The Conners tried to be political in last night’s live episodes by discussing the New Hampshire primaries in real time, but the whole exercise just came off defeatist and tired. Most of the characters made mealy-mouthed “politicians are all the same lol” jokes that negated any pro-voting arguments that other characters tried to push and they completely avoided discussing Trump and his policies and how they might effect (for good or bad) a lower class family like the Conners. It was a real opportunity to have a debate about the policies of both sides of the spectrum, but instead, they fed up a bunch of jokes about how terrible all politicians are.
I know the Conners are supposed to be this tell-it-like-it-is, jaded family with sharp tongues, but our electorate is already disengaged and does not need further discouragement from voting. So putting out a “what does it even matter” message, even if it feels true to the character, is not really welcome at this very important moment in history. As this TV Guide review remarked, maybe black-ish would have been a better vehicle for this political exercise.
Tori Spelling is not happy with you, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Now two of the most creative and talented men I have ever known, loved, and lost have not been mentioned in the #oscars memoriam. First, my Dad Aaron Spelling who passed in 2006 and now my friend Luke Perry who passed in 2019. 😢
— Tori Spelling (@torispelling) February 11, 2020
The Academy has responded to the backlash claiming “limited time.” Bullshit. They just forgot.
Boing Boing dug up this clip from a British TV show from the 90s and … just … What the fuck, Britain?
The Jussie Smollett Story, Book 9,129: In an unsurprising development, a special prosecutor in Chicago has indicted Empire actor Jussie Smollett for a second time for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack that he allegedly staged on himself. Smollett now faces 6 felony counts of disorderly conduct. The special prosecutor was appointed after the Cook County State Attorney, Kim Foxx, dropped the initial charges against Smollett, possibly after taking phone calls from Smollett’s family members and a former assistant to Michelle Obama. The city has also sued Smollett for the more than $130,000 of overtime costs the police racked up investigating what they say was a non-existent crime.
Jussie Smollett’s lawyer and Kim Foxx herself point to an upcoming election where Foxx is on the ballot, claiming the timing of these indictments is entirely political. And maybe it is, but the underlying crimes and Foxx’s potential coverup both stink to high heaven and he must face the consequences of his actions. If he’s innocent, he can prove it in court. This whole thing is so gross and sad and infuriating and I wish we could just stop thinking about it and Smollett in general BUT HE KIND OF MADE THAT IMPOSSIBLE.
Renewals
- Superstore has been renewed for a sixth season at NBC.
- Year of the Rabbit has been renewed for a second season ahead of the first season premiere on IFC.
In Development
- The English, a western series starring Emily Blunt, is coming to Amazon.
- The Tourist, a thriller, has been ordered by the BBC.
- Neopets is being brought back to TV.
- Laura Chinn has signed a deal with Lionsgate Television.
- Low Spark has signed a deal with CBS Television.
Casting News
- Nathalie Emmanuel has joined the cast of Die Hart on Quibi.
- Johnathan Tucker is going to star in the pilot Debris on NBC.
- Hunter King will star in the ABC pilot Prospect.
- Dave Annable will guest star on This is Us on NBC.
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw has been cast in Disney+’s Loki series.
- JanLuis Castellanos is joining 13 Reasons Why on Netflix.
- Odette Annabelle will star in thirtysomething(else) on ABC.
- Kwame Patterson has been cast in Snowfall on FX.
- Jenna Rosenow has been added to the cast of Firefly Lane on Netflix.
- Diana Silvers and Kristine Froseth will star in Birds of Paradise on Amazon.
- Abraham Lim, Jessica Collins, Ian Meadows, Daniel Henshall, Motell Foster, Jaylin Fletcher, and Camaron Engels have been cast in Clickbait on Netflix.
Mark Your Calendars
- The Walking Dead will return on AMC on February 23.
- Top Chef: All Stars will return on Bravo on March 19.
- Master Distiller will premiere on Discovery on March 3.
- Accused: Guilty or Innocent? will premiere on A&E on April 21.
R.I.P.
Paula Kelly, Actress on Night Court and Women of Brewster Place among others
WATCH THIS
Stumptown: “Til Dex Do Us Part” 9 p.m., ABC
The Magicians: The official description: “Kady punches a dude. Margo misses cocaine. Yawn; Margo and Eliot have a bad day. Eliot has a bad day.” Alright then. Season premiere. 9 p.m., Syfy
Survivor: Two-hour season premiere. 7 p.m., CBS
To All the Boys: P.S. I Love You: The sequel to the surprise YA hit. Netflix
The Soup: New host Jade Catta-Preta has some big shoes to fill. I wish her luck. Season premiere. 9 p.m., E!
Late Night:
- Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Ryan Seacrest, Zoë Kravitz, Jhené Aiko
- Late Night with Seth Meyers: Edie Falco, Adam Pally, Andrew Zimmern, José Andrés, drummer Elijah Wood
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Will Ferrell
- The Late Late Show with James Corden: Edie Falco, Adam Pally, Andrew Zimmern, José Andrés, drummer Elijah Wood
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Lucy Hale, Andy Shauf
- The Daily Show: LaKeith Stanfield
- Conan: Tom Papa
- Lights Out with David Spade: Sara Weinshenk, Josh Wolf, Erik Griffin
- Watch What Happens Live: Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager
- A Little Late with Lily Singh: Shan Boodram, Chris Sullivan
| WEDS. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | The Goldbergs (new) |
Schooled (new) |
Modern Family (new) |
Single Parents (new) |
Stumptown (new) |
| CBS | Survivor (new) |
Criminal Minds (new) |
| CW | Riverdale (new) |
Katy Keene (repeat) |
Local |
| FOX | The Masked Singer (new) |
LEGO Masters (new) |
News/Local |
| NBC | Chicago Med (live) |
Chicago Fire (new) |
Chicago P.D. (new) |