New Podcast Honors U.S. Special Forces: Wondery Introduces The Grinch
Down Range podcast honors U.S. Special Forces
“Down Range,” is a new podcast premiering November 2 hosted by actor, best-selling author, filmmaker, and former Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke (Plane, Terminal List, Ambulance, and Special Forces Fox).
The limited series honors the American Special Forces, bringing to life heroic true stories of combat with veterans who were involved firsthand.
“Down Range” highlights the men and women who dedicate their lives to defend the U.S., while shining a light on highly emotional, first-person narratives of heroism and sacrifice. Throughout the season, Adeleke and his co-host, former Army Ranger and Lieutenant Colonel Rich Choppa, speak to different members of the American Special Forces, including:
* Sergeant Michael Harryman, a retired Army Infantryman and veterans' advocate who served in the Army as the highest level of military sniper, where he received four Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star
*Sergeant Major Hamody Jasim, who helped the US Intelligence community gather information leading to the capture of some of Al-Qaeda's most dangerous commanders
*Kayla Williams, who is currently working as a United States government official and previously served as an Arabic linguist/interpreter and SIGINT operations specialist in the Army, among others.
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Wondery announces The Grinch Holiday podcast
It's about time podcasting got more involved in Christmas. Wondery, an Amazon company, has announced ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show, a brand-new original podcast series from Wondery and Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Featuring comedian James Austin Johnson (Saturday Night Live) as The Grinch, the series will debut exclusively on Wondery+ on November 1 before becoming widely available starting on November 6, with new episodes releasing weekly through December 21. From stealing Christmas to stealing podcast listeners' attention, this fun-filled variety podcast starring everyone’s favorite holiday curmudgeon is a delight for listeners of all ages.
In each episode, The Grinch sits down with a celebrity guest(s) including Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson East, WWE superstar Cody Rhodes, actress Skai Jackson, fellow SNL-cast member Bobby Moynihan, and comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, who will try to convince The Grinch to embrace the spirit of Christmas.
Also making this holiday season a “treat” for all furry fans of The Grinch, Purina will serve as the presenting sponsor of ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show. So every Who, young and old, gather ‘round with some Who pudding and roast beast, and get ready for a delightfully Grinchy new holiday tradition!
“I have always felt a kinship with The Grinch, and while some actors wouldn’t touch this role with a 39-and-a-half foot pole, I am honored to be the voice behind everyone’s favorite deplorable character this holiday season,” said James Austin Johnson. “Getting into the character's shoes – or rather, furry green feet – has been a wild and rewarding ride. I can't wait for listeners to join us live from Who-Ville for some mischief, and maybe even some fun.”
Listen to the Brand-New Official Trailer HERE
James Austin Johnson is a comedian originally from Nashville and a featured cast member on Saturday Night Live. His spot-on impression of Trump, paired with his improvisational ramblings about Weird Al, Julia Louis Dreyfus, and Scooby-Doo have garnered over five million views, with profiles on Austin Johnson in Vanity Fair, Slate, Mashable, and VICE.
‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show is the second series to be announced under a collaboration between podcast studio Wondery and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. The first series, The Cat in the Hat Cast, is a “fantastical variety show-style podcast series hosted by everyone’s favorite red and white hat-wearing Cat.”
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Chapter: 0.07
Nova stood watching as Kane tried to blend his people with her own. It was a disaster waiting to happen. She was surprised her commander had agreed to it.
“Monin.” Kane said cheerily. “I thought we'd start with a reception then move on to training. We have a lot to learn from each other. Weapons there, please. Only Ark guards are here.” Indra along with other grounders threw their weapons into a box. “Thank you for agreeing to this, Indra.”
Indra looked him up and down, before replying with a snarky comment. “We're here on the commander's orders. I agreed to nothing.”
The council meeting room quickly became full of grounders. Kane looked uncomfortable as he spoke to Jaha in a low voice. Nova tried not to smirk as she heard Octavia telling a guard to stick his tongue up his ass. She sighed listening to Kane deliver a speech about their common enemy, the mountain men.
Nova’s eyes landed on Murphy as one of the other grounders started to square up to him. She bit down on her bottom lip as she decided what to do. With eyes on them Murphy had suggested they kept a low profile with the aftermath of Finn’s death still being raw, and a part of that was not jumping in to defend each other unless it was necessary. Nova did as Lexa said and stayed away from the ceremony, but now Nova wasn’t sure if she could go back as whispers about her involvement had started to spread. Thankfully it hadn’t reached the ears of the sky clan yet.
Murphy glared at the person in front of him, “you got a problem?”
“Yu stood der watching while Ai village was massacred.” ‘You stood there watching while my village was massacred.’
Nova couldn’t hold her tongue. “Penn hod op. Yu get in em wasn’t em.” ‘Penn stop. You know it wasn’t him.’
Murphy shrugged, “sorry man. I don’t speak grounder.
Penn stepped even closer to Murphy, causing him to push the grounder back. Kane stormed over to them. “Mr. Murphy, apologize to that man.”
“For what?” Murphy asked. “He started it!”
Kane shook his head. “Two days' work detail.”
“Work detail? I just told you I didn't do it-” Murphy challenged him.
“Care to make it three?”
Penn glared at Murphy, “you can burn just like your friend.” Murphy clenched his fist but ignored the comment. He was trying his best not to take the bait.
Penn smirked, “Hei nova? ha does Ai feel bilaik a skaikru slut nau? everybody get in Yu turned bilaik bakon ona bilaik gada in kru gon Disha. cockroach. Ai wonder chit bilaik sister would fig raun taim she could-”
Penn was cut off by Murphy punching him in the face. As a riot broke out between sky people and grounders, Murphy ignored Kane who was yelling at him, and grabbed Nova’s hand and dragged her out of the room with him.
______
Murphy closed the door behind him and spun to face Nova. Who looked bewildered by what just happened. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, “I’m fine.” Her fingers trailed over the bruise appearing on his knuckles. “I can’t believe you punched Penn in the face.”
“He had it coming,” Murphy’s eyes were glued on Nova’s fingers. He wasn’t used to somebody worrying about him, she gently pressed a kiss to the back of his hand before rubbing her thumb over his swollen skin. “What did he do to you anyway?”
‘Hey Nova? How does It feel to be a Skaikru slut now? Everybody knows you turned your back on your own people for this...cockroach. I wonder what your sister would think if she could-‘
Nova shrugged, pretending the comment didn’t hurt her. “Nothing important, just that I’m a slut, a traitor, and he was starting to talk about my sister when you punched him.”
Murphy gritted his teeth. He would have done more than punch Penn in the face if he had known what he was saying. “How do you say I’m sorry in grounder?”
Nova chuckled. “I’m fiya, why? Are you thinking of apologising for causing a riot?”
Smiling Murphy shook his head. “Hell no. I just wanted to say...I’m fiya Nova.” He brushed a loose strand of hair behind ear, “you could have gotten hurt in there.”
She closed her eyes. “I’ve been through much worse, and so have you.”
Murphy gulped down, his eyes had trailed from her fingers to her pink lips. His feelings towards the grounder confused him. From the moment he let her escape the drop-ship something changed. He had never put his neck on the line for anyone before, let alone a stranger. The grounder girl who helped him live quickly became his only friend. But now? Murphy wasn’t sure if friendship was the only thing he wanted.
Nova opened her eyes to see Murphy gazing down at her. The look made her stomach tighten, her lips parted slightly as he leaned towards her.
The door to the room swung open, as Clay, a young grounder stood sheepishly rubbing his neck. “Kane en indra are lufa au Yu both. Ai heard chit happened fou, Skai boy punched penn gon defend Yu?” ‘Kane and Indra are looking for you both. I heard what happened before, Sky boy punched penn to defend you? Causing a massive fight to break out? ’
A wide smile spread across Nova’s face as she nodded, “he don dula.”
Murphy frowned as the grounder raised his eyebrows and left, “what was that about it?”
“He was asking if it was true if you punched Penn, and caused riot.” She laughed, “Kane and Indra are looking for us.”
Great, just great.
______
“Good, Fio. Who's next?”
“I am.” Octavia stepped forward, “We're supposed to train together right?”
A few grounders tutted as the sky girl argued with Indra that she should train with them. Kane stood beside Nova who was leaning against the wall. “Aren’t you going to train?”
She shook her head, “I’ve never been much of a fighter.”
“What is your skill?” He asked curiously. Kane wasn’t dumb, every grounder he had came across had a specialsed skill.
“Archer...” memories of the promise she made to Treyton came flooding back. “Let gyon au kom foutaim.” Kane raised his eyebrow at the grounders mumble. Nova cleared her throat, “We should all try our best to let go of the past. I can teach your people how to use a bow and arrow if they are interested. And Indra says it’s okay.”
He smiled, “thank you.”
______
“I take it you don't approve.” Murphy did his best to Ignore Jaha. “I asked you a question.”
Murphy stopped mopping and turned to face Jaha. “Who cares what I think.”
“I do. That’s why I asked.” Jaha looked back at his people and grounders training together. “So what do you think?”
“I think the grounders can go to hell.” The moments the words passed his lips he regretted saying them. Murphy didn’t hate all grounders, he was pissed at them getting special treatment. “Most of them anyway.”
The chancellor waited until the hallway was clear before following John further into the camp. “I got you off work detail.” He watched as the teenager screwed his face up. “You knew my son and I'd like you to take me to his grave. Now that there's a truce, it's safe for me to go see the body.”
“Then get somebody else to take you,” Murphy spat.
“I'm told the graves are unmarked. You can show me which is his.” Jaha offered Murphy a gun, which he accepted. “You can hold a mop, you can hold and gun.”
______
Murphy scoffed as he watched Jaha kneeling at Wells grave. He had no sympathy for the man who killed his father. “Are we about done? We got to be heading back.”
Jaha didn’t take his off Well’s grave, “How well did you know him?”
“Well enough to be hung for his murder.” Murphy paused, “Clarke sugarcoated it for you didn't she?”
“What happened to my son?
Murphy sighed, he didn’t want to relive one of the worst days of his life. “Twelve-year-old girl stabbed him in the neck with a knife she took from me”
Jaha shot his head up. “Why would she do that?”
“She couldn't kill you,” he shrugged. “Yeah, so you got a lot of blood on your hands, Chancellor. Every single one of them including your son would still be alive if you hadn't sent us down here.”
Jaha stood up and clasped his hands behind his back. “ If I didn't send you, they would've died on the Ark with the rest of us and we would've never known that Earth was survivable. Their sacrifice is why we are here. Good can come out of even the darkest acts, John.”
Murph groaned as Jaha started to walk the wrong way, “Camp you is that way.”
“We'll rest at the dropship for a while.”
“Suit yourself.”
______
Murphy shook his head as Jaha continued to offer him food. “You sure? You must be hungry?”
“No one gives anything without expecting anything in return.”
Jaha looked at him with a blank expression on his face. “That's a cynical way to go through life, John.”
“You pull me off work detail, you offer me food. Why are you being so nice to me.”
The chancellor cleared his throat, as if was getting ready to deliver a speech. “Everyone deserves a second chance. That's why we sent the hundred to the Earth in the first place.”
“What a load of crap. You didn't give a damn about us. You still don't, that's why you're not fighting for those kids in Mount Weather.”
Jaha gave him a disapproving look. “I have to think of everyone. I know you don't want to hear this but sometimes you have to sacrifice the few to save the many. Like I said, good can come out of even the darkest acts.”
Murphy shook his head. The only person who treated him like a human was Nova, she showed him kindness when nobody else did. “Then you can take it from me, I was pardoned, slate wiped clean I'm still treated like dirt.”
“You made mistakes, so have I.”
Murphy glared at him, “I'm nothing like you, Chancellor.”
“No, we both should have died several times over. We both suffered at the hands of the grounders. We both have been betrayed and imprisoned by our own people.”
“So there's no place for us,” Murphy said sarcastically. “Great thought you were supposed to be inspiring.”
“There is a place for all of us. When I first landed on Earth I met a woman who spoke of a place beyond the dead zone, a place where everyone is accepted, a city of light.”
“Sounds like a fairytale.” Murphy continued to listen to Jaha’s rambles about a better life, while trying not to think about what could be happening back at camp.
______
Murphy awoke in the drop-ship to the sounds of others talking. What the fuck? He jumped to his feet, “Hey what the hell is this?”
Jaha stepped to the side to reveal a small group of people standing outside. “We're going to the City of Light.”
“You're going now? There's a million ways to die out there.”
“If it's not your time, nothing can kill you. If it is your time it only takes one.” Murphy opened his mouth to reply when Nova came into view. What the hell was she doing here? Jaha smiled at the young man’s expression. “I thought you might want some company Mr. Murphy.”
Nova quickly hugged her friend before turning to face the strange man who had asked her to join them. “Do you even have a map?”
“Nope.”
Murphy wrapped his arm around Nova’s shoulder. “Then how do you know where you're going?”
“I don't, but I won't be moved by fear. You want to stop being treated like a criminal. You gotta stop thinking that's what you are. Take this leap of faith with me, John Murphy and let me show you there is so much more for you than this.”
Jaha started to lead his ‘people’ away. Murphy and Nova watched as the group started to fo further into the forest. “Why did you come?”
“Jaha...your leader said he knows what I’ve done...he apparently knows how to make the pain stop.” She blinked away tears, “I feel so guilty. Every time I see your people...I see his face everywhere I look.”
“So you want to go?”
Nova bit down on her bottom lip. “I-I don’t know. I’m not going anywhere without you, if you stay I stay.”
For the first time in hours a smile pulled at the corners of Murphy’s mouth. He weighed up their options, they could return to camp Jaha and risk others finding out what Nova had done, or take a chance. “What the hell,” he shrugged. “My people hate me, and Lexa has practically banished you. Let’s see what this place has to offer.”
Nova leaned up and kissed him on the check. Murphy locked his own fingers with hers, as they started to catch up with the group searching for the city of lights.
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