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Ted Lasso scores 8 nominations in inaugural HCA TV Awards

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Jason Sudeikis plays a clueless college football coach in the comedy series.
Jason Sudeikis, center, plays a clueless college football coach in the Apple TV+ comedy.
Photo: Apple TV+

The popular Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso notched more nominations than any other show for the inaugural HCA TV Awards, with eight. Apple TV+ got 15 nominations overall.

Lisey’s Story paints provocative portrait of incel culture [Apple TV+ review]

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Lisey's Story review: Dane DeHaan plays a particular kind of creep in the Stephen King miniseries.
Dane DeHaan plays a particular kind of creep in the Stephen King miniseries.
Photo: Apple TV+

Lisey has both of her sisters by her side as crazed stalker Jim Dooley approaches for their final showdown. But is everything as cut-and-dried as it appears?

The penultimate episode of Lisey’s Story, the Stephen King miniseries on Apple TV+, has one last round of games to play.

Todd Haynes’ Velvet Underground doc for Apple TV+ is a hit at Cannes

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Discover how an unsuccessful rock band went on to become hugely influential in the Velvet Underground documentary on Apple TV+.
Discover how an unsuccessful rock band went on to become hugely influential in the Velvet Underground documentary on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple

Director Todd Haynes’ first foray into documentary filmmaking, The Velvet Underground, got rave reviews after its world premiere Wednesday at the Cannes Film Festival. And that bodes well for the music doc’s debut on Apple TV+ and in theaters on October 15.

Apple TV+ documentary will take viewers into President’s War Room on 9/11

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Should Apple take over the White House?
Documentary will debut this September.
Photo: MattCC716/Flickr CC

Apple has teamed up with the BBC for a documentary that will provide a timeline of the President of the United States in the hours after the 9/11 attacks. 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room will debut on Apple TV+ this September, marking the 20th anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

Narrated by actor Jeff Daniels, the documentary will include never-before-seen testimony from former President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, national security advisor Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Colin Powell, chief of staff Andy Card, director of communications Dan Bartlett, and many, many others. It will also include filmed archive and close to 200 previously unpublished photographs.

Ted Lasso promo celebrates the power of positivity

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Jason Sudeikis is the titular Ted Lasso
Jason Sudeikis is the titular Ted Lasso in this heartwarming series.
Photo: Apple TV

Ahead of the second season of hit comedy Ted Lasso debuting on Apple TV+ on July 23, Apple has debuted a new promo video that’s part trailer and part behind-the-scenes video.

However, rather than telling viewers about how the show is made (which, let’s face it, in promo featurettes is pretty much just every cast member saying how great every other cast member is), the new video — titled “Ted Lasso — The Lasso Way” — reflects on the show’s positive message.

The cast members talk about why positivity is so importance, and how they’ve heard from viewers who have been touched by the themes the show explores. Check it out below.

Apple TV can’t match Amazon and Roku in popularity

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Apple's new Apple TV 4K with redesigned Siri Remote
It's ahead of Chromecast, though.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV (the hardware, not the streaming service) makes up around 12.5% of set-top boxes in a very fragmented marketplace, according to analysis from Parks Associates.

That lags behind Roku and Amazon’s Fire TV Box, which currently stand neck-and-neck. Nonetheless, Apple TV ranks a few percentage points ahead of Google’s Chromecast. Back in 2017, Chromecast came in ahead of Apple TV. And, as recently as 2018 and 2019, the two remained competitive.

Defending Jacob becomes first Apple TV+ show to get DVD/Blu-ray release

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defending Jacob
"But ... but that's not Apple TV+."
Photo: Apple

Cult of Mac‘s review of Apple TV+ crime drama Defending Jacob, said that it was the first show to truly justify the existence of Apple’s streaming TV service. Now it’s got another first under its belt: The first Apple TV+ series to receive a physical media release.

On Tuesday, the show was given a Blu-ray and DVD release, making it the first Apple TV+ show to receive that treatment. Even the likes of The Morning Show and Ted Lasso, Apple’s biggest hits to date, have not been released in this way.

Last chance: Save on stellar iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch accessories in our Fourth of July sale

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Juuk polished Revo
Save on the stunning polished Revo from Juuk, and lots, lots more.
Photo: Juuk

The Cult of Mac Store just kicked off its big Fourth of July sale, offering 15% off all items when you spend $50 or more.

Take your pick from some of the best iPhone, iPad and AirPods cases, stands, Apple Watch bands and more — all hand-picked and approved by members of the Cult of Mac team.

The offer ends today, so enjoy it while you can!

The long path to success for Apple TV+ [Cult of Mac Magazine 408]

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What does
What does "success" really look like for Apple TV+?
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple TV+ just keeps adding new movies and shows, but how many people are watching? Only Apple knows for sure.

An entertainment industry expert takes a look at the current state of Apple TV+ — and outlines what the future might hold for the streaming video service. Read the Q&A to find out what “success” might look like for Apple TV+.

That’s our cover story in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it to read on your iPhone or iPad, or get the links to the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos below.

Long and fraught: The path to success for Apple TV+

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Apple TV+ Autumn 2021: Apple TV+ has some big shows coming this year.
Apple TV+ has some big shows coming this year.
Photo: Apple TV+

A year and a half in, Apple TV+ remains something of a black box. Ever since the streaming video service’s launch in November 2019, Cupertino has refused to reveal hard data about just how well Apple TV+ is doing.

In some respects, the future looks promising. Apple TV+ continues to add high-profile projects to its production queue. Apple TV+ shows and movies continue to rack up awards. And upcoming originals like an epic sci-fi adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation and the second season of surprise hit Ted Lasso are generating buzz.

Plus, with the original one-year free trials ending — and new free Apple TV+ trials slashed to just three months — the $4.99-a-month streaming service seems increasingly confident about its value proposition for viewers.

Still, the Apple TV+ library continues to be dwarfed by rivals like Netflix and Disney+.

So what does the future hold? And what does “success” look like for Apple TV+ anyway? Cult of Mac asked the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a pseudonymous entertainment executive who writes about the business, how Apple TV+ is faring and what to expect next. His responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

Sisters steal the show this week in Lisey’s Story [Apple TV+ review]

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Lisey's Story review: It's a total sister act this week.
It's a total sister act this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

With a showdown on the horizon, Lisey gets back in touch with her sisters — in the most intense way imaginable — in this week’s installment of Lisey’s Story, the fantastical Apple TV+ series based on Stephen King’s novel.

It’s only a matter of time before Lisey has to take down her foes, real and imaginary, and she’s gonna need all the help she can get.

Apple TV+ lights a torch under City on Fire crime drama series

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Apple TV+ lights a torch under ‘City on Fire’ crime drama series
City on Fire, a new drama series inspired by the acclaimed novel by Garth Risk Hallberg, premiered exclusively on Apple TV.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The bestseller City on Fire will be adapted into a series for Apple TV+. The story of a tangled murder investigation will be written by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, who’ve worked on multiple successful TV series together.

Get $9 off Apple’s seriously upgraded Siri Remote — the first discount we’ve seen

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Apple TV Siri Remote sale: You don't need to buy the cow to get the milk. Or something.
You don't need to buy the cow to enjoy the sweet cream. Or something.
Photo: Jeremy Zero/Unsplash CC

You can get the best part of this year’s Apple TV update — the totally redesigned Siri Remote — at a healthy $9 off from Verizon Wireless right now. It’s the first discount we’ve seen on the new Apple TV remote, and it drops the price to just $49.99 with free shipping.

By buying the remote separately, current Apple TV owners gain major benefits while avoiding the big (and mostly pointless) investment in the pricey new set-top box. And you don’t need to be a Verizon Wireless subscriber to jump on this hot deal, either.

Apple teams up with ‘Magic’ Johnson on Negro League baseball drama

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Legendary pitcher Leroy
Legendary pitcher Leroy "Satchel" Paige played on the Pittsburgh Crawfords and other Negro League teams.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons CC

Apple has teamed up with Earvin “Magic” Johnson and other producers to develop a new drama series, according to a new report. The show will tell the stories of baseball legend Leroy “Satchel” Paige and the Negro Leagues.

Apple TV+ originals earn 25 Daytime Emmy Award nominations

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Apple TV+ picks up Daytime Emmy Award nominations
Stillwater is one of six shows that are nominated.
Photo: Apple

Apple has landed a combined 25 Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Apple TV+ originals.

Ghostwriter, Helpsters, Long Way Up and others have been recognized in the Children’s & Animation and Lifestyle categories. Winners will be announced by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on July 17 and July 18, 2021.

See the amazing world-building in second trailer for Apple TV+’s epic Foundation

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See the amazing world-building in second trailer for Apple TV+’s epic ‘Foundation’
Apple went all in on the special effects for “Foundation.” And the writer is top-notch.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ finally revealed the debut date for Foundation, its much-anticipated adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s classic series of novels. The wait will be over on September 24, 2021.

And a second “teaser trailer” debuted on Monday… though it does a bit more than tease.

Sing along with Lorne Michaels’ comedy Schmigadoon! premiering soon on Apple TV+

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Sing along with Lorne Michaels’ comedy Schmigadoon! premiering soon on Apple TV+
If you get the reference in the name Schmigadoon!, then this series might be for you.
Photo: Apple TV+

Lorne Michaels’ parody/homage to musicals will soon leap onto Apple TV+. Schmigadoon! is loaded with big names singing and dancing, and it’ll premier on July 16.

Apple released the hilarious first trailer for the series. Watch it now.

Lisey’s Story digs into horrifying truths [Apple TV+ review]

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Lisey's Story review: Clive Owen plays deceased novelist Scott Landon.
Clive Owen plays deceased novelist Scott Landon.
Photo: Apple TV+

Scott Landon relives the worst trauma of his childhood on this week’s episode of Lisey’s Story, the Stephen King miniseries on Apple TV+. It’s his turn to go back to the foundational horrors that propel him. And what he finds is ugly indeed.

Who Are You, Charlie Brown? pulls the football on Peanuts doc [Apple TV+ review]

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Who Are You, Charlie Brown?
An early drawing shows Charlie Brown on the mound.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has another hagiographic documentary for you, and this one proves just as insubstantial as its last aimless doc. It’s called Who Are You, Charlie Brown?, and it premieres today on Apple’s streaming service.

Unfortunately, if you were hoping for a deep dive into the craft and artistic impulses behind Charles M. Schulz and his world-renowned Peanuts characters, maybe read a book instead.

Central Park season 2 will bore you with the worst of Broadway [Apple TV+ review]

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Central Park season 2 review: Can things really get worse?
Can things really get worse in season 2? Of course they can.
Photo: Apple TV+

Central Park, the Apple TV+ animated musical about a family living and caring for the titular New York park, returns for more arbitrary, up-with-people high-jinks in its second season.

Nothing brings out the worst impulses in a writer’s room like encouragement. And the second season of the show — created by Bob’s Burgers duo Nora Smith and Loren Bouchard along with Josh Gad (Frozen) — is aggressively larger and more precious than the first. If it’s not your thing, you’ll be looking for the nearest open window.

Fathom goes in search of whale song and finds a little more [Apple TV+ review]

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Dr. Michelle Fournet stars in the Whaling documentary Fathom
Michelle Fournet wants to understand the humpback whale's song.
Photo: Apple TV+

Fathom, the new Apple TV+ documentary about whales, tells the story of a couple of women who made it their life’s work to figure out why the humpback sings — and what that song means. Though there’s a lot to like here, and the vibes are admirable, the whole effort could have used more … (30-minute pause) depth.

Fathom, which premieres today, keeps the network’s focus on mass-market biological documentary alive. It joins such outstanding efforts as Tiny World and Earth at Night in Color.

Apple TV+’s coming-of-age movie CODA gets its first trailer

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Emilia Jones in Coda
Coming to Apple TV+ on August 13.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple Studios has debuted the trailer for CODA, a movie which swept the 2021 Sundance Film Festival — capturing its Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast, Directing Award, Audience Award, and Grand Jury Prize.

A coming-of-age drama starring Emilia Jones and previous Oscar winner Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God), the movie is about a teenaged girl torn between following her musical dreams and staying with deaf family who rely on her. The title is an acronym standing for “Child of Deaf Adults.”

Check out the trailer below.

Apple TV+ kids show Stillwater wins a Peabody

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Apple original series Stillwater won a Peabody Award.
Apple original series Stillwater won a Peabody Award.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV+ original animated series Stillwater won a Peabody Award today for excellence in storytelling, and for work that encourages empathy. Actor Goldie Hawn, who has worked extensively with kids on various forms of programming, presented the award in a video.

Here’s when Foundation and other big shows hit Apple TV+

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Foundation is coming to Apple TV+ next year.
Foundation on Apple TV+ will be a mix of Star Wars and Game of Thrones.
Photo: Apple/Skydance Television

The wait for the Apple TV+ adaptation of Foundation is almost over. The same goes for The Problem With Jon Stewart. Apple’s streaming service announced the premiere dates for these shows and more, all coming this fall.

The free Apple TV+ trial offered when the service debuted runs out at the end of June, and the iPhone-maker is trying to build excitement for upcoming series by announcing their debut dates.

Apple TV+ prepares a visit to Nathan Pyle’s whimsical Strange Planet

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Apple TV+ prepares a visit to Nathan Pyle’s whimsical ‘Strange Planet’
Strange Planet uses aliens to poke fun at all of us.
Photo: Nathan Pyle

Dan Harmon will reportedly turn Nathan Pyle’s humorous Strange Planet webcomic into an Apple TV+ animated series. This will combine a comic that’s already become a series of best-selling graphic novels with the creator/writer of Rick and Morty.