Kristen Wiig at Relativity Studios ‘Masterminds’ (Photo by Steve Cohn / Invision for Relativity Studios / AP Images)
The Last Man on Earth team of Emmy Award winner Emily Spivey, Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Christopher Miller, and Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominee Phil Lord have set up a new animated series at Fox. Bless the Harts has earned a straight-to-series order from the network and is targeting a 2019-2020 primetime season premiere.
Emily Spivey created the series and executive produces with Miller, Lord, and Seth Cohen.
The 13 episode first season will feature the voices of Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, Saturday Night Live), Emmy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Maya Rudolph (The Good Place, Bridesmaids), Emmy Award nominee Jillian Bell (Saturday Night Live, Eastbound & Down), and Ike Barinholtz (Neighbors, The Oath).
Wiig was also featured on The Last Man on Earth and will not only lend her voice to Bless the Harts but will also serve as an executive producer.
“Emily Spivey has the uncanny ability to observe the simplest qualities of everyday life, framing together bold characters and hilarious stories built around warmth and heart,” stated Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “Having grown up in a close-knit southern family, she has a deep well of material that has inspired her to create this show, with a phenomenal cast, headlined by Kristen, Maya, Jillian and Ike. As home to television’s most iconic animated families – the Simpsons, Griffins and Belchers – we’re thrilled to welcome the Harts to FOX.”
The Bless the Harts Plot:
“Bless the Harts follows a group of Southerners who are always broke as a joke, and struggling for the American dream of status and wealth. What they don’t realize is that they’re already rich, in friends, family and laughter.”
Hell Fest reached back in time to the world of trailers from the 1980s for inspiration for the film’s newest video and poster. The trailer has an ’80s vibe – and color palette – and provides old-school jump scares.
The cast of the horror film includes Amy Forsyth (Rise, Beautiful Boy), Reign Edwards (The Bold and The Beautiful, Snowfall), Bex Taylor-Klaus (Voltron, The Killing), Christian James (Nashville, Exposed), Roby Attal (The Long Road Home, Red Eleven), Matt Mercurio (Black Lightning, The Resident), and Tony Todd (Candyman, The Man From Earth).
Gregory Plotkin (Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension) directed from a script by Seth M. Sherwood, Blair Butler, and Akela Cooper, with the story by William Penick, Christopher Sey, and Stephen Susco. Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead) and Tucker Tooley (Limitless, Den of Thieves) served as producers and Bear McCreary (The Walking Dead, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Happy Death Day) provided the score.
CBS Films and Lionsgate have set a September 28, 2018 theatrical release date. Hell Fest‘s rated R for horror violence and language including some sexual references.
The Hell Fest Plot:
A masked serial killer turns a horror themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show.
College student Natalie (Forsyth) is visiting her childhood best friend Brooke (Edwards) and her roommate Taylor (Taylor-Klaus). If it was any other time of year these three and their boyfriends might be heading to a concert or bar, but it is Halloween which means that like everyone else they will be bound for HELL FEST – a sprawling labyrinth of rides, games, and mazes that travels the country and happens to be in town. Every year thousands follow Hell Fest to experience fear at the ghoulish carnival of nightmares.
But for one visitor, Hell Fest is not the attraction – it is a hunting ground. An opportunity to slay in plain view of a gawking audience, too caught up in the terrifyingly fun atmosphere to recognize the horrific reality playing out before their eyes. As the body count and frenzied excitement of the crowds continues to rise, he turns his masked face to Natalie, Brooke, Taylor and their boyfriends who will fight to survive the night.
First poster for the comedy film ‘Instant Family.’ (Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Mark Wahlberg returns to more family friendly fare with a starring role in Paramount Pictures’ Instant Family. The 2018 comedy just debuted its first official poster featuring Wahlberg and Rose Byrne who star as parents who enter the world of foster care and find it immediately changes their lives.
The Paramount Pictures release is based on actual events in the life of writer/director Sean Anders. Anders’ credits include Sex Drive, Horrible Bosses 2, and That’s My Boy. He also directed Mark Wahlberg in 2015’s Daddy’s Home and its sequel, 2017’s Daddy’s Home 2.
In addition to Walhberg (Transformers: The Last Knight) and Byrne (Juliet, Naked), the cast includes Oscar winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Tig Notaro (One Mississippi), Isabela Moner (Sicario: Day of the Soldado), and Margo Martindale (The Americans). John Morris co-wrote the script and produced with Anders, Wahlberg, and Stephen Levinson.
Writer/director Anders’ behind the scenes team includes director of photography Brett Pawlak, editor Brad Wilhite, production designer Clayton Hartley, and costume designer Lisa Lovaas.
Paramount Pictures is targeting a November 16, 2018 theatrical release.
The Instant Family Plot:
“When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family.”
The final trailer’s arrived for Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. The two and a half minute trailer features Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald issuing a warning. “My brothers, my sisters – the clock is ticking faster. My dream, we who live for truth, for love…the moment has come to take our rightful place in the world where we wizards are free. Join me or die!”
The cast includes Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, Poppy Corby-Tuech, Jude Law, and Johnny Depp. Harry Potter veteran David Yates directed from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling.
David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram produced, and Tim Lewis, Neil Blair, Rick Senat and Danny Cohen served as executive producers.
The second film out of the planned five new movies based in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World will open in theaters on November 16, 2018 in 2D, 3D, and in IMAX. The MPAA has rated it PG-13 for some sequences of fantasy action.
The Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Plot:
“At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.
In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.”
Johnny Depp stars in ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’
Netflix has finally confirmed the premiere date for the follow-up to the critically acclaimed documentary series, Making a Murderer. Making a Murderer Part 2 will premiere on October 19, 2018, with all 10 new episodes available immediately for binge-watching.
“Steven and Brendan, their families and their legal and investigative teams have once again graciously granted us access, giving us a window into the complex web of American criminal justice,” stated executive producers, writers and directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos. “Building on Part 1, which documented the experience of the accused, in Part 2, we have chronicled the experience of the convicted and imprisoned, two men each serving life sentences for crimes they maintain they did not commit. We are thrilled to be able to share this new phase of the journey with viewers.”
Part one of Making a Murderer which documented the trials and subsequent convictions of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey was nominated for six Emmy Awards. The documentary series won Emmys in the Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming (Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos), Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming (Ricciardi and Demos), Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series (Demos and Ricciardi), and Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program (Moira Demos) categories.
The docuseries also won a Producers Guild of America award as well as the Critics’ Choice award for Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming.
The Making a Murderer Part 2 Plot:
“Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos return to the Midwest where they have exclusive access to Steven Avery and his co-defendant and nephew Brendan Dassey, their families and the legal teams fighting for justice on their behalf. Over the course of 10 new episodes, Making a Murderer Part 2 provides an in-depth look at the high-stakes post-conviction process, exploring the emotional toll the process takes on all involved.
Part 2 introduces viewers to Kathleen Zellner, Avery’s hard-charging post-conviction lawyer, in her fight to prove that Avery was wrongly convicted and win his freedom. Ricciardi and Demos follow Zellner, who has righted more wrongful convictions than any private attorney in America, as she tirelessly works the case and uncovers unexpected evidence about what may have happened to Teresa Halbach and about how and why the jury convicted Steven of her murder.
Ricciardi and Demos also follow Dassey’s post-conviction lawyers, Laura Nirider and Steven Drizin with Northwestern University’s Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth, as they fight in federal court to prove their client’s confession was involuntary, a fight that could take Brendan’s case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Scott Ryan as Ray in ‘Mr. Inbetween’ (Photo by Frank Ockenfels/FX)
FX’s new series Mr. Inbetween comes from the creative duo of Nash Edgerton and Scott Ryan. Edgerton is the brother of Joel Edgerton (Black Mass, Boy Erased) and has collaborated on many films with him. Ryan is a newer quantity, and also stars in the show as Ray, a criminal trying to be a good dad to his daughter (Chika Yasumura).
Edgerton spoke with Showbiz Junkies after FX’s Television Critics Association panel for Mr. Inbetween. Mr. Inbetween premieres Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 11:26 after Mayans MC on FX.
Does the tone and nature of Mr. Inbetween harken back to the film you did with Joel, The Square?
Nash Edgerton: “Yeah, the tone, it’s definitely a tone I gravitate towards where you play things very straight and then the humor comes out of the situations. I generally have quite a dark sense of humor and I definitely related to that in the stuff that Scott had written. I like showing criminals as regular people that have other things going on in their lives besides the crimes that they’re committing. Ray may kill people for a living or be a standover man, but essentially he’s a father, he’s a brother, he’s an ex-husband of somebody. He’s trying to date. He has regular things going on in his life. It just happens that his job is something that is out of the norm.”
Since you do movies, did you appreciate the luxury of having multiple episodes to take your time with things?
Nash Edgerton: “I did, yeah. It was interesting, because I directed all six of them, I actually shot it like a film. I blocked it like it was a film rather than in two episode blocks. It felt like I was shooting a movie but editing was a completely different experience because I was doing the separate episodes. It was great to be able to take a character much further and for longer.”
Scott is a relatively new actor. Did you make adjustments for him?
Nash Edgerton: “Totally. I think every actor comes with a different background and approach. I’m constantly working out how to best get performances out of the actors I’m dealing with. Chika had never been on a film set before. Scott had never been on a film set before. I have some very seasoned actors and very inexperienced actors. You learn what their strengths are and use them to the best ability you can.”
When you were on the set, did Scott switch between his actor hat and producer hat?
Nash Edgerton: “Not so much. The scripts were written and he was pretty much there to perform as Ray. I looked after the rest of that stuff.”
Chika Yasumura as Brittany and Scott Ryan as Ray Shoesmith in ‘Mr Inbetween’ (Photo by Mark Rogers/FX)
What did you learn about directing a young actress like Chika?
Nash Edgerton: “Chika had such great natural ability. She comes in with no preconceived notion of what acting is and so I tried to make the situations be as real and natural for her. I had them both ad-libbing a lot. There’s a scene in episode two that’s based on a conversation that her and I had in real life, which is completely surreal to direct her to relive a conversation she had with me.”
Can you tell us how it starts so we know it when we see it?
Nash Edgerton: “Yeah, she asks Ray whether Santa Claus is real or not.”
So whatever answer he gives is what you told her?
Nash Edgerton: “Pretty much, yeah.”
Is this series closed or is there room for season two?
Nash Edgerton: “No, there’s definitely room for more. We did it in a way that you get to know Ray and there’s plenty of room for more.”
Are you developing any projects with Joel again?
Nash Edgerton: “Yeah, Joel and I are always talking about stuff. We’ve got a couple of things we’re working on together.”
Would they be film or television?
Nash Edgerton: “There’s a couple things. There’s a TV show we’re both looking at and then I was involved in his film Boy Erased that’s coming out in November. I’m also working on a film that he wrote that’s shooting at the moment in Budapest. We’re developing something else for me to direct and he to be involved with as well.”
Are you developing other things by yourself too?
Nash Edgerton: “Yes, I am.”
Are there any different genres you want to explore?
Nash Edgerton: “I’m a bit of a horror fan. I’d really like to make a horror film. Generally, I like things with a dark sense of humor to them.”
Are you developing any projects in the horror realm?
Nash Edgerton: “One of them has some horror elements to it, yeah.”
Antwon Tanner, Danneel Ackles, Hilarie Burton and Robert Buckley star in ‘The Christmas Contract’ (Photo Credit: Lifetime)
Lifetime has big plans for the upcoming holiday season. This year the network’s schedule will include 14 new original movies as well as nine other holiday-themed films. In addition, the holiday programming lineup includes the reunions of cast members from One Tree Hill, Sister, Sister, 7th Heaven, The Cosby Show, and A Different World.
Lifetime’s holiday programming will kick off with a special It’s a Wonderful Life-themed show hosted by Melissa Joan Hart on November 17th. Sister, Sister stars Tia Mowry-Hardict, Jackèe Harry and Tim Reid will star in My Christmas Inn airing November 21st. Hilarie Burton, Robert Buckley, Bethany Joy Lenz, Stephen Colletti, Danneel Ackles, Antwon Tanner, and Tyler Hilton from One Tree Hill reunite for The Christmas Contract and ‘Tis the Season: A One Tree Hill Cast Reunion.
“It’s a Wonderful Lifetime is back in a major way with more hours of holiday programming than we have ever had before,” said Tanya Lopez, EVP, Movies, Limited Series and Original Movie Acquisitions. “By stacking our originals with beloved stars from some of the most iconic television shows we grew up with, we are tapping into the nostalgic feelings of familiarity and comfort that everyone wants for the holidays.”
Lifetime Original Holiday Specials and Movie Premieres
It’s A Wonderful Lifetime Preview Special – November 17th at 10pm EST/PST and hosted by Melissa Joan Hart
What if Lifetime never made Christmas movies? In this special, hosted by Melissa Joan Hart, we will be taken on a journey that explores how terrible life would be without Lifetime Christmas movies to bring us holiday cheer. Melissa will be visited by the “host” of Lifetime Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and along the way, she will preview the 14 exciting movies that are coming to Lifetime this holiday season. Once this special is over, you won’t be able to imagine a world without the magic of Lifetime Christmas.
My Christmas Inn – November 21st at 8pm EST/PST starring Tia Mowry-Hardict, Rob Mayes, Jackée Harry, Tim Reid & Erin Gray
With the holiday season in full swing, Jen Taylor (Tia Mowry-Hardict) is about to score a big promotion at the San Francisco ad agency where she works. But her life is unexpectedly turned upside down when she inherits a cozy inn in Alaska from her aunt. When she goes to inspect the property and meets handsome town attorney Steve Anderson (Rob Mayes), she’s surprised to find that nothing is what she expected. The small town community is full of fun and festive Christmas traditions and soon, Jen starts wondering if the inn might just be the place she belongs, and if Steve could be the Mr. Right she has been waiting for.
The Christmas Contract – November 22nd at 8pm EST/PST starring One Tree Hill Alums Hilarie Burton, Robert Buckley, Danneel Ackles, Antwon Tanner And Jordan Ladd, Cheryl Ladd, Bruce Boxleitner, Jason London, Hunter Burke, Teri Wyble & Ritchie Montgomery With Special Musical Appearance from Tyler Hilton
It’s Jolie’s (Hilarie Burton) first time going back home to Louisiana since her devastating break up with Foster (Hunter Burke). Seeing him is inevitable as their parents run the town’s annual Christmas Market together, but when she discovers Foster is bringing home a new girlfriend, Jolie cannot bear the thought of going home alone and seeing them together. Her best friend Naomi (Danneel Ackles) suggests that Jolie bring her flaky brother, Jack (Robert Buckley), home for Christmas as he has no plans this year. Jolie, a professional web designer, is hesitant; so, Naomi, a lawyer, creates a Christmas contract to give them both something they want – a buffer for those awkward moments around Jolie’s ex and a website to help sell Jack’s upcoming novel. Unbeknownst to them, the Christmas contract proves to be so much more than what they signed up for.
‘Tis the Season: A One Tree Hill Cast Reunion – November 22nd at 10pm EST/PST featuring Hilarie Burton, Tyler Hilton, Danneel Ackles, Antwon Tanner & Stephen Colletti
The Tree Hill Ravens are back together to celebrate the Christmas season on Lifetime. In this special one-hour reunion, Hilarie Burton, Tyler Hilton, Danneel Ackles, Antwon Tanner of The Christmas Contract and Stephen Colletti of Hometown Christmas, reunite for a special evening that will include a few surprise special guests.
Poinsettias for Christmas – November 23rd at 8pm EST/PST starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Marcus Rosner, Lauren London, Sharon Lawrence & John Schneider
It’s just weeks before Christmas when Ellie (Bethany Joy Lenz) gets a call to return home to help her father (John Schneider) on the family’s poinsettia farm. The family business is on the line to deliver tens of thousands of plants for the town’s annual parade. The problem is – the poinsettias have yet to turn red! As Ellie searches for the solution, she is reminded of where her heart truly lies as she falls in love with both her roots and a local botanist (Marcus Rosner).
Every Day Is Christmas – November 24th at 8pm EST/PST starring Toni Braxton, Gloria Reuben, Towanda Braxton & Michael Jai White
Inspired by the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, shrewd money manager Alexis Taylor (Toni Braxton) gets the holiday visit of a lifetime. A self-proclaimed workaholic who “humbugs” love, Alexis ends up embracing the spirit of Christmas when her past, present, and future collide, forcing her to risk the one thing money can’t buy: her heart.
Jingle Belle – November 25th at 8pm EST/PST starring Tatyana Ali, Cornelius Smith Jr., Loretta Devine, Valarie Pettiford, Obba Babatunde, Keshia Knight Pulliam & Tempestt Bledsoe
Every year, Isabelle (Tatyana Ali) and her high school sweetheart Mike (Cornelius Smith Jr.), rocked their small town’s annual Christmas Eve Pageant with a sweet Christmas duet. But after graduation, Isabelle left to study at Juillard in New York – leaving Mike behind. Years later, when Isabelle returns to her hometown to write music for the annual Christmas Eve Pageant, she is shocked to learn that Mike is the one directing the show. Can Isabelle and Mike put the past behind them and reunite on stage for another show-stopping duet?
A Very Nutty Christmas – November 30th at 8pm EST/PST starring Melissa Joan Hart, Barry Watson, Marissa Winokur, Conchata Ferrell & Rizwan Manji
Hard-working bakery owner Kate Holiday (Melissa Joan Hart), has more cookie orders than she has time to fill this holiday season, and when her boyfriend suddenly breaks up with her, any shred of Christmas joy she was hanging onto, immediately disappears. After Kate hangs the last ornament on the tree and goes to bed, she awakens the next morning to a little bit of Christmas magic. She gets the surprise of her life when Chip (Barry Watson), a handsome soldier who may or may not be the Nutcracker Prince from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, appears in her living room.
A Twist of Christmas – December 1st at 8pm EST/PST starring Vanessa Lachey & Brendon Zub
In the frenzy before Christmas, two single parents – busy working mom Abby (Vanessa Lachey) and her son, and overwhelmed lawyer Ryan (Brendon Zub) and his daughter, accidentally mix up their toys at a crowded department store. As a result, both of their Christmases appear to be ruined. Although the two can’t stand each other, the only way to get things back on track is to help each other salvage their holiday plans – not realizing they’re falling for each other in the process.
The Christmas Pact – December 2nd at 8pm EST/PST starring Kyla Pratt, Jarod Joseph, Kadeem Hardison & Jasmine Guy
Can best friends fall in love? That’s the question next door neighbors Sadie (Kyla Pratt) and Ben (Jarod Joseph) will answer as they keep the spirit of Christmas and the magic of their childhood pact alive! When they were eight years old, they planted a scrawny 3-foot tall Christmas tree behind their church and the Christmas Pact began. But as life gets in the way the pact is threatened to be broken. Ben and Sadie need some Christmas Magic to recommit to each other and promise to keep their special holiday traditions. With each Christmas that passes by, Ben and Sadie’s Christmas tree grows taller and stronger; and so does their love. The pact bearing fruit to the magic of Christmas and the undeniable answer. Yes, friends can fall in love!
Christmas Lost and Found – December 7th at 8pm EST/PST starring Tiya Sircar, Ed Ruttle & Diane Ladd
After years of missing family gatherings, New York City event planner Whitney Kennison (Tiya Sircar) is off to Chicago to spend Christmas with Grandma Frances (Diane Ladd). Excited that her granddaughter is finally home for the holidays, Frances decides to bestow Whitney with the precious Kennison family Christmas ornaments. But when Whitney mistakenly throws out the box of ornaments, Grandma Frances must stealthily devise a fun Christmas scavenger hunt to remind Whitney what the holiday is all about. It’s a race against time as Whitney reclaims the family ornaments, finds romance and learns the lesson Grandma Frances imparts.
Santa’s Boots – December 8th at 8pm EST/PST starring Megan Hilty, Noah Mills & June Squibb
When Holly (Megan Hilty) returns home for Christmas expecting the same as any other year, she’s blindsided to learn her family’s department store is on the brink of foreclosure. To keep the business going, Holly fills in as Santa’s Helper and meets the surprisingly young and handsome Nick (Noah Mills), who has been hired to play Santa at the store this year. Their undeniable chemistry and charisma draw in big crowds, until suddenly, Nick disappears. As Christmas day inches closer, Holly scrambles to find Nick with only one clue – his misplaced black boot.
A Christmas in Tennessee – December 9th at 8pm EST/PST starring Rachel Boston, Andrew Walker, Patricia Richardson, Caroline Rhea
Allison Bennet (Rachel Boston), along with her daughter Olivia and mother Martha (Patricia Richardson), run a bakery in the small mountain town of White Pines, Tennessee. When Matthew (Andrew Walker), a charming real estate developer, tries to buy the town for a corporate ski resort, Allison and the townspeople must work together to prevent that from happening. And just when the Bennet ladies seem out of luck, an unexpected visitor – with a well-known sweet tooth for cookies and milk – comes to the bakery and may in fact be the key to solving everything.
Christmas Around the Corner – December 14th at 8pm EST/PST starring Alexandra Breckenridge, Jamie Spilchuk & Jane Alexander
Claire (Alexandra Breckenridge), a savvy venture capitalist from New York City, escapes to a quaint town in Vermont for the holidays and becomes a guest of the Fortenbury Bookstore. Upon arrival, Claire finds Christmas celebrations have been canceled by the town after a flood and the bookstore is in a dire state of disrepair. She immediately takes on the challenge to revitalize the store, but clashes with the owner, Andrew (Jamie Spilchuk), who initially rejects all her proposed improvements. Eventually, sparks fly as the two begin a budding romance, and Claire’s infectious optimism inspires Andrew to join her in reviving the yuletide spirit. But everything comes to a screeching halt when Claire discovers that Andrew is planning to sell the bookstore in the New Year. Will the spirit of Christmas be enough to change Andrew’s mind and encourage him to follow his heart?
Christmas Pen Pals – December 15th at 8pm EST/PST starring Sarah Drew, Niall Matter & Michael Gross
Following an unexpected breakup weeks before Christmas, Hannah (Sarah Drew), tech wiz and creator of the dating app, Perfect One, heads home for the holidays, challenged to save her failing business by re-conceiving a new romantic dating model. Upon her return she runs into her high school boyfriend, Sam (Niall Matter) who she has carefully avoided for years and reluctantly makes a deal with her dad, Ted (Michael Gross) to sign up for the town’s Christmas Cupid, an anonymous holiday pen pal service. As the season progresses, Hannah is smitten by each beautifully written letter she receives and starts to believe that her Christmas pen pal could be her soul mate. It’s not until Christmas Eve that everyone must reveal their true identities to their pen pals, even if it means coming face to face with the last person they ever expected.
Hometown Christmas – December 16th at 8pm EST/PST starring Beverley Mitchell, Stephen Colletti, Melissa Gilbert & Danny Boaz
Back in Louisiana for Christmas, Noelle Collins (Beverley Mitchell) has big plans to resurrect the town’s live nativity, a beloved tradition that her late mother used to put on. Things become complicated, however, when Noelle runs into her high school sweetheart, Nick Russell (Stephen Colletti), a rising baseball star also back home due to a recent injury. Still feeling the burn from their senior year break-up, their lives are pushed together even further when they learn their parents share an attraction and want to be more than just friends. When things begin to fall apart with the live nativity Nick and Noelle reluctantly team up to pull off the show and find themselves growing close, uncovering a hometown love for each other and the joy of Christmas that both never really faded away.
Lifetime Acquired Holiday Movies
A Christmas Arrangement – November 21st at 10pm EST/PST (Acquired Original – Worldwide Premiere)
Flower shop owner Poppy (Nicky Whelan), enters the annual holiday floral show for a chance to win the grand prize but standing in her way of victory is Garrett (Miles Fisher), the underappreciated protégé of florist extraordinaire, Blair (Daphne Zuniga). While Poppy and Garrett’s rivalry heats up on the flower show floor, an undeniable romance begins amidst a whimsical holiday backdrop.
Every Other Holiday – November 23rd at 10pm EST/PST (Acquired Original – Worldwide Premiere)
Recently separated parents Tracie (Schuyler Fisk) and Rick (David Clayton Rogers), spend every other holiday with their young daughters Harper and Ava. But this Christmas, the girls have only one thing on their wish lists – to spend Christmas with both Mom and Dad at Tracie’s family farmhouse. The temporary reunion will be no walk in the park for Tracie and Rick, but perhaps this Christmas gathering can help rekindle the lost romance between the two and make their daughters’ greatest wish come true.
Christmas Harmony – November 24th at 10pm EST/PST (Acquired Original – Worldwide Premiere)
Soft-spoken Harmony (Kelley Jakle), is used to living in the shadow of her pop star boyfriend, but when he breaks up with her right before the holiday season, she returns to her quaint hometown to discover the heart and music that her big city life has been missing. A Christmas Harmony also stars Chandra Wilson, Adam Mayfield, Sally Struthers and is produced by June Street Studios.
Christmas Perfection – November 25th at 10pm EST/PST (Acquired Original – Worldwide Premiere)
As a kid, Darcy (Caitlin Thompson) had no control over her family’s holidays and thus, has grown up to be a Christmas control freak – so much so that she loses sight of what the holidays actually mean. Suddenly, she finds herself magically transported into her idea of the perfect Christmas Village and learns that “perfection” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Christmas Perfection also stars James Henri-Thomas, Robbie Silverman and is produced by MarVista Entertainment.
Love for Christmas – December 1st at 10pm EST/PST
When Heather, a local theater director, and Bobby run into each other upon his return home after leaving for the Navy years prior, they quickly realize that their mutual childhood crush might lead to an unexpected romance. Produced by MarVista Entertainment, Love for Christmas stars Shantel Vansanten, Rob Mayes, Nikki Deloach, Mark Famiglietti, Alex Peters, Peter Holden, Matt Corboy, Maxim Knight and Orson Bean.
A Star for Christmas – December 2nd at 10pm EST/PST
Cupcakery owner Cassie can’t help falling for her hunky new customer, but when he turns out to be action superstar Alex Gray, will their relationship survive Hollywood and the holidays? Produced by MarVista Entertainment, A Star for Christmas stars Corey Sevier, Briana Evigan, Karissa Vacker, Travis Van Winkle, Jeremy Howard, Sean Stone and Brooke Burns.
A Christmas Kiss – December 21st at 8pm EST/PST
High-end interior designer Priscilla and her assistant Wendy, vie for the attention of Priscilla’s socialite boyfriend while decorating his home for the holidays. Produced by MarVista Entertainment, A Christmas Kiss stars Elisabeth Rohm, Laura Breckenridge and Brendan Fehr.
A Golden Christmas – December 22nd at 8pm EST/PST
Several years ago, a very special dog brought together a little girl and boy. Now, through an incredible coincidence, these two long-lost friends will reconnect during Christmas. Produced by MarVista Entertainment, A Golden Christmas stars Andrea Roth, Nicholas Brendon, Bruce Davison, Elisa Donovan, Jason London and Alley Mills.
3 Holiday Tails – December 23rd at 8pm EST/PST
David and Lisa are meant to be together, but they haven’t quite figured that out yet. With help from family, friends, and four lovable dogs, this couple will truly have a Christmas to remember. Produced by MarVista Entertainment, 3 Holiday Tails stars Julie Gonzalo, Kelly Stables, KC Clyde, Alley Mills and Bruce Davison.
Melissa Roxburgh as Michaela Stone and Josh Dallas as Ben Stone in ‘Manifest’ (Photo by David Giesbrecht / NBC / Warner Brothers)
NBC’s new dramatic series Manifest joined the network’s primetime lineup on Monday, September 24, 2018. The series, which has been described as having a Lost vibe, airs at 10pm ET/PT and follows the passengers of Montego Air Flight 828 as they reconnect with their lives following a bizarre leap forward in time.
Season one episode one begins by introducing the Stone family. It’s April 7, 2013 and Ben (Josh Dallas) and his wife, Grace (Athena Karkanis), are with their twins Olive and Cal at the airport. Ben’s sister Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh) narrates the events as she also waits to board a plane. Michaela and Ben’s parents relax in the boarding area, giving Michaela a hard time about her boyfriend, Jared, and the fact she doesn’t want to get married right now.
Michaela also lets viewers in on the scoop that Cal has leukemia and his parents are desperate to find a treatment that might help halt the disease’s progress. She also confesses she has nightmares about a car accident.
The flight’s overbooked and Michaela, Ben, and Cal agree to take a later flight since the airline’s offering $400 to each person who will give up their seat. That decision changes the course of their lives.
During the flight, Ben tries to convince his sister she deserves to be happy. He believes she should marry Jared and move on with her life. The tranquil flight is interrupted by severe turbulence causing a loss of altitude and the lights to briefly go out. Just as suddenly as the turbulence arrived, it clears up and the plane’s back to flying smoothly.
The pilot explains the severe turbulence was the result of a weather surge that appeared without any warning.
A while later the pilot calls air traffic to alert them they’re on approach. The air traffic controller seems confused by the transmission from flight 828. The plane’s diverted to an alternate airport.
The usual clapping accompanies the landing, however no one can receive cell service. The plane’s met by dozens of emergency vehicles and the passengers are forced to deplane on the tarmac.
Michaela finally asks for an explanation and the passengers are told their flight departed Montego Bay Jamaica in 2013. It’s now November 4, 2018. They’ve been presumed dead for five and a half years. (Cue the dramatic music!)
While waiting in a tent to be examined, Cal (Jack Messina) wonders why he’s still alive if it’s been five years. They all admit they don’t look or feel five years older.
The passengers and crew are interviewed on camera and they all share the same story. There was turbulence but they never landed anywhere during what they believe was a short flight.
36 hours later the passengers are finally allowed to reunite with their loved ones. Olive (Luna Blaise) has aged five years while Cal’s been gone and is no longer the same age as her twin. Cal freaks out over this development. Michaela and Ben learn their mother died while they were gone, and Michaela breaks down in her father’s arms.
Michaela settles in at Ben’s place because she no longer has her apartment. Grace assures her she can stay as long as she likes, but it’s obvious Michaela believes she’s a bad person who doesn’t deserve to be around the kids. Grace explains, “The universe just gave all of us a do-over. Everything that came before goes out the window.”
The authorities go over the possessions of the passengers with a fine-tooth comb. They don’t discover anything dated between April 7, 2013 and November 4, 2018. They also realize no one on the plane aged a day so no explanation can be ruled out.
Michaela returns to the police station where she used to work and discovers she still has a job, although they didn’t expect her in so soon given what happened. She stares at Jared and the two step outside to talk. After a little small talk, Jared reveals he’s now a detective and a lot has changed in the five years she’s been gone and presumed dead. She notices he’s wearing a wedding ring and asks about his wife. It turns out he married one of Michaela’s friends. He tries to explain he waited two years before even dating, but Michaela can’t handle it and leaves.
Meanwhile, Ben and Grace take Cal to see his doctor and she’s amazed his levels haven’t changed at all. She’s able to deliver the good news there’s a game-changing new pediatric trial he qualifies for. The odds of surviving have gone from near zero in 2013 to excellent in 2018. Grace believes everything about this situation is a miracle.
While Michaela shops for supplies and clothing, she hears a reporter discussing the case of missing sisters Samantha and Hailey who were abducted from their backyard. Jared’s the detective on the case.
Taking the bus home from shopping, she hears a voice in her head repeating the word “slower.” She asks the bus driver to slow down, but he snaps at her and refuses. She finally screams, “Slow down now!” and he slams on his brakes in time to avoid running over a small child chasing a ball into the street.
Back at Ben’s place, the confused siblings have a talk. Michaela admits she heard her own voice talking to her in her head. Ben doesn’t understand but thinks it might be that she’s losing her mind. He wants her to keep it a secret as the government might still be monitoring them.
Parveen Kaur as Saanvi Bahl in ‘Manifest’ season 1 episode 1 (Photo by Craig Blankenhorn / NBC / Warner Brothers)
Nearly halfway through the first episode we finally pick up the story of a passenger not related to the Stones. Saanvi Bahl (Parveen Kaur) is welcomed back to work with a huge celebration, and she learns her cell regeneration model she researched five years ago actually works. They’ve been using it to treat pediatric cancer patients for 30 months and it’s saved hundreds of sick kids.
Ben and Grace are out shopping with Cal, attempting to act like a normal family once again. Grace explains Olive has been in therapy for years because of what happened. Fortunately, most of her issues are now resolved.
Michaela’s out for a jog when she passes a facility with two German Shepherds that startle her when they begin barking. They’re behind a chain-link fence and once again she hears her voice inside her head. It tells her to set them free. She ignores the voice and continues running.
That night the voice won’t allow her to sleep. It continues to tell her to set them free. Unable to quiet the voice, she rides her bike to the facility. A car pulls up just as she arrives and it’s Ben. He admits he also heard his voice telling him to set them free. He’s been hearing it all day.
Ben’s upset because he didn’t want to admit this was happening to him; he just wanted to get to know his family again and find a job.
Ben came prepared with bolt cutters and they open the gate. The dogs pause a minute and then run off. Ben and Michaela aren’t sure what to do next.
The next morning a woman turns over a video to the police. The cell phone video shows Ben and Michaela setting the dogs free, but never entering the facility. Jared’s confused but says he’ll handle it.
Jared’s upset he has to take care of the situation and thinks Michaela’s just acting out over their relationship ending. Michaela assures him not everything has to do with their relationship and she’s not mad he married her best friend. She understands she was gone and they had no idea she’d ever return.
Michaela says her mom’s dead, she doesn’t have a home, and she doesn’t even have any possessions. She tries to explain she lost five years of life, but then begins crying as she admits she’ll always believe she committed murder. Her friend died in the car crash because of her and she’s torn up about it. She’s guilty and not necessarily happy about being alive.
They hug, and Jared seems to get the point it’s not about him. He apologizes for everything but still needs to know why they broke open the fence. He wants her to accompany him to the facility to try and save her career.
Meanwhile, Ben shows up at Olive’s soccer practice and apologizing for everything she’s gone through. He admits he was caught up with helping Cal and lost sight of her, even before he got on the plane. He swears he’s not going anywhere, and they’ll get to know each other much better. They hug before he sends her back out to practice.
Elsewhere, Saanvi sits through a meeting in which applicants for her treatment are discussed. She learns the survival rates are incredible, and the line is long for those applying for the treatment. One of the applicants is Cal and it’s determined because of his age he’s too old for the perimeters. Saanvi begs to differ because he didn’t age while on the plane.
The others don’t want to break protocol to provide treatment to a child outside the age group being tested. Upset, Saavni leaves the group and does her own research into Cal’s profile. She confronts her boss, Dr. Brian Cardoso (Joel de la Fuente), who’s firm in not wanting to jeopardize the viability of the study. She believes she should have input since it’s her research, but Dr. Cardoso explains they can’t risk it since they’re about to be bought by a major pharmaceutical company.
Saavni doesn’t care about the study and believes there’s a possibility Cal came back to be saved and she came back to save him. “We’re giving this boy his chance,” declares Saavni.
Jared and Michaela return to the facility with the dogs and Jared hopes the owner, Mr. Garrison, won’t press charges. As they’re approaching the gate, Michaela’s voice tells her to set them free. She gasps and looks like she’s in pain, and Jared sends her back to wait by the car.
Jared delivers the dogs and tries to smooth things over by saying he’ll pay for the repairs if Mr. Garrison doesn’t press charges.
While waiting by the car, Michaela notices the facility’s address is the same as her flight number. She decides to explore the place on her own. The voice keeps up as she walks around and investigates, and she finally winds up at a locked shed with its windows covered. The dogs have taken up positions in front of the door but aren’t barking.
The door’s locked and she uses an iron bar to try and break it open. Jared and Mr. Garrison arrive as she’s pounding away at the lock, and when it finally breaks open she finds the two missing girls huddled together inside.
Mr. Garrison takes a swing at Jared who dodges the blow and cuffs the kidnapper.
Michaela comforts the girls who have been locked away with a mattress and just a few supplies.
As the situation’s being wrapped up, Michaela’s captain congratulates her on a job well done. He wants to put her out on the beat in a few days, telling her the girls are alive because of her.
After he leaves, she thanks Jared for putting in a good word. She can’t explain what happened, and while they’re talking Jared admits she still takes his breath away.
Cal gets his treatment as his parents have a heart-to-heart about the plane trip and Cal’s possible recovery.
At home that evening, Ben has a headache and feels dizzy while playing a game with his family. Grace leaves the room and we discover she’s been in a romantic relationship while Ben was gone. She secretly exchanges texts with the man, telling him it’s over.
Olive notices her mom’s pained expression and the texts and asks what she’s going to do. Grace doesn’t reply.
Michaela pays a visit to her old church and borrows a Bible. Ben shows up out of the blue, and he realizes she saved the girls. He also just knew she would be at the church. They don’t understand what’s happening and then suddenly it dawns on them this is probably happening to the other passengers.
That’s true, and they all find themselves drawn back together standing by the fence yards from the airplane. They’re strangers now, however in a voice-over Michaela says they’ll soon know each other as well as they know themselves.
As they’re gathered staring at the plane, it explodes into flames. “As for whatever force brought us all here, it had no interest in being investigated,” says Michaela in a voice-over that ends the series premiere. “As for the group of us, this was just the beginning.”
Thoughts on Manifest Episode One:
A plane full of passengers lost in space for five years and suddenly showing up out of the blue unaware they’ve been missing is a fascinating premise. The first episode does a decent job of explaining the situation through the eyes of one particular family, and also introduces another passenger whose storyline is interwoven with the Stone family. There’s a lot of room to not only explore the backstories of each of the passengers and crew members, but also lay out how these time-travelers will adapt to being reunited with people who’ve lived each day of that five year period believing their friend/loved one is dead.
The first episode relied on voice-over to lay out much of the premise and to tease upcoming storylines. For episode one, the voice-over was done by Melissa Roxburgh as Michaela who filled in plot points that otherwise wouldn’t have been easy to reveal. It served its purpose, but hopefully the writers won’t use the technique as a crutch to smooth over rough spots in the plot as the series moves forward.
The cast did a terrific job and the relationship between the actors playing the Stone family came across as genuine and believable. Manifest is off to a promising start. The show’s got enough of a hook to keep us watching.
Season 13 of The CW’s Supernatural ended with Dean Winchester on the losing end of a deal with Michael. Michael occupies Dean’s body as season 14 begins, and the gang is going to have to figure out how to get rid of Michael and return Dean to his normal-ish self.
Season 14 episode one will premiere on October 11, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT. Episode one was directed by Thomas J Wright from a script by Andrew Dabb.
The season 14 cast includes Jensen Ackles as Dean, Jared Padalecki as Sam, Misha Collins as Castiel, Alexander Calvert as Jack, and Samantha Smith as Mary Winchester. Jim Beaver plays Bobby Singer and Danneel Ackles is Anael.
The “Stranger in a Strange Land” Plot: ALL HANDS ON DECK – Sam (Jared Padalecki) enlists everyone’s help in trying to track down Dean (Jensen Ackles), who can literally be anywhere. Meanwhile, Castiel (Misha Collins) may be in over his head after meeting up with an unreliable source. After being drained of his grace in season 13, Jack (Alexander Calvert) is adjusting to life as a human, learning new skills and figuring out how he fits in to this world of hunters.
Judy Reyes, Ana Ortiz, Dania Ramirez, Marc Cherry, Roselyn Sanchez, Edy Ganem and Eva Longoria attend Lifetime’s ‘Devious Maids’ Premiere Party (Photo by John Shearer / Copyright 2018)
CBS All Access has just given a direct-to-series order for Why Women Kill, a series described as a darkly comedic drama. The just-greenlit series comes from Marc Cherry from Devious Maids and Desperate Housewives. Cherry created the new show and will serve as an executive producer with Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Michael Hanel, and Mindy Schultheis.
The dramedy is an Imagine Television Studios and CBS Television Studios production.
“As much as we like to think that the institution of marriage has evolved over the past few decades, infidelity still has the ability to rock us to our core. Why Women Kill will explore what happens when women’s primal instincts are unleashed with unexpected and twisted consequences,” stated Marc Cherry. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with two exceptional companies to bring this series to life. Both Imagine and CBS All Access are wonderful partners, and I’m looking forward to an amazing collaboration.”
“Having worked with Marc 15 years ago on Desperate Housewives, it is clear he has captured lightning in a bottle again with the depiction of three women who are so richly drawn that they defy expectations at every turn,” said Julie McNamara, Executive Vice President, Original Content, CBS All Access. “Why Women Kill poses powerful cultural questions with Marc’s inimitable, biting wit, and we look forward to taking viewers on this wild ride.”
“As we began the process of building Imagine Television Studios, Marc was at the top of my list of premium writers who I knew could create an inventive, razor-sharp series to cut through the marketplace – and Marc delivered on all counts. We are honored and thrilled to be partners with Julie and her team at CBS All Access on this project and look forward to playing a key role in bringing viewers to their streaming service,” said Imagine’s Francie Calfo.
The Why Women Kill Plot:
“Why Women Kill details the lives of three women living in three different decades: a housewife in the ‘60s, a socialite in the ‘80s and a lawyer in 2018, each dealing with infidelity in their marriages. The series will examine how the roles of women have changed, but how their reaction to betrayal… has not.”
