All Rise Season 1 Episodes 12-20

As All Rise has been one of CBS's biggest new shows this season; the second half of the first season proves it's powerful stories and characters.

I have been amazed at what All Rise has shown this season. With such strong and well-developed characters; plus their interesting and sometimes predictable storylines. While this ensemble cast has shown strong chemistry with one another; some like Simone Missick as Judge Lola Carmichael and Jessica Camacho as Public Defender Emily Lopez have given such strong and powerful performances; as the development of their characters grow.

In the second half of season one, Carmichael deals with helping Judge Lisa Benner with her campaign; as she finds anything dirt that could ruin her chances for the State Attorney General. Also dealing with personal issues like whether or not to continue to be separated from her husband due to their professions.

Meanwhile, Emily Lopez's relationship with former deputy sheriff now turned law in the DA's office, Luke Watkins grows; but takes a couple of steps back at times not only due to their work but personal struggles as well. Lopez still deals with PTSD of her former abusive relationship and it shows in episode 19 "In The Fight" where she defends an abuser in court that affects her.

There have been some humorist moments too like Sherri Kansky, Judge Carmichael's assistant dealing with a fun relationship with an LAPD detective that brings the fun out of the character since the series started. Even her and Carmichael having a breakfast outing too.

Also while I'm loving DDA Mark Callan and Carmichael's relationship as best friends; Callan and Amy Quinn have been a fun relationship to watch.  Even Judge Carmichael's court reporter, Sara Castillo been dating Judge Brenner's son and seeing Brenner finding out by her son picking up Sara's phone by mistake.

I've enjoyed watching All Rise this season; I hope that CBS will give this series a second chance and renew it. I want to see where these characters go; besides the COVID-19 has pretty much ruin the season as it shortens the number of episodes this season. This second half of the season I give an 8/10.

Monday's new episode will have the actors portraying them at their own homes via Zoom/FaceTime due do check-in and spread the awareness of communicating family and friends for support. I'm looking forward to it.

You can catch All Rise Monday at 9/8c on CBS.

Parks and Recreation Special

This past Thursday NBC aired the anticipated special reunion episode of Parks and Recreation. And while it was everything we had wanted, it's really what we really needed.

In the episode, Leslie Knope gets everyone to contact the gang via FaceTime/Zoom to check on how they are doing during this COVID-19 situation. It builds into a chain from Leslie and Ben to Leslie and Ron and it goes from there till we end up with Garry, who no one wants to contact.

During the episode, we also check on Joan as she interviews Leslie and Ben. Jamm still jamming things up again with his business. And Jean-Ralphio doing his advertising thing and asking anyone to call him at his personal number. And not to mention, Bobby Newport (played by Paul Rudd) who beings the episode with a message and has no clue about COVID-19 because he's in Sweden.

But it was when Leslie tells Ron that she just wishes that she could contact everyone all at once; that got Ron and everyone to facetime with Leslie and Ben. Ron tells her that they know how important it is to stay connected during these times and has Andy playing 5,000 Candles in the Wind.

The episode was darn right perfect; as it didn't ruin anything from the series finale that's probably the best thing coming out of this special. But in seriousness it talks about during these social distancing times; we must connect to the people that we love or haven't seen in a long time and to pay tribute to the men and women that are putting their lives to helping people in this time from doctors, nurses, firefighters, and cops. This special was a 10/10 but really it's what we all needed at this time. Thank you Parks and Recreations!

My Top TV Shows I Hope Get Renewed

We're just days away from May, and while that means that summer is just around the corner, we television fans are on edge waiting for the news of our shows to either get renewed or canceled. Here's my top five list of shows that I hope to get renewed!

5. Indebted (NBC): While this might not be on anyone's list to watch, I enjoyed tuning in to watch Fran Drescher be Fran Drescher in this family comedy about how a son and his wife taking in his mother and father because they're in debt. You can catch episodes of Indebted available on NBC.com and the NBC app.

4. All Rise (CBS): This law drama feels like Judging Amy meets Boston Legal, but the ensemble cast is so good with very character-driven stories. While I'm drawn to the stories and characters, I'm more into the friendship of Judge Carmichael and DDA Cullen, which doesn't have a romance tied to it. You can catch episodes on CBS All Access, Google Play, or iTunes.

3. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (NBC): The premise might seem out there, but go with me here: Zoey gets zapped while getting an MRI and develops these powers to see the people around her sing what they feel. This show is the perfect new series this season as it not only makes you laugh but feel and even makes you cry. I've cried a lot (like This Is Us type of crying). You can watch episodes on NBC.com and the NBC app.

2. Bluff City Law (NBC): This was one of my most anticipated new shows at the start of the season, and while it had so much promise, news broke the network decided not to go with more episodes they had ordered. I loved this series as it has great characters and stories, but the premise is so fascinating as it's like LA Law for the little guy in a way. Jimmy Smits and Caitlin McGee have fantastic chemistry. You can watch episodes on NBC.com and the NBC app.

1. Single Parents (ABC): It was last season, the radar series that won me over, and now I worry that this series could be on the chopping block. I love this series as it talks about single parents having this community of friends helping each other. If you like New Girl and Friends, this is the show up your ally. And Taran Killam and Leighton Meester steal the show with their brilliant chemistry. You can catch episodes on ABC.com, Hulu, or Google Play—three more episodes left of this season.

Three Reason Why You Should Watch Parks and Recreation

This week's news shows us a unique Parks and Recreation episode. This is an excellent time to tell you why you should binge-watch Parks and Recreattion right now.

Birthing stories to Having Babies: Single Parents "Oh Dip, She's Having a Baby"/"A Night At Camarillo"

"Oh, Dip, She's Having a Baby"

Just as Poppy and Doug adjust to living arrangements at Doug's place, Sharon comes over as she's beginning labor and needs help finding Ron. Poppy, Doug, and Miggy get Angie and Will over to help and tell their birth stories.

We learn that Miggy delivered his son at a 76 gas station; Doug was sitting outside the delivery room; Poppy was upset with Ron for naming Rory after the smoke monster from Lost. Angie delivered Graham in Las Vegas while Will told three stories, one confirmed as it involves Regis Philbin.

Sharon delivered her baby at the same 76 gas station, and Ron arrived at the hospital after picking up a Shaq shoe from Arizona. Poppy sees the bundle of joy and thinks about maybe wanting another baby but with Doug.

"Oh Dip, She's Having a Baby" is probably one of my favorite episodes of the season, maybe even of the series. This episode had everything from solid character development to hilarious and emotional moments as they told their birth stories. Hell, who knew that Miggy could step up like that for a birth at the 76 gas station? Holy crap! The cast did such a fantastic job in this episode. Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

"A Night at Camarillo" 

When Miggy finds out that Poppy has been ordering baby books, she tells him she's been thinking about having another baby and wants one with Doug. During their dinner that night, she was going to talk to him about the idea, but the restaurant had something different going on that got Doug's attention and battle with Dan Marino.

As soon as they got some alone time, Doug was evident with this vision of the future of not having kids, as she still hadn't told him about her idea. She talks with Graham, who watched the other kids at Doug's house. As Doug returns, Poppy tells him they might need to break up. Uh Oh!

I mentioned that Graham was in charge of the rest of the kids. They didn't think Graham could be bossy; he showed his good Italian side and got them to behave. He even needed to take five minutes as Poppy came back.

Meanwhile, Angie and Colin are hitting it off well. Colin is a bit creeped out by Will being around and copying off his clothing style. After Will hears from Colin's ex-wife that they still have an affair together, that sent Will to get to the bottom. Will sees from the air B&B hotel sign-out books that Colin had been with his ex-wife a few days ago.

As Will tells Angie the truth, Will kicks him out, and the two talk and enjoy the room Colin paid for. They even said that maybe Will has feelings for Angie, but they dodged that question again. But in the end, they got Colin back with the sweet revenge of putting the goose he hated in his car.

"A Night at Camarillo" was an excellent episode once again. While the Poppy and Doug story was sometimes weak, maybe the whole restaurant scene felt off. Maybe both Doug and Poppy should break up. Do I think that Doug would change his mind about having more kids? If he can change for her this season, he could change. The Graham story was so funny and different, as we've seen him build his anger and emotions this season. But the Will and Angie story was another winner for me again. I wish that these two would say what they want to say. I understand their friendship means the world, but they make that perfect couple. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

You can catch Single Parents to return Wednesday, May 6th at 9/8c with a particular one hour on ABC.

Helping and Settling: Single Parents "Hip$ for Dolores"/"Untz, Untz, Untz"

"Hip$ or Dolores" 

Poppy gets a letter from her landlord at her wineberry of the rent increased, everyone tries to help her out with money. Poppy and Will tries to sell her engagement ring for a lot more money, but it turns out that it's worth around $200. She did tell Will how the store has really built her self-esteem after leaving her ex-husband.

Meanwhile, Angie, Miggy, Rory, and Graham try to get money from Angie's co-workers from donations to even feeling bad at knocking Graham's foot to the floor. As soon as they got their money together, they've lost it after Angie's story was actually true.

Even Doug tries to help manage Poppy's store with some drastic measures, but as soon as everyone came back, Angie and Miggy brought back enough money as they sold Miggy's calendars at the office.

"Hip$ for Dolores" was funny at times with its simple story of the gang trying to help raise money for Poppy's store. It had perfect moments like Poppy telling Will how the store had changed her from leaving her ex-husband.

"Untz, Untz, Untz"

After another night spending the night at Doug's house, Miggy gets Doug to consider staying at Poppy's house, which turned into a disaster. First, Doug didn't enjoy it because of not getting in his evening routine, not to mention trying to find a place for his toothbrush and Poppy playing Frasier episodes so loud that she fell asleep. And the kicker comes to the bed as he couldn't get comfortable. 

Poppy didn't enjoy it either. As Doug was too moving in the bed and even talking in his sleep. The two settle their difference and Facetime each other as their new sleeping arrangement.

Meanwhile, Angie tries to hit it off with Colin by using Sophie to bond with his son, as Will takes Graham to have a boy's night. But Graham finds a woman and disappoints Will. Angie's date night that she was hoping for didn't go the way she had hoped but ended well after Sophie finally enjoyed Colin's son after talking about apples.

"Untz, Untz, Untz" was another fun episode. I very much enjoyed watching this episode with both stories as they were hilarious and so enjoyable. This was yet another good performance from the cast, and the writing was as good too. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Single Parents Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.

Bonding and fundraisers: Single Parents "Yarn and Pebbles"/"Chez Second Grade"

"Yarn and Pebbles" 

As Graham and Derek bonded with Angie, Graham believes it's time that he and Derek hang out for the day. While Angie is okay with it, she is bothered about it. Angie gets Doug to go with him and spy on how Graham and Derek are doing. She sees that they are bonding so well that she fears that Graham loves Derek over her. While Doug engorges himself with fired food, he helps Angie with advice about being Graham's rock.

Poppy and Miggy help Will after his break up and find a new relationship, but this relationship seems weird as she acts like a robot. After meeting with her, Poppy and Miggy throw her out after making comments about how she can change Will. Will wasn't too pleased about it. While the kids try to help, Doug gets rid of his junk food with a food party for friends.

"Yarn and Pebbles" was so good, and the performance from D'arcy Caden in this episode was so good and hilarious. But I couldn't get enough of Angie, Graham, and Derek's story in this episode. Even Doug had such a good moment, but that moment with Derek telling Graham that his mother is the real hero had me in tears. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

"Chez Second Grade" 

It's Valentine's Day. Rory and the kids put on Valentine's fundraiser date night at the school while getting a lot of money tips from the customers. With Angie and Will helping out, they finally catch up after being apart for a while. Even Will gets Angie a date that at first she isn't too pleased with but thanks him.

Meanwhile, Doug gets a visit from the Red Head again, and this time, she's coming on to him. He tries to tell Poppy about it but isn't worried because the Red Head was there for a skin check-up. After talking to Graham about it, Doug believes that his relationship with Poppy is over, but not to her, as she comes back and hangs out with him. But tells the Red Head, who returned to the house, to lose it.

"Chex Second Grade" was a hilarious episode from the beginning to the end. While I couldn't get enough of the kids scamming their customers to pay more in tips, the Angie and Will scenes were so good and funny. Even watching the twins in the kitchen was hilarious, even trying to take care of Miggy. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

You can catch Single Parents Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30 on ABC.