Friday, December 10, 2021
Freeform Orders Animated Comedy Praise Petey; The CW Will Ask Would I Lie to You? in New Series

Freeform has ordered the half-hour animated comedy series Praise Petey (working title) from creator, writer and executive producer Anna Drezen (head writer, Saturday Night Live) and executive producer Monica Padrick (Central Park), along with Bandera Entertainment's Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Dustin Davis, and ShadowMachine's Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico. The series is produced by Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television Animation, with animation by ShadowMachine. Praise Petey (working title) follows Petey, a New York City "it" girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her. As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life: she’s going to "lean into" modernizing his small-town cult.
The series stars Annie Murphy (Schitt's Creek) as Petey, once the girl who had everything, now she has to use her city smarts to revamp her father’s failing cult and be a better leader than he was, a much more laidback one — a nice one — a girl boss! John Cho (Cowboy Bebop) voices Bandit, a potential love interest for Petey and a cult member since childhood whose mother was a high-ranking member. Kiersey Clemons (The Flash) voices Eliza, a bartender at the local bar and reluctant BFF to Petey, working at her new cult. Christine Baranski (The Good Fight) voices White, Petey’s mother. She's a magazine editor, Manhattan society woman and a terrifying perfectionist who's never eaten, tasted or seen ketchup. Amy Hill (Magnum P.I.) voices Mae Mae, Bandit’s Southern mama oozing with Southern hospitality who happens to be the right-hand woman of a cult leader. Stephen Root (Barry) voices Petey's loving father, a charming, homespun, stone-cold cult leader with some pretty unique ideas about meditation, space, jumping up and down in a field, and how his bloodline is necessary for the salvation of mankind. He may or may not be dead. Praise Petey (working title) will begin production in early 2022.
Actor, writer, comedian Aasif Mandvi (Evil) is set to host The CW's new alternative comedic series, Would I Lie to You? where he also serves as an executive producer. Joining Mandvi are Emmy® nominated actor and comedian Matt Walsh (Veep) and actor and writer Sabrina Jalees (Canada's Got Talent) who have been named team captains, leading opposing pairs of celebrity guests who must determine who is sharing facts and who is full of fiction in each episode on the comedy panel series produced by Truly Original executive producers Glenda Hersh and Steven Weinstock, and Evil executive producers Robert and Michelle King. The premiere of Would I Lie to You? will be announced at a later date.
Based on the original, hit British series of the same name, Would I Lie to You? is a hilarious comedy panel show that elevates the "art of lying," featuring lightning-quick team captains joined by a stellar cast of celebrity guests, including including Brooke Shields (Jane the Virgin), Emmy® nominated actor, writer and talk show host Amber Ruffin (The Amber Ruffin Show), Tony Award-winning actor and singer Laura Benanti (Gossip Girl), actor, writer, comedians Michael Ian Black (Wet Hot American Summer), Andrea Martin (Evil), Julie Klausner (Difficult People), Jordan Klepper (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah), Adam Pally (Happy Endings), Chris Gethard (Space Force), Dulcé Sloan (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah), as well as former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara, who weave elaborate tales... that may or may not be the truth. Competing teams, one led by Walsh and the other by Jalees, then ask questions and watch body language to determine which are outrageous but true, and which are made-up stories.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Thursday, October 16
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Tie Breaker and a Huge Mistake" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Tensions rise in the tire store when new co-owners Georgie and Ruben realize they can’t agree on anything, and Jim struggles to find his purpose now that he’s retired.
Ghosts - "Soul Custody" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam, Jay and the ghosts attempt to extricate Jay from his deal with Elias Woodstone (Matt Walsh), the devil. Also, Isaac helps Patience (Mary Holland) through a crisis of confidence and Pete and Alberta navigate the fallout from their kiss.
English Teacher - "Lock In" (FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The teachers oversee the school's overnight lock-in.
English Teacher - "Graduation" (FX, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The teachers try to prevent a student prank from ruining graduation.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 13)
Thursday, October 16
- Maya Rudolph (Loot/Bless the Harts/Forever/Up All Night) - Catch Maya on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Roy Wood Jr. (Sullivan & Son) - Roy is a guest Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick appers on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. NBC's Today catches up with Nick in the 9am hour. He also talks about Little Woodchucks with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola/Mike & Molly/Yes, Dear) - Billy is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
- Bette Midler (Bette) - Andy Cohen interviews Bette on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
- Laurence Fishburne (black-ish) - Laurence talks about The Witcher with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) - Co-host Gayle King sits down with Jeremy on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Janet Hubert (Demascus/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Janet discusses her new Tubi series Demascus on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Lil Rel Howery (Rel/The Carmichael Show) - Lil Rel and Tabitha Brown discuss their film Unexpected Christmas on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Aziz Ansari (Master of None/Parks and Recreation) - Aziz tells Drew about his new movie Good Fortune on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive
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