Hector Elizondo remains a stand-up guy in Last Man Standing, 8P on ABC…Jorge Garcia is back on Hawaii Five-O at 9P on CBS, then Marisa Ramirez is the partner we wish we all had on Blue Bloods, 10P on CBS…Angelique Cabral kicks butts as cool military leader in Enlisted, 9P on Fox. Over on NBC, Raúl Esparza is on a new episode of Hannibal also at 10P. PLUS: Lea Michele on Live with Kelly and Michael; check your local listings.
Photos: Jorge Garcia, Raúl Esparza and Angelique Cabral
Rico Rodriguez and unknown newcomer Sofía Vergara are back for another Modern Family, 9P on ABC, opposite Danny Pino and Raúl Esparza aregreat as always, on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit at 9P on NBC. And guest stars are on the other channels: Esai Morales continues his arcon Criminal Minds, 9P on CBS, followed by Arturo del Puerto of The Bridge, guest-starring on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation at 10P on CBS.
Remember when Sofía Vergara and Rico Rodriguez on Modern Family seemed to be the only Latino game in town? Those were the days. And it’s still in their kicking shins, at 9P on ABC. Then, watch J.D. Pardo on Revolution at 8P on NBC. Also at 9P, Maurice Compte guests on Criminal Minds, then at 10P James Martinez guests on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,opposite Raúl Esparza and Danny Pino doing amazing work, week after week, on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit at 10P on NBC.
J.D. Pardo on Revolution at 8P on NBC. Danny Pino andRaúl Esparza are the backbone of Law & Order: SVU, 10P on NBC, and Kevin Alejandro has a long (maybe season-long?) arc on the revamped Arrow, 8P on the CW. Look here for our story on Kevin and here for a post about Raul and his work.
The Tony Award nominee is a key part of the cast in two NBC drama: Law & Order: SVU and Hannibal…and it’s been a long time coming
Raúl Esparza has been a star on Broadway for more than ten years; he’s been nominated for Tony Awards four times, and he’s performed in everything from Stephen Sondheim musicals to David Mamet dramas. Still, even though he’s appeared in everything from serious films to horror flicks, and he’s guested or had regular roles on a wide range of TV shows, he’s never had the recognition he’s deserved.
So maybe–just maybe–he’ll get noticed now that he’s going to be in two places at once.
This Cuban-American actor/singer/director has done some amazing stuff already. He first got noticed in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, followed by Cabaret and Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang. He received his second Tony nomination for the revival of Sondheim’s Company on Broadway in 2006; then went on to do Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming and David Mamet’s Speed the Plow. All in all, he’s garnered four Tony nominations.
L-r: Mariska Hargitay, Raúl Esparza and Danny Pino
His TV appearances have been less intermittent at best, but always interesting. He did a few episodes of Pushing Daises with some of his Broadway friends like Kristin Chenoweth. Last year we saw him in a regular (and thankless) secondary role in the short-lived CBS series A Gifted Man, And we were pleased and surprised to see him as the awful Dr. Chilton in a few episodes of last year’s NBC series Hannibal.
This season he’s landed an every-episode slot on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit alongside Danny Pino, Mariska Hargitay, and the rest of the gift cast. And now word’s come down that he’ll be returning as Dr. Chilton on a more regular basis when Hannibal returns to the air early next year. That’s his best opportunity so far to get at least a little of the notice he deserves.
The only truly unfortunately thing is that none of his TV appearances have given him a chance to show off his truly extraordinary singing gifts, or his Cuban-American heritage (and fluent Spanish) until recently in an episode of Law & Order: SVU. Here’s a glimpse of what he’s capable of. Let’s hope he gets a chance to show more of it on TV soon:
L-r: Mariska Hargitay, Raúl Esparza and Danny Pino
NBC’s struggling to fill its schedule til the mid-season premieres in January, what with low ratings and cancellations (R.I.P. Welcome to the Family). But the good news is you’ll see more hours of Danny Pino and Raúl Esparza in what may be the best year of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit ever. Two repeats of recent episodes are appearing on Wednesday at 9 and 10P.
On NBC we have J.D. Pardo on Revolution which keeps trying to find its way at 8P. Sofía Vergara and Rico Rodriguez are front and center for a new Modern Family, 9P on ABC, while Kirk Acevedo, Karen Olivo andVincent Laresca join Danny Pino and Raul Esparza on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 10P on NBC.
On NBC we have J.D. Pardo on Revolution at 8P. Then Sofía Vergara and Rico Rodriguez continue to headline in Modern Family, 9P on ABC, opposite Esai Morales as the new BAU section chief, Matt Cruz on Criminal Minds at 9P on CBS, and Danny Pino and Raúl Esparza fights the good fight on the incredibly intense Law & Order: SVU at 10P on NBC.
The X Factor is new tonight. With judges; Paulina Rubio, Demi Lovato, and host Mario Lopez on FOX at 8P. On NBC we have J.D. Pardo on Revolution at 8P. Then Sofía Vergara and Rico Rodriguez continue to headline in Modern Family, 9P on ABC, opposite Danny Pino and Raul Esparza on Law & Order: SVU. Meanwhile, Eva LaRue and Joshua Alba guests on CSI: Crime Scene Investigations over on CBS at 10P.
Photo: Mario Lopez, Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio and Demi Lovato
The X Factor is new tonight. With judges; Paulina Rubio, Kelly Rowland, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell, and host Mario Lopez on FOX at 8P. Over on CBS’ Criminal Minds, Dominique Razón guest stars at 9P. Then Modern Family with SofíaVergaraand Rico Rodriguez keeps bringing in the millions at 9P on ABC, opposite Danny Pino and Raul Esparza as part of a remarkable new season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, at 9P on NBC. And at 10P, you can switch to the season finale of The Bridge on FX, Demián Bichir,Emily Rios, Alejandro Patino, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Juan Carlos Cantu, Daniel E. Mora, Diana Maria Riva and more, and breathe a sign of release: it’s already been renewed for a second season.
This film has great cinematography. The facial close ups say so much. And the intensity of events keeps you wondering.
From acclaimed horror-thriller The Wait, written and directed by horror auteur F. Javier Gutiérrez (Before the Fall), will make its highly anticipated Blu-ray debut with a limited edition release from cult favorite Vinegar Syndrome, available May 31 exclusively at VinegarSyndrome.com and select indie retailers.
Synopsis: follows Eladio, a groundskeeper, as he navigates a moral and supernatural dilemma in the Andalusian countryside after a series of events plunge him into guilt and a descent into madness. Starring Víctor Clavijo, Moisés Ruiz, Manuel Morón, Ruth Díaz, and Pedro Casablanc.
The film has gone on to win over 30 international awards and counting.
Now, for the first time, fans can experience this exclusive collector’s edition, featuring:
• Commentary with director F. Javier Gutiérrez
• The Wait VFX Reel
• Essay by film critic Rob Hunter (Film School Rejects)
• Limited edition slipcover with custom artwork (designed by Black Coffiend)
• English subtitles
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Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World storms onto digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home on April 15, before making its triumphant debut on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD May 13.
Synopsis: In Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie)–who now wields the shield of Captain America after events in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier–meets with newly elected U.S. president Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) and soon finds himself in the middle of an international incident. In a race against time, Sam must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
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Tombstone 4K Blu-ray, UHD/BD Combo + Digital + Steelbook arrives on April 22.
Synopsis: Every town has a story—Tombstone has a legend. Experience the explosive, action-packed battle on 4K Ultra HD. U.S. Marshall Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell), his brothers (Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton) and the outrageous Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) band together to bring law to the lawless in a notorious showdown at the O.K. Corral. The star-studded cast also includes Dana Delany, Jason Priestley, and Michael Biehn in an epic story of Wild West justice. Directed by George P. Cosmatos.
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Abbott Elementary: The Complete Third Season on DVD is available now!
From Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. Follow the lives of the staff we have grown to know and love working at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School, and go down memory lane with all 14 hilarious, wholesome and “educational” episodes from the third season.
Synopsis: It’s the season for change for the teachers of Abbott Elementary. Janine leads ambitious growth initiatives for the school while navigating personal and professional challenges. Gregory embraces his role as the “cool” teacher. Ava surprises with moments of unexpected leadership. From Career Day to a heartfelt end-of-year celebration, the Abbott staff prove that with teamwork- and Janine’s relentless drive-they can handle anything.
The cast includes Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Janelle James as Ava Coleman, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti, Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard.
Favorite Shot of the Day
Podcast
You can also listen to any episode of all of the podcast at thebradmunson.com