SHOWTIME took to the stage yesterday at The Television Critics Association (TCA) summer 2018 session, announcing premiere dates, programming news, and welcoming stars like Jim Carrey, Benecio del Toro, Paul Dano, Judy Greer, and Catherine Keener to the stage to discuss their new SHOWTIME series. Here are some highlights:
Executive Session with SHOWTIME President and CEO David Nevins and President of Programming Gary Levine
Nevins kicked things off by revealing trailers for new series BLACK MONDAY (from Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg, starring Don Cheadle, Regina Hall, and Andrew Rannells) and CITY ON A HILL (from executive producers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, starring Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge). On the topic of Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy series WHO IS AMERICA?, currently streaming Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on CraveTV, Nevins said he is dying to bring it back for Season 2 and called Cohen the “Daniel Day Lewis of comedy.”
Other announcements made during the executive session include: SHAMELESS will have a super-sized ninth season airing in two parts beginning Sept. 9; the trailer and key art has been released for KIDDING (also premiering on Sept. 9); SMILF will return for Season 2 in January; HOMELAND returns for an eighth and final season in 2019; the network is currently in talks with Gal Gadot for a new series about Hedy Lamarr, to be written by THE AFFAIR co-creator Sarah Treem and executive produced by Warren Littlefield; THE L WORD revival is still in development; new docs SHUT UP AND DRIBBLE from LeBron James coming in October and ENEMIES: THE PRESIDENT, JUSTICE, & THE FBI coming in November; other series in development include an adaptation of The Loudest Voice in the Room about Roger Ailes starring Russell Crowe, comedy-drama THE WRONG MANS, and HALO the series.
CREDIT: Eric Charbonneau/REX/ShutterstockESCAPE AT DANNEMORA
Premieres on CraveTV Sunday, Nov. 18 at 10 p.m. ET
The new limited series is based on a prison break in upstate New York in 2015 that spawned a massive manhunt for two convicted murderers. The prisoners were aided in their escape by a married female prison employee, with whom they both became sexually entangled. It stars Oscar®-winners Benicio del Toro and Patricia Arquette, alongside Paul Dano and Bonnie Hunt. Directed and executive produced by Ben Stiller, and written and executive produced by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin. Also executive producing are Bryan Zuriff, Michael De Luca via Michael De Luca Productions, and Nicky Weinstock for Red Hour Productions.
Check out the trailer for ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA here.
“In order to survive for him, it’s all about fear, cruelty. But he’s a human being. He has many feelings, just like anybody else…I personally think there was a talent there — to organize something, even if it was the wrong thing” – Benecio del Toro via @danielletbd
“The smell, the temperature in the air, the sound…I can’t imagine needing more to want to get out.” – Paul Dano via @danielletbd CREDIT: @SHO_PR
KIDDING
Premieres Sunday, Sept. 9 at 10 p.m. ET on CraveTV
The new comedy series stars Jim Carrey, in his first series-regular role in more than two decades. The story centers on Jeff, aka Mr. Pickles (Carrey), an icon of children’s television and a beacon of kindness and wisdom to America’s impressionable young minds and the parents who grew up with him. But when this beloved personality’s family begins to implode Jeff finds no fairytale, fable, or puppet will guide him through this crisis, which advances faster than his means to cope. The series also stars Frank Langella, Judy Greer, and Catherine Keener. Dave Holstein is creator, executive producer, and showrunner, and also wrote multiple episodes. The series is also executive produced by Michael Gondry, who directs several episodes, Carrey, Michael Aguilar, Roberto Benabib, Raffi Adlan Jason Bateman, and Jim Garavente.
Check out the trailer for KIDDING here.
CREDIT: ERIC CHARBONNEAU/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
“Something in this piece called to me: the idea of being hit by a freight train in life and trying to hold on. The search for who we are and what’s an authentic person have always been attractive themes for me.” – Jim Carrey via Vanity Fair
“This is about a character in this age of darkness and bullying who just wants to be good.” – Dave Holstein via Los Angeles Times
“I don’t feel like a professional, except that I can do stuff ” – Jim Carrey via @emilylongretta
CREDIT: @SHO_PR
KIDDING
Premieres Sunday, Sept. 9 at 10 p.m. ET on CraveTV
The new comedy series stars Jim Carrey, in his first series-regular role in more than two decades. The story centers on Jeff, aka Mr. Pickles (Carrey), an icon of children’s television and a beacon of kindness and wisdom to America’s impressionable young minds and the parents who grew up with him. But when this beloved personality’s family begins to implode Jeff finds no fairytale, fable, or puppet will guide him through this crisis, which advances faster than his means to cope. The series also stars Frank Langella, Judy Greer, and Catherine Keener. Dave Holstein is creator, executive producer, and showrunner, and also wrote multiple episodes. The series is also executive produced by Michael Gondry, who directs several episodes, Carrey, Michael Aguilar, Roberto Benabib, Raffi Adlan Jason Bateman, and Jim Garavente.
Check out the trailer for KIDDING here.
CREDIT: ERIC CHARBONNEAU/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
