Tuesday, March 30, 2021
27th annual 'SAG Awards' Sunday April 4, 2021 on TNT/TBS
The 27th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be presented on Sunday April 4, 2021 (TBS/TNT Cable-TV).
As a SAG/AFTRA union member. I vote every year - and yes - I watched every screener sent to me. What a great year in movies even though there was a pandemic that shut down theaters.
Sadly, there will be no SAG Awards screening party at New Mexico. Unless I missed something.... Our state is still in COVID-19 lock down with movie theaters closed.
Click SAG Awards poster below for complete information....
Vanity Fair book excerpt from 'Sharon Stone' memoir 'The Beauty of Living Twice'
THE BEAUTY OF LIVING TWICE from KNOPF is released today March 30, 2021. It is a memoir from author Sharon Stone.
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) which tracks entertainment. Sharon Stone is an actress with 144 credits to her name in movies, commercials and on TV. She is most remembered for her role as Catherine Tramell in the 1992 thriller, "Basic Instinct."
Vanity Fair took an excerpt from Stone's memoir. She talks about "Basic Instinct" and Catherine's leg crossing scene where her blonde crotch became visible to male police detectives. And, to film audiences.... It was the most talked about "scene" in movie history - up to that point in 1992. It was also part of a character in a story about a female, socio-path, killer. The movie climbed the world-wide box office and claimed $352 million. It made Sharon Stone a movie star.
Stone talks about how she got to 1992 in Hollywood. It was a tough ladder to climb in a male dominated industry. She was the 13th choice for Catherine. Only after 12 actresses turned down the part. Michael Douglas was the lead male and he wanted a female "name" to play Catherine.
Stone was told that she is no longer "Fuckable" by Hollywood standards. She was 32 (yrs.) when she landed the role of Catherine.
Sharon also talks about how women were treated in an era where film crews - were all men. This was 1992. There was a time when she was the only woman on-the-set. She handled sexual harassment better than most actresses and it was very-very-ugly.... She is relieved to say that times have changed in 2021 because there are more women in power - in the industry.
Check out Vanity Fair book excerpt from Sharon Stone here.
Sunday, March 28, 2021
China box office 'Godzilla vs. Kong' blasts off with $70 million
GODZILLA vs. KONG from WARNER BROS. The monster fight rolled out into the Foreign market and has nabbed $121 million world-wide. $70 million of that came from the China box office alone. Week-ending March 28, 2021 -Estimated.
The epic battle opens in the U.S. on Wednesday March 31, 2021. It will also stream online at HBO-MAX for 31 days after its' launch in movie theaters.
Top Box Office 'Nobody' climbs to number #1 week-ending March 28, 2021
COVID-19 restrictions are lifting across the United States. Movie theaters are re-opening too and customers are happy. The action-flick "Nobody" climbs to number #1.
Top 5 movies at the U.S. Box Office week-ending March 28, 2021 - Estimated.
- Nobody ---> $6.7M
- Raya and the Last Dragon ---> $3.5M
- Tom and Jerry ---> $2.5M
- Chaos Walking ---> $1.2M
- The Courier ---> $1.0M
The '48 Hours' episode 'The Kidnapping of Jonelle Matthews' grabs 2.53 TV Ratings Overall
The 48 HOURS (CBS) episode called, "The Kidnapping of Jonelle Matthews" that aired on Saturday night (3/27/2021) at 10/9 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.53 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "Saturday Night Live" (NBC) grabbed 1.70 overall & 0.2 with adults. "American Idol" (ABC) nabbed 1.82 overall & 0.3 with adults (9 to 11 p.m.).
"The Kidnapping of Jonelle Matthews." It was Dec. 20, 1984 at Colorado. Jonelle disappeared from her home after choir practice. There were shoe prints in the snow outside of the home. Someone tried to use a garden rake to swipe away those prints. As winter passed. So did the snow and those shoe prints. Jonelle became a missing person that stretched into 30 years.
Jonelle's mother used to "dream" about searching for her daughter. Jonelle would always come home to her in that "dream."
Jonelle's dead body was found in July of 2019. Who kidnapped her all those years ago?
Click photo below for 48 HOURS on CBS.
Saturday, March 27, 2021
The 'Dateline' episode 'Mommy Doomsday' hits 2.83 TV Ratings Overall
The DATELINE (NBC) episode called, "Mommy Doomsday" aired Friday night (3/26/2021) at 9/8 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.83 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "20/20" (ABC) grabbed 2.88 overall & 0.5 with adults. "Magnum PI" (CBS) 5.36 overall & 0.4 with adults.
Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC.
Thursday, March 25, 2021
SAG/AFTRA Podcast: Key Takeaways from the 2021 Tech Summit
SAG/AFTRA says, "Our hosts take us on an audio journey through the 3rd Annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit, co-sponsored by SAG-AFTRA and the AFL-CIO...."
"Featuring excerpts from esteemed experts and union leaders, including Tristan Harris, Liz Shuler, Jeff Cole and many more. Hosted by President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director David White."
Monster weekend as 'Godzilla Vs. Kong' rolls out Internationally before U.S bow
GODZILLA vs. KONG from WARNER BROS. The epic battle begins over-seas first.... The monster flick opens at Foreign markets on Friday March 26, 2021.
It is slated to release in North American theaters on March 31, 2021. It will also stream online at HBO-MAX for 31 days on that date.
U.S. States have been lifting COVID-19 pandemic restrictions after the vaccine rollout that is helping Americans.
That means movie theaters are opening too. "Godzilla vs. Kong" is expected to make some traction during COVID-19.
An all new '48 Hours' episode with Richard Schlesinger
48 HOURS on CBS. (Saturday March 27, 2021 at 10/9 p.m.).
Sneak peek: The Kidnapping of Jonelle Matthews
A 12-year-old is kidnapped from her home 36 years ago. An unusual suspect is charged. Correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports."
TV Preview ill begin after commercial ad.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
TV veteran George Segal from 'Just Shoot Me' & 'The Goldbergs' dies at 87
George Segal (1934-2021) had a long acting career that started in the black-and-white TV days, "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" (1963). A few years later - He received a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf."
His acting medium would be television where he would flourish. My favorite is his role as Jack Gallo on "Just Shoot Me."
- The Goldbergs 2013-2021.
- Retired at 35 2011-2012
- Entourage 2009
- Just Shoot Me 1997-2003
- The Naked Truth 1995-97
- Murphy's Law 1988-89
- Take Five 1987
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
2-Hour 'Dateline' Friday March 26, 2021
DATELINE on NBC. The update episode is called, "Mommy Doomsday" that will air this Friday at 9/8 p.m. Keith Morrison reports.
Action flick 'Nobody' receives good reviews for a 'John Wick' rip-off
NOBODY from UNIVERSAL. It opens wide in U.S. movie theaters this Friday March 26, 2021. Only if theaters are open in your area. The COVID-19 pandemic has still shut down many theater chains across the U.S.
I never put up movie critic reviews these days because of length. Each critic goes on and on and it isn't like it used to be. A few minutes is sufficient.... The internet has opened the door for 30 minute reviews and longer.... NO THANKS.
Nonetheless - "Nobody" is getting good reviews even though it is a rip off of "John Wick." Film-makers of that franchise have worked on this production too. I love action movies. So, I'll probably watch this.
Below is a Clip of a behind the scenes look.... Action Stunt Training. Plus, trailer.
Thursday Night 'Dateline' March 25, 2021 with Keith Morrison
DATELINE on NBC. The next episode is a repeat segment called, "The Waiting Car" that will air this Thursday at 10/9 p.m. Check it out if you missed it.
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Box Office 'The Courier' hits number #3 week-ending March 21, 2021
"Raya and the Last Dragon" still holds the top spot. According to "Box Office Mojo" that tracks box office receipts. "Raya" climbs to $23,432,606 million with a domestic gross. It hits $37,169,822 million internationally and $60,602,428 million worldwide.
Below is the top 5 movies week-ending March 21, 2021 - Estimated.
- Raya and the Last Dragon --->$5.2M
- Tom and Jerry --->$3.8M
- The Courier --->$2.0M
- Chaos Walking --->$1.9M
- The Croods: A New Age --->$620.0k
The 'Dateline' episode 'The Promise' nabs 2.54 TV Ratings Overall
The DATELINE (NBC) episode called, "The Promise" aired Saturday night (3/20/2021) at 8/7 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.54 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "Shark Tank" (ABC) grabbed 1.59 overall & 0.2 with adults. "NCAA Basketball Tournament" (CBS) 3.40 overall & 0.8 with adults (8-11 p.m.).
Last night's episode was a repeat and one the best segments ever produced. There will be no TV recap.
Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC.
Saturday, March 20, 2021
The 'Dateline' episode 'The Creek' hits 2.18 TV Ratings Overall
The DATELINE (NBC) episode called, "The Creek" aired Friday night (3/19/2021) at 9/8 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.18 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.4 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "20/20" (ABC) grabbed 2.32 overall & 0.4 with adults. "NCAA Basketball Tournament" (CBS) 3.26 overall & 0.8 with adults (8-11 p.m.).
Last night's episode was a repeat. There will be no TV recap.
Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC.
Friday, March 19, 2021
4-Hour epic 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' premiere's online at HBO-Max
ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE on HBO-MAX. The COVID-19 pandemic had crippled the entertainment industry which had shut down productions for a full year.... Movie studios then decided to put their big productions into theaters as well as streaming online.
Warner Bros. Pictures slated their important 2021 releases on the fledgling HBO-MAX website stream. That decision angered film directors because they shot their productions specifically for movie theaters.
Zack Snyder's "Justice League" has premiered online and it clocks in at 4 hours. Fans are loving it and critics are giving good reviews.
You can sign-up over at HBO-MAX for $14.99 a month. You can cancel at any time.
The 'Dateline' episode 'The Woman with No Name' hits 2.72 TV Ratings Overall
The DATELINE (NBC) episode called, "The Woman with No Name" aired Thursday night (3/18/2021) at 10/9 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.72 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.5 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "A Million Little Things" (ABC) grabbed 2.97 overall & 0.5 with adults. "Clarice" (CBS) 1.78 overall & 0.2 with adults.
"The Woman with No Name." Texas. It was the year 2006. A young woman was found dead and her body was burning with fire. The killer had placed her in between logs of wood and lit a match. Investigators could not identify her because no family nor friends had claimed her. She was buried as "Jane Doe."
Investigators turned to a male who was a computer expert. He was obsessed with missing persons named "Jane Doe" in the state of Texas. Several other computer experts climbed aboard and they formed a team. They began their search for who this "Jane Doe" really was.
Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC.
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Yaphet Kotto of 'Live and Let Die' and 'Alien' dies at age 81
Yaphet Koto will forever be remembered as the doomed mechanic on the 1979 sci-fi movie, "Alien." It was Ridley Scott's (director) horror masterpiece that is still copied today. The film was revolutionary for its' time and the tagline became popular too..., "In space no can hear you scream."
Yaphet started out on television and appeared in popular westerns, "Death Valley Days" (1967), "Bonanza" (1968), "The Big Valley" (1966-67), "The High Chaparral" (1968) and "Gunsmoke" (1970).
He appeared in important movies too, "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1968), "Live and Let Die" (1973), "Alien" (1979) "Brubacker" (1980) and "Midnight Run" (1988).
Yaphet returned to TV and landed on the critically acclaimed, "Homicide: Life on the Street." (1993-1999). RIP....
Below - Yaphet is mentioned in the movie review of "Alien" with critic Chris Stuckmann.
48 HOURS will be pre-empted on Saturday by NCAA Basketball
48 HOURS on CBS. The TV crime show will be pre-empted this Saturday by NCAA Basketball. It is "March Madness" and the network will announce when "48 Hours" will return. Stay tuned....
PRIME-TIME on CBS this Saturday begins at 8:00 p.m.
NCAA Basketball Championship [First Round]: Maryland vs. UConn & Michigan St/UCLA vs. BYU
Thursday Night Mystery on 'Dateline' March 18, 2021
Monday, March 15, 2021
Sunday, March 14, 2021
The '48 Hours' episode 'The Eye Drop Homicide' grabs 2.67 TV Ratings Overall
The 48 HOURS (CBS) episode called, "The Eye Drop Homicide" that aired on Saturday night (3/13/2021) at 10/9 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.67 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "Saturday Night Live" (NBC) grabbed 2.14 overall & 0.3 with adults. "American Idol" (ABC) nabbed 1.77 overall & 0.2 with adults (9 to 11 p.m.).
"The Eye Drop Homicide." Steve Clayton was found dead at the bottom of his home stairs. His wife Lana had discovered him and thought that he died from a heart attack.
Lana never attempted CPR on her husband. She is a nurse and had claimed that Steve liked to use eye drops of "Tetrahydrozoline" which is found inside "Visine." She claimed that he used those drops in his coffee. All so that he can force a bowel movement. There was an enormous amount of "Tetrahydrozoline" inside of his dead body.... What really happened to Steve?
Click photo below for 48 Hours on CBS.
The 'Dateline' episode 'The Premonition' hits 2.89 TV Ratings Overall
The DATELINE (NBC) episode called, "The Premonition" aired Saturday night (3/13/2021) at 8/7 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.89 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.4 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "Shark Tank" (ABC) grabbed 1.98 overall & 0.3 with adults. "Bob loves Abishola" (CBS) 1.04 overall & 0.2 with adults.
Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC.
Top Box Office 'Raya and the Last Dragon' number #1 estimated $5.5 million
Movie theaters are beginning to re-open around the United States. COVID-19 restrictions are lifting as millions of Americans take the vaccine. Infections and deaths are falling too.
Top U.S. theater box office week-ending March 14, 2021 - Estimated.
- Raya and the Last Dragon ---> $5.5M
- Tom and Jerry ---> $4.1M
- Chaos Walking ---> $2.3M
- Boogie ---> $730.0k
- The Croods: A New Age ---> $520.0k
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Trailer 'Nobody' opens in U.S. wide theatrical release on March 26, 2021
NOBODY from UNIVERSAL. Every critic and film-goer are comparing this action movie to "John Wick" (Keanu Reeves). There are strong similarities in both films.
This movie was pushed forward for a full year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It opens in wide release on March 26, 2021.
IMDB says, "A bystander who intervenes to help a woman being harassed by a group of men becomes the target of a vengeful drug lord."
The 'Dateline' episode 'The Life She Wanted' grabs 3.15 TV Ratings Overall
The DATELINE (NBC) episode called, "The Life She Wanted" aired Sunday night (3/12/2021) at 9/8 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 3.15 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.5 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "20/20" (ABC) grabbed 2.54 overall & 0.4 with adults. "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" (CW) 0.73 overall & 0.1 with adults.
"The Life She Wanted." 1996. It happened in a parking lot outside a "target" store. A woman named Sherri was handcuffed and put inside the back of a car. It wasn't a police vehicle either. Sherri had not picked up her kids later that day. Her husband Mark instead picked up those kids and he soon called the police. Investigator's had found Sherri's van in the "target" parking lot. The keys were still inside of the ignition.
The "target" security camera's had shown another woman following Sherri. Who was she and what happened to Sherri?
Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
An all new '48 Hours' on Saturday March 13, 2021
48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The eye drop homicide" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m.
CBS says, "Did an item found in many medicine cabinets play a role in the death of a millionaire? Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports."
TV Preview will begin after commercial ad.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Saturday night 'Dateline' on March 13, 2021
DATELINE on NBC. The true crime original.... The weekend episode is called, "The Premonition" that will air this Saturday at 8/7 p.m. Andrea Canning reports.
NBC says, "A Pennsylvania father has a premonition that he’ll be murdered and the case will go unsolved. Weeks later, he is found stabbed to death. But would the case go unsolved?"
(I never saw this one. It looks very intriguing. Check it out.).
A 2-Hour 'Dateline' on Friday March 12, 2021
DATELINE on NBC. The true crime original.... The next episode is called, "The Life She Wanted" that will air this Friday at 9/8 p.m. Josh Mankiewicz reports on this 2-hour episode.
Monday, March 8, 2021
CBS interview 'Prince Harry & Mehgan' hits a whopping 17.14 million TV Ratings Overall
OPRAH WINFREY on CBS. I did not watch the 2-hour interview because I have no interest in the British Royal family. Oprah sat down with Prince Harry and his wife Mehgan. It was their first interview since leaving the "royal family" behind in the United Kingdom. They now live in the state of California.
I look at TV ratings though and this interview drew huge numbers for CBS. Last night's "gab-fest" garnered 17.14 million TV ratings overall. It had reached 2.6 million TV viewers with the all-important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "American Idol" (ABC) grabbed 5.16 overall & 0.8 with adults. "The Simpsons" (FOX) nabbed 1.31 overall & 0.4 with adults.
No movie of TV show has seen these kinds of numbers since the 1990's.
The interview is not running on the official CBS website. It is airing online in broken sections at "CBS This Morning."
Click photos below for Prince Harry and Mehgan interviews.
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Frank Lupo dies at 66 who was 1980's TV co-creator of 'Hunter' & 'Wiseguy'
Frank Lupo was the partner of Stephen J. Cannell. They created several popular 1980's TV shows including, "The A Team" (1983-87), "Riptide" (1984-86), "Hunter" (1984-1991) & "Wiseguy" (1987-1990).
It is hard to believe that these TV shows were produced 40 years ago. Time has flown by so fast. You can watch these shows on YouTube in 2021 posted by fans.
My favorite is "Hunter" that came on every Saturday night on NBC. It was known at the time to be the toughest TV show on any network. It was because of the action which seems tame compared with today's standards.
Sgt. Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) and Sgt. Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) had great chemistry.... That chemistry lasted for six TV seasons until Stepfanie left the show. The 7th and final season lost its' mojo.
Frank Lupo co-created some good television. RIP....
A TV fan uploaded the "Hunter" season 6 Introduction. It is my favorite.
Top Box Office 'Raya and the Last Dragon' at an estimated $8.6 million
Estimated Top Five at the Box Office week-ending March, 7, 2021.
- Raya and the Last Dragon -->$8.6M
- Tom and Jerry -->$6.6M
- Chaos Walking -->$3.8M
- Boogie -->$1.2M
- The Croods: A New Age -->$780.0k
The '48 Hours' episode 'Fighting for Aniah' grabs 2.59 TV Ratings Overall
The 48 HOURS (CBS) episode called, "Fighting for Aniah" that aired on Saturday night (3/6/2021) at 10/9 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.59 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.3 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "Saturday Night Live" (NBC) grabbed 1.71 overall & 0.3 with adults. "American Idol" (ABC) nabbed 1.62 overall & 0.2 with adults (9 to 11 p.m.).
"Fighting for Aniah." She was attending college and had a room-mate. Her name was Aniah who was an engaging young lady. She always had the fear of being abducted and killed. Her room-mate says that Aniah repeatedly checked and locked every door in their apartment. She was never left alone except for one night while driving back to her apartment. A security camera inside of a gas station had caught her on camera. It was the last time anyone had seen her.
Aniah's life long fear had come true. Where was she and who abducted her?
Click photo below for 48 HOURS on CBS.
Saturday, March 6, 2021
The 'Dateline' episode 'Secrets in Silver Lakes' grabs 2.60 TV Ratings Overall
The DATELINE (NBC) episode called, "Secrets in Silver Lakes" aired Sunday night (3/5/2021) at 9/8 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.60 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.4 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "20/20" (ABC) grabbed 3.46 overall & 0.6 with adults. "Magnum PI" (CBS) 5.38 overall & 0.5 with adults.
This was a repeat episode and there will be no TV recap.
Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC.
The 'Dateline' episode 'Return to the Landing' hits 2.57 TV Ratings Overall
The DATELINE (NBC) episode called, "Return to the Landing" aired Sunday night (3/5/2021) at 10/9 p.m. In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.57 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.4 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "The Chase" (ABC) grabbed 3.31 overall & 0.4 with adults. "Clarice" (CBS) 3.47 overall & 0.4 with adults.
This was a repeat episode and there will be no TV recap.
Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC.
Thursday, March 4, 2021
An all new '48 Hours' on Saturday March 6, 2021
48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "Fighting for Aniah" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m.
CBS says, "College student Aniah Blanchard had a deep fear of being kidnapped. When she disappears, UFC fighter Walt Harris battles for justice for his stepdaughter. CBS News special correspondent James Brown reports."
TV preview will begin after commercial ad.
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
NBC replaces 'Dateline' episodes Thursday March 4, 2021
DATELINE on NBC. The official website had an episode narrated by Keith Morrison. (Preview below). The network has replaced that episode with another narrated by Andrea Canning.
The next episode is called, "Return to the Landing" that will air this Thursday at 10/9 p.m. Andrea Canning reports and narrates. It is also a repeat. Check it out if you missed it.
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Geoffrey Scott of 'Dynasty' & who did '100 TV commercials' dies at age 79
Geoffrey Scott was best known as Mark Jennings on the 1980's TV smash, "Dynasty." He was a professional tennis player who was also Krystle Carrington's first husband. There was a TV season "cliff-hanger" that trapped Krystle and Alexis Colby in a cabin fire. When the new TV season began. It was Mark who saved them both. He was finally shoved to his death from a high rise building in another TV cliff-hanger episode. Alexis was accused of killing him. - Scott did 45 episodes over two seasons.
He appeared on several TV series, "1st and Ten" (1984), "Ramblin' Man" (1981) and "The Secret Empire" (1979). TV fans remember him the most from the cult classic, "Dark Shadows" (1970).
Scott also did 100 TV commercials throughout the 1970's and 80's. A popular commercial was for "Maxwell House" coffee that starred Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch from "The Wizard of Oz".). RIP....
