Watchmen debuts this Sunday, you guys, and I have been WOUND UP about this series since it was announced a couple of years ago. The reviews are coming in, and they’re pretty uniformly positive, the show is being called “great” and “necessary”, “thrilling … funny … inventive and surprising,” and “breathtaking, ambitious television.”
From what I understand, you don’t have to be a The Watchmen superfan — or even have any real experience with the graphic novel — to be able to follow the series. But in case you’re curious, Vulture has a short history of the Watchmen universe. And The New York Times has a quick breakdown of the Watchmen universe. If you’re looking for a deeper or more specific dive, you can also do what I do with most shows I write about and consult the fan wiki. General rule: the nerdier the show, the more comprehensive the fan wiki.
American Horror Story: 1984 is going to only be 9 episodes long, making it the shortest season yet. And I’m not caught up, but from what I’ve been reading, it’s probably for the best.
Jeff Zucker is trying to woo Stephanie Ruhle away from MSNBC (and frankly, I don’t blame him, she’s a smarty pants).
Impeachment Corner!
Me after the past 48 hours:
Just a quick couple of notes:
As I mentioned yesterday, Mick Mulvaney went and said the quiet parts out loud IN A PRESS BRIEFING, insisting that yeah, the White House did a quid pro quo with the military aid to Ukraine, of course, they did and “GET USED TO IT.” Immediately, Republicans FREAKED OUT, and so Mulvaney went back and said that actually, he had his fingers crossed when he said that and also, too, it was Opposite Day and plus it’s the FAKE NEWS’ fault anyway.
Whatever. His comments have Republicans in a bind and it’s hilarious.
One of our Three Amigos, Rick Perry, has again announced he is resigning and he’s for serious this time. He’s also not saying whether he’s going to hand over Energy Department documents Congress has subpoenaed that are related to the Ukraine inquiry. They’re due today. The White House also is supposed to turn over documents today but that just ain’t gonna happen.
Meanwhile, the news isn’t all great for the other side, or at least for Biden. One of the diplomats who testified this week, George Kent, said that he tried to raise alarms about Hunter Biden being on that Ukrainian gas board back in 2015, but Biden’s office told him to fuck off because Joe Biden was dealing with his other son, Beau’s, battle with cancer.
And that, at least since two minutes ago when I last checked Twitter, is the latest in the impeachment foofoorah. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go lie down in a dark room for the next three days.
Time’s Up
This morning I was fired by Dana Walden and John Landgraf for all the complaints levied against me. Not the way I wanted to end my 18 year relationship with FX. At least being fired for being an abrasive dick is on brand.
I deeply apologize if I’ve made people feel less than or unsupported. My intention was literally the opposite. But clearly I’ve not been paying attention. My arrogance and chronic distraction has created wreckage. Just know, I adore this cast and crew.
BUT THEN, in a different letter, Sutter took a completely different tone, a much more pissed-off tone:
Disney letting me go today was apparently based on data collected by HR and Business Affairs from writers, producers, cast and crew. They claim the intel suggests that I created a climate of hostility, favoritism and enabled a set where no one felt safe or appreciated. I know that’s not true. I’m not saying it was all sunshine and roses, but I’m close with most of those guys and they love going to work. I’m also not sure how, having been on set… maybe three times all season, I was able to singularly create that much damage.
So who knows.
Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Megyn Kelly are among women who signed a letter calling on Comcast to conduct an investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct and cover-up at NBC News. However, NBC will not be launching an independent (or any other kind of) investigation because Andy Lack and Noah Oppenheim must be protected at all costs.
Renewals
- T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle has been renewed at VH1.
In Development
- A Clueless series is in the works at CBS Studios.
- Mrs. Thompson, a comedy, is being developed at NBC.
- A Jim Jefferies comedy has been given a put pilot order at NBC.
- All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspurs is coming to Amazon in 2020. My husband, who is an ENORMOUS Spurs fan has very conflicted feelings about this.
- Stephen Colbert is sticking around through at least 2023.
- HBO Max has bought streaming rights to Studio Ghibli’s library.
- Supervillain, a docuseries about 6ix9ine, is in the works at Showtime.
- Gayme Show has been ordered at Quibi.
- Superintelligence, a comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, is going to debut on HBO Max instead of in theaters.
- An Alexander Payne-directed drama that was to star Mads Mikkelsen is no longer going forward at Netflix.
- Monica Beletsky has signed a deal with Apple TV+.
- Saladin Patterson has signed a deal with 20th Century Fox.
Casting News
- Greg Kinnear is joining the cast of The Stand on CBS All Access.
- Natalie Morales is joining Dead to Me on Netflix.
- Aidan Turner has been cast as Leonardo DaVinci in Leonardo.
- Karrueche Tran will recur on Deputy on Fox.
- Elizabeth Grullon has been added to the cast of Party of Five on Freeform.
- Cara Santana is joining Vida on Starz.
- John Douglas Thompson, Patrick Murney, Ben Miles, James McArdle, Sosie Bacon, Joe Tippett, and Neal Huff are joining the cast of The Mare of Easttown on HBO.
Mark Your Calendar
- Dollface will debut on Hulu on November 15.
- American Son will premiere on Netflix on November 1.
- The Outsider will debut on HBO on January 12.
- The Sinner returns on USA in 2020.
- Atypical will return on Netflix on November 1.
- Marriage Story will debut on Netflix and in theaters on November 6.
- Harry & Meghan: An African Journey will air on ABC on October 23.
- The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! will debut on Nickelodeon in December.
- Write Before Christmas will premiere on Hallmark on November 17.
- A Christmas Love Story will debut on Hallmark on December 7.
R.I.P.
Bill Macy, Actor
WATCH THIS
FRIDAY
Wounds: Armie Hammer, Zazie Beetz, and Dakota Johnson star in this demonic horror film that features lots of cockroaches for some reason. Hulu
Looking for Alaska: A tragedy makes a young man and his friends question a tragedy they’ve all suffered. Based on the John Green novel of the same name. Series premiere. Hulu
Modern Love: This anthology series is based on the New York Times column and stars everyone from Anne Hathaway to Tina Fey to John Slattery. Series premiere. Amazon
Tell Me Who I Am: In this documentary, a man loses his memory after an accident and his twin brother helps him piece together his past. Except! it’s all LIES. Netflix
The Laundromat: Meryl Streep is a woman who gets swindled by Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas and everyone seems to be having a very good time.
Netflix
SATURDAY
Patsy & Loretta: The true story of the friendship between Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn as portrayed by women who look nothing like them. 7 p.m., Lifetime
Glass: THE TRILOGY IS COMPLETE. 7 p.m., HBO
SUNDAY
Watchmen: Regina King plays a badass vigilante taking down white supremacists while living in The Watchmen universe. Series premiere. 8 p.m., HBO
Halloween marathon: Just a whole bunch of Halloween movies, including the most recent. Begins 7:45 a.m., IFC
The Simpsons: “Treehouse of Horror XXX”! 7 p.m., Fox
Late Night:
- Watch What Happens Live (Sunday): Dr. Jackie Walters, Iyanla Vanzant
FRI. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
ABC | American Housewife (repeat) |
Fresh Off the Boat (repeat) |
20/20 (new) |
CBS | Hawaii Five-0 (new) |
Magnum P.I. (new) |
Blue Bloods (new) |
CW | Charmed (new) |
Dynasty (new) |
Local |
FOX | Friday Night Smackdown (new) |
Local |
NBC | The Blacklist (new) |
Dateline (new) |
—
SAT. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 | 10:00 | 10:30 | 11:00 | 11:30 |
ABC | College Football (live) |
News/Local |
CBS | Bob Hearts Abishola (repeat) |
Bob Hearts Abishola (repeat) |
FBI (repeat) |
48 Hours (new) |
News/Local |
FOX | The Masked Singer (repeat) |
The Masked Singer (repeat) |
News/Local |
NBC | Jurassic World | News/Local | Saturday Night Live (repeat) |
—
SUN. | 6:00 | 6:30 | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
ABC | America’s Funniest Home Videos (new) |
Kids Say the Darndest Things (new) |
Shark Tank (new) |
The Rookie (new) |
CBS | 60 Minutes (new) |
God Friended Me (new) |
NCIS: Los Angeles (new) |
Madam Secretary (new) |
The CW | Local | Batwoman (new) |
Supergirl (new) |
Local |
FOX | The OT | The Simpsons (new) |
Bless the Harts (new) |
Bob’s Burgers (new) |
Family Guy (new) |
Local/News |
NBC | Sunday Night Football (live) |
Don’t forget the Sportsball…Friday @ 6PM. Go Stros!!!
Absolutely! Completely forgot to include this. GO STROS!
-T