Q: Which "Hee Haw" performer was killed during a robbery at his home?
David Akeman, known better on "Hee Haw" and elsewhere as Stringbean, was one of the most popular stars of that show's early years and of bluegrass country music, before being killed in a robbery in 1973.
Sadly, it was partly Stringbean's rural, simple nature -- a factor that made him so popular in the tradition-steeped country music world -- that led to his end.
New Releases for the week of August 10 - 16
Muppets Most Wanted
The Muppets are on a world tour, heading to some of Europe’s most exciting and glamorous destinations. While overseas, however, the gang gets wrapped up in a jewel heist headed by the World’s Number One Criminal, Constantine (Vogel) -- who also happens to be Kermit the Frog's (Whitmire) doppelganger -- and his contemptible sidekick Dominic "Number Two" Badguy (Gervais). Taking advantage of his uncanny resemblance to the beloved frog, Constantine takes Kermit's place among the Muppets, while Kermit finds himself behind bars, pitted against a feisty prison guard (Fey).
Director: James Bobin. Stars: Steve Whitmire, Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais, Matt Vogel, Ty Burell, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, David Rudman. 2014. 107 min. Adventure.
Disneynature's Bears
Narrated by John C. Reilly, this stunning depiction of Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure follows a mother bear and her two cubs over the course of one year as they live and grow in the Alaskan wilderness. As winter slowly comes to an end, the new family of bears emerges from hibernation, ready to begin another exciting season in the world. The bears must work together to find food while surviving all of life’s dangers -- from the threat of avalanches to predators.
Directors: Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey. Stars: John C. Reilly. 2014. 78 min. Documentary.
Locke
Ivan Locke (Hardy) has worked hard to build the perfect life for himself -- he has a steady job as a construction worker and a loving family that he adores. The day before the biggest challenge of his career, he receives a phone call telling him a co-worker he had an affair with seven months prior has gone into premature labor. Choosing to abandon his family and his job, Ivan spends a two-hour drive to the hospital between phone calls confessing his infidelity to his wife, reassuring his mistress during labor and coaching his boss through his job in order to piece together his dysfunctional life and meet his unborn child.
Director: Steven Knight. Stars: Tom Hardy, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Tom Holland, Ben Daniels. 2013. 85 min. Drama.
Frankie & Alice
This true life story centers on a popular black go-go dancer in the '70s named Frankie (Berry), who suffers from dissociative identity disorder. As Frankie tries to overcome her two alter egos -- Genius, a seven-year-old child, and Alice, a Southern white racist woman -- with the help of her psychiatrist, she strives to uncover her true self and live a normal life.
Director: Geoffrey Sax. Stars: Halle Berry, Stellan Skarsgård, Phylicia Rashad, Chandra Wilson, Rosalyn Coleman. 2010. 101 min. Drama.
Late Laughs for the week August 10 - 16, 2014
Conan: Conan O'Brien
So Germany won the World Cup. That was big news. Some Germans even smiled when they watched.
Germany's still mad at us for spying on them. They're considering going back to using typewriters to avoid being spied on. It's never good news when Germany says they're going to go back to their old ways.
End of an 'Empire': HBO's period drama recruits new talent for its swan song
Steve Buscemi in a scene from season 5 of “Boardwalk Empire”
End of an 'Empire': All empires must come to an end, but there's no reason they can't bring in some fresh blood for the grand finale.
All in the family: A&E serves up season 2 of hit show 'Wahlburgers'
Mark, Paul, Alma and Donnie Wahlberg star in “Wahlburgers”
A singer, a chef and an actor walk into a bar...
It sounds like the start of a pretty terrible joke, but if you're in Boston, it probably means you're about to get up close and personal with one of the most famous families from Beantown.
Breaking Bad, on AMC
AMC airs a marathon of its highly acclaimed drama. Each of the first seven episodes of the series is followed by a special new look inside the show. Bryan Cranston stars as a teacher who gets involved in the drug world after being diagnosed with cancer.
Pedal to the metal: "The Great Food Truck Race" hits the road
Tyler Florence as seen in “The Great Food Truck Race”
Food on wheels. Is there anything more American? Food trucks are a huge part of the culinary landscape in cities from coast to coast, and it's been a long time since they were just a place to stop for a quick burger and fries.
Hell on Wheels, on AMC
Catch a new episode of this period drama following the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. While civilization continues to expand westward, Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) is stuck at the Mormon fort with The Swede (Christopher Heyerdahl).
Recaps for the week of August 4 - 8
Galen Gering stars in “Days of our Lives”
The Bold and the Beautiful
Wyatt interrogates Quinn about her possible involvement after he receives a phone call regarding the mystery surrounding the death of Ricardo Montemayor. Meanwhile, Brooke is not quite sure what to think about her latest interaction with Deacon. Hope prepares for a whirlwind trip to Paris for the HFTF publicity tour, and she pleads with Liam to meet her there for a romantic encounter, but Liam is hesitant because Hope won't completely cut Wyatt out of her life. After some prodding from Aly and Ivy, Liam decides to not only go to Paris, but to make Hope his bride while there. Aly and Oliver enjoy some alone time while the rest of the Forrester Creations employees are out of the office. In Paris, Hope is the main focus of a glamorous photo shoot in front of the Eiffel Tower. During the press conference after the shoot, the media hounds Wyatt about the death of Ricardo Montemayor.
Days of Our Lives
Eric struggles with keeping his feelings for Nicole under wraps while they are questioned at the Vatican, and Eric's fate is ultimately decided. Eric makes a big decision about his future and later tells Nicole that he hates her. Sonny asks Victor for his assistance when he believes that Will is about to make a huge mistake. After a conversation with Jordan, an enraged Rafe storms off to see Sami, and she is flattered when she initially thinks he wants her back. Meanwhile, EJ starts to think he may still have a chance to get back together with Sami, but Kate will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening. Later, Rafe tries to explain his actions to Jordan, while Jennifer and Eve duke it out in court. Kristen makes a heartfelt confession to Daniel. Marlena and Brady receive some unfortunate news about John. Paige shocks JJ and Eve with some unexpected plans.
General Hospital
Patrick makes a discovery that proves to be intriguing, and later, the person behind his accident is revealed. Sam gets caught poking around in things that aren't her business and tries to get herself out of trouble. Felix and Brad hear a proposal from Lucas, while Julian makes a confession to Alexis. Jordan and Shawn submit to their feelings for each other, and Britt uncovers the person who ruined her plan to help Nikolas. Maxie listens as Nathan confesses his feelings for her, and later, she receives a special family heirloom from Felicia. Carly and Sonny share a close moment that Nina witnesses, while Alice's fate is revealed.
The Young and the Restless
Victoria confesses her feeling to Nick that if her baby turns out to be Billy's, it might help him to feel whole again. At the same time, Chelsea tells Billy that they have to end things when Billy admits to his conflicting feelings for her and Victoria. Later, Billy shares a kiss with Victoria when he meets her at the park to see Johnny, but things take a turn for the worse when Stitch arrives. Meanwhile, Nikki grapples with her temptation to drink as she stresses about the outcome of her trial. Ian visits Dylan and offers to share his winnings if the judge rules in his favor. Michael and Lauren attempt to have a romantic evening together, but things go awry. After a heated confrontation with Lily at the Athletic Club, Hilary realizes she must make a decision about her future. Jack travels to Georgia to see Phyllis, while her doctor confirms that she is the perfect candidate for the new treatment Victor found. Austin lets Summer in on some of the details regarding his trial.
Jonah From Tonga, on HBO
This six-part Australian comedy makes its debut with two back-to-back new episodes. The mockumentary follows the adventures of rebellious teenager Jonah Takalua (Chris Lilley), an Australian boy of Tongan descent. After being expelled from high school, Jonah is sent to live with relatives in Tonga to get his life straightened out.
