What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1066454
T2 WHATS UP! December 30, 2018 - January 5, 2019 BY KYLA BREWER TV Media W hen it comes to television, sci- ence fiction fans can be a fickle bunch. As loyal as they are to the series they adore, they can also be highly critical of those that don't live up to their expec- tations. However, a sci-fi series turned the genre on its head last season and won over skeptics. Seth MacFarlane ("Family Guy") returns as Capt. Ed Mer- cer, commanding officer of a mid-level exploratory space- ship, in the special two-hour season premiere of "The Or- ville," airing Sunday, Dec. 30, on Fox. This season comes with a slew of new challenges for him and his crew as they embark on another mission to explore the universe. Combining classic science fiction with comedy, drama and even romance, "The Or- ville" is a departure for Mac- Farlane, who's not only the se- ries star but also its creator. He's best known for his work in animation as the creator and star of Fox's "Family Guy," as well as co-creator of "Ameri- can Dad!" and "The Cleveland Show." A true renaissance man, MacFarlane is also a sing- er, writer and filmmaker. "The Orville" marks his first leading-man role in a live-ac- tion prime-time comedy, and he's been mostly well received by viewers as Mercer. The show got off to a rough start with TV critics when it pre- miered on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, but it soon won over audi- ences with its unique mix of comedy and drama. Despite criticism that the series was a blatant spoof of the iconic sci- fi series "Star Trek," millions of fans tuned in each week to witness the antics of MacFar- lane and his cast, leading to an early renewal for another sea- son of the show. Season 2 was announced in November 2017, before the first season had even finished airing. Fox executive Michael Thorn had high praise for Mac- Farlane and his cohorts when the network announced the show had been renewed for a second season. Adrianne Palicki stars in "The Orville" Reaching for the stars continued on page T10 TV FEATURE