TNT has announced an official premiere date for its scripted action thriller “The Lazarus Project,” which was previously set to come out earlier this year.
“The Lazarus Project” will make its debut on Sunday, June 4 at 9 p.m. ET. The eight-hour drama will follow the story of George, The Lazarus Project’s latest recruit. The organization holds the power to travel back in time at any moment when the world may be on the brink of extinction. When one of George’s closest friends suffers an accident, he has to answer the question — “if you had the power to re-write your past, what would you sacrifice to do it?”
The television series was originally set to release on Jan. 8 but was shelved by its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, as it continues to adjust its linear network strategy. “The Lazarus Project” was acquired from the U.K.’s Sky Max, which aired Season 1 in June 2022. The show is now one of the few original scripted series left on TNT, as WBD has wiped most of the original fare off of TBS/TNT in favor of mostly acquired movies and TV repeats, along with sports.
Emmy-winning and BAFTA-nominated actor Paapa Essiedu stars in the series alongside Anjli Mohindra, Tom Burke, Caroline Quentin, Rudi Dharmalingam and Charly Clive. “The Lazarus Project” is produced by Urban Myth Films in association with Sky Studios. Executive Producers are Julian Murphy, Johnny Capps and Joe Barton. Paul Gilbert executive produces for Sky Studios.
CASTING
Peacock has released the guest lineup for Pete Davidson’s upcoming comedy series “Bupkis,” which will premiere on Thursday, May 4.
La La Anthony, Charlamagne That God, Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly), Steve Buscemi, Bobby Cannavale, Philip Ettinger, Al Gore, Paul Walter Hauser, Sunita Mani, John Mulaney, Oona Roche, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jon Stewart and Marissa Jaret Winokur will be featured in the television series.
Previously announced guest stars include Charlie Day, Brad Garrett, Simon Rex, Ray Romano, Kenan Thompson and Chase Sui Wonders.
“Bupkis” is an eight episode comedy series that Davidson will star in. Davidson, too, serves as writer and executive producer. Aside from himself, series regulars include Edie Falco and Joe Pesci. The show is a fictionalized retelling of Davidson’s life as he navigates family dynamics, fame and relationships.
Judah Miller serves as showrunner of the series in addition to writer and executive producer alongside Dave Sirus. Lorne Micheals, Andrew Singer and Erin David, too, join “Bupkis” as executive producers.
DATES
A brand new season of “Celebrity IOU” will return with eight episodes on Monday, May 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The show spotlights Hollywood A-listers as they give the gift of a home renovation to someone special in their lives. Drew and Jonathon Scott guide celebrities as they “jump in with sledgehammers, power tools and pure muscle to demo and design” to show their gratefulness to the people around them.
“The celebrities we partner with are incredibly genuine—they want to do something kind for the people who have given so much to them and others,” said Jonathan. “They all put in the time to make the renovations perfect for the recipients, and working on these projects together is both fun and challenging. And, above all, the stories are just so heartfelt,” adds Drew.
The celebrity lineup for this season of “Celebrity IOU” includes Kristin Chenoweth, Glenn Close, Kristin Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Derek and Julianne Hough, Heidi Klum, Jay Leno and Emma Roberts.
Drew and Jonathon both serve as executive producers. “Celebrity IOU” is produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment.
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Apple TV+ has announced the premiere date for Season 2 of its hit muder myster comedy series “The Afterparty.” The series is set to return on Wednesday, June 12 with two brand new episodes, followed by one weekly episode every Wednesday through September 6.
From Chris Miller and Phil Lourd, “The Afterparty” is a genre-bending comedy that stars Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson and Zoë Chao. With a new murder case being introduced in Season 2, we also see the likes of Elizabeth Perkins, Zach Woods, Paul Walter Hauser, Poppy Liu, Anna Konkle, Jack Whitehall, Vivian Wu, John Cho and Ken Jeong joining the cast.
When a wedding is ruined after the groom is murdered, every guest becomes a suspect in the case. Detective Danner (Hadish) swoops in to help Aniq (Richardson) and Zoë (Chao) solve this eerie wedding murder mystery by questioning family members, past lovers, businesses partners and more by hearing their individual sides of the story.
“The Afterparty” is produced for Apple by TriStar TV and Sony Pictures Television as part of Lord and Miller’s expansive five-year overall television deal. Season 2 is co-showrun by Miller and Tony alongside Anthony King, with both serving as executive producers. Miller executive produces alongside Lord through the pair’s production banner, Lord Miller. Lord Miller’s SVP of television Aubrey Lee is a producer on the series.
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Paramount+ has announced that Season 2 of “Joe Pickett” will premiere exclusively on their service with two brand new episodes on Sunday, June 4 in the U.S. and Canada. They, too, have released a teaser trailer for the upcoming new season ahead of its anticipated release date. After its premiere, “Joe Pickett” new episodes will drop weekly on Paramount+.
During Season 2, Joe Pickett (Michael Dorman) comes across a hunter whose been murdered in the mountains. He quickly realizes that this murder is one of many that he decides he will get to the bottom of. Joe and his wife, Marybeth (Julianna Guill), work together with an anti-hunting activist and a ghoulish set of twins to solve the murder, to which they find out the murdered men weren’t as innocent as they once believed.
“Joe Pickett” comes from showrunners and executive producers John Erick and Drew Dowdle. Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher serve as executive producers for Red Wagon Entertainment. The series is based on C.J. Box’s bestselling book series of the same name, to which he also serves as an executive producer on the TV adaption.
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CBS has announced that their musical game show “Superfan” will premiere June 9, and will feature artists Kelsea Ballerini, Gloria Estefan, Little Big Town, LL Cool J, Pitbull and Shania Twain. The six-episode series will be hosted by Nate Burleson of “CBS Mornings” and Keltie Knight.
“Superfan” gives contestants the chance to prove that they are an artist’s number one fan, with each episode featuring one of the six stars who will decide which individual they believe is their superfan.
“Nate and Keltie will take you on a fun ride each week with a global music superstar in an exhilarating contest to crown the ultimate superfan, which audiences can play along with at home,” said Jack Sussman, executive vice president of specials, music, live events and alternative programming for CBS.
“Viewers will also be treated to an exclusive medley of hits performed by these mega musicians, which will feel all the more special when performed for their most passionate fans.”
The show is produced by Raquel Productions, Inc., Jodie Roth, Keltie Knight and Jack Martin. Martin also serves as showrunner.
The show will premiere every Friday at 8 p.m. starting June 9.
DEVELOPMENT
ALLBLK has announced the commission of “Involved,” its new scripted drama/comedy from singer/songwriter Omarion. The film is based on the artist’s life and will star Omarion as he serves as co-creator and executive producer alongside Tommy Morgan Jr., Kevin G. Boyd, Deji LaRay and Michelle Le Fleur. Bentley Kyle Evans will direct the film while serving as a co-showrunner alongside Boyd.
A national casting call will be held as a part of ALLBLK and the American Black Film Festival’s “Shoot Your Shot” that will take place over the June 2023 festival in Miami Beach. Lance Gross (“House of Payne” and “Sleepy Hollow”) will take part as the celebrity reader during the casting call.
“Involved” follows the story of OB Sharp, a notable boyband superstar that finds himself wanting to exit the group to spend more time with his child and to foster a greater co-parenting relationship with his child’s mother. OB Sharp finds his once platonic friendship with Maya turning more intimate when they meet Edy, a flower shop owner with a freeing outlook on life. Quickly, these three turn into a throuple, and OB Sharp has to face the conflict that comes with his new relationships, family dynamics and business ventures.
“When it comes to forming new ideas, establishing new norms and shaping our thinking, nothing affects us more than the images and concepts delivered into our lives daily by television and film,” says Omarion. “‘Involved’ is intended to inspire, shift and impact the culture of American society’s thinking and understanding of special family dynamics. There is no better way for us to learn about and observe these cultural diversities than through the medium of entertainment.”