MTV Entertainment Elevates Nina L. Diaz to Head Unscripted, Adult Animation for Paramount Plus; Meghan Hooper White and Justin Rosenblatt to Exit (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterWarnerMedia Kids & Family is building out a new family programming block called ACME Night on Cartoon Network, with a Steve Urkel animated musical film among the first projects greenlit.“Did I Do That to the Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story” was announced alongside titles like “Merry Little Batman” and an untitled ”Looney Tunes Cartoons” movie.ACME Night, named after the fictional corporation from the Looney Tunes cartoons, will debut Sunday Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe television adaptation of the hit video game series “Life Is Strange” is enlisting music star Shawn Mendes and Anonymous Content.The TV version of the Square Enix games hails from Legendary Television and dj2 Entertainment, with Anonymous Content now also producing. Anonymous and Legendary will serve as co-studios, with Legendary as the lead studio.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJesse Williams has joined the cast of the Hulu drama pilot “Olga Dies Dreaming.”Williams joins previously announced series leads Aubrey Plaza and Ramón Rodríguez in the pilot, which is based on the yet-to-be-released novel of the same name by Xóchitl Gonzalez.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“American Vandal” creators Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault have landed a series order at Paramount Plus for an eSports mockumentary series called “Players,” Variety has learned.“Players” follows a fictional pro “League of Legends” team as they pursue their first championship after years of close calls and heartache.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShowtime’s co-presidents of entertainment, Gary Levine and Jana Winograde, addressed moving the “Halo” series to Paramount Plus during a virtual TCA session on Tuesday.“The truth is that [“Halo”] was always a bit of an outlier for us in terms of its fit in the Showtime universe,” Winograde said. “And we did an amazing job of imbuing into the series, the character drama that we’re so well known for.

2021 MTV Video Music Awards are already shaping up to be epic!On Tuesday, MTV announced more performers for the upcoming awards show on Sept.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe animated “Magic: The Gathering” series at Netflix has cast Brandon Routh in the lead role.The announcement was made during Wizards of the Coast’s Magic Showcase 2021 stream. Plot details on the series are still being kept under wraps, but it was confirmed that Routh will voice the character Gideon Jura.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Armor Wars” series at Disney Plus has tapped Yassir Lester to serve as head writer, Variety has confirmed with sources.Don Cheadle will star in the series, reprising the role of James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Masterchef” has been renewed for Season 12 at Fox. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich will all return for the new season.“Obviously, Gordon is a good friend and, given the recent launch of Studio Ramsay Global, an important part of Fox’s programming and growth strategy,” said Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment and specials for Fox Entertainment.

One Thousand Years of Slavery, Bassett Vance Productions wanted to tell the globally comprehensive history of slavery,“ Bassett said.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAuriel Rudnick has signed a three-year overall deal with Paramount Television Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.“I am excited to bring the kind of stories to life that I believe have long wanted to be told, and I am especially excited to be doing this with the phenomenal team at Paramount Television Studios,” Rudnick said.

Monday 16 August, 9pm, Sky Atlantic Related: The Guide: Staying In – sign up for our home entertainment tips A welcome second run for Liam Williams’s dark coming-of-age comedy. As we rejoin present-day Liam, he is heartbroken and looks for explanations for his angst in the events of his adolescence.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMelanie Frankel is exiting her role as head of comedy for ABC Signature, Variety has learned.According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Frankel’s departure is amicable. She first assumed the top comedy role at the studio in October 2019 (when it was still known as ABC Studios) after having been vice president of current series since 2015.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Circle,” “Indian Matchmaking,” and “The American Barbecue Showdown” have all been renewed at Netflix.“The Circle” has been renewed for both Seasons 4 and 5, with Season 3 of that series due to debut this fall. “Indian Matchmaking” and “The American Barbecue Showdown” have both been renewed for Season 2.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJustin Simien has signed an overall deal with Paramount Television Studios.Under the deal, Simien and his Culture Machine banner will develop premium television series for the studio for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThomas Lennon is developing the animated comedy “The Post Guard” at Fox, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is described as a workplace adventure comedy following the rag tag crew of humans, turtles, seals and mermaids at the secretive, and often overlooked mashup of the Coast Guard and Post Office, as they scour the high seas to find and deliver messages in bottles, while settling who among them is in charge of the ship’s menial tasks, like resetting the

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Physical” has been renewed for Season 2 at Apple, Variety has learned.The Season 1 finale of the dark comedy is set to drop this Friday. Set in the idyllic but fragile beach paradise of sunny 1980s San Diego, “Physical” follows Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne), a quietly tortured, seemingly dutiful housewife supporting her smart but controversial husband’s bid for state assembly.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRamón Rodríguez has been cast in a lead role opposite Aubrey Plaza in the Hulu drama pilot “Olga Dies Dreaming,” Variety has learned.The show is based on the yet-to-be-released novel of the same name by Xóchitl Gonzalez. It was ordered to pilot at the streamer back in April.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Tuca & Bertie” has been renewed for Season 3 at Adult Swim.The show moved to Adult Swim from Netflix for its second season, which debuted on June 13. The final two episodes of Season 2 will air on Aug.