From Gilmore Girls to Mighty Ducks

Lauren Graham, who almost has a cult following thanks to her work in Gilmore Girls, has just been cast in the new Disney+ series The Mighty Ducks, based, of course, on the ‘90s movie franchise. The fine Brady Noon, whom you saw in Good Boys, will play her son. The 10-episode original series begins production this month in Vancouver and will premiere later this year.

This is how it will go down: in present day Minnesota, the Mighty Ducks have evolved from scrappy underdogs to an ultra-competitive, powerhouse youth hockey team. After 12-year-old Evan (Noon) is unceremoniously cut from the Ducks, he and his mom Alex (Graham) set out to build their own ragtag team of misfits to challenge the cutthroat, win-at-all-costs culture of competitive youth sports. One more good reason to subscribe to Disney+, as if you needed another.

 

How to Rock Valentine’s Day at Home

Who needs to hassle the crowds and elevated prices at trendy restaurants when you can have a warm and cuddly Valentines Day at home? My advice is to curl up on the couch in front of whatever screen suits your fancy, and watch something you’ve been dying to see for oh-so-long but haven’t quite found the time. Binge Season 3 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? Finally take on The Irishman? Scan through this website for suggestions. And see here some of our (mine and Frankie Feldman’s) favorite things for making the evening more special than your everyday Netflix and Chill.

 

Must Sees For Dog Lovers on Disney+

“Why are we so happily emotionally manipulated?” asked my husband as we wiped tears from our eyes and sniffled during the closing credits of the new, remarkably animated Lady and the Tramp on Disney+. We watched that immediately after the the same channel’s limited series Pick of the Litter, about puppies being raised up to be service dogs for the blind. I’m telling you, both shows are stellar entertainment, and I dare you not to cry. To answer my hubby’s query, I believe it’s because there’s so much negativity and rancor out there, we’re all up for any love and tenderness we can find. These two shows alone are worth a subscription, as if there wasn’t any other fabulous content on Disney+. Well played, Mickey!

 

Forget About a Home Makeover — HGTV is Offering to Re-Do an Entire Town!

HGTV is planning a new makeover so big it takes a village! Inspired by its series Home Town, in which adorable home reno couple Ben and Erin Napier transform older homes in their hometown of Laurel,  Mississippi, the network is asking fans to submit their own small towns, with a population less than 40,000, to be featured in the event series, Home Town Takeover. They’re specifically looking for towns “With great architecture longing to be revealed,” and “a Main Street that needs a facelift.” It’s scheduled to premiere in 2021, so there’s still time to submit.  See details here.

 

It’s the End of the Day, Ray

Showtime’s gritty fixer series Ray Donovan has finally come to an endThe Liev Schreiber starrer, has been canceled after seven seasons. As much as I love Liev, I think it’s time, since the last season started out as a re-hash of everything that came before. This year we’ll also see the end of Homeland, after eight seasons (also having run it’s course, IMHO) and Shameless — how much more depraved can the Gallaghers get? It’s 11th and final season will air this summer.

Remember Supermarket Sweep? It’s Back!

Thank you ABC! I remember my sister and I laughing so hard we cried, as people raced around with their shopping carts, grabbing massive slabs of raw meat. ABC is bringing back crazy game show Supermarket Sweep, and it will be hosted by Leslie Jones! Production on the 10-episode first season is set to begin this spring. There’s also a new version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, with celebrities playing for charity, and an interactive game viewers can play from home, premiering Wednesday, April 8. Bring on the game shows!

Leslie jones supermarket sweep

What’s Up With Peacock?

You’ve doubtless heard rumors about NBCUniversal’s upcoming streaming service, Peacock. Now I have the dish for you: There’s a free, ad-supported version with 7500 hours of programming, next-day access to current seasons of freshman NBC series, complete classic series, curated daily news and sports programming, and genre channels.

Then there’s Peacock Premium, bundled at no additional cost to Comcast and Cox subscribers, which will additionally include full season Peacock originals such as a Punky Brewster reboot starring Soleil Moon Frye; a new MacGruber, starring and co-written by Will Forte; Clean Slate, starring and co-written by Laverne Cox and George Wallace, about a car wash owner with a trans daughter; and Expecting, centered on a couple infanticipating via sperm donation, exec produced by Mindy Kaling; among many others.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Peacock premieres for Comcast subscribers on April 15, and nationally on July 15. Get more info here.

 

After a Five Year Reign, ‘The Crown’ Will Step Down

I thought that the phenomenal Netflix series The Crown would last for six seasons, two for each actress playing Queen Elizabeth II in progressing phases of her life. But not so. The currently cast Olivia Coleman will get one more season, then Imelda Staunton will play her for one season in her latter years. Looks like it’s going to stop well before Megxit, which is probably wise. Read all about it at The Hollywood Reporter.

Netflix the crown

Nat Geo Plans Projects With Wonder Woman and Thor

Talk about star power! National Geographic has inked deals with Chris Hemsworth (Thor)and Gal Godot (Wonder Woman) to be involved with a couple of non-fiction series. Hemsworth will host the science series Limitless, which explores different ways to live better for longer. Gadot will executive produce a six-part digital series focusing on young women who achieve extraordinary things—no word if she’ll handle hosting duties. Either way, they sound like super projects!

Chris HemsworthGal Godot

 

 

They’re Back, But Not Where You’d Think — ‘Saved by the Bell’ Reboot Gets Going

You may or may not have heard that NBC is doing a reboot of Saved by the Bell, with original cast members Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley and Mark-Paul Gosselaar all growed up, with the later serving as governor of California, and trying to sort out an unequal school system. Sounds like an interesting prospect, yes? The catch is you’ll have to subscribe to NBC’s new streaming service Peacock to see it. Clever marketing tool. Get more details here.

 

Katy Segal’s Doing an Erin Brokovich Pilot

A pilot for an Erin Brockovich-based drama series called Rebel, starring Katey Segal (Married…With Children, Sons of Anarchy) has been given a pilot at ABC. I’d watch. Also ordered up for ABC:  a pilot for a comedy called My Village, about an empty-nester mom. A lot will depend on who stars in that one, and what the twist will be.

Gratuitous Cute Video Posting

Okay, this dancing CBD gummies video doesn’t have much to do with TV, other than the fact that the guy who’s singing in the video sang the original Teenage Mutant Turtles theme song, aka James Mandell, aka the Sci Fi Rock Guy, aka my dear other half. I think it’s adorable. Check it out:

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