Here's a look at the Top 5 TV news stories of the week! I will be taking a two week Spring Break from the blog so it will return on Monday, April 12!
Two TV legends passed away this week. George Segal first hit it big in the movies including an Academy Award nomination for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? But in the last couple decades, he's been best known for two TV shows. First was a starring role on the underrated 1997-2003 NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me, where he played a womanizing owner of a magazine. Most recently, he was the lovable Grandpa "Pops" on The Goldbergs. Segal was still working on The Goldbergs at the time of his death at age 87. His last episode will reportedly air on April 7. Segal was a great presence on The Goldbergs over the years even though it seemed to be clear he was in declining health. The death of Jessica Walter at the age of 80 was more of a surprise. She also had some film hits but will always be beloved for her Emmy-nominated role as the icy matriarch Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development. One of the absolute standouts in a cast full of standouts, Walter created a very iconic character. Another role she was well loved in was the voice of Malory Archer in Archer. Walter's last TV appearance was a guest role on American Housewife's 100th episode in February. Two TV legends, gone within days of each other!
CBS doesn't want to get out of the Dick Wolf business anytime soon. They renewed FBI for a fourth season and FBI: Most Wanted for a third season this week and also announced that yet another FBI spinoff is coming. FBI: International will premiere as part of a crossover with the two FBI shows before becoming its own show, which means it will not be a fall launch. CBS is hoping things go better than the last time one of its franchise tried an international spinoff as Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders did not even last two full seasons.
Disney Plus made some news this week in a couple different ways, one that probably upset customers and one that upset the industry. They announced a price hike from $6.99 a month to $7.99 a month. While customers will always complain about price hikes, Disney Plus remains one of the cheaper streamers. They also announced that the theatrical releases of Cruella (on May 28) and Black Widow (on July 9) will also premiere on the same day on the streamer (for an upcharge). More than anything, this is probably due to the pandemic still raging even though more movie theaters are open again. But any move like that always raises eyebrows about what will become permanent.
#4 - "MR. MAYOR" RENEWED
NBC has renewed Mr. Mayor for a second season. The series did not make a big dent in the ratings (does anything on broadcast anymore?) But it comes from the pedigree of Tina Fey and Robert Carlock and it stars Ted Danson so it would have had to be an epic bomb on a critical and/or ratings level to not get a renewal. Also renewed this week were Snowfall for a fifth season on FX and Trying for a third season on Apple TV+ ahead of its second season premiere in May.
#5 - GOODBYE TO "SUPERSTORE"
NBC said goodbye on Thursday night to the delightful Superstore. I often said it was the true successor to The Office with its look at the downtrodden workforce in a dead-end job. It wasn't always consistent from episode to episode but overall, I would call it one of the best comedies of the 2010s with a truly delightful cast. It will be missed.
Check back April 12 for a new week of blog posts!
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