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Television Q&A: Trying to smuggle out intriguing documentary

Rich Heldenfels, Tribune News Service on

Published in Entertainment News

You have questions. I have some answers.

Q: Where can I find the intriguing documentary “Chuck Norris vs. Communism”? It came out a few years ago and mysteriously disappeared.

A: The title of the 2015 film is certainly intriguing, as is the premise, that revolution against the repressive regime in Romania in the 1980s was at least partly inspired by the viewing of bootlegged VHS tapes of banned Hollywood movies. While I have not had any luck finding it streaming, there is a DVD release for sale on Amazon, and you may be able to find that through your local library.

Q: Any chance “The Undeclared War,” streaming on Peacock, will have another season?

A: The thriller about a cyberattack in Britain on the eve of an election was originally called a miniseries consisting of six episodes when it aired in 2022. But Channel 4, the home of the program in England, announced in February that there would be a second run, with Simon Pegg and several other cast members from the first series returning. Channel 4 says the new episodes will involve “a far more dangerous threat” than the original cyberattack.

Q: Maybe I’ve missed them, but I haven’t seen any teasers for another season of “Adolescence.” Surely after the well-earned Emmy awards this past year, they’re going to give us more. Besides, I hope they don’t leave us hanging as to who the REAL killer is.

A: The four-part Netflix drama, noteworthy for each episode being a single take, certainly had a lot of accolades including six Primetime Emmys, topped by the win for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. And the show did say who the killer is; I won’t spoil it here for new viewers but sent you a note explaining.

 

Still, back in April, Deadline.com reported on talks about a second “Adolescence” season, or “next iteration” of the show, which one executive said would be “true to its DNA (and) not be repetitive.” Whether that means more with the original characters or new people in a new story, I do not know.

Q: In the last few years, there have been two “seasons” of a show called “State of the Union.” It was about a married couple going through counseling. Each season had a different couple. My wife and I found the series delightful, with the dialogue quite witty. Can you tell us more about the series, and if there will be more seasons?

A: The British series originally aired for two seasons, with one synopsis saying each episode is “set immediately before a couple has their weekly marital therapy session. Unacknowledged and unanalyzed, these stolen moments may help build bridges back to what made them what they were.” The couple in the first season was played by Rosamund Pike (“Gone Girl”) and Chris O’Dowd (TV’s “Get Shorty”); the second starred Brendan Gleeson (“Safe House”) and Patricia Clarkson (“Sharp Objects”). That’s an impressive group; then add that Nick Hornby wrote the series and Stephen Frears directed. And the story was tightly told: most episodes were 10 minutes long, with none longer than 13.

Though the two seasons in 2019-22 were praised, I know of no plans for a third one.

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