Recent content from Neal Justin

Kerry Washington prepares for series finale of 'Scandal'
ABC's "Scandal" is getting ready to step aside after a groundbreaking term.

TV picks for April 18: 'Riverdale,' 'Decoding the Weather Machine,' 'Casablanca'
Fright night “Riverdale” may boast the most photogenic cast in TV, but when it comes to song and dance, it’s not quite ready for…

Review: 'Hey Mom,' by Louie Anderson, pays tribute to Mom and Minnesota
NONFICTION: "Baskets" isn't the only way the St. Paul-bred comic pays tribute to his late parent.

TV picks for April 11: Conan O'Brien, 'America Inside Out With Katie Couric, 'Staten Island Hustle'
"Staten Island Hustle" comes across as the Sopranos taking over "Shark Tank."

Zooey Deschanel prepares to say goodbye to 'New Girl'
After a yearlong break, the Zooey Deschanel sitcom returns for a short farewell run.

'Trading Spaces' is the latest TV show hoping to capitalize on nostalgia wave
After a 10-year absence, the home-decorating show "Trading Spaces" is back in business.

Singing Mayo doctors who went viral perform on 'Ellen'
The duo became an internet sensation after crooning Mike Yung's "Alright."

TV picks for April 4: 'Good Karma Hospital,' 'Suits,' 'Murder Chose Me'
Good medicine “The Good Karma Hospital” doesn’t operate from the same soap-opera playbook utilized by “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Good Doctor.” Its low-key approach to…

TV star Steve Zahn may save the world – but saving his Minnesota cabin comes first
The Minnesota native may finally achieve success on network TV. Just don't expect him to trade in his Minnesota cabin for the Hollywood Hills.

TV picks for March 28: Zach Braff, Andrew Lloyd Webber tribute, 'The Americans'
Broadcast news Your interest in “Alex, Inc.” will depend largely on how much you miss Zach Braff’s earnest doctor on “Scrubs.” The actor is…
A Minnesotan's surprising rise from chicken plucker to movie mogul
Minnesota native Lois Vossen has made PBS' "Independent Lens" a showcase for the best in documentary film.

In new HBO show, 'Saturday Night Live' vet Bill Hader proves he's much more than Stefon
The former sketch-comedy standout adds an assassin to his roster of characters.

As 'Roseanne' returns, Patricia Heaton and 'The Middle' prepare to bow out
The "Roseanne"-inspired series wasn't a hit, but still struck a chord in the Midwest.

TV picks for March 21: Rachel Feinstein, 'Krypton,' 'Cheap Eats'
"Krypton" adds a grimmer chapter to the Superman saga.
6 TV greats who shaped star Peter Krause
During two decades in Hollywood, the Minnesota actor has worked for some of TV's sharpest writers. He dished on six key collaborators.

TV picks for March 14: 'Traffic Stop,' 'The Green Mile,' 'The Mountain Lion and Me'
The long arm of the law “Traffic Stop” has been running on HBO throughout the month, but you may finally want to check it…

Katy Perry and Lionel Richie love their new gigs as 'American Idol' judges
The reboot of "American Idol" premieres Sunday and will go up against "The Voice" the following night.

TV picks for March 12: Pete Maravich, Jane Goodall, 'Evil Talks: Chilling Confessions'
Queen Jane approximately Brett Morgen is listed as the director of “Jane,” the award-winning documentary about conservation icon Jane Goodall, but it’s the 1960s…

TV picks for March 7: 'Life Sentence,' 'The Men Who Built America,' 'Delicious'
Extended warranty “Pretty Little Liars” graduate Lucy Hale has to re-evaluate her goals after discovering her fatal disease is in turnaround in “Life Sentence.”…

Film, not politics, at the heart of 2018 Oscars ceremony
Jimmy Kimmel's goal: Set the tone for a party that acknowledged cultural movements without letting them take over the evening.
Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel has become conscience of late-night TV: 'People like seeing real emotions'
Since last hosting the Oscars, he's evolved into late-night TV's moral voice.

It may be a hit, but life in 'Atlanta' hasn't gotten any easier for Donald Glover
Life hasn't gotten any easier for the characters on "Atlanta" — or the Emmy winner who created them.

TV picks for March 1: 'Atlanta' returns, plus 'Showtime at the Apollo,' 'Ackley Bridge'
Playing by the rules “Atlanta,” one of the most unpredictable and satisfying shows of 2016, avoids the sophomore slump in its second season by…

TV picks for Feb. 28: Marlon Wayans, 'The Looming Tower,' 'Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'
Warning signs Hulu beat its more prominent competitor Netflix to the punch when “The Handmaid’s Tale” became the first streaming series to win best drama.…

Minnesotan makes 'Good' with a new NBC show starring Christina Hendricks
"Desperate Housewives" writer Jenna Bans introduces even more desperate women in the new series "Good Girls."

TV picks for Feb. 24-25: 'The Walking Dead,' 'Network,' 'Young Adult'
Battle of the ‘Network’ stars The idea of watching Bryan Cranston as mad-as-hell anchor Howard Beale is intriguing — and expensive. He’s currently tackling the…

The Minnesota connection behind Hulu 9/11 series 'The Looming Tower'
"Sweet Land" filmmaker Ali Selim tells of inspiration behind his contributions to a heart-pounding tale about 9/11.

Former 'Prairie Home' returns for first time since Keillor scandal: 'It's been really hard'
Host Chris Thile talks about bringing the radio show back to the Fitzgerald Theater, saying "the show must go on."

Neal Justin's TV picks for Feb. 21 – Denzel Washington, Joel McHale, Ellen DeGeneres
Soup to nuts Those who miss the snark of “The Soup” may want to sample “The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale” with the…

Source of Garrison Keillor allegations shocks those close to radio host
Longtime "Prairie Home" employee Dan Rowles alerted MPR after being dismissed from the show, seven show staffers say.
Garrison Keillor's plaque removed from Scholars Walk at University of Minnesota
Garrison Keillor has been removed from the University of Minnesota's Scholars Walk, which pays tribute to students and professors from the university. "I was…

TV picks for Feb. 15: 'Splendor in the Grass,' 'Stargate Origins,' 'Roseanne: The Return'
Natalie Wood shines in "Splendor in the Grass."

TV picks for Feb. 14: 'This Close,' 'He Lied About Everything,' 'Little Women'
More than words Words aren’t always necessary to convey charm and humor, as proven by the new dramedy “This Close.” Deaf actors Shoshannah Stern and…

Star of 'The Chi' is proving to be one of Hollywood's most intriguing leading men
"The Chi" lead actor Jason Mitchell: "I'm a 17-layer cake."
What audiences didn't see on Minneapolis version of 'Jimmy Fallon'
Live edition of "Tonight Show" lived up to the hype — even after the cameras were turned off.

Jimmy Fallon promises surprises in Minneapolis
"Tonight" show host on what's coming after the Super Bowl: "It's a giant show. Justin is pumped."

TV picks for Jan. 31: 'Animals With Cameras,' 'Step Up: High Water,' 'SEAL Team'
Follow the action as animals are outfitted with cameras.

Minnesota gearing up for its most star-studded week ever
Minnesotans who don't care about a Vikings-less Super Bowl — or never gave a hoot about football in the first place — can still enjoy the time-tested game of celebrity spotting.

Wishing to be heard, Garrison Keillor now is planning return from scandal
Stalled talks with MPR over exit focus on archives, but he wants cash and more.

Make room, Joel and Ethan Coen: St. Paul's Dowdle brothers have arrived
A filmmaking duo used Minnesota Nice to revisit a horrific chapter in history.

MPR lays out its case against former host Garrison Keillor
Minnesota Public Radio said the woman who worked for the host of "A Prairie Home Companion" alleged "dozens of sexually inappropriate incidents ... over a period of years."
6 TV greats who shaped Minnesota-bred TV star Peter Krause
During two decades in Hollywood, the Minnesota actor has worked for some of TV's sharpest writers. He dished on six key collaborators.

Former 'Today' anchor Ann Curry welcomes a new day at PBS
The former "Today" anchor looks much more at home in a new PBS series.

TV picks for Jan. 17: 'Electric Dreams,' 'Corporate,' 'Gianni Versace'
Punch the clock You may want to call in sick to work tomorrow after watching “Corporate,” the new sitcom that makes the office look…
Minnesota victims aren't forgotten in 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace'
The latest Ryan Murphy crime series focuses on a notorious killing spree that began in the Minneapolis Warehouse District more than 20 years ago.
MPR's Tom Weber reassigned because of romantic relationship with Rep. Peggy Flanagan
The state representative and candidate disclosed their involvement on her Facebook account.

Bringing sex appeal to royal storytelling, 'Victoria' returns to PBS
The queen's stormy but happy marriage provides rich fodder for PBS "Masterpiece" series.

Are TV shows still a path to stardom? Katy Perry and Sean Combs say yes
TV singing shows may seem like an antiquated genre. But don't underestimate their family-friendly appeal.

TV picks for Jan. 10: 'Young Winston,' 'Alone Together,' 'Rooster and Butch'
Cruel to be kind Fans of “Broad City” and “Difficult People” will get a kick out of “Alone Together,” another stellar example of how much…

TV picks for Jan. 8: 'Set It Off,' David Bowie, 'Antiques Roadshow'
Before setting sail Trailers for the Sandra Bullock-led “Ocean’s 8” have me itching to re-watch 1996’s “Set It Off” (6 p.m., BET), in which…

It's a golden age for comedy, thanks to podcasts and social media
New platforms are helping comics win fans — and weeding out folks who just aren't funny.

TV picks for Jan. 3: 'The X-Files,' 'Grown-ish,' '9-1-1'
Reopening the files Either creator Chris Carter or the American Cancer Society is determined to prove that the Cigarette Man is civilization’s greatest enemy. That’s…

TV picks for Dec. 27: 'The Day the Dinosaurs Died,' 'The EA Madden Challenge,' 'The Big Lebowski'
"The Big Lebowski" still abides.

TV picks for Dec. 20: 'America's Badlands,' 'The Indian Detective,' 'Scrooged'
"Scrooged" is devilishly clever interpretation of "A Christmas Carol."
Thile announces new name for 'A Prairie Home Companion'
MPR separates broadcast from Keillor's "Prairie Home" brand.

TV picks for Dec. 16-17: 'Saturday Night Live,' 'Trollhunters,' 'CNN Heroes'
Guillermo del Toro's "Trollhunters" second season underway

TV picks for Dec. 13: Ed Helms, 'Freedom Fighters,' Golden Globes special
"Freedom Fighters: The Ray" shows promise by third installment.

In Hollywood, women are increasingly calling the shots on television
While Hollywood has a long way to go, more female directors are calling the shots in TV.

Garrison Keillor says MPR's CEO never asked for his side of the story
Pushing back, the writer hopes for "a happy resolution" and says he's headed to Mayo to get a pacemaker.

As their relationship ends, MPR, Keillor both come under fire
On social media and elsewhere, longtime MPR supporters are expressing confusion or anger.

Chris Thile addresses scandal around his 'Prairie Home' predecessor Garrison Keillor
Tradition fell to the wayside on the Saturday edition of what was formerly known as "A Prairie Home Companion."

Review: 'Improv Nation,' by Sam Wasson
NONFICTION: Writer Sam Wasson looks at the careers of Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and other quick-witted comics.
'I think I have to leave the country,' Garrison Keillor says after firing
MPR cited "inappropriate behavior with an individual who worked with him." Keillor said he was fired over an incident in which he touched a woman's bare back. Later he talked about moving.

TV picks for Nov. 29: 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' James Stewart, 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center'
Standup gals One reason for the success of “Gilmore Girls” was the casting of Lauren Graham, who perfectly channeled Rosalind Russell while tackling creator Amy…

Minnesota comic Chad Daniels makes his mark both at home and abroad
Chad Daniels hits the next level with an Acme documentary and a big homecoming gig.
Documentary on Minneapolis' Acme Comedy Club doesn't quite 'kill'
REVIEW: Three local comics bond as they tackle Asia in a film due Dec. 5.

Jimmy Fallon to host 'Tonight Show' live from Orpheum after Super Bowl
The current king of late night will be in Twin Cities for Super Bowl weekend.

News flash: All Twin Cities TV newsrooms to be run by women
Women will run the top four TV newsrooms in the Twin Cities, the only U.S. major market that can make that claim.

TV picks for Nov. 8: Ozzy Osbourne, Danica Patrick, 'The Job Interview'
Driving ambitions When Danica Patrick says she doesn’t care what people think of her, she means it. At least that’s the message she delivers in…

Edina-raised pro wrestler Ric Flair spotlighted in ESPN's '30 for 30'
The superstar professional wrestler gets the ESPN documentary treatment.

Rolling Stone bios don't offer enough satisfaction
REVIEW: Book & documentary offer very different views of the Rolling Stone magazine founder.

KQRS' Tom Barnard enters National Radio Hall of Fame, praised for 'no B.S. swagger'
Dressed in a tux from Amazon, the KQ radio kingpin kept a tight rein at Thursday's ceremony.

'Better Things' star Pamela Adlon opens up about Louie C.K., Yoko Ono
"Better Things" star Pamela Adlon gets what she wants.

TV picks for Nov. 1: Hillary Clinton, 'H Is for Hawk,' 'Stan Against Evil'
I’ll fly away “H Is for Hawk: A New Chapter” serves as a sort of follow-up to Helen Macdonald’s bestselling memoir, in which a bird…
Netflix hit 'Stranger Things' returns with new season, rides a deeper '80s wave
The second season of the binge-worthy sci-fi series is now available on the streaming giant.
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