Day: December 28, 2021

Carole King: the eternal pop star

Carole King is perfecting a new concept – the eternal pop star. Consider:
– She was still a teen-ager when some of the songs she co-wrote – “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” and “Take Good Care of My Baby” – became hits in 1971.
– And now? She’ll turn 80 on Feb. 9 and remains relevant. Proof of that is in “Carole King & James Taylor: Just Call Out My Name,” which debuts at 9 p.m. and midnight ET Sunday (Jan. 2) on CNN, repeats at the same times Jan. 8 and then goes to HBO Max.
The film uses footage from the 2010 tour by King and Taylor (shown here), adding fresh interviews with both, plus their colleagues. Clearly, King – like Paul McCartney, who will turn 80 on June 18 – is remaining a force forever. Read more…

Week’s top-10 for Jan. 3: Two of TV’s best shows start final seasons

1) “This Is Us” season-opener, 9 p.m. Tuesday, NBC. One of TV’s best shows starts its sixth and final season. It has already drawn 38 Emmy nominations, including four for best drama series. It has won four Emmys, for Sterling K. Brown (shown here) as Randall, the businessman-turned-councilman, and for guest stars. Now Randall, Kevin and Kate – their lives in flux – celebrate their 41st birthday. That’s followed by an exceptionally good “New Amsterdam,” partly set in London, where Helen and Max have their clinic. Read more…

Best-bets for Dec.30: “Frozen,” football & festival

1) “Frozen” (2013), 8-10 p.m., ABC. Heading into the holiday weekend, it’s a strong movie night. That’s led by this gorgeous film (shown here), which won Oscars for best animated feature and for the song, “Let It Go.” Also at 8 are two strong choices for grown-ups: TNT has “Black Panther” (2018); it’s a superb action epic, despite a final battle scene that seems to be eternal. And USA has “Knives Out” (2019); Rian Johnson directed his own witty, Oscar-nominated script, mixing mystery and humor. Read more…