Television

In the world of police procedurals CBS’ “SWAT” endeavors to be an aspirational look at a highly-specialized law enforcement unit. Working with consultants on the “practicality of tactical terminology and tactical strategies” gives the series and those working on it “a healthy respect for the badge and for the job, and certainly for the sacrifices

After 28 years in late night — the last 10 at TBS — it was long past time for Conan O’Brien to get out of the daily talk show grind. These days, O’Brien is probably more celebrated as a successful podcaster (“Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” and producer of several more), the host of a

It is a good time to be Sasha Banks. The WWE star is not only rolling into this Sunday’s “Survivor Series” pay-per-view as part of her first run as SmackDown Women’s Champion, but she is fresh off her onscreen acting debut in the hit Disney Plus series “The Mandalorian.” Banks, who has performed in the

Monday night saw the return of four CBS series to decent numbers. All four were back a little later than usual in the broadcast season due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, “The Neighborhood” in particular delivered a solid ratings performance, scoring a 0.9 among adults 18-49 and drawing just over 6 million total viewers. That

The Television Academy Foundation has reworked its Summer college internship and fellowship programs for 2021, in recognition of the pandemic and the resulting uncertain job market. Applications for the summer 2021 programs are now available for eligible undergraduate and graduate students, and can be filed through Jan. 19, 2021. Among 55 early career opportunities, the

“Woke” has been renewed for Season 2 at Hulu, Variety has learned. The news comes about two months after the release of Season 1, which dropped in its entirety on the streamer on Sept. 9. Season 2 of the comedy series will consist of eight episodes. Inspired by the life of artist Keith Knight, “Woke” stars

A reality game show based on the popular card game Uno is in the works, Variety has learned. The potential series hails from the television division of game maker Mattel along with Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens and Greg Lipstone of Propagate and John Quinn. Silverman, Owens, Lipstone, and Quinn will all serve as executive producers.

Longtime programming exec Bill McGoldrick is leaving NBCUniversal after spending the better part of more than 20 years at the company and its predecessors. McGoldrick’s departure comes amid a restructuring of NBCUniversal’s television and streaming content teams under new programming chief Susan Rovner, who on Tuesday unveiled her new leadership team. In his own memo

Conan O’Brien will end his self-titled TBS late-night show “Conan” in June 2021, WarnerMedia announced Tuesday. The announcement marks an end to an eleven-year run for O’Brien on the cable network. His travel specials, “Conan Without Borders,” will continue to air on TBS going forward. In addition, O’Brien has signed a deal with HBO Max

Just a little more than a month after officially joining NBCUniversal as the entertainment giant’s television and streaming chief, Susan Rovner has set her leadership team, a move that includes making Lisa Katz sole head of scripted content and splitting unscripted into two units. In an internal note to staff, Rovner started off by writing

Blair Underwood is grabbing his reporter’s notepad and heading to the scene of “Your Honor.” The former “L.A. Law” star has joined the cast of the Bryan Cranston limited series at Showtime, Variety has learned exclusively. News of the addition comes less than three weeks ahead of the show’s premiere on Dec. 6. Underwood, who was recently

Starz is delving far into the past once again for its latest project. Fresh off the success of “The Spanish Princess,” the network is developing another historical drama based around the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. The project is one of multiple series Starz is working on in conjunction with Lionsgate TV and Colin Callender’s

Al Roker will be back on “Today” for the holidays. The morning-show veteran will return to the NBC A.M. franchise next week following a break for surgery to remedy a diagnosis of prostate cancer. And he will take part in NBC’s annual broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, putting to rest concerns that he

Banijay France has entered a joint venture with seasoned French industry player Malika Abdellaoui to launch Marathon Studio, as part of its strategy to ramp up its output in the scripted landscape. Abdellaoui was previously managing director of Newen Distribution, the production and distribution company owned by French’s biggest TV network TF1 Group. Prior to

Former President Barack Obama will be Thursday’s guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the show announced on Monday night. Obama will be sitting down with Kimmel to discuss his new memoir, “A Promised Land,” which is the first of two books about his presidency. Recently, Obama has interviewed with “60 Minutes,” Oprah Winfrey and CBS News’

“The Good Doctor” and “West Wing” star Richard Schiff revealed on Monday that he has been hospitalized for COVID-19, but maintained that he is “showing some improvement every day.” Schiff had previously tweeted on Nov. 10 that he and his wife, Sheila Kelley — who also has a recurring role on “The Good Doctor” —

It’s hard to discern which of George Lucas’ “Star Wars” creations is the most mocked, the prequel trilogy, or the infamous holiday special. That much ridiculed 1978 affair featured arguably career-worst performances from lead actors Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, and was set on the wooded Wookiee planet of Kashyyk where Chewbacca and

In today’s TV news roundup, coronavirus drama “The Second Wave” adds Phillipa Soo, Will Swenson and Leslie Uggams to its cast, and “Adventure Time: Distant Lands” unveiled the first four minutes of its upcoming special “Obsidian.” CASTING CBS Studios and Spectrum Original’s coronavirus drama “The Second Wave” announced new casting updates with Will Swenson as

Greg Berlanti could be adding yet another DC project to his CW roster. CW is developing a “Wonder Girl” series based on the DC characters created by Joëlle Jones with Berlanti on board as executive producer, Variety has confirmed. The prospective one-hour drama revolves around Yara Flor, a Latina Dreamer who was born of an Amazonian

Libby Geist, a veteran ESPN executive who has been with the sports-media giant since 2008, will leave the company early next year, the latest in a series of prominent content executives to announce their departure from the Disney-owned outlet. Geist is ESPN’s vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films and original content. She oversees

Universal Content Productions, otherwise known as UCP, has tapped Hulu head of originals Beatrice Springborn to lead the Universal Studio Group-owned division. The move comes just two months after the elevation of Pearlena Igbokwe to Universal Studio Group chairman amid a broader shakeup within NBCUniversal top brass. “If you want to build a winning team,

Two legends of the broadcast comedy game are teaming for a new venture. Alec Baldwin and Kelsey Grammer are set to star in an as-yet-untitled show which has been handed a straight-to-series order at ABC. The multi-cam comedy in question revolves around three men who were roommates in their twenties until their warring egos drove

Welcome back to Tune In: our weekly newsletter offering a guide to the best of the week’s TV. Each week, Variety’s TV team combs through the week’s schedule, selecting our picks of what to watch and when/how to watch them. As many across the country continue to practice self-isolation due to coronavirus, why not while away

After nearly a decade at NBCUniversal, NBC’s co-president of scripted programming Tracey Pakosta is leaving the company to join Netfix as its head of comedy. The longtime TV exec will oversee development and current programming at the streaming giant, including adult animation and live-action family comedies, as well as stand-up and comedy formats. “I’ve spent

Alicia Vikander is picking up the phone and is about to dial. The actor is developing a “Dial M For Murder” anthology series at MGM/UA Television with “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Sopranos” alum Terence Winter, Variety has confirmed. Vikander is eyeing a central role in the project which is based on Frederick Knott’s play and the Alfred

Veteran brand whiz Jillian Raskin has joined UTA Marketing as an executive. Raskin’s resume is deep with experience in product placement and entertainment, a prominent revenue source for streamers and traditional giants alike. Based in Los Angeles, Raskin will report to Julian Jacobs and David Anderson, the co-heads of UTA Marketing, which is the company’s

After three straight weeks of ratings dips “Supermarket Sweep” steadied the shopping cart on Sunday night. The ABC show scored a 0.8 rating among adults 18-49 and drew 3.3 million total viewers, a 14% ratings bump from last episode. Hosted by Leslie Jones, the show kicked off with a 1.0 rating a month ago, before

To celebrate its upcoming reality competition series “The Pack,” as well as dogs all around the world, Amazon Prime Video is launching “Packed Weekend,” a multi-day, dog-friendly series of events and promotions, Variety has learned exclusively. “The Pack,” which is produced by Amazon Studios and Renegade 83 and is hosted by Lindsey Vonn and her

Six-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan (“My Left Foot,” “In the Name of the Father”) is to make his documentary series debut with “Murder at the Cottage: The Search for Justice for Sophie.” The five-part series examines the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork, Ireland in 1996. In 1996, two days before Christmas,

Fremantle has announced an exclusive first-look deal with BAFTA-winning filmmaker Michael Winterbottom’s Revolution Films, starting with U.K. political drama series “This Sceptred Isle.” Under the terms of the deal, Revolution Films will develop and produce scripted series and films with Fremantle co-producing and distributing the projects worldwide. The deal is done in collaboration with Richard