TV news summaries
Essential facts and source links for recent tv stories.
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Sidibe says Queenie will mentor young witches in ‘AHS’ Season 13
Gabourey Sidibe says Queenie returns in American Horror Story Season 13 as a mentor working with the Supreme to guide young witches, rather than as a student. Billie Lourd says she now feels empathy for Mallory, who has been through a lot. -
Ina Garten weighs seasonal specials as Food Network talks continue
Ina Garten says she and Food Network are discussing what follows the next season of “Be My Guest”; she is more interested in seasonal specials than committing to another full series. Season 9 premieres Oct. 3, while her weekly video podcast debuted Sept. 16. -
Nigella Lawson reads on a chaise in Bake Off hut, Noel Fielding says
On the Dish podcast, Great British Baking Show hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding described new judge Nigella Lawson reading in a shepherd’s hut on a chaise lounge; Fielding joked she sometimes summons passersby, who kneel beside her because there’s nowhere to sit. -
Derek Hough jokes about DWTS one-word rule after viewers object
Derek Hough joked “I didn’t get the memo” after viewers criticized Dancing With the Stars’ one-word critiques. On Sept. 22, the judge speaking third after each dance could give only one word, as 14 couples, live voting and an elimination had to fit the two-hour show. -
Jada Pinkett Smith returns to Hillman in Netflix’s ‘A Different World’ sequel
Netflix’s first season of the “A Different World” sequel brings original cast members back to Hillman, including Jada Pinkett Smith as Congresswoman Lena James. Kadeem Hardison’s Dwayne Wayne is thrust into the president’s role after a scandal shakes the HBCU. -
Lauren Graham subtly guided Melissa McCarthy through Gilmore Girls scenes
Melissa McCarthy says Lauren Graham quietly helped her learn on Gilmore Girls, where McCarthy was inexperienced and often missed her mark. Graham guided her into position and out of Graham’s light during scenes without breaking character, McCarthy recalled. -
At 'War' premiere, Dominic West reunites with 'The Wire' co-stars Hassan Johnson and Wendell Pierce
Dominic West reunited with former The Wire co-stars Hassan Johnson and Wendell Pierce at the red-carpet premiere of his new legal drama War, 24 years after the HBO series debuted in 2002. He embraced Johnson when they spotted each other. -
Without a live interview, Melody Morris says ‘Big Brother’ exit was easier to process
Melody Morris was voted out of “Big Brother 28” on Sept. 23 in the “Egyptian Eviction” twist. She says missing the usual live interview with Julie Chen Moonves helped her process the upset, though she was disappointed not to get the audience debrief. -
‘Lioness’ Season 4 remains unconfirmed after Season 3 cliffhangers
Paramount+ has not officially renewed “Lioness” for Season 4. The Season 3 finale revealed to viewers—but not the characters—that Aaliyah was behind Joe’s kidnapping and had ordered another attempt; Joe’s husband also left with their daughters. -
Simone turns 25 as Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson share rare photos
Former HGTV hosts Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson celebrated their eldest daughter Simone’s 25th birthday on Sept. 21, sharing rare photos and tributes on Instagram. Jackson said he was proud to be her father, and fans commented on Simone’s resemblance to him. -
Former actuary Chibuikem Uche stars as Kojo in ‘A Different World’ revival
Chibuikem Uche plays fashion designer Kojo in Netflix’s “A Different World” sequel, which premiered Sept. 24. Before pursuing acting, he worked as an actuary and took acting classes in New York while keeping his full-time job. -
Braun Strowman to compete in Netflix’s 2027 Celebrity Million Dollar Secret
Adam Scherr, known as Braun Strowman, joins Netflix’s Celebrity Million Dollar Secret. Netflix says it will air in 2027, but has not announced an exact date. One player is secretly given a box containing $1,000,000; the others try to identify and vote them out. -
McConaughey says Woody Harrelson’s energy makes people feel younger
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson discussed their friendship and new Apple TV comedy “Brothers” in a Yahoo interview. McConaughey called Harrelson a “perpetual 8-year-old,” saying his beginner’s-mind outlook makes people around him feel younger. -
Celia Rose Gooding reflects on Uhura’s emotional Pike scene in ‘Strange New Worlds’
Celia Rose Gooding says the “Strange New Worlds” Season 4 finale’s conversation between TOS-era Uhura and Pike was its most meaningful scene to her, because Uhura knows his fate. A time anomaly brings two Uhuras together, and the present-day version becomes open to Scotty. -
Former contestants recount ‘The Swan’ in Hulu documentary
A Hulu documentary, “The Swan: Behind the Mirror,” premieres Sept. 29 and revisits Fox’s 2004 reality show through interviews with 12 former contestants. They recount its 90-day makeover, including cosmetic surgery, isolation, workouts and restrictive diets. -
18 TV finales viewers still debate, from Bran’s crown to Tony’s fate
People’s roundup revisits 18 TV finales that sparked debate, including Game of Thrones’ choice of Bran as king, Lost’s unresolved island mysteries, The Sopranos’ cut to black and How I Met Your Mother’s revelation that Tracy died before Ted returned to Robin. -
Jordan Aaron Hall recalls singing for Debbie Allen at ‘A Different World’ callback
Jordan Aaron Hall says Debbie Allen asked him to sing at his “A Different World” callback after spotting his musical-theater degree. His singing impressed Allen; Hall got a screen test that afternoon. He plays Amir in Netflix’s sequel, premiering Sept. 24. -
‘Survivor 51’ begins an unpredictable era; rollover could lift season 52’s prize to $3M
“Survivor 51” premiered on CBS with 21 players in Fiji, launching the “Open Era,” where past twists can return without warning. Its $1 million prize can reach $2 million this season; if the coin-flip bonus goes unclaimed, next season could offer a $3 million total prize. -
Lucca festival to host ‘Percy Jackson’ Season 3 panel with unseen footage
“Percy Jackson” stars Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri will join co-creator Jonathan E. Steinberg and executive producer Dan Shotz for a Season 3 panel at Italy’s Lucca Comics and Games, with previously unseen footage. The festival runs Oct. 28-Nov. 1. -
Abdirahman Keinaan’s docuseries premieres at Helsinki International Film Festival
Finnish YouTuber Abdirahman Keinaan’s docuseries “Keinaan, Go Back to Somalia” premiered at Helsinki International Film Festival. It follows his trip to Somalia and his exploration of what it means to live between two cultures. -
Beverly Hills, 90210 stars pursued new roles after the 2000 finale
After Beverly Hills, 90210 ended in 2000, cast members pursued new TV and film roles; several returned for its 2019 revival. Garth and Spelling co-hosted a rewatch podcast until Spelling left in 2026. Luke Perry died in 2019 and Shannen Doherty in 2024. -
The Jetsons debuted in 1962 as ABC's first color-broadcast program
The Jetsons premiered Sept. 23, 1962, as ABC’s first program to air in color. Its 24-episode first season was followed by additional episodes in the mid-1980s, bringing the series to three seasons. Jim Carrey is set to star in a live-action adaptation. -
Netflix Hasn't Renewed ‘A Different World’; Joe Morton's Return Is Unconfirmed
Netflix has not officially renewed the A Different World sequel for a second season, and no casting decisions have been confirmed, leaving Joe Morton’s return as Senator Byron Douglas uncertain. In the first season, he helped pass legislation earmarking federal funding for HBCUs. -
A Different World finale hints at Lisa Bonet’s possible Season 2 return
In A Different World’s Season 1 finale, Ellington is revealed to be Denise Huxtable’s son, and Dwayne secretly calls her, hinting at a possible Lisa Bonet return. The finale does not confirm Bonet will appear; any return depends on a Season 2. -
Netflix’s ‘A Different World’ reboot centers on Gen Z at Hillman
Now streaming, Netflix’s 10-episode “A Different World” follows Deborah Wayne to her parents’ historically Black Hillman College after NYU Tisch rescinds her acceptance. Variety’s review says it captures Gen Z campus life but races through its stories. -
‘Survivor’ remembers editor Finian Shea Johnson at season 51 premiere
Survivor honored editor Finian Shea Johnson during its season 51 premiere on Sept. 23. Johnson died on May 25 at 48 and worked on 78 episodes of the series; his work on Survivor 50 earned him and his collaborators a 2026 Emmy nomination. -
Nene Royal wins ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 21 on viewer votes
Nene Royal won “America’s Got Talent” Season 21 on September 23, taking more viewer votes than the other nine finalists. The 16-year-old singer and guitarist from Phuket, Thailand, reached the finale after a Live Golden Buzzer let her skip the semifinals. -
American Horror Story season 13 premieres Sept. 24 with three episodes
“American Horror Story” Season 13 premieres Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on FX and Hulu on Disney+ with three episodes. Thursday episode batches continue through Oct. 22; the finale airs Oct. 29. Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters return.
