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Out of all the short-lived Chuck Lorre TV shows that have been canceled rather early and abruptly after a few seasons (like the controversial-ish "United States of Al" or "B Positive"), the axing of HBO Max's "Bookie" hurts the most. Admittedly, it's more of a bummer if you're a long-time fan of the show's Italian-American lead, comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (his early stand-up specials are stone-cold bangers that deservedly made him a megastar in show business), but even if you're not, it's easy to tell that "Bookie" was different from your average Lorre sitcom.

First of all, it wasn't lukewarm broadcast television like most of his productions (which usually air on CBS), but a show specifically made for streaming. That alone gave the half-hour comedy a distinct feel and allowed it to blossom in a playground with fewer limitations. The series needed that extended freedom due to its subject matter and shady characters,...

One of the most influential box office failures of the 21st century, Grindhouse spawned several spin-off movies in addition to reintroducing a vintage aesthetic that has been mimicked by countless other throwback movies in its wake.

Now the 2007 love letter to exploitation cinema has received a new collection of apparel form Gutter Garbs.

Sam Coyne created appropriately retro-style designs for both Robert Rodriguez‘s Planet Terror and Quentin Tarantino‘s Death Proof.

The line also includes three other designs: Dr. Dakota Block from Planet Terror, the Death Proof key art, and Stuntman Mike’s emblem from Death Proof.

T-shirts start at $32 with Comfort Colors tees for $34. A “Double Feature” 24×18 poster featuring a mash-up of Coyne’s designs is also avaialble for $40.

Pre-orders are open through Thursday, March 13, and will ship the week of March 30.

Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez, Michael Biehn, Jeff Fahey, Josh Brolin, and Marley Shelton star in Planet Terror.

John Carpenter's 1986 action-comedy "Big Trouble in Little China" is a pretty strange movie that has earned a special place in the hearts of fans as a cult classic. In it, truck driver Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) becomes entangled in a battle against ancient evil with his friend and pseudo-sidekick, Wang Chi (Dennis Dun). Instead of being an all-out action hero, however, Jack is actually really kind of Wang Chi's sidekick, cracking wise and getting the girl but never doing much in the way of fighting. He's an all-American hero archetype despite this, and apparently, it's at least partially because Russell was channeling Western movie legend John Wayne.

In his interview book, "John Carpenter: Prince Of Darkness," Carpenter explained that he and Russell decided that he should play the character like the famous Western actor because Wayne had a certain kind of "blowhard" attitude that worked perfectly. By playing Jack Burton...

The B-movie tribute by Quentin Tarantinoand Robert Rodriguezwill soon be available to stream for free. Fans of gritty '70s cinema will get their chance to see the experiment that was the 2007 double feature movie called Grindhouse, in which the auteurs paid tribute to the style of movies that inspired them to make their own. Tarantino's Death Proof and Rodriguez's Planet Terror are two quite unique movies that evoke the style of exploitation films from the 1970s, which often played in grindhouse theaters where low-budget films were exhibited. They ranged from horror features to adult films, and the two 2007 movies try their best to encompass these multiple genres.

Robert Rodriguez's is a zombie action movie, which picks up "After an experimental bio-weapon is released, turning thousands into zombie-like creatures, it's up to a rag-tag group of survivors to stop the infected and those behind its release." Tarantino's,...

Well, this is a big, fat bummer you can bet on: After two short seasons on Max, the streamer announced it has canceled Bookie, a sitcom nestled in the world of sports betting. Why? While your guess is as good as mine (because the show is rife with great characters and plenty of humor), it’s likely due to poor ratings, despite the warm critical reception and acclaim it has received since its premiere in November 2023.

This reception, combined with a 90% Tomatometer and 86% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, is why Max absolutely made the wrong decision in cancelling Bookie. Audiences clearly loved the show, which brought us some big laugh-out-loud moments during its run.

A Max spokesperson said in a statement:

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting.

It's the end of the line for Bookie, the Max comedy series co-created by Chuck Lorre. The series served as a Two and a Half Men reunion of sorts, as Charlie Sheen also had a guest role in both seasons of the show.

Per Variety,Bookie has been canceled at Max after two seasons. Co-created by Lorre and Nick Bakay, the series starred comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (The Super Mario Bros. Movie) as a bookmaker in Los Angeles, while Sheen was featured in guest appearances as himself. The first season debuted in Nov. 2023, and Season 2 premiered this past December before wrapping up in February. Now, it's been confirmed that there won't be a Season 3.

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RelatedThis Is Why Melanie Lynskey Left Two and a Half Men

Melanie Lynskey's leaving Two and a Half Men made it obvious the show had some internal issues.

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast,...

Sad news for fans of Bookie.

On Tuesday (February 18), it was announced that Max has canceled the comedy series, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey, after two seasons.

Bookie followed veteran Los Angeles bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as the potential legalization of sports gambling in California threatens to upend his business for good. Alongside best friend and former NFL player Ray (Dorsey), side-hustling sister Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), and reluctantly reformed drug dealer Hector (Jorge Garcia), Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own. Full of relatable mishaps, Bookie chronicles one man’s journey to adapt to an ever-changing world as he attempts to charm and con his way to the top.

Keep reading to find out more…In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson for Max addressed the cancellation.

“For two seasons creators...

Bookie, the comedy series Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay created, has been canceled at Max after two seasons.

The series, which premiered on the Warner Bros. Discovery streamer in November 2023 and premiered its second season in December 2024, was not renewed for a third season.

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting,” a Max spokesperson told Deadline. “We won’t be moving forward with a third season, but we are grateful to have worked with such a brilliant team on this laugh out loud comedy.”

Sebastian Maniscalco starred as Danny Colavito in Bookie, which is about a veteran bookie who must fight to survive the legalization of sports gambling in Los Angeles.

Bookie also starred Omar Dorsey as Ray Ballard. The cast also included Andrea Anders, Vanessa Ferlito,...

All bets are off.

“Bookie” has been canceled by Max after two seasons, Variety has learned exclusively.

The comedy series starred Sebastian Maniscalco as a veteran bookmaker in Los Angeles who must fight to survive the legalization of sports gambling while navigating unstable clients. Created by Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, the show premiered on the Warner Bros. Discovery streamer in November 2023 and debuted its second season in December 2024.

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting,” a Max spokesperson said in a statement. “We won’t be moving forward with a third season, but we are grateful to have worked with such a brilliant team on this laugh out loud comedy.”

“Bookie” also starred Omar Dorsey as Rayfield “Ray” Ballard, Andrea Anders as Sandra, Vanessa Ferlito as Lorraine Colavito,...

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The "NCIS" franchise is amongst the most successful in the history of television. The flagship show is still going today after 22 seasons and is rapidly approaching 500 episodes. Created by Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill, it's rivaled only by the monster that is "Law & Order" as far as long-running prime time shows go. More than the show itself, "NCIS" is the gift that keeps on giving as it has spawned several very successful spin-offs, most notably "NCIS: New Orleans." That series, which premiered in 2014, had a stellar run that anyone who creates a show could only dream of. Still, even very good things must come to an end. But why did this beloved show have to end?

"NCIS: New Orleans" ended its seven-season run in May 2021 after CBS decided to cancel the crime drama set in the Big Easy. The...

Bookie Season 2 is coming to an end tonight at 9 p.m. Et on Max.

In the Season 2 finale, a violent showdown in Costa Rica leads to a breakthrough, and Danny and Marian have their own realizations back in LA.

The comedy series follows veteran Los Angeles bookie Danny (Sebastian Maniscalco) as the potential legalization of sports gambling in California threatens to upend his business for good. Alongside best friend and former NFL player Ray (Omar J. Dorsey), side-hustling sister Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), and reluctantly reformed drug dealer Hector (Jorge Garcia), Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own. Full of relatable mishaps, Bookie chronicles one man’s journey to adapt to an ever-changing world as he attempts to charm and con his way to the top.

Of course, fans are curious if the...

NCIS achieved only what a few television franchises could do, with widespread acclaim and lasting popularity. The procedural drama is filled with charismatic characters that have kept the audiences invested for decades.

Diane Neal in NCIS: New Orleans | CBS

It’s a franchise that’s built on its creators’ ability to expand and innovate, which led to several of its successful spin-offs. However, not every attempt was a success, and some ceased to exist just after a few episodes.

CBS shelved NCIS: Red — A risk that had no payoff A still from NCIS: Los Angeles | CBS

In 2013, we were introduced to a backdoor pilot for NCIS: Red and it aired in NCIS: Los Angeles’ fourth season. The series was set to be about a mobile team of agents who would solve crimes across the country, as they lived and worked together in close proximity.

They also had a promising cast,...

Butterfly Blues.

After closing out December with a look at Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3 (listen) and Sophia Takal’s Into the Dark entry “New Year, New You” (listen), we’re kicking off 2025 with a bang by concluding the Grindhouse double feature that we started last summer with Planet Terror (listen) and finally making our way to Quentin Tarantino‘s Death Proof (2007)!

In Death Proof, two separate groups of women are stalked by a vicious serial killer named Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), who uses his “death proof” car to execute his murderous plans.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Amazon Music, and RSS.

Episode 316: Death Proof (2007)

Grab your belts and hop on the roof of that car because we’re discussing our very first Quentin Tarantino film in 2007’s pseudo-slasher/exploitation film Death Proof.

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Bookie is a comedy-drama series created by Chuk Lorre and Nick Bakay. The Max series follows a veteran bookie as he tries to survive in the face of sports gambling legalization while also dealing with unstable clients and worried family members. Bookie stars Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar Dorsey, Andrea Anders, Vanessa Ferlito, Jorge Garcia, Maxim Swinton, and Rob Corddry. So, if you loved the dark comedy, a bit of crime drama, and compelling characters in Bookie here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Mr. Inbetween (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – FX

Mr. Inbetween is a dark comedy crime-drama series created by Scott Ryan. Based on Ryan’s 2005 film The Magician, the FX series follows Ray Shoesmith, an assassin and a divorced father who tries to find a balance between his life of crime and being a loving father.

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Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay are back together for the next chapter of their hit comedy with Bookie season 2. The 10-time Emmy nominee and Bakay's history of collaborations goes back to the former's second-ever created show with 1994's Grace Under Fire, in which the latter made a guest appearance, before later reuniting on Two and a Half Men, in which Bakay worked both in front of and behind the camera on Mom, Young Sheldon, The Kominsky Method and Bob Hearts Abishola. The Max show also served as Bakay's debut in the creator's chair, co-writing every episode with Lorre.

Bookie season 2 sees Lorre and Bakay returning to the world of underground sports gambling through the lens of veteran bookie, Danny, and his associate and former professional football player, Ray. Season 2 finds the duo encountering further changes to their business, including learning of offshore...

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Danny and Ray are facing more than just troublemaking clients in Bookie season 2. The duo were first brought to life in the first season of Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay's Max comedy by acclaimed stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco and character actor Omar Dorsey. Season 1 of the show ended with Maniscalco's Danny still reeling from his wife, Sandra, leaving him to spend time with her mother amid his bookkeeping business becoming deadly, while Ray moved him, his grandma and her soon-to-be husband back to an affluent mansion.

Bookie season 2 picks up right from the events of the season 1 finale, with Danny racing off to Northern California to try and win Sandra back, all while conflicting with his mother-in-law. Ray, meanwhile, stays with his grandma to watch over Frank after his cardiac arrest in the season 1 finale, though finds his stabilizing life becoming...

The home stretch before Christmas has arrived, but there are plenty of new shows arriving on streamers this month to either binge before the end of the year.

Those in the mood for mystery can dive into No Good Deed on Netflix Dec. 12 or Laid on Peacock Dec. 19. The former is from Dead To Me creator Liz Feldman, and the latter stars Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet with a touch more comedy.

Find the five best new shows streaming in December 2024 below:

Related: The Best 10 Movies To Stream This Month

Black Doves – Dec. 5 – Netflix

Keira Knightley in ‘Black Doves’

Keira Knightley stars as Helen Webb in Black Doves, an action filled spy show set in London at Christmas. Knighyley’s Webb is a dedicated wife, mother and spy. She has been secretly passing her politician husband’s secrets to the clandestine organization she works for, The Black Doves, for ten years.

Every once in a while, Sebastian Maniscalco’s stand-up persona creeps into his performance on Max’s “Bookie.” But rather than ask him to tone it down, executive producers Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay welcome the occasional slip.

“He bailed us out,” Bakay says of an upcoming episode of “Bookie,” which returns to Max with ten more episodes for Season 2, rolling out weekly starting Thursday, Dec. 12. “Sometimes we’ll ask for it when we’re in trouble. We’ll be like, ‘hey buddy, we got nothing here!’”

Fans of Maniscalco’s standup know what Bakay is talking about: Whenever he’s ready to make a point, the stand-up star will pause, throw on a thicker swagger and exaggerate the syllables in a certain word or phrase for comedic effect.

And he admits to it popping up on camera: “Sometimes the stage Sebastian comes out a little bit,” says Maniscalco, who...

The Max original series Bookie takes the idea of finding comedy in everyday life to the next level. The series follows two bookies, played by Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey, as they run their illegal sports gambling business while trying to avoid (but still get into) various hiccups and headaches along the way.

The first season of Bookie was nothing short of a surprise, and Season 2 is promising even more hijinks and hilarity. Cbr spoke with creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay to learn what makes the series unique. The pair -- who are well experienced in more mainstream sitcoms such as Two and a Half Men -- talked about working together and finding Bookie's dark sense of humor.

Cbr: Chuck, you're one of the biggest names in the sitcom world, having created countless hits such as Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. What is...

Hector and Lorraine's potential romance in Bookie season 2 has been addressed by the show's showrunners, teasing a conclusion to their unfulfilled relationship. The Max series, created by The Big Bang Theory's Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, stars Sebastian Maniscalco as Danny, a veteran sports bookie trying to keep his illegal operation afloat in Los Angeles while grappling with the changing landscape of legalized gambling. Bookie season 2 continues with its star-studded cast featuring Omar Dorsey, Jorge Garcia, Vanessa Ferlito, and Charlie Sheen as himself.

In an interview with ScreenRant's Grant Hermanns, Bookie showrunner Chuck Lorre discusses Hector’s infatuation with Lorraine and hints at how the dynamic could evolve in a potential season 3. In season 1, Hector (Gabriel Iglesias), Danny's loyal but often bumbling employee, helps Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), Danny's sharp-tongued sister, transform her illegal mushroom business into a therapeutic psychedelic company. Lorre shared the following:

Well, we know how he feels.

Bookie returns to Max December 12 with a familiar face and the appearance of two TV comedy vets who were recruited to help spice up the action around the sports betting world.

Charlie Sheen is back to play himself in the second season of the Sebastian Maniscalco comedy, which follows bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as he and his partner, former NFL star Ray (Omar J. Dorsey), romp around Los Angeles trying to keep their illegal sports betting operation in play. The eight-episode second season will lead up to the season finale on Thursday, January 30.

“Charlie was such a home run for us in season one, we thought we’d extend the metaphor a little,” Nick Bakay, who co-created the comedy with Chuck Lorre, tells Deadline. “I don’t want to spoil things, but I refer to his arrival this season as Deus Ex Sheen. He is forever a part of the Bookie family.

Doing business with a man who made billions on child labor and may have murdered a past associate. Jokes about children being sexually abused in the foster system. Extreme and public intimate partner violence played for laughs because both partners are men. Though you might think plotlines like these went extinct circa Entourage and Sons of Anarchy, Bookie is doing its best to revive the antihero era. Sometimes it feels like a charmingly retro throwback; mostly it’s so sweaty and off-putting that it reminds you why they don’t make TV like this anymore.

Bookie, which premiered on Max late last November, was co-created by superstar EP Chuck Lorre and his frequent collaborator Nick Bakay, and wildly successful stand-up comic Sebastian Maniscalco stars as Danny, the titular bookie. Though some lip service is paid to the fact of legalized sports betting and how it could affect Danny’s business,...

Even though HBO Max was rebranded to Max a while ago, its nature of offering monthly releases to viewers has not changed. As a result, like every other month, some of the best TV shows are heading to Max this December. Despite its vast library of titles, its users are constantly on the lookout for something new.

Therefore, if you're someone who is looking forward to watching a new TV series this December or waiting for the renewal of a show you've seen before, Max may have a solution. From originals to other programs, these are some of the best TV series coming to Max in December 2024.

'Creature Commandos' Streaming December 5

Creature Commandos, written by James Gunn, is an upcoming animated series that will serve as the first entry in both the new DC Universe and Dcu's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. In this new television show, which is helmed by Dean Lorey as showrunner,...

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Max is ready with an entertainment-packed December this year. The upcoming month will see the return of some of Max’s brilliant original crime comedy series Bookie and also a new original epic DC series Creature Commandos. Just like every month, Max is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 5 new movies and TV shows coming to Max in December 2024.

Creature Commandos Season 1 (December 5) Credit – Max

Creature Commandos is an upcoming adult animated superhero action series created by James Gunn. Based on the characters from DC Comics, the upcoming Max series is the first series in the DC Universe and it revolves around a group of black ops team consisting of literal imprisoned monsters who fight against the threats facing the United States. Creature Commandos’ voice cast includes Steve Agee,...

Take a look at Season 2 of the “Bookie" episodic comedy TV series from Chuck Lorre ("The Big Bang"), directed by Andy Tennant, starring Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar J. Dorsey, Vanessa Ferlito, Jorge Garcia, Andrea Anders, Maxim Swinton and Charlie Sheen, streaming December 12, 2024 on Max:

"…veteran Los Angeles bookie 'Danny' freaks out over online opportunities like Woo Casino login, that could pave the way for the legalization of sports gambling in California, threatening to upend his business for good.

"He works alongside best friend and former 'NFL' player 'Ray', side-hustling sister 'Lorraine' and reformed drug dealer 'Hector', who is into online platforms like Playamo.

“Now Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own.

"Full of relatable mishaps, 'Bookie' chronicles one man’s journey to adapt to an...

It's now been revealed when Bookie will return to streaming on Max. A new trailer has also been released, sharing a look at Charlie Sheen's return as a special guest in Season 2.

Per Max, Bookie Season 2 will premiere on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. New episodes will then debut weekly on the streaming platform. The series comes from Two and a Half Men co-creator Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, marking a special reunion of sorts. Following the well-publicized falling out between Sheen and Lorre during their Two and a Half Men days, the pair reconnected with a special appearance from the actor in Bookie Season 1. Like in the first season, Sheen is not expected to be featured heavily in Season 2, but his presence in the new trailer hints at what's to come from the controversial Hollywood star, who plays himself in the series.

Related 10 Best Rose Episodes in Two and a Half Men...

Bookie has its return date, and fans don’t have long to wait to see more of this comedy series from Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay. Max announced a December premiere date for season two with the release of a trailer.

Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar J. Dorsey, Vanessa Ferlito, Jorge Garcia, Andrea Anders, Maxim Swinton, and Rob Corddry star in the comedy series. Guest stars this season will include Charlie Sheen, Ray Romano, Zach Braff, and Brad Garrett.

Read More…...

Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey are back to collect. And this time, they’ve got a baby with them.

On Thursday, Max released the trailer for the eight-episode second season of Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay comedy “Bookie.” This season’s degenerate-gambler guest stars include Charlie Sheen, Ray Romano, Zach Braff, and Brad Garrett. For those keeping track at home, that’s two “Everybody Loves Raymond” stars, the guy from “Scrubs” whose character owes Maniscalco’s a cool $42,000, and Charlie Sheen, who just makes sense here.

Romano may just be a guest star here, but he is IndieWire’s star of the day. Ray Romano has now been featured in three different trailers today — and we haven’t even had lunch yet. He’s opposite Lisa Kudrow in the “No Good Deeds” trailer and appears as himself in “The Romano Twins,” a documentary made by Romano’s identical twin sons about growing up as,...

Take a look at Season 2 of the “Bookie" episodic comedy TV series from Chuck Lorre ("The Big Bang"), directed by Andy Tennant, starring Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar J. Dorsey, Vanessa Ferlito, Jorge Garcia, Andrea Anders, Maxim Swinton and Charlie Sheen, streaming December 12, 2024 on Max:

"…veteran Los Angeles bookie 'Danny' freaks out over the potential legalization of sports gambling in California that threatens to upend his business for good.

"Alongside best friend and former 'NFL' player 'Ray', side-hustling sister 'Lorraine' and reluctantly reformed drug dealer 'Hector', Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own.

"Full of relatable mishaps, 'Bookie' chronicles one man’s journey to adapt to an ever-changing world as he attempts to charm and con his way to the top..."

Click the images to enlarge.

We’re getting the first look at Season 2 of Bookie, the Max original comedy from Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey. The eight-episode second season returns on Thursday, December 12 with weekly episodes leading up to the season finale oin Thursday, January 30.

In the first trailer we get a glimpse of some of this season’s guest stars, including Charlie Sheen, Ray Romano, Zach Braff and Brad Garrett.

The dark comedy follows veteran Los Angeles bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as the potential legalization of sports gambling in California threatens to upend his business for good. Alongside best friend and former NFL player Ray (Dorsey), side-hustling sister Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), and reluctantly reformed drug dealer Hector (Jorge Garcia), Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own. Full of relatable mishaps,...

All bets are on.

The highly anticipated second season of “Bookie” hits Max on Dec. 12, with new episodes streaming weekly. In the new trailer, Danny (Sebastian Maniscalco) takes issue with Ray (Omar J. Dorsey) bringing his baby along for their rounds, leading to some serious “baby mama drama.” The sneak peak also teases guest appearances from Charlie Sheen, Ray Romano, Zach Braff, and Brad Garrett. Watch the trailer below.

From Emmy-nominated creator Chuck Lorre (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Nick Bakay, this dark comedy follows veteran Los Angeles bookie Danny as the potential legalization of sports gambling in California threatens to upend his business for good.

Alongside best friend and former NFL player Ray, side-hustling sister Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), and reluctantly reformed drug dealer Hector (Jorge Garcia), Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own.

From Emmy-nominated creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, the Max Original comedy series Bookie returns for its second season on Thursday, December 12.

The eight-episode season, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and produced by Warner Bros. Television, will debut episodes weekly on Max leading up to the season finale on Thursday, January 30.

From Emmy-nominated creator Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory) and Nick Bakay, this darkly funny comedy follows veteran Los Angeles bookie Danny (Sebastian Maniscalco) as the potential legalization of sports gambling in California threatens to upend his business for good.

Alongside best friend and former NFL player Ray (Omar J. Dorsey), side-hustling sister Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), and reluctantly reformed drug dealer Hector (Jorge Garcia), Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own.

Full of relatable mishaps, Bookie Season 2 chronicles one man’s journey to...

The Prime Video comedy series “Harlem” returns for a third season on Jan. 23, the streamer announced this week. The show will premiere worldwide across more than 240 countries through Amazon’s Prime Video platform. Created by Tracy Oliver, “Harlem” will continue to follow its four main best friends, Quinn (Grace Byers), Tye (Jerrie Johnson), Camille (Meagan Good) and Angie (Shoniqua Shandai), through romance, friendship, motherhood and their professional careers.

New cast members include Seth (Kofi Siriboe), an MLB player who also happens to be a romantic interest; Portia (Logan Browning), a beautiful woman from Ian’s (Tyler Lepley) childhood; and Eva (Gail Bean), a young woman who starts working with Tye. Eva’s mother will be played by Robin Givens.

First Looks

The reality television series “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” will premiere its third season on Jan. 8 at 8:00–10:00 p.m. Et/Pt. Season 3 will feature a slate of...

There are a bunch of NCIS characters I wish the franchise would return, especially after canceling their spinoff shows. While these characters technically lost their footing in the shared NCIS universe when their spinoffs were canceled, with the NCIS franchise, there's always a possibility that displaced characters will return. One of the most memorable instances is when NCIS: Hawai'i returned LL Cool J's Sam Hanna after the franchise canceled NCIS: Los Angeles in 2023. The character got a second wind on the island-based spinoff, reviving a beloved NCIS cast member while canonically maintaining the rich NCIS tapestry.

Now that the NCIS franchise has canceled nearly all its location-based spinoff series, the need to return existing spinoff characters is greater than ever. I can sense that the franchise wants to focus on more serialized content based on familiar characters rather than specialized offices. Still, when the NCIS franchise established offices in Los Angeles,...

Writer and director Quentin Tarantino might not have any love lost for his film "Death Proof," which he has famously claimed is his worst, but we here at /Film believe that it's the Tarantino classic we don't talk about enough. There's a lot to love in this half of "Grindhouse," which follows a kind of slasher named Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) who hunts and kills beautiful women using his tricked-out stunt car. There are the wild car chases and incredibly dangerous stunts. There's the killer soundtrack. There are the amazing actors who play the victims and then the queens who get their revenge on Mike. And then, of course, there's Russell himself, who is arguably one of the coolest performers to ever grace the silver screen. 

Tarantino is pretty well-known for his homages and references to the films that inspired his work, but he's not above throwing in a few straight-up Easter eggs either.

Rob Corddry has been promoted to series regular status for Season 2 of the Max comedy series “Bookie.” Corddry appeared in Season 1 of the Chuck Lorre series in the guest role of Walt Dinty.

Season 2 of “Bookie” is set to debut on the streamer in December. Corddry joins fellow returning cast members Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar J. Dorsey, Jorge Garcia, Andrea Anders, Vanessa Ferlito and Maxim Swinton.

Per the official description, “Bookie” follows “veteran Los Angeles bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as the potential legalization of sports gambling in California threatens to upend his business for good. Alongside best friend and former NFL player Ray (Dorsey), side-hustling sister Lorraine (Ferlito), and reluctantly reformed drug dealer Hector (Garcia), Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own.”

Corddry’s recent credits include shows like “Hit-Monkey,” “The Unicorn,” “This Fool,...

NCIS: New Orleans ran for seven seasons on CBS and lost a couple of original cast members along the way, including Zoe McLellan as Special Agent Meredith "Merri" Brody. The action crime drama was the second spinoff in the NCIS franchise and the third show overall. As its title indicates, NCIS: New Orleans follows a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) team in New Orleans, Louisiana, led by Scott Bakula's Supervisory Special Agent Dwayne Cassius Pride. McLellan's Brody was a part of that team, but she left following the season 2 finale.

CBS canceled NCIS: New Orleans after seven seasons due to poor ratings and changes in the TV business. The NCIS franchise's third spinoff, NCIS: Hawaii, premiered a few months after the NCIS: New Orleans series finale in 2021.

McLellan was a part of the original cast of NCIS: New Orleans, which is what made her exit surprising. Bakula, McLellan, Lucas Black,...

Griselda is hands down one of the best crime dramas streaming on Netflix. It was released on the streaming platform back in January 2024 and was an instant hit. It stars Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Sofia Vergara as one of the most notorious Colombian drug lords, Griselda Blanco, aka the Cocaine Godmother.

Over six episodes, viewers watch Griselda's journey from beginning to end as she rises from obscurity to become an infamous Colombian drug trader, creating one of the most profitable cartels in history. Starring alongside Vergara were Alberto Guerra, Vanessa Ferlito, Christian Tappan, Martin Rodriguez, Juliana Aidén Martinez, Alberto Ammann, and many others.

Vergara had not only starred in the series but also served as an executive producer. Griselda had been somewhat of a passion project of hers for a very long time. In a new interview with Variety, Vergara spoke about what led her to want to create a series about Griselda's life,...

“Fuck that shit! Let’s kill this bastard.”

Slashers are a staple of the horror genre. When we think about this lovably formulaic narrative trope we imagine masked killers, sharp knives, and final girls who find empowerment by picking up the killer’s weapon and refuse to play a part in someone else’s story. What we don’t often think about is cars. Typical slasher villains are more likely to be seen hiding in bushes or lurking on the edges of a placid lake than behind the wheel of a tricked out stunt car. But not in Quentin Tarantino’s world. The unique director takes his own crack at the slasher with Death Proof, a thrilling action/horror blend with intoxicating hangout vibes and a group of ferocious female friends.

Julia (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) is excited for a night out on the town in sweaty Austin, Texas when a...

2024 is nearly half over and while it’s a wasteland at the box office this year for television fans it is one of the better years as we have gotten many brilliant shows both at the big and small scale. With incredible series like Masters of the Air starting the year, there was no way that the rest of the year could go bad and that’s what happened because we got powerful and thrilling shows like Shōgun, Fallout, and 3 Body Problem. So, if you want to know the best new shows that came out this year here are the top picks for you. We have only added the shows that came out with their first season this year and excluded the shows that returning with a new season.

Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Baby Reindeer is a psychological thriller and dark comedy series created by Richard Gadd. Based on Gadd...

Ruah's Kensi Blye could seamlessly slide into Jessica Knight's role on the McRt with her vast experience and connections. Gregorio from NCIS: New Orleans possesses skills and qualities that align with Knight's, making her a solid replacement option. Lucy Tara from NCIS: Hawai'i could provide a fresh perspective as Knight's replacement, adding new dynamics to the team dynamic.

After the twist ending for Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) at the end of NCIS season 21, a character from one of the show's spinoffs could fill her role on the Major Case Response Team. It was revealed that the special agent was departing the team in the NCIS season 21 finale, and Jessica Knight's departure continues a 19-year franchise legacy. When looking at who could fill the role next, it's important to consider how a potential replacement would gel with Alden Parker (Gary Cole), Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), Nick Torres...

Quick Links What Was Tarantino's Canceled Project? Why Could Tarantino Try Making a Horror Movie? Why Is Tarantino Such an Important Director of Genre Films? Tarantino has a great love for horror, though he has never directed a horror feature. Tarantino's canceled project, The Movie Critic, hints at a potential shift toward making a horror film. Despite challenges, Tarantino's strong fan base and studio trust may pave the way for him to explore horror in his final film.

As much as we like to think that Quentin Tarantino is a rebellious and provocative movie director, he's proven to like Hollywood dynamics quite a bit throughout his career. The winner of two Oscars, albeit none for Best Director but for Best Original Screenplay, Hollywood's most successful black sheep is such an original storyteller that his films could carry a warranty seal: you will always get something different than you would expect.

“I was crying laughing! I had to get out of the car,” reveals comedian Sebastian Maniscalco about a moment on set this season where he broke character and couldn’t contain his laughter. For our recent webchat he adds, “Man, I broke it last week and started laughing, and sometimes it’s only it’s in your head and no one even knows what the hell I was laughing about, but I had a whole story in my head about the character next to me.” Watch our exclusive video interview above.

See Charlie Sheen and Chuck Lorre reunite after ‘Two and a Half Men’ feud for ‘Bookie’

In “Bookie,” Maniscalco stars as Danny, a veteran bookie navigating his fast-paced L.A. life with his many unstable clients, family and colleagues. The eight-episode Max comedy was created by 10-time Emmy nominee Chuck Lorre and comedian/producer Nick Bakay, and co-stars Omar Dorsey,...

As one of the most pure auteurs working in Hollywood today, Quentin Tarantino's films bear the unmistakable imprint of his vision and mad genius. He has written every movie that he's directed but also authored scripts produced by other filmmakers, which still carry that signature Tarantino style. His penchant for colorful dialog is a dead giveaway that he's had a hand in something.

Following the success of Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino became a hot commodity, and his unproduced screenplays were snapped up, but he was also given several uncredited writing gigs to punch up listless stories. From films as diverse as Crimson Tide to the SNL stinker, It's Pat, Tarantino has played the script doctor. The real meat of his career, however, is the interesting stories and eclectic characters that have flowed from his scripts to the big screen.

Four Rooms Is A Quarter Of Quentin Tarantino

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Exclusive: Dale Dickey has been tapped for a heavily recurring role in the upcoming second season of Max comedy Bookie, from Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay.

Starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey, the comedy series follows bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as he and his partner, former NFL star Ray (Dorsey), romp around Los Angeles trying to keep their illegal sports-betting operation in play.

Season 2 presumably will show [Spoiler Alert] whether Danny can win back the affections of his wife Sandra (Andrea Anders), after his Super Bowl win seems to have torn them apart, as well as Ray dealing with the fallout of his mother’s wedding, which saw the groom seemingly die at the altar.

Dickey will play Sandra’s (Anders) mother.

Bookie also stars Vanessa Ferlito as Danny’s side-hustling sister Lorraine, Jorge Garcia as reluctantly reformed drug dealer-turned-soccer expert Hector and Maxim Swinton as Sandra’s 10-year-old son.

The series...

Charlie Sheen has no problems poking some fun at himself with his role in the first season of Bookie on Max. The show was developed in part by Chuck Lorre, the creator of Sheen's old sitcom Two and a Half Men, who's now confirmed the actor's return for Season 2.

In Season 1 of Bookie on Max, Sheen played a fictionalized version of himself in a recurring role. The show was renewed for a second season after pulling in some strong reviews, though it hadn't been clear if Sheen would return. At Deadline's Contenders TV 2024, Lorre verified that Sheen would be back in Season 2, though he didn't say if this would be limited to a cameo or in a recurring capacity. He went on to praise Sheen's work as a performer.

Related Two and a Half Men Star Is Open to Working With Charlie Sheen Again Two and a Half Men...

The mother of all reunions is not over yet: Chuck Lorre said at Deadline’s Contenders TV on Sunday that Charlie Sheen will return for a cameo (or two?) in season 2 of Max’s Bookie.

The former star of Two and a Half Men showed up in season one as himself in the Sebastian Maniscalco comedy. The reunion almost upstaged the comedy itself, which follows bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as he and his partner, former NFL star Ray (Omar J. Dorsey), romp around Los Angeles trying to keep their illegal sports betting operation in play.

“I’ve always been an admirer of his work. His work is impeccable,” Lorre told the audience. “After all this time, his chops are undiminished. It was an extraordinary experience to put everything behind us and work together again.”

Lorre’s co-creator on the comedy, Nick Bakay, said the two of them have been marveling about...

"Griselda", the grisly new crime drama TV series, directed by Eric Newman and Andrés Baiz, starring Sofía Vergara in prosthetic makeup, is currently in its third week at #1 on the Netflix English TV List:

"...'Griselda' is inspired by the degenerate life of ambitious 'Griselda Blanco', who created one of the most profitable drug cartels in history.

“In 1970's-80's Miami, Blanco's lethal blend of savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family, leading her to become widely known as the 'Godmother'..."

Cast also includes Alberto Guerra, Christian Tappan, Martín Rodríguez, Juliana Aidén Martinez, Vanessa Ferlito and Carolina Giraldo.

Click the images to enlarge...

Warning: Spoilers for Griselda.

Griselda Blanco's rise to prominence in the Miami drug scene is depicted in the Netflix series Griselda, which explores her struggles as a female crime boss in a male-dominated world. Griselda's paranoia and loss of control lead to disastrous consequences, including the accidental death of an innocent child. The events mark a turning point in her empire. Griselda's plan to escape the cartel and secure protective custody backfires when her star witness, Rivi, betrays her to avoid the death penalty. The Da's case against her falls apart, but tragedy strikes before her release from prison.

Griselda is the newest crime drama from Netflix that hasn’t left the platform’s top 10 list since its debut last month. The limited series follows the notorious Colombian drug lord, Griselda Blanco (Sofía Vergara), whose cocaine trade took over the Miami drug scene in the 1970s until her eventual downfall in 1985 following her arrest.

Griselda is an exciting and dark series about a drug lord's rise and downfall, enticing audiences into the world of crime and violence. Viewers left wanting more after Griselda can binge on other series like Power, Nurse Jackie, and Snowfall that explore drugs, power, and strong characters. Shows like Mayans M.C., Dopesick, and Narcos offer similar themes of drug-related stories, corruption, and crime, making them perfect follow-ups to Griselda.

One of Netflix's first successful releases of 2024 was Sofia Vergara's newest series, Griselda, and after finishing its six episodes, audiences should consider watching these other highly bingeable, drug-related crime shows. Griselda follows the true story of Columbian drug lord, Griselda Blanco. The series sees her rise to power on the beaches of Miami, followed by her betrayal-filled downfall which results in several tragic deaths. Griselda's cast includes Modern Family star, Sofia Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Vanessa Ferlito, and Christian Tappan.