Some cool new footage for the new season of GOT coming up on April 24th, although I can't say I'm that excited about Bran coming back. He wasn't on at all last year and frankly, he was not missed. But this is the first time the show is passing what's written in the books, so that might be interesting, although it's hard to say if it will really make a huge difference or not.
Garry Shandling 1949-2016
Some sad news today, as comedian and TV star Garry Shandling died suddenly at the age of 66. His death appears to have been quite sudden indeed, as he was suffering from no known illness and was hospitalized just this morning in an apparent emergency medical situation. Shandling began his long career in television writing for sitcoms Sanford and Son and Welcome Back Kotter, and was a frequent guest host on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show before then starring in his own influential shows It's Garry Shandling's Show and then of course, the groundbreaking The Larry Sanders Show, which ran from 1992-98 on HBO and wracked up 18 Emmy nominations over its run.
New Featurette for 'Outlander' Season 2
It's getting closer by the minute. This one I am truly excited for and this new behind the scenes look shows off all the new French sets and costumes, for which they seem to have a cinematic level budget meant to accommodate them. I can't WAIT. April 9th, people.
The Gang is Back in New Trailer for 'Veep' Season 5
This year I've been resolved to quit watching shows that I'm only halfheartedly into, and I've successfully followed through with dropping Agents of SHIELD, House of Cards, and Bloodline. I never picked up Better Call Saul again either, which is much better than those shows, but for some reason I myself am just not as into it. And this is another one that I'm teetering on the brink of dropping, especially because this is the first season without creator and showrunner Armando Ianucci, so it's the perfect excuse. But for those who are still into it, here's a look at the new season- right now I'm about 90 percent sure I'm out, but who knows if I'll change my mind.
It's Daredevil vs The Punisher in Season 2 of Marvel's hit Netflix show
REVIEW: "Daredevil" Season 2
It's Daredevil vs The Punisher in Season 2 of Marvel's hit Netflix show
The second season of Daredevil is completely and utterly dominated by the arrival of two iconic comic book characters- The Punisher and Elektra, who come with dynamic actors set to embody what's bound to be the definitive versions of these antiheroes, after each had been portrayed on film in past projects that were let's just say, less than acclaimed at the time of release.
But now, Matt Murdock returns with his co-workers Foggy Nelson and Karen Page, as the trio deal with Frank Castle, played by The Walking Dead's Jon Bernthal, who arrives right off the bat in Hell's Kitchen to start doing what he does best- mowing down criminals in graphic and variously bloody ways. Bernthal is sensational as Castle and brings a rough, damaged, intense screen presence as the former soldier and retribution seeker, and his long monologue in episode four about his family tragedy captivates your attention in unfortunate ways for his co-stars, who are very often blown off the screen when he's around. The philosophical battle over vigilante justice between Matt and Frank is compelling, but mostly contained to the first half of the season, as the show takes Frank out of commission for much of the middle arc, but even then he's given an interesting rapport with Deborah Ann Woll's Karen that could have even been explored further than it is by the finale.
The other new addition is Elektra Natchios, played by French actress Elodie Yung, who is the former college girlfriend of Matt and shows up in his life ready to partner with and seduce him all over again. The Daredevil/Elektra partnership is exciting and visceral, as Yung's playful, manipulative and sexy femme fatale is a perfect match for the straightforward Matt, who works to deny his own darkness that is always brought out by his attraction and love for Elektra. The pair work wonderfully together as two people who seek the thrill of violence behind the cover of night and red costumes- it's a relationship that could also be dove into more than it is, although it does get a decent amount of focus throughout the middle part of the season.
Elektra brings new danger to Daredevil's life
The weakness of Season 2 involves anything to do with poor Foggy and Karen, who do pale in comparison to the new additions, and Foggy in particular is given almost nothing to do but lecture and yell at Matt for his nighttime alter ego, a continuation of his reaction last season that leads to yet another rift in the Nelson-Murdoch duo that feels like it's been played out once already. And the decision to go ahead with a Matt/Karen romance this season is severely misguided, most importantly because the actors have zero chemistry or spark between them, and their scenes are so cold and awkward that they drag the show down whenever we have to watch them attempt a dinner date and wonder why we can't just get back to Matt and Elektra instead. As I said earlier, Woll has more chemistry with Bernthal than Charlie Cox, and I’m a little worried that the devotion to canon means the show is intending to follow through on the Matt/Karen story, despite what may or may not be working onscreen. It's not always a good thing to stick to so close to the pre-arranged plan that you refuse to adjust accordingly, and this one may be in real need of some tweaks.
The fight scenes remain spectacularly choreographed and the overall look and feel of the show is as intense, dark and violent as it was last year, even if it may feel a little more comic book-y and less "realistic," due to Daredevil's consistently suited up status this time around, and some pretty wacky mythical diversions into the ancient Japanese cult called The Hand that shows up in the latter half of the season. When you delve into territory that starts dealing with zombie-esque immortals, ninja assassins and bringing people back from the dead, you start to lose any semblance of realism you may have been clinging to before. But more comic book in nature is not necessarily a bad thing either, depending on your taste. Daredevil remains entertaining, and the Punisher and Elektra are more than compelling enough characters to keep me interested. At least until I see what happens with this Matt/Karen thing, which is giving off some pretty bad warning signs already.
Grade: B+
Jon Bernthal reinvents The Punisher
Bryan Cranston Stars as LBJ in Teaser for HBO Movie 'All the Way'
Bryan Cranston won a Tony for this role after a six-month stint on Broadway, and now the movie version is airing on HBO May 21st. Anthony Mackie is playing MLK in this film, which details the aftermath of President Kennedy's assassination, when Lyndon Johnson assumed the presidency and the struggles that followed.
The Boys are Back in New 'Silicon Valley' Season 3 Trailer
One of the funniest shows on TV is back, at least in my opinion. As usual, the Mike Judge style of humor seems to appeal to specific tastes only, but for those who can't get it, what can I say? You're missing out is all.
Final Trailer for 'Daredevil' Season 2 Emphasizes Action
And it also seems to be hinting at a love triangle between Matt, Karen and Elektra- I don't mind that as long as Elektra wins out, because I saw less than zero romantic sparks between Matt and Karen last year. I kinda wish that wasn't happening at all, but I'm sure that Daredevil's main love who happens to be beloved by comics fans will get the advantage, don't you?
Kimmy Schmidt Returns in Full Trailer for Season 2
Another one I'm excited for- the second season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt looks right on track, so hopefully it lives up to the delightful and twisted nature of its first. Now that the bunker story is over though, I do kinda wonder if it may lose some of the edge that made it a fairly dark and daring comedy in the first place.
RECAP: SNL 3/12 "Ariana Grande"
Ariana Grande made a fairly impressive debut on SNL last night, showing off an ability to do a range of musical impressions and one killer Jennifer Lawrence voice that will be the thing most remembered about this episode, probably. I admit it- she has my attention.
COLD OPEN: Another CNN round-up that gives us Trump being endorsed by Jay's Ben Carson (and having his supporters punch him in the face when he's mistaken for a protester), but most importantly, Larry David returns as Bernie Sanders, mocking his supporters' annoying facebook posts about him (SO true!!!), and wearing his pajamas under his suits (that's why they're so baggy, lol). Funny. I guess Larry should just join the cast for the remainder of the season, huh?
MONOLOGUE: Ariana comes down and reminisces with Kenan about coming from Nickelodeon, and then sings about wanting to have her own adult scandal to launch her grown-up career (something besides the donut-licking thing, which was literally all I knew her from before tonight). It's not bad.
HILLARY AD: An ad by Hillary trying to appeal to millennials by physically transforming herself into Bernie Sanders. Kate's hilarious as always.
KIDS CHOICE AWARDS: Taran, Vanessa and Ariana are hosts on the KCA's orange carpet who keep thinking the show is supposed to start and missing the countdown clock. This is funny because it reminds me of the guy on ABC who kept having to helplessly delay over and over again before the Oscars show.
FEMINIST SONG: All the women on the show sing a "feminist anthem" whose lyrics are all about having no lyrics for a feminist anthem and getting a bunch of reactions and angry questions about it anyway. This is pretty decent too, actually, and ends up just showing a bunch of women running on the beach.
TALES FROM THE SEA: Vanessa and Ariana are mermaids who rescue some sailors, but Kate is a gross "blobfish" who saves Beck and insists on him cozying up to her. This is kinda weird and random, but Kate does what she can with it, as usual. I'd call this one a miss, though.
UPDATE: Colin and Michael poke fun at, what else, Trump and his latest violence fueled rallies, including the one in Chicago he called off, then Cecily appears as the drunken Bachelor contestant who lost, and finally Riblet shows up for the first time in a while to steal Che's thunder again. It's an okay update, shorter than usual.
TIDAL: Ariana rescues the glitches in Tidal streaming by impersonating Britney Spears, Shakira, Rihanna, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, and pretty much nails all of them while doing it. Color me impressed.
FAMILY FEUD: A range of celebrity impressions in Kenan's skit, but Ariana again steals with an eerily perfect impression of Jennifer Lawrence, making fun of how she's constantly calling herself a "regular" person. Too perfect.
SOUND OF MUSIC: Final skit of the night is a spoof of the nuns singing about Maria behind her back, and then Ariana's Maria comes in and reads them the riot act, complete with claps and head tilts. It's only alright, but Ariana has done well enough tonight to overlook it.
So that was March, guys! A better episode than last week with a very able hosting gig by Ariana, who should call some attention to her voices and impressions. Plus it had Bernie and the HIllary ad, so I give this one a solid B. The show returns on April 2nd with first time host Peter Dinklage (yay!) and Gwen Stefani, so I'll see everybody then!
