ICYMI: Renewals, cancellations, and the upcoming winter hiatus!

While Hollywood looks to be falling apart at the seams, the world continues to move along in television. This week ushered in some early renewals, new trailers, and possible cancellations for the upcoming season. Following the success of its season 8 premiere, Shameless was renewed for season 9 at Showtime. Though not official, it appears Brooklyn Nine-Nine may be reaching the end of its run according to ratings/calculations done by TV By the Numbers.

While Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s fate hangs in the balance, shows with the likes of Empire, Star, and The Gifted have high hopes for guaranteed renewal. Following in their footsteps is ABC’s hit drama, The Good Doctor that has warmed the hearts of viewers everywhere with its uplifting plot. If ratings are any indication, a season 2 is all but confirmed in its future. This Is Us took a hit during the World Series only to bounce back again in ratings this past week.

Merely weeks after the premiere, Amazon cancelled the 1960’s drama, Good Girls Revolt. Despite this cancellation, the show may have a comeback on their hands as Sony TV shops for a new home. ABC, Freeform, Hulu, USA, and Bravo were all being considered as options to pick up the series. Whether or not this will come to fruition is yet to be seen.

With the winter hiatus upon us, NBC shows have started getting their winter premiere dates. This Is Us will return Tuesday, January 2nd, The Good Place and Will and Grace return Thursday, January 4th. FOX’s Empire approaches its winter finale and takes a hiatus to work on the final eight episodes of this season.

Hot Topic: Sexual allegations have rocked Hollywood to its core with the revelation of numerous celebrities, A-listers, producers, and the likes being accused.

The revelation of more sexual allegations have rocked the world of Hollywood over the past week. The discovery of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey’s allegations have ushered in an era of celebrities opening up about their own experiences. Amongst those newly accused, as of this last week, include Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick, comedian Louis C.K., Mad Men showrunner Matthew Weiner, actors Steven Seagal, Jeremy Piven, Robert Knepper, and Arrowverse producer Andrew Kreisberg. The L.A.P.D. has begun an investigation into some of these allegations and continues to dig deeper as the days go by. This looks to cause a dramatic shift in the industry as actors are being fired and replaced (i.e- Kevin Spacey).

After an allegation accusing Kevin Spacey of sexual abuse, Netflix has parted ways with the actor. As the investigation into the matter continues, speculations are being made as to the fate of House of Cards, with the discussion of several spinoffs in the works. Following the allegations, Netflix announced that this would be House of Cards final season but for the time being production has ceased.

“The producers are also cognizant of the fact that 300 cast and crew members are employed by the series and would be put out of work if the sixth season does not move forward. The feeling is that they did nothing wrong and should not be penalized for Spacey’s behavior. The show has just started filming, so the sense is that Spacey’s character could be safely written out without too many logistical hurdles.”

As we’ve learned in the past weeks, Kevin Spacey is just one of the many that stand accused of such allegations with many more people coming out about their personal encounters. Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Terry Crews was one of the first celebrities to come forward sharing his unfortunate experiences about being sexually assaulted by a prominent talent agent. The sexual allegations against Harvey Weinstein revealed the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd, Angelina Jolie, and many more coming forward with their stories. This unexpected, but much needed situation in Hollywood has given hope to the the likes of Rose McGowan who has been the leading voice against sexual harassment in Hollywood.

With every day brings the news of more and more allegations across the board in Hollywood. Arrowverse executive producer, Andrew Kreisberg, was amongst the latest of those accused. Warner Brothers is currently looking into multiple allegations involving him while he is on suspension. Star Trek’s George Takei was accused of sexually molesting a former model in 1981 who claims he was groped by the actor in his condo. ER star, Anthony Edwards, has also come forward claiming producer Gary Goddard subjected him to years of sexual abuse starting from a young age. Goddard has denied all claims of this nature.

As a result of recent events, anti-harassment training has become a goal for shows as they begin/continue production. Amongst them, is Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why that wants its cast members to feel comfortable to speak out if need be.

Casting News: Powerhouse singers, a sassy magazine editor, and many more join the casts of shows, new and old, this week!

Fox musical drama Star announces the addition of Brandy and Patti Labelle to its second season. With the likes of Missy Elliott and Lenny Kravitz as past guests on the show, this is sure to be a phenomenal addition to the drama revolving around a girl group wanting to make it big.

Julianna Margulies (Good Wife) looks to make her return to the world of television in AMC’s Dietland based on a 2015 novel by Sarai Walker along with Erin Darke (Good Girls Revolt). The story, created by Marti Noxon (Mad Men & UnREAL) will take place amidst the beauty industry revolving around an obese woman getting ready for weight-loss surgery who finds herself dealing with two feminist organizations as a result. Margulies plays a magazine editor who finds herself in the middle of the chaos that ensues. Joining the cast are: Rowena King (Of Kings and Prophets), Joy Nash (The Mindy Project, Twin Peaks), and Robin Weigert (Deadwood).

Social Frenzy: Grey’s Anatomy celebrates its 300th episode with nostalgia for the ages, while viewers angered with Taylor Swift’s musical interruption during this week’s Scandal.

It is insane to think that Grey’s Anatomy has reached the milestone of 300 episodes. Currently in its 14th season and with no signs of stopping, this week’s episode took us back in time revisiting ghosts of Grey’s past.

Whether it was subtle throwbacks via songs from previous episodes, situations mimicking those of the past, or using characters that look like ones we’ve lost during the course of the show, Grey’s 300th episode covered it all. It was a slight nod and homage to the 299 episodes that preceded it, with fans gushing over the nostalgia of it all.

During the November 9th episode of Scandal, Taylor Swift premiered her song, “New Year’s Day”. Fans were in an uproar on Twitter conveying their annoyance with the interruption.

“I literally do not understand why a Taylor Swift premiere of anything is happening during #TGIT #Scandal”

“We don’t care about Taylor Swift. #SCANDAL #TGIT”

TVAD Writers Room: Good Behavior gets complicated while This Is Us discusses adoption.

It was a nail-biting week for the Pearsons (and our TVAD gang) as they anxiously awaited to officially adopt baby Randall on This Is Us. It has been a rollercoaster season of emotions as this season has continued to dig deeper into the past lives of the Big Three and what inevitably leads them down the path to Jack’s death.

On the other hand, Good Behavior led us down a path of nail-biting moments as Javier and Letty faced the prospect of going to prison. With a few tricks up her sleeve, Letty managed to find a way out of handcuffs right into another one of her classic schemes. The second season has continued to have us on the edge of our seats as the stakes get higher and the prospect of a normal family begins to fade.

Shippers Ahoy!: Meredith and Nathan’s love has an abrupt end.

We have gone through the ups and down of Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) life in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. From #MerDer to her most recent love interest, Nathan (Martin Anderson), we’ve seen it all.

This season’s love story between Meredith and Nathan was just getting started when his ex-fiance comes back from the dead muddling up his feelings about Meredith. Even with the exit of his fiance, Megan (Abigail Spencer) from the show, it seems him and Meredith are over. Questions surrounded why there was no clarity to this decision to write him out, but creator Shonda Rhimes and ABC share their content with the story of this love triangle.

Rumor Has It: Big Little Lies has hopes for a second season while 24 may return as a female-led thriller on FOX!

When it comes to HBO’s critically-acclaimed, Big Little Lies, it seems the only thing standing in the way is finding a new director. Season one director, Jean-Marc Vallee, it seems would be unavailable to return for a second season.

With the cancellation of of 24 Legacy over the summer, FOX looks to bring back the franchise involving a female-heavy cast. The story would revolve around a female prosecutor that uncovers a conspiracy. If this new take on 24 holds, the show would present in an anthology manner. Involved with the development of the show are producers Howard Green (Homeland), Brian Grazer, and Jeremy Doner.

Coming Soon: Good Behavior goes drag during a robbery, HBO/AMC limited series’ get some second season buzz, a new STARZ spy series, a new Crown trailer…and more!

TV’s sexiest couple, Letty (Michelle Dockery) and Javier (Juan Diego Botto) are at it again as this week’s Good Behavior takes their scheming to a drag club. In order to secure their freedom, they must steal half a million dollars….or its the prison life for them. Things get dangerous as the mission becomes more complicated than they anticipated.

HBO’s hit drama, The Night Of, sees a future for a second season pending on a formal idea. It appears AMC’s limited series, The Night Manager, has begun the early stages of development with producers.

STARZ announced a new spy thriller starring J.K. Simmons called Counterpart premiering January 21st, 2018. This new drama revolves around a world of conspiracies and espionage and a parallel universe inclusive of J.K. Simmon’s doppleganger. The show is created by Justin Marks (The Jungle Book) and executive produced by Gilbert Films (Lala Land) and Anonymous Content (Mr. Robot).

Fans are rejoicing and looking forward to the new season of Netflix’s The Crown as the new trailer reveals a new decade in Queen Elizabeth’s life. All in all, this week has proven to shake Hollywood at its foundation, with new allegations releasing every day. Nonetheless, the world of TV remains our pleasant distraction from it all.