The Girlfriend is a slippery, dual-perspective psychological thriller on Prime Video, adapted from Michelle Frances's 2017 bestselling novel. Robin Wright, who also directs several episodes and executive produces, stars as Laura, a successful gallery owner and fiercely protective mother whose comfortable life tilts off its axis when her adored son Daniel brings home a new girlfriend. Olivia Cooke plays Cherry, the ambitious young woman who may be a devoted partner or a calculating opportunist, depending entirely on whose version of events you believe.
The series' central formal trick is to refuse to take a side. As the relationship between the two women curdles from wary politeness into open psychological warfare, the show replays key events from each woman's point of view, subtly altering a glance, a line of dialogue, or a gesture so that the same scene reads as either menacing or perfectly innocent. The effect keeps the audience permanently off balance, unsure whether Laura is a mother rightly sensing danger or a snob poisoning her son's happiness, and whether Cherry is a victim or a predator.
Wright and Cooke are both excellent, circling each other with icy precision, and critics praised the series as a tense, morally ambiguous adult thriller elevated by its two committed leads. Stylish and coolly unnerving, The Girlfriend is streaming on Prime Video.
Laurieann "Boomkack" Gibson is host of Born to Dance, a reality show for those who love to dance (or just watch great dancers get their start). An "America's Got Talent" just for dancers, this new eight episode series provides a good opportunity for those who are passionate about dancing. And a prize of $50,000 won't hurt the competitive spirit of these talented young people either. Presented on BET (Black Entertainment Television), Born to Dance: Laurieann Gibson will take 20 aspiring hopefuls through a process of elimination each week, where someone will leave the show and the rest compete for the final winning spot. A musical video style competition is one weeks challenge while others include making a TV commercial, and even the opportunity to perform, live with the one and only, Lady Gaga and do it before a full house on the Monster's Ball Tour. Dancers can show off their fancy footwork and their ability to choreograph their dance steps and style each week of the competition until only one is left standing. Not for the shy or bashful, this contest is all about having a passion for dance.
Back for another season due to an explosion of popularity, Tosh.0 will now be seen with 25 episodes although they may be split up over the year. Tosh.0 was recently called the top cable program watched by adults from 18 to 49 years of age with some 2.4 million watching. That's quite a feat indeed for a self created show. Daniel Tosh himself is responsible for creation, production, writing scripts, and presenting the program that basically throws humorous barbs at videos seen on the internet. Episodes begin with a clip of a video seen on the internet then Tosh makes fun of the various sequences in the video followed by him posting his comments about it as others might do on sites like YouTube. He keeps on making posts until he runs out of jokes or 20 seconds, whichever comes first. Redemption is an option when Daniel Tosh invites those who's video clips he has emphasized onto the show. He also brings on musical artists he likes in what is called a web remix and invites them to perform. A wide variety of material keeps this entertaining show a must see!
Batman: The Brave and the Bold, featuring two or more of the super heroes who decide to come together and foil super villains and solve crimes, plays out on television weekly in this animated American series. When Batman teams up with other super heroes life will be safer here on planet Earth. Each show begins with an introduction and the villain and super hero may be introduced for that specific episode. Each episode is split into two parts with an adventure before the theme song is played followed by the main adventure or plot. In this version of the Dark Knight we see a more playful and light hearted hero with occasional reference to the 1960's version of the Batman series thrown in just for fun. Some of the super heroes and villains appearing on episodes of Batman: The Brave and the Bold include Green Lantern, Equinox, Vulture, Elasti-Girl, Wildcat, Riddler, Space Ghost, Crazy Quilt, and the Flash. Vicki Vale makes an occasional appearance as Bruce Wayne's love interest. A light tone for the younger set is common in this series but the subject of death is covered somewhat when the murders of Bruce Wayne's parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne by the evil Joe Chill are retold.
With all the music and talent competitions floating around now days it was a wise decision to include some school pride and a cappella style singers. Each episode there are eliminations as expected, and a culmination at the end when the winners are announced. This season the competitors include Howard University, Dartmouth College, The University of Delaware, and Brigham Young University. In the first episode we see that The Cat's Pajamas (from Branson, MO) and the Fannin Family from Hortonville, WI were the first two groups to be eliminated. Hosted by Nick Lachey (former member of 98 Degrees, a boy band) and talented judges including Shawn Stockman (from Boyz II Men), Ben Folds (singer, songwriter) and Sara Bareilles (pianist, singer, songwriter) who replaces Nicole Scherzinger (lead singer of Pussycat Dolls) who moved to judge on The X Factor. Some super stars of the musical world will make appearances including Neil Diamond, Bobby McFerrin, Smokey Robinson, and Boyz II Men. For those who like pop music and anyone who appreciates talent when they see it this show insures a definite good time viewing.
The new hit series Prime Suspect is a reboot of a crime drama already familiar to British television viewers. The strong female role is now played by Maria Bello in the U.S. version whereas Helen Mirren capably handled the rough and tumble female cop role in the original British version. We find out in the first few minutes exactly how not to approach Detective Timoney as she is simply not in the mood for small talk or flirting. Jane Timoney is a dedicated member of the NYPD and has plenty of "attitude". As with other female cop roles like Olivia Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order SVU), Mary Shannon of In Plain Sight, Kyra Sedgwick's Brenda Johnson from The Closer, and the original Police Woman herself, Angie Dickinson's Pepper Anderson the most difficult part of being a good looking female cop may be convincing others the can handle the job. So attitude goes a long way. Starring Maria Bello (ER, World Trade Center) who handle such cases as a raped and murdered woman after it happened in front of her small children. The case goes to her but is taken away by another detective who dies on the job, prompting her to demand it be returned to her. Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall, Nine Lives) is Lieutenant Kevin Sweeney who is often helpful to Jane.
When billionaire software guru known simply as Mr. Finch develops a software program for computers that helps identify someone who potentially will become involved with violent crime he intended the program to help locate terrorists in our midst and prevent another disaster such as happened on September 11, 2001. As they work with the software it is soon learned there are other uses for it. The program can be set to detect those who run the risk of being involved in some sort of violent crime but cannot tell if those involved will become victims or perpetrator or simply witnesses to the crime. While crimes cannot be stopped before happening they do find it helpful in solving and making arrests. Helping Mr. Finch (Michael Emerson from Lost, The Practice) solve these crimes is John Reese (Jim Caviezel of Outlander, The Prisoner), formerly with the CIA and now presumed to be dead. Mr. Finch is also thought to be deceased and the two have worked out a plan to locate those singled out by the software program by use of their social security numbers.
Most that have some form of celebrity status are beloved by millions! Take athletes and especially Olympic medal winner, very few do not have enormous fan clubs and generally nothing but praise is bestowed on them. But there are some "stars" whose light shines a little less bright in many people's eyes. Some examples of this type of personality are Jersey Shore's Snooki (Nicole Elizabeth Polizzi). She is just one of those personalities many love to hate! It's just something about their persona or maybe they actually are somewhat despicable. Another example and is also seen on the pilot episode is Kim Kardashian (Keeping Up With The Kardashians). Those who have animosity towards Kim are most likely jealous of her fame and fortune for being a non-celebrity. Mario Lopez (Saved ByThe Bell, Nip/Tuck) hosts and is part of the production crew for H8R which is the texting short-cut for Hater. There could be a long line up of celebrities to appear on the program, it's up to them to come forward and admit they are not exactly beloved by all. Some that have been booked thus far include Eva Longoria, Barry Bonds, and Kat Von D. The producers hope to get many more including Mel Gibson, Joan Rivers, Lady Gaga, and even Sarah Palin.
Charlie's Angels first came our way back in 1976 and was a huge hit! Now this "reboot" promises to be at least as successful as the original due to beauty and brilliant writing. Seems these three young, self confident, and self reliant women each have a rather shady past. One was a cat burglar, another was a dirty cop, and the third was booted out of the Marine Corps. But Charlie Townsend (Victor Garber), who just happens to be extremely wealthy and dedicated to fighting crime, helps these young ladies get back on the right track when he hires them to assist in solving crimes. As he directs them over the telephone we never actually see who Charlie is but just hear his voice. Abby Sampson (Rachel Taylor of Grey's Anatomy) is a thief who originally came from a wealthy family. Kate Prince (Annie Lionzeh formerly from General Hospital) is an ex cop who got involved with corruption while with the Miami PD. Then there is Gloria Morales (briefly played by Nadine Velazquez from My Name is Earl before the character is killed off). And once Gloria is killed in a car bombing she is replaced by Eve French (Minka Kelly most recently seen on Parenthood). Eve was close with Gloria and now she loves to race fast cars and chase down bad guys. Look for some well written scripts (Alfred Gough & Miles Millar) as well as plenty of fast action from these beauties!
The competition is high and so are the stakes for the U.S. version of The X Factor. Judges have been selected from the cream of the celebrity music crop and with a recording contract worth $5 million the winners in each category will need to be at their best and give the performances of their lives. Simon Cowell is creator of The X Factor and will oversee the talent as well as the judges, assuring the show goes on in an audience pleasing manner. Each of the judges will handle one of the four assigned categories that include boy singers (ages 12-25), girl singers (ages 12-25), group singers, and those who are over the age of twenty five. Unlike other programs of this sort there is no upper age limit for the competitors. Judges will mentor those in their category and offer help and advise as the competition progresses. Getting that advise from the likes of Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, L.A. Reid, or Simon Cowell himself will be invaluable to the aspiring singers as they have helped fashion many super stars in the music industry. There are to be five competitive stages involved: Auditions by the producers, auditions by the judges, a Bootcamp, visitation to the judges houses, and finally the live shows where it all comes down to a single winner or group. As the five stages of the competition progress, it promises to get more exciting each week
Emily VanCamp, who was previously seen on ABC's Brothers & Sister now gets far more serious and sinister as she moves to the Hamptons seeking Revenge for wrongs committed on her family. The close knit community welcomes her but has no idea what she intends to do while getting her Revenge. The concept comes loosely from an Alexandre Dumas novel titled The Count of Monte Cristo and revenge is something most of us have wanted as some point. Other stars of Revenge include Madeleine Stowe (Unlawful Entry, Twelve Monkeys) as Victoria Grayson, Gabriel Mann (The Thacker Case, Dark Streets) as Nolan Ross, and Henry Czerny (Clear and Present Danger, The Pink Panther) is Conrad Grayson. Exacting Revenge can be dangerous but also rewarding and we will enjoy following along each week as Emily Thorne gets even with those who shaped her future ever since her childhood. She finds plenty of "skeletons in the closet" of the rich and powerful living in the Hamptons and does not want to forgive any of them. She will get her revenge one way or another!