Looks like I’ll be blogging ‘The Bachelor’ after all.

by Therese Odell, posted in Uncategorized

Welcome to another Friday:

Welp, they did it. ABC called my bluff and finally cast a Black Bachelor, so I guess I’m stuck blogging the season (if this damn virus goes away). ABC announced this morning that Matt James, who had originally been cast for Clare Crawley’s season of The Bachelorette, will be the show’s first Black Bachelor. Which, yay! And fucking finally! And James seems like a great candidate: He’s a 28-year-old real estate broker, Wake Forest graduate and had a brief stint in the NFL, he’s very handsome, and he’s friends with former Bachelorette runner-up, Tyler. Former Bachelorettes and Bachelors have given their approval.

But … one small quibble. While I’m sure James will be a fine fit, why didn’t they choose to go with a former Bachelorette contestant that the audience was already familiar with? Eric from Rachel’s season, Mike from Hannah’s season or Wills from Becca’s season would have all been great choices, it’s not been that long since they were on our TV screens, and the audience already has relationships with them. I guess I should just be happy that they are finally getting around to having a Black Bachelor and it only took an entire new civil rights movement to do so, but it seems like a missed opportunity.

And while Rachel Lindsay is obviously pleased they cast James, she wants more serious changes implemented: “I want producers of color,” Rachel said on GMA. “I’d like for them to cast leads that are interested in dating outside of their race that aren’t just getting their first-time experience—for the first time—on national TV. I need the acknowledgment of that. Not putting a band-aid over the situation and just saying, ‘Here, we’re going to put this here. Are you happy now?'”

This is a very good piece discussing The Bachelor/Bachelorette‘s struggle to diversify — and the ways the show explained away a serious issue.

The Austin ABC affiliate somehow got the bodycam footage of the arrest and the events that lead to the death of Javier Ambler at the hands of Williamson County cops, the incident that contributed to the cancellation of Live P.D. The video is in the link, and it is deeply disturbing. Proceed with caution.

Inside A&E’s ‘Live PD’ Cancellation – and Could the Show Ever Come Back? The answer is NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. STOP IT.

Dave Chappelle dropped a surprise Netflix special, 8:46, as a response to George Floyd’s murder. You can watch the entire thing here:

In the special, Chappelle calls out Don Lemon for calling out celebrities for not speaking out, to which Don Lemon thanked him for speaking out:

YouTube has launched a $100 million fund to amplify Black voices.

Apple is committing $100 million to a racial justice initiative.

BET is launching “Content for Change,” a $25 million social justice campaign.

Law & Order SVU actress, Jamie Gray Hyder, discussed on Instagram how weird it is to play a cop on TV while also protesting police brutality.

Good Morning America has severed ties with contributor Jessica Mulroney after she threatened a Black Instagram influencer for encouraging people to speak up against racism.

Another British series is facing accusations of systemic racism.

UKTV has pulled the Fawlty Towers episode, “The Germans,” for using the N-word, and John Cleese is pissed. And not to defend any use of the N-word, but this seems like an instance where context needs to be contemplated more carefully.

Will The Dukes of Hazard be the next show to be pulled?

Hey, since the NFL is feeling bad about their bullshit right now, maybe it’s time to revisit the whole Washington Redskins thing again?

Samantha Ware is unimpressed with Lea Michele’s apology.

Things keep going south for Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute, so that’s a shame. (No, it’s not.)

Sure, Tucker Carlson might be losing advertisers, but are those advertisers just spending that money on other Fox News programs, and if so, does boycotting his show even really matter?

Lady Antebellum is changing their name. Gee, why?

Going Viral

So President Klan Robe is holding a MAGA rally on Juneteenth at the site of the worst incident of racial violence in American history, as I noted yesterday. BUT GET THIS: he is making attendees sign a waiver saying they won’t sue him if they contract COVID-19:

“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present,” the disclaimer reads at the bottom of the ticket page on the Trump website. “By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.”

 

sign covid waver covid is a hoax

Los Angeles County officials announced protocols for restarting TV and film production, which can start again today. In related news, Los Angeles County announced the highest single-day number of coronavirus cases just yesterday. Soooooooooo …yeah, I don’t think things will return to “normal” anytime soon.

Rob McElhenney describes making the quarantine episode of Mythic Quest as “absolute, abject hell.” However, on the upside, it’s nice when your boss is Apple and you need a bunch of iPhones to be able to film.

The 24th annual American Black Film Festival is going virtual this year.

Here’s a look at how Netflix started up production in the Nordics if you’re at all interested. (Nordics? They’re called “The Nordics?” That doesn’t sound right …)

Spain’s soccer league, La Liga, has returned and they are superimposing computer-generated crowds and crowd noises. People were not impressed:

People in New Zealand, which just announced they were down to 0 cases of COVID-19 in their country, are PISSED that James Cameron and his crew have been allowed to come in to film the Avatar sequels.

All Other TV News

HBO Brand Update: HBO Now is just HBO; HBO Go is now dead; HBO Max will devour us all.

Jemaine Clement won’t be in the writers’ room for What We Do in the Shadows next season to which I say, ABSOLUTELY NOT. YOU KEEP THE MAGIC THE SAME, DAMMIT.

Here are the first four minutes of Adventure Time: Distant Lands which will debut on HBO Max on June 25:

The Succession cast reveal their favorite one-liners from last season, but there’s only one correct answer:

you can't make a tomlette wthout breaking a few gregs succession

Oh? You think the whole Bachelor process is bullshit, Arie Luyendyk Jr.? Huh! Why?

Subscriptions to smaller streaming services are up. Huh. Wonder why.

Emmy credits are going to be complicated this year.

Wait, WAIT. Creed is the Scranton Strangler? Actually, that totally checks out. But here’s a curveball: WHAT IF THE STRANGLER HAS BEEN DENNIS FROM IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY THIS WHOLE TIME? Think about it: Scranton and Philadelphia are in the same state. (Just don’t look at a map and realize that the two cities are two hours away from each other.)

Did Steve Carell’s publicist write this entire piece?

Happy 1,000th episode, Seth Meyers and everyone at Late Night!

Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt are a couple. Grosssssssssssss

Kelly Clarkson has filed for divorce from her husband of nearly 7 years.

Renewals

In Development

Casting News

  • Tinsley Mortimer is leaving The Real Housewives of New York City which is hardly a surprise.

Mark Your Calendar

  • Greyhound debuts on Apple TV+ today!
  • Dark returns on Netflix on June 27.
  • Mr. Iglesias returns on Netflix on June 17.
  • Cable Girls will return on Netflix on July 3.
  • Wasp Network will debut on June 19 on Netflix.
  • Feel the Beat premieres on Netflix on June 19.
  • Summer Camp Island will debut on HBO Max on June 18.
  • Cleanin’ Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters will debut on Crackle on June 18.
  • Tender Touches will debut on Adult Swim on June 15.
  • Robot Chicken will return on Adult Swim on June 28.
  • The Luminaries will air sometime on BBC.

R.I.P.

Mel Winkler, Actor with many credits to his name, including Doc Hollywood and NYPD Blue

Denise Cronenberg, Costume designer and sister of David

Nanci Ryder, Publicist and PR Executive

WATCH THIS

FRIDAY

Da 5 Bloods: Decades after the war, five Vietnam vets return to the country in this film by Spike Lee. Netflix

Dating Around: Second season of this delightful dating reality show — and it’s all filmed in New Orleans. Netflix

Into the Dark: “Good Boy”: Judy Greer’s emotional support dog takes the job very seriously in this new horror film. Hulu

Crossing Swords: This new animated series features war, murder, and full frontal nudity, so don’t watch with the kiddos. Series premiere. Hulu

Artemis Fowl: A 12-year-old genius searches for his father in this new film that was set to premiere in the theaters before everything turned south. Disney+

F is for Family: Fourth season premiere. Netflix

Crime Diaries: A child from a wealthy Mexico City family foes missing in this new series based on a true story. Series premiere. Netflix

The Woods: This new Polish crime drama is based on the Harlan Coben novel. Series premiere. Netflix

SATURDAY

Get Out: There has literally never been a better moment for this wonderful horror film. 7 p.m., ABC Spark

Alexa & Katie: Series finale. Netflix

Airplane marathon: Because sometimes you just need dumb visual gags to get you through, you know? 6 p.m., Sundance

SUNDAY

Marcella: The London detective with the messed-up personal life (which doesn’t really narrow it down, honestly) is back. Season three. Netflix

America’s Funniest Home Videos: Season finale. 6 p.m., ABC

Billions: Axe makes big moves in the season finale. 8 p.m., Showtime

I Know This Much is True: Series finale. 8 p.m., HBO

Quiz: The jury learns there’s more to the story in the series finale. 8 p.m., AMC

Insecure: Issa continues to search for happiness in the season finale. 9:20 p.m., HBO

Grantchester: Will and Geordie investigate the murder of a student at an all-female college in the new season. Season premiere. 8 p.m., PBS

Late Night:

  • Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (Friday): Kevin Bacon, Aunjanue Ellis, Christine and the Queens

 

FRI. 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30
ABC Shark Tank
(repeat)		 20/20
CBS MacGyver
(repeat)		 Magnum P.I.
(repeat)		 Blue Bloods
(repeat)
CW Masters of Illusion
(new)		 Masters of Illusion
(new)		 Whose Line is it Anyway?
(repeat)		 Whose Line is it Anyway?
(repeat)		 Local
FOX Friday Night Smackdown Local
NBC The World of Dance
(repeat)		 The Wall
(repeat)		 Dateline

—

SAT. 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
ABC The Last Dance The Last Dance The Rookie
(repeat)		 News/Local
CBS NCIS
(repeat)		 48 Hours 48 Hours News/Local
FOX Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back
(repeat)		 LEGO Masters
(repeat)		 News/Local
NBC Dateline Saturday Night Live
(repeat)		 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)		 Celebrity Family Feud
(new)		 Press Your Luck
(new)		 Match Game
(new)
CBS 60 Minutes 60 Minutes Presents NCIS: Los Angeles
(repeat)		 NCIS: New Orleans
(repeat)
The CW Local Stargirl
(repeat)		 Supergirl
(repeat)		 Local
FOX Last Man Standing
(repeat)		 Duncan-ville
(repeat)		 The Simp-sons
(repeat)		 Bless the Harts
(repeat)		 Bob’s Burgers
(repeat)		 Family Guy
(repeat)		 Local/News
NBC Hollywood Game Night
(new)		 The Titan Games
(new)		 America’s Got Talent
(repeat)

6 thoughts on “Looks like I’ll be blogging ‘The Bachelor’ after all.”

  2. First, any time Therese is blogging “The Bachelor”, it’s a good thing.

    Second, I’m wondering what the rebranding/Borg-like assimilation of HBO Go will mean to me. We got HBO Go via DirecTV Now a couple of years ago as part of an AT&T cellphone deal. I’ve used it to watch the first two seasons of “Westworld” and much of “Game of Thrones”. I have no idea what will happen now, but at least the episode of “The Leftovers” I had paused from yesterday was still watchable. I’ll let you know if I’ve been hung out to dry by this.

    (We have actual HBO now, after our latest re-signing with Xfinity. I haven’t tried the HBO Go app on the TiVo yet – I mostly watch on the PC or laptop – and I haven’t checked to see if I can watch HBO Max yet. It’s all so complicated.)

    Reply

    1. If you are an HBO customer, you have access to HBO Max. It’s fairly harmless to set up! GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED.

      -T

      Reply

  3. I have the HBO MAX on my iPad and very happy watching it here. I use a headset which gives me great sound; plus, I can walk around and still listen.

    Reply

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