Mom fans have reason to celebrate. CBS has given the popular half-hour comedy an order for two more seasons and confirmed series stars Anna Faris and Oscar winner Allison Janney (I, Tonya) will be back for both season seven and season eight.
“We’re exceptionally proud to have Mom on our air; a high-quality, signature comedy with characters viewers love, that also brings strength and stability to our lineup,” stated Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment. “Under Chuck Lorre’s extraordinary leadership and with his outstanding writing and production team, we look forward to having Mom on CBS for many years to come.”
“We’re fortunate to have the gifted talents of Anna and Allison, with their wit, intelligence and incomparable comic skill, heading up such a brilliant cast on this noteworthy series,” said Thom Sherman, Sr. Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Entertainment.
Mom debuted on CBS on September 23, 2013. Season six is currently airing on Thursdays at 9pm ET/PT and has been averaging 10 million viewers. Those viewership numbers are high enough to earn the critically acclaimed comedy third place among all comedies on broadcast television. Only The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon pull in more viewers.
Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky, and Gemma Baker created the comedy. The series is executive produced by Chuck Lorre, Nick Bakay, Gemma Baker, and Warren Bell. In addition to Faris and Janney, Mom also features Mimi Kennedy, Jaime Pressly, Beth Hall, and William Fichtner.
The Mom Plot:
After years of questionable choices, Christy is now sober and trying to get her life on track, although she’s tested daily by her mother, Bonnie. Together, mother and daughter work to overcome their mistakes and build a better future for their family. Christy has gone back to school and is pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer, while Bonnie attempts to have a healthy romantic relationship with her fiancé, Adam. Through it all, Christy and Bonnie rely on their support system from AA, including the wise Marjorie, the wealthy and sometimes misguided Jill and the overly emotional Wendy. Collectively, they help each other stay sober in the face of whatever life throws at them.
Nolan Gould, Ariel Winter, Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen and Sarah Hyland star in ‘Modern Family’ (ABC/Robert Ashcroft)
The good news: ABC’s award-winning half-hour comedy, Modern Family, has earned an 11th season. The bad news: season 11 will be the show’s final season.
Created by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd, the Emmy-winning series stars Ed O’Neill as Jay Pritchett, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Sofia Vergara as Gloria Pritchett, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, and Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker. Sarah Hyland plays Haley Dunphy, Nolan Gould is Luke Dunphy, Ariel Winter is Alex Dunphy, Rico Rodriguez plays Manny Delgado, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons is Lily Tucker-Pritchett, and Jeremy Maguire plays Joe Pritchett.
“Chris and Steve have created one of the most seminal and iconic comedies in television history,” stated Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment, announcing the show’s 11th season order. “In its final season, there will be more milestone events that anyone who has been a fan of the series won’t want to miss.”
“For 10 years, our characters have bravely faced turning points in life and moved through them to great personal enrichment; we have chosen a different path by doing one more season of Modern Family,” said co-creator and executive producer Christopher Lloyd.
“Even after 10 years together, we realized there are still some things our writers don’t yet know about each other’s sex lives,” added co-creator and executive producer Steve Levitan.
Season 10 is currently airing on Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT. Even 10 years in, Modern Family still ranks first in its time slot among adults 18-49. It’s also hanging in there at the number four spot on the list of top five comedies this season.
Over its 10 year run, Modern Family has earned five Emmys in the Outstanding Comedy Series category. The comedy also picked up four Screen Actors Guild awards in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series category, as well as six Writers Guild and four Producers Guild awards.
Fox’s Gotham will air an encore of the season five premiere on February 7, 2019 and then return with a brand new episode on Valentine’s Day. Season five episode six titled “13 Stitches” was directed by series star Ben McKenzie. Shane West returns as Eduardo Dorrance, guest starring in a multi-episode arc.
The fifth season is currently airing on Thursdays at 8pm ET/PT.
The cast of the comic book-inspired series’ final season is led by Ben McKenzie as Detective James Gordon. Donal Logue is Detective Harvey Bullock, Sean Pertwee is Alfred Pennyworth, Robin Lord Taylor is Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, and Erin Richards is Barbara Kean. David Mazouz plays Bruce Wayne, Camren Bicondova is Selina Kyle/the future Catwoman, Cory Michael Smith is Edward Nygma/The Riddler, and Chris Chalk plays Lucius Fox.
The “13 Stitches” Plot: Gordon assembles an unlikely team to protect Gotham from Eduardo Dorrance (guest star Shane West) and his Delta Force. Just as Lee Thompkins resurfaces, Barbara reveals shocking news that will change Gordon’s life forever. Meanwhile, Selina and Penguin team up to outsmart fellow villain Magpie (guest star Sarah Schenkkan).
“Gotham is an origin story of the great DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer and writer Bruno Heller and executive producers Danny Cannon and John Stephens, Gotham follows the rise of Det. James Gordon (McKenzie) through a dangerously corrupt city teetering between good and evil, and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular super heroes of our time.”
Cierra Ramirez and Maia Mitchell in ‘Good Trouble’ season 1 episode 1 (Freeform/Beth Dubber)
Freeform’s Good Trouble will be returning for a second season. The spinoff of The Fosters premiered on January 8, 2019 and ranks as the number one cable scripted series among females ages 12 to 34, according to the network. Season one’s most recent episode, “Playing the Game” (episode four), ranks as Freeform’s top dramatic telecast since June 2018 among females 12-34.
The renewal announcement was made during the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour and came as a surprise to the cast on hand.
Season one’s cast includes Maia Mitchell (Hot Summer Nights, Teen Beach 2) as Callie Jacob, Cierra Ramirez (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) as Mariana Adams Foster, Tommy Martinez (Riverdale) as Gael, Zuri Adele as Malika, Sherry Cola (I Love Dick) as Alice, Roger Bart (A Series of Unfortunate Events) as Judge Wilson, Emma Hunton (Happy Endings) as Davia, and Ken Kirby (The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo) as Benjamin.
The series is executive produced by Joanna Johnson, Peter Paige, Bradley Bredeweg, Gregory Gugliotta, Christine Sacani, Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, and Benny Medina. Series stars Maia Mitchell and Cierra Ramirez pull double duty as executive producers.
The Season One Plot:
The series follows Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) as they embark on the next phase of their young adult lives in Los Angeles, as Mariana tackles the male-dominated world of tech and Callie faces the harsh realities of the federal legal system clerking for a federal judge. After moving to The Coterie in Downtown Los Angeles, Callie and Mariana realize that living on their own is not all that it’s cracked up to be. Faced with new neighbors, new challenges and, of course, new romances, the sisters must depend on one another to navigate the City of Angels.
Melissa Roxburgh as Michaela Stone and Josh Dallas as Ben Stone in ‘Manifest’ season 1 episode 14 (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC/Warner Brothers)
“We need to figure out what Zeke’s return means for the bigger picture,” says Ben (Josh Dallas) to Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh) as they talk about keeping Zeke out of sight and safe from the world in season one episode 14 of NBC’s mystery/thriller series, Manifest.
Season one episode 14 begins with Michaela bringing Zeke (Matt Long) home to her apartment. She informs him he can stay with her for a couple of days and suggests he takes the couch. At first Matt’s reluctant, but Michaela reminds him that the calling wants them to do something together and they need to see it through. She also tells him it would be best if he kept a low profile and mentions that the military isn’t on their side.
Adrian (Jared Grimes) has started his own church/cult called the Church of the Returned. He’s preaching that those on Flight 828 are the chosen ones to do good and help the world.
Ben’s back at home with Olive (Luna Blaise) going over the drawing of Michaela and Zeke. Michaela calls Ben to let him know she and Zeke are back in the city and that he’s staying at her place.
Meanwhile, Lourdes (Victoria Cartagena) is trying to be intimate with Jared who’s once again not in the mood. Lourdes gets frustrated and reminds him the doctor cleared him weeks ago. Jared says he’s not ready yet and Lourdes asks if Michaela is back. Jared claims he doesn’t know but gets uncomfortable with her bringing it up.
That night, Zeke hears growling and opens the door of Michaela’s apartment to find a wolf snarling at him. It lunges his direction. Fortunately, it’s just a nightmare.
At the same time, over at Ben and Grace’s house Cal (Jack Messina) has a nightmare and when they wake him from it he says, “It’s coming.”
Dr. Saanvi Bahl (Parveen Kaur) gets a visit at the hospital from a woman named Alice who asks her to look at her husband’s case. He has cancer and she’s been told he’s terminal but wants a second opinion. Dr. Bahl tries to explain she does clinical trials but reluctantly agrees when Alice, who seems desperate, pleads for her to try to save her hubby. While retrieving her husband’s medical paperwork, Alice drops a few on the floor.
Over at Ben’s, Zeke describes his calling with the wolf. They have him try to talk to Cal about it, thinking maybe he can draw what Zeke saw. However, Cal becomes uncomfortable and asks to be allowed to go to his room. He doesn’t want to do this anymore.
Ben tells Grace (Athena Karkanis) he’s worried because Saanvi isn’t returning his texts which isn’t like her. Grace suggests he check on her at the hospital and assures him she’ll keep an eye on Zeke while he’s gone.
Alice talks Dr. Bahl into visiting her husband and, unfortunately, his disease is too far along. Dr. Bahl can only suggest Alice make her husband comfortable for his remaining days as there isn’t any additional treatment that might help him at this point. Alice becomes upset, yelling that Dr. Bahl must be able to cure him since she’s one of the chosen. Saanvi attempts to tell Alice she’s just a doctor, but Alice becomes furious and slaps her across the face. She then pulls out a gun and demands Dr. Bahl cure her husband or else.
Ben searches the hospital but can’t find Saanvi. He then notices a paper on the floor of her office promoting the Church of the Returned. A hand-written note on the flyer suggests Dr. Saanvi can help.
Back at the Stone house, Grace tells Zeke he might want to consider letting his family know he’s back. Speaking from personal experience, she tells him how important it is to a mother to know her child is okay. She also reminds a moody Zeke that Cal risked his life to help save him. That must mean something.
Ben visits the Church of the Returned and is shocked to find Adrian’s running it. Adrian explains his calling is to pass on the word about the returned and how they are the chosen ones. Ben gets fed up but looks around and spots posts on a bulletin board that match the handwriting on paperwork left in Saanvi’s office.
Dr. Bahl speaks with Alice’s husband, Jacob, about what his wife’s doing. He apologizes for her behavior and suggests Saanvi lie and say she saved him. Saanvi can’t do that; she can’t lie because she’s a doctor. She also tells Jacob – in what comes across as one of the show’s few very forced scenes – about being lied to by someone she loved and she wouldn’t lie due to that, either. The person she loved was supposed to be on the flight with her but never showed up. Saanvi goes on to reveal that Jacob and Alice finding each other and being in love is a miracle. Jacob confesses to Saanvi that he doesn’t want to die.
Meanwhile, Lourdes visits Michaela at the station and Michaela explains Jared’s standing watch over a retrieval job of finding a van supposedly full of money from the waterfront. Lourdes is fine with that because she actually stopped by just to speak with Michaela. They step outside and Lourdes asks if there’s something going on between her and Jared. The look on Michaela’s face gives her away and Lourdes goes off about her ruining her marriage and that she won’t even be able to look at Jared now. “I can’t apologize for still loving him,” says an upset and defensive Michaela. She reminds Lourdes that she never came to the hangar when she found out her best friend had come back. She also reminds her that when she returned it it had only been a month since Jared proposed. Lourdes leaves angry and upset.
Back at Ben and Grace’s place, Grace encourages Zeke to talk to Cal. Zeke asks again to help him by drawing the wolf but Cal says he’s afraid that if he draws it then it will happen. Zeke suggests that Cal draw something fun and Grace encourages him to do it, too.
Michaela and Ben check out the address Michaela pulled from the info Ben gave her. They can see Saanvi holding up her hands and obviously under duress through the window of an upstairs apartment. They can also tell she’s being held at gunpoint by Alice.
Michaela calls in a hostage situation, but Ben’s afraid backup will take too long. He acts impulsively and buzzes Alice’s door. He tells Alice through the intercom that he’s one of the returned who’s come to help Dr. Bahl save her husband. She buzzes him in and Ben whispers to Michaela they might have to give Alice the miracle she’s looking for.
Ben says he’s there to help Saanvi heal her husband, but with Alice’s negative energy it won’t work. She needs to lose the gun. Alice refuses to put down the gun until her husband’s cured. While Ben pretends to be praying to save Jacob, Michaela’s able to get the drop on Alice and disarm her.
Once Dr. Bahl is freed, Ben pays another visit to Adrian. He calls him out for putting Saanvi at risk and for conning people. “You know nothing spiritual happened on Flight 828,” says Ben. “Do I? Well it doesn’t matter what I believe,” says Adrian. “It only matters what they believe.”
He continues but in a different tone, shooting Ben an intimidating look acknowledging that, yes, he’s scamming his followers. Adrian returns to preaching his false prophecies.
Michaela heads over to Lourdes’ place but Jared answers and informs her Lourdes left. Jared believes they can start over now together with no more lies. Michaela refuses to talk to him about their relationship now, especially since Lourdes just left.
Back at the house, Cal draws a picture of money and no money appears. Zeke tells him that he draws things that will happen but that doesn’t mean he’s making them happen. Zeke asks again to draw the wolf and Cal does but he says it wasn’t just a wolf. When Grace sees the drawing she calls for Ben. Ben walks over and sees the picture is of a wolf leaping at Michaela.
At the waterfront, Michaela’s now standing watch as they’re finally fishing the van out of the water. Michaela walks over once the van is on the pier and opens the door. Water comes pouring out and the driver, who should be dead, lunges for Michaela.
Mikey Madison as Max and Pamela Adlon as Sam Fox in ‘Better Things’ season 3 (Photo by Suzanne Tenner/FX)
FX presented a panel for the half-hour adult comedy series Better Things season three for the Television Critics Association. A clip of the new season showed Sam (Pamela Adlon) taking her daughters go-karting, reluctantly, and crashing into the railing. Other episodes in the upcoming season include “Toilet,” about Sam’s colonoscopy, and many more ways in which Sam tries to mother her three daughters.
Adlon spoke with reporters further after the panel about the upcoming season. She also followed up on her New Yorker profile in which she discussed experiencing abuse in the industry, and the changes that are happening with the #MeToo movement.
Better Things season three premieres February 28, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT on FX.
I liked the scene when your daughter asks for money, and you say, “You just yelled at me after I got these things for you and now you’re asking for money?” Is that a good way to teach kids how to be more diplomatic dealing with people, whether their parents or anyone?
Pamela Adlon: “Yeah, it’s kind of giving a criminal a blueprint how to do it.”
Do they get it at that age or do they just have to grow up?
Pamela Adlon: “I really think that a lot of it falls on deaf ears because they just want what they want when they want it, but at least I can try.”
As a mom, are you like your own mother?
Pamela Adlon: “I’m not as, I want to say, stubborn. My mom is incredibly opinionated and she’s fiercely loyal and loving. So I hope I can be like her. She’s just an angel.”
Is she proud of all you’ve accomplished?
Pamela Adlon: “She’s so proud. She’s incredibly proud. Here’s a great example of my mom. I watched the Phil episode with her when Phil breaks her foot on purpose and she’s in the hospital. Any stuff about Phil that you would think people would be like, ‘Oh, Pamela, what does your mother think?’ She laughs. What can I tell you? She’s got a very dry, Monty Python way of looking at things.”
You’ve talked about going through some shit early in your career. Do you feel like your children are going into a different kind of society where they will be treated better, with more respect?
Pamela Adlon: “I absolutely do. I feel like it’s very interesting because there are still places and people and workplaces that have to be aired out. So it’s a good time for everybody to regulate and to just step outside of where they were and step back in and make a new environment.”
How do you deal with people who think Better Things is your daughters’ real life?
Pamela Adlon: “I’m so glad that you asked me that. Here’s the thing. It’s frustrating for me personally, but it’s okay. For example, the thing that happens in one episode, one of my daughters will be like, ‘That happened to me, Mom.’ I’m like, ‘No, bitch, that happened to me in middle school.’
Everybody’s going to claim ownership to things and others, including myself, are going to be like that’s not me. The truth of the matter is I’m not making a reality show. I’m making a scripted show that started with the bones of my life in the past because my kids are all older. There’s little things that are taken from life and there’s lots of things that are taken from my childhood, my friends’ childhood, and a lot from my kids in a way that gives them a voice. It’s not completely, you know what I mean? So when Olivia says, ‘When you’re portraying somebody…’ I’m like okay, we’re not doing Helen Keller. We know exactly from top to bottom what’s going on. These are people, you know what I mean? They’re all getting fleshed out by these three girls right now.”
Mikey Madison, Pamela Adlon, Olivia Edward, Hannah Alligood, and Celia Imre star in ‘Better Things’ (Photo by Pamela Littky/FX)
Do you have other parents say, “Why doesn’t she put her foot down with these girls?”
Pamela Adlon: “Here’s the thing. I’ve been accused, or Sam’s been accused of, being a passive parent which I kind of take offense too because she’s there all the time. That’s the way I am. That’s how I relate to her. But if anybody’s critical of her parenting, they should come see me because she works so hard and it’s a thankless job. It really is.”
Do you have to reframe your own parenting?
Pamela Adlon: “All the time.”
Do you write it the way you wish it had gone?
Pamela Adlon: “All the time.”
What is your greatest challenge as a parent?
Pamela Adlon: “Being a parent.”
How much of the pain Sam goes through in the “Toilet” episode did you actually go through in real life?
Pamela Adlon: “You mean the prep? Who here has had a colonoscopy? Yes!”
I haven’t.
Pamela Adlon: “You haven’t? So I just gave you a fun cartoon, right? It’s fun to watch. I’ve gone through colon pain. It’s inner gastric distress.”
Did you end up having fun go-karting?
Pamela Adlon: “We did. We really had an amazing day. We had an amazing time.”
Did you ever think your career would be at this point?
Pamela Adlon: “No, never. Not in a million years.”
Is that a good thing?
Pamela Adlon: “It’s an amazing thing. I can’t even believe it. But I could never have such grand ambitions. Also, I think that’s from the time that I came from, being a woman, and that whole misogynistic, you know. I should be out to pasture by now, so this is kind of a miracle.”
Do you see change in the industry? Is it less misogynistic?
Pamela Adlon: “Well, yeah, I’m here to make sure of it. Yeah.”
The CW’s Legacies continues season one with episode 10 airing on February 7, 2019. Episode nine found the students at The Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted either evacuated to the Lockwood mansion or staying on campus to fight off a new demon. With the second Malivore artifact now at the school, the campus is once again a target for all sorts of evil.
Alaric believed the school was being visited by a night hag, a supernatural force that enters dreams. He was right about the dream visitor, but wrong about the name of the creature. (It was really a dream demon.) Once they realized their mistake, Hope was able to put an end to the nighttime visitor by staking him in the eyes.
Meanwhile, Landon figured out he has to be a better shoulder for Hope to lean on. He confessed he wants her to be able to share her secrets and confide in him, but also assured her in a very sweet moment that he’s not afraid of losing her anymore because he’s always going to fight to find her.
Season one episode 10 is titled “There’s a World Where Your Dreams Came True.” Episode 10 was directed by John Hyams from a script by Brett Matthews and Josh Schaer.
The season one cast includes Danielle Rose Russell as Hope, Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman, Jenny Boyd as Lizzie Saltzman, Kaylee Bryant as Josie Saltzman, Demetrius Bridges as Dorian, and Quincy Fouse as Milton Greasley/MG. Aria Shahghasemi is Landon Kirby and Peyton Alex Smith plays Rafael Waithe.
The “There’s A World Where Your Dreams Came True” Plot: A WORLD WITH NO HOPE — Following a stay in Europe with her mother, Lizzie (Jenny Boyd) returns to Mystic Falls and comes face to face with someone who could make all her wishes come true – including making Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell) disappear.
The Season One Plot:
“For the last decade, the iconic heroes and villains of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals have captivated audiences worldwide. They left an enduring legacy of love and family in their wake, which continues in Legacies, a thrilling new drama that tells the story of the next generation of supernatural beings at The Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted. It’s here that Klaus Mikaelson’s daughter, 17-year-old Hope Mikaelson; Alaric Saltzman’s twins, Lizzie and Josie Saltzman ; and other young adults — including high-energy vampire MG, newly-triggered werewolf Rafael Waithe and the mysterious Landon Kirby — come of age in the most unconventional way possible, nurtured to be their best selves…in spite of their worst impulses.
Will these young witches, vampires and werewolves become the heroes they want to be — or the villains they were born to be? As they fight to protect their secret, their town of Mystic Falls and eventually the world, they will have to rely on ancient folklore and tales to learn how to battle their far-reaching enemies.”
The original Party of Five series creators Amy Lippman and Chris Keyser are on board as writers and executive producers of the reboot which just earned a series order from Freeform. The network has given the new take on the one-hour drama a 10 episode first season order.
Lippman and Keyser are joined on the writing team by Michal Zebede who also serves as a co-executive producer. Rodrigo Garcia directed the show’s pilot and executive produces.
“Party of Five embodies the heart and soul of what it means to be a family in the most trying of times. We’re so lucky that Freeform gets to be the home for this reimagined story, as we continue to represent the resilience of young adults and the importance of fighting for your voice in times of doubt,” stated Tom Ascheim, president, Freeform. “We are thrilled to be able to share the groundbreaking storytelling from Amy and Chris with a new audience, and are excited for our viewers to discover the beauty of this series.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Party of Five to another generation of fans. Amy, Chris and Michal’s distinct voice makes this series incredibly relatable and authentic. We are truly proud to be part of this journey,” said Jeff Frost, president, Sony Pictures Television and co-presidents Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter.
The original series ran for six seasons, beginning in 1994, and starred Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, and Lacey Chabert. The cast of the reboot includes Brandon Larracuente (13 Reasons Why) as Emilio, Emily Tosta (Mayans M.C.) as Lucia, Niko Guardado (The Goldbergs) as Beto, and Elle Paris Legaspi (To My Family) as Valentina.
Freeform released the following synopsis of the reboot: “From Sony Pictures Television, the one-hour drama will follow the five Acosta children (fka Buendia) as they navigate daily life struggles to survive as a family unit after their parents are suddenly deported to Mexico.”
Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon and Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse in ‘Fosse/Verdon’ (Photo by Pari Dukovic/FX)
FX’s latest biographical limited series is Fosse/Verdon, the story of the romance and collaboration between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Oscar winner Sam Rockwell plays Fosse and four-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams plays Verdon. The premiere episode already features scenes involving the films Sweet Charity and Cabaret.
Williams was on a Television Critics Association panel for Fosse/Verdon with Rockwell and the show’s creators, including Verdon’s daughter Nicole Fosse. After the panel, Williams spoke with reporters more about the role of Gwen Verdon and Showbiz Junkies was there. Fosse/Verdon premieres on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT.
Does doing Fosse/Verdon feel very different than when you were on broadcast network with Dawson’s Creek?
Michelle Williams: “It does, yeah. It feels like a totally different landscape from what I remember.”
Is it more like doing a long movie?
Michelle Williams: “It is. It’s like making eight movies.”
What appeals to you about the Fosse/Verdon love story?
Michelle Williams: “It’s sort of the fact that they were very different people but they were twin souls. I think of them as having like a golden thread that connected them and the thread would contract and the thread would expand but it was always there.”
Does that make you believe in soul mates?
Michelle Williams: “Oh gosh, I mean, I guess so. But I think there can be all different [kinds]. I think your soul mate can be your pet too. I think there’s a lot of souls with a lot of matches throughout a long life.”
Did you connect with Verdon’s motherhood vs. career struggle?
Michelle Williams: “Very much, yeah. It’s one of the challenges that’s most on the forefront of my mind, and all of my friends who are working mothers, is how to get comfortable with the fact that balance is not a place that you arrive at. It’s something that you are constantly teetering on the edge of. So getting comfortable with the fact that something is going to rise as something else falls. So to get comfortable with that fact that something is always going to be a little bit underserved in a life where you’re trying to accomplish two things at the same time.”
There are so many great Tony Awards moments and film works of Verdon. Did you watch them over and over again?
Michelle Williams: “I’ve seen as much as I think is available. I keep coursing through the internet late at night. I’m like, ‘Did I miss anything, did I miss anything?’ But I love spending time with her. Wherever I can find her, however I can find her. If you haven’t seen her dance, you really owe it to yourself to just turn on YouTube and find her doing these pieces that I haven’t been familiar with, because she was totally unparalleled.”
What do you think her best number was?
Michelle Williams: “Oh, God, that’s so hard. I love this dance she does called Herbie Fitch.”
What was the biggest challenge about playing this character?
Michelle Williams: “Probably one of my biggest challenges, she was the greatest dancer of her time. That represents itself in a very physical way that’s been really challenging to attain.”
What do you admire most about her?
Michelle Williams: “Her work ethic and her commitment to excellence in every area of her life.”
Do you seek out real-life characters to play like Marilyn Monroe, Gwen Verdon and you might play Janis Joplin?
Michelle Williams: “I do seem to enjoy that. I don’t know really what that’s all about for me, but they do seem to come my way and I do seem to say yes when they’re in front of me.”
Would you ever do a Dawson’s Creek reunion?
Michelle Williams: “Yeah, I’ve said. I think I’ve been waving that flag for a while. Like, why not? Although my character died so I would have to be a ghost.”
A prequel?
Michelle Williams: “A prequel, a prequel, yeah, when they were five.”
Janet Montgomery as Dr. Lauren Bloom and Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in ‘New Amsterdam’ (Photo by: Francisco Roman/NBC)
NBC’s given the medical drama New Amsterdam a second season renewal. The network confirmed the popular series will return after averaging 11.9 viewers during its season one run. Only Manifest ranks higher with adults ages 18 to 49 among new scripted series this season.
Announcing the renewal, NBC Entertainment Scripted Programming Co-Presidents Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta said, “We’ve been so excited to see how much audiences have embraced Dr. Max Goodwin and all the characters that make New Amsterdam such an incredibly compelling medical series. Congratulations to David Schulner, Peter Horton, our writers and an amazing cast and crew who have brought these stories to life.”
New Amsterdam is based on Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital, a memoir by Dr. Eric Manheimer. Manheimer produces the series and David Schulner executive produces. Schulner is also a season one writer.
The cast of season one includes Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin, Janet Montgomery (Salem, This Is Us) as Dr. Lauren Bloom, Tyler Labine (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency) as Dr. Iggy Frome, and Jocko Sims (The Last Ship, Masters of Sex) as Dr. Floyd Reynolds. Freema Agyeman (Sense8, The Carrie Diaries) is Dr. Helen Sharpe, and J Anupam Kher (The Indian Detective) plays Dr. Vijay Kapoor.
The popular dramatic series currently airs on Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT.
The Season 1 Plot:
“Inspired by Bellevue, the oldest public hospital in America, this unique medical drama follows the brilliant and charming Dr. Max Goodwin (Eggold), the institution’s newest medical director who sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care. How can he help? Well, the doctors and staff have heard this before. Not taking “no” for an answer, Dr. Goodwin must disrupt the status quo and prove he will stop at nothing to breathe new life into this understaffed, underfunded and underappreciated hospital — the only one in the world capable of treating Ebola patients, prisoners from Rikers and the President of the United States under one roof — and return it to the glory that put it on the map.”
