20th television

Fox just announced Season 2 renewals for two freshman drama series, anthology Accused and missing person drama Alert: Missing Persons Unit , both from Sony Pictures TV and Fox Entertainment. They join previously renewed sophomore drama The Cleaning Lady as well as animated stalwarts The Simpsons, Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers . That leaves dramas 9-1-1 , 9-1-1: Lone Star , The Resident and Fantasy Island and comedies Animal Control , Call Me Kat and Welcome Flatch on the live-action side. Last year, the renewals for 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star and The Resident — all from Disney’s 20th Television — went down to the wire, only closing an hour or so before the network’s upfront presentation. I hear conversations have started on the 9-1-1 franchise. The flagship is Fox’s top-rated scripted series and most watched series overall. It is also the most expensive six seasons in, with a big-name stars, Oscar nominee Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, and … [Read more...] about Fox Renewal Status Report: ‘9-1-1’, ‘Lone Star’, ‘The Resident’, ‘Animal Control’, ‘Call Me Kat,’ ‘Flatch’ & More

France Télévisions boss Delphine Ernotte Cunci is looking to “debunk” and tackle major societal issues such as sexual violence via the public broadcaster’s shows. Addressing Series Mania , Ernotte Cunci said she wants to be “free of constraints” in order to make meaningful programing. She used sexual violence as an example, which she said France Télévisions will spotlight with dramas, documentaries and news. “I want to debunk [major societal issues] like sexual violence and keep tackling them,” she added, citing documentaries the network made about the #MeToo scandal several years ago. Ernotte Cunci, who is also chair of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), praised TV writers for having “a sixth sense” for these topics, which helps with France Télévisions’ dramatic content. She backed TV drama to help build “a common imagination.” “Sometimes as individuals we experience emotions and we don’t know how to analyze them,” she added. “Building a common imagination … [Read more...] about France Télévisions Boss Delphine Ernotte Cunci Talks Debunking Major Societal Issues & “Building A Common Imagination” – Series Mania

EXCLUSIVE: Canadian comedy Son of a Critch is establishing itself as a mainstay of CBC ’s schedule as it is greenlit for a third season before the second has finished airing. CBC said Season 2, which finishes next week, is the pubcaster’s most-watched English Canadian comedy series and most-watched show with 18-49 year olds. The series is produced by Schitt’s Creek’ s Andrew Barnsley and created by Mark Critch, who plays a fictionalized version of himself based on his award-winning memoir, with The Office scribe Tim McAuliffe. The show tells the story of 11-year-old Mark coming of age in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the ’80s, a boy much older inside than his 11 years – using comedy and self-deprecation to win friends and connect with the small collection of people in his limited world. Filming begins on Season 3 in Newfoundland this summer. “I’m honoured to have such talented people bringing my life story to the screen,” said Critch. “It’s a joy to start work … [Read more...] about ‘Son Of A Critch’ Renewed For Season 3 By CBC

EXCLUSIVE: Mary J. Blige is back at Lifetime to executive produce two new original movies inspired by her biggest hits — Mary J. Blige’s Real Love and Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman . The flicks will premiere on back-to-back Saturdays, beginning June 10 at 8 p.m. The movies are headlined by Ajiona Alexus ( Empire , 13 Reasons Why ) and Da’Vinchi ( BMF, All American ) with Princess Davis, Austin Anozie, Shiraine Haas and Garfield Wilson rounding out the casts. Blige serves as an executive producer on both original films through her own production banner, Blue Butterfly with Ashaunna K. Ayars and Q. Nicole Jackson as co-producers. Mary J. Blige’s Real Love follows 18-year-old Kendra (Alexus) as she sets off on her own for the first time at an HBCU in North Carolina. Attending on a scholarship, Kendra is determined to focus on school while balancing work study and keeping things professional with Ben (Da’Vinchi), her photo class partner. Despite … [Read more...] about Mary J. Blige Books Two More Lifetime Original Movies Inspired By Her Music

EXCLUSIVE: Television literary agent Christopher Licata has left CAA — and agenting. He has joined Los Angeles and London-based management and production company 42 ( The Silent Twins, The Flatshare ) as a manager. Based in 42’s Los Angeles office, Licata will continue to specialize in literary talent representation, working with creators and writers across television and film. Licata had been a TV agent at CAA since 2017. He will continue to represent a number of his clients in his new role of manager at 42, including showrunners Alena Smith, Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss, Jeffrey Paul King, and Ben Roy; New York Times bestselling author Mackenzi Lee; Australian TV creator and screenwriter Maria Lewis; and Mexican filmmaker and TV creator Carlos Rincones. “Chris is a whirlwind of ideas and creativity, and his exceptional clients have a partner and guide that is built for management,” said Josh Varney, 42 Managing Partner. “As we continue to build our domestic … [Read more...] about CAA TV Lit Agent Christopher Licata Joins 42 As Manager

Droughtlander is nearly over as Starz has set the premiere date for Outlander ‘s seventh season for Friday, June 16, at midnight ET via streaming and internationally on the Lionsgate+ premium streaming platform in the UK. For linear viewers, the show premieres on the same day, at 8 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S. New episodes will be released weekly Fridays. The extended 16-episode season will be split into two parts of eight episodes each, with the second half of the series inspired by Diana Gabaldon’s international bestsellers premiering in 2024. See the first-look photos above and below. Outlander was renewed for an eighth and final season in January, with the prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood , focusing on Jamie Fraser’s parents, also officially ordered to series. Returning favorites include Caitríona Balfe as Claire Fraser, Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, Sophie Skelton as Brianna MacKenzie, Richard Rankin as Roger MacKenzie, John Bell as Young Ian, David Berry … [Read more...] about ‘Outlander’ Sets Premiere Date For Two-Part Extended Season 7, Drops First-Look Photos

Fox is doubling down on a pair of freshman crime dramas. The network has renewed both Accused and Alert : Missing Persons Unit for second seasons. Both shows come from Sony Pictures Television. The renewal of Howard Gordon’s crime anthology series Accused was expected, given that it opened strong with a 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demo and 8.4M viewers on live+same day data and grew to more than 11.3M multi-platform viewers and a 2.3 rating in the demo in the three days after its premiere, making it broadcast’s highest-rated debut in nearly two years, since the premiere of NBC’s Law & Order: Organized Crime in April 2021. RELATED: We’ll Be Back: Photo Gallery Of TV Series Renewed In 2023 Alert was less of a guarantee but Michael Thorn, President, Scripted Programming at Fox, recently told Deadline that it was a  “solid performer” and was “encouraged” by its delayed viewing. The show, however, will have a new showrunner for season two with Carla … [Read more...] about ‘Accused’ & ‘Alert: Missing Persons Unit’ Renewed For Season 2 At Fox

EXCLUSIVE : Dan Taberski , the man behind podcasts including Missing Richard Simmons and 9/12 , has struck a multi-show deal with Audacy’s Pineapple Street Studios . The move will see Taberski create four new podcasts for the studio, which is behind many of his previous hits. It comes as the podcasting world begins to evolve with an increasing number of talent deals, ala the television and film world. Campside Media, the company behind the Chameleon franchise, struck a trio of first-look deals with Believe Her creator Justine van der Leun, Sam Mullins, who is behind Wild Boys and Dr. Dante , and Sean Flynn, the man behing The Bering , earlier this year. Taberski previously created Andrew WK-hosted series Destroy Build Destroy for Cartoon Network and was a producer on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart before moving into audio. He started working with Pineapple in 2017 on six-part series Missing Richard Simmons , which became a breakout hit with … [Read more...] about ‘Missing Richard Simmons’ Creator Dan Taberski Strikes Multi-Show Deal With Pineapple Street Studios, Plots Four New Podcasts

HBO is developing the new comedy series Disengagement from writer and executive producer Robin Thede ( A Black Lady Sketch Show ). The half-hour project comes after Thede who signed a three-year overall deal in May 2022 to develop projects for HBO , HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Television. Disengagement centers on the prestigious Cole family after a very public and embarrassing business implosion shattered their perfect Midwest image. And it was just an image, because, behind closed doors, even their dysfunction has dysfunction, proving family is the ultimate pyramid scheme. Thede will serve as writer and executive producer of the series; Meghan Cheek will produce through Thede’s production company, For Better or Words, Inc. Thede is a comedian, writer, actor, and producer. Five-time Emmy-nominee, Thede is the creator, showrunner, executive producer, writer, and star of HBO’s sketch comedy series, A Black Lady Sketch Show . A Black Lady Sketch Show is the … [Read more...] about Robin Thede Developing HBO Comedy Series ‘Disengagement’

“Hey Hollywood: Hire Disabled Writers, Not Just A Disability Consultant,” is the title of the Inevitable Foundation ’s latest initiative announced in an open letter to the entertainment industry on Thursday signed by notable writers, actors, and showrunners like Lauren Ridloff, Marlee Matlin, and Ramy Youssef, among many others. The initiative offers disabled creatives and the industry at large equitable and innovative solutions to work together toward building creative power for disabled artists. This includes free access to its Concierge service, a resource for creative executives, showrunners, and producers, which connects them with wonderful mid- and upper-level disabled writers for development and staffing. “The growing number of disability-inclusive film and television projects in the past few years might lead one to think that the largest minority group in America is finally seeing itself represented on-screen. But these on-screen gains have unfortunately not … [Read more...] about Lauren Ridloff, Marlee Matlin & Ramy Youssef Join Inevitable Foundation’s Call To Prioritize Hiring Of Disabled Writers