Here's a look at the Top 5 TV news stories of the week!
The CW is continuing to become a shell of what it once was. There was the bloodbath last year that saw an unprecedented number of cancellations in one season for the network. That was followed by the Nextstar sale and final season announcements for Riverdale and The Flash. Then we got the cancellation of Nancy Drew and this week it was the cancellation of Stargirl after its current season. So it wasn't surprising, but it was notable, that their two new freshmen entries - Walker: Independence and Supernatural prequel The Winchesters won't be getting back orders. The CW insists that both series are still in place for the 2023-24 schedule but there just seems to be no direction for the network at this point. There also continue to be layoffs and a search for a creative direction as far as content goes. Right now, it seems like we know everything The CW does NOT want to be but we don't know anything it WANTS to be.
Netflix announced over the weekend that Henry Cavill will leave The Witcher after its upcoming third season. He will be replaced by Liam Hemsworth, taking over the same role. The series has been a successful show for Netflix with its pre-Christmas season premieres. Cavill was a pretty big star for the show but it appears he was ready to be done with the show. Hemsworth though might be an even bigger name coming into the show. I don't watch the show, I have no interest in the subject material, but it seems as though fans are a little skeptical of the approach being taken and Hemsworth coming in. Time will tell I guess.
In Peacock's quest for making a dent in the streaming wars, it was announced this week that the streamer teamed up with Hallmark to make all of its holiday movies available. The partnership will also include a livestream of the Hallmark Channel and spinoff channels Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama. Peacock has tried a lot of different things: the Olympics, taking back the NBC shows, an incredible value deal of under $2 a month, and some interesting titles. But they have struggled to find an identity or anything that would stick. This is a great effort by them but we'll see if it can make a difference.
#4 - CANCELLATIONS OF THE WEEK
In addition to Stargirl's cancellation, there were several other cancellations this week. Becoming Elizabeth was cancelled on Starz after one season as it will not become Starz's next period drama hit. Netflix cancelled Fate: The Winx Saga after two seasons though the creator has said there will be more to come from the franchise one way or another. Finally, HBO Max is not going forward with its Degrassi update.
#5 - SCRIPTED PREMIERES THIS WEEK
Here's a look at this week's scripted premieres!
Today: Netflix drops the first part of the fourth and final season of Manifest. After three seasons on NBC, Netflix rescued the show where it has continued to do well for the streamer. The 20 episode final season is being split into two parts with the first 10 episodes dropping today. Speaking of NBC, they have the last two fall broadcast premieres with the new comedy Lopez vs. Lopez and the return of Young Rock for a third season. Lopez vs. Lopez marks George Lopez's return to network TV, where he once had the successful George Lopez sitcom on ABC. Finally, Apple TV+ has the second season premiere of The Mosquito Coast, which didn't make much of a dent when its first season aired in Spring 2021.
Sunday: Starz premieres Dangerous Liaisons, another period drama on a network that loves to do elaborate period dramas. The series was renewed for a second season this week ahead of its premiere.
Wednesday: Netflix has the fifth season premiere of The Crown. The acclaimed Emmy-winning drama is coming off its very successful fourth season but now goes through another set of cast changes with Imelda Staunton taking on the Queen Elizabeth role. The show has also been the subject of some bad press with the Royal Family and some of its defenders coming after the show for its portrayal of iconic figures. This all seems to have stemmed from the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II so it will be interesting to see if it feels like Netflix should have delayed the return of the show.
Thursday: Peacock has the premiere of the new David E. Kelley drama The Calling. Kelley has had a mixed bag in recent years with huge hits like Big Little Lies but also mixed bags like The Undoing and the first season of Big Sky. This one seems like it will struggle to break through by nature of being on Peacock. Netflix has the second season of Warrior Nun, which was last seen in July 2020.
My pick for the week:
There's only one show that interests me this week but it's a big one. The Crown was my 2021 winner for Outstanding Drama Series at my Benjamonster Awards. Before that, I liked the earlier seasons but I especially liked the fourth season with Emma Corrin as Diana and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher. I'm curious to see how the new cast does, it's always an adjustment with the new cast. I might check out The Calling too if the reviews are good.
Check back Tuesday for a new week of blog posts!
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