Good Will Hunting (1997, March

CRUEL INSTRUCTION

ORIGINAL FILM!

Camryn Manheim (The Practice, Law & Order) credits Paris Hilton for starting the conversation about the abuses occurring at teen residential treatment programs. You know, those programs that hype tough love by sending kids off to a wilderness-like camp to get rehabilitated. Hilton’s This Is Paris documentary exposed what happened to her as a teen and her resulting ongoing PTSD. Lifetime continues the conversation with Cruel Instruction, a drama inspired by a true story, which tells the harrowing efforts of two young women (played by Kelcey Mawema and Morgan Taylor Campbell) who were mentally and physically abused at a Utah-based teen treatment program.

Manheim plays headmistress Miss Connie (who reminds us a bit of Aunt Lydia from The Handmaid’s Tale), who uses draconian methods like force-feeding medications, solitary confinement, and verbal and physical abuse to keep students in line.

“I don’t think most of us have the history of what’s going on. It was pretty shocking to me,” Manheim says about researching for the role. “It hit me really hard. … It’s like institutionalized child abuse. When you look more into it and really see the overwhelming evidence and testimonies, you really are heartbroken for not just the kids but for the families [who believed these institutions were safe].”

While clearly not every teen institution is corrupt, what Manheim found extremely shocking was that these facilities are not regulated by the government. “It’s mind-boggling that this is going on without being regulated,” Manheim adds. “[Viewers] cannot imagine the atrocities that are happening in these schools that are posing as treatment centers for our youth. I want to make it really clear that this is not every school, but this is many schools. And as a community of really concerned parents, we have been duped and told many lies about what these schools are accomplishing.

“It’s a great thing that we have finally arrived at a place in our history where our young people’s experiences and thoughts and recollections matter, because now real change can happen.” – Barb Oates

Premieres on Lifetime Saturday, March 12

Morgan Taylor Campbell, Camryn Manheim and Kelcey Mawema

WHEN CALLS THE HEART

SEASON PREMIERE! Season 9 of Hallmark’s hit series When Calls the Heart is upon us, and fans are still in an uproar over the way last season ended — with Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) finally deciding to pursue love with Lucas (Chris McNally) over her other suitor, Nathan (Kevin McGarry). The decision has even led some viewers to threaten boycotting the series altogether, believing that Elizabeth made the wrong decision.

But star Krakow has some soothing words for those who feel slighted. “I know that our fans are particularly invested in and passionate about our show. So, I’m sorry to those who are feeling disappointed or frustrated,” she explains. “But I would also point out that Nathan isn’t going anywhere. And if Nathan is their favorite character, they still have a lot to look forward to with him. Nathan, in particular, I think, has some really juicy storylines this season. So I guess I would encourage [the audience] to stay tuned in support of their favorite character.”

So how will Nathan factor into the show now that he’s no longer a love interest for Elizabeth? “Our show obviously has some really fun, romantic storylines, but it’s never been just about the romance,” Krakow says. “And so, we’re going to see Nathan, not just as a love interest, but as a real friend, as a father figure to Allie [Jaeda Lily Miller]. We’re going to see more of him in his Mountie role as a real hero in town. So he’s got a lot of good stuff coming up.”

And was there a hint of something there with Faith (Andrea Brooks) at the end of the season, now that Carson (Paul Greene) has left town? “I will say you’re not wrong to pick up on that little tease,” she hints. “But we don’t know what’s coming in Nathan’s romantic future. Maybe there’s a spark between Nathan and Faith. Maybe there’s a spark between Nathan and an exciting newcomer in town. There’s all sorts of possibilities, and Nathan is a very eligible bachelor. So it’ll be exciting for all of us to see with whom he decides to share his heart.”

But back to Elizabeth and Lucas, and their happy ending — or was it more of a happy beginning? “Even though Elizabeth’s decision sort of felt like closure, it was really just closure of that triangle. And now we’re getting to see Elizabeth and Lucas explore their new relationship without that complication,” Krakow teases. “And it’s just been really fun for Chris and I to get to play that freedom, explore what their dynamic is like. Fans have noticed that Lucas was never actually inside Elizabeth’s row house at all, that we’ve seen. That’s something new that we’ve been playing with this season — their dynamic at home, his dynamic with little Jack [Gunnar Reid Taylor and Lincoln David Taylor].”

Krakow also promises lots of “exciting storylines” for the existing characters, as well as some fresh faces in town. One thing is for sure — Season 9 will deliver everything viewers love about Hope Valley, whether or not their favorite characters ended up together. — Taylor Neumann

Premieres on Hallmark Channel Sundays beginning March 6

THE THING ABOUT PAM

NEW SERIES!

Oscar winner Renée Zellweger makes her broadcast TV debut as star and executive producer of this series that marks the first project between Blumhouse Television and NBC News Studios following their announced partnership in 2020. The hourlong, sixepisode true-crime drama is based on an actual murder case that became one of the most popular topics ever on NBC’s Dateline when it was featured in several episodes. The real-life events and personalities were also the subjects of the still-highly downloaded 2019 Dateline podcast The Thing About Pam.

NBC says this series will bring “a completely new perspective” as it details the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria (Katy Mixon), which resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ (Glenn Fleshler). Russ insisted that he did not kill Betsy, and his conviction was later overturned, but this brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving a woman named Pam Hupp, portrayed by Zellweger. Josh Duhamel and Judy Greer also star.

Premieres on NBC Tuesdays beginning March 8

Tamron Hall: Credit: Walt Disney DTCI. The Thing About Pam: © 2021 NBCUniversal, LLC. Credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/NBC

SOMEONE THEY KNEW… WITH TAMRON HALL

NEW SERIES! Journalist and author Tamron Hall hosts this weekly true-crime series that follows the path from victim to verdict to explore how, when it comes to murder, it is rare for there to be no prior connection between the killer and the deceased. The stories are told from the point of view of the people impacted by the case, including the lawyers, jurors, members of law enforcement, and the victim’s family and friends, using new interviews, archival footage and re-creations of the crime. The series looks to stand out in the crowded true crime field by nixing voice-overs, reporters and correspondents to keep the focus on the victims and their loved ones.

Premieres on Court TV Sundays beginning March 6

SURVIVOR

SEASON PREMIERE! It’s Season 42, fans, and the competition series that tasks players to outwit, outplay and outlast just keeps getting better. Big kudos to host and executive producer Jeff Probst, who got the show back in motion after COVID shutdowns. Probst never left Fiji after Season 41; in fact, three days after the finale, he began shooting Season 42. “It was definitely a long shoot and very tough on the crew, but that’s what separates the Survivor team from most other teams. We adapt and figure it out,” Probst tells us. “It also created some interesting opportunities for us to shake up the game a bit! We started by reducing the number of days from 39 to 26. Then, to offset the shorter duration, we pumped the difficulty up to 11! It created a faster, more physically demanding and much more dangerous version of Survivor.”

Probst reminds us that the players for the new season never saw last season, so they have no idea how fast-paced the game has become. While some of the twists in the new season will be similar to the last — like the funny phrases, only 26 days, no rice and limited supplies — there will be some twists that are brand new. “It’s a wickedly difficult game to play and that’s by design,” Probst says. “You have to remember, the game is not there to trick the players, the game is there to test the players. How will you adapt to this new curveball coming at you?”

As for new players to watch, Probst wasn’t giving anything away, but did say players “seem to have a more healthy sense of fun in terms of how they approach the game. There is a joy and a lightness, even when they are brutally betraying each other. I believe that is directly related to COVID and the reminder we all received, that life is short — so let’s have fun.” And that we will, we’re sure of it. Plus, he promised another All-Star season will be in the future! — Barb Oates

Premieres on CBS Wednesdays beginning March 9

MR. MAYOR

SEASON PREMIERE! In the sitcom’s second term, L.A. Mayor Neil Bremer (Ted Danson) faces the power of the angry people after he hires outside help to modernize the way the city is run. “As you can imagine, that causes tension with the staff,” says cocreator and exec producer Tina Fey. Later, a testy influencer (Josie Totah) rallies her followers to mount a recall petition. Plus, Danson’s wife Mary Steenburgen guest-stars (Fran Drescher, too!) when the widower reenters the dating pool.

Premieres on NBC Tuesdays beginning March 15

RETURNING FAVORITES August Understanding TV Everywhere

So You Want To Start Streaming?

Here’s What You Need To Watch TV Everywhere:

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How To Stream With TV Everywhere:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi on your computer or device. (If you’re on your Midco home network, we’ll automatically authenticate you.) 2. Open a network app on your mobile device or go to a network’s website and log in using your Midco user credentials. ■ Many networks also offer a social media login option (when your social media account is synced with the email address you use for your Midco user account). ■ Have an Apple device? Enjoy instant access to apps using Single Sign-On. 3. Select a show to watch and get streaming!