7/15: The 2009 Espys, “Mortified,” “The Wiz”

THE 2009 ESPYS: If you're a sports figure who did something memorable and major over the past year, or were the best at what you do, you may be suiting up, not in your uniform, but in a tux, and heading for Nokia Theatre, where the ESPYs are taping tonight. The show will air on ESPN on Sunday, July 19th; Samuel L. Jackson, who has a long history with the awards show, does the hosting honors.

MORTIFYING SOME MORE: Sticky hot days of summer. The dog days. Did we all have a high school break-up down at the public pool, the drive-in, the roller rink? Even if not, we like hearing about other people's youthful trials, told humorously. "Mortified," that ha-ha-laden show that lampoons young love, and other embarrassments (via personal diaries) returns to King King for a night.

"THE WIZ": Sidney Lumet directed. Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Nipsey Russell starred. And the Oz-y sets, costumes, urban landscapes, and modern twists on the oft-told tale? Dazzling. We like the number where the costumes change hues according to fickle fashion. The New Beverly is showing the film, in tribute to Michael Jackson, both tonight and July 16th.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us