Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”) stars as Carol in Vince Gilligan’s (“Breaking Bad”) new psychological sci-fi thriller series “Pluribus,” premiering Friday, Nov. 7, on Apple TV+. Featuring a marketing campaign with scant teasers and a mysterious phone number, this new series reportedly follows the most miserable person on Earth and the one who must save the world from happiness. Like Gilligan’s other work, “Pluribus” is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Rhea Seehorn stars in “Pluribus”
By Dana Simpson TV Media
TBreaking sad Gilligan, Seehorn return for new collab ‘Pluribus’
wenty years ago, the name Vince Gilligan elicited very little response from the average television viewer. Those who did recognize the name were more than likely “X-Files” fans who remembered it from 127 sets of opening credits for the show, all of which indicated that Gilligan was an executive producer between 1996 and 2002. All of that changed as of 2008, however, and now Gilligan’s name is synonymous with his finest creation, “Breaking Bad,” as well as its legally inclined spinoff, “Better Call Saul.”
And although it has been 12 years since the end of former series and three years since the finale for the latter, Gilligan is still very much in the business of making good television. He is also still in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Gilligan’s newest project, “Pluribus,” premieres Friday, Nov. 7, on Apple TV+.
Kept very much a mystery, “Pluribus” sees the reunion of Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn, the latter of whom portrayed Jimmy McGill’s (Bob Odenkirk, “Nobody,” 2021) ex-wife and onetime business partner Kim Wexler in 61 episodes of “Better Call Saul.” According to an interview between Seehorn and Polygon reporter Jake Kleinman, Gilligan approached Seehorn during “Better Call Saul” and after filming eventually wrapped, asking if the actress would be interested in a genre-bending project with a sci-fi bent. Seehorn, of course, accepted the offer.
“He came to me as ‘Saul’ was ending, and said, ‘Well, I wrote something for you, if you’re interested,’ which is classic Vince,” Seehorn recalled to Polygon. “When I stopped crying, I was like, ‘Yes, I’m interested.’ But he said, ‘I’m not ready to show it to you.’ And I said, ‘That’s okay. I’m on board.’”
Seehorn had very little idea what Gilligan had planned for the series, but she knew she wanted to be a part of it — a feeling many fans of the writer/producer have shared since his days with “The X-Files.” Upon learning the new show would be rooted in Gilligan’s sci-fi/uncanny origins, Seehorn noted her delight, both for her involvement and for the uniqueness of the project itself.
“I was so excited when Vince told me there was a sci-fi element to it, and that it’s more psychological sci-fi, less space sci-fi,” Seehorn shared with Polygon. Elsewhere in the interview, the leading woman also noted, “It’s the kind of show that, even if I wasn’t in it, it would be my type of show, because it engenders conversations about, like, ‘What do you think about that? What would your position be, should you find yourself here?’”
And while none of Seehorn’s press interviews for “Pluribus” provide any spoilers (a pretty standard clause in any promotional contract), she was exceedingly careful not to share anything that would give away the show’s overarching themes. In fact, the questions she posited above provide more information about the series than anything currently available online, for a quick search of “Pluribus” in a search engine turns up exactly four teaser trailers as of writing.
In the first trailer, released July 25, we gaze upon an unknown woman of middle age, clad in a comfy pink sweatsuit, as she looms over a counter in what appears to be a high school or office building after hours. As the camera pushes through the large glass window and into the lobby where she stands, we get closer as the woman releases a glazed jelly doughnut from its box and raise it to her lips. With a determined top-to-bottom lick, she replaces the doughnut and proceeds to methodically violate its counterparts in kind. Dissonant music rises
as the camera pans to a sign on the table that reads “Help Yourself” next to a hand-drawn smiley face. The scene cuts to black, proudly showing the title “Pluribus” before announcing the series release date and streaming service.
The later three trailers — although not quite as unsettling — also leave a lot to the imagination. The second trailer, titled “Sorry About the Blood” shows a dazed Seehorn in character as Carol, walking across an Albuquerque courtyard in blue jeans and a blood-spattered white V-neck tee. The words “Hello, Carol. We’ll put things right. Sorry about the blood” appear on screen followed by a phone number: 202-8083981. That number also appears in another teaser, urging Carol to call but affirming there is “no pressure.”
Lastly, released in late September, the most recent trailer (again, as of writing) is simply titled “Welcome, Carol” and features Carol as she arrives by car to what appears to be a casino hotel. Flashing on the electronic Westgate hotel sign are the words “Welcome, Carol” as
she makes a left-hand turn and proceeds to her destination.
But, as many are asking, why keep matters so cryptic? Isn’t a show’s promotional material meant to entice and provide information so the viewer can know what they are tuning in for?
Seehorn has a simple answer for that, too.
“It’s just that Vince is asking you to experience this as it comes,” the actress says. “He’s playing with our preconceived notions about not just where we think the story is going to go, but what we would do in a certain situation.”
So what will you do? Will you call the number or wait to tune in for the premiere? “Pluribus” begins Friday, Nov. 7, on Apple TV+.
Karolina Wydra in “Pluribus”
<++ The Da Vinci Code (2006, Mystery) Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Tom Hanks. <+++ Signs (‘02)Joaquin Phoenix, Cherry Jones, Mel Gibson. <++ The Mummy Returns (‘01) Brendan Fraser. ANPL
Wardens of the North Wardens "River Rules" Wardens of the North Wardens of the North Wardens "Four Sea sons "
SpongeBob OXY 123 127 251 Boston Strangler Snappe d "Sahara Fakhir" SnappedSnapped SnappedSnapped SnappedSnapped
PARMT 49 241 241 Bar Rescue Bar Rescue Bar Rescue <+++ Mrs. Doubtfire (‘93, Child) Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Robin Williams To Be Announced
SYFY 160 122 244 <+ Hellboy (‘19) Milla Jovovich, David Harbour. <++ The 5th Wave (‘16) Nick Robinson, Chloë Grace Moretz. <++ Knock at the Cabi n (‘23) Dave Bautista. <++ Pacific Rim Uprising
TBS 29 139 247 Friends <+++ My Cousin Vinny (‘92) Marisa Tomei, Joe Pesci. <++ Black Adam (‘22) Aldis Hodge,Dwayne Johnson. <++ Aquaman (‘18) Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Jason Momoa.
TCM 501 132 256 <+++ Barefoot in the Park (‘67) Robert Redford. <+++ Downhill Racer (‘69) Robert Redford. <+++ The Candidate (‘72) Robert Redford. <++++ All the President's Men
TLC 42 183 280 Say Yes to the Dress Say Yes to the Dress Seeking Sister Wife Seeking Sister Wife Seeking Sister Wife Sister Wive sSister WivesSister Wives
TLN 71 - - Turning Pathway to Baptist Study In Touch With (N) Miracle INSIGHT Christian Worship Hour Equipping Paid Prog. The JoyIn GraceRevelation Today
TNT 52 138 245 To Be Announced <++ Tag (‘18) Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms. <+++ My Cousin Vinny (‘92) Marisa Tomei, Joe Pesci. <++ Major League (‘89) Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger.
32 176 296 < Scooby-Doo! & Kiss: Rock & Roll My Looney Looney Looney Tom/ TomTom/ TomTiny TooBears
Colombiana (‘11) Jordi Mollà, Zoe Saldana. Movie
(‘09) Paul Walker, Vin Diesel. Country
Mars (‘14) Kristen Bell. Real, Bill Maher
Sorry, Baby
Assassin's Creed (‘16) Michael Fassbender. <++ Bullet Train (‘22) Joey King, Brad Pitt. The Knick The Knick
Daddy (‘99) Adam Sandler. <+++ Noah (‘14)Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe. <+++ Flags of Our Fathers (‘06) Ryan Phillippe. <++ Enemy at the Gates
(‘16) Keegan-Michael Key. (P)
Flight Risk (‘25) Mark Wahlberg. <++ Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion
Mission: Impossibl
The Prince & Me (‘04) Luke Mably, Julia Stiles
Morning Glory
Almost Famous
Praise "Prophetic Mysteries Revealed" A&E
73 131 254 < The Mummy Returns <++ The Mummy (‘99, Adventure)Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Brendan Fraser. Talamasca: Se (N) Talamasca: Se <++ The Mummy Returns (‘01) Brendan Fraser.
ANPL 66 184 282 Wardens of the North Wardens of the North Wardens of the North Wardens of the North Wardens of the North (N) Wardens of the North Wardens "Revved Up" Wardens of the North
<++ Rush Hour 2 (‘01) Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan. <+
Sunday
I Love LA
HBO 9:40 p.m.
You can’t be shy if you want to make it in Los Angeles, and Maia (Rachel Sennott), Charlie (Jordan Firstman), Dylan (Josh Hutcherson), Tallulah (Odessa A’zion) and Alani (True Whitaker) are trying to take this town by storm in this series premiere.
Monday
St. Denis Medical (5) WMAQ 7:00 p.m.
Laughter is the best medicine in this Sea son 2 premiere as Dr. Ron (David Alan Gri er) smirks his way to saving lives on a daily basis. Meanwhile, Joyce (Wen di McLendon-Covey) is the glue that keeps things moving, which is not what glue is supposed to do.
Wednesday
Abbott Elementary (7) WLS 7:30 p.m.
They may be overwhelmed, out numbered and underfunded, but Janine (Quinta Brunson) and her
Sunday
HALL 7:00 p.m.
fellow teachers at Philly’s Willard R. Abbott Elementary are doing their best to give the students an education they won’t soon forget. Janelle James also stars.
Thursday
Wicked: One Wonderful Night
(5) WMAQ 7:00 p.m.
With the release of “Wicked: For Good” just around the corner, this two-hour special event will give you just enough of a taste to keep you salivating a bit longer. Academy Award-nominated cast members Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will
Saturday
Christmas Above the Clouds
HALL 7:00 p.m.
Ella Neezer (Erin Krakow) is a worka-
holic CEO planning to skip Christmas by flying to Australia on the holiday. But it’s an unforgettable flight as her baggage is filled with choices of her past, present and future, including her ex, Jake (Tyler Hynes).
A Newport Christmas
Friday
Happy’s Place
7:00 p.m.
The watering hole with a heart of gold is back in this Season 2 premiere, as Bobbie (Reba McEntire), Isabella (Belissa Escobedo), Gabby (Melissa Peterman), Emmett (Rex Linn) and the rest are back trying to keep each other from hiding under the bar.
Travel through time with “A Newport Christmas,” which airs on Hallmark this Sunday, Nov. 2. While living in 1905 Newport, socialite Ella (Ginna Claire Mason) wishes for a new life when her father announces his plan to marry her off. A nighttime sail transports her to 2025 where Nick (Wes Brown) must plot her return.
M <++ Jumanji (1995,Children) Bonnie Hunt, Robin Williams. <++ The Mummy (‘99,Adv) Rachel Weisz, Brendan Fraser. <+++ Ocean's Twelve (2004,Comedy Drama) Brad Pitt, George Clooney T <+++ My Cousin Vinny (‘92,Comedy) Marisa Tomei, Joe Pesci. <+++ Lethal Weapon 2 (‘89,Act) Danny Glover, Mel Gibson. <+++ Lethal Weapon 3 (‘92,Act) Danny Glover, Mel Gibson. Movie W <+++ Captain Phillips (2013,Docu-Drama) Catherine Keener, Tom Hanks. <++ U.S. Marshals (1998,Action) Wesley Snipes, Tommy Lee Jones. <+++ The Fugitive (‘93) Harrison Ford. Th <+++ The Karate Kid (1984,Drama) Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio. <+++ Point Break (‘91,Action) Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze. <++ Road House (1989,Action) Kelly Lynch, Patrick Swayze. F <+++ The Breakfast Club (‘85) Emilio Estevez. <++ Ghostbusters (2016,Comedy) Kristen Wiig,Melissa McCarthy. <++ The Mummy (1999,Adventure) Rachel Weisz, Brendan Fraser.
ANPL 66 The Zoo/(F) Solved (F) Solved Little/(F) Solved Little/(F) Solved My Cat From Hell My Cat From Hell Pit Bulls and Parolees Pit Bulls and Parolees Various Various
Derry
T <++ Godzilla x Kong: The New Em <++ A Minecraft Movie (‘25) Jason Momoa The Alabama Solution Real, Bill MaherI Love LA IT: Welcome to Derry
W <+++ War for the Planet of the Apes (‘17) <+++ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (P) (‘24) Last Week <+++ Hellboy (‘04,Fan) John Hurt,Ron Perlman. Real, Bill Maher Th <+++ The Descendants (‘11) George Clooney Last Week To. The Chair IT: Welcome to Derry <+ The Sitter (‘11) Jonah Hill To Be Announced F Movie <+++ Wonder Woman (2017,Action) Chris Pine, Gal Gadot. The Chair <++ Mortal Kombat (‘21) Lewis Tan. To Be Announced <+++ A United Kingdom (‘16)
M <++ Funny People <+++ State of Play (‘09) Russell Crowe <+++ It Comes at Night (‘17) <++ Valerian and the Ci ty of a Thousand Planets (P) (‘17) <+++ Inception (‘10)
T <+++ St. Vincent <+++ Love & Mercy (‘14) John Cusack. <+++ Big Eyes (‘14) Amy Adams. <++ Gifted (‘17,Dra) Mckenna Grace, Chris Evans. <+ A Haunted House Movie
MAX 562
W Movie <+++ I Saw the TV Glow (‘24) Justice Smith <++ Woman in Gold (‘15) <++ Everything, Everything (‘17) <++ Keeping Up With the Joneses (‘16) Movie
Th Movie < Justice League: War (‘14) <++ Going the Distance (‘10) <++ Home Again (‘17) <++ Lola Versus (‘12) Greta Gerwig <+++ Deepwater Horizon (‘16) F <+ Wild Mountain Thyme (‘20) <+++ Presenting Princess Shaw < Look Into My Eyes (2024,Documentary) <+++ Lady Bird (‘17) <++ Why Him? (‘16) James Franco.
M Movie <++ Daddy's Home (‘15) <+ The Darkest Hour (P) (‘11) <+++ Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom <+++ American Made (P) (‘17) Tom Cruise Movie
T Movie <++++ Indiana Jones & the Raiders of the Lost <+++ The Score (‘01,Thriller) Edward Norton, Robert De Niro. <++ Bad Moms (‘16) Mila Kunis <+++ The Wedding Banquet (‘25)
W <++ The Longest Yard (‘05) Adam Sandler. <++ Just Go With It (‘11) Adam Sandler. <++++ When Harry Met Sally... < Dear Santa (‘24) Jack Black. Movie
Th < JFK Revisited: Through the Lookin <+++ Loving (P) (‘16) Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton. <+++ Green Book (‘18) Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen. <+++ Gladiator (‘00) Russell Crowe.
F <+ Geostorm (‘17) <++++ Indiana Jones & the Raiders of the Lost <+++ Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom <+++ Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade <++ Indiana Jones & t
M Movie < Mulan: Princess Warrior (P) (‘20) Kim Mai Guest. <+++ The Best Christmas Pageant <+ Collide (‘16) Nicholas Hoult. < The Misfits (‘21,Act) Rami Jaber, Pierce Brosnan. Movie
T <++ A Million Ways to Die in the W <++ Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (‘09) <+ Shadow Force (‘25) < Hostile Takeover (‘25) <++ A Million Ways to Die in the W W <+ Shadow Force (‘25) <++ Immortals (‘11) Henry Cavill < SAS: Red Notice (2021,Action) Ruby Rose, Sam Heughan. < Pretty Thing (‘25) Alicia Silverstone < Miss Virginia (‘19)
Th < SAS: Red Notice (‘21) < Dirty Angels (‘24) Eva Green. <++++ Titanic (1997,History) Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio. <++ Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Movie
F <+ Addicted (P) (‘14) <+++ Bleed for This (‘16) Miles Teller. <+ Taxi (‘04,Comedy) Jimmy Fallon, Queen Lati fah. <+ I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (‘07) <+ Addicted (P) (‘14)
M <++ A Journal for Jor <++ Now You See Me (P) (‘13) <++ John Q (‘02) Denzel Washington. <++ A Journal for Jordan (‘21) Michael B. Jordan. <+++ Assault on Pre
T <+ Not Another Church Movie (‘24) <++ The Bone Collector (‘99) < Hierarchy (P) (‘25) Neyla Cantu. <++ 10 Years (‘11) Channing Tatum. < Who Gets the Dog?
STZENC 517
W Movie <+ Zookeeper (‘11) Kevin James. <++ Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (‘08) < Trim Season (‘23) Beth Million. <+ Imaginary (‘24) Tom Payne, DeWanda Wise. Movie
Th Movie <++ Arthur the King (‘24) Mark Wahlberg < Outlaw Johnny Black (‘23) Michael Jai White. <++ Sicario: Day of the Soldado (‘18) Benicio del Toro. <++ The Informer
F Movie <+++ Looper (‘12) Bruce Willis. <++ The Scorpion King (‘02) <+ Leap Year (‘10) Matthew Goode, Amy Adams. <++ Van Helsing (‘04) Hugh Jackman
M < Alone in Berlin (‘16) < The Dead Don't Hurt (‘23) Vicky Krieps. <+++ The Duchess (‘08) Keira Knightley. < Freedom's Path (‘22) RJ Cyler, Gerran Howell. <++ The Longest Yard
T <++ Burke & Hare (‘10) <++ Extraordinary Measures (‘10) <++ Alfie (‘04,Com.-Dra) Marisa Tomei, Jude Law <+++ Saturday Night Fever (‘77) John Travolta. Movie
TMC 590
W Movie <+++ Breakfast at Ti ffany's (‘61) <+++ Big Night (‘96) < A Wonderful Time of the Year <++ The Perfect Score (‘04) Erika Christensen Movie
Th <+++ Chocolat (‘00) <++ Cracks (‘09,Drama) Juno Temple, Eva Green. <++ Anthropoid (P) (‘16) Cillian Murphy. <+++ Witness (‘85) Kelly McGillis, Harrison Ford. < The Dead Don't Hurt
F < Freedom's Path (‘22) <++ The Other Boleyn Girl (P) (‘08) <+++ Saturday Night Fever (‘77) John Travolta. <+++ The Sum of All Fears (‘02) Ben Affleck. Movie 8 AM 8:30 9 AM 9:30
From the list below, find each word and circle its letters in the puzzle to reveal the message relating to this week’s topic.
Hill Street Blues
OFFICERS
Sports this week
Sunday
10:30 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Manchester City vs. Bournemouth. (Live) (2:00)
11:00 a.m. (5) WMAQ ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Skate Canada International. (Live) (2:00)
BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball Wisconsin at Ohio State. (Live) (2:00)
Noon (2) WBBM WCIA (32) WFLD NFL Football (Live) (3:00)
ESPN Women’s College Volleyball Kentucky at Texas. (Live) (2:00)
1:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball Oregon at Nebraska. (Live) (2:00)
2:00 p.m. (5) WMAQ NASCAR Cup Series NASCAR Cup Series Championship. (Live) (4:00)
ESPN NWSL Soccer San Diego Wave FC at Kansas City Current. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball Texas A&M at Tennessee. (Live) (2:00)
3:00 p.m. (50) CW AHL Hockey Toronto Marlies at Chicago Wolves. (Live) (3:00)
BIG10 Women’s College Volleyball Indiana at Penn State. (Live) (2:00)
3:25 p.m. (2) WBBM WCIA NFL Football Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills. (Live) (3:05)
7:15 p.m. (5) WMAQ NFL Football Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders. (Live) (3:15)
Monday
2:00 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Sunderland vs. Everton. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. TRU College Basketball Arizona vs. Florida. (Live) (2:00)
7:00 p.m. (7) WLS ESPN NFL Football Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys. (Live) (3:15)
ESPN2 NFL Football Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys. (Live) (3:15)
7:30 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Jackson State at Illinois. (Live) (2:00)
8:30 p.m. TRU College Basketball Villanova vs. BYU. (Live) (2:00)
9:30 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Eastern Washington at UCLA. (Live) (2:00)
TueSday
1:50 p.m. WGBO Fútbol UEFA Champions League UEFA Soccer. Liverpool vs. Real Madrid. (Live) (2:10)
3:00 p.m. ESPN2 Women’s College Basketball (Live) (2:00)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Women’s College Basketball Teams TBA. (Live) (2:30)
5:30 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Evansville at Purdue. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. TRU TNT NHL Hockey Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers. (Live) (2:30)
7:00 p.m. (5) WMAQ NBA Basketball Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
7:30 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Robert Morris at Iowa. (Live) (2:00)
7:45 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Duke vs. Texas. (Live) (2:00)
8:30 p.m. TRU TNT NHL Hockey Tampa Bay Lightning at Colorado Avalanche. (Live) (3:00)
WedneSday
SERGEANT
Los Angeles Lakers. (Live) (2:30)
ThurSday
2:00 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf World Wide Technology Championship, First Round. (Live) (3:00)
3:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Soccer Big Ten Tournament, First Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Soccer Big Ten Tournament, Second Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
6:30 p.m. ESPN ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
7:00 p.m. TRU TNT College Basketball St. Francis (Pa.) at TCU. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. GOLF LPGA Tour Golf Toto Japan Classic, Second Round. (Live) (4:00)
9:00 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Denver at Washington. (Live) (2:00)
Friday
Noon BIG10 College Field Hockey Big Ten Tournament, First Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
12:25 p.m. ESPN2 Formula 1 Racing São Paulo Grand Prix, Sprint Qualifying. (Live) (1:05)
2:00 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf World Wide Technology Championship, Second Round. (Live) (3:00)
3:00 p.m. BIG10 College Field Hockey Big Ten Tournament, Second Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
5:30 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Purdue Fort Wayne at Ohio State. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Kansas at North Carolina. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
7:30 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Northern Illinois at Wisconsin. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. (32) WFLD College Football Northwestern at USC. (Live) (3:30) TRU TNT College Basketball Utah Tech at Arizona. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN College Football Tulane at Memphis. (Live) (3:00)
8:30 p.m. GOLF LPGA Tour Golf Toto Japan Classic, Third Round. (Live) (4:00)
9:30 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Pepperdine at UCLA. (Live) (2:00)
SaTurday
9:00 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Everton vs. Fulham. (Live) (2:00)
11:00 a.m. (2) WBBM WCIA NWSL Soccer Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:30) (7) WLS (32) WFLD ESPN ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
11:30 a.m. (5) WMAQ Premier League Soccer Sunderland vs. Arsenal. (Live) (2:00) TRU TNT College Football (Live) (3:30)
12:30 p.m. (9) WGN College Basketball Western Carolina at Duke. (Live) (2:30)
2:00 p.m. (5) WMAQ Premier League Soccer Chelsea vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers. (Live) (2:00) GOLF PGA Tour Golf World Wide Technology Championship, Third Round. (Live) (3:00) 2:30 p.m. (2) WBBM WCIA (7) WLS (32) WFLD BIG10 ESPN ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
3:30 p.m. (9) WGN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:30)
6:00 p.m. (32) WFLD College Basketball Arkansas at Michigan State. (Live) (2:00) BIG10 ESPN ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
Solution on page 6
5:00 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Rider at Rutgers. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
6:30 p.m. TRU TNT NHL Hockey St. Louis Blues at Washington Capitals. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN NBA Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks. (Live) (2:35)
7:00 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Alabama A&M at Indiana. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. GOLF LPGA Tour Golf Toto Japan Classic, First Round. (Live) (4:00)
9:05 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball San Antonio Spurs at
6:30 p.m. (5) WMAQ College Football Navy at Notre Dame. (Live) (3:30) WGBO Fútbol Mexicano Primera División Toluca vs. América. (Live) (2:30) (7) WLS College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:30)
8:00 p.m. (32) WFLD College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:30)
GOLF LPGA Tour Golf Toto Japan Classic, Final Round. (Live) (4:00)
9:00 p.m. WGBO Fútbol Mexicano Primera División Cruz Azul vs. Pumas UNAM. (Live) (2:00) (9) WGN College Football Sam Houston State at Oregon State. (Live) (3:30)
9:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Phoenix Suns at LA Clippers. (Live) (2:35) ESPN2 Women’s College Basketball (Live) (2:00)
MONDAY PRIME TIME
<
Under
Lights (‘24) Marco Grazzini. Finding Mr. Christmas (N) Baked with (N) < Three Wise Men and a Baby (‘22) Paul Campbell. < 'Twas the Date Befor
TUESDAY PRIME
(‘10)
The Front Room (‘24) Brandy. (P) < Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Killing of a Sacred Deer Bill Camp.
Niro, Val Kilmer,Al Pacino.
Silent Night (‘23) Kid Cudi, Joel Kinnaman. Movie
(‘07) Steve Zahn, Christian Bale. (P)
Instinct
Somebody to lean on
Three generations share one brownstone in ‘Crutch’
By Sarah Passingham TV Media
With times being tough these days, multigenerational households are an increasingly common patch for life’s limitations. After all, it takes a village to raise kids and keep grandparents occupied, right?
In the new Paramount+ sitcom “Crutch,” premiering Monday, Nov. 3, on the streamer, one happy empty nester’s humble abode is about to become a full house. All eight episodes of “Crutch” will be available to watch on premiere day.
Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”) is Francois “Crutch” Crutchfield, a brash, widowed Harlem shop owner who opens his door to find both of his grown children, grandchildren in tow, suddenly in need of a place to stay. Dear old dad receives his new long-term house guests, albeit with some weariness, and Crutch has even got a shoulder to lean on for advice on the new living situation. “Crutch” is a spinoff of the long-running CBS sitcom “The Neighborhood,” starring Cedric the Entertainer (“The Steve Harvey Show”) and Tichina Arnold (“Martin”) as Calvin and Tina Butler, who know a thing or two about being an unexpected welcome brigade.
“We’ve got a lot of experience with dealing with grown kids that’s never ready to leave the nest,” Calvin reassures Crutch in the official trailer for the upcoming series, seemingly in town for a visit from their Los Angeles neighborhood. No time for questions this time, though. “We didn’t mean right now,” Calvin quickly follows up when Crutch tries to take him up on his offer of wisdom.
While Crutch may have been enjoying his solitude just fine, family is family, so what are another four housemates? His oldest, daughter Jamilah (Adrianna Mitchell, “Snowfall”), turns up on Crutch’s doorstep explaining that she is in the middle of a divorce from her husband, and she and her kids, Lisa (Braxton Paul, “Tiny Time Travel”) and Mase (Finn Maloney, “Suncoast,” 2024), need somewhere to live.
Per Paramount+, Jamilah is “a free-spirited naturalista with a dry wit and a sharp tongue.” After her idyllic suburban life outside Minneapolis starts to fall apart, Jamilah packs up and heads back to Harlem, where her own kids may get to relive parts of her own childhood. Crutch is more than happy to teach the newcomers a thing or two, giving them a crash course in the subway and the creatures that call it home as well as how to come off “New York tough,” in the trailer. Crutch’s son, Jake (Jermaine Fowler, “The Blackening,” 2022), finds himself back in his father’s upstairs apartment after a real attempt to fly the coop. Disillusioned by corporate greed, Jake left a high-paying job at a slick law firm to
begin a more fulfilling career providing legal aid in Harlem. Though the new gig might come with more heartfelt thank-yous, those do not pay the bills, so pop-subsidized housing is a necessity.
Incredulous at his son’s reasoning for turning down a quarter-million-dollar salary, Crutch discloses some fatherly advice in the trailer, saying, “money can’t buy you happiness, but it can get you so close you won’t even know the difference.” Jake is set on learning his own lessons, and maybe happiness really is in a lighter paycheck for him.
Tony-winning Broadway star Kecia Lewis (“The Blacklist”) helps round out the cast of Crutch’s family members as his sister-in-law, Antoinette, a divorcee who returns to the fold as soon as she hears her sister’s kids have fallen on hard times. A correctional officer at Rikers Island, Antoinette usually doesn’t have time for Crutch’s antics, but she’s willing to put their differences aside in order to help out.
Where Crutch tells it how it is, however cynically he sees it, his longtime best friend is his foil — a cheery, glass-half-full kind of guy. Adrian Martinez (“Stumptown”) stars as Flaco, Crutch’s loyal childhood friend and general manager of the flooring shop.
Morgan typically doesn’t need a reintroduction. The actor and comedian is known for unforgettable performances, like his seven-season run as a cast member on long-running sketch show “Saturday Night Live” or as Tracy Jordan, one of the most quotable characters in “30 Rock.” Crutch, however, needed a minor tweak. First appearing as Calvin’s rich brother in a Season 4 episode of “The Neighborhood,” the character in his titular show got a rewrite to be of more modest means and more distant relation as Calvin’s cousin.
In a crossover event, Morgan stars as the rebooted Crutch in a new episode of “The Neighborhood,” airing on CBS the same night as the new show’s premiere. In the episode, Crutch takes a very hands-on approach to Calvin’s request for flooring help, arriving in LA and promptly driving Tina crazy.
“Crutch” is executive produced by Morgan, Cedric, Aaron Kaplan (“The Chi”), Wendi Trilling (“The Unicorn”) and pilot writer and series creator Owen Smith (“The Last O.G.”).
Don’t miss the premiere of “Crutch,” streaming Monday, Nov. 3, on Paramount+.
Screen Scramble
Unscramble the letters for each word to reveal five movies and TV shows. Then, rearrange the circled letters to discover the actor who has appeared in all five.
Solution on page 2
By Caroline Collacutt TV Media
Return to the fantastical world of Harry Potter with the Season 2 premiere of “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” making its debut Sunday, Nov. 2, with a supersized, two-hour premiere on Food Network and streaming the next day on HBO Max.
Hosted by James and Oliver Phelps — perhaps better known as Fred and George Weasley, respectively, from the Harry Potter film franchise — this latest endeavor into the Wizarding World brings professional bakers to the Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, England, where Harry Potter’s — as played by Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” 2022) — fantastical journey was first brought to
life. There, surrounded by original sets from the series’ eight movies, eight pairs of international bakers are given weekly tasks in which they must create, per the Warner Bros. description, “massive, spellbinding and delicious showpieces inspired by moments and themes from the Harry Potter saga,” each presented to chefs Carla Hall (“The Chew”) and Jozef Youssef (“Inside the Superbrands”) for judgment.
Across six spellbinding episodes, the Phelps twins will also be joined by special guests from the films — including Warwick Davis (“Willow,” 1988), Afshan Azad (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” 2005) and Devon Murray (“Angela’s Ashes,” 1999) — who help in judging creations for accuracy, while also taking a walk down memory lane.
James and Oliver Phelps host “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking”
This second chapter of competition begins as the competitors are sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses — Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw — by the Sorting Hat and then must create something that represents their respective homes. In a sneak peek shared for the upcoming season, one team in particular can be seen creating the infamous Chamber of Secrets, complete with a deadly basilisk and Tom Riddle’s iconic diary.
Tracy Morgan and Cedric the Entertainer in “Crutch”
Crossword
Across
1. Deli order with three letters
4. Luxuriate
8. Crackers
12. Lungful
13. Golden finish?
14. Louisville’s river
15. Inventor Whitney
16. Hollywood director who has directed episodes of “ER” and “CSI”
18. Kids show with a talking lemur
20. Spoiler
21. “Honky Tonk Moon” singer Randy
25. Manners of moving
27. Lunar effect
28. She played Cecile in “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988)
29. PBS benefactor
30. Yearn
32. Kind of wave
34. Druid, e.g.
37. Botanical branches
38. Kermit et al.
42. ‘80s sitcom about same-sex guardians
45. “My boy”
46. Top-drawer
47. Three, in Berlin
48. Self-image
49. Short shot
50. Kitten’s plaything
51. Cattle call
Down
1. Performer of many Dylan songs
2. Disney’s “___ & Stitch”
3. Joey’s last name on “Friends”
4. Relay sticks
5. “It’s only _ __!”
6. Blood fluids
7. Velveeta maker
8. Execute perfectly
9. Yellowfin tuna
10. Flipper
11. Very
17. Negative conjunction
19. Kind of bran
22. “Fast Five”(2011) star
23. Suggestion
24. Navy commando
25. Mouthful
26. Love, to Livy
31. Take a dip
32. Sinks a short putt
33. Troublemaker
35. Cable choice
36. Woman’s undergarment
37. Less polite
39. “The Martian” (2015) actress Kate
40. Like some restaurant orders
41. Kind of job
42. World view
43. “That means ___!”
44. Blaster’s need
Solution on page 6
Another Great Provider is... Well Within Reach
(‘24) Dakota Fanning.
Civil War (‘24) Kirsten Dunst.
The Bank Job (‘08) Jason Sta tham. < The Kill Team (‘19) Nat Wolff.
Out of
Leagu e (‘10) Jay Baruchel. (P) <+ Big Daddy (‘99) Adam Sandler. <++ The Longest Yard (‘05) Adam Sandler. <++ Just Go With It Adam Sandler.
(‘11)
For the Love of Money
Strangers: Chapter 1
Between
(‘17)Gary Oldman.
The Prince & Me (‘04) Luke Mably, Julia Stiles
The Perfect Score
Morning Glory
(N) PGA Tour Golf World Wide Technology Championship, Fir st Round LPGA Tour Golf Toto Japan Classic, Second Round From Seta Golf Club in Otsu City, Siga, Japan. (L) (N)
(‘14)
Johnstons 7 Little "Little Cheaters " 90 Day Fiancé: Other
Berry
Outlaw
Black (‘23) Anika Noni Rose, Michael Jai White. Power Book IV: Force (N) Power Book
Force (N)
Pandorum
Town (‘10) Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Ben Affleck. To Be Announced
Welcome to Derry
Inception (‘10) Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio. <++ Bullet Train (‘22) Joey King, Brad Pitt. <+++ Chronicle (‘12) Dane DeHaan <+++ Blood Father Mel Gibson.
Movie <++ Valkyrie (‘08) Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Cruise. (P) <+++ Loving (‘16) Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton. <+++ Green Book (‘18) Viggo Mortensen. < Dreamland
"High Treason"
"New Beginnings" < Dirty Angels (‘24) Eva Green. <+ Addicted (‘14)Boris Kodjoe, Sharon Leal. (P) Movie
Dead Don't Hurt
Alone in Berlin (‘16) Emma Thompson. <++ Anthropoid (‘16) Cillian Murphy. <+++ Red Eye Rachel McAdams. < Black Noise (‘23)Alex Pettyfer.
By Kimberly Tremblay TV Media
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX
“Frankenstein” (2025)
A haunting reimagining of the timeless horror classic, “Frankenstein” arrives Friday, Nov. 7, on Netflix, with director-producer Guillermo del Toro’s (“The Shape of Water,” 2017) spine-chilling creation breathing new life into Mary Shelley’s legendary tale. The film follows brilliant but egotistical scientist Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” 2015) as his obsession with conquering death drives him to create a living being from the remains of the dead. But when his experiment succeeds, Victor is horrified by the monstrous results (Jacob Elordi, “Euphoria”), setting in motion a devastating chain of events that entwines the fates of both man and creature. Mia Goth (“Pearl,” 2022), Felix Kammerer (“Eden,” 2024), Charles Dance (“Game of Thrones”) and Christoph Waltz (“Only Murders in the Building”) also star.
“Death By Lightning”
A shocking true story of power, obsession and betrayal strikes in Netflix’s latest drama miniseries. Arriving Thursday, Nov. 6, “Death by Lightning” dramatizes the epic and stranger-than-fiction tale of James Garfield (Michael Shannon, “The Shape of Water,” 2017), the reluctant 20th president of the United States, and his greatest admirer, Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen, “The Three Musketeers,” 2011) — the man who would ultimately assassinate him. With episodes directed by Matt Ross (“American Psycho,” 2000), the miniseries also stars Betty Gilpin (“Isn’t it Romantic,” 2019), Nick Offerman (“The Last of Us”), Bradley Whitford (“The Cabin in the Woods,” 2011) and Shea Whigham (“Wristcutters: A Love Story,” 2006). “Death by Lightening” is created by Mike Makowsky (“Bad Education,” 2019) and is inspired by Candice Mil-
lard’s (“American Express”) novel “Destiny of the Republic.”
WHAT’S NEW ON HBO MAX
“I Love L.A.” - Season 1
A fresh new comedy about chasing dreams and dodging heartbreak lands Sunday, Nov. 2, on HBO Max. “I Love L.A.” follows a tight-knit group of friends as they try to make it big in a city where everyone’s selling something: a script, a selfie or a fake version of themselves. Between awkward hookups, switching careers and the constant need for reinvention, they learn that surviving in this star-studded city means knowing when to fake it and when to finally be real. Rachel Sennott (“Bodies Bodies Bodies,” 2022), Jordan Firstman (“English Teacher”), Josh Hutcherson (“The Hunger Games,” 2012), Odessa A’zion (“Fam”) and True Whitaker (“Godfather of Harlem”) star in this series, capturing the beautiful mess of ambition, friendship and fame in the City of Angels. The new series is written by Emma Barrie (“Barry”),
with Aida Rodgers (“True Detective”) executive producing.
WHAT’S NEW ON MGM+
“Robin Hood” - Season 1
A legendary hero rises to fight for justice in the allnew series “Robin Hood,” premiering Sunday, Nov. 2, on MGM+. Follow the tumultuous journey of Robin Hood (Jack Patten, “NCIS: Sydney”), a Saxon forester’s son-turned-legendary outlaw, as he navigates the corridors of power and leads a daring fight for freedom and justice. As Robin grapples with his inner demons and battles against the Norman elite, the series weaves a rich tapestry of historical accuracy, modern relevance and intricate character dynamics. Lauren McQueen (“Hollyoaks”), Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones”), Lydia Peckham (“Cowboy Bebop”), Steve Waddington (“Slow Horses”), Connie Nielsen (“Gladiator,” 2000), Marcus Fraser (“I Used to Be Famous,” 2022), Angus Castle-Doughty (“Shadow and Bone”) and Erica Ford (“Barbie,” 2023) star. Directed by Jonathan English (“Minotaur,” 2006), “Robin Hood” is written by John Glenn (“Eagle Eye,” 2008), with Nicole Bryant (“Feet of Fire,” 2018) as executive producer.
WHAT’S NEW ON PEACOCK
“Stumble” - Season 1
The high-flying world of junior college cheerleading takes center stage when Season 1 of “Stumble” premieres Saturday, Nov. 8, on Peacock. With glitter, pom-poms and team spirit, “Stumble” is a mockumentary comedy that peeks behind the flawless smiles and synchronized stunts to reveal the absurdly competitive world of cheerleading. The series follows a squad of spirited athletes and their overly invested coaches as they chase perfection — or at least a safe landing — while navigating rivalries, egos and the occasional midair meltdown. Starring Jenn Lyon (“Justified”), Taran Killam (“Saturday Night Live”), Ryan Pinkston (“Will & Grace”), Jarrett Austin Brown (“Smile 2,” 2024), Anissa Borrego (“This Is Us”), Arianna Davis (“Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls”), Taylor Dunbar (“Ravel,” 2025), Georgie Murphy (“Accused”) and Kristin Chenoweth (“Pushing Daisies”), the series is written by Jeff (“Partners”) and Liz Astrof (“The King of Queens”), with real-life cheer coach Monica Aldama (“Cheer”) as an executive producer.
WHAT’S NEW ON HULU
“Love + War” (2025)
From war zones to family ties, bravery is never without sacrifice. Oscar winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (“Meru,” 2015) and Jimmy Chin (“The Rescue,” 2021) follow photographer Lynsey Addario in “Love + War,” premiering Friday, Nov. 7, on Hulu. Addario has risked everything to capture the harsh realities of war, from the Middle East and Afghanistan to Ukraine. This documentary follows Addario’s rise in the male-dominated world of conflict photography. Her work comes with constant danger; she has been kidnapped twice while on assignment, each time paying the personal price of leaving her husband and two sons behind. Behind the camera, Addario is torn between her dedication to journalism and her responsibilities as a mother. “Love + War” is a gripping, intimate portrait of commitment, resilience and the cost of following one’s calling when it threatens everything you love.
Oscar Isaac stars in “Frankenstein”
Rachel Sennott, Jordan Firstman and True Whitaker in “I Love LA”
Kristin Chenoweth and Monica Aldama in “Stumble”
<+++ Looper (‘12) Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis <++ The Scorpion King <+++ Hellboy II: The Golden Army Ron Perlman. <++ Van Helsing (‘04) Hugh Jackman
(L)
Taylor-Joy. IT: Welcome to Derry
First Dates (‘04) Adam Sandler. Real, Bill Maher (N) IT: Welcome to Derry Real, Bill Maher
(‘11)
Smith-Cameron, Jean Reno, Anna Paquin.
Haunted House Marlon Waya
Haunted House
House Party (‘23) Jacob Latimore, Tosin Cole. Movie
Gasoline Alley (‘22) Devon Sawa, Bruce Willis The Guest
The Cut (‘24) Orl ando Bloom. <++ Scream 4 (‘11) Neve Campbell. < Shell
(‘06) Tom Cruise.
the World of John Wick: Ballerina Ana de Armas.
Posse
Van Peebles. <+ The Darkest Hour Emile Hirsch <+ Halloween II Malcolm McDowell.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe < Backcountry (‘14) Jeff Roop, Missy Peregrym.
& Other Drugs (‘10) Jake Gyllenhaal. Movie
Bought a Zoo (‘11) Matt Damon.
Sunshine Cleaning
This Means War (‘12) Reese Wi therspoon. Movie
< Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby <+++ Heat (‘95, Cri) Robert De Niro ,Val Kilmer,Al Pacino. <++++ Saving Private Ryan (‘98) Ed Burns, Tom Sizemore, Tom Hanks.
the World of John Wick: Ballerina To Be Announced
Mission: Impossible III (‘06) Tom Cruise. To Be Announced <++ Flight Risk Mark Wahlberg.
Vanilla Sky (‘01) Tom Cruise.
Nick of Time (‘95) Johnny Depp
48 HRS. (‘82) Nick Nolte
I.S.S. (‘23) Ariana DeBose. <++ Love Me (‘24) Kristen Stewart. Movie
Mysteries Unearthed Mysteries Unearthed
38 108 252 < With This Ring < Terry McMillan Presents: His, Hers & Ours < Terry McMillan Presents: Preach, Pray, Love (P) <++ Just Wright (‘10) Common, Queen Latifah. < Terry McMillan Prese...
160 331 Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang <++ The Heat (‘13) Melissa Mc Carthy, Sandra Bullock. <+ Tammy (‘14) Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Melissa McCarthy. <++ The Heat
31 170 299 < Movie < MovieFriends Friends FriendsFriends FriendsFriends FriendsFriends OXY 123 127 251 Cold "Still of the Night" Cold "Road to Nowhere" Cold "Final Rendezvous" Cold Justice (N) With Barbara Butcher (N) Cold "Life Cut Short" Cold Justice With Barbara Butcher
49 241 241 <++++ The Shawshank Redemption <+++ Top Gun (‘86) Kelly McGillis,Tom Cruise. <+++ Gladiator (2000, History) Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Russell Crowe.
160 122 244 < Harry Potter & the Pr <+++ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (‘05) Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe. <+++ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (‘07) Daniel Radcliffe. Movie
TBS 29 139 247 Movie <+++ Remember the Titans (‘00) Denzel Washington. <++ The Replac ements (‘00) Gene Hackman, Keanu Reeves. <++ Major League (‘89) Tom Berenger. Movie
TCM 501 132 256 <++++ The Wizard of Oz (‘39) Judy Garland. The Power of Film <+++ Imitation of Life (‘59) Lana Turner. <+++ The Learning Tree (‘69) Kyle Johnson. <+++ Blind Spot
TLN 71 - - Pathway to Big Deal Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Liberty/Convoc ationExalted Pacific Garden Mission In GraceMarriageTV4dads Hablemos Gran GozoRealidades Pure Passi
TNT 52 138 245 TBA <++ Black Adam (‘22) Aldis Hodge, Dwayne Johnson. All Elite Wrestling: Collision (N) <+++ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (‘17) Zoe Saldana,Chris Pratt.
TOON 32 176 296 King/Hill King/Hill Burgers Burgers Burgers Burgers Burgers Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Rick Morty Rick Morty To Be Announced
TRUTV 65 242 246 <++ Blue Beetle (‘23) Xolo Maridueña. <++ Aquaman (2018, Action) Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Jason Momoa. <+++ The Suicide Squad (‘21) Idris Elba, Margot Robbie. Movie TVLND 30 106 304 Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two MenTwo MenRaymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld USA 51 105 242 < Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stran <+++ Ant-Man and The Wasp (‘18)Paul Rudd. (P) <++ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (‘23) Paul Rudd. (P) <++ Retribution
VH1 61 162 335 Wild 'n Out Wild 'n Out <++ Passenger 57 (‘92) Wesley Sni pes. <++++ The Shining (‘80) Shelley Duvall, Jack Nicholson. <++ Passenger 57 (‘92) Wesley Sni pes. Wild 'n Out WE 502 128 260 NCIS "Shell Shock, Part I" NCIS "Shell Shock, Part II" NCIS "Gone" NCIS "Devil's Trifecta" NCIS NCIS "Shabbat Shalom" NCIS "Shiva" NCIS "Hit and Run"
STZEN 517 340 535 <++ Pompeii <++ 2012 (2009, Action) Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, John Cusack. <+++ King Kong (2005, Adventure) Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Naomi Watts. < 40 Year-Old Virgin
300 501 <+++ Sorry, Baby <++ Monster-in-Law (‘05) Jennifer Lopez. To Be Announced Programming to be announced. I Love LA <++ Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
562 310 515 <++ Fist Fight <++ Jason Bourne (‘16) Matt Damon. < Abraham Lincol n: Vampire Hunter <++ The Watchers (‘24) Dakota Fanning. <++
<+++ The Usual
(‘95) Stephen Baldwin. <++++ The
Al
<++++
To Be Announced <+ Shadow Force (‘25) Omar Sy, Kerry Washington. TBA <+++ From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Ana de Armas. To Be Announced <++ Notorious
<+++ Swingers (‘96) Jon Favreau. <+ Joe Dirt (‘01) David Spade. <++ Allied (‘16) Marion Cotillard, Brad Pitt. <+++ Zodiac
ez,
Toluca, Estado
México, México. (L) (N)
Mexicano Primera
vs. Pumas UNAM (L) (N)
Noticiero Univisión (N)
News at 10pm (N)
Rookie "Trouble in Paradise"
Assassin's Creed
Suspects
Godfather (‘72, Cri)
Pacino, James Caan, Marlon Brando.
The Godfather, Part II (‘74) Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Al Pacino.
(‘07) Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal. Movie
By Adam Thomlison TV Media
Q: In the past year I’ve noticed that background noise and music is drowning out people talking on TV. It has become so bad, it is impossible to understand what the announcer or actors are saying. (My hearing was just tested a month ago, and it is just fine). What is going on?
A: There are a number of things conspiring to make dialogue less understandable these days — for everyone.
The two biggest factors are both the result of supposed technological advancements: bigger, flatter TVs that sacrifice sound and better soundrecording technology that crowds out dialogue as it crowds in music and sound effects.
Modern, flat-screen TVs generally have to put their speakers on the back instead of the front or even the bottom. The result is the sound having to bounce off something before it reaches your ears, and becoming distorted en route.
But the problem starts before the show ever gets to your TV. Better microphones mean that actors can mumble and whisper through their lines in ways that used to be impossible, according to Oscar-winning audio engineer Tom Fleischman (he won his statue for mixing the 2011 film “Hugo”).
Meanwhile, the advent of digital sound recording, instead of recording on tape, means that filmmakers can include more different sources of audio at the same time.
“Suddenly we were able to run 200 tracks at once,” he said in an interview with CBS News last
year. “A lot of layering, a lot of sound effects, a lot of music. It makes it harder to get the dialogue to read through it.”
It’s all very frustrating, but the fact that you’re not alone means there’s plenty of advice out there for fixing it.
Tech website CNET.com suggests checking your TV’s sound settings (look for sound presets like “dialogue,” “news” or “speech boost” or else just try to reduce the bass and increase the treble) and/or investing in an external speaker.
Q: I was sorry to hear that “The Franchise” got canceled. What is the actor who played Daniel, the put-upon assistant director, doing now?
A: While the cancelation of the HBO Max comedy “The Franchise” was probably a disappointment, Himesh Patel (“Don’t Look Up,” 2021) might have been at least a little glad to have some free time again.
He’s been in demand since his breakout role in the lead of the 2019 rom-com “Yesterday.”
For example, “The Franchise,” whose eight episodes all aired in 2024, was just one of three things he appeared in that year.
He starred in the indie crime comedy “Greedy People” and the German-made psychological sci-fi drama “The Assessment,” both in 2024.
Earlier this year, he appeared in the dystopian comedy “Bubble & Squeak,” which got good reviews when it debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.
He’s only increased that impressive pace, as three of his films are now in post-production.
Most notably, he has a spot in the star-studded cast of “The Odyssey,” the new adaptation of the classical Greek epic due out next year. It’s not yet known who he’s playing, but he’ll be doing it opposite Matt Damon (“The Departed,” 2006) as the Greek hero Odysseus.
Patel also has a voice role in the animated adventure “High in the Clouds,” due out in 2027. Plus, he will reprise his role as Dr. Watson in “Enola Holmes 3,” which currently has no release date set.
Q: Is there any chance Joel McHale will bring back “The Soup”?
A: Joel McHale (“Community”) said he’d happily do more episodes of E!’s slightly catty entertainment-recap show “The Soup,” which he hosted from 2004 to 2015. But he doesn’t think it’s likely.
During a panel at the ATX TV festival in the spring celebrating the renewal of his current sit-
com, “Animal Control,” McHale said that though he loved “The Soup,” he doesn’t think it would work today.
“YouTube is so instantaneous,” he said, that fans can put up reaction videos on social media sites like YouTube in a matter of minutes. A recap show like “The Soup,” which takes at least a few days to put together, would never be current enough.
But there’s also the small matter of McHale’s very full schedule. (“He doesn’t turn anything down,” quipped his “Animal Control” co-star Ravi Patel.)
On top of his “Animal Control” duties, he’s also hosting the Prime Video game show “The 1% Club.”
He appeared in the big-screen indie comedy “California King” earlier this year, and last year, he was in the fantasy comedy “Tim Travers & the Time Traveler’s Paradox.”
And, of course, fans are closely following news about the “Community” movie, a long-promised feature-length follow-up to the beloved 2010s NBC sitcom. That one is in pre-production, which is where it’s been since 2023.
Everyone (McHale included) seems to agree that the problem is scheduling. The whole cast has become more in demand since, so getting them all together to film will be a tricky feat.
