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‘We Own This City’ Creators David Simon and George Pelecanos Discuss Their New Drama

We Own This City Cast
Rob Brown and Jon Bernthal in ‘We Own This City’ (Photo by Paul Schiraldi/HBO)

The Wire’s creator David Simon and writer/producer George Pelecanos reunite to bring award-winning investigative journalist Justin Fenton’s We Own This City: A True Story of Crime, Cops, and Corruption to life as an HBO limited series. We Own This City premieres on April 25, 2022 and explores one of the most disturbing police corruption scandals in recent history.

Sergeant Wayne Jenkins and his elite Gun Trace Task Force unit were charged with getting guns and drugs off the streets of Baltimore. But rather than help stop the surge in violent crimes (including murders), Jenkins chose to exploit the crisis to pad his bank account.

Frequent collaborators David Simon and George Pelecanos (they’ve previously worked together on The Wire, Treme, and co-created The Deuce) co-created, write, and executive produce We Own This City, delving back into a world they’re very familiar with for this new HBO drama.

During the 2022 Television Critics Association’s winter press panel, Pelecanos said he and Simon were happy to return to a city they know well.

“You know David’s history there and [co-executive producer and writer] Bill Zorzi was a Sun reporter. The book was written by Justin Fenton, a Baltimore Sun reporter. [Executive producer/writer] Ed Burns was a Baltimore cop and a Baltimore public school teacher for many years. So, there was a lot of knowledge about the subject and the context that we had to draw on and to pull all this stuff together,” said Pelecanos. “And then the other thing is we wanted to work in Baltimore. We have a history with crews there. They’re family. We like bringing work to Baltimore and we thought it could be a good microcosm of the country, knowing as much as we do about this city. But it could be any American city that we were discussing.”

Simon added: “Baltimore specifically – and I think this is common to many American cities – they committed over the last 30 years to the drug war, to fighting an aggressive drug prohibition and to mass arrest as a result that drug war. And as a consequence, it destroyed police work in a lot of fundamental ways. So, we watched it happen in our city, but it has happened in a lot of places in America.”

The level of police corruption and brutality depicted in We Own This City is The Wire taken to the nth degree. Simon explained that the officers involved in the Gun Trace Task Force weren’t even in the academy when The Wire wrapped up, and We Own This City explores the complete failure in policy by the Baltimore police department following years of drug warring and mass arrests.

“The Baltimore department that we depicted in The Wire had its problems and they were already committed to a lot of bad policy that was in fact the critique of The Wire,” explained Simon. “But the Gun Trace Task Force in this level of scandal, I mean where you had officers selling drugs back onto the street, that wasn’t happening in 2007. Not remotely.”

Simon continued: “There was corruption. There was brutality. There were things that we depicted in The Wire, but this is as if – to make an analogy to The Wire – in The Wire people like Carver and Herc and those kinds of characters, they were being trained by people who still had some residual sense of what a police department was supposed to be. Now, a generation later, the Hercs and the Carvers, they’re the supervisors. They’re the people who are training the next generation. And it’s become more profoundly dysfunctional and dystopian in one or two generations of policing.”

“The violation of constitutional rights as citizens was always there. And this is just a summing-up of what’s been coming for many years,” said Pelecanos.

We Own This City is based on Justin Fenton’s outstanding reporting, and the limited series will help shine a spotlight on the scandal that rocked the Baltimore Police Department. Simone hopes it will also serve as an argument against law enforcement’s approach to getting drugs off the streets.

“There’s an argument that we’re making with the show that is important, I think, and it’s this: we have to end the drug war. We have to take this overlay of warring against the communities that are the most vulnerable, that have the most economic deprivation, we have to take that and discard it because it’s not solving anything. It’s not addressing addiction in any meaningful or healthy way.

All it’s doing is filling prisons and leading police away from doing actual police work that cities need and leading them into doing the kind of police work that just brutalizes and degrades citizens and communities,” said Simon.

We Own This City stars Jon Bernthal, Wunmi Mosaku, Jamie Hector, McKinley Belcher III, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Josh Charles, Dagmara Domińczyk, Rob Brown, Don Harvey, David Corenswet, Larry Mitchell, Ian Duff, Delaney Williams, and Lucas Van Engen. The six-episode limited series debuts Monday, April 25th on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.




‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ Season 3 Episode 14 Preview: “Impulse Control”

Road rage turns into a major incident on FX’s 9-1-1: Lone Star season three episode 14. “Impulse Control” will air on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT.

Season three stars Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, Gina Torres as Tommy Vega, Ronen Rubinstein as T.K. Strand, Sierra McClain as Grace Ryder, and Jim Parrack as Judd Ryder. Natacha Karam plays Marjan Marwani, Brian Michael Smith is Paul Strickland, Rafael Silva is Carlos Reyes, Julian Works is Mateo Chavez, and Brianna Baker plays Nancy Gillian.

“Impulse Control” Plot: Owen and the 126 race to emergencies at a fast food drive-thru, a high school wrestling match and a case of road rage – all with one common element tying them together. Meanwhile, Tommy’s estranged brother-in-law makes a surprise appearance in Austin, and Marjan confronts Capt. Strand about his anger management issues.

The Season 3 Plot:

In the third season, a slight time-jump takes place after the events of the previous season finale found the 126 shut down and the crew dispersed across the city. In the multi-episode opening storyline, a massive and unexpected arctic front hits Austin. As the ice storm causes widespread chaos, Owen and Tommy must not only save the city but find a way to resurrect and reunite the former 126.

9-1-1 Lone Star Season 3 episode 14
Gina Torres, Ronen Rubinstein and Brianna Baker in ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ season 3 episode 14 (Photo by Jordin Althaus © 2022 Fox Media LLC)
9-1-1 Lone Star Season 3 Episode 14
Julian Works and Brian Michael Smith in the “Impulse Control” episode (Photo by Jordin Althaus © 2022 Fox Media LLC)
9-1-1 Lone Star Season 3 Episode 14
Gina Torres in season 3 episode 14 (Photo by Jordin Althaus © 2022 Fox Media LLC)
9-1-1 Lone Star Season 3 Episode 14
Jim Parrack, Natacha Karam and Rob Lowe in the “Impulse Control” episode (Photo by Jordin Althaus © 2022 Fox Media LLC)
9-1-1 Lone Star Season 3 Episode 14
Rob Lowe in season 3 episode 14 (Photo by Jordin Althaus © 2022 Fox Media LLC)
9-1-1 Lone Star Season 3 Episode 14
Gina Torres, Brianna Baker and Ronen Rubinstein in season 3 episode 14 (Photo by Jordin Althaus © 2022 Fox Media LLC)
9-1-1 Lone Star Season 3 Episode 14
Guest star Nathan Owens in the “Impulse Control” episode (Photo © 2022 Fox Media LLC)




‘New Amsterdam’ Season 4 Episode 16 “All Night Long” Preview

NBC’s New Amsterdam season four episode 16 finds the gang heading to a karaoke bar for a fun night of singing and drinking. The popular medical drama’s been on a two-month break and returns with episode 16 – “All Night Long” – directed by Nestor Carbonell and airing on April 19, 2022.

The cast of season four is led by Ryan Eggold as Medical Director Max Goodwin. Janet Montgomery returns as Dr. Lauren Bloom, Freema Agyeman stars as Dr. Helen Sharpe, Jocko Sims plays Dr. Floyd Reynolds, and Tyler Labine is Dr. Iggy Frome. Michelle Forbes guest stars as Dr. Fuentes.

“All Night Long” Plot: The New Amsterdam team goes out for a night of karaoke and drinking, but must face the consequences at work the next day. Iggy helps a mysterious patient confront a past trauma. Reynolds and Dr. Malvo discuss their future. Leyla gives Bloom some bad news.

The Season 4 Plot, Courtesy of NBC:

After a turbulent year of sacrifice and hardship, Medical Director Max Goodwin and the team at New Amsterdam begin a well-deserved new chapter in their lives. The opening episode, titled “More Joy,” reflects both the drive of characters and the tone of season four. More joy: How can we find it, and how can we hold on to it?

For Max that means acknowledging and surrendering to his long-simmering feelings towards Dr. Helen Sharpe. While this new relationship brings its own set of challenges, Max continues his optimistic – and quixotic – quest to improve our nation’s healthcare system.

Continuing to navigate their own personal journeys – including Dr. Bloom’s relationship with Dr. Leyla Shinwari, who is now her resident, Dr. Frome’s new career and Dr. Reynolds’ personal entanglements – the doctors will strive to embrace the joy and successes in their lives.

But there is a surprise in store for our heroes. Dr. Veronica Fuentes is joining the New Amsterdam team to help turn around the overburdened and underfunded hospital. Her first order of business will be to tear down every progressive program Max has erected. Max will have his work cut out for him if he is going to outwit this calm, poised and fearless fixer.

New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 16
Sandra Mae Frank as Dr. Elizabeth Wilder and Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in ‘New Amsterdam’ season 4 episode 16 (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)
New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 16
Jocko Sims as Dr. Floyd Reynolds and Tyler Labine as Dr. Iggy Frome in season 4 episode 16 (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)
New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 16
Janet Montgomery as Dr. Lauren Bloom and Alejandro Hernandez as Casey Acosta in season 4 episode 16 (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)
New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 16
Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin and Freema Agyeman as Dr. Helen Sharpe in season 4 episode 16 (Photo by: Heidi Gutman/NBC)
New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 16
Janet Montgomery as Dr. Lauren Bloom, Adam Rose as Bartender, and Alejandro Hernandez as Casey Acosta in the “All Night Long” episode (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)
New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 16
Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin and Sandra Mae Frank as Dr. Elizabeth Wilder in season 4 episode 16 (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)
New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 16
Director Néstor Carbonell, and Tyler Labine as Dr. Iggy Frome (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)




Review: ‘Father Stu’ Starring Mark Wahlberg

Father Stu Star Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg stars in in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Father Stu’ (Photo by Karen Ballard © 2022 CTMG, Inc.)

“God wanted a fighter and he found one” is the tag line of Mark Wahlberg’s latest film, Father Stu. Wahlberg stars as Stuart Long, an amateur boxer who after one too many injuries is told his fighting career is over. In a weird twist, Stu decides to move to Los Angeles so he can be discovered and become a movie star.

Stu takes a job at a supermarket, believing it’s the perfect way to be discovered since he can show off his charm to customers. It’s there that his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets and falls head-over-heels for Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a no-nonsense devout Catholic school teacher who shuts down his bad boy flirtations.

Determined to win her over, Stu – a long-time agnostic – begins to attend church on a regular basis. He even enthusiastically tells Carmen he’ll be baptized into the Catholic faith, declaring, “Bring on the water, I’ll do it right now.”

Carmen truly believes Stu is sincere and the twosome move from just dating to becoming serious. Stu’s happiness with Carmen is cut short, however, when a motorcycle accident leaves him desperately clinging to life.

When Stu finally wakes and begins his recovery he starts to question why he survived such a horrible accident. His friend Ham (Aaron Moten) tells him he believes God saw something in him worth saving and now it’s up to Stu to decide what he’s got to offer. After some deep thinking and soul-searching, Stu realizes he wants to spend his life helping people. He can do that best by becoming a Catholic priest.

Stu’s decision shocks everyone in his life including his mother (Jacki Weaver) and his tough, grizzled, estranged, alcoholic father (Mel Gibson).

Based on a true story, Father Stu is an inspiring, spiritual film filled with humor, deep drama, and excellent performances. Mark Wahlberg, who also produced the film, gives his best performance since The Fighter as Stu Long, a likable, bold, and tough individual who finally discovers the life he was always meant to lead. Wahlberg’s portrayal doesn’t shy away from Stu’s more annoying and unpleasant character traits while also capturing the spirit and determination of the man.

Mel Gibson steals almost every scene he’s in as Stu’s estranged father, Bill, a man who tries to diminish and tear down anyone and anything Stu looks up to or admires. The scenes shared by Gibson and Wahlberg are intense, moving, and even, at times, humorous.

Jacki Weaver is wonderful as Stu’s mother, Kathleen, who only wants her son to be happy, healthy, and to stop his self-destructive behavior. The scene where Stu tells her about becoming a priest is both funny and surprising.

With first-rate performances, plenty of humor, and some divine moments, Father Stu is a crowd-pleasing and moving film.

GRADE: B

MPAA Rating: R for language throughout
Running Time: 2 hours 4 minutes
Release Date: April 13, 2022
Directed By: Rosalind Ross
Studio: Columbia Pictures




First Photos: Maya Rudolph Stars in Apple TV+’s ‘Loot’

Loot Series Starring Maya Rudolph
Joel Kim Booster, Maya Rudolph and Ron Funches in ‘Loot’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)

Apple TV+ just unveiled the first photos from the upcoming original comedy series Loot starring four-time Emmy Award winner Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live, Big Mouth). The streaming service has set a June 24, 2022 premiere date for the workplace comedy from writers and executive producers by Alan Yang (Little America) and Matt Hubbard (30 Rock).

Season one consists of 10 episodes, with the first three episodes arriving on June 24th. New episodes follow on subsequent Fridays.

The cast also includes Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Pose), Ron Funches (Undateable), Nat Faxon (Married), and Joel Kim Booster (Sunnyside). Maya Rudolph executive produces along with starring in the comedy. Additional executive producers include 3 Arts’ Dave Becky and Animal Pictures’ Natasha Lyonne and Danielle Renfrew Behrens. The series is a Universal Television production.

Apple TV+ released the following description of Loot:

Billionaire Molly Novak (Rudolph) has a dream life, complete with private jets, a sprawling mansion, and a gigayacht — anything her heart desires. But when her husband of 20 years betrays her, she spirals publicly, becoming fuel for tabloid fodder. She’s reaching rock bottom when she learns, to her surprise, that she has a charity foundation run by the no-nonsense Sofia Salinas (Rodriguez), who pleads with Molly to stop generating bad press.

With her devoted assistant Nicholas (Kim Booster) by her side, and with the help of Sofia and team — including mild-mannered accountant Arthur (Faxon) and her optimistic, pop-culture-loving cousin Howard (Funches) — Molly embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Giving back to others might be what she needs to get back to herself.

Loot Series Starring Maya Rudolph
Nat Faxon and Maya Rudolph in ‘Loot,’ premiering globally June 24, 2022 on Apple TV+
Loot Series Starring Maya Rudolph
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Joel Kim Booster, Ron Funches and Nat Faxon star in ‘Loot’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Loot Series Starring Maya Rudolph
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Maya Rudolph in Apple TV+’s ‘Loot’




‘9-1-1’ Season 5 Episode 14 “Dumb Luck” Preview

A missing stop sign and a woman in a precarious situation cause trouble on Fox’s 9-1-1 season five episode 14. “Dumb Luck” will air on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT.

Executive producers Angela Bassett and Peter Krause return to lead the cast as Athena Grant and Bobby Nash. Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Maddie Kendall, Oliver Stark is Evan “Buck” Buckley, Aisha Hinds is Henrietta “Hen” Wilson, and Kenneth Choi is Howie “Chimney” Han. Ryan Guzman plays Eddie Diaz, Rockmond Dunbar is Michael Grant, Corinne Massiah is May Grant, Marcanthonee Jon Reis is Harry Grant, Gavin McHugh is Christopher Diaz, and John Harlan Kim plays Albert Han.

“Dumb Luck” Plot: The members of the 118 race into action when a woman falls over her penthouse balcony. Meanwhile, Athena investigates when a bike rider is impaled on a stop sign, Eddie begins his therapy for his PTSD and survivor’s guilt, and Maddie fears the worst when Jee-Yun falls ill.

9-1-1 Season 5 Episode 14
Angela Bassett and Peter Krause in ‘9-1-1’ season 5 episode 14 (Photo © 2022 FOX MEDIA LLC.)
9-1-1 Season 5 Episode 14
Angela Bassett in the “Dumb Luck” episode (Photo © 2022 FOX MEDIA LLC)
9-1-1 Season 5 Episode 14
Angela Bassett and guest star Gordy De St. Jeor in the “Dumb Luck” episode (Photo © 2022 FOX MEDIA LLC)
9-1-1 Season 5 Episode 14
Angela Bassett and guest star Gordy De St. Jeor in season 5 episode 14 (Photo © 2022 FOX MEDIA LLC)




‘Conversations with Friends’ Details: Trailer, Cast and Premiere Date

A new song from Phoebe Bridgers makes its debut in Hulu’s trailer for the upcoming limited series Conversations with Friends. Hulu just released the trailer along with a poster and news all episodes will premiere on May 15, 2022.

The 12 episode series is based on Irish author Sally Rooney’s first novel. Conversations with Friends stars Alison Oliver, Joe Alwyn (Mary Queen of Scots), Sasha Lane (Utopia), and Jemima Kirke (Sex Education).

Element Pictures’ Ed Guiney, Emma Norton, and Andrew Lowe executive produce along with Lenny Abrahamson and BBC’s Tommy Bulfin and Rose Garnett.

Hulu released the following synopsis:

Conversations with Friends follows Frances (Oliver), a 21-year-old college student, as she navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time. Frances is observant, cerebral and sharp. Her ex-girlfriend, now best friend, Bobbi (Lane) is self-assured, outspoken and compelling.

Though they broke up three years ago, Frances and Bobbi are virtually inseparable and perform spoken word poetry together in Dublin. It’s at one of their shows that they meet Melissa (Kirke), an older writer, who is fascinated by the pair. Bobbi and Frances start to spend time with Melissa and her husband, Nick (Alwyn), a handsome but reserved actor. While Melissa and Bobbi flirt with each other openly, Nick and Frances embark on an intense secret affair that is surprising to them both. Soon the affair begins to test the bond between Frances and Bobbi, forcing Frances to reconsider her sense of self, and the friendship she holds so dear.

Conversations with Friends Poster
Poster for Hulu’s ‘Conversations with Friends’




‘The Blacklist’ Season 9 Episode 16 “Helen Maghi” Preview

Red continues his quest for details on Liz’s death on NBC’s The Blacklist season nine episode 16. “Helen Maghi” will air on Friday, April 15, 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.

“Helen Maghi” Plot: Red chases a lead that could shed light on both Liz’s death and Cooper’s blackmailing. The Task Force experiences a major shakeup when one of their own is taken into custody.

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.”

The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 16
James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in ‘The Blacklist’ season 9 episode 16 (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC)
The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 16
Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai in season 9 episode 16 (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC)
The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 16
Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma in the “Helen Maghi” episode (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC)
The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 16
James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in season 9 episode 16 (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC)
The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 16
Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler in season 9 episode 16 (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC)
The Blacklist Season 9 Episode 16
Laura Sohn as Alina Park in the “Helen Maghi” episode (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC)




‘The Good Doctor’ Season 5 Episode 15 “My Way” Preview

A producer thinks Shaun and Lea might be perfect for a reality show on The Good Doctor season five episode 15. Directed by Aaron Rottinghaus from a script by Tristan Thai and Adam Scott, episode 15 – “My Way” – will air on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.

The cast of season five features Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Browne, Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews, and Richard Schiff as Dr. Aaron Glassman. Christina Chang plays Dr. Audrey Lim, Fiona Gubelmann is Dr. Morgan Reznick, Will Yun Lee is Dr. Alex Park, and Paige Spara stars as Lea Dilallo.

“My Way” Plot: While Doctor Andrews treats a foster kid for injuries sustained at his group home, Shaun and team look to Lea’s expertise with cars and auto repair to help a patient whose iron lung has broken. Meanwhile, the patient’s niece, a documentarian, takes an interest in Shaun.

The Good Doctor Description, Courtesy of ABC:

Dr. Shaun Murphy (Highmore), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, continues to use his extraordinary medical gifts at St. Bonaventure Hospital’s surgical unit. As his friendships deepen, Shaun tackles the world of dating for the first time and continues to work harder than he ever has before, navigating his environment to prove to his colleagues that his talents as a surgeon will save lives.

The Good Doctor Season 5 Episode 15
Hollis Jane Andrews and Paige Spara in ‘The Good Doctor’ season 5 episode 15 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)
The Good Doctor Season 5 Episode 15
Hill Harper, Marcus Gladney Jr, Fiona Gubelmann, and Eileen Pedde in season 5 episode 15 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)
The Good Doctor Season 5 Episode 15
Hill Harper in the “My Way” episode (ABC/Jeff Weddell)
The Good Doctor Season 5 Episode 15
Hollis Jane Andrews, Paige Spara and Aaron Pearl in season 5 episode 15 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)
The Good Doctor Season 5 Episode 15
Paige Spara and Bria Henderson in season 5 episode 15 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)
The Good Doctor Season 5 Episode 15
Fiona Gubelmann and Richard Schiff in season 5 episode 15 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)




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