The Lede

Acclaimed filmmaker Sam Mendes remembers when movies had a beginning, a middle, and an end. But in the current age of superhero or comic-book franchises, films have “a beginning, a middle, and another beginning, because they don’t ever end.” That’s one of the many challenges facing the competent but compromised crew of a superhero movie in HBO’s THE FRANCHISE, which premieres Sunday on Crave. The satirical comedy is executive produced by Mendes, Armando Iannucci (HBO’s VEEP, available on Crave), and Jon Brown, all of whom talk about the frustrating world of modern filmmaking that THE FRANCHISE explores in a story by TV critic Bill Harris for The Lede. Himesh Patel and Aya Cash lead a vast ensemble cast.

Hosted and executive produced by GRAMMY®-nominated artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Fat Joe, STARZ’s first weekly interview series FAT JOE TALKS premieres tonight. In each 30-minute episode, Fat Joe brings audiences along for intimate conversations and never-before-told stories with celebrities and newsmakers. The guest for tonight’s inaugural episode is award-winning music artist Method Man, also one of the stars of POWER BOOK II: GHOST, which drops its series finale tonight on STARZ as well.