Michael Schneider Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Better late than never, the 50th Annual Daytime Emmys got underway on Friday night from downtown Los Angeles’ Westin Bonaventure Hotel, after six months of postponement due to the Hollywood strikes. Airing live on CBS, “Entertainment Tonight” hosts Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner were back to emcee this year’s event. “General Hospital” jumped out to a dominant early lead in the competition, winning six awards — including daytime drama, as well as both supporting actor and supporting actress, younger actor, guest actor and directing.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Pete Davidson has more than bupkis to say. The “Saturday Night Live” alum and star of Peacock’s “Bupkis” will star in his second Netflix hour-long special, “Turbo Fonzarelli,” which premieres Jan. 9, 2024, on the streamer.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Veteran TV director David Nutter has been selected to receive the Directors Guild of America’s lifetime achievement award for distinguished achievement in directing. He will receive the honors at the 76th Annual DGA Awards ceremony on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Discovery Channel has ordered the series “Big Little Brawlers,” which follows a group of little people wrestlers in Tennessee. The six-episode series debuts Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 10 p.m.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large And so goes the most unusual TV awards season ever, where a delayed Primetime Emmys — with its June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, eligibility window — falls smack into a Globes, Critics’ Choice and guild awards season with a January to December, 2023 time frame. The Hollywood strikes also may have had an impact on the even more limited-than-usual showing for broadcast networks at the Globes.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Golden Globes exec producers Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner (of White Cherry Entertainment) don’t appear to be sweating the fact that with less than a month to go, there’s still no announced host for this year’s ceremony. “Or is there?” Weiss quipped, a bit mysteriously. “We have to leave some room for some interesting announcements along the way.” Added Kirshner: “You said, ‘announced host,’ and we still have four weeks to go.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large The two Hollywood strikes will have no impact on next year’s Emmy eligibility windows for either the Primetime Emmys or the Daytime Emmys, the heads of the two television academies confirmed this week. Meeting with reporters in a joint setting — a collaboration that used to be a rarity, back when they were warring organizations, but has now become more common — Los Angeles-based Television Academy president/CEO Maury McIntyre and New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences president/CEO Adam Sharp tackled a wide range of subjects, including an anticipated drop in submissions next year in scripted categories due to the strikes; whether there will be more category realignments; if the talk show fields will be further adjusted; a major change in governance taking effect next year at NATAS; and more.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large In a sad bit of coincidence, the Hollywood, Health & Society at the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center honored its 2023 Sentinel Awards winners on Wednesday night, just hours after the passing of its namesake and inspiration, the legendary Norman Lear. Emmy-winning comedian and writer Larry Wilmore hosted the event and introduced this year’s 11 winners, including writers behind the series “Mrs. Davis,” “Fleishman is in Trouble” and “Tiny Beautiful Things.” But before the awards were handed out, Wilmore took a moment to pay tribute to Lear.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 10, Episode 10 of “The Masked Singer,” “I Wanna Rock,” which aired Dec. 6 on Fox. Ginuwine wasn’t sure he wanted to be on “The Masked Singer” when it first came calling. But the “Pony” artist ultimately couldn’t resist.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Norman Lear changed television. That, we know, is an absolute fact, and I’ll get to it in a moment. But what really saddens me at the news of Norman Lear’s death, at 101, is he won’t be here anymore to serve as a voice of reason as the United States continues to lose its mind.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large HBO and Max’s “We’re Here” and ABC’s “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” are among the first winners to pick up trophies at this year’s Emmy Awards. The Television Academy has announced early winners to this year’s 75th annual Emmy Awards via juried categories in animation, costume, hairstyling, makeup and motion design. Juried awards will be presented at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Jan.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Get ready to say yes to more “Dress.” And set aside plenty of time for at least four different versions of “90 Day Fiancé,” two different “My 600-lb Life” series, two shows in the “Little People” universe and another dive into the “Sister Wife” universe. TLC is unwrapping its winter and spring slate, and Variety can confirm the return and premiere date of ten series set to return. On tap, with what TLC has counted up to be “over 135 hours of entertainment,” are returning shows “90 Day: The Single Life,” “90 Day: The Single Life Pillow Talk,” “My 600-lb Life,” “90 Day Diaries,” “Say Yes To The Dress,” “Little People, Big World,” “7 Little Johnstons,” “My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?,” “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?” and “Seeking Sister Wife.” Per TLC, the cabler is ending the fourth quarter of 2023 as the top-rated cable network in primetime (when sports is not included) among adults 18-49, adults 25-54, women 18-49 and women 25-54.

Valerie Wu Intern What is a TV “comedy” in 2023? In an era of blurred genres, it’s not so cut and dry anymore. Opening Variety’s “A Night in the Writer’s Room,” Variety’s Michael Schneider asked the nine comedy writers on stage to raise their hand if their show features a death.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large As “Only Murders in the Building” fans await a fourth season of the hit Hulu comedy, they can relive the antics of the show’s first season via a broadcast run on ABC this January. As it prepares to start returning new episodes of its strike-delayed series starting in February, the Alphabet net will fill the January gap with episodes of “Only Murders in the Building” on Tuesdays. All ten episodes of the show’s Season 1 will air back-to-back, starting with the first three episodes on Tuesday, Jan.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Charlie Sheen isn’t the only “Two and a Half Men” star to reunite with exec producer Chuck Lorre on his new Max comedy “Bookie.” Also making a cameo in the “Bookie” series’ opener: Angus T. Jones, the “half man” from “Two and a Half Men,” now all grown up. Sheen’s appearance on “Bookie” (which premiered Nov.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 10, Episode 9 of “The Masked Singer,” “Disco Night,” which aired Nov. 29 on Fox. Former O-Town member Ashley Parker Angel had set aside performing in recent years to focus on his health and wellness company, High Level. But when “The Masked Singer” came calling, he couldn’t resist: “It was a hell yes, right from the start,” he told Variety.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large The Writers Guild of America is protesting the Television Academy‘s decision to move the outstanding writing for a variety series or special categories out of the Emmy telecast, sending a letter to members registering its concerns and urging them to lobby the org to reverse its plans. Because this year’s Primetime Emmys has has moved the variety special (live) category into the telecast (it was on the Creative Arts show last year), the TV Academy was likely looking to keep the telecast capped at 25 awards, so something had to fall out.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large It’s a chilly February evening on the Paramount lot as Kelsey Grammer transforms into Frasier Crane for the first time in nearly two decades. It’s an emotional moment on set, both nostalgic and anticipatory. The sets are new, as is every cast member besides Grammer.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large The comedy “Colin from Accounts” tends to surprise viewers who tune in expecting one thing, and realizing it’s something else altogether. It’s a romantic comedy with a most unusual name (read on if you want to find out who “Colin” actually is) and has become a phenomenon first in Australia, then on the BBC in the U.K., followed by the Nordic region and now in the U.S. via Paramount+, where it premiered earlier this month.

William Earl Following the resolution of the writers’ strike, Variety’s “A Night in the Writers’ Room” returns Nov. 30 in-person, featuring three panels moderated by Variety’s esteemed journalists, Michael Schneider and Emily Longeretta, with this year’s Emmy-contending writers in the drama, comedy and limited series categories.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Juno Temple has just learned about Jon Hamm’s “Fargo” stunt nipples, and she’s in awe. “A full, fake nipple?,” she asks, turning to her co-star at FX’s “Fargo” Season 5 premiere screening and panel on Nov. 15 at Nya Studios.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Veteran TV exec, producer and entrepreneur Cris Abrego can add another line to his growing list of titles: Chairman of the Television Academy. Abrego was elected to the post on Thursday night by the org’s Board of Governors, as the TV Academy also firmed up its roster of officers and governors for the board’s 2024-2025 term.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Paula Shugart is departing the Miss Universe Organization after 23 years as president, she revealed on Thursday night in El Salvador — where this year’s event is set to take place on Saturday. Shugart’s exit comes following news that Thailand-based Miss Universe owner JKN Global Group had filed for bankruptcy in its country, but insiders said Shugart’s announcement was unrelated to that news and had been in the works for a long time prior to that news.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 10, Episode 8 of “The Masked Singer,” “Trolls Night,” which aired Nov. 15 on Fox. Metta World Peace knows he’s not a great singer, but “The Masked Singer” is the one place where you can get away with it. Well, one of two places.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Think about some of the most iconic moments in modern TV history, and there’s a good chance Don Mischer was in the control room. Michael Jackson performing the Moonwalk for the first time on “Motown 25.” Muhammad Ali making a surprise appearance to light the Atlanta Olympics opening ceremony torch. Prince pulling off arguably the most lauded Super Bowl halftime show ever, in the pouring rain.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large GLAAD — the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer media advocacy organization — has been named the recipient of the Television Academy‘s 2023 Governors Award. The honor will be presented during the 75th Annual Primetime Emmys telecast, set to be broadcast live on Fox (after a lengthy Hollywood strikes delay) on January 15.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Variety chief correspondent and rising star Elizabeth Wagmeister is heading to CNN, where she’ll cover the entertainment beat for the news cabler, based in Los Angeles. Wagmeister was a driving force who helped Variety reclaim its role as the most-read, No.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large If you’re Gen X and living in Los Angeles, there’s a good chance you were at the Wiltern on Friday night, bathing in nostalgia as Liz Phair performed her seminal 1993 album “Exile in Guyville” in its entirety. Now that the age range for Gen X is between 41 and 56, it was probably inevitable that we’d succumb to wistfulness. Isn’t ironic, don’tcha think (sorry, Alanis), since we were supposed to be the cynical and disaffected generation.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large “Black-ish” star Anthony Anderson and his mother, Doris Bowman, are once again teaming up to host another game show together. The son-and-mother duo have been announced as the new hosts of Fox’s upcoming music gamer “We Are Family,” which premieres Wednesday, Jan.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large After six months of strikes, the primetime cupboard is pretty bare. But after a fall filled with repeats, unscripted series and a smattering of stockpiled scripted episodes, the broadcast networks are racing to salvage the rest of the TV season — and that means a scramble to get episodes in place by the start of 2024. It’s not as easy as flipping a light switch, of course.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Homer Simpson’s reported decision to stop strangling his son, Bart, has fans talking — at least on the Internet. That’s where everyone, of course, has an opinion.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 10, Episode 7 of “The Masked Singer,” “One-Hit Wonders Night,” which aired Nov. 8 on Fox. Money can’t buy you class, but “The Masked Singer” can buy you some well-timed publicity. Just days after she was seen at this year’s BravoCon, original “The Real Housewives of New York City” star and cabaret singer Luann de Lesseps — aka the “Countess” — was revealed on Wednesday as the latest celebrity to participate in Season 10 of “The Masked Singer.” De Lesseps was revealed to be Hibiscus, after performing “It’s Raining Men,” by The Weather Girls.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Audiences can finally catch a first glimpse at Max‘s “Bookie,” the new laffer starring stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco that also is notable for the reunion between co-creator Chuck Lorre and guest star Charlie Sheen. Max dropped the trailer for “Bookie” (formerly titled “How to Be a Bookie”) on Wednesday, scroll down to watch below. “Bookie” premieres Thursday, Nov.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is planning a mega Emmy weekend in December — although it remains to be seen whether the Daytime Emmys will be a part of the festivities. The org has firmed up dates for the Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmys, the 2nd Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards and Trustees’ Gala and the Children’s & Family Creative Arts Emmys, all of which will take place the weekend of December 16 and 17.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large As the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences continues to figure out how and when to finally hold this year’s Daytime Emmys — delayed in June due to the WGA strike — it has gone ahead and announced the nominations for this year’s 2nd Annual Children’s & Family Emmys. There’s no date yet for this year’s Chidren’s & Family Emmys — NATAS is likely waiting for a hopeful soon resolution to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike before firming up dates. But last year, winners were announced during two ceremonies—one focused on creative and technical arts, and the other to performances and programming—at Wilshire Ebell Theatre on December 10 and 11.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large A month after they got back to work and started airing post-WGA strike originals, early late night returns show good news for Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert — while in daytime, Kelly Clarkson’s move to New York was a winning strategy in its first week of new episodes. Talk shows were among the first original programs to return to air following the resolution of the Writers Guild of America strike, with the late night shows all returning the week of Oct. 2 after a five-month hiatus.