The world of TV is interesting. Normally, in the old days at least, a TV series would last forever on a network as long as the ratings were good enough. And once the ratings suffered, the show got the ax. Well, that’s not the case anymore with folks like Netflix and HBO seemingly canceling shows that are acclaimed and watched by millions. In 2020, a show needs more than just viewers and a good story to get the renewal, as seen in HBO’s latest move to cancel “The Outsider.”

READ MORE: The Best TV Of 2020… So Far

Debuting in early 2020, “The Outsider” is a crime thriller that stars Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, and Jason Bateman, with the latter directing the first two episodes.

Continue reading HBO Cancels ‘The Outsider’ But Producers Are Looking For A New Home For The Stephen King Series at The Playlist.

For the most part, the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t have the same impact on the television landscape that it did with film. Yes, a few seasons were truncated (“Billions,” “The Good Fight”) and a few others had to reschedule wholesale (“Fargo”), but most of the TV output for the first half of 2020 was set long before anyone knew about the latest coronavirus. The truth is that this ridiculous year has arguably made people more reliant on television than ever, needing an escape from reality and having more time to invest in shows that they might have otherwise missed.

Continue reading The Best TV Of 2020… So Far at The Playlist.

Normally, on a Friday afternoon, you’re sitting at your desk at work thinking about all the fun you’ll have over the weekend. Will you go to the cinema? Maybe a night out on the town, with dinner and dancing? Or perhaps, you have a quick trip planned and you need to catch a flight? Well, with COVID-19 (aka coronavirus) making most people’s weekend plans include “self-isolating” and staying at home avoiding all human contact, you may find yourself flipping through the streaming services wondering what to watch.

Continue reading 5 Streaming Options For Your Weekend Of Coronavirus Self-Isolation & Social Distancing at The Playlist.

Yesterday, some tweets from horror author (and executive producer on about two dozen TV shows and films that are in development based on his stories) Stephen King went viral after the writer decided to use the platform to explain why he didn’t feel that diversity should be a consideration in the selection of awards. As you might expect, this stance caused a bit of controversy.

Today, during a TCA panel (via Deadline), Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo, who stars in the new HBO series “The Outsider” (based on King’s novel of the same name), responded to the comments.

Continue reading ‘The Outsider’ Actress Cynthia Erivo Responds To Stephen King’s Controversial Comments About Diversity at The Playlist.

As documented in our Best TV of The 2010 Decade feature, which you should read, the 2010s were the age of PeakTV, Prestige TV and the dawn of the streaming age. Now in this new decade of the 2020s, we enter the Streaming War era. Yes, Netflix is here and here to stay, HBO isn’t going anywhere and Showtime, FX and all the other major players are solidified in status.

Continue reading The 60 Most Anticipated TV Shows Of 2020 at The Playlist.

Thank goodness for new TV premieres in January because on the film side, things are looking bleak. There are plenty of new series to stream and binge with the creative minds behind “Veep” and “The Big Sick” debuting their latest outputs. We’re also coming to the end of beloved series such as “Bojack Horseman” and “Schitt’s Creek,” the latter of which has earned some late in life love from fans who found the little show that could through Netflix.

Continue reading 11 TV Shows To Watch In January: ‘The New Pope,’ ‘The Outsider,’ ‘Shrill’ & More at The Playlist.

HBO has had one hell of a 2019. Series like “True Detective,” “Big Little Lies,” “Euphoria,” “Succession,” “His Dark Materials,” “Veep,” “Barry,” and “Chernobyl” were all some of the best series on TV this year. And then as a bit of a mic drop, the network ended the year with “Watchmen,” which is not only the best superhero show ever produced but is easily one of the single best seasons of TV to come out in recent memory.

Continue reading HBO Teases New Looks At ‘Westworld,’ ‘The Undoing,’ ‘Perry Mason,’ & More In 2020 Preview at The Playlist.

There’s no denying it. With the release of “Doctor Sleep” and the continued success of “Mr. Mercedes,” author Stephen King continues to insinuate himself into today’s discussion of pop culture. His horror novels still receive praise and fly off the shelves.

READ MORE: The Best TV Shows & Mini-Series’ Of The Decade [the 2010s]

Actor Jason Bateman (“Ozark”) is also having himself a great couple of years.

Continue reading ‘The Outsider’ Trailer: Ben Mendelsohn, Jason Bateman, Stephen King, & More HBO Horrors at The Playlist.

After Sunday, and to the surprise of many naysayers, Kasi Lemmons’ “Harriet” has earned a very impressive $31.8 million at the box office with a long way to go in its theatrical run.  The success of the biopic is a testament to the enduring interest its legendary subject, Harriet Tubman, and the word of mouth worthy performance from its star, Cynthia Erivo.  A Tony Award and Grammy Award winner who may soon add an Oscar to her increasingly crowded mantle.

Continue reading Cynthia Erivo On ‘Harriet’s’ Gratifying Success & The ‘Weird & Wonderful’ Mini-Series ‘The Outsider’ [Interview] at The Playlist.

The upcoming HBO series “The Outsider” is the latest Stephen King adaptation to hit the film and TV industry. However, unlike the other horror-focused series and films, “The Outsider” seems to take the police procedural and put a darker spin on it.

READ MORE; ‘Castle Rock’ Season 2 Trailer: ‘Misery’ Comes To Town In The Stephen King Anthology Series

As seen in the trailer, “The Outsider” tells the story of a man that is accused of murdering a young boy.

Continue reading ‘The Outsider’ Teaser: HBO’s New Stephen King Adaptation Stars Jason Bateman & Ben Mendelsohn at The Playlist.

Having seemingly already optioned off his entire back catalog of novels, author Stephen King has just given the rights to his recent work, “The Outsider,” to HBO and some pretty talented folks to turn it into a new series.

Variety is reporting that King’s novel “The Outsider” is being developed as a new series, with Jason Bateman attached to direct and executive produce and actor Ben Mendelsohn headlining.

Continue reading Ben Mendelsohn To Star In New Stephen King Series ‘The Outsider’ From Director Jason Bateman at The Playlist.

You’d be forgiven for not realizing that, while you were sleeping, Netflix went ahead and released another mediocre film; it’s honestly becoming commonplace at this point. Their newest hail-mary, “The Outsider,” stars Jared Leto as an American POW who becomes part of the Yakuza. Sound culturally and racially problematic? Well, it kind of is but really the film is way too bland to be horribly offensive. Leto, with his whispery dialogue and complete lack of emotional range, fails to register on any level.

Continue reading ‘The Outsider’ Is Yet Another Forgettable Netflix Original Movie [Review] at The Playlist.

A big step in Netflix’s world domination plan is to release 80 (yup, you read that right) original films in 2018. Releasing so many films, it gives them a chance to try their hand at several different genres to reach the widest audiences. So far, the pictures they’ve released this year have ranged from a sci-fi franchise thriller to a Sundance dramedy and beyond, and now they have a yakuza flick coming with “The Outsider.”

“The Outsider” stars actual Academy Award winner and method actor Jared Leto alongside Tadanobu Asano, Rory Cochrane, Shiori Kutsuna, Emile Hirsch, and Kippei Shiina.

Continue reading ‘The Outsider’ Trailer: Jared Leto Explores The Yakuza Underworld at The Playlist.

Jared Leto To Star In Yakuza Flick 'The Outsider'

Continue reading Jared Leto To Star In Yakuza Flick ‘The Outsider’ at The Playlist.

Tom Hardy & Takashi Miike Reportedly Exit Yakuza Flick 'The Outsider'

Continue reading Tom Hardy & Takashi Miike Reportedly Exit Yakuza Flick ‘The Outsider’ at The Playlist.

Continue reading Tom Hardy Is ‘The Outsider’ For Takashi Miike’s English-Language Debut at The Playlist.

Daniel Espinosa To Helm Black List Yakuza Crime Pic 'The Outsider'; Michael Fassbender Eyed To Star

Continue reading Daniel Espinosa To Helm Black List Yakuza Crime Pic ‘The Outsider’; Michael Fassbender Eyed To Star at The Playlist.