Day: November 11, 2023

Stories

Imports help fill CBS’ strike void

At first, this seemed like desperation.
Faced with strike-time voids, CBS imported shows from other countries. Not just from Canada (which is really just America with more outer-wear), but from Australia and England.
“NCIS: Sydney” arrives at 8 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 14), with eight episodes; “Ghosts UK” (shown here) is at 9 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday with 34. Both deals were set before the tentative settlement of the actors’ strike; now the shows fill gaps until the regular ones return.
But the good news is that both of these temporary stand-ins are worth watching. One is adequate; we could dub it “Ghosts OK.” The other is surprisingly good, in its own copycat way. Let’s take a look: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 11, 2023
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Nov. 13: corporate schemes, “NCIS” memories

1) “Blackberry,” 10 p.m., AMC. At its peak, we’re told, Blackberry had 45 percent of the cell-phone market; now it has zero. That story was told in a movie that (with scenes added) is now this mini-series (shown here), continuing Tuesday and Wednesday. Jay Baruchel, Matt Johnson (who wrote the script) and Glenn Howerton (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) star in a story that includes one scheme to move the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team to Canada. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 11, 2023
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Nov. 12: a lawman and a Grinch

1) “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” 9 and 10 p.m., CBS. After escaping from slavery during the Civil War, Reeves farmed in Indian country. A decade later, the U.S. marshal heard about his skill with native languages; Reeves became the first Black deputy west of the Mississippi, a job he held for 32 years. Now his story is a Paramount+ series starring David Oyelowo (“Selma”), shown here, and produced by Taylor Sheridan (“Yellowstone”); the first episodes air here. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 11, 2023