In Case You Haven’t Heard: Neil Diamond, ‘Task’

“The Office” spinoff “The Paper” struggles to live up to its effortlessly hilarious predecessor, HBO’s new series “Task,” starring Mark Ruffalo, is getting some positive buzz, and the true story of a Wisconsin couple who start a Neil Diamond tribute band is being adapted on the big screen in this edition of “In Case You Haven’t Heard.”

Fans of “The Office” probably know by now that there is a spinoff of the show called “The Paper.” The show dropped last week and is shot in the same mockumentary style. I wish I could say it was a Pete’s pic, but it fell a bit short. The pilot of the show lacked some of that natural quirkiness that “The Office” had. The show seemed to be forcing the hilarious, awkward, cringe-worthy moments we saw in “The Office.” There were a few laughs, but the show lacks a Steve Carell or Rainn Wilson. If you’re interested to see for yourself, “The Paper” is now available on Peacock.

The highly awaited “Task” has dropped on HBO. Series creator and showrunner Brad Ingelsby is also the creative force behind the critically acclaimed “Mare from East Town.” Heading up the “Task” cast is Mark Ruffalo, who is joined by Tom Pelphrey, Emelia Jones, and actor and “Nite Lite” pal, Jamie McShane. The show follows a task force led by Ruffalo that is trying to stop a series of home robberies. I watched the pilot which aired last weekend and really dug it. Unfortunately, we only get one episode a week from HBO. New episodes drop at 9 p.m. Sunday nights. Definitely worth a look. Also, if you haven’t seen it, check out “Mare from East Town” with Kate Winslett. 

Neil Diamond fans might want to start making plans for the holidays. “Song Sung Blue,” named after the Neil Diamond hit, finally has a release date and it will hit theaters nationwide on Christmas Day – perfect timing if you are the type that might need a reprieve from Christmas tunes. The film is based on the true story of a Wisconsin-based couple who formed a Neil Diamond tribute band called “Thunder and Lightning.”

Mike and Claire Sardina were down-on-their-luck musicians living in Milwaukee. Once they started singing those feel-good tunes, they became a phenomenon. The film is based on a 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Koh and has serious star power. The cast is led by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, with an ensemble that includes “The Soprano’s” Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson and Jim Beluhi. “Song Sung Blue” is directed by Craig Brewer. Waiting with bated breath to find out if “Sweet Caroline” will be part of the soundtrack. Here’s the trailer:

Given the life Charlie Sheen has led, apparently it was impossible to fit all of his transgressions or adventures into his new Netflix two-part documentary, “AKA Charlie Sheen.” “The Book of Sheen” is now available, and it appears to be just as salacious. Just ahead of the release, Sheen shared how he dealt with his HIV diagnosis in 2011, and a dramatic intervention that was disguised as his father Martin Sheen’s 50th birthday party, where Charlie was whisked away to a rehab facility.

But as you’ll learn in the book, he wasn’t quite ready. Sheen says he needed one more night of partying, which included judging a bikini contest in Palm Springs. He promised a nurse at the rehab facility that he would be back the next morning at 9 a.m. or he would give her $1 million. True to his word, after doing cocaine all night and judging the contest with pal Nicolas Cage, Sheen returned at 8:44 a.m. to commence rehab. I don’t use the word role model very often, but…

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join host Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.