Sumter Scene: September 16, 2023

Ranching out: ‘Yellowstone’ lands an additional TV home

BY JAY BOBBIN

“Yellowstone” has been a huge hit in the basic cable universe, and now the time has come to see what it can do for broadcast television.

The Kevin Costner (“Dances With Wolves,” 1990) -led Paramount Network drama series probably wouldn’t be getting a weekly CBS run if the entertainment industry strikes hadn’t delayed fresh episodes of so many scripted shows, but there still are fall lineups to fill, and some programs that have been seen elsewhere are being deemed “new enough” for their latest outlets. Thus, CBS has four and a half seasons (so far) of “Yellowstone” to draw upon as it adds the Taylor Sheridan-produced show to its schedule starting Sunday, Sept. 17.

Logically, the saga starts over from the beginning by reintroducing Costner as John Dutton, the patriarch of a Montana family of cattle ranchers. The site borders a Native reservation, generating tensions that also come to involve land developers and the legendary Yellowstone National Park.

Cast regulars also include Luke Grimes (“Happiness For Beginners,” 2023), Kelly Reilly (“Pride & Prejudice,”

2005), Wes Bentley (“American Horror Story”), Cole Hauser (“Good Will Hunting,” 1997), Kelsey Asbille (“Fargo”) and Brecken Merrill (“This Is Us”) as other Dutton members, plus Danny Huston (“Succession”) and Gil Birmingham (“Animal Kingdom”). Executive producer Sheridan, who co-created “Yellowstone” with John Linson, directed and wrote or co-wrote all of the first season episodes.

“Yellowstone” launched a cottage industry for Sheridan, who has done much work with Paramount since, specifically with the streaming service Paramount+. That has been the home of two “Yellowstone” prequel series — “1883” (which recently finished a subsequent summer run on Paramount Network) and “1923” — and more spinoffs are coming. “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” “6666” and “1944” are all in the works, Additionally, Sheridan and Paramount+ have debuted “Tulsa King” (starring Sylvester Stallone) and “Special Ops: Lioness” during the past year.

The fifth season of “Yellowstone” has yet to be completed, and those episodes (expected to be shown to-

ward the end of this year) will mark the end of “Yellowstone” proper, since Costner is leaving the series after reportedly making himself available for only one week to film the rest of Season 5. “Yellowstone” will be replaced by a sequel that may star Matthew McConaughey (though much-rumored, the deal had not been finalized by the deadline for this article) and also may feature other “Yellowstone” co-stars in continuations of their roles.

“Yellowstone” is one of the most high-profile examples of the broadcast networks getting creative by necessity in trying to draw viewers, which typically is a much more traditional pursuit in the fall. The audience has been conditioned to expect new episodes of returning shows, plus brand-new series … and even though it has been around since 2018, “Yellowstone” still may strike some people as being “new” if they haven’t watched it via cable or streaming. CBS has tried that before by airing such Paramount-made content as “Dexter” and “The Good Fight,” and the performance of “Yellowstone” over a more sustained run will be interesting to gauge.

Behind the catwalk

The ‘Continental’ experience: John Wick franchise gets three-night TV stay

Horoscopes

The luckiest signs this week:

SAGITTARIUS, CAPRICORN AND AQUARIUS

ARIES

You must make changes at home and work to help you achieve your goals. Intense emotions are essential to motivate this transformation and enable you to take great pride in it.

TAURUS

Be patient! You’ll reach a satisfactory agreement with certain businesses or the law. You and your community can then assert your rights. Although it may surprise you, a marriage proposal may come out of the blue.

GEMINI

Work can be a source of considerable stress. However, your partner’s love and support will help you relax as you spend quality time together. Making a few changes to your routine could transform your relationship.

CANCER

You’ll go above and beyond to demonstrate your full potential. To achieve this, you must take the appropriate steps. Exercise regularly with your loved ones and good friends to stay fit.

LEO

It’s not always easy to balance work and family life. Ask those around you to support and help you meet your goals. If your relationship is still new, you’ll start thinking about building a life together.

VIRGO

Be careful when you drive! Your loved ones will invite you to participate in fun activities. Take advantage of it! Use your negotiation skills to settle conflicts; your smile is your best asset.

LIBRA

You’ll be surprised to find the means to launch your business or to do some work around the house before winter. Improving your home will help you foster a more intimate relationship with your partner.

SCORPIO

You’ll kickstart the week with dynamic energy and the ambition to conquer the world. Make sure you manage your stamina to avoid draining yourself. Let the romance flow more freely between you and your better half.

SAGITTARIUS

Before making a commitment, think about and budget for achieving your goals. Stress can be very draining for the fun-loving, passionate person you are; look for moments to meditate.

CAPRICORN

You’ll meet a lot of people at work or elsewhere, which can create moments of heightened stress. It’s essential to give yourself time to rest to avoid falling behind in projects or other tasks.

AQUARIUS

Time is precious. You need to be more organized and implement more structure. If you do this, you’ll manage to get everything done and even take time to rest. Your loved ones will reward you by celebrating your efforts at a party.

PISCES

Take a step back and reflect on your career. If you didn’t take a holiday this summer, consider doing so. Even a weekend away could help you sort out your ideas and give you a better perspective to make the right decisions.

New Streaming Movies & Shows

“Movie: A Thousand and One” (Sept. 19)

This drama film follows unapologetic and freespirited Inez (Teyana Taylor), who kidnaps her six-year-old, Terry (Aaron Kingsley Adetola), from the foster care system. Holding onto their secret and each other, mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity and stability in a rapidly changing New York City. Aven Courtney, Josiah Cross, William Catlett and Terri Abney also star.

Word Search

“Bad Axe” (Sept. 18)

This documentary captures a closely knit AsianAmerican family living in a rural Michigan community as they now fight to keep their American dream alive. As owners of a local prominent restaurant, they reckon with a global pandemic, racial tensions, and generational scars from Cambodia’s “killing fields.”

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

“Movie: Spy Kids: Armageddon” (Sept. 22)

When the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world. Connor Esterson, Everly Carganilla, Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez star.

“Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of Secret Invasion” (Sept. 20)

Through in-depth interviews with cast and crew, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, Assembled uncovers how Marvel Studios’ “Secret Invasion” was born. Witness what it took to conjure the world of the show, and spend time with Samuel L. Jackson as he dons the patch once again to engage in the most baffling battle of Nick Fury’s career.

“Krapopolis” - Season 1 (Fox/Hulu — Sept. 24/25, Series

Premiere)

Set in mythical ancient Greece, this new animated comedy for adults tells the story of a dysfunctional family of humans, gods and monsters trying to run one of the world’s first cities, while also trying their best to not kill each other in the process. The series features the voices of Hannah Waddingham, Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Pam Murphy and Duncan Trussell.

with Anne

Q: Didn’t Anne Hathaway have a weekly series role some time ago?

A: She did. The Oscar winner (for “Les

We buy

Itch cause

1. “What Kind of Fool ___?” 2. Freshwater fish

Certain plaintiff, at law 4. South Side-set series on Showtime

City-to-city helper

Butler of fiction 7. Major world religion 8. Be the first one to come up with something

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“Schindler’s ___” (Oscar-

Coming Soon

“Movie: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” (Netflix — Sept. 27, Premiere)

Director and writer Wes Anderson brings a beloved Roald Dahl story to the screen in this short film. It chronicles a variety of stories, but the main one follows Henry Sugar (Benedict Cumberbatch), a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling. Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Dev Patel, Richard Ayoade and Rupert Friend star.

Best Kevin Costner Movies

BY JAY BOBBIN

“The Big Chill” (1983): If you don’t remember Costner being in this comedy-drama, you’re forgiven … since, in the nal edit, only his arm and his hair have signi cant parts during the opening credits. He was cast as Alex, the suicidal friend the other central characters mourn, but director Lawrence Kasdan cut him out of most of the lm.

“The Untouchables” (1987): Costner successfully reinvents Treasury man Eliot Ness, who pursues mobster Al Capone (Robert De Niro) and partners with a veteran Chicago cop (Oscar winner Sean Connery) in director Brian De Palma’s lm.

“Bull Durham” (1988): Costner cements his amiable-athlete image in this baseball comedy, teaming him romantically and memorably with Susan Sarandon (though co-star Tim Robbins was her real-life partner for many years).

John Travolta still has “Saturday Night Fever”

BY JAY BOBBIN

John Travolta had done some movies before it, but “Saturday Night Fever” announced loudly that he truly had arrived.

At the time he made the iconic 1977 drama – which MGM+ shows Tuesday, Sept. 19 – the actor already was a television star, thanks to his Vinnie Barbarino role on the sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter.” As popular as he was on that show, he redefined himself with a surplus oi charisma as “Fever’s” Tony Manero, a paint-store employee and half-hearted gang member who lives for the nights he spends as the king of the dance floor at a disco in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Tony sees an opportunity to do more with his moves when the disco stages a contest. Fervent admirer Annette (Donna Pescow) is desperate to be his partner, but he has his eyes and mind set on Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney), whom he spots displaying her talent on the floor one night. He proposes that they team up, but the personal differences between them quickly become apparent, with Stephanie eager to be a social climber (boasting about meeting the likes of Laurence Olivier through her job) while Tony is relatively content with his station in life.

Through a series of advancements and setbacks, their relationship does develop, but it’s to the credit of director John Badham and his team that it’s nev-

er the sole focus of “Saturday Night Fever.” Tony’s work and family lives also get substantial attention, as does his connection to his pals, some of whom play rougher and more careless. And atmosphere is everything in the picture, right from the opening credits that show Travolta doing Tony’s famous strut through the streets as he downs pizza and attempts a pickup or two.

That sequence is backed very notably by “Staying Alive,” one of the Bee Gees tunes furnished for the film – and those contributions resulted in one of the best-selling movie soundtracks of all time, with Yvonne Elliman (“If I Can’t Have You”) and Tavares (“More Than a Woman”) also scoring hits from it. “Staying Alive” also gave “Saturday Night Fever’s” 1983 sequel its title, but of the two stories, the first definitely is the one to catch (though the second does have its devotees, too).

Despite the huge appeal Travolta had to young fans at the time, “Saturday Night Fever” is knowingly rough around the edges, adult enough to have earned an “R” rating originally. Paramount Pictures then aimed for extra profits by editing it to qualify for a “PG,” eventually pairing it with Travolta’s even-bigger-blockbuster follow-up “Grease” as a double feature. “Fever” really is where superstardom began for Travolta, though, and it’s still very easy to see why 46 years later.

Spooky sweets: ‘Halloween Wars’ returns for ‘unlucky’ Season 13

BY GEORGE DICKIE

A fan-favorite for foodies and Halloween lovers alike, this seasonal series has revived itself once again, ushering in autumn alongside a familiar face as Jonathan Bennett (“Mean Girls,” 2004) returns to host the latest (and spookiest) season of “Halloween Wars,” premiering Sunday, Sept. 17, on Food Network.

After leaving the series during Season 11 to focus back in on his acting career, Bennett now returns to the “Halloween Wars” kitchen, replacing interim host Zak Bagans (“Ghost Adventures”), who appeared as a ghostly, virtual host for the past two years. “It’s so exciting!” Bennett shared in a recent interview. “I was off the show for a few years and this is my triumphant return. I’m coming back for season 13. That is even more exciting because it plays right into the spookiness of all of it.”

Returning alongside Bennett are some of the series’ fan-favorite, classic components, including pumpkin carving, cake decorating and sugar blowing — but be prepared for shocks galore, as this unlucky season promises some new and exciting surprises along the way.

The series’ first three episodes act as the “Halloween Wars” qualifying rounds, with Bennett asking the teams to complete a series of increasingly

difficult tasks, including the “Monster Mashup,” where each group must choose two of the scariest monsters imaginable and meld both into one ghastly creation; a round based on the 1973 classic film, “The Exorcist;” and a fairy tale-based challenge that just may lead to one team’s “happily ever after,” as this season’s judges — Aarti Sequeira (Season 6 winner of “Food Network Star”) and Shinmin Li (“Holiday Wars”) — eliminate one bunch of bakers, carvers and confectioners each round.

Following episodes will be split into two challenges: the “Small Scare,” where teams have 45 minutes to complete an edible interpretation of a spooky theme, and the “Spine Chiller,” where the time limit is extended to five hours, allowing for ultimate creativity.

Keeping to theme for this 13th season, this year’s teams feature some of the show’s spookiest puns yet, with names like Team Sweet Screams, Pumpkins Up the Volume, Snax Sabbath, Spice Ghouls, Pumpkin Posse, Trick or Sweet and more, with each team hopeful to prove their deliciously deadly talent in the kitchen and win the final, $50,000 grand prize.

Season 13 of “Halloween Wars” begins Sunday, Sept. 17, on Food Network.

“Field of Dreams” (1989): Ask any man what his favorite Costner movie is, and chances are good that this baseball-diamondbuilding drama is the one. The picture encompasses many great performances, also including those of Ray Liotta and (in his last movie appearance) Burt Lancaster.

“Dances With Wolves”

(1990): Costner became a lm auteur relatively early on, directing and starring in this Oscar winner about a Civil War lieutenant who truly goes his own way. With his multiple accolades here, Costner shot to the top of virtually every producer and casting director’s “want” list.

“The Bodyguard” (1992): It certainly isn’t the most profound movie ever made, but it sure is entertaining. Costner plays a former Secret Service man hired to protect a threatened superstar (Whitney Houston), and sparks y between them; the lm also yielded a topselling soundtrack led by Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

“Message in a Bottle”

(1999): A very sensitive Costner helps to boost Nicholas Sparks’ story of a couple (with the then-billed Robin Wright Penn as the other half) brought together by a discovered love letter.

“Man of Steel” (2013): It isn’t “his” movie, but Costner is perfectly rustic and heartfelt as Jonathan Kent, the Earth father of the traveler from Krypton who will become known to the world as Superman.

In the mood for mystery: Detective dramas return with back-to-back premieres

BY JAY BOBBIN

For many of us, when we book a stay in a hotel (particularly a luxury one), comfort ranks above all else. Though the meaning of the word “comfort” varies from one person to the next and could encompass anything from the thread count of the bedsheets to one’s proximity to the bar, “comfort” in the world of John Wick is most closely associated with personal safety.

Those familiar with the John Wick franchise will already be aware of The Continental’s most important rule: the assassins seeking refuge within the hotel shall not conduct any “business” on the grounds. Put simply, no hits will be tolerated on the premises.

That said, NBC/Peacock is certainly hoping for a hit of its own (granted, a “hit” of a different kind) when the new miniseries

“The Continental: From the World of John Wick” begins streaming Friday, Sept. 22, on Peacock.

John Wick (Keanu Reeves, “The Matrix,” 1999), the trained assassin who lends his

name to the franchise supported by The Continental Hotel, first made audiences fall in love with him in the 2014 film, simply titled “John Wick.” Despite his former career as a hitman, Wick exhibits a soft side while taking care of a new beagle puppy in the wake of his wife’s death. However, when a group of gangsters breaks into Wick’s home and the puppy is targeted, Wick loses all sensitivity and comes out of retirement to avenge his furry friend. And while Wick’s situation may change from film to film, one thing that remains a constant through-out the franchise is The Continental; and this is where Peacock’s newest series comes in.

Created by Greg Coolidge (“Ride Along,” 2014), Shawn Simmons (“Wayne”) and Kirk Ward (“The Turkey Bowl,” 2019), “The Continental: From the World of John Wick” is a three-part noiraction miniseries that focuses on the history of the mysterious hotel chain that operates as “neutral territory for members of the criminal underworld” (per IMDb).

Colin Woodell (“The Flight Attendant”) stars as a young Winston Scott, the manager of The Continental’s New York division and a character already known to franchise fans thanks to the work of “Deadwood” actor Ian McShane. The role of Winston is a meaty one for Woodell, filled with lots of backstory for both character and setting as the series’ events dive deep into real-life New York crime history.

While the specifics of the miniseries are being kept a secret for obvious reasons, there has been word that the events take place over three nights at The Continental in the 1970s and that there is a correlation to both the Winter of Discontent and the rise of the American Mafia.

Additionally, audiences can expect to see a few familiar faces along the way; most notably that of controversial actor Mel Gibson (“Braveheart,” 1995).

View from the Couch

Behind the catwalk: Campbell, Crawford, Evangelista and Turlington share in new series

“THE EXORCIST”

Already slated for its 4K Ultra HD debut before director William Friedkin died recently, his still-shocking 1973 horror classic marks its 50th anniversary (and the 100th of financing studio Warner Bros.) by making its premiere in that format. When a movie star’s (Ellen Burstyn) young daughter (Linda Blair) starts displaying increasingly bizarre behavior, two priests (Max von Sydow, Jason Miller) are summoned to drive the devil out of her, quite literally. Lee J. Cobb, Jack MacGowran and Kitty Winn also star in the demonic-possession tale, which William Peter Blatty adapted from his own

BY JAY BOBBIN

best seller … and which, to many viewers, remains one of the scariest movies ever made. Mike Oldfield had a music hit with his soundtrack contribution “Tubular Bells.” The disc also includes the “Extended Director’s Cut,” adding 11 minutes to the film and featuring an optional audio commentary by Friedkin.

**** (Not rated: AS, P GV) (also on Digital)

“THE LITTLE MERMAID”

The Disney studio has reached into its vault of animated classics for inspiration for a number of live-action remakes, and this release is one of the latest examples. Inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen story, the tale centers on Ariel (played by Halle Bailey), a mermaid who wants to become human in order to be with the prince she has fallen for (Jonah Hauer-King). She involves a sea witch named Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) in her quest, but the latter has ulterior motives that eventually make things quite complicated for all concerned. Javier Bardem and Art Malik also are present, with Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”), Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina lending their voices to the characters Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle. Oscarand Grammy-winning in its original form, the score incorporates songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (“Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” “Part of Your World,” etc.), with Lin-Manuel Miranda supplying

BY GEORGE DICKIE

Directed by Academy

Award-winner Roger Ross Williams (“The 1619 Project”) and Larissa Bills (“On Pointe”), the captivating new documentary series, “The Super Models,” asks, “How do you define the word ‘supermodel,’” let-ting the best in the business answer once and for all when it premieres Wednesday, Sept. 20, on Apple TV+.

From One Story Up and Imagine Documentaries, “The Super Models” tells the story of four icon-c women through four parts, welcoming Naomi Campbell (“Zool-ander 2,” 2016), Cindy Crawford (“Fair Game,” 1995), Linda Evangelista (“Sex and the City”) and Christy Turlington (“No Woman, No Cry,” 2010) — often considered the world’s original supermodels — to speak for themselves in unprecedented interviews, inviting viewers behind the catwalk as this series shines a spotlight on the lives, friendship

the lyrics for several new tunes. *** (PG: AS ) (Also on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and Digital)

“FIRE COUNTRY: SEASON

ONE”

CBS had one of the new hits of the past television season with this drama based on experiences of series star Max Thieriot (“SEAL Team”), who grew up in the socalled fire country of northern California. He co-created the show in which he plays Bode Donovan, a convict who aims to reduce his sentence by volunteering to serve in a program that matches inmates with firefighters to battle the considerable number of blazes that impact the region. Co-stars include Kevin Alejandro (who also directed an episode, as did Thieriot), Jordan Calloway, Stephanie Arcila, Jules Latimer, Diane Farr and Billy Burke. It became a foregone conclusion early on that the show would get a second season, the start of which is being delayed by the entertainment-industry strikes. *** (Not rated: AS, P, V)

“WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?”

Not to be confused with the same-named Tina Turner biography released 30 years ago, this romantic comedy casts Lily James (“Downton Abbey”) as a London-based documentary filmmaker who largely relies on dating apps to steer her

love life. She gets unexpected lessons by merging her personal and professional lives to film the journey of a Pakistani friend and neighbor (Shazad Latif) as he pursues an arranged marriage. Emma Thompson portrays the heroine’s mother; Shekhar Kapur (“Elizabeth”) directed the script by producer turned first-time screenwriter Jemima Khan, and if some of the themes seem familiar, the picture hails from Working Title Films (“Love Actually,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral”). DVD extras: theatrical trailer; “making-of” documentary. *** (PG-13: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray, Digital and On Demand)

“BIOSPHERE”

A rare example of a movie being a “two-hander,” with only two cast members, this comedic spin on a traditional science-fiction premise has actors who can handle that responsibility … Mark Duplass (“The Morning Show”), who also co-wrote the script with director Mel Eslyn, and “This Is Us”

Primetime Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown. They play the last two men on Earth, a former U.S. president and his adviser, longtime friends who try to survive by confining themselves inside a dome. Some unexpected physiological changes ultimately impact their relationship – and possibly determine whether the planet’s repopulation can happen. *** (Also on On Demand)

(Not rated: AS, P)

and industry-shifting careers of these world-renowned superstars.

Apple TV describes: “‘The Super Models’ travels back to the 1980s, when four women from different corners of the world united in New York. Already forces in their own right, the gravitas they achieved by coming together transcended the industry itself. Their prestige was so extraordinary that it enabled the four to supersede the brands they showcased, making the names Naomi, Cindy, Linda and Christy as prominent as the designers who styled them.

“Today, the four supermodels remain on the front lines of culture through activism, philanthropy and business prowess. As the fashion industry continues to redefine itself — and women’s roles within it — this is the ultimate story of power and how four women came together to claim it, paving the way for those to follow.”

“CANNES CONFIDENTIAL”

The legendary site of an internationally celebrated film festival serves as the very scenic site of this mystery series, which Acorn TV presented recently. Lucie Lucas plays a French detective who tries to put her professional skills to personal use in helping her father, an ex-police chief being investigated for alleged corruption. As she attempts to clear his name, she gets surprising and not always welcome help from a con artist (Jamie Bamber, of the reboot of “Battlestar Galactica”) who’s in Cannes on a mission of his own. Since the show was filmed on location, the extensively used atmosphere is a “star” of the show in its own right, *:** (Not rated: AS, P, V)

Coming Home Soon

“LOKI: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON” (SEPT.