‘All American,’ A Secret Exposed on ‘Million Little Things,’ Volatile Volcanoes on ‘Nova’
A critical checklist of notable Wednesday TV
All American (9/8c, The CW): One of the fall’s more promising dramas might best be described as a mash-up of The O.C. and Friday Night Lights as it tells the story of gridiron hopeful Spencer James (Daniel Ezra) — inspired by the life journey of former NFL star Spencer Paysinger — who is recruited from the rough neighborhood of South Crenshaw to play high-school football at posh Beverly (Hills) High, where so much gaudy temptation awaits. His new coach (Taye Diggs) sees greatness in his new player, but the prideful chip on Spencer’s shoulder could be his undoing as he faces resentment from his new rich-kid teammates while being torn by allegiance to his friends and family back in the ’hood. Unlike so many of his CW brethren, Spencer is no superhero, but he’s definitely worth rooting for.
A Million Little Things (10/9c, ABC): There’s no crying in hockey — unless you’re one of the bros wearing his broken heart on his jersey sleeve in ABC’s addictively tear-stained answer to This Is Us. Give the show credit for not dragging its heels. In only the third episode of the first season, a major secret is exposed, shattering the bonds among friends already rocked by the suicide of “perfect Jon” (Ron Livingston), the dude who brought and kept the group together. Jon was such a great guy, he arranged before his fatal plunge to treat his buds to Bruins fantasy camp as a birthday surprise — which ends up backfiring from the fallout of this devastating twist.
Nova: Volatile Earth (9/8c, PBS, check local listings at pbs.org): In back-to-back episodes of the esteemed science series, scientists get up close and treacherously personal with two of the world’s least understood volcanoes in East Africa. In the first, “Volcano on Fire,” an international team of volcanologists climbs into the crater of Nyiragongo, an active volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has erupted twice in recent years. They deploy sensors to monitor the volcano’s activity and perhaps predict when it will erupt next. In “Volcano on the Brink,” experts get a rare peek at Nyamuragira in war-torn central Africa, taking advantage of a lull in action to fly by helicopter to the summit of the volcano to assess whether magma pressure is building up to suggest another imminent eruption.
Inside Wednesday TV: Oscar-nominated director Paul Greengrass (United 93) explores another terrorist event in the Netflix film 22 July, a docudrama reliving Norway’s deadliest day of terror. On that day in 2011, 77 people died after a far-right extremist detonated a car bomb in Oslo and then proceeded to a mass shooting at a leadership camp for teens. The film takes the perspective of a survivor to symbolize the nation’s healing from this tragedy… The CW’s cult hit Riverdale (8/7c) opens its third season with Archie (KJ Apa) awaiting the jury’s verdict in his murder trial — the sort of thing that never happened in the benign Archie comics I grew up reading… Turner Classic Movies’ “Horror Star of the Week” is Christopher Lee, cinema’s second-most-famous Dracula, seen in all of his red-orbed glory in 1958’s Hammer classic Horror of Dracula (10/9c) and the sequel Dracula, Prince of Darkness (11:30/10:30c). Halloween in coming!
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R
I have plans this evening so I'll have to catch up on my shows (SEAL Team) later in the week.
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G
Back in the 80's my bro's favorite show was Magnum P.I. I wasn't a fan but I liked the theme song and the scenery. I have similar feelings today. Not sure I'll keep up with it throughout the season .
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C
Back in the 80s, my only TV was a 12" portable which I kept in the closet. I'd get it out every Sunday to watch Masterpiece Theatre especially The Jewel in the Crown. I worked weeknights, so I didn't see most of the shows from that era.
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G
If I have time, I'll sample CW's new All American. My final summer show, Carter ended last night. Now I will have more time for the fall season shows. I need to catch episode 3 of FBI. I watched episode 3 of Manifest, the mystery is far too complex to be a conspiracy. Definitely supernatural , otherwise it's the most convoluted show I have ever watched this early in the game.
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R
I had FBI on last night, although I can't say I was paying 100% attention to it. The female character looks familiar... I think she looks like another female FBI (or other law enforcement agency) character I've seen in some other show. (I guess characters sometime look generic.)
On Carter, I half expected for Carter to find out that his mother wasn't dead after all, but had disappeared for some reason. A few years ago at least THREE shows I watched had that: main character (all male) suddenly discovered that their mothers, who they thought was dead for many years, was actually alive. It got to be kind of tiresome, so I'm glad Carter didn't go that way.
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C
The biggest question I have about Manifest is if they were subjected to an earth based supernatural phenomenon like the Bermuda Triangle or if they were captured and mentally altered by aliens. And if it was aliens, why give them precognitive abilities?
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G
These types of mysteries/conspiracies are nearly impossible to predict. There are way too many variables. TV Magazine suggests that this show is the new LOST (a favorite of mine. I also feel this show has something in common with The Crossing which I actually enjoyed more.
Still, Manifest is among the top new shows for me thus far.
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C
Except for the plane, I don't see any real similarities with Lost.
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G
TV GUIDE magazine features an article marking the similarities between the two.
In any case LOST is one of my all-time favorite shows.
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G
More than just the plane load of passengers all immersed in a deep shrouded mystery/conspiracy.
Both shows display lots of symbolism and/or codes that we are supposed to decipher.
I wont even attempt to try after that LOST ending!
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C
I wasn't one of the people who *hated* the Lost ending, but I wouldn't say I was terribly fond of it.
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G
I didn't hate the Lost ending either. It's just that early on during the first season (maybe second)
the showrunners were being interviewed by TV GUIDE , EW Weekly and/or USA TODAY. And one of the showrunners promised that the ending wouldn't be that ending. So many fans like me were disappointed. Overall, I loved every season of the show.
Before that interview I predicted the series finale would be quite similar to what was featured.
But after I read the interview I tossed it out of my mind and concentrated on other more intricate endings.
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G
FBI is a watchable procedural. The leads have almost zero personality and rarely delve into their personal lives. Its a case of the week type of show.
Not nearly as stylish or flashy as the more character driven FBI show Quantico (RIP). So far this season, FBI and Manifest are my top new shows.
I'll miss not having Carter around anymore. Haven't read any renewal news for next summer : (
I actually enjoyed Carter more than the new Magnum despite Magnum's much higher budget.
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G
Also USA TODAY mentions that the highest rated new show this season thus far is the "Lost style" Manifest. Three episodes in, I don't find it nearly as addicting or exciting. But I will probably stick with it because I don't think there is a better new show currently airing.
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C
For me, American Horror Story is by far the most addicting and exciting show on TV right now. I think I'd rate The Purge second and my favorite new show.
For broadcast networks, I'd probably put Manifest and New Amsterdam first and second, and I believe they're also the top-rated new shows. Aren't they?
The comedies I most look forward to right now are Young Sheldon and The Good Place. None of the new ones come close.
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G
According to USA TODAY, Manifest started with 18.4 million viewers, FBI 14.2 and New Amsterdam 14.1 , these #s will likely drop as the season progresses. But those are the top 3 dramas listed. G-D Friended Me with 12.2 and Magnum with 12.0 cap off the top 5 new dramas this season .
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G
I just watched the movie sequel to the original Purge on FXM Free On Demand. The title is Purge Anarchy. Highly recommended.
In the TV GUIDE magazine Halloween Preview recommended 25 movie listings it states that the third Purge movie
Purge Election Day will be on FX , Wednesday Oct 24 at 7:30 PM.
The original and the sequel is currently displayed on the Free Movie On Demand page, and not too far down - so don't have to scroll down that much. Maybe they are available in your area now that it's Halloween season. I still have to watch the fourth movie prequel 2018's The First Purge but it's cost money at this time. I'll patiently wait for it be free.
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C
I did check, and I can't watch FXM with my cable package. I can only watch the original movie on demand for something like $5.00. I wonder if my library has a copy available. If so, it would be free there!
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C
ABC night again! 4 comedies and A Million Little Things! Guess I'll record Riverdale and watch American Horror Story after 11:00.