Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Thursday, May 7th, 2020

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Thursday, May 7th, 2020. I'm writing this from the Twin Cities, where AllYourScreens HQ is powered by sweet tea.

CBS ALL-ACCESS TO GET SUMMER REBOOT
On Thursday morning's ViacomCBS CEO earnings call, CEO Bob Bakish outlined upcoming changes to the CBS All Access streaming service, which will include a variety of live sports programming and expanded content from the Viacom library:

"We will build on this incredible base of content – a catalog multiple times larger than many of the new SVOD entrants – by expanding our originals slate across the portfolio," Bakish explained. "This will bring first-window content from each of our brands to this platform. Our biggest franchises will be key to this strategy, as will our broad programming strength across genres – from animation to science fiction, comedy, reality, kids, crime procedurals and more."

He didn't provide a lot of details, which makes sense given the current uncertainty of the current entertainment industry. ViacomCBS certainly has a large catalog of familiar titles. But I remain confused by the long-term plans for the service. It's been unable to launch a successful original series that wasn't spun off from an existing franchise. And while live sports is nice, it seems likely any substantial addition of fee-heavy live sports will require an increase in the subscription fee. It's also worth noting that Bakish didn't address one frequent industry rumor: that pay channel Showtime's streaming service will be rolled into CBS All-Access in much the same way HBO is being rolled into the new HBO Max.

YOUTUBE TV AND VIACOMCBS EXPAND CARRIAGE DEAL
Also during Thursday's earning call, ViacomCBS revealed it has signed an expanded, multi-year distribution deal that will add 14 new networks to YouTube live TV service. The keep extended the current deal for the CBS broadcast stations, CBS Sports Network, Pop TV, Smithsonian Channel and The CW. It will also adds BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land and VH1 in the summer. Eventually, another batch of ViacomCBS networks will be added to the service as part of a premium tier. Those network include BET Her, MTV2, Nick Jr., NickToons, TeenNick and MTV Classic.

Here is a rundown of the new shows premiering today....

1) Bad Mothers Series Premiere (Sundance Now)
Sarah’s (Tess Haubrich) seemingly perfect life as a local doctor, loving wife and doting mother comes crashing down the moment she discovers her husband Anton (Daniel McPherson) is having an affair with her best friend Charlotte (Melissa George). Suddenly, Charlotte turns up dead, and Anton is arrested for her murder. As Sarah’s life spirals out of control, she finds unlikely support from a ragtag group of mothers called "The Bad Mothers Club." Sarah finds herself drawn into the chaotic worlds of her new friends. There’s just one thing stopping Sarah from leaving the mess of her old life behind her, Anton swears he’s innocent. Now Sarah will have to add "detective" to her already lengthy list of jobs if she is to clear her husband’s name.

2) Celebrity Watch Party Series Premiere (Fox)
Viewers go into the homes of celebrities and their families, as they watch and react to the week’s most interesting television shows. In the premiere episode, viewers will step into the homes of celebrities, including Rob Lowe, Meghan Trainor, Joe Buck, Raven-Symoné, Master P and Romeo, JoJo Siwa, Steve Wozniak, Curtis Stone, and Robert and Kym Herjavec.

3) Expedition With Steven Backshall Season One Midseason Premiere (PBS)
Head into the unknown with explorer Steve Backshall as he journeys to the world’s last unexplored places and faces challenges around the globe, encountering extraordinary wildlife and meeting remarkable people along the way. In the mid-season one premiere, Steve Backshall explores a honeycomb of subterranean Mexican caves that the ancient Maya believed were a portal to a terrifying underworld. In a dark and flooded cave, Steve finds incredible never-before-seen artifacts.

4) Scissor Seven Season Two Premiere (Netflix)
Hairdresser by day, freelance hit man by night. The animated series about an underpaid, scissor-wielding assassin who's not quite cut out for the job returns.

5) Solar Opposites (Hulu)
Co-created by Justin Roiland (co-creator of Rick & Morty) and Mike McMahan (former writer's assistant on Rick & Morty), Solar Opposites centers around a team of four aliens who have escaped their exploding home world, only to crash land into a move-in ready home in suburban America. They are evenly split on whether Earth is awful or awesome. Korvo (Justin Roiland) and Yumyulack (Sean Giambroni) only see the pollution, crass consumerism, and human frailty, while Terry (Thomas Middleditch) and Jesse (Mary Mack) love humans and all their TV, junk food, and fun stuff. Their mission: protect the Pupa, a living super computer that will one day evolve into its true form, consume them and terraform the Earth.

For a rundown of all the new episodes of television premiering tonight,click here.

TOO MUCH TV REALLY IS A THING
This newsletter is called "Too Much TV" because....well, it's hard to keep track of all the new television premiering everyday. To help you prioritize your viewing, click here to see our list of more than 400 upcoming television premieres, movies and finales. You'll find listings from more than 70 networks, as well as streaming services and web shows.

I'll be back with another one tomorrow. If you have any feedback, send it along toRick@AllYourScreens.comand follow me on Twitter@aysrick.