Crave continues to deliver weekly alerts highlighting new and noteworthy programming and scheduling changes for the week ahead.

Highlights This Week

• The Oscar-winning film BOMBSHELL premieres Friday, August 28, exclusively on STARZ in Canada. Based on true events, the acclaimed film tells the story of Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), and Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie), as they take on Fox News head Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network.

• From Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby), the dramatic biographical film, RICHARD JEWELL premieres Friday, August 28. The film tells the true story of Richard Jewell, a security guard who discovered a bomb, saving many lives at a concert during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Seen as a hero by many, Jewell became a suspect by the FBI and press. This riveting film boasts an impressive cast starring; Paul Walter Hauser (I, Tonya), Sam Rockwell (Moon), Olivia Wilde (Tron), Jon Hamm (MAD MEN) and Kathy Bates (Misery), who’s performance earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 2020 Academy Awards.

• An official selection of Hot Docs this year, SHOWTIME’s four-part documentary series LOVE FRAUD premieres on Friday, August 28. The gripping docuseries follows the search for Richard Scott Smith, who over the past 20 years used the Internet and his dubious charms to prey on unsuspecting women looking for love - conning them out of their money and dignity. The story unravels in real time as Smith's victims band together to seek sweet revenge by turning to a bounty hunter when they feel the justice system has failed them. Following this early preview, new episodes of LOVE FRAUD will drop every Sunday, starting September 6.

• The penultimate episode of CANADA’S DRAG RACE drops on Thursday, August 27 at 9 p.m. ET. This week, it’s time to throw a ball and the Queens get frosty. Michelle Visage, a fixture on RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE joins judges Brooke Lynn Hytes, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, and Stacey McKenzie as this week’s special guest host.

What Critics Are Saying about HBO’s THE VOW

“‘THE VOW’ Follows Nxivm Down Dark, Damaging Paths”

“[...] as the personalities of the series’s key participants come into focus, the narrative momentum becomes irresistible. Ultimately, “The Vow” is an impressive and even transfixing achievement. It uses the viewer’s curiosity about branding and sex cults to tell a valuable and engrossing tale about gullibility, trust and the human desire to put one’s faith in a leader who promises the real Answer.”
-  Maureen Ryan, The New York Times

“THE VOW is a gripping NXIVM exposé”

“What’s so chilling about THE VOW — HBO’s immersive new docuseries about NXIVM, the New York-based “self-help group” brought down by charges of sexual slavery — is how vividly it illustrates the seductive and insidious ways these groups lure intelligent, well-meaning people into servitude.”
-  Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly

“Sympathetic, curious and unsettling”

“Overall, the production is handsome and well-structured, with new episodes unearthing new layers of viciousness and manipulation.”
-  Inkoo Kang, The Hollywood Reporter

“HBO’s ‘THE VOW’ Takes Viewers Inside NXIVM”

“[...]“THE VOW” pushes back against its slack pace to become television that compels — both for the access it has and for what it does with that access. [..] This series, in its methodical nature, attempts to restage Edmondson’s own coming into consciousness, and that it largely succeeds is an impressive feat of bearing witness.”
-  Daniel D’Addario, Variety

Crave Audience Metrics

Crave continues to have Canadians covered, delivering the best movies, TV series, and original hits all in one place. CANADA’S DRAG RACE holds the #1 spot for the eighth consecutive week followed by BIRDS OF PREY which debuted at #2. LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER takes the third spot with STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS trailing at #4.  Here are the Top 10 programs being watched on Crave for the week of August 19 – August 25:

1. CANADA’S DRAG RACE
2. BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN)
3. LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER
4. STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS
5. LOVECRAFT COUNTRY
6. SOUTH PARK
7. SEINFELD
8. GAME OF THRONES
9. I MAY DESTROY YOU
10. AN AMERICAN PICKLE

What to Watch for the Week of August 27 – September 2
*All Programming Subject to Change

• The international reality sensation LOVE ISLAND returns for its second season Saturday, August 29. Set in Las Vegas, the highly-anticipated series features a group of single “Islanders” who come together in a stunning setting, ready to embark on a summer of love, friendships and, ultimately, relationships. Every few days, the Islanders must couple up – those who fail to find a partner to couple up with risk being dumped from the island. Challenges abound and dramatic twists ensue as the quarantined cast is introduced to new Islanders, hoping to forge connections. The first four episodes debut Saturday, August 29, with new episodes continuing every Saturday.

• HBO’s latest docuseries, THE VOW continues Sunday, August 30 at 10 p.m. ET. In the second episode of the captivating series examining the self-improvement group NXIVM, Bonnie leaves Albany for Los Angeles to make sense of it all. She tries desperately to get through to Mark, who reassures her all is well. Meanwhile, Mark remains loyal to Keith, but a series of phone calls begin to sow doubt within him.

• The third episode of HBO’s acclaimed new drama series LOVECRAFT COUNTRY premieres Sunday, August 30 at 9 p.m. ET. This week, hoping to mend her relationship with her sister Ruby (Wunmi Mosaku), Leti (Jurnee Smollett) turns a ramshackle Victorian on Chicago's North Side into a boarding house - an endeavor that stokes neighborhood racism and awakens dormant spirits stuck in the house. Meanwhile, Atticus (Jonathan Majors) remains burdened by a guilty conscience as George's wife Hippolyta (Aunjanue Ellis) presses him for the full story of what happened in Ardham.

• The six-episode crime thriller from BBC Studios and SHOWTIME, WE HUNT TOGETHER continues on Sunday, August 30 at 10 p.m. ET. This week, it looks like Baba and Freddy got away with murder and celebrate with a trip to Freddy's old school while Lola and Jackson wander around in search of a stick.

• The intimate and impactful film ORDINARY LOVE starring Liam Neeson (Taken) and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) premieres Friday, August 28. Joan and Tom have been married for many years. There is an ease to their relationship which only comes from spending a lifetime together and a depth of love which expresses itself through tenderness and humour in equal part. When Joan is unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer, the course of her treatment shines a light on their relationship as they are faced with the challenges that lie ahead and the prospect of what might happen if something were to happen to Joan. ORDINARY LOVE is a story about love, survival and the epic questions life throws at each and every one of us.

• All-new episodes this week include; CANADA’S DRAG RACE (Thursday, August 27 at 9 p.m. ET); DESUS & MERO (Thursday, August 27 at 11 p.m. ET); STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS (Thursday, August 27); SELENA + CHEF (Thursday, August 27); ROOM 104 (Friday, August 28 at 11 p.m. ET); REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER (Friday, August 28, live at 11 p.m. ET, on-demand the following morning); THE CIRCUS (Sunday, August 30 at 8 p.m. ET); WE HUNT TOGETHER  (Sunday, August 30 at 10 p.m. ET); LOVECRAFT COUNTRY  (Sunday, August 30 at 9 p.m. ET); P-VALLEY (Sunday, August 30 at 9 p.m. ET); THE VOW (Sunday, August 30 at 10 p.m. ET); LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER (Sunday, August 30, live at 11 p.m. ET, on-demand the following morning) and AXIOS (Tuesday, September 1).

Complete listings for the week of August 27  – September 2
*All Programming Subject to Change

HBO
SELENA + CHEF, Season 1, Episodes 7 – 10 *Season Finale* (August 27)
HIGH MAINTENANCE, Season 2 – Season 4 (August 28)
REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER, Season 18, Episode 25 (August 25, live at 10 p.m. ET, on-demand the following morning)
ROOM 104, Season 4 Episode 6 (August 28, 11 p.m. ET)
LOVECRAFT COUNTRY,  Season 1, Episode 3 (August 30 at 9 p.m. ET)
THE VOW, Season 1, Episode 2 (August 30 at 10 p.m. ET)
LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER, Season 7, Episode 23 (August 30, live at 11 p.m. ET, on-demand the following morning)
AXIOS, Season 1, Episode 12 (September 1)

Movies
ORDINARY LOVE (August 28)
WITHIN THESE WALLS (August 28)
RICHARD JEWELL (August 28)

SHOWTIME
DESUS & MERO Season 2, Episode 45 (August 27 at 11 p.m. ET)
WE HUNT TOGETHER Season 1 Episode 4 (August 30 at 10 p.m. ET)
THE CIRCUS Season 5, Episode 11 (August 30 at 8 p.m. ET)
LOVE FRAUD *Series Premiere* Season 1, Episode 1 (August 28 at 9 p.m. ET)

STARZ
THE OUTSIDERS (August 28)
BOMBSHELL (August 28)
P-VALLEY, Season 1, Episode 7 (August 30)

More Riveting TV to Watch
STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS Season 1 Episode 4 (August 27)
CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 1, Episode 9 (August 27 at 9 p.m. ET)
MICHAEL CHE @ JFL (August 28)
ARE YOU THE ONE?, Season 1 – Season 5 (August 28)
EX ON THE BEACH, Season 1 – Season 3 (August 28)
THE HILLS, Season 1 – Season 6 (August 28)
LAGUNA BEACH: THE REAL ORANGE COUNTY, Season 1 – Season 3 (August 28)
LINDSAY LOHAN BEACH CLUB, Season 1 (August 28)
MTV UNPLUGGED: NIRVANNA (August 28)
MTV UNPLUGGED: PEARL JAM (August 28)
THE PAULY D PROJECT, Season 1 (August 28)
PIMP MY RIDE, Season 1 – Season 5 (August 28)
PUNK’D, Season 1 – Season 9 (August 28)
SNOOKI & J WOWW, Season 1 – Season 2 (August 28)
WINTER BREAK: HUNTER MOUNTAIN, Season 1 (August 28)
MOST EXPENSIVEST, Season 3 (August 28)
THE REAL WORLD, Season 31 – Season 32 (August 28)
LOVE ISLAND, Season 2, Episode 1 – 4 (August 29)
THE BIG BANG THEORY, Season 9 (September 1)