Category Archives: TV

Dec 26 2025
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Movies, Music, Pop Culture, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

What to watch, and more! Week of Dec. 26 – Jan. 1

All about Chevy, a celebration of Latin music & how to ring in the New Year!

FRIDAY, Dec. 26
Romcom Marathon
Beat those post-Christmas blahs with Maid in Manhattan, The Preacher’s Wife, Never Been Kissed and Bridesmaids, back to back (begins 1 p.m., TNT).

The Jester 2
On Halloween night, a teen magician finds herself locked in a brutal showdown with the Jester, a nightmarish and supernatural trickster. No tidings of comfort and joy here! (Shudder).

SATURDAY, Dec. 27
The Copenhagen Test
Espionage thriller about a Chinese-American intelligence analyst who realizes his brain has been hacked, giving bad guys access to everything he sees, hears and does. Starring Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera (Peacock).

Home Reimagined
Host/designer Vern Yip travels across the country to mentor brave innovators converting unusual spaces into family homes (1 p.m., Magnolia Network).

SUNDAY, Dec. 28
A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music
Wilmer Valderrama and singer-songwriter, actress and producer Roselyn Sánchez co-host the evening highlighting Latin music’s lasting impact and widespread influence in the United States (8 p.m., CBS).

Adventure in Wonder
A Texas family abandons their comfort zone for the Croatian seas, where they discover how adventures—and connections—happen when you’re brave enough to navigate the unknown together (Wonder Project on Amazon).

1939Joan Fontaine, Rosalind Russell, Florence Nash, Phyllis Povah, 1939

MONDAY, Dec. 29
Turner Classic Movies: Art Deco
Part three of the series shines the spotlight on classic films from the 1920s and ‘30s showcasing the eras’ predominant architectural style, as host Dave Karger explores the history and significance of the décor in Hollywood (TCM).   

TUESDAY, Dec. 30
Building Outside the Lines
Builder Jared “Cappie” Capps transforms unexpected objects into beautiful designs with the most creative person he knows: his teenage daughter (8 p.m., Magnolia Network).

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash
The Music City celebrates with this live concert event featuring Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakam and Bailey Zimmerman (8 p.m., CBS and Paramount+).

New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest—with assists from Chance the Rapper and Julianne Hough—live from Times Square, the show rings out the old and in with new with a night of superstar performances by Demi Levato, Mariah Carey, Post Malone and many more (10 p.m., ABC).

THURSDAY, Jan. 1
Rose Bowl Parade
Get a ringside seat for the 137th annual procession of eye-catching floats, bands and more down the streets of Pasadena, Calif. (11 a.m., NBC).

The Cult of the Real Housewife
Three-part docuseries unpacks the allegations against The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby and her cult-like megachurch (8 p.m., TLC).

I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not
Documentary peels back the comedy curtain to show the complexities of the real person known from Saturday Night Live and movies including National Lampoon’s Vacation, Fletch and Caddyshack. Interviewees include Dan Aykroyd, Beverly Angelo, Goldie Hawn and Martin Short (8 p.m., CNN).

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The hitmaking duo of Tears for Fears mark the 40th anniversary milestone of their 1985 album Songs From the Big Chair with a new edition on multiple formats, reminding us how it topped the charts and spawned five hit singles. Re-experience the ‘80s with “Shout,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “Head Over Heels” and other tracks, including alternative mixes and other bonus aural goodies.

If you love jazz, and love to rock too, well, check out jazz singer Deborah Silver‘s Basie Rocks! (Green Hill), a hip collaboration that melds classic rock tunes—like Elton John‘s “Bennie and the Jets,” Steve Miller‘s “Fly Like an Eagle,” Bob Seger‘s “Old Time Rock & Roll,” The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” and The Police hit “Every Breath You Take”—with the music of the iconic swingin’ big band. And Peter Frampton even guest stars on “Baby I Love Your Way.” Groovy, baby!

BRING IT HOME

Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like Ethan Hawk terrorizing kids from beyond the grave, right? Get Black Phone 2 on DVD or Blu-ray, reuniting the cast of the first fright flick in a new bone-chilling setting. Extras include deleted scenes, a meet-the-cast feature and an inside look at the movie’s set and effects. Oh, and if that payphone rings, don’t answer it. (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment).

Emma Thompson stars in Bugonia, a freakout bonkers of a film about a healthcare CEO kidnapped by a couple of yahoos (one of them played by Jesse Plemons) who think she’s really a space alien. And just when you think you know where it’s headed…surprise! (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment).
 

Nov 07 2025
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Books, DVDs, History, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

Nov. 7 – Nov. 13

Reba’s ‘Happy’ again, a $200 million-dollar picture & oh, those minx-y ‘Morman Wives’

FRIDAY, Nov. 7
Happy’s Place
Reba McEntire (above) kicks off season two of her hit workplace sitcom with two back-to-back episodes as her character inherits her father’s tavern and discovers a new business partner—the half-sister she never knew she had (8 p.m., NBC).

Pluribus
New series from the creative team that brought us Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad is also set in Albuquerque, and stars Rhea Seehorn, Karolina Wydra and Carlos Manuel (Apple TV+).

Frankenstein
Director Guillermo del Toro’s bold new take on author Mary Shelley’s iconic horror classic stars Oscar Issac, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz and Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi as the monster (Netflix). 

SATURDAY, Nov. 8
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction
Tune in to watch Bad Company, Chubby Checker (above), Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes receive rock’s highest honor and be lauded in all-star tribute performances (8 p.m., Disney+).

Terry McMillan Presents: Preach, Pray, Love
After her release from prison, a former rap star (Karrueche Tran) finds a romantic soulmate in a charismatic young minister (Mark J.P. Hood) (8 p.m., Lifetime).

SUNDAY, Nov. 9
Killer Grannies
Oscar-nominated actress June Squibb hosts this new true-crime series about senior citizens who kill (8 p.m., Oxygen).

The Critics Choice Documentary Awards
Find out which films were voted by critics as the best documentary productions this year, with nominees including Orwell: 2+2 = 5, The Alabama Solution, Pee-Wee as Himself and The Perfect Neighbor (streaming on Facebook, YouTube and X).

MONDAY, Nov. 10
The Warfighters: Battle Stories
Two-hour documentary spotlights America’s elite Special Operations Forces and its war on terror fought by Army Rangers, Navy SEALS, Green Berets and Marines (8 p.m., History).

A Salute to Service 2025
Country star Trace Adkins (above) is featured in this program featuring rousing musical performances by the U.S. Army Field Band and others, plus profiles of veterans across the generations (9 p.m., PBS).

TUESDAY, Nov. 11
The Great War and the Great Gatsby
Carnegie Hall hosts this musical production—a concert with suspense and drama—exploring the experiences of World War I (8 p.m., PBS).

Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo
Actor Trejo returns to host season two of this exploration of mysteries and buried treasures…like the remnants of a killer asteroid twice the size of the Superdome and a 1938 comic book worth a cool quarter of a million dollars (10 p.m., History)

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 12|
Picturing Shakespeare
There are only two accepted portraits of William Shakespeare that are considered “official,” but one that’s been hanging over a mantlepiece for the last 50 years could be the third. It could be worth as much as $200 million…if it is genuine (10 p.m., PBS).

Palm Royale
Kristen Wiig returns for season two of the comedy series set in the tony circles of Palm Beach high society. With Laura Dern, Carol Burnette, Allison Janney, Mindy Cohn and Ricky Martin (Apple TV+).

THURSDAY, Nov. 13
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Season three of the Emmy-nominated series (above) brings more drama as friendship loyalties shift, trust is tested and a war over morality begins between #Momtok and #Dadtok groups (Hulu).

Tiffany Haddish Goes Off
Six-episode docuseries follows the Emmy award-winning comedian/actress on a journey to Africa on a girls’ trip with three childhood friends (Peacock).

READ ALL ABOUT IT

You probably knew some monumental creativity came from Italy, but you had no idea just how deep artistamazoic roots went down over the centuries. Find out in Italy: In the Footsteps of Great Artists (Thames & Hudson), author Nick Trend’s fascinating guided tour of more than 20 great artists who lived, worked and created timeless masterpieces in Florence, Bologna, Naples, Milan and other places on the Italian peninsula.

How did the universe begin? In First Light: Switching on the Stars at the Dawn of Time (Bloomsbury), British astrophysical expert Emma Chapman lays out the science of tracing the history of the cosmos and the very beginnings of the Cosmic Dawn, when the first stars burst into light. If you’re interested in what’s up there and how it all went down, it’s very enlightening!

Find out the full story about how a book by British author P.L. Travers made it to the screen in Making Mary Poppins (W.W. Norton), author Todd James Pearce’s wide-ranging, deep-digging tale of Walt Disney, the songwriting Sherman brothers (who wrote the iconic music for the 1964 film), and how the movie became a pop-cultural milestone. A must-read for Disney buffs!

The beat goes on in Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers (Simon and Schuster). Music-historian author John Lingan unspools six decades of musical history through profiles of its backline timekeepers—the drummers—and their contributions to some of rock’s greatest hits. The guest list includes Ringo Starr, Hal Blaine, Dave Grohl and more. Totally dig-able.

BRING IT HOME

A ’70s classic now available for the first time in 4K and Blu-ray, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest stars Jack Nicholson in his first Oscar-winning role, as a patent in a mental facility who inspires his fellow patients to assert themselves. Louise Fletcher also got an Oscar for her role as the icy Nurse Rached.

It’s classic yuks galore with Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations Vol. 2, with newly remastered versions of eight “shorts” (from the late 1920s and ‘30s), plus a load of bonus content, including a 1936 promotional film, Galaxy of Stars, and This is Your Life: Laurel & Hardy, from 1954.

You’re never too old to rock ‘n’ roll! Or to get a giddy thrill watching Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, as David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls (Michael McKeen, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer) reunite for one final concert…with a couple of VERY special guests stopping by.

Get ready to laugh, ’cause The Naked Gun is back! The new hilarious remake of the 1988 cop-comedy stars Liam Neeson as the son of the investigator played by Leslie Nielsen in the original, putting his own spin on his role as a bumbling police lieutenant out to save the world from an evil genius. With Pamela Anderson and Danny Huston.

One of the year’s best horror flicks comes to DVD with Together (Neon), starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple who encounter a mysterious malevolent force that threatens to infect their lives, their love and their flesh in ways, that, well…make your skin crawl. It’s “body horror” in a twistedly original way.

NOW HEAR THIS

Just ahead of its milestone 100th anniversary, the venerable Grand Ole Opry is releasing Opry 100: Country’s Greatest Songs (Virgin Music Group), a hand-picked selection of 20 classic tunes (like “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “El Paso,” “Crazy” and “Ring of Fire”) pulled from Opry broadcast archives of live performances by original artists (Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and more) as well as “next-gen” Opry members, like Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs and The Old Crow Medicine Show.

Jun 28 2024
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Movies, Music, Pop Culture, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

June 28 – July 4

Nicole Kidman’s love triangle, ocean plunderers & Bluey, Beavis & Butthead

All times Eastern.

Nicole Kidman, Zoey King & Zac Efron star in ‘A Family Affair.’

FRIDAY, June 28
Fancy Dance
Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone leads the cast of this new original movie drama about the complexities of being Indigenous women in a colonized world—at the at the mercy of a failed judicial system (Apple TV+)

A Family Affair
Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron and Joey King star in this new romcom about the comic consequences of a new romance for a young woman and her mom and her movie-star boss (Netflix). 

SATURDAY, June 29
Pirates: Behind the Legends
The series about the great plunderers of the ocean wraps up tonight with two episodes, about Blackbeard (above) and Bartholomew Roberts, a Welshman who became the greatest pirate of the so-called “golden age” in the early 1700s (9 p.m., National Geographic).

SUNDAY, June 30
The Great Food Truck Race: Games on the Beach
Food truck operators from all over America compete in a series of challenges in seaside locations on the Gulf Coast from Houston, Texas, to Miami (8 p.m., Food Network).

MONDAY, July 1
The Wall
Contestants in this new competition battle trivia questions and a 40-foot wall for a chance to win millions of dollars, spurred on by host Chris Hardwick (NBC).

No Scope: The Story of FaZe Clan
If you play e-sports, you probably know about the FaZe Clan. This doc looks at the organization and how it became one of the defining stories of entertainment…but not without its costs to its founders (7 p.m., ESPN).

TUESDAY, July 2
Sprint
On your mark, get set….go! Watch elite runners train and navigate intense media scrutiny in this reality series about what drives them to want to become the world’s fastest humans (Netflix).

WEDNESDAY, July 3
Bluey Minisodes
If you love the little cartoon doggie, you’ll gobble up these bite-size, one-to-three-minute morsels of funny and sweet moments with Bluey and Bingo and the world of the hit animated series (Disney Jr. and Disney+).

Beavis and Butthead Do the Universe
The 2022 animated comedy—about creator Mike Judge’s irreverently lowbrow duo that began in the ‘90s on MTV—makes its broadcast premiere tonight as Beavis and Butthead fall into a black hole that sucks them (heh-heh) into the future (10 p.m., Comedy Central).

THURSDAY, July 4
A Capitol Fourth
Watch all-star musical acts perform, plus awesome fireworks, at this year’s live red-white-and-blue show from the heart of Washington D.C. (8 p.m., PBS)

Space Cadet
Emma Roberts stars as a wannabe astronaut who scams her way into NASA’s space program—and becomes its only hope for a dire circumstance (Prime Video).

Jun 14 2024
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Books, DVDs, History, Movies, Music, Photography, Pop Culture, Sports, Television, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

June 14 – June 20

Get to know Poison’s Bret Michaels, go house-hunting with Reese Witherspoon, & hold on to your car when you visit Las Vegas!

Find all about Bret Michaels of the band Poison in this week’s episode of ‘Biography.’

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, June 14
The Boys
The “boys” are back for season four of the satirical superhero series, dishing out more wallops of vigilante justice to so-called do-gooders doing bad things (Prime Video).

Mama June: Family Crisis
Who would have thought Honey Boo Boo would have such a lasting cultural impact? New episodes of the spinoff, about Boo Boo’s mother, spin around issues of declining health, college and legal woes, below (9 p.m., WE tv).

SATURDAY, June 15
Find My Country House
Leave the city life behind in this new series from Reese Witherspoon’s production company, in which couples search for their dreams of rural paradise, from high-tech farmhouses to seclued ranches and cute hideaway cottages (12 p.m., A&E).

Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story
A love triangle turns deadly and leads to a manhunt in this real-life drama starring Caity Lotz, Kyle Schmid and Larissa Dias (8 p.m., Lifetime).

SUNDAY, June 16
Biography
Get a backstage pass into the lives and music of some of rock’s biggest superstars in this new series of specials kicked off tonight by Bret Michaels, and followed in coming weeks by Dee Snider, Alice Cooper, Sammy Hagar and more (9 p.m., A&E).

House of the Dragon
Season two begins of the Game of Thrones spinoff series (below), a prequel taking place 200 years earlier, starring Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy and Rhys Ifans (9 p.m., HBO).

Sin City Tow
If you park your car while you party in Las Vegas but lose track of time, Sin City Tow may take it away. This new reality series looks at the often hot-tempered towing scene in a city where people go to win big, but usually end up losing their shirts…or their cars! (9 p.m., Discovery).

MONDAY, June 17
My Life is Murder
Lucy Lawless returns for season four as the fearless Aussie investigator Alexa Crowe as she digs into eight new mysteries and a fresh batch of diabolical killers (Acorn TV).

The Great American Recipe
Home cooks from across the country showcase their culinary talents as they compete in this taste-tempting celebration of multiculturism (9 p.m., PBS).

Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown
How did the idealistic religious organization led by the infamous Jim Jones go horribly wrong, leaving almost a thousand followers dead in Guyana? This new doc looks at the story behind some of the most horrendous headlines of the 1970s (Hulu).

TUESDAY, June 18
Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution
Three-part docuseries puts the spotlight on disco music, its groovy beginnings and its top artists and icons—like Donna Summer, below— and how it became a major musical liberation movement in the 1970s representing female empowerment and LGBTQ+ identity (9 p.m., PBS).

Here to Climb
Follow pro climber Sasha DiGiulian (below) on her rise from child prodigy to champion sport climber, scaling the biggest, scariest walls on the planet—charting her own vertical course where pathways don’t exist (9 p.m., HBO).

Hope in the Water
Travel the globe in this documentary featuring Shailene Woodley and Martha Stewart as they explore creative solutions and breakthroughs that might be our future of sustainable “blue food” from the oceans (9 p.m., PBS).

WEDNESDAY, June 19
Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics
Two-hour documentary showcases Owens’ historic triumph over Nazi Germany during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. LeBron James is one of the producers (8 p.m., History).

Dynamic Planet
Four-part series filmed over three years explores the effects of climate change on all seven continents and their inhabitants, and how science, nature, and Indigenous knowledge can prepare us for the future (8 p.m., PBS)

THURSDAY, June 20
Rear Window
Director Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 classic—about an apartment resident with a broken leg who helplessly witnesses what he thinks is a murder out his window—stars Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly…and Raymond Burr as a very bad guy (9 p.m., TCM).

Slave Play. Not a Movie
Provocative documentary takes viewers inside the buzzy Broadway play about race, sex and interracial relationships (9 p.m., HBO).

READ ALL ABOUT IT

When I was a kid, I was fascinated with volcanos—mountains that spewed rocks and fire. My interest was generated primarily by seeing them in the background of illustrations of dinosaurs. Adventures in Volcanoland (Hanover Square Press) is a deeper, far much more fascinating and fact-filled look at these monstrously magnificent mountains, with acclaimed geochemist Dr. Tasmin Mather as your guide to volcanos in history, the science of eruptions, and how volcanos drive our planet’s “constant cycles of ebb and flow, destruction and renewal.”

So you think you know Paris? Not the international Euro destination city, but the Hilton Hotel heiress who became a pop-culture marquee name? Find out all about the life and times of Paris Hilton in Paris: The Memoir (William Morrow), her autobio now in paperback. From rebellious teen to wilderness camps and sexual abuse, and becoming a queen of celebrity culture, I’m betting there’s a lot you didn’t know about Paris.

Sci-fi lovers will love The First Geeks (McFarland) and its spotlight on the lives and careers of writer Ray Bradbury, monster-mag man Forrest J. Ackerman and effects genius Ray Harryhausen, back from when they were comic-book nerds and buddies in the 1930s…and long before they were household names in filmdom. Ackerman became the editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland; Bradbury was an author highly sought by Hollywood for his novels and screenplays; and Harryhausen went on to become a pioneer of stop-motion animation.

BRING IT HOME

Jeffrey Wright was nominated for multiple awards, including an Oscar, for his starring role in American Fiction as an erudite Black man who confronts racist stereotypes head-on, with a pen instead of a sword. With Tracee Ellis Ross, Leslie Uggams, Issa Rae and Sterling K. Brown. Highly recommended!

Up your nose with a rubber hose! Relive all the heartwarming humor and hijinks of the beloved 1970s sitcom series Welcome Back, Kotter, starring Gabe Kaplan as a grownup graduate of a tough Brooklyn high school now returning to teach there and tame an unruly class of troublemakers, including a young John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino. The handsome boxed set of DVDs includes all 95 episodes.

Apr 26 2024
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DVDs, Movies, Pop Culture, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

April 26 – May 2

Beyonce shakes up country music, the Bon Jovi story & how Walt Disney built an American empire

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, April 26
Call Me Country: Beyonce and Nashville’s Renaissance
New doc (above) about the first Black woman to ever top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and how her trailblazing success became the latest explosion in America’s culture wars (Max).

Broken Horses
Documentary follows New York Times reporters as they examine the systemic issues, questionable practices and urgent calls for change that have come to light in the sport of horse racing (10 p.m., FX).

Art Happens Here
Author, actor and former Monty Python funnyman John Lithgow joins students and teachers at four different California locations to discuss his passion for arts education (10 p.m., PBS).

Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story
Four-part, all-access docuseries chronicles four decades of the iconic working-class New Jersey-based rock band that gave the world hits including “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive” (Hulu).

SATURDAY, April 27
My Husband Hired a Hitman
When a greedy husband seeks an assassin to get rid of his wife and get her money, she will stop at nothing to fight back and seek revenge. And you thought your relationship was a bit rocky! (Tubi).

SUNDAY, April 28
How It Really Happened
Host Jesse L. Martin investigates the most famous shipwreck of all time—the 1912 sinking of the Titanic—and how a more recent underwater voyage to its ruins turned into another tragedy (9 p.m., CNN).

How Disney Built America
Explore the history of Walt Disney, his groundbreaking movies and his iconic theme-park empire in this six-part docuseries (10 p.m., History).

MONDAY, April 29
Honeymoonish
Romantic comedy from Kuwait about a series of comical misunderstandings, surprises, mistaken identities and second chances as a couple embarks on their honeymoon (Netflix).

TUESDAY, April 30
The Veil
Elizabeth Moss stars in this new twisty international drama about a woman with a secret, and another on a mission to reveal it before thousands of lives are lost (Hulu).

The Green Veil
In this new drama/thriller/sci fi series (above) set in the 1950s, John Leguizamo stars as an immigrant pursuing the American dream, and Aram Rappaport plays a government agent tasked with unraveling a secret mission. Find out how their lives intersect (streaming on The Network).

WEDNESDAY, May 1
Dance Moms: The Reunion
Original “Moms” come together (below) to look back on the show that created a worldwide pop culture buzz 2011-2019 (8 p.m., Lifetime).

Behind the Music
New installments of the musical documentary series put the spotlight on country singer Trace Adkins, Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, and Bell Biv DeVoe, an original member of New Edition who later went on to even more solo stardom (Paramount+).

Shardlake
Tudor murder mystery (below) set in 16th century English monastery stars Sean Bean, Arthur Hughes and Anthony Boyle. What are those monks hiding? (Hulu)

THURSDAY, May 2
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Harvey Keitel stars in this new drama series as a Holocaust survivor who was made to ink identification numbers onto fellow prisoners’ arms. Decades later, he faces his dark past when he shares his story with the world. And there’s a song by Barbra Streisand! (Peacock).

The Contestant
Find out the true story of a Japanese reality TV contestant left naked in a room for more than a year, tasked with filling out magazine coupons to win his food, clothing and other amenities—eventually finding television fame and winning one million yen  (Hulu).

Chivalry
Steve Coogan and Sarah Solemari star in this workplace comedy (below) set in Hollywood, as an acclaimed female director steps in to save a wayward production helmed by a seasoned male producer (The Network).

BRING IT HOME

The latest Marvel adventure Madame Web is the origin story of a New York paramedic (Dakota Johnson) who may have clairvoyant abilities, joining forces with three young women destined for powerful futures. With Sydney Sweeney, Mike Epps and Emma Roberts (Sony Home Entertainment).

Geography class might teach you there’s more, but for movie fans, there are three Oceans—Oceans Eleven, Oceans Twelve and Oceans Thirteen. Now you can own all three in Oceans Trilogy collection (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment), with all the stars (George Clooney! Brad Pitt! Matt Damon! Andy Garcia! Elliot Gould! Julia Roberts!) and a heist-worthy load of bonus features.

Apr 19 2024
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Books, DVDs, Movies, Pop Culture, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

April 19 – April 25

A new ‘Spiderwick,’ Sly & Arnold face off & a docuseries about a couple of dope brothers

All sorts of creative people get the spotlight in ‘The Express Way with Dule Hill’ on PBS.

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, April 19
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Christian Slater, Joy Bryant and Jack Dylan Grazer star in this fantasy flick (above) about two teen boys and their sister who discover that magic (and magical creatures) are real when they move with their mom into their ancestral home. Based on a popular sci-fi series of YA books, it was previously made in to a theatrical movie in 2008 with Freddie Highmore, Seth Rogen and Martin Short (Roku).

The Never Ever Meets
New relationship series takes online dating into the real world by “introducing” couples who’ve been “seeing each other” virtually, but never met in person, putting them in a house together for three weeks. Can their love survive?  (8 p.m., Own).

SATURDAY, April 20
High Hopes
All the stoners will dig the “4.20” premiere date of this new reality series (above) about a pair of Belarus-born brothers with “high hopes” of taking their California cannabis business to the next level (Hulu).

Predator v Prey
It’s like a very high-tech version of the old Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, with a forensic look at the world’s most formidable apex predators (below), including lions, cheetahs and crocodiles and what makes them so good at what they do (8 p.m., BBC America).

SUNDAY, April 21
Secrets of the Octopus
Actor Paul Rudd narrates this new installment of the Emmy-winning “Secrets Of…” franchise, about one of the most unique creatures on the planet—the octopus, with three hearts, blue blood and the ability to squeeze through spaces the size of their eyeball (NatGeo, streaming tomorrow on Hulu and Disney+).

The Jinx—Part II
Documentary series continues the convoluted tale of the late real estate heir and convicted murderer Robert Durst, who became a suspect after the disappearance of his first wife, the murder of his longtime friend and the killing of his neighbor (10 p.m., HBO).

MONDAY, April 22
Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy of Love Canal
The true story of one of the nation’s most notorious environmental disasters and the women who fought the chemical industry and the government…and won! (9 p.m., PBS).

The Proof is Out There: Military Mysteries
Two combat veterans delve into weird and unexplainable things happening from World War I into present day (10 p.m., History).

Independent Lens:  One with the Whale
Find out why hunting whales is a matter of life or death for residents of a coastal Alaska community through the experience of a teen who becomes the youngest in his village to harpoon a whale, only for his family to face a barrage of online critics who fail to understand the importance of the hunt to the community (PBS You Tube channel).

TUESDAY, April 23
TMZ Presents Arnold & Sly
Hollywood’s two icon muscle men—Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone—sit down together for a first-time TV discussion of their once-fierce rivalry that turned into an equally fierce friendship (8 p.m., Fox).

The Express Way with Dulè Hill
The actor from TV’s rebooted The Wonder Years and Psyche embarks on a cross-country road trip in this new four-part series, exploring local visionaries, activists, changemakers and pioneers who are using their creative talents to bring change to their communities (9 p.m., PBS).

WEDNESDAY, April 24
A Brief History of the Future
Is the future bleak, or bright? This documentary, which weaves together history, science and other factors from an array of thinkers, developers and storytellers, leans toward the latter (9 p.m., PBS).

THURSDAY, April 25
My Mane Problem
Celebrity stylist Dr. Boogie gives advice to people on very personal “hair journeys” by examining their scalps and addressing what’s going on inside their heads. And who wouldn’t want to take advice from an expert named Dr. Boogie? (ALLBLK).

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Now available in paperback, Greg Melville’s engrossing Over My Dead Body (Abrams) is a fascinating dive into cemeteries, our traditions of commemorating and memorializing death, and how “final resting places” have shaped the work of poets, architecture and pop culture.

If you’re “of the age” to remember songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr. Bojangles,” you’ll enjoy Mr. Bojangles Dance (McFarland). Author Ryan B. Case traces the life of the song through the overlapping trajectories of the “down and out” man in a New Orleans jail cell who inspired it, former President Richard M. Nixon—who was moved to tears by it—and Sammy Davis Jr., who turned it into a pop hit. It’s a wide-ranging ride through the turbulent Sixties and Seventies, all sung to the tune of “Mr. Bojangles.”

BRING IT HOME

Jason Statham stars in the action-packed The Beekeeper (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment), about a man—yes, a beekeeper—whose violent past as part of a clandestine organization past puts him on a brutal path of vengeance. Watch out for his stinger! With Josh Hutcherson, Jeremy Irons, Phylicia Rashad and Minnie Driver.

The new remastered 4K re-release of director Martin Scorsese’s classic double-cross gangster tale The Departed (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) comes loaded with extras, including deleted scenes, a making-of doc and the true story on which it’s based. The all-star cast includes Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg.

Mar 29 2024
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Books, History, Movies, Photography, Pop Culture, Sports, Television, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

March 29 – April 4

All about a “wild and crazy guy,” Ewan McGregor holes up in a hotel & how Julius Caesar became a legendary tyrant

Find out about the wide-ranging career of Steve Martin in the documentary two-parter ‘Steve!’

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, March 29
Spermworld
Go into the unregulated realm of baby making with this investigative documentary about sperm donors and hopeful parents (10 p.m., FX).

The Beautiful Game
Inspiring tale of a homeless football team advances to compete at the global street soccer championship games in Rome (below). With Bill Nighy and Michael Ward (Netflix).

Steve!
Two-part documentary about comedian actor Steve Martin, chronicling his upbringing, his years of “wild and crazy guy” standup and the esteemed acting icon he’s become today (Apple TV+). 

SATURDAY, March 30
Beyond the Aggressives
New documentary series catches up with the subjects of the original late-90s, early 2000 series about “Aggressives” or “AGs,” a term for Black queer, sexually dominant women (Paramount+)

SUNDAY, March 31

A Gentleman in Moscow
Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (above) star in this eight-episode drama about a Russian count in the aftermath of his country’s revolution who finds himself exiled to a room in an opulent hotel and threatened with death if he ever steps foot outside again (9 p.m., Paramount+).

Parish
Crime thriller stars The Mandalorian’s Giancarlo Esposito as a New Orleans businessman drawn back into his former life in organized crime after the murder of his son. With Skeet Ulrich and Bradley Whitford (below left), who digs into his role as a covert crime lord (10 p.m., AMC).

MONDAY, April 1
Vanderpump Villa
Docudrama series follows Lisa Vanderpump and her staff as they live, work and play on an exclusive French estate (Hulu).

IHeart Radio Awards
Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Laney Wilson and many more will perform at this live event honoring the year’s top music-makers—plus a special tribute performance to this year’s Icon Award recipient, Cher (8 p.m., Fox).

TUESDAY, April 2
The Weakest Link
New season of the competition series hosted by Jane Lynch starts tonight, in which contestants must work together to build a “chain” by answering trivia questions (9 p.m., NBC).

Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator
Hail, Caesar! That’s the title of one of my favorite Coen Brothers films, but this new documentary series explores how the nearly-five-centuries old Roman democracy was destroyed and dismantled in less than two decades and turned into a dictatorship—and how Caesar became one of history’s most notorious tyrants (9 p.m., PBS).

Underdog
Documentary about Doug Butler, an aging Vermont dairy farmer with an offbeat passion: dog mushing (Amazon, Apple TV and other streaming platforms).

WEDNESDAY, April 3
A Brief History of the Future
What will tomorrow and beyond look like? This optimistic documentary hosted by “futurist” Ari Wallach offers a fresh, hopeful projection of what we might expect in the decades to come if we can overcome the existential threats we see today (9 p.m., PBS).

Loot
SNL veteran Maya Rudolph (below) stars in (and produces) this snappy workplace comedy about a recent divorcee recovering from her former marriage to a tech billionaire (Apple TV+).

Star Trek: Discovery
Blast off for the final season of the hit series iconic sci-fi spinoff starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp and Mary Wiseman, as the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery once again heads across the universe for one more intergalactic adventure (Paramount+).

THURSDAY, April 4
Ripley
Andrew Scott plays Tom Ripley, based on the bestselling novel series by Patricia Highsmith, about a grifter who finds himself in an international swirl of deceit, fraud and murder (Netflix).

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Tired of staying in the same ol’ hotels? Secret Stays (Aussouline) by former Conde Nast Traveler editor Melinda Stevens, transports armchair adventurers to some of the most unique, mostly unknown hotels around the world, from secluded abbeys to ancient manors and larger-than-life mansions. Lavishly illustrated. 

What did people do before written history? Stefanos Geroulanos’ The Invention of Prehistory (WW Norton) shows how the endless quest to know our humanity was shaped—and often misshaped—by all sorts of theories and notions of barbarians, Neanderthals, Amazon women and utopian paradises…and often became the ideological foundations for repressive regimes that considered people as less than human.

 

Mar 22 2024
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The Entertainment Forecast

March 22 – March 28

A day of Hobbits, all about TV “sluts” and & Holy Moses!

Hobbits, trolls, ogres and dragons—all in the Hobbit Trilogy!

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, March 22
The Fox
A farm laborer in Austria finds an orphaned fox cub amidst the carnage of World War II and adopts it in this heartwarming tale based on a true story (Prime & Apple TV).

Shirley
Regina King stars (below) as America’s first Black congresswoman and political icon Shirley Chislom in her trailblazing run for president in 1972 (Netflix).  

SATURDAY, March 23
The Hobbit Trilogy
Middle Earth-ers, unite—for all three Hobbit movies (An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies), based on author J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy novels (begins 7 a.m., TNT).

SUNDAY, March 24
In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon
This docu-bio examines the life and music of the famed singer-songwriter (below) from his Simon & Garfunkel days to his massive concert in Central Park and the recording of his latest album (MGM+).

MONDAY, March 25
Greener Pastures
Independent Lens documentary follows the lives of four Midwestern families over five years as they deal with climate change, the pandemic and the rise of megafarms that have led to economic uncertainty and isolation (10 p.m., PBS).

Lethally Blonde
Using your physical beauty and sexuality to climb the ladder of success can lead to some dangerous—and deadly—outcomes, as shown in this true-crime series hosted by Holly Madison, who knows a thing or two about it as the former girlfriend of Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner (10 p.m., ID).

TUESDAY, March 26
The Invisible Shield
Four-part documentary series examines the “hidden” public health infrastructure that makes modern life possible, protecting us from the constant threat of death and disease through a massive, inter-connected network of largely unsung heroes—physicians, nurses, scientists, engineers, reformers and government officials all working to make our lives more livable (10 p.m., PBS).

Godzilla Movie Marathon
He’s the king of the monsters, for sure, and today you can watch two of his contemporary big-screen movies, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Godzilla vs. Kong. Didja know: Godzilla’s been a movie star since 1954? The original Godzilla rubber suit weighed well over 200 pounds? And his name is a mashup of words for “gorilla” and “whale”? Now you do! 

The Truth vs. Alex Jones
Grieving Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting parents face the blustery conspiracy theorist  in four years of landmark defamation trials (9 p.m., HBO).

WEDNESDAY, March 27
AI Revolution
Is artificial intelligence taking over the world? Meet some of the scientists at the forefront of this new frontier as they explore the promise, perils and possible future of the unprecedented technology taking the world by storm (9 p.m., PBS).

Testament: The Story of Moses
From outcast and murderer to prophet and liberator of the Hebrew people, this three-part series (below) explores the life, redemption and legacy of one of most iconic VIPs of the Bible (Netflix).

THURSDAY, March 28
The Baxters
New faith-based family drama series stars Roma Downey and Ted McGinley as a couple with five adult children, all working through the challenges of life (Prime Video).

We Were the Lucky Ones
In this limited series based on the bestselling novel, a Jewish family separated at the start of WWII is determined to survive and reunite (Hulu).

BRING IT HOME

The newly restored Paint Your Wagon (Kino Larber) is a classic Western musical comedy from 1969, starring Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood. It features the song “They Call the Wind Maria,” and a musical appearance by a very young group that would come to be known as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Fun fact: Marvin drank alcohol every day of the shoot and was often drunk on the set—and it showed. Co-star Jean Seaburg said Marvin’s singing voice was “like rain gurgling down a rusty pipe.”

READ ALL ABOUT IT

A supplement to the previous volume spanning TV’s earlier years, the new Encyclopedia of Television Shows (McFarland) by Vincent Terrace covers 2017-2022 and lists more than a thousand programs released on broadcast, cable TV and streaming services, along with cast, airdates, plots and other details. If you’ve ever wondered about all those dramas and sitcoms you never had time to check out—like America’s Most Musical Family, Living Biblically or Moonbase 8—this is your book!

Wanna go on a road trip back in time? A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages (wwnorton) by Anthony Bale is a road map to a nearly forgotten time—long before airplanes and automobiles—when explorers traipsed across forests and deserts and sailed the ocean in search of riches, lands to conquer, or adventure. What was that like? Now you can know!

In “Sluts” on the Small Screen (McFarland), author Libbie Searcy spotlights television’s fascination with “promiscuous women” in TV shows including Frazier, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Golden Girls, Grey’s Anatomy and more, showing the variety of ways sexually voracious characters are portrayed—and the roles they play in furthering our fascination with empowerment, entertainment and exploitation.   

 

Mar 08 2024
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DVDs, Movies, Pop Culture, Television, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

Friday, March 8 – Thursday, March 14

Hollywood’s biggest night, Millie Bobbie Brown & the dragon, and real American cowboys

All times Eastern.

Host Jimmie Kimmel pre-tapes an Oscars segment with “Weird Barbie” (Kate McKinnon).

FRIDAY, March 8
Damsel
Millie Bobby Brown stars in this grim fairy tale action-adventure as a young woman who agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find that the royal family has “chosen” her as a sacrifice. What will she do when she’s thrown into a cave with a terrifying fire-breathing dragon? (Netflix)

Watch out for those dragons, Millie!

First Time Female Director
Comedy flick about a young writer (Chelsea Peretti, who also wrote and directed) struggling to corral the eclectic cast and misguided production of a Southern-style play. With Megan Mullally, Amy Poehler, Andy Richter and Max Greenfield (Roku Channel).

SATURDAY, March 9
Hunting Housewives
When four gal friends head out for a much-needed retreat away from their husbands and kids, they find themselves stranded in the wilds after a plane crash—and running from stalkers who consider them prey. With Denise Richards and Nene Leakes (9 p.m., Lifetime). 

SUNDAY, March 10
The Academy Awards
What films, actors and others will take home a golden statue, Hollywood’s most prestigious movie award? Tune in tonight for the 96th annual bestowal of the Oscars, hosted again by late-night personality Jimmy Kimmel (7 p.m., ABC).

MONDAY, March 11
The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys
Docuseries looks at the high-stakes word of farming and ranching in rural Missouri, where the McBee family is on the brink of becoming a billion-dollar business (Peacock).

TUESDAY, March 12
Password
New season of the iconic game show begins tonight with hosts Keke Palmer and Jimmy Fallon and a slew of upcoming celebrity players, including Lauren Graham, Johnny Knoxville, Howie Mandell, Meghan Trainor and Wiz Khalifa (10 p.m., NBC).

Wildcard Kitchen
New culinary competition combines poker and kitchen expertise. Interesting! Hosted by Eric Adjepong (9 p.m., Food Network).

The Boat
New streaming series stars Daisy Haggard and Paterson Joseph (above) as friends who stumble upon a shipwrecked boat full of cocaine—and attract the attention of some dangerous people who want it back (Amazon Freevee).

WEDNESDAY, March 13
The Amazing Race
Meet the new 13 teams who’ll compete on the hit series’ 36th race around the world (9:30 p.m., CBS).

Little Wing
Brian Cox and Kelly Reilly star in this adaptation of a New Yorker magazine article, a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a teenage girl, a broken family and a bird (Paramount+).  

THURSDAY, March 14
Apples Never Fall
Family life can be complicated indeed, especially on TV—as this new series (starring Sam Neill, Annette Bening, Jake Lacy and Alison Brie) shows. Based on the book by Laine Moriarty (Peacock).

The Girls on the Bus
Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, Natasha Benham and Christina Elmore star in this new drama series (above) about four female journalists in the traveling press corps covering the campaign trail to the White House (Max).

BRING IT HOME

The Color Purple (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) is a bold and rousing remake—produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones—of the 1985 classic featuring an all-new, all-star cast (Taraji P.Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins and Halle Bailey) and pull-out-the-stops musical numbers from the later Broadway play. Extras include documentaries and making-of features.

Time to get wet again with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment), as Aquaman (Jason Momoa) teams with his brother, the King of Atlantis (Patrick Wilson), to defeat an old, malevolent underwater foe. With Dolph Lundgren, Amber Heard, Randall Park, Martin Short…and Nicole Kidman as the Queen of Atlantis.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

What kind of music goes with outer space? In The Music of Space (McFarland), author Chris Carberry takes a wide-ranging look at the music and the composers who’ve helped create, define and fine-tune the “sounds” of space in movies and TV, from The Day the Earth Stood still to Star Wars and beyond And what’s that sound coming from the International Space Station? Is that a guitar? Yes!

Mar 01 2024
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DVDs, Movies, Television, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

March 1 – March 7, 2024

Adam Sandler’s in space, Kate Winslet rules, all about Jackie O, and Zac Efron’s imaginary friend

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, March 1
Spaceman
Adam Sandler leads the cast in this far-out sci-fi drama (above) about an astronaut sent on a mission to the far reaches of the galaxy, where he meets a spider-like creature that helps him deal problems he left back on Earth. With Paul Dano, Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar and Isabella Rossellini (Netflix).

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin
A legendary 18th British highwayman comes to life in this new comedy series as the legendary British robber (Noel Felding) sets on a series of wildly absurd escapades when he’s made the reluctant leader of a band of outlaws (Apple TV+).

SATURDAY, March 2
Single Black Female 2: Simone’s Revenge
Amber Riley, Raven Goodwin and K. Michelle reprise their roles in this sequel about an investigative-crime TV host, her new love interest, amnesia and some serious sister issues (8 p.m., Lifetime).

OWN Spotlight
Host Oprah Winfrey sits down for an insightful chat with Angela Bassett about the award-winning actor’s four-decade-spanning career and her recent honorary Academy Award (9 p.m., Own).

SUNDAY, March 3
The Regime
Kate Winslet stars in this dark comedy series (above) about an authoritarian regime unraveling from within. With Hugh Grant and Martha Plimpton (9 p.m., HBO)

I Am Jackie O
Find out in this new doc all about Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, who became a media sensation after her husband’s assassination, eventually marrying a Greek tycoon and reinventing herself in the literary world—and forever living in pop consciousness as the embodiment of youth, culture and sophistication (8 p.m., The CW).   

MONDAY, March 4
So You Think You Can Dance
A new crop of hoofers put ‘em down and pick ‘em up for the judges of the 18th season of the primetime dance competition, hosted again by Cat Deeley (9 p.m., Fox).

MasterChef Junior
Look out! The kids are back in the kitchen. Season nine of the pint-size cooking competition begins tonight, with judges that include superchef Gordon Ramsay and his daughter, Tilly (8 p.m., Fox).

Queens
Angela Bassett narrates this new series about notable matriarchies of the animal kingdom, bringing the natural world into focus through a fem-centric lens. (8 p.m., NatGeo).

TUESDAY, March 5
Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda
Special recorded in London features a lineup of Gadsby and other genderqueer comedians (Netflix).

The Cleaning Lady
New season begins tonight of the crime drama about a Cambodian doctor who comes to America for medical treatment to save her son, eventually forced to take matters into her own hands and becoming entrenched in the criminal underbelly of Las Vegas (9 p.m., Fox).

WEDNESDAY, March 6
Full Swing
Hit the greens (while you’re just sit on the couch!) for season two of this documentary about pro golfers on the PGA tour (Netflix). 

Extraordinary
Becoming an adult is rarely easy, and season two of this British import comedy series (above) continues the drama of a group of 20-somethings who’ve discovered something in common: They all have superpowers (Hulu).

Animal Control
Joel McHale returns for season two of this workplace comedy (below) about a group of animal control workers who discover that critters may be simple, but humans are not (9 p.m., FOX).

THURSDAY, March 7
Ricky Stanicky
When three childhood best friends pull a prank that gets them into trouble, they invent the imaginary Ricky Stanicky to take the fall. Twenty years later, the now-grown buddies take “Ricky” to a whole ‘nother level—hiring a celebrity impersonator to bring him to real life. Starring Zac Efron, John Cena, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler (Prime).

The Gentlemen
Director Guy Richie extends his hyperactive Gentleman-ly film empire with this new streaming entry, starring Theo James as a young cannabis heir in the criminal underworld (Netflix).

BRING IT HOME

Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz and Shailene Woodley star in Ferrari (Neon Films), set in 1957 as the former auto racer faces bankruptcy, personal problems at home and the prospect of a big race across Italy.

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