Gosselaar just mixing it up
Q: Will the show “mixed-ish” be returning? I see the dad on the show is now starring in the reboot of “Saved by the Bell.”
A: First, “mixed-ish” — the prequel to “blackish” — will be back on ABC on Jan. 26. Second, Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s on-air involvement in the new “Saved by the Bell” (on streaming service Peacock) is limited to a few of the first season’s 10 episodes because of his “mixed-ish” contract.
By the way, “grown-ish” — another companion series to “black-ish” — will have new episodes on Freeform beginning Jan. 21.
Q: Why are there more news TVshows and channels? I have seen Newsmax, which looks like a clone of Fox News, and NewsNation on WGNAmerica during prime time. What purpose do these additional news outlets serve when we have CNN, MSNBCand Fox News already?
A: We should start by pointing out there are far more channels than the ones you mentioned. My cable provider’s news-related offerings include CNN, HLN, Fox News, Fox Business, MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg, three CSPANs, BBC World News, Newsmax, Jewish Broadcasting Service, Newsy, Black News Channel, Cheddar and more. And I’m not even listing the streaming services accompanying many of them.
You may think there are too many news channels, just the way other viewers may think there are too many police shows or sitcoms. But each news outlet wants to attract viewers and the resulting revenues, and each does so with a particular approach to information gathering and presentation. Some, as you can see in their titles, focus on a specific area such as business or on groups within the overall audience. Others set themselves up as alternatives to other networks.
NewsMax and One America News have reportedly drawn viewers by being more pro-Trump than Fox News, and Fox News itself began as a counterweight to what it called too-liberal news operations. NewsNation, meanwhile, calls itself “fact-based, unbiased national news,” contrasting with agenda-based news outlets. News programming is still a competitive game, with everyone in pursuit of viewers.
Q: What can you tell me about a recent series set in New Zealand? It had a young awkward man who went home to work at his mother’s real-estate office. There is a forward-thinking young lady who is with him. I want to say that “rose” is part of the title. I have not another clue about the name.
A: That is “Rosehaven,” a comedy set in Tasmania, which began telecasts on Australian television in 2016. There have been four seasons totaling 32 episodes so far. Episodes have aired on SundanceTV here, and I have found seasons two and three on cable via Sundance Now On Demand, and streaming on AMC+ and Sundance Now.
Do you have a question or comment about entertainment past, present and future? Write to Rich Heldenfels, P.O. Box 417, Mogadore, OH44260, or brenfelsgmail.com. Letters may be edited. Individual replies are not guaranteed.