Vamos, queens! Valentina and Lolita Banana are set to host the all-new “Drag Race México,” the latest series in the Drag Race franchise.
“With ‘Drag Race Mexico,’ you’ll find the tenacity of the Mexican heart,” Valentina told Rolling Stone.
Valentina is a Mexican-American singer, actress and a fan favorite, starring in Season 9 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and Season 4 of the all-stars edition. Lolita Banana was the first Mexican-born contestant to compete in a Drag Race series, and last year, starred in the first season of Drag Race France.
MTV, Paramount+ and World of Wonder announced the new hosts on Friday at DragCon Los Angeles. Contestants for the season have yet to be released.
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AMC released the official first trailer for the spinoff series, “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” which is set to premiere June 18 at 10 p.m. on AMC and AMC+.
In the franchise’s fourth spinoff, Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan reprise their roles as Maggie and Negan. “Dead City” follows Maggie and Negan as they travel through a post-apocalyptic Manhattan. While the city slowly crumbles, it begins to fill up with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world.
Eli Jorné returns to “The Walking Dead” universe, serving as “Dead City’s” showrunner and executive producer. Cohan and Morgan also serve as executive producers, alongside Brian Bockrath.
Check out the trailer below
EVENTS
GLAAD’s inaugural Black Queer Creative Summit will take place from Sept. 14-17 in Los Angeles.
The two-day event is designed to educate and train 150 Black LGBTQ creatives across the entertainment industry, including executives, creators, creatives behind the scenes, on-screen talent and music supervisors.
The Black Queer Creative Summit will feature keynote speakers, conferences and breakout sessions from industry professionals. Throughout the event, attendees will have the chance to learn more about various career paths, increase professional development and network with fellow Black creatives.
Special guests will join as guest speakers and lead workshops during the summit, the guests will represent several sectors of the industry, including writers, musicians, directors, producers, artists, filmmakers, photographers and other industry professionals.
“The Summit will spotlight, celebrate, and curate professional development opportunities for emerging Black LGBTQ creative leaders, fostering a pipeline for the next generation of Black LGBTQ artists,” said DaShawn Usher, GLAAD’s director, communities of color and media.
Applications are now open and will close Monday, June 12.
PROGRAMMING
On May 25, all eight episodes of the first part of “Yellowstone” Season 5 will be available to stream on Peacock, the streamer announced Tuesday.
Season 5 of “Yellowstone” spotlights the Dutton family as they fight “to defend their ranch and way of life.” When their family’s secrets begin to strain the family, political hopes and outside alliances threaten their fate.
“Yellowstone” is led by Kevin Coster and also stars Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser and Kelsey Asbille.
The second half of “Yellowstone” Season 5 is set to launch this November on the Paramount Network, with this season being its final. While the original series is coming to an end, an untitled “Yellowstone” sequel series has been ordered.
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Amazon Prime Video’s stand-up comedy special “2 Moms, 1 Mic” will premiere this Mother’s Day, May 14. “2 Moms, 1 Mic” stars comics Kaela Crawford (“Laugh After Dark”) and Selina Ringel (“Single Mother by Choice”) as the two make a comedic tribute to motherhood.
“We became friends through stand up but when Kaela got pregnant, I began checking in on her often as I had just had my baby,” Ringel said. “It’s a very unique experience to be a performer and a mother. We realized there was so much to laugh about that we wanted to explore it together but the friendship and support we have given each other in the process has been invaluable.”
“We came up with this special to be a voice for new moms and moms-to-be who could relate to our experiences and might need a good laugh,“ Crawford added.
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Lea Thompson and Stacey Farber will star as a mother-daughter duo in CW Network’s upcoming crime drama series “The Spencer Sisters.” The show tells the story of the mystery novelist Victoria Spencer (Thompson) and her daughter Darby Spencer (Farber) who are often mistaken for sisters while working together at their private detective agency.
“My major focus lately has been directing, but this show was just too delicious to pass up,” said Thompson. “A lighthearted mother-daughter mystery series with an outrageously delightful character and the chance to work with the luminescent Stacey Farber. Not to mention, it’s exciting to be part of the new reimagined CW.”
“The Spencer Sisters” is produced by eOne and Buffalo Gal Pictures. It was created by Alan McCullough and is executive produced by co-showrunners McCullough and Jenn Engels.
PICKUPS
The CW Network has acquired CBC and Lionsgate TV’s original comedy series “Son of a Critch” to air this summer, the network announced Monday.
The series is based on comedian, actor and writer Mark Critch’s bestselling memoir. “Son of a Critch” follows the story of Mark as a child while he uses “comedy and self-deprecation to win friends and connect with the small collection of people in his limited world.”
Critch stars in the series as the father of a young Mark, portrayed by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth. Malcolm McDowell, Claire Rankin, Sophia Powers, Mark Riveria and Colton Gobbo are also part of the cast.
“Son of a Critch” Season 1 premiered in Canada as the top scripted program in key demos on CBC and has continued to rank as one of the top 5 Canadian comedies overall since its debut.
“Son of a Critch” hails from Andrew Barnsley, executive producer of “Schitt’s Creek” and Tim McAuliffe, writer of “The Office” and “Last Man on Earth.” Critch, McAuliffe, Barnsley and Allan Hawco executive produce the series. Renuka Jeyapalan, Perry Chafe, Amanda Joy and Anita Kapila serve as co-executive producers with Jeyapalan directing the first four episodes of the series.
PARTNERSHIPS
Coaches+ Media and Altius Sports Partners have partnered to create and develop media content and IP to amplify coaches’ unique stories.
The partnership’s content will work to showcase the coaches’ stories of leadership, education, inclusion, service and advocacy. The partnership will offer coaches the opportunity to create their own content through its “Coaches Creator” platform and develop philanthropic projects, instructional videos and media collectibles.
“Altius brings deep experience and expertise in the college sports industry, and we look forward to working together to create engaging, innovative content that showcases the unique perspectives and insights of our network of coaches,” CEO of Coaches+ Media, Craig Robinson, said.
Casey Schwab, CEO and founding partner of Altius Sports Partners, added, “We believe that Coaches+ has a unique opportunity to leverage the insights and experiences of its network of coaches to create engaging, educational, and entertaining content that will benefit coaches at every level of the sport.”
EVENTS
The Monte-Carlo Television Festival will take place June 16-20 in Monaco. The upcoming festival will screen the world premiere of “Shelter,” the Prime Video original series based off of Harlan Coben’s book of the same name. “Shelter” follows Mickey Bolitar after his father suddenly dies, leading him to start a new life in Kasselton, New Jersey. But Mickey gets entangled in the mysterious disappearance of a new student at his school. Coben and Allen MacDonald serve as co-showrunners and executive producers with Ed Ornelas, Rola Bauer, Erik Barmack and director Patricia Cardoso. Charlotte Coben is a producer.
The screening will take place in the Salle Des Princes theatre.
In addition to the premiere of “Shelter,” Emmy Award winner John Goodman will serve as the President of the fiction jury alongside Camilla Rydbacken, SVP scripted content, Viaplay; Francesca Chillemi, producer; Frank Spotnitz, CEO and executive producer of Big Light Productions; Marcus Ammon, managing director content, Bavaria Fiction; and actor Travis Fimmel.
Emmy Award-winning documentarian Tom Jennings was announced as the president of the news and documentaries jury. Jennings is joined by Jeanette Larsson, senior editor and producer, SVT; Aïda Touihri, presenter, RMC Story; José Carlos Gallardo, reporter, editor and director, Weekly Report and creator and author Patrick Aryee.
The festival will conclude with producer and writer Howard Gordon (“The X-Files,” “24,” “Homeland,” “Accused”) receiving the Honorary Golden Nymph Award at the closing ceremony on June 20.
FIRST LOOKS
Prime Video has revealed the official trailer for its upcoming eight-episode docuseries “The Ride” that will premiere on May 30, the streaming service announced on Thursday.
“The Ride” will follow a cast of PBR Team Series bull riders, team coaches and office executives throughout their season with behind-the-scenes looks at the fast-growing sport.
The series will spotlight star athletes including Jose Vitor Leme, Ezkiel Mitchell, and Dakota Louis (Austin Gamblers), Boudreaux Campbell and Daylon Swearingen (Carolina Cowboys), and Chase Outlaw and Eli Vastbinder (Oklahoma Freedom), along with head coaches Michael Gaffney (Gamblers), Jerome Davis (Cowboys) and Cord McCoy (Freedom).
“The Ride” is executive produced by Kinetic Content’s Chris Coelen, Eric Detwiler, Karrie Wolfe and Micah Brown. PBR’s Sean Gleason and Lawrence Randall also serve as executive producers. “The Ride” is a co-production from Prime Video, Kinetic Content, and PBR.
Check out the official trailer below.
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Shondaland Audio and iHeartPodcasts’ new podcast “Queen Charlotte: The Official Podcast” will be released on Thursday, May 18, accessible anywhere you get get your podcasts.
Gabrielle Collins will host the new “Bridgerton” podcast, this time tackling the Shonda Rimes-helmed prequel “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.” Collins will converse with the team behind the series, including Rimes, Tom Verica and India Amarteifio.
Check out the official first-look below.
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Prime Video has set a June 23 release date for its mythical comedy series “I’m A Virgo,” the streamer announced Monday, accompanied by a first look clip.
“I’m A Virgo” stars Jharrel Jerome as Cootie, a 13-foot-tall Black man living in Oakland, Calif. The mythical odyssey series follows Cootie’s journey as he escapes his old life of reading comic books and watching TV all day to explore the real world. He goes on to make friends, find love and navigate the conflicts of living in the real world.
The series also stars Walton Goggins, Brett Gray, Kara Young, Allius Barnes, Olivia Washington, Mike Epps and Carmen Ejogo. The entire seven-episode season will premiere on Prime Video June 23.
“I’m A Virgo” is created, written, directed and executive produced by showrunner Boots Riley.Chun also serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer Rebecca Rivo and Jerome.
Check out the first look below.
DATES
Apple TV+ has released another teaser for “Foundation” Season 2 and officially set the show’s premiere for Friday, July 14. The sci-fi drama series is led by Jared Harris and Lee Pace with Lou Llobell and Leah Harvey, and is based on the Foundation series novels by American author Isaac Asimov.
The 10-episode Season 2 will follow the religious phase of the Foundation as danger looms within the empire. Returning cast members include Laura Birn, Cassian Bilton and Terrence Mann alongside new cast members including Isabella Laughland, Kulvinder Ghir, Ella-Rae Smith, Holt McCallany, Rachel House, Nimrat Kaur, Ben Daniels and Dimitri Leonidas.
David S. Goyer is showrunner and executive producer. Alex Graves, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Bill Bost, Robin Asimov and Marcy Ross also serve as executive producers.
Watch the teaser below.
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A&E Network has set a June 17 release date for its upcoming investigative documentary “Exposing Parchman.”
The new series will take a deeper look into the Mississippi correctional system. In Dec. 2019, the Mississippi Penitentiary, better known as Parchman, caught the attention of audiences for its brutal and unjust prison conditions. A group of inmates shared footage from inside the prison, to which Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Mario “Yo Gotti” Mims and an assortment of lawyers came together to provide legal representation for the incarcerated men at the facility.
“Exposing Parchman” will touch on the prison’s dark history with interviews with families of those incarcerated and never-before-seen footage from inside the prison.
“The incarcerated population in Parchman and their loved ones have experienced immeasurable pain and suffering, so we felt a responsibility to help them share their stories with the compassion and consideration that it deserves,” said Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation. “Our hope is that this documentary will educate the public about these torturous injustices, hold the leaders in Mississippi accountable for fostering unconstitutional and inhumane conditions in Parchman, and create swift and comprehensive change to eradicate the state’s depravity in this prison and disregard for the criminal justice system.”
A&E Network joined forces with Roc Nation, ITV America’s Good Caper Content and Red Summer TV who produced the series. Jordana Hochman and Jeanmarie Condon serve as executive producers, with Alison Dammann serving as co-executive producers. Rahman Ali Bugg is director and executive producer for Red Summer TV. Jeanmarie Condon is writer and producer.
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Season 2 of Prime Video’s “Good Omens” will premiere on July 28, the streamer announced Wednesday.
The second season of “Good Omens” will spotlight the story and friendship of Aziraphale, a fussy angel and rare book dealer, and Crowley, a fast-living demon. “Having been on Earth since The Beginning, and with the Apocalypse thwarted, Aziraphale and Crowley are getting back to easy living amongst mortals in London’s Soho when an unexpected messenger presents a surprising mystery.”
“Good Omens” stars Michael Sheen as Aziraphale and David Tennant as Crowley. Returning cast members include Jon Hamm, Doon Mackichan, Gloria Obianyo, Miranda Richardson, Maggie Service and Nina Sosanya, while Lizz Carr, Quelin Sepulveda and Shelley Conn join the series for Season 2.
Neil Gaiman serves as executive producer and co-showrunner along with executive producer Douglas Mackinnon, who directed the full season. Rob Wilkins, John Finnemore and Josh Cole also executive produce, with Finnemore serving as co-writer alongside Gaiman. Good Omens is based on the well-loved and internationally best-selling novel by Pratchett and Gaiman.
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Make your way on down to Exclamation, USA: The Max original animated series “Clone High” is set to debut May 23, the day the HBO Max-Discovery+ combined product launches. The show takes on the same-name as the 2000s MTV classic with a fresh spin as Joan, JFK, Abe and Cleo hit the books again 20 years later.
“Clone High” follows teenage clones of some of the world’s most intelligent people: Joan of Arc, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, and Cleopatra and Gandhi, as it riffs off the tropes of classic teen drama series.
Returning voices include Will Forte as Abe and Nicole Sullivan as Joan along with Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Christa Miller, Donald Faison and Judah Miller.
The show is executive produced by Lord, Chris Miller, Bill Lawrence, Erica Rivinoja, Erik Durbin, Judah Miller, Corey Campodonico, Alex Bulkley and Jeff Ingold. Two episodes will debut each Thursday following the premiere until June 22.
Watch the trailer below.
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Fox has shifted the premiere date for Season 2 of Joel McHale’s “Crime Scene Kitchen” from May 22 to June 5 amid the ongoing writers strike. The McHale-hosted reality cooking competition will debut with a one-hour premiere, despite previously announcing a two-hour, two-episode premiere on May 22.
The decision comes from the broadcaster as networks look to spread out their unscripted programming schedule for the summer season to combat any delays that my arise due to the WGA strike.
“Crime Scene Kitchen” is led by McHale as bakers are tasked with figuring out what dessert they’re baking by eating a few crumbs and being given some elusive clues. The series is produced by Fox Alternative Entertainment and Fly on the Wall Entertainment. Conrad Green, Allison Grodner, Rich Meehan and McHale serve as executive producers.
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Netflix’s latest limited series “Painkiller” will make its debut on Netflix Aug. 10.
“Painkiller” stars Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dina Shihabi and West Duchovny as they recount a fictionalized retelling of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in the U.S. The stories of perpetrators, victims and truth-seekers affected by the creation of OxyContin will be explored in the limited series.
The series is based on the Barry Meier book of the same name and the New Yorker Magazine article “The Family That Built the Empire of Pain” by Patrick Radden Keefe.
“Painkiller” is directed by Peter Berg and executively produced by Berg, Eric Newman, Alex Gibney and creators/showrunners/writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster.
GREENLIGHTS
Roku has greenlit an original untitled documentary that will spotlight the NFL Draft weekend from Sydance Sports to be produced by NFL Films for the Roku Channel, the company announced Thursday.
The documentary was filmed over the course of three days during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend in Kansas City, M.O., and will give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the event. The untitled project will feature everything from clips of the players in their green room to footage of reporters catching up with players. The four featured teams will consist of the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars.
“It’s an honor to partner with NFL Films and Skydance Sports to give our streamers first-time, unprecedented access to the excitement, anticipation, and emotion of the NFL Draft,” said Brian Tannenbaum, head of originals at Roku Media. “As we expand our original sports content offering, Roku Originals remains committed to sharing authentic stories, from world-class partners, only on The Roku Channel.”
Additionally, the Roku Channel has announced the acquisition of the NFL Channel to its live TV guide, allowing users to catch up on programming from NFL Films and NFL Media.
Executive producers for NFL Films include Ross Ketover, Pat Kelleher and Keith Cossrow, and for Skydance Sports are David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold and Jon Weinbach. Producers are Erik Powers and Pat Harris of NFL Films, and Dan Marks and Lauren Gaffney for Skydance Sports.
EXECUTIVE NEWS
Producer Elizabeth Davies has joined Scout Productions as its SVP of production and operations. In her new role, she will oversee domestic and international physical production while reporting to Scout Productions president Eric Korsh. Davies has spent 25 years in various roles as a production consultant, talent agent and a range of jobs in unscripted television.
“The company has a proven track record of creating innovative and thought-provoking content, and I am eager to collaborate with such a talented group of individuals,” Davies said. “I look forward to contributing my experience and expertise to help bring even more groundbreaking projects to life.”
Scout’s recent program roster includes Netflix’s “Queer Eye” Season 7, Peacock’s new series “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death” and FX’s “The Secrets of Hillsong.”
