2018 Summer TV Preview
Mira Sorvino, Julianna Margulies and Kevin Costner have series well worth watching
by Garrett Schaffel, AARP, May 1, 2018
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PHOTO BY: Bob Henriques/Magnum Photos
Bobby Kennedy for President (Now on Netflix)
His presidential campaign lasted just 83 days before his assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. But this four-part Netflix documentary spans seven years, from 1961 to 1968, of Bobby Kennedy's rise as a social and civil rights justice leader. The seven-hour doc includes never-before-seen archival footage, as well as interviews with confidants and staffers such as Harry Belafonte, Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Neil Gallagher and Dolores Huerta. FULL REVIEW
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PHOTO BY: Justin Downing
Patrick Melrose (May 12, Showtime)
Based on Edward St. Aubyn's award-winning novels, this cerebral five-part miniseries follows its titular character (Emmy winner Benedict Cumberbatch), an aristocratic Brit struggling with substance abuse after experiencing an abusive childhood. Oscar nominee Jennifer Jason Leigh, 56, plays Patrick's enabling mother, and Hugo Weaving, 58, appears as his father. Blythe Danner, 75, plays Patrick's aunt, Nancy.
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PHOTO BY: MASTERPIECE
Little Women (May 13, PBS)
A three-part miniseries, PBS' latest Masterpiece effort adapts Louisa May Alcott's classic, about four sisters growing into adulthood while their father fights in the Civil War, for the small screen. Emily Watson, 51, plays the family matriarch, the beloved Marmee, while Angela Lansbury, 92, portrays wealthy Aunt March and Michael Gambon, 77, is the family neighbor James Laurence.
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PHOTO BY: Stephanie Berger/NBC
The Great American Read (May 22, PBS)
Beginning with a two-hour special, PBS' new documentary series celebrates great American books, with host Meredith Vieira, 64, being joined by a number of enthusiastic figures from sports, entertainment
and literary circles. The first six episodes of the eight-part series will explore the various works on its list of 100 great novels, with viewers voting on social media throughout the summer to narrow the list to 10. The last two episodes will reveal the final top 10 list, counting down to the best-loved American read. -
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PHOTO BY: Tyler Golden/NBC
American Ninja Warrior (May 24, NBC)
Last year, Kansas City resident Richard Talavera became the oldest competitor in Ninja Warrior history, battling one of the show's famous obstacle courses at the age of 70 and earning the love of wannabe ninjas everywhere. There should be more such viral stars and plenty of excitement in store for the series this year, its 10th season, as competitors go through the gauntlet of grueling obstacles on the road to the million-dollar prize.
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PHOTO BY: Trae Patton/NBC
America's Got Talent (May 29, NBC)
NBC is looking to replicate the success of AGT's previous season, in which the network tallied a record 2.6 billion video views across its digital platforms. So the show is bringing back all of its stars: host Tyra Banks, of America's Next Top Model fame, as well as the four judges: Simon Cowell, 58, Howie Mandel, 62, Heidi Klum and Mel B — none of whom are actually American.
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PHOTO BY: Patrick Harbron/AMC
Dietland (June 4, AMC)
A timely TV entry for the #MeToo movement, this darkly comic adaptation of Sarai Walker's best-selling 2015 novel stars Joy Nash as Plum Kettle, an overweight ghostwriter for a women's beauty magazine, and The Good Wife's Julianna Margulies, 51, as her editor, Kitty Montgomery. The show tackles issues — including assault, harassment and misogyny — as the two women navigate a world buzzing with the news of several mysterious deaths of men accused of sexual assault.
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PHOTO BY: Courtesty AT&T AUDIENCE Network
Condor (June 6, Audience)
This TV adaptation of the 1975 Robert Redford thriller Three Days of the Condor stars Max Irons as young CIA analyst Joe Turner, who fears for his life after his station is attacked and his coworkers killed. Supporting Irons are a trio of film stars, including two Oscar winners: Mira Sorvino, 50, plays Marty Frost, the investigator of the attack, and William Hurt, 68, is Joe's uncle, Bob Partridge, a higher-ranking CIA official. Newly resurgent Brendan Fraser, 49, plays Nathan Fowler, a ruthless government contractor.
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PHOTO BY: Paramount Network
American Woman (June 7, Paramount Network)
Set during the sexual revolution of the 1970s and based on the real-life upbringing of its producer Kyle Richards (of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame), American Woman stars Alicia Silverstone as Bonnie, a single mother of two who's raising her children while battling for independence amid the rise of second-wave feminism. Mena Suvari stars as Bonnie's best friend, Kathleen, in the half-hour dramedy.
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PHOTO BY: Sife Elamine/Fox Networks Group
Deep State (June 17, Epix)
Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) stars in this visceral British thriller as ex-spy Max Easton, who's drawn back into a dangerous life after the death of his estranged son (Game of Thrones' Joe Dempsie). Producing studio Fox Networks Group has already renewed the show for a second season ahead of its debut.
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PHOTO BY: Viacom
Yellowstone (June 20, Paramount Network)
After five years away, Oscar winner Kevin Costner, 63, is back on TV in this new western. He plays John Dutton, owner of the largest contiguous ranch in the United States, who stops at nothing to defend its borders. Oscar-nominated actor-director-screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (Hell or High Water, Sicario) wrote and executive produces the series.
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PHOTO BY: Jan Thijs
Jack Ryan (Aug. 31, Amazon Prime)
Tom Clancy's titular character has proven to be one of the most popular to adapt for the screen over the years. This time, Amazon casts John Krasinski in the role of CIA analyst Ryan, making him the fifth actor to portray the character. Peter Fonda, 78, has a recurring role as Ryan's father-in-law, and Timothy Hutton, 57, appears as the CIA deputy director.
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If you grew up on music from the ’60s, ’70sand ’80s, you’ll love this summer’s concert season. Great bands and musicians on tour include James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt, Steve Miller and Peter Frampton, Def Leppard and Journey, Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper, U2, the Eagles, and Ringo Starr.