TV Tidbits: Netflix to Release Both ‘Mystery Science Theater 300’ Revival and New Louis C.K. Special in April

Netflix continuing to make huge waves with new comedy content and two Emmy-award winners booking new TV series pilots are among some of the day’s news items.

  
• ‘Mystery Science Theater 300’ Revival on Netflix
  The famed cult comedy series from 1988-99 about a janitor and his two robot companions who make amusing commentary about the B-movies they’re watching is set to return with fourteen new episodes to be released exclusively on Netflix on Apr. 14. The show’s revival was backed by a successful Kickstarter campaign that began in November 2015 and had garnered $5.7 million from over 50,000 supporters.

  “MST3K” creator Joel Hodgson returns for the revival, with comedian Jonah Ray and actress Felicia Day also cast in the series. Dan Harmon (“Community”), Joel McHale (“Community”, “The Great Indoors”) and Elliott Kalan (“The Daily Show”) have joined as writers.

  Reprising their roles from the original “MST3K” for the revival are Mary Jo Pehl (Pearl Forrester), Bill Corbett (Crow T. Robot) and Kevin Murphy. (Source: Rolling Stone)

  

• Netflix to Release Two New Louis C.K. Stand-Up Specials
  On the heels of inking big deals with some of today’s most popular comics like Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Amy Schumer, Netflix signed on another comedy great: Louis C.K. He will bring two new specials exclusive to the streaming service, the first of which — entitled “2017” — will premiere on Netflix on Apr. 4. Louis C.K.’s second special is slated to debut later this year.

  

• Brad Garrett Stars in ‘The Get’ for CBS
  The Emmy-winning actor of “Everybody Loves Raymond” is poised to return to the CBS network once more as he has been tapped to star in this new drama about a team of determined hardworking internet journalists set out to expose stories of injustice. Bridget Carpenter (“11.22.63”) wrote the pilot episode. She will also executive produce the CBS Television Studios series.

  

• Dylan McDermott Joins Fox Comedy ‘LA > Vegas’
  The Emmy-winning actor of “The Practice” ventures into the comedy genre as he been cast in the pilot for this new Fox series about a flight crew going to and from Sin City each weekend. McDermott portrays a narcissistic pilot who does as much socializing with his plane’s passengers as he does in flying his plane. The pilot episode for “LA > Vegas” is written by Lon Zimmet (“Happy Endings”) and will be directed by Steve Levitan (“Modern Family”). The series is executive produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.

  

• FS1 Cancels ‘Fox Sports Live’, Possible Retooling of ‘Garbage Time’
  The sports cabler has canned “Fox Sports Live” which had once been positioned as the network’s flagship show when Fox Sports 1 had launched in August 2013. But with FS1 routinely getting trounced by ESPN in the ratings, the scarcity of nightly live events (that would have produced a better lead-in to late night) and the channel’s recent preference towards opinion-based programming, the days seemed numbered for the highlight show. Its hosts Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole — who had previously gained notoriety as popular SportsCentre anchors on ESPN’s Canada channel TSN — will not remain with FS1.

  Also, “Garbage Time with Katie Nolan” on FS1 has concluded in its current form. The weekly show earned a Sports Emmy award in 2016 for Outstanding Social TV Experience. In a recent statement, Fox Sports expressed positives about Nolan as they “look forward to developing her role at FS1.” It’s currently unclear whether “Garbage Time” will return in a different format, not return at all or an entirely new FS1 show will feature and/or be centered around Nolan.