Travis Kelce added game show host to his resume with the title “Are You Smarter Than Celebrities?” And Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Warriors,” a musical concept album inspired by the 1979 cult classic film, is heading to a device near you in new TV, movies, music and games.
Additionally, here are some streaming services worth your time, according to Associated Press entertainment journalists: Anna Kendrick stars in the then-serial killer TV show “The Dating Game,” and Nintendo fans get Super Mario Party Jamboree. ‘NCIS’ takes a look back at the character of Leroy Jethro Gibbs in ‘NCIS: Origins,’ a series set 25 years before the original.
— In 1978, a serial killer appeared on the TV show “The Dating Game.” Rodney Alcala was already a killer when he appeared on the show as one of three bachelors looking to date a woman named Cheryl Bradshaw. He even won. If they had done a background check, they might have discovered that he was on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list and was already in prison for a violent crime against an 8-year-old. In Netflix’s new film ‘A Lady of Time,’ streaming Friday, October 18, Anna Kendrick (also making her directorial debut) stars as the show’s woman (here spelled Sheryl), putting the spotlight back on the victims. ‘A Woman of Time’ received good reviews at last year’s Toronto Film Festival.
— If fake serial killers are your style, “MaXXXine” begins streaming on MAX on Friday, October 18. The third film in Ti West and Mia Goth’s unexpected trilogy (following “X” and “Pearl”) takes audiences into the sleazy underground of 1980s Hollywood. Goth’s Maxine Minx is an adult film actress hoping to get her big break in mainstream cinema. She got her chance from the stylish director Elizabeth Debicki. But she’s on the run from her past and a murderer who threatens her town. It’s very stylized, a bit silly and underdeveloped, but it’s a fun watch with a fun and extended Lily Collins cameo.
— And for those looking for comedy, Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage play brothers and former partners in crime in the star-studded new film, which comes to Prime Video on Thursday. Brolin is a man striving for a more normal life when Dinklage convinces him to go on a journey to score the big score he was promised. Directed by Max Barbakow, who created the hilarious time-loop romantic comedy “Palm Springs,” “Brothers” also stars Marisa Tomei, Glenn Close, Brendan Fraser and Taylour Paige in a large ensemble.
— On Friday, Oct. 18, Lin-Manuel Miranda teams up with award-winning actor and playwright Eisa Davis for his first musical since “Hamilton,” inspired by the 1979 cult classic. We are planning to release a musical concept album, “Warriors.” This film depicts the journey from the Bronx to their hometown of Coney Island amid an all-out war between street gangs. There are some notable departures here, including a gender swap and original genre mixing, and it’s undoubtedly an expansion of the all-star cast that features everyone from Lauryn Hill and Marc Anthony to Colman Domingo, Busta Rhymes, and more. Last month, the duo told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview that their version of ‘Warriors’ is about unity and peace. But it seems to be full of action.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
— Austin Stowell plays a younger version of Mark Harmon’s ‘NCIS’ character Leroy Jethro Gibbs in ‘NCIS: Origins,’ a series set 25 years before the original. We meet Gibbs as he begins his career as a naval investigator. “NCIS: Origins” debuts Monday on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
— A new Peacock docuseries explores the wild but true story of Elizabeth Finch, a former writer on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” Finch wrote the storyline, which he claims was inspired by his own life and medical history, including his battle with bone cancer. She later admitted she had lied. The three-part docuseries also tells the story of Finch’s ex-wife, who initially exposed his deception. “Anatomy of a Lie” streams on Peacock on Tuesdays.
— Travis Kelce adds game show host to his growing resume. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end hosts “Are You Smarter Than Celebrities?” It starts Wednesday on Prime Video. In the show, adult contestants answer elementary school-level questions with celebrities on hand ready to help.
— In the Apple TV+ drama “Shrinking,” Jason Segel plays Jimmy, a therapist grieving the death of his wife and trying to be a single parent raising his teenage daughter. In season 1, he begins giving unorthodox advice to his patients, including inviting one (Luke Tenney) to move into his house. We also saw a new kind of family blossom between Jimmy and his co-workers (Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams) and neighbor (Christa Miller). Season 2 of the heartwarming comedy premieres Wednesday on the streaming service.
— In Season 3 of Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer,” Mickey Haller is devastated by the murder of former client Gloria Days (Fiona Renee), but agrees to defend the man accused of killing her. This story is based on “The Gods of Guilt,” book 5 in The Lincoln Lawyer book series by Michael Connelly. It premieres on Netflix on Thursday.
— The “Sheldon-verse” continues with “Georgie.” & “Mandy’s First Marriage” premieres Thursday on CBS. The series stars Montana Jordan as Sheldon’s older brother, George “Georgie” Cooper, and his new bride, Mandy (played by Emily Osment). It is a sequel to ‘Young Sheldon,’ which ended after 7 seasons in May last year. Episodes also stream on Paramount+.
— “Hysteria!,” which premieres Friday, Oct. 18 on Peacock, tells the story of a group of high school band members who pretend to belong to a Satan cult to get attention. Their plans fall apart when village members target the teenagers in a witch hunt. The series stars Julie Bowen from “Modern Family” and Bruce Campbell from “Evil Dead.”
— The holiday season is approaching. For Nintendo fans, there’s no party like Mario Party. Super Mario Party Jamboree follows the classic formula. It’s a virtual board game where most spaces lead to multiplayer contests. Up to four players can play in person or online, with one online mode allowing up to 20 players to compete in the frenetic “Koopathlon.” There are 22 characters, 7 different boards, and over 110 mini-games that cover the silliness of Mario Party, from racing to brawls to mini-golf. And there are few cooperative challenges, like a cooking game where four chefs cut and dice to the rhythm. The festivities start on Switch starting Thursday.
— Barcelona-based Nomada Studio won legions of fans and a handful of awards for 2018’s sophisticated Gris, the haunting story of a young girl overcoming grief by solving puzzles and collecting stars. The indie developer’s Neva begins in a similarly depressing place. A warrior named Alba begins to explore the dying world with the white wolf Neva. Nomada calls it “a love song to our children, parents and the planet,” and the eye-catching, painterly landscape will look familiar to Gris fans. The journey begins Tuesday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch, and PC.
