Anson Mount

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson, WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin), on June 9th, 2022, reviewing the new streaming series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” a prequel to the 1960s TOS (The Original Series) now streaming on Paramount+.

I’m a sucker for a well-toasted slice of escapism that employs a singular setting to maximum impact. Liam Neeson trapped on a plane with a devious killer who’s trying to extort $150 million from him? Where do line up to buy a ticket? Seriously, this is the kind of Oscar counter-programming that I love this time of year—turn off your mind and take a trip with “Non-Stop”.

CHICAGO – Do you know what separates AMC from a majority of networks? The art of the ensemble. The multi-Emmy-winning casts of “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” are the bars against which most current dramas are measured. There were issues with some of the writing behind “The Killing” but no one ever complained about the performances. And it’s the people of “The Walking Dead” that keep it interesting.

CHICAGO – AMC has had quite the up and down year for itself. While the basic cable network has had some behind the scenes struggles with some of its hit shows (including contract struggles for “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” and “The Walking Dead” showrunner Frank Darabont stepping down this past summer), the network has still had good enough ratings to renew all four of its series that ran during 2011.

CHICAGO – AMC has been on such a creative streak lately that it’s tempting to think (or at least hope) that every new offering will be of the caliber of “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Killing,” or “The Walking Dead.”