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THE FRIDAY FIVE: Top 5 TV News Stories of the Week Ending 3/25/22

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 posts will return on April 11!

#1 - OSCARS PREVIEW
This Sunday is the Oscars and while this is a TV blog and I don't really watch movies (I have only seen West Side Story of the nominated films), this is a big TV event. The Oscars are trying to rebound from last year's record low ratings in one of the many pandemic-tinged awards show. This ceremony looks to be closer to normal though it has courted controversy with the removal of certain categories from the main telecast. It also has an interesting list of presenters that includes not as much big time movie stars as other years with more focus on "young and hip" presenters. We'll see if all of this works out but if the ratings go up, I think it's more a reflection of "back to normal" than the changes made. If they go down... yikes. Some of the odds on favorites include Coda for Best Picture after a very successful run through the guilds, Will Smith for Lead Actor for King Richard and Ariana DeBose for Supporting Actress for West Side Story.

#2 - AL MICHAELS LEAVING NBC FOR AMAZON
As expected, Al Michaels is leaving Cris Collinsworth and his longtime home of NBC and Sunday Night Football for Amazon and their Thursday night package. Michaels moved to NBC in 2006 when ABC lost Monday Night Football and NBC gained Sunday Night. He was first paired with John Madden and then Collinsworth. He's been the voice of the biggest NFL games for a very long time and it's a big get for Amazon even though Michaels has to be getting close to retirement. Mike Tirico will take over the play by play and join Collinsworth in the booth next season. He has filled in from time to time and it should be a pretty seamless transition.

#3 - THE CW RENEWALS
The CW handed out a slew of early renewals, but it wasn't as many as they usually do with the network still in flux and possibly getting sold. Renewals were handed out to top show All American, Kung Fu, Nancy Drew, Riverdale, Superman & Lois and a possible final season for The Flash. Still on the bubble are 4400, All American: Homecoming, Batwoman, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Dynasty, Legacies, Charmed and Naomi while Roswell, New Mexico, In the Dark and the new Tom Swift have yet to premiere. Of the bubble shows, Batwoman seems like a sure bet with a spinoff in the works and I have a hard time believing DC's Legends of Tomorrow won't at least get a short final season. 4400 seems to be in the most trouble but there could be more cancellations than usual this year for the network.

#4 - SCRIPTED PREMIERES NEXT WEEK
Here's a look at the scripted premieres next week

Today: There are two big drama premieres. Bridgerton returns for a second season on Netflix. The show was a massive hit after its first season premiered on Christmas Day 2020. The second season will not have breakout star Rege-Jean Page but it is still pretty heavily anticipated by fans. Apple TV+ premieres Pachinko, the expensive and sweeping drama based on the book of the same name and told in three languages. Reviews have been glowing so far for this one.

Next Week: Hulu premieres The Girl From Plainville with Elle Fanning on Tuesday. It's another true story limited series after a glut of them. On Wednesday, Disney+ premieres its newest Marvel series, Moon Knight, which has gotten a lot of positive attention so far. On Thursday, HBO Max premieres the Julia Child series Julia while CBS premieres bowling alley comedy How We Roll. On Friday, Apple TV+ has the Gary Oldman spy drama Slow Horses.

#5 - SCRIPTED PREMIERES THE WEEK OF 4/3 & 4/110
Since the blog is heading on a two week break, here's a look at what's premiering the week of 4/3 & 4/10 before the next Friday Five on April 15!

The Week of 4/3: Hulu has the returns of The Hardy Boys and Woke. Paramount+ has the second season of iCarly and Bounce has the return of Saints and Sinners. Not much as far as new series but HBO Max has the premiere of action drama Tokyo Voice and AMC 

The Week of 4/10: There's not too much to report on from the week of 4/10. AMC premieres the drama 61st Street, a legal drama starring Courtney B. Vance. TBS has the second season premiere of the quirky comedy Chad. Peacock has the premiere of the Craig Robinson comedy Killing It. 

My pick for the next couple weeks: I will go with Pachinko after the really strong reviews. I mostly liked the first season of Bridgerton so I'll watch Season Two. I'm only moderately interested in some of the others like The Girl From Plainville, Julia and Slow Horses.
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