Henry Winkler to lead NBC comedy Last Chance Lawyer / Star Search reboot taps Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen as judges / The Simpsons retires longtime character
PLUS: Stranger Things 5 becomes Netflix’s No. 9 most-watched English-language season with 105.7 million views so far.
Henry Winkler to lead NBC comedy Last Chance Lawyer
Winkler, who recently said he has no plans to retire after turning 80 in October, will star in and executive produce the comedy series that has him starring as Howard Greenberg, “a hard-driving and unconventional criminal defense attorney who is a fierce advocate for his underdog clients, believing that no matter what they are accused of, the system is always guiltier,” per Deadline. Last Chance Lawyer will be written by Mike Gagerman and Andrew Waller, co-writers of the 2014 comedy film Search Party. “This marks NBC’s return to the legal comedy arena months after the Night Court revival ended its three-season run on the network,” says Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva. “It also marks Winkler’s return to NBC, where he had a recurring role on Parks and Recreation.”
Stranger Things 5 becomes Netflix’s No. 9 most-watched English-language season with 105.7 million views so far
“As a whole, the season has reached 105.7 million views so far,” explains Variety’s Selome Hailu. “Netflix compiles its all-time list by counting views across each title’s first 91 days of viewing; for batched releases like Stranger Things, views are counted through each volume’s first 91 days. As such, because Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 debuted on Nov. 26, those four episodes will continue to accrue chart viewership through Feb. 24, while Volume 2’s three episodes will be counted from Dec. 25 to March 25 and finale viewership will count from Dec. 31 to March 31.”
Netflix’s Star Search reboot taps Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen as judges
The trio will join host Anthony Anderson on the Netflix talent competition, which premieres Jan. 20 and will stream live on Tuesday and Wednesday nights (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) for five weeks.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Tomb Raider series reveals cast joining Sophie Turner, confirms Jason Isaacs and Sigourney Weaver in key roles
Isaacs will play Atlas DeMornay, one of the canon roles, and Weaver will be Evelyn Wallis, a mysterious, high-flying woman who is keen to exploit Lara’s talents. Also joining lead Sophie Turner are Martin Bobb-Semple, Bill Paterson, Jack Bannon, John Heffernan, Celia Imrie, Paterson Joseph, Sasha Luss, Juliette Motamed and August Wittgenstein. “Tomb Raider boasts a plethora of iconic characters,” said Waller-Bridge. “I am thrilled to have been able to bring some personal and fan favourites to the screen while also introducing a few new rascals of our own to the mix. This cast is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Fox’s Johnny Knoxville-hosted Fear Factor: House of Fear gets an early post-NFL playoffs premiere date
The Fear Factor reboot premiere will air at 8-9 p.m. ET/Live to all time zones immediately following Sunday’s NFL wildcard game on Fox between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. “On Wednesday, Jan. 14, The Masked Singer will have its time-period premiere with a special ‘Fear Night’ themed episode at 8 PM followed by the time-period premiere of Fear Factor: House of Fear at 9 PM,” says Deadline’s Denise Petski. “Both will continue with new episodes in their respective time periods on Wednesday, Jan. 21.”
Netflix becomes the home of the WWE library in the U.S.
The multi-year deal comes following the expiration of a five-year deal that NBCUniversal’s streamer Peacock had for the WWE video library.
Late-night hosts catch up after a newsworthy holiday break, starting with President Trump’s Venezuela invasion
“After the weeks of news that was all grim and foreboding, there was definitely comfort in getting back to comedy context,” says Bill Carter. “And a measure of psychic satisfaction, like going back to your therapist after August vacation is over. Yes, there was satire, and some big laughs. Those feel good. But there was more to it. An element of ‘What the hell is going on?’ and ‘Why aren’t more alarm bells going off?’ pervades the late-night commentary, leaving high anxiety to trouble your sleep.”
Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie sets his late-night debut with Seth Meyers
Storrie will visit Late Night with Seth Meyers next Monday, while his co-star Hudson Williams will make his late-night debut (and the first late-night appearance by a Heated Rivalry cast member on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show on Wednesday.
Keyla Monterroso Mejia and Mo Amer board Bad Monkey Season 2
Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Studio’s Mejia and the former Mo star will recur on the Apple TV series’ second season. Their roles are being kept under wraps.
Disney+ announces documentary Disneyland Handcrafted
Premiering Jan. 22, the film “will give viewers an inside look into the magic of Walt Disney’s dream and the extraordinary artistry and grit it took to create The Happiest Place on Earth,” per Variety.
The Simpsons retires one of its longtime character after nearly 30 years
Sunday’s “Seperance” episode — a parody of Apple TV’s Severance — featured Duffman, the popular Duff Beer spokesperson who speaks in third person, announcing that his hip-thrusting, brew-slinging mascot is retiring for good.
NBC Universal sells out on 2026 Winter Olympics ads
According to Variety’s Brian Steinberg, “the ad-sales milestone comes after NBC has dispensed with all the ad time tied to its looming February broadcast of Super Bowl LX as well as the NBA All-Star Game. The three events boosted NBCU’s status in last year’s ‘upfront’ sales market.”
Married at First Sight experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Cal Roberson and Dr. Pia Holec exit ahead of Season 20
The reality show will be getting new experts for its 20th season. “We’re thrilled to be embarking on a brand new chapter of the MAFS journey with our partners at Peacock. We’re excited for the future and honored to have worked alongside Dr. Pepper, Pastor Cal, and Dr. Pia,” says Kinetic founder and CEO Chris Coelen. “Dr. Pepper has been with us from the beginning and Pastor Cal joined us shortly thereafter; their unwavering wisdom, insight, and passion has been a guiding light for us throughout the seasons.”
Snoop Dogg makes his NBA broadcasting debut on Peacock by delivering an epic play-by-play of Steve Kerr’s ejection
“Steve’s ready to fire on him!” Snoop said as the Warriors’ coach was in the throes of his outburst. “Steve’s back in Inglewood right now. Inglewood! Get him, Steve. You in Inglewood, Steve. The Arizona Wildcat done came out. Look at him.”
Queer Eye sets its 10th and final season premiere date
The Emmy-winning reality show returns for Season 10 on Jan. 21.
Whoopi Goldberg praises Tuesday’s The View audience for being good-looking: “We don’t always get good-looking audiences”
According to EW, Goldberg observed on this morning’s show “we don’t always get good-looking audiences...But, you all are particularly good-looking today.”
Jodie Foster forgets which network she’s on while visiting NBC’s Today show
Today co-anchor Craig Melvin asked Foster to say “This is Today on NBC” in French. Foster responded by sayingv“This is Today on CBS” in French. Defending her flub, Foster retorted: “Well, it’s the same letters.”
Andy Cohen storms offstage in Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 6 reunion trailer
“I’m walkin’ off,” Cohen says in the trailer for the three-part reunion, premiering Jan. 13.
Mia McKenna-Bruce plays a young British aristocrat-turned-sleuth in Netflix’s trailer for Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials
The three-part crime mystery series, premiering Jan. 15, also stars Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman.