Blogs

newsobserver.com blogs

"Find Our Missing" does what mainstream media doesn't

It's a shame that "Find Our Missing" (10 tonight, TV One) exists because it points to a well-known disparity in my profession.

That disparity is in the coverage of missing persons; overwhelmingly white women get more attention on national broadcasts (think Natalee Holloway); the phenomenon is so prevalent it been proclaimed "missing white woman syndrome."

Despite the acknowledgement of this divide, not much has changed. "Finding Our Missing" steps into the breach with a 10-episode one-hour series that features African-Americans who have disappeared, and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

"Law & Order" returns with a British accent

If you're missing "Law & Order" and the new Los Angeles version isn't doing it for you, there's another option on tonight.

"Law & Order: UK" is the British adaptation of the classic crime drama, currently in its third season in Great Britain, and by all accounts, it's bloody good. Season 1 of the British series debuted here in America last week on BBC America. It's the first U.S. drama to be adapted for broadcast in the UK.

The stories featured on "Law & Order: UK" are actually based on early episodes of the original flagship "Law & Order."

Tonight at 9pm (BBC America) you can catch episode number 2 and then hang around for a repeat of last week's debut episode at 10pm.

How TV fans can have a happy July 4th holiday

What do TV fans think of when a long July 4th weekend rolls around?

That's right: A "Law & Order" marathon.

Don't judge. You have to have something to watch while you're nursing your sunburn and fighting that  hot dog-induced coma.

Not only is there a "Law & Order" marathon on the horizon (two! "L&O: CI" also gets one!), there's a marathon on the books this weekend for just about anything you might like, from "Anthony Bourdain" to "John Adams" -- or if you have more discerning television tastes, from "A-Team" to "Bewitched."

Because we're proud Americans, our spotlight is on "Greatest American Hero," playing Sunday on Syfy starting at 8am. But that "John Adams" marathon over on HBO looks pretty good, too.

Here's a full list of all the marathons over this 4-day holiday weekend.

A fool set loose on the "Law & Order" set

With the cancellation of "Law & Order" I've been doing a little reflecting on one of the coolest days of my life: the day in 1997 when I got to roam around the "Law & Order" set in New York, completely unattended, and watch Sam Waterston film a scene with Steven Hill.

That's me sitting at Jack McCoy's desk, holding a fake glass of scotch.

"Law & Order": The final chung-chung

Tonight's series finale of the 20-year-old "Law & Order" felt different from the opening chung-chung.

"Law & Order" fans know that with few exceptions, the show follows a certain structure and opens with the discovery of a dead body or at least a crime in progress. Then detectives show up to assess the situation, one of them makes a snappy quip (Lennie was the best at that), and they search for the perp. There are twists and turns along the way.

But on this last night there was no dead body, so no murder to solve. Instead, we follow the detectives and DAs as they work together to try to stop a crime from occurring. Their search for an anonymous blogger planning to blow up an unnamed local school takes some of the usual twists and turns, but finally leads them to an office building where New York City teachers accused of wrongdoing sit all day, every day, in a kind of purgatory awaiting judgment. And yes, that part is ripped from the headlines.

What to Watch on Monday: Big finales, including "24" and "Law & Order"

24 (8pm, Fox) - In this special two-hour series finale, President Taylor focuses on the peace treaty while Jack takes matters into his own hands (just as he does in every episode of every season). Boy, have I grown tired of Jack Bauer. But for those still engrossed in the show, tonight is very big.

Dancing with the Stars (8pm, ABC) - Tonight is the finale! It'll likely be close tonight between Nicole, Evan, and Erin. Check back later tonight for our recap.

Chuck (8pm, NBC) - In the Season 3 finale, thugs from the Ring inch closer to taking down Chuck and his team, as Chuck's father (Scott Bakula) works to stop them. And speaking of dads, Casey has to go on a clandestine mission to protect his own daughter from the Ring. NBC has graciously granted "Chuck" 13 episodes for a Season 4.

Keep reading for info on The Bachelorette, Law & Order, and more...

Ultimate "Law & Order" cast photo

Okay, it's almost the ultimate cast photo. The current assistant DAs and detectives are missing, but if you can overlook that (maybe someone can Photoshop them in!), this is the coolest "Law & Order" photo ever.

Shot by Norman Jean Roy for Vanity Fair magazine in 2003 and titled "A Perp's Worst Nightmare," the photo includes pretty much every major cast member up to that point (though I don't see Michael Moriarty) with the show's creator Dick Wolf peaking in the door. Sam Waterston (DA Jack McCoy) and Jerry Orbach (Det. Lennie Briscoe) have prominent placement. Can you name all the others? Click below to see larger image.

What to Watch on Monday: "House" and "Castle" finales

House (8pm, Fox) - In tonight's season finale, House's sobriety is on the line after struggling to save a woman crushed under a fallen construction crane.

Chuck (8pm, NBC) - Scott Bakula is back as Chuck's father, who discovers that a new more sophisticated Intersect has been uploaded into Chuck's head. (Not a finale).

Law & Order (9pm, NBC) - Two straight hours of "Law & Order" tonight (it's like NBC can't wait to get rid of the newly-canceled veteran). In the first case, a victim dies from stab wounds and the investigation unveils an exploited family. In the second case, a TV crew from a fashion makeover show find a dead man locked in a dog cage, and the  man's wife becomes the prime suspect. The "Law & Order" series finale airs next week. 

Big Bang Theory (9:30, CBS) - Leonard tells Penny the story of how he met Sheldon. 

Castle (10pm, ABC) -  Inn the second season finale, Castle and Beckett investigate the assassination of a covert agent and deal with their feelings for each other. Unfortunately, Detective Demming is still in the picture. 

Other finales ... One Tree Hill (8pm, CW) ends season 7 and Gossip Girl (9pm, CW) ends season 3.  

You won't believe what's replacing "Law & Order"

NBC canceled its 20-year veteran "Law & Order" this week so they could make room for some new pilots. Here's the first promo picture released from one of those pilots, called "The Cape." It's about a cop framed for murder who goes into hiding and is presumed dead, and then starts dressing like a comic book hero and fights crime. Sigh.

Here's a breakdown of other new shows ordered by NBC.

"Law & Order" cancellation is official

There was a lot of back-and-forth and hemming and hawing last night about the news of the possible "Law & Order" cancellation. At bedtime, media outlets were reporting that the show would likely return next season for a short 6-to-8 episode run.

Well, it's not to be. The official word from NBC today is that the 20-year-old cop drama will not return, and there will be no chance to wrap up any loose ends for the characters.

Stay classy, NBC.

Cars View All
Find a Car
Go
Jobs View All
Find a Job
Go
Homes View All
Find a Home
Go

Want to post a comment?

In order to join the conversation, you must be a member of newsobserver.com. Click here to register or to log in.
Advertisements