Today's Entertainment

2 • October 14 - 20, 2018 • Brainerd Dispatch By Francis Babin TV Media T he new prime-time television season is finally here and, as usual, it features plenty of return- ing hits, fresh takes on old favor- ites, ambitious dramas and a healthy dose of period pieces. On Tuesday, Oct. 16, take a trip through time and make yourself at home with the Cleary family as they witness the dawn of a new era in the premiere of "The Kids Are Alright" on ABC. With the addition of the 1970s- set "The Kids Are Alright" to the lineup, ABC has doubled down on single-camera, ensemble-cast pe- riod comedies. "Kids" marks the network's third past-set series (with a fourth, the '90s-set "Schooled," on its way) after "The Goldbergs" (1980s) and "Fresh off the Boat" (1990s). It's hard to blame the alphabet network for wanting to take an- other trip down memory lane. As a society, we're constantly looking to the past, be it for inspiration, for escapism or in order to better un- derstand the present. Plus, the fashion, music and tech of days gone by are always sources of en- tertainment and interest. This fas- cination with the past has led Hol- lywood to be dominated by nos- talgia, with both the big screen and the small churning out period piece after period piece. ABC struck gold with "The Gold- bergs" and "Fresh off the Boat," and much like these comedies, "The Kids Are Alright" is based on the childhood of its creator. "Kids" follows the ups and downs of Mike (Michael Cudlitz, "The Walking Dead") and Peggy Cleary (Mary McCormack, "In Plain Sight") and their eight wild boys in 1970s sub- urban Los Angeles. Creator/writer/executive pro- ducer Tim Doyle ("Last Man Stand- ing") grew up in a large, tradition- al Irish Catholic family. After regal- ing ABC executives with hilarious tales of his youth, Doyle was given the opportunity to present these stories to the masses. At New York's annual PaleyFest, he talked at length about wanting to prop- erly document the era and to "show audiences a believable de- piction of family life during that period." Beyond Doyle's writing and pro- ducing duties, he also narrates in voiceover as an older Timmy, the fifth of eight children and com- pletely ignored. The younger ver- sion of Timmy is played by the wonderful up-and-comer Jack Gore ("Billions"). Growing up in the 1970s has provided Doyle with wonderful stories, but the decade wasn't all roses. It was a turbulent time in America, and it's the perfect set- ting for a family comedy. As Bob Dylan famously said, "The Times They Are a-Changin'," and after this decade, the Clearys — and the country — will never be the same. Doyle discussed this earlier this year at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas, saying, "They're trying to hold on to the values in this house, and the outside world keeps coming in." Raising boys is no picnic. Raising eight boys in a working-class neigh- borhood is a monumental chal- lenge. With Mike and Peggy often working long hours and doing ev- erything in their power to provide for an immense family, the gaggle of rambunctious boys are often left to their own devices and spend their days with little supervision. The series will continuously ex- plore the relationship between siblings at home and focus on the dynamic between the brothers and between kids and parents. We'll follow various groupings of the boys as they strike out on ad- ventures together or have heated exchanges with their mother. Many of these exchanges and ar- guments take place during chaotic family dinners, which are de- scribed as the glue of the ensem- ble comedy. It's during one of these dinner scenes that the household is turned upside down and things get complicated for the family. Af- ter returning home, the eldest Cleary boy, Lawrence (Sam Straley, "Chicago P.D."), announces that he has decided to quit the semi- nary and embark on a quest to save the world. Naturally, this no- ble mission isn't well received. In an interview with Variety, se- ries star Cudlitz explained that the Cleary patriarch isn't one dimen- sional or a stereotype. He's not just a grumpy dad — even if it would be completely believable and understandable if that was the case, with eight boys running amok. "There is a certain gruffness to him [...] but there's also a really caring side to him. He really tries to reach in and connect with his kids," the actor said. Like the rela- tionships between the brothers, papa Cleary's soft side will be ex- plored throughout the series. Along with ignored middle child Timmy and the recently returned Lawrence, the Cleary brood in- cludes Eddie (Caleb Martin Foote, "American Horror Story"), Frank (Sawyer Barth, "Public Morals"), Joey (Christopher Paul Richards, "Me, Myself and I"), William (Andy Walken, "A Christmas Story Live! ") and Pat (Santino Barnard, "Grey's Anatomy"). ABC has always excelled at family comedies, from "Full House" and "Home Improvement" to "Modern Family" and "Black- ish," and "The Kids Are Alright" looks to continue this streak. With 10 people, three bedrooms and one bathroom, the Cleary house- hold is not for the weak. Tune in to the premiere of the new sitcom, airing Tuesday Oct. 16, on ABC, to witness the amusing chaos. Home sweet home Take a trip through time with 'The Kids Are Alright' Cover Story this week Mary McCormack stars in "The Kids Are Alright" Conan A new lawsuit came out and it claims that female employees were harassed at Del Taco restaurants. The lawsuit says the women were exposed to unwanted advances, crude remarks, and food from Del Taco. The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon I read that Coca-Cola might be working on a drink that's infused with weed. They're still going to put your name on the side of the can, because it's the only way you'll remember it. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert The only thing Trump has been able to build so far are the eight wall prototypes that went up last year. They are different shapes and colors. They are like accent walls — because they are to keep out anyone with an accent. The Late Late Show With James Corden The Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh has hit a major snag due to a recent sexual misconduct allegation. In an interview over the weekend, one Republican senator criticized the confirmation process as "an intergalactic freak show." Trump supporters then immediately complained that intergalactic freaks are coming over here illegally and stealing all our shows. Jimmy Kimmel Live This guy Mark Saltzman — a former writer for "Sesame Street" — implied that he believes Bert and Ernie are gay, which, is this really news? Finding out Bert and Ernie are gay would be like finding out Cookie Monster has diabetes. It's not exactly a surprise. Late Laughs 001778115r1 BAXTER • ALEXANDRIA • PERHAM • CROSSLAKE www.advantageseamlessgutters.com 7419 Forthun Rd. • Baxter, MN 56425 218-270-5210 Call for a free estimate. RELIABLE SPEEDY QUALITY WORK GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE ANSWERS THE PHONE PROFESSIONAL Why Advantage Seamless? Here's what our customers are saying: 001776587r1

• Cover