Celebrities Get Animated on Animal Planet; Freeform Drama Pilot Underway

Monday, July 16, 2018

Celebrities Get Animated on Animal Planet; Freeform Drama Pilot Underway

Whether it's on set, at home or far from civilization, the animated accounts of unexpected and surprising encounters between animals and the celebrities who lived to tell their stories are featured in Animal Planet's new series, Celebrity Animal Encounters which premieres Friday, July 27 at 10PM ET/PT. The series, which launched a handful of episodes in a limited run on Facebook Watch, drew almost four million views. All-new stories and all-new celebrity animal run-ins will be featured throughout the season.

In each episode of Celebrity Animal Encounters, actors, musicians, athletes and influencers share their personal encounters with animals which led to loveable, crazy, shocking, dangerous and outright hilarious moments that forever changed their lives. Kristen Bell explains the true story behind her now famous encounter with a sloth; Al Roker describes what it was like to be trapped in a tent by a bear who was desperate for his food; Whitney Cummings will keep audiences on the edge of their seats as she recounts her experience of battling a crew of coyotes who camped out in her yard, fixated on her newly adopted dog; and Danny Trejo reveals he truly has a heart of gold when he rescues a very lost and wayward dog who was in desperate need of love and a home. These are just some of the true stories featured in the new animated series. Other episodes will feature stories from Justin Hartley, Moby, Kate Micucci, Danny Trejo and Judy Greer, among others.

Freeform

Freeform announced that principal photography began on the Motherland (working title) pilot, a one-hour drama from executive producers Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick. The pilot, created by Eliot Laurence, has started in Vancouver, Canada. Set in an alternate America where witches ended their persecution 300 years ago by cutting a deal with the U.S. government to fight for their country, Motherland (working title) follows three young women from basic training in combat magic into early deployment at Fort Salem. In this world, the traditional roles of gender and power are flipped with the more dominant women on the front lines fighting looming terrorist threats that are familiar to our world, but with supernatural tactics and weapons.

Taylor Hickson (Deadpool) portrays Raelle, a reluctant recruit with major authority issues, whose mother recently died in the line of duty. Kelcey Mawema (To All the Boys I've Loved Before) portrays Abigail, an unquestionably alpha, smart, driven and courageous witch who hails from the upper echelons of military witch society and is excited to be joining the ranks of the witches' army. Jessica Sutton (The Kissing Booth) portrays Tally, a kind, strong-willed and curious witch who enlisted despite her mother’s passionate disapproval. Amalia Holm (Alena) rounds out the young witch recruits, playing Scylla, a playful yet dark and mischievous recruit who is not what she appears to be. Also joining the ranks is Demetria McKinney (Tyler Perry's House of Payne) who plays Anacostia, an articulate, tough, wryly humorous staff sergeant whose chief concern is keeping the young recruits alive through basic training.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, February 26

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A New Hobby, a Pervert and a Part-Time Job" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Audrey and Mandy urge Jim to find a new hobby now that he’s retired and driving them crazy.

Ghosts - "The Others" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam and the ghosts face The Others, a new group of spirits from one ghost’s past. Meanwhile, Trevor tries to deal with a demanding Patience, who seeks a committed relationship in the wake of their holiday hookup.

Animal Control - "Roosters and Moles" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Templeton is nominated for Animal Control officer of the year, Frank sets out to rescue 24 animals in 24 hours; Victoria steps in for Shred after he's bitten by a kitten; Templeton tries to sabotage Frank's mission.

Going Dutch - "Swapadakis" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Major Shah needs the weekend off to celebrate his anniversary with Celeste; Capt. Maggie makes an emotional hair choice.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 23)

Thursday, February 26

Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Catch Sterling on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. He also talks about Hulu's Paradise on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Dave "Lil Dicky" Burd (Dave) - Dave is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Bobby Cannavale (Angie Tribeca/Will & Grace) - Bobby appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Jon Hamm (Grimsburg/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) - Jon stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also talks about Hoppers on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Christa Miller (Shrinking/Cougar Town/Scrubs/The Drew Carey Show) - Christa talks about Shrinking on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Amy Landecker (Transparent/The Paul Reiser Show) and Bradley Whitford (Perfect Harmony/Trophy Wife) - Amy and Bradley talk about For Worse on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm. NBC's Today catches up with Bradley in the 9am hour.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson talks about Tell Me Lies on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Gina Gershon (Red Oaks/How to Make It in America) - NBC's Today catches up with Gina in the 10am hour.
Kym Whitley (Act Your Age/Young & Hungry/Animal Practice/Sparks) - Sherri's BFF Kym stops by to introduce her to some single men on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Emeril Lagasse (Emeril) - It's a cooking flashback when Emeril surprises Sunny on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Bad Teacher/Sex and the City) - It's a little bit extra with Kristin who reminisces about her favorite moments playing Charlotte on Sex and the City on The Drew Barrmyore Show, so check your local listings.
Piper Curda (I Didn't Do It) and Bobby Moynihan (Mr. Mayor/Me, Myself & I) - Piper and Bobby talk about Hoppers on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.
Brenda Song (Running Point/Dollface/Dads/The Suite Life on Deck/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Brenda talks about her film Operation Taco Gary on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi talks about her It's Not That Deep tour on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.