Day: December 15, 2022

Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10 for Dec. 19: Mariah, Paul and Christmas

1) “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All,” 8 p.m. Tuesday, CBS. Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” seems eternal. It hit No. 1 on Billboard in 2019 – 25 years after its debut; by then, it had sold 14 million physical records and topped $60 million in royalties. But Carey (shown here) isn’t a one-song star; she’s shown power and passion on songs from “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night” to “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” Here’s her Madison Square Garden concert. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
Stories

For Fox’s dramas, these are turbulent times

The Fox network’s scripted shows are in a state of transformation. Or, maybe, turbulence. Consider:
— “Monarch,” Fox’s big plunge for this fall, has been canceled.
— “The Resident” (shown here), a consistently well-made show, has been trimmed. Last season, it had 23 new episodes; this season, it has 13, with the final new ones on Jan, 3, 10 and 17.
— The best launching pad for a new drama – after the Super Bowl – won’t go to a scripted show … or to any new show. Instead, it will start the second season of Gordon Ramsay’s “Next Level Chef.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
News and Quick Comments

tWitch brought hip hop joy to dance shows

Over its 17 seasons, “So You Think You Can Dance” has propelled gifted dancers and choreographers.
Few, however, matched the impact of Steven “tWitch” Boss (shown here), who died Tuesday (Dec. 13) at 40.
The death – ruled suicide by the Los Angeles County medical examiner – is inexplicable. Boss was a vibrant force who had a wife, three kids and an enviable career.
Long, lean and limber, he was a hyperactive kid who got his nickname early. He grew up in Alabama, studied dance in college, was a semi-finalist on one show (“The Wade Robson Project”), then made his mark on another. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
Daily Best Bets

Bet-bets for Dec. 17: double Lizzo, sevenfold football

1) “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball,” 8-9:30 p.m., CW. It’s a double-Lizzo (shown here) night. She’s on a new “Saturday Night Live” (see) next item, shortly after this special, which is packed with pop stars. Also performing are Jack Harlow, Dua Lipa, Pitbull, Demi Lovado, Sam Smith, Khalid, Black Eyed Peas, Backstreet Boys, The Kid Laroi, Tate McRae, Lewis Capaldi and more. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
News and Quick Comments

After one big flub, Disney got it right

Maybe wisdom involves learning from mistakes, getting it right the second time.
If so, the Disney people have made a genius move: “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” is terrific … which makes it approximately a zillion-percent better than “Little Mermaid Live.”
You can catch “Beauty” from 8-10 p.m. Dec. 15 on ABC or any time starting Dec. 16 on Disney+. You’ll see two gifted stars – H.E.R. (shown here) and Josh Groban – and some clever staging and direction … a surprise compared to to the first try. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022