Here’s everything you need to know about the world of television for Thursday, January 22nd, 2026:PRODUCTION NOTESThere won’t be a newsletter tomorrow morning. Friday is “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth & Freedom,” a general strike supported by Minnesota’s unions, progressive faith leaders, Democratic lawmakers and community activists. Organizers are encouraging all Minnesotans to stay home from work, school and refrain from shopping as a way of protesting the presence of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.While this isn’t a political newsletter, given that many people I know here are observing the strike, I feel that I need to do the same. I’ll send out a special weekend edition if the news warrants it.Along those lines, this is a comment I received from a reader who was responding to my reaction from earlier this week about what was going on here in Minnesota:“How do you classify the government oppressive when they are first trying to remove dangerous, criminal and illegal people? The trouble comes when citizens obstruct those charged with removing criminals.”I try and be mindful that some of my readers don’t have the same political views as I do. So I am not writing anti-Trump screeds or lambasting all conservatives.But this general strike is being driven by the realization by those of us in Minnesota that ICE is not here removing “dangerous, criminal and illegal people.“ They are focusing on arresting otherwise peaceful immigrants who may have been here illegally for decades. Or just people who look like they might be an immigrant. In just the past couple of days, we’ve seen a Hmong grandfather being perp walked out of his house after ICE agents broke down the front door. They brought him out dressed in shorts and slippers in below zero weather, even though he was a citizen and it later turned out he was arrested because he shared the same first name as someone they were looking to capture. ICE vehicles are now following food bank trucks trying to deliver food to schools and other locations where they can be redistributed to immigrants too nervous to shop for themselves.And then yesterday, ICE and Border Patrol agents grabbed a four-year-old out of his preschool and used him as bait to lure his father, who was reportedly going through the asylum application, out of their home. The child and his father were immediately sent to an ICE facility in Texas. And no matter how this works out, we’re left with a son who will grow up knowing he helped get his father deported.As I said, this isn’t a political newsletter. And given that this is my primary source of income, I don’t want to lose any of my paid subscribers. But if that’s the price for speaking up for what’s right, then I’ll pay it. No one is arguing hardened criminals shouldn’t be arrested. But that is not what is happening here. And with federal troops reportedly headed here this weekend, it is only going to get worse.See you this weekend.ON A HAPPIER NOTEToday is my 26th wedding anniversary and I wanted to highlight the moment here. Being married to a journalist is not an easy thing, and Stephanie has been my rock through a sometimes bumpy career. She is a perfect partner in life, a loving and caring mother and I am well aware that I very much married up way past what I deserve.I love you, my dear.
98TH ANNUAL OSCAR NOMINATIONSHere is a quick rundown of this year’s Oscar nominations:BEST PICTUREBugonia (Focus Features) (Available for streaming on Peacock)F1 (Apple) (Available for streaming on Apple TV)Frankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Hamnet (Focus Features) (Not currently available for streaming)Marty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)
The Secret Agent (Neon) (Not currently available for streaming)
Sentimental Value (Neon) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)
Sinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)
Train Dreams (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)CASTINGHamnet (Focus Features) (Not currently available for streaming)Nina GoldMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Jennifer VendittiOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Cassandra KulukundisThe Secret Agent (Neon) (Not currently available for streaming)Gabriel DominguesSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Francine MaislerVISUAL EFFECTSAvatar: Fire And Ash (Walt Disney) (Not currently available for streaming)Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel BarrettF1 (Apple) (Available for streaming on Apple TV)Ryan Tudhope, Nicolas Chevallier, Robert Harrington and Keith DawsonJurassic World Rebirth (Universal) (Available for streaming on Peacock)David Vickery, Stephen Aplin, Charmaine Chan and Neil CorbouldThe Lost Bus (Apple) (Available for streaming on Apple TV)Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen and Brandon K. McLaughlinSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter and Donnie DeanSOUNDF1 (Apple) (Available for streaming on Apple TV)Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo and Juan PeraltaFrankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke and Brad ZoernOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)José Antonio García, Christopher Scarabosio and Tony VillaflorSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Chris Welcker, Benjamin A. Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor and Steve BoeddekerSirāt (Neon) (Not currently available for streaming)Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas and Yasmina PraderasMAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLINGFrankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona FureyKokuho (Not currently available for streaming)(GKIDS) Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino and Tadashi NishimatsuSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine and Shunika TerryThe Smashing Machine (A24) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase) (Premieres January 23rd on HBO Max)Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin and Bjoern RehbeinThe Ugly Stepsister (Independent Film Company/Shudder) (Available for streaming on AMC+, Disney+ and Hulu)Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine SauerbergDOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMAll The Empty Rooms (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Joshua Seftel and Conall JonesArmed Only With A Camera: The Life And Death Of Brent Renaud (HBO) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Craig Renaud and Juan ArredondoChildren No More: Were And Are Gone (Sky) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Hilla Medalia and Sheila NevinsThe Devil Is Busy (HBO) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Christalyn Hampton and Geeta GandbhirPerfectly A Strangeness (Second Sight Pictures) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Alison McAlpineANIMATED SHORT FILMButterfly (Sacrebleu Productions) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Florence Miailhe and Ron DyensForevergreen (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy SpearsThe Girl Who Cried Pearls (National Film Board of Canada) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Chris Lavis and Maciek SzczerbowskiRetirement Plan (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)John Kelly and Andrew FreedmanThe Three Sisters (Polydont Films/Rymanco Ventures) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Constantin BronzitLIVE-ACTION SHORT FILMButcher’s Stain (Tel Aviv University Steve Tisch School of Film and Television) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Meyer Levinson-Blount and Oron CaspiA Friend Of Dorothy (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Lee Knight and James DeanJane Austen’s Period Drama (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Julia Aks and Steve PinderThe Singers (Netflix) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Sam A. Davis and Jack PiattTwo People Exchanging Saliva (Canal+/The New Yorker) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Alexandre Singh and Natalie MusteataMUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)“Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless (MasterClass/ Greenwich Entertainment) (Available for rental)Music and Lyric by Diane Warren“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Music and Lyric by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seon and Teddy Park“I Lied To You” from Sinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max).)Music and Lyric by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson“Sweet Dreams Of Joy” from Viva Verdi! (Viva Verdi!) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Music and Lyric by Nicholas Pike“Train Dreams” from Train Dreams (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Music by Nick Cave and Bryce DessnerLyric by Nick CaveMUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)Bugonia (Focus Features) (Available for streaming on Peacock)Jerskin FendrixFrankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Alexandre DesplatHamnet (Focus Features) (Not currently available for streaming)Max RichterOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Jonny GreenwoodSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Ludwig GöranssonCOSTUME DESIGNAvatar: Fire And Ash (Walt Disney) (Not currently available for streaming)Deborah L. ScottFrankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Kate HawleyHamnet (Focus Features) (Not currently available for streaming)Malgosia TurzanskaMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Miyako BellizziSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Ruth E. CarterPRODUCTION DESIGNFrankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Production Design: Tamara DeverellSet Decoration: Shane VieauHamnet (Focus Features) (Not currently available for streaming)Production Design: Fiona CrombieSet Decoration: Alice FeltonMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Production Design: Jack FiskSet Decoration: Adam WillisOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Production Design: Florencia MartinSet Decoration: Anthony CarlinoSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Production Design: Hannah BeachlerSet Decoration: Monique ChampagneCINEMATOGRAPHYFrankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Dan LaustsenMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Darius KhondjiOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Michael BaumanSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Autumn Durald ArkapawTrain Dreams (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Adolpho VelosoFILM EDITINGF1 (Apple) (Available for streaming on Apple TV)Stephen MirrioneMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Ronald Bronstein and Josh SafdieOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Andy JurgensenSentimental Value (Neon) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)Olivier Bugge CouttéSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Michael P. ShawverDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMThe Alabama Solution (HBO Documentary Films) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)An HBO Documentary Films/Alabama Film Project ProductionAndrew Jarecki and Charlotte KaufmanCome See Me In The Good Light (Apple) (Available for streaming on Apple TV)An Apple Original Films/Tripod Media/Amplify Pictures in association with Treat Media/Something Fierce ProductionRyan White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro and Stef WillenCutting Through Rocks (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)A Gandom Films ProductionSara Khaki and Mohammadreza EyniMr. Nobody Against Putin (PINK) (Available for streaming rental or purchase)A PINK ProductionNominees to be determinedThe Perfect Neighbor (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)A Netflix Documentary/Message Pictures in association with SO’B/Park Pictures ProductionGeeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu and Sam BisbeeANIMATED FEATURE FILMArco (Neon) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Ugo Bienvenu, Félix de Givry, Sophie Mas and Natalie PortmanElio (Walt Disney) (Available for streaming on Disney+)Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Mary Alice DrummKPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. WongLittle Amélie Or The Character Of Rain (GKIDS) (Available for rental)Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han, Nidia Santiago and Henri MagalonZootopia 2 (Walt Disney) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Yvett MerinoINTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILMThe Secret Agent (Neon) (Not currently available for streaming)A CinemaScópio ProductionBrazilIt Was Just An Accident (Available for rental)A Les Films Pelléas ProductionFranceSentimental Value (Neon) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)A Mer Film/Eye Eye Pictures ProductionNorwaySirāt (Neon) (Not currently available for streaming)An El Deseo ProductionSpainThe Voice Of Hind Rajab (Not currently available for streaming)A Mime Films ProductionTunisiaDIRECTINGHamnet (Focus Features) (Not currently available for streaming)Chloé ZhaoMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Josh SafdieOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Paul Thomas AndersonSentimental Value (Neon) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)Joachim TrierSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Ryan CooglerACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLEHamnet (Focus Features) (Not currently available for streaming)Chloé ZhaoMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Josh SafdieOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Paul Thomas AndersonSentimental Value (Neon) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)Joachim TrierSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Ryan CooglerACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLEBenicio Del ToroOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Jacob ElordiFrankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Delroy LindoSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max) Sean PennOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Stellan SkarsgårdSentimental Value (Neon) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLEJessie BuckleyHamnet (Focus Features) (Not available for rental, purchase or streaming)Rose ByrneIf I Had Legs I’d Kick You (A24) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase) (Premieres January 30th on HBO Max)Kate HudsonSong Sung Blue (Focus Features) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)Renate ReinsveSentimental Value (Neon) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)Emma StoneBugonia (Focus Features) (Available for streaming on Peacock)ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLETimothée ChalametMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Leonardo DiCaprioOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Ethan HawkeBlue Moon (Sony Pictures Classics) (Available for rental or purchase)Michael B. JordanSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Wagner MouraThe Secret Agent (Neon) (Not currently available for streaming)WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)Blue Moon (Sony Pictures Classics) (Available for rental or purchase)Written by Robert KaplowIt Was Just An Accident (Neon) (Available for rental or purchase)Written by Jafar PanahiScript collaborators – Nader Saïvar, Shadmehr Rastin, Mehdi MahmoudianMarty Supreme (A24) (Not currently available for streaming)Written by Ronald Bronstein & Josh SafdieSentimental Value (Neon) (Available for streaming with rental or purchase)Written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim TrierSinners (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Written by Ryan CooglerWRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)Bugonia (Focus Features) (Available for streaming on Peacock)Screenplay by Will TracyFrankenstein (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Written for the Screen by Guillermo del ToroHamnet (Focus Features) (Not currently available for streaming)Screenplay by Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’FarrellOne Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) (Available for streaming on HBO Max)Written by Paul Thomas AndersonTrain Dreams (Netflix) (Available for streaming on Netflix)Screenplay by Clint Bentley & Greg KwedarODDS AND SODS:
* I was quoted in a CNET piece yesterday about TCL’s acquisition of Sony’s branded television business:One change that buyers of future Sony/Bravia-branded sets could potentially see is more ads.
“TCL-branded smart televisions are notoriously filled with promotional content, including recommended programming and product advertising,” said Rick Ellis, founder and managing editor at AllYourScreens.com, which covers the TV industry and programming.
That can’t be disabled on current TCL sets, though users can limit some personalization features, Ellis said. “While Sony-branded smart TVs have some of the same features, they tend to be a lot less intrusive.”
* The documentary The Investigation of Lucy Letby premieres Wednesday, February 4th on Netflix. The film tells the story of Lucy Letby, the former nurse who is serving life in prison after being convicted of the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others. * Season four of Southern Hospitality premieres Wednesday, March 4th on Bravo.SUBSTACK LAUNCHES TV APPSubstack has just announced it has launched a TV app for Apple TV and Google TV. Currently in Beta, both free and paid subscribers will be able to watch with viewing access matched to their current subscription level. While the ability to offer a paid content preview won’t be available at launch, Substack said that feature will be rolled out soon.But at launch, subscribers can watch video posts and livestreams from the creators and publications they’re subscribed to. Browse a “For You” row that highlights videos from their subscriptions, plus recommended videos. And open a dedicated page for each subscription to explore more videos from a specific publication.Substack says upcoming features for the TV app will include audio posts and read-alouds, search and improved discovery, previews of paid content for free subscribers, in-app upgrades to paid subscriptions, and sections for different shows from one publication.After a bit of experimentation with video, I decided not to do as much inside the Substack app because it doesn’t seem to be a great fit for the way many subscribers use the mobile app. But this Substack TV app might be a way for me to monetize videos in a way that makes sense for me. It’s certainly something to consider.TWEET OF THE DAY
WHAT’S COMING TODAY AND TOMORROWTHURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND:* Canada Shore Series Premiere (Paramount+)* Cosmic Princess Kayuga! (Netflix) * Disneyland Handcrafted (Disney+)* Finding Her Edge Series Premiere (Netflix)* Free Bert Series Premiere (Netflix)* London’s Gangsters Series Premiere (Sundance Now)* Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man! (HBO)* Scrabble (The CW)* Team Mekbots (Peacock)* The Curse (Viaplay)* Trivial Pursuit (The CW)* The Pendragon Cycle: Rise Of The Merlin Series Premiere (Daily Wire+) FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD:* Blind Sherlock Series Premiere (Netflix)* Don’t Breathe A Word (LMN)* Mother Of Flies (Shudder)* Ready To Love Season Finale (OWN)* Real Time With Bill Maher Season Twenty-Four (HBO)* Skyscraper Live (Netflix)* The Big Fake (Netflix)SATURDAY, JANUARY 24TH:* Caught By Love (Hallmark)* Have I Got News For You Season Premiere (CNN)* Kingdom Series Premiere (BBC America)* Toni Braxton’s Breath Again (Lifetime)SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH:* It’s Not Like That Series Premiere (Wonder Project)* Memory Of A Killer Series Premiere (Fox)* The Millwood Memories (Lifetime)MONDAY, JANUARY, 26TH:* American Idol Season Premiere (ABC)* Extracted Season Two Premiere (Fox)* Fatal Attraction: I’d Kill To Be You Series Premiere (TV One)* History’s Deadliest With Ving Rhames Series Premiere (History)* Memory Of A Killer Series Premiere (Fox)* Wild Cards (The CW)SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND!