Disney News

Category: Television

  • Disney+ Adds Content Disclaimer to ‘The Muppet Show’ Episodes

    Disney+ Adds Content Disclaimer to ‘The Muppet Show’ Episodes

    Disney Plus has added a content warning to the beginning of 18 episodes of The Muppet Show, which first aired in 1976 and started streaming on the platform on Friday.

    Disclaimer warnings have previously been added to Disney films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats and Dumbo.

    “This programme includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures,” the disclaimer reads. “These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.”

    It’s unstated precisely what Disney considers to be offensive on the show, but some characters depict Native American, Middle Eastern and Asian people.

    And in season five, legendary country singer Johnny Cash is seen performing in front of a Confederate flag.

    Disney’s disclaimer added: “Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.”

    The advisory note comes after several months of revisionism around films and TV programmes which could be considered offensive by the standards of today.

  • New Mickey Mouse Series Announced for Disney Junior

    New Mickey Mouse Series Announced for Disney Junior

    Oh boy! Disney Junior has announced that production has begun on new series called Mickey Mouse Funhouse.

    Mickey Mouse Funhouse is described as “a whimsical animated series for preschoolers and their families” that features Mickey along with classic characters Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. The series, set to debut in 2021, also introduces Funny, an “enchanted talking playhouse who leads the Sensational Six” on imaginative adventures.”

    The show, geared to kids ages 2-7 and their families, will feature two 11-minute stories along with dance break separating the two stories. The series aims to teach “imaginative play, encourage wish fulfillment and impart age-appropriate social and emotional lessons about friendship, creativity and ingenuity.”

    “Preschoolers around the world love Mickey Mouse and friends, and we are eager to showcase these beloved characters as they are transported to magical new destinations in each episode, encouraging kids to expand their own worlds using their imaginations,” said Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vp original programming, and general manager at Disney Junior. “We can’t wait for our young audience to meet Funny, who is a dynamic and playful addition to the treasured world of Mickey Mouse.”

    The show follows other animated adventures with Mickey on Disney Junior that have included Mickey and the Roadster Racers and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

  • ‘Doogie Howser, MD’ Getting Female-Led Reboot on Disney+

    ‘Doogie Howser, MD’ Getting Female-Led Reboot on Disney+

    A female-led reboot of the popular ‘90s series Doogie Howser M.D. has been picked up by Disney Plus.

    Disney+ has green-lit Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., the working title for a reboot of the popular ABC series Doogie Howser, which aired for four seasons between 1989 and 1993 and starred a fresh-faced Neil Patrick Harris as the titular teen doctor.

    The 10-episode half-hour comedy follows Kameāloha as she juggles a budding medical career and life as a teenager. Guiding Lahela (and also complicating things) is her family, including her spit-fire Irish mother who’s also her supervisor at the hospital, and her Hawaiian “Local Boy” father struggling to accept that his daughter is no longer his little girl.

    “Thirty years ago, a young medical prodigy took the world by storm and left a lasting impact on pop culture,” Ricky Strauss (president of content and marketing at Disney+) said in a statement. “Kourtney and the team at 20th Television have created a very modern take on this beloved property which will resonate with our global Disney+ audience. We can’t wait to introduce the world to the new Doogie!”

  • ‘Once Upon a Time’ Leaving Netflix and Headed to Disney Plus in September

    ‘Once Upon a Time’ Leaving Netflix and Headed to Disney Plus in September

    “Once Upon a Time” fans were disappointed to hear that the beloved fairy tale would no longer be streaming on Netflix, but the series has received a fairytale ending as Disney has announced that the show will now be added to the Disney Plus lineup.

    On Sept. 5, 2020, all seven seasons of the show will will no longer be available in the Netflix catalog, the company has announced. Fans can still pick up right where they left off on Disney+ shortly after.

    “Once Upon a Time” seamlessly blended the worlds of fantasy, drama and fairy tales during its run on ABC. Now, it will be bringing its dark take on Disney princesses home to Disney+, beginning on Friday, Sept. 18.

    The series follows a young woman with a troubled past is drawn to a small town in Maine where fairy tales are to be believed. For Emma Swan, life has been anything but a happy ending. But when she’s reunited with Henry – the son she gave up for adoption ten years ago – on the night of her 28th birthday, everything changes.   The show features a wide selection of classic Disney characters such as Snow White, Captain Hook, Robin Hood, Elsa, Merida and many more. 

    The show premiered in the fall of 2011 and finished its run in the spring of 2018. in that time, the seven-season series touched on aspects of mythology and literature from around the world, including characters from The Walt Disney vault and beyond.

    Netflix has close ties to Once Upon a Time, hosting it even before it was finished airing. Starting in 2015, Netflix was the destination for fans in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to watch Once Upon a Time, while in the U.S. it added new seasons shortly after they aired.

  • Disney Removes Fox From TV Studios Ending an Era

    Disney Removes Fox From TV Studios Ending an Era

    Disney announced on Monday it would be rebranding one of its TV studios, 20th Century Fox Television, as 20th Television.

    The new name cuts both the “Century” and the “Fox” from the studio’s name.

    “Our new studio names and logos mark a new day for ABC Signature, 20th Television and Touchstone Television while honoring their rich histories and the creative power of The Walt Disney Company,” Craig Hunegs, Disney television studios president, said in a statement.

    The well known logo and title card, which has the words 20th Television stacked above spotlights, will stay the same minus the excluded words.

    The new logo and graphics will appear on new episodes of 20th Television TV series starting this fall. Older titles, which have already aired before the rebrand, will maintain the former logo and name.

    The move follows Disney dropping the Fox name from its 20th Century Fox film brand in January. The company, which closed a $71 billion deal to acquire many of Fox’s assets last year, renamed the longtime studio as just 20th Century Studios.

  • Cult Classic ‘Dinosaurs’ TV Show Coming To Disney Plus This Fall

    Cult Classic ‘Dinosaurs’ TV Show Coming To Disney Plus This Fall

    The hit cult classic sitcom from the ’90s, Dinosaurs, has just been announced as a fall addition to Disney+

    This show follows the life of a family of dinosaurs, living in a modern world. They have televisions, refrigerators, et cetera. The only humans around are cavemen, who are viewed as pets and wild animals.

    The show consists of 65 episodes and the idea of the show was created by Jim Henson, who also created the Muppets, however he sadly passed away before the show made it to our screens.

    The show was previously available on Hulu, but isn’t currently available on any streaming platforms to watch, although it can still be bought on platforms such as Amazon.

    The show will make it’s way to Disney+ this fall, but no release date has been confirmed, according to whatsondisneyplus.com.

  • The Walt Disney Company Receives 102 Daytime Emmy Nominations Across its Platforms

    The Walt Disney Company Receives 102 Daytime Emmy Nominations Across its Platforms

    The Walt Disney Company’s networks and brands combined to earn a total of 102 nominations for the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

    The awards will be presented in a two-hour special airing Friday, June 26. Awards will be presented in leading categories during the telecast, with recipients and other special guests appearing from their homes. 

    Take a look below at the complete list of nominees from across The Walt Disney Company’s portfolio of brands:

    WALT DISNEY TELEVISION

    ABC

    General Hospital (23 nominations)

    • Outstanding Drama Series
    • Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Finola Hughes
    • Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Maura West
    • Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Steve Burton
    • Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Jon Lindstrom
    • Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Tamara Braun
    • Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Rebecca Budig
    • Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: James Patrick Stuart
    • Outstanding Young Performer in a Drama Series: Katelyn MacMullen
    • Outstanding Young Performer in a Drama Series: Eden McCoy
    • Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series: Michael E. Knight
    • Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series
    • Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series
    • Outstanding Original Song: “North Star”
    • Outstanding Casting for a Drama or Digital Drama Series
    • Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Drama or Digital Series
    • Outstanding Technical Team for a Drama Series
    • Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama or Digital Drama Series
    • Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for a Drama Series
    • Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Drama or Digital Drama Series
    • Outstanding Costume Design for a Drama or Digital Drama Series
    • Outstanding Hair Styling for a Drama Series
    • Outstanding Makeup for a Drama Series

    The View (8 nominations)

    • Outstanding Informative Talk Show
    • Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host: Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Meghan McCain, Abby Huntsman & Ana Navarro
    • Outstanding Lighting Direction
    • Outstanding Technical Team
    • Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing
    • Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
    • Outstanding Hair Styling
    • Outstanding Makeup

    GMA3 Strahan, Sara & Keke (3 nominations)

    • Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show
    • Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host: Michael Strahan, Sara Haines & Keke Palmer
    • Outstanding Directing for a Talk, Entertainment News or Morning Program

    Good Morning America (2 nominations)

    • Outstanding Morning Show
    • Outstanding Directing for a Talk, Entertainment News or Morning Program

    Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade

    • Outstanding Technical Team

    Disney Team of Heroes (ABC)

    • Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement—Brand Image Campaign—Network or Program

    DISNEY JUNIOR

    Elena of Avalor (7 nominations)

    • Outstanding Writing Team for a Preschool Animated Program
    • Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program
    • Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
    • Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “Never Leave”
    • Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special
    • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animated Program
    • Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program

    The Rocketeer (5 nominations)

    • Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Maurice LaMarche—The Rocketeer
    • Outstanding Writing Team for a Preschool Animated Program
    • Outstanding Main Title for an Animated Program
    • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animated Program
    • Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program

    Muppet Babies (3 nominations)

    • Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Eric Bauza
    • Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Matt Danner
    • Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program

    Puppy Dog Pals (3 nominations)

    • Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Kevin Michael Richardson
    • Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special
    • Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program

    Vampirina (2 nominations)

    • Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series
    • Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “The Vamp Opera”

    Doc McStuffins

    • Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series

    Elena of Avalor: The Magic Within

    • Outstanding Special Class Animated Program

    The Lion Guard

    • Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “As You Move Forward”

    Muppet Babies: Play Date

    • Outstanding Short Format Children’s Program

    T.O.T.S.

    • Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Christian Simon

    DISNEY CHANNEL

    Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure (7 nominations)

    • Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
    • Outstanding Directing for an Animated Program
    • Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
    • Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “Waiting in the Wings”
    • Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special
    • Outstanding Main Title for an Animated Program
    • Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program

    DuckTales (4 nominations)

    • Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: Paget Brewster
    • Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
    • Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
    • Outstanding Sound Editing for an Animated Program

    Big City Greens (3 nominations)

    • Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: Marieve Herington
    • Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: Chris Houghton
    • Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program

    Big Hero 6 The Series (2 nominations)

    • Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
    • Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “Gonna Go Good”

    Disney Mickey Mouse (2 nominations)

    • Outstanding Directing for an Animated Program
    • Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program

    Big City Greens: Green Christmas

    • Outstanding Special Class Animated Program

    BUNK’D

    • Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series

    Milo Murphy’s Law

    • Outstanding Special Class Animated Program

    Pup Academy

    • Outstanding Directing for a Children’s or Young Adult Program

    Shook

    • Outstanding Young Adult Program: Shook

    SYNDICATION

    Live with Kelly and Ryan (4 nominations)

    • Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show
    • Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host: Kelly Ripa & Ryan Seacrest
    • Outstanding Directing for a Talk, Entertainment News or Morning Program
    • Outstanding Hair Styling

    Tamron Hall (3 nominations)

    • Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host: Tamron Hall
    • Outstanding Costume Design/Styling
    • Outstanding Makeup

    HULU

    Light as a Feather (6 nominations)

    • Outstanding Young Adult Program
    • Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program
    • Outstanding Principal Performance in a Daytime Program: Liana Liberato
    • Outstanding Principal Performance in a Daytime Program: Jordan Rodrigues
    • Outstanding Principal Performance in a Daytime Program: Brianne Tju
    • Outstanding Directing for a Children’s or Young Adult Program

    Holly Hobbie

    • Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series

    LUCASFILM

    The Star Wars Show

    • Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement—Topical

    NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

    Rewind Nature

    • Outstanding Special Class—Short Form Daytime Program
  • ‘The Simpsons’ to Stream in Original Aspect Ratio on Disney Plus Beginning May 28

    ‘The Simpsons’ to Stream in Original Aspect Ratio on Disney Plus Beginning May 28

    “The Simpsons” fans are finally getting what they want from Disney+ as most of the animated sitcom’s older episodes will be available in the original 4-by-3 aspect ratio starting May 28.

    When the streaming service launched last November, it presented the full batch of “Simpsons” episodes in 16-by-9 format. That cropped out key details from older episodes — literally destroying some of the sight gags. After a backlash, Disney said it would restore the first 19 seasons and some of Season 20 in the original pre-HD aspect ratio.

    Now, months later, the archived episodes of “The Simpsons” in their original glory are nearly ready to come to Disney Plus. Al Jean, the show’s longtime showrunner, writer and executive producer, announced the release date for the 4:3 episodes on Twitter. Take a look below:

    After Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Disney Plus became the exclusive subscription VOD home of “The Simpsons.”

    “The Simpsons,” from creator and executive producer Matt Groening, last year was renewed for Seasons 31 and 32 by Fox Corp.’s Fox broadcast network. The show remains the longest-running primetime scripted TV show in history after surpassing “Gunsmoke” with season 29.

  • ‘The Wonderful World of Disney’ Returns to ABC With Broadcast Debut of ‘Moana’

    ‘The Wonderful World of Disney’ Returns to ABC With Broadcast Debut of ‘Moana’

    ABC has announced, “The Wonderful World of Disney” is returning to ABC to bring some of that iconic Disney magic back to your movie nights.

    Across four consecutive Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET, you and your loved ones can cuddle up on the couch to watch four beloved family films from the Disney library — all of which are currently available on Disney+. The fun begins May 20 when “Moana” hits the small screen.

    The following Wednesday nights will feature Marvel Studios’ “Thor: The Dark World” (airing May 27), Disney and Pixar’s “Up” (airing June 3) and Disney’s “Big Hero 6” (airing June 10).

    With the networks’ original series’ production halted and people looking for comfort-food entertainment while sheltering at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, blockbuster theatrical movies are becoming a viable programming option.

    While The Wonderful World of Disney originally aired on Sundays, its new installment is slated for Wednesdays so it does not clash with CBS’ theatrical movie showcase. Once a weekly staple, over the past decade or so The Wonderful World of Disney has become a brand occasionally used by ABC for special programming, most recently The Little Mermaid Live! and The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration.

    Fans can also find more entertainment from Disney brands — including “Star Wars” and “National Geographic” in addition to those mentioned above — at DisneyMagicMoments.com.

  • ‘The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II’ to Air this Mother’s Day on ABC

    ‘The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II’ to Air this Mother’s Day on ABC

    Earlier this month, millions of people across the United States joined together in spirit and song for ABC’s “The Disney Family Singalong,” and today, Disney announced an enchanting reprise will air this Mother’s Day with even more celebrities bringing Disney magic directly into your home once again.

    ABC will broadcast “The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II” on Sunday, May 10, at 7 p.m. EDT, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host. “Volume II” will feature new star-studded performances, inventive at-home choreography and even more Disney magic.

    The animated Mickey also returns, guiding you through on-screen lyrics so you can follow along in perfect harmony with celebrities performing beloved Disney tunes. The special will then be followed by a new episode of “American Idol,” following in the innovative remote format that debuted this past Sunday when audiences voted for the Top 10 finalists.

    The new singalong special will also continue to raise awareness about Feeding America’s vast network and resources for people across the United States who are finding themselves in unfamiliar circumstances and facing hunger for the first time.

    Performers for “The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II” will be announced soon, and we’ll share the highly anticipated lineup with you as soon as we can. In the meantime, if you’re looking for some more Disney magic, visit DisneyMagicMoments.com to discover entertaining stories, videos and activities from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and National Geographic.