The casualties are starting to pile up in the merger between Disney and 21st Century Fox.
Fox, the broadcast network, has canceled “X-Men” spinoff series “The Gifted” after two seasons.
“The Gifted” starred Stephen Moyer and Amy Acker as the parents of mutant children on the run while being hunted by the government.
The show is produced by 20th Century Fox TV, which is now owned by Disney. Fox the network is part of New Fox.
When the two were corporate siblings, there was an added financial incentive to keep “The Gifted” on air, despite the drama’s mediocre ratings. Now, that incentive no longer exists. And these days, networks are much more likely to cut loose underperforming shows not under their corporate umbrella.
“The Gifted’s” future was also in doubt since Marvel has been consolidating its television properties on Disney-owned platforms. Netflix canceled all of its Marvel shows, including “Daredevil” and “Jessica Jones.”
The remaining Marvel series are all on Disney-owned networks and platforms — “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC), “Legion” (FX) “Cloak and Dagger,” (Freeform) and “The Runways” (Hulu).
There is an outside possibility that “The Gifted” could find a new home on a Disney-owned network, Hulu, or Disney+, the forthcoming streaming service.
Henson was a guest on “The View” on Thursday, and when asked whether or not he’ll return, she told the show’s hosts he will.
“Yes,” the actress said. “I haven’t heard anything else.”
“I talk to Jussie all the time and he’s doing well.”
Taraji P. Henson shares about life on the set of ‘Empire’ in light of the controversy surrounding Jussie Smollett: “We’re all doing well, the show is doing well.” https://t.co/f8u2wc159Spic.twitter.com/TWgpcWYnyf
Smollett’s character, Jamal, was written out of the final two episodes of Season 5 after the actor was arrested in February. Chicago police accused him of orchestrating a January attack on himself that he alleged was a hate crime. A grand jury indicted him on 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for falsifying a police report, but the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office later dropped the charges. Smollett has maintained his innocence. It’s been a story with as many twists and turns as en “Empire” plot.
Fox has declined to comment on the actor’s possible return. Whatever plans are, in the meantime, Henson says that both Smollett and the show are doing well.
“Empire” star Jussie Smollett, who had been accused by Chicago Police of falsely reporting a hate crime, has been cleared of all charges, following an emergency hearing in his case in the Windy City on Tuesday morning.
Smollett’s attorneys announced the surprise decision, revealing that local prosecutors decided to drop the charges against the actor, and telling reporters that “his record has been wiped clean.” CBS Chicago also reported that a judge granted a motion to seal the records in the case.
Last month, Smollett was charged with 16 felony counts stemming from an incident on January 29, in which the actor said he had been attacked by two men, who shouted racial and homophobic slurs. Smollett, who is black and openly gay, said the men also poured an unknown substance — believed to be bleach — on him, and tied a noose around his neck.
But Chicago Police expressed skepticism at Smollett’s version of events, eventually charging him with falsely reporting a hate crime, and publicly condemning him in the media. They arrested two brothers, Ola and Abel Osundairo, who said that Smollett paid them to carry out the attack, and police accused Smollett of seeking fame and a higher paycheck from “Empire” as motives for the incident.
Smollett pleaded not guilty to those charges, and maintained his innocence from the beginning. In a statement released on Tuesday, the actor’s attorneys, Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes, praised the decision to drop the case, though they were highly critical of local authorities, who they accused of leaking information to the media and trying Smollett in the court of public opinion before they had all the facts.
Their statement said:
“Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him. Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement.”
“Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.
“Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career.”
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office also released a statement announcing the dismissal, revealing that part of its decision to end the case stemmed from Smollett’s stellar reputation in the Chicago community, and his agreement to forfeit the $10,000 bond he posted as bail as a donation to the city. Their full statement said:
“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case.”
No further explanation for the dismissal was given.
Speaking to reporters outside court on Tuesday, Smollett said he felt vindicated by the decision, and again insisted he had told the truth about the attack. The actor said:
“I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain, I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I’ve been accused of. This has been an incredibly difficult time, honestly one of the worst of my entire life, but I am a man of a faith and I am a man that has knowledge of my history and I would not bring my family, our lives, or the movement through a fire like this. I just wouldn’t,” he said.
“I’d like nothing more than to just get back to work and move on with my life, but make no mistakes I will always continue to fight for the justice, equality, and betterment of marginalized people everywhere.”
In the wake of the charges against Smollett, “Empire” decided to remove the actor from the final episodes of the show’s fifth season, in an effort to “avoid further disruption on set.” Fox — the network that airs the series — has so far declined to comment on the developments in the case. It remains to be seen if anything will change regarding Smollett’s future on the show.
Fox is keeping its Monday night schedule intact: The network has renewed both “9-1-1” and “The Resident.”
Each series is currently in its second season, and will be back for a third next fall. According to Variety, both shows have maintained solid ratings consistency from season one to season two, with “The Resident” even surpassing its first season in average number of total viewers (5 million this year, versus 4.5 million last year).
In a statement, Fox praised both series for telling fresh stories in the procedural genre.
“’9-1-1′ redefined what a procedural series can be, consistently delivering edge-of-your-seat emergencies, mixed with emotional story arcs and incredible performances from one of the most powerful teams of actors on television,” said Michael Thorn, President of Entertainment at Fox in a statement. “Kudos to Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Tim Minear and their entire crew, as well as the amazing cast anchored by Angela Bassett, Peter Krause and Jennifer Love Hewitt for raising the bar week after week.”
“Amy Holden Jones, Todd Harthan and the team behind ‘The Resident’ continue to showcase their brilliant storytelling, revealing both the triumphs and tragedy within the medical world. Matt Czuchry, Emily VanCamp and Bruce Greenwood, along with the stellar cast, have developed rich and compelling characters through their heartfelt performances,” Thorn added. “We want to thank our producing partners, 20th Century Fox Television, who have steered these two extraordinary series. Both ‘9-1-1’ and ‘The Resident’ have many, many more stories to tell and we can’t wait to deliver them to fans next season.”
“9-1-1” is set to air its season two finale later this spring. “The Resident” season two finale is slated for Monday, April 1.
Disney now official owns 21st Century Fox, making it an even bigger entertainment/media behemoth.
The Walt Disney Co. has closed its $71.3 billion acquisition of large parts of 21st Century Fox, including the film and television studios and cable networks.
Disney now owns: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Family, and Fox Animation; Fox’s television creative units, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Productions, and Fox21; FX Networks; National Geographic Partners; Fox Networks Group International; Star India; Fox’s interests in Tata Sky and Endemol Shine Group; and an additional 30 percent stake in Hulu (bringing Disney’s total to 60 percent).
Among the marquee franchises that Disney is set to inherit include Fox’s superhero properties, such as X-Men and Deadpool, which will fall under Marvel Studios’ control.
“This is an extraordinary and historic moment for us — one that will create significant long-term value for our company and our shareholders,” Disney chairman-CEO Bob Iger said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
“Combining Disney’s and 21st Century Fox’s wealth of creative content and proven talent creates the preeminent global entertainment company, well positioned to lead in an incredibly dynamic and transformative era.”
Meanwhile, the new Fox, which includes Fox News and the Fox broadcast network will operate as a separate company after the mega-deal closes.
Disney has promised $2 billion in cost savings from the acquisition. Some experts are predicting between 4,000-10,000 layoffs.
The deal has been in the works for more than a year, but wasn’t official until various regulatory agencies around the world gave their approvals.
They’ll play heightened versions of themselves shopping a reboot of their seminal teen drama. The actors announced the news on social media and shared an announcement video (below).
It’s unclear if any other cast members, such as Shannen Doherty or Luke Perry, will make appearances.
The project first began percolating over a year ago, led by Spelling and Garth. The actresses then teamed up with Chris Alberghini and Mike Chessler, writers from The CW’s “90210” reboot.
“Beverly Hills, 90210” was created by Darren Star and executive produced by Aaron Spelling. The drama premiered in 1990 and aired for 10 seasons, following group of friends through high school, college, and adulthood.
It became a pop culture phenomenon and launched the spinoff “Melrose Place” (and later, that aforementioned “90210” reboot). Since the show left the air in 2000, the original actors have gone on to varying levels of success in their careers.
Here’s the official logline of the revival:
“Having gone their separate ways since the original series ended 19 years ago, Jason, Jennie, Ian, Gabrielle, Brian and Tori reunite when one of them suggests it’s time to get a Beverly Hills, 90210 reboot up and running. But getting it going may make for an even more delicious soap than the reboot itself. What will happen when first loves, old romances, friends and frenemies come back together, as this iconic cast — whom the whole world watched grow up together — attempts to continue from where they left off?”
Kim Cattrall is set to headline a new Fox pilot, playing a character that’s worlds away from her freewheeling “Sex and the City” alter ego Samantha Jones.
Cattrall will star in “Filthy Rich,” a soapy drama that revolves around an uber-rich Christian family that’s rocked to its core when its patriarch suddenly dies, setting off a wave of shocking revelations. The actress plays matriarch Margaret Monroe, who headlines a massively popular lifestyle TV show on a conservative network, which she runs with her husband.
‘Filthy Rich’ is described as a larger-than-life Southern gothic dramedy that revolves around two strong, sharp women who will go to any length to protect their loved ones and get their due. When the wealthy CEO of the world’s largest Christian network dies in a plane crash, his wife and adult children are stunned to discover he has grown, illegitimate kids who are also in his will. When the steel azalea matriarch of the family tries to pay them to go away, these newly legitimized heirs have very different ideas and insist on not only staying in town but becoming part of the family empire.
Color us intrigued.
The show is based on the New Zealand series of the same name, and is written and directed by Tate Taylor (“The Help,” “The Girl on the Train”), who will also produce. Cattrall is also serving as a producer on the project.
The decision comes a day after Smollett was arrested for what Chicago police are calling a “publicity stunt.” They claim the actor orchestrated and planned an attack against himself because he was unhappy with his salary on “Empire.”
Smollett posted $100,000 bail and has continued to assert his innocence.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Smollett’s salary was about $125,000 per episode, putting him in the “upper echelons for an actor with his experience on a successful show.”
“Empire” is currently filming the penultimate episode of Season 5. Smollett’s character, Jamal Lyons, will not be a part of it or the finale of the Fox drama.
“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply,” reads a statement from executive producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer.
“While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of Jamal from the final two episodes of the season.”
Fox is putting the premiere of “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” on hold due to the ongoing investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against host Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The science program was originally slated to return on March 3. Fox has replaced the empty slots with “Family Guy” reruns.
The first season “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” aired in 2014 as a miniseries on PBS before Fox and National Georgraphic ordered a second outing.
Both companies and the show’s producers are continuing to look into the multiple allegations against the astrophysicist.
Two women, Dr. Katelyn Allers and Ashley Watson, have accused Tyson of inappropriate sexual advances including groping and lewd comments. In 2014, a former classmate of Tyson’s at the University of Texas accused him of raping her in the 1980s.
Tyson denied the allegations. But in response, Nat Geo pulled his science talk show “Star Talk” and began investigating the matter. In early January, the network said it expected that investigation to conclude in a few weeks.
As for “Cosmos,” there is no update or timeline on the investigation. “The credo at the heart of Cosmos is to follow the evidence wherever it leads,” the show’s producers said in a statement in November. “The producers of Cosmos can do no less in this situation. We are committed to a thorough investigation of this matter and to act accordingly as soon as it is concluded.”
Never underestimate the power of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.
“The Simpsons” continues to be the show that never ends. The long-running animated sitcom recently scored a two-season renewal from Fox. The network announced during a TCA event Wednesday that it had ordered Seasons 31 and 32.
The Matt Groening-created series debuted in December 1989 and has been going strong ever since. It is currently airing its 30th season and has produced more episodes than any other primetime scripted series in TV history. “The Simpsons” secured that record by topping “Gunsmoke” during Season 29 and continues to add to its total. By the end of Season 32, the number will reach 713 episodes.
The upcoming seasons will presumably continue to follow the lives of the hilarious Simpson family and those of their friends and fellow Springfield residents. We expect Season 31 to premiere in Fall 2019 and Season 32 to follow in Fall 2020.
