For this installment we will note that we have finished season 2 of Star Trek: Picard and although it had some memorable moments, overall it wasn’t as good as we hoped. I’m continuing to watch Halo also on Paramount+ based on the videogame of the same name. I never played the game so I can’t comment on how well it fits in. Overall it’s not fantastic but it’s watchable.
We also wrapped up the Marvel limited series “Moon Knight” which was pretty bizarre but watchable. I note that Oscar Isaac only signed on for one season so I think additional seasons are not likely. Also it did not seem to anyway tie into the broader MCU. I can recommend it for diehard Marvel fans but I don’t think it’s going to have wide appeal.
I had the opportunity to see “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” in IMAX 3D. It was the first IMAX 3D I’ve seen in several years so it was a real treat. It was not the best 3D conversion I’d seen but it was pretty good. Overall the film was pretty good although I thought the ending was a little bit anticlimactic. Like most Marvel films, is best appreciated if you know all of the back story. Specifically it’s helpful to have seen “Spider-Man No Way Home”, “Loki”, “What If”, and most important “Wandavision”. On the other hand not seen any of those, it is very entertaining and watchable.
Also had the opportunity to see an extended trailer for “Top Gun: Maverick” which looks more like a rerun than a sequel but it’s hard to tell from the trailer. I love the first one so I’m sure I will enjoy this one.
In most notably got to see a 3D preview of Avatar 2 which if you can believe it will finally be here in December after countless delays. I will definitely be seeing that at least once if not multiple times. I hope it brings a resurgence of interest in 3D. I suppose it’s too much to hope that 3D TV will return although 3D Blu-ray discs are still being sold. I have a preorder in for “Spider-Man No Way Home” on Blu-ray 3D.
Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News
- The Walking Dead franchise was planning on a spinoff series featuring Daryl and Carol but Melissa McBride has dropped out of the show leaving Daryl on his own in the new series.
- Dancing with the Stars is leaving ABC and will air inclusively on Disney+. Is the first live program to air on that streaming platform. The move will allow ABC to air some Monday night football games as well as other programming.
- CBS announced James Corden is leaving “The Late Late Show” in late 2023. He has hosted the show since 2015.
- CBS has renewed SWAT for season 6.
- Apple TV+ announced “For All Mankind” season 3 will premier June 10.
- Jesse L Martin is leaving “The Flash enclosed to star in an NBC pilot. He played Detective Joe West for 8 seasons.
- CBS heads announced “Blue Bloods” has been renewed for season 13.
- Netflix has canceled “Raising Dion” after 2 seasons
- “The Batman 2” has been greenlit with director Matt Reeves and star Robert Pattison returning.
- NBC is renewing “College Bowl” quiz show hosted by Peyton Manning and his brother Cooper.
- Apple TV+ has renewed “Pachinko” for season 2.
- CW network has canceled “Batwoman” after 3 seasons and “Legends of Tomorrow” after 7 seasons
- Netflix has canceled “Space Force“ after 2 seasons.
- HBO Max has renewed “Julia” about Julia Child for season 2
- TNT and TBS will no longer air the Screen Actors Guild awards. No word on where they might move.
- The reboot of “Saved by the Bell” has been canceled by Peacock after 2 seasons
- CBS has renewed “The Equalizer” for seasons 3 and 44
- NBC has ordered to series a reboot of “Quantum Leap” for the 2022-23 season.
- ABC has canceled “Queens” and “Promised Land” after just one season each
- CBS has renewed FBI, FBI Most Wanted, and FBI International for 2 additional seasons each.
- HBO announced “Westworld” season 4 will premier June 24
- Hulu has canceled “Dollface” starring Kat Dennings after 2 seasons.
- NBC has renewed “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” for an additional season each.
- Amazon prime has renewed “Upload” for season 3.
- CBS has canceled “United States of Al” after 2 seasons.
- NBC has renewed “American Auto” for season 2.
Miscellaneous News
- Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars ceremonies for 10 years for assaulting Chris Rock at this year’s ceremonies. He can still be nominated and win.
- New streaming service CNN+ was shut down just three weeks after premiered for lack of subscribers.
- Disneyland’s “Space Mountain” attraction will be shut down in 2024 to be replaced by an entirely new version of the ride.
- Sony has sold over 19 million PS5 gaming systems.
- Apple has discontinued the iPod Touch. The last in its series of iPod products.
In Memoriam
- Comedian Gilbert Gottfried age 67
- Naomi Judd Grammy-winning singer, mother of Wynonna and Ashley. Age 76. Mental illness
- Kathyrn Hays star of CBS soap opera “As the World Turns” for 38 years. Age 87
- Dwayne Haskins quarterback for the Pittsburg Steelers. Age 24. Struck by a vehicle while walking across a highway.
- Patricia MacLachlan author of “Sarah, Plain and Tall” age 84
- Liz Sheridan played Jerry Seinfeld’s mother. Age 93
- Andrew Woolfolk saxophone player for “Earth, Wind, and Fire”, age 71
- Jerry verDorn who appeared in soap operas “Guiding Light” and “One Life to Live” age 72
- George Perez comic book artist for “Crisis on Infinite Earths” age 67
- Mickey Gilley singer and proprietor of the Gilley’s nightclub popularized in the film “Urban Cowboy” age 86
- Jack Kehler character actor noted for playing the landlord the “The Big Lebowski”. Age 75
Links of Interest
- Severance’s Britt Lower Weighs In on Big Finale Reveal, a Scene That’s Now ‘Creepier’ and Data-Refining on Set
- Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on Ghosts, NCIS: Hawai’i, New Amsterdam, Halo, Chesapeake Shores, Magnum and More
- TNT and TBS Are Bailing on Scripted Programming — Which Series Are Safe?
- New Doctor Who Revealed: ‘Sex Education’ Star Ncuti Gatwa Will Replace Jodie Whittaker