Here's the Scoop...
I was never a fan of the Batman prequel series 'Gotham', but the potential of the Batman prequel series 'Pennyworth' definitely has me interested.
A live-action Batman prequel series about the early days of Bruce Wayne's trusted butler Alfred has received a 10-episode straight-to-series order from Epix.
Pennyworth will chronicle Alfred's time as a special-forces officer in London and the beginnings of his work with Bruce Wayne's father, Thomas Wayne, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
The series hails from Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller, but will not connect to Fox's Batman prequel series that will conclude with a fifth and final season this fall. Sean Pertwee, who portrays Alfred Pennyworth on Gotham, is not involved.
Heller will write the script and will executive produce with Gotham veteran Danny Cannon, who will direct the pilot.
"As genuine fans of these classic DC characters, as well as the incredibly talented Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, we couldn't be more excited to make Epix the home of this series. We can't wait to work with Bruno and Danny - along with Peter Roth, Susan Rovner, Brett Paul and the team at Warner Horizon - on this fantastic origin story," Epix president Michael Wright said in a statement.
"Michael and his colleagues have created the perfect venue for original storytelling, and all of us working on Pennyworth are thrilled to be on the Epix slate," Heller and Cannon said.
Pennyworth will be the latest in a growing list of live-action DC Comics television series. The CW airs Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and Black Lighting. Syfy airs Superman prequel series Krypton and Titans. Doom Patrol will debut on the upcoming streaming service DC Universe.
Do you think that 'Pennyworth' is worthy of a watch?
Be Well,
Steve
Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve
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'Charmed' reboot: Three sisters learn they are witches in new trailer
Three sisters learn the shocking truth that they are witches gifted with magical powers in a new trailer for The CW's upcoming reboot of Charmed.
The clip, released Thursday, features new series stars Melonie Diaz, Sarah Jeffery and Madeleine Mantock, coming together following the mysterious and sudden death of their mother.
The trio, who begin to struggle with their newfound powers which include the ability to stop time and read people's thoughts, quickly learn the truth about their mother and how she has kept their witch heritage a secret.
After meeting an advisor played by Harry Greenwood who passes along a spell book, Diaz, Jeffery and Mantock accept their roles as witches and take on the responsibility of protecting humankind from dark forces.
The Charmed reboot will air Sunday's at 9 p.m. ET on The CW in the fall.
"This fierce, funny, feminist reboot of the original series centers on three sisters in a college town who discover they are witches," reads a synopsis. "Between vanquishing supernatural demons, tearing down the patriarchy, and maintaining familial bonds, a witch's work is never done."
The original Charmed, which starred Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs and Shannen Doherty for three seasons before Rose McGowan came aboard, aired on The WB for eight seasons from 1998-2006. The WB was relaunched as The CW in 2006.
'Chicago Fire' star Monica Raymund exits series
Chicago Fire star Monica Raymund is exiting the NBC series.
The 31-year-old actress announced her departure from the show Tuesday on Twitter following the Season 6 finale last week. Raymund played Gabriela "Gabby" Dawson on the action-drama series.
"It has been an honor to play Dawson on Chicago Fire and one of the most meaningful experiences of my life," the star said in a hand-written note. "I am so thankful for the journey and especially to all of you for watching, but I have made the decision that it's time for me to move on to the next chapter in life."
"I'll always be proud to have played a fierce paramedic with such an incredible cast and crew. On to the next! See you on the ice. Love, Monica," she concluded.
The Season 6 finale had shown Dawson contemplating a volunteer medic position in Puerto Rico. Chicago Fire was renewed for a seventh season May 9, one day prior to the Season 6 finale, and will return in the fall.
Deadline said Raymund was one of five original Chicago Fire series regulars whose contracts expired after Season 6. Eamonn Walker, Jesse Spencer and Taylor Kinney have reportedly signed new deals, with David Eigenberg likely to also return.
LOOSE LIPS:
"I think we're just in this great time where we have all these incredible scientific advances for your health and for the way you look. I think, if you use them in the right way, it's a beautiful thing. I'm so happy to be able to take advantage of it."
--Patricia Heaton, on how plastic surgery has made her more confident, to PEOPLE
??? Guess Who ???
Which actor's new ABC show will be a mix of 'evergreen' and 'topical' episodes?
'Catfish' host Nev Schulman denies sexual misconduct allegations
Catfish host Nev Schulman is denying allegations of sexual misconduct.
The 33-year-old television personality issued a statement Thursday to Us Weekly after Ayissha Morgan, who appeared in Season 4 of the MTV series, said she was harassed during filming.
"The behavior described in this video did not happen and I'm fortunate that there are a number of former colleagues who were present during this time period who are willing to speak up with the truth," Schulman said.
"I have always been transparent about my life and would always take responsibility for my actions -- but these claims are false," he added.
Morgan made the allegations in a YouTube video last week. She didn't reference Schulman by name, instead referring to "the main guy on the show" as "Jack."
"I have this guy over here making me three times as uncomfortable as I already am," Morgan said. "He just kept asking me, 'Are you a lesbian or are you bisexual?' I was like, 'I'm a lesbian' ... He was like, 'Oh, okay. I don't think you're a lesbian.'"
Morgan said "Jack" repeatedly called her pretty and offered to "take her out" during production. She said "Jack" also made comments when they traveled to Houston, Texas, where he repeatedly joked about them sharing a hotel room.
"He was just like pushing and pushing," Morgan said. "It got to the point where it was so excessive it was annoying."
MTV said Thursday it has suspended production on Catfish to investigate Morgan's allegations.
"We take these allegations very seriously," an MTV rep said in a statement to CNN. "We're working with Critical Content, our third-party production company, to conduct a thorough investigation and we've put a pause on shooting until the investigation is completed."
'Doom Patrol' live-action series coming to DC Comics streaming service
DC Comics series Doom Patrol, about a group of eccentric and unlikely heroes, is being adapted into a live-action television series that will premiere on DC Universe, the company's upcoming streaming service.
Warner Bros. Digital Networks and DC Entertainment have given a 13-episode direct to series order for Doom Patrol which will feature hour-long episodes.
Doom Patrol is being written by Jeremy Carver (Supernatural) with Carver, famed comic book writer Geoff Johns, DC television veteran Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter of Berlanti Productions executive producing.
Berlanti is already the producer behind The CW's slate of superhero dramas including Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, Black Lighting and Legends of Tomorrow along with fellow DC Universe live-action series Titans, which will follow the Teen Titans.
Doom Patrol will spin out of the events of Titans and feature superheros Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Girl and Crazy Jane who each suffered from horrible accidents that gifted them powers. The team is brought together by mad scientist Dr. Niles Caulder, also known as The Chief, who sends the team out to investigate weird phenomena and to defend earth.
DC released a logo for the series on Twitter Monday. "What happens when a band of super-powered freaks come together to fight for a world that wants nothing to do with them?" the post said.
The show is the latest announced for the DC Universe streaming service which was announced in April 2017. DC shows being developed for the service include a third season of animated series Young Justice, a Harley Quinn animated series featuring the actress who brought the character to life on the big screen Margot Robbie, a live-acton Swamp Thing series and a live-action Superman prequel series titled Metropolis.
??? Guess Who ???
Which actor's new ABC show will be a mix of 'evergreen' and 'topical' episodes?
ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey said The Alec Baldwin Show will begin taping in June for a September premiere.
The talk show starring the Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock alum will air Sundays at 10 p.m. It will alternate in-depth features on well-known figures with Baldwin's take on current events.
"I think if you listen to any of his podcasts, what is great about what Alec does is he'll talk with people about the span of their career, like Robert De Niro," Dungey said in a teleconference call with reporters Tuesday. "And, so, an episode like that is evergreen. He certainly is going to have episodes that may be more timely and topical, depending on who the guest is."
Dungey said the show's team is still working out whether it will be taped in front of a live audience.
"I'm excited about this show and grateful to ABC for taking a chance on me in what is, admittedly, a crowded field," Baldwin said when the project was first announced in March. "I've enjoyed doing my podcast for WNYC and look forward to the challenge of doing a show on camera."
The triple Emmy-winner hosted an after-Oscars program for the network, which served as a pilot for the show.