Day: July 30, 2022

News and Quick Comments

“Dogs” is back, with lives scrambled

For most of its first season (a good one), “Reservation Dogs” (shown here) was an us-vs.-the-world tale.
Then the “us” imploded. That sets up the two intriguing episodes that arrive Wednesday (Aug. 3) on Hulu, to open the second season.
This is a modest show that has drawn a surge of praise. It already has Peabody and American Film Institute awards; in the upcoming Television Critics Association awards, it’s nominated for best comedy and best new show. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 30, 2022
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Aug. 1: lots of Elvis films, some of them OK

1) “Viva Las Vegas” (1964), 8 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies. A 24-hour Elvis Presley marathon starts at 6 a.m., It offers a couple zestful concert films – “Elvis on Tour” (1972), 2 p.m.; “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is” (1970), 10 p.m. — and lots of scripted ones. Some are awful, but “Viva” (shown here) has glitter, Ann-Margret and lots of vibrant music, led by the title song. There’s even a rare nod to Presley’s R&B roots, when he sings “What’d I Say?” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 30, 2022
Stories

He’s no MD, but he’s doing fine

In a tiny town in West Virginia, Pauline Gates was clear about this: Her two sons would be doctors.
One, Dr. Paul Gates, is, indeed, an oral surgeon. But the other descended into academia and fame.
That’s Henry Louis Gates Jr. (shown here), who is now one of PBS’ biggest stars. “It was a fantasy of mine,” Gates said. “I didn’t even realize that it was; I didn’t tell anybody.”
But here he is, filling our TV sets. PBS has been re-running his “Finding Your Roots” at 8 p.m. Tuesdays; it will have a fresh batch in January. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 30, 2022