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

Friday, November 22

Happy's Place - "Happy's House" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bobbie agrees to take Isabella to Happy's house in search of a connection to their late father, leading Bobbie to worry about what they may find; Gabby hopes to strike it rich by searching through Happy's penny collection looking for a rarity.

Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Orlando" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Rosie's spoiled nephew Orlando visits, Mayan sets out to expose Rosie's cultural gender bias; George wants to teach Chance the value of hard work, but, instead, helps him create a toxic work environment.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Whacking the Mole" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Abishola has a romantic dream about Bob, she tries to suppress her feelings for him and pays the price.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Ralph Lauren and Fish" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob and Abishola finally go on a proper date, which is interrupted by Dottie's medical emergency.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Tough Like a Laundromat Washing Machine" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob hires Abishola to take care of Dottie in his home while she recovers; Dottie has a hard time dealing with her limitations and takes it out on Abishola.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Useless Potheads" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
With Abishola only helping part-time, Bob, Douglas and Christina struggle to take care of Dottie.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Wiz-Taken Identity" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Billie struggles with a spell, Roman says he could do it if he was a wizard: to prove him wrong, Billie uses a Power Glass to transfer her powers to Roman.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - " Ain't Gnome Party Like a Wizard Party" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Justin embraces mortality to live with his family; his new challenge arises when Alex introduces Billie, a wizard-in-training, seeking Justin's mentorship.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)

Friday, November 22

Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Watch Kerry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown/Space Force/Silicon Valley) - Jimmy is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Ariana appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Andy Richter (Andy Barker, P.I./Quintuplets/Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) and Aparna Nancherla (Lopez vs Lopez/Search Party/Corporate) - Andy, Thomas and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her new book Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Drew is joined by the hilarious Andrew to celebrate all things Thanksgiving on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Rosie Perez (Human Resources/Search Party) - Rosie tells Sherri about her new Apple TV+ psychological thriller Before on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.