Upcoming Events
Super Bowl XLIX. NBCUniversal is preparing to air 11 free hours of Super Bowl-related coverage, including the event itself, to promote its new “TV Everywhere” services. This live stream feed will not require viewers to log in using credentials from cable or satellite providers. (Variety)
Continuing Series
Hannibal. Tony winner Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur) has been cast in a spoilerish role as Will Graham’s (Hugh Dancy) future wife as the series reportedly flashes forward several years around Episode 8. Hannibal Season 3 premieres this summer. (TV Line)
Modern Family. Aya Cash (FX’s You’re the Worst) will guest star on ABC’s Modern Family on the February 4 episode. She will play a college recruiter who interviews Alex (Ariel Winter). Producer Steve Levitan is reportedly a huge fan of the FX series about two self-desctructive people in a relationship. (THR)
The Amazing Race. CBS has announced the Season 26 cast for its Emmy-winning competitive reality show. This season will feature only all-dating couples, including five teams on blind date matches. The cast includes some famous faces such as New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight and Olympians Aly Dudek and Steven Langton. Season 26 premieres February 25. (TV Guide)
Saturday Night Live. Oscar-nominee J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) will host the January 31 episode of NBC’s 40-year old comedy show. Simmons will be joined by musical guest D’Angelo and The Vanguard. (EW)
In Development
NBC Comedies. NBC has picked up two new comedies for its upcoming pilot season. From the producing team of DJ Nash (Growing Up Fisher) and Will Packer (The Wedding Ringer), People are Talking will feature a white and black couple dealing with hot button topics like race and sex. The second pickup, Take It From Us from Friends vet Greg Malins, features flashbacks to the 90s as parents inform their son of the mistakes they made growing up. (Deadline)
FOX Pilot Orders. FOX has officially ordered pilots for multiple comedy and drama projects. Included in the dramatic pilots are the Idris Elba-produced Luther American remake of the BBC series and Frankenstein, a series featuring a morally corrupt cop brought back from the dead. On the comedy side, 48 Hours ‘Til Monday comes from Charlie Grandy, the executive producer of The Mindy Project. (THR)
Apocalypse Slough. Rob Lowe (Parks and Recreation, The West Wing) is targeted to start in the British miniseries Apocalypse Slough from Sky 1 productions. The 10-part series focuses on a group of people cloistered in a bunker to watch the televised end of the world thanks to a pending collision with a comet. (Deadline)