Lord of the Flies is the first-ever television adaptation of William Golding's landmark 1954 novel, written by Jack Thorne and directed by Marc Munden. A co-production that aired first on the BBC before reaching Netflix, it brings fresh scale and psychological depth to a story that has haunted readers for generations.
After a plane crash strands a group of British schoolboys on a remote Pacific island in the early 1950s, the boys attempt to govern themselves. Ralph (Winston Sawyers) tries to hold the group together with the counsel of the clever, bullied Piggy (David McKenna), but the charismatic, power-hungry Jack (Lox Pratt) foments a rebellion that fractures their fragile society into fear, tribalism, and violence. The production cast a large ensemble of young newcomers, many making their professional debuts.
Released in 2026, the four-part series earned wide critical acclaim for its stunning direction and its unflinching portrait of how quickly civilization can unravel. Filmed on Malaysia's Langkawi archipelago, it stands as a definitive screen version of Golding's parable. It is streaming on Netflix.
Georgia Chamberlain knows she can act. In fact she is the most confident person around and considered to be one of those "larger than life" kinda people. Georgia Chamberlain is ably played by Raven-Symone (That's so Raven, Sunny With a Chance) who was actually born in Georgia. She has moved to New York to pursue her dreams which include becoming an actress. Her best friend Jo Pye is played by Majandra Delfino (Men of a Certain Age, Life As We Know It), who is more the science "geek" type. The two women are trying to make it in the "big city" and we've seen that story idea before but this time around the women seem tougher and even more determined to make it! Georgia's Aunt Honey (Loretta Devine from Grey's Anatomy, For Colored Girls) is somewhat of a nymphomaniac and loves to brag about her exploits to the young women and also doles out advice while listening to their problems. This is actually light hearted fun television in a family format.
The Japanese refuse to quit their commercial whaling attempts and this creates a conflict among those who realize that whales simply will vanish from the planet soon if killing them is not stopped, once and for all. This makes for entertaining documentary style television and the Sea Shepherd Conservatory Society takes us along as we witness cruelty on the part of professional whalers. Paul Watson, the founder of the Conservation got help from the Discovery Channel to put together this reality documentary style show. We witness the tactics used as they attempt to dissuade commercial whalers from killing these magnificent creatures of the sea. And they mean business! With ramming, throwing stink bombs, and even boarding Japanese whaling vessels in mind, they keep up the good fight and try to teach their philosophy as well. The Japanese claim they are whaling for research purposed but it's obvious they have commercial gain in mind. Whales are intelligent creatures and they have been given names, making it more personal to see them killed. Each episode follows some specific whales and we witness what happens on the high seas is not always a pleasant experience.
Disney Channel is definitely THE place to go for outstanding programming for children and the Wizards of Waverly Place has been a big winner in that category at the Emmy's. How do the children of Wizards themselves become empowered with the magical capabilities passed down by their parent? They earn them. Father Jerry (David DeLuise) is a former wizard himself and he tries to teach his three kids to never take their potential powers for granted. They need to learn to get on in life without use of the magical power they now have because it may not last. But of course kids being kids they love to play with what they have and the act of turning an ordinary orange into a cupcake or change the settings on a clock prove irresistible to them. However the "Wizards in training" ultimately must compete to see which one will carry on the family trade because only one can hold the powers and the others will simply become mortals. Selena Gomez (The Suite Life on Deck, Sonny With a Chance) stars as well as performs the title song "Everything is Not What it Seems".
Professional decorator Jeff Lewis and his assistants are in the house "flipping" business. That is they buy them up cheaply and sell for a profit. Along the way there are always complications involved with refurbishing houses that have been neglected or even abandoned, thanks especially to the real estate crash in recent years. The stressful environment of flipping houses makes Lewis decide to concentrate more on home design and his consulting business as a means of income. We, the viewing audience, follow him and his helpers along as they work out the details and improve on each home they take on as a project now based in the Los Angeles, California area. Among the homes Jeff Lewis takes on as home improvement projects are some worth well over a million dollars so this is no small time business. Jenni Pulos, Ryan Brown, Chris Elwood, and Chris Keslar are part of his crew and prove to be dedicated workers who Lewis finds he can't do without. The program makes for some interesting and inspiring viewing that makes many of us want to head for the Home Depot and begin our own restoration in our own homes.
There are plenty of "cop" shows on television currently but one truly stands out as being totally entertaining and that one is Memphis Beat. Comedy, action, and some really good acting as well as scripts that stand out from the rest make for an hour's worth of enjoyment every week. Memphis Beat stars Jason Lee (My Name is Earl, Clerks II) as Memphis PD detective Dwight Hendricks, the self proclaimed "keeper of Memphis". He has several women in his life including his mother Paula Hendricks who is played by Celia Weston (Knight and Day, Modern Family), Memphis PD lieutenant Tanya Rice (Alfre Woodard from Desperate Housewives, Star Trek: First Contact), and an ex-wife Alex (played by Sunny Mabrey from Mad Men, Rules of Engagement) who shows up now and then. He has his hands full with each of these three women but his job seems to be a relief from personal life. Memphis Beat shows the southern charm and easy way of life of the south and even brings in some Elvis Presley music along the way. George Clooney is executive producer.
When you have not gotten enough of your favorite movie star, comedian, or rock star and their shows, you can always find out more than you might care to learn on the television program The Soup. Originally called Talk Soup, this daily half hour hosted by Joel McHale brings us clips from TV shows and movies along with tidbits and gossip regarding all those "beautiful" people we love to watch on the big or small screen or perhaps listen to their music. There is something very intriguing about what goes on behind the scenes of our favorite programs and how the celebrities spend their days that most of us love to follow and learn more about them. Even the infamous likes of O J Simpson and the latest to win her case, Casey Anthony, make for interesting following if only to see what they'll do next. Who marries whom and who gets divorced are among the attractions on The Soup and we get to learn it all while watching this sometimes interesting and often entertaining program.
Take a pair of long time friends who've become attorneys then put them to work in a stuffy law firm, and you have a new hit television series called Franklin & Bash. Breckin Meyer (Garfield: The Movie & Ghosts of Girlfriends Past) is Jared Franklin, overly self confident son of a well known trial lawyer who still loves to party, even while on the job. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (John from Cincinnati, Raising the Bar) plays Peter Bash who has been a close friend of Jared's for years and is much more mature than his zany pal "crash" a law firm by use of some rather unconventional techniques that amaze senior partner Stanton Infeld (Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) enough that he hires them to work in the firm. Once they move to the new prestigious firm even get their own enormous partners office. Franklin & Bash realize they've hit the jackpot with their new jobs and won't let their stuffed shirt new bosses tell them how to practice law. All is not well, of course, and they learn that compromise is important to succeed in their line of work and still have fun doing their jobs.
Based in Alameda California, MythBusters takes us through many experiments and trials to prove or disprove rumors long established to be truths. Among the programs and story ideas shown so far are adages, movie scenes, myths, news stories, and even some internet videos that are taken apart bit by bit and through scientific methods, either found to be valid or fakes. Whenever possible experiments will test how events happened or equipment is made to work or even made from "scratch" when needed. Experts in the art of special effects including Adam Savage (movie animator and designer) and Jamie Hyneman (beret wearing with a walrus style mustache) argue with each other as they work out how to demonstrate just how their experiments work (or don't work). While most of their scientific work is done in California some time is spent in production in Artarmon, Australia and out on location. Special effects are amazing to watch and make interesting viewing while they disprove things we have long believed in.
Councilwoman Melissa Burke known as "Mel" used to be quite the party girl and rebelled against society before growing up and getting serious about her community. Now a dedicated councilwoman, Melissa (played by Melissa Joan Hart from Sabrina the Teenage Witch & My Fake Fiancee) finds she must provide a home for her nephew and niece (her sister's children). Seems that their mom is in jail for money laundering while their dad is on the run after being accused of running a Ponzi scheme. Melissa soon discovers she needs help with her new instant family and hires a babysitter to help out. Joey Lawrence (My Fake Fiancee & Gimme a Break!) plays Joe Longo, a commodities trader, is currently out of work due to the same Ponzi scheme and hires on as the new nanny or "manny". Taking on two youngsters, Ryder and Lennox, is no easy task as both Joe and Mel soon find out. This heart warming family sit-com is full of hope and day to day situations that mirror real life.
When Chloe King turns sixteen she discovers she is descended from an ancient race, the Mai. She soon learns of her new found cat like powers which include super human speed, night vision, super hearing, agility, retractable claws, and that she now has nine lives just like a cat. Upon discovering that someone is following her, Chloe also learns she is the descendant of an ancient race called the Mai and just might be responsible for protecting her race from the human assassins which have been on the prowl for them during the past thousands of years. Skyler Samuels (Wizards of Waverly Place) is Chloe King, who had quite a sweet sixteen birthday present. Amy Pietz (Caroline in the City) plays her mother, Meredith King. A single mom, Skyler raised Chloe by herself although she is from the Ukraine and was brought to the U.S. by a man who adopted Chloe and may also know about her and the super powers she has gained. Now Chloe has a heavy responsibility if she is to save the world, including both humans and the Mai race.