Coming Special
Dino Autopsy. Using state of the art special effects, National Geographic plans to “dissect” a Tyrannosaurus Rex for your gratification. If there is really and truly a TV god, Han Solo will show up and quip: “And I thought they smelled bad on the outside!” (Press release via TVByTheNumbers)
In Development
HBO Montgomery Clift Bio. Matt Bomer (The Normal Heart) will return to HBO as Montgomery Clift in a bio of the late actor from a script rewritten by Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias (Love is Strange). The story traces Clift’s life after the filming of A Place in the Sun when he was involved with Elizabeth Taylor. No director has been attached. (THR)
Star Talk. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (Cosmos) joins the late night fray with a National Geographic Channel show based on his podcast of the same name. He’ll invite celebrities and other scientists to talk about what’s doing in the universe. I can hear you laughing, but I’m sorry this sounds awesome. (Wrap)
1 of 1 – Genesis and 1 of 1 – Origins. Pushing synergy to an absurd extreme, ESPN and Marvel (both owned by Disney) are teaming up on a couple of animated series that draw a tenuous link between fanciful super heroes and the real stories of professional athletes such as Russell Wilson, Danica Patrick and Cal Ripkin Jr. You know, for kids. (THR)
Continuing Series
Law & Order: SVU. Paul Adelstein (Private Practice) has booked a guest spot on the February 4th episode of NBCs endless police procedural franchise. He’ll play the uncle of a rape victim. I keep forgetting this show is still on the air. (TVLine)
Returning Shows
Storytellers. VH1’s well-regarded show (which has been on the shelf for three years) is planning a return January 24th with an Ed Sheeran live concert. Musicians will still speak about this, that and the other inspiration for their music, but in a new wrinkle, the concerts will be broadcast live. According to the source, “Sheeran will perform at the 400-person Whelan’s in Dublin, Ireland, because it is where he watched Irish singer Damien Rice about a decade ago — an experience that changed his life.” (THR)