Screentime April 16 – 22, 2023

By George Dickie

Saturday, April 22, marks the 54th Earth Day and with it comes some noteworthy programming on broadcast, cable and streaming that celebrate the environment and all that live in it.

Leading the parade is “Secrets of the Elephants.” Premiering Friday, April 21, on National Geographic (and available the next day on Disney+), the four-part documentary series from executive producer James Cameron travels the world from the savannahs of Africa to the urban landscapes of Asia to spotlight the strategic thinking, complex emotions and sophisticated language of these gentle giants that help shape their unique culture.

Narrated by Natalie Portman, it also reveals how similar they are to humans.

CoVer sTory

The next day on Nat Geo, the documentary “Path of the Panther” follows National Geographic Explorer and photographer Carlton Ward Jr. as he ventures into the uncharted world of the Florida Panther, whose habitat in the Everglades is shrinking in an area on the brink of ecological collapse.

Over on PBS on Wednesday, April 19 (check local listings), is the Season 2 premiere of “Changing Planet,” which revisits six of the Earth’s most vulnerable ecosystems and catches up with the scientists and experts introduced in the first season who are working to safeguard their communities and wildlife. Dr. M. Sanjayan hosts this season’s episodes from Australia, a country suffering from the devastating effects of climate change but

also on the forefront of potential solutions. Climate change also plays a leading role in “Chasing the Rains,” premiering Saturday on BBC America and AMC+.

Narrated by actor Adjoa Andoh (“Bridgerton”), the three-part documentary series goes to Kenya to follow three animal matriarchs — an elephant, a wild dog and a cheetah — as they try to raise their young in an environment stricken by a prolonged drought and patrolled by hungry predators. AMC+ subscribers also get a “Making of” documentary that also drops on Earth Day.

If the environment in the Cretaceous Period is of interest, Apple’s “Prehistoric Planet,” from Jon Favreau and the makers of “Planet Earth,” may be worth checking out. Streaming its first season all month, it

combines cutting-edge wildlife filmmaking, state-of-the-art technology and the latest paleontological findings to show what life was like for dinosaurs and present little-known facts about their environment. Season 2 of the series arrives on May 22.

Also streaming all month on Netflix are the first two seasons of “Down to Earth With Zac Efron,” in which the Emmy-winning actor journeys around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien to seek out healthy, sustainable ways to live.

And on the travel/lifestyle streaming service and app Journy is the documentary “One Ocean,” which follows leading marine scientists who endeavor to learn more about the four oceans’ past and present in order to preserve

Learn Something News Every Day

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The STREAM Scene

“Redefined: J.R. Smith”

This four-part documentary series follows the story of J.R. Smith, who at age 19 was drafted out of high school into the NBA with the 18th overall pick in 2004. Seven years later, he would find himself without an NBA team and looking to redefine his life and career, getting a college education and finding a new athletic pursuit in golf in the process. (ORIGINAL)

Where all the top choices can be found in one place!

“Florida

Man”

A struggling ex-cop (Edgar Ramirez, “Deliver Us From Evil”) finds himself on a wild odyssey through his own family’s secrets when he returns to his home state of Florida to track down a Philadelphia mobster’s runaway girlfriend in this crime drama series from executive producer/ showrunner Donald Todd (“This Is Us”). Abbey Lee, Anthony LaPaglia and Otmara Marrero also star. (ORIGINAL)

In Focus

“A Tourist’s Guide to Love” (Netflix — movie premiere, April 27)

After a surprise break-up, a travel executive (Rachael Leigh Cook, “She’s All That”) takes an undercover assignment to check out the tourism industry in Vietnam and winds up falling for her expat tour guide (Scott Ly, “Animal Kingdom”) in this original romantic comedy from director Steven K. Tsuchida (“Resort to Love,” “Younger”). Ben Feldman and Missi Pyle also star.

WebLinks

Chef Eric Adjepong hosts as contenders take on Alex Guarnaschelli in themed challenges and battle it out for culinary bragging rights and a potential cash prize in Season 3 of “Alex vs America” Sundays on Food Network. Find inspiration for your next meal at www. foodnetwork.com/ shows/alex-vsamerica

Sports Zone

sunday

9:00 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer West Ham United vs Arsenal. West Ham United is up against Arsenal at London Stadium in matchround 31 of the Premier League. The Hammers won only one of their last 14 Premier League fixtures versus the Gunners, a 1-0 home victory on Jan. 12, 2019 (goal scored by Declan Rice). (N) (Live) Å

11:30 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United. Nottingham Forest plays Manchester United at City Ground in Premier League matchround 31. This is the Red Devils’ first league visit to City Ground since an 8-1 win on Feb. 6, 1999. Substitute Ole Gunnar Solskj‘aer scored four in the final 10 minutes. (N) (Live)

12:00 p.m. WGRZ-2 WICU-12

USFL Football Michigan Panthers vs Houston Gamblers. (N) (Live) Å

ESPN XFL Football Arlington Renegades at D.C. Defenders. (N) (Live) Å

1:00 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf RBC Heritage, Final Round. (N) (Live) Å

TNT NBA Basketball Playoffs: Teams TBA. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å

6:30 p.m. FS1 USFL Football Pittsburgh Maulers vs New Orleans Breakers. (N) (Live) Å

7:00 p.m. ESPN MLB Baseball Texas Rangers at Houston Astros. (N) (Live) Å

ESPN2 MLB Baseball Sunday Night Baseball with Kay-Rod: Texas Rangers at Houston Astros. Veteran broadcaster Michael Kay joins former slugger Alex Rodriguez to provide commentary on Sunday Night Baseball. Plus, discussion on fantasy baseball, predictive analytics and special guests tied to the game. (N) (Live) Å TNT NBA Basketball Playoffs: Teams TBA. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å

9:30 p.m. TNT NBA Basketball Playoffs: Teams TBA. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å Monday

8:30 a.m. ESPN 2023 Boston Marathon Coverage from the world’s oldest annual marathon. (N) (Live) Å

3:00 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Leeds United vs Liverpool. Leeds United is up against Liverpool at Elland Road in matchround 31 of the Premier League. The Whites can win both Premier League games versus the Reds in a single season for the second time, after 2000-2001. They won 2-1 at Anfield in October. (N) (Live) Å 7:00 p.m. ESPN ESPN2 NHL Hockey First Round: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å 7:30

Solution is on page 6.

BY JAY BOBBIN

BY GEORGE DICKIE

Logano will trade paint for a win at Martinsville

To racing purist, a place like Martinsville Speedway is what the sport is all about.

The slower 80-90 mph speeds on the half-mile Virginia oval make for some exciting “boys have at it” racing, as drivers can get aggressive, “trade paint” and spin one another out in effort to get to the lead, something they’d never think of trying at 200 mph on a superspeedway.

It is here where a driver such as Joey Logano excels. Since 2018, the two-time Cup Series champion has posted some very solid numbers, including one win, five top-five finishes, nine top-10s and two poles. He’s finished out of the top 10 only once – his 19th place showing in the 2019 spring race.

His one victory in that time frame came the previous fall and it was classic short-track racing. Trailing Martin Truex Jr. on the final lap, Logano bumped his No. 22 Penske Ford past Truex’s fishtailing No. 87 Furniture Row Chevy on his way to the checkered flag in an exciting finish.

In last year’s spring race, Logano wasn’t as lucky. Sitting on William Byron’s back bumper going into the final lap, he was unable to mount a charge to the front and wound up finishing second.

The defending Cup champ will return to Martinsville to vie against a field including Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Truex and Byron in the 2023 spring race, which airs Sunday, April 16, on Fox.

FULL NAME: Joseph Thomas Logano BIRTH DATE: May 24, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: Middletown, Conn. HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6 feet, 1 inch/185 pounds

Å

p.m. TBS NHL Hockey

Round: Teams TBA. (N)

Å TNT NBA Basketball Playoffs: Teams TBA. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å 11:00 p.m. GOLF DP World Tour Golf ISPS Handa Championship, Second Round. (N)

Å Friday

11:00 a.m. GOLF LPGA Tour Golf The Chevron Championship, Second Round. (N) (Live)

3:00 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Second Round. (N) (Live) USA Premier League Soccer Arsenal vs Southampton. (N)

(Live) Å

6:00 p.m. GOLF LPGA Tour Golf The Chevron Championship, Second Round. (N) (Live)

6:30 p.m. ROOT MLB Baseball Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates. (N) (Live)

7:00 p.m. TNT NHL Hockey First Round: Teams TBA. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å

7:30 p.m. TBS NHL Hockey First Round: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å

7:40 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Playoffs: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å

8:30 p.m. WKBW-7 NBA Basketball Playoffs: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å

9:30 p.m. TNT NHL Hockey First Round: Teams TBA. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å

CAR: No. 22 Ford Mustang GT

TEAM: Team Penske

SPRINT CUP WINS: 31

TOP 10S: 256

POLES: 27

10:00 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Playoffs: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å SNY MLB Baseball New York Mets at San Francisco Giants. (N) (Live) Å TBS NHL Hockey First Round: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å SHO Bellator MMA 294: Carmouche vs. Bennett 2. Liz Carmouche vs. Deanna Bennett, women’s flyweight championship. (N) (Live) Å

11:00 p.m. FS1 Mexico Primera Division Soccer Tijuana vs León. (N) (Live) Å

GOLF DP World Tour Golf ISPS Handa Championship, Third Round. (N) (Live) Å

5:00 a.m. FS1 AFL Premiership Football Geelong Cats vs Sydney Swans. (N) (Live) Å saTurday

7:30 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Fulham vs Leeds United. (N) (Live) Å

10:00 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest. (N) (Live) Å

12:00 p.m. ESPN XFL Football Orlando Guardians at St. Louis

BattleHawks. (N) (Live) Å

ESPN2 College Baseball Vanderbilt at Tennessee. (N) (Live) Å

12:30 p.m. FS1 ARCA Racing Series Talladega. (N) (Live) Å TBS NHL Hockey First Round: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å USA USFL Football Houston Gamblers vs New Orleans Breakers. (N) (Live) Å

1:00 p.m. WIVB-4 WSEE-35 Pickleball San Diego Open. (N) (Live) Å

WPIX-11 LIV Golf League Adelaide, Day 2. (N)

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: 2009 Cup Series Rookie of the Year; 2015 Daytona 500 winner; 2016 NASCAR Cup All-Star Race winner; NASCAR Cup champion (2018, 2022)

BEST STEVE MCQUEEN MOVIES

“The Magnificent Seven” (1960) Still on television’s “Wanted: Dead or Alive” when this was released, McQueen put his Western experience to good use in this iconic Americanization of Japan’s “Seven

“The Great Escape” (1963) Jumping a motorcycle over a barbed-wire fence is one of the most famous images of McQueen, and this is the popular war drama it came from.

“The Cincinnati Kid” (1965): An intense poker match between an ambitious upstart (McQueen) and a master of the game (Edward G. Robinson) fuels this fine drama.

“The Sand Pebbles” (1966): McQueen scored his sole Oscar nomination as a U.S. sailor who becomes involved in the Chinese

“The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968) McQueen’s bid for a more sophisticated image paid off in this classic crime caper,

boasting a memorable chess game between Boston’s rich but larcenous Crown and the insurance investigator very closely on his trail (Faye Dunaway).

“Bullitt” (1968) If McQueen hadn’t been legendary already, this project would have done it for him. One of the truly iconic police thrillers, the drama casts him as a self-styled San Francisco police detective ... and involves him in one of the greatest car chases ever filmed (as will be seen again when Turner Classic Movies runs the picture Sunday, April 16).

“Le Mans” (1971) McQueen addressed his passion for auto racing with this drama, which hangs an admittedly thin story on plenty of footage of the legendary French competition. “The Getaway” (1972) Teaming with Ali MacGraw – and not just on the screen – in this Sam Peckinpah-directed drama, McQueen

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plays an ex-con who doesn’t waste much time getting back to robber y, encountering a series of double-crossings as he and his wife (MacGraw) flee with the bank loot.

“Papillon” (1973) Incarcerated on Devil’s Island, Henri “Papillon” Charriere (McQueen) plots his escape in this compelling true story that also stars Dustin Hoffman as a fellow convict.

“The Towering Inferno” (1974) McQueen met the disaster genre in producer Irwin Allen spectacle that returned the actor to San Francisco, as a fire chief leading the charge against a blaze in the world’s tallest skyscraper.

“An Enemy of the People” (1978) Taking one of the most daring chances of his career, McQueen is notable in this adaptation of the Ibsen play about a doctor who fights others over an impending health crisis in his town.

“The Great Escape”

4

2”

2 x 2” ad

Look Now Look Here...

“Dead Ringers” on Prime Video

(Rachel) Weisz

Twins

Elliot (Mantle)

Beverly (Mantle) Gynecologists

Solution is on page 11.

(Words in parentheses not in puzzle)

(Britne) Oldford

(Poppy) Liu

(Michael) Chernus

(Jennifer) Ehle

(Emily) Meade

Mark Consuelos

BY JAY BOBBIN

OF ‘LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK’ IN SYNDICATION AND ON CTV

As you succeed Ryan Seacrest by stepping full-time into the role of co-host with your wife Kelly Ripa on “Live With Kelly and Mark” starting Monday, April 17, how are you feeling about it?

We knew about this for a little bit before we put the announcement out, and it’s all fine and good when you’re a few months out ... but as the time gets closer and closer, the reality is definitely setting in, which is great.

I’ve had the pleasure of filling in on the show a lot, especially over the past few years, and I’ve had so much fun doing it. There’s a lot of spontaneity to it, every episode is different, and it’s probably the fastest hour of work I’ve ever had to do in my professional career. I’m really looking forward to it.

Do you have a concept of the difference for you in being on the show permanently?

So many times, I’ll be walking through a room and listen to it because I’ll have it on, and I’ll hear my name come up. I’ll hear a story that references me, and I’ll be like, “Wait. That’s not exactly how it went.” Now, I get to update the record in real time!

It definitely is different when your name is in the title, and I have a tremendous amount of esteem and respect for the show. It’s iconic, and it’s a great honor to sit next to my wife, who arguably is the best in the business. And I hope to do it justice.

To anyone who speculates about pros or cons of you and Kelly spending this much time together personally and now professionally, what do you say?

It’s a valid question, but we’ll be married 27 years in May, and we have a lot of loyalty and respect for each other. And we tell each other how it is, so with that formula, I think you can get through almost anything.

In Focus

Filled with his unique point of view and incredible feats, this is pure Stone Cold.

“Tom Jones on Masterpiece” (PBS — miniseries premiere, April 30)

The premiere of this four-part television miniseries reimagines “The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling” (Henry Fielding’s classic novel) and stars Solly McLeod as handsome and resourceful

Crossword Puzzle

The identity of the featured celebrity is found within the answers in the puzzle. In order to take the TV Challenge, unscramble the letters noted

30. Beverly, Adam, Barry or Erica

34. Old Guy Williams western series

36. “CSI: __” (2002-12)

38. Sense of wonder

39. Actress Anderson

42. Beast of burden

43. Role on “The Rookie” (2)

DOWN

1. Jay-Z’s music

2. Rat-__-__-tat

3. Spouse

4. Word in the title of Melissa Gilbert’s series

5. Nolte’s initials

6. Moore

7. Ending for Paul or Ann

8. Special-order shoe

9. “Home Economics” actress (2)

12. Role on “NCIS: Hawai’i” (2)

14. Letter from Greece

16. __-T; “Law & Order: SVU” actor

19. Ortiz; former “FBI: Most Wanted” role

20. “Dr. __”

22. “I __ Number Four”; Alex Pettyfer film

23. Actress Jill __. John

27. “Grounded __ Life”

28. Night we watch “Blue Bloods”: abbr.

30. Meredith __; Pompeo’s role

31. Actress Glaudini

32. Kuwaiti leader’s title

At

Olmito (Epic) Pharr (Epic) McAllen (PSA)

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