Year: 2022

Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Dec.20: It’s Mariah, Santa and Quinta

1) “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All,” 8-10 p.m., CBS. Yes, Carey (shown here) will forever be linked with “All I Want For Christmas is You.” It hit No. 1 on Billboard in 2019 – 25 years after its debut; by then, it had sold 14 million physical records and topped $60 million in royalties. But she’s shown power and passion on songs from “O Holy Night” to “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” Here’s the concert she did in two nights last weekend at Madison Square Garden. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 18, 2022
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Dec. 19: Legos, pudding and other trifles

1) “Lego Masters Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular,” 8 p.m., Fox. Sprawling over three days and four hours, this is a sorta-pleasant trifle. Four stars – Robin Thicke, Cheryl Hines, Finesse Mitchell and (shown here) the late Leslie Jordan – link with past contestants who were popular, but didn’t win. The celebs mostly do artsy details, letting the experts build sturdy creations. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 17, 2022
News and Quick Comments

“Harry & Meghan”: a happy ending, a surprise hero

The second half of “Harry & Meghan” almost feels like an escape thriller.
A young couple – telegenic and likable – tries to elude overwhelming forces. Then there’s the happy ending (several, actually), complete with surprises.
The biggest surprise: One hero – almost in a “deus ex machina” way – is Tyler Perry.
The six-hour Netflix documentary arrived in two chunks, the second half on Thursday (Dec. 15). By the end, viewers are rooting for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (shown here) … and for their surprise helper. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 16, 2022
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Dec. 18: a night filled with sounds of music

1) “The Sound of Music,” 7-11 p.m., ABC. One of the all-time audience-pleasers has its annual Christmastime airing. The story, based on true events, is limited, but the Rodgers-and-Hammerstein score ripples with fun and emotion. The result won five Academy Awards (including best picture) and was nominated for five more, including Julie Andrews (shown here) for best actress. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 16, 2022
Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10 for Dec. 19: Mariah, Paul and Christmas

1) “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All,” 8 p.m. Tuesday, CBS. Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” seems eternal. It hit No. 1 on Billboard in 2019 – 25 years after its debut; by then, it had sold 14 million physical records and topped $60 million in royalties. But Carey (shown here) isn’t a one-song star; she’s shown power and passion on songs from “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night” to “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” Here’s her Madison Square Garden concert. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
Stories

For Fox’s dramas, these are turbulent times

The Fox network’s scripted shows are in a state of transformation. Or, maybe, turbulence. Consider:
— “Monarch,” Fox’s big plunge for this fall, has been canceled.
— “The Resident” (shown here), a consistently well-made show, has been trimmed. Last season, it had 23 new episodes; this season, it has 13, with the final new ones on Jan, 3, 10 and 17.
— The best launching pad for a new drama – after the Super Bowl – won’t go to a scripted show … or to any new show. Instead, it will start the second season of Gordon Ramsay’s “Next Level Chef.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
News and Quick Comments

tWitch brought hip hop joy to dance shows

Over its 17 seasons, “So You Think You Can Dance” has propelled gifted dancers and choreographers.
Few, however, matched the impact of Steven “tWitch” Boss (shown here), who died Tuesday (Dec. 13) at 40.
The death – ruled suicide by the Los Angeles County medical examiner – is inexplicable. Boss was a vibrant force who had a wife, three kids and an enviable career.
Long, lean and limber, he was a hyperactive kid who got his nickname early. He grew up in Alabama, studied dance in college, was a semi-finalist on one show (“The Wade Robson Project”), then made his mark on another. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
Daily Best Bets

Bet-bets for Dec. 17: double Lizzo, sevenfold football

1) “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball,” 8-9:30 p.m., CW. It’s a double-Lizzo (shown here) night. She’s on a new “Saturday Night Live” (see) next item, shortly after this special, which is packed with pop stars. Also performing are Jack Harlow, Dua Lipa, Pitbull, Demi Lovado, Sam Smith, Khalid, Black Eyed Peas, Backstreet Boys, The Kid Laroi, Tate McRae, Lewis Capaldi and more. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
News and Quick Comments

After one big flub, Disney got it right

Maybe wisdom involves learning from mistakes, getting it right the second time.
If so, the Disney people have made a genius move: “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” is terrific … which makes it approximately a zillion-percent better than “Little Mermaid Live.”
You can catch “Beauty” from 8-10 p.m. Dec. 15 on ABC or any time starting Dec. 16 on Disney+. You’ll see two gifted stars – H.E.R. (shown here) and Josh Groban – and some clever staging and direction … a surprise compared to to the first try. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 15, 2022
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Dec. 16: Bowls begin; videos return

1) Football, ESPN. The bowl season starts this morning – yes, morning – with the Bahama Bowl at 11:30 a.m. ET; two 6-6 teams collide, with Miami of Ohio (shown here) and Alabama-Birmingham. That’s followed at 3 p.m. by the Cure Bowl, with 11-2 teams. Texas – San Antonio (ranked No. 25) faces Troty (the one in Alabama, not the one in Greece), No. 24. Seven more bowls follow on Saturday. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 14, 2022