BUILD Series

In their hit podcast, "Sawbones," Sydnee and Justin McElroy breakdown the weird and wonderful way we got to modern healthcare. And some of the terrifying detours along the way. Every week, Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin amaze, amuse and gross out hundreds of thousands of avid listeners to their podcast, "Sawbones." Consistently rated a top podcast on iTunes, with over 15 million total downloads, the McElroys' new book combs through thousands of years of medical mishaps and miracles that are not only hilarious but downright educational. While you may never even consider applying boiled weasel to your forehead (once the height of sophistication when it came to headache cures), you will almost certainly face some questionable medical advice in your everyday life and be better able to figure out if this is a miracle cure or a scam.

"The Book of Merman" is a new musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by Leo Schwartz and book by Schwartz and DC Cathro. The show enjoyed a sold out run when it premiered in Chicago in 2015 and has gone on to be produced across the country, delighting audiences with Schwartz's original (and sometimes familiar) musical numbers. Two Mormon missionaries ring the doorbell of Ethel Merman (played by Carly Sakolove) and hilarity ensues in this new musical comedy. "The Book of Merman" is a diva-driven journey featuring original songs and show-stopping ballads. We sat down with Sakolove, Chad Burris and Kyle Ashe Wilkinson to discuss the musical.

Digital entertainment program BUILD Series takes its popular and extensive live interview show to the next level, adding a new, daily morning talk show “BUILD Brunch," as BUILD Series continues its commitment to bring its fans closer to culture. Airing weekdays at 11am live on BUILDseries.com/Brunch, it will feature a roundtable of diverse, young and influential personalities speaking to breaking news, hot topics and the latest in entertainment. Aleen Kuperman, Jordana Abraham and Samantha Fishbein of the digital brand, Betches, join the table!

Considered by those in the know to be the musical genius behind KISS, Ace “Space Ace” Frehley was an original member of the band when it formed in 1973, and was a mainstay of the group until his departure in 1982 to pursue a solo career. Ace Frehley's new album, "Spaceman," contains eight originals and a cover of the Eddie Money hit "I Wanna Go Back," continues a decade of productivity for Frehley. The album also features a reunion of sorts with his former Kiss bandmate Gene Simmons, who co-wrote the opener "Without You I'm Nothing."

Before he inspired the world with "Hamilton" and was catapulted to international fame, Lin-Manuel Miranda was inspiring his Twitter followers with words of encouragement at the beginning and end of each day. He wrote these original sayings, aphorisms, and poetry for himself as much as for others. But as Miranda’s audience grew, these messages took on a life on their own. Now in "Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You," Miranda has gathered the best of his daily greetings into a beautiful collection illustrated by acclaimed artist (and fellow Twitter favorite) Jonny Sun. Full of comfort and motivation, this book is a touchstone for anyone who needs a quick lift.

In his new book, "Racing to the Finish: My Story," Dale Earnhardt Jr. opens up about his frustration with the slow recovery, his admiration for the woman who stood by him through it all, and his determination to share his own experience so that others don’t have to suffer in silence. Steering his way to the final checkered flag of his storied career proved to be the most challenging race and most rewarding finish of his life.

"Mayans M.C." is the next chapter in Kurt Sutter’s award-winning "Sons of Anarchy" saga. Set in a post-Jax Teller world, Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (JD Pardo) is fresh out of prison and a prospect in the Mayans M.C. charter on the Cali/Mexi border. Now, EZ must carve out his new identity in a town where he was once the golden boy with the American Dream in his grasp.

In "Can You Ever Forgive Me?," Melissa McCarthy stars as Lee Israel, the best-selling celebrity biographer (and cat lover) who made her living in the 1970's and 80's profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estée Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. When Lee found herself unable to get published because she had fallen out of step with the marketplace, she turned her art form to deception, abetted by her loyal friend Jack. McCarthy and fellow stars Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells took to the BUILD stage to discuss the new film.

Today we discuss Natalie Portman’s speech at Variety’s Power of Women Summit (1:24), Solange’s highly anticipated next album (7:13), a Chinese livestreamer being detained for “insulting” their national anthem (11:37), painting photos of ultrasounds on fingernails (17:06), and Samantha Harris joins the table to talk about her book “Your Healthiest Healthy” (22:41).

ABC's new series, "The Rookie," follows small-town guy John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being an LAPD officer. As the force’s oldest rookie, he’s met with skepticism from some higher-ups who see him as just a walking midlife crisis. If he can’t keep up with the young cops and the criminals, he’ll be risking lives including his own. But if he can use his life experience, determination and sense of humor to give him an edge, he may just become a success in this new chapter of his life.