Daniel Fienberg
@thefienprint.bsky.social
Chief Television Critic, The Hollywood Reporter. General social media dabbler. Most of my content/writing/word-spewing can be found here: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/e/the-fien-print/
The S4 premiere of "Ted Lasso" acts like whole epochs have passed since the show aired and that its long absence must be respected and mourned like it was the Dark Ages, and my only reaction was, "You're not 'The Comeback' bitch. You took a 'Severance'-length break. Pick up the pieces and carry on."
"Ted Lasso" has definitely become the show that the people who always disliked "Ted Lasso" always thought that it was. Does that mean that it always WAS that show? Dunno — times change, shows change, culture changes — but as somebody who is prone to smugness, I live to see smugness rewarded.
Angie Han@ajhan.bsky.social · 3h agoif hating on ted lasso, the tv equivalent of widdle baby kitten with big wet anime eyes, makes me a bad person, then i am a bad person sorry
Quick apologies to fans of production design and costume design, as I initially miscredited both (to the production designer and costumer for "The Bear"). It should be — and now is — Cat Smith and Joshua Marsh.
Daniel Fienberg @thefienprint.bsky.social · 5h agoSo the thing about Ryan Murphy's "The Shards" is that it isn't GOOD, but I wrote 1500 words on it and I've spent the week since I finished my review thinking of all the things I didn't get around to discussing. So it engaged me on SOME level. My review:
There is an alternate dimension in which we got the Luca Gaudagnino-directed version of "The Shards" and the Ramy Youssef-created version of "The Hawk" and I think that's also the dimension in which Elizabeth Warren is two years into her second presidential term.
Bill@caractacus.bsky.social · 5h agoIt would have made so much more sense for Guadagnino to adapt this, and Murphy to remake American Psycho (giving me two reasons not to watch). On the other hand: now I know someone is named Igby Rigney, so that's fun.
So the thing about Ryan Murphy's "The Shards" is that it isn't GOOD, but I wrote 1500 words on it and I've spent the week since I finished my review thinking of all the things I didn't get around to discussing. So it engaged me on SOME level. My review:
‘The Shards’ Review: Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis Team Up for FX’s Predictably Excess-Soaked Tale of Prep-School Sex, Drugs and Murder
Igby Rigney, Homer Gere, Hayes Warner, Graham Campbell and Kaia Gerber lead this series adaptation of Ellis' loosely autobiographical novel set in early-'80s Los Angeles.
hollywoodreporter.com
Fine. Let's try something more specific. If tonight's Dodgers starter gets lost going home and gets off the 405 North a couple of miles before the 101, he'd end up at the Skubal Center. HAPPY?
Daniel Fienberg @thefienprint.bsky.social · 21h agoIf tonight's Dodgers starter appeared in a remake of "Bringing Up Baby," it would be a Skubal comedy. Trust me, that's a very slightly funny joke.
If tonight's Dodgers starter appeared in a remake of "Bringing Up Baby," it would be a Skubal comedy. Trust me, that's a very slightly funny joke.
So it's "The Masked Singer"... without the masks? If the celebrities were just... there? And the judges simply looked in the other direction?
Rick Porter@rickporter.bsky.social · yesterdayTBH I almost applaud NBC and the "Voice" producers' restraint for not going to the celeb well before now. (Keke is hosting, btw, not competing)
Not to deny us the clicks, but there's exactly one thing that anybody needs to know about this project: Taylor Sheridan appears not to be involved.
Paramount+ Orders Viola Davis Corporate Fixer Thriller ‘Ascent’
The Oscar winner will play a high-stakes problem solver who must deploy her skills for a more personal challenge: saving her estranged daughter.
hollywoodreporter.com
I can't NOT watch ESPN, but this garbage following last week's Stephen A. Smith mea culpa to Kyrie Irving and the ongoing layoffs impacting entirely too many of ESPN's legitimate journalists in an effort to center comical-but-unfunny buffoons sure makes it easy to hate ESPN.
Denny Carter@dennycarter.bsky.social · 2d agoIt’s August 2026 and Aaron Rodgers is having a full blown meltdown about Anthony Fauci.
Putting the "improv" in "improvised explosive devices"! But they're falling victim to one of the classic blunders - the most famous of which is "Never get involved in a Groundling war in Asia."
Ken Tremendous@kentremendous.bsky.social · 2d ago"Like, we know what *we* think. But like what do *you guys* think we should do? Like we have a plan we're gonna do, but if someone has a better plan, like, why wouldn't we hear you out? So just like go ahead, no bad ideas in brainstorming. What are some things we should do in Iran?"
If you're in the mood for a Sunday afternoon documentary, the THR critics team cobbled together a list of the 25 Best Documentaries of All Time, many of which are available on HBO Max and Kanopy, among other streamers:
The 25 Best Documentaries of All Time, Ranked
From 'Grey Gardens' to 'The Gleaners and I,' 'Gimme Shelter' to 'Grizzly Man' and beyond, THR critics pick their favorite non-fiction films of all time.
hollywoodreporter.com
Look, if the Dodgers sign Skubal tomorrow to a $500 million extension, that's a confirmation of why "you" hate the Dodgers. This here is a reminder that in addition to having the wealth of Croesus, the Dodgers still have a farm system capable of outbidding any other team in talent, not JUST money.
Jeff Passan Bot@jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 4d agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring Tarik Skubal for outfielder Zyhir Hope, right-hander River Ryan and right-hander Brady Smith, sources tell ESPN.
When I stop and think of all of the years that went by when I had literally no opinion at all about the Reflecting Pool — NO THOUGHTS OF ANY KIND EVEN WHEN I WAS STANDING NEAR IT — it feels so quaint.
I think we came up with a nifty list of 25 great documentaries and, in the end, none of us were wholly satisfied, which means the process worked. Just remember: As with all rankings, if we excluded your favorite documentary, it's because of our lack of respect for you, PERSONALLY.
David Rooney@david-rooney.bsky.social · 6d agoLove these projects where the THR critics team wrestles over favorites. Proud of the range of work in our ranked breakdown of the 25 greatest docs of all time. And hats off to our amazing editor @jon-frosch.bsky.social for streamlining a mountain of copy. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-d...
Two-Time Oscar Winner and One Of the Most Charismatic Men on Earth, Mahershala Ali: PLEASE LET ME DO YOUR SUPERHERO MOVIE, FEATURING ONE OF YOUR MOST RECOGNIZABLE AND DISTINCTIVE REMAINING INACTIVE CHARACTERS!!! Marvel: Hmmm... Nah.
The Hollywood Reporter@thr.com · 5d agoMahershala Ali won't be Marvel's Blade. The two-time Oscar winner confirmed to GQ that he won't star in a long-gestating reboot of the iconic vampire slayer — and he firmly suggested Marvel dropped the ball. bit.ly/4pNs36i
I think we came up with a nifty list of 25 great documentaries and, in the end, none of us were wholly satisfied, which means the process worked. Just remember: As with all rankings, if we excluded your favorite documentary, it's because of our lack of respect for you, PERSONALLY.
David Rooney@david-rooney.bsky.social · 6d agoLove these projects where the THR critics team wrestles over favorites. Proud of the range of work in our ranked breakdown of the 25 greatest docs of all time. And hats off to our amazing editor @jon-frosch.bsky.social for streamlining a mountain of copy. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-d...
The idea that these latest allegations against Jared Leto will be the thing that allows Hollywood to break its addiction to casting him in mega-franchises reminds me of this all-timer of a tense TCA Press Tour panel with NBC's Robert Greenblatt squirmily talking Bill Cosby.
NBC Chairman On The Ill-Fated Bill Cosby Project: “I’m Glad We’re Out From Under That”
Robert Greenblatt, NBC’s entertainment chairman, spoke publicly for the first time on Friday about how the network’s Bill Cosby sitcom blew up.
buzzfeednews.com
Conventional wisdom in Hollywood (and sports) says The Powers That Be will put up with a lot of misbehavior (and illegality) if you're making them money, which makes the last decade+ of Jared Leto's career so baffling. He's been accumulating allegations AND losing money. Studios cared about NEITHER.
Media people! @hanhonymous.bsky.social is truly one of the best editors I have ever worked with -- she's smart, creative, respects her reports and has a deep expertise in all things Culture. She would be a terrific addition to your team. Hire her!
👩🏻💻 Hanhonymous@hanhonymous.bsky.social · last wk.Today is my last day as Executive Editor at Salon.com. It’s bittersweet, but I'm so grateful for all the opportunities & working with some of the finest people I’ve met. The media landscape is tough right now. Not sure what’s next, but you can email me at hanh.b.nguyen74@gmail.com with leads
There's the possibility that this may not be rational, but Craig Breslow absolutely should have known this would happen.
Alex Speier@alexspeier.bsky.social · last wk.Curtis Mead, wearing a brace on his left wrist, said an MRI today revealed a fracture. He’s not sure if he’ll need surgery. He’s flying back tonight to meet with the Sox’ hand specialist.
ICYMI, I had reservations about Hulu's "Furious" for a few episodes, but by midseason, it locked in as something complex and challenging, with great performances from leads Emmy Rossum and Lola Petticrew. Supporting players Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Steve Way are Emmy-worthy, too.
‘Furious’ Review: Emmy Rossum and Lola Petticrew Lead Hulu’s Complex, Ultimately Satisfying Epstein-Era Serial Killer Thriller
Elizabeth Meriwether created the eight-part cat-and-mouse series, loosely based on the 1987 Debra Winger/Theresa Russell film 'Black Widow.'
hollywoodreporter.com
Being an Old Man TV Critic is knowing that Netflix is ripping off NBC's VERY short-lived "Surface" — not to be confused with Apple's longer-lived drama "Surface" — more than it's ripping off "Widow's Bay," but... ¿Por que no los dos?
Josh Hartnett Battles a Sea Monster in Teaser for Netflix’s ‘Below’
It's like 'Widow's Bay' without the supernatural stuff.
hollywoodreporter.com
Talking "Big Brother," "The Hawk," "President Curtis" and more in my regular biweekly TV chat with @nickdigilio.bsky.social:
Nick D - Dan Fienberg, TV Talk and Future Shock
Dan Fienberg reviews Lucky, The Hawk, President Curtis, and discusses Big Brother Season 28. Plus, Nick and Esmeralda prepare for their live show at Flashback Weekend.
radiomisfits.com
I introduced THREE co-workers to the Carly Rae Jepsen First Pitch today. @ajhan.bsky.social has described this as my greatest contribution to the workplace. Or maybe my first contribution to the workplace? Anyway... This is clearly why we have an office.
Carly Rae Jepsen Throws Terrible First Pitch
YouTube video by FOX Sports
youtube.com
ICYMI, I had reservations about Hulu's "Furious" for a few episodes, but by midseason, it locked in as something complex and challenging, with great performances from leads Emmy Rossum and Lola Petticrew. Supporting players Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Steve Way are Emmy-worthy, too.
‘Furious’ Review: Emmy Rossum and Lola Petticrew Lead Hulu’s Complex, Ultimately Satisfying Epstein-Era Serial Killer Thriller
Elizabeth Meriwether created the eight-part cat-and-mouse series, loosely based on the 1987 Debra Winger/Theresa Russell film 'Black Widow.'
hollywoodreporter.com
I don't know why, in a landscape of repetitively used IP, this ticks me off so much, but they JUST did a Robert Langdon television show. It was simultaneously boring AND bonkers. Anyway... I'm curious how or why TV casting directors have decided that Robert Langdon is coded as stealthily Jewish.
Meghan O'Keefe@megsokay.bsky.social · last wk.Huge news to moms everywhere: Morgan Spector to play Robert Langdon on Netflix.
This is the obvious downside to/of/for Kanopy. Time to figure out how to make a donation to the library system...
David Hollander@dh94114.bsky.social · last wk.It's very expensive to libraries.
