News

Chuck Lorre's newest sitcom, Leanne, fills the void left by his hit 2013 sitcom, according to the creator, star, and executive producer. Leanne stars comedian Leanne Morgan (who also co-created the show with Lorre), as a 50-something mother who has to start life over again when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman.

Leanne has received positive response for its offbeat humor, emotionally weighty scenes, strong central performance, and mature protagonist. Focusing on an older central character, it marks a departure from the broader and more accessible sitcoms Lorre has made in the past, but it also serves as something of a spiritual successor to hit sitcom Mom, which ran 8 seasons from 2013-2021.

Per TV Line, Lorre, executive producer Nick Bakay, and star Kristen Johnston (Carol) discussed how Leanne thematically fills the void left by Mom's cancellation. Bakay talked about bringing in Johnston, who starred in Mom, while...

Leanne Morgan, the star of the new Chuck Lorre sitcom on Netflix, wants to follow along with Leanne’s journey in a potential Season 2 of the show. Co-created by Chuck Lorre, Susan McMartin, and Leanne Morgan herself, it follows a middle-aged woman going through an unexpected split after 33 years of marriage.

Throughout its 16-episode run, the show follows Leanne grappling with the unexpected twist in her life alongside her family and sister, and finally moving on with her new boyfriend, Andrew. And Morgan has now expressed hopes for a potential Leanne Season 2. “Yes, I hope it goes a second season,” she told TV Insider in a recent interview.

“Whether it’s romantic or a job, you know, she’s tended to her family all of her life, put everybody else first, I want people to see what she’s gonna do,” she added, noting that she is looking forward to...

When key members of Mom’s creative team — including prolific sitcom producer Chuck Lorre — reunited to build a new show around Leanne Morgan, they knew they wanted to surround the stand-up comedian with trusted performers they worked with on previous projects.

That included Ryan Stiles, who for 11 out of 12 seasons recurred as Dr. Herb Melnick on Two and a Half Men, and Kristen Johnston, who for four out of eight seasons starred as recovering addict Tammy Diffendorf on the aforementioned Mom.

More from TVLineLeanne Morgan Tees Up Her Netflix Comedy From EP Chuck Lorre, Reveals How Her Real-Life Husband Feels...

When HBO Max’s forthcoming Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe begins, the titular comic book store owner “is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.”

Naturally, such a high-falutin’ premise raises a number of questions. But above all else, longtime fans want to know if Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki will return to help set our (unlikely) hero’s journey into motion.

More from TVLine<em>Big Bang Theory</em> Spinoff Ordered at HBO Max — Here’s How Sheldon and Leonard Factor Into <em>Stuart...

Out of all the short-lived Chuck Lorre TV shows that have been canceled rather early and abruptly after a few seasons (like the controversial-ish "United States of Al" or "B Positive"), the axing of HBO Max's "Bookie" hurts the most. Admittedly, it's more of a bummer if you're a long-time fan of the show's Italian-American lead, comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (his early stand-up specials are stone-cold bangers that deservedly made him a megastar in show business), but even if you're not, it's easy to tell that "Bookie" was different from your average Lorre sitcom.

First of all, it wasn't lukewarm broadcast television like most of his productions (which usually air on CBS), but a show specifically made for streaming. That alone gave the half-hour comedy a distinct feel and allowed it to blossom in a playground with fewer limitations. The series needed that extended freedom due to its subject matter and shady characters,...

Sabrina the Teenage Witchis quietly taking over the streaming charts nearly 30 years after it aired.

Per FlixPatrol, 1996's Sabrina the Teenage Witch has been quietly making its way up the streaming charts over the past few weeks. As of the time of writing, Sabrina the Teenage Witch holds the number six spot on the top TV shows chart for Paramount+ for July 9, holding firm ahead of fan-favorites such as SpongeBob SquarePants, NCIS, and Seal Team, all while sitting just five points behind the next most popular series, Tulsa King.

Based on the Archie Comics character who made her debut all the way back in 1962, Sabrina the Teenage Witch premiered on ABC in September 1996 and quickly found a foothold as the latest hit family sitcom. The series starred Melissa Joan Hart as the titular teenage witch, Sabrina Spellman, who lives with her loving aunts, Hilda and Zelda (portrayed by Caroline Rhea...

Sitcom mastermind Chuck Lorre is back at it with Leanne. Lorre, known for co-creating Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory, developed Leanne with Susan McMartin (Mom) and funnywoman Leanne Morgan. It is heavily based on the comedy of Leanne Morgan, the comedian whose stand-up special, I'm Every Woman, was a big hit on the Netflix streaming charts.

Leanne will premiere on Netflix on July 31, and now the show has gotten its first official trailer. It reveals the first footage of the new series, which will have 16 episodes in total for its freshman season. It's a sitcom that picks up on a down note, starting after Leanne's husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. However, fans should also still expect for there to be plenty of laughs, as Morgan's character uses humor to cope with her emotions. Check out the new trailer below.

“This is something...

Leanne Morgan is trying to keep her head above water in the debut trailer for her upcoming Netflix series, Leanne. The sitcom will center around the titular character whose world is flipped upside down after her husband, Bill (Ryan Stiles), leaves her for a younger woman. The latest title to have The Big Bang Theory and Dharma & Greg co-creator Chuck Lorre’s name attached looks like it will mix all the best themes from similar titles like Reba and Roseanne, while allowing the stand-up comedian to step into the spotlight and hold up her own show alongside a stacked and familiar ensemble that includes Kristen Johnson (3rd Rock From the Sun), Celia Weston (The Talented Mr. Ripley), Blake Clark (Boy Meets World), and more.

The debut trailer for Leanne welcomes audiences to the world of its protagonist, as she sits on her bed and grieves for the ending of her marriage.

Taylor Kitsch and Chris Pratt return to the world of espionage in Prime Video’s teaser trailer for prequel series “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.”

The first three episodes will premiere Aug. 27, with the rest of the episodes releasing weekly. The series takes place before “The Terminal List” and dives into the backstory of Ben Edwards (Kitsch) and his time in the Navy Seals and CIA Special Operations. Pratt, an executive producer on the series, also returns as James Reece.

“Digging into Ben’s origin with ‘Dark Wolf’ was a blast. This season goes even deeper—there’s more grit, more heart, and a lot more on the line. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it really lets you see the heart of who he is. I have so much respect for the military and Seal community and loved showing their brotherhood, the things you fight to hold onto,...

Leanne Morgan is bringing laughs to Netflix once again.

The comedian stars in the new trailer for “Leanne,” a comedy series about a woman navigating the fallout of a 33-year marriage. Morgan co-created the series alongside producer/screenwriter Susan McMartin and famed sitcom producer Chuck Lorre for a July 31 release.

The trailer shows Leanne discovering that her longtime husband, played by “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” comic Ryan Stiles, has cheated on her with a presumably younger woman.

“Supported by her family, including her ride-or-die sister Carol (Kristen Johnston), Leanne learns to embrace the chaos and finds strength, laughter and hope in the most unexpected places,” Netflix’s story description reads. “This heartfelt comedy proves that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.”

You can watch the trailer for “Leanne” below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHFFXU8-q7g

Morgan began her relationship with Netflix in 2023 when...

Chuck Lorre’s latest multi-cam is bypassing broadcast television and going straight to streaming: Netflix’s Leanne will premiere Thursday, July 31 — and all 16 (!) episodes will drop at once.

The half-hour comedy, which Lorre co-created with Susan McMartin (Mom, Two and a Half Men) and stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan, casts Morgan as… well, Leanne! In the show, “Leanne’s life takes an unexpected turn when Bill, her husband of 33 years (played by Two and a Half Men’s Ryan Stiles) leaves her for another woman,” according to the official logline. “Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn...

Netflix unveils first-look images and the premiere date for a new comedy series co-created by Chuck Lorre. Best known as the co-creator of The Big Bang Theory, Lorre is an award-winning television producer and writer, responsible for creating a number of hit TV shows, including Roseanne, Two and A Half Man, and Mom.

After The Big Bang Theory wrapped in 2019, the co-creator continued to work on the spinoff series, Young Sheldon, which ran from 2017 to 2024. With the Sheldon prequel coming to an end after the death of George Sr. (Lance Barber), Lorre then helped bring another franchise prequel, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, to life. Lorre also worked with Nick Bakay to co-create the Prime Video series titled The Bookie, starring Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar J. Dorsey, and Jorge Garcia.

Chuck Lorre's New Comedy Series Leanne Arrives On Netflix In Summer Leanne Morgan Stars In The Comedy Inspired By Her Stand-Up Comedy

Chuck Lorre's latest show,...

Netflix has shared a first look at Leanne, a new comedy series starring Leanne Morgan and co-created by Susan McMartin, Chuck Lorre, and Morgan. All 16 episodes of the series will premiere globally on Netflix on July 31.

In the series, Leanne’s life takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family, she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity, and jello salad.

For Morgan, the series is a childhood dream realized. “I can’t believe it has come true!” the comedian said. “When I started comedy 25 years ago, my goal was to be a part of a sitcom. It just goes to show you it’s never too late, and dreams do come true. I’m a grandmama from Tennessee,...

Netflix is coming in hot with its latest original sitcom, as the streamer has unveiled the first batch of images for its upcoming series, Leanne. With a logline that will remind audiences of iconic shows of yesteryear such as Reba and Roseanne, the project follows its titular character, (played by comedian Leanne Morgan), after she’s forced to start life over again thanks to her husband of 33 years leaving her for another woman. The fresh start is certainly a rude awakening for the grandmother who’s well into menopause, but after she shakes off the blues and grabs life by the horns, she finds that she’s going to be more than okay — especially with the safety net of loved ones helping her out along the way.

Leanne’s (Morgan) life might be difficult, but you wouldn’t know it by the lineup of premiere images. In them, we see...

Netflix has set July 31 for the premiere of Leanne (fka Untitled Leanne Morgan Project), the streamer’s upcoming comedy series created by Morgan, Chuck Lorre and Susan McMartin. Netflix also has released some first-look photos, which you can view above and below.

The multicam comedy follows Leanne (Morgan), whose life is upended when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family, she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and jello salad.

Cast also includes Kristen Johnston, Celia Weston, Blake Clark, Ryan Stiles, Graham Rogers and Hannah Pilkes. Tim Daly, Jayma Mays, Annie Gonzalez and Blake Gibbons recur.

Lorre, McMartin, Morgan, Nick Bakay and Judi Marmel executive produce. The series comes from Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television.

(L...

The perils and plights of adolescence have long been a source of fascination for television audiences. That’s particularly apparent nowadays with Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Showtime, FX, and others vying for zeitgeist dominance with teen-focused dramas playing to a variety of creative strengths. As narratives have gotten more sophisticated overall across the TV landscape, it makes sense that the ways in which we look at stories about young people have also evolved. From “Never Have I Ever” to “Yellowjackets,” TV teens in 2023 are among some of the most rich ever written.

Because life as a teenager is equal parts happy and sad, hilarious and tragic, horny and horrifying, the following curation does not limit selections by genre, meaning: These picks range from animation to sitcoms to murder mysteries to science fiction. That said, there are also a fair number of picks that are entirely focused on the dramatic ups and...

When Chuck Lorre initially ventured into his quest to find a replacement for Charlie Sheen, who was practically the face of Two and a Half Men, he had no intentions of casting an actor who was in their 30s. However, things changed after he met Ashton Kutcher, whose fearless approach and comedic instincts had Lorre convinced that Kutcher was the man for the job.

Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

As for the reception to this decision, it was pretty mixed, as not many were thrilled to welcome the new dynamic between Walden and Alan. But this issue could’ve been avoided entirely if they had just promoted another fan-favorite member of the sitcom to the lead.

Ryan Stiles’ Herb could’ve been the better fit to fill Charlie Sheen’s shoes Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

Although Kutcher’s Walden was a pretty decent alternative to...

Chuck Lorre and Charlie Sheen hugged it out more than a decade after their public fallout, leading up to the latter’s firing from the sitcom, Two and a Half Men. Both the showrunner and the star of Two and a Half Men found themselves embroiled in a bitter feud after Sheen made some controversial claims about Lorre and continued his antics even after his exit from the series.

Two and a Half Men | Credit: Warner Bros.

However, they have since buried the hatchet as they reunited and collaborated on Lorre’s comedy show, Bookie, something which Lorre explained reminded him of the good times and how they were very good friends once.

Chuck Lorre and Charlie Sheen reunited and hugged it out after years of feuding

Charlie Sheen’s exit from Two and a Half Men has been surrounded by controversy, fueled by his comments about showrunner Chuck Lorre and his former castmates.

Despite topping the charts in the late 2010s as one of the highest-paid TV stars, Charlie Sheen threw it all away with his controversial radio outburst, which further escalated due to his feud with Chuck Lorre. As a result, WB abruptly fired Sheen from the show, resulting in a shortened season 8 that comprised 16 episodes in total.

Charlie Sheen in Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

Moreover, given that the whole show was built around Sheen from the get-go, there was a very real chance that the show wouldn’t have made past Sheen’s exclusion, which would’ve been devastating for Warner Bros. and CBS.

Two and a Half Men risked losing a fortune in the wake of the Charlie Sheen debacle Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

Following Charlie Sheen‘s dramatic exit, the future of Two and a Half Men was pretty uncertain, and many feared...

Well, this is a big, fat bummer you can bet on: After two short seasons on Max, the streamer announced it has canceled Bookie, a sitcom nestled in the world of sports betting. Why? While your guess is as good as mine (because the show is rife with great characters and plenty of humor), it’s likely due to poor ratings, despite the warm critical reception and acclaim it has received since its premiere in November 2023.

This reception, combined with a 90% Tomatometer and 86% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, is why Max absolutely made the wrong decision in cancelling Bookie. Audiences clearly loved the show, which brought us some big laugh-out-loud moments during its run.

A Max spokesperson said in a statement:

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting.

It's the end of the line for Bookie, the Max comedy series co-created by Chuck Lorre. The series served as a Two and a Half Men reunion of sorts, as Charlie Sheen also had a guest role in both seasons of the show.

Per Variety,Bookie has been canceled at Max after two seasons. Co-created by Lorre and Nick Bakay, the series starred comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (The Super Mario Bros. Movie) as a bookmaker in Los Angeles, while Sheen was featured in guest appearances as himself. The first season debuted in Nov. 2023, and Season 2 premiered this past December before wrapping up in February. Now, it's been confirmed that there won't be a Season 3.

2:49

RelatedThis Is Why Melanie Lynskey Left Two and a Half Men

Melanie Lynskey's leaving Two and a Half Men made it obvious the show had some internal issues.

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast,...

Sad news for fans of Bookie.

On Tuesday (February 18), it was announced that Max has canceled the comedy series, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey, after two seasons.

Bookie followed veteran Los Angeles bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as the potential legalization of sports gambling in California threatens to upend his business for good. Alongside best friend and former NFL player Ray (Dorsey), side-hustling sister Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), and reluctantly reformed drug dealer Hector (Jorge Garcia), Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts – all while making plenty of risky bets of his own. Full of relatable mishaps, Bookie chronicles one man’s journey to adapt to an ever-changing world as he attempts to charm and con his way to the top.

Keep reading to find out more…In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson for Max addressed the cancellation.

“For two seasons creators...

Bookie, the comedy series Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay created, has been canceled at Max after two seasons.

The series, which premiered on the Warner Bros. Discovery streamer in November 2023 and premiered its second season in December 2024, was not renewed for a third season.

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting,” a Max spokesperson told Deadline. “We won’t be moving forward with a third season, but we are grateful to have worked with such a brilliant team on this laugh out loud comedy.”

Sebastian Maniscalco starred as Danny Colavito in Bookie, which is about a veteran bookie who must fight to survive the legalization of sports gambling in Los Angeles.

Bookie also starred Omar Dorsey as Ray Ballard. The cast also included Andrea Anders, Vanessa Ferlito,...

A third season of Bookie is too rich for Max’s blood: The streaming service has cancelled the Chuck Lorre sitcom starring stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, TVLine has confirmed. (Our sister site Variety first reported the news.)

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting,” a Max spokesperson said in a statement. “We won’t be moving forward with a third season, but we are grateful to have worked with such a brilliant team on this laugh out loud comedy.

All bets are off.

“Bookie” has been canceled by Max after two seasons, Variety has learned exclusively.

The comedy series starred Sebastian Maniscalco as a veteran bookmaker in Los Angeles who must fight to survive the legalization of sports gambling while navigating unstable clients. Created by Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, the show premiered on the Warner Bros. Discovery streamer in November 2023 and debuted its second season in December 2024.

“For two seasons creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay and their hilarious cast, led by Sebastian Maniscalco, made us laugh while pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting,” a Max spokesperson said in a statement. “We won’t be moving forward with a third season, but we are grateful to have worked with such a brilliant team on this laugh out loud comedy.”

“Bookie” also starred Omar Dorsey as Rayfield “Ray” Ballard, Andrea Anders as Sandra, Vanessa Ferlito as Lorraine Colavito,...

Charlie Sheen experienced the highest of highs during his stint in Two and a Half Men, which witnessed him in the shoes of alcoholic womanizer Charlie Harper. But in real life, Sheen wasn’t exempt from the consequences of Harper’s lifestyle, as his substance abuse issues and his rant against showrunner Chuck Lorre would contribute to his abrupt firing.

Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

Interestingly, even though he lost the gig that made him one of the highest-paid actors in television at the time, it wasn’t a complete downward spiral for Sheen’s career. Despite his tumultuous reputation off-screen, FX signed the actor for Anger Management.

Charlie Sheen was aware of the risk Anger Management | Credit: FX

To say that Charlie Sheen‘s departure from Two and a Half Men was ugly would be an understatement, as most of the crew was uncertain about the sitcom’s future in the aftermath.

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but sometimes, all it takes is a little time and the right opportunity for two old pros to rekindle a spark. In the case of Chuck Lorre and Charlie Sheen, their story is more like a game of poker than anything else—high stakes, a few wild cards, and the kind of drama that could make even the best of us sweat.

Charlie Sheen in a still from Two and a Half Men | image: CBS

Yet, in 2023, they found themselves sitting at the same table once again, with Bookie as their latest venture. A show that is as much about old wounds as it is about fresh starts.

Chuck Lorre revealed how Charlie Sheen’s role in Bookie came to life

Remember the old saying, “What goes around, comes around”? Well, for Chuck Lorre and Charlie Sheen, their relationship has been anything but simple.

In the world of sitcoms, there aren’t many pieces that have left as great of an impact on viewers worldwide as Two and a Half Men. Hailed as one of the most entertaining pieces of sheer brilliance throughout the 12 seasons it aired — even without Charlie Sheen, yes — a reunion of all the original actors and their respective characters has long been in demand by fans.

Two and a Half Men. | Credits: CBS.

And just that reunion was gifted to fans in the most unexpected yet full-circle moment. In a surprising turn of events that no one saw coming, Sheen was seen shining with his old pals from the earlier seasons of the saga back when he was still a part of it, in the first episode of the first season of Chuck Lorre’s critically commended comedy series Bookie.

The unexpected Charlie Sheen reunion with Two and a Half Men...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Bookie is a comedy-drama series created by Chuk Lorre and Nick Bakay. The Max series follows a veteran bookie as he tries to survive in the face of sports gambling legalization while also dealing with unstable clients and worried family members. Bookie stars Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar Dorsey, Andrea Anders, Vanessa Ferlito, Jorge Garcia, Maxim Swinton, and Rob Corddry. So, if you loved the dark comedy, a bit of crime drama, and compelling characters in Bookie here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Mr. Inbetween (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – FX

Mr. Inbetween is a dark comedy crime-drama series created by Scott Ryan. Based on Ryan’s 2005 film The Magician, the FX series follows Ray Shoesmith, an assassin and a divorced father who tries to find a balance between his life of crime and being a loving father.

In the aftermath of the Charlie Sheen debacle, many, including the cast members, were uncertain about Two and a Half Men‘s future, which was reasonable as Sheen served as its lead for eight seasons. To everyone’s surprise, Lorre opted to continue the show without its most prolific figure and brought in Ashton Kutcher to fill Sheen’s shoes.

Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

While the sitcom continued to run for several more seasons, Kutcher’s Walden Schmidt proved to be a divisive addition to the show, which could’ve been avoided by giving the spotlight to another character.

Ryan Stiles’ Herb Melnick would’ve been a great successor to Charlie Sheen

Given Charlie Sheen‘s eight-season-long legacy, filling his shoes was always going to be an uphill task for Ashton Kutcher, and unfortunately, he didn’t quite manage to hit it out of the park for most viewers.

Leanne Morgan’s upcoming Netflix multi-cam comedy series has added five new series regulars, Variety has learned.

Ryan Stiles, Blake Clark, Graham Rogers, Hannah Pilkes, and Celia Weston have all joined the series alongside Morgan and previously announced cast member Kristen Johnston.

The series, now titled “Leanne,” was picked up to series at Netflix in April. Morgan co-created the series with Chuck Lorre and Susan McMartin. It is slated to debut in 2025.

The official logline states, “Leanne’s life takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and jello salad.”

Rogers will play Tyler, Leanne’s son, described as “her pride and joy. A new dad who’s cowed by his dominating wife,...

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay are back together for the next chapter of their hit comedy with Bookie season 2. The 10-time Emmy nominee and Bakay's history of collaborations goes back to the former's second-ever created show with 1994's Grace Under Fire, in which the latter made a guest appearance, before later reuniting on Two and a Half Men, in which Bakay worked both in front of and behind the camera on Mom, Young Sheldon, The Kominsky Method and Bob Hearts Abishola. The Max show also served as Bakay's debut in the creator's chair, co-writing every episode with Lorre.

Bookie season 2 sees Lorre and Bakay returning to the world of underground sports gambling through the lens of veteran bookie, Danny, and his associate and former professional football player, Ray. Season 2 finds the duo encountering further changes to their business, including learning of offshore...

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Danny and Ray are facing more than just troublemaking clients in Bookie season 2. The duo were first brought to life in the first season of Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay's Max comedy by acclaimed stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco and character actor Omar Dorsey. Season 1 of the show ended with Maniscalco's Danny still reeling from his wife, Sandra, leaving him to spend time with her mother amid his bookkeeping business becoming deadly, while Ray moved him, his grandma and her soon-to-be husband back to an affluent mansion.

Bookie season 2 picks up right from the events of the season 1 finale, with Danny racing off to Northern California to try and win Sandra back, all while conflicting with his mother-in-law. Ray, meanwhile, stays with his grandma to watch over Frank after his cardiac arrest in the season 1 finale, though finds his stabilizing life becoming...

The home stretch before Christmas has arrived, but there are plenty of new shows arriving on streamers this month to either binge before the end of the year.

Those in the mood for mystery can dive into No Good Deed on Netflix Dec. 12 or Laid on Peacock Dec. 19. The former is from Dead To Me creator Liz Feldman, and the latter stars Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet with a touch more comedy.

Find the five best new shows streaming in December 2024 below:

Related: The Best 10 Movies To Stream This Month

Black Doves – Dec. 5 – Netflix

Keira Knightley in ‘Black Doves’

Keira Knightley stars as Helen Webb in Black Doves, an action filled spy show set in London at Christmas. Knighyley’s Webb is a dedicated wife, mother and spy. She has been secretly passing her politician husband’s secrets to the clandestine organization she works for, The Black Doves, for ten years.

To say that Charlie Sheen’s exit from Chuck Lorre’s Two and a Half Men was shocking would be an understatement. Considering the sitcom was built around Sheen’s Charlie Harper, who reportedly scored a whopping $1.8-$2M per episode at his peak, many felt his exclusion would contribute to the sitcom’s premature cancellation after season 8.

Charlie Sheen in Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

Fortunately, instead of canning the sitcom, and in turn, 100s of potential jobs, Lorre opted to take a bold approach with the future seasons by incorporating a brand new lead. Although Lorre wasn’t initially sold on the prospect of bringing in Ashton Kutcher, his stance would swiftly change.

One Meeting with Ashton Kutcher eliminated Chuck Lorre’s doubts Ashton Kutcher in Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

While most reasonably feared that the show was on the verge of cancellation...

TV finales are by their very nature emotional, which often complicates matters when it's time for a comedy to say its goodbyes. Unlike adventure programs or dramas, sitcoms don't have a built-in final act. There's no battle to win or mystery to solve. And yet, there is a sense that something special must happen in the series finale. As a result, many sitcoms choose to build their final episode around major moments of transition in the lives of their characters.

The end of a show can mean it's time for fans to part ways with characters they've known and laughed along with for years of their lives. Many sitcoms respect this by taking a break from their normally hilarious antics to imbue the plot with weight and emotion.

Doug and Carrie Consider Divorce Their Marriage Is the Show's Driving Force

Number of Seasons

9

Finale Title

China Syndrome Part 2

Airdate

May...

As I fell into the familiar rhythms of “Bookie Season 2,” I was struck by the show’s distinct charm—a blend of business pranks and personal strife that feels delightfully familiar and unsettlingly present. At its heart, “Bookie” focuses on Danny Colavito, played by Sebastian Maniscalco, whose frenzied energy and hilarious timing lure you in like a moth to an unyielding flame.

Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay created the series, which bears Lorre’s unique style but also dances in its strange orbit. It’s a workplace comedy that thrives on the absurdities of illicit bookmaking, a world that feels increasingly outdated in an age when sports betting is getting more popular.

The shift to Season 2 is very noteworthy. The first season, while amusing, earned mediocre reviews, making it an almost forgettable entry in a crowded comedy genre. Yet here we are, with the creators seemingly empowered, beginning on a...

Two seasons in, and “Bookie” still feels like a surprising line on creator Chuck Lorre’s IMDb page. It’s precisely because the Max dramedy differs so drastically from the work he’s typically known for that the executive producer is so passionate about the sports betting comedy he co-created with Nick Bakay.

“For many years, I’ve wanted to do something that I’m not familiar with. I wanted to do something where I was uncomfortable and I did not have the skills necessary, but I could learn them or I could find people who knew them and rely on them to make these things work,” Lorre told TheWrap. “‘Bookie’, from day one, was a stretch for me, but it was something I sought out. I didn’t want to keep doing something that I was comfortable with. I wanted to do something that frightened me.”

Sebastian Maniscalco’s...

Every once in a while, Sebastian Maniscalco’s stand-up persona creeps into his performance on Max’s “Bookie.” But rather than ask him to tone it down, executive producers Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay welcome the occasional slip.

“He bailed us out,” Bakay says of an upcoming episode of “Bookie,” which returns to Max with ten more episodes for Season 2, rolling out weekly starting Thursday, Dec. 12. “Sometimes we’ll ask for it when we’re in trouble. We’ll be like, ‘hey buddy, we got nothing here!’”

Fans of Maniscalco’s standup know what Bakay is talking about: Whenever he’s ready to make a point, the stand-up star will pause, throw on a thicker swagger and exaggerate the syllables in a certain word or phrase for comedic effect.

And he admits to it popping up on camera: “Sometimes the stage Sebastian comes out a little bit,” says Maniscalco, who...

The Max original series Bookie takes the idea of finding comedy in everyday life to the next level. The series follows two bookies, played by Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey, as they run their illegal sports gambling business while trying to avoid (but still get into) various hiccups and headaches along the way.

The first season of Bookie was nothing short of a surprise, and Season 2 is promising even more hijinks and hilarity. Cbr spoke with creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay to learn what makes the series unique. The pair -- who are well experienced in more mainstream sitcoms such as Two and a Half Men -- talked about working together and finding Bookie's dark sense of humor.

Cbr: Chuck, you're one of the biggest names in the sitcom world, having created countless hits such as Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. What is...

Hector and Lorraine's potential romance in Bookie season 2 has been addressed by the show's showrunners, teasing a conclusion to their unfulfilled relationship. The Max series, created by The Big Bang Theory's Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, stars Sebastian Maniscalco as Danny, a veteran sports bookie trying to keep his illegal operation afloat in Los Angeles while grappling with the changing landscape of legalized gambling. Bookie season 2 continues with its star-studded cast featuring Omar Dorsey, Jorge Garcia, Vanessa Ferlito, and Charlie Sheen as himself.

In an interview with ScreenRant's Grant Hermanns, Bookie showrunner Chuck Lorre discusses Hector’s infatuation with Lorraine and hints at how the dynamic could evolve in a potential season 3. In season 1, Hector (Gabriel Iglesias), Danny's loyal but often bumbling employee, helps Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), Danny's sharp-tongued sister, transform her illegal mushroom business into a therapeutic psychedelic company. Lorre shared the following:

Well, we know how he feels.

Bookie returns to Max December 12 with a familiar face and the appearance of two TV comedy vets who were recruited to help spice up the action around the sports betting world.

Charlie Sheen is back to play himself in the second season of the Sebastian Maniscalco comedy, which follows bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as he and his partner, former NFL star Ray (Omar J. Dorsey), romp around Los Angeles trying to keep their illegal sports betting operation in play. The eight-episode second season will lead up to the season finale on Thursday, January 30.

“Charlie was such a home run for us in season one, we thought we’d extend the metaphor a little,” Nick Bakay, who co-created the comedy with Chuck Lorre, tells Deadline. “I don’t want to spoil things, but I refer to his arrival this season as Deus Ex Sheen. He is forever a part of the Bookie family.

“Top picks this week” (Photo Credit – Instagram)

This weekend, our picks for your theatrical enjoyment are diverse. We’ve got three movies lined up: two from Hollywood—one is an animated film, and the other is a psychological horror. A Tamil black comedy also promises to tickle your funny bone while delivering its fair share of chaos.

On the Ott front, Netflix continues to reign supreme with the most entries, while Prime Video chimes in with two biggies featuring some star power from their respective industries. Curious about what else is worth your time? Scroll down for the complete list from various platforms.

Netflix

No Good Deed season 1 (English)

Created by Liz Feldman, this dark comedy series stars Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow, Luke Wilson, Linda Cardellini, and others. It follows the chaotic lives of several families, each determined to claim ownership of the same dream home, sparking a whirlwind of schemes and secrets.

Following Charlie Sheen’s departure from Two and a Half Men after his very public feud with showrunner Chuck Lorre, many cast and crew members were uncertain about the show’s future without its main lead. While it’s easy to see why this was the sentiment, given Sheen’s stature in the TV industry at the time, Lorre, on the flip side, refused to yield to the drama.

Chuck Lorre | Credit: Angela George/Cc By-sa 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

Nick Bakay, co-creator of the sitcom, recalled being taken aback by Lorre’s method to remedy the situation, which ensured the sitcom didn’t end prematurely after Sheen’s firing.

Chuck Lorre’s Bold Approach to Tackle the Charlie Sheen Debacle Feared Co-Creator Ashton Kutcher in Two and a Half Men | Credit: CBS

Considering Sheen’s Charlie was the heart of the sitcom, a potential recast wasn’t an option after eight seasons.

Doing business with a man who made billions on child labor and may have murdered a past associate. Jokes about children being sexually abused in the foster system. Extreme and public intimate partner violence played for laughs because both partners are men. Though you might think plotlines like these went extinct circa Entourage and Sons of Anarchy, Bookie is doing its best to revive the antihero era. Sometimes it feels like a charmingly retro throwback; mostly it’s so sweaty and off-putting that it reminds you why they don’t make TV like this anymore.

Bookie, which premiered on Max late last November, was co-created by superstar EP Chuck Lorre and his frequent collaborator Nick Bakay, and wildly successful stand-up comic Sebastian Maniscalco stars as Danny, the titular bookie. Though some lip service is paid to the fact of legalized sports betting and how it could affect Danny’s business,...

The writers behind some of this year’s hottest comedy series took on Variety’s A Night in the Writers Room: Awards Season Edition to discuss the landscape of laughter on TV.

The panel, moderated by Variety‘s Michael Schneider, kicked off with a debate about whether there is an easily defined line between comedy and drama. Nick Bakay, co-creator of Max’s “Bookie” starring Sebastian Maniscalco, said he “totally disagrees” with the notion that there is no clear separation between the two genres.

“There’s absolutely a line between comedy and drama. And drama should not enter into comedy, and it has. There’s a lot of shows that are just not particularly funny and they’re getting…” he said, trailing off before naming names.

Later in the conversation, Bakay called out the legal dramedy “Ally McBeal,” which won the Emmy for best comedy in 1999.

“There are no jokes in this!

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Max is ready with an entertainment-packed December this year. The upcoming month will see the return of some of Max’s brilliant original crime comedy series Bookie and also a new original epic DC series Creature Commandos. Just like every month, Max is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 5 new movies and TV shows coming to Max in December 2024.

Creature Commandos Season 1 (December 5) Credit – Max

Creature Commandos is an upcoming adult animated superhero action series created by James Gunn. Based on the characters from DC Comics, the upcoming Max series is the first series in the DC Universe and it revolves around a group of black ops team consisting of literal imprisoned monsters who fight against the threats facing the United States. Creature Commandos’ voice cast includes Steve Agee,...

If you thought Danny's gambling-obsessed clients were as crazy as they get in Bookie Season 1, the trailer for Season 2 shows he will have to deal with even more rogue elements. For the uninitiated, Bookie is a comedy series from co-creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey as best friends Danny and Ray, the former being a bookie whose career is being threatened by the impending legalization of gambling in Los Angeles. Season 1 featured a standout guest appearance from longtime Lorre collaborator Charlie Sheen, who returns to again play himself in Season 2.

It's now been revealed when Bookie will return to streaming on Max. A new trailer has also been released, sharing a look at Charlie Sheen's return as a special guest in Season 2.

Per Max, Bookie Season 2 will premiere on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. New episodes will then debut weekly on the streaming platform. The series comes from Two and a Half Men co-creator Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, marking a special reunion of sorts. Following the well-publicized falling out between Sheen and Lorre during their Two and a Half Men days, the pair reconnected with a special appearance from the actor in Bookie Season 1. Like in the first season, Sheen is not expected to be featured heavily in Season 2, but his presence in the new trailer hints at what's to come from the controversial Hollywood star, who plays himself in the series.

Related 10 Best Rose Episodes in Two and a Half Men...

Bookie has its return date, and fans don’t have long to wait to see more of this comedy series from Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay. Max announced a December premiere date for season two with the release of a trailer.

Sebastian Maniscalco, Omar J. Dorsey, Vanessa Ferlito, Jorge Garcia, Andrea Anders, Maxim Swinton, and Rob Corddry star in the comedy series. Guest stars this season will include Charlie Sheen, Ray Romano, Zach Braff, and Brad Garrett.

Read More…...