We finally get caught up on entertainment news with these items from December 2016. By the way I made the conscious decision not to try to track all of the various media people who have been taken down by allegations of sexual impropriety. It’s not that I don’t care about the issue. I very much do so. But the deluge of reports has been so widespread in the media that I’ve not bothered to repeat much if any of it here. I’ve only mentioned some of the fallout such as the retooling of the final season of House of Cards and to highlight a couple of lesser-known media people such as the executive producer of Supergirl/Arrow etc. and a DC comics editor. Today we add to the list journalist John Hockenberry who is probably the only person who served as a war correspondent in Afghanistan while being confined to a wheelchair by spinal board injury. He was a bit of a hero of mine. Met him once at a disability conference and very much enjoyed his autobiography Moving Violations. He has acknowledged some of his inappropriate behavior and apologized so give him some credit for that. One other interesting recent revelation. Lord of the Rings Director Peter Jackson confirms that Harvey Weinstein ordered him not to cast Ashley Judd or Mira Sorvino in the Rings Trilogy.
In the links below see:
Postmortem interview with producer of Berlin Station at the end of season 2. I really love this show.
Interview with creator of Netflix anthology series Black Mirror
Spoilers from Michael Ausiello dated December 13
Postmortem interview with producers of Mr. Robot on season 3 finale and looking forward to season 4.
Interview with Star Wars director, writer, producer about deleted scenes
Article explaining $10 million reshoot to replace Kevin Spacey by Christopher Plummer in “All the Money in the World”.
Interview with Kit Harrington about the end of Game of Thrones, Gunpowder and beyond
Spoilers from Inside Line dated January 2
Not in the links below but also of interest:
Johnny Galecki will take time out from his Big Bang Theory duties to return as David on the ABC revival of Roseanne Barr show. Show will premiere on ABC March 27.
Netflix has renewed Stranger Things for season 3. Given its popularity that was no surprise.
CBS announced primary days for 2 midseason shows. “Living Biblically” prepared February 27 is about a man who decides to start living his life strictly according to the teachings of the Bible. I wonder if that means he will murder his son if his son disrespects him (see Leviticus 20:9) Also the other show is “Instinct” story Alan Cumming who is a celebrated author and college professor who also happens to be a former CIA operative. He gets back into the life after a detective needs his help to stop a serial killer who is using his first book as a guide. Premiers March 11.
The 2018 Oscar ceremony will start at 8 PM instead of traditional 8:30.
Franz Drameh who plays Jax on Legends of Tomorrow has left the show as of the midseason finale
Production of HBO series Westworld was briefly delayed by the California wildfires. It has resumed.
Production on CBS series SWAT was also briefly delayed by the wildfires.
Berlin Station has be renewed by Epix for season 3 and I can’t wait.
Quentin Tarantino has been pushing to direct a new Star Trek movie that would be R-rated. Nothing green lit yet.
NBC is planning a live production Of Jesus Christ Superstar for Sunday, April 1 Easter. Hold onto your hats! None other than Alice Cooper has been cast in the role of King Herod! John Legend will play Jesus. We can hardly wait!!
Netflix announced Jessica Jones season 2 will premiere March 8 and we can’t wait.
RIP Bruce Brown movie producer who created classic surf documentary Endless Summer. He was 80
The Good Fight returns to CBS All Access for season 2 on March 4. This show is almost worth subscribing to the service.
The Punisher has been renewed for season 2 by Netflix
RIP movie producer Howard Gottfried who produced “Network” and “Altered States” among others. He was 94
USA Network announced Mr. Robot has been renewed for season 4
Dominic Purcell says that season 6 of “Prison Break”is still a possibility. Let’s hope so.
Oprah will receive the Cecil B deMille award at this year’s Golden Globes
Clint Eastwood’s new movie “15:17 to Paris” has won its appeal to have its rating changed from R to PG-13.
Disney has reached a multibillion-dollar deal to purchase much of Fox. Fans hope it means the unification of the MCU.
Apple streaming service has ordered a outerspace drama series from Ronald D Moore who created the reboot of Battle Star Galactica. That should be interesting.
Once Upon A Time returns to ABC on March 2
BBC America has canceled “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” after 2 seasons. I desperately tried to like the first season but it just didn’t work for me. Was surprised it got renewed once.
Syfy Channel as renewed Van Helsing for season 3. I watch it but it’s just okay. Nothing great.
None of the $10 million it took to re-shoot “All the Money in the World” to replace Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer went to costars Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg. They agreed to the reshoot for no additional money.
Stargate Origins will premiere on MGM streaming service on February 15 for 10 episodes. This is a prequel to the original series/movies
A remake of “A Star Is Born” starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga will be released October 5, 2018
Epix has canceled Nick Nolte series “Graves” about a former president after 2 seasons. I watched a couple of episodes and it was just okay.
RIP sports broadcasting legend Dick Enberg age 82
91 TV series were canceled or died a natural death in 2017
RIP animator Bob Givens who worked on classic Bugs Bunny cartoons. Age 90
Talks are underway to bring back “Mad about You” with Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt. Keeping my fingers crossed for this one. I loved that show.
New series on Syfy Channel “Krypton” to premier March 21
RIP actress Rose Marie who costarred on the old Dick Van Dyke show as Sally Rogers. Age 94.
RIP mystery writer Sue Grafton age 77
Ringo Starr and Barry Gibb will be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II
Showtime has canceled “White Famous” after one season
Star Wars: The Last Jedi was officially the highest grossing movie of the year. Over $1 billion worldwide. Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast was number 2
Netflix series “A Series of Unfortunate Events” season 2 premiers March 30
Hoda Kotb as been named coanchor of the Today Show replacing Matt Lauer
‘Berlin Station’ EP On Tonight’s Finale, The Far Right’s Rise, Ashley Judd & Season 3
Kit Harington On The End Of ‘Game Of Thrones,’ ‘Gunpowder’ & What’s Next