This Is Us, on NBC
The Pearsons return to prime time to share the ups and downs of family life in this season premiere. Set in both the 1980s and present day, the hit drama weaves back and forth through time as it tells the story of parents Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and their three kids.
Q: Why did NBC cancel "Rise"? The actors were wonderful -- I really cared about the characters. Interesting storyline and the singing was fabulous. I was really disappointed.
Unfortunately, perhaps, there's no interesting story for why NBC dropped "Rise," which seemed like a promising, feel-good musical drama in the style of "Glee" or "Nashville." It just didn't perform well versus expectations (unlike the plucky young singers it featured).
Its premiere in March drew 5.5 million viewers, which is solid but not great, particularly for a fairly expensive scripted show. However, the ratings dropped steadily from there.
Dancing With the Stars, on ABC
A new roster of celebrities pair up with professional ballroom dancers as the fun kicks off in this season premiere. The returning pro dancers include Witney Carson, Cheryl Burke, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Keo Motsepe and defending champion Jenna Johnson.
Late Laughs for the week of September 23 - 29, 2018
The Late Late Show With James Corden (repeat)
A coffee company has recalled 65,000 cans of coffee beans over concerns that opening them could cause the lids to fly off and hit people in the face. Although, it saves you a step. Usually you have to drink the coffee to wake up in the morning, but this will take care of that.
Through thick and thin: Friends face tragedy together in 'A Million Little Things'
Christina Ochoa stars in "A Million Little Things"
Friendship means many different things to different people. As the saying goes, friendship isn't just one thing, it's a million little things. That message is at the heart of a new ABC drama about friends who come together in the wake of tragedy.
'Good' comedy: 'The Good Place' returns for a third season
Ted Danson stars in "The Good Place"
'Good' comedy: One of the most sinfully hilarious sitcoms on television isn't about a team of detectives, a group of nerds or a multigenerational extended family. Those all have a home on the dial, but the comedy in "The Good Place" has a unique edge: it's literally out of this world.
New Releases for the week of Sept. 23 - 29
Solo: A Star Wars Story
After he's expelled from the Imperial Flight Academy for insubordination, former street urchin Han Solo (Ehrenreich) falls in with a group of criminals led by the hardened Tobias Beckett (Harrelson). Along with his new friend Chewbacca (Suotamo), his former lover Qi'ra (Clarke) and infamous smuggler Lando Calrissian (Glover), Han joins Beckett in a high-stakes plan to steal a highly valuable substance mined from a remote planet for a deadly criminal syndicate. When betrayal threatens to derail the heist and threatens his very life, the young smuggler learns that loyalty is the most valuable commodity of all in a galaxy far, far away.
Director: Ron Howard. Stars: Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Joonas Suotamo, Donald Glover, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. 2018. 135 min. Action.
Uncle Drew
After spending his life savings to enter the amateur basketball team that he coaches in a tournament, Dax (Howery) is humiliated when his rival poaches his team. Desperate to assemble a group of players before the tournament, he comes across Uncle Drew (Irving), a senior citizen and local streetball legend who hasn't let his age affect his performance on the court. Together, Dax and Uncle Drew head out on a road trip to round up Drew's old teammates, who have long since gone their separate ways, in time for them to compete in the tournament.
Director: Charles Stone III. Stars: Kyrie Irving, Lil Rey Howery, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Erica Ash. 2018. 103 min. Comedy.
Gotti
From a life of poverty, John Gotti (Travolta) rises up through the ranks of New York City's legendary Gambino crime family. With his loyal wife, Victoria (Preston), at his side and his ambitious son, John Jr. (Lofranco), backing him, the flamboyant and outgoing mobster rises from his beginnings as an enforcer to one of the most powerful criminals in the country, dodging the conviction under the law for years before finally being brought down by the authorities.
Director: Kevin Connolly. Stars: John Travolta, Spencer Rocco Lofranco, Kelly Preston, Pruitt Taylor Vince, William DeMeo. 2018. 112 min. Crime.
9-1-1, on Fox
First responders feel the pressure to deal with harrowing incidents that happen on one of the hottest days of the year in this season premiere. During one call, they help the victims of a road rage accident involving a van full of tourists.
Trick or treat: Halloween-themed baking competition returns to Food Network
"Halloween Baking Championship" host John Henson with judges Carla Hall, Zac Young and Lorraine Pascale
NCIS: Los Angeles, on CBS
When a highly skilled assailant sets out to avenge her father's death by murdering a Brazilian diplomat, the NCIS team races to stop her in this rebroadcast. Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J lead the cast of this action-packed drama.
