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Big Stars Love TV So Much, They’re Even Hosting Game Shows Now
15 hours ago
Remember when big-name stars didn’t want to do TV? Now they’re even clamoring for jobs as game show hosts.
Alec Baldwin (ABC’s “Match Game”), Taye Diggs (Fox’s “Hypnotize Me”), Jane Lynch (NBC’s “Celebrity Game Night”) and Anthony Anderson (ABC’s “To Tell the Truth”) are just some of the actors who now front major primetime game shows, in addition to their regular scripted work.
“You look at game shows from the 1970s and 1980s, they were somewhat cheesy,” Anderson said. “It’s different now. It’s a lot classier. It’s cool.”
Wayne Brady, who has hosted a “Let’s Make a Deal” revival for CBS since 2009, joked that “being a game show host was very much akin to being a local affiliate weatherman – and no offense to local affiliate weathermen, but there’s a stereotype.”
Read More: Common Joins the Game Show Circus
Indeed, »
- Michael Schneider
Unhappy Netflix Subscriber Sues Streaming Giant For Raising Prices
1 July 2016 8:39 AM, PDT
One Netflix subscriber is suing the streaming company for raising prices after promising not to, THR reports. The plaintiff in the case, George Keritsis, filed a class action lawsuit in California federal court on Wednesday. He estimates that the lawsuit applies to some 22 million subscribers.
“For a period of time, Netflix solicited persons to subscribe to Netflix’s streaming service by guaranteeing that Netflix would not increase monthly subscription prices as long as the subscribers maintained the subscription service continuously,” the complaint reads. “Netflix has broken its contract with these subscribers by unilaterally raising monthly subscription prices.”
Keritsis says he only signed up for Neflix’s streaming service after a company representative confirmed via telephone that the $7.99 monthly subscription price would never be raised as long as Keritsis never interrupted his subscription. When Keritsis received an email from Netflix saying that his “special pricing” was coming to an end and »
- Graham Winfrey
’Mr. Robot’ Cast Honors America’s Founding Fathers In Clever New Image
1 July 2016 7:45 AM, PDT
The techno thriller “Mr. Robot” became a surprise cult success last year. It received widespread critical acclaim and gained a rapid popularity online. The series follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a cyber security engineer by day and master hacker by night who joins fsociety, a secret hacktivist collective that seeks to bring down Evil Corp, one of the biggest conglomerates in the world. At the end of last season, fsociety succeeded in bringing Evil Corp down, but they’re only just learning the true cost of such an action.
Read More: ‘Mr. Robot’ Season 2: Five Reasons Why You Can’t Look Away
Ahead of its second season premiere, “Mr. Robot” has engaged in a series of viral marketing campaigns, including a video featuring Obama denouncing fsociety and a hackable Atm in New York. Now, on the eve of July 4th weekend, the cast has posed for a promo photo »
- Vikram Murthi
Robert Redford Speaks About the Blood Spilt In ‘The American West’
1 July 2016 7:00 AM, PDT
There’s been much record of the Civil War and World War I, but what about the time inbetween? AMC’s new limited docudrama series “The American West” documents exactly that, unveiling that the period was full of spilt blood, political unrest and iconic outlaws.
In an IndieWire exclusive clip, the show portrays the result of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, a conflict between American troops and Native American tribes over the gold on the tribes’ land. The clip features commentary by Robert Redford and the show will also host other actors from classic Westerns, including James Caan, Burt Reynolds, Tom Selleck, Kiefer Sutherland, Mark Harmon and Ed Harris.
Read More: ‘Hell on Wheels’ Final Season: Confrontation Sparks an Uneasy Partnership in Exclusive Video
Per the release, “Spanning the years 1865 to 1890, ‘The American West,’ will show how — in the aftermath of the Civil War — the United States transforms into the “land of opportunity. »
- Kyle Kizu
Where to Watch the Best TV of 2016
1 July 2016 6:00 AM, PDT
Whether you think there’s too much TV or just a whole heckuva lot, everyone can agree there’s no shortage of options. TV fans are bombarded with new shows, returning shows, broadcast shows, cable shows, streaming shows, independent shows, one-off shows, long-running shows and so much more. How do you prioritize what to watch next after you (miraculously) get through the latest “great” new series?
Simple answer: Let us tell you.
Below is a list of the best television shows out there, how to watch them and why you should. Whether it’s on Netflix or SeeSo, Yahoo Screen or Hulu, YouTube or VOD, we’ll tell you how to binge it, sample it or catch it live. Compiled by the Indiewire TV Team — and updated regularly — the below choices should cover all your bases, no matter how much you’ve currently seen. Casual viewers can skip down to »
- Ben Travers
7 New Netflix Shows to Binge Watch in July 2016 (And the Best Episodes of Each)
1 July 2016 6:00 AM, PDT
1. “BoJack Horseman” Season 3 (available July 22)
Why Should I Watch It? “BoJack Horseman” is a literal and figurative treasure trove of joy, insight and harsh truths. On the literal side, so many small moments pop up throughout the 30-minute episodes it takes repeat viewings to appreciate them all — from the .gif-worthy transitionary bits to the heavy-hitting quips. Yet figuratively, “BoJack” offers up a distinct, strong viewpoint that isn’t afraid to take questions to an existential level, which creates deeper subjective realizations each time you watch (and re-watch, and re-watch, and re-watch…). This is as “must-see” as TV gets — every time.
Best Episode: We wouldn’t dare spoil the new season — not even by telling you what episode to look forward to — and we’ve already covered Season 2. (After much deliberation, we chose “Escape From L.A.” as the best episode.) So let’s just set this time aside to honor the »
- Ben Travers
‘Orange Is The New Black’ Season 4 Streaming Ratings Finally Revealed By Nielsen
30 June 2016 3:39 PM, PDT
“Orange Is The New Black” fared well on its viewership numbers for its Season 4 premiere. Nielsen revealed its first findings on select streaming shows during a conference in Las Vegas, and the Netflix original series was one of them.
According to the measurement service, the premiere episode of the fourth season of “Oitnb” was watched by 6.7 million people from June 17, when it debuted on the service, through June 19. The second episode was watched by 5.9 million people.
In comparison to that same week, “Orange” would be placed as the second most watched show on cable behind the June 19 episode of “Game of Thrones,” which had 10.4 million viewers.
Read More: ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Season 4 Ratings: Massive With Netflix Bingers, But Softer Than ‘Fuller House’
Lionsgate, which produces the women’s prison drama, gave permission to Nielsen to reveal the numbers. Digital services such as Netflix and Amazon rarely release ratings »
- Liz Calvario
Watch: Albert Brooks Resorts to Nefarious Methods to Stream His Films on Netflix
30 June 2016 3:35 PM, PDT
Albert Brooks is probably best known to younger movie fans as Marlin in Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory,” but thanks to a recent deal, Netflix is reminding everyone of the comedian’s long history in film. In a humorous new clip, Brooks announces that Netflix will host seven of his movies starting July 1.
Read More: Louis C.K. & Albert Brooks Co-Writing & Starring In Animated Pilot For FX
The lineup will include “Real Life,” “Defending Your Life,” “Modern Romance,” “Lost in America,” “Mother,” “The Muse” and “Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World.” Brooks wrote, directed and stars in each film.
Until now, the movies haven’t been streaming online and were only available for purchase or rental. In the promotional video, Brooks jokes that he may have resorted to unsavory means to secure the deal with Netflix. “I’m not advocating kidnapping in any situation. It is a federal crime, »
- Kate Halliwell
Ava DuVernay’s ‘Queen Sugar’ Will Debut With A Two-Night Premiere Event on The Oprah Winfrey Network
30 June 2016 2:15 PM, PDT
“Queen Sugar,” Ava DuVernay’s highly-anticipated one-hour drama finally has a premiere date. Executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, the series will debut as a two-night event on Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7 at 10Pm on the Oprah Winfrey Network. From there, the series will regularly air Wednesday nights.
The show will consist of a total of 13 episodes, with the “Selma” director helming the first two. The subsequent episodes are all directed by seasoned and emerging women which include Tina Mabry, Victoria Mahoney, Tanya Hamilton, So Yong Kim, Kat Candler, Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Neema Barnette.
Read More: ‘Queen Sugar’ Trailer: A Funeral Brings Family Home in Ava DuVernay’s Oprah Winfrey Network Series
“Queen Sugar” stars Rutina Wesley and Dawn-Lyen Gardner as two estranged sisters in Saint Josephine, Louisiana. Nova (Wesley) is a world-wise journalist and activist and Charley (Gardner) is the savvy wife and manager of an NBA star. Kofi Siriboe »
- Liz Calvario
July 4 Weekend TV Guide: 9 Movie and TV Marathons, 4 TV Specials to Watch
30 June 2016 10:49 AM, PDT
Are you scared of fireworks? Do you eat too much at the 4th of July family BBQ? Is summer too hot to go outside? Those are a few reasons to lounge on the couch this weekend and if you’re a movie buff or a TV binger, we’ve got many more. In the spirit of a holiday weekend, many networks are running ridiculously long marathons that we’ll applaud you for staying up for.
TV Shows
“Empire” (Season 1 and 2)
TV One, July 3 at 7am to July 4 at 5pm
Check out the epic tale of a man having to decide who in his family should inherit his entertainment company with TV One’s “Empire” marathon. Airing all 30 episodes, the marathon will begin at 7am on July 3 and go to 5pm on July 4.
Read More: How ‘Empire’ Season 2 Raised the Stakes (Emmy Watch)
“Underground” (Season 1)
Wgn, July 2 from 7am to 5pm »
- Kyle Kizu and Kate Halliwell
7 Great Independent Pilots from SeriesFest We Hope Become TV Series
30 June 2016 9:58 AM, PDT
The world of independent television is pretty chaotic right now, largely because, unlike the indie film scene, there’s no clear trajectory to success. Some shows threw all their money into shooting a pilot. Some shows have shot multiple episodes. Some shows have found alternate distribution opportunities already. Some shows remain unseen. All of them, though, want to go beyond their current status.
Read More: SeriesFest 2016 Winners Include Fan Fiction and Irish Crime
As an attendee of SeriesFest 2016, I had the opportunity to see a large percentage of the pilots screened as part of the independent pilot competition. Some of these pilots were not world premieres, but all of the ones I saw represented the impressive state of independent production today; where a shoestring budget can still produce content on a level equal to what you might watch on TV. Below are just a few of the pilots that impressed me most, »
- Liz Shannon Miller
‘Nashville’ Season 5 Will Likely See Return Of Its Biggest Stars
30 June 2016 9:55 AM, PDT
After “Nashville” was cancelled over at ABC, Cmt quickly resurrected the country music drama. Now, as they try to make the transition, it’s time to see which of the cast members will stick around.
According to TVLine, the entire original cast is almost set to return. Among those who will continue as series regulars for Season 5 include Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, Clare Bowen, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella and Chris Carmack.
Previous reports also stated that Aubrey Peeples and Will Chase would not be returning to the series, but Variety learned that both actors are in talks to appear in a couple of episode to wrap up their storylines.
Nothing as this moment has been confirmed by either Lionsgate or Cmt.
Read More: ‘Nashville’s’ Renewal Reveals the Good and Bad Within Today’s TV Industry
The fifth season of “Nashville” will include 22 episodes »
- Liz Calvario
Why Aziz Ansari’s Dad Could Be the Surprise Emmy Nominee of 2016 (Really)
30 June 2016 9:22 AM, PDT
Sitting in an overflow room at the Paley Center for Media, a thought struck me: “What if Shoukath Ansari wins an Emmy for ‘Master of None’?”
The thought wasn’t entirely baseless — Shoukath, the father of Aziz Ansari, certainly warrants the praise for his hysterical, honest and empathetic turn — nor was it unprompted. Netflix was holding its official For Your Consideration event for “Master of None,” and the event attracted so many people that a substantial chunk of us couldn’t even fit in the main theatre. We had to move to a backroom with a television displaying first the episode being screened and then a conversation between creators Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, producer Michael Schur and cast members Lena Waithe and Kelvin Yu.
Clearly, there’s a fervor surrounding this show — and a devout fan base for the senior Ansari family member, as well. His debut in the »
- Ben Travers
‘Stranger Things’: New Trailer For Netflix Series Pushes the Paranormal, Kids & More Spielbergian ’80s Nostalgia
30 June 2016 9:09 AM, PDT
“Ninety-nine out of a hundred times, the missing kid is with a parent or relative. What about the other time?”
Netflix plans to answer this question in their new eight-episode series, “Stranger Things,” which will stream in full on July 15.
Read More: Netflix’s Binge Scale Reveals Which Shows Viewers Watch for More Than Two Hours at a Time
According to the official description, “A love letter to the supernatural classics of the ’80s, ‘Stranger Things’ is the story of a young boy named Will who vanishes into thin air. As friends, family and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very strange little girl.”
In the new trailer, Will’s loved ones search for him and grow increasingly frustrated with what seems to be some sort of governmental cover-up involving paranormal events. The discovery of Eleven, »
- Kate Halliwell
Watch: The ‘Downward Dog’ Web Shorts That Inspired ABC’s New Talking Dog Comedy
30 June 2016 8:57 AM, PDT
The road from web shorts to ABC primetime series was a long one for the chatty canine comedy “Downward Dog.”
It all started when Michael Killen, the co-founder of Pittsburgh-based VFX production house Animal, came up with a new idea for a talking dog.
Killen, whose credits include animating the infamous Taco Bell chihuahua (you remember – “Yo Quiero Taco Bell”), was looking to depict a dog in an entirely different way than usual. He enlisted commercial director Samm Hodges to write the scripts. That led to “Downward Dog,” a web series about Martin, a talking dog suffering from ennui and a bit of depression as he ruminates about his relationship with his owner, Nan.
Read More: ABC Upfronts Preview: First Look at New Shonda Rhimes, Kiefer Sutherland, Hayley Atwell Shows
“[Killen] had always wanted to do a dog thing that took dogs more seriously,” Hodges told IndieWire last week at the 2016 Palm Springs ShortFest. »
- Michael Schneider
‘Preacher’ Exclusive Clip: Romantic Tensions Arise As Tulip and Cassidy Get Close
30 June 2016 8:35 AM, PDT
Fans of AMC’s darkly funny “Preacher” are having a good day: The show, adapted by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg from a popular graphic novel series, was just renewed for a second season and granted thirteen more episodes. As if that wasn’t enough, an exclusive clip hints that newfound romantic tensions may be brewing in this weekend’s upcoming episode.
Read More: AMC’s ‘Preacher’ Renewed for Season 2, Gets More Episodes
In the video, Tulip finds herself up close and personal with charming resident vampire Cassidy. When Jesse walks in on the confrontation, Tulip scrambles to cover up the presence of her second suitor.
For those who aren’t caught up with AMC’s strangely compelling series, the network describes it as “a supernatural and darkly comedic drama that follows a Texas preacher named Jesse Custer, who is inhabited by a mysterious entity called Genesis that gives him »
- Kate Halliwell
‘Lost In Space’ Remake Finally Blasts Off, Heads To Netflix
30 June 2016 7:35 AM, PDT
Continuing their ongoing domination of all past and present media, Netflix has ordered a “Lost In Space” remake series. Deadline reports that the streaming service has given Legendary TV a 10-episode straight-to-series order for “Lost In Space,” after competitively outbidding others for a development deal back in November. It will premiere sometime in 2018.
Read More: Fan-Made “Lost In Space” Animated Pilot Should Go To Series
The original “Lost In Space” series was broadcast on CBS for three seasons from 1965-1968. Set in the year 1997, 32 years into the future from 1965, the series followed the Robinson family as they plan to colonize deep space. Though initially headed to a planet near the star Alpha Centauri, the Robinson family are veered wildly off course when Dr. Zachary Smith, a foreign secret agent, tries to sabotage the mission and unintentionally sends them hurdling hopelessly through space.
The series starred Guy Williams and June Lockhart »
- Vikram Murthi
‘Mr. Robot’ Season 2: Five Reasons Why You Can’t Look Away
29 June 2016 4:40 PM, PDT
“Mr. Robot” began last year as the tale of isolated hacker Eliot (Rami Malek), out on a one-man quest to “save the world.” But the series’ unique storyline quickly escalated into epic-level chaos as society itself came under attack by the mysterious “fsociety.” And while some of the story beats might have felt familiar, creator Sam Esmail changed the game for USA, bringing to the screen a production sensibility reminiscent of the best of independent film.
Read More: Review: What is ‘Mr. Robot,’ and Why Did It Win the SXSW Audience Award?
The Golden Globe winner for Best Drama, “Mr. Robot” returns July 13 for a two-part premiere event. The first two episodes of Season 2, made available this week to critics, confirms that all of the series’ most captivating elements remain intact.
You literally can’t take your eyes off the screen for a moment, and here are five reasons why. »
- Liz Shannon Miller
Inside Steve Levitan’s TV Showrunner Gun Summit
29 June 2016 3:23 PM, PDT
For “Modern Family” executive producer Steve Levitan, the topic of guns in America is personal.
Levitan, who has lost two friends to gun violence, gathered a group of A-list showrunners Wednesday on the 20th Century Fox lot to discuss the issue. Levitan is involved with Everytown.org, and invited co-founder John Feinblatt to address around 50 TV writers and producers at the Daryl Zanuck Theatre.
Showrunners and writers in the audience included “Homeland” executive producers Alex Gansa and Chip Johannessen, “24: Legacy” executive producer Howard Gordon, “New Girl” creator Liz Meriwether and “Scream Queens” executive producer Brad Falchuk. Fox TV Group chairman Gary Newman and 20th Century Fox TV president of creative affairs Jonathan Davis were also in attendance.
Read More: Katie Couric Documentary Aims to Reignite the Gun Debate
“We want to educate, make people aware, maybe get them involved in any way, financially or via social media — and maybe content, »
- Michael Schneider
Denis Leary Explains How ‘Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll’ Season 2 Blossomed With A Woman’s Touch
29 June 2016 1:42 PM, PDT
Denis Leary might seem like the kind of guy who celebrates the conflict that comes with creative collaboration. But the creator and star of FX’s”Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll” is quick to champion another writer for the show’s new energy in Season 2.
Read More: 2016 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Leary credited one of the show’s new writers, Julieanne Smolinski, for helping enhance the storylines of Gigi (Elizabeth Gillies) and Ava (Elaine Hendrix). “It doesn’t matter how many women you know and how many times you’ve tried to keep your eyes and your ears open to gain information for writing purposes, you’re never going to be able to write a woman the way a woman could,” he said.
The new season of “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll” also pays tribute to David Bowie, including some old concert footage of the glam rocker at his prime. »
- Liz Shannon Miller
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