Gloria Estefan to Appear on CBS’ New Musical Game Show “Superfan”

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan is about to meet her ultimate fan…

CBS’ new musical game show, Superfan, has set the roster of musicians participating in its upcoming six-episode series, including the 64-year-old Cuban singer/songwriter.

The competition series will see one musical superfan aiming to prove they are a certain artist’s ultimate supporter.

In addition to Estefan, the artists confirmed to participate include Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, LL Cool J, Pitbull and Shania Twain.

Also confirmed to host the musical game show are series executive producer Keltie Knight and CBS Morning’s Nate Burleson.

Production on the unscripted original begins this Friday in Los Angeles. A premiere date has yet to be set.

Superfan is billed as a musical spectacle disguised as a game show. It will feature contestants vying in multiple rounds of play to prove they are the ultimate fan.

In each one-hour episode, a different musical artist will select one deserving superfan to win a once in a lifetime prize.

CBS ordered the series in February. It is produced by Raquel Productions, the CBS-owned division that makes Tough As Nails.

Anton Goss, a production designer who has worked on shows such as Match Game and Drop the Mic will dress the stage; Suzanne Bender, who has worked on America’s Got Talent and Lip Sync Battle, will serve as talent producer and Jacqui Pittman is casting.

CBS Renews Natalie Morales’ Daytime Talk Show “The Talk” for 13th Season

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more talk in Natalie Morales future…

CBS has renewed its daytime series The Talk, featuring the 49-year-old Puerto Rican and Brazilian journalist, for a 13th season.

Along with Morales, who joined the talk show as a host in the current 12th season, all of its current hosts — Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Jerry O’Connell and Sheryl Underwood — will be returning.

During the show today, Morales said, “The producers are just telling me there is some breaking news. This is just coming in right now, The Talk has been renewed for Season 13.”

Gbajabiamila added, “That was crazy, this feels so good” and O’Connell joked, “Now I know why all our bosses showed up today.”

Season 12 of The Talk, which is produced by CBS Studios, runs through August 5. It is executive-produced by Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews.

Last month, Underwood signed a new multi-year deal to remain on the show. Morales joined as a permanent co-host in October, while former NFL player Gbajabiamila became a permanent co-host in September. O’Connell also joined last year.

It comes after original co-host Sharon Osbourne was fired last year following controversial comments on race and her defense of friend Piers Morgan. Carrie Ann Inaba also left the show last year, as did Elaine Welteroth.

Season 13… here we come!! pic.twitter.com/PGBOo7zyCW

— The Talk (@TheTalkCBS) April 18, 2022

Broken English Options “A Christmas to Remember” Screenplay from Erick Galindo & Patty Rodriguez

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’ll be a Christmas to remember for Erick Galindo and Patty Rodriguez.

Broken English has optioned an original screenplay by the award-winning Latino writer, producer and journalist and the best-selling Latina author for the holiday ensemble film A Christmas to Remember.

The film tells the story of Rose Klug, who has turned White Elephant into a war of attrition, one where bringing the best or most creative gift is more important than Christmas itself. The battles have become legendary among locals on the powdery slopes of Big Bear where the former hedge fund manager has called home for decades (she called it quits to manage a growing ulcer problem).

Rose feels like she’s from a different era: she drinks whiskey straight, she doesn’t say much yet commands attention, and she never takes two steps when one will do. Her family gift exchange is the one time of year she allows herself to go wild. But this Christmas, something threatens to upstage Rose’s epic game of White Elephant: her estranged and rebellious daughter Ana Klug is bringing home a rich and famous fiancé.

Broken English is currently in talks to attach a director to the project. Filming is expected to begin in Los Angeles in the fall.

Tamara Nagahiro of Grandave International will be introducing the title to buyers at next month’s Cannes Film Market.

“Erick and Patty have been on my radar for some time. I am excited to go on this journey with such visionaries,” said Jolene Rodriguez, president of Broken English Productions.

Galindo most recently announced the development of the family comedy series Mexican Beverly Hills for CBS in collaboration with Wilmer Valderrama’s WV Entertainment. He is also is a five-time Telly Awards winner known for the shorts The Bubble Machine and El De Buena Park.

Rodriguez is coming off a 15-year career at iHeartMedia’s 102.7 KIIS FM Los Angeles where she most recently served as senior producer and on-air talent of the internationally syndicated show On Air With Ryan Seacrest.

She is also created and co-founded Lil’ Libros, a bilingual children’s media publisher.

Under their banner Sin Miedo Productions, Galindo and Rodriguez created the podcast Out of the Shadows: Children of ‘86, which is currently in production with iHeartMedia.

A Christmas to Remember will be produced by Broken English’s Rodriguez with Stanley Preschutti of Grandave Capital as executive producer.

Wilmer Valderrama Open to Reprising Role of Fez in Netflix’s “That ’90s Show”

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Wilmer Valderrama may be reprising his star-making role…

The 42-year-old Venezuelan and Colombian American actor hasn’t completely ruled out reprising his character, the fan-favorite Fez, on That ’90s Show, if time permits.

Valderrama is having a jam-packed year between starring in the CBS crime procedural NCIS and preparing for the titular role on the ABC reboot of Zorro, but he he’s hoping to squeeze in a return to Point Place, Wisconsin.

“I’m a little busy now, but I support them so much. I’m rooting for them. I wish them nothing but the best,” Valderrama said in a TV Line interview.

“If the timing is right, I’d never say no,” suggesting his return to the Netflix That 70’s Show spinoff is possible.

Valderrama played Fez on the eight-season run of That ’70s Show from 1998 to 2006. In the Fox sitcom, Fez – which stands for Foreign Exchange Student – quickly became a favorite among audiences for his flirtatious antics and ambiguous ethnicity.

Earlier, casting of several lead characters on the upcoming Netflix’s That ’70s Show spinoff, That ’90s Show.

Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp have been set to anchor the follow-up show as their original roles, Red and Kitty Foreman.

The spinoff will be led by Callie Haverda, who plays Leia Forman, daughter of Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon) from the original series.

Ashley Aufderhaide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Reyn Doi and Sam Morelos round out the cast as new teen characters opposite fellow series regulars Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp.

Other original That ’70s Show cast members, including Grace, Prepon, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, are in negotiations to recur in the 10-episode spinoff.

That ’90s Show is set in 1995 back in Point Place, Wisconsin where Leia Forman (Haverda), daughter of Eric and Donna, is visiting her grandparents for the summer. Leia ends up bonding with the new generation of town kids under the watchful eye of Kitty (Rupp) and the stern gaze of Red (Smith). Sex, drugs and rock ’n roll never dies, it just changes clothes.

CBS Fast-Tracking the Roselyn Sanchez-Produced Drama “HSI: Puerto Rico”

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sanchez’s latest television project is on the fast track…

CBS is accelerating development of HSI: Puerto Rico, a drama from the 48-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer & producer and her actor-husband Eric Winter’s Two for the Road Entertainment and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment, where Two for the Road is under a deal.

CBS has set up a writers room led by the project’s writer/executive producer Lisa Morales (Queen Sugar), which will be generating five scripts and a season one bible for a potential scripts-to-series order.

Like its other broadcast counterpart, CBS has been exploring other development paths and alternatives to the traditional development model, a process that was accelerated by the pandemic.

In HSI: Puerto Rico, eyed as a prospective CBS crime drama franchise, a passionate Homeland Security agent reluctantly returns home to Puerto Rico where she works with her talented but jaded training officer as part of an elite HSI team working tirelessly as the first line of defense against all manner of threats to the United States.

Sanchez and Winter executive produce via Two for the Road; Kaplan and Brian Morewitz executive produce for Kapital, which serves as the studio. Jessie Abbott is overseeing for Kapital.

Sanchez and Winter are series regulars on ongoing shows, ABC’s The Rookie and Fox’s Fantasy Island, respectively.

Morales also served as showrunner of the CW’s Two Sentence Horror Stories anthology horror series.

Mon Laferte to Perform at Pre-Grammy Awards Show “Premiere Ceremony”

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Mon Laferte is preparing for the Grammys pre-show…

The 38-year-old Chilean singer, songwriter and musician will perform during the Premiere Ceremony prior to the 64th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, April 3.

She joins a roster of performers that includes Jimmie Allen, Ledisi, Allison Russell and Curtis Stewart.

LeVar Burton will host the event, at which the vast majority of Grammys are presented. Only about 10 are actually presented during the live telecast.

The show will open with a multi-artist performance by Madison Cunningham, Falu, Nnenna Freelon, Kalani Pe’a, John Popper and The Isaacs.

Presenters include current nominees Allen, Arlo Parks, Nate Bargatze, Freelon, Pierce Freelon, and Sylvan Esso, as well as Jimmy Jam, a five-time Grammy winner and former chair of the Recording Academy’s board of trustees.

The Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will stream live from the MGM Grand Conference Marquee Ballroom in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3 at 3:30 pm ET/12:30 pm PT on the Grammy’s YouTube page and on live.grammy.com.

The Premiere Ceremony is produced by Chantel Sausedo, a long-time member of the Grammy production team, along with three Recording Academy executives — Branden Chapman, chief operating officer; Ruby Marchand, chief awards and industry officer; and Rex Supa, vice president, production and event operations, all on behalf of the Recording Academy.

Greg Fera is executive producer. Cheche Alara is music producer and musical director.

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live following the Premiere Ceremony on CBS and Paramount+ from 8:00 to 11:30 pm ET/5:00 to 8:30 pm PT.

Trevor Noah, star of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, is hosting the Grammys for the second year in a row.

Rachel Zegler to Perform at This Year’s Grammy Awards

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rachel Zegler will be getting her Grammy moment…

The Recording Academy has announced more performers for the 64th Grammy Awards program, with the 20-year-old half-Colombian American actress/singer among those set to take the stage.

Zegler, who will be a presenter at this weekend’s Academy Awards show, and Ben Platt will perform during a special In Memoriam segment, featuring songs of Stephen Sondheim.

In addition to Zegler and Platt, recently confirmed performers include Jon Batiste, Foo Fighters, H.E.R, Nas and Chris Stapleton. Additionally, Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo and current nominee Leslie Odom Jr. will perform.

The join previously announced Olivia Rodrigo, Brothers Osborne, BTS, Brandi Carlile, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow. Additionally, Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo, current nominees Leslie Odom Jr.

Hosted by Trevor Noah live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the 64th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast Sunday, April 3 on CBS at 8:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm PT and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Elizabeth Rodriguez to Star Opposite Jimmy Smits in CBS’ Police Drama Pilot “East New York”

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Elizabeth Rodriguez is hittin’ the beat…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican actress and former Orange is the New Black star will star opposite Jimmy Smits and Amanda Warren in the CBS police drama pilot East New York.

Co-written by William Finkelstein and Mike Flynn and directed by Mike Robin, the project centers on Regina Haywood (Warren), the newly promoted deputy inspector of East New York, an impoverished, working-class neighborhood at the eastern edge of Brooklyn. She leads a diverse group of officers and detectives, some of whom are reluctant to deploy her creative methods of serving and protecting during the midst of social upheaval and the early seeds of gentrification.

Rodriguez will portray Crystal Morales, an intuitive detective who is not easily intimidated. She closely guards her private life, making her an object of endless speculation.

In addition to Warren and Smits, they join previously announced series regulars Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Richard Kind, Lavel Schley and Olivia Luccardi.

Warner Bros. Television is the studio.

Rodriguez played Aleida Diaz on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, for which she received three consecutive SAG Awards. She was a series regular on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, NBC’s Prime Suspect and Cinemax’s Blanco.

Rodriguez most recently completed a starring role in the feature film Allswell, which she also co-wrote and co-produced.

Jimmy Smits to Star in CBS’ Cop Series Pilot “East New York”

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jimmy Smits is officially on the beat…

The 66-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor and NYPD Blue alum has been cast as the male lead opposite Amanda Warren in CBS’ hourlong cop-series pilot East New York.

Smits will play three-star Chief John Suarez, whose experience, commanding presence and strong moral center helps oversee the melding of communities and the precincts that serve them.

The Emmy-winning actor has a personal connection to the project. Born in Brooklyn, Smits grew up around the East New York section of the borough and went to school there. Additionally, East New York reunites Smits with Finkelstein, with whom he worked on NYPD Blue, and with Robin, who was a director-producer on the Smits-starring series, NYPD Blue and L.A. Law.

Warner Bros. Television is the studio.

Smits, who won an Emmy for L.A. Law, recently was recently seen in the feature adaptation of In the Heights. His series credits also include Sons of Anarchy and Dexter.

Ruben Santiago Hudson to Star in CBS’ Drama Pilot “East New York”

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ruben Santiago Hudson is heading East…

The 65-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor, playwright and director has been cast as a series regular opposite Amanda Warren in the CBS drama pilot East New York.

In East New York, co-written by William Finkelstein and Mike Flynn, Regina Haywood (Warren) is the newly promoted deputy inspector of East New York, an impoverished, working-class neighborhood at the eastern edge of Brooklyn. She leads a diverse group of officers and detectives, some of whom are reluctant to deploy her creative methods of serving and protecting during the midst of social upheaval and the early seeds of gentrification.

Hudson will play Marvin Sandeford, who could have become a boss or a detective, but he never wanted to be anything but a street cop. He’s very opinionated and given to quick, intractable judgments, but not without compassion. No one knows as much about East New York as he does.

Finkelstein and Flynn executive produce with Mike Robin of Skyemac Productions, Christine Holder and Mark Holder of Wonder Street. Andrew Maher of Skyemac is co-executive producing. Warner Bros. Television is the studio.

Hudson is a two-time Tony Award winner and star/writer/director of Lackawanna Blues on Broadway. He also write Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

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