Let me begin this week by saying that I’m not going to write about this weekend’s horrific mass shootings that left at the time of this writing some 32 people dead and many more injured … at least not here, not now. I am furious, I am scared, I am frustrated and despondent, I spent the weekend rage-tweeting at my Congressman, the dreadful Dan Crenshaw and my Senators, John Cornyn and Ted Blobfish Cruz, demanding to know WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS BESIDES OFFER THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
But it doesn’t make sense to do a post about gun violence, racism, white nationalism, toxic masculinity, the monster who is currently occupying the White House and the GOP lickspittles who do nothing to stop him, and tack it onto a post that is mostly about Showtime’s upcoming fall season and what the Supernatural boys have to say about a possible spinoff. The victims and their survivors deserve more respect than that, and I hope that I find the words to make that happen. But I’m not sure that I am up to it right now. So instead, let’s talk about TV, and put all the horrors of the real world aside for a moment.
Showtime was at the TCAs this weekend:
(I write that we should put the horrors of the real world aside for the moment and then I start with this. But let’s get it out of the way, yes?) The political reality series, The Circus, held its panel on Friday — one day before the shootings — and the show’s hosts were blunt about the danger the President presents to the country. I’m just going to quote a bunch of this because it’s so prescient. They knew this was coming, they just didn’t know it would be less than 24 hours after they said this:
“As tense, angry and emotionally raw as 2016 was, this campaign is going to be more,” The Circus’ John Heilemann warned the TCA today. “I think this is a very dangerous time,” the Game Change co-author added of today’s deeply divided America.
“The President is going to run a racist political campaign,” Heilemann bluntly declared as co-hosts Mark McKinnon and Alex Wagner joined the Recount founder on-stage Friday at the Beverly Hilton.
“We’ve never seen anything like that,” the veteran political journalist stated in a week that has seen Democrats debate the ex-Celebrity Apprentice’s constant call to America’s worst nature and Will Hurd, the only African-American GOP member of the House of Representatives disclosing that he is not running for re-election.
“People who sounded alarmist in the past, don’t sound alarmist any more,” Wu-Tang Clan t-shirt wearing Heilemann concluded in what was an analysis heavy panel. “The stakes are very high, it is going to be a very hot campaign.”
“This election is turning into one about a racial divide,” long time GOP campaign strategist McKinnon chimed in, “Donald Trump has made that clear.” CBS News contributor Wagner noted Trump’s Oval Office vile “shithole countries” remarks of last year and asserted that a race-baiting election tactic “raises serious questions about the future of the Republican party…it’s come to a crisis point.”
ALRIGHT. NO MORE TRUMP IN THIS POST, PROMISE.
The return of The L Word was in part inspired by the election of Donald Trump because that fucker touches every part of our lives now. “Chaiken and Beals said the election of Donald Trump definitely served as a catalyst to their efforts to reinvent the show. As the election returns rolled in, Beals said, ‘I was texting with Ilene: “We have to do something. We don’t know what it is exactly, (but) we can see the tsunami coming.”‘”
Homeland was originally scheduled to premiere this year, but because of its “ambitious” production schedule, with multiple locations — some of which have not been released for security reasons — it’s been pushed back until next year. As for what the season will be about:
“The final season finds Carrie Mathison (Danes) recovering from months of brutal confinement in a Russian gulag. Her body is healing, but her memory remains fractured – which is a problem for Saul (Patinkin), now National Security Advisor to the newly ascendant President Warner (Beau Bridges). The top priority of Warner’s young administration is an end to the “forever war” in Afghanistan, and Saul has been dispatched to engage the Taliban in peace negotiations. But Kabul teems with warlords and mercenaries, zealots and spies – and Saul needs the relationships and expertise that only his protégé can provide. Against medical advice, Saul asks Carrie to walk with him into the lion’s den – one last time.”
Jim Carrey insists that Kidding’s stories will be “lighter” and more hopeful which is good since I couldn’t finish the first season, it was so goddamned bleak.
The Chi is going to kill off Jason Mitchell’s character after the actor was fired from the show over sexual misconduct allegations. Wait, should I have said spoiler alert before that? OH WELL.
The upcoming Halo series intends to stay true to the game’s canon, but with more drama. Also, Master Chief’s helmet will come off because Pablo Schreiber.
They haven’t renewed Our Cartoon President yet, but they probably will. Let’s hope there won’t be a need for more than four seasons.
Shameless is still going strong into season 10, despite the departure of Emmy Rossum, and William H. Macy’s recent … troubles.
Season 10 of Shameless picks up six months after last season’s finale: Frank, played by Macy, who has had a slew of Emmy noms for the role, uses his leg injury to collect as many prescription drugs as possible and his exploits lead him to an old friend. Debbie (Emma Kenney), emboldened by the $50,000 left to her by Fiona, has stepped in as the new matriarch, ruling over the Gallagher household with an iron fist. Lip (Jeremy Allen White) navigates his relationship with a newly affectionate Tami (Kate Miner). Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) has to decide what to do with his life as he finishes military school and heads back to the South side. Liam (Christian Isaiah) is committed to learning more about black history and culture under the tutelage of V (Shanola Hampton) as Kev (Steve Howey) faces an identity crisis. Gallavich returns this season as Ian (Cameron Monaghan) and Mickey (Noel Fisher) rekindle their romance in prison as both cellmates and lovers.
On Becoming a God in Central Florida is about shitty pyramid schemes being shitty.
Work in Progress is from Lily Wachowski and is about “a 45-year-old self-identified “fat, queer” woman from Chicago whose misfortune and despair unexpectedly lead her to a vibrantly transformative relationship.” Wachowski also appeared on a panel about trans visibility in Hollywood.
Showtime is not disappointed by the ratings for The Loudest Voice, the Roger Ailes miniseries, just the critical reviews. So, it’s just like Fox News itself.
SHOWTIME IS NOT FEELING INSECURE IN THE CHANGES IN THE TELEVISION LANDSCAPE AT ALL, WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT DON’T BE STUPID.
The CW was also at the TCAs this weekend:
Arrow and Supernatural — two of The CW’s most popular series — are coming to an end this season, so obviously spinoffs are being discussed. However, the news isn’t great for either possibility. The head of The CW flatly said a Supernatural spinoff is very unlikely — they’ve tried before and it didn’t work because the magic of the show is Padalecki and Ackles.
And Ackles added, “When you have a show that is so anchored, not in a world but around two characters, it makes it difficult to tell the story without those two characters.” However, Ackles then kept hope alive by saying, “It’s a long journey that I don’t think is ever going to be over. I think we’re just going to go away for a while. For how long, I don’t know.” SO WHICH IS IT? JENSEN? HMM?
The Arrow spinoff also received little enthusiasm from the head of The CW, saying that there is a possibility for a spinoff, but other DC properties are being given priority. Meanwhile, the big crossover episode will be episode 8 for Arrow, and episodes 9 and 10 will be the series finale.
As for Batwoman, she’s going to be allowed to date women. Also: IMPORTANT WIG NEWS.
The Riverdale cast will definitely be making appearances on the new spinoff Katy Keene (and while they’re in town, I’m sure they’ll swing by Live with Kelly and Ryan!).
Netflix viewings of All American are what saved the football series, so it will be interesting to see what happens when The CW no longer gives its reruns to Netflix. With their three new shows, Katy Keene, Nancy Drew, and Batwoman, CW will retain exclusive streaming rights. Good luck with that.
The recastings on Dynasty are crazy, but I think the show needs to just lean into it and make it part of the fun.
The CW is keeping an eye on Georgia and the abortion law — Black Lightning films there.
In Non-TCA News
An extended version of Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, some 4 hours long, is coming to Netflix.
Because it will be on an ad-supported network instead of Netflix, One Day at a Time‘s running time will be shorter, but the producers are fine with it.
Someone robbed Dog the Bounty Hunter’s store and took a bunch of his dead wife’s things which IS NOT OK.
Interviews like these are why I watch Watch What Happens Live! every night.
You’ll soon be able to watch Schitt’s Creek on CW Seed.
SPOILERS FOR THE MOST RECENT SEASON OF STRANGER THINGS, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT STEVE AND ROBIN.
After Covington High School student Nicholas Sandmann’ defamation lawsuit against The Washington Post was thrown out by a federal judge, eight other students have filed lawsuits against: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Deb Haaland, Ana Navarro of CNN, Maggie Haberman of the New York Times, Kathy Griffin, Matthew Dowd of ABC News, Reza Aslan, Adam Edelen, Kevin M. Kruse, Shaun King, Clara Jeffery of Mother Jones, and Jodi Jacobson of Rewire.News. Good luck with that, kids.
#MeToo
So, it was reported last week that Afton Williamson, one of the leads in The Rookie, would not be returning to the series this season. Well, it turns out, she quit after being persistently sexually and racially harassed by people in the hair department and a recurring guest star. The incidents are now being investigated by the show’s producer eOne.
R. Kelly was denied bail in New York City. GOOD. ROT THERE.
Kevin Spacey playing the victim card. BOO HOO, SPACEY.
The third season of Dear White People tackles #MeToo and cleverly they cast the handsome and charismatic Blair Underwood: “We had to blind you — the audience — from seeing really who he is, almost right away,” says creator and executive producer Justin Simien. “Because that’s the hardest part. [You say to yourself] ‘Well, I never knew that so and so was a sexual predator’ or ‘I can’t even imagine such and such doing such and such things.’ Well, no, of course, you can’t imagine it. That’s how it works. You have to be kind of ‘glamored’ by them in order for them to operate in that way.”
Renewals
- City on a Hill has been renewed for a second season at Showtime.
Cancellations
In Development
- Three Women, a drama based on a non-fiction book, is in the works at Showtime.
- Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren are shopping around an action series.
- Truth Seekers, a horror-comedy starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (the stars of Shaun of the Dead) has been ordered by Amazon.
- Fight Like a Girl, a legal drama, is in the works at ABC.
- A series based on Rickie Lee Jones is in the works at The CW.
- The horror anthology XX is being turned into a TV series.
- Anna K has been given a pilot order at HBO Max.
- One Night Forever, a drama series, has been picked up by Quibi.
- The Wrong Mans is not going forward at Showtime.
Casting News
- Natascha McElhone, Bokeem Woodbine, Shabana Azmi, Bentley Kalu, Natasha Culzac and Kate Kennedy are joining the cast of Halo on Showtime.
- Gal Gadot is going to play Hedy Lamar in a Showtime limited series about her life.
- Lena Waithe is going to appear in the third season of The Chi.
- Daveed Diggs and Wyatt Russell are joining the cast of The Good Lord Bird on Showtime.
- Michael Stuhlbarg and Sofia Black-D’Elia are joining the Showtime series Your Honor.
- Nancy O’Dell is leaving Entertainment Tonight after 19 years.
- Bob Harper is returning to host the reboot of The Biggest Loser on USA.
- Javon Johnson, Ptosha Storey, Vaughn Hebron, Teesha Renee, Lodric Collins, Ciera Payton, Taja V. Simpson, Walter Fauntleroy, Brad Benedict, Travis Cure, and Matthew Law have joined the cast of The Oval on BET.
- Rochelle Aytes and Danika Yarosh are joining the cast of The Purge.
- Valerie Bertinelli will host Kids Baking Championship and Family Restaurant Rivals on Food Network.
- Kali Hawk is joining Schooled on ABC.
- Tom Hughes is joining the cast of A Discovery of Witches.
Mark Your Calendar
- Homeland’s final season will begin on February 9 on Showtime.
- Back to Life will debut on Showtime on October 6.
- Murder in the Bayou will debut on Showtime on September 13.
- Couples Therapy will debut on Showtime on September 6.
- The L Word: Generation Q will debut on Showtime on December 8.
- Work in Progress will premiere on Showtime on December 8.
The CW released the dates of the “Crisis of Infinite Earths” crossover event:
- Supergirl will air on December 8.
- Batwoman on December 9.
- The Flash on December 10.
- Arrow on January 14.
- DC’s Legends of Tomorrow on January 14.
- Black Lightning‘s premiere has been moved up to October 6 on The CW.
- Katy Keene will debut on The CW “soon.”
- Mindhunter will return on Netflix on August 16.
- Are You Afraid of the Dark? will return on Nickelodeon “soon.”
- The Great British Bake Off is returning on Channel Four soon. This trailer is delightful.
- Keeping Up with the Kardashians will return on E! on September 8.
R.I.P.
Stu Rosen, Creator of Dusty’s Treehouse and voice actor
Howard Lapides, Producer of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and The Man Show, and manager
D.A. Pennebaker, Director and cinematographer of documentary features
WATCH THIS
Bachelor in Paradise: Thank you for playing, Love Island, but allow the professional dummies to take it from here. Season premiere. 7 p.m., ABC
Divorce: Frances and Robert’s respective relationships each reach turning points in the series finale. 9 p.m., HBO
Ancient Aliens with Action Bronson: Whoever came up with the concept for this show, in which rapper Action Bronson gets high with his friends and then watches Ancient Aliens, they deserve a Nobel Prize. Maybe a MacArthur Genius Grant. 8 p.m., Viceland
Late Night:
- Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Julianne Moore, Jacob Tremblay, Julio Torres
- Late Night with Seth Meyers: Milo Ventimiglia, Geena Davis, Ex Hex, Julian Dorio
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Brian Cox, Hannah Gadsby
- The Late Late Show with James Corden: Domhnall Gleeson, Aldis Hodge, Machine Gun Kelly with Yungblud
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Elisabeth Moss, Sebastian Maniscalco, Ava Max
- The Daily Show: Eva Longoria
- Lights Out with David Spade: Neal Brennan, Erik Griffin, Whitney Cummings
- Watch What Happens Live: Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling
| MON. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | Bachelor in Paradise (new) |
Grand Hotel (new) |
| CBS | Love Island (new) |
The Big Bang Theory (repeat) |
The Neighborhood (repeat) |
Bull (repeat) |
| CW | Penn & Teller: Fool Us (new) |
Whose Line is it Anyway? (new) |
Whose Line is it Anyway? (repeat) |
Local |
| FOX | Beat Shazam (new) |
So You Think You Can Dance (new) |
News/Local |
| NBC | American Ninja Warrior (new) |
Dateline (new) |