Today’s Finale
CW: Penn & Teller: Fool Us at 9p

IN THE NEWS

Comedian John Mulaney (“Kid Gorgeous”) has joined NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” as a staff writer. “I hope he stays for 100 years, but I will settle for ‘as long as John wants,’” tweeted Late Night showrunner Mike Shoemaker.

TikTok isn’t winding down yet in the US. While Chinese parent ByteDance faced a November 12 deadline from the Trump administration that would have prohibited companies from offering the app, the US government granted TikTok an extension until November 27 to get US national security officials to approve its proposed deal with Oracle and Walmart.

Netflix is not renewing “The Order” for season three. “It was one of the best experiences of my career,” tweeted series creator and executive producer Dennis Heaton. “Unfortunately we will not be returning, but I will always cherish the memories and the props I stole.” The streamer is going ahead with Steve Carell’s “Space Force,” for season two.

“The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Reunion” special has a debut date: Thursday, November 19 on HBO Max. The show includes a candid conversation between series star Will Smith and Janet Hubert, the sitcom’s first Aunt Viv, who has in the past been vocal about her displeasure with Smith and the show for replacing her with Daphne Maxwell Reid after season three.

Meanwhile, HBO Max’s “Friends” reunion special, postponed due to COVID-19, is now scheduled to film at the beginning of March, according to cast member Matthew Perry. “It looks like wed have a busy year coming up,” he tweeted.

Cynopsis’ Measurement & Data Virtual Conference is tomorrow and going global, with hundreds of industry execs from 14 countries for the premier media experience! Get up-to-speed on the most critical measurement, data and cross-marketing analytics trends & topics. Plus, some of our sponsors are giving away serious prizes like an Apple Watch, Nespresso, and more. Head on over to the website to register: https://www.cynopsis.com/events/measurement-data-conference-2020

The CW is developing a reimagining of Jane Austen novels. Anthology series “Modern Austen” comes from writer Eleanor Burgess (“Perry Mason”), Homegrown Pitctures and Warner Bros. Television.

A drama centered on a group of teens hoping to get closure after the death of a friend, then discover it might not have been an accident, is in development at NBC. The project comes from writing duo April Maguire and Will Honley, CryptTV CEO Jack Davis and his father, Davis Entertainment’s John Davis. The studio is Universal Television.

TBS is developing a series based on YouTube series “Hiking with Kevin,” hosted and created by SNL vet Kevin Nealon. Executive producing the television adaptation alongside Nealon are co-creator Danny Zuker, Marc Gurvitz, George Heller, and Seth Jacobs via Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

CASTING

Hasan Minhaj (“Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj”) has joined the season two cast of Apple TV+ drama “The Morning Show”…Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”) will voice Prince Charles and Prince Philip in HBO Max animated series “The Prince”…Niecy Nash (“Claws”) nabbed a co-starring role in ABC limited series “Women of the Movement”…Alex Landi (“Grey’s Anatomy”) will recur in the CW’s “Walker”…Also landing a recurring role is Jonathan Silverman (“No Good Nick”), on season four of NBC’s “Good Girls.”

It’s ok to be judgy. At least it is when it comes to this year’s judging panel for the upcoming Cynopsis Best of the Best Awards – we’re looking to the Cynopsis commmuity to help identify the year’s most outstanding work. The entry deadline is Thursday, then we’ll get started ranking submissions that have been exceptional. If interested in joining the panel, please fill out this brief application and we will notify you if you are selected.

HBO period drama “The Gilded Age” cast a number of roles, with a sprinking of Broadway vets: Audra McDonald (“The Good Fight”) as a special guest star, Kelli O’Hara (“Hello, Dolly!”), Donna Murphy (“Power”), Michael Cerveris (“Mindhunter”), Debra Monk (“Cat On a Hot Tin Roof”), KatieFinneran (“Why Women Kill”), Celia Kennan-Bolger (“To Kill a Mockingbird”), Kristine Nielsen (“Gary’s”) and John Douglas Thompson (“King Lear”)… Added to the cast of the fourth and final season of Netflix’s “Ozark” as season regulars are Alfonso Herrera (“The Exorcist”) and Adam Rothenberg (“Ripper Street”). Felix Solis (“Charmed”) and Damian Young (“Homeland”) have been promoted to series regulars.

ADVERTISING

The Advertising Research Foundation released a guide that examines solutions measuring lift and ROI from 27 companies, allowing marketers to compare features – by types of channels measured, what data sources are used, and outcome metrics, among others – across companies. The group has announced plans to integrate the Marketing Science Institute, a non-profit member organization, into its organization. Pending ratification by MSI member companies, the integration will become effective January 1. The Marketing Science Institute will become a division of the ARF, but maintain an advisory Board of Trustees. The Board will continue to guide MSI’s agenda of events and research priorities, with budgetary oversight by the ARF.

Black-owned beauty brand Mielle Organics announced their partnership in support of authentic representation and self-empowerment during the holiday season with Netflix’s original live-action musical, “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.” The “Rooted in the Holidays” campaign will feature a special edition co-branded influencer box, five-part holiday video series, hair tutorials, watch party, and more. “The story of ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’ speaks to our company’s values of family and representation but allows many young boys and girls like my children to see themselves and their hair reflected on screen,” said Monique Rodriguez, Mielle Organics CEO. “It is also important for Black women, who often face race-based discrimination due to their hair texture, to see themselves represented in all their natural beauty.”

NEW & RETURNING SERIES

Season four of Netflix’s “Big Mouth” premieres Friday, December 4. Guest stars on the animated series will include Seth Rogen, Zach Galifianakis, Josie Totah, Lena Waithe, Quinta Brunson, John Oliver, Sterling K. Brown, Paul Giamatti, Maya Erskine, and Anna Konkle.

Sundance Now has acquired the exclusive US and Canadian rights to Australian drama series “TheCommons,” starring Joanne Froggatt (“Downton Abbey”). Weekly episodes begin Thursday, December 3.

Another Australian series, “Eden,” was picked up by Spectrum Originals. The eight-episode thriller, following the disappearance of a girl in a seemingly idyllic town, will air in 2021.

“The Mysterious Benedict Society,” based on the bestselling books by Trenton Lee Stewart, will be coming to Disney+ in 2021. The series, which was originally developed for Hulu, stars Tony Hale (“Veep,” “Arrested Development”) in the titular role.

“American Horror Story” spin-off “American Horror Stories” will include 16 one-hour standalone episodes, “delving into horror myths, legends and lore,” tweeted series creator Ryan Murphy. “ Many of these episodes will feature AHS stars you know and love.”

STREAMING

Peacock is launching a new “Saved by the Bell” channel today, November 16, with over 100 episodes from the 1989-93 NBC series and its spin-offs. The streamer’s reimagining of series debuts Wednesday, November 25.

COMING UP

“Dashing in December,” an LGBTQ+ holiday film produced by MTV Studios, premieres on Paramount Network with simulcasts on Logo, Pop and TV Land on Sunday, December 13 at 7. Juan Pablo Di Pace (“Mama Mia!”), Peter Porte (“The Young and the Restless”) and Andie MacDowell s(“Four Weddings and a Funeral”” tar in the movie, about a sophisticated NYC financier who returns home for the holidays to convince his mother to sell the family’s Winter Wonderland attraction.

The first round performers for the “Disney Holiday Singalong” include Andrea Bocelli, BTS, Michael Buble, Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert, Julianna Hough, Adam Lambert, Leslie Odom Jr., Katy Perry, P!NK and Kery Washington. Ryan Seacrest hosts the special airing Monday, November 30 at 9p on ABC.

ID has true crime lovers covered for Thanksgiving weekend. On Friday, November 27 at 9p is the premiere of two-hour special “Jessica Chambers: An ID Murder Mystery,” following the investigation into the brutal murder of a woman who whispered a potential suspect’s name before dying. On Saturday, November 28 at 9p comes “Who Killed the Lyons Sisters?”, exploring the 1975 disappearance of two sisters. And Sunday, November 29 at 9p brings the 300th episode of “On the Case with Paula Zahn,” tracking a disturbing missing person case.

GOING GLOBAL

FilmRise has acquired the worldwide rights to the children’s musical adventure, “Lilly’s Light: The Movie,” starring Sherry Hursey (“Home Improvement”) and co-stars Mindy Sterling (“Austin Powers”) and Fred Willard (“Best in Show”), among others. The film will also be released via Gathr at Home for a nationwide virtual theatrical release on Saturday, November 21 coinciding with UN International Children’s Day.

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Cynopsis Best of the Best Awards / Featuring the Rising Stars

Show us your entries for your Best of the Best in national TV programming, campaigns, initiatives, and more. We also want to honor Rising Stars on your team – stand-out performers, innovators and emerging leaders in the TV Media industry who are 35 years old or younger.

Enter by Thursday, November 19

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
What was Christopher Moltisanti’s relationship to Tony Soprano on “The Sopranos” (1999-2007)? Christopher was Tony’s cousin by marriage. Kudos to: John Ferlazzo/London, Robyn Simensky-Evergreen Trading/NYC, Luke Watson-Entertaining Concepts/NYC, Mark DiPippa-Norm Hill Entertainment/NYC, Tori Gallarello-Alcock-Little Roosters/Bronx, NY, Allyson Jaron Haas-Babiekins Magazine/LA, Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo, CA, Ryan Traynor-USC/LA, Richard Quan-Heat/San Francisco,

Today’s Trivia Question
What was Victoria’s occupation on Mike & Molly (2010-16)? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: a limit of four answers per time zone.)