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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 15 February 2019
'Boomerang' series updates story for millennial audiences

By LYNN ELBER feel that way," Bryant said
DAVID BAUDER Monday. "You feel like, 'I
Associated Press have a lot to offer the world
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — A and why do I have to do it
roundup of news from the in a size-two package?'"
Television Critics Associa- But the series, which Bry-
tion winter meeting, where ant co-wrote, isn't what she
TV networks and stream- called a "fat festival" that's
ing services are presenting obsessed with weight.
details on upcoming pro- "Our show isn't really about
grams. being fat and it's also really
___ not about dieting and it's
'BOOMERANG' IS BACK really not about her body,"
Halle Berry and Lena Wait- she said of her character,
he say they've updated Annie. Ultimately, she said,
the 1992 movie "Boomer- it's what any TV show is
ang" for a new generation. about: a character trying
Berry said the original sto- to achieve her goals and
ry that focused on black the family and friends who
characters' lives and work surround her.
was innovative for its time. Abortion also figures in the
But Berry said the issues that show, as it does in West's
millennials face today are memoir.
different and required a Series executive producer
"fresher" approach for the This image released by Hulu shows a scene from the series, "The Handmaid's Tale," returning for a Elizabeth Banks said she
BET comedy series premier- third season on June 5. felt "having a positive, nor-
ing 10 p.m. EST Tuesday. Associated Press malizing representation
Waithe said she under- of women's reproductive
stands the affection peo- The latter wasn't a consid- about the insanity of war. theimer, who is still teach- rights on television would
ple have for the film that, eration, Craig Erwich, Hulu's The streaming service Hulu ing and writing another edi- also be a really good idea."
besides Berry, starred Eddie vice president for original will release it this spring. tion of a "Sex for Dummies" HOWARD THE HULU DUCK
Murphy, Robin Givens, Da- series, told TV critics Mon- Clooney said Monday that book, said she's concerned Hulu is teaming with Mar-
vid Alan Grier, Martin Law- day. the longer format allowed about young people losing vel to make four separate
rence and Grace Jones. "We simply wanted to give them to develop the char- their ability to have conver- animated series based on
But Waithe said Monday the show as much time as acters beyond what could sations. She bans comput- comic book characters like
that viewers who want possible to maintain the be done in Mike Nichols' ers from the room when she Howard the Duck.
fresh faces and a new take quality it has," Erwich said. 1970 classic movie. Ad- teaches. Director Kevin Smith and
should watch the show. It's As for the Emmys, he said, opted at the time by op- Westheimer is the subject of comics Chelsea Handler
set about 25 years after the TV academy voters will be ponents of the Vietnam "Ask Dr. Ruth," a documen- and Patton Oswalt are
movie and follows its char- able to consider the series War, he said the story mak- tary about her life that will among the people who
acters' offspring. as a whole when it com- ing fun of the red tape and appear on the Hulu stream- have signed deals with the
The series cast includes petes. bureaucracy of war is rele- ing service this spring. streaming service to help
Tetona Jackson, Tequan The Hulu drama collected vant today and not tied to BRYANT GOES 'SHRILL' produce the cartoons.
Richmond and Leland Mar- six Emmys for its first sea- a particular conflict. "Saturday Night Live" star Smith will work on the How-
tin. son, including best drama Series makers say the mix- Aidy Bryant says she was ard the Duck series.
NO 'THRONES' CONFLICT and best lead actress for ture of horror and hilar- drawn to the Hulu se- Other shows revolve around
FOR 'HANDMAID'S TALE' Elisabeth Moss, who stars as ity becomes more pro- ries "Shrill" because of the M.O.D.O.K., a villain with an
Resistance is the theme June. nounced as the series goes chance to play a woman enormous head; Hit-Mon-
when "The Handmaid's The new season of "The on. who is about more than her key, about a Japanese
Tale" returns this summer Handmaid's Tale" will focus ASK THE DOCTOR weight. snow monkey turned assas-
with 13 episodes for its third on June's struggle against The question that legend- The six-part comedy de- sin; and Tigra and Dazzler,
season, but the Hulu drama the repressive regime of Gil- ary sex therapist Ruth Wes- buting March 15 is based two superheroes who work
is avoiding a collision with ead, Hulu said in a release. theimer gets from young on Lindy West's memoir, in Los Angeles.
the final season of HBO's Other characters will be people today may surprise "Shrill: Notes from a Loud Hulu senior vice president
"Game of Thrones." forced to take a stand as you. Woman," which Bryant said Craig Erwich said Monday
The dystopian drama will well, with "blessed be the It's about loneliness. struck a chord with her. that animation is a par-
debut three new episodes fight" the guiding prayer "It's hard not having some- She identified with the ticular favorite for its us-
on Wednesday, June 5, for rebels. Hulu also prom- one to share their life with, book's portrayal of a world ers. Since the deal was just
streaming service Hulu said. ised "startling reunions" and their experiences with," she that is "telling you you're signed, there's no estimate
Other episodes will follow betrayals in the upcoming said. "It's not just about sex." wrong for existing the way on when the series will be
on subsequent Wednes- season. The 90-year-old Wes- you do, even if you don't ready.q
days. CLOONEY'S 'CATCH'
The return date contrasts George Clooney says he
with the previous seasons' never expected his next
April debuts and puts the project to be a miniseries
drama outside the eligibil- based on a novel he read
ity window for this year's in high school.
Emmy Awards. It also keeps But against his initial in-
"The Handmaid's Tale" out clination, he's directing
of the path of juggernaut and starring in Hulu's series
"Game of Thrones," which "Catch-22," drawn from Jo-
starts April 14. seph Heller's classic work