Disney Reviving Zorro as New Series; Adult Swim Orders Smiling Friends

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Disney Reviving Zorro as New Series; Adult Swim Orders Smiling Friends

Disney Branded Television and Wilmer Valderrama are in development on a reinvention of the iconic Disney action-adventure-western series Zorro, with Valderrama executive producing and starring as Don Diego de la Vega and his dashing swashbuckling alter ego, the masked horseman named Zorro. The series in development is executive-produced by Gary Marsh, outgoing president and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television, as part of his new multiyear production banner at Disney General Entertainment. John Gertz (The Mask of Zorro, The Legend of Zorro) of Zorro Productions, Inc., is also an executive producer.

Set in early California, the Zorro television series followed a masked avenger, the alter ego of the mild-mannered Don Diego de la Vega, as he defended the poor and acted as the scourge of military tyrants on his black stallion, Tornado. Zorro's trademark was the ragged "Z" symbol, which he slashed with his sword. A total of 78 original episodes aired from 1957-59. Four hour-long episodes were later filmed for airing on the Sunday night Disney television show, and episodes of the half-hour show were compiled into the theatrical features The Sign of Zorro and Zorro the Avenger. Valderrama's credits include the voice role of Agustin in Disney's Encanto, multiple seasons in the role of Nick Torres on NCIS and Fez on the iconic series That '70s Show, a role that garnered him numerous Alma Awards, Imagen Awards and Teen Choice Awards. Valderrama also provided the voice to the character Manny on Disney Junior's animated series Handy Manny and Gaxton in Disney's Academy Award®-nominated film Onward.

Smiling Friends

Adult Swim will be turning frowns upside down with Smiling Friends, its newest animated comedy series premiering Sunday, January 9 at Midnight ET/PT with two new episodes. Smiling Friends follows the employees of a small company dedicated to bringing happiness to a bizarre yet colorful world. The company consists of cynical Charlie and star employee Pim, each tasked with out-calls to cheer people up. There's also meticulous Allan who keeps things in order, mysterious Glep, and the unpredictable billionaire Boss who founded the company. The quarter-hour animated series is co-created by Michael Cusack (YOLO: Crystal Fantasy) and Zach Hadel (Hellbenders) and animated by Princess Bento Studio. The show's pilot first debuted on the network in 2020 and surprised viewers during its annual April Fools' Day stunt. Since then, the pilot has garnered 7 million views on YouTube and is one of the most-watched episodes on AdultSwim.com. Clearly, fans can't get enough of Pim and Charlie and their relentless journey to put a smile on their clients' faces.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, April 4

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 31)

Friday, April 4

Ike Barinholtz (The Studio/The Afterparty/Bless the Harts/The Mindy Project/Eastbound & Down) - Watch Ike on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Bill Burr (F Is for Family/Townies) - Bill appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Kevin Hart (Lil Kev/Die Hart/The Big House/Undeclared) - Kevin is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Annaleigh Ashford (B Positive) - Annaleigh appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Tichina Arnold (The Neighborhood/Survivor's Remorse/Happily Divorced/Everybody Hates Chris/Martin) and Essence Atkins (Poppa's House/Marlon/Mr. Box Office/Are We There Yet?/Half & Half/Smart Guy/Under One Roof) - Tichina and Essence are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Laurence Fishburne (black-ish) - Laurence talks about The Amateur on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Kevin Bacon (I Love Dick) - Kevin talks about The Bondsman with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Dulé Hill (The Wonder Years) - Dulé talks about Good American Family with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples) - Olivia guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Lea Michele (The Mayor) - NBC's Today catches up with Lea in the 10am hour.
Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - NBC's Today catches up with Alan in the 10am hour.
Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys), Matt Bomer (Mid-Century Modern) and Nathan Lee Grahm (Mid-Century Modern/LA to Vegas/The Comeback) - The cast of Mid-Century Modern are sitting down with Drew to talk about their hilarious new show on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - In a new Weekender Drew, Ross Mathews, and Valerie are sharing their best picks for the perfect weekend on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones) and Raven Goodwin (Good Luck Charlie/Just Jordan) - Sarah, Raven and Amber Filey talk about Lifetime's Single Black Female 3: The Final Chapter on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.