Netflix takes down Patriot Act episode about Saudi Arabia, but leaves it up on YouTube

If you think Donald Trump’s response to Saudi Arabia has been weak, then what do you make of Netflix? The streaming giant recently capitulated to the Saudi royals, pulling an episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj that questioned U.S. policy to…

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CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase announces 2019 cast

The CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase, a staple for 14 years, will begin a run of six shows starting Jan. 15 at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles with its cast for 2019. Written by past showcase performers, the variety revue is well-attended by i…

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This month in TV development

“Pilot Season” begins in earnest in January, so we’re in the home stretch for ordering scripts and sealing deals from the broadcast networks for potential new series in 2019-2020. We do know one sure thing for summer 2019, a sitcom st…

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Golden Globes will honor Carol Burnett with her own namesake award

Carol Burnett has won lifetime achievement awards from the Screen Actors Guild, the Peabody Awards, the Mark Twain Prize, Kennedy Center Honors and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  Now she’ll get her own award in her own name from the Hollywoo…

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YouTube dropping plans for premium originals, going ad-supported in 2019

YouTube is pivoting away from both original programming and premium subscription services. Sounds like a bad thing. And yet. Even though you shouldn’t be pitching your new original comedy ideas to the video giant, you will be able to continue wat…

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YouTube dropping plans for premium originals, going ad-supported in 2019

YouTube is pivoting away from both original programming and premium subscription services. Sounds like a bad thing. And yet. Even though you shouldn’t be pitching your new original comedy ideas to the video giant, you will be able to continue wat…

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SAG-AFTRA approves new animation contract through 2020

As animation and voiceover work becomes ever more commonplace among mainstream TV and movie fare, it’s more necessary to work out fair labor contracts. SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly voted earlier this month on a new deal. Results announced thi…

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This week in TV development

This week in TV development, we’re taking you around the dial and down the streaming services to get you all caught up. In alphabetical order by network… First off, ABC decided not to order its planned spinoff for The Middle, called Sue Sue in the City…

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Watch Julia Louis-Dreyfus accept her Mark Twain Prize

It’s fitting that the best and only part of this year’s Mark Twain Prize ceremony that you really need to watch is Julia Louis-Dreyfus herself accepting her award for 2018. The tributes made by friends and former colleagues are all sweet, i…

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Samantha Bee to present “Christmas on I.C.E.” TBS holiday comedy special

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee will put on its first holiday special, Christmas on I.C.E., for TBS this December. Bee will be joined at New York’s PlayStation Theater by special guests including skating superstar and Olympic medalist Adam Rippon. &#822…

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