‘Penn and Teller: Fool Us,’ ‘Masters of Illusion,’ ‘World’s Funniest Animals’ Renewed at The CW

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLiane Moriarty’s novel “Apples Never Fall” is being adapted into a limited series at Peacock, Variety has learned exclusively.In a competitive situation, Peacock has won the rights to the book, which was published in September 2021, and given it a straight-to-series order. Since its debut, the book has sold over one million copies.The series centers on the Delaneys, who from the outside appear to be an enviably contented family.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“South Side” has been renewed for Season 3 at HBO Max.Season 3 of the comedy series will now be the second season of the show to air on HBO Max. Season 1 debuted on Comedy Central in 2019 before the show was sold to HBO Max along with fellow Comedy Central series “The Other Two,” which was picked up for a third season in September.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Reacher” has snagged an early Season 2 renewal at Amazon.The action thriller series debuted on the streamer just three days ago, on Feb. 4. It is based on the Jack Reacher novel series by Lee Child.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe variety game show “That’s My Jam” has been renewed for Season 2 at NBC, Variety has learned.Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the hourlong music and comedy variety game show draws inspiration from popular “Tonight Show” games. Each episode features two teams of two celebrities competing for a charity of their choice in a series of music, dance, and trivia-based games and musical performances.Season 1 guests included “The Voice” coaches Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, John Legend and Blake Shelton, along with Terry Crews, Chance The Rapper, Taraji P. Henson, Kate Hudson, Bebe Rexha and more.A special preview episode of the show aired in late November on NBC before moving to its permanent time slot on Jan.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming “American Born Chinese” series adaptation at Disney Plus has found its main cast, Variety has confirmed.Ben Wang, Michelle Yeoh, Yeo Yann Yann, Daniel Wu, Chin Han, Ke Huy Quan, Jim Liu, and Sydney Taylor will all star in the series, based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang.The series follows Jin Wang (Ben Wang), a teenager juggling his high school social life with his immigrant home life. When Jin meets a new foreign exchange student (Jim Liu) on the first day of school, their worlds collide as Jin becomes entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods.

Sitting in a soft pink cardigan, surrounded by enormous, pink iced cakes with pink butterflies on the kitchen wall behind her, Dolly Paron cuts an imposing figure as she chats on to HollywoodLife’s musical editor, Jason Browe.This feisty, well renown and celebrated song writer weighed into the reported Damon Albam feud with Taylor Swift. “I don’t care what people think about my songs. Taylor Swift is a great writer, with or without anybody else.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The L Word: Generation Q” has been renewed for Season 3 at Showtime, Variety has learned.The second season of the followup to “The L Word” aired between August and October 2021. Like the second season, the third will consist of 10 episodes.

EXCLUSIVE: The 100 leads Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley have been set to star in sci-fi thriller I’ll Be Watching, which Iuvit Media Sales is launching for the virtual EFM.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBill Nighy has signed on to star in the upcoming Showtime series version of “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” Variety has learned.Nighy joins previously announced cast members Chiwetel Ejiofor, Naomie Harris, Jimmi Simpson, Rob Delaney, Sonya Cassidy, Joana Ribeiro, Annelle Olaleye, Kate Mulgrew and Clarke Peters in the series.Based on the Walter Tevis novel of the same name and the film that starred David Bowie, the series will follow a new alien character named Faraday (Ejiofor) who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future.Nighy will play Thomas Newton, the main character of the novel and the character played by Bowie in the film version. Newton was the first alien to arrive on earth over 40 years ago. Alone and desperate, Newton summons Faraday to complete his original mission.

Kaz Kamwi, has recently opened up about her split from Tyler Cruickshank. Despite how well their relationship appeared to be after the Casa Amor drama, things became even more difficult outside the villa and the Love Island finalists broke up last December.Following their announcement, the pair revealed their plans to stay friends.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has given a series order to the drama series “Dear Edward” from Jason Katims, Variety has learned.Based on the Ann Napolitano novel of the same name, the series will star Connie Britton (“The White Lotus,” “Dirty John”), Taylor Schilling (“Pam and Tommy,” “Orange Is the New Black”), and Colin O’Brien (“Wonka,” “Mr. Harrigan’s Place”). The role reunites Britton and Katims, who previously worked together on the series version of “Friday Night Lights.”“Dear Edward” tells the story of Edward Adler (O’Brien), a 12-year-old boy who survives a devastating commercial plane crash that kills every other passenger on the flight, including his family.

A fight between Frank Sinatra and Mario Puzo inspired the upcoming Paramount+ miniseries The Offer, about the making of film based on Puzo’s best selling novel. The 10-episode project premieres on April 28.

FX has rounded out the cast of the Peter Tolan comedy pilot Belated. Joining lead Kal Penn are Ellie Taylor, Kaden Kearney, Amir Bageria and EaeMya ThynGi.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterFX has added four new cast members to Peter Tolan’s upcoming comedy pilot “Belated.”Alongside previously announced series lead Kal Penn, the pilot will also star Ellie Taylor, Kaden Kearney, Amir Bageria (“Degrassi: The Next Class” “Grand Army”), and EaeMya ThynGi (“Motherland: Fort Salem,” “Bad Seed 2”).The half-hour series follows an unexpected intergenerational friendship between Sachin (Penn), a recently out man in his 40s, and Clay (Kearney), a 17-year-old trans teen, as Sachin and his ex-wife (Taylor) and children (Bageria and ThynGi) attempt to find their new normal.Tolan will write, direct, and executive produce the “Belated” pilot. Nick Alford of Cloudland will also executive produce. FX Productions is the studio. Variety exclusively reported the pilot had been set up at the basic cabler back in October 2021.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“SEAL Team” has been renewed for Season 6 at Paramount Plus.This will now be the second season of the military drama to air on the streaming service, as the show moved over to Paramount Plus from CBS for Season 5.“We are very excited to welcome ‘SEAL Team’ back for another season on Paramount+,” said Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Plus Original Scripted Series. “The show’s loyal fanbase followed the series to its new exclusive home, and it has proven to be a high-performing title for the service, consistently in the top 10 most-watched original series.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Mayor of Kingstown” has been renewed for Season 2 at Paramount Plus.The first season of the drama series debuted in November, with the season finale airing on Jan. 9. The first two episodes of the series also aired on Paramount Network immediately after “Yellowstone.” The series premiere drew 2.6 million viewers on the linear network, with the second episode drawing 2.1 million.The series follows the McLusky family – power brokers in Kingstown, Mich., where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry.

Zack Sharf Thandiwe Newton took a stand against Sean Penn after the actor and filmmaker made headlines for comments about men becoming too feminized in American culture. The “Milk” and “Mystic River” Oscar winner said in an interview with The Independent last week that it’s a “cowardly gene” that leads men to wear skirts.“Dude what are you saying?” Newton wrote on Twitter in reaction to Penn’s comments. “Like for real? You’re a jibbering fool…you used to be sexy but now you’re just tragic.”The “Crash” and “Westworld” star added, “In front of your daughter!? That poor little mite.

Taylor Lautner is opening up about how he proposed to his longtime love, and now fiancée, Tay Dome.