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In session: Legal drama 'All Rise' is on CBS's fall docket

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Author: 
Michelle Rose / TV Media
Jessica Camacho and J. Alex Brinson in "All Rise"

Jessica Camacho and J. Alex Brinson in "All Rise"

In Session: Fans of Netflix's "Luke Cage," "The Defenders" or even "Iron Fist" might know her as Misty Knight, the tough-talking New York detective with a bionic arm.

But Simone Missick will be looking at the law from inside the courtroom this fall when the new legal drama "All Rise" debuts on Monday, Sept. 23, on CBS. The series will also stream on CBS All Access.

Missick is Lola Carmichael, a former L.A. deputy district attorney who is known to be tough, independent and, well, a bit unconventional. Lola has been recently appointed to the bench, which means she has more power now. Lots of it. And she doesn't waste time wielding that gavel of hers to get things done and push back against a flawed justice system.

Missick's immensely likable Lola is the main character here, but the series formerly known as "Courthouse" (the change was announced alongside the series order in May) is an ensemble drama.

Per CBS, the show is about pulling "back the curtain on the court system -- from judges, assistants, district attorneys and public defenders to bailiffs, clerks, cops and jurors." That means plenty of compelling characters, and they'll each be contributing their own brand of chaos and humanity to the weekly storylines.

Marg Helgenberger ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") is a familiar face among a regular cast that includes Jessica Camacho ("The Flash"), Wilson Bethel ("The Young and the Resetless"), J. Alex Brinson ("Travelers"), Lindsay Mendez ("Elementary") and Ruthie Ann Miles ("The Americans").  

There is some buzz around this one. But when it comes to legal dramas, especially CBS dramas, the bar has been set high. With back-to-back comedies ("The Neighborhood" and "Bob Hearts Abishola") serving as the lead-in, "All Rise" has a good shot at being appreciated for what it is: a character-driven drama with a lot of heart.

 

Funny Lady: All this talk of fall premieres got you down? Good news, HBO has a new show premiering THIS week.

Written by the very funny Robin Thede ("The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore"), "A Black Lady Sketch Show" debuts Friday, Aug. 2, on HBO. It's being described as a "narrative series set in a limitless magical reality full of dynamic hilarious characters and celebrity guests."

It's a half-hour cinematic sketch show. And it's one that already has people talking.

The groundbreaking series is the first sketch comedy show to be created, written and directed by a black woman. It also features an all-black female regular cast, with Ashley Nicole Black ("Full Frontal with Samantha Bee"), Gabrielle Dennis ("Rosewood") and Quinta Brunson ("Broke") joining Thede and co-executive producer Issa Rae ("Insecure").

You might also want to tune in for the guest appearances, because the star-studded lineup is a who's who of funny celebrities.

There's Angela Bassett, David Alan Grier and Laverne Cox ... and Tia Mowry, Aja Naomi King, Patti Labelle, Lena Waithe, Amber Riley, Yvonne Orji, Loretta Devine, Gina Torres, Lil Rel Howery, Jermaine Fowler, Deon Cole, Natasha Rothwell, Marsai Martin, Khandi Alexander, Larry Wilmore, Yvette Nicole Brown and Kelly Rowland. You know, just to name a few.

Earlier this month, HBO released an official trailer. Set to Saweetie's "My Type," it gave viewers a taste of what's to come, like a hike gone wrong and a flight attendant struggling to get a clear "yes" from a passenger.

For viewers, and especially comedy fans, "A Black Lady Sketch Show" is a welcome addition to the TV landscape. As for HBO, the network has to be loving all the buzz that's been building online ahead of the Aug. 2 premiere.

 

Say What: From standup to fangirl encounters with celebrities, Tiffany Haddish ("Girls Trip," 2017) really does say the darnedest things. So it's not much of a stretch to picture the outspoken comedian relating with kids who simply, and innocently, tell it like it is.

This fall, Haddish serves as host and executive producer of ABC's revival of "Kids Say The Darndest Things," which is set to air on Sundays.

Taped in front of a live audience, each episode is a mix of in-studio and taped segments. There's "Kids Rule," in which kids attempt to explain random rules to Haddish; "Best Carpool Ever," with Haddish chatting up a minivan full of kids; "Love Talk" sees the host getting relationship advice; and "Granny Tiff," in which a costumed "elderly" Haddish gets tech advice.

The taped segments come from all across America, courtesy of recent casting calls in several cities, including San Diego and Las Vegas. Kids were asked random questions, and you'll see many of their reactions or candid responses come Oct. 6.

Haddish isn't the only celebrity helming a kids-themed showcase this fall. Melissa McCarthy, who co-stars with Haddish in "The Kitchen" (coming out in theaters next week), is taking over the reins from Steve Harvey for Season 4 of NBC's "Little Big Shots."

The idea for "Kids Say the Darndest Things" isn't new, dating back to 1945 when Art Linkletter incorporated it into his "House Party" radio show, and later on his TV series.

The bit of history that isn't talked about as much is the previous incarnation of "Kids Say the Darndest Things," which was hosted by now-disgraced comedian Bill Cosby. But the only thing it has in common with Haddish's edition -- other than funny kids saying funny stuff, of course -- is executive producer Eric Schotz, who was also at the helm of CBS's "Seriously Funny Kids" (2011).