Laughs Down Under: ‘Darby and Joan’ returns for second season
BY DANA SIMPSON
As the weather continues to get colder in the Northern Hemisphere this winter, Acorn TV flips the script and begins heating things up from Down Under. That’s right: “Darby and Joan” is back for a second season of comedic romps around Australia while trying to solve a murder mystery. It all begins Monday, Dec. 30, when the first of eight episodes premieres on Acorn TV.
In the very first episode of the show, which is set and filmed in Queensland, Australia, two unlikely characters meet while sharing a bad day. Joan Kirkhope (Greta Scacchi, “Emma,” 1996), a retired English nurse, has been traveling the outback alone in an RV, looking for clues that could help her make sense of her late husband’s (John Waters, “Offspring”) mysterious death when Jack Darby (Bryan Brown, “Cocktail,” 1988), a strange but charming local, crosses her path in a way that would suggest the intervention of fate. As the two quite literally collide, flipping Darby’s truck over, Joan offers the man and his travel companion, a dog named Diesel, a lift. The pair soon come to realize they may be able to help one another. As they get to know each other more during their ride back to safety, Darby, an ex-detective in the area, decides to put his
investigative skills to good use to help Joan grapple with her feelings in the wake of her husband’s death. But, when a clue leads them to a beautiful waterside party and a suspicious death puts a stop to the festivities, the new friends have a new objective: investigate the event to find the truth. Was the death an accident or a murder?
Throughout Season 1, Darby and Joan learn more about each other while investigating additional cases, including a theft at a banana farm, a scuba dive sabotage, a potential arson, a missing person and an “ominous threat from [Darby]’s policing days” (per IMDb).
Now headed into its second season (or “series,” as is said in Australia and the U.K.), Darby and Joan have formed a bond that can be seen by everyone around them, including Darby’s ex-wife, who has arrived in town to conduct an investigation of her own. Unfortunately, Darby is her chief interest and she isn’t backing down without a fight.
The good news is that Joan discovered the answers she had been looking for with regard to her late husband at the end of Season 1 and cleared his name, so now she has all the time in the world to help her new best friend meet the same happy
fate. It is also entirely possible that her friendship with Darby will evolve into a full-blown romance — something fans have been prepared for since the very first episode of the series aired in August 2022.
The idea for “Darby and Joan” began about a decade ago, according to CJZ CEO Matt Campbell, but if the title sounds familiar, that may be due to a much earlier source.
“The Joys of Love Never Forgot: A Song,” written by Henry Woodall and originally published in London’s The Gentleman’s Magazine in 1735, referred to “Old Darby, with Joan by his side,” and described the specific type of bliss that comes with aging peacefully alongside someone one cares for. By 1890, the poetic couple had been referenced in several works, including a double portrait titled “Darby and Joan” by British impressionist James Charles, and in an 1811 letter from Lord Byron to writer and educator Francis Hodgson.
Knowing the history of the character names certainly provides credence to the rumors that Jack Darby and Joan Kirkhope may be falling in love. But only time — and time dedicated to the show — will tell.
Horoscopes
The luckiest signs this week:
SCORPIO, SAGITTARIUS AND CAPRICORN
ARIES
Diplomacy is crucial for maintaining harmony. If you’re returning to work and facing major changes, don’t overlook the details. Major projects could strengthen your romantic relationship.
TAURUS
New Year’s Day festivities could give you a touch of nostalgia. You could be called into work even though you were scheduled to be off this week. A trip could rekindle the passion in your relationship.
GEMINI
You’ll receive well-deserved compliments. Small gestures of affection towards your partner will be greatly appreciated. You could attract some flirtation in a particular setting.
CANCER
Spend a few days at home to regain your strength or get over a cold. This will allow you to let your imagination run wild and come up with new ideas. It will be a wonderful and inspiring time.
LEO
You’ll go on a road trip, chat on the phone or connect on social media with friends. If you need help with housework, kind people will offer to help.
VIRGO
You’ll dress impeccably and have a keen eye for esthetics in almost every situation. You’ll feel inclined to go all out to celebrate the New Year in style.
LIBRA
You’ll be spontaneously heroic, which will help boost your self-confidence. If you’re going on holiday, it’s important to plan your finances and manage your budget.
SCORPIO
You’ll feel the urge to start fresh in the New Year and will be determined to make it happen. You could also be looking for a change of scenery or a trip to get away from it all.
SAGITTARIUS
You’ll embrace the excitement of Christmas this year, feeling cheerful and excited to participate in the celebrations. You’ll eagerly visit bustling shopping malls to enjoy yourself and join in on the fun.
CAPRICORN
You’ll plan a trip with friends. Make sure you have your passport and other necessary documents and complete your tasks on time. You radiate joy, and your positive outlook is contagious.
AQUARIUS
With the right planning, you’ll complete all the unfinished tasks you put off, especially personal ones. You’ll manage to get organized and achieve all the goals you set for yourself.
PISCES
This is an excellent time to set new goals. You could also start the New Year with a training program. You’ll show interest in a wide range of subjects.
New Streaming Movies & Shows
“A
Quiet Place: Day One” (Dec. 31)
After the events and revelations of “A Quiet Place” (2018) and “A Quiet Place: Part II” (2020) it is time to go back to ‘Day One’. Following Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) as she’s on a group trip in New York City, everything is going fine, until the invasion that sends the world into silence begins. Can the city stay quiet and can Sam and Eric (Joseph Quinn), an unlikely new friend, make it somewhere safe? But no matter what happens, don’t make a sound.
Word Search
“Cast Away” (Available Now)
Obsessively punctual FedEx executive Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) is en route to an assignment in Malaysia when his plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean during a storm. The sole survivor of the flight, Chuck washes ashore on a deserted island. When his efforts to sail away and contact help fail, Chuck learns how to survive on the island, where he remains for years, accompanied by only his handmade volleyball friend, Wilson.
Where all the top choices can be found in one place!
The first female comic to record a special at the iconic Radio City Music Hall, Michelle Buteau returns for her second Netflix comedy special. Celebrate the New Year right as Buteau reflects on motherhood, marriage, and more.
BY JAY BOBBIN
“Destruction Decoded” - Season 2 (Available Now)
This unscripted series explores transformative, earth-shattering events with a mix of carefully selected archives, cutting-edge CGI, and thorough research. It ranks and analyzes these catastrophic incidents to create an engaging, immersive experience. Each episode reveals the causes and tragic stories behind these unforgettable disasters, offering a deeper understanding of their impact.
Q: What’s Jenny Slate doing now? It seemed like she was everywhere in the early 2010s, but not so much now.
A: It might surprise you to hear that Jenny Slate (“Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” 2021) is busier now than ever. It’s just that she’s not necessarily where you expect her to be.
She started as a stand-up and sketch comedian — she did a season of “Saturday Night Live” in 2009-10 and appeared in a recurring series of sketches on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” in 2009. But these days, you’re more likely to find her in a film festival theater than a comedy club basement. In the 2010s, she co-created and voiced the title character in a series of short films called “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” with the first one debuting at the Sundance Film Festival. The character got a feature film in 2021 that was nominated for an Oscar.
“One Day” 10. “Ripley” weapon 11. Like some humor 16. Nile snakes 17. Dog : paw :: horse : ___ 22. Cartoon set in Colorado 23. Plane part 24. “One ___ Hill” 25. Peddle 26. Arabian Sea nation 31. Allergen from a pet 32. Brody of “Nobody Wants This” 33. Listening devices 34. Lincoln Memorial feature 36. A flat place? 37. Stranger 40. “If all ___ fails ...” 41. Made out 42. Tricked 43. In times past 44. Prefix with linguistics 45. Note
Down 1. “Happy’s Place” star McEntire 2. “Gotcha, dude!”
News show co-hosted by Juju Chang and Byron Pitts
Adulterate
Imitates a hot dog
Monopolize
Group of eight
Foreign currency
Actor Woodall of
Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills (Declaration of Desire for Natural Death) - Plus Written Documentation Explanations. Glenn Givens has lots of experience with these documents and has given mulitple speeches on these topics. Call Glenn at (803) 418-0800; ext. 108 for Details
NEW YEAR’S EVE MOVIES
BY JAY BOBBIN
“The Apartment” (1960): Director Billy Wilder’s Oscar-winning comedydrama concludes on New Year’s Eve, as elevator operator Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine) makes her romantic choice between corporate executive J.D. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) and his recent employee, C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) — resulting in one of the most famous movie lines ever. Appropriately, Turner Classic Movies presents the film on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
“Ocean’s Eleven” (1960): The lights go out throughout Las Vegas when midnight hits on New Year’s Eve, thanks to the ex-military buddies led by the suave Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) in the ultimate “Rat Pack” movie. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford play some of the other pals who are in on the simultaneous robbery of several casinos.
“The Poseidon Adventure” (1972): Not only does an enormous tidal wave overturn the S.S. Poseidon on New Year’s Eve, the cruise ship’s passengers are merrily crooning “Auld Lang Syne” at the moment the vessel begins to capsize. Like many other sites, the Poseidon hasn’t yet gotten rid of its Christmas tree, which is lucky for those who climb it to survive.
“That’s Entertainment!,” indeed: MGM musicals get their moment again
BY JAY BOBBIN
If you love movies, and movie musicals more specifically, chances are good that you already know the many delights of “That’s Entertainment!”
Originally devised by MGM as a tribute to the studio’s 50th anniversary, the 1974 compilation of clips has become a New Year’s staple on Turner Classic Movies. The channel will maintain the tradition by showing it again Wednesday, Jan. 1, along with two sequels. However, the first film offers the cream of the crop, drawing upon many of the top song-and-dance sequences in MGM history, with some extra curios — such as an all-star luncheon — providing additional pleasure.
The picture is smartly organized into segments, each introduced and narrated by a star with an MGM connection, beginning with Frank Sinatra, who opens the movie with an amusing look at how many times “Singin’ in the Rain” has been used in different attractions. Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Peter Lawford, Liza Minnelli (who reflects on the MGM career of her mother, Judy Garland), Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, James Stewart and Elizabeth Taylor follow as other hosts.
The march of time allows most of them to wax humorous about their earlier days on screen, with Stewart noting that he was no singer (evidence is offered), yet such vocalizing was among the requirements for many of the studio’s talents. Similarly, Clark Gable
and Joan Crawford are seen attempting to dance their way through a couple of numbers.
Fans of such classics as “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “Show Boat,” “High Society” and “Gigi” will find them all represented, but the closing segment is reserved for what’s generally acknowledged as a true masterpiece among MGM-musical segments: Gene Kelly’s energetic ballet with Leslie Caron from “An American in Paris.”
“That’s Entertainment!” became a huge hit, arguably even more than MGM executives of that time anticipated. Since such success typically breeds imitation, “That’s Entertainment, Part 2,” “That’s Entertainment! III” and “That’s Dancing!” (the latter borrowing from other studios to include such attractions as “Saturday Night Fever”) all came afterward. They’re fine as supplementary movies, but it’s fairly obvious that their makers had to dig deeper in the vaults to come up with the material for them.
TCM shows many of the full-length features excerpted in “That’s Entertainment!” frequently, so in a way, the movie also serves as a long commercial for the channel. That’s OK, though; when the content is this genuinely entertaining, all is forgiven and acceptable. “That’s Entertainment!” remains a great way for a year to begin, and to remind viewers of how timeless so many movies truly are.
“About Last Night... “ (1986): As evidence that almost anyone’s New Year’s Eve has to go better, take Danny (Rob Lowe) and Debbie (Demi Moore), whose live-in relationship hits the skids amid a huge holiday crowd at a favorite Chicago bar. While she wants to comfort a girlfriend (Elizabeth Perkins) who’s just suffered a trauma in love, he wants to party — and the rest pretty much spells itself out.
“When Harry Met Sally ... “ (1989): Although the picture has a postscript beyond it, this comedy’s pivotal scene is set at a New Year’s Eve party where hopeless — and hapless — romantic Sally (Meg Ryan) isn’t feeling very celebratory, until longtime confidant Harry (Billy Crystal) shows up and finally professes the feelings for her that took so long to develop.
“Peter’s Friends” (1992): Along the lines of “The Big Chill” (1983), this engaging British-made comedy reunites a group of college chums at one’s (Stephen Fry) English estate on New Year’s Eve. A couple of the film’s other actors directed (Kenneth Branagh) and co-wrote (Rita Rudner) the picture, which also features Hugh Laurie, well before he became an American television star in “House.”
“New Year’s Eve” (2011): Well, sure. There are loads of stories and stars in director Garry Marshall’s ode to Dec. 31, but arguably the most affecting segment teams Robert De Niro and Halle Berry as a cancer patient and his nurse, who await the legendary midnight ball drop together.
Haunted by the past: A detective’s former fiancé reappears
BY SARAH PASSINGHAM
in ‘Missing You’
Welcome in the new year with something familiar and reliable, like a good British mystery miniseries, before diving into the deep end of resolutions. Get cozy and settle in for a binge-watch of the latest Harlan Coben adaptation, “Missing You,” premiering Wednesday, Jan. 1, on Netflix. “Slow Horses” star Rosalind Eleazar is Det. Kat Donovan, a dedicated missing persons investigator who is thrust into a conspiracy that hits very close to home. Kat has spent the past 11 years rebuilding her life after the sudden disappearance of her fiancé, Josh (Ashley Walters, “Top Boy”), and the murder of her father, DS Clint Donovan (Sir Lenny Henry, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”).
Having left without a trace, Kat assumed for more than a decade that Josh’s disappearance from her life had something to do with her father’s death, but could never pick up the thread between them. When her friend Stacey (Jessica Plummer, “The Decameron”) pushes Kat to try out the dating app she signed her up for, Kat receives the shock of a lifetime when she swipes to see Josh’s profile. Now able to start following the thread, it’s up to Kat to find out just who Josh really is and what he is a part of. Any evidence of Josh’s existence online has been wiped clean, so why has he
View from the Couch
“ANYONE BUT YOU”
Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria”) and Glen Powell (“Top Gun: Maverick”) go the rom-com route in this 2023 tale from director and co-screenwriter Will Gluck (“Friends With Benefits”), a contemporary take on the Shakespeare classic “Much Ado About Nothing.” The stars play strangers who have a brief encounter and go their separate ways, then are drawn back together by a wedding to which they both have familial connections – and their very evident disdain for each other starts to have a negative impact on the entire event. Set and filmed largely in Australia, the picture also features Alexandra Shipp and Hadley Robinson as the spous-
popped up on a dating app? Is he connected to other missing persons cases? Is it really him or is it a phantom profile? Over the five-episode limited series, Kat charges forward with her investigation, shedding light on long-buried secrets in dangerous corners of her precinct.
Starring alongside Eleazar’s Kat is Richard Armitage (“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” 2012) as DCI Ellis Stagger. Fans of Coben’s previous Netflix adaptations will not be surprised to hear Armitage’s name among the main cast of the new limited series — the British actor has starred in three series: “The Stranger” in 2020, “Stay Close” in 2021 and 2024’s earlier hit “Fool Me Once.”
Armitage spoke to Yahoo about starring in the Coben Netflix adaptations, joking, “I feel like I’m their lucky underpants now, so they won’t do one without me.” He went on to share a peek into his character in “Missing You,” saying, “It’s a slightly more inverted character than the former ones because we’re very, very unsure of his motives at the beginning.
“The essence of him is nefarious but, actually, he’s holding on to a secret which has a noble cause,” Armitage added.
Rounding out the “Missing You” cast are Steve Pemberton (“Happy Valley”) as Titus, Marc Warren (“Sexy Beast”) as Monte Leburne, Samantha Spiro (“Sex Education”) as nurse Sally Steiner, Lisa Faulkner (“Unforgotten”) as Dana Fells, Mary Malone (“Doctor Who”) as Aqua, James Nesbitt (“Bloodlands”) as Calligan and Matt Jay-Willis (“Wolves of War,” 2022) as Darryl.
In a trailer for the upcoming series, Kat is clearly consumed with the case. Folders, photos and documents decorate the floor of her home, always visible in case inspiration strikes. Two more missing people ramp up Kat’s need to urgently get to the bottom of it all, sending her on a wild ride complete with abductions, car chases and arson. “I don’t know what kind of truth you’re gonna find out there, but I don’t think you’re gonna like it,” a voice tells Kat over a tense scene of the detective investigating, armed with a knife.
“Missing You” marks Coben’s ninth collaboration with the streamer, with the 10th, an adaptation of his 2019 novel “Run Away,” planned next. British mystery thrillers are a perennially popular television genre, but in January 2024, “Fool Me Once” blew viewer expectations out of the water when 61 million Netflix users tuned in during the series’ first two weeks of streaming, starting the new year off with a binge-watch of its eight edgeof-your-seat engrossing episodes.
BY JAY BOBBIN
es-to-be, plus Michelle Hurd, Bryan Brown and two veterans of one of the classics of the genre, “My Best Friend’s Wedding”: Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths. *** (R: AS, N. P) (Also on Blu-ray)
CIVIL WAR”
Writer-director Alex Garland’s (“Ex Machina”) involving and greatly unsettling 2024 drama boasts one of the strongest performances yet by Kirsten Dunst, as she plays a war photographer caught up in the violently escalating title conflict, which pits the U.S. government against secessionists. Dunst’s character joins other journalists (Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaenny, Stephen McKinley Hendrickson) in covering the battle as it makes its way toward the nation’s capital. The story takes a frank approach with the subject matter, which stays in the tradition of reporters-in-war tales while adding very contemporary aspects; Nick Offerman portrays the President of the United States, and Jesse Plemons (Dunst’s husband) makes an uncredited appearance. DVD extras: theatrical trailer; “making-of” documentary. *** (R: AS, P, GV) (Also on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD)
“THE FALL GUY”
The 1980s television series that starred Lee Majors became an entertaining 2024 movie vehicle for Ryan Gosling, as he plays a Hollywood stuntman who rejoins the profession after being hurt in an accident. He goes to Australia to work on a film being directed
Move that bus!: ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ returns once again
BY CAROLINE COLLACUTT
Praised as one of “the most widely recognized home makeover shows to ever exist” (per ABC), the iconic renovation series “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” returns Thursday, Jan. 2, with a brand-new season on ABC, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
From Endemol Shine North America and Reese Witherspoon’s (“Legally Blonde,” 2001) Hello Sunshine, this modernized iteration of the legacy series will be led by “Extreme Makeover” newcomers Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin (of “Get Organized with the Home Edit”), who replace former hosts Ty Pennington (“Battle on the Beach”), who hosted from 2004-2012, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (“Modern Family”), who hosted a 10-episode run in 2020.
“The most widely recognized home makeover show to ever exist returns with Shearer and Teplin’s world-renowned organizational expertise to thoughtfully design and specifically tailor each home from the inside out,” a series description given by the network reads. “Like the original series, this reimagining will showcase heartwarming stories, inspired volunteers and mind-blowing builds for deserving families who give back to their communities.”
While new to “Extreme Makeover,” leads Shearer and Teplin bring plenty of expertise to the job as co-founders of the globally popular lifestyle brand The Home Edit, which later turned into a similarly named series on Netflix. Known for helping homeowners fall in love with
by his ex-girlfriend (Emily Blunt) and gets involved in the search for the picture’s suddenly missing star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), leading to perils that the stunt expert’s skills come in handy in helping him survive. Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”) and Teresa Palmer also star, and anyone hoping for an appearance by Majors – as well as distinct tastes of the original show – won’t be disappointed. An extended cut of the movie is included. DVD extras: seven “making-of” documentaries; audio commentary by director-producer David Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick; alternate scenes; outtakes. *** (PG13: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD)
“FURIOSA: A MAD MAX
SAGA”
Though the Mad Max character is only a supporting character here,, this 2024 prequel – directed by George Miller, who has played a major creative part in the other film in the franchise, which began 45 years ago – extends the series by centering on the kidnapped Furiosa (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), a young woman who travels across a dystopian Australian landscape while in the forced company of a biker gang that battles other factions for possession of basic survival needs. Chris Hemsworth plays her chief captor, and Tom Hardy also stars. Holding to the tradition of incorporating violence that’s often grueling, the film has ties to the preceding “Mad Max: Fury Road” by including some of the same ac-
tors, such as John Howard, Angus Sampson and Nathan Jones. *** (R: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD)
“INSIDE OUT 2”
This animated 2024 sequel from Disney and Pixar has done very big business, now ranking as the top-grossing animated feature ever released. The story again examines the frequently conflicting emotions of young Riley (now voiced by Kensington Tallman), with each different feeling represented by a character … a notable newcomer being Anxiety, whose words are supplied by Maya Hawke. Returnees in the vocal cast include Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Tony Hale (“Veep”) as Fear and Liza Lapira (“The Equalizer”) as Disgust. Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan are heard again as Riley’s parents, with John Ratzenberger, Paula Poundstone and Bobby Moynihan back as well. Ayo Edebiri and Paul Walter Hauser also are among cast additions. DVD extras: two “making-of” documentaries; deleted scenes. *** (PG: AS) (Also on Bluray and 4K Ultra HD) “WONKA”
While the first of the several movies to be made from Roald Dahl’s story “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” – 1971’s Gene Wilder-starring “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” – remains a multigenerational favorite, this 2023 version from director and co-screenwriter Paul King (“Padding-
organization — and for their one-ofa-kind aesthetic, offering a unique blend of form and function — the duo will meet deserving families in each and every episode of the show, helping families “evaluate and edit every single item they own, ultimately transforming not only their home but the way they live” (per ABC). To make their vision a reality, Shearer and Teplin will be joined by a talented team of contractors and designers from homebuilder Taylor Morrison, who is said to focus on reconfiguring the homes in question based on a family’s lifestyle and specific needs. Also along to help are designers Wendell Holland and Arianne Bellizaire. Holland, who is the Season 36 champion of “Survivor,” is the founder and chief designer at Beve Unlimited, a custom furniture company. Bellizaire, meanwhile, is the CEO and creative director of Arianne Bellizaire Interiors.
First having aired in early 2004 — also on ABC — this tear-jerker of a series released 10 seasons and more than 200 episodes before ending in 2012. Revamped for TV only once previously — in 2020 on HGTV — this latest iteration acts as “Extreme Makeover’s” 11th season overall, continuing its mission of changing lives and transforming homes across the country.
Now entering its third decade of making dreams come true, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” returns Thursday, Jan. 2, to ABC with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
ton”) met with a generally favorable response and scored nicely at the box office. Timothee Chalamet now has the title role of the “candy man,” whose knack for creating delectable delicacies is detailed from the start of his story as he naively signs a business contract that puts him at a definite disadvantage … until he gets assistance from quite a diverse group of allies. Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman and (as an Oompa-Loompa) Hugh Grant are among others in the cast. The film’s original songs were composed by Neil Hannon, the leader of the Northern Ireland band The Divine Comedy. DVD extras: five “making-of” documentaries. *** (PG: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD)
Coming Home Soon
“SE7EN” (4K ULTRA HD) (JAN. 7)
“SATURDAY NIGHT” (JAN. 7)
“INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS” (4K ULTRA HD) (JAN. 14) “HERE” (JAN. 21)
2” (JAN. 21)
#2” (FEB. 4)