TV Talk: ‘The Pitt’ season 2 opening scene debuts, featuring music by The Clarks

“The Pitt” won’t debut its second season on HBO Max until 9 p.m. Jan. 8, but this week HBO Max put the new season’s opening scene online, featuring star Noah Wyle as Dr. Robby riding his motorcycle over Pittsburgh bridges and roadways en route to work at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, aka Allegheny General Hospital.

Back in April, “The Pitt” executive producer R. Scott Gemmill told TribLive.com that he hoped to use a song by local band The Clarks in season two of the series. “The Pitt” doesn’t use music often but sure enough The Clarks’ “Better Off Without You” plays as Dr. Robby makes his way to work in the opening scene filmed in Pittsburgh in September.

The one-minute-30-second opening is a montage that shows off the Three Sisters Bridges, PNC Park and Dr. Robby and an ambulance driving over the Rachel Carson bridge.

The scene possibly offers some clues as to Robby’s state of mind as the new season begins: He’s not wearing a helmet and he crosses the solid yellow double line to pass the ambulance.

Channel surfing

HBO Max renewed LGBTQ hockey drama “Heated Rivalry” for a second season. … Apple TV ordered a second season of “Down Cemetery Road.” … Hallmark+ ordered “Hope Valley: 1874,” an eight-episode prequel series to “When Calls the Heart” starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres, Jill Hennessy, Roan Curtis and Lachlan Quarmby. It will premiere in March.