Television

Bill Cosby has issued a statement in support of his former TV wife, Phylicia Rashad, following backlash she received for celebrating his release from prison earlier this week. “Howard University you must support ones Freedom of Speech (Ms. Rashad), which is taught or suppose to be taught everyday at that renowned law school, which resides

SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched “We the People,” streaming now on Netflix. “We the People,” doesn’t just teach civics, it also mixes music and animation as storytelling devices to get its message across to adults and kids alike. Each of the 10 episodes of the series created by Chris Nee

“We the People” is aggressively, viscerally enthusiastic. Presented in four-minute bursts of song, the new Netflix series from the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions infuses civics lessons with joyous songs and psychedelic animation. Each bite-sized episode tackles a new aspect of the U.S. government with the grinning fervor of a high school musical’s opening night, featuring

Disney Plus has unveiled a first look at its new anime anthology series, “Star Wars: Visions,” coming to the platform on Sept. 22. During Anime Expo Lite on Saturday, Disney Plus announced the seven Japanese anime studios that are behind the short films in the series: Kamikaze Douga, Geno Studio (Twin Engine), Studio Colorido (Twin

Former Nickelodeon showrunner Dan Schneider has finally addressed his exit from the network, just as Paramount Plus has released a reboot of his former show, “iCarly.” For 20 years, Schneider helmed kids’ shows that continue to inform the millennial and Gen-Z pop culture zeitgeist: “All That, “The Amanda Show,” “Drake & Josh,” “Zoey 101,” “Victorious”

Amazon Studios is firing back following reports that production on the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” series is not taking safety standards seriously, with the company calling the claims “completely inaccurate.” An article in the New Zealand Herald, published on Friday, reports that “at least three” stunt workers on the set of the “Lord of

Phylicia Rashad apologized in a letter to the students and families of Howard University for her public celebration of Bill Cosby’s overturned sexual assault conviction. In the letter obtained by CNN, Rashad, who is dean of Howard’s College of Fine Arts, wrote: “My remarks were in no way directed towards survivors of sexual assault. I

NBC’s “Ultimate Slip ‘N’ Slide” has backed out of its post-Olympics Closing Ceremony premiere following a giardia outbreak, a source close to production confirmed to Variety.  The new reality competition had been set to debut right after the Tokyo Olympics finale on Aug. 8 at 10:30 p.m. ET, followed by a second episode on Aug. 9

Months into an expedition through the Amazon in the early ’90s, the Kratt Brothers — as Chris and Martin Kratt are known — were on the lookout for giant river otters, German shepherd-sized animals also known as “lobos de rio,” or “wolves of the river.” A sudden snorting sound had tipped them off to the

Kristina Ruehli, 77, has told the story of her experience with Bill Cosby many times over the years — including to Andrea Constand’s lawyers in 2005, when she became one of the Jane Doe accusers who said they would support Constand’s story of allegedly being drugged and sexually assaulted by Cosby in 2004, should the

Unite Here Local 11, the union backing laid-off Chateau Marmont workers, filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday, alleging that management at the Andre Balazs-owned hotel was unlawfully “engaging in surveillance or creating impression of surveillance of employees’ union activities.” The charge is the latest move in the

Bollywood star Ranveer Singh will host “The Big Picture,” the Indian adaptation of the popular quiz show format, marking his television debut. The show will be available on studio Viacom18’s Hindi-language general entertainment channel COLORS. The show is adapted by the channel in association with Banijay Asia and ITV Studios Global Entertainment B.V. It will

Netflix has cleaned house and canceled the comedy series “The Crew,” “Mr. Iglesias,” “Bonding,” and “Country Comfort” all in one fell swoop, Variety has learned. Both “The Crew” and “Country Comfort” had aired one season, while “Bonding” and “Mr. Iglesias” had aired two. Netflix has closed a development deal with “The Crew” lead Kevin James to

“Lovecraft Country” is not being renewed for a second season at HBO, Variety has confirmed. “We will not be moving forward with a second season of ‘Lovecraft Country,’” HBO said in a statement. “We are grateful for the dedication and artistry of the gifted cast and crew, and to Misha Green, who crafted this groundbreaking series.

“All American” showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll wants the show’s collegiate spinoff, “All American: Homecoming,” to “bring a world to the screen” that many people may not be familiar with — the world of a historically Black college. Inspired by the NBC sitcom “A Different World,” which ran from 1987 to 1993 as a spinoff of

Fran Drescher is preparing to run for president of SAG-AFTRA now that Gabrielle Carteris has decided not to seek reelection for a third term. The actor, known for starring in “The Nanny” and her work in many other TV series and movies, is running on a similar platform as Carteris through Unite for Strength, the

Nickelodeon has announced that cast for the upcoming live-action comedy series “That Girl Lay Lay,” which is set to premiere later this year. The series will star teen sensation and hip-hop artist Alaya “That Girl Lay Lay” High as the titular Lay Lay; Gabrielle Nevaeh Green as Sadie; Peyton Perrine III as Sadie’s brother, Marky;

For art director Alan Bodner, working on animated special “Mickey the Brave!” (premiering July 16 on Disney Junior) was a chance to pay homage to “The Mickey Mouse Club,” which he grew up watching as a child. “You felt as if you were in a storybook,” Bodner reflects as he remembers the beautiful sets. The

Apple TV Plus’ “Lisey’s Story” has been adapted for TV by Stephen King and is based on his bestselling 2006 novel of the same name. The story flits between past and present, fantasy and reality. Directed by “Jackie’s” Pablo Larrain, the audience never fully knows which is which, and in this perfect union of Larrain

The HBO Max reboot of “Pretty Little Liars” has found its first two cast members. Chandler Kinney and Maia Reficco have both been cast in the series, which is titled “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.” In addition, Lisa Soper has come onboard to direct the first two episodes of the series. Twenty years ago, a

BROADCASTING Channel 4 and Sky in the U.K. have extended their pre-existing, long-term commercial partnership in a new multi-year agreement which, according to the companies, will facilitate greater opportunity for collaboration, commercial growth and innovation as broadcasting evolves going forward. Under the terms of the new deal, Sky customers will have access to even more

Madison Taylor Baez, Kevin Carroll, Jacob Buster and Ian Foreman have joined the cast of the Showtime drama pilot “Let the Right One In.” The project also stars Demián Bichir, who plays Mark, a husband and father whose perfect life is thrown into disarray when his daughter Eleanor (Baez) is bitten by a mysterious creature

The BBC has pounced on the keenly anticipated HBO Max reboot of iconic drama “Gossip Girl” as a U.K. premiere. The show will be available on BBC One and streamer BBC iPlayer later this year. In addition, all six series of the pop culture classic, which ran from 2007-2012 will be available on iPlayer. The

Fremantle has swooped in for Nordic Entertainment Group’s unscripted assets, Variety can reveal. The RTL Group-owned “Got Talent” producer will use their new assets — 12 companies in all across Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark — to form Fremantle Nordics. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close later this year.

Actor Jessica Joan had a long-awaited moment of closure when she read her victim’s statement at the June 30 sentencing hearing for Allison Mack, the “Smallville” star who became a leader of the sex cult tied to the now-convicted Keith Raniere and his NXIVM organization. Joan was the NXIVM victim previously identified in court documents

Bill Cosby built an entertainment empire by playing a helpful, wholesome, fatherly figure in everything from his landmark “Cosby Show” on NBC to the animated “Fat Albert” series to memorable commercials for Jell-O Pudding Pops. But industry insiders say there is little chance that the disgraced 83-year-old entertainer may be able to chart a comeback,

Bill Cosby’s release from prison on June 30 was a sorrowful, unexpected and deeply strange result for those who’d felt justice had been served with his conviction for sexual assault three years ago. It was the latest twist in an emotionally wrenching case that has seen more than 60 women come forward to accuse him

The HBO Max pirate comedy series “Our Flag Means Death” has five new additions to its cast: Ewen Bremner, David Fane, Guz Khan, Matt Maher and Joel Fry, most recently seen in Disney’s “Cruella.” They will be joined alongside previously announced members Kristian Nairn, Nathan Foad, Samson Kayo, Rory Kinnear, Con O’Neill Vico Ortiz, and

ABC is passing on three more drama pilots from its 2021 pilot season slate. “National Parks Investigation,” “Triage,” and “Dark Horse” have all been passed over by the network after being in consideration for midseason pickups. Fellow dramas “Epic” and “Promised Land” remain in contention. “National Parks Investigation” boasted Kevin Costner as co-writer and executive

Joel Kim Booster has joined the upcoming Maya Rudolph-led comedy series at Apple. The untitled series follows Molly (Rudolph), a woman whose seemingly perfect life is upended after her husband leaves her with nothing but 87 billion dollars. Booster will play the role of Nicholas, Molly’s loyal assistant. Along with Booster and Rudolph, “Pose” alum