Season and Series Finales in May

Posted on May 13, 2016May 16, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

May 2016 has plenty of surprises for TV viewers. Here are season (and series) some wrap-ups of popular TV shows.

It was a rough seven years for Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies). She was cheated on by her politico husband with a close friend, wrongly convicted of stealing an election, and lost the love of her life, Will, in a courtroom shooting. This past Sunday marked the finale of CBS’ The Good Wife reaffirming that life is never neat and tidy, especially for television heroines.

Over the coming weeks, fans will encounter cliffhangers both on screen and off, new plot directions, along with unexpected detours and disarming answers. Falling into the latter category is ABC’s Quantico on May 15 as fugitive FBI agent Alex Parrish (Priyanka Chopra) discovers the real culprit behind the attack on New York. Filling in the blanks executive producer Joshua Safran brought back academy dropout Elias, and included an epilogue that sets the stage for season 2.

ABC’s Once Upon a Time caps off its season earlier in the evening of May 15 with a two hour finale that finds morally torn Regina Mills (Lana Parrilla) and her pal Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) hightailing to the Big Apple in pursuit of adopted son Henry (Jared Gilmore), who’s on a mission to destroy magic. Upping the ante, black hearted Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle) is in hot pursuit.

Stana Katick, who plays detective Kate Beckett, announced she will not be returning for season 9 of ABC’s Castle. Hedging his bet, executive producer Terence Paul Winter ordered two endings. One provides proper closure as Beckett and Castle (Nathan Fillion) go up against mysterious LokSat, while the other finds the novelist wrestling with his wife’s death. Unfortunately, the plug has been pulled on this series so the finale of Castle is on May 16.

Promising a “classic telenovela twist” on May 16 The CW’s Jane the Virgin picks up the day before Jane’s (Gina Rodriguez) wedding, complete with a bridezilla meltdown by Rogelio (Jaime Camil), a guest appearance by Charo, and flashbacks to Alba’s (Ivonne Coll) own wedding. Will Jane lose her virginity? That hinges on the exchange of “I dos.”

After weeks of sleepless nights and record breaking catches, the North Atlantic Bluefin season comes to a close with the finale of National Geographic Channel’s Wicked Tuna on May 16. Four boats are within striking distance for the title. Immediately following, the season’s captains join host Mike Catherwood to field questions from a live audience.

Change is the operative word during the finale of Dick Wolf’s Windy City franchise Chicago Med on NBC May 17th. Sarah (Rachel DiPillo) is trapped by her decision to take a pathology residency, while Dr. Rhodes (Colin Donnell) contemplates switching from trauma to cardiology. On a personal level, hospital administrator Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) encounters marital woes, while Dr. Manning’s (Torrey DeVitto) past catches up with her.

Stock up on the Kleenex for Michael Weatherly, who has inhabited the roll of charming Tony DiNozzo for 13 seasons bids goodbye during the season finale of NCIS on May 17. Ready to fill the void are FBI vet Tess Monroe (Sarah Clarke) and British MI6 agent Clayton Reeves (Duane Henry). Meanwhile, Weatherly is waiting to hear if his new pilot, Bull, is being picked up by CBS for the 2016-17 season. The new series is based on the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw.

For its season finale, ABC’s Black-ish pays homage to the classic 1970’s sitcom Good Times on May 18. Channeling 1970’s garb, Dre (Anthony Anderson) and his clan are transported via a dream sequence to Chicago’s inner city. To cast member Marsai Martin goes the honor of uttering Jimmy Walker’s catch phrase – dy-no-mite.
PBS Nature season Jungle Animal Hospital finale on May 18 takes viewers behind the scenes at Guatemala’s ARCAS rescue center where veterinarians and staffers rehabilitate whatever animal comes through their doors. That night’s segments feature a spider monkey named Bruce, a flock of abused baby parrots, while the center’s captive-bred scarlet macaws are released in the wild.

Wedding bells are ringing during the finale of FOX’s Empire on May 18, but for who is a closely guarded secret. Predictably, battling exes Lucious (Terrence Howard) and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) are likely to feel the heat when Shine Johnson (rapper Xzibit) arrives on the scene seeking revenge over the death of his son by Lucious.

Despite dire predictions that Grey’s Anatomy would be on life support following the death of Dr. Derek Shepherd last April, ABC’s medical melodrama rebounded nicely to become broadcast networks’ second most popular drama behind Empire. The May 19th finale finds Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) impulsively surrendering to her emotions.

Too big to be contained in its regular time slot, NBC’s Grimm expands to two hours on May 20. Portland detective Nick Burkhardt (David Gluntoll) finds himself in dire straights, held captive by Conrad Bonaparte (Shaun Toub), head of the terrorist Wesen group Black Claw.

Jane Doe (Jaimie Alexander) is determined to uncover the truth behind her mission, but those answers might jeopardize her relationship with handler/former fiancé Oscar (Francois Arnaud) and FBI agent Weller (Sullivan Sapleton) during the May 23rd finale of NBC’s Blindspot.

About the Author

Winnie Bonelli is a former entertainment editor for a daily metropolitan New York City area newspaper. She is passionate about movies and television and loves to take readers behind the scenes.

‘How to Be Single’ on Blu-ray

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

How to Be Single is a fun story of four women, each in different stages in their lives. What they all have in common is that they are all single.

Dakota Johnson is Alice, a college grad who has been living with her boyfriend Josh (Nicholas Braun). She suddenly decides she wants “a break” so she can experience being alone. She thinks if they take a break from each other for a little while, they’ll be happier when they get back together.

Robin (Rebel Wilson) is a free spirited party girl who loves to drink and enjoy life. She is all about having fun.

Meg (Leslie Mann) is Alice’s sister. She’s an accomplished doctor living the life she loves. But suddenly she decides it’s not enough and wants to have a baby. She relies on a sperm bank to help her fulfill this next step of her life. She doesn’t count on meeting a man and falling in love. But when this happens her whole outlook about her future changes.

Lucy (Alison Brie) is hard at work looking for her soul mate. She has her profile on several dating websites and sets out to find the man of her dreams methodically and with purpose.

Tom (Anders Holm) owns the bar across the street from Lucy’s apartment. This is the place where the women’s roads intersect. Tom doesn’t want strings. He loves women but not one single woman. Lucy relies on him for advice, Robin knows he’s great for a night, and Alice discovers he’s a good friend often with benefits.

Each of the women go on a self-discovery journey as the months pass and they figure out who they are and what makes them happy. Will Lucy find her soul mate and get married, just like she has always wanted? Will Meg be happy being a single mother? Will Alice and Josh reconnect for good or will their separation be the end of their relationship? And will Robin change her ways and settle down? Anything can happen. Life is filled with different choices and as these women learn, many of them are beyond our control but in the end, we end up where we are meant to be.

Bonus features include deleted scenes and outtakes. There are also featurettes about the characters and situations that make up the movie. Perhaps the most interesting bonus is a look behind the scenes at the making of the film. Viewers will see how the filmmakers changed much of the dialogue as they were filming and even asked the actors for their input. It looks like an easy set on which to work, and it’s clear that everyone had a great time during the production of the film.

Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson are both entertaining to watch in this movie. Wilson is the whacky one while Johnson is the caring young woman conflicted about life.

This is an appealing little film that is definitely not for youngsters. It is a fun way to spend an evening on the couch with a bowl of popcorn.

How to Be Single is rated R for sexual content and strong language throughout. It’s also available on DVD.

‘Saddle Up’ CD+DVD Giveaway

Posted on May 13, 2016June 13, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Saddle Up melds “musical styles ranging from cowboy folk to Mexicali folk to bluegrass” (No Depression) with stories inspired by exploration through five national parks and camping along the Continental Divide. The melodic tunes cover tales of western wildlife, Navajo stories, Southwest-style Spanglish, the issue of guns in western lore, friendship, and more.

To accompany the album, The Okee Dokee Brothers’ journey along the Continental Divide was filmed and compiled for a “Saddle Up” DVD documentary featuring educational material, music videos and a hint of tomfoolery.

Tracklist:
1. Saddle Up 2:15
2. Don’t Fence Me In 2:30
3. Cow Cow Yippee 2:26
4. The Great Divide 2:47
5. Jackalope (with Jim Campilongo) 2:59
6. One Horsepower 2:46
7. The Legend of Tall Talkin’ Sam (with Rosie Newton) 3:08
8. Hard Road to Travel 1:29
9. Shootin’ Star (with Cindy Cashdollar) 3:10
10. Sister Moon and Brother Sun (with The Benally Family) 3:58
11. Good Old Times 3:19
12. Lead a Horse to Water (with John Sebastian) 1:21
13. Somos Amigos (con Carlos Medina) 2:44
14. The Grass Is Always Greener 3:05
15. Last Lullaby 3:33

We have some sets to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Saddle Up, email us at [email protected] with “Saddle Up Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is June 1, 2016.

Chances are, these dudes will be moseying right on into your town:

Sun., May 15 / Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center / Fayetteville, AR 

Thurs., May 19 / WYO Theater at UNPLUG Fest / Sheridan, WY 

Sat., May 21 / Fitzgerald Theater ‘Saddle Up’ Album Release Concert / St. Paul, MN 

Sat., June 4 / Barnes and Noble In-Store / New York, NY 

Wed., June 15 / McCallum Theatre / Palm Desert, CA 

Thurs, June 16 / Heart and Soul Concert at Denver University / Denver, CO 

Sat., June 18 / Barnes and Noble In-Store / Washington D.C. 

Sat., June 18 / SiriusXM Campfire Sing Out / Washington D.C. 

Sun., June 19 / AMP by Strathmore / North Bethesda, MD 

Sat., July 2 / Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center / Spicer, MN 

Sat., July 2 / Minnesota Zoo Overnight Camp Out / Apple Valley, MN 

Fri., July 8-Sun., July 10 / Winnipeg Folk Fest / Winnipeg, MB 

Sat., July 16 / RiverSong Music Fest / Hutchinson, MN 

Sun., July 17 / Hennepin Church / Minneapolis, MN 

Fri. and Sat., July 22-23 – Storybook Land – Aberdeen, SD 

Sat. and Sun. Aug. 6 – 7 / Big Top Chautauqua / Bayfield, WI (opening for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) 

Fri., Aug. 4 – Meeker County Fair – Litchfield, MN 

Sat., Aug. 13 / Richland Library / Columbia, SC 

Sat., Aug. 20 / Georgetown Church of Christ / Georgetown, TX

The full-length “Saddle Up” movie will stream on Netflix starting in June. More information is at their website.

‘Kindergarten Cop 2’ DVD Giveaway

Posted on May 13, 2016May 28, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

A family favorite gets reimagined in Kindergarten Cop 2, a fish-out-of water comedy available on DVD and Digital HD as well as On Demand on May 17, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Kindergarten Cop 2 stars action superstar Dolph Lundgren and Bill Bellamy along with an adorable ensemble of young actors and is bursting with laughs for the entire family.

Assigned to recover sensitive stolen data, a gruff FBI agent (Dolph Lundgren) goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher, but the school’s liberal, politically correct environment is more than he bargained for.

The Kindergarten Cop 2 DVD and Digital HD will delight longtime fans and new viewers alike with hilarious bonus features including deleted scenes, a gag reel and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.

DVD & DIGITAL HD BONUS FEATURES
• Deleted Scenes
• Gag Reel
• Kindergarten Cop 2: Undercover

We have some copies to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Kindergarten Cop 2, email us at [email protected] with “Kindergarten Cop Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is May 24, 2016.

Jodie Foster Talks About Her New Film ‘Money Monster’

Posted on May 12, 2016May 12, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

“They’re stealing everything from us, and nobody’s asking how,” anguishes Kyle Budwell, the gun touting protagonist of director Jodie Foster’s adrenaline fueled thriller Money Monster. As topical as today’s headlines – who hasn’t experienced that unmistakable pang of nervousness when the index precariously plunges? – Money Monster underscores just how little the general public knows and understands the true workings of the banking and financing industries.

The film opens on the cable television set of charismatic Lee Gates (George Clooney), a financial adviser, who doles out daily stock tips. Since Lee often goes off script, much to the chagrin of his producer Patty Fenn (Julia Roberts), the appearance of a delivery guy lurking off stage doesn’t set off any alarms, until he invades the stage and forces Lee to put on a vest laced with explosives.

The intruder is Kyle (Jack O’Connell), a working class guy from Queens, NY. Acting on a stock tip recommended by Lee, he invested in Ibis Clear Capital and lost his entire inheritance in what Lee dismissively labeled a “glitch.” Now, Kyle demands answers as to how Ibis managed to lose a cumulative $800 million. While Kyle’s rage and despair are palatable, Foster intersperses enough moments of spontaneous humor to ease the relentless tension and white-knuckle suspense. Adeptly acted and edited, Money Monster is both provocative and disconcerting.

What attracted Foster to the project? “For me it was primarily about the characters – two men, who changed each other, and the woman who was producing and directing their survival. It’s this American thing where you do the right thing. Take care of your mom, show up for work, you invest safely and there’s something waiting for you at the end of the day. In this case there isn’t and it sparks rage. That’s where Jack O’Connell came in and gave an extremely extraordinary performance,” explained the two-time Academy Award actress for 1988’s The Accused and 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs.

Making her directorial debut with 1991’s Little Man Tate, Money Monster is by far the most expensive and biggest effort to date. The 52-year-old actress didn’t stray from her established approach. “It’s kind of the same thing. You still have to ask yourself the same question – Is it true? If you start out with questions like will the audience like it? You make terrible mistakes, because you’re just deciding things out of fear. You want to stay close to the original idea,” she insisted.

Having committed nearly four years of her life to this project, Foster had to feel an emotional attachment to Money Monster. She agreed during a round of interviews in New York City, “Most importantly, does it move me? I still love it. When I tell a friend I get passionate and choked up about it. I don’t know if I’d make a movie where it’s just a bunch of pretty faces.

“The only way you can make choices is by knowing the characters and sort of have a personal investment in the film. That’s how you learn through the course of the movie. By the end you realize the personal connections.”

Even before yelling “action” for the very first scene, Foster had already made a heavy commitment in terms of time and talent. She outlined the process, “Along with the writers, we obviously did a lot of research in this incredibly difficult archaic world of finance, which few people understand.

“We knew what we wanted to say and it was rather a question of going in there and finding examples. I’m not sure there is a bad guy. Everyone has a point of view. Even in our film, Lee is saying, ‘Nobody was complaining when I was making them money. Everybody was looking the other way and wanted more stock, but the second I lost something everyone was concerned.’ It’s really quite true of what is happening in the financial world. Wall Street is going well and there’s no crash. Everyone wants to experience the bubble and doesn’t want to believe it’s going to end.”

Making her acting debut on television’s Mayberry RFD, however, it was in 1976 that Foster’s name became a household word, thanks to her controversial casting as teen prostitute Iris in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. The classic vigilante masterpiece starred Robert DeNiro as a lonely, honorably discharged US Marine, who takes a job as a cab driver to cope with his chronic insomnia. One of his fares is Iris, who is trying to duck her pimp (Harvey Keitel). DeNiro’s character Travis meets Iris for breakfast and attempts to persuade her to return to her family in Pittsburgh, eventually succeeding.

Just a few weeks ago, Taxi Driver celebrated its 40^th anniversary with a screening at Manhattan’s Beacon Theater. Foster had seen it earlier in the week with a special guest – her 18-year-old son Charlie. She recalled, “It was the first time he’d seen it. I wanted to wait until he was old enough, not just because of the violence, but I think you have to be an adult to appreciate it.”

So what was Foster’s reaction? “So many things occurred to me as I watched the movie. It’s amazing how many racist names get called in that movie. I had forgotten and never even think about it at times. It was a different culture back then, certainly the world has become more violent. We were coming out of the 60’s and into the 70’s and out of Vietnam. There was a kind of meaningless among the returning vets feeling, ‘What can I do to feel like a man?” she said.

Given an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Yale University, the slim, blonde haired Foster labels her acting background as “the best film school I could have been given.” She said, “That’s especially true of someone like me who operates from her head. I’m so organized and obsessive. It’s such an amazing outlet and a way to learn the craft of filmmaking from the inside out.”

She continued, “The one thing I wished I’d learn before that first directorship assignment is not to control the actors, telling them exactly what to do. I really learned as the years went on that the best way to prepare them is to talk to them where their head is. To inspire them to create a well-designed machine of knowing exactly what we are trying to say.

“In the split second I say, ‘action,’ they are given a spontaneity and ability to try things, and not think about it too much,” she concluded.

About the Author

Winnie Bonelli is a former entertainment editor for a daily metropolitan New York City area newspaper. She is passionate about movies and television and loves to take readers behind the scenes.

DISNEY’S ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS – The Mad Hatter Surprise!

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

From somewhere in Wonderland, Johnny Depp brought a little surprise madness to some unsuspecting fans at Disneyland. Johnny Depp returns as the Mad Hatter in Disney’s ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS opening in U.S. theaters on May 27th.

Norbert Unveils His Norbert Plush

Posted on May 11, 2016November 30, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Norbert is a 3-pound therapy dog that has been making news around the country. Along with his mom, Julie Freyermuth, Norbert visits hospitals, nursing homes, and other places to put smiles on people’s faces, and he definitely does that everywhere he goes. Norbert also “wrote” three books and has his own Facebook and Twitter accounts. His newest endeavor is a plush life-size version himself. After all, who doesn’t want their own Norbert?

Being the philanthropist he is, Norbert – and Julie – isn’t just producing a cuddly version of himself for all his fans. There is an added bonus to his plush doppelganger. For every Norbert Plush purchased, one will also be donated to a child in need via Toys for Tots!

“Norberthood for Good” is the philanthropy division of his business. “By partnering with Toys for Tots, we extend Norbert’s ‘buy one, donate one’ campaign to bring happiness to children in need who do not have the opportunity to own their own puppy or who could use a toy to hug and hold,” says Julie.
“We are very pleased to welcome Noberthood for Good as a national corporate donor of the 2016 Marine Toys for Tots Campaign,” said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Their community service goals certainly align with those the Marine Corps has promoted for over 68 years through our Toys for Tots Program.” Silvester concluded, “With their generous support we will be able to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of many less fortunate children, who otherwise might be forgotten.”

Besides visiting hospitals, etc., Norbert supports various organizations and charities, including Pet Partners®, Intermountain Therapy Animals, Just for Kids Sake Foundation, Lil BUB’s BIG FUND for the ASPCA, the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation and Boot Campaign, a military nonprofit. His books have won several awards.

To find out more about this adorable little fellow, visit his website and follow him on Facebook, on Instagram, on Twitter, and on Youtube.

Simply put, this little guy is adorable and his face can’t help but cheer you up when you’re down. He’s cuddly and sweet, and definitely a dog that is easy to love. Everyone should have a Norbert, but since he is one of a kind, the plush version is almost the next best thing. If they ever find a way to clone this furry fellow, I am putting my order in for my own Norbert.

To purchase the Norbert Plush, visit his website.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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‘Suspicion’ Stars Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

The first collaboration between Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant was the 1941 black and white film Suspicion. Grant stars as Johnnie, a charming man with no money who sets his sights on Lina, an introverted heiress thinking she will remain a spinster. Lina lives with her mother and father, and is shy, without much experience with men. They inadvertently meet on a train and soon they meet again, setting their futures in motion.

After they marry, Lina discovers her husband has no money at all and intends on living off of hers. But she doesn’t have much of an income so she insists he get a job. Unfortunately, Johnnie is a major gambler and cannot give up his vice. This leads to complications in their marriage; however the love she has for him overrules her head.

Then Lina begins to suspect her husband of notorious schemes, like killing his best friend. But Johnnie always has an alibi for anything she comes up with. Maybe she is just imagining that her husband is scheming and plotting notorious acts. But he definitely needs money, so killing his business partner/best friend would get him the funds he needs.

When Johnnie becomes interested in poisons that cannot be traced in a dead body, Lina’s suspicions are again raised. Their good friend happens to be a murder writer and as such gives them plenty of information about plotting murders, which doesn’t ease Lina’s mind in the least.

The movie was based on a book with a different ending, or so we think. The ending of the film is not exactly clear-cut, however viewers are free to derive their own ideas of what happens to this couple in the future.

The bonus feature on the new Blu-ray provides many insights into the film, the characters, the actors, and Hitchcock. As far as Grant/Hitchcock films rate, this is at the bottom of the list. Their future endeavors are much better films with more depth and entertainment: Notorious, To Catch a Thief, and North by Northwest.

The bottom line is Suspicion is not the best Grant/Hitchcock movie, however Joan Fontaine took home the Academy Award that year for her performance of Lina.

Suspicion is part of the Warner Archive Collection and this Blu-ray is available MOD from their website.

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Sam Elliott and Debra Winger Talk ‘The Ranch’

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Veteran actors Sam Elliott and Debra Winger co-star in the Netflix family sitcom The Ranch. Elliott is no stranger to playing a rough cowboy. As a matter of fact, that is how he is basically typecast, although he does take alternate characters from time to time, like in the recent film Grandma.

“Good fortune came my way again,” Elliott told the media. “It was an incredible year last year, and really began the year before with Justified. And I got an opportunity, after 47 years, all of a sudden I’m doing things that I’ve never done before.”

He explained, “The thought that all of a sudden I’m doing a four camera show and working with people that have proven themselves in this genre for so many years is a pretty astounding thing for me personally.”

Elliott continued, “I just think life is funny, you know. I mean, not that it’s ha ha funny, but it’s often funny, and I think that comes out of perspective. So, I’m always kind of looking for the – maybe as you say, I’m not sure about searching it, but … it’s a real joy to go to work and make people laugh, I must say. And this is the first time I’ve really had an opportunity to do that. I mean, I find that a real gift.” With his tough demeanor as a weathered rancher who barely cracks a grin, the character of Beau Bennett is tailor made for this tall, lanky actor with the bushy mustache and deep gritty voice.

“The thing that most attracted me to this show was the people that I was going to have the opportunity to work with and, as I’ve said before, a new world, this four camera format, and working for Netflix, quite frankly.”

Winger agreed. “It was never about schedule,” she said about taking on projects. “My life is not about schedules. Raising my kids was somewhat important, but it’s always about the people I’m working with, … So it was the happy accident.”

The actress admitted, “The first 10 episodes were like school, you know. I was taking notes. They were laughing at me. I was writing down all of these terms. It was like they were speaking a foreign language.” But when viewers watch the show, they will not notice how out-of-her element she felt.

“But, also, it’s been incredible because you can learn something at my age,” Winger confessed. “It’s fun to learn something new. And I really have no point of reference on it except, when the live audience comes in, I get that and I get it from doing theater. … I really love how collaborative these guys are during the week. You are really a part of it. We are really all involved.”

The 10-episode first season of The Ranch is available on Netflix. While it is a show about a family, it is not recommended for youngsters. The Ranch includes sex, nudity, profanity, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and some intense scenes.

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‘Mack & Moxy’ DVD Giveaway

Posted on May 4, 2016May 28, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Mack & Moxy is a delightful new kids series which combines animation, live-action and music in order to introduce younger children to important issues like literacy, emergency preparedness and more in relatable 14-minute episodes. The show has been airing on PBS stations.

With charming animation by Bardel Entertainment (Puss in Boots), each segment was developed with a charity partner (Save the Children, American Red Cross, etc.) to create an authentic (but fun!) learning experience that will inspire children to get involved with causes that touch their hearts.

Mack & Moxy: The Great Helpee Heroes includes 4 episodes from the show.

Episodes on the DVD:

“A Ty-Grrrr’s Tale” – Eva LaRue sends Mack and Moxy to befriend a little tiger named “Grrrr,” who loses all his friends when his once-lush jungle habitat is slowly destroyed by careless builders. This episode is presented in partnership with the American Wildlife Federation.

“Feeding Rainbow” – Eva, Mack and Moxy team up to introduce Rainbow, a hungry Pegasus, to a food pantry where he and his family can stock up on nutritious groceries. This episode is presented in partnership with Hunger Awareness.

“A Friend Who Reads is a Friend Indeed” – Josh Duhamel, Mack and Moxy cheer up a lonely puffball called Noli by giving him his first book so he can explore the world, even when he is on his own. This episode is presented in partnership with Save the Children.

“Always Be Prepared” – Kal Penn joins Mack and Moxy as they meet Kendling, a clever cornstalk boy who is planning an escape route for his family in case of an emergency. This episode is presented in partnership with the American Red Cross.

Check out the trailer.

We have some DVDs to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Mack & Moxy, email us at [email protected] with “Mack & Moxy Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is May 20, 2016.