Category Archives: TV

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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Books, DVDs, History, Movies, Pop Culture, Television, TV

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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Feb 16 2024
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Movies, Pop Culture, Television, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

Feb. 16 – Feb. 22

Dolly goes to the dogs, a classic flick gets musical & J-Lo reveals her love life

Musical icon Dolly Parton presents a parade of pets Wednesday night on CBS.

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, Feb.16
This is Me…Now: The Film
Jennifer Lopez takes center stage (below) in this highly visual “reimaging” of her highly scrutinized love life, which includes seven boyfriends and husbands before her (current) beau, actor Ben Affleck (Prime).

The Color Purple
It was mostly snubbed for major Oscar nominations, but the musical remake of The Color Purple (below) is nonetheless an exhilarating, emotional experience, with a heart-tugging story and standout performances by an all-star cast (Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Berry, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Ciara, and H.E.R.). Watch it streaming today (Max).

SATURDAY, Feb. 17
An American in Austen
A librarian (Eliza Bennett, below) who thinks no one can live up to Mr. Darcy suddenly finds herself inside her favorite Jane Austen novel, Pride & Prejudice, where the famous author offers advice on her love life (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel).

SUNDAY, Feb. 18
American idol
New season premieres tonight as judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Ryan Seacrest seek the cream of the crop of American’s new singing talent (8 p.m., ABC).

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Emmy-winning late-night satirical news show kicks off its 11th season (11 p.m., HBO).

MONDAY, Feb. 19
James Brown: Say It Loud
Two-night documentary event examines the legacy of the King of Soul as a creative force, cultural ambassador and internationally famous Black changemaker, with interviews from Mick Jagger, LL Cool J, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and many more (8 p.m., A&E).

The Madame Blanc Mysteries
Season three premieres about the respected antiques dealer (Sally Lindsay), whose expertise with “relics” comes in handy solving a series of murders in a lovely French village (AcornTV).

TUESDAY, Feb. 20
Ready to Sell Out
Comedian/actor Mike Epps takes the stage for his fourth Netflix standup special, with zing-y twists on where all his money’s gone, his love life, and more (Netflix).

Crime Nation
Dive into riveting true crime stories with expert analysis, exclusive reporting and interviews with people at the center of the investigations—including crime enthusiasts, digital detectives and social media sleuths who have sometimes helped solve cases (The CW).

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21
Constellation
Eight-part psychological thriller stars Noomi Rapice (below) and Jonathan Banks in a wild tale of an astronaut who returns to Earth after a disaster in space…only to discover that key pieces of her life are missing (Apple TV+).

Hunt for the Oldest DNA
Scientists decipher ancient genetic blueprints to reveal amazing new facts about creatures that once thrived in the once-lush Arctic (9 p.m., PBS).

Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala
The country superstar goes to the dogs (and other critters) in this star-studded runway show featuring celebs and the best in canine fashion from Parton’s pet line…and appearances by Young Sheldon’s Iain Armitage, Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Lynch, Jessica Simpson and more (9 p.m., CBS).

THURSDAY, Feb. 22
Avatar: The Last Airbender New animated spinoff of the hit blockbuster franchise furthers the adventures in the water, on the land, and in the air (Netflix).

Jan 26 2024
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Books, DVDs, Movies, Television, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

Jan. 26 – Feb. 2

Nicole K’s in the Far East, Tom Hanks puts flyboys in the air, & the inside story of the ’80s biggest global anthem

All times Eastern.

Nicole Kidman stars in ‘Expat.’

FRIDAY, Jan. 26
Expats
Nicole Kidman stars in this new series (above) based on the internationally best-selling novel about three women in Hong Kong whose lives fatefully intersect after a family tragedy (Prime Video).

Masters of the Air
Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman—the producers of Band of Brothers and The Pacific—now turn their wartime storytelling mojo to this action-packed series (below) that presents the true story of an American bomber group in World War I. Starring Austin (Elvis) Butler and Barry (Saltburn) Keoghan (Apple TV+).

SATURDAY, Jan. 27
Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero
Rock doc follows the Grammy-winning rapper as he embarks on his first-ever headlining U.S. tour (8 p.m., Max)

SUNDAY, Jan. 28
The Many Lives of Martha Stewart
You might think you know her, but this docuseries sheds new light on the barrier-breaking former stockbroker who became a self-made billionaire and media mogul…then a prison inmate (9 p.m., CNN).

MONDAY, Jan. 29
The Greatest Night in Pop
Remember the ‘80s event that was “We Are The World”? This new doc (above) tells the story of how dozens of the biggest names in music (Michael Jackson! Bruce Springsteen! Dionne Warwick! Huey Lewis!) came together in 1985 to record an anthem for charity that would alter global pop culture forever (Netflix).

TUESDAY, Jan. 30
Quantum Leap
The revamped sci-fi series, starring Raymond Lee as a physicist who can “leap” through time, leaps itself into a new weeknight slot…tonight(10 p.m., NBC).

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 31
FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans
The second juicy installment of creator Ryan Murphy’s anthology (above) centers on iconic author Truman Capote and a group of high society women whom he befriended—and then betrayed, leading to his downfall in a spiral of self-destruction. Starring Tom Hollander, Noami Watts, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald, Calista Flockhart and Diane Lane (10. p.m., FX).

Choir
Six-part original series (below) follows kids of the Detroit Youth Choir (which appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2019) as they prepare for an important performance that will put them back in the national spotlight (Disney+)

THURSDAY, Feb. 1
Genius: MLK/X
New installment of the anthology series will focus on Dr. Martin Luther King (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre), exploring the two men’s formative years as they are molded by strong fathers and traumatic injustices (9 p.m., National Geographic).

Farmer Wants a Wife
It’s a hit in some 32 countries and has resulted in more than 200 marriages and 514 children. What is it? It’s this series (above) about “farmer” dudes finding love outside the city, hosted by country singer/actor Jennifer Nettles, and its new U.S. season begins tonight (9 p.m., Fox).

BRING IT HOME

Patrick Dempsey and Gina Gershon star in Thanksgiving, director Eli Roth’s creatively terrifying tale of a serial killer terrorizing Turkey Day in the New England town where the holiday first took place. Hey, is that blood, or just juice from the leftover cranberry sauce? (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

READ ALL ABOUT IT

You want your mummy, you say? Well, Mummy Movies (MacFarland) is for you! Author Bryan Senn’s comprehensive rundown unravels the cinematic history of mummies from 1932 (and The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff) onward, throughout the world and in an array of genres. Even Scooby-Do, Tom Cruise and Abbott & Costello met “their” mummies, and so did hundreds of other actors, in both no-budgets romps and Hollywood blockbusters. It’s a must for movie-monster fans!

Can creativity be copyrighted? In Who Owns This Sentence (wwnorton) authors David Bellos and Alexandre Montagu present an engaging exploration of history and concept of “copyright,” which arose in 1700s London and has today become a labyrinth of confusing legislation, now tackling such intangibles as jokes, ideas and other “intellectual property.”

Jan 19 2024
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DVDs, Movies, Pop Culture, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

Sofia Vergara’s a mob boss, Awkwafina bugs out & ‘The Bachelor’ gets down to business

Sofia Vergara stars in ‘Greselda’ on Netflix.

FRIDAY, Jan. 19
Relighting Candles: The Tim Sullivan Story
She’s best known for her comedy, but Melissa McCarthy (and husband Ben Falcone) produced this serious film about the homeless and drug crisis in Los Angeles, and a man offering to help people rebuild their lives—through candle making (Hulu).

Hustlers Gamblers Crooks
Enter the secretive world of high-stakes gamblers and thieves in this new docuseries (below) with true stories, told by those who lived them (9 p.m., Discovery).

SATURDAY, Jan. 20
Dying in Plain Sight
An overweight high school student (Raffa Virago) develops a compulsive eating disorder because of her inattentive “clean eating” mother (Nicola Correla-Damude) (9 p.m., Lifetime).

SUNDAY, Jan. 21
The Way Home
Andi McDowell (below right) returns in season two to the leading role in the multi-generational family drama about time-traveling and truth-seeking (9 p.m., Hallmark).

The Woman in the Wall
Twisty, six-episode drama series thriller stars Ruth Wilson as a woman in a small Irish town who wakes up one morning to find a corpse in her house…and no idea if she’s responsible (9 p.m., Showtime).

MONDAY, Jan. 22
The Bachelor
Tennis pro Joey Graziadei, a former contestant on The Bachelorette, begins his journey to find love—winnowing down the field of 32 females vying for his hand (and TV exposure) in tonight’s two-hour premiere (8 p.m., ABC).

TMZ Investigates
Get the scoop of celebrities and other juicy items about who did what with (or to) whom in this with this inside-dirt series produced by Harvey Levin, the host and founder of the TMZ celebrity news website and franchise (8 p.m., Fox).

Superhot: The Spicy World of Pepper People
Documentary series takes you into the zingy world of self-proclaimed chili heads in search of blistering mouthfuls of some of the world’s hottest peppers (Hulu).

TUESDAY, Jan. 23
Nazi Town USA
Think racism and fascism are relatively new threats? This probing documentary looks at the late 1930s, when swastikas and dire warnings about “Jewish controlled media” took root in many cities and small towns across America. Could it happen again? (9 p.m., PBS).

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 24
A Real Bug’s Life
The actress Awquafina narrates this real-life adventure into micro insect worlds around the planet, where forces of nature play out on a miniature scale and tiny creatures rely on amazing powers and extraordinary alliances. They may be small, but the stakes are high (Disney+).

Trafficked
In tonight’s episode, “Sextortion,” host Mariana Van Zeller explores the blackmail scam of using compromising photos to extort victims online (9 p.m., NatGeo).

THURSDAY, Jan. 25
In the Know
Adult comedy puppetry series (above) about NPR radio hosts with voices of creator Mike (Beavis & Butthead) Judge and Zach Woods (Peacock).

Griselda
Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara in this true story, now a six-episode series about the woman who created one of the most profitable drug cartels in history (Netflix).

Sexy Beast
New streaming series (above), a prequel to the 2000 film of the same title, stars James McArdle and Tamish Greig in the origin story of a couple descending into the seductive madness of London’s criminal underworld in the 1990s (Paramount+).

BRING IT HOME

Now you can own The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming (Kino Lorber Classics), the star-packed 1966 comedy about a Soviet sub that accidentally runs aground off the coast of New England, nearly starting World War III. Starring Alan Arkin, Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint and Jonathan Winters, newly released on Blu-ray with extras including audio commentary.

And there’s also the new Kino Lorber Classics Blu-ray release of Academy Award-winning drama Coming Home. Rediscover one of the best films ever made about the aftermath of the Vietnam war, with some incredible acting from Jane Fonda, Jon Voight and Bruce Dern, which brought the film two of its three Oscars in 1979.

Dec 29 2023
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Books, Movies, Pop Culture, TV

The Entertainment Forecast

Dec. 29 – Jan. 4

All about Burt, Rob Lowe has a new game, & Happy New Year!

All times Eastern.

FRIDAY, Dec. 29
Prepare to Die
A young man trains in martial arts to seek vengeance on the corrupt landowner who murdered his family (Tubi).

SATURDAY, Dec. 30
Time Bomb Y2K
This darkly humorous tale, fashioned through archival footage, takes us back to the alarming days at the close of the 20th century and the widespread concerns that the world was facing the greatest technological disaster in the history of mankind (10 p.m., HBO).

I Am Burt Reynolds
Watch this acclaimed documentary about the late iconic movie Florida-born actor, who started in TV and went on to star in Smokey and the Bandit, Deliverance, The Longest Yard, Boogie Nights and Striptease (8 p.m., The CW).

The AFI Lifetime Achievement Award: 50th Anniversary
Host Ben Mankiewicz looks back at five decades of one of film’s highest honors and the cinematic achievements of a stellar list of actors and filmmakers, including Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Taylor (8 p.m., TCM).

SUNDAY, Dec. 31
The Simpsons
Kick off the new year with 24 hours—and 48 episodes—of the long-running primetime series (above) about Springfield’s first family of comedy (9 p.m., FXX).

Nashville’s Big Bash
Ring in the New Year with Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Lainey Wilson performing live in Music City (7:30 p.m., CBS).

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest have art: NewJeans
Ring in the new with hosts Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora live from Times Square in New York City, with superstar performers (including Post Malone and the K-pop sensation NewJeans), lots of pumped-up revelers and remotes from Hollywood with Jeannie Mae (8 p.m., ABC).

The Lasts on the Lasts
Say goodbye to 2023 with this marathon of finale “farewell” episodes from classic TV series including The Andy Griffith Show, The Brady Bunch, The Beverly Hillbillies, Leave It to Beaver and more (begins 12 noon, MeTV).

MONDAY, Jan. 1
America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League
New series spinoff features acts from across the global franchise competing for the $250,000 grand prize. Terry Crews hosts while Mel B., Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel return to the judges’ chairs (8 p.m., NBC).

The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks
The newest chapter in the twisted true-life saga of the little girl brought to America from a Ukrainian orphanage gives Natalia herself a chance to share her story and confront her adoptive parents—who claimed she was not really a child, but a homicidal adult with intentions to harm their family (9 p.m., ID Discovery).

TUESDAY, Jan. 2
The Floor
Actor Rob Lowe hosts this new game show (below), a trivia contest in which players compete for $250,000 on a gigantic playing field resembling a board game (check local listings, Fox).

Finding Your Roots
Singers Alanis Morissette and Ciara kick off the new season of the genealogy research series as host Henry Gates Jr. helps trace their (sometimes surprising) ancestry (8 p.m., PBS). 

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3
We Are Family
Anthony Anderson and his mom, Doris, host this musical guessing-game show (below) featuring performances by celebs and their non-famous family members (9 p.m., Fox).

THURSDAY, Jan. 4
Society of the Snow
Based on a true story, this gripping movie shows what happened in 1972 after a Uruguayan Air Force Flight, which had been chartered to take a rugby team to Cuba, crashes in the heart of the Andes mountains (Netflix).

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale
Which witch? Those witches? There are certainly a bunch in this spooky new horror-drama streaming series (below), starring Elaine Cassidy and Helen Doup about a group of contemporary witches in modern-day England (Sundance Now).

General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling
Primetime special celebrates the iconic daytime soap with fan-favorite cast members sharing their favorite memories of the show and pulling back the TV curtain with bloopers and other surprises (10 p.m., ABC).

READ ALL ABOUT IT

In House Cat: Inspirational Interiors & The Elegant Felines Who Call Them Home (Thames & Hudson), with photographs by Paul Barbera, you’ll get a meow-ful look at some fancy abodes and their pampered resident top-cat felines. It’s like an Architectural Digest for kitties.

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