Mike Hughes

Stories

He’s memorializing again … on a much bigger stage

For many people, it’s a brief blip: On Memorial Day, they remember fallen soldiers; then life goes on.
But for Michael Trotter, it seemed to be daily – writing and singing tributes to his late colleagues. “Sometimes it would be six in a week,” he said. “Sometimes six in a month.”
These days, he’s half of the powerhouse, married duo called The War and Treaty (shown here), which will sing at the National Memorial Day Concert, at 8 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday (May 28, the eve of the holiday) on PBS. They’ll be alongside gospel great Yolanda Adams, country stars Trace Adkins and Jo Dee Messina, “American Idol” champion Phillip Phillips and more.
It continues a journey that began two decades ago, when Trotter wrote a song on (really) Saddam Hussein’s piano. Along the ways, there have been harsh detours. “We’ve gone through a lot of difficulties,” said Tanya Trotter, his wife and music partner. “We were homeless a lot.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 21, 2023
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for May 23: two champions and Blake’s farewell

1) “The Voice” finale, 8-11 p.m., NBC. Blake Shelton(shown here) has been with the show from the start. In 22 seasons, he’s had nine champions and 14 runners-up; three times, he’s had both. As the finals began Monday, he had two contenders (Grace West and NOIVAS), facing Gina Miles, D.Smooth and the sister trio, Sorelle. Here’s a recap (8-9 p.m.), then guest perforners (CeeLo Green, Maroon 5, Toosii and Diplo & Lily Rose), tributes to Shelton … and a winner. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 21, 2023
Stories

As strike lingers, fall schedules range afar

All the major TV networks have now set their plans for next season.
That used to be a big deal, you know. It’s a smaller deal now (with viewers fleeing to streamers), but it offers an intriguing look at different approaches to the writers’ strike, ranging from family-friendly (“Wonderful World of Disney” revived) to frisky (“FBoy Island,” shown here, That includes:
— Three networks – ABC, Fox and CW – are already resigned to the strike lingering. They’ve assembled makeshift fall plans that can be devoid of new, scripted, live-action shows.
— The other two – CBS and NBC – show some optimism … which they might have to discard. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 19, 2023
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for May 21: an “Idol” winner and lots of finales

1) “NCIS: Los Angeles” series-finale, 9 p.m., CBS. On the final Sunday of the season, lots of shows wrap up for now … and this one ends its long run. “NCIS: LA” has been around for 14 seasons, putting it in the all-time top-10 among dramas. Anna (a former Chicago cop and the estranged daughter of a former KGB agent) and Callen were planning their wedding. (They’re shown here.) Then chaos intervened: A federal agent and some military-grade weapons are missing. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 19, 2023
News and Quick Comments

For CW, it’s a near-total makeover this fall

Dealing with duo forces – new owners and the ongoing writers strike – the CW is tossing out most of its schedule.
Gone next season will be the superheroes that filled the mini-network. Only two scripted shows will be back: “All American” arrives this fall, paired withg Courtney B. Vance’s “61st Street” (shown here); “Walker” is expected at mid-season.
The rest of the line-up has reality shows, plus scripted ones that have already started airing in other countries, mainly Canada. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 18, 2023
Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10 for May 22: Farewell to Blake, Midge, more

1) “The Voice” finale, 9-10 p.m. today and 8-11 p.m.. Tuesday, NBC. In his last season, Blake Shelton has two finalists (shown here) – Grace West, 19, and NOIVAS, 30. They perform tonight, along with Gina Miles, 18; D.Smooth, 25; and the sister trio, Sorelle, plus guest performers Lewis Capaldi and Alex Newell. Tuesday has a recap (8-9 p.m.), then more guests (CeeLo Green, Maroon 5, Toosii and Diplo & Lily Rose), tributes to Shelton … and a winner. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 18, 2023
Stories

Once a Xeroxed comic, it’s now a mini-series and more

Gene Luen Yang never expected his graphic novel to be read by the multitudes … or by anybody.
“I actually did ‘American Born Chinese’ as a Xeroxed comic,” he told the Television Critics Association. “I would finish a chapter; I’d take it to my local Kinko’s. Remember Kinko’s.
“I would staple it by hand and I’d sell like 16 copies. It would be like 15 of my friends and my mom.”
He’s way past that now. On Wednesday (May 24), Disney+ debuts the entire eight-part “American Born Chinese” mini-series (shown here). In the 17 years since it was formally published, it’s caught on big. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 18, 2023
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for May 19: fiery finales for dramas

1) “SWAT” season-finale, 8 p.m., CBS. It’s been a hectic time for this show. At first, CBS canceled it; ratings were strong … but not strong enough to match the growing expense of a show nearing its seventh year. Then came quick negotiations; “SWAT” was given a final, 13 episode season. Tonight, it wraps a two-parter: A federal agent (Timothy Hutton) has a personal war on a drug cartel, sending Hondo (shown here) and others into battle. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / May 17, 2023