Lifetime's 'Whitney' biopic aims high, but falls unfortunately short

 

It's nothing new that Lifetime makes made-for-television movies. It's also nothing new that from time to time, these movies are biopics. After much anticipation, the cable TV network debuted a new biopic based on the turbulent life of Whitney Houston, Whitney. Directed by Angela Bassett and starring Yaya DaCosta as the namesake Ms. Houston, the film has received quite a bit of controversy (and this is also nothing new; a few months back Lifetime debuted a biopic based on the life of recording artist and actress Aaliyah, which was universally panned and described as "disgusting and disgraceful" by several critics). The controversy surrounding Whitney has been mostly fueled by the Houston family, who have said the TV film is terribly disrespectful and went to extensive lengths to make the media aware they were NOT okay with the making of Whitney.

And in truth, there was a lot of things wrong with the movie. They were extremely generous in the portrayal of her drug use, even for a cable television movie, and the entire plot of the movie was based on her romance and messy, messy, messy marriage to fellow recording artist Bobby Brown (played by Arlen Escarpeta). And honestly, I don't really believe Yaya DaCosta was the right choice to play an R&B legend. Her acting was great and she channeled the late singer's mannerisms fairly well, it's just, I didn't buy her as Whitney Houston. I just didn't. Maybe if I were to watch it again she'd grow on me, but that first time I wasn't feeling it. But it seems to me she was the only one close enough to play her in a way they were looking for.

DaCosta's singing was consistent. Mostly. They completely butchered "I'm Every Woman" (like, in every way possible) but the legendary "I Will Always Love You" was actually pretty descent (I would say it was pretty good instead of pretty descent, but I'm a tough critic when it comes to music legends.) But the movie's biggest fault? It wasn't long enough. Whitney had a wild life, that's no secret. But two hours (including commercials, so a little less) just wasn't enough. It felt like it was brought to an end too quickly. And it probably was, because it's a Lifetime movie. I'm probably going a little too hard on a cable television flick. But we're talking about Whitney Houston here, that girl deserves a big screen biopic with Oscar noms! (Not that the Houstons would allow that, either...)

But, in honesty, Whitney wasn't THAT bad. The acting was very good, and Angela Bassett's direction was visibly well done. I just wonder if they know that there was a whole lot more to Whitney Houston than her incredibly ugly marriage to Bobby Brown because, as previously stated, that's basically what the movie was about. Would I recommend it? Yes. I would. I would just say to keep in mind that it's a Lifetime movie, and that comes with certain obvious expectations. 

CBC's 'Schitt's Creek': Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara debut in new comedy

 

Canadian comedy sensations Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara have come together to form into one great television sitcom, Schitt's Creek, which premiered last Tuesday on CBC (it comes to the U.S. on February 11th on PopTV). Levy and O'Hara star as Johnny and Moira Rose, a high-class couple with two kids (Dan Levy and Annie Murphy) who have all their money stolen by their business manager. All they're left with is a small town Johnny purchased as a joke for son David some twenty years ago; Schitt's Creek. With nowhere else to go, the family of four pack their bags (what's left of their bags, anyway) and head for the small town... where life isn't exactly what they're used to, to say the least.

O'Hara and Levy (both of them, father and son) have created comedic magic, in just the two premiere episodes we saw last week. The strangeness of a small town has definitely been captured, and it is particularly hightened when you have a family of spoiled, rich people. It's not exactly your typical comedy, either. It doesn't have a lot of old-style sitcom cracks and jokes, so I wouldn't go in looking for that. Honestly, it's just a serialized, fun comedy about a rich family stripped down to their bare essentials, and in today's age, that image would certainly not be pretty.

And the best part of Schitt's Creek? It tackles a big philosophical question... If all of our possessions were taken away, how much of ourselves would be left? I fear maybe less than we think. Especially with the Rose family. And oh, did I mention it's really funny? CBC must also have a lot of faith in the new comedy, as they renewed it for a second season, to air in 2016, before the first episodes had even aired. Canadians can catch it Tuesdays at 9/8c.

The Downward Spiral of Kelly Andrews on 'The Young and the Restless'

Crazy was never a good color on you, Kelly.

  
Is it just me, or is Kelly (Cady McClain) one step away from frying Jack's (Peter Bergman) pet bunny rabbit on the stove on The Young and the Restless? And if you ask me, Kelly's descent into love life anarchy was a long time coming. 

Let's see... Kelly Andrews made her debut in November 2013, portrayed by former Guiding Light and Lost star Cynthia Watros. She ended up becoming Billy's (then Billy Miller, now Burgess Jenkins) support buddy after losing daughter Delia and she having lost her son, Sam. You see where this is going, don't you? She and Billy succumbed to flirtation and had a fling which ultimately destroyed his marriage to Victoria (Amelia Heinle). At the same time, we find out she had a fuzzy history with Stitch (Sean Carrigan). Just when we thought this annoying, clingy woman had no more purpose, the writers decided to pair her with Jack, who hadn't moved on from Phyllis (then Michelle Stafford, now Gina Tognoni) who was comatose at the time. This storyline commenced just in time for Watros' departure to work on her MTV pilot Finding Carter, and former All My Children star Cady McClain to take over the role of Kelly. 

What can I say about McClain's portrayal of Kelly Andrews? Well, at first, it was ordinary. Nothing special. Watros put a certain something into her portrayal that made you kind of feel bad for her at first, but then a whole other side came out that was dormant before. McClain channeled none of that. Which made me a little disappointed, especially when it was revealed Kelly and Stitch are in fact brother and sister. Then, by October, Phyllis made her long awaited return to Genoa City and Jack and Kelly's relationship was torn apart. Jack couldn't make a decision about who he wanted and eventually he just returned to Phyllis, not giving Kelly closure, or even having the descency to tell Phyllis that he moved on. Nope. That left Phyllis to figure out about their tryst by herself. If I'm going to be honest, McClain didn't knock it out of the park during this story. She overacted he hell out of it and it was bad. Just my opinion.

And now, Jack and Phyllis are engaged. And to top it off? Kelly thinks Jack still loves her, and is out to destroy Phyllis. Of course, Phyllis sees right through what Kelly is up to, because let's face it; she wrote the book on how to be a homewrecking slut. But both Jack and Billy think there is no cause for concern; Kelly has accepted that Jack is back with Phyllis, they say. But has she really? You be the judge; the photo of her at the top is her expression while watching Jack and Phyllis kiss. So I'm gonna go with no... She hasn't accepted anything and is out to destroy their relationship. And with McClain's formerly-ordinary-now-over-the-top portrayal of the character... I see nothing but anarchy for this so-called triangle in the future. Can't Phyllis just hit her with that rental car from 1995 and put us out of our misery?

Watch The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS.