YouTube Originals acquired “Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers,” which will launch on the streamer later this year.
The documentary offers a deep dive into a condensed period of creativity and freedom (between 1993 and 1995) for the legendary, titular rock star and looks at his creation of his “Wildflowers” album. The project includes never-before-seen archival footage of Petty and his band in the recording studio and on tour, equally rare behind-the-scenes moments of Petty at home with his family and interviews with the album’s co-producers Rick Rubin and Heartbreaker Mike Campbell, along with original Heartbreaker Benmont Tench.
“Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers” is produced by Peter Afterman and directed by Mary Wharton, with executive producers Dan Braun, Wharton and Adria Petty. It is presented by Inaudible Films, Warner Music Entertainment and Warner Records.
The doc debuted in March at SXSW and won the festival’s Audience Award. It will receive a special theatrical release on Petty’s birthday, Oct. 20, for a one-night global celebration via Trafalgar Releasing. Select cinemas will also have encore screenings the following day.
Watch a teaser below.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
DATES
Hulu announced that the third season of Seth MacFarlane’s “The Orville,” subtitled “New Horizons,” will premiere on March 10, 2022. New episodes will be released weekly, following the crew of the U.S.S. Orville as they continue their mission of exploration, navigating both the mysteries of the universe and their own relationships. “The Orville: New Horizons” was created and written by MacFarlane, who also executive produces alongside Brannon Braga, David A. Goodman, Jon Cassar, Jason Clark and Howard Griffith. The series stars MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon, J. Lee, Mark Jackson, Chad L. Coleman, Jessica Szohr and Anne Winters. It comes from 20th Television and Fuzzy Door.
HBO Max has set Sept. 30 as the premiere date for the first three episodes of “The Way Down: God, Greed and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin,” docu-series from filmmaker Marina Zenovich that examines the controversial Remnant Fellowship Church and its founder, the late Gwen Shamblin Lara. The final two episodes will debut in early 2022. Lara gained fame by hawking her Weigh Down Workshop, a weight-loss workshop billed as a “Christian-based diet.” Lara later formed the Remnent Fellowship as a church, which became embroiled in accusations of emotional and physical abuse of its members. Lara died in a plane crash in May at the age of 66. Watch the trailer below.
TNT announced “Claws” will premiere its fourth and final season on Dec. 26 at 9 p.m and released a teaser for the new season. Another sneak peek for the season will come on Dec. 17 during TBS’ “Friday Night Vibes.” “Claws” follows Desna Simms (Niecy Nash), who, alongside her crew of Florida manicurists, rises to power in the crime world. Carrie Preston, Judy Reyes, Karrueche Tran, Jenn Lyon, Kevin Rankin, Jason Antoon, Harold Perrineau and Dean Norris also star. The series is created by Eliot Laurence, who executive produces alongside Janine Sherman Barrois, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, and showrunners Sharon Lee Watson and Emily Silver. “Claws” is produced for TNT by Le Train Train in association with Warner Bros. Television. Watch the teaser below.
New comedy “Ghosts” will now debut with back-to-back episodes Oct. 7, beginning at 9:01 p.m., on CBS, which means the second season premiere of “B Positive” will move to Oct. 14 at 9:30 p.m. “Ghosts” follows a young couple (played by Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar) who inherit a huge country estate and decide to fix it up to become a bed and breakfast — only to learn it is haunted by a number of souls who died on the grounds over the centuries. It is based on the BBC series of the same title and is produced by CBS Studios in association with Lionsgate Television and BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm. The second season premiere of “B Positive,” which comes from Chuck Lorre, Jim Patterson and Warren Bell, sees Drew (Thomas Middleditch) having new romantic feelings post-surgery, while Gina (Annaleigh Ashford) gets surprising news about a friend’s death.
“The Outsiders?,” a six-part docuseries from Simon Frederick, will premiere Oct. 4 on YouTube. The project features personal stories of young Black actors, musicians, creators, artists and personalities to showcase what it means to be Black around the world and spotlight those that are shaping popular culture.
The YouTube original “onyx Family Dinner” premieres Oct. 20. In it, family members from the onyx Family YouTube channel and their weekly special guests have conversations about life and the world over dinner. “onyx Family Dinner” is executive produced by Keith Brown, Albie Hecht, the onyx Family and Chris M. Williams. It comes from Pocket.watch in association with Shine Global.
As part of YouTube’s climate programming lineup, the multi-hour “Dear Earth” and the two-episode special “Climate Games” will both premiere on Oct. 23. “Dear Earth” addresses the environmental challenges the world faces and offers solutions that can inspire audiences to create a healthier and happier planet, featuring global leaders and celebrities ranging from Barack Obama to Billie Eilish in an attempt to bolster messages of sustainability efforts. It is produced by Done + Dusted, Strong Brew and Silverback Films. “Climate Games” follows skier JT Holmes, creator Psychics Girl and BMX rider Danny MacAskill as they undertake challenges designed to deliver a key message on climate change. “Climate Games” is a Studio Silverback Production and was executive produced by Colin Butfield and Jonnie Hughes, with Ben Duncan serving as producer.
The YouTube original “Signals” will premiere on Oct. 28. Told through various forms of animation and live action, the show stars Bretman Rock as a plastic bottle in order to break down the myths of recycling and plastic. It was created by Mackenzie Sheppard and Kaz Firpo, who co-produced with Airi Yamawaki. Describe as a “call to action for the internet age,” artists and activists around the world contributed to the varying styles.
YouTube Originals announced that the competition comedy series “Copy That!” will premiere Nov. 8. The five-part competition comedy features YouTube creators stepping out of their comfort zones in an attempt to copy their competitors’ area of expertise. Sofie Dossi, Lisette aka Luhhsetty, Rosanna Pansino and Preston compete in the show, which is produced by Sony Pictures Television and executive produced by Charles Wachter.
Will Smith’s unscripted series “Best Shape of My Life” will also premiere Nov. 8 on YouTube Originals. This six-part series originally was intended to follow Smith as he went from the “worst shape” of his life to the best, but it quickly evolved into a deeper dive into his psyche. The series is co-showrun by Lukas Kaiser and Dexton Deboree, who also directs.
FIRST LOOKS
Showtime debuted a clip from the Sept. 26 episode of “Work in Progress.” The clip features a cameo by NPR’s Audie Cornish, where she suddenly appears to ask Abby (Abby McEnany) a string of social justice-related interview questions as Abby tries to make her morning coffee. Created and executive produced by McEnany, “Work in Progress” is a semi-autobiographical comedy that focuses on Abby’s queerness, OCD, depression and love life. Lily Wachowski also executive produces. See the clip below.
Apple TV Plus released a trailer for its upcoming comedy, “Acapulco,” which debuts on Oct. 8. The show follows Máximo Gallardo (Enrique Arrizon) as he embarks upon his dream career of working for a hot resort in the titular city in his 20s in 1984 — and as he reflects upon those experiences when recounting them for his nephew in the present day. Present-day Máximo is played by Eugenio Derbez. “Acapulco,” which features dialogue in both English and Spanish, also stars Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Chord Overstreet, Vanessa Bauche, Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Regina Orozco and Carlos Corona. It is created by showrunners Austin Winsberg and Chris Harris, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman, who all serve as executive producers alongside directors Richard Shepard (for the pilot) and Jay Karas, Deberz, Ben Odell and Eric and Kim Tannenbaum. Jason Wang co-executive produces and Sonia Gambaro co-produces. The show comes from Lionsgate Television, 3Pas Studios and The Tannenbaum Company. Watch the trailer below.
Apple TV Plus also released a trailer for “Get Rolling With Otis,” which premieres on Oct. 8. In this animated series, Otis the Tractor (voiced by Griffin Robert Faulkner) is always ready to hit his brakes to help his friends in need. It is based on Loren Long’s book series of the same title and executive produced by Vince Commisso, Wendy Harris, author Loren Long, Darragh O’Connell, Angela C. Santomero and Jane Startz. The show hails from9 Story Media Group and Brown Bag Films. Watch the trailer below.
Additionally, Apple TV Plus released a trailer for “Puppy Place,” which launches Oct. 15. “Puppy Place,” based on the book series by Ellen Miles, follows siblings Charles and Lizzie Peterson (Riley Looc and Brooklynn MacKinzie, respectively) and the puppies they foster, with each episode focusing on a different dog in need of a forever home. The show is executive produced by Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman and Jef Kaminsky of Scholastic Entertainment, and Andrew Green. Watch the trailer below.
Amazon Prime Video released a trailer for its upcoming adaptation of “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” which premieres on Oct. 15. The series, which has roots in Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel of the same title, begins with a car accident on graduation night, which bounds a ground of teenagers together by a dark secret. One year later, their secret may be out, as they find themselves being stalked (and slowly murdered). The series stars Madison Iseman, Bill Heck, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, Ashley Moore, Sebastian Amoruso, Fiona Rene, Cassie Beck and Brooke Bloom. Sara Goodman serves as writer and executive producer; Neal H. Mortiz, Pavun Shetty, Erik Feig, Peter Guber, James Wan, Michael Clear, Rob Hackett, Craig William Macneill and Shay Hatten also executive produce. The show is produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television. Watch the trailer below.
Disney Plus released a trailer for “Muppets Haunted Mansion,” the Muppets’ first-ever Halloween special, which streams Oct. 8. The special follows Gonzo after he agrees to spend the night in the scariest place on Earth: the titular Haunted Mansion. Will Arnett, Yvette Nicole Brown, Darren Criss and Taraji P. Henson star in the special, with additional appearances from Chrissy Metz, Alfonso Ribeiro, Edward Asner, Jeannie Mai, Danny Trejo, Sasheer Zamata, Craig Robinson, Skai Jackson, Pat Sajak, Geoff Keighley, Justina Machado, John Stamos and Kim Irvine. “Muppets Haunted Mansion” will include three new original songs — “Rest in Peace,” “Life Hereafter” and “Tie the Knot Tango” — plus a cover of “Dancing in the Moonlight,” which also be released on an EP on Oct. 8. Watch the trailer below.
Netflix released several images from the second season of “Emily in Paris,” which is set to debut on the streamer later this year. The images, which you can see below, span Season 2 episodes from the second to the finale. In the new season, Emily (Lily Collins) is getting better at navigating Paris as a city but still struggling with idiosyncrasies of French life. She is determined to focus on her work, but that gets more complicated every day, and she also embarks upon a complex personal life after meeting a fellow expat in a French class. The 10-episode second season comes from executive producers Darren Star, Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns and Andrew Fleming.
PROGRAMMING
Season 3 of “Liza On Demand” will premiere on YouTube Originals in fall 2021. The show follows Liza (Liza Koshy) and her roommates Harlow (Kimiko Glenn) and Oliver (Travis Coles) through their twenties. The new season will see the group move to a new West L.A. apartment and navigate conspiracy theories, wellness cults and the pandemic together.
“Instant Influencer with ZHC” will also premiere on YouTube Originals in fall 2021. YouTuber and art influencer ZHC hosts 10 artists who will compete in eight episodes of creative challenges, with the winner taking home $100,000 in this new series.
YouTube Originals will premiere “Home Courts” later this year. The special sees rapper Quavo explore Atlanta by highlighting neighborhood basketball courts and how important they are within local communities. Critical Content produces with Quavo, Tom Forman, Jenny Daly and Brian Sher executive producing.
YouTube Originals will also debut the third installment of “Bear Witness, Take Action” later this year. In the series, different Black creators share their personal perspectives on different issues through a racial justice lens. “Bear Witness, Take Action 3” is produced by Hoorae Media and Fly On The Wall.
YouTube Originals also announced that the preschool series “Tab Time” will premiere later this year. The show stars Tabitha Brown and explores themes such as gratitude, mindfulness and community while also encouraging kids to realize their potential. The series is produced by Kids at Play and Scale Productions; Lorien McKenna serves as showrunner Henry Saine directs. “Tab Time” will launch on the Tabitha Brown YouTube channel and the YouTube Kids app.
YouTube Originals announced that “The Creator Games 3 presented by MrBeast” will premiere in Dec. 2021. In this two-part installment of “The Creator Games,” 15 YouTubers will compete in a set of challenges leading up to a second round, where the top 10 contestants will play hide-and-seek in hopes of winning $500,000.
The YouTube Original six-part limited series “Supreme Models,” inspired by Marcellas Reynolds’ book of the same title, will premiere Fall 2022. The series aims to pay tribute to the Black women who transformed the fashion and beauty industries while also celebrating the fight for representation for models. Through personal stories of industry leaders as well as looking back at critical moments in runway history, the series will highlight the challenges these models have faced to overcome systems of racial oppression and sexism. Reynolds serves as an executive producer on “Supreme Models,” along with R.J. Cutler, Iman, Jane Cha Cutler, Douglas Keeve, Rolake Bamgbose, Donny Jackson and Trevor Smith.
GREENLIGHTS
HBO Max ordered a docuseries that will look at the DC legacy and its 80 years of storytelling. Told in three parts, the series will reveal the personal inspirations that have been foundational to its expansive universe through the exploration of its characters, comic books and company origins. In doing so, the series aims to answer the question as to how and why the DC Universe has come to mean so much to so many. The series will be co-directed by Leslie Iwerks and Mark Catalena. Iwerks executive produces alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and David Madden, while Catalena co-executive produces alongside Rachael Jerahian and Jonathan Gabay. The docuseries will be produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, DC, Berlanti Productions and Iwerks & Co.
EXECUTIVES
Propagate Content announced that Isabel San Vargas, president of production and operations, has become an equity partner in the company, while Leili Mostajeran and David Martinez have been promoted to head of legal and business affairs for the West Coast and East Coast, respectively. San Vargas oversees all aspects of production and operations, including international and domestic production and post-production, and reports to Drew Buckley, group president and COO. She has been at Propagate since 2015 and was named president of production and operations in 2018 with previous experience including a position as Pilgrim Studios’ senior vice president of production and freelance producer positions on several unscripted series. Mostajeran and Martinez will work across all of the company’s documentary, scripted and unscripted projects, including domestic and international distribution. Mostajeran previously served as senior attorney of business and legal affairs for both Critical Content and Gurney Productions. Martinez has spent the last 10 years at Electus and Propagate focusing on international and domestic distribution. Both report to Buckley.
LATE NIGHT
Michael Strahan, Justin Willman and The Killers will appear on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” while Ringo Starr, Simone Biles and the Doobie Brothers will be on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Ike Barinholtz and Jenny Slate will be on “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” will feature Anderson Cooper and John Mayer, and Ben Platt will be on “The Late Late Show With James Corden.”
