Familial feel to new streaming offerings
Say farewell to ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ but hello to ‘Parasite’
release is now available for on-demand and digital rental. You can read that as either an olive branch to shut-in families or a hint that “Trolls World Tour” wasn’t worth saving.
— Jake Coyle
Music
The Strokes, “The New Abnormal”: With powerhouse player Rick Rubin in the production chair, The Strokes are back with their sixth studio album. Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond Jr., Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti return with their first release in seven years, which has already earned an “A-” score from Entertainment Weekly and 4 out of 5 stars from NME. The album cover for “The New Abnormal” features the 1981 painting “Bird on Money” by Jean-Michel Basquiat, and the first single, “At the Door,” was performed at a Bernie Sanders rally.
Joe Satriani, “Shapeshifting”: Joe Satriani released his 18th studio album Friday, and he’s worked with a wide range of musicians to put the project together. On “Shapeshifting,” the guitar maven has teamed up with Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty), bassist Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction) and keyboardist Eric Caudieux, who suggested that Satriani invite Lisa Coleman of The Revolution to the studio. Coleman plays on the tracks “Waiting” and album closer “Yesterday’s Yesterday,” which also features Emmy- and Grammy-winner Christopher Guest on mandolin.
— Mesfin Fekadu
Television
There’s really no goodbye in television, given reruns and the potential for reboots, but two admired sitcoms officially wrapped up last week. ABC’s “Modern Family,” with five record-tying best comedy series Emmys over 11 seasons, aired its finale Wednesday. Pop TV’s very different family circus, “Schitt’s Creek,” is signed off Tuesday with its finale. The series built a devoted following during its six seasons and finally won over Emmy voters last year, earning a best comedy series nomination and nods for stars Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara.
A four-part town hall series addressing the pandemic’s effect on African Americans and steps to counter it debuted Wednesday on BET, which is working in partnership with the NAACP on the event. BET and the civil rights organization said that among the aspects of the coronavirus crisis to be discussed: its health and economic toll and how activists can press for equitable legislation. The town hall is now available across BET’s social and digital platforms, the channel said.
— Lynn Elber