News and Quick Comments

FX and AMC push forward, against a streamer surge

The TV world keeps transforming. Streamers soar; broadcast networks stumble.
But what about all of those in-between – the basic channels that come free to cable subscribers?
“The basic-cable business is really struggling to compete,” John Landgraf, whose FX domain includes the upcoming “Snowfall” (shown here) told the Television Critics Association. “I think FX sand AMC are kind of holding the fort right now.”
Both looked potent in his staff’s tabulation of critics’ top-10 lists for 2022. FX was No. 2, trailing only the HBO Max streamer; AMC had the No. 1 individual show – the final season of “Better Call Saul.” And both had impressive lineups to show the TCA: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 13, 2023

News and Quick Comments

Just what we need — one more TV +

Americans now have one more choice in their +-filled lives.
They’ve already confronted Disney+, Paramount+, Discovery+, AMC+ and, for a brief blip, CNN+. Now – starting Sunday (Jan. 15) – they have MGM+.
This one has a flashier name than most. (MGM is “one of the most venerable and beloved brands in the history of our industry,” claimed Michael Wright, the MGM+ president; one of its first new shows, “Murf the Surf,” shown here, reflects ’60s-style pizzaz.) It also has a smaller impact; unlike some of its plus-pals, it:
— Is a new name for an existing service, Epix. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 11, 2023

News and Quick Comments

A golden night for a long-delayed comeback

It was one of those neat, full-circle moments:
The first Golden Globe of the night went to Ke Huy Quan (shown here), for “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.” He thanked Steve Spielberg, who gave him his great roles (“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Goonies”); he also granted that his career went stagnant after that.
And the last Globe of the night went to Spielberg. His “Fabelmans” was named the best drama movie, shortly he won for best-director. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 11, 2023

News and Quick Comments

Back, at last, to sunny (?) California

PASADENA — It was three years ago that we headed home from the Television Critics Association sessions, already looking forward to the next ones.
These trips, twice a year, run for two-plus weeks in California, bringing blue skies, sunshine, optimism and TV stars. Then the world stopped.
Today (Jan. 9), the TCA finally started its first in-person sessions since January of 2020. Onstage this morning was Kiefer Sutherland … just as he’d been so often in the past. He was followed by the young cast of a “Grease” prequel (shown here). Everything was back to normal … except, of course, it wasn’t: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 9, 2023

News and Quick Comments

It’s overcrowded, over budget and kinda fun

It was Yogi Berra, the famed philosopher, who best summed up the Disney World experience.
“No wonder no one ever comes here,” he once said. “It’s too crowded.”
Berra (also known for baseball) was talking about a New York restaurant, but his comment perfectly suits the mega-theme-park (show here) in Orlando. By all logic, the crowded conditions would keep people away … except, quite obviously, they don’t.
I went during what books describe as one of the quieter times, waiting until Jan. 2 to enter the parks. Walking past one ride, I mentioned that the stated wait-time was two hours. “It’s insane,” a stranger said, while pushing a baby stroller. Still, a 13-year-old whom I know to be exceptionally sane waited two-and-a-half hours for the “Avatar” ride. Afterward, he pronounced it as worth it. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 9, 2023

News and Quick Comments

Here’s a movie you (and Sondheim) would love

“Glass Onion” is that rare movie that almost everyone would like … and that Stephen Sondheim would have loved.
Sondheim was a big puzzle buff. He even paused his Broadway-musical chores to co-write “The Last of Sheila” (1973), in which a conniving mogul hosts an exotic vacation filled with mysteries and secrets. Rian Johnson has said that was one of his inspirations for writing and direction “Onion,” the brilliant “Knives Out” sequel that has just arrived on Netflix.
Johnson also sort of borrows from Agatha Christie and other mystery masters. But as always, he makes it all bigger, brighter, better and, at times, funnier. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 24, 2022

News and Quick Comments

“Doc” departs with wit, drama and a rogue turkey

This year’s best Christmas TV movie doesn’t arrive until after Christmas. And isn’t quite a movie.
Still, we’ll count it. It does have guys in Santa suits, some mistletoe, a proposal, a pregnancy and lots of small-town charm. That should be enough.
We’re talking about the finale – the series-finale, sadly – of “Doc Martin” (shown here). It’s available Dec. 31 at www.acorn.tv, the streaming service that has all 10 seasons of the series plus (starting on the 31st) a documentary about it. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 22, 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

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

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