WHY WON’T ABE LINCOLN THROW THIS GOOD GIRL’S FRISBEE? IMPEACH.
All Other TV News
Julianne Hough is REALLY TRYING to back away from the controversy surrounding The Activist. Good luck with all that!
Eileen Davidson is out here spilling the tea on how the Real Housewives producers manipulate the cast to create drama.
RuPaul now has a fly named after him.
Did Michael Che steal this TikTok sketch? I mean … maybe … kinda … it’s not exactly cut and dry.
I never get tired of these:
A tech on the set of the Kevin Hart Netflix film, Me Time, has suffered a serious accident during filming.
Tucker Carlson lies???!? The next thing you’ll tell me is that he’s vaccinated and doesn’t actually believe all the bullshit he spews on TV every night!
Going Viral
And, scene. pic.twitter.com/WfVEkn8slj
— ken olin (@kenolin1) September 13, 2021
Last week:
This week:
Another week, another downturn in the number of cases, which is good news. What is horrific news is the number of deaths we are still seeing daily — pushing towards 2,000 a day again. We have reached the point where 1 in 500 Americans have died of COVID; and we are nearing the same number of deaths as the Spanish Flu and AIDS. And this number does not count the number of people who died without COVID who weren’t able to receive treatment because the hospitals are full. I hope this downturn in the number of cases is related to more people getting vaccinated and is a trend that will continue; I also worry that we haven’t seen the worst of it yet, between kids returning to school, crowds gathering again, and the onset of cooler and cold weather. Cross your fingers.
Meanwhile, the huge news of the week is that President Biden went big in his fight against this virus, issuing what some are referring to as a “vaccine mandate.” It actually is a “vaccine option,” but that’s a lot less scary sounding. Basically, using OSHA rules, President Biden made a rule that companies with 100 or more employees must require them to be vaccinated OR! OR! be tested weekly for the virus. See? There’s a choice! The choice just doesn’t include “being able to do whatever I want without any consequences.” OH WELL.
He also is requiring all federal employees and contractors to be vaccinated, all employees of hospitals and other health care facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid benefits must be vaccinated, and employers must provide paid time off for those getting vaccinated.
You can see why people are so furious.
By the way, my favorite part of Biden’s announcement last week was when he noted that even Fox News has a vaccine requirement.
I’m instructing the Department of Labor to require all employers with 100+ employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated — or show a negative test at least once a week.
Some of the biggest companies have already required this: United, Disney, Tyson, and Fox News.
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 9, 2021
In fact, 90% of their employees are already vaccinated, not that you’d know that if you watched the channel.
Wealthy right-wing propagandists worked so hard to keep their viewers from taking safe, life-saving vaccines, and are pissed that it might all have been for naught. pic.twitter.com/VY9Zzon8G8
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) September 10, 2021
Meanwhile, the stupid are now drinking iodine instead of GETTING THE FREE AND SAFE VACCINE, and they keep dying of a preventable disease. For instance:
Bob Enyart, a right-wing radio host who gleefully celebrated the deaths of AIDS patients and who railed against the vaccine, is dead of COVID.
Veronica Wolski, a QAnon activist, died of COVID, but not before other QAnoners harassed the hospital she was in, demanding that they treat her with horse paste.
And — and this is true and horrifying — last week alone, 22 New Jersey cops died of COVID. But keep fighting those vaccine mandates, police unions. Great job, guys.
Allison Williams, an ESPN reporter, is stepping down over her company’s vaccine requirement, saying that she’s trying to get pregnant. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, the number of fetal deaths has doubled because pregnant women aren’t getting the vaccine. Reminder: the vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their babies; COVID is not.
Then there’s Jim Breuer who is canceling shows where they are requiring proof of vaccination. I mean, making yourself the anti-Patton Oswalt is one way to get attention after being completely forgotten for the past 23 years.
And I’m sure you’ve seen the hilarious mess Nicki Minaj made with this tweet:
My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
Don’t worry, the internet was quick to inform her that her “cousin’s friend” in Trinidad has an STD, not a vaccine reaction.
your cousin's friend prolly just picked up an STD but please keep going 💀
— king crissle (@crissles) September 13, 2021
I second this as a board certified urologist and the actual COVID 19 infection has been linked to erectile dysfunction learn about the data before you tweet damaging information. https://t.co/EwhraShvcD
— Rena Malik, MD | Urologist (@RenaMalikMD) September 14, 2021
Some more plausible reasons Captain Big Balls ain't getting married pic.twitter.com/den4kPQf0H
— Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) September 13, 2021
My grandpa died from Covid before the vaccine was available, but he went out with a great set of balls, so I totally get it.
— Rosa Pasquarella (@whatrosasaid) September 13, 2021
Gutted. Was supposed to be attending a wedding in Trinidad, but it’s just been cancelled. Family won’t say why.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) September 14, 2021
Renewals
- Only Murders in the Building has been renewed for a second season on Hulu. (Yay!)
- The Amber Ruffin Show has been renewed by Peacock for a second season.
- Family or Fiance has been renewed at OWN.
- Unsellable Houses, Everything But the House, and Inside Out have all been renewed by HGTV.
- Bringing Up Bates has been renewed for an 11th season on UPtv.
Cancellations
- Generation has been canceled at HBO Max.
In Development
- Professionals, an action drama starring Brendan Fraser and Tom Wheeler, has been ordered at The CW.
- Grendel has been ordered at Netflix.
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses, a competition series hosted by Helen Mirren, is being made by WarnerMedia.
- Partner Track has been ordered at Netflix.
- Day Job, a family white-collar crime comedy, is in the works at Lionsgate Television.
- Wilderness, a psychological thriller series, has been ordered at Amazon.
- Driver, the video game, is being adapted into a TV series.
- Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series has been optioned by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton’s production company.
- Women Is Losers has been acquired by HBO Max.
- I Promise, a documentary film about LeBron James and his Akron school, is coming to YouTube.
- A drama about a young matchmaker from real-life matchmaker Patty Stanger is being developed.
- A bunch of Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga specials are going to be rolled out across Viacom platforms. More info here.
- Chhorii, an Indian horror film, has been bought by Amazon.
Casting News
- Malachi Kirby will star in Anansi Boys on Amazon.
- Mahershala Ali will co-star in Leave the World Behind on Netflix.
- Idris Elba is on board for the Luther movie on Netflix. (I should hope so.)
- Gwendoline Christie, Isaac Ordonez, Victor Dorobantu, George Burcea, Tommie Earl Jenkins, Iman Marson, William Houston, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Oliver Watson, Calum Ross, and Johnna Dias Watson have joined the cast of Wednesday on Netflix.
- Meagan Holder has joined the cast of Monarch on Fox.
- Devyn Tyler has been added to Snowfall on FX.
- Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones, and Simone Joy Jones have joined Bel-Air on Peacock.
- LisaGay Hamilton, Michaela Watkins, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Kevin Sussman, Sam Straley, and Shaun J. Brown have joined The Dropout on Hulu.
- Corteon Moore, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, and Elizabeth Moy have joined the cast of From on Epix.
- Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Chance the Rapper, Normani, Leslie Odom Jr., Tiffany Haddish, Lena Waithe, Anthony Anderson, Gabrielle Union, Debbie Allen, James Pickens Jr., Courtney B. Vance, Jane Lynch, Marsai Martin, Jaden Smith, Glynn Turman, Lamorne Morris, Brenda Song, Tina Knowles, Eva Longoria, Holly Robinson Peete, Al Roker, Bretman Rock, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, and Dominique Dawes will all guest star on The Proud Family on Disney+.
Mark Your Calendars
- I Know What You Did Last Summer debuts on Amazon on October 15.
- Locke & Key returns on Netflix on October 22.
- Maid will debut on Netflix on October 1.
- Love Life returns on HBO Max on October 28.
- Red Table Talk returns on Facebook Watch today.
- Seinfeld will come to Comedy Central on October 11.
- My Husband’s Secret Brother will premiere on LMN on September 17.
- Hoarders and Intervention both return on A&E on October 18.
- Misfit: Tmaisihe Series will debut on October 16.
- Ahir Shah: Dots will premiere on Netflix on September 23.
- The Forgotten Battle will debut on Netflix on October 15.
- Blood & Water will return on Netflix on September 24.
- Jaguar will premiere on Netflix on September 22.
- Ganglands will debut on Netflix on September 24.
- Grudge will premiere on Netflix on October 8.
- Welcome to Karma’s World will debut on Netflix on October 15.
- Tooned In will return on Nickelodeon on September 17.
- Swan Song will premiere on Apple TV+ on December 17.
- Back on the Record with Bob Costas debuts on HBO on September 24.
- Corazón de América – Celebrating Hispanic Culture will air on ABC on September 17.
- Trial in the Outback: The Lindy Chamberlain Story will debut on Sundance Now on October 12.
R.I.P.
Norm Macdonald, Legendary comedian and Saturday Night Live anchor and cast member. This one hurts.
“Norm Macdonald, the acerbic, sometimes controversial comedian familiar to millions as the “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live” from 1994 to 1998, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 61.
His manager, Marc Gurvitz, confirmed the death. Lori Jo Hoekstra, his longtime producing partner, told the entertainment news outlet Deadline that the cause was cancer, something he had been dealing with for some time but had kept largely private.”
There are so many things that we’ll miss about Norm – from his unflinching integrity to his generosity to his consistent ability to surprise. But most of all he was just plain funny. No one was funny like Norm.
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) September 14, 2021
I am absolutely devastated about Norm Macdonald. Norm had the most unique comedic voice I have ever encountered and he was so relentlessly and uncompromisingly funny. I will never laugh that hard again. I'm so sad for all of us today.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) September 14, 2021
I was always delighted by his bizarre mind and earnest gaze. (I’m trying to avoid using the phrase, “twinkle in his eyes”). He was a lifetime Cy Young winner in comedy. Gone, but impossible to forget.
Dave Letterman— David Letterman (@Letterman) September 14, 2021
No one could make you break like Norm Macdonald. Hilarious and unique. Fuck cancer.
— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) September 14, 2021
We loved Norm MacDonald. One of a kind. https://t.co/0sXoCLEtuG
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) September 14, 2021
My dear friend Norm MacDonald passed after a brave 10 year battle. He was one of our most precious gems. An honest and courageous comedy genius. I love him.
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) September 14, 2021
Oh fuck. I was a huge fan of Norm Macdonald and I essentially ripped off his delivery when I first started acting. I would stay up specifically to watch him on talk shows. He was the funniest guest of all time. We lost a comedy giant today. One of the the all time greats. RIP.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 14, 2021
Of the many addictive rabbit holes you can disappear down on the internet, the most pleasurable is 'Norm MacDonald chat show appearances'. Thanks for all the laughs Norm, very sorry to see you go. https://t.co/ahxZNRdJEw
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 14, 2021
Just gutted about Norm. When I was going through a tough time after I was publicly defined as a "racist p.o.s." Norm Macdonald was literally the FIRST person to reach out and tell me that he knew that was ridiculous, that he knew I was a good person and that he had my back. RIP
— david cross✍ (@davidcrosss) September 14, 2021
We know how funny he was, and what a nice guy he was. Now we understand how brave he was. #RIPNorm
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) September 14, 2021
Every one of us loved Norm. Some of the hardest laughs of my life with this man. Most fearless funny original guy we knew. An incredible dad. A great friend. A legend. Love u pal. pic.twitter.com/2Pftw28uPc
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) September 14, 2021
This photo was taken after I was a guest on Norm's show. At dinner the laughs just continued nonstop. He will be missed. RIP Norm Macdonald pic.twitter.com/DToJCUBdU2
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) September 14, 2021
To so many people in comedy, me included, there was nobody funnier than Norm MacDonald. You always hoped he would hang around after the work was done, just so you could hear his stories and get a laugh. So hilarious and so generous with his personality. I’m gonna miss him.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) September 14, 2021
Norm Macdonald was an irreplaceable voice in comedy. His commitment to jokes and unique perspective will inspire generations. pic.twitter.com/J1gEUd2HDr
— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) September 14, 2021
Once I saw Norm Macdonald in Toronto and he kept doing jokes about death. Someone yelled "No more morbid stuff!" And Norm said, "Maybe I should do… more morbid stuff!" And then he did maybe 15 minutes about how he would hang himself. "First I'd go to the rickety stool store…"
— Will Sloan (@WillSloanEsq) September 14, 2021
Norm was in a comedy genre of his own. No one like him on this planet. Please do yourself a favor and watch his stuff. He was one of a kind of all time
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) September 14, 2021
Some of Norm’s classic clips that you must watch:
Don’t feel bad for Courtney Throne-Smith: “Every once in a while,” she said, “I’ll run into Conan and he’ll apologize, and I say, ‘That was one of my favorite moments of my life.’ Teased by Norm Macdonald? Are you kidding?'”
He got fired from Saturday Night Live for these jokes:
Norm MacDonald’s OJ Simpson joke at the ESPYs forever funny. RIP pic.twitter.com/sA41uGEqsB
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 14, 2021
This is his last set on David Letterman’s show — stay for the final moments when he gets choked up saying goodbye to his friend. If you don’t tear up, too, you’re a stronger person than me.
Finally, on “battling with cancer:”
He was so appreciated, even the butt of his jokes paid tribute (well, maybe not OJ):
“Norm @normmacdonald was a great talent, and I loved laughing with him on SNL. *Bob Dole* will miss Norm Macdonald.” pic.twitter.com/gPsdyJ5tS9
— Senator Bob Dole (@SenatorDole) September 14, 2021
We are saddened by the news of Norm Macdonald. He was a hilarious man and an absolute legend. Thankful to have been the inspiration behind one of the “Best Weekend Update Jokes of All Time,” according to the internet. Rest In Peace Norm, and may your jokes live on forever. pic.twitter.com/hNwId2Zc6y
— Better Than Ezra (@betterthanezra) September 14, 2021
Finally, I’ll let Norm have the last word:
I think about these two and a half pages from Norm Macdonald’s book constantly. When I reviewed it, I wrote that they would “make for a fine eulogy”—and I swear I didn’t mean anything by it. But they do. pic.twitter.com/vxLRAd2OeP
— Sean O'Neal (@seanoneal) September 14, 2021
WATCH THIS
My Son: The shtick with this James McAvoy crime series is that McAvoy didn’t have a script and learned the mystery and its answers while he was filming it. Premiere. Peacock
Nailed It!: Season premiere. Netflix
MasterChef: Season finale. 7 p.m., Fox
Late Night:
- Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Ben Platt, JoJo Siwa
- Late Night with Seth Meyers: B.J. Novak, Nessa Barrett, José Medeles
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Jessica Chastain, Stephen Sondheim
- The Late Late Show with James Corden: Cedric the Entertainer, Gillian Anderson
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Bill Maher, Hannah Waddingham, Carly Pearce
- Watch What Happens Live: Lisa Rinna, Sarah Paulson
WEDS. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
ABC | Press Your Luck (new) |
The $100,000 Pyramid (new) |
Amanda Gorman: Brave Enough with Robin Roberts (new) |
CBS | Big Brother (new) |
House Calls with Dr. Phil (new) |
House Calls with Dr. Phil (new) |
CW | Riverdale (new) |
Whose Line Is It Anyway? (repeat) |
Whose Line Is It Anyway? (repeat) |
Local |
FOX | MasterChef (new) |
News/Local |
NBC | Family Game Fight! (new) |
America’s Got Talent (new) |