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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2020)
stars on screen We have lift-off HBO launches new Hugh Laurie space comedy By Michelle Rose TV Media We have lift-off: NASA has big plans for the new decade, including a return trip to the moon (the last moon landing was in 1972) with an eye toward a mission to Mars. But if this week is any indication, the 2020s may prove to be a big decade for space on small screens, too. While all sci-loving eyes are on Patrick Stewart and streamer CBS All Access this week — “Star Trek: Picard” debuts Thursday, Jan. 23 — HBO is also shooting for the stars but is aiming for laughter with its new space- themed series. “Avenue 5” premieres Sunday, Jan. 19. The series is set a few decades from now, when space tourism has taken off and fol- lowing an unprecedented era of space exploration. This one is more satire than sci- fi — think “Star Trek” meets “The Love Boat,” with hints of “Veep.” The action largely takes place on the titular cruise ship. And if the dialogue and humor remind you of the Julia Louis-Dreyfus comedy, there’s a good reason: former “Veep” showrunner Armando Iannucci is at the helm of “Avenue 5” off screen, while Hugh Laurie, who had a recurring guest role on “Veep,” is at the helm on screen. Laurie is best known for por- traying the cantankerous title character on the Fox medical drama, “House, M.D.” But his lengthy filmography provides ample proof of comedic chops that were honed (or suitably showcased) on classic Britcoms such as “Blackadder” and “Jeeves and Wooster,” to name a few. The actor stars as Ryan Clark, the captain of the luxury space cruise ship, which quickly ex- periences technical difficulties during its voyage. Clark and the rest of the staff — including Zach Woods (“The Office”) as the head of customer relations — struggle to keep passengers calm. Add an out-of-touch bil- lionaire (Josh Gad, better known 24 | Screentime Hugh Laurie stars in “Avenue 5” to parents as the voice of Olaf The series was a big hit in in the “Frozen” movies), and a Gadot’s native Israel, where boozy former astronaut (Ethan it’s known as “Malkot,” and a Phillips, aka Neelix in “Star Trek: second season will air this year. Voyager”), and the situation is The U.S. adaptation is still in the ripe with chaos and (hopefully) concept stage, so no word yet on comedy. its future home or a possible pre- miere date. But it’s a joint project Gadot’s TV gigs: Can’t get between Endemol Shine and enough of that “Wonder Woman Gadot’s production company, 1984” trailer? Currently in post- Pilot Wave, which she formed production, the film is due out in earlier last year with her produc- theaters on June 5. In the mean- ing partner and husband, Jaron time, Wonder Woman herself, Varsano. Both spouses will serve actress Gal Gadot, has been busy as executive producers. lining up future TV projects. Another TV project may not Gadot is teaming up with En- have a premiere date (or even a demol Shine to remake the crime title), either, but it does have a drama “Queens.” The original se- home: Gadot has signed on to ries is the story of the women of star in and produce a Showtime the Malka family, who are forced limited series about Hedy Lamarr to run the family business after a (“Samson and Delilah,” 1949). rival crime syndicate takes down Gadot will star as the Austrian- all the men in their family. born Hollywood icon. Lamarr was January 15, 2020 | East Oregonian and Hermiston Herald also a brilliant inventor — she helped pioneer technology that still plays a part in the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices of today. Sarah Treem, co-creator of “The Affair,” will serve as writer and execu- tive producer, along with Warren Littlefield (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Katie Robbins (“The Last Tycoon”), and, of course, Varsano. Richie recurring: ABC’s “Bless This Mess” is the story of a New York City couple who moved to a Nebraska farm without any prior farming experience or knowledge. And that “fish out of water” concept probably sounds familiar to Nicole Richie, whose “rich socialite on the farm” antics in “The Simple Life” made her a household name in the early to mid aughts. Today, Richie is a busy fash- ion designer, author, mom and producer whose acting credits include a series regular role on NBC’s “Great News.” But next month, she’ll be adding to her re- sume with a recurring guest spot on “Bless This Mess.” In a multi-episode arc, Richie will play Rio’s (Lake Bell, “Chil- drens Hospital”) NYC bestie, who “would probably tell you she’s from Brooklyn, but she’s a spoiled Upper-East-Sider through and through” (as reported by Deadline). Richie’s character is looking to get married at Mike (Dax Shepard, “The Ranch”) and Rio’s farm, which is described as “super rustic, kind of gross.” Last spring, it was announced that Richie had been cast as a series regular in “Richard Lovely” opposite “Seinfeld” alum Jason Alexander and “Just Shoot Me’s” Wendie Mallick. Fox has since passed on the comedy pilot, but it looks like Richie will next appear on streaming services in 2020. Look for the founder of House of Harlow 1960 to be part of the judging panel on Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn’s “Making the Cut” series, coming soon to Amazon. And Quibi has teamed up with Richie for the upcoming comedy series “Nikki Fre$h” (that’s the name of her rapper alter ego). The series will have a wellness and lifestyle theme, with Nikki Fre$h interacting with experts while using music to deliver socially conscious messaging. Richie and JAX Media will produce the series, with music overseen by Benji and Joel Madden’s MDDN (Joel has been married to Richie since 2010).
