Day: November 23, 2021

Smokey’s undaunted? Well, not always

We might guess that Smokey Robinson is undaunted by life.
He’s been a singer, songwriter, producer and company vice-president. He helped build Motown Records, in the recording studio and beyond. He even made the drive (with Berry Gordy) between Detroit and Owosso, to get the label’s first records – getting stuck in the snow twice.
So is there anything that overwhelms him? “I’ve tried to learn to play the guitar about three or four times,” said Robinson (shown here), 81. “I cannot do it.”
This confession came in a video press conference about a TV movie. “Miracle in Motor City” – 8 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 28), Lifetime – has a mom (Tia Mowry) trying to land Robinson for a Christmas church concert in Detroit — leading to another confession: “Church used to terrify me,” Robinson said. Read more…

Best-bets for Nov. 25: Parade starts a stuffed day

1) “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” 9 a.m. to noon, NBC, CBS and Peacock. Last year, the parade (shown here in a previous year)was TV-only, confined to a single block. Now it sprawls anew, with 10 bands. 36 inflatables, 800 clowns and 28 floats, many containing singers – Rob Thomas, Mickey Guyton, Jordan Fisher, Jimmie Allen, Nelly, more. Early, NBC adds Carrie Underwood, the Rockettes and the casts of “Annie Live” and Broadway’s “Six,” “Wicked” and “Moulin Rouge”; CBS adds “Chicago” and “Waitress.” Read more…

Anthrax story: a real-life thriller with a quirky twist

Twenty years ago, Americans – already stunned by the 9/11 attacks – had a new crisis.
Lethal doses of anthrax were being mailed. Five people died, 11 were seriously ill; and then it stopped.
What didn’t stop was the FBI investigation. Seven years later, after some missteps, it pointed to a suspect. Now that’s being retold in “The Hot Zone: Anthrax” (shown here), from 9-11 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday (Nov. 28-30) on National Geographic. Read more…