Tonight: Heroes and Players

NBC is broadcasting two new shows tonight if you are still eager for something else to watch.

- Heroes Reborn: The old Heroes has been reworked after fading away years ago. I had enjoyed the first season way back when and then the show tested my patience and I moved on.  

Does the show deserve another chance? You can determine this for yourself, starting with a two-hour premiere. There is also a six part prequel online - yes, homework. 

The rebooted show has an all new cast, which makes one wonder if we really need another set of superheroes at this point.

Here is the (long) story about the show from NBC:

A year ago, a terrorist attack in Odessa, Texas left the city decimated. Blamed for the tragic event, those with extraordinary abilities are in hiding or on the run from those with nefarious motives.

Two such vigilantes include Luke (Zachary Levi, "Chuck") and Joanne (Judith Shekoni, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2"), who are seeking to avenge a tragic loss.

Noah Bennet, aka HRG (Jack Coleman, "Heroes"), has gone off the grid, but conspiracy theorist Quentin Frady (Henry Zebrowski, "A to Z") finds him and opens his eyes to the truth behind the Odessa tragedy.

While in hiding, some are discovering their newfound skills. Awkward teen Tommy (Robbie Kay, "Once Upon a Time") just wants to be normal and win the girl of his dreams, Emily (Gatlin Green, "Criminal Minds"), but normalcy is virtually impossible after learning of a new ability that terrifies him. Coming from a very sheltered upbringing, a bold and ethereal teenager, Malina (Danika Yarosh, "Shameless"), has been told she is destined for greatness. In Tokyo, a quiet and unique young woman, Miko (Kiki Sukezane, "Death Yankee 3"), is trying to track down her missing father while hiding an extraordinary secret that will make her a force to be reckoned with. Elsewhere, a different type of hero is emerging through former soldier Carlos (Ryan Guzman, "The Boy Next Door").

Meanwhile, Erica (Rya Kihlstedt, "Masters of Sex"), the head of the highly successful tech conglomerate Renautas has an agenda of her own.

For better or for worse, some are fated to cross paths with assorted heroes of the past, including Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka), Matt Parkman (Greg Grunberg), Mohinder Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) and the Haitian (Jimmy Jean-Louis), among others. Yet, together, their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world and mankind.

- The Player:  I'm not sure about another show from the creators of The Blacklist set in Las Vegas, but I am sure some people will tune in when you combine gambling and  "former military operative." I have seen too many shows die in Las Vegas, but you can always con someone new to try again.

 Here is the NBC (thankfully short) story:

The series co-stars Wesley Snipes as the pit boss and Charity Wakefield as the dealer for a high-stakes game, where an organization of wealthy individuals gamble on the ability of former military operative turned security expert Philip Winchester ("Strike Back," "Fringe") to stop some of the biggest crimes imaginable from playing out. Can he take them down from the inside and get revenge for the death of his wife, or is it true what they say: The house always wins.

Another Busy Night: Screams, Puppets, and More

Prepare for another varied night of horror, adventure, and comedy. And we are just getting started. Here is what you can expect to see tonight:

- Scream Queens, Fox: Are you ready for another Ryan Murphy series, or has Glee and American Horror Story been enough? As with MTV's Scream, you get to watch the elimination of annoying teens, though this time they are in college at the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority. I still think teen vampires or werewolves add a fun dimension, but if you are looking for simple murder then this is your show.  Here is a trailer for the new series.

- Limitless, CBS: This is the the second movie remake in two nights, the last being Minority Report.  Is this really necessary? It is another show for teens, though this time the secret to great grades is a pill rather than studying and getting some rest. Been there, done that. Can it really sustain a series? See for yourself via this trailer.

- The Muppets, CBS: If you grew up with The Muppets, you may be very happy to see the whole gang back (check out this trailer).  Or maybe not.  One Million Moms is already encouraging a boycott of the show because of the language used by these little guys, stating 

It is not the show it once was. ABC has ruined "The Muppets." How many parents want to explain the punchline of sexually charged jokes to young children?

And the moms are not alone.  Here is what The Guardian had to say about the rebooted puppets:

This version of Kermit is absolutely unrecognisable from anything that’s ever come before. This Kermit badmouths fellow celebrities, openly discusses his sex life and, at one point, describes his life as “a living hell”. That’s not who Kermit is. Kermit is the perennial wide-eyed optimist, the figure who grounds the chaos around him in sincerity. Kermit is the dreamer who believes in the power of people. He’s the one who sings The Rainbow Connection. He is most definitely not the stress-eating, coffee-drinking executive that The Muppets paints him as. It physically hurts to see what ABC have done to him.

Update:  I enjoyed the pilot episode of the Muppets and thought the humor was appropriate for all age levels.  It appears the Million Moms are more like the two old men in the audience always complaining yet always coming back for more.  Give it a rest, Moms. 

The Start of the Fall Shows: Sci Fi and Family Issues

Tonight will be a very busy night on television, with Fox's Gotham returning and three news shows trying to get some attention.  Here is some additional information on the new shows:

- Minority Report, Fox: This series is based on the Phillip K. Dick story and should be entertaining, though I'm not sure we needed a whole series after seeing Tom Cruise's take on the tale. I am much more interested in seeing Dick's vision of Nazi-occupied America, The Man in the High Castle, premiering later this season on Amazon. 

- Blindspot, NBC: A woman is found naked in Times Square (nothing odd there) with tattoos all over her body referring to the future. It sounds like SyFy's Dominion minus the angels.  And of course now everyone needs to solve crimes. I may pass. 

- Life in Pieces, CBS: In this new sitcom, a fair number of talented actors and actresses help to dramatize short stories common to many families. Birth? Yes. Death? Yes. Boredom? Not intentionally. 

Update: I fell asleep watching Minority Report, while Life in Pieces was okay but I cannot commit. I have no time for Blindspot.

Black Mirror is Coming to Netflix

Has Netflix committed to a third season of the UK series Black Mirror? That's what some are saying and I hope it is true if that is the option versus ending the series. The eclectic and dark science fiction/fantasy series is a late import from overseas but a welcome change to the regular television lineup. Whether providing unique punishments or reviving the deceased, each episode is a quick view of a very different world. Think of it as an updated Twilight Zone. 

Only seven episodes of the British series have aired over the years - two seasons of three episodes apiece and a special episode starring Jon Hamm. It was worth the wait for each season and I only hope Netfix can keep the quality even if it picks up the pace. 

Unfortunately, I think this will be a U.S. series set on this side of the Atlantic. That is unfortunate and will probably destroy some of the appeal. While I will check it out if it ever comes into being, I already miss the British version.

Sunday Emmy Awards

If you watch awards shows, be sure to set your DVR for the Emmy Awards on Fox this Sunday. It should be better than usual with Andy Samberg hosting the affair. 

The list of award categories and nominees is endless, but the category I care about is Outstanding Drama Series, which this year includes:

-Better Call Saul, AMC

-Downton Abbey, PBS

-Game of Thrones, HBO

-Homeland, Showtime 

-House of Cards, Netflix

-Mad Men, AMC

-Orange is the New Black, Netflix

Once again the major networks did not have a single nominee (I don't consider PBS a network on the proper sense and Downton Abbey is a British import anyway).  AMC and Netflix are already the big winners based on their nominee counts. However, my vote is for Mad Men. And I hope Jon Hamm takes the best actor award as well. We have time to award the other shows, but Mad Men will not return even though I would have followed the series for many more years.

Update:  The results are in.  While Game of Thrones took the best drama award, it was great to see Jon Hamm take the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series award after seven long years.  

What a Name! - The Bastard Executioner

Expect it to be really, really bloody.  That's what I keep reading about FX's new 14th century warrior series The Bastard Executioner.  Of course, we have seen blood in Game of Thrones and Vikings. Yet I suspect the blood here may be more gratuitous, which is unfortunate but not surprising with every show desperate to stand out.

The show starts tomorrow night (September 15th). And what is the background to this bloody tale? Read on (at least the network is clear about "blood-soaked" in the first line):

The Bastard Executioner is a blood-soaked, medieval epic that tells the story of Wilkin Brattle, a 14^th century warrior, whose life is forever changed when a divine messenger beseeches him to lay down his sword and lead the life of another man: a journeyman executioner. Set in northern Wales during a time rife with rebellion and political upheaval, Wilkin must walk a tight rope between protecting his true identity while also serving a mysterious destiny.

Guided by Annora, a mystical healer whose seeming omniscience keeps Wilkin under her sway; manipulated by Milus Corbett, a devious Chamberlain with grand political aspirations; and driven by a deepening connection with the Baroness Lady Love, Wilkin struggles to navigate political, emotional and supernal pitfalls in his quest to understand his greater purpose.

Warriors? Mystical healers? Devious Chamberlain? All the ingredients for a good tale, even if variations of this story have been told many times before. 

The 10-episode series, created by Kurt Sutter from Sons of Anarchy, has used Wales and the UK for most of the filming and the features a cast primarily from Great Britain.  It sounds like an expensive production and I would not be surprised if it is picked up for a second season shortly.

I also expect the network to tone up or down the blood based on audience feedback. While teenagers may be seeking gore, one can only help a decent story emerged from the conflict. I can put up with some gore if it advances the story. Otherwise, I have plenty of other shows on reserve I am eager to watch.

Update: The pilot was pretty bad and the gore ridiculous.  I'm moving on to my collection of past shows. 

Walt Disney Comes to PBS

Over the next two nights - September 14th and 15th - you can learn much more about Walt Disney, the creator of dreams, on PBS's American Experience.  PBS calls it an "unprecedented look" at the man, and featuring

... rarely seen footage from the Disney archive, scenes from some of his greatest films, and interviews with biographers, animators and artists who worked on his early films, as well as the designers who helped turn his dream of Disneyland into reality, this two-night, four-hour film reveals the makings of the man who would leave an indelible mark on our nation’s cultural history.

The American Experience website itself is full of images and films that go deep into Mr. Disney's past.  We are all a little richer living in Disney's world, even if the word "Disney-fied" is now a derogatory term.  There is no question he was an amazing dreamer, creator, and business man, though he has also been accused of antisemitism and racism, and he worked with the FBI and the House Un-American Activities Committee against union cartoonists.  Many have claimed these charges of antisemitism and racism are unfair and it will be interested to see how the program deals with these issues.  I am already hearing that some of this may have been air-brushed out.  I hope not.  American Experience has reliably told the whole story in the past, and I hope this program is no different.