TV news summaries — Page 5
Essential facts and source links for recent tv stories.
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Nikolas Polsinelli rebounds to win ‘Jeopardy!’ with $17,601
Nikolas Polsinelli won Thursday’s “Jeopardy!” game with $17,601 after an all-in Daily Double miss briefly left him at $0. He recovered to take the lead in Double Jeopardy and correctly answered Final Jeopardy’s U.S. geography clue; he returns Friday. -
Jenna Johnson says rehearsal talks on anxiety shaped Harry Shum Jr.’s DWTS scream
Jenna Johnson said a shortened “Dancing With the Stars” package left out rehearsal context for Harry Shum Jr.’s Sept. 22 scream. They had discussed anxiety, pressure and self-doubt building toward an emotional breaking point, with 14 couples still competing in Week 2. -
Fifteen celebrities join season 5 of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test”
Season 5 of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” premieres Sept. 24 on Fox with 15 celebrity recruits, including George Santos, LeSean McCoy, Ruby Rose and Olympian Maxim Naumov. They face physical and mental tests modeled on U.S. Special Forces training. -
Nick Mohammed gives no firm answer on Nate’s ‘Ted Lasso’ return
Nick Mohammed has not confirmed whether he’ll return as Nate Shelley before “Ted Lasso” Season 4 ends. Asked about the possibility with only a few episodes left, he said, “we’ll have to see,” and told viewers to “keep watching and keep believing.” -
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. -
Hulu sets Oct. 12 premiere for ‘Clown Panic’ documentary on 2016 sightings
Hulu’s “Clown Panic” premieres Oct. 12 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers. It revisits 2016 clown sightings that spread from a South Carolina community, exploring social media’s role in the nationwide panic that brought school lockdowns and police investigations. -
After a Spain soccer tournament, Kim Kardashian and Natalie Ento pitched ‘Team Moms: Baseball’
Kim Kardashian says “Team Moms: Baseball” began as a joke with Natalie Ento at a soccer tournament in Spain three years ago. They pitched it to several networks; the series, following parents at a Scottsdale baseball training school, is now streaming on Paramount+. -
Lauren Graham says she and Melissa McCarthy take turns throwing cowboy-themed Christmas parties
Lauren Graham recalled that she and Melissa McCarthy have taken turns throwing cowboy-themed Christmas parties since becoming friends on “Gilmore Girls.” She shared the tradition at Variety’s Sept. 23 Power of Women ceremony; one party featured a band called Cousin Lovers. -
Blythe Howard debuts on ‘General Hospital’ as Jordan Ashford’s estranged sister
Blythe Howard debuted on “General Hospital” on Sept. 23 as Monet Mitchell, a new lawyer revealed to be Jordan Ashford’s sister. Howard says the characters are estranged, and their shared history is unfolding as the story progresses. -
‘Scrubs’ Season 2 casts Tamera Mowry-Housley as pediatrician Dr. Steffie
Tamera Mowry-Housley will guest-star in Season 2 of ABC’s “Scrubs” revival as Dr. Steffie, a pediatrician who tries to persuade Tosh (Ava Bunn) to specialize in pediatrics. The season opens with back-to-back episodes Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 8/7c. -
Netflix renews The Beast in Me, with Claire Danes returning
Netflix announced on Sept. 24 that The Beast in Me, which premiered as an eight-episode limited series in November 2025, will return for a second season. Claire Danes will reprise her role as Aggie Wiggs; she is the only cast member confirmed so far. -
‘Scrubs’ season 2 adds Tamera Mowry-Housley as guest star
Tamera Mowry-Housley joins ABC’s “Scrubs” reboot in Season 2 as guest star Dr. Steffie, a pediatrician who tries to persuade Tosh to choose pediatrics. The two-episode premiere airs Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. on ABC; episodes stream on Hulu and Disney+ the next day. -
Records dispute Sunny Hostin's claim she was sole holdout in Rakowitz's 1991 trial
On The View, Sunny Hostin said she was the lone holdout who persuaded 11 others to find Daniel Rakowitz not guilty by reason of insanity in the 1991 trial over Monika Beerle's 1989 murder; an NJ.com update says records dispute that she alone held out. -
‘Tracker’ Season 4 puts viewers ahead of Colter on a family secret
Justin Hartley says “Tracker” Season 4 will keep viewers ahead of Colter Shaw on what his father did to him as a child, though the reveal is set aside for now. Russell took a shady job in last season’s finale to keep Colter from learning it; the season premieres Oct. 4. -
Spielberg recalls Judge Judy mock trial arranged for his mother’s 90th birthday
Steven Spielberg and his three sisters arranged a mock Judge Judy trial as a 90th-birthday gift for their late mother, Leah Adler, who adored the show. The televised skit featured a dispute over a bill for Groucho Marx glasses bought for her party. -
Ryan Murphy cites story and actor availability in AHS 13 casting
Ryan Murphy says American Horror Story season 13 casting depends on story progression and actor availability, but did not specify which explains Taissa Farmiga’s absence. Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson and Billie Lourd are among the returning stars. -
After eviction, Melody hopes to remain friends with ‘Big Brother’ ally Drew
After her Sept. 23 eviction from “Big Brother” Season 28, Melody Morris called her main feeling toward Drew Campbell “annoyance,” but said she has love for him and wants to stay friends. Drew had won the veto and taken himself off the block before her eviction. -
Judith Light joins ‘Shrinking’ for a recurring role in Season 4
Judith Light is joining Apple TV’s “Shrinking” for a recurring role in Season 4, alongside returning stars Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. Christian Slater and Karen Gillan were previously announced as additions; character details for the newcomers remain under wraps. -
Melody Morris explains staying loyal to Drew despite feeling betrayed on ‘Big Brother 28’
Evicted as Big Brother 28’s fifth juror, Melody Morris said she stayed loyal to her closest ally Drew Campbell despite actions that felt like betrayals. She said he never put her up or voted her out, and she wanted to remain loyal to the people she had worked with. -
Jessica Lange refused a second take of ‘knotty pine’ line, Murphy says
Ryan Murphy says Jessica Lange disliked Fiona Goode’s “knotty pine” line in “Coven” and refused a second take; the single performance is the one used in the show. “American Horror Story” Season 13 will recreate the scene when it premieres Sept. 24 on FX.
