The Brainerd Dispatch TV Week March 29th 2020

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Special delivery PBS presents the ninth season

By Rachel Jones TV Media

PBS’s hit series “Call the Midwife” reminds us that there is a time to be born, a time to die and a time for everything in between when Season 9 premieres Sunday, March 29, on PBS.

The show follows a group of midwives who work at the Nonnatus House and the nuns of the Order of St. Raymund Nonnatus, who live there. The first season was set in 1957, but this ninth installment brings us up to the mid-1960s, a time of social change and upheaval. As the world changes around them, the nurses and nuns of Nonnatus house team up to serve local fami lies in the fictional area of Poplar, London.

Among the team of midwives is the newly sober Trixie Franklin (Hel en George, “The Three Musketeers,” 2011), the prickly Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett, “Calendar Girls,” 2005), the industrious Valer ie Dyer (Jennifer Kirby, “RSC Live: Henry V,” 2015) and, one of the newest nurses at Nonnatus house, the resolute Lucille Anderson (Leonie Elliott, “Black Mirror”), the convent’s first black nurse. The nuns and nurses of Nonnatus house

of ‘Call the Midwife’

are led by Sister-in-Charge Julienne (Jenny Agutter, “Logan’s Run,” 1976), whose wisdom, kindness and steady hand have helped many of the sisters, midwives and townspeople through difficult times.

The show is based on the Midwife Trilogy, a memoir collection by real-life British nurse Jennifer Worth. The book series consists of “Call the Midwife,” “Shadows of the Workhouse” and “Farewell to the East End.” Much like the show,

The characters’ positive perspectives and empathetic attitudes have shined a light on female struggles and brought the stories of many forgotten women back into the public consciousness. The show has informed viewers about major health issues and good birthing practices, and it has been used to showcase midwifery, which is often misunderstood, as a credible and important career.

Most notably, the drama has educated viewers by featur

perts attribute a rise in

Late Laughs

Conan

Before he dropped out, former presidential candidate Tom Steyer spent $3,300 — per vote. Bernie Sanders said, “That’s obscene!” Mike Bloomberg said, “That’s a pretty good deal!”

least two more

on PBS, Season 9 has already aired in the U.K. earlier this year. Because of this, it’s easy to find out what to expect from the next eight episodes (no spoilers here, though). The new season begins in January 1965 and features the characters receiving news of the death of Winston Churchill. With the ‘60s in full swing, your favorite midwives put their best foot forward when it comes to fashion this season, sporting time-trendy hair and colorful outfits.

The nurses also deal with some new equipment and changes to medical procedures, as well as an evolving landscape as the East End is rebuilt around them. But there’s a lot more than clothes and equipment on the horizon for these women — for all women, in fact. The show’s timeline is getting ever closer to the 1967 Abortion Act, which legalized abortion by licensed practitioners in certain areas of the U.K. in the hopes of ending the dangerous, and often fatal, back-alley procedures that were common before that time. We certainly saw the setup for these changes towards the end of Season 8, when Nurse Valerie (Val) found out that her grandmother had been performing unhygienic, illegal abortions for money. It was a storyline that divided viewers and critics.

This fascinating time period is also when the revolutionary idea of contraception for all began to gain serious traction. Plus, last season we saw Nurse Trixie step up as an advocate for the Brook Advisory Centre, which is a fictional version of an actual center started in 1964 to help promote sexual health and safe-sex practices for unmarried youth.

It’s exciting to see how the show’s writer and creator, Heidi Thomas, works these issues into the plotline for the riveting new season. There are so many powerful stories to tell, and there are new challenges, and even new characters, to keep you hooked. A team of four handsome doctors arrives at Nonnatus house to shake things up, and we’re sure to see some friction as everyone gets adjusted, not to mention storylines highlighting gender struggles and the sometimes fraught doctor-nurse relationship. Could there be a chance for romance as well?

Many of the votes for Super Tuesday were cast by U.S. Mail. Did you know that? Yeah, which means we will never know the results.

A Little Late With Lilly Singh

The most difficult part of publishing is getting anyone on Earth to read a physical book. I had to read my book for the audio version, and even I was like, “Read a book? That’s so boring!”

There’s so many good memories about writing my book. Like deciding how long I wanted it, how thick I wanted it, if I want it to be hard, which are all the same questions I ask on a dating app.

I love when I’m meditating, and I reach this place of really deep and wise thought, but then I instantly become pissed that I can’t tweet it in that moment. And I know what you’re thinking: “Why don’t you stop and hop on Twitter?” I can’t do that, because Twitter is the polar opposite of meditation. It’s hard to be zen with a bunch of people screaming at each other over which K-Pop group they’d die for.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Bernie Sanders drove a Subaru to the polls to cast his vote. Meanwhile, Mike Bloomberg went around in an Uber driven by Bill de Blasio.

Two women in Pennsylvania have been best friends for 17 years and just found out that they’re actually sisters. Yeah, and ever since then, they haven’t stopped fighting.

An American Airlines flight was diverted to a different airport after a passenger tried to open a door mid-flight. In the passenger’s defense, the in-flight movie was “Cats.”

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By Jessica Gosse TV Media

WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX

“Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” Volume 6

Comedian Hasan Minhaj (“The Daily Show”) returns for the sixth volume of his political talk show coming to Netflix on Sunday, March 29. Despite being first and foremost a comedy series, it’s not just political satire. Minhaj delivers his unique perspective on global and political issues and works to positively impact the world with comedy that has both depth and sincerity. While the show may sound like an extended version of a Stephen Colbert (“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”) monologue, Minhaj’s series is based less on opinion and more on hard facts. He makes sure he can explain the nuances of serious subjects by dedicating each half-hour segment to a single topic, whether it be police brutality, the environmental impact of the fashion industry, or, of course, political topics like his in-depth look at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. With the current turbulence in both the political climate and global economy, Minhaj is sure to have lots of new and interesting issues to dig into. Don’t miss the premiere of the latest installment.

“Sunderland ‘Til I Die” Season 2

The Black Cats are back in Season 2 of this docuseries, premiering Wednesday, April 1, on Netflix. After a major shake-up at the end of last season, Sunderland AFC is under new ownership and kicks off the new season in League One, down a league from last year. Prepare for more insight into the word of professional football as the club’s new owners, Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven, gave producers further access to the club to cover the 201819 season. Find out if the Lads can boost themselves back up to Premier League as they take on another season of intense matches.

“Money Heist” Part 4

On Friday, April 3, don’t miss Part 4 of this epic crime series. When the show started, viewers were introduced to a group of robbers who use cities as code names. Under the direction of a criminal mastermind known as the Professor (Álvaro Morte, “Love in Difficult Times”), the team collaborates to pull off one of the biggest heists ever: an assault on the Royal Mint of Spain that would see them escape with 2.4 billion Euros. Parts 1 and 2 of the series focused on the execution of the heist and were filled with many shocking moments as the team donned their red jumpsuits and Salvador Dali masks. While the heist

was mostly successful, there were some complications, and only five team members managed to escape with the printed Euros. Part 3 saw the team disband, with Rio (Miguel Herrán, “Elite”) and Tokyo (Úrsula Corberó, “The Tree of Blood,” 2018) living peacefully on an island — that is, until the authorities managed to hunt them down and capture Rio. To get him back, Tokyo pulls the team back together for another amazing heist, this time targeting the Bank of Spain. Now, the stakes have never been higher, and there is more on the line than just money. Part 4 picks up with the gang in the bank, their plan quickly spiraling out of control as a war begins between them and the authorities. Find out who makes it out when Part 4 of “Money Heist” premieres this Friday.

WHAT’S NEW ON HULU “Archer” Season 10

The latest season of this long-running spy comedy makes its debut Sunday, March 29. This adult animated sitcom follows the (mis)adventures of a team of somewhat dysfunctional secret agents. The show centers on the suave agent Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin, “Bob’s Burgers”) as he works for the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) in New York. His team includes his emotionally distant mother and ISIS director, Malory (Jessica Walter, “Arrested Development”); her crazy assistant, Cheryl (Judy Greer, “Kidding”); his on-and-off girlfriend and fellow agent, Lana (Aisha Tyler, “Criminal Minds”); the flamboyantly gay bomb specialist, Ray (Adam Reed, “Sealab 2021”); mild-mannered agent Cyril (Chris Parnell, “Rick and Morty”); eccentric scientist Dr. Krieger (Lucky Yates, “American Dirtbags,” 2015); and the head of human resources at ISIS, Pam (Amber Nash, “Frisky Dingo”). As we enter Season 10, Archer is still in a coma after being shot at the end of Season 7, and in his subconscious, the team becomes a

“Santee” (1973)

crew on a spaceship. The characters are redefined as this season, subtitled “Archer: 1999,” spoofs the classic clichés of science fiction.

“PawParazzi” (2019)

Pampered Hollywood starlet London Bridges (Sara Fletcher, “Mom Tested”) gets a rude awakening in this fun family film coming to Hulu on Tuesday, March 31. London and her just-as-pampered pomeranian, Latte (voiced by Kristy Swanson, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” 1992), have lived a charmed life since London became Hollywood’s most recent it girl, but when she ends up living on a farm while shooting her latest film, she doesn’t get her usual star treatment. Disaster truly strikes when her prized necklace is stolen by two thieves pretending to be paparazzi. Now, city and country collide as she teams up with a young farmer named Tom (Russell Bradley Fenton, “Valley of Ditches,” 2017) to get her jewelry back.

WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME “Tales From the Loop”

Inspired by the artwork of Swedish painter Simon Stalenhag, this futuristic new series premieres Friday, April 3. Jonathan Pryce (“Game of Thrones”) stars as Russ, the founder and inventor of “The Loop,” a machine that was intended to be used to learn about all the secrets of the universe. The machine didn’t work quite as planned, though, and now things that would be considered impossible, or likened to science fiction, are a normal part of life in this mysterious town. The series follows the emotional stories of those who live in the town, including Russ’s son (Paul Schneider, “Parks and Recreation”) and a mother named Loretta (Rebecca Hall, “Teen Spirit,” 2018). Abby Ryder Fortson (“Togetherness”), Jane Alexander (“The Good Wife”) and Duncan Joiner (“Amazing Stories”) also star.

On Monday, March 30, don’t miss this classic Western when it comes to Prime. Abandoned by his father years earlier, Jody Deakes (Michael Burns, “Wagon Train”) meets up with his dad as an adult, only to discover that his old man belongs to a gang of outlaws on the run from a bounty hunter named Santee (Glenn Ford, “Raw Nerve,” 1991). When Santee catches up with the gang and Jody’s father is killed, Jody swears he will get revenge and goes after Santee himself. He eventually tracks down the bounty hunter and learns that Santee became a bounty hunter to exact revenge on the gang that killed his son, a revelation that bonds the two men. Their happiness is shortlived when the rest of Jody’s father’s gang come looking for Santee.

WHAT’S NEW ON APPLE TV PLUS

“Home Before Dark”

When I was 9 years old, I was reading books like Nancy Drew and Harriet the Spy. When Hilde Lysiak was 9 years old, she was an investigative journalist, started her own local newspaper and investigated a murder. On Friday, April 3, Apple TV Plus presents this new family drama inspired by the real-life events of Lysiak. Brooklynn Prince (“The Turning,” 2020) stars as a young girl whose life is uprooted when she moves from Brooklyn, New York, to the small town her father, Matthew (Jim Sturgess, “21,” 2009), is from. When she gets there, she realizes that the town is filled with secrets. She begins to pursue the truth, only to discover a cold case that practically everyone in town had a hand in burying, including her father. From the executive producers of “Daredevil,” “House” and “13 Reasons Why,” this new series is filled with suspense, and showrunners have said that the main character is similar to that of Benedict Cumberbatch in “Sherlock.” The first three episodes premiere this week, and new episodes debut Fridays.w

Hasan Minaj hosts “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj”

A scene from “Archer”

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Stars on Screen Bowen out gracefully: ‘Modern Family’ star lands next TV project

By Michelle Rose TV Media

Bowen out gracefully:

“Modern Family” takes its final bow next Wednesday, April 8, on ABC, and after 11 seasons of Halloween fun, overseas mayhem and dad jokes, it will be hard to say goodbye forever to the PritchettDunphy-Tucker clan.

Luckily, it’s just “goodbye for now” for at least one cast member: actress Julie Bowen, aka Claire Dunphy, has already lined up a new TV project that takes her to CBS.

The two-time Emmy winner will play the lead role in the comedy pilot

“Raised by Wolves,” which hails from “Will & Grace” creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. And if the pilot’s title sounds familiar, you might be thinking of the identically titled British sitcom that ran from 2013 to 2016. ABC adapted it for American audiences in 2017, but it never made it past the pilot stage. Hopefully that won’t be the case for the CBS pilot, which bears no relation to the British series.

Bowen will star as Frankie Wolfe, a successful crisis manager whose world is thrown into chaos when she decides to adopt and raise an 11-year-old girl. Unlike her nervous sister, Frankie is a “put-together powerhouse.” But behind her blunt-

talking approach (shades of Claire Dunphy, perhaps?) lies some still-unresolved issues with parents Barbara

ventures of Sabrina” executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. It’s a reimagining of Dracula as a family

But what about Dracula himself?

Fret not. The King of the Night will be played by former “ER” doctor Goran

Enter ‘Pantheon’: AMC is on a hiring, er, season pickup streak.

A few months ago, the Courtney B. Vance (“American Crime Story”) drama “61st Street” became the first series on AMC to receive a two-season pickup right from the outset — even “The Walking Dead” gets renewed one season at a time.

And it seems AMC is becoming less commitment averse because it recently ordered two seasons of a new animated series, another first for the largely drama-dominated network.

From creator Craig Silverstein (“TURN: Washington’s Spies”) comes “Pantheon,” an hour-long animated drama based on short stories by Ken Liu. This one falls under the sci-fi genre since it’s set in a world “where uploaded consciousness is a reality.”

The first season revolves around Maddie, a bullied teen who gets help from a mysterious stranger online. It turns out that this person is her recently deceased father, David, or rather, his consciousness, which was uploaded to the Cloud in an experimental brain scan. This David is the first “Uploaded Intelligence” or UI, a new kind of being (but not the last). But don’t expect a long, happy family reunion, because a global conspiracy will soon push the world to the precipice of war, and it will have big implications

and Arnie Wolfe, two of the “Wolves” mentioned in the series title.

“Raised by Wolves” isn’t the only new addition to Bowen’s lengthy showbiz resume. She reunited with “Happy Gilmore” (1996) co-star Adam Sandler in his sixth Netflix film, “Hubie Halloween.” Described as a Halloween whodunit set in Salem, Massachusetts, the film should be available to stream later this year.

A new Dracula: It looks like the cast of ABC’s sexy new vampire soap opera (yes, you read that right) is quickly coming together.

“The Brides” is the latest project from “Riverdale” and “Chilling Ad-

drama with strong horror elements, and it centers on three immortal women — the Brides of Dracula — who will do anything to protect their legacy, wealth and undead family.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Gina Torres of “Pearson” and “Suits” fame had signed on to star as the queenly Cleo, the leader of the Brides of Dracula and a New York City real estate maven. Katherine Reis (“Rise”) landed the role of the youngest bride, aspiring singer Lily Stevens, whose relationship threatens the family dynamic. Chris Mason (“Broadchurch”) and Sophia Tatum (“I’m Not Okay With This”) have also been cast.

Visnji?. In this version, Dracula is down but not out: he was left for dead after his Carpathian castle was destroyed. His wives fled and the new life they built together is the focus of this show, but there are a lot of hints in the casting announcements that suggest Dracula is going to complicate things.

TV pilots are never a sure bet, and “The Brides” is a project that’s been in the works for a while. It was first put into development at NBC in 2015, but nothing came of it. Now that it’s resurfaced at ABC, there are whispers that this version might have a better shot since the concept aligns with ABC’s goal to boost female viewership.

If you’re curious about the animation style, former president of original programming David Madden was, too, when the concept was first pitched to AMC.

Under the network’s script-to-series model, Madden gave the okay to open a writer’s room in 2018 (and given the two-season pickup, the script-writing sessions must have been highly productive). Madden also requested a five-minute presentation to make sense of the visuals, which are described as a different take on graphic realism done in traditional 2D. Titmouse, the Emmy-winning studio behind “Bless the Harts” and “Big Mouth,” is handling the animation for this one.

Julie Bowen is set to star in “Raised by Wolves”

this week

Real Talk Experts investigate reports of the paranormal in ‘The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch’

By Shona Dustan TV Media

Don’t walk alone: If you’ve been keeping up with History’s “Project Blue Book,” a place called Skinwalker Ranch will sound very familiar to you. The March 3 episode featured a storyline about mysterious goings on at the Utah ranch, and now that it’s taken a fictional stab at the subject matter, History is set to release a brand-new reality series about the creepy location. “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch” premieres Tuesday, March 31, and it dives right into the paranormal.

The host of the series is Travis Taylor, an aerospace engineer from Alabama who boasts PhDs in aerospace systems engineering and optical science and engineering. He’s also earned master’s degrees in astronomy, science and engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering and physics, not to mention a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Impressed yet? This most educated man is also an author, not just of scholarly or technical papers but of novels — he’s had 14 science fiction novels published to date. He’s appeared in a number of other TV series, including “The Universe,” so if there’s ever been a qualified host, this guy is it.

So, what is it about this ranch that makes it so creepy and intriguing? The Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah, where the ranch is located, is also known as “UFO Alley,” and there have been reports of mysterious sightings in the area for more than 50 years. Some locals claim there have been strange occurrences happening there for much longer — at least 200 years.

Stories about this specific ranch weren’t widely reported until the mid 1990s, though. In 1996, journalist George Knapp investigated claims by the Sherman family that their property was cursed or haunted or plagued by alien beings and eerie space ships. Their accounts included stories of crop circles, UFOs, strange cattle mutilation and much more.

Here’s an excerpt from Knapp’s 1996 article “Frequent Fliers” from Deseret News:

“One of the flying lights followed Gwen’s car on her way home from work one night. And while out in one of the fields with the family dogs, Terry heard male voices speaking an unfamiliar language. The voices seemed to be about 25 feet above him, but Terry couldn’t see a thing. The dogs were frantic. They barked and growled before running off to the ranch house, Terry said.”

The Shermans only owned the ranch for 18 months before they decided they were too spooked to stay. They sold the 480-acre property to wealthy Las Vegas real estate developer Robert Bigelow, who also happened to be a dedicated UFO enthusiast. Bigelow set up cameras and other recording equipment all over the property and spent years trying to catch whatever was visiting the ranch in the act. Knapp and biochemist Colm A. Kelleher worked with Big elow and ultimately published a book called “Hunt for the Skin walker: Science Confronts the Un explained at a Remote Ranch in Utah.” Though many claimed to have experienced paranormal activity during their research, no concrete evidence was ever recorded.

“The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch” delves into the hidden mysteries of the property, employing cutting-edge technology in an effort to succeed where Bigelow and his team did not. In a news release about the series, History claimed that “the team will apply hard science and make shocking discoveries while going further and risking more than anyone has done on the ranch before.”

Some of the mysteries they hope to solve include sightings of strange animals or beings, like a wolf that appeared to be at least three times the usual size and an abnormally large humanoid lurking in a tree. Kelleher shot at that humanoid, and when it fled, the researcher found enormous tracks in the snow where it had been.

Next door to the ranch is a man-made reservoir called Bottle

By Adam Thomlison TV Media

Q: Can you tell me why they took “Magnum P.I.” off the air and replaced it with “MacGyver?”

Hollow. It was flooded with fresh water in the 1970s and has since been the location of some seriously bizarre occurrences, mostly UFO-related. Back in the ‘90s, a local cop watched a bright light dive into the depths of the reservoir, only to re-emerge and zoom away. A few years later, a group of men claimed to have seen a

A: I panicked for a moment, not because I worried about the fate of “Magnum P.I.,” but because I thought maybe we’d traveled back in time to 1987 (and I don’t have any pastel-colored clothes).

But it turns out there’s no reason to worry about either. The hit remake of ‘80s action series “Magnum P.I,” which stars Jay Hernandez (“The Expanse”) as the titular detective, is just going into a mid-season hiatus, being replaced temporarily by the hit re-

overlap for three seasons in the mid-’80s, “MacGyver” never replaced “Magnum” on the schedule because they aired on different networks. The original “Magnum” ran from 1980 to 1988 on CBS, while “MacGyver” ran from 1985 to 1992 on ABC.

Q: In 1946, I saw a movie entitled “The Beast With Five Fingers.” It terrified me! Can you tell me more about it, and if it might still be available to rent or buy?

A: You aren’t the only one who remembers this film fondly — “The Beast With Five Fingers” has had more cultural staying power than you’d expect for a movie about a malevolent, disembodied hand — enough that you can still get it on DVD or stream it online.

This seems to be mostly due to a top-notch performance by horror legend Peter Lorre, as well as its source material, a short story of the same name penned by W.F. Harvey.

Lorre didn’t exactly star in the film — the audience was mostly expected to identify with the heroine, played by Andrea King (“The Very Thought of You,” 1944) — but he was called on to do most of the real acting work, and he delivered.

musician dies and his severed hand goes on a killing spree in the old mansion where they lived.

Q: Is “Star Trek: Discovery” coming back?

A: Yes, and it’s going to keep coming for quite a while.

For those who don’t know (or don’t subscribe), “Star Trek: Discovery” has aired two seasons so far on CBS’s online streaming service, CBS All Access (after an unorthodox launch that saw its premiere episode air on the CBS television network).

We know it’s been a hit for All Access, not because of ratings — streaming networks don’t have to release ratings — but because it’s already been renewed through to Season 5. That’s right, Season 3 hasn’t even aired yet and they’ve already bought two more.

So we know it’s coming back, but unfortunately we don’t know when. So far the only official word is “2020,” but that’s a big year (one day longer than most!).

The first season launched in September 2017, the second in January 2019, so we can’t even find a pattern to base a guess on.

blue light plunge into the lake. Many of these strange occurrences are detailed in the “Hunt for the Skinwalker” book, so if you’re looking for supplemental reading, that should be your first stop.

Whether or not you’re a believer, this property’s long history of unexplained events will fascinate you. The very name of the ranch could give you chills: A skin-walker is a figure from Navajo culture, a malevolent witch who can shapeshift into the form of any living thing. Skinwalker Ranch, however, lies firmly in Ute territory, about 400 miles north of the Navajo Nation, so it was not Native Americans who named the ranch.

Tune in to History on Tuesday, March 31, for the premiere of “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch,” and discover more about this legendary property and the chilling events that have occurred there

make of ‘80s action series “MacGyver.”

In other good news, the wait is already almost over. The hiatus ends on April 10, when “Magnum P.I.” returns to air the remainder of its Season 2 episodes.

There’s been no word on a Season 3 renewal yet, and there likely won’t be until May when CBS announces its fall schedule. However, at this point it seems pretty likely. The ratings have been strong and total viewership has actually increased over Season 1 — CBS will likely want to see if that continues.

Also, as you can see, the network has a lot of faith in reboots of ‘80s action shows. For comparison, the new “MacGyver” has made it to four seasons with roughly the same ratings.

Just for kicks, I checked the records, and this is not something that happened during the original ‘80s runs of “Magnum” and “MacGyver.” Though they did

Though he also appeared in some true cinematic classics in his career — including the one-two punch of “The Maltese Falcon” (1941) and “Casablanca” (1942) — Lorre never failed to commit to even the campy horror flicks he did later on, such as this one.

In “The Beast With Five Fingers,” he played a slightly creepy assistant to a wealthy, aging musician. Yadda yadda yadda, the

Now that All Access’s other “Star Trek” series, “Picard,” has finished its first season, fans don’t even have that to tide them over, so they’ll just have to be patient. Given that they waited more than a decade for a new series after “Star Trek: Enterprise” ended in 2005, we know they’re up to the challenge.

Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid. com. Please include your name and town. Personal replieswillnotbeprovided.

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Baking Buddy: Cake Boss vying to win

By Michelle Rose TV Media

We’re already a few weeks into Round 2 of Food Network’s big King of Cake title bout, aka “Buddy vs. Duff.”

In the first two episodes, we watched defending champ Duff Goldman and challenger Buddy Valastro go head-to-head in Big Appleand dinosaur-themed showdowns. The East Coast leg of the competition continues this Sunday, March 29, when these two artists draw inspiration from jousts and pageantry to create a centerpiece for Medieval Times’ 30th anniversary.

There will be one more stop next week before the competition moves to the West Coast in the run-up to the May 3 finale. That last competi-

tion should be a good one if you love cake and Star Wars: Buddy and Duff will be tasked with creating the perfect edible showpiece for an event hosted by Billy Dee Williams at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction.

“Buddy vs. Duff” is the kind of show that could only exist after the Discovery-Scripps merger in 2018. The $12-billion takeover brought Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel under TLC’s parent company, meaning TLC’s “Cake Boss” (Valastro) and Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes” (Goldman) were now part of the same TV family.

And when you have two big stars with similar shows, this naturally suggests a rivalry, even if the two had already moved on to other projects. (If you really want to keep

score, Duff was the first to ink a TV deal back in 2006, but Buddy has had more spinoff success.)

Enter “Buddy vs. Duff,” Food Network’s highest-rated show in 2019. News of its success might come as a surprise if you’ve read online reviews and comments, which don’t pull any punches when it comes to critiquing the scoring, the show’s format and even Buddy himself after he walked off in the second challenge. But viewers kept tuning in week after week. And that proba-

bly says a lot about the celebrity status and skills of these two cake artists, who seem to differ in every way.

The action and the competitive banter continue this week on “Buddy vs. Duff.” But if you’re a fan of Buddy, don’t change the channel after this week’s winner is announced. The Cake Boss himself will appear on the March 29 episode of “Beat Bobby Flay,” which airs right after “Buddy vs. Duff,” and he’ll be looking for a win in that one, too.

Sunday, March 29

1:00 p.m. (9) KAWE Ciao Italia

2:00 p.m. (9) KAWE The Great British Baking Show Mary makes a tennis cake based on a Victorian recipe; Paul makes two types of cream horns. Hosted by: Sue Perkins, Mel Giedroyc

Monday, March 30

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

Tuesday, March 31

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

Wednesday, April 1

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

10:30 p.m. (2) KTCA New Scandinavian Cooking Andreas visits Savalen and makes some of his Christmas favorites.

4:30 a.m. (2) KTCA New Scandinavian Cooking Andreas visits Savalen and makes some of his Christmas favorites.

Thursday, April 2

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

Friday, April 3

12:30 p.m. (9) KAWE Food Over 50 A focus on the dietary challenges of ‘eating outdoors.’

1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.

1:00 a.m. (9) KAWE Dishing With Julia Child Jose Andres and Eric Ripert are amazed by Julia’s hands-on treatment of a whole fish.

1:30 a.m. (9) KAWE Dishing With Julia Child We follow Julia Child’s breadmaking recipes for classic pain de mie and raisin bread.

Saturday, April 4

7:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Steven Raichlen’s Project Smoke Smoking to stuffing and wrapping, use a variety of techniques.

Hosted by: Steve Raichlen

7:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Cooking With Nick Stellino Chicken Milanese; southern style biscuits and gravy; Nanci’s lobster mac and cheese.

8:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Nigella: At My Table Nigella cooks comforting

recipes, like chicken with red grapes and marsala.

8:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Simply Ming

9:00 a.m. (2) KTCA New Scandinavian Cooking

9:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Pati’s Mexican Table Pati spends the day making three chocolate-filled recipes with her youngest son Juju. Hosted by: Pati Jinich

10:00 a.m. (2) KTCA How to Cook Well With Rory O’Connell

10:30 a.m. (2) KTCA New Orleans Cooking With Kevin Belton Oysters Rockefeller; Fried oysters with Spinach Salad; Oyster Patties.

11:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Joanne Weir’s Plates and Places Recipes include beer-braised sausages along with braised red cabbage.

11:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Lidia’s Kitchen Recipes include scallops saltimbocca and seared lamb chops with mint salsa verde.

Noon (2) KTCA Jamie’s Ultimate Veg Jamie celebrates beautiful veg in an oozy risotto with amazing roasted tomato. Hosted by: Jamie Oliver

(8) WDSE Garage With Steve Butler Steve makes a cafe style table.

(9) KAWE America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Julia Collin Davison makes skilletroasted chicken breast with harissa-mint carrots.

12:30 p.m. (2) KTCA America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Recipes include a roast boneless leg of lamb with garlic, herb and bread-crumb crust.

1:00 p.m. (2) KTCA Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Christopher goes to Taiwan and learns about Taiwanese cooking from Chuang Pao-hua.

1:30 p.m. (2) KTCA Cook’s Country From America’s Test Kitchen Test cook, Ashley Moore, makes fish and chips for Bridget. Shrimp burgers are also made.

(9) KAWE Barbecue University With Steven Raichlen Hog Island BBQ oysters; grilled tenderloin in herb crust with grilled potatoes.

2:00 p.m. (8) WDSE A Taste of History Walter helps make some unique and traditional St. Lucian food.

2:30 p.m. (8) WDSE Cook’s Country From America’s Test Kitchen Christie and Bridget grill thick-cut Porterhouse steaks.

3:00 p.m. (8) WDSE America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Julia Collin Davison makes skilletroasted chicken breast with harissa-mint carrots.

Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Food Mar 29, 2020 to Apr 4, 2020

Duff Goldman and Buddy Valastro in “Buddy vs. Duff”

Very full house Two sisters reconnect over hard times in new CBS comedy

By Sarah Passingham TV Media

What would you do if your estranged sibling showed up on your doorstep out of the blue, expecting to move in? What if they brought with them their better half and their eager personal assistant? And what if, the last you heard, they were very, very well off? That is the premise of CBS’s new sitcom, “Broke,” premiering Thursday, April 2.

Longtime “NCIS” star Pauley Perrette is Jackie, a single mother to Sammy (Antonio Raul Corbo, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) and manager at a local bar. Jackie is shocked when her older sister, Elizabeth (Natasha Leggero, “Another Period”), surprises her with a visit, a posh new accent and a mountain of her expensive luggage. Elizabeth has also brought her warm-hearted husband, Javier (Jaime Camil, “Jane the Virgin”), and their loyal assistant, Luis (Izzy Diaz, “Telenovela”).

It has been five years since Jackie last saw her sister Lizzy, who now insists she goes by Elizabeth, and Javier. In that time, resentment toward her older sibling has clearly been simmering, as Sammy reveals that Jackie has been referring to the two as his Aunt Hoity and Uncle Toity. Elizabeth soon breaks down at Jackie’s bar and reveals that she and Javier have burned through his family money and are completely broke. They’ve left their extravagant life in Mexico City behind because, without a penny to their names, they had nowhere else to go besides Jackie’s.

The two sisters, once separated by class as well as distance, are now reunited in the close quarters of Jackie’s humble home. They quickly bond over a bathtub talk, when Jackie admits to Elizabeth that she was initially jealous that her sister “found the love of [her] life,” while she only found “the lead singer of a Van Halen cover band.” The honesty appears to help scrub away some of the mess from their relationship.

Though Jackie eventually agrees to help her sister and brother-in-law get back on their feet, it is clear that they will only

be housed under some specific conditions. With everything Jackie has going on, Elizabeth and Javier are going to have to pull their weight around the house, without just handing it all off to poor Luis. Surprisingly, Javier takes it upon himself to start helping out Jackie and attends a meeting at Sammy’s school with Luis. Unfortunately, he does so without informing Jackie. Javier and his eternally sunny demeanor are at odds with Jackie’s anger, and amusing misunderstandings ensue.

Camil’s Javier is impossible to not like with his unbeatable optimism, and, despite the blood relation between Jackie and Elizabeth, his character is the heart of “Broke,” the one who really bonds everyone together. Luis seems to put it best in the series trailer when he shares with Jackie why he genuinely loves working for and spending time with Javier: “Javier sees you the way you wish you saw yourself. He sees the best version of you.” While he may step far beyond his bounds at times, it is always with the best intentions.

Camil is not only one of the stars of “Broke,” he is an executive producer of the series as well. He may be familiar to you from his time starring as Rogelio De La Vega in all five seasons of CW’s “Jane the Virgin.” He is probably best known for starring in popular telenovelas for nearly two decades, but he’s a man of many talents. In addition to his on-screen acting career, he has done voiceover work for Spanish-language editions of animated movies such as “Bee Movie” (2007) and “Open Season” (2006), and gave voice to Jorge Chavez, Todd’s stepfather, in Netflix’s “BoJack Horseman.” Camil began his career in entertainment on the radio, and then as a host of talent and game shows in Mexico.

He is an award-winning stage actor and has performed on Broadway as well as in productions in his home country of Mexico.That is truly just a condensed version of Camil’s illustrious career. He, of course, also lends his talents to the big screen, and during the promotion of his latest film, “Las Pildoras De Mi Novio” (or “My Boyfriend’s Meds”), a comedy about

a

man who forgets his vital medications at home while on vacation, Entertainment Tonight spoke with him about the significance of his role in

“Broke.” Camil’s Javier is the first Latino lead in a CBS comedy in almost 70 years, and he told ET that “it’s a humongous honor” to break that

nearly seven-decade streak since Desi Arnaz last appeared in “I Love Lucy,” also stating that “every little step we take, it helps.”

Witness some history-making comedy and a heartwarming family reconnection when “Broke” premieres Thursday, April 2, on CBS.

Pauley Perrette, Antonio Corbo, Natasha Leggero, Jamie Camil and Izzy Diaz star in “Broke”

Coda

Returning to the stage after the death of his wife, celebrated classical pianist Henry Cole (Stewart) discovers that his performance ability has suffered, as he experiences stage fright and an anxiety attack on stage. After his performance, Cole is asked by Helen Morrison (Holmes), a music critic for the New Yorker, if he will give an interview on his upcoming concert tour. He turns her down. Later, experiencing another anxi-

ety attack while trying to perform, Cole is rescued by Morrison, who spares him from embarrassment. Agreeing to the interview, Cole soon realizes that Morrison’s company provides him with much more than he expected.

Director: Claude Lalonde. Stars: PatrickStewart,KatieHolmes, GiancarloEsposito,Letitia Brookes,DrewDavis,Catherine St-Laurent. 2020. 96 mins. Drama.

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker

An old villain is back in the final installment of this legendary film series. Kylo Ren (Driver) travels to the Sith planet of Exegol to make a major display of power, but upon his arrival, he discovers that he has been manipulated by a villainous Sith lord and the First Order all along, and that his choice to turn to the dark side was heavily influenced by outside sources. Ren is offered a massive armada and the opportunity to create a new Empire, with only one condition: he must kill Rey (Ridley).

Director: J.J. Abrams. Stars: Carrie Fisher,MarkHamill,AdamDriver, DaisyRidley,JohnBoyega,Oscar Isaac,AnthonyDaniels,Naomi Ackie,DomhnallGleeson,Lupita Nyong’o,IanMcDiarmid.2019.

142 mins. Action.

The Current War

At the end of the 19th century, inventor Thomas Edison (Cumberbatch) unveils his daring new invention: an electric light bulb pow

ered by direct current, an enormous improvement on the gas and oil lights widely used at the time. Impressed with Edison’s work, fellow businessman and inventor George Westinghouse (Shannon) invites the inventor to dinner, but Edison snubs him. Feeling spurned, Westinghouse strikes out to prove that alternating current is the superior option for the job of illuminating America.

Director:AlfonsoGomez-Rejon. Stars:BenedictCumberbatch,OliverPowell,KatherineWaterston, NancyCrane,LizaRoss,Tim Steed,MichaelShannon,David MorleyHale.2017.108mins.Biography.

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