In Case You Haven’t Heard: ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story,’ ‘The Paper’

A series based on Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein is getting the Netflix treatment, “The Office” stars John Krasinski and Steve Carell show their support for the series’ new spinoff show, and an AI device allows you to smell scenes from the program you’re watching, including the ocean, freshly cut grass, and… Donald Trump?

All this and more in this edition of “In Case You Haven’t Heard.”

The cast and crew of the new show “The Paper” got a couple of surprise set visitors recently. “The Paper” is a spinoff of the show “The Office” – which itself is a spinoff of the British show “The Office.” According to Variety, series regular Sabrina Impacciatore told Entertainment Weekly that former Office cast members John Krasinski and Steve Carell popped onto the set during the first day of shooting to wish the cast of “The Paper” luck.

Impacciatore played hotel manager Valentina on season three of “The White Lotus.” All 10 episodes of “The Paper” drop on Peacock on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Have you ever been watching a movie or TV show and thought “I wonder what it smells like in that scene?” Well, a new product might be just what you need! A new AI inspired 4D device releases various aromas throughout the course of your program. Scents include Restaurant, – which is kind of vague – Ocean, Fresh Cut Grass, Storm, New Car, Gun Powder, Racing, Explosions, Fire, and for you news junkies, Donald Trump’s Breath, which is a combination of teeth whitening past, McDonald’s Hamburgers, Tic Tacs, and spittle. Only 120 shopping days until Christmas. 

I love it when showbiz stories are Wisconsin inspired. According to Deadline, Netflix has announced that “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” will drop October 3, which is perfect timing in the lead up to Halloween. Playing Gein will be Charlie Hunnam, who played Jax Teller for the seven-season run of “Sons of Anarchy.” How’s this for a logline? “Serial killer. Grave robber. Psycho. In the frozen fields of 1950s rural Wisconsin, a friendly, mild-mannered recluse named Eddie Gein lived quietly on a decaying farm – hiding a house of horrors so gruesome it would redefine the American nightmare.”

Ed Gein’s story was the inspiration for a lot of horror stories and films over the years, including “Psycho,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and “Silence of the Lambs.” Sure, we have a few quirky characters here in Wisconsin, but we also have old-fashioneds, beautiful lakes, and great supper clubs. Just wanted to end on a positive note.

If you’re thinking about heading to the theater, there is a lot of new material opening on the big screen this weekend. The Roses tells the story of love, marriage, fierce competition, and deceit between spouses. The film is a remake of the 1989 comedy “The War of the Roses,” which starred Michael Douglass and Kathleen Turner. The new version stars Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch and is pulling a 65 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

If you’re in the mood for a mystery-thriller-crime-drama, check out “Caught Stealing” starring Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz. Butler plays an ex-baseball player who finds himself caught up in the criminal underworld of New York City; so far, it’s looking at an 86 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. If you’re looking for good old fashioned Sci-fi, check out “Run”: a story about a woman who leaves her husband at the altar and escapes to the woods with her girlfriends for some R&R. It seems like a “normal girls hanging in the woods” weekend, until they find one of their friends mutilated and learn earth is under an alien attack.

And in a limited release, “Jaws” celebrates its 50th anniversary with a brief theatrical release. Check local listings and see this classic on the big screen. Let’s go to the movies!

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.