Critics Choice Documentary Awards 2023 Nominees: ‘American Symphony’ Earns 6

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October 16, 2023

American Symphony earned six nominations, topping the list of 2023 Critics Choice Documentary Awards (CCDA) nominees. American Symphony, which focuses on Jon Batiste and his wife, Suleika Jaouad, picked up nominations in categories including Best Documentary Feature, Best Director (Matthew Heineman), Best Cinematography (Tony Hardmon, Matthew Heineman, and Thorsten Thielow), Best Editing (Sammy Dane, Jim Hession, Matthew Heineman, and Fernando Villegas), Best Score (Jon Batiste), and Best Music Documentary.

Three documentaries – 20 Days in Mariupol, Kokomo City, and Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie – followed with five nominations each. Documentarian Ross McElwee has been chosen to receive The Pennebaker Award (the CCDA’s lifetime achievement honor).

Winners will be announced during the Eighth Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards to be held at The Edison Ballroom in Manhattan on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Actor and standup comedian Wyatt Cenac (Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas) will host the awards for the second consecutive year.

The CCDA will live-stream on Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), with the links available through the official CCDA site.

“We are thrilled with the number of exceptional documentaries released theatrically and on streaming this year and are very excited to introduce an overdue category honoring true crime films and series,” stated Christopher Campbell, Vice President of Documentaries of The Critics Choice Association. “This event is about showcasing and celebrating the best in nonfiction, and I want to congratulate all of our nominees and thank them for making us see and think about the world in new ways.”

8th Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards Nominees

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
20 Days in Mariupol (PBS)
American Symphony (Netflix)
Beyond Utopia (Roadside Attractions)
The Deepest Breath (Netflix)
The Eternal Memory (MTV Documentary Films)
Judy Blume Forever (Amazon Studios)
Kokomo City (Magnolia Pictures)
The Mission (National Geographic)
Stamped from the Beginning (Netflix)
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple TV+)

BEST DIRECTOR
Maite Alberdi – The Eternal Memory (MTV Documentary Films)
Madeleine Gavin – Beyond Utopia (Roadside Attractions)
Davis Guggenheim – Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple TV+)
Matthew Heineman – American Symphony (Netflix)
Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss – The Mission (National Geographic)
Steve McQueen – Occupied City (A24)

BEST FIRST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
20 Days in Mariupol (PBS)
26.2 to Life (Film Halau)
Bad Press (Oklafilm)
Bobi Wine: The People’s President (National Geographic)
Kokomo City (Magnolia Pictures)
Orlando, My Political Biography (Sideshow)
Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (Greenwich Entertainment)
The Thief Collector (FilmRise)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Tim Cragg – The Deepest Breath (Netflix)
Tony Hardmon, Matthew Heineman, Thorsten Thielow – American Symphony (Netflix)
Lennert Hillege – Occupied City (A24)
Franz Lustig – Anselm (Sideshow)
D. Smith – Kokomo City (Magnolia Pictures)
Toby Strong, James Boon, Bob Poole, Neil Fairlie, Wim Vorster, Joshua Tarr, Pete Allibone, Neil Harvey, Andreas Knausenberger – Secrets of the Elephants (National Geographic)

BEST EDITING
Sammy Dane, Jim Hession, Matthew Heineman, Fernando Villegas – American Symphony (Netflix)
Madeleine Gavin – Beyond Utopia (Roadside Attractions)
Michael Harte – Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple TV+
Michelle Mizner – 20 Days in Mariupol (PBS)
D. Smith – Kokomo City (Magnolia Pictures)
Aaron Wickenden – The Mission (National Geographic)

BEST SCORE
Jon Batiste – American Symphony (Netflix)
Danny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans – The Mission (National Geographic)
Nainita Desai – The Deepest Breath (Netflix)
Philip Glass – The Pigeon Tunnel (Apple TV+)
Katya Richardson & Kris Bowers – The Last Repair Shop (Breakwater Studios)
D. Smith – Kokomo City (Magnolia Pictures)

BEST NARRATION
20 Days in Mariupol (PBS)
Written and Performed by Mstyslav Chernov
32 Sounds (Abramorama)
Written and Performed by Sam Green
The Disappearance of Shere Hite (IFC Films)
Written by Nicole Newnham
Performed by Dakota Johnson
John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial (Apple TV+)
Performed by Kiefer Sutherland
Secrets of the Elephants (National Geographic)
Written by Martin Williams
Performed by Natalie Portman
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple TV+)
Written and Performed by Michael J. Fox

BEST ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTARY
Being Mary Tyler Moore (HBO | Max)
The Disappearance of Shere Hite (IFC Films)
It Ain’t Over (Sony Pictures Classics)
JFK: One Day in America (National Geographic)
The Lady Bird Diaries (Hulu)
The League (Magnolia Pictures)

BEST HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY
The 1619 Project (Hulu/Onyx Collective)
JFK: One Day in America (National Geographic)
The Lady Bird Diaries (Hulu)
Lakota Nation vs. United States (IFC Films)
The League (Magnolia Pictures)
Occupied City (A24)
Stamped from the Beginning (Netflix)

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY
Being Mary Tyler Moore (HBO | Max)
The Disappearance of Shere Hite (IFC Films)
Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project (HBO Documentary Films)
Judy Blume Forever (Amazon Studios)
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (Hulu)
Sly (Netflix)
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple TV+)

BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY
American Symphony (Netflix)
Carlos (Sony Pictures Classics)
Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop (Netflix)
Little Richard: I Am Everything (Magnolia Pictures/CNN Films)
Love to Love You, Donna Summer (HBO | Max)
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (AMC Theatres)
What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears? (Abramorama)

BEST POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY
20 Days in Mariupol (PBS)
Beyond Utopia (Roadside Attractions)
Bobi Wine: The People’s President (National Geographic)
Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court (Showtime)
Every Body (Focus Features)
Lakota Nation vs. United States (IFC Films)
Silver Dollar Road (Amazon MGM Studios)

BEST SCIENCE/NATURE DOCUMENTARY
32 Sounds (Abramorama)
Between Earth & Sky (PBS)
Life on Our Planet (Netflix)
Path of the Panther (National Geographic)
Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food (Netflix)
Secrets of the Elephants (National Geographic)
Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West (Gravitas Ventures)

BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY
Black Ice (Roadside Attractions)
BS High (HBO | Max)
The Deepest Breath (Netflix)
It Ain’t Over (Sony Pictures Classics)
The League (Magnolia Pictures)
Reggie (Amazon Studios)
Stephen Curry: Underrated (Apple TV+)
Welcome to Wrexham (FX)

BEST TRUE CRIME DOCUMENTARY
Burden of Proof (HBO | Max)
The Jewel Thief (Hulu)
John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial (Apple TV+)
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal (Netflix)
Telemarketers (HBO | Max)
The Thief Collector (FilmRise)
Victim/Suspect (Netflix)

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
The ABCs of Book Banning (MTV Documentary Films)
The Barber of Little Rock (Story Syndicate)
Between Earth & Sky (PBS)
Keys to the City (New Yorker)
The Last Repair Shop (Breakwater Studios)
Last Song From Kabul (MTV Documentary Films)

BEST LIMITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES
The 1619 Project (Hulu/Onyx Collective)
Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul (Netflix)
Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court (Showtime)
JFK: One Day in America (National Geographic)
John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial (Apple TV+)
Secrets of the Elephants (National Geographic)
Shiny Happy People (Amazon Studios)
Telemarketers (HBO | Max)

BEST ONGOING DOCUMENTARY SERIES
30 for 30 (ESPN)
Frontline (PBS)
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal (Netflix)
POV (PBS)
Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller (National Geographic)
Welcome to Wrexham (FX)

Complete List of 2023 Winners

‘Grimsburg’ Starring Jon Hamm Gets January 2024 Premiere

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 16, 2023

The trailer for Fox’s Grimsburg teases that the animated comedy stars Jon Hamm in the role he was born to be animated to play. Hamm, who also executive produces, voices a detective who has a nose for solving crimes which comes in helpful in a town where everyone has a closet full of skeletons.

The voice cast also includes Erinn Hayes as Harmony Flute, Rachel Dratch as Stan Flute, and Alan Tudyk as Dr. Rufis Pentos and Mr. Flesh. Kevin Michael Richardson voices Detective Greg Summers and Gren Chun is Lieutenant John Kang.

The half-hour animated comedy is set to premiere on Sunday, January 7, 2024 following the NFL doubleheader.

Grimsburg Animated Comedy — ‘Grimsburg’ (Photo Credit: Fox)

“Grimsburg centers on Marvin Flute (Hamm), who may be the greatest detective ever to catch a cannibal clown and correctly identify a mid-century modern armoire. But there’s one mystery he still can’t crack — himself,” reads Fox’s synopsis. “To do that, he must return to Grimsburg, a town where everyone has a secret or three, and redeem himself in the eyes of his fellow detectives, his ferocious ex-wife and his lovably unstable son.”

Series creators Catlan McClelland and Matthew Schlissel co-executive produce, and co-executive producer Chadd Gindin guides the series as showrunner. Hamm, Connie Tavel, and The Jackal Group’s Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady executive produce. The series is produced by Bento Box Entertainment.

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ Shows Off an Official Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 15, 2023

Does the first full trailer for Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off give off the right vibe? A quick perusal of the comments on YouTube appears to confirm the animated series nailed it, with commenters calling it the ultimate love letter to Scott Pilgrim, freaking amazing, and the definitive adaptation.

So, yes, the trailer has effectively done its job.

The 2010 film’s cast reunites for the anime series, with Michael Cera voicing Scott Pilgrim, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers, Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel, Kieran Culkin as Wallace Wells, Chris Evans as Lucas Lee, and Anna Kendrick as Stacey Pilgrim. Brie Larson returns as Envy Adams, Alison Pill is Kim Pine, Aubrey Plaza is Julie Powers, Brandon Routh is Todd Ingram, and Jason Schwartzman is Gideon Graves.

Johnny Simmons voices Young Neil, Mark Webber is Stephen Stills, Mae Whitman is Roxie Richter, and Ellen Wong voices Knives Chau. Executive Producers, writers, and co-showrunners Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski announced during the series’ New York Comic Con panel that Julian Cihi is voicing Katayanagi Twins – Kyle and Ken.

O’Malley and Grabinski created the series, and the film’s director, co-writer, and producer Edgar Wright executive produces. Marc Platt, Jared LeBoff, Adam Siegel, Michael Bacall, and Eunyoung Choi also serve as executive producers.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off will premiere on November 17, 2023.

The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:

In Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Scott Pilgrim meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers, and discovers he must defeat her seven evil exes in order to date her. But this time, things get even more complicated. Based on the graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off revisits and reimagines the beloved cult classic, taking Ramona Flowers, her evil exes, Scott, and his friends off on a mysterious new action-packed journey to find love.

Netflix Shows Off Opening Credits

‘Quantum Leap’ Season 2 Episode 3 Photos, Cast, and “Closure Encounters” Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 13, 2023

The 100‘s Eliza Taylor makes her first appearance as Hannah Carson on NBC’s Quantum Leap season two episode three. “Closure Encounters” is set to air on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.

Raymond Lee leads the cast as Ben Song, Caitlin Bassett stars as Addison Augustine, and Ernie Hudson returns as Herbert “Magic” Williams. Mason Alexander Park plays Ian Wright, Nanrisa Lee stars as Jenn Chou, Eliza Taylor is Hannah Carson, and Peter Gadiot is Tom Westfall.

Episode three guest stars include Alison Thornton as Carrie Baker, Ashlee Grubbs as Melanie, Louis Herthum as Sheriff Woodrow Morgan, and William DeVry as General Austin Murray.

“Closure Encounters” Plot: Now a government agent, Ben investigates unexplained extraterrestrial activity. After a mysterious incident in New Mexico, two young girls’ lives are on the line. Ben meets Hannah Carson (Taylor), who may be more than she appears.

Quantum Leap Season 2 Episode 3 — Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song in ‘Quantum Leap’ season 2 episode 3 (Photo by: NBC)

The Plot, Courtesy of NBC:

It’s been nearly 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now, a new team, led by physicist Ben Song (Raymond Lee), has been assembled to restart the project in the hope of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it.

Everything changes, however, when Ben makes an unauthorized leap into the past, leaving the team behind to solve the mystery of why he did it. At Ben’s side throughout his leaps is Addison (Bassett), who appears in the form of a hologram only Ben can see and hear. She’s a decorated Army veteran who brings level-headed precision to her job.

At the helm of the highly confidential operation is Herbert “Magic” Williams (Hudson), a no-nonsense career military man who has to answer to his bosses who won’t be happy once they learn about the breach of protocol. The rest of the team at headquarters includes Ian Wright (Park), who runs the Artificial Intelligence unit “Ziggy,” and Jenn Chu (Lee), who heads up digital security for the project.

‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ Clip – If You Hear Knocking, It’s Already Too Late

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 13, 2023

Riverdale‘s Madelaine Petsch hears knocking at the door and a voice from outside asks if Tamara’s home in the first clip from The Strangers: Chapter 1. The clip, which debuted at the New York Comic Con before making its way online, ends with someone walking behind Petsch’s character inside the house. Creepy!

Lionsgate offers this description of the first film in the new The Strangers Trilogy:

“From master director Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger, Die Hard 2, The Exorcist: The Beginning) comes a new trilogy of terror. In Chapter I, Madelaine Petsch stars as a young woman starting a new life with her fiancé. Suddenly, during a road trip stop in a remote vacation rental in the woods, they become the prey of a mysterious gang of masked strangers who attack without warning or reason. What begins as a fight to stay alive becomes one woman’s journey of courage and cunning in this horror series, bridging three compelling films.”

The clip and synopsis confirm Petsch’s character is Chapter One‘s equivalent of Liv Tyler, with Cruel Summer‘s Froy Gutierrez playing a character similar to Scott Speedman’s. The first film of the trilogy was written by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland.

The original The Strangers, written and directed by Bryan Bertino, was made for just $9 million. The 2008 R-rated horror film was a surprise hit, grossing $82 million worldwide during its theatrical release.

‘Lisa Frankenstein’ Short First Look and Premiere Date News

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 13, 2023

Focus Features is targeting a February 9, 2024 theatrical premiere date for Lisa Frankenstein. The studio’s release date announcement came with a super-short video that offered a first look at the horror comedy described as an updated twist on the classic Frankenstein story.

Cole Sprouse (Riverdale) and Kathryn Newton (Big Little Lies) lead a cast that includes Liza Soberano (Make It With You), Henry Eikenberry (The Crowded Room), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things), and Carla Gugino (The Fall of the House of Usher). Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (Jennifer’s Body) returns to the horror genre with Lisa Frankenstein, and Zelda Williams (daughter of Robin Williams) makes her feature film directorial debut with the project.

Diablo Cody and Mason Novick serve as producers, and Jeffrey Lampert executive produces.

Focus Features released this synopsis:

“A coming of RAGE love story from acclaimed writer Diablo Cody (Jennifer’s Body) about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness… and a few missing body parts along the way.”

‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Preview: Cast, Plot, Trailer and Premiere Date

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 13, 2023

The trailer for Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters not only not offers a good look at Godzilla and other assorted creatures, it also teases that we humans are just kidding ourselves if we believe the Earth belongs to us. Monsters are real, and the top-secret Monarch organization holds the key to combating the threat.

The 10-episode season premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday, November 17, 2023 with the release of the first two episodes. New episodes follow on Fridays, with the season finale set for January 12, 2024.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters stars the father and son duo of Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell, playing the same character – Lee Shaw – in different decades. Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski also star in season one.

“Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco, and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch,” reads Apple TV+’s official synopsis. “Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (played by Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows.

The dramatic saga – spanning three generations – reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.”

Monarch Legacy of Monsters Poster — ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Poster (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)

Chris Black and Matt Fraction co-developed the series and serve as executive producers. Andy Goddard, Brad Van Arragon, Andrew Colville, and Safehouse Pictures’ Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell also executive produce along with Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita from Toho Co., Ltd (the owner of the Godzilla character).

Three-time Emmy nominee Matt Shakman (WandaVision, The Great) directed episodes one and two and executive produces the sci-fi action series that’s part of Legendary Entertainment’s Monsterverse. Monsterverse is described as “an epic entertainment universe of interconnected stories that bring together popular culture’s most titanic forces of nature” that began with 2014’s Godzilla. Additional Monsterverse entries include 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, and the upcoming sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Melissa McBride Reunites with Norman Reedus in ‘Daryl Dixon’ Season 2

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 12, 2023

The Walking Dead Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus — Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon and Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier in ‘The Walking Dead’ season 11 episode 24 (Photo Credit: Jace Downs/AMC)

The Walking Dead fan favorites Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride are back together again for season two of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. McBride will be reprising her role as Carol Peletier as a series regular in the upcoming season, which is targeting a 2024 premiere.

Melissa McBride is also on board as an executive producer for season two, officially titled The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol. Reedus, showrunner David Zabel, Scott M. Gimple, Greg Nicotero, Angela Kang, Brian Bockrath, Daniel Percival, Jason Richman, and Steve Squillante also executive produce the upcoming season.

AMC broke the news during their panel at the 2023 New York Comic Con. It was also confirmed that McBride’s Carol shows up for the season one finale airing on Sunday, October 15 at 9pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+.

“I’ve known there was much more to be told of Carol’s story as I felt her so unsettled when we last saw her, as she watched her best friend, Daryl, ride away. Apart or (hopefully!) together, their stories run deep, and I’m so excited to continue Carol’s journey here. This team of storytellers have done amazing work to land these two established characters in an entirely new world to them, and I’m loving the discoveries!” said McBride.

In addition to Reedus and McBride, the season two cast includes Clémence Poésy, Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, Laika Blanc Francard, Anne Charrier, Romain Levi, and Eriq Ebouaney.

Production is currently underway in France.

AMC’s official description of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon:

“Daryl (Reedus) washes ashore in France and struggles to piece together how he got there and why. The series tracks his journey across a broken but resilient France as he hopes to find a way back home. As he makes the journey, though, the connections he forms along the way complicate his ultimate plan.”

First Season 2 Photos and Premiere Date

‘Interview with the Vampire’ Season 2 First-Look and New Photos

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 12, 2023

AMC unveiled the first scene from the much-anticipated upcoming second season of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire during their New York Comic Con panel and then – fortunately – made it available online. The nearly four-minute scene shows Santiago (Ben Daniels) guiding a group that includes Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) and Claudia (now played by Delainey Hayles) to a mansion. After using his particular set of skills to determine the layout and the number of humans inside, Santiago and most of the group enter to feast on the unsuspecting occupants.

However, Louis (Jacob Anderson) and Armand (Assad Zaman) remain outside, flirting and getting to know each other.

Not shown but also returning for season two are Sam Reid as Lestat and Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy

Season one premiered on October 2, 2022 and wrapped up on November 6, 2022. Season two is currently shooting in Prague and is targeting a 2024 premiere.

Based on Anne Rice’s bestselling book series, Interview with the Vampire was created by Rolin Jones who serves as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Mark Johnson, Mark Taylor, Christopher Rice, and the late Anne Rice.

Interview with the Vampire Season 2 — Jacob Anderson as Louis De Point Du Lac, Delainey Hayles as Claudia and Assad Zaman as Armand in ‘Interview with the Vampire’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Larry Horricks/AMC)

The Plot, Courtesy of AMC:

A luxury apartment covering an entire single floor of a high rise. Where the Vampire has granted the interview with the man he once judged to be unworthy. And where the journalist Daniel Molloy has hustled, for a second shot at the interview that got away from him 40 years earlier…

Based on Anne Rice’s iconic novel, Interview with The Vampire follows Louis’ epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality, as told to the journalist Daniel Molloy. Chafing at the limitations of life as a black man in 1900’s New Orleans, Louis finds it impossible to resist Lestat’s offer of the ultimate escape: joining him as his vampire companion.

But Louis’s intoxicating new powers come with a violent price, and the introduction of Lestat’s newest fledgling, the child vampire Claudia, soon sets them on a decades-long path of revenge and atonement.

Interview with the Vampire Season 2 Jacob Anderson — Jacob Anderson as Louis in season 2 (Photo Credit: AMC)

‘MasterChef Junior’ Whips Up a Season 9 Renewal

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 12, 2023

Masterchef Junior Season 9 Judges — Daphne Oz, Gordon Ramsay and Aarón Sánchez judge ‘Masterchef Junior’ season 9 (Photo Credit: FOX)

Fox has officially renewed Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef Junior for a ninth season. Season eight was the network’s highest-rated primetime series on Thursday nights, drawing in nearly three million viewers.

Gordon Ramsay, chef Aarón Sánchez, and author/wellness advocate Daphne Oz have confirmed they will return as judges. Plus, the new season will feature Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly joining the panel as a judge.

“Blending fun, fast-paced competition with Gordon’s undeniable soft spot for kids, MasterChef Junior returns with a terrific new crop of young chefs ready to thrive under his invaluable mentorship,” stated Allison Wallach, President, Unscripted Programming, of FOX Entertainment. “And new this season, Gordon’s talented daughter, Tilly, joins him on the judging panel alongside the amazing Aarón Sánchez and Daphne Oz. Everyone at FOX and our terrific partners at Endemol Shine North America are delighted to welcome Tilly to the MasterChef Junior family!”

Gordon Ramsay, Elisabeth Murdoch, Danny Schrader, Jennifer Fazey, Pat Llewellyn, Ben Adler, Sharon Levy, and DJ Nurre executive produce the culinary competition series which features young home cooks (ages 8 through 13) competing for a trophy and the $100,000 grand prize.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with FOX with Season 9 of MasterChef Junior and thrilled to officially welcome Tilly Ramsay to the MasterChef Junior family,” said Sharon Levy, CEO, Endemol Shine North America. “We can’t wait to reopen the MasterChef kitchen to the next batch of talented junior home cooks hoping to become the next MasterChef Junior.”

ShowbizJunkies

Critics Choice Documentary Awards 2023 Nominees: ‘American Symphony’ Earns 6

8th Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards Nominees

‘Grimsburg’ Starring Jon Hamm Gets January 2024 Premiere

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ Shows Off an Official Trailer

‘Quantum Leap’ Season 2 Episode 3 Photos, Cast, and “Closure Encounters” Trailer

‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ Clip – If You Hear Knocking, It’s Already Too Late

‘Lisa Frankenstein’ Short First Look and Premiere Date News

‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Preview: Cast, Plot, Trailer and Premiere Date

Melissa McBride Reunites with Norman Reedus in ‘Daryl Dixon’ Season 2

‘Interview with the Vampire’ Season 2 First-Look and New Photos

‘MasterChef Junior’ Whips Up a Season 9 Renewal

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