Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Tuesday, August 19th, 2025:
PRODUCTION NOTES
No, it is not your imagination. There was no newsletter last night and I am sorry about it. The short version is that I had some dental work done and it ended up being more complicated than I expected (of course). But I am back on the road to recovery and eating somewhat crispy food again, so all is right in the world.
THIS IS THE WAY CENSORSHIP WORKS IN THE REAL WORLD
I have been going back-and-forth in email with a writer who has had a series in development for more than a year. It's a timely comedy that can best be described as "a 2025 take on Good Times." It centers around a poor, working class black family living in an unnamed urban city. From everything I can tell, it's funny, touching and resonates in a way that would likely make it a success with audiences. But the studio that has been developing the project has decided to not move forward and the show's creator was told that the decision was based on the feeling that "this isn't the right time for the show."
And this is the way that censorship works in the real world. It's not that a political administration tells a studio not to make certain types of programs or that Congress passes a law outlawing certain topics. Censorship happens when the perceived cost of doing a project that could be controversial is seen by studios and networks as too high to risk. Executives worry about pushback from advertisers, social media blowback that overwhelms positive reviews and the problems talent might have after appearing in the show. Studios and streamers are hesitant to greenlight projects that might be controversial enough to endanger mergers or result in executives being hauled in front of Congressional committees to explain why they approved a project.
So the decision is made to dodge the creative bullet and not take the chance of rocking the boat. Everyone tells themselves that it isn't censorship, that it's just being mindful of shareholders and that it's just temporary. Until the next time they're faced with the same decision. And each time, the "no" gets a little easier to say.
The history of television is filled with examples of cowardice and fear. But television is also responsible for some of the most memorable and informative projects ever made. Programs that brought to life history in a way that no book ever could. Television that pushed viewers out of their comfort zone and made them confront unpleasant realities.
I don't think it's hyperbole to describe the 1977 miniseries Roots as one of television's greatest creative accomplishments. The miniseries was based on the 1976 Alex Haley novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family, and it centered around the life of Kunta Kinte, a Gambian teen who was captured in the 1760s by slave traders and brought against his will to the United States, where he was sold into slavery. Given the name "Toby" by his new owner, Kunta tries to escape several times, and after one attempt, he is punished by having part of his foot chopped off with a hatchet.
The program follows his descendants through the next hundred plus years, recounting the casual horrors of slavery, the barbarity of The Civil War and the rise of the KKK in the Reconstruction Era. Roots is unflinching look at some of the worst moments in American history, but it also balances that with moments of hope and the promise of a better tomorrow.
Thinking about the miniseries today, I can't imagine any network or streamer deciding to make the project in 2025. There would be too much political pressure brought to bear to "show both sides" of slavery. At a time when books about Rosa Parks are being removed from the shelves of some school libraries because reading about her "makes some white students uncomfortable" and the President of the United States complains that the Smithsonian "focuses too much on how bad slavery was," it's hard to imagine any American media company willingly taking on a project it knows will open itself up to political pressure.
That is how censorship works. No government official has to say "Don't make Roots" out loud. Media companies know the consequences without it being explicitly warned off. We miss out on projects that are culturally important as well as entertaining because of fear, which is most insidious form of censorship in the real world.
Among other things, I would love to hear this question asked of Joe Rogan and some of the other "bro-comic" podcasters who throw around jokes about slavery and then laugh off any complaints by arguing that critics are trying to censor them. What do they think of Roots? Do they believe that the story was one-sided. Perhaps the miniseries should also highlight the positives of slavery? (as some of them have recently argued).
And one last thing: it's worth noting that if you want to go back and watch the original Roots miniseries (or the 2016 History Channel reboot), it apparently isn't available for streaming on SVOD, although it is available for purchase on several platforms.
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER OVERLY GENEROUS NY TIMES PROFILE
Because it is one of the last great newspapers, The NY Times can often use its platform to convince media-shy media figures to sit down for friendly profiles. The paper seems to believe that the best approach is to let the people being interviewed speak their mind without much pushback from their journalists. Which tends to result in interviews that are frustrating examples of reputation washing.
Today's interview subject was 71-year-old Shari Redstone, who appears to be mindful of the fact that her behavior around the recent Paramount Global merger with Skydance Entertainment was - to be charitable - seen as bending the knee as deeply as possible in order to walk away with a big paycheck.
The interview is exasperating on many levels, but this comment about the decision making behind the settlement of Donald Trumps' lawsuit against CBS News and Paramount perfectly captures the mindset of nearly every American media company executive in 2025:
“I believed it was always in Paramount’s best interest to settle,” she said in an interview around that time. “We may not like the world we live in, but a board has to do what’s in the best interest of shareholders.”
TWEET OF THE DAY
READER FEEDBACK
"While I haven't seen Final Draft, it seems similar to South Korea's Physical 100 (which spans both current and former athletes). The same thing sets it apart from Western shows, though: this sense of communal camaraderie. The first episode of each season is fun because some recognize each other from the sports community, or carry a deep respect of one's accomplishments.
One interesting tidbit from South Korea's Culinary Class Wars: one contestant got into a minor media scandal because viewers thought he was "too arrogant" by doing the trash talking we're accustomed to in the West. He put out an apology, but also added that the Netflix production would take him aside for a talking head and direct him with prompts like, "Now, say something provocative and edgy!" and the final edit put a more sinister context on it."
--ww
ODDS AND SODS
* The Argentine drama Maledictions premieres Friday, September 12th on Netflix. Here is a first video look at the series and here is a photo gallery from the season. This is the official logline: "In northern Argentina, the governor's daughter is kidnapped by his trusted man while a crucial lithium exploitation law is being voted on. As the kidnapper's motivations are revealed, a secret plot that began to develop 13 years ago comes to light, challenging the girl's identity. The race-against-time negotiation exposes the true nature of power, the limits of love, and the curses of kinship."
* Season two of Fallout will premiere Tuesday, December 17th on Prime Video. Here is a first video look at what you can expect.
* If you've been looking for a chance to own an item used on HBO or HBO Max show, this auction has items from Curb Your Enthusiasm, Our Flag Means Death, Big Little Lies, Perry Mason, Barry and White House Plumbers.
* The Colin Farrell/Tilda Swinton film Ballad Of A Small Player premieres Wednesday, October 29th on Netflix. Here is a first video look at the movie. and here is the official logline: "Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell) is laying low in Macau – spending his days and nights on the casino floors, drinking heavily and gambling what little money he has left. Struggling to keep up with his fast-rising debts, he is offered a lifeline by the mysterious Dao Ming (Fala Chen), a casino employee with secrets of her own. However, in hot pursuit is Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton) – a private investigator ready to confront Doyle with what he is running from. As Doyle tries to climb to salvation, the confines of reality start to close in."
* CBS has signed a new five-year deal with Dick Clark Productions for the American Music Awards to be broadcast on CBS and stream live on Paramount+ starting with the 2026 ceremony.
* Oliver Darcy's Status is reporting that employees of Penske Media Corporation are being told they will be required to work from the office four days a week beginning in October.
* The second and final season of Wolf King will premiere Thursday, September 11th on Netflix. Here is a first video look at the upcoming season.
* Former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr., has reportedly been deported to Mexico. He recently fought Jake Paul in a Netflix live event and had been arrested a week after that event to face charges in Mexico that he collaborated with the Sinaola Cartel.
* The series Murder Before Evensong premieres Monday, September 29th on Acorn TV.
WHAT'S COMING TOMORROW
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20TH:
* American Pickers Season Twenty-Seven Finale (History)
* Bargain Block Season 4B Premiere (HGTV)
* Captivated, By You Series Premiere (Crunchyroll)
* Expedition X Season Ten Premiere (Discovery)
* Fisk Season Three Premiere (Netflix)
* Ghost Adventures: House Calls Season Premiere (Discovery)
* Inside The Worlds Of Epic Universe (NBC)
* It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season Seventeen Finale (FXX)
* Rivers Of Fate Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Sports Gone Wrong Season One Finale (Vice)
* The Map That Leads You (Prime Video)
* The Twisted Tale Of Amanda Knox (Hulu)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21ST:
* Alone Season Twelve Finale (History)
* Alone Australia Season Three Finale (A&E)
* Blinded (Sundance Now)
* Captivated, By You Series Premiere (Crunchyroll)
* Churchy Season Two Premiere (BET+)
* Code Of Silence Season One Finale (BritBox) - (photo gallery)
* Death Inc. (Netflix)
* Fall For Me (Netflix)
* Family Lockup Series Premiere (A&E)
* Gold Rush Gang (Netflix)
* Hostage Series Premiere (Netflix)
* One Hit Wonder (Netflix)
* Peacemaker Season Two Premiere (Max)
* Hostage (Netflix)
* The Home Team: NY Jets Series Premiere (Prime Video)
SEE YOU ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT!