COMEDY SERIES "Save Me" 
 WHEN|WHERE Premieres Thursday night at 8, second episode at 8:30, on NBC/4 
 REASON TO WATCH Could you become a better person overnight? 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Hey, it works for <a href="/topics//Anne_Heche">Anne Heche</a> ("Men in Trees"). Or at least for her character in this plucky half-hour about "an angry, drunken -- in a good marriage gone bad." That's for the pilot's initial minute, anyway. Then, she "dies." And wakes up to the first day of the rest of her life. 
 She's suddenly a sweetie getting do-good messages from God (with a capital G). So she's finally paying attention to her resentful teen (Madison Davenport, "Shameless"), giving nurturing advice to her resentful friends and making nice to that pushed-away hubby (<a href="/topics//Michael_Landes">Michael Landes</a>, "Lois &amp; Clark's" original Jimmy Olsen). 
 "I'm suddenly wide-awake in my life for the first time in years," she enthuses, jumping up and down like a toddler. It seems contagious. "I forgot how weird you are," she tells her suddenly nutty hubby. "So did I," says shocked he. 
 MY SAY Nobody's the bad guy in this deft portrait -- not even the easy-to-demonize mistress (Alexandra Breckinridge, "American Horror Story") -- which makes "Save Me" something of its own miracle. That genial verve takes a while to triumph, though, amid such pilot crutches as sprightly narration, "magical" music and cleverspeak dialogue. 
 BOTTOM LINE The "Save Me" pilot saves itself artistically. But debuting in a summertime double dose makes series salvation improbable. 
 GRADE B

COMEDY SERIES "Save Me" WHEN|WHERE Premieres Thursday night at 8, second episode at 8:30, on NBC/4 REASON TO WATCH Could you become a better person overnight? WHAT IT'S ABOUT Hey, it works for Anne Heche ("Men in Trees"). Or at least for her character in this plucky half-hour about "an angry, drunken -- in a good marriage gone bad." That's for the pilot's initial minute, anyway. Then, she "dies." And wakes up to the first day of the rest of her life. She's suddenly a sweetie getting do-good messages from God (with a capital G). So she's finally paying attention to her resentful teen (Madison Davenport, "Shameless"), giving nurturing advice to her resentful friends and making nice to that pushed-away hubby (Michael Landes, "Lois & Clark's" original Jimmy Olsen). "I'm suddenly wide-awake in my life for the first time in years," she enthuses, jumping up and down like a toddler. It seems contagious. "I forgot how weird you are," she tells her suddenly nutty hubby. "So did I," says shocked he. MY SAY Nobody's the bad guy in this deft portrait -- not even the easy-to-demonize mistress (Alexandra Breckinridge, "American Horror Story") -- which makes "Save Me" something of its own miracle. That genial verve takes a while to triumph, though, amid such pilot crutches as sprightly narration, "magical" music and cleverspeak dialogue. BOTTOM LINE The "Save Me" pilot saves itself artistically. But debuting in a summertime double dose makes series salvation improbable. GRADE B

Entertainment

ETBOT22.WEB

'Save Me' review: Getting a wakeup call from God

Newsday

save me cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

Nominees "The Diplomat," "The Gilded Age" and "The Beast in Me" all have local ties.

'The Pitt,' 'Hacks' and LI-themed shows are all heavy Emmy contenders

There will be plays, music, comedy and more at East Rockaway's Strongbox Theater, which is finally opening after a six-year renovation.

It's opening night for LI theater 6 years in the making

A new musical about the country superstar will open Jan. 19, her 81st birthday.

Well, hello 'Dolly'! Parton show headed to Broadway

The Floral Park author's book is back with a bonus novella, "My Killer Role."

Beachy keen: Tessa Bailey slays with 'Killer Vacation'

The film festival from Tuesday through Sunday will showcase more than 100 titles.

'Ringside' doc among LI Film Expo highlights

"She has embodied life experiences for generations of fans," says one Swift observer.

Why we're obsessed with Taylor Swift's wedding and other celebrity nuptials

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

Here's a look back at the movies, theater, TV and music that captivated us during that glorious year:

Remembering the pop culture of 1976: The Bicentennial year brought us 'Charlie's Angels,' 'Rocky,' 'Disco Duck,' lots more

According to Paramount+, the docuseries "uncovers the explosive true story of Jordan Belfort's meteoric rise, his stunning fall and those he left stranded in his wake."

'Real Wolf of Wall Street' docuseries promises shocking revelations about LI stockbroker left out of Leonardo DiCaprio movie

You may win a trip or cash when the game comes to Patchogue Theatre on Oct. 6.

Spin cycle: 'Wheel of Fortune Live!' returning to LI

The show will be at Bethpage's Embassy Diner, which bills itself as "America's most patriotic diner."

'Fox & Friends' to air live segment from LI diner on July Fourth

The venerable CBS newsmagazine has tried to reach new audiences many times over the years.

Six '60 Minutes' spinoffs you probably don't remember: For teens, sports fans, Quibi users (come again?)

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joined the volunteers of Save the Great South Bay to clean oysters. The oysters are cleaned weekly and then placed back into the bay, where they'll be able to help filter the water.

Help boost the Great South Bay oyster population

A draft rule introduced this month by House and Senate Republicans would significantly limit compensation for service-connected tinnitus and sleep apnea for veterans. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI vets concerned about bill that would reduce benefits

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits Palmer Vineyards, where they host 'summer late nights,' which have become very popular.

Out East: Take a sip at this winery that's ready for summer

After the British took control of Long Island, George Washington created a special unit for intelligence gathering, the Culper Spy Ring. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: The Culper Spy Ring on LI

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus explores the new farmers market at Station Yards in Ronkonkoma.

Farmers market opens at Station Yards

Brianna's Law, named after an 11-year-old girl who died in a 2005 accident, requires all operators of motorized vessels to take a boating safety course. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

After her daughter's boating death, mom went from grief to 'unstoppable' safety advocate

The number of IOUs issued by LIRR conductors for fare evasion fell by more than half from 2024 to 2025. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo explains.

LIRR IOUs for fare evasion are down

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits L'Etoile in Oyster Bay. The French restaurant is in the building that used to be Snouder's Drug Store.

Historic LI building home to new French restaurant

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Signorama in Huntington Station.

LI Works: Ken lights up the room as he makes signs

Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman takes the High Line to Chelsea Market and Pier 57.

Exploring NYC's High Line

Sitewide Video Playlist

Joe Tosini, owner of River Center Shopping Center in Riverhead, said the businesses in the center lost power during Saturday's storms and that their electricity wasn't restored until late Tuesday afternoon. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'We're still behind'

It was an unimaginable crime that shattered the idyllic image of a suburbia. On July 4, 1956, little Peter Weinberger, only 32 days old, was snatched out of his stroller on the back patio of his family's home in Westbury and killed. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'It impacts who I am today, and I'm going to be 80'

Dangerous extreme heat with the possibility of thunderstorms are in store for Long Island and the entire NYC area beginning Wednesday, NewsdayTV's meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Possible record temperatures coming

Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.

'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem'

Juan Bonilla Lagos, who was arrested by ICE in October near his Plainview home, was freed from jail after nine months.

'I fought so hard'

Teachers' median pay on Long Island grew by 1.5% in Nassau and 0.9% in Suffolk from the 2023-24 school year. Newsday education reporter Dandan Zou has more.

'They should make more'

The mother of a 7-year-old who was allegedly tortured and killed is filing a $250 million lawsuit against Suffolk County. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'Multiple systems together that failed at every single point'

The village defended its rejection of a St. James cell tower, proposed by LI Smart Solutions on the campus of the 40-acre Knox School, arguing in a new legal filing the applicant could have revised its proposal to comply with local regulations.

Village defends cell tower rejection

Here's how these Long Island content creators use TikTok to build their careers.

Meet the Long Islanders making it big on TikTok

During a gathering at the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday signed a bill allowing the MTA to transform a superfund site in Suffolk into a railroad depot. NewdsayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'It's all about clean air, clean water'

The 2026 FourLeaf Air Show was held at Jones Beach on Sunday, and for the first time, it featured Air Force units from across the Atlantic. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'We may have to sneak out of work tomorrow'

As tens of thousands watched from the Jones Beach boardwalk on Sunday, the U.S. Army Golden Knights kicked off the 2026 FourLeaf Air Show with a giant American flag.

A giant American flag above cheering crowds

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Save Me' review: Getting a wakeup call from God

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.