Smart List: A ‘90s kind of night with ABC Family’s ‘Melissa & Joey’
Wish your favorite ‘90s sitcom teens costarred in a show together? Talk about “Melissa & Joey.”
It’s a “Blossom” and “Clarissa Explains It All” (or maybe “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) crossover! OK, it isn’t. In this new ABC Family series, Melissa Joan Hart stars as a young city councilwoman who becomes guardian to her brother’s children after he schemes members of their town out of their life savings. Joey Lawrence plays one of the said townsfolk who lost it all. Whoa! The series marks the second time the two have starred together in an ABC Family show. Anyone remember the film “My Fake Fiance”? (Tuesday)
It’s finally time to talk about “Brian Wilson Reimagines George Gershwin.”
Last year The Times broke the news that the estate of composer and songwriter George Gershwin had enlisted Beach Boys visionary Brian Wilson to complete unfinished music that Gershwin had left behind at his death. Well, now it’s complete. The resulting album, via Disney Pearl, will features two songs that Wilson built from Gershwin’s unfinished music, “The Like in I Love You” and “Nothing But Love” and includes Wilson’s versions of classic Gershwin compositions such as “Summertime,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “I Loves You Porgy.” (Tuesday)
Since you’re probably still talking about “Dexter’s” Season 4 finale …
Perhaps not since the whole “Who shot J.R.?” debacle on “Dallas” has a season finale left viewers spellbound. Relive the events that led up to the shocking killer finale (literally) to the Showtime series when the fourth season is released on DVD. We’re sure the Ewings are dying to see it — J.R. included. (Tuesday)
More reason to talk about “Friday Night Lights.”
The family drama set against high school football might be coming to a close after its fifth season, but that doesn’t mean the Dillon Panthers will stop playing. Enough with the pre-game hyping. The critical darling will start airing in syndication on ABC Family this fall. Don’t have cable — or have an aversion to networks that air “Full House” repeats? Rejoice and grab yourself a copy of the fourth season, which will be released on DVD this week. (Tuesday).
Switch things up and talk about “The Tillman Story.”
The documentary, out in limited release, examines the friendly-fire death of professional football player-turned-soldier Pat Tillman in Afghanistan and the military’s alleged attempt to cover it up. It’s a break from the popcorn fair of 3-D piranhas and magical nannies also slated to hit theaters. (Friday)
— Yvonne Villarreal
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