Expanding 'Empire': Possible spinoff in the works at Fox
Taraji P. Henson as seen in "Empire"
Expanding 'Empire': Fox's "Empire" may rise again after ending its six-season run earlier this year. But if it does, it will likely be in the form of a spinoff centered on Cookie Lyon, the label-founding matriarch played by actress Taraji P. Henson ("Hidden Figures," 2016).
Bring the beach home: 'Cooking Out' celebrates a summer tradition
Michael Symon, host of "Symon's Dinner Cooking Out"
Life ain't exactly a beach in 2020. But if you're in need of a mood-busting food experience right now, or if you're craving some serious sea-soaked flavors, Food Network chef Michael Symon can show you how to enjoy a beach tradition without venturing far from home.
The Walking Dead, on AMC
An incident places Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), a small town deputy, in a coma in this rebroadcast pilot episode. When he wakes alone in a deserted hospital, Rick finds the world overrun by corpses, some of which are still walking and hungry.
New Releases for the week of August 30 - September 5
Irresistible
Democratic political consultant Gary (Carell) heads from D.C. to the small town of Deerlaken, Wisconsin, to convince a retired veteran (Cooper) to run for mayor. Gary's campaign first runs into trouble when his big-city ideals clash with the townsfolk's rural culture, but when the Republicans send in their own consultant (Byrne) to counter Gary's campaign, the fight for America's Heartland escalates into an all-out political war.
Director: Jon Stewart. Stars: Steve Carell, Rose Byrne, Chris Cooper, Mackenzie Davis, Topher Grace, Natasha Lyonne, Will Sasso, C.J. Wilson, Brent Sexton, Alan Aisenberg, Debra Messing. 2020. 101 mins. Comedy.
Blood Quantum
In a world overrun by the living dead, the isolated Mi'kmaq reserve of Red Crow discovers its Indigenous residents are immune to the zombie plague. The reserve quickly fortifies against the hordes of white zombies and refugees fleeing from surrounding cities, but the growing tensions inside the reserve may prove to be more dangerous than the threat outside its doors.
Director: Jeff Barnaby. Stars: Michael Greyeyes, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Forrest Goodluck, Kiowa Gordon, Olivia Scriven, Stonehorse Lone Goeman, Brandon Oakes, William Belleau, Devery Jacobs, Gary Farmer. 2019. 96 mins. Horror.
Cut Off
Based on the international bestseller by Sebastian Fitzek and Michael Tsokos, this film follows coroner Paul Herzfeld (Bleibtreu), who finds a capsule inside the skull of a mutilated corpse. The capsule contains the phone number of his estranged daughter, who has gone missing. Paul enlists the help of a young artist (Bauer), and together they follow a series of similar clues left behind by the killer inside the bodies of various victims. As their investigation uncovers a more sinister plot, everything points to an isolated island, which Paul must find a way onto amid a winter storm.
Director: Christian Alvart. Stars: Moritz Bleibtreu, Jasna Fritzi Bauer, Lars Eidinger, Fahri Yardim, Enno Hesse, Christian Kuchenbuch, Urs Jucker, Barbara Prakopenka. 2018. 132 mins. Thriller.
Labor of Love, on Fox
Through a series of challenges and dates, would-be mother Kristy Katzmann gets to know a group of eligible men, seeking to decide which is right for her and the family she is eager to start in a rebroadcast of this reality series hosted by Kristin Davis.
Q: I know James Bond's code number is 007, but was there a 001?
The answer depends on what you consider to be canon in the James Bond universe -- that is to say, what constitutes authentic James Bond content. Neither author Ian Fleming, who created the character in a series of novels, nor Eon Productions, the company that adapted those novels into a mega-grossing film franchise, gave us a 001.
But if you take a more liberal approach to canon, then 001 does exist -- he's a senior agent who appears briefly in a novel written by Raymond Benson.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, on CBS
Now filming from home with help from his wife, son and their dog, comedian Stephen Colbert finishes out the week with this new episode of his late night talk show. Colbert rounds up the daily news with laughs and conversations with special guests.
A fresh crop: The scoop on TV's new fall shows
Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba star in "L.A.'s Finest"
That magical time of year is almost here, and TV fans are in for some fresh treats at last. After months of reruns and binge watching, it's finally time for new TV series to pop up in prime time.
The Price Is Right, on CBS
Comedian Drew Carey serves as host of this edition of the popular daytime TV game show. A fan favorite in the game show realm, the series features contestants competing to win cash and prizes by accurately guessing the price of a variety of products.
Q: "Good Witch" just came back for a few weeks this spring and then was gone again. I really like that show and wish it would be a regular series. Who can I tell? Would that help?
Fan mail to producers of a show can never hurt, but don't expect it to get much of a result -- "Good Witch's" arrangement is already pretty "regular."
If you have the time and the inclination, there's no reason not to send a note to Hallmark Channel. Go to HallmarkChannel.com/Good-Witch for information on how to contact them (the best route these days is social media -- there are links there for the various services on the site).