The first official trailer has arrived for Fox Searchlight’s Battle of the Sexes along with a new poster for the film set in the world of tennis and based on a true story. Oscar winner Emma Stone (La La Land) stars as tennis legend Billie Jean King and Oscar nominee Steve Carell (Foxcatcher) plays Bobby Riggs, with the first trailer showing the lead-up to their legendary 1973 tennis match. Directed by Little Miss Sunshine‘s Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, the cast of Battle of the Sexes also includes Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, Alan Cumming, Elisabeth Shue, Austin Stowell, Jessica Mcnamee, Natalie Morales, Fred Armisen, Martha MacIsaac, Mickey Sumner, Bridey Elliott, Eric Christian Olsen, Wallace Langham, and Matt Malloy.
Fox Searchlight will serve up Battle of the Sexes in theaters on September 22, 2017.
The Plot: The electrifying 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the BATTLE OF THE SEXES and became the most watched televised sports event of all time. The match caught the zeitgeist and sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposites sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles.
With a supportive husband urging her to fight the Establishment for equal pay, the fiercely private King was also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy and reputation in a bid to relive the glories of his past. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis courts and animated the discussions between men and women in bedrooms and boardrooms around the world.
Jason Ritter and Joanna Garcia Swisher in ‘The Gospel of Kevin’ (ABC/Ryan Green)
ABC’s just announced their 2017-2018 primetime schedule which will include new series The Good Doctor, The Mayor, The Gospel of Kevin, and Marvel’s Inhumans. The schedule also confirms returning ABC shows Once Upon a Time, black-ish, American Housewife, To Tell the Truth, and Shark Tank will air on new nights at new times. ABC’s primetime schedule will also include the return of American Idol and the debut of two new alternative series, The Bachelor Winter Games and Dancing with the Stars Junior.
“I’m very proud of this year’s slate of series at ABC. We’ve focused on some of the universal themes that unite us – exciting stories, relevant dramas, and of course, lots of laughs. Our goal is to focus on the unique points of view of our show creators, but make shows that have broad appeal,” said Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment.
For Once Upon a Time fans wondering what the revamped season seven will look like, ABC released this synopsis of the upcoming season: “After six seasons, the residents of the enchanted forest face their greatest challenge yet as The Evil Queen, Captain Hook and Rumplestiltskin join forces with a grown up Henry Mills and his daughter Lucy on an epic quest to once again bring hope to their world and ours. Along the way, new fairy tale characters and old search for true love, find adventure and once again take sides in the struggle of good against evil, as classic tales are once more twisted and reimagined.”
ABC 2017-2018 Primetime Schedule
MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”
10:00 p.m. “The Good Doctor”
TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “The Middle”
8:30 p.m. “Fresh Off the Boat” (new time period)
9:00 p.m. “black-ish” (new day and time period)
9:30 p.m. “The Mayor”
10:00 p.m. “The Gospel of Kevin”
WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. “The Goldbergs”
8:30 p.m. “Speechless”
9:00 p.m. “Modern Family”
9:30 p.m. “American Housewife” (new day and time period)
10:00 p.m. “Designated Survivor”
THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
9:00 p.m. “Scandal”
10:00 p.m. “How to Get Away with Murder”
FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Once Upon a Time” (new day and time period)
9:00 p.m. “Marvel’s Inhumans”
10:00 p.m. “20/20”
SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night Football”
SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “To Tell the Truth” (new day and time period)
9:00 p.m. “Shark Tank” (new day and time period)
10:00 p.m. “Ten Days in the Valley”
New Fall and Midseason Series:
THE CROSSING – Refugees from a war-torn country seek asylum in a small American fishing town, only the country these people are from is America – and the war they are fleeing hasn’t happened yet. As the government tries to uncover the truth behind this mysterious migration only one thing is certain: The lives of the people here — both the townspeople and these newcomers — will never be the same. Writers Dan Dworkin & Jay Beattie executive produce with Jason Reed.
The Crossing stars Steve Zahn as Jude Miller, Natalie Martinez as Reece, Sandrine Holt as Emma Ren, Rick Gomez as Nestor, Jay Karnes as Craig Lindauer, Marcuis Harris as Caleb, Simone Kessel as Rebecca, Kelly Missal as Hannah, Rob Campbell as Paul, Grant Harvey as Roy, Bailey Skodje as Leah, Jon D’Leo as Will, Luc Roderique as Bryce and Tommy Bastow as Marshall.
DECEPTION – When his career is ruined by scandal, superstar magician Cameron Black has only one place to turn to practice his art of deception, influence and illusion — the FBI. Using every trick in the book and inventing new ones, he will help the government catch the world’s most elusive criminals while staging the biggest illusions of his career. The series is from writer/executive producer Chris Fedak and executive producers Greg Berlanti, Martin Gero and Sarah Schechter. Illusionist David Kwong will co-produce.
Deception stars Jack Cutmore-Scott as Cameron Black/Jonathan Black, Ilfenesh Hadera as Kay Daniels, Lenora Crichlow as Dina Clark, Amaury Nolasco as Mike Alvarez, Justin Chon as Jordan Kwon, Laila Robins as Special Agent Deakins and Vinnie Jones as Gunter Gustafsen.
FOR THE PEOPLE – Set in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, aka “The Mother Court,” this new Shondaland drama follows brand-new lawyers working for both the defense and the prosecution handling the most high-profile and high-stakes federal cases in the country – all as their lives intersect in and out of the courtroom. The series is created by Shondaland’s Paul William Davies and is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers.
The series, from ABC Studios, stars Ben Rappaport as Seth Oliver, Susannah Flood as Kate Littlejohn, Wesam Keesh as Jay Simmons, Regé-Jean Page as Leonard Knox, Ben Shenkman as Roger Gunn, Hope Davis as Jill Carlan, Vondie Curtis-Hall as Judge Nicholas Byrne and Anna Deavere Smith as Tina Krissman.
THE GOOD DOCTOR – Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital’s surgical unit. Alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues. The series is from David Shore and Lost and Hawaii Five-O star Daniel Dae Kim.
The series stars Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Brown, Nicholas Gonzalez as Dr. Neal Melendez, Chuku Modu as Dr. Jared Kalu, Beau Garrett as Jessica Preston, Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews and Richard Schiff as Dr. Aaron Glassman.
The series is from Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios. David Shore is writer and executive producer. Daniel Dae Kim, David Kim and Sebastian Lee are also executive producers. Seth Gordon directed the pilot and is also an executive producer.
THE GOSPEL OF KEVIN – Kevin Finn (Jason Ritter), a cluelessly self-serving person, is on a dangerous path to despair. In a downward spiral, Kevin returns home to stay with his widowed twin sister (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) and niece. On his first night there, an unlikely celestial being named Yvette appears to him and presents him with a mission – to save the world. A light drama from executive producers Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters.
The Gospel of Kevin stars Jason Ritter as Kevin Finn, JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Amy, J. August Richards as Nate, Chloe East as Reese, Dustin Ybarra as Tyler and India de Beaufort as Kristin.
MARVEL’S INHUMANS – Marvel’s Inhumans explores the never-before-told epic adventure of the royal family including Black Bolt, the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city. After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where their surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them may prove to not only save them, but Earth itself. The legendary comic book series will be brought to life in a way that has never been done before, as a version of the first two episodes will be shown globally in IMAX theaters for a two-week period beginning September 1, 2017. ABC will then air the entirety of the series on the network, with additional exclusive content that can only been seen on ABC.
Marvel’s Inhumans stars Anson Mount as Black Bolt, Iwan Rheon as Maximus, Serinda Swan as Medusa, Eme Ikwuakor as Gorgon, Isabelle Cornish as Crystal, Ken Leung as Karnak, Ellen Woglom as an undisclosed character, Sonya Balmores as Auran and Mike Moh as Triton.
The series is executive produced by Scott Buck, along with Marvel’s Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory with Buck serving as showrunner. Roel Reiné will direct the first two episodes. This series is a Marvel and IMAX project and is co-produced by Marvel Television and ABC Studios.
TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY – Ten Days in the Valley stars Kyra Sedgwick as Jane Sadler, an overworked television producer and single mother in the middle of a separation whose life is turned upside down when her young daughter goes missing in the middle of the night. Just like her controversial police TV show, everything is a mystery, everyone has a secret and no one can be trusted.
Ten Days in the Valley stars Kyra Sedgwick as Jane Sadler, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as John Bird, Kick Gurry as Pete Greene, Erika Christensen as Ali Petrovich, Felix Solis as David Gomez, Josh Randall as Tom Petrovich, Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Matt Abigail Pniowsky as Lake and Francois Battiste as Gus. Ten Days in the Valley is from Skydance Television. It is created and written by Tassie Cameron. Executive producers are Tassie Cameron, Kyra Sedgwick, Jill Littman, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison and Marcy Ross.
ALEX, INC. – Based on the podcast StartUp, Alex Schuman (Zach Braff) is a brilliant radio journalist, husband and father of two who is about to do something crazy – quit his job and start his own company. He quickly discovers it’s going to be a lot harder than he thought. Zach Braff stars, directs and is executive producer with Matt Tarses and Davis Entertainment.
Matt Tarses is writer and executive producer. Zach Braff is director and executive producer. John Davis and John Fox are executive producers of the series, from Davis Entertainment, as are Alex Blumberg, Chris Gilberti and Matt Lieber in association with Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.
THE MAYOR – Young rapper Courtney Rose (Brandon Micheal Hall) needs his big break. For years he’s toiled away in a small inner-city apartment, making music in his junk-filled bedroom closet. Tired of waiting for opportunity, Courtney cooks up the publicity stunt of the century – running for mayor of his hometown in California to generate buzz for his music career. Unfortunately for Courtney, his master plan goes wildly awry, ending in the most terrifying of outcomes: an election victory. With the help of his mother (Yvette Nicole Brown) and friends, including Valentina (Lea Michele), Courtney will have to overcome his hubris if he wants to transform the struggling city he loves.
The series stars Brandon Micheal Hall as Courtney Rose, Lea Michele as Valentina, Bernard David Jones as Jermaine Hardaway, Marcel Spears as TK and Yvette Nicole Brown as Dina. From executive producer Daveed Diggs, writer/executive producer Jeremy Bronson and executive producer Jamie Tarses, the series is from ABC Studios. The pilot is directed by executive producer James Griffiths.
SPLITTING UP TOGETHER – Based on the Danish series, Splitting Up Together is the story of a couple (Jenna Fischer) whose marriage is reignited by their divorce. Emily Kapnek writes and serves as executive producer of this new comedy, along with Ellen DeGeneres. The series stars Jenna Fischer as Lena, Oliver Hudson as Martin, Bobby Lee as Arthur, Diane Farr as Maya, Lindsay Price as Camille, Olivia Keville as Mae, Van Crosby as Mason and Sander Thomas as Milo.
Jeff Kleeman, Mette Heeno, Mie Andreasen and Hella Joof are also executive producers of Splitting Up Together, which is based on the original series created by Heeno. It is produced by A Very Good Production and Piece of Pie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Dean Holland directed the pilot.
AMERICAN IDOL – ABC is bringing back American Idol. The network, along with producers FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group, will revive television’s most successful and recognized music competition series for the 2017-2018 season, bringing back the fan-favorite and making more dreams come true. A host and judges will be announced at a later time.
American Idol‘s profound effect on the music industry is far-reaching and continually growing, launching the careers of superstars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee, Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, among many others. American Idol contestants have sold more than 60 million albums, resulting in more than 80 Platinum records and 95 Gold records. Its participants have generated more than 450 Billboard No. 1 hits and sold more than 260 million digital downloads.
THE BACHELOR WINTER GAMES – America’s favorite participants from past seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, from arch rivals to villains, will take competitive dating to a chilling new level. In an ode to the Winter Olympic Games and slated to premiere in February 2018, The Bachelor Winter Games will reunite the all-stars at a luxurious winter resort, where they will go head-to-head in winter-themed athletic challenges, including the toughest sport of all – love.
DANCING WITH THE STARS JUNIOR – A fresh new take on an established favorite, Dancing with the Stars Junior will pair celebrity kids and kids of celebrities with professional junior ballroom dancers to perform choreographed routines, which will be judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, to be announced at a later date.
Jimmy Kimmel has been tapped to host the 90th Academy Awards to be held on March 4, 2018. Kimmel hosted the 2017 Oscars and received overwhelmingly positive reviews, prompting the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to request a return engagement. The Academy also confirmed Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd are producing the broadcast which will air live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Jimmy, Mike and Jennifer are truly an Oscar Dream Team,” stated Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “Mike and Jennifer produced a beautiful show that was visually stunning. And Jimmy proved, from his opening monologue all the way through a finale we could never have imagined, that he is one our finest hosts in Oscar history.”
“Hosting the Oscars was a highlight of my career and I am grateful to Cheryl, Dawn and the Academy for asking me to return to work with two of my favorite people, Mike De Luca and Jennifer Todd,” said Jimmy Kimmel. “If you think we screwed up the ending this year, wait until you see what we have planned for the 90th anniversary show!”
“It’s not often you get two chances to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience and even more rare to be handed the keys to a party 90 years in the making,” said De Luca and Todd. “We always thought the idea that anything can happen on the Oscars was a cliché until we lived it.”
“Our Oscars team this year delivered a show that hit every high note,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “Jimmy brought back the essence and light touch of the greatest hosts of Oscars’ past. Mike and Jennifer’s love of movies is infectious and touched every aspect of the show. This is the perfect team to lead us into the ninth decade.”
The 90th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood.
The final trailer for 20th Century Fox’s War for the Planet of the Apes finds the apes declaring they’re not savages and Woody Harrelson as the Colonel stating, “Years from now your children will ask you, ‘What did you do in the greatest war?’ And you can tell them I fought to protect this world. We created them but now we will bring an end to their kind.” Directed by Matt Reeves, the cast of War for the Planet of the Apes also includes Andy Serkis, Steve Zahn, Amiah Miller, Karin Konoval, Judy Greer, and Terry Notary.
Fox has set a July 14, 2017 theatrical release date for this sequel to 2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
The Plot: In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
The CW’s The Originals season four episode eight provided details on the Hollow’s backstory, thanks to a visit from Davina. The episode also found The Vampire Diaries‘ Alaric (played by Matt Davis) putting in an appearance to deliver a bone that’s part of the key to defeating the Hollow. The episode ended with Hope saving the day and proving she’s a formidable enemy of the Hollow, and with poor Elijah on the verge of death.
Up next is season four episode nine titled ‘Queen Death.’ Directed by Nicole Rubio from a script by Beau DeMayo, episode nine is set to air on May 19, 2017. The cast of season four includes Joseph Morgan as Klaus, Charles Michael Davis as Marcel, Daniel Gillies as Elijah, Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley, Yusuf Gatewood as Vincent, Riley Voelkel as Freya, Summer Fontana as Hope, Christina Moses as Keelin, and Taylor Cole as Sofya.
The “Queen Death” Plot: A SURPRISING ALLIANCE AND A HEARTBREAKING SACRIFICE — When The Hollow sends a terrifying message to Vincent (Gatewood), he must team with Haley (Tonkin) and Freya (Voelkel) to embark on a desperate mission to stop the Hollow once and for all — even if it requires a heartbreaking sacrifice. Refusing to allow anyone in his family to pay the high price of defeating their enemy, Klaus (Morgan) makes a surprising alliance and enacts a plan that threatens to change the Mikaelson family forever.
Tom Ellis stars in ‘Lucifer’ season 2 episode 16 (Photo by Jack Rowand / FOX)
Fox’s Lucifer season 2 episode 16 begins with Lucifer (Tom Ellis) on a gurney being rolled down a hospital corridor. He’s muttering to himself that he’s delusional and not actually the Devil. Flashback to 36 hours earlier and the sexy Devil’s having a chat with Dr. Linda (Rachael Harris). She’s preoccupied with Lucifer’s last session in which he wanted to send his mom home to Heaven so she and his dad can have a knock-down drag-out fight. As Dr. Linda sees it, that would probably be bad for humanity. Not to worry though because Lucifer still can’t get the Flaming Sword to stay lit.
Lucifer admits he hasn’t confided in Maze which worries Dr. Linda. “As much as I love my little sex thug, Maze can do things she thinks are in my best interest that turn out to be disastrous and I can’t afford that,” confesses Lucifer. Lucifer adds that Maze and Chloe have become practically inseparable.
Speaking of Maze’s new bestie, Chloe (Lauren German) is sneaking around her own apartment when Maze (Lesley-Ann Brandt) catches her. Maze has made Chloe breakfast (charcoaled toast) and Chloe finally has to just tell her they’ve been hanging out a lot and maybe they need to expand their circle of friends. Maze thinks she knows what Chloe’s suggesting, but odds are she doesn’t.
Back at work, Chloe and Lucifer investigate the murder of an orderly who was hit in the back of his head with a backgammon board. The patients at the psychiatric hospital haven’t been interviewed, according to Ella (Aimee Garcia), and Lucifer chimes in that he loves the mentally ill. He enjoys being amused by people who believe they’re someone other than themselves, and he’s happy to hear the person who discovered the body is God Johnson. Dan (Kevin Alejandro) fills them in on the scoop that God believes he’s the real God. Chloe pats Lucifer’s back, telling him they should have a lot to talk about. Lucifer is more than happy to have a talk with God, but Dan says he can’t until the hospital sets it up.
Lucifer, of course, sneaks in anyway and God (Timothy Omundson) greets him with, “Hello, my son.” Lucifer decides to fill this God in on the real God, calling his dad a dick. God takes this well and when Lucifer does the eye whammy thing it doesn’t work. Lucifer decides it didn’t work because God’s on drugs and as Lucifer’s being kicked out of the room, God says, “It’s really good seeing you, Samael.” Lucifer can’t believe his ears and turns around to look at God just as the light breaks through the window blinds, making it appear he’s got a halo.
Lucifer follows up his visit with God by questioning Amenadiel (DB Woodside) about the possibility dad is visiting Earth. Amenadiel doesn’t think it’s him because God usually sends an emissary. Amenadiel isn’t taking this nearly as seriously as Lucifer, saying God could have found the name Samael on the internet. But Lucifer reveals he never introduced himself. Amenadiel believes God Johnson is just crazy, but Lucifer’s edging toward the “this is our real dad” theory.
Amenadiel reminds Lucifer Earth is nothing in comparison to Heaven, but Lucifer’s not so sure Amenadiel is being truthful about his feelings toward this planet. Lucifer asks his brother if there’s anything he’ll miss …. maybe a certain someone in tight leather pants?
Back at the police station, Ella wonders what if God is one of us which prompts Chloe to recite lyrics from Joan Osborne’s “One of Us.” Lucifer announces his father would never ride a bus and therefore that song is unrealistic. (Lucifer hates that song.) Ella believes God Johnson might be the killer because she found fingerprints from God (real name: Earl Johnson from Texas) on the victim’s bald head. Lucifer latches onto the idea God’s the killer, happy this will expose this false God’s false idolatry.
Unfortunately, they can’t interview God since Lucifer broke the rules and now it will take a few days to get permission from the hospital. So what’s a Devil to do? Check himself into the psychiatric hospital and request a suite with a view. He goes into his whole I’m Lucifer Morningstar the Devil spiel and the clerk isn’t in the least bit impressed. It’s not until Lucifer physically threatens the clerk that he gets his way and is locked up.
Meanwhile, Dan’s raging through the police station trying to find the culprit who stole his pudding. Turns out it’s Charlotte who offers him a taste. When she tries to seduce him, he tells her hands off and storms away.
Now a patient, Lucifer takes a seat with a group of patients playing imaginary poker. He asks his fellow card players what they know about God Johnson, and one reveals God scored him an extra Jell-O. Lucifer’s getting nowhere and declares he has a royal flush which prompts an uproar and the tossing of underwear onto his face as he walks away.
Lucifer spots God holding onto a woman and it looks like he’s strangling her. She falls to the floor and God lays his hands on her, saying he’s saving her. The wound on her neck miraculously heals and she does indeed come back to life. “It really is you, you son of a bitch!” says Lucifer before punching God in the face.
Lucifer’s proud of himself for going undercover but Chloe’s not in a praising mood when she visits him at the hospital. He admits he’s doing this as a mix of solving the crime and taking care of personal issues, assuring Chloe God had the punch to the face coming. Then, Lucifer admits God might actually be his father after all. Poor Chloe, who already went through this once with Lucifer when he was searching for his mother, and she can’t believe Lucifer’s at it again. Lucifer tries to assure Chloe God is not the killer because he personally saw God heal a woman who’d been attacked just last night. And, Lucifer has even bigger news. Santa Claus is the real killer, according to the newly resurrected attack victim.
Chloe has a talk with the doctor on staff, and Dr. Liam Garrity (Alimi Ballard) asks if Lucifer’s her boyfriend. She says he’s just a co-worker and after they flirt a bit, Dr. Garrity hands her his card.
Lucifer and God have a little one-on-one time away from prying eyes. Lucifer asks him to apologize but instead God forgives him for the punch. God’s happy to know Lucifer believes him now and then Lucifer begins listing off all the offenses committed against him by his father – casting him into Hell, manipulating the detective, etc. “You are a patronizing, sinister helicopter parent,” yells Lucifer, finishing up the list. “Every bad thing that’s happened throughout eternity is your doing, not mine!”
When Lucifer brings up his mom, God’s shocked to hear she’s on Earth. He recalls when they first met and how they almost immediately lit up the universe. Lucifer’s done with the walk down memory lane and demands his dad atone for what he’s done. God says this Lucifer isn’t the one he remembers, and an obviously upset and hurt Lucifer’s eyes flash red as he waits for an apology. Their argument’s interrupted by the appearance of Dr. Linda.
Chloe talks to Maze about Lucifer’s doctor who hit on her and Maze advises her to go for it. Maze also lets her new BFF know she’s set up a booze cruise for tonight to expand their circle of friends. Maze offers to help Chloe set up the date with the doctor, but Chloe refuses.
Once again to the police station we go where Ella’s now hooked on “One of Us.” Chloe wonders if Ella found any evidence pointing to Santa Claus and strangely enough Ella found a long white hair on the victim’s clothes. Chloe thumbs through a list of patients and spots one who could be mistaken for Santa. And it just so happens Chloe can attempt to get an interview via Dr. Garrity who has the hots for her. She gives Maze a call and takes her up on the offer to help set up the date.
Tom Ellis and Rachael Harris in ‘Lucifer’ (Photo by Jack Rowand / FOX)
Back at the hospital, Dr. Linda’s barely holding it together after Lucifer informs her she just met God. Lucifer pushes Dr. Linda around in a wheelchair as she uses a paper bag to catch her breath. He wants her to spit in God’s face but she refuses. Then Lucifer has a new idea on how to punish his parents and needs Dr. Linda’s help.
Lucifer gathers all the patients and tells them they’ve been selected to help him escape. When one patient protests because there’s pudding, Lucifer tells them to think about what they really want to do and then sends each off to live out their fantasies. One wants to burn it down, once just wants to turn the lights off and on, and of course the underwear chucker wants to chuck underwear. Once they’ve dispersed, it’s just Lucifer and God who remain when the alarm goes off.
Lucifer and God walk (in slow motion) through the chaos as patients tear the hospital apart. Feathers fly, chairs soar through the air, and fires spring up as Lucifer and God dodge underwear. While the staff race to get things under control, Lucifer and God are sprung by Dr. Linda who bows at God’s feet. He tells her a handshake will do.
Maze set up the date and at the last minute reveals they’ll be staying home. Maze wants a threesome but Chloe is against that idea, so Maze says she’s fine to just watch. Thankfully, a knock on the door halts their conversation but instead of the good doctor, it’s Amenadiel.
Another date is just about to get underway as Lucifer’s cleared Lux and has placed candles throughout the night club. He and Dr. Linda hide behind the bar as Charlotte (Tricia Helfer) approaches God who calls her radiant. Dr. Linda’s confused and then figures out Lucifer’s trying to “Parent Trap” God and a divine Goddess. Lucifer thinks since it worked in the movie, it should work for his parents. He’s figured out that if they fall in love again, they’ll eventually get back to torturing each other.
Charlotte isn’t sure who this man is until he calls Lucifer their son. She approaches God Johnson as if to hold him and instead knees him in the balls.
The romantic date night isn’t going well at Chloe’s place either. The doctor arrives and they eat pizza which Maze ordered with pineapple and jalapenos. Chloe tries to keep the conversation going, but Amenadiel and Maze aren’t helping that much. Maze says she’s from Hell and throws in that she changed Chloe’s sheets so she’s “good to go.” Maze, the master of subtlety…
Chloe pulls Maze into the kitchen as Amenadiel sits within inches of the doctor on the couch. Out of nowhere, Amenadiel says to the bald doctor, “I like the shape of your head.”
Maze understands Chloe wants her privacy and she and Amenadiel talk in the kitchen. Amenadiel fishes the dishes out of the trash that Maze just threw away and then confesses he’s there because they don’t have much time left on Earth. He then confides in Maze that he, Lucifer, and Charlotte are going back to Heaven. Maze, for once, is speechless.
Chloe and the doctor get to know each other and talk, in general, about his patients. When she asks about the guy who looks like Santa, Dr. Garrity figures out there’s something going on. The date comes to an end when the doctor gets a text saying Lucifer and God just escaped.
A very angry Charlotte confronts Lucifer, demanding to know what he was thinking. Lucifer tries to convince her God really misses her, and God – now recovered enough to walk – agrees. He tells Charlotte he can’t remember why they were fighting and she apologizes for trying to destroy Earth. “I guess humanity isn’t entirely awful. They did make vodka, roller coasters, and triple creme brie. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” plays as they dance while Lucifer and Dr. Linda look on. Lucifer looks peaceful for once and Dr. Linda notices and asks, “Are you sure it’s revenge you’re after?” Lucifer replies without taking his eyes off his parents. “Of course it is. What else would it be?”
God and Charlotte continue to dance and then passionately kiss. Just then Chloe and two officers barge in to spoil the mood. God’s taken away and Charlotte fumes.
Chloe demands to know what Lucifer was thinking so he lets her know God Johnson is his dad and he needed to “do a little match-making.” Chloe has no idea how Charlotte ties into all this as a nurse arrives with a tray of meds. Lucifer happily calls them a perk of the place.
Chloe stops by the doctor’s office to apologize for lying on their date. Dr. Garrity reveals Santa is a big teddy bear who isn’t dangerous, so he’s probably not the killer. He allows her to look at the file which includes a Christmas photo of a man actually dressed as Santa Claus. The doctor says a different patient dresses up as Santa each year, and together they go check out the costume in a locked closet. Chloe, wearing gloves, can’t find the beard or the red hat. She asks the doctor to put on handcuffs.
Back in Lucifer’s room (he still has a day left on his 72-hour hold), the drugs are kicking in and he can’t feel his tongue. He looks in the mirror, grabs his tongue, and wiggles it, while a person in the Santa hat and beard slowly approaches from behind. Lucifer sees Santa but isn’t scared, and Santa easily knocks him out.
And now we’re back to the scene that opened the episode. Lucifer’s on the gurney being wheeled down the hall, and he tells Santa he’s the Devil. Santa replies by assuring Lucifer he’s just a man in a mental hospital who made up the Devil story. Lucifer screams, “I made it all up!” as he’s wheeled in next to God (also on a gurney).
Santa demands to know what Lucifer told the police and God replies by calling Santa by her real name, Nurse Kipsey (Laura Coover). She takes off her disguise, wondering why the drugs didn’t work on God. She declares she has to kill them both since they know her identity.
Chloe works on getting a fingerprint and it tracks to a Patricia Hightower. Dr. Garrity says a patient named Sue Hightower is the one who was just attacked. A picture of Patricia comes through and it’s Nurse Kipsey.
Nurse Kipsey/Patricia explains she hated her mother and now she’s torturing her mom. Lucifer takes her side and says evil parents need to be destroyed, but then adds he’ll have to punish her because the orderly was innocent. However, the massive amount of Haldol is keeping Lucifer in check. Patricia notices God is wearing a belt and comes up with the idea God will kill Lucifer and then strangle himself.
After she leaves to get supplies, God admits he had no idea Lucifer was so mad at him. Lucifer says it was because God rejected him, and God doesn’t blame him. God doesn’t even remember why he was mad in the first place and apologizes for everything. He adds that he’s proud of the man Lucifer’s become.
Patricia returns and God yells at her not to take his belt. As she whips it off, Chloe and the cops arrive to stop Patricia. Beltless, God no longer remembers what happened. He doesn’t know who Lucifer is and just then Lucifer spots the belt buckle on the floor. “The piece is here,” says Lucifer, echoing what Azrael said to him as he died.
Back at home, Lucifer places the belt buckle onto Azrael’s Blade and it fits snuggly. He tells Amenadiel that’s why the Flaming Sword didn’t work – it wasn’t complete. Mr. Johnson must have found it and since Azrael’s Blade inspired death, the missing piece which God Johnson possessed must have inspired the opposite. When Mr. Johnson found out he could heal, he believed he was God.
Lucifer’s ready to activate the blade when the piece falls off it. They wonder if mom knows what’s going on, but she’s nowhere to be found.
Charlotte pays a visit to Dan, admitting she kissed a man who she thought was her ex-husband but he wasn’t. She’s confused and just wants to be held by Dan (with his pants off).
Lucifer says goodbye to Mr. Johnson, asking what the last thing was he remembered. He remembers walking through a Navajo gift shop and picking up a belt buckle, and then nothing until coming on the gurney in the hospital. Lucifer admits he thought Mr. Johnson was his father and thanks him for what he said while he had no control over his actions. Mr. Johnson asks if Lucifer’s no longer mad at his father and Lucifer admits he’s furious because his real father would never say those things to him. He now hates God even more.
The CW’s Reign season four episode 12 found Queen Mary trying to gather funds to help earthquake victims after Lord Darnley stole the emergency fund. Darnley’s a traitor who won’t go away, but in season four episode 13 it appears Mary’s moving closer to solving her Darnley problem. Series star Megan Follows directed episode 13 from a script by John J. Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart. Titled ‘Coup de Grace,’ episode 13 will air on May 19, 2017.
The season four cast includes Adelaide Kane as Queen Mary, Rachel Skarsten as Queen Elizabeth, Megan Fellows as Queen Catherine, Dan Jeannotte as James, and Will Kemp as Lord Darnley. Ben Geurens, Celina Sinden, Jonathan Goad, Craig Parker, Spencer MacPherson, and Rose Williams also star in Reign‘s fourth and final season.
The “Coup de Grace” Plot: IT’S HUSBAND AGAINST WIFE AS DARNLEY WORKS TO RUIN MARY — Darnley (Kemp) teams up with John Knox (Goad) to strip Mary (Kane) of her throne, which will leave a close friend of Mary’s dead. Elizabeth (Skarsten) must banish Gideon (Geurens) from court at the request of her future husband (guest star Steve Byers), while Charles (MacPherson) takes a bold stance against his brother Henri (guest star Nick Slater).
Adam Scott and Craig Robinson in ‘Ghosted’ (Photo by Kevin Estrada / Fox)
The first full trailer for Fox’s upcoming comedy Ghosted starring Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation) and Craig Robinson (The Office) has arrived, showing off three minutes of clips backed by The Doors’ “Break On Through (To The Other Side).” The comedy is executive produced by Robinson, Scott, Naomi Scott, Kevin Etten, Tom Gormican, Jonathan Krisel, Oly Obst, and Mark Schulman, with Gormican and Etten writing and Krisel directing. In addition to Robinson and Scott, the cast also includes Ally Walker and Adeel Akhtar.
Fox’s Ghosted will air on Sunday nights at 8:30pm ET/PT.
The Plot:Ghosted is a single-camera, action-comedy about the unlikely partnership between two down-on-their-luck polar opposites tasked with an even more unlikely mission: saving the human race from aliens. LEROY WRIGHT (Robinson) is a cynical skeptic and former missing persons detective, who, if we’re speaking frankly, thinks that “aliens” are a big ole bunch of B.S. and that people who believe in them are certifiably nuts…People like MAX JENNIFER (Scott).
Max is a genius “true believer” in the paranormal who’s convinced his wife was abducted by aliens. At low points in their lives, both Leroy and Max are recruited by CAPTAIN AVA LAFREY (Ally Walker), a take-no-prisoners, former Air Force test pilot and head of the Bureau Underground, a secret government organization investigating paranormal cases. Lafrey, along with her staff – BARRY SHAW (Adeel Akhtar), an overly friendly forensic pathologist, and DELILAH WARD, a highly opinionated tech specialist – will support Leroy and Max in their quest for answers. Now, this heroic group of underdogs will look into “unexplained” activity in Los Angeles that often leads them to scary, thrilling and hilarious places, as they attempt to uncover the truth and keep the earth rotating on its axis for at least one more day.
Fox’s new 2017-2018 comedy shows include the paranormal buddy comedy Ghosted starring Craig Robinson and Adam Scott. Dylan McDermott is set to star in the network’s other new comedy, LA to Vegas, a workplace comedy from Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Lon Zimmet, and executive producer/director Steve Levitan.
The network is also continuing to bring live musicals to audiences, with A Christmas Story set to air in December 2017 and Rent also moving forward as a live musical production.
“This past season, we launched five of the top 15 new series – more than any other network – and next season, we’re using our strongest series to launch new shows and grow returning series,” said Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen and CEOs, Fox Television GroupNewman and Walden. “We’re strategically pairing shows that have greater compatibility to increase audience flow and create higher duplication on each night. We endeavored to develop a mix of provocative, compelling dramas; broad, funny comedies; and exciting, live events from the best creators in the business – and we’re excited about these new shows.”
FOX FALL 2017 SCHEDULE
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM LUCIFER
9:00-10:00 PM THE GIFTED (new)
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GOTHAM
9:00-10:00 PM THE ORVILLE (new)
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN
9:00-10:00 PM THE EXORCIST
SATURDAY
7:00-10:30 PM FOX SPORTS SATURDAY: FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL
SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM NFL ON FOX
7:30-8:00 PM THE OT / BOB’S BURGERS
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM GHOSTED (new)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
NEW SERIES SYNOPSES
THE GIFTED – THE GIFTED tells the story of a suburban couple whose ordinary lives are rocked by the sudden discovery that their children possess mutant powers. REED (Stephen Moyer) and CAITLIN (Amy Acker) STRUCKER are typical middle-class parents dealing with the realities of raising a family. However, when their teenage kids, LAUREN (Natalie Alyn Lind) and ANDY (Percy Hynes White), are involved in an incident at their high school which reveals they are mutants, Reed and Caitlin do all in their power to protect their children. Forced to go on the run, the Struckers must leave behind their old lives to flee from a relentless government agency that tracks down mutants, the Sentinel Services, which includes Agent JACE TURNER (Coby Bell).
Complicating matters further is the fact that Reed is a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office tasked with going after mutants. Desperate and running low on options, the family’s only choice is to contact an underground network that helps mutants in trouble. The mutants in the network – ECLIPSE / MARCOS DIAZ (Sean Teale), BLINK / CLARICE FONG (Jamie Chung), POLARIS / LORNA DANE (Emma Dumont) and THUNDERBIRD / JOHN PROUDSTAR (Blair Redford) – are dealing with their own issues. With one of their members in prison and their team possibly compromised, they face an uncertain future in a world that looks increasingly dangerous for mutants
Written by Matt Nix, directed by Bryan Singer and executive-produced by Nix, Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Jeph Loeb, and Jim Chory, THE GIFTED is a story of survival, a story of mutants coming to terms with who they are, a story of parents accepting the fact that their kids aren’t who they thought they were and loving them just the same – even if all of their lives are at risk because of it.
THE ORVILLE – From Emmy Award-winning executive producer and creator Seth MacFarlane and directed by Jon Favreau, THE ORVILLE is a one-hour science fiction series set 400 years in the future that follows the adventures of the U.S.S. Orville, a mid-level exploratory vessel. Its crew, both human and alien, faces the wonders and dangers of outer space, while also dealing with the familiar, often humorous problems of regular people in a workplace…even though some of those people are from other planets, and the workplace is a faster-than-light spaceship.
In the 25th century, Earth is part of the Planetary Union, a far-reaching, advanced and mostly peaceful civilization with a fleet of 3,000 ships. Down on his luck after a bitter divorce, Planetary Union officer ED MERCER (MacFarlane) finally gets his chance to command one of these ships: the U.S.S. Orville. Determined to prove his worth and write a new chapter in his life, Ed finds that task all the more difficult when the First Officer assigned to his ship is his ex-wife, KELLY GRAYSON (Adrianne Palicki).
As the new commander, Ed assembles a qualified, but eccentric crew, including his best friend, GORDON MALLOY (Scott Grimes), who has problems with authority, but is the best helmsman in the fleet; DR. CLAIRE FINN (Penny Johnson Jerald), one of the Union’s most accomplished physicians; BORTUS (Peter Macon), an alien from a single-sex species; ISAAC (Mark Jackson), an artificial life-form from a machine society that thinks biological life-forms are inferior; navigator JOHN LAMARR (J. Lee), whose casual humor cuts through even the most dire situations; ALARA KITAN (Halston Sage), a young, inexperienced security officer whose home planet’s high gravity gives her superior physical strength; and YAPHIT, a gelatinous creature voiced by comedian Norm Macdonald.
Somehow, Ed and Kelly must put the past behind them and, with the help of the crew, navigate fascinating and sometimes dangerous adventures in outer space, as well as the tumultuous and captivating day-to-day personal relationships with their colleagues.
GHOSTED – Starring Craig Robinson and Adam Scott, GHOSTED is a single-camera, action-comedy about the unlikely partnership between two down-on-their-luck polar opposites tasked with an even more unlikely mission: saving the human race from aliens. LEROY WRIGHT (Robinson) is a cynical skeptic and former missing persons detective, who, if we’re speaking frankly, thinks that “aliens” are a big ole bunch of B.S. and that people who believe in them are certifiably nuts…People like MAX JENNIFER (Scott).
Max is a genius “true believer” in the paranormal who’s convinced his wife was abducted by aliens. At low points in their lives, both Leroy and Max are recruited by CAPTAIN AVA LAFREY (Ally Walker), a take-no-prisoners, former Air Force test pilot and head of the Bureau Underground, a secret government organization investigating paranormal cases. Lafrey, along with her staff – BARRY SHAW (Adeel Akhtar), an overly friendly forensic pathologist, and DELILAH WARD, a highly opinionated tech specialist – will support Leroy and Max in their quest for answers. Now, this heroic group of underdogs will look into “unexplained” activity in Los Angeles that often leads them to scary, thrilling and hilarious places, as they attempt to uncover the truth and keep the earth rotating on its axis for at least one more day.
Premiering in midseason 2017-2018:
9-1-1 – From prolific creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, new procedural drama 9-1-1 is a fast-paced exploration into the lives and careers of first responders – cops, paramedics, firefighters – the people who put their lives on the line to save others. Starring Academy and Emmy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Angela Bassett, the series is based on the real-life, high-pressure experiences of emergency response providers who are thrust into heart-stopping situations that are equal parts unpredictable, intense and uplifting.
THE RESIDENT – Focusing on three doctors at different stages of their careers and a dedicated young nurse, THE RESIDENT is a provocative new medical drama that rips back the curtain to reveal the truth of what really happens, both good and bad, in hospitals across the country. Meet DR. CONRAD HAWKINS (Matt Czuchry), one of the best doctors at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. Charming, arrogant and only a third-year resident, Conrad does everything in the most unconventional way possible. Along with treating patients, Conrad believes it is his job to burst the illusions of first-year residents, like DR. DEVON PRAVESH (Manish Dayal), and turn them into real-life doctors.
Devon is an innocent idealist, who wears his finely tuned moral compass and passion for science like armor. With Conrad’s help, however, Devon quickly discovers the reality of his chosen profession is not what he imagined, and that ethical lines are often blurred. Nothing, not even the best medical school in the country, could have prepared him for what he’s about to learn.
As Devon accompanies Conrad through the hospital’s halls, he meets distinguished chief of surgery DR. RANDOLPH BELL (Bruce Greenwood), the face of the hospital and its most sought-after doctor, whose diminishing skills, and the errors they cause, are covered with the help of allies under his command; DR. MINA OKAFOR (Shaunette Renée Wilson), a rising star surgeon from Nigeria who is threatening Bell’s dominance, but who also is in the U.S. on a visa; and NICOLETTE NEVIN (Emily VanCamp), one of Chastain Memorial’s most respected nurses and Conrad’s on-again-off-again romantic partner. While Conrad opens Devon’s eyes to the stark realities of hospital life, the once-optimistic young doctor soon realizes that the practice of medicine is a business, like any other.
Not all patients are angels and not all doctors are gods, but one thing’s for sure: expectations are meant to be shattered.
LA TO VEGAS – From executive producers Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Lon Zimmet and Steve Levitan, LA TO VEGAS is a single-camera ensemble comedy about an airline crew and the eccentric passengers who, every weekend, take the roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas with one goal in mind – to come back a winner. Welcome to Jackpot Airlines, a budget carrier whose junket flight from LA to Vegas and back again, is filled with dreamers looking for that big score.
Holding (or, more to the point, barely holding) these voyages together is RONNIE (Kim Matula), a long-suffering flight attendant who tries to keep her cool (oftentimes, with little success) whether she’s dealing with a bi-polar bride-to-be or the dead body in Row 13. Managing the revolving door of bachelor parties and 21st birthdays gets even trickier when Ronnie develops a “location-ship” with COLIN (Ed Weeks), a regular passenger and an economics professor, whose son and soon-to-be ex-wife live in Vegas.
Further complicating her job every weekend is CAPTAIN DAVE (Emmy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Dylan McDermott), the narcissistic pilot whose fighter-pilot dreams never quite worked out; BERNARD (Nathan Lee Graham), the always-positive career flight attendant who thinks there’s no flight more magical than the LA-to-Vegas; ARTEM (Peter Stormare), the genial professional gambler who serves as the plane’s resident (but unofficial) bookie; and NICHOLE (Olivia Macklin), the sweet-natured, part-time stripper who’s a lot savvier than people realize. It won’t be easy, but this unlikely group of miscreants and dreamers will eventually go from being strangers on a plane to a supportive, if unconventional, family…from Friday to Sunday…whether they like it or not.
CBS Films and Lionsgate have released new character posters for the upcoming action film, American Assassin. The five new posters feature the film’s stars Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf), Michael Keaton (Spotlight), Sanaa Lathan (Shots Fired), Shiva Negar, and Taylor Kitsch (True Detective). Directed by Michael Cuesta, American Assassin was adapted for the screen by Stephen Schiff, Michael Finch, Edward Zwick, and Marshall Herskovitz.
American Assassin is set to open in theaters on September 15, 2017.
The Plot:American Assassin follows the rise of Mitch Rapp (O’Brien) a CIA black ops recruit under the instruction of Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Keaton). The pair is then enlisted by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Lathan) to investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on both military and civilian targets. Together the three discover a pattern in the violence leading them to a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent (Negar) to stop a mysterious operative (Kitsch) intent on starting a World War in the Middle East.
