News

At first glance, “Martha Stewart’s Home for the Holidays” appeared to be a promo for a regular Martha Stewart special — until the subtitle popped up that read, “Topless Christmas Special.” From there, Stewart did a variety of normal, Martha Stewart-type things, like setting a holiday table and making beeswax candles. The only difference was that she was nude from the waist up, with a black censor bar covering her breasts.

Starring Ana Gasteyer as Stewart, “Martha Stewart’s Home for the Holidays: Topless Christmas Special,” is one of SNL’s most beloved holiday sketches. It was co-written by Gasteyer and writer Norm Hiscock, the latter of whom recently jumped on the phone with me to talk about the making of a true holiday classic.

@huggyattack

‘I’ll Do It If She’s Topless’

The way the sketch began was that Ana Gasteyer was looking to do a sketch with Martha Stewart.

Keith Johnstone, a pioneer in improvisation who trained a generation of actors and comedians in impromptu performance and creativity, on and off the stage, has died. He was 90.

Johnstone died at Rockyview Hospital in Calgary on Saturday, according to his personal website, with no cause of death specified. The creator of Theatresports and co-founder of The Loose Moose Theatre Company was born in Devon, England, on Feb. 21, 1933.

Johnstone trained at the Royal Court Theatre in London and was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. According to Theresa Robbins Dudeck, co-director of the docu-series On Keith: Artists Speak on Johnstone and Impro, Johnstone developed his Impro System, or his improvisation theories, while at the Royal Court Theatre over 10 years to 1966. He eventually became associate director and head of the Rct Studio for professional actors.

“The Rct Studio, for Keith, was a ‘scientific laboratory,’ where he could investigate the nature of spontaneous creation,...

Steve Carell’s “Space Force” series will not be back for a third season, a source close to the production confirmed to TheWrap on Friday.

Carell co-created the Netflix comedy with former “The Office” showrunner Greg Daniels, who is working with Netflix on the animated comedies “Bad Crimes” and “Exploding Kittens.”

Season 2 was released on Feb. 18, but failed to crack the Nielsen streaming weekly Top 10, although there were an influx of viewers when the season first dropped: It landed at No. 8 and No. 7 in its two first weeks on the streaming originals Nielsen charts.

While Season 1 held the top spot on Netflix’s Daily Top 10 ranking, Season 2 peaked at fifth place.

The comedy starred Carell, John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Tawny Newsome, Dianna Silvers, Don Lake and Jimmy O. Yang and revolved around the titular government agency trying to find a purpose for their existence.

“Space Force” was co-created by Carell and Greg Daniels,...

Netflix has brought Space Force back down to Earth, cancelling the Steve Carell-led comedy after two seasons, TVLine has confirmed. The axing comes just over two months after Space Force‘s second season dropped on Feb. 18.

The series followed a group of people, led by Carell’s General Mark R. Naird, who were tasked with creating a sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces, known as the Space Force. In Season 2, Gen. Naird and his underdog team had to prove themselves to a new administration while dealing with their own interpersonal challenges.

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Steve Carell’s “Space Force” has been canceled after two seasons at Netflix.

The second season of the comedy, which re-teamed Carell and “The Office” creator Greg Daniels, debuted on Feb. 18. “Space Force” Season 2 picked up with General Mark Naird (Carell) and his underdog team having to prove their worth to a new administration while dealing with interpersonal challenges.

“Space Force” also starred series regulars John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Tawny Newsome, Diana Silvers, Jimmy O. Yang and Don Lake. Additionally, Lisa Kudrow played Naird’s wife, Maggie Naird, in the show’s first season, which also featured the late Fred Willard as his father.

Daniels and Norm Hiscock served as co-showrunners on “Space Force.” The show was executive produced by Daniels, Carell, Hiscock, Howard Klein, Brent Forrester and Ken Kwapis.

“Space Force” premiered its 10-episode first season in May 2020. It was cut down to seven episodes for Season 2.

The show received mix reviews,...

Exclusive: Netflix has opted not to renew Greg Daniels and Steve Carell’s comedy series Space Force for a third season.

The decision on the series, which starred John Malkovich and Ben Schwartz alongside Carell, comes two and a half months after Season 2 was released February 18. It did not break into the overall Nielsen streaming weekly Top 10 ranking but made a brief appearance on the streaming originals Nielsen charts, debuting at No. 8 and rising to No. 7 the following week. It also had a short presence in Netflix’s Daily Top 10 raking, peaking at around No. 5 after Season 1 had had a lengthy stay at No. 1.

TV Cancellations Photo Gallery: Shows Ending In 2022 & Beyond

Viewership (along with critical acclaim) vs. cost is a key factor in Netflix’s pickup decisions, so for an expensive show like Space Force, the ratings renewal bar is high. The streamer also recently canceled Raising Dion, which...

The “Kids in the Hall” cast — Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson — are unearthed from their burial plot and set loose on the world once again in the first trailer for the Prime Video revival of the beloved sketch comedy. The reboot will debut on May 13, the streamer announced on Wednesday at its Prime Video Presents Canada showcase event in Toronto.

Things are crushed from a distance, tasteless jokes are made and Queen Elizabeth spoofed in the trailer, which sees the comedians skeptical of their new streaming network, Amazon.

The upcoming season will feature eight episodes with all-new sketches and guest stars including Pete Davidson, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Kenan Thompson, Will Forte, Paul Bellini, Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Catherine Reitman, Samantha Bee, Fred Armisen, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jay Baruchel, Eddie Izzard, Tracee Ellis Ross and Colin Mochrie.

The original Emmy-nominated sketch show premiered in 1989 and become a cult comedy hit.

Netflix has set a winter premiere date for the return of Steve Carell and Greg Daniels’ series Space Force. Season 2 of the workplace comedy will debut February 18 on the streaming network.

Co-created by Carell and Daniels and starring Carell, the series centers on four-star general Mark R. Naird (Carell), a decorated pilot with dreams of running the Air Force, who’s thrown for a loop when he finds himself tapped to lead the newly formed sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces: Space Force. Skeptical but dedicated, Mark uproots his family and moves to a remote base in Colorado, where he and a colorful team of scientists and “Spacemen” are tasked by the White House with getting American boots on the moon (again) in a hurry and achieving total space dominance.

The seven-episode Season 2 picks up with General Naird and his underdog team having to prove their worth to...

Gen. Mark Naird will return to action this winter: Space Force Season 2 will premiere on Feb. 18, Netflix announced Monday.

The series, which was renewed in November 2020, likely will feel a bit different in its sophomore run. As part of a “creative revamp,” Norm Hiscock (Parsks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) has joined Greg Daniels as co-showrunner; Jimmy O. Yang, who plays Dr. Chan Kaifang, now also is a member of the show’s writing staff. In addition, production on the comedy has moved from Los Angeles to Vancouver.

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Netflix has ordered a second season of Space Force, its workplace comedy which may have drawn inspiration from President Donald Trump’s Space Force initiative. Production is slated to begin in Vancouver in 2021.

Co-created by Steve Carell and Greg Daniels and starring Carell, the series centers on a decorated pilot with dreams of running the Air Force, four-star general Mark R. Naird (Carell) who’s thrown for a loop when he finds himself tapped to lead the newly formed sixth branch of the US Armed Forces: Space Force. Skeptical but dedicated, Mark uproots his family and moves to a remote base in Colorado where he and a colorful team of scientists and “Spacemen” are tasked by the White House with getting American boots on the moon (again) in a hurry and achieving total space dominance.

Carell and Daniels, who also serves as co-showrunner, executive produce with Howard Klein of 3Arts.

“Space Force” has been renewed for Season 2 at Netflix, Variety has confirmed.

The show’s first season debuted back in May. Production on Season 2 is currently slated to begin in Vancouver in 2021.

The show is inspired by President Trump’s proposal for sixth branch of the military and centers around decorated pilot and four-star general Mark R. Naird (Steve Carell), who has dreamed of running the Air Force, but instead finds himself tasked with leading the newly formed Space Force.

The series also stars Lisa Kudrow, John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Jimmy O. Yang, Noah Emmerich, Fred Willard, Tawny Newsome, Diana Silvers, Alex Sparrow, and Don Lake.

Carell co-created the series alongside “The Office” creator Greg Daniels, with both serving as executive producers. Daniels also serves as co-showrunner alongside fellow executive producer Norm Hiscock. Howard Klein of 3 Arts also executive produces.

The show was ordered straight to series last year. The...

“Space Force” is continuing its mission, with Netflix giving the Steve Carell-led comedy a second season.

Norm Hiscock will join the series as co-showrunner alongside co-creator Greg Daniels. Hiscock’s prior credits include “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Parks & Recreation” and “People of Earth.” “Space Force” star Jimmy O. Yang has also joined the writing staff.

Production is scheduled to begin next year in Vancouver.

“Space Force” was based off President Trump’s real order to establish a sixth branch of the military and starred Carell as a four-star general tasked with starting up the new branch. Joe Biden’s incoming presidency figures to alter the show somewhat, given that Space Force was Trump’s idea and he’s frequently referenced (though never by name) during the first season.

John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Tawny Newsome and Diana Silvers also star in the Netflix comedy. Lisa Kudrow also recurred as the wife of Carell’s Gen.

Somebody crank up “Kokomo,” because Space Force is coming back. The Steve Carell comedy has been renewed for Season 2 at Netflix, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The series will also undergo a “creative revamp,” with Norm Hiscock (Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) joining Greg Daniels as co-showrunner and production moving from Los Angeles to Vancouver in an effort to cut costs. Co-star Jimmy O. Yang will also join the show’s writing staff.

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Netflix is returning to space.

The streaming giant has renewed its Steve Carell-led comedy Space Force for a second season. Production on the pricey comedy will move from Los Angeles to Vancouver in a bid to reduce the show’s budget. Filming will begin next year. A return date has not yet been determined.

As part of a larger creative revamp, Norm Hiscock has also joined the series and will serve as co-showrunner alongside Greg Daniels. Hiscock, a frequent collaborator with Daniels, counts Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation, People of Earth and King of the Hill among his credits. The hope, per sources,...

Netflix is returning to space.

The streaming giant has renewed its Steve Carell-led comedy Space Force for a second season. Production on the pricey comedy will move from Los Angeles to Vancouver in a bid to reduce the show’s budget. Filming will begin next year. A return date has not yet been determined.

As part of a larger creative revamp, Norm Hiscock has also joined the series and will serve as co-showrunner alongside Greg Daniels. Hiscock, a frequent collaborator with Daniels, counts Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation, People of Earth and King of the Hill among his credits. The hope, per sources,...

TBS has pulled the plug on comedy “People of Earth” after two seasons.

The Turner cabler had renewed the Wyatt Cenac starrer last September for a third season. But series creator David Jenkins broke the news of the cancellation via Twitter on Friday. TBS reps could not immediately be reached for comment early Saturday.

“People of Earth” wrapped its second season last fall. The single-camera laffer, from Conan O’Brien’s Conaco production banner and Warner Horizon Television, revolved around a support group in upstate New York for survivors of alien abductions. Luka Jones, Alice Wetterlund, Michael Cassidy, and Tracee Chimo also starred.

TBS has been on a hot streak the past two years as it revved up its original comedy series slate. “People of Earth” is the first TBS original to get the ax since “Angie Tribeca” launched in 2016.

“Thank you to everyone who was a fan of the show and enjoyed its gentle,...

According to agent Melissa Lee of Toronto's Ml Talent Agency, the deadline for new actors/actresses, inexperienced/experienced, to register online with the agency as a background performer (extra) for Toronto-based feature films, TV series and commercials, has been extended to Friday June 23, 2017:

Lee, the owner of Ml Talent Agency is a founding member, and Co-Chair of the Toronto Talent Agent Association (Ttaa).

online agency registration here

Recent Toronto film productions include "Suicide Squad", "Dark Matter", "The Strain", "RoboCop", "Carrie", "Resident Evil: Afterlife", "Designated Survivor", "The Handmaid's Tale", "Pixels", "12 Monkeys", "Suits", "11:22.63", "Downsizing", plus the new "Star Trek" TV series, "Star Trek: Discovery".

Here is the Toronto Film Production Update for June 2017:

12 Monkeys - Season 4

TV Series

Universal Television Enterprises LLC

Prod.: Michael Wray

Exec. Producer: Terry Matalas

Dir.: Various

Apr 3 – Jul 7/17

Condor Season 1

TV Series

T5 Condor Productions Inc.

Exec. Prods.: Jason Smilovic, Todd Katzberg, Lawrence Trilling

Dir.: Lawrence Trilling, + tba

Apr 24 - Aug 15/17

Crawford Season 1

TV Series

Crawford Season One, Inc.

Exec. Prod.: Laura Michalchyshyn, Mike Clattenburg

Dir.: Mike Clattenburg

Apr 17 - Jun 28/17

Green Harvest

TV Series

Streak Productions Inc. / CBS

Prod.: Kevin Lafferty, Loretta Ramos, Aaron Baiers

Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,

Heather Kadin, Gretchen Berg, Aaron Harberts

Dir.: various

Jan 24 – Oct 6/17

People Of Earth Season 2

TV Series

Slanted Films

Prod.: Paula Devonshire

Exec. Prods.: David Jenkins, Norm Hiscock, Aaron Shure

Dir.: Various

May 1 - Jul 17/17

Salvation Season 1

TV Series

CBS

Producer: Robert Ortiz

Exec. Prods.: Liz Kruger, Craig Shapiro, Heather Kadin, Aaron Beiers, Stuart Gillard

Dir.: Various

March 1 - Aug 3/17

Secrets From The Russian Tea Room

Feature

Rtr 2016 Ontario Inc.

Prod.: Malene Blenkov, Sandra Cunningham, Robin Cass

LP: Kristina Kornum (Denmark), Lisa Kussner (Canada)

Dir.: Lone Scherfig

May 8 – Jun 2/17

Star Falls

TV Series

Breakthrough Ent

Prod.: Jim Corson

Exec. Prod.:George Doty, Joan Lambur, Ira Levy,Peter Williamson,Michael McGuigan,

Nat Abraham,

Dir.: Various

May 8 - Aug 4/17

The Lead

TV Series

CTV / eOne

Prod.: Brian Gibson

Exec. Prod.: Ilana Frank, Adam Pettle, Ley Lukins, Linda Pope

Dir.: various

Apr 17 - Jul 25/17

Cardinal: Blackfly Season

Mini Series

Sienna Films/eOne

Prod.: Jessica Daniel

Dir.: Jeff Renfroe

May 29 – Aug 4/17

Code 8

Feature

Code 8 Films Inc.

Producer: Jeff Chan

Director: Jeff Chan

May 29 - Jul 14/17

Fahrenheit 451

TV Movie

HBO Films/Morning Star Prods. Ltd.

Prod.: David Coatsworth, Sarah Green

Dir.: Ramin Bahrani

Jul 10 – Sep 8/17

Frankie Drake

TV Series

Shaftesbury Frankie I Inc.

Prod.: Julie Lacey, Jonathan Hackett

Dir.: Various

Jun 19 - Oct 26/17

Girl Underground

(working title)

TV Movie

Cineflix (Captive) Inc.

Prod.: Thomas Vencelides

Dir.: Stephen Kemp

May 16 – Jun 1/17

Little Italy

Feature

Pizza Lovers Productions Ltd.

Prod.: Vinay Virmani, Ajay Virmani, Pauline Dhillon

Dir.: Donald Petrie

May 17 - Jun 26/17

Suits Season 7

TV Series

NBC Universal

Prod.: Mark Winemaker

Dir.: Various

Apr 4 - Nov 15/17

The Detail

TV Series

CTV / eOne

Prod.: Brian Gibson

Dir.: various

Apr 17 - Jul 25/17

The Expanse Season 3

TV Series

SyFy

Prod.: Manny Danelon

Dir.: Various

Jul 12 - Dec 8/17...

Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for June 2017 including "12 Monkeys", "Fahrenheit 451", "Code 8" and a whole lot more:

"Extras" Needed For Toronto Movies/TV

12 Monkeys - Season 4

TV Series

Universal Television Enterprises LLC

Prod.: Michael Wray

Exec. Producer: Terry Matalas

Dir.: Various

Apr 3 – Jul 7/17

Condor Season 1

TV Series

T5 Condor Productions Inc.

Exec. Prods.: Jason Smilovic, Todd Katzberg, Lawrence Trilling

Dir.: Lawrence Trilling, + tba

Apr 24 - Aug 15/17

Crawford Season 1

TV Series

Crawford Season One, Inc.

Exec. Prod.: Laura Michalchyshyn, Mike Clattenburg

Dir.: Mike Clattenburg

Apr 17 - Jun 28/17

Green Harvest

TV Series

Streak Productions Inc. / CBS

Prod.: Kevin Lafferty, Loretta Ramos, Aaron Baiers

Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,

Heather Kadin, Gretchen Berg, Aaron Harberts

Dir.: various

Jan 24 – Oct 6/17

People Of Earth Season 2

TV Series

Slanted Films

Prod.: Paula Devonshire

Exec. Prods.: David Jenkins, Norm Hiscock,...

Ml Talent Agency, is looking for background performer actors and actresses, inexperienced/experienced for more Toronto-based feature films, TV series and commercials :

Melissa Lee, owner of Ml Talent Agency and founding member, Co-Chair of the Toronto Talent Agent Association (Ttaa) is a 20-year veteran in the film industry.

The one year agency fee for non-union performers to list with Ml Talent Agency has been discounted to $75 for new clients referred by SneakPeek.Ca with exclusive easy online registration here.

Recent Toronto film productions include "Suicide Squad", "Reign", "Dark Matter", "The Strain", "RoboCop", "Carrie", "Resident Evil: Afterlife", "Designated Survivor", "The Handmaid's Tale", "Pixels", "12 Monkeys", "Suits", "Stephen King's 11:22.63", "Downsizing", plus the new "Star Trek" TV series, "Star Trek: Discovery".

Here is the Toronto Film Production Update for May 2017:

12 Monkeys - Season 4

TV Series

Universal Television Enterprises LLC

Prod.: Michael Wray

Exec. Producer: Terry Matalas

Dir.: Various...

Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for May 2017 including "Dark Matter", "Crawford", "Designated Survivor" and a whole lot more:

12 Monkeys - Season 4

TV Series

Universal Television Enterprises LLC

Prod.: Michael Wray

Exec. Producer: Terry Matalas

Dir.: Various

Apr 3 – Jul 7/17

Condor Season 1

TV Series

T5 Condor Productions Inc.

Exec. Prods.: Jason Smilovic, Todd Katzberg, Lawrence Trilling

Dir.: Lawrence Trilling, + tba

Apr 24 - Aug 15/17

Crawford Season 1

TV Series

Crawford Season One, Inc.

Exec. Prod.: Laura Michalchyshyn, Mike Clattenburg

Dir.: Mike Clattenburg

Apr 17 - Jun 28/17

Dark Matter Season 3

TV Series

Prodigy Entertainment Inc.

Exec. Prod.: Jay Firestone, Joseph

Mallozzi, Paul Mullie

Dir.: Various

Nov 18/16 - Apr 13/17

Designated Survivor

Season 1

TV Series

Designated 1 Ltd.

Prod.: David Guggenheim

Exec. Prod.: David Guggenheim

Dir.: various

July 25/16 - Apr 30/17 Tbc

Flint

TV Movie

Sony Pictures TV / Lifetime

Prod.: John M. Eckert

Exec.

Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for October 2016, including "12 Monkeys", "Designated Survivor", "Taken" and a whole lot more:

Click Here To Register With A Toronto Extras Agent

12 Monkeys

Season 3

TV Series

Gep 12 Monkeys B Inc.

Prod.: Michael Wray

Exec. Prod.: David Grossman, Terry Matalas

Oct 17 - Feb 17/17

Alias Grace

Mini Series

Halfire Entertainment

Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson

Dir.: Mary Harron

Aug 15 - Nov 15/16

Anne

TV Series

CBC/Netflix

Prod.: Susan Murdoch

Exec. Prod.: Miranda de Pencier, Moira Walley-Beckett

Sep 22/16 - Feb 03/17

Anne Of Green Gables

TV Movie

Gables 23 Productions Inc.

Prod.: Jim Corston

Exec. Prod.: Joan Lambur, Peter Williamson

Dir.: John Kent Harrison

Sep 12 - Nov 4/16

Baroness Von Sketch Show

Season 2

TV Series

Bvss 2 Productions Ontario Inc. / Frantic Films

Prod.: Graham Ludlow, Jeff Peeler

Exec.Prod.: Jamie Brown, Carolyn Taylor, Meredith MacNeill, Aurora Browne,...

Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for September 2016, including "American Gods", "Flatliners", "Taken" and a whole lot more:

Click Here To Register With A Toronto Extras Agent

Alias Grace

Mini Series

Halfire Entertainment

Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson

Dir.: Mary Harron

Aug 15 - Nov 15/16

American Gods

TV Series

Fremantle / Starz Network

Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,

Michael Green, Neil Gaiman

Dir.: David Slade & Various

Anon

Feature

Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.

Prod.: Dan Bekerman

Dir.: Andrew Niccol

Jul 11 - Aug 26/16

Baroness Von Sketch Show

Season 2

TV Series

Bvss 2 Productions Ontario Inc. / Frantic Films

Prod.: Graham Ludlow, Jeff Peeler

Exec.Prod.: Jamie Brown, Carolyn Taylor, Meredith MacNeill, Aurora Browne, Jennifer Whalen

Dir.: Yael Staav

Sep 12 - Oct 28/16

Bruno & Boots II And III

TV Movie (2)

Aircraft Pictures

Prod.: Anthony Leo, Andrew Rosen

Dir.: Vivieno Caldinelli

Jul 22 -...

Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for August 2016, including "Taken", "Flatliners", "People Of Earth" and a whole lot more:

Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent

Alias Grace

Mini Series

Halfire Entertainment

Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson

Dir.: Mary Harron

Aug 15 - Nov 15/16

American Gods

TV Series

Fremantle / Starz Network

Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,

Michael Green, Neil Gaiman

Dir.: David Slade & Various

Mar. 14 – Sep 30/16

Anon

Feature

Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.

Prod.: Dan Bekerman

Dir.: Andrew Niccol

Backstage

Season 2

TV Series

Fresh TV

Prod.: Brian Campbell

Exec. Prod.: Brian Irving,

Lara Azzopardi

Dir.: Mario Azzopardi,

Wendy Morgan, Director X, Rt!,

Warren P. Sonoda, Lara Azzopardi

Jul 5 - Aug 19/16

Bruno & Boots II And III

TV Movie (2)

Aircraft Pictures

Prod.: Anthony Leo, Andrew Rosen

Dir.: Vivieno Caldinelli

Jul 22 - Sep 2

Buckout Road

Feature

Buckout Productions Ltd

Prod.

One of Jake Peralta’s most endearing characteristics is how he has romanticized his desk job into a world where he can always be the hero, burning the bad guy with fury and finesse while munching on stock action movie catchphrases. Adding to Jake’s infatuation with the tropes of the genre, Brooklyn Nine-Nine sometimes calls back to the conventions of a straight police procedural and tries to give them a knowing wink.

While Jake pays reference to that giddy fantasy world a few times in “Payback,” the comedy expands the fun to include Amy this week. She gets the chance to cozy up next to a new partner, the captain she has done everything in her power to impress. (At first, Gina asks Amy if her new prominent role alongside Cpt. Holt is a “Make-a-Wish thing” and she is dying.) Even though the relationship between Cpt. Holt and Amy is often predictable,...

Of all the canards foisted upon and between culture fans in 2013, there was none more dubious than the notion that the supposed “battle” of television vs. film had come to an end, with the former declared the victor. Besides the fact that comparing such disparate mediums is a fool’s errand at best, both are such vast and complicated enterprises that any pitched battle likely only pits narrow conceptions of each against the other. (Strawman vs. strawman, the most popular form of discourse on the Internet.) The simplest way to invalidate the entire argument quickly: where films only have to be taken on their own terms as one complete work, TV series need to be considered in at least three contexts: by episode, by season, and by the overall run of the series.

With several shows ending their runs this year, including Breaking Bad, Dexter, Southland, Spartacus, and The Killing (up until its latest resurrection,...

Writers for Breaking Bad and House of Cards were among those singled out for the 2014 Writers Guild Awards, which will be held on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles and New York.

The nominees are:

Drama Series:

Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC

The Good Wife, Written by Meredith Averill, Leonard Dick, Keith Eisner, Jacqueline Hoyt, Ted Humphrey, Michelle King, Robert King, Erica Shelton Kodish, Matthew Montoya, J.C. Nolan, Luke Schelhaas, Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Craig Turk, Julie Wolfe; CBS

Homeland, Written by Henry Bromell, William E. Bromell, Alexander Cary,...

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Season 1, Episode 2, “The Tagger”

Directed by Craig Zisk

Written by Norm Hiscock

Airs Tuesdays at 8:30pm Est on Fox

This week’s episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine flows even better than last week’s pilot, and even suggests a format for the show. The new comedy grows more promising as the crime this week provides even more entertainment than last week’s. Right from the beginning of the pilot, it’s clear that the driving force of the show is going to be the disagreements between Detective Jake Peralta and Captain Ray Holt, paired with the competitiveness between Jake and Amy. “The Tagger” focuses on the aftermath of the pilot as Jake is forced to spend a lot more time with the Captain.

Rosa is a lot less hostile towards Charles this week and it’s still unclear what her intentions actually are. As she fluctuates between interested and abrupt,...

As my Televerse cohost Simon Howell and I discussed in our Top 10 TV Series of 2013 (So Far), this has been a spectacular year for television, with many shows delivering remarkably consistent seasons (or half-seasons) of memorable, moving television. A number of series were in contention for our Top 10 but didn’t quite make the cut, often because they lacked the week-in, week-out consistency of our final picks. Here is our list of the Best of the Rest, the standout episodes of 2013 from shows that didn’t make our Top 10. With so many choices, and because we’ve seen and are drawing from different series, Simon and I are offering more personalized picks here. As with our Top 10, the list is alphabetical. –Kate Kulzick

Adventure Time, “Simon & Marcy” / The Venture Bros., “What Color is Your Cleansuit?”

Adventure Time, “Simon & Marcy”

Written and Storyboarded by Cole Sanchez and Rebecca Sugar

Directed by...

Community, Season 4, Episode 10: “Intro to Knots”

Written by Andy Bobrow

Directed by Tristram Shapeero

Airs Thursdays at 8pm Et on NBC

Let’s talk for a second about Abed Nadir. In a lot of ways, he seems emblematic of the problems that have hamstrung Community’s fourth season. As soon as he arrives at Jeff’s Christmas party, he is actively trying to mold it into a Die Hard homage. This isn’t unprecedented behavior for Abed, he shaped what is perhaps the series’ best episode “Critical Film Studies” into a My Dinner With Andrew homage, but recently it seems to be his sole motivating concern week in and week out. It feels like a shift in his character. If we take a look at “Cooperative Calligraphy,” an episode “Intro to Knots” closely resembles. Abed constantly comments “It’s a bottle episode!” but he is not attempting to propagate it.

Community, Season 4, Episode 2: “Paranormal Parentage”

Written by Megan Ganz

Directed by Tristram Shapeero

Airs Thursdays at 8pm Et on NBC

“Paranormal Parentage” is something of an acid test for this new version of Community. It’s a holiday episode and written by Megan Ganz, two things that have historically meant quality, and for the most part, that holds true here as well. There are touches that don’t work—some of the big jokes don’t hit quite right (e.g. Pierce’s sex room), the best ones are often the most subtle (Pierce installed his panic room the day Do The Right Thing was released)—but it’s a good story with some great character beats, something all but missing from last week’s premiere.

The characters still don’t feel quite right. Annie in particular seems like her season one self, obsessed with Jeff and amnesiac in...

30 Rock, Season 7, Episode 11: “A Goon’s Deed in a Weary World”

Written by Lang Fisher & Nina Pedrad

Directed by Jeff Richmond

Airs Thursdays at 8pm Et on NBC

The final scene of this penultimate episode of 30 Rock is perhaps the most affecting thing the show has done. Finally free of the obligation to play mom to Tracy and Jenna, Liz rushes to the airport to greet her adoptive (and, in an amusing gag, interracial) twins, Terry and Janet, who come across as younger clones of Tgs’s co-stars. What could be laughed off as just another joke in an episode chock-full of them, an attempt to suggest that Liz just cannot get away from these crazy people, creates a deep emotional resonance, relating the idea that her entire life and career has been preparing her for this moment, preparing her to be a mother.

The central dilemma in Liz...

What do Walter White and Phil Dunphy have in common? They’re both at the center of the TV shows most honored by the Writers Guild of America today. The group just announced the nominees for its annual awards, which will be handed out Feb. 17 at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York. Breaking Bad garnered five nods; Modern Family drew four. Here’s a list of all the primetime and late night series in contention for the event’s biggest prizes:

Drama Series

Boardwalk Empire, Written by Dave Flebotte, Diane Frolov, Chris Haddock, Rolin Jones, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki,...

Parks and Recreation, Season 5, Episode 2, “Soda Tax”

Written by Norm Hiscock

Directed by Kyle Newachek

Airs Thursdays at 9:30pm Et on NBC

In this episode, Leslie Knope attempts to address Pawnee’s obesity problem by borrowing a page from Michael Bloomberg’s notebook and taxing soda. It fares significantly better than last year’s attempt to address the birther controversy in “Born and Raised.” It uses New York’s controversial legislation to emphasize the fact that if Leslie is going to stand up for what she believes in, she’s going to have to be okay with pissing some people off along the way.

Leslie’s reaction at the city council meeting recalls last year’s “Bowling for Votes” in which she couldn’t stand to let one potential voter’s irrational bias go, risking damage to her campaign in the process. This being Parks, Leslie’s turmoil is...

30 Rock, Season 6, Episode 8, “Leap Day”

Written by Luke Del Tredici

Directed by Steve Buscemi

Airs Thursdays at 8pm Et on NBC

After a dismal Valentine’s Day episode that made it look like it might finally be time to write 30 Rock off, they follow up the deliriously sublime “The Tuxedo Begins” with “Leap Day” and it’s starting to look like the show may have regained its spark. The host of traditions they’ve established for February 29th is remarkably thorough, complete with it’s own holiday-movie. Leap Dave Williams, starring Jim Carrey and Andie MacDowell, seems to possess the cultural cache of Groundhog Day or Christmas Vacation, featuring a bevy of quotes everyone is constantly spouting such as “It’s Leap Day! Real life is for March!”

Much like America’s Kidz Got Singing! from the season premiere, Leap Dave Williams highlights the satirical talents of a writing staff...

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced the winners of the WGA Awards for outstanding achievement in writing. In the Screenplay category, "Midnight in Paris," written by Woody Allen, took home the Original Screenplay award while "The Descendants," written by Alexander Payne, and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemming, received the Best Adapted Screenplay award.

Winners of the WGA awards were announced Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Zooey Deschanel and Joel McHale served as hosts of the ceremony.

Here is the full list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 2012 WGA Awards (to see winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, visit our Awards Avenue coverage right here)

Screenplay Nominees

Original Screenplay

50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment

Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Studios

*** (Winner) Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics

Win Win,...

Midnight in Paris, Young Adult, and the other nominations for the 2012 Writers Guild Awards have been announced. The 64th Annual Writers Guild Awards is “a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different Us labor unions: The Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae), representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi. The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw), representing TV and film writers in Hollywood and southern California.” The 2012 Writers Guild Awards will be held on February 19, 2012.

The full listing of the 2012 Writers Guild Awards nominations is below.

Screenplay Nominees

Original Screenplay

50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment

Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Pictures

Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics

Win Win, Screenplay by Tom McCarthy; Story by Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni; Fox Searchlight

Young Adult, Written by Diablo Cody; Paramount Pictures

Adapted Screenplay

The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne...

HollywoodNews.com: The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, news, radio, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2011 season. The winners will be honored at the 2012 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday, February 19, 2012, at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.

Television Nominees

Drama Series

Boardwalk Empire, Written by Bathsheba Doran, Dave Flebotte, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki, Itamar Moses, Margaret Nagle, Terence Winter; HBO

Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC

Game of Thrones, Written by David Benioff, Bryan Cogman, Jane Espenson, George R.R. Martin, D.B. Weiss; HBO

The Good Wife, Written by Courtney Kemp Agboh, Meredith Averill, Corinne Brinkerhoff, Leonard Dick, Keith Eisner, Karen Hall, Ted Humphrey, Michelle King, Robert King, Steve Lichtman, Matthew Montoya, Julia Wolfe; CBS

Homeland, Written by Henry Bromell,...

Writers behind such HBO dramas as Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones were nominated for the 2012 Writers Guild Awards, announced today. Scribes for the AMC drama Breaking Bad also received multiple nods, as did NBC’s 30 Rock and ABC’s Modern Family.

Here is a partial list of nominees. Statues will be handed out Feb. 19 in Los Angeles and New York City.

Drama series

Boardwalk Empire, written by Bathsheba Doran, Dave Flebotte, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki, Itamar Moses, Margaret Nagle, Terence Winter

Breaking Bad, Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett

Game of Thrones,...

Welcome to your Monday morning television briefing. There is major recasting underway at CBS' comedy Mad Love, which is allegedly thisclose to scoring a thirteen-episode midseason order from the network. According to Deadline's Nellie Andreeva, Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) is said to be in talks to come aboard the comedy, where she would replace Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights) as Kate on the Sony Pictures Television and CBS Studios-produced project. Meanwhile, Lizzy Caplan (Party Down) has backed out of the project after she couldn't commit to the series and her role, Connie, will also be recast. (It's the second wave of recastings on the pilot as Dan Fogler and Ashley Austin Morris were previously replaced by Tyler Labine and Lizzy Caplan respectively.) (Deadline) Hollywood Reporter's Carita Rizzo offers an insightful behind-the-scenes look at NBC's critically acclaimed comedy Parks and Recreation, which recently wrapped its second season, by spending the day with...

The Writers Guild of Canada (Wgc) just announced the finalists for the Wgc Screenwriting Awards. Those finalists come from the industry of television, filmmaking and web series. Besides, comedian Debra Digiovanni will host the 14th Annual Wgc Screenwriting Awards on April 19, 2010.

So, the finalists are...

Animation:

* Grossology - "New Recruits." Written by Richard Clark.

* Total Drama Action - "Crouching Courtney, Hidden Owen." Written by Alex Ganetakos.

* League of Super Evil - “Glory Hog." Written by Philippe Ivanusic-Vallee and Davila LeBlanc

* Total Drama Action - "The Sand Witch Project." Written by Shelley Scarrow.

Children & Preschool

* Max and Ruby - "Max Says Goodbye." Written by Kate Barris.

* Max and Ruby - "Ruby's Good Neighbor Report." Written by Shelley Hoffman & Robert Pincombe.

* Zigby - "Zigby's Collection." Written by Louise Moon

Documentary:

* Malls R Us (Feature Version). Written by Helene Klodawsky.

* The Royal Winnipeg Ballet - 40 Years of One Night Stands. Narration Written by Robert Lower.

Chicago – Improving with every episode of its short first season, now available on DVD, “Parks and Recreation” returns tonight with the best episode of comedy in tonight’s much-hyped cavalcade of premieres. Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Paul Schneider, and the rest of the cast and writers of “Parks and Recreation” are doing everything they can to turn their comedy into the next NBC must-see show. Do your part and tune in.

Television Rating: 4.0/5.0

DVD Rating: 4.5/5.0 Very few comedies come out of the gate without a few flaws. The first month of “30 Rock” didn’t have nearly the comic timing that made the third season an Emmy darling. It takes time to develop pacing, comic chemistry, and characters that the audience care about. Watching the first season of “Parks and Recreation,” you can see those essential ingredients start to click by roughly episode four, “Boys Club”.

Parks and Recreation

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