A Dystopian Western World is Explored in AMC's 'Into the Badlands'

For some reason this was yet another Comic Con trailer that I missed, but it looks like it might be something kinda different. Not sure what to make of the fact it's from the Smallville creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (I watched that show for the whole six years that these guys ran it, and let's just say they could be very hit and miss). It looks a little nutty, to be honest, but I do like the fact that they cast Daniel Wu in the lead role. It means we're going to see some pretty cool martial arts stuff at least. AMC ordered just a six episode initial order, so it looks like they might be a little unsure about it as well, but maybe it can take off. It's premiering November 20th.

'The Man in the High Castle' Trailer Shows an Alternate Post-WWII America

Somehow I missed this trailer for Amazon's new fall series, which was shown at Comic Con, but it's premiering November 20th, and it looks awfully intriguing. Based on the Philip K. Dick sci-fi novel which sets up an alternate universe where the Axis powers won WWII and America is under fascist rule, I think I'm hooked based on the premise alone. Count me in for this one. The first two episodes are already available for streaming if anyone needs to be sold further.

'American Experience: Walt Disney' Coming to PBS in September

I'm marking my calendar for this one, set to air over two nights starting Monday, September 14th. American Experience had wanted to make a film about Walt Disney for years, as is explained in the video, but really wanted to be sure of non-interference from the company of course, which allows pretty much nothing about Disney to be shown in a non-flattering light (see Saving Mr. Banks, a movie that practically deified him). Now it looks like they got what they wanted, so this will be interesting to see, as a documentary that explores the man behind the brand is long overdue, don't you think? I'm looking forward to it.

Sundance Channel Teases 'The Returned' Season 2

I'm so excited!!!!! No, this is not the canceled A&E American remake- this is the real thing, the hypnotic and enthralling French series is back for its second season after three years off, and this time it will be airing almost simultaneously on the Sundance Channel here in the U.S., since the show has become such a phenomenon. That means we'll be getting the new season in the fall, probably sometime in November. I cannot wait- The Returned (or Les Revenants) was high on my top ten of 2013 (when it first aired here), and now the first two episodes will be shown to critics in the brand new television section of the Toronto film festival next month. TV just keeps getting more respected and elevated, doesn't it? Well, when shows have essentially replaced movies for the onetime theater-going, mature, adult audience it has to be acknowledged sooner or later. Stay tuned for a premiere date for one of the absolute best shows on television.

Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti Go Head to Head in 'Billions'

Showtime's full trailer for Billions gives us a taste of what the show will be- looks like another antihero centered drama with Giamatti as the righteous crusader. Not too sure about this one though. All I can see when I look at Damian Lewis is Brody from Homeland and here with his same American accent it's like he was resurrected as a hedge fund king. I think I'll wait for the reviews.

Longer Trailer for 'The Affair' Teases New Perspectives in Season 2

Showtime premiered another new trailer for The Affair today, one that shows us the present day story will definitely be Alison and Noah married, but the exes are still around and potentially causing trouble. Looks like the teenage daughter is back too- unfortunately, since that character was the show's worst actress who had trouble even enunciating her stupid dialogue. The sullen teenagers are always, without fail, the worst part of every adult drama that tries to include them (it's an issue plaguing Masters of Sex this year too). I think The Americans is the sole show I can think of to have a non-horrible teenage girl in its cast, and that's probably because that one is a devoutly religious teen who doesn't make waves and has genuinely scary reasons to distrust her parents. But I'm excited to have this show back anyway, since I enjoyed it last year as a soapy, guilty pleasure. But I gotta say, Outlander has kind of made every other series in that vein suffer by comparison.