‘Transparent’ finale a movie musical
PASADENA, Calif. — Amazon’s “Transparent” wrapped the show’s finale on Feb. 8, a one-shot movie musical that will debut on Prime later this year. Star Jeffrey Tambor was fired from the series after allegations of sexual harassment. Showrunner Jill Soloway would not deny that Mr. Tambor’s Maura Pfefferman has been recast (“I just want you to see the movie, and there are few surprises in there; we dealt with that question”) or confirm that the character will be killed off but suggested the movie finale is about “loss.”
Amazon renewed “Jack Ryan” for a third season; season two arrives later this year.
No news on when the longgestating Amazon “Lord of the Rings” series may see the light of day, but there are now social handles for the project (LOTRonPrime on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
Amazon Studios co-head of television Vernon Sanders said he is “hopeful” sci-fi drama “The Expanse,” which moves from Syfy to Amazon for its fourth season, will debut its new season before the end of the year (any delay would likely be due to extensive special effects work).
New York Times bestseller “The Power” by British author Naomi Alderman — teenage girls in the world develop the power to electrocute people — will become an Amazon series.
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said Matthew Weiner’s “The Romanoffs” was always designed to be a one-season show, so a second season seems unlikely, but Amazon continues to talk with Mr. Weiner about future projects.
Amazon’s “Good Omens,” based on the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, will debut all six episodes on May 31. Mr. Gaiman revealed Benedict Cumberbatch will play Satan in the story of an angel (Michael Sheen) and a demon (David Tennant) who like Earth and team up to try to stop Armageddon.
Al Pacino will head the cast of Amazon’s “The Hunt,” a 1977-set Jordan Peele-produced Nazi-hunting revenge drama, as the lead Nazi hunter.
A very ‘Brady’ request
HGTV is giving a makeover to the house used as the exterior on “The Brady Bunch” for a September series, “A Very Brady Renovation,” and the show’s producers are seeking vintage furniture and home decor that matches or approximates set dressing from the sitcom. A photo gallery of items sought — and how to contact the network — can be found at HGTV.com/ Brady.
‘AGT’ changes
When NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” returns in summer, it will have a new host and new judges. Tyra Banks is out as host, replaced by Terry Crews, who hosts “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” Judges Heidi Klum and Mel B depart while Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough join the judges’ panel alongside returning Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel.
Channel surfing
A “Breaking Bad” movie that picks up the story after the series finale with Jesse (Aaron Paul) on the run will first stream on Netflix before airing on AMC, per The Hollywood Reporter. … THR also says Nickelodeon is in talks with CBS TV Studios for an animated “Star Trek” series targeted at kid viewers. … Season three of “Queer Eye” debuts March 15 on Netflix. … CNBC reports Apple will launch its long-gestating streaming service in April or May, with original programs free for Apple device owners and a platform to subscribe to streaming services such as Starz, Showtime, CBS All Access and Viacom networks. … NBC’s partially Pittsburgh-set “This Is Us” and its star Sterling K. Brown are among the TV nominees for the “50th NAACP Image Awards,” which will air on cable’s TV One at 9 p.m. March 30.
Tuned In online
The recent TV Q&A column responds to questions about “Young and the Restless,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and local TV news. This week’s Tuned In Journal includes posts on “Now Apocalypse,” “Boomerang” and “Miracle Workers.” Read online-only TV content at http://communityvoices.post-gazette.com/ arts-entertainment-living/ tuned-in.