TV Archives – Page 61 of 106

Doris Day dead at 97; actress/singer was an American icon

May 13, 2019

by Colleen McGregor

Legendary actress/singer Doris Day died on May 13, 2019, at the age of 97, at her home in Carmel Valley, California. The Associated Press reports that the Doris Day Animal Foundation confirmed her death, and the foundation noted that although Day “had been in excellent physical health for her age” she had recently contracted pneumonia, the foundation said in a statement. “She requested that no memorial services be held and no grave marker erected,” according to the Associated Press.

Day was best known for starring in movies from the 1950s and 1960s, including 1955’s “Love Me or Leave Me,” 1956’s “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (in which she famously sang “Que Sera Sera”), 1959’s “Pillow Talk,” 1960’s “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies,” 1962’s “That Touch of Mink” and the 1963 films “The Thrill of It All” and “Move Over, Darling.” Day’s last film was 1968’s “With Six You Get Eggroll.”

Her hit songs included Sentimental Journey,” “Everybody Loves a Lover,” ″Secret Love” and “It’s Magic.” From 1968 to 1973, she starred in the “The Doris Day Show” on television, where it aired in the U.S. on CBS. In her later years, she became a well-known advocate for animals and had a longtime affiliation with the Humane Society of the United States.

Day was married four times; her first, second and fourth marriages ended in divorce. Her third marriage to movie producer Martin Melcher lasted 17 years until he died in 1968. Her only child was son Terry Melcher, a songwriter/music producer who died of melanoma in 2004 at the age of 62. Terry was the biological son of Day and her first husband Al Jorden, but Terry adopted by Martin Melcher. Day is survived by her grandson Ryan, who is Terry’s son.

2019 TV Upfronts: Fox announces 2019-2020 schedule; see photos and videos

May 13, 2019

by Carla Hay

Tom Payne and Michael Sheen in “Prodigal Son” (Photo by David Giesbrecht/Fox)

Fox has officially announced its 2019-2020 schedule, in advance of the network’s upfront presentation at the Beacon Theater in New York City on May 13, 2019. Most of the existing shows had previously been announced as renewed. However, the upfront presentation made it official that the following shows have been cancelled: “Lethal Weapon,” “The Gifted,” “Star,” “Rel,” “The Cool Kids,” “The Passage,” “Proven Innocent,” “Gotham,” “The Four: Battle for Stardom,” “Showtime at the Apollo,” “Cosmos” (which was a limited series) and “Love Connection.”

New scripted shows on Fox include “Prodigal Son,” “Filthy Rich,” “Bless the Harts,” “Duncanville,” “9-1-1: Lone Star,” “Not Just Me,” “Outmatched,” “neXt,” “Deputy” and “The Great North.” New unscripted shows on Fox include “Ultimate Tag” and “Spin the Wheel.” Several actors who are familiar to TV audiences are starring in these shows, including “Prodigal Son” stars Tom Payne (formerly of “The Walking Dead”) and Michael Sheen (who used to be on “Masters of Sex” and is currently on “The Good Fight”); “neXt” star John Slattery (formerly of “Mad Men”); “Filthy Rich” stars Kim Cattrall (an alum of “Sex and the City”) and Gerald McRaney, whose numerous former TV shows include “House of Cards,” “Promised Land,” “Major Dad” and “Simon & Simon”; and Rob Lowe of “9-1-1: Lone Star” (a spin-off of “9-1-1”), who is also a veteran of several TV shows, including “Parks and Recreation,” “The West Wing,” “Californication” and “Brothers and Sisters.”

Fall premiere dates will be announced at a later time. Please note that shows picked up but not listed on the schedule below will have their season debuts at other times in the 2019-2020 season. They include new shows such as “The Great North,” “Ultimate Tag,” “Deputy,” “9-1-1: Lone Star,” “next,” “BH90210” and “Spin the Wheel” and renewed shows such as “Last Man Standing,” “The Orville,” “Beat Shazam,” “Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell & Back,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “MasterChef,” “MasterChef Junior,” “So You Think You Can Dance.” It has not been announced yet if the “Paradise Hotel” reboot (which debuted on May 9, 2019) will be renewed or cancelled. In addition, Fox has announced at the limited series “BH90210” will premiere on August 7, 2019. The show, which is a satirical look at the lives of the stars of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” reunites several of the original “Beverly Hills, 90210” cast members, including Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Ian Ziering, Brian Austin Green and Gabrielle Carteris.

The following is an excerpt from a Fox press release:

FOX FALL 2019-2020 SCHEDULE

All times listed are Eastern Time only.

MONDAY

8-9 p.m. “9-1-1”
9-10 p.m. “Prodigal Son”

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. “The Resident”
9-10 p.m. “Empire”

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. “The Masked Singer”
9-10 p.m. “Not Just Me”

THURSDAY

7:30-8 p.m. “Thursday Night Football Pre-Game Show”
8-10 p.m. “NFL Football”

FRIDAY

8-10 p.m. “WWE’s Smackdown Live”

SATURDAY

7-10:30 p.m. “Fox Sports Saturday: Fox College Football”

SUNDAY

7-7:30 p.m. “NFL on Fox”
7:30-8 p.m. “The OT”/Fox Encores
8-8:30 p.m. “The Simpsons”
8:30-9 p.m. “Bless the Harts”
9-9:30 p.m. “Bob’s Burgers”
9:30-10 p.m. “Family Guy”

NEW DRAMA SERIES

“BH90210”

Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, Ian Ziering, Gabrielle Carteris, Brian Austin Green and Tori Spelling, the original stars of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” the groundbreaking teen drama that defined Southern California life, return to FOX, the network they called home for the entire decade of the 1990s, in an all-new event series the takes the concept of a series reboot to a whole new meta-level. When the cast gets back together, it will come with a big twist: the seven former teen idols will be playing heightened versions of themselves in the brand-new serialized drama – with a healthy dose of irreverence – that is inspired by their real lives and relationships with each other.

Having gone their separate ways since the original series ended 19 years ago, Jason, Shannen, Jennie, Ian, Gabrielle, Brian and Tori reunite when one of them suggests it’s time to get a “Beverly Hills, 90210” reboot up and running. But getting it going may make for an even more delicious soap than the reboot itself. What will happen when first loves, old romances, friends and frenemies come back together, as this iconic cast – whom the whole world watched grow up together – attempts to continue from where they left off?

Spawning generations of imitators, “Beverly Hills, 90210” premiered on FOX on October 4, 1990, when it became an instant pop culture sensation and one of the most adored programs in the network’s history. Centered on the tony Los Angeles community identified in its title, the show aired for 10 seasons, during which it documented the trials and tribulations of a group of friends from high school to college and into early adulthood, as they navigated a myriad of coming-of-age dramas and complex rivalries, often making real-world headlines by tackling controversial and socially relevant topics.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: CBS Television Studios, FOX Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Patrick Sean Smith, Chris Alberghini, Mike Chessler, Gabrielle Carteris, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling, Ian Ziering*

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/WRITERS: Patrick Sean Smith, Chris Alberghini, Mike Chessler*

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Patrick Sean Smith*

CAST: Gabrielle Carteris, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling and Ian Ziering as themselves

*May 16, 2019 UPDATE: According to Variety: “Patrick Sean Smith and several senior writers have quit the six-episode series…The exact reason for the exodus is unclear. One source said the dispute was over interference from two of the show’s lead actresses, while another noted that the writers were unhappy with one of the executives overseeing the project. Paul Sciarrotta has been named the new showrunner along with series’ creators Chris Alberghini and Mike Chessler. Sciarrotta, a member of the show’s writing staff, is currently under an overall deal with CBS Television Studios, which is producing the series.”

“NOT JUST ME”

Executive producer Jason Katims (“Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood”) and writer Annie Weisman (“About A Boy,” “Desperate Housewives”) bring you the story of an unusual family formed through extreme odds. Exploring such hot-button issues as identity, human connection and what it truly means to be a family, this unconventional dramedy taps directly into the zeitgeist, harnessing the emotional complications that new generations of IVF-bred children all face. Only child JULIA BECHLEY (Brittany Snow, the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) finds her life turned upside down when her father, LEON BECHLEY (Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton, “American Crime,” “Leverage,” “Ordinary People”), reveals that, over the course of his prize-winning career as a pioneering fertility doctor, he used his own sperm to conceive upwards of a hundred children.

Reeling from this explosive revelation, Julia discovers two new sisters – her former best friend, EDIE PALMER (Megalyn Echikunwoke, “The Following,” “90210”), and an ex-Olympic athlete, ROXY DOYLE (Emily Osment, “The Kominsky Method,” “Young & Hungry”). As these three young women begin to embrace their new reality, Julia must figure out what life is like without Leon by her side; Edie comes to grips with her burgeoning sexuality, as her marriage falters; and Roxy faces adulthood out of the spotlight. Against all odds, the three women will attempt to form an untraditional bond as sisters, even as they must welcome a tidal wave of new siblings into their rapidly expanding family.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Universal Television, FOX Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jason Katims, Jeni Mulein, Imogen Banks, Sharon Levy

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/WRITER: Annie Weisman

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Leslye Headland

CAST: Brittany Snow as Julia Bechley, Megalyn Echikunwoke as Edie Palmer, Emily Osment as Roxy Doyle, Mustafa Elzein as Dr. Isaac Abadi, Mo McRae as Tim Moore, Victoria Cartagena as Amanda and Timothy Hutton as Leon Bechley

“PRODIGAL SON”

From Emmy Award-nominated executive producers Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (“Riverdale,” “The Flash”) and writers Chris Fedak (“Deception,” “Chuck”) and Sam Sklaver (“Deception,” “Bored to Death”), PRODIGAL SON is a fresh take on a crime franchise with a provocative and outrageous lead character and a darkly comedic tone. MALCOLM BRIGHT (Tom Payne, “The Walking Dead”) has a gift. He knows how killers think, how their minds work. Why? Back in the 1990s, his father was one of the best, a notorious serial killer called “The Surgeon.” That’s why Bright is the best criminal psychologist around; murder is the family business. He will use his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers, all while dealing with a manipulative mother, annoyingly normal sister, a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son and his own constantly evolving neuroses.

Meet the happy family. DR. MARTIN WHITLY (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Michael Sheen, “Masters of Sex,” “Frost/Nixon”) is intelligent, wealthy and charismatic, and also happens to be a predatory sociopath who killed at least 23 people. Bright’s mother, JESSICA WHITLY (Bellamy Young, “Scandal,” “Criminal Minds”), an elegant and WASPy New Yorker, wields sarcasm like a samurai sword and has an opinion on every aspect of Bright’s life. Perhaps Bright’s only ally is his sister, AINSLEY WHITLY (Halston Sage, THE ORVILLE), a TV journalist who wishes her brother would “take a break from murder” and have a normal life.

Unfortunately for his sister, the only way Bright feels normal is by solving cases with the help of his longtime mentor, NYPD Detective GIL ARROYO (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Lou Diamond Phillips, “Longmire,” “Stand and Deliver”). Arroyo’s one of the best detectives around, and he expects no less from his team – Detective DANI POWELL (Aurora Perrineau, “The Carmichael Show,” “Jem and the Holograms”), a headstrong no-nonsense cop who quickly becomes impressed with Bright’s work; and Detective JT TARMEL (Frank Harts, “The Path,” “Billions”), a born-and-bred New Yorker who questions whether Bright is a psychopath himself. So much for normal.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Warner Bros. Television, Berlanti Productions, FOX Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS/WRITERS: Chris Fedak, Sam Sklaver

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Lee Toland Krieger

CAST: Tom Payne as Malcolm Bright, Michael Sheen as Dr. Martin Whitly, Bellamy Young as Jessica Whitly, Lou Diamond Phillips as Gil Arroyo, Halston Sage as Ainsley Whitly, Aurora Perrineau as Dani Powell, Frank Harts as JT Tarmel, Keiko Agena as Edrisa Tanaka

“9-1-1: LONE STAR”

FOX’S #1 drama, 9-1-1, expands its reach to the city of Austin, TX, with new installment, 9-1-1: LONE STAR, starring Rob Lowe. 9-1-1: LONE STAR debuts with a special two-night event beginning Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP, and continuing with its time period premiere on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. From 9-1-1 co-creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, 9-1-1: LONE STAR follows a sophisticated New York cop (Lowe), who, along with his son, re-locates, and must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in his own life.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, Ryan Murphy Television, Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision

CO-CREATORS/WRITERS/EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Tim Minear

CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Rob Lowe

“DEPUTY”

From writer/executive producer Will Beall (“Aquaman,” “Gangster Squad”) and director/executive producer David Ayer (“Training Day,” “End of Watch”), DEPUTY blends the spirit of a classic Western with a modern-day attitude and emotionally driven, visceral storytelling. Featuring an ensemble of ambitious and complicated human beings who won’t rest until justice is served, DEPUTY brings a gritty authenticity to the modern cop drama. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is one of the largest police forces in the world, but when the elected Sheriff dies, an arcane rule in the county charter, forged back in the Wild West, suddenly thrusts the most unlikely man into the job.

That man is BILL HOLLISTER (Stephen Dorff, “True Detective,” “Star”). A fifth-generation lawman, Bill is only interested in justice; his soul wears a white hat. The bad guys don’t stand a chance, but neither do the politicos in the Hall of Justice. Under Bill’s command is a county-wide crew of LA’s finest, including Deputy CADE WARD (Brian Van Holt, “Cougar Town”), a former Marine stationed in Afghanistan, eight years sober and one of Bill’s few confidantes; Deputy RACHEL DELGADO (Siena Goines, “Andi Mack,” “Chase”), Walker’s partner, a meticulous officer who is knee-deep in a nasty divorce; Deputy BREANNA BISHOP (Bex Taylor-Klaus, “Arrow,” “Voltron”), the whip-smart, sarcastic driver in charge of Bill’s security detail; and Deputy JOSEPH BLAIR (Shane Paul McGhie, “What Men Want”).

The dangers associated with the job often lead the police to LA County General Hospital, where Bill buts heads with Dr. PAULA REYES (Yara Martinez, “Jane the Virgin,” “True Detective”), the hospital’s chief trauma surgeon – and his wife. Given a job he never wanted, in an unfamiliar sea of politics, Bill quickly learns that doing what is expected and doing what is right are two different things, and that his innate, dogged pursuit of justice is the only skill the job truly requires.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Entertainment One, FOX Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/WRITER: Will Beall

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: David Ayer

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Chris Long, Barry Schindel

CAST: Stephen Dorff as Bill Hollister, Yara Martinez as Dr. Paula Reyes, Brian Van Holt as Cade Ward, Siena Goines as Rachel Delgado, Bex Taylor-Klaus as Breanna Bishop, Shane Paul McGhie as Joseph Blair, Mark Moses as Jerry London

“FILTHY RICH “

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX8feK5WK68

From writer/director Tate Taylor (“Ma,” “The Help,” “The Girl on the Train”) comes FILTHY RICH, a southern Gothic family drama in which wealth, power and religion intersect – more correctly, collide – with outrageously soapy results. Meet the Monreauxes, a mega-rich Southern family famed for creating a wildly successful Christian television network. On the cusp of launching a digital retail arm of the company, the family’s patriarch, EUGENE (Emmy Award winner Gerald McRaney, “This Is Us,” “24: Legacy”), dies in a plane crash (or so we think), leaving MARGARET (Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Kim Cattrall, “Sex and the City”), a now-“Oprah” to the religious and Southern communities, to take charge of the family business.

Not surprisingly, Eugene’s apparent death greatly impacts the Monreaux children: ERIC (Corey Cott, “The Good Fight,” “Z: The Beginning of Everything”), the couple’s ambitious son, who assumes he will now run the show; and daughter ROSE (Aubrey Dollar, “Battle Creek”), a budding fashion designer, who constantly struggles to evade the vast shadow cast by her mother. If that wasn’t enough, the Monreauxes are stunned to learn that Eugene fathered three illegitimate children, all of whom are written into his will.

Now, Margaret must use her business savvy and Southern charm to control her newly legitimized heirs, whose very existence threatens the Monreaux family name and fortune: GINGER (Melia Kreiling, “Tyrant,” “The Borgias”), the tough-as-nails daughter of a Vegas cocktail waitress, whose life was virtually destroyed by Eugene’s rejection; ANTONIO (Benjamin Levy Aguilar, “Straight Outta Compton”), a single dad and boxer from Queens, NY; and JASON (Mark L. Young, “The Comeback,” “We’re the Millers”), another scion, who is not what he seems to be. With monumental twists and turns, not to mention lies, deceit and shade from every direction, FILTHY RICH presents a world in which everyone has an ulterior motive – and no one is going down without a fight. The series is based on the New Zealand format created by Filthy Productions Limited.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20^th Century Fox Television, Imagine Entertainment, FOX Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR: Tate Taylor

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, John Norris, Abe Sylvia

PRODUCER: Kim Cattrall

CAST: Kim Cattrall as Margaret Monreaux, Melia Kreiling as Ginger Sweet, Aubrey Dollar as Rose Monreaux, Corey Cott as Eric Monreaux, Benjamin Levy Aguilar as Antonio Rivera, Mark L. Young as Jason Conley, Olivia Macklin as Becky Monreaux, with Steve Harris as Franklin Lee and Gerald McRaney as Eugene Monreaux

“neXt”

From creator and executive producer Manny Coto (“24: Legacy”) and executive producers and directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (“This Is Us”), neXt is a propulsive, fact-based thriller about the emergence of a deadly, rogue artificial intelligence, a series that asks us to look closely not only at our relationship to technology, but to one another. Silicon Valley pioneer PAUL LEBLANC (Emmy Award nominee John Slattery, “Mad Men,” “Veep”) built a fortune and legacy on the world-changing innovations he dreamed up, while ignoring and alienating the people around him, including his own daughter, ABBY (Elizabeth Cappucino, “Jessica Jones,” “Deception”), and his short-sighted younger brother, TED (Jason Butler Harner, “Ozark,” “Ray Donovan”), who now runs Paul’s company.

After discovering that one of his own creations – a powerful A.I. called neXt – might spell doom for humankind, Paul tried to shutter the project, only to be kicked out of the company by his own brother, leaving him with nothing but mounting dread about the fate of the world. When a series of unsettling tech mishaps points to a potential worldwide crisis, LeBlanc joins forces with Special Agent SHEA SALAZAR (Fernanda Andrade, “The First,” “Here and Now”).

Having escaped crime, poverty and a deadly criminal father to remake herself as a force for good, Salazar’s strict moral code and sense of duty have earned her the respect of her team – a talented but contentious group held together by her faith in their ability to defy expectations and transcend their differences, including GINA (Eve Harlow, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Heroes Reborn”), a high-strung cybercrime agent; BEN (Aaron Moten, “Disjointed,” “Mozart in the Jungle”), a straight-laced, buttoned-up hard worker, who is boring to the point of being interesting; and CM (Michael Mosley, “Ozark,” “Seven Seconds”), an ex-con hacker with a genius IQ.

But the demands of Shea’s challenging job have taken their toll on her home life, where Salazar’s young son, OWEN (Evan Whitten, THE RESIDENT, “Mr. Robot”), has been raised primarily by his father, TY (Gerardo Celasco, “How to Get Away with Murder,” “The Haves and the Have Nots”), a recovering alcoholic. Now, LeBlanc and Salazar are the only ones standing in the way of a potential global catastrophe, fighting an emergent superintelligence that, instead of launching missiles, will deploy the immense knowledge it has gleaned from the data all around us to recruit allies, turn people against each other and eliminate obstacles to its own survival and growth. Marrying pulse-pounding action with a layered examination of how technology is invading our lives and transforming us in ways we don’t yet understand, neXt presents us with a villain unlike anything we’ve ever seen – one whose greatest weapon against us is ourselves.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, FOX Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/WRITER: Manny Coto

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS: John Requa, Glenn Ficarra

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Charlie Gogolak

CAST: John Slattery as Paul LeBlanc, Fernanda Andrade as Shea Salazar, Jason Butler Harner as Ted LeBlanc, Michael Mosley as CM, Eve Harlow as Gina, Aaron Moten as Ben, Gerardo Celasco as Ty Salazar, Elizabeth Cappuccino as Abby, Evan Whitten as Ethan Salazar, Olenka Wos Kimball as Iliza, Dann Fink as neXt

NEW COMEDY SERIES

“BLESS THE HARTS”

Created and executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Emily Spivey (“The Last Man on Earth,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Saturday Night Live”), BLESS THE HARTS is a new half-hour animated comedy that follows the Harts, a Southern family that is always broke, and forever struggling to make ends meet. They one day hope to achieve the American dream, but they’re already rich – in friends, family and laughter. JENNY HART (Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Kristen Wiig, “Bridesmaids,” “Saturday Night Live”) is a single mother supporting her family working as a waitress in the small town of Greenpoint, NC. While Jenny’s the head of her family, she’s often at odds with, or scheming with, her lottery scratcher-obsessed mother, BETTY (Emmy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Maya Rudolph, “The Good Place,” “Bridesmaids”), and her witty, creative daughter, VIOLET (Emmy Award nominee Jillian Bell, “Workaholics,” “Fist Fight”). Jenny’s doting, eternal optimist boyfriend of 10 years, WAYNE EDWARDS (Ike Barinholtz, “Neighbors,” “Blockers”), is the love of her life and a surrogate father to Violet. He’s a charming dreamer who may never hit the big time, but he’s not going to give up the fight. In the end, the Harts may not have much, but they may just have everything they need.

PRODUCTION COMPANY: 20th Century Fox Television, FOX Entertainment

CREATOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Spivey

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Kristen Wiig, Seth Cohen

VOICE CAST: Kristen Wiig as Jenny Hart, Maya Rudolph as Betty Hart, Jillian Bell as Violet Hart, Ike Barinholtz as Wayne Edwards

GUEST VOICE CAST: Fortune Feimster as Brenda, Drew Tarver as Randy, Mary Steenburgen as Crystalynn

“DUNCANVILLE”

From Golden Globe winner Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation,” “Saturday Night Live”) and Emmy Award winners Mike and Julie Scully (THE SIMPSONS, “The Carmichael Show,” (“Parks and Recreation”) comes DUNCANVILLE, an animated family comedy centered around a spectacularly average 15-year-old boy with a rich fantasy life, and the people in his world. Like most 15-year-olds, DUNCAN (Poehler) can see adulthood on the horizon: money, freedom, cars, girls…but the reality is more like: always being broke, driving with your mom sitting shotgun and babysitting your little sister. He’s not exceptional, but he has a rich fantasy life where he’s never anything less than amazing. Duncan’s mom, ANNIE (Poehler), a parking enforcement officer who dreams of someday being a detective, lives in perpetual fear that her teenage son is one bad decision from ruining his life and will do anything to stop him from doing so. Duncan’s father, JACK (Emmy Award winner Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”), a classic-rock-obsessed plumber who’s determined to be a better dad than the one he had, is constantly posting on Facebook – and annoyed that his kids won’t “friend” him. Duncan’s younger sisters are 12-year-old KIMBERLY (Emmy Award nominee Riki Lindhome, “Garfunkel and Oates: Trying to be Special,” “Another Period”), an awkward, emotional girl who can hold grudges forever; and six-year-old JING, who adores her older brother maybe a little too much and whose catchphrase is, “Watch me!,” followed by the world’s slowest cartwheel. Helping Duncan navigate adolescence are his friends, class clown BEX (Betsy Sodaro, “Another Period,” “Disjointed”); trendy influencer YANGZI (Yassir Lester, “Making History”); aspiring troubled youth WOLF; and his on-again, off-again crush, MIA (Rashida Jones, “Parks and Recreation,” “Angie Tribeca”), who never met a cause she wouldn’t dedicate her life to. The coolest guy in their school is MR. MITCH (Wiz Khalifa, “American Dad!,” “BoJack Horseman”), the universally loved teacher/guidance counselor, and occasional gym coach and school nurse, due to budget cuts. Animated by Bento Box Entertainment (BOB’S BURGERS), DUNCANVILLE is in the long tradition of FOX Sunday night animation, and has just started production on a line of over-priced, shoddily produced merchandise for the whole family.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, Universal Television, FOX Entertainment

CO-CREATORS/EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Mike Scully, Julie Scully, Amy Poehler

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Dave Becky

VOICE CAST: Amy Poehler as Duncan/Annie, Ty Burrell as Jack, Riki Lindhome as Kimberly, Betsy Sodaro as Bex, Yassir Lester as Yangzi

GUEST VOICE CAST: Rashida Jones as Mia, Wiz Khalifa as Mr. Mitch

“OUTMATCHED”

From writer/executive producer Lon Zimmet (“LA to Vegas”) comes OUTMATCHED, a multi-camera family comedy about a blue-collar couple in Atlantic City trying to raise four kids – three of whom just happen to be certified geniuses. For most parents, parenting is hard. But for CAY (Maggie Lawson, “Lethal Weapon,” “Psych”), a caustic, take-no-prisoners casino pit boss, and husband MIKE (Jason Biggs, “Orange Is the New Black,” the “American Pie” franchise), a handyman and uncultivated guy’s guy, parenting may as well be advanced calculus. Dealing with the demands and egos of three high-IQ children would be tricky for any parent, but it’s especially hazardous for two working stiffs who barely got through high school. Mike and Cay are committed to bringing some normalcy to their kids’ hectic, unconventional childhoods, but these geniuses don’t make it easy. Leading the charge is BRIAN (Connor Kalopsis, “The Grinder”), a condescending and pretentious 16-year-old math whiz, who thinks he already knows more about the world than Mike and Cay ever will, even though he’s never actually been out of New Jersey. His 15-year-old sister, NICOLE (Ashley Boettcher, “Lost in Oz”), is a deceptive and fiercely competitive language prodigy who can manipulate her parents into getting anything she wants. The youngest and most recently anointed child prodigy is MARC (Jack Stanton, “The Mick”), a 10-year-old music savant. Introverted and idiosyncratic, he just wants everyone to leave him alone, so he can become the next Beethoven in peace. The only child not driving their parents crazy is eight-year-old LEILA (Oakley Bull, “Beautiful Boy”), who is decidedly not a genius. In fact, she might be kind of dumb. She’s the only kid Mike and Cay even remotely understand. OUTMATCHED takes an honest and heightened look at every parent’s worst fear – that they’re “ruining” their kids. When you have children with the type of gifts that can change the world, the pressure is really on. Raise them right, and these kids could cure cancer, stop global warming or invent time travel. But screw it up, and you could unleash three new super villains into the universe – good luck!

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, FOX Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/WRITER: Lon Zimmet

DIRECTOR: Jonathan Judge

CAST: Jason Biggs as Mike, Maggie Lawson as Cay, Tisha Campbell-Martin as Rita, Jack Stanton as Marc, Connor Kalopsis as Brian, Ashley Boettcher as Nicole, Oakley Bull as Leila

“THE GREAT NORTH”

From executive producer Loren Bouchard (BOB’S BURGERS), animated comedy THE GREAT NORTH follows the Alaskan adventures of the Tobin family, as a single dad does his best to keep his weird bunch of kids close, especially as the artistic dreams of his only daughter lead her away from the family fishing boat and into the glamorous world of the local mall.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, FOX Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Loren Bouchard

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS/WRITERS: Wendy Molyneux, Lizzie Molyneux, Minty Lewis

VOICE CAST: Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Jenny Slate, Will Forte, Paul Rust, Aparna Nancherla, Dulcé Sloan

GUEST VOICE CAST: Alanis Morissette

NEW ALTERNATIVE SERIES

“ULTIMATE TAG”

Hosted by football superstars and brothers JJ, TJ and Derek Watt, ULTIMATE TAG is a high-octane physical competition show based on the classic playground game of chase. The thrilling, energy-sapping competition will premiere in 2020.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Znak & Co., FOX Alternative Entertainment

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Natalka Znak, Conrad Green, Glenn Coomber, JJ Watt

2019 TV Upfronts: NBC announces 2019-2020 schedule; see photos and videos

May 12, 2019

by Carla Hay

Caitlin McGee, Jimmy Smits and Michael Luwoye in “Bluff City Law” (Photo courtesy of NBC)

NBC has officially announced its 2019-2020 schedule, which will be unveiled during parent company NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation at New York City’s Radio Music Hall on May 13, 2019. Most of the existing shows had previously been announced as renewed. However, the upfront presentation made it official that these shows have been cancelled: “I Feel Bad” and “Midnight, Texas.” NBC says it has not yet decided the fate of “Abby’s,” “A.P. Bio,” “The Enemy Within,” “The InBetween,” “The Titan Games” and “The Village.”

New scripted shows include “Bluff City Law,” “Council of Dads,” “Lincoln,” “Indebted,” “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “Perfect Harmony,” “The Kenan Show” and “Sunnyside.” Several familiar names in television will have new shows on NBC as stars and/or executive producers, including “Bluff City Law” star Jimmy Smits (formerly of “L.A. Law”); “Lincoln” co-stars Russell Hornsby (formerly of “Grimm”) and Michael Imperioli (formerly of “The Sopranos”); “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” co-star Peter Gallagher (formerly of “The O.C.”); “Indebted” co-stars Fran Drescher (formerly of “The Nanny”), Adam Pally (formerly of “New Girl”) and Steven Weber (formerly of “Wings”); “The Kenan Show” star Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”); “Perfect Harmony” star Bradley Whitford (formerly of “The West Wing”); and “Sunnyside” star Kal Penn (formerly of “House”).

Ahead of the upfront presentation, NBC announced that the drama series “This Is Us” has been renewed for an unprecedented three additional seasons. TV series are typically renewed one season at a time. In addition, Ellen DeGeneres will host and executive produce “Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways,” three one-hour specials airing during the end-of-year 2019 holiday season. In the specials, DeGeneres and some of her celebrity friends “will deliver life-changing gifts to unsuspecting people who’ve topped her nice list,” according to a press release from NBC.

Stars from NBC are expected to attend NBCUniversal’s upfront event to promote their shows, as well as stars from several other NBCUniversal networks, including USA Network, Telemundo, Universo, Bravo, E!, Oxygen and Syfy.

Fall premiere dates will be announced at a later time. Please note that shows picked up but not listed on the schedule below will have their season premieres at other times in the 2019-2020 season. They include new shows “Council of Dads,” “Lincoln,” “Indebted,” “Small Fortune,” “Songland,” “Bring the Funny” and “That’s My Jam” and renewed shows “Blindspot” (for its final season), “World of Dance,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Will & Grace,” “American Ninja Warrior,” “Good Girls,” “America’s Got Talent,” “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” “Hollywood Game Night,” “The Wall,” “Little Big Shots” (with new host Melissa McCarthy), “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Manifest.”

The following is an excerpt from an NBC press release:

NBC FALL 2019-2020 SCHEDULE

All times listed are Eastern Time only.

MONDAY

8-10 p.m. “The Voice”
10-11 p.m. “Bluff City Law”

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. “The Voice”
9-10 p.m. “This Is Us”
10-11 p.m. “New Amsterdam”

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. “Chicago Med”
9-10 p.m. “Chicago Fire”
10-11 p.m. “Chicago P.D.”

THURSDAY

8-8:30 p.m. “Superstore”
8:30-9 p.m. “Perfect Harmony”
9-9:30 p.m. “The Good Place”
9-10 p.m. “Sunnyside”
10-11 p.m. “Law & Order: SVU”

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m. “The Blacklist”
9-11 p.m. “Dateline NBC”

SATURDAY

8-10 p.m. “Dateline Saturday Night Mystery”
10-11 p.m. “Saturday Night Live” (encores)

SUNDAY

7-8:20 p.m. “Football Night in America”
8:20-11 p.m. “NBC Sunday Night Football”

NEW DRAMA SERIES

“BLUFF CITY LAW”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHZ9LAzAxe4

Coming from a famous Memphis family known for taking on injustice, brilliant lawyer Sydney Strait used to work at her father Elijah’s celebrated law firm until their tumultuous relationship got in the way. After barely speaking to him for years, Sydney is suddenly thrust back into the family fold when her philanthropist mother passes away unexpectedly. In the wake of her loss, hoping to reconnect with the daughter he loves, Elijah asks Sydney to rejoin his ﬁrm. She agrees because despite her lingering resentment and distrust, she knows that working alongside her father is her best hope at changing the world … if they can ever get along.

The cast includes Jimmy Smits, Caitlin McGee, Scott Shepherd, Barry Sloane, Michael Luwoye, MaameYaa Boafo, Stony Blyden and Jayne Atkinson.

Dean Georgaris will write and executive produce. Michael Aguliar and David Janollari will executive produce.

“Bluff City Law” is produced by Universal Television in association with David Janollari Entertainment.

“COUNCIL OF DADS”

When Scott, a loving father of four, has his entire life’s plan thrown into upheaval by an unexpected health scare, he calls on a few of his closest allies to step in as back-up dads for every stage of his growing family’s life. Scott assembles a trusted group of role models that includes Anthony, his oldest friend; Larry, his AA sponsor; and Oliver, his surgeon and best friend to his wife, Robin. These men agree to devote themselves to supporting and guiding Scott’s amazing family through all the triumphs and challenges life has to offer – just in case he ever can’t be there to do so himself.

The cast includes Sarah Wayne Callies, Clive Standen, Tom Everett Scott, J. August Richards, Blue Chapman, Emjay Anthony, Michele Weaver, Thalia Tran, Steven Silver and Michael O’Neill.

Tony Phelan & Joan Rater will write and executive produce. Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed will executive produce. James Oh and Bruce Feiler will produce.

“Council of Dads” is produced by Universal Television in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Midwest Livestock Productions.

“LINCOLN”

Inspired by the best-selling book “The Bone Collector,” former NYPD detective and forensic genius Lincoln Rhyme was at the top of his game until a serious accident at the hands of a notorious serial killer forces him out of the field. When Amelia Sachs, an intuitive young officer who’s got her own gift for proﬁling, finds herself hot on the killer’s trail, Rhyme in turn finds a partner for this new game of cat and mouse. As the unlikely detective duo joins forces to crack the city’s most confounding cases, they must also race to take down the enigmatic “Bone Collector” who brought them together.

The cast includes Russell Hornsby, Arielle Kebbel, Brían F. O’Byrne, Tate Ellington, Courtney Grosbeck, Ramses Jimenez, Brooke Lyons, Roslyn Ruff and Michael Imperioli.

VJ Boyd and Mark Bianculli will write and executive produce. Seth Gordon will direct and executive produce. Avi Nir, Peter Traugott and Rachel Kaplan will executive produce.

“Lincoln” is produced by Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television and in association with Keshet Studios.

“ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST”

In this joyous and celebratory drama, Zoey Clarke is a whip-smart computer coder forging her way in San Francisco. After an unusual event she starts to hear the innermost wants and desires of the people around her through songs. At ﬁrst, she questions her own sanity but soon realizes this unwanted curse may just be an incredibly wonderful gift.

The cast includes Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Peter Gallagher, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Carmen Cusack and Mary Steenburgen.

Austin Winsberg will write and executive produce. Richard Shepard will direct and executive produce (pilot only). Paul Feig, Jessie Henderson, Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum, David Blackman and Daniel Inkeles will executive produce.

“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is produced by Lionsgate in association with the Tannenbaum Company, FeigCo Entertainment and Universal Music Group.

NEW COMEDY SERIES

“INDEBTED”

Young parents Dave and Rebecca are ready to reclaim their life after years of diapers and sleepless nights. However, things take an unexpected turn when Dave’s parents show up unannounced and broke, leaving Dave with no choice but to open the door to the people who gave him everything. But these boomerang parents aren’t great with boundaries and the question of who’s parenting who quickly becomes blurred in this multi-generational comedy starring Fran Drescher and Adam Pally as mother and son.

The cast includes Adam Pally, Abby Elliott, Steven Weber and Fran Drescher.

Dan Levy will write and executive produce. Doug Robinson will executive produce.

“Indebted” is produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Doug Robinson Productions.

“THE KENAN SHOW”

In this family comedy, Kenan Thompson strives to be a super dad to his two adorable girls while simultaneously balancing his job and a father-in-law who “helps” in the most inappropriate ways.

The cast includes Kenan Thompson, Punam Patel, Dani Lockett, Dannah Lockett and Andy Garcia.

Jackie Clarke will write and executive produce. Chris Rock will direct and executive produce. Kenan Thompson, Lorne Michaels and Andrew Singer will executive produce.

“The Kenan Show” is produced by Universal Television in association with Broadway Video.

“PERFECT HARMONY”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv2fXZfsqYE

Bradley Whitford stars in this comedy about finding inspiration in the most unlikely places. When former Princeton music professor Arthur Cochran unexpectedly stumbles into choir practice at a small-town church, he finds a group of singers that are out of tune in more ways than one. Despite the ultimate clash of sensibilities, Arthur and his newfound cohorts may just be the perfect mix of individuals to help each other reinvent and rediscover a little happiness, just when they all need it most.

The cast includes Bradley Whitford, Anna Camp, Tymberlee Hill, Rizwan Manji, Will Greenberg, Geno Segers and Spencer Allport.

Lesley Wake Webster will write and executive produce. Jason Winer will direct and executive produce. Bradley Whitford, Adam Anders and Jon Radler will executive produce.

“Perfect Harmony” is produced by 20thCentury Fox Television and Small Dog Picture Company.

“SUNNYSIDE”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3q56hWlvVw

Garrett Modi was living the American Dream. As the youngest New York City Councilman ever, he was rubbing elbows with the political elite, attending star-studded parties and was the pride of Queens. But instead of spending his time in ofﬁce helping the people that got him elected, he lost his way amidst the power and glamour of politics. When his downward spiral got him busted for public intoxication (and downright stupidity), it was all caught on tape and ended his career. Now, Garrett’s crashing with his sister, Mallory, and wondering where it all went wrong. That is, until he’s hired by a diverse group of hopefuls who dream of becoming American citizens and believe he can help – giving him a new sense of purpose and a chance for redemption, as long as he remembers where he came from.

The cast includes Kal Penn, Diana Maria Riva, Joel Kim Booster, Kiran Deol, Poppy Liu, Moses Storm and Samba Schutte.

Kal Penn and Matt Murray will write and executive produce. Michael Schur will be supervising executive producer. David Miner and Dan Spilo will executive produce.

“Sunnyside” is produced by Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show canceled from television

May 10, 2019

by Daphne Sorenson

The annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has been canceled—at least on television. According to the New York Times, L Brands (the company that owns Victoria’s Secret) announced in an internal memo on May 10, 2019, that the famous lingerie show featuring numerous supermodels will no longer be airing on television.

L Brands CEO Leslie Wexner said in the memo that the company had been “taking a fresh look at every aspect of our business” in the past few months, and noted that Victoria’s Secret “must evolve and change to grow … With that in mind, we have decided to re-think the traditional Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Going forward we don’t believe network television is the right fit.” He said the company would develop “a new kind of event” for Victoria’s Secret but did not elaborate on any further details.

It’s the latest blow to Victoria’s Secret, which has been experiencing declining sales and store closures.

TV ratings for the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show have also been on a rapid decline. The show, which debuted in 1995, wasn’t televised until 2001, when it got 12.4 million U.S. viewers on ABC. It remains the highest-rated Victoria’s Secret show for a single TV network, according to Nielsen. CBS televised the show in 2002, 2003 and from 2005 to 2017. During those years, the ratings ranged from 10.5 million U.S. viewers (in 2002) to 5 million U.S. viewers (in 2017). ABC picked up the show in 2018, when it had 3.3 million U.S viewers.

It’s likely that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show will continue and will have an online platform where people can watch the show.

CMT Music Awards: Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Zac Brown Band are the top nominees

May 7, 2019

Miranda Lambert in Cosmopolitan’s August 2017 issue (Photo by Ben Watts)

Maren Morris at the iHeart Radio Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on March 14, 2019. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Fox/PictureGroup)

Brothers Osborne at the 51st Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, on Nov. 8, 2017. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)

The following is a press release from CMT:

CMT today announced the nominations for the “2019 CMT Music Awards,” airing LIVE on Wednesday, June 5 at 8:00pm ET / 7:00pm CT. Nashville’s biggest party returns to kick off the summer with a grand celebration recognizing the most beloved names in country music. Each winner is selected by the fans, with voting open now at vote.cmt.com.

Continuing the “CMT Music Awards” tradition of embracing blended-genre collaborations among all musical formats, this year’s nominations feature a wide range of talent, from rising stars to music legends, spanning the worlds of pop, soul and R&B.

Superstars Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert and Zac Brown Band will compete for the most accolades of the evening, each with 3 nominations. Other artists with more than one nomination include Brandi Carlile, Carrie Underwood, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Julia Michaels, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sugarland, and Taylor Swift.

With first-time nominations, R&B legends Boyz II Men and soul singer Leon Bridges will compete for Performance of the Year. Other artists with first-time nominations this year include “Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight and pop sensation Shawn Mendes, along with Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Jimmie Allen, Jordan Davis, Julia Michaels, Mitchell Tenpenny, Morgan Wallen, Runaway June and Tenille Towns.

This year, 14 acts are in the running for the highly coveted “Video of the Year” award, including Carrie Underwood, who reigns as the most awarded artist in CMT Music Awards history with 18 wins. The top five “Video of the Year” nominees will be announced the morning of the show, and fans will be able to vote all day and throughout the show on Twitter to determine the winner.

Fan voting begins today at vote.cmt.com and continues until 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 4.

The nominees for the 2019 CMT MUSIC AWARDS are:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced the morning of the show, with final voting held on social media during the live telecast.

● Carrie Underwood – “Cry Pretty”

● Chris Janson – “Drunk Girl”

● Cole Swindell – “Break Up in the End”

● Dan + Shay – “Speechless”

● Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne – “Burning Man”

● Eric Church – “Desperate Man”

● Florida Georgia Line – “Simple”

● Kacey Musgraves – “Rainbow”

● Kane Brown – “Good as You”

● Keith Urban featuring Julia Michaels – “Coming Home”

● Kelsea Ballerini – “Miss Me More”

● Luke Combs – “She Got the Best of Me”

● Maren Morris – “GIRL”

● Zac Brown Band – “Someone I Used To Know”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

● Cole Swindell – “Break Up in the End”

● Eric Church – “Desperate Man”

● Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert – “Drowns the Whiskey”

● Kane Brown – “Lose It”

● Kenny Chesney – “Get Along”

● Luke Bryan – “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset”

● Thomas Rhett – “Life Changes”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

● Brandi Carlile – “The Joke”

● Carly Pearce – “Closer to You”

● Carrie Underwood – “Love Wins”

● Kacey Musgraves – “Space Cowboy”

● Kelsea Ballerini – “Miss Me More”

● Maren Morris – “GIRL”

● Miranda Lambert – “Keeper of the Flame”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

● Brothers Osborne – “I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)”

● Dan + Shay – “Speechless”

● Florida Georgia Line – “Simple”

● LOCASH – “Feels Like a Party”

● Maddie & Tae – “Friends Don’t”

● Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift – “Babe”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

● Eli Young Band – “Love Ain’t”

● LANCO – “Born to Love You”

● Little Big Town – “Summer Fever”

● Midland – “Burn Out”

● Old Dominion – “Hotel Key”

● Zac Brown Band – “Someone I Used To Know”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

● Ashley McBryde – “Girl Goin’ Nowhere (At Marathon Music Works)”

● Jimmie Allen – “Best Shot”

● Jordan Davis – “Take It From Me”

● Mitchell Tenpenny – “Drunk Me”

● Morgan Wallen – “Whiskey Glasses”

● Runaway June – “Buy My Own Drinks”

● Tenille Townes – “Somebody’s Daughter”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists

● Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell – “What Happens in a Small Town”

● Darius Rucker featuring Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Charles Kelley – “Straight to Hell”

● Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne – “Burning Man”

● Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert – “Drowns the Whiskey”

● Keith Urban featuring Julia Michaels – “Coming Home”

● Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift – “Babe”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

Boyz II Men and Brett Young – “Motownphilly (From CMT Crossroads)”

Luke Combs and Leon Bridges – “Beautiful Crazy (From CMT Crossroads)”

Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile – “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (From 2018 CMT Artists of the Year)”

Brett Eldredge and Meghan Trainor – “Let You Be Right (From CMT Crossroads)”

Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Gladys Knight – “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (From 2018 CMT Artists of the Year)

Zac Brown Band and Shawn Mendes – “Keep Me in Mind (From CMT Crossroads)”

Returning for the second consecutive year, award-winning musical talent Little Big Town will serve as hosts for the evening when the “2019 CMT Music Awards” premieres LIVE from Nashville next month. The chart-topping group has graced the “CMT Music Awards” stage with multiple wins and performances under their belts and will introduce the next wave of winners in Nashville during one of the most highly-anticipated events in country music. As nominees, they’ll also vie for CMT Performance of the Year and Group Video of the Year.

For more information, follow @CMT on Twitter and Instagram, use hashtag #CMTawards and like the CMT Music Awards on Facebook.

To request media credentials for the 2019 CMT Music Awards, please visit cmtmusicawardspress.com.

About CMT Awards Host: Little Big Town

GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, and AMA Award-winning group, Little Big Town — consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook — first entered the music scene over 19 years ago with hit songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” Their breakthrough albums Tornado and Pain Killer produced multiple #1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of the year (2015) “Girl Crush.” Released February 24, 2017, Little Big Town’s latest studio album, The Breaker, debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Charts and Top 10 (No.4) on the Billboard 200 to critical acclaim, marking the group’s fourth Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 chart. The album features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as “When Someone Stops Loving You.”

Little Big Town has earned more than 40 award show nominations and in the past five years has taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple GRAMMY, AMA, People’s Choice, CMA, ACM awards, and an Emmy award. Currently the reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year, the Country Music Hall of Fame inductees (2014) went onto receive their star on the Nashville Walk of Fame in 2017. Also in 2017, Little Big Town hosted a sold-out, year-long artist residency at the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville — marking the venue’s first-ever, year-long residency in its 125-year history. The band also recently launched 4 Cellars wine, their first non-musical project as a band, with Browne Family Vineyards. For more information on Little Big Town visit LittleBigTown.com or follow them @littlebigtown.

About CMT

CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT App, CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB). For more information, please visit CMT Press at cmtpress.com.

2019 Tribeca Film Festival movie review: ‘See You Yesterday’

May 5, 2019

by Carla Hay

“See You Yesterday”

Directed by Stefon Bristol

World premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on May 3, 2019.

“Back to the Future” meets “Black Lives Matter” could be a superficial way to describe “See You Yesterday,” a time-traveling drama about a teenage girl who goes back in time to prevent the police-shooting death of her older brother. But “See You Yesterday” is not a “Back to the Future” ripoff—it’s a compelling social commentary seen through the eyes of intelligent African American teenagers who are the central characters in the movie.

“See You Yesterday,” the first feature film from Spike Lee protégé Stefon Bristol, is a longer version of Bristol’s short film of the same name, and the movie has the same two lead actors from the short film. Eden Duncan-Smith is Claudette “CJ” Walker and Danté Crichlow is Sebastian Thomas, CJ’s best friend—two high-school students who live in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush neighborhood in New York City. Both teens are aspiring scientists who have been working on a time-traveling machine that can be worn in a backpack. CJ is the type of student who likes to read Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time” in class, and she’s essentially the brains behind the time machine.

As with most scientific experiments, things are done with trial and error. The movie begins with CJ and Sebastian’s botched attempts to get the time-traveling invention to work. It’s only a matter of time before they broach the subject of time traveling with their science teacher Mr. Lockhart (played by “Back to the Future” star Michael J. Fox, in a brilliantly cast cameo), who tells them that if time travel were possible, it would be one of the greatest ethical conundrums that people would face, before declaring, “Time travel. Great Scott!” Fans of “Back to the Future” will get this inside joke. (In a Q&A after one of the Tribeca Film Festival screenings of “See You Yesterday,” Bristol said that Fox agreed to be in the movie after Bristol wrote him a letter, and Fox hadn’t even seen the script yet. Before filming was set to begin, Fox broke his hand, but they were able to reschedule filming for Fox several weeks later after he recovered from his injury.)

On their fourth attempt at time travel, CJ and Sebastian succeed on June 29, 2019, and go back in time and then back to the present day. The date that they begin to time travel is significant because of what will happen less than a month later. For now, the two budding scientists decide to keep their time-traveling secret to themselves.

Being a science nerd in tough East Flatbush isn’t easy. CJ and Sebastian constantly have to dodge the crime and street fights that plague their neighborhood. Her 19-year-old older brother Calvin (played by Brian Bradley, also known as Astro or Stro) is a bit of a rebel, but he’s very protective of CJ. She is also dealing with moving on from ex-boyfriend Jared (played by Rayshawn Richardson), a bully who flaunts his new girlfriend in front of CJ. It’s clear that when Jared and CJ were together, he did not treat her well, and their relationship ended badly. But Jared keeps doing things to irritate CJ, so it isn’t long before big brother Calvin gets involved. When police arrive, an unarmed Calvin reaches for his cell phone, and gets shot to death by a cop. The date is July 14, 2019.

After going through this devastating loss, CJ comes up with the idea to go back in time to prevent Calvin from dying. Sebastian is extremely reluctant at first, but he goes along with the plan when he sees that there’s no talking CJ out of it. What happens next in the movie can’t be described without giving away spoilers, but it’s enough to say that “See You Yesterday”—like other stories about time travel—does treat the issue of changing the past in order to alter the future as a serious ethical dilemma that can have unexpected consequences. The movie also has a message that unnecessary police brutality is not going away anytime soon.

Bristol, who co-wrote the screenplay with Frederica Bailey, authentically captures modern-day Brooklyn, with the young characters talking like how real teenagers would talk, including a fair amount of cursing. If you watch “See You Yesterday” closely, there’s also a scene in the movie that’s a nod to Lee’s “Do the Right Thing.” It’s refreshing that the inventor of the time machine in this story is a teenager, because an adult would be more likely to seek fame, riches and/or glory from such an invention, whereas a teenager would be more likely to keep it a secret from adults. Above all, “See You Yesterday” shows people, no matter what their age, that life is not about changing the past but how we move forward.

Netflix will premiere “See You Yesterday” on May 17, 2019.

2019 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ‘General Hospital’ win big

March 20, 2019

by Carla Hay

“The Young and the Restless” (Photo by Art Streiber/CBS)

With seven prizes, including Outstanding Drama Series, CBS’s “The Young and the Restless,” was a top winner for the 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, which were presented at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California on May 5, 2019. The Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (for mostly technical categories) took place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on May 3, 2019. The Daytime Emmys website had a livestream of the ceremony, which was hosted by Mario Lopez and Sheryl Underwood.

ABC’s “General Hospital” was also a big winner, taking six awards. Most of the prizes were in the Drama Series categories for actors and actresses, with “General Hospital’s” Daytime Emmys this year going to Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Maurice Benard); Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Max Gail); Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Vernee Watson); Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series (Hayley Erin); and Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series (Patricia Bethune).

For digital series, Amazon Prime Video’s “After Forever” won the most Daytime Emmys, with a total of five, including Outstanding Daytime Digital Series.

Other winners of Daytime Emmys this year were “CBS Sunday Morning” for Outstanding Morning Program; “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” for Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment; “Rachael Ray” for Outstanding Talk Show Informative; “Family Feud” for Outstanding Game Show; and “Valerie’s Home Cooking” for Outstanding Culinary Show.

In addition, Judge Judy Sheindlin and Chef Jacques Pepin each received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Daytime Emmy Awards are presented to individuals and programs broadcast in the United States from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the previous calendar year.

The 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards was a presentation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Both of this year’s shows were led by executive producer David Michaels (NATAS senior VP of daytime) and executive producer David Parks of Ignition Entertainment.

Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for the 2019 Daytime Emmy Awards:

*=winner

Outstanding Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of Our Lives (NBC)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)*

Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series

After Forever Amazon Studios)*
The Bay: The Series (Amazon Studios)
Giants (YouTube Premium)
The New 30 (YouTube TV)
Youth & Consequences (YouTube Premium)

Outstanding Culinary Program

A Chef’s Life (PBS)
Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro (Food Network)
Cook’s Country (PBS)
Eat. Race. Win. (Amazon Prime Video)
Giada Entertains (Food Network)
Lidia’s Kitchen (PBS)
Valerie’s Home Cooking (Food Network)*

Outstanding Game Show

Family Feud (SYNDICATED)*
Jeopardy! (SYNDICATED)
Let’s Make a Deal (CBS)
The Price Is Right (CBS)
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (SYNDICATED)

Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program

Couples Court with the Cutlers (SYNDICATED)
Judge Judy (SYNDICATED)
Judge Mathis (SYNDICATED)
Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court (SYNDICATED)*
The People’s Court (SYNDICATED)

Outstanding Lifestyle Program

Ask This Old House (PBS)*
George to the Rescue (NBC)
Home Made Simple with Laila Ali (OWN)
Naturally, Danny Seo (NBC)
This Old House (PBS)

Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program

Born to Explore with Richard Wiese (PBS)
F2 Finding Football (YouTube Premium)
Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild (SYNDICATED)
Ocean Treks with Jeff Corwin (SYNDICATED)
Rock the Park (SYNDICATED)
Samantha Brown’s Places to Love (PBS)*

Outstanding Morning Program

CBS Sunday Morning (CBS)*
CBS This Morning (CBS)
Good Morning America (ABC)
Today Show (NBC)

Outstanding Morning Program in Spanish

Café CNN (CNN en Español*)
Despierta America (Univision)*
Nuestro Mundo (CNN en Español)
Un Nuevo Dia (Telemundo)

Outstanding Talk Show Informative

Access Live (SYNDICATED)
The Dr. Oz Show (SYNDICATED)
Rachael Ray (SYNDICATED)*
Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)
Today Show With Kathie Lee & Hoda (NBC)

Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment

The Ellen DeGeneres Show (SYNDICATED)*
A Little Help With Carol Burnett (Netflix)
The Real (SYNDICATED)
The Talk (CBS)
The View (ABC)

Outstanding Entertainment Program in Spanish

Destinos (CNN en Español)
Dr. Juan (Univision)
El Gordo y la Flaca (Univision)
Six Dreams (Amazon Prime Video)*
Suelta la sopa (Telemundo)

Outstanding Entertainment News Program

Access (SYNDICATED)
DailyMailTV (SYNDICATED)*
Entertainment Tonight (CBS)
Extra (SYNDICATED)
Inside Edition (CBS)

Outstanding Special Class Series

Close Up With The Hollywood Reporter (SundanceTV)
Lucky Dog with Brandon McMillan (CBS)
Mysteries & Scandals (Oxygen)
To Life: How Israeli Volunteers Are Changing the World (Freeform)
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (PBS)*
Working in the Theatre (AmericanTheatreWing.org)

Outstanding Special Class Special

The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC)
Light in the Water (Logo TV)
A Long Road to Freedom: The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years (Here TV)
Quiet Heroes (Logo TV)*
Super Soul Sunday: Oprah’s Book Club: Freedom After 30 Years on Death Row (OWN)

Outstanding Special Class – Short Format Daytime Program

Blank Wall Overhaul (Bluprint)
Food Interrupted (Facebook Watch)
Momsplaining (Ellen Digital Network)
Treatment Box “Opioids” (Truth)*
Watchtower (YouTube.com)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, as Steffy Forrester
The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)*

Marci Miller, as Abigail Deveraux DiMera
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Heather Tom, as Katie Logan
The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)

Maura West, as Ava Jerome
General Hospital (ABC)

Laura Wright, as Carly Corinthos
General Hospital (ABC)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Maurice Benard, as Sonny Corinthos*
General Hospital (ABC)

Peter Bergman, as Jack Abbott
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Tyler Christopher, as Stefan DiMera
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Billy Flynn, as Chad DiMera
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Jon Lindstrom, as Ryan/Kevin Collns
General Hospital (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Kassie DePaiva, as Eve Donovan
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Linsey Godfrey, as Sarah Horton
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Martha Madison, as Belle Black
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Beth Maitland, as Traci Abbott
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Mishael Morgan, as Hilary Curtis
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Vernee Watson*
General Hospital (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Max Gail, as Mike Corbin*
General Hospital (ABC)

Bryton James, as Devon Hamilton
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Eric Martsolf, as Brady Black
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Greg Rikaart, as Kevin Fisher
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Dominic Zamprogna, as Dante Falconeri
General Hospital (ABC)

Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series

Hayley Erin, as Kiki Jerome*
General Hospital (ABC)

Olivia Rose Keegan, as Claire Brady
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Victoria Konefal, as Ciara Brady
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Chloe Lanier, as Nelle Benson
General Hospital (ABC)

Eden McCoy, as Josslyn Jacks
General Hospital (ABC)

Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series

Lucas Adams, as Tripp Dalton
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

William Lipton, as Cameron Webber
General Hospital (ABC)

Kyler Pettis, as Theo Carver*
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Garren Stitt, as Oscar Nero
General Hospital (ABC)

Zach Tinker, as Fenmore Baldwin
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series

Philip Anthony-Rodriguez, as Miguel Garcia
Days of Our Lives (CBS)

Patricia Bethune, as Nurse Mary Pat*
General Hospital (ABC)

Wayne Brady, as Dr. Reese Buckingham
The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)

Kate Mansi, as Abigail Deveraux
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Thaao Penghlis, as Andre DiMera
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series

Jade Harlow, as Lianna Ramos
The Bay The Series (Amazon Prime Video)

Vanessa Kelly, as Journee*
Giants (YouTube.com)

Liana Liberto, as McKenna Brady
Light as a Feather (Hulu)

Shanti Lowry, as Yolanda Rodriguez
Bronx SIU, UMC (Amazon Prime Video)

Liz Vasset, as Dr. Gillian Hunt
Riley Parra (Tello Films)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series

Mitchell Anderson, as Jason Addams
After Forever, Amazon Prime Video

Kristos Andrews, as Pete Garrett
The Bay The Series (Amazon Prime Video)

Kevin Spirtas, as Brian Stone*
After Forever (Amazon Prime Video)

Brian White, as Jimmy Blue
Bronx SIU, UMC (Amazon Prime Video)

Wayne Wilcox, as Ray
Only Children (Vimeo.com)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series

Crystal Lee Brown, as Tamera
Giants (YouTube.com)

Erin Cherry, as Brenda*
After Forever (Amazon Prime Video)

Cady Huffman, as Lisa
After Forever (Amazon Prime Video)

Carolyn Ratteray, as Caitline Priest
Riley Parra (Tello Films)

Briann Tju, as Alex Portnoy
Light as a Feather (Hulu)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series

Ameer Baraka, as Darius
Bronx SIU, UMC (Amazon Prime Video)

Brandon Beemer, as Evan Blackwell
The Bay The Series (Amazon Prime Video)

Wil Lash, as Scott Taylor
Anacostia (YouTube.com)

Sean Samuels, as Ade
Giants (YouTube.com)

Terrence Terrell, as Kwasi Asamoah*
Giants (YouTube.com)

Outstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama Series

Sean Patrick Flanery, as Ty Garrett*
The Bay The Series (Amazon Prime Video)

Anita Gillette, as Frannie
After Forever (Amazon Prime Video)

Lou Diamond Phillips, as Martin
Conversations in L.A. (Amazon Prime Video)

J. August Richards, as Andrew Prescott
Giants (YouTube.com)

Kelsey Scott, as Sadiyah Siobahn
Giants (YouTube.com)

Outstanding Interactive Media Enhancement to a Daytime Program or Series

92nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC)
Ask the StoryBots (Netflix)
Crow: The Legend (Boabab Studios)*
Esme & Roy (HBO Family)
Space Explorers (Felix & Paul Studios)

Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement – Topical

American Ninja Warrior Junior (Universal Kids)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (SYNDICATED)
Lifetime’s 24th annual Stop Breast Cancer for Life Campaign (Lifetime
The Star Wars Show (YouTube.com)*
The View (ABC)

Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement Brand Image Campaign – Network or Program

Black History Month (Nickelodeon)*
Nickelodeon: 2017 Black History Month Campaign (Nickelodeon)
DreamWorks Spirit Riding Free (Netflix)
Nickelodeon: Pride Month (Nickelodeon)
Nickelodeon: Women’s History Month Campaign (Nickelodeon)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series

The Big Fun Crafty Show (Universal Kids)
Dino Dana (Amazon Prime Video)
Miss Persona (YouTube.com)
Sesame Street (HBO)*
Snug’s House (Universal Kids)

Outstanding Short Format Children’s Program

Canticos (Nickelodeon)
Nick Jr. Bloc Party: Quest for the Golden Cube (Nickelodeon)
Nick Jr. Color Song: RED (Nickelodeon)*
Sesame Street (HBO)

Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series

American Ninja Warrior Junior (Universal Kids)
Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Hidden Heroes (The CW)
Odd Squad (PBS)*
Top Chef Junior (Universal Kids)
The Who Was? Show (Netflix)

Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s or Animated Program

“For One and All”
Disney Sofia the First (Disney Junior)

“Elena of Avalor”
Fallin’ Like a Rock (Disney Junior)

“Making a World With My Friend”
Peg + Cat (PBS)

“The Thrill of Invention”
Peg + Cat (PBS)

“You’re All Number One Tonight!”
Peg + Cat (PBS)

Outstanding Education or Informational Series

Mind Field (YouTube Premium)
SciGirls (PBS)
Weird But True (National Geographic Kids)*
The Wildlife Docs (ABC)
Xploration Outer Space (SYNDICATED)

Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series

Ask the StoryBots (Netflix)
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (PBS)*
Elena of Avalor (Disney Junior)
Esme & Roy (HBO Family)
Tumble Leaf (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Children’s Animated Series

Disney Mickey Mouse (Disney Channel)
Hilda (Netflix)
The Loud House (Nickelodeon)*
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon)
Welcome to the Wayne (Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Special Class Animated Program

Crow: The Legend (Baobab Studios)
DuckTales: The Shadow War! (Disney Channel)
Paw Patrol: Mighty Pups (Nickelodeon)
Tumble Leaf Halloween Special (Amazon Prime Video)
Watership Down (Netflix)

Outstanding Performer in a Children’s, Family Viewing or Special Class Program

Bill Cobbs, as Mr. Hendrickson
Dino Dana (Amazon Prime Video)

Bret Green, as Preston Wainwright
The Inspectors (CBS)

Michela Luci, as Dana
Dino Dana (Amazon Prime Video)

Edward Norton, as Gary the Electronics Salesman
Ask the StoryBots (Netflix)

Kimberly Persona, as Miss Persona
Miss Persona (YouTube.com)

Hanna VandenBygaart, as Vera
ReBoot: The Guardian Code (Netflix)

Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program

Jay Baruchel, as Hiccup*
Dragons: Race to the Edge (Netflix)

Bob Bergen, as Porky Pig
Wabbit – A Looney Tunes Production (Cartoon Network)

Chris Diamantopoulos, as Mickey Mouse
Disney Mickey Mouse (Disney Channel)

Mark Hamill, as Old Jir, Caz
Kulipari: Dream Walker (Netflix)

Marieve Herington, as Tilly Green
Big City Greens (Disney Channel)

Ruth Negga, as Mother
Angela’s Christmas (Netflix)

Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program

Eric Bauza, as Fozzie Bear, Bunsen Honeydew, Mr. Statler
Muppet Babies (Disney Junior)

Steve Buscemi, as Saloso
Elena of Avalor (Disney Junior)

Devan Cohen, as Daniel Tiger
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (PBS)

Ben Diskin, as Gonzo, Rizzo
Muppet Babies (Disney Junior)

Olivia Manning, as Dazzle
Butterbean’s Café (Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Culinary Host

Valerie Bertinelli, Host*
Valerie’s Home Cooking (Food Network)

Giada De Laurentiis, Host
Giada Entertains (Food Network)

Catherine Fulvio, Host
A Taste of Ireland: Ballyknocken Cookery School (Recipe TV)

Pati Jinich, Host
Pati’s Mexican Table (PBS)

Molly Yeh, Host
Girl Meets Farm (Food Network)

Outstanding Daytime Talent in a Spanish Language Program

Guillermo Arduino, Senior Correspondent
Encuentro (CNN en Español)

Raul De Molina, Host
El Gordo y la Flaca (Univision)

Raul De Molina, Co-Host
El Gordo y la Flaca (Univision)

Elizabeth Hernandez Curiel, Correspondent
El Gordo y la Flaca (Univision)

Gabriela Natale, Host
SuperLatina with Gaby Natale (VME TV)

Alejandra Oraa, Host*
Destinos (CNN en Español)

Outstanding Game Show Host

Wayne Brady, Host
Let’s Make a Deal (CBS)

Chris Harrison, Host
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (SYNDICATED)

John Michael Higgins, Host
America Says (Game Show Network)

Pat Sajak, Host
Wheel of Fortune (SYNDICATED)

Alex Trebek, Host*
Jeopardy! (SYNDICATED)

Outstanding Host in a Lifestyle, Children’s or Special Class Program

Monique Coleman
Gimme Mo (Discovery)

Mo Rocca
The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation (CBS )

Jeff Corwin
Ocean Treks With Jeff Corwin (SYNDICATED)

Samantha Brown
Samantha Brown’s Places to Love (PBS)

Rob Strasberg, Treger Strasberg
Welcome Home (The CW)

Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host

Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hosts*
Today Show With Kathie Lee & Hoda (NBC)

Steve Harvey, Host
STEVE (SYNDICATED)

Dr. Mehmet Oz, Host
The Dr. Oz Show (SYNDICATED)

Kellie Pickler, Ben Aaron, Hosts
Pickler and Ben (SYNDICATED)

Rachael Ray, Host
Rachael Ray (SYNDICATED)

Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host

Kelly Ripa, Ryan Seacrest, Hosts*
Live with Kelly and Ryan (SYNDICATED)

Adrienne Houghton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Co-Hosts
The Real (SYNDICATED)

Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Aisha Tyler, Hosts
The Talk (CBS)

Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Meghan McCain, Abby Huntsman, Co-Hosts
The View (ABC)

Wendy Williams, Host
The Wendy Williams Show (SYNDICATED)

Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of Our Lives (NBC)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)*

Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of Our Lives (NBC)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series

Days of Our Lives (NBC)*
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Drama Series
Days of Our Lives (NBC)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)*

Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Drama Series

Days of Our Lives (NBC)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)*

Outstanding Drama Series Technical Team

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)*
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama Series

Days of Our Lives (NBC)
General Hospital (ABC)*
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for a Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)*

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series

Days of Our Lives (NBC)*
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Original Song – Drama

“You’re the One”*
The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)

“Goodbye”
Days of Our Lives (NBC)

“More Love”
Giants (YouTube.com)

“Beat of Your Heart”
Giants (YouTube.com)

“How Could a Life Feel So True”
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Costume Design for a Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of Our Lives (NBC)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)*

Outstanding Hairstyling for a Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of Our Lives (NBC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)*

Outstanding Makeup for a Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of Our Lives (NBC)*
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Outstanding Writing in a Digital Drama Series

After Forever (Amazon Prime Video)*
The Bay The Series (Amazon Prime Video)
Conversations in L.A. (Amazon Prime Video)
Giants (YouTube.com)
Light as a Feather (Hulu)

Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation – Winners

Kal Athannassov, Character Designer Crow: The Legend Baobab Studios*

Alan Bodner, Production Designer Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures Disney Channel*

Cody Gramstad, Production Designer Crow: The Legend Baobab Studios*

Yizhou Li, Character Animator Tumble Leaf Amazon Prime Video*

Brian Woods, Background Designer Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures Disney Channel*

Kevin Wotton, Storyboard Artist Spirit Riding Free Netflix*

Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special

Duck Tales (Disney Channel)
Elena of Avalor (Disney Junior)*
Esme & Roy (HBO Family)
Muppet Babies (Disney Junior)
Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure (Disney Channel)
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program

Ask the StoryBots (Netflix)*
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (PBS)
Disney Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior)
Fancy Nancy (Disney Junior)
Peg+Cat (PBS)

Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program

Angela’s Christmas (Netflix)
Hilda (Netflix)
The Loud House (Nickelodeon)
Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters (Netflix)
Wild Kratts (PBS)

Outstanding Writing in a Children’s, Preschool Children’s, Family Viewing Program

Dino Dana (Amazon Prime Video)
Odd Squad (PBS)*
Odd Squad: World Turned Odd (PBS)
Sesame Street (HBO)
The Who Was? Show (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing Special Class

The 2018 Rose Parade Hosted by Cord & Tish (Amazon Prime Video)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (SYNDICATED)*
The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation (CBS)
The Royal Wedding Live With Cord & Tish (HBO)
To Life: How Israeli Volunteers Are Changing the World (Freeform)

Outstanding Directing in a Digital Drama Series

After Forever (Amazon Prime Video)*
The Bay The Series (Amazon Prime Video)
Conversations in L.A. (Amazon Prime Video)
Giants (YouTube.com)
Light as a Feather (Hulu)

Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (Amazon Prime Video)
Crow: The Legend (Baobab Studios)*
Hilda Netflix
Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters (Netflix)
Watership Down (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing in a Preschool Animated Program

Ask the StoryBots (Netflix)*
Fancy Nancy (Disney Junior)
Nella the Princess Knight (Nickelodeon)
Peg+Cat (PBS)
Tumble Leaf (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Directing in a Children’s, Preschool Children’s or Family Viewing Program

Dino Ana (Amazon Prime Video)
Free Rein (Netflix)
Mech X-4 (DisneyXD)
Odd Squad (PBS)*

Outstanding Directing in a Single Camera Lifestyle/Culinary/Travel or Educational and Informational Program

1st Look (NBC)*
Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope (PBS)
The Pioneer Woman (Food Network)
Samantha Brown’s Places to Love (PBS)
Weird But True! (National Geographic Kids)

Outstanding Directing in a Multi Camera Lifestyle/Culinary or Educational and Informational Program

America’s Test Kitchen (PBS)
Cook’s Country (PBS)
Home & Family (Hallmark Channel)
The Kitchen (Food Network)*
Milk Street (PBS)

Outstanding Educational and Informational Program

Furze World Wonders (YouTube Premium)
The Kitchen (Food Network)
Milk Street (PBS*)
Nick Stellino Storyteller in the Kitchen (PBS)
Trisha’s Southern Kitchen (Food Network)

Outstanding Directing in a Talk Show, Entertainment News or Morning Program

The Ellen DeGeneres Show (SYNDICATED)*
A Little Help With Carol Burnett (Netflix)
The Real (SYNDICATED)
The Talk (CBS)
The View (ABC)

Outstanding Directing in a Game Show

Family Feud (SYNDICATED)*
Jeopardy! (SYNDICATED)
Let’s Make a Deal (CBS)
The Price Is Right (CBS)
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (SYNDICATED)

Outstanding Directing Special Class

The Gymkhana Files (Amazon Prime Video)
Team United – Behind the Scenes: Superherooes (YouTube.com)
Time for Ilhan (Fuse)*
Watchtower (YouTube.com)
Working in the Theater (AmericanTheatreWing.org)

Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design

Dino Dana (Amazon Prime Video)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (SYNDICATED)
Prince of Peoria (Netflix)
The Talk (CBS)*
Tomorrow’s World Today (Science Channel)

Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design for a Live Action Program

DailyMailTV (SYNDICATED)
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (ABC)
Prince of Peoria (Netflix)
Six Dreams (Amazon Prime Video)*
The Who Was? Show (Netflix)
Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design for an Animated Program

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (Amazon Prime Video)
Hilda (Netflix)*
Little Big Awesome (Amazon Prime Video)
Tales of Arcadia: 3Below (Netflix)
Watership Down (Netflix)

Outstanding Lighting Direction

Dino Dana (Amazon Prime Video)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (SYNDICATED)
The Inspectors (CBS)*
Rachael Ray (SYNDICATED)
The Talk (CBS)

Outstanding Technical Team

American Ninja Warrior Junior (Universal Kids)
CBS This Morning
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (SYNDICATED)
Jeopardy! (SYNDICATED)
The Price Is Right (CBS)*
Sesame Street (HBO)

Outstanding Cinematography

The Gymkhana Files (Amazon Prime Video)
Mech-X4 (DisneyXD)
The New Legends of Monkey (Netflix)
Tumble Leaf (Amazon Prime Video)*

Outstanding Single Camera Editing

1st Look (NBC)
Eat. Race. Win. (Amazon Prime Video)*
Giada on the Beach (Food Network)
The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation (CBS)
The Who Was? Show (Netflix)

Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (ABC)
Let’s Make a Deal (CBS)
The Price Is Right (CBS)
Sesame Street (HBO)*
Top Chef Junior (Universal Kids)

Outstanding Sound Mixing

Annedroids (Amazon Prime Video)
The Gymkhana Files (Amazon Prime Video)
The New Legends of Monkey (Netflix)
ReBoot: The Guardian Code (Netflix)
Sesame Street (HBO)*
Six Dreams (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Sound Mixing in an Animated Program

Angela’s Christmas (Netflix)
Crow: The Legend (Baobab Studios)
Tales of Arcadia: 3Below (Netflix)*
Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters (Netflix)
Watership Down (Netflix)

Outstanding Sound Mixing in a Preschool Animated Program

Beat Bugs: (Netflix)*
PAW Patrol: Mighty Pups (Nickelodeon)
Rusty Rivets (Nickelodeon)
The Stinky & Dirty Show (Amazon Prime Video)
Vampirina (Disney Junior)

Outstanding Sound Editing for a Live Action Program

Dino Dana (Amazon Prime Video)
The New Legends of Monkey (Netflix)
Sesame Street (HBO)
Six Dreams (Amazon Prime Video)
The Who Was? Show (Netflix)*

Outstanding Sound Editing – Animation

Big Hero 6: The Series (Disney Channel)
Lego DC Comic Super Hero The Flash (Amazon Prime Video)*
Tales of Arcadia: 3 Below (Netflix)
Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters (Netflix)
Watership Down (Netflix)

Outstanding Sound Editing in a Preschool Animated Program

Beat Bugs: All Together Now (Netflix)
Elena of Avalor (Disney Junior)
Let’s Go Luna! (PBS Kids)
The Stinky & Dirty Show (Amazon Prime Video)
Vampirina (Disney Junior)*

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition

Disney Mickey Mouse (Disney Channel)
Elena of Avalor (Disney Junior)
The Loud House (Nickelodeon)
The Tom & Jerry Show (Cartoon Network)*
Watership Down (Netflix)

Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program

CBS This Morning Saturday (CBS)
Ashley McBride
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere/American Scandal”

LIVE With Kelly and Ryan (SYNDICATED)
Lindsay Stirling
“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”

Pickler and Ben (SYNDICATED)
Ben Rector
“Old Friends”

The Real (SYNDICATED)
Adirenne Houghton, Israel Houghton
“Secrets”

Today Show (NBC)*
Cast of the Band’s Visit
“Answer Me”

Outstanding Costume Design/Styling

The New Legends of Monkey (Netflix)*
Odd Squad (PBS)
Sesame Street (HBO)
The Talk (CBS)

Outstanding Hairstyling

Free Reign (Netflix)
Live With Kelly and Ryan (SYNDICATED)
The Real (SYNDICATED)
The Talk (CBS)*
The View (ABC)

Outstanding Makeup

Aliens Ate My Homework (Netflix)
The Price Is Right (CBS)
The Talk (CBS)*
The View (ABC)
Walk the Prank (DisneyXD)

2019 Tribeca Film Festival movie review: ‘Wig’

May 5, 2019

by Carla Hay

Nelson Sullivan in “Wig” (Photo courtesy of HBO)

“Wig”

Directed by Chris Moukarbel

World premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on May 4, 2019.

The documentary “Wig” is a joyous and sassy love letter to Wigstock (the annual drag festival in New York City) and New York City’s drag culture. The movie comes 24 years after the 1995 documentary “Wigstock: The Movie,” which chronicled the 1994 Wigstock event. Unlike “Wigstock: The Movie,” which was essentially a concert film, “Wig” takes a deeper dive into the history of Wigstock and its underrated impact on pop culture.

Wigstock was launched in 1984 by Lady Bunny, and its first incarnation ran until 2001. The festival was revived in 2018 by Lady Bunny and Neil Patrick Harris. (Harris and his husband, David Burtka, are two of the producers of “Wig,” which had its world premiere as part of the Tribeca Film Festival’s inaugural Tribeca Celebrates Pride, an entire day of LGBTQ-themed programming. Lady Bunny performed after the film’s premiere.)

A lot has changed since Wigstock went on hiatus in 2001. RuPaul, who was one of Wigstock’s original stars, has become an entertainment mogul, as the host/showrunner of the Emmy-winning drag contest “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and the founder of RuPaul’s DragCon event, which currently has annual editions in Los Angeles and New York City. The rise of RuPaul and drag culture is a direct result of LGBTQ culture overall becoming much more visible in the 21st century, with more LGBTQ characters and reality stars on screen; the launch of LGBTQ TV networks, such as Logo and Here; and more LGBTQ celebrities living their lives openly. That visibility and growing public support for LGBTQ rights also had an impact on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision to make marriage equality legal for same-sex couples.

In its own unique way, Wigstock has been part of this movement. It’s important to bring up this historical context because “Wig” would have been a very different movie if it had been made in the 1990s. “Wig” director Chris Moukarbel (who directed Lady Gaga’s 2017 Netflix documentary “Gaga: Five Foot Two”) skillfully rises to the challenge of presenting the history of Wigstock in a cohesive, entertaining style that a wide variety of people can relate to and enjoy.

“Wig” includes some prophetic archival footage from the early 1990s showing RuPaul having a bathroom conversation with British filmmaker Fenton Bailey, who asks RuPaul if drag queens will be popular in America. Fast forward decades later, and Bailey’s World of Wonder production company (which he co-founded in 1991 with fellow filmmaker Randy Barbato) is producing the “Drag Race” franchise, drag queen Big Freedia’s self-titled reality series and numerous other film, TV and digital projects. RuPaul is seen frequently throughout the “Wig” movie, including RuPaul’s early club days at New York City’s Pyramid Club (which was a vital part of the city’s drag scene that birthed Wigstock), to directing an impromptu home photo session with fellow drag queen Nelson Sullivan in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s, to on-stage appearances at Wigstock throughout the years.

In “Wig,” many of the drag queens comment on the mainstreaming of drag culture, compared to the early years of Wigstock. Although many of the queens appreciate that drag culture has become more accepted and has become a more viable way to make a living, some of the queens express some wistful nostalgia for the days when the community was much smaller and more tight-knit.

Drag queen Linda Simpson says that “’Drag Race’ was groundbreaking,” but the flip side is that drag culture was “more fun” when it was less mainstream. Simpson adds, “Now, drag is all about de-mystifying drag. It takes away from the insider-y feel that we had before.”

Flotilla DeBarge comments, “There are too many people right now who want to be drag queens, but they don’t know what it’s about,” adding that doing drag should be about passion, not money. “Anybody can do drag, but what kind of drag queen do you want to be?” As drag queen Naomi Smalls puts it: “RuPaul paved the way for me, but who the fuck paved the way for Ru? I love that drag is being normalized.”

For many drag queens, validation outside the drag community is the ultimate sign of success. Willam Belli, also known as drag queen Willam (a former “Drag Race” contestant who landed a cameo in the 2018 remake of “A Star Is Born”), hilariously tells a story about surprising a male intruder who had broken into Willam’s home, and the intruder backed away and called her “ma’am.” Willam laughs when remembering how the intruder acknowledged her as a woman: “I passed!”

Some of the Wigstock devotees also talk about their early influences. Charlene Incarnate says that most of her gay role models were closeted dads in her church. Harris said that drag culture appeals to him as a magician. As drag queen Tabboo! says in the film, “Wigstock was revolutionary because it kickstarted the ‘Come out, come out, wherever you are.’”

Lady Bunny adds, “We were putting something special out there in New York because this was the time of AIDS.” The AIDS crisis and its impact on the LGBTQ community is given a respectful amount of acknowledgement in “Wig,” which includes some heartbreaking testimonials of people who have lost friends and loved ones to the deadly disease.

Hate crimes against drag queens and others in the LGBTQ community are also mentioned in “Wig.” Jeremy Extravagance talks about his longtime friendship with singer/drag queen Kevin Aviance, who was the survivor of a vicious beating in 2006, outside of a gay bar in Manhattan. Aviance, who is interviewed and has some of the movie’s best scenes, describes his attack as, “I never felt so much hate in my life from someone I never met.” He says of being a hate-crime survivor: “Drag is my silver lining.”

As one commentator puts it: “Drag is hyper-femininity in response to aggressive masculinity.” If that’s the case, then Wigstock is the ultimate on-stage clapback. The heart of the movie is still about the thrill and the spectacle of performing at Wigstock, with Lady Bunny as the event’s founding mother. Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry, a previous Wigstock performer, says cheekily of Lady Bunny: “The thing that annoys me about Bunny is that she flirts like crazy…and nothing happened [between us].”

If there’s any one person who’s portrayed as a chief villain in “Wig,” it’s Rudy Giuliani, who was mayor of New York City from 1993 to 2001. (He is not interviewed in the movie.) Giuliani’s crackdown of the city’s nightclubs resulted in numerous closures that directly affected gay nightlife and drag culture. It’s perhaps no coincidence that Wigstock went out of business when Giuliani was in office.

The movie culminates with a dazzling array of footage from Wigstock’s spectacular comeback in 2018, including appearances from Lady Bunny, Bianca Del Rio, Aviance, Ladies of Lips, Amanda Lepore and Harris in full costume from his Tony-winning “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” drag role. If people still don’t understand what drag culture is about, one “Wig” commentator says it best in the movie: “Drag is about putting on the outside what you feel on the inside.”

HBO will premiere “Wig” on June 18, 2019.

2019 Tribeca Film Festival movie review: ‘It Takes a Lunatic’

May 4, 2019

by Carla Hay

“It Takes a Lunatic”

Directed by Billy Lyons

World premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on May 3, 2019.

Wynn Handman might not be a household name, but as an acting teacher and as a co-founder/artistic director of the American Place Theatre in New York City, he’s had an enormous influence on numerous actors who are world-famous and/or highly respected. This talky documentary takes an in-depth, sometimes overly fawning look at Handman’s accomplishments. Even though there’s an impressive array of famous actors who share the experiences they’ve had with Handman, be prepared to sit through a documentary where there’s plenty of interviews and archival photos but unfortunately not enough archival film footage to make it a more vibrant movie.

Handman, who was born in 1922, is also interviewed in “It Takes a Lunatic.” He describes his childhood growing up in Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood as happy. He wanted to be in the Navy, but enrolled in the Coast Guard instead. As a mentor/leader in the profession of acting, Handman is described as both “rough and tumble” and “intellectual” by past colleagues. The movie describes Handman has having two lives and two legacies: first as an acting teacher and later as artistic director of the off-Broadway American Place Theatre.

The celebrities who give testimonials about Handman as an acting coach or American Place Theatre artistic director include Richard Gere, Alec Baldwin, Susan Lucci, Michael Douglas, James Caan, Chris Cooper, Marianne Leone Cooper, Andre Bishop, Connie Britton, Lauren Graham, John Leguizamo and Aasif Mandiv. Lucci says that as an acting coach, Handman was “so encouraging, never destructive.” Baldwin adds that Handman “never gave someone a critique they couldn’t handle.”

After years as a successful acting teacher, Handman took a big career risk by co-founding the American Place Theatre in 1963, with Sidney Lanier and Michael Tolan, at the location that formerly housed St. Clement’s Church in midtown Manhattan. Handman was told that “it would take a lunatic” to operate this unusual theater, because it was a non-profit company, and its business model was to make money from customer subscriptions, not from individual ticket sales. This uncommon approach to operating a theater allowed Handman and the other theater decision makers to take more artistic risks in the theater’s productions, since the sales were already pre-paid through subscriptions.

The American Place’s first full production in 1964 was “The Old Glory,” a trilogy of one-acts by poet Robert Lowell and starring Frank Langella. “The Old Glory” ended up winning five Obie Awards, including Best American Play and Best Actor for Langella. Another notable production in the American Place’s early years was 1967’s “La Turista,” a two-act play by Sam Shepard and starring Sam Waterston and Joyce Aaron. (The documentary includes an interview with Shepard, who died in 2017.)

But the American Place was also known for controversy. Ronald Ribman’s 1965 play “Harry, Noon and Night,” starring Dustin Hoffman as a transvestite Nazi, was controversial, mostly because the play had a live decapitation of a chicken. After those live beheadings sparked a lot of public outrage, the play switched to using fake chickens. “The Cannibals,” George Tabori’s 1974 play about the Holocaust, was one of the American Place’s most divisive productions. The documentary points out that the play was more controversial in the United States than it was in Germany. In the documentary, Handman remembers getting a lot of hate mail every time the American Place was embroiled in controversy.

The words “true,” “truth” and “truthful” are used a lot in the documentary to describe Handman and the people he inspired. Eric Bogosian, whose third one-man play “Drinking in America” was produced by the American Place, says of Handman: “He’s not a lunatic. He’s a true believer.”

Even with interviews and testimonials that talk about all the brilliant work that Handman can take a lot of credit for influencing, there simply isn’t enough filmed footage of a lot of these stage productions. Plays, rehearsals and acting classes in Handman’s heyday were usually not filmed for posterity, so it’s not director Billy Lyons’ fault that still photos are the main visuals he has to work with to show what people are discussing in the documentary. (And thankfully, Lyons chose not to film re-enactments for “It Takes a Lunatic,” which is his first feature film.) Perhaps “It Takes a Lunatic” would have been better-suited as a podcast instead of a movie.

The lack of archival film footage isn’t the documentary’s main shortcoming. By putting Handman on such a high pedestal, the documentary feels like it was made by a star-struck fan instead of a more objective filmmaker. For example, the controversy that Handman created with some of American Place’s productions is acknowledged in the film, but the movie doesn’t interview any of Handman’s critics, rivals or people he inevitably alienated in his career. The constant praise of Handman is repetitive and the movie’s slow pace makes the documentary duller than it needs to be. “It Takes a Lunatic” should be commended for gathering so many well-respected actors to share their admiration of Handman, but the documentary probably won’t be very appealling to people who have no interest in acting or theater productions.

UPDTAE: Netflix will premiere “It Takes a Lunatic” on October 25, 2019.

2019 Tribeca Film Festival movie review: ‘After Parkland’

May 4, 2019

by Carla Hay

“After Parkland”

Directed by Emily Taguchi and Jake Lefferman

World premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on April 26, 2019.

Tragically, there have been several mass shootings in the U.S. before and after the shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. But the Parkland shootings (which killed 17 people) will be remembered as the flashpoint for an unprecedented movement of young people against gun violence. The documentary “After Parkland” shows how some of the more well-known Parkland survivors coped with the tragedy in the months after the shooting, and how they channeled their grief into passionate activism.

The documentary features some of the former Parkland students who have been at the forefront of this activism. They include survivors David Hogg, Victoria Gonzalez, Sam Zeiff and Dillon McCooty. Also included are parents Manuel Oliver (whose son Joaquin was murdered in the shooting) and Andrew Pollack (whose daughter Meadow was also a Parkland murder victim).

Zeiff, who turned 18 the day after the massacre, says in the documentary that his boss told him after the tragedy, “You don’t look like a kid anymore.” Gonzalez, who was Joaquin Oliver’s girlfriend, turns to Joaquin’s best friend McCooty for support, and vice versa. Gonzalez and McCooty end up going to their prom together, as a tribute to Joaquin. She wore a flower crown with flowers from the first bouquet that Joaquin gave her.

The grief, anger and resilience over the shootings are felt throughout the entire documentary. One of the most emotionally powerful moments in the film is when Manuel Oliver, who is an artist, did an art installation that showed Joaquin in a graduation cap and gown carrying a certificate of death instead of a diploma, with a red stain of spray paint, signifying blood from a gunshot wound. Manuel Oliver and his wife, Patricia, have started an anti-gun-violence, non-profit organization called Change the Ref, in memory of their slain son Joaquin.

The documentary also takes a behind-the-scenes look at the March for Our Lives event on March 24, 2018. The event, which was organized largely by Parkland survivors, had its flagship rally in Washington, D.C., but there were hundreds of other March for Our Lives rallies around the world that were part of the event.

“After Parkland” also gives an up-close look at how some of the high-profile and outspoken student survivors have been handling their sudden thrust into the media spotlight—and the criticism they have been getting from some people who say that these survivors have become activists for fame and money. Hogg in particular has become a media darling, as well as a target for extreme right-wing groups that have called shooting survivors and their parents “bad actors.”

We see in the documentary why Hogg has been all over the media: He has a hard time saying “no” to interviews when he’s surrounded by reporters, and his protective mother often has to step in and put a limit on the media interviews that he does. His passion and his eloquent speaking skills make it clear why he’s one of the unofficial leaders of this Parkland movement, and what he’s fighting for isn’t just a “phase” or a “fad” for him and other Parkland survivor activists.

“After Parkland” co-directors Emily Taguchi and Jake Lefferman are directors/producers of ABC’s “Nightline,” so the documentary (which is backed by ABC News) looks more like a TV production than something that was made for movie theaters. And if you’re a news junkie who’s followed what the Parkland survivors and their families and allies have been doing since the shooting, then you probably won’t find out anything new by watching this documentary. But no matter how people feel about gun laws, “After Parkland” is a rallying cry for those who want to do something about preventing more of these tragedies from happening, instead of just hoping that the problem will just go away.

UPDATE: Kino Lorber will release “After Parkland” in New York City and Los Angeles on November 29, 2019. The movie’s release will expand to more cities in 2020.