What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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July 1 - 7, 2018 WHATS UP! T5 BY ANDREW WARREN TV Media Drive into the sunset: One of Britain's most iconic TV shows is losing another pre- senter as it continues to strug- gle to regain its footing. Ameri- can actor Matt LeBlanc, best known for his role in the iconic sitcom "Friends" and more re- cently in CBS's "Man with a Plan," has announced that the next season of the BBC Ameri- ca series will be his last. LeBlanc has been with the popular motoring series since its 23rd season in 2016. He fa- mously took on the role follow- ing a very public dismissal of the show's longtime presenter Jeremy Clarkson and the sub- sequent departure of several of the show's other presenters, and since then he's become the face of a series that, while still popular, has struggled to come anywhere close to the ratings it boasted during Clarkson's ten- ure. Unlike Clarkson's departure, or that of LeBlanc's former co- presenter, BBC Radio host Chris Evans, LeBlanc appears to be leaving on friendly terms and for the most honorable of reasons — he wants to spend more time with his family and friends. "My experience on Top Gear has been great fun. I have thoroughly enjoyed work- ing with the whole team," he said in a statement. "However, the time commitment and ex- tensive travel required to pres- ent 'Top Gear' takes me away from my family and friends more than I'm comfortable with." Of course, there's still anoth- er season with LeBlanc in the works, so his many fans don't have to say goodbye just yet. BBC Two has promised that "Top Gear's" next season will be a special one, and that the search is on for a new co-host to take his place. The most re- cent season wrapped up this past April and there's no word yet on when the 26th, LeBlanc's last, will arrive. Everybody knows his name: Kelsey Grammer has found his way back to broad- cast television. The Emmy- winning actor has signed on to a new Fox series that's already out of the pilot stage and is in production for a 2019 premiere. The "Frasier" star has joined the cast of "Proven Innocent," a new legal drama that also stars Rachelle Lefevre ("Under the Dome"), Nikki M. James ("BrainDead"), Russell Horns- by ("Grimm") and Vincent Kartheiser ("Mad Men"). Grammer takes over a role that was played by Brian d'Arcy James ("13 Reasons Why") in the pilot. A few casting changes be- tween the pilot and broadcast of a series aren't anything unusual, but picking up an actor of Gram- mer's caliber is definitely a win for the series. The drama focus- es on a young lawyer (Lefevre) who leads an expert team that reopens and re-examines old cases in an attempt to exonerate innocent people who were wrongfully convicted. Grammer's role — the one played by James in the pilot — is that of state attorney Gore Bel- lows, whose tough-on-crime outlook often has him going head to head with the scrappy legal team. Grammer is best known for his role as Dr. Frasier Crane in both "Cheers" and "Frasier," earning five Emmys for his por- trayal. He's voiced the recurring villain Sideshow Bob in "The Simpsons" since 1990 and has been in his share of big-budget blockbusters, including "Trans- formers: Age of Extinction" (2014) and "The Expendables 3" (2014). The addition of such an ac- claimed actor to the cast of "Proven Innocent" will not doubt give it a leg up in the com- petitive TV drama landscape. The series is in production, with plans for a mid-season premiere next year. Back to his roots: Mark Bur- nett is returning to the show that kick-started his career. The fa- mous television producer is the man behind some of reality TV's biggest hits, such as "Survivor," "The Apprentice" and "The Voice," but it all started with "Eco-Challenge," and he's now bringing that legendary series back to television. "Eco-Challenge" had 10 sea- sons between 1995 and 2002 and is often credited with paving the way for reality TV juggernaut "Survivor." For its return, which is currently being shopped around to various networks, Burnett has tapped one of the world's most recognizable sur- vivalists to serve as host and ex- ecutive producer: Bear Grylls ("Running Wild with Bear Grylls). It's still far too early to know what, if any, changes will be made to the new "Eco-Chal- lenge," but no doubt the basic format will stay true to its roots. In the original, dozens of teams, each composed of two men and two women, were sent out into the wilderness to participate in a 300-mile race over rugged and inhospitable terrain. The race doesn't stop when the sun goes down, and the rac- ers are required to carry out all waste that they generate — even the waste that their own bodies make. It's a brutal competition that isn't for the faint of body, and with Burnett and Grylls teamed up, it will no doubt be a thrill to watch. ACE ADVANTAGE ALLEY APPROACH SHOT BACKHAND BACKSPIN BAGEL BALL BASELINE BOUNCE BREAK POINT CARVE CHALLENGE CHOP COURTS DEUCE DOUBLES DROP SHOT FAULT FOREHAND GAMEPOINT GRAND SLAM LOB LOVE MATCH NET RACKET RECEIVER SERVE SET SINGLES TRAMLINES VOLLEY WTA Tennis "Top Gear" presenter Matt LeBlanc WORD SEARCH STARS ON SCREEN Solution on page T23 A/Elder Law Practice 2 x 3