Pentagon slams Netflix's Boots / Netflix orders a U.S. Marine Corps docuseries / Tom Cruise makes a surprise visit to the NCIS: Origins
PLUS: Pop Culture Jeopardy! moves from Amazon to Netflix, with Colin Jost in talks to return for Season 2.
Pentagon slams Netflix gay military series Boots as “woke garbage”
The dramedy series starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga that portrays life as a gay Marine in the early 1990s before President Bill Clinton’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is being denounced by President Trump’s Pentagon. “Under President Trump and Secretary (Pete) Hegseth, the U.S. military is getting back to restoring the warrior ethos. Our standards across the board are elite, uniform, and sex neutral because the weight of a rucksack or a human being doesn’t care if you’re a man, a woman, gay, or straight,” Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement to EW. Kingsley added that the U.S. military “will not compromise our standards to satisfy an ideological agenda, unlike Netflix whose leadership consistently produces and feeds woke garbage to their audience and children.” EW reached out to Netflix for a response. Boots premiered last week, inspired by Greg Cope White’s 2015 memoir The Pink Marine.
Pop Culture Jeopardy! moves from Amazon to Netflix, with Colin Jost in talks to return for Season 2
According to Variety, Amazon Prime Video is changing its strategy and is getting out of the game show business, allowing Sony Pictures Television to shop Pop Culture Jeopardy! to other distributors. Pop Culture Jeopardy!, which premiered last December, was hosted by Jost for Season 1. But he isn’t yet signed on for Season 2. “The move comes as Amazon is figuring out its unscripted strategy,” according to Deadline’s Peter White. “The streamer has a new global head of television in former Netflix exec Peter Friedlander, who will likely want to put his own stamp on things. Lauren Anderson, who currently oversees unscripted, has been increasingly focusing on the advertising side of the business as Head of Brand & Content Innovation at Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video, while the unscripted studio, MGM Alternative TV, was recently moved under the division that Friedlander now oversees. Meanwhile, a number of Amazon unscripted execs have moved over to Netflix over the last year including its head of unscripted series Jenny Falkoff and head of docuseries Alysia Russo.”
Netflix orders a U.S. Marine Corps docuseries
The four-part docuseries Marines from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment — which produced Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan — is described as a “coming-of-age” series that follows the members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the U.S. military’s “force in readiness” in the Pacific, according to Deadline. Marines will offer an inside look into the rigorous trainings and emotional moments of young Marines as they forge bonds while grappling with the complexities of life at sea.
Tom Cruise makes a surprise visit to the NCIS: Origins set at Paramount Studios
Cruise, who has had a decades-long relationship with Paramount Studios and to its new owner David Ellison, stopped by the NCIS: Origins set on Wednesday. NCIS writer David J. North shared a post on Cruise’s visit, noting that Daly’s bar on the show was inspired by the bar in Top Gun. Austin Stowell, who plays Leroy Jethroy Gibbs on the CBS drama, also posted on Instagram Stories a photo of himself and Cruise on the set of the show.
Apple TV and Peacock announce a streaming bundle deal
The “Apple TV and Peacock Bundle” announced via a video this morning, will cost $14.99 per month for the Apple TV and Peacock Premium tier or $19.99 for Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus. This amounts to a discount of 30%.
CBS News’ standards chief exits amid Bari Weiss’ arrival
Claudia Milne, who has overseen standards and practices at CBS News since 2021, announced her departure this morning, becoming the first senior executive to exit since Weiss assumed editor in chief duties last week. Weiss reportedly wasn’t part of the call in which Milne announced her exit. “We live in complicated times. For our company, for our industry and for our country. And it’s times like this that what we do matters most,” Milne said in a farewell note to colleagues. “I believe our role as journalists is to hold the powerful to account. We are here to question and challenge our political leaders on behalf of our audiences, Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative…we must interrogate the social media companies that want to control our attention, the businesses that manage our healthcare and the institutions that shape our education system… and So. Much. More.”
Fired Matlock star David Del Rio is reportedly exploring his legal options
TMZ reports Del Rio, who was fired two weeks ago for allegedly sexually assaulting co-star Leah Lewis, has been meeting with lawyers. TMZ also notes that the alleged incident was never reported to the LAPD.
The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys patriarch Steven McBee Sr. sentenced to two years in prison
McBee was sentenced this morning after he was found guilty in a multi-million dollar crop insurance fraud case. The reality star will also pay $4,022,124 in restitution. McBee’s sentence begins Dec. 1.
Snoop Dogg to use his YouTube animated show Doggyland to support the LGBTQ+ youth anti-bullying after his Lightyear controversy
Speaking on his partnership with GLAAD and the inclusive message behind his new “Doggyland” track, Snoop said: “At the end of the day, it’s all about love — that’s what we’re teachin’ the kids with ‘Love Is Love.’ Partnering with GLAAD for Spirit Day just felt right, because spreading love and respect for everybody is what real gangstas do. We’re showin’ the next generation that kindness is cool, inclusion is powerful, and love always wins.”
Angela Lansbury was born 100 years ago today
The Oscar-winning Murder, She Wrote star, who died at age 96 in 2022, was born on Oct. 16, 1925. In a Los Angeles Times piece marking Lansbury’s 100th birthday, Lily E. Hirsch says we still have a lot to learn from the acting icon. “When you think of role models, there are probably a number of women who come to mind before Angela Lansbury: women who boldly and sometimes loudly shook things up like Rosie the Riveter, Riot Grrrl rebels, and RBG,” says Hirsch. “Maybe even Miss Piggy, though that could just be me. In contrast, Lansbury, who died in 2022, is associated with cozy Cabot Cove (the setting of her long-running series “Murder, She Wrote”) and tea time as Disney’s Mrs. Potts. But don’t be fooled! In her life and many memorable roles, Lansbury had (and still has) a lot to say about going after what you want as a woman, avoiding stereotypes and living a full life at any age.”
Jeff Probst: Don’t expect an all-seniors season of Survivor
“You know, I hear this idea from time to time,” Probst said on his On Fire podcast, per EW “I’ve certainly heard it more since The Bachelor did it.” He added: “Here’s the truth as I see it. Based on the number of people over, let’s say 50, who apply and who we believe are interesting and compelling enough to be on the show and we believe can truly handle the intense physicality — I think if you just limited it to 50-and-over casting, it would be difficult to do two times per year. You’re looking at 40 people. I just don’t think it would work, personally.”
Daredevil: Born Again gets a Season 2 premiere date for early next year
Disney+ confirms the second season will premiere on March 4, 2026.
CNN’s “All Access” streaming service will cost $6.99 per month, or $69.99 per year
Subscribers who sign up by January 5, 2026 can get the annual plan for a special introductory price of $41.99 for the first year. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, “CNN launched a digital paywall a year ago for much of its digital content, and that paywall is now being branded as the Basic tier. Joining it will be a new All Access tier, priced at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. The company is launching a promotion at launch, offering one year for $41.99.” The new premium tier will include “a selection of CNN’s live US and International programming,” as well as access to the full library of CNN Originals and documentary programming. There will also be exclusive live and on-demand programming.
FX to develop comedy series Last Night was a Movie from sketch group Almost Friday
The buzzy sketch comedy troupe is teaming with American Vandal creators Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault on the potential series. “Plot details are under wraps but the show is described as a high-concept comedy,” reports Deadline’s Matt Grobar. “The project originated as an idea from the Weapons duo of (J.D.) Lifshitz and (Raphael) Margules, which they brought to Almost Friday. It’s expected that all members of the Almost Friday troupe will participate in the show as writers and producers, in addition to on-screen work, with creator credit going to the group’s Tyler Falbo, should the project be greenlighted.”
SportsCenter anchor Shae Cornette tapped as the new host of ESPN’s First Take
The longtime SportsCenter anchor will success Molly Qerim as host of the popular sports debate show starting Nov. 3. She will wrap her duties on SportsCenter on Oct. 25.
On Friday, Stephen A. Smith will guest co-host ABC’s Good Morning America and host ESPN’s First Take
“Just want to tell America right now, I thank y’all for joining me to host the show,” Smith said this morning as he signed off First Take. “I’ll be hosting the show again tomorrow after I co-host Good Morning America. I’m gonna be doing that too tomorrow, so I have a very, very busy day tomorrow.” ALSO: Stephen A. Smith stormed off last night’s NewsNation Town Hall debate on the government shutdown.
Jon Stewart and Heidi Gardner to make their Broadway debut in former SNL writer’s Simon Rich’s All Out: Comedy About Ambition
Rich’s follow-up to last year’s All In: Comedy About Love.
Inside the NBA will maintain its music and graphics from its TNT era
Everything will look the same when the NBA show moves to ESPN, ESPN senior vice president of production Tim Corrigan told Sports Business Journal.
Rachael Ray expands her partnership with A+E Global Media
The new deal will mean new episodes of Ray’s Meal in Minutes and other food-themed shows across the A&E and FYI cable channels.
The Boys prequel series Vought Rising adds four
Raphael Sbarge, Romi Shraiter, Aaron Douglas and David Hewlett will appear opposite leads Jensen Ackles and Aya Cash in recurring roles.
Jenna Bush Hager to begin co-hosting Today with Jenna & Friends with a fan
“We had submissions from across the country, but one really stood out,” Bush Hager told viewers on Thursday. “She’s a clinical researcher from New York, a diehard Today fan. Her name is Tiffany Drummond.”
Lifetime announces its “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” Christmas movie slate
Lifetime will release 12 new Christmas movies this holiday season, as well as one Christmas thriller on Lifetime Movie Network, with stars including James Lafferty, Brandy and Vivica A. Fox.
Matt Bomer reacts to Mid-Century Modern’s cancelation after one season
“I got to work with so many of my heroes, so many legends, and a lot of people who are a big part of why I became an actor,” Bomer tells PRIDE. “To get to do that and to see Linda Lavin go out on a high note? What more can you ask for?”
Ed Williams, who played lab scientist Ted Olsen on Police Squad! and The Naked Gun movies, dies at 98
Williams, who died Oct. 2, was best known for recurring as earnest lab scientist with a pocket protector and a kinky side Ted Olsen on ABC’s short-lived 1982 comedy series Police Squad! and its successor, The Naked Gun film trilogy, both starring Leslie Nielsen. Williams was an acting teacher at Los Angeles City College when he landed the Police Squad! role. Williams also had guest roles on House, Sisters, Matlock, L.A. Law and MacGyver.
Claire Danes strikes up a working relationship with Matthew Rhys’ alleged murderer in Netflix’s The Beast in Me trailer
Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales and Jonathan Banks also star in the “dark and twisting new series that asks: When you chase a monster, what do you become?,” per Netflix. The Beast in Me premieres Nov. 13.
Apple TV unveils Palm Royale’s Season 2 trailer
Season 2, premiering Nov. 12, asks the same question of Season 1: “How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has?”
Paramount+ reveals the first trailer for true-crime docuseries Don’t Date Brandon
Premiering Oct. 28, the three-part Don’t Date Brandon follows two women who speak up about their mutual ex, providing a platform for other victims to come forward about Brandon’s dark, manipulative behavior.
Dangerous Liaisons gets reworked in HBO Max’s trailer for French drama The Seduction
The French-language reworking of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ thought-provoking 18th century novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses debuts on Nov. 14.
Squid Game: The Challenge’s Season 2 trailer looks a lot like Season 1
The Emmy-nominated Netflix reality competition has 456 new contestants will competing in “the ultimate test of strategy, alliances and endurance as they compete for a life-changing $4.56 million prize.” Squid Game: The Challenge premieres Nov. 4 with batches of weekly episodes through Nov. 18.
Watch HBO Max’s Alex vs ARod trailer
Premiering Nov. 6, the three-part docuseries explores the dualities of one of the most polarizing figures in sports: Alex Rodriguez.