FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (TUESDAY 4/4/23)
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The WGA scheduled a strike authorization vote for April 11. “The studios need to respond to the crisis writers face,” wrote the WGA West in a Twitter post. “WGA members must demonstrate our willingness to fight for the contract writers need and deserve by supporting a strike authorization vote.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Showtime has pulled the plug on event series “King Shaka.” Inspired by Africa’s Zulu Empire, the project is the latest to be dropped from the premium network after its merger with Paramount+ and subsequent programming overhaul.
(Source: Cynopsis)
And another one bites the dust – Netflix is not moving forward with its English Premier League documentary. The behind-the-scenes doc that would have featured interviews with players and officials, similar to the Formula 1 series “Drive to Survive,” was scrapped after discussions between the league and streamer.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Why did Barbie Ferreira leave HBO’s “Euphoria” after two seasons? “I don’t know if [“Euphoria”] was going to do her justice, and I think both parties knew that I really wanted to be able to not be the fat best friend,” the actress told host Dax Shepherd on the “Armchair Expert” podcast, adding, “I don’t want to play that, and I think they didn’t want that either.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Sesame Workshop kicked off Autism Acceptance Month with new content related to belonging and artistic expression. “Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children” celebrates both autistic and neurotypical children with the “Sesame Street” friends via video, a storybook and printable activity guides.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” production halted due to a fire. An electrical fire began in a warehouse at Bray Studios on Monday morning, interrupting filming until it was put out an hour later.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Lizzo is back at Amazon Studios for “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” season two. The global popstar extended her first-look deal with the studio to develop and produce the next iteration of her TV series, which debuted last year and was the first streaming series to win the Emmy for Outstanding Competition Program. Said Lizzo, “I’ve witnessed lives change through this show and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue making space for even more Big Grrrls around the world to shine and break down barriers across this industry.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix ordered “Little Sky,” its first-ever pilot. Starring and executive produced by Australian actor Samara Weaving (“Scream VI,” “Babylon”), the single-camera comedy from creator and director Rightor Doyle is the only pilot planned at the streamer. The story centers on a woman determined to prove herself as an on-air news reporter.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“B as in Beauty” is getting an on-screen adaption. Alberto Ferreras’ novel will become a bilingual dramedy, with the help of writers Manuel Figueroa and Jordan Heimer. The story follows a woman whose self-esteem blossoms along with her fantasies of revenge.
(Source: Cynopsis)
HGTV ordered a third season of “Farmhouse Fixer.” The renovation series that attracted more than 15 million viewers in its sophomore season has been picked up for another eight-episode run. New episodes are slated to premiere in 2024.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Vice News and Tubi have an Elon Musk-inspired documentary in the works. “The Cult of Elon,” following the rise of Musk and Tesla’s successes, launches April 24.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fox handed a straight-to-series order to “Doc.” From writer, executive producer and showrunner Barbie Kligman, the US adaptation of the Italian series “Doc – Nelle tue mani” is set to debut in the 2023-24 season.
(Source: Cynopsis)
XTR and Project Brazen are collaborating on a docuseries based on the podcast “The Sound: Mystery of Havana Syndrome.” Nicholas Brennan will direct the series investigating the medical condition that affects US diplomats when they travel to countries such as Cuba – questioning: is it a weapon or a psychogenic outbreak?
(Source: Cynopsis)
“The Crowded Room,” starring and executive produced by Tom Holland, premieres June 9. The 10-episode limited series hailing from Academy Award-winner Akiva Goldsman tells the story of Danny (Holland), a man who is arrested following his involvement in a shooting in New York City in 1979. Danny’s life story unfolds through interrogation interviews that lead to a life-altering revelation. Amanda Seyfriend and Emmy Rossum also star.
(Source: Cynopsis)
FX’s “Justified: City Primeval” premieres on the first night of ATX TV Festival, on June 1-4 in Austin, Texas. The eight-episode series adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s novel “City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit” stars Timothy Olyphant, Boyd Holbrook, Marin Ireland and more.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ABC News Elizabeth Vargas returns to broadcast, this time at NewsNation. “Elizabeth Vargas Reports,” which launched yesterday at 6p, is billed as “the newscast of record,” featuring live, in-depth interviews throughout the hourlong slot.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Despite tweets that indicated the upcoming 12th season of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” would be its last, “Reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated,” EP Jeff Schaffer told Deadline. “My first season was Season 5. And you know what the final episode of that season was called? ‘The End.’ Not ironically. That was 15 years ago. So every season is the last season. It’s been this way forever. Larry’s put all the ideas he likes into the season. He’s the only one who thinks he’s never gonna have another good idea.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Disney CEO Bob Iger said some Disney+ titles could “on occasion” be externally licensed. At the company’s annual meeting, Iger said, “In order to achieve the goal of getting into the streaming business very successfully, we felt we had to take control back of the content that we had licensed to third parties.” He continued, “At that point, most of it was going to Netflix and we actually enjoyed a good relationship with them over the time when we licensed content to them. But we licensed very valuable content, content that we felt we absolutely needed.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Thad Luckinbill joined Taylor Sheridan’s “Lioness” on Paramount+. Luckinbill will play an old friend of the CIA program’s station chief, portrayed by Zoe Saldaña, who oversees a trafficking contract.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Elias Kacavas is set to return for “Pretty Little Liars: Summer School” season two. The actor behind Greg, high school football star and boyfriend of Kelly Beasley, was previously in a recurring supporting role before being elevated to series regular.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The WWE and UFC signed a deal to form a joint entertainment company. Endeavor Group Holdings and WWE announced their new agreement for the publicly listed company, allowing Endeavor to hold 51% controlling interest over WWE’s 49% interest. Ari Emanuel will lead the new company while continuing in his role as CEO of Endeavor. “Together, UFC and WWE will have global reach, impressive scale and omnichannel distribution,” said Endeavor in a statement.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The English Football League named Sky as the preferred bidder for TV broadcasting rights. The pay-television broadcaster’s current contract, including a maximum of 150 matches per season and two live Championship matches each weekend, will finish in the 2023-24 season.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The CMT Music Awards 2023 broke viewership records on CBS. With 5.43 million viewers, the ceremony was up 5% in live cable viewership from last year, and was the most-streamed program of the night on Paramount+.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Yellowjackets” season two premiere reached nearly 4 million viewersacross linear and digital. The sophomore season’s debut week was also the best for the network since “Dexter: New Blood” premiered in November 2021.
(Source: Cynopsis)
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