Written by John Edward Betancourt
Ask any fan of the hit series, Wynonna Earp, what they want most in the world regarding that beloved show and you’ll get back the same answer. They want more. More Wynonna, more adventures in her world, just flat out any new stories they can get their hands on, and well… it turns out that Audible is the network to grant their wish. For they agreed to bring forth, Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory. A new original drama that at last, reunites fans with an old friend, and the best news of all, is that fans don’t have to wait any longer to return to her world.
For this particular series, was released on Audible today. Allowing for everyone to enjoy everything they’ve ever wanted, courtesy of a new story written by series creator, Emily Andras, and features the original cast in their original roles. And well, to properly celebrate the return of Wynonna, here is a link to the next chapter in the story for you to enjoy, and a trailer to hype you up for a dream come true. ‘Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory, a new original audio drama series written by Emily Andras, creator, producer, writer of the television series Wynonna Earp, debuts today, Thursday, October 17, exclusively on Audible. The immersive, multicast audio production features the original cast members reprising their roles, including Melanie Scrofano as Wynonna Earp, Tim Rozon as Doc Holliday, Dominique Provost-Chalkley as Waverly Earp, Katherine Barrell as Nicole Haught, Varun Saranga as Jeremy Chetri, Dani Kind as Mercedes Gardner, Martina Ortiz Luis as Rachel Valdez and Greg Lawson as Randy Nedley. Wynonna Earp is a modern supernatural western horror series based on the comic book created by Beau Smith. It exploded onto TV screens in 2016 in series form with SEVEN24 Films’ the female-led show Wynonna Earp and quickly developed a passionate cult following. Now, fans can experience the thrilling demon-fighting adventures in a richly immersive audio experience, with cutting-edge sound design and the original cast bringing the characters vibrantly to life. Legendary tracker Wyatt Earp's descendant, Wynonna, was tasked with putting restless revenants - outlaws that Wyatt killed - back in their graves. With a unique ability to use her ancestor's Peacemaker, Wynonna formed a motley crew to battle demons, curses, and all supernatural threats that emerge to cause chaos in the ghost town of Purgatory. In this audio installment, we pick up with our demon-hunting heroine and her soulmate, the legendary lawman Doc Holliday (VERY well-preserved thanks to some handy ancient witchery), as they hit the open road in search of the promised land: Dollywood. Naturally, the trail is bumpier than expected, giving the stranded pair time to share an anthology-style collection of stories from Purgatory. Serving as both narrators of the tales and a spicy side dish to the action, the two travelers catch us up on many fan-favorite characters from the series in these Tales from Purgatory. Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory is produced in collaboration with SEVEN24 Films, Rick Jacobs and Todd Berger, and Wayland Productions.’
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Written by John Edward Betancourt
Something that is genuinely fascinating about this modern era of popular culture, is how many stories that have come to a close, still resonate with audiences. It could because they ended too early, or it could be that there was just so much more storytelling left on the table. But one way or another… people keep craving more from franchises that had a great and sometimes brief run, and that’s why a recent announcement from Audible should come as no surprise.
For they let it be known that Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory, will be coming to Audible as an original audio drama on October 18, one that will feature the entire original cast of the show, and was written by the show’s creator and well, that truly does speak to the staying power of Wynonna Earp, and how badly we want more of her adventures, and well… at last… we will enjoy more soon. And to properly celebrate this news, here are all the details on this upcoming show, and a teaser trailer to enjoy, as we countdown the days to more adventures, with the amazing Wynonna Earp. ‘Audible Inc., a leading producer and provider of original spoken-word entertainment and audiobooks, today announced the upcoming release of the Canadian Audible Original drama Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory. The immersive, multicast audio production is written by Emily Andras, creator, producer, writer of the television series Wynonna Earp and will feature the original cast members reprising their roles, including Melanie Scrofano as Wynonna Earp, Tim Rozon as Doc Holliday, Dominique Provost-Chalkley as Waverly Earp, Katherine Barrell as Nicole Haught, Varun Saranga as Jeremy Chetri, Dani Kind as Mercedes Gardner, Martina Ortiz Luis as Rachel Valdez, and Greg Lawson as Randy Nedley. Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory is slated for release October 17, 2024, exclusively on Audible. Wynonna Earp is a modern supernatural western horror series based on the comic book created by Beau Smith. It exploded onto TV screens in 2016 in series form with SEVEN24 Films’ the female-led show Wynonna Earp and quickly developed a passionate cult following. Now, fans can experience the thrilling demon-fighting adventures in a richly immersive audio experience, with cutting-edge sound design and the original cast bringing the characters vibrantly to life. "We're thrilled to bring loyal fans – “Earpers” – more of what they love by adapting this wildly popular series into an unforgettable audio experience,” said Diana Dapito, Audible’s Head of Regional Content, North America. “As we continue our commitment to delivering premium audio entertainment to Audible audiences worldwide, we’re excited for existing fans and new listeners to get to experience more action, more humor, and more of the legend that is Wynonna Earp.” "I'm thrilled to be stepping into the character of Wynonna again so soon for this new Audible Original,” said Melanie Scrofano. “Fans are in for a treat because by working exclusively in audio, we're exploring sides of Wynonna and Purgatory that we couldn't always show on screen. It's like unlocking a whole new dimension of the Wynonna Earp universe. The best part is, Earpers don’t have to wait very long for even more of the characters they love, and we can't wait for them to experience it." Legendary tracker Wyatt Earp's descendant, Wynonna, was tasked with putting restless revenants - outlaws that Wyatt killed - back in their graves. With a unique ability to use her ancestor's Peacemaker, Wynonna formed a motley crew to battle demons, curses, and all supernatural threats that emerge to cause chaos in the ghost town of Purgatory. In this audio installment, we pick up with our demon-hunting heroine and her soulmate, the legendary lawman Doc Holliday (VERY well-preserved thanks to some handy ancient witchery), as they hit the open road in search of the promised land: Dollywood. Naturally, the trail is bumpier than expected, giving the stranded pair time to share an anthology-style collection of stories from Purgatory. Serving as both narrators of the tales and a spicy side dish to the action, the two travelers catch us up on many fan-favorite characters from the series in these Tales from Purgatory. Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory is produced in collaboration with SEVEN24 Films, Rick Jacobs and Todd Berger, and Wayland Productions. Fans can add Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory to their Audible wish lists now. Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory joins Audible’s slate of celebrated Canadian Audible Originals including scifi thriller The Downloaded starring Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser and a full cast; Andrew Pyper’s thriller suspense series Oracle, helmed by Joshua Jackson; Canadian classic Anne of Green Gables directed by Megan Follows and featuring the voices of Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh, Emmy Award winner Catherine O’Hara, and Emmy Award winner Victor Garber; mystery series Mistletoe Murders featuring Cobie Smulders and Raymond Ablack; and more. ABOUT AUDIBLE Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 900,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers.’ Written by John Edward BetancourtIt really is quite amazing how far the true crime podcast has come over the past few years. For this type of podcast was nothing short of raw and visceral entertainment, when it first arrived on the market. Wherein well-versed hosts broke down incredible crimes with stunning facts and unsettling details regarding every type of crime imaginable. But somewhere along the line, that all changed. For suddenly it became clear these types of podcasts could be more than a guilty pleasure that explored morbid and forbidden topics. They could in fact, be supremely helpful in nature. Which was an epiphany that drove a great many new true crime podcasters… to work to make a difference with their podcast. To the point where some dug into cold cases and others revisited old cases that were teeming with concern regarding injustice and well, they have indeed made a difference. Because some of those investigations have led to people being freed when new evidence was uncovered, and they have shed fascinating light on cold cases that have lay dormant for so long. And recently a podcast, that accomplished something similar, received a re-release to offer a more comprehensive understanding of how journalist Steve Fishman made an incredible difference in The Burden: Empire on Blood. Which is a podcast that explores the life and times of one Calvin Burai. Who was a drug kingpin in New York City in the 1990s and enjoyed the good life in doing so. To the point where Calvin flaunted his lifestyle and for a time… life was sweet for Calvin. But a murder in the city that was immediately tied to Calvin, put him behind bars in a swift manner. An act that few would think of since that seems like proper justice and gets a drug dealer off the street. But Calvin was adamant that he did not take part in this crime, and asked for help from your host, Steve Fishman, to prove that was the case, and well… his case was fascinating enough for Steve to get involved and what he finds over the course of this series… is shocking to say the least. Since not everything is what it seems from this case and truly, there are issues that showcase sloppy police work and there is of course, a shocking twist that one would not expect and well… all of these elements bring forth a re-released story that is indeed, comprehensive, fascinating and uplifting. For truly, Steve does some good in this tale. First by listening to Calvin’s story, since so many convicts are rarely heard, regardless of what they’ve done, and then by stepping in and using his background as a journalist to meticulously explore this case and uncover truths in the process, and it is that process that makes this podcast so incredibly engaging. Since you are privy to every detail, every thought, and every step that Steve took, which adds to the inspirational portion of this story. Since it reminds us that with some care, and with some passion… we can accomplish wonders. But where this podcast truly shines, is in its objectivity. Because let’s be honest… a lot of true crime podcasts are biased in nature and lean into the entertainment factor of podcasting as well. Which allows for dramatic elements to come into play and allows for bias through emotional response to come to life. Clouding at times what could be a very pure and educational journey. But this podcast does none of that. Steve simply presents the story as it is, and he holds to the facts and speaks to all sides of the story. Which allows for us to understand, that while Calvin has indeed dealt with some prejudice and bias from the judicial system… he’s still a criminal and that should be kept in mind and that what matters more here, are the failures from our judicial system he endured. Because in these United States it is supposed to be a fair trial for all, that fair shake, and it comes into question whether or not Calvin received that. Which gives rise to an incredible overview of the system, and an incredible journey, period. One that truly allows for the listener to see the whole picture here and see this story as objectively as Steve did, and genuinely explores this case in a fascinating and engaging manner. Because you have to know how it ends, how all of this played out and how Steve’s investigation came to a close. Making this a must-listen podcast, one that you can enjoy right now, simply through The Burden feed, and we here at NTG certainly hope you give this a listen. For this is that rare podcast that truly understands the power of the medium and tells a refreshing and powerful story about one man’s quest for the truth, and nothing but. Written by John Edward Betancourt
What’s truly amazing about the Harry Potter franchise, is the longevity it has enjoyed. For so many stories fade into the memories of a generation when they conclude, but this saga… continues to take flight and continues to be discovered by so many, and what’s even more incredible… is that fans still want new material. For they believe this world has so much more to explore aside from Harry’s journey and that’s given life to games untold, new stories and new movies and an immersive website, and there’s still more to come.
In fact, Audible is about to be host to a new Audible Original from that universe entitled, From the Wizarding Archive. Which takes 80 articles from the original Pottermore website and transforms them into audio stories, narrated by cast members from the franchise, and it won’t be long before we all get to enjoy these incredible tales. Since this original debuts on Audible on Thursday, August 29, 2024, and to properly celebrate its arrival, here are all the details on this new Audible Original, and a sneak peek clip for you to enjoy as you prepare to return to the world of Harry Potter, courtesy of Audible. ‘Harry Potter fans are in for a treat. From the Wizarding Archive explores 80 articles written by J.K. Rowling for the original Pottermore website for the first time in audio format, debuting on Thursday, August 29 exclusively from Audible. If you’ve ever wondered why Squibs are never offered a place at Hogwarts, what happened when Vernon Dursley first met James Potter, or how Dumbledore and McGonagall formed their lifelong friendship, From the Wizarding Archive should go straight to the top of your wish list. If there’s one thing Harry Potter fans have in common (apart from impeccably good taste), it’s questions… so many questions. From the simple details that perplex us all – was Professor Umbridge always that awful? Why don’t wizards just use phones? – to the personal details that bring us closer to J.K. Rowling’s writing process – from her least favourite school subject and its impact on Professor Snape’s career, to the personal significance of King’s Cross and why it’s always where the Hogwarts Express departs – this is a veritable treasure trove of answers. Narrated by Evanna Lynch, Hugh Quarshie, Finlay Robertson and Lara Sawalha, and with an exclusive foreword by Evanna Lynch, this spellbinding audiobook is essential listening for any Harry Potter aficionado. The articles in From the Wizarding Archive were originally written by J.K. Rowling for pottermore.com and remain free to read in English on wizardingworld.com. 35 of the 80 articles were originally published across three Pottermore Presents eBooks. This is the first time any of the content has been available in audio format.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt If there is one thing that we see often in the entertainment industry, its team ups. Where a couple of studios put their resources together to bring forth an epic story. It might be for a summer blockbuster, or an event streaming series for the ages, but it is a common practice when the moment is right for that kind of partnership, and well… it is beginning to expand beyond the silver and small screen. As evidenced by this week’s news. For recently, it was made known that Paramount and Audible have teamed up to bring forth an amazing new paranormal podcast, entitled Paranormal Activity: True Tales of Possession. Which is quite the partnership for certain. Since Paramount distributed the wildly popular horror franchise and Audible is the biggest podcasting platform out there, and now, they are together to bring us this original, one that has deeper roots than one might expect when it comes to the source material. For it is also hosted by… Micah Sloat and Kate Featherton. Who were the stars of the original film, and Micah, just so happens to have some paranormal interests of his own. After all he has a broad background in many spiritual traditions, with a focus on Peruvian shamanism, British Traditional Witchcraft, and Hawaiian shamanism. By combining these practices with his undergraduate studies in philosophy and his master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology, he’s developed his own transformational practice for healing, change, and manifestation called Spirit Work. Which makes him the perfect co-host for this series, and well, the good news is that you can enjoy the wonder of this podcast right now. For it is available on Audible, and we certainly hope you give it a listen. Since clearly, the stars have aligned, and the right people have come together to explore the world of the paranormal and all the questions it sends our way.
Please enjoy this super-sized sneak peek and synopsis of season three of Impact Winter. Which you can enjoy on Audible, right now!
Audible's groundbreaking vampire-apocalypse series Impact Winter, from executive producers of The Walking Dead and the writer of Pacific Rim, is back for a third season today, Thursday, July 18 exclusively from Audible. The forthcoming installment continues six months after the crushing conclusion of Season 2. Winter grows colder, a dire gloom tightens her grip on the land, and Hope Dunraven grapples with strange voices that insist she alone may hold the key to defeating it. But how can one mortal woman stand against such suffocating darkness — when that darkness is her own sister, Darcy? The tangled world of Impact Wintergrows vast in Season 3, widening to reveal shadowy new adversaries, ancient mysteries, untold gods, unexpected monsters, and a battle that will forever change everyone it touches, and test both Dunraven sisters as never before. Impact Winter returns for Season 3 with newcomers Christina Chong (Star Trek: The Strange New Worlds, Black Mirror, Doctor Who), Ali Ariaie (The Great, Persuasion), Jordan Long (Unforgotten, Prime Suspect: Tennison) Gary Oliver (Game of Thrones, Atlantis), Imogen King (Clique, Suspect), Emma Fischer (Berlin Station, The Deal, Counterpart) Eve Ponsonby (Victor Frankenstein, The White Queen, Misfits), Arazou (Cinderella, Ready Player One) joining returning cast members Holliday Grainger (CB Strike, My Cousin Rachel), Esmé Creed-Miles (Hanna, The Doll Factory), Caroline Ford (Carnival Row), Sacha Dhawan (Doctor Who, The Great), Ellie Bamber (Moss & Freud, Willow), David Gyasi (The Diplomat, Interstellar), Gina Stiebitz (Dark, The Darker the Lake), Andrew Gower (Being Human, Outlander), and Michael Culkin (Garrow's Law). Listeners can revisit Season 1 and 2 of Impact Winter on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts. Sneak Peek #1 – Storm is ComingSneak Peek #2 - Viduci, Kexian, Joar, Acroneos and Belo Decide on the Fate of Their Sister SamiraWritten by John Edward Betancourt It really is quite incredible what the audio drama has evolved into in this modern age of entertainment. For it has gone from passion projects from a group of friends to outright juggernaut storytelling. The kind that now attract the best talent out there and truly features stories that blow us away with their creativity. Which makes sense because the sky is the limit in this format of storytelling, and what’s also amazing… is how this type of entertainment has started to give rise to incredible franchises that feature multiple seasons of storytelling, such as Impact Winter. For this particular story is so well written, and so popular that it spawned a second season on Audible that audiences loved to no end and well… that meant… another season had to happen, one that we are but weeks away from. For recently, Audible, Skybound Entertainment, and Anonymous Content let it be known that July 18 will see the third season of this beloved franchise drop on Audible, and well… to properly celebrate this news, we happen to have all the details on season three, courtesy of Audible, Skybound Entertainment, and Anonymous Content. So that you can begin to count down the days to the latest chapter in the audio drama revolution. ‘Audible Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, multiplatform content company Skybound Entertainment, and global media company Anonymous Content today announced the premiere date of Impact Winter Season 3, alongside new and returning cast for the groundbreaking vampire-apocalypse audio drama, debuting exclusively from Audible on July 18. The hit scripted audio series from the executive producers of The Walking Dead and Invincible (Skybound Entertainment) and writer Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim) returns for an action-packed third installment following the successful debuts of Season 1 and 2. Impact Winter returns for Season 3 with newcomers Christina Chong (Star Trek: The Strange New Worlds, Black Mirror, Doctor Who), Ali Ariaie (The Great, Persuasion), Jordan Long (Unforgotten, Prime Suspect: Tennison) Gary Oliver (Game of Thrones, Atlantis), Imogen King (Clique, Suspect), Emma Fischer (Berlin Station, The Deal, Counterpart) Eve Ponsonby (Victor Frankenstein, The White Queen, Misfits), Arazou (Cinderella, Ready Player One) joining returning cast members Holliday Grainger (CB Strike, My Cousin Rachel), Esmé Creed-Miles (Hanna, The Doll Factory), Caroline Ford (Carnival Row), Sacha Dhawan (Doctor Who, The Great), David Gyasi (The Diplomat, Interstellar), Andrew Gower (Being Human, Outlander), Ellie Bamber (Willow), and Michael Culkin (Garrow’s Law). “Working with Audible, Skybound, and Anonymous Content, and this incredible cast for the third season continues to be about the most fun I’ve ever had. It’s a story I’ve been living with for some time now and could never have done justice without the support of such an impassioned team of collaborators,” said Beacham. “I think this season has some genuinely wild card turns that I can’t wait for people to hear.” The forthcoming installment continues six months after the crushing conclusion of Season 2. Winter grows colder, a dire gloom tightens her grip on the land, and Hope Dunraven grapples with strange voices that insist she alone may hold the key to defeating it. But how can one mortal woman stand against such suffocating darkness — when that darkness is her own sister, Darcy? The tangled world of Impact Winter grows vast in Season 3, widening to reveal shadowy new adversaries, ancient mysteries, untold gods, unexpected monsters, and a battle that will forever change everyone it touches, and test both Dunraven sisters as never before. Listeners can revisit Season 1 and 2 of Impact Winter on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts. Audible members can also listen to Impact Winter Season 2 and 3 in immersive spatial audio with Dolby Atmos from the Audible app at no additional cost. Visit audible.com/dolbyatmos for more information. This upcoming Audible Original joins a powerful slate of original audio dramas including Audible’s first foray with Skybound Entertainment, the best-selling series Death By Unknown Event, narrated by Pamela Adlon; James Patterson’s The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama, a prequel to his #1 New York Times Bestseller The Black Book and performed by Aaron Paul; the #1 New York Times best-selling audio fiction The Sandman from Neil Gaiman, performed by James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Michael Sheen and a full cast; the highly anticipated sequels The Sandman: Act II; and The Sandman: Act III; The Dispatcher series from New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi; Carnival Row, set in the world of the Amazon Original series Carnival Row, created by Travis Beacham and René Echevarria; and many more. Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with Anonymous Content and Audible, have also announced a graphic novel based on Impact Winter that will collect Impact Winter #1, Impact Winter: Rook #1, and the upcoming Impact Winter: Evenfall #1 (out July 24, 2024 in comic book shops), that will be available everywhere books are sold October 29, 2024. Collected for the first time ever, these stories will entice new readers and longtime fans of the Audible Original to explore the world of Impact Winter with writer Travis Beacham and artists Stephen Green (Hellboy & the BPRD), Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and Sumeyye Kesgin (Voyagis). ABOUT AUDIBLE, INC. Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 900,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers. ABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT Skybound is the company for creators. We're known for using the Wheel of Awesome to make cool stuff, no matter the platform. We place creators and their projects at the center of the wheel and work with them to keep the integrity of their vision as it becomes a comic, game, TV series, film, audio series, or all of the above. Skybound builds global franchises. We’ve been the home of The Walking Dead and Invincible since 2010 and are leaders in creating universes that become pop culture phenomena from our library of over 150 properties, including the emerging tentpole Impact Winter. Skybound is a force in games. We publish, produce and distribute video games across every genre, including the blockbuster The Walking Dead series and the BAFTA award-winning Before Your Eyes. Follow Skybound on X (@Skybound), YouTube (Skybound), Facebook (@SkyboundEntertainment) Threads (@skyboundent), Instagram (@skyboundent), Discord (Skybound), Reddit (Skybound), and at www.skybound.com. ABOUT ANONYMOUS CONTENT Anonymous Content is a global media company that produces multi-platform premium content and boasts an exceptional client roster which includes many of the world’s most renowned and innovative directors, writers, and actors. The company’s award-winning Film & TV division encompasses many commercially successful and critically acclaimed works including three-time Academy Award winning film THE REVENANT, Best Picture Academy Award winning film SPOTLIGHT, Academy Award winning film for Best Original Screenplay, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, and three-time Primetime Emmy award-winning Mr. Robot. On the film side, they are behind the recently released features FOE, starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre, and THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER starring Daisy Ridley, and the highly anticipated upcoming adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, THE NICKEL BOYS. On the series side, they recently released season four of True Detective starring Jodie Foster, and are behind the upcoming Time Bandits from Taika Waititi, Disclaimer from Alfonso Cuarón starring Cate Blanchett, limited series East of Eden starring Florence Pugh with Zoe Kazan set to adapt, and Savant starring Jessica Chastain. The company also has a robust documentary division, boasting a burgeoning slate of premium features including Alex Gibney’s Elon Musk documentary MUSK, 5 SEASONS OF REVOLUTION, Raoul Peck’s ORWELL, and IN RESTLESS DREAMS: THE MUSIC OF PAUL SIMON. Through its Commercial work, Anonymous Content is also the driving creative force behind countless leading global brands. As part of Anonymous Content’s continued global expansion, the company has established multiple joint ventures with international partners including Anonymous Content España, Anonymous Federation, Anonymous Content Nordic, Anonymous Content Brazil, and AC Chapter One. For more information, visit www.anonymouscontent.com.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Audible Original, ‘Yellow Face’. One particular aspect of modern storytelling that is quite fascinating, is how many poignant and relevant stories about our world, only dig deep into one important topic at a time. As though there is a concern that perhaps audiences cannot handle a bevy of examinations or that going into anything else might detract from the point the storyteller is trying to hammer home. Granted, none of this bad, because a detailed bit of commentary on politics, for instance, is impactful and thoughtful. But audiences can handle more, and they are eager sometimes to just feast over topics that are powerful and important and would have no qualms with a story that provides them with much to discuss and ponder upon. Which is why we should always celebrate stories that do just that, since they are the bold ones that truly give the audience what they want and truly examine the complexities of the world, giving us plenty to think about and plenty to learn from and it just so happens that an Audible Original is out now that accomplishes just that. For Yellow Face, by David Henry Hwang, an adaptation of his stage play of the same name, truly is the perfect story for this point in time. For this particular story introduces us to an unreliable narrator and playwright also named David Henry Hwang, who finds himself working to defend himself for crossing several lines in the realm of representation. For he makes the mistake of hiring an actor that is white to play an Asian character in one of his plays, after he fought hard to ensure that such an act never took place in another play. Giving rise to quite the conundrum for David, one where he must decide to either come clean about his mistake… or double down and save himself the embarrassment. Which is a plot that accomplishes so much from a social commentary standpoint. Because this is a hot topic right now, for there are hard questions being asked often in Hollywood and the entertainment world regarding whether or not a white actor should portray someone of a different race. And there are of course people that believe it should be of no concern since such acts have permeated the business long before it was so popular, but there are others who point out how it appropriates culture and keeps BIPOC individuals that can play those parts just fine out of work and out of sight. At a time when the American public is outright saying, they want to be seen on the stage and the screen and want their stories told. All of which brings forth some powerful and poignant commentary on the matter, and no easy answers because David correctly points out that we need more than discourse and decisions to properly solve this problem. However, there was mention that this story features multiple themes and explorations and those can be found… in the moments in between David’s constant conundrum. For the downtime in the central plot allows for David to ponder deeply upon his own identity, and what he actually stands for, and it also digs deep into the nature of the American Dream and its place in the modern world, through a fascinating vignette revolving around his father, who loves the concept of it so. All of which makes for a very human story that harbors so many concepts and perspectives to ponder upon, including the importance of honesty and self-forgiveness for the many mistakes we will make in life. Which makes this a powerfully complex story, one that is more or less about life and yet… never once becomes overwhelming with its messaging… courtesy of a simple trick. In that, it’s also a comedy. In fact, the sheer concept of one man trying to cover up a mistake such as this at this time in American history, is that perfect comedic twist… since it borders upon outlandish and realistic, and it also doesn’t hurt… that it is an amazingly well-acted audio drama. One that features Daniel Dae Kim, Jason Biggs, and Wendell Pierce and so many more talents, and well… all of these elements bring forth a perfect adaptation of a perfectly brilliant story. One that holds nothing back in the powerful questions it asks and the powerful challenges it poses to the audience, and it really is incredibly relevant and meaningful. All courtesy of a story that bold and downright brave. Written by John Edward Betancourt One particular genre of podcasts that has outright exploded in the last few years, are true crime podcasts. Because they offer up a rare opportunity to explore cases that the world has never heard of before and ponder upon the psyches of the real-life monsters that lurk about our world. Not to mention, this surge in examinations has brought new evidence to life and some to justice, all because these podcasts really do offer detailed looks at cases that overburdened police departments sometimes cannot offer their full attention to, and well, the wonder of the true crime podcast is top of mind today, simply because a popular one is back on the airwaves. For earlier today a brand-new season of Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer dropped, complete with one fascinating story to offer. One where reporter Steve Fishman reveals some never before heard confession tapes, courtesy of his own unique relationship with a serial killer and well… that’s quite the story to immerse oneself in. Since that will indeed allow for incredible insight, regarding the most dangerous killer of all, and well, since you’re undoubtedly curious now about his tale, here are all the details on this new season of the show, and how you can listen to every episode today, courtesy of Sony Music. ‘Sony Music Entertainment and Orbit Media, today announced the premiere of Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer, the newest season of Sony Music’s hit investigative podcast series that explores shocking tales of crime and deception. In this season of Smoke Screen, journalist and host Steve Fishman unpacks the story of serial killer Robert F. Carr III and, with the help of the killer’s daughter, dissects his personal connection to Carr’s heinous crimes that spanned a decade. Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes at once today. In My Friend, The Serial Killer, Fishman sets out to understand the man who he briefly met just months prior to his confession of multiple rapes and murders. The killer picked him up hitchhiking and for some reason, let him go. Throughout the series, listeners are exposed to the never before heard confession tapes, interviews with detectives and a road trip to the scenes of his crimes. All the while Fishman continues to question – how did this happen? Why was I spared? And how do I revisit this dark story from so many years ago? “My whole world was turned upside down at 19 years old working for a local Connecticut newspaper. The bells went off meaning a huge story had come in,” said host and reporter Steve Fishman. “In that moment, I learned that I was almost the victim of a serial killer and for years I have searched for answers about this man who I narrowly escaped from.” Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer is hosted by award-winning journalist, Steve Fishman. Dan Bobkoff is the producer. Annie Aviles is the editorial consultant. From Sony Music Entertainment, executive producers are Catherine Saint Louis and Jonathan Hirsch. Listeners can subscribe to Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer on The Binge, as well as all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For more information on Smoke Screen: My Friend, The Serial Killer and all other Sony Podcast shows, follow @SonyPodcasts on X/Twitter and Instagram. About Sony Music Global Podcasts We are Sony Music Entertainment’s Global Podcast Division - where podcasters are artists. We put creators first and develop premium shows that loyal audiences keep coming back to. Based in New York, Los Angeles and London, we are a team of podcast obsessives covering creative, sales, marketing and business development teams focused only on one thing – our listeners and the shows we make for them. About Orbit Media Orbit is a storytellers' company which produces elevated true crime series. Our current series The Burden, was top ten on the Apple true crime charts, and Editor's Choice on Spotify. Orbit will soon re-release, the companion podcast, Empire on Blood, a #1 Apple podcast. Orbit is run by Steve Fishman and co-founded by Oscar-winner Fisher Stevens.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt There was a time, where short stories were perceived by Hollywood, as nothing more than motion pictures in waiting. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means. For it meant that any producer that optioned one, genuinely believed that it could easily become a two-hour feature and bring joy to audiences everywhere. So, for ages on end, short stories becoming movies were all the rage, and it was a move that was popularized by Stephen King’s work as well, since so many of his short works went on to become hit pictures or a grandiose miniseries on television. But while there’s a lot of joy to be found in this formula for movie making, it had its flaws. Because not every short story translated well to film, resulting in some serious misfires that could have been avoided had they been adapted via a better format. But alas that likely didn’t exist at the time. But now, in this era of peak entertainment, that’s changing. Because there are creatives eager to take short stories and turn them into television shows because of the potential they have, and the world of audio entertainment… well that has unlocked all kinds of possibilities for short stories. Since they can go places that television and film cannot go and ignite our imaginations along the way, and it just so happens… that a wonderful short story from writer Michael Connelly, has been properly realized as an Audible Original. For The Safe Man, a short story written by Connelly in 2012 and co-written by him with Terrill Lee Lankford for this Audible Original, can now unleash a far more intense vibe than the original source material, courtesy of several wonderful factors. Such as its cast. For Titus Welliver and Jack Quad play the lead roles in this tale, Paul Robinette and Brian Holloway, respectively, and their infinite skill set as actors, adds a delightful realism to a story that is grounded in supernatural concepts and so much more. But they are essential to this tale since they sell the gravity of the moment, and the emotions that one would expect to accompany some of the twist and turns present here. But while the top-tier voice acting present here would likely have been enough to make this worth our while, there are other elements that impress. Because the audio design, is rich in nature and allows for the listener to just lose themselves in the moment. Which only enriches the experience through and through. But of course, none of those elements matter without a good story, and since Mister Connelly is the writer of this new iteration of his own tale, the writing is indeed… top notch. In fact, what Michael has done here, is nothing short of extraordinary. Since it offers purists of the original story, one that revolves around Brian being hired by Paul to open a mysterious safe, which in turn leads to sinister doings that surround and terrify Paul… what they crave. But it also features some beautiful twists for newcomers and new story elements, enhance what the purists already know. Since Mister Connelly and Mister Lankford are able to expand upon so much here, and flesh out the characters like never before, adding new, critical moments that further enhance the richness of the story, and so much more that we won’t spoil here. So, you can enjoy all the wonder this riveting and compelling Audible Original has to offer in the comfort of your own home, car, or wherever you consume your audio with comfort, and we certainly hope you check this one out. Because The Safe Man really is quite the treat and a fine reminder of why this era of peak entertainment is so incredible. Because now stories such as these can reach their true potential, courtesy of a few enhancements and a little care from passionate storytellers that want to take us on a powerful journey. |