The Television Critics Association summer press tour wrapped up last week in Beverly Hills. Here are a few tidbits as reported by The Associated Press. They cover the 15 days of nonstop panel sessions, meet-and-greets and social events with the talent, producers and executives from the networks, cable outfits and streaming services.
The fall season officially begins Sept. 19, following the Sept. 18 Emmy presentations on ABC.
• Designated Survivor, ABC, Sept. 21. This Kiefer Sutherland political thriller has been tapped by the critics as a pre-season guaranteed hit. From what I've seen, it looks good.
Sutherland portrays a low-level cabinet member who suddenly becomes president after an attack on the Capitol wipes out the president and the rest of his administration.
Sutherland said after all his years as lone wolf Jack Bauer on 24, it's odd to be playing the president surrounded by towering Secret Service agents. "I've never felt so short on a show in my life," he admitted.
For the record, the 49-year-old Sutherland is just under 5-foot-9.
• Mariah's World, E!, Dec. 4. Mariah Carey gets an eight-part series detailing the launch of her Sweet Sweet Fantasy concert tour and the planning for her marriage to third husband, Australian billionaire James Packer.
Carey entered the panel session accompanied by six half-naked men who formed a human chair for her to sit on. "So this is perfectly normal," she said, smiling.
• Incorporated, Syfy, Nov. 30. In this dystopian thriller, Dennis Haysbert (24) will play the security chief of a powerful, despotic corporation.
About this grim vision of the future, Haysbert said, "Even though it's not quite there yet, a few misplaced politicians and some other crazy things happening in the world ... will put us there."
• Suits, USA, 8 p.m. Wednesdays. This series, currently in Season 6, is one of the favorites at our house. It stars Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman and Gina Torres as perpetually angry lawyers. USA announced a seventh season has been ordered.
• Harry. The amiable and versatile Harry Connick Jr. was the best American Idol judge of them all. He attended the press tour to tout his eponymous syndicated daytime talk/variety show, which starts Sept. 12 on KATV.
"I love to entertain and I felt like this would be an opportunity to do all the things I love to do under one roof," Connick said.
• Falling Water, USA, Oct. 13. The series is about three total strangers who slowly realize that they are dreaming separate parts of a single common dream.
Co-star Will Yun Lee (Hawaii Five-0) said he welcomes the change from his usual Asian martial arts typecasting.
"I think I've done every single Chinatown episode of every single show," Lee said. In Falling Water, he won't have "to do a roundhouse kick for some strange cinematic reason."
The series co-stars David Ajala (Fast & Furious 6) and Lizzie Brochere (American Horror Story: Asylum).
• The View, ABC, Sept 6. ABC News correspondent Sara Haines will join the series, replacing Michelle Collins when it begins its 20th season.
Whoopi Goldberg returns as moderator. Other panelists are Joy Behar, Candace Cameron Bure, Paula Faris and Raven-Symone.
• black-ish, ABC, Sept. 21. Series creator Kenya Barris says his show aims to be color-blind and he doesn't care about the racial makeup (it's one-quarter black) of the audience.
"These are amazing, talented actors who are giving it their all," Barris said. "We're so tired of talking about diversity at every panel. The question of diversity clouds the conversation."
A hit, black-ish won a Peabody Award this year and is nominated for three Emmys.
• Diversity. Speaking of diversity, new ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey says among her targets for more diversity are the almost lily white reality shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
"I would very much like to see some changes there," Dungey said. She said the best way is to add more black people to the shows' contestant pools.
• Golden Globes. Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC's The Tonight Show, has been tapped as the next master of ceremonies of the Golden Globes. He takes over for the more acerbic Ricky Gervais. NBC will broadcast the ceremonies live Jan. 8.
• Tony turns 90. On Dec. 20, NBC will toast the legendary Tony Bennett with a two-hour special in honor of his 90th birthday (which was Aug. 3).
Performers will include Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, k.d. lang, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Billy Joel, Elton John, Diana Krall and Rufus Wainwright.
• Simon's back. Simon Cowell will return as a judge next season on America's Got Talent. He'll reunite with Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel. Nick Cannon returns as host.
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Style on 08/14/2016