Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Wednesday, May 1st, 2024:
DAN SCHNEIDER SUES PRODUCERS OF 'QUIET ON SET'
Lawyers for former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider filed a lawsuit in L.A. Superior Court on Wednesday against Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc. , Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures Television Inc, Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz, as well as 50 unnamed John Does.
The lawsuit alleges that the Investigation Discovery docu-series was a "hit job:"
While it is indisputable that two bona fide child sexual abusers worked on Nickelodeon shows, it is likewise indisputable that Schneider had no knowledge of their abuse, was not complicit in the abuse, condemned the abuse once it was discovered and, critically, was not a child sexual abuser himself. But for the sake of clickbait, ratings, and views—or put differently, money—Defendants have destroyed Schneider’s reputation and legacy through the false statements and implications that Schneider is exactly that.
The lawsuit also claims the initial trailer for Quiet On Set "is defamatory in that it was intended to and did falsely state or imply that Schneider is a child sexual abuser and committed crimes in this regard."
There are also numerous complaints about the content of some of the documentary, primarily that producers allegedly conflated his story with that of convicted child abuser Brian Peck. It's way too lengthy to get into all the details here (I'll be posting a longer look on the web site), but as you might expect, the lawsuit paints the rosiest possible take on Schneider's career and his actions.
I have no idea what will happen with the lawsuit and I have not spoken with producers since it was filed. I do know that based on previous conversations, the finished project went through extensive rounds of legal reviews. So my gut reaction is that I find it difficult to believe these complaints are as legitimate as the lawsuit claims.
It's important to keep in mind that one of the reasons why Schneider hadn't been the target of serious reporting before now was the threat of legal action. Every reporter I know has a fear of being sued into financial oblivion by someone with deep pockets and a serious grudge. It was a topic that hung over my reporting of Schneider and it's something I addressed in this 2020 piece:
As a secondary reason for having sources on the record is more pragmatic. When you are writing about powerful Hollywood people - even if the story is only marginally unpleasant - you run the very real risk of being sued. While Gawker-type extinction events are rare in journalism, they do happen. What's scarier is the prospect of being sued and facing a legal bill so big my grand kids will be paying it off. I'm not a journalist at some big media outlet that has a team of experienced litigators in speed dial. I'm a one-man show who's only real legal advice comes from the free legal aid I can request from the local bar association. It doesn't matter if I'm right. Any level of a legal battle would ruin me financially and likely force me out of journalism. I'm brave and all that. But what I am not is financially suicidal.
I stopped reporting about him because I started hearing vague warnings that I might be sued. It's not something I'm proud of, but it felt like the best decision for my family.
The threat of being sued is a real issue for reporters trying to break difficult stories. I have no idea how this will work out. But I hope it doesn't discourage other people from coming forward with their stories.
ANOTHER IN THE ENDLESS WAYS THAT GOOGLE PRODUCTS NOW SUCK
It is astounding to me how willing Google has been to completely break their products in order to wring out a bit more profit (see AI-based search results). But the company is also allowing some of its core products to become nearly unusable, for no discernable reason.
For instance, take a look at Google News. I use it every day and it is especially useful when I'm tracking down global TV news and ideas. But in recent days, Google News search results in some categories have been clogged with spam results. For instance, this is the result I received today when searching for news stories about the Hotstar streaming service:
These are strange results, given that I am searching for news about a global streaming service and all of the results come from a publication that covers Atlanta news and bills itself as "Bringing you the reality of your municipality."
But if you click on one of the story links in Google News, the page forwards to a domain called "Synamob," which seems to sell some random drop-shipped clothes as well as discounted subscriptions to various streaming services. 
My guess is that Atlanta Progressive News sold a spot on its site for one of those pre-written spammy content pieces that includes some embedded links. And at some point, someone pointed the links to a url forwarding link. This is the kind of scam that Google used to notice almost immediately. And now, they seem to have this attitude of "well, you get what you pay for."
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FYC: Lopez Vs. Lopez
Last night marked the NBC premiere of the final two episodes of Lopez vs. Lopez Season 2, and we’re thrilled to share them with you in case you missed the finale.
A note from showrunner Debby Wolfe:
In these episodes, comedy legend George Lopez delivers the most captivating performance of his forty-five-year-long career. He portrays a hardened, machismo man who shows us real vulnerability as he struggles to be a better man for his family. And this isn’t George acting, he’s fighting real-life demons right before our eyes. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions as George takes you on a journey through 22 minutes of tears and laughter. As the sole Latino male contender for lead actor in a comedy series this year, George shows us that you’re never too old for growth, inspiring millions to mend relationships with their loved ones. It’s an honor to be a part of a show inspired by the real-life father-daughter journey of George and Mayan Lopez, filled with themes of pain, forgiveness, and healing. As one of the only TV shows on broadcast television featuring a predominantly Latine cast, we take pride in sharing these powerful stories with our dedicated fans and viewers at home.
VIEW EPISODES HERE
UniversalFYC.com
Pass Code: USGFYC2024
ODDS AND SODS
* Given that Netflix has just premiered a John Mulaney interview David Letterman and his series John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's In LA premieres on Friday, I am surprised that the streamer didn't license the two seasons on his underrated NBC Mulaney, which isn't currently available on streaming anywhere.
* Guy Fieri and his family are loading up the RV and having the Food Network pay for their next family vacation in a new season of Guy's All-American Road Trip, which premieres Friday, June 7th.
* Season two of the Netflix series Perfect Match also premieres on June 7th.
* Season three of All-American: Homecoming premieres Monday, July 8th on The CW.
* Also on The CW, season two of 61st Street premieres on Monday, July 22nd.
TWEET OF THE DAY
WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1ST:
* Acapulco Season Three Premiere (Apple TV+)
* Behind The Music (Paramount+)
* Dance Moms: Epic Showdowns Series Premiere (Lifetime)
* Dance Moms: The Reunion (Lifetime)
* Deaw Special: Super Soft Power (Netflix)
* Dogleg (Mubi)
* Down The Rabbit Hole (Fiesta en la madriguera) (Netflix)
* Frankly Speaking Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Jeopardy! Masters Season Premiere (ABC)
* Shardlake Series Premiere (Hulu)
* Supermarket Stakeout Season Premiere (Food)
THURSDAY, MAY 2ND, 2024:
* A Man In Full Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Beautiful Rebel (Netflix)
* Ghosts Season Three Finale (CBS)
* Hacks Season Three Premiere (Max) - [first look video]
* Selena + Restaurant Series Premiere (Food)
* Scrublands Series Premiere (Sundance Now)
* Secrets Of The Neanderthals (Netflix) - [first look video]
* Taste: The Flavor Of Life Series Premiere (Curiosity Stream)
* The Contestant (Hulu)
* The Idea Of You (Prime Video)
* The Tattooist Of Auschwitz (Peacock)
* T P Bon Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Turtles All The Way Down (Max)
* Welcome To Wrexham Season Three Premiere (FX)
SEE YOU ON THURSDAY!