Rap moguls, rock legends amid slate of fall shows

Even in this advanced age of streaming dominance, September still marks a welcome but also overwhelming arrival of new and returning programming. As usual, the focus here remains on brand-new series and movies, but some returns are worth briefly noting. When Saturday Night Live returns for a 52nd season on Sept. 26 on NBC, hosted by NBA star Jalen Brunson with music by L.A.’s Katseye, the Canadian simulcast moves from Global to CTV/Crave as announced by Bell Media in April. This TV lover’s heart is also glad to note the return of the feel-goodiest series of the spring, Best Medicine (Season 2 premières Sept. 20/22 on Fox, Sept. 22 on CTV/Crave). It follows a very grumpy (but soft on the inside) city doctor (Josh Charles, Handmaid’s Tale) returned to family roots and family practice in a coastal fishing village.

Any readers wishing to share the shows they most look forward to returning (most debuting later in September) would be heartily welcome to drop a note in the inbox at denise.duguay@freepress.mb.ca or via DM on Instagram at @dduguay. The most delightful of those recommendations will be quoted elaborately in future editions of this biweekly dispatch. But now, to the best bets of the new stuff.

●Jay-Z in 8 (documentary series premières Friday, Sept. 18, on Crave/HBO)

While not everyone loves the musical genre rap or Jay-Z in particular — “Either love me or leave me alone,” he sings in Public Service Announcement — most people have an opinion or at least an awareness. This eight-part documentary conversation promises a peek behind the cool facade for insight into what makes Brooklyn-born artist Shawn Carter tick. The questions are asked by fellow millionaire music genius Rick Rubin. Will this investigation into the creative process break down or fortify their ivory tower? Good tunes at least, including 99 Problems, Brooklyn’s Finest and 4:44.

● American Hostage (series premières Sunday, Sept. 20, on Crave/HBO)

There have been a number of screen versions of the unfortunate story of Tony Kiritsis. In February 1977, he kidnapped a mortgage company executive in Indianapolis and held him hostage for three days, rigging a shotgun to the man’s throat. Before he surrendered, Kiritsis forced a radio host to interview him live about his grievances. One year after the feature film Dead Man’s Wire was released in cinemas (streaming now also on Crave), a new TV series (named after a podcast about the case and filmed in Winnipeg) stars and is executive-produced by Jon Hamm (Mad Men), who plays the radio host opposite Giovanni Ribisi (Sneaky Pete) as the hostage taker. Quick, before another adaptation is announced.

● Youth (series premières Sunday, Sept. 20, on Crave/HBO)

In Catastrophe (CBC Gem), she plays a woman who gets pregnant during a fling in London with a visiting American. In Bad Sisters (Apple TV), she is the alpha sibling willing to do anything to protect the family. Once again co-creating, co-writing and starring, Sharon Horgan returns now as a 50-year-old divorcée caring for elderly parents and a not quite grown son while searching for love and, yes, sex. Cue barking laughter, a few gasps at unexpectedly frank talk about body parts and a sprinkling of gut-wrenching sobs.

● Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple (documentary premières Wednesday, Sept. 23, on CBC)

The venerable series The Passionate Eye features a profile of the late drummer for Canadian prog-rock royalty, the band Rush. After a tough start, Hamilton-born Neil Peart joined the band in the mid-1970s to become not only its drummer but primary lyricist. He was also a well-travelled book writer, whose substantial bibliography is crowned by Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road, written after the death of his wife and daughter. Bandmates and devoted friends Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are among the documentary subjects.

● Slo Pitch (series premières Friday, Sept. 25, on Crave)

With this new comedy, Crave is banking on the double-bonus of increased interest in real-life female sports (hello PWHL and WNBA) and the steamy fictional pro-hockey hit Heated Rivalry. In Slo Pitch, female exes are working it out on the baseball diamond. Beer-league slo-pitch diamond, to be precise. With a team name like the Public Lass Brovaries, this looks like it will have more in common with Shoresy than Heated Rivalry, but there’s room for everyone on the ice or diamond. Speaking of Heated Rivalry, Season 2 filming is underway for a spring première with new cast so far announced including Kevin Zegers (The Madison), Paul Gross (Men With Brooms) and Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil).

As is increasingly the case in this world of media mergers and cross-border rights squabbles, broadcast details are subject to change. All questions, comments and suggestions gratefully accepted at winnipegfreepress.com/deniseduguay.