‘I Love BTS: An Unofficial Fan Journal’ Review

By

-

May 12, 2023

If you’re from planet Earth, chances are you’ve heard of the incredibly popular South Korean group BTS. Yerin Kim, the author of I Love BTS: An Unofficial Fan Journal, goes beyond just offering a glimpse into their world. She does an exceptional job of providing insight into their background and history, even providing tidbits that the group’s self-proclaimed biggest fans may not be aware of. For instance, she reveals that the group’s leader, RM, sought input from a regional women’s studies professor to ensure their lyrics were sensitive to gender equality.

This author is either an ARMY (the name of the BTS fandom) or was diligent in her research. Either way, fans will appreciate her work.

Now, one would think because of the word “journal” in the title, this book would be aimed at the younger fans of BTS, but I view this as being for fans of all ages. Each chapter has a quiz with multiple-choice answers to test your knowledge as an ARMY. The journal also includes questions specific to BTS. For example, “If you could make a ‘starter-pack’ playlist for your friends or family members who are unfamiliar with BTS or are not fans yet, what five songs would you include? Why would you choose these songs?”

The journal has a designated space for you to record your answers to each question.

The questions cover a broad spectrum from lighthearted to thought-provoking. “Which song has your favorite lyrics? Which lines, in particular, resonate with you the most? How do those lyrics make you feel?” require more thoughtful answers and provoke discussions.

If you’ve ever ventured on the ARMY side of social media – Twitter, in particular – you’ll note this author isn’t far off with the questions being asked in her book. Often times you will see BTS fans set up polls asking each other questions. Yerin Kim’s new book is designed for fans to write down their thoughts about BTS and keep it as a journal and keepsake. It can be added to their bookshelf, which is probably already filled with their most cherished BTS merchandise.

Overall, the I Love BTS: An Unofficial Fan Journal is full of facts, tidbits, quizzes, and even thought-provoking questions that make it a fun addition to any BTS collection.

* * * * * * * * *

The I Love BTS: An Unofficial Fan Journal is a Simon & Schuster’s Adams Media imprint and will be available on May 16, 2023. For more details, visit simonandschuster.com.

‘Next Level Chef’ Cooks Up Two Season Renewal

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 12, 2023

Next Level Chef Season 2 Mentors — Richard Blais, Gordon Ramsay, and Nyesha Arrington in ‘Next Level Chef’ (Photo Credit: Michael Becker © 2021 2022 FOX Media LLC)

Gordon Ramsay’s reign as the king of cooking competitions at Fox continues with the renewal of Next Level Chef for seasons three and four. The renewal was announced just hours prior to season two crowning … spoiler ahead … San Francisco-based chef Tucker Ricchio winner.

Tucker Ricchio took home the $250,000 grand prize and earned a year-long mentorship with Chef Gordon Ramsay, Chef Nyesha Arrington, and Chef Richard Blais.

“I’m so thrilled that we’ll be bringing two more seasons of Next Level Chef to FOX,” said Ramsay. “It’s the culinary gauntlet of cooking competition shows and we’re excited to continue to raise the bar!”

Season two of the culinary competition series kicked in the post-Super Bowl LVII timeslot and drew in 16.9 million viewers. The season two premiere currently ranks as the most-watched cooking telecast in history.

“Serving up two more orders of Next Level Chef was an easy decision on the heels of an incredible sophomore season, propelled by its historic post-Super Bowl debut,” said Allison Wallach, President, Unscripted Programming, FOX Entertainment. “Gordon has orchestrated a series that brilliantly demands skill and creativity in a tri-level pressure cooker, delivering high stakes, high drama, and some of the most innovative cooking I’ve ever seen.”

Season three is now in the casting process. Chefs who feel they’re up to the challenge can apply online at NextLevelChefCasting.com.

The Plot, Courtesy of Fox:

Next Level Chef is the next evolution in cooking competitions, as Ramsay has designed a one-of-a-kind culinary gauntlet set on an iconic stage like you’ve never seen. Over three stories high, each floor contains a stunningly different kitchen. From the glistening top floor to the challenging bottom of the basement, the ingredients match the environment because Ramsay believes the true test of great chefs is not only what they can do in the best of circumstances but what kind of magic they can create in the worst.

With a level playing field, Ramsay is joined by fellow mentor chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais, who once again will open the competition and scour the country for the very best line cooks, home chefs, social media stars and everything in between, so they all can compete against one another with the goal of finding the food world’s newest superstar.

Although he now sits unrivaled at the top of the culinary world, Ramsay started at the bottom, washing dishes in a local takeout restaurant. He firmly believes that as long as a chef has the drive, talent and perseverance, he or she can make that climb to the top. Creativity, consistency and cunning are the recipe for success to make it to the NEXT LEVEL, as the competitors will adapt to the challenges waiting for them. Only one can walk away with a life-changing $250,000 grand prize and become a Next Level Chef!

Fox Renews the Cooking Competition for Seasons 5 and 6

‘So Help Me Todd’ Episode 21 Photos, Cast and Season Finale Plot

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 12, 2023

So Help Me Todd Episode 21 — Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret and Jeffrey Nordling as Gus Easton in ‘So Help Me Todd’ episode 21 (Photo: Michael Courtney © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Fortunately, So Help Me Todd received an early season two renewal, so episode 21 is just the season finale and not the end of the series. The network’s other new dramas – True Lies and East New York – said goodbye after just one season, but So Help Me Todd‘s impressive ratings earned it a spot on CBS’s 2023-2024 primetime lineup.

Episode 21, “Are You There Todd? It’s Me, Margaret,” was written by Scott Prendergast and directed by Nancy Hower. The season finale airs on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.

Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden stars as Margaret Wright, Skylar Astin plays Todd Wright, and Tristen J. Winger is Lyle. Madeline Wise plays Allison, Inga Schlingmann is Susan, and Rosa Arredondo stars as Francey.

“Are You There Todd? It’s Me, Margaret” Plot: When Margaret is too sick to work on the final day of an important negotiation, Todd must step in and act as a proxy while Margaret uses her investigative skills. Also, Margaret and Gus finally share their first kiss.

The Plot:

Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin star as razor-sharp, meticulous attorney Margaret Wright and Todd, her talented but scruffy, aimless son whom she hires as her law firm’s in-house investigator. As the black sheep of the well-heeled Wright family, Todd is a laidback, quick-thinking, excellent former private detective who fell on hard times after his flexible interpretation of the law got his license revoked. Margaret’s penchant for excellence and strict adherence to the law is at complete odds with Todd’s scrappy methods of finding his way through sticky situations: by the seat of his wrinkled pants.

When Todd inadvertently teams with his mother on a case, she’s surprised to find herself duly impressed by – and proud of – his crafty ability to sleuth out information with his charm and his wide-ranging tech savvy. At last, Margaret sees a way to put her son on a “suitable” path to living an adult, financially solvent life she approves of, and she asks him to join her firm. Todd agrees since it means getting his license back and once again doing the job he excels at and loves.

Mother and son working together is a big first step toward mending their fragile, dysfunctional relationship, and they may even come away with a better understanding of each other at this pivotal point in their lives. But whether Todd and Margaret will be able to accept each other for who they are is another case entirely.

‘True Lies’ Episode 12 Photos, Cast and “Lying Truths” Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 12, 2023

CBS delivered disappointing news this week, confirming True Lies won’t be returning for season two. The action series didn’t get picked up, making the two-part season one finale also the series finale. Directed by Mary Lou Belli from a script by Valentina Garza, episode 12 – “Lying Truths” – airs on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 9pm 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.

“Lying Truths” Plot: After a van full of computer software containing confidential information about Omega Sector operatives gets hijacked, the team enlists the help of Max, a teen hacker, to learn who is going after the agency. When Harry and Helen discover that Max is dating their daughter, Dana, their actions put the mission in jeopardy.

True Lies Episode 12 — Ginger Gonzaga as Helen Tasker, Steve Howey as Harry Tasker, Annabella Didion as Dana Tasker and Lucas Jaye as Jake Tasker in ‘True Lies’ episode 12 (Photo: © 2022 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

The Season One Plot:

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.

‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Trailer – Negan and Maggie Kick Butt in Manhattan

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 11, 2023

AMC’s two-minute trailer for The Walking Dead spinoff, The Walking Dead: Dead City, finds Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) shocked to discover Maggie (Lauren Cohan) needs him. Her son’s been kidnapped and as they’re heading to Manhattan, Maggie reveals the person who took him is well known to Negan.

The trailer shows off both human monsters and walkers, along with clips of action scenes with Maggie and Negan fighting as a team. And for those interested, the song is “Gimme Danger” by Iggy & The Stooges.

Eli Jorné (The Walking Dead) is the showrunner and executive produces along with Cohan, Morgan, and Brian Bockrath. Scott M. Gimple, chief content officer of The Walking Dead Universe, oversees the spinoff.

The Walking Dead: Dead City premieres on AMC and AMC+ on June 18, 2023 at 10pm ET. New episodes will arrive on Sundays at 9pm ET.

The Season 2 Plot:

The Walking Dead: Dead City follows the popular Maggie (Cohan) and Negan (Morgan) characters traveling into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, long ago cut off from the mainland. The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty, and terror.

‘Foundation’ Season 2 Preview: Teaser Trailer, Poster, and Premiere Date

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 11, 2023

Apple TV+ has released a one-minute teaser trailer for the upcoming 10-episode second season of the critically acclaimed sci-fi series Foundation. The short teaser begins with Queen Sareth (series newcomer Ella-Rae Smith) reciting a poem that Brother Day (Lee Pace) doesn’t recognize. Queen Sareth reveals the poem is about an uprising, and the trailer ends with Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) warning that all empires must fall.

Apple TV+ also released a season two poster and confirmed a Friday, July 14, 2023 premiere date.

Returning cast members include Laura Birn as Demerzel, Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn, Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk, Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick, and Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin. Joining the cast for season two are Isabella Laughland as Brother Constant, Kulvinder Ghir as Poly Verisof, Holt McCallany as Warden Jaegger Fount, Rachel House as Tellem Bond, Nimrat Kaur as Yanna Seldon, Ben Daniels as Bel Riose, and Dimitri Leonidas as Hober Mallow.

Foundation is based on the stories by sci-fi icon Isaac Asimov, with David S. Goyer executive producing and serving as showrunner. Additional executive producers include Alex Graves, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Bill Bost, Robin Asimov, and Marcy Ross.

The Season 2 Plot, Courtesy of Apple TV+:

More than a century after the season one finale, tension mounts throughout the galaxy in Foundation season two. As the Cleons unravel, a vengeful queen plots to destroy Empire from within. Hari, Gaal, and Salvor discover a colony of Mentalics with psionic abilities that threaten to alter psychohistory itself. The Foundation has entered its religious phase, promulgating the Church of Seldon throughout the Outer Reach and inciting the Second Crisis: war with Empire.

The monumental adaptation of Foundation chronicles the stories of four crucial individuals transcending space and time as they overcome deadly crises, shifting loyalties and complicated relationships that will ultimately determine the fate of humanity.

‘FBI: International’ Season 2 Episode 21 Preview: Photos, Cast, and Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 11, 2023

A murder investigation sends the team to Portugal on CBS’s FBI: International season two episode 21. Directed by Loren Yaconelli from a script by Rosanne Paredes, episode 21 – “Fed to the Sharks” – will air on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT.

Season two stars Luke Kleintank as Special Agent Scott Forrester, Heida Reed as Special Agent Jamie Kellett, Carter Redwood as Special Agent Andre Raines, Vinessa Vidotto as Special Agent Cameron Vo, and Eva-Jane Willis as Europol Agent Megan “Smitty” Garretson.

Kelley Missal guest stars as Zoey McKenna.

“Fed to the Sharks” Plot: The Fly Team jets off to Portugal when the daughter of a prominent American hotelier becomes the primary suspect in the murder of an employee. Also, Raines becomes concerned about Vo.

FBI International Season 2 Episode 21 — Carter Redwood as Special Agent Andre Raines and Kelley Missal as Zoey McKenna in ‘FBI: International’ season 2 episode 21 (Photo: Nelly Kiss © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

FBI: International Series Description, Courtesy of CBS:

FBI: International is the third iteration of the successful FBI brand that follows the elite operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s International Fly Team. Headquartered in Budapest, they travel throughout Europe with the mission of tracking and neutralizing threats against American citizens wherever they may be, putting their lives on the line to protect the U.S. and its people. The Fly Team’s Special Agent Scott Forrester, their accomplished and dedicated leader, puts his missions ahead of his personal life and is often accompanied by his trusty Schutzhund dog, Tank.

Second in command is Special Agent Jamie Kellett, a heroic and fearless investigator – and her extensive network of informants is a powerful resource. Special Agent Andre Raines shines in the field and makes good use of his accounting background in tracking criminal enterprises’ moving money; and Special Agent Cameron Vo, a competitive West Point grad who excels at interrogation and strategy. Newly embedded with the Fly Team is Megan “Smitty” Garretson, a streetwise Europol agent with an extensive undercover background who liaises with each host country they inhabit.

‘Heels’ with Stephen Amell Returns for Season 2 in July

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 11, 2023

Heels Season 2 — Alexander Ludwig and Stephen Amell in Starz’s ‘Heels’ season 2

Starz’s wrestling drama Heels will finally return for a second season on July 28, 2023. Season one, starring Stephen Amell (Arrow) and Alexander Ludwig (Vikings), debuted in August 2021 and wrapped up its eight-episode season in October 2021. New season two episodes will debut on Fridays at midnight on the Starz app and at 10pm ET/PT on Starz.

The premiere date announcement was accompanied by the first photos from season two.

In addition to Stephen Amell as Jack Spade and Alexander Ludwig as Ace Space, the upcoming season stars Alison Luff (New Amsterdam) as Staci Spade, Mary McCormack (The L Word) as Willie Day, Kelli Berglund (The Goldbergs) as Crystal Tyler, Allen Maldonado (The Last O.G.) as Rooster Robbins, and Chris Bauer (Gaslit) as Wild Bill Hancock. Trey Tucker (The Outpost) plays Bobby Pin, Robby Ramos (Chicago P.D.) is Diego Cottonmouth, Alice Barrett Mitchell (The Thing About Pam) is Carol Spade, Roxton Garcia (Reminiscence) is Thomas Spade, David James Elliot (Trumbo) is Tom Spade, and Joel Murray (Mad Men) plays Eddie Earl.

CM Punk, AJ Mendez, Josh Segarra, and Emmy Raver-Lampman also star.

Mike O’Malley guides the series as showrunner and executive producer. O’Malley also steps in front of the camera to reprise his role as Charlie Gully. Michael Waldron created the series, and Christopher Donnelly, Pete Segal, Patrick Walmsley, and Julie Yorn executive produce.

Starz released this synopsis of the new season:

“Heels is a story about the men and women who chase their dreams in the world of small-town pro wrestling. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, it follows a family-owned wrestling promotion as two brothers and rivals, Jack Spade (Amell) and Ace Spade (Ludwig), are at war over their late father’s legacy while working to find their identity and their individual versions of success. ‘Heel’ is a common wrestling term used to describe the antagonist or villain in the ring, however, the line between hero and heel is much less clear for this sibling rivalry outside of the ring.

Season two begins after a spectacular showing at the South Georgia State Fair, and the Duffy Wrestling League’s popularity is suddenly on the upswing. Hoping to seize the opportunity, Jack and his cohorts prepare for a possible business deal with a new streaming service that may propel them onto a national stage. But the past and its tragedies threaten to upset everything when Ace leaves Duffy and the Dome in his rearview, meanwhile rival promotion Florida Wrestling Dystopia’s vengeful frontman Gully comes calling.”

‘9-1-1’ Season 6 Episode 18 Photos, Cast, and Finale Plot

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 11, 2023

9-1-1 Season 6 Episode 18 — Aisha Hinds and Ryan Guzman in the “Pay it Forward” season finale episode of ‘9-1-1’ (Photo by Jack Zeman © 2022 FOX MEDIA LLC)

Fox’s 9-1-1 season six finishes up with an action-packed episode 18, “Pay It Forward.” The season six finale marks the final episode to air on Fox, with 9-1-1 making the jump to ABC for season seven. (9-1-1: Lone Star will remain on Fox.)

Episode 18 will air on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.

The cast is led by Angela Bassett as Athena Grant and Peter Krause as Bobby Nash. Ryan Guzman plays Eddie Diaz, Aisha Hinds stars as Henrietta ‘Hen’ Wilson, Oliver Stark is Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley, Kenneth Choi is Howie ‘Chimney’ Han, Corinne Massiah plays May Grant, Gavin McHugh is Christopher Diaz, and Jennifer Love Hewitt is Maddie Buckley.

“Pay It Forward” Plot: A series of freeway car accidents leads to a catastrophic overpass collapse that endangers the lives of civilians and members of the 118.

9-1-1 Series Description, Courtesy of Fox:

Creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear reimagine the procedural drama with 9-1-1, exploring the high-pressure experiences of police officers, firefighters, and dispatchers who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives.

‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ Trailer: The Portokalos Family Heads to Greece

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 11, 2023

It’s a big fat Greek reunion with third entry in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise. The official My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 trailer reveals Fotoula ‘Toula’ Portokalos (writer/director/actor Nia Vardalos) is keeping a promise to her late father to take the family back home and locate his old friends.

Among those reprising their roles are John Corbett as Ian Miller, Elena Kampouris as Paris Miller, Gia Carides as Nikki, Joey Fatone as Angelo, Louis Mandylor as Nick Portokalos, Lainie Kazan as Maria Portokalos, and Andrea Martin as Thiea Voula. Sadly, Michael Constantine, who played family patriarch Gus Portokalos in the first two films, passed away in August 2021.

Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman return as producers. Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer, and Steven Shareshian serve as executive producers.

The first My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a sleeper hit back in 2002 and still holds the record as the biggest grossing romantic comedy in box office history. The film grossed more than $368 million dollars worldwide during its theatrical run. It also earned Nia Vardalos a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 followed in 2016, but didn’t come close to matching the original film’s box office. The sequel grossed $90 million, which is less than just the domestic gross of the first movie.

Focus Features has set a September 8, 2023 theatrical release for MBFGW 3.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Cast — Andrea Martin, Elena Kampouris, Maria Vacratsis, Elias Kacavas, Louis Mandylor, John Corbett and Nia Vardalos in ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ (Photo Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features)

The Plot:

From writer and director Nia Vardalos, the worldwide phenomenon My Big Fat Greek Wedding is coming back to theaters with a brand-new adventure. Join the Portokalos family as they travel to a family reunion in Greece for a heartwarming and hilarious trip full of love, twists and turns. Opa!

ShowbizJunkies

‘I Love BTS: An Unofficial Fan Journal’ Review

‘Next Level Chef’ Cooks Up Two Season Renewal

‘So Help Me Todd’ Episode 21 Photos, Cast and Season Finale Plot

‘True Lies’ Episode 12 Photos, Cast and “Lying Truths” Trailer

‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Trailer – Negan and Maggie Kick Butt in Manhattan

‘Foundation’ Season 2 Preview: Teaser Trailer, Poster, and Premiere Date

‘FBI: International’ Season 2 Episode 21 Preview: Photos, Cast, and Trailer

‘Heels’ with Stephen Amell Returns for Season 2 in July

‘9-1-1’ Season 6 Episode 18 Photos, Cast, and Finale Plot

‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3’ Trailer: The Portokalos Family Heads to Greece

Trending

Prosecuting Evil Season 3 Preview: Kelly Siegler’s New Cases

Marshals Season 2 Episode 1 Preview: Trailer, Cast and Release Date

Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Cast Revealed: Full List of Celebrities and Partners