As the music competitions end their seasons – “American Idol” on Sunday (May 17), “The Voice” on Monday and Tuesday – some things are clear:
Yes, both shows are flawed, especially with judges who … well, don’t want to seem judgmental.
But the music-from-home part has worked well. “Idol” — with people like Just Sam (shown here) — quickly got it right; “Voice” flubbed its first try, then made a course-correction. Read more…
Hollywood keeps handing out freebies during the COVID-19 shutdown, but now comes an extreme:
“Hamilton” (shown here), filmed with the original cast, will reach the Disney+ streaming service on July 3. Read more…
The CW network has gone on a shopping spree, grabbing four shows that have aired elsewhere.
That includes “Coroner,” plus three supernatural tales – “Swamp Thing” (a favorite among some fantasy fans), “Tell Me a Story” and the animation/live action mix of “Dead Pixels” (shown here). Read more…
The Fox network has concocted a pandemic-proof (almost) schedule for this fall.
It’s found ways to have a full schedule without any shows that require a fresh pilot film. That includes repurposing two series — “L.A.’s Finest” (shown here) and “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” — that have aired elswhere.
The result still has a batch of shows for mid-season, when football ends and voids begin. It makes no mention of “Last Man Standing,” “The Resident” or “Deputy.” Also, “Empire” had finished its six-season run. Read more…
This fall, CBS may be sticking to the safe, solid and secure.
The network has announced three new shows. The dramas take a familiar concept (“The Equalizer,” now with Queen Latifah, shown here) and a familiar character (the “Silence of the Lambs” heroine); the comedy is from a top producer, Chuck Lorre. Read more…
Alongside all those music-from-home moments, TV will soon have one full-scale, screaming-fans concert special.
Taylor Swift (shown here) has her “City of Love Concert” at 10 p.m. May 17 on ABC, following the “American Idol” finale, from 8-10 p.m. Read more…
The COVID-19 shutdown may have a dramatic effect on love, lust and life.
Now TV is jumping in with shows from the producers of “Good Trouble” (shownn here) and “Orange is the New Black.” Both will be taped in the actors’ homes, using remote technology – a method that’s been tried for drama (“All Rise”), comedy (“Parks and Recreation Reunion,” “Saturday Night Live”) and music. They are: Read more…
For frustrated TV viewers, the pandemic may bring one plus – fewer cancellations of current shows.
At least, that’s the indication from CBS’ announcement today (Wednesday). In one swoop, it has renewed 18 shows … to go along with five that were previously renewed.
The virus shutdown came just as shows are usually shooting pilot films, leaving a question: Would networks take a gamble – grabbing a show without a pilot – or simply keep what’s already there? Read more…
TV keeps finding new ways to create social-distance entertaiment.
Coming next weekend (May 15-16) are a video show and (really) a graduation ceremony, with the Obamas (shown here) as speakers.
Before that, the emphasis will be on at-home music. On Sunday, ABC has “Disney Family Singalong II” at 7 p.m. and “American Idol” from 8-10 p.m.; on Monday and Tuesday, NBC has “The Voice.” Then come the variations: Read more…
Now two big network shows are in their music-from-home phase.
It’s “American Idol” on Sundays, “The Voice” on Mondays and Tuesdays. That’s five hours a week, to remind us that fun continues even when people stay home.
But as similar as they are, the shows are opposites in a key way: “Idol” seems to embrace its at-homeness; “Voice” (shown here with Mandi Castillo) seems almost in denial. Read more…
