Carlson exits Fox News / Lemon out at CNN / NBCU drops Shell / Disney layoffs

Plus the weekly streaming calendar, Redbox eyes Netflix, "Beef" creators respond to Choe podcast, Cox joins Bond series, and more

Inside.com Part of   Network April 24, 2023

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Fox News announced the departure of anchor Tucker Carlson from the network. Meanwhile, CNN anchor Don Lemon revealed that he'd been fired, and first learned the news from his agent. More: Carlson's last Fox News show aired on Friday, April 21; the network will temporarily air "Fox News Tonight" on weekday evenings at 8 pm ET until a new replacement is selected. Carlson's exit from Fox News comes less than a week after the network settled a lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems; Carlson would have been a key witness had the case gone to trial. Carlson's was Fox News' most-watched host. Lemon has been at the center of a number of recent controversies, including allegations of disrespectful and misogynist behavior, along with disparaging on-air comments about Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley. DEADLINE

Comcast announced the exit of NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell from the company, following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct. According to Deadline, a complaint was filed against Shell by CNBC anchor and reporter Hadley Gamble. More: In a statement to the press, Shell acknowledged "I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret." Gamble has not commented. According to Deadline, Shell -- who is married -- and Gamble had been romantically involved for around 11 years; the complaint against Shell was apparently lodged within the last month. No replacement has yet been named; members of Shell's department will report directly to Comcast President Mike Cavanagh for the time being. DEADLINE

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WEEKLY CALENDAR MONDAY, APRIL 24 DALGLIESH: British crime drama series, based on the novels by PD James, starring Bertie Carvel as poet and Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh, who uses empathy and insight to solve crimes in 1970s England. Carlyss Peer and Alistair Brammer co-star. Season 2 debuts today on Acorn TV in the US. [Acorn TV] TUESDAY, APRIL 25 SCREAM VI: The 2023 slasher sequel moves the action from the sleepy suburb of Woodsboro to New York City, as a new Ghostface killer emerges. Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Hayden Panettiere, and Courteney Cox co-star. [Paramount+] FAMILY LEGACY: Debut docuseries from MTV, looking back at the lives and careers of legendary musical artists from the perspectives of their children. Season 1 episodes feature profiles of Linkin Park, Van Halen, Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Boyz II Men, TLC, Biggie Smalls, Sean "Diddy Combs," Brandy, and Melissa Etheridge. Quincy Jones narrates. [Paramount+] MICHELLE OBAMA & OPRAH WINFREY: THE LIGHT WE CARRY: 80-minute recorded conversation -- filmed in Los Angeles -- in which the former First Lady shares the stories and challenges behind her second best-selling book with the iconic talk show host. [Netflix] JOHN MULANEY: BABY J: The comedian's third Netflix stand-up special -- his first since 2018's "Kid Gorgeous" -- was recorded at Boston's Symphony Hall in February, and features material from his "From Scratch" tour. David Byrne provides musical accompaniment. [Netflix] RISQUÉ BUSINESS: JAPAN: Sex-positive docuseries from Korea exploring the Japanese adult entertainment industry from a variety of perspectives. Dong-yup Sin and Si-kyung Sung co-host. [Netflix] HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN: Horror-themed comedy-variety show from hosts and producers The Boulet Brothers, playing homage to classic TV holiday specials, and featuring a combination of sketches and musical performances. Guests include David Dastmalchian, Kevin Smith, Taran Killam, Matthew Lillard, Barbara Crampton, Katya, and Jorge Garcia. [Shudder / AMC+] WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 SAINT X: Debut psychological drama series -- based on the novel by Alexis Schaitkin -- centering on the search for a young woman (West Duchovny) who disappeared during a seemingly idyllic Caribbean vacation. Alycia Debnam-Carey, Melissa Juliet Lawson, Jayden Elijah, Bre Francis, and Joshuah Melnick co-star. [Hulu] WYNONNA JUDD: BETWEEN HELL AND HALLELUJAH: Documentary profile of the singer-songwriter, following along as she continues to tour in the aftermath of her mother Naomi Judd's death in April 2022. The film features insights from Judd herself along with Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, and others. [Paramount+] STAR WARS: YOUNG JEDI ADVENTURES: Collection of animated shorts created for Disney+ and the Disney Junior cable network, following a group of younglings in the High Republic era as they train to become the next generation of Jedi Knights. This is the first "Star Wars" spinoff series created specifically with young kids in mind. The cast includes Jamaal Avery Jr, Emma Berman, Juliet Donenfeld, and Dee Bradley Baker. [Disney+] MATILDAS: THE WORLD AT OUR FEET: Six-part sports docuseries from Australia profiling the country's national soccer team and following along as they prepare for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. [Disney+] THURSDAY, APRIL 27 LOVE & DEATH: Limited crime drama series from writer David E. Kelley ("The Undoing") and director Lesli Linka Glatter ("Homeland"), based on the true story of Texas housewife and convicted murderer Candy Montgomery. Elizabeth Olsen stars as Montgomery, who murdered her friend -- and her lover's wife -- Betty Gore with an axe in 1980. Jesse Plemons, Lily Rabe, Patrick Fugit, and Elizabeth Marvel co-star. (Montgomery's story previously inspired the 2022 Hulu series "Candy," with Jessica Biel in the lead role.) [HBO Max] FIREFLY LANE: The drama series -- based on the novel by Kristin Hannah -- returns for the second half of its second season, which wraps up the story. Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke co-star as unlikely lifelong friends whose relationship goes through a number of ups and downs over the decades. [Netflix] SWEET TOOTH: The fantasy drama series, based on the DC comics by Jeff Lemire, is also back for its second season this week. It's set in a dystopian world in which a virus wiped out most of the world's population, and led to the emergence of human-animal hybrids. Nonso Anozie, Christian Convery, Adeel Akhtar, and Stefania LaVie Owen co-star; Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr. executive produce. [Netflix] CAROL BURNETT: 90 YEARS OF LAUGHTER + LOVE: NBC special in which the iconic comedian's friends and colleagues come together to honor her long show business career and celebrate her 90th birthday. Performers include Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Jane Lynch, Katy Perry, and Kristin Chenoweth; Allison Janney, Amy Adams, Bill Hader, Cher, Ellen DeGeneres, Julie Andrews, Lily Tomlin, Tracee Ellis Ross and others make guest appearances. The show airs Wednesday night on NBC and hits Peacock on Thursday. [Peacock] THE GENTLE ART OF SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING: Debut home improvement reality show, inspired by Margareta Magnusson's best-selling book. A group of organizers/psychologists -- known in Sweden as "death cleaners" -- help a group of 8 Americans to overhaul their homes while confronting their deepest fears and anxieties. Amy Poehler executive produces. [Peacock] FRIDAY, APRIL 28 CITADEL: Debut sci-fi action thriller series from executive producers The Russo Brothers ("Avengers: Endgame"), about a covert international spy agency that has been infiltrated by a powerful crime syndicate. Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra, and Stanley Tucci co-star. The main American series will have a number of international spinoffs, including planned editions set in India and Italy. [Amazon] PETER PAN & WENDY: Fantasy-adventure film from co-writer/director David Lowery ("The Green Knight," "Pete's Dragon"), based on the classic '50s Disney animated "Peter Pan" film and the original 1904 play by J.M. Barrie. Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson) leaves the safety of her childhood home along with the ageless Peter Pan (Alexander Molony) to meet Tinkerbell (Yara Shahidi), explore Neverland, and confront the evil pirate, Captain Hook (Jude Law). [Disney+] CLOCK: 2023 thriller film starring Dianna Agron as a woman who enrolls in a clinical trial to repair her apparently broken "biological clock," which has manifested as a lack of interest in having children. Jay Ali and Melora Hardin co-star; first-time writer/director Alexis Jacknow based the film on her own 2020 short. [Hulu] COUPLES THERAPY: Each season of the docuseries features psychoanalyst Dr. Orna Guralnik working closely with a handful of couples as they confront their relationship issues. It's back this weekend for the second half of its third season. [Showtime] FROG AND TOAD: Animated series based on the classic illustrated books by Arnold Lobel, about two very different amphibian friends. The voice cast includes Nat Faxon and Kevin Michael Richardson as Frog & Toad, with Ron Funches, Fortune Feimster, Yvette Nicole Brown, Margaret Cho, and Tom Kenny co-starring. [Apple TV+] WARNER BROS. 100 YEARS: Three-part docuseries chronicling the history of Warner Bros. The special was produced by WB Television as part of its year-long commemoration of the Hollywood studio's 100th anniversary. [HBO Max] KING OF COLLECTIBLES: THE GOLDIN TOUCH: Debut reality series starring Ken Goldin, and set at his auction house which specializes in rare sports collectibles and memorabilia. [Netflix] SATURDAY, APRIL 29 MOONAGE DAYDREAM: 2022 documentary profile of David Bowie from filmmaker Brett Morgen ("Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck"), composed of archival interviews with the singer-songwriter, live concert footage, and other material from Bowie's personal archives. This is the first film to be officially authorized by the Bowie estate. [HBO Max] SUNDAY, APRIL 30 FATAL ATTRACTION: 8-part thriller limited series, based on the 1987 film of the same name. Joshua Jackson stars as a married man who cheats on his wife with a stranger (Lizzy Caplan), then becomes the target of her increasingly unhinged and dangerous fixation. Amanda Peet, Toby Huss, and Alyssa Jirrels co-star. "Dirty John" vets Alexandra Cunningham and Kevin J. Hynes developed the new take. [Paramount+]

Disney started its second and largest wave of layoffs on Monday. The company will cut around 4,000 jobs this week, out of a total of 7,000 planned layoffs for the year. More: According to a memo from co-chairman Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, impacted workers will be notified some time before Thursday. A third and final round of layoffs are scheduled for the start of summer. This round of cuts will come from the company's Entertaiment, ESPN, and Parks divisions, though they will not include front-line workers at the company's theme parks. The cuts are part of an overall plan to save the company $5.5 billion in total costs. DEADLINE

Bill Rouhana of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment expressed interest in buying out Netflix's DVD rental business in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last week. Chicken Soup currently owns the Redbox DVD rental service. More: Rouhana told THR: "I wish Netflix would sell me that business instead of shutting it down." Redbox is the largest DVD rental company in the US, with over 32,000 rental kiosks across the country. The company recently announced plans to add 1,500 new kiosks at Dollar General stores. Netflix, meanwhile, announced plans to shutter its DVD rental business in September, after 25 years. Rouhana says he reached out to Netflix "like three or four times," but never heard back. HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

The creator and stars of Netflix's "Beef" responded to the controversy about actor David Choe's comments on a 2014 podcast. In a statement, "Beef" writer and creator Lee Sung Jin and stars/producers Ali Wong and Steven Yeun call a story related by Choe "extremely disturbing," adding that "we understand why this has been so upsetting and triggering." More: On his "DVDASA" podcast, Choe related a story about sexually assaulting a masseuse; he later claimed this story had been invented for the show. A clip of Choe telling the story began circulating on social media shortly after the debut of "Beef" on Netflix. Choe previously hosted his own four-episode series for FX and Hulu; he also made a brief appearance on an episode of "The Mandalorian." Choe rose to fame after painting murals at the Palo Alto offices of Facebook in the company's early days; he famously accepted stock in the company in lieu of payment. NEW YORK TIMES

Brian Cox signed on to star in the Amazon Prime Video reality competition series "007's Road to a Million." The series finds 2-person teams racing through iconic locations from the James Bond films, in an effort to win a $1.2 million grand prize. More: Cox will play "The Controller," an enigmatic villain character who controls the contestants' fates. Challenges will be recorded in the Scottish Highlands, Venice, Jamaica, and other memorable James Bond locales. "007's Road to a Million" is a collaboration between Amazon Studios, MGM, and Bond franchise co-owners EON Productions. Cox co-stars as media mogul Logan Roy on HBO's "Succession." DEADLINE

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Lon Harris is the writer and editor of Inside Streaming and was the very first person to ever write an Inside newsletter. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and also writes about TV and film for Fandom, Screen Junkies, Rotten Tomatoes, Gamma Ray and others. Plus he has a Game of Thrones podcast called "Casterly Talk" and competes on The Movie Trivia Schmoedown as "The Professor." Editor Eduardo Garcia is a writer and editor based in New York. He is the author of "Things You Can Do," an illustrated book about climate action. Bylines in The New York Times, The Guardian, Slate, Scientific American, and others. In one of his previous lives, Eduardo worked as a Reuters correspondent in Latin America for nearly a decade.

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