Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Past and present: Bon Jovi looks to the future in new documentary series
WHAT’S NEW ON HULU
“Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story”
Follow the continuing legacy of one of the most recognizable bands of all time when the new, four-part docuseries, “Thank you, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,” premieres Friday, April 26, on Hulu. Led by its namesake front man, Jon Bon Jovi, the band — including keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarist Phil X and bassist Hugh McDonald — gives audiences access to their life behind the scenes like never before, as they chronicle their epic past and look towards their uncertain future. Bringing fans 40 years’ worth of personal videos, unreleased early demos, original lyrics and never-before-seen photos, “Thank you, Goodnight” “relives the triumphs and setbacks, greatest hits, biggest disappointments, and most public moments of friction” (per Hulu). Joining Bon Jovi through February 2022, the series follows their journey towards sorting out their future, as “a vocal injury threatens to bring everything to a screeching halt” (Hulu). Directed and executive produced by Gotham Chopra (“Tom vs Time”), the series is also executive produced by Giselle Parets (“The Amazing Race”) and Ameeth Sankaran (“Man in the Arena: Tom Brady”), and is produced and edited by Alex Trudeau Viriato (“Man in the Arena: Tom Brady”).
WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME VIDEO
“Them: The Scare” - Season 2
Double-check your locks and settle in for a spine-chilling new season of “Them: The Scare,” premiering Thursday, April 25, on Prime Video. Set this time in 1991 in Los Angeles — moving up from Season 1, which took place in Compton, California, in 1952 — this new story follows LAPD homicide detective Dawn Reeve (Deborah Ayorinde, “Riches”) as she is assigned to a gruesome new case. While she grapples with the murder of a foster home mother that has left even the most hardened detectives shaken, Det. Reeve also does her best to navigate a tumultuous time in Los Angeles. Determined to hunt down the killer, Reeve finds a malevolent threat looming larger as she gets closer to the truth. From creator and showrunner Little Marvin (“The Time is Now,” 2006), “Them: The Scare” also stars Pam Grier (“Jackie Brown,” 1997), Luke James (“The Chi”), Joshua J. Williams (“Wayne”), Jeremy Bobb (“The Knick”), Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld”), Carlito Olivero (“Step Up: High Water”), Charles Brice (“In from the Cold”) and Iman Shumpert (“The Chi”).
WHAT’S NEW ON DISNEY+
“Secrets of the Octopus”
Continue on with Disney’s Earth Day celebrations when the new, National Geographic documentary miniseries, “Secrets of the Octopus,” premieres on Disney+ Monday, April 22. The third installment of the award-winning Secrets Of franchise, which also includes “Secret of the Whales” and “Secret of the Elephants,” this threepart series focuses on one of the ocean’s most fascinating and intelligent creatures. “Like aliens on Earth” as Disney calls them, with “three hearts, blue blood and the ability to squeeze through a space the size of their eyeballs,” octopuses have much more in common with humans than most realize — including the way they build cities, use tools, collaborate with other species to hunt and exhibit distinct personality traits. As Paul Rudd (“AntMan,” 2015) narrates the journey and Dr. Alex Schnell hosts, the series explores all of the extraordinary talents and secrets that octopuses hold. Episode 1, “Shapeshifters,” looks at the miraculous ways octopuses camouflage themselves in order to survive, while Episode 2, “Masterminds,” explores their extraordinary intelligence. The final episode, titled “Social Networkers,” digs deep into the octopuses vibrant and surprising social life. From producer Sarah Beard (“Great Barrier Reef: The Next Generation,” 2021), “Secrets of the Octopus” is executive produced by James Cameron (“Avatar,” 2009), Colette Beaudry (“Life in Colour”), Pamela Caragol (“Secrets of the Whales”), Sophy Crane (“Bondi Rescue”), Adam Geiger (“Intersection”), Anwar Mamon (“Waterhole: Africa’s Animal Oasis”), Annabel Robinson (“Baby Sharks,” 2022) and Maria Wilhelm (“Secrets of the Elephants”).
WHAT’S NEW ON MAX
“We’re Here” - Season 4
The queens are back to slay another day and spread love and drag through America when the award-winning series “We’re Here” returns to Max with its Season 4 premiere Friday, April 26. Heading out on another incredible road trip through small-town America, “We’re Here” follows renowned drag stars Priyanka (“Canada’s Drag Race”), Sasha Velour, Jaida Essence Hall and Latrice Royale (all from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), as they work to spread love, joy and connection to communities through the art of drag. This season, as the four queens work with participants from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as the surrounding towns, they encourage their drag children to share their stories, increase awareness and promote queer acceptance in their communities. The series also takes an “in-depth, immersive look at recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and the effect it has had on the community” (per HBO). Created and executive produced by Steve Warren and Johnnie Ingram (both of “Swiping America”), the new season of “We’re Here” is directed and executive produced by Peter LoGreco (“Intervention”).
WHAT’S NEW ON PARAMOUNT+
“Knuckles”
Blast into the action with the newest limited series from Paramount Pictures and SEGA of America’s Cinematic World of Sonic the Hedgehog, when “Knuckles” premieres on Paramount+ Friday, April 26. Combining live-action and computer animation, the series, set between the events of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (2022) and the upcoming “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” follows Knuckles (Idris Elba, “Hijack”) on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade Whipple (Adam Pally, “Crossing Swords”) as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior. Running for six episodes, the series’ ensemble cast includes Edi Patterson (“The Righteous Gemstones”), Julian Barratt (“The Mighty Boosh”), Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi (“Entergalactic,” 2022) and Ellie Taylor (“Ted Lasso”). Guest stars include Rory McCann (“Game of Thrones”), Stockard Channing (“Grease,” 1978), Cary Elwes (“The Princess Bride,” 1987), Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future,” 1985), Paul Scheer (“The League”) and Rob Huebel (“The Descendants,” 2011), with special guest stars Ben Schwartz (“Parks and Recreation”) reprising his role as Sonic, Tika Sumpter (“The Haves and the Have Nots”) reprising her role as Maddie and Colleen O’Shaughnessey (“Sonic Boom”) in her role as Tails.