The Brainerd Dispatch TV Week September 27th 2020

Today’s Entertainment

September 27 - October 3, 2020

Ripped from the headlines

Jeff Daniels stars in “The Comey Rule”

Sunday, Sept. 27

8:00 a.m. ESPN2 Daily Wager (Live)

9:00 a.m. ESPN NFL Countdown (Live) (3:00)

ESPN2 Fantasy Football Now (Live) (3:00)

9:30 a.m. (9) KMSP Vikings GameDay Live (Live) (1:30)

10:00 a.m. (15) KVRR (29) WFTC NFL Kickoff (Live) (1:00)

NBCSN Premier League Mornings (Live) (0:25)

10:25 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer Leic. at MCI (Live) (2:05)

11:00 a.m. (7) KCCO The NFL Today (Live) (1:00)

(9) KMSP (15) KVRR Fox NFL Sunday (Live) (1:00)

(11) KARE ITF Tennis French Open. (Live) (3:00)

Noon (7) KCCO NFL Football (Live)

(3:15)

(9) KMSP (15) KVRR NFL Football

Chi. at Atl. (Live) (3:00)

ESPN WNBA Basketball Playoffs.

(Live) (2:00)

ESPN2 A.U. Softball Women’s (Live)

(2:30)

12:30 p.m. NBCSN Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (1:00)

1:00 p.m. GOLF Golf Central Pre-game

(Live) (1:00)

1:30 p.m. FSN Twins Live Pre-game

(Live) (0:30)

2:00 p.m. (5) KSTP WNBA Basketball Semifinal Game 4 Playoffs. (Live) (2:00)

(11) KARE PGA Golf Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. (Live) (3:00)

FSN MLB Baseball Cin. at Min. (Live) (3:00)

TBS MLB Baseball (Live) (3:00)

2:30 p.m. ESPN2 Championship Drive (Live) (0:30)

3:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NFL Football Dal. at Sea. (Live) (3:30)

ESPN2 A.U. Softball Women’s (Live) (2:00)

5:00 p.m. ESPN2 Baseball Tonight (Live) (2:00)

FSN Twins Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)

NBCSN NASCAR America (Live) (0:30)

5:30 p.m. NBCSN Countdown to Green (Live) (0:30)

6:00 p.m. (11) KARE Football Night in America (Live) (1:20)

NBCSN NASCAR Auto Racing Cup Series South Point 400. (Live) (3:30)

6:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR The OT (Live) (0:30)

ESPN NBA Countdown (Live) (1:00)

FSN Loons Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30) 7:00 p.m. FSN MLS Soccer RSL at MIN (Live) (2:00) 7:20 p.m. (11) KARE NFL Football G.B. at N.O. (Live) (3:15)

7:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Courtside (Live) (0:10)

7:40 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Playoffs. (Live) (2:20) 9:00 p.m. FSN Loons Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)

p.m. NBCSN NASCAR Cup Series Post-Race Show (Live) (0:30)

10:35 p.m. (9) KMSP Vikings PostGame Show (Live) (0:45)

Monday, Sept. 28

a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)

a.m. NBCSN The Rich Eisen Show (Live) (3:00)

p.m. ESPN2 NBA: The Jump (Live) (1:00)

p.m. ESPN Monday Night Kickoff (Live) (0:15)

TBS MLB Baseball American League Wild Card Series. (Live) (3:30)

8:00 p.m. ESPN Baseball (Live) (3:00)

ESPN2 WNBA Basketball Playoffs. (Live) (2:00)

11:55 p.m. ESPN2 KBO Baseball (Live) (3:05)

Wednesday, Sept. 30

9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)

11:00 a.m. ESPN Baseball (Live) (3:00)

NBCSN The Rich Eisen Show (Live) (3:00)

Noon GOLF LPGA Golf Round 1 ShopRite Classic. (Live) (3:00)

1:00 p.m. (5) KSTP MLB Baseball Wild Card Series. (Live) (3:00)

3:00 p.m. GOLF PGA Golf Round 1 Sanderson Farms Championship. (Live) (3:00)

6:00 p.m. (9) KMSP Vikings Live (Live) (0:30)

Friday, Oct. 2

11:00 a.m. NBCSN The Rich Eisen Show (Live) (3:00)

NBCSN TVG Trackside Live! (Live) (1:00)

3:30 p.m. ESPN Highly Questionable (0:30)

FSN Rooster Tales (0:30)

4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)

FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)

NBCSN Horse Racing (Live) (1:00)

4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)

FSN Destination Polaris (0:30)

5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)

ESPN2 Daily Wager (1:00)

NBCSN Riders Up (0:30)

5:30 p.m. NBCSN Mecum Top 10 (0:30)

6:00 p.m. FSN Three Wide Life (0:30)

GOLF Golf Central (0:30)

NBCSN Monster Jam (1:00)

6:30 p.m. GOLF Golf Central (0:30)

7:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR WWE SmackDown (Live) (2:00)

GOLF PGA Golf Round 2 Sanderson Farms Championship. (3:00)

NBCSN Monster Jam (1:00)

8:00 p.m. (29) WFTC Vikings Connected (0:30)

NBCSN Monster Jam (1:00)

HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (1:00)

9:00 p.m. ESPN2 UFC Archival (1:00)

NBCSN Monster Jam (1:00)

9:30 p.m. (15) KVRR KVRR Sports Extra (0:30)

10:00 p.m. ESPN2 UFC Archival (0:30)

GOLF PGA Golf Round 2 Sanderson Farms Championship. (3:00)

NBCSN Monster Jam (1:00)

10:15 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Sports Now (0:20)

10:30 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:30)

ESPN2 UFC Live (0:30)

FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)

11:00 p.m. ESPN2 UFC Archival (1:00)

NBCSN Motocross Highlights (1:00) TBS ELeague (1:00)

Saturday, Oct. 3

8:00 a.m. ESPN Outside the Lines (1:00)

ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)

FSN Rooster Tales (0:30)

USA WWE Raw (Live) (3:00)

7:15 p.m. ESPN NFL Football Kan. at Blt. (Live) (3:00)

8:00 p.m. TNT NBA Basketball Playoffs. (Live) (2:30)

10:30 p.m. TNT Inside the NBA (Live) (1:00)

Tuesday, Sept. 29

9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)

11:00 a.m. NBCSN The Rich Eisen Show (Live) (3:00)

ESPN Baseball (Live) (3:00)

p.m. (5) KSTP MLB Baseball Wild Card Series. (Live) (3:00)

Noon ESPN2 Baseball Fall Frenzy (Live) (3:00)

1:00 p.m. (5) KSTP MLB Baseball Wild Card Series. (Live) (3:00)

2:30 p.m. ESPN Baseball (Live) (3:00)

4:00 p.m. ESPN2 Baseball Fall Frenzy (Live) (3:00)

6:00 p.m. ESPN MLB Baseball Wild Card Series. (Live) (3:00)

7:00 p.m. ESPN2 Baseball Tonight (Live) (1:00)

TBS MLB Baseball American League Wild Card Series. (Live) (3:30) USA WWE NXT (Live) (2:00)

8:00 p.m. (5) KSTP NBA Basketball Playoffs. (Live) (2:35)

9:30 p.m. ESPN Baseball (Live) (1:35)

Thursday, Oct. 1

11:00 a.m. NBCSN The Rich Eisen Show (Live) (3:00)

11:30 a.m. GOLF Golf Central Pregame (Live) (0:30)

Noon (9) KAWE Sit and Be Fit (0:30)

GOLF LPGA Golf Round 2 ShopRite Classic. (Live) (3:00)

12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (1:30)

1:00 p.m. (5) KSTP MLB Baseball Wild Card Series. (Live) (3:00)

FSN John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods (0:30)

1:30 p.m. FSN Midwest Outdoors (0:30)

2:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (1:00)

FSN Larry Smith Outdoors (0:30)

NBCSN Dale Jr. Download (1:00)

2:30 p.m. USA IndyCar Auto Racing Indy Harvest Grand Prix. (Live) (2:30)

3:00 p.m. ESPN High Noon (0:30)

FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)

GOLF Golf Central Pre-game (Live) (0:30)

NBCSN Riders Up (0:30)

Noon GOLF LPGA Golf Round 3 ShopRite Classic. (Live) (3:00)

NBCSN Inside MotoAmerica (1:00)

12:30 p.m. (7) KCCO Off-Road Racing Series Pro Lite and Pro2 (1:00)

1:00 p.m. NBCSN Dirt Racing Lucas Oil Pro League (1:00)

1:30 p.m. (7) KCCO College Football Today (1:00)

(11) KARE IndyCar Auto Racing IndyCar Series (2:00)

2:00 p.m. (5) KSTP College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:30)

ESPN2 UFC Archival (1:00)

NBCSN AMA Motorcycle Racing American Flat Track Dallas Half-Mile I. (1:00)

2:30 p.m. (5) KSTP NCAA Football (Live) (3:00)

(7) KCCO NCAA Football Tex.A&M at Ala. (Live) (3:30)

(9) KAWE Prairie Sportsman (0:30)

(9) KMSP (15) KVRR Fox College Football Extra (Live) (0:30)

3:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR MLS Pre-game (Live) (0:30)

ESPN2 UFC Archival (1:00)

FSN Champions Tennis (2:00)

GOLF PGA Golf Round 3 Sanderson Farms Championship. (Live) (3:00)

NBCSN Countdown to Green (Live) (0:30)

TBS MLB on Deck (Live) (1:00)

3:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR MLS Soccer (Live) (2:00)

(11) KARE Horse Racing Preakness Stakes. (Live) (1:30)

NBCSN NASCAR Auto Racing Xfinity Series (Live) (2:30)

4:00 p.m. TBS MLB Baseball National League Division Series. (Live) (3:30)

5:30 p.m. (5) KSTP College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:30)

6:00 p.m. (5) KSTP College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:30)

GOLF Golf Central (0:30)

NBCSN NASCAR Xfinity Series Postrace Show (Live) (0:30)

6:30 p.m. (5) KSTP Nissan Pre-game Rush (Live) (0:07)

GOLF Golf Central (0:30)

8:30 a.m. NBCSN Premier League Mornings (Live) (0:25)

8:55 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer (Live) (2:05)

9:00 a.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR Big Noon Kickoff (Live) (2:00)

ESPN College Gameday (1:30)

ESPN2 E:60 (1:00)

FSN John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods (0:30)

9:30 a.m. FSN Midwest Outdoors (0:30)

10:00 a.m. ESPN2 E:60 (1:00)

10:30 a.m. FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)

11:00 a.m. (5) KSTP (9) KMSP (15)

KVRR NCAA Football (Live) (3:30)

FSN Destination Polaris (0:30)

NBCSN Premier League Mornings (Live) (0:30)

NBCSN AMA Motocross Lucas Oil Pro Thunder Valley National. (2:00)

6:35 p.m. (5) KSTP Football (3:23)

7:00 p.m. GOLF PGA Golf Round 3 Sanderson Farms Championship. (3:00)

7:30 p.m. TBS MLB Baseball National League Division Series. (Live) (3:30)

8:30 p.m. (29) WFTC Whacked Out Sports (0:30)

NBCSN AMA Motorcycle Racing American Flat Track Dallas Half-Mile II. (1:00)

9:30 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Sports Now (0:30)

FSN Vikings Game Plan (0:30)

NBCSN FIM Superbike Catalunya Round. (1:30)

10:00 p.m. (9) KMSP Vikings Game Plan (0:30)

11:00 p.m. TBS Inside MLB (Live) (0:30)

p.m.

Baseball Tonight (Live)

11:30 a.m. GOLF Golf Central Pregame (Live) (0:30)

GOLF PGA Golf Round 2 Sanderson Farms Championship. (Live) (3:00)

11:30 a.m. (11) KARE EPL Soccer (Live) (2:00)

Brainerd

Late Laughs

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Watching the first night of the convention was very inspiring, it gave me hope because it brought me back to where I was four years ago: in a room with other people!

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

A baboon was photographed picking up a lion cub and grooming it. Unfortunately, the baboon is now being sued by Disney for copyright infringement.

The Late Late Show With James Corden

Donald Jr. had a viral speech of his own last night. After he took to the stage, a single word started trending on

Extreme Sudoku

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

At the start of the pandemic, I was hosting my own show on Comedy Central. Now, I’m guest hosting Jimmy’s vlog in an empty Pottery Barn where they shoot “The Young and the Restless.”

I’m Jason Derulo. You probably know me from listening to my music or watching me on TikTok. And,

if you don’t know who I am, you’re old. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it’s true.

Late Night With Seth Meyers

A man in Wisconsin was arrested last week for allegedly stealing chicken wings and condoms from a Walmart. His crime? Planning the best night ever!

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 4x4 box contains the digits 1 through 9. AND the letters A through F. Solution below NorthernEyeCenter.com

Twitter, and that word was “cocaine” ... always the telltale sign of completely nailing a speech!

The only thing that was masked last night was Melania’s true feelings when she said, “He’s a wonderful husband and father.”

Cover Story this week

Political power play

‘The Comey Rule’ premieres on Showtime

By Kyla Brewer TV Media

AsNov. 3 looms on the horizon, the U.S. presidential election campaign is in full swing. No matter which way you intend to vote, chances are that you have been inundated with news stories and all manner of political theories about the candidates and their parties. With only weeks to go before the big day, a new miniseries explores events surrounding the previous presidential election from the perspective of a key player.

Emmy winner Jeff Daniels (“The Newsroom”) returns to television as FBI Director James Comey in the fourhour miniseries “The Comey Rule,” premiering Sunday, Sept. 27, and concluding Monday, Sept. 28, on Showtime. Based on Comey’s bestselling book “A Higher Loyalty,” the production details recent historical events from Comey’s perspective, including the FBI’s Russia investigation and Comey’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email controversy. The miniseries depicts the relationship between Comey and President Donald Trump (Brendan Gleeson, “Mr. Mercedes”) and Comey’s eventual dismissal from his post as the head of the FBI. Holly Hunter (“Saving Grace”) also stars.

“The Comey Rule” was written and directed by Oscar-nominee Billy Ray (“Captain Phillips,” 2013) and was filmed in Toronto, Canada, beginning in November 2019. Initially, it was scheduled to air after the 2020

presidential election, but Ray publicly decried the move to delay the broadcast and even went so far as to write a letter to the cast to apologize for the move. After Showtime’s parent company, CBSViacom, changed its tune and rescheduled the miniseries for a September premiere, Ray explained why he felt it was important to air the show in the run-up to the election in an interview with Vanity Fair.

“Of course, I wanted this series to air before the 2020 elections,” Ray said in a July article. “I think our democracy is on the line right now. And I wanted this series to be part of the conversation.”

Considering the highly charged

ed. Days before the election, news of the renewed investigation was leaked, and many blamed Comey for Clinton’s loss, despite the fact that three days before the election the FBI reiterated that charges were not warranted. On the flip side, many Republicans claimed that he planned to exonerate Clinton even before the investigation was complete. Then, of course, there was the FBI’s Russia investigation, which looked at whether there was Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election.

“The Comey Rule” brings to life many of the major players involved in U.S. politics during that era. Luckily, producers secured a top-

him from his acclaimed role in HBO’s political drama “The Newsroom,” a role that earned him an Emmy along with Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

Irish actor Gleeson, who was reportedly initially reluctant to take on the role of Trump, is perhaps best known as Alastor “Mad Eye” Moody from the Harry Potter film franchise. His other film credits include “Braveheart” (1995), “Cold Mountain” (2003) and “Paddington 2” (2018), while his television work includes “Mr. Mercedes” and the 2009 TV film “Into the Storm,” for which he won an Emmy. He’s also won three IFTA Awards and two British Independent

From the list, find each word and circle its letters in the puzzle to reveal a message relating to this week's theme

A World of Dance

by KNUTENELSON

role as Ada McGrath in 1993’s

Holly Hunter in a scene from “The Comey Rule”

Videoreleases

Valley Girl

Ruby Richman (Morrone) arrives home, distraught after breaking up with her boyfriend, to pursue her ambition of attending a studyabroad program in Japan for her final semester of high school. Her mother, Julie (Silverstone), tells Ruby about her own final weeks of high school, and the film flashes back to the early 1980s. A young Julie (Rothe) is a typical Valley girl living in Encino and enjoys frequent shopping trips to

the mall with her friends. However, Julie begins to doubt her future with her jock boyfriend, and she has become disheartened by her current lifestyle and college choice. All of that changes when Julie has a chance encounter that changes her life. “Valley Girl” is a remake of the 1983 film of the same name.

Director:RachelLeeGoldenberg.

Stars:Jessica Rothe,JoshWhitehouse,JessieEnnis,AshleighMurray,ChloeBennet,LoganPaul,

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. Solution below

MaeWhitman,RobHuebel,Judy Greer,Mario Revolori,Camila Morrone,Alicia Silverstone.2020. 102mins.Comedy.

Weathering With You

Coming to mainland Japan from the small island of Kozu-shima, first-year high-schooler and runaway Morishima Hodaka (Daigo) travels to Tokyo. After a chance encounter with Keisuke Suga (Oguri) on his journey to the city, the middle-age man hires Hodaka for a position at his small occult magazine publishing company. While investigating local urban legends associated with Tokyo’s heavy rainfall, the pair hear whisperings of a “sunshine girl” who can control the weather.

Director:Makoto Shinkai.Stars: KotaroDaigo,NanaMori,Shun Oguri,SeiHiraizumi,YûkiKaji,Riz Ahmed,DinoAndrade,Alison Brie,

KentaroAraki.2019.112 mins. Animation.

Welcome to Sudden Death

When a basketball team’s owner is taken hostage at the opening-night game by a tech-savvy and hostile terrorist group posing as the venue’s security team, Jesse Freeman (Jai White), a member of the security personnel and former special forces officer, must insert himself into the action as the demands of the terrorist group not only threaten the area in which he is trapped, but also his beloved daughter.

“Welcome to Sudden Death” is a sequel to the 1995 film “Sudden Death,” starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Director:DallasJackson.Stars:MichaelJaiWhite,MichaelEklund, GaryOwen,GillianWhite,StephanieSy,KristenHarris,Anthony Grant.2020.81mins.Action.

Jessica Rothe and Josh Whitehouse in “Valley Girl”

CHANNEL GUIDE

By Jessica Gosse TV Media

WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX

“The Boys in the Band” (2020)

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Netflix brings Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking 1968 off-Broadway play “The Boys in the Band” from the stage to the screen in the premiere of this drama. Featuring the same cast of openly gay actors who revived the play on Broadway for its 50th anniversary in 2018, the film follows a group of gay men in 1968 who come together for a birthday party. Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) stars as Michael, who is hosting the party in honor of his friend Harold (Zachary Quinto, “NOS4A2”). In attendance are Michael’s ex, Donald (Matt Bomer, “White Collar”); Hank (Tuc Watkins, “One Life to Live”), who just left his wife; Larry (Andrew Rannells, “A Simple Favor,” 2018), the man Hank now lives with; the highly opinionated Emory (Robin de Jesus, “Hair Brained,” 2013); and Bernard (Michael Benjamin Washington, “30 Rock”), who is determined to keep the peace between his dramatic friends. Tensions begin to rise within the group as Harold’s gift — a prostitute named Cowboy (Charlie Carver, “Desperate Housewives”) — arrives, closely followed by Michael’s seemingly heterosexual, conservative college friend, Alan (Brian Hutchison, “The Sinner”). As the night rolls on and intense party games are played, the friends are forced to confront deep personal truths.

“American Murder: The Family Next Door” (2020)

Fans of true crime are in for a thrilling ride as Netflix presents the true story of convicted murderer Chris Watts in this documentary, premiering Wednesday, Sept. 30, on the streamer. While there are pictures of Watts that seem to depict him as a typical family man, nothing could be further from the truth. This documentary provides firsthand footage as it explores how Watts went from being a seemingly loving husband and father to murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters in cold blood. Despite having originally claimed that his wife killed their children and that he accidentally killed her when he discovered what she’d done, Watts went on to provide a full confession and was given a life sentence after pleading guilty.

“Emily in Paris”

From the creators of “Sex and the City” and “Younger” comes this charming new series, which premieres Friday, Oct. 2, on Netflix. Lily Collins (“Tolkien,” 2019) stars as Emily, a twentysomething woman working at a marketing firm in Chicago who gets the opportunity of a lifetime when she is sent to work for a French marketing company in Paris, France. Emily has deeply romanticized the idea of living in Paris, as is evident by her exclamation upon arrival: “I feel like Nicole Kidman in ‘Moulin Rouge!’” But she’s in for a shock. As she starts her job at the firm and offers an American perspective on things, she realizes that many Parisians aren’t particularly fond of

Americans. Now, Emily must adapt to life in Paris with confidence, style and a certain jenesaisquoito balance the demands of her job while breaching the cultural divide and making new friends (and maybe meeting a cute Frenchman). Also starring in the series is “Grey’s Anatomy” alumna Kate Walsh, as well as Broadway star and Tony Award nominee Ashley Park.

WHAT’S NEW ON HULU

“Monsterland”

Supernatural horror meets psychological horror in this new anthol-

ogy series premiering Friday, Oct. 2, on Hulu. Based on dark fantasy author Nathan Ballingrud’s novel “North America Lake Monster Stories,” the series features eight hour-long episodes, each of which tells a different story set in a different part of America. “Monsterland” depicts the darkness within human beings and the lines we are willing to cross when pushed to a point of desperation with episodes featuring a wide range of scenarios from an elderly, grief-stricken couple or a struggling single mother to a reformed scheming socialite or a wealthy CEO. Each faces struggles that weigh on them, but there’s a twist: each episode features an encounter with a non-human creature, whether it be a fallen angel (perhaps encouraging a Faustian deal?) or even a mermaid. The series is set to feature an impressive cast, including Mike Colter (“Evil”), Kaitlyn Dever (“Unbelievable”) and Kelly Marie Tran (“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” 2019).

WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME

“The Glorias” (2020)

The life of famed American journalist Gloria Steinem is brought to the screen in this biopic, premiering Wednesday, Sept. 30, on Prime. “The Glorias” takes an unusual approach, showing four different stages of Steinem’s life depicted by four different actors — her tumultuous childhood segment stars Ryan Kiera Armstrong (“Anne with an E”); Lulu Wilson (“Sharp

ing a leader in the women’s liberation movement. Also featured are a wealth of other prominent women in the movement with whom Steinem had close relationships, such as lawyer Bella Abzug (Bette Midler, “The Stepford Wives,” 2004), fellow feminist and eventual business partner Dorothy Pitman Hughes (Janelle Monáe, “Hidden Figures,” 2016) and Cherokee activist Wilma Mankiller (Kimberly Guerro, “Longmire”).

Objects”) depicts Steinem as a teen; Alicia Vikander (“The Dutch Girl,” 2015) portrays her from her early 20s in the early stages of her career to the age of 40; and Academy Award winner Julianne Moore (“Still Alice,” 2014) plays Steinem in the 1970s as an established feminist and political activist. Based on Steinem’s autobiography, “My Life on the Road,” “The Glorias” looks into how every part of Steinem’s life led to her becom-

“Force of Nature” (2020) Mel Gibson (“The Expendables 3,” 2014) stars as Ray, a stubborn and aging former cop, living in an apartment in Puerto Rico in this action film coming to Prime on Monday, Sept. 28. When a Category 5 hurricane hits and the building’s residents are told to evacuate, Ray refuses to leave, much to the chagrin of his daughter, Troy (Kate Bosworth, “Straw Dogs,” 2011), not to mention Cardillo (Emile Hirsch, “Once Upon a Time ... In Hollywood,” 2019) and Jess (Stephanie Cayo, “Club de Cuervos”), the two cops sent to ensure that everyone evacuates. However, Ray’s refusal to leave the premises turns out to be a blessing in disguise when Cardillo discovers that a team of violent thieves has infiltrated the building and is using the hurricane as a cover for their heist. Now, Cardillo and Jess must team up with Ray and Troy in order to stop the thieves and survive the storm.

Jim Parsons, Robin de Jesus, Michael Benjamin Washington and Andrew Rannells in “The Boys in the Band”

Julianne Moore in “The Glorias”

Kelly Marie Tran as seen in “Monsterland”

Fun and games Game shows reign on Thursday nights on ABC

By Rachel Jones TV Media

It’s Week 2 for some of ABC’s most addictive game shows, and they’re bringing you trivia, friendly competition and the best of celebrity hosts. Not only has Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”) returned as the host of “Match Game,” Steve Harvey (“The Steve Harvey Show”) is also back for another round of “Celebrity Family Feud,” and who can forget the classic 1980s game show “Press Your Luck,” now revived with Elizabeth Banks (“Mrs. America”) at the wheel?

New episodes of all three game shows air this week, on Thursday, Oct. 1, and the trifecta might just help bring a little normalcy back to our lives. Game shows have been a staple of network programming for generations, and there’s nothing like rooting for strangers as they try to beat the odds and win big prizes.

For six seasons, “Celebrity Family Feud” has been giving audiences insight into the strange dynamics of celebrity families — and delivering some truly great Steve Harvey reactions. The stand-up comedian, Emmy winner and actor-turned-author holds nothing back and is not afraid to gawk at ridiculous answers, unfortunately phrased responses or silly mistakes. While we’re at home shouting at the TV and shaking our heads, Steve is onstage doing the same — just in a more entertaining way.

We can expect a stellar lineup for the 2020-21 season. Celebrities including Cedric the Entertainer (“The Neighborhood”) — who has appeared on “Celebrity Family Feud” more than a few times already — daytime host Kathie Lee Gifford (“Today”) and rappers Big Boi and 2 Chainz turn up this season, among many other guest stars.

Alec Baldwin, who accepted the role of host for ABC’s revival of “Match Game” in 2016, is just as charming as ever. The fifth season, which started in May 2020, follows the traditional game show format from the 1970s, as contestants do their best to match fill-in-the-blank answers with those of the celebrity panelists.

So far this year, we’ve seen the likes of Joel McHale (“Community”), Thomas Lennon (“Reno 911!”) and

Amy Sedaris (“At Home With Amy Sedaris”) as panelists, and audiences should expect to see many, many more.

Initially, Hollywood insiders questioned Baldwin’s decision to take on the role of game show host, assuming it was a poor choice and would damage his career. But so far, it seems as if Baldwin has found a great, consistent gig that has done nothing but improve his image and hasn’t hampered his ability to take on bigger, weightier projects. Plus, he seems to genuinely enjoy it.

Another vintage game show that

has returned to ABC after a brief pandemic-related hiatus is “Press Your Luck.” The start of Season 2 proved quite successful for host Banks, and audiences and critics alike agree that the charismatic actor does a fantastic job at playing the witty, considerate host. There are no celebrity contestants here; we get to watch as regular people spin the Big Board and avoid the WHAMMY to win as much cash as they can.

“Family Feud” is perhaps the bestknown game show on this list. The classic was originally created by legendary producer Mark Goodson in

1976 for ABC, and since its inception, two families have gone head-tohead in each episode, attempting to guess survey results correctly for cash prizes. The show has had a number of celebrity hosts, most notably “Hogan’s Heroes” star Richard Dawson.

“Match Game” is yet another Goodson classic, and this one has been around longer than “Family Feud.” The show first aired on NBC back in 1962 and has been passed around from network to network since. Though the layout has remained more or less the same, the current revival of the fill-in-the-

blank game swings more towards the game show’s CBS 1970s format.

Considered the baby on the list, “Press Your Luck” first aired on CBS in 1983. It only ran for three years in its first iteration. Created by Bill Caruthers (who worked with Goodman on “Match Game”), it was actually a reworking of the ABC game show “Second Chance.” A mix of trivia and chance games, “Press Your Luck” may not have had as much air time as the others, but it’s certainly getting its deserved time in the spotlight now.

Filtering through the news, politics, crime shows and cartoons that can create divides among generations, game shows have acted as the bridge throughout generations. They not only bridge the history of television, but they bring people of all ages together for good, clean competition.

Prime-time TV may not look the same as it did decades ago, but game shows still do. You can catch new episodes of “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Match Game” and “Press Your Luck” when they air Thursday, Oct. 1, on ABC.

Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer in “Celebrity Family Feud”