Max Renews “Bookie,” Featuring Jorge Garcia, For a Second Season

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Garcia’s bookie life continues…

Max has renewed its sports book series Bookie, featuring the 50-year-old Cuban & Chilean American actor and former Lost star, for a second season.

The renewal comes two weeks after the season one finale of the show, which stars Sebastian Maniscalco.

From Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, the series follows bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as he and his partner, former NFL star Ray (Omar Dorsey), romp around Los Angeles trying to keep their illegal sports betting operation in play.

The series premiered on November 30.

Season 2 presumably will show whether Danny can win back the affections of his wife Sandra, played by 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 alter.

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

Charlie Sheen also reunited with Lorre for a few appearances.

“The collaboration between Chuck and Sebastian has proven to be a winning hand and we’re looking forward to continuing the story with this incredibly talented cast and crew,” says Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming, Head of HBO & Max Comedy Series.

Channing Dungey, chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group added, “There’s no doubt that Chuck and Nick’s Bookie won big this season as they took us on a hilarious ride into the underbelly of illegal sports gambling, featuring a cast led by another dynamic duo: Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey. I’m looking forward to watching more of their antics in Season 2. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew, and thanks to our partners at Max.”

Onix Serrano to Star in Clint Eastwood’s “Juror No. 2”

Posted on December 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Onix Serrano has been called for jury duty…

The Puerto Rican actor will star in Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2 at Warner Bros.

In addition to Serrano, new cast additions include Amy Aquino, Adrienne C. Moore, Cedric Yarbrough and Chikako Fukuyama.

The film follows Justin Kemp, played by Nicholas Hoult, who while serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma — one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict–or free–the wrong killer.

Eastwood is producing under his Malpaso banner in addition to directing off of Jonathan Abrams’ screenplay.

The film is currently shooting in Georgia.

Also part of the ensemble are Toni Collette (prosecutor), Gabriel Basso (accused), Zoey Deutch (Kemp’s wife), Leslie Bibb (juror), Chris Messina (public defender), and Kiefer Sutherland (Kemp’s AA sponsor).

Serrano’s credits include the series Gordita Chronicles on Max and a recurring role on Fantasy Island on Fox.

Vanessa Gonzalez to Appear on Netflix’s New Stand-Up Comedy Series “Verified Stand-Up”

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Vanessa Gonzalez is officially verified…

Netflix has unveiled Verified Stand-Up, a new series featuring short sets from 10 comedians including the Latina stand-up comic.

The series will premiere globally on the streamer on November 28.

In addition to Gonzalez, rising comedians who will perform in the two-part series, filmed at Webster Hall in New York City, include Asif Ali, Dulcé Sloan, Gianmarco Soresi, Isiah Kelly, Leslie Liao, Nimesh Patel, Robby Hoffman, Rosebud Baker and Sabrina Wu.

Linda Mendoza directed Verified Stand-Up, with Anne Harris serving as executive producer.

In 2022, Gonzalez was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch and Best Stand Up Comic in Austin by the Austin Chronicle. She’s been featured on TruTV’s Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks, Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents, A Little Late with Lilly Singh and Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

She can currently be seen on Entre Nos: Spot On and Comedy Chingonas on MAX, This Joka on the Roku Channel and performing live opening for Chelsea Handler on the 2023 Little Big Bitch Tour.

Selena Gomez Bringing Four Holiday-Themed “Selena + Chef” Specials to Food Network

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is preparing to spend more time in the kitchen…

The 31-year-old Mexican American actress/singer will be bringing some holiday cooking specials to the Food Network.

The Only Murders In The Building star has also announced that she’s moving her Selena + Chef, which debuted as an HBO Max original during the pandemic, to the cable network with four holiday specials.

Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays will launch on the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network on Thursday, November 30 at 8:00 pm. It will also be available on streamer Max.

For the specials, Gomez has invited all-star chefs Eric Adjepong, Alex Guarnaschelli, Michael Symon and Claudette Zepeda to bring their favorite dishes and culinary wisdom to her home kitchen to cook up perfect holiday meals to share with friends and family.

Selena + Chef ran for four seasons as a Max original with the fourth season airing last year. There had been some thought that it would be canceled alongside the slew of reality shows that were axed after Max, then known as HBO Max, moved out of its own unscripted reality originals.

It’s produced by Sony Pictures Television’s The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC) with Gomez’s July Moon Productions. Gomez, Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman and Melissa Stokes executive produce alongside showrunner Shauna Minoprio.

“The holidays have always meant so much to me. It was an honor to have these amazing chefs in my kitchen to introduce some of their favorite foods and what makes the holidays special for them,” said Gomez.

Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery, added, “Offering special culinary moments is the way Food Network celebrates the holidays, so to haveuperstar Selena Gomez, who has more than 650 million fans on social media, open the door to her own home kitchen is a holiday dream come true for fans.”

Max Releases Trailer for Scott Mescudi’s Animated Series “Young Love”

Posted on September 12, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Scott Mescudi is getting animated…

Max has released the official trailer for Young Love, the animated series spinoff of the Oscar-winning short Hair Love that stars the 39-year-old rapper/singer and actor also known as Kid Cudi.

The 12-episode season premieres with four episodes on Thursday, September 21 on Max and continues with four episodes weekly, leading up to the season finale on October 5.

From creator Matthew A. Cherry and Sony Pictures Animation, Young Love takes a look into the lives of African American millennial parents Stephen Love (Mescudi) and Angela Young (Issa Rae) as they experience the relatable ups and downs of modern life.

In remission following a battle with cancer, Angela struggles to balance her work as a stylist with the demands of parenthood, while Stephen attempts to carve out a career as a musician in an ultra-competitive industry. Along with their fearless daughter Zuri (Brooke Monroe Conaway), this tight-knit Chicago family juggles careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics while striving to make a better life for themselves.

“Welcome to my castle,” Zuri tells one of her friends as they enter her apartment. “You can drop your bag on the floor. My mom and dad will get them.”

“Are we the help?” Stephen asks. “Worse,” Angela responds. “We’re parents.”

Voice cast also includes Loretta Devine (Gigi Young), Harry Lennix (Russell Young), Tamar Braxton (Star), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Sheree), Debra Wilson (Additional Voices) and others.

The series is produced in partnership with Sony Pictures Animation.

Ángel Manuel Soto Teaming Up with Dave Bautista & Jason Momoa for Buddy Action Comedy “The Wrecking Crew”

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ángel Manuel Soto is wrecking things…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican film director, producer, screenwriter and Blue Beetle director is teaming up with Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa on The Wrecking Crew, the buddy action comedy that they’ve set up at MGM.

Bautista and Momoa were both in talks for the film, scripted by Warrior creator Jonathan Tropper, long before the SAG-AFTRA strike. Tropper’s deal was negotiated and closed, and his script submitted, prior to the WGA strike began in early May.

Plot details are being kept under wraps for now, but Bautista and Momoa sold the pitch to MGM following a four-bidder battle in the fall 2021. Jeffrey Fierson, Momoa’s collaborator on the Netflix/Discovery Canada series Frontier, will produce.

Soto most recently helmed Blue Beetle — the first DC film fronted by a Latino superhero, which opened this past weekend.

Other notable recent projects from the filmmaker include two for Max: the docuseries Menudo: Forever Young and drama Charm City Kings.

Jacob Romero Joins Cast of Issa Rae’s Max series “Rap Sh!t” for Season Two

Posted on July 8, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jacob Romero is taking the Rap (Sh!t)…

The 26-year-old part-Latino actor has joined the Season 2 cast of Issa Rae’s Max series Rap Sh!t in a key recurring role.

Rap Sh!t follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group. In their rise to fame, Shawna and Mia find themselves at a pivotal moment in their rap career as they are forced to decide if they will stay true to themselves or conform to the demands of the music industry.

Romero will play Lord AK, a notable musician/rapper from Los Angeles who is headlining a U.S. tour.

Rap Sh!t is created and executive produced by Rae for Hoorae. Syreeta Singleton serves as showrunner and executive produces alongside Dave Becky and Jonathan Berry for 3 Arts Entertainment and Jim Kleverweis.

Hip-hop duo Yung Miami and JT of City Girls serve as co-executive producers, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas for Quality Control Films, and Sara Rastogi and Jax Clark for Hoorae Rae’s Audio Everywhere Company, Raedio, handles music supervision for the series.

Romero played AJ in OWN’s Greenleaf and will next be seen in Netflix’s upcoming live-action pirate adventure series One Piece. His other TV credits include Grey’s Anatomy, All Rise and The Resident.

Pedro Pascal Earns TCA Awards Nod from Television Critics Association

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Pedro Pascal is a critics’ choice…

Television Critics Association has announced the nominees for its 39th annual TCA Awards, with the 48-year-old Chilean actor earning a nod.

Pascal, a SAG Awards nominee for being part of the ensemble cast of Game of Thrones, is up for Individual Achievement in Drama for his work on HBO and Max’s The Last of Us, which received five total nods.

The 2023 nominees for the TCA Awards boast an eclectic lineup from across the entertainment spectrum,” said Melanie McFarland, TCA President and TV Critic for Salon.com. “This season truly had something for everyone—from innovative comedies and gripping dramas to immersive documentaries and refreshingly cerebral storytelling set in a galaxy far, far away. I am eager to see which stars and series our members have chosen to honor when the winners are revealed.”

Winners will get their hardware during the ceremony on Monday, August 7.

Here are all the nominees for the 2023 TCA Awards:

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Christine Baranski, The Good Fight – Paramount+
Kieran Culkin, Succession – HBO | Max
Dominique Fishback, Swarm – Prime Video
Betty Gilpin, Mrs. Davis – Peacock
Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us – HBO | Max
Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us – HBO | Max
Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul – AMC
Sarah Snook, Succession – HBO | Max
Jeremy Strong, Succession – HBO | Max

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary – ABC
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear – FX
Harrison Ford – Shrinking – Apple TV+
Bill Hader, Barry – HBO | Max
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary – ABC
Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face – Peacock
James Marsden, Jury Duty – Amazon Freevee
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear – FX

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION
30 for 30 – ESPN
Free Chol Soo Lee – PBS
Frontline – PBS
Pepsi, Where’s My Jet? – Netflix
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence – Hulu
Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi – Hulu
The 1619 Project – Hulu
The U.S. and the Holocaust – PBS

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY
Couples Therapy – Showtime
Jury Duty – Amazon Freevee
RuPaul’s Drag Race – MTV
The Rehearsal – HBO | Max
The Traitors – Peacock
Top Chef – Bravo
Vanderpump Rules – Bravo
Welcome to Wrexham – FX

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING
Alma’s Way – PBS Kids
Bluey – Disney+
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood – PBS Kids
Donkey Hodie – PBS Kids
Eva the Owlet – Apple TV+
Molly of Denali – PBS Kids
Ridley Jones – Netflix
Sesame Street – HBO | Max
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures – Disney Junior/Disney+

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN FAMILY PROGRAMMING
American Born Chinese – Disney+
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series – Disney+
Jane – Apple TV+
Love, Victor – Hulu
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur – Disney Channel
Ms. Marvel – Disney+
Never Have I Ever – Netflix
Star Trek: Prodigy – Paramount+
The Mysterious Benedict Society – Disney+

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM
Andor – Disney+
Interview with the Vampire – AMC
Jury Duty – Amazon Freevee
Mrs. Davis – Peacock
Poker Face – Peacock
Shrinking – Apple TV+
The Bear – FX
The Last of Us – HBO | Max

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINISERIES OR SPECIALS
A Small Light – National Geographic
Beef – Netflix
Black Bird – Apple TV+
Daisy Jones & The Six – Prime Video
Fleishman is in Trouble – FX
Mrs. Davis – Peacock
The Patient – FX
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – The Roku Channel

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Andor – Disney+
Better Call Saul – AMC
Interview with the Vampire – AMC
Succession – HBO | MAX
The Good Fight – Paramount+
The Last of Us – HBO | Max
The White Lotus – HBO | Max
Yellowjackets – Showtime

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Abbott Elementary – ABC
Barry – HBO | Max
Poker Face– Peacock
Reservation Dogs – FX
Shrinking – Apple TV+
The Bear – FX
The Other Two – HBO | Max
What We Do in the Shadows – FX

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN VARIETY, TALK OR SKETCH
The Amber Ruffin Show – Peacock
|A Black Lady Sketch Show – HBO | Max
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson – Netflix
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – HBO | Max
Late Night with Seth Meyers – NBC
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – CBS
Saturday Night Live – NBC
Ziwe – Showtime

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Abbott Elementary – ABC
Andor – Disney+
Better Call Saul – AMC
Poker Face – Peacock
Succession – HBO | Max
The Bear – FX
The Last of Us – HBO | Max
The Other Two – HBO | Max
The White Lotus – HBO | Max

Enrique Urbizu to Direct Max’s Thriller “When Nobody Sees Us,” The Streamer’s First Series Order in Spain

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Urbizu will be living to the Max…

Max has made its first series order in Spain, with the 60-year-old Spanish film director and screenwriter attached to direct the project.

Last year, Max owner Warner Bros Discovery pulled out of production for Max predecessor HBO Max in much of Europe and underwent a period of painful cuts, but Spain was one of the few countries in Europe to avoid the cull.

Max has now greenlit the start of production on When Nobody Sees Us, an eight-part thriller from Zeta Studios and based on the Sergio Sarria novel of the same name.

This also marks the first Spanish production since HBO Max was combined with Discovery+ to create Max.

Daniel Corpas leads the writing team, with the collaboration of Arturo Ruiz and Isa Sanchez.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Spanish Holy Week celebrations, the series is a thriller led by two policewomen trying to solve a series of crimes in the Andalusian town of Morón de la Frontera, in the political and cultural region of Seville’s so-called ‘deep Spain,’ which is home to one of the biggest international U.S. military bases.

Lucía Gutiérrez is a sergeant of the Spanish Civil Guard investigating the bizarre suicide of a neighbor and strange events that have taken place during the first Holy Week float processions. Magaly Castillo is a Special Agent of the Military Police of the United States Army sent to find out the whereabouts of a missing American soldier who seems to be linked to the shady business of Colonel Douglas Hoopen, head of the Air Force Base, and an underhanded marine, Lieutenant Andrew Taylor. They soon discover that the two investigations are connected.

“Throughout my professional career I have made several thrillers with different intensity and themes. When Nobody Sees Us is for me a first and exciting incursion into the television serial of detectives and pure investigation,” said director Urbizu, “With two women as our protagonists, Lucia and Magaly, one from the Spanish Civil Guard and the other from the American Military Police, together they share mysteries, dangers and confidences. Both in tone and rhythm, this is a new adventure for me.”

“When Nobody Sees Us is a bet for the purest thriller, in which the limits of different frontiers in themes and narrative are explored,” added Executive Producer Miguel Salvat for WBD. “Of course, there is the border between good and evil, but also the clashes between two ways of life, between countries and cultures, and the weight of tradition. We believe that Enrique Urbizu has all the tools to tell this story that will surprise and engage us all, no matter which side of the border we find ourselves on.”

Charlie Sheen to Reunite with Chuck Lorre on Max’s Comedy Series “How To Be a Bookie”

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Charlie Sheen has bookie-ed his next project…

The 57-year-old part-Spanish actor and former Two and a Half Men star will reunite with Chuck Lorre on the Max comedy series How To Be a Bookie, according to Deadline.com.

Sheen is set for a recurring role in the single-camera comedy headlined by Sebastian Maniscalco, which hails from Two and a Half Men studio Warner Bros. Television where Lorre is based.

Reps for Max and WBTV declined comment.

The project is part of a television comeback for Sheen, who is also attached to star in the dramedy project Ramble On from Doug Ellin.

Sheen and Lorre’s eight-year collaboration on one of the most successful comedy series of the past two decades, CBS’ Two and a Half Men, starring Sheen and co-created and executive produced by Lorre, came to an abrupt end in the spring of 2011 when Sheen’s public meltdown and verbal attacks on Lorre led to his firing, triggering a $100 million lawsuit against Lorre and WBTV, which was eventually settled.

Since then, Sheen had taken responsibility for his actions and had expressed regret over his Two and a Half Men exit and an intent to make amends with the top comedy showrunner. That has now happened, resulting in the duo’s collaboration on How To Be a Bookie.

In How To Be a Bookie, co-written by Lorre and Nick Bakay, a veteran bookie (Maniscalco) struggles to survive the impending legalization of sports gambling, increasingly unstable clients, family, co-workers, and a lifestyle that bounces him around every corner of Los Angeles high and low.

Omar J. Dorsey, Jorge Garcia, Andrea Anders, Vanessa Ferlito and Maxim Swinton also star.

Lorre, who is directing the first episode, executive produces through his Chuck Lorre Productions and its overall deal with WBTV alongside Bakay, Maniscalco, Judi Marmel and Andy Tennant, who is directing multiple episodes.

The series is currently in production.

Sheen earned four Emmy nominations for his starring role on Two and a Half Men. Following the end of the multi-camera series, he headlined another sitcom, Anger Management, which aired 100 episodes on FX, and guest starred on ABC’s The Goldbergs.

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