Entertainment Now March 15 – 21, 2026

By Dana Simpson

At last year’s Academy Awards ceremony, host Conan O’Brien (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) used his platform to call out the seemingly “self-indulgent and superfluous” nature of awards shows in the face of “wildfires and divisive politics.” While highlighting the absurd choice to honor wealthy figures amid global trauma, suffering and pain, O’Brien also drew attention to the reason the Oscars are important, noting that “for almost a century, we have paused every spring to elevate and celebrate an art form that has the power, at its very best, to unite us.”

This spring we unite on Sunday, March 15, for the 98th Academy Awards, airing on ABC. Whether you gather with friends for a fancy Oscars party or choose to partake quietly at home, the decision to celebrate cinema and those who create it can be a radical act of love in a world otherwise divided.

Conan O’Brien hosts the 98th Academy Awards

Cover Story

Despite O’Brien joking that he would not attend the 98th awards due to plans to “[leave] Hollywood to run a bed and breakfast in Orlando,” the comedian and former late-night pundit returns as host, once again bridging the gap between the film industry elite and their audience — some grateful for art that provides levity, others grateful for art that confronts atrocity. (Bonus points to the rare few films that successfully do both.)

Of course, the talk of Tinsel Town this awards season is 2025’s “Sinners,” the horror film written and directed by Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther,” 2018) that set a new academy record with a whopping 16 nominations. For reference, “All About Eve” (1950), “Titanic” (1997) and “La La Land” (2016) were all previously tied for the honor of “most-nominated film,” each boasting 14 nods at their respective ceremonies.

Conan O’Brien (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) returns to host the 98th Academy Awards, airing Sunday, March 15, on ABC.

Hollywood stars and ‘Sinners’: O’Brien returns to host 98th Academy Awards

“Sinners” also set the record for the most Black individuals ever nominated for a single film with 10 nominations.

“Sinners” tells the story of Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore (played by newcomer Miles Caton), a young sharecropper and blues guitarist in the Mississippi Delta during the 1930s. When Sammie’s smooth-talking twin cousins Smoke and Stack (both played by Creed franchise star Michael B. Jordan) return home from a job under Al Capone in Chicago, they open a juke joint where locals can blow off steam after a long day of work in the crushing heat. But when a trio of mysterious strangers shows up outside the venue, Smoke, Stack, Sammie and friends are engaged in a fight against sinister forces.

Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow south and featuring elements of folk horror, religion, superstition and preternatural evil, “Sinners”

places music at the heart of a Black community facing immense oppression and horror in their daily lives.

Hoping to give “Sinners” a run for its money this year is Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolution-forward action thriller “One Battle After Another,” with 13 nominations. Holding nine nominations apiece are Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” the table tennis dramedy “Marty Supreme” and the multi-language family drama “Sentimental Value.” Chloe Zhao’s Shakespeare biopic “Hamnet” is also highly lauded, boasting eight nominations.

Additional multiple-award nominees include “Bugonia,” “Train Dreams,” “F1,” “The Secret Agent,” “KPop Demon Hunters,” “Blue Moon,” “It Was Just an Accident,” “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Sirat.”

Don’t miss Conan O’Brien returning to host the 98th Academy Awards Sunday, March 15, on ABC.

“Daredevil: Born Again” - Season 2 (Disney+ — March 24, Season Premiere)

Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York.

Sports Zone

for the NCAA Tournament title. (Live)

2 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf Valspar Championship, Second Round. From Innisbrook Resort Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla. (Live)

2:30 p.m. WIVB-4 WSEE-35 2026

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First Round: Teams TBA. Men’s college basketball teams vie for the NCAA Tournament title. (Live)

3 p.m. TRUTV 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First Round: Teams TBA. Men’s college basketball teams vie for the NCAA Tournament title. (Live)

1:30

4 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Bournemouth vs. Manchester United. From Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom. (Live)

4:30 p.m. TBS 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First Round: Teams TBA. Men’s college basketball teams vie for the NCAA Tournament title. (Live)

6:45 p.m. TNT 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First Round: Teams TBA. Men’s college basketball teams vie

11:30 a.m.

Teams TBA. Men’s college basketball teams vie for the NCAA Tournament title. (Live)

1 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf Valspar Championship, Third Round. From Innisbrook Resort Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla. (Live) WPIX-11 MLB Baseball Houston Astros at New York Mets. From Clover Park in Port Saint Lucie, Fla. (Live)

1:30 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Everton vs. Chelsea. From Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. (Live)

2:30 p.m. WIVB-4 WSEE-35 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Second Round: Teams TBA. Men’s college basketball teams vie for the NCAA Tournament title. (Live)

3 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Champions Golf Cologuard Classic, Second Round. From La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Ariz. (Live) MSG NBA G League Basketball College Park Skyhawks at Westchester Knicks. From Westchester County Center in White Plains, N.Y. (Live) WGRZ-2 WICU-12 PGA Tour Golf Valspar Championship, Third Round. From Innisbrook Resort Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla. (Live)

4 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Leeds United vs. Brentford. From Elland Road Stadium in Leeds, England, United Kingdom. (Live)

5 p.m. WIVB-4 WSEE-35 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Second Round: Teams TBA. Men’s college basketball teams vie for the NCAA Tournament title. (Live) 5:30 p.m. WPIX-11 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200. From Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. (Live) 6 p.m. WNYW-5 WUTV-29 MLS Soccer Orlando City SC at Nashville SC. From GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn. (Live)

7 p.m. SNY USL Championship Soccer Hartford Athletic at Brooklyn FC. From Maimonides Park in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Live) 7:30 p.m. WIVB-4 WSEE-35 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Second Round: Teams TBA. Men’s college basketball teams vie for the NCAA Tournament title. (Live) 8 p.m. WKBW-7 NHL Hockey Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings. From Little Caesars

In Focus

- Week of March 15 - 21, 2026

What should be the happiest day of Grace’s (Samara Weaving) life turns into a nightmare when her spouse’s (Mark O’Brien) wealthy family hunts her from dusk to dawn as part of a disturbing wedding night ritual. Adam Brody and Andie MacDowell also star in 2019’s “Ready or Not,” airing on FX this Thursday, March 19. For a glimpse of what’s to come, check out the film’s trailer by visiting youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYTwUxhAoI

After successfully hosting last year’s Academy Awards, Conan O’Brien returns to the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood to shine a spotlight on the biggest achievements in film for 2025. “Sinners” leads all nominees with a record 16 nominations, during this year’s presentation of The Oscars, airing live on ABC this Sunday, March 15. For a full list of 2026’s nominees, see oscars.org/oscars/ ceremonies/2026

This 2017 sequel begins as Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) solitary life is upended by Rey (Daisy Ridley), a young woman who shows extraordinary control of the Force. Eager to learn the ways of the Jedi, she forces Luke to make a life-changing decision. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” airs on FX this Monday, March 16. Fans of the franchise can find more behind-the-scenes fun by visiting youtube.com/watch?v=ye6GCY_vqYk

BY JAY BOBBIN

‘The Oscar’ goes up against The Oscars

Many viewers are bound to be tuned into the real thing when the Academy Awards

sented on Sunday, March 15, but Turner Classic Movies has perfect

that night: “The Oscar,” the 1966 drama that tells the story of a fictional

top prize. Played by Stephen Boyd, who perfected a frequently displayed sneer for

Frankie Fane is a complete heel who uses everyone close to him to ensure his rise to the heights of show business — then continues to abuse them, even when he needs them on his way back down the ladder of success. Though “The Oscar” has a place on the so-bad-it’s-good list for a lot of its devotees, it boasts a star-studded cast from Elke Sommer and Ernest Borgnine to Jill St. John and Milton Berle. Arguably the most intriguing co-star, though, is iconic singer Tony Bennett in the one acting role he had in his career ... as Frankie’s sidekick who’s willing to excuse the actor’s foul behavior until he no longer can. The picture also features a number of celebrities in brief appearances as themselves, including Bob Hope in what then was his traditional job as the host of the Oscar telecast.

“One Tree Hill” (Netflix, streaming): Many of its cast members have gone on to other prominent TV projects, but this drama about friends and relatives in a North Carolina town has maintained a following that’s been enough to inspire fan conventions that the actors attend ... not only in America, but also in such locales as France. Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty play half-brothers

Stephen Boyd and Elke Sommer star in “The Oscar”

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Across

Grinder

4. “China Beach” setting

7. “Minimum”

amount

11. Catch-22

13. Mouths, anatomically

Crossword Puzzle

Best Bets

Sunday

After successfully host ing last year’s Academy

The Oscars WKBW-7

After successfully host

After successfully host ing last year’s Academy

amount 11. Catch-22 13. Mouths, anatomically 14. Harper of “Two and a Half Men”

14. Harper of “Two and a Half Men”

amount 11. Catch-22 13. Mouths, anatomically 14. Harper of “Two and a Half Men”

Crossword Puzzle

speak

one 18. Cillian Murphy series 20. Central point 21. Palindromic Dutch city 22. Dummkopfs

15. Nasty sort 16. Doctor Who is one 18. Cillian Murphy series 20. Central point 21. Palindromic Dutch city 22. Dummkopfs 24. Leading the division 28. ___ choy

24. Leading the division 28. ___ choy 29. Laugh sound 30. Take potshots (at)

15. Nasty sort 16. Doctor Who is one 18. Cillian Murphy series 20. Central point 21. Palindromic Dutch city 22. Dummkopfs 24. Leading the division 28. ___ choy 29. Laugh sound 30. Take potshots (at)

(at)

33. “I’ve got something for ya” 35. Dockworkers’ org.

Teller

38. John Ritter sitcom

44. Like Bugs, to Elmer

45. Watchdog org.?

44. Like Bugs, to Elmer 45. Watchdog org.?

46. Double contraction

47. Big screen letters

46. Double contraction 47. Big screen letters

47. Big screen letters

48. Two semesters

48. Two semesters 49. Openings

49. Openings 50. Bill ___, the Science Guy

Science Guy

“The Good Wife” 4. “We will __ _ undersold!”

“The Good 4. “We will __ _ undersold!”

“The Good Wife” 4. “We will __ _ undersold!”

5. Seed covering 6. Mrs. Eisenhower 7. Thoreau’s pond

5. Seed covering 6. Mrs. Eisenhower

7. Thoreau’s pond

8. Hand lotion ingredient

9. “Mr. Mom” (1983) actress Teri 10. Expires 12. Twinings product

8. Hand lotion ingredient 9. “Mr. Mom” (1983) actress Teri 10. Expires 12. Twinings product

26. It fits in a lock

27. Historic beginning

26. It fits in a lock 27. Historic beginning

31. Game equipment

Teller 26. It fits in a lock 27. Historic beginning 31. Game equipment

31. Game equipment

32. Zeno’s home

33. Dot follower

50. Bill ___, the Science Guy 51. Published

37. The hole or the bucket, so to

33. “I’ve got something for ya” 35. Dockworkers’ org. 37. The hole or the bucket, so to

51. Published Down

Down

1. Train station

17. Prefix with morph

19. QB’s gains

19. QB’s gains 22. Workout target

23. “My boy”

22. Workout target

2. Desire 3. Christine of

1. Train station 2. Desire 3. Christine of

23. “My boy”

25. Show about the Toledo Truth

9. “Mr. Mom” (1983) actress Teri product 17. Prefix with morph 19. QB’s gains 22. Workout target 23. “My boy” 25. Show about the Toledo Truth

34. Well-known rabbit

36. Guardian of Narnia

37. Big name in games

38. Bud holder

39. “Mary __ _ Little Lamb”

38. Bud holder 39. “Mary __ _ Little Lamb”

40. Reply

41. Fill to excess

40. Reply 41. Fill to excess

41. Fill to excess

42. Sweet 16 org.

43. It’s a long story

42. Sweet 16 org.

43. It’s a long story

pare for their long-awaited trial, while Lucas (Chris McNally) contemplates his future in Coal Valley. Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith also star. Tracker

WIVB-4 WSEE-35 9 p.m.

Bill (Jack Wagner) and Na than (Kevin McGarry) prepare for their long-awaited trial, while Lucas (Chris McNally) contemplates his future in Coal Valley. Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith also star.

Tracker

As Season 13 continues, Bill (Jack Wagner) and Nathan (Kevin McGarry) prepare for their long-awaited trial, while Lucas (Chris McNally) contemplates his future in Coal Valley. Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith also star. Tracker

WIVB-4 WSEE-35 9 p.m.

When a respected doctor disappears after her shift, Colter (Justin Hartley) is brought on the case. His investigation leads him down a trail of stolen drugs and countless disguises, where he soon uncovers a calculated revenge plot — but who’s behind it?

Monday

TCM 8 p.m.

The King of Comedy

The King of Comedy TCM 8 p.m.

TCM 8 p.m.

Despite his delusions of grandeur, Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) struggles to launch his stand-up career. As Rupert grows more desperate for a “big break,” he starts hounding successful talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) for a spot on his show. The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins

with tangled antlers. In Lafayette, La., meanwhile, a car full of partygoers turns a red light into an impromptu disco, interrupting traffic.

Despite his delusions of grandeur, Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) struggles to launch his stand-up career. As Rupert grows more desperate for a “big break,” he starts hounding successful talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) for a spot on his show.

WGRZ-2 WICU-12 8:30 p.m.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins

Despite his delusions of grandeur, Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) struggles to launch his stand-up career. As Rupert grows more desperate for a “big break,” he starts hounding successful talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) for a spot on his show. The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins

WGRZ-2 WICU-12 8:30 p.m.

Years after tarnishing his reputation, former football star Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan) seeks the help of a disgraced filmmaker (Daniel Radcliffe), his old teammate (Bobby Moynihan) and his ex (Erika Alexander) to rebuild said ruined reputation.

Live PD: Greatest Shifts

Tuesday

Years after tarnishing his reputation, former football star Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan) seeks the help of a disgraced filmmaker (Daniel Radcliffe), his old teammate (Bobby Moynihan) and his ex (Erika Alexander) to rebuild said ruined reputation.

A&E 9 p.m.

Years after tarnishing his reputation, former football star Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan) seeks the help of a disgraced filmmaker (Daniel Radcliffe), his old teammate (Bobby Moynihan) and his ex (Erika Alexander) to rebuild said ruined reputation.

Live PD:

Live PD: Greatest Shifts

Greatest Shifts

A&E 9 p.m.

This Season 1 finale heads to Missoula County, Mont., where animal control is busy separating two bucks

with tangled antlers. In Lafayette, La., meanwhile, a car full of partygoers turns a red light into an impromptu disco, interrupting traffic.

High Potential

with tangled antlers. In Lafayette, La., meanwhile, a car full of partygoers turns a red light into an impromptu disco, interrupting traffic.

Tuesday

WKBW-7 9 p.m.

Tuesday

High Potential

WKBW-7 9 p.m.

Single mom and cleaner Morgan (Kaitlin Olson) is tapped by Det. Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) to help solve difficult crimes once it’s discovered that she has a remarkable ability to sort and order clues in such a way that she finds the guilty party.

Customer Wars

A&E 10 p.m.

Single mom and cleaner Morgan (Kaitlin Olson) is tapped by Det. Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) to help solve difficult crimes once it’s discovered that she has a remarkable ability to sort and order clues in such a way that she finds the guilty party.

Customer Wars

A&E 10 p.m.

Conflict arises on an airplane in Los Angeles when two friends are confronted by the flight crew for wearing crop tops. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, police are called into a popular store to further investigate two suspected shoplifters.

Wednesday

Scrubs

Conflict arises on an airplane in Los Angeles when two friends are confronted by the flight crew for wearing crop tops. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, police are called into a popular store to further investigate two suspected shoplifters.

WKBW-7 8 p.m.

Conflict arises on an airplane in Los Angeles when two friends are confronted by the flight crew for wearing crop tops. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, police are called into a popular store to further investigate two suspected shoplifters.

Wednesday

Scrubs

WKBW-7 8 p.m.

From the medicine to the interns, many things have changed since old friends

From the medicine to the interns, many things have changed since old friends J.D. (Zach Braff) and Turk (Donald Faison) last scrubbed together. However, their bromance stands the test of time in this revival of the beloved 2000s medical sitcom.

Thursday

The First 48

J.D. (Zach Braff) and Turk (Donald Faison) last scrubbed together. However, their bromance stands the test of time in this revival of the beloved 2000s medical sitcom.

A&E 8 p.m.

J.D. (Zach Braff) and Turk (Donald Faison) last scrubbed together. However, their bromance stands the test of time in this revival of the beloved 2000s medical sitcom.

Thursday

The First 48

A&E 8 p.m.

When a man is found dead, strangled and shot in the back of his truck, detectives in Gwinnett County, Ga., race to the scene. Their initial investigation leads them to a suspect who suddenly vanishes into thin air while wandering a nearby neighborhood.

Grey’s Anatomy

WKBW-7 10 p.m.

When a man is found dead, strangled and shot in the back of his truck, detectives in Gwinnett County, Ga., race to the scene. Their initial investigation leads them to a suspect who suddenly vanishes into thin air while wandering a nearby neighborhood.

Grey’s Anatomy

WKBW-7 10 p.m.

The blood pressure continues to rise among the staff of Grey Sloan Memorial. While trying to treat patients suffering from a host of maladies, Meredith Grey

(Ellen Pompeo) and her colleagues do their best to keep their personal lives private.

Friday Outlander

(Ellen Pompeo) and her colleagues do their best to keep their personal lives private.

Friday

STARZ 8 p.m.

Outlander

STARZ 8 p.m.

The final season of this love story continues, finding Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) in the midst of the American Revolutionary War. While Fraser’s Ridge once stood as a place of refuge, the ongoing conflict threatens their safety.

Neighbors

HBO 9 p.m.

The final season of this love story continues, finding Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) in the midst of the American Revolutionary War. While Fraser’s Ridge once stood as a place of refuge, the ongoing conflict threatens their safety.

Neighbors

HBO 9 p.m.

After exploring disputes big and small — from ownership of grass patches, to conflicts with cats and cows — this series’ first season comes to an end. During this final episode, see neighbors across America butting heads over ridiculous issues.

Saturday

Goodbye Again

After exploring disputes big and small — from ownership of grass patches, to conflicts with cats and cows — this series’ first season comes to an end. During this final episode, see neighbors across America butting heads over ridiculous issues.

TCM 8 p.m.

Saturday

Goodbye Again

TCM 8 p.m.

After being stranded by a past lover (Yves Montand), interior decorator Paula (Ingrid Bergman) finds her-

the young

A&E 9 p.m.

Landis). Their May-December romance causes a stir.

self resisting the charms of Philip

Storage Wars

After being stranded by a past lover (Yves Montand), interior decorator Paula (Ingrid Bergman) finds herself resisting the charms of Philip (Anthony Perkins), the young son of a client (Jessie

of a client (Jessie

Their May-December romance causes a stir.

the young son of a client (Jessie Royce Landis). Their May-December romance causes a stir.

Storage Wars

A&E 9 p.m.

As Season 17 continues, Lisa’s rage builds as her lockers keep getting taken from her, Kenny goes all in for a banjo only to get a harmonica, Ivy finds an unexpected vehicle in his locker and Dusty and Lupe find the locker of their dreams.

(Anthony Perkins),

son

Royce Landis).

Justin Hartley in

Daniel Radcliffe in “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” Monday on NBC

Royce

of Reggie Dinkins” Monday on NBC

4 x

(Anthony Perkins),

Justin Hartley in “Tracker”

Daniel Radcliffe in “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” Monday on NBC 4 x 2” ad

x 2” ad

1) True or false: One of Leonardo DiCaprio’s earliest roles was in the soap opera “Santa Barbara.”

5) True or false: Robin Williams’ first major award win was an Emmy for “Mork & Mindy.”

2) Which Oscar-winning actress began her career on the 1960s sitcom “Gidget” before winning two Academy Awards?

3) Before winning an Oscar for “Philadelphia,” Tom Hanks got his big TV break in which ABC sitcom?

4) Before winning an Oscar for “Ray,” which Fox series gave Jamie Foxx his first regular TV role?

6) Before her Oscar for “Monster’s Ball,” Halle Berry made her TV debut in which short-lived sitcom?

7) Which sketch comedy series gave Goldie Hawn her big break before her Oscar-winning turn in “Cactus Flower”?

8) Before winning an Oscar for “Training Day,” Denzel Washington starred in which 1980s medical drama?

9) For Viola Davis, what came first: her Oscar win for “Fences” or her Emmy win for “How to Get Away with Murder”? 10) What came first for Michael Douglas: his TV role in “The Streets of San Francisco” or an Oscar win as producer of “One