Rueben's Ramblings

On May 17, the new streaming series Catch-22 will debut on Hulu.

Based on Joseph Heller’s seminal novel of the same name, the story of the incomparable, artful dodger, Yossarian (Christopher Abbott), a US Air Force bombardier in World War II who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him. But his real problem is not the enemy, but rather his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service.

Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to avoid his military assignments, he’ll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule which specifies that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind; a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty.

The cast includes Austin Stowell, George Clooney and Kyle Chandler [among others].

Here is a trailer for Catch-22:

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On May 13, the new drama L.A.’s Finest, based on The Bad Boys film series, will debut on Spectrum’s cable service today

Show Synopsis: The series follows Syd Burnett (Gabrielle Union), last seen in Miami taking down a drug cartel, who has seemingly left her complicated past behind to become an LAPD detective. Paired with a new partner, Nancy McKenna (Jessica Alba), a working mom with an equally complex history, Syd is forced to confront how her unapologetic lifestyle may be masking a greater personal secret. Taking on the most dangerous criminals in Los Angeles while skirting the rules, and speed limits, Syd and Nancy become a force to be reckoned with – on the streets, and in each other’s lives.

The series also stars veteran actor Ernie Hudson, Ryan McPartlin (Chuck), Zach Gilford (Friday Night Lights), Duane Martin (All of Us) and Zach McGowan (The 100).

Here is a trailer for L.A.’s Finest:

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On May 10, the new 10-episode Netflix series The Society will debut online.

Show Synopsis: The series follow a group of teenagers who are mysteriously transported to a facsimile of their wealthy New England town, but soon discover their parents are nowhere to be found.

The series includes Kathryn Newton (Supernatural) and Kristine Froseth (Sierra Burgess Is a Loser).

Here is a trailer for The Society:

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On May 6, the HBO original mini-series Chernobyl will debut at 9 PM.

This 5-part mini-series dramatizes the 1986 nuclear accident, one of the worst human-made catastrophes in history, telling the story of the brave men and women who made incredible sacrifices to save Europe from unimaginable disaster, all the while battling a culture of disinformation.

The cast includes Jared Harris (The Crown), Stellan Skarsgard (Good Will Hunting) and Emily Watson (Gosford Park).

Here is a trailer for Chernobyl:

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On May 5, the new Starz period piece drama The Spanish Princess will debut at 8 PM.

Show Synopsis: This series is set in 16th century London, focusing on Catherine of Aragon (Charlotte Hope from Game of Thrones), the strong-willed young Princess of Spain, who has been promised the English throne since she was a child.

She arrives in a grey, rain-lashed England with her glorious and diverse court including her ladies-in-waiting Lina – a Spanish noble of African Iberian descent – and the sweet and free-spirited Rosa. When her husband Prince Arthur dies suddenly, the throne seems lost to Catherine until she devises an audacious plan and sets her sights on the new heir, the charismatic and headstrong Prince Harry (Ruairi O’Connor) who will one day rule as King Henry VIII.

The cast includes Elliot Cowan (Lost in Austen), Dame Harriet Walter (Downton Abbey and Sense and Sensibilities), Georgie Henley (Chronicles of Narnia franchise) and Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey) [among others].

Here is a trailer for The Spanish Princess:

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The 10-episode dark comedy web series Dead To Me will debut on Netflix on May 3.

A powerful friendship blossoms between Jen (Christina Applegate), a tightly wound widow and Judy (Linda Cardellini), a free spirit with a shocking secret.

The streaming series also stars Max Jenkins, James Marsden and veteran actor Ed Asner.

Here is a trailer for Dead To Me:

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The series premiere of Fosse/Verdon will debut on FX on April 9 at 10 PM.

Based on the biography written by Sam Wasson, the series tells the story of the singular romantic and creative partnership between Bob Fosse (Sam Rockwell) and Gwen Verdon (Michelle Williams).

He was a visionary filmmaker and one of theater’s most influential choreographers and directors. She was the greatest Broadway dancer of all time. Together, they changed the face of American entertainment – at a perilous cost.

The cast includes Evan Handler, Margaret Qualley and Nate Corddry [among others].

Here is a trailer for Fosse/Verdon:

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On April 9, the new CBS drama The Code will debut at 9 PM.

The series follows the military’s brightest minds who take on our country’s toughest legal challenges. Go inside the courtroom and out, in the only law office in the world where every attorney is trained as a prosecutor, a defense lawyer, an investigator – and a Marine. Operating out of Judge Advocate General Headquarters in Quantico, these active-duty Marines are attorneys who have chosen to serve their country in pursuit of military justice at home and abroad.

The cast includes Dana Delany, Luke Mitchell, Ato Essandoh, Anna Wood and Phillipa Soo.

Here is a trailer for The Code.

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