It’s go ‘thyme’
‘Masterchef Junior’ returns with more Ramsays than ever
If you like your Ramsays sweet, not spicy, then this competition will tickle your taste buds. Season 9 of “Masterchef Junior” premieres Monday, March 4, on Fox. On air since 2013, this series sees the softer, more encouraging side of chef extraordinaire Gordon Ramsay (“Hell’s Kitchen”) as he instructs, motivates and mentors young chefs (all between the ages of 8 and 13) to be better at their craft through increasingly difficult challenges. This season, Ramsay plans to tackle the task by sprinkling in a taste of home, inviting his daughter, Tilly Ramsay (“Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch”), 22, to join his judging panel alongside the returning Aarón Sánchez (“Chopped After Hours”) and Daphne Oz (“The Chew”).
Tilly, the fourth of Ramsay’s six children, has picked up her father’s flare for fabulous cuisine, having previously appeared in shows such as “Next Level Chef UK,” “Celebrity Masterchef Australia,” “Step Up to the Plate” and Ramsay’s own “Hell’s Kitchen,” proving that she can take the heat in the kitchen just as well as her pops. Now, before moving on to host her own series — “Dish It Out,” which is currently in pre-production — the second-generation Ramsay hopes to inspire young cooks, acting as a relatable bridge between the kid contestants and their adult mentors — not to mention, she’s always ready to shoot a few zingers back at the clever and quippy Gordon.
Featuring many of the same challenges as its predecessor (the far more intense “Masterchef”), this season asks its budding chefs to face skills tests, team challenges, pressure tests, elimination rounds and more, narrowing down the competition until only two or three cooks remain.these finalists, then, go on to face each other in an extravagant, three-course cook-off.after all three rounds of judging have been completed, one overall winner is crowned, this season earning themselves $100,000, the “Masterchef Junior” trophy and the impressive title that comes with it.
Based on a format created by Franc Roddam (“Celebrity Masterchef”), this delectable, familyfriendly series is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, in hopes of encouraging aspiring young chefs across the country and offering life-changing opportunities season after season.
With all previous episodes currently streaming on Hulu, “Masterchef Junior” returns Monday, March 4, on Fox, with all-new episodes available to watch the next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
“Kiff” - Season 1, New Episodes
Things are bound to get even nuttier when “Kiff” returns to Disney+ with four new episodes, streaming Wednesday, March 6. Starring an adventurous, free-spirited squirrel named Kiff (voiced by Kimiko Glenn, “Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse,” 2018) and her mellow bunny best friend, Barry Buns (Michael Croner, “Craig of the Creek”), these two pals explore their magical, mountainous community of Tabe Town with all the joyous enthusiasm best friends can share. All the while, Kiff and Barry Buns work to navigate life at school, their parents and their eccentric neighbors. Inspired by the real-life experiences of co-creators Lucy Heavens (“Space Chickens in Space”) and Nic Smal (“Team Jay”) growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, this fun family adventure series and the magical land where it takes place is full of surprises and exciting fun while providing some unique global perspectives for North American audiences. Each episode contains an original song and two 11-minute segments. The series also voice stars James Monroe Iglehart (“Disenchanted,” 2022), Lauren Ash (“Superstore”), Rhys Darby (“Our Flag Means Death”), Tom Kenny (“Spongebob Squarepants”), Vella Lovell (“Crazy Ex-girlfriend”), Nichole Sakura (“Superstore”), Gary Anthony Williams (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” 2016) and Eric Bauza (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”).
“NHL Big City Greens Classic”
Following last year’s first-of-its-kind live, animated presentation of a hockey game (played between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers), the Green family return to take their rink-side seats for another “NHL Big City Greens Classic,” airing Saturday, March 9, across ESPN+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney+.this year, the family will comment on a matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins, telecast simultaneously as the “regular” game airs live, on ABC and ESPN+.THIS alternate, kid-friendly presentation of the game will feature “real-time virtually recreated animation of NHL players and teams modeled after characters on Disney Channel’s hit animated series,” according to ESPN, with Cricket “coaching” the Penguins and Gramma “coaching” the Bruins. Meanwhile, the ESPN commentators will be equipped with virtual reality headsets and motion capture equipment, allowing the trio to immerse themselves in the colorful world of Times Circle, where the animated game will take place.
“Cinderella” (2015)
A dream is a wish your heart makes, and sometimes, those dreams do come true.the 2015, live-action remake of the beloved Disney film, “Cinderella,” is available to stream on Disney+ Friday, March 8.This Oscar nominated movie stars Lily James (“The Iron Claw,” 2023) as the titular princess-to-be, who is joined by the likes of Cate Blanchett (“Carol,” 2015), Helena Bonham Carter (“The King’s Speech,” 2010), Richard Madden (“Game of Thrones”) and more as the fairytale’s stellar cast of characters. Starting with a “once upon a time,” this classic tale follows a young, orphaned girl, Cinderella (James), who is kept at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and tormented by her nasty stepsisters.with a little bit of help from her fairy godmother (and just a dash of magic), Cinderella’s life changes forever when she finds true love.with courage, a determined spirit and some help from her friends, Cinderella seizes her happily ever after. Directed by Kenneth Branagh (“A Haunting in Venice,” 2023), the film features a screenplay by Chris Weitz (“Rogue One:a Star Wars Story,” 2016).
“Morbius” (2022)
From director Daniel Espinosa (“Easy Money,” 2010), with a screenplay written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (both of “Madame Web,” 2024), the vampiric, Marvel-comic based flick, “Morbius,” is now available to stream on Disney+. Starring Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” 2013) as Dr. Michael Morbius, a man determined to cure his rare blood illness, this story begins as Morbius is discovered to have been doing rouge experiments with vampire bats from Costa Rica, all in hopes of splicing their genes with his own, ending his chronic curse. Instead, a fateful encounter turns the man into a bloodthirsty vampire, one who is determined to avoid drinking human blood at all costs.