This month:
Temple Grandin, Bill Maher…But I’m Not Wrong, How to Make it in America and more!
TEMPLE GRANDIN
(WORLD PREMIERE; HBO ORIGINAL FILM)
Saturday, February 6 at 8 p.m.
Based on the true story of the best-selling author, animal scientist and autism advocate, Temple Grandin, whose own autism has afforded her uncanny powers of observation. Grandin’s insight in the complexities of animal behaviour has revolutionized the cattle industry. Starring Claire Danes, Catherine O’Hara, Julia Ormond and David Strathairn.
BILL MAHER…BUT I’M NOT WRONG
(WORLD PREMIERE; HBO COMEDY SPECIAL)
Saturday, February 13 at 10 p.m.
Airing live from Progress Energy Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, this original comedy special features a stand-up performance from Bill Maher, the controversial, opinionated and revered comedian and host of HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher.
HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA
(WORLD PREMIERE; HBO ORIGINAL SERIES)
Sunday, February 14 at 10 p.m.
This half-hour comedy series follows two enterprising Brooklyn twenty-somethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York’s competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam’s cousin Rene, who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome. Executive produced by Mark Wahlberg, Rob Weiss and Steve Levinson, the series stars Bryan Greenberg, Victor Rasuk, Lake Bell, Louis Guzmán and Kid Cudi.
LESS THAN KIND (Season 2)
(WORLD PREMIERE; CANADIAN ORIGINAL SERIES)
Friday, February 19 at 8:30 p.m.
This half-hour Canadian comedy series follows overweight Winnipeg teenager Sheldon Blecher as he attempts to survive his awkward teenage years with a dysfunctional family that includes Sam Blecher, Sheldon’s self-destructive driving-instructor father; Anne Blecher, his unstable pyromaniac mother; and Josh Blecker, his failed-actor brother. As season two begins, the abrasive Sam is at Death’s door. But even Death won’t answer when Sam comes knocking. As a result, Anne’s anxiety reaches a breaking point while Josh is torn between obligations to his dying acting career, family and his girlfriend. As the turmoil at home escalates, Sheldon is dealing with seismic developments of his own as his best friend – braceface Miriam Goldstein – is becoming more than just a friend. Together they endure the explosive shift from their life as innocent geeks to being sixteen – a world on the cusp of sex, drugs and even rock ‘n roll. For Sheldon, this is a year of bullies and girl bullies, cliques and parties – just to add a little gasoline to the fire. Starring Maury Chaykin, Jesse Camacho, Wendel Meldrum, Benjamin Arthur, Brooke Palsson, Tyler Johnston, and Ross McMillan.
THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW
(WORLD PREMIERE; HBO ORIGINAL SERIES)
Friday, February 19 at 9 p.m.
This new 13-episode animated comedy series is based on podcasts from the popular UK comedy show hosted by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington. Earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most downloads, topics covered on the show include: the merits of 20th century inventions; Karl’s suggestion for population control; philosophy through the ages; Karl’s round head; and thoughts on charity. Regular features include a “Monkey News” segment and excerpts from Karl’s journal, read by Stephen.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM (Season 2)
(WORLD PREMIERE; HBO ORIGINAL SERIES)
Friday, February 19 at 9:30 p.m.
Conceived, written, produced and voiced by Steve Dildarian, The Life & Times of Tim returns for a second season with new animated episodes about an average guy who can’t seem to catch a break. Each episode includes two short stories that find our hero Tim in a new and unenviable dilemma and the ill-advised choices he makes attempting to rectify his problems.
REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER (Season 8)
(WORLD PREMIERE; HBO ORIGINAL SERIES)
Friday, February 19 at 10 p.m.
HBO’s irrepressible, politically incorrect muse, Bill Maher returns for an eighth season of his HBO original series that offers viewers a unique perspective on contemporary issues. Each live edition of the series includes an opening monologue, roundtable discussions with panelists, and interviews with in-studio and satellite guests.
FUNNY OR DIE PRESENTS
(WORLD PREMIERE; HBO ORIGINAL SERIES)
Friday, February 19 at midnight
Executive produced by three of the celebrated masterminds behind the groundbreaking Funny or Die website – Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy – this half-hour, late-night sketch comedy series provides a creative forum for dozens of America’s most talented comedians, actors and writers. The series fuses off-the-wall scripted pieces with animated vignettes, music videos and faux commercials, with each episode introduced and wrapped by a decidedly unhip, white-haired spokesman named Ed Haligan.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING NOTES AND PREMIERES ON HBO CANADA
• New episodes of Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures continue Sunday nights at 8 p.m.
• New episodes of Big Love (Season 4) continue Sundays at 9 p.m.
• The network premiere of the HBO original film Boycott on Saturday, February 20 at 8 p.m.
• The network premiere of the HBO original film Miss Evers Boys on Saturday, February 20 at 10 p.m.
