A Huffington Post reporter headed over to Texas A&M and found what he thinks might be the original pilot script for Game of Thrones — the one used to film the original pilot, 90% of which was scrapped because it was, and I quote, a “piece of shit.” So what are the big differences between the original script and what was finally given to us?
- The White Walkers talk (but it’s in a different language, and there are no closed captions)
- Daenerys and Drogo’s first sexual encounter was consensual
- Jamie and Cersei’s was not
- Cersei burns the feather that Robert left in the Stark crypt for Lyanna
- Catelyn wanted Sansa to marry Joffrey and become queen
- Joffrey was an asshole from the get-go
- Jon Snow gets plastered at the feast held in Robert’s honor
Unfortunately, the entire script was not uploaded online, so it’s hard to say why this version was such a monumental disaster according to all sources. But, fortunately for those of you who live in Houston, College Station is just down the road, so if you’re curious …
HBO was at the TCAs last Friday. Here’s what we’ve learned:
The only thing that HBO will say about the Game of Thrones finale is that “the guys have done a brilliant job of ending the show in a dramatically satisfying and emotionally satisfying way … fans are going to be really really happy with how it all wraps up.” OH, WE WILL SEE. They are also still being tight-lipped about when a trailer will debut, but I’m sticking with my guess of February 24, ahead of the True Detective season finale.
The head of HBO wants to temper your Game of Thrones expectations while also teasing you with more Game of Thrones. Basically, they aren’t shutting the door on the possibility of more spinoffs, but they aren’t promising them, either.
The folks at Veep promise the series’ ending is “the right ending for America,”< which considering how stupid our country has become could either be construed as a promise or a threat, as in we get what we deserve: President Jonah. The creators also joked about doing spinoff series a la Game of Thrones, but no lie: would watch.
Big Little Lies will not have a third season. Of course, that is what they said about season two until the first season turned out to be a huge hit, so.
Confederate has been delayed because of Star Wars, not because of the huge controversy about it, don’t be silly.
Chernobyl is going to be five hours long and is described as “a horror movie, it will be a war movie, it will be a political thriller and a courtroom drama.” Fun fact: the writer and executive producer was Ted Cruz’s roommate in college and HE HAAAAAAAAATES HIM.
HBO is happy with True Detective‘s third season so far, but they aren’t rushing into season four. Good choice.
It’s unclear if season six will be Silicon Valley‘s last (but I’m guessing prolly).
Room 104, Crashing and High Maintenance haven’t been renewed officially, but it sounds like it’s just a matter of time.
Joss Whedon’s HBO sci-fi project, The Nevers, is just now getting started with writing, so it’s going to be a while before that happens.
And this wasn’t from the TCAs, but Young Man in Black probably won’t be a part of Westworld season 3.
AMC (and sister companies BBC America, IFC, Sundance, and Shudder) was also at the TCAs this weekend:
Well, OK, this wasn’t broken at the TCAs but UGH, IT’S OFFICIAL: DANAI GURIRA IS LEAVING THE WALKING DEAD.
I mean, we all knew this was coming. Gurira is a badass movie star and clearly doesn’t have time running around on a zombie show that is well past its prime. But it still hurts as Michonne is one of the best — if not THE best — character on the show. ~sigh~
Interestingly, according to The Hollywood Reporter story: “Under her new deal, Gurira will return in a limited capacity — described as only a handful of episodes — that will be interspersed throughout season 10. The actress, playwright and social activist will then likely segue to the three Walking Dead movies that AMC is planning with former leading man Andrew Lincoln.” So maybe Michonne and Rick will get their happy ending after all.
Also not from the TCAs, but Chandler Riggs’ dad seems like … a lot.
The creators of NOS4A2 explain how Pinocchio inspired the upcoming horror series. The creators also insist that the title is not confusing even though the main monster isn’t technically a vampire vampire. OK.
The second season of The Terror will be called The Terror: Infamy.
Here are some pictures from the upcoming season of Luther.
You can watch Documentary Now!‘s Wild Wild Country spoof right now:
In other TV news:
Grey’s Anatomy will become the longest-running medical drama in television history on February 28.
The Big Bang Theory‘s series finale will be a two-parter that will air on the same night.
Bob Costas lost hosting the Super Bowl because he kept speaking truth about the violence of football and the traumatic brain injury is causes. Which, of course, begs the question that if he does believe that (true thing), why he would want to be associated with the sport in any way.
LUANN: GO TO YOUR AA MEETINGS, GIRL.
This is just a very nice list of some of the most important moments in Sesame Street history.
#MeToo
H’oh boy, a second woman has come forward accusing Virginia Lieutenant Governor of raping her, this time in college. He again claims that this was a consensual encounter. Considering how similar her story is to Dr. Tyson’s and that she told people at the time this had happened to her, things aren’t looking great for Fairfax, and I believe strongly he should resign.
Meanwhile, blackface Governor Northam, this goddamned dummy, he went on CBS This Morning where — to Gayle King’s face — he referred to slaves as “indentured servants.” SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN THE SOUTH SHOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SLAVES AND INDENTURED SERVANTS, DAMMIT. WHAT IS HAPPENING WHY ARE ALL OF THEIR BRAINS SO BROKEN? But it seems the allegations against Fairfax — a black man — might be the thing that saves the Governor who is an idiot about race. The irony, it is as thick as shoe polish.
Speaking of blackface and dumb decisions, I’m sure you’ve heard about the Gucci sweater, but have you seen the Katy Perry’s shoe? It’s being pulled. Good lord.
A.J. Calloway has been suspended at Extra! over sexual assault allegations.
Les Moonves, this asshole is trying to come back with something called Moon Rise, a company offering “ventures that are focused on ‘“entertainment services,’ ‘film and television production’ and “’streaming services and distribution.’” Alyssa Milano, for one, is ready to shut this shit down.
Terry Crews has come forward claiming that AMI also targeted him with false stories about prostitutes.
Michelle Rodriguez is sorry for that stupid thing she said about Liam Neeson and kissing.
Michael Jackson’s family might be gearing up for a legal battle over Leaving Neverland. Or maybe they’re just trying to get the fans worked up in a lather, since a dead person can’t be libeled.
Monica Potter is the most recent person to claim Harvey Weinstein derailed her career after she rejected his advances multiple times.
Ted Sarandos claims that The Crown compensation controversy made Netflix adjust talent salaries across the board. Good. I hope so. I also hope that the salaries for non-talent are equal, too.
Gale Anne Hurd, a producer on The Walking Dead, and past victim of gender discrimination herself, supports a new gender-based rebate program that proposes that production, post-production and facilities firms offer a 10% rebate to projects that can demonstrate a gender balance.
I’m not sure that this exactly fits into this category but my blog, I do what I want: Apparently, Chris Pratt has joined Hillsong Church and is going around being preachy on talk shows, but fun fact: Hillsong is openly anti-LGBTQ. Ellen Page is NOT HAVING IT. Go on with your bad self, Ellen Page.
This is a hilarious story about a man on the Twitter who tried to mansplain to women and gynecologists and a news organization the difference between “vagina” and “vulva” — incorrectly — and then tried to mansplain mansplaining, and then tried to claim he wasn’t being rude, and what I’m saying is that it’s quite the ride. PLEASE ENJOY.
Renewals
- Project Blue Book has been renewed for a second season at History.
- Yellowstone Live has been renewed at Nat Geo.
- Howie Mandel’s Animals Doing Things has been renewed at Nat Geo WILD.
- Chesapeake Shores has been renewed for a fourth season and a spinoff movie on Hallmark.
Cancellations
- Into the Badlands and The Son will end after their upcoming seasons. Dates below.
- Counterpart has been canceled at Starz.
In Development
- A MacGruber series starring Will Forte and Kristen Wiig is being shopped around, y’all.
- United We Fall, a multi-cultural family comedy and an untitled legal drama from 50 Cent’s production company have been given pilot orders at ABC.
- ABC is working on a black-ish spinoff series about Bow’s childhood.
- The Right Stuff has been ordered by Nat Geo.
- Genius: Aretha Fraklin has been greenlit by Nat Geo.
- Running Wild with Bear Grylls is moving to Nat Geo.
- Last Sons of America is being developed at Netflix. Peter Dinklage will star.
- Belgravia, a six-part series from Julian Fellows, is being developed by ITV and Epix.
- Slow Burn has been ordered by Epix.
- Perfect Planet has been ordered by BBC.
- America, Planet of the Whales and Photo Arc have been ordered by National Geographic.
- Planet Earth III and Frozen Planet II have been greenlit at BBC.
- Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal has been greenlit at Lifetime.
- “Countdown to Summer” is a thing that will happen at Hallmark.
- The Christmas Company is coming to Hallmark.
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered will be given a new installment at Hallmark.
- 61st Street‘s writer’s room has been opened by AMC.
- The reboots of The 4400, The L.A. Complex and Good Christian Bitches have not been ordered to pilot by The CW, but have been rolled over to the next development season.
- Blake Shelton has signed a deal with Crown Media Family Networks.
Casting News
- Chad Michael Murray will recur on Riverdale.
- Olivia Spencer will guest star on black-ish.
- Keisha Castle-Hughes will co-star in FBI: Most Wanted, the FBI spinoff pilot at CBS.
- Malin Ackerman and Mykelti Williamson will co-star in Prism a murder drama pilot on NBC.
- Josh Duhamel, Leslie Bibb, Ben Daniels, Andrew Horton, Elena Kampouris, Matt Lanter will star in Netflix’s Jupiter’s Legacy.
- John Heffernan and Dolly Wells will star in Netflix and BBC’s Dracula.
- Stephen Merchant, Sheridan Smith & Jaime Winstone are going to star in the BBC and Britbox crime drama, The Barking Murders.
Mark Your Calendar
There were a TON of date announcements thanks to the TCAs, so buckle in, this might take a while:
- Knightfall will return on History on March 25.
- Veep will return on HBO for its final season on March 31.
- The Deadwood movie will debut this spring on HBO.
- Into the Badlands will return on AMC on March 24.
- Big Little Lies will return on HBO sometime in June.
- A Discovery of Witches will debut on AMC and BBC America on April 7.
- Westworld will return on HBO in 2020.
- Empire and Star will return on Fox on March 13.
- Luther returns on BBC America on June 2.
- Keeping Up with the Kardashians returns on E! on March 31.
- The Son will return on AMC on April 27.
- Warrior will debut on Cinemax on April 5.
- Brockmire returns on IFC on April 3.
- Naked and Afraid will return on Discovery on March 3.
- Los Espookys will premiere on HBO sometime in June.
- The Name of the Rose will debut on Sundance on May 1.
- Chernobyl will debut on HBO sometime in May.
- The Hot Zone will premiere on National Geographic on May 27.
- Top Gear returns on BBC America on April 25.
- My Father’s Daughter will debut on Lifetime on February 9.
- The Go-Gos will premiere on Showtime later this fall.
- Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo will debut on Sundance on February 27.
- Jett will debut on Cinemax in June.
- Free Solo will debut on National Geographic on March 3.
- Good Witch returns on Hallmark Channel on May 5.
- When Hope Calls will return on Hallmark Channel sometime in August.
- Animal ER Live will debut on Nat Geo WILD on March 30.
- Unspeakable will debut on Sundance on April 4 and 5.
- Period. End of Sentence. will debut on Netflix on February 12.
- World’s Cutest will debut on Nat Geo WILD in June.
- Red Zone Dogs will debut on Nat Geo WILD in July.
- Out There with Jack Randall will debut on Nat Geo WILD in July.
- Cursed Films will debut on Shudder later this year.
- Activate will debut on National Geographic this fall.
- Hallmark announced the premiere dates of “Signature Mysteries,” if you’re interested.
HBO also announced a whole bunch of documentary dates:
- Leaving Neverland will air on HBO on March 3 and 4.
- What’s My Name | Muhammed Ali will debut on HBO on May 14.
- The Case Against Adnan Syed, a four-part documentary, will air on HBO on March 10.
- Running with Beto will premiere on HBO sometime this spring.
- It’s a Hard Truth, Ain’t It will debut on HBO on February 25.
- The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley will debut on HBO on March 18.
- One Nation Under Stress will debut on HBO on March 25.
- Ice on Fire will debut on HBO in April.
- At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal will debut on HBO in April.
- Foster will debut on HBO in May.
R.I.P.
Ron Miller, Former Disney CEO and Walt Disney’s son-in-law
Carmen Argenziano, Actor from Stargate SG-1, House, CSI: NY, among many, many others.
Cadet, Up-and-coming British rapper
WATCH THIS
Manifest: Michaela meets James Griffin. I’m sure I would know what that means if I were caught up which I most definitely am not. 9 p.m., NBC
The Bachelor: Oh, Onyeka and Nicole are FOR SURE going home in the opening minutes of this episode. 7 p.m., ABC
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood: A documentary about a former Marine who became an escort and pimp for gay stars in Hollywood. SCANDALICIOUS. 8 p.m., Starz
Studio 54: You might want to watch this if you were at Studio 54 back in the day because you FOR SURE don’t remember what happened. 9 p.m., A&E
Late Night:
- Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Adam Sandler, Stephen Merchant, Metro Boomin featuring Gunna
- Late Night with Seth Meyers: Debra Messing, Henry Louis Gates Jr., the Prom
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: John Oliver, BLACKPINK
- The Late Late Show with James Corden: Kelsey Grammer, Jay Baruchel, Alessia Cara
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Steve Harvey, Adam Devine, Leon Bridges
- The Daily Show: Phoebe Robinson
- Busy Tonight: Daniel Radcliffe
- Conan: Nikki Glaser
- Watch What Happens Live: Best of Vanderpump Rules
| MON. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | The Bachelor (new) |
The Good Doctor (repeat) |
| CBS | The Neighborhood (new) |
Man with a Plan (new) |
Celebrity Big Brother (new) |
Bull (new) |
| CW | Arrow (new) |
Black Lightning (new) |
Local |
| FOX | The Resident (new) |
The Passage (new) |
News/Local |
| NBC | America’s Got Talent: The Champions (new) |
Manifest (new) |