Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Year End Round Up’ Category

Year-End Round-Up: The Faces of 2018

Posted in Movies, Television, Year End Round Up on December 29, 2018| 1 Comment »

The following list highlights the actors and actresses on television and on the big screen who really caught viewers’ attention throughout this year. They appear in no particular order:

[Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison-Getty Images]

1. Noah Centineo – Noah got his start in several episodes of Austin & Ally and later took over the role of Jesus Adams Foster on the recently cancelled Freeform drama The Fosters. It was this summer that put him even more on the radar by his role of Peter Kavinsky in the widely popular Netflix film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. He also appeared in the other Netflix summer film Sierra Burgess Is a Loser. Next up is his role in the box office remake of Charlie’s Angels.

[Photo Credit: JSquared Photography-Getty Images]

2. Kelly Marie Tran – While Kelly has been a working actress since 2011, it was her turn as Rose Tico in 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi that garnered her a lot of attention. She also appeared alongside Elizabeth Olson in the Facebook drama Sorry For Your Loss. Kelly will also reprise her role in the next Star Wars movie that is current in production. She also had a moving op-ed piece in The New York Times, speaking out about online bullying.

[Photo Credit: Christopher Polk-NBC-NBCU-Getty Images]

3. Tiffany Haddish – It’s been a big year for Tiffany after her head-turning role in the box office comedy Girls Trip in 2017. Throughout this year, she has appeared in Tracy Morgan led comedy The Last O.G. and the box office films Uncle Drew, Night School and Nobody’s Fool. She also has a very busy year to come with voice roles in the box office films The Secret Life of Pets 2 and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part and comedy The Kitchen that will also star Melissa McCartney, Elizabeth Moss, Common and Domhnall Gleason.

[Photo Credit: (Matt Crossick-PA Images via Getty]

4. Timothee Chalamet – Timothee appeared in a several episodes of Royal Pains and had a recurring role in the second season of Homeland in 2012, but it was his role in the independent hit Call Me By Your Name that garnered him a lot of attention and awards. He has also appeared in the box office films Lady Bird with Saoirse Ronan, Hostiles with Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike and Beautiful Boy with Steve Carell. Among his upcoming film work includes Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York, a new adaptation of Little Women, The King, a new adaptation of Dune and a sequel to Call Me By Your Name.

[Photo Credit: NBC]

5-6 and 7. Hannah Zeile, Niles Fitch and Logan Shroyer – This talented trio portray Randall, Kate and Kevin in the hit NBC series This Is Us. For Hannah, this is her first big role; Niles has appeared in episode of Army Wives and Mistresses as well as the box office films St. Vincent with Melissa McCartney and Bill Murray and Roman J. Israel, Esq. with Denzel Washington; and Logan who has appeared in a couple episodes of the Nickelodeon series The Thundermans and an episode of the comedy Speechless.

[Photo Credit: Gregg DeGuire-WireImage]

8. Awkwafina – The actress born Nora Lum, appeared in the 2016 Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and a few episodes of the streaming series Future Man, but it’s been her roles in the box office hits Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians that really catapulted her to the top. She will appear in next year’s box film Paradise Hills alongside Emma Roberts, Eiza Gonzalez and Milla Jovovich and she is one of the many voice actors to be featured in the next animated movie The Angry Birds Movie 2.

[Photo Credit: Camera Press]

9. Gemma Chan – Gemma got her start in episodes of Doctor Who, Sherlock, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Bedlam before landing a leading role in the British series Humans that aired on AMC in the States. She has appeared in the box office films Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Transformers: The Last Knight and a little movie called Crazy Rich Asians. She can currently be seen in the box office film Mary Queen of Scots alongside Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie as well as the much anticipated 2019 film Captain Marvel.

[Photo Credit: IMDB]

10. William Catlett – William has an impressive resume of roles in video shorts, short films and TV shows, but it has been his roles in the popular new series Black Lightning – where he plays Lala – and the OWN drama Love Is __ that have garnered him a lot of attention. He is also currently working on a feature film adaptation of the documentary 12 O’Clock Boys.

11. Lucas Hedges – Lucas got a lot of attention from his role in the Oscar-winning film Manchester By the Sea back in 2016, following that up with roles in the 2017 films Lady Bird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. This year he has had three big roles in the box office films Boy Erased with Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, Ben Is Back with Julia Roberts and the Jonah Hill written and directed film Mid90s. He also has two projects underway: Honey Boy with Shia LaBeouf and Laura San Giacomo and Waves with Sterling K. Brown.

Who are some of the faces from this year who caught your attention either on television, in music or in film? Please share.

TOMORROW: New Faces of 2019

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: TV Ratings 2018

Posted in Ratings, Television, Year End Round Up on December 28, 2018| Leave a Comment »

TV ratings are the life’s blood of every series on the major and cable networks. The success or failure of every show is at the mercy of their ratings. As has been the case for FAR too long, the networks put far too much value on the viewing habits of 18-39 year olds, basically ignoring anyone over the age of 40 – and especially overlooking senior viewers, who are the driving force of the buying market, but heaven forbid that those of us older viewers are forgotten about in order to focus on the young.

As has been my preference for a VERY long time, it is my mission for year to focus only on the overall viewership (the millions of viewers who watched each show) of the major and cable network dramas.

Each section below will feature a list of all the dramas (and dramas only) from highest to lowest and an explanation of the time period for which each list covers.

Here we go…

The first list is the major network dramas that aired from January through approximately June, covering the last half of the 2017-2018 TV season:

NCIS (CBS) – 13 million viewers
Bull (CBS) – 10.7 million viewers
This Is Us (NBC) – 9.7 million viewers (their Super Bowl episode earned 43 million viewers)
The Good Doctor (ABC) – 9.1 million viewers
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 8.9 million viewers
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) – 8.7 million viewers
NCIS: Los Angeles and Hawaii Five-0 (both CBS) – 7.9 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 7.3 million viewers
MacGyver (CBS) – 6.9 million viewers
Chicago Med (NBC) – 6.6 million viewers
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 6.5 million viewers
9-1-1 (FOX) – 6.3 million viewers
SEAL Team and Madam Secretary (both CBS) – 6.2 million viewers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 6 million viewers
Wisdom of the Crowd (CBS) – 5.9 million viewers *
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 5.8 million viewers
S.W.A.T. (CBS) and The Blacklist (NBC) – 5.7 million viewers
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 5.5 million viewers
Empire (FOX) – 5.4 million viewers
Scorpion (CBS) * and Station 19 (ABC) – 5.3 million viewers
Scandal (ABC) – 4.8 million viewers *
Good Girls (NBC) – 4.6 million viewers
Rise (NBC) * and The Resident (FOX) – 4.5 million viewers
Lethal Weapon and Star (both FOX) – 4.1 million viewers
The X-Files (FOX) * and How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – 3.7 million viewers
The Brave (NBC) *; The Crossing (CBS) * and Designated Survivor (ABC) * – 3.6 million viewers
Deception (ABC) – 3.5 million viewers *
Blindspot (NBC) – 3.2 million viewers
The Gifted and Lucifer * (both FOX) – 3.1 million viewers
Timeless * and Taken * (both NBC) and For the People (ABC) – 2.6 million viewers
Ransom (CBS) – 2.5 million viewers
Ten Days in the Valley (ABC) – 2.4 million viewers *
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (ABC) * and Gotham (FOX) – 2.3 million viewers
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – 2.2 million viewers *
The Flash (The CW) – 2.1 million viewers
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC) – 2 million viewers
Supergirl (The CW) – 1.8 million viewers
Supernatural and Black Lightning (The CW) – 1.7 million viewers
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) – 1.4 million viewers
Riverdale and Arrow (both on The CW) – 1.2 million viewers
Valor (The CW) – 973,000 viewers *
iZombie (The CW) – 805,000 viewers
Dynasty (The CW) – 722,000 viewers
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW) – 660,000 viewers
Jane the Virgin (The CW) – 653,000 viewers
Life Sentence (The CW) – 606,000 viewers *

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

The second list covers all of the cable network dramas from that same time period – January through the early part of July:

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 7 million viewers
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 2.7 million viewers
Major Crimes (TNT) – 2.3 million viewers *
The Haves and the Have Nots (OWN) and When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Vikings (History Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Good Witch (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
The Alienist (TNT) – 1.8 million viewers
Westworld (HBO) – 1.6 million viewers
If Loving You Is Wrong (OWN) – 1.5 million viewers ^
The Librarians (TNT) – 1.3 million viewers *
American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX) and Homeland (Showtime) – 1.2 million viewers
Knightfall (History Channel); Suits (USA Network) and Into the Badlands (AMC) – 1.1 million viewers
The Terror (AMC) – 892,000 viewers
Billions (Showtime) – 875,000 viewers
Waco (Paramount Network) – 839,000 viewers *
Krypton (Syfy) – 787,000 viewers
Nashville (CMT) – 759,000 viewers
The Chi (Showtime) – 705,000 viewers
The Magicians (Syfy) – 696,000 viewers
The Americans (FX) – 662,000 viewers *
Siren (Freeform) – 661,000 viewers
The Expanse (Syfy) – 607,000 viewers *
Damnation (USA Network) – 592,000 viewers *
Trust (FX) – 587,000 viewers ^
Happy (Syfy) – 575,000 viewers
The Fosters (Freeform) – 555,000 viewers
The Quad (BET) – 493,000 viewers *
Killing Eve (BBC America) – 491,000 viewers
Van Helsing (Syfy) – 477,000 viewers
In Contempt (BET) – 470,000 viewers ^
Legion (FX) – 431,000 viewers
Imposters (Bravo) – 425,000 viewers *
The Arrangement (E!) – 420,000 viewers *
The Royals (E!) – 401,000 viewers *
Shadowhunters (Freeform) – 398,000 viewers
Here and Now (HBO) – 378,000 viewers *
Counterpart (Starz) – 368,000 viewers
Genius: Picasso (FX) – 363,000 viewers
Falling Water (USA Network) – 349,000 viewers *
Ghost Wars (Syfy) – 338,000 viewers *
Channel Zero: Butcher’s Block (Syfy) – 308,000 viewers
Mary Kills People (Lifetime) – 299,000 viewers ^
McMafia (AMC) – 295,000 viewers
UnReal (Lifetime) – 270,000 viewers
Famous in Love (Freeform) – 254,000 viewers *
Beyond (Freeform) – 229,000 viewers *
Patrick Melrose (Showtime) – 220,000 viewers ^
Bellevue (WGN America) – [approximately] 201,000 viewers ^
Hap & Leonard: The Two-Bear Mambo (Sundance TV) – 200,000 viewers *
Mosaic (HBO) – 197,000 viewers ^
Sweetbitter (Starz) – 164,000 viewers
Vida (Starz) – 130,000 viewers
Strike Back (Cinemax) – 120,000 viewers
Rellik (Cinemax) – 97,000 viewers ^

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

NOTE: The ratings for the following shows could not be tracked down: Call the Midwife (PBS); Ice (DirecTV); Private Eyes (ION), Shoot the Messenger (WGN America); Unforgotten (PBS); and Victoria (PBS).

The third list covers the dramas that aired on the major networks over the summer from about the middle of March through about mid-September:

Instinct (CBS) – 6.8 million viewers
Code Black (CBS) – 5.6 million viewers *
Elementary (CBS) – 3.8 million viewers
Take Two (ABC) * and Shades of Blue (NBC) * – 3.2 million viewers
Quantico (ABC) * and Salvation (CBS) * – 2.7 million viewers
Reverie (NBC) – 2.2 million viewers *
The 100 (The CW) – 978,000 viewers
The Originals (The CW) – 837,000 viewers *
Burden of Truth (The CW) – 774,000 viewers
The Outpost (The CW) – 663,000 viewers

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

The fourth list covers all of the dramas that aired on the cable networks over the summer from about the end of May through the first couple weeks of October:

Yellowstone (Paramount Network) – 2.2 million viewers
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 1.9 million viewers
The Haves and the Have Nots (OWN) – 1.8 million viewers
Better Call Saul (AMC) – 1.5 million viewers
Power (Starz) – 1.4 million viewers
Animal Kingdom (TNT) – 1.3 million viewers
Sharp Objects (HBO) * and Suits (USA Network) – 1.2 million viewers
Queen Sugar (OWN) and The Sinner (USA Network) – 1.1 million viewers
Queen of the South (USA Network) – 1 million viewers
Love Is (OWN) – 903,000 viewers
Preacher (AMC) – 852,000 viewers
Six (History Channel) – 755,000 viewers *
Shooter (USA Network) – 731,000 viewers *
Nashville (CMT) – 724,000 viewers *
Younger (TV Land) – 670,000 viewers
Colony (USA Network) – 665,000 viewers *
The Fosters (Freeform) – 625,000 viewers *
Pose (FX) – 645,000 viewers
Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger (Freeform) – 608,000 viewers
Succession (HBO) – 603,000 viewers
The Affair (Showtime) – 519,000 viewers
Wynonna Earp (Syfy) – 476,000 viewers
Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce (Bravo) – 454,000 viewers *
Killjoys (Syfy) – 427,000 viewers
Lodge 49 (AMC) – 413,000 viewers
Hit the Floor (BET) – 383,000 viewers ^
Dietland (AMC) – 366,000 viewers *
American Woman (Paramount Network) – 364,000 viewers *
Humans (AMC) – 352,000 viewers
The Bold Type (Freeform) – 310,000 viewers
12 Monkeys (Syfy) – 290,000 viewers *
Howard’s End (Starz) – 244,000 viewers *
CB Strike (Cinemax) – 137,000 viewers ^
Outcast (Cinemax) – 106,000 viewers *

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

NOTE: Ratings for the following show could not be tracked down: 100 Code (WGN America); Condor (DirecTV); Deep State (EPIX); Endeavour (PBS); Mr. Mercedes (DirecTV); Private Eyes (ION); The Tunnel: Vengeance (PBS); and X Company (Ovation).

The fifth list covers the cable network dramas that aired from approximately August to mid-December:

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 5.2 million viewers
American Horror Story Apocalypse (FX) – 2 million viewers
The Haves and the Have Nots (OWN) – 1.8 million viewers ^
Vikings (History Channel) – 1.8 million viewers ^
Chesapeake Shores (Hallmark Channel) and Mayans, M.C. (FX) – 1.6 million viewers
Greenleaf (OWN) – 1.3 million viewers
Dirty John (Bravo) – 1.2 million viewers ^
The Last Ship (TNT) – 1.2 million viewers *
The Purge (USA Network) – 1.1 million viewers
Ray Donovan (Showtime) – 1 million viewers ^
Outlander (Starz) – 970,000 viewers ^
Doctor Who (BBC America) – 873,000 viewers
You (Lifetime) – 611,000 viewers
Escape at Dannemora (Showtime) – 539,000 viewers ^
Z Nation (Syfy) – 446,000 viewers ^ *
Nightflyers (Syfy) – 395,000 viewers
Van Helsing (Syfy) – 392,000 viewers ^
The Little Drummer Girl (AMC) – 308,000 viewers
Channel Zero: The Dream Door (Syfy) – 265,000 viewers **
Carter (WGN America) – [approximately] 242,000 viewers **
Counterpart (Starz) – 210,000 viewers ^
Heathers (Paramount Network) – [approximately] 98,000 viewers **

* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes all the shows missing at least one episode aired during the last week of December
** denotes the shows that have yet to be renewed

NOTE: Ratings for the following shows could not be tracked down: Berlin Station (EPIX); Clique (POP); Durrells in Corfu (PBS); Mr. Mercedes (DirecTV); Poldark (PBS); The Miniaturist (PBS); The Woman in White (PBS); Versailles (Ovation) and X Company (Ovation).

The sixth and final list covers all of the major network dramas that aired during the first half of the 2018-2019 TV season, covering September to approximately mid-December:

NCIS (CBS) – 12 million viewers
FBI (CBS) – 9.3 million viewers
This Is Us (NBC) – 8.9 million viewers
God Friended Me and Blue Bloods (both CBS) – 8.5 million viewers
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 8 million viewers
Chicago Med (NBC) – 7.9 million viewers
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) – 7.8 million viewers
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 7.5 million viewers
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) and The Good Doctor (ABC) – 7.4 million viewers
Manifest (NBC) – 7.3 million viewers
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 6.9 million viewers
New Amsterdam (NBC) – 6.8 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 6.7 million viewers
Bull (CBS) – 6.5 million viewers
9-1-1 (FOX) – 6.4 million viewers
MacGyver and Madam Secretary (both CBS) – 6.2 million viewers
Magnum P.I. (CBS) – 5.9 million viewers
SEAL Team (CBS) – 5.6 million viewers
S.W.A.T. (CBS) and Station 19 (ABC) – 5.2 million viewers
Empire (FOX) – 5.1 million viewers
The Resident (FOX) – 4.8 million viewers
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 4.7 million viewers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) and The Rookie (ABC) – 4.4 million viewers
Star (FOX) – 3.9 million viewers
A Million Little Things (ABC) – 3.6 million viewers
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – 3.1 million viewers
Lethal Weapon (FOX) – 3 million viewers
Blindspot (NBC) – 2.6 million viewers
The Gifted (FOX) – 2.2 million viewers
Midnight, Texas (NBC) – 2.1 million viewers ^ *
The Flash (The CW) – 1.8 million viewers
Supernatural (The CW) – 1.5 million viewers
Supergirl and Arrow (both The CW) – 1.4 million viewers
Riverdale (The CW) – 1.3 million viewers
Charmed; Black Lightning and Legacies (all The CW) – 1.1 million viewers
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) – 1 million viewers
All American (The CW) – 715,000 viewers
Dynasty (The CW) – 649,000 viewers
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW) – 437,000 viewers

NOTE: The Orville will return for the start of its second season on FOX on December 30.

^ denotes the shows missing at least one episode aired during the last week of December
* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending

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

1. As has been the case for many years now, NCIS is still the reigning champ on TV. Of course, CBS is still the top network overall with more dramas in the top 10 than any other network. The top new drama for CBS is FBI while Elementary and Criminal Minds are the lowest rated shows for the network throughout this year.

2. The Good Doctor returns as the top drama on ABC for the whole year. The lowest rated dramas for the network are Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and How to Get Away with Murder.

3. The FOX drama 9-1-1 has taken over the top ranking from previous champ Empire while Gotham and The Gifted are the network’s lowest rated shows.

4. This Is Us is still the ratings earning for NBC with Chicago Fire and Chicago Med vying for second place. Unfortunately, for a second year Blindspot is the lowest ranked show on NBC.

5. Supergirl and The Flash are close competitors for the top dramas on The CW with Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend taking turns as the lowest ranked dramas.

6. As for the cable networks, The Walking Dead still holds the top spot while Yellowstone on the Paramount Network was the top summer cable drama. On the other end, Heathers on the Paramount Network and Rellik on Cinemax were the lowest rated cable dramas overall.

The final list – which is VERY long – covers all of the made-for-TV movies, mini-series, event series and specials that aired during 2018 on both the major and cable networks for which ratings could be tracked down.

Here is the LONG list:

Jesus Christ Superstar (NBC) – 9.3 million viewers

Christmas at Graceland (Hallmark Channel) – 4.7 million viewers
A Shoe Addict’s Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 4.2 million viewers
It’s Christmas, Eve (Hallmark Channel) – 4.2 million viewers
Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa (Hallmark Channel) – 4 million viewers

Mingle All the Way (Hallmark Channel) – 3.9 million viewers
Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe (Hallmark Channel) – 3.9 million viewers
Homegrown Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.8 million viewers
Christmas in Love (Hallmark Channel) – 3.7 million viewers
When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Christmas Blessing (Hallmark Channel) – 3.7 million viewers
Christmas at Pemberley Manor (Hallmark Channel) – 3.6 million viewers
Christmas Everlasting (Hallmark Channel) – 3.5 million viewers
Christmas Made to Order (Hallmark Channel) – 3.5 million viewers
Christmas Joy (Hallmark Channel) – 3.4 million viewers
Welcome to Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.4 million viewers
Christmas at the Palace (Hallmark Channel) – 3.3 million viewers
Jingle Around the Clock (Hallmark Channel) – 3.3 million viewers
Timeless (NBC) [2-Hour Movie/Series Finale] – 3.3 million viewers
My Sweetest Valentine (Hallmark Channel) – 3.1 million viewers
One Winter Weekend (Hallmark Channel) – 3 million viewers
Reunited at Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3 million viewers

Royal Matchmaker (Hallmark Channel) – 2.9 million viewers
Love on the Slopes (Hallmark Channel) – 2.8 million viewers
The Beach House (Hallmark Channel) – 2.8 million viewers
A Gingerbread Romance (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
All of My Heart: The Wedding (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
Entertaining Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
Marrying Mr. Darcy (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
Road to Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
Truly, Madly, Sweetly (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million viewers
A Majestic Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Frozen in Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Love, Of Course (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Love on Safari (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Once Upon a Prince (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Royal Hearts (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Winter’s Dream (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
Good Witch: Tale of Two Hearts (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
Season for Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
Under the Autumn Moon (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
Very, Very Valentine (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
A Summer to Remember (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million viewers
Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance (Lifetime) – 2.2 million viewers
Love, Once & Always (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Love at Sea (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Love In Design (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
The Sweetest Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Faith Under Fire: The Antoinette Tuff Story (Lifetime) – 2.1 million viewers
Falling For You (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Home By Spring (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Love at First Dance (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Northern Lights of Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 2.1 million viewers
Once Upon a Christmas Miracle (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 2.1 million viewers
Pearl of Paradise (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
The Perfect Bride: Wedding Bells (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Wedding March 3: Here Comes the Bride (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
Wedding of Dreams (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
Royally Ever After (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers

A Godwink Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.9 million viewers
Christmas at Honeysuckle Lane (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) 1.9 million viewers
A Veteran’s Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.8 million viewers
Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story (Lifetime) – 1.8 million viewers
Cooking with Love (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
The Simone Biles Story (Lifetime) – 1.8 million viewers

Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.8 million viewers
Yes, I Do (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
Christmas at Grand Valley (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.7 million viewers
Christmas Bells Are Ringing (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.7 million viewers
Freaky Friday (Disney) – 1.6 million viewers
Garage Sale Mystery: Murder in D Minor (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.6 million viewers
A Christmas For the Books (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
An Aurora Teagarden Mystery: The Disappearing Game (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Garage Sale Mystery: Pandora’s Box (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Garage Sale Mystery: Picture a Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Garage Sale Mystery: The Mask Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Hailey Dean Mystery: A Will to Kill (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Return to Christmas Creek (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Altar (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Christmas Wonderland (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.5 million viewers
Marrying Father Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million viewers
Small Town Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million viewers
A Christmas in Tennessee (Lifetime) – 1.3 million viewers
A Twist of Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.3 million viewers
An Aurora Teagarden Mystery: Last Scene Alive (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Hailey Dean Mystery: 2+2=Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Hope at Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Life-Size 2 (Freeform) – 1.3 million viewers
The Morning Show Murders: Mortal Mishaps (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Christmas Around the Corner (Lifetime) – 1.2 million viewers
Every Day Is Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.2 million viewers
Hailey Dean Mystery: Marriage Made for Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million viewers
Memories of Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million viewers
Past Malice: An Emma Fielding Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million viewers
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Road Less Traveled (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million viewers
A Very Nutty Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.1 million viewers
Christmas Pen Pals (Lifetime) – 1.1 million viewers
Deadly Deed: Fixer Upper Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million viewers
Fahrenheit 451 (HBO) – 1.1 million viewers
Last Vermont Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Santa’s Boots (Lifetime) – 1.1 million viewers
Hometown Christmas (Lifetime) – 1 million viewers
Poinsettias for Christmas (Lifetime) – 1 million viewers
The Christmas Pact (Lifetime) – 1 million viewers
The Morning Show Mysteries: Murder on the Menu (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1 million viewers

My Christmas Inn (Lifetime) – 990,000 viewers
Christmas Lost and Found (Lifetime) – 989,000 viewers
A Christmas Arrangement (Lifetime) – 967,000 viewers
Christmas Harmony (Lifetime) – 939,000 viewers
Tale of Two Careys (Lifetime) – 885,000 viewers
Jingle Belle (Lifetime) – 823,000 viewers
The Christmas Contract (Lifetime) – 814,000 viewers
Darrow & Darrow: Body of Evidence (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 775,000 viewers
Every Other Holiday (Lifetime) – 715,000 viewers
Christmas Perfection (Lifetime) – 677,000 viewers
No Sleep Til Christmas (Freeform) – 602,000 viewers
My Dinner with Herve (HBO) – 597,000 viewers
The Truth About Christmas (Freeform) – 562,000 viewers
Behind the Movement (TV One) – 352,000 viewers
Christmas with a Prince (UP TV) – 327,000 viewers
Icebox (HBO) – 236,000 viewers
Down for Whatever (TV One) – 180,000 viewers
Dinner for Two (TV One) – 136,000 viewers

Ratings for the following made-for-TV movies could not be tracked down or weren’t available in time for this post:

A Midnight Kiss (Hallmark Channel)
A Christmas in Royal Fashion (ION)
A Snow White Christmas (ION)
A Wedding for Christmas (ION)
Anne of Green Gables: Fire & Dew (PBS)
Call the Midwife Holiday Special (PBS)
Chandler Christmas Getaway (UP TV)
Child in Time (PBS)
Christmas Catch (UP TV)
Christmas Cupid’s Arrow (ION)
Christmas on Holly Lane (UP TV)
Christmas on the Coast (UP TV)
Country Christmas Album (ION)
Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
Hometown Holiday (UP TV)
Little Women (PBS)
Man in an Orange Shirt (PBS)
Rent-An-Elf (ION)
Runaway Romance (UP TV)
The Christmas Switch (UP TV)

What shows, made-for-TV movies, mini-series and/or specials have you enjoyed the most throughout the year? Please share.

TOMORROW: Faces of 2018

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: In Memorium

Posted in Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 27, 2018| Leave a Comment »

The following industry personalities (listed in alphabetical order) passed away in 2018 and heartfelt condolences are extended to their families, friends and fans:

Marty Allen (Legendary Comedian)
Harry Anderson (Actor, “Night Court”)
Michael Anderson (Director, “Logan’s Run”)
Susan Anspach (Actress, “Five Easy Pieces” and “Play It Again”)
Avicii [aka Tim Bergling] (Artist, DJ and Producer) [He was only 28]

Marty Balin (Co-Founder, Jefferson Airplane)
Ken Berry (Actor, “F-Troop” and “Mayberry R.F.D.”)
Arthur Black (Canadian Humorist, Author and CBC Radio Personality)
Steven Bochco (Co-Creator, “NYPD Blue” and “Hill Street Blues”)
Anthony Bourdain (TV Personality, Celebrity Chef and Writer)
DuShon Monique Brown (Actress, “Chicago Fire) [She was only 49]
Barbara Bush (Former First Lady)
George H.W. Bush (Former President)

Joseph Campanella (Actor, “Mannix” and “One Day at a Time”)
Reg E. Cathey (Actor, “House of Cards,” “The Wire” and “Oz”)
Roy Clark (Legendary Country Guitarist and “Hee Haw” Star)
“Fast” Eddie Clarke (Guitarist, Rock Band Motorhead)
Anne V. Coates (Oscar-Winning Film Editor, “Lawrence of Arabia”)
Olivia Cole (Veteran Actress, “Roots” and the Mini-Series “Backstairs at the White House”)

Bill Daly (Actor, “I Dream of Jeannie”)
Paul De Meo (Screenwriter “The Rocketeer” and Producer “The Flash” 90’s TV Series)
Steve Ditko (Co-Creator, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange)
Peter Donat (Actor, “The X-Files”)
Bob Dorough (Composer, “Schoolhouse Rock!”)

Harlan Ellison (Sci-Fi Writer, “Star Trek” and “Babylon 5”)
R. Lee Ermey (Actor, Golden Globe Nominee, “Full Metal Jacket”)

Nanette Fabray (Actress-Singer, “The Band Wagon)
Milos Forman (Oscar-Winning Director, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”)
Naomi Parker Fraley (The Real Rose the Riveter)
Aretha Franklin (the Queen of Soul)
Joel Freeman (Veteran Producer, “Shaft” and “Love at First Bite”)

John Gavin (Actor, “Psycho” and “Spartacus”)
Lewis Gilbert (Director, “Alfie,” You Only Live Twice,” “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “Moonraker”)
William Goldman (Oscar-Winning Writer, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”)

Barbara Harris (Actress, the original “Freaky Friday”)
Stephen Hawking (Theoretical Physicist and Author)
Stephen Hillenburg (Creator, “SpongeBob SquarePants”)
Tab Hunter (Actor, “Damn Yankees” and “Battle Cry”)

Joe Jackson (Patriarch of Jackson Family)
Keith Jackson (Legendary College Football Sportscaster)
Johann Johannsson (Composer, “Theory of Everything”)
Georgann Johnson (Actress, “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman,” “All My Children” and “As the World Turns”)
Mickey Jones (Character Actor)
Paul Junger Witt (Producer, “The Golden Girls,” “Benson” and “Soap”)

James Karen (Veteran Actor, “Poltergeist” and “The Return of the Living Dead”)
Carl Kasell (Legendary NPR Newsman)
Margot Kidder (Actress, “Superman”)

Christopher Lawford (JFK Nephew and Actor, “General Hospital” and “All My Children”)
Ursula K. Le Guin (Renowned Author, “Earthsea”)
Robin Leach (Host, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”)
Stan Lee (Legendary Writer, Editor and Publisher, Marvel Comics Characters)
Andy Lewis (Oscar-nominated co-writer “Klute”)
Sondra Locke (Oscar nominee-Actress “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter”)
Deanna Lund (Actress, “Land of the Giants”)

Katherine MacGregor (Actress, “Little House on the Prairie”)
John Mahoney (Actor, “Frasier”)
Dorothy Malone (Veteran Actress, “Basic Instinct” and “Peyton Place”)
Robert Mandan (Actor, “Soap”)
Penny Marshall (Director – Actress, “Laverne and Shirley”)
Jan Maxwell (Gifted Comic Actress and 5-Time Tony Nominee)
John McCain (Arizona Senator and One-Time Presidential Nominee)
Peggy McCay (Veteran Actress, “Days of Our Lives”)
Benjamin Melniker (MGM Executive and Producer of nearly all Batman films) [He was 104]
Donald Moffat (Actor, “The Right Stuff” and “Clear And Present Danger”)
John Morris (Veteran Composer, “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein”)
Patricia Morison (Actress, “Song of Bernadette” and “Dressed To Kill”) [She was 103 years old]

Tim O’Connor (Actor, “Peyton Place”)
Dolores O’Riordan (Singer-Songwriter, Lead Singer of “The Cranberries”)
David Ogden Stiers (Actor, “MASH”)

Charlotte Rae (veteran actress, “Facts of Life”)
Burt Reynolds (Actor, “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Deliverance”)
Donnelly Rhodes (Veteran Actor, “Soap” and “Battlestar Galactica”)

Mark Salling (Actor-Singer, “Glee”)
Mitzi Shore (Owner, “The Comedy Store”)
Neil Simon (Playwright, “The Odd Couple” and “Barefoot in the Park”)
Nancy Sinatra, Sr. (the late Frank Sinatra’s first wife and mother of his three children)
Russ Solomon (Founder of Tower Records)
Kate Spade (Fashion Designer)
Elizabeth Sung (Character Actress, “The Young and the Restless” “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Sopranos”)
D’Wayne Swear (Retired Naval Investigator who inspired NCIS: New Orleans character Dwayne Pride)

Emma Tennant (Top British TV Executive)
Verne Troyer (Actor, “Austin Powers” franchise)

Jerry Van Dyke (Veteran Actor “Coach” and Brother of Dick Van Dyke)
Will Vinton (Award-Winning Animator and Pioneer of Claymation)

Clint Walker (Actor, 1950’s western classic “Cheyenne”)
Nancy Wilson (Grammy-Winning Singer, Actress)
Scott Wilson (Veteran Actor, “The Walking Dead”)
Tom Wolfe (Journalist and Author, “The Right Stuff”)

Craig Zadan (Prolific Stage, TV and Film Producer)

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 a moment of silence.

TOMORROW: Ratings

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: The Award Goes To…

Posted in Music, Year End Round Up on December 26, 2018| 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 is just some of the top winners over the course of the year:

GOLDEN GLOBES (January)

Best Drama Picture – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor Drama Picture – Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Comedy TV Series – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Allison Janney in I, Tonya
Best Animated Film – Coco
Best Original Song – This Is Me from The Greatest Showman
Best Drama TV Series – The Handmaid’s Tale
Best Actor Drama TV Series – Sterling K. Brown in This Is Us
Best Actress Drama TV Series – Elisabeth Moss in The Handmaid’s Tale
Best Actress Comedy Series in a TV Series – Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Actress Limited TV Series – Nicole Kidman in Big Little Lies
Cecil B. DeMille Award – Oprah Winfrey

CRITIC’S CHOICE AWARDS (January)

Motion Pictures:

Best Picture – The Shape of Water
Best Actress – Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Young Actor/Actress – Brooklynn Prince in The Florida Project
Best Cinematography – Roger Deakins for Blade Runner 2049
Best Costume Design – Mark Bridges for Phantom Thread
Best Action Movie – Wonder Woman
Best Actress in a Comedy – Margot Robbie in I, Tonya

Television:

Best Supporting Actor in TV Drama – David Harbour in Stranger Things
Best Actor in a TV Comedy – Ted Danson in The Good Place
Best Limited TV Series – Big Little Lies

NAACP IMAGE AWARDS (January)

Entertainer of the Year – Ava DuVernay
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture – Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture – Octavia Spencer in Gifted
Outstanding Actress in a TV Comedy – Tracee Ellis Ross in black-ish
Outstanding Actress in a TV Drama – Taraji P. Henson in Empire
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a TV Drama – Joe Morton in Scandal
Outstanding Male Artist – Bruno Mars
Outstanding Female Artist – Mary J. Blige

SAG AWARDS (January)

Actress TV Drama – Clarie Foy in The Crown
Actor in Limited TV Series – Alexander Skarsgard in Big Little Lies
Ensemble in a Motion Picture – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

GRAMMY AWARDS (January)

Album of the Year – 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
Top Country Album – From a Room, Vol. 1 by Chris Stapleton
New Artist – Alessia Cara
Pop Duo/Group Performance – Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man
Top Rock Song – Run by Foo Fighters
Song Written for Visual Media – How Far I’ll Go from Moana by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Score Soundtrack for Visual Media – La La Land
Musical Theater Album – Dear Evan Hansen

RAZZIE AWARDS (March)

Worst Picture – The Emoji Movie
Worst Actor – Tom Cruise in The Mummy
Worst Supporting Actress – Kim Basinger in Fifty Shades Darker
Worst Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel – Fifty Shades Darker

OSCARS (March)

Best Picture – The Shape of Water
Original Screenplay – Get Out by Jordan Peele
Film Editing – Lee Smith for Dunkirk
Best Supporting Actor – Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS (May)

Top Male Artist – Ed Sheeran
Top Female Artist – Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group – Imagine Dragons
Top Country Female Artist – Maren Morris
Top Soundtrack – Moana
Top Dance/Electronic Song – Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

TONY AWARDS (June)

Best Play – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Best Musical – The Band’s Visit
Best Revival of a Play – Angels in America
Best Actor in Leading Role in a Play – Andrew Garfield in Angels in America
Best Actress in Leading Role in a Play – Glenda Jackson in Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women
Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play – Nathan Lane in Angels in America

MTV MOVIE & TV AWARDS (June)

Best Movie – Black Panther
Bet Performance in a Show Female – Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things
Best Hero – Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa/Black Panther) in Black Panther
Best Villain – Michael B. Jordan (N’Jadaka/Erik Killmonger) in Black Panther
Scene Stealer – Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl Blossom) in Riverdale
Best Fight – Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) vs. German Soldiers in Wonder Woman

BET AWARDS (June)

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist – Bruno Mars
Video Director of the Year – Ava Duvernay
Best Actress – Tiffany Haddish
Young Stars Award – Yara Shahidi

SATURN AWARDS (June)

Best Action/Adventure Film – The Greatest Showman
Best Independent Film – Wonder
Best Actor in a Film – Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Best Actress in a Film – Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman
Best Supporting Actor in a Film – Patrick Stewart in Logan
Best Supporting Actress in a Film – Danai Gurira in Black Panther
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Film – Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming
Best Fantasy TV Series – Outlander
Best Superhero Adaptation TV Series – The Flash
Best New Media TV Series: – Star Trek: Discovery
Best New Media Superhero Series – Marvel’s The Punisher
Best Actress on TV: Sonequa Martin-Green in Star Trek: Discovery

TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS (August)

Achievement in Drama – Keri Russell in The Americans
Achievement in Comedy – Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Outstanding New Program – Killing Eve
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy – The Good Place
Lifetime Achievement – Rita Moreno
Heritage Award – Friends

TEEN CHOICE AWARDS (August)

Choice Action Movie- Avengers: Infinity War
Choice Sci-Fi Movie – Black Panther
Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actor – Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Ragnarok
Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actress – Letitia Wright in Black Panther
Choice Fantasy Movie Actress – Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Choice Comedy Movie – Love, Simon
Choice Comedy Movie Actor – Dwayne Johnson in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Choice Summer Movie Actor – Chris Pratt in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Choice Drama TV Show – Riverdale
Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show – Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments
Choice Action TV Actor – Grant Gustin in The Flash
Choice Action TV Actress – Melissa Benoist in Supergirl
Choice Comedy TV Actor – Jaime Camil in Jane the Virgin
Choice Comedy TV Actress – Gina Rodriguez in Jane the Virgin
Choice Summer TV Star – Olivia Holt in Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger
Choice Breakout TV Star – Vanessa Morgan in Riverdale
Choice Female Artist – Camila Cabello
Choice Country Artist – Carrie Underwood
Choice Collaboration – Rewrite the Stars by Zac Efron & Zendaya from The Greatest Showman soundtrack
Choice Summer Male Artist – Shawn Mendes

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (August)

Artist of the Year – Camila Cabello
Best Pop – No Tears Left to Cry by Ariana Grande
Best Rock – Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons

EMMY AWARDS (September)

Drama Series – Game of Thrones
Lead Actress in a Drama Series – Claire Foy in The Crown
Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Matthew Rhys in The Americans
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Thandie Newton in Westworld
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – Darren Criss in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie – Merritt Wever in Godless
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Alex Borstein in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Henry Winkler in Barry

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (October)

Favorite Female Artist Country – Carrie Underwood
Favorite Artist Alternative Rock – Panic! At The Disco
Favorite Soundtrack – The Album, Music From And Inspired By Black Panther

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS (November)

Movie of 2018 – Avengers: Infinity War
Comedy Movie – The Spy Who Dumped Me
Family Movie – Incredibles 2
Action Movie Star – Danai Gurira in Black Panther
Show of 2018 – Shadowhunters
Drama Show – Riverdale
Male TV Star – Harry Shum Jr. in Shadowhunters
Female TV Star – Katherine McNamara in Shadowhunters
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show – Wynonna Earp
Male Artist – Shawn Mendes
Country Artist – Blake Shelton

GOTHAM AWARDS (November)

Best Feature – The Rider
Best Actor – Ethan Hawke in First Reformed
Best Actress – Toni Collette in Hereditary
Breakthrough Actor – Elsie Fisher in Eighth Grade
Breakthrough Series, Long Form – Killing Eve
Jury Award for Ensemble Performance – Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman and Emma Stone in The Favourite
Audience Award – Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

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: In Memorium

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: The Hits and Misses on the Big Screen 2018

Posted in Movies, Year End Round Up on December 25, 2018| Leave a Comment »

In years past, I would attempt to see about 25 movies in the theatres every year, but this year has been drastically different with my only seeing about a dozen movies in the theatre this time around. The movies I enjoyed the most include: Mary Poppins Returns, The Black Panther, Bohemian Rhapsody and Avengers: Infinity War.

But I know readers don’t care about what movies I saw throughout the year or which ones I liked best. So it’s time to look at the top 30 biggest box office winners from this year (up through Sunday, December 23):

1. Black Panther – 700 million
2. Avengers: Infinity War – 679 million
3. Incredibles 2 – 609 million
4. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – 417 million
5. Deadpool 2 – 318 million
6. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch – 253 million
7. Mission: Impossible – Fallout – 220 million
8. Ant-Man and the Wasp – 217 million
9. Solo: A Star Wars Story – 214 million
10. Venom – 213 million
11. A Star is Born – 200 million
12. A Quiet Place – 188 million
13. Bohemian Rhapsody – 185 million
14. Crazy Rich Asians – 174 million
15. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – 168 million
16. Ralph Breaks the Internet – 162 million
17. Halloween (2018) – 159 million
18. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald – 154 million
19. The Meg – 145 million
20. Ocean’s 8 – 140 million
21. Ready Player One -138 million
22. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – 121 million
23. The Nun – 118 million
24. Peter Rabbit – 115 million
25. Creed II – 109 million
26. The Equalizer 2 – 102 million
27. Rampage (2018) – 101 million
28. A Wrinkle in Time – 100.5 million
29. Fifty Shades Freed – 100.4 million
30. Disney’s Christopher Robin – 99 million

NOTE: Please keep in mind that the box office results for movies released during the week before Christmas won’t be tallied until later this week.

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.

They appear in alphabetical order below:

Acrimony
Bad Samaritan
Blockers
Game Night
Gotti
Gringo
Holmes & Watson
I Feel Pretty
Insidious: The Last Key
Life of the Party
Night School
Nobody’s Fool
Overboard
Overlord
Slender Man
Super Troopers 2
Tag
The First Purge
The Happytime Murders
The Meg
The Nun
The Spy Who Dumped Me
The Strangers: Prey at Night
Truth or Dare
Uncle Drew
Venom
White Boy Rick

What movies did you most enjoy seeing this year? Which movies were disappointments to you? Please share your thoughts and comments.

TOMORROW: The Award Goes To…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: Music Moments in 2018

Posted in Music, Year End Round Up on December 24, 2018| Leave a Comment »

I don’t know about the rest of you, but in my world I couldn’t live without music.

As I’ve shared for years now, I wake up to music every single day rather than an alarm. Every night I go to bed with music playing. The first thing I do after I start my car is turn on the radio. Whenever I leave my house, my music is playing as I don’t like to have a quiet house – even when I’m not around.

Music may not be for everyone, but I couldn’t function without it.

Since music plays a crucial role in my life, I wanted – like for so many years – to take the time to highlight just some of the songs, performers and video moments from this past year:

Top Female Singer of the Year – Camila Cabello

Here is the video to her number one hit single “Havana”:

Top Male Singer of the Year – Shawn Mendes

Here is the video for his hit single “In My Blood”:

Top Band of the Year – Panic! At The Disco

Here is the video for their hit song “Say Amen (Saturday Night)”:

Man This Guy Can Sing – Brendon Urie from Panic! At The Disco

Here is a video of Brendon and the band performing “Bohemian Rhapsody” live from Sydney for the American Music Awards:

Best New Band – lovelytheband

Here is the video for their song “Broken”:

Like Father, Like Son – Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli

Here is the video for their single “Fall On Me”:

Top Song From a Box Office Movie – “Shallow” from A Star Is Born (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper)

Here is the video for the single:

What An Incredible Recreation – Rami Malek performing as Freddie Mercury in the box office Bohemian Rhapsody

Check this link that features the side-by-side video.

Top Pop Song of the Year – “The Middle” by country music singer Maren Morris, record producer Zedd and musical duo Grey

Here is the video:

Top Country Singer – Kacey Musgraves

Here is the video for the title song from her latest album “Golden Hour,” which has been getting critical buzz and winning the talented singer awards:

Let’s Run Off to the Circus – “The Greatest Showman – Reimagined”

Here are some of the official lyric videos for some of the reimagined songs:

Kelly Clarkson “Never Enough”

Pink “A Million Dreams”

The reimagined album also includes Panic! At The Disco, Sara Bareilles, Zac Brown Band, Pentatonix and Kesha [among others].

Merry Christmas to One and All – “Christmas Party” by The Monkees

Their first EVER Christmas album two years after their 50th Anniversary album came out.

The Monkees – “Unwrap You At Christmas” (Official Lyric Video)

Which artists stood out for you over this past year? What was your favorite song? Which songs did you get sick of hearing on the radio? What song could you listen to over and over again? What was the top album in your opinion? Please share your thoughts on the music of 2018 below.

TOMORROW: Movies

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: The Hits and Misses on TV 2018

Posted in Television, Year End Round Up on December 23, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Every TV season viewers never know what to expect from their favorite shows because the powers that be behind those shows are sneaky, they like to freak us out, make us laugh, make us cheer and sigh in relief.

There is always so much going on each TV season that sometimes it’s hard to point out all of the good (and the bad) that TV gives us each year, but the following list, which is featured in no particular order, is what really stood out for me this TV season:

[Photo Credits: (Left) Maddie Hasson via YouTube and (Right) Stana Katic via Amazon]

Highest Rated New Drama – God Friended Me (CBS)

Averaging about 8.4 million viewers since its debut, the CBS drama about an outspoken atheist whose life was turned upside down when he received a friend request on social from God and unwittingly became an agent of change in the lives of others, which also changed his life forever.

[Photo Credit: Steve Schofeld-BBC]

Best Actress in a Drama {Three-Way Split} – Maddie Hasson on Impulse (YouTube); Stana Katic on Absentia (Amazon) and Jodie Whitaker on Doctor Who (BBC America);

Maddie was riveting to watch as 16-year-old Henry, who learned she has the ability to teleport, in the YouTube series Impulse while Stana played against type as Emily Byrne in the dark thriller about an FBI agent, who returned to her life after being missing for 6 years.

Also, Jodie became the first woman to play the Doctor, bringing quirkiness to the role, winning over critics and viewers alike.

Let’s Keep This Going (and Growing) – The Me Too and Time’s Up movements

These movements were a long time in coming, and let’s hope that they can help change the course of lives for a lot of women (in and out of the entertainment industry).

[Photo Credit for When Calls the Heart: Hallmark and Entertainment Tonight]

Most Upsetting Deaths on TV {Three-Way Split} – Learning how Jack died on This Is Us (NBC); Jack on When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel) and Xavier Dolls on Wynonna Earp (Syfy)

Viewers knew that Jack died on This Is Us, but learning what exactly happened and seeing it was a whole different thing; it was heartbreaking watching Rebecca’s reaction too. Fans were devastated with the reveal that Mountie Jack died saving two other Mounties in the season finale of When Calls the Heart and realizing that Dolls was murdered right before our eyes on Wynonna Earp was heart-breaking.

[Photo Credit: James Dimmock-NBC]

Most Moving Performance in a TV Movie – Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)

John Legend may have been Jesus Christ in the live performance of Jesus Christ Superstar on NBC, but it was the electrifying performance of Brandon in the role of turncoat Judas that blew viewers away.

[Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff-Film Magic]

Best Actor in a Drama – Richard Madden in Bodyguard (Netflix)

There are a lot of talented actors on TV (and in films) – there is no doubt about that. In his role in the British series Bodyguard, which aired on Netflix here in the States, Richard Madden expertly navigated between being a highly professional security specialist, a loving father and a tightly-wound man on the edge. It was a riveting performance to watch.

WTF Moments in TV – Michael being alive in the Jane the Virgin season finale (The CW)

Just as it looked like Jane and Rafael might would cementing their relationship permanently, Jane [and the viewers] received the biggest shock. Michael, Jane’s long-deceased husband, was – in fact – very much alive and well, standing right before her in Rafael’s apartment. OMG!

[Photo Credit: David Muller[

Hunky Newcomer – Giacomo Gianniotti on Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)

Eagle eye viewers will remember Giacomo as Lord Julien Varga from the debut season of The CW drama Reign and he also guest starred in the short-lived Karen Gillan-led comedy Selfie, but it’s been his role of Dr. Andrew DeLuca in Grey’s Anatomy that has really turned heads.

Can You Believe the Resemblance? – Parisa Fitz-Henley as Meghan Markle in Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance (Lifetime)

It really is amazing how much Parisa and Meghan have in common beyond their remarkable resemblance. If only Parisa’s appearance in this movie could be helping more people to watch her NBC fantasy series Midnight, Texas.

Prettiest Newcomer – Lana Condor in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Netflix)

Lana portrayed Lara Jean in the instant fan favorite film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – based on the book by author Jenny Han – which aired on Netflix over the summer, making her the envy of many a girl (young and old alike). She will be seen next in the box office film Alita: Battle Angel as well as the new Syfy series Deadly Class, which is based on the comic book of the same name.

Best New Drama – New Amsterdam (NBC)

While God Friended Me may be the highest rated new drama this fall, New Amsterdam has proven to be the best new drama for this TV season all thanks to the portrayal of Dr. Max Goodwin by actor Ryan Eggold (best known for his work on The Blacklist) and four little words “How can I help?” And for me to say that about a medical drama, given my absolute aversion to hospitals and doctor, is saying a lot, as I haven’t missed an episode. In fact, this is the first medical drama I have WANTED to watch in nearly 10 years that hasn’t made me cringe.

[Photo Credit: NBC]

Best Kick-Ass Moment on TV – Elizabeth Keen on The Blacklist in the episode “Ruin” (NBC)

This was the 9th episode of the fifth season of the show, finding Elizabeth Keen abandoning her old life for a fresh start in a new place after the tragic death of her husband Tom. She moved to the middle of nowhere, but was surprised when an injured man appeared at her supposedly well-hidden cabin followed quickly by a group of men claiming to have survived a crash. This quickly turned into a cat-and-mouse game between Elizabeth and the men. She had to use her emotional and physical strength to bring them down. The fight scene was made even more moving with the Alice Merton song “No Roots” playing over.

[Photo Credit: Paramount Network]

Best Villainess – Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton on Yellowstone (Paramount Network)

Kelly Reilly played Beth Dutton in the new Paramount Network drama Yellowstone, working alongside Kevin Costner as her father. Beth was a ruthless, cold-hearted master manipulator who may not have been the villainess of the series, but she might as well have been. All those negatives in her personality are because she is not only a very unstable woman but also suffers from a substance abuse problem.

[Left: Renee and Right: Dichen]

Best Streaming Series – Altered Carbon (Netflix)

This futuristic drama was based on the 2002 novel by English author Richard K. Morgan, taking place over 360 years into the future with most of the series set in the year 2384 in Bay City (formerly San Francisco). The best part of the entire series was everything about cast members Dichen Lachman and Renee Elise Goldsberry.

[Photo Credit: Syfy]

Best Ending to a Sci-Fi Series – 12 Monkeys (Syfy)

This much overlooked futuristic sci-fi drama – loosely based on the box office film – came to an end after four seasons on Syfy near the end of this summer, providing SO many answers to lingering questions AND giving all of the characters a happy ending especially long-suffering leads James Cole and Dr. Cassandra “Cassie” Railly.

Worst Cancellation Announcements {Three-Way Split} –  The Brave on NBC; Kevin Probably Saves the World AND Take Two on ABC

While cancellations happen every TV season, learning that these dramas were cancelled far too early was a bit disappointing. None of these shows were big ratings busters – for sure – but they were all very entertaining to watch, and it would have been nice if their respective networks had given them a little more time.

[Photo Credit: Twitter]

The John Barrowman Award – Thom Allison as Pree on Killjoys (Syfy)

For those of you who have not seen Thom in action as the delicious Pree on Killjoys, get yourself over to Syfy and start streaming the past episodes of this sci-fi treat. You can thank me later. After you’ve seen him in action, I am sure you will agree with me that he is AWESOME; and deserves his own show.

WTH Moment in a TV Drama – The Magicians season three finale (Syfy)

All of The Magicians attempted to get magic back once and for all, but that backfired on them. Instead as the final scene played out, viewers learned that all of them are living very separate lives as other people and Eliot is possessed. ARGH!

[Photo Credit: (Chris Pizzello-Invision-AP]

I Didn’t Like Him Until… – Noah Centineo

I didn’t really care for Noah as the replacement Jesus on the recently defunct drama The Fosters, but my opinion of him changed because of his portrayal of Peter Kavinsky in the Netflix film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. In fact, it was clear given the response to his performance in the film that he became the summer TV boyfriend for a LOT of viewers.

Best Save By a Streaming Service – Designated Survivor from ABC by Netflix

Designated Survivor aired for two seasons on ABC and while the ratings may not have been stellar – especially given the fact that Kiefer Sutherland is the star – but the second season ending with quite a cliffhanger, and it’s nice for the fans of the show to know that it will return on Netflix.

It Might Be Time To Let This One Go – Arrow (The CW)

I’ve been a big fan of Arrow since its debut episode, but seven TV seasons later, my dedication to the show is beginning to wan. For that matter, I have already taken off two of the DC shows off my viewing list (Black Lightning and Legends of Tomorrow). To be honest, The Flash and Supergirl may not be too much farther behind Arrow – sad as that is to say.

NOTE: The only caveat I have to this choice is that The CW really pulled through with the recently aired three-part crossover event between The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl, which I found so enjoyable to watch. Every minute of it. What with the introduction of Batwoman, hearing the theme song for Smallville during the first scenes of Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane at the Kent Farm that was the original Kent Farm in the TV series to seeing John Barrowman and John Wesley Shipp make guest appearances. Wow! It was great fun. I just wish they could do this for every episode of the three shows.

Series Finale Disappointments {Two-Way Split}– The Last Ship (TNT) and Colony (USA Network)

After five intense seasons on TNT, The Last Ship came to an end on Veteran’s Day, but I have to admit the series finale was rather disappointing. It would have been nice to see what happened to all of the characters after taking down their latest adversary Tavo – even if it might be trite – a scene set a few years later would have sufficed.

Then there is the finale of Colony that left all of the characters in dire circumstances because it was supposed to be a season finale not a series finale, but the USA Network had other plans, cancelling the show without TPTB being able to give the show a proper send-off.

Best New Import – Private Eyes (ION)

This hit Canadian series airs on ION here in the States, starring Beverly Hills 90210 star Jason Priestley and Supernatural alum Cindy Sampson as former pro hockey player Matt Shade and private investigator Angie Everett, who team up as private detectives.

[Photo Credit: Twitter]

Best Use of a Moustache – Tim Rozon on Wynonna Earp (Syfy)

The picture [to the left] says it all, doesn’t it?

It’s About Damn Time – Liza and Charles on Younger (TV Land)

It’s only taken five seasons, but viewers of this much overlooked TV Land dramedy, finally got to see Liza (Sutton Foster) and Charles (Peter Hermann) give into their simmering feelings for each other.

Say It Ain’t So – NBC cancelled Timeless AGAIN

When the cancellation of Timeless came down last year from NBC, fans stood up to support the show, and the network actually gave it a second season – not something that the networks typically do, I might add – but when the network decided yet again this year to let the show go after a big cliffhanger ending, fans were – to say the least – outraged. Thankfully, the networks listened [sort of], giving us the two-hour series finale event that aired last week.

Please Make It Stop – Rebooting TV shows

I think it’s time that the networks work at creating new shows rather than rebooting show from years past. After all Magnum P.I. and Charmed haven’t won over audiences. Now reboots of Northern Exposure and NYPD Blue are being considered; and don’t even get me started on Roswell, New Mexico. Hey network heads, start thinking outside the box.

[Photo Credit: CMT]

Thanks for the Memories – Nashville (CMT)

The show started out performing pretty well for ABC, but after four seasons the network cancelled it only to be picked up for two more season by CMT. Regardless of how viewers may have felt about the direction the show went over the course of those seasons, it was quite nice for long-time viewers to see so many familiar faces in the final scene where so many cast members returned to the stage to sing the show out.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what you liked the most and the least on television throughout 2018. Please share.

TOMORROW: Movies

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: My Observations on 2018

Posted in Messages, Year End Round Up on December 22, 2018| Leave a Comment »

2018 has been a very difficult year for all of us in more ways than one. There have been devastating acts of Mother Nature, horrible incidents administered by corrupt government officials and scandal upon scandal all over the world. Despite all of the bad things that have transpired in 2018, I want to focus on all the good and fun things that have taken place – as much as possible, of course.

I have been compiling these year-end round-ups on all things entertainment industry related for about 12 years now; and while it’s impossible to focus on EVERY single thing that has taken place during the year, I do my best to focus on as many good highlights from the year as possible.

To change things up a bit this year, I am foregoing my usual run-down of what I did this year – which was minimal to say the least mainly because of financial constraints – and just get into the highlights for 2018.

Starting tomorrow my first year-end round-up of this year will focus on the hits and misses of television and for each day throughout the rest of the year I will spotlight the year that was: 2018.

NOTE: I apologize in advance for any omissions, spelling errors or oversights I may have made, but I don’t apologize for any of the choices I made.

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: Closing Out 2017

Posted in Messages, Year End Round Up on December 31, 2017| Leave a Comment »

This has been a really difficult year with some ups but a lot of downs, whether it was in the world of politics, scandals that have rocked Hollywood and so much more. We live in a very unsettling world, but I hope that some of the goods things included in this 2017 year-end round-up brought some cheer to you as we close out the year.

We have all had good and bad times throughout the year, but we can all rejoice in the great entertainment these medium – television, movies, music and books – have provided.

Have a wonderful New Year!

PS: Thank you all so very much for visiting my site. I hope you will continue to visit as often as you can.

Read Full Post »

Year-End Round-Up: New Faces of 2018

Posted in Movies, New Faces, Television, Year End Round Up on December 30, 2017| 1 Comment »

Much like the Faces of 2017, there are always entertainers of note to be on the look-out for in the new year or those who made great waves throughout the current year who will, undoubtedly, be big stars in the new year. They appear below in no particular order:

1. Ian Kenny – This British actor first got noticed in last year’s acclaimed musical coming-of-age comedy-drama Sing Street; but it will be his next film role that will get a lot of attention. He will be starring in Solo: A Star Wars Story that will star Alden Enrenreich as young Han Solo and Donald Glover as young Lando Calrissian as well as Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newon and Paul Bettany.

2. Colt Prattes – This Georgia hunk with abs-to-die-for took on the tough role of Johnny Castle in the small screen adaptation of Dirty Dancing, which aired earlier this year; and he will next be seen in the Sundance Now dramedy This Close, starring alongside Marlee Matlin, Cheryl Hines and Zach Gilford.

3. Milana Vayntrub – Anyone who has seen a TV commercial for AT&T will recognize Milana as the spokesperson for the mobile service provider, but she got attention for her recurring role on This Is Us last season. Her newest role will be as Doreen Green aka Squirrel Girl in the live-action Freeform comedy Marvel’s New Warriors.

4. Keala Settle – Keala is a Tony nominee-powerhouse singer and actress who has appeared on stage in productions of Priscilla, the Queen of the Desert, Les Miserables, Waitress, Hairspray and South Pacific; but it will be her role as the Bearded Lady in this month’s The Greatest Showman alongside Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya and Michelle Williams that will put him on the map.

5. Kathryn Newton – Included on Kathryn’s resume are roles in the TV shows Big Little Lies, Supernatural and Halt & Catch Fire, but it will be her turn in the Supernatural spin-off series Wayward Sisters and the BBC adaptation of Little Women that will get her noticed. Her film roles this year have included Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Lady Bird, and she has also been cast in the box office film Ben Is Back alongside Julia Roberts.

6. Margaret Qualley – Margaret is the daughter of model-actress Andie MacDowell. She has appeared in recently-ended HBO series The Leftovers and the box office film The Nice Guys. She has been turning heads with her performance as an aspiring nun in the acclaimed film Novitiate as well as the festival hit Sidney Hall. She has five other productions in the works too.

7. Alex Sharp – The Juilliard alum and Tony Award-winning English actor, got his big break in the Marti Noxon-directed film To the Bone, playing Luke, the charming dancer with an eating disorder who was quite a scene stealer. He will be seen in next year’s Nasty Women [a remake of the 1988 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels] alongside Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson as well as UFO, with David Strathairn; and Monumental, with Maria Bello and Jeremy Irons.

8. Jessica Williams – This comedian-actress was a correspondent on The Daily Show and had a small role in the film Delivery Man and as herself in Hot Tub Time Machine 2; but it was her turn in the Netflix film The Incredible Jessica James that has gotten her attention. She has also joined the cast of the anticipated sequel Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

9. Danielle Macdonald – This Australian actress surprised everyone with her amazing “Joisey” accent in the Cinderella-like film Patti Cake$ about an aspiring rapper, and she had a role in the critics favorite film Lady Bird. She also has some high-profile roles coming up, including the film Bird Box, with Sandra Bullock and Sarah Paulson; Paradise Hills, with Emma Roberts and Dumplin’ with Jennifer Aniston.

10. O’Shea Jackson Jr. – O’Shea is the look-alike son of actor-rapper Ice Cube who played his father in the hit film Straight Outta Compton; and can be seen in this year’s buzzed-about film Ingrid Goes West, starring alongside Aubrey Plaza. He has four upcoming projects, including Last Friday, starring alongside his dad, Nia Long, Kevin Hart and Chris Tucker; Den of Thieves, with Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber; Flarsky, with Charlize Theron and Andy Serkis; and Godzilla: King of Monsters, with Sally Hawkins, Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga and Bradley Whitford.

Are there any actors or actresses who you think are the faces to watch in 2018? Please share.

TOMORROW: Closing Out 2017

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »