‘Key & Peele’ returns quieter and more cerebral

Key & Peele returns quieter and more cerebral

The shift in tone and volume in the Season 5 premiere is part of an evolution that began last season that made Key & Peele more cinematic, says Mike Hale. “There are still sketches built around escalating violence and invective, like Wednesday’s opener, a football locker-room scene in which two players pound each other mercilessly while hollering clichés about teamwork. But overall, the show feels quieter, more reflective and, if anything, even more cerebral than before,” he adds. PLUS: Key & Peele is more feminist this season.

Omarosa: “I am going to pray for Donald Trump”

The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice alum Omarosa Manigault, who’s now an assistant pastor at a Baptist church in Los Angeles, says of the Trump controversy: “I’m not going to touch that with a 100-foot pole. I wouldn’t even know how to respond to that — I mean, who would?”

Keith Olbermann learned he was leaving ESPN again during today’s show

ESPN2’s Olbermann staffers got an e-mail that they were losing their jobs 22 minutes into today’s show, as ESPN has opted not to renew Olbermann’s contract two years after his return to the Worldwide Leader in Sports. Recently, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that ESPN wanted to take the commentary out of Olbermann’s show. PLUS: Why Olbermann ought to return to MSNBC.

Gotham star posts a photo of him looking like the Joker

Cameron Monaghan’s Instagram photo seems to confirm he’ll be the Clown Prince of Crime in Season 2.

In defense of Cosby Show and Dukes of Hazzard reruns

“If you believe that pop culture matters,” says James Poniewozik, “then it matters even when it’s uncomfortable (and sometimes for the very reasons it’s uncomfortable). The Cosby Show is a legitimate piece of American history. It advanced the representation of black families and culture on TV and–however ugly the irony now–showed a generation of kids an African American dad as a wise, successful father figure. The Dukes of Hazzard is… um, not exactly the same artistic achievement, nor did it ever try to be. But even cheesy TV is a historical document.”

Jimmy Kimmel launches a private equity fund

Along with a former NBA player and a former NHL player, Kimmel’s TitleCard Capital aims to leverage his celebrity status to attract investors.

NBC brought a giant black hole to Comic-Con to promote Heroes Reborn

The Peacock is promising a “4D experience” to promote the return of Heroes.

Who is new View co-host Michelle Collins?

The comedienne stands at over six-feet tall and spent six years as the managing editor of VH1’s website Best Week Ever. PLUS: It’s time to cancel The View.

Whoopi Goldberg: I’m getting death threats for defending Bill Cosby on The View

“People have been coming after me and saying they’re going to snatch my family,” she said on this morning’s show. “It’s like being Frankenstein, people coming after you with fire and they’re going to burn you.”

Rectify renewed for Season 4 before its Season 3 premiere

The SundanceTV series returns for its third season on Thursday.

See Sherlock’s first official Victorian-era photo

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman look like they’re straight out of the 1800s in a still from the Christmas special.

Conan at Comic-Con is hoping for a Game of Thrones vs. The Walking Dead cast battle

Both genre casts are booked for the same Friday show. “That’s going to be craziness,” says Conan. “I’m imagining a fight and we’re going to be getting Game of Thrones people hacking away at The Walking Dead cast. And it’s just going to be insane.”

Giuliana Rancic to scale back her role at E! News

Many of her duties will be fulfilled by Maria Menounos.

Hannibal Buress: “My ultimate dream show wouldn’t be on Comedy Central”

Buress talks about his new Why? Comedy Central show, and says: “I don’t think we have the budget for my ultimate dream show.” He adds of his new show: “I don’t know, it’s going to be funny. I don’t like selling it. (Laughs.) It’s just going to be funny shit from my perspective, and that’s what people can expect.” PLUS: Buress isn’t complaining that it took so long for him to get his own show.

Miss Piggy’s Muppets talk show set revealed

Her show will be called Up Late with Miss Piggy.

PBS will air an updated version of Harper Lee: American Masters featuring footage shot last week

The documentarian got to meet with the reclusive author on June 30. The updated film will air this Friday.

Marvel created a fake TV news channel to promote Ant Man

Check out WHIH’s Newsfront.

The Spoils Before Dying greatly benefits from Michael K. Williams

Williams’ casting in the central role, says Brian Lowry, brings “all that glowering intensity to the service of something completely silly. That Williams plays it almost entirely straight while his co-stars ham it up around him doesn’t entirely work, but it at least provides a bit of foundation to hang something remotely resembling a story around.” PLUS: This is a one-note premise stretched excruciatingly thin, and Williams is still scratching his head over this experience.

Million Dollar Listing: San Francisco celebrates everything to love and hate about the City by the Bay

The Bravo spinoff, says Adam L Brinklow, is “a funny, lively, easy-on-the eyes look at three local boys making good on the American dream right here in our beautiful city. Also, Million Dollar Listing: San Francisco is a nihilistic indulgence in the diabolical economic powers overrunning us all and smothering the future of our desperate, embattled soul and culture.” PLUS: Million Dollar Listing star is writing a guide to fatherhood.