Michael Schneider Promoted to Television Editor, Kate Aurthur Expands TV Content Coverage

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThere’s a bit of serendipity that some of ABC’s “Black-ish” takes place at an advertising agency, where Andre Johnson (played by Anthony Anderson) works. Throughout eight seasons of “Black-ish,” viewers have seen Dre dream up with ways to capitalize and promote various brands, both fictional (“Boxable”) and not (Starbucks).As Dre was helping brands expand their footprint, so too was “Black-ish” turning into a lucrative and far-reaching franchise itself for Disney, ABC and creator Kenya Barris. The comedy concludes its eight-season run on April 19, but that doesn’t mean the end of the “-ish” universe.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSocial media stars will lace up for “Ultimate Social Boxing,” a new project in the works from Propagate Content and LiveOne. The sports show will center on iconic personalities from the worlds of TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms who take their beefs to the ring.The sports reality show will feature both male and female contestants, who will have to boast large social media followings in order to move into the “ultimate Social Boxing House.” From there, the players will live together, train together and then fight each other.“Ultimate Social Boxing” will begin with 32 participants, who will be announced at a later date.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeU.S.-based Spanish lingo programmer Estrella Media has sealed a two-year deal with Mexico-based broadcasting powerhouse TV Azteca to jointly create, produce and air new series on both sides of the border.The companies are set to announce some of those offerings next month during the 2022 IAB NewFronts on May 5, followed by Estrella Media’s upfront presentation on May 9. But the new partnership, set to be announced on Tuesday, includes creating more than 600 hours of original programming for both the U.S. and Mexico, as well as production of existing series and the licensing of library content for air in both countries.

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeRichie Stephens has turned his real-life path to redemption, from Irish gangster to an actor with guest roles on series like “NCIS” and “Blue Bloods,” into the upcoming book “The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety: My Life in 12 Steps.” And now, “Silicon Valley” co-creators John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky have signed on to develop a TV series based on the personal account, with Stephens involved as well.“The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety,” set to be released on May 24 by Post Hill Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster, tells the true story of Stephens’ involvement with drug trafficking, kidnapping, and robbery (along with other misdeeds that he alludes to), followed by his path away from that world via acting. Altschuler and Krinsky will developing Stephens’ story for TV via the book, which they helped write with Stephens.

Ethan Shanfeld We haven’t seen the last of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.After dancing around the question on Thursday’s red carpet premiere, “Better Call Saul” co-creator Peter Gould has now officially confirmed that Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will guest star in the final season of the “Breaking Bad” spinoff.Gould announced the news Saturday at PaleyFest LA on a “Better Call Saul” panel moderated by Variety television editor Michael Schneider, though he was tight-lipped on exactly when Cranston and Paul will show up or in what capacity. But as he told Variety on Thursday, “These two worlds cross over in a way that you haven’t seen before, that’s for sure.”At Thursday’s premiere, co-creator Vince Gilligan told Variety, “It would be a damn shame if the show ended without [Cranston and Paul] appearing, would it not?” Bob Odenkirk, who plays the series’ titular crooked lawyer, also hinted at Cranston and Paul’s appearance, telling Variety that Season 6 features “some wonderful new characters… your brain is gonna explode when you see them.”Odenkirk continued, “I personally feel that the two shows — ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’ — are entwined even more than ever in the final season.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeFor fans of CBS’ “S.W.A.T.,” star Shemar Moore said it best: “Aaaayyeeeee!!!!” For all the homies, fans, n baby girls, “SWAT” is returning for a sixth season.

Katcy Stephan Jean Smart’s Deborah Vance may be hitting the road in the sophomore season of the hit HBO Max series “Hacks,” but don’t expect her to ride around the country in your average tour bus.“She’s taking a little bit of Vegas with her,” co-creator Jen Statsky tells Variety on the red carpet for the show’s PaleyFest panel. “She’s roughing it, but she still has her creature comforts,” she adds, revealing that Vance’s signature fountain soda machine will indeed come with her on tour.“It’s a mansion on wheels,” co-creator Paul W.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen “The Simpsons” creative team decided to use American Sign Language in this Sunday’s episode, there was one hitch: The show’s animated characters have only four fingers.“That was a little tricky, especially because the one thing we’re translating is Shakespeare,” says writer Loni Steele Sosthand. “But I think we pulled it off.”Sosthand, who joined “The Simpsons” in 2020, is the writer behind the show’s April 10 installment, “The Sound of Bleeding Gums.” The episode is not only notable for featuring the first-ever use of ASL on “The Simpsons,” but it also includes the show’s first-ever deaf voice actors. The story centers on Lisa Simpson, who discovers that her favorite musician and mentor, the late saxophonist Bleeding Gums Murphy, had a son who was born deaf.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeUPDATED 4/7/22: Now that the 74th Emmys has been set for September 12, some of the phase 2 key dates have been changed. Also: The Governors Balls are back!The Television Academy has officially shared its 2022 Emmy calendar, and not a lot has changed from last year.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeMRC Live & Alternative — the division formerly known as Dick Clark Prods. — has tapped Stephen Hill and Rob Bagshaw to serve as executive vice president of creative. The execs will report to president Adam Stotsky, who announced the appointments on Thursday.

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each category, per the individual awards show from THE EMMYS HUBTo see old predictions and commentary, click the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVESFor film awards predictions go toTHE OSCARS HUBUPDATED: April 7, 2022The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, is given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS).

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each category, per the individual awards show from THE EMMYS HUBTo see old predictions and commentary, click the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVESFor film awards predictions go toTHE OSCARS HUBUPDATED: April 7, 2022*** = PREDICTED WINNERThe Television Academy and NBC, the 74th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, live coast to coast (8 p.m.

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 7, Episode 5, of “The Masked Singer,” “Masking For a Duel — Round 2,” which aired April 6 on Fox.That’s no illusion, it really was Vegas legends Penn and Teller unmasked on Wednesday night’s episode of “The Masked Singer.” Penn Jillette and his quiet partner Teller were disguised under the three-headed Hydra outfit.And yes, that was Teller who did most of the singing — in two different voices, one as himself and one in an aristocratic-style voice patterned after Rex Harrison in “My Fair Lady.” (As a matter of fact, the duo dubbed the voice “Rex.”)That may very well be the only time you’ll ever hear Teller — famously mute during all Penn & Teller appearances — actually talk. According to Jillette — who naturally spoke solo with Variety — the decision was made to have Teller sing most of the songs since Jillette’s booming voice is so recognizable.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Television Academy and NBC today jointly announced that the 74th Emmy Awards are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 12, live coast to coast (8 p.m.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAmazon’s Prime Video is bringing back its in-person Emmys For Your Consideration pop-up space, after two years of virtual campaigning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this time, “The Prime Experience” is moving to a new home: A private mansion in the Hollywood Hills, which will be open for Emmy voters to explore from April 30 to May 21. Amazon previously spent three years at the Hollywood Athletic Club for its installation, starting in 2017 and continuing in 2018 and 2019.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Alec Baldwin-hosted “Match Game” isn’t expected to return to ABC, as the Alphabet web begins to firm up its plans for its annual game show-heavy summer lineup.Also unlikely to return are “Card Sharks,” “Celebrity Dating Game” and “The Hustler,” while “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Press Your Luck” and “The $100,000 Pyramid” are expected to be back.The fate of “Match Game” had been the source of speculation in the wake of Baldwin’s accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the independent production “Rust” last fall. But ABC’s decision to cancel “Match Game” is not related to that incident; “Match Game” hasn’t been in production since 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic — and only aired two new episodes in 2021, which had been left over from the previous year. The latest revival of “Match Game,” hosted by Baldwin, debuted in 2016, and ran for five seasons.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSupermodel Bella Hadid has joined the cast of Hulu’s “Ramy” as a recurring guest star in Season 3. Details have not yet been revealed on Hadid’s character or her relationship to the show’s other characters just yet.“Ramy” reps the first credited scripted role for Hadid.