Extra! Extra! Top TV News of the Week: Pat Sajak Retires, New ‘Lincoln Lawyer’ Trailer, ‘Billions’ To End With An Axe
I’d like to buy ALL the vowels!
Sad news for Billions fans, Showtime’s long-time running series will be delivering its final season this summer (see teaser below!), but its OG character Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) will return for the send off and what could be just the beginning as it looks like the series cliffhanger will end with the possibility of at least two more spinoffs including Trillions.
Let’s Dive Into More News…
Top 5 TV News of the Week
Pat Sajak To Retire After 41 Years On Wheel of Fortune
It’s official, Pat Sajak has announced his retirement as host from the popular primetime game show Wheel of Fortune. Since the show’s premiere in 1983, Sajak has served as captain of the word puzzle-solving game alongside letter-flipper Vanna White. The upcoming 41st season will be Sajak’s last, but who will replace the iconic game show host? While Whoopi Goldberg has publicly stated that she’d love to take over, it looks like ABC’s host with the most, Ryan Seacrest is currently the frontrunner. Also in the running is Sajak’s co-host Vanna White who has already acted as a fill-in when Sajak had emergency surgery in 2019. Could another potential host be Pat’s daughter Maggie Sajak, who has recently appeared on the game show as Wheel of Fortune’s official social correspondent? Stay tuned to see how this puzzle get solved!
Jason Bateman to Star and Direct Netflix Series ‘Daddy Ball’
Ozark creator Jason Bateman is slated to star and direct a new eight-episode limited series for Netflix, a dark comedy titled Daddy Ball. The story follows two fathers who are at war with each other over Little League baseball. The series is based on an Esquire article about two real-life men who had both served time in prison as small-time criminals, but it was as fathers of kids in Little League baseball that would change their lives forever with accusations of stalking, threats and more. The series is currently in development.
Dick Clark Productions Acquires Golden Globe Awards
Imagine being married to someone for 80 years? The Golden Globes can finally yell freedom from the toxic relationship that was the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge Industries has purchased the Golden Globes as a for-profit business, but will use the assets from the sale to establish the Golden Globes Foundation. The voting members will remain as part of the Golden Globes and here’s a perk -- they will now be paid under the new for-profit structure an annual salary of $75,000/year. The voting members will have to put in some work though — screen films and TV series submitted for consideration, creating content for the website and manage material related to the award show and its history. The Golden Globes handed out its first award in 1944, but has been riddled in scandal in recent years including sexual harassment, accepting bribes from studio heads, and discriminatory behavior. Hopefully DCP will keep the Golden Globes as it once was — the more loose and silly, boozy cousin of the Academy Awards.
‘The Crown’ to film Queen Elizabeth II Tribute With Claire Foy, Olivia Colman
Netflix’s The Crown plans to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in its upcoming sixth and final season. The series will bring back its three queens — Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton, as well as Viola Prettejohn who will star as a young Elizabeth before her coronation. The sixth season will also feature the courtship and marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
‘Vanderpump Rules’ Makes Franchise History, New Spinoff In Works
There’s nothing like a #Scandoval to boost ratings. Vanderpump Rulesearned its highest viewership in its 10th season with an audience of 11.4 million. In addition, the first Vanderpump Rules reunion episode of the season reached 4.6 million viewers — the largest audience of any Vanderpump Rules episode and the largest of any Bravo series in nine years. The unscripted series is also the now the fastest growing reality series of the past year and the most watched cable series of 2023 so far. Now with #Scandoval behind her, SUR queen Lisa Vanderpump is opening her home to a new 10-episode series on Hulu, Vanderpump Villa which will follow the inner working of her staff at her Beverly Hills mansion, sort of a 90210 Downton Abbey. However, like most reality series, it’s not all that real. Casting is currently underway to find attractive people who will act as head chef, mixologist, sous chef, line cook, housekeeper and event coordinator to fill the Villa with charisma and hopefully lots of drama. Friends are encouraged to apply to have a natural chemistry on set.
Save the Date 🗓️
July 7 The Ashley Madison Affair premieres on Hulu
July 12 Quarterback docuseries premieres on Netflix starring Patrick Mahomes
Aug 11/Aug 13 Billions: Season 7 Premieres on Paramount+ then Showtime
Aug 18 - Harlan Corben’s thriller series Shelter premieres on Amazon Prime
Aug 24 - Ragnarok to premiere its third and final season on Netflix
Renewed/Cancelled 📺
Billions to end with Season 7 at Showtime
Velma renewed for Season 2 at MAX
XO, Kitty renewed for Season 2 at Netflix
Silo renewed for Season 2 at Apple TV+
Basketball Wives renewed for Season 11 at VH-1
Baby’s Shark Big Show renewed for Season 3 at Nickelodeon
Stephen Colbert extends Late Night contract for 3 more years
Superman & Lois renewed for shortened Season 5 at The CW
All American: Homecoming renewed for a shortened season at The CW
Gotham Knights cancelled at The CW
Young Rock cancelled at NBC
Grand Crew cancelled at NBC
First Look 👀 - Emma Corwin in A Murder at the End of the World (FX)
Emma Corwin (The Crown) will star in an upcoming 7-episode series as Darby Hart, a Gen Z amateur sleuth who attempts to solve a murder at a secluded retreat.
Red White & Royal Blue (Amazon Prime)
A new film, based on Casey McQuiston’s romantic LGBTQ novel about the son of the American President who sparks a feud (classic enemies to lovers trope) with Britain’s prince.
Trailer of the Week — The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2
More Trailers…
Minx: Season 2 - July 21 (STARZ)
Foundation: Season 2 - July 14 (Apple TV+)
What We Do In The Shadows: Season 5 (FX on Hulu)
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers - Season 2 Aug 6 (MAX)
Billions (Paramount+/Showtime)
Dark Winds: Season 2 (AMC+)
Overheard on the Playground 🛝 : aka Kid News!
Ten New Episodes of Bluey will premiere on Disney+ on July 12featuring cameos from Lin-Manuel Miranda and Rose Byrne.
The Little Mermaid TV Series Ariel Greenlit at Disney+
Warner Bros. Discovery Greenlights Witch Detectives From PJ Masks Writer
Disney Unveils New Series The Sunnyridge 3 and Magicampers
Disney+ to air a new collection of classic animated shorts (28 in all) this summer beginning July 7
In Memoriam 😢
Glenda Jackson 🎥 (May 6, 1936-June 15, 2023)
Two-time Oscar winner Glenda Jackson was a star of both stage and screen. Her most celebrated roles were in Women in Love and A Touch of Class. Both films are available to rent or buy on demand or you can stream the drama Sunday Bloody Sunday available on Tubi.
Cormac McCarthy 📚 (July 20, 1933-June 13, 2023)
An American novelist who also produced adaptation of his books for the screen, most notably the Oscar-winning film No Country For Old Men. This and All The Pretty Horses are available to rent or buy on demand or you can stream The Road on Freevee.
Treat Williams 📺 🎥 (December 1, 1951-June 12, 2023)
A film and television actor who starred The Phantom, Second Act, Chicago Fire, and USA’s White Collar. He was born in Rowayton, Connecticut and became interested in theatre early on, but it wasn’t until he moved to Manhattan after graduating from drama school that he landed a job as Danny Zuko’s understudy in Grease which eventually led him to his breakout role in the film, Hair directed by Milos Forman.
Stream:
Hair (MGM+)
Blue Bloods (Paramount+)
Everwood (Freevee)
Happy Birthday 🥳
June 16 🎉
Anna Cathart, 19 To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Netflix)
Camila Morrone, 25 - Daisy Jones & The Six (Amazon Prime)
Laurie Metcalf, 67 - Lady Bird (Paramount+)
John Cho, 50 - Star Trek (2009) on Paramount+
Stan Laurel (1890-1965) stream The Devil’s Brother on Tubi
Born on this Day June 16 - Jack Albertson (1907-1981)
June 17 🎉
Will Forte, 52 - stream Nebraska on MGM+
Greg Kinnear, 59 - stream Little Miss Sunshine on MAX
Thomas Haden Church, 62 - stream Sideways on Cinemax
Jason Patric, 56 - stream Sleepers on MAX
K.J. Apa, 25 - stream Riverdale on Netflix
Erin Murphy, 58 stream Bewitched on Freevee
June 18 🎉
Richard Madden, 36 - stream Citadel on Amazon Prime
Bailey Bass, 19 - stream Avatar: The Way of Water on MAX
Carol Kane, 70 - stream The Princess Bride on The Roku Channel
Isabella Rossellini, 70 - stream Blue Velvet on MAX