'Live by Night' opens today, Friday Jan. 13, 2017

LIVE BY NIGHT for WARNER BROS. PICTURES. The 1920's era movie opens today, Friday Jan. 13, 2017 in over 2,000 theater screens. (I got my advance tickets).

Warner Bros. Pictures says, "“Live by Night” is set in the roaring `20s when Prohibition hasn’t stopped the flow of booze in an underground network of gangster-run speakeasies. The opportunity to gain power and money is there for any man with enough ambition and nerve and Joe Coughlin, the son of the Boston Police Superintendent, long ago turned his back on his strict upbringing for the spoils of being an outlaw. But even among criminals there are rules and Joe breaks a big one: crossing a powerful mob boss by stealing his money and his moll. The fiery affair ends in tragedy, setting Joe on a path of revenge, ambition, romance and betrayal that propels him out of Boston and up the ladder of Tampa’s steamy rum-running underworld."

2 back-to-back episodes 'Dateline' Sunday Jan. 15, 2017

DATELINE on NBC. The second hour episode is called, "The Fire Inside" that will air Sunday beginning at 10/9 p.m.

NBC says, "When a house in Bergen County, New Jersey catches on fire, firefighters arrive to find the badly burned remains of the home owner. Is there a serial killer roaming the streets of Jersey---or is this murder a case of jealousy and revenge? Andrea Canning reports."

Click photo for DATELINE TV Preview of THE FIRE INSIDE.

(NBC Logo. Press Release says the episode airs at 10/9 p.m.)

2 back-to-back episodes 'Dateline' Sunday Jan. 15, 2017

DATELINE on NBC. The first hour is called, "Unimaginable" that will air this Sunday beginning at 9/8 p.m.  

NBC says, "Billy Kirkpatrick, a close friend of Ross Harris, describes exclusively to Andrea Canning the relationship he saw between Ross and his son Cooper. You can watch the full report Sunday at 9/8c on Dateline."

Click photo for DATELINE TV Preview of UNIMAGINABLE.

(NBC Logo)

No '48 Hours' this Saturday Jan. 14, 2017

48 HOURS on CBS. NFL football will pre-empt this week's "48 Hours" mystery. The AFC division playoff will have Houston Texans @ New England Patriots. 

If you missed any recent episodes of "48 Hours." Please visit their official website at CBS. Click photo.

(CBS Photo)

An all new 'Elementary' Sunday Jan. 15, 2017

ELEMENTARY on CBS. The newest episode is called, "Crowned Clown, Downtown Brown" that will air this Sunday at 10/9 p.m. 

TV Promo says, "When Holmes and Watson investigate a clown’s murder upstate, they discover a connection between his death and the creation of a new weaponized virus. Also, Watson helps Bell when he’s targeted by his new love interest Chantal’s ex-husband, in attempt to sabotage her career at the district attorney’s office." 

'Dateline' All weekend beginning Friday Jan. 13, 2017

DATELINE on NBC. The network scheduled the whole weekend with "Dateline" episodes. / Friday night has "Barack Obama: The reality of hope" which airs at 10/9 p.m. / Saturday Jan. 14, has a 2-hour episode beginning at 8/7 p.m. / Sunday Jan. 15, has two new episodes beginning at 9/8 p.m. 

Click photos below for DATELINE this weekend.

(NBC Logo)

The 2017 SAG Awards countdown...,

The SAG Awards will air live on TNT and TBS Sunday Jan. 29, 2017. Paid up SAG-AFTRA members have until Friday Jan. 13 to ask for paper ballots. Voting ends Friday Jan. 27 at 12 noon California time. All ballots need to be received by that time to be counted. (This includes Native American SAG-AFTRA members).

Click photo for SAG Awards information.

("Variety" photo)

SAG-AFTRA stands by new Law 'California AB 1687'

SAG-AFTRA President - Gabrielle Carteris - sent out a message today, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2017.

"As you may know, SAG-AFTRA and its members worked hard to successfully advocate for the enactment of California’s AB 1687, a law that requires subscription-based entertainment casting databases like 'IMDbPro' and 'IMDb.com' to remove subscribers’ date of birth information upon request. The law took effect on January 1, 2017."

"Regrettably, instead of simply following the law, IMDb has decided to refuse to comply with the law and instead has filed a lawsuit against the State of California in federal court in San Francisco seeking to have a judge void the law based on several arguments under the US Constitution. Despite having plenty of time to ask that judge to put AB 1687 on hold pending the litigation, IMDb did not do that. No court has enjoined the law and on New Year’s Day it took effect."

"IMDb is now in open violation of the law and our attorneys are evaluating legal action against IMDb in addition to our defense of AB 1687 in federal court. The California Attorney General has the legal responsibility to defend the law. SAG-AFTRA also will be actively participating in defending the law and in making sure the courts understand the damage being done by IMDb’s insistence on making performers’ dates of birth available to casting decision makers...,"

Click logo for complete letter.

(SAG-AFTRA Logo)

An all new 'Dateline' Friday Jan. 13, 2017

DATELINE on NBC. The next episode is a one hour special called, "Barack Obama: the reality of hope" that will air this Friday at 10/9 p.m. (NBC Prime-time begins with an all new "Grimm" at 8/7 p.m. The new TV series "Emerald City" airs at 9/8 p.m.).

NBC says, "As President Obama heads to Chicago for his farewell address to the nation Tuesday, he’ll be taking Lester Holt with him on Air Force One."

Click photo for DATELINE TV Preview of "The Reality of Hope."

(NBC Logo)

An all new 'Shooter' Tuesday Jan. 10, 2017

SHOOTER on USA. The next episode is called, "Ballistic Advantage" that airs this Tuesday at 10/9 p.m. I came to this late and I must say, it is a tense-filled, action-drama. (The female FBI agent is stupid though IMO. She knows that everything her boss has done is wrong, but can't make a stand).

TV promo says, "Bob Lee negotiates an exchange in order to save his family; Nadine juggles her allegiances to Bob Lee and the FBI; and Isaac strikes a deal for his freedom."

An all new 'Hawaii Five-0' Friday Jan. 13, 2016. Dr. Max says 'Goodbye'

HAWAII FIVE-0 on CBS. the newest episode is called, "Ua Ho'i Ka Opua I Awalua"  that will air this Friday at 9/8 p.m. Wow, after 7 years. Dr. Max says farewell who had recently gotten married. He will be missed. 

TV Promo says, "As Max prepares to say goodbye to his Five-0 ohana, they must investigate a murder during a police convention on the Island. Jimmy Buffett returns as Frank Bama."

'Elementary' Sherlock discovers that a woman is a shackled slave

“Elementary” (CBS) can be seen each Sunday evening at 10/9 p.m. It aired at 9 p.m. (central time) in Albuquerque, NM on KRQE 13. Last night's episode on Jan. 8, 2017 was called, “Be my guest.” In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 5.15 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.7 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. “Conviction” (ABC) grabbed 2.68 overall & 0.5 with adults. “Golden Globe Awards” (NBC) nabbed 20.02 overall & 5.6 with adults (8-11 p.m).

“Elementary” stars, Jonny Lee Miller (Sherlock Holmes), Lucy Liu (Dr. Joan Watson),

Aidan Quinn (Captain Thomas Gregson) & Jon Michael Hill (Detective Marcus Bell).

“Be my guest.” An Asian woman has a bruise on her face who tries to serve breakfast to an older white male. He refuses the food and then hooks a wire cable to her neck brace. She is a slave to him. Sherlock and captain Gregson are in a meeting inside an office building. Sherlock looks at a man and steals his iPhone. He finds the Asian woman posing on the camera, but hooked up to that wire cable. The man's name is Ryan Decker who gets physically violent toward Sherlock over his phone. Later, Sherlock and Watson break into Ryan's home to seek out some evidence.

Click photo for “Elementary” over at CBS.

(CBS Screen shots)

'48 Hours' Convicted killer wants parole after murder of wife in 1992

"48 Hours" (CBS) can be seen each Saturday evening at 10/9 p.m. It aired at 9 p.m. (central time) in Albuquerque, NM on KRQE 13. The episode on Jan. 7, 2016 was called, "Crime & Punishment." In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 3.46 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.5 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. “20/20" (ABC) grabbed 3.61 overall & 0.9 with adults. “NFL wild-card playoff" (NBC) nabbed 21.87 overall & 6.8 with adults.

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

“Crime & Punishment.” A mother goes missing on May 17, 1992. A local fisherman catches a dead woman on his fish-line. Her name was Phonthip Ott and her husband Dennis was the main suspect who turned out to be an abusive man. He was later convicted of her murder. It has been more than 20 years and Dennis wants parole who thinks he is not a danger to society. He also believes that he isn't guilty of his wife's murder. Phonthip's two daughters fight to keep Dennis behind prison bars.

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

(The late Phonthip Ott early 1990's).

'Hawaii Five-0' returns in 2017 with solid TV ratings

“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 Jan. 6, 2016 was called, “Ka 'aelike.” In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 10.02 million TV viewers overall. It reached 1.2 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. “Shark Tank” grabbed 5.88 overall & 1.4 with adults. “Emerald City” nabbed 4.47 overall & 1.1 with adults (9-11 p.m).

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

“Ka 'aelike.” Chin Ho was traded for his niece Sarah by the Mexican cartel. “Five-0” dealt with the Diego family by killing one of the brothers. It goes back to Gabriel who was Chin Ho's corrupt cousin. He was liked by the Diego family. They dealt in drugs and killings that crossed the Mexican and U.S., border. The “Five-0” team rescue Chin Ho before he is fed to angry dogs. Sarah's aunt and uncle surprisingly hand her back to Chin Ho. The "Five-0" team returns to Hawaii. A man is found murdered who is connected to a local car dealership. Lou goes undercover who had a sleazy, lying uncle who was a car dealer.

Click photo for HAWAII FIVE-0 over at CBS.

(Lou and Steve)

'If I didn't Care' could have been a good murder mystery

IF I DIDN'T CARE is an Indie film (2007). It was the second-to-the-last-movie Roy Scheider (The French Connection, Jaws) made before his death in 2008. According to "Box Office Mojo" that tracks box office receipts. "Care" opened in only two U.S., theaters and then closed after one week. It made $9,902.

Robert Newman wrote this synopsis for the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). "Hitchcockian film noir/thriller set in the exclusive resort community of The Hamptons. Trophy husband Davis Meyers meets local investigator Linus. Davis Meyers' ill-fated attempt to produce an heir leads to infidelity, murder and tragic consequences. Classic film noir in the style of the '40s and '50s."

I love a good murder mystery and this had an excellent premise. It surrounded real estate and the dialogue that comes with it. The male lead had a "Robert Redford" look and sound. It also had good editing plus cinematography. My problem was with the old detective played by Scheider. We know nothing about him and we never get to see him investigate or to think about this murder. Soon, the movie is over and the audience is just sitting there. The dead body was preposterous. It was supposed to be human and the killer lifted it like a mere leaf. I actually laughed-out-loud when the killer dropped the wrapped body made of only plastic. Too bad, it had the potential to be a good mystery. 

 

Actress, Kristen Bell talks 'Dateline' & Keith Morrison

"The Good Place - star Kristen Bell reveals to Access Hollywood Live's Natalie Morales and Kit Hoover how her date nights with Dax Shepard sometimes include staying at home and watching journalist and host Keith Morrison on "Dateline"! Plus, Kristen shares the transformation she went through for her cameo in Dax's movie remake of the TV show "CHiPs." "The Good Place" airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC."

No 'Dateline' this Friday Jan. 6, 2017

DATELINE on NBC. There will be no episode this week. "Grimm" returns at 8 p.m. A movie called, "Emerald City" ends prime-time from 9-11 p.m. 

"Dateline" rewind has "Manson" streaming online to keep TV fans occupied until the next episode. Charles Manson was entered into a hospital this week after becoming seriously ill. He has been in prison since 1969 after ordering his followers to kill actress, Sharon Tate and others which has been called, "The Manson Murders." Keith Morrison reports.

Click photo for full episode called MANSON on DATELINE.

(NBC Logo)

An all new 'Elementary' Sunday Jan. 8, 2017

ELEMENTARY on CBS. The next episode is called, "Be My Guest" that will air this Sunday at 10/9 p.m. Sherlock and Watson are back and the newest episode looks dramatic. 

TV Promo says, "Elementary 5x11 "Be My Guest" Season 5 Episode 11 Promo - Holmes and Watson race to find a woman who’s been held captive for years before the kidnapper takes drastic steps to avoid being caught. Also, Watson becomes frustrated when Shinwell refuses to focus on his informant training with her and Holmes."

 

An all new '48 Hours' Saturday Jan. 7, 2017

48 HOURS on CBS. The new episode is called, "Crime & Punishment" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m. Happy New Year "48 Hours" TV fans. The TV season continues with intriguing episodes.  

CBS says, "A stepfather sits in prison for killing his wife. Her daughters vow to keep him there. Does he deserve parole? Correspondent Tracy Smith has the story."

2017 'SAG Awards' Special Digital Online Issue

The SAG Awards will air live on TBS and TNT Sunday Jan. 29, 2017. SAG-AFTRA has posted a special Online Issue for all union members. It is a voter guide where you can view online or download as a PDF. It is to help members vote for their favorite nominees in film and TV. There is a special segment on the "Stunt" nominees. There will be local state SAG Award screenings across the country. The New Mexico information is below. 

New Mexico Local

• Where: Albuquerque Country Club / 601 Laguna Blvd. SW, Ventana Room, Albuquerque, NM 87104. 
• When: 5 p.m. pre-show mixer, 6-8 p.m./  Award show viewing and door prizes 
• Attire: New Mexico Formal 
• Cost: $20 for members, $25 for guests. / Please pay at the door with either cash or a check made out to SAG-AFTRA. / No credit cards. 
• Contact: RSVP required by Jan. 23 to nm@sagaftra.org. Include your name, member number, and whether you will bring a guest. Space is limited.

Click photo for SAG Award Special Online Edition.

(TNT)

'Dateline' rewind streaming online 'Something Sweet'

DATELINE on NBC. If you need your "Dateline" fix before the "new year" episodes begin. NBC is streaming online a repeat episode called, "Something Sweet" from 2015. 

NBC says, "A retired corrections officer mysteriously dies from antifreeze poisoning in rural Ohio. Detectives uncover multiple suspects during a five-year investigation that causes two families to collide. Josh Mankiewicz reports on a case that pivots on riveting medical evidence."

Click photo for DATELINE episode SOMETHING SWEET.

(NBC Logo)

'Elementary' returns Sunday Jan. 8, 2017

ELEMENTARY on CBS. There is no TV promo just yet, but probably later this week. The next episode is called, "Be my guest" that will air this Sunday Jan. 8, 2017. Many TV fans will be glad as the football season ends. Each game has been pushing "Elementary" forward at least 40 minutes. Hardcore fans like me will always follow no matter what time...,

Click sneak peek photo of this Sunday's episode for ELEMENTARY on CBS.

(Sherlock, Watson and Captain Gregson. CBS Facebook.)

'Dateline' ranked as top news magazine for 2016

DATELINE ON NBC. The TV numbers are in and the news magazine comes out above the rest on Friday nights with NBC. Go below for official highlights.

• Dateline ranked as the #1 Friday news-magazine across the board in 2016.
• This marks Dateline’s first yearly wins over 20/20 among A18-49 and A25-54 since 2011.
• Dateline averaged 4.897 million total viewers, outperforming 20/20 by +362,000 (+8%).
• Dateline averaged 1.727 million A25-54 viewers, +168,000 (+11%) ahead of 20/20
• This marks a +476,000 viewer turnaround from a -308,000 A25-54 loss in 2015.
• Dateline averaged 1.281 million A18-49 viewers, +114,000 (+10%) more than 20/20.
• The A18-49 advantage represents a 405,000 viewer reversal of a -291,000 loss in 2015. 

Click photos below for DATELINE on NBC. 

(Keith Morrison, Dennis Murphy, Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz & Lester Holt. Variety photo)

An all new 'Hawaii Five-0' This Friday Jan. 6, 2017

HAWAII FIVE-0 on CBS. The new episode is called, "Ka 'aelike" that airs this Friday at 9/8 p.m. TV promo says, "After Chin is kidnapped by a cartel in Mexico, Five-0 must find and rescue him before he is executed by the group that’s out for revenge. Also, Grover goes undercover as a car salesman to investigate a murder that turns out to be far more complex and dangerous than expected."

SAG Awards final request for paper ballots Jan.13 2017

The SAG Awards will be Sunday January 29, 2017 broadcast live on TBS and TNT. Paid up SAG-AFTRA union members have until noon on Friday Jan. 27 to vote online. If you want to send in a paper ballot. You have until Friday Jan. 13 to request that paper ballot. (I went to see "Lion" at my local theater in Albuquerque which is a nominee).