Ending ‘Real’ soon
‘Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel’ wraps its run
Ending ‘Real’ soon: After being part of HBO’s lineup for nearly 30 years, the premium cabler’s longest-running show, “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel,” is officially coming to an end.
Deadline was the first to break the news that the investigative sports series, which Gumbel launched back in 1995 while cohosting NBC’s “Today,” is set to wrap after its current season.
“Since Day 1 at ‘Real Sports,’ we’ve consistently tried to look beyond the scoreboard, and focus instead on the many societal issues inherent in the world of sports,” Gumbel said in a statement. “In the process, we’ve had the opportunity to tell complex stories about race, gender, class, opportunity and so much more. Being able to do so at HBO for almost three decades has been very gratifying. I’m proud of the imprint we’ve made, so I’m ready to turn the page. Although goodbyes are never easy, I’ve decided that now’s the time to move on.”
Hailed for providing critical coverage of issues impacting the world of sports, “Real Sports” has run for more than 300 episodes and is, to date, the recipient of three George Foster Peabody Awards and 37 Sports Emmy Awards. It has featured a number of prominent correspondents over the years, though it remains forever associated with its host, who was honored with a lifetime achievement award during the 44th Sports Emmy Awards held this past May.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Gumbel had been quietly considering ending “Real Sports” for some time, though he has continued to fulfil the hosting duties while being “deeply involved” in the show’s editorial direction.
“For 29 seasons, ‘Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel’ has delivered a masterclass in sports storytelling, garnering 37 Sports Emmy Awards and three Peabody awards in the process,” Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, said in a statement. “As the longest-running HBO series, Bryant and his ‘Real Sports’ team have long been a cornerstone of HBO programming. The series will continue to resonate in the realm of sports journalism, and we are so proud to have been part of such a remarkable odyssey.”
‘Lawmen’ on its way:
From “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, the long-awaited western epic series “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” finally has an official premiere date: Nov. 5 on the Paramount+ streaming service.
Starring award-winning actor David Oyelowo (“Selma,” 2014), the series “follows the journey of Reeves (Oyelowo) and his rise from enslavement to law enforcement as the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. Despite arresting over 3,000 outlaws during the course of his career, the weight of the badge was heavy, and he wrestled with its moral and spiritual cost to his beloved family” (per the official synopsis).
The series has been in development since 2021 and was ordered to series the following spring, with filming taking place in North Texas during the first half of this year.
Given that the program has adopted an anthology format, viewers can expect Reeves’ story to be largely limited to this first season, and any subsequent seasons would likely focus on other famous lawmen — as suggested by the “Lawmen” (plural) title.
“Lawmen: Bass Reeves” also stars Lauren E. Banks (“City on a Hill”), Dennis Quaid (“On a Wing and a Prayer,” 2023), Demi Singleton (“King Richard,” 2021), Forrest Goodluck (“The Revenant,” 2015), Barry Pepper (“True Grit,” 2010), Donald Sutherland (“Mr. Harrigan’s Phone,” 2022), and more.
‘We’re Here’ hosts:
The HBO drag makeover docuseries “We’re Here” will introduce a new set of hosts when it returns for a fourth season.
After leading the show through its first three seasons and to two big Emmy wins, Bob the Drag Queen, Shangela and Eureka have exited the show “to move forward with our exciting individual projects.” They will be replaced as hosts by new “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums: Sasha Velour (Season 9), Jaida Essence Hall (“All Stars 7”) and Priyanka (“Canada’s Drag Race” Season 1), as well as Latrice Royale, a favorite from “Drag Race” seasons 1 and 4.
And the hosts aren’t the only changes ahead of the new season, which will also shift away from its original format.
The first three seasons followed the queens as they travelled across smalltown America to give residents makeovers and a slot in a “one night only” drag show. For Season 4, which consists of six episodes, the queens will focus on just two American towns as they take a more in-depth, immersive look at “the local political system and participants, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and opposition, and their effect on the queer community” (per Variety).
Said Nina Rosenstein, HBO’s executive vicepresident of Late Night and Specials Programming, in a statement: “Time and time again, the series has shown that love is stronger than hate, and we want to continue to uplift the community by showcasing these rich and important stories. We owe a huge thank you to Bob, Shangela and Eureka for sharing their personal stories and for their incredible contribution over the last three seasons.”*