Day: January 11, 2023

News and Quick Comments

Just what we need — one more TV +

Americans now have one more choice in their +-filled lives.
They’ve already confronted Disney+, Paramount+, Discovery+, AMC+ and, for a brief blip, CNN+. Now – starting Sunday (Jan. 15) – they have MGM+.
This one has a flashier name than most. (MGM is “one of the most venerable and beloved brands in the history of our industry,” claimed Michael Wright, the MGM+ president; one of its first new shows, “Murf the Surf,” shown here, reflects ’60s-style pizzaz.) It also has a smaller impact; unlike some of its plus-pals, it:
— Is a new name for an existing service, Epix. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 11, 2023
News and Quick Comments

A golden night for a long-delayed comeback

It was one of those neat, full-circle moments:
The first Golden Globe of the night went to Ke Huy Quan (shown here), for “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.” He thanked Steve Spielberg, who gave him his great roles (“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Goonies”); he also granted that his career went stagnant after that.
And the last Globe of the night went to Spielberg. His “Fabelmans” was named the best drama movie, shortly he won for best-director. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 11, 2023
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Jan. 13: Bode, blazes, “Blue Bloods”

1) “Fire Country,” 9 p.m. CBS. A quick success, this is near the top 10 in the Nielsen ratings and has been renewed for next season. At the core is Bode (Max Thieriot, shown here), trimming his prison sentence by fighting fires; his unit was sent to his home town, renewing old troubles. Now his ex-girlfriend and his mother face medical emergencies, after a crash creates a power outage and starts a blaze. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 11, 2023
Stories

A surgeon’s life takes a witchly turn

Rowan Mayfair has a mixed life – empty at home, busy at work.
She’s a gifted neurosurgeon, navigating a hospital filled with male egos. She doesn’t need any complications, but now there’s one more: She’s a witch who can inadvertently kill with her mind.
All of that happened in the opener of “Mayfair Witches” (shown here with Alexandra Daddario), available on AMC+. The second episode (10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, on AMC and AMC+) takes it from there.
Lots of TV characters seem to find they are witches or werewolves or such. Most are young, their lives in flux anyway; author Anne Rice changed that when she created Rowan. “She’s been a good girl for her whole life,” said Esta Spalding, co-creator of the eight-week series. But then she finds “that other side of her, which is powerful and potentially destructive.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 11, 2023