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"Central Park," an animated Apple TV+ series from "Bob's Burgers" creator Loren Bouchard, will premiere on Apple TV+ this summer. "Central Park" is described as an animated musical comedy that focuses on the Tillermans, a family that lives in and takes care of Central Park.

Bob's Burgers is one of my all time favorite TV Programmes, so this has piqued my interest. The whole series being musical has me a little worried though; sometimes the songs are great, but other times they're a bit annoying...
 
If they've decided that PG13 is their limit, then that's their brand choice.

Well, it seems to be a lot like HBO in that it serves content to different kinds of audiences. Some is PG13, but some very much is not.

Yeah, I don’t understand how everyone got this misconception. Those early rumors were so obviously fake.

It seems like someone had a different point of view on the direction of a particular series, the producers disagreed, and that someone ground their axe by exaggerating "this particular show won't be very adult" into "Apple TV+ in general won't be".

Some stuff on the service is hardly kid-friendly. Other stuff is.
 
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Only new TV show is not going to save Apple TV. They need to license some old shows and movies too.

...but that's the problem: Amazon/Netflix got started before streaming was big and they could afford to license old content. Now, all of the old studios realise that streaming is big business and are jumping on the bandwagon, starting their own subscription services and clawing back the streaming rights to their old stuff. It would be difficult/expensive for Apple to license a decent range of existing material. On top of that, a lot of the big shows of the past 5 years are from streaming services. Amazon and Netflix are now mostly focussed on their own shows - their third-party content is going downhill (I believe its worse in the US - most of the new studio-owned streaming services haven't gone international yet, so in the UK Netflix/Amazon still get to run things like ST:Discovery and Picard).

Sadly, the future is probably going to mean goodbye 'pick one or two $10/mo streaming services and get everything' and hello 'half-a-dozen $5/mo services to cover the major producers' - but that's not Apple's doing, and so far it's still better/cheaper to pay for multiple on-demand services than multiple cable/satellite sequential channels.

Starting a new, original-content, multi-genre streaming service from cold is, er, courageous. It's pretty unsurprising that $5/mo for half-a-dozen shows (of which 2 might interest you) is going to be unappealing. However, Apple can afford to run it as a loss-leader for a few years, relying on offering free subscriptions to hardware buyers to build up viewership, until they've built up a critical mass of original content. Of course, part of the game is that a lot of people just forget to cancel free subscriptions when the trial ends...

I mean, I'm not planning to spend £5/mo for the current offering, but if the free year deal is still going when Foundation comes out I'll quite likely buy a new Apple TV (although that's also a rather... courageous choice for a TV show and could be awful).
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They’re probably all still reading the books!

Then they're slow readers - Foundation ain't A Song of Ice and Fire - the original trilogy is only about 600 pages.

The hard bit is gonna be - once they've read the books and realised that 600 pages of rather stilted dialogue in which most of the action happens offscreen and is only superficially described does not make a good long-form TV show - writing a whole new action-adventure story that somehow embraces the concept of the original.

It could still be good - the most successfully filmed SF author is Philip K Dick, possibly because his stories were so unsuitable for the screen that the screenwriters didn't even try to adapt them and just took inspiration (apart from A Scanner Darkly).
 
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(I believe its worse in the US - most of the new studio-owned streaming services haven't gone international yet, so in the UK Netflix/Amazon still get to run things like ST:Discovery and Picard).

Yes and no. Discovery is indeed a CBS Access exclusive in the US, but Picard, oddly enough, is on Amazon everywhere.

(Sounds like a dumb decision on CBS's part, if you ask me.)
 
Great to see. I really like the direction Apple is heading with the service, all original shows, strategically released, keeps interest up in an overall series, and reduces binge watching. I think this is the way to go if you want to be looked at for quality. They don't need to muddy the waters with a ton of crappy content, just focus on quality. I wasn't expecting much from Apple, but I can easily see them becoming the top streaming service. Quality is already better than Netflix and up there with HBO. Keep bringing in good actors, writers, and directors and they'll be in good shape.
 
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Frankly I had no expectation before the launch and only signed up because it was free from my iPhone purchase.

Now, I watch more appletv+ than disney+ or prime tv or Netflix.

I like Apple staggering the releases so that I don't blow throw a season and have something to look forward to next week. Also, having constant flow of new shows is awesome. That's something I miss from disney+ after Mandolian.
 
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Defending Jake is an intense Novel with several layers that touches the reader emotionally, philosophically, and intellectually... I am looking forward to seeing if they can carry this over to the screen. I was initially confused though in calling it a series, I don't see it as sustaining past the original story line, but note that in the official press release, which is copied ALMOST verbatim here without quoting the source, Apple uses the word 'limited' series whereas MR left that out.
 
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The thing is - I can make a strong case that despite the MA, both See and For All Mankind are suitable for younger teens (just skip ahead when the queen prays - kids these days wouldnt be put off by the violence and the language is minimal). And Little America is rated G and is fabulous.

Have not started See yet, but For All Mankind is really a great show. Great writing, amazing recreation of the period and tremendous acting. Surprised it has not received more buzz. I am also casually watching Ghost Writer and I think it is a great family show. Definitely targeted it a younger audience, I like that it does not treat the kids as idiots.
 
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Yes and no. Discovery is indeed a CBS Access exclusive in the US, but Picard, oddly enough, is on Amazon everywhere.

I am pretty sure Picard is also a CBS All Access exclusive in the U.S., it shows up in the Prime Video app for those who subscribe to CBS All Access on Amazon.

Selling the international rights to Netflix for Star Trek: Discovery paid the entire series production budget, making it free for them. Seemed like a good balance of risk/reward.
 
I like Apple TV+ a lot so far. The Morning Show was binge worthy and done really well. Watching Servant now. Looking forward to the Spielberg produced show. Good deal at $5 a month.
 
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I am pretty sure Picard is also a CBS All Access exclusive in the U.S., it shows up in the Prime Video app for those who subscribe to CBS All Access on Amazon.

Yeah, I think I remembered wrong.

Selling the international rights to Netflix for Star Trek: Discovery paid the entire series production budget, making it free for them. Seemed like a good balance of risk/reward.

That's fair in the short term, but it does deprive them of long-term revenues and brand ownership…
 
I didn’t know Amazing Stories was slated to have multiple writer/director teams!
That sounds amazing... as a sci-fi lover, I’m VERY excited about this series.

I'm even ok w/ Apple wanting it more family friendly, than just a mere black mirror knock-off.
That horrific dystopic future style is great and all... but in this case- the Spielberg original was more of an “after school” type program. I’m glad they didn’t make it all grimdark, just because that’s what plays right now.

I have high hopes for this show & hope there ends up being some great pairings in the creative teams!

I loved Amazing Stories as a kid - I hope this is at least as good as that was!
 
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That's fair in the short term, but it does deprive them of long-term revenues and brand ownership…

I'm sure that the license will have either a fixed term or some sort of exit clause.
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It is a short term deal. Until they launch out of the U.S., it does not really matter to them. :)

For us non-US folk, its actually a huge improvement over the good old days when we'd have to wait six months or more (and/or get a satellite/cable bundle) before a UK network picked up a show like that. Slightly irritating that Discovery and Picard have been split between Netflix and Amazon, though, but a lot of people get both.
 
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I'm sure that the license will have either a fixed term or some sort of exit clause.

Most of Netflix's contracts for new content are "run of show", meaning they keep rights for all seasons until the show gets cancelled. That was the case for the Marvel shows, so it was a bit of a surprise that they cancelled them all (and so lost all the earlier season rights).

Slightly irritating that Discovery and Picard have been split between Netflix and Amazon, though, but a lot of people get both.

If they are split it would fit CBS's goal of preventing someone one else being associated as the Star Trek provider.
 
Bob's Burgers is one of my all time favorite TV Programmes, so this has piqued my interest. The whole series being musical has me a little worried though; sometimes the songs are great, but other times they're a bit annoying...

‘Pig trouble in little Tina’ was my favourite of all episodes so far. Stellar. I did think of a show I’d glad.y pay for; The Orville.

Tom
 
‘Pig trouble in little Tina’ was my favourite of all episodes so far. Stellar. I did think of a show I’d glad.y pay for; The Orville.

Tom

I'm getting to the point where there's enough varied content on Apple TV+ to interest me, though I may wait until I get my next Apple device if it comes with a free one-year trial. But your comment about The Orville made me look up what's happening with season 3, which will be on Hulu rather than Fox. The cost for all these streaming services is getting a bit much. I just subscribed to CBS All Access for Picard, though there are a few other shows there I'll watch.
 
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I have a question.

When i use my trial can I use the website and cast the video to my chromecast on my TV?

I read the iPhone+iPad app doesn't have chromecast support and my LG OLED TV was 4000 euros 2 year but won't get the app. There also isn't a Playstation 4 app so that isn't an option either.
 
I didn’t know Amazing Stories was slated to have multiple writer/director teams!
That sounds amazing... as a sci-fi lover, I’m VERY excited about this series.

I'm even ok w/ Apple wanting it more family friendly, than just a mere black mirror knock-off.
That horrific dystopic future style is great and all... but in this case- the Spielberg original was more of an “after school” type program. I’m glad they didn’t make it all grimdark, just because that’s what plays right now.

I have high hopes for this show & hope there ends up being some great pairings in the creative teams!
This is a perceptive and really useful comment. I disagree with your point of view — bc I like me some grimdark — but that’s not relevant.

Onboard totally with your fine criticism. Thank you for it.
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It’s really too bad... the TV-MA rating means this household didn’t even bother. At this rate we will be dumping the service once the free trial ends.
Your tone is so dire — but isn’t this kind of decision the exact point of such a rating system...?

If MA is not to your taste, then simply don’t subscribe. Why is this a sad thing...?
 
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This is a perceptive and really useful comment. I disagree with your point of view — bc I like me some grimdark — but that’s not relevant.

Onboard totally with your fine criticism. Thank you for it.
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Your tone is so dire — but isn’t this kind of decision the exact point of such a rating system...?

If MA is not to your taste, then simply don’t subscribe. Why is this a sad thing...?
Thank you VERY much!
It’s increasingly rare someone disagrees w/ you on the internet- yet applauds your opinion! #muchrespect
Lol. To clarify- I love me some dark/edgy sci-fi as well! I just don’t necessarily think it needs to be injected in every example of the genre... how am I gonna get my daughters into sci-fi if everything I watch is “you’re not old enough”?
I’m thinking of future viewers , here! =)
 
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Some good comments here. I don’t sub to Netflix except when Black Summer is on, binge watch it and then cancel. I;m hoping I receive another ‘we’ve missed you, please come back and have a free month on us’.

Tom

BTW - next time you are on Netflix: Dark (watch it in German, if you can handle subtitles) and also - Dark Spot (I watched it in original French with subtitles). Of course, if you did not watch Altered Carbon, then that is also on the menu, as well as The Witcher.
 
I love me some dark/edgy sci-fi as well! I just don’t necessarily think it needs to be injected in every example of the genre...

The TV/Film industry doesn't really have a middle gear. If Game of Thrones is a megahit then, for a while, everything will copy it (GoT might even have been copying Battlestar Galactica...) and, of course, its easier/cheaper to copy the sex & gore aspect than the high production values (that GoT at least started with).

Its been similar with the "everything must have an insanely complicated 5-year plot arc" trope. It was really refreshing to see some long-form plot developments emerge from the wasteland of self-contained episodes that always ended with the plot reset button... but not everything has to be that way.

One problem I've been noting with the Netflix/Amazon model is that you sometimes get an 8-10 episode season* that sets up an elaborate ongoing plot, its released all at once, you watch it over a week or two... then wait up to 2 years for the continuation by which time you've forgotten the details. That's fine if you really like something and watch the first season a couple of times over while you wait, but for the ones that are "good, but one viewing is enough" its a bit long.

(* which is an improvement over a season consisting of 3-4 good episodes resolving the previous cliffhanger, 3-4 good episodes setting up the next cliffhanger padded out to 22 episodes with filler... There's probably an optimum length for telling a good story, or one novel of a series, and I suspect that its ~6-8 1-hour episodes before needing some sort of resolution)
 
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