Q: I've recently been watching episodes of "Heartland" and noticing that a number of people can also be found in Hallmark movies. Can you tell me what the connection is between "Heartland" and Hallmark?
The connection is Canada.
"Heartland" wears its location on its sleeve, so to speak -- the story is set in the sprawling Alberta countryside, where the filming takes place. However, a number of films and shows produced by Hallmark are secretly Canadian as well -- they either dress up a Canadian location to stand in for an American one or else they just make a point of not mentioning the setting at all.
NCIS, on CBS/Global
Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) leads a team of investigators tasked with solving crimes involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel in this long-running spinoff of the iconic series "JAG." Sean Murray and Emily Wickersham also star.
Duncanville, on Fox
Amy Poehler, Ty Burrell and Wiz Khalifa lend their voices to this hilarious animated series that follows the misadventures of a 15-year-old boy named Duncan (Poehler) who dreams of making it big as an adult without having to don a suit and tie.
Q: Am I crazy or was there originally a different host of "The Biggest Loser," other than the woman from "Days of Our Lives"?
Former soap star Alison Sweeney is still the face of "The Biggest Loser" for many people, even though she's not the current host -- she was succeeded by trainer Bob Harper -- and despite the fact that she wasn't the first host, either. She was preceded by comedian Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina the Teenage Witch").
Jet landing: Robin Givens joins CW's 'Batwoman'
Robin Givens to join cast of "Batwoman"
Jet landing: Actress and model Robin Givens skyrocketed to fame in the 1980s when she played wealthy whiz kid Darlene in the ABC sitcom "Head of the Class." Modern-day audiences probably know her best as Josie's mom and town mayor Sierra McCoy on CW's "Riverdale," but this fall Givens will be appearing on another CW series: "Batwoman."
Celebrity Family Feud, on ABC/City
Steve Harvey hosts a fan-favourite rebroadcast of this hit game show spinoff. Hopefully Neil Flynn doesn't get caught in "The Middle" in this episode when he and co-star Wendi McLendon-Covey take on his "Scrubs" buds, Zach Braff and Donald Faison.
New Releases for the week of Aug. 1 - 7
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
Following a bad decision at work with disastrous consequences, survivalist and former smokejumper Hannah Faber (Jolie) is stationed in a fire tower to keep watch over the wilderness in Montana. When she spots a young boy (Little) running through the woods covered in blood one day, Hannah descends from her tower hoping to help. In doing so, Hannah discovers the boy witnessed a terrible act, and by helping him, she is now on the vulnerable side of a murder plot. Amid gunshots and forest fires, Hannah and the boy must escape the villainous murderers hoping to silence them and get to safety before it's too late to expose the truth.
Director: Taylor Sheridan. Stars: Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, John Bernthal, Finn Little, Jake Weber. 2021. 100 mins. Drama.
Here Today (2021)
When no-nonsense New York City street singer Emma Payge (Haddish) wins an auction prize to meet veteran comedy writer Charlie Burnz (Crystal) — of whom her ex was a big fan — Emma gets the chance to meet a comedy great. The only problem is she has no idea who Burnz is or what he has done during his life's work. As the two get to know one another over lunch, they strike up an unlikely bond despite the generation gap and their profound differences, and they ultimately reshape the way each of them thinks about trust, friendship, family, life and love.
Director: Billy Crystal. Stars: Billy Crystal, Tiffany Haddish, Sharon Stone, Penn Badgley, Laura Benanti. 2021. 117 mins. Comedy.
Seance (2021)
Transfer student Camille Meadows (Waterhouse) is finally accepted into the elite Fairfield Academy, a prestigious boarding school for girls, but things don't exactly go as planned. Shortly after her arrival, Camille learns of the school's urban legend, which tells of a former student who died by suicide on the school's premises. When the lights begin to flicker and Camille thinks she sees a sinister young woman lurking in the dark at night, she and a few of her fellow students decide to hold a séance to contact the spirit of the deceased. But when one of the girls at the séance turns up dead on campus the following day, the remaining friends realize they have angered a malevolent spirit who will stop at nothing until each of them is dead.
Director: Simon Barrett. Stars: Suki Waterhouse, Madisen Beaty, Inanna Sarkis, Ella-Rae Smith, Stephanie Sy. 2021. 92 mins. Horror.
The Great Outdoors, on AMC
Easygoing family man Chet Ripley (John Candy) takes a back-to-nature trip to a lakeside lodge with his family in this classic comedy, but his paradise is ruined when his boorish in-laws show up uninvited. Dan Aykroyd and Stephanie Faracy also star.
Darcey & Stacey , on TLC
Back-to-back rebroadcasts of this reality show begin with the second-season premiere. The twins' relationships are on the rocks after Darcey has a big fight with Georgi and Stacey oversteps her bounds with hubby Florian. Darcey's friends voice concern.
Q: How did Sandra Oh end up being cast in "Killing Eve"? It's not the sort of role she had done before.
According to the show's creator, that's exactly why she got the role. According to Sandra Oh herself, that's why she should have gotten it.
A star with action-role experience wouldn't have suited because, according to series creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the appeal of the Eve character is that she's an unlikely super-spy.