The Mandalorian is a Star Wars series created by Jon Favreau for Disney+, set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi. It follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), a solitary bounty hunter of the Mandalorian creed, and Grogu, the Force-sensitive foundling in his care.
Season 3 premiered on March 1, 2023. Having been declared apostate for removing his helmet, Din sets out for the ruined surface of Mandalore seeking redemption in the Living Waters of the Great Forge. His journey draws in Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) and turns toward the larger project of reuniting the scattered Mandalorian clans and reclaiming their homeworld from Imperial remnant forces under Moff Gideon.
The season expanded the show's scope considerably, weaving in threads from The Book of Boba Fett and setting up the broader Mando-verse. Reception was more mixed than for the first two seasons, with praise for its production design, Pascal and Sackhoff's performances, and Ludwig Göransson's score, alongside criticism of its more diffuse structure.
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!
American reality shows seldom satisfy as much as the fabulous dishes produced on this program! That is they would if we could get our hands on them and actually taste them like the judges do. Contestants have challenges in each episode that test their culinary talents specifically in the art of making desserts. Gail Simmons is the host and judges include Johnny Luzzini, Hubert Keller, and Dannielle Kyrillos with two challenges per episode. One challenging test is called a Quickfire followed by the Elimination Challenge. Quickfire being as the title implies, a quick test of the contestant's fundamental and basic skills in the kitchen. Elimination round is difficult and each chef must show how adaptable and creative they can be with a list of needs and use of specific ingredients. As with many other reality style shows, one contestant is eliminated at the end of each week, until there are only two remaining and the heat is not only in the kitchen but almost comes through the screen to us, the viewing audience. The loser is announced during the "Judges Table" at the end of each episode. Challenging these "experts in their own field" is a fun way to find out who can take the pressure and stand the heat until the finale at the end of the season. The winner receives $100,000 and the prestigious title of Top Chef in the world of Pastry Desserts.
Carrie Wells has what is considered a gift. A medical condition called hyperthymesia which is rare and not always welcome for those who have it. It involves total recall and the ability to remember every thing. She was a detective with the NYPD and now is called back into service to help solve some difficult cases involving murder. Homicide detective Al Burns is played by Dylan Walsh (Brooklyn South, Everwood) and he is Wells former partner as well as love interest which complicates things for the two of them. An interesting side note to this is that creative consultant Marilu Henner herself possesses the condition, hyperthymesia and she also plays a smaller role in Unforgettable being Wells aunt who suffers from Alzheimer's disease in its early stages. Henner starred in Taxi and Evening Shade. Unforgettable was originally titled The Rememberer which is the title of a short story by J. Robert Lennon. Starring Poppy Montgomery (Without A Trace, True Blue) as Carrie Wells who is also trying to find who and how her sister was murdered this hour long crime drama will make for interesting watching.
Broken romance puts Jessica Day into a tailspin and she finds herself without a place to live until she decides to move in with three male friends. She learns a lot while staying with the "boys" and it mostly involves learning about herself, life, and even love. The guys learn a lot as well when this unlikely group settle in together. Jess appreciates the help from her new roommates including "Coach", a personal trainer played by Damon Wayans, Jr.(The Other Guys, Happy Endings), "Nick" a wiseass bartender who is played by Jake M. Johnson (Curb Your Enthusiasm, FlashForward), and "Schmidt" who is a dedicated womanizer and played by Max Greenfield (Undercovers, No Ordinary Family). Jess Day herself is played by Zooey Deschanel (Yes Man, 500 Days of Summer). Damon Wayans, Jr. will be replaced after the first episode due to his returning to Happy Endings which was thought to be cancelled but made a come back. So we will then see Winston (played by Lamorne Morris from Second City fame) as the lease holder that Coach was subletting from. New Girl recently was voted one of the "Most Exciting New Series" at Critic Choice TV Awards. This is decided based on a group of journalists who watch pilots for some of the new programs scheduled for television.
Stars Hank Azaria, Kathryn Hahn, Natasha Leggero, and Al Madrigal apparently are having fun with the US version of a British hit titled Free Agents. The PR firm of CMA is the scene for much of the frivolity and even though the employees are there to assist their clientele it seems as if they can barely handle their own personal interests let alone be of assistance to any customers. Sitcoms that deal with workplace romance and banter have been popular for a long time (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, News Radio, Scrubs, Mad Men, The Office). There may be little in the way of plot line but plenty of humor, particularly of the dark and borderline mean variety. But the cast handles it all and even succeed in making the audience like them, well most of them. Sleazy and kinky yet charismatic boss Stephen (Anthony Head of Merlin and Buffy The Vampire Slayer) makes each day difficult for his staff. In the first episode we find two of the workers have committed the "cardinal" sin of employees sleeping together. Alex, played by Hank Azaria (does several voices on The Simpsons) and Helen (Kathryn Hahn of Crossing Jordan) get wasted and spend time in bed together, waking the next morning with more than just a hangover. At work other employees drill them for details and Alex nearly becomes a stalker trying to convince Helen to let him move in.
Big D (Dallas, Texas) is the scene and living La Vida Loca is where it's at for a group of young socially upscale singles who party hard, love fast, and take life easy. The Dallas Metro area is the background for hot young singles who get involved with a bit of drama as well as comedy in each episode. From one night stands to broken hearts we witness it all and maybe even learn a bit about how not to act if we want to survive the singles scene. Those who love the nightlife and crave the excitement of night clubs and hot parties will most likely enjoy this reality series. A widely diverse group of young adults, who find their lives intersecting from time to time, are entering relationships and break up at the drop of a hat and then move on to someone else. There are a few who are serious about finding someone who will give them stability and a permanent relationship, but just where to find them? And it is actually fun to watch (and perhaps place bets) on who will find the one who's just right for them.
