Year: 2020

Stories

Carrie and great Christmas: an update

(Here’s a quick update on my commentary on Carrie Underwood and the very best of Christmas TV. The Carrie part remains the same, but there are a few additions to the list at the bottom – an extra night for the classic “Grinch” … two cable showings of “Wonderful Life” … and a changed night for the Patrick Stewart “Christmas Carol.” Here’s the update.)
Carrie Underwood’s new Christmas special is the ultimate in sleek simplicity.
It has no gimmicks, no guests (except briefly). It has no distractions and – this is streaming – no commercials. It simply has a great voice, warmly caressing each song.
It also reminds us of something else: Even in this crowded, cluttered season, there are some TV moments that are really worth watching – or re-watching.

+ Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 2, 2020
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Dec. 4: Pop art, popular dramas

1) “American Masters: Keith Haring: Street Art Boy,” 9 p.m., PBS. Haring (shown here) grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch turf, forever chosen last for games. He was quick to leave his small town, move to New York and make a splash. Soon, his uncluttered artwork was on buildings, walls, floors … then in international galleries. In his 31 years (before being one of the first celebrities to die of AIDS), he made more than 10,000 artworks and became a pop-culture star. Here’s a fascinating story, richly illustrated. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 2, 2020
News and Quick Comments

Pro football: No home, no name, no quarterback, no (?) schedule

There was a time when every pro football team had a home. And a name. And a quarterback (several actually). And a schedule, set in stone.
That was a dull-but-simple time, before the chaos of 2020. Now the changes keep coming.
There are games — some involving the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers (shown here) — at unexpected times – this Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 2) … early Monday evening (Dec. 7) … and Tuesday night (Dec. 8). For the second time, a Thursday-night game will be scrapped. And schedules have changed and unchanged for NBC, ABC and Fox.
Most, but not all, of this is COVID-related. The changes include: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 1, 2020
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Dec. 3: Carrie’s Christmas or comedies

1) “My Gift,” any time, HBO Max. Here’s the consummate Christmas special – no gimmicks, no distractions, no commercials, just a great singer. Carrie Underwood (shown here)  has shown her religious passion with “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Something In the Water” (both included here), but she hadn’t done a Christmas album until this year. She soars in the classics (“O Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” etc.) and links beautifully with John Legend on his “Hallelujah” and with her son, 5, on “Little Drummer Boy.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 1, 2020
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Dec. 2: “SEAL” returns, Christmas continues

1) “SEAL Team” season-opener, 9 and 10 p.m., CBS. This is a big week for CBS: Three more dramas arrive Friday, leaving only two fall shows (“Evil” and “Equalizer”) pemding. And “SEAL” starts with a two-parter, as the team heads into the mountains (shown here) to find a terrorist leader. Jason (David Boreanaz) is soon separated from the rest. The second hour includes treacherous tunnels that are booby-trapped. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 30, 2020
News and Quick Comments

“The Crown”: Great drama, flaws (many) and all

Many shows vanish in an eyeblink. Moments after fading from the screen, they fade from our minds.
Then there’s Netflix’s “The Crown” (shown here), which sticks around. Two weeks after the fourth season arrived (Nov. 15), the British press has been awash with commentaries. Even the New York Times – located 3,500 miles from Buckingham Palace – had several pieces about it, including Nov. 27 and 28. So let me jump in here, with a few comments:
From a sheer drama-craftsmanship view, this season is a resounding success. Even with some flaws – and there are big ones – it is brilliantly written, filmed and (mostly) played. Catch all 10 episodes.
And accuracy? That seems to be another matter. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 29, 2020
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Nov. 30: A big night for music

1) “CMA Country Christmas,” 9-10 p.m. ABC. This is usually a festive two hours, in front of a cheery audience. But now it aims for the at-home feel of traditional holiday specials. Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren host; they’re shown here with Florida GeorgiaLine. Also performing are Tim McGraw, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum and Dan + Shay, plus Darius Rucker with dynamic violinist Lindsey Stirling. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 28, 2020
Stories

Remember massive music? Here’s a reminder

For months, show-business has been adjusting to a less-is-more approach.
At times, the result can be splendid. Kelli O’Hara showed that with gorgeous solos during PBS specials for Memorial Day and the 4th of July.
But now there’s a flip side – a reminder that more is more. Viewers will see her Christmas concert (shown here), taped a year ago with the Tabernacle Choir.
“It’s so moving to hear that sound,” she said. “It’s like an ocean wave washing over you.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 27, 2020
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Nov. 29; Two strong dramas conclude

1) “Fargo” season-finale, 10 p.m., FX. This hour is both fascinating and frustrating … which makes it typical “Fargo.” In 1951 Kansas City, Loy (Chris Rock, shown here) finds his life collapsing He’s barely clinging to his crime empire and has been told (incorrectly) that his son is dead. But last week, the mortician’s daughter showed what she had learned about a lethal nurse. That sets up tonight’s big moments – lots of them. This is brilliantly written and filmed, but we kind of wish it had a couple fewer endings. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 27, 2020