‘Friends’ Reunion, ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ ‘We Are Lady Parts’ Among Banff’s Rockie Awards International Program Competition

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Hollywood Critics Association has revealed some of its honorees for the org’s 2nd annual HCA TV Awards, including “Abbott Elementary” star and creator Quinta Brunson, as well as prolific “Better Call Saul” star Giancarlo Esposito. The HCA TV Awards is unique in splitting its awards into two fields: One, for broadcast and cable, and another for streaming.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAfter eight seasons and 175 episodes, ABC’s “Black-ish” has definitely ended its run with a real legacy. Star Tracee Ellis Ross agrees. “I really hope that our show leaves a promise of what it is to see an American family that is Black, and that we are universally identifiable,” she tells Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast.

Trixie Mattel is getting candid about her future in the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Given the volume of TV out there, it’s no surprise that viewers are seeing double or even triple, with overlapping trends and actors seemingly everywhere you look. As my colleague Emily Longeretta recently noted, stars like Elle Fanning (“The Great,” “The Girl From Plainville”), Chloë Sevigny (“Russian Doll,” “Plainville”), Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve,” “The Chair”), Julia Garner (“Ozark,” “Inventing Anna”) and Nicole Byer (“Grand Crew,” “Nailed It!”) are just some of the performers eligible for multiple projects in this year’s Emmy race.That’s a tremendous trend among actors.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large“The Late Late Show with James Corden” will head to London next week with episodes featuring guests including President Joe Biden, Vin Diesel, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran and a Carpool Karaoke featuring Lizzo.Also scheduled: John Boyega, Jamie Dornan, David Harbour, Alanis Morissette, Sam Smith and Tessa Thompson. This marks the first time “The Late Late Show” has been in London since 2019 (due to the pandemic), and its fourth trip there overall. But it’s also the show’s final trip to Blighty before Corden ends his late night run next spring.

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.

< 1 min read The news we’ve all been waiting for, the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Downunder will premiere globally on Saturday 30 July 2022.

Mel B is set as a judge for Season 2 of Paramount+’s drag queen singing competition Queen of the Universe. She joins returning judges Michelle Visage, Vanessa Williams and Trixie Mattel, along with Graham Norton, who returns as host. The series is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, producers of the Emmy-winning RuPauls Drag Race franchise. Mel B takes over the spot held by Leona Lewis, who served as judge on the first season.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle EditorAll hail the queens!Some of the most popular stars of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” celebrated the Emmy-winning series with a party on Thursday night at Rocco’s in West Hollywood.After walking the red carpet, Willow Pill, Kornbread, Bosco, Angeria, Daya Betty, Lady Camden, Jasmine Kennedie and Kerri Colby performed individual lip-sync sets for the packed house.The evening was hosted by “The Real World” alums Danny Roberts and Melissa Beck.

Drew Barrymore, Tamron Hall and Scott Evans are among the stars set to present at the Daytime Emmy Awards on June 24.Hosted by Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner from Entertainment Tonight, the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will also see many other notable personalities present, including: Jerry O’Connell and Natalie Morales from “The Talk”; Deborah Norville from “Inside Edition”; Deidre Hall and James Reynolds from “Beyond Salem”; Krista Allen, Lawrence Saint-Victor and Tanner Novlan from “The Bold and the Beautiful”; Tanisha Harper, Cameron Mathison and Laura Wright from “General Hospital”; Galen Gering and Camila Banus from “Days of our Lives”; and Sean Dominic, Christian Le Blanc and Tracey Bregman from “The Young and the Restless.” In addition, Suzanne Rogers will present the lifetime achievement award to John Aniston during the ceremony. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences also announced the presenters for the upcoming Creative Arts & Lifestyle Awards, which will stream on Friday.

Naman Ramachandran Popular shows “Squid Game,” “Succession,” “Sex Education” and “Landscapers” are among the nominees at the Edinburgh TV Festival’s annual TV awards, which will take place as an in-person event on Aug. 25.“Sherlock” producer Sue Vertue serves as this year’s jury President and stand-up comedian and writer Sophie Duker as awards host.Nominees in the acting categories include Jodie Comer in “Help,” Lesley Manville in “I Am Maria,” Letitia Wright in “I Am Danielle,” Maxine Peake in “Anne,” Sharlene Whyte in “Stephen” and Stephen Graham in “Time.”BBC, Channel 4, Sky and Netflix have the most nominations. Channel of the Year nominees are BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV.

“Big Little Lies” director Jean-Marc Vallée received a moving tribute on Tuesday night.

Manori Ravindran International EditorThe late, great Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée was honored in Banff with a moving tribute during Tuesday’s Rockie Awards.The Montreal filmmaker — who is best known for directing “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Wild” along with TV series “Big Little Lies” and “Sharp Objects” — died suddenly on Dec. 25, sending shockwaves across the Canadian film industry and Hollywood.

The end of the final full day of the 2022 Banff World Media Festival saw the Canadian confab reward barrier-breaking projects and honor a departed genius.

HBO Max’s pandemic-delayed Friends: The Reunion and Channel 4/Peacock hit We Are Lady Parts were the big winners Monday as prizes were handed out at the Banff Media Festival’s Rockie Awards International Program Competition.

VH1 stalwart RuPaul’s Drag Race and Bravo veteran Top Chef tied for Best Competition Series and led the field with three wins apiece Sunday night at the fourth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

BEST COMPETITION SERIES: “Top Chef” (Bravo), “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1)BEST COMPETITION SERIES: TALENT/VARIETY: “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” (Prime Video)BEST UNSTRUCTURED SERIES: “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked” (VH1)BEST STRUCTURED SERIES: “How To with John Wilson” (HBO)BEST CULINARY SHOW: “Top Chef” (Bravo)BEST GAME SHOW: “Jeopardy!” (Syndicated)BEST TRAVEL/ADVENTURE SHOW: “Somebody Feed Phil” (Netflix)BEST BUSINESS SHOW: “Shark Tank” (ABC)BEST ANIMAL/NATURE SHOW: “Critter Fixers: Country Vets” (National Geographic)BEST CRIME/JUSTICE SHOW: “Secrets of Playboy” (A&E)BEST SPORTS SHOW: “Cheer” (Netflix)BEST RELATIONSHIP SHOW: “Love Is Blind” (Netflix)BEST LIFESTYLE: HOME/GARDEN SHOW: “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” (Bravo)BEST LIFESTYLE: FASHION/BEAUTY SHOW: “Project Runway” (Bravo)BEST LIMITED SERIES: “We Need to Talk About Cosby” (Showtime)BEST ENSEMBLE CAST IN AN UNSCRIPTED SERIES: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1)BEST SHOW HOST: Padma Lakshmi – “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi” (Hulu) and “Top Chef” (Bravo)MALE STAR OF THE YEAR: Robert Irvine – “Restaurant: Impossible” (Food Network)FEMALE STAR OF THE YEAR: Selena Gomez – “Selena + Chef” (HBO Max)OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NONFICTION PROGRAMMING BY A NETWORK OR STREAMING PLATFORM: HBO MaxOUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NONFICTION PRODUCTION: The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC)CRITICS CHOICE REAL TV IMPACT AWARD: Bob Saget

Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.