A ‘Get Shorty’ Showdown, A Fresh Start for Issa on ‘Insecure,’ ‘Fear’ Infects Al
A critical checklist of notable weekend TV:
Get Shorty (Sunday, 9/8c, Epix): High on the list of best shows you’re probably not watching is this terrific Hollywood satire/crime dramedy inspired by Elmore Leonard. (It’s especially highly recommended to those who may be wishing Better Call Saul would just get on with it already.) Shorty’s second season reaches its midpoint with one of its best episodes, a showcase for Ray Romano as hack producer-turned-informant Rick, whose double-dealing has been discovered by Miles (Chris O’Dowd) and Louis (Sean Bridgers) — and they’re none too pleased. The ensuing interrogation would be hair-raising if Rick’s hair weren’t already standing on end. The dilemma: what to do with this traitor and how to contain the fallout with their scary mob boss Amara (Lidio Porto) — who happens to be Rick’s lover. Additional incentive to watch: Felicity Huffman having a ball as a quirkily chipper FBI Agent who’s pulling many of the strings here. It’s great to see her enjoying herself after so much suffering on several seasons of American Crime.
Insecure (Sunday, 10:30/9:30c, HBO): In a pivotal episode of this Emmy-nominated comedy, Issa (Issa Rae) sees a chance for a fresh start as she sets up in her new apartment, where she’s taken a gig as property manager — apparently she doesn’t watch Mom — and reevaluates her future at the We Got Y’all workplace. A chance encounter with a recent acquaintance, and a visit to the hood where she grew up, also has her rethinking her options. Molly (Yvonne Orji) seeks respite from her own job dissatisfaction by venting to her therapist. (Maybe she should try Issa’s mirror routine. It would be cheaper.)
Fear the Walking Dead (Sunday, 9/8c, AMC): New blood, not all of it yet spilled, has done wonders for the zombie-apocalypse spinoff this season. Among the stronger cast additions: Lost’s Maggie Grace as Al (short for Althea), the loner videographer, and Jenna Elfman as June (previously known as “Naomi” or “Laura”). In an episode directed by Colman Domingo (Strand), these survivors are stranded on their own and trying to reconnect in the wake of the hurricane. Naturally, there are obstacles, including Al’s van being stolen and her succumbing to a dangerous fever. In a separate subplot, Morgan (Lennie James) tries to make contact with his lost friends, who may or may not be pleased to meet his new and not especially trustworthy traveling companions, introduced last week (Mo Collins, Daryl Mitchell and 12 Monkeys’ Aaron Stanford). And what’s up with Tonya Pinkins’ apparent madwoman? Looks like we’ll be seeing more of her as well.
Inside Weekend TV: CBS’s Pink Collar Crimes (Saturday, 8/7c) looks at the dark side of extreme couponing, revisiting the cast of Phoenix housewife Robin Ramirez, who orchestrated the largest fake-coupon scam in U.S. history… A streaming treat, courtesy of HBO Asia, Miss Sherlock is a gender-switched twist on the Arthur Conan Doyle classic. The eight-part series, co-produced with Hulu in Japan, introduces a female Sherlock (Yuko Takeuchi), born in Britain, who moves to Japan, where she meets Dr. Wato Tachibana (Shihori Kanjiya), a surgeon newly returned from a mission in Syria. One thing remains constant in this Sherlock-Watson dynamic: They’re a whiz at solving bizarre crimes. The series will be available on the HBO GO and HBO NOW platforms as well as On Demand… TV One’s original film, Dinner For Two (Sunday, 7/6c), stars Tristan “Mack” Wilds (The Wire) as Chris, a man struggling to accept the end of his romantic relationship with Rose (Nashville’s Chaley Rose), for whom he prepares one last favorite meal.
Conversation13 Comments
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I\'m watching John McCain\'s memorial right now. Touched by former President Obama\'s speech and the many prayers and songs being performed. Earlier this week, after Neil Simon died, I watched both Come Blow Your Horn and The Odd Couple. Both of which were very funny. I especially loved seeing the Pigeon Sisters in the latter again. R.I.P. Both
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Simon wrote a lot of great plays. Luckily, most of his works translated into really good films.
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Well, he adapted most of them...
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That\'s true, but a good screenplay doesn\'t guarantee a good movie. A lot depends on how the director interprets it and the actors they choose to be in it.
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Agreed, I loved almost every Simon movie. My favorites were : Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, Bare Foot in the Park, Heartbreak Kid,The Out of Towners, Sunshine Boys, Goodbye Girl, Seems Like Old Times, Murder By Death ,Cheap Detective, California Suite Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues and much more that I can\'t recall at the moment.
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R
Wow, there\'s really nothing on this evening. Although you really can\'t go wrong with an Indiana Jones movie. Or an episode of Person of Interest.
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Looks like my usual weekend minus Preacher which ended last week. Fear, Talking, and Worst Cooks still rule my Sunday.
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Has Preacher been Renewed for another season???
Wynonna Earp (Friday) is scary/humorous...but NOT as scary/humorous as Preacher...
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Nothing has been announced yet, but last year, they didn\'t announce the renewal until October. AMC is on their own schedule.
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\"Preacher\", no decision yet about a 4th season. The ratings were down in demographics and viewers, 39% and 27%. AMC has a good track record of renewing shows with even lower ratings(\"Halt & Catch Fire\" with abysmal ratings lasted 3 seasons!).
On the other hand, \"Preacher\" is much more expensive than \"Halt\". It\'s such a great show that I will be surprised if it is not allowed to have a proper final season.
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Sorry didn\'t see your reply before posting!
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No problem.
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I think Preacher has a much bigger following overseas than Halt did. That could be a factor.
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