Category: TV

“Pluribus”: Season 1 (2025) created by Vince Gilligan, starring Rhea Seehorn / Z-View

Pluribus: Season 1 (2025)

Created by: Vince Gilligan

Director:

  • Vince Gilligan (Eps. 1-2)
  • Gordon Smith (Eps. 3; 5; 9)
  • Zetna Fuentes (Ep. 4)
  • Gandja Monteiro (Ep. 6)
  • Adam Bernstein (Ep. 7)
  • Melissa Bernstein (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:

  • Vince Gilligan (Eps. 1-2)
  • Gordon Smith (Ep. 3)
  • Alison Tatlock (Ep. 4)
  • Ariel Levine (Ep. 5)
  • Vera Blasi (Ep. 6)
  • Jenn Carroll (Ep. 7)
  • Jonny Gomez (Ep. 8)
  • Alison Tatlock & Gordon Smith (Ep. 9)

Starring:  Rhea Seehorn, Karolina Wydra, Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Miriam Shor and John Cena.

Tagline: Happiness is contagious.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Astronomers are shocked when a SETI radio signal turns out to be a legit alien transmission.  The signal is determined to be a code for an RNA sequence.  Scientists begin working on it immediately.  A lab mishap infects one of the researchers.  Soon a geometric infection spreads.  One infected becomes two – two become four.

Within very little time the entire human population has been exposed.  Every person infected becomes part of the hive mind collective.  The infection rate is almost 100%.  There are only thirteen people in the world who remain unaffected.

With the infection what one person knows, they all know.  The infected appear calm and happy and they readily admit that the want to assimilate the uninfected.

Carol Sturka is one of the thirteen uninfected.  Her goal is to find a way to save the human race.

Thoughts…

Vince Gilligan has another winner.

Pluribus is the Latin word meaning “many”.  The Pluribus logo changes the “i” to a “1” which is very clever.

It was an interesting choice to make Rhea Seehorn’s character more than a bit unlikeable.

I look forward to season 2.

Pluribus: Season 1 (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Sugar: Season 2” starring Colin Farrell and Shea Whigham – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

The new trailer for Sugar: Season 2 is here.  I loved season one and cannot wait for season 2.  Shea Whigham is a great addition!

Deal me in.

Colin Farrell is John Sugar — a dashing private eye navigating the dark corners of sunny LA, haunted by a secret too dangerous to expose. Sugar Season 2 premieres June 19 on Apple TV https://apple.co/_Sugar

“Sugar” is a contemporary, unique take on one of the most popular and significant genres in literary, motion picture and television history: the private detective story. Season two ushers in the return of Los Angeles’ iconic private detective and film connoisseur, John Sugar.

Emmy Award nominee Colin Farrell returns for a new case, tracking the troubled older brother of an up-and-coming local boxer as his search for his beloved missing sister continues. As the investigation expands into a citywide conspiracy with sinister intentions, Sugar must reckon with himself to answer the question — how far will he go to do what’s right?

In addition to Farrell, the second season of “Sugar” introduces a brand-new cast, including Jin Ha, Raymond Lee, Tony Dalton, Laura Donnelly, Sasha Calle and special guest star Shea Whigham.

Season two of “Sugar” is showrun by Sam Catlin, who also executive produces under his Short Drive Entertainment banner. Audrey Chon and Simon Kinberg executive produce for Genre Films under Kinberg’s overall deal with Apple TV. Farrell, Scott Greenberg and Chip Vucelich also serve as executive producers. “Sugar” is created by Mark Protosevich.

“Dark Winds” Season 4 / Z-View

Dark Winds Season 4 (2026)

Created by: Graham Roland

Director:

  • Craig Zisk (Ep. 1),
  • Zahn McClarnon (Ep. 2)
  • Chris Eyre (Eps. 3, 5, 7)
  • Jim Chory (Ep. 4)
  • Steven Paul Judd (Ep. 6)
  • Erica Trimblay (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:

  • John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd (Eps. 1, 4),
  • Max Hurwitz & Wenonah Wilms (Eps. 2, 5)
  • Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay (Eps. 3, 6)
  • Shaandiin Tome & Shandton Williams II (Eps. 7)
  • Max Hurwitz & Thomas Brady (Ep. 8)
    Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman

Starring:  Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez.

Tagline:  None

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Lt. Leaphorn, Sgt. Chee, and Sgt. Manuelito find themselves on the trail of a teenage runaway.  The girl left her boarding school with her boyfriend.  They’re on the run but from who?  And why?

Things become even more confusing when a mysterious female assassin shows up looking for the kids.  Leaphorn, Chee and Manulito follow the trail that leads to LA.  They’re a step behind the assassin and if they don’t catch up, the kids will die along with the reason they’re being hunted.  

Thoughts…

 Moving the action to LA was an interesting idea.   I did miss the feel of action on the reservation since that location is almost like an additional character.

Dark Winds continues to entertain and the set-up for season 5 is a winner.

“Cape Fear” The Limited Series starring Amy Adams, Javier Bardem & Patrick Wilson – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

The original is a classic.  The remake is worthy.  Now we have a Cape Fear limited television series.  Check out the poster and trailer and see what you think.

Deal me in.

Out of prison, and out for revenge.

Cape Fear premieres June 5 on Apple TV

Inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance.

Hailing from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Amblin Television, “Cape Fear” is based on both the novel “The Executioners,” which inspired Gregory Peck’s Universal Pictures feature (1962) of the same name, as well as the acclaimed 1991 remake directed by Scorsese.

The series is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, who produced the 1991 film, alongside Scorsese. Creator Nick Antosca showruns and produces alongside Alex Hedlund for Eat The Cat, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey produce alongside Spielberg for Amblin Television. Academy Award nominee Morten Tyldum will direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. The series is developed and produced through Antosca’s overall deal at UCP, where he’s been based since 2017.

RIP Tony Stella

It was announced that legendary artist Tony Stella has died.  Mr.  Stella’s passing may have been today or yesterday.  No cause of death was given.  Tony Stella was an extremely private person.  I could find nothing about his life, his birthday or anything personal in my online search.   Tony Stella let his art speak for him.

And boy, does it ever.  Tony Stella’s art graced movie posters, television programs, record albums, book covers and more.

Tony Stella Instagram.

Tony Stella’s Website.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Tony Stella’s family, friends and fans.

“The Pitt” Season 2 starring Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa / Z-View

“The Pitt” Season 2 (2026)

Created by: R. Scott Gemmill

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 16; 30) R. Scott Gemmill
  • (ep. 17) Joe Sachs & R. Scott Gemmill
  • (eps. 18; 29) Noah Wyle
  • (eps. 19; 24) Cynthia Adarkwa
  • (eps. 20; 25) Simran Baidwan
  • (ep. 21) Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman & R. Scott Gemmill
  • (eps. 22; 26) Valerie Chu
  • (eps. 23; 28) Joe Sachs
  • (ep. 27) Danny Hogan & R. Scott Gemmill

Directed by:

  • John Wells (eps. 16; 30)
  • Damian Marcano (eps. 17; 20; 25; 28)
  • Uta Briesewitz (eps. 18; 22; 26; 29)
  • John Cameron (eps. 19; 23)
  • Noah Wyle (ep. 20)
  • Shawn Hatosy (ep. 24)
  • Amanda Marsalis  (ep. 27)

Stars: Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez and Sepideh Moafi.

Tagline: The work never stops.

The Plot…

The Pitt follows Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in real time as he works a major hospital emergency room that is understaffed and overworked.  It is the fourth of July.

Let the fireworks begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Pitt was nominated for 13 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 5…

  • Nominee for Outstanding Prosthetic MakeupMyriam Arougheti, Thomas Floutz, Chris Burgoyne, Martina Sykes for episode “4:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) – Todd Grace, Ed Carr, Von Varga, Tami Treadwell for episode “6:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)Bryan Parker, Kristen Hirlinger, Vince Tennant, Joshua Adeniji, Roland N. Thai, Lyndsey Schenk, Sam Lewis, Nicholas Kmet, Adam DeCoste, Alex Ullrich for episode “7:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) – Merry Lee Traum, Marie-Flore Beaubien, Leesa Simone for episode “7:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Drama SeriesJoe Sachs for episode “2:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Drama SeriesR. Scott Gemmill for episode “7:00 A.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series – John Wells for episode “7:00 A.M.”
  • Winner for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series – Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, Erica Berger 
  • Winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesShawn Hatosy
  • Winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesKatherine LaNasa
  • Winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesNoah Wyle
  • Winner for Outstanding Drama Series – Damian Marcano, Michael Hissrich, R. Scott Gemmill, John Wells, Michelle Lankwarden, Simran Baidwan, Erin Jontow, Amanda Marsalis, Terri Murphy, Cynthia Adarkwa, Noah Wyle, Joe Sachs

The Pitt continues to be must-see tv for me.

Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa have won well deserved Emmys for their performances on The Pitt.

“The Pitt” Season 2 (2026) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Season 4 – The Teaser is Here!

The first teaser for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 is here.

Deal me in!

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 premieres July 23 only on Paramount+.

The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, led by Captain Christopher Pike, embarks on a series of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars. On their journey, they will battle inner demons and external threats, encounter colorful new characters, reunite with familiar faces and confront terrifying aliens. Through it all, they strive to embrace a bright, hopeful future.

“Cross” Season 2 (2026) starring Aldis Hodge / Z-View

Cross: Season 2 (2026)

Created by: Ben Watkins; based on the ALEX CROSS novels by James Patterson

Director:

  • Craig Siebels (Eps. 9-10)
  • Stacey Muhammad  (Eps. 11-12)
  • R.T. Thorne (Eps. 13-14)
  • Tiffany K. Guillen (Ep. 15)
  • Edward Ornelas (Ep. 16)

Teleplay:

  • Ben Watkins & Marissa Lee (Ep. 9)
  • Jim Dunn  (Ep. 10)
  • J. David Shanks (Ep. 11)
  • Sonja Perryman (Ep. 12)
  • Alexandra Salerno (Ep. 13)
  • Ron McCants (Ep. 14)
  • Sam Ernst (Ep. 15)
  • Ben Watkins & Aiyana White (Ep. 16)

Stars: Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Juanita Jennings, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, Melody Hurd, Jennifer Wigmore, Eloise Mumford, Ryan Eggold, Stacie Greenwell, Sharon Taylor, Karen Robinson, Mercedes de la Zerda, Siobhan Murphy and Johnny Ray Gill.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

D.C. Detective Alex Cross (Hodge) and (his best friend since childhood) Detective John Sampson (Mustafa) are placed on a task force to find a serial killer who has threatened to kill billionaire Lance Durand and is systematically murdering Durand’s business associates.  The killer leaves clues and collects fingers of the victims.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Cross benefits from a great cast.  Standouts are Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa (who plays my favorite character), Ryan Eggold and Johnny Ray Gill (who is a scene-stealer).

I am looking forward to season 3.

Cross: Season 2 (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Vampire Lestat” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Although I’m a huge fan of Interview with the Vampire (both the Tom Cruise movie and the AMC series), I was a bit concerned when I heard that the next season would be titled The Vampire Lestat.   A rock-and-roll vampire?  Not sure how that could work. (And no, I’ve never read the novels.)

After seeing this trailer, I think my concerns were misguided.  Time will tell.

Deal me in.

It’s time to set the record straight.

#TheVampireLestat debuts June 7 exclusively on AMC and AMC+.

“Paradise” Season 2 starring Sterling K. Brown / Z-View

Paradise: Season 2 (2026)

Created by: Dan Fogelman 

Director:

  • Glenn Ficarra & John Requa (Eps. 9-10)
  • Ken Olin (Eps. 11-12)
  • Liza Johnson (Eps. 13-14)
  • Hanelle M. Culpepper (Eps. 15-16)

Teleplay:

  • Dan Fogelman & Eric Wen (Ep. 9)
  • Jason Wilborn (Ep. 10)
  • Scott Weinger (Ep. 11)
  • Stephen Markley (Ep. 12)
  • Katie French (Ep. 13)
  • Nadra Widatalla (Ep. 14)
  • Melissa Glenn (Ep. 15)
  • John Hoberg & Seena Haddad (Ep. 16)

Stars: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Aliyah Mastin, Percy Daggs IV, Krys Marshall, Enuka Okuma, Charlie Evans and James Marsden.

Tagline:  The truth lies outside.

The Plot…

As Xavier searches for his wife outside the bunker, he is met with several challenges, dangers and takes responsibility for the life  of an innocent.

Inside the bunker, efforts continue to bring down the current administration.  Sinatra fights for her life as an assassin proves she is willing to kill anyone who gets in her effort to gain more power.

Outside the bunker, a group of heavily armed survivors march toward a showdown with those in the bunker.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you thought that Paradise: Season 1 had a surprising plot twist, Season 2 says, “Hold my beer.”

Paradise continues to be one of the best written, best directed and best acted shows on television.

Bring on Season 3.

Paradise: Season 2 (2026) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Primal”: Season 3 created by Genndy Tartakovsky / Z-View

Primal: Season 3 (2026)

Written and storyboarded by:

  • Genndy Tartakovsky (episodes 21; 24; 28-30)
  • David Krentz (episodes 22; 25; 27)
  • Mark Andrews & Genndy Tartakovsky (episodes 23; 26)

Story:

  • Darrick Bachman & Genndy Tartakovsky (episodes 21-30)

Stars: Aaron LaPlante, Laëtitia Eïdo

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

After a devastating attack on Mira’s village, a shaman uses mystical powers to reanimate Spear.  Now a zombie, Spear wanders the jungle having adventures.

Will Spear ever find peace?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Genndy Tartakovsky is the creative force behind Primal.  Season 3 surprisingly brings back Spear as a zombie.  I wasn’t a fan of this.  While I did like the final episode’s resolution,  this season, for me, fell far short of the previous two.

Primal: Season 3 (2026) earns 3 of 5 stars.

“Being Eddie” (2025) starring Eddie Murphy / Z-View

Being Eddie (2025)

Director: Angus Wall

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Charlie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Elvis Mitchell,
John Landis, Pete Davidson, Jerry Bruckheimer
and Kevin Hart.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Eddie Murphy, friends and those who have worked with him, sit for interviews to discuss Eddie’s amazing career.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Some of the awards Eddie Murphy has won over the course of his career include: an Emmy, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Murphy also earned an Academy Award nomination for for Best Supporting Actor.  Murphy has had success as a comedian, television star, movie star, and singer.

While at times Eddie does seem to have a bit of an ego, who wouldn’t with all that he has achieved.  There was a tv show that I watched as a kid, it was about an old gunfighter.  He had a catchphrase: “No brag, just fact.”   I think of Eddie now as that old gunfighter.  He’s not bragging, just stating facts about his career.

I was surprised at how personable and down-to-earth Eddie comes off as.  So many stars, especially who attain superstar status at an early age, self-destruct.  Eddie Murphy seems to be in a great place.

I look forward to where Eddie Murphy’s career leads next.

Being Eddie (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All-Time”Parts 1-3” (2020): Part 1 – “Midnight Madness”; Part 2 – “Horror & Sci-Fi”; Part 3 – “Comedy & Camp” / Z-View

Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All-Time, Parts 1 – 3 (2020)

Director: Danny Wolf

Writers: Paul Fishbein, Irv Slifkin, Danny Wolf

Stars: Kevin Pollak, John Waters, Illeana Douglas, Joe Dante, Jeff Goldblum, Michael McKean, Bruce Campbell, Jeff Bridges, Rob Reiner, Gina Gershon, Fran Drescher, John Turturro, Pam Grier, Amy Heckerling, Roger Corman, Joe Morton, Ed Neil, John Sayles, Rob Zombie, John Cleese, Kevin Smith and Sean Young.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Joe Dante, Illeana Douglas, John Waters and Kevin Pollack talk about the all-time best cult movies in a three part series.  Clips from interviews with those who starred in the films are included.

  • Episode 1: Midnight Madness.
    Films covered include: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pink Flamingos, The Big Lebowski, Eraserhead, The Warriors, Point Break, and Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!.

 

  • Episode 2: Horror and Sci-Fi
    Films covered include: Horror – Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead , The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Evil Dead, The Devil’s Rejects, Re-Animator, The Human Centipede, Blade Runner, A Clockwork Orange, Death Race 2000, The Brother from Another Planet, Liquid Sky and The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.

 

  • Episode 3: Comedy and Camp
    Films covered include: Comedy – Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Office Space, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Napoleon Dynamite, Clerks, Kingpin and Super Troopers. Camp – The Room, Showgirls, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Glen or Glenda, Female Trouble, and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Phantom of the Paradise.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Episode 1 brought back great memories of midnight showings that were popular in the 70s and 80s.  Films that never found an audience, got a second chance with these late night showings.  Fans of the films made them hits.

Episode 2 looks at films that often didn’t do great on their initial release due to bad or little marketing, but found a hard core audience over time.  This was my favorite episode — although I’ll never understand how (and hope to never see) The Human Centipede was greenlit.

Episode 3 explores cult comedies and camp films — movies so bad that they are “good”.  While I don’t think a movie can be so bad it becomes good, Ed Wood’s films are hard to not keep watching once you start.  It’s hard to believe that they’re not comedies and even better to watch with the right crowd.

Time Warp: The Best Cult Films of All-Time, Parts 1 – 3  (2020) rates 4 of 5 stars.