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Get a First Look at ‘Outlander’ Star Sam Heughan In His ‘Very Sexy’ New Series ‘The Couple Next Door’

Megan Elliott — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 22:20:50 +0000

Get ready to see Outlander star Sam Heughan in a whole new light. The Jamie Fraser actor is showing off his darker side in the first teaser for Starz’s steamy psychological thriller The Couple Next Door.

Heughan plays an alpha male traffic cop who gets caught up in a relationship with his new neighbor (played by Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson) in the six-episode limited series, which is based on the book by Shari Lapena. And based on what we’ve seen so far, Outlander fans are definitely going to want to tune in.

What is ‘The Couple Next Door’ about?

The Couple Next Door follows two couples living in an upscale suburban neighborhood full of “curtain twitching and status anxiety.” New residents Evie (Tomlinson) and Pete (Alfred Enoch) form a fast friendship with the couple living next door, Danny (Heughan) and his yoga instructor wife Becka (Jessica De Gouw).

Gradually, the two pairs grow closer until, one night, they become sexually entangled with each other in a way that ends up changing their lives forever.

“The main theme of the show is desire and what happens when ordinary people cross their own moral boundaries,” executive producer Jo McGrath explained to TV Insider earlier this year. “It’s the anticipation of this forbidden sex, that slow-burning obsession which will eventually ignite in spectacular fashion and which makes this a very sexy series.”

Sam Heughan’s ‘The Couple Next Door’ character has some similarities to Jamie Fraser

Heughan’s Couple Next Door character definitely doesn’t look to be as fiercely devoted to his wife as Outlander’s Jamie is to Claire Fraser. But that’s not to say there are no similarities between the two.

“We needed a star actor who could exude sex appeal but at the same time convey real emotion and vulnerability,” McGrath said of the decision to cast Heughan. “They are both brave, adventurous and loyal. They’re somewhat flawed heroes, stubborn but capable of change. Danny is a macho alpha male, but underneath that tough-guy exterior, he’s a man with secrets struggling to keep his job and family on track.”

Heughan says it was ‘refreshing’ to do something ‘completely different’ from ‘Outlander’

For Heughan, starring in The Couple Next Door was a pleasant change from his work on period drama Outlander.

“Obviously, Outlander is a huge production,” he told Radio Times in 2023, ahead of The Couple Next Door’s U.K. premiere. “You can spend a whole day on one scene, and that’s great, but it was so nice to go on this show, which was so fast-moving and organic. That comes down to the crew and the way the piece works, but it was refreshing to do something completely different and to work with a really core group of actors and cast.”

Tomlinson, who starred in Poldark for six seasons, is excited for fans to see a different side of both her and Heughan.

“It was a real treat – very different for me,” she said. “Working opposite Sam, and us both having come from period dramas was a real draw. I’m excited to turn people’s opinions of us on their heads, and show that we can do something very different.”

The Couple Next Door airs this winter on Starz.

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Hallmark Unveils New Streaming Service, Hallmark+, And It Sounds Pretty Amazing

Megan Elliott — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 19:40:00 +0000

Hallmark is upping its streaming game with a new, ad-free streaming service, Hallmark+.

Hallmark’s current streaming offering, Hallmark Movies Now, will transform into Hallmark+ in mid-September, Hallmark Media revealed at the Summer 2024 Television Critics Association press tour on July 11. The comprehensive streaming service will feature a ton of new, original content, membership perks that can be used at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, free e-cards, and more.

Hallmark+ will feature new movies and shows, plus an unscripted series with Lacey Chabert

Lacey Chabert | Olivia Wong/Getty Images

Hallmark+ will offer “fans an unparalleled Hallmark lifestyle experience” and feature fresh content that goes beyond its usual feel-good movies. That includes Hallmark’s first-ever limited series, a reality competition show, and aspirational unscripted series with fan-favorite stars.

Programming debuting on the service will include:

Two holiday limited series, Holidazed and Mistletoe Murders
A reality competition series, Finding Mr. Christmas, which follows the search for the next “Hallmark Hunk” and is hosted by Jonathan Bennett
Unscripted shows focused on heart, home, and community, including Celebrations With Lacey Chabert; Ready, Set, Glow! with Wes Brown; Small Town Setup with Ashley Williams; and Home Is Where the Heart Is with Luke Macfarlane
The Chicken Sisters, a new scripted series based on a book by KJ Dell’Antonia and starring Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson

Hallmark+ will also be home to a new movie trilogy, Groomsmen, inspired by The Wedding Veil series. It will spotlight the friendship between three men played by Jonathan Bennett, Tyler Hynes, and B.J. Britte.

Hallmark+ comes with other perks

In addition to a ton of streaming content, Hallmark+ members will get access to exclusive benefits and rewards. Perks include a $5 Hallmark Gold Crown Store coupon every month, free unlimited e-cards, shopping rewards, and other gifts.

“Hallmark+ marks a seminal moment for Hallmark,” said Hallmark’s president and CEO, Mike Perry. “By intertwining new, rich content experiences with tangible rewards and premium Hallmark gifts, we are delivering a unique, new program that reflects our commitment to spreading joy through our deeply beloved brand touchpoints.”

How much will Hallmark+ cost?

Hallmark+ will deliver more content and benefits than Hallmark Movies Now, so it’s not surprising that the new service comes with a price hike.

A Hallmark+ membership will cost $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, compared to $5.99 per month and $59.99 per year for Hallmark Movies Now. Current Hallmark Movies Now subscribers won’t have to do anything to sign up for the new service. They’ll automatically become Hallmark+ members when it launches in September.

Hallmark currently has a streaming partnership with Peacock that includes next-day viewing of new Hallmark movies. That deal will continue, according to the New York Times.

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NBC Reveals Premiere Date for ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 13, Other One Chicago Shows

Megan Elliott — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:41:30 +0000

NBC is headed back to the Windy City. The network has revealed 2024 premiere dates for Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. Here’s when all three One Chicago shows will return to TV.

‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Chicago Med,’ and ‘Chicago P.D.’ premiere September 25

Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide in ‘Chicago Fire’ | Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC

NBC is sticking with a formula that works for its fall 2024 schedule. The trio of One Chicago dramas will all premiere in their regular timeslots on Wednesday, Sept 25.

Chicago Med Season 10 premieres at 8 p.m. ET
Chicago Fire Season 13 premieres at 9 p.m. ET
Chicago P.D. Season 12 premieres at 10 p.m. ET

Expect some changes in ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 13

Fans can expect a few changes when Chicago Fire returns to TV. The biggest is the departure of Eamonn Walker as Chief Wallace Boden. Walker will no longer appear as a series regular but will return as a recurring character at some point, Deadline reports.

Season 12 also saw the exits of Kara Killmer as Sylvie Brett and Alberto Rosende as Blake Gallo. Jocelyn Hudon joined the cast as paramedic Lyla Novak.

Change is also in the air at the other One Chicago shows. Dominic Rains, who plays Dr. Crockett Marcel, is leaving Chicago Med. He joined the show in season 5. And Tracy Spiridakos, who plays Hailey Upton, has stepped away from Chicago P.D. after eight seasons.

NBC also reveals premiere date for ‘Law & Order,’ other shows

Hugh Dancy as Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price in ‘Law & Order’ | Ralph Bavaro/NBC

NBC has also revealed the rest of its fall 2024 schedule.

Law & Order Season 24 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 26 will premiere on Thursday, Oct. 3 starting at 8 p.m. ET. However, the newest Law & Order spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime, won’t air on NBC this fall. Instead, season 5 will stream exclusively on Peacock. Found Season 2 will premiere on Oct. 3 in the 10 p.m. timeslot previously occupied by Organized Crime.

The Irrational Season 2 premieres Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 10 p.m. ET. Night Court returns on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

New comedy series St. Denis Medical debuts on Tuesday, Nov. 12 with back-to-back episodes. It stars Wendi McLendon-Covey, David Alan Grier, and Allison Tolman. Happy’s Place, which stars Reba McEntire, premieres Friday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. ET followed by the season premiere of Lopez vs. Lopez at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Brilliant Minds, a new drama starring Zachary Quinto, premiers Monday, Sept. 23 at 10 p.m. ET.

Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. are streaming on Peacock.

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‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 33: These Are the Famous Faces Who Should Join the Show

Lucille Barilla — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:10:38 +0000

Viewers will likely find out the complete celebrity crew for the latest Dancing with the Stars installment in late summer. The ABC series typically combines a mix of famous faces, newsmakers, athletes, reality TV stars, and teen sensations to balance out their cast. In no particular order, these are the famous faces who should compete for a mirrorball trophy in Season 33.

These are the celebrities who should join Season 33 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Typically, Dancing with the Stars‘ eclectic mix of celebrities always boast star power. The chemistry somehow clicks, and the performers become a cohesive group each season.

Here is the unofficial list of talent that should hit the ballroom floor. These picks are a wish list with some DWTS ties.

Former DWTS pro-Cheryl Burke predicts that Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval will join the cast one season after his ex-Ariana Maddix competed. However, DWTS expert Kristyn Burtt believes that Sandoval has had his day, and she’s betting on Pump Rules‘ Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright to be cast.

Parvati Shallow has also shown up on several lists as a favorite to watch for this season. Shallow won the $1M prize on Survivor: Micronesia. Representing Bachelor Nation could be Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner or the newest Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos.

Then, several athletes are to pick from hot on the heels of the 2024 Summer Olympics. And, of course, one social media superstar, Markell Washington, is a favorite across the board.

People reported that DWTS pro-Jenna Johnson has already revealed her wish-list celebrity; retired NFL player Jason Kelce. “He just retired. I think it’s the perfect thing,” Jenna stated. “If his wife [Kylie] wants to do it with Val, we could definitely do that.”

What’s the casting process for ‘Dancing with the Stars?’

According to The Daily Mail, a source close to DWTS explained how the show’s casting takes place. It is a winning process that creates a talent pool with someone for everyone to root for.

“Dancing with the Stars always overbooks talent and will go to the very last minute to sign someone up,” says an insider. “Producers are constantly talking to stars throughout the year to work with their schedules. Everyone who has been in the news, or will be in the news, are always asked,” the source added.

Who is returning for Season 33 of ‘Dancing with the Stars?’

‘Dancing with the Stars’ judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli | Disney/Eric McCandless

Season 19 celebrity winner Alfonso Ribeiro will return to host alongside former pro, judge, and two-time mirrorball winning pro-Julianne Hough. Her brother Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli will all return as judges.

It has yet to be revealed which pros will return for the newest reality dance competition series installment. Historically, pros find out mid- to late summer if they will be hired for the upcoming season.

While there isn’t an official Season 33 premiere date yet, the series typically returns in September with a finale in late fall. Therefore, the newest installment will hit ABC and Disney+ this fall.

Dancing with the Stars will air on ABC in a two-hour time slot from 8 to 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday nights. Viewers can also stream it live on Disney+, and all episodes will be available the next day on Hulu.

John Corbett Says He’d Spend the Rest of His Life Acting With Sarah Jessica Parker: ‘There Is Something About This Girl’

Andrea Francese — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:27:00 +0000

John Corbett, who portrayed Aidan Shaw on Sex and the City and later reprised the role in And Just Like That…, is making headlines for his thoughts on acting. The 63-year-old actor recently appeared on a podcast and said he found his job as an actor “unfulfilling” because he’s not a part of the creative process. Despite his feelings, John Corbett did say he’d happily spend his days acting with Sarah Jessica Parker.

John Corbett finds acting unfulfilling

John Corbett recently appeared on Fly on the Wall, a podcast hosted by David Spade and Dana Carvey. The famed actor insists he’s reached the fourth quarter of his career. He said he’s not exactly fulfilled by how he has made his money. Corbett described spending time on the set as boring and said that because he’s often the second or third “banana” on a project, he is never a part of the creative process. Still, he’s managed to find some bright spots.

John Corbett | VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images

John Corbett might find being on the set a bit monotonous, but it doesn’t sound like he plans to hang up his acting shoes anytime soon. Corbett revealed the one actor with whom he would be willing to work for the rest of his life.

Corbett told Spade and Carvey that if he had to pick one actor to work with for the rest of his life, it would be Sarah Jessica Parker. He called Parker “the best” before insisting that there is just “something about that girl.”

John Corbett will act with Sarah Jessica Parker again

While Corbett might not get his wish to act with Parker for the rest of his career, he’ll do it for at least one more season. He is set to reprise his role as Aidan Shaw in And Just Like That… season 3. Ahead of filming in May, Parker revealed that Corbett’s character would factor heavily into season 3 of the Sex and the City reboot.

Sarah Jessica Parker and John Corbett | James Devaney/GC Images

Aidan’s season two return elated some fans. Still, they were largely disappointed when he told Carrie they had to spend the next five years apart during the season finale. While five years certainly haven’t passed in And Just Like That… Corbett has been spotted on set. What that means for his romance with Parker’s character is anyone’s guess. Parker, as Carrie Bradshaw, was spotted dining with Jonathan Cake, who was added to the cast earlier this month. Fans think romance is in the air for Carrie and the yet-unnamed character.

Season 3 of And Just Like That... is set to premiere in 2025. Filming is underway in New York City right now. Max has yet to announce an official premiere date. Season 1 premiered in 2021. Season 2 followed in 2023.

How Much Do Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Get Paid? NFL Cheerleaders Earn Skimpy Salaries

Megan Elliott — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:27:07 +0000

Netflix’s new docuseries America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders offers an inside look at the world of NFL’s most iconic cheer squad.

From the grueling – and sometimes heartbreaking – audition process to the incredible highs of performing at Cowboys games, the seven-episode series proves that while cheering might look like fun, in reality it’s hard work. And it’s hard work that isn’t always well-compensated. Though the members of the elite dance team are expected to fully dedicate themselves to the Cowboys organization, most also have to work a full-time job in order to make ends meet.

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are paid like fast food workers, one says

‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ | Netflix

For the three dozen women who make the team each year, being a Cowboys cheerleader is often the culmination of a years-long dream. But earning the chance to put on the signature blue-and-white outfit and cowboy boots also means making some big sacrifices. Cheerleaders spend long hours at practice, work up to 11 hours on game days, and must adher to strict rules regarding their appearance. It’s a demanding gig that doesn’t pay much better than working at a fast food restaurant, one woman said.

“I would say I’m making like a Chick-fil-A worker that works full time,” cheerleader Katherine Puryear said in America’s Sweethearts.

Her teammate Kelcey Wetterberg says being a DCC is “more of a part-time job” that she does on top of her actual career.

“As a nurse, I work 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., then go to practice and get home at 12 sometimes 1 a.m.,” she explained. “I mean, a lot of us work full-time jobs and then come to DCC at night. So it can be really exhausting.”

‘America’s Sweethearts’ stars earn $15 to $20 per hour, according to reports

The Dallas Cowboys organization doesn’t publicize cheerleader salaries. But according to a 2022 report from NBC Boston they earn $15 to $20 an hour or $500 per game.

In a TikTok, Puryear shed a bit more light on the DCC pay structure. While she didn’t want to disclose specific numbers, she revealed that cheerleaders are paid an hourly rate on top of flat fee for game days and public appearances and an hourly rate for practices. Veteran squad members earn more than rookies, though raises stop after five years.

“Fifth years make a lot more money because of your tenure,” she said.

“All in all, it’s a full-time commitment, part-time pay, she added.

While Cowboys cheerleaders aren’t bringing home a huge salary for their hours of work, their pay is higher than it once was. In 2019, the Cowboys settled a lawsuit with a former cheerleader who said she was sometimes paid less than minimum wage during her years with the squad and that during her first year as a DCC, she earned less than $5,000, WFAA reported. The Cowboys later raised cheerleader pay from $8 to $12 per hour and from $200 to $400 per game.

Dallas Cowboys exec says there is ‘cynicism’ around NFL cheerleader pay

‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ | Netflix

Although the cheerleaders are a recognizable part of the Cowboys brand, “the cheerleaders have historically not been paid very much,” Sarah Hepola, host of the America’s Girls podcast said in episode 1.

In the late 1970s, women were paid just $15 per game, the New York Times reported. Tina Kalina, a former DCC and mom of current squad member Victoria Kalina, says in America’s Sweethearts that she was paid $35 a day during her time on the team.

“These Millennials, X-Gen, whatever they’re called, they do look at it as a job, where us old-timers look at it as more of a privilege,” Kalina said.

Cowboys cheerleaders are actually among the better-paid squads in the NFL. The average cheerleader earns $150 per game, according to NBC Boston.

“You know, there’s a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders… as it should be,” Charlotte Jones executive vice president and chief brand officer of the Dallas Cowboys, admitted in America’s Sweethearts. “They’re not paid a lot.”

But Jones insists that cheering for the Cowboys is about more than getting paid.

“The facts are that they actually don’t come here for the money,” she said. “They come here for something that’s actually bigger than that to them. They have a passion for dance. There are not a lot of opportunities in dance to get to perform at an elite level. It is about being part of something bigger than themselves. It is about a sisterhood that they were able to form, about relationships that they have for the rest of their lives.”

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is streaming on Netflix.

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‘Gilmore Girls’ Fan Theories: Who Is Logan Huntzberger the Most Like?

Andrea Francese — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 02:48:01 +0000

Logan Huntzberger was, arguably, Rory Gilmore’s most important romantic relationship. He was her longest-standing beau and her first relationship as a true adult. While Gilmore Girls fans have spent years arguing over which love interest was best suited to Rory, most fans agree that Logan was supposed to share characteristics with someone very important in Rory’s life. Viewers have yet to agree on which important character in Rory’s life he was the most like, though. There are three schools of thought on the topic.

Fan Theory #1: Logan Huntzberger was the most like Christopher Hayden

When Gilmore Girls fans first met Logan Huntzberger, he was a party boy who didn’t take anything particularly seriously. He was allergic to responsibility and avoided it at all costs. Logan hated his family and their expectations of him. Still, he was happy to use his family name and the prestige it brought for his own gain.

Christopher Hayden and Rory Gilmore | Tyler Golden/Netflix

Because of those rather negative personality traits, fans strongly believed Logan Huntzberger was supposed to be to Rory Gilmore, what her father, Christopher Hayden, was to Lorelai Gilmore. Logan and Chris did have a fair bit in common. They both had tumultuous tenures at various Connecticut prep schools. They also both relied on their family’s money and name to make it through life.

Fan Theory #2: Logan Huntzberger was just like Richard Gilmore

While the Christopher association is hard to overlook, some Gilmore Girls fans argue that Logan was supposed to mimic Richard Gilmore closely. They theorize that Logan’s strong will, largely harmless college antics, charisma, and eventual desire to settle down into a more responsible adult made him more comparable to Richard Gilmore than anyone else.

Richard and Emily Gilmore | Netflix/Gilmore Girls

Fans also argue that Rory and Logan’s relationship was similar to Richard and Emily’s. When you think about it, Rory and Logan’s relationship does share a few common traits with Richard and Emily’s union. Like Richard and Emily, they met in college, and one of them was involved in a relationship when they became interested in each other. Logan and Rory are both from prominent families, just as Richard and Emily were when they first got together. Logan was caring and sweet to Rory, just as Richard was to Emily.

Fan Theory #3: Logan had the most in common with Lorelai Gilmore

Fans have spent years comparing Logan Huntzberger to Christopher Hayden and Richard Gilmore. More recently, a third fan theory has been posited. In January, Instagram user gg.inspired.lifestyle theorized that Logan Huntzberger is who Lorelai Gilmore would have been if she hadn’t gotten pregnant as a teen.

Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore, Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore | Mitchell Haddad/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

The Instagram account points out that Logan is the one beau who can keep up with Rory’s pop culture references. He also followed her quick wit and her fast speech pattern without incident. They also note that Lorelai and Logan were raised the same, experienced the same complicated parental relationships, and had the same expectations imposed upon them. While Lorelai broke away when she became a teen parent, Logan followed along with the “dynastic plan” through his time at Yale. Despite sticking with the plan, Logan, just like Lorelai, always figured out how to do things his way. The user also argues that Logan intrigued Rory because she saw many of the traits she admired in her mother in him.

When fans last left Logan and Rory, he was engaged to Odette, and Rory was presumably pregnant with his child. There have been no official announcements about a second Gilmore Girls revival. Still, fans remain hopeful that they’ll see more of Logan and Rory soon. Only time will tell.

Another Cast Member Is Leaving ‘Chicago Med’ — Who Won’t Be Back for Season 10?

Megan Elliott — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 20:59:00 +0000

More changes are coming to NBC’s One Chicago shows. Dominic Rains will not return to Chicago Med for its upcoming 10th season.

Dominic Rains exits ‘Chicago Med’ ahead of season 10

(L-R) Dominic Rains as Dr. Crockett Marcel, S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin, Marlyne Barrett as Maggie Lockwood in ‘Chicago Med’ | George Burns Jr/NBC

Rains joined Chicago Med in season 5 as Dr. Crockett Marcel. He will not return as a series regular in season 10, Deadline reported. It’s not known if Rains might make a guest appearance next season. Rains’ exit follows the departure of Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Will Halstead and Brian Tee as Dr. Ethan Choi in season 8.

The Chicago Med Season 9 finale set the stage for Crockett’s departure from Gaffney Chicago Medical Center when he spiraled into crisis following the death of one of his young patients and the subsequent suicide of the boy’s father. The situation unlocked Crockett’s unresolved grief over his own daughter’s death from cancer, and hospital head Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) told him to take time off.

While Rains is on his way out, three longtime Chicago Med cast members will return next season. Merkerson, Oliver Platt, and Marlyne Barrett will appear in season 10, according to TVLine.

Changes are coming to other One Chicago shows

Tracy Spiridakos as Hailey Upton in ‘Chicago P.D.’ | Lori Allen/NBC

Rains’ departure isn’t the only change coming to Chicago Med. Co-showrunners Diane Frolov and Andy Schneider are stepping down after nine years. They’ll be replaced by Allen MacDonald.

Change is also in the air at the other One Chicago shows.

Longtime Chicago Fire cast member Eamonn Walker is exiting as a series regular after 12 seasons. He’s played Chief Wallace Boden since the show premiered in 2012. Kara Killmer, who played Sylvie Brett, and Alberto Rosende, who played Blake Gallo, left earlier in season 12, while Jocelyn Hudon joined the show as paramedic Lyla Novak.

Meanwhile, Chicago P.D. fans have had to bid farewell to Tracy Spiridakos, who has played Detective Hailey Upton since 2017. Her last episode was the show’s season 11 finale, which aired in May 2024.

“It was a really hard decision, and I don’t know that there’s ever a right time,” Spiridakos told NBC Insider of her decision to leave Chicago P.D. “I think I’ve been on the show for just over seven years, like seven and a half-ish years, and I was just wanting to switch it up and kind of see what else was out there. That was really it. I’m so close with everybody. With our producers, Gwen, our writers, our cast, our crew. It was a really difficult and emotional time, for sure.”

Though cast changes can be jarring for viewers, they’re to be expected when shows last as long as Chicago Med and its sister series.

“Cast comes in, cast goes out…,” Jeff Bader, President of Program Planning Strategy for NBCUniversal Entertainment, recently told TVLine. “We’re thrilled with how the Chicagos do on Wednesday. We have no plans on changing anything on that night.”

Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. will also return with new episodes on NBC this fall.

Chicago Med is streaming on Peacock.

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How ‘Castle’ Creator Wanted the Show to Be Different From ‘Law & Order’

Antonio Stallings — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 20:09:00 +0000

The Law & Order series is one of the most successful franchises on television, so much so it even spawned a few successful spin-offs. Despite its success, however, the Castle creator was unimpressed with the series’ quality. And he set out to make a show that had everything he believed Law & Order didn’t.

‘Castle’ creator Andrew Marlowe felt ‘Law & Order’ was very dry

Nathan Fillion | Nicole Wilder/Getty Images

Castle creator Andrew Marlowe was already a successful screenwriter before creating his hit television series. He wrote films like Air Force One and End of Days. But it was his experience with writing films that made him want to tackle doing a television series instead.

“Well, I was primarily a feature writer, and I was stuck in my ten-by-ten room, and I thought, wouldn’t it be great to get out of the room and actually do some of the things I was writing about? Just translating that notion to Castle seemed relatively friendly,” Marlowe once told Assignment X. “What is it like to have a writer who has all this book information actually have to go out into the real world? There is also a part of me where I love the old murder mysteries.”

But Marlowe didn’t want Castle to be like the procedurals he saw on modern television. To him, these shows didn’t have enough focus on character, which he hoped to remedy with his own project.

“The recent procedurals like CSI and Law & Order are a little too dry for me, because it doesn’t really focus on the character, it focuses on the minutia of the law or the minutia of the evidence that I like to call ‘evidence porn,’ because they show it in beautiful light to the music montage,” Marlowe said. “What I was missing were the characters that I loved growing up on the shows like Rockford and Columbo, Moonlighting, all those great mysteries.”

“So between me wanting to get out in the world and do stuff and projecting that onto Castle and wanting to be part of a show that had great characters that felt like the shows that I loved growing up, I just came up with this idea,” he added.

Similarly, one of the reasons why Fillion was drawn to Castle was because of its humor. The Rookie star felt his show’s lighthearted nature was a stark contrast to more serious shows like Law & Order.

“If people are like me and watch a crime drama, and they say, oh that would have been a really good joke there if he only went for it,” Fillion once told My Take On TV. “There was a call back, all you have to do is say that would have been a good joke. On Castle, we go for it. The humor in life. On Castle, we try to find the life. We’re not all dark, driven, and haunted. It’s people doing their job, going out there. There’s comedy in life. On Castle, we find it.”

Andrew Marlowe felt Nathan Fillion’s ‘Firefly’ connection helped ‘Castle’

Although he crafted the character, Marlowe felt Fillion’s performance had a huge influence on the role. He credited Fillion for a lot of the show’s humor.

“Nathan’s brought Castle to life in such a unique and specific way that it all has to be filtered through that brand of humor, that irreverent attitude, and to be able to play it with charm, given that we’re dealing with dead bodies, so he doesn’t come across as being insensitive. And I think that Nathan’s really able to walk that fine line, and we’re able to write to it,” Marlowe said about Fillion.

But Marlowe also believed that Fillion’s Firefly roots played another part in Castle‘s overall success. Fillion might’ve cultivated such a devoted fanbase with the sci-fi series, that they followed the actor on his Castle journey.

“I think that they’ve been very helpful,” Marlowe said. “His Firefly fans are very devoted to him and we appreciate being able to share the same universe as them.”

It helped that Castle featured quite a few references to Firefly. There was one Halloween-themed Castle episode where Fillion even dressed up as his Firefly counterpart Malcolm Reynolds.

“It was actually the writer of the episode, Terry Miller, who brought the idea to us, because it was a Halloween episode and she felt it would be a natural way to honor Nathan’s fans,” Marlowe remembered. “And we took it and ran with it, and Nathan was very excited, I was very excited by it, but that came from one of our writers [saying], ‘You know what would be cool?'”

Keiko Agena Thinks Lane and Dave Were a ‘Gilmore Girls’ Endgame Couple

Andrea Francese — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 23:19:00 +0000

Gilmore Girls fans have spent years arguing over the merits of Rory Gilmore’s boyfriends. They’ve debated whether Luke Danes and Lorelai Gilmore were really the endgame couple and discussed Emily and Richard Gilmore’s parenting style. While there is plenty to disagree about regarding Gilmore Girls, most fans believe Lane Kim should never have married Zack Van Gerbig. Keiko Agena, the actor who spent seven years playing Lane, doesn’t seem convinced her character is happy with Zack either. In fact, Agena thinks Lane would still be a bit heartbroken over Dave Ryglaski, her high school beau.

Who did Lane Kim date during the seven-season run of ‘Gilmore Girls’?

Lane Kim might have spent most of her time hanging out with Rory Gilmore and avoiding Mrs. Kim’s flaxseed muffins, but she also found a bit of time to date, albeit behind her mother’s back. First, she tried to make a relationship with Henry Cho, but it fell apart quickly when she was too afraid to mention him to her mother. She eventually started a legitimate relationship with Dave Rygalski, a guitarist she met after answering an ad for a drummer. No one can deny that Lane and Dave were perfect together. He even got the approval of Mrs. Kim.

Todd Lowe and Keiko Agena in ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ | Netflix

The relationship wasn’t meant to last, though. While fans largely believe Lane and Dave were supposed to be an endgame couple, he went off to college, and eventually, the pair broke up off-screen. Lane stayed single briefly before dating Zack Van Gerbig, another one of her bandmates. Their relationship has stood the test of time. The duo got married and had twins together.

Keiko Agena thinks Lane is still into Dave

Gilmore Girls fans largely agree that Zack and Lane made no sense together. Zack was perfectly non-descript, and while he had good moments, he could also be pretty awful. Fans had a hard time understanding why they got married so young and were gutted when Lane found out she was pregnant immediately after her wedding. She never got to live her big dreams, and Zack frankly didn’t seem fussed about it.

Lane Kim, Mrs. Kim and Dave Rygalski | Gilmore Girls/Netflix

Eventually, they must have figured things out. Lane and Zack were still together when Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life caught up with the characters. While Keiko Agena reprised her role, she isn’t entirely certain Lane’s storyline should have played out the way it did. The actor told E! News that she thinks Lane might still harbor some feelings for Dave. She theorizes that Lane is still a bit heartsick over the end of their short-lived relationship.

Todd Lowe as Zack and Keiko Agena as Lane Kim in ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ | Saeed Adyani/Netflix

Agena admitted that she didn’t think Lane would ever act on her feelings, at least as long as she was with Zack. Still, she is certain Lane and Dave could have been friends as adults, at the very least. During the chat, she offered a few ways to make Lane’s storyline more interesting if a second revival was ever produced. None of her ideas hinge on Zack’s involvement in her life, which seems telling.

While there have been plenty of rumors about a second revival, there has been no official announcement. Many cast members have said they would be open to reprising their roles once more if the timing and storyline made sense.

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