Day: February 13, 2022

Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Feb. 15: Skaters swirl, rappers rage

1) Olympic figure-skating, USA Network and NBC. This was supposed to be the key time for viewers, with women skating solo. That’s live during USA’s morning (4-9:25 a.m. today, 5-9 a.m. Thursday) and taped for NBC’s evenings (8-11:30 p.m.). The problem came with the event’s star, Russia’s Kamila Valieva (shown here), 15. After she skated brilliantly in the team event, word came that she’d tested positive for a banned drug. With or without her, this loses some of its joy. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 13, 2022
News and Quick Comments

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
Stories

From “Saul” to “Eve,” these networks aim high

Right now, all those networks – streaming and cable – are trying to get our time and our money. They bring opposite attitudes, with:
— The shotgun approach. Paramount+ wants “something for everyone,” said Tanya Giles, its chief programming officer. The same could be said of Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and more.
— And the laser approach. “We’re not trying to be all things to all people,” said Dan McDermott, president of AMC Entertainment.
His line-up includes basic cable networks (AMC, IFC, Sundance, BBC America) plus streamers – AMC+, Acorn, Sundance Now, Shudder. Shows range from the stylish drama of “Better Call Saul” (shown here) to the light British mysteries of Acorn to the horrors of Shudder … but they also avoid a lot. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / February 13, 2022