Play and Seriousness: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt "Kimmy and the Beest!"/"Kimmy Meets an Old Friend!" Mid-season Finale

"Kimmy and the Beest!"

With Titus the head of the school theater, he tries to put on a play that'll make the students special, even if he has to star in it. After getting rejected for their auditing, Titus decides to bring them back to put on a play "Beauty and the Beest." Trying to meet his vision for the show, the lead leaves to join wrestling and after trying to keep the play going, the students thinks that Titus should play the beest. But when he realizes that the student who does the lights can hit those notes, he tries to place him with the wrestling team.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline and Lillian are trying to scalping to make money off the school play. After trying to convinced the parents to play $30, they try to sale them on the streets of Broadway and got an idea of how to get people to buy and come, which pretty much worked.

As for Kimmy, she tries to confront the man that is a follower of the Richard Wayne about how bad the guy was to her. But he just wouldn't believe it and gives her crap about how men have it harder than women, but he got a dose of his own medicine when she challenged to an arm wrestling contest and broke his arm and later get the butt kicked out of him.

She later joins Titus' play and sees how much he's trying to make the play all about him and not the students. After trying to convince him to change the lead role, she brings a secret weapon: his high school football coach. After getting the light guy out of wrestling and into the play, the play went successful for both Kimmy, Titus, Jacqueline and Lillian but not so much for the students as their parents weren't there.

"Kimmy and the Beest!" was another amazing and hilarious episode from start to finish. This could easily be Titus' best episode of Part 1 of Season 4. Burgess gives a outstanding performances and with Kemper in scenes it was just another priceless moment. Strong character development and writing. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

"Kimmy Meets an Old Friend!" 

After trying to find Titus at the school, Kimmy recognized a backpack from a kid, which happens to the one she lost at the club in the pilot episode. When she exchanges it, it's like her and an old friend are reunited. When she meets with Titus, who's trying to write his pilot to The Capiest, she helps him by using her book bag, that happens to be alive in her mind, to explore ideas.

After spending sometime outside along with Titus and her book bag and seeing guys playing a game of quidditch, she comes up with a concept for a children's book. But when the book publisher turns her down because they want her to write a book on her experience in the bunker. She gives her story to Titus, who happens to use it for his pilot script for The Capiest, that happens to get turned out but gets an offer for another show.

Meanwhile, Lillian comes to let Artie's family know that he had passed, but his daughter Sheba, tries to get her away from the family and the family will. But it would be Artie that would have the last laugh on her as he announced in a video that Sheba's inheritance would not go to her but be in the hands of Lillian.

Jacqueline gets a visit from her step daughter that fears to be pregnant. After trying to be the old Jacqueline, she finally realizes that Xanthippe wants her there and gets there just in time to hear that Xanthippe isn't pregnant. The two soon go after her boyfriend, who dumped her and was spreading rumors after she told him she was pregnant and turn his life and his room into a mess.

Kimmy realizes that she must grow up and dump her book bag by placing rocks in it and toss her into the river. But when she gets a phone call from an executive producer's son who'd read her story and wants to know more about what will happen next. She saves her book bag and heads back with a smile and celebrates with everyone with a fudgie the whale cake. But ends with a camera set on the four and someone communicating about phase 2. 

"Kimmy Meets an Old Friend!" was just as hilarious as the previous episode but left an amazing cliffhanger for it to be a midseason finale. There were so many good moments from Kimmy dealing with whether she needs to grow up or not, Lillian fighting against Artie's daughter and the one that I really enjoyed the most was Jacqueline and her stepdaughter dealing with a pregnancy. For Jacqueline and Xanthippe storyline, it really humanized Jane's character that it was both funny and heartwarming at the same time. After all, I'm dying to see what is Phase II that this mysterious person is talking about. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 4, Part 1 available on Netflix now and can catch Part 2 in January.

Untruths and Truths: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt "Party Monster: Scratching the Surface"/"Kimmy Disrupts the Paradigm!"

"Party Monster: Scratching the Surface"

Probably one of the most awkward and so well done episodes, "Party Monster" might be the best episodes of the season.

In the style of a crime documentary, we watch DJ Fingerblast in search for his role model to be his DJ at his wedding, DJ Slizzard aka Richard Wayne Gary Wayne. But what will lead him would be somewhat of nonsense from Wayne that he was set up being in jail and that the blame could be all Kimmy's fault. But the episode ends with Kimmy and Titus watching the documentary in shock for both difference reasons.

At first I couldn't make what of this episode but watching more and more of this episode, it finally clicked and was hilarious from both DJ Fingerblast and Wayne working together to watching clips of the documentary of Titus filling in the reenactment parts from firefighter scene to being DJ Fingerblast trying to skip rocks in the lake. And not to mention the awesome use of Hamm's dating show episode was well used. Strong writing, strong character development for Jon Hamm's character. Overall, I give this episode 9/10.

"Kimmy Disrupts the Paradigm!" 

After Kimmy watched the Party Monster documentary with Titus and she's frustrated with how it came out, she gets to take a work trip to Pittsburgh at a algorithmic convention. Taking Lilly with her, the two tries to find some fun in an awkward place where high tech becomes confusing for them. But they make the best of it by opening those at the convention to be more loving and not to their phones and gadgets.

Meanwhile, after trying to find work, Jacqueline tells Titus that he needs to sick with a role whether he doesn't like it. When a role for a school play comes along, he tries to find the inner nerd in him until he realizes that he's been a nerd along and not only gives a performance of a lifetime but makes a mark with the school principal, who offers him a job. 

"Kimmy disrupts the Paradigm!" is another well ensemble cast performance episode that really makes this episode one of my favorites so far. Whether it's Lilly trying to hook up with something from a hologram Chet to a speaker about L.A.I.D. and realizing that she meant something more than just tech. Or the chemistry between Jacqueline and Titus from confronting about accepting acting work to Titus coming to terms that he's a nerd. The episode really does give a nice short back story of Titus high school days of when he bullies the nerds just to be like the rest of the jocks. The episode had strong writing, character development and performances too. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 4 part 1 available now on Netflix.

The Tough Decisions: Champions "Opening Night"/"Deal Or No Deal" Season Finale/Series Finale

"Opening Night" 

With opening night coming, Michael not only is worried about his play but also if him and Gregg would make a couple. Priya comes for the show but also hangs with Michael and helps him with what Vince can't help. But she's visiting for another reason, that's to ask Vince if he's okay for Michael to go back with her to Cleveland.

At first, he didn't agree, but after watching her and Michael connect so well that he allowed it to happen. But when Michael hears about the news from the dean of the school, makes a counterpoint about the decision. But Priya lets Michael stay with Vince and Matthew.

Meanwhile, Matthew tries to be a bad guy when he tries to give each of the gym staff evaluation reviews. When he helps Dana, he gets her into the staff's group chat, which didn't go so well. But Dana changes with the help from Matthew and now everyone is on the group text chat, including Vince.

"Opening Night" was hilarious but also served some light heart moments between Vince and Matthew on the decision of Michael going back home. Both storylines were each as hilarious as the other, but I very much enjoyed the character development from Matthew. The writing was strong and the performances from the cast was as good as before. Overall, I give this episode a 8.5/10.

"Deal Or No Deal"

As Matthew finally graduates from high school, Vince gets an offer of a lifetime.

With Matthew graduating from high school, Vince has an idea of expanding the gym with a little help from his old high school friend. When Vince meets with him, the tables have turned when he gets an offer to be a manager for a St.Louis Cardinals minor league team.

Vince tells Michael about the offer, they agreed not to tell Matthew about it til after their dinner with Gregg. But that all went down hill when Gregg accidentally tells Matthew about it. Matthew gets upset and attacks Vince, who runs down to the gym. After being separated by the staff, Vince tells everyone about the news and that he's going.

Later on, Michael and Gregg seemed to have broken up, as Gregg is on a new show about family drama. But as Michael talks with Matthew about Vince, he just couldn't forgive him. But a noise coming from Matthew's room got their attention and Matthew shoots the intruder in the leg, that happens to be Vince.

At the hospital, Vince tells Matthew and Michael that he's staying and they continued on to be a family that tries to order nachos from the hospital cafeteria.

This episode was funny, strong and seemed to be close to a finale as it would be if the show had ended. The relationship between Matthew and Vince seemed to be the real focus and the strongest storyline of the episode. The performance between Holm and Favreau was amazing along with Totah as well. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Champions OnDemand and on the NBC app.

UPDATE: As of Friday, TVLine has reported that NBC has officially cancelled Champions after it's first season. I'm just furious of the news that this show, that didn't get a lot of promotion time, even for the final two episodes that were placed on Friday nights to burn off. Champions is an amazing show, just like Timeless and Great News, and deserves another season. It's got a great ensemble cast, strong writing and character development. But as with Timeless, I'm hoping the show gets picked up by another network or streaming service (COME ON NETFLIX!!!). It's been reported by TVLine that Universal Television is shopping around to other outlets.

Let's hope. Let's hope.

The CW Premiere Dates.

The CW becomes the second broadcast network (after NBC) to reveal their premiere plan for the 2018-2019 TV season, which features it's first-ever Sunday night lineup.

Following a two-night broadcast of the 018 iHeartRadio Music Festival on Sunday, Oct. 7 and Monday, Oct. 8 at 8/7c, the new season will officially kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 9th with The Flash' Season 5 premiere at 8/7c and the sophomore outing of Black Lightning at 9/8c. 

One week later, the real Sunday Funday begins with the Season 4 premiere of Supergirl at 8/7c followed by the series premiere of the network's long-gestating Charmed reboot at 9/8c. 

Here's the full rundown of the CW premiere dates.

Tuesday, Oct. 9

8/7c The Flash

9/8c Black Lightning

Wednesday, Oct. 10

8/7c Riverdale (season premiere)

9/8c All American (series premiere)

Thursday, Oct. 11

8/7c Supernatural (Season Premiere)

9/8c All American (premiere encore)

Friday, Oct. 12

8/7c Dynasty (Season premiere)

9/8c Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (final season premiere)

Sunday, Oct. 14

8/7c Supergirl (season premiere)

9/8c Charmed (series premiere

Monday, Oct. 15 

9/8c Arrow (season premiere)

Thursday, Oct. 18

8/7c Supernatural (new episode)

9/8c Chamred (premiere encore)

Monday, Oct. 22 

8/7c Arrow (new episode)

9/8c DC's Legends of Tomorrow (season premiere)

Thursday, Oct. 25

8/7c Supernatural (new episode)

9/8c Legacies (series premiere)

Midseason: Jane the Virgin, The 100, iZombie and Rosewell, New Mexico. 

Cancelled: Valor, Life Sentence and The Originals

NBC Premiere Date: The Good Place, Blindspot, #OneChicago and This Is Us

NBC was the first broadcast to announce their premiere plan for the 2018-2019 TV season and now the network will kick it off with Monday, Spet 24 with the return of The Voice leading into the new thriller Manifest.

The network's No. 1 hit This is Us, launches Season 3 the following night, Tuesday, Sept. 25th.

The #OneChicago Night will kickoff Wednesday, Sept. 26 with Chicago Med kicking off followed by Fire and PD.

Also The Good Place will return Thursday, Sept. 27th with a special 1 hour episode, which will lead into a special two hour Law & Order SVU. NBC's regular Thursday lineup kicks off the following week.

Still not word on Timeless and Champions getting renewed yet.

Here's the complete fall game plan:

Monday, Sept. 24
8/7c The Voice
10/9c Manifest (new series)

Tuesday, Sept. 25
8/7c The Voice
9/8c This Is Us
10/9c New Amsterdam (new series)

Wednesday, Sept. 26
8/7c Chicago Med
9/8c Chicago Fire
10/9c Chicago PD

Thursday, Sept. 27
8/7c The Good Place (1 hour premiere)
9/8c Law & Order: SVU (2 hour premiere)

Friday, Sept. 28
10/9c Dateline NBC

Thursday, Oct. 4
8/7c Superstore
8:30/7:30c The Good Place
9/8c Will & Grace
9:30/8:30c I Feel Bad (new series)
10/9c Law & Order SVU

Friday, Oct. 12
8/7c Blindspot

Friday, Oct. 26th
9/8c Midnight, Texas

Midseason: A.P. Bio, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Blacklist, Good Girls, Ellen's Game of Games, American's Got Talent: The Champions (New), The Titans Games (New), Abby's (new), Enemy Within (New), The Village (New) and The InBetween (New).

Cancelled:
The Brave, Great News, The Night Shift, Rise.

Change of Heart: Shades of Blue "Good Police" Season Premiere

The season premiere of Shades Of Blue was as intense and chilling as it could be and leaving us with some shocking moments.

After getting a quick recap on how we got here, we see Harlee speaking in front of a council about how to NYPD is dirty and even talking about how herself has been involved too. But we jump back three weeks proper to that event and see Harlee, Loman and Woz trying to get the drug dealer that's dealing and had that kid who shot Woz in the season finale. That was until gun shots were heard and the three headed over there.

As they come to the scene, Harlee and Woz see mainly everyone dead, while Loman chases someone that was running from the back of the diner. As Harlee checked the back, someone runs out the back and she chases him. He stops and turns and with a moment look Harlee shot him thinking that it was Stahl, but it wasn't.  Loman comes just after the shots and helped Harlee out, the same way she helped him out in the pilot.

Harlee tries to help figure out who would come in a shot an officer til she thinks that it had to do with the Intelligence unit doing. After the funeral of the police officer from the diner, Harlee and Loman tracked a suspect to take him in and questioned him, but the Intelligence gets in the way and gets to Woz asking for an exchange between Harlee's suspect and Woz's drug dealer that he's trying to get.

After Woz tries to get Harlee to turn her suspect in, she follows the orders but changed her mind and doesn't exchange like Woz was hoping she would do. Instead, she takes him to protective custody with James talking to him about it. As soon as Harlee meets with Woz in his garage, she talks about how it's the intelligence unit that got their own shot.

But as Harlee heads home, she gets a call from James about how they need to meet and that it was about what their suspect has to say. But when she heads there, she seems to be followed by a taxi and quickly she pulls over and follows a man in a hat that looks like someone, maybe Stahl. She follows him from the subway and out but loses him. She walks out and gets a taxi to meet with James til police cars were rush over and she too rush over to see that the suspect was killed along with James too.

This episode was so good with the intense, dramatic moments and the shocking final moments. But mainly I was moved with some of the scenes that mimic from the pilot episode from Loman helping Harlee out after she accidentally shot the suspect to what she did helping Loman out. Also the Woz-Harlee scene in his garage and the thunderstorm coming too. It does feel the show is coming to an end along with going back to the events that will lead up to Harlee testifying in court. Anyone thinking that some might not survive? I didn't see Woz in court with Harlee and others. Overall, I give this episode a 8.5/10.

You can catch Shades of Blue Sundays at 10/9c on NBC.

Shades of Blue Season 1 and 2 recap

We're just less than eight hours til the season premiere of the final season of Shades of Blue. If you haven't seen the last two seasons of the show, here's a quick recap.

In season one where it all started, we meet Detective Harlee Santos, who's a corrupt cop with the Street Crimes squad in the NYPD's 64th Precinct in Brooklyn, Just as things were going well with her, she gets caught by the FBI agent Robert Stahl. He makes a deal with her in exchange for shorten sentencing she turns in her Lieutenant, Matt Wozniak.

But Wozniak sense someone has been snitching in the group and tells Harlee about it in private, because he trust her. It not only drives Woz and Harlee crazy but it puts their team in a stressful time when a member of the team gets killed, because Woz thinks he was the one who's been talking with the FBI.

If that wasn't enough for Harlee, her ex-boyfriend and the father to her daughter comes back and gets release from jail due to bad evidence. He wants to meet with his daughter and Harlee as well. But Harlee pays him in cash to stay away but that wasn't going to happen at all.

It finally goes down with Stahl taking Woz, but the ending left a huge cliffhanger when Harlee confronts her ex's and he tries to rape her but she snaps his neck.

Season 2 was even more character driven than the first season with a whole lot of twist, turns and personal.

Just after Harlee snaps her ex's neck, she takes him out and digs his grave. But she gets a phone call and joins with Woz and explains to him that what she had to do was all for her kid. She asked him how he got away from Stahl and he tells her that he works for him now trying to get someone for him, who that would be seemed to be the Boss of New York, but that wasn't til Stahl tells them that he wants Councilwoman Julia Ayres, who killed his partner long ago.

It's been nothing but back and forth between Woz and Stahl til Stahl got the best of Woz and mailed his wife photos of his secret life as a bisexual.

As Harlee and Woz worked together to get Ayres the best they can, Stahl digs into Harlee's life, connecting with her daughter and searching for her father. He figures out that Harlee had killed her ex and tries blackmail her more and more, but she turned the tables on him when she informed the FBI of what he has been doing, for which he gets fired.

Things take a turn when Woz and the team get taken out with guns shots firing at them, hitting Woz's son. After things got really personal and Woz gets Ayres but not after she was elected Mayor. But it turns tragic twist when Woz gets shot point blank at the office and Stahl kidnaps Harlee, who happens to have a fetish for her, but she kicks his butt and tries to escape leaving with an intense cliffhanger.

Shades of Blue has been delivering week in and week out some of the best drama in the last two seasons on television. Not only does Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta gives great performances but the show's cast delivers too. With strong stories, it delivers with moments of character development and the twist and turns just leaves the audience stunned.

You can catch the season premiere of Shades of Blue tonight at 10/9c on NBC.