Wednesday, July 22, 2020
WEDNESDAY NIGHT TV:
TOUGH AS NAILS (8p ET, CBS) — New. During the team challenge, one crew has issues with communication while building a large fence on a farm.
UNITED WE FALL (8p ET, ABC) — New. Bill and Jo discover they’re a bit rusty at romance on a date night.
MAN VS. BIGFOOT (8p ET, Travel Channel) — Survivorman’s Les Stroud hunts for Bigfoot in Alberta, Canada, in this two-part special.
FINALE: GAME ON (9p ET, CBS) — New. Kevin Nealon and Terrell Owens are the guests.
ULTIMATE TAG (9p ET, FOX) — New.
BULLETPROOF (9p ET, CW) — New.
SEASON FINALE: TYLER PERRY’S THE OVAL (9p ET, BET) — Two new episodes close out the first season.
MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. (10p ET, ABC) — New. A time storm ravages the Zephyr, forcing Daisy and Coulson to relive their failed attempts to save the team.
SEASON PREMIERE: CORPORATE (10:30p ET, Comedy Central) — This workplace satire returns for a third and final season.
FEAR CITY: NEW YORK VS THE MAFIA (Netflix) — This new docuseries examines how prosecutors put an end to organized crime’s so-called Five Families in the 1970s and ’80s.
LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM (Netflix) — This new docuseries follows seven young adults on the autism spectrum as they explore the world of love, dating and relationships. As well as help from their families, experts provide them with practical skills.
Showbiz News and Gossip
JESSICA BIEL AND JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE WELCOME SECOND CHILD
Congrats are in order for Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake… the celebrity couple recently welcomed their second child — another boy — after a very secretive pregnancy.… Justin and Jessica have reportedly been spending their time keeping safe from the worldwide health crisis at their home Montana, along with their son, Silas. And that’s where they welcomed their newest bundle and plan to stay for the time being.
ALEX TREBEK COULD STOP CANCER TREATMENT
Though Alex Trebek’s spirits seemed high in recent video updating fans on his stage 4 pancreatic cancer treatment, the long-time Jeopardy! host has shared some news may sadden his fans. In an interview with the New York Times, Trebek said he may stop his chemotherapy if his latest round isn’t successful. In a Friday interview with the New York Times Trebek shared: “My wife came to me and said, ‘How are you feeling?’ And I said, ‘I feel like I want to die.’ It was that bad. There comes a time where you have to make a decision as to whether you want to continue with such a low quality of life, or whether you want to just ease yourself into the next level. It doesn’t bother me in the least.”
… The quiz show host has been struggling with advanced pancreatic cancer for over a year and recently told fans he was doing well: “I’ve been continuing my treatment, and it is paying off, though it does fatigue me a great deal. My numbers are good, and I’m feeling great.”
ORIGINAL JURASSIC PARK TRILOGY IS RETURNING TO NETFLIX
The original three Jurassic Park movies are heading over to Netflix from Peacock at the end of this month. Given that NBCUniversal’s Peacock only launched last week, it’s a bit strange that they’re already losing the rights to the three films. The new service, which is also losing The Matrix and Shrek movies at the end of the month, still have plenty of content to fall back on, though, as well as next-day streaming premieres of NBC shows.
BOB COSTAS JOINS CNN AS A CONTRIBUTOR
After a four-decade career on NBC, Bob Costas is joining CNN to provide commentary “on a wide range of sports-related issues as the industry adapts to new challenges posed by the coronavirus and the frequent intersection of sports with larger societal issues.” Costas worked at NBC Sports from 1980 until he left by a mutual agreement to end his contract early in 2019.
COLIN JOST: I’M DEFINITELY RETURNING TO SNL NEXT SEASON
Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost confirms he’ll be back for another season of the late night comedy show. In an interview published earlier this month, Jost told The New York Times he planned to stay on SNL. But then he seemed hesitant on returning in an interview last week with Howard Stern.
ORLANDO BLOOM DESTROYED OVER LOST DOG
Orlando Bloom is inconsolable over his dog that went missing several days ago, saying he’s a broken man. Orlando’s poodle, Mighty, disappeared early last week in the Santa Barbara area of California and he sent out a plea for its return, to no avail. Orlando said, “I don’t recall a time in my life where I’ve been so broken or wide open. The rawness I have felt over these past few days and sleepless nights at the idea of my little man being lost and scared, with me unable to do anything to protect him, is a waking nightmare.” … He went on: “The bond between Mighty and I shows devotion in ways I have not truly understood until now. I am a devoted father & partner, still, there is a reason why they call them ‘man’s best friend.’ I miss him.”
JOHNNY DEPP ACCUSED AMBER HEARD OF CHEATING ON HIM
Johnny Depp accused ex Amber Heard of having affairs with stars such as “pumpkin-head” Leonardo DiCaprio and “potato-head” Channing Tatum — nicknames he would use to “taunt” the actress. In a courtroom Monday, the actress revealed that the “very jealous” actor considered nearly all of her male co-stars a “sexual threat.” Her statement was filed as part of Depp’s explosive libel case in London.
… Heard said Depp “would taunt me about it — especially when he was drunk or high — and had derogatory nicknames for every one of my male co-stars he considered a sexual threat. For example, Leonardo DiCaprio was ‘pumpkin-head,’ Channing Tatum was ‘potato-head’…”
… She claims Depp “would even get himself copies of the scripts I was looking at, without asking me, to review them for himself. … His rules got tighter every year we were together about what nudity or scenes were acceptable, wanting descriptions of every detail, every aspect of scenes and how they were covered, placing increasing restrictions on what I could and couldn’t do.” The actress said she ultimately found herself turning down roles, and said her earning power plummeted every year she was with him.
NICKI MINAJ IS PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD
Nicki Minaj is pregnant. The rapper shared some glam photos of her baby bump on Monday to announce her exciting news. Minaj and Kenneth “Zoo” Petty got married last October. This is the couple’s first child together.
BRITNEY SPEARS OLD MANSION HITS MARKET
Britney Spears’ old shack — the home that served as the backdrop when the singer went into free fall, shaved her head and ended up being involuntarily committed — is back on the market, and anyone who still has millions of bucks can now get it for a steal. The pop singer’s former Beverly Hills mansion — where she lived after her divorce from Kevin Federline until 2012 — is up for grabs for $6.8 million. The 7,500-square-foot Italian villa-esque home comes with 6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths, but it’s mostly known for its fortress-like qualities, making it a draw for celebs and other rich folks looking to live in one of the top gated communities in L.A. The property’s described at “virtually paparazzi-proof” by Million Dollar Listing star Matt Altman.
THOMAS JANE AND ANNE HECHE IN MYSTERY THRILLER THE VANISHED TRAILER
A first trailer for the film The Vanished has been released. The mysterious psychological thriller is about a married couple whose daughter suddenly disappears without a trace during a camping and fishing trip. When the police don’t catch any leads, the duo take over, leading to a shocking revelation. The movie stars Thomas Jane (Syfy’s The Expanse), Anne Heche, and Jason Patric. The Vanished will be available to stream starting August 21. • TRAILER
DENZEL WASHINGTON AND JULIA ROBERTS IN LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND
Netflix has landed the rights to the novel Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam which will reunite Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington on screen for the first time since 1993’s The Pelican Brief.
… Leave the World Behind is a story about two families, strangers to each other, who are forced together on a long weekend gone terribly wrong.
NETFLIX IS SET TO MAKE ITS MOST EXPENSIVE MOVIE YET
Netflix’s Gray Man, from Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo and starring Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling, will have a budget “upward of $200 million.” It will be Netflix’s most expensive movie ever.
… The Netflix drama The Irishman, starring Robert De Niro, cost $159 million to make.
… The upcoming Netflix action movie Red Notice — starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot — is rumored to cost $160 million.
… The Gray Man is based on the 2009 Mark Greaney novel about a freelance assassin and former CIA operative named Court Gentry. The action thriller is a deadly duel between killers as Gentry (Gosling) is hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Evans), a former cohort of Gentry’s at the CIA.
ZACK SNYDER SAYS “JUSTICE LEAGUE” CUT IS OVER 3.5 HOURS LONG
Director Zack Snyder recently shared that his upcoming cut of Justice League will be over three and a half hours long. Specifically, the filmmaker said that his personalized version of the superhero crossover will be at least 214 minutes in length — and possibly longer.
… Released in 2017, Justice League saw the first instance that DC Comics’ biggest heroes — including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Aquaman and the Flash — appeared together on-screen. During the film, they had to take on the galactic threat that was Steppenwolf, while trying to stick together and work as a team. The film divided critics and audiences alike. For the most part, it was slammed for its underdeveloped plot, poor characterization and wonky editing. Fans have been pushing for a director’s cut, and HBO Max announced last month they would get one in 2021.
THE PARENT TRAP CAST REUNITE FOR FILM’S ANNIVERSARY
Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid and the original cast of 1998’s The Parent Trap will reunite today (July 20). The virtual reunion will be the first time the cast has gotten together since the film’s release 22 years ago. Director Nancy Meyers teamed up with Katie Couric to make the reunion happen. The remote get-together streams today on Couric’s Instagram. • LINK
DORITOS IS ASKING FOR FAN-MADE COMMERCIALS AGAIN
Between 2006 and 2016, Doritos invited consumers to “Crash the Super Bowl” by creating their own big-game ads for the brand. At least one user-generated ad was guaranteed to air on the telecast, and cash prizes over the course of the contest topped $7 million. Now Doritos is launching “Crash From Home,” which challenges fans to chip in with ideas for Doritos’ first TV commercial since the pandemic began. Creators can upload videos (60 seconds max) featuring the salty-crunchy snack favorite to crashfromhome.com though July 28. Make a video with Doritos any way you want.
… Up to 15 winners will be selected, each receiving a $10,000 prize, and Doritos will share their efforts on social media. The company will air one commercial during NFL Kickoff Weekend on September 13 featuring segments from Doritos’ favorite “Crash From Home” winner.
THE OLD GUARD HAS BEEN DETHRONED ON NETFLIX
For over a week, Charlize Theron’s new film The Old Guard was one of the most-watched bits of content available to Netflix subscribers living in America. Now, however, the action-adventure drama has been dethroned by a rather surprising contestant — a little-known thriller by the name of Fatal Affair, which has taken the No. 1 spot on the Netflix Top 10 movies chart.
… Fatal Affair tells the story of a woman who tries to save her marriage after a brief but potent encounter with an old friend, only to discover that said friend turns out to be more dangerous and unhinged than they originally led on.
… The movie, which currently holds a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 17%, stars Nia Long alongside Omar Epps and Stephen Bishop. The Old Guard has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 81%.
TOM HOLLAND INVITES BOY TO SPIDER-MAN 3 SET
Six-year-old Bridger Walker is gets to meet Spider-Man. After a dog charged at his four-year-old sister, he pulled her out of the way and bore the brunt of the attack, resulting in him receiving several bites to the face and multiple stitches. When asked by his aunt why he did what he did, he simply said: “If someone had to die I thought it should be me.”
… The boy’s selflessness quickly went viral, resulting in Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. sending videos praising him for doing the right thing. Evans even promised to send the boy an exact replica of Captain America’s shield. But this latest one might be the best so far. Tom Holland, aka Spider-Man, has invited Bridget to visit the set of Spider-Man 3 and to check out the Spider-Man suit up close.