“Marshals” Season 2 hits the ground running with Kayce on the move to try to get back his kidnapped son. On top of the breakneck pace of the sophomore season, it also boasts the return of one of the fan-favorite “Yellowstone” characters. For fans who have been missing Jimmy, you have much to look forward to when the CBS hit starts airing again.

Here’s everything you need to know about where and when to tune in for the second season of CBS’ “Marshals.”

When is the “Marshals” Season 2 premiere date?

“Marshals” Season 2 premieres on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 8:30 ET/7:30 CT.

Where can I watch “Marshals” Season 2?

“Marshals” premieres on Sunday nights on CBS and streams on Paramount+ the next day.

Are episodes released weekly or all at once?

The second season of “Marshals” has a weekly release as most of the “Yellowstone” spinoffs do. Here is the full rundown of when to expect episodes from the first half of the season:

• Episode 1 – Oct. 4
• Episode 2 – Oct. 11
• Episode 3 – Oct. 18
• Episode 4 – Oct. 25
• Episode 5 – Nov. 1
• Episode 6 – Nov. 8
• Episode 7 – Nov. 15
• Episode 8 – Nov. 22

Those are the release dates for the first half of the season. The dates for episodes 9-18 have yet to be announced but they’ll be landing in 2027.

What is “Marshals” Season 2 about?

The second season of the “Yellowstone” picks up right after the Season 1 cliffhanger. Kayce is forced to go rogue from the marshal service to go after his son Tate who has been taken by a criminal organization that is making larger moves across Montana.

Who is in “Marshals” Season 2?

“Marshals” again stars Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton. He is joined by Logan Marshall-Green, Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, Tatanka Means, Brecken Merrill, Mo Brings Plenty, Gil Birmingham.

Joining the show for the second season is former “Yellowstone” favorite Jefferson White – who played Jimmy in the original series.

The post ‘Marshals’ Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Air? appeared first on TheWrap.

It all kicks off on Sunday, with the return of “Marshals” and “Tracker.” Though the bulk of the networks Fall slate is made up of returners, there are also three brand new series premiering as well. That includes “Eternally Yours,” a new vampire comedy from the creators of “Ghosts” — perfectly timed for the beginning of the Halloween season.

Here are all the shows debuting or returning during CBS Premiere Week.

Marshals

Airs on Sundays

“Marshals” returns for its second season on Sunday, October 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The series follows Luke Grimes reprising his role as Kayce Dutton from “Yellowstone,” as he joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana.

In season 2, Jefferson White will reprise his role as fan-favorite Jimmy Hurdstrom, “a good-hearted yet rough-around-the-edges ranch hand who evolved from a troubled criminal into a resilient, proud cowboy,” in a recurring role.

“Marshals” will return to its typical 8 p.m. ET time slot on October 11.

Tracker

Airs Sundays

Immediately following “Marshals” is the Season 4 premiere of “Tracker,” starring Justin Hartley. In the first episode of the season, “Colter’s search for a teenage boy’s missing father leads him to a dangerous criminal operation at the Port of Los Angeles.”

“Tracker” returns to its 9 p.m. ET time slot on October 11.

FBI

Airs Mondays

“FBI” returns for Season 9 on Monday, October 5 at 8 p.m. ET. Per the official logline of the premiere episode: “After a young traveler is found shot dead in a state park, the team discovers she was witness to an execution of a person involved in a top-secret government-sponsored project. Meanwhile, Maggie struggles to bond with her new partner, Isaiah Green (played by Roland Buck III), and OA adjusts to a new role.”

CIA

Airs Mondays

“CIA” is the next branch of televised government to return on Monday, kicking off Season 2 at 9 p.m. ET. In the episode, “When a known cartel fixer arrives in N.Y.C., the team tracks him down and discovers the body of a DEA agent. After it becomes clear the case is not what it seems, the team must work quickly to prevent additional murders. Meanwhile, Bill makes a shocking discovery when he returns to work after the death of his father and the team enlists the help of FBI Special Agent Stuart Scola (John Boyd).”

Harlan Coben’s Final Twist

Airs Mondays

“Harlan Coben’s Final Twist” rounds out CBS Mondays, returning to start Season 2 at 10 p.m. ET.

“When church-going mother Betsy Faria is found stabbed to death in her quiet Missouri home, police initially suspect suicide … she’d tried it before,” the synopsis teases. “But multiple stab wounds and the surrounding evidence point to her husband. It seems like an open-and-shut case: trial, conviction, done. But then, more dead bodies and strange twists lead back to Betsy’s murder … unraveling a story everyone thought they understood.”

NCIS

Airs Tuesdays

“NCIS” is the veteran kicking off Tuesdays for CBS this fall, as it returns for Season 24 on October 6 at 8 p.m. ET. The premiere is also bringing back a familiar face for fans.

“While dealing with the fallout from the shooting involving McGee’s son, the team investigates a mysterious new threat to the Secretary of the Navy and receives help from an unexpected source: Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), newly arrived in D.C. to open a satellite office of his private security firm.”

NCIS: New York

Airs Tuesdays

Next up on Tuesdays is a new “NCIS” spinoff, “NCIS: New York,” premiering October 6 at 9 p.m. ET.

In this series, Special Agent Sam Hanna (LL COOL J) returns to his hometown of New York City. When his friend and Navy reservist Jack Halloway is found dead, he requests permission to investigate. Sam gets paired “with roguish agent Nick Schaeffer (Scott Caan), who introduces him to the rest of the team: clean-cut Wyatt Sellers (Shane Harper), bright-eyed Addy Ross (Jacqueline Byers) and hacker-turned-computer guy Sean Sullivan (Devin Druid). As the team investigates Jack’s death, they work together to gather key information that can help find the culprits.”

NCIS: Origins

Airs Tuesdays

Rounding out “NCIS” Tuesdays is the Season 3 premiere of “NCIS: Origins” at 10 p.m. ET. In the premiere, fans will do a bit of time jumping back and forth.

“In the present day, ghosts from Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) past finally catch up to him, shattering his peaceful retirement in Alaska,” the logline teases. “In 1992, the team races to rescue a kidnapped Randy (Caleb Foote) while Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and Lala (Mariel Molino) deal with the aftermath of their kiss.”

Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage

Airs Thursdays

On Thursday, October 8, the “Big Bang Theory” universe returns to broadcast once more, with the Season 3 premiere of “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.”

Fans will see a bit of family feuding in the premiere, as Georgie fights with Mary — and “tensions rise when Mandy and the family side against Georgie.” Meanwhile, Connor turns to Georgie when he gets himself into trouble.

Eternally Yours

Airs Thursdays

At 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, spooky season kicks off on CBS with the series premiere of “Eternally Yours.”

From the creators of “Ghosts,” this series centers on a pair of vampires who got married hundreds of years ago, only to realize that “eternity” is a really long time to be with someone. Fortunately, they have their coven, but problems arise when they meet their daughter’s new boyfriend.

Elsbeth

Airs Thursdays

Next up on Thursdays is the Season 4 return of “Elsbeth” at 9 p.m. ET. Here’s what to expect in the season premiere: “Elsbeth crosses paths with renowned marriage counselor Serena Collyer (Nicole Scherzinger), whose cool demeanor hides a murderous and messy passion. Also, Teddy sets a wedding date.”

Cupertino

Airs Thursdays

Thursdays are getting a double dose of newcomers, as the series premiere of “Cupertino” airs at 10 p.m. ET.

The series stars stars Mike Colter and Rachel Keller as lawyers Michael Price and Olivia Siffre, who are wrongfully terminated from a tech start-up, and team up to start their own law firm. Together, they “represent those taken advantage of by the tech elite and fight back in a high-stakes battle against the Goliaths of Silicon Valley.”

Sheriff Country

Airs Fridays

CBS Fridays kick off at 8 p.m. ET with the Season 2 premiere of “Sheriff Country,” starring Morena Baccarin. The premiere also brings her real-life husband Ben Mackenzie as a guest star.

“As Sheriff Mickey Fox struggles to process a shocking revelation about her family, she races to save a troubled young woman whose descent into a dangerous criminal operation uncovers a growing threat to all of Edgewater,” the synopsis says. “Ben McKenzie guest stars as Sheriff Wade, a neighboring sheriff who is called in to assist Sheriff Mickey, and has a few secrets of his own.”

Fire Country

Airs Fridays

“Fire Country” returns October 9 as well, kicking off Season 5 at 9 p.m. ET.

Per the synopsis: “As Edgewater celebrates its annual Founders’ Day festival, a catastrophic sinkhole opens beneath Main Street, trapping residents underground and forcing Station 42 into a high-stakes rescue. Meanwhile, a mysterious former firefighter arrives in Edgewater.”

Boston Blue

Airs Fridays

Fridays finish up with “Boston Blue,” kicking off Season 2 at 10 p.m. ET.

To start the season, Danny and Lena must race to stop a copycat killer emulating the Boston Strangler: “As panic grips the city, Jonah and Sean, fresh off their rookie year, as well as Henry Reagan, jump in to help Danny and Lena track down and arrest the killer. Also, Danny faces a career-defining promotion while Lena uncovers a lead that could link the attack on Detective Rodgers to a powerful figure.”

48 Hours

Airs Saturdays

Rounding out the Fall slate over on CBS is “48 Hours,” which returns for season 39 on Saturday, October 10, at 10 p.m. ET. The series takes true crime fans into real cases and investigations, and uncovers real secrets.

The post All 16 CBS Shows Premiering This Week appeared first on TheWrap.

Johnson kicked off her “SNL” run this week with a joke about her failed 2024 superhero movie “Madame Web,” which she remarked she is still promoting because “it hasn’t made any money yet.” Afterward, the actress reflected on the other turns her life has taken since she last hosted “SNL.”

“I went through two very public, very lame breakups with two very awesome musicians. Looking for a third,” Johnson joked, referencing her splits from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Role Model singer-songwriter Tucker Pillsbury. While she vowed not to talk anymore about her personal life, Johnson’s monologue was derailed again after she noted that her new movie, “Verity,” is a psychosexual erotic thriller.

“So is dating musicians. Some of them don’t wear shoes. Some of them are terrible in bed. But all of them are in my DMs,” Johnson said. “Some people leave concerts with merch, and I leave concerts with a two-and-a-half year relationship.” Thankfully, Johnson said she has “good friends” who do not judge her for her dating choices.

Enter: Swift, whom Johnson called her “literal therapist,” much to the former’s discomfort. “I’m not your therapist, actually. You just show up once a week at my house with an empty bottle of wine and ask if I want some,” Swift said.

You can watch Johnson’s “SNL” monologue below.

Dakota Johnson’s monologue! https://t.co/ZxOi5zVZLF

— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) October 4, 2026

Johnson argued that she shows up at Swift’s house because she has “manners,” but the “Patient Zero” singer-songwriter did not see it the same way.

“You plop on my couch and overshare, and every so often I just say, ‘Damn, that’s crazy,'” Swift explained. “And then I give you a pedialyte and my security drives you home.” Johnson, for her part, defended her taste in musicians as a “public service,” while Swift stood supportively next to her.

“I think actually I’m doing a public service by dating them because, ladies, I am saving you a lot of money on Zoloft,” Johnson said. “So you’re welcome, America… and also England and parts of Ireland and Cleveland, apparently.”

Swift’s appearance on “SNL” this week comes less than a week after she debuted the music video for “Patient Zero,” one of four “encore” deluxe tracks she released last week tied to her 2025 album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Johnson starred in the “Patient Zero” music video as the current partner of a toxic man (Colin Farrell) who used to be with Swift’s ghostly character.

As part of the music video’s release, Johnson also presented Swift at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards last Sunday night with the show’s inaugural Artist Directors Honors prize.

The post Taylor Swift Interrupts Dakota Johnson’s ‘SNL’ Monologue With Breakup Advice appeared first on TheWrap.

Two members of the Republican National Committee (“SNL” stars Ashley Padilla and Andrew Dismukes) noted at the top of the segment that the midterms are “looking bleak” for the GOP this year. It was with that in mind that they brought in Hernández’s Rubio, urging him to record a message convincing voters to back Republicans this year. Unfortunately, the Secretary of State just used his time to tell voters in Spanish that Trump “tricked” him into the Iran War.

A wheelchair-bound Mitch McConnell (Mikey Day) was not much help, either. All the Kentucky senator could muster was a slowly raised peace sign before he was wheeled out of the room again. Jost’s Hegseth then came in moments later with a can of Tom Holland’s “non-alcoholic b–h beer” to call on Republican voters in a manner only he could.

“I need all you patriots at home to do the gayest thing ever and vote,” Hegseth said, bragging, “I’m putting God back in war, and it’s working. Our soldiers are praying a lot more than they used to. I’m always hearing them say, ‘Dear God, why?'” Moving on, the Defense Secretary dished out some “weird slam poetry” urging everyday Republicans to show up at the polls this fall.

“No weak, no woke, no DEI, no guy-on-guy,” Jost’s Hegseth rhymed. “No weirdos, no beardos, no Jills who became Joes. In conclusion: Vote, I guess.”

You can check out tonight’s “SNL” cold open below.

the Republican National Committee takes on midterm ad campaigns https://t.co/6xn5F75XT1

— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) October 4, 2026

After Jost’s Hegseth made his exit, it was time for Johnson’s Trump to have his turn in the spotlight. The president began his message to voters by assuring them that his promise to give every American $5,000 if Republicans win the House and Senate this fall is “not a bribe” because he has “no intention of following through on that promise.”

“Just pretend I’m on the ballot, OK? You have to use something called imagination. Imagination makes a MAGA Nation,” Trump said. “What a hellhole this country is! It’s full of awful people. So I know it’s hard, but please vote for Republicans, OK? And yes, that includes creepy Ken Paxton down there in Texas.”

Padilla and Dismukes’ RNC workers concluded the segment by asking Trump to record a victory message in case Republicans emerge victorious in the midterms. The president obliged, telling the camera, “We did it! We won! Nobody has ever won so much before!”

In a nod to the MAGA faction’s many, ongoing election fraud claims, Trump again turned to the camera when asked to record an alternate message in case Republicans lose this year and repeated, “We did it! We won!”

The post ‘SNL’ Cold Open: Trump, Rubio and Hegseth Beg Republican Voters for Help Ahead of ‘Bleak’ Midterms appeared first on TheWrap.

Here are the best new movies and shows streaming this weekend.

“Sacrifice” Season 2 (Paramount+)

It has been nearly five years since the first season of “Sacrifice,” creator Chris Stokes’ thriller about an entertainment lawyer (Paula Patton) navigating the tumultuous lives of her rich and famous Hollywood clients, aired on BET+. Nonetheless, the series has made its return this week on Paramount+.

The 10-episode second season of “Sacrifice” premiered Wednesday on the streaming service, catching viewers back up with Patton’s Daniella Hernandez as she fights to rebuild Blackgammon Records and protect her family’s legacy. If you were a fan of “Sacrifice” Season 1, you might want to add its second season to your watchlist this week.

“East of Eden” (Netflix)

One of this fall’s biggest streaming premieres has finally arrived. Creator Zoe Kazan’s ambitious, seven-part adaptation of John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” premiered in its entirety Thursday on Netflix. Starring Florence Pugh as the ruthless Cathy Ames, the limited series brings the multigenerational story of the Trask family to life with patience and grace at every turn.

Anchored by Pugh’s ferocious lead performance, which ranks high as one of the best she has ever given, “East of Eden” has quickly emerged as one of the must-see shows of the fall TV season. You would be wise to make some time for it.

“Coven Academy” (Disney+)

Disney+ and Hulu have kicked off October with some witchy fun in the form of “Coven Academy.” Created by “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” creator Tim Federle, the new supernatural dramedy follows a trio of teenage witches-in-training in New Orleans as they work toward protecting their city from the threat of dangerous and ancient forces.

Boasting the exact kind of lightly spooky YA vibes that could make it a perfect early October binge-watch, “Coven Academy” is airing its episodes weekly on Freeform. However, the series dropped its complete, 10-episode first season Friday on Disney+ and Hulu, which means those interested have the opportunity to dive headfirst into “Coven Academy,” if they so choose.

“War” Season 1 (HBO Max)

“War,” HBO and Sky UK’s latest co-production, arrived this week in the U.S. on HBO and HBO Max. Created by “Lupin” and “Hijack” co-creator George Kay, the star-studded new anthology drama’s debut season follows the lawyers of two prestigious London law firms as they battle over a case involving the contentious divorce between a powerful tech entrepreneur (Dominic West) and his movie star wife (Sienna Miller).

A second season of “War” has already been ordered starring Marisa Tomei and “Lanterns” scene-stealer Kelly Macdonald, which means new viewers do not have to worry about the series going away anytime soon. Its first episode is streaming now on HBO Max. The remaining seven chapters of its first season will follow one at a time every week through Thursday, Nov. 19.

“Adventure Time: Side Quests” Season 2 (Hulu)

“Adventure Time: Side Quests,” Nate Cash’s soft reboot of the “Adventure Time” franchise, is back just four months after it made its debut on Disney+ and Hulu. When it premiered in late June, the series took viewers back to the early years of the “Adventure Time” story, catching up with Finn the Human during his childhood and exploring how him and his magical dog, Jake the Dog, became so close.

Now, “Adventure Time: Side Quests” Season 2 promises to continue following its lead duo as they embark on more adventures across the fantastical land of Ooo. All 20 of the season’s episodes are streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu.

“Tip Toe” (Starz)

“A Very English Scandal” and “Doctor Who” writer Russell T Davies has returned this week with “Tip Toe.” A psychological thriller set in contemporary Britain, the limited series follows two next-door neighbors, a gay bar owner (Alan Cumming) and an electrician (David Morrissey), who become deadly enemies, thanks to a combination of lingering resentments, tightly held secrets and the kind of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that has begun to seep into the internet and contemporary politics again.

The series’ first episode premieres Friday on Starz, just four months after the five-part drama made its U.K. debut this past summer.

“Kill Jackie” (AMC+)

Based on author Nick Harkaway’s novel, “The Price You Pay,” AMC+’s “Kill Jackie” follows its eponymous heroine (Catherine Zeta-Jones) as her former life as an international drug smuggler catches back up to her when she discovers that the world’s most dangerous hitmen have been hired to kill her.

Co-starring Ron Perlman and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” scene-stealer Daniel Ings, “Kill Jackie” promises to be a propulsive, violent, twisty and potentially addictive crime thriller. The limited series’ first episode premieres Friday exclusively on AMC+. Its remaining seven episodes will follow suit, premiering one at a time every Friday.

“Get Jiro” Season 1 (HBO Max)

“Get Jiro” has the potential to be one of this fall’s best new animated series. Based on Joel Rose and the late Anthony Bourdain’s acclaimed graphic novel of the same name, “Get Jiro” is set in a post-apocalyptic, near-future Los Angeles where the world’s most powerful figures happen to be chefs. The series follows a mysterious sushi chef (voiced by Brian Tee) as he embarks on a quest for vengeance in a world where food is both currency and a marker of one’s class.

Developed by Alessandro Tanaka and Brian Gatewood, “Get Jiro” premieres Saturday, Oct. 3 on Adult Swim and arrives the next day on HBO Max. If you were a fan of the original graphic novel or just find yourself in the mood for an action-packed new animated series, you may want to put “Get Jiro” on your radar.

The post 8 Best New Movies and Shows to Stream This Weekend on Netflix, HBO Max and More appeared first on TheWrap.

“It’s awesome down there. It’s quiet. There’s no Citi Bikes. As the people of Brooklyn know, the rents are slightly cheaper down there,” Stewart told Kimmel. “The only downside is, down in the sewers, (Rudy) Giuliani is still mayor.”

Kimmel, who brought his late-night show to Brooklyn for the week, had been discussing local outlets’ coverage of a pattern of masked suspects with headlamps and crowbars being caught by surveillance cameras exiting manholes across the boroughs.

“I was going to go back down there. I’ve got Mets tickets for tonight,” Stewart continued, before drawing a groan from the audience of locals. “They’ve been playing in the sewer all year.”

Stewart recently returned for his third season as a rotating host on “The Daily Show,” after returning to the program in 2024. The series returned to Comedy Central in early September, following its regular summer hiatus. Stewart’s current contract with the network has him tenured with the show until the end of the year.

Kimmel’s guests on Friday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” included Paul McCartney, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and a musical performance by Goose. Other guests during his week broadcasting across the country included New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Pete Davidson, Howard Stern and fellow late-night hosts John Oliver and Seth Meyers.

The post Jon Stewart Crashes ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ as NYC Sewer Scavenger: ‘Giuliani Is Still Mayor’ Down There appeared first on TheWrap.

The comedian touched on the merger during Friday’s monologue on “Real Time With Bill Maher,” where he pondered his fate and who, exactly, he would report to.

“Hey, finally, big news for us. And when I say us, I mean you people who are here every week with me,” Maher said at the end of his Friday night remarks. “The merger went through. You know that Paramount now owns Warner Discovery, which owns HBO, which owns my ass. So I am owned by – I don’t know.”

As he went on, Maher made one request for HBO’s new owners, noting, “You know what? Whoever owns me now, don’t believe what Trump is tweeting about me.”

Maher then called out Trump’s latest Truth Social rant about him. For those who missed it, Trump wrote on Monday, “Bill Maher’s ratings are so low that it is hard to believe his show can continue. In many ways it’s SAD because, in actuality, I like him. Republicans should stop using him as a sounding board, however. It makes them look sooo weak and foolish!”

Maher assured that he was not rattled by the president’s latest jabs, informing his audience: “You know, Mr. President, your insults don’t bother me. Make up whatever s–t you want about me. Just don’t mention I went to Cornell.”

Maher, who attended the Ivy league institution in the mid-’70s, brought up his alma mater as it faces scrutiny for their handling of an alleged gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024.

As for the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, updates have been pouring in after Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín approved Paramount’s settlement with 12 state attorneys general on Wednesday– which put the $110 billion merger on track to close next week. Since then, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz has joined David Ellison’s company as co-CEO, CNN CEO Mark Thompson is slated to stay on at the newly merged company and Warner film chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy departed their roles.

On Friday, Ellison confirmed that the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. would be called Skydance moving forward.

“Paramount and Warner Bros. shaped over a century of culture. By combining them, we aren’t rewriting history — we’re equipping these iconic studios with a more powerful engine,” he shared Friday morning. “Together, we are Skydance: a creative-first home for bold, quality storytelling.”

“We chose this name for a few important reasons. First and foremost, as we bring Paramount and Warner Bros. together, we wanted to preserve what has made each of these studios iconic. Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations,” he continued in his statement. “We never wanted a new corporate identity to diminish, alter or overshadow either one. Instead, we wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. — and all our extraordinary brands — to remain in the spotlight.”

The post Bill Maher Sends a Message to New Skydance Bosses Ahead of Merger Closing – and It’s About Trump appeared first on TheWrap.

During an appearance on “Clock It with Symone and Eugene,” the MS NOW host warned that the quiet behavior may be more dangerous than the loud attacks.

“They’re learning, too,” Maddow said. “They realized that when they make a big show of force, when they come in and almost literally mount a military assault on an American city, you can count on that city to fight back.”

Maddow said that she had reported on her show that when immigration directly affects Americans at home they do not go quietly. She mentioned that a community in rural Louisiana complained that they could not support the Trump administration building a detainment center for immigrants in their community.

“The quieter they keep it, they are thinking the less push back they get, and they’re probably right about that,” Maddow said. “But the American people whenever they can figure out this is happening…they push back.”

“Quiet doesn’t mean small,” Symone Sanders-Townsend replied. “It doesn’t mean harmless.”

The podcast host pointed to the fact that the Trump administration’s immigration arrests have not slowed despite less news coverage on them. She cited a New York Times report that stated there were more than 43,000 ICE arrests in June and more than 49,000 in July and nearly 51,000 in August.

She noted that the administration is rapidly expanding their immigration raids, but it may take some time before Americans realize what has been done.

Maddow replied that Americans will soon realize Trump’s promise that life would improve in the U.S. once immigrants were gone was a fantasy the administration could not deliver on.

“They told us a white supremacist fantasy…and [said] everything was going to get better for everybody,” she said. “Everything’s getting worse.”

The post Rachel Maddow Says Trump Admin Moving in the Shadows Is Scarier Than Earlier Term Violence appeared first on TheWrap.

“Truly, [‘The Swan’] traumatized all of us,” Carr told TheWrap.

Though “The Swan” only ran for two seasons, it left an ugly mark on television. The series first premiered on Fox in 2004 at the height of the body modification-obsessed era of reality TV, a period of time that was home to shows like “America’s Next Top Model” and “The Biggest Loser.” Even compared to those series, “The Swan” was extreme. Each season took 16 self-proclaimed “ugly ducklings” and promised to transform them into “beautiful swans,” putting them on plans that included extensive plastic surgery, dental work, fat loss surgery and a grueling workout plan. Over the course of three months — a shockingly short amount of time considering the physical pressures put on these contestants — these women transformed themselves, living in a controlled environment without mirrors and relying on the show’s therapist; its life coach, executive producer Nely Galán; and each other. These still-recovering women were then pitted against each other in a beauty pageant.

Even in the early 2000s, the show was heavily criticized for promoting negative body images for women and for the shocking measures its contestants were forced to take. Still, the too-shocking-to-skip series averaged 9 million viewers an episode in its first season.

“I think in the wake of the ‘America’s Next Top Model’ documentary [‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’], there was extremely high interest in the subject matter, and the women had already been waiting for 22 years,” Carr said about making the documentary. “It really was about making sure that this felt like it was in the zeitgeist. Of course, it could be in the zeitgeist in six months. But now feels like a perfect time. It’s a confluence of all these different things happening, and it’s time to tell the story of ‘The Swan.'”

Expectation TV, the production company behind the film, had been working on what would become “Behind the Mirror” for years before Carr was ever brought on board. Known for her deeply emotional and thought-provoking documentary work, Carr wanted to ensure that her telling of “The Swan” didn’t focus just on the producers or the cultural impact of this series but instead on the actual contestants.

“It was about fostering the relationships with these beautiful people, these women, to create an emotionally expansive dynamic inside the film,” Carr explained. “There have been shows about reality shows — some extremely successful ones — but they’ve often been from the viewpoint of the producers. Sometimes women’s stories are siloed to one thing. So for this, I had a huge, deep feeling that was like, I don’t want to come and do exactly what the show did to them. I was really lucky to work with Beth, who didn’t make me pick four people but allowed us and the producers to really tell each story.”

That care for the contestants’ stories translated to how each former “Swan” was interviewed and styled for the documentary. One of the most traumatizing aspects of the original Fox reality show were the interviews. While these women were healing from surgery and away from their friends and families, producers would probe them with invasive questions in the hopes of eliciting a reaction. At one point, Season 2 contestant Dore Weber reveals that a cameraperson asked her about her infertility struggles while she was reading a letter from her sister, who just had a baby.

These sorts of invasive questions were par for the course on “The Swan,” a show that described getting a contestant to cry onscreen as the “money shot.” That’s why Carr was especially careful to make sure each contestant felt like they had agency in “Behind the Mirror.”

“Before every interview, I sat at the feet of each of the Swans, and I said, ‘There is a societal thing where women feel like they have to answer questions when they’re posed to them. You don’t have to. This isn’t a reality show … I am giving you the power in this to talk about what you think is important,'” Carr said.

“Behind the Mirror” also had a large female crew, a decision that Carr believes helped construct a safe environment for her documentary subjects. Each woman was even given her own walk-on song.

“I recommend this for every documentary filmmaker who’s dealing with somebody who’s in trauma. You pick your favorite song, we play it in the speakers and everybody claps,” she said. “I want to make you feel like a rock star — confident, cool, listened to — and that’s how we did it, which was so fun. I’d never done that before.”

That care even translated into the styling of the Swans. As the film explores, “The Swan” did not take the preferences of its contestants into consideration before giving them extensive, nearly permanent makeovers. Season 1 contestant Tawnya Cooke speculates in the documentary that she wasn’t pushed through to the pageant because she refused to get a nose job. Season 2 contestant Kari Bravata admits that she didn’t recognize herself when she was finally allowed to look in a mirror. It was only after she took off the makeup, dress and hair extensions that she saw herself again. Even more horrifying, Bravata experienced several complications after her image-changing surgeries.

“I communicated that this wasn’t supposed to be a super made up, overdone thing. Let’s try to keep it as naturalistic as possible. But also, if you want to go crazy, go crazy,” Car said, noting that the makeup artist for the film — Devan Underwood — is “one of the best makeup artists I know.” Carr also asked the women to bring multiple outfits and planned the curtain behind them based on which curtain went best with which woman and outfit. The producers for “The Swan” weren’t given that luxury.

“I don’t know if you caught this, but I put all the producers in front of a red curtain because they had done that to the women,” Carr said.

That stark contrast between the contestants vs. the producers and onscreen talent is another theme woven throughout “Behind the Mirror.” At one point, Dr. Randal Haworth, one of the plastic surgeons in “The Swan,” refers to himself as “a plumber,” implying that he saw the pre-surgery women were toilets. Later in the movie, producer Carl Buehl becomes emotional when a woman is crowned the pageant winner and declares, “That’s why we do shows like that.” His awestruck comment comes after multiple contestants have detailed how they feel victimized by “The Swan.”

“If you sit for an interview with me, I have enormous gratitude because it is so easy to say no,” Carr said. “I think everybody I interviewed felt some deep conflict about [‘The Swan’] at times. There was Jenna [Baker, a producer], who’s a very matter-of-fact person. She said they had 1% choice in terms of what happened, and she didn’t think that was fair. I don’t think she would have done a third season of it.”

As much as “Behind the Mirror” may be remembered for its shocking revelations, it’s the documentary’s ending that will stick with Carr. The doc ends with a reunion between several former contestants. Even after more than an hour spent watching these women detail how traumatizing it was to be on “The Swan,” many of them confidently say that, if given the choice, they would do it all over again. That’s because this reality show led to them meeting each other.

“I am obsessed with this film because I finally got a happy ending. All my films are so sad,” Carr said, referring to works like “Murdaugh: Death in the Family” or “I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth V. Michelle Carter.” “I don’t think I could be happier. It almost doesn’t ever even matter [how it’s received]. Sometimes it matters so much what audiences feel about this. But for me, I did right by the women, and that’s what we can’t lose as documentarians. It’s such a fine line between journalism and documentarian, but I don’t want to have people go through their trauma and leave them with more trauma.”

Carr also hopes this film will put to rest the question that’s haunted the contestants of “The Swan” for decades: Why would you do this?

“This story is for anybody who has felt like they don’t like the skin they’re in,” she said. “What I needed to do with this film — and I hope we were successful — is answer the why. Somebody comes into your life and says, ‘You don’t feel good about yourself? We can change everything. We’ll get you a nutritionist. We’ll get you a therapist. We’ll get you a trainer. We’ll do the plastic surgery that you want.’ And it was the advent of reality TV. People didn’t know how human beings were treated in reality TV at the time.

“I needed to answer the question: Have you ever felt bad about your body? Imagine someone came to you with a golden ticket, and instead of that happening, this happened,” Carr said.

The post ‘The Swan: Behind the Mirror’ Director Explains How She Found a Beautiful Story Inside a Traumatizing Show appeared first on TheWrap.

Warner Bros. TV, CBS Studios and Paramount Television Studios will now fall under his jurisdiction. Cheeks currently serves as chair of TV Media at Paramount, reporting to CEO David Ellison.

Cheeks already oversees CBS Studios, along with network CBS and cable operations like BET, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, among others. Under the restructuring, Warner Bros. Television chairman and CEO Channing Dungey and Paramount Television’s president Matt Thunell are expected to both stay on and report to Cheeks, along with CBS Studios president David Stapf.

A Paramount spokesperons declined to comment to TheWrap.

This move could lend itself to future consolidation. Warner Bros. TV is historically the largest independent TV studio, but it has rolled back its production on broadcast hits, leaving that to the networks to produce in house. It remains unclear whether or not that would change as the company integrates itself with CBS.

CBS Studios is known for producing network shows like the “NCIS” and “Fire Country” franchises as well as “Matlock” and “Ghosts.” WBTV recent hits include “The Pitt,” “Ted Lasso” and the breakout debuts of “Rooster” and “Stuart Fails To Save the Universe.”

Paramount TV currently produces the entire Taylor Sheridan universe for Paramount+. Shows include “Reacher,” “Neagley” and “Lioness.”

This follows a similar executive structure as the newly formed Skydance has on the movie studio side. Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures both fall under Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg as Skydance’s movie studios. And with Cindy Holland out at Paramount as of Tuesday, the space is open for Casey Bloys to run both HBO Max and Paramount+ on the streaming side.

The post Skydance Lumps Paramount-Warner Bros. TV Studios Under George Cheeks appeared first on TheWrap.