Category: TV

“Lucky” (2026) starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Clifton Collins Jr., Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, William Fichtner and Timothy Olyphant / Z-View

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Lucky: Season 1 (2026)

Created by: Jonathan Tropper; based on LUCKY by Marissa Stapley

Director:

  • Jonathan Van Tulleken (eps. 1; 6-7)
  • Greg Yaitanes (eps. 2-3)
  • Jet Wilkinson (eps. 4-5)

Teleplay:

  • Jonathan Tropper (ep. 1)
  • Hilary Bettis (ep. 2)
  • Ariel Levine (ep. 3)
  • Mark Stasenko (ep. 4)
  • Hilary Bettis & Mary Anthony  (ep. 5)
  • Jonathan Tropper & Kevin Rosen (ep. 6)
  • Cassie Pappas  (ep. 7)

Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Clifton Collins Jr., Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, William Fichtner and Timothy Olyphant.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Lucky and her husband, Cary, did it. They have the ten million dollars in cash to prove it. The money was stolen from Wayne Whittaker.  Whittaker is a ruthless crime boss.  He’s marked Lucky and Cary for death.

Cary’s mother, Priscilla works for Whittaker.  He’s  going to kill her too… unless she’s gets his money back.  If that happens he’ll just kill Lucky and Cary.

But now Lucky and Cary are on top of the world.  Tonight they celebrate.  Tomorrow they use the ten million dollars to disappear to a life of luxury.

When Lucky wakes up the next morning Cary is gone.  So is the cash.

With the FBI closing in, Lucky finds herself on the run.  She has no one to turn to.  If the FBI gets her, she can look forward to years in prison.  If Priscilla or one of Whittaker’s thugs catches her first, she can count on a slow painful death.

To survive this she will need to be, uh… Lucky.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lucky is a rollercoaster ride of over-the-top situations coupled with outlandish action. Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Clifton Collins Jr., and Timothy Olyphant do much of the heavy lifting to make it work.

Anya Taylor-Joy is more than capable of carrying the series. Lucky has my favorite Annette Bening performance.  Clifton Collins Jr. is perfect as the killer dedicated to Priscilla.  He deserves a spin-off playing Dutch.  Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is a powerhouse as the FBI agent obsessed with bringing down Whitaker no matter what.  William Fichtner was the right choice to play Whittaker.  Timothy Olyphant is always good… even when his character isn’t.

If you enjoy over-the-top action then give this one a go, you might just get Lucky.

Lucky: Season 1 (2026) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Vampire Lestat” Season 1 (2026) starring Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman and Delainey Hayles / Z-View

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The Vampire Lestat: Season 1 (2026)

Created by: Rolin Jones; based on THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES by Ann Rice

Director:

  • Craig Zisk (eps. 1-2)
  • Claudia Llosa (eps. 3-4)
  • Levan Akin (ep. 5)
  • Jane Wu (ep. 6)
  • Alan Taylor (ep. 7)

Teleplay:

  • Rolin Jones & Hannah Moscovitch (ep. 1)
  • Jonathan Ceniceroz & Kevin Hanna (ep. 2)
  • Anusree Roy (ep. 3)
  • Jonathan Ceniceroz (ep. 4)
  • Daniel Hart & Hannah Moscovitch  (ep. 5)
  • Ryan Kattner & Kevin Hanna (ep. 6)
  • Hannah Moscovitch (ep. 7)

Stars:  Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman, Delainey Hayles, Joseph Potter, Jennifer Ehle.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Lestat is a vampire.  A. Real. Vampire.  Lestat is also the lead singer for a rock band.  His public persona is a rock singer playing a vampire.  The band has achieved cult status.  His followers don’t believe Lestat is a real vampire, but they enjoy dressing up and coming to his concerts.

Lestat’s growing fame is a concern for other vampires throughout the world.  If it is discovered that Lestat is a real vampire, it would create problems for them.  Deadly problems.

They’re going to have to deal with Lestat.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I loved the first two seasons of Interview with the Vampire.  For the third season the name of the series was changed to The Vampire Lestat.  The fourth season will be titled Anne Rice’s Queen of the Damned.

The Vampire Lestat: Season 1 (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Cape Fear” Season 1 (2026) starring Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, Joe Anders, Lily Collias, CCH Pounder, Malia Pyles, Jamie Hector, Ron Perlman and Juliette Lewis / Z-View

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Cape Fear: Season 1 (2026)

Created by: Nick Antosca; based on THE EXECUTIONERS by John D. MacDonald; Cape Fear by Wesley Strick and Cape Fear by James R. Webb

Director:

  • Morten Tyldum (ep. 1)
  • SJ Clarkson (ep. 2)
  • Amanda Marsalis (ep. 3)
  • Reed Morano (ep. 4)
  • Steven Piet (ep. 5)
  • Trey Edward Shults (ep. 6)
  • Jon S. Baird (ep. 7)
  • Stephen Williams (ep. 8)
  • Amanda Marsalis (ep. 9)
  • Jonathan Van Tulleken (ep. 10)

Teleplay:

  • Nick Antosca (ep. 1)
  • André Jacquemetton & Maria Jacquemetton (ep. 2; 7)
  • Alan Page Arriaga (ep. 3; 8)
  • Tara Shivkumar (ep. 4)
  • Peter Blake (ep. 5)
  • Brian Evenson (ep. 6)
  • Diana Pawell & Peter Blake (ep. 9)
  • Nick Antosca & Peter Blake & Tara Shivkumar (ep. 10)

Stars:  Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, Joe Anders, Lily Collias, CCH Pounder, Malia Pyles, Jamie Hector, Ron Perlman and Juliette Lewis.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

From the outside Anna and Tom Bowden look like they have it all.  They’re both successful attorneys.  The have two children, a boy and a girl… a big house… nice salaries.  Yeah, from the outside it looks like all is good.

It’s not.

The marriage isn’t smooth sailing.  Their son is going through mental issues.  Their daughter feels isolated due to their parents’ and brother’s issues.

Then Max Cady shows up.  Max was just released from prison after seventeen years.  Cady has been convicted of killing his pregnant wife.  Cady was released due to someone else confessing to the murder.

Cady blames  Anna and Tom Bowden for his seventeen years in prison.  Anna was his defense attorney.  Tom was the prosecutor.  Cady believes they were having a relationship at the time of his trial.  Worse still they did something to make sure Cady was convicted.

But Cady is out now.  And he will have his revenge.  On Anna.  On Tom.  And their children.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Cape Fear is based on John D. MacDonald’s novel THE EXECUTIONERS, as well as the two movie adaptations of it.

There’s a definite attempt to give this adaptation a Hitchcock-feel from the way some of the scenes are shot to the soundtrack.

I am a huge fan of the Cape Fear movies.  I believe the series suffers because it’s hard to root for the Bowden family, because they are so unlikeable.

Bardem had big shoes to fill, following Robert Mitchum and Robert DeNiro.  He does an admirable job.

Ron Perlman has a small but important role.  He’s a welcome addition to the cast.  Same could be said for CCH Pounder, Jamie Hector and Juliette Lewis.

Cape Fear: Season 1 (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.

RIP: Tim Curry

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Tim Curry passed away last night.  No cause of death was given.  Mr. Curry suffered a serious stroke in 2012 and serious health issues after.

Tim Curry knew from an early age that he wanted to be an actor.  In 1968, he graduated from the University of Birmingham with a BA degree in English and drama.  The same year, Mr. Curry earned a role as part of the original London cast of Hair.    That’s when he met Richard O’Brien who would go on to write The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show theater production became a smash hit.  It played in London, Los Angeles and New York City and made Tim Curry a star.  Following the run of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Tim Curry would work on stage, feature films and television for the rest of his career.  In addition to acting, Mr. Curry also has success as a singer.  He not only sang in some of his film roles but had three solo albums released during his career.

Some of the honors and awards Mr. Curry received include…

  • 1991 Daytime Emmy winner – Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series – Peter Pan and the Pirates -for playing “Captain Hook”
  • 1994 Primetime Emmy nominee – Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – Tales from the Crypt – for playing “Mother/Father/Sister/Daughter” in the episode “Death Of Some Salesman”
  • 1995 CableACE nominee for Actor in a Dramatic Series – Tales from the Crypt
  • 1995 Daytime Emmy nominee for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program – Mighty Max – For playing “Skullmaster”
  • 2002 Grammy nominee – Best Spoken Word Album for Children – for “A Series of Unfortunate Events – Book 1: The Bad Beginning (Lemony Snicket)”

Some of Tim Curry’s television performances include: Television Theater From…; Armchair Theater; Napoleon and Love (4 episodes); Play for Today; Three Men in a Boat; Rock Follies ’77; Will Shakespeare (6 episodes); Tim Curry: I Do Rock; Oliver Twist; The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible (2 episodes); The Tracey Ulman Show (2 episodes); Wiseguy (6 episodes); Fantastic Max (4 episodes); Padington Bear (13 episodes); Gravedale High (3 episodes); It (2 episodes); Talespin (2 episodes); Peter Pan and the Pirates (59 episodes); Fish Police (6 episodes); Batman the Animated Series (2 episodes); Darkwing Duck (3 episodes); The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda (33 episodes); Roseanne (2 episodes); The Pirates of Dark Water (20 episodes); The Legend of Prince Valiant (64 episodes); Tales from the Crypt; Dinosaurs (7 episodes); Aladin (3 episodes); Mighty Max (4 episodes); The Little Mermaid (12 episodes); Earth 2 (4 episodes); Sonic the Hedgehog (13 episodes); Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad (53 episodes); The Naked Truth (2 episodes); Captain Plant and the Planeteers (27 episodes); Gargoyles (7 episodes); Mighty Ducks (22 episodes); The Mask (14 episodes); Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (1o episodes); Ahh! Real Monsters (19 episodes); Jumanji (18 episodes); Rude Awakening (3 episodes); Rude Awakening (6 episodes); Tales from the Crypt; Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot (2 episodes); Gary & Mike; Samurai Jack; Monk; Will & Grace (2 episodes); Hey Arnold! (3 episodes); The Wild Thornberrys (90 episodes); Monty Python’s Spamalot; Duck Dodgers; The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (7 episodes); Me, Eloise (13 episodes); Psych; Criminal Minds (2 episodes); Regular Show (2 episodes); Phineas and Ferb (2 episodes); Young Justice (8 episodes); Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (19 episodes); Star Wars: The Clone Wars (10 episodes); Over the Gaarden Wall; The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again and Rocky Horror Show: Livestream Theater.

Some of Tim Curry’s feature film appearances include: The Rocky Horror Picture Show; Annie; Legend; Clue; The Hunt for Red October; Oscar; Home Alone 2: Lost in New York; Loaded Weapon; The Shadow; Congo; Muppet Treasure Island; McHale’s Navy; Charlie’s Angels; Rugrats in Paris; Scary Movie 2 and Kinsey. 

I first became aware of Tim Curry (like most folks) from his role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Whenever he popped up in a movie or television show, I always enjoyed his performance.   I have three favorite Tim Curry fim appearances: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Legend and of course, Oscar.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tim Curry’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Dolly Parton

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Dolly Parton, the singer, songwriter, actress, business woman and philanthropist died today.  Ms. Parton was 80.  No cause of death was given.

Dolly Parton was born in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennesse.  She was the fourth of twelve children.  Dolly’s father worked as a sharecropper, and tended to his own small tobacco farm.  Her mother stayed at home to take care of the family.

Dolly’s singing talent was recognized at an early age.  By the time she was ten Dolly sang regularly on local radio programs.  When Dolly was thirteen she sang at the Grand Ole Opry and released a single through a small recording label.  The day after she graduated high school, Dolly moved to Nashville.

Dolly was first recognized as a successful songwriter, often teaming with her Uncle, Bill Owens.  Several of her (and their) songs became top hits for recording stars such as Bill Phillips, Hank Williams Jr. and Skeeter Davis.   In 1967, Dolly became a regular on The Porter Wagner Show.  Dolly and Wagner released a top ten single the same year.  It became the first of their six consecutive top ten hits.

Dolly’s first solo number one hit came in 1970 when “Joshua” topped the country music charts.  As her hits continued, her fan base expanded beyond country music devotees.  In 1976, Dolly hosted a variety television series.  After one season, despite good ratings, Dolly asked to be released from her contract due to stress on her vocal cords.

In 1980, Dolly appeared in her first feature film, 9 to 5.  Dolly also wrote and sang the film’s title song.  For her efforts, Dolly received nominations for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy and a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress. Her song received nominations for an Academy Award for Best Song and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.  The song, which hit #1 won the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and the Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

Dolly would continue to record songs, tour, headline on television and in feature films.  Her themepark, Dollywood, opened in 1986.  Dolly wrote three memoirs/autobiographies, co-authored a mystery with James Patterson, a cookbook with her sister, and five children’s books.  In 1995, Dolly started the Imagination Station, which sends books free of charge monthly to children from birth to the age of five.  Currently over 3 million books are mailed out each month.

Dolly Parton was known for her generous philanthropy.  In addition to her Imagination Station, Dolly donated to and helped raise money for many clinics and hospitals, PETA, the American Eagle foundation, victims of the 2016 Great Smokey Mountain fires, Pediatric cancer programs, hurricane relief, COVID research and many, many more programs.

Dolly Parton was one of a kind.  Her rise to international fame and success in every area she ventured is remarkable.  As talented as she was, it is her humanitarianism that impresed me the most.  Dolly was kind, humble and loved by all.  We will not soon see her like again.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Dolly Parton’s family, friends and fans.

“The Quatermass Xperiment” aka “The Creeping Unknown” (1955) starring Brian Donlevy / Z-View

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“The Quatermass Xperiment” aka “The Creeping Unknown” (1955)

Director: Val Guest

Screenplay:  Richard Landau, Val Guest; based on the 1953 tv series The Quatermass Experiment by Nigel Kneale

Stars:  Brian Donlevy, Richard Wordsworth, Jack Warner, David King-Wood, Margia Dean and Maurice Kaufmann.

Tagline: It’s coming for YOU from Space to wipe all living things from the face of the Earth! CAN IT BE STOPPED?

The Plot…

The first manned rocket ship into space was was a success thanks to Professor Bernard Quatermass.  He was the scientific genius behind the design, manufacture and launch of the ship.  While in space contact with the three man crew was lost.

When the ship returns Quatermass finds that two of the three astronauts are gone.  The only thing left of them is their empty space suits.  The third astronaut is in shock and unable to speak. Quatermass discovers that an alien organism killed the other two astronauts and is now in the third… mutating his body into something deadly.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jane Asher plays the little girl trying to befriend the astronaut as he is mutating.  Asher would grow up to be one of Paul McCartney’s fiancées.

The film’s title spells Experiment as Xperiment as a way to draw attention to the fact that The British Board of Film Censors gave the film an X rating meaning the film had themes that might be too strong or intense for persons under the age of 16.

The Quatermass Xperiment was released as The Creeping Unknown in the US.

“The Quatermass Xperiment” aka “The Creeping Unknown” (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Mobland” Season 2 starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Hellen Mirren – The Trailer is Here!

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Season 1 was awesome.  From the looks of the trailer for Mobland Season 2, looks like we’re in for more of the same.

Deal me in.

Season 2 of MobLand premieres September 18 only on Paramount+.

The Harrigans struggle to show a unified front as rising rivals threaten their criminal empire. Harry Da Souza, their street-smart and formidable ‘fixer’, must walk a dangerous tightrope when tensions within the family intensify. As violence spills into every corner of their lives, loyalties snap, safety proves temporary and the battle for power leaves no room for mercy.

“The Paper” Season 2 – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for The Paper Season 2 is here.

I enjoyed the first season and will check out the second.  Any other fans?

The Paper Season 2 is streaming September 9 on Peacock, plus catch up on Season 1 streaming now: https://pck.tv/45hBP6q

Synopsis: The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch in the Emmy Award-winning series “The Office” find a new subject when they discover a historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it.

In season two, after sweeping the Ohio Journalism Awards, Ned searches for a journalistic crusade, coming for a local private club and jeopardizing the paper, while he and Mare try to figure out their attraction, Esmeralda struggles to find her place, and the staff gradually mature as reporters.

The series stars Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Tim Key, Ramona Young, Eric Rahill, Duane Shepard Sr., Alex Edelman, and Oscar Nuñez.

Greg Daniels and Michael Koman serve as co-creators and executive producers. Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein, Ben Silverman, and Banijay Americas (formerly Reveille) also executive produce.

“The Paper” is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

“Widow’s Bay” Season 1, starring Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root / Z-View

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Widow’s Bay: Season 1 (2026)

Created by: Katie Dippold 

Director:

  • Hiro Murai (eps. 1-3; 9-10)
  • Sam Donovan (eps. 4; 7)
  • Andrew DeYoung (eps. 5; 8)
  • Ti West (ep. 6)

Screenplay:

  • Katie Dippold (eps. 1; 10)
  • Kelly Galuska (ep. 2)
  • Neil Casey (ep. 3)
  • Mackenzie Dohr (ep. 4)
  • Colton Dunn (ep. 5)
  • Alberto Roldán (ep. 6)
  • Dave Harris (ep. 7)
  • Emma Ketchum (ep. 8)
  • Bobak Esfarjani (ep. 9)

Stars:  Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, Kevin Carroll, Dale Dickey, Kingston Rumi Southwick and Stephen Root.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Tom Loftis is Mayor of the small island town called Widow’s Bay.  Tom, now a widower and single parent, moved to the island to marry his wife.  As mayor, Tom’s major goal is to turn Widow’s Bay into a tourist town.  Some of the residents are all for the idea.  There are others who feel the island is cursed and bringing more folks to the island will create major problems.

Tom sees the naysayers as silly and superstitious.  But when strange things begin to happen, Tom tries to find rational reasons for them.  Soon enough Tom and the islanders are dealing with ghosts, a killer clown, time warps, a Sea Hag, a serial killer and more.

Welcome to Widow’s Bay!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Widow’s Bay received 19 Prime-Time Emmy award nominations.  Results will be announced September 4th.

  • Nominee for Outstanding Comedy Series
  • Nominee for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Matthew Rhys
  • Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Stephen Root
  • Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Kate O’Flynn
  • Nominee for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series – Hiro Murai, For episode “Welcome to Widow’s Bay!”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series – Katie Dippold, For episode “Welcome to Widow’s Bay!”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Dale Dickey
  • Nominee for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) – David Fleming (composer), For episode “Our History”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Music Supervision – Toko Nagata (music supervisor), For episode “Beach Reads”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation – Matt Yocum (co-supervising sound editor), Sang Jun Kim (co-supervising sound editor), Goeun Everett (sound effects editor), Ryan A. Sullivan (sound effects editor), Nate Underkuffler (music editor), Leslie Bloome (foley artist). Shaun Brennan (foley artist), For episode “What to Expect on Your Trip”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation – Tim Hoogenakker (re-recording mixer),  Larry Benjamin (re-recording mixer),  Kevin S. Parker (production mixer),  Scott Michael Smith (scoring mixer), Judah Getz (ADR mixer),  Leslie Bloome (foley mixer), For episode “What to Expect on Your Trip”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – Hamish Linklater (as Richard Warren), For episode “Seasickness”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series – Betty Gilpin (as Sarah Westcott Warren), For episode “Our History”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single Camera Comedy Series – Isaac Hagy (editor), For episode “Our History”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single Camera Comedy Series – Kyle Reiter (editor), For episode “Welcome To Widow’s Bay!”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single Camera Comedy Series – Jen Bryson (editor), For episode “What To Expect On Your Trip”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series – Allison Jones (casting by), Emily Buntyn (casting by), Lisa Lobel (location casting), Angela Peri (location casting)
  • Nominee for Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (Half-Hour) – Christian Sprenger (director of photography)
  • Nominee for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour) – Steve Arnold (production designer), Peter Borck (supervising art director),  Jennifer Engel (set decorator), For episode “Lodging”

As you can tell from the award nominations above, critics and viewers overwhelming like Widow’s Bay.  I enjoy it, but not as much as most folks.  I feel a bit of inconsistency due to the monster of the week format.  There are overarching storylines, but they take a back seat to dealing with each week’s ghost/sea hag/serial killer, etc.

Congrats to Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root for their well deserved Prime-Time Emmy acting nominations.

As always your mileage may vary, but for me Widow’s Bay rates a three.

Widow’s Bay: Season 1 (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.