Hulu has revealed a new look at Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short in the third season of “only Murders in the Building,” which is set to premiere on August 8.
Season 3 will follow Charles (Martin), Oliver (Short) and Mabel (Gomez) as they dig deeper into a murder that takes place behind the scenes of a Broadway show. Ben Glenroy’s (Paul Rudd) Broadway debut is shortened after his sudden death, in which Charles, Oliver and Mabel band together to investigate. With the help of co-star Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep), the trio “embarks on their toughest case yet,” as Oliver battles to keep this show on the road.
Season 3 of “only Murders in the Building” comes after the series was nominated for 11 Emmys on July 12. The series landed nominations in categories including outstanding comedy series and Martin Short for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series.
“only Murders in the Building” comes from co-creators and writers Steve Martin and John Hoffman. Martin and Hoffman executive produce along with Short, Gomez, creator Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal.
Check out the new art below.
FIRST LOOKS
Hulu has just released the trailer and key art for season four of its original animated series “Solar Opposites,” coming August 14. The show follows a team of four aliens living on Earth, two of whom have a pessimistic view of the planet and two of whom love it. Season four promises similar antics and irreverent humor as past seasons, with the group trying their best to fit in on Earth. This is the first season to be released since it was announced that Dan Stevens would be replacing lead voice actor and series co-creator Justin Roiland, who was fired following domestic violence charges. Stevens now voices protagonist Korvo, and the trailer acknowledges this when Jesse says, “Wait, is his voice just gonna be like that from now on?” and Yumyulack replies, “Yeah, but nobody’s gonna notice.” The trailer features more self-referential humor and features the tagline “What doesn’t kill you makes you family.” Fans can expect eleven new episodes this August in addition to a Valentine’s Day special in winter.
“Solar Opposites” is produced by 20th Television Animation and executive produced by Mike McMahan and Josh Bycel.
Watch the official trailer below.
*
Max offered first looks of a few upcoming original animated series during a panel at San Diego’s Comic-Con. Audiences got sneak peeks at debut series “Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake,” “Young Love” and “Harley Quinn” Season 4, all of which can now be seen below.
“Fionna and Cake” follows the alternate universe of “Adventure Time’s” Finn and Jake with appearances from Marshall Lee, Marceline, Princess Bubblegum and other friends. The first two episodes are set to air on August 31, followed by two new episodes airing weekly.
Max’s “Young Love” expands on the Oscar-winning animated short “Hair Love.” The series features the voices of Issa Rae, Kid Cudi, Loretta Devine, Harry Lennix, Tamar Braxton and Brooke Monroe Conaway.
Season 4 of Max’s adult comedy “Harley Quinn” is set to debut its first three episodes on July 27, followed by one new episode weekly. Harley is voiced by Kaley Cuoco, who also serves as executive producer for the show.
*
Peacock has set a July 31 premiere date for its latest docuseries, “American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes.” The streamer announced the date for the new series, which spotlights the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, on Monday.
Growing up under the legendary wrestling icon, Cody Rhodes infamously made a name for himself as the “American Nightmare” when he decided to leave the WWE. (The name was meant to be a counter to his father, known as “The American Dream.”) The new documentary will track his own journey leaving the organization, his eventual return to WrestleMania and his journey chasing the WWE championship – a feat his father, Dusty, never accomplished.
“Through never-before-seen footage and unprecedented access, this Peacock Original illustrates the transformation of a man who is blazing a new trail in sports entertainment,” reads the official logline.
“American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes” is directed by Matt Braine with Vincent K. McMahon, Kevin Dunn, Chris Kaiser, Chris Chambers, Ben Houser and Cody Rhodes executive producing. Stephen Amell joins as narrator.
Watch the official trailer below.
*
Prime Video released the first trailer for Season 2 of its hit fantasy series “The Wheel of Time” on Wednesday, giving viewers a sneak peek at that “the deadly threat of the growing darkness” to come.
based on Robert Jordan’s book series, Season 2 will sport the inclusion of fan-favorite characters such as Elayne Trakand, Aviendha, and Lady Suroth.
Rosamund Pike stars as Moiraine Damodred, Daniel Henney as Lan Mandragoran, Josha Stradowski as Rand al’Thor, Zoë Robins as Nynaeve al’Meara, Madeleine Madden as Egwene al’Vere, Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybara, Dónal Finn as Mat Cauthon and Ceara Coveney as Elayne Trakand.
“The Wheel of Time” was adapted by executive producer and showrunner Rafe Judkins. Larry Mondragon, Rick Selvage, Ted Field, Mike Weber, Darren Lemke, Marigo Kehoe, Justine Juel Gillmer, Sanaa Hamri and Amanda Kate Shuman also serve as executive producers. Pike serves as co-executive producer while Harriet McDougal, Brandon Sanderson and Lauren Selig are consulting producers.
Watch the official trailer below.
*
Prime Video debuted a new slate of first-look images on Tuesday from its original psychological thriller “Wilderness,” starring Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen.
Coleman and Jackson-Cohen portray Liv and Will, “a happy British couple who seem to have it all.” However, when Liv learns of her husband’s affair, she seemingly decides to seek revenge on Will. The couple embarks on an American road trip when they meet fellow couple Cara (Ashley Benson) and Garth (Eric Balfour), who quickly become engulfed into the lives of Will and Liv “in a way that will change the course of all their future’s forever.”
“Wilderness” is based on B.E. Jones’ novel of the same name, written and created by Brit Marnie Dickens. So Yong Kim joins as director of the series while Elizabeth Kilgarriff joins as executive producer.
Check out the first-look images below.
*
Yolonda Ross and Jacob Latimore star in the new trailer for Season 6, Part 1 of Showtime’s “The Chi,” a drama series about life in the South Side of Chicago. The first episode of Season 6 is set to premiere on Paramount+ with Showtime on August 4, while having its linear Showtime premiere on August 6 at 9 p.m. Season 6, Part 1 consists of eight episodes that air weekly.
According to the season’s official synopsis, this season, “Emmett (Latimore) and Kiesha’s (Birgundi Baker) blissful blended union is tested by his insatiable drive to expand Smokey’s and a new perilous partnership, while Kiesha finally races toward a rewarding new career. Douda (Curtiss Cook) deals with the fallout of Q’s murder and its effect on the shifting loyalty of his inner circle. Victor’s (Luke James) bold declaration of love for both his new girlfriend and his beloved community will impact his political ambitions. Happily married Jada (Yolonda Ross) mentors Emmett and her besties as they navigate relationships. Kevin (Alex Hibbert) is becoming a brilliant master gamer but struggles with the youthful pitfalls of early independence. Jake (Michael V. Epps) launches a new business, and Papa (Shamon Brown Jr.) falls for an older woman while questioning his faith.”
“The Chi” was created by Lena Waithe. Waithe executive produced the series alongside Common, Justin Hillian, Jewel Coronel, Aaron Kaplan, Derek Dudley, Shelby Stone, Rick Famuyiwa and Rishi Rajani.
Watch the Season 6 trailer below.
The Peacock original series “Killing It,” starring Craig Robinson (also an executive producer) returns for its second season on August 17.
The first season followed Robinson as divorced father and aspiring entrepreneur Craig Foster. His life took a turn when an Australian Uber driver (Claudia O’Doherty) introduced him to the lucrative world of invasive snake hunting; he entered a python hunting contest which set in motion a rollercoaster of events.
According to Robinson, the second season will not feature as many snakes as the first, but will deliver the same sense of humor and continue to examine the American dream. The second season trailer features a myriad of characters who pose a threat to Craig’s entrepreneurial pursuits. Eight new guest stars join the show this season, including Dot-Marie Jones and Kyle Mooney.
Watch the official trailer below.
DATES
FX has announced the return of their series “Welcome to Wrexham,” with season two set to premiere on September 12. The Emmy-nominated show centers around actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as the stewards of the Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC, which is the third oldest professional soccer club in the world. The comedy actors bought the team, based in the small working class town of Wrexham, in 2020 with the vision of transforming them into underdogs. While season one followed their journey up until elimination in playoffs, season two tracks their efforts to get Wrexham AFC out of the National League and back into the English Football Club. Both McElhenney and Reynolds also serve as executive producers.
The second season will premiere at 10 p.m. ET on September 12 and will be available to stream on Hulu the following day.
*
John Kramer is back: Lionsgate has set a September 29 release date for “Saw X,” the studio announced Thursday.
Serving as the latest installment in the “Saw” franchise, “Saw X” will see Tobin Bell return in his infamous role as serial killer John Kramer.
Set in between the timeline of “Saw I” and “Saw II,” John travels to Mexico to take part in an experimental medical procedure in hopes of finding a cure for his cancer. However, he quickly realizes that the operation is a scam, which sparks him to “return to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged and ingenious traps.”
“Saw X” is directed by Kevin Greutert, with Peter Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg serving as writers while Mark Burg and Oren Koules produce.
AWARDS
Toby Keith is set to receive the Country Icon Award at this year’s “People’s Choice Country Awards” as presented by fellow country artist Blake Shelton, NBC and Peacock announced Tuesday.
With a longstanding career in the music industry, Keith receives the Country Icon Award for his contributions as a musician, humanitarian and entrepreneur. Having been awarded a National Medal Arts award in 2021, Keith devotes to the Toby Keith Foundation, OK Kids Korral and his annual charity golf classic.
The “People’s Choice Country Awards” will air live on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville across both NBC and Peacock.
“We’re overjoyed to honor legendary artist Toby Keith with the first-ever Country Icon Award,” said Cassandra Tryon, senior VP of NBCUniversal television and streaming’s entertainment live events. “As a talented songwriter and powerhouse performer, Keith has touched the hearts of fans across the globe. His illustrious career and passion for philanthropy has cemented his place as an icon in country music history.”
The telecast will be produced by Den of Thieves with Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski serving as executive producers, along with RAC Clark as executive producer and showrunner.
PROGRAMMING
ABC has shifted its summer programming schedule with “The Bachelorette” now airing Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, followed by “Claim to Fame” at 10:01 p.m. The move essentially swaps the broadcast order for the night, as “Claim to Fame” previously kicked off Mondays into “The Bachelorette.” These tweaks are set to go into effect on July 24, the network announced Monday.
“The Bachelorette” will sport a three-hour season finale on Monday, August 21 beginning at 8 p.m. while “Claim to Fame” closes its season out on Monday, August 28 at 8 p.m. with a two-hour episode.
Additionally, on July 27, “The Prank Panel” will debut on its new night and time of Thursdays at 9 p.m. following “Generation Gap,” which maintains its regular timeslot. (“The Prank Panel” previously aired Sundays at 8 p.m., but will now take over for “The Chase,” which airs its season finale on Thursday, June 20.)
With “The Prank Panel” shifting to Thursday, “Celebrity Family Feud” slips into a new air time of 8 p.m. on Sundays, with “The $100,000 Pyramid” moving from 10 p.m. to 9 p.m.
EVENTS
Women Of Wrestling is heading to San Diego Comic-Con with owner Jeanie Buss and two personalities, Kandi Krush and Genesis. Buss, Krush and Genesis are set to sign autographs on Saturday, July 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. PT at Headlocked Comics booth #1901. “WOW — Women of Wrestling” airs in syndication, as well as Pluto TV’s Fight Channel and on Vice TV. Buss and David McLane own the brand, which returns for a second season this fall and is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
DATES
Tennis stars John McEnroe and Andre Agassi make their return to Pickleball Slam with “Slam 2,” which ESPN will air on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. ET from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Additionally, Steffi Graf and Maria Sharapova join McEnroe and Agassi to compete at “Slam 2.” A doubles match featuring McEnroe and Sharapova promises against Agassi and Graf promises to excite with a high stakes total prize of $1 million.
“When I watched the inaugural Pickleball Slam in April and stepped onto the court, I was hooked. Andre and I can’t wait to get back out on the court together to face off against Maria and John,” said Graf.
Tickets for “Slam 2” went on sale Tuesday at noon starting at $46 and are available via myhrl and Ticketmaster. “Slam 2” is created and produced by Horizon Sports & Entertainment alongside InsideOut Sports & Entertainment.
SPECIALS
MTV will honor the late Tony Bennett this weekend by airing his “MTV Unplugged” episodes from both 1994 and 2021. The iconic singer performed on “MTV Unplugged” once on his own and later alongside friend and frequent collaborator Lady Gaga. MTV celebrates Bennett by airing these episodes back-to-back at 10 p.m and 11 p.m. ET respectively on July 21, July 22, and July 23. In the first special, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year, Bennett performed songs from “The Great American Songbook.” The special with Lady Gaga features both duets and solo performances of songs off their album “Love for Sale.”
*
French television network TV5Monde will honor late actress and singer Jane Birkin on July 20 with the film “Jane by Charlotte” and concert film “Jane Birkin — Oh pardon tu dormais.” Though Birkin was born and raised in England, she would later become a French citizen, and was known for her roles in a variety of French films. “Jane by Charlotte” is the directorial debut of Charlotte Gainsbourg, the daughter of Birkin and French singer Serge Gainsbourg. The 2022 docudrama follows Birkin over several years and examines their mother-daughter relationship.
The famous “it” girl was also known for her singing career, having collaborated with Gainsbourg and establishing herself as a solo artist as well. “Oh ! Pardon tu dormais…” was her 14th studio album, released in 2021, and the songs explore personal subject matters like the death of her daughter, Kate Barry, and her relationship with Serge Gainsbourg. The concert film showcases a life performance of her last album at the Paris Philharmonic in 2022.
“Jane by Charlotte” and “Jane Birkin —Oh pardon tu dormais” will air at 8:30 pm ET and 11:30 pm ET respectively.
*
Chris Cuomo will question mayors, law enforcement officials and business owners as he hosts a special town hall edition of “Cuomo.” The special, titled “Crime in America,” airs on Monday, July 31 at 8 p.m. ET on NewsNation.
During the two-hour broadcast, Cuomo will take questions from viewers in Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago, focusing on the impact of crime on everyday American lives. Cuomo will also highlight a new Decision Desk HQ poll about crime in America and voter concerns on the issue.
“Featuring interviews with mayors from across the country, Cuomo will also be joined by law enforcement who will share their first-hand experiences of fighting violence along with providing potential solutions to the rising problem. Additionally, senior national correspondent Brian Entin will provide reporting on how crime is impacting even smaller communities,” said NewsNation in an announcement.
PARTNERSHIPS
Nickelodeon and Republic Records have joined forces to debut “Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music from the Animated Series),” a new album featuring updated and re-recorded score from the first season of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Its first single, “Aang Becomes Ocean,” will release on Friday, July 28, with the album now being available for pre-order ahead of its November release timeframe.
The album is set to showcase compositions from the Emmy award-winning composer and musician Jeremy Zuckerman, who originally composed the music for the beloved Nickelodeon series. Bryan Konietzko created the original album artwork.
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” was co-created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino, and initially ran February 2005 to July 2008. The story centers around Aang and his friends who embark on a mission to defeat Fire Lord Ozai to end the Hundred Year War in hopes of restoring balance to the Four Nations.
EXECUTIVE NEWS
Noah Koran of streaming and broadcast production company Hit + Run has been promoted to senior vice president of development, the company announced Tuesday.
Koran will continue to report to founder and executive producer Rob Shaftel. He will supervise the company’s slate of narrative-rich series and original formats. Additionally, he will continue to elevate Hit + Run’s creative/casting strategy.
Koran is behind Hit + Run series including “Critter Fixers: Country Vets,” “Swap Shop,” “I Was Prey” and multiple renditions of the “Shark Week” entry “I Was Prey.”
“From Hit + Run’s inception, Noah has been integral in expanding our slate with premium bespoke content, nurturing our talent and partnerships and growing Hit + Run into what it is today,” said Shaftel. “Incredibly, he’s established us as producers in nearly every genre of unscripted television from global adventure to food to natural history.”
DEVELOPMENT
Common Sense Networks is expanding its Sensical franchise with the development of three new FAST channels, including Sensical Jr., Sensical Makers and Sensical Gaming, the network announced Thursday.
With “age-appropriate content for kids two to 10,” the three new FAST channels under Common Sense Networks will utilize “comprehensive child development data” to provide suitable content for children. Sensical Junior will be targeted towards a preschool demo while both Sensical Makers and Sensical Gaming will adhere towards children five and up.
“We’re thrilled to launch these three distinctive FAST channels across the streaming ecosystem, all meeting kids where they are with thoughtfully curated, age appropriate content built around topics and creators they love,” noted Eric Berger, CEO and co-founder of Common Sense Networks. “Engaging with leading platforms to fill this marketplace gap addresses the needs of both pre-school and ‘bridge age’ kids six thru tween, and is a welcome addition to the lineups of our distribution partners.”
The channels are currently available on streaming platforms including Roku, VIZIO, Sling and TCL, with additional partners to come.
INITIATIVES
Open Television (OTV) has debuted its slate of 2023 OTV Fellows as part of its annual fellowship program that aims to empower indie filmmakers and storytellers.
This year’s fellows include Robert Cunningham, Jewells Santos, Khaleb Brooks, Wil Prada, Danielle Young, Priya Jeram Patel and Roni Niu (Yen-Jung).
Fellows will have access to writers, directors and producers in Hollywood and Sundance as their creative advisors, with the program having an aim “to prioritize diverse voices and stories by offering tangible resources, generative education, and intentional mentorship to filmmakers from two or more marginalized communities.” Among this year’s creative advisors are Jess King and Makiah Green.
“When we change the stories we tell, we change the world. For far too long, our stories have come from a singular (cis, white male) perspective, and because of the gatekeeping mechanisms of Hollywood, it’s been difficult for intersectional creatives to gain a foothold to challenge that,” said King. “Investing in intersectional development opportunities and capacity-building for emerging storytellers is the key to creating a media ecosystem that incorporates and produces new stories from complex and non-status quo derived perspectives. In this moment, OTV’s commitment to investing in emerging intersectional artists is an essential buoy for authentic and inclusive storytelling.”
