‘1883’ Season 1 Episode 5 Recap: “The Fangs of Freedom”

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January 16, 2022

1883 Episode 5 — LaMonica Garrett as Thomas, Sam Elliott as Shea, Tim McGraw as James, and Isabel May as Elsa in ‘1883’ episode 5 (Photo Cr: Emerson Miller / Paramount+ © 2022 MTV Entertainment Studios)

Paramount+’s 1883 season one hits its stride with episode five, “The Fangs of Freedom.” Premiering January 16, 2022, episode five begins with Elsa (Isabel May) coming to terms with the dire circumstances the group finds itself in as they continue on this increasingly treacherous journey. They’ve lost men, women, and children, and the caravan’s only now leaving Texas behind and heading out into the true wilderness.

“The land of no consequence is behind us. We are in the land of no mercy now,” says Elsa in a voice-over.

Ennis (Eric Nelsen) and Wade (James Landry Hébert) warn Elsa to be extra vigilant and not stray from the group. Bandits are following not far behind, and Ennis wants Elsa to make sure she’s never alone.

As Wade looks for high ground to check out the territory, Shea (Sam Elliott) and Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) engage in a quiet discussion about the state of things. Shea’s emotional and wipes away tears, upset he’s made more women widows. He blames himself because these people are his responsibility and he’s failed them. Thomas wonders why he never cried for the men he lost in battle, and Shea confesses he did.

Thomas believes they need more food now, but Shea doesn’t want to make any unnecessary stops (in the wrong direction) to stock up.

Things are fairly peaceful over in the Dutton camp until James (Tim McGraw) explains Elsa’s been gone from their camp for a week because she’s working the herd. Margaret (Faith Hill) becomes upset when James claims he’s making a good cowboy out of their daughter. “I didn’t know that was the goal,” says Margaret.

Josef (Marc Rissmann) confronts Shea, upset his people are dying and there’s little left in the way of supplies. Thomas and Shea take offense, reminding him he chose to place all of the group’s food in the one wagon that didn’t make it across the river.

Josef confesses there are people within his group who are stealing their supplies. The food was placed in one wagon to keep it safe from the thieves among them. Shea demands Josef point out who’s stealing supplies and then asks James to accompany them as they take care of this issue.

Josef leads the group to one of the thieves and asks for the food to be returned. The man’s obviously a bully who’s never been confronted for his actions before, and he attempts to claim he traded for the food. That argument doesn’t go over well, and Josef begins to take supplies from the man’s wagon. Josef earns a beating for touching the wagon, but it’s not until Josef’s wife, Risa (Anna Fiamora), becomes involved in the struggle that James steps in and puts a halt to it.

James grabs supplies from the wagon while Thomas takes supplies from another thief’s wagon. Shea gives the two men refunds and warns he’ll kill them if he ever sees them again. Shea also issues a warning to the remaining immigrants, informing them they need to follow their chosen leader. He informs the group the most difficult part of the trip hasn’t even happened yet. (Apparently, more of the immigrants have somehow learned to speak English during the journey as Josef no longer translates instructions.)

While Wade’s out looking for info on the bandits, Margaret joins Elsa with the herd. Elsa confesses she kissed Ennis and Margaret admits she kissed a few boys at Elsa’s age. However, she tells her daughter not to let it get beyond the kissing stage. Elsa reveals she’s seen animals mate but doesn’t quite understand how it works for humans.

Margaret tells her to save herself for someone she loves, and Elsa thinks she might be in love with Ennis. Margaret decides it’s time for the birds and the bees conversation and accompanies Elsa into the river for a bath.

One of the season’s few light-hearted scenes featuring the mother and daughter plays out as Margaret admits she’s envious of the freedom her daughter has on this journey. There aren’t people around to pass judgment, but there will be once they make it to Oregon. “This trail is as free as you’ll ever be. The only rules you need to follow are the ones in your heart,” says Margaret.

Their conversation’s interrupted when Ennis rides up. He apologizes and explains they need to head back because the wagons are hitting the road.

Shea issues one final threat to those he’s left behind, reminding them they’re dead if they follow the group.

Elsa’s narration reveals they’ve lost eight men, six women, and four children to accidents. That many are being left behind as they head out, which means they’ve cut the group’s numbers in half.

Wade takes Thomas and James out to where he spotted the bandits’ trail. Thomas figures out there are six bandits on their tail and suggests everyone stay close together tonight.

Before heading out, Shea, Thomas, and James watch the group load up, noting they’re on the verge of starvation already. Thomas confirms he’s already chipped in his rations but James refuses to contribute to the group, despite Shea’s request he do so. James points to the 50 cattle ready for slaughter, but Thomas reminds him there’s rougher road ahead without any chance of replenishing the herd.

James is adamant he won’t turn over the Duttons’ supplies, and Shea’s done taking it easy on him. He demands James contribute rations or leave the group. James makes a deal – he’ll turn over rations if Shea commits to hiring a cook at their next stop. Shea gives James his word he’ll hire the first cook he comes across.

James joins Elsa with the herd and tells her to sleep in the family’s wagon. “Cattle and horses ain’t the only things they steal out here,” says James. For once Elsa doesn’t argue.

Night falls and everyone’s tucked in when Elsa decides to join Ennis at his campsite. The attraction’s too strong and she can’t deny how she feels about this handsome cowboy. Elsa’s a virgin and Ennis confesses he’s actually one, too. He once paid a prostitute but could never complete the act because his body didn’t like her.

Ennis tells Elsa he knows what to do – if she wants him to do it. Elsa doesn’t hesitate and quickly confirms she wants him to be her first.

Unfortunately for Elsa, Margaret wakes in the middle of the night and discovers the young couple making love. They’re near the main camp and Elsa’s not exactly being quiet, but Margaret doesn’t do anything and instead returns to her tent.

The men, women, and children who remained behind with the thieves are slaughtered by the bandits in the dead of night.

Elsa wakes, satisfied and happy. Her good mood doesn’t last long as Margaret’s first words are a stern warning to be careful. If she gets pregnant, her life will change forever. “Every choice has fangs,” says Margaret, and Elsa acknowledges she understands what her mother’s talking about.

Margaret also tells her young daughter she won’t raise her child for her, if she’s pregnant. Elsa promises she’ll raise her own baby and will ask Ennis if he’s willing to raise it with her. She doesn’t regret losing her virginity and Margaret wishes she could see the world through her daughter’s eyes. She’s certain someday Elsa will see the world through hers.

Elsa catches up with Ennis herding the cattle, riding up with a huge smile on her face as her voiceover confirms she loves Ennis and will love their child, if she’s pregnant.

She doesn’t even bother saying hi as she rides up to Ennis and asks, “If I have a baby are you man enough to raise it?” Ennis stares into her eyes and replies, “You aren’t like anyone I’ve ever met. Hell yes, I’m man enough!”

They kiss and then Elsa finally says good morning. As she rides off, she reveals she’s off to tell her dad they’re getting married.

Wade warns Ennis that Elsa’s dad is going to kill him, and Ennis is shocked to learn the entire camp heard them making love last night.

Elsa doesn’t get the chance to talk to her dad about Ennis because he’s distracted by smoke on the horizon. Shea and Thomas join them, and James beckons Ennis and Wade over to discuss the bandits. Thomas confirms he believes there are six bandits and James thinks they need more guns. Shea disagrees. He thinks quality is more important than quantity when it comes to fighters. (Wade and Ennis have guns, but Ennis admits he’s never killed anyone.)

The group returns to camp to make a plan but James stops Ennis before he can join them. James knocks Ennis off his horse and Elsa quickly inserts herself between the men. She says she loves Ennis and she’s the one who went to him – not the other way around.

Ennis rises and stands his ground, declaring he’ll take whatever James dishes out. He’s not going to ask for permission to take Elsa and warns that if James doesn’t give him to her, he’ll steal her. (Tim McGraw’s never been better than in this scene.)

“You say you love her, but you won’t ever love her like I do. That’s my heart you’re running off with,” says James, choking up and straining to keep his emotions in control. “You better cradle it like an egg.”

Ennis promises to do just that.

A short while later the plan is put into action. Margaret will go with the group while James, Thomas, Wade, and Shea break off to hunt down the bandits. Josef and Risa will remain with their wagon at camp, making it appear as though they’ve been left behind.

Before riding off James warns Margaret to fight like hell if the bandits start attacking the main group.

The bandits watch from a nearby hill as the group heads out. The leader spots Josef’s lone wagon and comments on his wife’s worth on the market. He also spots Elsa and determines she’ll also be worth a pretty penny.

Since there’s only one wagon the bandits decide to attack now rather than wait until nightfall.

Josef sets himself up out of sight inside his wagon, cradling a shotgun and prepared to defend Risa.

The leader of the bandits walks up, claiming his horse bucked him off. Risa lies and says Josef is out fetching water. The stranger approaches and Risa reacts by whipping out her pistol and shooting him. He’s struck but still on his feet and on the verge of shooting Risa when Josef lets him have it with his shotgun.

The blast sends him flying backward but he’s still alive. Rita finishes him off with a bullet to the chest.

His buddies ride up, shooting as they gallop toward the wagon. Josef tells Rita to run as he returns fire.

The bandits stop their attack and turn their attention to the new threat that’s presented when James, Shea, Thomas, and Wade arrive to join the fight. The good guys chase the bandits away from Josef’s wagon and they race off toward the main group where they’re met by Margaret and others who are armed and ready to defend the group.

Margaret takes down one bandit and screams for her group to keep firing.

Ennis finds Elsa with her herd and instructs her to get her pistol out of her saddlebag. He then rides off to join Wade and the others.

Shea and his group have the bandits on the run and only a few of the thieves are left breathing. Ennis joins the shootout when there’s only one bandit left standing. Unfortunately, that one bandit is enough to take Ennis’ life and strip Elsa of her first love.

Ennis utters his final words as James bends down to check on his condition. “I loved her,” says Ennis.

“I don’t doubt it, son,” replies James.

Ennis has just taken his last breath as Elsa runs up. She watches absolutely devastated as her father shuts Ennis’ eyes.

Elsa screams as she holds Ennis’ dead body. She can barely catch her breath as she lays across his chest. Margaret joins her and draws her into a hug, attempting to comfort her grieving daughter.

A voice-over reveals this is the first time a death has touched her heart. “Today my eyes died. I see the world through my mother’s eyes now,” says Elsa. “Yes, freedom has fangs and it sunk them in me.”

Elsa spots the man who took her love away and marches toward him. She shoots him from close range and keeps shooting after he’s dead.

Elsa returns to Ennis’ side and lays beside him. She shuts her eyes and caresses his chest as the episode ends.

‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ Season 3 Episode 3 Photos, Plot, and Air Date

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 15, 2022

The freezing temperatures continue to put the team at risk on Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star season three episode three. “Shock and Thaw” will air on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 8pm 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.

“Shock & Thaw” Plot: As the unexpected arctic cold front and ice storm continues to cause havoc in Austin, Owen works to rescue the lives of the stranded migrants; T.K.’s life hangs in the balance and Grace prepares for the birth of her baby.

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.

911 Lone Star Season 3 Episode 3 — Ronen Rubinstein and guest star Lisa Edelstein in the “Shock & Thaw” episode of ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ (Photo by Kevin Estrada © 2022 Fox Media LLC)

‘This Is Us’ – An Unexpected Gift for Jon Huertas

By

Kurt Anthony Krug

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January 14, 2022

This Is Us Jon Huertas — Jon Huertas as Miguel in ‘This Is Us’ season 6 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Despite serving in the United States Air Force for nearly a decade, actor/director Jon Huertas initially couldn’t get military roles.

“Realistically, a lot of those roles didn’t happen for me until later in my career,” said Huertas, 52, a New York City native. “When I first got out of the military, I still looked pretty young, so I played a lot of teenagers and young college kids. I did get to do a couple of small roles on JAG earlier in my career, but – for the most part – I wasn’t even playing an adult until I was in my 30s. I think the first significant, largest military role was (2008’s) Generation Kill and I’d already been acting for more than 12 years. It might seem that it was an easy transition, but (it wasn’t). With (2005’s) Over There – which was about the military in Afghanistan – they wouldn’t even audition me; they thought I was a kid.”

The Right Job for Jon Huertas

These days, Huertas – after playing Det. Javier Esposito on ABC’s Castle for seven years – stars on NBC’s critically-acclaimed, award-winning drama This Is Us, which recently began its sixth and final season. Created by Dan Fogelman (Galavant), This Is Us is an ensemble that chronicles the lives and struggles of the Pearson family across the past, present, and future.

Jon Huertas portrays Miguel Rivas, the second husband of Rebecca Pearson (Mandy Moore, 47 Meters Down). Rebecca married Miguel after Jack (Milo Ventimiglia, Heroes), her first husband and father of their three children, died. Jack and Miguel were best friends.

“For a while, the audience has wondered how Miguel and Rebecca ended up together,” said Huertas. “We’re definitely gonna get into that and show everyone why and how they’re together, which is gonna be romantic at times, surprising at times. Part of the story is sad… We’ll learn a little bit more about his past and how it shaped him as a person.”

Huertas – who is directing the Jan. 18 episode “Four Fathers” – spoke about what attracted him to the role of Miguel.

“Castle just got canceled,” he recalled. “I was starting to go on auditions. This show came up when I was trying to get another job, actually… I was pinning my hopes on working on the show Mayans M.C., to be honest, but it hadn’t gone into production. I thought, ‘This will be a good, little recurring part until Mayans comes around.’”

At first, Huertas’ role was recurring during the first season of This Is Us, which debuted in 2016, before becoming a regular role in subsequent seasons. According to Huertas, everyone on Us – from the actors to the crew – was very warm and welcoming.

“I was like, ‘This is a special show. This is a special group. Wouldn’t it be nice to be a part of this?’” he said. “They locked me down and offered me a contract in Season 1 and I wholeheartedly accepted. Once it started airing and we saw how the audience was responding to this show, there was no doubt in my mind this was the right job for me in the moment. Ever since in the last six years, I have not regretted one bit becoming a part of this show. I’ve only grown from it, I’ve gotten so much out of it to include directing now, beginning last season. This show has been the gift that was unexpected.”

This Is Us Season 6 Episode 6 — Mandy Moore as Rebecca and Jon Huertas as Miguel in season 6 episode 6 (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Directing is a Responsibility and a Calling

Huertas made his directorial debut on This Is Us with the 2021 episode, “The Ride.” He spoke about directing “Four Fathers.”

“It’s a really, really cool story about how four of the fathers on the show – Toby (Chris Sullivan, The Knick), Kevin (Justin Hartley, Smallville), Randall (Sterling K. Brown, Black Panther), and Jack (Ventimiglia) – are dealing with all of their kids in different ways and different age ranges… and how that shapes them as fathers and how they have different approaches when dealing with fatherhood. And, also, the relationships they’re in at the present moment, how that can really affect fatherhood and parenting your kids. It’s a really interesting episode in that way. It’s also fertilizing the seed that was planted about Toby and Kate’s eventual demise as a couple. We’re exploring that, which is amazing. Working with a cast like this that allows me to even step behind the camera – the fact that they trust me enough is really humbling and exciting,” said Huertas.

Directing is a natural progression of Huertas’ career. Not only does he want to get behind the camera, he feels a great responsibility to get behind the camera.

“I’ve only been directed by one adult male Latino (Félix Enríquez Alcalá) during my entire career in television,” he said. “He directed one episode of Castle, unfortunately; I wish he would’ve directed more. He’s someone I took a lot of inspiration from, but he’s also the one person who was on the other side of the camera that I thought might have had similar life experiences to me and understand why I might be making certain choices as an actor because of my ethnic background.”

Huertas continued: “I feel it’s a responsibility and a calling to step behind the camera with the 27 years of experience I have in television… We need a lot more of that kind of representation in the industry, so that other actors like me don’t say, ‘I’ve only been directed by one adult male Latino.’ I’m excited to do it.”

This season, Mandy Moore will direct an episode.

“Mandy always showed an interest in directing, especially after myself and Milo directed,” said Huertas. “She was inspired because she saw that we were really excited about directing. She’s really phenomenal at it. I’m excited to see her episode come to life.”

This Is Us Season 5 Episode 16 — Mandy Moore as Rebecca, Faithe Herman as Annie, and Jon Huertas as Miguel in the ‘This Is Us’ season 5 finale (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Great Chemistry with Co-Stars, Past and Present

Speaking of Mandy Moore…

“She’s a great TV wife, I can tell you that,” said Huertas. “She is so giving as a scene-partner, there’s a lot of chemistry between us. A lot of people think she’s a pop star who fell into acting… but when she was a kid, she was onstage performing as an actress, so the experience shows, the passion for the craft shows. She’s so dedicated to the character of Rebecca and Rebecca’s journey. Whenever I know that we’re working together, I’m just so excited every time.”

Huertas praised Milo Ventimiglia.

“Milo’s great; it’s like working with a brother,” he said. “We definitely have a brotherly type of relationship – he’s a great friend, he’s also a great scene-partner. He’s really concerned about how you feel about your performance; what he’s giving you while you’re doing your bit; and if you need something from him, he’s very adamant to let you know that he’s willing to give it to you, whatever you need.”

He also praised Dan Fogelman.

“He’s great. He’s smart as a whip. It’s undeniable. He’s very adamant about not giving out any secrets of the show; he loves to surprise the audience. Even more so, he loves to surprise the actors,” said Huertas. “You see the grin on his face like this kid who’s crafted something really cool; he not only wants to share it with us, the actors, but share it with the world. He gets a positive response – there’s immense gratification everywhere.”

After This Is Us ends later this year, Huertas isn’t sure about his next project, whether it’ll be in front of the camera or behind it. He addressed the oft-rumored Esposito/Ryan Castle spinoff starring him and Seamus Dever’s Det. Kevin Ryan.

“I’m not gonna say never, but I don’t know,” he said, laughing. “I would love that. I love Seamus. We loved working together. We had a great chemistry, so we’ll see. I’m not gonna say never, but it is, of course, a possibility. Anything is, right?”

While on the subject of Castle, Huertas did guest-star on ABC’s The Rookie, Nathan Fillion’s current series, in 2019, reuniting with his former co-star.

“Nathan’s a good guy to work with,” he said. “We both come from an improvisational background. He’ll look at a script, look at a scene and say, ‘Hey, how can we make it better?’ He comes up with really good ideas, so we complement each other and also share with each other – that’s one of the joys of working with Nathan.”

People See Themselves in This Is Us

For now, Huertas is focused on Us, which will wrap in April. Fogelman’s vision for the series was six seasons.

“We love the idea to end the show exactly the way we want to and we’re all really excited that this is the end of the show,” said Huertas. “Of course, what we’re not excited about is not being able to work with each other every day.”

He spoke about what makes Us stand out from other dramas airing today, whether it’s on the networks, cable, or streaming.

“People can relate to each and every character in some way. Not just every character – people can relate to every episode in some way,” explained Huertas. “They’re finding a piece of themselves in the story, they’re finding a piece of someone in their family in a story – their extended family, their group of friends. In some way, they can find something in the episodes to attach themselves to. That’s why people love it and want to tune in – ‘What can I relate to this week?’”

‘Inventing Anna’ Trailer Starring Julia Garner as a Fake Heiress

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 14, 2022

Netflix just released the official trailer for Inventing Anna, a limited series based on the bizarre true story of a woman who wormed her way into New York society by masquerading as an heiress. Ozark‘s Julia Garner channels the totally fake heiress who racked up thousands of dollars of debt before finally getting caught and ultimately convicted of grand larceny.

In addition to Julia Garner, the nine-episode limited series stars Anna Chlumsky as Vivian, Arian Moayed as Todd, Katie Lowes as Rachel, and Alexis Floyd as Neff. Anders Holm stars as Jack, Anna Deavere Smith is Maud, Jeff Perry is Lou, Terry Kinney is Barry, and Laverne Cox plays Kacy.

Inventing Anna was created by Shonda Rhimes who writes and serves as showrunner. Rhimes also executive produces with Betsy Beers, Tom Verica, and David Frankel. Additional writers include Matt Byrne, Jess Brownell, Abby Ajayi, and Nick Nardini, with David Frankel, Tom Verica, Daisy Von Scherler Mayer, Ellen Kuras, and Nzingha Stewart directing.

The trailer release was accompanied by a new poster and additional photos from the limited series.

Inventing Anna will premiere on February 11, 2022.

The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:

“In Inventing Anna, a journalist with a lot to prove investigates the case of Anna Delvey, the Instagram-legendary German heiress who stole the hearts of New York’s social scene – and stole their money as well. But is Anna New York’s biggest con woman, or is she simply the new portrait of the American dream? Anna and the reporter form a dark, funny, love-hate bond as Anna awaits trial and our reporter fights the clock to answer the biggest question in NYC: who is Anna Delvey?

The series is inspired by the New York Magazine article ‘How an Aspiring It Girl Tricked New York’s Party People — and its Banks’ by Jessica Pressler, who also serves as a producer.”

Disney+ Celebrates Earth Day 2022 with 3 New Movies

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 14, 2022

Disney+ hosted a special panel during the 2022 Television Critics Association winter press tour in support of Earth Day, announcing new movies and specials that celebrate our planet. This year’s Disney+ Earth Day content will include Disneynature’s Polar Bear narrated by two-time Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener (Capote, Being John Malkovich). National Geographic’s Explorer series heads to the Amazon with Explorer: The Last Tepui, and viewers are invited back to Apricot Lane Farms to check in on John and Molly Chester with The Biggest Little Farm: The Return.

Polar Bear, the Biggest Little Farm followup, and The Last Tepui will premiere on April 22, 2022.

Disneynature’s Polar Bear

The film tells the story of a new mother whose memories of her own youth prepare her to navigate motherhood in the increasingly challenging world that polar bears face today. Helmed by Alastair Fothergill and Jeff Wilson, the directing team behind Disneynature’s Penguins, and produced by Fothergill, Wilson, Jason Roberts, Keith Scholey and Roy Conli, Polar Bear launches exclusively on Disney+ on April 22, 2022.

Explorer: The Last Tepui

The Disney+ Earth Day special Explorer: The Last Tepui, from National Geographic, follows elite climber Alex Honnold (Free Solo) and a world-class climbing team led by National Geographic Explorer and climber Mark Synnott on a grueling mission deep in the Amazon jungle as they attempt a first-ascent climb up a 1000 foot sheer cliff. Their goal is to deliver legendary biologist and National Geographic Explorer Bruce Means to the top of a massive “island in the sky” known as a tepui.

The team must first trek miles of treacherous jungle terrain to help Dr. Means complete his life’s work, searching the cliff wall for undiscovered animal species. The one-hour special is the newest installment of National Geographic’s long-running “Explorer” series. This Earth Day, learn why the tepuis – much like the Galapagos – are a treasure trove of biodiversity worth protecting.

The Biggest Little Farm: The Return

The Disney+ Earth Day special The Biggest Little Farm: The Return, from National Geographic, is based on the 2018 award-winning feature documentary film that tells the story of John and Molly Chester, who abandon their urban life in Los Angeles to live on a barren farm to grow delicious food in harmony with nature in Ventura County. The new special follows the farmers’ 10-year tireless journey as they transform the land into a magical working farm and document the whole process in this heartwarming special that is akin to a real-life Charlotte’s Web.

Apricot Lane Farms is a beautiful, complex world that reflects our planet’s biodiversity, and this special introduces audiences to animals that will quickly burrow into their hearts, like Emma the pig who welcomes her newest litter and an adorable lamb named Moe who befriends the family. This Earth Day, see how the farmers utilize the interconnectedness of nature to help build soil health, maximize biodiversity, and regeneratively grow the most nutrient-dense food possible.

Timothy Olyphant Reprises His ‘Justified’ Role for ‘Justified: City Primeval’

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 14, 2022

Timothy Olyphant Justified — Timothy Olyphant in ‘Justified’ (Photo Credit: FX)

That happy squeal you heard in the early morning hours of January 14, 2022 was Justified fans reacting to FX’s Justified: City Primeval news. Timothy Olyphant is on board to reprise his Justified role as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens in a limited series inspired by Elmore Leonard’s City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit. (Justified was based on Leonard’s Fire in the Hole novella.)

The FX limited series reunites the team behind Justified which had a six-season run on FX, concluding in April 2015. Over the course of its six seasons Justified won two Emmy Awards, two Critics Choice Awards, a Peabody, and was named TV program of the year by the AFI Awards in 2012.

Dave Andron and Michael Dinner will write, executive produce, and guide the limited series as showrunners. Dinner is also confirmed to direct. Additional executive producers include Timothy Olyphant, Graham Yost, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, Peter Leonard, writer Taylor Elmore, and writer Chris Provenzano. V.J. Boyd, Eisa Davis and Ingrid Escajeda are writers.

“Justified was one of the most critically acclaimed shows of the past decade and an adaption of Elmore Leonard’s work that was so colorfully brought to life by Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens, Graham Yost and the entire team of producers, writers, directors and cast,” said Eric Schrier, President, FX Entertainment. “To have this group come together again with Tim as Raylan in a new and different Elmore Leonard story is thrilling. I want to thank our showrunners Dave and Michael, and their fellow executive producers Tim, Graham, Sarah and Carl, the Elmore Leonard estate as well as our partners at Sony Pictures Television, for making this possible.”

“When Justified concluded, the love and affection for this exceptional series only grew and left audiences craving more Raylan Givens. The iconic Elmore Leonard was one of the premier authors of our time and no one has quite captured his tone and authenticity as well as this Justified team,” stated President of Sony Pictures Television Studios, Jeff Frost and Co-President, Jason Clodfelter. “We look forward to experiencing the magic again of Tim, Graham, Dave, Michael and our preeminent executive producer team. We are so thrilled to be continuing this remarkable ride with our partners at FX.”

Justified: City Primeval is produced by Sony Pictures Television and FX Productions.

FX released the following synopsis of the limited series:

Having left the hollers of Kentucky eight years ago, Raylan Givens now lives in Miami, a walking anachronism balancing his life as a U.S. Marshal and part-time father of a 14-year-old girl. His hair is grayer, his hat is dirtier, and the road in front of him is suddenly a lot shorter than the road behind.

A chance encounter on a desolate Florida highway sends him to Detroit. There he crosses paths with Clement Mansell, aka The Oklahoma Wildman, a violent, sociopathic desperado who’s already slipped through the fingers of Detroit’s finest once and aims to do so again. Mansell’s lawyer, formidable Motor City native Carolyn Wilder, has every intention of representing her client, even as she finds herself caught in between cop and criminal, with her own game afoot as well. These three characters set out on a collision course in classic Elmore Leonard fashion, to see who makes it out of the City Primeval alive.

‘The Proud Family’ Revival Unveils a New Trailer Ahead of February Premiere

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 14, 2022

Disney+ has set a February 23, 2022 premiere date for the family-friendly animated comedy The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. The premiere date was announced during the Television Critics Association winter press panel which also included the debut of the official trailer.

Described as a revival of the popular Disney Channel series, the new series will feature returning voice cast members including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, and Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud.

Additional actors reprising their roles include JoMarie Payton as Suga Mama, Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez, and Carlos Mencia as Felix Boulevardez. Maria Canals-Barrera returns as Sunset Boulevardez, Alvaro Gutierrez is back as Papi, Raquel Lee Bolleau voices Nubia Gross, Marcus T. Paulk is Myron, Aldis Hodge is Frankie, Aries Spears is Wizard Kelly, Cree Summer is Peabo, Patricia Belcher is Principal Hightower, and Kevin Michael Richardson is back as Dr. Payne.

The Proud Family revival features Keke Palmer, Billy Porter, Zachary Quinto, “A Boogie” Dubose, EJ Johnson, Asante Blackk, Bresha Webb, and Aiden Dodson in recurring roles.

The first season will also see dozens of big-name stars showing up as guest stars including Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Chance the Rapper, Normani, Leslie Odom Jr, Tiffany Haddish, Lena Waithe, and Anthony Anderson.

The original series’ theme song composer Kurt Farquhar composed a “reimagined a contemporary version” of the song for the 2022 show. (R&B singer Joyce Wrice sings the new version.)

Disney+ released the following synopsis:

A continuation of the acclaimed series, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder follows the adventures and misadventures of newly 14-year-old Penny Proud and her Proud Family as they navigate modern life with hilarity and heart. The 2020s brings new career highs for mom Trudy, wilder dreams for dad Oscar and new challenges for Penny, including a socially woke neighbor who thinks she has a lot to teach her, bullying social media influencers who want to cancel her and her own teenage hormones.

Penny’s friends return, including Dijonay, LaCienega, Zoey and Michael. Penny’s Suga Mama also returns, ready as ever to dispense tough love or a gentle hand whenever Penny needs it. Among the new faces are Maya and KG, new kids who not only have to deal with the struggles of being the new kid but also having two dads, a first for Smithville.

‘American Idol’ – Returning ‘Idol’ Alum, Platinum Tickets, and Celebrating 20 Seasons

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 14, 2022

American Idol 2022 TCA Panel — Katy Perry, Megan Wolflick, Ryan Seacrest, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie during the ‘American Idol’ Winter TCA panel. (ABC)

ABC’s 2022 winter Television Critics Association (TCA) panel for American Idol with Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Ryan Seacrest was conducted via Zoom, but showrunner and executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick remains hopeful season 20’s live shows can be conducted in front of a studio audience.

Wolflick joined the season 20 judges and host Ryan Seacrest to discuss what fans can expect when the new season arrives on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Addressing concerns over the Covid pandemic impacting the show once again, Wolflick said, “Last year we were able to have a safe, minimal, masked audience for the artists to kind of feed off of, whereas before we were at ‘Idol at Home’ – totally virtual. So it is, of course, our goal to have the fans back in the studio because that’s what makes the atmosphere. But having had this be our third year in the pandemic, we are ready to pivot on a dime at a moment’s notice. We are ready to be innovative, to push the envelope, to do anything we can to make this show move forward into 2022.

It is our aspiration at this moment to go back to having as many fans as possible in that studio, being completely safe with L.A. County and all of that. But, of course, we are always watching and pivoting every day,” explained Wolflick.

“I think we always want to do the show closest to its normal format and delivery and execution as possible because that’s where we all excel,” added Ryan Seacrest. “Nothing can replace being up close and personal with an artist in a moment when they’ve gone through a tough break or when they’ve gone through a big break.”

When the series returns for season 20 it will be without mentor Bobby Bones who announced earlier this month he won’t be back. Instead, viewers can expect to see familiar American Idol faces popping in to help the contestants.

“There is not anyone to replace Bobby per se, but this year we will be leaning into our amazing American Idol university alum to kind of help our current idols along the way in different stages of the competition. So, lots of those familiar faces who America has kind of grown to love will be seen throughout this season, and we’re very, very excited – and our alum are excited,” revealed Wolflick.

In celebration of the show’s 20th anniversary, American Idol added a new twist to the audition process. “In each place, there were three reserved platinum tickets, because I guess if you’ve been together for 20 years or married or whatever, platinum is the key,” said Katy Perry. “We identified the best talent in each place and we basically give them this ticket, because usually all of our tickets are gold. This ticket gives them the ability to go to Hollywood Week, which we’ve already filmed and was so rigorous and survival of the fittest. They get to basically observe from the box seats at the theater one day.

They get to rest their voice, strategize, check out the competition, and select who they want a duet with. Usually, it’s either they get to select in seasons past, or lately we’ve been selecting who people can duet with. But these three ticket holders, they get to select. So, they get a tiny advantage just because they’re the cream of the crop.”

Ryan Seacrest’s been in front of the camera as host since the show’s first episode way, way back in June 2002. Seacrest’s been through the series’ ups and downs, and this 20th anniversary has special meaning to him.

“To look back at all of those moments and see some of those contestants when they first met us on the road and see the time that’s gone by and the success that they have had is impactful. It’s pretty incredible. I got emotional watching some of those great moments, and I think back to the beginning of this show. And when we started – and, Megan, you know this – it was a purely pop and more personality-driven show. It’s been navigated to become a very heartfelt, human, and artist-driven show because of what the judges have done. I think they’ve done that deliberately, and I think that that’s what you are seeing with these artists that may never have normally auditioned for American Idol in the past. I think the fact that we can audition on a computer allows us to tap into talent that has never sung in front of human beings before but yet can make it to the next level with these three superstar judges,” said Seacrest.

American Idol Season 20 — Music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Emmy¨-winning producer and host Ryan Seacrest, were on hand when ABC’s “American Idol” kicked off judge city auditions for the upcoming 20th season overall (ABC/Eric McCandless)

Entering into its 20th season American Idol’s set the bar high in terms of artists who’ve gone on to have incredibly successful careers after appearing on the Idol stage. Lionel Richie attributes that, in part, to the impact the judges have had on the contestants by sharing their own experiences and offering suggestions.

“I’ll speak from my side because I think there were years ago when I was first approached and they said, ‘Would you like to be a judge on American Idol?’ And I said, ‘Guys, I’m busy. I’m an artist. I have to be on the road. I want to be out where my fans are.’ And then all of a sudden, I got to a point in my life where you have all of this knowledge. You actually know a lot about what they are going through. So, when I was asked this time around, the answer was yeah. And Katy and Luke, what we have is experience. So, the difference is now we know exactly how they feel. We’ve been there before. We’ve heard nos more than we’ve ever heard yeses. And, so, to get here and to know what they are going through probably is half the game to us,” explained Lionel Richie.

“We had to overcome something to get here. So, each one of these kids now, we know what to tell them. I am now vested in the fact that what we talk to them about is our experiences and their experiences, and we relate,” said Richie. “We actually come together as mentors, as fathers and mothers because sometimes all they need is a hug just to understand what it’s all about – and that’s what we do as far as the judges. That’s why this show changed to what it is.”

Katy Perry agreed and added, “It’s not really necessarily about us. We are just kind of guiding them and supporting them and giving them cues and all of this knowledge that we’ve been able to cultivate over the decades. I think we really, really care because we’ve been in their shoes. We want to set them up for success.

We are hard on them because in the real world it is hard, but we are still doing it with grace. It’s about the 12 contestants. On this iteration of American Idol on ABC, it’s also really about singer-songwriters and artists and authentic talent. It’s not so much a singing competition. It’s like you’ve got to check a little bit of a bunch of boxes, and then, from there, we build.”

Ryan Seacrest believes American Idol does a great job of finding people across America who might not have the means to leave their hometowns. They locate talented people with, as Seacrest describes it, a “ferocious hunger” to make it. “And once that door opens, they are not going to let it go. And I think that there’s a hunger in all of that,” explained Seacrest.

Interest in auditioning for American Idol hasn’t waned and in fact, as Megan Michaels Wolflick pointed out, signups for this season’s auditions were higher than season 19’s. “It’s only going up. And I feel like it’s almost like contestants now are training like you would for the NFL as a child playing football, and they’ve been training for American Idol their whole life,” said Wolflick.

“The average age of our finalists this year is 20. So, it is the exact age that the show started, a full-circle moment,” added Wolflick. “And these three in the room this year, I would call it an extreme vocal makeover. They actually would help people, and, literally, you could see the before and after of where they came in. And after a couple of quick tips, they were transformed. And so, it’s that moment of really caring and being authentic that I think America subscribes to.”

Luke Bryan believes it’s the fact American Idol offers audiences the opportunity to get to know each of the contestants’ backstories that sets it apart from other competitions. “What people don’t realize, fans love the music of the artist but they love the story of the artist too. I think when you find out this person can sing, not only can they sing, but they’ve also navigated so many challenges of life… And when Idol tells those stories so beautifully, it makes the fans gravitate to that person even more which sets them up to go on and be a superstar because that person is so relatable right off the bat,” said Bryan.

‘Quantum Leap’ Gets a Pilot Order at NBC

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 13, 2022

There have been talks for years about giving Quantum Leap a fresh look, but now it appears those talks have turned into action. NBC confirmed they’ve given Quantum Leap a pilot order (a good first step), and the network even went as far as releasing an updated synopsis.

Per NBC: “It’s been 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now a new team has been assembled to restart the project in the hopes of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it.”

The synopsis indicates this Quantum Leap‘s actually a sequel, which leaves open the possibility of Scott Bakula’s return at some point. The original series aired on NBC from 1989 to 1993 with Bakula starring as Sam Beckett and Dean Stockwell co-starring as Al.

Writer Steven Lilien, writer Bryan Wynbrandt, Don Bellisario (creator of the original series), Deborah Pratt, and Martin Gero are on board as executive producers. The sequel’s a Universal Television production.

In addition to the Quantum Leap sequel, NBC announced they’ve given a pilot order to Found. The one-hour drama comes from writer and executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll, showrunner of The CW’s All American. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and David Madden of Berlanti Productions will executive produce along with Rock My Soul Productions’ Lindsay Dunn.

Berlanti Productions and Rock My Soul Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television are producing.

NBC released the following description of Found:

“In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. A public relations specialist — who was once herself one of those forgotten ones — and her crisis management team now make sure there is always someone looking out for the forgotten missing people. But unbeknownst to anyone, this everyday hero is hiding a chilling secret of her own.”

‘This Is Us” Season 6 Episode 3 Photos: “Four Fathers” Preview

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 13, 2022

NBC’s This Is Us continues its sixth and final season with episode three, “Four Fathers,” airing January 18, 2022. The promo video teases the episode will focus on dads, with a flashback to Jack’s first attempt at taking the Big 3 to the movie theater by himself. A grown-up Kevin is shown missing out on milestones, and Randall gives Déjà a driving lesson during which a secret’s revealed. (That side-eye from Randall means Déjà should prepare to be lectured!)

The sixth and final season stars Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson, Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson, Sterling K. Brown as Randall, Chrissy Metz as Kate, Justin Hartley as
Kevin, Susan Kelechi Watson as Beth Pearson, and Chris Sullivan as Toby.

The Plot, Courtesy of NBC:

Everyone has a family. And every family has a story. This Is Us chronicles the Pearson family across the decades: from Jack (Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Moore) as young parents in the 1980s to their kids (the big three), Kevin (Hartley), Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Randall (Brown) searching for love and fulfillment in the present day along with Toby (Sullivan) and Beth (Kelechi Watson).

This grounded, life-affirming dramedy reveals how the tiniest events in our lives impact who we become, and how the connections we share with each other can transcend time, distance and even death.