Q: I just saw the movie "Burke and Hare," and it seemed an awful lot like another movie I'd seen, "I Sell the Dead." Are they related?
They are related, but neither one can claim total credit for the darkly comedic story of grave robbers who sell the bodies to medical schools. They're both based on the same true and terrible tale.
William Burke and William Hare were Irish emigrants living in Edinburgh, Scotland, who made money by killing people and selling their bodies to a nearby medical school.
Barter Kings, on A&E
As his 19th wedding anniversary approaches, Antonio asks Steve to help him secure the classic car his wife has always wanted. What Antonio doesn't know is that Steve is secretly trading up in the hopes of surprising them with an uplifting gift.
NCIS, on CBS
The team is hot on the trail of a renowned hacker that could provide them with clues to the most-wanted cyber-terrorist in the world. The series stars Mark Harmon and it focuses on an elite team of agents that investigate crimes relating to the Navy and Marine Corps.
Q: I've recently gotten into a BBC series called "Mock the Week," and it reminds me of "Whose Line is it Anyway" (but funnier). Which came first: "Whose Line" or "Mock the Week"?
"Whose Line Is It Anyway" came first, beating "Mock the Week" by a scant 17 years.
Few in North America realize that "Whose Line is it Anyway" started as a BBC radio program in 1988. It moved to television later that year on the British Channel 4 network.
"Mock the Week," on the other hand, debuted in 2005 on the BBC Two television network.
Final stop: Bourdain's Travel Channel 'Layover' comes to an end
Anthony Bourdain in a scene from "The Layover"
As far as memorable exits go, Desmond Llewelyn's last scene as Q in "The World Is Not Enough" (1999) has always been a personal favorite. The poignant scene opposite Pierce Brosnan's James Bond was fitting thanks to his last words: “Always have an escape plan.”
Monday Mornings, on TNT
Doctors face their personal and professional failings as they review complications and errors in patient care. The new drama from David E. Kelley was inspired by a novel written by neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who is also CNN’s chief medical correspondent.
Super Bowl XLVII, on CBS
Jim Nantz calls the action and lead analyst Phil Simms provides commentary as the AFC champs take on the NFC victors at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. This marks the third time in Nantz' career that he's called the highly anticipated game.
Late Laughs for the week of February 3 - 9, 2013
The Tonight Show: Jay Leno
The Oscar nominations were announced. "Lincoln" leads the list with 12 nominations. This is a first -- not the most nominations, but the first time Hollywood has ever voted for a Republican president!
Daniel Day-Lewis won a Golden Globe for playing Abraham Lincoln and Julianne Moore won for playing Sarah Palin. The foreign press realized that the greatest challenge for an actor in Hollywood is pretending to be a Republican.
New Releases for the week of February 3 - February 9
Alex Cross
Alex Cross, a policeman and a psychologist, lives a happy life with his family. He has plans to transfer to the FBI, a plan that would take him out of the line of fire and allow him to spend more time with his family. Before he can be transferred, he's assigned to investigate the brutal murder of a businesswoman. As Cross gets closer to catching the killer, the case takes some unexpected turns. But when the killer targets Cross's family and colleagues, Cross will stop at nothing to bring him to justice.
Director: Rob Cohen. Stars: Tyler Perry, Edward Burns, Matthew Fox, Jean Reno, Carmen Ejogo, John C. McGinley. 2012. 101 min. Action.
Flight
William “Whip” Whitaker is an airline captain with substance-abuse problems. Under the influence of alcohol and cocaine on the job, Whip somehow manages to crash-land a passenger jet right side up when it spirals out of control, saving hundreds of lives. When he awakens, he is recovering in the hospital, where a toxicology screen has been administered, revealing his substance abuse. Whip must now endure an investigation, media scrutiny, and ultimately a trial, but his biggest challenge will be overcoming his own demons.
Director: Robert Zemeckis. Stars: Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood, Nadine Velazquez, Tamara Tunie, Brian Geraghty. 2012. 138 min. Drama.
Celeste & Jesse Forever
Celeste and Jesse were high school sweethearts and married young. Now separated and on the verge of divorce, they are still best friends who spend most of their time together. Though mutual friends express concern that their relationship is unhealthy, the pair insist that everything is fine. Until one of them starts dating again, and everything changes.
Director: Lee Toland Krieger. Stars: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Elijah Wood, Ari Graynor, Chris Messina, Emma Roberts. 2012. 92 min. Comedy.
Here Comes the Boom
Scott Voss is a high school biology teacher and his school is always on the verge of major cutbacks. When the music program is threatened, Scott tries to raise the $48,000 it will take to save it in order to save his friend Marty’s job. While working nights, he learns that even the losers of MMA fights take home $10,000. Soon, Scott is fighting regularly, but will it be enough to save his school’s music program?
Director: Frank Coraci. Stars: Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler, Greg Germann, Joe Rogan. 2011. 105 min. Comedy.
Northern stars: "How I Met Your Mother" welcomes Canuck guests
Cobie Smulders (as Robin Sparkles) with Alan Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger in "How I Met Your Mother"
NORTHERN STARS: How many Canadians does it take to coax an alter-ego to return to the screen? Apparently, a heck of a lot.