‘Tyrant’ Big changes in the air
folio
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‘The Hunt’ spotlights the thrill of the chase
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Scott Wolf is Scrubbing in for ‘The Night Shift’ P.17
helps the Boston Pops launch its latest holiday ‘Fireworks Spectacular,’ Monday on CBS.
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TOP STORIES the story!
3 Independence Day celebrations abound
again on television this year, and Jay Bobbin speaks with two people involved in Monday’s events: veteran singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins, one of the acts in PBS’ annual concert “A Capitol Fourth,” and Dennis Alves, artistic director of the Boston Pops Orchestra, whose “Fireworks Spectacular” returns to CBS.
12-13 As Season 3 of “Tyrant” opens Wednesday on FX, Barry (Adam Rayner) is the
provisional president of Abuddin following brother Jamal’s assassination, and that means big changes are in store for both him and wife Molly (Jennifer Finnigan). Rayner and Finnigan give George Dickie hints on what that could mean.
FOOD 7 Wining and dining on ‘Grill Masters Napa’
REALITY 16 ‘Independence Day’ One July 4th movie doesn’t make space aliens our friends
SPORTS 18-19 Marlins’ Ozuna swings a hot bat
14-15 The thrill of the chase, not the kill, is
at the center of BBC America’s nature documentary series “The Hunt,” which premieres Sunday. Executive producer Alistair Fothergill tells George Dickie why he chose to focus on animals’ predation strategies rather than the aftermath.
17 Scott Wolf is back on “The Night Shift” as a star of NBC’s Wednesday medical drama.
Jay Bobbin talks with the “Party of Five” alum, who has actual doctors in his family background, about continuing his latest series role this summer.
MOVIES 20-21 Theatrical Review, and Our top DVD releases
IN EVERY ISSUE 22-23 Our top suggested programs to watch this week!
Visit YourTVLINK.com for more stories! Our Staff Writers: Jay Bobbin, George Dickie, John Crook Graphic Design: Nicolle Burton Quality Team: Michelle Wilson, Lisa Webster, Chris Browne
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CELEBRITY
4 ‘American Gothic’ Megan Ketch has to ‘pinch myself’ over series producer Steven Spielberg 5 ‘Roadies’ Carla Gugino enjoys music-world ‘crisis control’ 6 Arsenio the impresario
8 Nia Long stays close to home 9 Getting to know Britain’s Queen of Cakes, Mary Berry
Editor's choice
STORY
The Boston Pops and Kenny Loggins go forth in Independence Day specials By Jay Bobbin Television is never at a loss for ways to celebrate the Fourth of July – and one of them is returning this year. While it has continued to be broadcast in and near the city itself, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular hasn’t had full CBS coverage since 2012, but it’ll be shown to the entire country again Monday, July 4. Largely produced by network-owned affiliate WBZ-TV, it rejoins an evening that also features two more ongoing holiday TV traditions: “A Capitol Fourth” on PBS (check local listings) and “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” on NBC. Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato, plus country music’s Little Big Town, will be the guest performers with conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. Dennis Alves – the Pops’ director of artistic planning – says, “Our first responsibility always is to our local crowd, but you’d have to describe it as more than a ‘crowd.’ It sometimes can be 500,000 or 600,000 of our closest friends who show up, Bostonians and New Englanders but also others who come from far and wide to get a seat on the Esplanade.” Certainly, there’s extra significance to the Boston Pops organization in being able to display to the nation how strong Boston is following the 2013 Marathon bombings. “We’re delighted to be back on network TV,” Alves confirms. “CBS has gone all out, with Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato joining us, and we’re very excited about that. Hopefully, they’ll sing a duet or two together.” (The two artists are touring together this summer.) Kenny Loggins also has performed with the Boston Pops, but he’ll be in Washington, D.C., for “A Capitol Fourth” this Independence Day. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter shares the bill with returning host Tom Bergeron (“Dancing With the Stars”), Motown legend Smokey Robinson, Gavin DeGraw, Yolanda Adams, “Glee” alum Amber Riley, singer Jackie Evancho, “Younger” star and Broadway veteran Sutton Foster, Christopher Jackson (alias George Washington in the Broadway smash “Hamilton”), the cast of the Gloria and Emilio Estefan musical “On Your Feet!,” Olympic medalist Scott Hamilton, Gen. Colin L. Powell and two winners of NBC’s “The Voice”: Season 3’s Cassadee Pope and the most recent round’s Alisan Porter.
Pictured: Kenny Loggins
Click or tap on icon for more! The movie title tune “Footloose,” which Loggins recently revised for younger listeners, and “Conviction of the Heart” are among the numbers he plans to render on “A Capitol Fourth.” He reflects, “I’ve played Earth Day there on the lawn (of the U.S. Capitol Building), but I’ve never done the Fourth of July there, and it sounds like fun. (Washington) is a pretty cool place and I love sharing it with my kids.” As a solo artist after his 1970s partnership with Jim Messina, Loggins has scored such other enduring hits as “Whenever I Call You Friend,” “Meet Me Half Way” and the movie themes “I’m Alright” (from “Caddyshack”) and “Danger Zone” (from “Top Gun”). “The irony of my career,” he says, “has been that it’s (largely based in) what they call ‘soft rock.’ I started with an acoustic guitar around the same time as James Taylor and Cat Stevens. For me, they were the models of the introspective singer-songwriter, so that’s the direction I started in. “I have a big brother who’s four years older than me, and he was always turning me onto R&B and rock-and-roll, so my real dream as far as performing goes was to be in a band like The Who. When ‘Footloose’ came along, I finally had an opportunity to do some rock, and that launched me into the era of trying to transform toward that childhood dream.” Having also collaborated with such artists as Stevie Nicks and former Journey lead singer Steve Perry, Loggins still is doing that as part of the country trio Blue Sky Riders. “I’ve always said my biggest mistake was being a moving target,” he notes. “I was raised on two different styles of music, so I always would flip-flop between the two. It made me too schizophrenic, which made it very difficult for my record company to figure out who I was and to present a cohesive image to my audience. “In the long run, though, it’s allowed me to continue to reinvent myself and to stay interested and to have fun,” Loggins concludes. “The audience now looks at my career and says, ‘Wow, this guy can do a lot of stuff.’ I guess if you can hang in, it’ll all work out.” July 3 - 9, 2016 YOUR TV LINK Courtesy of Gracenote Page 3
CELEBRITY Jay Bobbin’s Q&A
MeganKetch of ‘American Gothic’ Wednesday on CBS
How do you feel about representing Boston’s upper class in the show?
Do you like Boston being the setting of “American Gothic”? Boston has so much character, and it’s a very particular setting, I think it’s a city that the country deeply loves. If you haven’t lived there, you’ve probably visited or read about its history, so it’s fun visually and contentwide for people to spend time in that city (via the series).
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As you watch the series and get to know the Hawthornes, they were not always at the privileged center of the elite wealth. They started off in a very different place; it was only as my character, Tessa, was a little girl that the family came into wealth. That tension of working class vs. upper class is a very big part of what makes the (show’s) serial-killing case so intriguing.
Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television is one of the production entities behind “American Gothic.” Do you get an added sense of security from that? Well, you know ... I have to pinch myself every day! I feel like I got the Golden Ticket. It’s incredible fortune to have Amblin and Spielberg sort of grandfather this project, for many reasons, the most significant one being that he’s one of the greatest storytellers we’ve ever had. It’s critical to us that this story stay grounded in a family that you care about and relate to, which is why all the tropes are so important: the prodigal son, the peacemaker daughter, the ambitious child who’s running for mayor. We hope there will be something for everyone in this, and what Spielberg has done for so many years is to make us relate to his characters.
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CELEBRITY
3 JUICY QUESTIONS FOR Carla Gugino
1
of ‘Roadies’ Sunday on Showtime
Jay Bobbin’s Q&A
3
What’s your own take on music?
What, to you, is the most interesting part of the backstage concert world depicted by your character and others in “Roadies”?
I think all the drama that ensues ... crisis control, constantly. You have a very short period of time to solve a lot of problems, and the thing that really amazed me was the fact that if you do your job 100 percent right, you should be invisible. In that moment when that band walks onto the stage, and we create this moment of magic for the audience, you should never know we existed if we did our job right. That’s really interesting.
C
2
What’s the experience of working with Cameron Crowe, whose writing and movies have had strong ties to music, on “Roadies”?
One of the most difficult things to do on a set is to create an environment in which creativity can happen. There’s so many distractions, and there’s so much technical stuff going on, it’s a rare person who can really do that ... and he can. And so, I feel blessed that we get to have this time to explore this world and really make some art, and something that I think is just really unique.
I think music is really like a shot to the heart. It is such a universal thing, (but) you might have a very specific kind of music that you love or music that resonates with you. I wanted to act because I was a kid and I went into a movie theater, and it changed my life. And I think music is actually even quicker in that way. I was raised in Northern California, a hippie girl, and Cat Stevens and Neil Young were very much a part of that for me as a kid. It was always my mom’s music – the Beatles, of course, were there too – but that really informed me, I think. I’ve always loved lyric-driven music, really. (Young’s) “Old Man” still makes me cry every time I listen to it.
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CELEBRITY George Dickie’s Q&A
Arsenio
Hall of ‘Greatest Hits’ Thursday on ABC
Were you able to entice some of the artists you had in your 1990s Fox late-night show to appear?
Some of the combinations of musical artists on ABC’s “Greatest Hits” really is outside-thebox thinking.
Yes, that’s what’s going on. It’s that kind of stuff. I would never imagine – well, yes I would because I’m the guy that put Gregory Hines and Stanley Clarke on stage together. So I love when artists get to do something that has nothing – because we’re in a time now where the label can say, “Hey we want to find you a song. You need your own umbrella-ella-ella. You need your Rihanna pop.” Sometimes it’s so business-y and this show allows guys to say, ‘Hey I’ll come over and just play guitar on that.’ “ And that’s when it gets to be fun. ”OK, he wants to play guitar on ‘Beat It.’ He wants to sing ‘Beat It.’ And Michael ain’t here. Bam!“ Page 6 YOUR TV LINK Courtesy of Gracenote July 3 - 9, 2016
Oh yeah. It’s been a week of hugging and high fives. Because REO Speedwagon, I remember like when I called the guitar player of REO Speedwagon and asked him if he’d do a track with Richie Sambora, and Cher was dating Richie. And I’m trying to get Cher to come out there to do something. I remember putting those three on stage. So I know a lot of these people but in all due respect, you’ve got to know that if you’re producing something or working on something with Ken Ehrlich, it’s the Ken Ehrlich name that makes a lot of people perk up. It’s nice to say Arsenio’s hosting it, but prime-time ABC Ken Ehrlich is the sentence that gets a lot of publicists to pay attention.
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FOOD George Dickie’s What's for Dinner
Chefs
take it outside in wine countr y in ‘Chopped Grill Masters Napa’ Northern California’s Napa Valley is known for its scenic beauty, vineyards and, of course, wine, and this week it serves as the backdrop to a competition series debuting on Food Network. In the five-part “Chopped Grill Masters Napa,” premiering Tuesday, July 5, 16 professional grillers from around the country face off over the course of three rounds in their pursuit of a $50,000 grand prize. Evaluating the final products are rotating guest judges Michael Chiarello, Amanda Freitag, Marc Murphy, John Koch and Geoffrey Zakarian. Ted Allen is the host. The twist here is the chefs will be preparing their meals in outdoor kitchens on the grounds of Beringer Vineyards in Mt. Helena, Calif., outfitted only with grills and smokers. So if a chef’s mystery basket dictates the use of an oven, the contestant will have to do a little improvisation.
Pictured: Amanda Freitag
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“That gets really interesting, especially when it comes to dessert,” Freitag says. “You have to make an oven. You have to turn your grill into an oven if you want to bake something. I think it’s actually really cool to see these chefs who know how to cook very well but then become super resourceful. You know, you might come up with an idea but that idea might require an oven or a gas burner or something that you don’t have on site. So it’s challenging.” Another challenge for the chefs is the outdoor setting. Temperatures during shooting ranged from 40 degrees in the morning to 90 in the afternoon, with wind and rain also factors. And then, of course, there were interlopers of the tiny flying and crawling kind. “There were some bees, for sure,” Freitag says with a laugh. “I mean, there’s a lot of beautiful flowers and things that need to be pollinated on Beringer Vineyards, so there’s lots of bees and bugs and what not. So the chefs even had to combat insects as well, so it was a little bit rough and that’s just what made it even more interesting – to see who could really deal with all of those challenges.”
What book are you currently reading? “Well, that’s a good question since I’m traveling right now. I took along Eric Ripert’s new book called ‘32 Yolks.’ Plane reading.”
What did you have for dinner last night? “Last night, I was dining with a friend in Oakland, so we cooked at home because we had been out in a food tour so we decided to have a homecooked meal. And we made skirtsteak tacos. Delicious. It was really, really good. We had some beautiful California produce and turned it into tacos and it was yummy. I made strawberry cilantro margaritas and (laughs) I helped chop all the vegetables.”
What is your next project?
“I am working on a fine/casual clean food concept. I’m looking to possibly start out in Nashville, Tenn. It’s still very much in the works but that’s what’s happening. I saw a lot of great concepts here in San Francisco. I love what’s going on. So people want access to really good food, they want to have it all the time and they want to have it fast, so I like eating that way myself. I’m excited to make that my next project.”
When was the last vacation you took, where and why?
“This is it. (laughs) I haven’t been on vacation in a really long time. I travel a lot for work. I mean, this has a little work involved but I would say that this is officially a vacation – San Fran and now San Diego.”
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STORY
George Dickie’s Q&A
ng i k c e h C in with
Nia Long
“Once you start to have children you realize there is truth in the saying that it takes a village” Talk to Nia Long and one gets the impression that this is a very spiritual woman. After all, the 45-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y., native and star of such movies as “Boyz n the Hood,” “Love Jones” and “Mooz-Lum” regularly does community service, takes pleasure in cooking for family and friends and chooses movie roles based on what she sees as their truth. And she took her latest job, ABC’s Tuesday sitcom “Uncle Buck,” based on the fact that it enables her to stay close to home and her two children and fiance Ime Udoka, an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. “When I think about lifestyle and balance and having time for my family, it was just attractive for so many reasons,” she says. “It shoots in L.A., it’s like 10 minutes away from my house, it’s Mike Epps, it’s Will Packer, it’s Steven Cragg, it’s Brian Bradley. Like, it’s just an amazing package to be a part of. “And for me, I want to be able to come home and tuck my kids in bed and see
them before they go to school the next morning and be there for them, and I have a teenager and a 4-year-old so it just made sense all the way around. And I honestly just decided how great is it to go to work and be able to laugh every day. So it’s so perfect that it’s terrifying.” Long is a woman in demand these days. In addition to “Buck,” she’ll be appearing in Season 2 of Amazon’s “Hand of God” playing a journalist. And then there is a feature film she’ll start shooting this summer that she can’t talk about. Both jobs allow her to stay close to home. “Once you start to have children you realize there is truth in the saying that it takes a village,” she says. “And it’s easier for me as a person to give than receive. I’m naturally, I think, a giver and I have to drop into my spiritual self to also receive because it’s kind of the ebb and flow of the universe – not to get all New Age-y on you but that’s the truth.”
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CELEBRITY CelebritY profile
MaryBerry
- Born Mary-Rosa Alleyne Berry on March 24, 1935 in Bath, Somerset, England. - She is known as Britain’s “Queen of Cakes.”
- Married to Paul, a retired antiques and antiquarian books dealer, she has a son, Thomas, and a daughter, Annabel, both of whom are themselves now parents. Her other son William tragically died in a car crash in 1989, at age 19. - In 1948, at age 13, she fell ill with polio and had to spend three months in hospital. - She trained at The Cordon Bleu in Paris and Bath School of Home Economics. - Her first job was at the Bath electricity board showroom – she drove to customers’ homes to show them how to use their new electric ovens.
Mary Berry is a British TV personality, cook and author who can currently be seen on “The Great British Bake Off” - In the ‘60s she became the cookery editor of Housewife magazine, followed by Ideal Home magazine.
started on BBC2, before moving up to BBC1, and can also be seen on PBS stations in the U.S.
- In 1966, she published her first cookery book, “The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook.” Overall, she’s published over 70 cookbooks, ranging from One-Pot Cooking to Cooking with Cheese and Popular Freezer Cookery.
- In 2012, she was made a CBE, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for services to culinary arts. An honor awarded to an individual by the Queen for a leading role at a regional level or a prominent but lesser role at a national level in any activity.
- Her first television series was “Afternoon Plus” with Judith Chalmers which came out in the early ‘70s and was a big hit with a lot of British mothers.
- In 2014, she launched a new show on BBC2 called “Mary Berry Cooks” where she sampled home grown fare around Britain.
- In 2009, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from - In 2015, in addition to her other television appearances, she was a judge on ABC’s “The Great Holiday Baking the Guild of Food Writers. Show,” with hosts Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez, and fellow judge Johnny Iuzzini. - In 2010, she became one of the judges on “The Great British Bake Off” alongside Paul Hollywood. The show July 3 - 9, 2016 YOUR TV LINK Courtesy of Gracenote Page 9
CELEBRITY
“My subject matter on the show is so dark that oftentimes I have to come home and just turn on a comedy. I just have to get out of that head space, and this season in particular, it’s just been so, so painful. I’ve had days where I come home, sit down in my apartment alone in Budapest and sob at my table … . Truly, I wish I was exaggerating.” – Jennifer Finnigan, on how she finds escape from the dark storylines of “Tyrant” on FX
“I never have worked with her, and she’s a good Canadian kid (as is Kreuk herself). I saw her on the street the other day in Toronto, and I was like, ‘Tatiana!!’ “ – Kristin Kreuk of “Beauty and the Beast” on The CW, about “Orphan Black” star Tatiana Maslany, of whom Kreuk is a self-professed fan
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“That’s been one of the fun parts for me, hearing new music from Cameron (Crowe, the show’s creator-writer-director). The other cast (members) seem kind of very up-to-date with what’s going on now. Sometimes, they’ll mention a band and I just have to kind of look at the ground because I don’t know who it is. But I want to seem hip.” – Luke Wilson of “Roadies” on Showtime
CELEBRITY
ON DVRs
“
Jennifer Finnigan of “Tyrant” on FX ‘Real Time.’ I watch a lot of Netflix, too, so I’m doing the Chelsea Handler series, ‘Kimmy Schmidt’ (laughs). I’ve really gotten into ‘Bloodline.’ ... Oh, you know what I love? I’m absolutely obsessed with ‘The Fall.’ When I watch TV, I do tend to go toward the darker shows, so a little comedy once in a while is good (laughs).
”
Kenny Loggins of “A Capitol Fourth” on PBS “I’ve been traveling so much, the only thing I’m really immersed in is ‘House of Cards.’ I’m catching up on that and loving it. (Kevin Spacey is) so good. And recently, I was watching the NBA Finals. I didn’t follow so much when it was in-season; I’m usually on stage when the games are on.”
Scott Wolf of “The Night Shift” on NBC “The one that would be my favorite right now is ‘Mr. Robot.’ I’m a huge fan of that show. I was just bowled over by its first season, and I can’t wait for the next one.”
Adam Rayner of “Tyrant” on FX “I’m going way back into the history of television for a moment. My wife and I have just watched ‘The Sopranos,’ which I’m ashamed to say we’d never gotten around to watching before. It was just one that we’d never gotten around to. She had never seen it. She was this huge fan of the original sort of epic shows like ‘The Wire,’ which she still thinks is the best but we thought we had to go back and watch ‘The Sopranos’ as well, which has been tremendous.”
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STORY
Things
hit the fan on ‘Tyrant’
Adam Rayner stars in this series, which begins its third season Wednesday on FX. Story on next page
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STORY
Storm clouds are on Abuddin’s horizon in Season 3 of FX’s ‘Tyrant’ By George Dickie With Jamal apparently dead and brother Barry installed as the provisional president of the Middle Eastern nation of Abuddin, cataclysmic change is in the air as FX’s “Tyrant” opens Season 3 Wednesday, July 6. And the developments, which FX is being tight-lipped about, are so big that co-stars Adam Rayner (who plays Barry) and Jennifer Finnigan (as his wife Molly) can’t speak of them. So painful that Finnigan admits to sitting in her apartment in Budapest (where the series is filmed) at the end of the shooting day and sobbing. So meaty that both actors can’t wait to do more. Especially Finnigan. “I think the story that we’re telling involving Molly this year is one of the most powerful stories that’s ever been done on network television or on cable,” the actress says. “It’s extremely powerful and extremely impactful and emotional. ... This year it’s a whole other level. I think in my career I can honestly say this is the most powerful and probably most painful material I’ve ever worked with. I’m really excited for the audience to see what we’ve been doing.” At the end of last season, Abuddin’s president, Jamal AlFayeed (Ashraf Barhom), lay apparently dying after being shot multiple times by daughter-in-law Nusrat (Sibylla Deen), the wife of Jamal’s son and heir apparent, Ahmed (Cameron Gharaee), thus leaving a power vacuum. But the Al-Fayeed dynasty is not what the people of Abuddin want. The people want democracy and they want Barry to lead the new government. Barry agrees that democracy is the way to take the country forward but this former California pediatrician isn’t sure he wants the presidency. Or does he? “He certainly doesn’t think he does,” Rayner says. “Whether he can be believed is for the viewers to decide.
Pictured: Jennifer Finnigan
But he doesn’t think he does because he feels that it is a problem ... that these countries keep returning to the same families and the same tiny elite (groups) from which to choose their leaders and he recognizes that. The problem is when you think you have a vision to take a country forward, you need to have your hands on the leaders of power in order to do that. Even with the best intentions, you are reluctant to relinquish that until you see your mission as being complete.” As for Molly, she is back with Barry and very happy about it as Season 3 opens, even though his Season 2 romantic interest Daliyah (Melia Kreiling) remains close by. “Molly is coming in feeling pretty positive even though their relationship isn’t clearly defined,” Finnigan says. “There’s always been a distance between them and I would say now more than ever, especially with Daliyah in the background. And Daliyah becomes somewhat of a political figure so she inserts herself even more into their lives. And I think when you have a third party in any marriage, it creates strain. “But that aside,” she continues, “I think Molly is trying to stay positive. She has both of her children in Abuddin now and the family is back together, and so for a moment in episode one everything is quite peaceful and encouraging Molly. “And then as things happen in ‘Tyrant,’ ” Finnigan adds with a laugh, “s... hits the fan.” You’ve been forewarned. Have your umbrella handy.
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STORY
It’s not the kill, it’s the pursuit on ‘The Hunt’
The seven-part documentary series premieres Sunday on BBC America.
Story on next page
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STORY
Animal predation strategies are front and center on BBC America’s ‘The Hunt’ By George Dickie Viewers who love wildlife documentaries but cringe at the sight of animals killing other animals might find something to suit their tastes in a series premiering this week on BBC America. As its title suggests, the seven-part, seven-hour production “The Hunt,” debuting Sunday, July 3, goes around the world to capture a different angle on animal predation, that of the pursuit and the strategies wildlife employ, with the actual kill taking a back seat. “If you think about the most exciting behavior in the natural world,” explains Emmy-winning executive producer Alastair Fothergill (“The Blue Planet,” “Frozen Planet”), “it’s undoubtedly the relationship between predators and prey. But in the past in a lot of sensational natural history (documentaries) ... do concentrate on the kill. And actually in terms of drama, it’s the end of the story and what really interested us was the build-up. And the fact is that predators usually fail. “And it’s funny, for years and years as wildlife filmmakers, you send a crew out into the field to film a predation sequence and the first question when you ask the director when he or she comes back is, ‘Did you get the kill?’ And actually we realized, no, that isn’t what’s interesting. What’s interesting is the journey.” Shot in 4K resolution, the series looks at predation and the separate and distinct challenges posed to predators and prey in five habitats: the Arctic, where seasonal change forces a change of strategy for polar bears, Arctic fox and wolves; the jungles, a dense, confusing world where finding prey can be difficult for tigers, army
ants and chimpanzees; the oceans, a giant watery desert largely devoid of life where sharks, dolphins, sea birds and other wildlife must nonetheless catch food; the plains, open grasslands where cheetahs, lions and bald eagles hide in plain sight to trick their quarry; and the coastlines, an ever-changing landscape where land, sea and air meet and timing is everything if fish, birds and land mammals are to feed. The opening episode, “The Hardest Challenge,” offers an overview of all five habitats and highlights the different species’ predation strategies. More sensitive viewers should be aware that a few sequences do end in killing, such as one that shows the teamwork employed by killer whales in hunting down two humpbacks, but the series largely concentrates on the anatomy of the pursuit. And the sequences are fascinating. “I want (viewers) to come away with amazing respect for predators ...,” Fothergill says. “If you think about it, a zebra goes out and eats grass. As long as the grass is growing, it’s a relatively easy job. The lion that’s trying to kill that zebra risks having its jaw broken by the kicking of the zebra. I mean, it’s so much harder. You know, we call them the hardest working animals in nature and I really think they are. And I think people need to respect them.”
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STORY
It’s ‘Independence Day’ … and more movies suited to July 4th Pictured: Chris Evans of “Captain America: The First Avenger”
By Jay Bobbin As is customary on the Fourth of July, television – and the movies it shows that day – can help you declare your independence. It’s typical to find appropriately themed films on a holiday, and this Fourth will hold true to form, with various channels offering a variety of related fare from sci-fi to musicals. Here’s a look at some of the attractions that are on tap Monday. “Captain America: The First Avenger” (FX): As he closes out a day of Marvel movies, the hero of this 2011 saga – played by Chris Evans, who’s reprised the part several times since – couldn’t wear a more patriotic outfit. The tale is set during the World War II era, as military reject Steve Rogers participates in a “super-soldier” experiment that turns him into … well, you know.
decimate the population. He comes to regret that decision … as do Police Chief Martin Brody, hunter Quint and shark expert Matt Hooper (Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss), who become seafaring partners in tracking down the lethal marauder. (AMC also will show “Jaws 2” that day.) “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (Turner Classic Movies): An honest senatorial replacement (James Stewart) is determined to set corrupt politicians straight in producerdirector Frank Capra’s 1939 ode to the American way … a subject that Capra was a particular master in examining on film, which he certainly showed again with Stewart several years later in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“1776” (TCM): Technically, this airs very early on Tuesday, July 5 … but with its title and theme, it surely merits inclusion here. Produced by former studio mogul Jack L. Warner, who was no stranger to patriotic movies (keep reading), this 1972 adaptation of the stage hit “Independence Day” (HBO): Well, of course. Especially – retaining much of the original Broadway cast, very much with a 20-years-later sequel in theaters now, this to its credit -- gave a musical slant to the signing of the earthlings-vs.-aliens adventure is a natural, and the title Declaration of Independence by John Adams (played by still does represent a battle for freedom … if much more sophisticated technically than what our nation’s forefathers William Daniels), Benjamin Franklin (Howard Da Silva), Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) and others. experienced. Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Vivica A. Fox and Judd Hirsch are back in the current follow-up, though it lacks Will Smith – whose presence is felt strongly in “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (TCM): One of the true Warner this original, thanks to his frequently humorous rejoinders Bros. classics, this 1942 biography of master “born on the upon being attacked by extraterrestrials. Fourth of July” showman George M. Cohan boasts one of screen history’s truly iconic performances as James Cagney – rightfully awarded an Oscar for his work here “Jaws” (AMC): The centerpiece of the blockbuster 1975 – does alternately energetic and, particularly in the home thriller that put director Steven Spielberg on the map is stretch, quietly affecting work. The film was released just the July 4th celebration on Amity Island, whose profita few months before Cohan’s death, and it’s said that he minded mayor (Murray Hamilton) refuses to issue saw and enjoyed Cagney’s portrayal. warnings about the Great White shark that has started to Page 16 YOUR TV LINK Courtesy of Gracenote July 3 - 9, 2016
STORY
Scott Wolf likes working ‘The Night Shift’
By Jay Bobbin Playing doctor continues to have its rewards for Scott Wolf. The actor has done several series since “Party of Five,” but the longest of those stays has been in NBC’s medical drama “The Night Shift,” now in its third season Wednesdays. As Scott Clemmens, the chief of surgery at San Antonio Medical Center, he has a past with fellow doctor Jordan Alexander (played by Jill Flint) ... who also has a history with colleague TC Callahan (Eoin Macken), a three-way situation that still can stretch emotions, especially when working late hours. “I feel like the character was drawn to be the foil to TC, the part of the love triangle that was meant to be but was set out to sea at some point,” the friendly Wolf reflects. “I had worked with the producers before, and 99 times out of 100, that character’s not designed to have real longevity. He was the strong-willed surgeon who came in as sort of an outsider, and because TC’s so beloved in the group, it was going to be difficult for this guy to have any real connectedness in this place.” However, Wolf notes that “they drew the guy threedimensionally. He’d be easy to write off, and instead, they chose to make him more interesting ... and someone who had enough merit that it wasn’t so easy to know who (Jordan) belonged with. It made it challenging for the audience, and because they allowed the character to have a little more depth, he did become connected to other people and to the place and to the work they’re doing there. And that led to the potential for him to be a much bigger part of the story.” It also has allowed Wolf – who also played a doctor on “Everwood” and “The Nine,” and whose father works in health care and maternal grandfather was an anesthesiologist – to expand on one of his acting trademarks, which he acknowledges as an “incredibly earnest” persona. However, he adds that “not every character (I play) is me. I’ve done a couple of shows recently where I’ve played characters that have gotten
under the audience’s skin in a fun way, but I do feel there’s something to playing a character that feels like it’s coming from a real and organic place inside you.” When he’s not wearing hospital scrubs or helping wife Kelley (an alum of MTV’s “The Real World”) with their three children at their Utah home base, Boston native Wolf often is a guest on the syndicated, Craig Ferguson-hosted “Celebrity Name Game” ... where he’s proven to be an ace on both sides of the quizzing, in getting and giving clues to famous names. “Sometimes, a clue is given and it’s that funny gameshow thing where you know (the answer) and it’s just sitting there, and getting your mouth to say it is difficult,” muses Wolf, who’s now looking into doing some hosting work himself. “(NBC’s) ’Hollywood Game Night’ is fun, too. I just love games, so if I could have a parallel career doing those kinds of shows, I’d do it.”
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SPORTS
Marcell Ozuna helps the Marlins tread water Story on next page Full Name: Marcell Ozuna Idelfonso Born: Nov. 12, 1990 Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Height/Weight: 6-foot, 1-inch/233-pounds Teams: Miami Marlins (2013-present) Position: Center Field No.: 13 Page 18 YOUR TV LINK Courtesy of Gracenote July 3 - 9, 2016
Bats: Right Throws: Right Honors & Achievements: Homered in four straight games, tying a Marlins franchise record (2014).
SPORTS By Dan Ladd At the mid-point of the baseball season the Miami Marlins are a contender due in part to the play of Marcell Ozuna. The big center fielder and the Marlins head north to Atlanta where they’ll wrap up a weekend series with the Braves on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball airing July 3. After a solid start to the 2016 season, Ozuna hopes to be staying in Miami for a while. He made his big league debut early in the 2013 season but was plagued later that year by injuries. In 2014, it looked like he’d be an every day player but inconsistent offensive production resulted in a 2015 stint back in the minor leagues. Still, he played in 123 games and batted .259 with 10 home runs. At press time, Ozuna already had 12 home runs this season and his batting average has remained over .300. In addition, he continues to be a menace to opposing teams in the outfield thanks to a strong and accurate throwing arm, often gunning down runners on the base paths.
MarcellOzuna
The Marlins, meanwhile, have a fight on their hands in the National League East where they have to contend with the Washington Nationals and New York Mets; two teams that both boast solid pitching staffs. To overcome either of these teams the Marlins will need all the help they can get from the likes of Ozuna, hoping he maintains a hot bat while continuing to develop as a big league ball player.
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MOVIES
JAY BOBBIN's Theatrical movie review
Relax, world:
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back
Our Take
To state the obvious, a sequel to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” shouldn’t cause any film fan to worry that “The Godfather, Part II” is about to be knocked off the list of greatest movie follow-ups. At the same time, it does do something right, the same way the second of the original “Star Trek” movies (“The Wrath of Khan”) did: Subtitled “Out of the Shadows,” the Turtles’ latest adventure puts the fun back in the franchise, after a rebooted first edition that took itself a little too seriously. Or, as seriously as you can take Michelangelo, Donatello and the other computer-animated turtles who are sworn to protect New York and the world from enemies. This time, the opponents include old foe Shredder and a mad scientist played by Tyler Perry (who appears to have great fun doing something way out of his wheelhouse), plus a new villain named Krang – with the voice of Brad Garrett – who wants to open up an intergalactic portal that will enable an attack on Earth. As if our heroes on the half-shell will let that happen. They’re helped again by reporter April O’Neil – alias returnee Megan Fox – and self-styled vigilante Casey Jones, played by television’s “Arrow,” Stephen Amell. And Page 20 YOUR TV LINK Courtesy of Gracenote July 3 - 9, 2016
of all the people you wouldn’t expect to see in this sort of movie, it may take a while to get over the sight of Laura Linney as a police boss here. One has to admire the endurance of the Turtles in pop culture, having gone from an animated venture to this stage. If they seem like remnants of the previous generation, they’re doing all they can to stay current while retaining the offbeat humor that made their exploits a phenomenon to begin with. However, that’s not intended to overstate the case. Looking for greatness from a “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie is ... well, just don’t. Still, as they did in the previous picture, producer Michael Bay and his colleagues make full use of the genre by packing in every explosion and special effect they can. As a result, if you know what you’re getting into and you just want some kicks – in some cases literally – “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” is fun enough.
MOVIES
JAY BOBBIN's movie review movies to watch
“HOUSE OF CARDS: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON” As the acclaimed Netflix adaptation of the British series continues, First Lady Claire Underwood’s (Robin Wright, also the director of several episodes here) own agenda for power becomes stronger, unsettling her husband Frank (Kevin Spacey). That’s just how she wants it, but never underestimate Underwood, who typically goes about his own scheming to balance the scale. Michael Kelly and Molly Parker are among fellow cast returnees, but this season also brings in a parade of notable newcomers including Ellen Burstyn, Cicely Tyson, Neve Campbell (“Party of Five”), Joel Kinnaman and Colm Feore. ››› (Not rated: AS, N, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)
Top Pick
DVD
Pictured: Kevin Spacey
upcoming DVD releases
Coming Soon on DVD...
“THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT” (July 12): Tris (Shailene Woodley) and her allies aim to make it over the wall to the outside world as the adventure saga continues. (PG-13: N, P, V)
“EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!” (July 12): Writer-director Richard Linklater’s (“Boyhood”) comedy centers around several college baseball players circa 1980; stars include Will Brittain and Ryan Guzman. (R: AS, N, P) “MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN” (July 12): A woman (Jennifer Garner) tries to save her daughter (Kylie Rogers) from a seemingly incurable eating disorder. (PG: AS) Pictured: Shailene Woodley
“MILES AHEAD” (July 19): Also the film’s director and co-writer, Don Cheadle plays brilliant but troubled jazz-music legend Miles Davis. (R: AS, N, P, V) “THE PERFECT MATCH” (July 19): A playboy (Terrence J) tries to maintain his carefree ways when he meets a woman (Cassie Ventura) who might be “the one.” (R: AS, N, P) “THE BOSS” (July 26): After her prison stay, a former business titan (Melissa McCarthy) charts a new course with her former assistant (Kristen Bell). (R: AS, P)
Family Viewing Ratings AS Adult situations
P Profanity
V Violence
N Nudity
GV Graphic Violence
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FAVORITE SHOWS
“Idris Elba: No Limits”
Djimon Hounsou stars in “Wayward Pines”
SUNDAY 9 p.m. on ABC The $100,000 Pyramid Certain “Saturday Night Live” alums have had on-camera showdowns in that show’s skits, but two — Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch — have a different battle in this new episode’s first match. Each aims for the winner’s circle to help win her partner the top prize of $100,000 for guessing categories correctly. Then, host Michael Strahan presides as his “Good Morning America” comrade Robin Roberts rivals actor-comedian Mario Cantone (“Sex and the City”). New
Anthony Anderson hosts “To Tell the Truth”
Michael Strahan hosts “The $100,000 Pyramid”
MONDAY 7 p.m. on DISCOVERY Idris Elba: No Limits One of the swiftest-rising global superstars in films and television reveals his passion for speed in this new British four-part miniseries, premiering tonight in its entirety. During the course of the four hours, Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Idris Elba (“Luther”) immerses himself in rally driving, street racing, aerobatics and power boating, to explore not only the discipline of each but also the engineering, science and history behind it. Locations range from Florida and California to the British Isles. Premiere New
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TUESDAY 10 p.m. on ABC To Tell the Truth Well-known for the sassy style she displayed on “Community” and currently on the reboot of “The Odd Couple,” Yvette Nicole Brown isn’t likely to let the impostors off easy as she serves as a guest judge in this new episode of the game-show update. She and others, including Betty White, have to determine which of several people actually is the individual they claim to be. Anthony Anderson (“blackish”) is the host. New
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FAVORITE SHOWS WEDNESDAY 9 p.m. on FOX Wayward Pines Theo’s (Jason Patric) effort to reach a meeting of minds with the Abbies leads him to debate with Megan (Hope Davis) how intelligent they are in the new episode “Time Will Tell.” The resulting determination sets a course for potentially big trouble. CJ (Djimon Hounsou) mulls his past — which covers a lot of territory, literally centuries. Toby Jones and Tim Griffin reprise their first-season roles. Nimrat Kaur, Tom Stevens and Kacey Rohl also star. New
FRIDAY 8 p.m. on CBS NCIS: Los Angeles Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen), a murderer? Not likely, but that doesn’t prevent him from becoming the prime suspect in the death of his former partner in “Internal Affairs.” His colleagues believe in his innocence — Kensi (Daniela Ruah) more than anyone — and they set out to clear him. Pamela Reed (“The Right Stuff”) reprises her guest role as Deeks’ mother. Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J, Linda Hunt and Renee Felice Smith also star.
SATURDAY 8 a.m. on NBC 2016 Tour de France Riders got their first taste of the Pyrenees yesterday and they’ll get an overdose of it today in Stage 8 of the 2016 Tour de France. The longest climb on the 114-mile route is the 6,938-foot Col du Tourmalet followed by a long descent and then three more shorter ascents and descents before finishing in the French town of Bagnères-deLuchon. Look for climbers such as Tejay van Garderen, Nairo Quintana and defending race champ Chris Froome to have the advantage here.
THURSDAY 9 p.m. on FOX Home Free Anyone who watches a show about home construction or improvement knows that meeting building-code requirements is essential — and that’s what poses a problem for a contestant in the new episode “Boulevard of Skill vs. Will.” Unless the situation is corrected promptly, someone’s goal of creating and winning a dream house may evaporate quickly. Mike Holmes and Tim Tebow are the hosts. New 10 p.m. on NBC Aquarius The addiction troubles of Shafe (Grey Damon) become increasingly troublesome, to the point where they may derail his professional mission, in the new episode “Revolution 9.” A blackmail victim appeals to his friend Hodiak (David Duchovny) for help. Bobby Kennedy (Scott Bailey) may fall prey to Karn’s (Brian F. O Byrne) machinations. Grace (Michaela McManus) develops a passion for politics. Gethin Anthony, Emma Dumont and Claire Holt also star. New
The 2016 Tour de France
Eric Christian Olsen stars in “NCIS: Los Angeles”
Mike Holmes (left) and Tim Tebow host “Home Free”
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