Q: Sometime back around 1980, there was a six-part series on television named "Search for the Nile." It was based on a true story of European explorers trying to find the source of the Nile River back in the 1800s. I found the story most interesting, and
You underestimated its age by nine years, but amazingly, yes, "The Search for the Nile" is available on DVD.
Finding DVDs of a 46-year-old TV miniseries is, of course, pretty incredible. It almost certainly wouldn't have happened if not for the fact that "The Search for the Nile" was produced by the BBC, which is where you can find it -- you can buy the two-disc set directly from shop.bbc.com.
The Vampire Diaries, on CW
Brothers Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) often find themselves at odds. Based on the popular book series of the same name by L.J. Smith, the supernatural drama chronicles the lives of vampire brothers in the small town of Mystic Falls.
Life in Pieces, on CBS
A stellar cast brings viewers snippets of modern-day family life in a new episode of this critically acclaimed sitcom. Starring Dianne Wiest, James Brolin, Colin Hanks and Betsy Brandt, the unique comedy follows three generations of one family.
Hollywood's pride: Jimmy Kimmel hosts the 89th annual Academy Awards
Jimmy Kimmel hosts the 89th annual Academy Awards
Football fans kicked off February with a bang, but for movie fans, the big show is at the end of the month. The Oscars is the Super Bowl of the film industry, and this year's competition is intense.
Doubt, on CBS
When Sadie Ellis (Katherine Heigl) falls for her charismatic client, she hides her feelings from her colleagues at the boutique law firm where she works. Her client, pediatric surgeon Billy Brennan (Steven Pasquale), is accused of murdering his girlfriend 24 years ago.
Q: Clarence Gilyard Jr. has a presence that you just love to watch. After he left "Matlock," I stopped watching it and started on "Walker, Texas Ranger." Why did he leave "Matlock"?
The basic answer is pretty much contained in your question: Clarence Gilyard Jr. left "Matlock" to join "Walker, Texas Ranger." It was a bit of a gamble, going from an established series to a new one, but it also offered a pretty big payoff.
And pay off it did: "Matlock" only lasted two more years after he left, while "Walker, Texas Ranger" ran for eight, plus a reunion telefilm in 2005.
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., on ABC
When superpowered villains threaten the human race, an elite team of specially trained agents struggles to protect the people of Earth. Clark Gregg stars as Phil Coulson, a character he originated on the big screen in 2008’s “Iron Man."
American Ninja Warrior, on NBC
All-star competitors from past seasons tackle some of the show's most popular obstacles in a special two-hour edition. Hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila, along with co-host Kristine Leahy, have selected dream teams for the event.
Q: Why did the show "Moonlight" end on CBS in 2008?
A combination of reasons led to CBS's vampire drama "Moonlight" being canceled: Weak ratings, tough competition and the awkward case of "Jericho." No one of them would have been enough to kill it alone (vampires, along with their shows, being famously difficult to put down), but together they amounted to a stake through "Moonlight's" heart.
Its ratings were not terrible, but they were lower than the shows airing before ("Ghost Whisperer") and afterwards ("Numb3rs"). That's usually a bad sign.
New Releases for the week of February 19 - 25
Manchester by the Sea
After his brother, Joe (Chandler), suffers a heart attack and dies, Lee Chandler (Affleck) returns to his sleepy little hometown of Manchester-by-the-Sea to handle the funeral and be with Joe's teenage son, Patrick (Hedges). He is shocked when he learns that his brother, not wanting to leave Patrick in the care of his alcoholic ex-wife (Williams), has named Lee as the boy's guardian, and he begins to make plans to take Patrick back to Boston with him. Patrick, still reeling from his father's death, doesn't want to leave, but with darkness lurking in his own past in Manchester-by-the-Sea, staying long isn't an option for Lee's tormented soul.
Director: Kenneth Lonergan. Stars: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges, Kyle Chandler, Gretchen Mol. 2016. 137 min. Drama.
Hacksaw Ridge
During World War II, devout Seventh-day Adventist Desmond Doss (Garfield) signs up for the army, despite being a conscientious objector, in this true story. During his basic training, he is bullied due to his refusal to train on Saturdays or to handle a weapon, ultimately leading to his arrest for insubordination. After being released by the courts, he reunites with his unit, which is assigned to a hot spot in the Pacific. Along with his fellow soldiers, who hate and ridicule him, he faces off against a formidable and deadly enemy, and his actions ultimately lead to him becoming the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Director: Mel Gibson. Stars: Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Sam Worthington. 2016. 139 min. Drama.
Bad Santa 2
More than a decade after their failed Christmas heist, Willie (Thornton) and Marcus (Cox) reunite to pull off a new con job in Chicago that's been set up by Willie's mother, Sunny (Bates). Willie and Marcus set up a secret deal to betray Sunny once they've secured the millions of dollars they're hoping to score, and Willie, once again, takes on the role of Santa. As they infiltrate the charity that they're targeting, though, the plan begins to unravel in spectacular fashion.
