What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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February 9 - 15, 2020 WHATS UP! T5 BY MICHELLE ROSE TV Media Let's get political: As the first-in-the-nation party prima- ry, the New Hampshire primary has always attracted consider- able media attention. But ABC is taking it one step further by turning it into a storyline that will blur fact and fiction, even as it unfolds in real time. A special live episode of "The Conners" airs Tuesday, Feb. 11, on ABC, with two separate tap- ings planned for the East and West coasts. The episodes will incorporate ABC News cover- age of the Democratic primary as the results roll in. And given the time difference, the West Coast feed will include updated results. How will it work as a plotline? The idea is to have Mark (Ames McNamara, "At Home With Amy Sedaris") watching the coverage on TV as part of a homework assignment. Then, the rest of the Conners can join in and add their opinions on the primaries, the elections and whether they think voting mat- ters. This initiative is part of a re- cent trend at ABC, which has been experimenting with live stunts to increase viewership. The alphabet network has had considerable success with live versions of TV and film classics, including its recent take on "The Little Mermaid." And there's still more to come: ABC has announced plans for a live version of Mel Brooks' monster movie spoof "Young Frankenstein" (1974). No word yet on any casting de- cisions or official airdate, other than fall 2020. But expect this TV version to closely mirror the Tony-nominated Broadway ad- aptation rather than the film starring comedy legends Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn (both also starred in another Brooks classic, the 1974 film "Blazing Saddles"). "Our strategy going forward is to present one live or big tent- pole event every month," ex- plained ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke at the TCA Winter press tour. "At ABC, we are creating big, cul- turally impactful entertainment events that deliver enormous audiences." Hemsworth vs. time: No one lives forever, not even Thor. But leave it to Chris Hemsworth ("Thor," 2011) to try to challenge our notions about aging. The Australian actor has part- nered with National Geographic to host "Limitless," a new sci- ence series that asks questions and even entertains the notion that aging might actually be a curable disease. Viewers will see Hemsworth training for a variety of mental and physical challenges intend- ed to fight aging at every life stage. Each episode looks at a different way of pushing the lim- its of longevity, whether it's by building resilience, shocking the body, supercharging the memo- ry or regenerating damage. Hemsworth will also meet with longevity scientists who believe the answer lies in revers- ing aging changes on a molecu- lar level and with "superhu- mans" who have demonstrated the full extent of our potential. The series was announced during the TCA Winter press tour, with Hemsworth joining via video. He explained: "Basi- cally, I was somehow convinced to volunteer myself as a human guinea pig and endure a series of mental and physical challenges across the globe, all for the sake of science. We're hoping to shed some light on new ideas and emerging science with the focus on extending a healthy life span. Production starts soon, so wish me luck." Back to HGTV: Fresh off last year's successful "A Very Brady Renovation" special, ac- tress Maureen McCormick — aka Marcia Brady of "The Brady Bunch" fame – will be returning to HGTV again in 2020. The actress will add a familiar face to "Frozen in Time," a new home renovation series set to debut this spring. In each episode, McCormick is paired with designer Dan Vickery, and together they set out to overhaul homes that, true to the show's title, have a decidedly outdated look. Vick- ery will focus on structural work while McCormick must find the right decade-specific pieces that will add a playful retro touch to the updated de- sign. If Vickery's name sounds fa- miliar, you might remember him from "HGTV Design Star" (2009 and 2012's all-star edition) or as co-host of TLC's "Honey Do." The designer has also hosted W Network's "Love It or List It: Va- cation Homes" and "Best Room Wins" on Bravo, so he has plenty of TV experience going into this latest project. As for McCormick, the for- mer "Dancing With the Stars" contestant seems poised for a career renaissance. She and the other cast members of "The Brady Bunch" did a num- ber of appearances on HGTV and Food Network shows last year to mark the 50th anniver- sary of the TV classic. Given the ratings success of "A Very Brady Renovation" and its web companion series, HGTV seems like a good fit for Mc- Cormick. ADAM AMELIE ANNIE HALL ARGUMENT BREAK UP COMEDY DATING DON JON ENCHANTED EXES HAPPY ENDING HAROLD AND MAUDE HITCH HURDLE JUNO KNOCKED UP LA LA LAND LONG SHOT LOVE MAKE UP MEET CUTE MONTAGE OBSTACLE POLAR OPPOSITES ROM-COM ROXANNE SINGLES SPLASH THE PROPOSAL WAITRESS Movie Date Ames McNamara stars in "The Conners" WORD SEARCH STARS ON SCREEN Solution on page T23