Paramount Pictures Releases First Trailer for Rita Moreno’s “80 for Brady”

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a very Brady time for Rita Moreno…

Paramount Pictures has released the first trailer for the 90-year-old Puerto Rican actress’ new film 80 for Brady, which also stars Tom Brady, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Sally Field.

Directed by Kyle Marvin, 80 for Brady is inspired by the true story of four best friends who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Brady play.

The film, which will open in wide release on February 3, also includes Sara Gilbert, Harry Hamlin, Glynn Turman, Bob Balaban, Ron Funches, Jimmy O. Yang, Billy Porter, Guy Fieri, Rob Corddry, Alex Moffa and Matt Lauria, among others.

80 for Brady was written by Emily Halpern & Sarah Haskins.

CBS Renews Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI: Vegas” for Second Season

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There are more investigations in Mel Rodriguez’s future…

CBS has renewed its freshman drama CSI: Vegas, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor, for a second season to premiere during the 2022-2023 broadcast season.

A sequel to the groundbreaking 2000 series, season 1 of CSI: Vegas was led by the original series’ stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox.

Petersen had only signed on to reprise his role as Gil Grissom in the initial 10-episode installment. He’ll not continue as an actor but will remain an executive producer for Season 2. According to sources, Fox’s contract allows her to continue as Sara Sidle if she chooses to, and the series’ producers are hopeful that she may come back.

“The incredibly talented CSI: Vegas creative team and cast did a superb job this first season, brilliantly updating and portraying the CSI universe with fresh stories and a new crime lab, proving that after 20 years, the CSI fan base is still hungry for more and ready to embrace a new chapter in this illustrious franchise,” said Amy Reisenbach, EVP Current Programs at CBS.

CSI: Vegas improved its Wednesday night 10:00 pm time slot by +60% in viewers, according to Nielsen data. While it got off to an inauspicious start in linear ratings, the series proved a strong delayed viewing/streaming draw. Through the first nine episodes (as of Dec. 1), CSI: Vegas added +3.10m viewers (6.81m from 3.71m, +84%) with 7-day playback. This is the highest playback of any new drama on any network, per CBS. The first season of CSI: Vegas is streaming on Paramount+. No streaming data is being released, but, according to sources, the revival has been performing very well on the platform.

Additionally, CSI: Vegas‘ ratings followed an unusual trajectory. Possibly helped by the serialized, season-long arc, the numbers started consistently picking up after the traditional post-premiere dip.

Season 1 opened a new chapter in Las Vegas – the city where it all began, introducing a serialized storytelling to the classic crime procedural drama. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the entire Crime Lab and release thousands of convicted killers back onto the neon-lit streets of Vegas, a brilliant new team of investigators led by Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome) enlisted the help of old friends, Gil Grissom (Petersen) and Sara Sidle (Fox), to investigate a case centered around former colleague David Hodges (Wallace Langham). This combined force deployed the latest forensic techniques to follow the evidence – to preserve and serve justice in Sin City. The first season also starred Matt Lauria, Mandeep Dhillon and Rodriguez.

CSI: Vegas is produced by CBS Studios in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and distributed internationally by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group.

CBS Releases First Official Trailer for Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI: Vegas”

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is officially on the case…

CBS has released the first official trailer for CSI: Vegas, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor, ahead of its October 6 premiere.

The sequel to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, features returning stars William Petersen, Jorja Fox, and Wallace Langham, and newly added series regulars Rodriguez, Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria and Mandeep Dhillon. Paul Guilfoyle will reprise the role of Jim Brass as a guest star in two episodes.

CSI: Vegas opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

“Twenty-one years ago, we launched CSI and watched in awe as this new cinematic series launched an entire genre and became a groundbreaking juggernaut that still has global resonance today,” Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment said previously. “We are thrilled to welcome the next generation of forensic criminalists to the CSI brand and unite them with the legendary characters from the past who we still love, including the extraordinary Billy Petersen and Jorja Fox. Crimefighting technology has advanced dramatically over the last several years and combined with classic CSI storytelling, we can’t wait to watch this new CSI team do what they do best: follow the evidence.”

CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios, and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

CBS Releases First Look at Mel Rodriguez’s “CSI” Sequel, “CSI: Vegas”

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is seeking the truth…

CBS had released the first-look teaser for CSI: Vegas, the sequel to the the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, starring the 48-year-old Latino actor.

The sequel features returning CSI stars William Petersen, Jorja Fox and Wallace Langham, who are joined by new series regulars Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon.

CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

https://twitter.com/CBSTVStudios/status/1418024052732547074

The sequel premieres on Wednesday, October 6 at 10/9c on CBS.

CBS Gives Straight-to-Series Order to “CSI: Vegas,” Starring Mel Rodriguez

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is officially hitting the (crime) scene…

CBS has given a straight-to-series order to CSI: Vegas, a sequel – starring the 47-year-old Latino actor – to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, for the 2021-21 season.

Headlined by returning CSI stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox, joined by new series regulars Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon, CSI: Vegas hails from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

Also coming back is another fan favorite CSI cast member, Wallace Langham, reprising his role as David Hodges.

With CSI: Vegas, the most watched drama series of the 21st century, CSI, opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

Rodriguez is reportedly playing Hugo who took over as Head Medical Examiner three years ago.

“Twenty-one years ago, we launched CSI and watched in awe as this new cinematic series launched an entire genre and became a groundbreaking juggernaut that still has global resonance today,” said Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment. “We are thrilled to welcome the next generation of forensic criminalists to the CSI brand and unite them with the legendary characters from the past who we still love, including the extraordinary Billy Petersen and Jorja Fox. Crimefighting technology has advanced dramatically over the last several years, and combined with classic CSI storytelling, we can’t wait to watch this new CSI team do what they do best: follow the evidence.”

Mel Rodriguez to Star in CBS’ Upcoming Series “CSI: Vegas”

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mel Rodriguez is joining the force…

The 47-year-old Latino actor has been cast as one of the leads in CSI: Vegas, which Deadline.com reports is nearing a formal straight-to-series order at CBS.

Rodriguez will star opposite Paula Newsome and Matt Lauria in CSI: Vegas, which serves as a sequel to the mothership CSI series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

William Petersen and Jorja Fox are reportedly finalizing their deals to star in CSI: Vegas, reprising their roles as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, respectively.

While billed as an event series, CSI: Vegas, from writer Jason Tracey, CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, could become an ongoing series running for multiple seasons.

With CSI: Vegas, the most watched drama series of the 21st century, CSI, opens a new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

Rodriguez is said to be playing Hugo, who took over as Head Medical Examiner three years ago. He has an endless fascination with the bodies that find their way onto his slab, and the morgue is his happy place. Rodrigues previously guest starred in an episode of CSI: NY (character name: Al McGrath).

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation bowed out in 2015 after 15 seasons, having launched a $1 billion franchise for CBS that spanned four series; CSI and spinoffs CSI: Miami, CSI: New York and CSI: Cyber.

Rodriguez was most recently a series regular on the Showtime series On Becoming a God In Central Florida opposite Kirsten Dunst. He was also seen opposite Anne Hathaway in Dee Rees’ The Last Thing He Wanted for Netflix. Additionally, Rodriguez recently voiced Officer Colt Bronco in the Disney–Pixar animated feature Onward.

CBS All Access Releases Season 2 Trailer for Odette Annable’s Anthology Drama Series “Tell Me a Story”

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Odette Annable is ready for story time…

The official trailer for the second season of CBS All Access’ anthology drama Tell Me a Story, starring the 34-year-old Colombian and Cuban American actress, has been released.

“I know you are in living hell right now. I know you think that things can’t get any worse. But it can. Believe me,” says the trailer.

Created and written by executive Kevin Williamson, Tell Me a Storytakes the world’s most beloved fairy tales and reimagines them as a dark and twisted psychological thriller.

The 10-episode second season will feature the stories of three legendary princesses – from Beauty and the Beast,Sleeping Beautyand Cinderella– like they’ve never been seen before. It will follow the Pruitt family as they navigate love, loss, romance and terror against the iconic backdrop of Nashville.

Filmed on location in Music City, the sophomore run of the anthology from Kapital Entertainment stars Paul Wesley, Carrie-Anne Moss, Annable—who portrays Maddie, Eka Darville, Matt Lauria, Natalie Alyn Lind and Ashley Madekwe. Danielle Campbell returns to the series, recurring along with Garcelle Beauvais, Caleb Castille and Christopher Meyer.

Season 2 of Tell Me a Story starts streaming December 5 at CBS All Access, with new episodes debuting every Thursday.

AT&T Audience Network Renews Sanchez’s “Kingdom” for Third Season

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

The sun hasn’t set on Kiele Sanchez’s kingdom…

AT&T Audience Network has ordered a third season of its critically acclaimed martial arts drama series Kingdom, starring the 38-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress.

“The success of season 2 of Kingdom proves how captivating this series is and how viewers have invested and connected with the characters’ lives,” said Christopher Long, senior vice president, Original Content and Production, AT&T. “Byron Balasco has been at the helm of this gritty mixed martial arts family drama since its inception and has showcased heart wrenching topics that no other show on television has had the strength to touch. We couldn’t be happier to have Byron on for another season and have no doubt that he will create a compelling storyline that no one will forget.”

The series stars Frank Grillo as a former MMA mixed martial arts fighter trying to keep his gym in business.

In addition to Sanchez and Grillo, the series also stars Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker, Nick Jonas, Joanna Going and Natalie Martinez.

Creator, writer and showrunner Balasco serves as executive producer.

Kingdom is produced by Endemol Shine Studios and distributed internationally by Endemol Shine International.

Martinez to Star in DirecTV’s MMA drama “Kingdom”

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s kingdom come for Natalie Martinez…

The 30-year-old Cuban American actress has been cast as a regular on the upcoming second season of DirecTV’s MMA drama Kingdom.

The series, from creator/showrunner Byron Balasco, follows the story of Alvey Kulina (Frank Grillo) who owns and runs a mixed martial arts gym called Navy St. Gym in Venice, California, with his girlfriend, Lisa (Kiele Sanchez).

Martinez will play Alicia Mendez, described as a woman who is damaged with self-destructive tendencies. Although talented, she is fairly inexperienced fighter who takes a meeting with Lisa (Sanchez).

Nick Jonas and Matt Lauria also star.

Kingdom, from Endemol Shine Studios, just started production on Season 2 in Los Angeles.

DirecTV Orders an Additional 20 Episodes of Sanchez’s “Kingdom”

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kiele Sanchez’s kingdom is expanding…

Only two episodes into Kingdom’s 10-episode freshman run, DirecTV has picked up the 37-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress’ MMA-themed drama series for 20 more episodes.

Kingdom, from creator/showrunner Byron Balasco and Endemol Studios, is scheduled to begin production on the new order in the spring, with the first 10 episodes airing on DirecTV’s Audience Network in fall 2015, and the following 10 slated for 2016.

Kingdom, a gritty family drama set against the backdrop of the renegade subculture of Mixed Martial Arts in Venice, CA, has launched to strong reviews. DirecTV doesn’t disclose ratings information but said that the rookie “has proven to be one of Audience Network’s most popular shows of all time.”

Returning for the next batch of 20 episodes of the series, which has been praised by local officials for filming in Los Angeles (it shoots in Venice where the show is set) are stars Sanchez, who portrays Lisa Prince, Frank Grillo, Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker, Nick Jonas and Joanna Going.

“DirecTV could not be more thrilled by the response that last week’s premiere of Kingdom elicited from both critics and our viewers,” said Chris Long, DirecTV’s SVP Original Content and Production. “The series very clearly resonated with DirecTV’s subscribers.”

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