'Dateline' A single mom gets inlvolved with a supposed British Spy

"Dateline" (NBC) can be seen each Sunday evening at 7/6 p.m. It aired in Albuquerque, NM at 6 p.m. (central time) on KOB 4. Last night's episode on Feb. 12, 2017 was called, “The Mystery Man.” In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 5.81 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.8 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "60 Minutes" (CBS) grabbed 12.64 overall & 2.4 with adults. “America's Funniest Home Videos” (ABC) nabbed 5.81 overall & 1.2 with adults.

“Dateline” is an investigative program focusing on crime & murder in the United States. The reporter and narrator is Dennis Murphy.

“The Mystery Man.” Michelle is an intelligent woman. She was looking for a man to spend the rest of her life with. She divorced her husband and became a single mom. She then met a man named “Leam.” They saw each other more, but he told her he wasn't available before and after, 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. He then said that he worked for the British government as a spy. She had to disclose her personal life to get a security check by the British. He said he would hold-her-hand to get through-it-all. She couldn't meet his parents and never visit his home. “Leam” passed on Michelle's personal information and she got emails from a man as part of her security clearance. That man then asked her to send money. There was no turning back after that. Everything was not what it seemed.

Watch episodes of “Dateline” streaming online at NBC. Click photo.

(NBC logo)

'Saturday Night Live' nabs highest TV ratings since 2001

It is three weeks into Donald Trump's Presidency (2017). The folks at "Saturday Night Live" have great material to use each week and TV fans wish it was every day. There is drama coming from the White House every 24 hours. Alec Baldwin hosted Saturday's "SNL" (02/11/2017). His spot on impersonation of Trump has been a little over shadowed by Melissa McCarthy's take on Sean Spicer (White House Press Secretary). It's all in good fun though as Kate McKinnon jumps into the hilarity. She portrays Kellyanne Conway (White House Spokes-woman) in a rip-off of the movie, "Fatal Attraction" (1987). It just gets funnier and funnier...,

TV By The Numbers says, "In late night, “Saturday Night Live” scored its best metered market household ratings in six years. The Alec Baldwin-hosted episode with musical guest Ed Sheeran earned a 7.2/18 in households, the best since January 2001. Its 3.6/18 in adults 18-49 was the second-best of the season behind the Nov. 12 episode hosted by Dave Chappelle."

'48 Hours' A doctor worth $30 million shot, stabbed & strangled in his mansion

"48 Hours" (CBS) was seen Saturday evening at 10/9 p.m. It aired at 9 p.m. (central time) in Albuquerque, NM on KRQE 13. The episode on Feb. 11, 2017 was called, “The Strange life of Dr. Schwartz." In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 4.40 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.6 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. “NBA Saturday Primetime" (ABC) grabbed 4.81 overall & 1.8 with adults (8:30-11 p.m.). “SNL Vintage" (NBC) nabbed 3.57 overall & 0.8 with adults.

"48 Hours" is an investigative program that covers crime & murder in the United States. This episode was reported and narrated by Peter Van Sant.

“The Strange life of Dr. Schwartz.” He was a wealthy doctor in Tampa, Florida and his name was Steve Schwartz. He owned more than 30 houses and was found murdered in one of them. He was shot in the head, stabbed and strangled to death. He committed a murder at Hobb's, New Mexico back in 1961. Steve spent 9 years in prison for that crime and worked the rest of his life helping others. He was worth 30 million ($$). His wife Becky was 20 years younger than him. Police arrested a man named Leo who was a contractor for Steve. He claimed that Becky asked him to find someone to kill Steve.

You can watch episodes of “48 Hours” at CBS. Click photo.

(Steve and Becky Schwartz collage. CBS Photo)

'Hawaii Five-0' A guy picks up a beautiful blonde and is later found dead

“Hawaii Five-0” (CBS) can be seen each Friday evening at 9/8 p.m. It aired at 8 p.m. (central time) in Albuquerque, NM on KRQE 13. Last night's episode on Feb. 10, 2017 was called, “Poniu I Ke Aloha.” In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 9.78 million TV viewers overall. It reached 1.3 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. “Shark Tank” (ABC) grabbed 5.75 overall & 1.3 with adults. “Emerald City” (NBC) nabbed 2.31 overall & 0.6 with adults.

“Hawaii Five-0” stars, Alex O'Loughlin (Steve McGarrett), Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly), Grace Park (Kono Kalakaua), Scott Caan (Danny Williams) & Chi McBride (Lou Grover).

“Poniu I Ke Aloha.” A young male talks to an attractive blonde in a dance nightclub. He has a bunch of cash, but isn't that attractive. They dance and both end up kissing later. He is found dead inside a dumpster the next morning. His name is Jeremy and his billfold was stolen. Lou, Chin Ho and Kono discover that Jeremy was on the island for a “pick up girls” conference. Meanwhile, The girlfriend's of Steve and Danno plan for all of them to spend the weekend together. It's Valentine's Day. Danno and Steve already spend too much time together. They decide to choose a “word” if Steve gets on Danno's nerves. They would then go their separate ways for the rest of the weekend.

Click photo for HAWAII FIVE-0 over at CBS.

(Chin and Kono investigate)

'Dateline' 2 cities separated by a river could connect a double homicide

"Dateline" (NBC) can be seen each Friday evening at 10/9 p.m. It aired in Albuquerque, NM at 9 p.m. (central time) on KOB 4. Last night's episode on Feb. 10, 2017 was called, “Fury.” In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 3.56 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.7 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "Blue Bloods" (CBS) grabbed 10.47 overall & 1.2 with adults. “20/20” (ABC) nabbed 4.62 overall & 0.9 with adults.

“Dateline” is an investigative program focusing on crime & murder in the United States. The reporter and narrator is Josh Mankiewicz.

“Fury.” Kansas City 1989. Sarah was 18 years old. Her dead body was found under a bridge near the rail-road tracks. Police investigators believe that Sarah's body was dumped and her car was abandoned a few miles away. She was stabbed multiple times in a personal rage killing. Five years went by and Sarah's murder went cold. Across the Kansas river at “Independence” city 1994. Diana was shot to death in her own home. She was ambushed in the kitchen. She was the mother of two kids. Police believed that it might be a robbery gone bad. Diana's murder also went cold for 20 years. It turns out that a woman named Carol knew both Diana and Sarah.

Watch episodes of “Dateline” streaming online at NBC. Click photo.

(NBC logo)

2 back-to-back episodes of '48 Hours' Saturday Feb. 11, 2017

48 HOURS on CBS. The second episode is called, "The Strange Life of Dr. Schwartz" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m. This is an all new investigation and it looks intriguing.

CBS says, "A wealthy doctor is violently murdered in his Florida mansion -- could a dark secret from his past provide a clue to his killer? Correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates."

2 back-to-back episodes of '48 Hours' Saturday Feb. 11, 2017

48 HOURS on CBS. The first hour episode is called, "Murder in Beverly Hills" that will air this Saturday at 9/8 p.m. This looks like an update in the long battle to bring Robert Durst to court. 

CBS says, "Who killed a Las Vegas mob boss's daughter? Could the answers be in an unprecedented interview with millionaire Robert Durst? "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates."

An all new 'Hawaii Five-0' Friday Feb. 10, 2017

HAWAII FIVE-0 on CBS. I haven't posted a TV promo because none has been put up this week. According the CBS schedule and TV guide listings. The next episode is a Valentine's Day special. It's called, "Poniu I Ke Aloha (Crazy in Love)" That will air this Friday at 9/8 p.m.

TV guide says, "McGarrett and Danny celebrate Valentine's Day with their girlfriends, while the rest of Five-0 investigates the murder of a man taking a class on how to land women."

Click photos below for HAWAII FIVE-0 on CBS.

(CBS Express Photos)

'Elementary' pre-empted by 59th annual Grammy Awards

ELEMENTARY on CBS. TV fans will have to wait for Football season to end and award shows to pass. We still love our Sherlock and Watson. "Elementary" will be pre-empted by the 59th annual Grammy awards this Sunday Feb. 12, 2017.

Click photo collage for ELEMENTARY on CBS.

Guild Cinema welcomes 2017 'Oscar Nominated Shorts' to Albuquerque

The Oscar Nominated Short Films will screen in the Guild Cinema at Albuquerque, NM from Feb. 10-19, 2017. Please visit Guild Cinema website for complete list of all short films.

Guild Cinema is located at: 3405 Central Avenue NE / Albuquerque, NM. / Phone is (505) 255-1848.

General Admission is $8 / Seniors 60+. Students with Valid I.D. Kids 12 & under is $5 / Bargain Matinee with first show each day is $5. / Prices will vary for special events. / Cash - Visa - Master Card - Discover - is accepted.

Here are the Guild Cinema show times and dates.

• Friday February 10 to Monday February 13 - ANIMATION! @ 4:30, 6:30, 8:30
• Tuesday February 14 to Thursday February 16 - DOCUMENTARIES! @ 4:00, 7:30
• Friday February 17 to Sunday February 19 - LIVE ACTION! @ 4:30, 7:15

SAG-AFTRA announces 'Actor Residuals' going Direct Deposit

The "Screen Actors Guild" (SAG) and the "American Television and Radio Artists" (AFTRA). Announcement below includes Native American union members. 

SAG-AFTRA says, "(they) entered into a multiyear agreement with Exactuals, a Los Angeles-based payments software company, to deliver residuals payments through direct deposit. Exactuals will serve as a third-party broker to facilitate transmission of data and funds between the studios and payroll houses to SAG-AFTRA and its members. Processing of funds will be handled by Exactuals through City National, which will electronically transfer funds to member accounts at any checking account at a domestic bank. The service to SAG-AFTRA members will be free of charge...,"

Click photo below for complete statement.

(Back left to right: Martha Henderson, head of the Entertainment Division at City National Bank, and Exactuals CEO and co-founder Mike Hurst. Front left to right: SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White and SAG-AFTRA President, Gabrielle Carteris. Photograph by Rocco Ceselin).

'Creepy' becomes a nightmare for a young married couple

CREEPY from JAPAN. A friend of mine sent the "Blu-Ray" of this movie to me in the mail. It has English sub-titles. It was directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who is a Japanese horror master. This is my first movie that I've seen of his. I was not disappointed even though some of his fans didn't like it as much as his other classics (The Cure, Pulse).

Takakura is a former detective who teaches criminal psychology at a local university. A police colleague of his, asks him, if he knew about the family of three who went missing six years before. A father, mother and son disappeared without a trace. The daughter was left behind. Takakura decides to investigate and asks the daughter serious questions. Police enter the home of the neighbor, next to the family, who disappeared. That home has been vacated for six years. A dead body is found and wrapped in plastic.

Meanwhile, Takakura and his wife meet their new neighbor next door. He is a strange man who has a daughter. She doesn't like him touching her. Takakura's investigation begins to consume him and his neighbor makes an awkward, sexual pass, at his wife. -- By the halfway point in the movie. It turns quickly and starts to get scary and ugly at the same time. Takakura and his wife are sucked into a total nightmare. Check it out if you can.

 

An all new 'Dateline' Friday Feb. 10, 2017

DATELINE on NBC. The new episode is called, "Fury" that will air this Friday at 10/9 p.m. Josh Mankiewicz is back for a second week with another intriguing story. Can a private investigator find a killer or killers? 

NBC says, "A private investigator searches for answers after two women are murdered five years apart in different states. Is there a connection that can solve these two cold cases? Josh Mankiewicz reports."

Click Photo for DATELINE TV Preview.

(NBC logo)

'Dateline' Saturday Night Mystery Feb. 11, 2017

DATELINE on NBC. The episode is called, "The Good Husband" and it will air this Saturday at 8/7 p.m. This is a repeat, but there has been updates to this story since it aired. "48 Hours" (CBS) covered this too. Could there be a new ending? Check it out...,

NBC says, "Tom Kolman’s death initially looks like it was due to natural causes. But as police learn about a love triangle in his life, the investigation goes in a new direction. Andrea Canning reports."

Click photos for DATELINE TV Preview.

(NBC logo)

(NBC logo)

'Dateline' Sunday Night Mystery Feb. 12, 2017

DATELINE on NBC. The episode is called, "The Mystery Man" and it will air this Sunday at 7/6 p.m. This is a repeat and Dennis Murphy returns. I forgot about this one. I might have to re-watch it.

NBC says, "A woman looking for love finds Mr. Right - but he soon pulls her into a dark world of undercover espionage where nothing is as it seems. Dennis Murphy reports."

Click photos below for DATELINE TV Preview.

(NBC logo)

(NBC photo. Who is this mystery man?)

SAG-AFTRA union member Income Report due Feb. 28, 2017

SAG-AFTRA union members. Did you get the statement in your mail box? It is time to report the amount of income you made as performers from 2016. Please read the statement carefully. Union members can send income report by regular mail. You can also go online and report at the official SAG-AFTRA website. The due date is Feb. 28, 2017. SAG-AFTRA has to adjust how much you "earned" to how much you have to "pay" in your regular 6 month dues period. Okay?

Click SAG-AFTRA logo for official website Sign-in.

(SAG-AFTRA)

SNL spoofs Donald Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer & it is a 'Hoot'

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE on NBC. It is now more than two weeks into the U.S., Presidency of Donald Trump. Needless to say, he hasn't disappointed with controversy. His "Executive Order" on the ban of Muslims was temporarily stopped by a Washington state judge on Friday Feb. 3, 2017. Trump has been on "Twitter" criticizing the judge since then. "Saturday Night Live" has spoofed the President's press secretary, Sean Spicer, by comedian Melissa McCarthy. It is absolutely hilarious. Check it out below.

 

'48 Hours' Can a new kind of DNA test exonerate 2 convicted men?

"48 Hours" (CBS) was seen Saturday evening at 10/9 p.m. It aired at 9 p.m. (central time) in Albuquerque, NM on KRQE 13. The episode on Feb. 4, 2017 was called, “Guilty until proven Innocent." In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 4.48 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.6 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. “NBA Saturday Primetime" (ABC) grabbed 2.57 overall & 0.8 with adults (8:30-11 p.m.). “SNL Vintage" (NBC) nabbed 2.93 overall & 0.7 with adults.

"48 Hours" is an investigative program that covers crime & murder in the United States. This episode was reported and narrated by Maureen Maher.

“Guilty until proven Innocent.” It is December of 1989 at Hammond, Indiana. Police track a recurring crime, “bump and rob.” If a female is driving alone. Her car is bumped, robbed and raped by men. A single white female was driving home alone. She was bumped by another car. She got out of her own car and was abducted by five black men. They had raped her while a pair of work coveralls covered her face. Police then arrested five black men. Criminal charges were aimed at only Roosevelt and Darrell. DNA testing was so new that prosecutors called it unreliable. Both men were convicted and sent to prison. Law students studied the case and had the DNA re-tested. Would a judge over turn their convictions?

You can watch episodes of “48 Hours” at CBS. Click photo.

(Can these two men be set free with a new kind of DNA test?)

'Maigret, Sets A Trap' the first episode in ITV series

MAIGRET - SETS A TRAP on ITV. This is the first movie in a four episode series. Two episodes have already aired on ITV. The next two have yet to be aired from the BBC. Rowan Atkinson portrays Maigret (pronounced, May-Gray). It is based on the French novels written by Georges Simenon. The first episode grabbed 7.17 million TV viewers overall in 2016. (I reviewed the second episode in a recent post below). I stumbled onto this series after searching for murder mysteries to watch. 

France in the 1950's. There is no Internet or iPhones. Chief Inspector Jules Maigret is in the middle of a serial killing. Local newspaper reporters pressure the police for answers. Five women have now been stabbed to death in the streets and at night. They are all random females and Maigret cannot clamp down on why this serial killer chooses them. He is under enormous pressure from his bosses and the public. He devises a plan to have police women roam the streets who are trained in self-defense. It works after one of his female decoys is attacked, but the killer gets away. She did however rip the button off the man's suit.

Meanwhile, the pressure gets too much for local government. They decide to replace Maigret with another Chief Inspector. Maigret has less than 24 hours to find the killer. We see everything through his eyes and he is thinking all the time. He runs on instinct and intuition. They arrest a young man, but it is a long shot. It unravels with more secrets. Check it out if you can. I like this very much, especially Rowan Atkinson.

'Hawaii Five-0' Investigating team tackles two murders on the island

“Hawaii Five-0” (CBS) can be seen each Friday evening at 9/8 p.m. It aired at 8 p.m. (central time) in Albuquerque, NM on KRQE 13. Last night's episode on Feb. 3, 2017 was called, “Ka Pa'ani Nui.” In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 9.68 million TV viewers overall. It reached 1.1 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. “Shark Tank” (ABC) grabbed 5.65 overall & 1.3 with adults. “Emerald City” (NBC) nabbed 2.47 overall & 0.6 with adults.

“Hawaii Five-0” stars, Alex O'Loughlin (Steve McGarrett), Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly), Grace Park (Kono Kalakaua), Scott Caan (Danny Williams) & Chi McBride (Lou Grover).

“Ka Pa'ani Nui.” Sam Harrison is found dead and hanging upside down from a rope. His photo is sent all over social media. He was a big game hunter who wanted to kill a great white shark. Hawaii takes pride in their ocean animals and Sam received death threats on social media. Kono, Danno and Lou investigate. Meanwhile, a woman was found dead and floating in the ocean. She was killed by blunt force trauma. She had a tattoo of the Holocaust on her body. Her grandfather was a Holocaust survivor who recently died. She was close very to him. Jerry helps Chin Ho and Steve investigate.

Click photo for HAWAII FIVE-0 over at CBS.

(Chin Ho and Steve investigate)

'Dateline' 2 teen girls are both shot in the head & left for dead

"Dateline" (NBC) can be seen each Friday evening at 10/9 p.m. It aired in Albuquerque, NM at 9 p.m. (central time) on KOB 4. Last night's episode on Feb. 3, 2017 was called, “A Texas Twist.” In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 3.74 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.7 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "Blue Bloods" (CBS) grabbed 10.07 overall & 1.2 with adults. “20/20” (ABC) nabbed 4.58 overall & 1.0 with adults.

“Dateline” is an investigative program focusing on crime & murder in the United States. The reporter and narrator is Josh Mankiewicz.

“A Texas Twist.” The small town of Corpus Christie (2012). Molly and Christine were teen friends and went to Violet Andrews Park. Their bodies were later found among the tall beach grass and both were sexually assaulted. Each girl was shot in the back of the head. There was duct-tape wrapped around their mouth's and eyes. Christine survived the brutal attack, but Molly died instantly. Police detectives found several cigarette-butts at the crime scene. There was also a soft-drink can found with finger prints on it. DNA testing quickly began. A witness saw a white car speeding away from the park. Christine had an operation and later described the killer to a police sketch artist. Can detectives find a suspect or suspects?

Watch episodes of “Dateline” streaming online at NBC. Click photos.

(NBC Logo)

(NBC Photo. Josh Mankiewicz reports)

SAG-AFTRA responds to President Trump's Muslim ban

Donald Trump wrote an executive order to ban refugees and citizens from seven Muslin countries (Friday Jan. 27, 2017 at 4:42 p.m.). That order suspended all refugees from entering the U.S., for 120 days. Syrian refugees will be barred from entering the U.S., indefinitely. The order also blocked refugee's for 90 days from these seven countries, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Green card holders and those with Visa's were detained at airports across the U.S. A federal judge stopped part of the executive order on those detained on Saturday Jan. 28th. It has caused a backlash from the U.S., and around the world. 

That executive order is far reaching which includes the entertainment industry. The Iranian film, "The Salesman" has been nominated in the best "Foreign Language" category. Actress, Taraneh Alidoosti who stars in "Salesman" has announced that she will not attend the 2017 Oscar ceremony because of the ban. 

SAG-AFTRA sent out a statement, “SAG-AFTRA’s membership includes creative professionals from all over the world. This union values equality of opportunity regardless of race, gender, creed, disability, sexual orientation or country of birth. Any public policy that enacts discrimination based on religious or national background runs absolutely counter to those values and will be vigorously resisted. This immigration policy is misguided and we will support our fellow artists every step of the way.” 

You can watch the trailer for THE SALESMAN right here.

'Elementary' Pre-empted this week by 'NCIS: Los Angeles'

ELEMENTARY on CBS. According to the upcoming CBS schedule. Sherlock and Watson will not be seen this Sunday at 10/9 p.m. "NCIS" will begin at 8/7 p.m. "NCIS: New Orleans" at 9/8 p.m. "NCIS: Los Angeles will end prime-time at 10/9 p.m. 

There hasn't been a character for Sherlock to work off of this TV season. Last year, it was his father. I kind of wish the blonde, Moriarty, would return. Sherlock fell hard for her and she always shook things up on the TV series. TV fans don't like characters that intervene with Sherlock and Watson's chemistry. I don't mind it because it brings them closer together. Watson defended Sherlock to his dad who had to respect their friendship. Anyway...,

Click photo for ELEMENTARY on CBS.

(CBS Photo)

An all new '48 Hours' Saturday Feb. 4, 2017

48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "Guilty until Proven Innocent" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m. 

CBS says, "Two friends convicted of rape claim neither did it. Their families stuck by them. Now, more than 20 years later, a new DNA test will change everything. "48 Hours" correspondent Maureen Maher investigates."

'Maigret's Dead Man' is 2nd murder mystery in ITV series

MAIGRET'S DEAD MAN for ITV. Chief Inspector Jules Maigret (pronounced, "May-Gray") is played by Rowan Atkinson. It is based on the French novels written by Georges Simenon and set at Paris, France during the 1950's. There will be four TV movies and two have already aired on ITV. I stumbled onto the second movie while searching for murder mysteries. (I will catch up with the first episode soon).

Rowan Atkinson famously played "Mr. Bean" for years on TV and in films. He takes on Chief Inspector Maigret and does an excellent job. In "Dead Man", he receives a phone call from a frightened and desperate man who is running from a pair of killers. That man's dead body is later thrown from a car. His face is unrecognizable after of a severe beating. Maigret slips into the role of the dead victim. He can't use the Internet or iPhone technology because it's the 1950's. He has to use his own intuition and street smarts. His mind is a "powerful" tool and it works on so many levels. 

This mystery is seen through Maigret's eyes as we follow him closely. Small clues come in and he uses those clues to bring the killer or killers to him. His police precinct is also covering a mass murder. Is that case connected to his case? Plus, there are several twists that will surprise every arm-chair-detective. Rowan Atkinson is good here and I enjoyed every minute of it. Check it out if you can.