Q: I was watching a show on National Geographic Channel or History in September about early American settlers in conflict with native tribes. The word "Bark" was part of the title. Are there more episodes coming?
You aren't alone in wanting more episodes of "Barkskins" (you were halfway there), but there's a good chance you won't get it.
National Geographic Channel officially billed this show — its first foray into fictional programming — as a "limited series," and that's supposed to mean one season, one complete story. And in that sense, "Barkskins" did not deliver.
Gordon Ramsay's American Road Trip, on Fox
Chef Gordon Ramsay gets a break from nightmare restaurants and hellish kitchens on an RV trip in this new special. Ramsay and his buddies, Fred Sirieix and Gino D'Acampo, compete in challenges and explore culinary gems across the Western U.S.
Let the games begin: ABC brings new shows across the pond
Ken Jennings, James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter star in "The Chase"
Q: I was just watching the movie "Cabin in the Woods" and I recognized the red-haired control-room guy. What do I know him from?
Bradley Whitford is either the great "hey-it's-that-guy!" of our time, or he's Josh Lyman from "The West Wing," no question. It depends how obsessed you were with "The West Wing."
If you weren't particularly obsessed with it, or (and there must be some of you) you've never seen it, the chameleonic Whitford has disappeared into more than 100 film and TV roles since arriving on the scene back in a 1985 episode of "The Equalizer." That was an early indication of his preference for TV.
Ellen's Game of Games, on NBC
Season 4 returns with back-to-back new episodes. Ellen DeGeneres hosts as contestants compete in a series of outrageous games that originated on her hit daytime talk show. Winners advance to the final round for a shot at the $100,000 prize.
New Releases for the week of January 3 - 9
Love and Monsters
Seven years after giant mutant creatures take over the planet in an event the few human survivors have coined the "Monsterpocalypse," Joel Dawson (O’Brien) establishes a somewhat stable life for himself in an underground colony. Still reeling from the death of his parents and the dire realities of the world around him, Joel sees little hope for his future; that is, until a rogue radio transmission reconnects him with his long-lost girlfriend, Aimee (Henwick). Vowing to find his way to her coastal colony nearly 100 monster-infested miles away, Joel will only have his unlikely allies, Clyde (Rooker) and Minnow (Greenblatt), and his barely-there survival skills, to get the love of his life back safely.
Director: Michael Matthews. Stars: Dylan O’Brien, Jessica Henwick, Michael Rooker, Ariana Greenblatt, Dan Ewing, Ellen Hollman. 2020. 109 mins. Adventure.
The Craft: Legacy
Lily Schechner (Spaeny) and her mother, Helen (Monaghan), move into a new town to join Helen's boyfriend, Adam (Duchovny), and his three sons. After getting her period in the middle of school and being humiliated by her classmates, Lily is comforted by Frankie (Adlon), Tabby (Simone) and Lourdes (Luna), who invite her to a sleepover. There, the girls reveal to Lily that they are a coven of witches and know that Lily is hiding powers like theirs. Lily joins them and they begin to push the limits of their gifts, freezing time, contacting spirits and casting spells. However, despite being delighted by their magic, they realize that some of them may have taken their powers too far, and now they must rush to save each other from the evils their craft has unleashed.
Director: Zoe Lister-Jones. Stars: Cailee Spaeny, Gideon Adlon, Lovie Simone, Zoey Luna, Michelle Monaghan, David Duchovny, Fairuza Balk. 2020. 97 mins. Horror.
The War with Grandpa
Sally Decker (Thurman) decides to move her widowed father, Ed (De Niro), into her family home. Excited to live with his grandfather at first, Peter's (Fegley) mood quickly turns when it is revealed that Ed will be taking over his room, forcing the boy to move into the attic. This triggers a barrage of pranks and familial attacks from both sides, as grandfather and grandson struggle to accept domestic life with one another.
Director: Tim Hill. Stars: Robert De Niro, Oakes Fegley, Uma Thurman, Rob Riggle, Jane Seymour, Christopher Walken, Cheech Marin. 2020. 94 mins. Comedy.
Back into the fire: New season of 'Hell’s Kitchen' kicks off
Gordon Ramsay as seen in "Hell's Kitchen"
If you've had your fill of feel-good holiday specials and you're craving some reality TV Schadenfreude, I've got some good news for you: Gordon Ramsay will be serving up new challenges, risotto-related rants and bleeped-out comments when Season 19 of "Hell's Kitchen" gets underway Thursday, Jan. 7, on Fox.
Late Laughs for the week of January 3 - 9, 2021
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
The whole year has been Cyber Monday. At this point, all UPS guys are built like Dwayne Johnson.
This year's gingerbread White House is incredible. It features more than 400 pounds of dough and a gingerbread man who refuses to leave.
The Rookie, on ABC
Nathan Fillion returns as single father John Nolan in this Season 3 premiere. A drastic career change into law enforcement at the age of 45 makes him the LAPD's oldest rookie. Last season ended on a cliffhanger as Nolan realized he was being framed.
Cybill the CEO: Actress joins Showtime pilot
Cybill Shepherd to star in "I Love This For You"
Cybill the CEO: This year marks the 50th anniversary of Peter Bogdanovich's "The Last Picture Show" and Cybill Shepherd's big acting debut.