Today's Entertainment

2 J une 28 - July 4, 2015 Br ainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media A ren't we lucky that our pets love us? I grew up with a Rottweiler, who could have done major dam- age to the soft, juicy little 10-year- old who dressed him in her broth- er's jacket, used him as a pillow and pretended to eat his treats. My family fed him, housed him, petted him and spoiled him, but when you get down to it, the only reason I got through any given day without getting mauled was be- cause he chose not to. Animal attacks do happen, of course, domestically and other- wise, but considering how many potentially lethal beasts are roam- ing the planet, they're not exactly hurting the human population. Humans may be the dominant species, but we're by no means the strongest. If the lions, tigers and bears of the world were to suddenly get it into their heads to push back against the people that are steadi- ly encroaching on their turf, we'd find ourselves in a mess of trouble (oh my!). It's a situation that is the focus of "Zoo," a new drama com- ing to CBS. Based on James Patter- son's No. 1 bestselling novel of the same name, the series follows a wave of vicious animal attacks on humans throughout the globe. As these attacks become more cun- ning and violent, it becomes clear that this is far from normal animal activity. "Zoo" premieres Tuesday, June 30, on CBS. Patterson has sold more than 300 million copies of his books, and 10 of his novels have been adapted for the screen, including "Kiss the Girls," "Along Came a Spider," "Women's Murder Club" and "Alex Cross." "Zoo" — which has sold more than four million copies worldwide and is available in six languages — was originally intended for the big screen actual- ly, but execs thought there was enough material to warrant a lon- ger story. The author himself is more than confident that his work will trans- late well to the small screen: "Peo- ple always say that the book is al- ways better than the movie," he said at CBS's summer press event. "In this case, I think the series is going to be better than the book." "Mad Men's" James Wolk leads the cast as American zoologist Jackson Oz, who offers safaris in the African wild. He begins to no- tice unusual behavior in the ani- mals he works with on a regular basis, and before long, he's wrapped up in the desperate race to figure out what's causing them to suddenly turn against humans en masse. Starring alongside Wolk is French actress Nora Arnezeder ("Safe House," 2012) as for- mer diplomat Chloe Tousignant, who takes ref- uge and teams up with Wolk as things start to get hairy (no pun in- tended) with the animals. "Revo- lution's" Billy Burke plays Mitch, a veterinarian who generally prefers to spend his time with animals than with other people. Kristen Connolly ("House of Cards") plays Jamie, a rather young journalist who has noted and been tracking the unusual animal behavior and is out to get the whole story be- hind it. Not all of the show's characters are lifted from the novel, and, as is always the case with a book's screen adaptation, the series won't line up with Patterson's work exactly. "We used some of the characters very specifically, then adjusted them a little bit and created some charac- ters of our own," said executive pro- ducer Jeff Pinkner in a recent inter- view with CBS. "It's impossible to do an adapta- tion and be completely beholden to the book, because there are some things that work well on the page that just won't work in filmed en- tertainment," he said. "But the idea behind the book and the char- acters in the book were so strong, we had a really fun leaping-off point." Pinkner explains that the show's structure is notably different from that of the original story as well, with the book's plot moving into the future, while the show remains in the present. He also revealed to the "Hollywood Reporter" that season 1's 13-episode arc will not leave off where the book does, and that the current plan is to have the series span five seasons, if not more. Filming began in January in New Orleans, but the long list of shooting locations helps demonstrate the tru- ly pandemic nature of the crisis. The first season alone takes the story to Alabama, Africa, Tokyo, Paris, Ant- arctica and more. "[The actors] literally have no idea what country they're going to, what animal they may be dealing with," Pinkner said in the "Hollywood Re- porter" piece, voicing his hope that the constant change in location will help keep things fresh for the cast and audience alike. So if polar bears aren't your thing, just wait a week and you may get to see someone eaten by an alligator instead. Mankind's superior intelligence has taken us a long way, but if "Ju- rassic Park" has taught us anything, it's that this by no means makes us invincible against things with pointy teeth and razor-sharp claws. OK, so "Zoo" doesn't have dinosaurs, but it has teeth and claws aplenty. Catch the premiere Tuesday, June 30, on CBS — and maybe stop using your Rottweiler as a pillow. James Wolk stars in "Zoo" Top of the food chain The animals are going rogue in CBS' thrilling new drama Cover Story this week 501 W Washington St, Brainerd | Ph: 218-828-1823 Free Pick Up & Delivery or Loaner Cars Available. We Can Do That! IS YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR THE SUMMER HEAT? OIL CHANGE CLUB COUPON BOOK $ 99.99 Free Oil Change With Purchase Of Book (book includes 4 Full Service Oil Changes PLUS additional coupons! Expires July 31, 2015 001257544r1 "Your One-Stop, Locally-Owned Medical Supply Company." 206 W. Washington, Tyrol Hills Center Brainerd (218)829-2100 BRAINERD MEDICAL SUPPLY We Process Medical Assistance, Blue Cross, Medicare and Most insurance. 24 Hour Emergency Oxygen Service HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! Valid With Coupon. CASH sales only. No other discounts apply. Expires 6/22/2015 IN STOCK LIFT CHAIRS Valuable Coupon $100 OFF NICE SELECTION OF COLORS AND STYLES With Serta's Premium cool action memory foam Free delivery in our service area 8-5:30pm M-F, 9-12 RENTALS available daily weekly and monthly. Drop off and pick up rental equipment available. WHEELCHAIRS LIFT CHAIRS 4 WHEELED SCOOTER OXYGEN HOSPITAL BEDS SHOWER CHAIRS 4 WHEELED WALKER 001254961r1

• Cover