HELLO, FRIDAY. Listen, enjoy your weekend, you’ve earned it, but COME PREPARED ON MONDAY BECAUSE IT WILL BE FAT BEAR WEEK.
Are you ready for #FatBearWeek? Next week, @KatmaiNPS holds its annual competition so you can judge which chubby cubby takes this year's title. Pic of last year's winner: 435 Holly #Alaska pic.twitter.com/eKjNAYYAJx
— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) September 24, 2020
(Bear 747, by scooter)
— explore.org (@exploreorg) September 23, 2020
This exceptional ursus-potamus
is big from top to bottomus
He travels at a trotamus
and sheds when days are hotamus
Because he eats a lotamus
he's practically a yachtamus
So it's a cinch to spotamus
this exceptional ursus-potamus!#FatBearWeek pic.twitter.com/BjfTbQ7jwX
CLEAR YOUR CALENDARS.
All Other TV News
Sorkin, whose films often deal with the ethics of power, ended the conversation by revealing how he would write election night, 2020. “Trump does what we all assume he will do, which is not concede defeat, claiming the election’s rigged and the Democrats cheated. For the first time, his Republican enablers march up to the White House and say Donald it’s time to go. I would write the ending where everyone does the right thing. I don’t think Trump will do the right thing, except by accident.”
John Cusack clears up the Breaking Bad rumors: he was never offered Walter White. And, while I like Cusack as an actor, he is not right for the role, he has too much asshole edge already.
Utopia begins streaming on Amazon today, and Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn is the showrunner.
This has nothing to do with TV, but I don’t care. My blog, do what I want.
Bill Murray receives a legal demand from the Doobie Brothers. And it’s everything you’d want it to be… pic.twitter.com/R1L99yZSBj
— Eriq Gardner (@eriqgardner) September 24, 2020
Get your shit together, Dax Shepard.
Congratulations, Billie Lourde!
Congratulations to #BillieLourd & #AustenRydell on the arrival of their firstborn child: Kingston Fisher Lord Rydell!!!
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) September 25, 2020
I can't think of another baby with both "KING" AND "LORD" in their name. Nice. 👍👶🎂♥️ pic.twitter.com/BJrvh8pARe
Political Crap
Justice Ginsburg became the first woman, and the first Jewish person to lie in state in the nation’s capital this morning. While the entire ceremony was lovely and respectful, for some reason, this moment hit me directly in the feelings.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg's trainer says goodbye by doing push-ups in front of her casket. pic.twitter.com/SHT5aoNxZB
— The Recount (@therecount) September 25, 2020
GOP leaders Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy declined to pay their respects. And you know what? GOOD. At least they’re not being hypocrites for once, and nobody wants their disingenuous asses there anyway.
Between being booed at the Supreme Court, and failson Eric being ordered to testify in the investigation into the Trump Organization by the state of New York, and being sued by his niece Mary for tens of millions of dollars, and Fox News’ polling showing Biden ahead of him in Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, President Fuckstick was having a bad day yesterday, LOL.
One of the worst polls in 2016 was the @FoxNews Poll. They were so ridiculously wrong. Fox said they were going to change pollsters, but they didn’t. They totally over sample Democrats to a point that a child could see what is going on. Rasmussen, which was accurate, at 52%.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2020
The State Department has revoked an International Women of Courage Award for Finnish journalist Jessikka Aro after she deigned to criticize President Fragile Feelings, and then lied about it. YEP. THAT CHECKS OUT. We know how he feels about reporters in general:
In all of my years covering wars and authoritarian leaders around the world and even with their disdain for a free media, I have never heard one of those leaders call the shooting, targeting and/or injury of a reporter “a beautiful thing” the way Trump has spoken about @AliVelshi https://t.co/jFWFWJbrLE
— Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) September 19, 2020
A few weeks ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger wondered how much it would cost to reopen some 1,200 polling locations all over the South, since GOP States claimed they were closed for “budgetary” reasons. Turns out, it wasn’t just a thought experiment for him:
This country gave me everything, and I truly believe this could be one of the best investments I have ever made. All of us can do our part to give back and fight for equality.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 23, 2020
The grants are completely non-partisan and will be offered to those who demonstrate the greatest need and ability to close gaps in voting access. The process will be run through @GovArnoldUSC.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 23, 2020
Well done, Governator.
Going Viral
Seven million Americans have contracted this virus (at least).
When Saturday Night Live returns, they will have an audience? FOR REAL?
Wait, Fox News’ coverage of the virus was less than accurate?
Bring Back Laughs, a comedy special to raise money for Direct Relief, will feature Pete Davidson, Hannibal Buress, Ilana Glazer, and Hasan Minhaj on October 1 and 2.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and his wife have tested positive as has Missouri Governor. Mike Parson and his wife who downplayed the virus and refused to mandate masks.
Rio de Janeiro is delaying Carnival next year. It will be interesting to see what happens with Mardi Gras here in the States.
The Pac-12 Conference and the Big Ten are going to play fall and winter sports after all. Guess the loss of all those advertising dollars is more important than student-athletes’ health in the end.
As if we don’t have enough to worry about with this pandemic, now we’re losing our hair? (I have actually noticed this myself, but I don’t know if I’m actually shedding more, or if I’m just noticing more hair because it’s so much longer since I haven’t cut my hair in … well, let’s just say a very long time.)
In Development
- Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin has been ordered straight to series at HBO Max.
- A rated-R The Boys spinoff set in a college for superheroes has been greenlit at Amazon.
- A series inspired by Rashomon is in development at HBO Max.
- Mason Dixon, a drama from Lee Daniels that, yes, involves characters whose last names are “Mason” and “Dixon,” is being developed at ABC.
- A family comedy from Sabrina Jalees has been put into development at ABC.
- The Bridge, a British reality show in which 12 strangers have to build a bridge to an island together, is being co-produced at Channel 4 and HBO Max.
- Bordertown – The Mural Murders has been bought by Netflix.
Casting News
- Chris Rock and Megan Thee Stallion (HOUSTON REPRESENT) are going to be the host and musical guest for the premiere episode of Saturday Night Live.
- Alex Désert is your new Carl on The Simpsons.
- Arif Zahir is your new Cleveland Brown.
- The amazing Ana Gasteyer will guest star on Bless the Harts this season.
Mark Your Calendar
- A World of Calm will debut on HBO Max on October 1.
- Whose Vote Counts, Explained will debut on Netflix on September 28.
- Emergency Call will debut on ABC on September 28.
- Sound of Metal will debut on Amazon on December 4.
- Deaf U will premiere on Netflix on October 9.
- Shayla Rivera: It’s Not Rocket Science will premiere on HBO Max on October 9.
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night will return with the NBA finals on September 30.
- Ghost Nation returns on October 17 on Travel Channel.
- Southern Charm returns on Bravo on October 29.
- The Creepshow Halloween Special, an animated special starring Kiefer Sutherland and Joey King, will premiere on Shudder on October 26.
- Joe Bob’s Halloween Hideaway will debut on Shudder on October 23.
- AMC has announced their Fear Fest schedule for October.
- The Expecting will premiere on Quibi on October 5.
- The Trouble with Maggie Cole will debut on PBS on October 18.
- Homestead Rescue: Raney Ranch premieres on Discovery on October 6.
- Generation Nation: A PBS American Portrait Story will premiere on PBS on October 26.
- Central Ave will return to syndication on Saturday.
R.I.P.
Keith Hufnagel, Legendary skateboarder and streetwear icon
WATCH THIS
FRIDAY
Utopia: A group of comic fans discovers that the conspiracy in their favorite story is real in this new series. Series premiere. Amazon
Tehran: A Mossad agent goes deep undercover in Iran in this new thriller series. Series premiere. Apple TV+
The Amber Ruffin Show: The darling Amber Ruffin finally gets her own series. Series premiere. 8 p.m., Peacock
The Great British Baking Show: It’s back and just in time. Season premiere. Netflix
Magic of Disney Animal Kingdom: A look behind the scenes of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park (which is genuinely wonderful) and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT Disney+
Sneakerheads: A former sneaker-collector gets dragged back into the lifestyle when a friend talks him into a scheme to get their hands on a pair of legendary kicks in this new comedy. Series premiere. Netflix
A Wilderness of Error: Errol Morris looks into the infamous Jeffrey MacDonald case in this new documentary series. Series premiere. 7 p.m., FX
SATURDAY
Just Mercy: Michael B. Jordan and Jaime Foxx star in this film about civil rights activist and attorney, Bryan Stevenson, who defended those who could not afford representation or were wrongfully accused. (See the documentary below). 7 p.m., HBO
True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality: This documentary looks at the real Bryan Stevenson and his work. 5:15 p.m., HBO
Shaun of the Dead: Because it’s just the best. 6:20 p.m., More MAX
SUNDAY
Fargo: Chris Rock stars in this season of Fargo, in which a number of crime families fight for control of 1940s Kansas City. Season premiere. 8 p.m., FX
The Comey Rule: Jeff Daniels stars as James Comey, the man who ruined everything, in this new limited series about the 2016 election and its aftermath. Series premiere. 8 p.m., Showtime
The Simpsons: Mr. Burns goes Undercover Boss in the season premiere. 7 p.m., Fox
Bless the Harts: Jenny and Betty spy on Violet in the season premiere. 7:30 p.m., Fox
Bob’s Burgers: Bob goes on an epic adventure in search of a lockbox key in the season premiere. 8 p.m., Fox
Family Guy: Stewie says his first word in the 350th episode and season premiere. 8:30 p.m., Fox
Late Night:
- Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (Friday): Sting, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Gashi featuring Sting
- Watch What Happens Live (Sunday): XXX
| FRI. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | America’s Funniest Home Videos (repeat) |
20/20 |
| CBS | The Greatest #AtHome Videos (new) |
Love Island (repeat) |
Blue Bloods (repeat) |
| CW | Masters of Illusion (new) |
Masters of Illusion (repeat) |
World’s Funniest Animals (new) |
World’s Funniest Animals (repeat) |
Local |
| FOX | Friday Night Smackdown | Local |
| NBC | America’s Got Talent (repeat) |
Dateline |
—
| 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 | Bull (repeat) |
S.W.A.T. (repeat) |
48 Hours | News/Local |
| FOX | MLB (live) |
News/Local |
| NBC | Stanley Cup Playoffs (live) |
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 (repeat) |
20/20 (new) |
Card Sharks (repeat) |
| CBS | 60 Minutes | Big Brother (new) |
Love Island (new) |
NCIS: New Orleans (repeat) |
| The CW | Local | iHeartRadio Music Festival Night 1 (new) |
Local |
| FOX | The OT (live) |
The Simp-sons (new) |
Bless the Harts (new) |
Bob’s Burgers (new) |
Family Guy (new) |
Local/News |
| NBC | Sunday Night Football (live) |