Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

• CW has announced that “The Flash” season 9 will be its last and will have only 13 episodes. Barbara AMC has renewed “Moonhaven” for season 2. I’ve only seen one episode of the first season and I wasn’t initially impressed but I’m going to give it a few additional episodes before I decide to continue.
• Amazon prime has canceled YA survival drama “The Wilds” after 2 seasons
• Peyton Manning will join Luke Bryan to host the CMA awards. November 9
• NBC has renewed “Weakest Link” for season 3 of 20 episodes. Season 2 had only 13.
• HBO/HBO Max has canceled the release of “Batgirl” and will not release it either theatrically or streaming. They spent $90 million to make the movie. Apparently it’s so bad they are embarrassed to release it anywhere.
• Netflix has canceled teen vampire series “First Kill” after 1 season. Apparently the first was the last 🙂
• “Joker: Folie A Deux” is scheduled to be released in 2024 with Lady Gaga starring as Harley Quinn along with Joaquin Phoenix as Joker pain
• Long-running soap opera “Days of Our Lives” is moving to Peacock from NBC after 57 years.
• SNL veteran Kenan Thompson will host the 2022 Emmy awards on NBC and Peacock September 12
• Grantchester has been renewed by PBS for season 8.
• Jon Batiste is leaving as bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” after 7 years. He has been on hiatus for several months. Lewis Cato who has been filling in will be the new bandleader.
• Netflix announced animated anthology sci-fi series “Love, Death and Robots” has been renewed for season 4. Although I liked seasons 2 and 3 okay, they did not live up to the excellent first season.
• Netflix is going to reboot while my favorite reality competition shows “The Mole”.
• Showtime has renewed “The Chi” for season 6
• HBO has renewed “Curb Your Enthusiasm” for season 12
• Netflix has renewed “The Umbrella Academy” for its fourth and final season.
• Jeffrey Dean Morgan joins the cast of “The Boys” in a recurring role for season 4.
• No surprise HBO has renewed “House of the Dragon” for season 2.
• Netflix has canceled “Resident Evil” after 1 season
• HBO Max has renewed animated series “Harley Quinn” for season 4.
• Tig Notaro is joining season 3 of “The Morning Show” the comedienne continues to appear in “Star Trek: Discovery” as well as various other projects.
• Hulu has renewed “The Handmaid’s Tale” for season 6 which will be its last.
• Fox has renewed MasterChef for season 13
• “Phantom of the Opera” currently the longest-running show on Broadway will close in 2023 after 35 years.
• Jimmy Kimmel has renewed his contract with ABC for 3 more years.
• FX has renewed “Reservation Dogs” for season 3 on Hulu
• Peacock has canceled the reboot of “Queer as Folk” after 1 season
• CBS has renewed “Big Brother” for season 25
• James Earl Jones will no longer be the voice of Darth Vader. A specialized AI was used to create his voice for the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
• Hugh Jackman will return to the role of Wolverine in “Deadpool 3”
• AMC network has renewed “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” for season 2 before the first episode aired.
• Trevor Noah will be leaving “The Daily Show” in 2023 after 7 years.

Politics and Showbiz

• Beyoncé and Lizzo have both modified lyrics to recent songs to remove the word “spaz“ after disability groups complained that it was a derogatory term for people with cerebral palsy and other spastic disabilities. See the link below for more details.
• Author Salman Rushdie was stabbed 20 times on stage at an event in upstate New York. He is expected to lose an eye, has severed nerves in his arm and other injuries however he has been removed from a ventilator and is expected to recover. The officer had a $3 million bounty placed on him by the Iranian government in the 1990s over his novel “The Satanic Verses” which many Muslims thought was offensive to the Prophet. The assailant is in custody charged with attempted murder.

Miscellaneous News

• HBO Max and Discovery+ will be merged into a single streaming service in the summer of 2023. No word on what it will be called or how much it will cost.
• When Dancing with the Stars appears on Disney+ it will be completely commercial free.
• Spectrum Originals which produced series such as LA’s Finest and the reboot of Mad about You is shutting down. It produced original programming for Spectrum Cable customers
• Lin Manuel Miranda is speaking out against the unauthorized production Hamilton put on by a Texas church. Not only was the performance itself unauthorized, they also modified many of the lyrics to add a religious message. He says “now the lawyers do their work” in a copyright infringement case. Late update: the church has apologized and agreed to a settlement.
• Jane Fonda has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Katie Couric has breast cancer
• Demi Lovato says that her current tour will be her last.
• R. Kelly has been convicted of multiple child pornography and enticement charges.
• Roger Federer is retiring from tennis.
• The NFL announced that the annual Pro Bowl will be a flag football game and will feature a weeklong skills competition.
• Starz cable network will be renamed Lionsgate+ everywhere except the US and Canada.
• Epix cable network (also available streaming) is changing its name to MGM+
• Sportscaster and former Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw revealed he has been battling bladder and skin cancer.

In Memoriam

• Nichelle Nichols who played Uhura on the original Star Trek and subsequent films. Age 89
• Anne Heche actress and former partner of Ellen DeGeneres was pronounced brain dead after a car accident in which she crashed into a house. Prior to the crash see was seen driving erratically and an influence. Age 53
• Olivia Newton John Grammy-winning singer and star of Greece. Age 73
• Wolfgang Petersen director of “Das Bot”, “Air Force One” and others. Age 81
• Vin Scull legendary sportscaster and The Voice of the Dodgers. Age 94
• Pat Carroll Emmy-winning comedic actors who voiced Ursula in The Little Mermaid. Age 95
• Clu Gulager veteran horror movie actor from “Return of the Living Dead” but I remember him most as his son John Gulager directed him in “Feast” which was part of season 2 of “Project Greenlight”.
• Mary Alice who played “The Oracle” in the original Matrix. Age variously reported as 80, 84, or 86.
• Ron Zimmerman Marvel comics writer and film/TV producer. Age 64
• Roger E Mosley known for playing helicopter pirates TC Calvin in the original “Magnum PI” age 83 car accident
• David McCullough Pulitzer Prize winning historian. Age 89
• Tom Weiskopf 16 time PGA champion and golf broadcaster. Age 79
• Jerry Allison drummer and songwriter who wrote “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll Be the Day” age 82
• Len Dawson Hall of Fame quarterback for the Kansas City chiefs and host of HBO’s “Inside the NFL” age 87.
• Gerald Potterton director of animated sci-fi classic “Heavy Metal” and animator of “Yellow Submarine”. Age 91
• Charlbi Dean who played Syonide on CW’s Black Lightning. Age 32 undisclosed illness
• Luke Bell country singer who went missing for 10 days found dead at age 32. Suffered from bipolar disorder.
• Bernard Shaw original anchor for CNN. Age 82
• Jean-Luc Godard famous French film director. Age 91
• Rakim Allen a.k.a. rapper PnB Rock fatally shot and a robbery at a restaurant
• Ken Starr prosecutor and Clinton Whitewater case, Fox news commentator. Age 76
• Ramsey Lewis jazz pianist age 87
• Henry Silva actor who appeared in “Manchurian Candidate” and the original “Ocean’s 11” (Frank Sinatra not George Clooney version) age 95
• Louise Fletcher Oscar-winning actress from “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” and remembered for “Star Trek: DS 9” I remember most from 1983 film “Brainstorm” age 88.
• John Hartman drummer and cofounder of Doobie Brothers. Age 72
• Dale McRaven creator of “Mork and Mindy” and writer for “Dick Van Dyke Show” age 83
• Zack Estrin writer/producer of “Prison Break” and Netflix reboot of “Lost in Space” age 51
• Billa Plante long time CBS News White House correspondent. Age 84
• Artis Leon Ivey,Jr. a.k.a. Grammy-winning rapper Coolio known for “Gangsta’s Paradise” age 59.
• Sacheen Littlefeather Native American actress who took the Oscar stage on behalf of Marlon Brando in 1973 to turn down his best actor Oscar for “The Godfather” in protest of the way Native American’s have been portrayed in film. Age 75

Links of Interest

• The Orville’s Seth MacFarlane Explains Drama-Free Finale — And Why the Hulu Series’ First F-Bomb Was Defused
• For All Mankind Star, EPs Explain That Season 3 Finale Shocker
• For All Mankind EPs Address Stevens Brothers Backlash (‘Passion Is Passion’), Talk Danny’s ‘Fitting’ Fate
• Artists have changed song lyrics before. But Beyoncé and Lizzo’s recent revisions are part of a new era
• For All Mankind EPs Preview Season 4’s Unexpected New Frontier and Why They’re Not Done With [Spoiler] Yet
• ‘Westworld’ Co-Creator Lisa Joy On Tonight’s Season 4 Finale Host Revolution, Who’s Really Dead & Season 5 – Crew Call Podcast
• Masked Singer Reveals Completely New Format for Season 8 — Watch Trailer
• SNL Adds 4 New Featured Players Ahead of Season 48 Premiere

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

• The CW’s Recent Cancellations are All Because of Streaming and Mergers
• David Tennant and Catherine Tate Return for Doctor Who’s 60th Anniversary
• Fall TV Schedule 2022: What’s on When? And Versus What?
• Everything We Just Learned at Marvel’s Incredible San Diego Comic-Con Panel
• The NFL+ streaming service arrives today starting at $40 per year
• All The Trailers Released At Comic Con 2022
• The Orville: Scrapped Season 3 Episode to Be Released as Novella
• ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Co-Creator Akiva Goldsman On Season 1 Throwback Finale, Crossovers & Where It All Could End
• Emmy Nominations: The Complete List

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

Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

• Great Scott! Christopher Lloyd is joining the cast of “The Mandalorian” season 3.
• HBO is working on season 4 of “True Detective”.
• NBC Universal announced “Maury Povich” syndicated talk show will end after 31 years.
• HBO Max has renewed “And Just like That…” The sequel to “Sex and the City” for season 2.
• CW has renewed “The Flash”, “Kung Fu”, “All-American”, “Nancy Drew”, “Superman and Lois”, “Walker”, and “Riverdale” for additional seasons.
• Al Michaels is leaving Sunday night football on NBC to host Thursday night football on Amazon prime. He will be replaced by Mike Tirico.
• Clark Gregg is joining season 4 of Snowpiercer season 4 and the show will have a new showrunner.
• ABC announced “The Good Doctor” and “The Rookie” have both been renewed for additional seasons.
• Carrie Preston will reprise her role as attorney Elsbeth Tascioni on “The Good Fight” and will direct one episode. One of my favorite quirky characters on TV.
• Drew Barrymore’s syndicated talk show has been renewed through 2022-23 season
• Star Trek: Picard season 3 will see LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, and Gates McFadden reunite the Enterprise D crew for the series final season. Word is these will be more than just a cameo.
• Apple TV+ has renewed “Severance” for season 2. I’m really enjoying this offbeat series. Although it means we will be getting more, it also spoils the fact that there’s going to be lots of unanswered questions at the end of the current season.
• AMC has greenlighted a “Orphan Black” spinoff series for 2023. We can’t wait.
• Netflix announced the upcoming third season of “Locke & Key” will be its last.
• Fox has renewed “Cleaning Lady” for season 2

Miscellaneous News

• Iconic action star Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting for a medical condition called aphasia which affects speech centers of the brain.

In Memoriam

• Taylor Hawkins drummer for Foo Fighters. Age 50. Apparent overdose. They have canceled the remainder of their tour including a sold-out Indianapolis show scheduled for Deer Creek Music Center August 1.
• Steve Wilhite inventor of Graphics Interchange Format (GIF). Age 74. Covid 19.
• John Roach marketing executive led the team that introduced the RadioShack TRS 80 computer. Marvin J Chomsky Emmy-winning director of “Roots”, “Star Trek: TOS” episodes and others. Age 92
• CW McCall country singer songwriter of “Convoy” age 93 cancer.
• Estelle Harris character actress who played George Costanza’s mother on Seinfeld. Age 93.
• Bobby Riddell teen idol from the 1960s. Age 79

Links of Interest

• CBS Sets Season Finale Dates for NCIS, Ghosts and 17 Others, One Series Finale
• ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture – The Director’s Edition’ makes its glorious return
• ‘Station Eleven’s Emily St. John Mandel & Patrick Somerville Team For ‘The Glass Hotel’ & ‘Sea of Tranquility’ Series Adaptations In Work At HBO Max
• The CW Sets Finale Dates for Walker, Flash, All American and 6 Others

Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

• AMC announced a “The Walking Dead” spinoff series starring Maggie and Negan to be set in New York City titled “Isle of the Dead”.
• CBS has renewed soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” through 2024.
• Jennifer Hudson will host a syndicated daytime talk show starting in the fall of 2022
• Nigel Lythgoe will not be returning as a judge for season 17 of “So You Think You Can Dance”.
• NBC is canceling “Ordinary Joe” after just one season. We are greatly disappointed not only because it featured a disabled character but because it was a quality show.
• Freeform has renewed “grown-ish” for season 5
• Netflix has renewed “Vikings: Valhalla” for seasons 2 and 3.
• HBO Max has ordered “The Penguin” spinoff series from the latest movie “The Batman” but will not be going forward with prequel series. See link below.
• Starz has renewed “Power Book IV” for season 2.
• CBS has renewed “Survivor”, “The Amazing Race” and “Tough As Nails” for additional seasons.
• Nick Cannon syndicated talk show has been canceled after one season.
• Adele will headline an NBC concert special film that the London Palladium March 20
• NBC announced medical drama “New Amsterdam” will end with season 5.
• Costumed dating show “The Courtship” is moving from NBC to USA network after just two episodes because of dismal ratings.

Miscellaneous News

• Disney+ will introduce a cheaper ad supported version of its service sometime late this year.
• CNN+ streaming service will debut March 29 a cost of $5.99 per month
• Dolly Parton has requested the name be withdrawn as a nominee for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. She feels she is unworthy and plans to release a rock album sometime in the near future and will consider accepting a nomination at a later date. However the ruling body behind the award says it’s too late and voting has already begun.

In Memoriam

• William Hurt Oscar-winning actor of “Broadcast News”, “Children of a Lesser God”, “Body Heat”, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and the MCU. Age 71. Prostate cancer
• Tim Considine who played the eldest of “My Three Sons” in the 1950s. Age 81
• Conrad Janis character actor who played in “Mork and Mindy” and other roles. Age 94
• Emilio Delgado played “Sesame Street” fix-it shop owner Luis. Age 81
• Scott Hall WBE Hall of Fame pro wrestler a.k.a. Razor Ramon. Age 63 complications of hip surgery.

Links of Interest

• Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on This Is Us, Abbott Elementary, Magnum P.I., NCIS, Walking Dead, Reacher, Bull and More
• ‘The Batman’ Filmmaker Matt Reeves On New Dark Knight, Pic’s Sequel & Colin Farrell Penguin HBO Max Series – Hero Nation Podcast
• The Batman Prequel Series Not Moving Forward at HBO Max, Matt Reeves Says
• Warner Bros Release Dates: ‘The Flash’ & ‘Aquaman’ Moved To 2023; ‘Wonka’, ‘Shazam’ Sequel & Others Shift
• Inside Line: Scoop on NCIS Crossover, 9-1-1, NCIS: LA, Legacies, The Flash, Wheel of Time, Riverdale and More!
• Resident Alien Boss Answers Our Burning Finale Questions, Breaks Down Those Life-Changing Last Moments

Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on This Is Us, Abbott Elementary, Magnum P.I., NCIS, Walking Dead, Reacher, Bull and More
‘The Batman’ Filmmaker Matt Reeves On New Dark Knight, Pic’s Sequel & Colin Farrell Penguin HBO Max Series – Hero Nation Podcast
The Batman Prequel Series Not Moving Forward at HBO Max, Matt Reeves Says
Warner Bros Release Dates: ‘The Flash’ & ‘Aquaman’ Moved To 2023; ‘Wonka’, ‘Shazam’ Sequel & Others Shift
Inside Line: Scoop on NCIS Crossover, 9-1-1, NCIS: LA, Legacies, The Flash, Wheel of Time, Riverdale and More!
Resident Alien Boss Answers Our Burning Finale Questions, Breaks Down Those Life-Changing Last Moments

Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

• Paramount+ has renewed “SEAL Team”, “The Game” and “Mayor of Kingstown” for additional seasons.
• “Yellowstone” has been renewed for season 5 at Paramount network.
• HBO has renewed “Euphoria” for season 3
• The Orville” premier has been pushed to June 2 from its previous March 10 scheduled return.
• “Vice” has been renewed at Showtime for season 3 and 4
• Amazon has renewed “Reacher” for season 2
• FX announced “Mayans M.C.” season 4 will premier April 19
• Marge Helgenberger will be joining CSI: Vegas for season 2
• HBO has renewed “The Gilded Age” for season 2.
• Hulu has renewed “How I Met Your Father” for season 2.
• Paramount+ has renewed “Halo” for season 2
• Showtime has renewed “Billions” for season 7.
• HBO Max has renewed “Peacemaker” for season 2. James Gunn will write and direct all season 2 episodes.
• Upcoming season 5 of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will be its last.
• Netflix announced “Stranger Things” will end with season 5 but there may be spinoffs.
• FX has renewed “Fargo” for season 5. It will be set in 2019.
• FX announced “Atlanta” will end with season 4
• Netflix has canceled sci-fi series “Another Life” after 2 seasons.
• PBS has canceled animated children’s show “Arthur” after 25 years.
• Wendy Williams syndicated talk show is ending after 12 seasons and will be replaced by Sherri Shepherd
• NBC sci-fi thriller “La Brea” season 2 will be expanded 10 to 14 episodes however they may be split into 2 half seasons because of the extensive special-effects needed.
• NBC has renewed “The Blacklist” for season 10.
• The future of the reboot of sci-fi series “Babylon 5” was in doubt with the pending sale of CW network. However it is still under consideration for start in 2023 instead of this year.
• Starz is developing a prequel series to “Outlander”.
• Yellowstone season 4 will premier on Paramount+ March 28.
• Marvel series Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and Agents of SHIELD which previously were shown on Netflix are now moving to Disney+ marking the first programs on that service to be rated TV-MA. They will begin March 16.

Politics and Showbiz

• When one of the contestants on The Masked Singer was revealed to be Rudy Giuliani, two of the judges walked off the set.

Miscellaneous News

• The NFL Washington franchise has decided on its new name the “Washington Commanders”. I wonder if the focus group that recommended that title never watched “Handmaid’s Tale”. The bad guys are called “commanders”.
• Amazon has tripled the number of original films and series since 2018. It spent $13 billion in 2021.
• The Oscars will be host by Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, and Regina Hall. Also 8 of the awards traditionally given during the primetime broadcast will be awarded prior to going to air and highlights will be shown during broadcast in an attempt to speed things up and keep it interesting. See the link below for details.
• Broadcaster Tegna which operates WTHR Channel 13 here in Indianapolis has been sold to Standard General and Apollo Global. I have no idea how that might impact local TV.
• The family of actor Bill Paxton has reached a $1 million settlement with an anesthesia firm over the actors death.
• SNL cast member Pete Davidson will fly aboard a Blue Origin rocket March 23.
• Discovery will combine HBO Max and Discovery Plus after the merger with Time Warner.
• Timothy Hutton has sued producers of “Leverage” after being left out of the reboot.

In Memoriam

• Ivan Reitman director and Ghostbusters and other films. Age 75.
• Douglas Trumbull legendary FX artists on 2001, Blade Runner, and Close Encounters age 79
• Robert Blalock Oscar-winning special-effects artists and cofounder of Industrial Light and Magic. Age 73
• Kerry Chater bass player for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. Age 77
• PJ O’Rourke satirist and author potential fear. Age 74
• Jane “Nightbirde” Marcznewski contestant on America’s Got Talent who had cancer. Age 31.
• Gary Brooker front man for Procol Harum Singer – songwriter on “Whiter Shade of Pale” age 76
• Sally Kellerman known for playing “hot lips”Houlihan in the movie version of MASH. Age 84

Links of Interest

• Rudy Giuliani’s Masked Singer Reveal Prompts 2 Judges to Walk Off Set During Season 7 Premiere — Report
• Inside Line: Scoop on FBI: Most Wanted, 9-1-1: Lone Star, All American Spinoff, Ghosts, Peacemaker, Walker and More!
• ‘Game Of Thrones’: HBO Gives Spinoffs Update As It Plots Launch Plans For ‘House Of The Dragon’
• Inside Line: Get Scoop on 9-1-1, S.W.A.T., Reacher, Lone Star, Station 19, NCIS, Grey’s, FBI: International and More
• ‘Peacemaker’ Season One Finale: James Gunn On Christopher Smith’s Alternative Ending & “Repercussions” For DC Hero In Season 2
• Oscars to Feature 8 Pre-Taped Awards — Find Out Which Races Won’t Be Live

Pandemic News

• The Grammy awards which were originally scheduled for January have now been moved to April 3.

Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

• Outlander season 6 will premier March 6.
• AMC announced “Kevin Can F**k Himself” will end with the upcoming season 2
• “Fear the Walking Dead” is returning for season 8 with Kim Dickens returning as Madison. Producers confirm she’s really back and it’s not a flashback or dream sequence.
• Peacock has canceled “AP Bio”.
• Power Book II has been renewed for season 3
• IMDb TV has renewed “Leverage: Redemption” for season 2.
• Netflix has canceled Cowboy Bebop after just one season.
• Controversy of syndicated “The Dr. Oz Show” will end in early 2022.
• Apple TV+ has renewed “Servant” for a fourth and final season.
• Paramount+ has renewed “Why Women Kill” for season 3
• CSI: Vegas has been renewed for season 2.
• Chris Noth has been dropped from CBS drama “The Equalizer” following allegations of sexual assault.
• Michael Keaton is returning as Batman in the upcoming HBO Max Movie “Batgirl”.
• David Tennant will star in an eight episode adaptation of “Around the World and Eighty Days”. I have to think the TARDIS would’ve been faster 🙂
• Apple TV+ has renewed “The Morning Show” for season 3 with a new showrunner.
• ABC has renewed “Station 19” for season 6.
• FX has ordered a sequel to “Justified” starring Timothy Oliphant.
• Chris Wallace is leaving Fox news after 18 years to join CNN’s upcoming streaming service.
• Paramount+ has announced “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” starring Anson Mount as Capt. Christopher Pike will premier May 5 and has already been renewed for season 2. Also Star Trek: Discovery has been renewed for season 5. And Star Trek: Lower Decks has been renewed for season 3. All of them 10 episodes each.
• NBC has canceled Ellen’s Game of Games after 4 seasons.
• CBS is ending “Bull “ after 6 seasons which is a no-brainer considering Michael Weatherly decided to quit.
• CBS has renewed “Ghosts”, “The Neighborhood”, and “Bob Hearts Abishola”
• Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol has been canceled by Peacock after one season
• “American Rust” by Showtime for after 1 season
• Disney+ has approved “Peter Jackson & The Olympians” to series.
• HBO has renewed “The Righteous Gemstones” for season 3.
• Both NBC and Fox will simulcast the season opener of USFL on April 16.

Politics and Showbiz

• CNN anchor Chris Cuomo was fired for supporting his brother Andrew Cuomo who was accused of sexual misconduct with her workers.
• DirecTV is dropping far right channel “One America News Network”.

Miscellaneous News

• Kevin Spacey has been ordered to pay nearly $31 million to the production company of “House of Cards” after he was let go for allegations of sexual misconduct.
• Nicolas Cage says he’s not an actor. Okay so what’s new? Oh he wants to be known as a “thespian”. Okay sigh.
• “Baby Shark” has become the first YouTube video to hit 10 billion views.
• Jon Stewart will receive the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. April 24.
• CW has renewed “Penn & Teller : Fool Us”, “Masters of Illusion” and “World’s Funniest Animals”
• Peter Robbins child actor who voiced Charlie Brown age 65

In Memoriam

• Betty White actress, comedian, pop-culture icon age 99.
• Sydney Poitner , first black man to win an Oscar for best actor. Age 94.
• Stephen Sondheim musical theater icon age 91.
• Eddie Mekka who played Carmine on “Laverne & Shirley” age 69
• Bob Dole former US Sen. and presidential nominee age 98
• Michael Nesmith singer, guitarist for 60s group “The Monkeys” age 78.
• Author Anne Rice known for “Interview with the Vampire” and sequels. Age 80… Or did she really die?
• John Madden legendary NFL coach and sports broadcaster. Age 85
• Marvin Lee Aday a.k.a. “Meat Loaf” rockstar and actor. Age 74.
• Louie Anderson comedian, game show. Age 68.
• Robert Bruce cast member of Kevin Smith’s AMC reality TV series “Comic Book Men” age 62.
• Peter Bogdanovich director of “Paper Moon” and “The Last Picture Show” age 82.
• Ronnie Spector of the 60s girl group “The Ronettes” age 78
• Ralph Emery country music radio and TV broadcaster age 88
• Yvette Mimieux actress who starred in “The Time Machine” opposite Rod Taylor. Age 80
• Gaspard Ulliel French actor who will appear in upcoming “Moon Knight “ on Disney+. Age 37 skiing accident.
• Don Wilson cofounder of the rock group “The Ventures” age 88
• Howard Hesseman , actor who appeared in WKRP in Cincinnati. Age 81
• Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019 and correspondence for “Extra”. Age 30. Suicide.

Links of Interest

• La Brea Creator Sheds Light on [Spoiler]’s Vanishing and the Season 1 Finale’s Other Big Twists
• Inside Line: Scoop on The Flash, CSI, FBI: International, Nancy Drew, Chicago Fire, NCIS: Hawai’i, Vampirina and More
• Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on Ghosts, The Rookie, Superman & Lois, All Rise, The Resident, Wheel of Time and More
• ‘Being the Ricardos’ fact check: Was Lucille Ball a communist? And why couldn’t she say ‘pregnant’ on TV?
• Inside Line: Scoop on #OneChicago, FBI, Lone Star, SEAL Team, The Boys, New Amsterdam, Superman and More
• Station Eleven EPs Talk Book Changes, Star Trek Easter Egg and Why That Big Finale Moment Simply Had to Happen
• Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on La Brea, Chicago Fire, WCTH, Dynasty, Undone, OMITB, Flash, Ordinary Joe and More
• Inside Line: Get Scoop on Chicago P.D., Outlander, Ray Donovan, Equalizer, Ghosts, Ozark, The Resident and More!

Pandemic News

• Megan Hilty will replace Jane Krukowski in the upcoming NBC “Annie Live!” after Krukowski contracted a breakthrough case of Covid.
• Rockmond Dunbar is leaving “911” after failing to get a medical and religious exemption from the requirement to have a Covid vaccine.
• Derek Hough missed judging of the season finale of Dancing with the Stars because he contracted a breakthrough case of Covid.

Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

• The next “Transformers” movie has been from June 2022 until June 2023 and the new Star Trek movie has been pushed June 2023 until December 2023.
• Paramount+ has ordered a TV series “Fatal Attraction” based on the 1987 movie starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. The series will star Lizzie Caplan.
• Disney+ has announced a WandaVision spinoff titled “Agatha: House of Harkness” to star Katherine Hahn reprising her role as Agatha Harkness.
• Disney+ has ordered a spinoff series from “Hawkeye” titled “Echo” which will star Alaqua Cox as “Echo” a.k.a. Maya Lopez which will be introduced in the “Hawkeye” series which just premiered .
• I guess the people in the La Brea sinkhole won’t be getting rescued the season. The series has been renewed for season 2 by NBC.
• Mel Gibson will direct a new sequel in the “Lethal Weapon” series of films.
• The cast of Harry Potter will reunite for a 20th anniversary special on HBO Max to air January 1.
• LeVar Burton will be hosting a “Trivial Pursuit” game show in development.
• USA Network has announced the current season 4 of “The Sinner” will be its last.
• Netflix has renewed animated series “Arcane” for season 2.

Politics and Showbiz

Miscellaneous News

• Helen Mirren will receive a lifetime achievement award from SAG.
• NBC Universal extends its rights to Premier League soccer through 2028

In Memoriam

• Peter Aykroyd Emmy nominated writer for SNL and younger brother of Dan Aykroyd. Age 66. Infection from untreated hernia.
• Winter the Dolphin the star of the film “Dolphin Tale”
• Jerry Douglas who played patriarch John Abbott on “The Young and the Restless” for over 30 years, age 88
• Glen de Vries businessman who flew in the Blue Origin New Shepherd rocket with William Shatner. Age 49 in a private plane crash.
• Heath Freeman who played serial killer Howard Epps in “Bones” age 41. No cause given.
• Dave Frishberg jazz musician who wrote Schoolhouse Rock song “I’m Just a Bill”. Age 88.
• Art LaFleur character actor who played Babe Ruth in “The Sandlot” as well as “Field of Dreams” and numerous guest roles on TV. Age 78 Atypical Parkinson’s.

Links of Interest

• Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on Ghosts, The Flash, AMLT, Magnum, Blue Bloods, Blacklist, Succession, La Brea and More
• ‘Facts Of Life’ & ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Next Up For ABC’s ‘Live In Front Of A Studio Audience’; First Stars, Premiere Date Set

Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

• Mark Harmon has officially left NCIS is a series regular. Last week’s episode was his final.
• Netflix announced season 3 of “Lost in Space” its final season will premier December 1.
• Apple TV+ has announced “Foundation” has been renewed for season 2. We’ve seen three episodes now and it continues to stray far from the original Isaac Asimov source material but it continues to be watchable.
• The Walking Dead will return for its midseason premier February 20.
• CBS announced NCIS: Hawaii and FBI: International have been picked up for a full season beyond her original 13 episodes. They didn’t reveal exactly how long a full season would be. But is the first new TV series of the season to be ordered for an extended run.
• Netflix has announced “You” has been renewed for season 4.
• Starz has renewed “Blindspotting” for season 2.
• Amazon has announced “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” has been renewed for season 4
• The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced that the 2022 Golden Globe awards will be January 9 however it will not be televised because of criticism over lack of diversity in nominations. This is also the same date as the Critics Choice Awards which will be televised on CW network. The move is controversial because celebrities will have to choose which awards ceremony to attend, the more “prestigious” Golden Globes not televised or the Critics Choice which is televised.
• HBO Max has announced “Doom Patrol” and “Titans” have each been renewed for season 4.
• “Pennyworth” chronicling of the exploits of Batman’s butler Alfred Pennyworth in his early days has been renewed for season 3 and is moving from Epix to HBO Max. The first two seasons were also be available on HBO Max early next year.
• FX has canceled “Y: The Last Man” and will not give it a second season.
• CBS has given a full season order to new series “Ghosts”
• Apple TV+ has renewed “Mythic Quest” for additional season 3 and 4.
• HBO has renewed “Succession” for season 4.
• Adele will have a concert special on CBS November 14 featuring songs from her new album “30” and will include an Oprah interview.
• Disney has pushed back the opening of many Marvel movies. See the link below for details.
• Starz has announced “Heels” has been renewed for season 2
• TBS has renewed “Miracle Workers” for season 4.
• TNT have announced “Snowpiercer” will return January 24.
• Fox “Fantasy Island” for season there will be a special holiday episode in December.
• Dolly Parton will guest star in the final season of Grace and Frankie reuniting the three stars of “9 to 5”.
• The anticipated prequel series to CW sci-fi series “The 100” is not going forward after 2 years of development.

Politics and Showbiz

• DC comics has revealed that Superman’s catchphrase will no longer be “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” a phrase that had been used ever since the radio version back in World War II and was continued in the TV version in the 50s and 60s. It will now be “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow”.

Miscellaneous News

• IATSE and AMPTP have negotiated a new three-year deal avoiding an industrywide TV/film strike.
• Tony Bennett has just set a Guinness World Record for being the oldest person ever to release an album of new material. His new album “Love for Sale” in collaboration with Lady Gaga was released on October 1 when he was 95 years, 60 days old. I’ve heard the album. It’s really good. All the songs are by Cole Porter.
• A Russian film crew recently launched aboard a Soyuz capsule to the ISS to shoot a feature film in space.
• The latest Superman is coming out as bisexual in the upcoming November 9 DC comics. Jon Kent son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane is the latest Superman and he will come out in this comic.
• AMC theaters has announced an “open caption” program for deaf and hearing impaired patrons to be available in over 100 markets in the US
• “America’s Got Talent: Extreme Edition” production has temporarily shut down after a stuntman was seriously injured during a rehearsal.
• Iconic ESPN basketball announcer Dick Vitale has announced he has lymphoma.
• Kanye West has officially changed his legal name to “Ye”. Just one word.
• Disney+ will start releasing new versions of Marvel films in IMAX aspect ratio.
• ESPN Classic channel will shut down January 1, 2022 after nearly 3 decades.
• Dwayne Johnson announced he will no longer use real firearms in any of his productions.
• Paramount+ has renewed children’s animated series “Star Trek: Prodigy” for season 2.
• “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron” production will not begin in 2022 as director Patty Jenkins has other films that are interfering with the schedule. They say the film has not been canceled however.
• Brian Williams announced he is leaving NBC news after 28 years.

In Memoriam

• Dean Stockwell star of “Quantum Leap”. Also appeared in the 1984 of Dune. Age 85
• Halyna Hutchins cinematographer age 42. Accidentally shot by a prop weapon fired by Alec Baldwin
• Peter Scolari Emmy-winning actor from “Bosom Buddies”, and “Newhart”. Age 66. Cancer.
• Mort Sahl groundbreaking comedian. Age 94
• David H. DePatie who cocreated the “Pink Panther” cartoon. Age 91
• Betty Lynn who played Thelma Lou, Barney Fife’s girlfriend on The Andy Griffith Show. Age 95
• Chris Ayres voice actor known for the character Frieza on “Dragon Ball”. Age 56.
• James Michael Tyler who played Gunther on “Friends” age 59 prostate cancer.
• Bob Baker TV writer for Wallace & Grommet as well as several Doctor Who series and who created The Doctor’s robot dog K-9. Age 82
• Terrence Wilson a.k.a. “Astro” from the UK Reggae band UB40. Age 64

Links of Interest

• Jamie Costa’s Robin Williams impersonation leaves fans clamoring for a whole film
• Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on WWDITS, Mom, Good Doctor, New Amsterdam, Magnum P.I., Titans, NCIS: LA and More
• Marvel Movie Shifts: ‘Doctor Strange 2’ To Kick Off Summer 2022, ‘Thor: Love And Thunder’ Heads To July & More
• Inside Line: Get Scoop on Succession, SVU, La Brea, S.W.A.T., Stargirl, Curb, New Amsterdam, The Rookie and More!
• Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on Hanna, Chicago Fire, SVU, Insecure, Blue Bloods, Legends, The Neighborhood and More

This Isn’t Exactly Asimov’s Foundation but That’s Okay.

“Ordinary Joe” Makes the Alternate History Genre Personal

• Broadcast Renewal Scorecard
• Cable Renewal Scorecard
• Streaming Renewal Scorecard

Pandemic News

• Paramount is delaying the release of Mission Impossible 7 until September 30, 2022 and Top Gun: Maverick previously scheduled for Thanksgiving 2021 has been moved to Memorial Day weekend 2022. “Jackass Forever” has been moved from October 2021 until February 2022. The remainder of this year will have no more Paramount releases. A new “Scream” film will premier January 14.
• Disney has announced that the rest of its 2021 films will be released to theaters before being released to streaming.

Renewals, Coming Soon, and Casting News

• Netflix has picked up “Manifest” previously canceled from NBC for a fourth and final season.
• “Jeopardy!” Executive Producer Mike Richards had been appointed the new permanent host of the show however controversy arose when comments he made only podcast about pregnant women, Haitians, Jews, and little people surfaced. He has stepped down from the position after taping five episodes. He will however continue as executive producer (late update now he’s out as EP of both Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune). Big Bang actress Mayim Bialik was named host of Jeopardy!‘s primetime editions and spinoffs. No replacement for Richards has yet been named. Late update: Bialik will host for at least three weeks. Late update again: Bialik and Ken Jennings will host through the end of 2021.
• Fox has renewed MasterChef for season 12
• Netflix has renewed “Never Have I Ever” for season 3
• Peacock streaming has announced the reboot of “Punky Brewster” has been canceled.
• Rachel Maddow has signed a deal to extend her contract with MSNBC
• Showtime has announced “Your Honor” starring Bryan Cranston will return for season 2 scheduled for 2022
• AMC has announced “Kevin Can F**k Himself” has been renewed for season 2. I really need to do a blog post about this groundbreaking show that is a bizarre mix of a classic sitcom and a very dark drama.
• Netflix has renewed “Cobra Kai” for season 5 before it’s season 4 premier.
• AMC announced that “The Walking Dead” mysterious character Jadis played by Pollyanna McIntosh will be guest starring on “Walking Dead: World Beyond”
• Annie Wersching will play a Borg Queen in season 2 of Star Trek: Picard
• Hulu has announced “Reservation Dogs” has been renewed for season 2.
• Kate Walsh will return as Dr. Addison Montgomery on the upcoming season of Grey’s Anatomy
• Pat Sajak and Vanna White have signed on to continue Wheel of Fortune through 2024
• Star Trek: Picard has been renewed for season 3 ahead of season 2 release sometime in February 2022.
• The HBO Max reboot of “Gossip Girl” has been renewed for season 2
• HBO announced Real-Time with Bill Maher has been renewed through 2024.
• Amateur detectives Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez will be back to solve “Only Murders in the Building” for season 2
• Peacock has renewed “The Amber Ruffin Show” for season 2.
• HBO has canceled “Generation” after just 1 season.
• CW has canceled “The Outpost” after 4 seasons.
• Full Frontal with Samantha Bee has been renewed for season 7 at TBS and will be moving to Thursdays
• Hulu has announced that “The Orville: New Horizons “ is the new name for the third season of the series which will premier March 10, 2022 nearly 3 years after its second season appeared on Fox.
• Netflix has announced “Sex Education” has been renewed for season 4.
• “The Whicher” has been renewed for season 3 and the franchise or expand with another anime film and a family series. Season 2 will premier in December.
• CW announced J. Michael Straczynski is developing a reboot of “Babylon 5”. This will not be a sequel. It is a “from the ground up reboot”.
• FXX has announced “Archer” has been renewed for season 13.
• NBC announced “Law & Order” is returning to NBC 11 years after its original cancellation. This will be season 21.
• Disney+ announced “The Book of Boba Fett” will premier December 29.
• Televangelist Pat Robertson is stepping down as the host of “The 700 Club” after 54 years.
• Damien Lewis is leaving Showtime’s “Billions” after 5 seasons. Season 6 will debut in January. Very shocked. He’s half the show.
• Journalist Natalie Morales has left NBC to be the permanent cohost of “The Talk”

Miscellaneous News

• Russell T Davies is returning as showrunner to Doctor Who starting in 2023. He was a showrunner when the show rebooted in 2005.
• ABBA has announced they will release their first studio album in 40 years on November 5.
• Despite the success of titles like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show, Apple TV+ is believed to have no more than 20 million subscribers.
• Bob Odenkirk has returned to the set of “Better Call Saul” after a mild heart attack.
• Scarlett Johansson has settled her lawsuit with Disney over the release of “Black Widow”. She said it’s same day release to streaming hurt the box office and therefore her percentage.
• Rocker David Lee Roth announced he is retiring from show business.

In Memoriam

• Norm McDonald comedian from SNL age 61 cancer
• Jane Powell Golden age Hollywood actress. Age 92
• Charlie Watts drummer for Rolling Stones. Age 80.
• Ed Asner star of Mary Tyler Moore show and Lou Grant. Age 91
• Willard Scott long time weatherman for The Today Show age 87
• Don Everly singer from the Everly Brothers age 84 Barbara Patricia Hitchcock daughter of Alfred Hitchcock who appeared in “Strangers On A Train” and “Psycho” age 93
• Michael K Williams star of “The Wire” and “Lovecraft Country” age 54 accidental overdose
• Willie Garson played Mosie on “White-Collar” and appeared in “Sex and the City”. Age 57. Pancreatic cancer S
• Melvin Van Peebles, legendary black director and father of Mario Van Peebles. Age 89
• Al Harrington who appeared in the original Hawaii Five-O. Age 85.
• Michael Nader who starred in “All My Children” and “Dynasty” age 76
• Mikis Theodorakis, the Greek composer of acclaimed scores for such films as Zorba the Greek, Z and Serpico age 96
• Irma Kalis one of televisions first female TV producers whose writing credits with her husband Norman Leah included Maude, All in the Family, Good Times, My Three Sons, Gardens Island, And I Dream of Jeannie just to name a few. Age 96
• Ruben Klamer who invented Milton Bradley’s “The Game of Life” and was a prop designer for the original Star Trek. Age 99. See the link below.
• Sir Clive Sinclair inventor of the pocket calibrator and the ZX Spectrum personal computers. Age 81.
• Eric Cowie who was a zookeeper in the Netflix series Tiger King. Age 52. Undisclosed cause.
• Michael Constantine who played the father in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” age 94
• Jay Sandrich Emmy-winning director of Mary Tyler Moore show and the Cosby show and lower age 89.
• Tim Donnelly known for playing firefighter Chet Kelly on the NBC 70s series “Emergency!” Age 77.
• Tommy Kirk child actor who appeared in “Old Yeller” and “The Shaggy Dog” Age 79.
• Alan Kalter who was announcer for Late Show with David Letterman for 20 years. Age 78.
• Cynthia Harris who appeared in numerous Broadway productions and is known for playing Paul Reiser’s mother on “Mad about You”. Age 87

Links of Interest

• Superman Almost Appeared in The Suicide Squad Movie
• James Gunn Explains Why Amanda Waller Wanted Rick Flag Gone
• Singer Tony Bennett Officially Retires From 70-Year Career, Cancels Remaining Tour Dates
• ‘Deafness isn’t a monolith’: Deaf communities praise, criticize new Apple TV+ movie ‘CODA’
• Inside Line: Scoop on The Rookie, NCIS, New Amsterdam, Fantasy Island, Titans, The Flash, Magnum, Legends and More
• Inventor of ‘The Game of Life’ and Prop Designer for Star Trek Dies at 99
• Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on NCIS: LA, New Amsterdam, Grey’s, Stargirl, TAR, Chesapeake Shores, Chi Fire and More
• Matt’s Inside Line: Get Scoop on Grey’s, The Flash, The Good Doctor, Magnum, Roswell, NCIS: Los Angeles and More