| Cult of Mac

The Morning Show leads the pack in Critics Choice TV awards nominations

By

'The Morning Show' season 3 on Apple TV+
Add more award nominations to the huge pile already earned by "The Morning Show."
Photo: Apple

No show got more nominations in the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards than The Morning Show, one of the premier offerings on Apple TV+. There are six noms, with stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon both up for best actress in a drama series.

And Lessons in Chemistry and Shrinking also added significantly to the 16 total Apple TV+ nominations in six categories.

Truth Be Told season 3 ends with confessions and a judgment call [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

By

Octavia Spencer and Mekhi Phifer in a scene from the ★★★★☆
Poppy (played by Octavia Spencer, left) and Markus (Mekhi Phifer) wrap up loose ends in the Truth Be Told season three finale.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewEva’s been shot and might be dying on this week’s season three finale of Truth Be Told, the Apple TV+ show about a true crime podcaster.

After last week’s shooting, podcaster Poppy goes looking for the truth behind the recent grim series of events. Trini blames herself for Eva’s fate, and Markus has only one more chance to redeem himself. Can they catch the person responsible for all this misery before it’s too late?

The episode, entitled “A Kiss Not Mine Alone,” brings a nicely plotted, excellently performed close to a very fine season.

Truth Be Told whipsaws through another killer episode [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

By

Mychala Lee, Merle Dandridge and Mekhi Phifer in ★★★★☆
Truth Be Told positively brims with strong performances this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewThe search for a mayoral hopeful’s killer takes center stage on this week’s Truth Be Told, the Apple TV+ crime series told through the lens of podcaster Poppy.

Eva’s on the hunt for a killer, but is it a smokescreen for her own guilt? Poppy can’t decide. Markus is still acting out, and it’s getting in the way of his parenting. Plus, Poppy has some secrets of her own to spill. And fate has one last curveball to throw this crew before the season’s final inning.

Truth Be Told reels with revelations this week [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

By

Octavia Spencer and Mekhi Phifer in ★★★★
Poppy (played by Octavia Spencer, left) and Markus (Mekhi Phifer) share an intense moment this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewLots and lots of bad judgment and mistakes come to light on this week’s episode of Truth Be Told, Apple TV+’s true crime podcast drama.

It turns out Emily Mills’ kidnapping was something else altogether. Plus, Poppy is pressing hard into other people’s secrets — and into her own for a change, much to Leander’s chagrin. Markus has hit bottom and can’t seem to pull up. Trini gets a much-needed wake-up call, and Eva can’t stop living in the past.

This week’s very fine episode brings some extremely strong performances, and some equally impactful revelations.

Truth Be Told solves one mystery, but more await [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

By

Mekhi Phifer and Ron Cephas Jones in ★★★★☆
Everyone's scrambling to put an end to this sex trafficking ring.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ crime drama Truth Be Told takes a stroll down memory lane this week as Eva remembers her years in the life of sex trafficking, giving her a potential tool to bring a network of bad people to justice.

Meanwhile, Markus is at his wit’s end trying to help Trini reintegrate into her life while looking in vain for justice. Leander and Poppy both have favors to ask of Lee Hackman. And the walls are starting to close in on Andrew Finney and his donors.

Truth Be Told turns post-trauma reality into high-stakes drama [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

By

David Lyons and Mekhi Phifer face off in a scene from crime drama ★★★★
Detective Aames (played by David Lyons, left) and Markus (Mekhi Phifer) face off over crime and lack of punishment.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ crime drama Truth Be Told takes a hard look at sexual assault in this week’s episode, entitled “From My Hand the Poisoned Apple.”

True crime podcaster Poppy (played by Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer) must bear witness to the aftermath of her friends Markus and Zarina’s awful ordeal. Their daughter was kidnapped and assaulted by millionaires who might not be held accountable for their actions.

Elsewhere, Desiree and Eva face their own crises in the wake of the police raid on the mansion. And Detective Aames finds himself caught in the middle of everything. It’s a grueling watch, to be sure, but solidly constructed.

Poppy calls an audible this week on Truth Be Told [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

By

Merle Dandridge, left, and Mekhi Phifer continue their search on Apple TV+ crime drama ★★★★☆
Zarina (played by Merle Dandridge, left) and Markus (Mekhi Phifer) continue the search for their missing daughter. this week. And Poppy has a crazy plan that might help.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewTrini is still lost, and Markus and Poppy are still sweating every minute she’s gone this week on Apple TV+ true crime podcast drama Truth Be Told. Trini’s location is right within everyone’s fingertips, but they still can’t be sure where she is.

Finney’s every move is now being watched, but he may have already pocketed the Oakland Police Department. Aames, Poppy, Markus, Eva and Leander are all mobilized, but without a solid clue that won’t do any good. Can they rescue Trini before she suffers the same fate as Eva?

The episode, entitled “Freedom Is Never Given; It Is Won,” is another rough but gripping outing.

Truth Be Told uncovers a conspiracy that goes straight to the top [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

By

Octavia Spencer plays podcaster Poppy in Apple TV+ drama ★★★★☆
The search for a missing girl intensifies this week on Truth Be Told.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewWe’ve got a fugitive on our hands on this week’s Truth Be Told, the Apple TV+ series about a true crime podcaster and her little corner of Oakland, California.

Trini is missing and Poppy’s solutions all involve a lot of risk. Markus and Zarina are sweating and at each other’s throats while searching for their daughter. Eva learns something about her lover and runs into an old acquaintance. And Leander tries hard to stay on Poppy’s good side.

The episode, entitled “Never Take Your Eyes Off Her,” serves up another gripping 45 minutes of television from this crew.

Deep secrets emerge in a taut Truth Be Told [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

By

Ron Cephas Jones plays Leander in a scene from Apple TV+ crime drama ★★★★
Everyone's got their secrets, even Poppy's dad Leander (played by Ron Cephas Jones).
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewSecrets come out left and right on this week’s episode of Truth Be Told, Apple TV+’s drama about a true crime podcaster and her community.

Leander and Poppy have to hash out some family history, and Markus and Zarina have to hash out some very present things or risk losing their future together. Plus, Eva must be honest about who she is and what she wants.

Even though none of them yet know it, the clock is ticking. The episode, entitled “Here She Shall See No Enemy,” stands as a superlative edition of the Oakland-set drama.

Truth Be Told goes deeper into our crime-fighter’s crusade [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

By

Haneefah Wood, Octavia Spencer and Tracie Thoms in ★★★★☆
This case isn't getting any easier.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewThere’s a funeral this week on true-crime-inflected Apple TV+ show Truth Be Told. Drea is dead, and everyone’s guilty — whether they pulled the trigger or not.

The more Poppy, Eva and Markus pull up rocks looking for clues, the more insects they find running around in the darkness. “Her, Armed With Sorrow Sore” stands out as a strongly performed and nicely paced episode of the show about a podcaster’s crusade to help her city.