Late Laughs for the week of June 23 - June 29, 2013
The Tonight Show: Jay Leno (R)
The acting president of Venezuela has put a curse on voters who don't vote for him in next week's election. Today Mitt Romney said, “You can do that!?”
It was this day in 1867 that Russia sold Alaska to the United States for 2 cents an acre. You know why they sold it so cheaply? Just to get rid of the Palins.
New Releases for the week of June 23 - 29
The Call
Jordan Turner, a veteran 911 operator for the LAPD, loses her confidence after taking a call from a desperate teenage girl that ends badly due in part to a poor choice made on Jordan's end. The teen ends up abducted and murdered, and Jordan resigns from taking calls. Instead, she takes a position training new operators. When one of her trainees receives a similar call, Jordan reluctantly takes over in hopes of saving another teen girl from suffering a similar fate.
Director: Brad Anderson. Stars: Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund. 2013. 94 min. Thriller.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
When an up-and-coming street magician begins to encroach on their territory, hotshot Vegas duo Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton attempt to revive their stale routine with a daring stunt. But friction has been growing between the longtime friends and partners and it's taking a toll on their act. Burt will have to rediscover why he fell in love with magic in the first place if the pair hopes to relive their earlier success.
Director: Don Scardino. Stars: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Jim Carrey, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin. 2013. 100 min. Comedy.
Cody the Robosapien
Twelve-year-old Henry Keller discovers a damaged robot that he fixes and names Cody. He and Cody become fast friends. When Kinetech, the organization that funded Cody's creator, locates the missing robot, Henry and his pal embark on a wild adventure to save their respective parents, who are being held by Kinetech authorities.
Director: Sean McNamara. Stars: Kim Coates, Penelope Ann Miller, David Eigenberg. 2013. 86 min. Adventure.
Phantom
At the height of the cold war, Soviet Navy captain Demi is given his last assignment -- a secret mission that lands him in the middle of a KGB plot to start a war between the United States and China. The story is loosely based on real-life events.
Director: Todd Robinson. Stars: Ed Harris, David Duchovny, William Fichtner. 2013. 98 min. Thriller.
The Rambler
Recently released from prison, a man known only as "The Rambler" sets off on a bizarre cross-country road trip complete with strange hallucinations and even stranger characters. He travels through isolated towns and hazardous back roads on his way to Oregon, where he plans to help his estranged brother take care of his ranch.
Director: Calvin Reeder. Stars: Dermot Mulroney, Lindsay Pulsipher, Natasha Lyonne. 2013. 97 min. Drama.
Crossing Lines, on NBC
An elite team of law enforcement officials tackles international crimes to bring brutal cross-border criminals to justice in this series premiere. The new one-hour drama stars William Fichtner and Donald Sutherland.
Recaps for the week of June 17 - 21
Sean Blakemore stars in "General Hospital"
The Bold and the Beautiful
Caroline confronts Bill about blackmailing Maya once Rick dumps her. Later, Caroline enlists the help of an old friend as she devises a new plot to win Rick back. Meanwhile, Rick and Maya get their relationship back on track after getting Bill to apologize and drop the blackmail. Brooke makes an emotional confession to Eric and Donna and pleads with them to keep quiet. Hope get some alone time with Liam, courtesy of Brooke, and is surprised when Liam admits to having feelings for her as well as for Steffy. Wanting to give Liam space and time to think, Hope takes a long walk and encounters a handsome stranger. Katie struggles with conflicting loyalties to both Hope and Steffy, but she ends up spilling Steffy's secret to her sister Brooke.
Days of Our Lives
Kristen enlists serious help in her plan for revenge against Marlena and she dons a disguise. Meanwhile, Brady and Nicole make love and he later asks her to go away with him. After Sami is attacked in her jail cell, Marlena hypnotizes her to get some answers. Chad and Abigail struggle with whether to share an alarming discovery they've made with the police. Adrienne asks Will to break up with Sonny after she argues with Justin over his decision to represent Sami. Later, EJ and Sami race to stop Will from sacrificing himself once Sonny tells him the truth about Sami. JJ hopes to steal drug samples when he visits Cameron at work, but Daniel catches him. Jennifer finds herself in a tough spot when she learns of JJ's nefarious activities. After Kate gives him the boot, Nick approaches Vargas with an interesting offer.
General Hospital
Carly is taken to task by Sonny for her poor decisions. Shawn finally tells Alexis the truth and insists to Carly that he had no choice. Later, Carly is put through an interrogation in regards to the shooting. AJ and Tracy continue their war over ELQ, but someone has a clear trump card in the fight. The rising heat between TJ and Taylor reaches a fever pitch, while Sabrina encourages Patrick to take a DNA test. Meanwhile, Luke goes to find out his test results. The issue of who will get custody of Rafe is settled when a decision is made.
The Young and the Restless
Chelsea confesses her love to Dylan when she feels the baby kick for the first time. Nikki learns that Victor is testing Adam by leaving him in charge while they are off on their honeymoon. Chloe insists that Kevin return everything he's stolen and volunteer at a homeless shelter if he hopes to save their marriage. Meanwhile, Billy admits that he started gambling again when Victoria accuses him of having an affair. After getting into an argument with Michael, Fen is stunned when he spies Carmine kissing Lauren. Cane hires Hilary as his new assistant, while Lily intervenes in an argument between Devon and Tyler. Leslie makes a connection between a phrase the mysterious blogger used and something she's read before. With the police unable to locate the blogger, Neil becomes more determined than ever to root him out. Traci confides in Jack the problems she's been having with Steve since Colleen died.
666 Park Avenue, on ABC
Things are looking great for Brian, who closes in on a deal with a producer for his play. As Jane is haunted by her dreams, Olivia tries to help Louise, Sasha reappears and the Dorans get ready to introduce Henry to the political world.
Q: Who played the title character on the detective series "Mrs. Columbo"? My friend insists it was Susan Saint James, but I'm sure she's wrong.
It sounds like your friend was introduced to both in daytime reruns, when the late-'70s detective series "Mrs. Columbo" was often paired up with other lighthearted crime series of the era, including "McMillan & Wife," which starred Susan Saint James.
The titular "Mrs. Columbo" was played by Kate Mulgrew, who is now better known as Capt. Kathryn Janeway on "Star Trek: Voyager," which aired from 1995 to 2001.
Hawaii Five-0, on CBS
Danny looks forward to the big game during an All-Pro football weekend in Hawaii while the team investigates murder of a tech executive. NFL running back Arian Foster of the Houston Texans guest stars.
Murder, mayhem and reality TV: Contestants try to solve a mystery in ABC's 'Whodunnit?'
Gildart Jackson hosts "Whodunnit?"
Since the dawn of television, sofa-bound sleuths have been solving murders and mysteries in prime time, or at least trying to before the episode of their favorite drama is over.
Parks and Recreation, on NBC
When the economic downturn threatens a local video store, Leslie does what she can to help the owner stay in business. Elsewhere, Chris tries to help Tom deal with a problematic employee.
Q: My mom is convinced that the mom on "That '70s Show" played a stripper on a soap opera a long time ago. Is she right?
Technically she was a topless waitress (there is a difference), and Debra Jo Rupp said she found the experience "terrifying." Not because of any nudity required -- there's never been much call for that on daytime TV -- but because she had to work with the great Susan Lucci.
It was in 1980 and it was her first acting role (other than a few commercials) and, in a 2005 interview with "Soap Opera Digest," she said was intimidated by playing against some of the giants of daytime.