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Color Page 2 • Terre Haute Tribune-Star • September 17 - 23, 2023 For many of us, when we book a stay in a hotel (particularly a luxury one), comfort ranks above all else. Though the meaning of the word "comfort" varies from one person to the next and could encompass anything from the thread count of the bedsheets to one's proxim- ity to the bar, "comfort" in the world of John Wick is most closely associated with personal safety. Those familiar with the John Wick franchise will already be aware of The Continental's most important rule: the assassins seeking refuge within the hotel shall not conduct any "business" on the grounds. Put simply, no hits will be tol- erated on the premises. That said, NBC/Peacock is certainly hoping for a hit of its own (granted, a "hit" of a different kind) when the new miniseries "The Continental: From the World of John Wick" begins streaming Friday, Sept. 22, on Peacock. John Wick (Keanu Reeves, "The Matrix," 1999), the trained assassin who lends his name to the franchise support- ed by The Continental Hotel, first made audiences fall in love with him in the 2014 film, simply titled "John Wick." Despite his former career as a hitman, Wick exhibits a soft side while taking care of a new beagle puppy in the wake of his wife's death. However, when a group of gangsters breaks into Wick's home and the puppy is targeted, Wick loses all sensitivity and comes out of re- tirement to avenge his furry friend. And while Wick's situation may change from film to film, one thing that remains a constant throughout the franchise is The Continental; and this is where Peacock's newest series comes in. Created by Greg Coolidge ("Ride Along," 2014), Shawn Simmons ("Wayne") and Kirk Ward ("The Turkey Bowl," 2019), "The Continental: From the World of John Wick" is a three-part noir-action miniseries that focuses on the history of the mysterious hotel chain that operates as "neutral territory for members of the criminal underworld" (per IMDb). Colin Woodell ("The Flight Atten- dant") stars as a young Winston Scott, the manager of The Continental's New York division and a character already known to franchise fans thanks to the work of "Deadwood" actor Ian McShane. The role of Winston is a meaty one for Woodell, filled with lots of backstory for both character and set- ting as the series' events dive deep into real-life New York crime history. While the specifics of the minise- ries are being kept a secret for obvi- ous reasons, there has been word that the events take place over three nights at The Continental in the 1970s and that there is a correlation to both the Winter of Discontent and the rise of the American Mafia. Additionally, audiences can expect to see a few familiar faces along the way; most notably that of controversial actor Mel Gibson ("Braveheart," 1995). Join- ing Gibson and Woodell on the small screen are Nhung Kate ("The House- maid," 2016) as Yen, Katie McGrath ("Supergirl") as the Adjudicator, Jessica Allain ("The Laundromat," 2019) as Lou, Adam Shapiro ("Never Have I Ever") as Lemmy, Jeremy Bobb ("The Knick") as Mayhew, Dan Li ("Luther: The Fallen Sun," 2023) as Orphan Mas- ter, Sallay Garnett ("Conversations with Friends") as the Concierge, Peter Greene ("Pulp Fiction," 1994) as young Uncle Charlie (portrayed later in life by "Twin Peaks" reboot actor David Patrick Kel- ly), and new talent Ayomide Adegun as Charon, a role made famous by beloved actor and TV personality Lance Reddick ("White House Down," 2013), who died earlier this year. coverstory BY DANA SIMPSON Mishel Prada in "The Continental: From the World of John Wick" The 'Continental' experience: John Wick franchise gets three-night TV stay It may not have the edge of other movies about the television business, but "Broadcast News" still has plenty to like. Being shown on MGM+ Hits on Friday, Sept. 22, writer-director James L. Brooks' 1987 comedy-drama comes from a world he already knew, having co-created the TV newsroom of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." However, he fortified his effort by landing an adviser in CBS News veteran Susan Zirinsky, a veteran CBS News producer who's now the chief of that entire division. She's also the inspiration for one of the story's chief characters ... Jane Craig, a driven producer in a network bureau in Washington, D.C. The role made Holly Hunter a star, and perfect opposite her is William Hurt is cast as charismatic Tom Grunick, a newly hired reporter whose admission of not fully understanding the job repulses Jane, though she also can't deny her at- traction to him. Albert Brooks completes the tale's romantic triangle as Aaron Altman, a correspondent who's more than capable at his job, though he lacks star quality. This is a film that remains enjoyable to watch time and again. William Hunt in "Broadcast News" "Broadcast News" goes behind the TV scenes classiccorner BY JAY BOBBIN "The Lion King" (Freeform, Sunday, Sept. 17): A live-ac- tion version and a hit stage show have been among the off- shoots of this animated 1994 Disney feature, as deeply emo- tional as it is beautifully illustrated. Matthew Broderick voices Simba, a lion who wants to succeed his father Mustafa (who has the unmistakable sound of James Earl Jones) as their pride's ruler … but Mustafa's scheming brother Scar (voice of Jeremy Irons) has other ideas. The Oscar-winning score includes "Cir- cle of Life," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Hakuna Matata." "The Big Bang Theory" (TBS, Wednesday, Sept. 20): It was no small accomplishment for this sitcom to land Stephen Hawking as a guest, which it did in Season 5 with "The Hawk- ing Excitation." The scientific genius figures into a story that sees complications arise among Howard (Simon Helberg) and his pals as a lecture by Hawking at Caltech nears. more retro rewinds