The first big snow of the season threatened to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario during a hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend.
In Michigan, heavy lake-effect snow in northern parts of the state was expected to continue into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Gaylord.
Some areas of the Upper Peninsula could see up to 3 feet of snow Sunday night through to Monday, National Weather Service meteorologist Lily Chapman said.
The first big snow of the season threatened to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario during a hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend. Fox Weather
As flakes began flying Friday, New York state forecasters warned 4 to 6 feet of blowing and drifting snow could fall in Watertown and other areas east of Lake Ontario through Monday.
After an unusually mild fall, as much as 2 to 3 feet of snow were possible along Lake Erie and south of Buffalo from lake-effect bands notorious for pummeling the region with snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour.
Lake-effect snow happens when warm moist air rising from a body of water mixes with cold dry air overhead.
“The lake is 50 degrees. We’re about six degrees above where we should be this time of year, that’s why we’re seeing these heavy lake-effect events,” Erie County Public Works Commissioner William Geary said. “The outlook for the next two weeks into December, we’ll probably see some more.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency for the targeted counties, allowing state agencies to mobilize resources.
Watertown and Adams along I-81 in NY were forecasted to get between 18 and 24 inches of snow. NWSBUFFALO/X
Rapidly deteriorating conditions Friday caused closures along Interstate 90, and tandem and commercial vehicles were banned from Interstate 86 in western New York and much of state Route 219 beginning Friday afternoon.
“There’s a considerable number of vehicles going off the road on the 219 currently,” Gregory Butcher, Erie County deputy director for preparedness and homeland security, said at an afternoon briefing.
ATVs and snowmobiles were being placed around the county to help first responders if necessary, Butcher said.
Two Buffalo Bills fans sit in the snow-covered stands of Ralph Wilson Stadium before a game between the New York Jets and Bill in Orchard Park on Dec. 30, 2012. APA young fans sits in the snow covered seats before the NFL wild-card games between the Bills and Steelers and Jan. 15, 2024. AP
The Buffalo Bills called for volunteers to potentially shovel snow at Highmark Stadium, where over 2 feet of snow was possible before Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Last year, a major lake-effect storm forced the NFL to push back the Bills wild-card playoff home game against Pittsburgh from Sunday to Monday.
“It’s going to be slow going, there’s no doubt about that,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, adding the heaviest snow is expected to be over by kickoff.
The team, meanwhile, was preparing to play in any conditions.
“We’re trying to stay on top of it,” coach Sean McDermott said Friday.
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The Bills are 9-2, their best start since 1992, and with a win Sunday they would clinch their fifth straight AFC East title.
Lake-effect snow also covered parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in a system that is expected to last through the weekend.
The area was blanketed in snow by Friday afternoon, with some places already measuring more than a foot of snow.
Snow falls during the first half of the AFC Divisional playoff game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Bills at Highmark Stadium on Jan. 22, 2023. Getty Images
“We’ve got this westerly, northwesterly flow regime and this chilly air mass over the UP,” said Chapman of the National Weather Service. “So it’s a pretty good setup for this long duration lake-effect snowfall event.”
Gusty winds, especially near the Great Lakes, has impacted visibility in Michigan and Chapman urged caution on the roads.
Joe DeLizio, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said visibility on roads was low but he hadn’t been made aware of any major accidents so far.
“Haven’t heard too much as far as problems, but obviously travel is pretty difficult,” DeLizio said.
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🏈 Good morning to all, but especially to …
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THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Walking — and winning — in a winter wonderland. The Browns stunned the Steelers, 24-19, after blowing a late lead, getting it back and then holding on.
Leading 18-6 about halfway through the fourth quarter, Cleveland gave up 13 points in 1:42.
Jaylen Warren scored from 3 yards out, Nick Herbig forced a Jameis Winston fumble, and Russell Wilson threw a 23-yard touchdown to Calvin Austin III three plays later. Winston then threw an interception, and all looked lost.
But it wasn’t. Pittsburgh went three-and-out, and Winston led a nine-play, 45-yard drive culminating in a 2-yard Nick Chubb touchdown. The drive included a huge 15-yard pass from Winston to Jerry Jeudy on third-and-6, Cleveland’s only third-down conversion all game.
Grant Delpit and Jordan Hicks knocked down Wilson’s Hail Mary attempt.
Cleveland is 3-8. It’s not going anywhere this year. But a win like this reminds us there’s plenty of individual talent — Myles Garretthad three sacks and a forced fumble, Chubb scored twice, and Jeudy was excellent — and reason to believe there could be better days if the team can somehow get quarterback figured out.
👍 Honorable mentions
😠 And not such a good morning for …
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THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers’ close-game luck running out here — against a struggling division rival, in brutal conditions, on a short week (again), after a huge win over the Ravens — is especially frustrating. Perhaps more frustrating, stadium security guards had to restrain receiver George Pickens from Cleveland cornerback Greg Newsome II immediately after the Steelers’ failed Hail Mary ended the game.
After not scoring a single touchdown against Baltimore, Pittsburgh needed until the fourth quarter to find the end zone against Cleveland. And even when the offense started scoring, the defense couldn’t get crucial stops.
It’s a tough loss for the Steelers, no doubt, and it also extends their 44-year streak of losing divisional road games played on Thursdays. On the bright side, they’ll get a little bit of extra time to heal up before another challenging divisional game next week at Cincinnati. (On a Sunday.)
In the AFC, here are three races that intrigue me:
The No. 1 seed: The Chiefs are 9-1 and in the driver’s seat. But the Bills (8-2) are just a game behind and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to last week’s win over Kansas City.
Messy wild card picture: The AFC wild-card picture is crowded. The Broncos hold the No. 7 seed at 6-5. Then come the Colts (5-6), the Dolphins (4-6) and Bengals (4-7), who are barely hanging on but have plenty of offensive firepower.
The AFC North: The Steelers are 8-3, with the Ravens (7-4) giving chase. Pittsburgh faces a challenging finish that includes the Ravens, Chiefs, Eagles and Bengals twice.
Over in the NFC …
The No. 1 seed: The Lions (9-1) are a game up on the Eagles (8-2). Don’t sleep on Philadelphia.
The NFC West: The 6-4 Cardinals are one game up on the 5-5 Rams, Seahawks and 49ers. Yes, the Super Bowl runners-up are last in their own division, with a 1-3 divisional record. Our latest projections have San Francisco missing the postseason.
Is there room for a rally/collapse?: The Vikings (8-2), Packers (7-3) and Commanders (7-4) are the current wild card teams, and no one below them is above .500. Who will rally? Jordan Dajani ranked the NFC wild-card contenders.
That leaves a ton of key games this weekend, including the Cardinals visiting the Seahawks. Pete Prisco says …
Prisco:“The Cardinals are off a bye, while the Seahawks are off a tough, physical victory over the 49ers. That wears on a team. Seattle looked good on defense in that game, but Kyler Murray is playing well right now. He will in this one as the Cardinals win a key division game to stay in first place. Pick:Cardinals 23, Seahawks 20“
While that one’s going on, the 49ers are in Green Bay, but will Brock Purdy be under center? He’s dealing with a shoulder issue as San Francisco’s injury woes continue. The NFC West fun carries into the night when the Rams host the Eagles.
Ranked-vs.-ranked games, conference championship implications and potential playoff eliminations? This Saturday has it all, and it’ll start when No. 5 Indiana visits No. 2 Ohio State (preview) to open a loaded slate. The Hoosiers (10-0) have the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense, and the Buckeyes (9-1) have the No. 1 scoring defense, making for a tough pick in Tom Fornelli’s Six Pack. Oh yeah, and then there are the huge playoff implications and the fact that Indiana is never here while Ohio State always is.
There’s also no shortage of drama when No. 6 Notre Dame plays No. 19 Army at Yankee Stadium (preview). The Black Knights (9-0) and the Fighting Irish (9-1) are both very much in playoff contention, and if Army wins, the Group of Five deserves multiple playoff teams, not just the one it’s guaranteed should Army and No. 12 Boise State win out, Will Backus writes.
Backus:“Take conference affiliation out of the conversation and there’s no doubt that a 12-win league champion absolutely deserves a spot over a two-loss Power Four program that didn’t even do enough to make a conference championship game. … Boise State’s strength of record (SOR) currently sits at No. 15 nationally while Army is No. 19, according to ESPN’s FPI metric. Those numbers can tick up over the next couple of weeks with additional wins.”
🏈 Bryce Underwood flips to Michigan, Julian Lewis to Colorado
In a stunning turn, quarterback Bryce Underwood — the No. 1 recruit in the entire 2025 class who has drawn comparisons to Vince Young — flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan, a massive win for Sherrone Moore and a devastating loss for Brian Kelly.
Underwood, a Belleville, Michigan, native, had been committed to LSU since January. CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson reported the Wolverines put together a $10 million offer to keep him in his home state.
Underwood is a “Potential franchise signal caller with the ideal blend of size, arm talent and athleticism,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins writes.
Underwood is Michigan’s first No. 1 overall recruit since Rashan Gary and first five-star quarterback since J.J. McCarthy.
This is a much-needed win for Moore, who hasn’t found an answer at quarterback in his first year succeeding Jim Harbaugh.
It also means Brian Kelly, already on thin ice as LSU stumbles, is in even more dire straits, John Talty writes.
Talty: “Now LSU’s vaunted 2025 recruiting class, once replete with multiple five-stars, is in danger of being bloodied. … Kelly’s sideline interactions, his reputation for rubbing people the wrong way and now the recruiting arrow pointing in the wrong direction speak to a program in panic mode. … Kelly needed Underwood to be his savior. Time for Plan B. The clock’s ticking.“
Elsewhere in the 2025 quarterback landscape, four-star prospect Julian Lewiscommitted to Colorado. He’s the Buffaloes’ first blue-chip quarterback commit in the modern era, and it’s a huge boost for Deion Sanders once his son Shedeur leaves for the NFL.
It’s Ohtani’s third MVP; he also won it in the AL for the Angels in 2021 and 2023. Only Barry Bonds (seven) has more MVP awards.
Even though both players struggled in their much-anticipated World Series meeting (Judge’s postseason issues are well-established; Ohtani played through injury), these were truly remarkable seasons.
Snyder:“Judge has now gone over 10.5 WAR twice in the last three seasons. There have only been 18 players in MLB history to top 10.5 WAR in a season, going back to the likes of Honus Wagner and Eddie Collins. Judge is among 10 to have gotten there multiple times … Judge right now is statistically one of the greatest offensive players in baseball history.”
Snyder:“We’ve already seen Ohtani win two MVPs as a two-way player, a first in MLB history. We’ve now seen him win an MVP as a designated hitter, also a first in MLB history. This time around, he did so while carrying the best team in baseball en route to winning the World Series. Are there still any lingering naysayers? There sure shouldn’t be.”
⚽ NWSL Championship preview
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TheNWSL Championship is tomorrow, 8 p.m. ET, on CBS, and you won’t want to miss it. The Spirit, led by USWNT star Trinity Rodman, face the Pride, led by Brazilian legend Marta and Zambian star Barbra Banda.
Cattry:“The league’s tactical evolution has led to a diversification of playing styles but during the 2024 season, the teams that have played the most aesthetically enjoyable soccer have come out on top more often than not. That includes this season’s finalists, who have taken different approaches to winning games but have not scrimped on goalscoring, and are unlikely to change that with the league’s biggest trophy on the line.”
I also loved Pardeep’s deep dive on Spirit owner Michele Kang.
📺 What we’re watching this weekend
Friday
🏀 No. 19 Wisconsin vs. UCF (M), 5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network 🏀 NBA Cup: Warriors at Pelicans, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN 🏀 Nebraska at No. 14 Creighton (M), 8 p.m. on FS1 🏀 No. 13 Baylor vs. No. 11 Tennessee (M), 9:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network 🏈 No. 24 UNLV at San José State, 10 p.m. on FS1 🏀 NBA Cup: Mavericks at Nuggets, 10 p.m. on ESPN 🏀 No. 12 Duke at No. 17 Arizona (M), 10:30 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday
🏈 No. 5 Indiana at No. 2 Ohio State, noon on Fox 🏈 Wake Forest at No. 8 Miami, noon on ESPN 🏈 No. 9 Ole Miss at Florida, noon on ABC 🏈 No. 13 SMU at Virginia, noon on ESPN2 🏈 Kentucky at No. 3 Texas, 3:30 p.m. on ABC 🏈 No. 4 Penn State at Minnesota, 3:30 p.m. on CBS 🏈 No. 14 BYU at No. 21 Arizona State, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN 🏈 No. 16 Colorado at Kansas, 3:30 p.m. on Fox 🏀 No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 3 USC (W), 4 p.m. on NBC 🏀 Knicks at Jazz, 5 p.m. on NBA TV 🏈 No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 19 Army at Yankee Stadium, 7 p.m. on NBC 🏈 No. 12 Boise State at Wyoming, 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network 🏈 No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m. on ABC 🏈 No. 15 Texas A&M at Auburn, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN ⚽ NWSL Championship: Pride vs. Spirit, 8 p.m. on CBS 🏀 Grizzlies at Bucks, 8 p.m. on NBA TV 🏀 Nuggets at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. on NBA TV
Sunday
🏀 No. 22 St. John’s vs. Georgia (M), 11 a.m. on CBS Sports Network 🏈 Chiefs at Panthers, 1 p.m. on CBS 🏈 Cowboys at Commanders, 1 p.m. on Fox 🏈 Vikings at Bears, 1 p.m. on Fox 🏈 Lions at Colts, 1 p.m. on Fox 🏀 No. 1 South Carolina at No. 5 UCLA (W), 4 p.m. on FS1 🏈 49ers at Packers, 4:25 p.m. on Fox 🏈 Cardinals at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. on Fox 🏈 Eagles at Rams, 8:20 p.m. on NBC
On a snowy night in Cleveland, the Browns pulled a win out of their helmet.
Nick Chubb scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 57 seconds remaining to give the Browns a 24-19 upset of the Steelers. Cleveland, with wins over the Ravens and Browns in the past three games, moves to 3-8. The Steelers fall to 8-3 with their losses to the Colts, Cowboys and Browns.
Steelers punter Corliss Waitman shanked a punt for 16 yards to the Pittsburgh 46, giving the Browns good field position with 3:22 left. Jerry Jeudy made a sliding 5-yard reception from Jameis Winston on fourth-and-3 to keep the drive alive.
With two minutes left, the Browns faced a third-and-2 at the Pittsburgh 25. Patrick Queen forced Winston to throw the ball away — while in the pocket — and offensive lineman Ethan Pocic tried to catch it. The Steelers originally declined the illegal touching penalty, which would have forced the Browns to decide whether to go for it on fourth down or try a field goal in the whiteout conditions.
Instead, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin changed his mind and took the penalty, and on third-and-6, Winston completed a 15-yard pass to Jeudy. Jeudy was not touched down but when Beanie Bishop tried to knock the ball loose, officials penalized him 5 yards for defensive delay of game.
The Browns scored the game-winning touchdown two plays later.
The Steelers got the ball back at their own 36 with 50 seconds left and reached the Cleveland 35 to set up a Hail Mary that Grant Delpit batted down.
The Steelers looked dead with 12:16 left as the Browns took an 18-6 lead on Winston’s 2-yard run as he went airborne into the end zone on fourth down before completing the two-point conversion to David Njoku.
Pittsburgh, though, scored two touchdowns in 6:01. Jaylen Warren scored on a 3-yard run. Then, after Nick Herbig had a strip-sack of Winston that was recovered by DeShon Elliott, Calvin Austin caught 23-yard touchdown pass from Wilson.
But the Browns continued their winning streak on Thursday Night Football in Cleveland.
Winston lost a fumble and threw an interception but went 18-of-27 for 219 yards and ran three times for 7 yards and a touchdown. Chubb ran for 59 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, and Jeudy caught six passes for 85 yards.
Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett dominated the first half with three sacks and had five tackles, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble. His Steelers’ counterpart, edge rusher T.J. Watt, made four tackles, including one for loss.
The Steelers outgained the Browns 368 to 304.
Wilson was 21-of-28 for 270 yards and a touchdown, and Justin Fields threw an incompletion and ran for 26 yards on three carries. Warren had 11 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown. Austin caught three passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, and George Pickens added four catches for 48 yards.
Come end November, you’ll get to witness the splendour of Italian gothic architecture right here in Singapore at this year’s Christmas Wonderland.
The 11th edition of this popular fair is returning to Gardens by the Bay from Nov 29 this year to Jan 1, 2025.
At this year’s event, an all-new 20m light display design for the Spalliera, handmade by artisans from the south of Italy, will be making its first appearance.
The attraction is inspired by the famous Orvieto Cathedral in Italy and features more than 100,000 LED bulbs.
A specially commissioned soundtrack called Magic of Christmas by Singaporean composer-conductor Darius Lim will also be making its debut as ‘snow’ falls over the display during Blizzard Time — a perennial favourite feature of the event alongside the Spalliera.
Ticket prices to Christmas Wonderland for adults differ depending on timeslot and date, ranging from $9 to $15.
For children aged three to 12, tickets are $7.
More information on ticketing can be found on their official website.
Light displays
In this edition of the annual yuletide event, visitors can also expect more festive light displaysincluding a larger-than-life 5m Santa Claus climbing a Supertree, as well as a trio of giant Merry Bears hanging out by the Lawn.
Some other highlights include a 50m Walk of Lights tunnel consisting of more than 75,000 bulbs and Odette’s Dance — a mixed-media light installation inspired by the famous Swan Lake ballet.
Return of fan favourites
This year’s Christmas Wonderland will see the return of several fan favourites — including the Garden Rhapsody at the Supertree Grove, a light and sound show where the Supertrees are illuminated and dance to various Christmas classics.
Other favourites include Santa’s Village where visitors can take photos with Father Christmas in his home and a carnival with plenty of games and rides, including a double-storey Venetian horse carousel.
Visitors can expect to enjoy a variety of performances, with an expanded entertainment line-up featuring more artistes, flash mobs and 50 per cent more choral performances than the previous edition of Christmas Wonderland.
Get ready to dine and shop
What’s a Christmas Wonderland without some good ol’ grub, right?
When it’s time for a recharge, there are also F&B offerings available from popular establishments like Brewerkz, Harry’s and Churros Republic.
Those in need of retail therapy or last-minute Christmas shopping can check out Mistletoe Alley.
Here, visitors can shop in brightly coloured festive huts and be greeted by cheery elves to add to the Christmas spirit.
Giveaway
In this season of giving, visitors can also stand a chance to win vouchers and merchandise when they take part in CDG Zig’s Jolly Jackpot Giveaway by collecting stamps at selected stations around the event.
The giveaway is subject to availability.
Address: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Session times: 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 930pm. Last entry at 10.15pm
Come end November, you’ll get to witness the splendour of Italian gothic architecture right here in Singapore at this year’s Christmas Wonderland.
The 11th edition of this popular fair is returning to Gardens by the Bay from Nov 29 this year to Jan 1, 2025.
At this year’s event, an all-new 20m light display design for the Spalliera, handmade by artisans from the south of Italy, will be making its first appearance.
The attraction is inspired by the famous Orvieto Cathedral in Italy and features more than 100,000 LED bulbs.
A specially commissioned soundtrack called Magic of Christmas by Singaporean composer-conductor Darius Lim will also be making its debut as ‘snow’ falls over the display during Blizzard Time — a perennial favourite feature of the event alongside the Spalliera.
Ticket prices to Christmas Wonderland for adults differ depending on timeslot and date, ranging from $9 to $15.
For children aged three to 12, tickets are $7.
More information on ticketing can be found on their official website.
Light displays
In this edition of the annual yuletide event, visitors can also expect more festive light displaysincluding a larger-than-life 5m Santa Claus climbing a Supertree, as well as a trio of giant Merry Bears hanging out by the Lawn.
Some other highlights include a 50m Walk of Lights tunnel consisting of more than 75,000 bulbs and Odette’s Dance — a mixed-media light installation inspired by the famous Swan Lake ballet.
Return of fan favourites
This year’s Christmas Wonderland will see the return of several fan favourites — including the Garden Rhapsody at the Supertree Grove, a light and sound show where the Supertrees are illuminated and dance to various Christmas classics.
Other favourites include Santa’s Village where visitors can take photos with Father Christmas in his home and a carnival with plenty of games and rides, including a double-storey Venetian horse carousel.
Visitors can expect to enjoy a variety of performances, with an expanded entertainment line-up featuring more artistes, flash mobs and 50 per cent more choral performances than the previous edition of Christmas Wonderland.
Get ready to dine and shop
What’s a Christmas Wonderland without some good ol’ grub, right?
When it’s time for a recharge, there are also F&B offerings available from popular establishments like Brewerkz, Harry’s and Churros Republic.
Those in need of retail therapy or last-minute Christmas shopping can check out Mistletoe Alley.
Here, visitors can shop in brightly coloured festive huts and be greeted by cheery elves to add to the Christmas spirit.
Giveaway
In this season of giving, visitors can also stand a chance to win vouchers and merchandise when they take part in CDG Zig’s Jolly Jackpot Giveaway by collecting stamps at selected stations around the event.
The giveaway is subject to availability.
Address: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Session times: 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 930pm. Last entry at 10.15pm
Hallmark launching a streaming service with two new original series, and Bill Skarsgård out for revenge in “Boy Kills World” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Alex Garland’s “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Natasha Rothwell’s heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone” and Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts.
— Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is finally making its debut on MAX on Friday, Sept. 13. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a veteran photojournalist covering a violent war that’s divided America; She reluctantly allows an aspiring photographer, played by Cailee Spaeny, to tag along as she, an editor (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and a reporter (Wagner Moura) make the dangerous journey to Washington, D.C., to interview the president (Nick Offerman), a blustery, rising despot who has given himself a third term, taken to attacking his citizens and shut himself off from the press. In my review, I called it a bellowing and haunting experience; Smart and thought-provoking with great performances. It’s well worth a watch.
— Joey King stars in Netflix’s adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies,” about a future society in which everyone is required to have beautifying cosmetic surgery at age 16. Streaming on Friday, Sept. 13, McG directed the film, in which King’s character inadvertently finds herself in the midst of an uprising against the status quo. “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes plays King’s best friend.
— Bill Skarsgård is out for revenge against the woman (Famke Janssen) who killed his family in “Boy Kills World,” coming to Hulu on Friday, Sept. 13. Moritz Mohr directed the ultra-violent film, of which Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote: “It’s a depraved vision, yet I got caught up in its kick-ass revenge-horror pizzazz, its disreputable commitment to what it was doing.”
— The year was 2006. Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band, released an album, “Eyes Open,” producing the biggest hit of their career: “Chasing Cars.” A lot has happened in the time since — three, soon to be four quality full-length albums, to be exact. On Friday, Sept. 13, the band will release “The Forest Is the Path,” their first new album in seven years. Anthemic pop-rock is the name of the game across songs of love and loss, like “All,”“The Beginning” and “This Is the Sound Of Your Voice.”
— For fans of raucous guitar music, Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller, “NOPE,” provided a surprising, if tiny, thrill. One of the leads, Emerald “Em” Haywood portrayed by Keke Palmer, rocks a Jesus Lizard shirt. (Also featured through the film: Rage Against the Machine, Wipers, Mr Bungle, Butthole Surfers and Earth band shirts.) The Austin noise rock band are a less than obvious pick, having been signed to the legendary Touch and Go Records and having stopped releasing new albums in 1998. That changes on Friday the 13th, when “Rack” arrives. And for those curious: The Jesus Lizard’s intensity never went away.
— Hallmark launches a streaming service called Hallmark+ on Tuesday with two new original series, the scripted drama “The Chicken Sisters” and unscripted series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” If you’re a Hallmark holiday movies fan, you know Chabert. She’s starred in more than 30 of their films and many are holiday themed. Off camera, Chabert has a passion for throwing parties and entertaining. In “Celebrations,” deserving people are surprised with a bash in their honor — planned with Chabert’s help. “The Chicken Sisters” stars Schuyler Fisk, Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson in a show about employees at rival chicken restaurants in a small town. The eight-episode series is based on a novel of the same name.
— Natasha Rothwell of “Insecure” and “The White Lotus” fame created and stars in a new heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.” She plays Mel, a broke, go-along-to-get-along, single, airport employee who, after a near-death experience, makes the conscious decision to take risks and pursue her dreams. Rothwell has been working on the series for the past eight years and described it to The AP as “the most vulnerable piece of art I’ve ever put into the world.” Like Mel, Rothwell had to learn to bet on herself to make the show she wanted to make. “In the Venn diagram of me and Mel, there’s significant overlap,” said Rothwell. It premieres Friday, Sept. 13 on Hulu.
— Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise and Betty Gilpin star in a new drama for Starz called “Three Women,” about entrepreneur Sloane, homemaker Lina and student Maggie who are each stepping into their power and making life-changing decisions. They’re interviewed by a writer named Gia (Woodley.) The series is based on a 2019 best-selling book of the same name by Lisa Taddeo. “Three Women” premieres Friday, Sept. 13 on Starz.
— Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday, Sept. 15 on Paramount+. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a mafia boss who was recently released from prison after serving 25 years. He’s sent to Tulsa to set up a new crime syndicate. The series is created by Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” fame.
— One thing about the title of Focus Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 — you know exactly what you’re in for. You are Demetrian Titus, a genetically enhanced brute sent into battle against the Tyranids, an insectoid species with an insatiable craving for human flesh. You have a rocket-powered suit of armor and an arsenal of ridiculous weapons like the “Chainsword,” the “Thunderhammer” and the “Melta Rifle,” so what could go wrong? Besides the squishy single-player mode, there are cooperative missions and six-vs.-six free-for-alls. You can suit up Monday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.
— Likewise, Wild Bastards isn’t exactly the kind of title that’s going to attract fans of, say, Animal Crossing. It’s another sci-fi shooter, but the protagonists are a gang of 13 varmints — aliens and androids included — who are on the run from the law. Each outlaw has a distinctive set of weapons and special powers: Sarge, for example, is a robot with horse genes, while Billy the Squid is … well, you get the idea. Australian studio Blue Manchu developed the 2019 cult hit Void Bastards, and this Wild-West-in-space spinoff has the same snarky humor and vibrant, neon-drenched cartoon look. Saddle up Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch or PC.
