News and Quick Comments

News and Quick Comments

Religion begins its Easter TV surge

For some viewers, a seasonal search is beginning:
Surely, the vast TV landscape must have some Easter-type shows.
It does, but only a few are in familiar places. ABC has its annual “Ten Commandments”(shown here) on Saturday (April 1) … A week later, History reruns its “The Bible” mini-series, re-rerunning the last two chapters shortly before Easter sunrise services … And on April 8 and 9, BET has a big-deal gospel concert.
Beyond that, however, viewers may have to discover less-familiar spots. There’s UpTV (on cable or streaming), plus some digital-only channels. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 3, 2023
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Quiet comedy and zesty action blend neatly

As “Murder Mystery 2” unfolds, Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler (shown here) become action heroes.
She’s dangling from the Eiffel Tower, he’s fighting a muscular villain, both are battling bad guys inside a speeding van.
But the strength of this film – which debuted Friday (March 31) on Netflix – involves their quieter bits.
They play a husband and wife who can’t help questioning and correcting each other – even when there are bigger things to focus on. That provides the fun, as we wait for the next big moment. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 1, 2023
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“FBI” event: no place for the timid (or the subtle)

Let’s assume you’re a fan of pregnant pauses, subtle shrugs and mixed emotions.
If so, you’ll want to avoid CBS this Tuesday (April 4). Until the final moments, there’s not a hint of subtlety, not a moment of mixed anything.
Then again, if you prefer rampant rage, I have a show for you.
It’s three shows, actually – “FBI: International,” “FBI” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” all in a seamless story (shown here), from 8-11 p.m. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 1, 2023
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ABC’s summer: lots of games and some “Wonder”

ABC is planning another few-rerun summer.
That includes lots of game shows, filling two nights and sprawling into two more. But it also has:
— The long-delayed season-opener of “The Wonder Years” (shown here).
— The next “Bachelorette,” this time centering on Charity Lawson, 26, who finished fourth in the current “Bachelor.” She has a Master’s Degree from Auburn and works as a child and family therapist.
— And some pre-summer games. “Jeopardy” will have its “Masters” tournament, May 8-24; the pro basketball tournament will continue through mid-June. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 25, 2023
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Want a clever show? Better call Bob

In a logical world, Bob Odenkirk would have taken several months – or years, or decades – off.
He had just finished 10 years playing Jimmy McGill, also known as Saul Goodman. He’d had fame, fortune, six Emmy nominations and a heart attack. As he turned 60, it was a logical time to relax.
Except then “Lucky Hank” (shown here) came along. “It happened so quickly that my head was spinning a bit,” he told the Television Critics Association.
Now the show debuts at 9 p.m. Sunday (March 19), rerunning each hour until 1 a.m. As soon as Hank (Odenkirk), a writiing professor, unleashes a rant, viewers will see why the role would be hard to reject. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 15, 2023
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Drama deluge: Three PBS shows arrive March 19

After a month-long drought, PBS drama fans will hit overload. Arriving Sunday (March 19) are:
— “Call the Midwife,” at 8 p.m. It’s the 12th season and seems destined to go on forever.
— “Sanditon” (shown here) at 9. It’s the third season – and the final one; blame circumstances for that.
— “Marie Antoinette,” at 10. It will only last eight episodes; blame the French peasants. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 14, 2023
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Oscars brought laughs, warmth and Gaga

Okay, this was what we were hoping for from an Academy Award telecast – a hearty blend of humor, warmth and potent music.
And one thing more: A clever guy (Jimmy Killmel)n was at the core, making sure it was fun.
There were a few flaws along the way. The long plug for “Little Mermaid” was annoying … the acceptance speeches were mostly bland … I kept waiting for David Byrne’s song to discover a melody … and it’s never fun to see the same show keep winning. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 13, 2023
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An “easy money” plan lingers, then crumbles

It began as a stop-gap plan. Banks were failing, economies were fading; quick steps were needed.
And then the approach lingered. “It became a semi-permanent part of the past decade,” James Jacoby said. “Then, during the pandemic, this went into overdrive.”
Now his “Easy Money” documentary, from 9-11 p.m. Tuesday (March 14) on PBS’ “Frontline,” views short-term steps that somehow stayed, leading to crypto-currency commercials (shown here) and corporatge spending sprees. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 12, 2023
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At Oscar time, doc-makers get a fiery moment

(This is a story I posted on Jan. 28, but I thought it would be fun to bring it back now, with the Academy Award telecast coming on MRXH 12. You’ll find two other Oscar stories to the left.)
As the Academy Awards near, the nominees have a descending order of fame.
At the top this year are the stars – actors (Cate Blanchett, Angela Bassett, Judd Hirsch, etc.), a director (Steven Spielberg) and some songwriters (Lady Gaga, Rihanna). And near the bottom, every year?
“You are the lowest on the totem pole as a short-doc filmmaker,” Cynthia Wade said
That’s the short-documentary category. She won it in 2008 (for the 39-minute “Freeheld)” and had her moment on global TV, being handed an Oscar by Tom Hanks; she was nominated again in 2013. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 6, 2023