TV News Roundup: 'Bachelor' Is NFL QB, 'Pluribus' Promotion
Welcome to the weekend! Here's a curated catch-up on Friday's TV headlines.
Previously on Matt's Inside Line.... I shared my Q&A with FBI's John Boyd and Shantel VanSanten, who previewed Nina's return and the #Scolina marriage's big test; relayed news of Virgin River's record-setting renewal and NBC's premiere date for Sunset P.I.; offered My Quick Takes on Cupertino, Chicago Fire and more of this week's TV; and cheered VisionQuest's role in generating actual excitement for Avengers: Doomsday. As you welcome the weekend, here's a handy recap of a few other Friday headlines.
Matt Webb Mitovich
◼️ Sam Hartman, a 27-year-old quarterback for the Washington Commanders NFL team, will be The Bachelor when the ABC reality series returns for Season 30 — its first cycle in two years — on March 21, 2027. (The NFL regular season ends Jan. 10, and Super Bowl LXI is Feb. 14.) I know nothing about the guy, but how refreshing that they chose from outside the usual pool of Bachelor Nation also-rans. Then again, I guess they kinda had to...?
◼️ As revealed by a promo for Law & Order: SVU's fall finale airing Thursday, Dec. 3, Arrow alum Rick Gonzalez will reprise his role as Organized Crime's Detective Bobby Reyes in that episode. Gonzalez joined the Christopher Meloni-led offshoot in Season 3, and stuck around through its Season 5/series finale.
◼️ Samba Schutte, who appeared in a pair of Pluribus Season 1 episodes as Mr. Diabaté, the large-living Las Vegas playboy, was upped to series regular status for the Apple TV drama's second season. The TCA Approved sci-fier's freshman run premiered a little over a year ago, and dropped its finale last Christmas Eve; Season 2 is still in production.
Matt Webb Mitovich
◼️ Deadline hears that Fox is developing a "new take" on The X Factor, which previously aired on the network for three seasons from September 2011 through December 2013. Among the new "twists" reportedly on tap, contestants would live in a house together during the competition.
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