Icons of Entertainment Sammy Davis Jr., Sean Connery, and Doris Day Celebrated in New Original Stories About Their Lives and Legacies in May 2023 Premieres

REELZ today announced its May 2023 premieres led by new original stories about entertainment legends Sammy Davis Jr., Sean Connery, and Doris Day along with a new episode of MLW Underground Wrestling and new episodes of hit documentary series On Patrol: Live every Friday and Saturday @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT. Highlighting May 2023 premieres is the return of Autopsy: The Last Hours of… showing the tremendous contributions Davis, Connery, and Day made to live entertainment, movies, TV, and radio with insightful looks at the causes behind their tragic deaths. All three stars battled health scares early in their careers but did those illnesses or accidents play any role in what eventually took their lives? Autopsy: The Last Hours of… delves into their medical history with forensic detail to show viewers how despite setbacks in their health Davis, Connery and Day managed to still become prolific stars of their generation.

“Our May lineup brings an exciting mix of live policing across America every Friday and Saturday night in hit series On Patrol: Live along with compelling stories about three monumental entertainers and the real-life health issues they faced during their rise to stardom,” said Steve Cheskin, SVP of Programming at REELZ. “In addition to celebrating their stellar work on screen and on stage Autopsy: The Last Hours of… responsibly explores the fascinating connections among health issues, treatment outcomes and possible preventative measures that viewers of the series have told us have benefited them and their families.”

May 2023 premieres are led by live action in primetime with new episodes of On Patrol: Live every Friday and Saturday @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT. On Patrol: Live follows live news-gathering protocols as its cameras document for viewers in real time the work of police officers on patrol from diverse departments across the country. Host and executive producer Dan Abrams, alongside Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin (ret.) and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson provide minute-by-minute live analysis and context, offering unique insight into the experiences of men and women of law enforcement appearing on the show. Before every new episode of On Patrol: Live is a new episode of On Patrol: First Shift every Friday and Saturday night @ 8PM ET/ 5PM PT featuring Abrams, Larkin, and Wilson who provide updates of past stories covered by the show and present a look forward to the coming live episode.

A pillar of cool Sammy Davis Jr. had unparalleled gifts for singing, dancing, acting, and impersonating that earned him the nickname Mr. Show Business. Davis was also part of the informal group of entertainers known as the Rat Pack which famously included Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Davis would release more than 40 solo albums and hosted his own TV variety show The Sammy Davis Jr. Show earning both Emmy Award® and Golden Globes nominations along the way. But the vivacious approach Davis took toward entertaining carried over to his personal life with excessive indulgence in cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Sammy Davis Jr.” on Sunday, May 7 @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT presents the story of his exceptional life and examines his tragic death at just 64 years old from laryngeal cancer but even advanced laryngeal cancer can be cured so why did Davis die just eight months after the diagnosis?

Sean Connery was one of the most famous actors of all time. From Dr. No to Never Say Never Again the world would go crazy for Connery as the international man of mystery super spy James Bond. He became a cinematic icon and a prominent cultural figure earning a British Academy Award, an Academy Award® and a Royal Knighthood from the Queen of England over a career spanning nearly 60 years. But behind the glittery façade of superstardom Connery battled a serious illness early in his life that threatened to destroy his career. Connery’s death certificate mentions old age as a contributing factor in his death but what other underlying health conditions was he facing that may have been the true cause of his passing? Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Sean Connery” on Sunday, May 14 @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT examines his medical history including the possible connection between the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia in his early 30s and its connection to heart issues later in his life.

Wrapping up May 2023 premieres is a new original story about American sweetheart, singer, and actress Doris Day who became a worldwide phenomenon as the only woman to star in movies that claimed the top box office spot in both the 1950s and 1960s. She would star in 39 movies and record more than 650 songs selling millions of records. But at the peak of her fame Day completely disappeared from public life. It became known that she was suffering from a mysterious illness but due to her religious beliefs, she refused to seek medical attention until her symptoms became unbearable. Could this time without treatment impact her health issues later in life or even been a contributing factor in her death? On Sunday, May 21 @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Doris Day” spotlights her stellar career and examines her lifestyle and medical history to find out how she lived to an incredible 97 years old despite several serious health scares throughout her life and to discover the cause of the disease that killed her.

Below is May 2023 programming listed by premiere date and time. Full synopses for every show follow this list.

Tuesday, May 2

*NEW* MLW Underground Wrestling @ 10PM ET/ 7PM PT

Friday, May 5

*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift @ 8PM ET/ 5PM PT

*NEW* On Patrol: Live @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Saturday, May 6

*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift @ 8PM ET/ 5PM PT

*NEW* On Patrol: Live @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Sunday, May 7

*NEW* Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Sammy Davis Jr.” @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Friday, May 12

*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift @ 8PM ET/ 5PM PT

*NEW* On Patrol: Live @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Saturday, May 13

*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift @ 8PM ET/ 5PM PT

*NEW* On Patrol: Live @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Sunday, May 14

*NEW* Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Sean Connery” @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Friday, May 19

*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift @ 8PM ET/ 5PM PT

*NEW* On Patrol: Live @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Saturday, May 20

*NEW* On Patrol: First Shift @ 8PM ET/ 5PM PT

*NEW* On Patrol: Live @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Sunday, May 21

*NEW* Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Doris Day” @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT

Below are detailed descriptions for May 2023 programming in order of premiere date and time:

On Patrol: First Shift new episodes every Friday and Saturday @ 8PM ET/ 5PM PT. Dan Abrams, Sean “Sticks” Larkin and Curtis Wilson provide updates of past stories covered by the show and present a look forward to the coming live episode. On Patrol: First Shift is produced by Half Moon Pictures for REELZ.

On Patrol: Live new episodes every Friday and Saturday @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT. On Patrol: Live follows live news-gathering protocols as its more than 50 cameras document for viewers in real time the everyday work of police officers on patrol. Series host and Executive Producer Dan Abrams, alongside Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin (ret.) and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson, provide minute-by-minute live analysis and context, offering viewers unique insight into the experiences of the men and women of law enforcement appearing on the show. On Patrol: Live also engages the community by inviting them into the series. “Citizen Ride-Alongs” give local residents, within the communities of the departments appearing on the show, a first-hand perspective as they ride along with officers followed by On Patrol: Live cameras on live nights; “Citizens On-Set” invites community members into the studio as guests where they can share their Ride-Along experiences and observations and comment on the night’s live activities. Both features offer a unique opportunity for viewers and members of the community to gain unprecedented access to law enforcement – from routine calls and high-stakes incidents to tracking down fugitives of justice and recovering missing children. The live show content is complemented by public-service segments dedicated to tracking down America’s worst and most wanted criminals as well as finding missing children through weekly “Missing” segments that air in conjunction with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Black and Missing Foundation (BAMFI). During these segments, series hosts Dan Abrams, Sean “Sticks” Larkin, and Curtis Wilson call on the viewing public and OPL’s broad social media footprint, known as #OPNation, to reach out to NCMEC’s and BAMFI’s special hotlines, should they have any information related to the missing persons. The segments are also shared via the show’s platforms on Twitter (@OfficialOPLive), Instagram (@officialoplive) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ReelzOfficialOPLive/). Since the series premiere last summer five minors have been recovered and reunited with loved ones after On Patrol: Live viewers saw the “Missing” segments and sent in tips. On Patrol: Live is produced by Half Moon Pictures for REELZ. Executive Producers are Dan Cesareo, John Zito, Lucilla D’Agostino, Paul Gordon, Joe Venafro and Dan Abrams.

Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Sammy Davis Jr.” premieres on Sunday, May 7 @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT. On May 16, 1990 the legendary performer Sammy Davis Jr. died at the age of 64. His talent for singing, dancing, acting and impersonating spawned a 60-year career on stage, in movies and on TV that earned him the nickname Mr. Show Business. Davis spent his childhood touring the Vaudeville circuit with his father before pursuing a highly acclaimed solo act. His career was nearly derailed when a serious car accident resulted in him losing an eye but he bounced back to establish himself as one of the greatest showmen of all time both as a solo artist and within The Rat Pack line-up with Frank Sinatra. But his rise to the top was not without stress on his health as Davis was a chain smoker for 50 years who also drank heavily and experimented with drugs. He died at the age of 64 of pneumonia due to laryngeal carcinoma just eight months after the cancer was diagnosed. Even advanced laryngeal cancer can be cured so why did this legendary performer die so quickly? Now renowned forensic pathologist and medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter analyzes his medical history along with first hand accounts from people who were close to Davis to discover whether there was something else going on that contributed to his eventual demise. Autopsy: The Last Hours of… is produced by Potato, part of ITV Studios.

Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Sean Connery” premieres on Sunday, May 14 @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT. On October 31, 2020 the world was saddened by the news that the legendary star of the silver screen and the man who epitomized James Bond had died. As one of the original action heroes Sean Connery dazzled moviegoers with thrills and spills for more than 60 years by the time of his death. Born in the middle of the Great Depression Connery would rise from poverty to become one of the most recognizable faces on the planet. When he was the first cast as the Ian Fleming literary super spy James Bond in 1962 he was relatively unknown outside of a few small roles on British TV. But within just seven short years Connery would have five hit movies with the franchise under his belt and millions in the bank as a wave of “Bondmania” took over the world. Life from the outside seemed to be all smooth sailing for Connery and he would die in the Bahamas surrounded by his loved ones @ 90 years old. But behind closed doors toward the end of his life he suffered from cancer scares, potentially lethal throat polyps, and severe dementia. Now renowned forensic pathologist and medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter analyzes Connery’s medical history to piece together what was really happening in his body and how it led to his death. Autopsy: The Last Hours of… is produced by Potato, part of ITV Studios.

Autopsy: The Last Hours of… “Doris Day” premieres on Sunday, May 21 @ 9PM ET/ 6PM PT. On May 13, 2019 Doris Day died @ 97 years old. Day was America’s sweetheart, the girl next door with the golden voice whose innocent image won the hearts of millions. But behind the dazzling smile her life was blighted by tragedy after tragedy stemming from a childhood that left her traumatized and in pain. As Day rose to fame her genuine talent and no-nonsense honesty took her to the very top but she was pained and frustrated by her public image which she believed denied her true character. And when Day had finally had enough of the spotlight and left the glitz and glamor of Hollywood behind to pursue a new life away from the spotlight her fans never let her down supporting her until the very end of her long and generous life when she was tragically brought down by a fatal case of pneumonia. Now medical examiner and forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter analyzes her medical history to find out how this beloved star lived and died to reveal how she managed to overcome the trauma of her early years and become a singing superstar and renowned animal rights activist. Autopsy: The Last Hours of… is produced by Potato, part of ITV Studios.

About REELZ – REAL LIVES. REAL STORIES. REAL CELEBRITIES.®

REELZ is a leading independent television network that is home to the hit original series On Patrol: Live which follows law enforcement officers live from a diverse mix of police departments and sheriff offices across America. REELZ original programming is focused on real people in revealing stories ranging from the critically acclaimed and award-winning The Kennedys to Autopsy: The Last Hours of… and the network is also home to true crime stories and law enforcement action including Gangsters: America’s Most Wanted, Mobsters, COPS, COPS Reloaded and Jail that take place in real communities across America.

REELZ is available in more than 40 million homes on DIRECTV (238), DISH Network (299), Verizon FiOS TV (692HD), AT&T U-verse (799/1799HD) and Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum, Mediacom, Peacock, Philo, Freecast, DIRECTV Stream, Dish Sling and many other cable systems and major streaming services nationwide. Find REELZ in your area by visiting www.reelz.com. If REELZ is not available, or not in HD, on your cable, telco or streaming provider, we encourage viewers to call them and ask for it. Owned by Hubbard Media Group, REELZ is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM with national ad sales based in New York City with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles.

REELZ library of programming is available in more than 30 million additional homes and growing via major streaming platforms such as Amazon Channels, Fire TV, Roku, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi, Samsung Smart TV+, Vizio, Crackle, Xumo, Redbox, FreeVee and Local Now.

As one of the last truly independent television networks remaining in today’s media landscape REELZ has created the Independence Happens Here® website to help keep free thought and innovation alive by highlighting the importance of independent businesses. The website can be found at http://IndependenceHappensHere.com.