February 2020 HBO & Cinemax Overviews
HBO IN FEBRUARY FEATURES SEASON PREMIERE OF HIGH MAINTENANCE;
NEW EPISODES OF THE OUTSIDER, THE NEW POPE, AVENUE 5, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER AND SESAME STREET;
COMEDY SPECIAL WHITMER THOMAS: THE GOLDEN ONE;
AND HOLLYWOOD FILMS, INCLUDING ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, MA, SHAFT, ANNABELLE COMES HOME AND ANNA
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Lineup Also Includes Documentary Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes;
Premiere Of Documentary Series McMillion$,
New Edition Of Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel;
New Episode Of HBO Latino Presents: A Tiny Audience
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HBO presents the hottest series and specials on TV, blockbuster Hollywood hits and HBO Sports exclusives in February.
The HBO comedy series HIGH MAINTENANCE, created by Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair, returns for its nine-episode fourth season FRIDAY, FEB. 7 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT**). The critically acclaimed series uses The Guy (Sinclair), a marijuana dealer, to connect a variety of distinctly authentic, empathetic and insightful stories about the New York community, including his own. This season finds The Guy (Ben Sinclair) back traversing the city on his bicycle, having said goodbye to last season’s RV. With a new friend by his side, The Guy drops in on a variety of customers whose disparate lives, jobs, identities and circumstances reveal the human connection that we all seek. Playing out over the course of a year, this season focuses on cycles of renewal, webs of human connections, and putting down roots in the ever-changing ecosystem of New York City.
Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name, THE OUTSIDER continues SUNDAY, FEB. 2 (9:00-10:00 p.m.), followed by new episodes subsequent Sundays at the same time. This new drama series follows a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a local boy. When 11-year-old Frankie Peterson’s body is found mutilated in the Georgia woods, police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) sets out to investigate – with eyewitnesses and physical evidence pointing to Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), a popular high school teacher, Little League coach, doting husband and father. While the case appears ironclad, Ralph is baffled by the emergence of contradictory evidence that places his suspect in a neighboring city at the time of the murder. The mysterious set of circumstances surrounding this horrifying crime leads Ralph, a seasoned cop still grieving the recent death of his own son, to bring in unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), whose uncanny abilities he hopes will help explain the unexplainable. A binge-worthy detective story and tense psychological thriller, The Outsider meticulously reveals a spine-chilling series of twists that leads Ralph and Holly to question everything they believe to be real, as an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case
The follow-up to 2017’s “The Young Pope,” from Oscar®-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino, THE NEW POPE continues MONDAY, FEB. 3 (9:00-10:00 p.m.), picking up where the previous series left off, with Jude Law’s Lenny Belardo, known as Pope Pius XIII, in a coma after an unexpected heart attack and the Holy See searching for his replacement. Out of the fray of competing interests rises Sir John Brannox (John Malkovich), a British intellectual best-known for a theological text he wrote in his youth. Doggedly pursued by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Voiello (Silvio Orlando), Brannox is the antithesis of Lenny: religiously moderate, sophisticated and sensitive. Still, much like the previous pope, he hides secrets and deep-rooted insecurities that weigh heavily upon him. Elected to the papal throne, Brannox assumes the name “John Paul III,” but quickly finds that his predecessor’s shadow looms large, as the devoted cult of Pius XIII proves hard to shake in their fierce conviction of his return. Meanwhile, an ambitious Voiello struggles to deal with a wave of scandals within the Church as religious fundamentalism in the outside world threatens to infiltrate the papal walls. Daring, stylish and wildly unconventional, THE NEW POPE dives into the inner workings of the Vatican, while exploring the very human desires, vices and fragilities of those in power and the complexities inherent in faith today.
Created by Armando Iannucci of “Veep,” AVENUE 5, continuing SUNDAY, FEB. 2 (10:00-10:30 p.m.), with an early premiere on HBO’s nonlinear platforms beginning Friday, January 31, is a new HBO comedy set 40 years in the future when travelling the solar system is no longer the stuff of sci-fi fantasy but a booming, multibillion-dollar business. The series stars Hugh Laurie as Ryan Clark, the confident and suave captain of “Avenue 5” – a space cruise ship with luxury amenities like gourmet buffets, a spa, an observation deck and yoga classes. Among the 5,000 passengers and crew on board are billionaire Herman Judd (Josh Gad), the mercurial face and name behind Avenue 5; Judd’s right-hand-woman Iris Kimura (Suzy Nakamura); head of customer relations Matt Spencer (Zach Woods); engineer Billie McEvoy (Lenora Crichlow); and strong-willed passenger Karen Kelly (Rebecca Front). Monitoring Avenue 5 from the ground is Rav Mulcair (Nikki Amuka-Bird), the seen-it-all head of Judd Mission Control. As the series begins, Avenue 5’s eight-week journey around Saturn is underway and its systems are optimal. But when the ship suddenly encounters technical difficulties, it’s up to Ryan and his crew to calm the disgruntled passengers and find a way to deal with unexpected events onboard – though they may or may not be equipped for the task.
The tenth season of the iconic Emmy® and Golden Globe-winning comedy series, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM continues SUNDAY, FEB. 2 (10:30-11:08 p.m.), with an early premiere on HBO’s nonlinear platforms beginning Friday, January 31. The series stars writer/producer/comedian Larry David as an over-the-top version of himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his fictionalized life. With cast regulars Jeff Garlin (as manager Jeff Greene), Susie Essman (as Jeff’s wife Susie), Cheryl Hines (as Larry’s ex-wife Cheryl), JB Smoove (as Larry’s live-in friend Leon) and Richard Lewis (as Larry’s long-suffering best friend Richard) reprising their roles, the series continues to feature appearances by guests playing themselves or characters. New episodes also include returning favorites Ted Danson and Saverio Guerra. This season, Larry gets into a series of escalating predicaments as he takes on a major project to spite a new adversary – an undertaking that proves to be more complicated than he anticipated.
REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER continues its 18th season FRIDAY, FEB. 7 (10:00-11:00 p.m. live ET/tape-delayed PT). Allowing Maher to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues, the show includes an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists and interviews with guests.
SESAME STREET continues its 50th season SATURDAY, FEB. 1 (9:00-9:30 a.m.), with other episodes airing Saturdays at the same time.
Comedian Whitmer Thomas features his deeply personal, provocative and unconventional standup and original songs in his first HBO special, when WHITMER THOMAS: THE GOLDEN ONE debuts SATURDAY, FEB. 22 (10:00-11:03 p.m.). Taped before a sold-out, live audience in September at the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge, which straddles the state line between Florida and Alabama, Whitmer’s first HBO hour-long special features a provocative and intimate blend of storytelling, comedy, music and documentary. WHITMER THOMAS: THE GOLDEN ONE finds the unique standup comic returning home to the Gulf Coast and taking the stage where his late mother and her twin sister used to perform with their band, reflecting on topics including his Alabama childhood and his current life as an L.A. comedian, including the undeniable differences and connections between these two places, his identity as an “aging emo kid,” the problems he faces in the dating world and the legacy of his mom. The special is interspersed with documentary scenes filmed around Whitmer’s hometown and original, alternatively funny, and poignant songs written and performed by the comedian.
A dismanteled cyborg from the past is found and revived, but with no memory of her past, she must go on a quest to discover her purpose in ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, debuting SATURDAY, FEB. 1 (8:00-10:05 p.m.). The film stars Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly and Mahershala Ali (HBO’s “True Detective”).
When a group of teenagers befriends a lonely, middle-aged woman who allows them to throw parties in her basement, they are faced with pure terror in MA, debuting SATURDAY, FEB. 8 (8:00-9:40 p.m.). The film stars Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis (HBO’s “Camping”), Diana Silvers, McKaley Miller, Corey Fogelmanis and Luke Evans.
A cybersecurity expert seeks the help of his estranged father to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death in SHAFT, debuting SATURDAY, FEB. 15 (8:00-9:55 p.m.). The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher and Richard Roundtree.
The seventh installment of the the “Conjuring Universe” franchise, ANNABELLE COMES HOME, debuting SATURDAY, FEB. 22 (8:10-10:00 p.m.), tells the story of two teenagers who, while babysitting, unknowingly awaken an evil spirit trapped in a doll. The film stars Mckenna Grace, Madison Iseman and Katie Sarife, along with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren.
When a young victim of domestic abuse agrees to temporarily act as a KGB assassin to escape the life she is trapped in, the Russian beauty finds the organization unwilling to release her of her duties and threatens her life in ANNA, debuting SATURDAY, FEB. 29 (8:00-10:00 p.m.). The film stars Sasha Luss, Luke Evans, Cillian Murphy, Helen Mirren (HBO’s “Catherine the Great”) and Alexander Petrov.
ALI & CAVETT: THE TALE OF THE TAPES, debuting TUESDAY, FEB. 11 (9:00-10:35 p.m.), highlights the courage and undeniable charisma of boxing legend Muhammad Ali through the unlikely bond he formed over the years with pioneering television host Dick Cavett. An intuitively genius television personality, Ali appeared more than a dozen times on The Dick Cavett Show, where the duo regularly discussed the news of the day, Ali’s latest bouts, and engaged in playful yet provocative debates about race relations in America. Interweaving priceless archival footage of Ali’s many appearances on the show with insights from a number of authors, sports commentators and members of Ali’s inner circle, Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes tracks the three-time heavyweight boxing champion’s most memorable fights and personal battles to paint an illuminating portrait of a man whose impact on the civil rights movement rivals his feats in the boxing ring. Timely and nostalgic, the 95-minute film ultimately explores how Muhammad Ali leveraged his influence as one of the world’s most high-profile athletes to bring difficult conversations about race, religion and political difference to the mainstream.
From 1989 to 2001, a criminal mastermind named “Uncle Jerry” defrauded the hugely popular McDonald’s Monopoly promotional game of millions of dollars in prize money. By stealing valuable game pieces from McDonald’s, Jerry was able to hand-select winners, hoodwink the authorities and share the ill-gotten gains. The deception, which started among family and friends, soon expanded to include a cast of shifty ex-cons, gangsters and grifters. MCMILLION$, debuting MONDAY, FEB. 3 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) with other episodes airing subsequent Mondays at the same time, is a six-part docuseries delving into this stranger-than-fiction story and hears directly from the FBI agents who worked tirelessly to uncover Uncle Jerry’s true identity, the McDonald’s executives who were themselves duped, the underworld figures drawn into the money-making gamble and the so-called “winners” who dreamed of being overnight millionaires. Taking us back to the 1990s, before September 11, 2001 changed the world, this American story ultimately reveals a vast network of greed and profiteering that continues to affect the lives of the people involved.
REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL goes behind the box scores and statistics to tackle timely subjects in the world of contemporary sports. Featuring a top lineup of contributors, the next monthly edition debuts TUESDAY, FEB. 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m.).
HBO LATINO PRESENTS: A TINY AUDIENCE continues FRIDAY, FEB. 28 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) with music specials featuring multiple chart-topping Latin musicians, live and unfiltered, who not only reveal personal secrets to the “tiny” audience before them but also perform songs that are especially meaningful to them. Shot in Miami, the first episode features an impressive mix of artists, including Colombian superstar and Latin Grammy® winner Juanes, who performs “La camisa negra” and covers Weezer’s “Island in the Sun”; Dominican singer and songwriter, Natti Natasha, performing “Dutty Love” and “La mejor versión de mí”; Colombian singer, songwriter and Latin Grammy® nominee, Sebastián Yatra, performing “No hay nadie más” and “Robarte un beso”; and Dominican-American singer and actress Jackie Cruz, who performs “Melly 16” and covers Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie.”
CINEMAX IN FEBRUARY FEATURES THE SEASON PREMIERE OF STRIKE BACK AND EXCLUSIVE* MOVIES, INCLUDING THE OLD MAN & THE GUN,
BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE AND ROBIN HOOD
In February, CINEMAX continues to be the only premium channel presented in 100% True HD (1080i). Showcasing the network’s unparalleled movie volume and variety daily in prime time, CINEMAX has the best selection of the most movies, including top theatrical films, timeless favorites, classics, critically acclaimed independents and more.
The iconic drama series STRIKE BACK returns for its final season FRIDAY, FEB. 14 (10:00-11:00 p.m.) with one last adrenalized storyline featuring our intrepid warriors that culminates in an action-packed, heart-pounding climax. When an Albanian crime family kidnaps a scientist responsible for the development of a top-secret British bioweapon, the covert special-ops soldiers of Section 20 – Gracie Novin (Alin Sumarwata), Thomas “Mac” McAllister (Warren Brown), Samuel Wyatt (Daniel MacPherson), Manisha Chetri (Varada Sethu) and commanding officer Alexander Coltrane (Jamie Bamber) – are sent on a mission to secure the virus and take down its potential black-market buyers. But what starts as a relatively straightforward mission quickly escalates into a race against the clock to neutralize an even deadlier weapon of mass destruction pursued by a pair of jihadist brothers, whose terrifying ambitions threaten global conflict. Along the way, S20 reunites with rogue Russian operative Katrina Zarkova (Yasemin Allen) to form a tenuous alliance that raises questions of friendship, loyalty and duty.
THE OLD MAN & THE GUN, debuting FRIDAY, FEB. 7 (8:25-10:00 p.m.), tells the story of a criminal escape artist. The film stars Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, Tika Sumpter, Tom Waits and Sissy Spacek. Written and Directed by David Lowery; based on The New Yorker article by David Grann.
A run-down hotel on the border between California and Nevada becomes a battleground for seven strangers when BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE debuts FRIDAY, FEB. 21 (7:35-10:00 p.m.). The drama stars Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman and Chris Hemsworth.
ROBIN HOOD, debuting FRIDAY, FEB 28 (8:00-10:00 p.m.), is a modern telling of the legend of Robin Hood and stars Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, Ben Mendelsohn, Eve Hewson, Tim Minchin and Jamie Dornan.