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Hallmark gets an unthinkably good makeover

As soon as “Unthinkably Good Things” begins, you might wonder: “Hey, Is this REALLY a Hallmark Channel movie?”
After all, many viewers have memorized the Hallmark formula:
A woman (young, pert, capable and, of course, white) is changing her life – maybe moving home, visiting home or such. She meets a guy (young-ish, generically handsome, white). They squabble, then decide they like each other. It’s all filmed in a pristine Canadian town, disguised as mid-America.
But most of that has been jettisoned for “Unthinkably” (shown here). The movie — 9-11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, on the Hallmark and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channels – reflects a new interest in diversity; it’s also the the first project under Hallmark’s “Mahogany” label, changing all the traditions. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 24, 2022

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“Only Murders” turns killer-reveal into a fun romp

Modern folks like gender-reveal parties, but it’s time for an older notion – the killer-reveal party.
That’s what “Only Murders in the Building” (shown here with Selena Gomez) does so cleverly in its finale, which arrived today (Tuesday, Aug. 23) on Hulu.
If you haven’t seen the previous nine episodes, please do. (Don’t worry, there aren’t any spoilers here.)
For that matter, catch Hulu in general. It’s on a hot streak, with three types of strong shows: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 23, 2022

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ABC re-visits some vibrant musical history

(Commentary/overview on the “Cinderella” musical which ABC will focus on Tuesday, Aug. 23)
By Mike Hughes
In the grand universe of Rodgers-and-Hammerstein musicals, “Cinderella” might be a minor player.
It’s no “Sound of Music” – or “Oklahoma” or “South Pacific” or …
But in the TV world, it’s been big. Now it’s back, taking up all of ABC’s prime time on Tuesday (Aug. 23), with a 25th-anniversary retrospective hour at 8 p.m. and the 1997 production at 9.
What viewers will see is mostly a pleasure. It has splendid sets, zestful Rob Marshall choreography and a cast that’s best in supporting roles – especially Whitney Houston as fairy godmother. Other elements – the songs, the younger actors (including Brandy Norwood, shown here with Houston) in the title role) are pleasant enough.
Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 19, 2022

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The end of the “Saul” era: a review

First, let’s pause for a substantial spoiler alert:
If you didn’t catch the series finale of “Better Call Saul” (shown here in a previous episode) Monday (Aug. 15), please don’t read this yet.
It’s a terrific episode, quirks and all, and should be seen without any advance hints. Catch it on AMC+ or elsewhere, including any time-travel devices you have on your TV.
OK, now for those who have seen it, a quick review: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 16, 2022

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Lifetime line-up: Heche, “Bad Seed,” true-crime, more

Anne Heche’s next film – an intense one – is ready to air on Sept. 17.
An Aug. 5 crash left Heche (shown here) in a coma and she was later pronounced dead. he’d aslready finished “Girl in Room 13,” which has been edited and is ready to go. “She did a phenomenal job,” said director Elizabeth Rohm.
Heche plays the mother of a young woman (Larissa Dias) who has disappeared. It’s a fictional story, done with Polaris, which tracks human trafficking.
That’s part of a flurry of movies Lifetime and the Lifetime Movie Network discussed today (Aug. 11) with the Television Critics Association. They include: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 11, 2022

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It’s the end of the “Breaking Bad” world

Vince Gilligan was getting ready to close his “Breaking Bad” world … again.,
He’d already done this once, wrapping up “Breaking Bad” in 2013. He killed the main character and saved his colleague, drawing lots of praise and some dismay.
Now he’s at it again. At 9 p.m. Monday (Aug. 15) on AMC — rerunning at 10:38 — the acclaimed “Better Call Saul” (shown here) has its series finale. Did he feel pressure to do it right?
“If we don’t win the Nobel Prize for winning this, I’ll be highly disappointed,” he joked to the Television Critics Association. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 10, 2022

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Mysteries sprawl across Australia

Couples seem to “meet cute” in movies and TV shows.
Not this time. Instead, they nearly collide.
Two strangers are driving opposite ways on a narrow Australian road, neither paying much attention. Soon, one vehicle is upended; so are two lives.
That’s in “Darby and Joan” (shown here), the eight-part mini-series on the Acorn streaming service, with two parts each Monday, starting Aug. 8. It has flaws, especially in the early parts, but gradually clicks. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 7, 2022

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Brunson’s “Abbott” tops TCA awards

It’s been a splendid first season – well, partial season – for Quinta Brunson and “Abbott Elementary.”
The ABC comedy debuted at mid-season and has had only 13 episodes so far. But in the Television Critics Association awards, it was named best comedy, best new show and program of the year; also, Brunson (shown here) won the award for individual achievement in comedy.
That’s a multi-tasking individual. In the Emmy Awards, she’s the first Black woman with three comedy nominations – as best actress, as producer and as writer of the pilot film. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 6, 2022

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Disney+ is ready to dance … and to hulk up

“Dancing With the Stars” will be back soon … albeit a bit harder to find.
The show has set Sept. 19 as its debut date on the Disney+ streaming service. That follows 30 seasons on ABC.
It arrives alongside other Disney+ shows, some scripted (“She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” shown here in its previous comic-book form, and the second “Mighty Ducks” season) and some with star explorers, young (Bertie Gregory) and not (James Cameron). The schedule, announced today, includes: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 3, 2022

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“Dogs” is back, with lives scrambled

For most of its first season (a good one), “Reservation Dogs” (shown here) was an us-vs.-the-world tale.
Then the “us” imploded. That sets up the two intriguing episodes that arrive Wednesday (Aug. 3) on Hulu, to open the second season.
This is a modest show that has drawn a surge of praise. It already has Peabody and American Film Institute awards; in the upcoming Television Critics Association awards, it’s nominated for best comedy and best new show. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 30, 2022