What2Watch-May-2024

OUT WITH A BANG

These Beloved Series Say Their Goodbyes. By Ryan A.

Berenz

YOUNG SHELDON

CBS, Series Finale May 16

After seven seasons, Young Sheldon signs off with teenage Sheldon (Iain Armitage) growing into The Big Bang Theory’s adult Sheldon (Jim Parsons). “I am so sad that this is coming to an end but, honestly, I could have asked for nothing better,” Armitage says. Parsons and Big Bang costar Mayim Bialik will reprise their roles and make a guest appearance in the Young Sheldon finale. CBS has ordered a spinoff following Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment) as they raise their young family in Texas.

BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA

CBS, Series Finale May 6

The charming sitcom about sock manufacturer Bob (Billy Gardell) and his unlikely romance with Nigerian immigrant nurse Abishola (Folake Olowofoyeku) concludes with Season 5. “It’s an incredible feeling to know that you’re putting a thing on the air that is about love and about learning,” Gardell says.

STATION 19

ABC, Series Finale May 30

The fire goes out after seven seasons for this Grey’s Anatomy spinoff drama following Seattle firefighters. Executive producer Shonda Rhimes wrote on Instagram, “A heartfelt salute to the exceptional cast whose brilliance brought the characters to life and to the viewers who continued to make it possible!”

THE GOOD DOCTOR

ABC, Series Finale May 21

Freddie Highmore wraps up his role as autistic surgeon Dr. Shaun Murphy in this medical drama which ends with Season 7. “It feels a bit like graduation,” Highmore tells TV Insider. “It’s this big momentous event that makes you nostalgic and is filled with memories. But at the same time, you’re sort of excited for the future.”

GROWN-ISH Freeform,

Series Finale May 22

This black-ish spinoff concludes its run after six seasons as Junior (Marcus Scribner) graduates from Cal U and Zoey (Yara Shahidi) pursues her fashion career.

NOTABLE FINALES

ABC Abbott Elementary (May 22)

American Idol (May 19)

The Conners (May 22)

Grey’s Anatomy (May 30) 9-1-1 (May 30)

The Rookie (May 21)

Shark Tank (May 3)

Will Trent (May 21)

CBS

The Amazing Race (May 15)

Blue Bloods (spring finale May 17)

CSI: Vegas (series finale May 19)

Elsbeth (May 23)

The Equalizer (May 19)

FBI (May 21)

FBI: International (May 21)

FBI: Most Wanted (May 21)

Fire Country (May 17)

Ghosts (May 2)

NCIS (May 6)

NCIS: Hawai‘i (May 6)

The Neighborhood (May 6)

So Help Me Todd (series finale May 16)

Survivor (May 22)

S.W.A.T. (May 17)

Tracker (May 19)

FOX

Alert: Missing Persons Unit (May 14)

Animal Control (May 8)

The Cleaning Lady (May 21)

Farmer Wants a Wife (May 16)

The Masked Singer (May 22)

MasterChef Junior (May 20)

Next Level Chef (May 9)

So You Think You Can Dance (May 20)

NBC

Chicago Fire (May 22)

Chicago Med (May 22)

Chicago P.D. (May 22)

Deal or No

Deal Island (May 13)

Law & Order (May 16)

Law & Order: Organized Crime (May 16)

Law & Order: SVU (May 16)

Saturday Night Live (May 18)

The Voice (May 21)

Raegan Revord, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Iain Armitage, Annie Potts, Montana Jordan and Emily Osment of Young Sheldon

RETURNING FAVORITES

Acapulco

Apple TV+ (May 1)

America’s Got Talent

NBC (May 28)

Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire

AMC (May 12)

Beat Shazam

FOX (May 28)

Bridgerton

Netflix (May 16)

Clarkson’s Farm

Prime Video (May 3)

Doctor Who

Disney+ (May 10)

Don’t Forget the Lyrics!

Evil Paramount+ (May 23; final season)

Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars

FOX (May 22)

Hacks Max (May 2)

Harry Wild Acorn TV & BBC America (May 13)

The Kardashians Hulu (May 23)

Killer Cases A&E (May 15)

MasterChef FOX (May 29)

Naked and Afraid XL Discovery Channel (May 12)

Outer Range Prime Video (May 16)

Race to Survive: New Zealand USA Network (May 20)

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Bravo (May 5)

Reginald the Vampire Syfy (May 8)

Trying Apple TV+ (May 22)

YANKED!: Recently Canceled Shows

Starz announced that Power Book II: Ghost will conclude after its fourth season, which debuts next month. The final episodes begin airing in September. ... NBC’s Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge has been sent to the junkyard. The car makeover competition aired 10 episodes last summer. ... NBC also extinguished LA Fire & Rescue, a docuseries about the Los Angeles County Fire Department that ran for eight episodes last year. ... It’s game, set and match for Netflix’s tennis

docuseries Break Point after two seasons. ... Showtime canceled its plans to pick up Season 2 of Netflix comedy Uncoupled starring Neil Patrick Harris. ... Amazon Freevee released all eight episodes of the third and final season of spy drama Alex Rider last month. ... Nickelodeon’s teen sitcom That Girl Lay Lay signed off in March after two seasons. ... Pete Davidson decided one season of Peacock’s Bupkis is enough.

Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire

Power Book II: Ghost

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

CHLOÉ

Chloé has her own YouTube channel, wrote a book, acted in a few movies and cofounded her own dance competition, Elevé National Dance Competition, which is currently touring. She graduated with a degree in creative writing from Pepperdine last December. 13

JOJO

JoJo continues to be a social media sensation and find success in music; TV, where she was judge for So You Think You Can Dance and was runner-up on Dancing With the Stars’ 30th season; and business, with her JoJo Siwa bow.

BROOKE

Brooke lives in Pittsburgh. She graduated from Ohio University in 2019. She’s a full-time content creator, sharing her views on fashion, beauty and cooking on various platforms, including a food blog on Instagram called @bitesized_foodie.

PAIGE

Paige graduated from West Virginia University in 2023 with a degree in marketing. She’s focusing primarily on her social media presence — taking her followers along the ups, downs and everything in between in her daily life.

KENDALL

Kendall is a junior at James Madison University studying political science and prelaw. She is also on the JMU Dukettes dance team. “I’m not quite sure what I want to do after college, but I know that Dance Moms was a stepping stone.”

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DANCE MOMS: THE REUNION

Wednesday, May 1 on LIFETIME

There’s no denying the legacy Abby Lee Miller left the dance world, as she was an immensely talented choreographer and larger-than-life TV personality, but her meanerthan-mean, win-at-all-costs attitude coupled with legal issues, warring mammas and devastated child students ultimately led things to crumble. While Lifetime cameras captured all the drama and all the tears during Dance Moms’ (201119) eight-season run, the true stars of the show were the young girls, including fan favorites JoJo Siwa, Chloé Lukasiak, Brooke Hyland, Paige Hyland, Kendall Vertes and Kalani Hilliker, who all return for a two-hour special along with their moms Jessalynn Siwa, Kelly Hyland, Jill Vertes and Kira Hilliker (plus Christi Lukasiak, who hosts the new series Dance Moms: Epic Showdowns immediately after). Here we catch up with the dancers …

What did you learn from being on the show? “Gosh, there are countless things I learned from being on the show. I learned to have an abundance of empathy for others — you never know what people are going through. I learned how to be professional, strong work ethics and time management. The list goes on. I would never trade my experience on the show. I am so grateful I went through everything I did at such a young age, as it helped to shape me for the rest of my life.”

— Chloé Lukasiak

What would you say to Abby now?

“That’s something I used to think about often, especially when I lived in the same city as her. ‘If I run into her somewhere, do I go up to her … or do I run the other way?’ As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I would want to walk up to her because I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Abby was such an important role in my life for 15 years and that relationship ended so abruptly, but I’m truly appreciative of all she taught me and still use a lot of what I learned in my life now. I think I’d put the past aside for a second and ask her how she is doing.” — Brooke Hyland

What made you excited about getting back together with these girls finally?

“I was thrilled to be reunited with the girls because nobody understands the bond we share. We grew up together in a very unique way, and having each other to rely on (whether we see each other often or not) is something I think kept us grounded. So, being together again when we are in better stages of our lives, as successful young girls, knowing what we’ve accomplished is a great feeling.” — Paige Hyland

What was the most difficult part?

“The most difficult part was leaving my life back home in Pittsburgh and having to move to California. I missed my family. … Being so young on a reality TV show, I matured very fast, and sometimes I look back on my childhood and realize how abnormal it was!” — Kendall Vertes

BRIDGERTON

Part 1 on May 16 and Part 2 on June 13 on NETFLIX SEASON PREMIERE!

What’s Miss Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) to do? As the anonymous scandal sheet writer Lady Whistledown, she’s titillated the ton (Regency-era London society) for two seasons with the scandals of the marriage mart where young aristocrats woo suitable prospects. Instead of being an overlooked wallflower, this year Penelope lets down her hair and upgrades her gowns to join the flirtatious flocks hunting for husbands, which means her gossipy alter ego can’t ignore her presence. “She’ll have to write about herself,” says showrunner Jess Brownell, “which leads to reflection about the way she approaches writing Whistledown.”

When Season 3 of Netflix’s wildly popular series opens, Coughlan explains, “Penelope’s had a tough time.” Her best friend Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) dropped her when she learned Penelope was the hurtful Whistledown, and she overheard Eloise’s brother Colin (Luke Newton), whom she’s always loved, tell his friends he’d never court her. So she sets out to find a marriageable lord to escape her isolation and her nasty family.

A more confident and charming Colin returns from his European jaunt “definitely excited to reconnect with

Penelope,” says Newton. “Unaware that she may have liked the idea of him being more than just a friend,” he kindly offers to help in her marital search. “That’s where we plant the seeds for him to start seeing Penelope in a new light,” Brownell notes.

“There’s something romantic in these two characters who really know each other and hold a deep belief in true love,” says Coughlan. Of course, no Bridgerton courtship is obstacle-free. “Penelope has a new suitor,” the actress reveals. “[The wealthy explorer] Lord Debling [Sam Phillips].” Plus, there’s the looming issue of her secret writing life. Colin is no fan of Whistledown and all could be lost if he learns the truth.

The stars confirm that romance could blossom for several other characters this season, including Eloise’s beautiful albeit shy younger sister Francesca (Hannah Dodd), who intrigues Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), who sees a possible marriage mart “diamond” and will happily find her a noble catch.

Dear gentle readers, we can also assure you that the series’ trademark steamy scenes will be back. “That’s a super important part of the romance narrative,” Coughlan promises, “and Bridgerton does intimate scenes really brilliantly!” — Ileane Rudolph

Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan Bridgerton: © 2023 Netflix, Inc. Credit: Liam Daniel

MOMMY MEANEST

Saturday, May 11 on LIFETIME ORIGINAL FILM!

Inspired by true events, this new film starring Lisa Rinna and her daughter, 25-yearold Delilah Hamlin, tells the disturbing story of a teenage girl who starts getting cyberbullied because she’s spending more time with her boyfriend before leaving for college. Eventually, she discovers that the person who is harassing her is closer than she had ever imagined: her own mother.

“It was really interesting to research what would drive somebody to go to those lengths to keep control of their child,” Rinna told us about her character and her behavior toward her daughter (played by Briana Skye, not her actual daughter). “But it was also a real challenge to play this character and not make her over-the-top crazy, because this woman thinks she’s doing the very best thing for her child. And I think every mother can relate to that.”

The movie also illustrates the potentially unhealthy and dangerous side effects of the presence of social media in our lives. “There are some very positive things about [social media], but there are some really, really negative things that, of course, I’ve been part of, my kids have been part of, my husband’s been part of. It’s pretty easy for people to sit behind their computers and say things that they would never, ever say to somebody’s face,” Rinna added. “I probably wouldn’t have had the same understanding if I hadn’t worked with people who were so sociopathic and so narcissistic. And that’s the truth. I understand what drives them. And so, I’m able to have more empathy, because at first, you just think they’re out of their mind, but there’s always something that drives someone, whether it’s their childhood history or trauma-based things that have happened in their lives. After working on the [Real Housewives of Beverly Hills] for eight years, I really have an understanding.” — Zhanna Slor

Briana Skye and Lisa Rinna

Mommy Meanest: Credit: Mackenzie Walker/Lifetime

IN THE KITCHEN WITH HARRY HAMLIN

Wednesdays beginning May 15 on IFC NEW SERIES!

Harry Hamlin was the “King of Bolognese” when he cooked for family and friends on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which included his wife, Lisa Rinna, as a regular cast member. That inspired a TV exec to pitch Hamlin an idea for his own cooking show. Hamlin was open to the idea, and said he’d do it if he could bring his niece, Renee Guilbault, a classically trained chef and food industry expert, into the kitchen with him.

“I called up Renee, and I said, ‘They’ve offered me this cooking show, and I said I don’t really feel comfortable doing it because I don’t really know what I’m doing in the kitchen,’” Hamlin says. “‘I like the food that I cook. People like the food that I cook. But I never went to cooking school, I’d never taken a class and I’ve never seen a cooking show, so I’m kind of rudderless.’” After thinking it over, Guilbault called Uncle Harry back and said she was onboard for In the Kitchen With Harry Hamlin.

In this five-part series, Hamlin takes to his own home kitchen to prepare some of his favorite dishes

for friends like Bobby Moynihan, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, Dean Norris, Ed Begley Jr., and Hamlin’s Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches costar Tongayi Chirisa. (Of course, Rinna also appears.)

Along the way, Guilbault offers her uncle some expert tips and kitchen hacks that viewers can try at home. There are no high-pressure challenges or screaming celebrity chefs here. Guilbault hopes they’ll “show something that’s real and hopefully encourages others to get back into the kitchen and find the process of scratch cooking really joyful and worthy.”

No dinner party is complete without great conversation, and Hamlin and his friends share lots of stories from their lives and careers.

“In Uncle Harry’s world, all of his BFFs are all largely very famous, recognizable folks,” Guilbault says. “It’s a weird place to come in and know that yes, they’re people just like us, and they eat. They also happen to be these superstars.”

And they’re also not above washing the dishes, as Danson and Steenburgen did after enjoying Hamlin’s special “Linoleum Chicken.” “In an offhand comment, Mary said, ‘Oh, yeah, we love coming to dinner parties. We even wash dishes,’” Hamlin recalls. “I said, ‘Oh, really! OK. Then you’re on. You’re hired!’” — Ryan A. Berenz

Kitchen with Harry Hamlin: Credit: IFC

Harry Hamlin and Renee Guilbault

THE GREAT WAR

Monday, May 27 & Tuesday, May 28 on HISTORY NEW SERIES!

This year marks the 110th anniversary of the start of World War I. The “War to End All Wars” lasted over four years and resulted in more than 9 million soldiers killed and over 20 million wounded, and between 7 and 13 million civilians dead.

The United States entered the “Great War” in 1917 on the side of the Allies (France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy and Japan), who were in conflict with the Central Powers of the German empire, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria. Ultimately, the U.S. suffered more than 116,000 military deaths.

The Great War, History’s four-hour cinematic documentary airing in two-hour installments over consecutive evenings beginning on Memorial Day, focuses on America’s involvement in the fighting

during the critical year of 1918. It follows Gen. John J. Pershing, leader of the American Expeditionary Forces, who is charged with training and deploying an army almost from scratch; Michael B. Ellis, a young man fighting with the Army’s soon-to-belegendary Big Red One (the 1st Infantry Division); and a group of African American soldiers, including Henry Johnson and Horace Pippin, whose courage in battle helped their regiment be christened the Harlem Hellfighters.

The documentary weaves together the stories of these men, accompanied by insights from academics and military experts, to tell a larger, more complex tale of how America joined World War I as an underdog and came out the leader of the 20th century. —

Jeff Pfeiffer

ANNE RICE’S INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE

Sundays beginning May 12 on AMC SEASON PREMIERE!

The hit supernatural series based on Anne Rice’s bestselling novel about a dysfunctional vampire family will take viewers from New Orleans

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to Europe in the new season, which will still follow the book quite closely despite the near death of the vampire Lestat in Season 1.

“Less humans in Season 2,” shares Sam Reid, who plays the complicated vampire and former lover of Louis (Jacob Anderson), Lestat. “Season 2 is really more about vampires and vampires eating themselves. There’s a lot less interaction with humanity. I think a character like Lestat is always about escaping the vampire world because vampires are complex monsters that have laws and rules and things that are quite archaic. He was always about trying to start a new life with Louis and then Claudia. And now in Season 2, it’s really about going back into that vampire world and so there is less interaction with humanity.”

Anderson will return as Louis; however, their adopted daughter Claudia will be played by Delainey Hayles instead of Bailey Bass. Fresh off the ending of his toxic romance with Lestat, this season will lay out the origins of Louis’ long love affair with 514-year-old Armand (Assad Zaman), who viewers learned in the finale is also Rashid. — Zhanna Slor

TCM STAR OF THE MONTH: SESSUE HAYAKAWA

Mondays on TCM

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and as part of that celebration, Turner Classic Movies is recognizing famed Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa as its Star of the Month.

Born Kintaro ¯ Hayakawa in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture in 1886, Hayakawa became one of the highest-paid stars of the silent movie era. This period marked the peak of the actor’s career, though he did continue his screen presence in the era of “talkies” with success.

You’ll see Hayakawa films from both eras on TCM this

month, starting with three silent titles on May 6, including The Cheat (1915), the film that made Hayakawa a star, and the network premiere of the thriller The Tong Man (1919).

Three sound movies air on May 13, including Tokyo Joe (1949), a film noir set in postwar Japan and led by Humphrey Bogart, and Hayakawa’s first talkie, Daughter of the Dragon (1931), a mystery thriller headlined by Anna May Wong.

The three-title lineup on May 20 includes the film noir House of Bamboo (1955) and the adventure/romance Green Mansions (1959). Two of Hayakawa’s later films, both with stories set during World War II, close out the monthlong celebration on May 27 as part of TCM’s Memorial Day marathon: Three Came Home (1950) and The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), for which Hayakawa received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role as Col. Saito.

Jacob Anderson and Delainey Hayles

Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire: Credit: AMC Sessue Hayakawa: Courtesy Everett Collection

8 HARRY WILD

Mondays beginning May 13 on BBC AMERICA and ACORN TV SEASON PREMIERE!

Fans of Jane Seymour will delight to see her hit sleuth series Harry Wild get a linear TV debut as new episodes premiere on BBC America, along with streaming service Acorn TV. Set in Dublin, the series stars Seymour as Harriet “Harry” Wild, a literature professor turned private investigator. She’s paired with an unlikely sidekick, the young Fergus (played by Rohan Nedd), and the two annoy local authorities and crack some unusual cases. This season finds the duo on cases trying to prove the lead singer of Ireland’s hottest boy band didn’t kill himself, investigating who decapitated a woman in a busy restaurant, unearthing who murdered a despotic director on the set of Ireland’s leading daytime soap opera and more. Here we catch up with the beloved Seymour.

Previously Harry Wild has only been available to stream on Acorn TV. Now a broader audience can see how fun this murder-mystery series is on BBC America, too. Anything newbies need to know? My character Harry is basically Professor Harriet Wild, and she’s been a professor of English literature at Trinity for 30-plus years. She’s irritated that her students are more interested in partying than listening to her. So, she quits not knowing what she’s going to do. Accidentally she gets mugged while buying a bottle of wine (to have a nice date with a guy), and finds herself recovering at her son’s home

(her son’s a detective). Basically, the premise is that she’s able to solve crimes much better than him because he won’t listen and she knows her history and literature, and her sidekick [Fergus] was the young man that accidentally grabbed her purse back in the beginning. It’s very humorous and they have an amazing relationship, and they end up solving really bizarre crimes.

How much or little of you is actually in your character Harry? Well, I’d like to say I’ve read every book that was ever written, but clearly not. But would I like to be that literate? Absolutely. And I do find that when I’m making the show, when I see a quote from Wuthering Heights, or wherever it is, I tend to reach for the book or at least the CliffsNotes and go, “Wow, that’s really clever.” … But there’s nothing boring about her. Especially in Season 3! … We come up with a lot of the irreverent stuff. I think a lot of the humor in Harry is definitely me. I am actually goofy and wacky, and I love the idea of Harry pretending to be someone else at a moment’s notice.

One of our favorite movies is Somewhere in Time. When will you be returning to Mackinac Island where it was famously filmed? I’m actually going to Mackinac in June. Instead of just talking about Somewhere in Time, which they do every October, for Somewhere in Time enthusiasts, which I can’t do this year because hopefully I’m filming, they may do something with Harry Wild. — Barb Oates

Jane Seymour Harry Wild:

UNFROSTED

Friday, May 3 on NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM!

In August of 2018, Jerry Seinfeld posted something on the former Twitter that seemed to be a funny enough thought, but nothing to take especially seriously: “At one point I was thinking about an invention of the Pop Tart movie. Imagine the drunk on sugar-power Kellogg’s cereal culture of the mid-60’s in Battle Creek, MI. That’s a vibe I could work with.”

Turns out, the comedian was not joking. Almost six years later, we now have a film about how Pop-Tarts, those tasty breakfast pastries, came about in 1964, a film that costars Seinfeld, who also directed, cowrote and coproduced.

change the face of breakfast forever. Netflix describes the film as “a tale of ambition, betrayal, sugar and menacing milkmen.”

That tongue-in-cheek description is a good indicator that while this movie may be based on real events, it likely takes a comedic approach to them. A look at the actors in it is another sign; the cast features a number of Seinfeld’s fellow comedians/actors, including Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Hugh Grant, James Marsden, Christian Slater, Daniel Levy, Jack McBrayer, Bobby Moynihan, Thomas Lennon, Max Greenfield, Cedric Yarbrough, Sarah Cooper and Fred Armisen.

Set in 1963 Michigan, Unfrosted tells the story of the cutthroat and breakneck race between sworn cereal rivals Kellogg’s and Post to invent a pastry that will

The film will incorporate other classic breakfast/ snack icons, as well. Grant is listed as Thurl Ravenscroft (aka Tony the Tiger) and Yarbrough as Toucan Sam, with other actors playing everyone from the Doublemint Twins and Little Debbie to General Mills and Ralston Purina. 9

Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld, Fred Armisen and Melissa McCarthy

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MARYLAND

Sundays beginning May 5 on PBS NEW SERIES!

Described by PBS as “a love story of two sisters” and praised as “a chill-inducing, moving portrait of sisterhood” by The Independent when it premiered in Britain last year, the three-episode drama MaryLand, shot in Ireland, follows estranged sisters Becca (Suranne Jones, who cocreated the series with Anne-Marie O’Connor) and Rosaline (Eve Best), who are thrown back together by the sudden death of their mother, Mary (Judy Clifton). They come to find out that she was living an entirely secret life on the Isle of Man, far from her home with Richard (George Costigan), her husband and Becca and Rosaline’s father. As the siblings travel through the early days of grief and discover their mother’s secrets, they meet Mary’s quirky friend Cathy (Stockard Channing), who seems to know more about their mother than they do. Mary’s death offers the sisters a chance to not only reframe their relationship but also to fundamentally reshape who they are.

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THE QUIZ WITH BALLS

Tuesdays beginning May 28 on FOX NEW SERIES!

Actor and comedian Jay Pharoah (Saturday Night Live) hosts this new game show based on a Dutch format. Two teams answer multiple-choice trivia questions, with each answer corresponding to a position on a platform above a pool of water. The player stands on that position, with a pool of water in front of them and a giant ball suspended at the top of a ramp behind them. A correct answer stops the rolling ball at the bottom of the ramp. A wrong answer results in the ball knocking the player into the pool. As more players take a splash, the questions get harder. Teams bank prize money the longer they stay dry until one player competes in the final round for a $100,000 grand prize.

“The show’s got heart, the show’s got knowledge and it’s funny,” Pharoah says. “When you take all those ingredients and you mix them together, you’ve got a cake that’s going to last you a while.”

Pharoah’s excited for viewers to witness some wildly unexpected moments, like when a contestant accidentally lost her balance. “She got the answer right, but she was so busy looking at her other family members and looking at what their answers were that she fell into the pool,” he says. “That’s what you get for being nosy!” —

Ryan A. Berenz

Jay Pharoah

Eve Best and Suranne Jones

12 OMG FASHUN

Mondays beginning May 6 on E! NEW SERIES!

Joan Rivers made E! the home for fashion long before the Kardashians. Through the years, the network has tried to right the wrongs in the fashion industry with Fashion Emergency, Fashion Police and its once-riotous red carpet live reporting; now the network is heading back to the genre in an eccentric Project Runway-like competition series. Trailblazing style icon Julia Fox (who made her feature film debut in the gritty 2019 drama Uncut Gems renowned image architect Law Roach (who has styled well-known celebs like Celine Dion and Zendaya) will host the series and will be charged with pushing pioneering fashion disruptors (aka fashion designers) to break the rules and redefine what “cool” is — in other words, stuff average Joes would never wear. But that’s the fun behind the creative as designers must use materials and techniques that would make fashion gatekeepers squirm. Each episode finds three designers trying to beat the clock to compose and style their unconventional ensembles for the judging panel. Every week one winner will be awarded $10,000 cash and will have their garment modeled by Fox. Now that could be legendary!

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HOUSES OF HORROR: SECRETS OF COLLEGE GREEK LIFE

Mondays beginning May 27 on A&E NEW SERIES!

Exposing the dark side of fraternity and sorority life at America’s universities through exclusive interviews with former members as well as law enforcement officers and experts, this new docuseries documents the long-term negative impacts on the young men and women who participate in various old-fashioned collegiate

rituals that can often lead to sexual assault and other nefarious — sometimes deadly — activities meant to create a sense of community. From a University of Missouri pledge hazed into drinking so much alcohol he nearly died to a junior at the University of Minnesota who fought back against the system after being sexually assaulted, the series examines how the seemingly frivolous world of Greek life hides a much darker underbelly of behaviors often lacking in consequences.

Julia Fox and Law Roach

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

On May 2, 2011: U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden.

On May 17, 1973: The televised Watergate hearings began.

On May 19, 1965: Pete Townshend wrote “My Generation.”

On May 21, 2017: The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed its last show.

Did you know with TV Everywhere, you can see what happened in history every day?

History is just one of many networks available to Midco customers — included free with your TV package — where you can stream TV shows online or on your mobile device anywhere there’s an internet connection! Your favorite History shows like Pawn Stars Do America, The Curse of Oak Island, The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, Alone and more are available wherever and whenever you want, right on your device. The History app also is a great new way to access full episodes and clips from all that History has to offer. New content is added all the time. To see the available networks in your TV package, log in to My Account.

Pawn Stars Do America

Dune: Part Two

(Action) Paul Atreides is in the middle of the sandy expanse seeking revenge against those who rose against his family. The journey expands, and power is desired by those who would lead for better or worse, but whose best interest does Paul have in mind? Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson (PG-13, 2:46) Available May 28

One Life

(Drama) Nicholas “Nicky” Winton is a young London broker who saves the lives of over 600 children from Nazioccupied Czechoslovakia . Despite achieving so much, Winton still battles with the thought that he could have done more Based on the true story Anthony Hopkins, Lena Olin, Johnny Flynn (PG, 1:49) Available May 7

Drive-Away Dolls

(Comedy) Jamie and Marian go on an unexpected road trip to Tallahassee to clear their heads, but upon discovering a strange case in their trunk, they cross paths with a group of inept criminals, providing for laughs and adventures that they didn’t see coming Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein (R, 1:24) Available May 10

WHAT’S NEW THIS MONTH

Imaginary

(Horror) Chauncey the bear was supposed to be the best friend that a child could rely on, but the imaginary friends that are developed when children are young to help them cope with life do not like being abandoned, and they definitely hold a grudge . DeWanda Wise, Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun (PG-13, 1:44) Available May 14

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Immaculate (Horror) Cecilia joins a convent to continue her walk with her faith When she is found to be with child, she adjusts to her new situation there, and her eyes open to some of the other strange occurrences going on around her . Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte, Simona Tabasco (R, 1:29) Available May 21

Limbo (Mystery) This is the tale of a detective who travels deep into the Australian Outback to try to solve a 20-year-old murder . The journey will unveil new details and give the detective a look inside the complex nature of the case and those who surround it . Simon Baker, Rob Collins, Nicholas Hope (NR, 1:48) Available May 21

Arthur the King (Adventure) Michael Light is traveling 435 miles across the Dominican Republic . It may be his last chance in the Adventure Racing World Championship unless he can convince sponsors to come onboard . When his team is joined by a scrappy street dog, it seems to be just what everyone needs Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance (PG-13, 1:30) Available May 28

*Limit one promo code per account. Available to current customers in good standing only. Additional taxes, franchise fees, and other fees apply and will vary depending on location. Other restrictions may apply. Please allow up to 8 weeks for credit to appear on your statement. Some programming contains adult content. To block programming, access your on-screen guide for parental lock-out features. Lost, stolen or misplaced promo codes are not reissued. Both movies must be rented between May 1 and May 31, 2024. Coupon must be redeemed by June 30, 2024. Simply turn to Channel 1 and select

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Movies as low as $1.99 • New Release HD titles vary from $4.99 to $6.99

Knox Goes Away

(Thriller) A contract killer is met with a diagnosis of rapidly evolving dementia . As he can see the finish line in his future, he is faced with an opportunity to help his estranged adult son It could be a chance for redemption and a chance to right some of his past wrongs

Michael Keaton, Al Pacino, James Marsden (R, 1:54) Available May 28

Sasquatch Sunset

(Adventure) A year in the life of a family of sasquatches with more detail than you ever thought you needed This tale follows the struggle, the heartache and, well, so much more than you could imagine Jesse Eisenberg, Riley Keough, Christophe Zajac-Denek (R, 1:29) Available May 28

Order one movie in May at $6 .99 or less and rent a second movie in the same month (at the same or lower price) for FREE .

To redeem, simply log on to: Midco.com/Promo

You’ll be asked to enter your account number, name, email address, phone number and titles and dates of movie rentals . Enter promo code: BOGOMAY24 The American Society of Magical Negroes (Comedy) A man is recruited to a mysterious organization whose sole purpose is to make white people happy, but sometimes your happiness is the best thing for all Justice Smith, David Alan Grier (PG-13, 1:44) Available May 31

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Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show

The darkly funny documentary series about comedian Jerrod Carmichael’s tumultuous quest for love, sex and truth wraps up Season 1 . (TV-MA) Premieres on HBO May 17

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

The follow-up to the 2015 documentary series that investigated wealthy real estate heir Robert Durst and ultimately helped convict him of murder concludes . (TV-14)

Premieres on HBO May 26

The Sympathizer

This satirical series depicting the turbulent moral journey of a nameless antihero who acts as a Communist spy while exiled to America after the fall of Saigon finishes its first season Hoa Xuande, Robert Downey Jr., Sandra Oh (TV-MA) Premieres on HBO May 26

We’re Here

The reality series following Latrice Royale, Priyanka, Sasha Velour and Jaida Essence Hall as they spread love and connection through the art of drag finishes Season 4 (TV-MA)

Premieres on HBO May 31

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Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show: © HBO The Sympathizer: Credit: Hopper Stone/HBO The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst: ©HBO We're Here: ©Courtesy of HBO

Rocketman

This is the epic musical story of Elton John and his transformation from shy piano prodigy to pop icon  Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden (R)

Premieres on Showtime May 3

The Chi

No one is safe and everyone will be tested like never before as the drama series following a group of South Side Chicago residents returns for the second half of Season 6 Jacob Latimore, Birgundi Baker, Michael V. Epps (TV-MA)

Premieres on Showtime May 12

Baywatch

In this movie based on the TV series, Mitch Buchannon and his elite squad of lifeguards must save the beach from a dangerous crime wave Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario (R)

Premieres on Showtime May 3

A Gentleman in Moscow

In the series finale “Adieu,” Count Rostov, having spent 30 years in captivity, reckons with potential freedom and his existence in a new world Ewan McGregor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Johnny Harris (TV-14)

Premieres on Showtime May 19

BMF

The drama following Demetrius “Big Meech” and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory as they grow their criminal empire concludes Season 3 . Starz has picked up a fourth season Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby (TV-MA) Premieres on Starz May 10

Mary & George

In the finale of the historical drama, George and Charles embark on a trip to Spain, and Mary attempts one last gamble to ensure absolute power Julianne Moore, Nicholas Galitzine, Tony Curran (TV-MA)

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

When Lucy Gray Baird is selected for the Hunger Games, young Coriolanus Snow finds an unconventional relationship that is bound to shape the leader he later becomes Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis (PG-13)

Premieres on Starz May 14

Nope

A lonely gulch in inland California is home to residents who are witnessing an uncanny and chilling discovery in this film from writer/director Jordan Peele Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea (R)

Premieres on Starz May 18

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The Manchurian Candidate

A troubled Gulf War veteran grows suspicious after a powerful senator’s son becomes a candidate for vice president . Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Liev Schreiber (R)

Premieres on Cinemax May 1

The Last Stand

A disgraced LAPD narcotics officer turned small-town sheriff gets called back into the big time when a drug kingpin escapes federal custody and passes through his town Arnold Schwarzenegger, Johnny Knoxville, Forest Whitaker (R)

Premieres on Cinemax May 3

Walking Tall

A former Special Forces soldier becomes sheriff and deputizes an old friend to help rid their town of thugs Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Johnny Knoxville, Neal McDonough (PG-13)

Premieres on Cinemax May 3

The Foot Fist Way

After discovering his wife’s infidelity, a bombastic but hopelessly inept martial artist sets out on a quest to meet his idol Danny McBride, Mary Jane Bostic, Ben Best (R)

Premieres on Cinemax May 5

When

RETURNING FAVORITES August Access Netflix Through MidcoTV

I ORIGINAL SERIES, FILMS, DOCUMENTARIES & SPECIALS

Don’t Hate the Player Original Series

Available Now

In this French reality series, 13 players start out in a makeshift camp and compete for a spot in a luxury villa and a shot at 150,000 euros in a tense game of strategy and survival.

Beautiful Rebel Original Film

Available May 2

Letizia Toni portrays Italian singer-songwriter Gianna Nannini in this movie based on the life of the artist. The film journeys into the life and creative mind of this unique and revolutionary artist, who has made music and freedom her manifesto.

Bridgerton Original Series

Episodes 1-4 Available May 16;

Episodes 5-8 Available June 13

The eight-episode third season of this drama from Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland and based on Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels will be released in two four-episode installments.

Good Times Original Series

Available Now

This animated sequel to the classic 1974-79 live-action sitcom Good Times comes from executive producers Stephen Curry and Seth MacFarlane. The late Norman Lear, who helped develop the original series, was also involved with this project before his passing at age 101 last December.

Unfrosted Original Film

Available May 3

Jerry Seinfeld directed, cowrote, coproduced and costars in this comedic look at the cutthroat and breakneck race between sworn breakfast cereal rivals Kellogg’s and Post to invent a pastry that will change breakfast forever back in 1963.

Atlas Original Film

Available May 24

Atlas Shepherd (Jennifer Lopez), a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, joins a mission to capture a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past. When plans go awry, her only hope of saving humanity from AI is to trust it.

Our Living World Original Series

Available Now

Cate Blanchett narrates this four-episode natural history docuseries from the team behind Our Great National Parks. It explores the secret network of connections that unites us all. The series spans the globe to showcase the creatures and ecosystems that work together to sustain our planet.

Bodkin Original Series

Available May 9

This darkly comedic thriller follows a motley crew of podcasters who set out to investigate three mysterious disappearances that occurred years earlier in a seemingly idyllic coastal Irish town. But once they start pulling at threads, they discover a much bigger story.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Original Series

Available May 24

This follow-up to Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous is set six years after the events of that series. Members of “The Nublar Six” are navigating a world now filled with dinosaurs and people who want to hurt them.

Note: Customers must subscribe separately to MidcoTV and Netflix.

A Man in Full Original Series

Available May 2

Jeff Daniels leads this limited series based on Tom Wolfe’s novel as Atlanta real estate mogul Charlie Croker, who faces sudden bankruptcy. As he defends his empire from those attempting to capitalize on his fall from grace, political and business interests collide. Diane Lane and Lucy Liu also star.

Mother of the Bride Original Film

Available May 9

Brooke Shields leads this romcom as Lana, whose daughter Emma (Miranda Cosgrove) drops the bombshell that she’s getting married in a month. Then Lana learns that the man who captured Emma’s heart is the son of the man who broke hers years ago. Benjamin Bratt also stars.

Eric Original Series

Available May 30

Set in 1980s New York City and inspired by a true story, this series follows Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose life unravels when his 9-year-old son goes missing on the way to school. Struggling to cope with this loss, he grows increasingly distressed and volatile.

Ana Carballosa Jurassic World: Chaos Theory: © 2024 Netflix, Inc. Eric: Credit: Netflix

Next Generation Streaming

MidcoTV® is the next generation of TV watching It is an all-streaming, personalized experience . You can watch the shows you want, when you want — whether that’s live TV and sports, recorded programming, ON Demand or on connected apps . It includes a next-generation, intuitive platform that is simple to set up and makes it easy to find and watch all your content — so you never have to wonder where to find your favorite shows and movies . Enjoy a whole home entertainment experience without a large set-top box like traditional cable TV

Benefits

■ Simple set-up: Instead of waiting for an appointment, you can easily self-install MidcoTV — so you can start enjoying your TV .

■ Multi-streaming options: Watch up to three streams at once of your recorded programming

■ Cloud-based storage: Record up to 25 hours of TV — or purchase additional storage (up to 200 hours) if you need it .

It’s easy to redeem.

• Watch one movie one day, the other the next day or week, or make it a doubleheader

• Order a movie in May for $6 99 or less and get your second in the same month (at the same or lower price) for FREE!*

*Limit one promo code per account. Available to current customers in good standing only. Additional taxes, franchise fees, and other fees apply and will vary depending on location. Other restrictions may apply. Please allow up to 8 weeks for credit to appear on your statement. Some programming contains adult content. To block programming, access your on-screen guide for parental lock-out features. Lost, stolen or misplaced promo codes are not reissued. Both movies must be rented between May 1 and May 31, 2024. Coupon must be redeemed by June 30, 2024.