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Exclusive: Keith Powell has signed with Paradigm for representation in film and television as a director and writer.

Powell is perhaps best known for his series regular role as Toofer on the Emmy Award-winning NBC series 30 Rock. He received a group SAG award for Ensemble in a Comedy alongside his 30 Rock cast mates.

Powell currently recurs on Apple TV+’s Shrinking and has recurred in the past on NBC’s hit drama series This Is Us, HBO’s The Newsroom, and NBC’s About A Boy. Additional credits include FX’s Better Things, Netflix’s Grace and Frankie, and FX’s Little Demon.

His directing credits include episodes of ABC’s Will Trent and Not Dead Yet, AMC’s Interview With The Vampire, Apple TV+’s Dickinson, ABC’s Big Sky, Freeform’s Single Drunk Female, Disney+’s Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., and Clean Slate for Amazon Prime

On the feature side,...

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Prime Video is ready with an entertainment-packed August this year. The upcoming month will see the release of the much-anticipated final season of Upload and the prequel series of The Terminal List. Just like every month, Prime Video is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the best 12 new movies and TV shows coming to Prime Video in August 2025.

30 Rock Seasons 1-7 (August 1) Credit – NBC

30 Rock is a surrealist sitcom series created by Tina Fey. The NBC series is set in New York City, and it follows Liz Lemon, the head writer of a Saturday Night Live-like TV series, as she deals with her eccentric staff and cast and arrogant Network bosses. 30 Rock stars Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander,...

30 Rock is getting closer to it’s 20th anniversary!

The NBC comedy series first debuted in 2006, and was created by Saturday Night Live alum Tina Fey, who also starred as Liz Lemon.

30 Rock centered on her character, who tries to juggle the egos around her while chasing her own dream as the head writer for a late-night variety TV show in New York.

Also among the cast included Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski and Keith Powell.

30 Rock was nominated for nearly 200 awards, including nine Emmy wins for writing, acting and multiple Outstanding Comedy Series wins. The series earned a total of 47 award wins from various organizations throughout it’s time on air.

Before and after the show, the cast has worked up quite the resumes and have amassed quite the net worth each over the years.

We’ve gathered all...

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Hulu is one of the most underrated streaming services. It airs some of the most brilliant shows while also being overshadowed by the likes of Netflix, Max, and Disney+. The Disney-owned streaming service is one of the most profitable streaming services because it airs great television shows by partnering with cable channels and networks in addition to its own original shows. So, we compiled a list of the best shows that are available on Hulu right now.

Deli Boys Credit – Hulu

Deli Boys is a crime comedy series created by Abdullah Saeed. The Hulu series revolves around two Pakistani-American brothers as they suddenly find themselves in the position of leading a criminal enterprise after their father’s sudden death. Deli Boys stars Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, Poorna Jagannathan, Alfie Fuller, and Brian George.

Atlanta Credit – FX

Atlanta is...

An actor who decides to direct may inspire an eyeroll: Well, of course they can. After leading a hit show, what producer will say no?

A powerful actor who wants to direct has an advantage others won’t. At the same time, to become directors Tyler James Williams, Ayo Edebiri, Jason Bateman, and Rhea Seehorn had to be willing to step away from the comfort zone of their expertise and see themselves as beginners.

They also took advantage of a Hollywood truism: People work with people they know, and the only way to make yourself known is to be excellent around the people who can hire you to do the work. It’s the same logic that creates a script supervisor-director (Karyn Kusama), a Pa-producer (Kevin Feige), or an art coordinator-Oscar-winning production designer (Hannah Beachler).

Here’s what these actors say they learned while making the transition.

Tyler James Williams...

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Peacock is one of the smaller streaming services in the streaming business, but what it does have is NBC’s years and years of library, which consists of classic sitcoms and brilliant original shows, including The Office and Ted. So, we thought of compiling a list of some of the best TV shows on Peacock that you shouldn’t miss out on.

30 Rock Credit – NBC

30 Rock is a satirical comedy series created by Tina Fey. The NBC series is set behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy show, and it follows its head writer and showrunner, Liz Lemon, as she tries to juggle eccentric actors and an arrogant new boss. 30 Rock stars Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Alec Baldwin, Katrina Bowden, Keith Powell, Lonny Ross, Kevin Brown, Grizz Chapman,...

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30 Rock is a satirical comedy series created by Tina Fey. The NBC series is set behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy show, and it follows its head writer and showrunner, Liz Lemon, as she deals with a new and arrogant boss and eccentric stars. 30 Rock stars Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Alec Baldwin, Katrina Bowden, Keith Powell, Lonny Ross, Kevin Brown, Grizz Chapman, Maulik Pancholy, and John Lutz. So, if you loved hilarious comedy, entertaining stories, and compelling characters in 30 Rock, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Credit – NBC

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a police procedural workplace comedy series created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur. The Fox and, later on, the NBC series is set in New York City.

“There’s no cult like celebrity” goes the tagline for “Opus,” Mark Anthony Green’s new thriller. Looking like a cross of “Don’t Blink Twice,” “The Menu,” and “Almost Famous,” the film from A24, out in theaters March 14, is about a reclusive rock star named Moretti (John Malkovich) who’s suddenly releasing a new album after almost 30 years. Watch the trailer for “Opus” below.

As part of his album release, Moretti invites select press, including Ayo Edebiri, Juliette Lewis, and Murray Hamilton to his remote compound where he lives like a prince. And he draws them into a dangerous game where his motives are sinister at best. Edebiri’s movie career has taken off since she rocketed to stardom with FX’s “The Bear.” “Opus” follows her roles in “Bottoms,” “Theater Camp,” and “The Sweet East,” and voice role in “Inside Out 2.”

“Opus” is the feature film directorial debut of Mark Anthony Green,...

When Ayo Edebiri found out she would be directing an episode of “The Bear,” she recalls showrunner Christopher Storer telling her: “You really get to play here, so feel free to do that.”

Her first stop was the Directors Guild of America, where she enrolled herself in a class for first-time television directors led by Paris Barclay, Keith Powell, and Dr. Valerie Weiss. In a group that included writers, actors, producers, and editors, the class was walked through each step of production and what might come up along the way. How do the actors respond to direction? How does the editor respond to notes? How will the showrunner handle all of it?

“That class is probably one of the coolest, greatest things I’ve ever done,” Edebiri said. “The thing that I walked away with the most was that the only wrong way to direct — well, there’s probably a lot of wrong ways,...

It's natural for sitcoms to run out of steam by the time they decide to wrap things up, but series finales offer them one last chance to provide a satisfying send-off. Good series finales often rank among a show's best episodes, because they represent unique opportunities that make them stand out from the norm. While these episodes are usually judged by whether they can deliver a crowdpleasing ending, it's important that they also deliver one last dose of what makes the show so popular.

The best series finales need to balance storytelling with the humor that fans love. It's often best for a show's final season to wrap up a few lingering storylines and mysteries along the way, otherwise the finale has too much work to do. While a disappointing series finale can leave a bitter taste - like with Seinfeld or How I Met Your Mother - a good...

The stars of 30 Rock are worth quite a bit!

While several cast members were already big stars before the show began in 2006, by the end of it’s seven season run, they were big, household names.

Tina Fey created and starred in the series, alongside Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski and Keith Powell.

30 Rock centered on Liz Lemon (Fey), who tries to juggle the egos around her while chasing her own dream as the head writer for a late-night variety TV show in New York.

It was nominated for nearly 200 awards, including nine Emmy wins for writing, acting and multiple Outstanding Comedy Series wins. The series earned a total of 47 award wins from various organizations throughout it’s time on air.

There were also many celebrity guest stars throughout the years, like Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Dratch, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, Cheyenne Jackson,...

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The Franchise is a satirical comedy series created by Jon Brown. The HBO series revolves around the crew of a little-known franchise movie set in an otherwise extremely popular superhero cinematic universe. The Franchise’s comedy comes from all the chaos generated by the always-on-fire set, idiotic stars, arrogant director, and panic-ridden crew. The Franchise stars Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant, and Daniel Brühl. So, if you loved the satirical comedy, behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, and the general chaos in The Franchise here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Episodes (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Showtime

Episodes is a satirical comedy series created by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik. The Showtime series follows a British married couple who created an award-winning British...

The Writers Guild of America West issued a censure of showrunner Tim Doyle on Thursday after a committee of its members found that one of his Facebook posts was “conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the Guild and unfair dealing.”

The union’s board of directors revealed in a statement sent to members that it had conducted an internal trial over its charges that in August of 2023 Doyle posted an image to a Facebook group “that members perceived as a racist and offensive depiction of a lynching.” Following a hearing that included Doyle’s testimony, “a trial committee of Current members in good standing found Mr. Doyle guilty as charged.” The verdict was that “Mr. Doyle’s conduct warrants public censure,” the board added.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Doyle for comment.

The post in question, as THR reported in August of 2023, was an Aug. 9 response to a...

Exclusive: Director-actor-writer Keith Powell has signed with Rain for management.

Powell started his career in front of the camera, perhaps known best for his series regular role as Toofer on 30 Rock. He most recently guest-starred on Apple TV+’s Shrinking.

Powell is currently directing the one-hour drama Will Trent for ABC, having just wrapped on the ABC half hour comedy Not Dead Yet. Some of his other directing credits include Interview With The Vampire for AMC, Dickinson for Apple TV+, Big Sky for ABC, and Single Drunk Female for Freeform.

As a writer he has also developed with HBO and Film 44.

Other acting credits include Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Better Things, This Is Us and Grace and Frankie.

Powell also is the founder and producing artistic director of Contemporary Stage Company, where he was behind productions starring Lynn Redgrave, Keith David, Jasmine Guy, Sean Patrick Thomas,...

It’s been 11 years since 30 Rock went off the air!

The NBC comedy was created by and starred Tina Fey, and featured several of her fellow Saturday Night Live alums throughout it’s seven season run.

Also in the cast were Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski and Keith Powell.

In the comedy series, Liz Lemon (Fey) tries to juggle the egos around her while chasing her own dream as the head writer for a late-night variety TV show in New York.

If you didn’t know, the show is currently available to stream on both Hulu and Peacock.

Throughout it’s tenure, 30 Rock earned 190 award nominations, with 47 wins, including nine Emmys for writing, acting and multiple Outstanding Comedy Series wins!

Before and after the show, the cast has worked up quite the resumes and have amassed quite the net worth each over the years.

Returning for its second year, MPTF's fundraising telethon, Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood’s Crews raised $786,512 on Saturday night to benefit the 100-year-old charity’s support of entertainment industry members in need, exceeding the original goal of $750K.

Tom Bergeron and Yvette Nicole Brown attend MPTF's Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood's Crews Telethon

Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for MPTF

Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood’s Crews aired live on Ktla (Channel 5 in Los Angeles) on December 9, with presenting sponsors City National Bank and UCLA Health leading the charge on the philanthropic endeavor. Yvette Nicole Brown and Tom Bergeron returned as hosts of the evening and served as two of the producers along with the return of producers Phil Rosenthal (Everybody Loves Raymond and Somebody Feed Phil) and David Wild (Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince and The 63rd...

The Motion Picture & Television Fund’s second annual Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood’s Crews telethon exceeded its fundraising goal by raising $786,512 on Saturday night, the nonprofit said.

The telethon, co-hosted and co-produced by Yvette Nicole Brown and Tom Bergeron, aired live on Ktla in Los Angeles, aiming to raise relief funds for entertainment industry members impacted by the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes this year.

It had set a goal of raising $750,000 this year after raising $865,000 a year ago.

Performances during the two-hour telecast included from Annette O’Toole and Michael McKean, Chris Mann, Darren Criss, Harry Northup, Lalah Hathaway, Leslie Odom Jr, Musyca Children’s Choir, Tausha with The Boxmasters, and Wendy Liebman. Special guests included Awkwafina, Billy Bob Thornton, Camilla Belle, Clark Gregg, Colin Farrell, Colman Domingo, Cristo Fernández, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Ike Barinholtz, Jay Ellis, Jeff Bridges, Jimmy Jam, Jodie Foster, John Stamos,...

30 Rock remains one of the most popular and fan-favorite half-hour comedies on NBC!

While the series ran for seven seasons and ended in 2013, fans are still finding it on streaming services like Netflix, and it’s current homes on Peacock and Hulu.

The star-studded cast includes Tina Fey (who also created it!), Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski and Keith Powell.

In the comedy series, Liz Lemon tries to juggle the egos around her while chasing her own dream as the head writer for a late-night variety TV show in New York.

Throughout it’s tenure, 30 Rock earned 190 award nominations, with 47 wins, including nine Emmys for writing, acting and multiple Outstanding Comedy Series wins!

Before and after the show, the cast has worked up quite the resumes and have amassed quite the net worth each over the years.

We’ve gathered all...

The best TV shows to binge-watch offer a range of genres to suit different tastes, from sitcoms like Parks and Recreation to intense crime dramas like Breaking Bad. Shows like Criminal Minds and How to Get Away with Murder that explore the true-crime and murder mystery genres are particularly popular choices for binge-watching. Comforting shows like Gilmore Girls and The Office provide a cozy and familiar atmosphere that makes for a delightful binge-watching experience.

Even with so many new and acclaimed shows coming out all the time, there are plenty of viewers who like to return to old favorites when looking for the best TV shows to binge-watch. With the rise of streaming services, fans can watch entire seasons or even entire shows in the binge-watching era. However, it takes a certain kind of show to be truly binge-worthy and there are a variety of aspects to consider. From the...

“I remember being on set in New Orleans walking the backlot and thinking to myself, ‘wow, this is a high budget, A+ series that has not just the queer romance, but also a problematic one,'” reveals director Levan Akin about working on “Interview with the Vampire.” For our recent webchat he adds, “I had to pinch myself. I mean, I had to pinch myself all the time, just being there in New Orleans, because I’d actually been there 10 years before and I did an Anne Rice tour. So I was just like, I can’t believe I’m back filming this!” Watch our exclusive video interview above.

See ‘Interview with the Vampire’ sticks landing on AMC with ‘bloody, ridiculous, gay glory’ the story always deserved

AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire” was created by Emmy winner Rolin Jones (“Friday Night Lights”), based on the 1976 novel by Anne Rice...

"Bone-chilling, knee-buckling nastiness." Get ready for another acid trip horror film. Shudder has unveiled an official trailer for another indie horror film streaming soon titled Spoonful of Sugar, the latest from director Mercedes Bryce Morgan. This premiered at Fantastic Fest last year and also played at the Cucalorus Film Festival. A disturbed babysitter experiences a sexual awakening while using LSD to alternatively treat a seemingly “sick” kid. Morgan Saylor stars as Millicent, who is working on her thesis about children with severe allergies. She's hired to babysit Johnny, a sickly, mute child who suffers from every allergy under the sun. As she discovers Johnny's dark family secrets things begin to become unhinged. The cast includes Kat Foster, Danilo Crovetti, Myko Olivier, Danilo Crovetti, & Keith Powell. Looks like it gets extra wild with LSD sending everyone up the walls and all over the place. Maybe too much in one film? Or maybe not.

Three-time Emmy nominee Kate Burton guest stars on CBS’s So Help Me Todd season one episode five, “Let the Wright One In.” Directed by Keith Powell from a script by Andy Berman, episode five will air on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 9pm Et/Pt.

Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden stars as Margaret Wright, Skylar Astin plays Todd Wright, and Tristen J. Winger is Lyle. Madeline Wise plays Allison, Inga Schlingmann is Susan, and Rosa Arredondo stars as Francey.

Clayton James, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Anne-Marie Johnson, Shawn MacDonald, Anisa Harris, and Rob Labelle guest star.

“Let the Wright One In” Plot: Margaret attempts to join an elite philanthropy club and must represent a former club employee accused of using the organization to smuggle drugs. Also, Todd goes undercover as a waiter at the elite club to get information to help Margaret’s case.

Season 1 Episode 1 Preview Season 1 Episode 2 “Co-Pilot” Preview Season 1 Episode...

Whatever innocence is introduced in Mercedes Bryce Morgan's "Spoonful of Sugar" with the hummed tune of "Oh My Darling, Clementine" and glimpses of Christmas candy canes rots away like a forgotten fruit that rolls forever out of sight. Imagine "Mary Poppins" breakneck twisting into the darkness of "Orphan" or "Hard Candy." Leah Saint Marie's screenplay explores a drug-induced coming-of-age tale about a supposed hair-twirling babysitter's virgin's sexuality, but that's before Saint Marie balances out storytelling sweetness with an avalanche-pour of salty malevolence. "Spoonful of Sugar" is bone-chilling, knee-buckling nastiness that punishes every character with zero compassion — this ain't the twinkly-eyed fairy tale Morgan deceptively sells at the movie's onset.

Morgan Saylor stars as ponytailed and supposedly 21-year-old Millicent, who's just been hired by accomplished author Rebecca (Kat Foster) to babysit her allergy grab-bag of a son, Johnny (Danilo Crovetti). Millicent claims she's taking a summer hiatus from studies...

Magic can be found in the most unlikely places in Kate Tsang’s debut feature “Marvelous and the Black Hole.” Like, for instance, the restroom at a community college summer program, where rebellious and angry teenager Sammy meets her unlikely mentor Margot (Rhea Perlman), a children’s magician who sets her on a surprising journey of personal healing.

“Marvelous and the Black Hole” is a whimsical coming-of-age story about processing life and loss through storytelling and sleight of hand.

Sammy, who has been grieving her mother’s death through bouts of light vandalism, is presented with a choice by her stern father, Angus after her latest infraction, which resulted in a toilet paper-filled bathroom stall, a sweet shiner and disciplinary action. She can either attend a summer course in entrepreneurship (with perfect grades) or get sent to a “scared straight”–style military camp. Sullen Sammy reluctantly decides to comply with community college.

Patrika Darbo and Anna Maria Horsford will host the 12thAnnual Indie Series Awards on April 7, producers announced today.

Emmy-winning actress and four-time nominee Patrika Darbo is a veteran of over 35 years in film and television. She has guest starred on countless series including 9-1-1 Lonestar, The Big Bang Theory, The Middle, Devious Maids, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, Seinfeld, Roseanne and she was a series regular on the sit-com, Step by Step. She recently returned to the NBC daytime drama Days of our Lives in a role she originated in 1998.

As one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, Emmy-nominated actress Anna Maria Horsford continues to inspire audiences through cinema, television and theater. Her career and influence span generations, bringing to life some of our favorite characters including Thelma Frye on Amen, Mrs. Jones in Friday, Friday After Next, Dee Baxter on The Wayans Brothersor Vivienne Avant in The Bold and Beautiful.

"You reminded me of me when I was your age... I wasted a lot of time being angry." FilmRise has finally unveiled the trailer for this fun coming-of-age indie film called Marvelous and the Black Hole, which originally premiered at last year's Sundance Film Festival. It was one of my faves of last year's fest, and it's opening in select theaters this April after more than a year of waiting. A teenage delinquent teams up with a surly children's party magician to navigate her dysfunctional family and inner demons. Miya Cech stars as Sammy, an angsty teen who gets into all kinds of trouble. But that changes when she meets Margot, played tenderly by Rhea Perlman, a magician who teaches her the power of magic. The cast also includes Keith Powell, Leonardo Nam, and Paulina Lule. I wrote a glowing review of this last year – it's a delightful "film filled...

You’re never too old to believe in magic.

That’s the guiding philosophy behind writer-director Kate Tsang’s “Marvelous and the Black Hole,” which tells the story of a young delinquent who forms an unlikely friendship with an older magician. FilmRise has given Variety exclusive access to the trailer for the film (above), which opens in select theaters on April 22.

The coming-of-age comedy tells the story of Sammy (Miya Cech), a Chinese American teenager who keeps acting out in the wake of family trouble. She meets Margot (Rhea Perlman), a professional magician who’s old enough to be her grandmother, and the odd couple change each other’s lives for the better.

Tsang said the film, which premiered to rave reviews at Sundance last year, was inspired by her own experiences.

“Much of Margot and Sammy’s relationship was inspired by my relationship with my grandfather,” Tsang said. “He...

Sidney Poitier, the first Black actor to win an Academy Award (for his performance in 1963’s “Lilies of the Field”), has died at age 94. Tributes from friends and famous fans immediately began to pour in, honoring a trailblazer who forged a way forward for Black performers. Poitier enjoyed a lengthy career, first on Broadway and then starring in films including “In the Heat of the Night,” “A Raisin in the Sun” (in which he reprised his starring role from Broadway), “To Sir, With Love,” “A Patch of Blue,” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”

“What a landmark actor. One of a kind. What a beautiful, gracious, warm, genuinely regal man,” Jeffrey Wright shared on Twitter. Lee Grant, his co-star in “In the Heat of the Night,” tweeted, “Sidney was a force of nature. One of [the] most intelligent, beautiful, and unstoppable human beings I’ve ever known. He made our world,...

Twenty-one DGA members have graduated from the guild’s 2021 TV Mentorship Program, which pairs seasoned episodic television directors with members seeking to develop TV directing careers. Read the names below.

The program, which is part of the DGA’s diversity and inclusion initiative, pairs early-career directors (protégés) with veteran TV directors (mentors) who serve as their professional guides to the working world of episodic television.

“Today we shine a light on our graduating class for their talent, commitment and hard work – and extend our heartfelt gratitude to this exceptional group of accomplished mentors who dedicated so much of their time to teach, to listen, and to set their protégés up for success,” said DGA president Thomas Schlamme. “Seeking to build a career as an aspiring episodic television director in the middle of a pandemic couldn’t be more challenging, but every one of our graduates chose to take that time...

The Season 3 finale of HBO Max’s Alia Shawkat-fronted dramedy Search Party came with a major sigh of relief and the unexpected kidnapping that brings it all full circle for Dory Sief.

From creators Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers and Michael Showalter, Search Party follows a close group of twentysomethings as they find themselves swept up in the trial of the century. Dory (Shawkat) and Drew (John Reynolds) are thrust in the national spotlight after they are charged for the murder of private investigator, Keith Powell (Ron Livingston). The season sees the gang take non-traditional measures to cover their trail, make the oddest of allies, and test their limits of friendship for the sake of pleading not guilty.

Bliss and Rogers wrote all episodes of the HBO Max series, including the Season 3 finale “The Reckoning.”

In addition to Shawkat and Reynolds, the series also stars John Early and Meredith Hanger. Additional...

IFC FIlms holds US rights.

Buyers in the UK, France and Canada have acquired rights to Jim Cummings’ recent Berlin Encounters selection The Beta Test.

Benjamin Wiesnner of Los Angeles-based production company Vanishing Angle negotiated the deals with Blue Finch in the UK, New Story in France, and Vortex Media in Canada.

The horror thriller centres on a Hollywood agent who gets sucked into a world of sexual infidelity and mysterious streams of digital data.

It recently sold to IFC Films for the US and is expected to launch in the US and the first wave of international markets in autumn.

Jim Cummings’ thriller “The Beta Test” has been acquired by IFC Films.

Cummings wrote, directed and stars in the film that was an official selection for this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. IFC will distribute the film theatrically, on digital platforms and on demand this fall.

“The Beta Test” follows an enraged Hollywood agent who received a letter for an anonymous sexual encounter and becomes trapped in a world of lying and infidelity. Pj McCabe, Virginia Newcomb, Kevin Changaris, Olivia Grace Applegate, Jessie Barr, Keith Powell, Joy Sunday, Wilkey Lau, Malin Barr and Christian Hillborg also star.

“IFC has partnered with the boldest and most insanely talented filmmakers in history, Armando Iannucci, Paolo Sorrentino, Andrea Arnold, and hundreds of others and then they let us just ruin it in 2021,” Cummings said in a statement to TheWrap. “This movie was financed independently through a crowd-equity platform called WeFunder, we produced it independently,...

IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to “The Beta Test,” a new digital-age thriller that was written, directed by and starring Jim Cummings and Pj McCabe.

The film was an official selection for this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. IFC will release “The Beta Test” theatrically, on digital platforms and on demand later this fall. The film centers on an engaged Hollywood agent, who receives a mysterious letter for an anonymous sexual encounter and becomes ensnared in a sinister world of lying, infidelity and digital data.

“I cannot wait for everybody to see this movie, it is so much fun,” Cummings said. “We raised the budget through crowd-equity, we shot the film with our friends, we edited and finished the film from our homes. Our audience helped make this wild, beautiful film possible and we are anxious to get to share it with people. I can’t think...

Not quite adult enough to be young adult, and not quite a children’s film either, Kate Tsang’s “Marvelous and the Black Hole” is a sweet-natured throwback, the kind of film a parent might wish their young teen would watch, rather than whichever dystopian franchise or fanfic adaptation they’re currently involved with. A set-your-watch-by-it riff on the unlikely-friendship-helps-two-lonely-people formula, this time involving a troubled schoolgirl and a stage magician, it is however so nicely performed and takes such honest pleasure in the flourishes of its little magic show, that only a hard heart would mention that the palmed coins and hidden cards of its construction were visible all along.

Thirteen-year-old Sammy is played by rising TV star Miya Cech (best known in film as the younger version of Ali Wong’s character in “Always Be My Maybe”), who deserves as big a breakout as so small a movie can give her.

Dory’s lies may have gotten her sprung from legal trouble, but in Season 4 of Search Party, a whole new kind of horror awaits our curly-haired antihero.

When we last left the Brooklynites, Dory and Drew were found not guilty for the murder of private investigator Keith Powell. But the former couple’s newfound fame brought forth a new kind of hell for Dory when her supposedly dead stalker infiltrated her apartment, abducted her and chained her up in his basement. Now that she’s Mia, will Portia, Elliott and Drew realize she’s in trouble before it’s too late?...

In today’s TV news roundup, Showtime unveiled a trailer for the 11th and final season of “Shameless,” and HBO Max announced the guest stars of the fourth season of “Search Party.”

Casting

HBO Max announced Susan Sarandon, Busy Philipps, Ann Dowd and Griffin Dunne are set to guest star on the fourth season of “Search Party,” which will launch on the streamer in January 2021. Sarandon will play Lylah, Chip’s (Cole Escola) wealthy aunt, while Philipps will portray Donna Dimarco, a former teen star who is cast as Portia (Meredith Hagner) in a movie unpacking the murder of Keith Powell. Dowd will appear as Paula Jo, a Christmas-obsessed townie in Chip’s neighborhood, and Dunne will play Richard Wreck, the CEO of a pastry company that might offer clues to finding Dory’s (Alia Shawkat) whereabouts after Chip kidnapped her at the end of the third season. See some...

The Search Party will continue in 2021.

The beloved series returns HBO Max for its fourth season in January 2021, the streamer has announced.

In the new season, Dory (Alia Shawkat) is held prisoner by her psychotic stalker Chip (Cole Escola), who is determined to make Dory believe that they are best friends.

Meanwhile, Portia (Meredith Hagner) is starring in a film about the trial, although not as herself; Elliott (John Early) has switched party lines to become a far-right conservative talk show host; and Drew (John Reynolds) is trying to escape his dark past by working as a costumed cast member in a theme park.

As the friends begin to connect the dots that Dory might not be touring Europe as her faked social media posts suggest, they must decide whether or not to put their traumatic pasts behind them and once again become a search party – but this time, for Dory.

HBO Max has revealed first-look images and a new slate of guest stars set to appear in the upcoming Season 4 of Search Party.

Search Party, which is set to return in January, has enlisted Susan Sarandon, Busy Philipps, Ann Dowd, Griffin Dunne and Lillias White as guest stars for the new season. Goosebumps author R.L. Stine will also appear in a cameo role.

Season 4 picks up right where the Season 3 finale left off, with Alia Shawkat’s Dory held prisoner by her stalker Chip, played by Cole Escola. Meredith’s Hagner’s Portia stars in a film about the friend group’s infamous trial, John Early’s Elliott becomes a far-right conservative talk show host and John Reynold’s Drew attempts to escape his dark past by taking up a job at a theme park.

But while the gang seems to carry on with their own lives, the oddities of...

Network: NBC

Episodes: Eight (half-hour)

Seasons: One

TV show dates: October 8, 2020 -- November 16, 2020

Series status: Cancelled

Performers include: Ely Henry, Jill Knox, Keith Powell, Otmara Marrero, Parvesh Cheena, Preacher Lawson, and Shakina Nayfack.

TV show description:      

A comedy series in the age of social distancing, the Connecting... TV show is an ensemble sitcom about a group of friends. Like all of us, they are trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats as they share the highs and lows of lockdown and these extraordinary times.

The friends are Rufus (Henry), Michelle (Knox), Garrett (Powell), Annie (Marrero), Pradeep (Cheena), Ben (Lawson), and Ellis (Nayfack).

Shot remotely, the sitcom is co-created and co-executive produced by Martin Gero and Brendan Gall.

Series Finale:     ...

Can these friends keep each other sane in the first season of the Connecting... TV show on NBC? As we all know, the Nielsen ratings typically play a big role in determining whether a TV show like Connecting... is cancelled or renewed for season two. Unfortunately, most of us do not live in Nielsen households. Because many viewers feel frustration when their viewing habits and opinions aren't considered, we invite you to rate all of the first season episodes of Connecting... here. Status Update Below.

An NBC comedy series in the age of social distancing, the Connecting... TV show stars Ely Henry, Jill Knox, Keith Powell, Otmara Marrero, Parvesh Cheena, Preacher Lawson, and Shakina Nayfack. It is an ensemble sitcom about a group of friends. Like all of us, they are trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats as they share the highs and lows of lockdown...

The pandemic threw the television industry for a loop and the networks had to scramble to find a way to produce new content. The Connecting... TV series, which was ordered in June 2020, was an early reaction by NBC. But, do viewers want to watch a show about friends making Zoom calls during the pandemic?  Will Connecting... be cancelled? If it is renewed for a second season, will the characters get to leave their homes? Stay tuned. Status Update Below.

A comedy series in the age of social distancing, the Connecting... TV show stars Ely Henry, Jill Knox, Keith Powell, Otmara Marrero, Parvesh Cheena, Preacher Lawson, and Shakina Nayfack. It is an ensemble sitcom about a group of friends. Like all of us, they are trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats as they share the highs and lows of lockdown and these extraordinary...

Viewers will soon lose their, well, connection to Connecting.

NBC has pulled the pandemic-produced comedy from its Thursday schedule with immediate effect, confirming that the series has been canceled.

No more episodes will air on NBC, but the final four are set to air on NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock in the future.

The good news here is that Peacock has a free offering, but it will all come down to whether Peacock makes these episodes available free.

The series was filmed remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, and followed a group of friends who were forced by quarantine restrictions to only spend time together via video chat.

The series opener took place on March 29, 2020, at the very beginning of the lockdown.

The cast included Otmara Marrero (StartUp), Parvesh Cheena (Outsourced), Ely Henry (Suburgatory) and Keith Powell (30 Rock).

Blindspot’s Martin Gero served as co-creator and executive producer.

Connecting Season 1 is...

NBC has pulled the plug on this group of friends. The peacock network has essentially cancelled the Connecting... TV show so, there won't be a second season.

A comedy series in the age of social distancing, the Connecting... TV show stars Ely Henry, Jill Knox, Keith Powell, Otmara Marrero, Parvesh Cheena, Preacher Lawson, and Shakina Nayfack. It is an ensemble sitcom about a group of friends. Like all of us, they are trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats as they share the highs and lows of lockdown and these extraordinary times. The friends are Rufus (Henry), Michelle (Knox), Garrett (Powell), Annie (Marrero), Pradeep (Cheena), Ben (Lawson), and Ellis (Nayfack). Shot remotely, the sitcom is co-created and co-executive produced by Martin Gero and Brendan Gall.

The first season of Connecting... is averaging a 0.33 rating in the 18-49...

Connecting has lost its connection… and they can’t even blame it on a faulty wi-fi. NBC has pulled the pandemic comedy from its Thursday night time slot, the network confirmed on Monday, effectively cancelling it after one season. The remaining four episodes “will air solely on Peacock and NBC.com,” per a network source; Superstore encores will take its place on Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c.

Filmed remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, Connecting followed a group of friends who were forced by quarantine restrictions to only spend time together via video chat. (The pilot took place on March 29, 2020, at the...

NBC has pulled its socially distant comedy “Connecting” from its primetime lineup.

The series will air its final four episodes on Peacock and NBC.com. It had been airing on Thursday nights at 8:30 p.m. Episodes of “Superstore” will air in its place through Nov. 19.

“Connecting…” debuted to a paltry 0.3 rating among adults 18-49 and just 1.6 million total viewers earlier this month. That makes it the least-watched new series premiere on broadcast thus far this fall. It was boosted in its second week by the Trump Town Hall on NBC as its lead-in but fell again after that.

“Connecting” was an ensemble comedy about a group of friends trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats during the Covid-19 pandemic. It starred Otmara Marrero, Preacher Lawson, Shakina Nayfack, Parvesh Cheena, Ely Henry, Jill Knox and Keith Powell.

It was written and executive produced by “Blindspot” creator Martin Gero and...

NBC has pulled coronavirus-era comedy Connecting from its schedule. The four remaining episodes will air solely online on Peacock and NBC.com.

Episodes of Superstore will air in Connecting‘s Thursday timeslot at 8:30 Pm on NBC through Nov. 19.

The series, which hails from Blindspot creator/exec producer Martin Gero, Brendan Gall and Universal Television, stars Otmara Marrero, Preacher Lawson, Shakina Nayfack, Parvesh Cheena, Ely Henry, Jill Knox and Keith Powell.

Created and executive produced by Gero and Gall, Connecting is an ensemble comedy about a group of friends trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats as they share the highs and lows of these extraordinary times. The series is produced by Universal Television.

Earlier this year, Gero signed an overall deal with Universal Television. He has several projects in development with NBC, including a journalism-based drama with writer Alex Berger.

“Connecting” is being pulled from the NBC schedule, the broadcaster announced Monday.

The final four episodes of the social distancing comedy series will air on streaming service Peacock and NBC.com. Episodes of “Superstore” will air in its place on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. Et/Pt through Nov. 19.

“Connecting” was ordered to series in June and debuted on NBC in early October. It failed to find a substantial audience, with the series averaging a 0.4 rating in adults 18-49 and 2.1 million viewers per episode in the Nielsen Live+7 ratings.

The series is an ensemble comedy about a group of friends trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats as they live through the coronavirus pandemic. It stars Otmara Marrero, Preacher Lawson, Shakina Nayfack, Parvesh Cheena, Ely Henry, Jill Knox and Keith Powell. It was created and executive produced by Martin Gero and Brendan Gall. Universal Television, where Gero is currently under an overall deal,...

Over 100 actors, directors, writers, and more have signed an open letter protesting tonight’s NBC town hall with Donald Trump. The event is scheduled to begin at 8pm Et and air in direct conflict with ABC’s town hall with Joe Biden. The Trump town hall is set to run for 60 minutes and will cut into the first hour of Biden’s 90 minute town hall. The petition letter is signed by the likes of Seth Rogen, J.J. Abrams, Ava DuVernay, Sarah Silverman, Adam McKay, Kumail Nanjiani, Aaron Sorkin, and more.

“We have been devastated to learn that [NBCUniversal] has chosen to air President Trump’s town hall this Thursday night at 8 p.m., directly opposite Vice President Biden’s town hall,” the petition states. “This is not a partisan issue. This is about the political health of our democracy.

Trump and Biden were originally scheduled to take part in an in-person debate tonight,...

Vulture Watch

Will audiences connect with these social-distanced friends? Has the Connecting... TV show been cancelled or renewed for a second season on NBC? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Connecting..., season two. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?  

What's This TV Show About?

Airing on the NBC television network, the Connecting... TV show stars Ely Henry, Jill Knox, Keith Powell, Otmara Marrero, Parvesh Cheena, Preacher Lawson, and Shakina Nayfack. It is an ensemble sitcom about a group of friends. Like all of us, they are trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats as they share the highs and lows of lockdown and these extraordinary times. The friends are Rufus (Henry), Michelle (Knox), Garrett (Powell), Annie (Marrero),...

An understandable if tricky to navigate instinct during these many months of quarantine is the instinct to create meaningful art out of These Times. Even as the entire world goes on pause, creativity marches stubbornly on, hoping to make sense out of senseless things. But with no end in sight, it’s just about impossible for any art about the pandemic made during the pandemic to shed much light on what’s happening besides the fact that everyone feels like they’re losing their minds. That’s held true for TV shows about life in isolation that lean heavily on social distancing and Zoom. Something like Freeform’s “Love in the Time of Corona” or HBO’s “Coastal Elites,” while well-intentioned, failed to capture much about this era beyond the fact that it’s surreal. On the face of it, “Connecting…”, NBC’s new show about socially distanced friends shot in quarantine,...