By Lynn Elber, Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan and other "30 Rock" stars are reuniting for a corporate cause: to promote the shows and stars that will be part of the new season for NBC and its NBCUniversal cable siblings.
Described as a "one-time, commercial-free event" — other than the extended ad it represents for NBCUniversal — the reunion will air July 16 on NBC and be shown on cable channels including USA Network, Bravo and Oxygen.
It's a special born of the coronavirus pandemic, which kept NBCUniversal and other media companies from the mid-May tradition of presenting their 2020-21 schedules to crowds of ad buyers in New York City.
The cast of the Emmy-winning, 2006-13 sitcom will be in character, including Jack McBrayer's enthusiastic network page, the company said Tuesday.
"We're all happy to have this excuse to (remotely) work together again for NBC," series executive producers Fey and Robert Carlock said in a statement. "To quote Kenneth the page, there are only two things we love in this world, television and everyone."
The special will feature new and returning shows from NBCUniversal's platforms and include guests from entertainment, sports and news, the company said, with further details to be announced.
Also Tuesday, NBC played catch-up by releasing its schedule for the fall TV season, which remains shadowed by COVID-19. Given that the film and TV production that was abruptly halted in March is just getting underway, networks have been cautious in committing to specific debut dates.
The fall lineup will include the renewed "Manifest" and previously announced spin-off "Law & Order: Organized Crime," with Christopher Meloni reprising his character from "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
The mid-season will bring freshman series including "Mr. Mayor," a Fey-Carlock sitcom starring Ted Danson and Holly Hunter, and "Young Rock," inspired by Dwayne Johnson's life and produced by and starring the pro wrestler-turned-actor.
NBC is saying goodbye to the series "Sunnyside," starring Kal Penn; "Bluff City Law" with Jimmy Smits, and "Indebted" with Fran Drescher.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this yearโs AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckisโ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwoodโs Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
โAt the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,โ said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. โWe look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.โ
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraรญn, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the worldโs most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More