Tonight on PBS: A Capitol 4th With Jackie Evancho

Posted on July 4, 2016 at 9:00 am

Once again, PBS will broadcast the 4th of July celebration from the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. Tom Bergeron hosts again, live at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building, with performances by: legendary Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson; platinum selling recording star and Grammy Award-winner Kenny Loggins; multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw; award-winning country vocalist Cassadee Pope; actress and singer Amber Riley, who is set to star in the musical Dreamgirls in London’s West End; musical prodigy and classical crossover star Jackie Evancho; Tony Award-winning Broadway and television star Sutton Foster; Emmy and Grammy Award-winner Christopher Jackson, who stars as George Washington in the Broadway smash hit musical “Hamilton”; Grammy Award-winning gospel/adult contemporary superstar Yolanda Adams; the cast of the smash hit Gloria and Emilio Estefan Broadway musical “On Your Feet!,” and the National Symphony Orchestra. Alisan Porter, the Season 10 winner of The Voice, will open the show with a special performance of the “National Anthem.” The concert will include special segments celebrating the 75th anniversary of the USO, featuring distinguished American leader General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, as well as a red, white and blue send-off for Team USA competing in the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Also participating in this year’s concert will be the Choral Arts Society of Washington, Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

Capping off the show, as always, will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery.

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Holidays Television

New on the Disney Channel: Adventures in Babysitting

Posted on June 26, 2016 at 2:45 pm

The Disney Channel has a new — and family-friendly– remake of the Elisabeth Shue classic Adventures in Babysitting. Here’s a sneak peek.

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Television

Coming to OWN: Greenleaf, A Soapy Drama About a Mega-Church Preacher’s Family

Posted on June 18, 2016 at 5:41 pm

Coming to OWN: “Greenleaf” is the story of a megachurch preacher’s dysfunctional family. Estranged daughter and disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge, “The Night Shift”) returns home after 20 years after the death of her sister, Faith. As she reenters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis megachurch run by her powerful parents Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David, “Enlisted” and “Community”) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Lynn Whitfield, “The Josephine Baker Story”), it becomes evident that the family’s outward display of faith hides secrets and abuse.

Winfrey, who also stars in the series, told TV Guide that the show deals with serious issues but is fun to watch. “It has substance and soul, but we’re not knocking you over the head. We’re here to entertain.”

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Television

Tim Tebow on Home Free

Posted on June 16, 2016 at 8:00 am

Tim Tebow takes over hosting duties on the second season of “Home Free,” a reality show that invites contestants to build homes for their heroes. The season premiere is tonight, June 16, 2016, at 9:00 on Fox.

In a roundtable interview with journalists, Tebow talked about why he loves doing the show: “Everybody walks away a winner. They can make a dream come true for their hero. The man who picked him up and carried a soldier to safety, the woman who gave his father her kidney — we get to see how the contestants have the chance to make a difference in the lives of their heroes….People are going to see the biggest build show they’ve ever seen,. It’s a competition, there’s a fair share of drama, and it shows how it can be cool to love and sacrifice for other people. It is more blessed to give than to receive and that really shows every week in this show.” He said that it is a change from the usual competition. “Today is so much about me me me and how can I get mine.” But this show “is coming from the place of wanting to help other people and trying to make a difference…Sometimes as little as a hug and sometimes as big as a home, showing that appreciation and gratitude.”

He said he got “super close” with the contestants and the crew and it was “fun to build those relationships.” He enjoyed working with contractor Mike Holmes, the building expert, especially teasing him the overalls Tebow called his “fancy onesie.” “He’s got a super soft heart and loves helping people — he probably won’t like me saying but you might even see him once or twice.” And he was moved and inspired by the contestants. “They put pause on their life to be able to do this, To understand the why behind it all was really cool. And to see some of them grow, believe in themselves, find their confidence, overcome obstacles.”

“There are so many heroes walking around us unnoticed. This show thanks them. We have heroes every single day and it’s important to say thank you.”

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Television

Roadies — A New Series from Cameron Crowe

Posted on June 13, 2016 at 8:00 am

Cameron Crowe, whose teenage adventures covering groups like The Allman Brothers and The Eagles for Rolling Stone inspired Almost Famous, has a new behind-the-scenes rock music drama, this time a Showtime series called “Roadies,” starring Luke Wilson, Carla Gugino, Imogen Poots, and Rafe Spall. It looks great!

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Music Television