Zahn McClarnon

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“Dogs” drifts through quietly compelling tales

There’s a type of show that ripples through the history of the FX network.
It goes from “Louie” to “Better Things” to “Atlanta” and now to “Reservation Dogs” (shown here), which starts its final season Wednesday (Aug. 2).
Yes, this show is different in some key ways: The others were on FX; “Reservation Dogs” is produced by the FX people, but is strictly on Hulu. The others each focused on one star – Louis C.K., Pamela Adlon, Donald Glover; “Dogs” centers of four teens, drifting through life.
But the spirit is the same. These are shows that feel no compulsion to extract consistent laughs or huge plot twists; it is enough to see interesting people go through life’s odd twists. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 31, 2023
Stories

“Reservation Dogs” returns, amid an FX surge

As we peek ahead to the third – and, alas, final – season of “Reservation Dogs” (shown here), thoughts emerge:
1) This may be as close as TV gets to a golden age for American Indian shows. There are only two of them, but they’re terrific. “Dark Winds” starts its season at 9 p.m. Sunday (July 30) on AMC (reaching AMC+ on Thursday, July 27); “Reservation Dogs” starts it 10-episode season Aug. 2 on Hulu.
2) Good shows leave too soon – voluntarily, no less. Bland ones seem to be forever.
3) Emmy voters are crazy.
4) The FX people keep giving us great moments. From the current “Justified” mini-series and “What We Do in the Shadows” to the upcoming “Breeders” and “Reservation Dogs”; the quality is extraordinary. But let’s go back: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 24, 2023
Stories

It took a few decades, but Joe Leaphorn is back

Hollywood is clearly not a hurry-up world. Projects linger for a year or two … or for decades.
Now we finally have “Dark Winds,” a mini-series starring Zahn McClarnon (shown here), on AMC (9 p.m. Sundays) and on AMC+. “It’s been 35 years in the making,” producer-director Chris Eyre told the Television Critics Association.
And that’s with A-listers involved. George R.R. Martin, of “Game of Thrones” fame, is a producer … So is Robert Redford, of Robert Redford fame; he optioned the Tony Hillerman novels in 1988 … And so is Eyre, whose “Smoke Signals” drew raves and awards at the Sundance Film Festival (founded by Redford), setting a new standard Native American filmmakers. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / June 11, 2022