What’s New in Pop Culture: October 28-November 3, 2024
Releases this week in TV, Music, Movies & Games
TELEVISION
Monday 10/28: “American Dad” (TBS; Animation, Comedy)
The off-brand version of “Family Guy” (which is itself an off-brand version of “The Simpsons”) returns for - checks notes — Season 19? Nineteen?! How is that possible?
Tuesday 10/29: “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” (Disney Channel; Comedy, Supernatural)
Selena Gomez produces/guest stars on this spinoff of the show that made her a star. Her character’s magic-rejecting brother is drawn back into that world by a young mage. Next day on Disney+.
Thursday 10/31: “The Diplomat” (Netflix; Drama, Political Intrigue)
Keri Russell returns as an embattled U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom for Season 2 of this series by Debora Cahn (“Homeland,” “The West Wing”).
Friday 11/1: “Drag Race Down Under” (WoW Presents+; Reality Competition, International)
RuPaul has stepped away as host of this Aussie/Kiwi drag competition, leaving best Judy Michelle Visage to judge 10 new queens, alongside a rotating panel of previous winners and fan favorites.
Sunday 11/3: “Like Water for Chocolate” (HBO; Romance, International)
Salma Hayek produces this mini-series adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s novel, previously adapted as a highly successful film in the 1990s.
MUSIC
Monday 10/28: Boyband The Longest Halloween (Electro, Hip-Hop)
This spooky EP serves up five new Gen Z-skewing tracks that will fit right into your Halloween Party playlist. Speaking of which, check out our massive GPCD Halloween Party Playlist.
Monday 10/28: Tyler, The Creator Chromakopia (Hip-Hop)
This high-concept album from the hugely influential alternative hip-hop star, who is trying to swing the release album releases back from Friday with this release.
Friday 11/1: The Cure Songs of a Lost World (Alt-Pop/Rock)
It has been 16 YEARS since The Cure released its last studio album, and more than two years since Songs of a Lost World was officially announced. Expect doom and gloom, which is frankly apropos.
Friday 11/1: Lil Uzi Vert Eternal Atake 2 (Trap, Hip-Hop)
We’ll see if this sequel to 2020’s Eternal Atake is as wild and conceptual as the previous album; based on the promo materials, it certainly seems steeped in the same late-90s visual nostalgia.
Friday 11/1: Willie Nelson Last Leaf on the Tree (Country, Folk)
This album marks Nelson’s 76th solo studio album — his 153rd album overall — and features a collection of covers of songs by Beck, Tom Waits, The Flaming Lips, as well as original tracks.
MOVIES
Tuesday 10/29: Olivia Rodrigo GUTS World Tour (Netflix; Concert, Documentary)
Rodrigo has emerged as one of the Gen Z’s most exciting pop stars. This doc takes you behind the scene from her recent GUTS World Tour.
Wednesday 10/30: Martha (Netflix; Documentary)
A look back at the life and times of polarizing lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, who went from aspiring model to peerless tastemaker to federal prisoner to unlikely pot-culture icon.
Thursday 10/31: Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Own Words (Prime Video; Documentary, Music)
Hip-hop icon and Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion has had a complicated few years. She sits down for a candid interview detailing her rise to fame and struggles that come with the spotlight.
Friday 11/1: HITPIG! (Wide; Animated, Comedy)
Jason Sudeikis, Rainn Wilson, RuPaul, Anitta, and Hannah Gadsby lend their voices to this animated film about a pig who tracks escaped pets. Created by Bloom County creator Berkeley Breathed.
Friday 11/1: Here (Limited; Drama)
Robert Zemeckis reunites Forrest Gump stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright 30 years later for this film, which focuses on a specific plot of land and the people who live on it over multiple decades.
GAMES
Tuesday 10/29: Life Is Strange: Double Exposure (PC, PS5, Xbox S|X; Adventure, Mystery)
Square Enix’s adventure series brings back original protagonist Max Caulfield, who is able to interact with two parallel realities to solve — or maybe prevent — the murder of her friend.
Wednesday 10/30: Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket (iOs/Android; TCG, Collectible Game)
Go old school in a new way with this mobile-game version of the OG Pokemon TCG. Collect cards (you get two free booster packs per day), play solo or against others, etc.
Thursday 10/31: Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox S|X; Adventure, Action)
A remastered version of the 2011 cult-classic “road movie” game in which you play as demon hunter Garcia Hunter, who loves rock ‘n’ roll and hates the forces of Hell.
Thursday 10/31: [Redacted] (PC, PS5, Xbox SX; Roguelike, Action)
In this sci-fi roguelike, you play as a lowly prison guard on a prison planet that has been overrun by inmates infected with a terrifying virus. Fight for the last escape pod against your fellow jailers.
Thursday 10/31: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (PC, PS5, Xbox SX; Action RPG; Fantasy)
It’s been 10 years since the last entry in the Dragon Age series. This time, ancient Elvish gods have been released, bringing ruin and blight to a wild world.
