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Archive for the ‘Year End Round Up’ Category

Year-End Round-Up: The Faces of 2017

Posted in Movies, Television, Year End Round Up on December 29, 2017| 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:

1. Fionn Whitehead – Fionn is the 20-year-old UK native whose first major role was as the protagonist in Christopher Nolan’s box office movie Dunkirk. He will next be seen in the box office film The Children Act alongside Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci.

2. Katherine Waterston – She has been a working actress since 2004, but it was her role in this year’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them followed by the lead role in Alien: Covenant that put her on the map. Her next films will be The Current War with Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland and Michael Shannon as well as the sequel Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

3. Pearl Mackie – Landing the role as companion to the Doctor on Doctor Who is quite an accomplishment for any actor so we Pearl was chosen to play Bill Potts alongside Peter Capaldi she got the plum role.

4. Dafne Keen – This 12-year-old powerhouse made quite the impression appearing as the mutant Laura Kinney, starring alongside Hugh Jackman and Sir Patrick Stewart in the box office film Logan. She will next be seen opposite Andy Garcia in the film Ana.

5. Florence Pugh – Her big break came in the lead role of the box office film Lady MacBeth that garnered her rave reviews. She is currently filming the Netflix movie Outlaw King that will also star Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Tony Curran. And she’ll appear in the upcoming films The Commuter with Liam Neeson and Fighting with My Family with Dwayne Johnson

6. Zoey Deutch – Zoey’s parents are actress Lea Thompson and director Howard Deutch, and she got her big break in the film Vampire Academy; but it was her turns in the films Why Him? and Before I Fall this year that got her attention. She will next appear alongside Johnny Depp and Rosemarie DeWitt in the box office film Richard Says Goodbye.

7. Katherine Langford – This Australian actress made quite the impression on viewers in the extremely moving streaming series 13 Reasons Why that debuted on Netflix this past spring. She will next be seen in the box office film Love, Simon, starring Nick Robinson and Jennifer Garner.

8. Mckenna Grace – At the ripe age of 11, Mckenna has quite the resume, including a recurring role on the soap The Young and the Restless; playing young Emma Swan on Once Upon a Time and appearing in last year’s box office film Independence Day: Resurgence. It was this year that catapulted the youngster into the limelight, starring alongside Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer in the moving film Gifted and appearing as Kiefer Sutherland’s daughter in the TV series Designated Survivor.

9. Sofia Boutella – She made heads turn two years ago, starring in Kingsman: The Secret Service [she was the one with the running blade prosthetic legs], but she really made it big this year appearing in The Mummy alongside Tom Cruise and starring in Atomic Blonde alongside Charlize Theron. She will next be seen in Fahrenheit 451 with Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon.

10. Lola Flanery – Another young actress who has been getting a lot of attention, Lola made her debut appearance in 2015 holiday movie Last Chance for Christmas with Hilarie Burton. This year she has appeared as Caroline Dhavernas’s daughter in the TV series Mary Kills People; as the doomed Lila DeWitt in the short-lived series The Mist and as the younger version of the Seelie Queen in the Freeform series Shadowhunters. She also played the older daughter of Reese Witherspoon in the box office film Home Again. She will next be seen in the upcoming new season of The CW series The 100.

11. Kumail Nanjiani – The only other male actor on this list, Kumail has a lengthy resume, including roles on the TV shows Franklin & Bash, the comedy series Portlandia and the HBO series Silicon Valley. But it was the heavily-autobiographical film The Big Sick, for which he starred and co-wrote with his wife Emily V. Gordon, which took the country by storm. He also provided his voice to the animated film The LEGO Ninjago Movie.

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 2018

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Year-End Round-Up: TV Ratings for 2017

Posted in Ratings, Television, Year End Round Up on December 28, 2017| 2 Comments »

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 I have stated for years, the networks, unfortunately, have become far too dependent on the very limiting 18-39 year old viewers and are continuing to ignore – NO! – overlook the rest of the viewers who are outside of that age group.

Needless to say, it has been my mission for years 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 rated and a brief 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 2016-2017 TV season:

NCIS (CBS) – 14.2 million viewers
Bull (CBS) – 10.6 million viewers
This Is Us (NBC) – 10 million viewers
Blue Bloods and NCIS: Los Angeles (both CBS) – 9.5 million viewers
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) – 9.4 million viewers
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 8.9 million viewers
Madam Secretary (CBS) – 7.8 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 7.7 million viewers
MacGyver (CBS) – 7.4 million viewers
Scorpion and Criminal Minds (both CBS) – 7.1 million viewers
Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. (both NBC) – 6.7 million viewers
Empire (FOX) and Chicago Med (NBC) – 6.5 million viewers
Lethal Weapon (FOX) – 6.2 million viewers
Chicago Justice (NBC) * and Code Black (CBS) – 6.1 million viewers
Scandal (ABC) – 5.7 million viewers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 5.6 million viewers
Taken (NBC) and Pure Genius (CBS) * – 5.3 million viewers
Designated Survivor (ABC) – 5.2 million viewers
24: Legacy (FOX) – 5.1 million viewers *
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (CBS) *; How to Get Away With Murder (ABC) and The Blacklist (NBC) – 4.9 million viewers
Elementary (CBS) – 4.7 million viewers
Blindspot (NBC) – 4.4 million viewers
Shades of Blue (NBC) – 4.3 million viewers
Lucifer and Star (both FOX) and The Blacklist: Redemption * and Grimm (NBC) * – 4.1 million viewers
Gotham (FOX) – 3.6 million viewers
Shots Fired (FOX) * and Ransom (CBS) – 3.5 million viewers
APB (FOX) *; Training Day (CBS) * and The Catch (ABC) * – 3.4 million viewers
Timeless (NBC) – 3.3 million viewers
Bones (FOX) – 3.2 million viewers *
Quantico (ABC) and Emerald City (NBC) * – 3 million viewers
Rosewood (FOX) – 2.7 million viewers *
Prison Break (FOX) *; Once Upon a Time (ABC) and The Flash (The CW) – 2.6 million viewers
Conviction (ABC) – 2.4 million viewers *
Doubt (CBS) – 2.3 million viewers *
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC) – 2.2 million viewers
Time After Time (ABC) * and Supergirl (The CW) – 2.1 million viewers
Sleepy Hollow (FOX) * and American Crime (ABC) * – 1.9 million viewers
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) – 1.7 million viewers
Arrow and Supernatural (both The CW) – 1.6 million viewers
The 100; Riverdale; The Originals and The Vampire Diaries * (all The CW) – 1 million viewers
Jane the Virgin (The CW) – 951,000 viewers
iZombie (The CW) – 977,000 viewers
Reign (The CW) – 771,000 viewers *
Frequency (The CW) – 765,000 viewers *
No Tomorrow (The CW) – 648,000 viewers *
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW) – 598,000 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 June:

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 10.8 million viewers
The Haves and Have Nots (OWN) – 2.6 million viewers
Vikings (History Channel) – 2.5 million viewers
Major Crimes (TNT) – 2.4 million viewers *
When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Into the Badlands (AMC) – 2 million viewers
If Loving You Is Wrong (OWN) and The Librarians (TNT) – 1.9 million viewers
Better Call Saul (AMC) – 1.7 million viewers
Six (History Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
Shooter (USA Network) and Greenleaf (OWN) – 1.4 million viewers
Homeland (Showtime); Suits (USA Network) and Bates Motel (A&E) * – 1.3 million viewers
Taboo (FX); The Son (AMC) and Big Little Lies (HBO) – 1.2 million viewers
The Breaks (VH1/BET); Too Close to Home (TLC) ^ and Fargo (FX) ^ – 1.1 million viewers
Nashville (CMT) – 977,000 viewers
Being Mary Jane (BET) – 969,000 viewers *
Legion (FX) – 938,000 viewers
Genius (National Geographic) – 927,000 viewers
Pretty Little Liars (Freeform) – 899,000 viewers *
Billions (Showtime) – 874,000 viewers
Good Behavior (TNT) – 863,000 viewers
The Leftovers (HBO) – 853,000 viewers *
Colony (USA Network) – 814,000 viewers
The Quad (BET) – 802,000 viewers
The Magicians (Syfy) – 789,000 viewers
The White Princess (Starz) – 788,000 viewers
Outsiders (WGN America) – 773,000 viewers *
The Americans (FX) – 758,000 viewers
Imposters (Bravo) – 731,000 viewers
The Fosters (Freeform) – 716,000 viewers
American Gods (Starz) – 714,000 viewers
Shadowhunters (Freeform) – 701,000 viewers
The Arrangement (E!) – 665,000 viewers
The Affair (Showtime) – 653,000 viewers
Mary Kills People (Lifetime) – 632,000 viewers
Doctor Who (BBC America) – 620,000 viewers
Sun Records (CMT) * and The Young Pope (HBO) ^ – 585,000 viewers
Underground (WGN America) – 567,000 viewers *
The Expanse (Syfy) – 508,000 viewers
Switched at Birth (Freeform) *; Black Sails (Starz) * and The Royals (E!) – 501,000 viewers
Incorporated (Syfy) – 457,000 viewers *
Teen Wolf (MTV) – 452,000 viewers *
Rebel (BET) – 448,000 viewers ^
Beyond (Freeform) – 444,000 viewers
Humans (AMC) – 408,000 viewers
Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce (Bravo) – 376,000 viewers
12 Monkeys (Syfy) – 346,000 viewers
Famous in Love (Freeform) – 331,000 viewers
Class (BBC America) – 274,000 viewers *
Salem (WGN America) – 249,000 viewers *
Sweet/Vicious (MTV) – 178,000 viewers *
Hap and Leonard (SundanceTV) – 174,000 viewers
The Missing (Starz) – 169,000 viewers ^
Guerrilla (Showtime) – 102,000 viewers *
Gomorrah (SundanceTV) – 55,000 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 shows could not be tracked down: Heartland (UP TV), Mercy Street, Sherlock and Victoria (all on PBS) and Rogue and Ice (both on DirecTV).

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

The Night Shift (NBC) – 4.2 million viewers *
Salvation (CBS) – 3.6 million viewers
Zoo (CBS) – 3 million viewers *
Midnight, Texas (NBC) – 2.9 million viewers ^
Doubt (CBS) – 2.3 million viewers *
Somewhere Between (ABC) – 1.9 million viewers ^
Still Star-Crossed (ABC) – 1.5 million viewers *
Hooten & the Lady (The CW) – 961,000 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

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

Game of Thrones (HBO) – 10.3 million viewers
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 2.6 million viewers
The Haves and the Have Nots (OWN) – 2.5 million viewers
Good Witch (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Power (Starz); Chesapeake Shores (Hallmark Channel) ^ and The Sinner (USA Network) – 1.8 million viewers
Queen Sugar (OWN) – 1.7 million viewers
The Last Ship (TNT); Suits (USA Network) and Greenleaf (OWN) – 1.5 million viewers
Preacher (AMC); Queen of the South and Shooter (both on USA Network) and Animal Kingdom (TNT) – 1.2 million viewers
Ray Donovan (Showtime) – 1.1 million viewers
The Strain (FX) – 983,000 viewers *
Manhunt: Unabomber (Discovery Channel) – 888,000 viewers
Being Mary Jane (BET) – 747,000 viewers
Younger (TV Land) – 735,000 viewers
Nashville (CMT) – 722,000 viewers
The Fosters (Freeform) – 688,000 viewers
Turn: Washington’s Spies (AMC) – 630,000 viewers *
Killjoys (Syfy) – 624,000 viewers
Dark Matter (Syfy) – 569,000 viewers *
Wynonna Earp (Syfy) – 499,000 viewers
The Mist (Spike TV) – 462,000 viewers *
Teen Wolf (MTV) – 461,000 viewers *
Blood Drive (Syfy) – 393,000 viewers *
Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce (Bravo) – 392,000 viewers
Will (TNT) – 383,000 viewers *
The Bold Type (Freeform) – 325,000 viewers
Broadchurch (BBC America) – 319,000 viewers *
Orphan Black (BBC America) – 274,000 viewers *
Twin Peaks (Showtime) – 248,000 viewers ^
Cleverman (SundanceTV) – 69,000 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: Grantchester, Prime Suspect: Tennison, Remember Me, Endeavour, The Tunnel: Sabotage (all on PBS); Mr. Mercedes (DirecTV) and Date My Dad (UP TV).

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

The Walking Dead (AMC) – 8.6 million viewers
American Horror Story: Cult (FX) – 2.2 million viewers
Major Crimes (TNT) – 2.1 million viewers *
Vikings (History Channel) – 1.7 million viewers ^
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 1.6 million viewers
Outlander (Starz); The Librarians (TNT) ^ and Knightfall (History Channel) ^ – 1.5 million viewers
Queen Sugar (OWN) – 1.3 million viewers
The Deuce (HBO) – 879,000 viewers
Happy (Syfy) – 775,000 viewers ^
Damnation (USA Network) – 729,000 viewers ^
The Long Road Home (National Geographic Channel) – 599,000 viewers
Good Behavior (TNT) – 595,000 viewers
Z Nation (Syfy) – 590,000 viewers
Mr. Robot (USA Network) – 529,000 viewers
Van Helsing (Syfy) – 412,000 viewers ^
Channel Zero: No-End House (Syfy) – 405,000 viewers
Gunpowder (HBO) – 393,000 viewers
Superstition (Syfy) – 364,000 viewers ^
Ghost Wars (Syfy) – 350,000 viewers ^
The Shannara Chronicles (SpikeTV) – 246,000 viewers **
Halt & Catch Fire (AMC) – 226,000 viewers *
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (BBC America) – 221,000 viewers *
Liar (SundanceTV) – 109,000 viewers (average)

* 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: Versailles and The Halcyon (both on Ovation); Poldark, Last Tango in Halifax and The Durrells of Corfu (all on PBS) and Berlin Station (EPIX).

The sixth and final list covers all of the major network dramas that aired during the first half of the 2017-2018 TV season, covering September to approximately mid-December:

NCIS (CBS) – 12.8 million viewers
The Good Doctor (ABC) – 10.6 million viewers
This Is Us (NBC) – 10.5 million viewers
Bull (CBS) – 10.3 million viewers
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 9.1 million viewers
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) – 9 million viewers
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – 8.6 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 7.8 million viewers
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) – 7.7 million viewers
Wisdom of the Crowd * and SEAL Team (both CBS) – 7.5 million viewers
MacGyver (CBS) – 6.8 million viewers
S.W.A.T. (CBS) – 6.4 million viewers
Madam Secretary (CBS) and Chicago Fire and Chicago Med (both NBC) – 6.3 million viewers
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 6.1 million viewers
Criminal Minds (CBS) – 6 million viewers
Empire (FOX) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 5.8 million viewers
The Blacklist (NBC) – 5.5 million viewers
The Brave (NBC) and Scorpion (CBS) – 5.2 million viewers
Scandal (ABC) – 5 million viewers
Law & Order: True Crime – The Menendez Murders (NBC) – 4.7 million viewers
Designated Survivor (ABC) – 4.4 million viewers
Star (FOX) – 4.3 million viewers
Lethal Weapon and The Orville (both FOX) – 4 million viewers
How to Get Away With Murder (ABC) – 3.8 million viewers
Blindspot (NBC) – 3.5 million viewers
Lucifer and The Gifted (both FOX) – 3.4 million viewers
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (ABC) – 3 million viewers
Gotham (FOX) – 2.8 million viewers
Marvel’s Inhumans (ABC) – 2.6 million viewers
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – 2.5 million viewers
The Flash (The CW) – 2.4 million viewers
Ten Days in the Valley (ABC) – 2.2 million viewers * ^
Supergirl (The CW) – 1.9 million viewers
Supernatural (The CW) and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC) – 1.8 million viewers
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) – 1.7 million viewers
Riverdale (The CW) – 1.6 million viewers
Arrow (The CW) – 1.5 million viewers
The Exorcist (FOX) – 1.4 million viewers
Valor (The CW) – 1 million viewers *
Dynasty (The CW) – 806,000 viewers
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW) – 667,000 viewers
Jane the Virgin (The CW) – 654,000 viewers

* denotes all those shows that have come to a planned ending or not received additional episode orders
^ denotes all the shows missing at least one episode aired during the last week of December

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

1. It goes without saying that NCIS is the reigning champ for yet another TV season. In fact, CBS is still the top network overall, once again, with more dramas in the top 10 than any other network. The Good Doctor was the top rated new drama for the fall TV season. Elementary and Doubt were the lowest rated shows for the network for the first part of the year while Criminal Minds ranked lowest for the fall TV season.

2. Grey’s Anatomy repeats as the number one drama on ABC with Scandal coming in a close second. The short-lived Time After Time and American Crime were the lowest rated dramas for the first part of the year with Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Ten Days in the Valley coming in as the lowest dramas for the fall TV season.

3. Empire was the highest rated drama on FOX again this whole year with the cancelled Sleepy Hollow coming in as the lowest rated drama for the first part of the TV year and The Exorcist being the lowest rated drama for the fall TV season.

4. It is no great surprise that This Is Us is the top rated drama for the entire TV year for NBC while Emerald City came in as the lowest drama for the first part of the year while Blindspot ranked at the bottom for the fall TV season.

5. The Flash is still the top rated drama on The CW; but Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend have been taking turns being the lowest rated dramas for the first part of the year and the fall TV season.

6. As for the cable networks, The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones fought it out for the top slot as highest rated cable drama while several of the dramas on SundanceTV – Gomorrah, Cleverman and Liar – were the lowest rated dramas of the entire year.

The final list – which is VERY long – covers all of the made-for-TV movies, mini-series, event series and specials that aired during 2017 on both the major and cable networks for which ratings could be tracked down.

Here is the LONG list:

Dirty Dancing (ABC) – 6.6 million

Descendants 2 (Disney) – 5.3 million
Switched for Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 5.2 million

The Christmas Train (Hallmark Channel) – 4.9 million
The Christmas Cottage (Hallmark Channel) – 4.6 million
A Christmas Story Live (FOX) – 4.5 million
Christmas Getaway (Hallmark Channel) – 4.4 million
Christmas Next Door (Hallmark Channel) – 4.4 million
Coming Home for Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 4.1 million
Finding Santa (Hallmark Channel) – 4.1 million
The New Edition Story (BET) [Three-Part Mini-Series] – 4.1 million
Christmas Connection (Hallmark Channel) – 4 million
Christmas in Evergreen (Hallmark Channel) – 4 million

A Gift to Remember (Hallmark Channel) – 3.9 million
Christmas at Holly Lodge (Hallmark Channel) – 3.9 million
The Sweetest Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.9 million
Sharing Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.7 million
Enchanted Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.6 million
Miss Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.6 million
When Calls the Heart: The Christmas Wishing Tree (Hallmark Channel) – 3.6 million
With Love, Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.6 million
A Rose for Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.5 million
Marry Me at Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.4 million
The Mistletoe Inn (Hallmark Channel) – 3.4 million
Christmas Festival of Ice (Hallmark Channel) – 3.2 million

When We Rise (4-night mini-series) [ABC] – 2.9 million
All of My Heart: Inn Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2.8 million
Love on Ice (Hallmark Channel) – 2.8 million
A Harvest Wedding (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million
A Royal Winter (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million
Good Witch: Spellbound (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million
Harvest Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2.7 million
Falling for Vermont (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million
Love Struck Café (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million
A Dash of Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2.5 million
Moonlight in Vermont (Hallmark Channel) – 2.5 million
The Birthday Wish (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million
The Perfect Catch (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million
Walking the Dog (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million
Campfire Kiss (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million
Wedding March 2: Resorting to Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million
Beaches (Lifetime) – 2.2 million
Destination Wedding (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million
Love at First Bark (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million
Love at the Shore (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million
Love Blossoms (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million
Rocky Mountain Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 2.2 million
Sun, Sand and Romance (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million
I Am Elizabeth Smart (Lifetime) – 2.1 million
My Favorite Wedding (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million
Romance at Reindeer Lodge (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 2.1 million
The Christmas Cure (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million
All For Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million
Eat, Play, Love (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million
Like Cats and Dogs (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million
Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland (Lifetime) – 2 million
Summer in the Vineyard (Hallmark Channel) 2 million
The Perfect Bride (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million

The Art of Us (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million
Engaging Father Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.8 million
Christmas in Angel Falls (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million
A Bramble House Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.7 million
Garage Sale Mystery: Murder By Text (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.7 million
Karen Kingsbury’s Maggie’s Christmas Miracle (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.7 million
Christmas Homecoming (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.6 million
Garage Sale Mystery: A Case of Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.6 million
Garage Sale Mystery: The Beach Murders (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.6 million
While You Were Dating (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million
New York Prison Break: The Seduction of Joyce Mitchell (Lifetime) – 1.5 million
The Wizard of Lies (HBO) – 1.5 million
A Bundle of Trouble: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million
Christmas In the Air (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million
Double Mommy (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Feud: Bette & Joan (8-part mini-series) [FX] – 1.4 million
Garage Sale Mystery: Murder Most Medieval (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million
Magical Christmas Ornaments (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million
Mommy, I Didn’t Do It (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Mommy’s Little Boy (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Snowed-Inn Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
Stalker’s Prey (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
The Lost Wife of Robert Durst (Lifetime) – 1.4 million
A Song for Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
An Uncommon Grace (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
At Home in Mitford (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million
Christmas in Mississippi (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Concrete Evidence: A Fixer Upper Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
Framed for Murder: A Fixer Upper Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
Home of Christmas Day (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
Love at First Glance (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million
Menendez Blood Brothers (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Murder She Baked: Just Desserts (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
Psych: The Movie (USA Network) – 1.3 million
The Other Mother (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
The Perfect Christmas Present (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million
The Wrong Mother (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
Wrapped Up in Christmas (Lifetime) – 1.3 million
A Joyous Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million
Blood Father (USA Network) – 1.2 million
Cradle Swapping (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
Christmas Encore (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million
Custody (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
From Straight A’s to XXX (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
Love by the 10th Date (Lifetime) – 1.2 million
Signed Sealed Delivered: Home Again (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million
Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.2 million
A Very Merry Toy Store (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Doctor Who Twice Upon a Time Christmas Special (BBC America) – 1.1 million
Garage Sale Mystery: The Art of Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million
Hailey Dean Mystery: Dating is Murder (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million viewers
Hailey Dean Mystery: Deadly Estate (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million
Love Locks (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million
My Christmas Prince (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Signed Sealed and Delivered: Higher Ground (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million
Sinister Minister (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (HBO) – 1.1 million
The Perfect Soulmate (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
The Wrong Neighbor (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Under the Bed (Lifetime) – 1.1 million
Britney Ever After (Lifetime) 1 million
Open Marriage (Lifetime) – 1 million

Story of a Girl (Lifetime) – 998,000
The Watcher in the Woods (Lifetime) – 998,000
Oscar Pistorius: The Blade Runner Killer (Lifetime) – 997,000
High School Lover (Lifetime) – 974,000
The Sandman (Syfy) – 962,000
Infidelity in Suburbia (Lifetime) – 961,000
Darrow & Darrow (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 943,000
Fatal Defense (Lifetime) – 931,000
My Daughter Is Missing (Lifetime) – 925,000
Four Christmases and a Wedding (Lifetime) – 951,000
Flint (Lifetime) – 894,000
Gourmet Detective: Eat, Drink and Be Buried (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 887,000
A Surrogate’s Nightmare (Lifetime) – 815,000
Girl Followed (Lifetime) – 790,000
Tiny House of Terror (Lifetime) – 768,000
Sea Change (Lifetime) – 750,000
The Kennedys: After Camelot (Reelz Channel) – 743,000
Killer Mom (Lifetime) – 742,000
House of the Witch (Syfy) – 698,000
Deadly Sorority (Lifetime) – 696,000
Bobbi Kristina (TV One) – 660,000
Ten: Murder Island (Lifetime) – 651,000
The Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit (Lifetime Movie Network) – 636,000
Secrets of My Stepdaughter (Lifetime) – 617,000
Daughter for Sale (Lifetime) – 608,000
Deadly Secrets by the Lake (Lifetime Movie Network) – 580,000
NeverKnock (Syfy) – 570,000
Girls Night Out (Lifetime Movie Network) – 564,000
A Very Country Christmas (UP TV) – 547,000
The Christmas Calendar (UP TV) – 532,000
The Stickman (Syfy) – 525,000
Angry Angel (Freeform) – 435,000
12 Days of Giving (UP TV) – 407,000
Drink, Slay, Love (Lifetime) – 407,000
Christmas Solo (UP TV) – 351,000
A Winter Wedding (UP TV) – 287,000
Top of the Lake: China Girl (SundanceTV) – 262,000
Miss Me This Christmas (TV One) – 257,000
You Can’t Fight Christmas (TV One) – 247,000
Downsized (TV One) – 204,000

NOTE: The Hallmark Channel movie Royal New Year’s Eve won’t air until December 30, 2017 and cannot be included in this article

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

A Royal Christmas Ball (ION)
Anne of Green Gables: The Good Star (PBS)
Call the Midwife Holiday Special (PBS)
Christmas Cruise (ION)
Christmas Princess (UP TV)
Call the Midwife (PBS)
Dark Angel (PBS)
High-Rise Rescue (UP Channel)
Home Fires (PBS)
King Charles (PBS)
Road Less Traveled (CMT)
Runaway Christmas Bride (ION)
Second Chance Christmas (UP TV)
Snowmance (ION)
The Spruces and the Pines (ION)
To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters (PBS)

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

TOMORROW: Faces of 2017

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Year-End Round-Up: In Memorium 2017

Posted in Books, Condolences, Movies, Music, News, Television, Year End Round Up on December 27, 2017| Leave a Comment »

The following industry personalities (listed in alphabetical order) passed away in 2017 and heartfelt condolences are extended to their families, friends and fans:

Roger Ailes (Founder, FOX News)
Lola Albright (Singer and Actress, TV’s “Peter Gunn” and Film classic “Champion”)
Gregg Allman (Pioneer of Southern Rock Allman Brothers Band)
Richard Anderson (Actor, “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “The Bionic Woman”)
Gary Austin (Founder of “The Groundlings”)
John G. Avildsen (Director, “Rocky” and “Karate Kid”)

Peter Baldwin (Actor turned Prolific TV Director)
Chuck Barris (Host, “Gong Show”)
Walter Becker (Guitarist, Bassist and Co-Writer for band Steely Dan)
Buzz Belmondo (Comedian-Actor, “Out of This World” and “Baywatch”)
Chester Bennington (Lead Singer of Linkin Park)
Shelley Berman (Actor, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and Stand-Up Comedian)
Chuck Berry (Rock ‘n’ Roll Pioneer)
Joseph Bologna (Playwright, Director and Actor, “My Favorite Year”)
Powers Boothe (Actor, “Sin City,” “Nashville” and “Deadwood”)
Jimmy Breslin (Pulitzer Prize-Winning New York Columnist)
Brad Bufanda (Actor, “Veronica Mars” – played Felix Toombs) [He was only 34]

Glen Campbell (Country Music Legend)
Bernie Casey (Actor, “Revenge of the Nerds” and “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka”)
David Cassidy (Singer-Actor, “The Partridge Family”)
Darlene Cates (Actress, Housebound Mom in box office film “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” film)
Alan Colmes (Fox News Commentator)
Barbara Cook (Broadway Actress, “Cabaret”)
Chris Cornell (Singer, Soundgarden and Audislave) [He was only 52]

Jonathan Demme (Director, “Silence of the Lambs”)
Fats Domino (R&B Singer and Rock Pioneer)
Roy Dotrice (Actor, “Beauty and the Beast”)
Gord Downie (Frontman of Tragically Hip, Canadian band)
John F. Dunsworth (Actor, “Haven”)

Nelsan Ellis (Actor, “True Blood”) [He was only 39]
Dick Enberg (Legendary Sportscaster)

Gloria Fallon (Mother of Comedian and Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon)
Miguel Ferrer (Actor, “NCIS: Los Angeles”)
Neil Fingleton (British Actor, “Game of Thrones”) [He was only 36]
June Foray (the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Natasha Fatale, “The Bullwinkle Show”)
Bruce Forsyth (Legendary British Entertainer and TV Personality, “The Generation Game”)
Warren Frost (Veteran Actor, “Twin Peaks” and “Seinfeld”)
Stephen Furst (Actor, “Animal House,” “Babylon 5” and “St. Elsewhere”)

Dick Gautier (Actor, Hymie the Robot on 1960’s classic “Get Smart”)
Troy Gentry (Half of the Popular Country Duo Montgomery Gentry)
Cuba Gooding, Sr. (Soul Singer and Father of Cuba Gooding, Jr.)
Robert Guillaume (Actor, “Benson”)
Sue Grafton (Best-Selling Author)
Dick Gregory (Pioneering Stand-Up Comedian and Civil Rights Activist)

Barbara Hale (Veteran Actress, “Perry Mason”)
Monty Hall (Host, “Let’s Make a Deal”)
Roy Halladay (American professional baseball player)
Ty Hardin (Actor, “Cheyenne” and “Bronco”)
Robert Hardy (British Actor, Cornelius Fudge [Minister of Magic] in “Harry Potter” franchise)
Connie Hawkins (Harlem Globetrotters Player)
Glenne Headly (Actress, “Lonesome Dove” and “Dick Tracey”)
John Heard (Actor, “Home Alone”)
Hugh Hefner (Founder, Playboy Magazine)
Blake Heron (Actor, “Tom and Huck” and “Shiloh”) [He was only 35]
Mike Hodge (Actor, “Law & Order” and SAG-AFTRA New York Local President)
John Hillerman (Actor, “Magnum, P.I.”)
Tobe Hooper (Director, “Texas Chain Saw Massacre”)
Lena Horne (Legendary Singer and Actress)
Rance Howard (Veteran Actor and Father of Actor-Director Ron Howard and Actor Clint Howard)
John Hurt (Veteran Actor, “Alien,” “The Elephant Man” and “Doctor Who”)
Earle Hyman (Veteran Actor, “The Cosby Show”)

Al Jarreau (Grammy-Winning Jazz Singer)

Jake LaMotta (Real-Life “Raging Bull” Boxer)
Mark LaMura (Actor, “All My Children”)
Martin Landau (Legendary Actor, “Mission: Impossible” and “Ed Wood”)
Chuck Law (Actor, “Goodfellas”)
Joan Lee (Wife of Legendary Comic Book Creator Stan Lee)
Jerry Lewis (Comedy Legend)

Ralphie May (Comedian)
Rose Marie (Legendary Actress)
Julio Oscar Mechoso (Veteran actor, “The Legend of Zorro”)
Dorothy Mengering (David Letterman’s Mom)
Heather Menzies-Urich (Actress, “Sound of Music”)
Dina Merrill (Actress and Philanthropist)
Roger Moore (Actor, “James Bond” Films)
Erin Moran (Actress, “Happy Days”)
Jeanne Moreau (French Actress, “Jules and Jim” and “Diary of a Chambermaid” and the U.S film “Ever After”)
Charlie Murphy (Actor and Comedian and Eddie Murphy’s Brother)

Jim Nabors (Singer-Actor, “Gomer Pyle”)
Michael Nygyist (Swedish Actor, the original “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”)

Paul O’Neill (Founder, Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
Don Ohlmeyer (NBC Producer and Executive)
Robert Osborne (TCM Host and Film Historian)

Tommy Page (90’s Singer and Music Executive [He was only 46]
Michael Parks (Character Actor, “Kill Bill”)
Bill Paxton (Actor, “Titanic” and TV adaptation “Training Day”)
Tom Petty (Rock n Roll Legend)
Gabe Pressman (Legendary New York TV Reporter)

Della Reese (Singer – Actress, “Touched By An Angel”)
Don Rickles (Legendary Comedian)
George Romero (Legendary Director, “Night of the Living Dead”)

Sam Shepard (Playwright and Actor, “The Right Stuff”)
Keely Smith (Legendary Jazz and Pop Singer)
Liz Smith (Gossip Columnist)
Harry Dean Stanton (Veteran Actor, “Big Love” and “Twin Peaks”)
Ward Sylvester (Manager and TV Producer, “The Monkees”)

Jay Thomas (Actor, “Murphy Brown” and “Cheers”)
Mary Tyler Moore (Legendary Actress)
Frank Vincent (Actor, “The Sopranos”)

Robert James Waller (Author, “Bridges of Madison County”)
Judge Joseph Wapner (Judge, “People’s Court”)
Ann Wedgeworth (Actress, “Three’s Company”)
Adam West (Legendary Actor, “Batman”)
John Wetton (Bassist and Singer for Asia)

Francine York (Actress, Classic “Batman” Series, 1960’s)
Malcolm Young (Rock Band AC/DC, Co-Founder and Guitarist)

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

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Year-End Round-Up: The Envelope Please…

Posted in Awards, Movies, Music, Television, Year End Round Up on December 26, 2017| 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: Moonlight
Best Musical-Comedy Picture: La La Land
Best Musical-Comedy Actor: Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Best Musical-Comedy Actress: Emma Stone, La La Land
Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, Fences
Best Director: Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Best Animated Film: Zootopia
Best TV Drama: The Crown (Netflix)
Best Drama Actress: Claire Foy, The Crown
Best Supporting Actress: Olivia Colman, The Night Manager
Best Supporting Actor: Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS (January)

Favorite TV Show: Outlander
Favorite New TV Drama: This Is Us
Favorite Drama TV Actress: Priyanka Chopra, Quantico
Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor: Mark Harmon, NCIS
Favorite Network Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show: Supernatural
Favorite Premium Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series: Outlander
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor: Sam Heughan, Outlander
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress: Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
Favorite Actress in a New TV Series: Kristen Bell, The Good Place
Favorite Movie Actor: Ryan Reynolds,
Favorite Action Movie: Deadpool
Favorite Action Movie Actress: Margot Robbie
Favorite Dramatic Movie: Me Before You
Favorite Family Movie: Finding Dory
Favorite Movie Icon: Johnny Depp
Favorite Song: “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake

SAG AWARDS (January)

Male Actor in a Leading Role: Denzel Washington, Fences
Outstanding Performance by a Cast (Motion Picture): Hidden Figures
Male Actor in a Drama Series: John Lithgow, The Crown
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble (Drama Series): Stranger Things

GRAMMY AWARDS (February)

Record of the Year: Adele, Hello
Album of the Year: Adele, 25
Song of the Year: Adele, Hello
Best Pop Vocal Album: Adele, 25
Best Rock Album: Cage the Elephant, Tell Me I’m Pretty
Best Country Song: Tim McGraw, Humble and Kind
Best Country Duo/Group Performance: Pentatonix, “Jolene (feat. Dolly Parton)
Best Dance Recording: The Chainsmokers, “Don’t Let Me Down (featuring Daya)

BAFTA AWARDS (February)

Best Film: La La Land
Supporting Actor: Dev Patel, Lion
Documentary: 13th, Ava DuVernay
Sound: Arrival
The EE Rising Star Award: Tom Holland, Spiderman: Homecoming

NAACP AWARDS (February)

Outstanding Drama Series: Queen Sugar (OWN)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama: Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us (NBC)
Outstanding Actress in a Drama: Taraji P. Henson, Empire (FOX)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama: Jussie Smollett, Empire (FOX)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama: Naturi Naughton, Power (Starz)
Outstanding Actress in a TV-Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: Regina King, American Crime (ABC)

RAZZIE AWARDS (February)

Worst Picture: Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party
Worst Actress: Becky Turner (as Hillary Clinton), Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party
Worst Actor: Dinesh D’Souza (as himself), Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party
Worst Supporting Actress: Kristen Wiig, Zoolander No. 2
Worst Supporting Actor: Jesse Eisenberg, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Worst Screenplay: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

ACADEMY AWARDS (February)

Best Picture: Moonlight
Lead Actor: Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Lead Actress: Emma Stone, La La Land
Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, Fences
Original Song: City of Stars, La La Land
Makeup and Hair: Suicide Squad

MTV MUSIC & TV AWARDS (May)

Show of the Year: Stranger Things
Best Actor in a Show: Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things
Best Hero: Taraji P. Henson, Hidden Figures
Best Villain: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, The Walking Dead
Tearjerker: This Is Us: Jack and Randall at Karate
Best Duo: Hugh Jackman and Dafne Keen, Logan

TEEN CHOICE AWARDS (August)

Choice Action Movie: Wonder Woman
Choice Action Movie Actor: Chris Pine, Wonder Woman
Choice Action Movie Actress: Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman
Choice Sci-Fi Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actor: Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actress: Zoe Saldana, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Choice Fantasy Movie: Beauty and the Beast
Choice Fantasy Movie Actor: Dwayne Johnson, Moana
Choice Fantasy Movie Actress: Emma Watson,Beauty and the Beast
Choice Drama Movie: Everything, Everything
Choice Summer Movie: Spider-Man: Homecoming
Choice Breakout Movie Star: Auli’i Cravalho – Moana

Choice Drama TV Show: Riverdale
Choice Drama TV Actor: Cole Sprouse, Riverdale
Choice Drama TV Actress: Lucy Hale,Pretty Little Liars
Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor: Dylan O’Brien, Teen Wolf
Choice Action TV Show: The Flash
Choice Action TV Actor: Grant Gustin, The Flash
Choice Action TV Actress: Melissa Benoist, Supergirl
Choice Breakout TV Star: Lili Reinhart, Riverdale

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (November)

Artist of the Year: Bruno Mars
New Artist of the Year: Niall Horan
Tour of the Year: Coldplay
Fave Pop/Rock Female Artist: Lady Gaga
Fave Pop/Rock Duo or Group: Imagine Dragons
Fave Male Country Artist: Keith Urban
Fave Female Country Artist: Carrie Underwood
Fave Alternative Rock Artist: Linkin Park
Fave Adult Contemporary Artist: Shawn Mendes
Top Soundtrack: Moana

GOTHAM AWARDS (November)

Best Feature: Call Me by Your Name
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Breakthrough Actor: Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Best Screenplay: Get Out, Jordan Peele

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

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Year-End Round-Up: The Hits and Misses on the Big Screen 2017

Posted in Movies, Year End Round Up on December 25, 2017| 1 Comment »

My goal each year is to attempt to see at least 25 movies at the theatre; sometimes I surpass that total and sometimes I don’t. This year I saw nearly 30 movies and out of all of those the movies I have enjoyed the most this past year include: Hidden Figures, Beauty and the Beast, Wonder Woman, Thor: Ragnarok and The Greatest Showman.  But I know that readers don’t care about what movies I saw throughout the year or which ones I liked best.

Let’s take a look at the top 30 biggest box office winners from this year (through the weekend of December 16 and December 17):

1. Beauty and the Beast – 504 million
2. Wonder Woman – 413 million
3. Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2 – 390 million
4. Spider-Man: Homecoming – 334 million
5. It – 328 million
6. Thor: Ragnarok – 307 million
7. Despicable Me 3 – 265 million
8. Star Wars: The Last Jedi – 242 million
9. Logan – 226.3 million
10. The Fate of the Furious – 225.7 million
11. Justice League – 220 million
12. Dunkirk – 188 million
13. The LEGO Batman Movie – 176 million
14. Get Out – 175.4 million
15. The Boss Baby – 175 million
16. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – 173 million
17. Kong: Skull Island – 168 million
18. Cars 3 – 153 million
19. Coco – 152 million
20. War for the Planet of the Apes – 147 million
21. Split – 138 million
22. Transformers: The Last Knight – 130 million
23. Girls Trip – 115 million
24. Fifty Shades Darker – 114 million
25. Wonder – 110 million
26. Baby Driver – 108 million
27. Annabelle: Creation – 102 million
28. Kingsman: The Golden Circle – 100 million
29. Murder on the Orient Express – 98 million
30. Daddy’s Home 2 – 97 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 disinterested in seeing them. They appear in alphabetical order below:

47 Meters Down
A Bad Mom’s Christmas
A Cure for Wellness
Annabelle Creation
Baywatch
Bye Bye Man
CHIPs
Daddy’s Home 2
Father Figures
Fist Fight
Get Out
Girls Trip
Happy Death Day
How to be a Latin Lover
It
Jigsaw
Mother!
Rings
Rough Night
Snatched
Split
Suburbicon
The House
Wish Upon

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

TOMORROW: The Envelope Please… (Awards)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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Year-End Round-Up: Music Moments

Posted in Music, Year End Round Up on December 24, 2017| Leave a Comment »

As I’ve always said, in my world I couldn’t live without music.

Every day I wake up to music 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 to take the time to highlight just some of the songs, performers and video moments from this past year:

Best New Female Singer – Alice Merton

Here is the video for her single “No Roots”:

Best New Male Singer – Rag’n’Bone Man

Here is the video for “Human”:

They Are Still Going Strong [TIE]– Kelly Clarkson and Pink

Here is Kelly’s video for “Love So Soft”:

Here is Pink’s video for “What About Us”:

And check out the two powerhouse singers performing at the 2017 American Music Awards:

Best New Group – Haim

Here is the video for “Want You Back”:

Most Moving Song of the Year – “Praying” by Kesha

Here is the video of Kesha performing the song live:

Best Hit of the Year – “Feel It Still” by Portugal.The Man

Here is the video:

Best Pop Rock Song of the Year – “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons

Here is the video:

She’s Not Kidding Around Anymore – “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift

Here is the video:

Best Dance Tune – “Don’t Lay Me Down” by The Chainsmokers featuring Daya

Here is the video:

Best Song from a Sophomore Album [Three-Way TIE] – “Too Good at Goodbyes” by Sam Smith; “Attention” by Charlie Puth and “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” by Shawn Mendes

Here is the video by Sam:

Here is the video from Charlie

Here is the video from Shawn

How the Hell Did They Film That (and Have Insurance to Cover It All) – “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles

Best Rock Song and Look at Life in America – “Walk on Water” by Thirty Seconds to Mars:

Here is the video:

Oh What a Great Cover – “Beauty and the Beast” by Leroy Sanchez & Lorea Turner

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 2016 below.

TOMORROW: Movies

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Year-End Round-Up: The Good and the Bad of 2017 Television

Posted in Television, Year End Round Up on December 23, 2017| 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:

Highest Rated New Drama – The Good Doctor (ABC)

* The Good Doctor has average 10.6 million viewers over the 10 episodes of its debut season.

Best Actress in a Drama [TIE] – Chrissy Metz, Kate Pearson on This Is Us (NBC) [pictured left] and Gina Rodriguez as Jane Villanueva on Jane the Virgin (The CW) [pictured right]

* Both of these ladies are great in their roles, and deserve to share this honor [and especially for Gina, she needs to get more accolades than she does for her performance on the under-appreciated series.]

Best Save of the Season – Timeless (NBC)

* The show was cancelled, but 48 hours later the network executives announced they changed their minds, giving the show a second chance. Two of the cast members even made videos as their characters stating they went back in time to get TPTB at the network to change their minds.

Best Performances in a Now Cancelled Series – Amirah Vann as Ernestive [pictured left] and Aisha Hinds as Harriet Tubman [pictured right] on Underground (WGN America)

* The subject matter of the now defunct period piece drama was, to say the least, disturbing – but also a sad fact of our American history. The performances by both Amirah and Aisha in their respective roles was quite amazing, buzz-worthy and award-worthy. Great job ladies!

Most Upsetting Deaths on TV – Michael Cordero, Jr. [actor Brett Dier] on Jane the Virgin (The CW); Tom Keen [actor Ryan Eggold] on The Blacklist (NBC); William Hill [actor Ron Cephas Jones] on This Is Us (NBC) and Rayna James [actress Connie Britton] on Nashville (CMT)

* It was heartbreaking seeing Michael collapse onto that classroom floor, as well as his wife Jane’s reaction; it was unsettling that TPTB had Tom killed for real; it took about two tissue boxes to get through the final episode with William and just how hard his biological son Randall took his death and fans were not prepared at all for Rayna’s death after she was seriously injured in a car crash nor prepared for the aftermath her death caused her family.

Best New Drama – The Brave (NBC)

* A lot of military shows were introduced this fall, and while SEAL Team may be performing better than any of the others military shows in terms of overall ratings, The Brave has proven – at least to me – to be the better of the bunch because of the writing, the performances and the overall feel of the show. I care about these characters and believe in them more than any of the other characters in any of the other military shows.

Almost the Best Ending to a Fan Favorite Series – Grimm (NBC)

* Fans of the long-running fairy tale themed show were sad to see their favorite show end, but at least it was given a chance to end on their own terms rather than with a rushed and/or half-assed finale.

Best Actor in a Drama – Sam Heughan, Jamie Fraser on Outlander (Starz)

* He’s not just a handsome face with a gorgeous body [but neither of those attributes hurt, I must say], but he gave a magnificent performance this year – between the end result of the Battle of Culloden, surviving life in that Scottish cave, leaving his son behind in England and being reunited with the love of his life after 20 years of separation. He deserves to be getting a lot more attention (award-wise) for her performance this season!

Hunky Newcomer – Noah Mills, who plays Joseph “McG” McGuire on The Brave (NBC)

* This Canadian model turned actor has really turned heads for those who have been watching the new military drama. If you’re not watching The Brave, catch up before the show returns on January 8.

Best Musical Crossover – Supergirl and The Flash (The CW)

* Sure this was the only musical crossover that aired this year, but it sure was a good one, don’t you think? Watching former Glee co-stars Grant Gustin and Melissa Benoist dance and sing – while playing Kara aka Supergirl and Barry Allen aka The Flash – was quite fun and entertaining.

Best Three-Part Storyline – This Is Us (NBC): Episode Titles – “Number One,” “Number Two” and “Number Three”

* This three-part ending of the first half of the show’s second season was quite moving; and gave us quite the insight into the backgrounds of each of the kids and the adults they became.

Great New Cast Addition – Andrea Bordeaux as Special Agent Harley Hidoko on NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)

* With the show changing direction this season with a new Acting Assistant Director, Agent Harley Hidoko, who is the new Acting AD’s assistant, has been a great addition to the show, working really well with the team.

Most Entertaining New Show – Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (ABC)

* The show is not garnering great ratings and sadly probably won’t make it the whole way through the season [although I have my fingers crossed], but it sure is silly and entertaining when so much of the TV landscape is so dark and heavy.

Hottest TV Couple – Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall Fraser on Outlander (Starz)

* Sure there are a lot of hot couples on TV, but can you take one look at the picture of the couple in bed together [you can see that to the right] and not see that Jamie and Claire are the hottest couple on TV?

The Best, Most Twisty Episode of the Year – “Requiem” The Blacklist (NBC)

* This episode aired in April, and included an amazing performance by Mr. Kaplan, played by recurring guest star Susan Blommaert and her younger counterpart actress Joanna Adler (who is pictured to the left).

The TV Show That Should’ve Ended Already – Once Upon a Time (ABC)

* The other fairytale drama was once a great show that had double digit ratings, but it has quickly declined over the years. It should’ve ended a few seasons ago, but it didn’t. At the very least it should’ve ended when the main characters got their happy endings (as pictured above), but it’s still going but it just isn’t good anymore.

Most Annoying New Addition to a Drama – Ralph Dibny (Hartley Sawyer) on The Flash (The CW)

* No offense to the actor, but this character is annoying as hell [at least to me he is] and just look how horrible that costume is that he has to wear [pictured left] – really? – that was the best they could come up with?!

Very Moving 100th Episode – Switched at Birth (Freeform)

* This episode from the final season of the family-themed show, included a salute to Angelo, the biological dad of Bay Kennish, that was really powerful for the long-time viewers/fans to watch.

Best Online Series – The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)

* This series, based on the Margaret Atwood novel, took the entertainment world by storm, garnering lots of buzz and awards aplenty – plus role players had a field day walking around in those long, flowing red dresses.

Thank You For That Promotion – Making RichDotCom (actor Ennis Esmer) a series regular on Blindspot (NBC)

* He may be annoying and over-the-top [and that is SO great], but he sure is a great addition to the show, and so deserves the promotion to series regular.

Prettiest Newcomer – Natalie Alyn Lind, who plays Lauren Strucker on The Gifted (FOX)

* She’s turning heads not just because of her looks, but the powers that her character has – especially in combination with her TV brother Andy – holy smoke!

Most Intense Crossover – Crisis on Earth-X (The CW)

* This was the four-part, two-night crossover between Supergirl, Arrow, The Flash and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow that was even more intense than last year’s crossover between the same shows.

We Hardly Got to Know You – Time After Time (ABC) and Pure Genius (CBS)

* Time After Time only lasted four episodes before being pulled from the schedule by ABC while Pure Genius only lasted five episodes before being pulled from the schedule by CBS.

Best Villains – Patrick Lloyd [Terry Serpico, pictured left] on Designated Survivor (ABC) and Cayden James [Michael Emerson, pictured right] on Arrow (The CW)

* These characters have just been horrible in their own ways on their respective shows. Patrick got exactly what he deserved on Designated Survivor while viewers are still waiting to see what justice is reigned down on Cayden James on Arrow.

Most Anticipated Spin-Off – Wayward Sisters (The CW)

* This is the spin-off from Supernatural that should have happened – not that other failed attempt at a spin-off from the long-running WB/CW show. This spin-off also has the backing of lots of fans because it includes characters that fans/viewers actually like and want to see more of in the future.

What Will This Remake Really Be Like – Heathers (Paramount Network)

* Paramount Network, which used to be SpikeTV, have recreated the classic dark comedy film Heathers into a TV series; and boy does it look like one crazy ride.

Most Intriguing New Drama – Counterpart (Starz)

* What more needs to be said about this show than it stars actor J.K. Simmons in a dual role? Oh yeah, that other face that might look familiar in the trailers? That’s Harry Lloyd, who played none other than Viserys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. Don’t recognize him? Imagine him with long, flowing white-blonde hair like his TV sister Daenerys.

Don’t Miss These Dark, New Streaming Series – Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams (Amazon) [pictured left] and Altered Carbon (Netflix) [pictured right]

* Both of these shows are based on novels, airing on rival streaming services and have a dark, sci-fi look, feel and theme. If you like that sort of thing, you just might enjoy these too.

Thanks for the Memories – Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family-Freeform)

* Say what you will about this crazy ABC Family-Freeform series, but after 7 years of hateful text messages, countless events of torment and unlikely (short-lived) triumphs, the show gave fans/viewers a lot of amazing memories; and what could be called a happy ending for all of the little liars.

Say It Ain’t So – Dark Matter (Syfy) [pictured left] and Underground (WGN America) [pictured right]

* The cancellation announcements for both of these shows by their respective networks were simply the worst announcements to learn about all year. Dark Matter left fans/viewers with major cliffhangers for every single character and Underground didn’t get a chance to conclude the stories for its myriad of characters. Just so wrong!

Why Isn’t This Show Doing Better in the Ratings – Blindspot (NBC)

* This show started out in its debut season with much higher ratings, but has slipped each season despite that it keeps getting better and better (and sure, crazier) each season. If you’re not watching, you should!

Best Casting Announcement – Jodie Whitaker, Doctor Who (BBC America)

* She will become the new Doctor on Christmas Day. TV viewers MIGHT recognize her from her role in the original first season of the British series Broadchurch; she was the distraught mother of the murdered young boy. It’s going to be very interesting to see the very first female Doctor.

The Best New Drama That Just Kept Losing Viewers [Week After Week] – Legion (FX)

* More than likely the reason the ratings kept falling over the course of its debut season was most likley because the show was pretty hard to follow, jumping all around inside David’s mind, as well as all the other topsy turvy “stuff” happening within that world.

Why Aren’t More People Watching This Show – Younger (TV Land)

* I have two words for you: Sutton Foster [the two-time Tony Award winner who starred in the short-lived but cult classic series Bunheads]. That alone should get people to watch this quirky TV Land dramedy. Check it out if you aren’t already watching.

Most Buzzed-About Movie That Aired on Netflix AND the Big Screen – Mudbound (Netflix)

* This Netflix film [that played in limited release at theatres] has been getting a LOT of buzz and will be showing up on award lists very soon, I’m sure.

Most Anticipated New Drama That Has Yet to Premiere – Rise (NBC)

* This show comes from Jason Katims, the man behind Roswell, Friday Night Lights and Parenthood. This series could potential be the 2017-2018 TV season’s This Is Us.

Worst Version of the Marvel Universe – Marvel’s Inhumans (ABC)

* The only good thing about this show was actor Anson Mount (from Hell on Wheels), who portrayed Black Bolt. This show COULD have been so much better and it’s a shame that it wasn’t. Most of the time the show was painful to watch, I can’t imagine what it must have been like for the cast.

Thank You God for Letting This (Finally) Happen – The marriages of Barry and Iris AND Oliver and Felicity (The CW)

* Regardless of how fans/viewers might feel about the four DC shows on The CW lately, these impromptu marriages took place at the very end of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, as part of the four-part, two-night crossover event between the dramas in November, and I am just SO thankful they FINALLY took place.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what you liked the most and the least on television throughout 2017. Please share.

TOMORROW: Music Moments

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Year-End Round-Up: My Observations on 2017

Posted in Books, Convention/Event, Messages, Television, Year End Round Up on December 22, 2017| Leave a Comment »

2017 has been – to say the least – a very tumultuous year with more political scandals and unbelievable issues within the world of the government than any of us want to think about, countless accusations of sexual misconduct all throughout the world of Hollywood and horrible acts of Mother Nature that wreaked havoc on so many cities [and so much more].

Despite all of the bad things that have transpired this year, I want to focus – as much as possible – on all the good and fun things that have taken place.

For more than a decade now, I have been compiling these year-end round-ups on all things entertainment industry related. Granted it’s impossible to focus on EVERY single thing that has taken place, but I certainly have attempted to take a look at as many as I can through this year’s round-up articles.

As I have mentioned many time before, I have been a big fan of television since I was a child, becoming “the walking encyclopedia of the entertainment industry” (at least for my small hometown back in Pennsylvania) by the time I was in my mid-teens. And all these years later, I am still enamored with the good things that happen in the world of television, movies, music and books.

Two of my favorite activities are reading books and attending TV-related events. This year I was able to get through 30 books, and while that may seem like a small amount of reading material, for me [who is a SLOW reader] that is a lot for me. Among my favorites have been several trilogies by Susan Mallery and numerous books by Lauren Oliver, Becca Fitzpatrick, Amanda Grange, Beth Pattillo and Teri Wilson. I am finishing the year off reading “Drums of Autumn” by Diana Gabaldon in order to be prepared for season four of Outlander, which will air at some point in 2018.

I also attended a handful of TV-related events, sadly for the very LAST time. Those events included the annual Paley Fest at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wonder Con at the Convention Center in Anaheim, California and the annual Comic Con in San Diego.

But that’s more than enough about me. Starting tomorrow my first year-end round-up of this year will focus on the good and bad of television and for each day throughout the rest of the year I will spotlight the year that was: 2017.

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.

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Year-End Round-Up: Closing Out 2016

Posted in Messages, Year End Round Up on December 31, 2016| Leave a Comment »

As we have all seen, both in the entertainment world, and in the very real and scary world for which we live in, there have been some very interesting, exciting and unpredictable events that have taken place in 2016.

We have all had good and bad times throughout the year, 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.

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Year-End Round-Up: New Faces of 2017

Posted in Movies, New Faces, Online Series, Television, Year End Round Up on December 30, 2016| 1 Comment »

Much like the Faces of 2016, 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.

Here are my predictions for the faces of 2017 (in no particular order):

malachi-kirby

1. Malachi Kirby – The British actor landed the plum role of Kunta Kinte in the History Channel remake of the classic telefilm Roots by author Alex Haley. He will follow that up with roles in the upcoming box office film Fallen based on the book of the same name by author Lauren Kate and he will provide his voice to the video game Squadron 42.

stephan-james

2. Stephan James – Stephan appeared as legendary Olympic athlete Jesse Owens in the box office film Race that was released in February of this year. Prior to that he was in the box office films When the Game Stands Tall and Selma; and he had a recurring role in the TV series L.A. Complex and Degrassi: The Next Generation. He will next be seen in the highly anticipated FOX event series Shots Fired that will air on FOX during mid-season of 2017.

jacob-tremblay

3. Jacob Tremblay – Jacob is the young Canadian actor who appeared as Jack in the much-buzzed about box office film Room. Prior to that he had a role in the made-for-TV movie My Mother’s Future Husband. He has four box office films coming up in 2017, including Before I Wake with Thomas Jane and Kate Bosworth; Burn Your Maps with Vera Farmiga and Virginia Madsen; Wonder with Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson and The Book of Henry with Lee Pace and Naomi Watts.

neel-sethi

4. Neel Sethi – He is the young Indian-American boy who landed the coveted role of Mowgli in the latest live action adaptation of The Jungle Book. This was his first acting role where he was selected out of a “cattle call” of 2,000 children who auditioned for the part.

elena-kampouris

5. Elena Kampouris – Elena landed the plum role of Paris, the daughter of Toula and Ian in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. She previously appeared in the short-lived TV series American Odyssey, starring alongside Sarah Wynter and Peter Facinelli. She will next be seen in the box office film Before I Fall based on the novel of the same name by Lauren Oliver.

tori-anderson

6. Tori Anderson – Tori landed the lead role of Evie Covington in the new dramedy No Tomorrow, which debut in October on The CW and while the show will not be continuing beyond its original episode order, Tori is an up-and-comer. She previously had a short recurring role in Killjoys and was one of the regulars in Teen Nick drama Open Heart.

adria-arjona

7. Adria Arjona – Adria will be seen as Dorothy Gale in the January 2017 debut of the much-buzzed about NBC drama Emerald City, which is a dark and twisted adaptation of the legendary Wizard of Oz tale. Prior to that she appeared in season two of True Detective. She will next be seen in Pacific Rim: Maelstrom and Life of the Party with Melissa McCarthy, Julie Bowen and Gillian Jacobs.

aulii-cravalho

8. Auli’I Cravalho – Movie goers can hear Auli’I’s voice in the new animated film Moana, which was released in November. She was discovered by an Oahu casting agent who noticed her singing in a charity competition. She won the role of the latest Disney princess from hundreds of women in the pacific islands. In fact, she was the very last girl auditioned.

maddie-bailio

9. Maddie Bailio – Maddie is a talent Texan theatre student who landed the coveted role of Tracey Turnblad in Hairspray Live! which debuted on NBC earlier this month. She beat out over 1,000 other girls for the legendary role. This is her major first acting gig, but she is no stranger to stage work.

sasha-lane

10. Sasha Lane – Sasha is a 19-year-old newcomer to acting who was spotted by writer-director Andrea Arnold among tens of thousands of students on Panama City beach. Arnold convinced Sasha to do an impromptu audition, which led to her being cast as Star in the box office film American Honey. She has three upcoming projects, including The Miseducation of Cameron Post with Chloe Grace Moretz and Shoplifters of the World with Joe Manganiello.

joe-alwyn

11. Joe Alwyn – This British-born actor landed the lead role in Ang Lee’s latest film Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, which hit theatre screens last month. Joe had never stepped in front of a camera before auditioning for this film. He will next be seen in the film The Sense of an Ending with Downton Abbey and Good Behavior actress Michelle Dockery and will later be seen alongside Gerard Butler in the thriller Keepers.

millie-bobby-brown

12. Millie Bobby Brown – Young actress Millie was born and raised in Spain before her family moved to Florida, and now she is the one of the stars of the much-buzzed-about Netflix fantasy horror drama Stranger Things; she played Eleven. Prior to this she appeared in the BBC series Intruders; she was young Alice in the short-lived TV series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and she had guest roles in NCIS, Modern Family and Grey’s Anatomy.

tom-holland

13. Tom Holland – Tom is the latest British actor to take on an iconic American comic book character: Spider-Man. Filmgoers will recognize him from Captain America: Civil War and they will soon see him in the latest adaptation of the Marvel legend in the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming and the 2018 Avengers: Infinity War. He also has two other films coming out – The Current War with Benedict Cumberbatch and Pilgrimage with Jon Bernthal and Richard Armitage. His previous work includes In the Heart of the Sea, The Impossible and the mini-series Wolf Hall.

Are there any actors or actresses who you think are the faces to watch in 2017? Please share.

TOMORROW: Closing Out 2016

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