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‘The Voice’ Auditions Recap: Blake Shelton Pulls the ‘Gwen Stefani Card’
1 hour ago
A proposal, a former child star, a video message from Dolly f—ing Parton: The blind auditions continued on “The Voice” on Tuesday for the second night in a row this week.
New coaches Alicia Keys and Miley Cyrus continued to prove worthy additions to the panel. Keys in particular is gifted at earnestly probing and prompting sob stories by asking the contestants questions like, “Where is this voice coming from?” (Translation: Do you or someone you know have a rare blood disease?) Adam Levine kept up his sad puppy act and Blake Shelton let us know several times how cool his girlfriend is. Ok, fine, she is really cool.
Stray observation: So far this season, every time someone has started singing and I thought, “Ugh, this song is so corny,” it has been a pretty good metric for knowing that they weren’t going to make it through to the next round. (That »
- Seth Kelley
‘Transparent’: Jeffrey Tambor and Judith Light Preview Season 3
1 hour ago
[Spoiler alert: This interview contains minor plot details for the first few episodes of “Transparent’s” Season 3 and a few hints for later episodes. Proceed with caution!]
“Transparent’s” third season, which debuts on Sept. 23, returns with typical grace and a few more awards under its belt — creator Jill Soloway and star Jeffrey Tambor each won Emmys this past Sunday for the dramedy’s second season. The half-hour series continues to be one of television’s finest shows, even if the third season lacks some of the lyrical, dramatic quality that made Season 2 so arresting.
One of the most complex relationships on the show is between Tambor’s Maura and Judith Light’s Shelly, teenage sweethearts who have weathered marriage, separation, reuniting, and co-parenting, with many ups and downs along the way. Season 3 digs further into the evolution of their relationship. Variety spoke to Tambor and Light about what Season 3 of “Transparent” has in store for their characters — and along the way got an earful about the best hospitals in New York City.
Could you describe where Shelly and Maura are, with »
- Sonia Saraiya
‘Game of Thrones’ Stars Tease Season 7: ‘Not All of Us’ Will Make It to Season 8
1 hour ago
Before the Emmys began last Sunday, and with “Game of Thrones” coming around the last corner toward its finale, a couple of the show’s stars hinted at what’s to come… including a rather cryptic reveal.
“It’s quite sad. It really feels like things are wrapping up and coming to an end,” Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark, said about heading into the shorter Season 7. “People are hanging around Belfast a bit longer to be around each other and be in each other’s presence.”
When reminded that there would be an eighth season, Turner dropped a cryptic message about the well-being of some of the main characters.
“We’ve got one more season…well, not all of us.”
Some #GameOfThrones characters won't make it to the final season, @SophieT teases (Watch) pic.twitter.com/MzNiye5HxT
— Variety (@Variety) September 19, 2016
Turner’s character Sansa found herself finally reunited with her bastard brother Jon Snow near »
- Jacob Bryant
Hillary Clinton’s ‘Tonight Show’ Interview Was Less Disliked Than Donald Trump’s
2 hours ago
Jimmy Fallon’s interview last week with Donald Trump drew a strong and largely negative reaction on Twitter. His Hillary Clinton interview on Monday night fared better — but still garnered its own share of negativity.
Social-media analytics company Canvs found a greater-than-normal emotional reaction on Twitter for the episode in which Fallon sat down with the Democratic presidential nominee, though not as significant as the one it found for the Trump interview three nights earlier. Canvs detected 9,288 emotional responses to Monday’s episode — a reaction volume 203% higher than the season-three “Tonight Show” average, but down 58% from the Trump episode.
Of the responses measured, 54% expressed “love” — compared to 20.2% for Trump — with the number of “love” responses up 327% from the season-three average. Among the other emotional responses measured by Canvs were “good” (6.2% of all responses compared to 17% for Trump; 69% increase in volume from the season-three average) and “crazy” (2.9% compared to 6.3% for Trump; 25% lower volume than season-three average). “Dislike” was »
- Daniel Holloway
Jimmy Kimmel’s Emmy Blooper Reel Reveals Jeb Bush Flubs
3 hours ago
Jimmy Kimmel’s show open at Sunday’s Emmy Awards included a surprise appearance by Jeb Bush. The former Gop presidential candidate was the only non-actor cameo in the pre-taped piece, and it showed. Bush flubbed many lines but appeared to have a great time, cracking himself up a few times.
Check out the hilarious blooper reel below, which includes prop issues that plagued the casts of “Veep” and “Modern Family,” and even Kimmel himself.
In the open that actually aired, Bush and Kimmel set the tone for the show with this funny exchange:
“Are you nominated?” Bush asked Kimmel, who was seeking a ride downtown to the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony.
“I am, yeah,” the host replied.
“Wow, what’s that like?” the former governor asked.
“It’s nice,” Kimmel replied.
When asked if he could win, Kimmel answered, “Well, there’s a lot of competition. Probably not.” (Editors note: He didn’t).
Bush responded, “Here »
- Lawrence Yee
Disney Channels Names John Rood Marketing Chief, Succeeding Richard Loomis
4 hours ago
John Rood is returning to the Walt Disney Co. as head of marketing for Disney Channels Worldwide, the company announced Tuesday. Rood succeeds Richard Loomis, a nine-year Disney Channels veteran who will step down next month.
As senior vice president, marketing, Rood will report to Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. Rood will be responsible for overseeing creative marketing for a portfolio that includes Disney Channel, Disney Xd and Disney Junior.
“John Rood is a maker and a builder, with a rare combination of creative and strategic leadership skills and an innate understanding of the Disney brand,” Marsh said. “He has a unique capacity to transform how large teams address viewers’ evolving needs in a complex, multi-platform portfolio.”
Rood, who has been consulting with Disney Channels for the past 10 months, served as executive vice president, DC Entertainment from 2010 to 2014. Prior to that he spent 10 years at Disney, the »
- Daniel Holloway
TV News Roundup: Leah Remini Developing Scientology Series; USA Pilot Casts ‘Prometheus,’ ‘Rectify’ Stars
4 hours ago
Leah Remini is developing an unscripted series about the Church of Scientology, USA has cast Logan Marshall-Green and Aden Young in its new pilot “Damnation,” and more in Tuesday’s news roundup.
Greenlights
Leah Remini‘s long-buzzed-about Scientology TV project has found a home at A&E, Variety has confirmed. Already in production, Remini has been filming this summer for the unscripted series that will center around the actress’ experience with the Church of Scientology, which she departed in 2013. Rumors surrounding the show began to surface this summer, following a post by Scientology blogger Tony Ortega, who broke that Remini was producing a Scientology-centric series, though no network was included in his initial blog. A&E declined to comment, but an insider confirms the cabler is in fact working on the project with Remini.
Casting:
Fox’s new fall drama “The Exorcist” has added Mouzam Makkar in a recurring role, Variety »
- Joshua Terry
The CW Developing Dramas With Michael Weatherly and ‘Heroes’ Creator Tim Kring
5 hours ago
The CW is getting into business with two proven hit-makers to develop two new dramas: “NCIS” alum Michael Weatherly and “Heroes” creator Tim Kring, Variety has learned.
Weatherly is executive producing “Mata Hari,” a reimagining of the life of the exotic dancer, notorious lover and World War One double agent. The series, which is currently in development, will follow the brutal murder of Mata Hari’s fiance, which draws her into a game of international espionage in order to avenge his death in this sexy spy thriller.
“Mara Hari” is written by Micah Schraft, who’s past work with CW includes “Jane the Virgin,” “The Tomorrow People” and “The Secret Circle.” Schraft will serve as an exec producer, along with Weatherly and Laurie McCarthy. Tiffany Grant is co-exec producer.
Kring is bringing “Stick Man” to the CW, a female-led drama that follows an amateur documentarian who returns to her hometown to chronicle the events of her brother »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
Carnival Cruise Corporation Venturing Into Original Programming
6 hours ago
Carnival Corporation — the company behind cruise line brands Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Aida Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, and P&O Cruises in Australia and the UK — is venturing into original programming, it was announced Tuesday.
Carnival has created three original TV programs that will air on major networks on Saturday mornings beginning October 1. The three initial TV series will air on ABC, NBC and The CW on Saturday mornings, with almost 80 original episodes that will rotate over a span of the next 12 months, the new experiential series will focus on the powerful way travel by sea connects people, places and cultures around the world. The company has also produced a fourth series that is expected to air on a mid-week evening on cable in early 2017. Each of the company’s brands will be featured in at least one of the episodes during the inaugural season.
“We »
- Laura Prudom
FX Renews ‘Better Things’ and ‘Atlanta’
7 hours ago
FX has renewed freshman series “Better Things” and “Atlanta” for second seasons, Variety has learned. Both will return with 10-episodes for Season 2.
The double dose of renewals comes in the midst of the first seasons for the series, which both premiered at the beginning of this month, showcasing FX’s strong backing of the shows.
“Atlanta,” created by Donald Glover, scored the best premiere numbers for any basic cable primetime scripted comedy in over three years in the 18-49 demo. The most recent episode, which aired on Sept. 13, brought in 1.3 million viewers, according to “Live “3” estimates, and a new episode airs tonight.
“Better Things,” hailing from creator and star Pamela Adlon, is the most-female driven show for FX in the network’s history, receiving strong reviews from critics across the board. According to “Live +7” estimates, the comedy is averaging 1.4 million total viewers.
Writing about both shows, Variety‘s Sonia Saraiya said, “In »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
TV Ratings: ‘American Horror Story: Roanoke’ Premiere Is Third Most Watched Episode in FX Franchise’s History
7 hours ago
Driven by a marketing campaign that shrouded the show in mystery, “American Horror Story: Roanoke” is off to a strong start. The sixth installment in the Ryan Murphy-produced anthology premiered Wednesday to the third best numbers in total viewers and key demos of any episode in the franchise’s history.
In Nielsen live-plus-three numbers — live ratings plus three days of delayed viewing — the “Roanoke” premiere drew 8.3 million total viewers, 5.6 million viewers ages 18-49, and 3.4 million 18-34. By those measures, it ranks behind only the premieres of “American Horror Story: Freak Show” — the FX anthology’s highest rated episode — and “American Horror Story: Hotel” among other episodes in the series. According to FX’s own multiplatform numbers, the premiere has drawn 10.9 million total viewers to date.
Although it was down 9% in total viewers and 8% in the 18-49 demo from the “Hotel” premiere, “Roanoke” also ranks as the fifth most watched episode of any FX show »
- Daniel Holloway
Charlie Sheen, Leah Remini, Naya Rivera to Star in Crackle Film ‘Mad Families’
8 hours ago
Charlie Sheen is set to star in “Mad Families,” a movie heading to Sony’s streaming service Crackle, Variety has learned.
Sheen, who is also attached as an executive producer, will star alongside Leah Remini, Naya Rivera and Finesse Mitchell.
Written by David Spade and Fred Wolf, “Mad Families” centers on three families — one Hispanic, one African American, one Caucasian — who find themselves sharing the same camping space on the July 4th holiday weekend and try to figure out a way to cohabitate peacefully, but eventually decide on a series of competitions to determine a winner.
“Mad Families” began production last week in Los Angeles. No premiere date has been set.
More to come…
»
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
Megyn Kelly to Produce Comedy Series Set on Presidential Campaign Trail (Exclusive)
8 hours ago
Fox News star Megyn Kelly is attached to produce a new scripted series with “Fifty Shades of Grey” producer Michael De Luca following a presidential campaign trail and the embedded journalists who cover it.
Verizon-owned streaming platform Go90 has ordered six half-hour episodes of the political comedy “Embeds.” The series will follow five young reporters who are in way over their heads as they find themselves shaping the future of the country while experiencing raucous adventures in an unexpected world of sex, drugs, and swing states. Big-name politicians are expected to cameo throughout the series.
Though the show takes place on the campaign trail, the real focus on the young people covering the news rather than the politics. An insider said producers hope to appeal to viewers who don’t follow politics religiously, as well as those who do.
Their goal is to have the first episode on air by Election Day, with »
- Justin Kroll
San Sebastian: Spain’s Navarre Launches 35% Tax Incentives
9 hours ago
San Sebastian — Famed for its Pamplona bulls-runs, Spain’s Navarre is now offering another lure to visitors, at least if they are film and TV producers: 35% tax rebates, one of the highest fiscal deduction levels in Europe.
Setting out its stall at a San Sebastian press and industry presentation on Tuesday, Navarre is joining the fastest growing form of film finance in Europe. 12 in 2008, the number of fiscal incentive schemes more than doubled through 2014 to 26. More have been added since.
Greenlit late August summer by the European Commission, the rebates, which are open to both foreign and Spanish productions, aim to turn Navarre, one of the richest regions on Spain, into a new film, TV, animation and vidgame hub.
That drive has already seen results. In a first sign of industry build, L.A.-based La Panda, a producer on SXSW winner “10.000 Km,” has established a Pamplona production office, run by La Panda director-producer Elia Urquiza, who »
- John Hopewell
Whoopi Goldberg Discusses Her Oxygen Modeling Show ‘Strut’ and Transgender Casting
10 hours ago
“They’re the best people in the world,” Whoopi Goldberg says about the cast of “Strut,” her new Oxygen show that follows a group of models signed to Slay Model Management, an exclusively transgender modeling agency.
The first reality modeling show to focus solely on transgender artists, “Strut,” which Goldberg executive produces with her producing partner Tom Leonardis, is breaking ground in the unscripted space and marks the latest series in the recent wave of trans-centric programming.
“Our programming commitment is to showcase people on journeys to find their truth — and be their truth. This is a generation who most definitely aren’t going to be confined by yesterday’s social mores and rules,” Rod Aissa, executive vice president of original programming and development at Oxygen, tells Variety.
For Oxygen, “Strut” marks the first series to feature an all-trans cast, following in the footsteps of its NBCUniversal sister network E!, which »
- Seth Kelley
Kathy Bates and Chuck Lorre Talk Their Netflix Pot Comedy ‘Disjointed’
10 hours ago
Kathy Bates’ first Emmy — after 10 previous nominations — came from an unexpected role. The Oscar winner scored the accolade for her guest spot on a 2012 episode of “Two and a Half Men” playing … wait for it … the ghost of Charlie Harper, the character created by Charlie Sheen. The casting was nothing short of genius.
Chuck Lorre, the creator of “Two and a Half Men,” had never met Bates before. “But when I pitched the idea to her, she immediately got the surreal, twisted nature of the whole thing,” he says.
It was the start of a beautiful relationship, one that will continue when Bates headlines the Netflix comedy “Disjointed” from Lorre and David Javerbaum, a former head writer on “The Daily Show.” “I can’t wait to work with Chuck again,” she says. “It’s going to be a really fun, interesting show.”
Lorre says: “Kathy plays Ruth Whitefeather Feldman, a woman whose lifelong mission has been to »
- Jenelle Riley
Cherry Jones Joins Cast of ‘American Crime’ Season 3 (Exclusive)
10 hours ago
Emmy-winning actress Cherry Jones has signed on for Season 3 of ABC’s “American Crime,” Variety has learned exclusively.
Jones, who will have a recurring role, will play the matriarch of a large family agricultural operation.
She joins previously announced returning cast members Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Connor Jessup, Lili Taylor, as well as Regina King — who just won her second Emmy Award for her work in the series. Benito Martinez, who appeared in the first season, is returning as well, but in a larger role this time around.
Jones is now also starring in Amazon’s “Transparent,” which bows its third season on Sept. 23.
Executive producer John Ridley told Variety that the third season of “American Crime” will focus on workers’ rights and reproductive rights. And as compared to the first and second seasons, which centered on a single person’s guilt or innocence, this season will focus on “our greater complicity.”
Season »
- Debra Birnbaum
Fox Exec Breaks Down ‘Scream Queens’ Season 2 Changes
11 hours ago
When “Scream Queens” returns to Fox this week, the Ryan Murphy horror-comedy series will look and feel much different.
The anthology has moved from sorority row to the hospital — which won’t be painted bubblegum pink.
“It felt like a really good opportunity to take our ladies and graduate them from the college atmosphere and the sorority universe and bring them into the adult world and put them in a workplace environment,” says Terence Carter, Fox’s Evp of drama development and programming. “In college and high school, everything seems life or death, but in a hospital, they actually are.”
A crew of new actors, including John Stamos, Kirstie Alley and Taylor Lautner, has joined the crew, with the goal of expanding to a wider audience.
“We want to keep the show as broad as possible. We had a great first season and it certainly really scored among young women especially,” says »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
TV Ratings: ‘The Good Place,’ ‘Kevin Can Wait’ Get Solid Start
12 hours ago
The new fall season is officially underway, with Monday night boasting the return of CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” and NBC’s “The Voice,” which offered solid launchpads for new comedies “Kevin Can Wait” and “The Good Place.”
“The Big Bang Theory” was, as expected, the night’s top-rated show, debuting its tenth season to a 3.6 rating among adults 18-49 and 15.4 million total viewers, according to Nielsen overnight ratings. Those numbers were down 23% and 15%, respectively, from last year’s season-nine premiere. New Kevin James comedy “Kevin Can Wait” followed at 8:30 p.m. with a 2.6 and 11.2 million total viewers, even in the demo with and down one tenth of a point from the series premiere of “Life in Pieces” in the same post-“Big Bang Theory” time period last fall. An encouraging sign for CBS: “Kevin” retained a higher percentage of the “Big Bang” audience than “Life” did. The second and final part of documentary series “The »
- Laura Prudom and Daniel Holloway
‘Outlander’ Casts Young Ian and Joe Abernathy for Season 3
12 hours ago
“Outlander” has cast two pivotal roles for Season 3, Variety has learned.
Joining Jamie Fraser’s (Sam Heughan) world in the 18th century, John Bell (“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”) will play the role of Young Ian Murray, Jamie’s nephew. Young Ian is a tall, gangly Scottish lad with a heart of gold, a stubborn streak and a penchant for getting into trouble. Bursting with charm, he’s more like his adventurous, fierce uncle Jamie than his farmer father Ian — but when we meet him, he is still a very gawky boy. However, he keeps trying to prove that he is a man and we will see him grow into quite a formidable one as the series evolves.
Meanwhile, in Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) life in 20th Century Boston, Wil Johnson (“Waking the Dead”) will play her friend and medical colleague, Joe Abernathy. Joe is a fellow doctor-in-training whom Claire befriends in medical school »
- Laura Prudom
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