Day: August 15, 2019

News and Quick Comments

“I Ship It”: A fun show rises from the minors

TV critics are suckers for a surprise.
If something great comes from the usual sources – HBO, FX, PBS, AMC, the streaming services, anywhere on the British Isles – we’re sorta happy. But if something pretty good comes from the lesser spots, we’re delighted.
That may be why I was so pleased with “Florida Girls,” a flawed-but-funny show on Pop (which hasn’t yet confirmed that there will be a second season). And it’s why I’m so happy about “I Ship It,” a mini-musical comedy that reaches CW on Monday (Aug. 19), after years in the minors. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 15, 2019
Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10 for Aug. 19: Debuts, finales and Sir Paul

1) “Carpool Karaoke,” 10 p.m. today, CBS. Imagine you’re sitting in a British pub one day and a bloke comes out with a guitar. He seems pretty good and … hey, he’s Paul McCartney! That was one of the highlights of this special, which debuted a year ago. James Corden (shown here with McCartney in real and statue form), the Englishman who hosts CBS’ late-late show, also visited McCartney’s childhood home and some places mentioned in “Penny Lane.” The result is up for five Emmys, including best variety special; overall, Corden has seven nominations. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 15, 2019
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Aug. 17: Bunkers are back (again)

1) “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons,” 8-9:32 p.m., ABC. Jimmy Kimmel was 4 when TV comedy was transformed by “All in the Family”; other Norman Lear shows followed, including “The Jeffersons.” This season, Kimmel had a live special, using two old scripts and new actors — Woody Harrelson and Marisa Tomei as the Bunkers (shown here), Jamie Foxx and Wanda Sykes as the Jeffersons. It drew10 million viewers, reran … and now re-reruns, with a “20/20” follow-up at 9:32 and Kimmel at 10. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 15, 2019