Yearly Archives: 2018

Out of date Entertainment “News” from January through May

Posted on by
Reply

As I mentioned in my previous blog, we haven’t done one of these in over six months so much of it is not really “news”. We already covered my comments about what shows got renewed and canceled. So this is just miscellaneous news, tidbits, links of a different nature. Because I’m so far behind, this particular installment covers January through May. I will post another blog soon to get caught up from June through the present.

Here is a link to a chart showing the new fall schedule. We will probably do a separate blog to talk about some of the new shows before they air and we will endeavor to write reviews of most if not all of the new shows once they do air.

Fall TV Schedule 2018: What’s on When? And Versus What?

 

In the links below read…

Stan Lee has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against his former company Pow! Entertainment.

Postmortem interview with stars of “Once Upon A Time” about the series finale.

Postmortem interview with producers of “Once Upon A Time” about series finale.

Postmortem interview with producers of “Agents of SHIELD” about season finale and exiting characters.

Postmortem interview with producers of “Madam Secretary” about season finale.

Postmortem interview with producer of “Blue Bloods” about season finale.

Article about new pilot series that did not get picked up. You always hear about what got canceled, what got renewed, but not about what didn’t make it in the first place. Here are a few.

Postmortem interview with producer of “Lucifer” about the season finale.

Interview with producer of “This Is Us” about season 3 and long-term plans for the show. Even though the series is likely to run for years he reveals they’ve already shot the series finale scene.

Postmortem interview with Chris Carter X-Files about the season finale.

Postmortem interview with producers of “The Good Doctor” about the season finale.

Not linked but also of interest…

Freeform has ordered a spinoff series of “Pretty Little Liars” to be called “The Perfectionists” and will run for 10 episodes. Created by the same people who make “Black-ish”.

Cast members of Game of Thrones are speculating that multiple endings to the series are being shot because they don’t trust the actors to keep quiet. It’s more likely they just haven’t decided which ending playwright best.

Kevin Bacon will star in a new crime drama “City on a Hill” for Showtime set in 1990s Boston produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

Jordan Peele is going to reduce a new series for Amazon Studios titled “The Hunt” said in 1977 about a group of Nazi hunters living in New York City. 10 episodes have been ordered.

MTV has suspended production of its series “Catfish” because of sexual abuse allegations against its harvest.

Jennifer Aniston will play POTUS and Tig Notaro will play her partner as the first lesbian couple to occupy the White House in a film click called “First Ladies” for Netflix.

We previously reported are Agents of SHIELD had been renewed for season 6. We now know that it will be just 13 episodes and will not premiere until summer 2019. Executives insist this has nothing to do with the timing of the Marvel Cinematic Universe release of Avengers 4 in May. They also say that just because it’s a short season doesn’t mean it’s the end of the series. They seem to like they have a strong fan base and think that summer run will actually help keep the series going.

Pauley Perrette implied in a series of tweets that she left NCIS as a result of “multiple physical assaults” but she refuses to “spill the beans”. Nobody knows what that means.

ABC executives said that the cancellation of “Designated Survivor” was not only because of poor ratings but concerns on what creative direction the show would be going in the future. They had three different show runners into seasons so the show underwent a lot of turmoil behind the scenes.

Epix cable network has ordered a 10 episode series titled “Pennyworth” about Alfred Pennyworth famous butler to Bruce Wayne. It will explore his origins as a former SAS soldier who opened a security business with Bruce Wayne’s father Thomas Wayne in 1960s London. Although produced by Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller, it is not set in the same “universe” as Gotham and will not have Sean Pertwee who currently plays Alfred on Gotham. He is obviously too old to play the part.

RIP actress Patricia Morrison complained in the original Broadway production “Kiss Me Kate” opposite Yul Brynner. She was 103 years old.

NBC is the winner of the average rating for the season helped a bit by the Super Bowl and Olympics although if you filter out live news and sports events for all networks NBC still comes out on top.

CBS will have a new drama for 2018/19 titled “The Red Line” staring Noel Wyle. It’s about a white Chicago cop who mistakenly suits and kills a black doctor. Wyle plays the husband of the doctor.

NBC announced there will be “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” this coming winter. It will feature fan favorites from the American version plus other acts from “Got Talent” editions around the world.

RIP actress Margot Kidder known for playing Lois Lane opposite Christopher Reeve in the Superman movies in the 70s/80s. She was 69.

Connie Britton will not be returning to “9 -1-1” next season. Jennifer Love Hewitt will join the cast as a new character.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus River receives the “Mark Twain Prize” for American humor at the Kennedy Center in October.

HBO is developing a series based on the “Watchmen” graphic novels.

NBC’s next live musical will be “Hair” to be performed and broadcast live in front of a live audience. Scheduled for spring 2019.

Andrew Lincoln will appear in only six or so episodes of season 9 of The Walking Dead before leaving the series for good. No word on if he will be killed but surely so.

Sesame Street is suing the producers of a raunchy R-rated Melissa McCarthy film “The Happytime Murders” in which she plays a detective who teams up with a puppet to solve puppet murders. They lost when a judge refused to grant an injunction against the film.

Helena Bonham Carter has joined the cast of the Netflix series “The Crown”. She will play Princess Margaret in season 3.

TBS has announced that the Conan O’Brien show will be shortened to a half-hour and will feature fewer celebrity guests.

RIP actor Robert Mandan who played Chester Tate on the classic ABC sitcom “Soap”. He was 86.

Kathy Bates is returning to American Horror Story this season and we are very happy.

RIP Frank Avruch the original Bozo the Clown dead at 89

Anson Mount will play Capt. Pike in season 2 Star Trek Discovery. He was recently in “Hell on Wheels” and “Marvel’s Inhumans”.

Game of Thrones recently spent 55 days shooting one battle scene on three locations for season 8.

RIP actor Harry Anderson from “Night Court” died at age 65. No cause of death was released.

RIP actor Verne Troyer who played “Mini-Me” in the Austin Powers movies. He was 49.

Battlestar Galactica alum Katee Sackhoff is to star in a Netflix sci-fi drama “Another Life” about an astronaut on a mission alien intelligence. We can’t wait.

RIP TV chef Anthony Bourdain suicide at age 61.

RIP season 3 winner of America’s Got Talent Neil Boyd who was an opera statement. Died at age 42 part failure, kidney failure, and liver disease.

This month’s Chris Young’s “Sure Sign of the Coming Apocalypse Award” goes to a new animated film featuring the Spice Girls that is in production.

RIP producer writer Stephen Bosco who created NYPD Blue and Hill Street Blues. Age 74

RIP director Milos Forman who directed “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. Age 86

RIP actor R. Lee Ermey who famously played the drill sergeant in “Full Metal Jacket” age 74. Probably one of my favorite character actor performances of all time. I can watch that scene over and over again.

Steven Spielberg is set to direct DC comics film “Blackhawk”.

RIP composer and musician Bob Dorough who created “Schoolhouse Rock”. Age 94

Brad Pitt and Leonard DiCaprio are set to star in Quentin Tarantino’s new film “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” based on a Charles Manson murders.

Allison Mack who played Chloe on Smallville has been arrested and charged in a sex trafficking case. It sounds like a tabloid headline but apparently it’s true.

The Simpsons has surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest-running scripted TV series in history. Meet The Press is the longest-running TV series of any kind.

RIP Larry Harvey founder of the Burning Man Festival age 70

RIP director Michael Anderson who directed “Logan’s Run” and “Around the World in 80 Days” age 98

Jurassic World 3 is scheduled for June 2021 release. Let me guess dinosaurs get loose and a bunch of people. I should be a screenwriter 🙂

RIP actor David Ogden Stiers known for playing Maj. Winchester on M*A*S*H. Age 75

Renée Zellweger will play Judy Garland in an upcoming biopic titled “Judy”.

RIP actor Jerry van Dyke brother of Dick van Dyke. Age 86

Rock icon Eric Clapton reports he is slowly going deaf.

Neil Diamond has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is retiring from touring

Thursday Night Football is moving from CBS to Fox this year with a five year deal from the NFL.

 

Stan Lee files suit against former company

Once Upon a Time’s Lana Parrilla, Co-Stars React to Regina’s Fate in Series Finale: ‘It Is What She Deserves’

Once Upon a Time Bosses Break Down Series Finale’s ‘Epic’ Reunion, Pilot Callback and Other Favorite Moments

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. EPs Talk About Season Finale’s Emotional Exits

Madam Secretary Finale: EPs Break Down Elizabeth’s Monumental Decision

Blue Bloods Boss Breaks Down Finale Twist, Family Dinner’s Surprise Guest

DOA Pilots: What Didn’t Get Picked Up?

Lucifer Boss Talks Series (?) Finale’s Big Reveal, the Scene that Broke His Heart, Plan for ‘Bonus’ Episodes

The end of ‘This Is Us’ is already in the works

The X-Files Finale: Chris Carter Talks Scully’s Secret, That Polarizing Twist and a Gillian Anderson-less Season 12

Good Doctor Finale: EP David Shore Breaks Down Glassman’s Surprising Fate, Shaun’s Big Blunder and More

 

Commentary on the List of Cancellations and Renewals of TV Shows

Posted on by
Reply

It’s been over six months since I did an entertainment news blog. I’ve done a number of reviews of various shows but no general news blog since the first of the year. My apologies to people who look forward to my collection of tidbits.

With the new fall season rapidly approaching I thought it was a good time to get caught up the best I can in preparation for of the new shows about to come. To get you ready for the new season here are some links you will want to check out from TVline.com

First of all a renewal scorecard for the broadcast networks showing what’s been renewed or canceled.

https://tvline.com/2017/10/10/renewed-tv-shows-2018-renewal-scorecard-cancelled-series/

We have a similar scorecard for cable shows.

https://tvline.com/2018/07/03/cable-tv-shows-renewed-cancelled-return-dates-scorecard/

And a new page… A scorecard for streaming network shows.

https://tvline.com/2018/07/02/streaming-tv-shows-renewed-cancelled-netflix-hulu-amazon-scorecard/

Here is a calendar of the premier dates for all of the new and returning TV shows. I will be using it and other sources to post daily messages on Facebook when shows premier.

https://tvline.com/2018/07/24/fall-tv-premiere-dates-2018-schedule-calendar-printable/

Before doing my usual tidbits I’m going to do just this blog where I go through the above lists of renewed and canceled shows and comment on the ones that are of interest to me. Use the links to see the full list. These are just the ones I care about or cared to comment about. In the next day or two I will try to go through all of my websites and online sources to do one of my usual blogs but most of it’s going to be way out of date and I missed a lot of news along the way. I think my RSS feeds are only good for about two or three months so we missed a lot.

ABC

American Idol: Returning for the second season of its move to ABC. It didn’t quite have the same appeal as the original version but it was still pretty good. It felt like the season was kind of short. It also ate into the time for Dancing With The Stars which I did not like. DWTS had a short four episode season that wasn’t worth the effort.

The Crossing: this sci-fi series about people who are refugees from a future war who time back to the present day wasn’t the greatest but it was good enough to keep my interest. I’m sorry it got canceled but I wasn’t too surprised.

Deception: I thought this show had a lot of potential. It was about a famous illusionist and his twin brother who were working with the FBI to catch criminals by pulling off stunts to trap them into giving themselves up. I thought the main characters had a lot of chemistry. It sort of reminded me of Castle. Unfortunately a got canceled after just one season.

Designated Survivor: Kiefer Sutherland got to be president after a terrorist attack wiped out the entire government. He survived assassination attempts and other terrorist attacks but cannot survive low ratings. It’s gone after just 2 seasons. It was watchable but I’m not really going to miss it.

The Good Doctor: Renewed. I still don’t really buy the premise of this series that someone with that severe case of autism could survive as a surgical resident. No matter how sympathetic I am to equal opportunity for people with disabilities I just don’t buy the premise. But I really like the show because it’s just a good basic medical drama with compelling stories and interesting characters even if I don’t particularly like the main character. Overall I’m glad to see its back and I know lots of people really like it.

For the People: Renewed. I’m so far behind watching TV that I haven’t even started this series but it looks pretty good. I’m hoping I can get caught up before the second season starts.

How to Get Away with Murder: This is a show I love to hate. Their time jumping storytelling technique makes it so confusing to watch sometimes that by the time the big secrets get revealed we don’t care anymore. But the acting is excellent and despite the confusing structure the writing is pretty good as well. I continue to watch it but I keep hoping it will get better. It will be back.

Kevin Probably Saves the World: But he couldn’t save his own show. It was kind of cute with a lot of heart but I won’t miss it that much.

Agents of SHIELD: I continue to be surprised that that show gets renewed each year. I really like it and I enjoy the way it ties into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It looks like one of those shows that a niche group of fans would enjoy but would not have popular appeal and would get canceled. But for some reason it keeps hanging in there. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next year.

Marvel’s Inhumans: I really was disappointed by this show. Considering how much I am a fan of Marvel shows I expected to like but it just didn’t work for me. I will not be missing it now that it is gone.

Once Upon A Time: the series went through a bit of a reboot this past season and I never did get into very well. It pretty much has run its course and so although I really enjoyed it, I think they had run out of ideas and it was a good time to cancel it. I will have fond memories but it was time to quit.

Quantico: This was another show that I wanted to like more than I did. Sometimes it was good but most of the time it just dragged. I’ve not even started on this season and I may not bother with it. I will not miss it now that it is canceled.

Roseanne: I enjoyed the reboot and was sorry that Roseanne herself went and ruined things. Fortunately it’s being replaced by a spinoff series called “The Connors” which will feature most of the same characters without Roseanne herself. I even wrote on Facebook that would be a good idea. Not that they took my advice but that’s what we are getting and I’m looking forward to it.

Scandal: I really, really enjoyed this show. On the other hand it had pretty much run its course and it was time to quit. I was a little bit disappointed in some of the final plot turns. Too many of the bad guys got off easy. I will really miss it however even though they had about run out of ideas.

Speechless: Show about a family with the disabled teenager continues to hit the spot perfectly. Although it gets a little bit silly at times I still enjoy it and I’m glad to see it coming back.

Station 19: This spinoff from Grey’s Anatomy about firefighter/paramedics looks promising. I’ve not yet started on this season but definitely intend to binge it soon. It’s been renewed.

CBS

9JKL: This new sitcom should have been a lot better than it was given its cast but I only watched a couple of episodes and was not surprised it was canceled.

The Amazing Race: Glad to see it’s back again.

The Big Bang Theory: Continues to be my favorite sitcom. Glad to see it’s still going strong.

Blue Bloods: one of my favorites will return.

Bull: It’s not really great but it’s good enough to watch and I’m glad it’s coming back.

Code Black: I watched a few episodes of the first season and it just didn’t work for me. I know people who really liked it and will miss it now that it’s gone.

Criminal Minds: used to be a favorite of mine but it got so dark and depressing. I just couldn’t deal with a new and more terrifying psychopath week after week. I gave up on it two seasons ago but it’s still going strong and will be back.

Elementary: Pleased to see it will be back.

Hawaii 50: glad to see its back.

Instinct: Really enjoyed this new series and I’m happy it’s coming back.

Kevin Can Wait: I only got through a couple of episodes the first season. Killing off his wife for the second season didn’t help that show or so I’ve heard. It’s gone.

Living Biblically: I really liked this show. The premise was fraught with difficulties but I thought they pulled it off pretty well. Not surprised that it did not get renewed however. It was fun for one season.

MacGyver: I only watched a couple of episodes the first season and it just didn’t have the appeal of the original but apparently some people like it so it’s coming back.

Madam Secretary: One of my favorites and I’m glad it’s back.

Me, Myself & I: I really liked that show. Thought it was cute, smart, and had a lot of heart. I’m going to miss it.

Mom: One of my favorites will be back.

NCIS: another favorite back for season 16.

NCIS: New Orleans: another favorite back again.

NCIS: LA: can’t explain why I never liked it considering how much I like the other two. It’s back again but I won’t be watching.

Scorpion: A totally ridiculous and unbelievable show that was a guilty pleasure. It jumped the shark at least a season ago. I’d had enough and won’t miss it. I hope that Katharine McPhee finds another show that makes better use of her talent.

SEAL Team: Of the three new military dramas that premiered this year, this is the only one that survived and I think it’s a good one. I’m looking forward to next season.

Young Sheldon: I expected to like this a lot better. At first I was very disappointed. I stuck with it and it eventually grew on me. It’s coming back and I hope I continue to like it.

Zoo: a kind of guilty pleasure that I enjoyed but not surprised it got canceled. Still have a half of season to catch up on. I will catch it on Netflix.

Fox

911: Really enjoyed the first season. Looking forward to the next one.

Brooklyn Nine- Nine: Never did acquire a taste for this. It was canceled by Fox but will be renewed by NBC.

Empire: I liked the first season but didn’t stick with it after that. It’s coming back along with the similar series “Star” which will be returning. I never watched it but they are both pretty popular.

The Four: This reality singing show isn’t as good as American Idol or The Voice but I kind of like it. You can skip through the boring parts and just watch the performances themselves. You can get through a 2 hour episode in one hour so I watch it.

Gotham: Despite terrible ratings they are it bringing back for a final season in which we will finally get to see Bruce Wayne officially become Batman. I will miss it when it’s gone. I’m glad they are at least going to wrap up the story with a final season.

LA to Vegas: Probably the worst new show of the season. Not surprised it got canceled.

The Last Man on Earth: This totally ridiculous but very funny guilty pleasure will not be coming back. It had probably run its course a season ago but I will still miss it.

Lethal Weapon: When Riggs was shot in the chest in the final episode it looked like a fatal heart shot but I figured they would come up with a way to save him. As it turns out he’s really dead. Apparently the actor who portrayed him was such a pain to work with that they fired him. He’s being replaced for next season by a character who will probably be his brother.

Lucifer: TV line listed this show as “A Safe Bet” for renewal and then changed it to “Could go either way” and then finally “Officially Canceled”. I was very disappointed because I really like it. Fortunately it has been picked up by Netflix so I’m very happy it will continue.

New Girl: very popular RomCom that I watched for the first half of the first season but it really didn’t do that much for me. It will not be returning.

The Orville: Extremely glad to see it coming back. Will have to wait for the midseason however.

Prison Break: TV line list it as “could go either way”. I would like to see another season but I would imagine it’s really a long shot.

The X-Files: Listed as “a long shot” I don’t know why but I never watched the original. When it rebooted last year it was just okay but I wished it was better. I’ve liked the current season better. I won’t miss it if it’s gone but I probably will watch if it comes back.

NBC

AP Bio: Absolutely terrible sitcom I could barely make through one episode. Somebody must like it because it got renewed.

Better Late Than Never: A guilty pleasure reality show featuring William Shatner, Henry Winkler, George Foreman traveling through Europe and Asia. Not surprised it won’t come back but it was fun while it lasted.

The Blacklist: Another favorite returning.

The Brave: I watched it but it wasn’t as good as SEAL Team and it will not be coming back.

Champions: An awful sitcom that deserves to be canceled and was.

Chicago Fire, Med, and PD: I never got into any of these just because I already watched too much TV. I know they are popular and all three are coming back.

Good Girls: This show about housewives who become criminals looks like it has some potential even though I only saw a couple of episodes. It will be back

The Good Place: another silly guilty pleasure will be returning.

Law & Order:SVU: don’t watch it much but it will be back again.

Rise: Watched a few of them and it had potential but it won’t be back.

Shades of Blue: The first season was pretty good, second season just so so. Did not watch the third final season. Will not miss it.

Taken: I watched it but won’t miss it now that it’s gone.

This Is Us: lives up to all the hype. Must-see TV. Of course it’s coming back.

Timeless: was canceled last year but got a last-minute reprieve. I don’t expect it to get a reprieve again. It ran out of time.

The Wall: This primetime game show is coming back but no word on whether or not troubled host Chris Hardwick will return after abuse allegations from ex-girlfriend. Did not watch it but I will be seriously disappointed if Hardwick does not return to “Talking Dead”. Yvette Nicole Brown is a “temporary” replacement on Talking Dead which is a great choice but we will see what happens long-term.

Will & Grace: really enjoyed the return. Renewed for 2 more seasons already.

World of Dance: pretty good show. Coming back for season 3.

The CW network:

The 100: I’ve not yet started on the most recent season which started late this year. I’ve enjoyed the previous ones and glad to see it is returning.

Arrow, Black Lightning, Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Supernatural: All of my heroes are returning and I am well pleased.

iZombie: I like this cute quirky zombie show but have not been able to keep up with it. Renewed for one more season.

Valor: The worst of the three new military dramas that premiered the season is not coming back. I barely got through one episode.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: I really like this show because it has very funny musical production numbers but I just haven’t had time to keep up with it. It has been renewed for a final season.

Moving along to cable we have…

AMC

Better Call Saul: A favorite. Season 4 premiers August 6. Renewed for season 5

Dietland: have not yet had a chance to check it out. No word on renewal.

Fear The Walking Dead: the second half of season 4 premiers August 12. Renewed for season 5. This has been their best so far.

Humans: Just barely watchable. Have not yet started on the current season. No word on renewal.

Into the Badlands: A guilty pleasure martial arts fantasy show. No word on renewal.

McMafia: Barely got through one episode and gave up. Surprised it’s renewed for season 2.

Preacher: season three premiered in June. No word on renewal. I really hope it continues.

The Son: Season 2 premieres later this year. No word on renewal. Pretty good drama series starring Pierce Brosnan.

The Terror: Horror story about a doomed expedition in 1800s to try to find the Northwest passage through the Arctic ice. Haven’t finished the last couple of episodes this season. Surprised it was renewed because I figured the story would wrap up.

The Walking Dead, season 9 premiers October 7. Probably a sure bet for another season. Can’t wait.

BBC America

Doctor Who: The next season with a new female doctor premiers in the fall.

Killing Eve: Absolutely excellent show glad to see it renewed for season 2. Check it out on demand if you’ve not seen it.

Luther: another quality show coming back for season 5.

Cartoon Network

Rick and Morty: Very popular. Never watched it. Renewed for 70 additional episodes.

Comedy Central:

Inside Amy Schumer: After a long hiatus will return for season 5. I can’t wait.

South Park: I only watch occasionally. Season 22 premieres September 26. Renewed for season 23

EPIX

Berlin Station: absolutely wonderful spy drama very happy to see it coming back for season 3. This recent season stared two of my favorite actresses Ashley Judd and Michelle Forbes. Hard to watch without drooling constantly 🙂

Deep State: have not yet started but looking forward to it. No word on renewal.

Get Shorty: kind of funny but not a big must-see. Coming back for season 2 on August 12. And I will probably watch.

Freeform

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger: have not yet seen it but will be checking it out. Season 1 ends August 2. Already renewed for season 2.

FX network

American Crime Story: Have not yet watched season 2 about the murder of Verchai but I intend to. Season 3 will be about Katrina.

American Horror Story: Last season was definitely the best ever. It was amazing in that it contained absolutely no supernatural elements but was just as terrifying as the previous seasons. Season 8 titled “Apocalypse” premieres September 12. Already renewed for season 9.

The Americans: Excellent show. Still have a couple of episodes to watch. I will miss it but it had probably run its course was ready to leave.

Fargo: TV line lists it as “unofficially renewed for season 4” I like this series which reboots every season but it has been a bit inconsistent. Some of the seasons were good others not so much.

Legion: bizarre comic book adaptation that is a bit strange but I like it. Coming back for season 3. I just started watching season 2 and haven’t got a feel for it yet.

Mayans MC: This spinoff of Sons of Anarchy premieres September 4 and I can’t wait.

FXX Network:

Archer: adult animated series renewed for season 10 and I really like it even though it’s pretty stupid.

HBO:

Ballers: Could barely watch one episode but it’s coming back without me.

Barry: On my list of things to watch someday. Renewed for season 2.

Big Little Lies: ditto… On my list and renewed.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: I like Larry David but I just never got into this. Coming back for season 10.

Deadwood: A follow-up movie begins filming this fall and I can’t wait!

Game of Thrones: The final season 8 premiers sometime in 2019. A spinoff prequel series is in development.

Silicon Valley: I would probably like this show but have never had the chance to watch it. Coming back for season 6.

Succession: on my check it out list. Renewed for season 2.

True Detective: never watched despite its critical acclaim. Renewed for season 3.

Veep: Final season was delayed because of Julia Louis Dreyfus breast cancer. Will premiere in spring of 2019. Still funny.

Westworld: one of my favorites coming back for season 3.

History Channel

SIX: Military drama I watched the first season and it was okay. Don’t have time for the second season and it’s been canceled after that.

Vikings: second half of season 5 premiers November 28. Renewed for season 6. Still a very big favorites.

Paramount Network:

Yellowstone: New Kevin Costner drama about a modern-day rancher. I could not finish one episode it was so boring. For some reason renewed for season 2.

Showtime

The Affair: Critically acclaimed show I want to watch but have never seen. Renewed for final season 5.

Billions: I love this show about a crooked high finance guy and a federal agent who tries to catch him. Have not yet started watching the current season but will definitely be watching soon. Renewed for season 4 and I’m very happy.

Homeland: Just started the current season. Renewed for season 8. Really enjoy.

I’m Dying up Here: couldn’t finish one episode. Season 2 finale aired July 8.

Ray Donovan: I like the first couple of seasons but did not stick with it. Renewed for season 6.

Shameless: Continues to be a favorite. Season 9 premiers September 9. No word beyond that.

Starz

American Gods: Amazing quirky weird fantasy series happy to see it renewed for season 2.

Counterpart: Sci-Fi spy drama about parallel worlds starring JK Simmons. First season was absolutely amazing and I am well pleased to see it coming back. Check it out if on demand you’ve not seen it.

Outlander: Romance, time travel series. Season 4 premiers in November. Renewed for season 5 and 6 and I’m very happy.

Syfy Channel

12 Monkeys: series finale aired July 6. Kind of hard to follow but I enjoyed it. Have not yet started current season.

Channel Zero: First season was terrible. Did not watch any of the rest. Renewed for season 4.

Happy: Bizarre funny fantasy series unlike anything you’ve seen. I’m “Happy” it’s been renewed for season 2.

Killjoys: Pretty good sci-fi show season 4 currently airing. Renewed for final season 5.

Krypton: The story of Superman’s grandparents took a while to get going but by the end of the first it was excellent. Happy to see it coming back for season 2.

The Magicians: Really like this and glad to see it’s coming back for season 4. It’s sort of an adult version of Harry Potter with a little bit of Narnia thrown in.

Night flyers: George RR Martin new series coming this fall.

Van Helsing: Struggled through 2 seasons. Probably will not bother with the third season.

Wynonna Earp: I really liked the two or three episodes I saw but had not had time to finish it or get into seasons 2 or 3. Renewed for season 4. Maybe someday I will binge it.

Z Nation: continues to amuse and happy to see season 5 coming

TNT

Good Behavior: One of my favorites. No word on renewal for season 3.

The last ship: Gave up on the fourth season. The first three were barely watchable. Renewed for final season 5.

The Librarians: They wrapped this up nicely for the series finale in February. I will kind of miss it.

Major Crimes: Really enjoyed it but probably won’t miss it.

USA Network

Colony: have not yet started season 3 so I can’t say how much I will miss it not coming back. I like what I’ve seen so far but it may be that it has run its course.

Mr. Robot: still bizarre but still intriguing. Coming back for season 4 and I will watch.

The Sinner: I like the first season okay. Season 2 premieres tomorrow (August 1). Not sure if it will fit into my schedule.

Suits: Watching current season 8. Not quite the same with missing Mike. Adding Katherine Heigl doesn’t seem to add much to the show. Too soon to tell for sure. Still watching.

Suits: Second City: former Suits star Gina Torres reprises her role as Jessica Pearson in this spinoff series set in Chicago that I am anxious to see. This one is about politics rather than law.

Now moving onto streaming services…

Amazon Prime

Bosch: always wanted to watch this but never got around to it. Renewed for season 5.

The Expanse: previously on Syfy Channel it’s now moving to Amazon for season 4. Very happy is continuing. Excellent series.

The Man in the High Castle: really wanted to watch this but haven’t had time. Season 3 premiers October 5. Renewed for season 4. Alternate timeline story where Germany won World War II. Based on Stephen King stories. Looks excellent.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: another critically acclaimed show that I just haven’t had time to watch. Renewed for seasons 2 and 3. Maybe will binge watch someday.

The Tick: based on a comic book. Never had time to check it out. Renewed for season 2.

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: looking forward to premiere August 31 already renewed for season 2.

Transparent: critically acclaimed but I never got around to watching it. The star Jeffrey Tambor was fired so I’m not sure what season 5 will be about. The final season.

CBS All Access

The Good Fight: This spinoff from “The Good Wife” is one of the best shows on television. Almost but not quite worth subscribing to the service just for this show. Renewed for season 3.

Star Trek Discovery: Fans claim it’s not really worthy of the “Star Trek” name. I won’t argue that. I really like it and I’m happy to see it coming back.

The Twilight Zone: reboot coming soon.

Disney streaming service not yet officially named

Star Wars The Clone Wars: this animated series previously on Disney XD/Netflix has been renewed for a final season 7 and I can’t wait.

Hulu

Castle Rock: series premiered July 25 based on Stephen King stories. Looks like it’s worth checking out.

The Handmaid’s Tale: one of the best shows on TV will come back for season 3. Can’t wait.

Marvel’s Runaways: Teens with superpowers and parents who are part of an evil cult. Excellent show that I very much enjoyed. I’m happy to see it coming back for season 2.

Netflix

13 Reasons Why: critically acclaimed but I’ve not had time for it. Coming back for season 3.

Altered Carbon: Excellent sci-fi series I’ve only seen a couple of episodes but intend to binge soon. Coming back for season 2.

Black Mirror: bizarre anthology series I’ve only seen a couple of episodes but will binge it eventually. Coming back for season 5.

The Crown: critically acclaimed and on my binge list but have not yet started. Renewed for seasons 3 and 4.

Grace and Frankie: enjoyed the first season but haven’t had time for the others. Renewed for season 5.

House of Cards: Probably the biggest casualty of the sex scandal #MeToo era. Will return for a final season 6 without Kevin Spacey. Still should be pretty good and I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to miss it when it’s gone.

Lost in Space: Absolutely loved this reboot. Very happy to hear it was renewed for season 2.

Lucifer: Formally on Fox network. Happy to see it got picked up by Netflix after cancellation from Fox. Really like it.

Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage: all renewed and very happy to hear it.

Marvel’s the Defenders: Crossover series featuring all of the above superheroes. No plans yet for season 2. It was just okay. I like the standalone series better.

One Day at a Time: Was a big fan of the original series but never caught the reboot on Netflix. Renewed for season 3. Probably won’t ever watch.

Orange Is the New Black: I continue to hear great things but just never got around to checking it out. Season 6 just released on July 27. Renewed for season 7.

Sense8: Sci-fi series that looked pretty intriguing but I haven’t started. Series finale was released June 7.

Stranger Things: another one I’ve not watched but I should. Season 3 will not premiere until 2019.

That’s all for now. I will try to put out a more traditional news blog in the next couple of days./p>

Frampton Comes Alive Again… And so Do I

Posted on by
Reply

Below is a link to my story about attending a recent concert featuring The Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton. Even though it does include my account of the concert itself, I posted it in my personal blog rather than my entertainment blog because it’s really more about me and my experiences of it than the entertainment nature of the concert. It was a big experiment for me because I’ve not been to any late evening activities in well over 18 months ever since I got out of the hospital. I wasn’t sure I would have the stamina to be able to handle it but the experiment was a great success. As always I’m very, very long-winded. It’s well over 10,000 words but I hope some of you find the time to read it.

Frampton Comes Alive Again… And so Do I

Fans of “Castle” or “The Mentalist” Should Enjoy “Deception”

Posted on by
Reply

“Deception” is a new crime procedural from ABC that is a bit unoriginal but might be worth watching anyway. For me it seems like a cross between “Castle” and “The Mentalist”. The main character is Cameron Black who is a world-famous magician whose career is ruined when it is revealed that many of his tricks involve the use of his twin brother Jonathan. Both parts are played by Jack Cutmore-Scott who has been seen recently in Kingsman:The Secret Service and Dunkirk but not much else. The secret is revealed when his brother is in an automobile accident in which a woman is killed. The brother is arrested and jailed but the whole thing may have been a setup.

When Cameron hears the story that the FBI lost a key witness to a case when a private plane explodes in a hanger, he recognizes that in fact the plane did not explode. It was actually a re-creation of one of his illusions where he had caused a plane to disappear. He ends up becoming a consultant for the FBI

The mysterious illusionist who faked the plane exploding is also connected to his brother being framed. He uses his skills as an illusionist to help the FBI catch criminals at the same time working to prove his brother’s innocence.

Black is partnered with FBI agent Kay Daniels played by Ilfenesh Hadera who has been recently seen in Baywatch and Billions. Like “The Mentalist”, our hero uses his skills of deception to con suspects into revealing themselves. But the overall tone of the show is much more lighthearted. Where Patrick Jane was a somewhat mysterious and introverted brooding character, Black is much more gregarious and charismatic. The overall tone seems more like “Castle” in which the hijinks of the outside consultant are often played for laughs. It remains to be seen if Black and Daniels will develop the same sort of chemistry that we saw between Richard Castle and Detective Kate Beckett.

Unlike Castle and Patrick Jane, Black has a team of assistants who help him create the illusions. His main designer is Gunter Gustafsen played by British character actor Vinnie Jones. He is more often cast in the role of a tough guy criminal because of his appearance so it is interesting bit of casting to see him in a part where his big burly stature and rough appearance seem a bit out of place.

As I said in the beginning, there is nothing really new or original here but if you are a fan of “The Mentalist” and or “Castle” then you will probably enjoy this show as well. I’m giving it a very strong rating of “I’m watching it”.

“Good Girls” is Dark Comedy with Heart

Posted on by
Reply

Good Girls is a new dark comedy from NBC. Three ordinary housewives try to solve their problems by holding up a grocery store.

It features Annie who is a single mom who works as a checkout girl in a grocery store. She drives a junk car and her ex-husband is suing her for custody of her kid. She has played by Mea Whitman who you will remember as Amber from Parenthood. Her older sister Beth is played by Christina Hendricks who you may remember from Mad Men. Her husband is a used-car salesman who is cheating on her with a bimbo. Their friend Ruby is played by Retta who you may remember from Parks and Recreation. She has a daughter in need of expensive medical care.

The whole thing is played for laughs until they suddenly find out they came away with much more money than should have been there. They were expecting to find $30,000 but instead came away with over a half-million. They soon discover that the grocery is a front for a drug dealing gang who tracks them down and wants their money back. Also the store manager recognized Annie’s tattoo and threatens to turn her in unless she sleeps with him.

Despite the dark situation, this show has a good balance of heart, comedy, and drama. You really feel for the plight of the mother who can’t get the medical care return needs. The peril they face from the drug dealers who threaten to kill them if they don’t return money is very real as is the attempted sexual assault of the grocery manager. So it is very dark at times. As the show proceeds, they get deeper and deeper into trouble and every time they try to get out, things only get worse.

From this description I’ve just given, it doesn’t sound like a very enjoyable experience but for some reason I kind of like it. You find yourself empathizing with the characters and riding along on the journey with them. The comic moments help keep it from being a total downer so in some ways that keeps it from being hopelessly dark.

I didn’t really intend to add it to my list of shows I watch regularly but after one episode I kind of got hooked on it and am anxious to see where it goes from here. I’ve seen two of the three episodes that have aired and I’m going to try a couple more before I decide if it holds up or just becomes a sort of one joke story.

I give it a raising of “Could be watchable” but the jury is still out.

Champions is a loser

Posted on by
Reply

Champions is a new sitcom on NBC that is so unremarkable I almost didn’t two bother to write a review. The main character Vince of the New York gymnasium he inherited from his father. He has a rather dimwitted handsome looking brother Matthew who is unaware that Vince is about to sell the gym and move to Florida. His plans are derailed when his old high school sweetheart Priya shows up and reveals to him he has a teenage son he didn’t know about. The son who is gay wants to go to a performing arts school in New York. She lives in Cleveland and can’t afford to move so she needs some wire for the son to live while he attends the special school in New York.

Absolutely nothing is interesting about these characters. The boy Michael is kind of cute in his overacted gayness with lots of showbiz clichés. But other than that there’s nothing to be seen here.

Vince is played by Anders Holm was most recently seen in The Mindy Project. Mindy Kaling plays Priya his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child. The boy Michael is played by J.J. Totah. IMDb lists several TV shows he has appeared in one of which I’ve heard of. He’s probably been on Nickelodeon or Disney Channel or something like that.

Obviously this is a strongly rated “Skip It”

“Living Biblically” Not as Ridiculous as it Seems

Posted on by
Reply

When I first heard about CBS’s new sitcom “Living Biblically” was fairly certain that I would not like it. I almost didn’t bother watching but I decided I wanted to see just how bad it could be. The premise is that a man goes through a bit of a spiritual crisis and decides that he wants to live his life precisely according to the Bible. My first comment in my entertainment blog when the show was announced was that I wondered if it would mean he would stone to death his children for disobeying him. (Deuteronomy 21:18-21, Exodus 21:17). When I saw a preview for the show in which the main character tells his parish priest he wants to live according to the Bible 100%, the priest laughs in his face hysterically. That was encouraging for me. Maybe it was worth checking out.

Jay R. Ferguson plays the main character Chip Curry is a film critic for a local newspaper. He decides to go on a spiritual journey and live a better life 100% according to the Bible. This is instigated by losing his best friend to an untimely death and after finding out that his wife is pregnant with their first child. While in the bookstore, he accidentally picks up a Bible and includes it with the books he’s about to purchase. He sees this as a sign from God and decides he’s going to live 100% according to the Bible.

Ferguson has previously been seen in “The Real O’Neills” and “Mad Men”. His wife is played by Lindsay Kraft who has been seen in “Grace and Frankie”. Neither of them are very familiar to me.

He then goes to his parish priest to speak with him in the confessional (not necessarily to go to confession but just to seek advice). It is probably the first time in any movie or television show that I’ve seen the confessional portrayed in the modern form where you sit down with a face-to-face conversation with the priest and not behind the old time partition or screen that is so familiar to most TV shows and movies. After the laughing out loud scene that we got in the previews, the priest illustrates the ridiculousness of this plan by advising him to change his clothes because the Bible prohibits wearing clothes of mixed types of threads.

The first challenge to face our hero is that he knows that one of his friends is having an affair. Their wives are friends. Should he tell his wife that her friend is being cheated on? It comes to a head when he and his wife bump into the cheating friend at a restaurant with his mistress. The friend tried to get Chip to cover for him by agreeing that the woman he’s with is just a coworker. Chip doesn’t know what to do so he reaches over into a nearby planter in the restaurant, picks up a rock, and throws it at his friend hitting him in the forehead. Thereby fulfilling the biblical command that adulterers be stoned.

It’s all done in a very funny slapstick sort of way and for some reason it works. I couldn’t help but laugh at parts of it and for me that’s the ultimate test of any sitcom is “Did it make me laugh?”

Part of the story is about is friends at work. He has a best friend Vince played by Tony Rock who in real life is the brother of comedian Chris Rock. His boss at the newspaper is Camryn Manheim whom I’ve not seen on TV since 2004 in the legal drama “The Practice”. When she finds out about his plan to live biblically she gives him a new column to write three days a week and a raise in salary. And in the end, his adulterous friend thanked him for hitting him in the head and making him countries senses. He confessed everything to his wife and they are going to counseling. Sara Gilbert also has a bit part as an annoying coworker. It’s yet to be seen how these coworkers characters will flesh out or not.

So the end result is that after just a couple of days of living biblically, he’s gotten a raise at work and he saved the marriage of his adulterous friend. Maybe it’s working?

His pastor Father Gene is played by Ian Gomez and does a pretty good job of walking a fine line between offering genuine spiritual advice and continuing to make fun of his choices. We also get some input from a rabbi who is a friend of the priest. Rabbi Gil is played by David Krumholz who you will remember from the FBI drama Numb3rs and many other roles. By the way they’ve already done the “a priest and a rabbi and a guy living biblically walk into a bar” joke.

In the end this show is doing a reasonably good job of walking a fine line between finding the comedy and religious beliefs versus all-out ridicule and making fun of religion. The whole thing has really surprised me at how well it is written. Don’t get me wrong, this is at times very silly stuff but it tackles some very tough topics with an excellent sense of humor.

According to IMDb.com this show is based on a nonfiction book “A Year of Living Biblically” by A.J. Jacobs. I might have to check that out.

For now I’m giving it a very strong rating of “could be watchable” but the jury is still out as to whether or not the whole thing is going to work.

“The Alienist” is Well Done Period Crime Drama

Posted on by
Reply

“The Alienist” is a new period crime drama set in the late 19th century New York City. In that era, people who were mentally ill were thought to be alienated from their true selves so the word “alienist” was given to one who studies such conditions. In other words a psychologist or psychiatrist. Our main character is Dr. Laszlo Kriezier who is investigating a serial killer beginning with the murder of a boy prostitute.

Kriezier is played by Daniel Brühl who was recently seen in “The Zookeeper’s Wife” and “Captain America: Civil War”. He is assisted by his friend John Moore who is a newspaper illustrator and Sara Howard who is the secretary to police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt. Although fictionalized, her character is inspired by a real-life person who was the first female to be employed by the NYPD. She’s played by now grown child star Dakota Fanning. Moore is played by Luke Evans who is probably most famous playing Owen Shaw in the “Fast and Furious” film series.

Although this series is filmed in Budapest, they have gone to great lengths to re-create 19th-century New York in beautiful detail. The costumes, props, and sets are also top-notch. The performances are nuanced and intricate in the mystery of who is responsible for not only the killing of this boy prostitute from the opening episode but apparently this is just one of several children who’ve gone missing.

Like other period crime dramas such as “Copper” and “Ripper Street” we get a look at the early days of forensic science. Think of this as CSI New York set in the late 1800s. Like those other period crime dramas which I liked, I’m not sure how accurate they are vis-à-vis the level of forensic science available at the time. But it does add an interesting twist to an otherwise ordinary crime procedural.

We also get some insight into the state of psychology and psychiatry at the time with a little bit of preachy plot lines as our hero battles against prejudice over things like homosexuality, masturbation and other taboo subjects. If there’s anything unbelievable about the show is that the doctor has a very enlightened 21th century attitude towards the subjects. Of course we also get to see how female employees in a male dominated institution are treated in those days .

Overall it is well-written and well acted and it really transports yo might have u to this particular time and place while telling an interesting ongoing story. It runs for 10 episodes on TNT network. As of this writing 2 episodes have aired but are available on-demand. I’m giving it a solid “I’m watching” rating.

Bellevue is a Dark, Fascinating, Crime Story

Posted on by
Reply

A new crime drama titled “Bellevue” is now showing on WGN American channel. The show was originally produced by Canadian Broadcasting Company. It stars Anna Paquin as a police detective in a small town named Bellevue where everyone knows everyone else’s business. The season-long case we follow with her is the disappearance of a high school student who is a star hockey player. We quickly learn that the student also is dealing with gender identity issues.

This is Paquin’s first major role since the end of HBO’s hit series True Blood where she played Sookie Stackhouse.

Her character Detective Annie Ryder is haunted by the death of her father who was also a police detective. Throughout the opening episodes it becomes apparent that her current case is somehow related to a case of father had years ago investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl. Some of the story is told through flashbacks showing Ryder as a young girl. Pivotal to the story are games that she used to play with her father in which he would give her riddles to solve. Presumably this was to train her in analytical thinking hoping she would become a detective in his footsteps. Paquin’s performance in this show although very different from True Blood is very intense and compelling. I like this new character a lot.

Although there are no supernatural elements in the story it has a very eerie and haunting tone to it. In present day, someone is giving her riddles that are keys to solving this case. These riddles are in the same style as the ones she solved as a child.

The series is very dark in tone and is very reminiscent of one of my other favorite dark detective shows “The Killing”. Although not quite up to that high standard, I think fans of The Killing will enjoy this series as well. Paquin is believable and compelling in the role. It’s too early to tell after 2 episodes if all of the mystery and conspiracy buildup will payoff in the end but I hope it does. With a total of eight episodes it won’t take long to find out.

I’m giving it a rating of “I’m watching”. If this genre appeals to you, you should check it out.

Play Hooky from A.P. Bio

Posted on by
Reply

NBC recently had a sneak peek of a new sitcom titled “A.P.Bio” that is scheduled to premiere officially late this month. If you missed the preview, you didn’t miss much. Basically the entire show is one joke and it’s not a very funny joke to begin with.

The main character Jack teaches an advanced placement biology class in a Toledo high school. But he has no intention of teaching the class. He is a former Harvard philosophy professor who for reasons of which we are not quite sure yet is down on his luck and living with his parents in Toledo. His sole purpose in life is to get revenge on his academic rival another professor currently in Stanford and to sleep with his many women as possible. He recruits his students to pull pranks on his rival like catfishing him on Facebook.

Jack is played by Glenn Howerton who is mostly known for his roles on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “The Mindy Project”.

Patton Oswalt plays the high school principal who tries to get this rogue teacher to actually teach the class but fails miserably. Even someone who has pretty good comedy skills like Oswalt cannot save this ridiculous and unfunny piece of tripe. None of the students or other teachers characters are of sufficient interest to even attempt to describe.

IMDb.com lists six episodes but I would be surprised if all six of them actually make it to air.

This one gets a very hardy and emphatic “Skip It” on my rating system.