Here Are All the TV Shows Coming to HBO Max This Week, Including ‘Smiling Friends’

It’s a busy week of new arrivals, with animated oddities, reality favorites, and a buzzy new HBO comedy all landing between Monday, October 6 and Sunday, October 12. Below, you’ll find the essentials for each title—what it’s about, who’s in it, and who’s behind the camera—so you can jump straight to what interests you most.

Each entry includes its specific day this week so you can plan your watchlist. Release mechanics aren’t the focus here—just the need-to-know plot points, primary cast, and key creative credits that give each show its identity.

‘Smiling Friends’ (2020– )

The offbeat animated series follows employees of Smiling Friends Inc.—Charlie, Pim, Allan, and Glep—as they take on strange gigs to make people happy, with stories that bounce between surreal comedy and horror-tinged gags. Created and written by Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, the show mixes traditional animation with rotoscoping, CG, stop-motion, and even live action. It’s arriving on Monday, October 6.

Voice leads include Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel in multiple roles, alongside Marc M. The series is produced by Goblin Caught on Tape and Williams Street, with music by Chris O’Neill and Brendan Caulfield and animation from studios including Princess Bento and Saerom.

‘Baylen Out Loud’ (2025– )

This docuseries centers on Baylen Dupree, a young creator living with Tourette Syndrome, chronicling daily challenges, family dynamics, and her push for independence. The show debuted earlier this year and quickly drew a sizable audience; new viewers can jump in when it arrives Wednesday, October 8.

Baylen fronts the series herself, with episodes highlighting relationships with loved ones—including fiancé Colin Dooley—and her advocacy for others with Tourette’s. Season 2 has already been announced following strong viewership, underlining the show’s momentum.

‘Alex vs America’ (2022– )

Chef Alex Guarnaschelli faces expert challengers in head-to-head culinary battles built around surprise themes and time-crunched rounds, with blind tastings deciding the winner. The competition is hosted by Eric Adjepong, and it’s set for Wednesday, October 8.

Judges rotate by episode; recent installments have featured Cat Cora and Susan Feniger among the panel. The show’s format blends technical skill tests with strategy as chefs pick themes and ingredients that they believe will give them an edge over Alex.

‘VGLY’ (2023– )

Set in Mexico City’s music scene, this dramedy tracks a scrappy crew who fabricate a viral star and scramble to turn the lie into a career, pulling them into label politics, rivalries, and the costs of chasing fame. It lands on Thursday, October 9.

Creators credited on the series include Marcos Bucay, Santiago Espejo, and Jorge Tijerina, with a cast led by Benny Emmanuel and Juan Daniel García Treviño; appearances include artists from the regional scene. The ensemble also features Crystal López, Sasha González, and others across the season.

‘Bugs Bunny Builders’ (2022– )

A preschool-friendly Looney Tunes show, this series follows Bugs, Lola, Daffy, and friends as they tackle zany construction jobs that smuggle in teamwork and problem-solving lessons. It arrives on Friday, October 10.

The series is developed by Jacob Fleisher and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, with Sam Register as executive producer and Nicole Belisle producing. The voice cast includes Eric Bauza, Jeff Bergman, Chandni Parekh, Bob Bergen, Fred Tatasciore, and Candi Milo.

‘Lu & the Bally Bunch’ (2023– )

This gentle preschool series follows Lu, a ladybird navigating her first year of preschool with new friends, songs, and big feelings—bite-size stories designed around social-emotional learning. It’s coming on Friday, October 10.

Created, written, and directed by Nicky Phelan, the show has aired across several kids’ outlets internationally. The character-driven episodes keep stakes low and emotions relatable for very young viewers.

‘Impractical Jokers’ (2011– )

The long-running hidden-camera comedy returns with more public dares and escalating punishments devised by longtime friends Sal Vulcano, Brian “Q” Quinn, and James “Murr” Murray. It’s slated for Saturday, October 11.

Produced by NorthSouth Productions, the series originated on truTV and now premieres with new episodes on TBS while reruns continue elsewhere. Across its many seasons, the format has remained constant: the loser of each episode endures a signature punishment tailored by the other Jokers.

‘Bering Sea Gold’ (2012– )

This unscripted series follows dredge crews in Nome, Alaska, as they brave shifting ice, storms, and equipment failures to vacuum gold from the seafloor. New episodes join the library on Saturday, October 11.

From Original Productions and executive producer Thom Beers, the show has chronicled multiple seasons of summer and under-ice operations, with recurring miners including Shawn Pomrenke and Emily Riedel. Narration duties have shifted over time, from Thom Beers to Mike Rowe.

‘The Chair Company’ (2025– )

Tim Robinson headlines this new comedy as William Ronald “Ron” Trosper, who starts digging into a sprawling conspiracy after an embarrassing workplace incident. It premieres Sunday, October 12.

Co-created by Robinson and Zach Kanin, the series features Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Will Price, Joseph Tudisco, and Lou Diamond Phillips. Executive producers include Adam McKay and Todd Schulman, with Andrew DeYoung and Aaron Schimberg among the directors.

Got a favorite on this list—or something we missed for next week? Drop your picks and tell us why in the comments!