'Jimmy Kimmel Live' executive producer Molly McNearney and Walt Disney TV alternative head Rob Mills share the behind-the-scenes scoop on how this year's Oscars telecast went down. As he was lifted into the Dolby Theater rafters five minutes before the Oscars were set to begin, Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue still wasn’t locked. It couldn’t be: Several of his gags would involve pop superstar Rihanna — but it all depended on whether she’d be in her seat. “We had two versions of the monologue,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” executive producer (and Kimmel’s wife) Molly McNearney told Variety on Monday...…'Jimmy Kimmel Live' executive producer Molly McNearney and Walt Disney TV alternative head Rob Mills share the behind-the-scenes scoop on how this year's Oscars telecast went down. As he was lifted into the Dolby Theater rafters five minutes before the Oscars were set to begin, Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue still wasn’t locked. It couldn’t be: Several of his gags would involve pop superstar Rihanna — but it all depended on whether she’d be in her seat. “We had two versions of the monologue,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” executive producer (and Kimmel’s wife) Molly McNearney told Variety on Monday...WW…

When died unexpectedly in 2013, “” producers were caught by surprise. It was decided that Wallace’s character, Bart’s teacher (and Ned Flanders’ second wife) Edna Krabappel, would also pass away. But executive producer said it always bugged him that Wallace and Mrs. Krabappel didn’t get a proper send-off. Until now.On Sunday’s installment of “The Simpsons,” titled “Diary Queen” (the show’s 696th episode), Bart discovers Mrs. Krabappel’s diary and discovers how much she really believed in him — and it inspires him. The episode features Wallace’s voice, taken from previous episodes.According...…When died unexpectedly in 2013, “” producers were caught by surprise. It was decided that Wallace’s character, Bart’s teacher (and Ned Flanders’ second wife) Edna Krabappel, would also pass away. But executive producer said it always bugged him that Wallace and Mrs. Krabappel didn’t get a proper send-off. Until now.On Sunday’s installment of “The Simpsons,” titled “Diary Queen” (the show’s 696th episode), Bart discovers Mrs. Krabappel’s diary and discovers how much she really believed in him — and it inspires him. The episode features Wallace’s voice, taken from previous episodes.According...WW…

The 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards is going bicoastal. Hosts and , returning to helm the the ceremony for the first time since 2015, won’t be in the same room together: Instead, Fey will broadcast live from The Rainbow Room (at the top of Rockefeller Center) in New York City, while Poehler will host from the Globes’ usual spot inside the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.This marks the first time that the has been beamed from multiple locations in its 78-year history, but not the first time an awards show has been simultaneously held in both New York and Los Angeles, as the...…The 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards is going bicoastal. Hosts and , returning to helm the the ceremony for the first time since 2015, won’t be in the same room together: Instead, Fey will broadcast live from The Rainbow Room (at the top of Rockefeller Center) in New York City, while Poehler will host from the Globes’ usual spot inside the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.This marks the first time that the has been beamed from multiple locations in its 78-year history, but not the first time an awards show has been simultaneously held in both New York and Los Angeles, as the...WW…

“” is the latest daytime game show to land a primetime spinoff. (Pun intended.) ABC has given a series order to “,” which will add a new version of the long-running series to the Alphabet net’s ever-growing gamer roster.Also making the move to primetime will be “Wheel of Fortune’s” long-running stars, and . Celebrity contestants will spin the wheel and solve the show’s word puzzles, just like in the syndicated version. But they’ll be playing for a chance to win up to $1 million for a charity of their choice.The ABC Owned Television Stations group has aired syndicated game shows “Wheel of...…“” is the latest daytime game show to land a primetime spinoff. (Pun intended.) ABC has given a series order to “,” which will add a new version of the long-running series to the Alphabet net’s ever-growing gamer roster.Also making the move to primetime will be “Wheel of Fortune’s” long-running stars, and . Celebrity contestants will spin the wheel and solve the show’s word puzzles, just like in the syndicated version. But they’ll be playing for a chance to win up to $1 million for a charity of their choice.The ABC Owned Television Stations group has aired syndicated game shows “Wheel of...WW…

Mark Rogersis turning its hit “” film franchise into a 10-story roller coaster ride at the Motiongate theme park in .The “John Wick” ride, and another coaster based on the “” film series, are expected to open at Motiongate early next year. Variety has the exclusive first look at renderings of what the attractions will look like, below:The “John Wick: Open Contract” coaster will offer riders a choice as they board: They can help John Wick — the assassin played by Keanu Reeves in the 2014 movie and its two (so far) sequels — or they can hunt him.“You’ll get two different experiences depending...…Mark Rogersis turning its hit “” film franchise into a 10-story roller coaster ride at the Motiongate theme park in .The “John Wick” ride, and another coaster based on the “” film series, are expected to open at Motiongate early next year. Variety has the exclusive first look at renderings of what the attractions will look like, below:The “John Wick: Open Contract” coaster will offer riders a choice as they board: They can help John Wick — the assassin played by Keanu Reeves in the 2014 movie and its two (so far) sequels — or they can hunt him.“You’ll get two different experiences depending...WW…

Fox/20th/Matt GroeningThere’s nothing scarier than the 2020 election, which makes it the perfect opener for this year’s edition of “” Halloween-themed “.”Variety has an exclusive first look at the 31st installment, which opens on Election Day 2020. Marge calls Homer to remind him to vote, and he gets to the polling station just in time — where he seems decided in just about every position (including Amazon Alexa for Governor) except for the presidential race.That’s when a flummoxed Lisa can’t believe that, after everything that has happened these past four years, her father is still...…Fox/20th/Matt GroeningThere’s nothing scarier than the 2020 election, which makes it the perfect opener for this year’s edition of “” Halloween-themed “.”Variety has an exclusive first look at the 31st installment, which opens on Election Day 2020. Marge calls Homer to remind him to vote, and he gets to the polling station just in time — where he seems decided in just about every position (including Amazon Alexa for Governor) except for the presidential race.That’s when a flummoxed Lisa can’t believe that, after everything that has happened these past four years, her father is still...WW…

Courtesy of HBOThe Emmy smackdown between and has taken another dramatic turn. As the Television Academy announced the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards nominations on Tuesday morning, Netflix came out on top swinging with a whopping 160 nominations, followed by rival HBO in second at 107 nods. Netflix’s history-making tally is the most ever for a network — even surpassing what any of the Big 3 broadcast networks ever did when there was no real competition.HBO still had reason to celebrate, however, as limited series “Watchmen” scored 26 nods, the most of any program. On the comedy side, Amazon...…Courtesy of HBOThe Emmy smackdown between and has taken another dramatic turn. As the Television Academy announced the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards nominations on Tuesday morning, Netflix came out on top swinging with a whopping 160 nominations, followed by rival HBO in second at 107 nods. Netflix’s history-making tally is the most ever for a network — even surpassing what any of the Big 3 broadcast networks ever did when there was no real competition.HBO still had reason to celebrate, however, as limited series “Watchmen” scored 26 nods, the most of any program. On the comedy side, Amazon...WW…

As subscribers and viewers flee, media companies that once relied on cable TV are chasing streaming dollars instead.Earlier this year, people started noticing something peculiar about ’s schedule: The network had quietly morphed into an almost 24/7 offering of just one show. At one point in late June, “Ridiculousness” — a half-hour viral video-clip show hosted by famed skateboarder Rob Dyrdek — aired for 113 hours out of the network’s entire 168-hour lineup. Many took it as a sign that MTV, a pioneering force in reality television that only a few years ago had also made major investments in...…As subscribers and viewers flee, media companies that once relied on cable TV are chasing streaming dollars instead.Earlier this year, people started noticing something peculiar about ’s schedule: The network had quietly morphed into an almost 24/7 offering of just one show. At one point in late June, “Ridiculousness” — a half-hour viral video-clip show hosted by famed skateboarder Rob Dyrdek — aired for 113 hours out of the network’s entire 168-hour lineup. Many took it as a sign that MTV, a pioneering force in reality television that only a few years ago had also made major investments in...WW…

A&E has decided not to run new episodes of “” this Friday and Saturday, while has delayed the Season 33 launch of “,” the long-running reality series that was scheduled to return on Monday.The decision to hold “Live PD” and “Cops” comes as protests over police brutality continue across the nation following the killing of by Minnesota police officers, shining a spotlight on the widespread abuse by law enforcement against African Americans. This weekend A&E will air episodes of “Live Rescue” in its place.“Out of respect for the families of George Floyd and others who have lost their...…A&E has decided not to run new episodes of “” this Friday and Saturday, while has delayed the Season 33 launch of “,” the long-running reality series that was scheduled to return on Monday.The decision to hold “Live PD” and “Cops” comes as protests over police brutality continue across the nation following the killing of by Minnesota police officers, shining a spotlight on the widespread abuse by law enforcement against African Americans. This weekend A&E will air episodes of “Live Rescue” in its place.“Out of respect for the families of George Floyd and others who have lost their...WW…

They’re on a streaming break — but “” will still be there for you. ’s home entertainment division is aiming to capitalize on the brief disappearance of the hit sitcom from streaming video on demand, as fans look for other ways to get their “Friends” fix.Repeats of the wildly popular laffer, which ran for 10 seasons on NBC, were anecdotally among the most-binged shows on before the series left the streaming service at the end of 2019. Soon, it will be one of the centerpieces of WarnerMedia’s service, when that streamer launches in May. Meanwhile, the only way to binge multiple episodes at...…They’re on a streaming break — but “” will still be there for you. ’s home entertainment division is aiming to capitalize on the brief disappearance of the hit sitcom from streaming video on demand, as fans look for other ways to get their “Friends” fix.Repeats of the wildly popular laffer, which ran for 10 seasons on NBC, were anecdotally among the most-binged shows on before the series left the streaming service at the end of 2019. Soon, it will be one of the centerpieces of WarnerMedia’s service, when that streamer launches in May. Meanwhile, the only way to binge multiple episodes at...WW…