TV-wise, 2017
And 2018 is shaping up to offer a nice mix of programs that I’m looking forward to shamelessly bingeing:
— “Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams” — premieres Jan. 17 on Amazon — It’s not too surprising that Amazon has opted to adapt another sci-fi classic by Phillip K. Dick. When “The Man in the High Castle” — based on Dick’s dystopian alternative history novel of the same name — premiered in 2015, it was the online giant’s most watched original series at the time. Critics were fans and enough watchers have tuned in to ensure the show will head into a third season this year. In about a week, Dick’s “Electric Dreams” will debut with an impressive cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi, Anna Paquin, Terrence Howard and Janelle Monae. The anthology series’ 10 episodes are based on Dick’s short stories.
— “Maniac” — premiere TBA on Netflix — Cary Fukunaga, who directed and produced HBO’s “True Detective,” will helm this dark comedy based on a Norwegian series that first aired in 2014. In it, “Superbad” co-stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill team up once again. Hill plays an institutionalized man who lives a fantasy life in his dreams. Sally Field, Justin Theroux and Jemima Kirke also star.
— “Counterpart” — premieres Jan. 21 on Starz — Oscar winner J.K. Simmons stars opposite himself in this spy show with a metaphysical bent. It focuses on Howard Silk (Simmons), a boring bureaucrat at an agency who nobody shares information with, until a future, bolder version of himself from another dimension turns up. While the show doesn’t debut until Jan. 21, Starz app users can check out the first episode now.
— “Sharp Objects” — premieres in the summer on HBO — “Gone Girl” author Gillian Flynn saw that novel break out on the big screen in 2014, and now her debut novel “Sharp Objects” will take the form of a TV show. The eight-episode series focuses on a reporter, played by Amy Adams, who returns to her hometown of Chicago to cover a serial killer committing brutal murders in the area.
— “One Strange Rock” — premiere TBA on National Geographic — Both Will Smith and Darren Aronofsky’s latest film projects — “Bright” and “mother!” respectively — have received mixed (leaning toward terrible) reviews. But their latest collaboration covers unlikely and, hopefully, interesting ground for the pair. Aronofsky will produce a 10-part show which tells Earth’s story and what makes the planet so special, while Smith will host. The series also features astronauts such as Chris Hadfield, Jeff Hoffman, Mae Jemison and Peggy Whitson and was filmed in 45 countries.
— “A.P. Bio” — premieres Feb. 1 on NBC — Anyone familiar with FX comedy “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” knows what a good jerk Glenn Howerton can play. So it doesn’t seem like a stretch for the man who portrays the hilariously despicable Dennis Reynolds to take on the role of Jack Griffin, a high school teacher who uses his position to torment a former colleague. The goal is for the failed Harvard professor to get back the job this man stole from him. The premise isn’t that exciting, so my interest here is based more on the comedic talents of Howerton and Patton Oswalt, who plays the sad-sack principal. It also helps that Seth Meyers and Lorne Michaels are executive producers.
Lindsey Fleming
