Today's Entertainment

BY GEORGE DICKIE From the 1970s to the 1990s, it was hard to miss a sitcom with a Susan Harris credit on it. Indeed, the prolific writer and producer had her hands in a number of iconic shows, penning scripts for the likes of "All in the Family," "Maude," "Love American Style" and "The Partridge Family." And when she later hung out her shingle as a creator and showrunner, she made her mark there as well. Her first project of significance was "Soap." This spoof of daytime dramas ran on ABC from 1977 to 1981 and followed the adventures of the well-to-do Tates and the working-class Campbells, who were linked by two sisters (Katherine Helmond, Cathryn Damon). The show was full of outlandish plotlines, including alien abduction, demonic possession, murder, kidnapping, cults and a communist revolution, and counted former soap actors Robert Mandan, Donnelly Rhodes and Arthur Peterson Jr. in its large ensemble cast. It also gave a young stand-up comic named Billy Crystal his first major acting role. Viewers can check out "Soap" weekends on Antenna TV. From the mind of Susan Harris Susan Harris "Movie: Songbird" Adam Mason ("Junkie," "Blood River") co-wrote and directed this 2020 sci-fi drama with a storyline that may hit a little too close to home for some: a pandemic-ravaged world circa 2024 where a handful of individuals navigate the problems plaguing society, among them disease, vigilantes, martial law and quarantine. "The Underground Railroad" Oscar-winning screenwriter Barry Jenkins ("Moonlight") is the creative force behind this limited series that chronicles the flight to freedom of Cora Randall (newcomer Thuso Mbedu), who discovers an actual railroad with tracks, engineers and conductors beneath the soil of the Georgia plantation where she works and lives. (ORIGINAL) "Movie: The Woman in the Window" Amy Adams stars as an agoraphobic child psychologist who finds her world turned upside down when she witnesses a brutal crime while watching the comings and goings of the picture-perfect family living across the street from her Manhattan brownstone in this drama from director Joe Wright. (ORIGINAL) The STREAM Scene Where all the top choices can be found in one place! "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season 2" (May 14) Things get down and dirty as the East High Wildcats prepare to face off against archrivals North High in a cutthroat competition in Season 2 of this musical comedy. Broadway's Andrew Barth Feldman, Derek Hough and Asher Angel guest star in this round. (ORIGINAL) Page 8 May 10 - 16, 2021

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