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Archive for December, 2025

Outlander Season 8 Pictures, New Opener and New Teaser

Posted in Pictures, Television, Video on December 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »

With the 8th and final season of Outlander just a few months away, there have been a recent flurry of new cast pictures released, first by the folks over at Vanity Fair as shown below:

And, also these photos from the folks at Starz, provided by TV Insider, as shown below:

It was announced that the one-and-only Annie Lennox would be singing “Skye Boat Song” for the new Season 8 opener, as depicted in the video:

And then there is the latest Season 8 teaser called “Threads Teaser” that provides more glimpses into what to expect for the show’s final episodes:

Season 8 of Outlander will premiere on Starz on March 6 at 8 PM.

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Entertainment Update for December 22 through December 28

Posted in Daily/Weekly Updates on December 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Hey All,

Here are the few entertainment news items for this past week:

TV CASTING NEWS

Season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians will find Holt McCallany (Mindhunter and The Waterfront), Jesse L. Martin (The Irrational) and David Costabile (Billions) appearing. McCallany will have the recurring role of Titan, the Bearer of Heaven, who was condemned by Zeus to hold up the celestial heavens after the last Titan war against the Olympians. Costabile will recur as Dr. Thorn, a stern military academy headmaster who demands obedience from his students while Martin will guest star as Annabeth’s mortal dad Frederick Chase, a sometimes absentminded but truly brilliant military historian that Athena deemed worthy to parent her daughter. (Variety)

Thomas Jane (The Expanse) will play Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the upcoming season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. (The Hollywood Reporter)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS

Holland Roden and Niall Matter will take on the lead roles inthe sequel love story to the 2023 Hallmark Channel movie A Biltmore Christmas with Jonathan Frakes reprising his role of Winston. The new movie will be part of 2026 Countdown to Christmas that will focus on the Biltmore House as it opens for the first time on Christmas Eve 1895. 13-year-old Elizabeth and her family are holiday guests. When she notices Michael, a fellow teen caught trespassing by the staff, Elizabeth comes to his rescue by claiming to know him, much to his relief. The two share an instant connection and set out to explore Biltmore but Michael inexplicably vanishes. Twenty years later, Elizabeth is spending Christmas at Biltmore and this time, is accompanied by James, a suitor her Aunt Maysilee is keen for her to wed. When a stranger asks Elizabeth to dance at the Christmas gala, she’s shocked to discover it’s Michael. Thrilled to reunite with her friend, she throws herself into his arms. But the world around her changes in an instant when Elizabeth is transported into the modern world with Michael, a tourist from the present day who had traveled to the past 20 years prior with the help of a magical hourglass in Biltmore’s library. Now, Elizabeth and Michael must find a way to send her back to her time, while not arousing the suspicion of Michael’s mother and sister during their family vacation. As Elizabeth experiences life and Christmas in the 21st century, she and Michael become close. When the time comes for her to return to 1915, Elizabeth must decide whether she’ll resume the life that’s been chosen for her or if her heart will lead her down a new path in the present. (Variety)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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2025 Year-End Round-Up: TV Ratings

Posted in Ratings, Television, Year End Round Up on December 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »

As I have mentioned for many years now, the TV landscape has changed quite a bit in the past 20 years since streaming started taking the attention away from linear TV, you know those channels that you watch on cable TV for those who still pay for and receive cable TV, of course.

And while linear TV isn’t watched as much as streaming, the major and cable networks still rely on the ratings system to determine how shows are performing. For over15 years, here at Rueben’s Ramblings, I have been providing a yearly ratings report on how TV dramas, limited series, mini-series, anthology series and the like as well as made-for-TV movies have performed for each TV season.t

I will continue to do that for as long as linear TV continues to exist, although I continue to hold to the belief that the major and cable networks really need to start changing their format in order to keep pace with all the streaming services that are available.

So let’s take a look at how the major and cable networks fared throughout 2025.

The first list is the major network dramas that aired from January through approximately June, covering the last half of the 2024-2025 TV season:

Tracker (CBS) – 7.9 million viewers
FBI (CBS) – 6.1 million viewers
Chicago Med (NBC) – 5.9 million viewers
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 5.7 million viewers
Matlock (CBS) – 5.4 million viewers
NCIS (CBS) – 5.4 million viewers
High Potential (ABC) – 5.3 million viewers
Watson (CBS) – 5.1 million viewers
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 4.7 million viewers
Elsbeth (CBS) – 4.7 million viewers
FBI: International (CBS) – 4.6 million viewers *
Will Trent (ABC) – 4.6 million viewers
9-1-1 (ABC) – 4.4 million viewers
FBI: Most Wanted (CBS) – 4.2 million viewers *
NCIS: Sydney (CBS) – 4.1 million viewers
Law & Order (NBC) – 3.9 million viewers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 3.9 million viewers
The Equalizer (CBS) – 3.9 million viewers *
Fire Country (CBS) – 3.8 million viewers
S.W.A.T. (CBS) – 3.3 million viewers *
The Rookie (ABC) – 3.1 million viewers
9-1-1: Lone Star (FOX) – 2.9 million viewers *
Dr. Odyssey (ABC) – 2.9 million viewers *
Brilliant Minds (NBC) – 2.7 million viewers
The Hunting Party (NBC) – 2.7 million viewers
Doc (FOX) – 2.3 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 2.3 million viewers
Found (NBC) – 2.2 million viewers *
The Irrational (NBC) – 1.9 million viewers *
Only Murders in the Building (ABC) -1.6 million viewers (linear viewing from Hulu)
Rescue: Hi-Surf (FOX) – 1.6 million viewers *
Paradise (ABC) – 1.4 million viewers (linear viewing from Hulu)
Suits LA (NBC) – 1.4 million viewers *
Grosse Pointe Garden Society (NBC) – 1.2 million viewers *
Alert: Missing Persons Unit (FOX) – 1.1 million viewers *
The Cleaning Lady (FOX) – 1.1 million viewers *
Sherlock & Daughter (CW) – 488,000 viewers ^
Wild Cards (CW) – 467,000 viewers
Good Cop/Bad Cop (CW) – 352,000 viewers ^
All American (CW) – 327,000 viewers

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes all those shows that have yet to be renewed for another season

NOTE: Law & Order: Organized Crime only aired one episode on linear TV on NBC before the rest of the season aired online on Peacock, the streaming service for NBC.

The second list covers all of the cable network dramas from that same approximate time period: January through June 2025:

When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
1923 (Paramount Network) – 1.4 million viewers *
The White Lotus (HBO) – 777,000 viewers
The Last of Us (HBO) – 737,000 viewers
Dark Winds (AMC) – 722,000 viewers
The Chicken Sisters (Hallmark Channel) – 547,000 viewers
The Way Home (Hallmark Channel) – 687,000 viewers
The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC) – 333,000 viewers
Mayfair Witches (AMC) – 249,000 viewers
SurrealEstate (Syfy) – 146,000 viewers (approximately) ^
Power Book III: Raising Kanan (Starz) – 137,000 viewers (approximately)
Dexter: Original Sin (Showtime) – 99,000 viewers (approximately) *
The Agency (Showtime) – 95,000 viewers (approximately)
The Couple Next Door (Starz) – 90,000 viewers
Yellowjackets (Showtime) – 82,000 viewers
Mystic (UPtv) – 56,000 viewers (approximately) ^

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that have yet to be renewed for a new season

No ratings for the following cable dramas that aired from January through approximately June 2025 could be tracked down:

C.B. Strike (HBO) ^
9 Bodies in a Mexican Morgue *, Godfather of Harlem ^ and Rogue Heroes (all on MGM+)
All Creatures Great and Small, Call the Midwife, Funny Woman ^, Marie Antoinette ^, Miss Austen ^, Miss Scarlet, Vienna Blood ^ and Wolf Hall: The Mirror & the Light * (all on PBS)
Mobland (Showtime)
Outlander (Starz)

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that have yet to be renewed for a new season

The third list covers the dramas that aired on the major networks over the summer from May through approximately September 2025:

Transplant (NBC) – 2 million viewers *
Sullivan’s Crossing (CW) – 462,000 viewers
Family Law (CW) – 370,000 viewers ^

* denotes those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that have yet to be renewed for a new season

The fourth list covers the cable dramas, which aired from May through approximately September 2025, where the ratings could be tracked down. Those dramas are:

Holidazed (Hallmark Channel) – 672,000 viewers *
The Gilded Age (HBO) – 594,000 viewers
The Rainmaker (USA Network) – 569,000 viewers
The Chicken Sisters (Hallmark Channel) – 528,000 viewers
Alien: Earth (FX) – 437,000 viewers
The Librarians: The Next Chapter (TNT) – 381,000 viewers (approximately)
Nautilus (AMC) – 304,000 viewers (approximately) ^
Resident Alien (Syfy/USA Network) – 264,000 viewers (approximately) *
Dexter: Resurrection (Showtime) – 163,000 viewers (approximately)
The Chi (Showtime) – 123,000 viewers (approximately)
Revival (Syfy) – 107,000 viewers (approximately) ^

* denotes those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that have yet to be renewed for a new season

The following cable network dramas that aired from May through approximately September 2025, where ratings could NOT be tracked down include the following:

Daredevil: Born Again (FX) [linear viewing from Disney+]
The Institute (MGM+)
Grantchester, Patience ^, Professor T, The Marlow Murder Club and Unforgotten ^ (all on PBS)
Outlander: Blood of My Blood (Starz)
Hudson & Rex (UPtv)

^ denotes those shows that have yet to be renewed for a new season

The fifth list covers all of the major network dramas that aired during the first half of the 2025-2026 TV season, covering September/October to approximately mid-December:

Tracker (CBS) – 8.1 million viewers
NCIS (CBS) – 5.6 million viewers
Chicago Med (NBC) – 5.3 million viewers
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 5.2 million viewers
Matlock (CBS) – 4.9 million viewers
Sheriff Country (CBS) – 4.8 million viewers
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 4.2 million viewers
NCIS: Origins (CBS) – 4.2 million viewers
High Potential (ABC) – 4.2 million viewers
Boston Blue (CBS) – 4 million viewers
9-1-1 (ABC) – 3.9 million viewers
Elsbeth (CBS) – 3.8 million viewers
FBI (CBS) – 3.8 million viewers
Fire Country (CBS) – 3.8 million viewers
Law & Order (NBC) – 3.5 million viewers
9-1-1: Nashville (ABC) – 3.2 million viewers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 3.2 million viewers
NCIS: Sydney (CBS) – 2.9 million viewers
Law & Order: Organized Crime (NBC) – 2.7 million viewers
Watson (CBS) – 2.6 million viewers
Doc (FOX) – 2.4 million viewers
Murder in a Small Town (FOX) – 2.2 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 2.1 million viewers
Brilliant Minds (NBC) – 2 million viewers
Law & Order: Toronto: Criminal Intent (CW) – 502,000 viewers

The sixth and final list covers the cable network dramas that aired from September through mid-December 2025 where the ratings could be tracked down:

Mistletoe Murders (Hallmark Channel) [Season 2] – 883,000 viewers ^
Mistletoe Murders (Hallmark Channel) [Season 1] – 645,000 viewers
Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 643,000 viewers (approximately) *
Task (HBO) – 300,000 viewers
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC) – 241,000 viewers
The Lowdown (FX) – 219,000 viewers ^
Talamasca: The Secret Order (AMC) – 192,000 viewers (approximately) ^

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes all those shows that have not been renewed yet

And the following cable network dramas that aired from September through mid-December 2025 where the ratings could NOT be tracked down include the following:

Billy the Kid * and Robin Hood ^ (MGM+)
Maigret ^, The Gold and The Great Escaper * (all on PBS)
Mayor of Kingstown (Showtime)
The Pitt (TNT)
Power Book IV: Force and Spartacus: House of Ashur (Starz)
The Christmas Checklist (UPtv) ^

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that have not been renewed yet

The final analyses of all these ratings for both the major and cable networks for the entire year are as follows:

1. Tracker has once again held onto the reins as the number one drama on CBS, holding that title for the entire year while the former long-running number one drama, NCIS, has effectively moved to second place with the Kathy Bates-led reboot of Matlock holding a very tight third place. Meanwhile, the now defunct S.W.A.T. was the lowest rated drama on CBS for the first part of the year and the new medical drama Watson ranking as the lowest rated drama for the latter part of the year.

2. The new highest rated drama on ABC is High Potential with Will Trent in second place and the long-running drama 9-1-1 dropping to third place. Believe it or not despite being on the air for 22 seasons – or because of being that long in the tooth – Grey’s Anatomy is the lowest rated drama on ABC for the entire year.

3. Over on FOX, the final season of 9-1-1: Lone Star was the highest rated drama for the first part of the year on that network while the new medical drama Doc narrowly beat Murder in a Small Town for first place in the latter part of the year. The three now cancelled dramas Rescue Hi-Surf, Alert: Missing Persons Unit and The Cleaning Lady were the lowest rated for the year.

4. The Chicago One franchise is still at the top of the charts for NBC with Chicago Med narrowly beating out Chicago Fire for first place for the entire year while the now-defunct Suits LA and Grosse Pointe Garden Society were the lowest rated dramas for the first part of the year and, sadly, Brilliant Minds being the lowest rated drama for the network for the latter part of this year.

5. The CW is massively struggling after the acquisition by Nexstar and the fact it no longer has a staple of reliable programming to offer its viewers. The highest rated drama for the year is Sherlock & Daughter with the Canadian transplant series Wild Cards in second place. The lowest rated dramas for the network are All American and the other Canadian transplant series (and also much-maligned series) Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.

6. As for cable TV, without the powerhouse that was Yellowstone, the long-running Hallmark Channel period piece drama When Calls the Heart claimed first place for the first part of the year with The White Lotus on HBO coming in second place. It should be noted that the Yellowstone prequel series 1923 on Paramount+ earned second place in the early part of the year, but it only aired two episodes before airing out the rest of its episodes on streaming. The lowest rated cable dramas for the year include Mystic on UPtv, Yellowjackets on Showtime and Talamasca: The Secret Order on AMC.

My final list typically covers all of the made-for-TV movies, mini-series, event series and/or specials that aired during the year on both the major and cable networks, but since ratings have been exceedingly hard to track down this year, I only have the results for some of the made-for-TV movies for first half of the year. If a movie title isn’t listed below, it’s either because the ratings were not available or, in most cases, could not be tracked down.

Those made-for-TV movies where ratings could be tracked down are as follows:

An Unexpected Valentine (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
The Reluctant Royal (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
The More the Merrier (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
A Grand Ole Opry Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.7 million viewers
Royal-ish (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
She’s Making a List (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
The Royal We (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
Christmas Above the Clouds (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Love of the Irish (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Polar Opposites (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
The Perfect Setting (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Three Wisest Men (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Christmas at the Catnip Cafe (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
Hearts Around the Table: Jeann’s First Love (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
Return to Office (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
A Suite Holiday Romance (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
Christmas on Duty (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
Single on the 25th (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
The Wish Swap (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
We Met in December (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
A Royal Montana Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Hearts Around the Table: Kiki’s Fourth Ingredient (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Hearts Around the Table: Shari’s Second Act (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Melt My Heart This Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper! (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Sisterhood, Inc. (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
To Barcelona, With Love (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
To Barcelona Forever (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Unwrapping Christmas: Olivia’s Reunion (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
A Newport Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Adventures in Love and Birding (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Catch of the Day (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Double Scoop (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Hats Off to Love (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Haul Out the Halloween (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Home Turf (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Love on the Danube: Love Song (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
My Argentine Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Moon and Back (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
The Groomsmen: Last Dance (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Journey to You (Hallmark Channel) – 1 million viewers
The Groomsmen: First Look (Hallmark Channel) – 1 million viewers
Villa Amore (Hallmark Channel) – 1 million viewers
The Christmas Cup (Hallmark Channel) – 984,000 viewers
A Machu Picchu Proposal (Hallmark Channel) – 964,000 viewers
Unwrapping Christmas: Lily’s Destiny (Hallmark Channel) – 910,000 viewers
Love in the Clouds (Hallmark Channel) – 907,000 viewers
Unwrapping Christmas: Tina’s Miracle (Hallmark Channel) – 902,000 viewers
A Christmas Angel Match (Hallmark Channel) – 896,000 viewers
A Keller Christmas Vacation (Hallmark Channel) – 880,000 viewers
Unwrapping Christmas: Mia’s Prince (Hallmark Channel) – 827,000 viewers
Tidings For the Season (Hallmark Channel) – 804,000 viewers
The Groomsmen: Second Chance (Hallmark Channel) – 732,000 viewers
Providence Falls: Chance of a Lifetime (Hallmark Channel) – 695,000 viewers
Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose (Hallmark Mystery) – 655,000 viewers
Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery (Hallmark Mystery) – 620,000 viewers
Providence Falls: An Impossible Promise (Hallmark Channel) – 592,000 viewers
Providence Falls: Thief of Fate (Hallmark Channel) – 592,000 viewers
Family Affair (Lifetime) – 524,000 viewers
Haunted Harmony Mystries: Buried at C (Hallmark Mystery) – 483,000 viewers
Thank God: Christmas at the Keller Ranch (Lifetime) – 481,000 viewers
Christmas Everyday (Lifetime) – 450,000 viewers
Finding Faith (Lifetime) – 420,000 viewers
I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story (Lifetime) – 413,000 viewers
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story (Lifetime) – 410,000 viewers
Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story (Lifetime) – 404,000 viewers
I’ll Never Let You Go (Lifetime) – 386,000 viewers
Terri Blackstock’s If I Run (Lifetime) – 359,000 viewers
Terri McMillan Presents: His, Her & Ours (Lifetime) – 358,000 viewers
Terri McMillan Present: Preach, Pray, Love (Lifetime) – 347,000 viewers
Before Your Father Finds Us (Lifetime) – 328,000 viewers
Friends & Lovers, Part 1 (Lifetime) – 322,000 viewers
Deck the Hallways (Lifetime) – 312,000 viewers
Mystery Island: House Rules (Hallmark Mystery) – 312,000 viewers
Paws in the City (CW) – 250,000 viewers
Montana Mavericks (CW) – 210,000 viewers
Second Guessing Fate (CW) – 162,000 viewers
Ordinary Girl in a Tiara (CW) – 160,000 viewers
Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell (CW) – 141,000
The Christmas Showdown (OWN) – 94,000 viewers

The ratings for the following made-for-TV movies either could not be tracked down, or were not available in time for this posting:

A Christmas Cookbook (Lifetime)
A Christmas Murder Mystery (UPtv)
A Country Encore (UPtv)
A Make or Break Holiday (Hallmark Channel)
A Pickleball Christmas (Lifetime)
A Royal Christmas Hope (UPtv)
A Royal Christmas Manor (UPtv)
A Runaway Bride for Christmas (Lifetime)
An Alpine Holiday (Hallmark Channel)
Call the Midwife Holiday Special (PBS)
Christmas in Alaska (Lifetime)
Christmas in Big Sky Country (UPtv)
Christmas with the Knightlys (UPtv)
Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (OWN)
Five Date Rule (UPtv)
Friends & Lovers, Part 2 (Lifetime)
Heartstrings Attached (UPtv)
Jingle All the Way to Love (Lifetime)
Merry Missed Connection (Lifetime)
Mystery Island: Winner Takes All (Hallmark Mystery)
Oy to the World (Hallmark Channel)
Rodeo Christmas Romance (Lifetime)
See You Again (UPtv)
The Best Thing About Christmas (UPtv)
The Christmas Baby (Hallmark Channel)
The Christmas Campaign (Lifetime)
The Great Christmas Snow-In (UPtv)
The Snow Must Go On (Hallmark Channel)
Very Merry Mystery (UPtv)

What TV dramas or made-for-TV movies have you enjoyed the most (and the least) throughout the year? Please share.

TOMORROW: The Faces of 2025

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New Show Introduction: Harlan Coben’s Run Away

Posted in New Shows, Recommendations, Reminder, Television, Video on December 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »

On January 1, the new series Harlan Coben’s Run Away will debut online on Netflix.

Simon Greene’s (James Nesbitt) perfect life is shattered when daughter Paige runs away, later found strung out in a park. Simon’s search leads into a dangerous underworld where an act of violence rocks his life.

The cast includes Ruth Jones and Minnie Driver.

Here is a trailer for Harlan Coben’s Run Away:

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TV Recommendations: Sunday, December 28

Posted in Recommendations, Reminder, Television on December 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Trying to figure out what to watch tonight? Be it new episodes of the TV season, reairs of cable series or a movie, here are some suggestions:

NOTE: There will be a marathon of episodes of The Last of Us on HBO. Check your local listings for airtimes and episodes. There will also be a marathon of episodes of Hudson & Rex on UPtv. Check your local listings for airtimes and episodes.

5:15 PM:
Avengers: Endgame movie on TNT

6 PM:
Long Lost Christmas movie on Hallmark Channel (Reair)
In Merry Measure movie on Hallmark Mystery (Reair)
The Bourne Identity movie on Encore
Hacksaw Ridge movie on Sundance TV

6:15 PM:
Incredibles 2 (animated) movie on Freeform

7 PM:
Jerry Maguire movie on BBC America
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 movie on FX
Saving Private Ryan movie on Showtime

7:15 PM:
A Man Called Otto movie on FXM

8 PM:
A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music on CBS (Special)
We Met in December movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
Christmas Wonderland movie on Hallmark Mystery (Reair)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone movie on E!
The Bourne Supremacy movie on Encore

9 PM:
Robin Hood on MGM+ (NEW – Finale)
All Creatures Great and Small on PBS (Encore)
Coco (animated) movie on Freeform
The Fugitive movie on Sundance TV

9:15 PM:
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom movie on TNT

9:30 PM:
A Man Called Otto movie on FXM

9:55 PM:
The Bourne Ultimatum movie on Encore

10 PM:
FBI on MGM+ (Encore)
Robin Hood on MGM+ (Encore)
All Creatures Great and Small on PBS (Encore)
Mayor of Kingstown on Showtime 2 (Encore)
Christmas Island movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
A Few Good Men movie on BBC America
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie on FX

10:30 PM:
Ocean’s Eleven movie on Showtime

Enjoy!

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2025 Year-End Round Up: In Memorium

Posted in Condolences, Movies, Music, Sports, Television, Writers, Year End Round Up on December 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The following industry personalities from theatre, TV, music, the big screen and so much more as well as athletes, authors, politicians and many other walks of life passed away in 2025, and heartfelt condolences are extended to their families, friends and fans.

The celebrities we have lost this year are (in alphabetical order):

Alon Aboutboul (Character Actor, The Dark Knight Rises) [He was only 60]
Jerry Adler (Actor, The Sopranos and Behind-the-Scenes Broadway Vet) [He was 96]
Denise Alexander (Actress, General Hospital) [She was 85]
Dave Allen (Founding Bassist, British Post-Punk Band Gang of Four) [He was only 69]
Sian Barbara Allen (TV Actress, The Waltons and L.A. Law) [She was 78]
Wenne Alton Davis (Character Actress, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Blindspot, New Amsterdam and Rescue Me) [She was only 60]
Lourdes Ambriz (Mexican Soprano and Voice of Belle in 1991 Spanish Version of Beauty and the Beast) [She was only 64]
Loni Anderson (Actress, WKRP Cincinnati) [She was 79]
Wallis Annenberg (Arts and Wildlife Philanthropist) [She was 86]
Betsy Arakawa (Classical Pianist and Wife of Gene Hackman) [She was only 65]
Kevin Arkadie (Co-Creator, New York Undercover) [He was only 68]
Giorgio Armani (Italy’s Undisputed Fashion King) [He was 91]
Denis Arndt (Actor, LA Law and Picket Fences and Tony-winner, Heisenberg) [He was 86]
Peter Arnett (CNN Gulf War Correspondent and Pulitzer Prize Winning Vietnam Reporter) [He was 91]
Jim Avila (ABC News Correspondent) [He was 69]
Roy Ayers (Musician and Composer) [He was 84]

Jeff Baena (Film Director and Husband of Actress Aubrey Plaza) [He was only 47]
Joe Don Baker (Actor, Walking Tall and GoldenEye) [He was 89]
Ray Thomas Baker (Music Producer with Queen, The Cars and Foreigner) [He was 78]
Mohammad Bakri (Palestinian Actor and Director, Homeland and Beyond the Walls) [He was 72]
Dave Ball (Instrumentalist for Pop Due Soft Cell, “Tainted Love”) [He was only 66]
Perry Bamonte (Guitarist And Keyboardist for The Cure) [He was only 65]
Lynn Ban (Reality Star, Bling Empire and Jewelry Designer) [She was 51]
Brigitte Bardot (1950’s Sex Symbol and Actress) [She was 91]
Jiri Bartoska (Czech Actor and President of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival) [He was 78]
Felix Baumgartner (Austrian Extreme Skydiver) [He was only 56]
John Beam (Football Coach) [He was only 66]
David Hekili Kenui Bell (Actor, Lilo & Stitch) [He was only 46]
Robert Benton (Oscar-winning Director and Screenwriter, Kramer vs. Kramer) [He was 92]
Alan Bergman (Oscar-Winning Composer, “The Way We Were”) [He was 99]
Greg Biffle (NASCAR Driver) [his wife Cristina and their two children, Emma and Ryder, were also in the same plane crash that took his life) [He was only 55]
Brandon Blackstock (Former Stepson Reba McEntire, Ex-Husband of Kelly Clarkson and Talent Manager) [He was only 48]
Joan Branson (Wife of Richard Branson) [She was 80]
May Britt (Swedish Actress, The Blue Angel and Murder, Inc and second wife of legend Sammy Davis Jr.) [She was 91]
Skip Brittenham (Powerhouse Lawyer, Representative to Harrison Ford, Eddie Murphy and many others) [He was 83]
Bob Broder (Senior Member of TV Literary Agency and Worked with Chuck Lorre) [He was 85]
Amanda Brotchie (Australian Director, Riot Women, Doctor Who, Renegade Nell and Gentleman Jack) [She was 57]
Terry “Sabu” Brunk (WWE and ECW Professional Wrestling Legend and Nephew of Former Wrestling Star The Sheik) [He was 60]
Anita Bryant (Former Beauty Queen and Singer) [She was 84] (Her views on homosexuality virtually destroyed her career)
Jackie Burch (Emmy-nominated Casting Director, Die Hard and The Breakfast Club) [He was 74]
Clem Burke (Drummer, Blondie) [He was 70]
Anne Burrell (Chef and Food Network Star) [She was only 55]
Jerry Butler (Impressions Singer and Chicago Politician) [He was 85]
Dick Button (Olympic Figure Skating Champion and Emmy-winning TV Sports Analyst and Commentator) [He was 95]
Ruth Buzzi (Legendary Comedian and Actress) [She was 88]

Jiggly Caliente (RuPaul’s Drag Race Star) [She was only 44]
John Capodice (Actor, General Hospital and Ace Ventura) [He was 83]
Frank Capril (Rhode Island TV Judge) [He was 88]
Claudia Cardinale (Italian Actress, 8½, Rocco and His Brothers, The Pink Panther and Once Upon a Time in the West) [She was 87]
Carl Carlton (Singer, “Everlasting Love” and “Bad Mama Jama”) [He was 72]
Joe Caroff (James Bond 007 Logo Designer and Designer of Iconic Film Posters) [He was 103]
Rachael Carpani (Australian Actress, Home and Away and McLeod’s Daughters) [She was only 45]
Budd Carr (Music Supervisor for Oliver Stone Movies) [He was 79]
Richard Chamberlain (Veteran Actor, Shogun and The Thorn Birds) [He was 90]
Leslie Charleson (Actress, General Hospital) [She was 79]
Dick Cheney (Vice President to George W. Bush) [He was 84]
Sharon Chuter (Found of Uoma Beauty and Philanthropist) [She was only 38]
Presley Chweneyagae (South African Actor, Tsotsi) [He was only 40]
Alf Clausen (Composer, The Simpsons) [He was 84]
Barbara Clegg (Actress and Scriptwriter, Doctor Who) [She was 98]
Jimmy Cliff (Reggae Legend and Jamaican Icon) [He was 81]
D.L. Coburn (Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright, “The Gin Game”) [He was 87]
Arthur Cohn (Swiss producer of six Oscar-winning films including The Garden of the Finzi-Continis) [He was 98]
Mike Collier (Former Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back) [He was 71]
Pauline Collins (British Actress, Shirley Valentine) [She was 85]
Gerry Connolly (Democrat, Virginia Representative) [He was 75]
Jason Constantine (Co-President of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group) [He was only 55]
Jilly Cooper (Prolific British Author, “Rivals”) [She was 88]
Ted Cordes (Longtime Head of NBC’s Broadcast Standards) [He was 87]
Steve Cropper (Legendary Guitarist for Booker T. & the MG’s, Otis Redding and the Blue Brothers) [He was 84]
Patricia Crowley (Actress, Please Don’t Eat the Daisies) [She was 91]
Martin Cruz Smith (Best-Selling Author, Gorky Park) [He was 82]
Iris Cummings Critchell (1936 Summer Olympics Swimmer and Influential WWII Aviator) [She was 104] (She flew bombers with the Women’s Air Force)
Dalyce Curry (Actress, Blues Brothers) [She was 95] (She lost her life in the LA Wildfires)
Sonny Curtis (Singer-Songwriter, “I Fought the Law,” “Walk Right Back” and the theme for the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Performed with his band The Crickets and the late Buddy Holly) [He was 88]
Mary Cybulski (Script Supervisor and Set Photographer, Life Of Pi) [She was 70]

D’Angelo (Legendary R&B Singer) [He was only 51]
Rick Davies (One of the Two Co-Founders, Frontmen and Chief Songwriters of British band Supertramp) [He was 81]
Belva Davis (Pioneering Broadcaster and Civil Right Champion) [She was 92]
Carl Dean (Husband of Country Legend Dolly Parton) [He was 82]
Rebekah Del Rio (Singer, David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive) [She was only 57]
Michael DeLano (Actor, Rhoda and Ocean’s Eleven) [He was 84]
Rick Derringer (Singer, “Hang on Sloopy”) [He was 77]
Dickson Despommier (Microbiologist and Visionary Behind Vertical Farming) [He was 84]
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Former Congressman) [He was 70]
Les Dilley (Art Director, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars) [He was 84]
Millicent Dillion (Novelist and Prizewinning Short Story Writer) [She was 99]
Rev. James Dobson (Evangelical Christian whose toxic teachings left generations scarred) [He was 89]
Carol Downer (Leader in Feminist Women’s Health Movement) [She was 91]
Chris Doyle (Artist) [He was only 66]
Chris Dreja (Musician, Co-Founder of British rock band Yardbirds and Photographer) [He was 79]
Patti Drew-Reed (R&B Legend, “Tell Him” and “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing”) [She was 80]
Ken Dryden (Hall of Fame Canadiens Hockey Goaltender) [He was 78]
Kitty Dukakis (Wife of Former Massachusetts Governor and Presidential Hopeful Michael Dukakis) [She was 88]

Veronica Echegui (Netflix Actress, Book of Love movie with Sam Claflin) [She was only 42]
Samantha Eggar (English Actress, Doctor Dolittle and The Collector) [She was 86]
Gary England (Long-Time TV Meteorologist in Oklahoma) [He was 85]
John Erwin (Voice Actor, He-Man and Archie Cartoons) [He was 88]
Cleto Escobedo III (Bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel) [He was only 59]

Marianne Faithfull (Legendary Singer, “As Tears Go By”) [She was 78]
Fatma Hassona (Palestinian Photojournalist) [She was only 25]
Jules Feiffer (Pulitzer Prize-winning Cartoonist, Stage and Screen Writer, Carnal Knowledge and Popeye) [He was 95]
Amanda Feilding (Visionary Researcher) [She was 82]
James E. Ferguson II (North Carolina Civil Rights Attorney) [He was 82]
Renee Ferguson (First Black woman to work as investigation reporter for WMAQ-Channel 5 in Chicago) [She was 75]
Conchata Ferrell (Veteran Actress, Two and a Half Men, Edward Scissorhands and Mystic Pizza) [She was 77]
Susie Figgis (Casting Director, Gandhi, The Full Monty, Harry Potter, Bohemian Rhapsody and More) [She was 77]
Pat Finn (Prolific TV Character Actor and Comedian, The Middle) [He was only 60]
Simon Fisher-Becker (Actor, Harry Potter) [He was only 63]
Roberta Flack (Legendary Singer-Pianist, “Killing Me Softly” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”) [She was 88]
Dave Flebotte (Emmy-Nominated Writer, Tusla King and Desperate Housewives [He was in his 60’s]
Viola Ford Fletcher (Oldest living survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre) [She was 111]
James Foley (Director, Glengarry Glen Ross, At Close Range and Fear) [He was 71]
George Foreman (Boxing Champion and Grilling Magnate) [He was 76]
Connie Francis (Singer, “Who’s Sorry Now?” and “Don’t Break the Heart that Loves You”) [She was 87]
Elizabeth Franz (Tony-winning Actress, appeared in Gilmore Girls) [She was 84]
Ian Freebairn-Smith (Grammy-winning Composer, Arranger and Vocalist, arranged “Evergreen” from A Star Is Born) [He was 93]
Ace Frehley (Founding Member and Guitarist, KISS) [He was 74]
Jill Freud (Actress, Love Actually and Inspiration for Lucy in the Narnia Books) [She was 98]
Athol Fugard (Playwright) [He was 92]
Eileen Fulton (Actress, As the World Turns) [She was 91]

Ed Gale (Actor, Chucky and Howard the Duck) [He was 61]
Jeffrey Garcia (Beloved voice actor and Comedian, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius) [He was only 48]
Marc Garneau (Former Federal Cabinet Minister and Astronaut) [He was 76]
Betsy Gay (Actress, Little Rascals) [She was 96]
McGavock “Mac” Gayden (Slide Guitarist and Songwriter) [He was 83]
Anthony Geary (Actor, General Hospital) [He was 78]
Frank Gehry (Titan of Architecture) [He was 96]
Gil Gerard (Actor, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century) [He was 82]
Gai Gherardi (Los Angeles Optician) [She was 78] (She pioneered eyeglass frames as fashion statements)
Oliver Gibson (Former Pittsburgh Steeler) [He was only 53]
Barbara Gips (Creator of Memorable Movie Catchphrases [such as] “In space no one can hear you scream” from Alien) [She was 89]
Virginia Roberts Giuffre (Posthumous Author and Brave Survivor of Jeffrey Epstein sexual abuse) [She was only 41]
Bruce Glover (Character Actor, Diamond Are Forever and Father of Actor Crispin Glover) [He was 92]
Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay (Vocalist, The Grateful Dead) [He was 78]
Jane Goodall (Eminent Primatologist) [She was 91]
Irv Gotti (Co-Founder of Murder, Inc. and Music Executive behind Ja Rule and Ashanti) [He was only 54]
Meyer Gottlieb (Samuel Goldwyn Films Chief, Producer & Holocaust Survivor) [He was 86]
Jed “The Fish” Gould (Pioneering LA Disc Jockey on KROQ-FM) [He was only 69]
Kimberly Hebert Gregory (Actress, Vice Principals and Private Practice) [She was only 52]
Adam Greenberg (Oscar-nominated Cinematographer, Terminator) [He was 88]
Herb Greene (1960’s Rock Scene Portraitist) [He was 82]
Peter Greene (Character Actor, Pulp Fiction and The Mask) [He was only 60]
Bobby Grier (Longtime NFL Executive) [He was 82]
Raul M. Grijalva (Arizona Representative) [He was 77]
Joan Dye Gussow (Nutritionist and Educator) [She was 96] (She was the Matriarch of the “Eat Locally, Think Globally” food movement)

Gene Hackman (Veteran Actor, The French Connection, Superman and Unforgiven) [He was 95]
Lynn Hamilton (Actress, Sanford and Son and The Waltons) [She was 95]
George Hardy (Tuskegee Airman who fought in three wars) [He was 100]
Devin Harjes (Actor, Boardwalk Empire) [He was only 41]
Bobby Hart (Singer-Songwriter, Part of Writing Team Boyce & Hart; they wrote The Monkees Theme Song, “I Wanna Be Free” and “Last Train to Clarksville”) [He was 86]
Betty Hartford (Actress, Dynasty) [She was 98]
Pamela Bach Hasselhoff (Actress, Baywatch and Former Wife of Actor David Hasselhoff) [She was only 62]
Wings Hauser (Veteran Actor, Vice Squad and The Young and the Restless and Father of Yellowstone Actor Cole Hauser) [He was 78]
Richard Hays (Methodist Minister and New Testament Theologian) [He was 76] (He asserted that a deeper reading of the Bible revealed that same-sex relationships are not sinful)
Terry Martin Hekker (Author and First Female Mayor of Nyak, New York) [She was 92]
Muhsin Hendricks (First Openly Gay Imam in Cape Town, South Africa) [He was only 57]
Patrick Hemingway (Second Son of Novelist Ernest Hemingway, Safari Guide and Big-Game Hunter) [He was 97]
Alexis Herman (Trailblazing U.S. Secretary of Labor) [She was 77]
Brent Hinds (Former Lead Guitarist, Mastodon) [He was only 51]
Alice Hirson (Actress, Dallas and Ellen) [She was 95]
Anne Marie Hochhalter (Survivor of 1999 Columbine High School Shooting) [She was only 43]
Hulk Hogan, aka Terry Bollea (Wrestling Legend and Reality TV Star) [He was 71]
Polly Holliday (Veteran Actress, Alice) [She made “Kiss My Grits” into National Catchphrase] [She was 88]
Melissa and Mark Hortman (Minnesota State Representative and Her Husband) [They were only 55 and 58 respectively] (They were murdered, along with the family dog, at their front door)
Kevyn Major Howard (Actor, Full Metal Jacket and Sudden Impact) [He was 69]
Garth Hudson (Multi-Instrumentalist, Canadian American Rock Band, the Ban) [He was 87]
Robert Charles Hunter (Husband of Diane Ladd) [He was 77] (Robert and Diane passed away within three months of each other)
Andrew Huse (Historian and Foodie) [He was only 52]
Rick Hurst (Actor, The Dukes of Hazzard) [He was 79]
Mike Hynson (Surf God in hit 1966 documentary, The Endless Summer) [He was 82]

Ken Jacobs (Pioneering Experimental Filmmaker) [He was 92]
Stanley R. Jaffe (Producer, Kramer vs. Kramer) [He was 84]
Henry Jaglom (Independent Filmmaker) [He was 87]
Brett James (Grammy-Award Winning Songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, “Jesus, Take the Wheel”) [He was only 57]
Flaco Jimenez (Tejano and Conjunto Music Legend and Accordionist) [He was 86]
Jose Jimenez (Activist and Former Gang Member) [He was 76] (He transformed a Chicago gang into a militant voice for Social Services, Fair Housing and Education)
David Johansen (Frontman for New York Dolls) [He was 75]
Robert John (Singer and Songwriter, “Sad Eyes”) [He was 79]
Stephanie “Tanqueray” Johnson (Burlesque Dancer in the 1960s and 1970s) [She was 81]
Jonathan Joss (Voice Actor, King of the Hill) [He was only 59]
Diogo Jota (Liverpool Soccer Player) [He had only been married to his childhood sweetheart for two weeks] [He was only 28]

Richard Kahn (Former AMPAS President and Studio Marketing Executive) [He was 95]
Jonathan Kaplan (Director for TV and Films, The Accused and ER) (He was 77]
Andrew Karpen (Film Executive and Founder of Bleecker Street Media) [He was only 59]
Tcheky Karyo (Turkish French Actor, Bad Boys, La Femme Nikita and The Patriot) [He was 72]
Nicky Katt (Actor, Boston Public, Dazed and Confused and Boiler Room) [He was only 54]
Diane Keaton (Veteran Actress, Annie Hall and First Wives Club) [She was 79]
David Keighley (Imax’s First Chief Quality Officer) [He was 77]
Susan Kendall (Actress, Producer and Daughter of Paul Newman) [She was 72]
Joan Kennedy (Wife of Senator Ted Kennedy) [She was 89]
David Ketchum (Actor, Get Smart and Camp Runamuck) [He was 97]
Udo Kier (German Actor, My Own Private Idaho and Cult Icon) [He was 81]
Val Kilmer (Actor, Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone and Batman Forever) [He was only 65]
Sophie Kinsella (Author, “Confessions of a Shopaholic”) [She was only 55]
Charlie Kirk (Radical and Controversial Co-Founder of Turning Point USA, Influential Activist of the Conservative Political Right) [He was only 31]
Sally Kirkland (Oscar-Nominated Actress, Anna, JFK and Bruce Almighty) [She was 84]
Fumi Kitahara (Respected Publicity Executive) [She was only 56]
Kelley Klebeow (aka Kelley Mack) (Actress, The Walking Dead and Chicago Med) [She was only 33]
Howie Klein (Top Executive at Sire and Reprise Records, DJ and Political Activist) [He was 77]
Michael Klick (Emmy-winning Producer, Homeland and 24) [He was 77]
Ivan Klima (Acclaimed Writer who took on Totalitarianism) [He was 94]
Marshawn Kneeland (Dallas Cowboys Defensive End) [He was only 24]
Ted Kotcheff (Canadian Filmmaker, First Blood, Weekend at Bernie’s and Fun with Dick and Jane) [He was 94]
Max Kozloff (Art Critic in the 1960s and 1970s) [He was 91]

Diane Ladd (Oscar-nominated Actress, Chesapeake Shores, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Wild at Heart) [She was 89]
Robin Lakoff (Expert on Language and Gender) [She was 82]
Bob Laemmle (President, Laemmle Theatres) [He was 89]
Cleo Laine (Jazz Singer and Actress) [She was 97]
Henry Langrehr (Decorated World War II Veteran and Author) [He was 100]
John Lawlor (Actor, The Facts of Life and Phyllis) [He was 83]
Mickey Lee (Reality “Star,” Big Brother Contestant) [She was only 35]
Tom Lehrer (Sardonic Singer-Songwriter-Pianist, “That Was the Week That Was”) [He was 97]
James Leprino (The Willy Wonka of Cheese, Primary Supplier to Domino’s and Pizza Hut) [He was 87]
Martin Levy (Longtime Advisor and Publicist to Steven Spielberg) [He was 96]
Ananda Lewis (MTV Video Jockey and TV Personality) [She was only 52]
Paul Libin (Major Broadway Producer and Long-Time Circle in the Square President) [He was 94]
Jack Lilley (Actor, Little House on the Prairie) [He was 91]
Lar Park Lincoln (Actress, Knots Landing, Beverly Hills 90210, Murder She Wrote and Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood) [She was only 61]
Dawn Little Sky (Actress, Gypsy, The Apple Dumpling Gang and Rawhide/Artist, Walt Disney Studios) [She was 95]
June Lockhart (Veteran Actress, Lassie, Lost in Space and Meet Me in St. Louis) [She was 100]
John Lodge (Singer, Songwriter and Bass Player for British Rock Band The Moody Blues) [He was 82]
Jim Lovell (Apollo 13 Astronaut) [He was 97]
Joseph Lovett (Openly Gay Producer who aimed to Destigmatize Gay Life and Bring Attention to the AIDS Crisis) [He was 80]
Philip Lowrie (Actor, Coronation Street) [He was 88]
Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas (Soccer-Loving Nun in Brazil and Oldest Person in the World) [She was 116]
Brad Luff (Former Executive at Original Film, Morgan Creek, Sony, Warner Bros. and more) [He was only 60]
David Lynch (Acclaimed Film Director and TV Series Creator, Twin Peaks) [He was 78]

Michael Madsen (Actor, Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill and Brother to Actress Virginia Madsen) [He was only 67]
Camryn Magness (Singer-Songwriter who performed with One Direction and Fifth Harmony) [She was only 26]
Valerie Mahaffey (Emmy Winning Actress, Northern Exposure, Young Sheldon and Desperate Housewives) [She was 72]
Raul Malo (the Frontman for the Mavericks) [He was only 60]
Patty Maloney (Actress, Far Out Space Nuts and Chewbacca’s son Lumpy in Star Wars Holiday Special) [She was 89]
Ryan Whyte Maloney (Singer and Musician, Top 5 Finalist on The Voice in 2014) [He was only 44]
Chuck Mangione (Jazz Musician, “Feels So Good”) [He was 84]
Ted Mann (Emmy-winning Writer and Producer, NYPD Blue, Homeland and Deadwood) [He was 72]
Eduardo Manzano (Mexican Actor and Comedian) [He was 87]
Jeff Margolis (TV Producer and Director) [He was 78]
Lucy Markovic (Model, appeared in Australia’s Next Top Model) [He was only 27]
Diane Martel (Acclaimed Video Director, Worked with Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, John Legend and more) [She was only 63]
Mary Martin (Country, Folk and Rock Music Manager, Grammy winning Producer and Executive) [She was 85]
Wink Martindale (TV Game Show Host, Tic-Tac-Dough) [He was 91]
Dada Masilo (South African Dancer and Choreographer) [She was only 39]
John Masius (TV Show Creator, Touched By An Angel, Providence and Hawthorne and Writer, St. Elsewhere) [He was 75]
Tommy McLain (King of Swap Pop) [He was 85]
Julian McMahon (Actor, Charmed, Nip/Tuck, FBI: Most Wanted) [He was only 56]
Steve McMichael (Pro Football Hall of Fame Member and Chicago Bears Legend) [He was only 67]
Hayley McNeff (Fitness Influencer and Champion Bodybuilder) [She was only 37]
Ariela Mejia-Polanco (Social Media Influencer) [She was only 33]
Jeffrey Meldrum (Leading Academic Authority on Sasquatch) [He was 67]
Fern Michaels (Prolific Author of Romance Novels) [She was 92]
Penelope Milford (Broadway and Film Actress, Coming Home, Heathers and Endless Love) [He was 77]
Don Mischer (Prolific Live Event Director and 15-time Emmy winner) [He was 85]
Jon Miyahara (Actor and Silent Scene-Stealer, Superstore) [He was 83]
Sam Moore (Member of Sam & Dave Duo, “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’”) [He was 89]
Gary “Mani” Mounfield (Bassist, The Stone Roses and Primal Scream) [He was only 63]
Bill Moyers (Acclaimed TV Journalist and one-time White House Press Secretary) [He was 91]
Nancylee Myatt (Writer, Night Court and Living Single) [She was only 68]

Tatsuya Nakadai (Japanese Film Legend) [He was 92]
Daniel Naroditsky (Chess Grandmaster) [He was only 29]
Andrea Blaugrund Nevins (Documentary Filmmaker) [She was only 63]
Anh-Thu Nguyen (Renowned Miami Pilot, 10th Women to Fly Solo Around the World) [She was only 44, and died in a small plane crash]
Elizabeth Nissen (Veteran ABC News Correspondent and Nightline Reporter) [She was 71]
John Noble Wilford (Times Reporter who covered the Moon Landing) [He was 92]
Linda Nolan (Member of Irish Pop Group The Nolans, TV Personality, Bestselling Author and Daily Mirror Columnist) [She was 65]
Jay North (Former Child Actor, Dennis the Meance) [He was 73]
Rosanna Norton (Oscar-Nominated Costume Designer, Tron and Carrie) [She was 80]
Sam Nujoma (Founding President of Namibia, South Africa) [He was 95]
Sophie Nyweide (Child Actor, Mammoth and Noah) [She was only 24]

Uche Ojeh (Husband of Today Co-Host Sheinelle Jones) [He was only 45]
Roberto Orci (Screenwriter and TV Series Creator, Fringe, Sleepy Hollow and Hawaii Five-0) [He was only 51]
Ozzy Osbourne (Legendary Singer and Reality TV Star, Frontman of Black Sabbath) [He was 76]
Wayne Osmond (Part of Famous Osmond Family) [He was 73]
Allyce Ozarski (TV Producer, The L Word: Generation Q and I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman) [She was only 41]

Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi (Designers who made Barbies into Art) [The married couple were only 52 and 54 respectively)
Eddie Palmieri (Latin Music Innovator, Pianist, Composer and Bandleader) [He was 88]
Dave Parker (Baseball Legend of Hall of Fame Electee) [He was 74]
Jim Parkinson (Lettering Artist Whose Hand-Drawn Logos Branded Covers of Rolling Stone, Esquire, Newsweek and More During Heyday of Print Journalism) [He was 83]
John Peck aka Mad Peck (Underground Cartoonist, Artist, Critic and Disc Jockey) [He was 82]
Charles Person (Youngest of the Freedom Riders in 1961) [He was 82]
Thomas Perry (Prizewinning Writer, The Butcher’s Boy and the Jane Whitefield Series) [He was 78]
Mike Peters (Frontman of Welsh Rock Band The Alarm) [He was only 66]
Robert Pietranton (SVP Publicity and Communications, Warner Bros. TV Group) [He was only 56]
Jane Etta Pitt (Brad Pitt’s Mom) [She was 84]
Joan Plowright (Legendary Stage and Box Office Actress and Widow of Laurence Olivier) [She was 95]
Priscilla Pointer (Actress, Carrie and Dallas and Mother of Actress Amy Irving) [She was 100]
Pope Francis (the First Latin American Pope) [He was 88]
Frank Price (Former Universal and Columbia Studio Head) [He was 95]
Thommy Price (Drummer, Worked with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Billy Idol and Scandal) [He was only 68]

Abraham Quintanilla Jr. (Father of Tejano Icon/Singer Selena) [He was 84]

Mick Ralphs (Guitarist and Co-Founder of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople) [He was 81]
Charles Rangel (Former New York Congressman) [He was 94]
James Ransone (Actor, IT Chapter Two, The Wire and The Black Phone) [He was only 46]
Lorna Raver (Actress, Drag Me to Hell) [She was 81]
Chris Rea (Rock and Blues Singer-Songwriter, “Fool If You Think Its Over”) [He was 74]
Robert Redford (Veteran Screen Idol, Director and Activist) [He was 89]
Terry “Superlungs” Reid (Iconic Rocker who famously rejected the chance to be in both Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple) [He was 75]
Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner (Legendary Actor, All in the Family and Director, The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally) [He was 78 while she was 68] (They were murdered in their own home)
Clive Revill (Voice Actor of Emperor Palpatine in Empire Strikes Back) [He was 94]
Cecile Richards (Former Planned Parenthood President and Daughter of Politician Ann Richards) [She was 67]
Alice Tan Ridley (Gospel and R&B Singer, Semi-Finalist on America’s Got Talent and Mother to Actress Gabourey Sidibe) [She was 72]
Sam Rivers (Bassist and Co-Founder, Limp Bizkit) [He was only 48]
Tony Roberts (Actor, Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters and Stardust Memories) [He was 85]
Phil Robertson (Patriarch of reality TV series Duck Dynasty) [He was 79]
Chris Robinson (Veteran Actor, General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful) [He was 86]
Johnny Rodriguez (Country Music Star) [He was 73]
Tristan Rogers (Actor, General Hospital) [He was 79]
Alison Rose (Writer for The New Yorker, Idiosyncratic Essays and Profiles) [She was 81]
Tammie Rosen (Communications at Tribeca Enterprises and the Sundance Institute) [She was only 49]
Patricia Routledge (Tony Award Winning Actress, Keeping Up Appearances) [She was 96]
Camilla Row (Wife of Hallmark Actor Brennan Elliott) [She was only 46]
William Rush (British Actor, Waterloo Road) [He was only 31]

Francisco San Martin (Actor, Days of Our Lives) [He was only 39]
Gailard Sartain (Character Actor and Comedian, Hee Haw and The Buddy Holly Story) [He was 78]
Salli Sasche (Former Model, Miss American Contestant, 1960’s beach party movies like Beach Blanket Bingo and Bikini Beach) [She was 82]
Prunella Scales (British Actress, Fawlty Towers) [She was 93]
Charley Scalies (Character Actor, The Wire and The Sopranos) [He was 84]
Otto Schenk (Opera Director) [He was 94]
Lalo Schifrin (Six-Time Oscar Nominated Composer, Pianist and Conductor, Mannix, Starsky & Hutch and Mission: Impossible) [He was 93]
Tatiana Schlossberg (Environmental Journalist and Granddauther of John F. Kennedy) [She was only 35]
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt (Loyola University Chaplain) [She was 106]
Michael Peter Schmidt (Sipur President and Red Arrow Studios Co-Founder) [He was only 52]
Peter-Henry Schroeder (Character Actor, Argo and Star Trek) [He was 90]
Pippa Scott (Producer and Actress, The Searchers, Petula and Auntie Mame) [She was 90]
Troy Seals (Legendary Songwriter, “Seven Spanish Angels” and “If You Ever Have Forever in Mind”) [He was 86]
Jeannie Seely (Legendary Country Music Icon) [She was 85]
David Sellers (Architect who became the Father of the Design-Build Movement) [He was 86]
Ralph Senensky (TV Director, The Waltons, Dynasty, Star Trek) [He was 102]
Eduardo Serra (Cinematographer, Harry Potter film franchise and Girl with a Pearl Earring) [He was 81]
Dave Shapiro (Pilot and Owner, Sound Talent Group) [He was only 42]
Paula Shaw (Veteran Actress, Freddy vs. Jason, Cedar Cove and countless Hallmark Channel movies) [She was 84]
Bobby Sherman (Legendary Singer, Actor and 1960’s and 1970’s Teen Idol) [He was 81]
Jim Shooter (Iconic Comic Book Writer and Former Marvel Editor-in-Chief) [He was 73]
Peter Sichel (Refugee, Prisoner, Spy and Wine Merchant) [He was 102) [He made Blue Nun, one of the most popular wines in the world]
Helen Siff (Character Actress, Married With Children and Will & Grace) [She was 88]
Joel Sill (Veteran Music Supervisor, Easy Rider, Flashdance and Forrest Gump) [He was 78]
Jubilant Skyes (Celebrated Opera Singer) [He was 71]
Gary Smith (8-Time Emmy-Winning Producer, TV Specials and Awards Shows) [He was 90]
Imani Smith (Broadway’s Young Nala in The Lion King) [She was only 26]
L.J. Smith (Author, The Vampire Diaries book franchise) [She was only 66]
Todd Snider (Singer-Songwriter, “Alright Guy”) [He was only 59]
Mark Snow (Composer, Ghost Whisperer, Blue Bloods and The X-Files) [He was 78]
David Souter (Republican Justice, Supreme Court) [He was 85]
Dr. Danielle Spencer (Former Child Actress, What’s Happening) [She was only 60]
Friedrich St. Florian (Designer, World War II Memorial) [He was 91]
Terence Stamp (Veteran Actor, 1970’s Superman franchise and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) [He was 87]
David Steinberg (Longtime Manager to Billy Crystal and Robin Williams) [He was 81]
Harry Stewart, Jr. (Retired Lt. Col. and Decorated WWII Pilot, One of Last Surviving Tuskeegee Airmen) [He was 100]
Robert Stirm (Vietnam War POW seen in iconic “Burst of Joy” Photo with family) [He was 92]
Angie Stone (Grammy-Nominated Soul Singer, “Wish I Didn’t Miss You) [She was only 63]
Sly Stone (Multi-Talented Musician and Legendary Singer) [He was 82]
Tom Stoppard (Playwright, Screenwriter and 4-time Tony Winner, Shakespeare in Love and Rosencrantz and Guildentern Are Dead) [He was 88]
Charles Strouse (Tony Award-winning Composer and Lyricist, “Annie” and “Bye Bye Birdie”) [He was 96]
Drew Struzan (Artist and Illustrator, Created Movie Posters for Back to the Future, The Empire Strikes Back and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) [He was 78]
Olive Sturgess (Actress, TV westerns and the 1963 cult horror spoof The Raven) [She was 91]
Jimmy Swaggart (Scandal-Riddled Televangelist) [He was 90]
Loretta Swit (Emmy-Winning and Legendary Actress, M*A*S*H) [She was 87]
John Sykes (Legendary Guitarist, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tan) [He was 65]

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Veteran Actor, Mortal Kombat and The Man in the High Castle) [He was 75]
Lee Tamahori (Director, Once Were Warriors and Die Another Day) [He was 75]
Dan Tana (Opened Iconic West Hollywood Celebrity Hangout) [He was 90]
Jim Tauber (Former Sidney Kimmel Entertainment President) [He was 74]
Malik Taylor (TikTok Star) [He was only 28]
Lynne Taylor-Corbett (Tony Award-nominated Choreographer and Director) [She was 78]
David Thomas (Fronted Rock Band Pere Ubu) [He was 71]
Danny Thompson (Founding Member, British Folk Rock Band Pentangle, Worked with Kate Bush and Roy Orbison) [He was 86]
Oliviero Toscani (Photographer, Art Director and Creative Mastermind of Benetton’s Advertising Campaign) [He was 82]
Michelle Trachtenberg (Actress, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harriet the Spy and Gossip Girl) [She was only 39]
Sylvester Turner (Texas Representative) [He was 70]
Marian Turski (Auschwitz Survivor) (He wrote and spoke about dangers of indifference to racial and ethnic injustice) [He was 98]

Bob Uecker (Sports Announcer, The Milwaukee Brewers and TV Star, Mr. Belvedere) [He was 90]

Ben Vaughn (President and CEO, Warner Chappell Nashville Publishing) [He was only 49]
Renee Victor (Actress, Weeds and Voice Actor, Coco) [He was 86]
Joseph Vieira (Former Child Actor, Lassie) [He was 81]
Danny Virtue (Producer, Stunt Coordinator and Horse Whisperer on over 1,000 films and TV shows, The Last of Us, the Twilight film franchise and multiple Hallmark movies) [He was 76]
Mark Volman (Founding Member of 60’s Band The Turtles Known for “Happy Together”) [He was 78]

Lesley Walker (Film Editor, Mona Lisa and Mamma Mia!) [She was 80]
Joseph Wambaugh (Former LAPD Officer and Novelist) [He was 88]
Derrick Ward (Longtime NBC Washington Journalist) [He was 62]
Jim Ward (Prolific Voice Actor, The Fairly OddParents) [He was 66]
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Actor, The Cosby Show and The Resident) [He was only 54]
Kenneth Washington (Actor, Hogan’s Heroes) [He was 88]
Melanie Watson (Former Diff’rent Strokes Child Star) [She was only 57]
Slick Watts (Point Guard for Seattle SuperSonics) [He was 73]
Lee Weaver (Veteran Actor, Donnie Darko, O Brother, Where Art Thou and The Cosby Show) [He was 95]
Jane Morgan Weintraub (Singer, Nightclub Entertainer, Broadway Performer and Wife of the late show business mogul Jerry Weintraub) [She was 101]
David Weitzner (Hollywood Marketing Executive, Steered Campaigns for Star Wars and E.T.) [He was 86]
Josh Welsh (Film Independent President and Champion of Filmmakers) [He was 62]
George Wendt (Veteran Actor, Cheers) [He was 76]
Timothy West (Actor, EastEnders and Coronation Street) [He was 60]
Lally Weymouth (Journalist and Socialite from family that once owned The Washington Post) [She was 82]
Edmund White (Novelist and Pioneer of Gay Literature) [He was 85]
Randy White (Husband of Country Music Star Lorrie Morgan) [He was 72]
Bobby Whitlock (Keyboardist, Derek and the Dominos, Songwriter “Bell Bottom Blues”) [He was 77]
Isiah Whitlock Jr. (Actor, The Wire and Frequent Spike Lee Collaborator) [He was 71]
D’Wayne Wiggins (Founding Member of Tony! Toni! Tone!) [He was only 64]
Carole Wilbourn (Self-Described Cat Therapist) [She was 84]
Daniel Williams (Former Drummer, Metal Band The Devil Wears Prada) [He was only 39]
Brian Wilson (Legendary Leader of The Beach Boys and Pop Auteur) [He was 82]
Celeste Wilson (Jackson, Mississippi WAPT Weekend New Anchor) [She was only 42]
Robert Wilson (Visionary Theater Creator/1970’s Avant-Garde Artist) [He was 83]
Daniel Woodrell (Country Noir Novelist, “Winter’s Bone) [He was 72]

Peter Yarrow (Legendary Folk Singer from Peter, Paul & Mary and Co-Writer of “Puff the Magic Dragon”) [He was 86]
Brad Everett Young (Actor, Grey’s Anatomy and Celebrity Photographer) [He was only 46]
Harris Yulin (Actor, Clear and Present Danger, Scarface and Ozark) [He was 87]

Vince Zampella (Call of Duty Video Game Creator) [He was only 55]
Shelly Zegart (Queen of Quilts, Elevating the Craft into the Canon of Art and Material Culture) [She was 84]
Don Zimmerman (Oscar Nominated Editor, Being There and Rock7 [He was 81]

NOTE: This list, in no way, covers all the industry talent who passed away this year. Again, condolences are extended to one and all.

Out of respect, please take at least a few moments of silence for those we have lost this year.

TOMORROW: 2025 TV Ratings

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TV Recommendations: Saturday, December 27

Posted in Recommendations, Reminder, Television on December 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Trying to figure out what to watch tonight? Be it new episodes of the TV season, reairs of cable series or a movie, here are some suggestions:

NOTE: There will be a marathon of episodes of The Pitt on HBO today. Check your local listings for airtimes and episodes.

5 PM:
Selena movie on CMT
Avengers: Age of Ultron movie on FX
The Batman (2022) movie on HBO

5:15 PM:
Captain America movie on TBS

5:45 PM:
Galaxy Quest movie on BBC America

6 PM:
Christmas on Duty movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
Five Gold Rings movie on Hallmark Mystery (Reair)
The Equalizer 2 movie on Paramount Network

6:30 PM:
Outlander on Starz (Reair)

7 PM:
Robin Hood on MGM+ (Encore)
Incredibles 2 (animated) movie on Disney
Captain Marvel movie on TruTV

7:30 PM:
Outlander on Starz (Reair)
Brave (animated) movie on Freeform

8 PM:
Recipe for Romance movie on CW (DEBUT)
Tracker on CBS (Encore)
A Veteran’s Christmas movie on Hallmark Channel (Reair)
A Bramble House Christmas movie on Hallmark Mystery (Reair)
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back movie on AMC
Spaceballs movie on BBC America
Avengers: Infinity War movie on FX
Hidden Figures movie on HBO
The Equalizer movie on Showtime
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom movie on Syfy
Captain America: Civil War movie on TBS
Wonka movie on TNT

9 PM:
Fire Country on CBS (Encore)
The Day After Tomorrow movie on Paramount Network

9:15 PM:
Spies in Disguise (animated) movie FXM

9:30 PM:
Encanto (animated) movie on Freeform

9:45 PM:
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning movie on MGM+

10 PM:
The More the Merrier movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
A Glenbrooke Christmas movie on Hallmark Mystery (Reair)

10:15 PM:
The Equalizer 2 movie on Showtime

10:30 PM:
While You Were Sleeping movie on VH1

Enjoy!

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2025 Year-End Round-Up: And the Award Goes To…

Posted in Awards, Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 26, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Every year there are lots of awards shows, some important, some just fun and numerous just plain silly or nonsensical, but the following list – despite the pandemic – is just some of the top winners over the course of this year:

GOLDEN GLOBES (January)

Best Motion Picture Drama – The Brutalist
Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy – Emilia Perez
Cinematic and Box Office Achievement – Wicked
Best Actress Motion Picture Drama – Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here
Best Actor Motion Picture Drama – Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Best Actress Motion Picture Musical or Comedy – Demi Moore, The Substance
Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy – Sebastian Stan, A Different Man
Best Supporting Actress Motion Picture – Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez
Best Supporting Actor Motion Picture – Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Best Director – Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
Best Original Score – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Challengers
Best TV Drama Series – Shogun (FX/Hulu)
Best TV Comedy Series – Hacks (HBO/MAX)
Best TV Limited Series – Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Best Actress TV Drama Series – Anna Sawai, Shogun
Best Actor TV Drama Series – Hiroyuki Sanada, Shogun
Best Actress TV Comedy Series – Jean Smart, Hacks
Best Actor TV Comedy Series – Jeremy Allen White, The Bear (FX)
Best Actress Limited Series – Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country (HBO)
Best Actor Limited Series – Colin Farrell, The Penguin (HBO)
Best Supporting Actress – Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
Best Supporting Actor – Tadanobu Asano, Shogun

LONDON CRITICS’ CIRCLE FILM AWARDS (February)

Film of the Year – The Brutalist
Animated Film of the Year – Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Director of the Year – RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys
Actress of the Year – Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths
Actor of the Year – Ralph Fiennes, Conclave
Supporting Actress of the Year – Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez
Supporting Actor of the Year – Kiernan Culkin, A Real Pain
Breakthrough Performer – Mikey Madison, Anora

GRAMMY AWARDS (February)

Record of the Year – Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
Album of the Year – Beyonce, “Cowboy Carter”
Best New Artist – Chappell Roan
Best Pop Solo Performance – Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso”
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile”
Best Pop Vocal Album – Sabrina Carpenter, “Short n’ Sweet”
Best Rock Performance – The Beatles, “Now and Then”
Best Country Solo Performance – Chris Stapleton, “It Takes A Woman”
Best Country Song – Kacey Musgraves, “The Architect”
Best Country Album – Beyonce, “Cowboy Carter”

CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS (February)

Best TV Drama – Shogun
Best Actor TV Drama – Hiroyuki Sanada, Shogun
Best Actress TV Drama – Kathy Bates, Matlock
Best Supporting Actor TV Drama – Tadanobu Asano, Shogun
Best Supporting Actress TV Drama – Moeka Hoshi, Shogun
Best TV Comedy – Hacks
Best Actor TV Comedy – Adam Brody, Nobody Wants This
Best Actress TV Comedy – Jean Smart, Hacks
Best Supporting Actor TV Comedy – Michael Urie, Shrinking
Best Supporting Actress TV Comedy – Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Best Made-for-TV Movie – Rebel Ridge
Best Actor Limited Series – Colin Farrell, The Penguin
Best Actress Limited Series – Cristin Milioti, The Penguin
Best Motion Picture – Anora
Best Actor Motion Picture – Adrian Brody, The Brutalist
Best Actress Motion Picture – Demi Moore, The Substance
Best Young Actress Motion Picture – Maisy Stella, My Old Ass
Best Acting Ensemble Motion Picture – Conclave
Best Director Motion Picture – Jon M. Chu, Wicked
Best Costume Design Motion Picture – Wicked
Best Visual Effects Motion Picture – Dune: Part Two
Best Animated Motion Picture – The Wild Robot
Best Comedy Motion Picture – Deadpool & Wolverine and A Real Pain [TIE]

PRODUCERS GUILD OF AMERICA (February)

Outstanding Producer of Motion Picture – Anora
Outstanding Producer of Animated Motion Picture – The Wild Robot
Outstanding Producer of Episodic TV Drama – Shogun
Outstanding Producer of Episodic TV Comedy – Hacks
Outstanding Producer of Limited TV Series – Baby Reindeer
Outstanding Producer Documentary Motion Picture – Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Outstanding Children’s TV Program – Sesame Street
Outstanding Sports Program – Simone Biles Rising

DGA AWARDS (February)

First Time Directorial Feature – RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys
Drama Series – Frederick E.O. Toye, Shogun
Comedy Series – Lucia Aniello, Hacks
Children’s Program – Amber Sealey, Out of My Mind

AARP MOVIES FOR GROWNUP AWARDS (February)

Best Picture – A Complete Unknown
Best Actress – Demi Moore, The Substance
Best Actor – Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Best Supporting Actress – Joan Chen, Didi
Best Supporting Actor – Peter Sarsgaard, September 5
Best Director – Jacques Audiard, Emilia Perez
Best Screenwriter – Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, Wicked
Best Ensemble – Sing Sing
Best TV Actress – Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country
Best TV Actor – Jon Hamm, Fargo
Best TV Series – Shogun

SAG AWARDS (February)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast, Motion Picture – Conclave
Outstanding Actress in Leading Role – Demi Moore, The Substance
Outstanding Actor in Leading Role – Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Outstanding TV Ensemble, Comedy TV Series – Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding Actress in Limited TV Series – Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
Outstanding Actor in Comedy TV Series – Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding Action by Stunt Ensemble, Motion Picture – The Fall Guy

NAACP IMAGE AWARDS (February)

Entertainer of the Year – Keke Palmer
Outstanding Motion Picture – The Six Triple Eight
Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture – Kerry Washington, The Six Triple Eight
Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture – Martin Lawrence, Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Outstanding Actress, TV Drama – Queen Latifah, The Equalizer
Outstanding Actor, TV Drama – Michael Rainey Jr., Power Book II: Ghost
Outstanding Actress, TV Comedy – Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Actor, TV Comedy – Damon Wayans, Poppa’s House
Outstanding Soundtrack Album – Wicked: The Soundtrack
Outstanding Talk Show – The Jennifer Hudson Show
Outstanding Actor Made-for-TV Movie – Aaron Pierre, Rebel Ridge
Outstanding TV Comedy – Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Comedy – Danielle Pinnock, Ghosts
Outstanding TV Drama Series – Cross
Outstanding TV Documentary – Black Barbie: A Documentary
Outstanding Independent Film – Sing Sing
Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture – Denzel Washington, Gladiator II
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture – Ebony Obsidian, The Six Triple Eight
Outstanding Writing, Motion Picture – RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes, Nickel Boys
Outstanding Animated Movie – Inside Out 2
Outstanding Original Score for TV – Star Wars: The Acolyte
Outstanding Costume Design – Paul Tazewell, Wicked
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative, Motion Picture – Malcolm Washington, The Piano Lesson
Outstanding Performance by a Youth on TV – Leah Sava Jeffries, Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Outstanding Directing in TV Movie – Tina Mabry, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat
Outstanding News Series – The Reidout

SPIRIT AWARDS (February)

Best Feature – Anora
Best First Feature – Didi
Best Director – Sean Baker, Anora
Best Screenplay – Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain
Best Cinematography – Jomo Fray, Nickel Boys
Best Documentary – No Other Land
Best New Scripted TV Series – Shogun

BAFTA AWARDS (February)

Best Film – Conclave
Leading Actress – Mikey Madison, Anora
Leading Actor – Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Costume Design – Paul Tazewell, Wicked

WRITERS GUILD AWARDS (February)

TV Drama Series – Shogun
TV Comedy Series – Hacks
TV Limited Series – The Penguin
TV and Streaming Movie – The Great Lillian Hall
Quiz and Audience Participation – Pop Culture Jeopardy

OSCARS (March)

Best Picture – Anora
Best Actor – Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Best Actress – Mikey Madison, Anora
Best Supporting Actor – Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Best Supporting Actress – Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez
Best Director – Sean Baker, Anora
Best Adaped Screenplay – Conclave
Best Costume Design – Paul Tazewell, Wicked
Best Original Song – El Mal, Emilia Perez
Best Sound – Dune: Part Two

GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS (March)

Outstanding TV Comedy Series – Hacks
Outstanding TV Drama Series – 9-1-1: Lone Star
Outstanding New TV Series – Agatha All Along
Outstanding TV or Streaming Film – The Groomsmen: Second Chance
Outstanding Kids and Family Program or Film, Live Action – Heartstopper

PEABODY AWARDS (May)

Children’s/Youth – Out of My Mind (Disney+)
Entertainment – Will & Harper (Netflix)
Entertainment – Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Entertainment – Ripley (Netflix)
Entertainment – Shogun (FX/Hulu)

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS (May)

Entertainer of the Year – Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year – Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year – Chris Stapleton
Duo of the Year – Brooks & Dunn
Group of the Year – Old Dominion
New Female Artist of the Year – Ella Langley
New Male Artist of the Year – Zach Top
New Duo or Group of the Year – The Red Clay Strays
Album of the Year – “Whirlwind” Lainey Wilson
Songwriter of the Year – Jessie Jo Dillon

BAFTA TV AWARDS (May)

Leading Actress – Marisa Abela, Industry
Limited Drama – Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office
Sound: Fiction – Slow Horses
Special, Visual and Graphic Effects – The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (May)

Artist of the Year – Billie Eilish
New Artist of the Year – Gracie Abrams
Collaboration of the Year – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, Die With A Smile
Favorite Male Pop Artist – Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Country Artist – Beyonce
Favorite Country Duo or Group – Dah + Shay
Favorite Rock Artist – Twenty One Pilots
Favorite Rock Song – Linkin Park, The Emptiness Machine

GOTHAM TV AWARDS (June)

Breakthrough Comedy Series – The Studio
Breakthrough Drama Series – The Pitt
Breakthrough Limited Series – Adolescence
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series – Kathy Bates, Matlock
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series – Poorna Jagannathan, Deli Boys
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama Series – Ben Whishaw, Black Doves
Outstanding Performance in an Original Film – Aaron Pierre, Rebel Ridge (Netflix)

TONY AWARDS (June)

Best Musical – Maybe Happy Ending
Best Play – Purpose
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical – Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Blvd.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical – Darren Criss, Maybe Happy Ending
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play – Sarah Snook, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play – Cole Escola, Oh, Mary!
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play – Kara Young, Purpose
Best Costume Design of a Musical – Paul Tazewell, Death Becomes Her

GOLD LIST TV (June)

Outstanding Series – Squid Game
Outstanding Writing – Deli Boys
Outstanding Lead Performance – Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game
Outstanding Supporting Performance – Dichen Lachman, Severance

TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION (August)

Program of the Year – The Pitt
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries or Specials – Adolescence
Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming – Doctor Who
Heritage Award – Sesame Street

EMMY AWARDS (September)

Outstanding Drama – The Pitt
Lead Actress Drama – Britt Lower, Severance
Lead Actor Drama – Noah Wyle, The Pitt
Supporting Actress Drama – Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt
Supporting Actor Drama – Tramell Tillman, Severance
Guest Actor Drama – Shawn Hatosy, The Pitt
Lead Actress Comedy – Jean Smart, Hacks
Supporting Actress Comedy – Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Outstanding Reality Host – Alan Cumming, The Traitors
Lead Actress Limited Series – Cristin Milioti, The Penguin

HUMANITAS PRIZE WINNER (September)

Drama Teleplay – The Pitt, 2:00 P.M
Limited Series Teleplay – Dying for Sex
Drama Feature Film – Sing Sing
Children’s Teleplay – Heartstopper

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (September)

Video of the Year – Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead”
Best Pop Artist – Sabrina Carpenter
Best Rock – Coldplay – “All My Love”
Best Direction – Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
Best Group – Blackpink
Best Album – Sabrina Carpenter – “Short n’ Sweet”
Artist of the Year – Lady Gaga
Best Alternative – Sombr – “Back to Friends”
Best New Artist – Alex Warren
Latin Icon Award – Ricky Martin

HONORARY OSCARS AT THE GOVERNORS AWARDS (November)

Tom Cruise (Acting)
Debbie Allen (Choreographer and Acting)
Dolly Parton (Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award)
Wynn Thomas (Production Design)

COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION (CMA) AWARDS (November)

Entertainer of the Year – Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year – ‘you look like you love me’ – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Album of the Year – Whirlwind by Lainey Wilson
Song of the Year – ‘you look like you love me’ by Riley Green, Ella Langley and Aaron Raitiere
Female Vocalist of the Year – Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year – Cody Johnson
Vocal Group of the Year – The Red Clay Strays
Musician of the Year – Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
New Artist of the Year – Zach Top
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award – Vince Gill

GOTHAM (FILM) AWARDS (December)

Best Feature – One Battle After Another
Outstanding Lead Performance – Sope Dirisu, My Father’s Shadow
Outstanding Supporting Performance – Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners

NEW YORK FILM CRITICS AWARDS (December)

Actor – Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent
Actress – Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Supporting Actor – Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another
Supporting Actress – Amy Madifan, Weapons
Animated Film – KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)

Congratulations to all of the above winners (and the countless others who won awards) this year. Are any of the above your favorites? Do you think there was an actor or actress who was overlooked this year? Please share your thoughts.

TOMORROW: Condolences

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TV Recommendations: Friday, December 26

Posted in Recommendations, Reminder, Television on December 26, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Trying to figure out what to watch tonight? Be it new episodes of the TV season, reairs of cable series or a movie, here are some suggestions:

5:30 PM:
F9 The Fast Saga movie on Paramount Network
Mrs. Doubtfire movie on WE TV

5:40 PM:
The Hunt for Red October movie on MGM+

5:45 PM:
Never Been Kissed movie on TNT

6 PM:
A Make or Break Holiday movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
This Time Each Year movie on Hallmark Mystery (Reair)
Point Break (original) movie on IFC
My Fair Lady (classic) movie on MOVIES!

6:45 PM:
Avatar: The Way of Water movie on Freeform

7 PM:
The Bodyguard movie on BET

8 PM:
Fire Country on CBS (Encore)
Oy to the World movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery movie on Hallmark Mystery (Reair)
The Da Vinci Code movie on MGM+
Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie on TBS
Sweet Home Alabama movie on TNT

8:30 PM:
Cover Girl (classic) movie on MOVIES!

8:45 PM:
Walking Tall (original) movie on TCM

9 PM:
Fire Country on CBS (Encore)

10 PM:
Fire Country on CBS (Encore)
She’s Making a List movie on Hallmark Channel (Encore)
Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas movie on Hallmark Mystery (Reair)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness movie on USA Network

Enjoy!

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2025 Year-End Round-Up: What Reigned at the Cineplex

Posted in Movies, Year End Round Up on December 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

This year not only saw superhero movies begin to fizzle, despite the success of the new iteration of Superman and the first GOOD movie based on The Fantastic Four, at your local cineplex but also the resurgence of more family-friendly movies such as A Minecraft Movie and the live-action versions of Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon.

The long-in-the-tooth Mission Impossible franchise, which has starred Tom Cruise in the lead role of Ethan Hunt since 1996 – yep, 29 years ago, finally (seemingly) tapped out with $576 million globally, but given that the movie cost $300 million to make, well, not such a great return, right?

Then you have the R-rated Southern Gothic, Ryan Coogler-directed Sinners that starred Michael B. Jordan as identical twins in this horror flick set in 1932 Mississippi that was filled with vampires and the remnants of the Klu Klux Klan. The budget for the movie was $90 million, but its global box office earned 363.8 million; in fact, the flick earned nearly as much in its second weekend as it did in this first weekend at the box office, an unprecedented result for a film that did not open over the holiday season.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for the much-maligned, revival treatment of Snow White that starred West Side Story star Rachel Zegler in the title role and Wonder Woman herself Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The film was subjected to too many controversies, creative struggles and what is being called a “dated premise,” making for a disappointing outcome for the popular Disney character.

Then there was the extremely poor performance by The Alto Knights from Warner Bros. that not even two Robert De Niros in the film could help. This gangster flick just couldn’t catch a break, earning only 9.5 million in its global box office but costing the studio $45 million to make. The movie received scathing reviews and was one of this year’s biggest flops.

My favorite movies this year have been Wicked: For Good and Superman, but I also didn’t have the opportunity (or the money) to see very many movies this year.

Now let’s take a look at the top 30 box office winners from this year (up through Saturday, December 13 that is):

  1. A Minecraft Movie – 423.9 million
  2. Lilo & Stitch – 423.8 million
  3. Superman – 354 million
  4. Jurassic World: Rebirth – 339 million
  5. Wicked: For Good – 314 million
  6. Sinners – 279 million
  7. The Fantastic Four: First Steps – 274 million
  8. Zootopia 2 – 263 million
  9. How to Train Your Dragon – 262 million
  10. Captain America: Brave New World – 200 million
  11. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – 197 million
  12. Thunderbolts* – 190 million
  13. F1: The Movie – 189 million
  14. The Conjuring: Last Rites – 177 million
  15. Weapons – 151 million
  16. Final Destination: Bloodlines – 138 million
  17. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle – 134 million
  18. Mufasa: The Lion King – 126 million
  19. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 – 98 million
  20. Dog Man – 97 million
  21. Freakier Friday – 94 million
  22. Predator: Badlands – 90 million
  23. Snow White – 87 million
  24. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – 84 million
  25. The Bad Guys 2 – 82 million
  26. Black Phone 2 – 77 million
  27. Tron: Ares – 73 million
  28. Elio – 72 million
  29. One Battle After Another – 71 million
  30. 28 Years Later – 70 million

On the other spectrum are the movies that were either a disappointment in the box office due to poor ticket sales or, more importantly, had a horrible trailer that made me completely uninterested in seeing them. While several of the below were in the top 30 for ticket sales, they still weren’t very good (at least to me).

They appear in alphabetical order below:

28 Years Later
Alma & the Wolf
Alto Knights
Americana
Anaconda (which will come out in theatres today)
Black Phone 2
Bride Hard
Bring Her Back
Bugonia
Clown in a Cornfield
Die My Love
Drop
Final Destination: Bloodlines
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Heart Eyes
Hell Motel
Him
Hurry Up Tomorrow
I Know What You Did Last Summer (reboot)
Ick
Keeper
M3GAN 2.0
Mickey 17
One Battle After Another
Opus
Presence
Rabbit Trap
Shell
Sinners
The Conjuring: Last Rites
The Monkey
The Parenting
The Woman in the Yard
Together
Until Dawn
Weapons
Wolf Man

What movies did you enjoy seeing at the movie theatre this year?

TOMORROW: Awards of 2025

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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