TV Talk

Friends Cast Reuniting (Sort Of), and Other TV News

by RT Staff | January 14, 2016 | Comments

TAGGED AS: CBS, NBC, Showtime, Winter TV

This week in TV news, Hairspray is coming to TV, CBS promises more diversity in casting, the Friends cast reunites, and more!

CHARLIE ROSE SNAGS FIRST INTERVIEW WITH SEAN PENN AFTER “EL CHAPO” MEETINGS

While in LA on Tuesday Charlie Rose told the Television Critics Association that he’d met with Sean Penn, and that they would soon be sitting down to discuss the Two-Time Oscar Winner’s clandestine meeting with, then fugitive, drug lord “El Chapo” Guzman. Penn’s conversations with Guzman resulted in an article for Rolling Stone, and in an open investigation into Penn. Sean Penn hasn’t spoken to any media outlets regarding his talks with “El Chapo,” and a date for his interview with Rose is yet to be announced.

TWIN PEAKS PREMIERE DATE NARROWED DOWN TO SPRING 2017

We’ve received another clue in the Twin Peaks mystery — the mystery of its premiere date, anyway. The Hollywood Reporter’s coverage of the Television Critics Association winter press tour included a brief tidbit from Showtime CEO David Nevins, where he announced that Twin Peaks creator “David [Lynch] is more than halfway through his shooting schedule. It will premiere in the first quarter of 2017.” So now fans only have about one more year to wait for the beloved series’ revival!

FRIENDS CAST REUNITES FOR SITCOM DIRECTOR TRIBUTE

Hold on to your hats 90s kids! TVLine is reporting that all six original Friends cast members will be reuniting for a two-hour special on NBC honoring sitcom director James Burrows. Burrows directed 15 episodes of the fan-favorite TV show and recently directed his 1,000th TV episode. The special, which will include other stars who worked with the director, will air at 9PM February 21st on NBC.

NBC WILL AIR HAIRSPRAY AS A LIVE MUSICAL IN 2016

Get ready to aerosol your updo and sing along to your favorite Broadway tunes. NBC is banking on another live musical revival on the heels of their critical and ratings darling The Wiz LIVE. At the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour Wednesday morning NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt announced that although deals are not officially closed a formal announcement would be revealed soon. According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Greenblatt said the musical’s focus on race relations and diversity was a big factor in its selection.” Hairspray will be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron who brought us the 2007 movie musical rendering of John Waters’s beloved 1988 cultural phenomenon. It looks to be that Live musicals are here to stay as broadcast networks continue to place their bets on the genre’s ability to bring viewers back to the telly in real time. Where art thou, our new “Tracy?” Can’t wait to find out. Roll call!

CBS EXECUTIVE PROMISES MORE DIVERSITY IN CASTING OF CENTRAL CHARACTERS

Glenn Geller, the new president for CBS Entertainment, promised at the Television Critics Association press tour this week to add more diversity to the casting of upcoming TV shows. Geller, an openly gay man who talks about his husband publicly in order to “normalize [his] diversity,” said,“CBS will always reflect what America looks like.” But he admitted the network needs to address diversity more extensively on and off screen. He was pleased to announce that upcoming CBS shows like Rush Hour and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders will have completely diverse casting, and that the Nancy Drew series which is awaiting a pilot order, will likely cast a diverse actress in the leading role. Geller said, “We’re not casting color blind, we are casting color conscious. It’s the right roles for diversity.”