The television world moves so fast that by the time you learn of a show’s premiere, it could already be canceled. It’s hard to keep track of the constant stream of television news, so Flavorwire is here to provide a weekly roundup of the most exciting — and baffling — casting and development updates. This week, The Maya Rudolph Show gets a premiere date, Enlisted brothers become cousins, and another show attempts a Kickstarter campaign.
Maya Rudolph variety show! Maya Rudolph variety show! The Maya Rudolph Show premieres May 19 on NBC. The one-hour special (that may later become a series) will feature guests such as Kristen Bell, Andy Samberg, Craig Robinson, and others. Janelle Monáe will be the musical guest. [EW]
TLC announced a series called OMG EMT! (exclamation point included) about the fast-paced lives of EMT workers. Only four episodes were ordered but if it does well, the network will likely order more — like those 35 episodes it ordered of Sex Sent Me to the ER. The show premieres May 3. [Deadline]
Still, the worst title of the week goes to TV Land’s pilot order about someone posing as a gay pastor titled Impastor. [Deadline]
TV Land also picked up a series, Younger, from Darren Star (Sex and the City) starring Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar, and Miriam Shor. I really wanted Foster back on my TV after the still-hurts cancellation of Bunheads but TV Land? Oof. [Variety]
Showtime will air an original feature-length documentary about Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant’s Muse is an “in-depth look into the life, inspirations and challenges facing one of the most successful and complex figures in professional sports.” Showtime has not set a premiere date yet.
In Kickstarter news, the latest TV show to follow in Veronica Mars’ footsteps is .. Blue Mountain State? Sure, why not. [Kickstarter]
Syfy gave a series order to the space opera The Expanse. [THR]
Bittersweet casting news: the great Enlisted is surely dead, but at least if it is, Parker Young and Geoff Stults will continue to work together on CBS’ Cuz-Bros. Now we just need Chris Lowell to join them. [TV Line]
Fox News Channel announced Outnumbered, a panel show featuring four women and one outnumbered (get it?) man. [Variety]
Renewals! FX predictably renewed The Americans for a third season, USA renewed its first unscripted breakout hit Chrisley Knows Best for a second, Spike renewed Auction Hunters for a fifth season and then renewed the poorly titled Catch a Contractor with poor host Adam Carolla for a second.
FYI picked up two unscripted pilots, the more disastrous being Marry Me… Today which follows “an ambitious groom-to-be as he surprises his girlfriend with a proposal, engagement and marriage all in one day, using his girlfriend’s online wish list to plan and execute her fantasy wedding.” [Deadline]
Netflix announced that premiere date for Season 2 of Eli Roth’s Hemlock Grove will be July 11 — but who cares about that when Netflix also released an intense trailer for the second season of Orange Is the New Black! [IGN]