or


[06/22/07 - 04:35 PM]
ABC Slates 'Laughs' for Tuesdays, Confirms 'Masters' Installments
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- ABC had added "Just for Laughs" to its summer schedule as the half-hour entry is set to premiere on Tuesday, July 17 at 8:00/7:00c.

Back-to-back episodes of the series - which features a mix of practical jokes and other hidden camera pranks - will air on said night before it settles into its regular Tuesday, 8:30/7:30c slot the following week.

In addition, the network has also confirmed the lineup for its upcoming anthology series "Masters of Science Fiction" premiering Saturday, August 4 at 10:00/9:00c.

Here then are the official descriptions of the four installments set to air:

"A Clean Escape" (#101) - Four thought-provoking tales of present and future Earth are brought to life in "Masters of Science Fiction," an all-new anthology series featuring a stellar lineup of actors and directors, and narrated by acclaimed physicist Professor Stephen Hawking. The series premieres with "A Clean Escape" (SATURDAY, AUGUST 4), based on Nebula Award-winning author John Kessel's short story. Mark Rydell ("On Golden Pond," "The River," "The Rose") directed from a script by Sam Egan ("The Outer Limits"). In "A Clean Escape," set not too far in a post-Apocalyptic future, psychiatrist Dr. Deanna Evans (Judy Davis) interrogates a distinguished, if befuddled, man (Sam Waterston) who appears to be suffering from a lapse in memory. Why can't he remember - and why is it so important that she uncover the secret he holds deep inside?

"The Awakening" (#103, previously known as "The General Zapped an Angel") - Four thought-provoking tales of present and future Earth are brought to life in "Masters of Science Fiction," an all-new anthology series featuring a stellar lineup of actors and directors, and narrated by acclaimed physicist Professor Stephen Hawking. The second episode, "The Awakening" (SATURDAY, AUGUST 11), stars Terry O'Quinn and Elisabeth Rohm. Based on the short story by Hollywood Blacklist author Howard Fast ("Spartacus," "Citizen Tom Paine"), the episode opens outside Baghdad, where U.S. soldiers discover a mysterious casualty - one they can't even identify as human. William B. Davis ("The X-Files") guest stars as the President of the United States. Michael Petroni ("Till Human Voices Wake Us") directed from a script he wrote, based on the short story by Howard Fast.

"Jerry Was A Man" (#102) - Four thought-provoking tales of present and future Earth are brought to life in "Masters of Science Fiction," an all-new anthology series featuring a stellar lineup of actors and directors, and narrated by acclaimed physicist Professor Stephen Hawking. The third installment is "Jerry Was a Man" (SATURDAY, AUGUST 18), featuring Anne Heche and Malcolm McDowell. Michael Tolkin ("The Player," "The Rapture," "The Burning Season") directs from a script he wrote based on the classic Robert Heinlein story. Set in the future, the world's seventh richest couple, the van Vogels, find their lives changed forever when they acquire an anthropoid named Jerry.

"The Discarded" (#106) - Four thought-provoking tales of present and future Earth are brought to life in "Masters of Science Fiction," an all-new anthology series featuring a stellar lineup of actors and directors, and narrated by acclaimed physicist Professor Stephen Hawking. The series concludes with "The Discarded" (SATURDAY, AUGUST 25), based on the short story by seven-time Hugo Award winner, three-time Nebula Award winner and Science Fiction Grand Master Laureate Harlan Ellison. The episode is written by Harlan Ellison and 2005 Academy Award nominee Josh Olson ("A History of Violence"). Jonathan Frakes ("Star Trek") directed. Brian Dennehy, John Hurt and James Denton star in this ultimate story of despised minorities sentenced to drift in the darkness of outer space forever. These men and women make a desperate pact in the hope of being offered refuge at home on Earth.

Two other installments were also shot however it's not clear when or if they will air (descriptions are taken from ABC's original press release):

The fourth installment is "Little Brother," written and adapted for the screen by Walter Mosley ("Devil in a Blue Dress") and directed by Darnell Martin. Featuring Clifton Collins, Jr., and Kimberly Elise, "Little Brother" is set in the future, where courtrooms exist without human judges or juries, and automated justice is the law of the land.

Episode five is "Watchbird," based on the short story by the legendary Robert Sheckley and written Sam Egan. The episode stars Sean Astin and James Cromwell and is directed by Harold Becker. In "Watchbird," as society creates robotic droids to prevent killing before it takes place, they discover that all life depends on a fragile formula of killing and death.





  [june 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· JUST FOR LAUGHS (ABC)
· MASTERS OF SCIENCE FICTION (ABC)
· X-FILES, THE (FOX)





[05/07/26 - 07:01 AM]
NBC Sports' 2026 Notre Dame Football Schedule Headlined by Primetime Games Against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, Miami, Michigan State, and SMU
Notre Dame opens its season with its 2026 Shamrock Series game against Wisconsin on Sunday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock from Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.

[05/07/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Survival of the Thickest" The Final Season - Official Teaser - Netflix
She's going out in style. The final season premieres July 2, only on Netflix.

[05/07/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Alice and Steve" - Official Trailer - Hulu
Best friends. Bad decisions. Meet Alice and Steve.

[05/07/26 - 06:02 AM]
Video: "I Will Find You" - Official Teaser - Netflix
An innocent father serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that his child may still be alive - and must break out of prison to find out the truth.

[05/07/26 - 06:01 AM]
Netflix to Bring First Looks at "Charlie vs. The Chocolate Factory" Film, Upcoming Anime Slate Including "The One Piece", and Jason Reitman & Gil Kenan for "Ghostbusters" Series to Annecy Festival
Netflix returns to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival with a genre-spanning line-up of films and series featuring visionary filmmakers, as well as up-and-coming talent.

[05/07/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Fear Takes Hold in New Trailer for Apple TV's Psychological Thriller "Cape Fear"
Fear will take hold this summer when the 10-episode limited series makes its global debut on Friday, June 5, 2026 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through July 31, 2026 on Apple TV.

[05/07/26 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Untold UK: Jamie Vardy" - Official Trailer - Netflix
From part-time footballer to Premier League legend, this is the story of Jamie Vardy's unprecedented path and his rise to the top against all odds.

[05/07/26 - 01:55 AM]
Video: "Kartavya" - Official Trailer - Netflix
With his family's safety at stake and menacing threats closing in, a police officer must decide how far he'll go to uphold his duty.

[05/06/26 - 08:33 PM]
Shane Gillis' "Tires" Races Back to Netflix with Season 3 on August 13, 2026
Shane Gillis, John McKeever and Steve Gerben broke the news live during the "Netflix Is a Joke Fest Presents: Bill Simmons with the Creators of Tires" event at The Wiltern.

[05/06/26 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Teach You a Lesson" - Official Teaser - Netflix
When respect collapses in schools, unconventional inspectors arrive to set things right - with sharp, no-nonsense lessons you won't find in textbooks.

[05/06/26 - 02:01 PM]
FOX Hits the Road with Return of Beloved Global Sensation "Highway to Heaven"
Slated to debut during the 2027-28 season, the series will introduce longtime fans and a new generation to the franchise's timeless themes of compassion, humanity, and second chances.

[05/06/26 - 01:31 PM]
Apple TV Lands "Disavowed," New Action Thriller Starring and Executive Produced by James Marsden
Marsden will play legendary CIA Case Officer Brad Griffin, who is abruptly fired in the middle of a global hunt for an elusive assassin responsible for killing his colleague.

[05/06/26 - 12:02 PM]
Oscar Isaac Is Hitting the Casino in Martin Scorsese's New Vegas Series
The Netflix series hails from showrunners/executive producers/writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien, who are no strangers to the world of gambling.

[05/06/26 - 11:34 AM]
FOX Sports, Big Machine Racing Productions and Chassy Media Announce "Bobby Rahal: True American Racer" Premiering May 8 on FS1
The compelling new documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Bobby Rahal, one of American motorsports' most legendary champions.

[05/06/26 - 11:26 AM]
Video: Official Trailer for New Animated Fantasy Series "Dragon Striker" Revealed
Blending European fantasy with Japanese animation influences, the series follows an underdog hero's journey, brought to life through high-stakes battles, visually stunning action and expansive mythology.