POPULARITY
Greetings, programs, and welcome to another edition of the Awesome Friday Podcast. This week Matt and Simon take a look at the new high-concept indie thriller Blank and the new documentary about the life and art of David Bowie, Moonage Daydream. One of these movies is one of the best movies of the year, so listen closely to find out which. When you're done listening to the episode, be sure to head to AwesomeFriday.ca, where you will find streaming links for each film (powered by JustWatch), our ratings, and all of our other content. Join us!CONNECT WITH US: Matthew on Twitter: @SmatthewAF Simon on Twitter: @TemporaryPen Home: AwesomeFriday.ca Awesome Friday on Twitter: @AwesomeFridayCa Awesome Friday on Facebook: Awesome Friday Awesome Friday on Instagram: @AwesomeFridayCa AwesomeFriday on YouTube: Awesome Friday Email Awesome Friday: Contact Us SUPPORT: We want to say welcome and thanks for listening to all our listeners, new and old; we appreciate every one of you. If you like what you hear, please consider giving us a like, review, and subscribe on your podcasting platform of choice, and if you can spare a few bucks, you could support us via Patreon or Ko-Fi. SHOW LINKS: Awesome Friday on Apple Podcasts Awesome Friday on Amazon Music Awesome Friday on Deezer Awesome Friday on Goodpods Awesome Friday on Google Podcasts Awesome Friday on iHeartRadio Awesome Friday on Overcast Awesome Friday on Spotify Awesome Friday on Stitcher Meanwhile, relax and enjoy your flight!
Series PremieresStumptown (ABC)Based on the series of graphic novels by the same name, "Stumptown" follows Dex Parios, a strong, assertive and sharp-witted Army veteran who has a complicated love life, gambling debt and a brother to take care of in Portland, Ore. Her military intelligence skills make her a great private investigator, but her brash, unapologetic style puts her in a league of her own, landing her in the firing line of hardcore criminals while not quite in alliance with the rules and objectives of the local police.Almost Family (FOX)Only child Julia Bechley finds her life turned upside down when her father reveals that, over the course of his prize-winning career as a pioneering fertility doctor, he used his own genetic material to conceive dozens of children. Reeling from this explosive revelation, Julia discovers two new sisters -- former best friend Edie Palmer and ex-Olympic athlete Roxy Doyle. As these three young women begin to embrace their new reality, Julia must figure out what life is like without her father by her side; Edie comes to grips with her burgeoning sexuality as her marriage falters; and Roxy faces adulthood out of the spotlight. Against all odds, the three women attempt to form a bond as sisters, even as they must welcome a tidal wave of new siblings into their rapidly expanding family.Raising Dion (Netflix)A single mother must hide her young son's superpowers to protect him from exploitation while investigating their origins and her husband's death. Season PremieresGoliath (Amazon Prime)Once a powerful lawyer, Billy McBride is now a washed up ambulance chaser, who spends more time in bars than the courtroom. When Billy reluctantly agrees to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the massive law firm he helped create, a vast and deadly conspiracy comes to light. Billy and his team end up in a life-or-death trial against the ultimate foe, which could end up helping Billy find redemption and exact revenge on the firm. The Amazon original series is created by David E. Kelley and Jonathan Shapiro.Get Shorty (Epix)Working as muscle for a murderous Nevada crime ring, Miles Daly decides to change professions and become a Hollywood movie producer. Series FinalePoldark (PBS)This all-new version of the vintage Masterpiece series stars Aidan Turner as Capt. Ross Poldark, a redcoat returning to Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War, only to find his father dead and his true love about to marry someone else. A Mammoth Screen production, the series is packed with action, adventure and romance. Also featured are Eleanor Tomlinson as servant Demelza, Warren Clarke as Uncle Charles, and Heida Reed as Elizabeth Chenoweth. Robin Ellis, who portrayed Ross Poldark in the original adaptation 40 years ago, appears here as Reverend Halse. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
*Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Two of Season Five of *Poldark. Actor Heida Reed played Elizabeth in the first four seasons of Poldark, but her character's early death in childbirth was a tragic ending to the fourth season. So her spectral appearance in Sir George Warleggan’s grief-stricken mind this season was a welcome surprise for Elizabeth's fans. Reed joins the podcast to discuss how it felt to return to set as an idealized and imaginary Elizabeth.
*Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Eight of Season Four of *Poldark. Elizabeth Warleggan, formerly Poldark and née Chynoweth, is far from the most beloved character on *Poldark. *Her shifting affections, wayward alliances and confusing emotional center could drive even the most devoted fan of the series to hold Elizabeth at a distance. But actor Heida Reed has always seen Elizabeth as a fundamentally good person, with the same flaws that any of us may try to hide. Reed offers her defense in a new interview.
Series PremiereClique (Pop)Holly and Georgia are two childhood best friends who go to the same university together. They are having a great time, but when Georgia is drawn into an elite clique of popular young women and begins to change, Holly must save their friendship. Season PremierePatriot (Amazon)Following the complicated life of an intelligence officer John Tavner, whose latest assignment is to prevent Iran from going nuclear, which requires him to forgo all safety nets and assume a perilous non-official cover. Season FinalesThe Deuce (HBO)Created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, who also collaborated on HBO's "The Wire" and "Treme," the semifictional drama series "The Deuce" tells of the germination of the sex-trade industry in the heart of New York's Times Square. It's the early 1970s, and the porn business begins a shift from organized crime-backed parlors to a legitimate, culturally accepted enterprise. A cast of barkeeps, prostitutes, pimps, police and nightlife seekers centers around twins Vincent and Frankie Martino (James Franco, in a dual role), who navigate the sex business after meeting well-connected mobster Rudy Pipilo. Their storyline, among others, merges with that of prostitute Candy, whose ambition and intelligence lead her to a more prominent role in the industry.Kidding (Showtime)"Kidding" follows Jeff Pickles, a man who is iconic in children's television. Jeff, aka Mr. Pickles, is a pillar of kindness and wisdom to the impressionable minds of America's youth and to the parents who grew up with him. When Mr. Pickles' family begins to implode, his life starts to take a downward spiral. He must put the fables and puppets aside to get through this newest crisis in life. As the slow leak of sanity advances faster than he can cope with it, the cruel world breaks his heart.Mayans M.C. (FX)"Mayans M.C." is the next chapter in the "Sons of Anarchy" saga. Set in a post-Jax Teller world, Ezekiel "EZ" Reyes is fresh out of prison and a prospect in the Mayans M.C. charter on the California/Mexico border. EZ, the gifted son of a proud Latino family and former golden boy, sees his quest for the American dream snuffed out by border violence. Faced with carving out a new identity for himself in his small town, EZ's need for vengeance drives him toward a life he never intended and can never escape.Woman in White (miniseries, PBS)The lives of two half-sisters and their drawing master get caught up in a deadly conspiracy revolving around a mentally ill woman dressed all in white.Poldark (PBS)This all-new version of the vintage Masterpiece series stars Aidan Turner as Capt. Ross Poldark, a redcoat returning to Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War, only to find his father dead and his true love about to marry someone else. A Mammoth Screen production, the series is packed with action, adventure and romance. Also featured are Eleanor Tomlinson as servant Demelza, Warren Clarke as Uncle Charles, and Heida Reed as Elizabeth Chenoweth. Robin Ellis, who portrayed Ross Poldark in the original adaptation 40 years ago, appears here as Reverend Halse. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Season Premieres:Poldark (PBS)This all-new version of the vintage Masterpiece series stars Aidan Turner as Capt. Ross Poldark, a redcoat returning to Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War, only to find his father dead and his true love about to marry someone else. A Mammoth Screen production, the series is packed with action, adventure and romance. Also featured are Eleanor Tomlinson as servant Demelza, Warren Clarke as Uncle Charles, and Heida Reed as Elizabeth Chenoweth. Robin Ellis, who portrayed Ross Poldark in the original adaptation 40 years ago, appears here as Reverend Halse.SEAL Team (CBS)Failure isn't an option for the new Navy SEALs, and that kind of pressure can take a toll on the members of the special operations forces' most elite unit. This team -- which includes Jason, the group's intense leader, and Ray, Jason's longtime confidant, along with loyal soldier Sonny and SEAL hopeful Clay -- trains, plans and executes some of the most dangerous, high-stakes missions and deploys for clandestine missions around the globe at a moment's notice. While serving their country is a worthy and rewarding cause, it can put a strain on the SEALs and their families, causing the guys to look out for one another in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, both on and off the job.The Walking Dead (AMC)Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, this gritty drama portrays life in the months and years that follow a zombie apocalypse. Led by former police officer Rick Grimes, his family and a group of other survivors find themselves constantly on the move in search of a safe and secure home. But the pressure each day to stay alive sends many in the group to the deepest depths of human cruelty, and Rick discovers that the overwhelming fear of the survivors can be more deadly than the zombies walking among them.Madam Secretary (CBS)Having left her job as a CIA analyst for ethical reasons, newly appointed Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord returns to public life at the request of the president, after the suspicious death of her predecessor. Valued by her boss for her apolitical leanings, knowledge of the Middle East, language skills and creative thinking, Elizabeth drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol, while negotiating national and international issues. At home, politics and compromise take on new meaning with her supportive husband and three bright kids.The Flash (CW)At 11, Barry Allen's life changed completely when his mother died in a freak accident and his innocent father was convicted of her murder. Orphaned Barry later becomes Detective Joe West. Now a crime-scene investigator, his dedication to learn the truth about his mother's death drives him to follow up on every new scientific advancement and urban legend. When his latest obsession - a particle accelerator heralded as a world-changing invention - causes an explosion, it creates a freak storm and Barry is struck by lightning. He awakes from a coma nine months later with the power of superspeed. When he learns that others who have gained powers use them for evil, he dedicates himself to protecting the innocent, while still trying to solve the older mystery.Black Lightning (CW)CW and Greg Berlanti expand the footprint of their DC Comics universe with this exploration of the intersection between family life and being a superhero. As a younger man, Jefferson Pierce donned the suit of a vigilante and protected the streets of his city, but he believed he'd left those days in the past. He learns that life doesn't always work out as planned when his daughter, Jennifer -- a star student who is determined to achieve justice at any cost -- gets recruited by a street gang. In order to protect his family, Jefferson sees no choice but to once again become Black Lightning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
(Sun., 10/29):The Deuce (s1, HBO)Created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, who also collaborated on HBO's "The Wire" and "Treme," the semifictional drama series "The Deuce" tells of the germination of the sex-trade industry in the heart of New York's Times Square. It's the early 1970s, and the porn business begins a shift from organized crime-backed parlors to a legitimate, culturally accepted enterprise. A cast of barkeeps, prostitutes, pimps, police and nightlife seekers centers around twins Vincent and Frankie Martino (James Franco, in a dual role), who navigate the sex business after meeting well-connected mobster Rudy Pipilo. Their storyline, among others, merges with that of prostitute Candy, whose ambition and intelligence lead her to a more prominent role in the industry. (Wed., 11/1):Liar: Season Finale: (s1, Sundance)Created and written by BAFTA- and Golden Globe-nominated producers and screenwriters Harry and Jack Williams, and featuring "Downton Abbey" star Joanne Froggatt and "Fantastic Four" actor Ioan Guffard, "Liar" tells the story of two people whose initial attraction leads to far-reaching consequences for them and their friends and families. Laura Nielson, a smart and capable teacher in the middle of a breakup, is set up on a date with recently widowed surgeon Andrew Earlham. However, the day after it is apparent that something has gone wrong, and the subsequent fallout rapidly spirals out of control, exposing the power of truth, deception and trust. (Released on Fri., 11/3):Fearless (s1, all 6 total, Amazon)Human rights lawyer Emma Banville takes up the defense of convicted killer Kevin Russell, who's serving a life sentence for the murder of a schoolgirl 14 years earlier. (Sun., 11/12):Vice Principals: Series Finale : (s2, HBO)"Eastbound & Down" creators Danny McBride and Jody Hill team again for a dark comedy series -- no surprise there! -- that may place high school administrators in a wholly different light. McBride and Walton Goggins co-star as vice principals at North Jackson High School, which becomes ground zero for a major power struggle when the principal retires. The rival administrators set their sights on the vacated top spot -- only to see English teacher Dr. Belinda Brown enter the picture. Putting their mutual hate aside, the bitter antagonists form an unholy alliance to bring down the outsider by any means necessary. (Sun., 11/12)Star Trek: Discovery : Mid-Season Finale : (s1, e09, 15 total, CBS All Access; Chapter Two includes the remaining 6 episodes that launch in January)Created by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman for CBS All Access, the story of "Star Trek: Discovery" begins roughly a decade before Captain Kirk's five-year mission -- as portrayed in the original "Star Trek" from the 1960s -- and a century before the events of "Star Trek: Enterprise." The series follows the crew of the USS Discovery as they encounter new worlds and civilizations, delving into familiar themes and expanding upon an incident that has been talked about within the franchise's universe, but never fully explored. (Thurs., 11/16):Better Things: Season Finale: (s2, FX)Sam Fox is an actress, who is also a single mother raising three daughters -- teenager Max, eccentric middle child Frankie, and spicy youngest daughter Duke -- in Los Angeles. She also helps to care for her mother, Phil, who lives across the street. In addition to looking after her family, Sam tries to earn a living in the difficult acting industry while having time to have fun with friends and, occasionally, get in some private time with potential mates. In addition to starring as Sam, Emmy winner Pamela Adlon is a co-creator of the comedy series, along with former "Lucky Louie" co-star Louis C.K. (Released on Fri., 11/17):Marvel’s The Punisher (s1, Netflix)After exacting revenge on the people responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that runs deeper than New York's criminal underworld. Now known as the Punisher, he must dig deep into the conspiracy to discover the truth about injustices that affect more than just him and his family. Assisting the vigilante in his quest to fight criminals are best friend Billy Russo, who runs private military corporation Anvil, and former NSA analyst Micro, who shares common enemies with Castle and helps him as part of a so-called marriage of convenience. (Sun., 11/19):Poldark (s3, PBS)This all-new version of the vintage Masterpiece series stars Aidan Turner as Capt. Ross Poldark, a redcoat returning to Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War, only to find his father dead and his true love about to marry someone else. A Mammoth Screen production, the series is packed with action, adventure and romance. Also featured are Eleanor Tomlinson as servant Demelza, Warren Clarke as Uncle Charles, and Heida Reed as Elizabeth Chenoweth. Robin Ellis, who portrayed Ross Poldark in the original adaptation 40 years ago, appears here as Reverend Halse. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Sunday, 10/1:Wisdom of the Crowd (s1, CBS)Driven by a need to find his daughter's killer, Silicon Valley tech innovator Jeffrey Tanner takes crowdsourcing to a new level, creating a digital platform for people around the world to publicly share and evaluate evidence for criminal investigations. He uses the software as the foundation to launch a new company with a staff of passionate specialists -- including the original police officer who searched for his daughter's killer -- ultimately managing to revolutionize crime solving in the San Francisco Bay area. Sunday, 10/1:Poldark (s3, PBS)This all-new version of the vintage Masterpiece series stars Aidan Turner as Capt. Ross Poldark, a redcoat returning to Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War, only to find his father dead and his true love about to marry someone else. A Mammoth Screen production, the series is packed with action, adventure and romance. Also featured are Eleanor Tomlinson as servant Demelza, Warren Clarke as Uncle Charles, and Heida Reed as Elizabeth Chenoweth. Robin Ellis, who portrayed Ross Poldark in the original adaptation 40 years ago, appears here as Reverend Halse. Sunday, 10/1:Ghosted (s1, FOX)Former missing persons detective Leroy Wright is a skeptic who doesn't believe aliens exist, unlike true believer Max Jennifer, who is convinced his wife was abducted by such beings. Against all odds, the two find themselves forced to work with each other when, at low points in their lives, they are both recruited by Capt. Ava Lafrey, a take-no-prisoners former Air Force test pilot and head of the Bureau Underground, a secret government organization investigating paranormal cases. Lafrey and her staff support Leroy and Max as they look into unexplained activity and keep Earth safe. Sunday, 10/1:The Last Man on Earth (s4, FOX)In 2022, a cataclysm strikes Earth, seemingly wiping out the population save for former family man and bank employee Phil Miller. Sad and very lonely, Phil travels the United States, Canada and Mexico in his RV searching for other survivors. Striving to hold onto hope that there is at least one other living person, he tries to make the best of circumstances until his path finally crosses with that hoped-for other survivor -- and all becomes more comforting that the person happens to be a woman. As more survivors turn up, complications arise and Phil finds it difficult to co-exist with others again. Monday, 10/2:The Gifted (s1, FOX)Marvel expands its footprint on the television landscape with this new family adventure series about an ordinary suburban family whose lives change course forever when they discover their children have developed mutant powers. When the threat of a hostile government forces the family to go on the run to protect themselves, they join the ranks of an underground network of mutants. Together, the group fight to survive in a world where fear and misunderstanding put them at constant risk. "X-Men" alums Bryan Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg are among the executive producers. Tuesday, 10/3:Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (s1, ABC)Kevin Finn is struggling. Directionless and cluelessly self-serving, he seems to be drifting ever closer to total despair. With his life spiraling further and further out of control, he heads home to seek refuge with his widowed twin sister, Amy, and her young daughter. On his first night there, life takes an unexpected turn when he receives an unlikely celestial being named Yvette, who has a mission for him: to save the world. It's going to take a lot of trial and error, but maybe a bigger purpose is exactly what he's needed all along. Friday, 10/6:Suburra (s1, Netflix; from producers of Gomorrah)Criminal rivalries and endemic corruption are exposed when plans are made to turn a seaside town into a gambling paradise. Sunday, 10/8:Madam Secretary (s4, CBS)Having left her job as a CIA analyst for ethical reasons, newly appointed Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord returns to public life at the request of the president, after the suspicious death of her predecessor. Valued by her boss for her apolitical leanings, knowledge of the Middle East, language skills and creative thinking, Elizabeth drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol while negotiating national and international issues. At home, politics and compromise take on new meaning with her supportive husband and three bright kids. Tuesday, 10/10:DC's Legends of Tomorrow (s3, CW)"Arrow" and "The Flash" have some new superhero company in the CW's lineup with the addition of "DC's Legends of Tomorrow." After seeing what doom the future holds, time-traveling rogue Rip Hunter realizes heroes alone are not enough to prevent the impending catastrophe that threatens not only the planet, but all of time itself. Tasked with recruiting both heroes and villains, Rip brings together a ragtag team of divergent talents, which includes the likes of Sara Lance, Ray Palmer, and Heat Wave. Tuesday, 10/10:The Flash (s4, CW) At 11, Barry Allen's life changed completely when his mother died in a freak accident and his innocent father was convicted of her murder. Now a crime-scene investigator, his dedication to learn the truth about his mother's death drives him to follow up on every new scientific advancement and urban legend. When his latest obsession -- a particle accelerator heralded as a world-changing invention -- causes an explosion, it creates a freak storm and Barry is struck by lightning. He awakes from a coma nine months later with the power of superspeed. When he learns that others who have gained powers use them for evil, he dedicates himself to protecting the innocent, while still trying to solve the older mystery. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Ten of the Second Season of Poldark. Even though actor Aidan Turner understands Ross Poldark's motivations more than most, he can admit that Ross was "a mess" this season. In this episode, Aidan Turner joins us to reflect on Ross's missteps, the fiery finale, and why he still believes that Ross and Demelza are "soulmates."
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Nine of the Second Season of Poldark. Actor Heida Reed is nothing like the character she plays on MASTERPIECE. In fact, she describes herself as, "actually the opposite;" she's impulsive and she "doesn't have a filter." So what has it been like for her to play the buttoned-up (and hate-able) Elizabeth Poldark? We turn to Heida to find out.
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Eight of the Second Season of Poldark. Eleanor Tomlinson -- who plays Demelza Poldark -- comments on recent events as shocking as a slap in the face.
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Seven of the Second Season of Poldark. Dr. Dwight Enys knows how to extract fish bones from throats, cure scurvy, and fix locked knees, but for all of his knowledge about the human body, he really struggles when it comes to matters of the heart. Actor Luke Norris joins us in the aftermath of the latest love drama to comment on whether or not things will ever come around for the good doctor.
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Five of the Second Season of Poldark. Francis Poldark might be the unluckiest character to appear on MASTERPIECE since Lady Edith Crawley, but whereas Downton's Lady Edith got a happy ending, Francis Poldark did not. In this episode, actor Kyle Soller talks about Francis's unhappy ending and looks back on some of his favorite scenes from the past two seasons.
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Three of the Second Season of Poldark. With all of George Warleggan's antics this season and last, it's hard to see him as anything other than Cornwall's resident villain...or is it? In this episode, actor Jack Farthing gives us a different take on the "Poldark" character.
Episode 41 of the Doctor Who: Alhambra Podcast In this episode of the Alhambra Podcast, the trio of Brett (@Mavic_Chen) and Liam (@djNezumi) and Legeon (@legeonhenderson) reunite and bring an enjoyable hour (or more) discussion and sci-fi silliness for the month of August 2016. We started off the podcast with Doctor Who and Big Finish news, thanks to www.doctorwhonews.net for the up to date DW news! We discuss the news from Big Finish releasing more Torchwood audios, the combined Big Finish & B7 production of the classic Sci-Fi character Dan Dare. This series will star Ed Stoppard as Dan Dare, Geoff McGivern as Digby, Heida Reed as Professor Peabody, and Raad Rawi as the Mekon. Big Finish releases for the month of August 2016 goes as follows: MR #215 Fiesta of the Damned; Fourth Doctor Adventure #5.08 Casualties of Time; New Adv. of Bernice Summerfield - The Unbound Universe 1. The Library in The Body by James Goss. 2. Planet X by Guy Adams (very Happiness Patrol-like). 3. The Very Dark Thing by Una McCormack. 4. The Emporium At The End by Emma Reeves (very Entropy Plague-like) Doctor Who spin-off release: Torchwood: #2.06 Made You Look by Eve Myles. Non-Doctor Who Releases: Series 5 of Sherlock Holmes “The Sacrifice of Sherlock Holmes.” Audio Only Review list - The Power of Kroll (to be recorded in September). Please stay tuned for those releases, and further releases when we focus merely on the strength of the story and storytelling, and ignore the visuals. Please email the show at: alhambraaudio@gmail.com Tweet the show: @AlhambraPodcast or @djNezumi or @Mavic_Chen Visit our website: AlhambraPodcast.weebly.com
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode One and Two of the Second Season of Poldark. In the wake of "Poldark's" tense, Season 2 premiere, Eleanor Tomlinson sits down with us to talk about playing the fiery Demelza Poldark and Demelza and Ross's future together: the good, the bad, and the baby.
Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Episode One of the Second Season of Poldark. Season 2 of "Poldark" is just around the corner! So what's in store for Ross, Demelza, and the rest of the Cornwall crew? On this episode, Aidan Turner looks back on Season 1 -- including Ross's shirtless scything scene -- and shares a few Season 2 secrets with us to get us ready to watch the premiere.