Too Much TV: Why You Should Know The Name Tony Tost

The new season of "Poker Face" is an impressive achievement. And part of that is due to the season two showrunner Tony Tost

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Tuesday, May 6th 2025:

PRODUCTION NOTES
One of the bonuses for being an annual paid subscriber is that you are able to book a one-on-one 15-minute Zoom call with me. I have had a few people ask me about these because they have not yet received their invite. And as an FYI, as you can imagine, scheduling these can be a bit of a nightmare.

I've been sending out invites in groups of 50 or so every few weeks and so far I've done hundreds. They have been a blast and we've talked about everything from favorite TV shows to my childhood in Southern Indiana to my method for writing out this newsletter. I have another group of invites going out this week and I am finally getting close to getting caught up from the backlog that happened once I decided to give this a try. Thank you for your patience.

Along those lines, I know I have large number of subscribers who work in the industry at some level. I am planning to do a regular series of one-on-one interviews where I'll speak with someone about their job. How they got into the business, the challenges, the highlights, how they see the future of the industry. These will be on Zoom and likely run 15-20 minutes. The video will first be sent out to paid subscribers, then posted to everyone a week later.

I really want to learn more about what you do and share it my readers and beyond - from independent producers, to PR professionals to members of the creative team to makeup...literally any role in the business. If you've ever thought to yourself "I wish people knew more about what I do," then this is your chance.

If you're interested, email me at rick@allyourscreens.com

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS TO WATCH SEASON TWO OF 'POKER FACE.' SHOWRUNNER TONY TOST IS AN IMPORTANT ONE
You might not know the name Tony Tost, but in his relatively short Hollywood career, he has created some amazingly distinctive work. He wrote on the underrated drama Longmire, was the creator of the criminally-ignored series Damnation and he directed and wrote the upcoming Sydney Sweeney film Americana.

He is also the showrunner for season two of Peacock's Poker Face (which premiered today) and while he has described the role as a hired gig, it is also a showcase for his ability to take a popular project and inject his point of view into the show in a way that doesn't alter what you likely loved about the first season. But he expands and strengthens the framework in a way that is really impressive.

Tost also has a Substack called Practical Screenwriting and it's exactly what the name promises. Posts that go deep into Tost's thoughts on screenwriting and how to navigate the various challenges facing any screenwriter hoping to succeed in Hollywood. He doesn't post frequently, but it's some of the best perspective you'll get about the industry:

Anyway, my parents were the day and night janitors of my small town elementary school.

And no, I'm not as successful as the writers and directors I just listed. And yet, here I am, about fifteen years into a screenwriting career, doing alright and working steadily.

I'm certainly not the only working writer in Hollywood with a blue collar background. In our Poker Face season two writer’s room, we even had another writer whose father was an elementary school custodian like my parents were, plus another writer whose mother was the school lunch lady.

That said, I’m also guessing we were the only writers room in Hollywood in 2024 with three children of public school employees in it. The truly blue collar screenwriter is a bit of a rarity in the industry these days, increasingly so.

I’m a big fan of his work and I wish there were more writers in Hollywood who reflected his sensibility. He is a perfect example of the fact that you can produced nuanced, creative works set in the country’s flyover lands without being overtly politically conservative.

TWEET OF THE DAY

THE NEWS CORP CEO REACTION TO THE TRUMP TARIFF IDEA ISN'T WHAT YOU THINK
It was fascinating today to see the Hollywood industry press reaction to some comments made by News Corp. CEO Robert Thomson at the company’s third quarter earnings call earlier today:

While touting the company’s “potent results,” Thomson said that they had nevertheless come “despite political turbulence that has clearly affected some of our business partners and undermined their ability to plan coherently.

“We firmly believe that this disruption is ephemeral and that the U.S. has the potential for robust growth when the heavens return to equilibrium,” Thomson said.

While Thomson was generally critical of the Trump Administration's approach to tariffs, that doesn't mean that criticism extends to other policies introduced by the President. In fact, Thomson's feelings seem to match the ones of other American CEOs who frequently pop up on outlets such as CNBC: "Yes, the tariffs are a bad idea. But they will likely go away and then we'll be living in a Golden Age:"

“The administration’s pursuit of sensible deregulation and a sound energy policy, combined with America’s economic prowess and innate creativity, should produce favorable results. When Adam Smith spoke sagely of the power of the invisible hand, he did not envisage an economic slap in the face from the unruly introduction of exorbitant tariffs. America’s animal spirits do need emancipation from the cage of uncertainty.”

ODDS AND SODS
* To no one's surprise, NBC has picked up Law & Order for a twenty-fifth season and Law & Order: SVU for season twenty-seven. And as has been the case with nearly every broadcast TV renewal this year, the renewals come with a reduction of recurring cast appearances and other cost-saving methods.

* The action film The Old Guard 2 premieres Wednesday, July 2nd on Netflix. Here is the official logline: "Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world. With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile after his betrayal, and Quynh (Veronica Ngô) out for revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy grapples with her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat emerges that could jeopardize everything she’s worked towards for thousands of years. Andy, Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) enlist the help of Tuah (Henry Golding), an old friend who may provide the key to unlocking the mystery behind immortal existence. Directed by Victoria Mahoney, and also starring Uma Thurman, The Old Guard 2 is an emotional, adrenaline-pumping sequel, based on the world created by Greg Rucka and illustrator Leandro Fernandez." And here is a look at the trailer.

* The uber-conservative news channel NewsMax is coming to Hulu Live TV in July.

* The new drama Stick will premiere Wednesday, June 4th on Apple TV+. Here is the official logline: "Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago. After the collapse of his marriage and getting fired from his job at an Indiana sporting goods store, Pryce hedges his bets, and future, entirely on a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom named Santi (Peter Dager). Stick is a heartfelt, feel-good comedy about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before." Here is a first look at the trailer.

* The new drama series Mercy For None premieres Friday, June 6th on Netflix. Here is the brief logline: "After severing ties with his gang, a former gangster returns to uncover the truth behind his brother's death — embarking on a relentless path of revenge."

* The crime drama series The Survivors premieres Friday, June 6th on Netflix. Here is the official logline: "Kieran Elliott’s life changed forever when two people drowned and a young girl went missing in his home town of Evelyn Bay. Fifteen years later, returning with his young family, the guilt that still haunts him resurfaces. When the body of a young woman is found on the beach, the town is once again rocked by tragedy and the investigation of her death threatens to reveal long-held secrets, the truth about the missing girl, and a killer amongst them."

WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW

THURSDAY, MAY 8TH, 2025:
Blood Of Zeus Season Three Premiere (Netflix)
Conan O'Brien Must Go Season Premiere (Max)
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season Eighteen Premiere (Paramount+)
Forever Series Premiere (Netflix)
Jana, Marked For Life (Viaplay)
Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful (Netflix)
Octopus! (Prime Video)
Poker Face Season Two Premiere (Peacock)
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards (Prime Video)
Usher: Rendezvous In Paris (BET+)

FRIDAY, MAY 9TH:
A Deadly American Marriage (Netflix)
Bad Influence (Netflix)
Gold Rush: Mine Rescue With Freddy & Juan Season Premiere (Discovery)
Long Way Home Season Four Premiere (Apple TV+)
Molly-Mae: Behind It All (Prime Video)
Nonnas (Netflix)
RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars Season Ten Premiere (Paramount+)
Summer Of '69 (Hulu)
The Royals (Netflix)
Too Hot To Handle: Italy Series Premiere (Netflix)

SEE YOU ON FRIDAY!