Jeff Dunham: Unhinged in Hollywood, on NBC
Acclaimed ventriloquist Jeff Dunham performs stand-up and presents behind-the-scenes footage. The premiere one-hour special includes a performance by country music star Brad Paisley, and appearances by actor Chris Parnell and fighter Chuck Liddell.
Masterchef, on Fox
After an intensely competitive season featuring some of the most talented home cooks so far, the cooking competition wraps up in this season finale. Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot were joined by new judge Christina Tosi this season, as they searched for America’s best home cook.
Q: Is it true that the TV show "MASH" had a spinoff?
It is indeed true that "MASH" had a spinoff. What is not true, as established in law, is that it had two.
"MASH," one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, about a group of doctors and nurses running a mobile army surgical hospital (hence the acronym) during the Korean War, ran on CBS from 1972 to 1983.
Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris, on NBC
Emmy and Tony Award-winner Neil Patrick Harris entertains prime time audiences in this premiere. The unique series features everything from celebrity appearances and comedy skits to mini game shows and hidden camera pranks.
Dancing With the Stars, on ABC
Celebrities and professional dancers glide across the stage in a competition like no other in this season premiere. Co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews return to the series, along with veteran judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
Q: I saw a TV episode about people who went back in time to take Hitler right after he was born and to throw him in a river. But there was a twist ending, which I forget. What show was it?
There was always a twist ending with "The Twilight Zone."The episode, titled "Cradle of Darkness," was part of the less-remembered third version of "The Twilight Zone," which aired on the now-also-forgotten UPN network from 2002 all the way to 2003 (it was canceled after just one season).
Real fictional friends: HBO's comedy 'Doll & Em' set to bow its second season
Dolly Wells and Emily Mortimer star in “Doll & Em”
Fair fare cravings: Anthony Anderson hits the road in carnival food series
Anthony Anderson hosts “Carnival Cravings with Anthony Anderson”
If there's one thing America does that's just as big and exciting as our food -- and boy oh boy, do we do food well -- it's our summer carnivals. Whether it's a small-town festival or a massive state fair, our carnivals are almost always big, loud and overflowing with succulent goodies.
New Releases for the week of September 13 - 19
Cinderella
The classic fairy tale comes to life in this live action retelling of the classic tale by Disney. After her mother passes away, young Ella's (James) father (Chaplin) remarries, giving the young lady the gift of two stepsisters and a stepmother (Blanchett). When her father dies, though, her step-family reveals its true colors. Forced into servitude and tormented by her family's cruelty, the girl -- now mockingly called "Cinderella" for the ashes and cinders that cover her face -- despairs at the turn that her life has taken. When she meets a man in the woods (Madden) who claims to be an apprentice in the nearby castle, she falls in love, despite the fact that she may never see him again. Not long after, though, the king announces that he's throwing a ball that all maidens are welcome to attend, and Cinderella is overjoyed that she may get to see the handsome man again. Her stepmother and sisters, though, have other ideas.
Director: Kenneth Branagh. Stars: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera, Ben Chaplin, Helena Bonham Carter. 2015. 105 min. Fantasy.
Furious Seven
The octane gets fired up in this seventh installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise, and the last one to star the late Paul Walker. With the terrorist Owen Shaw (Evans) defeated, Dominic Torretto (Diesel) and his crew head back to the United States for some much needed down time. Owen's brother Deckard (Statham), though, has plans for revenge against the crew, and begins killing them off one by one in a new campaign of terror.
Director: James Wan. Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Luke Evans, Michelle Rodriguez. 2015. 137 min. Action.
Love & Mercy
The Beach Boys were the hottest band in the world in their heyday, and member Brian Wilson's unique and unconventional songwriting was a huge element of that success. This biographic drama delves into the shadowy downside of the enormous pressure that this put on him, as his mental state deteriorated and he fell under the thrall of an ethically suspect psychologist (Giamatti).
Director: Bill Pohlad. Stars: Paul Giamatti, John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Joanna Going. 2014. 121 min. Biography.
The 2016 Miss America Competition, on ABC
Chris Harrison takes the stage of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall to host the 95th anniversary of the Miss America pageant. Fifty-two women represent their home states and territories as they compete for the coveted crown as well as scholarships.
