There is a lot of hilarious TV trial news today:
The ACLU has filed an amicus brief in the lawsuit that squirrel-obsessed coal baron has filed against John Oliver, and the section headings are hysterical:
- Anyone Can Legally Say, “Eat Shit, Bob!”
- Plaintiff’s Motion for a Restraining Order is Ridiculous. Courts Can’t Tell Media Companies How to Report, Bob.
- All of John Oliver’s Speech Was Protected by the First Amendment. You Can’t Sue People for Being Mean to You, Bob.
- Plaintiff’s Requested Injunction Is Clearly Unconstitutional. You Can’t Get a Court Order Telling the Press How to Cover Stories, Bob.
A case against some Boston Teamsters accused of terrorizing the cast and crew of Top Chef is underway and it appears to be chock full of all kinds of racism and sexism.
Sadly, the greatest TV-related lawsuit of our time has been settled and we will never really know the truth about the smelliness of Joanna Krupa’s vagina. And thanks to this story, the search terms that will lead people to FoolishWatcher will really be something.
CBS held its Television Critics Association panel yesterday, and, just, woof:
The critics had a lot of questions about CBS’ lack of female-led series, the lack of diversity on their shows in general, especially in light of that whole Hawaii Five-0 mess, and the fact that their casting department is comprised ENTIRELY OF WHITE MEN which, you know, might be the problem right there. They were met with a collective shrug. “Hey, we know about it, doesn’t that count for something?” the executives basically said.
Kevin Can Wait is killing off its female lead — you know, the wife and mother on the show — so they can bring Leah Remini onto the show, but don’t worry, they are going to do it “tastefully.” I have many, many questions.
Don’t worry, Wisdom of the Crowd, the series that suggests that crowd-sourcing vigilantes is a good way to solve crimes will address “possible pitfalls” of such a system. O RLY, LIKE WHAT? And don’t worry, real issues will also be handled on the show, like its annoying smart phone noise.
Might there be an actual end to The Big Bang Theory?
The 12th Doctor is going to confront the 1st Doctor’s sexism in the Christmas special.
Ricky Whittles teases American Gods season two AND YES I KNOW I AM SHAMEFULLY BEHIND ON THOSE RECAPS BUT WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE, GAME OF THRONES OR AMERICAN GODS? THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT.
ABC is going to air a two-hour special for the solar eclipse on August 21, which is good news for those of us who will not have a great view of it.
Here is a guide to all of the Princess Diana specials headed your direction.
Today in Nicole Kidman states the obvious.
The Mooch is having a rough week.
Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly thinking about hiring Bill Shine, which considering his sexual harassment history, seems about right.
In Development
- In response to the whole Confederate controversy over at HBO, Amazon has revealed the premise of an alternative history project they bought back in February: Black America. “It envisions an alternate history where newly freed African-Americans have secured the Southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama post-Reconstruction as reparations for slavery, and with that land, the freedom to shape their own destiny. The sovereign nation they formed, New Colonia, has had a tumultuous and sometimes violent relationship with its looming “Big Neighbor,” both ally and foe, the United States. The past 150 years have been witness to military incursions, assassinations, regime change, coups, etc. Today, after two decades of peace with the U.S. and unprecedented growth, an ascendant New Colonia joins the ranks of major industrialized nations on the world stage as America slides into rapid decline. Inexorably tied together, the fate of two nations, indivisible, hangs in the balance.” Your move, HBO.
- CBS All Access has added a No Activity, a comedy from Will Ferrell; Strange Angel; and $1. The description of Strange Angel: “The drama explores the intersection between genius and madness, science and science fiction, and follows the life of Jack Parsons in 1940s Los Angeles as by day he helps birth the discipline of American rocketry and by night is a performer of sex magick rituals and a disciple to occultist Aleister Crowley.” Wait, what?
- Netflix is expanding their anime slate with 12 new series.
- Neil Strauss’ book, The Truth: An Uncomfortable Book About Relationships, is being turned into a series somehow.
Cancellations
Casting News
- Emma Roberts will be in American Horror Story this season.
- Allison Williams will guest star in Patrick Melrose, Showtime’s Benedict Cumberbatch drama.
- A.P. Bio is replacing Vanessa Bayer with Veep alum Jean Villepique.
- Audra McDonald is joining the cast of The Good Fight.
- Joey Lawrence will have a guest role on Hawaii Five-0.
- Shaun Toub (Homeland) and Jay Hernandez (Suicide Squad) are going to recur on Scandal.
- Emma Booth is joining the cast of Once Upon a Time.
- Jess Macallan (Mistresses) is going to recur in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
- Hayley Tju (Bella and the Bulldogs), Adam Hochstetter (The Kicks), Lilla Crawford (Into the Woods), Bentley Green (Fat Camp), Zach Timson and Kirrille Berger have all joined The Who Was? on Netflix.
WATCH THIS
The Real Housewives of New York: The ladies are still in Mexico, still getting drunk. 8 p.m., Bravo
The Sinner: Jessica Biel stars as a housewife who stabs a stranger to death in this new miniseries. Series premiere. 9 p.m., USA
The Lowe Files: Rob Lowe and his sons investigate the paranormal in the most improbable new reality series. Series premiere. 9 p.m., A&E
Trailer Park Shark: You read that right. 7 p.m., Syfy
Late Night: Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Halle Berry, Michael Che, George Ezra Late Night with Seth Meyers: Rob Lowe, Brad Paisley The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Dave Chappelle, James Van Der Beek, Joe Walsh The Late Late Show with James Corden: Kate Beckinsale, Adam Scott, Poppy Jimmy Kimmel Live: David Alan Grier, R.Lum.R The Daily Show: Rep. Joe Kennedy III Watch What Happens Live: Bethenny Frankel, Jeff Lewis
| WEDS. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | The Goldbergs (repeat) |
Speechless (repeat) |
Modern Family (repeat) |
American Housewife (repeat) |
Modern Family (repeat) |
The Goldbergs (repeat) |
| CBS | Big Brother (new) |
Salvation (new) |
Salvation (new) |
| CW | Arrow (repeat) |
Supernatural (repeat) |
Local |
| FOX | MasterChef (new) |
The F Word (live) |
News/Local |
| NBC | America’s Got Talent (repeat) |
The Carmichael Show (new) |
The Carmichael Show (repeat) |
Law & Order: SVU (repeat) |