Sadly, Barbara Walters was not available to ring in the New Year with “THIS IS 2020.” However, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen got the next best thing last night: SNL alum, Cheri Oteri, as Barbara Walters describing her upcoming reality series. 10/10 would watch:
“Most of all, I miss being FEARED.”
(ABC also released a video of a bunch of ABC celebrities delivering Barbara Walters’ famous line, but for my money, Cheri Oteri is perfection.)
For what other nonsense you missed last night, check out this gallery. Somehow I managed to catch Anderson doing a shot, them talking about cock sizes, the woman being brought in by guys in speedos, and Steve Harvey talking about diapers. It was a lot.
Yesterday was the last day for The Newseum, too. This article speculates on why it didn’t survive but suggesting that visitors expected virtual reality experiences or rides is perhaps the dumbest theory I’ve ever heard.
President Obama is out here trying to put me out of a job by releasing his Best of lists for movies and TV. 1. Yes, he must have seen THAT scene in Fleabag, but 2. I feel vindicated as all three of his TV series made my best of 2019 list, too.
Next up are my favorite movies and TV shows of 2019. Of course, there’s also American Factory, a film from our own production company, Higher Ground, that was recently shortlisted for an Oscar. Here’s the full list: pic.twitter.com/PEcgwotcxm
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2019
John Mulaney is the best and his connection to the Dave Chappelle crisis at Comedy Central is pretty amazing:
I AM NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT ALEX TREBEK SAYING GOODBYE TO ANYTHING OR ANYONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
One of the shows I’ve been watching during my short break has been The Witcher, and cool fact: The Night King taught The Witcher everything he knew.
If you’ve watched season two of You, here’s a spoilery article where Penn Badgley talks about playing a bad person. Oh, wait, spoiler alert: he’s a bad person.
OK, look. I am as sensitive to these matters as anyone, but “Fairytale of New York” is a classic song, and the use of the slur has to be understood within context. Learn some music history, children, and calm down.
Murder Mystery? Netflix’s most-watched thing in 2019 was MURDER MYSTERY? Are you KIDDING?
Eddie Murphy is having a good year: After winning praises for Dolemite is My Name, and his performance on Saturday Night Live, he’s being honored by the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tangentially related to that SNL episode: Mark Hamil tweeted a correction to a “Weekend Update” joke about how the lesbian kiss in the new Star Wars film is “pretty tame considering the first movie had incest.” Hamil argued that Luke and Leia had no idea they were brother and sister when they kissed, but MY problem with the joke is …
… the kiss happened in the second movie. Get it straight.
PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT UP MUSIC VIDEO SHOOTS, THANKS.
Hey, Zac Efron, be careful. It’s only a Quibi show, dude, the title isn’t meant to be understood so literally.
Renewals
- The Mandalorian has been renewed for a second season (which was never in doubt).
In Development
- A half-hour comedy starring comedian Eddie B. based on his experience as a teacher is in the works at ABC.
- The A-List is going to be solely produced by Netflix after BBC pulled out of the second season.
- John M. Chu is suggesting Disney+ should give Rose Tico her own Star Wars spinoff series and wants to help make it happen:
Ok @disneyplus . Put me in coach. Let’s make this series happen. #RoseTicoDeservedBetter @starwars
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) December 27, 2019
Casting News
- Carrie Underwood will no longer host the CMAs after 12 years.
- Brooke Smith, Anika Noni Rose, Brooke Smith, P.J. Byrne, Malcolm Mays, Jeremiah Birkett, and Sophie Guest have joined the cast of Them on Amazon Prime.
Mark Your Calendars
- How the Universe Works will return on Science Channel on January 2.
- Justin Bieber: Seasons will premiere on YouTube on January 27.
R.I.P.
Lee Mendelson, Producer of A Charlie Brown Christmas, as well as the other Peanuts specials, Garfield specials, and a number of documentaries and specials
Jack Sheldon, “Conjunction Junction” singer and Merv Griffin sidekick
Neal Innes, Monty Python collaborator
Arthur Singer Jr., An executive at the Carnegie Corporation who paved the way for public television
Sue Lyon, Actress best known for her role in Lolita
Syd Mead, Futurist and artist who worked on the art design of Blade Runner and Tron among others
Andrew Dunbar, Body double for Alfie Allen on Game of Thrones
Don Imus, Notorious radio personality
Jerry Herman, Tony-Award-winning composer
Carly McCord, New Orleans sports for WDSU-TV
Bill and Joe Smith, Twin brothers who appeared on My Big Fat Gyspy Wedding
Sonny Mehta, Publisher of Knopf books
WATCH THIS
Doctor Who: Kick off the new year with an all-new season of Doctor Who. In the 12th season, intelligence agents from all over the world come under attack. Reminder: this is fiction. BBC America
Messiah: A mysterious man appears in the Middle East, claiming to be the second coming of Jesus. BUT IS HE? Series premiere. Netflix
Spinning Out: Ice skating dramaz. Series premiere. Netflix
The Circle: Netflix tries its hand at a reality competition that involves people in apartments and social media profiles? Or something? I don’t know. Series premiere. Netflix
Almost Family: Roxy is released from rehab in the winter premiere. 8 p.m., Fox
| WEDS. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | The Goldbergs (repeat) |
Schooled (repeat) |
Modern Family (repeat) |
Single Parents (repeat) |
Stumptown (repeat) |
| CBS | Evil (repeat) |
Evil (repeat) |
Evil (repeat) |
| CW | Riverdale (repeat) |
Nancy Drew (repeat) |
Local |
| FOX | Flirty Dancing (new) |
Almost Family (new) |
News/Local |
| NBC | Chicago Med (repeat) |
Chicago Fire (repeat) |
Making It (repeat) |