Category Archives: Books

Sep 05 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, Movies, Music, Photography, Pop Culture, Television

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more, Sept. 5 – Sept. 11!

More ‘Murders,’ weather detectives, celebrity sex tapes and Charlie Sheen tells all!

Selena Gomez, Martin Short & Steve Martin return for more murder-mystery shenanigans in the new season of ‘Only Murders in the Building.’

FRIDAY, Sept. 5
Highest 2 Lowest
Denzel Washington stars in director Spike Lee’s neo-noir crime drama as a New York titan music mogul who finds himself in a life-or-death dilemma. With Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky and Ice Spice (Apple TV+)

Dish It Out
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey’s daughter, Tilly, steps out from her famous dad’s impressive shadow her own cooking show (Prime).

SATURDAY, Sept. 6
The Girl Who Vanished
Lily and her parents are shocked when Emily, abducted when she was just a child, is found and returned to the family. But as strange events begin to unfold, they begin to question whether the past is truly behind them (8 p.m., Lifetime).

SUNDAY, Sept. 7
MTV Video Music Awards
What were the best music videos of the year? Find out in tonight’s three-hour simulcast, hosted by LL Cool J, of the iconic “Moon Man” trophy fest—and see what big award will be going to Mariah Carey (8 p.m., CBS, and streaming on Paramount+).

Task
Mark Ruffalo stars in this new series an FBI agent heading a task force to put an end to a string of violent robberies (9 p.m., HBO).

MONDAY, Sept. 8
Weather Hunters
Emmy-winning weatherman Al Roker is joined by Sheryl Lee Ralph, Holly Robinson Peete and LeVar Burton as voices in this new animated series about a “weather detective” and her family (PBS Kids).

Celebrity Sex Tapes
Want some juicy tabloid-y dirt? This provocative new docuseries looks at the most infamous, career-altering celebrity “leaks” of our time, including those from Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee (above), Kim Kardashian, Colin Farrell and more (9 p.m., A&E).

TUESDAY, Sept. 9
Only Murders in the Building
Season five starts tonight of the dramedy starring Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez as amateur sleuths and flatmates now discovering a dangerous web of secrets connecting billionaires, old-school mobsters and more (Hulu).

Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect
Learn about the iconic lawyer and civil rights leader who became the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court (10 p.m., PBS).

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 10
Downtown Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale
Cast members celebrate the show’s final chapter (above) and look ahead to the feature film about the phenomenally successful series, in theaters Sept. 12 (9 p.m., NBC).

Charlie Sheen
The actor revisits his journey through fame and addiction with unflinching honesty (and some epic stories) in this new original documentary ((Netflix).

THURSDAY, Sept. 11
Tyler Perry’s Zatima
This Sistas spinoff follows the characters Fatima (Crystal Renee Hayslett )and Zac (Devale Ellis)  as they prepare for parenthood while navigating deep emotional scars and explosive entanglements (BET+).

NOW HEAR THIS

Groove again to one cool cat with On the Road to Findout: Greatest Hits (A&M/UMe), the first-ever collection of music spanning the entire career of Cat Stevens/Yusuf. You’ll hear “Peace Train,” “Wild World,” “Morning Has Broken,” “Moonshadow,” “Old Schoolyard” and dozens of other tracks from albums ranging from 1967 to 2023, plus a 24-page booklet with reflections from Stevens.

War, the genre-defying ‘70s band, is celebrated in The CD Collection: 1971-1975 (Rhino), a roundup of five essential albums by the California-based soul band: War, All Day Music, The World is a Ghetto, Deliver the Word and Why Can’t We Be Friends. Groove again to the tunes, including “The Cisco Kid,” “Slippin’ Into Darkness” and “Gyspy Man.”

BRING IT HOME

Find out why the third season of HBO’s hit high-society satire broke viewership records by reliving all the drama, surprises and fan-favorite characters in The White Lotus: The Complete Third Season (Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment), set in Thailand with a cast including Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Walton Goggins, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger—and a gollywhopper of an appearance by Sam Rockwell.

Get your retro groove with Spenser: For Hire: The Complete Series (Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment), marking the 40th anniversary of the 1980s ABC-TV drama starring hunky Robert Urich as a Boston P.I. looking into a new murder each episode. This new set marks the first time all three seasons—65 episodes—of the show have corralled into one collection.

The dinos roar again in Jurassic World: Rebirth (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment), the latest entry in the franchise that began back in 1993. Featuring an all-new set of characters, this one stars Scarlett Johannson, Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend coming across some mutated, mega-nasty CHI dino beasties on a tropical island—and planning to swipe some embryos for a “buyer” back home. Extras include a doc about making the movie, plus deleted scenes, an alternate opening and more.

Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp and Anna Chlumsky star in Bride Hard (Magenta Light Studios), a rollicking comedy about a wedding’s party that turns the tables on a mercenary group with designs on taking the guests hostage.

One of the year’s best horror flicks, Clown in a Cornfield, is now available in a 4K Steelbook edition. Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Will Sasso and Kevin Durand star in the terrifying tale of a small community menaced by, yes, a clown in a cornfield, who comes to cleanse the town of its burdens, one victim at a time.

How did Brenda Lee go from being a teeny teenage singing sensation—Little Miss Dynamite—to later become a global icon, the first woman to enter both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame? You can find out in Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (Mercury Studios, TH Entertainment and Nashville PBS), which covers her life and career, and her interactions with The Beatles, Patsy Cline and Elvis. Rock on, Brenda!

READ ALL ABOUT IT

In Grime (City Lights), author Thea Matthews uses poetry to create an unflinching coming-of-age portrait of the glamour and the grit of San Francisco’s notorious “tenderloin district” and the squalor of its poverty and addiction. It’s a story of dirt and detritus, but also of survival, triumph and resiliency in the face of overwhelming odds.

Get an early jump on the Christmas spirit with the newly revised edition of Norman Rockwell’s Christmas (originally released in 1977), which pairs more than 80 pieces of timeless artwork from the archive of the iconic painter with a variety of Christmas poems, stories and carols…plus a “vintage” Christmas dinner recipe from 1896! (Abrams)

Aug 29 2025
Leave a comment
Books, Movies, Music, Photography, Pop Culture, Sports, Television

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more! Aug. 29 – Sept. 4

A Flintstones milestone, another Mormon cult & the new NCIS spinoff!

FRIDAY, Aug. 29
Vice is Broke
Doc about the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of Vice, which started as a scrappy alt-punk ‘zine and become a media empire, before its bankruptcy as a sleazy exemplar of disaster capitalism (Mubi).

The Twin
Haunted by the tragic loss of his son, a man (Logan Donovan) struggles with grief and a strained relationship with his wife, has troubling visions of himself and becomes aware of supernatural forces that threaten to consume him (Shudder).

SATURDAY, Aug. 30
Dinner & A Movie
Hosts Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen welcome Superman star Skyler Gisondo for a screening of Man of Steel (8 p.m., TBS).

Summer Under the Stars
As TCM’s annual movie-fest month draws to a close, settle in for a dozen films starring Kirk Douglas, including Paths of Glory (above), Ace in the Hole, Lust for Life and Detective Story (starts 6 a.m.)

SUNDAY, Aug. 31
The Flintstones: 65 Years and Still Rock’n!
All-day marathon celebrating the 65th anniversary of the classic ‘toon, with more than two dozen back-to-back episodes plus two full-length movies, A Man Called Flintstone and The Flintstones Meet the Jetsons (begins 6 a.m., MeTV Toons). 

Let the Devil In
Four-episode documentary about a decades-old tragedy in New Jersey that some people insist was Satan taking possession of a vulnerable teenage boy—but others insist more earthly demons were to blame (MGM+). 

MONDAY, Sept. 1
Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence
Four-part docuseries about a couple of Mormon women influencers whose microcosm of control, manipulation and brutality led to devastating emotional and physical child abuse (9 p.m., ID).

The Runarounds
New drama series (above) about a group of Southern high schoolers who form a rock band, learning about love, life and lifelong friendship along the way (Prime Video).

TUESDAY, Sept. 2
Bobby’s Triple Threat
A trio of top-notch chefs hand-picked by Bobby Flay take on highly skilled competitors in cooking rounds with surprise featured ingredients for a chance to win $25,000 (8 p.m., Food Network).

True South
The crew travels to Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina to shine the spotlight on cooks, eaters and everyday heroes (8 p.m., SEC Network).

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 3
Mountain Men
New season of the reality series intros viewers to more individuals and couples with the modern-day pioneer spirt and a yen for wild-n-wooly wilderness living (8 p.m., History).

The Last Wright: Building the Final Home Design of America’s Greatest Architect
Designers take on the ambitious challenge of building a home in Ohio based on the last set of plans created by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright before his death in 1959 (8 p.m., Magnolia Network).

THURSDAY, Sept. 4
NCIS: Tony & Ziva
New spinoff of the franchise featuring former series regulars (played by Michael Weatherly, above, and Cote de Pablo) as their reprise their special-agent characters, now on the run with their daughter in search an unconventional happily ever after (Paramount+).

The Paper
A mockumentary (like the Emmy Award-winning series The Office) about a historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore and The Office’s Oscar Nuñez (Peacock).

NOW HEAR THIS

Everybody on the dance floor—once more! The 40th anniversary white vinyl re-release of Dancing in the Street (Parlophone) rekindles the magic of the 1995 superstar collaboration of David Bowie and Mick Jagger on the Motown classic, originally done as a cheeky video for part of the global humanitarian Live Aid project to combat global hunger. And the newly mastered groovery has never sounded groovier.

Hey! Ho! Let’s go! And go get these newly remastered first four albums of the ultimate NYC punk rockers in 1-2-3-4: The Ramones Atmos Collection (Rhino). It’s a revved-up, head-banging 50-track set with “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Beat on the Brat,” “Judy is a Punk,” “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue,” “Sheena is a Punk Rocker,” “I Wanna Be Sedated,” “Do You Wanna Dance?” and other ’70s punk-rock mainstays.

Relive the musical magic of The King’s reign in Los Angeles in Sunset Boulevard (RCA/Legacy), a window into the hitmaking work of Elvis Presley in the City of Angels during the ‘70s. It’s nearly 90 tracks of rarities, rehearsal cuts, never-heard-before mixes and other goodies on five CDs, with hits including “Burning Love,” “Always on My Mind,” “Separate Ways,” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” and “Promised Land.”

READ ALL ABOUT IT

First published in 1985, In the American West was a landmark photography project from photographer Richard Avedon. Out of print for more than a decade, it’s now re-released as a 40th anniversary edition by Abrams, filled with over 100 striking portraits of “ordinary” people who were living, working and visually representing what will always be known as America’s frontier. It’s an art gallery at your fingertips.

In The Shape of Nature (Abrams), photographer David Maitland explores the many structures, shapes, geometric patterns and recurring symmetries in the natural world, with analysis into their biological origins and significance, from plankton to frogs, fish scales and snake skin, and far beyond. You’ll never look at the world—or a flower, or a tree leaf— the same way after you’ve absorbed the extraordinary imagery and insights.

Young readers can learn all about the biggest-selling musical act in South Korea history in BTS: A Little Golden Book Biography, by Jan Ann and illustrated by Hyesung Park. It’s about the global-hit “boy band” that formed in 2010 and began showing the world what they could do, defying adolescent stereotypes and setting positive examples for other young people. It’s intended for ages 4-8, but parents and grandparents will dig it, too! They’re the top of K-pop!

Tagged , , , , , , , ,
Aug 22 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, History, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Television

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more, Aug. 22 – Aug. 28

A superhero splurge, the new Bill Murray flick & Chris Hemsworth’s quest for a better life

FRIDAY, Aug. 22
Long Story Short
Animated comedy from the creator of BoJack Horseman follows the ups, downs, ins and outs, joys and disappointments of a family voiced by  Paul Reiser, Abbi Jacobson, Dave Franco and Max Greenfield (Netflix).

James Can Eat
What’s it like to be a competitive eater, able to down a pan of hot dogs or nearly 60 doughnuts? This documentary takes you inside the ups, down and urrrps of James Webb, Australia’s top-ranked eater, as he pushes his gastro boundaries on his quest to dethrone the “sport’s” icon, Joey Chestnut (Prime).

SATURDAY, Aug. 23
Girl in the Cellar
A single mom resorts to extreme measures to control her teenage daughter, locking her away in the basement—the same place the mother was held captive by her abusive father years ago. Yikes! (8 p.m., Lifetime). 

DC Movie Marathon
Fans can geek through the p.m. with these three movies based on comic books: Justice League (2017), Black Adam (2022) and Man of Steel (2013) (starts 12 noon, TBS).

SUNDAY, Aug. 24
Unforgotten on Masterpiece
In the new season, Inspectors James (Sinéad Keenan) and Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) return to uncover the truth behind a dismembered body found in a marsh and connect the dots of people with whom the victim was somehow linked (10 p.m., PBS).

Solo
Talented young individuals confront challenges and distractions, including stage fright and substance abuse, as they chase their dreams in Norway’s vibrant arts scene (Viaplay).

MONDAY, Aug. 25
Limitless: Live Better Now
Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and actor Chris Hemsworth team up for this docuseries filmed across six countries over two years, blending cutting-edge science with age-old wisdom about how we can all start living better, addressing such issues as pain, fear and cognitive decline. (8 p.m., National Geographic).

The Friend
Bill Murray and Naomi Watts star in this heartwarmer (above) about a writer, her best friend and a 150-pound Great Dane named Apollo (Paramount+).

TUESDAY, Aug. 26
Playing Nice
Brit series about two couples who face a difficult decision when they discover their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up. With James Norton, James McArdle, Jessica Brown Findlay and Posy Sterling (BritBox).

Baby Assassins 3
Martial-arts comedy franchise’s newest entry, about a group of young women taking on a brutal freelancer who hopes to take their place in the stone-cold-killer food chain (check streaming services).  

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27
The Terminal List: Dark Wolf
New original series from the bestselling author of The Terminal List stars Taylor Kitsch as a former Navy SEAL who dives into the world of espionage with CIA Special Ops. With Chris Pratt (Prime Video). 

THURSDAY, Aug. 28
The Thursday Murder Club
Chris Columbus directs this lively romp, based on the bestselling novel, about a group of retires into solving cold-case murders for fun who find themselves in a real-life whodunit. Starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie (Netflix).

Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story
Ripped-from-the-headlines true crime thriller about a British model (Nadia Parkes) whose kidnapping creates a media firestorm accusing her of faking it all (AMC+).

NOW HEAR THIS

John Fogerty marks the big 8-0 birthday with his new album, Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years (Concord), and its new re-recordings of 20 classic CCR tunes including “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son,” “Bad Moon Rising,” and “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” “Run Through the Jungle” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” It’s a family affair, produced by Fogerty’s son, Scott, with wife Julie as executive producer. 

Knock knock. Who’s there? Right! It’s The Who, with Live at the Oval 1971, a newly released live recording of the iconic British band’s robust 15-song set for a Bangla Desh famine relief effort in South London. Tracks include “Substitute,” “I Can’t Explain,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Pinball Wizard” and, of course, “My Generation.” And you’ll also hear drummer Keith Moon and guitarist Pete Townshend smash their gear—a Who in-concert signature—at the close. 

BRING IT HOME

Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson top the cast of The Unholy Trinity (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment), a tale of Old West revenge, secrets and buried treasure in 1870s Montana. And hey, there’s David Arquette, Tim Daly (from TV’s Wings) and Yellowstone’s Q’orianaka Kilcker, who starred as Pocahontas in The New World.

Holy moly! The Conjuring, the 2013 demons-among-us film that spawned a franchise, is now available as a 4K Ultra HD restoration (Warner Bros, Discovery Home Entertainment). Vera Farminga and Patrick Wilson star as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Newman, caught in the middle of the most terrifying case of their lives. And it’s all based on a true story! 

READ ALL ABOUT

When does science fiction become science fact? Find out in Madeline Schwartzman’s Alive (Thames & Hudson), a brisk and timely look at rebellious AI, realistic robots, synthetic biology, digital snacks and other once-implausible realities of modern life. Indeed, it will make you ponder what it means to be “alive,” and just how humankind may (or may not) fit into the future.

Jul 04 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, Movies, Music, Photography, Pop Culture, Television

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more, July 4 – 11

‘Jaws’ at 50, a lotta fireworks & families go back to the 1800s!

Learn all about the movie that created the concept of summer blockbusters back in ’75.

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, July 4
A Capitol Fourth
Celebrate our nation’s 249th birthday with this annual tradition, live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, with fireworks along the Potomac and musical performances from multiple genres of music (8 p.m., PBS).

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
In addition to a lot of kaboomy razzle-dazzle up in the sky, there’ll also be ground-level performances from Eric Church, the Jonas Brothers, Lenny Kravitz, Keke Palmer and Trisha Yearwood (8 p.m., NBC). 

SATURDAY, July 5
The Summer Hikaru Died
Anime thriller based on an award-winning manga novel about a young man in a rural Japanese village who discovers his best friend has been “replaced” with a replicant (Netflix).

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Show
All this month, you can watch material from the groundbreaking talk show, spanning the 1960s into the early ’90s, with 50 episodes (never before seen after their original airings) featuring classic Carson bits, sketches, guests and musical acts. It’s a time capsule of retro TV, when Johnny ruled late night (MeTV).

SUNDAY, July 6
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom
Yep, that Wild Kingdom, the great-grandaddy of wildlife TV series hosted by Marlin Perkins for more than two decades beginning in 1963, returns in reruns (7 a.m., MeTV).

The Princess Bride
Always worth a rewatch, this 1987 classic from director Rob Reiner has an all-star cast (Billy Crystal! Robin Wright! Chris Sarandon! Andre the Giant!) in a whimsical, swashbuckling bedtime-story tale of a princess, a giant and “true love” (9:03 p.m., ABC).

MONDAY, July 7
Such Brave Girls
A young woman, her sister and their mother flee their cramped, crumbling home for a shot at love and adoration in this six-episode comedy series. With Kate Sadler, Lizzie Davidson and Louise Brealey (Hulu).

Bachelor in Paradise
Returning cast members from across the franchise hit the beach in Costa Rica for season 10 or the hit reality-show matchmaking competition (8 p.m., ABC).

TUESDAY, July 8
Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty
How the greatest works of art in western civilization sprung from one of the most turbulent periods in history (9 p.m., PBS).

Born to be Viral: The Real Lives of Kid Influencers
Six-episode docuseries follows the first generation of kids to be raised in the media spotlight, with their lives streamed to millions—and some of them becoming millionaires in the process (Hulu)

WEDNESDAY, July 9
South Park
The acclaimed animated grownup comedy from Trey Parker and Matt Stone (above) begins season 27 tonight. So they must be doing something right, right? (Comedy Central).

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
The gang of chronic underachievers stoops even lower in season 17 in their cravings for money and societal privileges. With Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Katilin Olson and Danny Devito (FXX and Hulu).

THURSDAY, July 10
Brick
A couple becomes trapped in their apartment behind an impenetrable, futuristic wall that has materialized overnight, enclosing their entire building. Can everyone band together to find a way out, solve the mystery, and survive? (Netflix). 

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story
Go inside the making and behind-the-scenes shark drama of the movie that launched the era of summer blockbusters back in ’75—and made just about everyone afraid of going in the water (National Geographic).

Back to the Frontier
Chip and Joanna Gaines challenge three families in this new adventure/reality series to reimagine their lives as 1880s homesteaders, forgoing present-day comforts for old-fashioned life on the frontier (Magnolia Network and Max).

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Everyone’s a photographer now, with cameras built into phones. But decades ago, when photography was a marvelous new thing, there were all sorts of innovations and experimentation to be found—and all sorts of new “high tech” trickery even danger. Anika Burgess’ fascinating Flashes of Brilliance (W.W. Norton) examines the long arc of photographic advancement, from early cameras attached to ballons, to X-rays, photography deep under the sea, on the moon and deep into the cosmos. It’s an engrossing combination of science, history, art and wild eccentricities about the human desire to document our existence in our world, and beyond.

Find out what it’s really like—and I mean really, really like—to be a stand-up comedian in Doing Time (Jawbone Press), author JT Habersaat’s refreshingly candid and gloriously uncensored look at the artistry and hard work that go into making people laugh. With reflections and recollections, and more than a few hard-earned battle scars, from Patton Oswalt, Bobcat Goldthwait, The Kids in the Hall, Dana Gould and dozens of others who share their anecdotes and stories.

Remember the promotional-tie-in toys you used to get with food at McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and other fast-food places? Author Jonathan Alexandrotos for sure does, in Free With Every Kids Meal (McFarland), he digs deep to examine the past and present, the cultural impact, and the full-throttle fun of all sorts of “happy meals.”

BRING IT HOME

Vampires attack the South in Sinners (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment), a tale of two brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) who return home after World War II only to face an even greater (and graver) threat than the Klan. Hailee Steinfeld also stars in this horror show gloriously a-swirl with undertones about music, culture, history and race. Loaded with extras and bonus features, including making-of docs, interviews and a closer look at the movie soundtrack.

NOW HEAR THIS

Get deep into the retro grooves of The Legends of Surf Guitar, recorded live in California, with musicians from the ‘70s and ‘80s surf-music revival recreating such classics as “Wipe Out,” “Pipeline,” the Peter Gunn theme and “Baby Elephant Walk.” And some special guest stars take the stage, too!  Surf’s up! (Oglio Records).

Tagged , , , , , , ,
Jun 20 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Television

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more, June 20 – June 26

‘The Bear’ roars, Janis Ian breaks the silence & see Nashville’s biggest party

Jeremy Allan White heats up the kitchen in season four of “The Bear.”

FRIDAY, June 20
Janis Ian: Breaking the Silence
All about singer-songwriter Janis Ian—who hit the charts in 1976 with “At Seventeen”—and how she continues to make music that challenges social norms and speaks her truth (9 p.m., PBS).

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Guy Fieri gets funky in Atlanta with chicken sandwiches, patty melt empanadas and hot fish (9 p.m., Food Network).

SATURDAY, June 21
Dateless to Dangerous: My Son’s Secret Life
Jody Sweeten stars in this network drama as a mom dealing with a son who tumbles into the dark online world of incels—celibates guys who they think they’re not attractive to girls, and hostile toward girls and boys who are sexually active (8 p.m., Lifetime).

SUNDAY, June 22
The Gilded Age
Season three of the Julian (Downton Abbey) Fellowes’ lavish period drama—set in 1880s New York—returns tonight with Carrie Coon (above), Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon and Taissa Farmiga among its sprawling cast (9 p.m., HBO).

WWE LFG
The LFG stands for “Legends and Future Greats” in this wrestling “greatest hits” smackdown competition (10 p.m., A&E).

MONDAY, June 23
Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything
Feature-length documentary examine the broadcast legend’s career, her pivotal role in journalism history and her pioneering example for women in the industry (Hulu).

TUESDAY, June 24
Chopped
The kitchen is buzzing tonight as four social media influencers take to the stoves for a bout of post-worthy food challenges (8 p.m., Food Network).

Enigma
Documentary explores transgender identity through the paths of women who helped shape trans culture and history (9 p.m., HBO).

WEDNESDAY, June 25
The Bear
Season four of the Emmy-winning series finds the restaurant team not just even more determined to survive, but also looking for ways to take The Bear to the next level. With Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri and Abby Elliot (Hulu)

Human Footprint
A biologist travels the globe in this docuseries, telling the ongoing story of how our everyday choices shape the planet and reflect who we really are (9 p.m., PBS).

THURSDAY, June 26
Butchers of L.A.
True-crime doc about three predators whose horrifying crimes terrorized Southern California for more than two decades, killing more than 50 victims (Sundance Now).

CMA Fest
In case you didn’t make it to Nashville for June’s annual week of country music shows and fan events, you can watch this special of on- and offstage highlights hosted by entertainers Ashley McBride and Cody Johnson (8 p.m., ABC).

Rush Hour Marathon
Watch all three of the 1998-2006 buddy-cop comedy flicks starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in this back-to-back movie “rush” (10 p.m., TNT).

NOW HEAR THIS

Dance like it’s the ‘80s again with this splendid reissue of albums by the B-52s, the era’s ultimate party band. The Warner and Reprise Years (Rhino) collects all the Georgia-based band’s 1979-1992 albums—on 9 vinyl discs or 8 CDs—into a rainbow-hued set with the songs “Rock Lobster,” “Private Idaho,” “Good Stuff,” “Love Shack” “Roam” and dozens of other shake-your-groove-thing tracks.

The golden cinematic era of Western movies made in Italy, with their signature soundtracks, is revisited in Jeymes Samuel’s Spaghetti Western Collection (CAM Sugar/UME), a roundup of classic film music from composers of 1963-1972 flicks like Django, In a Colt’s Shadow and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

Didja ever wonder what classic Creedence Clearwater Revival songs would sound like as bluegrass? Well, now you find out, with Pickin’ On Creedence Clearwater Revival (CMH Records), a new take on CCR hits like “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and more, all performed by the group Iron Horse, the crackerjack acoustic ensemble behind all the “Pickin’ On” toe-tapping tribute projects to Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers and The Beatles, Taylor Swift, U2 and ZZ Top.

BRING IT HOME

Remember when Mel Gibson and Danny Glover teamed up in the ‘80s for the rip-roaring’ buddy-cop action comedy Lethal Weapon? Now that 1987 classic is available for the first time on digital and 4K, accompanied by a later “director’s cut” with footage never seen in theaters, plus a salute to the film’s late director, Richard Donner. (Warner Bros.  Discover Home Entertainment).

The first-ever live-action movie spinoff of the popular videogame, A Minecraft Movie stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa and made big box-office bucks in theaters earlier this year. Now it’s available on 4K UHD, Blue-ray and DVD (Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment), loaded with extras, including features on the film’s special effects and music.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Visit an apocalyptic, post-nuclear world in artist/author Ben Mauro’s Huxley, the fantastically detailed, six-part graphic novel about a A.I.,  cloned humans, interplanetary wars and a robot named Huxley, all with chilling overtones about where we might be headed, indeed, in our world. And it’s probably no coincidence that the robot has the name of the British author of the classic Brave New World, about a future where humanity is dehumanized to uphold an authoritarian ideal. (Thames & Hudson)

Jun 13 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, History, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Television

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more, June 13 – June 19

Henry Winkler’s ‘Hazardous History,’ the Swedish mafia & ride, Sally, ride!

The former Fonzie finds looks for dangerous playthings and precarious products.

FRIDAY, June 13
Twin Peaks
The genre-bending murder-mystery freak show from David Lynch and Mark Frost that redefined television in the early ‘90s—about a special agent (Kyle McLachlin) investigating the death of Laura Palmer, a teenage girl—gets a new streaming home for repeats of its two seasons, plus its follow-up, Twin Peaks: The Return (MUBI).

Not a Box
New kid-centric animated series encourages preschoolers to embrace the power of imagination through the character of a bunny who uses a cardboard box to conjure up magical worlds, new friends and fantastic adventures (Apple TV+). 

Cleaner
Daisy Ridley and Clive Owen star in this new movie about a window cleaner trying to save 300 hostages held prisoner by radical activists (Max).6.15

SATURDAY, June 14
Hazardous History with Henry Winkler
The Happy Days star hosts this new series looking into things we used to do that have been deemed unadvisible by the passage of time, from perilous playthings to precarious products. Can you believe asbestos was once widely used just about everywhere? Or that there was radioactivity in toys? Fast-paced, fun and a bit scary! (10 p.m., History).

The Chosen: Last Supper
The global-hit life-of-Christ drama (above) enters season five as Jesus is welcomed as a “king” into Jerusalem, shares a final meal with his closest followers and prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice (Prime). 

SUNDAY, June 15
Sally
National Space Day was May 2, but it’s never too late to learn about pioneering astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel into space, in this new award-winning documentary. Ride, Sally, ride! (9 p.m., National Geographic).

Underdogs
Actor Ryan Reynolds narrates this celebration of nature’s unsung animal heroes, demonstrating a spectrum of bizarre mating strategies, surprising superpowers, deception, dubious parenting skills and gross-out behaviors (9 p.m., National Geographic).

MONDAY, June 16
Walking with Dinosaurs
Six-part BBC production uses science and cutting-edge visual effects to bring prehistoric creatures—and their stories of domination and survival—to life (8 p.m., PBS).

TUESDAY, June 17
American Cats: The Good, The Bad and the Cuddly
Celebrate Animal Rights Awareness Week with this documentary about the controversial world of cat declawing and the multimillion-dollar industry behind the procedure (available on digital).

Hell Motel
Will and Grace’s Eric McCormack stars in this new horror anthology series about dark history repeating itself at the site of an unsolved mass murder at a motel (Shudder).

WEDNESDAY, June 18
Outrageous
New period drama series is based on the true story of headstrong, aristocratic sisters in the 1930s who lived by their own rules…with sometimes disastrous consequences. Starring Bessie Carter, Joanna Vanderham and Shannon Watson (Britbox).

We Were Liars
In this twisted YA drama based on a novel, a teenage girl returns to her summer home in Martha’s Vineyard searching for answers after a mysterious accident has left her with a traumatic brain injury—and no memory of how it happened. Starring Emily AlynLind and Shubham Maheshwari (Prime).

THURSDAY, June 19
The Waterfront
Drama about a North Carolina fishing family trying to keep their sinking business afloat. Starring Holt McCallany, Maria Bello and Melissa Benoist (Netflix).

Mafia
Nordic crime drama about the violent rise of a crime boss and a lone cop facing his menace—inspired by real events in Sweden in the 1990s (Viaplay).

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Take a tour inside a citadel of rock history with Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant, a fascinating look at the sprawling recording studio operation—in New York, California, plus multiple mobile recording trucks—that became a recording icon of the ‘70s. Authors Martin Porter and David Goggin—two veteran journalists who now run the Record Plant Facebook page—interviewed countless music professionals and artists to recount, session by session, what it was like to catch lightning in a bottle by Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, Bob Marley, John Lennon, the Eagles and more rock legends. It’s a previously untold story of classic rock’s most famous hit factory. (Thames & Hudson)

The late great multi-instrumentalist for The Band gets his due in Richard Manuel (Shiffer Publishing), author Stephen T. Lewis’ masterful examination at his talents and influence in one of the founding groups for rootsy rock. A quiet but essential presence in The Band, Manuel, who died in 1986, never gave many interviews, but others sing his praises here, including Eric Clapton and Van Morrison. Other recount his musical life and his role in The Band’s progression, including helping Bob Dylan “go electric,” performing at Woodstock and making one of the greatest in-concert documentaries of all time, The Last Waltz.

NOW HEAR THIS

Get retro groovy with Gratest Hits (Dead.net), the newly released 60th anniversary collection of the Grateful Dead’s “greatest” (get it?) studio tracks, including “Truckin’,” “Touch of Grey,” “Friend of the Devil” and more on CD, vinyl and digital. A testament to one of the world’s most iconic bands across more than half a century, it’s jam-tastic!

BRING IT HOME

One of the most widely celebrated war heroes of WWII, Audie Murphy went on to become a Hollywood superstar, appearing in more than 40 films, mostly war movies and Westerns. The Audie Murphy Collection rounds up three of his “cowboy” films from the late ‘50s and early ‘60s—Walk the Proud Land, Seven Ways From Sundown and Bullet for a Badman—in a package jam-packed with other stars, including Anne Bancroft, Jay Silverheels (Tonto from The Lone Ranger), Darren McGavin and Beverly Owen, who played Marilyn on TV’s The Munsters (kinolarber.com).

Jun 06 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Television

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more!

June 6 – June 12

The Black Mafia, going deep into our oceans & secrets of a notorious brothel

Brice Dallas Howard (center) goes under “Deep Cover” to find criminals.

FRIDAY, June 6
BMF
Season four begins of the family crime drama about the Black Mafia Family, a drug trafficking and money laundering operation based on the true story of two Detroit brothers who started what would become one of America’s most influential crime families (Starz).

Straw
Taraji P. Henson and Sheri Shepherd star in director Tyler Perry’s drama about a struggling single mom facing an unexpected path and involved in a situation she never imagined—and facing suspicion in a world that seems indifferent to her very existence (Netflix). 

SATURDAY, June 7
Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story
Yes, another “ripped from the headlines” flick from Lifetime, this one about a woman who’d been abducted as a baby and raised by the family of…drum roll, please…the serial killer…another drum roll, please….who’d murdered her mom (8 p.m., Lifetime).

Ocean with David Attenborough
Documentary special highlights the importance of the world’s oceans and their crucial role in the future of our planet (9 p.m., National Geographic). 

SUNDAY, June 8
The 78th Tony Awards
Live awards show from New York’s Radio City Music Hall honors the best of Broadway, hosted by Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo (8 p.m., CBS).

SNL50: The Anniversary Special
If you missed it the first time around, here’s an encore, with cast members past and present (above) joined by the biggest stars from five decades (hosts, performers) for a big blowout evening of skits, music and more (7:30 p.m., NBC).

MONDAY, June 9
Art Detectives
New British series about a duo (Stephen Moyer and Sina Singh) solving murders connected to the tony world of high-end art and antiques (Acorn TV).

Tyler Perry’s Divorces Sistas
New series follows five close friends as they navigate life, love and the challenges that come with breakups, marriage and dating. Starring LaToya Luckett, Porscha Coleman and Briana Price (BET). 

TUESDAY, June 10

Big Brother
New season of the reality show begins season 27 tonight with a 90-minute kickoff, Julie Chen Moonves returning as host and a new group of “guests” who’ve agreed to be part of the nationally televised, constantly monitored social experiment (8 p.m., CBS).

The Snake
New “social survival” competition series puts contestants to the task of winning others over—to the point of not becoming eliminated by the “Snake” in each episode’s closing moments (9 p.m., Fox).

WEDNESDAY, June 11
Our Times
South Korean sci-fi about a time-traveling high-schoolers who form an alliance to help each other find their dream dates (Netflix).

Snow White
Disney’s live-action remake of its 1937 classic, based on a German fairy tale, stars Rachel Ziegler as fair-skinned princess who sings “Someday My Prince Will Come” (Disney+)

THURSDAY, June 12
Deep Cover
Bryce Dallas-Howard stars in this action comedy as a London-based acting coach offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to infiltrate the city’s notorious gangland by going undercover to impersonate dangerous criminals. With Orlando Bloom and Nick Mohammed (Prime Video).

Secrets of the Bunny Ranch
Uncover the dark underbelly in this six-part series of one of the world’s most famous brothels, open since the 1950s outside Las Vegas (9 p.m., A&E).

READ ABOUT IT

We take color photography for granted, but there was a time when it was new, novel and something to really wow the eyes. The Color of Clothes (Thames & Hudson) is itself an eye-popping look at how the fashion world responded to autochrome, or glass-plate photography, with dramatic new splashes, flamboyance and even flights of fantasy, as fashion-historian author Cally Blackman examines in this highly visual exploration of the early stages of color imagery, how the equally young world of commercial fashion ran with it, and the visionary practitioners—many of them women—who were critical to the advancement of photography in the vibrant shades of “living color.”

In Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience (Harper Collns), former TV producer/reporter Bill McGowan (now a public speaking guru) breaks down how anyone, of any age, can “develop” a strong, distinctive communicating voice—especially in our modern world’s “lazy era” of texting, looking at screens and constant distractions. His helpful tips and advice will help you understand why he’s been the go-to guy for Alex Rodriguez, Jeff Bezos, Kim Kardashian and more.  

All aboard for Mexico! In Casa Mexicana (Thames & Hudson), architecture photographer Edmund Sumner takes you inside off more than 25 new homes, all curated and designed to fit into the extraordinary landscapes of the country, from the jungle to the seaside and the city. If you can’t live in one, you can at least see what it would be like. Viva la Mexico, and these fine homes!

BRING IT HOME

If you’re a fan of the Japanese artform known as anime, you’ll dig Dan Da Dan: Season One (Shout! Studios), about a young girl in a family of spirit mediums fighting ghosts and space aliens. Based on the serialized manga comics of Yukinobu Tatsu and “popularized” by such major streamers as Disney+, Hulu and Netflix on it’s eye-popping, beautifully bonkers entertainment.

Jason Statham slams down the hammer in A Working  Man (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) as a former black ops military man who comes out of “retirement” when his boss’ daughter gets nabbed by human traffickers. And it was written by Sylvester Stallone, who knows a thing or two about action flicks! 

Fresh off season three of The White Lotus, Meghann Fahy stars the twisty-turny nail biter Drop (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) as a widowed mom whose first date turns into a nightmare when she starts receiving anonymous threatening messages on her phone. Bonus features include commentary from director Christopher Landon and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

His name is Bond, James Bond—and six of his classic films, starring Sean Connery in the iconic superspy role, have been rounded up and remastered for the 6-Film Sean Connery Collection (MGM/Warner Bros. Home Entertainment), marking their first time in 4k Ultra hi-definition. You’ll thrill anew to Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever. Good to see you again, James, in such rich new light!

Learn about the original rock ‘n’ roll wildman—who made The Muppet’s drum-thrashing Animal look like a lightweight—in Beware of Mr. Baker (Kino Larber), the 2012 documentary (now on Blu-ray) about Ginger Baker. He was the volatile, hard-living Brit who helped Eric Clapton launch Cream and became known as rock’s first superstar stickman in the ‘60s and ‘70s. 

NOW HEAR THIS

Celebrating their 25th year in country music with Life is a Highway: Refueled Duets (Big Machine), Rascal Flatts corralled a bunch of their musical friends—Kelly Clarkson, Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and more—to “reimagine” hits, like “Life is a Highway” and “Fast Cars and Freedom,” as new duets.

The landmark album “Why Can’t We Be Friends” by WAR celebrates its 50th anniversary in the new three-CD re-release reminding us of the group’s unique fusion of funk, soul, jazz, Latin, rock and street music. The 1975 original featured the breakthrough hits “Why Can’t We Be Friends” and “Low Rider,” and the new collection contains new bonus tracks, rare jam sessions and mixes and a recording about the making of the band’s feel-good signature song, “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” (Avenue/Rhino).

May 30 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, Movies, Photography, Pop Culture, Television

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more! May 30 – June 5

All about Bono, a ‘Duck Dynasty’ reunion, a killer clown and golfing with Owen Wilson

Lindsay Lohan doubles up in ‘The Parent Trap,’ one of the flicks in Freeform’s Month of Disney programming.

FRIDAY, May 30
Bono: Stories of Surrender
Documentary about the U2 frontman as he pulls back the curtain on his new one-man show, based on his memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, and his journey as a father, son, activist, husband and rock superstar (Apple TV+).

Mama June: Family Crisis
This season in the Honey Boo-Boo spinoff, June fights for custody of a child, searches for a new home and tries to keep a healthier lifestyle (8 p.m., We TV).

SATURDAY, May 31
Mountainhead
Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman and Ramy Youssef star in this drama (above) about a group of billionaire friends who get “high” against the backdrop of a roiling international crisis (HBO).

Antichrist
Director Lars von Trier’s intensely controversial 2009 flick stars Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg as grieving parents who run into unimaginable terror and violence perpetuated by nature (Mubi).

SUNDAY, June 1
Duck Dynasty: The Revival
Get reacquainted with the Robertsons as they balance family and the future of their Louisiana business (9 p.m., A&E).

30 Days of Disney
Yep, it’s Disney flicks for the whole month, with everything from The Lion King and The Parent Trap to Up, WALL-E, Beauty and the Beast, Bambi and dozens more (begins 7 a.m., Freeform).

MONDAY, June 2
Relative Secrets
Jayne Seymour hosts this new unscripted series unearths American families’ genetic connections to their United Kingdom heritage with evidence often full of colorful characters, heroes, villains and rouges (10 p.m., BBC America and Acorn TV).

The Quiz with Balls
Jay Pharoah returns as host of this fast-paced competition pitting brains against balls….literally (9 p.m., Fox).

TUESDAY, June 3
Caught in the Act: Double Life
Grammy-nominated singer and reality-TV star Tamar Braxton hosts this new series helping guide men and women suspicious of the hidden lives of their loved ones (9 p.m., MTV).

Love Island USA
Singles mix, mingle, mash and more in season seven of the romantic competition series staged on a lush tropical Pacific Island, with commentary by comedian Iain Stirling (9 p.m., Peacock).

Fatal Destination
Actress Jessica Biel hosts this new docuseries examining real-life mysteries and sinister secrets lurking in some of the world’s most beautiful places—sunlit beaches, idyllic mountains and hustle-bustle tourist destinations (Max).

WEDNESDAY, June 4
Stick
Owen Wilson stars in this new comedy series (above) as an over-the-hill ex-pro golfer who discovers a teenage golf prodigy. With Mark Maron, Mariana Treviño, Judy Greer and Timothy Olyphant (Apple TV+).

Rabil’s Place
The co-founder and president of the Premiere Lacrosse League, Paul Rabil, explores the sport’s origins, icons and rise to prominence in this new docuseries (ESPN+).

THURSDAY, June 5
The Killer Clown: Murder on the Doorstep
True-crime series about murder of a Florida woman who was brutally murdered on her front porch by someone dressed as a clown—and the three-decade hunt for the killer (10 p.m., SundanceTV).

Ginny and Georgia
In season three of the acclaimed comedy-drama series about two female besties, we learn what happens after the end of season two, as Georgia (Brienne Howery) was arrested for murder during her wedding! (Netflix)

BRING IT HOME

What do film editors do, and why is their work so important? The Cinema Within explores the process of how films are put together—from sometimes hundreds of individual “shots”—after all the “shooting” is over. With examples from dozens of movies across cinema history and insights from a film historian, an Oscar-winning film editor, a group of scientists…and a group of people in Turkey who’ve never seen a movie before! And when editing is done well, viewers don’t even think about all the hours that went into it. A must-watch for movie buffs!

Get all the yuks from all the episodes of the hit sitcom from the ’90s, now celebrating its 30th anniversary with The Drew Carey Show: The Complete Series. This roundup of all nine seasons also includes a special feature, “Life Inside the Cubicle,” going inside the making of the fan-favorite show about work, bosses, coworkers office shenanigans.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

How much do you know about the “cradle of civilization” and its deep roots in the arts? (Hint: It’s a lot more than Lawrence of Arabia and Zero Dark Thirty.) Artists of the Middle East 1900 to Now is a handsome, lavishly illustrated coffee-table tome exploring centuries of creativity in that part of the world. Author Saeb Eigner, an Arab and Middle East art and culture specialist, shares his extensive knowledge of the stylistic, literary and linguistic histories with biographies of nearly 100 culturally significant artists who made lasting imprints on the world, and establishes a through-line from their times to the global issues of today. (Thames & Hudson)

Critical essays, lecture transcripts and other texts give engrossing context to almost 400 19th century photographs in Black Chronicles (Thames & Hudson)depicting the long, storied history of Blacks and non-whites from around the world who settled in, or were brought into Victorian England, in history’s long shadow of European slavery. Actor Henry Louis Gates Jr. writes the foreword for author Renee Mussai’s chronicle.

May 23 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, Movies, Music, Photography, Pop Culture, Television, Travel

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more! May 23 – May 29

Pee-Wee tells all, Kevin Costner cowboys up & a Bob Dylan musical

FRIDAY, May 23
Pee-Wee as Himself
Comedian Pee-Wee Herman narrates this doc (above) about his life, career and the creation of his iconic pop-culture alter ago (Max).

Girl From the North Country
A community in Duluth, Minn., comes together in the Great Depression—to the tune of a lot of Bob Dylan songs—in this filmed Great Performance of the Broadway musical (8 p.m., PBS).  

Fountain of Youth
John Krasinski and Natalie Portman star as estranged siblings who reunite to search for the mythological stream on an epic adventure that they’re hoping will lead to immortality (Apple TV+). 

SATURDAY, May 24
Liberian Movie Marathon
Watch three of the fantasy-adventure made-for-TV movies starring Noah Wylie as the “Librarian” who protects a secret collection of rare artifacts, in today’s back-to back running of Quest for the Spear, Return to King Soloman’s Mines and Curse of the Judas Chalice (starts 1 p.m., TNT).

SUNDAY, May 25
Thunderbirds
For the first time ever, cameras take you inside the cockpit with the U.S. Air Force’s legendary flight squadron to witness the training, danger and sacrifice it takes to be part of one of America’s most revered aerial demonstration teams (Netflix).

MONDAY, May 26
The American Music Awards
Superstar Jennifer Hudson hosts the fan-voted awards show live from Las Vegas celebrating a cross-genre span of hits and artists, with Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan and Shaboozey leading the nominations (CBS).

Sheri Papini: Caught in the Lie
Docuseries about the woman who mysteriously “returned” after her 2016 alleged abduction sparked a media firestorm and a federal investigation—and the questions that still swirl around the incident nearly a decade later (9 p.m., ID).

TUESDAY, May 27
America’s Got Talent
The megahit TV talent competition kicks off its milestone 20th season tonight, hosted by Terry Crews with former Spice Girl Mel B returning to the judges’ table alongside Simon Cowell, Howie Mandell and Sofia Vergara (8 p.m., NBC). 

Kevin Costner’s The West
The Yellowstone star cowboys up to host this look (above) at the sweeping and sometimes complicated history of the American West (8 p.m., History).

Destination X
Jeffrey Dean Morgan hosts this new game show as contestants embark on the road trip of a lifetime on a blacked-out bus, not knowing where they’re going, turning Europe into an enormous “game board” (NBC).

WEDNESDAY, May 28
The Grocery List Show
Host Emily Strong, a former Top Chef contender, visits international grocery stores across America to show how cuisine can forge cultural connections (PBS).

Adults
New comedy series about a group of 20-somethings in New York, where they find out nothing about the “grown-up” world they’ve entered is simple. Starring Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer and Jack Innaren (Hulu).

THURSDAY, May 29
The Better Sister
Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Banks and Corey Stoll star in this eight-episode series (above) about a murder—and some terrible things that drive sisters apart and ultimately bring them back together (Prime Video).

And Just Like That…
Season three continues the post-Sex and the City relationship and adventures of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Seema, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Sarita Choudhury (9 p.m., Max)

NOW HEAR  THIS

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Don Henley’s Inside Job (Rhino.com), the fourth solo album by the former Eagle, now newly remastered and available in double-LP, CD and digital versions. Originally released in 2000, it followed Henley’s 1984’s blockbuster Building the Perfect Beast with his return to the musical spotlight after an 11-year absence. Tracks include “Everything is Different Now,” “For My Wedding,” “Goodbye to a River” and “The Genie.”  

READ ALL ABOUT IT

How do you “sell” the outdoors?  The Outdoor Archive (Thames & Hudson) is a handsome hard-bound collection spanning a century of ad and catalogue graphics and photography, all intended to make going outside appealing to consumers. Design experts offer insights, like what makes those tent ads so inviting? What photo effects represent action? What colors suggest adventure? And you’ll dig the reproductions of pages from retro catalogues, like a 1927 L.L Bean.

BRING IT HOME

Robert De Niro stars—in two roles!—in The Alto Knights, a biographical drama now on DVD and Blu-ray, about two organized crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, vying for control of New York. Once the best of friends, they’re now on a collision course that will reshape the Mafia, and America, forever (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment).

What’s so scary about a woman in the yard? Watch The Woman in the Yard (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment), the bone-chilling new horror flick from Blumhouse (The Black Phone, M3Gan, The Invisible Man) and you’ll find out—as a veiled in black, otherworldly woman suddenly appears outside a farmhouse, sending a grieving mother and her childing into a real-life nightmare. Starring Danielle Deadwyler and Okwui Okpokwasili.

Al Pacino is a blind retired military colonel. Chris O’Connell is the prep-school student who takes a part-time job as his companion and assistant. And they’re both in Scent of a Woman (Shout! Factory), a new 4K disc of the 1992 drama—about their wild weekend—that won three Golden Globes. With new bonus features, including an interview with director Martin Brest.

May 16 2025
Leave a comment
Books, DVDs, History, Movies, Music, Photography, Pop Culture

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more, May 16 – May 22

Reba’s a host, Honey Boo Boo’s back & Alexander Skarsgård’s a bot!

FRIDAY, May 16
Academy of Country Music Awards
Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson are among the top nominees in this 59th annual live event honoring country music makers and their hits, and hosted by Reba McEntire (8 p.m., Prime Video).

Murderbot
Alexander Skarsgård stars in this new sci-fi comedy-thriller series, based on Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries, as a security robot given a dangerous mission, but needing to hide his abilities for free thought and emotion (Apple TV+).

SATURDAY, May 17
I Was Honey Boo Boo
Alana Thompson (above)—who became reality-TV famous as “Honey Boo Boo”—returns as a young adult in this biopic from her perspective, and all the forced smiles and silent tears, scandals and legal struggles that followed her childhood TV fame (8 p.m., Lifetime)

The Handmaid’s Tale
The Emmy-winning dystopian drama returns for its sixth and final season, with Elizabeth Moss, Bradley Whitford, Ann Dowd and Yvonne Strahovski (Hulu).

SUNDAY, May 18
Tucci in Italy
Actor Stanley Tucci takes a trip across Italy showcasing the country’s distinctive culinary flavors and traditions of his ancestral homeland (8 p.m., National Geographic).

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing
Fan favorites take on new challengers to see who can last the longest in the Australian Outback…sans clothes, of course. Bring on the pixels! (8 p.m., Discovery).

MONDAY, May 19
Mr. Polaroid
Meet Edwin Land, the visionary scientist and inventor of the Polaroid camera (9 p.m., PBS).

White Lies
Investigative journalist in South Africa (Natalie Dormer) gets caught in the ugly underbelly of the city, dragging her back to her turbulent past (Acorn TV).

TUESDAY, May 20
A Tooth Fairy Tale
Animated kid-friendly flick about a tooth fairy with a rebellious streak, with voices of Jon Lovitz, Fran Drescher, Vivica Fox, Larken Bell and BooBoo Stewart (various digital platforms).

The Last Role of Charles LeBlanc
A young drifter (Jack DeCerchio) goes to work for an aging movie legend (Arthur Roberts) and learns the hard way in this streaming flick that great actors never stop acting (Apple TV).

WEDNESDAY, May 21
Nine Perfect Strangers
New season intros more strangers (above) who discover their connections in surprising ways. Starring Nicole Kidman as a mysterious health guru, plus Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Christine Baranski and Mark Strong (Hulu).

Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service
The star chef goes “undercover” to get the scoop on the culinary “crimes” of struggling restaurants—then shows them how to make the necessary changes to their space, their menu and their staff (9 p.m., Fox). 

THURSDAY, May 22
Not Her First Rodeo
Champion bull rider Jorden Halvorsen, joined by rookies and returning pros, begins a new season of her women’s bull-riding league, with each cowgirl hoping this will be the year to win the championship buckle (10 p.m., Freeform).

BRING IT HOME

Real-life Britpop star Robbie Williams takes us through formative stages of his life and career in Better Man (Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment), with a twist of monkeyshines—he’s represented as talking, singing motion-capture chimpanzee. When you see it, you’ll get it!

Fans of the cinematic subgenre of the ‘70s, action films with Black actors made for Black audiences, will dig Blaxploitation Classics Vol. 1 (Shout! Factory), a 12-disc assemblage of low-budget, explosive firepower that left high marks with popular culture, featuring Issac Hayes, Pam Grier, Fred Williamson and other brand-names-to-be. Titles include Black Caesar, Hell Up in Harlem and Coffy.

← Older posts
Newer posts →