“The Bachelor” settled for new lows in the overnight ratings with the debut of Matt James on Season 25 on Monday night. In the Live+Same Day ratings, the long-running ABC dating show pulled in a 1.3 rating in adults 18-49 and 5 million viewers from 8-10 p.m. That is the lowest ratings for a season
Television
Sometimes when one is facing down a surprising new skill it’s best to call in the experts. That’s exactly what the titular character in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” did when she realized she could see and hear the innermost emotions of those around her coming to life through song and dance in the NBC musical comedy.
Branded entertainment vet Stuart McLean has launched FAST Studios, a new business aiming to capitalize on the quickly growing programming sector known as FAST — free, ad-supported television channels. As more companies aim to launch their own FAST channels to be distributed on platforms such as ViacomCBS’ Pluto TV and Comcast’s Xumo, FAST Studios is
In ABC’s new game show “The Chase” — the latest American adaptation of a U.K. format, hosted by ‘The View” co-host Sara Haines — the trivia master that contestants face off against is described as a “ruthless quiz genius determined to stop contestants from winning cash prizes.” Here, that role is held by three of
Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, a veteran administrator at CBS News, will take oversight of the division’s Washington Bureau, filling a role that has been in flux in recent months. Ciprian-Matthews will report to CBS News President Susan Zirinsky, and will play a significant role in running a newsroom engine that helps drive Washington-based programs like “Face The
Broadcast journalist Ashleigh Banfield made her mark in cable news during 9/11 and its aftermath. She’s reported from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria and other far-flung hot spots. But there’s one form of TV she’s never had the chance to try, until now. Banfield has signed on with WGN America to host a 10 p.m. ET
Rowan Atkinson, the British actor known the world over for his “Mr. Bean” character, has delivered a broadside against the so-called online “cancel culture.” During an extensive interview with U.K. outlet Radio Times, Atkinson said: “The problem we have online is that an algorithm decides what we want to see, which ends up creating a
“History of Swear Words” opens with Nicolas Cage, solemn as a rock, turning to the camera and unleashing a torrent of famous lines joined by one crucial, undeniably satisfying element: the thrill of forcefully exhaling the word “fuck.” With the canny combination of highbrow and lowbrow that Cage has turned into a profitable persona all
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched “The Bachelor” Season 25 premiere. “The Bachelor” answered a call to action to diversify the franchise when they cast Matt James as the Season 25 lead. Now, his season has turned into one of firsts. Not only is Matt the first Black bachelor, but also
The COVID-19 numbers in Los Angeles County are dire, and hospital beds remain at worryingly low capacity, pushing Hollywood to delay when most L.A.-based television shows go back into production. At this stage, most major studios — including CBS TV Studios, Warner Bros. TV, Universal TV, and as of Monday, Netflix — are looking to
Matt James is the first Black lead of “The Bachelor.” After nearly two decades on-air and 25 seasons of the flagship show, ABC’s hit dating series is hitting a milestone — and its star knows it’s a big deal. “I felt that pressure — I’m not going to lie — initially,” James tells Variety about
Late night is returning home. James Corden’s “The Late Late Show” on CBS and Jimmy Kimmel’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC are back to filming their nightly shows remotely amid the surging COVID-19 numbers in Los Angeles County. “With Los Angeles back on lockdown, we’re once again taping the #LateLateShow in @JKCorden’s garage until it’s
In today’s TV news roundup, the cast of “The Waltons” will reunite in an upcoming episode of “Stars in the House,” and HBO acquired the Scandinavian limited series, “The Investigation.” DATES Netflix is set to premiere “Chris Rock: Total Blackout, The Tamborine Extended Cut” on Jan. 12. In this new version of Rock’s Grammy-nominated stand-up
“Bridgerton” enjoyed a royal welcome upon its debut on Netflix. According to the streaming giant, the Shondaland series is projected to reach 63 million households within 28 days of its Christmas Day debut. That would make it the fifth largest Netflix original series launch of all time. The show has also reached the number one
New York City-based leaders from across the business spectrum have urged Congress to certify the presidential election results as scheduled on Wednesday, warning that any delays would “run counter to the essential tenets of our democracy.” The letter, issued today, comes as Congress braces for a showdown on Wednesday between 11 incumbent and incoming U.S.
Rejoice, Marvel fans! Disney Plus unveiled a TV spot teasing its long-awaited superhero series “WandaVision.” The clip introduces an original theme song written by Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen”), who wrote unique tunes for a series that spans from the 1950s to the early 2000s. “‘WandaVision’ is such a cool, strange, one-of-a-kind
In today’s Global Bulletin, “The Mandalorian” finishes 2020 as the world’s most torrented series, Universal Music Group announces three key appointments in Africa and Beyond Rights deals “Pooch Perfect” format in Europe. PIRATING Disney Plus’ “The Mandalorian” is the new king of the internet high seas according to analysis from TorrentFreak, which concluded that the
After a year that tested their limits and redefined landscapes, leaders in France’s entertainment industry share thoughts on their top achievements, the pandemic’s long-term impact and what’s on the horizon for them in 2021. THIERRY FREMAUXDirector, Cannes Film Festival / Director, Institut Lumiere What is the single thing — material or otherwise — getting you
When Walt Disney’s ESPN airs a Wild Card game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans this Saturday, viewers will be able to get a little bit of everything. Interested in chatter about sports betting? A simulcast of the game running on streaming outlet ESPN Plus will have it. Want to talk about pop
Maud (Glenda Jackson) can’t trust her own mind to be honest with her, and its rapid deterioration isn’t just frustrating; it’s downright infuriating. At first, she’s able to keep her head in one piece by stuffing her pockets with scribbled notes (“Don’t forget to lock up,” “Elizabeth, Salvation Army, 10 o’clock”). Soon enough, though, they
Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. Two years ago, AMC Networks executives were impressed with the performance of the first season of a low-profile genre series co-produced in the U.K. with Comcast’s Sky that premiered on AMC’s arthouse-y streaming service Sundance Now in January 2019. “A Discovery of Witches” has become the little
Jodie Whittaker could depart iconic BBC science fiction series “Doctor Who,” according to a report in U.K. tabloid Daily Mirror. The Mirror reports that the actor’s departure is being kept under wraps, but is an open secret on set. Whittaker is the 13th actor and the first woman to play the beloved British character. “We
Amid surging COVID-19 cases in Southern California following the holidays, SAG-AFTRA, the Producers Guild of America and the Joint Policy Committee are together recommending a “temporary hold on in-person production in Southern California.” Together, the organizations represent thousands of actors, producers, commercial advertisers and ad agencies. “Southern California hospitals are facing a crisis the likes
Kerry Vincent, a judge on “Food Network Challenge” and the host of “Save My Bakery”, died on Jan. 2 from an illness. She was 75. The Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show, a nonprofit organization that Vincent co-founded, announced her death on their Facebook page. “It is with great sadness that I have to report the
President Donald Trump is promising to drum up a burst of political theater in his waning weeks in office, starting with Wednesday’s election certification procedure in the U.S. Senate. Even after four years of drama and desperation, Trump proved he hasn’t lost his power to shock after the Washington Post released audio of a telephone
“Star Wars” icon Mark Hamill has been rendered speechless by recent praise from “The Mandalorian” actor Ming-Na Wen. The interaction started when Hamill, who made a surprise appearance as Luke Skywalker in the Season 2 finale of “The Mandalorian,” tweeted his appreciation for fans’ reactions to his cameo. “#NoWords – Seeing fan’s reactions to Luke’s
Larry King has tested positive for COVID-19 and is receiving treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, sources close to the King family told ABC News and CNN. “Larry has fought so many health issues in the last few years and he is fighting this one hard too, he’s a champ,” a source said
Ron Dominguez, a former executive vice president of Walt Disney Attractions, died on Jan. 1. He was 85. Dominguez was known as a “native Disneylander,” as his family owned and lived on the 10-acre Anaheim property that was purchased by Walt Disney in 1954 to build Disneyland. “Our house was located right about where the
Colleagues of legendary casting director Mike Fenton remembered the industry veteran as a tireless champion of actors who had a keen eye for talent, a great sense of humor and a full life outside of work with a wide circle of friends. Fenton, who died Dec. 30 at the age of 85, had nearly 300
Richard Bates, the longtime head of government relations for Disney, died Dec. 31 at his home outside Washington, D.C. He was 70. Disney said the executive’s death was sudden. Bates had represented Disney in the halls of Congress and other public policy arenas since 1991. Disney insiders are “heartbroken” over Bates’ death, Disney executive chairman