PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
“WandaVision” exec producer Jac Schaeffer inked a three-year overall exclusive TV deal with Marvel Studios and 20th Television. Schaeffer will develop television projects for both Marvel Studios/Disney+ and 20th Television on all platforms through the deal, the first of its kind for all parties.
Top artisans will produce unique creations in the newly greenlighted discovery+ series “Meet Your Makers Showdown.” Hosted by actress/recording artist Chrissy Metz with a judges panel led by Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes, the series reveals each contestant’s creative process as they compete to be crowned top maker.
HBO Max is developing an animated series based on “The Garbage Pail Kids” trading cards franchise. From co-creators and writers Danny McBride, David Gordon Green and Josh Bycel, the series is inspired by the Topps Co.’s brand and will be exec-produced by Tornante TV’s Noel Bright and Steven A. Cohen alongside Rough House’s Brandon James (“The Righteous Gemstones”).
Also at HBO Max, Chris Noth will reprise his role of Mr. Big in the streamer’s “Sex and the City” reboot “And Just Like That…”. The project reunites Noth with Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis… HBO Max will also be the US streaming home to “Evil Dead Rising,” the “Evil Dead” sequel that’s bubbling up 40 years after the franchise debuted.
Renewals: Netflix gave second-season order to drama series “Firefly Lane,” starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke… Food Network picked up a sophomore season of “Chef Boot Camp.” Led by culinary director Chef Cliff Crooks, eight new eps will feature struggling restaurant chefs in challenges to step up their game.
NEW & RETURNING SERIES
“Fresh, Fried & Crispy,” featuring Daym Drops, aka the grandfather of food reviews on YouTube, hits Netflix on Friday, June 9. Drops travels the country to find the best unknown fried dishes from the streets, restaurants and home kitchens.
“Flack” season 2 drops on Amazon Prime Friday, June 11. Equal parts drama and comedy, the series is set in the high-stakes PR world.
Thursday, June 17, date dramedy “Genera+ion” returns to HBO Max. Both dark and playful, the series follows a diverse group of high school students whose exploration of modern sexuality tests deeply entrenched beliefs.
The mysterious life of Ghislaine Maxwell and her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein are center stage in new investigative doc series “Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell,” debuting on Peacock on Thursday, June 24. Produced by Blue Ant Studios, the three-part series includes dozens of candid interviews, and previously unseen tapes of the Maxwell family.
Anthology series “Innocent” returns to Sundance Now on Thursday, June 24. The four-part drama follows a teacher determined to prove her innocence after being accused of having a sexual relationship with one of her 16-year-old students.
The Drag Race franchise is holding strong at MTV Entertainment Group. “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” sashays to Paramount+ on Thursday, June 24, followed by the Thursday, December 2 premiere of “Queen of the Universe.” Inspired by international singing competitions, the latter brings together drag queens from around the world to compete for global singing domination.
“Put a Ring On It” returns to OWN Friday, June 25 at 9p. The unscripted relationship series follows three couples as they navigate their way to the altar with the help of relationship coach Dr. Nicole LaBeach.
IMDb TV dropped a trailer for “Leverage: Redemption,” the new iteration of the series that debuts Friday, July 9. In this run, having watched the rich and powerful continue to take what they want without consequence, the Leverage crew regroups in an attempt to rise up.
The world of live music photography is the focus of “Icon: Music Through The Lens,” a six-part series from PBS, in partnership with FilmRise and Universal Music Group’s Mercury Studios. Six-part series premiering Friday, July 16 features interviews with Jill Furmanovsky, Mick Rock, Danny Clinch and others.
Amazon set Friday, August 13 for the season 2 premiere of romantic anthology “Modern Love.” Inspired by The New York Times column of the same name, the series returns with eight new eps and adds Tobias Menzies (“The Crown”) and Sophie Okonedo (“Ratched”) in the cast.
COMING UP
Connie Britton, Courteney Cox, Susan Kelechi Watson and Mandy Moore are joining NBC’s special episode of “The Wall” today, May 27, at 8p in support of Red Nose Day, Comic Relief US’s annual campaign to help end child poverty.
Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry will continue the conversation about mental health. Following their Apple+ docuseries “The Me You Can’t See,” which launched May 21, the two will present a town hall-style conversation special. Also set to air on the streamer, “The Me You Can’t See: A Path Forward” will debut Friday, May 28 and reunite the pair with those who appeared in the series.
Memorial Day marks BBQ season, and The Weather Channel is celebrating with “The Great Green Cookout,” airing Saturday, May 29 from 8a-1p. Sponsored by Big Green Egg, the special features eco-friendly, climate-conscious cookout concepts, from menu to sustainable outdoor décor to recycling.
Gayle King will anchor“Tulsa 1921: An American Tragedy,” a one-hour CBS News primetime special marking the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre. Airing Monday, May 31 at 10p, the special also will air on Smithsonian Channel and BET on Tuesday, June 1 at 10p and 11p, respectively.
Facebook Watch will premiere “Pride On! Kehlani & Larray’s Excellent Pride Ride,” June 4 at 9a. Featuring R&B artist Kehlani and digital creator Larray traveling around LA in a tricked-out double-decker bus, the special explores how people are celebrating Pride Month this year.
Showtime set the announce team for the boxing showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul. Sportscaster Brian Custer, comedic duo Desus Nice and The Kid Mero and Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein are among those who’ll provide commentary for the event, airing Sunday, June 6 at 8p.
Breland + Mickey Guyton, Chris Young + Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett joined the list of performers for the “CMT Music Awards,” airing Wednesday, June 9 at 8p on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network and TV Land.
Paramount Pictures’ film “Infinite” will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ on Thursday, June 10. Starring Mark Wahlberg, the sci-fi feature delves into the concept of reincarnation through spectacular visuals and nuanced characters who must use memories and skills from past lives to ensure the future.
“Shock Docs: The Devil Made Me Do It,” which chronicles the first time in US history the existence of demonic forces was used as a defense at trial, debuts on discovery+ on Friday, June 11. The documentary revisits the case of a Connecticut man charged with a brutal murder, who claimed the devil made him do it after inhabiting his body during an exorcism.
FETV is feting wedding season with “Down the Aisle at Last,” a promo running Sunday, June 13 from 4-10p that will feature memorable weddings from “I Dream of Jeannie,” “One Day At A Time,” “Perry Mason,” “Bewitched” and more.
“Bob Ballard: An Explorer’s Life” drops on Nat Geo on Monday, June 14 at 10p. A companion to Ballard’s recently published memoir of the same name, the special is a first-hand account of National Geographic’s Explorer at Large’s triumphs, challenges and tragedies.
KIDS NEWS
Nickelodeon is cranking up the volume Monday, June 7, at 9a with “The BeatBuds, Let’s Jam!”. Based on the music duo and co-produced by Scooter Braun’s SB Projects, the new short-form series follows the musical adventures of best friends Jonny and Matty, aka the BeatBuds, and features an original song in each episode.
Imira Entertainment is launching animated preschool series “Zoonicorn,” featuring the Zooniverse of creatures that are a magical mix of zebra and unicorn, and inhabit the dreams of young animals.
STREAMING
MyBundle.TV, which makes tools to connect viewers with broadband providers and streaming services, launched a suite of personalized interactive streaming guides. Called “Profiles,” the guides aim to help consumers navigate the increasingly complex landscape of streamers.
Andy Cohen is adding another hyphen to his entertainment empire. Andy Cohen’s Kiki Lounge, an exclusive new music channel on SiriusXM, launches this week with a curated mix of music reflecting Cohen’s musical palette from Madonna to John Mayer. Listerners can also expect a rotation of guests including Kelly Ripa; Anderson Cooper; Tito, Marlon and Jackie Jackson; and Henry Winkler.
ABC News is launching LGBTQ+ issue-focused podcast “Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson” on June 1. The ABC News/ESPN journalist and columnist will speak with well-known members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies; inaugural ep features Steven Canals, co-creator and co-executive producer of the FX series, “Pose.”
Crypt TV thriller series “Mordeo” is being developed as a podcast. Crypt TV is teaming with Blumhouse Television and iHeartMedia on a 10-part scripted series.
Crowdsourced sports betting platform Betspertsacquired Fantasy Life App, a platform that provides news, updates and advice for bettors and fantasy players. The new entity will be renamed Betsperts Media and Technology Group.
TECH TALK
Like it or not: Instagram, and soon sister Facebook, will give users the option of hiding public like counts on their posts. Users also will be able to choose whether or not they want to see likes on other people’s posts.
CASTING
Omari Hardwick, John Ortiz and Molly Parker are onboard for Netflix sci-fi feature “The Mothership”… Also at the streamer, Netflix set the cast for “The Sandman.” Patton Oswalt, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Jenna Coleman, Niamh Walsh, Joely Richardson, David Thewlis, Kyo Ra, Stephen Fry, Razane Jammal and Sandra James Young are in for the series based on the DC comic book series… Michiel Huisman (“The Flight Attendant”) will star alongside Luke Evans in Apple’s “Echo 3.”
The season 18 finale of “NCIS” will be the last for longtime star Emily Wickersham, who broke the news via Instagram… More cast announcements for HBO’s LA Lakers drama series: Rory Cochrane (“White Boy Rick”), Danny Burstein (“Evil”), Austin Aaron (“13 Reasons Why”), Ta’Nika Gibson (“Iron Fist”), Edwin Hodge (“Mayans MC”), Terence Davis (“Twenties”) and Ja’Quan Cole (“Wu Tang: An American Saga”) are onboard.
Parker Posey will topline alongside Colin Firth, Toni Collette, Juliette Binoche and Rosemarie DeWitt in HBO Max limited series “The Staircase”… Christine Ko (“Dave”), Malcolm Barrett (“Genius: Aretha”), Sally Pressman (“Good Girls”), Cedric Joe (“Women of the Movement”) and Riki Lindhome (“Another Period”) are among 17 cast in Disney+’s supernatural anthology series “Just Beyond.”
ADVERTISING
A+E Networks and The History Channel are collaborating for a third year with Rocket Mortgage on a campaign that spotlights Rocket’s partnership with Built For Zero, an organization that aims to alleviate homelessness among veterans, that features History-produced vignettes.
GOING GLOBAL
HBO Max will be available in 39 territories in Latin America and the Caribbean beginning June 29 via two subscription plans.
International streaming service Fox News International is expanding into Asia. Starting today (May 27), the platform adds distribution in Japan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Maldives, bringing its reach to 37 countries.
Cartoon Network is launching comedy “Dabangg–The Animated Series” in India. Starting Monday, May 31, the series featuring the popular Bollywood character will be available in the country daily at noon.
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