Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
The trailer for Countdown is here. The poster is too generic for my taste, but the trailer has me interested enough to check out the series.
Every second counts. Countdown, a new original series, premieres June 25.
It was announced today that George Wendt died today. No cause of death was given. Mr. Wendt was 76.
George Wendt graduated from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, with a B.A. in economics. After seeing The Second City, Mr. Wendt became motivated to try his hand at comedy. In 1975, he became a part of The Second City troupe.
In 1978, Mr. Wendt appeared in his first feature film. It was an uncredited role in Robert Altman’s A Wedding. His next role didn’t come until 1980, but that year he appeared in Bronco Billy, My Bodyguard, Avery Schreiber Live from Second City and The Gift of the Magi. The roles just kept coming for the rest of his career.
George Wendt was best known for his role as Norm Peterson on Cheers. Mr. Wendt appeared in all 269 episodes. Each year from 1984 – 1989, George Wendt was nominated for a Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Norm.
If the only role George Wendt ever played was Norm on Cheers, he would still be an important (and loved) part of television history.
Some of the television projects that feature George Wendt include: Avery Schreiber Live from Second City; Hart to Hart; Soap; Taxi; Alice; Making the Grade (6 episodes); Cheers (269 episodes); Cheers: Uncle Sam Malone; M*A*S*H; Likely Stories, Vol. 4; Garfield Specials; Garfield in the Rough; St. Elsewhere; The Twilight Zone; The Tortellis; Mickey’s 60th Birthday; Arena; The Magical World of Disney; Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary Special; Wings; Tales from the Crypt; Michael Jackson: Black or White; Roc; Seinfeld; Bob; The Edge; The Building; The Larry Sanders Show; The Martin Short Show; The Simpsons; Columbo: Strange Bedfellows; The George Wendt Show (8 episodes); Good Company; Spin City; The Naked Truth (13 episodes); The List; Madigan Men (4 episodes); TV Funhouse; Strange Relations; Becker; Sabrina the Teenage Witch (6 episodes); Frasier; Saturday Night Live (8 episodes); George Lopez (2 episodes); Modern Men (7 episodes); Masters of Horror; Guy Walks into a Bar; The Green Grass; Family Guy (2 episodes); Less Than Kind; Ghost Whisperer; The Stay-at-Home Dad; Hot in Cleveland; Harry’s Law; The Seven Year Hitch; Kickin’ It; Portlandia; Franklin & Bash; Clipped (10 episodes); Children’s Hospital; Fresh Off the Boat; Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell; The Goldbergs; Christmas 9 to 5 and Fancy Nancy (11 episodes).
Some of George Wendt’s feature film appearances include: A Wedding; Bronco Billy; My Bodyguard; Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again; Airplane II: The Sequel; Dreamscape; Fletch; House; Gung Ho; Forever Young; The Little Rascals; The Prime Gig; Wild About Harry; Garage: A Rock Saga; Edmond; Saturday Morning; The Independents and I Lost My Body.
It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw George Wendt, but I do know that he was a HUGE part of Cheers’ success. Mr. Wendt was perfectly cast as Norm Peterson and his one-liners as he entered the bar each week were a highlight.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to George Wendt’s family, friends and fans.
Peacemaker: Season 1 (2022)
Created by: James Gunn; based on characters from DC Comics
Director: James Gunn (Eps. 1-3, 6, 8), Jody Hill (Ep. 4), Rosemary Rodriguez (Ep. 5); Brad Anderson (Ep. 7)
Teleplay by: James Gunn
Starring: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Dee Bradley Baker, Chukwudi Iwuji, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow, Crystal Mudry, Elizabeth McCarthy Meek, Lenny Jacobson, Kevin O’Grady, Natalia Safran, Darryl Scheelar, Christopher Heyerdahl, Ryan Jefferson Booth and Robert Patrick.
Tagline: They Give Peace a Bad Name
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Chris Smith aka Peacemaker wants to be a hero for peace. He doesn’t care how many people he has to kill to achieve it. Smith is recruited to join Task Force X and is given a support team to assist with his missions.
When things go sideways, it appears there is a mole on the team. But who? When Vigilante and Judomaster show up, things get even crazier. And that’s before Smith’s father who is prison attempts to sell out his son and the team. Oh, and did I mention that there’s an alien invasion brewing?
Thoughts
Peacemaker received one 2022 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program – Wayne Dalglish (stunt coordinator), Gaston Morrison (stunt coordinator)
James Gunn wrote all episodes on spec!
Each episodes features a post-credits scene.
The series takes place in Charlton County as an Easter Egg to fans. Peacemaker was first published by Charlton Comics.
Peacemaker is a fun show… even more so for comic fans. Bring on season 2.
It was announced today that Joe Don Baker died on May 7, 2025. No cause of death was given. Mr. Baker was 89.
Joe Don Baker was a high school standout in football and basketball. He attended North Texas State College on a sports scholarship. Mr. Baker graduated with a BA in Business Administration. Joe Don Baker then served two years in the US Army. After his enlistment, Mr. Baker moved to New York City to attend the Actors Studio.
Joe Don Baker began getting stage work as well as guest appearances on television shows. Mr. Baker’s big break came when he played Buford Pusser in Walking Tall. By this point, Joe Don Baker was alternating between feature films and television roles, but Walking Tall was the film that made him famous.
Some of the television projects that feature Joe Don Baker include: Honey West; Iron Horse; Judd for the Defense; The Felony Squad; Bonanza; Gunsmoke (2 episodes); The Big Valley; Mod Squad; Bracken’s World; Lancer (3 episodes); The F.B.I.; The Most Deadly Game; The High Chaparral; Mission Impossible; Welcome Home Soldier Boys; Ironside; That Certain Summer; Doc Elliott; The Streets of San Francisco; To Kill a Cop; Power; Eischied (13 episodes); Edge of Darkness (6 episodes); In the Heat of the Night (4 episodes); Citizen Cohen; The Wild West; Traps; The Siege at Ruby Ridge; George Wallace; Poodle Springs and The Cleaner.
Some of Joe Don Bakers’ feature film appearances include: Cool Hand Luke; Guns of the Magnificent Seven; Wild Rovers; Junior Bonner; The Valachi Papers; Walking Tall; Charley Varrick; The Outfit; The Natural; Fletch; The Living Daylights; Cape Fear; Reality Bites; Congo; Goldeneye; Mars Attacks!; Tomorrow Never Dies; Joe Dirt; The Commission; The Dukes of Hazzard and Mud.
It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw Joe Don Baker because he appeared in so many of the shows I watched as a kid. I do remember how much buzz he got for starring as Buford Pusser in Walking Tall. I always enjoyed seeing Joe Don Baker show up in a show or movie, because he made everything he was in better.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Don Baker’s family, friends and fans.
Dark Winds Season 3 (2025)
Created by: Graham Roland
Director: Chris Eyre (Eps 1, 4, 8), Michael Nankin (Eps 2, 3), Billy Luther (Ep. 5); Erica Tremblay (Ep. 6); Steven Paul Judd (Ep. 7)
Teleplay by: John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd (Eps. 1, 5, 8), Rhiana Yazzie (Ep. 2), Max Hurwitz & Billy Luther (Eps. 3, 6), Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay (Eps. 4, 7) // Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman
Starring: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez, Tonantzin Carmelo, Alex Meraz, Derek Hinkey, Terry Serpico, Jenna Elfman, Flora Amanda, Raoul Max Trujillo, Christopher Heyerdahl, Carly Roland, Joseph Runningfox, Bodhi Okuma Linton, Robert Knepper, Ryan Begay, Bruce Greenwood and Jeri Ryan.
Tagline: None
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Sheriff Joe Leaphorn (McClarnon) and his deputy Jim Chee (Gordon) are trying to locate a missing Navajo boy. Leaphorn and Chee learn the missing boy witnessed a murder. The killer is on the kid’s trail as well. Matters are complicated when FBI agent Sylvia Washington shows up to investigate a murder case. Joe Leaphorn is her main suspect. Leaphorn’s marriage begins to fall apart when Special Agent Washington informs Leaphorn’s wife that her husband may be a murderer.
Bernadette Manuelito is settling in to her new job as a border patrol cop. Any job is hard when you’re the rookie. Manuelito is put into a tough situation when she discovers that an influential, rich landowner may be involved with drug running. Advised to back off, she digs deeper. Learning that at least one person in her department is on the take, Manuelito doesn’t know who to trust. Her time is running out, since she’s now a target of a former CIA assassin.
Thoughts
Dark Winds: Season 3 builds on the actions Joe Leaphorn took in season 2. It’s not often we see the ramifications of a character impacting others. The relationship between Joe and Emma seems real.
I liked the dual mysteries presented this season.
Dark Winds provides the best creep/scary villains. Raoul Max Trujillo as Budge Baca continues the tradition.
Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten and Deanna Allison have real chemistry. I look forward to Season 4.
It was announced today that James Foley died earlier this week after a long battle with brain cancer. Mr. Foley was 71.
James Foley graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Mr. Foley then earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree in film study and production from USC (the University of Southern California). It was there Hal Ashby saw one of James Foley’s student films and asked him to submit something to Ashby’s production company. Unfortunately the production company folded before anything came of the offer. Still, word was out about James Foley, a young director to keep an eye on.
Because of the buzz created by Hal Ashby, James Foley secured his first feature film, Reckless starring Aidan Quinn and Daryl Hannah. James Foley would continue to direct feature films, television projects and music videos for the rest of his career.
Some of James Foley’s television and video projects include: Madonna: Dress You Up (Opening Sequence); Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour (Opening Sequence); Madonna: Live to Tell; Madonna: Papa Don’t Preach; Madonna: True Blue; Madonna: Who’s That Girl; Madonna: The Look of Love; Deep Purple: King of Dreams; Twin Peaks; Gun; Hannibal; Red Zone; House of Cards (12 episodes); Wayward Pines; Billions (2 episodes); Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Free.
Some of the feature films directed by James Foley include: Reckless; At Close Range; Who’s That Girl; After Dark, My Sweet; Glen Garry Glen Ross; Fear; The Chamber; The Corrupter and Confidence.
My favorite James Foley film is Glen Garry Glen Ross. Foley’s direction made a film that lacked physical action, fights or gun battles and instead focused on dialogue exciting and tension filled.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to James Foley’s family, friends and fans.
Cowboy Bebop (2021)
Created by: Christopher Yost
Based on: Cowboy Bebop by Sunrise; Cowboy Bebop: The Movie – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Sunrise, Bandai Namco Arts Bones
Directors: Alex García López (Eps. 1-2, 5, 7-8); Michael Katleman (Eps. 3-4, 6, 9-10)
Screenplay: Christopher Yost (Ep.1 from story by Christopher Yost, 10); Sean Cummings (Ep. 2); Christopher Yost & Sean Cummings (Ep. 3, story by Christopher Yost); Vivian Lee (Ep. 4); Liz Sagal (Ep. 5); Karl Taro Greenfeld (Ep. 6); Alexandra E. Hartman (Ep. 7); Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Ep. 8); Jennifer Johnson (Ep. 9)
Stars: John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda, Elena Satine, Alex Hassell, Tamara Tunie, Geoff Stults, Mason Alexander Park, Molly Moriarty, Rachel House, Christine Dunford, Lucy Currey and John Noble.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The year is 2071. Spike Spiegel, Jet Black and Faye Valentine are bounty hunters who travel the galaxy looking for the worst criminals to make the most money.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Cowboy Bebop is based on the 1998 Japanese neo-noir space Western anime television series. It is stylish and fun. I’d never seen the original series but I really enjoyed this one and was disappointed that there wouldn’t be a second season.
Cowboy Bebop (2021) rates 4 of 5 stars
1923: Season 2 (2025)
Written by: Taylor Sheridan (Eps. 1-7)
Directed by: Ben Richardson (Eps. 1-7)
Stars: Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann, Isabel May, Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Michelle Randolph, Timothy Dalton, Caleb Martin, Robert Patrick, Sebastian Roché, Michael Spears, Jamie McShane, Madison Elise Rogers, Brian Konowal, Jeremy Gauna, Jennifer Carpenter, James Healy Jr. and C. Thomas Howell.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Season 2 picks up where season 1 left off.
1923 follows three main storylines:
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Kudos to series creator (and writer of each episode) Taylor Sheridan. There is no sophomore slump with 1923. Each storyline remains compelling with characters that you love or hate. It’s so well written, acted and directed that when the storyline shifts from one to the next, you don’t mind. In addition to the three main intertwined stories, there are additional characters with side stories.
1923 continues to be perfectly cast from the starring roles to the smallest guest appearances. The direction, editing and music jell to create one of the best shows on television. Although I’m sad to see it end, the story has been told and it’s epic.
1923: Season 2 (2025) earns 5 of 5 stars.
A nice painted poster and sweet trailer puts Duster on my “must-see” list.
Deal me in.
All vengeance, no brakes.
From J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, #Duster premieres May 15 on Max.
The Bondsman: Season 1 (2025)
Created by Grainger David
Directors: Sanaa Hamri (Eps.1-2); Thor Freudenthal (Eps. 3-4); Lauren Wolkstein (Eps. 5-6); Catriona McKenzie (Eps.7-8)
Teleplay: Grainger David (Ep. 1); Erik Oleson (Ep. 2, 6, 8); Erik Oleson & Grainger David (Eps. 3-4, 7); Erik Oleson & Satinder Kaur (Ep. 5)
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Nettles, Beth Grant, Damon Herriman, Maxwell Jenkins, Jolene Purdy, Denitra Isler, Mike Kaye, K.D. O’Hair, Jay Ali, Dave Macomber and Robert Daniel Souris.
Tagline: He’s gonna catch hell.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Bounty hunter Hub Halloran has tracked his latest bail jumper to a seedy hotel when he is ambushed. Despite his best efforts, Hub’s throat is cut and he dies.
The next day Hub is resurrected. In short order Hub learns that…
Hub now has two things on his mind, protecting his ex-wife and son from “Lucky” Callahan and killing the next demon to escape from hell.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The series episodes are less than 30 minutes each. Not a bad way to spend half an hour.
Matlock: Season 1 (2025) earns 3 stars.
It was announced today that Will Hutchins died yesterday, April 21, 2025. Respiratory failure was listed as the cause of death. Mr. Hutchins was 94.
Will Hutchins was born Marshall Lowell Hutchason. As a child Will Hutchins appeared as an extra in W.C. Fields’ Never Give A Sucker An Even Break. Mr. Hutchins majored in Greek drama at Pomona College in Claremont, California. Will Hutchins served two years in the Army Signal Corps. After his enlistment Mr. Hutchins, using the GI Bill, enrolled at UCLA and began to pursue an acting career.
A Warner Bros. talent scout discovered Mr. Hutchins. It was at this point that Marshall Lowell Hutchason became Will Hutchins. He began getting roles on both television and in films. Will Hutchins is best known for his starring role on the television Sugarfoot. When the series ended Mr. Hutchins continued acting until 2010.
Some of the television projects that feature Will Hutchins include: Warner Bros. Presents; Conflict (3 episodes); Matinee Theater (4 episodes); 77 Sunset Strip; Maverick (2 episodes); Cheyenne; The Roaring 20s; Bronc; Surfside 6; Sugarfoot (69 episodes); Howie; Gunsmoke; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; Take Me To Your Leader; Perry Mason; Hey Landlord (31 episodes); Blondie (16 episodes); Love American Style; The Horror At 37,000 Feet; The New Perry Mason; Emergency!; Chase; Movin’ On (2 episodes); The Streets of San Francisco and The Quest.
Some of Will Hutchins’ feature film appearances include: Bombers B-52; Lafayette Escadrille; No Time for Sergeants; Merrill’s Marauders; The Shooting; Spinout; Clambake; Shangani Patrol; Magnum Force; The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington; Roar; Maverick and The Romantics.
My favorite Will Hutchins role was Tom “Sugarfoot” Brewster. It ran in the afternoons when I was a kid. Mr. Hutchins played Tom Brewster a correspondence school lawyer who headed west to seek his fortune. Brewster was far from your typical stoic, tough cowboy. And I loved it.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Will Hutchins’ family, friends and fans.
How about a poster and public service announcement for Alien Earth?
The IGN World Guide for Alien: Earth launched today, Earth Day 2025, and it provides fans of the acclaimed sci-fi horror franchise an exclusive look at the FX-Hulu series coming this summer. As part of this launch, we’ve partnered with FX on this tongue-in-cheek Earth Day public service announcement. We’re also rolling out a series of short videos across our social media channels this week chronicling the gestation of a xenomorph.
When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in FX’s highly anticipated TV series Alien: Earth from creator Noah Hawley.
Alien: Earth is set in 2120 when five corporations – Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold – wield the power of nations, and proprietary advancements in technology provide the promise of a new tomorrow.
Lead by Chandler, the series showcases an expansive international cast which includes Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rysdahl, Adrian Edmondson, Adarsh Gourav, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diem Camille and Moe Bar-El.
FX’s Alien: Earth original series coming in Summer 2025. Watch on Hulu.
Matlock: Season 1 (2025)
Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, based on Matlock by Dean Hargrove
Directors: Kat Coiro (Eps.1-2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18-19); Brad Silberling (Ep. 3); Marie Jamora (Ep. 5); Tessa Blake (Ep.7); Yangzom Brauen (Ep. 8); Daniel Willis (Ep. 9); Jennifer Lynch (Ep. 10); Hannah Michielsen (Ep. 11); Jude Weng (Ep. 13); Gina Lamar (Ep. 15); Hanelle Culpepper (Ep. 17)
Teleplay: Jennie Snyder Urman (Eps. 1-2); Nicki Renna (Ep. 3, 19); Jeffrey Lieber (Ep. 4, 14); Michelle Leibel (Ep. 5); Sara Rose Feinberg (Ep. 6, 11); Hennah Sekander (Ep. 7); Sheridan Watson (Ep. 8); John Lowe (Ep. 9); Lizzie Perrin & Nicki Renna (Ep. 10); David Aguilar & Hennah Sekander (Ep. 12); Michelle Leibel & Sheridan Watson (Ep. 13); Nicki Renna & Michelle Leibel (Ep. 15, 18); Jeffrey Lieber & Tommy Cook from a story by Tommy Cook (Ep. 16); Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Ep. 17)
Starring: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Eme Ikwuakor, Aaron Harris, Sam Anderson, Beau Bridges, Patricia Belcher, Yael Grobglas, Piper Curda and Andrea Londo.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Retired lawyer, Madeline Kingston learns that someone in the prestigious law firm of Jacobson Moore hid evidence that would have saved her daughter’s life (as well as many thousands of others). Since the anonymous whistleblower didn’t name names, Madeline decides to take on a new identity as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.
Using her wiles, Matty gets a job at Jacobson Moore. They believe she is a retired attorney forced to go back to work to raise her grandson. Truth is, Matty is wealthy, and married. She and her husband are raising her grandson. Matty is an excellent lawyer and quickly proves valuable to the firm. Each case provides opportunities to learn the identity of the person who hid the valuable evidence. As she makes friendships, she sometimes struggles with the lies and deception required to keep her identity secret. As she gets closer to the truth, her boss begins to suspect something isn’t right with Matty.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I never watched a single episode of the original Matlock, but decided to give this version a try. I’m glad I did.
I was concerned how they would have Matty’s lies and deceptions play out. Kudos to the writers for the way it was handled.
Kathy Bates is such a talented actress. Skye P. Marshall more than holds her own.
Matlock: Season 1 (2025) earns 4 stars. Bring on Season 2.
Alex Gallego recently shared his take on Sly Stallone as Dwight Manfredi from Tulsa King. Hope you dig it as much as I do.
The Americas (2025)
Director: None listed.
Stars: Tom Hanks.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The Americas is a ten part series, narrated by Tom Hanks, that explores animal life on North and South America. The episodes are:
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
According to NBC, the series was produced over 5 years and involved 180 expeditions. Each episode covers an area’s climate, landforms and animal life, spotlighting a few species. The episodes are exceptional – well written, produced and directed. Tom Hanks is outstanding as the narrator. Several episodes present many firsts on film.
The Americas (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars
