2018 American Rescue Dog Show
Monday, 8 p.m., Hallmark Channel
The mutts of the “2018 American Rescue Dog Show” may not have the panache of a Westminster Kennel Club winner, but they do have unheralded talent. The Hallmark Channel competition features celebrity judges who rate the canines — most already have homes, but several are available for adoption — in quirky categories such as “Best Couch Potato,” “Best in Snoring,” “Best in Underbite” and “Best in Wiggle Butt.” From more than 2,000 entries nationwide, 52 dogs — from breeds including basset hound, English bulldog and St. Bernard — competed in 10 semifinal categories. The semifinal round winners faced off for the title of “Best in Rescue” at the finals last month in Pomona, Calif. Among the judges is actress Linda Blair, 59, who shot to fame as the head-spinning demon child Regan in “The Exorcist.” She has worked with animal humanitarian programs for 22 years and in 2004 founded her own nonprofit rescue organization, the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation.
Blair — who calls herself “the grandmother of rescue” — recently spoke by phone with The Post from the organization’s facility in Acton, Calif.
What is the format of the competition?
We’re going to show them off in the same style as a dog show. Rescue animals can delight the audience just as much. They are getting to strut their stuff.
What qualifies you to be a judge?
You don’t have to be qualified to look at an underbite; there is a little bit of a silly humor to it. We’re not looking for exact particulars of a breed like you would in a showing. This is to make people laugh and smile.
How did the dogs fare in the agility contest?
It was fun to watch some of them do really well, and others were like, “Nah, I think I’m just gonna go over and say hi to this person instead.”
The foundation is your full-time job, but do you still act, too?
It’s hard to get the time, kiddo. I’ve done a few festival-type films because they only require a few days. But the other stuff is all travel; I can’t run the foundation. I would love to go back to work and entertain you. The dogs don’t always enjoy my singing and dancing [laughs].
Why are rescue organizations important?
We are not able to sustain the pet overpopulation in America. Nowadays there’s so much sadness because shelters have to euthanize so many animals. Without rescue groups, the animals do not have a good rate of survival.
How rewarding is it when you deliver a rescue dog to a good home?
You leave out the back because you don’t want them to see you go. [Blair’s voice breaks] You get in your car and you cry like I am now because you did it. You did it. That’s why I do what I do — because they deserve it.
— Eric Hegedüs
And here’s what else to watch this week:
Here and Now
Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
Ramon (Daniel Zovatto) and Dr. Shokrani (Peter Macdissi) explore the possible psychic connection between his vision and a photograph in the therapist’s office. Meanwhile, Duc (Raymond Lee) gets good feedback about his manuscript, but the publisher has an agenda. Stricken with an STD, Kristen (Sosie Bacon) goes to Planned Parenthood with Ashley (Jerrika Hinton).
The Frankenstein Chronicles
Tuesday, Netflix
Series premiere. After a successful operation by the Thames River police to apprehend opium smugglers in 1827 London, a child’s corpse is discovered. Inspector John Marlott (Sean Bean, below) is horrified to discover that it’s not a kid at all, but a grotesque assembly of body parts.
Homeland
Sunday, 9 p.m., Showtime
Carrie (Claire Danes) makes a discovery; Wellington (Linus Roache) protects President Keane (Elizabeth Marvel); O’Keefe (Jake Weber) continues to broadcast.
Victoria
Sunday, 9 p.m, PBS
Victoria (Jenna Coleman, inset) and Albert (Tom Hughes) have to face their worst nightmare as parents, while Sir Robert Peel (Nigel Lindsay) takes on the ultimate battle in Parliament. When tragedy strikes, Victoria must confront the true cost of standing by her convictions.
Last week toNight With John Oliver
Sunday, 11 p.m., HBO
Season premiere. The irreverent political commentator is back, with new diatribes to launch against President Trump, the Republican party and perhaps his other target — actor Dustin Hoffman, whose sexual misconduct he attacked during a panel discussion of Hoffman’s film “Wag the Dog.”
Seven Seconds
Friday, Netflix
Series premiere. A car accident in Liberty State Park turns into a nightmare for Latrice Butler (Regina King, below right) and her husband Isaiah (Russell Hornsby, below left). Their son Brenton is left for dead by four Jersey City cops. A brief encounter at his hospital bedside between Latrice and Peter Jablonski (Beau Knapp), the officer who hit the boy, haunts her as she seeks justice.
Women in Love
Friday, 4:30 a.m., TCM
In this 1969 film, two sisters — Ursula (Jennie Linden) and Gudrun (Glenda Jackson, below) Brangwen — break romantic taboos in 1920s England with Rupert (Alan Bates) and Gerald (Oliver Reed), respectively. Jackson won the Best Actress Oscar for her fierce portrayal, which includes an erotic dance with some startled steer in the countryside.
