Page 4 - TVTimes.07.01.18

4 July 1 - 7, 2018 El Dorado News-Times
cover story
By Kyla Brewer
TV Media
Arevolution is brewing — a television revolution, that is. While there’s no shortage of lighthearted fare in prime time, socially conscious TV shows have
been trending as of late, and AMC’s lat- est hit packs a powerful punch with its feminist slant.
Joy Nash (“Twin Peaks:The Return”) stars as Plum Kettle, an overweight magazine writer who gets caught between two rival feminist factions in
the 10-episode series “Dietland,” airing Monday, July 2, on AMC. Based on the bestselling, critically acclaimed book
of the same name by Sarai Walker, the show was brought to television by Marti Noxon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”).
“Dietland” is equal parts drama
and comedy as it critiques the beauty industry and society in general for its obsession with weight and the near-im- possible ideals imposed upon women. As Plum prepares for the surgery that will give her the so-called “perfect” body, she’s torn between old ideas and new extremes when she’s approached by an underground organization de- termined to challenge the status quo. She also learns of a group of feminists bent on getting revenge against sexual predators.
The role requires an actress capable of being both conflicted and funny, and producers put their faith in Nash from the get-go.When it was announced that the actress had taken the lead in the new series way back in August 2017, creator Noxon spoke highly of their new star.
“Joy is everything I hoped we’d find in our leading woman — beautiful, smart and blazing with talent,” Noxon said. “When she auditioned, the whole room was electrified.”
Nash is in good company. Producers were equally excited to announce the casting of Julianna Margulies of “ER” and “The Good Wife,” who plays Plum’s
boss at Austen Media, magazine editor Kitty Montgomery.Wickedly ambitious, Kitty is sucked into a terrifying news cycle when a feminist organization be- gins to target those around her.
“Julianna is diabolically talented and beautiful, which makes her perfect to play our Kitty,” Noxon said. “I am genu- inely honored to have the opportunity to work with her. She’s a special human and a rare actor.”
The cast also includes Tamara Tunie (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) as Julia Smith, an Austen Media employee who manages the beauty closet where they store all manner of makeup, lotions and fad-worthy products. However, Plum learns Julie has a hidden agenda as an operative for an underground feminist organization that wants to undermine the messages of Austen Media’s beauty magazines and those like them.
On the flipside is Robin Weigert (“Deadwood”) as Verena Baptist, the fierce leader of a feminist collective who brings women into a place dubbed Cal- liope House, a place of acceptance. She hopes to deprogram Plum so she can reject beauty industry thinking and ac- cept herself for who she is now, not who she thinks she should be.
Erin Darke (“Good Girls Revolt”) plays Leeta Albridge, who shakes up Plum’s world when she tries to recruit her for Baptist, claiming that the leader will change her life. Baptist’s other followers include former sitcom star Marlowe Buchannan (Alanna Ubach, “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”), who lost her job when she gained a few extra pounds, and Sana (Ami Sheth, “Blind- spot”), a disfigured artist who becomes a model of self-acceptance for Plum. Calliope House is also home to Rubi (Jen Ponton, “30 Rock”), a colorful, exuber- ant and very opinionated woman.
Plum’s love interest in the series
is NYPD Det. Dominic O’Shea (Adam Rothenberg, “Ripper Street”), who becomes attracted to Plum while investigating a hack at Austen Media. Dominic pals around with fellow cop and former partner, Bobby (Marc Blucas, “Underground”).
British actress Rowena King (“Of Kings and Prophets”) portrays no- nonsense newscaster Cheryl Crane- Murphy, who struggles to remain calm as she delivers macabre news sparked by the actions of a feminist terrorist group known only as Jennifer.Austen Media titan Stanley Austen (Campbell Scott, “Royal Pains”) has been targeted by the anonymous feminist terrorists. Meanwhile, his wife, Abra (Kelly Hu, “The Scorpion King,” 2002), has grown resentful of being regarded as merely Stanley’s “trophy wife.”
Behind the scenes, Noxon serves as executive producer, writer and showrun- ner. She also directs several episodes, exploring issues such as patriarchy, misogyny and rape culture in addition to critiquing unrealistic beauty standards.
Filmed in New York City, the series tackles important issues and is likely
to spark heated conversations among viewers.Infact,AMCiscountingonit. The network has paired the series with an aftershow in the vein of “Talking Dead,” the companion series to its mega-hit “The Walking Dead.” “Un- apologetic With Aisha Tyler” airs imme- diately after each episode of “Dietland” as Tyler (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) and her guests talk about the show and the issues it explores.While shows such as “Talking Dead” focus primarily on its companion series, “Unapologetic” digs deeper as Tyler leads discussions about broader “female-centric” issues beyond the themes touched on in “Dietland.” The talk show features a mix of series stars and producers, celebrity fans, jour- nalists, comedians, writers and others.
All in all, “Dietland” has been caus- ing quite a stir in the television industry as Hollywood continues to move forward with the Me Too movement against sexual harassment and assault. Follow a beaten and distraught Plum as she takes cover in Calliope House, where she tries to come to terms with
who she really is in a new episode of “Dietland,” airing Monday, July 2, on AMC, and stick around to check out
“Unapologetic With Aisha Tyler.”
Tamara Tunie as seen in “Dietland”
Feminist television
AMC’s biting satire ‘Dietland’ tackles big issues
We’re more than just a great rate
Bank-issued, FDIC-insured
2.80%
Finding a great rate on a CD is nice, but if you want to
get the most out of your CDs, you need a strategy. If
you’re looking for potential ways to generate additional
income without tying up your money for years, please
call or visit your local Edward Jones financial advisor
today.
B/Edward Jones
2 x5
Tombo Watts, CFP®
Financial Advisor
1218 N. College
El Dorado, AR 71730 870.862.8887
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 06/29/2018. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per deposit or,
per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp, (DTC).
Minimum deposit $1000
2- Year APY*
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF
• Asking others to repeat themselves
• Answering questions with an inappropriate response
• Thinking people mumble
HEARING
or don’t speak clearly
LOSS
• Playing the TV or radio too loud
A/Medical Mobile Foot Care
2x2
B/Audibel Hearing Services
There’s no reason to “suffer in silence”. 2 x 3 Nothing compares to the lifestyle
change of hearing clearly again!
HEARING SERVICES
• Avoiding social encounters because of struggles with hearing
We have State of the Art Hearing Aids and Quality Service to help you have Better Hearing and a Better Quality of Life!!
524 West Faulkner (The Plaza) • El Dorado, AR • 870-862-8330
2768
11535