| | | | | | What's news: Kimmel's Tuesday monologue is racking up millions of views on YouTube. Disney is hiking prices for Disney+ and its streaming bundles. Michele Mulroney is the new president of the WGA West. David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman will lead A24's The Chaperones. And Apple postponed the premiere of The Savant in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination. — Abid Rahman
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Kimmel Returns With Gratitude, Barbs for "Anti-American" Calls to Silence Him ►"I never imagined I’d be in situation like this." Jimmy Kimmel’s return from an ABC suspension did not dull his edge In his first show back after the network took Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air on Sept. 17 following remarks he made about the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Kimmel walked out to an ovation and chants of “Jimmy! Jimmy!” that lasted for a couple of minutes. He then spent considerable time in his monologue thanking the people who supported him and excoriating those who called for his show to be canceled. He also choked up a couple of times in addressing Kirk’s murder, and showed contrition for how his remarks in the aftermath were taken. The recap.
—"Kimmel met the moment with his powerful, tightrope-walking monologue." THR critic Angie Han reviews Jimmy Kimmel's hotly anticipated opening monologue on Tuesday night. In his first show back following his suspension by ABC, Angie writes that the host addressed free-speech issues and Charlie Kirk's killing in between statements of gratitude, displays of emotion and jokes both silly and pointed. The critic's notebook.
—D'oh! Nexstar and Sinclair, the affiliate groups boycotting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, missed airing — and selling ads — on what could become Jimmy Kimmel’s most-watched monologue in many years, if not ever. So far, the show’s official YouTube account has clocked the monologue video at 8m views in just nine hours. Kimmel has many short clips from his show of sketches and guest interview segments that have racked up tens of millions of clicks over the years, but Wednesday night’s monologue is looking like it might set a record in terms of opening monologue videos. The story.
—"You are crazy." Joe Rogan broke his silence on Kimmel's suspension, slamming conservatives who are celebrating the attack on free speech. The podcaster and self-described free speech champion, who endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, explained on a new episode of his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, that his delayed response to the Jimmy Kimmel Live! news was due to being on a mountain trip with limited internet service. He then went on to say, "I definitely don’t think that the government should be involved ever in dictating what a comedian can or cannot say in a monologue. That’s fucking crazy." Rogan continued, "The problem is the companies, if they’re being pressured by the government, so if that’s real and if people on the right are like, ‘Yeah, go get ’em.’ Oh my God, you are crazy. You are crazy for supporting this because this will be used on you." The story. |
Disney Reveals Streaming Price Hike Amid Kimmel Debacle ►Timing lads, timing! Disney has unveiled its next round of price increases on its streaming services. The company will increase the monthly price of its Disney+ plan with ads by $2 to $11.99 per month, while the no-ads Disney+ Premium plan will increase by $3 to $18.99 per month, starting Oct. 21. While Disney has cycles of price increases, these changes come at somewhat of an odd time for the company, as several subscribers and prominent members of the entertainment community have been pledging to cancel their subscriptions to the services in the past week after Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel. Bundle prices are also going up, as the Disney+ and Hulu bundle will jump to $12.99, up from $10.99, and the price of its Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select Bundle will be set at $19.99, up from $16.99. The price of its Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium (which includes no ads on Disney and Hulu and ads on ESPN) increases to $29.99 from $26.99. The story.
—✊ Election results. ✊ It was no surprise when Michele Mulroney was elected to be the new president of the Writers Guild of America West on Tuesday afternoon, given that she ran unopposed for the top job. What was more of an open question was the leaders who would shepherd the union alongside Mulroney over the next few years and the issues they might prioritize — which Wednesday’s election results answered, with elected leaders emphasizing the need for the union to organize and to do more to help writers resist doing “free work.” Travis Donnelly was elected vice president and Peter Murrieta won the secretary-treasurer job in the election that took place between Aug. 29 and Sept. 23. Incumbents Adam Conover, Rob Forman, Maggie Levin and Molly Nussbaum were elected to seats on the board of directors, as well as non-incumbents Marguerite MacIntyre, Matt Ross, Mike Royce and Myles Warden. The story.
—"I’m like the little engine that could." Dr. Phil took the stand on Tuesday in a trial that will decide the fate of his media startup’s bankruptcy, a case that involves allegations that he plundered the company to set up his new venture. His testimony, lasting hours, was defiant. At every turn, he challenged accusations that he swindled partner-turned-adversary Trinity Broadcasting under a $500m, 10-year deal. “I’m like the little engine that could,” said Dr. Phil, whose surname is McGraw, referring to the months leading up to the bankruptcy in which Merit Street was starved for cash. "I’m doing everything I can to keep Merit up and running. This theory, that this was all a ploy to set up Envoy Media, is absurd." The story. |
Apple Postpones 'The Savant' in Wake of Charlie Kirk Death ►"Coming at a later date." Apple TV+ has postponed the premiere of new series The Savant in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination. The Savant stars Jessica Chastain as a top-secret undercover investigator who infiltrates online hate groups and takes them down from the inside. "After careful consideration, we have made the decision to postpone The Savant," an Apple spokesperson said in a statement shared with THR . "We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date." The show doesn’t parallel Kirk’s murder beyond its general plot line surrounding politically motivated planned attacks on specific targets. The limited series, was supposed to premiere its first two episodes on Sept. 26, with the remaining six episodes were set to roll out one at a time over the next half-dozen Fridays. The story.
—Dynamic duo. Eve Myles and Katherine Kelly will return for season two of Paramount+'s original British drama series, The Crow Girl, which will begin filming in Bristol this year. Season one of the show debuted on Jan. 16, and told the story of a police investigator and an eminent psychotherapist teaming up to track down a serial killer. The Buccaneer Media show, based on Erik Axl Sund's bestselling novel series, includes music legend Slash among its executive producers and features Katherine Kelly, Clara Rugaard, and Victoria Hamilton. The story.
—Chuck who? NBC’s Meet the Press led its Sunday morning public affairs show competitors in the core news viewing demographic for the first time in four years. The show, moderated by Kristen Welker, finished the 52-week 2024-25 season ahead of CBS’ Face the Nation and ABC’s This Week With George Stephanopoulos among adults 25-54, the key demo for TV news. Meet the Press averaged 447,000 of those viewers each week, to 440,000 for Face the Nation and 395,000 for This Week. When Welker — the first person of color to lead a Sunday public affairs program — took over as moderator two years ago, Meet the Press was in third place in the 25-54 demographic among its Sunday morning counterparts. The ratings. |
'Baywatch' Reboot a Go at Fox ►We'll be ready. Fox is putting Baywatch back on patrol. The network has placed a series order for an update of the lifeguard drama, a staple of syndicated TV in the 1990s. The new Baywatch is set to air 12 episodes in the 2026-27 season and comes from Fox Entertainment and Fremantle, which holds the rights to the original series. Matt Nix will serve as showunner on the new series and executive produce with Baywatch creators Michael Berk, Greg Bonann and Doug Schwartz, as well as Dante Di Loreto. Baywatch premiered as an NBC movie in 1989 and aired one season on the network in 1989-90 before moving into syndication for the rest of its run. The series starred David Hasselhoff as the head of a team of lifeguards in Southern California (and later Hawaii). The story.
—Retooled. Fox is reimagining its YouTube series Fox Reality Check with Kalen Allen as the new host and Kids at Play as the new studio. The YouTube series was previously hosted by Rob Anderson and Amanda McCants and produced by Liquid Light. The old version released its final episode in May at the end of the traditional TV season. The new-look Saturday series premieres on Sept. 27 on Fox’s Reality Club YouTube Channel. Fox Reality Check is a weekly series that “reviews and revels in the chaos of Fox’s reality TV empire,” the logline reads. The digital comedy show blends “sharp commentary, viral-style games and behind-the-scenes tea.” The story.
—The wait is over! Prep & Landing is back with a new Christmas special. Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol will premiere at 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) on Disney Channel. The special will be made available on Disney+ the following day, and the elves will head to ABC’s shelves later in the season, as well as Freeform. The Snowball Protocol marks the fourth Prep & Landing holiday special; the series follows an elite organization of Christmas elves tasked with preparing (the “prep”) homes for Santa’s arrival (the “landing”). Dave Foley will reprise his role of Wayne, the “world-weary by dedicated” one. Also back in voice form are Sarah Chalke as Magee, the “ambitious and eggnog latte-obsessed” command center coordinator, and Derek Richardson as Lanny, Wayne’s “loyal friend and ever-agreeable partner.” The story.
—On the outs. Paramount has notified the team behind Catfish that MTV is going to pass on future seasons of the show. MTV has granted producers permission to shop the series elsewhere, but the network will continue to air the series library. Catfish: The TV Show premiered on MTV in 2012, and was based on the 2010 Universal movie Catfish. The film followed Nev Schulman, who would go on to host the TV series, as he finds out the attractive woman he believed to have entered an online relationship with was actually someone posing as the person by using photos and the identity of a family friend. The term “catfished” was born, and the show took over from there. Season nine of Catfish debuted on MTV on April 30, 2024. The story. |
Jonsson, Hoffman to Star in 'The Chaperones' for A24, Plan B ►🎭 Rising stars. 🎭 David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman, who are both starring in Lionsgate’s Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk, are in talks to reunite for The Chaperones , a drama that A24 has boarded. Plan B and Icki Eneo Arlo, the Robert Pattinson-fronted banner, are producing the feature, with filming set to begin later this fall in locations in Ohio and New Mexico. Written by Sebastian Black, the script sees a drug dealer and his two slacker buddies hired to transport a troubled teen across the country. Cooper is one of the “chaperones,” a young man who is aggressive and reckless. Jonsson is Cooper’s partner, a reluctant participant in the chaperoning business. The project has generated some buzz in the indie film sphere, as it has Good One's India Donaldson directing. The story.
—🏆 Chookas! 🏆 Australia has selected Gabrielle Brady’s Mongolian-language documentary The Wolves Always Come at Night as its submission for the best international feature category at the 2026 Academy Awards. Brady’s film will also run for consideration in the best documentary feature category. Blending documentary and fiction, the film tells the story of Mongolian herders Davaasuren Dagvasuren and Otgonzaya Dashzeveg who make the difficult decision to leave their homelands after the arrival of a powerful and destructive sandstorm, a situation made worse by the climate crisis. The story.
—🤝 Sold! 🤝 Janus Films has secured all North American rights to Romería, the new film from Spanish auteur Carla Simón. Janus snatched up the feature following its competition premiere in Cannes and ahead of its North American debut at the New York Film Festival. Romería follows 18-year-old Marina, the daughter of drug addicts who died young of AIDS, who travels to the Atlantic coast of Spain to meet her paternal grandparents for the first time. Janus is planning a theatrical rollout for Romería next year. The story. |
'Alien: Earth' Creator Noah Hawley on Finale Cliffhanger, S2 Plan ►"These children have no idea what's coming." THR's James Hibberd spoke to showrunner and executive producer Noah Hawley about the season one finale of FX's gripping Alien: Earth. Hawley broke down the episode, and how the events impact the show's future. Warning: Spoilers! The interview.
—"Jim Thompson is at the center of the show, and The Big Lebowski, and The Long Goodbye was a really big jumping-off point." THR's Rick Porter spoke to Ethan Hawke and Sterlin Harjo about their new FX show The Lowdown. The star and creator of the crime drama discuss the noir influences on the show, explain what a "truthstorian" is. Warning: Spoilers! The interview. |
TV Review: 'Hotel Costiera' ►"Frothy, low-impact escapism." THR's chief TV critic Daniel Fienberg reviews Amazon Prime Video's Hotel Costiera. Grey's Anatomy veteran Jesse Williams leads the six-episode dramedy as a hotel fixer on Italy's Amalfi Coast who handles issues like kidnapped dogs, missing spouses and bureaucratic red tape. Also starring Maria Chiara Giannetta, Jordan Alexandra, Antonio Gerardi, Sam Haygarth, Tommaso Ragno, Amanda Campana, Pierpaolo Spollon, Alejandra Onieva and Jean-Hugues Anglade. Created by Elena Bucaccio, Matthew Parkhill and Francesco Arlanch, from an idea by Luca Bernabei. The review.
—"An anxious, intimate, sun-dappled tale." THR's Leslie Felperin reviews Joachim Lafosse's San Sebastián competition entry, Six Days in Spring. Premiering at the San Sebastián Film Festival, the French drama stars Eye Haïdara as a struggling mother who sneaks her boys into her former in-laws' luxury estate. Also starring Jules Waring, Leonis Pinero Müller, Teodor Pinero Müller, Emmanuelle Devos and Damien Bonnard. Written by Joachim Lafosse, Chloé Duponchelle and Paul Ismaël. The review.
In other news...
—Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale are outlaw killers in The Bride! teaser trailer
—Rory Culkin makes dark decision in Dear Shop Girl first footage
—Amsterdam's IDFA adds Gaza, Laura Poitras films, unveils shorts competition titles
—Jason Alexander models New York Yankees apparel for Kith
—Jim Henson partners with Julien’s for auction of Muppets, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal pieces
—MMA legend Mark Kerr signs with Innovative Artists
—Ron Friedman, screenwriter who killed off Optimus Prime, dies at 93
What else we're reading...
—Patrick Wintour writes that Trump’s bizarre UN speech makes it clear that the world can no longer look to the U.S. for strong leadership [Guardian]
—Max Tani reports Democrats are deserting legacy media for new internet outlets [Semafor]
—Brian Phillips is of the opinion that the "age of corporate capitulation" to Trump is not just bad morals, it’s bad business [Ringer]
—Drew Lerner writes that amid disputes between the likes of ABC, Nexstar and Sinclair, live sports could be collateral in programming battles with local affiliates [Awful Announcing]
—Will Sommer reports that Charlie Kirk conspiracy theories are running wild and flailing FBI Director Kash Patel is fanning the flames [Bulwark]
Today...
...in 2004, Universal bowed the zombie comedy film Shaun of the Dead in theaters stateside. The film, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, went on to gross $30m during its global run and became a cult classic. The original review.
Today's birthdays: Brad Bird (68), Joe Locke (22), Nia Vardalos (63), Harriet Walter (75), Ben Platt (32), John Logan (64), Jackie Sandler (51), Brit Morgan (38), Spencer Treat Clark (38), Kimberley Nixon (40), Ian Bohen (49), Jessica Lucas (40), Sven-Ole Thorsen (81), Kate Fleetwood (53), Eloise Mumford (39), Andrew Leeds (44), Justin Bruening (46), Ryan Paevey (41), Megan Ward (56), Elizabeth Bogush (48), Gordon Clapp (77), Lara Jean Chorostecki (41), Grey Damon (38), Erin Chambers (46), Jaye Griffiths (62), Matthew Gravelle (49), Mirja Turestedt (53), Coyote Shivers (60), Stephane Ceretti (52), Gabriel Mascaro (42), Helen Lederer (71), Allison McAtee (40), Shane Conrad (54), Fernanda Urrejola (44) |
| Claudia Cardinale, whose performances graced such Italian cinematic masterpieces as Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2, Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West, has died. She was 87. The obituary. |
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