Michael Lombardo News

Returning to their hometowns to shed light on an underrepresented story, the filmmakers chronicle the history of each city, exploring how it intertwines with their own provenance and evolution, and placing it in the larger picture of America. The trilogy is inspired by the book 'God Save Texas: A Journey into the Soul of the Lone Star State.'

BELLATOR 290: Bader vs. Fedor 2 will be headlined by undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader (30-7, 1 NC) defending his title in a rematch against MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko (40-6, 1 NC). The BELLATOR 290 main card will also include an explosive welterweight contest between Sabah Homasi (17-10) and BELLATOR standout Brennan Ward (16-6).

Recipients to be honored at the annual national celebration of the arts in Washington, D.C. are: operatic bass-baritone Justino Díaz, Motown founder, songwriter, producer, and director Berry Gordy, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, legendary stage and screen icon Bette Midler, and singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell.

Watch the vibrant performance honoring Allen here, featuring a professional ensemble that mirrors the energy and precision of the dancers in the iconic original film.

Ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated season one finale of USA Network's critically praised DARE ME, the studio behind the series -- UCP -- has inked an overall deal with co-showrunner Gina Fattore (“Californication,” “Dawson's Creek”). DARE ME is one of the most highly acclaimed dramas on TV today (per Rotten Tomatoes), and is hitting the mark with key audience targets including young women, teens, rural viewers, and African American viewers, and ranks among the Top 5 new scripted launches across all cable in the last 6 months (out of 20+ series) among W18-34 (L3), W18-49 and A18-34. Under the pact, Fattore will develop scripted fare for all platforms with the studio, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios.

Today, USA Network revealed the trailer for the upcoming drama, DARE ME, premiering Sunday, December 29 at 10/9c. Based on the acclaimed novel by Megan Abbott, who serves as writer and executive producer along with Gina Fattore, DARE ME is an unflinching exploration of teen angst, jealousy, loyalty and the dynamics of power in a small Midwestern town.

The ten-part limited drama series OUR BOYS debuts with two episodes back-to-back MONDAY, AUG. 12 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), followed by single episodes debuting subsequent Mondays, exclusively on HBO.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced the selection of five Honorees who will receive the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements.

The ten-part limited drama series OUR BOYS debuts with two episodes back-to-back MONDAY, AUG. 12 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ETPT), followed by single episodes debuting subsequent Mondays, exclusively on HBO. 

USA Network announced a series pickup for Dare Me from UCP in association with Film 44. Based on the acclaimed novel by Megan Abbott, who serves as writer and executive producer along with Gina Fattore (Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, Californication”), Dare Me is an unflinching exploration of teen angst, jealousy, loyalty, and the dynamics of power in a small Midwestern town. Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) and Michael Lombardo of Film 44, Sarah Condon and Karen Rosenfelt executive produce. Netflix will co-produce and have first-run rights to the series outside of the U.S.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center will honor Grammy winner, philanthropist, and writer Ricky Martin; producer, writer, director Greg Berlanti and his husband producer Robbie Rogers; and philanthropist Ariadne Getty at its 49th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards. One of the nation's premier LGBT charity events, the Center's Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards brings together more than 1,200 of the region's most important leaders and influencers in the civic, corporate, entertainment, and philanthropic communities to celebrate this year's inspirational honorees for their unwavering support of the LGBT community and their dedication to creating positive change in the world.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced the selection of four Honorees who will receive the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements, and a special Honors distinction for a work of art and its co-creators. Recipients to be honored at the 41st annual national celebration of the arts are: singer and actress Cher, composer and pianist Philip Glass, Country music entertainer Reba McEntire, and jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. This year, the co-creators of Hamilton-writer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Thomas Kail, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, and music director Alex Lacamoire-will receive a unique Kennedy Center Honors as trailblazing creators of a transformative work that defies category.

HBO and Keshet International (KI) are co-producing a drama based on true events which unfolded in Israel in 2014. HBO has given a ten-episode order for the untitled series, which is being filmed on location in Israel. The series is created by Hagai Levi ((Golden Globe for 'The Affair'; HBO's 'In Treatment'), Israeli filmmaker Joseph Cedar (the Oscar(R)-nominated 'Beaufort,' 'Footnote,' 'Norman'), Tawfik Abu Wael ('Thirst,' 'Last Days in Jerusalem,' 'Waiting for Salah El Din') and Noah Stollman ('Pillars of Smoke,' 'The Exchange Principle'). Cedar and Abu Wael will also direct.

The new pilots, all hailing from Universal Cable Productions, include Treadstone, an action-packed original that delves into the CIA black ops program known as Operation Treadstone; Briarpatch, a unique blend of crime, thriller, mystery, and pulp fiction, marking Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail's second project for USA Network; Dare Me, a drama set within the cutthroat world of competitive high school cheerleading; and Erase, a crime thriller-with-a-twist starring and executive produced by Denis Leary.

Award Winning Music Documentary THE DEFIANT ONES Debuts on Netflix on 3/23

THE DEFIANT ONES, a four-part documentary event, debuts SUNDAY, JULY 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO, with parts 2, 3 and 4 debuting on successive nights, JULY 10, 11 and 12, at the same time. Director Allen Hughes (“Menace II Society”) has made an unquestionably bold film about the unlikely but ultimately unbreakable bond of trust and friendship between Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, two street-smart men from different worlds who have shaped many of the most exciting and extreme moments in recent pop culture.

THE DEFIANT ONES, a four-part documentary event, will debut on HBO in 2017, it was announced today by Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming.

With all three shows set to return for new seasons on Sunday, April 24, HBO has renewed GAME OF THRONES, SILICON VALLEY and VEEP for 2017, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming.