Netflix just released the first official trailer and poster for the original comedy series, The Politician. The one-hour comedy marks Ryan Murphy’s Netflix debut and is set to premiere on September 27, 2019.
Season one of The Politician‘s cast is led by Ben Platt (Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, the Pitch Perfect films). Platt’s co-stars include Gwyneth Paltrow (Avengers: Infinity War), Jessica Lange (Murphy’s American Horror Story), Zoey Deutch (The Year of Spectacular Men), Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody), and Bob Balaban (Broad City).
David Corenswet (Moe and Jerryweather), Julia Schlaepfer (Charlie Says), Laura Dreyfuss (After Party), Theo Germaine, Rahne Jones, and Benjamin Barrett (The Night Stalker) also star in the show’s first season.
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan created, executive produced, and wrote the eight episode first season.
About The Politician Season 1, Courtesy of Netflix:
“Payton Hobart (Ben Platt), a wealthy student from Santa Barbara, California, has known since age seven that he’s going to be President of the United States. But first he’ll have to navigate the most treacherous political landscape of all: Saint Sebastian High School. To get elected Student Body President, secure a spot at Harvard, and stay on his singular path to success, Payton will have to outsmart his ruthless classmates without sacrificing his own morality and carefully crafted image.
Full of dark comedy and sly satire, Ryan Murphy’s The Politician offers a rare glimpse into just what it takes to make a politician.”
Official poster for ‘The Politician’ from Ryan Murphy (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Kristen Stewart seems to be transitioning from sparkling vampire movies to critically acclaimed independent films to action flicks. Stewart’s one of the leads in the upcoming reboot of the Charlie’s Angels franchise and she’s got Underwater heading to theaters in early 2020.
20th Century Fox just unveiled the first official trailer for the action drama along with a poster and a couple of photos from the undersea adventure film. In addition to Kristen Stewart, Underwater stars T.J. Miller (Silicon Valley, the Deadpool films), Vincent Cassel (A Dangerous Method, Jason Bourne), John Gallagher Jr. (The Newsroom), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist, The Defenders), Mamoudou Athie (Sorry for Your Loss), and Gunner Wright (The Pinch).
William Eubank (The Signal) directed from a screenplay by Brian Duffield and Adam Cozad. Peter Chernin, Tonia Davis, Kevin Halloran, and Jenno Topping served as producers. Eubank’s behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Bojan Bazelli, editors Brian Berdan and Todd E. Miller, and production designer Naaman Marshall.
The Plot:
7 miles below the ocean’s surface something has awakened. The film follows a crew of underwater researchers who must scramble to safety after an earthquake devastates their subterranean laboratory.
Kristen Stewart stars in ‘Underwater’ (Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox)A scene from ‘Underwater’ (Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox)Poster for the 2020 action drama, ‘Underwater’ (Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox)
The 2019 CMA Awards will be recognizing three of Country music’s most popular stars with special gigs. Not only will Carrie Underwood host this year’s awards show, she’ll be joined by Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton as special guest hosts.
Underwood has guided the CMA Awards as co-host since 2008. This year will mark the first time in more than a decade that Underwood hasn’t shared the stage as co-host with Brad Paisley.
“It’s an incredible honor to welcome Carrie, Reba and Dolly to the CMA Awards stage this year,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to awarding the year’s best and brightest in the genre, The 53rd Annual CMA Awards will celebrate the legacy of women within Country Music, and we couldn’t think of a more dynamic group of women to host the show.”
Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire have 124 CMA Awards nominations with 22 total combined wins. 11 of those 22 wins came in the Female Vocalist of the Year category. 14 nominations were in the Entertainer of the Year category, according to CMA.
Underwood’s collected seven CMA Awards wins and has sold more than 64 million records. Four of Underwood’s CMA Awards wins came in the Female Vocalist of the Year category.
The 2019 nominees will be announced on Wednesday, August 28th during ABC’s Good Morning America. The 53rd Annual CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 and will be broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on ABC beginning at 8pm ET.
This year’s awards show will be directed by Alex Rudzinski, with David Wild as the head writer. Robert Deaton is executive producing.
Marcia Gay Harden and Poppy Montgomery star in ‘Reef Break’ season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Vince Valitutti)
ABC’s Reef Break season one episode nine welcomes Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden (Pollock) in the guest starring role of Betty Ann Miller. Episode nine, “The Hohenzollern Collection,” was directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith from a script by Brandon K. Hines.
“The Hohenzollern Collection” will air on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast of season one is led by Poppy Montgomery (Without a Trace, Unforgettable) as Cat Chambers. Montgomery also serves as an executive producer. The series is based on a story idea by Montgomery and Sanzel.
Season one also features Ray Stevenson (Black Sails, Rome) as Jake Elliot, Desmond Chiam (The Shannara Chronicles, Now Apocalypse) as Wyatt Cole, Melissa Bonne (Home and Away, Pulse) as Ana Dumont, and Tamala Shelton (Nowhere Boys, Cleverman) as Petra.
“The Hohenzollern Collection” Plot – When Betty Ann Miller (Marcia Gay Harden) arrives on The Reef, she presents Cat Chambers an offer too good to refuse, but when Cat considers turning back to her old ways, she turns the tables on the situation. But don’t be fooled, Betty Ann may look sweet and demure, but she proves to be a formidable match for Cat.
Marcia Gay Harden and Poppy Montgomery in ‘Reef Break’ season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Vince Valitutti)Desmond Chiam and Ray Stevenson in season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Vince Valitutti)Poppy Montgomery and Ray Stevenson in season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Vince Valitutti)Season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Vince Valitutti)
Season two episode seven of The CW’s fantasy action drama The Outpost is set to air on August 22, 2019. The second season’s seventh episode is titled “Where You Go, People Die” and was directed by Milan Todorovic from a script by Jason Faller and Kynan Griffin.
New episodes of season two air on Thursdays at 9pm ET/PT.
The season two cast is led by Jessica Green as Talon. Imogen Waterhouse plays Gwynn, Anand Desai-Barochia is Janzo, Jake Stormoen is Captain Garret Spears, Philip Brodie is Everit Dred, Robyn Malcolm is The Mistress, and Andrew Howard plays Marshal Withers.
Jason Faller and Kynan Griffin created the series and serve as executive producers with Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan-Wilson. Jennifer Griffin and Jonathan English produce.
The “Where You Go, People Die” Plot: COMING TOGETHER – Zed (guest star Reece Ritchie) waits for Talon (Green) after a mysterious disappearance. Tobin (guest star Aaron Fontaine) faces his despised cousin while Gwynn (Waterhouse) makes Tobin an offer he can’t refuse. A surprise visitor to the Outpost interrupts a royal ceremony.
The Outpost Plot:
“Having defeated Dred and retaken the Outpost, Talon (Green) and Gwynn prepare for war. Talon delves deeper into demon summoning, while Gwynn (Waterhouse) recruits allies. The Prime Order trinity known as “The Three” reveal mysterious powers as they send spies, assassins, and a devastating weapon to the Outpost. As Talon uncovers the legacy of her people, she must decide who to trust, and separate her real friends from her enemies before the Prime Order attacks.”
Jared Padalecki was understandably emotional during the final roundtable interviews for The CW’s Supernatural. The cast has been a huge draw at the San Diego Comic Con for more than a dozen years, and now with the popular series heading into its 15th season it’s tough for all involved to hold their emotions in check.
After taking part in the final Comic Con panel in support of Supernatural, Jared Padalecki sat down to discuss heading into the show’s final season. Padalecki talked about his hopes for the show’s legacy and what it’s been like being part of the Supernatural family for 15 years.
Is it pretty incredible to you that you gained a brother through this show? You and Jensen are extremely close.
Jared Padalecki: ”And a wife and kids. Yeah. I almost said it hadn’t sunk in. You know, we still are flying back to Vancouver to film for nine months so I’m not reflecting just yet – partly because I don’t want to start crying again like I did on stage. So, yeah, it’s pretty incredible.
It’s really funny. We were going to go downtown last night to have dinner with Bob and Jeannie… We were going to head downtown and go to some events and see some buddies. He and I just decided to sit on his patio of his hotel and have a drink and just decompress and relax and talk about how crazy the experience has been. It’s really special. You know, he’s been around for births and deaths in my life and vice versa. Triumphs and losses…and he’s not the only one, obviously. It’s been he and I for the longest, but I’ve met a lot of people that have changed my life and remain pretty special to me.”
What do you hope the show’s legacy is going to be?
Jared Padalecki: “My gosh, I guess what I hope the show’s legacy will be, in some way, shape, or form we always hoped that what the show would be about is you do what you can when you can and where you can. You try and help as best as you can. You accept your flaws, again, as best as you can. You are not going to be perfect, move on. Pain is mandatory, suffering is optional, you know, which is one of my favorite sayings.
Everything is not going to be hunky-dory and perfect, but you’ve got to keep on going and try and accept it as best you can. And this has kind of been inspired by the show and outside the show, you know we’ve had a campaign called ‘Always Keep Fighting.’ And it doesn’t mean put your hands up and start swinging punches. It’s about whatever struggle you are going through. Always be kind; every soul is engaged in a great battle. So, I hope the idea that people would see other people and also understand they are going through a great battle and reach out and be kind.”
What do you see yourself doing after this? Do you see yourself taking time off to spend with the family or do you have any pet projects you want to tackle?
Jared Padalecki: “I don’t know. The honest answer is I don’t know. I feel like I want to see family, you know. We’ll see what happens. Yeah, I don’t know. I have no idea. I’ve spent my whole entire adult life (working); I’d like to meet my wife and kids.”
Is there anything that you would like to do as Sam before the series ends that you haven’t done yet?
Jared Padalecki: “Just jokingly, like go to the beach and go swimming. Or, like do laundry in your underwear, you know? Just silly stuff. We’ve done a lot in 307 hours and we’re going to do a lot more in 20 more hours.
You know what’s been really awesome about Supernatural for me is I’ve stayed in my lane. I’ve felt I’m really committed to making Sam Winchester as honest and real as possible on camera, so whether that means he’s drinking demon blood or he’s Lucifer or he’s soulless or he’s just Sam, I tried to make it as honest as possible and be as real and committed as possible. That’s felt very comforting. So, I’d like to do that again.
I have some idea where the season is going. I’m really excited about it and I want to make it as true as possible. You know, it’s going to be around forever. So when my kids’ kids’ kids’ kids are watching Supernatural, I want to know that I gave it everything I have.
Matthew Macfadyen and Sian Clifford as Charles and Diana Ingram in ‘Quiz’
AMC and ITV’s Quiz, a three-part drama inspired by a true story, will star Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Sheen, and Sian Clifford. The mini-series is based on the incredible true story of a couple who defrauded Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? by cheating while on the popular TV game show.
Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) stars as Major Charles Ingram and Sian Clifford (Fleabag) plays Diana Ingram, the couple who came up with a scheme involving coughing to win a million pounds on the British version of the series. Michael Sheen (Good Omens) plays TV presenter Chris Tarrant and Mark Bonnar (Shetland) stars as Celador Television Chairman Paul Smith.
Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders) plays Sonia Woodley QC, Michael Jibson (Hunter Killer) is Tecwen Whittock, and Aisling Bea (Finding Joy) is ITV Entertainment Commissioner Claudia Rosencrantz.
Director Stephen Frears (A Very English Scandal, Florence Foster Jenkins) reunites with his The Queen stars Sheen and McCrory for the drama. The three-parter is based on James Graham’s Oliver-nominated play. Graham (Brexit: An Uncivil War, Ink, This House) adapted his play for the mini-series.
“I was gripped by this story over 15 years ago, and I’m still gripped now. It’s a very English heist. Putting it onto stage at Chichester and the West End was such a lot of fun, and with a new team we now get to re-imagine the whole story afresh for television. I have to pay credit to the late investigative journalist Bob Woffinden, who along with James Plaskett wrote the book Bad Show that kicked the whole creative process off by asking the question – what if the Major is innocent?” said Graham.
Left Bank Pictures produces the limited drama, which was commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill.
“I am delighted to be bringing James Graham’s wonderful play Quiz to screen on ITV. It’s testament to James’ brilliant scripts that Stephen Frears is directing, which, together with Left Bank Pictures producing, promises to deliver a very special drama. It’s an extraordinary and thoroughly British story and is going to be a real treat for our audience,” stated Hill.
Sarah Barnett, President of the Entertainment Networks Group at AMC Networks said, “If this tale was invented you’d think it too preposterous – the fact that it is true, and told so brilliantly, makes for an unmissable 3-part TV event that will entertain and enthrall Americans audiences every bit as much as their British counterparts. Quiz has the most remarkable bunch of talented people attached both in front of and behind the camera, and we, at AMC, are delighted to be part of it.”
Production is currently underway in London.
The Quiz Plot, Courtesy of ITV and AMC:
Major Ingram, his wife Diana and an accomplice, Tecwen Whittock, who was sitting in the audience, were accused of cheating their way to a million pounds on what was, the most popular game show on earth in 2001. The couple stood trial for conspiring by coughing during the recording to signify the correct answers to the multiple choice questions posed to the Major by host, Chris Tarrant.
Quiz gives an insight into what went on behind the scenes as Celador Television Chairman, Paul Smith and one of the show’s creators, David Briggs, originally pitched the idea of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? to ITV’s newly installed Director of Programmes, David Liddiment.
First airing September 1998, Millionaire fever voraciously gripped the nation with viewers avidly dialing the hotline to win a place on the show which ITV stripped nightly across its schedule to ramp up the excitement.
Based in a sleepy Wiltshire village, Charles and Diana Ingram were amongst those who became fixated with appearing on the popular quiz show, which in its heyday attracted audiences of 19 million viewers to ITV.
Their obsession and fascination with the format led to multiple attempts to appear on the show for both Charles and Diana and led to the infamous ‘Coughing Major’ appearance on 9 September 2001, which has sensationally gone down in television folklore.
“Red, we’ve discovered a third island. We need to put aside our differences and work together,” says Leonard (voiced by Bill Hader), the leader of the green pigs. Leonard would love nothing more than to call a truce between the pigs and the birds in order to stop a mysterious third island that’s attacking them both in the animated sequel, The Angry Birds 2 Movie.
Red (voiced by Jason Sudeikis) became Bird Island’s hero after saving all the eggs from the green pigs’ attacks in the first film based on the popular game. Along with his pals – Bomb (voiced by Danny McBride) and Chuck (voiced by Josh Gad) – Red spends his days keeping the island safe by watching out for Pig Island and attacking them with pranks.
When Leonard suggests a truce, Red is both wary and concerned he’ll lose his status as island hero. However, when he realizes both islands need a “hero” to save them, he’s all in because he loves his special status.
Joining Red’s team this time around is Chuck’s sister, Silver (voiced by Rachel Bloom). Silver’s all in on this adventure and she’s a huge help given her status as the smartest bird on the island. (She’s apparently close to genius level. Way to go, Silver!) The only problem is Silver and Red get on each other’s nerves. Only because the fate of both islands is now at stake, Red allows Silver to join his squad.
Teaming up with Chuck, Boom, Leonard, and Mighty Eagle (voiced by Peter Dinklage), they head out to stop whoever is in charge of the mysterious third island that’s attacking their homes.
Cute, chaotic, and sporadically funny, The Angry Birds 2 Movie is a colorful, juvenile adventure that will entertain children but has nothing to offer the adults. Sorry moms and dads – this film’s strictly for the younger set.
The Angry Birds 2 Movie, like its predecessor, is full of silly slapstick and sophomoric humor. On the plus side, it does serve up some solid messages about team work, friendship, and sharing credit.
The voice cast is stronger than the script, with Jason Sudeikis once again leading the way as the voice of Red, the ex-“angry bird” who fears if he loses his hero status he’ll go back to being ignored and forgotten on Bird Island. Josh Gad and Danny McBride bring to life Red’s two best friends – the energetic and speedy Chuck and the exploding Bomb – with just the right enthusiasm. Bill Hader is very funny as the voice of Leonard, the leader of the pigs who creates the truce between the two islands and helps convince Red to join forces to save their homes. Hader’s Leonard has some of the best lines in the film.
The Angry Birds 2 Movie is a hectic, vibrant, fast-paced, and harmless animated film that should have children laughing and smiling throughout. Watching the sequel will try parents’ patience, but it’s worth putting up with a little silliness for the sake of the kids.
GRADE: B-
MPAA Rating: PG for rude humor and action
Release Date: August 13, 2019
Running Time: 100 minutes
Directed By: Thurop Van Orman
The Hatchlings, Red (Jason Sudeikis), Chuck (Josh Gad) and Bomb (Danny McBride) in Columbia Pictures and Rovio Animations’ ‘Angry Birds 2’
Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas in ‘The Kominsky Method’ season 2 (Photo by Michael Yarish/Netflix)
Netflix just released the first batch of photos from season two of the Golden Globe-winning comedy series, The Kominsky Method. Netflix also announced the second season premiere date along with a synopsis and guest stars.
The Kominsky Method‘s eight episode second season two will premiere on Friday, October 25, 2019, with Jane Seymour and Paul Reiser joining in guest starring roles. Michael Douglas returns as Kominsky and Alan Arkin reprises his role as Newlander. Nancy Travis plays Lisa and Sarah Baker is back as Mindy Kominsky.
The half-hour comedy comes from Emmy Award winner Chuck Lorre. Lorre, Al Higgins, and series star Michael Douglas executive produce.
Season one debuted on November 16, 2018 and earned two Golden Globes and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. It also received Critics’ Choice and Emmy Award nominations.
The Season 2 Plot:
“The sun isn’t setting yet on aging actor slash acting coach Sandy Kominsky and his longtime agent Norman Newlander in the award-winning Netflix comedy series The Kominsky Method. Academy Award Winners Michael Douglas (Kominsky) and Alan Arkin (Newlander) continue their journey as two friends tackling life’s inevitable curveballs as they navigate their later years in Los Angeles, a city that, above all else, values youth. This season, Sandy meets and bonds with his daughter’s new boyfriend (guest star Paul Reiser) who is uncomfortably close to Sandy’s age. Meanwhile, Norman reconnects with an old flame from his youth (guest star Jane Seymour) and after fifty years, they decide to start again. “
Nancy Travis and Michael Douglas in season 2 (Photo by Michael Yarish/Netflix)Paul Reiser and Sarah Baker in season 2 (Photo by Michael Yarish/Netflix)Jane Seymour and Alan Arkin in season 2 (Photo by Michael Yarish/Netflix)Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin in season 2 (Photo by Michael Yarish/Netflix)
Fox’s new primetime series Prodigal Son is set to premiere on September 23, 2019. The drama features Michael Sheen, hot off his starring role in Good Omens, and Tom Payne, a season nine casualty of The Walking Dead.
Michael Sheen stars as a convicted serial killer named Dr. Martin Whitly. Tom Payne plays Dr. Whitly’s conflicted son, Malcolm. The cast also includes Bellamy Young as Jessica Whitly, Lou Diamond Phillips as Gil Arroyo, and Halston Sage as Ainsley Whitly.
Aurora Perrineau plays Dani Powell, Frank Harts is JT Tarmel, and Keiko Agena plays Edrisa Tanaka.
Prodigal Son comes from Berlanti Productions, Warner Bros. Television, and Fox Entertainment. Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver guide the series as showrunners and writers. Fedak and Sklaver also executive produce along with Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter. The first episode was directed by Lee Toland Krieger (Riverdale).
Season one will air on Mondays at 9pm ET/PT.
The Plot:
Fox describes the series as a crime show with a twist. The tone’s also different from the standard crime drama, with the show aiming for a “darkly comedic tone.”
The season one description: “Malcolm Bright (Payne) has a gift. He knows how killers think and how their minds work. Why? Back in the 1990s, his father was one of the worst, a notorious serial killer called ‘The Surgeon.’ So it makes sense Bright is the best criminal psychologist around; murder is the family business.
He will use his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers, all while dealing with a manipulative mother, annoyingly normal sister, a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son, and his own constantly evolving neuroses.
Meet the happy family. Dr. Martin Whitly (Sheen) is intelligent, wealthy, charismatic and also happens to be a predatory sociopath who killed at least 23 people. Bright’s mother, Jessica Whitly (Young), an elegant and WASPy New Yorker, wields sarcasm like a samurai sword and has an opinion on every aspect of Bright’s life.
Perhaps Bright’s only ally is his sister, Ainsley Whitley (Sage), a TV journalist who wishes her brother would “take a break from murder” and have a normal life.
Unfortunately for his sister, the only way Bright feels normal is by solving cases with the help of his longtime mentor, NYPD Detective Gil Arroyo (Phillips). Arroyo’s one of the best detectives around, and he expects no less from his team – Detective Dani Powell (Perrineau), a headstrong no-nonsense cop who quickly becomes impressed with Bright’s work; and Detective JT Tarmel (Harts), a born-and-bred New Yorker who questions whether Bright is a psychopath himself.
