“No one is really creating original sci-fi blockbusters anymore, it’s an endangered species.”
13.09.2023 - 18:43 / variety.com
Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Here we are, just days away from the start of the 2023-24 television season… and the major networks still aren’t 100% sure what they’re doing. Just last week, several broadcasters scrambled to make even more last minute schedule changes — on top of other recently announced tweaks. The fall lineups that viewers tune into later this month will be remarkably different than the ones first announced in May.
At CBS, the Paramount+ Australia import “NCIS: Sydney” has suddenly landed on our shores, and will run on Monday nights. Fox just decided to push the return of its unscripted music gamer “I Can See Your Voice” to midseason and replace it with “9-1-1: Lone Star” repeats on Tuesdays. The CW made the snap decision to swap its Monday and Thursday slates after ABC had created a last-minute Thursday night “The Golden Bachelor”/”Bachelor in Paradise” one-two punch.
And speaking of the Alphabet network… earlier this week, it moved “Dancing with the Stars” to Tuesdays, meaning it still hasn’t announced its Monday night plans beyond the first night of the TV season. According to Nielsen, the fall TV season officially begins Sept. 25.
Normally, the primetime lineups would have been locked months ago, and fall marketing campaigns would already be well underway. Billboards and bus wraps touting new and returning series would be seen all over Los Angeles and around the country. Promos would be filling the airwaves and social media would be flooded with tune-in details.
“No one is really creating original sci-fi blockbusters anymore, it’s an endangered species.”
Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon will be flashing their smiles on the small screen in no time.
Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers are coming back.
Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large As the WGA strike draws to a close, first stop on the road to normalcy will be late night — where producers are already plotting a return to air within the next two to three weeks. “We want to come back ASAP,” said one late night insider.
Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large As “Survivor” hits its 45th season this fall, CBS is building a new marketing campaign for the show inspired by its signature piece of clothing: The “Buff.” That versatile cloth that “Survivor” contestants have used as tube tops, bandanas and headbands since Season 1, will be seen at landmarks across the country over the next week, leading up to the series premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has sweetly discussed dancing with her husband, Evgenij Voznyuk, as the hit show returns to our screens. Ahead of her first judging stint of the series on Saturday night, Motsi, 42, has opened up on all of her favourite things about the hit BBC show. She also opened up on which one dance she would do if she was only able to do one for the rest of her life - and it is all to do with her husband, who she renewed her vows to earlier this year.
The Real Housewives of Orange County star Shannon Beador found herself involved in a shocking incident over the weekend when she crashed her vehicle into a residential building in Newport Beach, California, just moments before being arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. Security camera footage, obtained by TMZ, captured the dramatic sequence of events that unfolded
McKinley Franklin editor Taylor Swift wants to know — are Swifites registered to vote yet? Swift took to her Instagram — where she boasts more than 272 million followers — on National Voter Registration Day this Tuesday to share a message to her fans urging them to register to vote. She also shared a link to Vote.org, a non-profit voting registration platform and organization which she has previously partnered with. “I’ve been so lucky to see so many of you guys at my U.S.
Most of us are just now hearing all the sexual assault allegations against Russell Brand. If you’re not up to date on that, you can get the horrible details from this weekend’s exposé HERE. The gist of it is, several women have now come forward with stories from 2006-2013 — including a girl who was just 16 at the time. And there are receipts.
Russell Brand played a gig in London to thousands of fans last night (September 16), hours after allegations of sexual assault were made against him.On Friday night (September 15), Brand denied what he termed “very serious criminal allegations” in a video, before the actor, comedian and presenter was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse following an investigation by Channel 4, The Times and The Sunday Times. Brand has denied all the allegations.On Saturday night, Brand went ahead with his gig at the 2,000-capacity Troubabour Wembley Park Theatre in London despite the allegations being made.The performance was delayed by 45 minutes from its planned start time of 7pm, reportedly due to Brand being stuck in traffic.A video posted by MailOnline appears to show Brand being given a standing ovation by fans, while Deadline report that he told the crowd at the venue: “I love you.
Gisele Bündchen is a denim queen Gisele Bündchen attended the Frame Dinner Party at Jean's wearing an oversize denim jacket and a big smile, with no pants. She kept the look minimal with no jewelry and slip-on ankle heels. The model recently explained she is "feeling so much better at 43 than at 23," calling life in her 40s "amazing." At 43, Bündchen looks as fit as when she was walking the runway for Victoria's Secret in 2006 and is releasing a cookbook, "Nourish," to let others in on her secret to staying healthy.
Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Fox’s “The Masked Singer” is taking to the streets next Saturday, Sept. 23, in Los Angeles, offering up freebies throughout the city. Dubbed “Masked Mania,” the show has partnered with ten businesses to offer up free food and other items, as well as the opportunity to see some of the show’s costumes up close.
English Teacher have recalled their struggle with imposter syndrome, and revealed how their growing confidence has allowed them to enter “a new era”.The emerging Leeds band – comprised of vocalist Lily Fontaine, guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost and bassist Nicholas Eden – spoke with NME as the latest cover stars, and revealed how they have overcome moments of self-doubt over recent months.In the discussion, the band opened up about their ongoing battle with self-doubt and recalled the ways that their slots at mammoth festivals including Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds have helped them evolve as performers.The discussion also came in light of their recent single ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’ – a track which was originally made in 2020, and reworked to be released last month.“The song truly feels like the start of a new era for us,” said Whiting, reflecting on how the band have grown in popularity since 2020. “It’s amazing to have all these people behind us but it is quite jarring; it’s been a mad two years.
Parents in Manchester face a postcode lottery when it comes to the cost of high school uniforms, a groundbreaking survey has found.
Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large As “The Masked Singer” panelist Nicole Scherzinger returns to London’s West End this month, starring as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, the show has found a suitable substitute: Singer/songwriter Rita Ora. Ora, who is no stranger to the format as a panelist for “The Masked Singer UK,” will take the U.S. “Masked Singer” panelist chair alongside Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg and Robin Thicke throughout Season 11, now shooting (and set to air in midseason).
Drew Barrymore’s decision to resume taping her talk show on Monday has kicked off a fight over whether she is violating the rules, or at least the spirit, of the Writers Guild of America strike. On Sunday, WGA East said that the show is “struck” and that any writing on the show would be against the rules. But SAG-AFTRA, which is also on strike, issued its own statement on Monday defending Barrymore.
Amy Winehouse’s band have announced details of a special London show, set to celebrate the singer for what would have been her 40th birthday.The upcoming gig will be held at the KOKO venue in Camden this December and is set to celebrate the life and music of the late singer, as well as the legacy she left behind.The band set to headline the event are the same musicians who were working with Winehouse from the very start of her career, up until her unexpected death in 2011. This includes her long-term Musical Director and bass player Dale Davis – who is also working as the music consultant on the upcoming Amy biopic, titled Back to Black.Alongside the original band members, the show will also feature vocals by singer Bronte Shandé, as well as a variety of on-screen visuals and rare footage of the singer.The one-off special gig will be held in the late musician’s Camden hometown on December 22 – and will celebrate what would have been her 40th birthday this Thursday (September 14).
Love Island's all-stars new series, Love Island Games, has reportedly bagged two major previous celebrities already. Model Megan Barton-Hanson and professional dancer Curtis Pritchard are said to have signed up to the exciting new project, and are already out in sunny Fiji doing filming along with presenter Maya Jama. The highly-anticipated spin-off show, which will see a host of former contestants gearing up to go head-to-head in a series of challenges while also looking for love once more, was announced earlier this week.
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Before she issues her memoir this November, Barbra Streisand will be giving fans a couple of soundtracks for all that reading, in the form of two music releases due shortly beforehand on Oct. 27.
Jimmy Fallon is being called out in a bombshell new story.