Category: TV

“Attack of the Hollywood Cliches!” (2021) hosted by Rob Lowe / Z-View

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Attack of the Hollywood Cliches! (2021)

Directors:  Sean Doherty, Ricky Kelehar, Alice Mathias

Writers:  Dane Baptiste, Ben Caudell, Sean Doherty

Stars: Rob Lowe, Andie MacDowell

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Rob Lowe hosts an exploration of movie cliches like the hero walking calmly away as something behind him explodes, one-man super-soldiers, kissing in the rain, a character coming from the grocery store always has a loaf of French bread sticking out of the bag and more.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A harmless way to spend an hour.

Attack of the Hollywood Cliches! (2021) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Strain”: Season 4 (2017) / Z-View

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The Strain: Season 4 (2017)

Created by:  Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan

Directors:  J. Miles Dale (eps. 1 – 2, 10); Kevin Dowling (eps. 3 – 4); Norberto Barba (eps. 5 – 6); Thomas Carter (ep. 7); Paco Cabezas (ep. 8); Jennifer Lynch (ep. 9)

Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (ep. 1, 10); Liz Phang (ep. 2, 8); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 3, 9); Chuck Hogan (ep. 3); Mickey Fisher (ep. 4); Jeff Wadlow (ep. 5); Paul Keables (ep. 6); Andy Iser (ep. 7)

Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Nine months have passed since the bombs went off.  A nuclear winter envelopes the world.  The strigoi have formed a “partnership” with surviving humans.  Humans donate blood to feed the strigoi.  Despite people disappearing most humans feel the partnership is their only hope.

Setrakian, Fet, Mr. Quinlan, Gus and the others continue to work separately and together to find a way to kill the Master.  If they can do that, the strigoi will be mindless and easier to destroy.  When the group comes up with a suicide plan, there is little doubt that all will not survive… the real question is will the Master be killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries.  The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies.  And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul.  Here the fate of the world is at risk.

The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories.  In different episodes, different characters get the spotlight but viewers don’t get the feeling that it is by the numbers.  David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde continue to shine.  Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte continue to be great villains.  Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan makes a great anti-hero.

Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.

The Strain: Season 4 (2017) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill!” – Two Posters & Two Trailers!

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We have two posters and two trailers for William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill!

Deal me in.

Directed by the visionary filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe (78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene, Memory: The Origins of Alien), William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill is an intimate exploration of the life and career of William Shatner. From his unforgettable portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek to his diverse accomplishments of a 70+ year career across film, television, and the arts, the documentary captures the essence of Shatner’s journey and his extraordinary contributions to the entertainment industry.

An intimate portrait of William Shatner’s personal journey over nine decades on this Earth, You Can Call Me Bill strips away all the masks he has worn to embody countless characters, and reveals the man behind it all.

“The Strain”: Season 3 (2016) / Z-View

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The Strain: Season 3 (2016)

Created by:  Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan

Directors:  GJ. Miles Dale (eps. 1 – 2); Ken Girotti (eps. 3 – 4); Deran Sarafian (eps. 5 – 6); T.J. Scott (eps. 7 – 8); Vincenzo Natali (ep. 9); Carlton Cruse (ep. 10);

Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (eps. 1, 10); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (eps. 2, 6); Chuck Hogan (ep. 3); Regina Corrado (ep. 4); Liz Phang (ep. 5); Chuck Hogan, Glen Whitman (ep. 7); Regina Corrado, Liz Phang (ep. 8); Vincenzo Natali (ep. 9)

Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The battle with the strigoi is in full effect.  Police, military and citizens have united.  The virus is spreading across the country and throughout the world.  Eldritch Palmer considers joining Eph, Fet and Setrakian against the Master.

When the stigoi begin winning the battle, police force prisoners, even those who committed misdemeanors into battle.  Gus and Angel find themselves in a no-win situation when they are placed in one of the groups forced to go underground into a strigoi stronghold.

The Ancients, who fear the Master’s reach is growing make an uneasy alliance with Quint.  The Master reveals himself as the battle nears the end.  Humanity may not survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries.  The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies.  And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul.  Here the fate of the world is at risk.

The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories.  In different episodes, different characters get the spotlight but viewers don’t get the feeling that it is by the numbers.  David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde continue to shine.  Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte continue to be great villains.  Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan makes a great anti-hero.

Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.

The Strain: Season 3 (2016) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“The Why Files”: Season 3 (2022) / Z-View

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The Why Files: Season 3 (2022)

Creator:  Andrew Gentile

Stars: Andrew Gentile

Tagline: Where Cool Nerds Laugh and Learn

The Plot…

The Why Files started as a weekly Youtube podcast where the host, Andrew Gentile looked at myths, legends, strange phenomena and more.  Gentile approaches each subject with respect and the right touch of humor.  After explaining the subject he then explains what part is true, debunks parts that can be and admits if the truth isn’t known.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Andrew Gentile is an excellent host.  His sidekick is a Hecklefish that adds humor.

Some of my favorite episodes from season three include: Dyatlov Pass Mystery Solved; Edgar Cayce – The Coming Storm; Computer Predicts the End of the World; The Dodleston Time Travel Mystery; The Dead Internet Theory; Alien Bases on the Moon; Why Ancient People Didn’t See the Color Blue; Legend of the Immortal – The Count of Saint Germaine and How a UFO Caused the Battle of Los Angeles.

The Why Files: Season 3 (2022) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“The Strain”: Season 2 (2015) / Z-View

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The Strain: Season 2 (2015)

Created by:  Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan

Directors:  Gregory Hoblit, Guillermo del Toro (ep. 1); T.J. Scott (ep. 2); Guy Ferland (ep. 3); PJ. Miles Dale (eps. 4 – 5); Howard Deutch (eps. 6 – 7); Kevin Dowling (ep. 8 – 9); Phil Abraham (ep. 10 – 11); Vincenzo Natali (eps. 12 – 13)

Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (ep. 1, 13); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 2, 8, 12); Regina Corrado (ep. 3, 9); Chuck Hogan (ep. 4, 7); Liz Phang (ep. 5, 10); Carlton Cruse, Regina Corrado (ep. 11); Justin Britt-Gibson, Chuck Hogan (ep. 11); Carlton Cruse, David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 12)

Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Mía Maestro, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza and Sean Astin.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

As the strigoi (vampire) virus spreads, most of the world remains clueless.  Eph and Nora continue to search for a biological response to kill the virus.  The Master has a plan to use Eph’s son to get to Eph.  Fet and Dutch grow closer as they clear surrounding buildings.

Gus and Vaun rebel against Eldritch Palmer.  Councilwoman Justine Faraldo realizes the strigoi threat is real.  She uses her security force to fight the strigoi as she rallies the community to join their efforts.  Eph and Nora have success with a biological response to the strigoi, but will anyone in power outside of New York City believe the threat is real?

Setrakian and Fet learn the whereabouts of an ancient book known as the Lumen that may have the answer on how to kill the strigoi.  They attempt to purchase it, but learn that Eichhorst is also trying to get it.

As the strigoi’s numbers increase, the Master’s plans move forward.  The team becomes aware of Quinlan, a half-vampire, who claims he wants to destroy the Master.  Can he/it be trusted?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries.  The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies.  And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul.  Here the fate of the world is at risk.

The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories.  Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather played by Corey Stoll is the lead.  It isn’t often the “star” is given so many character flaws.  Several members of the supporting cast have lived up to the title co-star.  Kudos to David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde for playing characters that make the show sing. Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer, the sickly billionaire who aides the Master and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte who has served the Master for decades deserve kudos as well.  Season two welcomes Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan and Samantha Mathis as Justine Feraldo the tough councilwoman who refuses to run from the crisis.

Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.

The Strain: Season 2 (2015) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Who Are You, Louis?” – The Teaser for “Interview with the Vampire” Season 2 is Here!

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I’m glad we are getting some more promotional materials for season 2 of Interview with a Vampire.

Deal me in!

Who are you without your past?

ABOUT INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE
A luxury apartment covering an entire single floor of a high rise. Where the Vampire has granted the interview with the man he once judged to be unworthy. And where the journalist Daniel Molloy has hustled, for a second shot at the interview that got away from him 40 years earlier…

Based on Anne Rice’s iconic novel, Interview with The Vampire follows Louis’ epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality, as told to the journalist Daniel Molloy. Chafing at the limitations of life as a black man in 1900’s New Orleans, Louis finds it impossible to resist Lestat’s offer of the ultimate escape: joining him as his vampire companion.

But Louis’s intoxicating new powers come with a violent price, and the introduction of Lestat’s newest fledgling, the child vampire Claudia, soon sets them on a decades-long path of revenge and atonement. A sensuous, contemporary reinvention of Anne Rice’s revolutionary gothic novel.

Who Are You, Louis? | Interview with the Vampire Season 2 | Premieres May 12 | AMC+

“Reacher”: Season 2 (2024) starring Alan Ritchson / Z-View

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Reacher: Season 2 (2024)

Directors: Sam Hill (Eps.1 – 2); Omar Madha (Eps. 3 – 4); Carol Banker (Eps. 5 – 6); Julian Holmes (Eps.7 – 8)

Teleplay: Nick Santora (Showrunner, Executive Producer, Writer – Ep. 1); Scott Sullivan (Ep. 2, 5, 8); Penny Cox (Ep. 3); Cait Duffy (Ep. 4); Cait Duffy & Michael J. Gutierrez (Ep. 6); Penny Cox & Lillian Wang (Ep. 7)

Starring: Alan Ritchson, Maria Sten, Serinda Swan, Shaun Sipos, Ferdinand Kingsley, Robert Patrick, Domenick Lombardozzi, Luke Bilyk and Malcolm Goodwin.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Jack Reacher, an ex-Military Police Investigator is contacted by, Frances Neagley (Swan) a former member of his team.  Someone is targeting the team for execution.  And it ain’t pretty.  One of the members was dropped from a helicopter after being tortured.  Reacher and Neagley have no idea why they’re being targeted, but they plan to warn the other team members… find out the reason… and then get revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was glad to see Frances Neagley played by Serinda Swan brought back for season two.  Neagley especially if teamed with Karla Dixon (Serinda Swan) could carry their own series.

Domenick Lombardozzi plays a cop who may or may not be crooked.  Lombardozzi is excellent as always.

It goes without saying, but I’m going to anyway: Alan Ritchson IS Jack Reacher.

Bring on Season 3!

“Manhunt” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for Manhunt, the seven episode limited series about the conspiracy behind the assassination of President Lincoln.  I’ve always been interested in conspiracy theories as well as the stories behind the assassination of President Lincoln.  I recently watched the excellent documentary Lincoln’s Last Day and now I’m psyched for Manhunt.

A conspiracy thriller about one of the best known but least understood crimes in history: the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. This is the astonishing story of the high-stakes hunt for John Wilkes Booth. Manhunt, a limited series, comes to Apple TV+ March 15 https://apple.co/_Manhunt

Based on The New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning nonfiction book from author James L. Swanson, “Manhunt” is a conspiracy thriller about one of the best known but least understood crimes in history, the astonishing story of the hunt for John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. The seven-part limited series stars Emmy Award-winning actor Tobias Menzies (“The Crown,” “Game of Thrones,” “Outlander”), and is created by Emmy nominee Monica Beletsky (“Fargo,” “The Leftovers,” “Friday Night Lights”), who also serves as showrunner and executive producer. Emmy nominee Carl Franklin (“Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” “One False Move,” “Devil in a Blue Dress”) directed the first two episodes and is also an executive producer on the series.

Starring alongside Menzies are Anthony Boyle (“Tetris,” “The Plot Against America”), Lovie Simone (“Greenleaf”), Will Harrison (“Daisy Jones & The Six”), Brandon Flynn (“13 Reasons Why”), Damian O’Hare (“Hatfields & McCoys”), Glenn Morshower (“The Resident”), Patton Oswalt (“A.P. Bio”), Matt Walsh (“Veep”) and Hamish Linklater (“The Big Short”).

“American Nightmare” (2024) / Z-View

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American Nightmare (2024)

Director:  Bernadette Higgins, Felicity Morris

Tagline:  No One Would Suspect the Truth.  It’s Always Revenge.  It’s Always the Boyfriend.  It’s Always the Scorned Ex.

The Plot…

Aaron Quinn calls 911.  He tells them that his girlfriend, Denise Huskins, was kidnapped from his house the night before.  They ask why he didn’t call sooner, he replies that he had been drugged with Nyquil and zip-tied.  The police bring him in for questioning. Aaron repeats his story.  He says the kidnapper was wearing a scuba suit.  The police ask if either he or his girlfriend put up a fight?  No, the kidnapper had a gun with a laser pointed at them.

The police say that a blanket is missing along with his girlfriend.  What could the blanket have been used for?  Aaron says to carry out a body.  The police say blood was found on the steps and Aaron has failed the lie-detector test.  Aaron says he can’t explain either.  A ransom demand comes in for $15,000.  That’s too low of a ransom for the risk.  The police are ready to arrest Aaron.

A day or so later, Denise shows up at her dad’s house about 300 miles away.  She tells police the kidnapper dropped her off.  The police question her and she tells the same story.  A break in by a guy with a laser pistol in a scuba suit.  He zip-ties and forces Aaron to drink Nyquill to knock him out.  The man then kidnaps Denise.  The police believe it to be a hoax and go to the media with this crazy story.  Denise and Aaron are destroyed when the story goes viral.

Time passes and the truth eventually comes out.  You know the saying, “Truth is often stranger than fiction?”  This time it is.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

After the first episode of American Nightmare, you are convinced Aaron killed Denise.

After the second episode, you believe Aaron and Denise came up with this outlandish story.

After the third episode, you will be in shock when the truth comes out.

American Nightmare (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Fargo”: Season 5 (2023) starring Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sam Spruell and Jon Hamm / Z-View

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Fargo: Season 5 (2023)

Created by:  Noah Hawley

Directors:  Noah Hawley (eps. 1 -2); Donald Murphy (eps. 3 – 4); Dana Gonzales (eps. 5 – 6); Sylvain White (eps. 7 – 8); Thomas Bezucha (eps. 9 – 10)

Screenplay:Noah Hawley (eps. 1 -5, 9 – 10); Noah Hawley & Bob DeLaurentis (ep. 6); Noah Hawley & April Shih (ep. 7); Noah Hawley & Thomas Bezucha (ep. 8)

Stars: Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Rysdahl, Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris, Richa Moorjani, Sam Spruell, Dave Foley, Lukas Gage and Jon Hamm.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When a riot breaks out at Dot Lyon’s (Temple) daughter’s school board meeting, Dot accidentally tasers a police officer.  She’s arrested and booked.  Her fingerprints indicate she’s not who she says she is.  Soon this seemingly quiet housewife and mother will find herself in danger from kidnappers, her former husband who’s now a corrupt sheriff in a neighboring county and the F.B.I..

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Fargo presents new characters and story with each season.  All have been excellent and season 5 may be the best yet.

The story is full of twists and fantastic characters.  Every member of the cast is a standout.  I would not be at all surprised to see nominations and awards for Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh (has she ever been better?), Sam Spruell and Jon Hamm.  Their characters were quirky and the actors made the most of them.  Kudos also to Joe Keery, Lamone Morris, Richa Moorjani and Dave Foley.

Fargo: Season 5 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Extended Family”: Season 1 (2023) starring Jon Cryer / Z-View

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Extended Family: Season 1 (2023)

Created by:  Mike O’Malley

Directors:  James Widdoes (eps. 1, 3); Ali LeRoi (eps. 2)

Screenplay: Mike O’Malley (ep. 1); Jim Vallely  (ep. 2); Ajay Sahgal (ep. 3)

Stars: Jon Cryer, Donald Faison, Abigail Spencer, Sofia Capanna, Finn Sweeney and Lenny Clarke.

Tagline:  Marriages End. Families Don’t.

The Plot…

Jim (Cryer) and Julia (Spencer) are divorced.  Rather than have the kids move back and forth between parents, the parents have decided the children will stay in the same house and they parents will move in during their periods of custody.  Matters are complicated when Julia gets engaged to Trey Taylor, the super rich owner of the Boston Celtics.

Let the hijinks begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I tuned in because of Jon Cryer.  I stuck around because it sometimes takes a show an episode or two to get going.

Episode One was bad.  One of the kids’ goldfish dies.  There’s a lot of drama about how to best approach this. They ultimately get a new goldfish to spare the child’s feelings. Turns out the kid doesn’t get upset over the fish’s death.  She’s upset over the divorce.  The parents apologize to her and everyone goes to a Celtics game.

Episode Two was bad.  Julia invites her fiance, Trey to spend the night while she is watching the kids.  Jim is upset because according to the “divorce constitution” that they wrote, he should have been consulted.  They argue. Jim ultimately agrees to Trey staying over.  Then Trey can’t sleep on the mattress that used to be shared by Julia and Jim.  So he buys a new mattress.  Constitutional crisis!  Then they settle that and painting the bedroom becomes an issue.  You guessed it.  Constitutional crisis.

More like series crisis, says I.  I’ll try one more episode.

Episode 3 was bad.  Jim has had the kids for a week on his own.  When Julia returns, Jim heads home.  She learns the daughter doesn’t like math and earned a C- on her test.  Her son is hooked on a violent video game.  She thinks that her kids are going to be failures.  She tries some things that don’t work.  She calls Jim back and he doesn’t see the problem.  Trey gets involved.  The kids end up concerned that there will be no future because of climate change.

Strike three.  I’m out.  Your mileage may vary but Extended Family is not for me.

Extended Family: Season 1 (2023) earns 1 of 5 stars.

RIP: Carl Weathers

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Carl Weathers died peacefully in his sleep on February 1, 2024.  He was 76.

Carl Weathers attended St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, Louisiana on an athletic scholarship.  Mr. Weathers was an athlete who excelled in football, boxing, gymnastics, soccer, wrestling and judo.  At San Diego St. University, Carl Weathers played defensive end for the Aztecs football team.  As an undrafted free agent, Mr. Weathers was picked up by the Oakland Raiders in 1970 to play linebacker.  When he was released the following year, he headed to Canada where he played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.  In the off seasons, Carl Weathers returned to the states to earn a earned a bachelor’s degree in drama.  In 1974, Mr. Weathers retired from football to pursue a career in acting.

Carl Weathers’ first feature film role was uncredited.  He played a demonstrator in Magnum Force.  Mr. Weathers’ first television role was as a jealous husband in an episode of Good Times.  Carl Weathers breakout role was as Apollo Creed in Rocky.  He would return to that role three more times.  Other of Carl Weathers’ signature roles include: Fortune Dane in Fortune Dane (1986); Colonel Al Dillon in Predator (1987); Jericho Jackson in Action Jackson (1988); Adam Beaudreaux in Street Justice (1991); Hampton Forbes in In the Heat of the Night (1993); Chubbs in Happy Gilmore (1996); Joe Clark in The Shield (2003); Combat Carl in Toy Story 4 (2019) and Greef Karga in The Mandalorian.  Although he would alternate throughout his career acting in feature films and television roles, Carl Weathers also branched out as a director and producer.

Television appearances of Carl Weathers include: Good Times; Kung Fu; S.W.A.T.; The Six Million Dollar Man; Cannon; Switch; McCloud; Starsky and Hutch; Barnaby Jones; The Streets of San Francisco; The Defiant Ones; Fortune Dane (6 episodes); Tour of Duty (9 episodes); Street Justice (44 episodes); In the Heat of the Night (28 episodes); The Shield (2 episodes); ER; Brothers (13 episodes); Chadam (3 episodes); Psych; Arrested Development (4 episodes); Toy Story of Terror; Regular Show (2 episodes); Colony (7 episodes); Chicago Fire (2 episodes); Chicago PD (4 episodes); Chicago Justice (13 episodes); Magnum PI (2018); Law and Order: Special Victims Unit; Star vs the Forces of Evil (10 episodes) and The Mandalorian (9 episodes).

Feature film appearances of Carl Weathers include: Magnum Force; Friday Foster; Rocky; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; Semi-Tough; Force Ten from Navarone; Rocky II; Death Hunt; Rocky III; Rocky IV; Predator; Action Jackson; Happy Gilmore and Toy Story 4.

Projects that Carl Weathers directed include: Renegade; Silk Stockings (8 episodes); Pensacola: Wings of Gold (2 episodes); 18 Wheels of Justice (3 episodes); Sheena (5 episodes); Hawaii 5-0: The Last O.G. (2 episodes); Law & Order; Chicago Med (2 episodes) and The Mandalorian (2 episodes).

When I think of his career, of course his role as Apollo Creed first comes to mind. Sly Stallone posted a touching tribute to Carl Weathers tonight that spoke to his importance in making Rocky a success.  Part of what Sly Stallone said:  “We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching.”  My favorite Carl Weathers story occurred when he auditioned for the role of Apollo Creed.  Mr. Weathers was told that the writer of Rocky would be reading with him.  As the audition continued, Carl Weathers felt he wasn’t doing well.  He told the producers, “I’d do better if I was reading with a real actor.”  Sly said he knew right then Carl Weathers was the choice to play Apollo.

Although it only ran for six episodes, I was a fan of Carl Weathers’ Fortune Dane series.  I’ve been planning to seek it out for a re-watch.  The same could be said for his feature film Action Jackson.  Of course everyone loves his role in Predator and I’m no exception.  Anything that Carl Weathers was in was better because of him.

I was truly surprised by Carl Weathers’ death.  He was always in shape and appeared to be the picture of health. Some celebrity deaths hit harder than others.  Carl Weathers death was like a head-on car crash.  In addition to his acting, directing and producing, Carl Weathers will be remembered for his positive attitude.  He focused on the good in people.  He was humble and appreciative of his fans.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carl Weather’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: William O’Connell

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William O’Connell died on January 15, 2024.  He was 94.

Mr. O’Connell served in served in the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant in the 45th Infantry.

William O’Connell acted in television and feature films.  His best known role was on Star Trek where he played Thelev, an alien whose mission was to kill Captain Kirk and destroy the Enterprise.  Mr. O’Connell was also a favorite of Clint Eastwood with appearances in five of his movies (Paint Your Wagon, High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Every Which Way But Loose and Any Which Way You Can).

Television appearances of William O’Connell include: Highway Patrol; Peter Gunn; Dr. Kildare; Thriller; The Twilight Zone; Dennis the Menace; The Travels of Jamie McPheeters; My Three Sons; The Outer Limits; Rawhide (2 episodes); Bonanza; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; The Munsters; Batman; Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats; The Lucy Show; Ironside; Star Trek; Petticoat Junction (4 episodes); Mannix; Mission Impossible; Julia; The Wild, Wild West; Green Acres; Gunsmoke; Daniel Boone (3 episodes); Love American Style (2 episodes); The Odd Couple (2 episodes); Kolchak: The Night Stalker; Charlie’s Angels; Quncey, M.E. (2 episodes) and The Dukes of Hazzard.

Feature film appearances of William O’Connell include: Swingin’ Along; The Warlord; ice Station Zebra; Paint Your Wagon; Which Way to the Front; The Culpepper Cattle Co.; High Plains Drifter; Big Bad Mama; The Outlaw Josey Wales; Every Way But Loose and Any Which Way You Can.

William O’Connell was the quintessential character actor.  It’s hard to say when I first saw him because he appeared in so many of the television shows I watched as a kid.  If I had to pick a favorite William O’Connell role it would be either in Star Trek or The Outlaw Josey Wales.  On Star Trek he had the bigger part, but Mr. O’Connell was so memorable as the ferryman in Josey Wales that I had to also include it.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to William O’Connell’s family, friends and fans.