Welcome to Joshuaonline

Hello and Welcome to Joshuaonline , we like to look at the TV and Media here it's not updated everyday but we try have a few posts each month, hope you enjoy and thanks for visiting



NETWORK TV Fall 2025

It's that time of year again! The networks are releasing their fall line ups


Fall Line up: FOX NBC CBS ABC The CW

Premiere Dates CBS ABC

Thursday, July 31, 2025

King of the Hill Goes in the Dog House

King of the Hill  



          There's no specific reason for me to be writing about a random episode of King of the Hill right?  This time in  One Shot Posts an episode of King of the Hill where uh Bobby moves into a dog house. 

             "Hank's Choice"  Season 5, Episode 16:   April 1, 2000 - Episode 100


                    Also, it's funny there are two episodes with the word "choice" in them in season 5,  don't confuse this one for "Spin the Choice".

             Bobby at first appears to be sick but Hank notices his temperature is the average temperature.  Peggy checks the internet but decides to take him to the doctor. They find out that Bobby is allergic to the dog. It is funny that Hank tells the doctor why don't you think Peggy is bringing in the dandruff.  Hank loves his dog, LadyBird, a ton it also seems to be the one he shows the most affection towards in ways he doesn't with his wife or son. It's an interesting thing about his character. Also the dog is 13-years-old, so it's a very close long bond. Something the show showed a few times before and after this episode. 

Dog doctors aren't approved/ Copyright Fox



                Peggy tells him she wants the dog to be outside. Hank doesn't want to do that. Peggy, of course, here is kind of the rational one. She puts her son above the dog and wants a solution to his problem and will follow the doctor along.  Hank even goes for the quick solution of pills after hearing the symptoms of "rectal bleeding". (I'm concerned.)   Hank gets an idea from Bill to make a  doghouse for his dog. 

             Since this is Hank he puts tons of work into making a model of a dog house, that was funny. He end's making a dog house better than many people's homes. This dog house is excessive.  He even has an opening show for it, but there's one factor: Lady Bird doesn't want to be in it. Then apparently, Hank gets a strange idea, an oddly random and strange idea: the plot.  He suggests why not just have Bobby live in the dog house because they are going to have to clean their house anyway, and the dog hasn't been in there at all, so... (gestures). 

           This is a dog house with electricity, heating, lighting, etc.  Peggy, again being rational, thinks this plan is insane. Bobby seems to like the idea. This dog house is also wild, it's like Snoopy's it can fit 3 kids around age 13 inside with no problem and room to spare, what did Hank build?  Peggy is bothered by this, especially since she's the more social one and doesn't like that people are talking about it. Hank is like yay dog. 

         Bobby, actually, enjoys being in the dog house, even if the combo of allergy pills has been working.  We get three converging paths. Peggy doesn't like how people are talking about the situation, Hank really wants to be with his dog, and Bobby is enjoying this freedom.  Peggy gets mad and decides to do flip back and have Bobby move back into the house.  

        To show that Hank does care, he decides that he has let Lady Bird live with Bill.  Bobby misses the freedom and fun of the doghouse. He fake sneezes to get back to his spot.  I also love how on TV shows it's really easy to get pizza where kids can pay the price for it easily. [See: The Weekenders] Hank and Peggy get to work to deep clean the house.  Bobby is beginning to let the dog house go down hill. Connie is bothered.

This makes Hank dead inside/ Copyright Fox 



                Hank has to deal with seeing Bill and Lady Bird getting along together and can't interact with him.  Peggy and Hank show how much work they did to get the house clean enough for him, he fakes a sneeze.  He hears his dad feeling bad that there's no dog and no son. (But still TV)  

                The boy brings Lady Bird back home with him and shows Hank that he found away to deal with the dandruff.  Episode ends with Peggy now using the doghouse because of course a full grown woman can fit in there now, after Hank said she couldn't fit earlier. Doesn't matter, doghouse is gone after this. 


            This episode is strange, but not bad. Hank loves his dog, but we see his love of Bobby and as hard as he tried, he would still put Bobby above his dog.  Peggy played the rational one here well, while still letting the strangeness happen. One can understand that they probably would be embarrassed too if there were people making fun of their kid living in a dog house. She acts within reason and works here.  Bobby's part was good too, he does bring the comedy to the episode. I think it's reasonable he enjoyed the freedom of the doghouse, but his realization was great and perfect for the ending.  

          So there we go, an odd episode of King of the Hill, but one that finds some heart  and has some funny moments. This one was kind of light on the comedy  which is fine, we kind of had to accept the absurdity of the plot. I think it's a  good episode. 

              That's it for now, tune in next time, when someone figures out this episode predicted the tiny house craze. 

             

Monday, July 28, 2025

NBC Sets Fall 2025 Premiere Dates

NBC   Fall TV Look 2025    Premiere Dates 



         NBC has released its fall premiere dates.  There's a twist as only a network could do.  Law & Order : Thursday is back to three hours.  "Law & Order: Organized Crime" is back on the line up. The show had been moved to Peacock.  The fifth season that streamed there will be airing on NBC as a second window.  It will air on Thursday at 10pm behind the other Law &Order Shows.  The show hasn't been renewed or canceled as of yet.   "The Hunting Party", which was set to be on Thursdays in that slot, has been delayed as the show is planning to move production. 

       The NBA comes back after 20 years to NBC that will be on October 21. Before then Tuesdays will look like it would have without the sport "The Voice" second night will air starting September 23, the season premiere is September 22.   "On Brand with Jimmy Fallon" will premiere Tuesday, September 30 at 10pm, with its Friday airings starting October 3. 

         The other NBC drama , "Brilliant Minds" returns for its second season on September 22, after "The Voice".   One Night in Chicago's  three shows premiere for their new seasons on Wednesday, October 1.  

     NBC has found what to fill those "TBD Comedy" slots on their Mondays and Fridays starting in November.  St. Denis Medical on Mondays, starting November 3, will be followed by another episode St. Denis Medical.   "Happy's Place" on Fridays starting November 7, will be doing the same doubling up. 

             "Dateline NBC" is back on Friday, September 26.  

The full details here, and all times are ET/PT unless otherwise noted. 

Thursday, September 4 
7-8:20pm /4-5:20pt  Football Night In America 
8:20-11:30pm/5:20-8:30pt  NFL Kick off Game (Dallas at Philadelphia) 

Sunday, September 7
7-8:20pm /4-5:20pt Football Night In America 
8:20-11:30pm/5:20-8:30pt Sunday Night Football (Baltimore at Buffalo) 

Monday, September 22
8-10pm The Voice (Monday) 
10-11pm  Brilliant Minds 

Tuesday, September 23 
8-9pm The Voice
9-11pm America's Got Talent 

Wednesday, September 24 
8-9pm America's Got Talent Special 
9-11pm America's Got Talen Season Finale 

Thursday, September 25 
8-9pm  Law &Order 
9-10pm Law & Order  : Special Victims Unit
10-11pm Law & Order : Organized Crime 

Friday, September 26 
9-11pm Dateline NBC 

Tuesday, September 30
10-11pm On Brand with Jimmy Fallon  (Tuesday Premiere) 

Wednesday, October 1
8-9pm Chicago Med
9-10pm Chicago Fire 
10-11PM Chicago  P.D

Friday, October 3 
8-9pm On Brand with Jimmy Fallon 

Saturday, October 4
11:30-1am/ 8:30-10pt  Saturday Night Live 

Tuesday, October 21 
6:30-7:30pm NBA Pre-Game Show 
7:30-11pm  NBA on NBC (Teams to be determined) 

Monday, November 3
8-8:30pm St. Denis Medical 
8:30-9pm  St. Denis Medical 

Friday, November 7 
8-8:30pm Happy's Place 
8:30-9pm Happy's Place 


Full Press release after the jump

FOX sets fall 2025 Premiere Dates

FOX   FallTVLook2025


   
         FOX has set its 2025 premiere dates for the fall season.  With the premiere dates for game shows,  return of series such as "Doc", "The Simpsons" , and "The Floor".  


        The network kicks things off on Monday, September 15, with game shows. "Celebrity Name that Tune" and "Celebrity Weakest Link" premiering.    Wednesday, September 24, has two more game shows with the return of "The Floor" and new game show "99 to Beat." 

          The Tuesday night dramas of "Doc" and "Murder in a Small Town" start their season 2s on September 23. 

       Thursday night reality shows of "Hell's Kitchen" and "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" start on September 25. 

            The animated series return on Sunday, September 28.  "The Simpsons", followed by "Universal Basic Guys",  "Krapopolis" and "Bob's Burgers. 

Here's the full details all times ET/PT unless otherwise noted 

Monday, September 15 

8pm  Celebrity Name that Tune (Season Premiere)  
9pm  Celebrity Weakest Link  (Series Premiere) 


Tuesday, September 23 
8pm Murder in a Small Town (Season 2 Premiere) 
9pm Doc (Season 2 premiere) 

Wednesday, September 24
8pm  The Floor (Season 4 Premiere) 
9pm  99 to Beat (series premiere) 

Thursday, September 25 
8pm Hell's Kitchen (Season premiere) 
9pm  Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (season premiere) 


Fridays (Starting August 29) 
8pm/5pt  Fox College Football Friday 

Saturdays (on going)
7pm/4pt  Fox Sports Saturday 

Sunday, September 28 

7-7:30pm NFL on FOX 
7:30pm  The OT/ Animation Encores 
8pm The Simpsons  (Season Premiere) 
8:30pm Universal Basic Guys  (Season premiere) 
9pm Krapopolis  (Season Premiere) 
9:30pm Bob's Burgers  (Season premiere) 


Full Press Release after the Jump 


Thursday, July 17, 2025

ABC Announces 2025 Fall Premiere Dates

ABC   Fall TV Look 2025 





update :    7/29: abc has moved the premiere date for the Thursday line up , one week earlier to October 9


        ABC wants to give you the fall feelings in the summer heat. The network has set its fall schedule's premiere dates.  The new series "9-1-1: Nashville" premieres on Thursday, October 16 at 9pm, before it, is the parent series "9-1-1" AT 8pm, and following is "Grey's Anatomy" at 10pm. (Moved to October 9, all times stayed the same) 

             "High Potential" returns  for season 2 on Tuesday, September 16 at 10pm, after "Dancing with Stars".   

             "The "Golden Bachelor" returns on Wednesday, September 24 at 8pm in a 2 hour long premiere. "Shark Tank" finishes up that night at 10pm.  "The Golden Bachelor" moves to regular time slot on Wednesday, October 1, with returning comedies "Shifting Gears" and "Abbott Elementary". 

            "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" is back  on Friday, September 26, followed by  ABC News'  "20/20". 

             Long running Sunday night series "America's Funniest Home Videos"  returns on Sunday, September 28 with a lead to the broadcast premiere of  "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3".  

         "Monday Night Football" is back on Monday, September 8 with Minnesota taking on Chicago in a NFC North battle.  

Here are the all the times in ET/PT , unless otherwise noted. 


Saturday, August 23 

7:30pm /4:30pt  College Football (North Carolina Central Eagles at Southern University Eagles) 

Monday, September 8 
8pm/5pt Monday Night Football (Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears) 

Tuesday, September 16
8pm Dancing with the Stars (simulcast on Disney+)  
10pm High Potential 

Wednesday, September 24 
8pm The Golden Bachelor (Two Hour Premiere) 
10:01pm Shark Tank 

Friday, September 26 
8pm Celebrity Wheel of Fortune 
9:01pm 20/20 

Sunday, September 28 
7pm  America's Funniest Home videos
8:01pm  The Wonderful World of Disney 

Wednesday, October 1 
8pm Shifting Gears
8:30pm Abbott Elementary
9:02pm The Golden Bachelor (regular slot) 

Thursday, October 9
8pm 9-1-1
9pm 9-1-1: Nashville (new series) 
10pm Grey's Anatomy 


Full Press Release after the jump

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

2025 Primetime Emmy's Nominations

Primetime Emmys 


    

        The 77th annual primetime Emmy Awards are around the corner. That means the nominations are out and time for our annual post with the list.  The award show airs on Sunday, September 14, at 8pm ET/5pt on CBS. 

Sunday, July 13, 2025

CBS Sets 2025 Fall Premiere Dates

CBS  Fall TV Look 2025 



    CBS has released its fall premiere dates line up, being the first network to do so.  There's been a change from the fall line up announced in May:  CIA  will not be part of the fall line up , with it being delayed until mid-season. That means the DMV, FBI, CIA line up will have to wait.   Taking its place is Watson, which was set to premiere its second season in mid-season. 

            The official  premiere week beings  Sunday, October 12 with a special night with Matlock and Elsbeth.   

       September has event programming such as the 2025 Video Music Awards,  77th Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Salute to Earth, Wind and Fire.  "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race"  have their season premieres.    Other September programming has the return of "60 Minutes" , "48 Hours" , and the season finale of "Big Brother". 


            Here's  a full look all times are ET/PT unless otherwise noted 

Sunday, September 7
8pm-11pm/5-8pt  2025 Video Music Awards (VMAs) 

Sunday, September 14 
8pm-11/5-8pt  The 77th Emmy Awards 


Sunday, September 21 
8-10pm  A Grammy Salute to Earth Wind & Fire  Live :21st Night of September 


Wednesday, September 24 
8-10pm Survivor  (49ᵗʰ season premiere)

           Regular Season  8-9:30pm timeslot begins on Wednesday October 1 

Thursday, September 25 
9-10:30pm The Amazing Race (38ᵗʰ season premiere, special night) 

          Regular Wednesday 9:30-11pm timeslot begins on October 1 

Saturday, September 27
10-11pm 48 Hours (38ᵗʰ season premiere) 

Sunday, September 28 

7-7:30pm/ 7-8pm pt  NFL On CBS doubleheader 
7:30-8:30pm  60 Minutes (58th season premiere) 
8:30-10:30pm  /8-10pm pt   Big Brother (27ᵗʰ season finale) 

Wednesday, October 1 
Debut of regular Wednesday line up 

8-9:30pm  Survivor 
9:30-11pm The Amazing Race 

CBS Premiere Week 


Sunday, October 12
7-7:30pm  NFL on CBS doubleheader 
7:30-8:30pm ET/ 7-8pt 60 Minutes 
8:30-9:30pm ET /8-9pt  Matlock (season 2 premiere "sneak peek" on a special night)
9:30-10:30pm ET/ 9-10pt  Elsbeth (season 3 premiere "sneak peek" on special night) 

Monday October 13
8-8:30pm The Neighborhood (season 8 premiere) 
8:30-9pm DMV (series premiere) 
9-10pm  FBI (season 8 premiere) 
10-11pm  Watson (season 2 premiere) 

Tuesday, October 14 

8pm NCIS (season 23 premiere) 
9pm  NCIS: Origins (season 2 premiere) 
10pm  NCIS: Sydney (season 3 premiere) 

Wednesday, October 15 
8-9:30pm  Survivor (original episode)
9:30-11pm  The Amazing Race (original episode) 

Thursday, October 16
8pm  Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage (season 2 premiere) 
8:30pm Ghosts  (season 5 premiere) 
9pm  Matlock  (original episode)
10pm  Elsbeth  (original episode) 

Friday, October 17 
8pm Fire Country (season 4 premiere)   --- Regular 9pm timeslot starts Friday, October 24 
9pm Sheriff Country (series premiere, special time)-- regular 8pm timeslot starts Friday, October 24 
10pm Boston Blue (series premiere)

Saturday, October 18 
10pm  48 Hours (original episode) 


Sunday, October 19 

7pm 60 Minutes 
8pm  Tracker (season 3 premiere) 
9pm The Road (series premiere) 

Friday, October 24 
8pm Sheriff Country (original episode) 
9pm Fire Country (original episode) 
10pm Boston Blue (original episode) 


Full Press Release after the jump 

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Into the Twilight: Kick the Can

The Twilight Zone 


            The Twilight Zone  really seemed to have a penchant for nostalgia or a longing certain aspects of the past. It's a human feeling as time goes on things feel different, maybe even worse, the past seems nice and simple. There are also episodes of the show that have someone older who finds the world of being that a hinderance or a problem as there are elements of being older that aren't fun.  The episode I'm looking at this time takes a bit of that and adds in a little sparkle of a fantastical element. 

            This episode, "Kick the Can" first aired on  February 9, 1962  and is from the third season as episode 21. It was written by George Clayton Johnson. 

           [Spoilers in this]  


           There's a retirement home called Sunnyvale or as Rod Serling puts in his intro, a place for the aged- a dying place. Which sounds nice and morbid.  The people here don't look like they are enjoying it very much.  Our main character is named Charles Whitley (played by Ernest Truex) who is going to see his son and his happy to be seeing him, but this is the "Twilight Zone" and that means.. hold.... hold... his son drives all this way to let him get into the car, drive forward a bit, just to tell him beat it Dad which um was a choice. Also there's boys, gonna say they are all boys there, playing a game of kick the can.  (Leve him out of the will)   Charles looks at the children play for  bit and decides he wants to have some fun and finds their can and decides to sit with it under a tree. (As one does) 


             Fun fact: the son in the  episode is played by his real son, whom I hope was nicer than he was here.  

             He has a friend named Ben Conroy (played by Russell Collins) , who is a childhood friend, which is kind of sweet they both had been friends so long and they ended up in the same home. He's annoyed that kids are playing by the retirement home as Charlie isn't bothered.  Charlie starts to wonder if kick the can keeps them young.  



             The contrast here is that Charlie starts to wonder if he acts young maybe he'll be young again, whist Ben has resigned to the idea they are old and waiting for the exit.  Ben decides to talk to Mr. Cox  (played by John Marley), the superintendent,  which seems to be unhelpful.  Charlie is trying to get everyone to act young and they don't want to,  he does things like run in the sprinklers and unnerves the others.  Mr. Cox doesn't like fun either and squashes it and says he's going to have to isolate Charlie. Ben understands that maybe he made a mistake because isolation would be bad for his friend. 

               Ben tells him to not act strange so they won't put him away.  Guess that idea doesn't work as he decides,  in the night, to have the residents play a game of kick the can.  (He's crazy but right)  Charlie's words seem to encourage everyone into playing.  He goes to Ben to convince him to join, but Ben doesn't want to go. He's really resigned to the whole old and dying thing.  He leaves his friend and he figures out a way to get the others to sneak out of the home. 




             Ben goes to Mr. Cox (like a snitch ) and tells him that everyone as gone outside to play all thanks to Charlie.  Jokes on Ben and Mr. Cox  as everyone has turned back into children.  Ben recognizes re-childized (you're just making up words) Charlie.  This is heart breaking part as Ben pleads to Charlie to take him with him but Charlie ignores him and continues with the game.  Ben picks up the can  and resigned to the fact that he missed his chance. 



           Charlie comes in at as someone who doesn't feel resigned to the fate he actively is against the fate set before him.  In the start he's the only person who seems to be happy and expressive as everyone else seems resigned to their latter days being what they have become.  He doesn't fit in anymore to the world. His son has no place for him, this retirement home isn't for him he seeks the escape and defies it.  Ben isn't a bad guy, he's worried about his friend, but he's resigned that this is what life is now. He feels old, worn down and tired. Only the sweet relief of death is what he looks forward to.  

          It's a mixture in feeling episode. It's happy that the Charlie and many of the older people have been able to achieve something amazing, but it's a sad on as Ben realizes he made a mistake and lost his friend- probably forever.  

        I think this episode is interesting because of its concept.  We have a hard time with aging and the prospect of death. The idea that maybe you should find ways to keep the youth ,at least in mind, is very strong.  I think many would want to actually be younger again, maybe even with regrets of missing something in youth.   I think it's a good strong episode.


That's it for now, tune in next time when you age 40 years instantly and we have your youth. 
         

                 
             

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Tales of the Unexpected: The Sound Machine (Plants feel Pain)

The Flashback    Tales of the Unexpected  Joshuaonline UK 



        Tales of the Unexpected was a British series from Anglia Television that ran from 1979 to 1988. The series was created by Roald Dahl, yes the one who made "Matilda" amongst other stories.  He brings his twistedness to this series which is "Twilight Zone" like. Episodes are different stories with different flavors and stories, with usually twist endings, because Unexpected. 

            I have decided to write about an episode of this show. So from Season 4, episode 7, it's "The Sound Machine". 


         Plants are have an interesting designation. They are alive but unlike animals and people they aren't moving, active and give off the sense of being alive in the same way.  Their being alive but unable to kind of do anything about it does make a little cognitive dissonance to us , the people.  A kid picks a dandelion out of the ground to blow the seeds around, the plant has done its mission of repopulating the Earth, but also it's slowly dying , and was probably ripped out from its roots. If that plant was to scream out lout in painful agony there'd be a different thought  about such an action. Cutting grass then hearing the sound of hundreds of blades of grass crying out in pain would be horrific.  

             In theory, plants don't feel that kind of pain, at least we hope so. This episode decides to go with a question of what if we could?    The story takes place in summer 1935, as the intro says. Why summer 1935? I don't know. There's a man, a botanist, named Mr. Klausner who is working on a machine.   We're introduced to Dr. Scott, who was talking to a neighbor --this is British Show , uh Neighour, named Mrs. Saunders. She seems to be also be talking a lot about him.  




        The Doctor decides to go see Mr. Klausner to see if he's alright and the man is focused on his machine. He's interested in the machine as it made him curious. Klasuner says he is looking for sounds that we can't normally here.  He points to a spider and says he wonders what noise the spider actually makes.  He wants to find sounds beyond our comprehension.(He wants to find 99.5 ROCK FM the station that rocks beyond human thought)  
I want to play EDM 

                The doctor leaves and he goes outside to see if his machine will pick up something. He hears a loud screaming sound and sees his neighbour cutting some roses and asks her like a crazed man to cut another rose. The screaming sound comes at the same time she cuts one. He tells her that he heard roses screeching every time she cut one.  He goes and finds a small flower to pluck and it screams.  This development has disturbed him deeply.  He decides to take his machine to find out if it's just flowers and maybe "stronger" plants are immune. 

            He goes to the graveyard to find some trees (as one does) and then grabs an ax to out of context scare Mrs. Saunders as he goes back.   He hits the tree with the ax and he hears a moaning scream. He says he's sorry to the tree.  He decides to call the doctor (because this episode has a limited cast) and might not have been the best decision for him.  

I'm not a plant killer! 



              Dr. Scott shows up and the man asks him to put on the headphones then the man hurts the tree again.  A branch falls from the tree as if it's mad.   The doctor denies that he heard a sound, but thinking about the branch. It's interesting to see his reaction as he pretty much did hear it but doesn't want to admit it.  Klausner asks him help the tree's "wound" and then asks for iodine to help the cut.  

         What is interesting here is that the man has heard a living thing in pain and wants it to be treated as one does if another person, or an an animal had been injured. He apologized earlier  to the tree, the first time, he tells the tree that the iodine will sting but it's there to help.  Dr. Scott is taking this not in a mean way but he thinks that this isn't healthy for the man. 


               Dr. Scott has called the asylum and is waiting there with man who doesn't know he has.  Klausner wonders what plants call pain.  He wonders what the sounds of wheat being cut sound like. The doctor goes back to the sound machine and the tree from earlier and touches it and tells the tree it's alright.  Then it ends.
I'm sorry tree, please don't tell the others 



             The idea of someone being able to hear the pain of plants and now wondering with that info the awfulness of that is a concept that is horrifying.  We know that there are animals killed for the purpose of being food, but even there there's humane rules and steps that have been put in place as humans have decided to be more civil to other living things.  This man was driven to distress, if we knew that every time we walked on grass or giving flowers as a gift meant plants were screaming in utter agony it would probably make us go mad. Good thing this episode didn't explore bugs and spiders.   It explores the horror from our point of view of being empathic to living things. 

            The doctor did hear the noise but didn't want to tell the man as probably a way to a) not think of it himself,  and b) to have the man calm down. But later he goes back to the tree and he tells the tree it's alright is showing that he also has the same feelings. He was concerned about the man as he did seem to really be losing his composure. Still feels kind of mean, though. 

            The episode does feel open to interruption as well , you can take it literally and the concept works there. It also could be like the idea of the horrors of our world around us, but we can't hear them. That there are people out there who are being inflicted in pain and we just can't hear them or quick to refuse it. There's probably a even a big pro-nature be kind to our greenery part of the idea too. 

              It's a very basic episode, small cast, and very intimate in design.  It's horror is more existential than a killer or a force, so it is kind of slow and dry.  It's one of the episodes I think of from this show when recalling it, it's an episode that stuck in my mind, and only few of them have.  If you are interested in the whole show, it's not a whole sample of the show as each episode is different.   I liked this episode and think it's pretty strong and makes one think. 

         That's it for now, tune in next time when we tell you that every bug you've killed is noted by the other bugs and they are planning something.   

Thursday, June 12, 2025

The Jungle Book : 2016 Edition

Disney 





             The strangest thing I find about Disney doing remakes of their animated films, but in live-action is that it seems more unnecessary in a different way. Many of the stories Disney uses aren't their own. They add their own things to them, but they didn't overtly create them.  That's actually what public domain's amazing existence is for. Disney added their own touches to these stories to make them memorable.  So to me, Disney can , and actually in the case of "The Jungle Book"  make a second/third etc. movie based off a public domain story not having to tie into their original animated movie.  I think that would have softened the blow on some of the reactions to some of the remakes, they shouldn't have been remakes.  

Thursday, June 05, 2025

A Good Disney Remake: Pete's Dragon (2016)

Disney  

    

        Sadly, this is an evergreen part of the post, though I wish it wasn't The Disney remake. Specifically, Disney has taken an animated movie and decided to remake it in live-action form and whatever 2019 The Lion King was.

         I could write about how a remake was bad, like totally bad, but that probably has been done and also be like beating a dead goat. (what?)  I'd like this blog to do things that stand out somewhat, just because. This time, I'm making the case for a good Disney remake. Funny enough, it's not a remake of an animated film turned live-action. It's a remake of a live-action/ animation hybrid into live action/animation hybrid. (Though, I'm here for a Disney live-action turned into animation remake)  

         Pete's Dragon is a 1977 Disney movie that seemed to take a long time for Disney to even think about putting together in concept in the first place.  It's not a bad film either, that's also me having a soft spot for 1970's Disney live-action movies in general. (Like Freaky Friday) This film is pretty fun and a charming musical. It also has Helen Reddy so yes, The original movie did make money, but it didn't seem to be big in the Disney canon. It is kind of a surprise they wanted to remake it, but they did. 

Pete's Dragon 1977 /Copyright Disney 



         In 2013, Disney announced they were going remake this movie. There was going to be some differences to the original film. One thing, it wasn't going to be a musical - Disney, minus Disney Channel, wasn't into the whole musical thing, and we really don't get musicals in theatrical movies anymore. (Though, yes, Disney did take High School Musical and put a film version in theaters with the third film) This is kind of a remake in the sense that the title was taken and there's a boy named Pete and there is a dragon, but all the rest was going to different , making a new story.  That's interesting.  

       The movie  is written by David Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. Lowery also directed. The duo worked on indie films. Sometimes even together. Funny enough, Lowery had been asked to work on remakes before, but turned them down, but something made him want to jump at  the chance. Disney seemed to want make a remake but in mostly name only. The movie changes from it's original, beyond not being a musical, by having the movie not take place pre-depression era or in New England. Instead, it's the Pacific Northwest and maybe the 70's or 80's but leaving space to not feel hooked to a time.  There still would be Pete and a dragon (duh).   (Source

           To note on that, I'm big remake person, in general. There can be ways or something that can hook me into one, but that's something that has to work for me. The concept of it being something different from the original is something interesting. That also makes it hard because that can also be something that can be a turn off , so even that depends. Though, I do have to note that doesn't take away the original existence - unless they somehow wipe it out. (odd statement) 

         Pete's Dragon, the remake, came out in 2016.  Which is also interesting that's the same year The Jungle Book remake came out.  Disney was going for some theme. That one came out first, just like how Jungle Book came out before Pete's Dragon. (Time is a  cube)  I will not be doing any comparisons to the 1977 film  because that'd be unnecessary, but I will remark on surface similarities- like having a boy named Pete. (duh) 

           The movie starts and you can already tell, something bad is going to happen. It's parents in a station wagon with their young boy, Pete, and yeah oh no no. (Might as well just stick a sign on the screen the yelling THIS IS GOING TO NOT GO WELL, THERE WILL BE DEATH)  Pete, who is 5, in this starter is learning to read and is reading a book about a puppy named Elliot. (I'm going  to mention that someone on Wikipedia thinks the movie starts in 1977, which would be a good touch and a fun Easter egg)  Remember that. 

What a wonderful day to be alive, I hope nothing makes us not alive soon/ Copyright Disney 



            Having writers who worked in indie films before this, can be seen in the core of the film. Actually, if you strip away the Disney logo at the start, it wouldn't feel out of place to think of it not as a Disney film. The movie starts quiet and gentle as it builds up to the bad thing that's going to happen and start the story.  

         Pete asks his parents what 'adventure' is (alright, there is a part of this movie that's being too on the nose, calm down).  Anyway, Bambi gets revenge, a deer runs in front  of their station wagon and that apparently causes them to swerve to death. (I'd hope a Live-action Bambi movie, would have Bambi going on a revenge mission and takes out people in their cars) Three things: 1) Cutting to the deer as it seems to be watching in delight of it's murder is something, 2) 70's station wagon crash kills parents, but young boy in only a lap belt, because 1970's car is alive, 3) I'm going to assume Pete knows what death is. Just going to assume that. 

"Yeah I killed them, I'll kill again," /Copyright Disney 



        This movie was filmed New Zealand, instead of the actual Pacific Northwest, the actor for young Pete was Levi Alexander who is from New Zealand.  Being filmed in New Zealand but not in PNW is not a knock against the movie, just found that an interesting tidbit. 


           Anyway, little Pete is then surrounded by wolves. (Hey Wolves, don't eat the boy, there's a deer I need you to talk too). I would say the wolves seem a little to excited to want to eat a human boy there, like one licked its chops. The cinematography for the movie is good, it's well done.  This part is dark, because it's almost night and dark because well there's danger right there as Pete could possibly die. The only thing that might take away from the urgency is that it's called Pete's Dragon and that probably means he's not going to be wolf food at like 4 minutes in.  (unless... [don't you start]) 

            
It was from that day, Pete swore his revenge on deer / Copyright Disney 


            In speaking of Pete's Dragon, the dragon shows up and scares off the wolves.  (Hey we got Pete and the dragon in under 5 minutes, good work!)  I like Pete's question to the dragon, asking it if it was going to eat him, expecting an answer.  He didn't ask the wolves that, but I guess they made their intentions clearer.

         The original film, the dragon was animated like an animated movie at the time, but put into live action. Since this modern times, we have technology.  So yes, computer generated dragon. Which to bring up "The Jungle Book" 2016 that movie also was using computer animals as it was all animated except of Mogwai and you can see Disney is working some tech here, that would probably lead into a 2019 film of some Lion sort thing going on.  Also fuzzy dragon. I like the idea of it being fuzzy, it's different, and kind of gives him a more friendly vibe that fits for a movie where the dragon won't be wiping out Seattle. (You can read the reason why he's fuzzy here and that's good reason)  
I ate that deer for you, let's be friends/ Copyright Disney 



           The part where the dragon [I'm holding off on using his name to remark on it later] stretches out it's paw? paw? for Pete to get on in a trust moment was nice too.  Let's see we got Pete, and the dragon so roll the title card. (I was wondering what movie this was) 

            The movie skips ahead six years.  That's where you can join us after the jump. 

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Max Puts the HBO Back : What's a Streaming Service Name?

Opinion  




          The streaming service known as Max  is returning to its founding name of HBO Max. In 2023, HBO Max's name was cut to Max.   The story of why the change happened in 2023 in the first place was because of the 2022 finalization of the merger or more purchase of Warner Bros. by Discovery after a cellular provider named AT&T decided to wash their hands of owning a media company. Discovery as a company and Warner Media (name before this) were totally different media companies. It was quite strange that the company that owned channels that made unscripted shows where people are naked and dumped somewhere to be afraid and viewers watch the pixelated ness, or whatever the heck TLC is doing, or people hunting for houses on HGTV, or watching  ghosts be explored on Travel Channel, would be owning a company that has multiple different facets including a channel that does the news, and HBO.  The idea that HBO Max, the streaming service, would also be the home of  Investigation Discovery's programming about the seedy underbelly or our society was a strange thought.  The Discovery corporate people felt that too. The ended up keeping their service, Discovery+ , but also decided to make HBO Max  more "broad". 

            I personally don't hate the Max name, it also would be a good name to name a kid too. Max was also a great character on the series "Hart to Hart', and "Mighty Max" was a good show.  The name wasn't bad, generic sure, but we have cable networks with generic names.  Food Network, owned by this combined company, is  an example.  Many were attached to the HBO part of that name being on there.  Some had thought HBO was dead or being devalued, when it really wasn't. 

          The app and website was the dual replacement of HBO GO which was HBO's service for people who paid for it on cable , use their user name and password and watch HBO...on the GO.  This is why if you have HBO on your service and pay for it you can just go to max dot com  (or right here ) and sign in with that you didn't have to pay extra for it, since you are loyal to the linear channel.   It was the replacement for HBO Now , as well, where one could get HBO   direct to consumer to watch without needing [Insert cable company here] to pay HBO. 

         HBO MAX was more than just HBO, hence the max there.  They had added shows like "Friends", "Big Bang Theory", "South Park" (which isn't owned by a Warner company), "Ben 10" and more things from different Warner owned networks and divisions.  There lies a branding fault.  HBO had made itself known since the late 90's as the network that still ran movies, but created shows like "The Sparanos", "Sex and the City", "Game of Thrones", and more. Shows with swearing , nudity,  violence, making sure TV-MA was used like nobody's business. It wasn't a broadcast network where an oft swear could get them a fine, or a basic cable network where it might bristle and advertiser if someone was full naked un-censored between ads for Lincolns and pills. That image was so well known, many also forgot that they also just run movies all the time, has a HBO Family channel, and used to be the home of "Fraggle Rock.  So much that when "Sesame Street" was picked up in 2015 there were jokes  that Sesame Street was going to have Big Bird swearing like a sailor and Elmo's fur be redder because of blood.  

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Fall TV 2025: ABC

ABC FallTVLook2025 Upfronts 




         If there is a theme this season, it's mostly how simple and consistent the networks are being with programming.  ABC has mostly  kept their line up from last year intact.  They have one new series in the fall line up "9-1-1: Nashville" which will be airing after the parent show "9-1-1" on Thursday nights at 9/8c.  

        "Shark Tank" is leaving its longtime Friday slot and moving to Wednesday nights at 10/9c.   "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" will now take the Fridays 8/7c slot. 

        The rest of the line up stays the same.   Monday Night Football will be airing on ABC once again.  "Dancing with the Stars" is on Tuesdays with sophomore series  "High Potential" following it.   

         Tim Allen's  "Shifting Gears" leads Wednesdays with the only other comedy series in the fall line up "Abbott Elementary"   "The Golden Bachelor" takes the spot between the comedies and "Shark Tank" 

         "American Idol" , "Celebrity Jeopardy!" , "The Rookie",  and "Will Trent" return at midseason. 

Here's the full line up , all times ET/PT unless otherwise noted, new series highlighted in blue  

Monday 
8pm/5pt Monday Night Football 

Tuesday
8pm Dancing with the Stars 
10pm High Potential 

Wednesday 
8pm Shifting Gears 
8:30pm Abbott Elementary 
9pm The Golden Bachelor 
10pm Shark Tank 

Thursday 
8pm 9-1-1
9pm 9 -1-1 :Nashville
10pm Grey's Anatomy 


Friday 
8pm Celebrity Wheel of Fortune 
9pm 20/20 (2 hrs) 

Saturdays 
7:30/4:30pt  College Football 

Sundays 
7pm  America's Funniest Home Videos
8pm The Wonderful World of Disney 

Full Press Release after the jump 

Monday, May 12, 2025

Fall TV 2025: NBC

NBC    Fall TV Look 2025   Upfronts 



         NBC gained the rights to the National Basketball Association, for the first time since they lost their rights to Disney/ESPN in 2002.  The network has decided to make one of their own nights, instead of a cable network, to be NBA night.  In other words , Tuesday night.  Meaning that NBC had to clear out some shows to make room, as the network still has Sunday Night Football as well.  

              The two comedies that were left  and just premiered in the 2024-25 season will be back in November. "St. Denis Medical" and "Happy's Place" will be used to launch two new comedies.  NBC will be cutting the voice down to 1 hour, from November on Mondays giving them a comedy hour  competing against CBS' comedy hour on Mondays with "St. Denis Medical" and a new a not yet named comedy after it.   

         "Brilliant Minds" was renewed" and will fill out the Monday line up.  Tuesdays, before Basketball starts in October,  will be 2 hours of the Voice  and a new show hosted by Jimmy Fallon "On Brand with Jimmy Fallon"  

  The "Chicago" shows hold their Wednesday night in place.  Law and Order and SVU will still have Thursday, with "The Hunting Party" taking the final slot. 

         Fridays. will start with "On Brand with Jimmy Fallon" which will be on two nights until October, then one night.   "Dateline NBC" will be 2 hours after.  

            In  November "Happy's Place" returns with a new comedy series following it.   

Here's the full line up, all times are ET/PT , unless otherwise noted,  new series are highlighted in blue 

Monday (Sept. /Oct.) 
8pm  The Voice
10pm Brilliant Minds 

Monday (November) 
8pm St. Denis Medical 
8:30pm TBD Comedy
9pm The Voice 
10pm  Brilliant Minds

Tuesday (September) 
8pm The Voice
10pm On Brand with Jimmy Fallon  

Tuesday (Oct./ Nov) 

8pm NBA on NBC 

Wednesday
8pm  Chicago Med 
9pm Chicago Fire
10pm Chicago PD 

Thursday 
8pm Law & Order 
9pm Law & Order SVU
10pm The Hunting Party 

Friday (September /October) 
8pm On Brand with Jimmy Fallon 
9pm  Dateline NBC 

Friday (November) 
8pm Happy's Place 
8:30pm TBD Comedy
9pm  Dateline NBC 

Saturday
7pm/4pm Big Ten Pregame /Notre Dame Pregame  (also live on Peacock) 
7:30pm/4:30pm  Big Ten Saturday Night/ Notre Dame Football (also Live on Peacock) 

Sunday 
7pm/4pt Football Night In America  (Also live on Peacock) 
8:20pm /5:20pt  NBC Sunday Night Football (Also live on Peacock) 

Full press release after the jump

Fall TV 2025: FOX

FOX  Fall TV Look 2025   Upfronts

    
    
        FOX has released their fall line up, which has  a noticeable less scripted than previous line up.  Besides the Sunday animation night, only Tuesday is scripted.   Monday nights have been given over to game shows of the returning  "Name that Tune" and new "Celebrity Weakest Link"  Fox isn't leaving scripted out to dry, besides Tuesday night, the network will return Monday to it in the mid-season.  

         Of note, "The Masked Singer" will not be on the fall line up, the network has decided to have only do one cycle in the winter/spring of the season.  The Floor gets that slot to lead into a new game show 99 To Beat.   Thursday night is Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen" and the reality show "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test"  

        They have other shows planned for the mid-season including a religious mini-series  "The Faithful" which will be aired over three weeks during the Easter/Passover season  based on the book of Genesis.    A one hour comedy series based the UK series "Doc Martin" called "Best Medicine"  will be airing with "Doc".   "American Dad" also returns to FOX after 11 years on TBS. 

Here's a look at the fall line up ; all times ET/PT unless otherwise noted; new series highlighted in blue. 

Monday 
8pm  Name that Tune 
9pm Celebrity Weakest Link 

Tuesday 
8pm  Murder in a Small Town 
9pm Doc 

Wednesday 
8pm The Floor 
8pm 99 to Beat 

Thursday 
8pm  Hell's Kitchen 
9pm Special Forces: World's Toughest Test 

Friday
8pm /5pt  Fox College Football Friday 

Saturday 
7pm-10:30PMET/ 4-7:30PM FOX Sports Saturday 

Sunday
7pm NFL on FOX 
7:30pm The OT /Fox Animation Encores 
8pm  The Simpsons
8:30pm Universal Basic Guys
9pm Krapopolis 
9:30pm  Bob's Burgers 


The full press release with details after the jump 

Wednesday, May 07, 2025

CBS Releases 2025-2026 line up

CBS  Upfront  Fall TV Look 2025




    CBS has announced its fall and spring schedule for the 2025-26 season.  

         For a network that keeps some consistency that is mostly true, but there will be some tweaks to the line up as CBS has canceled a few series.   Monday is getting a makeover as the entire 8:30-11pm part of the line up has changed.  A new comedy, DMV, will be following the veteran, and on a farewell season, comedy The Neighborhood.  FBI   moves to Monday following the two comedies.  A new spin-off series , CIA, rounds out the night. 

            FBI : Tuesdays are gone, and now it's NCIS night.  The main series moves back to a slot it once held, Tuesdays at 8/7c.  NCIS: Origins  and NCIS: Sydney round out the night. 

            Fridays lost two series in the past season, so it will have two new series.  A spin-off of Fire Country , named Sheriff Country starts the night off.  The flagship show gets the middle hour, and Blue Bloods former slot, gets its new spin off   Boston Blue. 

        Sundays  will be shorter in the fall, to allow for football over-runs  60 Minutes  leads the night , followed by a new reality based series The Road  will following.  The 10/9c hour will be focused on CBS encores. During the spring, the network fills in 9/8c  with Y: MARSHALS  (note this is working title and may change)  and the second season of Watson.  

         Here's a full look at the line up , all times are ET/PT unless otherwise noted and new series are in Blue 

Monday  (Fall and Spring)

8pm  The Neighborhood 
8:30pm DMV 
9pm  FBI 
10pm CIA 


Tuesday (Fall and Spring) 
8pm  NCIS 
9pm  NCIS: Origins 
10pm NCIS: Sydney

Wednesday (Fall) 
8pm Survivor 
9:30pm The Amazing Race 

Wednesday (January) 
8pm Hollywood Squares 
9pm The Price is Right 
10pm  Harlan Coben's Final Twist 

Wednesday (Spring) 
8pm Survivor 
9:30pm America's Culinary Cup 

Thursday ( Fall and Spring) 
8pm Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage 
8:30pm Ghosts 
9pm Matlock 
10pm Elsbeth 

Friday (Fall and Spring) 
8pm Sheriff Country 
9pm  Fire Country
10pm Boston Blue 

Saturday 
8pm CBS Encores 
10pm  48 Hours 

Sunday  (Fall) 
7pm 60 Minutes 
8pm Tracker 
9pm The Road 
10pm CBS Encores 

Sunday (Spring) 
7pm 60 Minutes 
8pm  Tracker 
9pm  Y: Marshals 
10pm  Watson 


Full Press Release after the jump