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One PBS night: from frontier horse to bionic limbs

As the Olympics finally fade away, we can rediscover the rest of the TV universe.
That includes PBS, which has a remarkable night of non-fiction Wednesday (Feb. 23). In one night, it takes us from horses – the heroes of the American frontier – to a new generation of bionic limbs.
That starts at 8 p.m. with a beautifully filmed edition of “Nature.” Horses were here 40 million years ago, filmmaker Eric Bendick told the Television Critics Association, then disappeared from North America. “They actually came back with the Spanish conquistadores, (leading to) the arrival of the mustang” (shown here). Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 21, 2022

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Big screen or small, Christie mysteries are eternal

Yes, show-business loves things that are fresh, flashy and new.
But some old tales still work well. Near the top of the list are Agatha Christie stories; two new examples:
–“Death on the Nile” (shown here), It opened this weekend in movie theaters, with Kenneth Branagh directing and starring as Hercule Poirot.
–“Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” It’s a three-parter that starts streaming April 12 on Britbox, with Hugh Laurie writing, directing and taking a small role. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 14, 2022

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AMC networks: a round-up of what’s ahead

From cops to vampires, from “Killing Eve” (shown here) to “Walking Dead,” the AMC networks seem to have some busy months ahead.
An overview of the networks is also here. Now let’s round up what’s coming on the cable and streaming networks. Most of the shows debut on AMC+ (that’s the date included here) and reach other spots a week later:
— AMC is ready for the mid-section of its final “Walking Dead” season. That starts on Super Bowl Sunday on AMC+, then moves to cable a week later.
Its spin-off, “Fear the Walking Dead,” returns April 10. The next night, “Better Call Saul” starts its sixth and final season; that’s two years after the fifth season ended, a delay caused by both Covid and star Bob Odenkirk’s heart attack, Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 13, 2022

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“Union” brews witty, 10-minute bits

The trouble with life is that it keeps changing.
In becomes out, up becomes down, yes become maybe. And ordering coffee becomes a chore.
We learn that at the start of “State of the Union” (shown here), the witty show that debuts on Valentine’s Day and continues in brief bursts. It has 10-minute episodes at 10 p.m. weekdays on Sundance for two weeks. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 11, 2022

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Spielberg’s gem heads to Disney+

In a time filled with terrific musicals, here’s some more good news … with a smattering of bad:
“West Side Story” (shown here), with seven Oscar nominations (including best picture) reaches Disney+ on March 2.
The bad news is for the notion of seeing films in movie theaters, where they belong. Steven Spielberg has turned this into a visual masterpiece. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 9, 2022

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“Halo,” “Trek” give Paramount its plus

The Paramount+ streaming service is ready to play with the big guys now.
That will be clear March 24, when the long-awaited (VERY long-awaited) “Halo” (shown here) arrives. Or May 5, when a new “Star Trek” series begins, shortly after two others return. Or sometime later, with new versions of “Frasier,” “Flashdance,” “Fatal Attraction” and more, including music-based “Grease” and “Urban Cowboy.”
“We’re taking some big swings,” said Nicole Clemens, the network’s president of original content.
And some little ones. At Television Critics Association sessions, the network said it’s renewing “SEAL Team,” “The Game” and “Mayor of Kingston”; that follows renewals of “Evil” and “The Good Fight.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 2, 2022

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“Monarch” bumped to fall

In a move that seems more like 2020 than 2022, Fox has delayed a major show for at least a half-year, blaming Covid.
The network had planned a big start for “Monarch,” a country-music drama starring Trace Adkins, Anna Friel and Susan Sarandon (shown heere). It would start right after the NFC championship game Sunday (Jan. 30), then settle into a spot at 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 29, 2022

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Comer leads Liverpool’s compelling film

Maybe this should become a tradition: Once every 55-plus years, people from Liverpool make a terrific movie called “Help.”
The first was in 1965, by the Beatles; it’s a delight that someone could watch over and over.
And the second debuted on British TV in September and reaches an American streamer (www.acorn.tv) on Monday (Jan. 31). It’s brilliantly crafted … and difficult to watch even once.
This “Help” was filmed mostly in Liverpool. It projects that city’s working-class feel, with Liverpool natives as its stars – Stephen Graham, Ian Hart and, especially, Jodie Comer (shown here). Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 28, 2022

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Fox unmasks its March makeover

TV viewers now have an answer to a frequent question: When will “The Masked Singer” return?
They also have the answer to a rarely asked question: When will there be a show about people toppling dominos?
Both will be March 9, as part of the Fox network’s spring makeover. That also puts the two “9-1-1” shows back together, returns some reality shows (“MasterChef Junior” and “Name That Tune”) and debuts a clever, offbeat comedy after “Call Me Kat.”
Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 27, 2022

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CBS renews three comedies

In a year when laughs have been rare, here’s good news: CBS has renewed “Ghosts” (shown here), “The Neighborhood” and “Bob (Hearts) Abishola” for next season.
That follows the renewal of “Young Sheldon,” so there are only two CBS comedies to worry about – “The United States of Al” and “B Positive.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 25, 2022