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.
Always busy actor, writer, producer, stand up comedian, musician, screen writer, and television personality Paul Reiser has a new project and with the title of The Paul Reiser Show it is obvious that he will have an invested part in this one, a sit-com that is about"¦ well"¦ Paul Reiser. He wrote the scripts, produces, and stars as himself (sort of) as the show is somewhat autobiographical. Paul (Mad About You, Curb Your Enthusiasm) portrays a former TV star who chooses to return to the small screen after years of staying home and taking it easy while spending "quality" time with his wife and children. With a bit of help from his friends Paul searches for just the right "big thing" that can get his creative juices flowing again. Amy Landecker (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Louie) is Claire, Paul's wife. Friends Jonathan played by Ben Shenkman (Law & Order), Habib played by Omid Djalili (Gladiator, The Mummy), and Fernando portrayed by Duane Martin (Ghost Whisperer, All of Us) help Paul get back into the groove and return to what he loves which is acting and being funny. Paul Reiser is a very funny (not to mention multi-talented) guy!
If you watched "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" before you watched "The Sopranos," you would get the uneasy sensation art was imitating life just a little too closely. They are two versions of the same story: Wiseguys attempt to balance the strange demands of life in the suburbs with the everyday business of running a criminal empire. The problem with posing as a respectable businessman is that you sometimes must actually be respectable. It's almost funny in a painfully awkward sort of way, but nothing good could come from laughing out loud. "Ayy, fahget abowt it," Tony Soprano and his New Jersey mobsters would say. Are you genuinely surprised to discover that prom dresses and cement overcoats do not easily reconcile? Are you genuinely surprised to learn "The Sopranos" is cable television's greatest financial success? "The Sopranos," in fact, was the foundation of a major cultural phenomenon and marketing franchise, which supported books, videogames, soundtrack CDs, and more than a few critical blogs. Of course, the producers and cast had to hijack a semi-trailer to cart home all of their Emmys and Golden Globes.
Imagine having millions, and being a charitable type, decide to spread your wealth around a bit. How can you go about giving some of your wealth away without appearing like a phony? Do it through a network television program designed to help people on both sides of the "street". ABC takes viewers along as true life millionaires enter poverty stricken areas to live among the local citizens and upon getting to know them, donate part of their millions to one or more deserving folks or projects in the area. It's a fascinating concept and most of us wish we could be on the receiving end of that concept. Some of us actually belong to the giving, generous portion of the population and love the idea of giving to those in need. But, determining who is actually needing and deserving can get complicated because greed makes many of us deceptive. That's why these secret millionaires infiltrate the poor community and try to make good decisions based on how they perceive the needs and those who deserve. Don't miss this inspiring television program that has been produced in the UK, Australia, and the U.S.
An American crime drama, The Killing is based on a Danish television program titled Forbrydelsen which means The Crime. American writers say they used the original as a "blue print" but gave it a distinctly Americanized flair with characters that will be more appealing to the viewing audience. The setting for The Killing is Seattle, Washington and the show revolves around police investigators and their daily work load. Each episode will center on one day of an investigation into the homicide of a small girl and follows along with the investigating officers as they track down clues and work to solve the case before the trail runs cold. A dark show, The Killing is brutally honest in many respects regarding the why's and how's of a murder. The police deal with brutality and mayhem but never get used to it entirely. Cast members include Mireille Enos as detective Sarah Linden, Billy Campbell as politician running for Mayor of Seattle Darren Richmond, Michelle Forbes portrays Mitch Larsen (mother of the murdered girl Rosie), Brent Sexton as Stan Larsen (father of Rosie), and Joel Kinnaman who plays the part of Stephen Holder, Sarah Linden's partner and fellow detective
Based on the Italian fifteenth century Borgia dynasty, the made for the Showtime network series titled The Borgias follows Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons) rise to power and the Papacy. Called the original crime family, the Borgias amassed great wealth, influence, and power as family patriarch Rodrigo committed nearly every sin imaginable as he gained power and vast wealth. Such successors as The Godfather (Mario Puzo) and The Prince (Niccolò Machiavelli) were inspired by the original "bad family" the Borgias and made for entertaining viewing. But the originals were greedy evil people who had no morals. It is at the height of the Renaissance period that we find the Borgia family intriguing to watch and perhaps learn from. Besides Jeremy Irons there are many fine actors in the cast including Francois Arnaud as Cesare Borgia, Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia, David Oakes as Juan Borgia, and Derek Jacobi portraying Cardinal Orsini. Look for this entertaining television series and see the original "Godfathers of crime".
Who says symbiosis cannot be funny? Co-dependency typically is tragic; reciprocity generally is wistful and romantic. "Peep Show" affords viewers a rare and privileged glimpse into perfect coincidence and complement. "Peep Show" pairs the proper and respectable, reasonably successful but socially inept Mark Corrigan with Jeremy Lisbourne, an unemployed musician who makes-up in narcissism and self-confidence what he lacks in musical talent. Of course, Jeremy's irrepressible optimism complements Mark's relentless pessimism. Of course, Mark's cynicism and lassitude provoke Jeremy's vaguely manic enthusiasm. Of course, women terrify Mark, encouraging Jeremy to tutor him in the subtle arts of grace and seduction. One could not survive without the other; and in this intricately inter-dependent environment, "Peep Show's" comedy flourishes. Early in 2011, "Peep Show" earned the title "longest-running sit-com on British Television's Channel 4." To the best of our knowledge, they award no nifty statuette for that, but it represents a considerable honour"”at least as big as the show's BAFTA awards. "Peep Show's" style showcases its writers' talents, because it features point of view shots with Mark and Jeremy's thoughts revealed in voice-overs.
There is an increasing curiosity regarding our past today. Our grandparents left us some clues, like leaving a trail of bread crumbs they only make us want to learn more about where we come from and why we may act or look the way we do. Our genes are what the study of genealogy is all about and with the assistance of our trusty computer, some software designed to track down our past, and some help from experts in the trade our past is easier than ever to trace back. The television show Who Do You Think You Are? is about following the leads as presented to celebrities participating on the show. They are able to go and view the very records either on the internet or actually visiting the various record keeping facilities in public libraries or county birth and death records and gathering facts about their ancestors. We can each do the same tracking of our roots with help from the internet and some genealogy web sites and it is a fun past time that many enjoy. Who knows? You may have a pirate or a politician in your family tree.
Tyra Banks sure knows how to get them talking! Her style and warmth blend in with the "talk show theme" quite well and she brings out the opinions of her audience even as she expresses her own. A recent show was themed around fierce women, particularly the single ones. Seems like women today feel pressured to get that ring on their finger in order to feel "complete" yet many of the singles love their lives as they are. And women who simply do not wish to have children? Well there are plenty of them out there also. No subject is taboo on the Tyra's show and she proves it by discussing discrimination, sexuality, as well as racial issues and even obesity. These are issues that should not be a problem in this modern society yet they're still around and remain problematic for many. Being overweight is extremely common today and discrimination is an issue that will endlessly haunt them. Society and how to live in it always makes for good TV and the questions never stop being interesting and thought provoking on The Tyra Banks Show.
With coaches rather than judges the theme is directed toward mentoring and giving advice from well known and highly respected people in the music world. Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, and Adam Levine will "coach" their contestants through the various processes involved. There will first be a blind audition in which only the contestant's voice is revealed to their coach/judge, next a "battle" phase in which the contestants (performing as teams) compete against one another as they sing the same song, and then they will be asked to perform their song on live television. It is in this final phase that the TV audience will participate and give their opinion as to which act is best. Competition is heald in eight US cities including, Nashville, New York, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Austin, and Minneapolis in addition to online auditions for a wide and varied selection of talented singers. When the teams are down to one member for each of the coaches they will compete in the finale and $100,000 prize. The Voice is an intriguing new concept in reality programming.
Maybe the best written and most entertaining teen soap since Dark Shadows is running on the Nickelodeon network. Following the lives of eight teenagers who happen to all reside in Anubis House, a United Kingdom boarding house, the cast includes an American female, Nina Martin who is living there with her grand mother after the death of her parents. Other youthful residents include Patricia (Jade Ramsey), Nina (Nathalia Ramos), Sarah (Rita Davies), and a missing Joy (Klariza Clayton). When Joy comes up missing at about the same time that Nina arrives suspicion is pointed at her. A rather scary caretaker, Victor Rodenmaar (played by Francis Magee), is determined to get rid of any evidence that Joy was ever there. An ancient necklace plays a part as do some wax cylinders found in the attic. Friends Fabian Rutter (Brad Kavanaugh), Alfie Lewis (Alex Sawyer), and Amber Millington (Ana Ten) help Nina investigate the mysteries they find in the old house. They form a group and call it Sibuna which is Anubis spelled in reverse. Plenty of ongoing relationships between the eight teens as they explore their aged residence (named for an Egyptian god Anubis).