TV News Flash
What Men and Women Really Want (on TV)
Hogan’s Heroes Revisited
A sitcom about a jolly Nazi POW camp is the last sitcom I’d imagine would get a reboot, but sure enough, Hogan’s Heroes is being revived by original series co-creator Al Ruddy, Village Roadshow Entertainment Group and Rough Pictures. Get this: the new version will be an action adventure comedy set in present day, centered on the descendants of the original heroes who team up for a global treasure hunt. Hmmm…
Now NBC is Doing It
Following in the footsteps of CBS All Access, the digital, paid subscription arm of CBS, NBC has just unveiled plans for “Peacock,” the network’s own paid subscription channel that will air both classic and original programming, like a comedy starring Ed Helms, a weekly talk show hosted by Amber Ruffin, and a drama called Dr. Death. They’ll also have a limited series about L.A. billboard diva Angelyne, which interests me.
There will also be reboots, including one of Battlestar Galactica and a sequel to Saved By The Bell, with Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley coming back. In addition, there will be a new version of Punky Brewster.
And of course popular NBC series like Parks and Recreation, The Office, Cheers, Frasier, 30 Rock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Will & Grace and Married… With Children will also be available, plus movies including the Fast & Furious, Despicable Me and Bourne franchises.
Will you subscribe? More info here.
Wedding Dress Wipe Out
Here’s a good one for those of you ready to take the plunge. TLC is bringing “iconic” bridal fashion event The Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Challenge to TV. On September 30 at 10p, the network will air a special hosted by Paige Davis with celebrity judges Jeremiah Brent, Monte Durham and Zanna Roberts Rassi to crown a winner.
Dirtier John
Did you love Dirty John with Connie Britton and Eric Bana in a limited series based on the true story of the world’s worst boyfriend? I wasn’t a fan, but almost everyone else was. Now the show is back for Season 2, with Amanda Peet and Christian Slater starring in a story based one of the world’s worst divorces. Fab cast. It will air on the USA Network, but no word yet or when.
SONGLAND Gets a Second Verse
It’s obvious why my songwriter husband and I (James Mandell, the Sci-Fi Rock Guy) are so into the song writing competition show Songland, and it looks like we’re not alone. The show was renewed by NBC, after averaging a 1.1 rating among A18-49 and 5.1 million total viewers in Nielsens so far this season.
And unlike other music competition shows, it actually produces hits and promotes the writers. Songland has produced six songs that reached a #1 ranking on the iTunes music chart. Let’s hear it for shows that promote the music, and not just the hosts!
More Righteous Gemstones
Halloween Programming Already? It’s Never Too Early on the Food Network
The Food Network and Cooking Channel are already getting into the Halloween spirit with 30 hours of programming through the end of the month. Already running are the seasonal Halloween Baking Championship on Mondays at 9:00 pm and Halloween Wars on Sundays also at 9:00 pm. Halloween Cake-Off airs Mondays at 10:00 pm. Then there’s Haunted Gingerbread Showdowns on Sundays at 10:00 pm.
The Cooking Channel also gets into the spooky action with Freakshow Cakes airing Fridays at 11 pm.
GRACE AND FRANKIE Bow Out
Get ready to say goodbye to the award winning comedy Grace and Frankie. Netflix has just ordered a 16-episode seventh and final season of the show, starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
Believe it or not, that will make it the longest running show on Netflix. “It’s thrilling and somehow fitting that our show about the challenges, as well as the beauty and dignity of aging, will be the oldest show on Netflix,” said co-creators and showrunners Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris. The final season will premiere in January 2020.
Bye Bye Leslie Jones and More SNL Updates
Looks like Leslie Jones is going the way of so many great comedians who got their starts on Saturday Night live, and leaving the venerated sketch comedy show to work on other projects. She will instead focus on her upcoming feature film projects and a Netflix comedy special.
Meanwhile, Kate McKinnon will be back for the upcoming 45th season, which premieres September 28. Woody Harrelson will host for the fourth time. The following week, Phoebe Waller-Bridge will debut as host, with Taylor Swift coming on as musical guest. David Harbour, Kristen Stewart and Eddie Murphy will also host this season.
Recognize this Place? You’ve Seen This Malibu Mansion in the Movies and On TV
This luxe Malibu mansion has been the location for numerous Hollywood productions. How many times have you seen it? You know that part of the movie or TV show where the main character attends a posh party at a lavish beach house, and decadence ensues? Chances are it was filmed in this recently listed Malibu…
You Too Could Live in the Young Sheldon House — But it Ain’t in Texas
The Young Sheldon House, where wee Master Cooper often chats with his Mee-Maw, is actually located in So Cal’s Valley Village, and is on the market for $1,185,000. On the popular sitcom Young Sheldon, this quaint ranch house stands in as the humble Texas home of Sheldon Cooper’s family. In reality, it’s a long way from…
Frankie Feldman is in the Celebrity Dog House! Find Out Why and Howl
Many of you know Frankie Feldman as this site’s Hollywood Hound, but now he’s also the ambassadog for BioFit360 CBD products for pets and people. Find out what’s up with that… I don’t mean to brag, but my giant white labradoodle Frankie Feldman is quite the traffic stopper. Literally. It’s hard to walk him down…
You Can Rent the Fab Reese Witherspoon House from BIG LITTLE LIES
The Reese Witherspoon house from Big Little Lies is actually in Malibu, and you can rent it for $3,000-$5,000 per night. Fans love the award-winning HBO series Big Little Lies for a number of reasons, not least of which is the drop-dead gorgeous real estate. Some have even argued that the mansions depicted on the…
Rock Doc Roundup – Films Featuring Bob Dylan, David Crosby and Bill Wyman
Staci Layne Wilson provides a rock doc rundown of great movies to watch now, and others that are up and coming. The past year has been something of a golden age for music movies, with the Oscar-winning success of Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born. At the moment, The Dirt and Rocketman reign supreme…
Reality TV Awards Winners Announced — Some Real Shockers Ahead
Let’s just say I was quite surprised at a number of the winners of the Critics Choice reality TV awards, but the stars continue to shine. I know all of your are on the edge of your seats, breathlessly awaiting to find out about the winners of the inaugural Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards, held…
The Lisa Henson House — My Favorite Design Style
I’m frequently asked about my favorite architectural/design style. Daughter of California that I am, you’ll see how the Lisa Henson house embodies all I hold dear. As much as I love clean modern lines and appreciate the virtues of the traditional 1930’s home where I currently live, it’s the classic California Spanish Revival style that…
Live GAME OF THRONES Concerts are Coming to a Theater Near You
Can’t bare to say goodbye? Me neither. But this Fall you can catch official, live Game of Thrones concerts with all the music you love and will never forget. The critically acclaimed Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience will return this fall for a 20-city amphitheater tour, bringing the music of Emmy® Award-winning Game of…
Brady Bunch House Renovation — The Latest, Greatest Scoop
Forget about finding out who takes the Iron Throne. What avid TV watchers really want to know is what’s going on at the Brady Bunch house renovation? Ever since HGTV bought the original house used in the exterior shots of the iconic ’70s TV series and then vowed to restore it both inside and out…
Critics Choice Real TV Awards — Who’s Your Jam?
Here’s the official rundown of the nominations for the first annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards. We are working SO hard to make them a smashing success! The Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) and NPACT, the trade organization serving the producers of nonfiction entertainment content, recently unveiled the nominees for the inaugural Critics Choice Real…
