Last Week’s Good TV News (May 9 – 15) 

With a new week of TV starting, we’re looking back at the best TV news of the last week. Consider this a negativity-free zone

CW EXPANDS TO SATURDAYS

We kind of have a soft spot for the CW. So we’re happy about the fact the network’s finally expanding to Saturday nights this fall. Forget 24/7 — the new number for the CW is 14/7. That’s 14 hours of new programming spanning the seven days of the week. It all kicks off Oct. 2 with the iHeartRadio Music Festival. Congrats, CW!

DAYS OF OUR LIVES RENEWED FOR TWO YEARS

If you’re not aware, we also have a soft spot for daytime dramas. There are only four left here in the U.S. so we were ecstatic to find out NBC renewed its lone soap opera — Days of our Lives — not just for one year but for two full years.

The other good news from the Days camp — Jackée Harry, who plays the sassy, force of nature known as Paulina — recently signed a full-time contract. Her very presence injects life and light into the show. Love that she’ll be around more regularly.

FRIENDS REUNION DATE IS SET

After delays due to the pandemic, we finally have an official date for the Friends reunion special. The new premiere date is May 27 — less than a couple weeks away! Could we be more excited ? 

Guest Star Goodness: Celebrity guests joining the OG Six are: Lady Gaga, BTS, Kit Harington, James Corden, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon (Rachel’s sister Jill), Elliott Gould (Monica and Ross’ dad), Larry Hankin (Mr. Heckles), James Michael Tyler (Gunther), Thomas Lennon (Joey’s identical hand twin) and Tom Selleck (Richard the Ophthalmologist/Monica’s older boyfriend) among others.

Friends: The Reunion drops Thursday, May 27 on HBO Max.

PSYCH 3 ON THE WAY

According to TV Line, a new Psych sequel is headed to Peacock. And what’s great is that the action focuses on Gus’ impending nuptials and fatherhood. It’s called Psych 3: This is Gus. Sign us up, pineapples and all. 

BRIDGERTON SPINOFF ORDERED

Confession: We’re still lamenting the absence of the Duke from the upcoming second season of Netflix’s Bridgerton. Good thing we learned a spinoff is in the works that is sure to help with the healing. 

Deadline broke the news of a limited series focusing on one of the best parts of the first season: Queen Charlotte. This prequel centers on her majesty’s origins. Let’s hope the queen’s portrayer — Golda Rosheuvel — narrates the spinoff. Her presence is royally requested…by us.  

OUTER BANKS FIRST LOOK PHOTOS

Sticking with Netflix territory and another hit series: Outer Banks. The first season took the streaming platform by storm. The second season sets sail this summer. 

Netflix released a few first-look photos. Plus, Creators and Executive Producers Jonas Pate, Josh Pate, and Shannon Burke teased the upcoming action:

“Season 2 is going to test our crew like never before. We’ve turned up the dial on everything fans loved about season one – more mystery, more romance and higher stakes. It’s a full throttle, action-packed adventure and these photos offer a glimpse into the next chapter for our Pogues. All we can say for now is buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride.”

A synopsis of what else to expect:

Outer Banks is a coming of age story that follows a tight-knit group of local teens (the “Pogues”) in the beach vacation destination of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. After their near-death escape, Season Two finds John B & Sarah on the run – and in over their heads – in the Bahamas.

New friends also bring new foes as they’re back on the trail of the gold, while the stakes for Kiara, Pope, and JJ rapidly escalate at home. 

The $400M is still in the game, but will the uncovering of a new-found secret reunite the group for a fresh mission? The adventure of a lifetime awaits, but uncharted waters ahead mean our Pogues must do all they can to make it out alive.

AWESOME RENEWAL NEWS

May isn’t just the month of TV finales. It’s also when we find out whether broadcast network shows will continue another season. While we’re disappointed to hear shows like Mixed-ish, All Rise and American Housewife were cancelled, we’re celebrating the renewal of some of our favorites. 

ABC is mostly responsible for giving the good word on its slate of programming this week.

• Black-ish will return for its eighth and final season
• After giving us the best season of its existence, The Rookie will be back for a fourth season
• Also coming back for a fourth season is the soapy drama A Million Little Things
• Headed into its fifth season is the great Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, Station 19
• And if you’re not watching Home Economics because you were worried it was going to be one and done, worry no more. The cute comedy will be back for a second season.

• And on the NBC front, Law & Order: Organized Crime is getting a second season, which is pretty much a no brainer since the show’s doing spectacularly in its first season.

FALL TV TIDBITS WE LOVE

Two of ABC’s fall TV pickups are already on our radar

• Everything is getting the big reboot these days but we’re genuinely looking forward to The Wonder Years reboot which is starring Dulé Hill, Saycon Sengbloh, Laura Kariuki, Julian Lerner, Amari O’Neil and Milan Ray. 

But the big news: In the original Fred Savage-led Wonder Years, actor Daniel Stern narrated the series. This time around, it’ll be Don Cheadle doing the honors. 

• ABC also gave the greenlight to Queens, a show being called a hip-hop drama. It’ll star Brandy, Eve, Power’s Naturi Naughton and My Name is Earl’s Nadine Velasquez. Together they’re a former girl group who reunite in their 40s to try and recapture their fame. 

THE BEST OF THE REST

BEST LINE OF THE WEEK: Elliot Stabler, Law & Order: Organized Crime

Richard Wheatley (to ex-wife Angela): I found this (holding up bug) at Contrapos earlier today. Sure he hasn’t planted one in your office or at your apartment where he was last night? 

Elliot Stabler: Sounds like I planted one up your ass, too. 

MVPs OF THE WEEK: Rafael Silva and Ronen Rubinstein, TK and Carlos, 911: Lone Star

TK and Carlos have been immensely watchable all season two long. But in last week’s episode, they had us feeling all the feelings. It was heartbreaking to watch them briefly exist on opposite sides when it looked like their dads had turned into enemies. Then they heated things up in a big way when the two made up (in sizzling fashion) after finding out the truth about their dads working together to bring down the bad guy arsonist.

And at the end, they were so sweet as TK comforted Carlos who was in tears over how close they came to losing each other in the fire that basically burned down their home. Rafael Silva and Ronen Rubinstein were wonderful and in one of the best episodes of the season, they were standouts. 

FAVORITE TV COUPLE OF THE WEEK: Regina and Rome, A Million Little Things

At the end of last week’s episode which centered around George Floyd’s murder and subsequent protests that erupted around the country, Rome and Regina felt the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Rome told his injured wife (she hit her head hard on the ground during the protest she attended) that he now knows a little of what she went through when she found his suicide note. Getting the call from his dad and learning Regina was hurt put a lot into perspective. So much so he told her she’s not just the best part of his life, she is his life.

They exchanged “I love yous” in bed and it was all a very intimate and funny and heartbreaking and lovely way to end such a powerful episode. Rome and Regina continue to prove they can face anything and stay together proving they are one of the best couples on TV. Hands down.

BEST CLIFFHANGER ENDING: Law & Order: Organized Crime ***Major Spoiler Warning for last week’s episode***

Angela Wheatley ordered the murder of Stabler’s wife? Did not expect that. And just after Stabler and Angela kissed at her place. Stunned. Wondering if this is for real or something Richard Wheatley cooked up.

BINGE STATUS UPDATE

Beginning to Binge: Netflix’s The Upshaws. Kim Fields is everything. Loving her on this show.

Playing Catch-Up: HBO’s Mare of Easttown. Actually streaming this on HBO Max. Am now watching this show in real time after bingeing the first four episodes.

Binge Complete: Peacock TV’s Girls5Eva. What a quick, fun binge. The show is a bit silly but wonderful. Everything we need in a comedy.

ON OUR RADAR THIS WEEK: Starz’s Run the World

Four black females living and being best friends in Harlem. In the last year we’ve binged Living Single and Girlfriends. Sign us up for Run the World.

GUEST STAR GOODNESS: Tricia Helfer on Disney Plus’ Big Shot

What an unexpected surprise to see Battlestar Galactica and Lucifer alum Tricia Helfer pop up on Big Shot. Her character is married to another BSG alum — Michael Trucco. It’s great to see both of them on the very awesome Disney Plus series.

WORD ON THE (S)TWEET AND THE GRAM: Jensen Ackles on the set of The Boys and in a pic with Jack Quaid

Everyone knows Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles is finally on the set of The Boys to film season three. But there haven’t been any sightings to back that fact up…until last week. The actor took a pic by his trailer and then popped up in a photo with his new co-star Jack Quaid.

Ackles is on set to play Soldier Boy in the third season of the hit Amazon Studios series.

Any favorite TV couples or moments of the week? Anything in the TV news world cause you to do a happy dance? How about a nomination for best line of the week? Favorite social media post of the week? Hit the comments below..