BTS Permission to Dance on Stage Live – Las Vegas (Photo Courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment)
Grammy-nominated group BTS wrapped up their four-night “Permission to Dance on Stage Live – Las Vegas” run on April 16, 2022. The global phenoms performed to sold-out crowds over the two-weekend event. The in-person concerts took place over four days and were attended by approximately 200,000 ready-to-party concertgoers.
BTS’s concert series at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, earned the group another record. They now can claim the title of the only artists to have sold out 200,000 tickets over four nights at Allegiant Stadium.
Due to high demand and the fact the concerts sold out in record time, BTS fans were given the opportunity to watch the live broadcast event ‘LIVE PLAY in LAS VEGAS’ at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Big Hit reports approximately 22,000 BTS fans were able to see the group perform via the live broadcast.
In addition, on the final day of the brief concert series (April 16th) fans from around the world got to experience the excitement through live-streaming, which brought in another 402,000 BTS fans from 182 countries/regions.
Since launching its first show last October as an online concert, BTS’s tour series ‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE’ has hosted 12 shows worldwide in locations including Seoul, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. ‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE’ has garnered over 4 million attendees/viewers total across all formats including in-person concerts, virtual live stream, live viewing, and live play, according to Big Hit Entertainment.
Las Vegas truly transformed into a BTS wonderland, dubbing itself ‘Borahaegas’ (Bora means purple in Korean – a color dear to BTS and fans). Hotels up and down the famous strip lit up in purple for the week, and various BTS-related activities were held all over the city. The world-famous Bellagio fountains in front of the Bellagio Hotel moved to the music of BTS in honor of the group’s two-weekend event. Plus, JEWEL Nightclub in Aria Resort was the host of the official BTS concert afterparty – “Party in the City” – where fans gathered and danced the night away to their favorite BTS songs.
Vegas got into the spirit in a huge way, with 11 MGM hotels around Vegas offering BTS-themed rooms complete with BTS merchandise and photocards. Several cafés even offered some of BTS’s favorite Korean dishes on their menus from April 5-17.
AREA 15 hosted the BTS photo exhibition ‘Behind the Stage: Permission to Dance’ which is described as “an intimate photography exhibition that takes you behind the scenes of an entire concert experience. See the band up-close and personal as they give you a glimpse into their process, feel the energy of being in the crowd and share exclusive moments as they prepare, perform and play.”
The final night concert featured a video montage of black and white past and present videos of their almost 9-year career, playing on the mega-screens just after the pop icons left the stage. The montage was followed by the words “We are bulletproof” appearing on the screen and spoken out loud by BTS, along with the date June 10, 2022.
Shortly after “We are bulletproof” trended, Big Hit Music released a statement on Weverse confirming BTS will be back with a new album on June 10, 2022. The label and band have always been secretive leading up to new music releases, and it’s not clear if “We are bulletproof” is just a tagline, a song title, or the album title. Big Hit teased more details about the highly anticipated album are still to come.
“Permission to Dance on Stage LIVE – Las Vegas” Final Night Set List:
ON
Burning Up (FIRE)
DOPE
DNA
Blue & Grey
Black Swan
Blood Sweat & Tears
FAKE LOVE
Life Goes On
Boy With Luv
Dynamite
Butter
Telepathy
Stay
IDOL
AMC’s set a June 12, 2022 premiere date for Dark Winds, the new drama based on Tony Hillerman’s incredibly popular Leaphorn & Chee book series. The network just unveiled the two-minute official trailer for the noir thriller which introduces the key players as well as the setting for the action in season one.
Dark Winds will launch with the release of the first two episodes on June 12th on AMC and AMC+. New episodes arrive on subsequent Sundays.
Zahn McClarnon (Fargo, The Son) stars as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Kiowa Gordon (Roswell, New Mexico, The Red Road) plays Deputy Jim Chee. The season one cast also includes Jessica Matten (Tribal, Burden of Truth) as Bernadette Manuelito, Noah Emmerich (The Americans, Suspicion) as FBI Special Agent Whitover, and Deanna Allison as Joe’s wife Emma Leaphorn. Rainn Wilson (The Office, Backstrom) plays Devoted Dan, a full-of-faith car salesman.
The series was created by executive producer Graham Roland (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan). Zahn McClarnon, George R.R. Martin, Robert Redford, Tina Elmo, and Vince Gerardis also executive produce. Executive producer Vince Calandra (Castle Rock, Sharp Objects) is the showrunner and executive producer Chris Eyre directs.
Poster for AMC’s ‘Dark Winds’ premiering in June 2022.
AMC’s released the following description of the first season:
“Set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Dark Winds follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (McClarnon) of the Tribal Police as he is besieged by a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. The closer he digs to the truth, the more he exposes the wounds of his past. He is joined on this journey by his new deputy, Jim Chee (Gordon). Chee, too, has old scores to settle from his youth on the reservation. Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other and their own personal demons on the path to salvation.”
A kidnapping by the cartel has the Task Force scrambling on NBC’s The Blacklist season nine episode 17. “El Conejo” is set to air on Friday, April 22, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT.
James Spader leads the cast as Raymond “Red” Reddington. The season nine cast also includes Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler, Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai, Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma, Laura Sohn as Alina Park, and Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper.
“El Conejo” Plot: When a member of The Task Force is captured by the leader of a cartel, they turn to Red for guidance. Red investigates a seemingly impossible heist.
Season 9 Description, Courtesy of NBC:
“In the two years following the death of Elizabeth Keen, Raymond Reddington (Spader) and the members of the FBI Task Force have disbanded – their lives now changed in unexpected ways and with Reddington’s whereabouts unknown. Finding themselves each at a crossroads, a common purpose compels them to renew their original mission: to take down dangerous, vicious and eccentric Blacklisters. In the process, they begin to uncover lethal adversaries, unimaginable conspiracies and surprising betrayals that will threaten alliances and spur vengeance for the past, led by the most devious criminal of them all – Raymond Reddington.”
Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai in ‘The Blacklist’ season 9 episode 17 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai in season 9 episode 17 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper in the “El Conejo” episode (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Andrés Borda as Antonio in season 9 episode 17 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma and Laura Sohn as Alina Park in season 9 episode 17 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler in season 9 episode 17 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) claims his superheroing days are over and he’s ready to choose his own path in the new teaser trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder. The new video even reveals a peaceful version of Asgard complete with a welcome sign that reads “Welcome to New Asgard. Please drive slowly.”
The trailer begins with Thor expressing hope that his hands that were once used for battle are now humble tools for peace. However, by the end of the trailer that hope appears to have been dashed. Thor may be ready to live a life of peace and love, but there’s a new enemy who’ll demand his attention and pull him out of retirement. That new enemy – Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) – isn’t shown in this teaser.
The minute and a half trailer includes clips of Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and the Guardians of the Galaxy as well as the return of Thor’s friend Korg (Taika Waititi), and ends with a brief shot of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and the arrival of Natalie Portman as Jane Foster who’s now become Mighty Thor. The Jane Foster clip even shows Mighty Thor summoning Mjolnir!
Thor: Ragnarok‘s Taika Waititi directs and Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum produce.
Disney and Marvel Studios will unleash Thor: Love and Thunder in theaters on July 8, 2022.
Marvel Studios’ Official Thor: Love and Thunder Synopsis:
The film finds Thor (Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Thompson), Korg (Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
Thor: Love and Thunder Poster (Photo Credit: Marvel Studios)
Netflix is getting into the Exploding Kittens business, announcing a new mobile game and adult animated TV series based on the Exploding Kittens card game. For those unfamiliar with the popular – and simple – card game, basically, you’re supposed to avoid cards with exploding kittens pictured. Of note: No one is actually planning to blow up kittens. We repeat – no kittens will be harmed in the making of either game or series.
The announcement of the game and TV series included the news that Tom Ellis (Rush, Lucifer), Abraham Lim (Clickbait, The Boys), Lucy Liu (Shazam, Elementary), Ally Maki (Wrecked), Mark Proksch (What We Do In The Shadows), and Sasheer Zamata (Woke, Home Economics) will lend their voices to the animated series.
“The co-development of a game and animated series breaks new ground for Netflix,” stated Mike Moon, Netflix Head of Adult Animation. “And we couldn’t think of a better game to build a universe around than Exploding Kittens, one of the most inventive, iconic, and original games of this century! Netflix is the perfect place to explore this growing franchise and we are so fortunate to be working with this incredible team!”
Netflix is targeting a May 2022 launch of the mobile game. The animated series is expected to follow in 2023.
“Our goal is to offer our members great entertainment they’ll love in whatever format they may enjoy – whether it be a game or an animated series,” said Leanne Loombe, Head of External Games, Netflix. “As we expand our mobile games catalog, we’re excited to partner with the Exploding Kittens digital team to bring this enjoyable game to all age groups, including a few exciting updates exclusively for our members.”
“Netflix is the only service that could bring Exploding Kittens to life in both a series and a game,” said Matthew Inman, Exploding Kittens Chief Creative Officer and Creator of The Oatmeal. “We actually launched Exploding Kittens on Kickstarter as a weekend project, but our community has been the heart and soul of the company over the past six years. The new series and game will give our fans new ways to connect and interact with the franchise.”
Netflix released the following details for the upcoming series and game:
“In the animated series, titled Exploding Kittens, the eternal conflict between Heaven and Hell reaches epic proportions when both God and the Devil are sent to Earth – in the bodies of chunky house cats. The series comes from showrunners Shane Kosakowski and Matthew Inman; executive producers Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Dustin Davis of Bandera Entertainment; executive producers Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping for the Chernin Entertainment Group; and executive producers and creators of the Exploding Kittens franchise, Elan Lee and The Oatmeal’s Inman.
Exploding Kittens – The Game retains the same classic gameplay where players draw cards aiming to avoid the Exploding Kitten. Plus, fans will enjoy two new exclusive cards: Radar, which reveals to players the position of the Exploding Kitten closest to the top of the card deck, and Flip Flop, which reverses the order of the cards in the deck. Future cards and game mechanics will be themed around the animated series so friends and families can play with their favorite characters and bring the show to life. With both single and multiplayer options, the game will be available to Netflix members without additional fees or in-app purchases.”
Prime Video’s groundbreaking dramedy Undone returns for its long-delayed, much-anticipated second season on Friday, April 29, 2022. The critically acclaimed series, beautifully brought to life via rotoscope animation, tells the story of a young woman, Alma (Rosa Salazar), who discovers she has an altered relationship with time following a horrible car accident. Season one focused on Alma’s quest to uncover more about her father’s death, and season two will delve further into her family’s past and unearth even more secrets.
Angelique Cabral plays Alma’s sister, Becca, an integral player in Alma’s search for the truth in Undone’s second season. Constance Marie reprises her role as Alma and Becca’s mom, Camila, a woman with more than a couple of skeletons locked in her closet.
Undone stars Rosa Salazar, Angelique Cabral, and Constance Marie took part in a panel during the 2022 WonderCon in Anaheim, the first in-person WonderCon since Covid-19 turned the world upside down. The trio also participated in interviews in support of the series’ second season which will arrive two and a half years after season one debuted.
Season one currently sits at 98% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and Rosa Salazar believes season two more than delivers on expectations.
“Hisko Hulsing, the director of Undone, says this amazing thing. He says when we were making Undone season one it was like we were building the car as we were driving. And we got really good at that. And then season two is like driving a Maserati, you know what I mean? It’s like we are zooming now. We are such a well-oiled machine at this point.
Season one was very much grounded – I guess you can say that even though it was so spiritual and ethereal and mythical. But season two is…I think the word to use for it is expansive. It’s incredibly expansive,” explained Salazar. “I mean, we are traveling the globe. We are traveling through time and space, the universe. We are traveling through generations. We are going into both sides of Alma’s lineage – the Mexican side of her, the Jewish side of her.”
Salazar continued: “The thing about Undone is that every year we get to go exponentially deeper – deeper into the questions, deeper into our existence, into our lives. So, it is an incredibly expansive second season. I mean, the things that we’ve done in season two are next level. It’s just really next level.”
Asked who Alma will be seeking advice from or turning to in season two, Salazar replied, “You know, that’s so interesting that you ask that because the first season was all about her father [played by Bob Odenkirk] being her guru and saying we’ve got to examine these powers and Alma being sort of reluctant about it. You know, like kind of afraid to know what she’s capable of. In the second season, she’s so obsessive about the powers. It’s almost like she’s gotten a taste of that and she’s like, ‘Gimme that time juice!’ you know? She’s like, ‘I need this!’
She’s so incredibly obsessive about it. She’s not really turning to anyone. She’s become the guru who now wants to harangue her sister into it with her and try to get her sister to go on this adventure with her and to accept her powers, only to find she’s so much about fixing…you know, in the first season about her father, the second season about her mother and her lineage and going back and fixing. ‘Well, we have to fix this thing and then we have to fix this thing…’ She’s so obsessive going outward by the end she realizes that ‘oh my god, I have never gone [inward]. I’ve always [gone outward].’
“She doesn’t really ask anybody because she’s afraid of what she might find out if she goes into [herself]. I think if there were to be a third season, I think instead of being so expansive and outward I think what we’d do is go into the universe within. That’s an interesting question and I think we should tackle that in season three,” said Salazar.
It’s not a spoiler to confirm Angelique Cabral’s Becca will also discover she has the ability to travel through time in season two. (Prime Video’s season two trailer and clips previously revealed Becca’s ability.) Cabral said she didn’t anticipate that twist heading into the series’ second season.
“I did not know what was coming. We don’t know until at the table read, really. They don’t give us a heads up, so I was very excited that Becca gets to take this journey also and becomes a very important part of the time-traveling aspect of the show,” explained Cabral. “I was very excited.”
The idea of alternate realities has always fascinated Cabral. “I’ve always thought of that. I don’t know what I believe, exactly, but I do believe that it’s not linear and that there’s a lot out there and a lot to explore and unpack.”
Cabral agrees with Salazar that Undone season two will wow audiences. “It tops [season one] in every way, I honestly believe,” said Cabral. “I know season one was unbelievable and it was incredibly beautiful, but season two is expansive. It’s gorgeous. The rotoscoping is so much better after two years. They’ve really honed it and it’s just an incredible work of art.”
Due to the continuing (seemingly never-ending) pandemic, season two was shot with the series creators and directors on Zoom. “It was just us in a black like basically a soundstage and you have nothing. You have no props; you have no wardrobe, really,” explained Cabral. “We just had one dress that we wear the whole time. And it’s a huge work of imagination. It’s a huge trust exercise, I would say, between the three of us and our own imaginations. Like, ‘Can we get there?’”
Cabral added: “It’s a really good acting lesson. I’ll be honest with you I think it’s some of my favorite work I’ve ever done. It’s so fulfilling. It’s so hard. It’s scary because you don’t have anything. You’re just talking to nothing.”
Constance Marie hadn’t finished watching season two prior to our interview but admits she loves the second season even more than the first.
“My character, Camila, she was a very harsh mom and you didn’t understand why she was so harsh. We explored it a little bit but in season two we really get to explore it. I have so much more compassion for her and it’s so touching to me that my whole paradigm has shifted on what I thought of her. I think that is a wonderful example of what we should all do as humans. If you truly understood the life that shaped each person that you come in contact with, I think we’d all be a lot less judgmental.”
Marie described the banter between Rosa Salazar’s Alma and Angelique Cabral’s Becca in season two as brilliant. “It’s really cute,” said Marie. “That’s the part that’s so crazy. This show deals with historical trauma, familial trauma, personal trauma, evolution, choice-making – and yet there’s funny in it. There’s funny moments.”
Marie continued: “Kate Purdy is brilliant. She handles the emotional complexity with such an integrity and such a respect. And then you have these light moments that are just brilliant. It’s almost like life. You know, when something really traumatic happens you think of something funny, or someone will say something funny just to give us a little bit of a break. And so, season two will definitely not leave you disappointed.”
Constance Marie wasn’t fully aware of her character’s backstory prior to season two and instead learned about it as the series went along.
“I knew a little bit but as an actor, you don’t always get that information so you have to dip into your bag of tools and come up with the character,” explained Marie. “I mean, you always have to justify why your character behaves the way [she does]. You have to have compassion for your character, so I did my work and it was wonderful for season one. But I didn’t know all that I learned in season two. And oh my goodness…poor Camila! It’s fascinating that she survived so much of what happened to her. Yeah, Kate Purdy does not disappoint in the writing.”
Constance Marie says after learning more about Camila’s history the character holds a special place in her heart.
“I mean, as any single mom in America will tell you, it’s a very difficult journey. You always put so much pressure on yourself to be perfect, basically. Nobody really has that much compassion for you. The workload is what the workload is, and if you’re not perfect… And you don’t get extra credit for any of that. And so Camila experiences that but hers even goes deeper than that – her mother and how her mother treated her. You really see the generational dysfunction and trauma that these characters have survived. And so, the judgment just goes right out the window. It’s fascinating,” said Marie.
All eight episodes of the Amazon Original Series will debut on April 29, 2022 on Prime Video.
Undone was created by executive producers Kate Purdy and Raphael Bob-Waksberg (BoJack Horseman). Noel Bright, Steven A. Cohen, Tommy Pallotta, Femke Wolting, Felix Bruno, and director/production designer Hisko Hulsing also executive produce.
A judge is gunned down and the team needs to find the killer on CBS’s S.W.A.T. season five episode 18, “Family.” Directed by Alrick Riley from a script by Mia Fichman, episode 18 will air on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
The season five cast is led by Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. Alex Russell stars as Jim Street, Jay Harrington plays David “Deacon” Kay, Lina Esco is Christina “Chris” Alonso, Kenny Johnson is Dominique Luca, David Lim is Victor Tan, and Patrick St. Esprit stars as Commander Robert Hicks.
Recurring cast members include Obba Babatundé and Ryan Hurst.
“Family” Plot: When Hicks witnesses the assassination of his longtime friend, a prominent judge, the team races to find the shooter and determine why he was targeted. Also, Luca struggles with how to help his brother, Terry (Hurst), after he’s arrested.
Series Description, Courtesy of CBS:
Inspired by the television series and the feature film, S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant, tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson strives to bridge the divide between his two worlds. However, Hondo is forced to question his professional identity when he is demoted from Squad Leader after going public to expose racial corruption within the LAPD.
The other members of Hondo’s elite S.W.A.T. unit include David “Deacon” Kay, an experienced S.W.A.T. officer and dedicated family man who always puts the team first; Christina “Chris” Alonso, a skilled officer and the team’s canine trainer; Dominique Luca, an expert driver who gets them in and out of high risk situations; newlywed Victor Tan, who started in the LAPD Hollywood Division and uses his confidential informants in the community to help the team; and Jim Street, the team’s cocky newest member. Responsible for the management of all Metro Division S.W.A.T. units is Commander Robert Hicks, a senior LAPD official with the Special Operations Bureau.
With Hondo no longer leading the charge, these dedicated men and women face an uncertain future as they bravely put themselves at risk to protect their community and save lives.
CBS’s Blue Bloods will return after a three-week break with season 12 episode 19, “Tangled Up in Blue.” Directed by Doug Aarniokoski from a script by Kevin Wade (story by Wade and Graham Thiel), episode 19 will air on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
Tom Selleck leads the cast as Frank Reagan, with Donnie Wahlberg back as Danny Reagan and Bridget Moynahan returning as Erin Reagan. Will Estes plays Jamie Reagan, Len Cariou is Henry Reagan, Sami Gayle is Nicky Reagan-Boyle, Marisa Ramirez is Det. Maria Baez, and Vanessa Ray plays Officer Eddie Janko.
Recurring season 12 cast members include Abigail Hawk, Gregory Jbara, Robert Clohessy, Steven Schirripa, Andrew Terraciano, Luis Antonio Ramos, Ian Quinlan, Jim Bracchitta, and Ann Harada.
“Tangled Up in Blue” Plot: When Erin is stalked by a man who was recently released from prison after serving 12 years, she enlists Anthony and Danny to investigate her office’s role in his sentencing. Also, Jamie works to save his badge when he is caught driving under the influence after he is unknowingly given drugs at a party, and Frank navigates multiple family issues as he deals with a troubling medical diagnosis for Henry, as well as Jamie’s DUI.
Blue Bloods is a drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan is the New York Police Commissioner, and heads both the police force and the Reagan brood. He runs his department as diplomatically as he runs his family, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry, during his stint as Chief. A source of pride and concern for Frank is his eldest son, Danny, a seasoned detective, family man and Iraq War vet who on occasion uses dubious tactics to solve cases with his partner, Detective Maria Baez. Erin, the middle daughter, is a New York Assistant D.A. who serves as the legal compass for her siblings and father.
Jamie is the youngest Reagan, a Harvard Law graduate and the family’s “golden boy.” Unable to deny the family tradition, Jamie decided to give up a lucrative future in law and follow in the family footsteps as a cop. He’s found a friend and ally in his wife, Eddie, who keeps him on his toes, and has very different reasons than the Reagans for joining the police force.
Patrick Breen reprises his role as AUSA Reilly and approaches Bull with a surprising request on CBS’s Bull season six episode 18. Directed by Mike Smith from a script by Jenny Raftery, episode 18 – “The Other Shoe” – will air on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast is led by Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull. Yara Martinez plays Isabella “Izzy” Colón, Geneva Carr is Marissa Morgan, Jamie Lee Kirchner plays Danny James, Christopher Jackson stars as Chunk Palmer, and MacKenzie Meehan is Taylor Rentzel.
Additional episode 18 guest stars include Lev Gorn, Amirah Vann, Michael Potts, and Tony DeMil.
“The Other Shoe” Plot: Bull puts aside his personal grievances to help AUSA Reilly (Patrick Breen), who prosecuted him for jury tampering, bring one of the world’s most dangerous drug lords to justice. As the pair enter into a hesitant partnership, Bull’s unconventional style clashes with the lawyer’s commitment to working by the book.
Bull stars Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull in a drama inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw, the founder of one of the most prolific trial-consulting firms of all time. Brilliant, brash and charming, Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the accused tick.
While Bull has mastered his professional domain, his personal life continues to evolve in surprising ways. Now the father of a young daughter, Bull is newly remarried to his ex-wife, Isabella “Izzy” Colón. Bull’s enviable group of experts at Trial Analysis Corporation shape successful narratives down to the last detail. His team includes Marissa Morgan, a neurolinguistics expert from the Department of Homeland Security who monitors shifting jury reactions in real-time for Bull; former NYPD detective Danny James, the firm’s tough but relatable investigator; Taylor Rentzel, a working mother and former colleague of Marissa’s who is an expert at coding and computer hacking; and Chunk Palmer, a former all-American lineman and stylist-turned-lawyer, who helps clients prepare their image and testimony and serves as TAC’s official trial attorney.
In high-stakes trials, Bull’s combination of remarkable insight into human nature, three Ph.D.’s and a top-notch staff creates winning strategies that tip the scales of justice in his clients’ favor.
CBS’s 48 Hours explores the death of an American shot while on safari in Zambia, Africa on the Saturday, April 16, 2022 episode airing at 10pm ET/PT. “Death on Safari” examines the events surrounding Biana Rudolph’s death and delves into the investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of Bianca’s dentist husband, Lawrence, in December 2021.
Lawrence claims he had nothing to do with his wife’s death.
48 Hours contributor Debora Patta spoke with a game scout, a park investigator, and a retired police commander in Zambia in an attempt to answer the question: was Bianca’s death the result of an accident or murder?
CBS released the following description of 48 Hours‘ “Death on Safari:”
Lawrence Rudolph and his wife, Bianca, were getting ready to head back home after a safari vacation in Zambia, Africa in October 2016 when something went terribly wrong. The couple were experienced hunters. Lawrence, a successful dentist with several offices near Pittsburgh, Pa., told local authorities that he was in the bathroom of the couple’s two-room cabin when he heard a shot and found his wife dead in the next room. Local police found Bianca Rudolph lying on the floor with a gunshot wound. Lawrence said his wife was packing up a shotgun in a soft-shell gun case.
At first, he told a local hunting scout that his wife had died by suicide, but later he told investigators that the gun must have accidentally fired. After two days of investigating, Zambian police closed the case, calling it an accident.
There were also questions early on about how Bianca could have accidentally shot herself in the chest with such a long-barreled weapon. Kafue National Park investigator Masuwa Musese, who went to the couple’s cabin after the shooting, also had concerns. He said he took his theory to the local police. “To me,” Musese says, “I suspected this to be a foul play. Because the way the firearm was lying. The way the deceased was lying. The way the bullet went through. Because, to me, to say that she shot herself, I doubt it.”
Game scout Spencer Kakoma maintains that he saw Bianca Rudolph clearing her weapon of live ammunition the night before the incident.
Lawrence had his wife’s body quickly cremated in Zambia, which led a friend of Bianca’s to doubt this was an accident. Soon after Bianca’s death, the friend called the FBI. According to an FBI complaint, she also said Lawrence was having an affair and had been verbally abusive to Bianca. The friend also told the FBI that the couple fought over money.
