Young Martin prequel drama series in the works / Amazon orders Muhammad Ali The Greatest drama / The Penguin and Dune: Prophecy move to HBO
PLUS: Shelley Duvall dies: The 1970s movie icon and host of Faerie Tale Theatre was 75.
Martin Lawrence is producing a Young Martin prequel drama series
Young Martin, from Martin co-creator and star Martin Lawrence and WonderHill Studios, is described as a "contemporary origin story centering on Martin Payne, a charismatic teenager navigating the complexities of transitioning from youth to adulthood," reports Deadline's Nellie Andreeva. "It reimagines the character played by Lawrence on Martin, paying homage to the original show, which aired on Fox from 1992-97." As Andreeva notes, Martin's dramatic reimagining is similar to his Bad Boys co-star Will Smith's rebooting The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Peacock drama series Bel-Air. Like Martin, Young Martin will be set in Detroit, following Martin as “a spirited teenager whose journey is characterized by ambition, humor, and a genuine compassion for those around him," per Deadline. "The show will explore themes of family, friendship and life while the young Payne balances on the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood. Martin’s quick wit and magnetic personality draw him into high-stakes situations, where he must confront obstacles, emotions, and ultimately, find his path to success."
Amazon greenlights authorized Muhammad Ali drama series The Greatest, starring Jaalen Best as the boxing icon
The estate of the late heavyweight champion boxer, who died in June 2016 after a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, has given approval for the biographical series from showrunner Ben Watkins and executive producers Michael B. Jordan and Josh Wakely. Best, who will play Ali, will star as Ali after only three acting credits all within the past two years, including recurring on All-American: Homecoming and playing minor roles on Magnum P.I. and American Horror Stories. "Originally conceived as a limited series but shifted to an ongoing drama, The Greatest intimately explores the life of one of the world’s most celebrated athletes and the victories and defeats that made Ali a legend in and out of the ring," says The Hollywood Reporter's Lesley Goldberg and Rick Porter. "Amazon says the story is fueled by all the moments that took place outside of the spotlight and explores his life as a husband, father, brother and son. The first season is subtitled ‘I Shook Up the World’ and begins in 1960 when an 18-year-old named Cassius Clay wins the Olympic gold medal. The series is described as a coming-of-age story that unfolds against the backdrop of cultural shifts, the Civil Rights movement and Ali’s own spiritual awakening."
Shelley Duvall dies: The 1970s movie icon and host of Faerie Tale Theatre was 75
Duvall, best known for the iconic films The Shining and Nashville, died Thursday, four days after her 75th birthday. While Duvall is best known for her big-screen work, she also become famous among children for hosting Showtime series Faerie Tale Theatre and Tall Tales & Legends in the 1980s and Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories in the 1990s. Duvall also had guest-roles on Frasier, L.A. Law, Cannon and The Hughleys. Additionally, DuVall hosted SNL in 1977. DuVall retired from acting in 2002 and remained out of the limelight until 2016, when she sat for a controversial interview on Dr. Phil that drew accusations that Phil McGraw was exploiting her apparent mental health crisis.
Michael Bay is headed to TV for Netflix's Babaric, starring Sam Claflin and Patrick Stewart
The director known for big-screen action franchises is in talks to direct Netflix's series adaptation of Vault’s Barbaric comic book series. Up in the Air and X-Men: First Class screenwriter Sheldon Turner will pen the series, which has Claflin attached to star as Owen while Stewart will provide the voice of the demonic axe. "Launched in 2021 and created by writer Michael Moreci and artist Nathan Gooden, Vault’s Barbaric featured a talking demonic axe and Owen, a barbarian looking for redemption," per The Hollywood Reporter. "It proved to be a surprise, massive hit for the indie publisher, with the comics collected into three volumes and selling over 500,000 units, per the publisher. It has been translated into six languages and launched a spin-off series, Queen of Swords."
The Penguin and Dune: Prophecy are being rebranded as HBO Originals after some "crafty negotiating"
The Harry Potter TV series, Green Lantern adaptation Lanterns and It prequel series Welcome to Derry were recently moved from Max to HBO. But HBO and Max boss Casey Bloys previously said it was difficult to do the same with The Penguin and Dune: Prophecy because both were branded internationally as Max Originals. "Well, after some crafty negotiating, the HBO team has now indeed found a way to rebrand The Penguin and Dune: Prophecy as HBO Originals as well," says Variety's Michael Schneider. "Both series will now both air on HBO and stream on Max." ALSO: HBO will use an Iceberg Lounge and Gotham Ice Truck to promote The Penguin at Comic-Con.
President Biden to host a news conference amid calls for him to exit the presidential race
At today's news conference scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, Biden "will have one of the most consequential audiences of his political career as he steps to the lectern in Washington and faces a horde of journalists on Thursday," says The Washington Post's Toluse Olorunnipa. "Members of Congress, Democratic donors, party strategists, voters, foreign leaders and officials within his own White House are planning to tune in for what is expected to be a real-time test of Biden’s ability to think on his feet and deliver under pressure."
Whoopi Goldberg absent from The View due to COVID for the third time
“You might have noticed Whoopi’s not here,” co-host Joy Behar said at the top of this morning's show, “because Whoopi has tested positive for COVID. It’s going around still! You have to be careful." Goldberg was previously sidelined by COVID in November 2022 and September 2023.
Hallmark Movies Now streaming service to rebrand as Hallmark+
The new streamer, launching in September, will incorporate ad-free viewing with retail and product benefits. “Hallmark+ marks a seminal moment for Hallmark,” says Mike Perry, president and CEO of Hallmark. “By intertwining new, rich content experiences with tangible rewards and premium Hallmark gifts, we are delivering a unique, new program that reflects our commitment to spreading joy through our deeply beloved brand touchpoints.”
Hallmark announces Finding Mr. Christmas, a Jonathan Bennett-hosted reality competition tied to “Countdown to Christmas”
The Hallmark+ competition will feature 10 telegenic guys competing in a series of challenges testing their acting skills and festive spirit, with the winner landing a lead role in the Hallmark Channel holiday movie Mr. Christmas.
Hallmark orders romcom movie trilogy The Groomsmen, starring Jonathan Bennett, Tyler Hynes and B.J. Britt
The trilogy “follows the lives/romantic relationships of three best friends of different backgrounds, cultures and sexual orientations — Pete (Britt), a kind-hearted pediatrician with a penchant for planning; Danny (Bennett), an ex-jock with a heart of gold; and Jackson (Hynes), the stylish and charming social media agent — as they each find love and wedding bliss in picturesque locations Greece, Italy and Bulgaria,” according to the official description.
Ana DuVernay to tackle castes in America in a special on ABC stations and Hulu
Our America: Hidden Stories with Ava DuVernay, airing on ABC stations on July 14 and streaming on Hulu on July 19, will draw from her film Origin in examining how caste functions in the country through the lenses of racism, sexism and other human hierarchies in an effort to engage, inform and inspire viewers.
Kevin McKidd boards CBBC children series The Primrose Railway Children
The Grey's Anatomy star will star in CBBC's adaptation of E Nesbit’s timeless classic children's book.
Bill Hayes makes his final appearance on Days of Our Lives
The daytime TV icon and Doug Williams actor, who died on Jan. 12 at age 98, shared his final on-screen moments on Days with Susan Seaforth Hayes, his beloved wife of 50 years.
My Lady Jane's Edward Bluemel joins Netflix Agatha Christie series The Seven Dials Mystery
Bluemel will co-star alongside Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman on the 1925-set alt-history fantasy series.
Chris Rock's 1999 risk-taking HBO special Bigger & Blacker turns 25
"Despite all the ways that the world has changed since Chris Rock stepped onstage to deliver his third special, Bigger & Blacker, which premiered on HBO on July 10, 1999, all you have to do is watch it to realize how much the concerns of our country are still the same," says Nate Jackson. "Taking the stage in an oversize leather coat, looking like Morpheus from the year’s hit movie “The Matrix,” Rock pierced the heart of the country with a blade of truth that made us laugh until it hurt — and kept going until the pain felt good. In an era when comedy specials still felt special because only those in the highest echelon were even allowed to have one, Rock’s follow-up to the groundbreaking “Bring the Pain” was a high-wire act that reminded us that the multi-hyphenate — then at the peak of his celebrity — ultimately values one thing above all else: telling jokes that ring true to Black America, with punchlines that are quotable for anyone with a pulse and sense of humor. On the heels of filming a major movie (Lethal Weapon IV) and anchoring hit TV shows (Saturday Night Live, The Chris Rock Show), Rock could’ve easily played it safe by softening the edges in his act to avoid turning off the mainstream. Instead he cranked up the volume by doing what every great comic does when faced with controversy — doubling down."
Andy Samberg recalls deciding to leave SNL in 2012 because “physically and emotionally, like I was falling apart in my life"
Samberg said on Kevin Hart's interview series Hart to Hart that seven years was enough, especially without his Lonely Island colleagues Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. "Physically, it was taking a heavy toll on me and I got to a place where I was like I hadn't slept in seven years basically," Samberg explained, per EW. "We were writing stuff for the live show Tuesday night all night, the table read Wednesday, then being told now come up with a digital short so write all Thursday (and) Thursday night, don't sleep, get up, shoot Friday, edit all night Friday night and into Saturday, so it's basically like four days a week you're not sleeping, for seven years. So I just kinda fell apart physically." ALSO: Samberg on Kenan Thompson: "How is this fool still killing it so hard?"
Bob Odenkirk on why Steve Carell beat him out for The Office's Michael Scott: "He's better at being genuinely fun"
On The Office Ladies podcast, Odenkirk — whose wife Naomi Odenkirk is co-host Jenna Fischer's longtime manager — discussed auditioning for his SNL colleague Greg Daniels' The Office adaptation. (Odenkirk would later appear as an office boss). “There were other parts that I think I was up for that Steve got, and it's because he's better at being genuinely fun,” Odenkirk said. “I think I bring with me a little bit too much earnest seriousness, and it's just kinda there. And there's nothing I can do about it except play other roles where it's helpful to have that. And, you know, you just don't believe me as a purely light character.”
Netflix documentary Downfall: The Case Against Boeing is getting a sequel
Director Rory Kennedy is reteaming with Imagine Documentaries with Netflix for a follow-up on the troubled aerospace company whose’ planes seem to have their doors flying off in the sky. Downfall: The Case Against Boeing aired in 2022.
Abbott Elementary is bringing a carnival to San Diego Comic-Con
Fans can enjoy rides and attractions inspired by some of the funniest Abbott moments at A.V.A. Fest (A Very Abbott Festival).
Amazon's Overcompensating adds Adam DiMarco and seven more
Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Rish Shah and DiMarco will be series regulars and Holmes, Corteon Moore, Owen Thiele and Nell Verlaque will recur on the comedy series created by and starring Benito Skinner.
Bill Belichick joins The CW's Inside the NFL
The six-time Super Bowl champion former New England Patriots head coach will appear on the panel show alongside Ryan Clark, Chad Johnson, and Chris Long.
Greg Berlanti is "really pumped" for the Scooby-Doo live-action series he's producing for Warner Bros. TV
"You just go back to the spirit and the DNA of what makes ’em special. With Scooby-Doo, we went out and heard pitches for a year and a half and finally found one that we really felt really captured it," the megaproducer tells Deadline. "I just was working on the pitch for it this morning, for the first episode. So we’re really pumped."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Sunday Ticket verdict: "We feel strongly about our position"
“Well, we obviously disagree with the jury verdict and we are committed obviously to following the legal process,” Goodell told CNBC. “It’s a long process. We’re aware of that, but we feel very strongly about our position, our policies, particularly on media, that we make our -- our sport available to the broadest possible audience. Sunday Ticket is just a complimentary product. So we’re committed to following the litigation, all the way and making sure that we get this right.” ALSO: Goodell isn't concerned about CBS' fate in the Paramount-Skydance merger.
Felicity Huffman says longtime friend Joe Mantegna helped with her Criminal Minds: Evolution debut
Huffman says she felt very much like “the new kid” joining the long-running series starting with tonight's episode, playing a psychiatrist once on the BAU payroll named Dr. Jill Gideon. But it helped that she and Joe Mantegna have a long friendship, having David Mamet’s 1988 crime comedy Things Change and Steven Schachter’s 1992 drama The Water Engine.
MTV's Ridiculousness taps Lauren “Lolo” Wood to succeed Chanel West Coast
Wood will become the new permanent co-host alongside Rob Dyrdek and Sterling "Steelo" Brim.
John Mulaney and Nick Kross botch an “easy” Succession question on Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Not even host Jimmy Kimmel could help the pair correctly answer the question, “The stand-out item at a 2024 auction of memorabilia from TV’s Succession was an extra large Burberry tote bag famously described on the show as what?”
Watch Rick and Morty: The Anime's official trailer
Adult Swim will release two versions: an English dubbed version premiering Aug. 15 at midnight and a Japanese language version with subtitles on Aug. 17 at midnight.
MGM+ releases the trialer for Justin Simien and Forest Whitaker’s Hollywood Black, exploring the Black experience in cinema history
The four-part docuseries, premiering Aug. 11, uses the world of scholar of Black films Donald Bogle to serve as “a definitive chronicle of a century of the Black experience in Hollywood.”
WE TV unveils the trailer for The Braxtons
The new Braxton family reality show premieres Aug. 9.
Netflix teases Love Is Blind UK
Married couple Emma and Matt Willis host the British version of the Netflix reality hit, premiering Aug. 7.