COUCH POTATO TIME. As the first quarter of 2017 comes to a close, it’s time to check out some of the latest and greatest offerings to hit the small screen
American Gods
Based on the novel of the same name by author Neil Gaiman, this wondrously dark tale tells the story of an ex-convict who is unwittingly caught in a war between gods. Premiering this April, the series focuses on Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle), a prisoner who is released early due to the sudden death of his beloved wife. Out of jail, but down on his luck, he is hired by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane), who is in actual fact the god Odin, on a mission to recruit old gods, who have now incorporated themselves into American life, to confront the new deities that threaten their reign.
The Arrangement
Although writers of the show have denied it, viewers have been quick to speculate the similarity between the show’s story with the real-life marriage of a major Hollywood star and a relatively unknown starlet, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. “The Arrangement” comes from creator Jonathan Abrahams of “Mad Men,” and stars Christine Evangelista as Megan Morrison, the aspiring starlet who catches the eye of superstar Kyle West (Josh Henderson). Things get a little twisted when Kyle’s best friend, mentor and Svengali Terrence Anderson (Michael Vartan), leader of the Institute of the Higher Mind, worries about Megan’s probable ulterior motives and strikes up an arrangement that many sane people would refuse.
Chicago Justice
After depicting the drama behind the lives of the windy city’s firefighters, cops and medical staff, Dick Wolf’s latest expansion into his Chicago universe follows the prosecutors and investigators at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The city’s high-stakes cases often capture the attention of the media, forcing State’s attorney Mark Jefferies (Carl Weathers), assistant State’s attorney Peter Stone (Philip Winchester), chief investigator Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda) and investigator Laura Nagel (Joelle Carter) to balance public opinion, embedded power struggles and their unwavering passion for the law.
Riverdale
Although the characters of the show are based on the popular Archie Comics, don’t expect to watch a colorful action-comedy version here. This TV adaptation by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has shifted the innocent small-town shenanigans of Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica and the rest of the gang into a shocking tale featuring character deaths, risqué explorations of sexuality and even toying with the undead. “Riverdale” is full of recognizable Archie elements, but the familiar character names and some of their superficial traits have been funneled into a creepy murder mystery with shadings of incest, inappropriate student-teacher relations and corruption that would make the original “Riverdale” gang blush. The main cast feature K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty and Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodges.
Taken
Ever wonder what Bryan Mills, the character played by Liam Neeson in the three “Taken” movies, did to be such a badass CIA operative feared by many? Well, the new “Taken” TV series is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that follows the origin story of a younger, hungrier former green beret Bryan Mills, who eventually became a deadly CIA operative. This show features “Vikings” star Clive Standen as Bryan Mills.
It’s time to get your couch potato game on and get ready for these highly anticipated shows.