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Weekly Lede Stories

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Lucky 13 “In these troubling times, the world desperately needs a hero … unfortunately, we’ve got him,” observes a promotional video for the 13th season of HBO’s LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER, which drops new episodes Mondays on Crave. A satirical, insightful look at current events in the U.S. and around the globe, the 33-time EMMY®-winning series features Oliver’s hilarious, expertly honed perspective on today’s pressing issues, as well as lesser-reported topics that both inform and entertain. Times have certainly changed since LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER debuted in 2014, but the show remains more vital than ever, with a new article in The Ringer declaring admiringly, “John Oliver Keeps Pushing the Rock Up the Hill.”

Love and the Lotus Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and for anyone craving a quick romantic getaway, a last-minute visit to THE WHITE LOTUS might be in order! What could go wrong? On second thought, it’s probably safer to cuddle up on the sofa and simply watch THE WHITE LOTUS, all three seasons of which are on Crave. A highly anticipated fourth season is on the way, and the most recent casting announcement confirms that veteran actor and comedian Sandra Bernhard is entering the fray. She’s joining previously announced cast members Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Coogan, Caleb Jonte Edwards, Alexander Ludwig, Chris Messina, and AJ Michalka. After previous seasons took place in Hawaii, Italy, and Thailand, respectively, Season 4 moves the action to France.

Let’s Be Independent Together Speaking of Valentine’s Day, the idea of keeping the romance alive took a bit of a hit this week when Kaley Cuoco (THE BIG BANG THEORY, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, both on Crave) revealed on a podcast that she and her husband Tom Pelphrey (TASK, also on Crave) made a crucial decision to save their marriage: they don’t sleep in the same room any more. “Game changer,” said Cuoco, explaining that while she goes to bed early and gets up early, Pelphrey is more of a nighthawk. “At first I’m like, ‘what will people think?’ And he’s like, ‘I never see you at night.’ I don’t see him. It’s not our sexy time. We don’t cuddle … best decision we ever made. It works great for us. We’re, like, so much happier.” Any other couples out there want to give it a go?

Something to Crow About This is a positive case of “consider the source:” Steve Carell heaped monumental praise on his upcoming HBO series ROOSTER, which premieres March 8 on Crave, saying that the script for the pilot episode was “one of the best comedy pilots I’ve read – period.” Of course, those words really mean something coming from Carell, who just happened to star in one of the funniest sitcoms of all time, THE OFFICE (also available on Crave). ROOSTER has Carell playing an author who inserts himself into his daughter’s life amid her marital trouble, all in an academic setting. As ROOSTER co-creator Matt Tarses put it, “the character is just uncomfortable in this world where he doesn’t feel like he belongs, and no one plays discomfort better than (Carell).”

What Would Noel Think? Does the castle utilized in CELEBRITY TRAITORS UK have any hidden “Wonderwalls?” Liam Gallagher of the legendary British rock band Oasis, which reunited for a worldwide tour last year, gave the TV community something to think about when he was asked by a fan online if he would ever consider appearing on CELEBRITY TRAITORS UK. “I’ve been asked,” Liam replied. Say what? Come on, Liam, do it! The first season of CELEBRITY TRAITORS UK is on Crave, with a second season coming later this year. Presently, the fourth season of the U.S. version of THE TRAITORS is ramping up, with new episodes Thursdays on Crave. Host Alan Cumming identified his favourite guest in the mansion this season, and detailed his fun and frisky reasons why.

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