four 90-minute seasonal chapters of this long-awaited return to Stars Hollow, set almost 10 years after the end of “Gilmore Girls.” Rory, Lorelai, Luke, Emily, and friends are coming to DVD, Digital, and Blu-ray on November 28.
• Redbox: New titles coming to the big red box on Tuesday, Nov. 28 include “Kidnap,” “I Do… Until I Don’t,” “Acts of Vengeance,” Tulip Fever,” “We’ll Never Have Paris,” “Fun Mom Dinner,” “Alien: Reign of Man,” “Lycan,” “The Elf,” “Alien Arrival,” “Red Christmas,” and “Ghost House.”
New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon Original) Speaking of “Gilmore Girls” … Amy Sherman-Palladino’s highly anticipated “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” was picked up for a two-season order, with Season 1 streaming November 29 on Amazon Prime. Rachel Brosnahan (“House of Cards”) stars as Miriam “Midge” Maisel.
Deadline described her as “a 1958 New York City woman who has everything she’s ever wanted — the perfect husband, two kids, and an elegant Upper West Side apartment perfect for hosting Yom Kippur dinner. But her perfect life suddenly takes an unexpected turn and Midge discovers a previously unknown talent—one that changes her life forever. She charts a course that takes her from her comfortable life on Riverside Drive, through the basket houses and nightclubs of Greenwich Village as she storms the world of stand-up comedy…a course that will ultimately lead her to a spot on Johnny Carson’s couch.” Watch the trailer here.
“Detroit”
Before John Boyega returns for more “Star Wars,” watch him in director Kathryn Bigelow’s powerful and unsettling step back in American history, arriving Digitally on Movies Anywhere on Tuesday, Nov. 28, and on Blu-ray and DVD on December 12.
“Based on the Algiers Motel incident during Detroit’s 1967 uprising, a Detroit security guard caught in a crossfire after a late-night police raid sparks a wave of violence that spirals out of control.” Will Poulter, Anthony Mackie, Algee Smith, Jacob Latimore, Hannah Murray, Jack Reynor, and John Krasinski costar in the film. Special features include five behind-the scenes featurettes and a music video featuring Algee Smith and the real Larry Reed from The Dramatics.
“People You May Know”
This comedy/romance arrives on Digital HD and On Demand November 28. Nick Thune, Halston Sage, Kaily Smith Westbrook, Ian Harding, Carly Chaikin, and Usher Raymond IV star in a story about an introvert whose total lack of an online presence leaves him feeling isolated. Enter a “social media maven” who utilizes his design skills to digitally present his life in the most glamorous ways imaginable.
“All Hail King Julien” Season 5 (Netflix Original)
It’s time for a farewell celebration party. The final season of this Emmy-Award winning series — starring characters from DreamWorks Animation’s “Madagascar” — arrives this Friday, Dec. 1 on Netflix.
“With King Julien reinstated to the throne, this season we will witness our beloved monarch developing a scarily-funny allergic reaction to gecko milk, trying to elevate his popularity via ‘Facewall’ and hosting a fake election to find the new ‘Prime Minister of Mangoes.’ Of course, Mort, Maurice, Clover, Karl and Uncle King Julien all contribute in their own unique ways to make this final season an epic adventure. So, come watch the funniest, most irreverent season to date and join in on the biggest party King Julien has ever thrown to celebrate the series finale.”
Check out this exclusive clip from the final season, introducing Mermaid Mort — the most peculiar mer-lemur in the seven seas:“Voyeur” (Netflix Original)
This one is decidedly less family-friendly. “They couldn’t hear me, they couldn’t see me, it was exactly what I wanted.” Journalist Gay Talese “unmasks a motel owner who spied on his guests for decades. But his bombshell story soon becomes a scandal of its own.” The Netflix original documentary starts streaming December 1. Watch the trailer here.
• This Friday marks the start of a new month, and you know what that means: A heap of new titles will arrive by Netflix’s sleigh starting December 1, and others will go into hibernation. Here’s the list of titles arriving this Friday, Dec. 1:
“8 Mile” (2002)
“Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994)
“Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” (1995)
“All Hail King Julien,” Season 5
“A StoryBots Christmas
“August Rush” (2007)
“Chef & My Fridge: 2017”
“Dark,” Season 1
“Diana: In Her Own Words” (2017)
“Dreamcatcher” (2003)
“DreamWorks Home For the Holidays” (2017)
“Easy,” Season 2
“Exporting Raymond” (2010)
“The Farthest: Voyager in Space” (2017)
“Forbidden Games: The Justin Fashanu Story” (2017)
“Full Metal Jacket” (1987)
“Hitch” (2005)
“The Little Rascals” (1994)
“My Happy Family” (2017)
“Nacho Libre” (2006)
“Sahara” (2005)
“Turn: Washington’s Spies,” Season 4
“Tyson” (1995)
“V for Vendetta” (2005)
“The Wackness” (2008)
“While You Were Sleeping” (1995)
“The Young Victoria” (2009)
“Castle” alum Stana Katic is back! But she’s in trouble.
Her series “Absentia” now has a U.S. release, thanks to Amazon, which plans to premiere the 10-episode thriller sometime in 2018. “Absentia” is already available in several countries (including Spain and Russia), so fans were just waiting to see who’d pick up the release for other markets. According to Deadline, Amazon will stream the series for the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, and Turkey.
In “Absentia,” Katic plays FBI agent Emily Byrne, who disappears without a trace while hunting one of Boston’s most notorious serial killers, and is declared dead. Six years later, she’s found in a cabin in the woods, barely alive, with no memory of the years she was missing. She returns home to discover her husband (played by Patrick Heusinger) has remarried, and her son (Patrick McCauley) is being raised by another woman Cara Theobold). She also soon finds herself implicated in a new series of murders.
Brad Beale, VP of Worldwide TV Content Acquisition at Amazon Prime Video, said in a statement:
“‘Absentia’ is an exciting new thriller which combines family and love with suspense and vindication. Prime members worldwide are going to love this well written show with remarkable performances by a terrific ensemble cast led by Stana Katic in her newest lead role.”
The “Absentia” cast also includes Angel Bonanni, Richard Brake, Neil Jackson, Ralph Ineson, Paul Freeman, and Bruno Bichir.
Here’s the trailer that aired before the show’s debut on AXN worldwide:
Amazon just landed the One TV Show to Rule Them All: The streaming service will produce a series based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” books.
There are few details to go on right now, but Deadline reports that “the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Fellowship of the Ring,’” the first novel in the three-book series, and there is potential to develop a spin-off show as well. The project will have big shoes to fill, following Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning film series, which nabbed the Academy Award for Best Picture for 2003’s “The Return of the King.”
According to Deadline, this deal came together thanks to Amazon’s quest to produce a fantasy hit on par with HBO blockbuster “Game of Thrones,” and CEO Jeff Bezos himself was reportedly personally involved in the negotiations. The project already has a multi-season commitment, though there are no scripts yet, nor any writers, directors, or stars attached.
What the series does have, however, is an eye-popping price tag, with Deadline reporting that the rights for the franchise alone cost in the $200 to $250 million range — and that’s before any production costs or cast salaries are factored in. As has been reported previously, this age of Peak TV comes at a hefty price, and according to Deadline, this deal could make Amazon’s take on “LOTR” the most expensive series ever. (As one industry expert put it to Deadline, this show’s costs will be “insane,” with each episode’s budget potentially reaching $100 to $150 million)
That price is worth it to Amazon, though.
“The Lord of the Rings is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Scripted Series for Amazon Studios, in a statement. “We are honored to be working with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line on this exciting collaboration for television and are thrilled to be taking The Lord of the Rings fans on a new epic journey in Middle Earth.”
“We are delighted that Amazon, with its longstanding commitment to literature, is the home of the first-ever multi-season television series for ‘The Lord of the Rings’,” said Matt Galsor, a representative for the Tolkien Estate and Trust and HarperCollins. “Sharon and the team at Amazon Studios have exceptional ideas to bring to the screen previously unexplored stories based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s original writings.”
No production timeline is in place yet. Stay tuned.
Exit, “Gilmore Girls”; enter “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
Amazon has unveiled the trailer and release date for Amy Sherman-Palladino’s next series. All eight episodes of dramedy will debut November 29 — a year after “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” streamed on Netflix. The pilot has already been available on Amazon for some time and has received positive reviews.
Rachel Brosnahan stars Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a woman living in 1958 New York whose life seems to be perfect — a wonderful husband, two darling kids, a fabulous Upper East Side apartment. Then, things take an unexpected turn when she discovers a previously unknown talent for stand-up comedy.
Midge sets out on a path that takes her through various Greenwich Village comedy clubs and ultimately lands her on Johnny Carson’s couch.
The cast includes Tony Shaloub (“Monk”), Alex Borstein (“Family Guy”), Marin Hinkle (“Two and a Half Men”), and Jane Lynch (“Glee”).
“Gandalf is over 7,000-years-old. So I’m not too old.”
The Night King is responsible for all kinds of problems, not least of which apparently include the delay of “Game of Thrones” Blu-ray deliveries.
“Transparent” — despite his earlier remarks that he’d left the Amazon series in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against him.
Behold, 
The wait for 
At a loss for what to watch this week? From new TV, we’ve got you covered.
Director Steven Soderbergh teamed with an all-star cast — Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Seth MacFarlane, Riley Keough, Katie Holmes, Katherine Waterston, Dwight Yoakam, Sebastian Stan, Brian Gleeson, Jack Quaid, Hilary Swank, and Daniel Craig — for this “caper comedy with a twist,” which arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand on November 28. The release comes with deleted scenes.
Speaking of “Gilmore Girls” … Amy Sherman-Palladino’s highly anticipated “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” was picked up for a two-season order, with Season 1 streaming November 29 on Amazon Prime. Rachel Brosnahan (“House of Cards”) stars as Miriam “Midge” Maisel.
“Castle” alum 
Amazon just landed the One TV Show to Rule Them All: The streaming service will produce a series based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” books.
Exit, “Gilmore Girls”; enter “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”