| Cult of Mac

Severance fans get ‘8 Hour Work Day Innie Mix’ of theme song

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Adam Scott stars in
Adam Scott stars in "Severance." While you wait (and wait) for season 2, treat yourself to 8 hours of the show's theme music.

Fans who miss the psychological dark dramedy Severance on Apple TV+ can now drone out to a full day of the show’s ghostly piano-based theme song with the “8 Hour Work Day Innie Mix,” which Apple released Tuesday on YouTube.

Get it, innies? You can play the eerie mix for your whole 8-hour workday. It’s like having the show’s credits roll all day in your head as you start to question your choices in life.

The 15 best shows on Apple TV+

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Best shows on Apple TV+
Looking for something to stream? Check out the best shows on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s programming slate seems like a crazily oscillating slate of highs and lows. But the highs thus far prove dizzying indeed.

Directors like M. Night Shyamalan, Rupert Wyatt and Kim Jee-Woon, writers like Min Jin Lee, Paul Theroux, Emily Dickinson and Isaac Asimov, high-concept premises and legendary ensembles all meet on Apple’s streaming service.
The result is a collection of art worth signing up for. Here’s a look at the best shows on Apple TV+.

Severance severed: Writers strike starts to affect Apple TV+ production

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From left, Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, John Turturro and Britt Lower star in “Severance.”
"Severance" season 2 is on hold because of the writers strike.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Writers Guild of America is on strike, causing problems both immediate and long-term for TV and movie production. And Apple TV+ certainly is not immune.

Production on two Apple series already stopped because of picketing, including the bugle popular Severance. And that raises questions about other series and movies.

On-set ‘hatred’ could delay Severance season 2

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Zach Cherry, left, Adam Scott and John Turturro star in
Zach Cherry, left, Adam Scott and John Turturro star in Severance on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Production on the second season of Severance, the Apple TV+ thriller about a profoundly creepy workplace, has seen delays because the series’ two showrunners hate each other, according to a recent report.

Scripts were scrapped amid the two not speaking to each other as director Ben Stiller searched for help. And it seems he finally found it. Stiller also downplayed on-set drama in a tweet.

The 6 best science fiction shows on Apple TV+

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A collage showing scenes from the best sci-fi shows on Apple TV+.
These sci-fi shows make Apple TV+ better, smarter and more fun.
Image: Cult of Mac

Looking for your next science fiction binge? Apple TV+ offers some excellent sci-fi series to keep your eyes popping and (more importantly) your brain humming.

From mythic procedurals to New Testament space operas, Apple TV+ gives viewers a number of exciting science fiction series worthy of a watch. Some seem hilariously literal, while others prove truly fantastical. No matter your tastes, there’s something for every sci-fi fan.

Here are our picks for the best science fiction shows on Apple TV+.

Here are the most popular Apple TV+ shows that aren’t Ted Lasso

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With 51 nominations, Apple TV+ stands to do well at the primetime Emmy Awards.
These 10 Apple TV+ shows reached the peak of popularity on the streaming video service.
Photo: Apple TV+

Although Ted Lasso is amazing and wildly popular, it’s not the only hit show on Apple TV+. A search engine focused on movies and TV released a top 10 list of everything on Apple’s streaming service, revealing which other series also draw plenty of viewers.

Subscribers to the streaming service might use it to find additional shows worth watching.

Severance grabs top Writers Guild awards

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From left, Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, John Turturro and Britt Lower star in “Severance.”
From left, Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, John Turturro and Britt Lower star in Severance.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ correctly referred to its hit psycho-drama Severance as a “cultural phenomenon” Sunday when it pointed out the show nabbed Best Drama and Best New Series at the Writers Guild Awards. It’s the only show to win two major categories this year.

What to expect from Apple in 2023, plus our best of 2022 picks [The CultCast]

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This year was good for Apple, but 2023 looks even better!
This year was good for Apple, but 2023 looks even better!
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We’re talking about all the Apple gear we’re certain will arrive in 2023 — and some we just hope will materialize.

Also on The CultCast:

  • An Apple Watch Ultra clone for less than $50?!?
  • More on Apple’s penny-penching strategy of skimping on cloud storage by serving up lower-resolution files.
  • Our picks for best of 2022 — part two!

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

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What alternative app stores will mean for iPhones [The CultCast]

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The CultCast 573: Will sideloading and alternative app stores be a good thing?
Will sideloading and alternative app stores be a good thing?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: If the EU does indeed force Apple to open up the iPhone to allow alternative app stores, is that a bad thing? Some people think sideloading apps will be fantastic.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Cool new stuff to try in iOS 16.2.
  • Why web browsing might be in for radical changes on iOS devices.
  • How to get Apple TV+ for free so you can watch Severance, our favorite show of the year.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

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