We learned a lot over the last two-plus weeks at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour — but TheWrap is still left with a few unanswered questions. Here’s a sampling of the information that was revealed, along with some things we’re still trying to figure out.
Learned: “Will & Grace” Is Here to Stay!… Though the Finale Never Happened
NBC has already renewed its revived “Will & Grace” for a second season, executives announced at TCA. They also ordered four extra episodes for this fall, and assured us that original ending doesn’t count anymore.
Dunno: How “Bachelor in Paradise” Will Address Sex Scandal
The “Bachelor in Paradise” season that almost didn’t happen debuts in less than a week, though ABC execs have remained mum on what actually happened on set, as well as how the show will tackle the subject.
Learned: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Malcolm-Jamal Warner Are Different People
Yes, they’re both black men. They’re both on ABC’s “Ten Days in the Valley.” No, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is not Malcolm-Jamal Warner, lady. See what we mean here.
Dunno: When the Hell is “Rent” Due?
Fox announced plans in May to adapt “Rent” for its next live TV musical, but that thing sounds like it’s now pushing up against 2019. As of Tuesday, the event is still without a director or cast, network co-chief Dana Walden told reporters.
Learned: Why “Star Trek: Discovery” Lead Has a Male Name
Bryan Fuller has himself a bit of a calling card: female leads with male names. Though Fuller has exited the CBS All Access flagship show, his tradition lives on.
Dunno: How Much IMAX Tickets for “Inhumans” Will Cost
“Inhumans” will premiere Sept. 1 in IMAX theaters, though Marvel couldn’t tell us how much tickets will cost. An IMAX spokesperson pointed us to exhibitors, who actually set the prices. Either way, a longer version of the same two episodes premieres Sept. 29 on ABC, and that’s free for anyone with an antenna. You figure it out.
Learned: “Inhumans” Is Not Ready for Primetime
The “Inhumans” trailer got more guffaws than cheers when it debuted at Comic-Con, which can mostly be attributed to Medusa’s terrible CGI wig. ABC and Marvel both say effects aren’t finished yet, but we’ll see about that.
Dunno: If Johnny Galecki Will Return for “Roseanne”
Pretty much the entire original cast of “Roseanne” is coming back for the continuation. The lone holdout is Johnny Galecki, who must be looking for that “Big Bang Theory” money. And ABC is looking for those ratings, John.
Learned: CBS Still CBS-ing
CBS’ fall linear lineup contains no new female-led series, which by now feels like an annual criticism of America’s Most-Watched Network. Plus, “Kevin Can Wait” is pretty much turning into “The King of Queens” by killing off Kevin James’ current TV wife in favor of the old one, Leah Remini. The more things change…
Dunno: If the “Downton Abbey” Movie Will Ever Happen
During a panel for Sundance Channel’s “Liar,” “Downton Abbey” alum Joanne Froggatt was asked for an update on the Masterpiece series’ planned film sequel. She had no clue as to what’s going on, and so now neither do we.
Learned: “Most White People Are Related”
Turns out Bernie Sanders and Larry David ARE actually related — who knew? Well, maybe “SNL.” Even weirder, married couple Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon recently found out they’re cousins. Let’s stop looking into family trees immediately.
Dunno: How Many People Think YouTube Red Is a Porn Site
YouPorn is a popular adult video hub website. So is RedTube. YouTube Red is not a pornography video channel, it’s YouTube’s ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) offering. That can get confusing, though to what extent, Susanne Daniels does not know.
Learned: Sterling K. Brown Can Sing!
On Saturday, TCA Awards host Kristin Chenoweth called on audience member and nominee Sterling K. Brown to join her on stage for a “Wicked” duet. Wicked, it was — the “This Is Us” star can blow, and it blew the crowd away.
Dunno: Netflix TV Ratings
Netflix bailed on this past Winter TCA, it hid from the Summer TCA. And we still don’t know how many viewers are watching their programming, though actual participant Nielsen teased that all this caginess may soon change.
The fall TV season technically starts on Sept. 25 — by then, hopefully we’ll have even more answers before your favorite show returns (and the new ones trying to replace it debut).
