Katie Couric's memoir is being adapted as a sitcom / Police walk back saying Jonathan Joss' killing wasn't a hate crime / Leslie Odom Jr. joins Imperfect Women
PLUS: Sophia Bush says she received “every kind of abuse” and experienced "physical hell" while filming a TV show — likely referring to Chicago P.D.
Katie Couric's memoir is being adapted as a sitcom
The former Today and CBS Evening News anchor is working with Disney Television, Two and a Half Men executive producer Eric Tanenbaum and Will & Grace and Black-ish executive producer Gail Lerner to turn her 2021 memoir Going There into a comedy series. "I was approached by a network executive after it came out, and she believed it would make a really good television series," Couric tells The Hollywood Reporter. "As I was writing it, I thought it did sound like a little bit like it was tailor made for a series, because it kind of has everything. It has a lot of ups and downs and triumphs and tragedies. I teamed up with Eric Tanenbaum and 20th Studios and Gail Lerner, who’s a fabulous writer who’s had her own tragic experience with her children and still managed to find joy and humor in in life. We’re going to give that a go, but who knows? Anything can happen. It’s very unpredictable." Couric adds that "I think there’s something very authentic about a true story. And I think you can call from that kind of IP, something that’s really hard to fabricate and hard to make up in a writer’s room when there are real life situations that you can draw from...I think that there’s so much bullshit out there, that people want things that actually are real. And I think also, all the veneer of and the show businessy-ness of television news is kind of stripped away when you’re sitting at your desk with no makeup and you’ve got a ring light shining reflecting in your glasses and your hair isn’t done, that people appreciate. I think it plays on this whole authenticity idea that you brought up, that you’re kind of being straight with them. It’s also great, especially now in this era of corporate pressure where there’s a lot of what they’re calling anticipatory obedience, self-censorship and a fear about reporting what’s happening, that I don’t have any corporate overlords saying 'you can’t say that,' or I don’t have (former GE CEO) Jack Welch writing me a note, or somebody telling me to tone it down or don’t talk about this as much. I’m at the point in my career happily where I don’t have to worry about that. You see it happening."
Sophia Bush says she received “every kind of abuse” and experienced "physical hell" while filming a TV show — likely referring to Chicago P.D.
The former One Tree Hill and Chicago P.D. star made the allegation on a recent episode of Monica Lewinsky’s Reclaiming podcast, according to The Hollywood Reporter's James Hibberd, who adds: "Bush did not name the show. But she gave several context clues (such as the date she left the series) so that one might assume she was talking about her years on NBC’s hit procedural Chicago P.D., where she played Detective Erin Lindsay. She left the show after 84 episodes and has previously described it as a grueling experience." According to Hibberd, Bush told Lewinsky: "I was in this great place (after One Tree Hill), and I was ready for what was next. And I did this comedy that I loved … for CBS. Then I went to work on this other show that was on my bucket list and then I had this whole other trauma. I had a workplace ongoing trauma revolving around an unending situation with someone old enough to be my father. And I was like, what is happening?” Asked by Lewinsky if the abuse she was referring to an inappropriate relationship that was professional or romantic, and whether she meant emotional abuse or some other kind. “Professional — and every kind of abusive,” Bush said. “When I look back at it, I had the opportunity after two years to go. And I did the thing I learned to do and said, ‘I will not have my integrity diminished by someone else’s behavior. I will be unflappable. I will come to work and do my job and I couldn’t.” Bush said she went through "physical hell" that led to a series of ailments, from hives to her hair falling out to crippling anxiety. She left the series in April 2017, six months before the #MeToo movement kicked off that fall. “I got a call from an executive apologizing for what they had done and not done,” she said of the call she received in October 2017, when the #MeToo movement began with The New York Times’ Harvey Weinstein exposé. “And (the executive) said, ‘We’re very aware that we just made it out of that unscathed.’ And I was like, ‘Glad you did. I’m in so much therapy. I even diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But I’m thrilled you guys didn’t get dragged through the press, that’s great.”
San Antonio's police chief says it was “way, way, way premature” to say Jonathan Joss' killing was not a hate crime
Earlier this week, the San Antonio Police Department contradicted the late King of the Hill voice actor's husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, who said the death was the result of repeated and “openly homophobic” harassment. "Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that the Mr. Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation," the police department said in a statement. In a press conference today, police chief Bill McManus walked back that statement, saying: "We understand that many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling anxious and concerned. A lot of it has to do with that premature statement that we released, and again, I own that. We shouldn’t have done it. The loss of Jonathan Joss was tragic and most heavily felt by the LGBTQ+ community."
CNN is turning its Good Night, and Good Luck Saturday night live broadcast into a primetime event with pre- and post-shows
Anderson Cooper and Pamela Brown will host special coverage before Saturday's live broadcast, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, joined by Brian Stelter and Harry Enten. Once the show is over, Cooper will host a live special, Good Night, and Good Luck: Truth and Power that will discuss the production as well as the state of global journalism, all in front of a live audience of journalism students.
Leslie Odom Jr. joins Apple TV+'s Imperfect Women
The Tony-winning Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actor will recur on the limited series starring and executive produced by Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington. He'll play a character named Donovan.
Paige DeSorbo leaves Summer House after seven years
The podcaster and entrepreneur announced she won't be back for Season 10 of the Bravo reality show. “I’ve made the decision not to return to Summer House,” DeSorbo said on Instagram. “Being part of this show has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life — the friendships, the drama, the giggles, all unforgettable...You’ve seen me grow up over these last 7 summers. I’ll always be beyond grateful for the memories, the community, and the opportunities this wild ride has brought me. But like all good things (and some bad decisions), it’s time for this chapter to close.”
SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris reveals prostate cancer diagnosis
The longtime SportsCenter anchor, who will have surgery on Tuesday, discussed his diagnosis with Michael Strahan this morning on Good Morning America. “I figured I needed to share because we all need to talk about these things because we all have them in our families," he said. "And by not talking about them, we just really, I hate to be morbid, but we sentence ourselves to death by not talking."
Stranger Things 5's Date Announcement video has generated 250 million impressions
According to Netflix, that is more impressions than any similar announcement in the same timeframe in the history of the platform.
Amazon adapting Lauren Roberts' Powerless "romantasy" series
Like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Maxton Hall and Culpables, Powerless is based on a YA book trilogy, Roberts’ Powerless (2023), Reckless (2024) and Fearless (2025). Powerless will be adapted for TV by Daphne Ferraro, who was head writer on Maxton Hall Season 1. "Powerless is set in the kingdom of Ilya where the Elites reign supreme with their breathtaking powers—and hunt those without," per Deadline. "Paedyn Gray, a powerless Ordinary, has spent years scraping by as a thief in the slums, hiding in plain sight after the King had her father executed."
The Wheel of Time won’t be shopped to another platform
The Amazon fantasy series' recent cancelation after three seasons is permanent.
BET renews Ms. Pat Settles It for Season 3
The renewal is part of Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams' extended deal with BET Media Group.
ESPN to promote its standalone streaming service with a "Sports Forever" brand campaign
The brand campaign features a clip from ESPN’s first ever broadcast on Sept. 7, 1979, with anchor Lee Leonard introducing viewers to “sports heaven.” In the background, as clips of Leonard are interspersed with current athletes, teams and games, an anthemic version of ESPN’s “dadada, dadada” sound plays in the background. “Sports Forever is a campaign that emphasizes that being a fan is not just a momentary engagement, it’s a lifelong journey, and that ESPN has been on that journey now for over four decades, with many generations of fans connecting them to sport as well,” says ESPN senior VP of marketing Jo Fox. “That was the sort of starting spot, and we wanted to make sure that we’re raising our share of voice and really hitting on ESPN’s legacy and leadership in the sports space, before we then do our product launch later in the fall.”
The Comeback turns 20: Will there ever be a Season 3?
Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King introduced their iconic Valerie Cherish creation on June 5, 2005. The Comeback was canceled after one season, but Kudrow’s character proved so memorable that she returned for a revival season in 2014. Would The Comeback ever return for a Season 3? "It’s really about whether we can find an idea worth going beyond one joke," says King, who currently oversees And Just Like That. "We’re always talking about it and looking for it," adds Kudrow. To which King says: "She’ll show up at one of those lunches, and I’m laughing as hard as I did 20 years ago. It’s the same vibration. The thing about Valerie — the reason why, if we find an arena, it’s going to be great — is that Valerie will never get everything she wants. It’s thrilling when you have somebody who’s practically a Greek character, going through the underworld to get the golden apple and coming back up like, 'Well, I got it!'"
MGM+ reveals the premiere date and first-look images for Stephen King The Institute series adaptation
Premiering July 13, "the eight-episode series follows the story of teen genius Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman) who is kidnapped and awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did, and who are all possessed of unusual abilities," per Deadline. "In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes) has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide."
Starz renews The BMF Documentary: Blowing Money Fast for Season 2
Starz released a teaser for the six-episode second season, which will feature an interview with Terry Flenory, one of the infamous drug-traffickers portrayed in the BMF series.
Duck Dynasty matriarch Miss Kay Robertson is suffering from health issues in wake of husband Phil Robertson's recent death
"Kay is not in the best of health. We're trying to help her out as much as we can," Willie Robertson said of his 77-year-old mother, who was unable to attend the premiere party for Duck Dynasty: The Revival. "Some of it is she is just depressed," Willie Robertson added. "She lost her partner of 60 years."
Paradise adds Raymond Cham Jr. for Season 2
The Big Leap alum is joining the Hulu series in a role that is being kept under wraps.
Netflix offering Pink Guard and “Netflix’s Squid Game Expert" as a prize package
The winner that will be chosen as part of the Squid Game: The Experience in New York City will become a Pink Guard for the day and be the only person with the title of “Netflix’s Squid Game Expert."
Fallout is coming to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights
The Amazon Prime Video series will get the haunted house treatment at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort this fall in advance of its return for Season 2 in December.
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta alum Khadiyah "KD" Lewis dies at 44
Lewis died on May 30, her brother Jay told The Shade Room. “This has been an extremely emotionally devastating time. All prayers, condolences, and well wishes are sincerely appreciated,” Jay told the outlet. Lewis first appeared on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta during her relationship with rapper Yung Joc before becoming a supporting cast member in Season 4.
Alien: Earth’s official trailer is full of monsters that want out
After dropping a series of teasers, FX has finally released a trailer for Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth series ahead of its Aug. 12 premiere.
HBO releases the trailer for Surviving Ohio State
Premiering June 17, the George Clooney-produced documentary from Oscar- and Emmy-winner Eva Orner tells the story of the male victims of Dr. Richard Strauss, a sports medicine physician and serial sex abuser employed by The Ohio State University from 1978 to 1998.
Watch Real Housewives of Orange County's Season 19 trailer
The trailer for the July 10 premiere features cast members being hooked up for polygraph tests.