Monthly Archives: July 2022

Entertainment news June and July 2022

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Once again I’m way overdue with this edition my entertainment news blog. Here are some topics we need to talk about before we get on to the usual list of headlines.

I highly recommend the Paramount+ series “The Offer” based upon the remembrances of producer Albert Ruddy’s experiences as the producer of “The Godfather”. Absolutely worth your 10 hours of viewing. Wonderful performances and compelling storytelling of the creation of this cinematic masterpiece. I suggest you watch about the first four or five episodes and then go rewatch “The Godfather” which is also available on Paramount+. Then continue with the rest of the miniseries. I can’t say enough about this miniseries.

I also have to give a shout out to the new series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” featuring Anson Mount as Capt. Christopher Pike who was captain of the Enterprise before Kirk. For those of you disappointed “Star Trek: Discovery” and/or “Star Trek: Picard” (both of which I enjoyed more than some people do) this might be the show for you. It is more like the original series than anything you’ve seen except maybe “The Orville”. It has lots of connections and Easter eggs to ST: TOS episodes especially the final episode. I will probably be posting a separate blog giving your guide to which original episodes should watch along with this series. HIGHLY recommended.

From the MCU Disney+ ran eight episodes of “Ms. Marvel” about a Pakistani-American 16-year-old girl who obtains superpowers through a magic bracelet handed down to her from her grandmother. While I’m all in favor of diversity of representation in superhero franchises, at times it seemed like the show was more of a lesson in Pakistani/Muslim culture and history than it was an origin story for a teenage superhero. Still I enjoyed it and learned a few things along the way. The character will be recurring alongside Capt. Marvel in the upcoming film “The Marvels” in 2023.

Season 3 of the sci-fi alternate history series “For All Mankind” is currently running on Apple TV+ and is of the same high quality as the first two seasons. It has already picked up for season 4.

Finally if you’re looking for some action, check out Chris Pratt in Amazon Prime’s series “The Terminal List” about a Navy Seal whose entire unit except for himself is wiped out in an ambush and he tries to uncover the conspiracy behind it. Or if you’re looking for something shorter with lots of action check out Netflix’s film “The Gray Man” starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans in a CIA thriller with lots of action.

Now onto our regular features…

Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

  • Christopher Walken will play Emperor Shaddam IV in the upcoming Dune 2
  • NBC has renewed “Young Rock” for a third season.
  • CW has renewed “All-American Homecoming” for season 2. They have also canceled “4400”, “Dynasty”, “Naomi”, “Roswell New Mexico”, “In the Dark”, “Legacies”, and “Charmed”.
  • CBS has picked up to series “Gotham Knights”, “Walker: Independence”, and “The Winchesters”.
  • NBC has canceled “The Endgame” and “Mr. Mayor”.
  • CBS has canceled “B Positive”, “Kenan”, “Magnum PI”, “How We Roll”, and “Good Sam”.
  • ABC has renewed “Big Sky”, “The Wonder Years”, “A Million Little Things”, “The Conners” and “Home Economics”.
  • Fox has canceled “Our Kind of People”, and “Pivoting”
  • David Tennant and Catherine Tate will return to Doctor Who for a special episode in 2023.
  • Fox has renewed “The Masked Singer”, “Call Me Kat”, “The Resident”, “911”, and “911: Lone Star”
  • Apple TV+ has greenlit a live action version of “Speed Racer”
  • CW announced “Riverdale” will in with upcoming season 7 but there are already rumors of a spinoff.
  • HBO has renewed “Barry” for season 4
  • Angelo Pizzo screenwriter who wrote “Hoosiers” and “Rudy” is writing a film about the inaugural 1911 Indianapolis 500.
  • Disney+ announced “The Mandalorian” season 3 will debut February 2023
  • “Indiana Jones 5” will premier June 30, 2023.
  • Jodie Foster will star in HBO’s “True Detective” season 4.
  • Anthony Anderson is not returning to “Law and Order” season 22
  • “The Good Fight” will end with upcoming season 6. Premiering September 8
  • HBO Max has renewed comedy “Our Flag Means Death” for season 2.
  • HBO Max has canceled “Raised by Wolves” after 2 seasons. Although the Ridley Scott sci-fi series showed great promise for a few episodes it quickly went down hill. Season 2 was as bizarre as the ending of season 1 but did recover somewhat. Overall I won’t miss it.
  • Netflix announced “Locke & Key” season 3 premiering August 10 will be its last.
  • Netflix announced “All of Us Are Dead” will return for season 2. Also in case you missed it, former NBC series “Manifest” will have its fourth and final season coming to Netflix later this year. Also, “The Sandman” will premier August 5.
  • AMC announced episodic anthology series “Tales of the Walking Dead” will premier August 14.
  • FX has renewed “What We Do in the Shadows” for seasons 5 and 6
  • Both E.T. and Jaws will be rereleased in IMAX versions late this summer.
  • Amazon has renewed “The Boys” for season 4.
  • As expected Netflix has renewed hit Korean series “Squid Game” for season 2
  • Hulu has announced “The Handmaid’s Tale” season 5 will premiere September 14
  • Netflix has renewed “The Lincoln Lawyer” for season 2
  • HBO Max will begin streaming “Game of Thrones” in 4K HDR starting August 21.
  • Disney+ will stream all three seasons of “The Orville” beginning August 10. The first two seasons originally aired on Fox in the recent third season has been on Hulu.
  • NFL+ has been introduced as a new streaming service but there are pretty severe limitations on right you can see. Check out the link for details.
  • Netflix’s new film “The Gray Man” starring Ryan Gosling is its most expensive film to date. I have announced it will get a sequel and a spinoff film. I watched the first one and it’s a pretty good action flick.
  • HBO Max has renewed “Hacks” for season 3.
  • TNT announced season 4 of “Snowpiercer” will be its last. TNT is completely getting out of the original scripted series business.
  • AMC has renewed “Dark Winds” for season 2.
  • Peacock has announced “Killing It” starring Craig Robinson has been renewed for season 2.
  • FX has renewed “The Old Man” for season 2.
  • Barbara Broaccoli producer of the James Bond franchise says the next film is at least two years away from production “We’re reinventing him”.
  • Apple TV+ post-apocalyptic series starring Jason Momoa “See” will end with the upcoming season 3
  • Fox has canceled animated series “Duncanville” after 3 seasons.
  • CW has canceled “Tom Swift” after 1 season. “Tom Swift and His Rocket Ship” was the first science-fiction book I ever read at age 9. I couldn’t get through 15 minutes of this TV series it was so bad.
  • After CBS canceled “Magnum PI” it has been picked up for a 2 season 20 episode order on NBC.
  • After renewing “Why Women Kill” for season 3 at Paramount+ they have changed their mind and canceled it.
  • HBO has canceled “The Time Traveler’s Wife” after 1 season.
  • Showtime announced Brian Cranston legal drama “Your Honor” will end with season 2.
  • Amazon prime has canceled “Night Sky after 1 season.
  • Paramount+ has renewed “Evil” for season 4
  • HBO has canceled “Gentleman Jack” after 2 seasons
  • Hulu has renewed “Only Murders of the Building” for season 3. I really enjoyed the first season and had just started on season 2 of the Steve Martin and Martin Short comedy.
  • Apple TV + comedy “Loot” starring Maya Rudolph has been renewed for season 2
  • Season 3 of “Star Trek: Lower Decks” will premier August 25. There are rumors there could be a crossover with live-action series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds“ in its season 2.
  • Paramount+ has ordered a revival of CBS series “Criminal Minds” with many of the cast returning. It will run 10 episodes.
  • SyFy Channel has renewed “Resident Alien” for season 3. I not yet watched it but I hear good things about it. It’s on my list.
  • The planned feature film in The Walking Dead franchise featuring the return of Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes has been transformed into a six episode miniseries for TV pay
  • Apple TV+ has renewed sci-fi alternate history series “For All Mankind” for season 4. Season 3 currently airing has been excellent as were the first two seasons.
  • FX announced “Mayans MC” has been renewed for season 5
  • TBS has canceled “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” late-night comedy series after 7 seasons
  • Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik will share duties hosting “Jeopardy!” throughout season 39.
  • iCarly revival has been renewed for season 3 by Paramount+

Miscellaneous News

  • The Ringling Brothers Circus will return sometime in 2023. It has been shut down since 2017 after 140 years of performing. The new version will not have animal acts in response to concerns about animal welfare.
  • The man who attacked Dave Chapelle at the Hollywood Bowl has been charged in a separate incident for attempted murder in the stabbing of his roommate
  • Pepsi will no longer sponsor the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
  • Mariah Carey is being sued by a songwriter over “All I Want for Christmas is You”
  • Country music singer Toby Keith has stomach cancer and is canceling upcoming performances
  • Michael J Fox will receive an honorary Oscar for his humanitarian work to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
  • At age 25 Zendaya becomes the youngest person ever to be nominated for an executive producer Emmy. See the link below for complete list of nominees.

In Memoriam

  • James Caan legendary actor from “The Godfather”, “Elf”, “Misery”, NBC’s “Las Vegas” and other TV and film roles. Age 82
  • Ray Liotta character actor from Goodfellas and Field of Dreams. Age 67
  • Paul Sorvino iconic character actor who appeared in “Goodfellas” and “Law and Order” father of Mira Sorvino age 83
  • Gregory Itzin character actor who played on “24”, “The Mentalist”, and “Covert Affairs” age 74
  • Larry Storch from 60s sitcom “F Troop” age 99
  • Tony Sirico character actor known for playing Paulie on “The Sopranos” age 79
  • Alan White drummer for 60s prog rock band Yes. Age 72.
  • Andy Fletcher keyboard player in founding member Depeche Mode. Age 60
  • Tim Sale comic book artist for DC comics. Age 66.
  • Clay Jordan, second-place finish in Survivor seasons 5. Age 66
  • George Shapiro talent manager and producer of “Seinfeld” age 91
  • Paul Vance songwriter of “Itsy-Bitsy Teeny-Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”. Age 92.
  • Alec John Such as player and founding member of Bon Jovi. Age 70
  • Jim Seals of “Seals and Crofts” singer-songwriter of “Summer Breeze” and “Diamond Girl”. Age 80
  • Julee Cruise singer most noted for “Twin Peaks” and “Blue Velvet”. Age 65
  • Philip Baker Hall character actor who appeared in Mo my dern Family, Falcon Crest, Seinfeld age 90
  • David Warner British actor who appeared in a variety of genre TV shows and films most notably the Cardassian tortured Picard over how many lights he was seeing. Age 80.
  • Mark Shields commentator for “PBS News Hour” age 85
  • Tony Siragusa former Indianapolis Colt and NFL analyst age 55
  • Joe Terkel character actor who played the bartender in “The Shining” age 94
  • Takahashi Kauki manga artist who created “Yu-Gi-Oh!” Was found dead in a snorkeling accident near Okinawa. Age 60
  • Monty Norman who composed the James Bond theme first used in “Dr. No”. Age 94
  • Nolan Neal contestant on “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” age 41. No cause yet given however he was known to have struggled with substance abuse.
  • Tony Dow known for playing Wally Cleaver on the classic sitcom “Leave It to Beaver”. Age 77. His death was announced prematurely in error when he was in hospice but he eventually lost his battle with cancer.
  • Bernard Cribbins beloved British character actor known for playing the father of Donna Noble in Doctor Who. Age 93

Links of Interest