The Idea

I probably don’t have to say this but before you begin writing your mystery you have to have an idea.

Note, I said an idea. I didn’t say plot. I didn’t say outline. I didn’t say ending.

To get your book going start with an idea and start asking yourself “What if?”

For me it worked something like this:

Idea: A guy who is a human service worker during the day is also a part time professional boxer

What if…

He comes to the Robin Hood-type rescue of the vulnerable people on his caseload.

Okay, but how?

Uh, he’s a pretty good fighter, he’s got a friend who is a cop and he’s got this kind of won’t-give up attitude.

And what if?

His sidekick was a basset hound who didn’t do anything he was told.

And how could you twist that to make it different?

Make the dog a Black Muslim, a really disobedient canine member of the Nation of Islam.

And who does your boxer friend hang out with?

What if he’s a regular at a bar and the regulars are his sounding board.

That’s an idea.

It will feel phoney to you. Writing a novel will feel like a ridiculous idea and you will feel like you might as well be planning a trip to Mars because you have about as much of a chance of success getting there as finishing a book.

There’s something that will feel even phonier than your idea.

And that will be starting to type it into your computer. Would-be writers resist this action because there’s commitment in actually typing some of your idea. If you stop then you have to admit you started and failed or that it sucked or that you had the silly notion that you could do this. Yet, without typing and working the story out on the screen your idea will remain unformed.

The coolest thing about writing fiction is that you start with something in mind and most of the time you wind up some place else. It’s a brain thing that I’m sure some scientist could explain it but the action of writing generates more cogent story development than just the process of thinking.

When I developed Duffy I originally wanted a character that was a total screw up. He was to be a character who solved crimes almost by dumb luck and chance. Kind of like a Barney Fife who came through in the end.

I had a hard-as-hell time trying to make that early incarnation work.

The more I wrote the more I realized you couldn’t have a character like that in a mystery. It isn’t fair to the readers to take them on a 300-page trip and give them a resolution that is conceived with dumb luck. You can’t do it that way.

A protagonist has to be competent. Maybe not perfect, and I definitely wanted an imperfect guy, but they can’t be a total loser. A total loser won’t get the job done and ultimately won’t give the readers a satisfying conclusion.

Resist the urge to “know” exactly where the story has to go before starting. Resist the urge to write an 85 page outline. Resist the urge to wait to start on your vacation, at the end of the school year, after you lose 20 lbs. or whatever.

Start now.

As you write you may want to begin to outline but I believe outlining will be more meaningful after your work has begun. This is a cognitive process, this isn’t assembling one of those Sauder TV stands with 972 parts and 2,342 steps that have to be done in a specific order.

I got news for you. Every writer I know sucks at putting them together. They are no fun, they are boring and they are for the unimaginative. Fiction is play.

Have fun.

Don’t confuse that with doing it at your own speed whenever the Muse (whatever the hell that is!) hits you.

You have two things to do after reading this.

1. Write your idea and begin
2. Ignore the voices that tell you this is a silly way to spend your time.

Tom Schreck writes the Duffy Dombrowski Mysteries and his newest release THE VEGAS KNOCKOUT, will be available on May 15. Visit www.tomschreck.com and “like” his fan page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DuffyDombrowski for a chance to win a Kindle Fire.

In addition to the premiere dates, TNT also released details of shows currently in development. The last couple of years have been a time of change for the cabler. SAVING GRACE ended and THE CLOSER is preparing to. TNT has been aggressively increasing programming. Some shows, like RIZZOLI & ISLES and the NBC transplant SOUTHLAND, have found an audience while others, like MEMPHIS BEAT and DARK BLUE, never caught on.

This Summer will see the debut of 4 new shows as well as the return of 5 current ones.

Current and New SeriesRizzoli & Isles – Season 3 premiere: Tuesday, June 5, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Franklin & Bash – Season 2 premiere: Tuesday, June 5, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
Dallas – Two-hour series premiere: Wednesday, June 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Falling Skies – Two-hour season 2 premiere: Sunday, June 17, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
The Great Escape – Series premiere: Sunday, June 24, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
The Closer – Final six episodes premiere: Monday, July 9, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Perception – Series premiere: Monday, July 9, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
Leverage – Season 5 premiere: Sunday, July 15, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)
Major Crimes – Series premiere: Monday, Aug. 13, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), then moves to 9 p.m.
Southland – Season 5 coming in February 2013
Monday Mornings – New series coming in early 2013
Boston Blue (working title) – New series coming in 2013
72 Hours (working title) – New series coming in 2013

TNT Scripted Series in Development
King and Maxwell – Bestselling author David Baldacci’s popular characters Sean King and Michelle Maxwell aren’t your typical pair of private investigators. Both are former secret service agents, and their unique skill set (not to mention their razor-sharp chemistry) often gives them a leg up on both suspects and conventional law enforcement. Baldacci serves as a consultant on the project. Executive Producer: Shane Brennan. Producer: Karen Spiegel and Grant Anderson. Studio: CBS Television Studios.

The Last Ship – In this exciting action/adventure project based on the popular novel by William Brinkley, the crew of a naval destroyer is forced to confront the reality of a new existence when a pandemic decimates most of the earth’s population. Michael Bay (Transformers) intends to direct the pilot if it is green lit. Executive Producers: Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, Andrew Form, Hank Steinberg (showrunner and writer) and Steve Kane (writer). Production Company: Platinum Dunes.

Legends – This suspenseful, action-packed drama is being developed by Howard Gordon, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and Mark Bomback from the novel Legends by Robert Littell. The story follows a deep-cover operative named Martin Odum, who has an uncanny ability to transform himself into a different person for each job. But his own identity comes into question when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t who he thinks he is. Executive Producers: Howard Gordon, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, Alexander Cary and Jonathan Levin. Studio: Fox Television Studios.

Lew Archer – Based on the title character from Ross McDonald’s popular novels, this project from The Closer creator James Duff and Close to Home creator Jim Leonard follows the sleuth many consider to be “the original P.I.” Executive Producers: James Duff, Jim Leonard (writer) and Steve N. White. Studio: Warner Horizon Television.

Tom Clancy’s Homeland Security – This event-based procedural written by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and set in Tom Clancy’s world of espionage pits a select team of domestic intelligence operatives against enemies within and without, from narco-traffickers and nuclear terrorists to cyber-criminals and human smugglers. Executive Producers: Tom Clancy, Michael Ovitz, Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Chris George.

Untitled Steven Bochco Murder Mystery project – This suspenseful and intriguing crime drama will intimately dissect a single murder case over an entire season, from the commitment of the crime through the investigation, arrest and trial. Executive Producer: Steven Bochco (writer). Co-Executive Producer: Eric Lodal (writer).

Untitled Ron Shelton family drama – A disgraced football coach loses his high-profile job in Los Angeles and winds up moving his three kids and 70-year-old father to Louisiana. But this might just be the fresh start they need in this insightful drama from the writer/director of Bull Durham. Executive Producers: Ron Shelton (writer), Michele Weisler and Andrea Buchanan.

New series for the 2012-13 season are “666 Park Avenue,” “The Family Tools,” “How to Live with your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life),” “Last Resort,” “Malibu Country,” “Mistresses,” “Nashville,” “The Neighbors,” “Red Widow” and “Zero Hour.”

“America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “The Bachelor,” “Body of Proof,” “Castle,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Happy Endings,” “Last Man Standing,” “The Middle,” “Modern Family,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Primetime: What Would You Do?,” “Private Practice,” “Revenge,” “Scandal,” “Shark Tank,” “Suburgatory,” “20/20” and “Wife Swap” Will Return

Fall premiere dates will be announced at a later time. Please note shows picked up but not listed on the schedule will debut later in the 2012-13 season.

ABC’s fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern):

DAY TIME SERIES

MONDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”
10:00 p.m. “Castle”

In January:
8:00 p.m. “The Bachelor”
10:00 p.m. “Castle”

TUESDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”
9:00 p.m. “Happy Endings”
9:30 p.m. “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23”
10:00 p.m. “Private Practice”

In January:
8:00 p.m. “How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)”
8:30 p.m. “The Family Tools”

WEDNESDAY:
8:00 p.m. “The Middle”
8:30 p.m. “Suburgatory”
9:00 p.m. “Modern Family”
9:30 p.m. “The Neighbors”
10:00 p.m. “Nashville”

THURSDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Last Resort”
9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00 p.m. “Scandal”

FRIDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Shark Tank”
9:00 p.m. “Primetime: What Would You Do?”
10:00 p.m. “20/20”

In November:
8:00 p.m. “Last Man Standing”
8:30 p.m. “Malibu Country”
9:00 p.m. “Shark Tank”
10:00 p.m. “Primetime: What Would You Do?”

SATURDAY:
8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY:
7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Once Upon a Time”
9:00 p.m. “Revenge”
10:00 p.m. “666 Park Avenue”

NEW FALL AND MIDSEASON SERIES:

DRAMA

“666 PARK AVENUE”
At the ominous address of 666 Park Avenue, anything you desire can be yours. Everyone has needs, desires and ambition. For the residents of The Drake, these will all be met, courtesy of the building’s mysterious owner, Gavin Doran (Terry O’Quinn). But every Faustian contract comes with a price. When Jane Van Veen (Rachael Taylor) and Henry Martin (Dave Annable), an idealistic young couple from the Midwest, are offered the opportunity to manage the historic building, they not only fall prey to the machinations of Doran and his mysterious wife, Olivia (Vanessa Williams), but unwittingly begin to experience the shadowy, supernatural forces within the building that imprison and endanger the lives of the residents inside. Sexy, seductive and inviting, The Drake maintains a dark hold over all of its residents, tempting them through their ambitions and desires, in this chilling new drama that’s home to an epic struggle of good versus evil.

“666 Park Avenue” stars Rachael Taylor (“Charlie’s Angels,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” Transformers) as Jane Van Veen, Dave Annable (“Brothers & Sisters,” “Reunion”) as Henry Martin, Robert Buckley (“One Tree Hill,” “Lipstick Jungle”) as Brian Leonard, Mercedes Masöhn (“The Finder,” “Chuck,” “Three Rivers”) as Louise Leonard, Helena Mattsson (“Iron Man 2,” “Nikita,” “Desperate Housewives”) as Alexis Blume, Samantha Logan as Nona Clark, with Vanessa Williams (“Desperate Housewives,” “Ugly Betty,” “Shaft,” “Soul Food”) as Olivia Doran and Terry O’Quinn (“Lost,” “Millennium,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “Alias,” “The West Wing,” “Jag”) as Gavin Doran.

Based on the book series by Gabriella Pierce, “666 Park Avenue” was written by David Wilcox (“Fringe,” “Life on Mars”), who is also an executive producer along with Matthew Miller (“Chuck,” “Human Target”), Leslie Morgenstein (“Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “The Lying Game,” “The Secret Circle,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”), Gina Girolamo (“The Secret Circle,” “The Lying Game”) and Alex Graves (“Fringe,” “The West Wing”). The pilot for “666 Park Avenue” was directed by Alex Graves. “666 Park Avenue” is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Alloy Entertainment (“Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Pretty Little Liars”) and Warner Bros. Television.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/666parkave
Twitter: Twitter.com/666ParkAve_ABC
Hashtag: #666ParkAve

“LAST RESORT”
500 feet beneath the ocean’s surface, the U.S. ballistic missile submarine Colorado receive their orders. Over a radio channel, designed only to be used if their homeland has been wiped out, they’re told to fire nuclear weapons at Pakistan.

Captain Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) demands confirmation of the orders only to be unceremoniously relieved of duty by the White House. XO Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman) finds himself suddenly in charge of the submarine and facing the same difficult decision. When he also refuses to fire without confirmation of the orders, the Colorado is targeted, fired upon, and hit. The submarine and its crew find themselves crippled on the ocean floor, declared rogue enemies of their own country. Now, with nowhere left to turn, Chaplin and Kendal take the sub on the run and bring the men and women of the Colorado to an exotic island. Here they will find refuge, romance and a chance at a new life, even as they try to clear their names and get home.

“Last Resort” stars Andre Braugher (“Men of a Certain Age”) as Captain Marcus Chaplin, Scott Speedman (“The Vow”) as XO Sam Kendal, Daisy Betts (“Sea Patrol”) as Lieutenant Grace Shepard, Dichen Lachman (“Being Human”) as Tani Tumrenjack, Daniel Lissing (“Crownies”) as SEAL Officer James King, Sahr Ngaujah (“House of Payne”) as Mayor Julian Serrat, Camille de Pazzis as Sophie Gerard, Autumn Reeser (“Hawaii Five-O,” “No Ordinary Family”) as Kylie Sinclair, Jessy Schram (“Falling Skies,” “Once Upon a Time”) as Christine Kendal.

Recurring guest star is Robert Patrick (“The Gangster Squad”) as Master Chief Joseph Prosser.

“Last Resort” was written by Shawn Ryan (“The Shield,” “The Unit,” “The Chicago Code”) and Karl Gajdusek, who are also executive producers along with Martin Campbell and Marney Hochman Nash. The pilot for “Last Resort” was directed by Martin Campbell. “Last Resort” is produced by Middkid Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LastResortABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/LastResort_ABC
Hashtag: #LastResort

“MISTRESSES”
Welcome to a provocative and thrilling drama about the scandalous lives of a sexy and sassy group of four girlfriends, each on her own path to self-discovery, as they brave the turbulent journey together.

Meet Savi (Alyssa Milano), a successful career woman working toward the next phase in her life — both professional and personal — simultaneously bucking for partner at her law firm while she and her husband, Harry (Brett Tucker), try to start a family of their own. Savi’s free-spirited and capricious baby sister, Josselyn (Jes Macallan), couldn’t be more different – living single, serial dating and partying, and regularly leaning on her big sister along the way. Their common best friend, April (Rochelle Aytes), a recent widow and mother of two, is rebuilding her life after tragedy and learning to move forward, with the support and guidance of her closest girlfriends. And friend Karen (Yunjin Kim), a successful therapist with her own practice, reconnects with the girls after her involvement in a complicated relationship with a patient goes far too deep.

“Mistresses” is a salacious new drama about a group of friends caught in storms of excitement and self-discovery, secrecy and betrayal, and bound by the complex relationships they’ve created.

“Mistresses” stars Alyssa Milano (“New Years Eve,” “Romantically Challenged,” “Hall Pass,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Charmed,” “Melrose Place”) as Savannah, Yunjin Kim (“Lost”) as Karen, Rochelle Aytes (“Work It,” “White Collar,” “Detroit 1-8-7,” “Desperate Housewives”) as April, Jes Macallan (“Kiss Me,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Crash and Burn,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Shameless”) as Josslyn, Jason George (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Closer,” “Against the Wall,” “Castle,” “Off the Map,” “Eastwick”) as Dominic, Brett Tucker (“Castle,” “Spartacus: Vengeance,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” “NCIS,” “Neighbours”) as Harry, Erik Stocklin (“Grey Sheep,” “Sick Day,” “Let’s Big Happy”) as Sam.

Guest Starring Marin Hinkle (“Two and a Half Men,” “Brothers & Sisters”) as Elisabeth, John Schneider (“Smallville,” “90210,” “Desperate Housewives”) as Thomas Grey, Shannyn Sossamon (“How to Make It in America,” “Dirt”) as Alex, Cameron Bender (“Commander in Chief,” “Whitney,” “Beverlywood”) as Richard, Kate Beahan (“Burning Man,” “Rake,” “Boston Legal”) as Miranda, Sunkrish Bala (“Notes from the Underbelly,” “I Just Want My Pants Back”) as Hamid.

Based on the U.K. television series, “Mistresses” is from K.J. Steinberg (“Gossip Girl”) and is executive-produced by Robert Sertner (“Revenge,” “No Ordinary Family”), K.J. Steinberg (“Gossip Girl”), Rina Mimoun (“Privileged,” “Gilmore Girls”) and Douglas Rae (“Wuthering Heights,” “Camelot,” “Mistresses,” “Raw,” “Meadowlands”). The pilot for “Mistresses” is directed by Cherie Nowlan. The series is from ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mistresses
Twitter: Twitter.com/Mistresses_ABC
Hashtag: #Mistresses

“NASHVILLE”
Chart-topping Rayna James (Connie Britton) is a country legend who’s had a career any singer would envy, though lately her popularity is starting to wane. Fans still line up to get her autograph, but she’s not packing the arenas like she used to. Rayna’s record label thinks a concert tour, opening for up-and-comer Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), the young and sexy future of country music, is just what Rayna needs. But scheming Juliette can’t wait to steal Rayna’s spotlight. Sharing a stage with that disrespectful, untalented, little vixen is the last thing Rayna wants to do, which sets up a power struggle for popularity. Could the undiscovered songwriting talent of Scarlett O’Connor (Clare Bowen) be the key to helping Rayna resurrect her career?

Complicating matters, Rayna’s wealthy but estranged father, Lamar Hampton (Powers Boothe), is a powerful force in business, Tennessee politics, and the lives of his two grown daughters. His drive for power results in a scheme to back Rayna’s handsome husband, Teddy, in a run for Mayor of Nashville, against Rayna’s wishes.

“Nashville” stars Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights,” “American Horror Story”) as Rayna, Hayden Panettiere (“Heroes”) as Juliette, Powers Boothe (“MacGruber,” “24”) as Lamar, Charles Esten (“Enlightened,” “Big Love”) as Deacon, Eric Close (“Chaos,” “Without a Trace”) as Teddy, Clare Bowen as Scarlett, Jonathan Jackson (“General Hospital”) as Avery, Sam Palladio as Gunnar and Robert Wisdom as Coleman.

“Nashville” was written by Callie Khouri (“Thelma & Louise”) who is an executive producer along with R.J. Cutler (“The September Issue,” “The War Room,” “Flip That House,” “A Perfect Candidate”) and Steve Buchanan. The pilot for “Nashville” was directed by R.J. Cutler. The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NashvilleABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/Nashville_ABC
Hashtag: #Nashville

“RED WIDOW”
When Marta Walraven’s (Radha Mitchell) husband is brutally murdered, her first instinct is to protect her three young children. Her husband’s business partners – Irwin Petrova (Wil Traval), Marta’s scheming and untrustworthy brother, and Mike Tomlin (Lee Tergesen) — were involved in an illegal drug business deal with rival gangsters, and Marta’s husband paid the ultimate price. She already knows the violent world of organized crime; her father, Andrei Petrova (Rade Sherbedzija), and loyal bodyguard Luther (Luke Goss) are gangsters too. She and her sister Kat (Jaime Ray Newman) had always wished for a safer life without bloodshed and fear. For a while Marta lived happily as a stay at home housewife in San Marta’s cooperation, FBI Agent James Ramos (Mido Hamada) now promises justice.

Marta discovers a tenacity she never knew she had, and takes on the gangsters and the FBI to unveil the truth about her husband’s death. As she digs into this dark underworld, she’ll test her own strength, relying on her resourcefulness, determination and family ties like never before. To get out of this mob, she needs to beat the bad guys at their own deadly game.

“Red Widow” stars Radha Mitchell (“Melinda and Melinda,” “Silent Hill,” “Rogue,” “Henry Poll Is Here,” “The Children of Huang Shi,” “The Waiting City”) as Marta Walraven, Wil Traval (“Rescue Special Ops,” “Underbelly,” “All Saints”) as Irwin Petrova, Erin Moriarty (“One Life to Live”) as Natalie Walraven, Sterling Beaumon (“Arthur Newman, Golf Pro, “Clue”) as Gabriel Walraven, Lee Tergesen (“Army Wives”) as Mike Tomlin, Jakob Salvati as Boris Walraven, Mido Hamada as FBI Agent James Ramos, Luke Goss as Luther, Jaime Ray Newman (“Drop Dead Diva”) as Kat Petrova, Suleka Mathew (“Hawthorne”) as Dina Tomlin and Rade Serbedzija (“24”) as Andrei Petrova.

Based on the Dutch series “Penoza,” “Red Widow” teleplay is by Melissa Rosenberg (“Dexter” and screenwriter of the Twilight franchise). “Red Widow “is executive-produced by Melissa Rosenberg, Howard Klein (“The Office,” “Parks & Recreation”), Endemol Studios and Alon Aranya. The pilot for “Red Widow” was directed by Mark Pellington. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RedWidowABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/RedWidowABC
Hashtag: #RedWidow

“ZERO HOUR”
As the publisher of a paranormal enthusiast magazine, Modern Skeptic, Hank Galliston has spent his career following clues, debunking myths and solving conspiracies. A confessed paranormal junkie, his motto is “logic is the compass.” But when his beautiful wife, Laila (Jacinda Barrett), is abducted from her antique clock shop, Hank gets pulled into one of the most compelling mysteries in human history, stretching around the world and back centuries.

Contained in one of his wife’s clocks is a treasure map, and what it leads to could be cataclysmic. Now it’s up to Hank to decipher the symbols and unlock the secrets of the map, while ensuring the answers don’t fall into the wrong hands – a man they call White Vincent (Michael Nyqvist). With his two young associates, Rachel (Addison Timlin) and Arron (Scott Michael Foster), in tow, along with Becca Riley, a sexy FBI agent (Carmen Ejogo), Hank will lead them on a breathless race against the clock to find his wife and save humanity.

“Zero Hour” stars Anthony Edwards (“Big Sur,” “Flipped,” “ER”) as Hank, Carmen Ejogo (“Sparkle,” “Chaos,” “Away We Go”) as Beck, Scott Michael Foster (“Californication,” “The River”) as Aaron, Addison Timlin (“Californication”) as Rachel, Jacinda Barrett (“Matching Jack,” “Middle Men,” “New York, I Love You”) as Laila and Michael Nyqvist (“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Patrol”) as White Vincent.

“Zero Hour” was written by Paul T. Scheuring (“Prison Break”) who is also an executive producer along with Pierre Morel, Lorenzo DiBonaventura (“The Transformers,” “GI: Joe” franchise, “Salt,” “Red”) and Dan McDermott (“Human Target”). The pilot for “Zero Hour” was directed by Pierre Morel. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZeroHourABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/ZeroHour_ABC
Hashtag: #ZeroHour

COMEDY

“HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS (FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE)”
Polly (Sarah Chalke) is a single mom who’s been divorced for almost a year. The transition wasn’t easy for her, especially in this economy. So, like a lot of young people living in this new reality, she and her daughter, Natalie (Rachel Eggleston), have moved back home with her eccentric parents, Elaine (Elizabeth Perkins) and Max (Brad Garrett). But Polly and her parents look at life through two different lenses. Polly’s too uptight. Her parents are too laid back. Polly’s conservative when it comes to dating (no action, whatsoever), while her parents are still sexually adventurous. They think Polly turned out okay, so what’s the big deal? Well, they say it takes a village to raise a child…and in Polly’s case, this village is on fire. But with help from her best friend Gregg (Orlando Jones), her lovable yet irresponsible ex-husband Julian (Jon Dore) and her cool and fun assistant Jenn (Rebecca Delgado Smith) Polly takes her first steps toward getting a life, starting with a social one.

“How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)” stars Sarah Chalke (“Mad Love,” “Scrubs”) as Polly, Jon Dore as Julian, Rachel Eggleston as Natalie, Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond,” “‘Til Death”) as Max, Orlando Jones (“Rules of Engagement”) as Gregg, Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds”) as Elaine, Rebecca Delgado Smith as Jenn.

“How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)” was written by Claudia Lonow, who is also an executive producer along with Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo. The pilot for “How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)” was directed by Julie Anne Robinson. The series is produced by 20th Century Fox and Imagine Television.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HowToLiveWithYourParents
Twitter: Twitter.com/HowToLiveABC
Hashtag: #HowToLive

“MALIBU COUNTRY”
When Reba Gallagher (Reba) discovers that her husband, Bobby, (Jeffrey Nordling) a country music legend, has a cheatin’ heart, her world is turned upside down. Reba dreamt of becoming a country star herself, but put her career on hold to raise a family. Now she’s questioning all of that, big-time. With the ink on her divorce barely dry, Reba packs up her sharp-tongued mother, Lillie May (Lily Tomlin), her two kids and the U-Haul and heads for sunny California to begin a new chapter. Leaving Nashville in the rear view, they start over at their Malibu residence — the last remaining asset they have. Reba gets to know her new open and loving neighbor Kim (Sara Rue) and her son, Sage, but also discovers that relocation to Southern California is going to be quite an adjustment for a traditional southern belle: the West Coast seems like the polar opposite of Music City, and Reba feels like an outsider. Still, with the support of her family she sets about finding her voice, jump-starting her music career with the help of her new music agent, Geoffrey (Jai Rodriguez), and embracing this chance to begin again.

“Malibu Country” stars country music superstar Reba (“Reba,” “Tremors”) as Reba, Sara Rue (“Rules of Engagement,” “Less Than Perfect”) as Kim, Justin Prentice as Cash, Juliette Angelo as June, Jai Rodriguez (“Bones,” “How I Met Your Mother,” one of the original hosts of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) as Geoffrey and Lily Tomlin (“Eastbound and Down,” “Damages,” “Desperate Housewives,” “West Wing,” “Nine to Five,” “All of Me,” “Nashville”) as Lillie May.

“Malibu Country” is from Kevin Abbott (“Last Man Standing,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Reba”) who executive produces along with Michael Hanel & Mindy Schultheis, Reba McEntire & Narvel Blackstock, Dave Stewart & Pam Williams, John Pasquin. The pilot for “Malibu Country” was directed by John Pasquin. The series is from ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MalibuCountryABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/Malibu_Country
Hashtag: #MalibuCountry

“THE NEIGHBORS”
How well do you know your neighbors?

Meet the Weavers, Debbie (Jami Gertz) and Marty (Lenny Venito). Marty, in hopes of providing a better life for his wife and three kids, recently bought a home in Hidden Hills, a gated New Jersey townhome community with its own golf course. Hidden Hills is so exclusive that a house hasn’t come on the market in 10 years. But one finally did and the Weavers got it!

It’s clear from day one that the residents of Hidden Hills are a little different. For starters, their new neighbors all have pro-athlete names like Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye), Dick Butkis (Ian Patrick) and Larry Bird (Simon Templeman). Over dinner, Marty and his family discover that their neighbors receive nourishment through their eyes by reading books, rather than eating. The Weavers soon learn that the entire community is comprised of aliens from Zabvron, where the men bear children and everyone cries green goo from their ears.

The Zabvronians have been stationed on Earth for the past 10 years, disguised as humans, awaiting instructions from home, and the Weavers are the first humans they’ve had the opportunity to know. As it turns out, the pressures of marriage and parenthood are not exclusive to planet Earth. Two worlds will collide with hilarious consequences as everyone discovers they can “totally relate” and learn a lot from each other.

“The Neighbors” stars Jami Gertz (“Entourage,” “Modern Family,” “Still Standing,” “Ally McBeal”) as Debbie Weaver, Lenny Venito (“Bored to Death,” “Men in Black III,” “Person of Interest,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) as Marty Weaver, Simon Templeman as Larry Bird, Toks Olagundoye as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Clara Mamet as Amber Weaver, Tim Jo (“Glory Daze”) as Reggie Jackson, Ian Patrick (“Wanderlust”) as Dick Butkis, Max Charles (“The Three Stooges,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”) as Max Weaver, Isabella Cramp as Abby Weaver.

Guest starring are Mitch Rouse as Real Estate Agent and Doug Jones as Alien. Co-Starring are Bruce Green as Angry Man and Mary K. DeVault as Angry Woman.

“The Neighbors” was written by Dan Fogelman (“Cars,” “Tangled,” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love”) who is also an executive producer with Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Morton (“Modern Family”) and Chris Koch (“Workaholics,” “Modern Family”). “The Neighbors” was directed by Chris Koch and is from ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theneighborsABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/TheNeighborsABC
Hashtag: #TheNeighbors

“THE FAMILY TOOLS”
Mixing family with business is never easy, and Jack Shea (Kyle Bornheimer) is about to learn that lesson the hard way. When Jack’s father, Tony (J.K. Simmons), has a heart attack and is forced to hand over the keys to his beloved handyman business, Jack is eager to finally step up and make his father proud. Unfortunately Jack’s past career efforts have been less than stellar, so everyone seems to be waiting for him to fail. His new job isn’t made any easier by Tony’s rebellious, troublemaker assistant, Darren (Edi Gathegi), and Darren’s flirtatious sister, Liz (Danielle Nicolet), who works at the local hardware store. Yet with the support of his Aunt Terry (Leah Remini) and his oddball yet endearing cousin Mason (Johnny Pemberton), Jack Shea may just find his true calling right at home.

“The Family Tools” stars Kyle Bornheimer (“Bachelorette,” “Romantically Challenged,” “Perfect Couples”) as Jack Shea, J.K. Simmons (“Ultimate Spiderman,” “Generator Rex,” “The Closer”) as Tony Shea, Edi Gathegi (“X Men: First Class”) as Darren, Johnny Pemberton (“21 Jump Street,” “Aim High”) as Mason, Danielle Nicolet (“X Men TV Series”) as Liz and Leah Remini (“In the Motherhood,” “King of Queens”) as Terry.

Based on the UK series “White Van Man,” “The Family Tools” teleplay is by Bobby Bowman. “The Family Tools” is executive-produced by Bobby Bowman, Mark Gordon (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Criminal Minds”) and Andrea Shay (“It Takes a Village,” “Virtual Virgin”) and Paul Buccieri (“Prime Suspect”). The pilot for “The Family Tools” was directed by Michael Fresco (“Suburgatory,” “Raising Hope,” “Better Off Ted,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Northern Exposure,” “St. Elsewhere”). The series is from ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFamilyTools
Twitter: Twitter.com/TheFamilyTools
Hashtag: #FamilyTools

RETURNING SERIES

DRAMA

“BODY OF PROOF”
Brilliant and driven neurosurgeon Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) has found a new life as a Medical Examiner after a car accident left her with a condition called paresthesia and unable to operate. Although she’s no longer in the business of fixing what’s wrong with living patients, she’s still instinctively drawn to finding out what killed her dead patients and uncovering who was responsible and why. As she pursues the answers, the bodies of the dead provide the clues. The body is, in effect, the proof. As she, alongside her incredible team, investigate what happened to her patients, she finds their lives and the lessons they hold are in a way a bequest to her, to learn from them what she can and to apply to her own personal journey of redemption and forgiveness. In return, Megan is determined to get them justice.
“Body of Proof” stars Dana Delany as Dr. Megan Hunt, Jeri Ryan as Dr. Kate Murphey, John Carroll Lynch as Detective Bud Morris, Nicholas Bishop as Peter Dunlop, Sonja Sohn as Detective Samantha Baker, Geoffrey Arend as Dr. Ethan Gross, Windell D. Middlebrooks as Dr. Curtis Brumfield and Mary Mouser as Lacey Fleming.
The series is created by Christopher Murphey and executive-produced by Murphey, Matthew Gross, and Sunil Nayar. “Body of Proof” is produced by Gross Entertainment and ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BodyOfProof
Twitter: Twitter.com/BodyOfProofABC
Hashtag: #BodyOfProof

“CASTLE”
When viewers first met Richard Castle — a famous mystery novelist and divorced father raising his teenage daughter, while being kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother — he was creatively blocked. But when the NYPD questioned him in connection with a series of murders staged to imitate crime scenes from his books, Castle found inspiration in NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, a bright and aggressive homicide detective with a fascination for odd and offbeat cases stemming from the years-old unsolved murder of her own mother. Though they instantly clashed, sparks of another sort began to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance as Castle stepped in to help find the copycat killer. Once that initial case was solved, Castle and Beckett continued to investigate strange homicides in New York, combining Castle’s writer intuition and Beckett’s creative detective work.

“Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as Detective Kate Beckett, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan, Penny Johnson Jerald as NYPD Captain Victoria Gates, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, with Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers. “Castle” is produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe is the show’s creator/executive producer, along with executive producers Rob Bowman, David Amann, Laurie Zaks and Armyan Bernstein.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Castle
Twitter: Twitter.com/Castle_ABC
Hashtag: #Castle

“GREY’S ANATOMY”
Considered one of the great dramas of our time and recipient of the 2007 Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Television Series and multiple Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, “Grey’s Anatomy” is currently in its eighth season.

“Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Kim Raver as Teddy Altman, Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins, Jesse Williams as Jackson Avery and Sarah Drew as April Kepner.

“Grey’s Anatomy” was created and is executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes (“Private Practice”, “Scandal”). Betsy Beers (“Private Practice”, “Scandal”), Mark Gordon (“Saving Private Ryan”), Rob Corn (“Chicago Hope”), Tony Phelan and Joan Rater (“Law& Order: Trial by Jury”) and Mark Wilding (“Scandal”) are executive producers. “Grey’s Anatomy” is an ABC Studios production.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreysAnatomy
Twitter: Twitter.com/GreysABC
Hashtag: #GreysAnatomy

“ONCE UPON A TIME”
Master storytellers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (“Lost,” “Tron: Legacy”) invite everyone to brace themselves for a modern fairytale with thrilling twists and hints of darkness, brimming with wonder and filled with the magic of our most beloved stories.

And they lived happily ever after… or so everyone was led to believe. Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison, “House”) knows how to take care of herself. She’s a 28-year-old bail bondsperson who’s been on her own ever since she was abandoned as a baby. But when Henry (Jared Gilmore, “Mad Men”) — the son she gave up years ago — finds her, everything changes. Henry is now 10 years old and in desperate need of Emma’s help. He believes that Emma actually comes from an alternate world, and that she’s Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin, “Big Love”) and Prince Charming’s (Josh Dallas) missing daughter. According to his book of fairytales, they sent her away to protect her from the Evil Queen’s (Lana Parrilla) curse, which trapped the characters of fairytale world forever, frozen in time, and brought them into our modern world.

“Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, Lana Parrilla as Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Eion Bailey as August, Jared Gilmore as Henry Mills and Raphael Sbarge as Jiminy Cricket/Archie Hopper.

Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz are creators and executive producers. Steve Pearlman (ABC’s “V”) is also executive producer. The show is from ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OnceABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/OnceABC
Hashtag: #OnceUponATime

“PRIVATE PRACTICE”
From Shonda Rhimes, the Golden Globe-winning creator of “Grey’s Anatomy,” comes the story of a team of gifted doctors working together to change the lives of their patients for the better as they look to one another for friendship and love.

The doctors of Seaside Health and Wellness work on the most difficult cases, patients whose medical needs often pose moral and ethical dilemmas. Though they may heatedly disagree at work, and their personal lives may complicate matters, at the end of the day, they are the best of friends, always ready to be there for one another.

“Private Practice” stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Benjamin Bratt as Jake Reilly, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, Brian Benben as Dr. Sheldon Wallace and Caterina Scorsone as Dr. Amelia Shepherd, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.

“Private Practice” was created by Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal”) and is executive-produced by Rhimes, Betsy Beers (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal”), Mark Gordon (“The Hoax,” “Saving Private Ryan”), Mark Tinker (“St. Elsewhere,” “NYPD Blue”), Jennifer Cecil and Barbie Kligman. “Private Practice” is an ABC Studios Production.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrivatePractice
Twitter: Twitter.com/PrivatePractice
Hashtag: #PrivatePractice

“REVENGE”
Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp) is the newest arrival in the Hamptons. By all appearances, she’s a friendly and sophisticated “girl next door,” but the exclusive world she’s immersed herself in is tied to a dark family history and Emily is anything but what she seems. Seventeen years ago, Emily’s father was framed for a horrific crime by neighbors he trusted, and was sentenced to a life in prison. She never saw her father again and spent her childhood consumed by rage, loss and betrayal. Years later, Emily returns under an assumed identity with one endgame—REVENGE, every social overture a carefully planned chip at the foundation of her sworn enemies, until their lives come crashing down around them.

“Revenge” stars Madeleine Stowe as Victoria Grayson, Emily VanCamp as Emily Thorne, Gabriel Mann as Nolan Ross, Henry Czerny as Conrad Grayson, Ashley Madekwe as Ashley Davenport, Nick Wechsler as Jack Porter, Josh Bowman as Daniel Grayson, Christa B. Allen as Charlotte Grayson and Connor Paolo as Declan Porter.

“Revenge” is created by Mike Kelley (“Swingtown”) who executive produces along with Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey (“Twilight”). The series is produced by ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RevengeABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/Revenge
Hashtag: #Revenge

“SCANDAL”
From the creator and executive producers of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” comes a drama revolving around the life and work of a professional crisis manager and her dysfunctional staff.

A former media relations consultant to the President, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of our nation’s elite. After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter — both professionally and personally — but she can’t seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her staff, who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, can’t quite fix the ones closest at hand — their own.

“Scandal” stars Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, Henry Ian Cusick as Stephen Finch, Columbus Short as Harrison Wright, Guillermo Diaz as Huck, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Tony Goldwyn as President Fitzgerald Grant and Jeff Perry as Cyrus.

“Scandal” was written by Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice”). Rhimes, Betsy Beers (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice”) and Mark Wilding (“Grey’s Anatomy”) are executive producers. Paul McGuigan is the director. “Scandal” is produced by ABC Studios.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScandalABC
Twitter: Twitter.com/ScandalABC
Hashtag: #Scandal

In the interest of saving space, we are only posting info the dramas.

Having read just enough to know I would dig it Ruth and I sat down for some fun viewing. We watched the 969 minutes worth of episodes in two nights.

The box set is series 1-3 of the show which first aired November 12 2009 and there are 22 episodes including specials and not a loser in the bunch.

He premise is kind of simple and a little similar to Heroes. A group of 5 young people are doing community service because they each goofed up and broke a law. Their first day out on the job there is a freak storm and they get hit with lightening. Shortly after each one starts to discover that they have developed powers. The powers seem to be in line with their personalities.

 Simon Bellamy (Iwan Rheon) is really quiet and shy and he can turn invisible, which he kind of is anyway.

Kelly Bailey (Lauren Socha) can read people’s minds, and since she is very free about speaking hers this fits well.

Curtis Donovan (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) is a disgraced runner with the ability to move through time, and since he’s stopped running time seems to have stopped for him.

Alisha Bailey (Antonia Thomas) is a party girl and she receives the ability to make all men want her upon contact.

The last of our original band is Nathan Young (Robert Sheehan) who can’t seem to determine what his power is. We find out eventually, but I’ll let you discover it.

These characters are what make this show work. They evolve and you can’t help but liking them all. Nathan is an annoying guy, in real life I’d have to hit him , a lot. Watching him on the show is hysterical. No filter between brain and mouth with this guy. Simon is the silent strength and heart of the team. Kelly is a realist and keeps it all in perspective. Curtis is a guy who gets things done. Alisha is spoiled but learns to become a real person.

Throughout the show they discover other people with powers, often resulting in bad things happening. The nice thing is  that it isn’t like a villain of the week like on Smallville in the early years. Also it has the advantage over Heroes of not being to over ambitious. Heroes got way too bogged down in their own mythology, MisFits you can watch a random episode with a cursory understanding and enjoy.

The show is funny, full of action and just plain awesome. I hear talk of a season 4, which will be interesting with some of the cast changes that have happened. So far they’ve worked. Nathan was replaced in Series 3 with Shaun played by a very funny Craig Parkinson. I’ve also heard that Lauren Socha won’t be returning because she is actually going to jail

There is rumor of an American remake coming, in my  opinion don’t bother if you can’t have the cursing and nudity. British Tv made by Americans – Life On Mars ring any bells? Original was great, American version SUCKED.

You can get this set only from the UK for now, but it is on Hulu.

MIMIC: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT (1997) was directed by Guillermo del Toro and has his stylistic mark all over it. The film follows Dr. Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino) who created a genetically engineered cockroach-hybrid to kill the cockroaches spreading a near fatal disease to the children in New York City. While the Judas breed was supposed to die out shortly after their release, three years later Susan and her husband (Jeremy Northam) begin to find evidence that not only have they survived, but they’ve evolved.

The gross and unsettling ambiance of the film generally prevails over the possible humor, despite featuring an overly dramatic score that seems out of place. The plot is entertaining, even if there are a few too many coincidences that lead up to the final showdown and convergence of the main cast. The likeable characters and the solid acting do a lot to ground the film, although a few scenes do succumb to melodramatic dialogue and delivery. Overall, Del Toro manages to capture the fun, monstrous B-movie feel without really sacrificing aesthetics or acting—an impressive feat when considering the movie is about genetically engineered human-sized, human-mimicking cockroach-hybrids.

The first disc also includes some great special features, including a featurette with Guillermo Del Toro called “Reclaiming Mimic.” It’s best watched after the film to see how the director’s cut compares to his original vision and if the themes he intended to weave into the story are present.

The sequels, MIMIC 2 (2001) and MIMIC: SENTINEL (2003) don’t manage as much as Del Toro’s, but they nice as additions to the first film. Taking place about one year after the original, MIMIC 2 turns Alix Koromzay’s minor character into this film’s lead and the victims of the remaining Judas bug’s kills have set her in the middle of a police investigation. The movie, directed by Jean de Segonzac, is pure B-movie absurdity with neon drenched sets, cheesy dialogue, and quirky characters throughout. While there are a few gross bug moments, there is no sense of fear or impending doom and the story drags, mostly in the parts where the Judas bug is attacking. It is fun in its own right, if all expectations are done away with from the get go and viewers simply relish in the sheer ridiculousness of the film.

MIMIC: SENTINEL, directed by J.T. Petty, doesn’t really create a lasting impression either, trying for a more serious tone than its predecessor. One of the survivors of the illness the Judas bugs were created to stop, now in his twenties, is unable to venture out of his house due to a weak immune system and a myriad of allergies. He spends his time photographing his neighbors from the window of the apartment he shares with his mother and sister only to witness incidents that leave him suspecting the Judas breed is hunting in his front yard. The one-dimensional characters never rise above their starkly stereotypical roles and the mediocre plot isn‘t very strong. It won’t have viewers dying to get to the end, but the film picks up on a different avenue of the series and the characters are so awkwardly over-the-top that its entertaining enough.

As a trilogy it is interesting because the movies are vastly different in both visuals and tone, making the change in director and screenwriter very noticeable. The three-film set may not consist of the three greatest films ever made, but they all bring their own sort of fun. The sequels are mostly to be looked at as amusing additions to the MIMIC blu-ray, making the set appealing mostly to fans of Del Toro and the first film that are eager to see the closest we’ll get to what he originally intended.

Kristen Micek

If you’ve never seen it, the film follows her on her Blonde Ambition tour. This is “Vogue” and “Like A Prayer” era. Arguably her biggest and best works. You can tell superstardom was her destiny. She radiates power with every word. We learn about her and how she ticks. We meet some of her family and her friends. And we discover she is pretty much exactly how you think she would be. She’s a controlling bitch. She’s crazy, cares deeply about those around her and will do anything to protect them. But the fact she’s a bitch is how she needs to be. She needs to be this woman to keep control of her life, make sure it runs the way it is supposed to. What you get from it is understanding. You understand her and how she is because of this movie. It does open her up for us all to see.

Honestly, this seemed like one of those movies that didn’t need a blu-ray transfer. How many films that no one cares about get this upgrade only to be ignored? For “Truth or Dare” that assumption is completely wrong, in Blu-ray the documentary shines. Those in charge of elevation of this movie took great care in it. The grainy look of much of the film is kept but made crisper, adding a new realistic layer. You get to see all of Madonna and you believe this is who she is. What really makes this version worth it is the absolutely gorgeous is the stunning, crisp, high-quality scenes of her concert. They jump off the screen and pull you in to the best seat in the house. The sound is big and noticeably not lip-synched. You can hear her breathe and push her voice when she dances. Beyond impressive is the picture. I never thought a documentary made in 1991 would be exactly what Blu-ray was made for but “Truth or Dare” is. Every concert scene is enhanced by the stunning picture. Concert films have never been overly exciting but this one just makes you stare and its power and beauty. The Blu-ray gets your attention whereas Madonna keeps it.

Amazingly, the film holds up and after watching it, you wonder what has changed from then to today. I’d love to see a follow up, but doubt she could let someone behind the curtain again, unless she was controlling that too. So, for now, we rewatch “Truth or Dare” and revel in the incredible nature that is her.

Jo Schmidt

The overall gist of the series is that Wil Macavoy is “the Jay Leno of news” and goes to great lengths to avoid being confrontational or sharing his own views. But when doing a college interview, he loses his cool and goes off on a student asks him to say why America is the greatest country in the world. At that moment, he appears to undergo a life-changing experience and decides to deliver the news with honestly and no nonsense. And while his new executive producer (Emily Mortimer), his newsroom staff (Alison Pill, John Gallagher, Jr., Olivia Munn, Dev Patel, Thomas Sadoski) and their boss (Sam Waterston) are behind him, it causes problems with Leona Lansing (Jane Fonda), the CEO of the cable news network’s parent company.

THE NEWSROOM debuts Sunday, June 24 on HBO.

In JESSE STONE: BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, Jesse finds himself struggling to get his job back as the Paradise police chief, and he is forced to rely on his cop intuition to sort through a maze of misleading clues and hidden meanings as he attempts to solve a shocking and horrifying mob-related double homicide.

Other actors reprising their roles are Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Kathy Baker as Rose Gammon, Kohl Sudduth as Luther “Suitcase” Simpson, Stephen McHattie as State Homicide Commander Healy, William Devane as Dr. Dix, William Sadler as Gino Fish, Gloria Reuben as Thelma Gleffey and Saul Rubinek as Hasty Hathaway. The movie also features Robert Carradine and Jeff Geddis.

Jesse Stone is a creation of the late Robert B. Parker and was featured in nine of his novels. A tenth, Robert B. Parker’s Killing the Blues, was written by Michael Brandman.

Miranda Lovelady, Dr. Bill Brockton’s protÉgÉ, is spending the summer helping excavate a newly discovered chamber beneath the spectacular Palace of the Popes in Avignon, France. There she discovers a stone chest inscribed with a stunning claim: inside lie the bones of none other than Jesus of Nazareth. Faced with a case of unimaginable proportions, Miranda summons Brockton for help proving or refuting the claim. Both scientists are skeptical—after all, fake relics abounded during the Middle Ages—but evidence for authenticity looks strong initially, and soon grows stronger.

Set against an international landscape, and weaving a rich tapestry of religion, history, art, and science, The Inquisitor’s Key takes Jefferson Bass to an exciting new level of suspense.