Bates Motel, on A&E
Norma and Norman find themselves drawn into the dark underbelly of their new home, while Dylan causes trouble. Inspired by the Hitchcock classic "Psycho," this new drama offers viewers a look inside Norman Bates's psyche during his teen years.
Where's Warner: Season 8 winner of 'Food Network Star' set to roll out special
“Food Network Star” winner Justin Warner is set to make his debut
What’s life like after “Food Network Star”? Just ask Justin Warner.
New Releases for the week of March 24 - March 30
Parental Guidance
When Artie and Diane agree to look after their three grandchildren while the kids' "helicopter" parents are out of town, their methods of tough rules and lots of love are put to the test. It's 21st-century behaviors versus old-fashioned ways as Artie and Diane try to prove to their daughter Alice that they can be trusted to look after the kids.
Director: Andy Fickman. Stars: Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott. 2012. 105 min. Comedy.
Zambezia
Kai, a young and naive falcon, leaves behind his home and father to travel to the bustling city of Zambezia. He arrives just as the city is preparing for the Spring Celebration and earns himself a spot on the defense patrol made up of Zambezia's best fliers. Meanwhile, Marabou storks, tired of scavenging off Zambia's leftovers, have teamed up with the vicious Budzo to try to take control of the city.
Director: Wayne Thornley. Stars: Leonard Nimoy, Jeremy Suarez, Abigail Breslin, Jeff Goldblum, Samuel L. Jackson. 2012. 83 min. Animation.
Killing Them Softly
When three men rob a Mob-protected poker game and send the local criminal economy into a crisis, Jackie Cogan is hired by the Mafia. Cogan, a professional hit man, is tasked with restoring order and tracking down the men responsible for the heist.
Director: Andrew Dominik. Stars: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Scott McNairy, Vincent Curatola. 2012. 97 min. Thriller.
House Arrest
Chanel is used to living the high life, until one day she is unexpectedly arrested while shopping with her boyfriend. Sentenced to house arrest for a crime she didn't commit, Chanel is forced to move back in with her mother and daughter, who live in the ghetto. With her boyfriend DeAndre still in jail, Chanel must decide between taking the blame and proving her innocence.
Director: William Washington. Stars: Stacey Dash, The Game, Cory Belvins, Aki Aleong. 2012. 103 min. Comedy.
The Frankenstein Theory
After being suspended from the university where he worked, Prof. John Venkenheim leads a documentary film crew to the Arctic Circle to defend his academic reputation by proving that Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" was based on fact. With the help of his team, Prof. Venkenheim sets out to find the legendary monster.
Director: Andrew Weiner. Stars: Kris Lemche, Joe Egender, Timothy V. Murphy. 2013. 87 min. Horror.
American Ninja Warrior, on NBC
The contestants prepare to tackle the next course as part of the Las Vegas finals. Based on the Japanese show "Sasuke," this sports-themed show features fit contestants who take on an extreme obstacle course in the hopes of winning cash.
Recaps for the week of March 18 - 22
Nadia Bjorlin as Chloe in “Days of Our Lives”
The Bold and the Beautiful
Brooke and Bill celebrate the resurrection of Brooke's Bedroom line together, but Taylor tells them that the line will be a failure and is sure to hurt the company. Taylor warns Katie that she needs to be worried about how close her sister and husband have become and she later loses her cool when she finds them drunk together in the Forrester Showroom. Meanwhile, Rick and Taylor get into a heated argument over Brooke and Bill, while Katie becomes certain Brooke is really trying to steal her man. Caroline dons sexy lingerie to entice Rick into noticing her again, but she is forced to confront him head-on when throwing herself at him fails. Dayzee reveals that she's a Forrester and advises Maya to steer clear of Rick after Maya spills about their date and his secrecy surrounding his identity. Hope is emotionally shattered when she finds a drawing of Steffy's wedding gown.
Days of Our Lives
Sick of their suspicions, Brady decides he's finished with John and Marlena for good and he proposes to an ecstatic Kristen. Once he learns that Jennifer thinks he slept with Chloe, Daniel rushes out to the Horton cabin to clear things up and they reunite. Chloe just about gives up on her scheming, until Parker inspires a new idea in her. Nicole finds herself attracted to Vargas when she sees him at the rectory. Cameron keeps a curious Abigail in the dark after she helps keep Anne off of his trail when he conducts mysterious business at the hospital. Nick blackmails Will into giving up his parental rights, but Gabi insists she wants him to be a part of his daughter's life. Nick uses harsh language against Sonny and the two end up in a brawl.
General Hospital
Luke makes a meaningful revelation to Laura after having a heartfelt conversation about her with Lulu. Scott receives relationship advice from Lucy and then tells Laura he wants to marry her immediately. Meanwhile, Patrick gets the message Robin recorded for him before her death and ends up with a lot to think about. AJ is roped into performing with Liz at the Nurses' Ball in exchange for getting another chance with her. Frisco tries to persuade Maxie to keep the baby from Dante and Lulu. Relationships hang on the precipice between beginning anew and ending for good for Todd and Carly as well as Sam and John. Someone in Port Charles is shot.
The Young and the Restless
Victoria and Abby give Nikki heartwarming gifts as they help her prepare for the wedding, while Adam discovers that Victor has a witness who saw Adam dump Stephanie's body. Friends and family come together at the ranch and Summer is introduced to Eric Forrester, who designed Nikki's dress. Victor and Nikki exchange vows and are married once again, but Adam makes a surprise appearance shortly thereafter with a big announcement. Meanwhile, Leslie decides to help Avery with Gus's case after she visits her father in prison. When Tyler finds out, he pays him a visit of his own. Lauren struggles with temptation when Carmine hands her his room key and tells her she knows where she can find him. Ashley returns to Genoa City and advises Jack that he's moving too fast with Phyllis.
Last Man Standing, on ABC
Tim Allen is in for a reunion when his former "Home Improvement" co-star Jonathan Taylor Thomas guest stars in the season finale. Concerned about her future, Kristen is surprised to run into Jon (Thomas), a former co-worker who now owns a hip restaurant.
Mixing it up: Shakira and Usher join 'The Voice' as coaches
Shakira, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Usher and Carson Daly as seen in "The Voice"
Before the days of reality TV, a solid cast could make a show a hit. But, introducing new characters and bidding farewell to old ones could be the kiss of death, even for the most beloved series.
Aloha from Oahu: 'Hawaii Five-0' reboot stays fresh
Daniel Dae Kim, Scott Caan, Grace Park and Alex O’Loughlin star in “Hawaii Five-0”
Q: Can you explain the concept of a "MacGuffin" to me? I've heard people talk about it, but I don't really know what they mean.
In a piece of film lore that became a key concept in film studies, Alfred Hitchcock coined the term MacGuffin to mean "the mechanical element that usually crops up in any story," which drives the plot but ultimately proves to be more or less unimportant.
That quote comes from no less a source than the Oxford English Dictionary, which credits it to a lecture Hitchcock gave to Columbia University students in 1939.
Scandal, on ABC
Olivia ends up on the opposing side of the Oval Office because of Fitz's pick for Supreme Court Justice. It turns out that his choice has allegedly been having a steamy affair with Liv's new client. Former "House" star Lisa Edelstein guest stars.
