Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Monday, February 3rd, 2025:
THERE'S CENSORSHIP AND THEN THERE ARE EXECUTIVE NOTES
Since Donald Trump was reelected last November, I've heard from a steady stream of writers, producers and showrunners concerned that it would be much more difficult to sell a project that is seen by executives - rightly or wrongly - as being "too woke."
And while it's almost impossible to quantify exactly how Trump's election has changed the television marketplace in the U.S., lots of people are feeling an unspoken push from some executives to tone down diversity. It's never "we wouldn't greenlight a non-white Snow White in 2025." It's notes questioning plot points and characters that seem to make the executives culturally uneasy.
"I sold a show last year to a major streamer and it's been an endless stream of 'suggestions' that don't seem to be driven by creatives," one showrunner told me. "Everything from questions about specific lines to pushback about whether it was necessary to have a same-sex relationship front-and-center in one episode. There are a lot of times where I'll get notes and even though I don't agree with them, I can see where they're coming from and I can push back in a productive way. But a lot of these notes seem driven by fear that some idiot on social media will accuse the show of being woke and I don't know how to respond to that."
I spoke with another writer who has been making the rounds pitching a new project and one consistent question he's heard from executives is some variation of "do you have anything that's set in Middle America?" And according to the writer, it's a question he finds increasingly infuriating.
"Most people would hear the phrase 'Middle America' and think people who actually fucking live in Middle America," he complained. "What they really are looking for is something more politically conservative, although they don't have the balls to say that. I grew up in the Midwest and would love to see more shows that accurately reflected life there. They don't want that, because they don't think Midwest stories are aspirational enough. But apparently a story that could star a younger and considerably less annoying Tim Allen is just fine."
Do you a similar experience to share? Email me confidentially at 
EX-THR TV EDITOR LESLIE GOLDBERG JOINS THE ANKLER
While casual television fans in the U.S. might not recognize the name Leslie Goldberg, in entertainment press circles she's a bit of a legend. She spent a long stint at The Hollywood Reporter, most recently as that publication's West Coast TV editor. She left last year, as part of a round of high-profile layoffs that seemed to be motivated at least in part by a desire to shrink the payroll costs.
There have been some news reports that suggested she was making in the range of $400,000 a year and while I'm not going to get into the discussion over whether that's either an accurate report or if anyone is worth that, it is worth noting THR has missed her presence. Under her guidance, THR's Live Feed page was a lively mix of breaking news and reporting that encompassed what readers needed to know. I'll be kind and just say it's not anywhere near as important these days.
Goldberg is going to be writing a Wednesday newsletter under The Ankler brand "with a laser focus on TV development, encompassing agencies, staffing, and, because it’s Lesley, scoops."
She's a smart addition to The Anker and it's a great fit. She fills a gap in The Ankler's editorial mix and to be honest, there aren't many outlets anymore who can both afford Goldberg and give her the space to do what she does.
On the downside for readers, The Ankler is also raising the price of a subscription: a $20 increase for annual subscriptions and an additional $4 a month for monthly subscriptions.
'BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER' MAY OR MAY NOT BE COMING BACK
Variety is reporting that Hulu is close to ordering a new version of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Sarah Michelle Gellar will reportedly be involved, albeit in a recurring role. The show will instead focus on a new slayer. Joss Whedon will not be involved in the new show for obvious reasons.
To be honest, I would normally be ambivalent about this idea, but the showrunners behind it are writer sisters Nora and Lilla Zuckerman - and the two just came off running season one of the excellent Poker Face.
They are certainly capable of doing something interesting with the idea and I'm curious to see a version of the show that isn't dipped in so much male gaze.
CHUCK TODD'S BIGGEST REGRET ABOUT LEAVING NBC NEWS
I heard an interview today between former NBC News reporter/moderator Chuck Todd and former CNN reporter Chris Cillizza. And while I'm not saying he's clueless when it comes to technology, this is the type of story you might hear from your device-challenged grandfather:
Let me tell you how I spent my weekend. I spent my weekend not realizing how many things I subscribed to with my NBC email address. I worked there for 18 years.
This goes back to '07. And I say this because back in those days you really didn't think about needing a double email address. It wasn't as if I didn't know it was coming. But suddenly I realize, "Oh my God. Amazon. My NY Times account. Wall Street Journal. And these were subscriptions I was paying for."
What was interesting was that some of these companies could handle this. "We need to confirm this with your old email. Well, I can't get access to that email account." It was fascinating. And here is my recommendation: never sign up for anything with a work email.
But it was also frsutrating. I'd provide a new email address and they would tell me "Well, you've already used that email address." So I would have to create ANOTHER email address just to get access to change from my previous email address.
This morning when I woke up, I was like "Where are my NY Times headlines alert? Where is this? Where is that?" I've been doing a lot of re-subscribing over the last 48 hours."
ODDS AND SODS
* Netflix announced its 2025 slate of Indian originals.
* Every time I open up Tubi, it wants me to provide my email address and register. I'm not sure what the streamer's plan is for its Super Bowl simulcast, but if they're smart, they'll require a registration before a viewer can access the game.
* WWE and Tubi have announced the launch of WWE EVOLVE, which will showcase rising prospects as they wrestle with the dream of making it to NXT and, perhaps, one day SmackDown and Raw. The series will premiere Wednesday, March 5th.
* NBC has renewed St. Denis Medical for a second season.
* President Donald Trump will sit down for an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier during the Fox Super Bowl LIX Pregame show on Sunday.
* Amazon Prime Channels is rolling out another Starz bundle. This time, it's Starz bundled with BET+ for $15.99/month, an approximate 30% savings.
WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD:
All American (The CW)
Below Deck Down Under Season Premiere (Bravo)
Bogata: City Of The Lost (Netflix)
Celebrity IOU Season Premiere (HGTV)
Contraband: Seized At The Border Season Premiere (Discovery)
911: Lone Star Series Finale (Fox)
The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Big Game (The Roku Channel)
The Hunting Party Series Premiere (NBC)
The Voice Season Premiere (NBC)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH:
Burden Of Guilt (Paramount+)
Tree On A Hill (Pren ar y Bryn) (Britbox)
Wicked Game: Devil In The Desert (Hulu)
SEE YOU ON TUESDAY!