Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/850795
JULY 19-25, 2017 UCW 31 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM WEEKLY HOROSCOPE I read the magazine feature on Ashton Kutcher and "e Ranch" on Netflix so decided to watch it. e laugh track was so bad I couldn't last for two minutes. What were they thinking? Isn't it time for cable and streaming services to ban the laugh track once and for all? —Tom, Portland, OR I know they aren't to all tastes, but tradi- tional sitcoms filmed in front of a live (and laughing) audiences aren't going away, although except for CBS and rare excep- tions elsewhere — "e Carmichael Show" and the upcoming "Will & Grace" reboot on NBC, "e Ranch" and the reimagined "One Day at a Time" (also on Netflix) as key examples — they're not as prevalent as they once were. I still appreciate the form when done well — "e Big Bang eory" and espe- cially "Mom" are current favorites — and I should note that I've had several veteran producers (and actors) complain to me directly when I've used the dismissive phrase "laugh track." ey insist the laughter we hear is genuine, though it's obviously sweetened. And while single- camera filmed comedies are the current industry norm and command the most critical and award attention, I'm glad there are still those delivering TV comedy the old-fashioned way. ey consider it a form of weekly live theater, and that's a tradition I'm not willing to see abandoned. To submit questions to TV Critic Matt Roush, go to: tvinsider.com by Damian Holbrook Jeers to "Snowfall" for drifting too much. FX's high-caliber chronicle of the rise of crack cocaine in the '80s is visually stylish, beautifully acted and historically fascinating. Unfortunately, the buzzy drama starring Damson Idris as a young dealer has so far been brought down by various (and so far, useless) subplots that are less interesting than watching, well, snow fall. Jeers to "Younger" for giving us gray hairs. Now that Liza (Sutton Foster) has come clean to Kelsey (Hilary Duff ) about her real age, we can't help but fret that her pissed-off BFF will revenge-romance the liar's hottie beau, Josh (Nico Tortorella). Cheers to syfy for rebooting "Tremors." Honestly, with Kevin Bacon on board to reprise his role in the cult-fave horror comedy about killer worms, we're basically shaking with excitement. NEWS OF THE WEIRD by CHUCK SHEPPARD Texas passed the "pork- chopper" bill in 2011 allowing aerial hunting of feral hogs, and in May, legislators approved hunting from hot-air balloons, which are quieter and give hunters a steadier shot. [Reuters, 6/12/2017] Pre-Existing Condition Enterprising mother Jeannine Isom in Cedar Hills, Utah, took her 7-year- old son's dental care into her own hands in June when she purchased hand sanitizer and needle-nose pliers at Walmart, then ushered her son into the store's restroom and pulled out two of his teeth. Police were alerted after the boy's older brother heard him screaming. The mother was charged with felony child abuse. [Deseret News, 6-5-2017] Sweet Revenge A frustrated victim of bedbugs in Augusta, Maine, reacted to city inaction by bringing a cup of bedbugs to a municipal office building and slamming it down on the counter, scattering about 100 insects and forcing the closure of several offices as officials scrambled to contain them. The apartment dweller had requested help finding other housing, but city officials told him he didn't qualify. [Kennebec (Maine) Journal, 6/5/2017] Things We Didn't Know We Needed Are cute vegetables easier to swallow? A Chinese company has developed fruit and vegetable molds that form growing foods into little Buddhas, hearts, stars and skulls. Farmers afix the plastic molds over the stems of growing plants, and the fruit fills the mold as it grows. Some designs include words, and the company also offers custom molds. [Daily Mail, 6/15/2017] Fashion Emergency French fashion label Y/Project, in an apparent response to the eternal question, "Do these jeans make my butt look big?" is selling buttless jeans. The waistband attaches to the legs of the jeans with a series of clasps and straps, so the pant legs hang loose on the wearer. The Detachable Button Down pants are priced at $570. [KSHB-TV, 6/15/2017] Copyright 2017 Chuck Sheppard ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you may need to make some modifications to your strategy as a situation continues to evolve. Don't be afraid of change, as it is necessary to get the job done. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 It can be difficult to separate facts from the fiction, Taurus. However, you generally are a good lie detector. Put your skills to use to determine if someone is stringing you along. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, some shocking information may find you reeling if you do not stay grounded. Although it comes as a surprise, with some processing you will be able to handle it. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, address a potentially mess situation before it gathers too much steam. Communication is all that's needed to ensure cooler heads ultimately prevail. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, allow your plans for self-improvement to take center stage, especially true if you have put them on the shelf for some time. Make yourself a priority. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, you don't tend to be reckless, but even you can surprise others sometimes with your behavior. Let the tongues wag if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, take others' candor with a grain of salt. ey might just be blowing off steam and they will appreciate having someone there who listens. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you sometimes have a sarcastic sense of humor that makes you loved by some and disliked by others. Explain to the latter group that you mean no harm. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, a possible breakthrough in your communication levels may open up a whole new world. is can only improve your relationships and help your career. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you're very good at balancing the elements of your life. is week may be especially challenging as many things come your way in rapid succession. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, others may seem sure about their actions even if you feel lost. Don't put too much stock in it, as everyone copes with self- doubt from time to time. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Some of your beliefs are non-negotiable, Pisces. is can make for some rather heated conversations. But you're up to the challenge. Chuck Sheppard