FIRST LOOK
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ON TELEVISION (THURSDAY 2/20/25)
FREEFORM: How I Escaped My Cult (Premiere) at 9pm
MAX: Bea’s Block (Premiere)
NETFLIX: Zero Day (Premiere)
PRIME VIDEO: Reacher (Premiere)
Max has canceled “Bookie” after two seasons. “For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting,” said a Max spokesperson. “We won’t be moving forward with a third season, but we are grateful to have worked with such a brilliant team on this laugh out loud comedy.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Wicked” is landing at Peacock next month. The smash musical film starts streaming exclusively on the service on Friday, March 21. The Sing-Along version and bonus content will also be available.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Starting this fall, “Dr. Phil” will cease airing in broadcast syndication and will be available exclusively on Merit TV, the network launched by McGraw in April 2024. McGraw plans to enhance select episodes with new updates and original content.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Netflix has ordered a new version of YouTube format “Blue Therapy” from Luti Fagbenle’s Luti Media. “This commission marks a significant milestone for Osun Group as we embark on delivering high-quality, engaging content to a global audience,” said Fagbenle. “’Blue Therapy’ not only provides an intimate look into the lives and relationships of culturally diverse young couples but also offers a compelling perspective on modern dating and matters of the heart that will resonate universally.” Andy Amadi is showrunner and creator; series producer is Vanessa Van-Yeboah, and EPs are Fagbenle and Anna Edwinson.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Climbing in Heels,” from Darren Star (“Sex and the City”) and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, scored a script-to-series commitment from Peacock. The proposed drama series is adapted from Goldsmith-Thomas’ upcoming novel of the same name following the rise of five ambitious secretaries in 1980s Hollywood. Star and Goldsmith-Thomas will co-write and executive produce the project.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Impact Network has set the cast for its first original scripted series, “Highly Favored,” which marks the Black-founded and operated network’s first series partnership with executive producer and showrunner Bentley Kyle Evans (“Martin,” “The Jamie Foxx Show”). Evans serves as executive producer, showrunner and director and his LA-based Harvest Studios produces the six-episode comedy series with executive producer Trenten W. Gumbs. Stars include Michael Colyar (“Martin”), KiKi Shepard (“It’s Showtime at the Apollo”), Anthony S. Goolsby (“Will Trent”), Chico Benymon (“Half & Half”), Rodney Perry (“Johnson Family Vacation”), and Melanie Comarcho (“Phat Tuesdays”). Colyar and Shepard also serve as producers.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Masterpiece’s “Miss Scarlet” has been renewed for a sixth season at PBS. The crime drama starts filming this month in Belgrade, Serbia.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The first hour of “The Americas,” NBC’s 10-part event series narrated by Tom Hanks, will simulcast on sister networks Bravo, CNBC, E!, SYFY and USA on Sunday, February 23 at 7p. For those who want a deeper dive, one-hour special “The Making of ‘The Americas” is set to stream exclusively on Peacock on Monday, April 21.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The second season of HBO drama “The Last of Us” kicks off Sunday, April 13 at 9p. Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous than the one they left behind.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ID’s “A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read” premieres across three nights beginning Monday, March 17 at 9p. With the 2024 trial of Read, accused of killing her police officer boyfriend, ending in a mistrial, and a 2025 re-trial upcoming, the true crime series offers access to Read, her legal team, and other key voices in the case.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Generations,” a Jewish-themed genealogy television series produced by the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, JewishGen, and JLTV, premiere Monday, March 3 at 9p. The first episode will feature actors Camryn Manheim (“The Practice”) and her son, Milo Manheim (“School Spirits”).
(Source: Cynopsis)
Docuseries “Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana” debuts Tuesday, April 29 at 9p on PBS (check local listings). The show highlights the Pan-American Highway, a symbol of connection and collaboration between countries from Alaska to Argentina.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“For the Win: NWSL,” following the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League playoffs and championship, has a debut date: Thursday, March 6 on Prime Video.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Fox Television Stations has renewed “The Jennifer Hudon Show” for a fourth season. The daytime talker “is gaining momentum in the talk show genre, achieving the third-highest unique reach with 6 million viewers A25-54,” reports Warner Bros. Television Group.
(Source: Cynopsis)
“Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo will host the 78th annual Grammy Awards, set to air Sunday, June 8 at 8p on CBS. “I am so proud and excited to take on this glorious honor,” said Erivo. “I am looking forward to ushering the theater community at large through a night that celebrates the wonderful performances we have witnessed throughout the year. I hope I can rise to the occasion.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
ABC Studios primetime special “Will Reeve: Finding My Father,” following ABC News correspondent Will Reeve on a journey to live the last expedition his father and “Superman” actor Christopher Reeve took in 1995 just before a horse riding accident left him paralyzed, premieres Wednesday, February 26 at 10p on ABC.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The Harlem Globetrotters have set 18 Guinness World Records for basketball skills, as chronicled in an upcoming episode of “Harlem Globetrotters: Place it Forward.” The weekly morning show episode on NBC and Telemundo premieres Saturday, February 22.
(Source: Cynopsis)
ShotTracker, specializing in adaptive real-time data and AI-driven insights for teams, leagues, facilities and consumers, announced the addition or renewal of 17 partner schools. “We are proud to be leading the continued evolution and integration of technology into the college performance space,” said Davyeon Ross, ShotTracker co-founder and CEO.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Sunday’s season-opening Daytona 500 on Fox averaged 6.761 million viewers, up 13% from last year’s event, ranking as the most-watched sports event of the weekend.
(Source: Cynopsis)
The 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday averaged 2.3 million viewers through three games on ESPN platforms, with 4.44 million viewers tuning in for the US/Canada game.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Sunday’s episode of “Meet the Press,” featuring Kristen Welker’s interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, drew an average audience of 480,000 among A25-54, up 25% versus the year prior.
(Source: Cynopsis)
CBS Media Ventures’ new syndicated game show, “Flip Side” hit a series high the week of February 9, delivering 1.19 million total viewers. It holds the #4 spot among syndicated game shows with 998,000 total viewers for the season.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Season two of Apple TV+’s “Severance” premiered as the streamer’s #1 series ever based on the number of unique viewers from January 17-February 17. “The series has become an obsession for audiences all over the world and we can’t wait for people to continue to experience all the masterful twists and turns as the rest of the season unfolds,” said Matt Cherniss, Head of Programming at Apple TV.
(Source: Cynopsis)
After three days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms, the February 12 episode of “Shifting Gears” hit a three-week high in total viewers (7.05 million), rising over the show’s initial Live+Same Day audience by +55%.
(Source: Cynopsis)
OWN reports its prime premiere ratings in 2024 grew by 3% among Women 25-54 and 6% among African American Women 25-54, according to Nielsen. Four returning shows saw season-over-season ratings growth with Women 25-54 from prior seasons: “Ready to Love” season 9 (+8%), “Belle Collective” season 4 (+8%), “Belle Collective season” 5 (+36%), and “Love & Marriage Detroit” season 3 (+4%).
(Source: Cynopsis)
Keely's Korner 