News Roundup: ‘MST3K’ Reboots, ‘Walking Dead’ Casts Major Villain

It seemed like the Internet was bursting with news greatness today. Here’s a quick round-up of the highest profile announcements, developments, scheduling, and ratings.

  • Reveal: Jeffrey Dean Morgan (WatchmenGrey’s Anatomy) has signed on to join AMC’s The Walking Dead as villain Negan, a major figure from Robert Kirkman’s comic book series. Morgan will reportedly debut in the Season Six finale, directed by Greg Nicotero. Fans of the comic series are well acquainted with Negan’s association with a current major cast member who may or may not be dead. Assuming the character has survived her/his current predicament, things will likely not go well for future interactions with Negan. Lips. Sealed.
  • Ratings: CBS’s Supergirl premiered to a hefty 13 millions live viewers on its October 26 birth. Since then, the ratings have continued to drop, reduced to half of its series premiere audience in its third week. Adding insult to injury, the critically maligned Scorpion actually built on its Supergirl lead-in. All may not be lost for the Girl of Steel as the delayed viewing ratings won’t be available until later in November.
  • Revival: Even though it felt as if it never left, Mystery Science Theater 3000, through media company Shout Factory, is attempting a reboot. Series creator Joel Hodgson has started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the comeback. The initial goal is to raise $2 million for three feature-length episodes with an ultimate eye toward $5.5 million for a full-season order of 12 episodes. MST3K has always been a grassroots kind of show, premiering on a local cable station in Minnesota before moving to Comedy Central for six seasons and then on to Syfy for an additional three seasons. It was cancelled in 1999.
  • Renewal: Hardly a surprise to anyone, Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story has been cleared for a sixth season in 2016 by FX. The series remains the highest-rated offering in FX’s history. No word on its new theme – not a shock as Murphy is notoriously tight-lipped – but Lady Gaga has already been approached to return to the series assuming her tour schedule can accommodate filming. Perennially nominated for boatloads of Emmys, AHS‘s current season is running ahead of all previous seasons in the ratings. While its premiere fell second to Freak Show‘s record ratings, Hotel has managed to maintain its ratings far better than its predecessor, running 7 percent ahead in viewers 18-49.
  • Returns: The Fox Network has announced its schedule for the upcoming Winter season. The notable offerings include the final season premiere of American Idol on Wednesday, January 6; The X-Files return on Sunday, January 24, before settling into its Monday night run; the premiere of Grease: Live on Sunday, January 31; and a new night for sci-fi stalwart Sleepy Hollow on Fridays beginning February 5. Deadline offers an in-depth look at the 2016 Winter/Spring Fox schedule.

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