The Anniston Star l Sunday, April 27, 2014 l Page 6E
SUNDAY RECORD YOUR GUIDE TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND VITAL STATISTICS IN CALHOUN COUNTY BANKRUPTCIES
DEATHS Danny C. Allen, Piedmont Eula V. Morris Ashley, Childersburg Willie James Bailey, Anniston Edna Mae Barnes, Centre William Stanley Bell, Anniston Dianne G. Betts, Ohatchee Frances Earline Boone, Centre William C. Branch, Weaver Avis Luker Brown, Anniston George Buchanan Sr., Florida Charles Roy Campbell, Jacksonville Glynda Strickland Chisolm, Wedowee Jerrod Blake Clines, Hokes Bluff Gary Ray Coleman, Anniston Robert Garey Corrado, Heflin Raymond Douglas ‘Doug’ DaLee III, Anniston Evelyn Jean Flanders, Anniston Henry E. Gilliland, Anniston Thomas Wayne Golden, Alexandria Charles A. “Sonny” Greene, Anniston Eugenia Aileen Chapman Hall, Anniston Elaine Hanson, Centre Richard Lee Hawes, Lincoln Joseph Wayne Hodges, Hurt Stanley “Peanut” Holyfield, Anniston Frank Johnston, Anniston Lilly Christine Johnston, Eastaboga Anthony Jones, Pell City James Ronald King, Eastaboga Louise Reitzell Kughn,
McCalla Peggy Jean (Garrett) Laird, Lacy Lakeview Bertha M. Lauderdale, Anniston Beverly Ann Lindsey, Anniston Dorothy “Pat” McKleroy, Oxford Roy Lee McRath, Anniston Julia Kirby Moree, Alexandria Joe V. Morris, Ashland Joan Pope Morrison, Anniston Cecil Leroy Ponder, Oxford Catherine Prestridge, Roanoke Lurline Robinson, Heflin Terrell ‘Chess’ Robinson, Roanoke Barbara Scott, Gadsden Mary Scott, Anniston Patsy Yates Seale, Delta Thomas Edward Short, Fyffe Fay Smith, Anniston Donald Snider, Oxford Barbara Vaden Sproull, Anniston Samuel L. Stewart Sr., Anniston Ralph Edward Taylor, Anniston Ida Mae “Polly” Walton, Georgia Joseph E. Warren, Anniston Ella Mae Warwick, Maryland Emmett Weaver, Anniston William Webb, Jacksonville Fern Poe Weiss, Lincoln Mable C. Wilson, White Plains Mary Francis Holloway Wilson, Phenix City
RATE OF BANKRUPTCIES 1010 8
8
6
6
4
9
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy enables debtors, through court supervision and protection, to propose and carry out a repayment plan under which creditors are paid, in full or in part, in installments over a three-year period. During that time, debtors are prohibited from starting or continuing collection efforts. The following bankruptcies declared by Calhoun County residents were recorded by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Alabama last week:
Chapter 7 • Willie F. Byrd and Constance L. Sims, Pelham Road North, Jacksonville • John Daniel Deese and Cheryl M. Deese, Bennett Street, Oxford
Chapter 13
• Marlin Kimbrough, Hale Street, Oxford • Christopher J. Chatman and Kimberly G. Chatman, Anniston
FORECLOSURES • Sarah Zavelo Munro-Estate, David Aaron Munro, Samuel Bruce Munro and Mose Meyer Munro, South Anniston Land Co., division 2, block 30, lots 4-13; division 2, block 41, lots 4-8 and 13; division 2, block 44, lots 1 and 2, division 2, block 45, lots 1 and 2, division 2, block 46, lot 2.
EDITOR’S NOTE The material inside the Sunday Record is recorded by The Anniston Star from various institutions and government offices. The public records are published as they appeared on the documents obtained by the newspaper. Direct questions and comments about Sunday Record to Isaac Godwin at igodwin@annistonstar.com.
• Sidney Norton Goss of Piedmont to Beth Paula Musselman of Piedmont • Juan Carlos Guillen-Murillo of Jacksonville to Sharita Suzanna Brasher of Jacksonville • Jesse Ryan Smith of Piedmont to Payton Hope Lewis of Piedmont • Joseph Dean Bryant of Ohatchee to Tiffany Lashay Radford of Ohatchee • Joseph Scott Welch of Oxford to Shelley Haga Elkins of Oxford • Bradley Wayne Gardner of Eastaboga to Kristina Ann Norris of Eastaboga • James Eric Champion of Alexandria to Sunni Gayle Crow of Alexandria • Tyler Keith Butler of Piedmont to Amber Renee Walker of Piedmont • Jeremy Keith Fleming of Alexandria to
CATTLE SALE
Katie Sue Combs of Eastaboga • Aaron Daniel Elias of Atlanta, Ga., to Lela Brook McCurdy of Jacksonville • Joseph Patrick Trussell of Wellington to Christine Ann Myroup of Wellington • Brandon Ray Woods of Eastaboga to Tabitha Kaye Macleroy of Eastaboga • Travis Scott Broadwater of Piedmont to Marissa Hope Amberson of Piedmont • James Erwin Bacon Sr. of Eastaboga to Ruth Ellen Mutschler of Taylor, Mich. • Paul Onesimus Player of Anniston to Shanikka Dezerae Shepherd of Anniston • Bradley Wayne Gardner of Eastaboga to Kristina Ann Norris of Eastaboga • Ronald Christopher Martin of Anniston to Pamela Kay Parker of Union Grove
Here is the livestock market report for the Tuesday sale. Receipts for this week 854 compared to 603 last week. Receipts a year ago 671.
FEEDER CLASSES:
Bulls and steers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. 240.00 to 265.00; 300-400 lbs. 230.00 to 260.00; 400-500 lbs. 195.00 to 230.00; 500-600 lbs. 177.00 to 202.50; 600-700 lbs. 155.00 to 185.00. Heifers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. Too Few; 300-400 lbs. 218.00 to 240.00; 400-500 lbs. 190.00 to 210.00; 500-600 lbs. 175.00 to 190.00; 600-700 lbs. 150.00 to 170.00.
SLAUGHTER CLASSES:
Cows: Breakers 93.00 to 100.00; Boners 97.00 to 105.00; Lean 89.00 to 99.00. Bulls: Normal Dressing 54-58% 114.00 to 117.00; High Dressing >58% 124.00; Low Dressing <54% Too Few.
INCORPORATIONS
• The Fountains Homeowners Assoc. Inc. DIVORCES • Ernest Wardner Designs • Felicia Gail Butts • Nathaniel Brunette LLC • Cuttin’ it Close LLC and Reginald Butts and Dina Brunette • Ray Scherer Smith • Kelly Taliaferro and • KDVH Enterprises LLC and Carrie Letthia Gregory Alan Taliafer- • Military Parts Corp. Smith ro Dissolved • Shannon Donette • David Kalina and • Full Moon Inspirations Sparks and Paul Terri Kalina Edward Sparks • Ventinia Lynn Jones LLC • JOSUN Inc. • Amber Michelle and Earl Ralph Jones • Dandy R.V. Rentals LLC Gassaway and Thom- • Richard Jeremy as Anthony Gassaway Reynolds and Crystal WILLS PROBATED • Meredith Benadum Renee Reynolds and Hope L. Benadum • David W. Finch and • Harvey E. Dickerson Sr. • Jennifer Stokesber- Glenda F. Finch ry Collins and Larry • Crystal Smith and • Dan Knowlton Miller • Frances S. Ray Scott Collins James N. Smith
BLOTTER Crimes are listed by location. Anonymous tips may be called in to Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414. A reward of up to $1,000 may be given.
5
4
4
22 0
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the debtor to retain certain exempt property, but the debtor’s remaining property is gathered and sold by a trustee from which creditors will receive payment. It may also be used by businesses which wish to terminate their business.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
52 weeks ago
Last week
This week
The Anniston Star
Join our roster of bloggers at AnnistonStar.com
• Residence, 600 block of Sidney Circle: televisions, DVD players, game controller. • Unknown location, 2800 block of Alabama 202: copper wire. Anniston • Residence, Sunset Drive: The following property jewelry, coins. crimes were reported to the Thefts Anniston Police Department during the seven-day period • Residence, 3800 block of Ammons Street: firearm. ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Unknown location, Hess Burglaries Drive: club car. • Residence, 200 block of • Residence, 400 block of Oak Old Gadsden Highway: tele- Lane: lawn mower, tools. vision, DVD player. • Residence, unspecified Calhoun County block of West 34th Street: construction tools. The following property
crimes were reported to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Ohatchee: jewelry. • Residence, Hulsey Road, Jacksonville: cast iron stove. • Residence, Hudson Avenue, Anniston: cash.
Oxford
Burglaries
• Residence, New Liberty Road, Jacksonville: cell The following property phone, tablet computer, crimes were reported to the Oxford Police Department weapon light, firearm. during the seven-day period Thefts ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Field, Brown Bridge Road, Burglaries Piedmont: hub/wheel • Hotel, 100 block of Elm assembly. • Unspecified location, Street: laptop computer. McClellan Road, Alexandria: • Residence, 400 block of Homewood Drive: tiller, cast lawn mower. • Service station, Virginia iron wash pot. Avenue, Anniston: backhoe. • Field, 200 block of Allendale • Residence, Peeks Hill Road, Road: Honda ATV.
ARRESTS The people listed in this arrest report, whose names and charges are obtained from public records, are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Anniston The following felony arrests were reported by the Anniston Police Department (addresses not provided) during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Richard Randy Smith, 40: second-degree receiving stolen prop-
erty. • Robert James Underwood, 47: possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of a forged instrument. • Phillip Hugh Jacks, 45: first-degree theft.
• Matthew Eugene Haynes, 32, of Ohatchee: failure to appear in court. • Montwell Duwayne Rachel, 39, of Roanoke: failure to appear in court. • Desmond Deonte Efford, 23, of Anniston: failure to appear in court. • Jessica Marie Jenkins, 31, of Alexandria: third-degree burglary. Calhoun County • Darrell Stephen Curvin, 39, of The following felony arrests were Alexandria: third-degree burglary. reported by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the sevOxford en-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. The following felony arrests were
reported by the Oxford Police Department during the 24-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Joy Unik Barnes, 32: obstructing justice by using a false I.D. • Samantha Blake Austin, 19: fugitive from justice. • Michael Leroyal Witt, 53: possession of a forged instrument. • William Wayne Osbourn, 29: robbery. • Michael Taft Palmer Jr., 25: robbery. • James Darrell Phillips, 51: second-degree theft of property.
• Christopher Kashawna Ronde Fantroy, 18: second-degree theft of property. • Gregory Denzal Hill Jr., 26: second-degree theft of property. • Jordan Brooke Hamilton, 23: second-degree theft of property. • Curtis Lane folds, 29: first-degree manufacture of a controlled substance. • William Christopher Deason, 20: third-degree burglary. • Micah Brandon Shierling, 37: third-degree burglary.
• Richard Steven Hendrix and Claudia Lee Hendrix Issiac to Justin D. Allen and Amy A. Allen, Stone Ridge subdivision, block 5, lots 1 and 2, $10. • Veterans Affairs to Gannite J. McGregor, a parcel of land in section 36, township 16, range 6, $75,000. Freddie Mac to Jimmy Hugh Strickland II, Sherwood Forest, 9th addition, lot 17, $145,000. Kesetta Williams Cook to Miracle Revival Temple Inc., Anniston City Land Co., block 160, lots 7 and 8, $10. Joyce S. Walker to Piperlynn War-
ren, a parcel of land in section 25, township 16, range 6, $10. Ronnie Smith to Lois Mittelstaedt and Harold Mittelstaedt, Blue Pond subdivision, area 1, lot 2; area 1, block B, lots 3 and 4, $100. Kendale Carroll Burgess to Joshua D. Gardner and Kenley R. Gardner, West Glen subdivision, block A, lot 3, $10. Shirley J. Cockrell to Rory Kyle Stewart and Seth Kyle Stewart, a parcel of land in section 35, township 12, range 9, $10.
PROPERTY TRANSFERRED • Street Residential Construction Inc. to Jack Investment Partners LLC, fraction F/R of a parcel of land in section 19, township 14, range 6, $10. • Calhoun County Economic Development Council to Tunstall Enterprises LLC, a parcel of land in section 4, township 13, range 10, $10. • Verla M. Melvin to Rodney D. Hurst and Charlotte D. Hurst, a parcel of land in section 28, township 15, range 5, $10. • Jimmy Pierce Pritchett and Brenda Pritchett to Richard Allen McRobert and Terri Jessica
Pritchett McRobert, a parcel of land in section 13, township 13, range 8, $10. • Richard Allen McRobert and Terri Jessica Pritchett McRobert to Jimmy Pierce Pritchett and Brenda Pritchett, a parcel of land in section 13, township 13, range 8, $10. • Christopher P. Ciccimarro and Kerri S. Ciccimarro to Leah M. Amis, Grandview subdivision, 6th addition, lot 28, $10. • Harry L. Cagle and Barbara K. Cagle to Mark Mendinghall and Patricia Mendinghall, Eagle Pass subdivision, block A, lot 14,
$276,900. • Stonecrest Income and Opportunity Fund I LLC to Bobby Ray Boyd, a parcel of land addressed 2016 Christine Avenue, Anniston, $2,750. • Housing & Urban Development to Kellen A. Spivey and Chrysta Spivey, Mountainside Village, lot 9, $10. • Derek Slick and Stephanie Slick to Derek Slick and Stephanie Slick, Eden Place subdivision, lot 9, $10. • Branch Banking & Trust Co. to Geromy Ledbetter, Mountainview subdivision, phase 5, lots 132 and 133, $10.
Please see PROPERTY | Page 7E
JEWELRY & WATCH REPAIR WE BUY GOLD SILVER & DIAMONDS
DIAMOND DEPOT
Snow St., Oxford - Across from Cheaha Bank • (256) 365-2087
The Anniston Star
Sunday, April 27, 2014 Page 7E
SUNDAY RECORD CALENDAR: AnnistonStar.com/calendar PROPERTY TRANSFERRED
PROPERTY Continued from Page 6E • Michelle Dianne Ansley to Charity Faith Sellers, a parcel of land in section 10, township 14, range 7, $10. • Leah M. Amis and Kelly Amis to Leah Amis, Grandview subdivision, 6th addition, lot 28, $10. • Billy D. Grizzard to Leah S. Sparks, a parcel of land in section 19, township 16, range 8, $157,500. • Opal H. Moody to Linda Dodgen, a parcel of land in section 24, township 15, range 7, $10. • Broadway Group LLC to Cole DG Ohatchee AL LLC, a parcel of land in section 33, township 13, range 7, $1,266,000. • Harriet Glover Watson Lane and Marion Elizabeth Murphree to Lex Domus LLC, a parcel of land in section 27, township 15, range 9, $10. • Danny Lee Jones to Danny Lee Jones and Frances Denise Jones, Sakston Heights, 1st addition, lot
20, $10. • Rodney Edgar Jones to Rodney Edgar Jones, Megan Jones Pritchett and Joseph C. Jones, Sakston Heights, 1st addition, lot 20, $10. • William Lamar Smith-Estate to Amanda J. Morris, Pleasant Valley Estates, lot 4, $10. • Don B. Ginder to Harry Cagle and Barbara Cagle, Eagle Pass subdivision, block C, lot 7, $225,000. • Brian Pruitt and Christine Pruitt to James R. Tisdale, a parcel of land in section 14, township 13, range 8, $1. • Edward Lackey and Barbara Ann Lackey to On The Ball LLC, Profile Mill Village, block 4, lot 1, $1. • FlagStar Bank to Queen’s Park Oval Asset Holdings Trust, Pinewood subdivision, Strickland’s addition, block D, lot 5, $1. • Mary J. Wideman-Estate to Derrick M. Montgomery Sr., Vaughan’s subdivision, addition lots 78-185, lots 155 and 156, $10. • Reagan Harper to Tina L. Ager, Shell subdivision, block 2, lot 2, $10. • T & B Properties LLC to Michael
Chatman and Makeshelia Chatman, Carriage Hills subdivision, 2nd addition, block 8, lot 3, $10. • Heirs of Leola B. Duncan to Algenise Brown, Anniston Land Co., block 703, lot 17, $10. • Barbara K. Ingram to Susan H. Benkelman, a parcel of land addressed 3130 Blue Mountain Road, Anniston, $10,000. • Edith L. Hobbs to John L. Hancock, a parcel of land addressed 3130 Blue Mountain Road, Anniston, $10,000. • Martha C. McMinn-Estate to Kirk W. Gohlke and Carol M. Gohlke, a parcel of land in section 8, township 15, range 8, $10. • David McCurdy and Barbara Lane to David McCurdy and Sheila McCurdy, a parcel of land in section 17, township 13, range 10, $10. • Hazel Creek Properties Inc. to Donald O. Sills and Zandra W. Sills, Anniston Land Co., block 541-F, lot 2, $10. • Fannie Mae to Kip Lane Reaves and Tiffany Patterson Reaves,
Creek Woods subdivision, lots 9 and 10, $34,000. • Derwent Zoet and Helen Zoet to Gloria Peterson, Four Lane Homesites subdivision, block 4, lots 74 and 76, $4,840. • Gloria Peterson to Habitat for Humanity of Calhoun County Inc., Four Lane Homesites subdivision, block 4, lots 70, 72, 74 and 76, $9,680. • Housing & Urban Development to T & B Properties LLC, Golden Springs subdivision, 3rd addition, block G, lot 1, $10. • Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to Antineekia White and Isaac Rowland, Anniston Homestead & Fruitgrowers Assoc., lot 3002, $15,000. • QHG of Jacksonville Inc. to E & L LLC, a parcel of land in section 34, township 14, range 7, $10. • Raymone A. Underwood to Vickey Hurston, M.C. Sterne subdivision, block 9, lots 4 and 5, $8,000. • Glenda F. Finch to David W. Finch, High Oaks subdivision, 4th addition, lot 11, $10.
• Bruce A. Clemment to Jeannie D. Jones, Sugar Valley Estates, phase 1, block B, lot 7, $100. • Donald Steven Mangum and Vickie Ward Mangum to Timothy W. Link, Indian Oaks Estates, block 4, lot 9, $143,850. • Timothy W. Link and Gini Lyn Link to Timothy W. Link and Gini Lyn Link, Indian Oaks Estates, block 4, lot 9, $143,850. • Joseph Bennett to Kay Hubbard, Blue Pond subdivision, area 2, block K, lot 1, $10. • Kay Hubbard to Bill A. Ridley and Faye Ridley, Blue Pond subdivision, area 2, block K, lot 1, $73,000. • Linda B. Holman Living Trust to West Anniston Foundation, a parcel of land addressed 1507 Glen Addie Avenue, Anniston, $100. • Robert Allen Cunningham to Rayford E. Cunningham, a parcel of land in section 33, township 16, range 8, $10. • Shawn Snider to BBSK LLC, a parcel of land in section 20, township 15, range 8, $10.
A brave new world of TV BY DAVID HILTBRAND The Philadelphia Inquirer
This year marks the 75th birthday of the television — not to mention the 50th anniversary of one of TV’s most memorable moments: the Beatles’ first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Let’s consider the ways TV viewing has changed in the interim. You would have been watching the Fab Four on an oven-like set anchored in a bulky console, on one of maybe five channels you got (including UHF). Almost certainly in black-and-white as only 3 percent of American TVs were color in 1964. One wrong bathroom break and you lost your only chance to see the lads sing “She Loves You.” Slingshot that same viewer into 2014 and she’d swear she was witnessing sorcery. That boy on the platform — are those tattoos? — is watching the episode of “Teen Wolf” that was just on TV last night on a small rectangle he calls his mobile phone. That businessman is watching a movie still playing in theaters on a slightly larger screen he calls his tablet. And he’s stopping and rewinding the action. We live in a brave new world of TV. And the innovations and choices are coming at an ever-accelerating pace. More content, more outlets, more delivery systems than ever before. It’s a buyers’ market for TV viewers. “The line used to be: ‘500 channels and nothing on,’” says Lucy Hood, president and chief operating officer of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. “Now it’s ‘1,000 channels and there’s too much to watch.’ The biggest complaint we hear is, ‘I haven’t had a chance to catch up on that series. I hear it’s great.’ That’s a nice problem to have.” Certainly, production has proliferated as original programming, once the exclusive province of broadcast television, spread to pay cable, then to basic cable, and now to streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. “I would say the competition for original programming has increased more than tenfold,” says Chris McCumber, president of cable channel USA. “A few years ago there weren’t many basic cable channels doing original shows. We had ‘Monk’ and FX had ‘The
Shield.’ Now everybody has their own slate of series. “It’s great for the viewers,” McCumber says. “It used to be we told the viewers when something would be on. Now they lead us. They go to the platforms they want to go to. And the word of mouth that is happening across social networks is a major driver of how shows grow.” The more intense rivalry for eyeballs has led to a creative boom in the business, exemplified by series like “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” “Game of Thrones” and “The Good Wife.” DVRs and On Demand have changed the way Americans consume TV, ushering in the conventions of delayed (or time-shifted) viewing and binge-watching. “When we introduced On Demand, people were afraid to push the button; they thought they’d be charged for it,” says Matt Strauss, the senior vice president and general manager of video services at Comcast. “Now it’s fully integrated. Seventy percent of our subscribers use On Demand. “We have a generation growing up that can’t distinguish between what’s live and what’s time-shifted,” Strauss says. “We have created a generation of instant gratification. They want what they want when they want it. There’s no going back.” Chugging shows is also prevalent now. “A recent study at the University of Southern California showed that 60 percent of Americans were binge-watching,” says Hood. Rapidly evolving viewing patterns are creating seismic changes in the industry’s business model, forcing it to reassess how it programs, how it markets, and how it measures success. “Viewers no longer want repeats, so a definite challenge is having to schedule as much original programming as possible, 52 weeks a year,” says Andy Kubitz, ABC’s vice president of program planning and scheduling. “That also means you need more promotion, and it’s definitely challenging to break through in that area.” Earlier this year, Fox announced its plan to abandon the traditional pilot-season model wherein each network orders dozens of pilots and sees what sticks. “The broadcast development system was built in a different era
with three networks and is highly inefficient,” said Fox chairman Kevin Reilly. “It is nothing short of a miracle talent can still produce anything of quality in that environment.” Fox, he said, will focus on excellence rather than volume, and introduce its projects throughout the calendar year, not just in September. The move toward event programming with scale and sophistication is an undeniable trend. “There’s so much competition now. You have to create a big event to grab the attention of the audience,” says USA’s McCumber. “You’re going to see more and more miniseries and limited-run series.” It’s simple marketplace economics: Supply mushrooms as we become a more demanding bunch. “Immediacy and personalization,” says Mark Gross, senior vice president and executive producer at ESPN. “People are in a hurry and they don’t want to wade through a bunch of stuff. ‘I want it at my fingertips.’” Of course, all this comes at a price. And that’s the other major difference from our visitor from 1964: She was watching the Beatles for free. You, my media-saturated friend, are paying through the nose. This winter you were able to experience an unprecedented bonanza of athletic action from the Sochi Winter Olympics on your computer or wireless device. But first the machine had to verify that you have an active cable or satellite account. The same goes for any time you use the digital version of HBO or Disney or ESPN or On Demand. You must be authenticated first. And all those online streaming services will eventually be based on subscriber models. No matter what platform you watch it on, “great television costs a lot,” said Hood, “and consumers will only pay so much for all their entertainment.” So as TV reaches for the stars in 2014, will viewers be willing to pay for its rising ambitions? No one knows. “Arguably this is the most unstable television situation since the ‘40s,” says Matt McAllister, a professor of communications at Penn State. “Uncertainty reigns.” But that would make a good title for a limited-run sci-fi series.
Channels change, TCM stays the same the screen. Its imprint is found in books, DVD sets, movie location tours, cruises with cinema legends BY DIANE WERTS and an annual classic film festival Newsday in Hollywood. All of which merely bolsters its original mission to Remember how great it was honor “classic movies,” whether when cable first offered that niche you take “classic” to mean “superb” channel you’d always wanted? or just “vintage.” TV Land revived memorable About 350 titles a month are tube treats “Hill Street Blues” and of Turner Classic Movies. TCM carefully scheduled into lineups “Honey West.” TNN showed down- launched on basic cable 20 years oozing cinema savvy — linked home diversions like lawn-mower ago this month with 24/7 feature racing. History aired wall-to-wall films, short subjects, movie trailers by an actor, like last week’s John Wayne, a theme like Avalon/ history. There was something for and Hollywood interviews. PreFunicello ‘60s romps, a nation like everyone. sented uncut, commercial-free, Australia in May. TCM also has sass Today? Cable may hold 10 times with respect for the medium. — May 6’s daytime titles all contain more channels, yet they tend to And its fans. Surprise! The look alike as they throw over ferTCM of 20 years ago looks remark- the word “scarlet.” It satisfies fans of silent films vent fans to pursue passing remote ably like TCM today. If anything, (Sunday nights) and fairy tales (Satclicks by showing the same sludge it’s enriched its commitment to urday nights), Jeanette MacDonald everyone else does. TV Land seems movie lovers in step with evolving operettas (Thursday) and Henry to spotlight five familiar shows. technology and lifestyles. TCM. Jaglom indies (May 29). No niche is TNN morphed into Spike’s endless com delivers detailed schedules, run of “Cops” and 007 flicks. Hisinsightful essays, a comprehensive too obscure for TCM. Let other channels change tory prefers “Pawn Stars” and “Ax database and multimedia goodies. Men” to, well, history. Everybody On-the-go gadgets inspired the free names, shift strategies or otherwise jilt faithful fans — 20 years else shows “Law & Order.” app Watch TCM that subscribers on, Turner Classic Movies remains Can no channel keep faith with can access anywhere, anytime, by its most ardent aficionados? committed. It’s a marriage that computer or mobile device. Bless the trusty film sprockets TCM now extends far beyond makes TV heaven.
COMMENTARY
Turner Classic Movies via AP
‘BLACK BOX’ THURSDAYS, ABC
Fresh offerings in TV spring line-ups The Kansas City Star
guys, perhaps with a packet of fish and chips. He’ll still America has exported be darting about in real Jack Bauer to London for “24: time, but the show will now Live Another Day,” but we’re skip ahead in time some, importing, too. A lot of the probably so Jack can sleep. “new” offerings on TV have With William Devane as the already found success outpresident, Stephen Fry as the side the U.S. U.K’s prime minister, and Benjamin Bratt chasing him Comedy around Whitechapel. • GANG RELATED (FOX, • BAD TEACHER (CBS, April 24 at 8:31 p.m. — yes, May 22 at 8 p.m.): Terry O’Quinn (“Lost”) is running 8:31. Get used to it.): Ari an anti-gang task force, not Graynor stars as Meredith Davis, a gold digger who realizing his unit has been finagles a teaching job in infiltrated by an undercovorder to land a rich, divorced er gang member (Ramon dad. Then, of course, she Rodriguez, “The Wire”). With actually has to deal with the rapper RZA and Emilio Rivestudents. With David Alan ra, whose Wikipedia page Grier, Kristin Davis and Sara leads off with “He usually Gilbert. plays Mexican criminals.” • PLAYING HOUSE (USA, April 29 at 9 p.m.): Comedians Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham are single gals raising a baby in this tale of parenting high jinks, based on their real-life friendship. With Keegan-Michael Key, Zach Woods and Jane Kaczmarek. THE NIGHT SHIFT (NBC, May 27 at 9 p.m.): San Antonio Memorial’s overnight crew of doctors are a bunch of irreverent, defiant, possibly stoned and improbably good-looking Army burnouts. With Freddy Rodriguez, Eoin Macken, Daniella Alonso and Jill Flint. UNDATEABLE (NBC, • CROSSBONES (NBC, May 29 at 8 p.m.): This May 30 at 9 p.m.): With John experiment in letting stand- Malkovich as Blackbeard, up comics and real-life “Crossbones” is based on a friends ad-lib their way journalist’s account of what through dating struggles went down in 1715 in the comes from Adam Sztykiel, Bahamas. It’s from the crewriter of “Due Date,” and ator of “Luther,” Idris Elba’s Bill Lawrence, creator of excellent psychological cop “Scrubs.” With Brent Morin, thriller, so there’s reason to Chris D’Elia, Ron Funches be optimistic. With Julian and Bianca Kajlich. Sands and Richard Coyle. • JENNIFER FALLS (TV HALT AND CATCH Land, June 4 at 9:30 p.m.): FIRE (AMC, June 1 at 9 When a career-focused p.m.): A trio of volatile rogue single mom (Jaime Pressly) techies risk it all to join the loses her job, she and her early-‘80s heyday of the IBM teenage daughter have to move back in with her mom. PC in of this 10-episode period drama. With Lee Pace and With Jessica Walter, Jeffrey Scoot McNairy. Tambor and Ethan Suplee.
Drama • BLACK BOX (ABC, April 24 at 9 p.m.): Kelly Reilly stars as Catherine Black, a brilliant neurologist who is especially adept with brain problems because she has one herself. She also has a habit of going off her meds and into bad behavior. With Ditch Davey, David Ajala and Vanessa Redgrave. • 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY (FOX, May 5 at 7 p.m., moves to 8 p.m. May 12): Four years after we last saw him, Jack Bauer is dodging CIA assassins, while trying to stop a terrorist attack in London where he’ll no doubt dispatch dozens of very bad
Sci-fi • PENNY DREADFUL (Showtime, May 11 at 9 p.m.): Someone said, “Let’s get Dorian Gray, Dr. Frankenstein and Dracula, smash together their origin stories, and put them all in Victorian London so they can fight evil with an explorer, a psychic and a mysterious American.” With Timothy Dalton, Eva Green and Josh Hartnett.