TV Quick Hits: Fargo season 4, Frasier revival speculation; Black Lightning casting
Speaking per TVLine recently at NBC’s TCA Summer Press Tour event, Greenblatt made it clear that there is a demand for the long-running series starring Kelsey Grammer to return, but there’s a difference between demand and turning this into a reality:
“I’ve had conversations with [exec producer] David Lee about [Frasier]. Frasier would be great. I’d love to [bring back] Frasier. We put out feelers about [it] over the years … But I don’t think there’s any real interest. I think everyone’s moved on.”
One of the problems seems to be the passing of show co-creator David Angell. He and his wife Lynn died during the September 11 attacks, and Greenblatt noted that Lee and fellow co-creator Peter Casey weren’t too interested in returning to the show without him. We supposed that you never say never, but it doesn’t feel altogether likely.
So what about Fargo season 4?
At the time season 3 ended, showrunner Noah Hawley noted that he didn’t have another story in him to tell right now, and wouldn’t return to the franchise until he did. This is something we really respect: Instead of beating a brilliant series into the ground and giving us a few good seasons and then some not so great ones just to make a few bucks we would rather them take a break and return with more grade A material, much like how Sherlock and Luther operate. Also at TCA, FX head John Landgraf noted that there is still nothing concrete, but he hoped to hear something more definitive in the near future:
“I think what we’ve encouraged Noah to do is think about it and make sure he has something that he’s really excited about and believes in [putting on TV]. So there’s at least some possibility that he won’t have that idea for some period of time. [With that said] I think there’s also a decent possibility, because Noah’s been insanely fertile and productive, that we’ll hear that [season 4] idea fairly soon.”
It’s best to keep your eyes peeled here for more; unlike Frasier, we do think that a fourth season for Fargo is something that is going to happen. He just has Legion to focus on right now and with a show as brilliant and as complex as that, there’s not a lot of time for much else.
Black Lightning gets its Big Bad
For those wondering who will be one of the biggest villains of the first season of the CW show, meet Tobias Whale! Marvin “Krondon” Jones III has been cast in the role, who is a former politician turned dangerous gang leader and someone who will cause Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), otherwise known as Black Lightning, some major problems.
In a statement about the role, executive producer Salim Akil had the following to say:
“I was excited about Krondon when I saw his audition. He’s going to make a great Tobias! His authentic street sensibility along with an insightful intelligence is perfect for the Tobias character arc. Not to mention his regal physical bearing will be additive to making our show exciting and different.”
One more note
Fox has renewed Love Connection for another season; Andy Cohen will return to host after a successful go-around the first time.
Photo: FX