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: new writers at SNL, a new (and final) season of Nurse Jackie… and what happens when you put a Republican and a Democrat on a desert island?
It’s Saturday Night Live season! SNL hired two new writers — Alison Rich and Nick Rutherford — and announced the first two hosts of the 40th (!) season. Chris Pratt will host the season premiere on September 27 with musical guest Ariana Grande and Sarah Silverman will host the week after with musical guest Maroon 5. Bill Murray is almost rumored to host. [Deadline]
Today in reality show pitches that sound completely fake: Discovery Channel will strand a Republican and a Democratic senator together on a deserted island to put aside political differences and work together to like, catch fish or whatever you do on a deserted island for ratings. Rival Survival (best title!) will air October 29. [EW]
Nurse Jackie is Showtime’s occasionally great show that���s been chugging along while everyone ignored it. Showtime just announced that its seventh season will also be its last. [Showtime]
E! has greenlit Christina Milian Turned Up, a docuseries about the singer/actress as she tries to balance her career and her personal life (can she have it all?). The docuseries will be produced by Kelsey Grammer, best known for producing UPN’s Girlfriends (and starring in Fraiser, I guess). [Deadline]
It looks like ABC Family’s comedy Mystery Girls has been mercifully canceled, effectively shutting down the Tori Spelling/Jennie Garth comeback no one asked for. [THR]
ABC has renewed Bachelor in Paradise for Season 2. [TVLine]
Good news for the dozens of fans of arm wrestling reality shows: Game of Arms has been renewed for a second season! [Deadline]
A trailer for the Veronica Mars spinoff Play It Again, Sam.
Patti LuPone will guest star in Season 2 of Penny Dreadful! [Deadline]
Some, uh, “interesting” shows were sold this week. ABC bought Nuclear Family about a couple who adopts eight children. The network also bought Couch Detective about a woman who solves crimes using her knowledge of crime procedurals. NBC bought Pub Quiz about a group of friends (of course!) who compete in pub quizzes. Really original titles all around.
Fox is developing a show that’s 24 meets The X-Files about an Iraq war vet who hunts down paranormal phenomena. [TV Line]
Fox bought two comedies this week. First, a fatherhood comedy from Dan Fogelman starring John Stamos as a bachelor who suddenly discovers he’s a father — and a grandfather! Don’t you feel old now? Second, an action comedy titled 100 Grand from Jake Johnson and Nick Thomas (Let’s Be Cops) about “two guys who learn how to grow up in the most unexpected way: paying off a debt for a local crime boss.”
Finally, because no TV news post is complete without some nostalgia cash grab, there is a Married…With Children spinoff in the works. [E!]