The show’s six-episode first season is slated to debut on AMC and AMC Plus in summer 2022. bit.ly/3oVwpL7
Channing Powell, who has worked as a writer and producer on both #TWD and “Fear the Walking Dead,” serves as showrunner. Powell will work alongside Scott M. Gimple, the chief content officer of “The Walking Dead” universe. bit.ly/3oVwpL7
Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks and AMC Studios, says the episodic anthology format will “give us the flexibility to entertain existing fans and also offer an entry point for new viewers.” bit.ly/3oVwpL7
“This series, more than any other in the Walking Dead Universe, runs on new voices, perspectives, and ideas — bringing to life stories unlike any we’ve told before,” Gimple said. bit.ly/3oVwpL7
“Tales of the Walking Dead” was first announced as being in development in September 2020, at the same time as the news that #TWD would end with season 11 and the news that Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride would star in a spinoff series. bit.ly/3oVwpL7
In an interview with Variety in 2020, AMC COO Ed Carroll said that “Tales” would serve as a “test kitchen” of sorts, meaning that if a particular episode is well received, it could lead to another spinoff. bit.ly/3oVwpL7
All the details on “Tales of the Walking Dead:” bit.ly/3oVwpL7
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Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is doubling down on his defense of Dave Chappelle following the mounting controversy around his latest comedy special: “We have a strong belief that content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.” bit.ly/3lKZh7b
After addressing top leadership, Sarandos sent a lengthy missive on Monday to the entire company — some of whom have increasingly expressed outrage over jokes about the trans community in “The Closer,” and have scheduled a walkout protest in response. bit.ly/3lKZh7b
“We know that a number of you have been left angry, disappointed and hurt by our decision to put Dave Chappelle’s latest special on Netflix,” Sarandos wrote in an email obtained by Variety. bit.ly/3lKZh7b
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos is defending Dave Chappelle’s controversial stand-up special: “As with our other talent, we work hard to support their creative freedom — even though this means there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmful.” bit.ly/3v2tUb4
In a memo to Netflix staffers, co-CEO Sarandos says, “You should also be aware that some talent may join third parties in asking us to remove the show in the coming days, which we are not going to do.” bit.ly/3Bwu7FO
The firebrand comedian has drawn criticism from the LGBTQ+ community in recent days over several jokes, specifically around the “thin skin” of trans people and the effects of so-called “cancel culture.” bit.ly/3v2tUb4
Dwayne @TheRock Johnson has conquered the box office, the wrestling ring, TV ratings and tequila sales — now, is he about to dominate the charts?
Johnson’s about to make history with his rap debut on @TechN9ne’s new single, “Face Off.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x
“A lot of my friends who are hip-hop artists — like big names — I’ve been asked a few times. But it just has to feel right,” Johnson says. “When Tech texted me, I knew I would make this work. We’re aligned, just in terms of our work ethic and desire.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x
Superstar chef Bobby Flay and Food Network are set to part ways after a 27-year run that has made the restaurateur and businessman one of the country’s most recognizable culinary figures. bit.ly/3oPBUuK
Flay and Food Network have been in negotiations on a new contract for some time. His most recent three-year pact with the Discovery-owned cabler expires at year’s end. Sources close to the situation said that Food Network has ended the negotiations. bit.ly/3oPBUuK
Flay’s representatives at WME declined to comment on the situation, citing the policy of not commenting on active negotiations. That’s an indication that Flay’s team sees some hardball negotiating tactics afoot. bit.ly/3oPBUuK
#DearWhitePeople showrunner @JaclynPMoore announced Wednesday she would be boycotting Netflix over Dave Chappelle’s transphobic new special.
She opened up to Variety’s @marcmalkin about why she’s taking a stand against the “dangerous” rhetoric. bit.ly/2YyhwUc
“I never loved Dave’s trans material before but this time it felt different,” Moore told Variety. “This is the first time I felt like, ‘Oh, people are laughing at this joke and they’re agreeing that it’s absurd to call me a woman.’” bit.ly/2YyhwUc
“The fact is that’s the exact rhetoric and language that is used against us,” Moore continued. “He talks about our feelings being hurt. My feelings are fine, but being thrown against a wall hurts or worrying at night if I can get home safe.” bit.ly/2YyhwUc