HBO Sets Premiere Date for Hollywood Satire Series ‘The Franchise’ (TV News Roundup)

As a seasoned industry insider with decades of experience under my belt, I find myself in awe at the sheer abundance of captivating events unfolding in the realm of animation and television. The upcoming SCAD AnimationFest, honoring the legendary Genndy Tartakovsky, promises to be a spectacle that will leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of attendees.


On October 6th at 10 PM Eastern Time, HBO will premier the original satire series “The Franchise” on both its regular channel and Max. Notably, the first episode is helmed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes as its director.

What are the roots of every mishap in the creation of these movies? Since each mistake has a backstory, essentially.

The ensemble features Himesh Patel from “Greedy People”, Aya Cash known for “The Boys”, Jessica Hynes, recognized for her role in “Shaun of the Dead”, Billy Magnussen of “Road House”, Lolly Adefope starring in “Ghosts”, Darren Goldstein best known for “Ozark” and Isaac Powell, a regular on “American Horror Story”. Richard E. Grant will make recurring appearances from “Saltburn”, as well as Daniel Brühl, who gained recognition in “All Quiet on the Western Front”.

As a follower, I’m part of a production team that consists of Mendes, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown, Julie Pastor from Neal Street Productions, Armando Iannucci from Dundee Productions, the showrunner Jon Brown, and Jim Kleverweis. It was Jon Brown who wrote the pilot script for this project.

Watch the trailer below.

CASTINGS

The television series “Sherlock & Daughter” produced by The CW has announced five new additions to its cast: Fiona Glascott, Ivana Miličević, Phillip P. Keene, Antonio Aakeel, and Shashi Rami.

The series revolves around a Sherlock Holmes who’s venturing beyond his usual realm. This celebrated detective is inexplicably prevented from probing a menacing case, as doing so could jeopardize the lives of his dearest companions. At the same time, a young American named Amelia discovers her father might be this illustrious detective after her mother’s startling and baffling murder, remains unsolved. This is the gist of the show.

In this upcoming series, BAFTA-nominated actor David Thewlis, known for his roles in “Fargo” and “The Artful Dodger,” will portray the character of Sherlock Holmes. Additionally, Blu Hunt, who has been seen in “The New Mutants” and “Another Life,” will take on the role of Amelia Rojas. Lastly, Dougray Scott, famous for his appearances in “Crime” and “Mission Impossible 2,” will play the infamous adversary of Sherlock Holmes, Professor Moriarty.

In this production, Glascott portrays Lady Violet, a noblewoman with extensive ties across London’s high society. Meanwhile, Keene takes on the role of Ambassador Paul Anderson from the United States, stationed in Great Britain; Miličević plays his wife Marjorie. However, their tranquil lives are disrupted when their daughter is abducted. They put their hopes for her safe return in the hands of detective Holmes and his enigmatic new aide, Amelia Rojas.

Aakeel embodies the role of the progressive young detective Swann, who independently introduces technological advancements to Scotland Yard. Meanwhile, Rami portrays a tenacious insurance investigator whose probe into a theft significantly contributes to Holmes’ ongoing investigation.

The TV show, distributed by Starlings Television, is set to air on The CW network in the United States. As of now, the exact release date remains undisclosed.

PROGRAMMING

The educational series “Mission Unstoppable,” broadcast on CBS, has been extended for two additional seasons, running from 2025 to 2026. Airing during weekend mornings as part of the ‘CBS WKND’ block, the show is still hosted by Miranda Cosgrove (“iCarly”), with Geena Davis also serving as an executive producer through her institute. This upcoming season will continue to highlight remarkable women who have excelled in STEM fields and beyond. In 2023, the show won 16 international Telly awards, was nominated for a 2024 Webby award for its digital series “Stem Loft,” and was singled out by the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy as the only TV program promoting young women to pursue STEM careers.

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The talk show “Jennifer Hudson’s Show” kicks off its new season on Monday, September 16, with the theme “Choose Joy.” This is a potent message that permeates every segment and discussion throughout the show. Some of the guests for the premiere week include Angela Bassett, Sofía Vergara, Dave Bautista, and Marlon Wayans. Other celebrities confirmed to appear this season include Saweetie, Andrea Bocelli, Jimmy Kimmel, Ariana DeBose, Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, and many more. Produced by JHud Productions, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, Telepictures, and distributed nationally by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, “The Jennifer Hudson Show” airs on station groups such as Fox Television Stations, Hearst Television, Sinclair Broadcast Group, TEGNA, Nexstar Media Group, Scripps Media, and Gray Media Group, among others.

EXECUTIVES

Sean Cohan, president of Bell Media, has been chosen as the new head of the Banff Foundation’s Board of Directors, replacing Lionsgate TV Group chairman and chief creative officer Kevin Beggs who had held this position for the past three years. However, Beggs will still remain a member on the Banff board.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to step into the role of Chair for Banff. Known for its dynamic events shaping the crucial discourses in our international film community, this festival is ripe for expansion. Collaborating with the team, I eagerly anticipate building on the impressive foundation laid by Kevin Beggs, amplifying BANFF’s global reach and highlighting the myriad opportunities that Canadian companies, organizations, and creators offer within our industry.

Banff executive director Jenn Kuzmyk expressed her excitement about Sean taking on the role of Chair: “He’ll be instrumental in guiding us through our next phase. With the constant changes in the media world, Sean’s progressive outlook and global insights will be essential in determining the future of the festival and encouraging advancement throughout the industry. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Kevin for his exceptional work as chair in recent years. His tireless efforts have significantly boosted the festival’s prestige, cementing its status as a top-tier international media event. It’s fantastic that he’ll continue to be part of the team, sharing his wisdom.

EVENTS

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has revealed that its annual SCAD AnimationFest in Atlanta will be happening from September 26 to 28, 2024. This event will unfold at the school’s SCADshow theater, and this year it will pay tribute to animator Genndy Tartakovsky.

This year, SCAD AnimationFest is proudly bestowing a significant accolade to an animation titan and a cherished figure for bees worldwide – Genndy Tartakovsky, the renowned animator from Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, known for Hotel Transylvania and Dexter’s Laboratory. As SCAD president/founder Paula Wallace stated, ‘SCAD students have grown up watching Genndy’s creations, and now they will get to witness this 2D legend in stunning 8K reality.’ In keeping with the distinctive SCAD spirit, students will have a unique opportunity to interact with this animation icon. Furthermore, I, along with countless others, eagerly anticipate the debut of Chelita, the latest animated masterpiece from the gifted minds at SCAD Animation Studios, which pays tribute to classic Mexican cinema and serves as another impressive addition to the portfolios of our students, preparing them for a successful entry into the $260 billion animation industry.

The gathering will feature seminars led by professionals from Adult Swim, Bad Robot, Crafty Apes, DC Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Animation, along with showcasing students and graduates from SCAD.

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This year’s PaleyFest NY schedule has been unveiled by the Paley Center for Media. The event will run from Wednesday, October 16th to Tuesday, October 22nd at their location in New York City. The chosen lineup for the 11th annual festival in 2024 includes:

Here are the shows and their respective broadcast dates and times:

As a movie aficionado, I’m thrilled to share that this year’s PaleyFest NY offers an array of delights for every television enthusiast. From the chilling realms of vampires and zombies, to the tense stage of international diplomacy, there’s something enticing for everyone in our lineup. I can hardly wait to welcome you all to exclusive, must-see glimpses into today’s most talked-about and critically acclaimed shows, as promised by Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media.

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As a movie buff myself, I’m thrilled to share that come November 25, 2024, I’ll be gracing the stage as the host of the International Emmy Awards, right here in New York City! You might remember me from my previous nomination in the comedy category back in 2021, and the sweet victory in 2023 for my Netflix special “Landing.” It’s an honor to be part of such a prestigious event, and I can’t wait to bring some laughter to this grand occasion!

Bruce L. Paisner, head of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, expressed excitement to have Vir Das back on stage, noting that he’s adding ‘International Emmy host’ to his impressive repertoire of talents. ‘With his one-of-a-kind wit and global outlook,’ said Paisner, ‘he aligns perfectly with our audience from around the world, making him a great addition to the esteemed list of Gala hosts we’ve had over the years.’

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2024-09-13 00:50