Keith David guest stars as Gib’s dad on CBS’s True Lies season one episode seven. Directed by Jay Karas from a script by Minoti Vaishnav and Kris Crenwelge, episode seven – “Independent Dependents” – will air on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.
Steve Howey stars as Harry and Ginger Gonzaga stars as Helen. The season one cast also includes Erica Hernandez as Maria, Omar Miller as Gib, Mike O’Gorman as Luther, Annabella Didion as Dana, and Lucas Jaye as Jake.
“Independent Dependents” Plot: Despite Gib’s passionate arguments, Omega Sector requires the team to work with his estranged father, Al, when the weapons manufacturing plant he built gets taken over by a domestic terrorist organization with employees trapped inside.
Harry and Helen must learn to work in sync like never before to neutralize the threat, rescue the hostages and survive the bickering between Gib and Al.
True Lies follows Harry Tasker (Howey), a first-class international spy for U.S. intelligence agency Omega Sector, and his wife, Helen (Gonzaga), a language professor bored with her daily routine, who makes the shocking discovery that her seemingly ordinary husband is leading an extraordinary double life.
With the secret out, Omega recruits Helen, who impresses everyone with her formidable skills (thanks to Tae Bo and yoga), and she joins Harry and his team of top-notch operatives, embarking on covert missions around the globe and an exhilarating life of danger and adventure – all while keeping their adventures a secret from their children. The renewed bond between them adds much-needed sizzle to the Taskers’ emotionally distant marriage and upends the top-secret world of Omega Sector.
But, as Harry says, if you’re going to save the world, you might as well do it for the ones you love.
Series star Freddie Highmore slips into the director’s chair for his fourth time on The Good Doctor with season six episode 19. “Half Measures” will air on Monday, April 10, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.
The Good Doctor season six stars Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, Hill Harper plays Dr. Marcus Andrews, Richard Schiff is Dr. Aaron Glassman, and Will Yun Lee is Dr. Alex Park. Paige Spara stars as Lea Dilallo, Christina Chang is Dr. Audrey Lim, Fiona Gubelmann plays Dr. Morgan Reznick, Bria Henderson is Dr. Jordan Allen, and Noah Galvin is Dr. Asher Wolke.
Chuku Modu reprises his role as Dr. Jared Kalu.
“Half Measures” Plot: Drs. Andrews and Lim clash over a patient split nearly in half, which also reveals her issues with Dr. Kalu’s return. Meanwhile, Dr. Glassman gives Dr. Murphy some fatherly advice as they await news about Glassman’s recent tests.
Brandon Larracuente, Chuku Modu, and Noah Galvin in ‘The Good Doctor’ season 6 episode 19 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)Series star and director Freddie Highmore and Brandon Larracuente on the set of season 6 episode 19 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)Brandon Larracuente, Chuku Modu and Noah Galvin in season 6 episode 19 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)Brandon Larracuente and Bria Samone Henderson in season 6 episode 19 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)
The fifth and final season of Prime Video’s critically acclaimed The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will feature guest starring appearances by Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story), Hank Azaria (Brockmire), two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster (The Music Man), Danny Strong (creator and showrunner of Dopesick), and Sean Gunn (the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise). In addition, David Paymer will return for the final season as Harry Drake.
Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan leads the cast in the title role. Four-time Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub is Abe Weissman, three-time Emmy winner Alex Borstein is Susie Myerson, Emmy nominee Marin Hinkle is Rose Weissman, and Michael Zegen stars as Joel Maisel. The cast also includes Kevin Pollak, Caroline Aaron, SAG Award winner Reid Scott, Alfie Fuller, and Jason Ralph.
The final season premieres on April 14, 2023 with the release of the first three episodes. New episodes arrive on Fridays leading up to the May 26 series finale.
Amy Sherman-Palladino created the series and serves as writer, director, and executive producer along with Daniel Palladino. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has earned 20 Emmys, six Critics Choice Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards over its previous four seasons.
Prime Video provided this very brief synopsis of season five:
“In the fifth and final season, Midge finds herself closer than ever to the success she’s dreamed of, only to discover that closer than ever is still so far away.”
Fox just released the first trailer for Gordon Ramsay’s new competition series, Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars, premiering on May 24, 2023. The network also revealed season one’s 15 competitors who’ll be vying for a shot at a $250,000 prize.
New episodes air on Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT.
Ramsay hand-picked the most promising culinary innovators to compete for his personal investment of $250,000. “They will have to hustle through tough challenges, break through and set themselves apart from the other competition, and make noise to prove they have what it takes to be successful,” said Ramsay.
Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars 15 Competitors
Aaron Valentine
Currently Resides: Mission Viejo, CA
Hometown: Oak Grove, MO
Occupation: Founder of Snow Cone King
Ashley Davies
Current City and Hometown: Norco, CA
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Happy Grub
Caroline D’Amore
Currently Resides: Marina del Rey, CA
Hometown: Malibu, CA
Occupation: Founder and CEO of Pizza Girl Inc.
Chanel Goodson
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Chef, Owner and Operator of Vegan AF
Chris Kanik
Currently Resides: Orange County, CA
Hometown: Union City, NJ
Occupation: Founder and CEO of Smart Cups
Elisa Strauss
Currently Resides: Larchmont, NY
Hometown: Roslyn, NY
Occupation: Cake Designer and Owner of Confetti Cakes
Jake Aronskind
Currently Resides: Manhattan, NY
Hometown: Millburn, NJ
Occupation: Founder and CEO of Pepper (Cooking app)
Jourdan Higgs
Currently Resides: Chicago, IL
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
Occupation: Head Chef and Owner of Provaré Restaurant
Kagen Cox
Currently Resides: Pasco, WA
Hometown: Kalispell, MT
Occupation: Owner and Operator of Kagen Coffee & Crepes (Located in Richland, WA)
Lan Ho
Currently Resides: Chicago, IL
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Occupation: Founder and Owner of Fat Miilk
Luther Chen
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Hometown: Arcadia, CA
Occupation: Chef and Founder of Luther Bob’s
Megan Meza
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Occupation: Entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of Bandida
Queen Precious-Jewel Zabriskie
Currently Resides: Durham, NC
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Occupation: Founder, CEO, Executive Chef and Spice Purveyor at Indulgent Essential Spices
Sydney Webb
Currently Resides: Santa Monica, CA
Hometown: Torrance, CA
Occupation: CEO and Co-Founder of Toto Foods, Inc.
Tony Balestreri
Currently Resides: Chicago, IL
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Occupation: Chef/Pitmaster & Founder/CEO of Tony B’s Steak Chips
Host Gordon Ramsay with show contestants in ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars’ ( Photo by Ray Mickshaw / 2022 Fox Media LLC)
Fox released this description of Ramsay’s new series:
“The iconic Gordon Ramsay gets down to business with a selected group of food and drink industry professionals, as he searches for the next greatest culinary entrepreneur in his brand-new competition series Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars. Each week, the aspiring moguls will be challenged in all aspects of running a food enterprise, including creating, marketing, and selling to real customers.
In addition to Ramsay, their progress will be evaluated by guest judges and curated focus groups. As Ramsay pushes contestants to their limits, they’ll have to prove they possess the raw ingredients required to succeed – drive, dedication, creativity, passion and talent.
Ramsay is prepared to put his money where his mouth is, by presenting the winner with an investment opportunity to take their idea to the next level. But to win Ramsay’s support, it will take more than a great idea. They just need to survive Gordon Ramsay – the only angel investor.”
The team is on the hunt for stolen ammunition on CBS’s FBI season five episode 18, “Obligation.” Directed by Alex Zakrzewski from a script by Claire Demorest, episode 18 will air on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.
Season five stars Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell, Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan, Jeremy Sisto as Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, and Alana De La Garza as Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille. John Boyd plays Special Agent Stuart Scola and Katherine Renee Turner is Special Agent Tiffany Wallace.
“Obligation” Plot: When the deputy commander of an Air National Guard Base is kidnapped and forced to give over access codes, the team must work quickly to find the suspect along with stolen ammunition. Also, Scola questions his own safety in the aftermath of a recent traumatic experience.
FBI is a fast-paced drama about the inner workings of the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This elite unit brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep New York and the country safe. Born into a multigenerational law enforcement family, Special Agent Maggie Bell commits deeply to the people she works with as well as those she protects. Her partner is Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan, a West Point graduate via Bushwick who spent two years undercover for the DEA before being cherry-picked by the FBI.
Overseeing them is Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille, who operates under intense pressure and has undeniable command authority. The team also includes Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, the nerve center of the office whose ability to easily relate to and engage with both superiors and subordinates makes him a master motivator. The smart and outspoken Special Agent Tiffany Wallace, who spent six years with the NYPD, is partner to Special Agent Stuart Scola, an Ivy League-educated Wall Streeter-turned-FBI agent.
These first-class agents tenaciously investigate cases of tremendous magnitude, including terrorism, organized crime, and counterintelligence.
Series star Christina Moses takes the director’s chair for ABC’s A Million Little Things season five episode 10. “the salesman” will air on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast includes David Giuntoli as Eddie Saville, Romany Malco as Rome Howard, Allison Miller as Maggie Bloom, Christina Moses as Regina Howard, Grace Park as Katherine Kim, and James Roday Rodriguez as Gary Mendez. Stephanie Szostak is Delilah Dixon, Tristan Byon is Theo Saville, Lizzy Greene is Sophie Dixon, and Chance Hurstfield is Danny Dixon.
“the salesman” Plot: Delilah reminisces on the past as she closes a chapter, while Greta weighs an offer from Katherine’s mother. Sophie and Tyrell discuss the future.
Christina Moses on the set of ‘A Million Little Things’ season 5 episode 10 (ABC/Darko Sikman)
The Season 5 Plot:
As Rome Howard says, “Life isn’t just about the moments, it’s about who you share them with.” And as the fifth and final season of the beloved ABC drama series A Million Little Things unfolds, we’ll watch through laughter and tears as we bring this incredible journey to its conclusion. Along the way, we’ll explore the depths of friendship, love, and sorrow as we bid this special family of friends goodbye, once again proving that friendship really is a million little things.
Lizzy Greene, Stephanie Szostak, and Chance Hurstfield in season 5 episode 10 (ABC/Darko Sikman)Stephanie Szostak in season 5 episode 10 (ABC/Darko Sikman)Ron Livingston in “the salesman” episode (ABC/Darko Sikman)Lizzy Greene, Stephanie Szostak, and Chance Hurstfield in season 5 episode 10 (ABC/Darko Sikman) Adam Swain and Lizzy Greene in season 5 episode 10 (ABC/Darko Sikman)Stephanie Szostak and Ron Livingston in season 5 episode 10 (ABC/Darko Sikman)
Tricia Fukuhara, Marisa Davila and Cheyenne Isabel Wells in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+Z)
Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies episode two begins with phones ringing all over town. Moms interrupt their household chores and day drinking to spread the news that the girls at Rydell have gone crazy. There’s even a new girl gang at the high school! The horror!
Poor Assistant Principal McGee’s phone won’t stop ringing with moms complaining and demanding action be taken. She promises she’ll get right on it.
Jane (Marisa Davila) and Olivia (Cheyenne Isabel Wells) get the worst of it from their parents, while Nancy (Tricia Fukuhara) apparently has her mom and dad wrapped around her little finger. As for Cynthia (Ari Notartomaso), she’s not in the least bit of trouble.
At school, the reaction to Jane’s candidacy and the girls’ mooning includes wolf whistles and an article in the school newspaper. The article describes them as vicious vixens who performed vulgar acts and mentions a speech by Nixon referring to his opponent Helen Gahagan Douglas as “pink right down to her underwear.” Jane can’t believe they’re being called communists, but Nancy knows any press is good press.
Nancy whips out her first attempt at a jacket and gang name – Black Widows – and only Cynthia likes it. Jane suggests it’s not the best way to convince people they’re not vicious vixens.
The T-Birds give the girl gang a hard time in the hallways, and Cynthia points out they’ve never made the newspaper’s front page. Richie and Jane have a chat and Richie (Johnathan Nieves) compliments her impromptu speech.
Jason Schmidt, Madison Thompson, Kallie Hu, Josette Halpert, and Lola Clare in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
Dot (Josette Halpert) passes out invitations to a party at her house and Susan (Madison Thompson) tries to get Buddy (Jason Schmidt) to take her to it. He declines, not wanting to give their friends the wrong idea.
Nancy, Jane, Olivia, and Cynthia are called into McGee’s office and told their punishment is detention every day at 2:15pm. Jane’s the only one upset since colleges frown on negative marks on high school records.
Alone in the hallway, Jane sings about not wanting to settle and always wanting more.
Buddy catches up with her at her locker and Jane turns her back on him. She reminds him he ruined her reputation, and Buddy tells her again that he loves her. Jane says if that’s true, he needs to tell everyone he lied and that he’s not the good guy everyone thinks he is.
Jane rehearses her campaign speech during detention and it’s all about Buddy being a big fat liar. The T-Birds, of course, are also in detention and they critique her speech as shrill and sounding like she’s just jealous.
Jane gives up and joins her girls to go over new jacket designs. Nancy offers Red Cherries and Yellowjackets and no one bites. She’s about to show off her Pink Flamingos design but Cynthia quickly vetoes anything pink.
Olivia changes the subject to Buddy. They need to figure out how to expose him, and Olivia offers to check out his record in McGee’s office. Nancy volunteers to check out the boys locker room.
Cynthia pretends to be ill, and McGee escorts her to the nurse’s office. Once they’re gone, the girls spring into action. Olivia grabs Buddy’s file but there’s not a single derogatory mark in his record. She then pulls her own file and reads the write-up on her encounter with Mr. Daniels. Her official record states that she threw herself at the teacher and he did everything he could to push her away. The blame’s placed squarely on her shoulders.
Nancy hides out in the boys locker room but all she hears is a bunch of gross teenage boys talking about farting and dating. When Jane is finally brought up, Buddy shuts down the conversation.
Richie catches Jane trying to get into Buddy’s locker and offers to help her get a key to open it. They sneak into the principal’s office, grab the keys, but then are forced to hide behind the door when Principal Nicholson suddenly shows up.
He settles in to listen to a baseball game. Fortunately, they’re saved a few minutes later by a call from the superintendent who sends Nicholson out of the office in search of McGee.
Olivia confronts Mr. Daniels, upset he told Nicholson she seduced him. He claims she misconstrued his interest and should find someone her own age to be interested in.
Cynthia’s illness mysteriously clears up when the bell rings, and McGee realizes she was tricked.
Johnathan Nieves as Richie Valdovinos and Marisa Davila as Jane Facciano in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
The keys don’t work but Richie’s able to use a bobby pin from Jane’s hair to open Buddy’s locker. There’s not much inside the locker but Richie does spot a note addressed to Jane. She grabs it and walks away without reading it, barely thanking Richie for his help.
Jane meets with her girls at the Frosty Palace which, by the way, is run by Nancy’s family. Jane reads the letter and it’s a confession of everything Buddy’s done wrong – including smoking, drinking, and being a perverted sex fiend. The letter also reveals that although he and Jane didn’t sleep together, he did go all the way with Susan!
Buddy added that he never loved Susan but is in love with Jane. He ends the letter by asking for her forgiveness.
Olivia suggests they blackmail him to get him to drop out of the race. Jane’s not sure what they should do.
Later, Jane’s gang and the T-Birds show up uninvited at what looks to be a pretty boring party at Dot’s. Surprisingly, Dot allows them to stay. (She and a T-Bird have been flirting.)
Dot lays down the rules and warns everyone to keep an eye out for a missing rabbit. She lives in a mansion and her dad owns a candy company. She points out her dad’s study and says it’s off-limits; she’s never even been in there.
Other rules: no drinking, no smoking, no peeing in the fountain, and shoes must be off at all times. However, Spin the Bottle is allowed and the group gets down to it. Cynthia doesn’t play and instead serves as referee for any conflicts or rule violations.
It’s Jane’s turn and it lands between Buddy and Richie. She chooses Buddy and asks for 7 Minutes in Heaven. They head off to a closet and Jane pushes Buddy away. She’s all about the election and tells him to drop out of the race or she’ll show everyone his letter.
Buddy insists he can’t drop out because his dad wants him to be a leader. His dad’s running for mayor next year and Buddy must win school president. Jane doesn’t care – her future’s as important as his – and demands he drop out or else. Buddy still won’t and doesn’t think she’ll show anyone the letter. She’s not that type of girl.
Meanwhile, Cynthia gets her feelings her when a T-Bird asks her why she can’t act like a girl. Richie’s done with this party and takes off with his gang while Jane’s still in the closet.
Jane and Buddy return to the remaining group and Jane’s about to read the letter but stops, looking around the room. She realizes all the football players believe they’re entitled to have sex with any girl they want, whenever they want. They brag about their conquests as they return to the living room while the cheerleaders look ashamed and uncomfortable. The cheerleaders, including Susan, can barely meet Jane’s eyes as she looks around the room, watching them fasten their buttons and adjust their clothing.
Jane doesn’t read the letter and rushes from the room.
A scene from ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 2 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
Cynthia asks if she took Buddy down and Nancy asks why she didn’t go through with it. Jane explains that it wouldn’t be Buddy she’d be taking down, it would be Susan. He’d still be considered cool, and Susan would be labeled a slut.
Nancy’s upset with her friends for obsessing over stupid boys instead of just having fun at the party. Nancy reveals that in junior high she and her friends kissed all these boys lots of times. They even had a secret rating system. (Buddy’s a B-.) But now everyone takes boys way too seriously.
She asks them to imagine how fun this party would have been if they could have done it without boys. And that leads into another musical number where they erase the boys and imagine a world without them. No more obsessing in the mirror…no more watching their figures…no more lowering their voices. Nancy sings, “Imagine being more than just trophies and toys,” as all the girls dance in comfy clothes. (Absolutely love this song and its message.)
The future Pink Ladies spot the football players spiking the punch and decide to do something about it. Olivia lures the boys into Dot’s dad’s study and Jane’s already there posed seductively on the desk. Jane breaks into the liquor cabinet and the guys drink while the girls watch.
Jane and Olivia escape up the stairs and secure the door so they can’t leave the study. When they pound on the door, Jane informs them that since they spiked the punch with alcohol, they spiked their alcohol with castor oil.
The girls point out that if the guys can slip things into drinks, it’s no big deal that they did the same thing. The guys insist it’s not funny and Olivia replies, “You’re right. It’s not funny to put something in somebody’s drink that makes them feel out of control of their body.”
The guys call them pinko tramps and as the girls walk down the street, they consider embracing the idea of being bad girls. Jane corrects them; they’re not girls – they’re ladies. The Pink Ladies!
Cynthia agrees to consider it.
Jane’s decided sometimes you gotta be bad to do good. Even though it’s late, Jane suggests they stop by the school.
Tricia Fukuhara, Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, and Ari Notartomaso in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel/Paramount+)
The following morning Asst Principal McGee arrives at school and all of Buddy’s banners have been tagged with “Vote Pink.” She pulls the girls into her office and reveals she’s letting them out of detention. Instead, Cynthia will have to join the Thespian Club. Olivia will be her office assistant and handle all her filing. Jane is given hall monitor duty. And Nancy will be on call whenever she needs her.
Episode two ends with the reveal of the Pink Ladies jackets. The girls strut through the hallway wearing their new jackets while their classmates stare.
Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is set four years before the events of Grease and tells the origin story of the Pink Ladies. Episode one, “We’re Gonna Rule the School,” introduces the new key characters while paying homage to the long-running Broadway musical and 1978 feature film.
And now to the recap:
It’s the start of Jane’s second year at Rydell after moving from New York, and she’s entering the 1954-1955 school year with Big Man on Campus Buddy (Jason Schmidt) at her side. Jane (Marisa Davila) isn’t sure why Buddy wants to be with her, given that she’s not exactly popular, and as we meet the couple, they’re parked at a secluded spot making out.
Buddy’s super happy she helped him plan a pep rally, and Jane’s hoping she can use it as a launching pad for a run for student council. Buddy’s seeking reelection as class president, and if she wins they’ll be a powerful team.
And just two minutes in we get the first musical number of the episode. Jane strolls through the drive-in and belts out “Grease is the Word” while wearing Buddy’s letterman jacket, with her classmates as backup dancers.
Nancy (Tricia Fukuhara), a budding fashion designer who’s not into dating, takes over the lead vocals as the T-Birds arrive on the scene. Richie (Johnathan Nieves) is the gang’s leader and his pretty sister, Olivia (Cheyenne Isabel Wells), hands her overly protective brother the car keys and heads to the refreshment stand, followed by a dozen guys. A jock tries to pick up on her, but she ignores him.
“Sorry, forgot I need a teaching license before you put out,” he says before scurrying away.
Olivia picks up the song, obviously uncomfortable among her peers.
The next key player to make the scene is Cynthia (Ari Notartomaso), a wannabe T-Bird who’s more comfortable among the guys than hanging out with girls.
The song ends with Jane entering the bathroom where the popular girls are gathered around Buddy’s ex, Susan (Madison Thompson). She’s sobbing after receiving the news Buddy’s moved on, with her cheerleader minions commiserating.
The cool clique leaves the restroom and Susan appears to have a replacement for Buddy already in mind: Richie.
Marisa Davila as Jane Facciano and Jason Schmidt as Buddy in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 1 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
Jane joins Buddy at the refreshment stand and Buddy makes their relationship official by announcing to the cheerleaders and his football bros that they’re going steady.
Jane and Buddy get all hot and bothered in the car (she’s no Sandy, that’s for sure) while over in Richie’s car he pushes Susan away during a kiss and suggests they watch the movie. Susan’s obviously used to getting her way with boys and seems confused.
Dot (Josette Halpert), one of Susan’s lackeys, spots Jane and Buddy in the backseat and spreads a rumor they went all the way.
The morning of the first day of school arrives and Jane celebrates with an exuberant song and dance number in her room, insisting this year’s going to be different.
Jane wraps up her song – for now – and joins her Puerto Rican mom, Italian dad, and little sister Frenchy (from Grease!) for breakfast.
Jane briefly picks up the song when she arrives at school and busts out in the chorus as she steps into school.
Olivia and the T-Birds also arrive for day one, and Olivia’s decided she’s going to stop worrying about what people think of her. She whips off her jacket and shows off her gorgeous figure while strutting past the boys and through the front door.
Jane’s busy hanging pep rally banners when the gossip going around reaches her ears. She begs Richie to tell her what people are saying and he reluctantly confesses word is that she was treated in NY for her nymphomania, she gave Buddy venereal disease, and she’s pregnant with twins by different fathers.
Jane grabs Buddy to find out what’s going on, and neither told anyone about the drive-in. Plus, Jane reminds him they didn’t go all the way. She also assures Buddy none of the rumors about her time in New York are true. However, Buddy’s worried no one will vote for them if people think they’re “sex deviants.”
Jane believes they need to clear up the rumors before the pep rally. She’ll work on the girls while Buddy handles the guys.
Lunchtime arrives and Olivia works it as she walks through the outdoor tables. A brief exchange of looks with a teacher suggests there’s something to the rumor she’s into older men.
Jane goes from table to table trying to dispel the rumor but doesn’t have much luck and is being treated like a pariah. Meanwhile, Buddy’s being treated like a king.
Lunch also finds Nancy learning her supposed BFFs don’t share her dream to be famous NY designers and just want to hang out with their boyfriends.
Jane doesn’t give up and spots Olivia alone under the bleachers. Although Olivia makes it clear she couldn’t care less, Jane insists she didn’t go all the way with Buddy. Olivia warns her there’s no way to stop the gossip train. Jane refuses to believe that’s true.
Johnathan Nieves, Ari Notartomaso, Marisa Davila, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper and Madison Thompson in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 1 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
Richie blows off Susan, insulting her in front of his friends. She runs to her cheerleaders and jock friends and lies, saying Richie is basically stalking her after one date. The T-Birds, plus Olivia and Cynthia, hustle onto the football field to stick up for Richie. A fight breaks out when a jock refers to Olivia as Richie’s whore sister.
Jane runs up and reveals she saw what happened and Richie’s telling the truth. Susan reluctantly backs down when Jane warns her that her accusation could get someone hurt.
Home economics class gets underway, and Susan makes jokes at poor Jane’s expense. When the teacher leaves, Olivia rescues Jane’s reputation via a song. Olivia weaves a story about a cousin in NY who knows Jane and confirmed all the girls hated her because she was a prude. NYC girls are risqué and sex-crazed; they love guns, whiskey, and are gay adjacent. “So, goodie two shoes Jane and her boring killjoy ways drove the New York girls insane. She killed their fun in every way!” sings Olivia, the center of attention.
Everyone, except Susan, joins in on the chorus, dancing, and singing, “Shake off that good girl act!” as Olivia continues to resuscitate Jane’s rep and her prospects of winning a student council seat. Even Susan’s minions get in on the act as Olivia ticks off a list of Jane’s virtues.
Unfortunately, the teacher returns before the song finishes and Jane, Olivia, Cynthia, and Nancy are sent to Assistant Principal McGee’s office to be disciplined. (The actual principal is useless.)
McGee reminds Olivia that she convinced everyone to allow her to stay at Rydell after her “incident” with Mr. Daniels. McGee believes in second chances – but not third chances. The other girls get stern warnings to stay out of trouble.
Susan’s girls surround Jane and apologize for believing the horrible rumors. Buddy plants a quick kiss on Jane’s lips and heads off to practice, happy their reputations are restored.
The T-Birds are in auto shop discussing how to get back at the jocks when Cynthia asks to join the gang. They laugh but Cynthia’s serious and is willing to earn her way in by getting revenge. Cynthia believes the world is changing and the T-Birds are on the rise. She busts out in a song that suggests it’s down with the phoneys and up with the new cool. “The T-Birds are ruling the new school!”
Cynthia’s plan is to disrupt the pep rally. If it works, Richie promises to give Cynthia his jacket.
Marisa Davila as Jane Facciano in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 1 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
Night falls and the pep rally’s about to kick off. A bonfire’s lit, signs are hung, and the cheerleaders warm up before they hit the stage. Jane, who’s also a majorette, is organizing everything and her family’s bursting with pride over what she’s accomplished.
Jane takes a moment away from the crowd and thanks Olivia for saving her reputation. Olivia warns her to not trust the cheerleaders – who are currently watching Jane’s every move – but Jane thinks they’re not all bad. She invites Olivia to join them at the malt shop after the rally but Olivia confesses she doesn’t have fun in school; she’s just hoping to make it out alive.
Nancy’s friends officially dump her for their boyfriends just as the rally kicks off.
The announcer welcomes the crowd and introduces the football team and the cheerleaders. Jane leads the band in but suddenly realizes the routine isn’t going as rehearsed. The cheerleaders start a cheer and the banner which had read “This Year Rydell Goes All the Way” is changed to read “Jane Facciano Goes All the Way.”
The crowd gasps and it takes a second for Jane to realize what happened since she’s standing right beneath the banner. Susan and her snotty cheerleaders planned this and laugh as they point at the banner.
The T-Birds arrive with stolen mascot costumes and grab everyone’s attention. The crowd claps and cheers as the mascots circle the bonfire. The T-Birds pause and drop their pants, flashing the crowd! (Just like the T-Birds did at the dance in Grease.)
Cynthia’s mascot head falls off and she’s exposed as one of the mooners. She embraces the moment by screaming, “Rydell Rangers are losers! T-Birds rule!”
The rally breaks up and Jane runs after the cheerleaders. Susan reveals Buddy told her he and Jane went all the way. Jane’s devastated and can only stand there, looking hurt and confused.
Everyone gathers at the Frosty Palace malt shop and the T-Birds are celebrating their revenge. Cynthia joins them and asks about her jacket, and the guys explain they can’t let a girl into the gang after it just got a little respect.
Cynthia tries to act like they didn’t hurt her feelings and rushes away.
Jane confronts Buddy and gets him to admit he told his big-mouthed friend Neil that they went all the way. It’s just locker room talk, right? Idiot. Anyway, he claims girls are supposed to put up a fight and she seemed too into it. Plus, crushing her reputation at the start of the school year isn’t as bad as it seems. Seriously, Buddy, just keep digging that hole and then lie down in it, okay?
Jane’s walking away when Buddy says he loves her. That’s enough to make her forgive him and they hug. But then Buddy says they need to break up until after the election. Until then, they can secretly date like they did during the summer.
Jane takes off his jacket and hands it back. She’s done being his little secret.
Jane makes it home and her mother accuses her of putting herself in a compromising situation. She reminds her daughter to be careful since they’re trying to fit in in this town.
Frenchy and her BFF Betty (the young Rizzo!) are hiding out under Jane’s bed, and Jane suggests maybe their mom is right and Betty – who’s not supposed to be there – is a bad influence. Frenchy explains Betty’s the only one who doesn’t make fun of her at junior high. Betty even kicked a boy who was bullying her. Now, they’re best friends even if Betty doesn’t want to admit it.
The next day a school Jane admits to Olivia she was right about the “socs.”
The student body’s assembled for the student council election and Jane remains seated in the audience instead of joining the other candidates on the stage. Buddy delivers his speech, apologizing for letting everyone down at the pep rally. If they vote for him, things will go back to normal, and they can all have fun like they did before.
The crowd explodes in applause.
Asst Principal McGee calls Jane’s name to deliver a speech and Jane slowly walks to the stage and whispers that she’s not running anymore. A person yells out “slut” as Jane turns to take her seat.
Jane pauses, reconsiders, and takes the stage. She talks about how Rydell hasn’t been fun for a lot of kids who don’t fit in because they’re considered the wrong “type.” Too many of her fellow students are just busy trying to survive high school.
McGee says she’s done with her speech since she’s not running, and Olivia speaks up from the crowd, endorsing her. Cynthia pops up next, followed by Nancy. They join her on stage to a chorus of boos. McGee gets the students under control and Jane confirms she’s going to run against Buddy for president. The student body reacts with what sounds like an equal mix of boos and cheers.
Cynthia yells “Vote for Jane,” lifts her skirt, and moons the crowd. The other girls follow suit as the crowd cheers. They scurry from the stage, with the audience emptying the auditorium behind them.
Tricia Fukuhara, Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, and Ari Notartomaso in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 1 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
The four soon-to-be Pink Ladies drive off laughing in the T-Birds car with Olivia at the wheel.
And it’s time for another new song. This time it’s all about standing up for yourself, speaking out, and embracing your true self. It’s time to show the world – or at least the school – that females are strong as hell and don’t need boys to validate their existence.
The episode ends with Jane declaring, “We’re going to need some jackets.”
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Review
The series strikes much the same tone as Grease, managing to do so while taking on important issues including sexism and racism. Paramount+ provided the first five episodes for review, and there’s a lot to love about this infectious tale of female empowerment.
Rise of the Pink Ladies slips in younger versions of Rizzo and Frenchy, but it’s the 1954-1955 class that’s the focus. The four leads – Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Ari Notartomaso, and Tricia Fukuhara – are incredibly talented, and by episode five their characters are fully fleshed out. There’s real chemistry between the four main stars and the friendship that develops feels genuine.
Episode one shows the first generation of Pink Ladies were social outcasts who found their voices by supporting each other. If the series occasionally comes off as a little too heavy-handed in the handling of social issues, that can be forgiven because at least it’s taking a chance and introducing important issues rather than glossing them over or pretending they don’t exist. Plus, the songs are catchy, the performances are terrific, and the characters aren’t just cookie-cutter high school students.
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is an entertaining addition to the Grease universe and a worthy prequel to the still-popular musical. What Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies gets right far outweighs any minor missteps.
Sarah Yarkin as Rhonda, Milo Manheim as Wally, Peyton List as Maddie and Nick Pugliese as Charley in ‘School Spirits’ episode 7 (Photo Cr: Ed Araquel / Paramount +)
Paramount+’s School Spirits episode seven begins with Simon (Kristian Flores) wondering why Nicole (Kiara Pichardo) ghosted him all weekend and forgot to pick him up for school. She claims she’s been busy working on her portfolio and, of course, she doesn’t mention being out in the woods all alone with a shovel after the homecoming dance.
Simon’s also a little distracted and is wearing mismatched socks for his interview with Northwestern. He’s hoping the Northwestern alum will understand that he’s been thinking about his best friend being murdered. Simon admits he doesn’t think it makes any sense that the janitor killed her. (He knows Maddie didn’t have a sack of cash which is supposedly the motive for her murder.)
Simon glances through Nicole’s college portfolio and is shocked to see how many photos of Maddie are included. He had no idea Nicole took that many pictures of Maddie and thinks it’s a little weird. However, he shakes it off and advises Nicole to relax and breathe. (She’s also worried about a college interview.)
Meanwhile, ghost therapy is in session and Mr. Martin (Josh Zuckerman) is happy it’s time for the living students to hold a mock trial. Each of the ghosts will be shadowing them during their preparation. Unfortunately for Mr. Martin, Charley (Nick Pugliese) is much more excited about questioning Maddie (Peyton List) about the janitor. She claims she never did anything to make him mad, and Mr. Martin attempts to steer the conversation back to the mock trial.
Wally (Milo Manheim) backs up Charley, reminding Mr. Martin last year’s trial was a bore. No one wants to do a mock trial this year.
Maddie also doesn’t want anything to do with the trial and instead is fixated on protecting Mr. South the janitor. She needs to get her memories back, but Mr. Martin isn’t sure how that will help since she can’t share what she knows with the living. Maddie and Charley exchange looks, and Wally reveals he found a psych book in the library with info on how to retrieve memories. He assures Maddie they’ll all help her get through this and figure it out.
Alone, Nicole removes Maddie’s photos from her portfolio and burns them.
Maddie’s mom, Sandra (Maria Dizzia), wakes after a night of binging and wanders into Maddie’s room. A window’s open, which is strange, and she closes it and looks around the room.
Wally heats up a burrito as Charley and Rhonda (Sarah Yarkin) watch, waiting to see if it stirs any memories in Maddie. (A burrito was her last meal.) Just sniffing it isn’t working and Wally suggests she take a bite but Maddie hates cilantro and refuses. Wally removes the cilantro as Maddie explains Simon always ordered her burritos without it. That makes Wally a little jealous, but he quickly gets back to the business of retrieving her memories.
Maddie takes a bite and tries to think back to her last lunch. It’s not working, and Rhonda suggests she think about the last song she remembers hearing at school instead.
Back with the living, it’s lunchtime and Simon, Claire (Rainbow Wedell), and Xavier (Spencer Macpherson) huddle at a table discussing the case against Mr. South. Xavier looked through his dad’s paperwork and all they seem to have on Mr. South is the crowbar – that’s it. Xavier’s certain Mr. South was in the boys bathroom during the eighth period, so he has an alibi. Xavier knows he was there because he was also in the bathroom trying to unlock Maddie’s phone.
Unfortunately, Xavier thinks it doesn’t matter because once his dad finds someone to kick around, he sticks with it. Claire believes they just need to figure out who took the video of her and Mr. Anderson – that’s the key to solving Maddie’s murder. Claire jokingly suggests they break into the sheriff’s station to find out what else they have, and Simon and Xavier latch onto that.
Nicole’s joined them and is shocked Claire’s joined the Scooby gang.
And speaking of strange gangs, Maddie and the trio of memory joggers try singing the last song Maddie heard on Simon’s earbuds. It doesn’t jog her memory and Charley wants to try hypnosis. They didn’t realize Dawn (RaeAnne Boon) joined them, and she chimes in, saying hypnosis is a bad idea. It’s too risky. Another spirit could invade Maddie’s body while she’s under hypnosis. Instead, they should do an anti-séance and conjure the right memories.
Maddie thinks that’s an excellent idea.
Simon’s interview with the Northwestern alum is going well until she mentions that getting away from this school and this town is probably a good idea, given that his best friend just died. That causes Simon to freeze up and Maddie, who just joined him but can’t be seen since no one died in this room, tries to prompt him to give answers that will help his chances of going to Northwestern.
Simon is self-sabotaging and Maddie’s upset he can’t hear her.
Kiara Pichardo as Nicole, Peyton List as Maddie and Kristian Flores as Simon in ‘School Spirits’ episode 7 (Photo Cr: Ed Araquel / Paramount +)
Next, Simon finds Xavier and Claire in the parking lot and is stunned that Claire’s just taken a bat to a window on her car. Claire came up with a plan to call the police, tell them she’s being stalked, and that it can’t be Mr. South since he’s in jail.
At the station, Claire talks to Xavier’s dad, Sheriff Baxter (Ian Tracey), while Xavier and Simon look through the evidence.
Sheriff Baxter’s pulled away to speak with Maddie’s mom who believes someone broke into her house.
Simon and Xavier find Maddie’s backpack in the lockup but not the crowbar. Simon looks through a box of evidence and sees Maddie’s boot print that Xavier and Nicole found in the woods. Xavier confirms Nicole spotted it first and led him to it. That’s an important detail since Simon is positive it’s not Maddie’s boot print after all.
Back at school, Nicole kicks another student off a computer she wants to use. She asks a teacher if once a file’s deleted off that computer it’s permanently gone, and he explains everything’s automatically backed up every few minutes. That’s obviously not what Nicole wants to hear.
Simon, Claire, and Xavier make it back to school and Maddie’s furious Simon tanked his college interview. After sending Claire and Xavier in without him, he fills Maddie in on what he discovered about the evidence. He’s certain the boot print wasn’t hers since it had a Doc Martens stamp and her boots are knock-offs. So, the boot print was planted by someone who didn’t know that.
Maddie doesn’t care and wants to know why he doesn’t want to go to Northwestern. He confesses everything he wanted to do at Northwestern he wanted to do with her. “Now, what’s the point?” asks Simon.
Maddie tells him he needs to keep on living.
Simon finally poses the question on viewers’ minds. Did Nicole have something to do with Maddie’s death? She’s been acting so strange.
A flashback shows Nicole was like a third wheel in the group and that she copied everything Maddie did. When they called her out for it, she told them to screw themselves.
Back to current events and Maddie’s sure Nicole’s over that since it happened a while ago. But Simon thinks it’s possible she was holding on to her anger and attacked Maddie. They shouldn’t just assume she’s innocent.
Elsewhere, Sandra’s stocking up on alcohol when she spots Mr. South outside the store. She tries to hurry past him, but he approaches her and claims he never harmed her daughter.
Milo Manheim as Wally, Peyton List as Maddie, RaeAnne Boone as Dawn, Nick Pugliese as Charley and Sarah Yarkin as Rhonda in ‘School Spirits’ episode 7 (Photo Cr: Ed Araquel / Paramount+)
Later, Rhonda, Maddie, Charley, and Wally join Dawn for the anti-séance. Dawn’s lit dozens of candles but doesn’t have sage to burn. Instead, she burns an old piece of broccoli which apparently smells disgusting.
They sit in a circle and join hands as Maddie thinks back to her last day. Dawn tries to get everyone in the right mindset by thinking back to her own death day. It’s a tragic story in which she overheard her two best friends making fun of her and then accidentally electrocuted herself while trying not to be discovered listening in.
Dawn cries and says it should have been her friends who died – not her.
Maddie decides they need to end the anti-séance early.
Xavier and Claire locate a schedule that shows what after-school activities were going on when the video was shot. That could help them narrow down who was on campus. Simon arrives and Claire explains only the cheerleaders and the AV crew were scheduled to be on campus. The AV crew was filming the practice and doing a few interviews.
Claire suggests Simon talk to Nicole because she was definitely there.
A short while later, Simon fills Maddie in on what he learned from Claire. He’s almost certain Nicole shot the blackmail video and sent it to Anderson after stealing his number off Maddie’s phone. Given what she just learned about Dawn’s death, Maddie now believes it’s possible she and Simon hurt Nicole more than they thought.
Maddie’s sad there’s no one she can trust and Simon reminds her he’s right there for her. “I love you, Maddie, and that why I don’t give a flying f**k about Northwestern,” says Simon. He doesn’t want her to reply and confesses he’s not sure at this point why he’s still helping solve her murder since it means she’ll probably cross over once they discover her killer.
Maddie reminds him he’s graduating in June and might leave the school before she does. Simon pulls himself together after his emotional confession and suggests they find Nicole.
That evening Sheriff Baxter catches up with his son at a market and reveals someone spotted him and another boy sneaking out of the precinct’s backdoor. Xavier insists he was with Claire – not another boy – and Sheriff Baxter warns him not to get in trouble again. He thinks Xavier was tampering with evidence and threatens that if he doesn’t shape up, he’s going to let everyone know he’s a loser. Claire’s been listening in and has heard enough. She steps in and supports Xavier, suggesting Sheriff Baxter might not want it known he’s a bully who enjoys intimidating people.
Even though it’s late at night, Nicole’s still at the school’s computer, trying to get rid of all the copies of the video she shot. Simon and Maddie watch her for a second, and then Simon tells her not to bother deleting anything else. He knows she sent Anderson the video and was blackmailing him. Plus, he’s sure she created the boot print in the woods.
He demands to know why she was blackmailing Anderson, what she needed the money for, and how she got out of the boiler room alive when Maddie didn’t. Nicole confesses she wanted the money so she could move to Chicago to be near him and Maddie.
Nicole also confesses that both colleges she applied to in Chicago informed her she wouldn’t be able to get a scholarship. Her parents also wouldn’t have paid for her to move to Chicago just to hang out with her friends.
So, yes, she stole Anderson’s number from Maddie, but she never would have hurt Maddie. Nicole wanted to remain with her friends and wouldn’t have done anything that would rip them apart. She wasn’t aware Maddie was the only student with Anderson’s number.
Nicole never told them about the colleges because she didn’t want them to think she’s pathetic.
Simon asks about the money. If she turns it in, it could prove Mr. South is innocent.
A quick switch in scenery to Maddie’s house shows Sandra has an envelope full of money. Sandra hides it under items in Maddie’s drawer.
Nicole and Simon head out to dig up the money.
Dawn apologizes to Maddie for not helping her remember what happened. Maddie tells her she never should have been made to feel like a joke and that she’s a good person and a good friend. As Maddie walks away, Dawn smiles and a hallway light flickers.
Wally, Rhonda, and Charley search the school for Maddie and realize Dawn isn’t in her normal spot. The lights begin flickering again. They lights become super bright and there’s a white flash. They all experience goosebumps and are certain Dawn just crossed over. They realize this didn’t happen when Janet left.
Nicole digs up the spot where she left the money but someone’s taken it. She recalls going from the homecoming dance to Sandra’s house, and then out here to bury the money. The only person who could have followed her was Maddie’s mom!
Maddie’s watching Simon and Nicole from inside the school grounds. Maddie has a series of brief visions from the day of her death and realizes she did confront her mom at school.
Nicole and Simon hear someone in the woods, and Simon races off to see who it is. Maddie screams at him to stop but of course he can’t hear her.
Charley, Wally, and Rhonda join Maddie at the school’s fence. Maddie reveals she thinks her mother killed her!
Meaghan Rath and Christopher Gorham star in Fox’s Accused season one episode 12. Directed by Milan Cheylov from a script by Zakiyyah Alexander, “Morgan’s Story” will air on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.
Episode 12’s cast also includes Kashir Amari as James Ubom, Dennis Andres as Eric Knight, Allison Hossack as Kate Chin, Hanneke Talbot as Regina, and Christopher Seivight as Alex Breacey. Gianpaolo Venuta plays Dean Johnson, Jamillah Ross is Rashida Arain, and Stephanie Herrera plays Principal Isabel Martinez.
“Morgan’s Story” Plot: A teacher going through a messy divorce gets arrested under suspicious circumstances.
Accused is a collection of 15 intense, topical, and exquisitely human stories of crime and punishment. Each episode is a fast-paced provocative thriller exploring a different crime, in a different city, with an entirely original cast. Based on the BBC’s BAFTA-winning crime anthology, each episode opens in a courtroom on the defendant, with viewers knowing nothing about their crime or how they ended up on trial.
Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, the show holds a mirror up to current times with evocative and emotional stories. In the end, audiences will discover how an ordinary person gets caught up in extraordinary circumstances and how one impulsive decision can impact the course of that life – and the lives of others – forever.
