Derrick Campana never expected that he’d be a BYUtv star, making artificial limbs for dogs and such.
“I had never heard of animal prosthetics,” he told the Television Critics Association.
Then again, he hadn’t heard of BYUtv. Many people haven’t.
But here he is: “Wizard of Paws” launches its second season at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday (April 28) – the same time that Joe Biden gives his first address to Congress – and reruns at midnight, on BYUtv. Read more…
CBS won’t have an “NCIS” shortage next season, after all. And there’s no Hawaiian shortfall, either.
The network announced that it will launch “NCIS: Hawaii” … and that “NCIS: Los Angeles” (shown here) will be back for its 13th season. “NCIS” was already renewed for its 19th season.
Previously, CBS had cancelled two of its dramas: “MacGyver” ends its fith and final season Friday (April 30); “NCIS: New Orleans” ends iits seventh season and final season May 23. It renewed most of its other crime dramas, but “NCIS: Los Angeles”still had pending negotiations. Read more…
1) “Mayans M.C.,” 10 p.m., FX, rerunning at 11. His brother warned him that you can’t be in two worlds, but EZ keeps trying. Last week, he was in a brutal (and deadly) biker battle, then went to a warm family dinner with his sweet girlfriend Gaby (they’re shown here). Now the double life implodes, in an hour that is violent and disturbing, but skillfully directed and acted. It’s often quite mellow, but then has two fierce scenes – Galindo with his wife (whom he suspects), then EZ and Gaby in a stroll downtown. Read more…
This is the Academy Award year that Netflix might have dreamed about … in a twisted, “Rosemary’s Baby” kind of way.
It’s the year the streaming channel leads everyone, with 37 nominations; several (including “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” shown here) would be deserving winners. But first, that reference:
In the 1968 movie, Rosemary’s husband landed a coveted role, when another actor was suddenly struck blind. That’s sort of like Netflix: It was forever considered to be second-tier, because its films show up only briefly in theaters; then came this year, when all the movies were like that.
We’re sure (well, somewhat sure) that Netflix wouldn’t want a pandemic to happen, just to give it an even playing field. Still, that’s what we have. Read more…
.1) “Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. It was 51-and-a-half years ago that TV hatched a rare piece of near-perfection: Yes, “Sesame Street” (shown here) has lots of educational, good-for-kids details; a platoon of researchers made sure of that. But it also has clever songs, fun graphics, crisp editing, Muppets and lots of entertainment. This special will focus strongly on the serious side – from a 1992 attempt (which was scrapped) to address divorce to the current look at racial justice. Read more…
If the world needs another superhero, it could choose Detroit’s Alyvia Lockett.
She’s a skilled poet, a budding figure-skater … and an elementary-school student. “It’s a shame that an 8-year-old has to tell you this,” she says in a poem about violence.
Or maybe it could choose Kameryn Everett, 20, her coach. (They’re shown here.) “I know that Alyvia looks up to (her) so much,” said Vanessa Roth, producer and director of “Impact,” which arrives Monday (April 26) on National Geographic’s YouTube channel.
The show is produced and hosted by Gal Gadot, who pretends to be a superhero (Wonder Woman) in movies. These people are the real thing, she said in a virtual session with the Television Critics Association. “I keep on calling them my ‘women of wonder,’ because they are the true heroes.” Read more…
1) Academy Awards, 8 p.m. ET, ABC. This could turn out to be deadly dull. Lately, acceptance speeches have been dreary lists, thanking agents and such. This year’s best-picture nominees – “Nomadland,” “Mank,” “Minari,” “Trial of the Chicago 7,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “The Father,” “Sound of Metal” and “Promising Young Woman” – are worthy, but few people have seen them in theaters. The show needs humor and music, but has no host; movie stars — Brad Pitt (shown here), Halle Berry, etc. — will help out. And songs have been banished to the pre-show. Read more…
1) “Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days,” 8-10 p.m. today, ABC. The week starts and ends with eternal concepts. First, “Sesame” (shown here), which began 51-and-a-half years ago. It soared via TV savvy – clever songs, fun graphics, crisp editing and (especially) Muppets. But this special will focus strongly on the serious side – from a 1992 attempt (which was scrapped) to address divorce to the current look at racial justice. Guests include Anthony Fauci, Jill Biden, Stevie Wonder, Whoopi Goldberg and more. Read more…
1) Musicals. On the eve of the Academy Awards, here are three excellent musical films with Oscar links. “Dreamgirls” (shown here, 2006, 8 p.m., HBO) drew an Oscar for Jennifer Hudson, a nomination for Eddie Murphy and great work from Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and more … “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018, 8 p.m., FX) has Rami Malek’s Oscar-winning work as Freddie Mercury … “Moana” (2018, 6:50, Freeform) was nominated for best animated feature and for one of its songs, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Read more…
1) “Great Performances: Romeo and Juliet,” 9 p.m., PBS. This had seemed like a sure hit for the National Theatre in London – Shakespeare’s classic, starring (shown here) Josh O’Connor (Charles in “The Crown”) and Jessie Buckley (the killer nurse in the latest “Fargo”). Then the pandemic brought a bold move: Skip the audience and film the show in the theater building, starting with minimal sets. The result is brilliantly directed and perfectly played; even Shakespeare skeptics might approve. Read more…
