What’s On: ‘Battle of Network Stars’ Revival, a New ‘Zoo,’ ‘This Is Us’ Cast Plays ‘Hollywood Game Night’

Matt Roush
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Howard Cosell and Gabriel Kaplan from 'Welcome Back, Kotter' on the 'Battle of the Network Stars'
ABC
11/13/76 - Howard Cosell and Gabriel Kaplan from "Welcome Back, Kotter" on the "Battle of the Network Stars" airing on the ABC Television Network. (Photo by ABC via Getty Images) talent: HOWARD COSELL, GABRIEL KAPLAN, GABE KAPLAN photographer: ABC credit: American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. source: American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. cap writer: AL/WW

Battle of the Network Stars (9/8c, ABC): ABC is doubling down on this whole “throwback Thursday” notion, adding a revival of this 1970s-80s chestnut to the new Gong Show (10/9c), which premiered last week to promising summer numbers. Over the next 10 weeks, 100 TV celebs from 14 broadcast and cable networks will throw down in classically cheesy competitions from yore, with categories including tug of war, kayak, obstacle course and, naturally, a dunk tank. If the setting looks familiar, it’s because the show is taking place where the original show did from 1976-89: the Malibu campus of Pepperdine University. ESPN’s Mike Greenberg and Joe Tessitore assume the traditional Howard Cosell hosting duties, calling the action as the first teams square off: representing classic TV Sitcoms, Bronson Pinchot, Tom Arnold, Dave Coulier, AJ Michalka and Tracey Gold; on team TV Kids: Joey Lawrence, Corbin Bleu, Nolan Gould, and returning players Lisa Whelchel and Kim Fields from The Facts of Life. Coaching the teams throughout the seasons: MMA champ Ronda Rousey and former NFL/Super Bowl star DeMarcus Ware.

Zoo (10/9c, CBS): The thriller’s third season goes all-out sci-fi with a 10-year time jump to 2027. Shades of The Handmaid’s Tale, the human population has been sterilized, a byproduct of curing the animals running amok. But now genetically modified hybrids are on the loose, including a half woolly mammoth/half rhino. Enter zoologist Jackson Oz (James Wolk), whose blood transfusion last season does a number on his physiology and might make him just the superhero the world needs to save mankind.

Inside Thursday TV: Members of NBC’s This Is Us casting—including breakout stars Chrissy Metz, Sterling K. Brown and Justin Hartley—bask in their new celebrity, playing a round of NBC’s Hollywood Game Night (8/78c). … A different sort of game night is on display in the final night of Turner Classic Movies’ monthlong spotlight on “Gay Hollywood,” which kicks off with Mike Nichols’ Oscar-winning 1966 adaptation of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (8/7c). Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton star as the combative Martha and George, with George Segal and Sandy Dennis as their unsuspecting late-night houseguests. … He may have ditched NBC and America’s Got Talent, but Nick Cannon is back on MTV for a new season of freestyle improv in Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ’n Out (11/10c).

 

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Howard Cosell

Howard Cosell

Bruce Jenner

Bruce Jenner

Suzanne Somers

Suzanne Somers

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  1. C

    CyanCoathanger

    I suppose I'll have to at least take a peek at Zoo. It got so ridiculous at times last year that I barely paid attention to it. It would have made a much better limited event series for just one season.

    I'm sticking with The Night Shift and wondering if they're going to bring Ken Leung back or not. They referred to his character several times last week, and it doesn't seem like they would have done so if he was written off completely.

  2. G

    GoldSubmarine

    I watched Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf in school (teacher made us write a report about it), but don't recall it having anything to do with gays. I could be wrong its been many years since I watched it. Mike Nichols was married to Diane Sawyer among many other women correct?

    Boy Band for me tonight and Nashville later (if available ON DEMAND)

    1. C

      CyanCoathanger

      Virginia Woolf is featured because the playwright, Edward Albee, was notorious for being openly gay before it was a common thing to do. The "Gay Hollywood" theme isn't about gay movies but films by actors, directors, composers, and playwrights who were gay.

    2. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Thanks for the info, had no clue. I knew Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were married (more than once for sure) and the director had multiple marriages , didn't even consider looking into the playwright.

      Didn't even know it was an original play. The movie was very well acted for sure. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had amazing chemistry. That I do recall. Saw it during my senior year in High school. My teacher used to have us watch classic movies once a week or so. We would discuss them and/or write essays about the movies. Alfred Hitchcock movies were my favorite of her choices. I enjoyed every one. I think I watched every single Hitchcock movie (even the very early ones in the 20's and 30's) . During my Junior year a different teacher allowed us to choose any ;classic movie we wished. The class overwhelmingly chose Eddie Murphy's Trading Places. One of his funniest movies ever. A true modern comedy classic.

    3. C

      CyanCoathanger

      Yes, Virginia Woolf won the Tony Award for best play before it was made into a movie. I'm really surprised they'd show it at your high school. Ours wouldn't have allowed it due to the adult themes and foul language.

      I own almost every Hitchcock movie on DVD including two boxed sets.

    4. G

      GoldSubmarine

      My teacher was extremely old and didn't follow any rules. I'm talking almost 90 uears old, everyonte loved her because she didn't care about attendance or anything. Don't know how my school allowed her to stay on as a teacher. Mrs Stansbury's voice was barely audible, but she managed to stay on as teacher another year or so after I graduated.

      My favorite Hitchcock movies in no particular order (and I know I left off some) * demotes my top favorites:

      The Wrong Man

      Sabotage

      Blackmail

      Lady Vanishes

      Marnie

      Rebecca

      Spellbound

      Vertigo

      *Rear Window

      *North by NorthWest- I never tire of this classic!

      Birds

      *Frenzy

      Torn Curtain

      *Psycho- Likely the scariest movie I have ever watched. The first sequel was solid as well. I'm sure Hitchcock would have approved.

      *Stranger on a Train (This and the one below are probably my tops)

      *Shadow of a Doubt - Alfred Hitchcock himself is said to have loved this one the most.

      *The Rope (This and the one below were very risky and experimental type movies, both were superb

      *Lifeboat

      *Saboteur

      *Suspicion

      *Notorious

      *39 steps

      *Man Who Knew Too Much 1934 and 1956 versions

      *To Catch a Thief

      *Foreign Correspondent

      *Dial M for Murder

      Mr and Mrs Smith

      *Family Plot

      *Topaz

      *Trouble with Harry

      I Confess

      Number 13

      The Ring

      Murder!

    5. G

      GoldSubmarine

      I should have added Alfred Hitchcock Presents- I have watched multiple episodes of this classic on ME TV cable network (I think that's the channel) each and everyone is amazing. They aired a marathon last summer and was hooked to the TV one very long weekend. I know he was only a host, but I loved that show ! Very well produced and acted. After the marathon I was able to watch many other episodes on random nights and times. Definitely recommend for any Hitchcock fan. And the theme tune was PERFECT!