Christopher Jackson, HAIRSPRAY & More - BWW's Guide to Broadway on Fall TV!
By: Caryn Robbins Aug. 23, 2016
Broadway stars and a host of musical presentations are on tap for the upcoming 2016-17 primetime television season. Included in the line-up will be new series starring HAMILTON's Christopher Jackson, FROZEN's Kristen Bell and BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY star Stephen Pasquale. Of course, theater fans can't wait for NBC's live broadcast of HAIRSPRAY, featuring an all-star roster of theater giants such as Kristin Chenoweth and Harvey Fierstein. And get ready to do the "Time Warp" as FOX presents its reboot of the musical classic, ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. Check out the exciting programming slate below!
NBC
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
(Premieres Tuesday, August 23rd (10 - 11 pm/ET. From Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Henry Winkler stars)
From executive producers Craig Zadan, Neil Meron and Henry Winkler comes BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. (airs Tuesdays on NBC (10-11 p.m. ET)) Described as an "alternative series", the show will air following NBC's Rio Olympics coverage in late summer. Based on a popular Korean format, the fish-out-of-water comedy/reality show follows cultural icons Henry Winkler, William Shatner, Terry Bradshaw and George Foreman on their greatest adventure yet. Deciding it's better late than never, these four National Treasures embark on the journey of a lifetime, traveling across Asia on their own with no schedule and no itinerary. The only help will come from Jeff Dye, a young tech-savvy comedian with an agenda of his own and who isn't above leading the men off track. Each stop is packed with hilarious cultural experiences, heartwarming spectacles and unexpected twists as our legends take on this unforgettable adventure. Jason Ehrlich, Stephanie Chambers, Alex Katz and Tim Crescenti also executive produce. TRoy Miller directs.
THE GOOD PLACE
(Thursdays 8:30 - 9:00 pm - Premieres September 22nd)
The new comedy THE GOOD PLACE will premiere on September 22nd and will star Kristen Bell (FROZEN) and Ted Danson. From Michael Schur, executive producer of Broadway's Andrea Martin, Steven Boyer, Krysta Rodriguez & More Heading to NBC's New Season"Brooklyn Nine-Nine"), the series follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Bell), an ordinary woman who, through an extraordinary string of events, enters the afterlife where she comes to realize that she hasn't been a very good person. With the help of her wise newfound afterlife mentor (Danson), she's determined to shed her old way of living and discover the awesome (or at least the pretty good) person within. Directed by Drew Goddard, the Oscar-nominated writer of "The Martian." The cast also includes William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto and D'Arcy Carden. Watch the trailer below:
HAIRSPRAY LIVE!
Airs Wednesday, December 7 8-11 pm/ET)
NBC will continue its emphasis on event programming with one-time-only special events, including HAIRSPRAY LIVE!, starring Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short and Derek Hough, Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande.Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Hairspray Live!" takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on "The Corny Collins Show," a local TV program. When, against all odds, Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African-American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy's mother is the indomitable Edna Turnblad, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white "Corny Collins Show." (Photo by: Chris Haston/NBCUniversal)
GREAT NEWS
(Midseason - starring Andrea Martin)
Midseason will see the premiere of the new comedy GREAT NEWS, starring Tony Award winner Andrea Martin (NOISES OFF, PIPPIN), along with Briga Heelan, Adam Campbell, Kimrie Lewis-Davis, John Michael Higgins and Horatio Sanz. According to the official description: Getting along with some colleagues can be rough, but working with your mom? That's a whole other story. When Katie, an up-and-coming news producer, finds out her overbearing mom (Andrea Martin, "SCTV," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding") has rejoined the workforce as an intern at the station where Katie works, it might just be the worst news ever. But, with her biggest cheerleader at her side, Katie might finally get the recognition she deserves. The laughs hit close to home in this new office comedy from executive producers Tina Fey, Robert Carlock and the producers of "30 Rock."
TRIAL & ERROR
(Midseason - starring Krysta Rodriguez, Steven Boyer and John Lithgow)
Broadway's John Lithgow (A DELICATE BALANCE, THE COLUMNIST), Krysta Rodriguez (SPRING AWAKENING) and Steven Boyer (HAND TO GOD) will star in the midseason mockumentary comedy TRIAL & ERROR. According to the official description: In this OUTRAGEOUS fish-out-of-water comedy, bright-eyed New York lawyer Josh Segal heads to a tiny Southern town for his first big case. His mission? To defend an eccentric, "rollercizing" poetry professor (Lithgow) accused of the bizarre murder of his beloved wife. Settling into his makeshift office behind a taxidermy shop and meeting his quirky team of local misfits, Josh suspects that winning his first big case will not be easy, especially when his client is always making himself look guilty. "Making a Murderer" can be funny!
POWERLESS
(Midseason - starring Vanessa Hudgens)
Fresh off her critically acclaimed performance of Rizzo in FOX's GREASE LIVE, Vanessa Hudgens (Broadway's GIGI) will star in the midseason series POWERLESS, the first comedy set in the universe of DC Comics. Hudgens plays Emily, a spunky young insurance adjuster specializing in regular-people coverage against damage caused by the crime-fighting superheroes. It's when she stands up to one of these larger-than-life figures (after an epic battle messes with her commute) that she accidentally becomes a cult "hero" in her own right ... even if it's just to her group of lovably quirky co-workers. Now, while she navigates her normal, everyday life against an explosive backdrop, Emily might just discover that being a hero doesn't always require superpowers.The cast also includes Alan Tudyk, Danny Pudi and Christina Kirk.
EMERALD CITY
(Midseason starring Vincent D'Onofrio and Joely Richardson)
Also of interest midseason will be the new drama EMERALD CITY, described as a complete reimagination of "The Wizard of Oz" set in a mystical land of dark magic, lethal warriors and a bloody battle for supremacy. According to the official description: In the blink of a tornado's eye, 20-year-old Dorothy Gale and a K9 police dog are swept into a world far removed from our own - a mystical land of competing realms, lethal warriors, dark magic and a bloody battle for supremacy. Starring Vincent D'Onofrio ("Daredevil," "Jurassic World") as the guileful Wizard and directed by the visionary Tarsem Singh across three European countries, this is Oz completely reimagined - a place where familiar characters show up in fresh, unexpected ways, and where an unsuspecting young woman holds the fate of kingdoms in her hands. As Dorothy navigates this dangerous world and uncovers her true destiny, we'll see there's no place like... Oz.
FOX
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
(Premieres Thursday, October 20th (8:00 - 10:00 pm ET/PT) Starring Laverne Cox, Reeve Carney, Annaleigh Ashford, Adam Lambert, Ben Vereen, Time Curry, Ryan McCarten
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, a brand-new reimagining of the cult-classic midnight movie 40 years in the making. Sweethearts JANET (Victoria Justice, "Victorious") and BRAD (Ryan McCartan, "Liv & Maddie," "Heathers the Musical") stumble upon flirtatious mad scientist DR. FRANK-N-FURTER's (Emmy Award-nominated actress Laverne Cox, "Orange is the New Black") bizarre abode during his annual Transylvanian science convention. The two-hour event also features Emmy Award nominee Tim Curry, the original Frank-N-Furter. Watch the trailer below:
ABC
NOTORIOUS
(Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2016 9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) - Starring Daniel Sunjata and NOISES OFF's Kate Jennings Grant
NOTORIOUS centers on the symbiotic relationship between charismatic defense attorney Jake Gregorian (Daniel Sunjata) and powerhouse TV producer Julia George (Piper Perabo), as they attempt to control the media, the justice system and ultimately each other.
When Jake's clients find themselves in the nation's spotlight, he uses the media to sway public opinion. Meanwhile, Julia, the executive producer of Louise Herrick Live (LHL), the number one TV news program in the country, capitalizes on Jake's clients' notoriety. Together, they make great TV and determine the nation's headlines.
NOTORIOUS stars Daniel Sunjata as Jake Gregorian, Piper Perabo as Julia George, Kate Jennings Grant as Louise Herrick, Aimee Teegarden as Ella Benjamin, J. August Richards as Bradley Gregorian, Sepideh Moafi as Megan Byrd, Ryan Guzman as Ryan Mills, and Kevin Zegers as Oscar Keaton. Watch the trailer below:
WHEN WE RISE
(Limited Series Event - Premiere date TBA)
"When We Rise" chronicles the real-life personal and political struggles, setbacks and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the once unfathomable successes of today.
Written and created by Oscar(R)-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black ("8", "Milk," "Big Love," "J. Edgar"), the limited series event stars Guy Pearce as LGBT activist Cleve Jones, Mary-Louise Parker as women's rights leader Roma Guy and Rachel Griffiths as her wife, social justice activist Diane. Also starring are Austin McKenzie as Younger Cleve Jones, Emily Skeggsas Younger Roma Guy, Jonathan Majors as Younger Ken Jones, and Fiona Dourif as Younger Diane. The miniseries is executive produced by Black, Laurence Mark ("Julie & Julia,""Dreamgirls,""I, Robot," "Jerry Maguire"), Bruce Cohen ("American Beauty," "Milk") and Gus Van Sant ("Good Will Hunting," "Milk") for ABC. Van Sant will direct the two-hour premiere of the seven-episode-limited series event. "When We Rise" is from ABC Studios.DIRTY DANCING
(Premiere date TBA) - Starring Nicole Scherzinger, Debra Messing, SARAH HYLANd, Tony Roberts
"Dirty Dancing," the global pop-cultural phenomenon, becomes a three-hour filmed musical event this season on the ABC Television Network. An adaptation of the beloved 1987 romantic drama and instant music classic, "Dirty Dancing" will be produced by Lionsgate Television in association with Allison Shearmur Productions, executive produced by Allison Shearmur ("Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," "The Hunger Games" franchise; "Cinderella"); Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie; and Grammy Award-nominee Adam Anders ("Glee," "Rock of Ages"), who also serves as executive music producer. Wayne Blair ("The Sapphires," "Septembers of Shiraz") is the director, and Andy Blankenbuehler("Hamilton," "Bring It On," "In the Heights") is the choreographer. "Dirty Dancing" stars Abigail Breslin as Baby, Debra Messing as Marjorie Houseman, Bruce Greenwood as Dr. Jake Houseman, Nicole Scherzinger as Penny, Colt Prattes as Johnny, SARAH HYLANd as Lisa Houseman, Tony Roberts as Max Kellerman, Trevor Einhorn as Neil, Shane Harper as Robbie Gould, J. Quinton Johnson as Marco, Beau "Casper" Smart as Billy, Katey Sagal as Vivian Pressman and Billy Dee Williams as Tito. Image courtesy of LionsgateCBS
BULL
(Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) - Starring Christopher Jackson and Geneva Carr
BULL stars Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull in a drama inspired by the early career of Dr.Phil McGraw, the founder of one of the most prolific trial consulting firms of all time. Brilliant, brash and charming, Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition and high tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the accused tick. Bull employs an enviable team of experts at Trial Analysis Corporation to shape successful narratives down to the very last detail. They include his quick-witted brother-in-law, Benny Coln (Freddy Rodriguez), who plays a defense attorney in mock trials; Marissa Morgan (Geneva Carr), a cutting-edge neurolinguistics expert from the Department of Homeland Security; former NYPD detective Danny James (Jaime Lee Kirchner), the firm's tough but relatable investigator; haughty millennial hacker Cable McCrory (Annabelle Attanasio), who is responsible for gathering cyber intelligence; and Chunk Palmer (Chris Jackson), a fashion-conscious stylist and former All-American lineman who fine tunes clients' appearances for trial. In high-stakes trials, Bull's combination of remarkable insight into human nature, three Ph.D.'s and a top-notch staff creates winning strategies that tip the scales of justice in his clients' favor. Watch the trailer below:
Photo: David M. Russell/CBS
DOUBT
(To premiere during the 2016-2017 season) Starring Steven Pasquale, Laverne Cox, Dule Hill, Elliott Gould, featuring Ann Harada, Donna Murphy, Judith Light
DOUBT stars Katherine Heigl as Sadie Ellis, a brilliant attorney at a boutique firm who starts to fall for her charismatic client, Billy Brennan (Steven Pasquale), an altruistic pediatric surgeon recently accused of murdering his girlfriend 24 years ago. Sadie is hiding her growing feelings from everyone, including her close friend and colleague, Albert Cobb (Dulé Hill), who thinks he knows everything about her. Working on other cases at the practice is Cameron Wirth (Laverne Cox), a transgender Ivy League graduate who fights passionately for her clients since she's experienced injustice first hand; Tiffany Simon (Dreama Walker), a second-year associate who is quickly learning the ropes from Wirth; and Nick (Kobi Libii), a former felon who earned his degree while serving time. They all consider it a privilege to work for Isaiah Roth (Elliott Gould), a revered legal lion and "lefty" legend, whose approval is their holy grail. Sadie's decision to become involved with her client could put her career, as well as her happiness, at risk if Billy is found guilty, which means she needs to work all the harder to prove reasonable doubt, even if she has some herself. Tony Phelan & Joan Rater, Emmy Award winner Adam Bernstein, Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman are executive producers for CBS Television Studios. Bernstein directed the pilot. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS
FX
ATLANTA
(Premieres Tuesday, September 6th 10:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring THE BOOK OF MORMON's Brian Tyree Henry
Two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families.
Donald Glover stars as Earnest "Earn" Marks, an "artistic loner" who returns to Atlanta under the dark cloud of failure. His cousin, Alfred Miles (Brian Tyree Henry), is a promising young artist with a ton of potential. Sensing a chance to capture the success that once eluded, Earn becomes Alfred's manager.
Glover serves as Executive Producer, along with Paul Simms and Dianne McGunigle. ATLANTA is produced by FX Productions.
Amazon
GOLIATH
(Premieres Friday, October 14th) - Starring William Hurt and Nina Arianda
Once a powerful lawyer, Billy McBride is now burned out and washed up, spending more time in a bar than a courtroom. When he reluctantly agrees to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the biggest client of Cooperman & McBride, the massive law firm he helped create, Billy and his ragtag team uncover a vast and deadly conspiracy, pitting them all in a life or death trial against the ultimate Goliath.
The ultimate David vs. Goliath battle fought in the 21st century American legal system. The series follows a down-and-out lawyer as he seeks redemption. His one shot depends on getting justice in a legal system where truth has become a commodity, and the scales of justice have never been more heavily weighted toward the rich and powerful.
GOOD GIRLS REVOLT
(Premieres Friday, October 28th) - Starring Anna Camp and Grace Gummer
In 1969, while a cultural revolution swept through the free world, there was still one place that refused to change with the times: newsrooms. Good Girls Revolt follows a group of young female researchers at "News of the Week," who ask to be treated fairly. Their revolutionary request sparks convulsive changes and upends marriages, careers, sex lives, love lives, and friendships.
Returning Shows
FX
AMERICAN HORROR STORY
(Premieres September 14th)
Kathy Bates, Denis O'Hare, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Wes Bentley, Cheyenne Jackson, Lady Gaga and Matt Bomer will return for the sixth installment of FX's anthology series AMERICAN HORROR STORY. Gaga won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the fifth installment of the franchise.
AMERICAN HORROR STORY is an anthology horror drama series created and produced by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The theme of the new season has not yet been revealed, but FX has shared some teaser videos HERE!FOX
SCREAM QUEENS
(Premieres September 20 at 9pm/ET) Starring Lia Michele, Keke Palmer, John Stamos
The second season of SCREAM QUEENS will feature John Stamos (Broadway's CABARET, BYE BYE BIRDIE), Taylor Lautner and a reported guest appearance by LEGALLY BLONDE's Laura Bell Bundy.
Season Two of SCREAM QUEENS graduates from the college campus and into an all-new location, as a terrifyingly funny mystery will begin once again. Set in a hospital, where some of the most fascinating and bizarre medical cases are under observation, Stamos will play DR. BROCK HOLT, the hospital's brilliant, but secretive, head surgeon. Golden Globe Award nominee Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Lea Michele (GLEE, SPRING AWAKENING), Abigail Breslin (THE MIRACLE WORKER), Keke Palmer (CINDERELLA), Glen Powell and Niecy Nash are set to reprise their Season One characters.TV Land
YOUNGER
(Premieres September 28th at 10/9C) - Starring Sutton Foster, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor
Tony Award winner Sutton Foster returns for the third season of TV Land's YOUNGER, also starring Hilary Duff ("Lizzie McGuire"), Debi Mazar ("Entourage") and Miriam Shor ("GCB"). The single-camera project, which is written, executive produced and directed by Darren Star ("Sex and the City"), is based on the novel "Younger" by Pamela Redmond Satran. "Younger" follows 40-year-old Liza (Foster), a suddenly single mother who tries to get back into the working world, only to find out it's nearly impossible to start at the bottom at her age. When a chance encounter with a 20-something guy at a bar convinces her she looks younger than she is, Liza tries to pass herself off as 26 -- with the help of a makeover, courtesy of her best friend Maggie (Mazar). Armed with new confidence, she lands a job as an assistant to the temperamental Diana (Shor) and teams up with her new co-worker and fellow 20-something Kelsey (Duff) to make it in the career of her dreams.
The CW
CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND
(Premieres Friday, October 21st 9:00PM ET/PT) - Starring Rachel Bloom, Santino Fontana, Donna Lynne Champlin, Gabrielle Ruiz, Vincent Rodriguez III, with Tovah Feldshuh recurring.
In this award-winning musical comedy, Rebecca Bunch is a Jewish, Yale- and Harvard-educated lawyer, who works for a top New York firm. She freaks out when offered a partnership and bumps into Josh Chan on the street. Josh was her first love from summer camp in 2005 and she never got over the way he dumped her at the end of camp. Josh tells her he couldn't hack it in New York and is moving back to West Covina, California ("Just two hours from the beach, four hours in traffic"). While watching a butter spread commercial, Rebecca decides to follow Josh in search of happiness. She hops a plane to LA, gets a job at Darryl Whitefeather's West Covina law firm, buys a house, and flushes all her pills down the sink. She becomes friends with the firm's paralegal, Paula, and begins an on-again-off-again relationship with Josh's friend Greg, while trying to reconnect with Josh.
ABC
MODERN FAMILY (Premieres Wednesday, September 21st, 2016 9:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson and SARAH HYLANd, featuring Nathan Lane, Adam Devine, Andrew Rannells, and more.
BLACK-ISH (Premieres Wednesday, September 21st, 2016 9:30 PM ET/PT) - Starring Tracee Ellis Ross, Jenifer Lewis, and (beginning this season) Daveed Diggs, featuring Laurence Fishburne and Raven -Symone.
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER (Premieres Thursday, September 22nd 10:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Viola Davis and Conrad Ricamora, featuring Marcia Gay Harden and Cicely Tyson.
THE REAL O'NEALS (Premieres Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 9:30 PM ET/PT) - Starring Martha Plimpton.
AMAZON
TRANSPARENT (Premieres Friday, September 23rd, 2016) - Starring Jeffrey Tambor and Judith Light, featuring Cherry Jones, Anjelica Houston, Bradley Whitford, and more.
CBS
THE BIG BANG THEORY (Premieres Monday, September 19th, 2016 8:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring James Parsons and Kunal Nayyar, featuring Laurie Metcalf and Christine Baranski.
HAWAII FIVE-0 (Premieres Fridau, September 23rd 9:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Daniel Dae Kim.
BLUE BLOODS (Premieres Friday, September 23rd, 2016 10:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Men Cariou and Vanessa Ray, featuring Gregory Jbara, Nicholas Turturro, and more.
NCIS: LOS ANGELES (Premieres Sunday, October 2nd 8:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Linda Hunt and Barrett Foa.
MADAME SECRETARY (Premieres Sunday, October 2nd 9:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Tim Daly, Bebe Neuwirth, Zeljko Ivanek, Erich Bergen, Patina Miller, Keith Carradine, Sebastian Arcelus, featuring Anna Deavere Smith.
ELEMENTARY (Premieres Sunday, October 2nd 10:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, and Aidan Quinn.
THE ODD COUPLE (Premieres Monday, October 17th, 2016 9:30 PM ET/PT) - Based on the Neil Simon play. starring Matthew Perry, featuring Lauren Graham.
MOM (Premieres Thursday, October 27th, 2016 9:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Allison Janney.
LIFE IN PIECES (Premieres Thursday, October 27th, 2016 9:30 PM ET/PT) - Starring Thomas Sadoski, Dianne Wiest, and James Brolin.
The CW
THE FLASH (Premieres Tuesday, October 4th, 2016 8:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Grant Gustin, Jesse L. Martin, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, featuring Victor Garber, Andy Mientus, Ciara Renee, and more.
SUPERGIRL (Premieres Monday, October 10th, 2016 8:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Melissa Benoist and Jeremy Jordan, featuring Laura Benanti, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Blake Jenner, and more.
LEGENDS OF TOMORROW (Premieres Thursday, October 13th, 2016 8:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Victor Garber, Arthur Darvil, and John Barrowman, featuring Ciara Renee.
NBC
CHICAGO MED (Premieres Thursday, September 22nd 9:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Colin Donnell, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Oliver Platt, featuring Annie Potts and Patti Murin.
Showtime
MASTERS OF SEX (Premieres Sunday, September 11th, 2016 10:00 PM ET/PT) - Starring Michael Sheen, Annaleigh Ashford, featuring Allison Janney, Helene Yorke, Ann Dowd, Finn Wittrock, Christian Borle, Keke Palmer, Courtney B. Vance, Adam Arkin, and beginning this season Kelli O'Hara.
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