Valerie Bertinelli is not about to become a crime victim … because she’s got an eagle eye on would-be burglars who are hitting her neighborhood and gave them a big surprise.
The actress/Food Network host lives in an area of L.A. where there have been a string of burglaries, including the house next door to hers.
Well, in the wee hours of Wednesday, 2 guys — maybe the culprits in the neighborhood — approached her door at separate times and started scoping out her home. One of the guys was carrying a backpack and several bags. He walks near the camera and apparently spots it, because he beats a hasty retreat. Mission accomplished!!!
The 62-year-old said, “I think he stops because he sees my camera lit up. The other one came an hour before him.”
She called the cops, who apparently are still on the hunt for these guys, and is doubling down on precautions … “I’m installing more motion detector lights and thinking of putting barbed wire on my front fence. And of course my alarm gets set every night.”
It seems to happen to every TV hospital sooner or later.
Some rich person who has no idea how medicine is supposed to work buys a controlling interest in the hospital, leading to chaos and poor patient outcomes.
While the other takeovers came more or less out of nowhere, Chicago Med has carefully laid the groundwork for whatever Jack Dayton is going to do.
Dayton has done favors for the hospital to show his appreciation for Marcel saving his life and that of one of his employees. He financed the OR 2.0. And now he’s bought a controlling interest in the hospital.
While Dayton is a tech guru, not a doctor, he doesn’t seem to have negative intentions or be focused on cutting costs. So far, he genuinely wants to help patients — but he wants the hospital to use his technology to do it.
If there is going to be a conflict between Dayton and the doctors, it’ll be over whether or not to use his tech.
This started before Dayton purchased a controlling interest in the hospital; Marcel was reluctant to use the OR 2.0 without further training, but Dayton insisted and gave him a doctor familiar with the AI platform to assist.
Dayton and Marcel’s friendship is likely to fray over time; Marcel isn’t entirely comfortable with the OR 2.0 technology and didn’t like that the AI had to be overridden when it made an overly cautious suggestion about his suture technique.
According to spoilers, Marcel will again debate whether to use the OR 2.0 tech with another patient on Chicago Med Season 8 Episode 10. This will likely put him squarely in conflict with Dayton and his vision for the hospital.
Sharon will continue to administrate; that hasn’t changed. Doctors have always brought their debates over treatment protocols to her, but now Dayton’s opinions of technological solutions will be part of the equation.
This could be a more compelling story than the typical corporate baddie vs. caring doctor trope that often accompanies hospital takeover stories.
Meanwhile, Asher and Will both will have strong stories during the midseason premiere. Will has to help a swimmer with a heart condition while Asher and Lieu search for a lost patient in the woods.
Chicago Med likes to take the doctors out of the hospital to perform emergency medicine elsewhere; that’s how Marcel met Dayton in the first place.
Hopefully, Asher and Lieu will find their missing patient and transport her to the hospital for further treatment, as opposed to treating her using twigs and duct tape in the woods.
The patient is pregnant and could also go into labor during this misadventure, which could complicate things. And we don’t know yet why she ended up in the woods. Did she get lost during a hike? Was she running away? Does she have a mental health issue? Anything is possible here.
This story will also give viewers — and Asher — the opportunity to get to know Lieu. He’s the newest staff member, so this is a welcome development. But could the showrunners also be chem testing him with Asher?
So far, Will and Asher seem to be endgame, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to get there any time soon.
Hopefully, if there ends up being a triangle, it’ll be less obnoxious than Will and Marcel’s rivalry over Natalie (and not involve any boyfriends who are living double lives.).
Since Will’s story involves a swimmer with a heart condition, she likely won’t be able to swim anymore unless Will finds an unorthodox solution. With Marcell reluctant to use the OR 2.0, could Will again turn to him?
Depending on the patient’s condition, traditional surgery may not be an option; conversely, she could require a heart transplant and ordinarily not be eligible for some reason that Dayton thinks OR 2.0 can overcome.
Dr. Charles probably will have the most moving story again.
This time, he’s slated to help an elderly patient and her developmentally disabled grandson.
The patient might be suffering from dementia or some other type of cognitive decline; she might also be aware of her mortality and concerned about how to provide for her grandson after her death.
Charles had already helped another older patient, discovering that his symptoms were caused by something else. It seems like he’s regularly treating more seniors with memory or cognition issues; could this be a new direction for his career?
Cuevas will again assist Charles. Usually, they butt heads over patient care, so it’ll be interesting to find out what they disagree about this time.
Chicago Med has a big hole to fill after Choi’s departure; will these new stories help make up for the loss of this character?
Hit the big blue SHOW COMMENTS button, and let us know what you think.
And if you’d like to catch up before the midseason premiere, don’t forget you can watch Chicago Med online.
Chicago Med airs on Wednesdays at 8 PM EST / PST. The midseason premiere airs on January 4, 2023.
Jack Ori is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. His debut young adult novel, Reinventing Hannah, is available on Amazon. Follow him on Twitter.
Ruggero Deodato, the Italian filmmaker whose hyper-realistic found-footage horror pic Cannibal Holocaust got him arrested and was banned in more than 50 countries, died today, Italian media reported. He was 83. No details of his death were given.
Deodato wrote and/or directed dozens of films and TV shows spanning myriad genres during a 60-year career, but none was more notorious, controversial or scrutinized than 1980’s Cannibal Holocaust. The film’s intense and authentic-looking gore led many to believe that local actors actually were murdered on screen. The film was seized by Italian authorities, who later arrested Deodato and put him on trial for murder and animal cruelty.
Cannibal Holocaust was a pioneer of the found footage and mockumentary genres. Its plot can be summed up in the intro to its trailer: “In 1979, four documentary filmmakers disappeared in the jungles of South America while shooting a film about cannibalism. Six months later, their footage was found.” The discovery was made by a New York University professor who was on a rescue mission to the Amazon rainforest.
The footage contained scenes of intense violence including horrific torture. The home video of Cannibal Holocaust effective was banned in the UK in 1984 but reissued 17 years later with some scenes cut. A 2011 video release restored all but 15 seconds, which depicted an animal’s brutal killing.
The murder charges were dropped after the supposedly deceased — and ingested — actors turned up in court, but he was convicted of animal cruelty. That verdict later was overturned.
Born on May 7, 1939, in Potenza, Deodato was a childhood friend of Robert Rossellini’s son and began serving as an AD on the famed Italian filmmaker’s movies in the late 1950s. He continued to work on local films — comedies, dramas, spaghetti westerns, including Django (1966) — before helming his first movie, 1968’s Fenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankamen, which he also wrote.
He continued to write and/or director Italian films and TV shows through the 1970s and ’80s, often appearing onscreen in uncredited cameos. his post-Cannibal Holocaust pics included Body Count (1986), The Barbarians (1987) and Dial Help (1988), which he also co-wrote.
Deodato also helmed a pair of Italian TV shows in 1989 before directing the popular local miniseries I ragazzi del muretto (The Boys of the Wall) in 1993. He went on to direct episodes of series including We Are Angels, Thinking About Africa, Padre Speranza and Incantesmo 8.
His final credit came with a segment of Deathcember, a 24-segment horror anthology movie that looked at the darker side of the holiday season.
Tyler Sanders, a teenage actor with roles in big shows like “9-1-1: Lone Star” and “Fear the Walking Dead,” died from the effects of fentanyl … according to his autopsy report.
According to the report, obtained by TMZ, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner also notes the 18-year-old’s death was accidental.
As we first reported … Tyler was found deadJune 16 in his Los Angeles home. Sources connected to the death investigation told us he had a history of drug use and police found a plastic straw and white powder in the room where he died.
In the autopsy report, the ME says Tyler told a friend in text messages the night before his death he was using fentanyl. The report says Tyler did not answer phone calls from the friend after sending the text about fentanyl.
What’s more, the coroner says Tyler had no known medical problems but had a history of drug abuse … including heroin, cocaine, LSD, mushrooms and Xanax.
The report also says Tyler was found unresponsive in bed in the home where he lived alone … and apparent illicit drugs were found in the bathroom.
Teamwork makes the dream work, even when it’s just two people, but sometimes that’s the key.
There were many iconic pairs on TV in 2022; whether it’d be hunting a monster or trying to save someone in the operating room, there were many dynamic duos.
It may be the end of the year, but there is a lot more to come with these great pairs.
These TV dynamic duos caught the hearts of TV Fanatic writers for 2022!
John Winchester and Mary Campbell (The Winchesters)
John and Mary’s relationship is inevitable, as fans of Supernatural know, but their story on The Winchesters is much bigger.
They are the definition of “opposites attract,” as Mary is a hunter and John is a soldier, but it’s why they work so well together.
Even though they’ve known each other for a short time, they still open up to each other like never before while also kicking monster butt.
Drake Rodger and Meg Donnelly’s portrayal of two already established characters bring them to life in different ways, and with how The Winchesters Season 1 Episode 7 ended, there are many stories left to tell.
Conrad Hawkins and Austin “AJ” Raptor (The Resident)
They have essentially become the lovable bad boys of Chastain, and the only thing better than the two as individuals is how dynamic they are when they’re together.
Whether it’s their collaborative efforts and their impressive workout routine together or how they each dole out the best advice to the other and serve as respecting shoulders to lean on during the most challenging moments life has to offer, the ConRaptor dynamic is effortlessly one of the greatest platonic duos of the series.
Their friendship/partnership has truly evolved over the years, and Matt Czuchry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner have such an easy and fun chemistry that their scenes together are just what the doctor ordered.
Despite cast shake-ups and new faces, it’s comforting to know that the series still has touchstone dynamics that never miss.
Beau Arlen and Jenny Hoyt (Big Sky: Deadly Trails)
Jensen Ackles’ addition to the new and improved Big Sky Season 3 has been very well-received by the audience, as has his partnerships with various characters.
The show has allowed Beau to branch out beyond sheriff work and step into the fray with Cassie or trade recipes with Denise, all while keeping his partnership with Jenny a central part of the first half of the season.
There have been hints of romance brewing between the pair, but above all else, Beau and Jenny have a relationship that is rooted in a profound respect for one another.
They work seamlessly together, and you would think they’d been partners for years with how in sync they are at times. While it’s easy to miss the OG team of Cassie and Jenny, there’s something refreshing about Beau and Jenny and the way they’ve embraced their dynamic.
Jared Vasquez and Michaela Stone (Manifest)
Jared and Michaela haven’t always had the best relationship after Michaela came back after over five years, but their friendship on Manifest Season 4 is just like the old days.
Working cases just like they used to while also coming together to help with Callings, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Despite some bumps in the road, as what comes with being an 828er and being connected to an 828er, they still make their personal and professional relationship work.
Although the two still clearly have feelings for one another, they will always care for one another no matter what happens.
Jen Harding and Judy Hale (Dead to Me)
Jen and Judy were friends to the bitter end, and their biggest nemesis was death itself.
None of the crazy, wackadoodle situations they got themselves into stood a chance of tearing them apart.
Just Judy’s hand in Jen’s husband’s death brought them together; Judy’s death from cancer tore them apart.
Jen’s greatest fear was losing another loved one to cancer, but the strength she found through her friendship with Judy gave her the grace she needed to say goodbye and help Judy go out on her own terms.
Lucas Hayes and Scott Israni (La Brea)
Lucas and Scott initially had an agnostic frenemy vibe to their relationship in La Brea Season 1, but during La Brea Season 2, they became like brothers as they supported each other through some emotional hurdles.
Watching those two bond on their adventures, whether it was Scott facing his fears that he could help others or Lucas realizing that he mattered to others, was entertaining.
Lucas and Scott showed each other tough love, but neither would ever let the other die from enemies or a vicious disease.
Scott valued their friendship so much that he made a deal with the “devil” to save Lucas.
T.C. Calvin and Rick Wright (Magnum P.I.)
Magnum’s former SEAL buddies continue to bail out Thomas on a regular basis.
Their connections certainly aid Magnum and Higgins in their P.I. business; the bantering between Rick and T.C. and with Magnum is one of the show’s highlights.
Their evolving personal lives add depth to the show, as both became fathers last season.
It will be intriguing to see what direction this group friendship takes after the move from CBS to NBC.
Ed Mercer and Kelly Grayson (The Orville: New Horizons)
They were once married, and the show has tried to pair them up repeatedly, but — Avis Be Praised! — it seems like the writers have finally realized they are best when working together as Captain and Commander.
Perhaps it’s because they were married once that they understand each other as well as they do. Kelly’s there to steady the ship and provide the muscle as Ed gets carried away by his enthusiasm to meet every experience head-on.
Ed’s there to lend a voice of authority when Kelly finds herself being worshiped as a goddess.
Although The Orville: New Horizons Season 3 Episode 10 left the status of their relationship ambiguous once again — weddings do weird things to people — in an ideal world, they’ll continue to lead together for a few more tours until Ed moves off to a Planetary Union desk job leaving command of The Orville to Kelly.
Bobby Nash and Athena Grant Nash (9-1-1)
By now, everyone considers Bobby and Athena their parents, and it’s not hard to figure out why.
They are incredible separately and even more incredible together, whether it’s solving a decades-long case or having a family dinner.
Bobby and Athena are the epitomai of perfect, and their dynamic as husband and wife has only made them stronger.
It’s no wonder they were quick to get together, and despite some bumps in the road, they are better together and have proven time and time again that nothing can get in their way.
Midge Maisel and Susie Myerson (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Midge and Susie have one of those friendships that can handle the hard stuff.
Though Midge was occasionally selfish, she owned up to her mistakes, and Susie branched out and realized her potential as an agent of multiple clients.
Things got a bit heated and awkward when Midge tried to insert herself into Susie’s personal life, and their relationship at the end of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4 Episode 8 looks shaky at best. Susie has always been supportive of Midge, but Midge is still too stubborn to admit how much she owes Susie.
Regardless, their relationship has always been a huge part of the show’s appeal — their banter alone is some of the sharpest comedy writing on television. No matter how different they are or where their paths take them, Midge and Susie will always care deeply about each other.
Maximo Gallardo Ramos and Sara Gallardo Ramos (Acapulco)
Acapulco is such a warm and fuzzy show because the characters are so endearing and so openly loving. Even villainous pool boy Hector will embrace his rivals after a night of drinking.
Yes, Maximo is a typical late adolescent guided by his hormones for Julia, but he also has such a deep love towards his mother, sister, best friend, and mentor (not to mention his eventual stepfather) that imbues so much of the show’s tone.
In particular, Sara and Maximo have the chemistry of both best friends and relatives who will be together through thick and thin.
Over the course of two seasons, they’ve helped set their mother up, acted as a great tag team to get their mother’s eye surgery, and weathered several crises together. Their banter in the present-day story framing shows they still have it through adulthood.
Elena Flores and Matthew “Matt” Garza (The Rookie: Feds)
The cast of The Rookie: Feds is one of the best.
Elena and Garza, however, steal the show. Every one of their interactions is comedic gold.
Elena takes every chance to roast her uncle, but there is a lot of love for him in her.
She is beside herself when he is in trouble and works overtime to get him home. Garza loves Elena because she keeps him grounded, as he can get lost in work.
Shea Brennan and Thomas (1883)
Shea and Thomas have a once-in-a-lifetime friendship formed during a time of war.
In its wake, they are family, lifting each other up and standing firmly at each other’s side no matter what.
Part of their allure comes from their portrayers, Sam Elliott and LaMonica Garrett, who infuse each initially gruff character with unexpected warmth and compassion.
Shea and Thomas can do anything together, but the precarious nature of a veteran’s existence meant they eventually had to learn to stand on their own, too.
Melissa Schemmenti and Barbara Howard (Abbott Elementary)
The work wives are often the highlight of every installment.
Melissa and Barbara seem like total opposites, but that’s often why they complement each other so well.
As the veteran teachers out of the crew, they have Abbott Elementary and all the inner workings of it under their thumb while still being open to learning new things.
They’re the ultimate comedic duo in a series that’s already far too hilarious and real, and they’re scene-stealers too.
Lindsay “Linbaba” Ford and Prabaker “Prabhu” Kharre (Shantaram)
In this underrated epic through the underworld of 1980s Bombay, Australian ex-convict Lin encounters street hustler Prabhu and somehow sees through him as a worthy soul.
The first sign that Lin is genuinely interested in having more than a transactional relationship with Prabhu is when he trades him a pair of cheap sunglasses for one of greater value.
Prabhu reciprocates this exercise of trust by informing his business partner that he’s making a bad deal. It’s a clever scene and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. As the action moves to Prabhu’s shantytown, Lin and Prabhu work to save and better the lives of the poor while navigating a maze of underworld peril.
Any story that features a White character and person of color forming a friendship often gets unfairly tagged with a “white savior” criticism. Still, with nuance like this, the value of TV friendships like this one is priceless.
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So TV Fanatics, what do you think of our list of Dynamic Duos of 2022?
Was your favorite included?
If not, share your thoughts on who’s on your list!
Megan Behnke is a staff writer for TV Fanatic, who you can follow on Twitter.
Today would have been Marvel Comics leader Stan Lee’s 100th birthday. To celebrate, Disney+ has announced that an original documentary on the man will arrive at some time in 2023.
Lee died at age 95 in 2018. He was the cocreator of Spider-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men, the Hulk and the Fantastic Four, among many others, and his cameos in the blockbuster Marvel films based on those characters are eagerly awaited by fans.
As a writer and editor for Marvel Comics, Lee became the most famous comic book creator in the history of the medium — he was the only creator in the field whose fame rivaled that of the characters he created. His career began in 1941 when — at age 17 — he got his first published work, a prose story that appeared in the fifth issue of Captain America Comics. It was the 1960s, however, when Lee minted his reputation and tapped into a vein of pop-culture creativity that made history.
Actor Daren Kagasoff‘s ex-girlfriend has dismissed the temporary restraining order against him … and he sees this as a huge win — especially after she claimed he threatened to leak nude pictures of her, amongst other things.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Breanna Trupiano filed a request for dismissal in Los Angeles court last week … although a reason for wanting to drop the TRO isn’t given.
The “Devotion” star’s obviously thrilled about the news … because he tells TMZ, through his attorney, Tiffany Feder, “I was advised by my attorney to not make any statements and let the legal system run its course. However, I was accused of things that are totally untrue.”
Daren tells us the restraining order disappeared as quickly as it surfaced — and says he’s going to go after whoever’s responsible for the alleged false claims … adding “No one should ever have to go through this.”
He also says, “We inhabit a world in which everything can be traced back to the sender. And thanks to a dedicated legal team for being so vigorous in uncovering the truth.”
Unclear what exactly he’s referring to — but as we reported, Breanna claimed Daren used burner numbers to send naked pictures of her to her parents … and also allegedly threatened to upload them online.
It’s the stories each character brings to the table which can be the difference between a show’s success or its failure.
We believe that the best new characters of 2022, found below, have kicked the entertainment quotient of their respective shows up a notch.
Do you agree?
Let’s get this party started!
Dwight Manfredi – Tulsa King (Paramount+)
Of course, Sylvester Stallone would rock his first regular TV series role, and of course, it would come courtesy of Taylor Sheridan.
Dwight Manfredi is a made man on the mend, released from prison after 25 years — years he refused to snitch even if it meant his release.
Dwight lost everything, but he spent his time in prison gaining wisdom and intelligence, which helped him start fresh, building a new criminal underworld in dusty Tulsa, Oklahoma.
His charm wins unexpected friends and influences people from guys on the street to troubled ATF agents, and his humor and compassion (it’s true) keep them around, viewers included.
Claudia – Interview with the Vampire (AMC)
Claudia doesn’t show up until midway through the stunning vampire series’ first season, but she makes her presence known immediately.
Bailey Bass is a revelation as the teenage vampire who must quickly learn to adapt to her new reality under the tutelage of two vampires who can never see eye-to-eye.
Claudia becomes a vital piece of this first season as she grows and accumulates knowledge with each passing year. And it’s knowledge she uses to upend the wayward power dynamics of her household.
Louis and Lestat are never the same after Claudia’s arrival, and the series is all the better for having her.
Bertha Russell – The Gilded Age (HBO)
We’ve never met anyone quite like Mrs. Russell! Bertha is a new kind of heroine, a nouveau-riche lady-about-town, ruthless in her ambition to be adored and accepted by New York society.
Mrs. Russell is always put together in gowns and outfits as bold and gorgeous as she is. Carrie Coon gets her showiest role to date and attacks it with pomp, elegance, and just the right mix of confidence and vulnerability.
She’s a mother and wife who wants the world for her family — and she won’t let anyone stand in her way.
Meldof – The Witcher: Blood Origin (Netflix)
It would be easy for a lone dwarf to get lost in a fellowship of outcast elves, all with an ax to grind with the powers that be, but Meldof does anything but blend in.
She proudly wields her beautiful axe, Gwen, named for the partner murdered by elven soldiers and avenged by the namesake. Having fulfilled that mission, she holds no grudge against the rest of elvenkind despite the baseline animosity that exists between the people.
She is brave and bright, and hospitable to a high standard. She stands with her chosen company and finishes the job with finesse. Her love for Gwen steers her true as she listens to the voice she imbued in her hammer in the forging. Their conversations are both endearing and insightful.
Meldof is a scene-stealer and would be a wonderful addition to the core Witcher series; however that might happen. She and Jaskier would be amazing together.
Bob’s Mom, Lily – Bob’s Burgers (FOX)
While the show often brings in Linda’s parents, Bob’s mom passed away before the series started, so we only get to see his dad. They never even provided much of a backstory into Bob’s mom.
While not a new character in the traditional sense, Bob’s Burgers managed to make Lily Belcher important with beautiful storylines that brought the whole family closer to their ancestors.
Starting in The Bob’s Burgers Movie earlier this year, we learn that Lily Belcher’s legacy and influence have been with us from the start: Louise’s ears are similar to a hat Lily would wear.
Add that to the beautiful, heartbreaking episode where Bob and the family try to find Lily’s grave at the cemetery, we get some powerful scenes that show off the show’s true emotional depth.
Barbara – Welcome to Flatch (Fox)
Whether hated or loved by her fellow citizens, Barb certainly shakes things up when she moves back to town.
The bright-eyed realtor returns back from Florida with dreams of rebuilding her life and transforming the town. She quickly revives her rivalry with Mandy, infringes on Cheryl’s personal space, and sends Shrub’s life through whirlwinds of passion and chaos.
Over the course of one season, she evicts Shrub, takes him on as a lover, transforms his personal style, evicts him again, and ultimately gives him housing as part of a political deal. Midseason additions should enter with a bang, and Barb certainly qualifies.
Clara – Yellowstone (Paramount Network)
Across the Taylor Sheridan Universe, even the most supporting of cast members are written with care and perfectly cast.
When John Dutton became Governor of Montana, he inherited a bunch of useless bureaucrats, but he also inherited Clara, his new assistant and right-hand woman.
She knows the ins and outs of the capital and is a business whiz and a calendar-maintaining wonder, but she’s also a helluva horsewoman with a sharp tongue, all of which makes Clara an absolute delight and a welcome addition to Yellowstone Season 5.
Eddie – Stranger Things (Netflix)
Not a single fan of Stranger Things thought that Eddie would last. He was too good to be true. He was the cool guy with a heart of gold, hoping to prove to the world he was as good as we knew he would be.
Like all the best people in our lives, Eddie got along with everyone, or at least he was capable of it. But it was his love for the underdogs that really grabbed our hearts, and it was his heroic last act that brought tears to our eyes and had us shaking our fists at the sky.
Why, Stranger Things, why???
Jinx – Titans (HBO Max)
Lisa Amblavanar delivered a complete 180 from the Teen Titans iteration of Jinx, and it was a breath of fresh air.
Armed with a quick wit and a natural gravitation towards magic, Jinx helped the team in many respects.
Hopefully, she cheats death and returns for the back half of Titans Season 4.
Aunt Abby, Central Park – (Apple+)
It was heartbreaking to see Kristen Bell leave the talented voice cast of Central Park after the first season. The show wisely added her back for Season 3 as Paige’s sister.
Abby is an aspiring actor, and nearly everything about her circumstances is laced with hilarity and truth.
Her apartment situation is particularly worthy of many a visual gag: She shares a room with an old Jewish couple and a hipster DJ that’s no bigger than a food cart.
Her narrative as a plucky out-of-towner determined to make it in the big city recalls many a screen ingenue, from Ruby Keillor to Natalie Wood to Barbra Streisand, which lends a great counterbalance to the more settled Tillerman family.
Valentina – White Lotus (HBO)
Valentina’s unique brand of snappiness towards any of her employees that’s on the wrong side of the mood was one of the most memorable things about the show’s second season.
But she’s mastered the art of the reluctant smile when a guest pulls one over her. In other words, she’s a whiz at customer service even while not liking the people around her. How is that not fascinating?
Of course, Valentina has a lot of layers to her and an aura of mystery. As the second season goes on, it’s revealed that Valentine is closeted and has a crush on her employee. Her sexual awakening is a wayward ride and a very interesting one.
Dante Torres – Chicago PD (NBC)
The unit was long overdue for some fresh blood, and it and we got what we needed with signature white tee-wearing, tatted-up, silent, savvy, and badass rookie Dante Torres.
He’s an unorthodox addition to the squad while simultaneously being precisely the type of presence it desperately needed, and he’s hit the ground running, stealing scenes and bringing his own grit, flavor, and experience to the squad.
Torres is an excellent bridge between law enforcement and the disenfranchised communities they must serve and protect. His familiarity with both sides of the law has given the unit a greater edge and undoubtedly makes things more interesting.
The Interns: Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
Many wondered how Grey’s Anatomy could revamp itself for its 19th season, especially with the news that Mer would have a diminished role.
The solution was a new batch of interns the series is actually devoting time to, recapturing some of the magic of, well, the original intern group, M.A.G.I.C. Grey’s Anatomy feels like itself again.
It’s mainly because of their bold move to focus on a new slate of lovable, diverse, and interesting characters with compelling backgrounds as a class full of misfit toys.
And they’re also bringing new friendships, new ships, and special connections, like Lucas Adams (Shepherd). In such a short period, it already feels like we’ve had them forever, and we want to keep them!
Luca – Good Trouble (Freeform)
Booboo Stewart infuses such purity and heart into the soft-spoken, gentle unhoused dancer who has found a home and family with The Coterie.
He has such a quiet but commanding presence that reels you in whenever he’s onscreen.
He’s added something unique to the series and this batch of diverse characters, and he’s been one of the highlights of the recent season.
We cannot wait to see how this character continues to thrive.
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Did we catch your favorite new character of 2022?
If not, hit the comments below and tell us what we missed.
Jasmine Blu is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter.
Fox scored the most-watched telecast on Christmas Day with 25.9M people tuning in to watch the Green Bay Packers vs. the Miami Dolphins.
This marks the third year in a row that an NFL game on Fox has delivered the highest viewership on December 25, competing with two other NFL matchups on other networks — Buccaneers vs. Cardinals on NBC (which scored about 17.15M viewers) and Broncos vs. Rams on CBS (which averaged 21.6M total viewers).
Fox had a record holiday weekend, with its Christmas Eve NFL games averaging 27.8M viewers. That’s up 15% over last year.
There were 11 games played on Christmas Eve, with five airing on Fox including the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Baltimore Ravens, the Detroit Lions vs. the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Eagles vs. Cowboys matchup on Fox won the weekend with 27.83M, which is the largest Week 16 NFL audience since 2009.
Through Week 16, the NFL on Fox is averaging about 19.64M viewers, which is up 6% versus last year’s 18.6M. This ranks as the network’s best season-to-date performance since 2015.
Whoopi Goldberg is rolling out a much-needed apology … after making claims about the Holocaust that many found incredibly antisemitic.
Whoopi offered her “sincere apologies” Tuesday, telling Rolling Stone, “It was never my intention to appear as if I was doubling down on hurtful comments, especially after talking with and hearing people like rabbis and old and new friends weighing in.”
She says she’s still learning — but confirms, “I believe that the Holocaust was about race, and I am still as sorry now as I was then that I upset, hurt and angered people.”
As we reported, Whoopi faced severe backlash after recently telling The Times Jewish people themselves are divided on whether they’re actually a race or not, even quoting one Jewish friend as saying … “Not for nothing is there no box on the census for the Jewish race. So that leads me to believe that we’re probably not a race.”
Whoopi went on to double down on the notion that the Holocaust wasn’t about race, from her POV, by saying … “Remember who they were killing first. They were not killing racial; they were killing physical. They were killing people they considered to be mentally defective. And then they made this decision.”
1/31/22
ABC
You’ll recall, Whoopie was singing a similar tune at the beginning of this year … and made an apology quickly after, as well.
There’s nothing better than stumbling across something monumental on television.
That episode that gets you so excited, or that new series you want to talk about all the time. Sometimes it’s simply the ending to your favorite reality series giving you the most perfect ending imaginable.
2022 saw plenty of gratifying things happening on the small screen, and we’ve compiled a list of the top TV delights from a year full of them.
Come check out the best of the best 2022 had to offer.
Big Brother Season 24 Finale – CBS
As longtime fans of Big Brother, we’re used to not getting the ending we want. But this is now two seasons in a row where we were thrilled by the outcome.
Taylor Hale had a very rough time in the early weeks of the game, and she faced an uphill battle against a house that never gave her room to play the game in the beginning. But she batted back repeatedly and managed to find her footing over time through her amazing social game.
Once Taylor found herself in those final two chairs, we knew she had an excellent chance to bring home the largest prize in the show’s history. And she used every second of her time on finale night to remind the houseguests and America what a phenomenal human being she was and why she deserved another crown.
Taylor Mackenzie Dickens Hale, you deserved this and then some.
The Power Universe – Starz
The Power Universe has been a rousing success for Starz, and while there hasn’t been a bad season yet, we were plenty surprised at just how strong all three series were across the board during 2022.
Power Book II: Ghost Season 2 returned even better than its stellar freshmen campaign and ended its season on an incredible note that has had fans clamoring for the new season (which is coming in 2023!)
And Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 2 was equally as strong as Raq and Kanan’s relationship floundered, and we began to see flashes of the Kanan Stark we all came to know.
But Power Book IV: Force was the biggest delight of them all, with a brand new cast, in a new city, delivering us another masterful crime drama. We were all excited for ‘The Tommy Show,’ but Force exceeded our expectations and then some with a tremendous first act.
Interview with a Vampire – AMC+
The trailer was enough to get viewers hooked on a show they had yet to see.
Foremost, it was unashamedly gay. The show didn’t shy away from portraying a gay couple at a time when it was dangerous to be so. It undid the mistakes of the movie that SNL criticized as not being gay enough.
In the spirit of authenticity, it portrayed vampires in the classical sense of mystical, powerful, deranged bloodsuckers without empathy. It didn’t shy away from portraying scenes in a graphic manner, which made the weak of heart among its audience livid.
It didn’t dance around privilege, whether it came from gender, race, skin tone, or wealth. It is a show that is binge-able five times in a row and offers something new every time. Can we get an amen for the coming second season?
Minx – HBO Max
Who would’ve anticipated a series about the creation of an erotic magazine for women in the 70s would be such a colossal hit and gem of a series?
From the very first episode, Minx sinks its grip into you with dynamic characters, an unexpected take on feminism, and a montage of penises.
Ophelia Lovibond is excellent as Joyce, but it’s Jake Johnson as Doug, a seemingly sleazy businessman and hustler, who truly shines and steals the show.
Minx is the type of series that sneaks up on you and has you hooked from beginning to end. And we’re definitely hoping that it finds a new home so we can continue this story.
The Community Movie Announcement – Peacock
The prophecy — 6 seasons and a movie — will be fulfilled!
It’s disappointing that cast members Yvette Nicole Brown and Donald Glover aren’t attached to it, but let’s not give up hope of seeing Shirley and Troy again.
For now, it’s enough to know that class will be in session at Greendale Community College once again.
A League Of Their Own – Prime Video
The announcement of a series reboot of Penny Marshall’s beloved 1992 film had many of us skeptical. However, with the running time of a television season, we got a chance to delve deeper than a film ever could.
With a bright and diverse cast of characters, many inspired by real-life athletes, we celebrated their triumphs, shared their losses, and fell in love with them. A League Of Their Own was an unexpected, joyous celebration of queerness set in an era where it is woefully underrepresented.
It was everything the original film was and more — funny, feminist, and inspiring.
In a break with the premise of the original series — that a leaper could only leap into lives within their own lifetime — Ben finds himself in 1898 in the body of a retired gunfighter.
Borrowing heavily from The Magnificent Seven, Ben (with Addison’s help) rallies the townsfolk to fight off an evil railroad corporation.
And here’s where the real delight kicks in. After a solid montage of trap-laying and weapons prep, the pièce de résistance is Ben channeling his inner Hannibal Smith and delivering the classic A-Team line, “I love it when a plan comes together.” Every 80s TV geek immediately freaked out.
Adventure Beast – Netflix
We tuned into this show expecting edu-tainment in the vein of Magic School Bus or Carmen Sandiego but did not expect such an absurdist R-rated delight.
One way that animation can surpass live action comedically is that blood and gore can be used in a fun way without the squick factor. This is Adventure Beast’s bread and butter.
The show centers around a kooky zoologist (based autobiographically on star voice-over actor Bradley Trevor Greive) who’s such an enthusiastic nature lover that he repeatedly lets himself be mauled in all sorts of entertaining ways just to protect them.
Joining him are two sidekicks who couldn’t be any more different: Hypochondriac Dietrich and foolhardy Bonnie. Each episode is a different part of the world, a different biome to learn about, and a different close brush with death.
The White Lotus – HBO
The series avoided the dreaded sophomore slump by shifting to a new country with a mostly new cast.
We also had some compelling relationship drama and mystery thrown in for good measure.
The end result was a confident sophomore season that highlighted this format can be renewed with new locations and characters as long as HBO is interested in keeping it around.
Reginald The Vampire – SYFY
Reginald The Vampire had its ups and downs throughout its first season, but we enjoyed the ride. Reginald, played wonderfully by Jacob Batalon, found himself thrown into the world of vampires, where he got discriminated against for his size.
The show managed to balance comedy, bloodsucking, and vampolitics (vampire politics) smoothly.
Reginald, Sarah, Claire, Ash, Maurice, Nikki, and even Angela won over our hearts, and the season finale proved the show deserves a chance at (undead) life.
The residents of the Arconia took part in an impromptu musical number that brought them all together, even if they were apart, and hit the perfect notes of eeriness and melancholy — and with a bit of yodeling from Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton) to keep the mood light.
It was a little touch of musical magic, giving the characters the perfect song to encapsulate the theme of loneliness that permeates the series.
Riches – Prime Video
Riches closed the year, sneaking in as a binge-able, frothy soap that scratches an itch for subterfuge and family drama.
Nina was a worthy protagonist you couldn’t help but root for as she juggled salvaging her late father’s haircare empire, uncovering all the secrets and scheming of her estranged family. And Claudia Richards was an entertaining antagonist through and through.
Now, all we need is a renewal!
Whitney Evans is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter.
Marcus Coloma confirmed his exit from General Hospital after three years of portraying Nikolas Cassadine. His departure came with the news that the actor was not able to film his final scenes. Colomo’s final appearance is due at the end of January.
Deadline has now learned that Coloma and ABC came to an agreement “that he should not film the remaining few days of the year” following “health issues with his recent Covid exposure” that had kept him away from the soap set recently.
A spokesperson for the actor also rebutted rumors that Coloma was fired and walked off the set refusing to film his final scenes. Coloma signed a three-year contract back in 2019 with the network, which was fulfilled this year.
In a letter addressed to friends and fans, Coloma shared in a statement how grateful he is to the General Hospital fanbase that have supported him throughout his journey on the soap.
“I was immediately taken with the family feel of the ensemble cast,” said Coloma. “And I fell in love with the extremely passionate fanbase. Their outpouring of love and excitement, week after week has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. I will always be grateful for their kindness and support.”
Read the full letter from the actor’s spokesperson below:
