Hey He-Man... what's goin' on?
A quick and breezy end-of-week, news-filled newsletter to wind out the week.
But before we get to the news…
Last night I went along to see the new Masters of The Universe film. It gets a release next week. I was a child in the 80s, so grew up with He-Man and The Masters of The Universe on TV. It was never a favourite show, but I watched a lot of it. And, truth be told, I probably liked spin-off cartoon She-Ra quite a bit more.
What I liked quite a lot more was the live-action 1987 Masters of The Universe film. But, let me stress, it wasn’t a favourite of mine. But I watched it quite a bit.
I believe there’s a review embargo in place for the new movie. I’ll put a review up in the newsletter when that embargo lifts. But, in the week leading up to the film… I just wanted to suggest…
…if you’re a person hoping for a good Masters of The Universe movie… I reckon next week might give you something you’re looking for in life.
Until then…
News Desk
Maybe Tom Hardy wasn’t actually fired from MobLand? Read: Variety
Tony Shalhoub is joining the cast of CBS drama Einstein. He will play the father of series lead Matthew Gray Gubler’s titular character. The series is being produced by former Monk producers. Read: THR
Simon Robinson, a senior exec at Reuters without any TV experience, is understood to be the one to replace the head of the Australian ABC News, Justin Stevens. Stevens announced his exit on Wednesday, with the exec believed to have been pushed out the door. The good news is that, based on the pictures available of both men, the ABC will retain beard continuity. Read: SMH
Mary McDonnell is joining the cast of Baywatch in a guest role as the mother of Hobie Buchannon. ABW notes that while Mary McDonnell is great, with the series a sequel to the original series, it’s a shame that they couldn’t bring back TV legend Wendie Malick, who played the role in six episodes of the original show. Read: Variety
In casting news that just feels kind-of right, Karen Gillan is joining the season 4 cast of Apple TV comedy Shrinking. Read: Variety
Disney-owned ABC says it has submitted its license renewal applications to the FCC as ordered, but is doing so “under protest.” Read: Variety
Former New York Times and Vanity Fair writer Nick Bilton has been named as the new EP on the US 60 Minutes. He’s an unconventional hire, but I’ve liked Bilton from listening to him on podcasts over the years and I’ve read two of his books, which I liked. Read: thefutoncritic
In bad US 60 Minutes news, Sharyn Alfonsi, who (as expected) had her contract not renewed with the show yesterday, has today been fired from CBS News entirely. Now cue the lawyers. Read: THR
A TV show chronicling the early life of Céline Dion and family is in the works. Growing Up Dion is its working title. Read: Deadline
Trailer Park
Extreme Makeover is the first of three new episodes of The Simpsons produced exclusively for Disney+. It debuts June 17.
In this Disney+ exclusive double-episode, Homer and Marge's fun couples' date night goes off the rails when Marge learns Homer left the kids unsupervised with only the doorbell camera as a babysitter. Frustrated with her imperfect husband, a tipsy Marge stirs up a trilogy of fantasies of a different Homer. The special guest stars Betty Gilpin, with musical guests Laufey and Tegan and Sara.
Sugar returns June 19 on Apple TV.
In The Hands of Dante debuts on Netflix June 24.
A writer helps a mob boss steal Dante's handwritten "Divine Comedy" manuscript as a parallel tale follows the 14th-century poet creating his masterpiece.
I Am Frankelda debuts on Netflix June 12.
Frankelda, a determined 19th-century Mexican writer, journeys into her subconscious to face the monsters she's written about. Guided by a tormented prince, she must restore the balance between fiction and reality before it's too late.
Hoppers, an oddball animated family film that I thought was pretty great, debuts on Disney+ June 3.
That’s the newsletter for the today.
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