Tom Sandoval Faces a Vigorous Challenge After the #Scandoval in ‘Special Forces’ Season 2 Trailer (TV News Roundup)

Tom Sandoval is taking on yet another challenge in the brand new trailer for Season 2 of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” which is set to premiere on Sept. 25.

The trailer gives a peek into some of the vigorous challenges that the stars will embark on throughout their time on “Special Forces,” equipped by a cast of notable names.

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Currently filming “Vanderpump Rules” amid controversy that ensued after he cheated on his long-term partner Ariana Madix with their friend and co-star Raquel Leviss (which ended up landing the show two Emmy nominations), Sandoval now joins “Special Forces.” Sandoval will be joined by a slew of impressive (well, depends on which way you look at it) reality stars, actors, athletes and personalities for Season 2 of the Fox’s reality competition show.

The celebrity recruits for Season 2 of “Special Forces” are Sandoval; NFL star Dez Bryant; Bachelor Nation fan-favorite Tyler Cameron; Savannah Chrisley of “Chrisley Knows Best;” Kardashian ex Blac Chyna; “Beverly Hills, 90210” star and ’90s icon, Brian Austin Green; NBA champion Robert Horry; Olympic gold medalist speed skater Erin Jackson; Olympic ski racer Bode Miller; Jack Osbourne of “The Osbournes;” actor Tara Reid; influencer, host and producer Kelly Rizzo, who is the widow of Bob Saget; “Dance Moms” alum and global social media superstar JoJo Siwa; and former star of “The Bachelor,” Nick Viall.

Executive producers are Sophie Leonard, Liam Humphreys and Becky Clarke. Minnow Films produces the series.

Watch the trailer below.

FIRST LOOKS

Netflix has released the trailer for Season 2 of “Selling the OC,” the spin-off of the reality series “Selling Sunset,” about an L.A. real estate agency. With a release date of Sept. 8, the trailer promises all the drama and glamour that both shows are known for.

“Selling the OC” focuses on the Oppenheim Group’s Orange County office, where a separate group of real estate agents sell houses with million — and even billion — dollar price tags. The trailer teases their first ever “billion dollar listing” in Cabo San Lucas. “Billion, like with a B?” one agent responds. The group is shown traveling to the tropical destination, a privilege granted to them “before the L.A. office.”

The Orange County group is led by Jason and Brett Oppenheim, the twin brothers who are also in charge at the Sunset Blvd. location. In addition to showing off stunning, sprawling homes and luxury lifestyles, the series features plenty of interpersonal drama between the agents as they juggle their personal lives and work lives.

Watch the trailer below.

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“Billy the Kid” is back with a teaser for Season 2, part one starring Tom Blyth and Daniel Webber as gunslinging outlaws. The first half of Season 2 will air four episodes, with part two set to premiere in 2024.

Per the season’s official synopsis, “The epic romantic adventure inspired by the life of America’s most infamous outlaw continues in Season 2, as Billy and his allies square off against his oldest friend Jesse Evans and the corrupt powers of the Santa Fe Ring. When shots are fired, the conflict erupts into the bloody Lincoln County War. Amidst the fighting, Billy will struggle to hang onto his soul—and to the love of his life.”

“Billy the Kid” is executive produced by series creator Michael Hirst along with Donald De Line, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey. Season 2, part one premieres on MGM+ Oct. 15 at 9 p.m.

Watch the teaser below.

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This time…on “Love Island Games…” fans can expect to see some familiar faces (and one iconic voice).

“Love Island U.K.” favorites Maya Jama and Ian Stirling are gearing up to host and narrate Peacock’s inaugural “Love Island Games,” respectively, the streamer announced Thursday.

“Love Island Games” kicks off its inaugural season on Nov. 1, bringing together past Islanders from the U.S.A, U.K. and Australian reiterations for a second shot a love. The series serves as “Love Island’s” first-ever spinoff, one that will sport a cast of fan-favorite Islanders competing in team and couples challenges while navigating each other.

Jama and Stirling both hail from flagship “Love Island U.K.” as host and narrator, respectively. David George, Adam Sher, Simon Thomas, Andy Cadman, Ben Thursby-Palmer, Claudine Parish, Kate Amarnani and Sophie Bush are the executive producers, alongside Tom Gould, Richard Cowles, Mike Spencer, Richard Foster and Chet Fenster serve as executive producers.

Watch the teaser trailer below.

PROGRAMMING

ABC is moving its “The Bachelor” franchise, including the first ever “Golden Bachelor,” to Thursdays this fall. ABC has revealed several tweaks to its fall plans, including the decision to pair “Golden Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise” together on Thursday nights starting September 28.

“The Golden Bachelor” was originally slated to air Mondays at 10 p.m. ET in the fall, behind “Dancing With the Stars,” but will now air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ABC will announce what it will air instead in that slot at a later date. Also up in the air: Tuesday nights, as “Bachelor in Paradise” was originally scheduled to air on the night at 9 p.m., behind “Celebrity Jeopardy” at 8 p.m., but has now moved to Thursdays at 9 p.m.

The Ken Jennings-hosted “Celebrity Jeopardy!” is now moving to Wednesdays at 8 p.m., starting September 27, followed on the night by “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” at 9 p.m. and “The $100,000 Pyramid” at 10 p.m. Those three gamers replace the previously announced “Judge Steve Harvey,” “Abbott Elementary” repeats and “What Would You Do,” which were originally set for Wednesday night airings. (No word on whether “Judge Steve Harvey,” those “Abbott” repeats and “What Would You Do?” will land elsewhere).

Also up in the air: “Press Your Luck,” originally slated to air Thursdays at 9 p.m.

Additionally, the 15th season of “Shark Tank” will debut on Friday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. followed by ABC News’ “20/20.” Sunday, Oct. 1 will sport the premiere of “AFV” at 7 p.m. and “The Wonderful World of Disney” at 8 p.m.

ABC will reveal the rest of its plans for Monday and Tuesday nights soon.

TRAILERS

Apple TV’s upcoming comedy series “Still Up” has debuted its first trailer. The eight-episode series starring Antonia Thomas and Craig Roberts is set to make its global debut Sept. 22 with the release of its first three episodes.

This take on a rom-com follows insomniacs and best friends Danny (Roberts) and Lisa (Thomas) who spend most nights awake FaceTiming and calling one another, and soon falling for each other. Alongside the pair stars Blake Harrison, Lois Chimimba, Luke Fetherston and Rich Fulcher.

“Still Up” is created and written by Steve Burge and Natalie Walter and is directed by John Addis. Additional writing is done by Bryce Hart. The show is executive produced by Paul Schlesinger and Phil Clarke and is produced by Arabella McGuigan and Various Artists Limited.

Watch the trailer below.

DATES

This year’s annual “Star Trek Day,” as hosted by “Star Trek: Lower Decks’” Jerry O’Connell, will be held on Sept. 8, Paramount+ and CBS announced Thursday.

“Star Trek” made its television debut on Sept. 8, 1966, with creator Gene Roddenberry introducing the world to the universe that championed diversity, inclusion, acceptance and hope. Now, 57 years later, Paramount is set to honor the iconic day later this September with special “Star Trek: Lower Decks” screenings.

“Star Trek Day” comes paired with the highly anticipated fourth season of “Star Trek: Strang New Worlds” which is set to debut on Sept. 7.

Fans can stream for free globally on StarTrek.com/Day, YouTube (Paramount+ and STAR TREK Official pages), Twitch (ParamountPlus) and Facebook (@StarTrekOnPPlus and @StarTrek). In the U.S., the special will be available to stream on Paramount+, Pluto TV (Paramount+ Picks, STAR TREK, More STAR TREK and Pluto TV Sci-Fi channels) and Mixable and will air on select local CBS affiliates, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, Pop TV, Fave TV and Smithsonian.com.

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It’s time to get sporty with Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Maurice Edu as the CBS Sports personalities are set to lead “Kickin’ It,” the network’s brand new soccer interview series that is set to debut on Sept. 20.

The weekly show will sport authentic conversations between CBS Sports professionals and some of the most interesting personalities in the modern soccer world. The series will air on CBS Sports Golazo Network, its 24-hour soccer streaming network.

Abdo, Dempsey, Davies and Edu began their journey into CBS Sports’ coverage with Concacaf national team competitions. Abdo currently leads CBS Sports’ soccer studio coverage while Dempsey, Davies and Edu previously were apart of the U.S. Men’s National Team ahead of joining the network as analysts.

The Sept. 20 premiere will feature Thierry Henry and additional early guests include USMNT and Premier League starting goalkeeper Matt Turner, Jozy Altidore, the third-leading scorer in U.S. history behind Dempsey and Landon Donovan.

ACQUISITIONS 

Cesar Millan’s Emmy-nominated series “Dog Whisperer” will now be distributed via Cineverse across multiple digital platforms.

Cineverse will distribute the series via the new free ad-support streaming TV (FAST) channel — the “Dog Whisperer” channel. Additionally, it will be available to watch via ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD).

The series debuted in 2004 on the National Geographic Channel with 30-minute episodes before transitioning to a one-hour program the following year. The Millan-led series went on to welcome guest celebrities including Jada Pinkett Smith and Denise Richards, landing Emmy nominations in both 2006 and 2007.

“Almost 20 years ago, one of the most popular pet-based TV series launched on television and immediately gained large audiences and attracted fans around the world,” said Marc Rashba, executive VP of partnerships at Cineverse. “People have been enthralled at the skill and personality of Cesar Millan and have been hooked ever since. We look forward to bringing Dog Whisperer to fans who have not had an opportunity to watch in several years, as well as introducing the show to entirely new audiences for the very first time.”

SPECIALS

OutKick will host a one-hour Fox special titled OutKick on Fox, set to air Sunday Aug. 27 at 10 p.m. Clay Travis, founder of OutKick, will join Fox hosts hosts Tomi Lahren and Charly Arnolt to talk hot topics in America.

OutKick on Fox will feature conversations with Riley Gaines, host of podcast “Gaines for Girls,” OutKick columnist Mary Katherine Ham and former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom.

This marks the first time OutKick has joined Fox for a primetime special since the conservative media outlet was founded back in 2011.

PARTNERSHIPS

This fall, FOX Soul and PRC Communications’ Black College Sports Broadcasting Network (BCSBN) are joining forces to air HBCU sports games on the streaming platform.

Each Saturday, HBCU football games will be broadcast live via FOX Soul, immediately followed by the BCSBN-produced half-hour pre-game show, “HBCU GameTime.”

“FOX SOUL is proud to partner with PRC Communications’ BCSBN to bring an outstanding lineup of premier HBCU football games to viewers,” said D’Artagnan Bebel, general manager/head of programming for FOX Soul. “We intend to grow this valuable partnership so we can further highlight the uniqueness of the HBCU experience to potential and current students, alumni, fans, and beyond.”

The season’s first game will air on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m., in a game between Norfolk State University and Hampton University. Ahead of the match, “HBCU GameTime” will air at 5:30 p.m.

“PRC Communications/BCSBN’s partnership with FOX SOUL is an exciting extension of the distribution of our HBCU football and basketball schedule of games in 2023-2024,” said Pierre Cromartie, president/CEO of PRC Communications/BCSBN. “Our vision is to showcase to the nation the excitement around the experience of the HBCU sports culture, and FOX SOUL will help us in that effort.”

EXECUTIVE NEWS

Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) has tapped Rita Hagen Aleman to serve as its new executive producer of news and documentary development, the company announced Wednesday.

Aleman hails as executive producer and director of special projects with “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien,” HMPG’s nationally syndicated public affairs program. The show is currently entering its ninth season on Sept. 16, serving as one of the top weekend public affairs programs on broadcast and cable.

“Rita has successfully guided the continued development of ‘Matter of Fact,’ including closing out the 2022-2023 season with year-to-year audience growth,” said Frank Biancuzzo, president of HMPG.  “She has tremendous range and we’re eager to engage her in other HMPG news and information projects.”

In her new role, Aleman will continue to work on ‘Matter of Fact’ while expanding her talents into national news and information programming. Aleman will report to Angelica Rosas McDaniel, HMPG’s executive vice president and general manager of entertainment while developing additional documentaries and docuseries for the company.

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