By the fates: Reality and fantasy collide in an ambitious 'Quest'
The Paladins and Peter Windhofer in a scene from “The Quest”
The line between reality and non-reality television has always been a bit blurry. The genre has been plagued with accusations of scripting interactions, coercing their subjects into taking atypical actions and even predetermining the outcomes of various shows.
New Releases for the week of August 31 - September 6
Draft Day
Kevin Costner plays Sonny Weaver Jr., the general manager of a fictionalized version of the Cleveland Browns, in this sports drama. Ready to turn around a failing franchise and escape the ridicule from the media and fans, Sonny gets the opportunity to rebuild his team on NFL Draft Day when he trades for the first overall pick. Faced with tough decisions and trying personal struggles, Sonny must decide what he is willing to sacrifice in order to build the perfect team.
Director: Ivan Reitman. Stars: Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Terry Crews, Tom Welling, Denis Leary, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Sean Combs, Ellen Burstyn, Chadwick Boseman, Chi McBride. 2014. 110 min. Drama.
They Came Together
This romcom spoof centers on the love-hate relationship between Joel (Rudd) and Molly (Poehler). After Joel’s Corporate Candy Company threatens Molly’s quirky independent business, the two develop an antagonistic and loathsome bond. Though Joel still holds deep feelings for his ex, he and Molly somehow fall in love, until a breakup ruins their relationship and they're forced to find a way back together.
Director: David Wain. Stars: Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Cobie Smulders, Christopher Meloni, Max Greenfield, Bill Hader, Ellie Kemper, Jason Mantzoukas, Melanie Lynskey, Ed Helms. 2014. 83 min. Comedy.
Night Moves
Three extreme environmentalists find their personal limits tested when they look to successfully carry out the most important protest of their lives -- exploding a hydroelectric dam. When the mission doesn't go exactly to plan, trust begins to fade in the group, pushing one member too far.
Director: Kelly Reichardt. Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, Peter Sarsgaard, Alia Shawkat, Logan Miller. 2013. 112 min. Drama.
R.L. Stine's Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend?
When Max (Ochoa) finally scores a Halloween date with his crush Cammy (Thorne), the most popular redhead in school, he's over the moon with excitement. Unbeknownst to Max, an evil ghost is plotting to take over the world, threatening his date plans and his chance to be with Cammy.
Director: Peter Hewitt. Stars: Bella Thorne, Ryan Ochoa, Madison Pettis, Calum Worthy, Roshon Fegan, Gigi Rice. 2014. 90 min. Family.
Mom’s Night Out
In order to enjoy a much-needed moms night out on the town, overworked mother of three Allyson (Drew) and her friends must leave their husbands in charge to watch the kids. Things take a turn for the worse when plans start to crumble and the husbands struggle to keep the peace at home.
Directors: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin. Stars: Sarah Drew, Sean Astin, Patricia Heaton, Trace Adkins, David Hunt, Abbie Cobb. 2014. 98 min. Comedy.
Late Laughs for the week of August 31 - September 6, 2014
The Late, Late Show: Craig Ferguson
It is our president's birthday. It's also the birthday of NASCAR champ Jeff Gordon. Jeff Gordon and President Obama are very different, of course. One's a guy who spent his whole life turning left and is hated by NASCAR fans. And the other one? Jeff Gordon.
Bob's Burgers, on Fox
Bob finds he fits right in when he scores a temporary job as a cook at an underdog frat house in this rebroadcast. Ken Jeong guest stars as the frat house's most famous alumnus, Dr. Yap. Meanwhile, the kids come up with a plan to infiltrate the house.
Boardwalk Chicago: 'Chicago P.D.' welcomes 'Boardwalk Empire' alum to the force
Elias Koteas in a scene from “Chicago P.D.”
Boardwalk Chicago: A new cop is joining the Chicago Police Department's ranks, and he's coming all the way from the boardwalks of New Jersey to enlist.
"Chicago P.D." popped up mid-season back in January, and the "Chicago Fire" cop-show spinoff will be adding another officer to its ranks when its second season premieres Wednesday, Sept. 24, on NBC.
Inside their heads: 'The Mind of a Chef' returns to PBS
Anthony Bourdain hosts “The Mind of a Chef”
Cooking shows sure can make us feel a lot of different ways.
Competitions such as "Chopped" or "Top Chef" can get our adrenalin pumping, making us stand up and cheer when our favorite contestants pull off a stunning dish or sit seething with anger when the show's villain (there's always a villain, isn't there?) says or does something especially nasty.
Recipe Rehab, on CBS
The West family offers up their deliciously creamy clam chowder to the chefs in this rebroadcast. The acclaimed cooks battle it out to see who can create an equally tasty dish with a significant reduction in fat. Evette Rios serves as host.
Recaps for the week of August 25 - 29
Kim Matula stars in “The Bold and the Beautiful”
The Bold and the Beautiful
Hope struggles with the news that Liam was in Paris to meet her at the same time that she took off and married Wyatt. Wyatt grows concerned for the future of his marriage now that she knows about Liam's plan to meet her. While Ivy admits to Aly that she is starting to develop feelings for Liam, Wyatt warns Quinn not to gloat and to stay away from Liam. Later, Hope makes a decision about her marriage, and Ivy does her best to comfort a heartbroken Liam. Meanwhile, Carter turns to Oliver for support in moving on from his broken engagement to Maya. At the same time, Maya sets her sights on winning Rick back. Brooke is frustrated by Bill's flippant attitude about the severity of Ridge's condition. Later, Bill makes a heartfelt plea to Brooke to forgive him and promises to help Ridge's recovery in any way he can. Wyatt makes a negative impression on Bob Barker, who in turn makes a lasting impression on Wyatt.
Days of Our Lives
Abigail reaches the end of her rope and slaps Sami and then warns her that she has the means to destroy her. Lucas blasts EJ over his affair. Later, the ice thaws a little between Sami and EJ. Meanwhile, things heat up between Ben and Abigail when they are locked in a storage closet, but the cloud of her affair with EJ brings things to a halt. Will and Sonny have a major fight when Will finds out what Sonny has been hiding. Kristen comes up with a plan to make things right with Brady. Later, Daniel catches Kristen lurking in John's hospital room. Aiden and Hope clash while they keep denying their feelings for one another, but it isn't long before they are sharing an intimate moment. Theresa catches JJ and Paige in a compromising position. Sami and Kate become unsettled when they learn that Stefano is returning to Salem. Jordan asks Rafe for a favor, while Victor tells Maggie the truth.
General Hospital
Michael and Kiki go to Ava's for dinner, and Ava decides to adjust her strategy when Kiki makes an interesting revelation. Elizabeth confronts Nikolas about his conflicting feelings between her and Britt, and she soon makes an important decision. Britt has some unsettling news for Nina. Levi is forced to take some extreme measures as more and more clues about his past are revealed. Nina makes a proposition to Silas. Dante and Nathan make a shocking discovery, while Julian asks Sonny for a truce. Sam and Patrick bond over their past, while Ava has a new scheme for Luke. Sabrina is more determined than ever to get to the bottom of her car accident.
The Young and the Restless
Nikki reaches the breaking point and ends her long sobriety by pouring herself a shot of vodka and downing it. Sharon accuses Victor of having Mariah try to seduce Nick. Meanwhile, Mariah tells Ian that she plans to leave town and never come back. Chelsea tells Billy she needs distance and is going to Los Angeles to work on her line for Forrester and hopes the time will make her feelings for him go away. Summer takes Austin to see Phyllis, while Jack and Kelly settle into their first night in their new home. Kurtz tells Colin that he wants to use Jill and Lauren's business to launder money, but Colin wants to leave his family out of it. Murphy returns to Genoa City for the anniversary of Katherine's death, and later, everyone gathers together at Chancellor Park to remember Katherine.
The man behind the magic: Adrien Brody headlines History's 'Houdini' miniseries
Adrien Brody stars in “Houdini”
He was known as Harry Houdini -- the master of illusion, the greatest escape artist of all time. He was larger than life and seemingly invincible. He could wriggle and writhe his way out of a straitjacket or a pair of handcuffs with ease, even when he was upside down.
Yet what's most often forgotten is that he was human, too.
Q: I would like to know what happened to the Pink Power Ranger from the "Power Rangers" TV show.
You have a good eye for talent. While none of the other young actors to don color-coded suits in the kid-show phenomenon "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" had much success afterwards, Amy Jo Johnson is still on screen today.
She can currently be seen doing an extended guest arc on USA Network's spy series "Covert Affairs," but her biggest post-"Power Rangers" role was the one she just finished, as Jules Callaghan on the Can-Am cop drama "Flashpoint."