News and Quick Comments

News and Quick Comments

All rise for a social-distance drama

While many TV shows have stopped filming, “All Rise” will take an alternate approach:
On May 4, it will have an episode about the shutdown … filmed shutdown-style.
One of the show’s producers is Gil Garcetti, the former Los Angeles County district attorney. He’s been talking to the others, CBS said, about how the legal system works amid social-distancing.
That led to a story in which Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick) presides over a trial from her home. Other characters will be shown in their homes, using FaceTime, WebEx, Zoom and more. Director Michael Robin will use some special effects and will have a lone camera person, inside a vehicle, getting shots of a now-desolate Los Angeles Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 6, 2020
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It was the season’s best sitcom episode

As TV shows race through our stay-at-home lives, we sometimes have to stop and marvel:
Wait, that one – the most recent “Mom” episode (shown here) – was really good. It was probably the best situation-comedy episode I’ve seen since “The Big Bang Theory” departed.
I shouldn’t be surprised, of course. “Mom” is from Chuck Lorre, the producer of “Big Bang” and the master of big-laugh sitcoms taped in front of a studio audience. It’s become TV’s best sitcom. And this episode renewed its best pairing. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 4, 2020
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At-home music — casual Billie, zesty Dua

TV’s music-from-home spurt has finished its pop-music phase. Country is next.
Elton John hosted Sunday’s concert on Fox; James Corden did Monday’s on CBS. Both had plenty of pop stars giving at-home performances. In fact, both had Billie Eilish (shown here in a previous photo).
Now country takes over, on CBS. It will be Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood at 9 p.m. Wednesday, then much of Nashville from 8-10 p.m. Sunday.
Corden tried brief interviews Monday, with so-so success. We did learn that Eilish has been binging Fleabag (wise choice) and Chrissy Teigen has been making yummy food to eat with her husband John Legend. The stationary camera, alas, only gave us Teigen from the neck down. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 31, 2020
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Home-music specials: a strong start

The first crack at doing a music-from-home TV special was mostly terrific.
Sure, there were flaws. Every variety special – well, every one except “Color Me Barbra” and “Liza With a Z” – has had some.
But mostly, Fox’s “iHeart Living Room Concert For America” on Sunday proved that sheer talent can thrive, even under stark conditions. That’s good news, because there are three similar specials this week (10 p.m. Monday, 9 p.m. Wednesday, 8-10 p.m. Sunday) on CBS.
The “iHeart” show was stuffed with gifted singers, including Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Tim McGraw and Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes  (they’re shown here in the crowded old days). Remarkably, however, the greatest moment came from a singing doctor. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 30, 2020
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At-home concert trend grows; Garth Brooks jumps in

Television has suddenly re-discovered music, in the midst of the coronavirus shutdown.
Music-from-home specials span two networks (CBS and Fox) and two genres (country and pop). In an eight-day stretch, they total four specials, five hours and an abundance of stars.
The latest addition will have Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood (shown here in a previous concert) on Wednesday (April 1). CBS announced that today (Sunday, March 29) … while Fox was announcing last minute additions for its special tonight. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 29, 2020
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Country special has … well, almost everyone

When CBS said it would have some country stars for an April 5 special, it wasn’t kidding.
The list, announced this morning (March 26), seems to include most of Nashville and beyond. It has top country stars – Luke Bryan (shown here), Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and more – and even adds pop stars, including John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlisle and Gwen Stefani.
That will be 8 p.m. on April 5. The Academy of Country Music awards were originally scheduled then, but they’ve been pushed back to Sept. 16, with Keith Urban hosting. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 26, 2020
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Another postponement: The Tonys

For years, TV has depended on award shows to provide fresh musical energy … and strong ratings.
Not any more. The Tonys (shown here last year, with host James Corden) are the latest to be potponed. They weren’t scheduled until June 7 and follow the postponements of  the Billboard, iHeartRadio, Academy of Country Music and Kids Choice awards.
Two of those will compensate by having specials in which people perform at home. It will be pop music this Sunday (March 29) on Fox, then country music a week later on CBS. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 26, 2020
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Elton hosts a music-from-home special Sunday

Another music-from-home special has been set up, entertaining TV viewers during the coronavirus shutdown.
This one will be be 9 p.m. Sunday (March 29) on Fox, with top pop stars. “The iHeart Living Room Concert For America” will be hosted by Elton John (shown here), with at-home music by Billie Eilish, Tim McGraw, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Billie Joe Armstrong and the Backstreet Boys. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 25, 2020