TV Shows Renewals and Cancellations Commentary

• TV Line Broadcast Renewal Scorecard

ABC

• All of their primetime game shows such as Pyramid, Card Sharks, Match Game, Celebrity Family Fusion, Holy Moly, Press Your Luck, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and To Tell the Truth have been renewed. The only one I ever watched was Millionaire.
• Reality shows such as American Housewife, The Bachelor, Bachelor in Paradise none of which I watch have been renewed
• American Idol renewed however I thought last year’s “at home” version was absolutely terrible. If we don’t get out from underneath the pandemic I would wish they simply postpone it. Singer “Just Sam” won the season all alone in her apartment without any family or friends to celebrate with her. The hometown visit for the finalists never happened. The duets with famous celebrities was completely unsatisfying when done virtually. I thought the whole thing was a disaster. America’s Got Talent is probably down that same rabbit hole and I’m not looking forward to it.
• Dancing With The Stars renewed however Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews will not be back as hosts. The same panel of judges are expected to return. I suppose this show would be watchable without an audience but it would probably miss something like the audience booing at the judges especially the Len Goodman.
• The following shows were canceled and I either didn’t watch them or perhaps never even heard of them: The Baker and the Beauty, Bless This Mess, Grand Hotel, Kids Say the Darndest Things, Reef Break, Schooled, Single Parents.
• How to Get Away with Murder — series ended May 14. I watched all but the final season of this. It was just too tiring to watch with all of the flash forwards and flashbacks. It was a show deliberately designed to keep the audience guessing and it seemed that when all of the questions were answered in the final episode each season I no longer cared about the outcome. It just wasn’t worth the effort to try to reassemble the timelines in your head each episode. I liked the early seasons but it just wasn’t worth it anymore. Goodbye.
• Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD final episodes now airing. This season has been by far their best ever. It’s nice that they are going out on a high note but I wish some of the previous seasons had been this great. I’m going to miss it.
• Returning sitcoms: black-ish, The Conners, The Goldbergs. I only watch the first two and I like them. Spinoff mixed-ish will also return. I watched a few and liked it. Will probably binge the rest someday. The only really good new sitcom last year.
• Modern Family — A groundbreaking sitcom that lasted 11 seasons and finished on a nice note back in April. I didn’t see much of the last just because my schedule was full but it was a fun ride while it lasted.
• Fresh off the Boat — series finale was February 21. I never watched it.
• Grey’s Anatomy will be back for its 17th season without original cast member Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev who was written out late this past. Also related its spinoff Station 19. I continue to enjoy both of them.
• The Rookie and Stumptown are new last season cop shows that I rather enjoyed but did not watch that much. They will both be back.

CBS

• Reality shows Big Brother, Big Brother: Celebrity Edition and Love Island are back this summer. Also Undercover Boss returns and I couldn’t care less.
• Survivor and The Amazing Race have been renewed but delayed because of the pandemic. I can’t see either one going back into production until the pandemic is completely under control. I miss them both already.
• Sitcoms Bob Hearts Abishola, The Unicorn, The Neighborhood, Mom, Young Sheldon Renewed. I only watch the last two. I never did Heart Bob 🙂 Seemed like a sad ripoff of Mike and Molly. I gave Unicorn good review but didn’t have time to watch it. Wasn’t interested in Neighborhood.
• Broke, Carol’s Second Act, Tommy, Man with a Plan, God Friended Me all canceled as I expected. Many friends said they liked Tommy. I didn’t watch any of them.
• Hawaii Five-O ended its 10 year run on April 3. I really enjoyed it but finally got tired and gave up on it partway through last season.
• Blood & Treasure, MacGyver, Magnum P.I. renewed but I don’t watch.
• Bull, FBI, NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, NCIS New Orleans, SWAT, Seal Team all coming back. I watched all expect LA. Don’t know why I don’t like it. Characters just don’t appeal to me the way the others do.
• Criminal Minds aired its final episode February 19. Ran for 15 seasons. I probably watched eight or nine of them but I finally got tired of a new and weirder psychopath each week.
• Evil renewed. Did not watch it but intended to. I might go back and binge at some point. Legal drama All Rise renewed but I never watched and probably won’t. Looks like it potential.

Fox

• 911, 911: Lone Star, The Masked Singer, Prodigal Son all returning and I’m very happy. Lone Star isn’t as good as the original 911 but it’s watchable.
• The Orville — creator/star Seth McFarlane was too busy to produce the next season in time. So Fox decided to pass on it and season 3 will relocate to Hulu. I really look forward to it.
• Empire had its final episode April 21 and is it possibility of a wrapup movie. I watched the first season but didn’t care enough to continue.
• BH 90210, Deputy, Flirty Dancing, Outmatched not watched by me and apparently nobody else. All canceled.
• So You Think You Can Dance — season 17 called off for pandemic. No word about its future.
• The Simpsons, Beat Shazam, Bless the Harts, Bob’s Burgers, Duncanville, The Great North, Hell’s Kitchen, Master Chef, Last Man Standing, The Moodys, The Resident all renewed and I either did didn’t watch or never heard of them.

NBC

• America’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent The Champions are listed as “sure thing” however I’m already dreading how AGT live shows will look during pandemic. American Ninja Warrior, Ellen’s Game of Games and The Voice also returning but I don’t watch.
• Little Big Shots listed as “a safe bet” while The Wall, Songland listed as “a long shot” and “could go either way” respectively. Making It renewed.
• Bluff City Law an excellent legal drama starring Jimmy Smits did not survive its first season. I really liked it.
• AP Bio which I never liked is moving to Peacock streaming for its third season. Counsel of Dads, Indebted, Lincoln Rhyme, Perfect Harmony, The InBetween, Sunnyside are all canceled. Superstore returns without its star America Ferrera and I don’t care for any of these. I wanted to like Lincoln but it was just really bad
• Blindspot series finale just aired. I’m 2 seasons behind but I still like it and intend to binge it to completion.
• All three Chicago shows, Law & Order: SVU Manifest and New Amsterdam all renewed for 3 more seasons. I only watch Manifest but I’m behind a season.
• Good Girls, The Blacklist, This Is Us, Brooklyn Nine-Nine all returning but I only watch the first three.
• Will and Grace had its second series finale April 23. It was fun to have it back for a couple of new seasons but it was probably ready to quit.

CW

• Batwoman returns with a new character. Black Lightning, Legends of Tomorrow, Stargirl, The Flash, Supergirl all renewed and I watch regularly. Arrow had its series finale January 28 and I will miss it a little bit.
• Supernatural it’s 15th and final season will premier this fall. I’m about season and a half behind but it still favorite of mine. Probably time for it to go however.
• The 100: returned May 20 with its final season. There are rumors of a spinoff. I kind of like it as well as the other YA sci-fi series Pandora which is returning much to my surprise. It’s not great but it’s okay.
• All-American, Charmed, Dynasty, Legacies, Nancy Drew, Riverdale, Roswell New Mexico, Whose Line Is It Anyway all renewed but I don’t watch.
• Penn & Teller: Fool Us returning and I’m very happy.
• Katy Keene I think this is a spinoff from some other CW show that I never watch. It will not be back.

Cable Channels

• TV Line Cable Renewal Scorecard

AMC

• Better Call Saul — I’m behind but I plan to catch up for its 6th and final season.
• Dispatches from Elsewhere season 1 began April 27 and it looked like it was not intended to be multi-season. Bizarre yet interesting show with a very unsatisfying final episode. No word on its future. The Terror also is a one season at a time kind of show that if it returns will be a totally new premise as was the second season. No word yet.
• McMafia and NOS4A2 renewed but I don’t watch.
• Lodge 49 was a fun quirky show that will not be back for season 3 and I probably really won’t miss it. But it had its moments.
• Fear The Walking Dead returns for season 6 October 11. The Walking Dead will have its postponed season 10 finale October 4 to be followed by 6 additional episodes. Renewed for season 11. New spinoff series The Walking Dead: World beyond premieres October 4 and is scheduled to only run 2 seasons

Audience

BBC America

• Doctor Who season 12 started March 1. Sure thing for renewal but no date yet.
• Killing Eve award-winning show renewed for season 4 and I can’t wait.

Cartoon Network

• Rick and Morty — season 4 aired May 31 and has been renewed. I know it’s a geek favorite but I never watched it and don’t think I would like it.

Cinemax

Comedy Central

• Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, Drunk History, The Other Two renewed as well as season 26 of South Park. I don’t watch any of them.
• Corporate season finale was July 22 and I never watched.

Epix

• Deep State and Get Shorty no word yet but I hope they are renewed.
• Pennyworth will be back for season 2 and I’m anxiously awaiting.

FX & FXX

• American Crime Story season 3 will be the impeachment of Bill Clinton
• American Horror Story renewed through season 13 with a spinoff ordered. Will be American Horror Stories (plural) it will be individual episodes instead of a season long story.
• Atlanta, Breeders, Mr. Inbetween, Pose, Taboo, Snowfall all renewed but I don’t watch. Also Better Things is renewed and I’ve always wanted to see it but never had time.
• Fargo season 4 is delayed but will be coming. Mixed feelings about it. Some seasons are good. Others not so much.
• Mayans M.C. renewed for season 3 and I can’t wait.
• What We Do in the Shadows my roommate Josh is happy season 3 is coming but I never watched it. It’s a vampire comedy series.
• Archer season 11 premiered in September. No word on 12. I hope so.
• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia renewed for season 15. Tried it once and thought it was terrible but it must be popular to survive that long.

HBO

• Barry, Perry Mason, and Westworld all renewed and I’m very happy.
• Avenue 5 renewed. I watched a couple and it had a bizarre quirky charm. I made binge the rest or let it go. Not sure yet. His Dark Materials renewed by haven’t seen it but I intend to go back and binge.
• Betty, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Euphoria, Gentleman Jack, Insecure, My Brilliant Friend, The Righteous Gemstones, Succession all renewed but I don’t watch.
• Game of Thrones series ended as scheduled. Prequel series scheduled for 2022. Silicon Valley ended as scheduled. I should have watched but didn’t.
• Room 104, Ballers both canceled but I never watched. “Run” was fun for 9 episodes and then fizzled in the finale. Also will not be back.

History

• Knightfall and Project Blue Book canceled. Only watched the first. Not bad but I won’t miss it.
• Vikings second half of final season 6 with no premier date. Spinoff series ordered Netflix.

Nickelodeon

• SpongeBob SquarePants renewed for season 13. Never seen it.

Paramount Network

• Yellowstone board me to death after one episode but has been renewed for season 4.

Pop TV

Showtime

• The Affair finale was November 3, 2019. Always wanted to watch it but never got around to it after several seasons.
• Billions I’m a season behind but happy it is returning even though no dates yet.
• Homeland not coming back but it had run its course. It was good while it lasted.

  Penny Dreadful: City of Angels was one of the best new dramas this year. No word on renewal but I really hope it is coming back

• Back to Life, Black Monday, City on a Hill, On Becoming a God in Central Florida, Work in Progress All renewed but I don’t watch.
• The L Word: Generation Q coming back but not as good as the original.
• Shameless renewed for final season without Fiona

Starz

• American Gods and Outlander have both been renewed and I’m very happy.
• The Girlfriend Experience, Hightown, P-Valley renewed but I never watch them.

SyFy Channel

• Killjoys ended September 20, 2019 and I will really miss it
• The Magicians indent April 1 and I will really miss it
• Vagrant Queen ended June 4 I never watched
• Van Helsing — I watched a couple of seasons but it wasn’t that good in the long run. Season 5 upcoming will be the last.
• Wynonna Earp season 4 just premiered July 26. I watch the first episode of season 1 and really liked it but have not had time to go back and get caught up. I didn’t realize I was so far behind.

TBS

• American Dad for seasons 17 and 18. Never watched it.
• The Last O.G. season 3 ended June 9. No word on future season.
• Miracle Workers this bizarre offbeat comedy with Steve Buscemi and Daniel Radcliffe finish season 2. I would be surprised if it came back. No word yet.

TNT

• The Alienist season 2 premiered July 19 and has been excellent.
• Animal Kingdom season 5 coming. I never watched. It’s not a nature show by the way.
• Claws renewed for final season 4. Never watched it.
• Snowpiercer excellent new sci-fi show renewed for season 2 and I can’t wait.

TruTV

• At Home with Amy Sedaris season 3 finished July 22. No word. Never watched.
• I’m Sorry renewed for season 3. Never heard of it.
• Tacoma FD it says season 2 resumed July 23. Never heard of it.

USA Network

• Briarpatch canceled after one season. I kind of liked it.
• Dirty John previously on Bravo season 2 finished July 14. I heard it was popular but I never saw it.
• Mr. Robot really bizarre surrealistic sci-fi that I liked. Officially ended December 22, 2019. I still need to binge the final season.
• The Purge has been purged. I watched one or two and it didn’t appeal to me.
• Queen of the South renewed for season 5. Never saw it.
• The Sinner on very happy and has been for season 4. Interesting twist on a procedural cop show. You know from the beginning whodunit. The question is why.
• Suits ended after 9 seasons. I will mess it.
• Pearson spinoff from Suits was pretty good but canceled after one season.
• Treadstone loosely based on the Bourne books and movies. It was okay but it only lasts one season.

Streaming Services

• TV Line Streaming Renewal Scorecard

Amazon Prime

• Bosch we need for final 7. I’ve heard good things about it but never had a chance to watch.
• The Boys season 2 starts September 4. Already renewed for season 3. I intend to catch up.
• Carnival Row renewed for season 2. I intend to check it out.
• The Expanse formally on SyFy Channel one of the best sci-fi shows out there. Happy to hear its renewed for season 5.
• Flack previously on Pop TV renewed for season 2. Never seen it.
• Fleabag award-winning comedy season 2 released in May now on indefinite hiatus but I guess it will probably be back. Haven’t seen it yet but it is on my must-see list from everything I’ve heard.
• Goliath renewed for final season 4. Never watched it.
• Hannah renewed for season 3. I may go back and check it out.
• Homecoming season 2 released May 22. No further word. On my list to check out.
• Hunters season 1 released February 21 no word. Also on my list.
• The Man in the High Castle officially ended November 15 after several seasons. I heard great things but never got around to it.
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel renewed for season 4 and we are very very happy. Excellent comedy.
• Modern Love renewed for season. Never heard of it.
• Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan renewed for season 3. Haven’t seen it but it’s on my must-see list.
• Undone renewed for season 2. Amazing animated drama using a strange rotoscoping animation technique. Really liked the first season although it was kind of strange. I’m surprised but pleased will be back. Kind of messes your mind in a fun way.
• Upload relatively new sci-fi series about a digital afterlife. I’ve heard good things but haven’t seen it yet. Renewed for season 2.

Apple TV +

• Amazing Stories first season released April 3. No word on renewal. I was kind of disappointed in this reboot.
• Central Park and Dickinson both renewed for season 2. I know nothing about them.
• For All Mankind this alternate history of the Apollo era of space travel is absolutely awesome. Very happy it will come back for season 2. Highly recommended.
• Home before Dark a cute family-friendly show about an eight-year-old girl who is an investigative reporter. I really enjoyed it and it will be back for season 2.
• The Morning Show despite the fact that it stars Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell this is a very serious drama about a morning news program. One of the most amazing explorations of the #MeToo issues. Highly recommended and it will be back for season 2.
• Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet workplace comedy about video game developers. It will be back for season 2. Never watched it.
• See — an interesting post-apocalyptic action show starring Jason Momoa. Not the greatest but I liked it. It will be back and I look forward to it.
• Servant creepy horror series from M. Night Shyamalan. I intended to check it out but never got around to it. It will be back for season 2.
• Truth Be Told never heard of it but it will be back for season 2.

CBS All Access

• The Good Fight renewed for season 5. One of the best dramas on TV. On its own worth the price of subscribing.
• Interrogation a CIA comedy starring David Schwimmer just premiered February 6. Haven’t seen it.
• Star Trek Discovery season 3 premieres October 15 and I can’t wait. Must-see for Star Trek fans.
• Star Trek Picard season 2 has been ordered. The first season started off kind of slow but ended with wonderfully. Looking forward to more.
• Star Trek Lower Decks premieres August 6. Animated comedy about minor characters aboard the Enterprise. The previews look really cheesy. I’m not impressed.
• Star Trek: Strange New World a spinoff from Discovery starring Anson Mount as Capt. Christopher Pike. I’m really looking forward to this. The characters from this war prominent in season 2 of Discovery. Listed as in preproduction. No target date yet.
• The Twilight Zone this reboot by Jordan Peele had season 2 released June 25. The first season was kind of up and down. Some episodes were great others not so much. Haven’t had time to check out the new season. No word on a third.
• Why Women Kill renewed for season 2 but I haven’t seen it.

DC Universe

• Doom Patrol also available on HBO Max. Season 2 ends August 6. Heard good things but I haven’t seen it yet.
• Harley Quinn season 2 released June 26. Just okay animated series. Only watched about half of season 1 but I will probably go back.
• Stargirl season one started here on DC Universe and then repeated on CW network. Season 2 moves exclusively to CW. Haven’t seen it yet but intend to catch up.
• Titans I’ve heard good things but haven’t seen it yet. Renewed for season 3.
• Young Justice: Outsiders renewed for season 4. I don’t know anything about it.

Disney+

• Diary of a Future President renewed for season 2. I’ve not seen it.
• High School Musical: The Musical:The Series — Really? It takes 2 colons? Season 2 premieres in the fall 2020. Not interested.
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars excellent animated Star Wars series you can binge all seasons. Series finale was on May 4
• The Mandalorian absolutely awesome live-action Star Trek series. I’m very happy it will be back for season 2. Also check out EXCELLENT documentary “Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian” which gives amazing insight into the creative process and the technology of this wonderful series. If you love behind-the-scenes insight into filmmaking and storytelling even if you are not a Star Wars fan this is a great view.

Hulu

• Castle Rock based on Stephen King material season 2 was December 11. No word on more. I’ve heard good things but haven’t seen it.
• The Handmaid’s Tale absolutely amazing future history social sci-fi season 4 premieres in 2021. Absolute must-see. I can’t wait.
• Marvel’s Runaways teen action drama officially ended December 13. I really enjoyed it.
• The Orville moved here from Fox. Season 3 will be late this year and I really am looking forward to it. Very funny yet sometimes serious set in a Star Trek like setting.

Netflix

• 13 Reasons Why somewhat controversial series about teen suicide officially ended due to 5
• Altered Carbon interesting sci-fi series I watched about half of the first season and intend to finish. Season 2 premiered February 27. No update.
• Arrested Development season 5 released March 2019 on indefinite by you this.
• Black Mirror bizarre sci-fi anthology season 5 released June 5. No word on updates.
• Cobra Kai spinoff of the Karate Kid previously on YouTube renewed for season 3.
• The Crown be needed for allegedly final season 6 although they have recently hinted it could be extended to 7.
• Dead to Me renewed for final season 3
• Fuller House series finale June 2.
• GLOW renewed for final season 4
• Grace and Frankie excellent comedy with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda renewed for final season 7
• The Kominski Method award-winning comedy starring Michael Douglas renewed for final season 13
• Locke & Key interesting fantasy series renewed for season 2. I’ve heard good things but haven’t seen it.
• Lost in Space excellent family action sci-fi story will return for final season 3 in 2021. I can’t wait.
• Lucifer moved here from Fox season 5a premieres always 21st renewed for final season 6. A favorite of mine.
• Messiah not coming back but it looks like a one season miniseries to me.
• MindHunter season 2 releases last August listed as on indefinite hiatus. I’ve heard good things.
• Raising Dion show about a kid with superpowers. I’ve heard good things but haven’t seen. Renewed for season 2
• Stranger Things probably the most popular show on Netflix I’ve never seen. Renewed for season 4
• The Umbrella Academy offbeat superhero show that I enjoy renewed for season 2
• YOU a nominated crime drama renewed for season 3

Peacock

• AP Bio moved here from NBC season 3 premieres September 3
• Brave New World based on the classic book season 1 premiered July 15. No updates yet.

Miscellaneous Entertainment News Bits

• Kayla Compton who plays Allegra Garcia on “The Flash” has been promoted to series regular for season 7
• Disney+ is developing a prequel series to “Beauty and the Beast” featuring Josh Gad as LaFou and Luke Evans as Gaston.
• Televangelist Jim Baker was ordered by the Atty. Gen. of New York to stop something fake coronavirus cures. Why are we not surprised?
• Led Zeppelin won it’s copyright lawsuit over “Stairway to Heaven”.
• Disney will release a Peter Jackson documentary about the Beatles currently scheduled for September but who knows?
• Movie producer and sexual predator Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape. While in prison he contracted Corona Virus.
• Disney’s “Song of the South” will not be added to Disney+ even with a disclaimer about its outdated racial stereotypes. I understand why but there are still some really nice things about the film like the song “Zippy Due Da”.
• Amazon prime has ordered to series “Fernando” a biopic about Formula One champion Fernando Alonso
• Rosario Dawson has been cast as Jedi apprentice Ahsoka Tano in season 2 of “The Mandalorian”. The character has previously appeared in animated Star Wars: the Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels but never in a live-action production until now.
• Jasika Nicole who plays Dr. Carley on “The Good Doctor” will not be a series regular next season.
• Christopher Melonli will return as Ellie Stabler in a “Law & Order: SVU” spinoff series for NBC. Series ordered 13 episodes for now.
• In case you missed it, Disney+ has an eight part documentary about its hit series “The Mandalorian”. Search for “Disney Gallery: Star Wars The Mandalorian”.
• As expected there will be a film version of “The Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. The book was released May 19, 2020. No word on when the movie will start production or potential release dates.
• Disney announced “Hercules” will be the next of its animated films be made in a live-action version. This will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo known for directing Avengers films.
• There will be a new “Transformers” movie in 2022
• There will be another Star Trek spinoff series on CBS All Access. Called “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” it will feature Spock, Capt. Pike and Rebecca Romin as “Number One”.
• FX sitcom “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” has been renewed for a record-breaking 15th season. It is now officially the longest running live-action comedy in TV history surpassing “Ozzie and Harriet” at 14 seasons. Note this is live-action. “The Simpsons” will begin its 30th season in the fall.
• FX has ordered new series “American Horror Stories” (note its plural the original AHS is singular). This will be a similar anthology show but each story will only run one episode.
• “The Bachelor” casts its first African-American bachelor
• NBC’s provisional fall schedule has only one new show a Law & Order spinoff.
• After the controversy of Jimmy Fallon wearing black face in a 2000 SNL skit (see link below), Tina Fey has asked streaming platforms to pull several “30 Rock” episodes that had white characters in blackface.
• “The Simpsons” will no longer use white actors as voices of nonwhite characters. Kristin Bell is withdrawing her voice and animated show where she played a mixed race character.
• Disney+ version of “Hamilton” has 2 “f-bombs” edited out.
• Javicia Leslie will be the new “Batwoman” replacing Ruby Rose who left the series at the end of the first season. She will play completely different character takes up the identity of Batwoman.
• “The Masked Singer” will have a spinoff titled “The Masked Dancer”. No word on when it will begin.
• Ozzy Osbourne announced in January that he has Parkinson’s disease
• PS4 videogame “The Last of Us” will be made into a series for HBO
• Although Netflix previously announced “The Crown” would end in season 5 they have now confirmed it will be extended to season 6
• Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews will not return as hosts of “Dancing with the Stars”. No replacement yet named.

Obituaries

• Roscoe Born soap opera star from “The Young and the Restless” and “All My Children” age 69.
• Nicholas Tucci who started in Syfy Channel’s “Channel Zero” age 38 of cancer
• Danny Tidwell was a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance” age 35 auto accident
• Mark Crowley playwright of “Boys in the Band” age 84
• Max Von Sydow known for “The Exorcist” and as Emperor Ming in “Flash Gordon” and as the original Three Eyed Raven in “Game of Thrones”. Age 90
• Comic book artist Allen Bellman who did early versions of Capt. America age 95
• Lorenzo Brino child star will who appeared in CW’s “7th Heaven” age 21 auto accident
• Country Music Icon Kenny Rogers age 81
• Terrence McNally Tony award-winning playwright. Age 81 Covid 19
• The pet dog from “Modern Family” and one of the Inuit Husky dogs that appeared as a Direwolf in “Game of Thrones”
• John Callahan soap opera star of “All My Children” and “Santa Barbara” age 66 of a stroke
• Krzystof Penderecki modernist composer whose work appeared in the soundtrack of “The Exorcist” and “The Shining” age 86
• Country music star Joe Diffie age 61 Covid 19
• David Schramm best known for playing Roy Biggins in the TV series “Wings” age 73 no cause listed
• Songwriter Alan Merrill who wrote “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” age 69 Covid 19
• Andrew Jack dialect coach and actor who appeared in 2 Star Wars films age 79 Covid 19
• Grammy-winning soul singer/songwriter Bill Withers age 81 heart disease
• 16-year-old actor Nolan Williams played the young version of “The Flash” in 8 episodes of the CW series. Fentanyl overdose.
• Rebecca Ramsey produced visual effects on Watchmen, Spider-Man 3 and others age 54 complications of a fall.
• Tom Dempsey NFL placekicker who held the field-goal record for 43 years age 73
• Actress Shirley Douglas mother of Kiefer Sutherland age 86 pneumonia
• Honor Blackman played “Pussy Galore” in the James Bond film “Goldfinger” age 94 natural causes
• James Drury of the NBC long-running question series “The Virginian” age 85
• John Prine country folk singer/songwriter age 73
• Hal Willner music producer for SNL age 64 Covid 19
• Danny Goldman the voice of Brainy Smurf and actor in “Young Frankenstein” age 80
• Brian Dennehy — Tony and Golden Globe winning Emmy nominated actor age 81 natural causes
• Allen Daviau cinematographer for “ET: The Extraterrestrial” age 77 Covid 19
• Matthew Seligman bass player for David Bowie and member of the group “Camera Club” age 64 Covid 19
• Jerry Stiller comedian, actor, Seinfeld star and father of Ben Stiller age 92.
• Frank Bielic Designer for TLC’s “Trading Spaces” age 77
• Fred Willard comedian and frequent costar on a variety of sitcoms as well as the comedy series “Fernwood 2 Night” age 86
• Phyllis George former Miss America, NFL sportscaster, TV host age 70
• Ken Osmond who played Eddie Haskell on “Leave It to Beaver” age 76
• Jimmy Cobb legendary jazz drummer age 91
• Character actor Richard Herd roles included Mr. Wilhelm on “Seinfeld” and a number of Star Trek characters in various series. Age 87.
• Larry Kramer playwright and AIDS activist age 84
• Dennis O’Neill comic book writer for both Marble and DC age 81
• Joel Schumacher director of “St. Elmo’s Fire” and 2 “Batman” movies age 80
• Charlie Webb author of the novel “The Graduate” age 81
• Nick Cordero a Tony nominated actor age 41 Covid 19
• Carol Lynley actors who played ship singer in “Poseidon Adventure” age 77
• Cokie Roberts journalist and political commentator age 75 breast cancer
• Robert Evans producer of “Chinatown” and “Godfather” age 89
• Brian Tarantina who played Jackie in The Marvelous Mrs. Maeisel age 60
• Ron Leibman who played Rachel’s father in “Friends” age 82
• Caroll Spinney “Big Bird” and “Oscar the Grouch” puppeteer age 85
• Danny Aiello character actor age 86
• Chuy Bravo sidekick to Chelsea Handler on her talkshow age 63
• Don Imus controversial talk radio host. Age 79
• Syd Mead futuristic artist that gave the “Blade Runner” movies their distinctive look. Age 86
• Jack Sheldon jazz singer famous for “Schoolhouse Rock”. Age 88
• Buck Henry comedian, cocreator of “Get Smart” and frequent SNL appearances. Age 89
• Neil Peart drummer and lyricist for the rock group “Rush”. Age 67
• Terry Jones of “Monty Python”. Age 77
• Jean Reynolds cocreated “MASH” and “Lou Grant”. Age 96
• Kirk Douglas legendary actor. Age 103
• Orson Bean actor, comedian, raconteur and frequent guest of Johnny Carson. Age 91
• Robert Conrad star of “The Wild Wild West” and “Black Sheep Squadron”. Age 84
• John Singleton director of “Boyz N The Hood”. Age 51. Stroke.
• Doris Day legendary actress. Age 97
• Tim Conway comedian and regular on Carol Burnett show. Age 85
• Max Wright who played Willie Tanner on “ALF”. Age 75
• Rip Torn Emmy-winning character actor. Age 88
• Lynn Cohen who played Magda on “Sex and the City”. Age 86
• Ja’net DuBois who played Willona Woods on “Good Times”. Age 74
• Lee Philip Bell cocreator of soap operas “Y&R” and “B&B”. Age 91
• James Lipton host of “Inside the Actors Studio”. Age 93
• Naya Rivera former star of “Glee”. Age 33. Drowning
• Ronald L. Schwar Oscar-winning producer of “Ordinary People”. Age 76
• Benjamin Kerough son of Lisa Marie Presley and grandson of Elvis. Age 27
• Kelly Preston actress and wife of John Travolta. Age 57. Cancer
• Grant Imahara for more MythBusters star. Age 41. Brain aneurysm
• Regis Philbin iconic TV host. Age 88
• Olivia de Havilland golden age actress appeared in “Gone with the Wind”. Age 104
• Malik B. Founding member of “The Roots”. Age 47
• Maurice “Reese” Schonfeld founder of CNN and “The Food Network”. Age 88.

Pandemic Delays and Cancellations

• Link to an article at TV Line listing TV shows that have been suspended or delayed because of the virus pandemic.
  https://tvline.com/feature/cancelled-tv-shows-list-coronavirus-production-delays-1171349/
  Also this article https://tvline.com/gallery/coronavirus-tv-delays-cancellations/coronavirus-effect-contests/
  Note that these may not have been updated with the most current information. We will mention other items as we discovered them.
• Survivor has indefinitely delayed production on season 41 and 42. Although survivor seasons premier six months apart, they are actually filmed with only about a month off in between.
• Various entertainment festivals such as SXSW and PaleyFest and CinemaCon and TCM Classic Film Festival
• “A Quiet Place II” release delayed
• Ridley Scott film “The Last Dual” production delayed before it started.
• Disney films “Little Mermaid”, “Home Alone”, “Nightmare Alley” and others as well as TV pilots production indefinitely postponed
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony for 2020. Rescheduled for November.
• Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune will resume filming with safety measures in place
• The 2020 Primetime Emmys will be a virtual event.

Links to Articles of Interest

• The Good Doctor Finale: EP Weighs In on Shaun and Lea, Claire and Melendez, and Park’s Potential Move in Season 4
• Peter M. Lenkov on Why Hawaii Five-0 Is Ending, Who Was/Wasn’t Leaving, and How Series Finale ‘Checks Every Box’
• Prodigal Son Bosses Break Down the Finale’s Killer Twist, Reveal Original Plan for Scrapped Season 1 Episodes
• TV Roles Recast: 25+ Times a Show Changed Actors Midstream (and Why)
• ‘Run’ Season Finale: Creator Vicky Jones On Season 2 & How Billy & Ruby’s Journey Could Have Ended Tonight
• Jimmy Fallon Apologizes For Resurfaced Blackface 2000 ‘SNL’ Skit

“Gone” Will Be Gone Soon but Plot Twists Save It from Being Just Another Police Consultant Show

“Witches” Should Be Left Undiscovered

New “Twilight Zone” Might Make CBS All Access Worth It

Bob Hearts is a Weak Reboot of Mike without Molly

“All Rise” has Potential to Give Shondaland Competition

“Mixed-ish” is Funny and More Poignant than Its Parent “Black-ish”

“Emergence” Might Emerge On Top of a Overdone Premise

“Carol’s Second Act” Can’t Compete with her Previous Work

“Prodigal Son” is a Hannibal Ripoff but it Works

“Stumptown” is Mildly Entertaining but Nothing Special

“Almost Family” is Almost Worthless

“Sunnyside” Celebrates Incompetent Politicians

“Batwoman” is a Worthy Edition to the Arrowverse

“The Unicorn” Verifies Walton Goggins Can Do Anything

“Deputy” is Nothing Special

“For All Mankind” is almost worth subscribing to Apple TV+

Fans of Dystopian Action Should See “See”

Here’s the latest in entertainment news. We started out with a couple of reviews from this blog in case you missed them.

“Carter” Is the Least Credible of the Overdone Consultant Detective Genre

You Should Purge “The Purge” From Your DVR

Anarchy Fans Rejoice. “Mayans MC” is Everything You Loved about SoA

Here is a calendar of premiere dates courtesy of TV line. Or follow me on Facebook where I will post daily updates for new fall premieres.

In the links below read about:

• Chris Hardwick returns to “Talking Dead” but several producers resign in protest.
• Spoilers from Inside Line dated August 14
• The story behind the decision to end The Big Bang Theory after 12 seasons
• Spoilers from Michael Ausiello dated August 29
• Spoilers from Michael Ausiello dated September 11

Not linked but still of interest…

• Marvel’s Runaways will return to Hulu with 13 episodes starting December 21 and will pick up within hours of the first season’s finale. There are hints it will somehow connect to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. No details yet.
• At one time there were rumors of up to 5 Game of Thrones spinoff shows but it appears that 4 of them are dead and one is going forward. It’s the one we previously reported will take place over a thousand years before the current series.
• Hulu announced that “Castle Rock” based on stories by Stephen King has been renewed for a second season.
• A Marilyn Monroe nude scene from the John Houston film “The Misfits” that was believed to have been destroyed has been rediscovered.
• From Jedi to Templer… Mark Hamill joins the cast of History Channel medieval drama “Knightfall” for season 2. I watched season 1 which was just okay and probably wasn’t going to watch season 2 but with him on board I will have to check it out.
• John Cleese will guest star in the upcoming season of disability sitcom “Speechless”.
• TLC network has renewed “Dr Pimple Popper” for season 2 starting in January. Reality documentary show follows a dermatologist who operates on gross looking cysts. Started out as a popular YouTube channel and then moved to TV.
• RIP actress and singer Morgana King who played Marlon Brando’s wife in the Godfather I & II.
• USA Network has canceled “Shooter” after 3 seasons. The show is being shopped around to other networks.
• Madonna recently turned 60 years old.
• RIP singing legend Aretha Franklin age 76
• TNT has ordered a limited series “The Angel of Darkness” which is a sequel to “The Alienist” with many of the stars returning to reprise their roles including Dakota Fanning, Luke Evans, and Daniel Bruhl.
• Star Wars: Resistance animated TV series will premiere on The Disney Channel October 7.
• Stephen Ogg recently seen the “The Walking Dead” will be a recurring character in the TNT sci-fi drama “Snowpiercer”.
• “Watchmen” comic to be adapted to TV series for HBO.
• Netflix has renewed female wrestling comedy GLOW for season 3
• A six part miniseries of John le Carre’s “The Little Drummer Girl” is coming to AMC network November 19.
• CW network announced a three night crossover of its superhero series “The Flash”, “Arrow”, and “Supergirl” will start Sunday, December 9 and will introduce new character Batwoman.
• Lip-Synch Battle has been renewed for season 5 by Paramount Network.
• This season will be the final season of The Big Bang Theory.
• Timeless which was canceled yet again by NBC will have a two hour movie to wrap up the plot. It will air sometime in December.
• RIP musician Ed King who is guitarist for Leonard Skynyrd and cowriter of “Sweet Home Alabama”.
• RIP entertainment journalist Robin Leach host of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” age 76
• RIP playwright Neil Simon age 91
• John Goodman reveals that the Roseanne character will be killed off in the spinoff show “The Connors”.
• Kevin Spacey’s character Frank Underwood will be killed off to eliminate him from the final season of “House of Cards”.
• Matt Smith a.k.a. the 11th Doctor Who will appear in Star Wars episode 9 in an undisclosed role.
• HBO has dropped all erotic programming from its lineup including edited adult movies and unscripted series such as “Real Sex” and “Cathouse”.
• Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ana Inaba will host next year’s Miss America competition.
• USA has announced Mr. Robot season 4 will be its last.
• Release of the new sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” has been delayed one year until June 2020
• Emmy Rossum announced this will be her last season on Shameless.
• The new season of Doctor Who will premiere Sunday October 7 in both the US and UK.
• Jack is back! Not Jack Bauer but the next best thing. “Designated Survivor” recently canceled by ABC is been renewed by Netflix.
• HBO has renewed “Ballers” and “Insecure” for a fifth and fourth seasons respectively.
• A Broadway musical version of “Beetlejuice” will premiere March 2019 at the Winter Garden Theater.
• RIP 70s film icon Burt Reynolds age 82.
• 20th Century Fox has deleted a scene from the film “The Predator” the latest in the alien sci-fi series after it discovered one of the actors was a registered sex offender.
• After Brooklyn Nine-Nine moved to NBC its order has been expanded to 18 episodes.
• RIP actor Bill Daley who played Maj. Healy on “I Dream of Jeannie” age 91
• Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, and John Legend are now EGOT winners. This means they have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. The latest Emmys for producing “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert”. John Legend is the first African-American man to achieve the status. Only 12 other people prior to this had won EGOT in competitive categories.

“Appreciative” Chris Hardwick Returns To ‘Talking Dead’; Co-EP + Others Quit

Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on NCIS: LA, Grey’s, This Is Us, The Resident, The Gifted, Runaways, SEAL Team and More August 14

‘The Big Bang Theory’: Behind The Sudden Decision To End Series After 12 Seasons

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Good Place, Empire, 9-1-1, Lucifer, The Flash, Supernatural, NCIS, TWD and More August 29

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Grey’s, Walking Dead, Power, Young Sheldon, Riverdale, House of Cards and More September 11

I’m still trying to get caught up on entertainment news.

Before we start I want to comment on the Chris Hardwick situation. In case you don’t know Chris Hardwick is the host of the “Talking Dead” after show for both “The Walking Dead” and “Fear the Walking Dead” on AMC. In the walking that off-season he also has his own show on AMC called “Talking with Chris Hardwick” in which he interviews a celebrity guest for a full hour. He is also occasionally hosted and after show for “Better Call Saul” titled “Talking Saul”. He also hosts the NBC primetime game show “The Wall”. He was the founder of the nerd culture website Nerdest.com in which he had a podcast for many years where he interviewed celebrities one-on-one.

Several weeks ago on the day of the season premiere of “Talking with Chris Hardwick” AMC pulled him off the air and canceled his appearances at San Diego Comic Con where he was set to host panel discussions with the stars of the Walking Dead franchise.

It was prompted by a blog post by his ex-girlfriend who, without naming him specifically, described an ex-boyfriend who is emotionally and physically abusive to her. She claimed that after their breakup he threatened and/or actually did try to ruin her career by blacklisting her and discouraging other people from hiring her. Given the hypersensitivity and zero-tolerance state of the #MeToo era we are living in he was guilty until proven innocent. I mentioned that she did not identify him by name but she described the ex-boyfriend as a media icon who started out with a famous online podcast and is now a comedian and talkshow host. And it was public knowledge that they had been a couple so it was obviously him.

Hardwick released a statement saying that it was a nasty breakup but denied any abuse allegations. AMC eventually said that Yvette Nicole Brown who is a frequent celebrity fan guest on the “Talking Dead” show would replace him at comic con and on the TV shows on an interim basis. She made it clear in tweets that she considered it “just filling in for a friend”. When it was announced that Hardwick was suspended I publicly speculated that Brown would be the only logical choice for a replacement. NBC commented that new episodes of “The Wall” would not start taping until September and they were taking a wait and see attitude.

Many genre TV shows have attempted to produce after-shows similar to “Talking Dead” including “Orphan Black”, “Game of Thrones”, and “Sons of Anarchy” but none have been successful because they’ve not been near the quality of those hosted by Hardwick. He is a credible super fan, he has a sensitive yet probing style of interview, his experience doing nerd-based stand-up comedy shines through in his approach to the interviews. There is lots of fan involvement with questions submitted via social media and a weekly question from a member of the studio audience. All of the above combines to make his shows a fun entertaining ride for fans of the series.

I was seriously bummed out that he was off the air because I’m a great fan of his. While there’s no excuse for the kind of abuse that women have suffered at the hands of media people and while I completely support the #MeToo movement, these cases need to be taken on a case-by-case basis. We live in a country founded on the principle of innocent until proven guilty. The current atmosphere makes it much too easy for a disgruntled person to completely destroy someone’s career over a mere accusation. Even if Hardwick is guilty of bad behavior, there are degrees of these things. There was no hint of multiple allegations and there were no details that suggested the kinds of extreme behavior alleged of people like Weinstein, Cosby, and Spacey. I really don’t believe everyone who’s experienced a bad relationship deserves to have their career destroyed.

Fortunately after an investigation by an outside firm, AMC has agreed to reinstate Hardwick as has NBC. Yvette Nicole Brown substituted for him at Comic Con. She also hosted a special edition of “Talking Dead” last week that was a preview of season nine of “The Walking Dead”. She announced that Hardwick would return next week to “Talking Dead” after the mid season premiere of “Fear The Walking Dead”. NBC also announced that he would return to “The Wall”. Last week he was also guest judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”. I never saw any news references about that episode or what NBC might’ve done had he not been reinstated. There is no way they could edit him out of the episode especially since the guest judge always gets the opportunity to hit the Golden Buzzer to advance one act to the next round. I suppose had the investigation revealed that the situation was serious, they would’ve had to run the show with some sort of disclaimer saying that it was taped before the allegations were made public.

We’ve seen some extremely high profile actors such as Johnny Depp continue with their career beyond serious allegations about their abusive behavior. I wondered if they’ve gotten more of a free pass because it didn’t reach the level of the big three (Weinstein, Cosby, and Spacey) and they had sufficient economic incentives to turn a bit of a blind eye to the allegations. While Hardwick is a very hot property right now, he doesn’t have the star power Johnny Depp.

I’m relieved to see that someone who is not a megastar like Depp can continue with their career despite previous mistakes. Don’t get me wrong… People need to be held accountable for their bad behavior. But we have a court of law and due process procedures to deal with these kinds situations. My hope is that once the backlog of unreported abuse two things will happen. First women will be empowered to seek legal remedies to the things that have happened to them with more confidence that their claims will receive serious consideration. And second, I hope that anyone who does behave badly is treated like a case-by-case basis and that any consequences of their behavior is proportional to the offenses.

Soapbox mode off…

I’m trying to catch up with my entertainment news.  This blog entry covers June 1 through the present. We’ve been so far behind that I haven’t bothered to include any of my usual links to spoilers from TV journalists Michael Ausiello or Matt’s Inside Line. The “spoilers” that they referenced had already happened however I think we’re getting close enough there’s some useful information in those links so we will start including them as I come across them.

In these links read about…

Article about special-effects on Game of Thrones.

Postmortem interview with actors from Westworld about the end of season 2 and a post credits scene.

Postmortem interview with producers of Handmaid’s Tale about the season finale and going forward.

Spoilers from Matt’s Inside Line dated July 26.

A behind-the-scenes look at auditions for Jeopardy.

What would’ve happened in season five of “The Last Man on Earth”.

Executives at CBS All Access discuss more Star Trek series, Twilight Zone reboot, Stephen King and other topics.

Spoilers from Michael Ausiello dated August 7.

Interview with ABC executive about the decision to cancel “Roseanne” and to go on with the spinoff series “The Connors”.

Not linked but still of interest…

We begin with 2 major deaths.

RIP famous sci-fi author Harlan Ellison who wrote the award-winning Star Trek episode “City on the Edge of Forever”, the film “A Boy and His Dog” and who edited and compiled the famous anthology series “Dangerous Visions”. Often quite outspoken and divisive among fans who either adored or hated him. He successfully sued several films for ripping off themes from his stories including Terminator which James Cameron admitted was an inspiration. He never wanted money in these lawsuits. He just insisted on being given credit for his ideas. He was 94.

RIP comic book artist Stephen Ditko who along with Stan Lee created Spider-Man, Dr. Strange and others. Age 90.

Jamie Lee Curtis is set to return in a new film of the long-running “Halloween” franchise.

The “Game of Thrones” prequel coming to HBO soon is set “thousands of years in the past” compared to the current series. Production starts in October.

John Lassiter cofounder of Pixar Animation is leaving as Disney Animation chief after allegations of workplace misbehavior.

Ryan Gosling will star as Neil Armstrong in an upcoming film titled “First Man”

RIP actress Eunice Gayson who was his first “James Bond girl” appearing in “Dr. No” and “From Russia with Love”. Age 90.

Actor Jeremy Renner suffered a broken arm during the filming of the film “Tag” about a bunch of grown men who still play tag with one another. He has recovered and is looking forward to appearing in Avengers 4.

RIP opera singer Neil Boyd who was the winner of season 3 of “America’s Got Talent”. He was 42 and had multiple medical problems.

Ewan McGregor will play grown-up Danny Torrence from “The Shining” in a new film titled “Doctor Sleep”.

Actor Hartley Sawyer has been promoted to series regular on CW network’s “The Flash”. His stretchy character Ralph Dibney has already been a relatively major character the past season.

Liza Minnelli disapproves of the upcoming biopic about her mother Judy Garland which will star Renée Zellweger

Jeremy Jordan who plays techno geek Winn Schott on Supergirl has been demoted from series regular to recurring character. It was his decision to step back from the role full-time.

Jason Ritter whose “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” was canceled will be back on TV playing a superhero in Netflix’s family drama “Raising Dion”.

AMC theater chain has started a $20 per month subscription program to compete with MoviePass. Unlike MoviePass, it is good for premium showings such as IMAX and 3D but of course is limited to AMC theaters. Meanwhile MoviePass crashed on the opening day of the new Mission Impossible film causing its stock to plummet. At first they said they will no longer support big blockbuster films such as this and that price would go up from $10 per month to $15 per month. Now they say they are keeping me $10 per month but limiting use to three movies per month.

RIP graphic designer Richard Alan Greenberg who designed the title sequences of Alien, Superman, the matrix and others. Age 71.

When I heard that the AMC series “The Terror” had been renewed for a second season I couldn’t understand because the story at basically wrapped up. However similar to American Horror Story the new season will have a completely different setting and topic. This time much of it takes place in a World War II Japanese internment camp. So basically it’s a totally different show.

NBC has confirmed that there will be a two hour wrapup movie for its canceled time travel series “Timeless”. They say it was fan pressure that got the deal done.

Russell Crowe will play Fox News chief Roger Ailes in an upcoming Showtime series

RIP reality TV star Richard “Old Man” Harrison of Pawn Stars. Age 77

RIP actress Deanna Lund who appeared in the late 60s sci-fi series “Land of the Giants”. She was 81.

The Grammy awards is expanding the number of nominees in its major categories from 5 to 8.

RIP Joe Jackson father of Michael Jackson and his siblings and longtime manager of The Jackson Five. Age 89.

Actress Eileen Davidson is leaving the soap opera “The Young and the Restless” in her role as Ashley Abbott after 36 years.

RIP character actor Stanley Anderson who played the judge in the final episode of Seinfeld and played a general in Spider-Man. He was 87.

Showtime has ordered 10 episodes of a new series tentatively titled “Halo” based on the videogame.

RIP former MSNBC host Ed Schultz. Age 64 natural causes.

RIP actor Tab Hunter. He was a teen heartthrob in 1950s movies not later came out as gay and became an activist. Age 86

Release of the new Indiana Jones 5 film starring Harrison Ford has been pushed back to 2021.

Rapper Drake broke the Beatles record for having five simultaneous singles in the top 10 of the Billboard ranking by owning seven of the top 10 for one week. He also broke his own record for having 27 songs in the top 100 including all 25 from his recent album “Scorpion”. He also set an online record for 1 billion streams.

RIP Nancy Sinatra first wife of Frank Sinatra and mother of his children. Age 101.

The Walking Dead season 9 will have its first deaf character played by deaf actress Lauren Ridloff.

Nickelodeon has ordered 22 episodes of the 90s cartoon Rugrats. There will also be a new Rugrats movie.

Supergirl will have TVs first transgendered superhero played by trans activist Nicole Maines.

Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton and Colin Powell will guest star on the season premiere of Madam Secretary.

Production will begin this fall on a new Deadwood movie at HBO. Will premiere in the spring of 2019.

Veep is going back into production for its seventh and final season to premiere in spring of 2019 after delay for Julia Louis Dreyfus cancer recovery.

One of my favorite new documentary series “One Strange Rock” has been renewed for season 2 on National Geographic Channel. Check it out on demand.

YouTube has removed InfoWars videos and suspends live broadcasts from controversial Alt-Right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. He has also been suspended from posting videos and Facebook for 30 days. And also Spotify has removed many of his podcasts from their service. And also Apple has pulled his podcasts from iTunes.

Game show Beat Shazam pulled the episode featuring singer Demi Lovato after she was admitted to the hospital for an apparent drug overdose. She has canceled the remainder of her tour.

Headline “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theaters no longer really useful”. But seriously folks… He is renaming his theater division “Really Useful Theaters” to just “LW Theaters” to distinguish between that and his other production company which handles his creative output which is called “Really Useful Group”. So I guess he’s still useful after all… Just not his theaters 🙂

Original MythBuster Adam Savage will host a new show featuring experimenting kids titled MythBusters Junior.

RIP William Loud the father of the first reality TV family on the PBS series “An American Family” in the early 70s.

Carrie Fisher will appear in Star Wars episode 9 by using unused footage from the previous two installments. Her family approves. Filming of living actors began in late July.

Fear The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul have both been renewed for seasons 5 by AMC.

The first season of Marvel’s Runaways which originally was released on Hulu is now going to air on Freeform channel. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy a teenage theme show such as this but it was really quite good. Highly recommended.

Octavia Spencer will play Madam CJ Walker in an upcoming Netflix miniseries.

Netflix hit “Stranger Things” season 3 is being delayed until summer of 2019. Producers and writers say they want to take the time to get it right and maintain the quality they’ve been delivering.

CBS president Les Moonves is the latest high-profile executive to be accused of sexual misconduct.

A prequel of the TV series “24”will tell the origin story of agent Jack Bauer. It’s under development at Fox.

Alan Alda has revealed that he has had Parkinson’s disease for three years.

Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat will produce a TV series “The Time Traveler’s Wife” for HBO based on the movie of the same name.

2001: A Space Odyssey is being re-released in IMAX in late August and will appear at the Indianapolis White River IMAX in the 70 mm film IMAX format the first week of September for a limited run. I’ve already got plans to see it. I’ve only seen it in a theater one time and that was in the small 2 screen cinema that used to be in Speedway shopping center. Really looking forward to seeing it and near Cinerama format and a decent sound system.

Former Star Trek Cmdr. Data Brent Spiner will guest star as the vice president in the next season reassuring role on Supergirl.

Skydance and Paramount are going to reboot Terminator with a mostly female cast.

Warner Bros. TV is in the early stages of rebooting the 80s and the sitcom ALF.

Steve Coogan and John C Riley play Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy is upcoming movie “Stan & Ollie”

Comedian Chris Rock will star in season 4 of Fargo as a crime boss in 1950s Missouri

FX has ordered a miniseries titled Shogun

American Horror Story has been renewed for season 10 ahead of its upcoming season 9 premiere.

Patrick Stewart is returning to Star Trek as Jean-Luc Picard for a new series being developed for CBS All Access

RIP James Bonner who featured on the TLC series “My 600 Lb. Life” found dead of a shotgun wound. Age 30.

RIP actress Charlotte Rae who played house mother Mrs. Garrett on “The Facts of Life”. She was 92. Meanwhile there are plans to reboot series in progress.

Robert Redford plans to retire from acting after his upcoming film “The Old Man & The Gun” but he says “never say never”.

Showtime announces that “Shameless” season 9 will have 14 episodes (up from the usual 10) but will be split into 2 groups of seven and winter blocks.

Showtime has announced that Homeland will end with season 8.

The final season of Netflix series House of Cards will premiere November 2

FX has acquired the cable broadcast rights to Mission Impossible: Fallout, Deadpool 2, A Quiet Place and other big films.

Ruby Rose who has appeared in “Orange is the New Black” has been cast as Batwoman in a crossover episode CW networks superheroe Arrowverse. She may end up getting her own standalone series.

The upcoming season of American Horror Story: Apocalypse will include lots of people from previous seasons among them AHS veterans Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, Frances Conroy and Stevie Nicks.

If you missed James Cordon’s “Carpool Karaoke” segment a few months ago where he visited London and toured Liverpool with Paul McCartney there is still time to catch it. There’s going to be a prime time one hour special with never before seen segments to air on CBS August 20 at 8 PM. The original segment on his show was phenomenal. It included a surprise concert in a local Liverpool pub that was enough to bring tears to the eyes of any Beatles fan. Highly recommended and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do in the one hour special.

TNT will have a new sci-fi drama “Snowpiercer” based on the 2013 movie about survivors in a frozen post-apocalyptic world who ride around on a super train.

Recently the home used for exterior shots of “The Brady Bunch” went up for sale at auction. It was purchased by cable channel HGTV. The starting bids began at $1.9 million but the actual selling price has not been disclosed. They outbid former *NSYNC member Lance Bass who was hoping to acquire the home. HGTV plans to restore it to its former 1970s glory. On the original show the interiors were shot on a soundstage so the inside of the house probably resembles nothing like what we saw on TV.

The producers of “This Is Us” say that the new season will be more “hopeful” now that they’ve put the Jack’s death story behind them. However it will flash back to his days in Vietnam so how hopeful could that be? Time to stock up on tissue before the September 25 premiere.

There will be a new Oscar category starting with the 2019 ceremony that will be for “Popular Film” so that films like Star Wars, superhero movies, and other blockbuster films will have a chance at recognition even if they aren’t rigidly worthy of the critical acclaim of the typical best picture. The move is being met with mixed reaction. Some are praising it while others say they are selling out and diminishing the value of an Academy award.

Former Friend David Schwimmer will have a recurring role in the upcoming season of Will & Grace as a love interest for Grace.

We previously reported the death of former Lois Lane in the Superman movies Margot Kidder. The corner has now ruled her death a suicide.

And we did it! I’m now all caught up!

As I mentioned in my previous blog, we haven’t done one of these in over six months so much of it is not really “news”. We already covered my comments about what shows got renewed and canceled. So this is just miscellaneous news, tidbits, links of a different nature. Because I’m so far behind, this particular installment covers January through May. I will post another blog soon to get caught up from June through the present.

Here is a link to a chart showing the new fall schedule. We will probably do a separate blog to talk about some of the new shows before they air and we will endeavor to write reviews of most if not all of the new shows once they do air.

Fall TV Schedule 2018: What’s on When? And Versus What?

In the links below read…

Stan Lee has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against his former company Pow! Entertainment.

Postmortem interview with stars of “Once Upon A Time” about the series finale.

Postmortem interview with producers of “Once Upon A Time” about series finale.

Postmortem interview with producers of “Agents of SHIELD” about season finale and exiting characters.

Postmortem interview with producers of “Madam Secretary” about season finale.

Postmortem interview with producer of “Blue Bloods” about season finale.

Article about new pilot series that did not get picked up. You always hear about what got canceled, what got renewed, but not about what didn’t make it in the first place. Here are a few.

Postmortem interview with producer of “Lucifer” about the season finale.

Interview with producer of “This Is Us” about season 3 and long-term plans for the show. Even though the series is likely to run for years he reveals they’ve already shot the series finale scene.

Postmortem interview with Chris Carter X-Files about the season finale.

Postmortem interview with producers of “The Good Doctor” about the season finale.

Not linked but also of interest…

Freeform has ordered a spinoff series of “Pretty Little Liars” to be called “The Perfectionists” and will run for 10 episodes. Created by the same people who make “Black-ish”.

Cast members of Game of Thrones are speculating that multiple endings to the series are being shot because they don’t trust the actors to keep quiet. It’s more likely they just haven’t decided which ending playwright best.

Kevin Bacon will star in a new crime drama “City on a Hill” for Showtime set in 1990s Boston produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

Jordan Peele is going to reduce a new series for Amazon Studios titled “The Hunt” said in 1977 about a group of Nazi hunters living in New York City. 10 episodes have been ordered.

MTV has suspended production of its series “Catfish” because of sexual abuse allegations against its harvest.

Jennifer Aniston will play POTUS and Tig Notaro will play her partner as the first lesbian couple to occupy the White House in a film click called “First Ladies” for Netflix.

We previously reported are Agents of SHIELD had been renewed for season 6. We now know that it will be just 13 episodes and will not premiere until summer 2019. Executives insist this has nothing to do with the timing of the Marvel Cinematic Universe release of Avengers 4 in May. They also say that just because it’s a short season doesn’t mean it’s the end of the series. They seem to like they have a strong fan base and think that summer run will actually help keep the series going.

Pauley Perrette implied in a series of tweets that she left NCIS as a result of “multiple physical assaults” but she refuses to “spill the beans”. Nobody knows what that means.

ABC executives said that the cancellation of “Designated Survivor” was not only because of poor ratings but concerns on what creative direction the show would be going in the future. They had three different show runners into seasons so the show underwent a lot of turmoil behind the scenes.

Epix cable network has ordered a 10 episode series titled “Pennyworth” about Alfred Pennyworth famous butler to Bruce Wayne. It will explore his origins as a former SAS soldier who opened a security business with Bruce Wayne’s father Thomas Wayne in 1960s London. Although produced by Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller, it is not set in the same “universe” as Gotham and will not have Sean Pertwee who currently plays Alfred on Gotham. He is obviously too old to play the part.

RIP actress Patricia Morrison complained in the original Broadway production “Kiss Me Kate” opposite Yul Brynner. She was 103 years old.

NBC is the winner of the average rating for the season helped a bit by the Super Bowl and Olympics although if you filter out live news and sports events for all networks NBC still comes out on top.

CBS will have a new drama for 2018/19 titled “The Red Line” staring Noel Wyle. It’s about a white Chicago cop who mistakenly suits and kills a black doctor. Wyle plays the husband of the doctor.

NBC announced there will be “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” this coming winter. It will feature fan favorites from the American version plus other acts from “Got Talent” editions around the world.

RIP actress Margot Kidder known for playing Lois Lane opposite Christopher Reeve in the Superman movies in the 70s/80s. She was 69.

Connie Britton will not be returning to “9 -1-1” next season. Jennifer Love Hewitt will join the cast as a new character.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus River receives the “Mark Twain Prize” for American humor at the Kennedy Center in October.

HBO is developing a series based on the “Watchmen” graphic novels.

NBC’s next live musical will be “Hair” to be performed and broadcast live in front of a live audience. Scheduled for spring 2019.

Andrew Lincoln will appear in only six or so episodes of season 9 of The Walking Dead before leaving the series for good. No word on if he will be killed but surely so.

Sesame Street is suing the producers of a raunchy R-rated Melissa McCarthy film “The Happytime Murders” in which she plays a detective who teams up with a puppet to solve puppet murders. They lost when a judge refused to grant an injunction against the film.

Helena Bonham Carter has joined the cast of the Netflix series “The Crown”. She will play Princess Margaret in season 3.

TBS has announced that the Conan O’Brien show will be shortened to a half-hour and will feature fewer celebrity guests.

RIP actor Robert Mandan who played Chester Tate on the classic ABC sitcom “Soap”. He was 86.

Kathy Bates is returning to American Horror Story this season and we are very happy.

RIP Frank Avruch the original Bozo the Clown dead at 89

Anson Mount will play Capt. Pike in season 2 Star Trek Discovery. He was recently in “Hell on Wheels” and “Marvel’s Inhumans”.

Game of Thrones recently spent 55 days shooting one battle scene on three locations for season 8.

RIP actor Harry Anderson from “Night Court” died at age 65. No cause of death was released.

RIP actor Verne Troyer who played “Mini-Me” in the Austin Powers movies. He was 49.

Battlestar Galactica alum Katee Sackhoff is to star in a Netflix sci-fi drama “Another Life” about an astronaut on a mission alien intelligence. We can’t wait.

RIP TV chef Anthony Bourdain suicide at age 61.

RIP season 3 winner of America’s Got Talent Neil Boyd who was an opera statement. Died at age 42 part failure, kidney failure, and liver disease.

This month’s Chris Young’s “Sure Sign of the Coming Apocalypse Award” goes to a new animated film featuring the Spice Girls that is in production.

RIP producer writer Stephen Bosco who created NYPD Blue and Hill Street Blues. Age 74

RIP director Milos Forman who directed “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. Age 86

RIP actor R. Lee Ermey who famously played the drill sergeant in “Full Metal Jacket” age 74. Probably one of my favorite character actor performances of all time. I can watch that scene over and over again.

Steven Spielberg is set to direct DC comics film “Blackhawk”.

RIP composer and musician Bob Dorough who created “Schoolhouse Rock”. Age 94

Brad Pitt and Leonard DiCaprio are set to star in Quentin Tarantino’s new film “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” based on a Charles Manson murders.

Allison Mack who played Chloe on Smallville has been arrested and charged in a sex trafficking case. It sounds like a tabloid headline but apparently it’s true.

The Simpsons has surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest-running scripted TV series in history. Meet The Press is the longest-running TV series of any kind.

RIP Larry Harvey founder of the Burning Man Festival age 70

RIP director Michael Anderson who directed “Logan’s Run” and “Around the World in 80 Days” age 98

Jurassic World 3 is scheduled for June 2021 release. Let me guess dinosaurs get loose and a bunch of people. I should be a screenwriter 🙂

RIP actor David Ogden Stiers known for playing Maj. Winchester on M*A*S*H. Age 75

Renée Zellweger will play Judy Garland in an upcoming biopic titled “Judy”.

RIP actor Jerry van Dyke brother of Dick van Dyke. Age 86

Rock icon Eric Clapton reports he is slowly going deaf.

Neil Diamond has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is retiring from touring

Thursday Night Football is moving from CBS to Fox this year with a five year deal from the NFL.

Stan Lee files suit against former company

Once Upon a Time’s Lana Parrilla, Co-Stars React to Regina’s Fate in Series Finale: ‘It Is What She Deserves’

Once Upon a Time Bosses Break Down Series Finale’s ‘Epic’ Reunion, Pilot Callback and Other Favorite Moments

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. EPs Talk About Season Finale’s Emotional Exits

Madam Secretary Finale: EPs Break Down Elizabeth’s Monumental Decision

Blue Bloods Boss Breaks Down Finale Twist, Family Dinner’s Surprise Guest

DOA Pilots: What Didn’t Get Picked Up?

Lucifer Boss Talks Series (?) Finale’s Big Reveal, the Scene that Broke His Heart, Plan for ‘Bonus’ Episodes

The end of ‘This Is Us’ is already in the works

The X-Files Finale: Chris Carter Talks Scully’s Secret, That Polarizing Twist and a Gillian Anderson-less Season 12

Good Doctor Finale: EP David Shore Breaks Down Glassman’s Surprising Fate, Shaun’s Big Blunder and More

ABC

CBS

Fox

NBC

The CW network:

AMC

BBC America

Cartoon Network

Comedy Central:

EPIX

Freeform

FX network

FXX Network:

HBO:

History Channel

Paramount Network:

Showtime

Starz

Syfy Channel

TNT

USA Network

Amazon Prime

CBS All Access

Disney streaming service not yet officially named

Hulu

Netflix

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

‘Black Mirror’ Creator Charlie Brooker On Season 4, Comedy, Jodie Foster & Potential Animated Spin-Off

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on The Originals, Gotham, Roseanne, NCIS, Grey’s, S.H.I.E.L.D., Timeless and More

‘Mr. Robot’ Season 3 Finale Shocker: Sam Esmail On Tonight’s Revelation, Surprise Guest & What’s Next In Season 4

Rian Johnson & Ram Bergman Talk ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Deleted Scenes And Finding Light In The Dark Of Episode VIII

How Ridley Scott, Dan Friedkin, Runner-Up Christopher Plummer & $10M Reshoot Ransomed Getty Kidnap Pic Back From Kevin Spacey Scandal Death Sentence

Kit Harington On The End Of ‘Game Of Thrones,’ ‘Gunpowder’ & What’s Next

Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on X-Files, Lucifer, The Originals, Once, Blindspot, Chi Med, MacGyver, Crazy Ex and More

Continuing to try to get caught up on entertainment news we now move on to stories posted in November 2016.

In the links below see:

Spoilers from Michael Ausiello dated November 3

Spoilers from Inside Line dated November 14

Spoilers from Michael Ausiello dated November 17

Not in the links below are the following items of interest:

The Twilight Zone will get a reboot at streaming service CBS All Access

RIP actor Brad Bufanda who had a recurring role on Veronica Mars. Committed suicide by jumping off a building at age 34.

After the Kevin Spacey scandals Netflix has announced House of Cards will continue for one more season with Spacey written out of the show.

Showtime has renewed Shameless four season 9

Jack and Audrey back together again! Kim Raver will guest star in a multi-episode arc on Designated Survivor

Rian Johnson who wrote and directed The Last Jedi will write and direct a new Star Wars trilogy separate from the Skywalker series.

RIP famous gossip columnist Liz Smith age 94

Wonder Woman 2 is scheduled to release in November 2019

Among some of the lesser-known figures to have been fired in the wake of sexual harassment allegations are the executive producer of Arrow and the DC comics editor in charge of Superman.

The Handmaid’s Tale season 2 will appear on Hulu in April

“You’re the Worst” has been renewed for a fifth and final season on FXX

Former Castle star Stana Katic will starting a new Amazon streaming thriller titled “Absentia” about an FBI agent who returns home after vanishing several years ago.

Dharma goes zombie hunting! Jenna Elfman known for playing Dharma on “Dharma and Greg” will join season 4 of “Fear of the Walking Dead”

Production on “Veep” final season 7 has been postponed while Julia Louis Dreyfus undergoes treatment for breast cancer

The sequel to Fantastic Beasts will be titled “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” scheduled for release November 2018

NBC Olympics will live stream 1800 hrs. of coverage of the Winter Olympics in February

TV Land has canceled Lopez starring George Lopez

Netflix as ordered my new series titled Messiah about a present-day return of Jesus

Netflix will release season 4 of Grace and Frankie on January 19

CMT has announced Nashville will end after season 6

RIP rockstar Malcolm Young guitars and cofounder of AC/DC

RIP country singer and actor Mel Tillis age 85.

RIP actor Earl Hyman who played Cliff Huxtable’s father on The Cosby Show age 91

Amazon streaming will release all 10 episodes of anthology series “Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams” on January 12

RIP jazz icon and actress Della Reese at age 86

Syfy channel announced season 3 of The Magicians will premiere January 10

NBC has renewed offbeat comedy The Good Place for season 3. I initially liked it but I think it’s getting old.

RIP singer and actor David Cassidy known for playing Keith Partridge in the Partridge family age 67

Seth Meyers will host the 2018 Golden Globe awards on January 7

Mystery Science Theater 3000 has been renewed for season 2 on Netflix

RIP actor Rance Howard, father of director Ron Howard he was 89

Lennie James a.k.a. Morgan Jones will cross over from The Walking Dead to Fear The Walking Dead

Meghan Markle will be leaving Suits to marry Prince Harry

CBS series “Wisdom of the Crowd” will end after just 13 episodes. Series star Jeremy for event is facing sexual misconduct allegations. But the show probably would not have lasted anyway. It wasn’t that good.

CBS sitcoms “Man with the Plan” and “Superior Donuts” have picked up full season orders

This month’s Chris Young “Sure sign of the coming apocalypse award” notice to MTV for relighting another installment of Jersey Shore.

CBS as expanded its order for the next season of Elementary from 13 to 21 episodes.

Showtime has renewed SMILF for season 2

Michael Greene and Brad Fuller will no longer be showing for “American Gods” season 2 on Starz

Netflix has renewed “Mindhunter” for season 2

RIP actor Jim Nabors who was Gomer Pyle on TV age 87

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on New Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, Big Little Lies, Flash, Walking Dead, Will & Grace and More

Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on Timeless, Lucifer, New Girl, Arrow, #OneChicago, Supergirl, Grey’s, The Flash and More

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Good Doctor, Roseanne, Chicago Fire, Supernatural, Walking Dead, The Flash and More