Amazon wants Lord of the Rings to be your new Game of Thrones (which was itself kinda sorta you new Lord of the Rings). While the deal is for multiple seasons and potential spinoffs, it cost $250 million in licensing fees — meaning, BEFORE PRODUCTION — so Amazon is really betting the bank here that this is going to be the next big thing. (Of course, Amazon also paid Woody Allen $80 million for a six-episode series that went absolutely nowhere, so they’re not exactly known for their frugality.)
The series is supposed to explore new storylines that take place before Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, but some wonder how much story could possibly be left to tell that hadn’t been covered by Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.
Here’s one idea:
Certainly not unrelated, Amazon is looking into an advertisement-supported version of Prime that would be free. Everything old is new again.
Sean Hannity would like you to stop smashing your Keurig’s, please.
RT has finally, FINALLY, registered as a foreign agent. I mean, everyone here knows that RT is just Russian propaganda, right? RIGHT?
This Will Never End
Stephen Amell is happy to come forward to speak about the sexual harassment allegations against his showrunner, Andrew Kreisberg, if anyone needs him to.
Tom Sizemore is a fucking creep.
Elizabeth Perkins has just publicly dragged James Woods.
Dave Becky is really sorry for defending his client Louis C.K.. It didn’t stop Pamela Adlon from firing his ass.
Lena Headey is my kind of girl:
“Narcissistic cock soup.”
Speaking of Jon Stewart, he’s doing his own reckoning.
The stink of Harvey Weinstein has spread to Kenneth Cole.
This is fascinating: Spy Magazine reported on James Toback and his grossness IN 1989.
Renewals
- Nickelodeon has renewed I Am Frankie for a second season.
- ABC has given the Roseanne reboot an extra episode.
In Development
- CBS is developing a comedy from the Tisdale sisters about a young woman who wants to learn more about her father’s Middle Eastern culture.
- NBC is developing Relief, a disaster relief drama from Maria Bello.
- Sundance has ordered This Close, a dramedy with Marlee Matlin and Cheryl Hines.
- The Hunt for the Zodiac Killer, a five-part docuseries is coming to History.
- VH1 has ordered Teyana & Iman.
- A&E Networks is working on the Law & Crime Network with Dan Abrams.
Casting News
- Meghan Markle and Patrick J. Adams are expected to leave Suits after this season, and I’m not saying that she’s leaving so that she can get engaged to Prince Harry but that is exactly what I am thinking very loudly.
- Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge are going to star in City on a Hill, the Matt Damon-Ben Affleck produced series on Showtime.
- Nathan Lane will guest star on The Blacklist.
WATCH THIS
American Horror Story: Cult: Season finale for this batshit insane season. 9 p.m., FX
Future Man: Josh Hutcherson stars in his sci-fi time traveling comedy from Seth Rogen that looks promising. Series premiere. Hulu
Law & Order True Crime: The second trial gets underway in the season (series?) finale. 9 p.m., NBC
The Mindy Project: Will Danny and Mindy finally be together? Series finale. Hulu
Late Night: Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Michael Strahan, Jenna & Barbara Bush, Tove Lo Late Night with Seth Meyers: Whoopi Goldberg, Susie Essman, Christian Siriano, Michel’le Baptiste The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Tyler Perry, Anthony Atamanuik, John Avlon The Late Late Show with James Corden: Emmy Rossum, January Jones Jimmy Kimmel Live: Owen Wilson, Sarah Gadon, Gucci Mane featuring Migos The Daily Show: 2 Chainz The Opposition with Jordan Klepper: Jeff Ross Watch What Happens Live: Will Ferrell, John Lithgow
| TUES. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | The Middle (new) |
Fresh Off the Boat (new) |
black-ish (new) |
The Mayor (new) |
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (new) |
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Bull (new) |
NCIS: New Orleans (new) |
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DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (new) |
Local |
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The Mick (new) |
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (new) |
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Law & Order True Crime (new) |