Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
STARS ON SCREEN
From coast to coast: Wow, what a season that was. Showtime’s “Ray Donovan” just wrapped up its fifth season at the end of October, but before the finale had even hit screens, the drama had already been renewed for a sixth, and there are some pretty huge changes incoming for it.
Don’t worry — if you’re still catching up on the most recent season, there won’t be any major spoilers here. The planning for next year is still in its early stages, but the biggest news is that the series is making a big crosscountry move. “Ray Donovan” has been set in Hollywood since the very beginning, but when the opening credits roll next year, the show’s titular “fixer” will have moved to New York.
Liev Schreiber (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” 2013) stars as Ray, a Boston native who works for a powerful law firm. As a fixer, he’s the guy who handles activities that aren’t entirely on the level — payoffs, bribes, threats — whatever it takes to make sure a client gets the desired result.
Of course, his clients aren’t the only ones with problems. Ray’s father (Jon Voight, “Transformers,” 2007) is an ex-con whose scheming threatens the successful life that Ray has built, while his brothers, Terry (Eddie Marsan, “Sherlock Holmes,” 2009) and Brendan (Dash Mihok, “The Day After Tomorrow,” 2004), have their own issues that also keep intruding into his precariously balanced life.
The shift to the East coast should result in more than just a change of scenery. The Hollywood setting has been important to the show’s story, and a new city means plenty of new stories to tell. “Fashion, media, finance, theater, culture. It’s going to present new challenges for Ray Donovan, which mean new opportunities for us as dramatists,” showrunner David Hollander said in a statement announcing the new season.
“Ray Donovan” has been a big hit for Showtime, and the change in setting should help with keeping it fresh. Expect the sixth season in the summer of 2018.
Celebrating music: Dust off those dancing shoes — a big night in music is here. The threehour American Music Awards hit ABC Sunday, Nov. 19, broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and bringing the biggest voices in music together for a night of star-studded excitement.
Unlike many other awards shows, the AMA winners are chosen by music fans from across the country who have voted online in various categories. It’s melodious democracy in action, and it’s a great way for fans to get involved in recognizing their favorite artists.
Of course, no music awards show would be complete without performances, and this year’s AMAs don’t disappoint on that front, with a lineup of performers that includes Diana Ross, Selena Gomez and Christina Aguilera, who is paying a special tribute to the late Whitney Houston and her hit 1992 film “The Bodyguard,” which was nominated for two Academy Awards.
This year’s nominees for the coveted Artist of the Year award are five powerful acts with fans all over the world. Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Drake and duo The Chainsmokers are all competing for the title.
As for the New Artist of the Year category, the nominees are James Arthur, Niall Horan, Julia Michaels, Post Malone and duo Rae Sremmurd. Other categories include Favorite Country Album, Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist, Video of the Year, Collaboration of the Year and even Tour of the Year.
It may be too late to vote for this year’s American Music Awards, but it isn’t too late to tune in to see who wins. The AMAs air live from Los Angeles Sunday, Nov. 19, on ABC.
Talking Lynch: Jane Lynch might be headed to daytime. The former “Glee” star is thick in development of a daytime talk show with Telepictures, the same production company that produces the long-running talker “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which dominates daytime ratings.
Although it’s still early in development and hasn’t yet been green-lit, the talk show could be a perfect fit for the Emmy-winning actress who has already proven her hosting chops in NBC’s “Hollywood Game Night,” earning two Primetime Emmy awards. She even took a turn hosting the Emmys in 2011.
If Lynch’s series sees the light of day, it will enter a crowded daytime market. Steve Harvey’s new show “Steve” premiered in September, while Harry Connick Jr.’s “Harry” is in its second season after earning five Daytime Emmy nominations for its first. And, of course, long-running favorites such as “Dr. Phil,” “The View” and “Live With Kelly and Ryan” continue to draw in loyal viewers.
It may be a daunting genre, but Lynch has been polishing her hosting chops for years. If the as-yet-unnamed show gets a series order, it’s anticipated to premiere in the fall of 2018.