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Courteney Cox’s Assistant Cast in Fox Comedy Pilot ‘Charity Case’
11 hours ago
Diona Reasonover has been cast in “Charity Case,” Courteney Cox’s Fox pilot, Variety has learned exclusively. She will play Cox’s on-screen assistant in the comedy.
“Charity Case” revolves around Hailey (Cox), who inherits her late billionaire husband’s charity but quickly finds that changing the world is far less glamorous than she had imagined.
Reasonover will play Kara, Hailey’s new assistant at the charity foundation’s headquarters. The character is described as upbeat, idealistic to a fault and thrilled to have landed the job, but she’s in for a rude shock after getting to see Hailey up close and personal.
“Charity Case” also stars Kyle Bornheimer, Isiah Whitlock, Jr. and Dan Gill. Cox will pull double duty as an exec producer, along with writer Robert Padnick, who penned the pilot and James Griffiths, who is set to direct. ABC Studios and 20th Century Fox are producing. »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
TV News Roundup: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Producing HBO Miniseries, ‘Legends of the Hidden Temple’ Reboot Casts Young Star
11 hours ago
In today’s news roundup, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is set to produce an HBO miniseries, plus Nickelodeon’s “Legends of the Hidden Temple” reboot has cast one of its stars.
Casting News:
Nickelodeon’s recently announced “Legends of the Hidden Temple” reboot has cast young actor Jet Jurgensmeyer, Variety has learned exclusively.
Jurgensmeyer will play Dudley, the youngest brother in the family who has the ability to talk to animals, sans snakes, and befriends a green monkey named Mikey who accompanies the kids through the temple.
His former credits include “Black-ish,” “Hot in Cleveland” and “American Sniper.” Up next, he will be seen in Disney’s “Adventures of Babysitting” revival movie. He is repped by Osbrink Talent Agency and Discover Management.
Development:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is attached to exec produce “Soldier Girls,” a miniseries in development at HBO, Variety has confirmed.
Based on “Soldier Girls: The Battles of Three Women at »
- Jacob Bryant
Daytime Emmys: New Categories Honor Digital, Musical Achievements
12 hours ago
The Daytime Emmys are growing again this year, but only by a couple of categories.
“I think we have 87 this year, which is a lot of categories,” says David Michaels, senior VP of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “I can’t remember the last time we deleted one, but we increased by two this year, including the addition of a second lifetime achievement category.”
That new lifetime achievement award is in the creative arts field. “It’s to honor a behind-the-scenes person who’s had a lifetime of contributing to a show or several shows, not just a front-of-the-camera person.”
Both lifetime honorees will be named in March, but the new award Michaels is most excited about is the outstanding musical performance in a talk show/morning program. “If you think about the kinds of guests that are on ‘The Today Show,’ ‘Good Morning America’ and all of the talk shows, »
- Paula Hendrickson
‘Childrens Hospital’ to End After Season 7 on Adult Swim
13 hours ago
Adult Swim’s “Childrens Hospital” is preparing to close its doors after its seventh season wraps next month.
Rob Corddry, the series co-creator and star known for his clown-painted face, said the decision came after months of deliberation.
“I had a feeling larva that transformed into a thought caterpillar, and, to continue the metaphor, then became a decision butterfly,” Corddry told Vulture, which first reported the news. “Talking with random people who understood the business and weren’t directly associated with ‘Childrens’ really helped me get my thoughts together.”
Corddry asserts that the seventh season of the offbeat comedy is the show’s best yet, and that influenced his decision to call it a wrap. The show’s final season bowed Jan. 22. “If I had been disappointed by this season, I would not have been able to stop doing it,” Corddry said. “This show, season after season, has been an exercise in perfecting this world. »
- Lamarco McClendon
Blair Underwood Cast in ABC’s Reese Witherspoon-Produced Drama Pilot
15 hours ago
Blair Underwood has been cast as a series regular in ABC’s untitled legal drama pilot from writer Meaghan Oppenheimer and exec producers Reese Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea, Variety has learned.
Underwood is a familiar face to ABC, as he’s been on Marvel drama “Agents of Shield.” Before closing on this project, which will keep him at the network, the actor had been courting many offers throughout pilot season.
The soapy drama pilot follows a ruthless Dallas divorce attorney, Gemma (yet to be cast), as her life begins to unravel when her emotionally damaged, love-addicted sister resurfaces, triggering self-destructive tendencies and exposing long-hidden family secrets.
Underwood joins cast members Penelope Ann Miller and T.R. Knight in the pilot, in which he will play James, Gemma’s boss and sometimes lover. He was Gemma’s law professor and mentor for years, instilling in her a sense of cutthroat ambition. He »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
Watch: Matthew Goode, Matthew Rhys Uncork ‘The Wine Show’
15 hours ago
ITV released a trailer for its new series “The Wine Show,” which features two famous wine amateurs: “Downton Abbey’s” Matthew Goode and “The Americans'” Matthew Rhys, who jet set to Italy to develop their wine palates.
The trailer, which includes scenic pans of the Italian wine country, previews the U.K. acting duo sampling a selection of wines, which a panel of wine aficionados curates from around the world (11 countries and five continents, to be exact) and personally delivers to the pair’s Italian hills villa.
We see Goode and Rhys, who are admittedly inexperienced in the art of wine tasting, exploring local wineries and the culture behind winemaking. The actors introduce a necessary charm to the wine tasting program, which they radiate through their enchanting accents and eager outcries like “Knock me down with a feather!”
“The Wine Show” premieres on ITV this spring with 13 hourlong episodes. »
- Alyssa Sage
Why the Controversial Death on ‘The 100’ Matters
16 hours ago
Don’t read on unless you’ve seen “13,” the March 3 episode of “The 100,” which showrunner Jason Rothenberg discussed with Variety. Major Spoilers Ahead.
I’m still processing the events of this week’s tumultuous episode of “The 100,” as appears to be the case with many fellow viewers. I’ve thought about little else since the episode aired, and I’m sure I’ll be pondering it for some time to come. Please don’t regard what follows as a fixed, absolute reaction. My feelings about “13” are likely to evolve as I think about it more, and much of this post will consist of me working through my thoughts and feelings as I go, so bear with me.
There’s one thing I’m sure of: I loved all the Polaris stuff. Everything to do with Becca and the doomed space station and the technology that continues to have »
- Maureen Ryan
‘Kevin From Work’ Canceled After One Season at Freeform
16 hours ago
“Kevin From Work” has been fired at Freeform, as the network has opted not to go forth with a second season of the romantic workplace comedy, Variety has learned.
The cancellation marks the first show to be axed after ABC Family rebranded as Freeform.
“Kevin From Work” was well reviewed but struggled in the ratings. Debuting last August, the summer show opened to 580,000 viewers, falling throughout its 10-episode run to a series low of 120,000 viewers for its final episode.
Starring the likable Noah Reid, the comedy was described by Variety‘s Brian Lowry as “sweet and silly.” In his review, he wrote: “There’s enough here to like to put this ABC Family comedy in the ‘recommended’ column, with the understanding that keeping its balance might be a bigger job than Kevin can handle.”
The series was part of the ABC-owned cabler’s push into a slightly older-skewing millennial demo, »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
Comedians on Food Network? Scripps Seeks Laughs to Court Younger Crowd
16 hours ago
Kathleen Finch wants cooks, home-builders and explorers to laugh a little more.
When viewers of Food Network, Travel Channel and Hgtv tune in to those cable outlets in the not-too-distant future, chances are they will encounter popular comedians talking about the food they eat, the places they travel to and the way they do their jobs. It’s a description that reminds one of “Insomnica,” the cult-favorite Comedy Central series that had comedian Dave Attell take a boozy pass through a city’s nightlife. Already, Andy Richter, who plays sidekick to late-night host Conan O’Brien, is associated with Food Network’s “Celebrity Food Fight,” and shows are in development at the company that will involve Arsenio Hall and David Alan Grier.
“You will see us veering into the world of comedy a little bit,” said Finch, who was named chief programming, content and brand officer for Scripps Networks Interactive, »
- Brian Steinberg
AMC, SundanceTV Tap Maya Brooks to Oversee West Coast PR
16 hours ago
Maya Brooks has signed on to oversee West Coast PR for AMC and SundanceTV.
Brooks will serve as VP of publicity and talent relations for both cablers, focusing on consumer PR efforts. She comes to the AMC Networks fold after most recently steering PR for Hulu, where she steered launch campaigns for such original series as “The Mindy Project,” “11.22.63,” “The Path,” “Difficult People” and “Casual.”
“Maya is a smart, creative and strategic thinker and a great addition to our team,” said Marnie Black, exec VP of public relations for AMC and SundanceTV. “I am confident she will help broaden the awareness of AMC and SundanceTV’s programming and elevate both brands in the process.”
Before Hulu, Brooks got her start in PR at Turner Broadcasting. She worked on such series as “Dallas,” “Falling Skies” and “Legends.”
»
- Variety Staff
TV Review: ‘The Carmichael Show’
16 hours ago
NBC’s unexpected renewal of “The Carmichael Show,” a multi-camera sitcom that got an obscure, late-summer tryout last year, was a smart move. The retro-flavored laugher employs the moves of classic TV comedies in amusing and intelligent ways, and as NBC attempts to re-establish its scattered comedy brand, it’s wise to use this pleasing program as one of its building blocks. “The Carmichael Show” is proof that there’s a lot of life yet left in multicams, as long as they breezily combine competence with nicely crafted observations and a dash of irreverence.
In “The Carmichael Show,” old and new meet in a number of ways. The series’ barely-there premise has Jerrod (Jerrod Carmichael) interacting with his old-school mom and dad (Loretta Devine and David Alan Grier) while navigating a relationship with his kale-loving, psychology-student girlfriend, Maxine (Amber Stevens West). The action, what there is of it, takes place in Jerrod’s unfussy apartment, »
- Maureen Ryan
ABC Tests Virtual-Reality Ads By Weaving Lexus Into ‘Quantico’ (Exclusive)
17 hours ago
When ABC launches a new episode of “Quantico” this Sunday, it will also test its expertise in a relatively new task for media companies: making real money out of virtual reality.
ABC and other TV networks routinely allow certain advertisers to weave their smartphones and cola cans into scripted comedies and dramas as part of a longstanding practice known as “product placement.” This Sunday, instead of just putting a Lexus into the next episode of its popular freshman series about FBI recruits, the Disney-owned broadcast outlet created a special virtual-reality segment of the program in which the automaker plays a major role.
It’s a maneuver that could bolster use of an emerging media environment. “There’s tremendous opportunity for storytelling in this space, and I think it offers unique opportunities,” said Jeffrey Weinstock, vice president and creative director at ABC Integrated Marketing, in an interview. Viewers “are going to »
- Brian Steinberg
Bud Collins, Pioneer Tennis Analyst, Dies at 86
17 hours ago
Bud Collins, the journalist and analyst who pioneered tennis coverage, died on Friday. He was 86.
Collins, know for his encyclopedic knowledge of the game as well as his uber-colorful wardrobe, died in his Brookline, Mass., home, the Boston Globe reported. Collins was a writer for the Globe and then became an analyst of the game for CBS and NBC in 1968. His work helped to raise the popularity of the sport.
“Through his writing, his television work, his constant promotion of the game, no one did more to grow the sport of tennis than Bud Collins,” said Vince Doria, who worked with Collins both at the Boston Globe and Espn. “The world will always view him in that light. But those who knew him best will remember that no one had a better friend than Bud Collins. And no one had more friends than Bud Collins.”
The newsman was known for »
- Jacob Bryant
ABC’s ‘The Family’ Faces Headwinds From Fox News Debate
17 hours ago
ABC’s launch of “The Family” met with ratings resistance Thursday night despite being put in one of the network’s top slots – the hour normally reserved for its big hit “Scandal.”
“The Family,” which stars Joan Allen as the matriarch of a clan that welcomes the return of a son long thought vanished, saw its rating in the advertiser-desired 18-49 demo come in below what “Scandal” normally achieves in the hour. And it did so despite not having to face NBC’s popular “The Blacklist” in the timeslot. The Peacock opted to show a repeat of “Blindspot” instead.
“The Family” drew a 1.5 in the demo, and 5.74 million viewers overall, according to Nielsen, compared with a 1.7 demo and 8 million viewers for CBS’ “Mom.” The ABC program did beat CW’s “The 100” and the NBC repeat. CBS’ broadcast of “Two Broke Girls” at 9:30 drew a 1.7 rating in the demo and 6.71 million viewers overall, »
- Brian Steinberg
Fox News’ Republican Debate Notches 16.9 Million Viewers
18 hours ago
Fox News Channel’s Thursday-night coverage of the latest Republican debate lured 16.9 million viewers, according to early data from Nielsen, making it the highest-rated debate of 2016. The debate, moderated by Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace, delivered 5.5 million viewers between 25 and 54, the demographic most coveted by advertisers.-important younger 25-54 demo.
CNN and Telemundo’s coverage of a February 25 Republican debate notched 14.23 million viewers and 4 million viewers in the 25-to-54 demo.
The event marked the return of Republican candidate Donald Trump to the Fox News debate stage. The candidate in January elected to skip the event in favor of holding his own press conference. The Fox News Channel broadcast of that event lured nearly 12.47 million viewers overall and 3.47 million viewers between 25 and 54.
The debate ranks as the fourth-highest primary debate in history, according to Nielsen, and was the second highest-rated telecast in Fox News Channel’s nearly 20 years on the air. »
- Brian Steinberg
Lady Gaga Says She’ll Be Returning to ‘American Horror Story’ Season 6
18 hours ago
Lady Gaga will be returning for the next installment of “American Horror Story” — at least according to the superstar.
In an interview with New York City radio station Z100 on Friday morning, Gaga announced that she’ll be back for the the sixth round of the FX anthology series. When asked if she will return, the pop star simply answered: “Yes.”
She then added, “I can’t promise you how or when or anything like that.”
Variety has reached out to FX for comment, though the network has not replied or confirmed yet.
Gaga made her “American Horror Story” debut as The Countess on Season 5. She won a Golden Globe for her work on the show, created by Ryan Murphy, and called the win “one of the greatest moments of my life.”
If Gaga does indeed return, it’s likely she will not reprise her role as The Countess, as “Horror Story, »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
International Star You Should Know: English Actress Amy Hoggart
18 hours ago
English actress Amy Hoggart, 29, displays serious improv chops as co-star of BBC America’s first comedy series, “Almost Royal,” which follows Poppy, 67th in line to the British throne, and her brother, Georgie (Ed Gamble), as they tour America, “Borat”-like.
Changing Course: Hoggart was born in Washington, D.C., where her father was a correspondent for the Observer in the 1980s. The family moved back to the U.K. when she was 4. While earning a B.A. in English literature at Cambridge, Hoggart performed with the theater club Footlights, whose alumni include some of the best-known comic performers and writers to come out of the U.K. She went on to earn a masters degree from the University of Sussex in experimental psychology. But, she said, she always loved to write and act, and anyway, “becoming a clinical psychologist in the U.K. is probably more competitive. Everyone said to me, »
- Carole Horst
Meet Africa’s Oprah: Nigerian Media Mogul Mo Abudu
18 hours ago
On a recent trip to Spain, Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu seemed to be losing sight of what was meant to be a short retreat. Late into the night she was still answering emails, returning texts and speaking with colleagues overseas.
“I don’t really see my work as work,” she said, laughing. “I just love what I do … I’m totally addicted to EbonyLife TV.”
Nearly three years after Abudu launched the upscale entertainment and lifestyle network, the woman often referred to as “Africa’s Oprah” has a full plate: inking deals with the likes of Netflix, CBS and Disney; unveiling an ambitious slate of formats and original programming; and presiding over an expansion of the network from its original home in eastern Nigeria, with a new studio opening this month in Lagos, the country’s entertainment and media capital.
It’s all in keeping with a philosophy nearly a decade in the making, »
- Christopher Vourlias
‘Mr. Robot’ Promotes Two to Series Regulars, Adds Guest Stars for Season 2
19 hours ago
Michael Cristofer and Stephanie Corneliussen have been upped to series regulars on “Mr. Robot” for the upcoming second season, Variety has learned.
Cristofer (“Ray Donovan”) will reprise his role as Phillip Price, the CEO of Evil Corp. In the first season, he appeared in five episodes.
Corneliussen (“Legends of Tomorrow”) will return as Joanna Wellick, the wife of Tyrell Wellick (Martin Wallström) who is willing to do whatever it takes to put her family in a position of wealth and power. She appeared in seven episodes, during the show’s freshman run.
The show has also added new recurring guest stars with rapper Joey Bada$$ and actor Chris Conroy who will portray new characters. Joey Bada$$ will make his TV debut, playing Leon, a new close friend of Elliot (Rami Malek) from the neighborhood who often talks excessively to Elliot, advising him and philosophizing the meanings of life. Conroy will play Derek, »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
‘Downton Abbey’ Finale Preview: Who Will Live Happily Ever After?
19 hours ago
After six seasons of countless weddings, heartbreaks, tragic deaths, and illicit secrets, the series finale of “Downton Abbey” finally arrives this Sunday on PBS. The residents of the stately home, both upstairs and downstairs, are set on a path for the future, some decidedly happier than others.
“It’s very much a season of resolution,” series creator Julian Fellowes told Variety at the start of the season. “The way of life the house has been built for is coming to an end, and the survivors are going to be the ones who adapted to the new world.”
In the penultimate episode, after resisting him for weeks, the ever-more stubborn Mary finally got over her snobbery — and accepted that she’s in love with her persistent suitor Henry Talbot, thanks to Branson’s equally persistent interventions. He called in the big gun: The dowager countess. Try saying no to her.
Her »
- Debra Birnbaum
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