By Mark Kennedy, Entertainment Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --Queen Latifah, Rebecca Breeds and Thomas Middleditch are set to star in three new CBS shows for the 2020-21 season as the network adds a reimagined "Equalizer," a show based on "The Silence of the Lambs" and a comedy about organ donation.
Queen Latifah steps into the role of a retired special-ops agent who fiercely believes in justice in "Equalizer," playing a character previously portrayed on TV and film by Edward Woodward and Denzel Washington.
Breeds, of "Pretty Little Liars" fame, will play FBI Agent Clarice Starling in "Clarice" as she returns to the field in 1993, six months after the events of "The Silence of the Lambs." Chris Noth and Lorraine Toussaint also star.
Middleditch of "Silicon Valley" teams up with Broadway veteran Annaleigh Ashford from "Masters of Sex" for the comedy "B Positive," by creators Chuck Lorre and Marco Pennette. The show is about a newly divorced dad who finds a kidney donor in a woman from his past.
Earlier this week, CBS announced the return of 23 series, including the "NCIS" family, "Young Sheldon," "All Rise," "Blue Bloods," "Bull," Magnum P.I.," "The Neighborhood," "The Unicorn," "Bob Hearts Abishola" and "Evil."
CBS is dropping some big-name stars and their shows: the Edie Falco drama "Tommy" and sitcoms "Carol's Second Act" with Patricia Heaton, "Man with a Plan" starring Matt LeBlanc and "Broke" with Pauley Perrette. Previously canceled shows include "God Friended Me," "Hawaii Five-0" and "Criminal Minds."
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
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