Sunday, July 31, 2022
Today in
Television History
1971 – Lou Rawls performed “A Natural Man” on “American Bandstand.”
Today in
Dick Clark’s American Bandstand History
1971 – Lou Rawls performed “A Natural Man” on “American Bandstand.”
1976 – Sylvers performed “Cotton Candy” on “American Bandstand.”
Hallmark Offers Viewers All-New Original Premieres in September on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Highlights include “Wedding of a Lifetime,” starring Brooke D’Orsay and Jonathan Bennett, on Saturday, September 17.
[via press release from Crown Media]
HALLMARK OFFERS VIEWERS ALL-NEW ORIGINAL PREMIERES IN SEPTEMBER ON HALLMARK CHANNEL AND HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES
Hallmark Channel’s “Fall into Love” programming event continues in September with four all-new original movie premieres. Viewers will get to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and tales of romance, both new and rekindled.
On Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, viewers will travel to Ireland and Northern California as answers to personal mysteries are uncovered, a murder is investigated and will be treated to the second movie in the new Mahogany franchise, “To Her, With Love.”
PREMIERING ON HALLMARK CHANNEL IN SEPTEMBER:
‘MARRY ME IN YOSEMITE’
Saturday, September 3 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Cindy Busby, Tyler Harlow
Zoe (Busby) is a top photojournalist who has published successful coffee table books featuring her images of iconic places. Her publisher wants her next subject to be Yosemite, so she heads west despite not being sure cab do justice to the majesty of the landscape. While there, she meets Jack (Harlow), an intriguing tour guide who opens her eyes to new possibilities as they take a journey together.
‘MARRY GO ROUND’
Saturday, September 10 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Amanda Schull, Brennan Elliott
Abby Foster (Schull) and Luke Walker(Elliott) were high school sweethearts who were married for a brief time. Many years later, Abby’s life seems perfect as she gets ready for a new life in Paris along with her soon-to-be husband Edward. When an unexpected letter arrives throwing Abby off course, she must decide what her heart really wants.
‘WEDDING OF A LIFETIME’
Saturday, September 17 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Brooke D’Orsay, Jonathan Bennett
Darby (D’Orsay) and Jake (Bennett) are an engaged couple who have been together since their days as high school sweethearts in a close-knit mountain town. Over the years they have found themselves in a rut and drifting apart. When their entire community nominates them to compete for an all-expenses paid wedding in a nationally televised contest, this just may be what the couple needs to rekindle their romance.
‘FLY AWAY WITH ME’ (wt)
Saturday, September 24 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Natalie Hall, Peter Mooney
When Angie (Hall) moves into her “no pets allowed” building, a parrot arrives unexpectedly. New neighbor Ted (Mooney) and the dog he’s secretly sitting try to help her find the bird’s owner without being caught.
PREMIERING ON HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES IN SEPTEMBER:
‘LOVE’S PORTRAIT’
Sunday, September 4 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Aubrey Reynolds, Richard McWilliams
Lily (Reynolds) is a museum curator who finds a painting that looks just like her. Lily’s search for the artist leads her to Ireland, where she meets William(McWilliams), a charming man who helps her on her quest and may also know more about the portrait’s origins than he’s letting on.
‘TO HER, WITH LOVE’
Sunday, September 11 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Skye P. Marshall, Tobias Truvillion with a cameo by Shanice Wilson-Knox
Kayla (Marshall) heads back to her hometown of Stansville, North Carolina, after her substitute teaching job at an elite, private high school comes to an early end. On her first day back, her loving yet inquisitive mother (Maria Howell, Hidden Figures) sets up a job interview at her high school alma mater. Kayla, who ultimately wants to get into a competitive teaching program in London, is hesitant to apply. However, when it turns out that her high school best friend Tanya (Brittany L. Smith, “Sweet Magnolias”) is a teacher there and she is offered the job on the spot and quickly accepts. When Kayla initially struggles to connect with her students, Jordan (Truvillion), a jack-of-all-trades teacher who is devoted to supporting underserved students, steps in to help. Though reluctant to accept his input at first, she is soon inspired to try a fresh approach to help each of her students tap into their unique artistic passions and her students begin flourishing. When Kayla learns the school may be cutting the arts department due to budget cuts, she and Jordan work together to set up a fundraising showcase, with a little help from her longtime friend Shanice Wilson-Knox. Soon, sparks are flying between Kayla and Jordan as they discover a shared love of teaching, service and Sidney Poitier movies. However, when Kayla receives some teaching opportunities that would take her away from Stansville – and Jordan – she finds that her heart may still have a few things to teach her about what will make her happy.
‘THE SECRETS OF BELLA VISTA’
Sunday, September 18 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Rachelle Lefevre, Niall Matter
Based on the book The Apple Orchard by New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs
Tess Delaney (Lefevre) gets the surprising news by estate executor Damhnaic McAuley (Matter) that she has inherited half of an apple orchard from the father she never knew and has a half-sister she didn’t know about. When she visits the orchard and connects with her new-found family, she learns that the orchard is dep in debt. Using her knowledge as an antiques expert, Tess and her half-sister work to unravel the mystery of their grandmother’s “treasure” that could hold the key to saving the orchard. And, in the process, Tess ultimately finds a new understanding of herself.
‘FRANCESCA QUINN, PI’
Sunday, September 18 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Mallory Jansen, Dylan Bruce
When private investigator Francesca “Frankie” Quinn’s (Jansen) fiancé is murdered, his sister hires her to find the killer. Frankie must work with Wyn (Bruce), the local detective assigned to the case… who also happens to be her ex. As the one-time couple joins forces to unravel a serpentine plot, the investigation strikes at their hearts.
— CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS —
Shark Week 34 Premiere Night Grabs Ratings Gains and Double Digit Viewership Increases vs. Shark Week 33
Discovery was also the #1 network in all of television in Prime Time among Persons 12-17, #1 cable network in Prime Time among Men 25-54 and owned the top two cable telecasts for the night among Men 25-54.
[via press release from Discovery Channel]
SHARK WEEK 34 PREMIERE NIGHT GRABS RATINGS GAINS AND DOUBLE DIGIT VIEWERSHIP INCREASES VS. SHARK WEEK 33
SHARK WEEK 34 Premiere Delivers Prime Time Ratings and Viewership Growth for the First Time Since 2017
Summer’s most-anticipated programming event, Discovery’s SHARK WEEK, returned for its historic 34th year on Sunday, July 24 with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as its first Master of Ceremonies and was up +7% among Persons 25-54 L+3 ratings and up double digits (+10%) in Total Viewers (P2+ 000s) vs. premiere night for Shark Week 33 in 2021 (July 11). This marks the first time SHARK WEEK premiere night has been up in ratings since 2017. SHARK WEEK 34 was enjoyed by the whole family as ratings growth vs. SHARK WEEK 33 was across key demos that included Persons 25-54, Persons 18-34, Persons 12-17 and Persons 2-11. Discovery was also the #1 network in ALL OF TELEVISION in Prime Time among Persons 12-17, #1 cable network in Prime Time among Men 25-54 and owned the top two cable telecasts for the night among Men 25-54 with Great While Battleground and Jackass Shark Week2.0.
SHARK WEEK 34 kicked off with Great White Battleground at 8PM with a 1.14 rating among Persons 25-54, up +18 vs. the show that opened SHARK WEEK 33 in the same time period last year. Jackass Shark Week 2.0 premiered at 9PM with a 1.05 rating among Persons 25-54, up +8% vs. last year, and Great White Open Ocean premiered at 10:30PM and delivered a .72 rating among Persons 25-54, up +4% vs. last year.
SHARK WEEK handily ruled social rankings and was up significantly in social video views vs. the same night last year. Discovery was the #1 non-sports related broadcast and cable network across all day parts and grabbed the #1 Primetime episode for the night (Jackass Shark Week 2.0). SHARK WEEK also drove more than 1M total interactions and 1.9M video views across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. (Source: Talkwalker, entire day of 7/24/22)
This year, Warner Bros. Discovery’s linear and streaming portfolio – including TBS, TNT, truTV, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, Science Channel, ID, OWN, TCM, Discovery+, and HBO Max – are airing SHARK WEEK -inspired content or are cross-promoting the event all week.
Tonight, SHARK WEEK audiences can tune in to Jaws vs The Blob at 8pm to witness a phenomenon known as The Blob sending juvenile great white sharks straight into a feeding frenzy for monster 20 foot adult sharks; Clash of Killers: Great White vs Mako at 9pm features scientist Dr. Riley Elliott tracking two of the ocean’s most legendary apex predators – great whites and makos – as they head on a collision course during their yearly migration off the coast of New Zealand; and Shark Women: Ghosted by Great Whites at 10PM featuring Alison Towner and her next generation of shark explorers for a spectacular adventure. Together, Towner and her all-female crew will pull all the stops – cage dive, free dive, drones, decoys, breeches and more – to track her missing white sharks. On Saturday, Monsters of the Cape premieres at 8PM and Sharks in Paradise closes SHARK WEEK 34 at 9PM.
TLC Bolsters Medical Programming Slate with Transformational New Series “Bad Hair Day”
Three female doctors specializing in hair-related medical disorders are on a mission to help patients that have been suffering for years.
[via press release from TLC]
TLC BOLSTERS MEDICAL PROGRAMMING SLATE WITH TRANSFORMATIONAL NEW SERIES “BAD HAIR DAY”
— New Episodes Premiere Every Wednesday Beginning August 24th on TLC —
(Los Angeles, Calif.) – We all know what it’s like to have a bad hair day, and for those suffering from severe hair conditions, the pain, frustration and angst is real. In the latest addition to TLC’s roster of transformational medical series, BAD HAIR DAY, a six episode series premiering on Wednesday, August 24th at 10PM ET/PT, will feature esteemed dermatologists Dr. Isha Lopez and Dr. Meena Singh, as well as expert hair restoration surgeon Dr. Angie Phipps. These three female doctors specializing in hair-related medical disorders are on a mission to help patients that have been suffering for years.
“Dr. Lopez, Dr. Phipps and Dr. Singh are first in class medical professionals and their ability to turn patients’ lives around is truly inspiring,” said Howard Lee, President of TLC Streaming and Network Originals. “Home to a wide-variety of emotional, heartwarming stories of personal transformation, these doctors are an outstanding addition to our programming line-up on TLC.”
Dr. Angie Phipps works her hair magic in Raleigh, NC with a down-home bedside manner that puts her patients at ease. People travel across the country to have her perform transformative procedures to restore hair due to third-degree burns, male-pattern baldness and the unusual hair-pulling disorder, trichotillomania. Renowned Houston dermatologist Dr. Isha Lopez sees patients in need of follicular fixes including a woman who is self-conscious about her psoriasis, a man who uses his hair to hide a large growth on his head, and a couple who believes that one of them suffers from “smelly hair syndrome.” In Kansas City, Harvard Medical school grad Dr. Meena Singh enthusiastically dedicates her life to her patients. Dr. Singh faces all manner of troubled tresses on a daily basis and breaks out her laser or surgical tools to address conditions such as excessive hair growth, traction alopecia and embarrassing hair loss. With a host of hair tricks up their sleeves, this sisterhood of physicians has the expertise to help those in their care leave their bad hair days behind for good.
Follow TLC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube for the latest on all things BAD HAIR DAY. Join the conversation using #BadHairDay.
BAD HAIR DAY is produced by Crazy Legs Productions for TLC.
ABOUT TLC
Offering remarkable real-life stories without judgment, TLC shares everyday heart, humor, hope and human connection with programming genres that include fascinating families, heartwarming transformations and life’s milestone moments. TLC finished 2021 as the #1 primetime ad-supported cable network with W25-54 and W18-49 for the second year in a row.
TLC is a global brand available in more than 77 million homes in the US and 270 million households around the world. Viewers can enjoy their favorite shows anytime, anywhere on discovery+, the definitive non-fiction, real-life subscription streaming service. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites and exclusive original video content. Fans can also interact with TLC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest. TLC is part of Discovery (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), reaching 3 billion cumulative viewers in more than 220 countries and territories to satisfy curiosity and captivate superfans with a portfolio of premium nonfiction, lifestyle, sports and kids content brands.
HGTV Scores Ratings Success with Season Premieres of “Ugliest House in America” and “Renovation Island” on Sunday, July 24
“Renovation Island” delivered a .64 L3 rating among P25-54 and a .86 L3 rating among W25-54 during its season premiere.
[via press release from HGTV]
HGTV SCORES RATINGS SUCCESS WITH SEASON PREMIERES OF ‘UGLIEST HOUSE IN AMERICA: UGLY IN PARADISE’ AND ‘RENOVATION ISLAND’ ON SUNDAY, JULY 24
New York [July 29, 2022] Attracting more than 5.6 million primetime viewers on Sunday, July 24, HGTV delivered strong ratings performances with two highly anticipated season premieres – Ugliest House in America: Ugly in Paradise at 8 and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT and Renovation Island at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Kicking off the night with back-to-back premieres, Ugliest House in America: Ugly in Paradise, which stars comedian and actress Retta as she tours hideous homes across the U.S., delivered a .57 live plus three day rating among P25-54 and a .74 live plus three day rating among W25-54, both of which outpaced the series’ season one premiere in January. It also brought in upscale viewers, garnering a .52 L3 rating among P25-54 and a .61 L3 rating among upscale W25-54. In addition, Ugliest House in America: Ugly in Paradise ranked as a top 5 cable premiere with P25-54, W25-54, upscale W25-54 and upscale M25-54 in the timeslot.
At 9 p.m. ET/PT, Renovation Island, which follows Bryan and Sarah Baeumler and their kids taking on their next major renovation project, delivered a .64 L3 rating among P25-54 and a .86 L3 rating among W25-54 during its season premiere. Upscale audiences also tuned-in, netting a .69 L3 rating among upscale P25-54 and a .88 L3 rating among upscale W25-54. It also ranked as a top 5 non-sports cable premiere with P25-54, W25-54, upscale P25-54 and upscale W25-54 in the 9-10 p.m. timeslot.
“Take the immensely funny and cool Retta in Ugliest House in America: Ugly in Paradise, add the aspirational adventures of the Baeumler family in Renovation Island, and you get ratings gold on Sunday nights,” said Jane Latman, president, Home & Food Content and Streaming. “It’s an unbeatable lineup that millions of people love to watch.”
HGTV’s digital platforms saw impressive fan engagement with content supporting both series, delivering more than 595K video views across the net’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok accounts and more than 172K page views on HGTV.com.
The full first season of Ugliest House in America and two previous seasons of Renovation Island are available to stream on discovery+. Fans also can connect with both series on HGTV’s digital platforms by visiting HGTV.com and by following @HGTV, #UgliestHouseinAmerica and #RenovationIsland on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. In addition, fans can interact with Retta (@unforettable) and the Baeumlers (@bryanbaeumler and @sarahbaeumler) on Instagram.
Ugliest House in America is produced by Big Fish Entertainment.
Renovation Island is produced by Si Entertainment.
ABOUT HGTV
HGTV delivers families with relatable stories, superstar real estate and renovation experts and amazing home transformations that inspire a passionate audience. For anyone seeking entertaining and aspirational home and lifestyle content, HGTV is the place to be. HGTV offers: a top 10 cable network that is distributed to 78 million U.S. households; a website, HGTV.com, that attracts an average of 9.7 million people each month; a social footprint of 27 million; HGTV Magazine, a monthly publication that reaches more than one million readers; and exclusive collections of home-oriented products through the HGTV Home(R) consumer products line. HGTV content also is available on discovery+, the definitive non-fiction, real life subscription streaming service available on most mobile and connected TV devices.
Viewers can become fans of HGTV and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok. HGTV is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, a leading global media and entertainment company available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.
Video: “Dead Zone” – Official Teaser – A Tubi Original
To stop the collapse of humanity, an elite team of soldiers must descend on a radiation-poisoned town and perform the ultimate stealth mission using high-tech armor and weapons.
[via press release from Tubi]
Dead Zone | Official Teaser | A Tubi Original
To stop the collapse of humanity, an elite team of soldiers must descend on a radiation-poisoned town and perform the ultimate stealth mission using high-tech armor and weapons. DEAD ZONE stars Michael Jai White (“Black Dynamite”), Chad Michael Collins (“Sniper Rogue Mission”) and Jeff Fahey (“Lost”). From Automatic Entertainment, DEAD ZONE is directed by Hank Braxtan (“Snake Outta Compton”), based on a screenplay by Michael Klug and Tim Ogletree, story by Jeffrey Giles and Michael Lurie, with Giles and Lurie also serving as producers alongside Arielle Brachfeld (“Dragon Soldiers”) and Tarkan Dospil (“Jurassic Hunt”).
New Song from “Monarch,” “American Cowgirl,” Performed by the Monarch Cast, Featuring Series Star and Golden Globe Nominee Anna Friel, Available Everywhere Now
“American Cowgirl” is a song that captures both the spirit of the show and speaks to the complicated relationship between the mother and daughter duo of country music’s first family, Dottie and Nicky Roman.
[via press release from FOX]
NEW SONG FROM “MONARCH,” “AMERICAN COWGIRL,” PERFORMED BY THE MONARCH CAST, FEATURING SERIES STAR AND GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEE ANNA FRIEL, AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE NOW
TAKE A LOOK BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT THE MAKING OF “AMERICAN COWGIRL” HERE!
VIEWERS CAN VISIT MONARCHPLAY.COM EACH WEEK TO LEARN NEW SONGS FROM THE SHOW ON THE GUITAR!
MONARCH Premieres with a Two-Night Event, Beginning Immediately Following FOX NFL Doubleheader on Sunday, September 11; Night Two Airs Tuesday, September 20, in its Regular Time Period
Produced by three-time GRAMMY Award nominee and series executive music producer Adam Anders and co-produced by Peer Åström; written by Adam Anders, Heather Morgan and Casey Brown, “American Cowgirl” is a song that captures both the spirit of the show and speaks to the complicated relationship between the mother and daughter duo of country music’s first family, Dottie and Nicky Roman.
“We wanted the song “American Cowgirl” to feel like an American classic, but fresh and current at the same time. It had to embody both Dottie and Nicky Roman’s characters musically and lyrically. To accomplish this we teamed up with Casey and Heather, two of the best songwriters in Nashville. When we stumbled on the lyrics “red lips, blue jeans, white pearls’ in our writing session, I knew had something special,” said Anders.
MONARCH is a Texas-sized, multi-generational musical drama about America’s leading family of country music. Headed by the insanely talented, but tough as nails Queen of Country Music DOTTIE CANTRELL ROMAN (Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, “Feud,” “Thelma & Louise”) and her beloved husband, “Texas Truthteller” ALBIE ROMAN (multi-Platinum country music star and three-time Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award winner Trace Adkins, “Old Henry”), the family has become a country music dynasty. But even though the Roman name is synonymous with authenticity, the very foundation of their success is a lie. And when their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, heir to the crown NICOLETTE “NICKY” ROMAN (Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel, “Pushing Daisies”) will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy, while ensuring her own quest for stardom.
OFFICIAL SHOW TWITTER: @MonarchonFOX OFFICIAL SHOW FACEBOOK: @MonarchonFOX OFFICIAL SHOW INSTAGRAM: @MonarchonFOX OFFICIAL SHOW HASHTAG: #Monarch
-FOX-
Video: IFC and Sundance Now Reveal All-New Trailer for Original Comedy Series “Good Grief” Ahead of Season Two Premiere
Season two of the original series will make its U.S., Canadian and U.K. premiere on Thursday, August 4 as binge release on Sundance Now, followed by its North American two-episode broadcast premiere on IFC beginning Wednesday, August 17.
[via press release from AMC Networks]
IFC AND SUNDANCE NOW REVEAL ALL-NEW TRAILER FOR ORIGINAL COMEDY SERIES “GOOD GRIEF” AHEAD OF SEASON TWO PREMIERE
Irreverent New Zealand Comedy Premieres Thursday, August 4 as a Binge Release on Sundance Now, Followed by a Two-Episode Broadcast Premiere Wednesday, August 17 on IFC
NEW YORK – July 29, 2022 – AMC Networks’ IFC and the targeted streaming service Sundance Now released today an all-new trailer for the irreverent kiwi comedy Good Grief. Season two of the original series will make its U.S., Canadian and U.K. premiere on Thursday, August 4 as binge release on Sundance Now, followed by its North American two-episode broadcast premiere on IFC beginning Wednesday, August 17.
Co-created, co-written and starring sisters Eve and Grace Palmer along with co-creator/co-writer Nick Schaedel, the six-episode comedy series is set in small New Zealand town and follows two millennial sisters with very different personalities who inherit a funeral home from their grandfather.
Since inheriting the Loving Tributes funeral home in Season 1, Ellie (Eve Palmer) and Gwen Goode (Grace Palmer, Adrift) have set off on very different paths. Ellie embraces her inner ‘girlboss’, with all the ill-fitting pantsuits, amateur TV ads, and plumber liaisons that entails. Meanwhile, Gwen spends five months DJing in Bali and reappears unexpectedly in New Zealand to discover their mother has a new boyfriend and she’s been kicked out of the family home. Gwen moves in with Ellie, takes up the job of social marketing for Loving Tributes, and embarks on a childish prank war against their mother’s new partner. As family tensions escalate at work and at home, Ellie must decide whether to intervene, or let Gwen grow up all by herself.
Good Grief, Season 2 is directed by Kiel McNaughton (The Legend of Baron To’a, My Life is Murder), produced by Angela Cudd (I Am Waru) and Kerry Warkia (Vai, Waru).
Video: “Partner Track” – Official Trailer – Netflix
At an elite NYC law firm, Ingrid Yun fights to make partner – and hold onto her principles – while balancing romance, friends and family expectations.
[via press release from Netflix]
Partner Track | Official Trailer | Netflix
Being on the partner track is how you find out who you really are. Meet your biggest competition, Ingrid Yun. Based on the acclaimed novel by Helen Wan, Partner Track premieres August 26, only on Netflix.
Synopsis: Ingrid Yun (Arden Cho), a 1st generation Korean American and the first lawyer in her family, experiences the trials and tribulations of excelling at the prestigious (but old school) law firm, Parsons Valentine. With the support of her friends, she battles through workplace challenges to break through the glass ceiling on her path to become partner. But will her drive and ambition leave room for love?
Partner Track Premieres Globally on Netflix August 26, 2022
· Episodes: 10 x 60 minutes
· Developed by: Georgia Lee
· Co-Showrunners and Executive Producers: Georgia Lee, Sarah Goldfinger
· Executive Producers: Kim Shumway, Kristen Campo, Tony Hernandez (for JAX Media), and Julie Anne Robinson
· Directors: Julie Anne Robinson (101-102), Kevin Berlandi (103-104), Tanya Wexler (105-106), Lily Mariye (107-108), and Adam Brooks (109-110)
· Series Regulars: Arden Cho, Bradley Gibson, Alexandra Turshen, Dominic Sherwood, Rob Heaps, Nolan Gerard Funk, Matthew Rauch, Roby Attal
This evening, join Arden Cho, Georgia Lee, and Helen Wan in conversation at 5 pm PST/8 pm EST with Asian Boss Girl’s Helen Wu on Twitter Spaces, hosted by @netflixgolden and @twitterasians.
www.netflix.com/PartnerTrack
#PartnerTrack
“Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” Season Nine Premieres January 3, 2023
Jim Acosta, Carol Burnett, Jamie Chung, Brian Cox, Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Angela Davis, Viola Davis, David Duchovny, Tony Gonzalez, Jeh Johnson, Van Jones, Richard Kind, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Manganiello, Tamera Mowry, Niecy Nash, Edward Norton, Julia Roberts and Danny Trejo are all on tap.
[via press release from PBS]
“FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR.” SEASON NINE PREMIERES JANUARY 3, 2023
New 10-Episode Season Featuring 21 New Celebrities Premiering on PBS
New Episodes Explore Ancestry Stories of Jim Acosta, Carol Burnett, Jamie Chung, Brian Cox, Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Angela Davis, Viola Davis, David Duchovny, Tony Gonzalez, Jeh Johnson, Van Jones, Richard Kind, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Manganiello, Tamera Mowry, Niecy Nash, Edward Norton, Julia Roberts and Danny Trejo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Arlington, VA (July 28, 2022) – Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. returns for an all-new season of FINDING YOUR ROOTS. Over the course of ten episodes, Gates uses genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis to guide twenty-one influential guests through the branches of their family trees. Uncovering buried secrets and inspiring stories of long- forgotten ancestors, the new season will premiere January 3, 2023 on PBS, and stream on PBS.org and the PBS Video app.
FINDING YOUR ROOTS Season Nine highlights the genealogical backgrounds and ancestral stories of prominent guests that helped to define who they are today. The season features actors Jamie Chung (“Lovecraft Country”), Brian Cox (“Succession”), Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”), Claire Danes (“Homeland”), Jeff Daniels (“American Rust”), Viola Davis (“The Woman King”), David Duchovny (“The X-Files”), Richard Kind (“Inside Out”), Joe Manganiello (“True Blood”), Tamera Mowry (“The Real”), Edward Norton (“Fight Club”), Julia Roberts (“Ticket to Paradise”) and Danny Trejo (“Machete”); pop star Cyndi Lauper; comedians Carol Burnett and Niecy Nash; athlete and sportscaster Tony Gonzalez; journalists Jim Acosta and Van Jones; activist Angela Davis; and statesman Jeh Johnson.
At the center of it all, guiding every discovery, is host and executive producer Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University.
Gates remarks, “I am deeply proud of this series – and especially this season. I think it is so important today to show what we have in common, as Americans, and as human beings, despite our apparent differences. The stories we find in our guests’ family trees demonstrate – repeatedly – that we are a fundamentally blended nation that draws strength from our diversity.”
Assembling the extensive family trees and ancestral narratives alongside Dr. Gates are DNA expert CeCe Moore (chief genetic genealogist for Parabon Nanolabs and host of ABC’s “The Genetic Detective”) and genealogists Nick Sheedy and Kimberly Morgan, who together have solved hundreds of mysteries and reconnected innumerable lost relatives over the past two decades.
The public can explore and share their family histories via social media using the hashtag #FindingYourRoots on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, via Facebook.com/FindingYourRootsPBS and @HenryLouisGates, and on the series companion site, pbs.org/FindingYourRoots.
FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR., Season Nine is a production of McGee Media, Inkwell Media, Kunhardt Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the writer, host, and executive producer. Dyllan McGee and Peter Kunhardt are executive producers. John F. Wilson is the executive producer in charge for WETA. Bill Gardner is the executive in charge for PBS. Sabin Streeter is the senior producer. Natalia Warchol is the series producer. Hannah Olson is the consulting producer. Deborah Clancy Porfido is the supervising producer. Kevin Burke is the producer. Robert L. Yacyshyn is the line producer. Sabin Streeter and Krista Whetstone are directors.
Corporate support for FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR., Season Nine is provided by Ancestry and Johnson & Johnson. Major support is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Support is also provided by Ford Foundation, Candace King Weir and by The Inkwell Society and its members.
An electronic press kit for FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR., Season Nine, including downloadable photos for promotional use, is available on PBS Pressroom.
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About McGee Media
McGee Media was founded by award-winning filmmaker Dyllan McGee to produce documentary content that is innovative, compelling, and immersive. Every story is born from a vision of a fairer and more equitable world. Whether it is the sweeping history of the African-American experience, or the intimate personal stories of the hundreds of women who made up the feminist movement, McGee Media uses television, film, and digital media in radical new ways to inform and inspire. Recent projects include Emmy nominated FREDERICK DOUGLASS: IN FIVE SPEECHES (HBO), NOT DONE: WOMEN REMAKING AMERICA (PBS), THE BLACK CHURCH: THIS IS OUR STORY, THIS IS OUR SONG (PBS), RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR (PBS), AFRICA’S GREAT CIVILIZATIONS (PBS), BLACK AMERICA SINCE MLK: AND STILL I RISE (PBS), MAKERS (PBS), FINDING YOUR ROOTS (PBS), ONCE & FOR ALL (AOL), FIRST IN HUMAN (Discovery), and RANCHER, FARMER, FISHERMAN (Discovery).
About Inkwell Media
Inkwell Media was founded by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to produce sophisticated documentary films about the African and African-American experience for a broad audience. The six-part PBS documentary series THE AFRICAN AMERICANS: MANY RIVERS TO CROSS (2013) earned the 2013 Peabody Award and NAACP Image Award. Inkwell has co-produced FREDERICK DOUGLASS: IN FIVE SPEECHES (2022), FINDING YOUR ROOTS, Seasons 1-8 (2012-2022), THE BLACK CHURCH: THIS IS OUR STORY, THIS IS OUR SONG (2021), RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR (2019), AFRICA’S GREAT CIVILIZATIONS (2017), BLACK AMERICA SINCE MLK: AND STILL I RISE (2016), BLACK IN LATIN AMERICA (2011), FACES OF AMERICA (2010), LOOKING FOR LINCOLN (2009), AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES 2 (2008), OPRAH’S ROOTS (2007) and AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES (2006).
About Kunhardt Films
Kunhardt Films specializes in documentary films about the people and ideas that shape American history. Most recently completed is the 4 part Apple TV+ documentary series, LINCOLN’S DILEMMA. Previous documentaries include the 3-part HBO series, OBAMA: IN PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION and feature documentary, A CHOICE OF WEAPONS: INSPIRED BY GORDON PARKS. Past productions include Emmy and Peabody award winning, TRUE JUSTICE: BRYAN STEVENSON’S FIGHT FOR EQUALITY (HBO, 2019); JOHN MCCAIN: FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS (HBO, 2018); KING IN THE WILDERNESS (HBO, 2018); THE NEWSPAPERMAN: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BEN BRADLEE (HBO, 2017); BECOMING WARREN BUFFETT (HBO, 2017); JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY (HBO, 2016). Other films include LIVING WITH LINCOLN (HBO, 2015); NIXON BY NIXON: IN HIS OWN WORDS (HBO, 2014); FINDING YOUR ROOTS (PBS); MAKERS: WOMEN WHO MAKE AMERICA (PBS); THE AFRICAN AMERICANS: MANY RIVERS TO CROSS; (PBS); and GLORIA: IN HER OWN WORDS (HBO, 2011). Kunhardt Films was founded in 1987 as Kunhardt Productions. It is run by Peter Kunhardt and his two sons Teddy and George in Pleasantville, New York.
About WETA
WETA is the leading public broadcaster in the nation’s capital, serving Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia with educational initiatives and with high-quality programming on television, radio and digital. WETA Washington, D.C., is the second-largest producing-station for the PBS system. In addition to producing documentaries and series with Henry Louis Gates, Jr, WETA produces news and public affairs programs including PBS NEWSHOUR and WASHINGTON WEEK; films by Ken Burns and Florentine Films including BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, MUHAMMAD ALI and THE U.S. AND THE HOLOCAUST; performance specials including IN PERFORMANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHWIN PRIZE FOR POPULAR SONG, NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT and A CAPITOL FOURTH; and health content from Well Beings, a multiplatform campaign that includes original broadcast and digital content, engagement campaigns, and impactful local events, including the recent documentary KEN BURNS PRESENTS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS. More information on WETA and its programs and services is available at www.weta.org.Visit www.facebook.com/wetatvfm on Facebook or follow @WETAtvfm on Twitter.
