TGIF, AM I RITE?
This seal gets it.
Political Crap
As I write this, according to Worldometer, 202,693 Americans have died of COVID-19.
You’re going to be surprised to learn that CDC guidance that came out that said people who had been exposed to COVID-19 but weren’t showing symptoms didn’t need to get tested was NOT written by CDC scientists and, in fact, was published over their objections. “That was a doc that came from the top down, from the H.H.S. and the task force,” said a federal official with knowledge of the matter, referring to the White House task force on the coronavirus. “That policy does not reflect what many people at the C.D.C. feel should be the policy.”
Sure! What could go wrong with Mike Caputo and Mike Pence throwing science in the trash, writing their own nonsense, and sending it out under the imprimatur of the CDC? WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG WITH POLITICIZING SCIENCE DURING A DEADLY PANDEMIC?
Good news: the CDC released new guidelines today that were all, “LOL LOL, JUST KIDDING ABOUT THAT WHOLE NOT GETTING TESTED THING. If you’ve been exposed, yeah, you should get tested. I dunno what we were thinking earlier.”
Also, we already knew that Jared and his father-in-law, President Toxic, decided to fuck over the blue states on COVID because they thought it would somehow be politically advantageous to them to allow tens of thousands of Americans to die and additionally didn’t believe that the virus would leave the confines of those blue states to sicken red state voters because they are fucking ghouls, but this Vanity Fair piece is here to remind is of those facts all over again.
Kushner, seated at the head of the conference table, in a chair taller than all the others, was quick to strike a confrontational tone. “The federal government is not going to lead this response,” he announced. “It’s up to the states to figure out what they want to do.”
One attendee explained to Kushner that due to the finite supply of PPE, Americans were bidding against each other and driving prices up. To solve that, businesses eager to help were looking to the federal government for leadership and direction.
“Free markets will solve this,” Kushner said dismissively. “That is not the role of government.”
The same attendee explained that although he believed in open markets, he feared that the system was breaking. As evidence, he pointed to a CNN report about New York governor Andrew Cuomo and his desperate call for supplies.
“That’s the CNN bullshit,” Kushner snapped. “They lie.”
According to another attendee, Kushner then began to rail against the governor: “Cuomo didn’t pound the phones hard enough to get PPE for his state…. His people are going to suffer and that’s their problem.”
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“We had so much potential to commandeer against this,” said one person who attended the meeting. “We had a real system for contact tracing, the world’s best mobile engineers on standby. There was a real opportunity to have a coordinated response.”
That attendee said he remains “angry” over the federal government’s intransigence in stockpiling supplies and feels certain that people died because of it. “At the time I just thought of it as blind capitalism and extreme libertarian ideals gone wrong,” he said. “In hindsight it’s not crazy to think it was some purposeful belief that it was okay if Cuomo had a tough go of it because [New York] was a blue state.”
According to another attendee, it seemed “very clear” Kushner was less interested in finding a solution because, at the time, the virus was primarily ravaging cities in blue states: “We were flabbergasted. I basically had an out-of-body experience: Where am I, and what happened to America?”
Great question. This administration was literally willing to allow people in states that did not vote for them to die, and President Indifference’s base won’t blink an eye — and worse, not a single elected Republican will say boo. Even if we remove President Dingleberry from office in this election, I worry that the damage our partisan politics have done to the American fabric might be difficult, if not impossible, to mend.
Joe Biden had his own Town Hall on CNN last night, and fortunately, he addressed this very thing:
There was also this moment:
🔥
Meanwhile, President Race Bait is trying to fan the culture war flames again by signing an executive order creating something called the “1776 Commission” to promote a “patriotic education.” Basically, this is about The 1619 Project — you know, The New York Times‘ deep dive into slavery and how it shaped America. President Grand Dragon said — out loud! — that teaching materials from the project is “child abuse.”
Going Viral
See will resume production in Toronto in October.
To fill the void where fall TV should be, CBS is going to bring back CBS Sunday Night Movies for six weeks.
The Sony animated film Connected has been moved out of the fall schedule.
Oh no, Van Morrison, not you, too …
All Other TV News
I FORGOT TO MENTION THE THIRD NIGHT OF THE CREATIVE EMMYS YESTERDAY. Because it was a lot of special effects, sound, and editing awards, it was a big night for The Mandalorian and Watchmen.
The fourth night of the Creative Emmys was last night and the single most important award went to one miss Maya Rudolph for her portrayal of the Hormone Monster on Big Mouth. Can you BELIEVE it is Ms. Rudolph’s first Emmy? CRIMINAL.
Also winning their first Emmy: Pixar. I’m just as surprised as you are.
Quibi picked up two Emmys for #FreeRayshawn.
Last night also moved Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross one Tony away from an EGOT.
As for the trophies that will be handed out on Sunday, there have been countless pieces written up about who will win (including by yours truly), but here’s the only opinion who matters: a tarot card reader.
Meanwhile, E! is planning to have a Red Carpet Special. HOW?!?
Coach Monica is heartbroken over the arrest of Jerry Harris for child pornography, and I am too, Coach Monica.
Roku and NBCUniversal are fighting over Peacock, and a bunch of NBCU apps are going to go dark on the device as soon as tonight.
DC Universe is no longer in the original programming business, which is not much of a surprise with the arrival of HBO Max. Now, how about bringing Swamp Thing back?
Billy Porter, Amy Poehler, Uzo Aduba, Phylicia Rashad, Ricky Gervais, Sienna Miller, Yvonne Orji, and Mira Sorvino won Television Humanitarian Awards from The Creative Coalition last night.
Netflix has ruined us with bingeing and we will never be able to go back, just a fact.
WOW: Nearly 30% of Disney+ subscribers bought Mulan. Considering it cost $29.99, that’s pretty impressive. Can we please stream more big movies? THANKS.
Erika Girardi has some thoughts about Denise Richards leaving The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, notably that she’s a lying liar.
Huh! I assumed the Winchester Brothers were named after the gun — but they weren’t, not exactly (but still kinda).
Law & Order debuted 30 years ago, and yet, somehow, has had 198 seasons.
Dan Levy is not shutting the door on a return to Schitt’s Creek one day.
Edgar Wright’s tribute to Diana Rigg … I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING.
DECIDEDLY NSFW. But if you’re still working from home (and no kids are around) go crazy:
Renewals
- Raised by Wolves has been renewed at HBO Max.
- Harley Quinn has been renewed at HBO Max.
- Desus & Mero has been renewed for a third season on Showtime.
- Two Sentence Horror Stories has been renewed at The CW for a third season.
- Die Hart has been renewed for a second season.
- Ghostwriter has been renewed for a second season on Apple TV+.
- The Outpost MIGHT have been renewed for a fourth season on The CW.
In Development
- Carole Baskin is producing a reality series about bringing animal abusers to justice.
- Staged, a BBC comedy starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant, is coming to Hulu.
- Some geniuses are planning Space Hero, a reality TV series that will send people to the International Space Station.
- The Dreamers, a drama based on the novel of the same name, is being developed at ABC.
- My Policeman, a drama starring Harry Styles and Lily James, is coming to Amazon.
- All the Old Knives starring Chris Pine and Thandie Newtown has also been bought by Amazon.
- Thirst, a hip-hop vampire drama, is being developed at HBO.
- No Pulling Out Now, a parenting comedy starring Michelle Buteau, is coming to Quibi.
- Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ production company has sold two more “Ripped from the Headlines” movies to Lifetime.
- Fright Club, a paranormal series that will team Jack Osbourne with the Ghost Brothers, is coming to Travel Channel.
- Hugh Davidson has signed an overall deal with Warner Bros Animation.
Casting News
- Tatiana Maslany is going to be your new She-Hulk.
- Nene Leakes is leaving The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
- Mckenna Grace is joining the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale.
- T.J. Holmes is joining the third hour of Good Morning America.
- Sarah Jones, Giovanni Ribisi, and Alexia Landeau have joined On the Verge on Netflix.
- Singer Halsey and Sydney Sweeney will star in The Players Table.
- Diamond White is joining the cast of The Bold and the Beautiful.
- Melanie Scrofano will guest star on The Surrealtor on Syfy.
- JT Neal is joining the Fox comedy Pivoting.
Mark Your Calendar
- Your Honor will premiere on Showtime in December.
- Industry will debut on HBO on November 9.
- Song Exploder will debut on Netflix on October 2.
- Gangs of London will debut on AMC on October 1.
- The Misery Index will return on TBS on October 20.
- Someone Has to Die will premiere on Netflix on October 16.
- American Murder: The Family Next Door will stream on Netflix on September 30.
- Wild Card: The Downfall of a Radio Loudmouth will debut on HBO on October 7.
- Defying Gravity will premiere on YouTube on September 21.
- Michael McIntyre: Showman will premiere on Netflix on September 15.
- What the Constitution Means to Me will debut on Amazon on October 16.
- Vampires vs. The Bronx will premiere on Netflix on October 2. His House will debut on October 30. In fact, here’s Netflix’s entire Halloween schedule.
- Joe Exotic: Tigers, Lies and Cover-Up will air on Investigation Discovery on September 27; Joe Exotic: Before He Was King on September 28.
- Ready to Love and Put A Ring on It will debut on OWN on October 23.
- The Grey’s Anatomy/Station 19 crossover is set on ABC on November 12.
- Undercover Boss is going to return on CBS on October 2.
- Phantom Signals will premiere on Science Channel on October 8.
- Bravo’s Chat Room will air for six Sundays on Bravo beginning September 27.
R.I.P.
Tony Tanner, Broadway director
WATCH THIS
FRIDAY
All In: The Fight for Democracy: Stacey Abrams stars in this documentary about the scourge of voter suppression. Premiere. Amazon
Ratched: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest‘s Nurse Ratched gets an origin story in this new series starring Sarah Paulson. Netflix
Pen15: Season two of the best comedy about middle school. Hulu
Long Way Up: Ewan McGregor and a friend ride motorcycles all over South and Central America. Series premiere. Apple TV+
Wilmore: Larry Wilmore is back with a new talk show. Series premiere. Peacock
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous: Six teens get stranded on Isla Nublar in this new animated series. Series premiere. Netflix
American Barbecue Showdown: BARBECUE FIGHT. Series premiere. Netflix
SATURDAY
Invisible Man: Elisabeth Moss stars in this metaphor about toxic masculinity. 7 p.m., HBO
Fast Times at Ridgemont High: There might be a better, more honest teen movie, but I can’t think of one off the top of my head. 4:40 Starz Encore
SUNDAY
The Emmys: TV prizes! But no red carpet this year as everyone is going to be in sweatpants at home. 7 p.m., ABC
60 Minutes: Season premiere. 6:30 p.m., CBS
Late Night:
- Watch What Happens Live (Sunday): Michael Rapaport, Candiace Dillard Bassett
| FRI. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | Shark Tank (repeat) | 20/20 |
| CBS | MacGyver (new) | Love Island (new) | Blue Bloods (repeat) |
| CW | Masters of Illusion (new) | Masters of Illusion (repeat) | World’s Funniest Animals (new) | World’s Funniest Animals (new) | Local |
| FOX | Friday Night Smackdown | Local |
| NBC | America’s Got Talent (repeat) | Dateline |
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| 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 | Magnum P.I. (repeat) | Love Island (new) | 48 Hours | News/Local |
| FOX | MLB (live) | News/Local |
| NBC | Stanley Cup Playoffs (live) | News/ Local | Saturday Night Live (repeat) |
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| SUN. | 6:00 | 6:30 | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | Celebrity Family Feud (new) | The Emmys (live) |
| CBS | NFL Football (live) | 60 Minutes | Big Brother (new) | Love Island (new) | NCIS: New Orleans (repeat) |
| The CW | Local | Fridge Wars (repeat) | Supernatural (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 | Sunday Night Football (live) |
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