News and Quick Comments

News and Quick Comments

Good news: “Fall Guy” will stream soon

One of the summer’s underappreciated gems will begin streaming soon.
“The Fall Guy” (shown here) is one of the rare movies that has it all – action, humor, a clever plot and the sort of romance that crackles with sharp dialog. It’s drew moderately favorable reviews and made $177 million worldwide … not nearly enough for a film that reportedly cost close to $150 million.
Now it gets a second chance to draw attention, reaching Peacock on Aug. 30. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 26, 2024
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Olympic opening: flash, fluff and Gaga

(One final note to this story, which was written after the first hour: The opening ceremony ran four hours, with moments of magnificence. Two of the greatest came late, involving solo singers: Juliette Armanet gave a softly moving performance of “Imagine,” emphasizing John Lennon’s eternal lyrics. And, for the finale, Celine Dion — long sidelined by illness — with a powerhouse French anthem. Don’t miss those. Now the original story.)
Yes, you’ll want to see the Olympic opening ceremony tonight.
You’ll quickly see Gaga, dancers on scaffolding, ladies on sway poles and young lovers trashing a gorgeous library. And that’s in the first hour.
The telecast is from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 or so today (Friday, July 26) on NBC and Peacock. And it’s actually the second time through.
It started live at 1:30 p.m. ET (which was 7:30 in Paris) and will rerun – with an “enhanced” edition – in prime time. By watching the afternoon version, I can promise you’ll see: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 26, 2024
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News: Next lover for “Bridgerton,” final season for “Shadows”

Two quirky series – each with a vibrant fan base – bring fresh news.
For “What We Do In the Shadows,” it’s the date for the sixth and final season. That will be Oct. 21, for an 11-episode run.
And for “Bridgerton,” the timing is still unknown but the focal point is set Next season turns to Benedict Bridgerton (shown here), the artist who’s had a Bohemian lifestyle. Details are: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 23, 2024
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“Big Brother” switches timeslot … already

A week into its summer run, “Big Brother” (shown here) is already shifting its timeslot.
Beginning Thursday (July 25), the show moves up to the 8 p.m. spot on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Only on Sundays (when “Tulsa King” is at 8) will it stay at 9.
Originally, the network had set the 8-p.m.-Wednesday slot for new hours of “Let’s Make a Deal.” Now, however, that show will wait until Aug. 16; it will be at 8 p.m. Fridays, nudging “Lingo” to 9. The new line-up: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 23, 2024
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Newhart tributes fill the weekend and Monday

The Bob Newhart tributes are expanding now, sprawling through the weekend and into Monday evening.
Newhart died Thursday at 94 Newly added are:
— A three-hour burst at 8 p.m. Sunday on TBS, with six “Big Bang Theory” episodes that have Newhart as Professor Proton, Sheldon’s TV hero.
— A documentary hour at 8 p.m. Monday on CBS. “Bob Newhart: A Legacy of Laughter” includes clips, plus comments from Jim Parsons, Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Jason Bateman and Michael Weatherly. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 19, 2024
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Emmy nominations: belated nods to quirky “Dogs”

Gone too soon and noticed too rarely, “Reservatioon Dogs” is finally getting a tad of attention.
“Dogs” (shown here) voluntarily ended this year, after only three wonderfully eccentric seasons. It finally got some Emmy attention this morning – nominations for best-comedy and for young actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (second from left).
Yes, that’s just a mini-ripple in an Emmy ocean. (“Shogun,” leads with 25 nominations, including best drama.) But it’s a sign that an oddly brilliant show can get some attention. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 17, 2024
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CBS sets a staggered start this fall

After rushing into a post-strike season this spring, CBS is taking a pause.
Its new season will officially start Oct. 14, three weeks later than usual. And its ratings-leaders – “Tracker” and “The Equalizer” –will wait until Oct. 27.
Those dramas usually dominate Sundays. This fall, however, the Sunday slot will be used for various things – advance previews of “Matlock” (shown here) and “The Summit,” a music special and “Big Brother,” a summer show that extends to Oct. 13. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 13, 2024
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“Shogun” and “Hacks” lead TCA awards

“Shogun” and “Hacks” dominate this year’s Television Critics Association awards.
The top overall awards – program of the year and best new program– .go to “Shogun.” So do the two drama awards, for best show and best individual (Anna Sawai, shown here). The comedy ones go to “Hacks” and its star (Jean Smart).
There are also awards for the “Baby Reindeer” mini-series, some non-fiction shows and two Disney+ family shows, “Bluey” and “Doctor Who.”
Overall, the awards are a sign that traditional television – or semi-traditional – can still do well, if given some modern touches. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 13, 2024
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Really? A cheery musical fits the election year?

It’s probably by accident, but the new Disney+ movie fits this campaign year.
“The Descendants: The Rise of Red” (shown here), arriving Friday, June 12, has two opposite forces. The Blue one wants kindness, warmth and inclusiveness; the Red wants power and revenge.
The Red leader underlines that with a song that savors the fact that “red” rhymes with “you’re dead” and “off with your head.”
The Blue is currently in charge, but then the Red thugs start to break in. “What?” their leader asks. “You’ve never heard of a coup?” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 11, 2024