TV Bits: ‘Family Guy’, ‘Sabrina’ ‘Camping’, ‘The Sinner’, ‘Valley Of The Boom’, ‘Elvis Presley: The Searcher’
In this edition of TV bits:
I’ll be honest: I didn’t even knowFamily Guywas still on the air. But it is! And the show will be airing a limited commercial episode. The episode will feature a guest voice appearance bySir Ian McKellen, who plays the therapist of Stewie, the talking murder-baby everyone seems to love. You can watch a clip of the episode above. Here’s the plot synopsis:
Stewie (Seth MacFarlane) gets sent to see his school’s child psychologist, Dr. Cecil Pritchfield (guest voice Sir Ian McKellen), for a surprising session, which causes Stewie to reveal major, never-before-told secrets about himself in the all-new “Send in Stewie, Please” limited commercial episode of FAMILY GUY airingSunday, March 18(9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT)on FOX.
Ross Lynch, who turned in a chilling performance inMy Friend Dahmer, has joined the cast of Netflix’sSabrina the Teenage Witch. The series is a dark, horror-based update of the popular character fromArchiecomics.Sabrinawas originally intended to air on the CW as aRiverdalespin-off, but plans changed when Netflix showed interest. Lynch will play Harvey Kinkle, boyfriend of Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka). Variety says Lynch’s character is described as “the son of a coal miner, a dreamboat and a dreamer, completely unaware of the dark forces conspiring to keep him and Sabrina apart.“Lena Dunhamhas a new show coming to HBO, and now the show has a new cast member.VarietyreportsDoctor WhoandJessica JonesstarDavid Tennanthas joined the cast of Dunham’sCamping. Tennant will play Walt, an “obedient” husband and loving father, who is also the “reliable linchpin” of his male social group. However, there is also a “subtle but growing discontent about what he’s just signed up for” lurking within him.“Campingalso starsJennifer Garner as a “controlling mother.”
I’ve yet to watch USA’s seriesThe Sinner, but I’ve heard good things. Apparently, that good buzz was accurate, because USA has just given the go-ahead to a second season. The first season featuredJessica Bielas a young mother “overcome by an inexplicable fit of rage that leads her to commit a startling — and very public — act of violence, with no explanation as to why she did it.“Bill Pullmanalso played Detective Harry Ambrose, the cop investigating Biel.
The second season will focus specifically on Pullman’s character returning to his hometown in upstate New York, where he investigates the murder of an 11-year-old boy. “The Sinnerwas a huge success for USA Network,” said Chris McCumber, president of entertainment networks for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment (viaEW). “In our second season, we’ll follow Detective Ambrose as he tracks his newest ‘why-dunnit,’ while staying true to the unique, edge-of-your-seat storytelling that captivated audiences and critics alike.”
National Geographic has a new show in the works: a six-part limited series calledValley of the Boom.Valley of the Boomwill focus on Silicon Valley and the ’90s tech bubble. The show has lined-up an impressive cast, includingGet Out’sBradley Whitford,War of the Planet of the Apes’Steve ZahnandNew Girl’sLamorne Morris. PerVariety, “the series will follow the part-scripted, part-documentary template set last year by Nat Geo’s ambitious drama seriesMars, which is now in production on its second season.”
“Valley of the Boomtells the surprising, provocative and inspiring stories of Silicon Valley’s early pioneers,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive VP of global scripted development for National Geographic (viaComingSoon). “[Showrunner] Matthew [Carnahan] and his team have figured out an organic and dynamic way to interweave interviews with real-life Silicon Valley icons to amplify and enhance the authenticity and unpredictability of this fascinating true story.”
Elvis Presley: The Searcheris an upcoming three-hour, two-film presentation documentary about the King of Rock and Roll. The doc follows Elvis' “creative journey from childhood through the final 1976 Jungle Room recording sessions.” Interview subjects includePriscilla Presley, Elvis' ex-wife; his guitarist,Scotty Moore; childhood friendRed West; historiansBill Ferris,Bill MaloneandPortia Maultsby; writersAlan Light,Preston Lauterbach,Nik CohnandWarren Zanes; music executivesJohn Jackson,David Porter,Ernst JorgensenandBones Howe; and musiciansTom Petty,Bruce Springsteen,Emmylou HarrisandRobbie Robertson.
I personally don’t know a whole lot about Elvis' life, beyond the basics that seemingly everyone picks up via osmosis. This project sounds interesting enough that I might give it a watch.Elvis Presley: The Searcherdebuts Saturday,April 14at 8pm ET on HBO.
