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Keith David. David Keith. Oh, wait..? For decades, millions of fans have confused their names while discussing their favorite genre movies. Finally, the two veteran icons have sat down for their first joint interview on the season premiere of What Are We Talking About?.

The series is hosted by entertainment industry veterans (and longtime pals) Paul Davidson, Benjamin Raab, and Mitch Graham. Each episode, they pull one of their own mystery topics from a popcorn bowl and shoot the shit about it. The topic for this episode? John Carpenter.

Eventually, talk of Carpenter’s They Live led to Keith David, which then rolled into their confusion with David Keith.

Like any podcaster with a great idea, the three hosts reached out to Mr. David and Mr. Keith to forge an unforgettable moment in Hollywood history. And that they did: Together, they discuss the confusion over their respective names, share how...

Season 2 of the What Are We Talking About? podcast is officially here, kicking off with a conversation between two actors that frequently confuse with their very similar names. Emmy-winning actor Keith David, known for his roles in The Thing and They Live alongside a bevy of memorable voice-acting gigs, joins An Officer and a Gentleman and Behind Enemy Lines star David Keith for their first-ever joint interview with hosts Paul Davidson, Benjamin Raab, and Mitch Graham covering their careers and the times they've been mistaken for each other. Their free-wheeling conversation will also touch on what project could link the two actors together, and the hosts have a few suggestions. Collider is excited to share a sneak peek featuring one such suggestion - an action thriller titled The Keith of Police.

The second season of the What Are We Talking About? podcast will launch with a conversation starter: The first joint interview with veteran Hollywood actors Keith David and David Keith who, for an obvious reason, are often confused for one another.

The podcast — hosted by entertainment industry insiders Paul Davidson (former film and TV boss at The Orchard), Benjamin Raab (Quantum Leap co-executive producer), and entertainment executive Mitch Graham — dropped a trailer today announcing the surprise interview. The full podcast episode will be available on Aug. 26.

What Are We Talking About? finds the hosts engaging in free-wheeling conversations about everything from films and TV shows to bro-hugs and skin care regimens. During an episode last season, the trio touched on the films of filmmaker John Carpenter, a chat that led them to connect the dots between David (star of Carpenter flicks like 1982’s The Thing and 1988’s They Live) and Keith.

The fate of CBS owner Paramount Global remains way up in the air, and the future of broadcast TV in general remains a big question mark. But as CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach said on Tuesday at the Banff World Media Festival, that’s not stopping her from plotting her primetime development plans way into the future.

“What’s great as we’re talking about 2025-26, in some cases, we’ve even pinpointed places where we want to be developing for 2026-27 already,” she said. “That’s the joy of working at CBS, and with the schedule and the stability that we have on the schedule, that we can think that far in advance. We’re crazy if we’re not taking advantage of that.”

Reisenbach noted that the move away from a dedicated pilot season has allowed her to take time in developing shows like “Tracker” — which was picked...

CBS has firmed up its unscripted and specials oversight as Jack Sussman, the Eye net’s exec VP of specials, music, live events and alternative programming, departs next month. Mitch Graham, who has been running unscripted under Sussman, will continue to do so, while Mackenzie Mitchell will head up specials as VP of that division.

Graham will now report directly to CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach, while Mitchell will report to both Reisenbach and Bruce Gillmer, the president of music, music talent, programming and events at Paramount and the chief content officer, music, at Paramount +.

Reisenbach revealed the new structure in a memo set to go out to staffers on Wednesday afternoon. As part of the change, the specials/alternative group will collectively report to Graham and Mitchell depending on the project.

“This is a storied department and I know both Mackenzie and Mitch will lead the team with distinction,...

CBS has unveiled its new structure for unscripted and specials following the departure of Jack Sussman.

Deadline revealed earlier this morning that Sussman, who was EVP, Specials, Music, Live Events and Alternative Programming, CBS Entertainment, is stepping down.

In his place, Mitch Graham, as EVP, Alternative, will oversee unscripted and Mackenzie Mitchell will lead its specials team.

Graham, who has overseen the alternative division since 2020, will now report to CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach, and Mitchell, who is VP, Specials, will report to both Reisenbach and Bruce Gillmer, President, Music, Music Talent, Programming and Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount +.

Reisenbach laid out the new structure in an internal memo, which you can read below.

She called Sussman a “legend and a friend”.

Amy Reisenbach Note:

Dear Team,

I want to echo what George said in his email earlier today. All of us, and especially me, have been...

Jack Sussman is exiting CBS after more than 25 years. The exec, who first joined CBS in 1998 as head of CBS Specials, has served as executive vice president of specials, music and live events at CBS Entertainment since March 2006, adding responsibility for all alternative programming in 2020. He won’t be straying too far from the Eye network, however: Moving forward, Sussman will segue into a role as an EP for The Tony Awards and The Kennedy Center Honors starting in 2024.

Sussman will depart following the upcoming Grammy Awards.

“I’m ready,” Sussman said in a memo to staffers. “For two important reasons. First, I’m returning to my roots. I get to close out my career how I started in this business – producing. Working with talented artists and other creative producers has always been the best part of the job and now I will get to do that full time… I...

Exclusive: Jack Sussman is leaving CBS after 25 years.

Sussman, EVP, Specials, Music, Live Events and Alternative Programming, CBS Entertainment, is stepping down but will remain in business with the network as an exec producer of both The Tony Awards and The Kennedy Center Honors.

He informed colleagues of his departure moments ago in an internal memo (which you can read below). George Cheeks, President and CEO, CBS and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports, Paramount+, called Sussman a “legendary” exec in his note to staff (which you can also see below).

Sussman has overseen CBS specials since 1998, when he joined the company as VP from Lat Am movie channel Cinecanal. He was promoted to SVP, Specials in 2000.

He was subsequently promoted to EVP, Specials, Music and Live Events in 2006 before adding responsibility for alternative programming in 2020 as part of a restructure following the departure of Sharon Vuong. He reported to Amy Reisenbach,...

“The Love Boat” soon will be making another run, promising something for everyone — but this time as a reality dating series.

CBS and its sister Australian broadcaster Network 10 have both ordered local versions of “The Real Love Boat,” set to air in the U.S. and Australia later this year. The show is exactly what it sounds like: A reality dating competition show, but patterned after the hit 1970s hour-long comedy “The Love Boat.”

And just as Princess Cruises served as the backdrop to the scripted series, the cruise line’s ships will also serve as a setting for the new unscripted shows.

“The Love Boat” was produced by Aaron Spelling, whose company was later purchased by Viacom — eventually leading to the “Love Boat” IP being owned by CBS Studios. CBS and Network 10 are now Paramount Global brands.

“‘The Love Boat’ is a timeless, romantic concept with universal appeal,...

The Love Boat is about to leave the dock once again — but with a different look this time.

CBS has handed a series order to The Real Love Boat, a new dating competition based on the ’70s hit series, TVLine has learned. The reality series will welcome a group of sexy singles aboard a cruise liner in the Mediterranean, with dates and challenges testing their compatibility. In a nod to the original show, the boat’s crew — including the “captain” and the “cruise director” — will guide the singles along the way and even help play matchmaker.

More from TVLineSurvivor 42 Recap:...

Two groups of lucky singles will be setting sail to find love later this year. CBS and Australia’s Network 10 are bringing “The Love Boat” to life with their latest reality dating series, “The Real Love Boat.”

The series, of course, is inspired by the 1970s scripted series that followed captain Merrill Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) and his crew aboard the Ms Pacific Princess.

“The Real Love Boat” will bring together singles to cruise the Mediterranean on a luxury Princess cruise ship while looking for love. Destination dates, challenges and surprise singles will test the couples’ compatibility and chemistry.

Like the beloved original scripted series, the indispensable crew members including “captain” and “cruise director” will play pivotal roles in the matchmaking and navigation of the romantic (and sometimes turbulent) waters ahead. After almost a month at sea, only one winning couple will make it to the final port and take home...

CBS and the producers behind the network’s new reality series “Beyond the Edge” were bracing for their celebrity cast to mutiny. They even had contingency plans in place, just in case their stars decided to give up in the face of grueling conditions.

“I remember in the middle of production, saying on multiple occasions, ‘I can’t believe they’re still out there,’” says CBS alternative series senior VP Mitch Graham. “You never know in a new format, what you’re going to get. We had an eight-episode order in place. My biggest concern was whether or not people would stick with it, and whether we could actually complete a series order.”

Created and produced by Renegade, the company behind Discovery’s long-running smash “Naked and Afraid”, “Beyond the Edge” features nine celebs roughing it on an island in Panama, teaming up and competing in challenges to earn money for their designated charities.

CBS is getting into wordplay.

The network has ordered a primetime game show reboot of long-running format Lingo with RuPaul Charles to host.

The series, which will premiere this year, is a cross between bingo and a word guessing game.

It comes as word games are all the jazz, with The New York Times recently acquiring online word smash Wordle – though CBS is thought to have been developing a primetime reboot of Lingo since last summer.

The game sees teams of two contestants face off in fast-paced puzzle rounds to guess letters that reveal seemingly simple words. At the end of each one-hour episode, the two winning teams will make it through to a final showdown where one will walk away with an additional big cash prize.

The series, which was created by Ralph Andrews, has previously aired three versions in the U.S. The first version premiered in syndication...

CBS is adapting an international hit and bringing in an Emmy-winning host to do so. The network has ordered its own version of Lingo, the word-twisting, fast-thinking game show, to premiere in 2022. A premiere date has not yet been set. RuPaul Charles will serve as host and executive producer. Lingo is based on the hit international format that has had worldwide success, most recently on ITV in February 2021 in the U.K. The one-hour game show features teams of two facing off in fast-paced puzzle rounds to guess letters that reveal seemingly simple words. The winning two teams will face the nerve-wracking final showdown. Only one will walk away with an additional big cash prize. “We’re all ready to have fun again, and Lingo is the answer,” Charles said in a statement. CBS Mitch Graham, SVP of Alternative Programming, CBS, added: “We give you a letter, and you guess the rest!

CBS is striking while the “Wordle” is hot. The Eye network and RuPaul are bringing back a new adaptation of the word puzzle game show “Lingo” to premiere sometime later this year.

Emmy winner RuPaul Charles is set to executive produce and host the show, which has already made a comeback in the U.K. to huge ratings.

“Lingo” follows teams of two as they face off in fast-paced puzzle rounds to guess letters that reveal seemingly simple words. At the end of each one-hour episode, the winning two teams face off in a final showdown, with one team winning an additional cash prize.

Casting is underway for the show, which comes from All3Media’s Objective Media Group. Objective Media group chief executive officer Layla Smith and Objective Media America’s Jilly Pearce Triple Brew Media’s Ed de Burgh will executive produce with Charles. The international TV format for...

With Wordle users continuing to flaunt their scores on social media (whether you care or not), it’s safe to say that spelling has never been sexier.

Enter CBS, which has ordered a “supercharged adaptation” of Lingo, a word-based game show that has existed in multiple international forms since the late 1980s. U.S. readers may be most familiar with the version that aired on Game Show Network in the early 2000s.

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RuPaul Charles is joining the ranks of game show hosts on CBS.

The producer, entertainer and drag queen (“supermodel of the world” RuPaul) will host a new version of “Lingo,” a word-twisting game for the network’s primetime lineup. Charles will also serve as executive producer.

Here’s how the show works, per CBS: Teams of two will face off in puzzle rounds. They’ll have to guess letters that reveal seemingly simple words. At the end of each one-hour episode, the winning two teams will make it through to a nerve-wracking final showdown where one team will walk away with a big cash prize.

“We’re all ready to have fun again, and ‘Lingo’ is the answer,” Charles said in a statement.

“Lingo” first made its debut in the 1980s, and recently had a run on the U.K.’s ITV, where it set ratings records.

“We give you a letter,...

CBS is bulking up its non-scripted and specials team.

The network has hired Gloria Medel Solomons as Vice President, Alternative and Specials.

Reporting to Jack Sussman, EVP, Specials, Music & Live Events/Alternative & Reality, she will oversee portions of alternative and specials programming for CBS Entertainment’s primetime lineup.

Medel Solomons joins from Solomons Productions, the production company founded by her husband Alex Solomons, where she was an exec producer and partner.

In 2020, she executive produced political discussion series Maria! for El Rey Network, as well as CBS’ Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event with Funny Or Die and UnbeliEVAble Entertainment. She has also executive produced projects for Global Citizen.

Previously, Medel Solomons was an executive with NBCUniversal’s Universo network, a general entertainment cable channel for Latinos. She shepherded the network’s unscripted original properties, including reality series Larrymania and The Riveras.

Medel Solomons role crosses both alternative and specials.

CBS will have Big Brother and Love Island back together again.

The network has set a Wednesday July 7 premiere for the reality pair, revealed by Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves and Love Island host Arielle Vandenberg during a conversation on buzzy social media app Clubhouse.

Big Brother will return at 8pm with a 90-minute episode followed by a 90-minute premiere of Love Island at 9:30pm.

CBS’ SVP, Alternative Programming Mitch Graham told Deadline recently, “I’m excited to have Big Brother more in pattern this summer combined with Love Island, that’s a good, solid, one-two punch for the schedule. It gives us a lot of hours, a lot of content and hopefully we can use each of those shows to feed off one another.”

Last year, due to the Covid pandemic, the second season of Love Island was forced to premiere at the end of August. Its...

“Tough as Nails,” hosted by Emmy Award-winning producer Phil Keoghan, has been renewed by CBS for Seasons 3 and 4 ahead of Wednesday’s second season finale at 8 p.m. Et. The reality competition series that celebrates hard-working Americans and everyday heroes who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty is created by showrunner Keoghan and his producing partner and wife Louise Rodrigues Keoghan. The couple serves as executive producers along with Anthony Carbone (“Floor Is Lava”).

“’Tough as Nails’ is the right show at the right time, especially over the last year as we have all become a little tougher and have a deeper appreciation for the many people who keep our communities running,” said Mitch Graham, senior VP, alternative programming, CBS Entertainment, in a statement. “With Phil Keoghan’s inspired touch as creator and host, he and his team have established an uplifting show...

CBS is continuing to get its hands dirty with its non-scripted slate.

The network has handed a bumper, two-season renewal to its fledgling reality series Tough as Nails.

The Season 3 and 4 renewal comes ahead of tonight’s Season 2 finale for the competition series.

The show celebrates everyday Americans who get their workout on the job rather than the gym, wear work boots instead of workout shoes and consider the calluses on their hands a badge of honor.

It was created by The Amazing Race’s Phil Keoghan, who also hosts, and his producing partner Louise Keoghan. The pair exec produce the series alongside Anthony Carbone and it is produced by Raquel Productions in association with Tough House Productions.

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“Tough as Nails is the right show at the right time, especially over the last year as we have all become...

Ahead of its second season finale, CBS has given reality competition series “Tough as Nails” a two-season pickup.

The show will run through at least Season 4.

“Tough as Nails” is hosted and executive produced by Phil Keoghan, who also created the show with his producing partner, Louise Keoghan. Its second season finale airs Wednesday night. The competition series “celebrates everyday Americans who get their workout on the job rather than the gym, wear work boots instead of workout shoes and consider the calluses on their hands a badge of honor. Competitors are tested for their strength, endurance, agility and mental toughness in challenges that take place at real world job sites.”

“‘Tough as Nails’ is the right show at the right time, especially over the last year as we have all become a little tougher and have a deeper appreciation for the many people who keep our communities running,” Mitch Graham,...

CBS is nailing down more Tough as Nails.

The network has handed out a two-season renewal to the competition series, hosted and co-created by Phil Keoghan. The renewal, which will take the show through its fourth season, comes hours before the season two finale airs on CBS Wednesday night.

“Tough as Nails is the right show at the right time, especially over the last year as we have all become a little tougher and have a deeper appreciation for the many people who keep our communities running,” said Mitch Graham, senior vp alternative programming at CBS. “With Phil Keoghan’...

CBS is nailing down more Tough as Nails.

The network has handed out a two-season renewal to the competition series, hosted and co-created by Phil Keoghan. The renewal, which will take the show through its fourth season, comes hours before the season two finale airs on CBS Wednesday night.

“Tough as Nails is the right show at the right time, especially over the last year as we have all become a little tougher and have a deeper appreciation for the many people who keep our communities running,” said Mitch Graham, senior vp alternative programming at CBS. “With Phil Keoghan’...

Exclusive: CBS’ Come Dance With Me is starting to make its way to the dancefloor.

The entertainment format, which is exec produced by NCIS: Los Angeles stars LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell, has set World of Dance host Jenna Dewan as one of the judges for the series, Deadline understands.

Dewan has a long history with dance; she started her career as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson and starred as Nora Clark in 2006 feature Step Up. In addition to hosting NBC’s World of Dance for the first two seasons and featuring as a guest mentor in season three, she hosted Fox’s adaptation of British dance format Flirty Dancing.

Her recent scripted roles include as Joanna in Netflix’s musical drama Soundtrack, which was created by Josh Safran. Dewan is also a producer, founding her own production company Everheart Productions in 2017 and is an exec producer on...

The non-scripted television business is made up of a wily group of people who deftly navigated their way through the Covid-19 pandemic to get a large volume of shows on air.

There is now new light at the end of the tunnel and shows that were shut down, forced to adapt or paused during the last twelve months are starting to find a sense of normality with the likes of American Idol bringing back audiences, Survivor finally getting back into production and American Ninja Warrior returning to its traditional summer time slot.

There is also a widespread sense of optimism that the next twelve months will be buoyant for the business – the “roaring ‘20s of non-scripted” as one buyer called it – with the pandemic having an encouraging impact on development that will see some wild and noisy ideas emerge.

Deadline has spoken to close to 50 senior buyers and sellers from across the broadcast,...

Tiffany Haddish will return for the latest iteration of Kids Say the Darndest Things.

The beloved series, which was canceled by ABC earlier this year, has been revived by CBS.

What's more, it will arrive on screens in 2021.

The reimagined series showcases Haddish's unparalleled comedy talents, using her singular voice, humor and life perspective to interact with real kids from across the country in an honest, unpredictable and hilarious way.

These kids are all unrehearsed and have no filters as they share their opinions about the world the way they see it.

"Few things have more universal appeal and humor than the unfiltered honesty of a child, and the comedic genius of Tiffany Haddish takes that to the next level," said Mitch Graham, senior vp alternative programming for CBS.

"It's great to have Kid Say back on CBS and part of our expanding alternative slate for 2021."

Said Haddish, "I see...

Tiffany Haddish is going to get another crack to hear Kids Say The Darndest Things after CBS picked up the non-scripted show.

This comes after the classic variety show, which is produced by CBS Studios and Anvil 1893 Entertainment, was canceled by ABC after one season.

It marks a return to its original network – Kids Say The Darndest Things first ran on CBS, hosted by Bill Cosby, between 1998 and 2000. The revival aired on ABC between October 2019 and January 2020 and was canceled in May.

There is a history of networks saving shows produced by their sister studios, but it is more common on the scripted side with examples such as Universal Television’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine going from Fox to NBC, ABC Studios’ Scrubs going to the Disney-owned network after its cancelation at NBC and CBS Studios’ Medium moving from NBC to CBS.

The last major non-scripted show to move networks was American Idol,...

CBS is reviving the variety series “Kids Say the Darndest Things” with Tiffany Haddish, some six months after ABC canceled their revival of the classic series after only 1 season.

Haddish will continue in her role as host and executive producer. It will premiere sometime during the current 2020-21 season.

For CBS, the network is touting the move to CBS as a homecoming for the long-running format. It originated as a segment on the CBS Radio show “House Party” by Art Linkletter in 1945. He made it a regular segment between 1952-1969. CBS then made it a TV series hosted by Bill Cosby from 1998-2000.

“I see my role as giving kids a safe environment where they can say anything they want with complete freedom and no judgment. What I love about this show is that we let kids truly be themselves. I’m the straight man here, and that’s fine with me,...

Some of the darndest things are happening in the television world of late.

CBS has announced that it has picked up the revival of “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” which ABC canceled earlier this year, for a second season. Tiffany Haddish will return to serve as host and executive producer.

News of the pickup comes around seven months after ABC gave the series the chop. It also represents a return to the show’s original home, as CBS aired the Bill Cosby-hosted version from 1998 to 2000.

Hailing from CBS Studios and Anvil 1893 Entertainment, the new edition will debut sometime in the 2020-21 broadcast season, with a precise premiere date yet to be announced at a later date. Casting is already underway, per CBS.

“Few things have more universal appeal and humor than the unfiltered honesty of a child, and the comedic genius of Tiffany Haddish takes that to the next level.

Kids Say the Darndest Things is returning to its original network. CBS has revived the latest version of the variety series, hosted and executive-produced by Tiffany Haddish, for a second season to air in 2021.

The news comes seven months after the family friendly series was cancelled at ABC. It aired as part of the network’s Sunday-night lineup during the 2019-2020 TV season, sandwiched between America’s Funniest Home Videos and Shark Tank.

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Big Brother is not being evicted by CBS.

The Eye network has renewed the summer reality hit for its 23rd season to be broadcast in summer 2021, meaning the show is planning to go back to its usualy schedule in 2021.

The renewal is not entirely unexpected: the series has been promoting its casting process throughout recent episodes, and directing people to the official website to apply.

Julie Chen Moonves will return as host.

The most recent season, Big Brother: All-Stars kicked off later than usual and with an all-star cast.

The two-hour live season finale event airs tonight on the CBS Television Network.

Since its premiere on CBS in the summer of 2000, the series continues to be one of television’s top-rated summer series in young demographics.

Summer-to-date, the Wednesday and Thursday episodes are tops in key demos among all broadcasts.

On digital platforms, the Big Brother Live Feeds are up...

“Big Brother” has been renewed for Season 23 at CBS.

The 23rd season of the popular reality series will air in summer 2021. Julie Chen Moonves will return as host. The news comes just ahead of the two-hour season finale of “Big Brother: All Stars,” which airs tonight on CBS at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.

“At ‘Big Brother,’ we always say ‘expect the unexpected,’ but 2020 gave us our biggest challenge to date! We could not be prouder of the entire team who delivered a fantastic season under such extreme circumstances,” said Mitch Graham, senior vice president of alternative programming for CBS Entertainment. “It feels fitting for this unprecedented season to conclude with an announcement of the show’s return next summer.”

The series follows a group of people living together in a house outfitted with 94 HD cameras and more than 113 microphones, recording their every move 24 hours a day. Each week, someone will...

CBS has renewed its venerable summer reality hit Big Brother for its 23rd season to air in summer 2021. Julie Chen Moonves, whose previous contract was through this year’s summer/fall all-star edition, has signed a new deal to return as host. She has hosted Big Brother since the show’s launch on CBS in 2000. Big Brother: All-Stars two-hour live season finale airs tonight on CBS.

Two decades after its premiere on CBS, Big Brother continues to be one of television’s top-rated summer series in young demographics. Summer-to-date, the Wednesday and Thursday episodes are tops in key demos among all broadcasts. On digital platforms, the Big Brother Live Feeds are up double-digits over last season in both total streams and time spent as social interactions also have logged double-digit increases.

“At Big Brother, we always say ‘expect the unexpected,’ but 2020 gave us our biggest challenge to date! We could...

Whomever wins Big Brother‘s grand prize on Wednesday will not be the show’s final champion, as CBS’ reality competition has been renewed for Season 23.

Julie Chen Moonves will be back once again to host the series, which puts contestants in a house with 24/7 surveillance as they attempt to avoid eviction and win the $500,000 prize. Though Season 22 was slightly delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, CBS is currently planning a regular summer launch for the show’s next cycle.

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The “Big Brother 22: All-Stars” finale is hours away, but first, the show has been renewed for a 23rd season, CBS announced Wednesday. Season 23 will air next summer with Julie Chen Moonves returning to host.

“At ‘Big Brother,’ we always say ‘expect the unexpected,’ but 2020 gave us our biggest challenge to date! We could not be prouder of the entire team who delivered a fantastic season under such extreme circumstances,” Mitch Graham, CBS Entertainment’s senior vice president of alternative programming, said in a statement. “It feels fitting for this unprecedented season to conclude with an announcement of the show’s return next summer.”

Due to Covid-19, Season 22 was delayed, premiering in early August with safety protocols in place instead of in late June as usual. The season, which wraps Wednesday with a live two-hour finale, is also two weeks shorter than the past two installments, tallying 85 days.

See ‘Big...

CBS is sticking with Big Brother for another season.

The network has renewed its reality staple for a 23rd cycle, which is slated to return to its regular summer berth in 2021. Julie Chen Moonves will continue her hosting duties.

The pickup comes a few hours ahead of the show’s season 22 finale on Wednesday night.

“At Big Brother, we always say ‘expect the unexpected,’ but 2020 gave us our biggest challenge to date. We could not be prouder of the entire team who delivered a fantastic season under such extreme circumstances,” said Mitch Graham, senior vp ...

CBS is sticking with Big Brother for another season.

The network has renewed its reality staple for a 23rd cycle, which is slated to return to its regular summer berth in 2021. Julie Chen Moonves will continue her hosting duties.

The pickup comes a few hours ahead of the show’s season 22 finale on Wednesday night.

“At Big Brother, we always say ‘expect the unexpected,’ but 2020 gave us our biggest challenge to date. We could not be prouder of the entire team who delivered a fantastic season under such extreme circumstances,” said Mitch Graham, senior vp ...

In today’s TV News Roundup, CBS Entertainment announced it is merging its alternative programming and specials departments, and Hulu announced the premiere date for its upcoming comedy series “Woke.”

Renewals

Nickelodeon has greenlit a 20-episode second season of its animated series “It’s Pony,” which follows the adventures of a young girl and a carefree pony. The second season will premiere in 2021. The show holds one of the top three animated series with Kids 2-11 across all TV, behind only Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “The Loud House.”

Dates

Hulu has announced its upcoming comedy series “Woke” will premiere on the streamer on Sept. 9. The series follows a Black cartoonist (Lamorne Morris) on the verge of mainstream success. Marshall Todd and Keith Knight serve as co-creators and executive producers alongside showrunner Jay Dyer, Maurice “Mo” Marable, Aeysha Carr, Richie Schwartz, John Will, Will Gluck and Eric Christian Olsen. Kate Schumaecker...

CBS Entertainment is merging alternative programming and specials into one department that will be led by head of special programming Jack Sussman.

The move comes three months after Sharon Vuong exited as head of alternative programming. Mitch Graham, who had been leading the network’s unscripted slate in Vuong’s absence, is being promoted to senior vice president of alternative programming and will report to Sussman.

“Jack is simply one of the best, most experienced and most respected execs in the business, and we couldn’t be in better hands with him overseeing our amazing collection of world-class specials and alternative franchises,” said Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment. “Mitch will continue to be the day-to-day point person on all things reality, as well as take on a larger leadership role in this newly combined department. This is an absolutely terrific team.”

Also Read: 'Tough as Nails' Debut Isn't Soft, but...

Exclusive: CBS Entertainment has combined the network’s specials and alternative programming units under Jack Sussman, a 22-year CBS veteran who has overseen the network’s specials since 1998, most recently as EVP, Specials, Music and Live Events. In the new setup, Sussman will take on additional responsibilities and head the combined department.

The restructuring comes three months after Sharon Vuong exited CBS as SVP and head of alternative. Her top lieutenant, VP Alternative Mitch Graham, who has been shepherding the network’s unscripted slate following Vuong’s departure, has been promoted to SVP, Alternative Programming, CBS Entertainment, reporting to Sussman. Graham will continue to focus on CBS’ current reality series and new development. Two alternative programming VP, Laura Silva and Chris Aagaard, will continue to report to Graham, while newly promoted Manager, Specials, Mackenzie Mitchell, will report to Sussman.

“Jack is simply one of the best, most experienced and most respected execs in the business,...

CBS is taking a look at how it processes non-scripted series following the departure of Sharon Vuong.

Vuong, who spent three years as head of unscripted at CBS and nine years at the network overall, left the broadcaster last month and joined NBC.

During her time at CBS, she oversaw long-running reality franchises including Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race and Undercover Boss as well as Love Island, the U.S. reboot of the UK hit format.

The non-scripted community has been ruminating as to who would replace Vuong in the role, whether the network would hire an external unscripted boss or hand the top job to Mitch Graham, who has been VP, alternative programming since 2013.

CBS has typically ordered fewer non-scripted series than its rival broadcast networks and in recent years series such as The World’s Best, Million Dollar Mile and Tko have all run for one season.

Kelly Kahl,...