Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Tuesday, January 13th, 2026:
COMING NEXT WEEK
Next Monday, the web site and voting for the upcoming 2nd Annual Global TV Awards will launch. This was an idea I softly launched last year to test the waters. It ended up receiving more than 60,000 votes and more attention than I was expecting.
To be eligible, a TV show, movie, documentary or stand-up special has to have been originally produced in a language other than English. It has to have first streamed sometime in 2025 in the United States, and no earlier than 1/1/2024 in its original territory.
It was a pretty extensive list this year, and I worked hard not to miss any titles. Although I might have missed something from some of the smaller streamers, who aren't always helpful when it comes to press requests and premiere dates. But I can guarantee this is the most comprehensive rundown you'll find anywhere and there is a staggering number of really great titles that premiered last year.
I am still looking for a sponsor or two for the project, nothing substantial but just to help with defraying some of the costs. If you're interested or would like to just promote some of your titles to voters, reach out to me at
THE REALLY CONFUSING TIMOTHY BUSFIELD STORY
As I reported yesterday, actor/director Timothy Busfield has been charged in New Mexico with two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and child abuse in an arrest warrant issued on January 9th.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the two victims are identified as SL, date of birth 09/11/2014, and the brother VL, date of birth 09/11/2014.
Here is the description of the charges:
On 11/1/2024, Officer Osborne was dispatched to 9020 Retablo Rd. NW in reference to the calle, identified as Dr. ‘Tyler Christensen of the University of New Mexico Hospital ("UNMH"), who was calling for a sexual abuse investigation.
Officer Osborn talked with Angele and Ronald, who advised that their children are child actors and had been on a television series called "The Cleaning Lady." A new director, identified as Timothy Busfield, joined the series and grew closer to the boys. It was reported that Timothy would tell his children to call him "Uncie Tim." Ronald and Angele told Officer Osborn that they both discovered that there were allegations against Timothy of sexual assault against both women and minors.
Ronald told Officer Osborn that there had been multiple rumors that Timothy had been "handsy” with women.
Angele informed Officer Osborn that she had asked their children, VL and SL, who were eleven years old at the time, if anyone had ever touched them in a manner that made them feel uncomfortable. The children responded by asking, "You mean like Uncle Tim?"
Ronald went 0a law firm that recommended the two take the children to UNMH, which they did. It was reported that while at UNM, the staff there advised that it appears the children were groomed. In reference to a CART exam, it was advised that they would reach out for a full CART exam.
Officer Osborn talked with both VL and SL, who did not disclose any sexual contact at this time. However, both boys advised that Timothy Busfield, whom they referred to as "Uncle Tim," would tickle them on the stomach and legs. Neither boy cared for the tickling.
‘Officer Osborn contacted Detective Michael Brown with the Crimes Against Children Unit and determined that the case did not meet their acceptance criteria at this time.
On 10/3/2025, Angele Lasalle reported to Child Protective Services, report # 2066819, that her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024. Angele advised that she filed a police report, but was initially told by law enforcement that, since Timothy had not physically touched the children, there was nothing they could do. Angele advised that her children were groomed and sexually abused by Timothy.
Angele advised that on 09/02/2025, SI. reported to his counselor that Timothy Busfield touched his penis and bottom.
Busfield Provides His Side Of The Story:
Investigators later interviewed Busfield and here are some of the notes from that interview:
I asked him if he knew the children who were on episode 11, season 2, and Timothy replied that the "show- runners" were let go. The creator of the show's option wasn't picked up, and the two boys were replaced by a ‘younger boy whom they auditioned. Timothy said that the parents had a problem with this.
Timothy said that in the Spring, he got a call from Warner Bros saying they were investigating a complaint.
‘Timothy said Warner Brothers, had an outside investigation through another firm, do an investigation. Timothy ‘was told there were complaints about him from the boys. Timothy acknowledged that the boys involved were SL and VL. Timothy said the investigation began in the spring of this year, around April.
‘Timothy told me the Lead actress, Eleodic Young, said the mother of SL and VL that she wanted revenge, and I'm going to get my revenge on Tim Busfield for not bringing her kids back for the final season.
“Timothy did describe a bedroom setting, along with a hospital setting with a bed or agumey for SL and VL to lie ‘on. This is consistent with the setting SL described in his Safe House interview.
‘Timothy advised that he had only directed SL and VL on the Pan American Freeway set in Albuquerque.
I did ask Timothy if he ever had any physical contact with these boys and if he ever picked them up and tickled them.
Timothy said it was highly likely that he would have. Timothy said it was a playful environment, like he wanted. However, Timothy said that the dad, Ronald, would make SL and VL hug him, and he didn't really want them to.
I did ask Timothy what the protocol was for touching children and picking them up and touching them? [also asked if that was allowed? Timothy initially said, "It's not allowed at all. There is no, there's no protocol. I mean, I'm always around people, right? Uh, ub, uh, it would be, it would be, you know, in front of the parents. There would never be a weird moment about it. I don' really remember picking those boys up. Uh, I remember picking up the boy who followed them. Id pick him up, and he'd be giggling, and that would sort of get him ready to act." ‘Timothy then stated, "I don't remember those boys. No, I don‘, I don't actually, I don't remember it it if it happened, I don't remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn't be uncommon for me."
“Timothy and his wife, Melissa, did tell me that before this, they did have a relationship with SL and VL and their family outside of work. They advised that they did buy the two boys Christmas gifts and were together on several social functions.
Actress Eleodie Yung declined to speak with investigators about the allegations and told them she would have nothing to tell them that would be helpful.
The Warner Bros. Internal Investigation:
Warner Bros. conducted an internal investigation and here are the results of that effort, which was led by Solomon Law's Christina McGovern:
On or about February 17, 2025, an anonymous complainant made a complaint through the SAG-AFTRA hotline about an incident that allegedly occurred on the set of The Cleaning Lady on December 16, 2024. According to the anonymous complainant, who claimed 10 have witnessed the incident in the Hair and Make-Up trailer, executive producer/director Tim Busfield entered and kissed a minor male on the face as the minor was getting a haircut. The anonymous complainant further alleged that there are pictures of Mr. Busfield, “tickling and caressing the head and body of minor boys.
Elodie Yung did talk with Christian and stated, “She was shocked when Mrs. Rodis said to her and her husband. that she did not like what this [her sons being terminated] brought out of her, but that she would get her revenge against Tim Busfield.”
Christina McGovern was not able to talk with anyone who would support evidence that Timothy Busfield engaged in this behavior.
Investigators later complained that when they attempted to interview other people on the set, including a hair and makeup person, they were told the employees feared retaliation from the studio and would be unable to continue to work in industry if they cooperated. A lawyer from Warner Bros. also spoke with investigators after they began reaching out to crew members, demanding that any requests for interviews go through the studio.
A Statement From A Crew Member:
Investigators were able to speak with Danielle Vigil, who was working on set with Timothy Busfield, doing hair and make- up. She told investigators that she had been contacted by attorneys working for Warner Bros. prior to the interview. She said that she knew that there was an investigation done by Warner Bros. regarding Busfield's misconduct with child actors.
Danielle told me that while she was working with two child actors, who replaced the twins, she witnessed Timothy ‘come into the trailer where she was working and kiss the two child actors on their foreheads. Danielle did say that both the children's parents were present at the time, but fel that the parents did not know the rules and etiquette.
Tasked Danielle if it was normal for this kind of conduct to occur, and she advised that it usually was not, and that a designated se teacher should be with the children for their safety. Danielle advised that the children were often left unsupervised by the designated set teacher.
Danielle said that everyone knew to avoid Timothy because he was creepy.
Previous Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct:
Other news reports have mentioned that Busfield had been accused of sexual misconduct on two previous occasions, but every trade seemed to limit their coverage of those events to a brief story that was reported by the Deseret News back in 1996.
However, after doing a bit of digging, I can flesh out both allegations a bit more than you've read elsewhere. Although I still have a number of questions.
The 1994 allegations center around the production of the film Little Big League. A 17-year-old female extra identified only as R.W. accused Busfield of sexual assault during the filming of the movie in 1993, when she was 16.
In her lawsuit, the young woman said that Busfield has invited her into his trailer on the set of the film, gave her beer, propositioned her, massaged her feet and fondled her.
Her lawsuit asked for at least $50,000 in damages.
The actor denied the charges and filed a countersuit against the Minneapolis law firm of Messerli & Kramer, accusing them of defamation.
Busfield later settled the lawsuit with R.W. Busfield's attorney, Mel Avanzado, said in a statement issued at the time announcing the deal that Busfield did not pay the teen any money as part of the settlement.
In 1996, a judge ordered Busfield to pay $150,000 to the law firm for legal costs after he lost his defamation suit against them.
The teen also sued former Minnesota Vikings player Keith Henderson, who had a role in Little Big League.
That lawsuit claimed Henderson assaulted her in a parking garage after she and a friend accepted a ride in his car.
Henderson was charged with criminal sexual conduct in March, 1994. He pled innocent to the charges, but was eventually convicted and sent to prison for six months.
But it is also worth noting that those charges were one of three filed against Henderson that year.
In a case filed in Minnesota, Henderson was charged with rape after a woman told police that Henderson followed her from a Bloomington, Minn., bar and restaurant where they met, forced her behind a building and raped her.
The 2012 allegations against Busfield are a bit more tenuous. From what I have been able to tell, a 28-year-old woman alleged that Busfield fondled her under her clothes at a movie theater in Los Angeles.” Busfield argued she consented and prosecutors declined to pursue a case due to "slim evidence."
So in the two previous cases, there is no clear-cut resolution to the allegations, so it is impossible to determine if these are any indicator of whether or not the current allegations may or may not be legitimate.
If you have any additional information you'd like to share confidentially, you can email me at
ODDS AND SODS:
* A new season of Belle Collective premieres Friday, February 13th on OWN. Here is the official logline for the season: "When the season begins, the women of Belle Collective face pivotal crossroads that will test their strength, relationships and resilience. Lateshia finds her marriage to Glen at a breaking point and makes the courageous decision to prioritize herself. Marie is also rocked by a devastating betrayal when she learns Cedric has been unfaithful. Meanwhile, Latrice and Cliff are riding high as their restaurant, Taste, emerges as Jackson’s hottest dining destination, but Latrice is soon forced to confront a serious health scare that threatens everything she has built. Selena’s long-awaited
* The docuseries The Coach Vick Experience premieres Wednesday, February 4th on BET. Here is the official logline for the series: "The Coach Vick Experience is an emotional, high-stakes docuseries that follows Michael Vick as he returns home to Virginia for the biggest challenge of his life — stepping in as a first-time head coach tasked with reigniting Norfolk State’s struggling football program. With the community and the season on the line, Coach Vick must learn the job in real time while building a team hungry for greatness. At its core, this is more than football - it’s a raw and inspiring look at what it takes to rebuild a program, a culture, and the belief that anything is possible."
I'M SURE EVERYTHING IS FINE
WHAT'S COMING TODAY AND TOMORROW
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH:
* Fear Factor: House Of Fear Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Hijack Season Two Premiere (Apple TV)
* Nature: The World Of Elephant Super Tuskers (PBS)
* Oshi No Ko (Crunchyroll)
* The Queen Of Flow (Netflix)
* Riot Women (Britbox)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH:
* Agatha Christie's Seven Dials Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Animal Control (Fox)
* Gangs Of London (AMC+)
* Going Dutch Season Two Premiere (Fox)
* Love Through A Prism Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Ponies Series Premiere (Peacock)
* Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Series Premiere (Paramount+)
* Stayer Series Premiere (Viaplay)
* The Upshaws (Netflix)
* To Love, To Lose Series Premiere (Netflix)
SEE YOU THURSDAY MORNING!