‘Chupa’ Trailer: A Feel-Good Chupacabra Story

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March 14, 2023

Director Jonás Cuarón reimagines the terrifying mythical beast as a cute and furry little creature in Netflix’s Chupa. The two-minute trailer for the family-friendly adventure confirms this incredibly adorable baby chupacabra looks nothing like a goat-killing, nightmare-inducing monster.

“I was a small kid when the legend started. When the idea came of turning [the myth] on its head and using it to tell a family adventure, I was immediately excited,” said Cuarón in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum. “I’ve always been a huge fan of E.T. and believe that stories like that are so powerful because they play on the idea of kids being misunderstood by adults. Chupa might be a monster but he’s the only one that truly understands what Alex is going through. The bond between a boy and a creature is so pure, like with a pet, it transcends language.”

Chupa stars Demián Bichir, Evan Whitten, Christian Slater, Ashley Ciarra, Nickolas Verdugo, Adriana Paz, Gerardo Taracena, and Julio Cesar Cedillo. Cuarón directed from a screenplay by Sean Kennedy Moore, Joe Barnathan, and Marcus Rinehart. 26th Street Pictures’ Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, and Michael Barnathan produced, with G. Mac Brown, Anna Barnathan Barry, and Brendan Bellomo executive producing.

Chupa arrives on Netflix on April 7, 2023.

Chupa Poster — Poster for Netflix’s ‘Chupa’

The Plot:

Shy 13-year-old Alex (Whitten) flies from Kansas City to Mexico to meet his extended family for the first time. There he meets his grandfather and former lucha libre champion Chava (Bichir), energetic, wrestling-obsessed cousin Memo (Verdugo), and fearless, hip cousin Luna (Ciarra). But just as Alex begins to get his bearings, he discovers a mythical creature living under his grandfather’s shed: a young chupacabra cub, which he recognizes from stories of the feared, full-grown chupacabra, fabled to feed on farmers’ livestock.

Alex soon learns that his new friend “Chupa” has a secret history with his family and that dogged, dangerous scientist Richard Quinn (Slater) is hunting the misunderstood creature to try and harness his powers. To protect Chupa from impending danger, Alex sets off on the adventure of a lifetime, one that will push the bonds of his newfound family to the brink, and remind him that life’s burdens are lighter when you don’t have to carry them alone.

‘Quantum Leap’ Episode 16 Photos, “Ben, Interrupted” Cast, and Promo Video

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Rebecca Murray

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March 14, 2023

Ben’s in for a scary experience when he leaps into a mental institution patient on NBC’s Quantum Leap season one episode 16. “Ben, Interrupted” will air on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.

Season one stars Raymond Lee (Kevin Can F**k Himself) as physicist Ben Song and Caitlin Bassett as Addison. Ernie Hudson (The Family Business) plays Herbert “Magic” Williams, Mason Alexander Park (The Sandman) is Ian Wright, and Nanrisa Lee (First Love) plays Jenn Chou.

“Ben, Interrupted” Plot: When Ben lands in a 1950s psychiatric institution, he must engineer a daring escape for a young woman unjustly committed by her husband. The team is shocked to learn the identity of a mole in Quantum Headquarters.

Guest stars include Paul McCarthy-Boyington, Armando McClain, and Walter Perez.

Quantum Leap Episode 16 — Armando McClain as Nurse and Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song in ‘Quantum Leap episode 16 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Season One Synopsis:

It’s been nearly 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now, a new team, led by physicist Ben Song (Lee), has been assembled to restart the project in hope of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it.

Everything changes, however, when Ben makes an unauthorized leap into the past, leaving the team behind to solve the mystery of why he did it. At Ben’s side throughout his leaps is Addison (Bassett), who appears in the form of a hologram only Ben can see and hear. She’s a decorated Army veteran who brings level-headed precision to her job.

At the helm of the highly confidential operation is Herbert “Magic” Williams (Hudson), a no-nonsense career military man who has to answer to his bosses who won’t be happy once they learn about the breach of protocol. The rest of the team at headquarters includes Ian Wright (Park), who runs the Artificial Intelligence unit “Ziggy,” and Jenn Chou (Lee), who heads up digital security for the project.

As Ben leaps from life to life, putting right what once went wrong, it becomes clear that he and the team are on a thrilling journey. However, Addison, Magic, Ian and Jenn know that if they are going to solve the mystery of Ben’s leap and bring him home, they must act fast or lose him forever.

‘NCIS: Hawaii’ Season 2 Episode 17 Photos, Cast, and “Money Honey” Promo

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Rebecca Murray

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March 14, 2023

Enver Gjokaj returns to guest star as Captain Milius on CBS’s NCIS: Hawaii season two episode 17. Directed by Loren Yaconelli from a script by Megan Bacharach, episode 17 – “Money Honey” – will air on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.

Season two stars Vanessa Lachey as Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, Alex Tarrant as Kai Holman, Noah Mills as Jesse Boone, and Yasmine Al-Bustami as Lucy Tara. Jason Antoon plays Ernie Malik, Tori Anderson is Kate Whistler, and Kian Talan stars as Alex Tennant.

“Money Honey” Plot: Captain Milius returns to Hawai’i as the NCIS team works to catch a dangerous high-value U.S. Government target with the help of an informant unlike any they’ve ever encountered. Also, Tennant and Daniel deal with Alex’s acceptance into the Naval Academy.

NCIS Hawaii Season 2 Episode 17 — Enver Gjokaj as Captain Joe Milius, Derek Phillips as ASAC Curtis, Alex Tarrant as Kai Holman, Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik, and Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant in ‘NCIS: Hawaii’ season 2 episode 17 (Photo © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

NCIS: Hawai’i Season 2 Description, Courtesy of CBS:

The world’s most successful television series continues on the seductive shores of the Aloha State with the #1 new drama, NCIS: Hawai’i, where the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, Jane Tennant, has thrived and risen through the ranks by equal parts confidence and strategy in a system that has pushed back on her every step of the way. Together with her unwavering team of specialists, they balance duty to family and country while investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the sun-drenched island paradise itself.

‘The Bear’ Season 2 Teaser Reveals June Premiere

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Rebecca Murray

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March 13, 2023

FX has confirmed season two of the critically acclaimed drama The Bear will premiere in June on Hulu. The first short but sweet teaser reveals The Original Beef of Chicagoland is closing as Carmy prepares to launch a new restaurant.

In the teaser, Natalie and Marcus are packing up while Tina covers the equipment. We also get of glimpse of Ebraheim in a storage freezer and Sydney looking through a hole in the wall. A complete renovation is underway as The Beef is set to transform into The Bear.

The video ends with a sign that reads: “The Beef is closed. Thank you for your patronage.” And FX offers this tagline: “It’s not a reopening, it’s a rebirth.”

Jeremy Allen White (Shameless) leads the cast as James Beard Award–winning Chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto. Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Richard ‘Richie’ Jerimovich, Ayo Edebiri is Sydney Adamu, Abby Elliott is Natalie ‘Sugar’ Berzatto, Lionel Boyce plays Marcus, Liza Colón-Zayas is Tina, Edwin Lee Gibson is Ebraheim, and Matty Matheson is Neil Fak.

Christopher Storer (Ramy) created the series and serves as co-showrunner with Joanna Calo (BoJack Horseman). Storer and Calo write, direct, and executive produce. Super Frog’s Hiro Murai and Nate Matteson also executive produce.

Season one, which premiered in June 2022, won Critics Choice, Screen Actors Guild, Producers Guild, and Writers Guild awards. The first season sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Bear Series Stars — Jeremy Allen White as Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto, Lionel Boyce as Marcus, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard ‘Richie’ Jerimovich in ‘The Bear’ (Photo Credit: FX)

The Plot:

The Bear follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (White), a young chef from the fine dining world, who comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop – The Original Beef of Chicagoland – after a heartbreaking death in his family. A world away from what he’s used to, Carmy must balance the soul-crushing realities of small business ownership, his strong-willed and recalcitrant kitchen staff and his strained familial relationships, all while grappling with the impact of his brother’s suicide.

FX’s original series The Bear is about food, family, the insanity of the grind, the beauty of Sense of Urgency and the steep slippery downsides. As the young chef Carmy fights to transform both The Original Beef of Chicagoland and himself, he works alongside a rough-around-the-edges kitchen crew that ultimately reveal themselves as his chosen family.

‘Magnum’ PI’ Season 5 Episode 6 Photos, Cast, and “Dead Ringer” Promo

By

Rebecca Murray

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March 13, 2023

Rick is getting close to figuring out what’s going on in the teaser for NBC’s Magnum P.I. season five episode six. “Dead Ringer” will air on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.

Jay Hernandez leads the cast as Thomas Magnum, Perdita Weeks is Juliet Higgins, Zachary Knighton stars as Orville ‘Rick’ Wright, Stephen Hill is Theodore ‘TC’ Calvin, Amy Hill is Kumu, and Tim Kang plays Det. Gordon Katsumoto.

“Dead Ringer” Plot: Katsumoto’s hearing date has arrived and he will learn if his career in law enforcement is over for good or not. Magnum and Higgins are hired to investigate a man their client believes committed murder. Rick’s suspicions grow on their relationship.

Magnum PI Season 5 Episode 6 — Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum and Perdita Weeks as Juliet Higgins in ‘Magnum PI’ season 5 episode 6 (Photo by: Zack Dougan/NBC)

The Season 5 Plot, Courtesy of NBC:

Magnum P.I. is a modern take on the classic series centering on Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. A charming rogue, an American hero and a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan, Magnum lives in a guest cottage on Robin’s Nest, the luxurious estate where he works as a security consultant to supplement his P.I. business.

The “majordomo” of the property is Juliet Higgins, a beautiful and commanding disavowed MI:6 agent whose second job is to keep Magnum in line, with the help of her two Dobermans. When Magnum needs backup on a job, he turns to his trusted buddies and fellow POW survivors Theodore ‘TC’ Calvin, a former Marine chopper pilot who runs Island Hoppers, a helicopter tour business, and Orville “Rick” Wright, a former Marine door-gunner-turned-impresario of Oahu’s coolest nightclub and the most connected man on the island.

With keys to a vintage Ferrari in one hand, aviator sunglasses in the other, and an Old Düsseldorf longneck chilling in the fridge, Thomas Magnum is back on the case!

‘The Last of Us’ Season Finale Sets Series Record

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Rebecca Murray

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March 13, 2023

The season final of HBO’s The Last of Us drew in a series high 8.2 million viewers, despite going up against the Oscars. According to HBO, the popular post-apocalyptic drama is averaging 30.4 million viewers over its first six episodes.

The viewership for the finale, “Look for the Light,” was up 75% over the number of viewers who tuned in the night of the series’ premiere.

In late January, the network announced The Last of Us will return for season two. The season one finale – spoilers ahead! – included two pivotal moments from the video game and set the stage for Joel and Ellie’s reunion with Tommy.

Speaking with Variety, production designer John Paino said they were fortunate to be able to shoot in hospital that had been closed down. He also confirmed a real giraffe was used in the scene that replicates a fan-favorite moment from the game.

“We needed to see if we could acclimate the giraffe to strangers feeding it, with a very small film crew there,” explained Paino. “There was the indoor enclosure with a balcony and an outdoor one where the keepers would take care of it.”

Paino added: “The trainers worked to get them to eat out of a stranger’s hand. So, when Ellie and Joel walk up at the enclosure, that’s the giraffe eating those branches of food.”

Season one stars Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie. The cast also includes Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, and Storm Reid as Riley.

Merle Dandridge is Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce is Perry, Lamar Johnson is Henry, Keivonn Woodard is Sam, Graham Greene is Marlon, and Elaine Miles is Florence.

The Last of Us Season Finale — Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in ‘The Last of Us’ season 1 finale (Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO)

The Plot:

The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.

HBO Releases the First Two Season Two Photos

‘Will Trent’ Episode 9 Photos, “Manhunt” Cast, and Air Date

By

Rebecca Murray

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March 13, 2023

ABC’s Will Trent will return from a three-week break with an episode that finds Faith being held hostage. Season one episode nine, “Manhunt,” will air on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT. Adam Toltzis directed from a script by Eric Dean Seaton.

The series stars Ramón Rodríguez (The Affair) in the title role, Erika Christensen (Ten Days in the Valley) as Angie Polaski, Iantha Richardson (This Is Us) as Faith Mitchell, Jake McLaughlin (Quantico) as Michael Ormewood, and Sonja Sohn (The Chi) as Amanda Wagner.

“Manhunt” Plot: When a convicted criminal takes one of the GBI agents hostage and is accused of murder, Will and Ormewood discover some evidence which could prove their innocence. Meanwhile, Angie struggles with sobriety when she finds out her former abuser is free.

Will Trent episode 9 — Ramon Rodriguez in ‘Will Trent’ episode 9 (ABC/Danny Delgado)

Will Trent Synopsis:

Special Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was abandoned at birth and endured a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. But now, determined to use his unique point of view to make sure no one is abandoned like he was, Will Trent has the highest clearance rate in the GBI.

‘The Blacklist’ Season 10 Episode 4 Photos, “The Hyena” Cast and Plot

By

Rebecca Murray

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March 13, 2023

The promo for NBC’s The Blacklist season 10 episode four teases that the 200th episode will be a gas. Episode four, “The Hyena,” will air on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.

The final season cast is led by James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington. Diego Klattenhoff stars as Donald Ressler, Hisham Tawfiq plays Dembe Zuma, Anya Banerjee is Siya Malik, and Harry Lennix stars as Harold Cooper.

“The Hyena” Plot: In the show’s 200th episode, Red attempts to secure a late financier’s fortune locked by a series of challenging clues. When a deadly assassin pursues the money, the Task Force bands together to protect the endowment’s rightful heirs.

The Blacklist Season 10 Episode 4 — James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington and Stacy Keach as Robert Vesco in ‘The Blacklist’ season 10 episode 4 (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC)

The Season 10 Plot:

The final season will find Raymond Reddington confronting unparalleled danger. With Reddington’s covert role as an FBI informant facing exposure, former Blacklisters will unite against him in their lethal desire for revenge – testing Red and the FBI Task Force as never before.

‘The Equalizer’ Season 3 Episode 12 Photos, Cast, and “Lost and Found” Plot

By

Rebecca Murray

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March 13, 2023

A man comes to, confused about why he’s in a dumpster with a gun on CBS’s The Equalizer season three episode 12. Directed by Tamika Miller from a script by Joe Gazzam, “Lost and Found” is set to air on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.

Queen Latifah leads the cast as Robyn McCall. Season three also stars Tory Kittles as Detective Marcus Dante, Adam Goldberg as Harry Keshegian, Liza Lapira as Melody “Mel” Bayani, and Laya DeLeon Hayes as Delilah. Lorraine Toussaint returns as Viola “Vi” Marsette. Brett Dalton, Gabriel Sloyer, Chris Vance, and Stephen Bishop recur.

Corey Cott guest stars.

“Lost and Found” Plot: When a man claiming to have lost his memory wakes up behind a dumpster with a gun in his hand, McCall and the team follow a trail of clues to help uncover his whereabouts the night before.

The Equalizer Season 3 Episode 12 — Corey Cott as Roy/Eric and Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall in ‘The Equalizer’ season 3 episode 12 (Photo: Michael Greenberg © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)

The Equalizer Plot:

The Equalizer is a reimagining of the classic series starring Academy Award® nominee and multi-hyphenate Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills as a former CIA operative to help those with nowhere else to turn. McCall presents to most as an average single mom who is quietly raising her teenage daughter. But to a trusted few, she is The Equalizer – an anonymous guardian angel and defender of the downtrodden, who’s also dogged in her pursuit of personal redemption.

Robyn’s clandestine work and her personal life collide when her smart and observant daughter, Delilah, and her aunt Vi, who lives with Robyn to help her balance life as a working mother, discover her secret career as a vigilante. While Robyn contends with uncertainty at home, she is joined in her pursuit of justice by Melody “Mel” Bayani, an edgy bar owner and sniper from Robyn’s past; and Harry Keshegian, a paranoid and brilliant white-hat hacker.

As Robyn aids the oppressed and exploited, she sometimes works with Marcus Dante, an NYPD detective who once sought to uncover her identity, but now respects the need for Robyn’s type of justice even as he often questions her methods.

‘Fire Country’ Episode 17 Photos, “A Cry for Help” Cast, and Air Date

By

Rebecca Murray

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March 13, 2023

Fire Country Episode 17 — Max Thieriot as Bode Donovan, Jordan Calloway as Jake Crawford, and Billy Burke as Chief Vince Leone in ‘Fire Country’ episode 17 (Photo: Sergei Bachlakov © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

CBS’s popular drama Fire Country will return from a three-week break with episode 17, “A Cry for Help,” which will find Jake in the hot seat. Directed by Gonzalo Amat from a script by Julia Fontana, season one episode 17 will air on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.

Max Thieriot leads the cast as Bode Donovan. Season one’s regulars include Billy Burke as Vince, Kevin Alejandro as Manny, Diane Farr as Sharon, Stephanie Arcila as Gabriela, Jordan Calloway as Jake, and Jules Latimer as Eve.

“A Cry for Help” Plot: An internal investigator suspects Jake of being the serial arsonist setting recent fires, so Bode and the crew take it upon themselves to investigate.

The Plot:

Fire Country stars Max Thieriot as Bode Donovan, a young convict seeking redemption and a shortened prison sentence by joining a prison release firefighting program in Northern California, where he and other inmates are partnered with elite firefighters to extinguish massive, unpredictable wildfires across the region. It’s a high-risk, high-reward assignment, and the heat is turned up when Bode is assigned to the program in his rural hometown, where he was once a golden all-American son until his troubles began.

Five years ago, Bode burned down everything in his life, leaving town with a big secret. Now he’s back, with the rap sheet of a criminal and the audacity to believe in a chance for redemption with Cal Fire.