Roundups #121: More Amazing World Of Gumball Coming Soon To Cartoon Network, Meet In Love Returning For A Second Season On Zee World And Also Returning For A Second Season Is The eVOD Original Production uMbali

The Amazing World might have been renewed for a season 7???

In September 2021, we learnt that Gumball was getting a movie and a series. Jump to present day and no details about these projects have been revealed. In fact, the movie's fate got worse as it was revealed to not be moving forward on HBO Max unless another streaming service picks it up.

Nothing had been stated about the series but there's now we have confirmation that new content is coming soon and it comes from an employee that works on Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.

Here's what they say in a post on LinkedIn:

I'm excited and very proud to be series producing The Amazing World Of Gumball for a season 7 for Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. Watch out for job opportunities in 2023.

But it just leads to further questions is this season 7 related to the new series or is it just a continuation of the original series.

Regular Nick:
Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
January on Disney Channel
January on Disney Junior
January on Da Vinci Kids

Meet In Love 2 coming in 2023 to Zee World

During the month, we've unveiled a demo-sized version of what to expect on Zee World in the coming future and as advised we'd share more content soon with others only when the channel is willing to announce them beforehand. Now we turn to the B-sides of 2023 with Meet In Love 2.

Meet Hooda, a spirited young tomboyish girl from Haryana who is the sole breadwinner of her family but also breaks societal rule books of gender roles by serving as a delivery agent. Her father was a police officer who sacrificed his life while in service, due to which Meet takes up all the responsibilities of her house.

In the upcoming season which hails one year later Meet (now Manjari Desai) hails from Vadodara to find her baby. She is all set to take seek revenge from Manushi, Kunal and Masoom for taking away her family, husband and child.

Everyday Novelas:
Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
Prediction: eBolly to rollout on the Openview platform
Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?
Carmen And Razia Sultan coming soon to Zee One and Zee World
Laxmi and more content awaiting launch on Star Life
Daai Crazy Somer coming soon to e.tv

uMbali is making a comeback on eVOD

Season 1 of the eVOD local production launched later in the year and appears to be well recieved by the fans of eVOD. Although, no air date had been shared for e.tv ahead of its linear debut is the rollout the second season.

Starring Diana Maseko, Phumzile Kubeka and Sthandile Nkosi.

In the season 2 debut, Mbali's sugar daddy Robert in jail and facing financial ruin, is kicked out of the plush mansion and plunged back into desperate poverty, where she must move back home and live with her mother and conceited sister.

Openview Plus:
Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
The Game Of My Destiny a brand new Turkish drama unveiled by Global Agency
The Rebel Princess coming soon to eExtra
A look at former NBC soap, Passions
Die Vertroueling coming soon to eExtra
Barbie: It Takes Two and Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! coming soon to eToonz

Reminder: Ash's Journey On e.tv To End In 2023 With A 13 Episode Story Arc Ahead Of New Series

After 25 long years, Ash Ketchum’s journey to become the Pokémon world champion is complete, and his story is drawing to a close. Following the conclusion of the show’s 25th season in March 2023, The Pokémon Company will premiere the next chapter in its 2D-animated franchise’s story worldwide without its iconic trainer or his loyal companion, Pikachu.

The upcoming Pokémon saga (which doesn’t have a title yet) will follow the adventures of a new pair of lead characters—named Liko and Roy in the Japanese broadcast—who travel across the region of Paldea to discover new Pokémon and battle skilled trainers. The anime series will feature new creatures from the 2022 Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, including grass cat Sprigatito, fire croc Fuecoco and duckling Quaxly.

Regular Nick:
Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
January on Disney Channel
January on Disney Junior
January on Da Vinci Kids

Before the new series debuts, the final 11-episode chapter of Ash and Pikachu’s journey will roll out weekly in Japan starting on January 13. These episodes of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series will feature a cast of returning monsters and characters, including Ash’s friends Misty and Brock, and it’s also meant to hint at what’s in store for the long-running show’s protagonist after the curtain falls.

The first season of the Pokémon anime series debuted in the US in 1998, and the brand’s content canon now features more than 1,200 main series episodes and 23 feature films. The show currently airs exclusively in the US on Netflix, which has been hungry for more Pokémon content. In August, the streamer purchased global rights to the 2D-animated special Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles, and it picked up CG-animated movie Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution in 2020.

Beyond animation, The Pokémon Company International is also developing an unscripted live-action series based on the property’s long-running trading card game.

Insidus Games:
- Johnny Bravo: Big Babe Adventure
- Lego Star Wars
Trace On
The Lion King
Garfield 2: Royal Adventure
Legend Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Emmanuelle: A Look Into One Of The Wildest And Bizzare Shows From e.tv

Emmanuelle is a late night show that was beamed onto eMedia Investments' only TV channel at the time e.tv. For those who were familiar with the Emmanuelle, the series despite being a bit inappropriate for daytime audiences explored one's inner fantasies.

Before it was pulled from the channel, Emmanuelle managed to attract a million audiences which is huge considering the timeslot it was allocated being 10pm. I don't why I thought of doing this maybe because I was too a victim at some point which I honestly doubt.

Since Dark Side Of The Ring, I've been used to reading up on stuff and diving down into their early life which is the case for Emmanuelle but I'll try my best to not bore anyone and only include the important bits. I mean I did read through the whole thing and these parts made a lot more sense.

Google:
A look into the life of X-Rated Rocky star Sylvester Stallone
Malverde: Legend or Myth, a look at other patron saints
7 things you didn't know about Tom's Diner
Inside the enduring mysteries of Elvis Presley's tragic fate
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker became a childhood horror
How Scooby-Doo inspired a generation of drug junkies?

Character history

Emmanuelle appeared as the pen name of Marayat Rollet-Andriane, a French-Thai actress born in the 1930s in Bangkok . Her 1957 book The Joys of a Woman detailed the sexual exploits of Emmanuelle, the "bored housewife" of a French diplomat. Rollet-Andriane's book caused a sensation in France and was banned.

The producer of another Arsan/Rollet-Andriane film Laure, Ovidio Assonitis, claimed that all books published under the pen name Emmanuelle Arsan were written by her husband Louis-Jacques Rollet-Andriane, rather than by Marayat.

Films

The first Emmanuelle film was the 1974 French theatrical feature Emmanuelle starring Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel became a success with a viewing audience estimated at 300 million. It remains one of France's most successful films, and played in the Arc de Triomphe theatre for over eleven years.

Several sequels starring Kristel followed, beginning with Emmanuelle 2 known as Emmanuelle: The Joys of a Woman in its U.S. release, and also Emmanuelle l’antivierge in some European press materials, including the soundtrack LP and CD.

A number of unofficial productions in Italy, Japan and the United States cashed in on the Emmanuelle craze. Among the best known were Italian "Black Emanuelle" films starring Laura Gemser , who became the second most popular actress to play Emanuelle in the 1970s.

After the last official Emmanuelle theatrical feature film, Emmanuelle au 7ème ciel (the seventh film for which Kristel returns as the main character), ASP began to produce further films, all featuring the character of Emmanuelle, albeit played by a series of actresses. These included a science fiction series in the 1990s called Emmanuelle in Space starring American actress Krista Allen in one of her first roles.

Openview Plus:
Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
The Game Of My Destiny a brand new Turkish drama unveiled by Global Agency
The Rebel Princess coming soon to eExtra
A look at former NBC soap, Passions
Die Vertroueling coming soon to eExtra
Barbie: It Takes Two and Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! coming soon to eToonz

Following spinoffs included TV series Emmanuelle 2000 starring Holly Sampson, TV and video series Emmanuelle's Private Collection starring Natasja Vermeer, and a one-off, Emmanuelle in Rio, starring Ludmilla Ferraz in her only acting credit.

As of 2011, over 60 Emmanuelle based content had been produced.

A list of productions in no particular order

• Emmanuelle (1974)
• Emmanuelle 2, also known as Emmanuelle, The Joys of a Woman (1975)
• Goodbye Emmanuelle, also known as Emmanuelle 3 (1977)
• Emmanuelle 4 (1984)
• Emmanuelle 5 (1987)
• Emmanuelle 6 (1988)
• Emmanuelle 7 (1993)
• Emmanuelle Forever (1993)
• Emmanuelle's Love (1993)
• Emmanuelle's Magic (1993)
• Emmanuelle's Revenge (1993)
• Emmanuelle's Perfume (1993)
• Emmanuelle in Venice (1993)
• Emmanuelle's Secret (1993)
• Emmanuelle in Space series (USA)
• Emmanuelle: First Contact, also known as Queen of the Galaxy (1994)
• Emmanuelle 2: A World of Desire (1994)
• Emmanuelle 3: A Lesson in Love (1994)
• Emmanuelle 4: Concealed Fantasy (1994)
• Emmanuelle 5: A Time to Dream (1994)
• Emmanuelle 6: One Final Fling (1994)
• Emmanuelle 7: The Meaning of Love (1994)
• Emmanuelle 2000 series (USA)
• Emmanuelle 2000: Being Emmanuelle (2000)
• Emmanuelle 2000: Emmanuelle and the Art of Love (2000)
• Emmanuelle 2000: Emmanuelle in Paradise (2000)
• Emmanuelle 2000: Jewel of Emmanuelle (2000)
• Emmanuelle 2000: Intimate Encounters (2000)
• Emmanuelle 2000: Emmanuelle's Sensual Pleasure (2000)
• Emmanuelle 2000: Emmanuelle Pie (2002)
• Emmanuelle in Rio (2003)
• Emmanuelle Private Collection series (USA)
• Emmanuelle Private Collection: Sex Goddess (2004)
• Emmanuelle Private Collection: Emmanuelle vs. Dracula (2004)
• Emmanuelle Private Collection: Sex Talk (2004)
• Emmanuelle Private Collection: The Sex Lives of Ghosts (2004)
• Emmanuelle Private Collection: Sexual Spells (2004)
• Emmanuelle Private Collection: The Art of Ecstasy (2006)
• Emmanuelle Private Collection: Jesse's Secret Desires (2006)
• Emmanuelle Through Time: Emmanuelle's Skin City (2011)
• Emmanuelle Through Time: Emmanuelle's Sexy Bite (2011)
• Emmanuelle Through Time: Sex, Chocolate & Emmanuelle (2011)
• Emmanuelle Through Time: Rod Steele 0014 & Naked Agent 0069 (2011)
• Emmanuelle Through Time: Sex Tales (2011)
• Emmanuelle Through Time: Emmanuelle's Supernatural Sexual Activity (2011)
• Emmanuelle Through Time: Emmanuelle's Forbidden Pleasures (2011)
• Emmanuelle: A Hard Look , a documentary on the series (2000)
• Pretty Cool, a retitled, cut version of Emmanuelle Pie (2002)
• Emmanuelle Tango, a potential theatrical release, cancelled (2006)
• Emmanuelle in Wonderland, a retitled, cut version of Sex Tales (2012)
• Adventures Into The Woods: A Sexy Musical, a further edit of Emmanuelle in Wonderland (2015)
• Black Emanuelle (1975)
• Black Emanuelle 2 (1976)
• Emanuelle in Bangkok (1976)
• Emanuelle in America (1977)
• Emanuelle Around the World (1977)
• Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals (1977)
• Emanuelle and the White Slave Trade (1978)
• Violence in a Women's Prison (1982)
• Emanuelle Escapes from Hell (1983)
• Io, Emmanuelle (A Man for Emmanuelle) (1969), directed by Cesare Canevari.
• Amore libero - Free Love (The Real Emanuelle , 1974), directed by Pier Ludovico Pavoni.
• Emanuelle's Revenge (Emanuelle e Françoise le sorelline 1975), directed by Joe D'Amato .
• Tokyo Emmanuelle (1975), directed by Akira Katō.
• La Marge (1976) (also released as Emmanuelle 77), directed by Walerian Borowczyk.
• Laure (1976) (also released as Forever Emmanuelle), directed by Emmanuelle Arsan.
• Black Emmanuelle, White Emmanuelle (Velluto nero, Emanuelle in Egypt 1976), directed by Brunello Rondi.
• Yellow Emanuelle (Il Mondo dei sensi di Emy Wong 1977), directed by Bitto Albertini.
• Sister Emanuelle (1977), directed by Giuseppe Vari.
• Vanessa (1977), directed by Hubert Frank.
• Felicity (1978), directed by John D. Lamond.
• Carry On Emmannuelle (1978) directed by Gerald Thomas.
• Emmanuelle in Soho (1981), directed by David Hughes

Former StarSat Channel Home To Inside The Factory And Air Warriors Is Closing Down In The UK

The Smithsonian Channel is an international channel operated by Paramount Global which is home to factual shows such as Inside the Factory, How Did They Build That?, WWII Battles in Color, Air Warriors, Ocean Super Predators and many more.

The channel was available in Africa alongside Love Nature a while back on StarSat as a replacement to National Geographic and National Geographic Wild as the pay-tv platform got into a bit of a disagreement with their suppliers, The Walt Disney Company.

Prior to that, The Smithsonian Channel was also allocated on the East African platform Zuku TV but I prefer to credit StarSat since consumers are more familiar with the platform.

Anyways, The Smithsonian Channel what can I say I'm not too familiar with the brand and I only knew of existence when it was introduced by StarSat but what was more shocking was that it's owned by Paramount that are home to various popular brands most of which are on DStv.

But considering how they screwed over VH1 I'm the least bit shocked that they'd be another channel lurking around the same corner.

StarSat:
Delayed SABC channel launch on StarSat explained
Russia Today to launch South African hub
StarSat trying to be DStv friendly
BYUtv should be added onto StarSat
StarSat to offer more African dubbed telenovelas
Could StarSat be losing two more channels?

From what I can establish no actual reason was given for The Smithsonian Channel's exit in the African market my guess on StarSat has to do with costs as they've scrapped over 40 channels most of which weren't even replaced to date.

But considering the times both Love Nature and The Smithsonian Channel both left the platform it's possible that may not be the case as Zuku TV fell prey to similar circumstance.

During the week, officials announced the exit of The Smithsonian Channel in the UK with consumers having to rely on Paramount+ for more factual entertainment which has just got me thinking. Is it possible that the termination in Africa may have something to do with what's already seen in the UK?

I mean I kind of suggested that theory a while back that The Smithsonian Channel's demise had to do with streamlining efforts.

I've got nothing to say about The Smithsonian Channel except for the fact that a lot of viewers depend on the channel but I think part of the reason it got scrapped had to do with the rivalry with National Geographic and Discovery both of which offer similar entertainment.

The Walt Disney Company:
- The Good Doctor getting a female led spinoff
- King Kong Series in development
- The Walt Disney Company to extend the reach of Star Channel
- DStv Streama now offers Disney+
- List of scrapped spinoffs for The Simpsons
- Disney Television Animation unveils Kiff!

National Geographic is about to undergo a similar fate leaving Discovery and from what I've seen Curiosity and BBC Earth to cater for these audiences or at least in Africa.

Paramount+ besides carrying content from The Smithsonian Channel will also leverage from MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, CBS and many more. Although I have yet see them streamline their linear offering I had noticed that they've been closing irrelevant or non-performing channels.

The Smithsonian Channel was neither but I do feel it's presence on Paramount+ will help the brand gain more acknowledgement.

Recap: We Baby Bears Is Currently The Only Original Program On Cartoon Network

During the year, WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. merged into Warner Bros. Discovery and since then stirred up a lot of scrutiny following the cutback in original programming part of which included current Cartoon Network shows like Summer Camp Island and upcoming shows like Batman: Caped Crusader.

Now the channel is just down with 1 original program We Baby Bears as Craig Of The Creek became the latest victim to get axed from this merger with the final season alongside movie to be made available in the coming year with questions amounting to their last remaining original.

Yes, I'm very much aware of Unicorn Warriors Eternal, Invincible Fight Girl and Adventure Time: Fiona And Cake and something the internet doesn't talk about The Adventures Of Ivanhoe but this is directed at We Baby Bears.

We Baby Bears serves as a spinoff to We Bare Bears as it follows Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bear in their childhood as they embark on a series of adventures as they struggle to find a place they can settle down and fit into.

Insidus Games:
Nicktoons: Freeze Frame Frenzy
Garfield 2: Royal Adventure
Legend Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Sonic Advance 3
Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends: Cheese Phone's Home
Wheres Waldo Now?

Created by Daniel Chong, the series debuted on Cartoon Network earlier in the year which took a U-Turn from the original We Bare Bears as the crew use their imagination to escape the hardship of their reality and try to see the positivity in everything.

As much as I feel a sense of discomfort for the show and I'm referring to the Yabba Dabba Dinosaur kind the concept makes a whole lot sense. We Bare Bears was kind of depressing and often enjoyable especially with those Baby shorts.

All I'm saying is you know what when I watched We Bare Bears I often felt sad looking at the bear's early lives and We Baby Bears doesn't do as much of a good job covering it up to older audiences as myself as it does with their demographic.

If anything, it's good to know that within the bear's childhood they were able to find some form of happiness even if it wasn't real. While some would choose to let the world eat them up it's good that these bears were able to forge their own path in the midst of it all.

Regular Nick:
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
Moonbug Kids gets a dedicated cameo account
January on Disney Channel
January on Disney Junior
January on Da Vinci Kids
The concept of Cartoonito and Boomerang (review)

Roundups #120: Lioness Returns For A New Season On M-Net, The Proud Family: Louder And Prouder Gets Season 2 Renewal And BritBox To Add Two New Doccies To Their Lineup

Another local drama gets a season 2 renewal

Shannon Esra returns to TV screens as Samantha Hugo when M-Net's (DStv 101) edgy thriller drama, Lioness, returns for its second season next year.

Lioness returns for season 2 on 16 January. It follows the story of a woman fresh out of jail for fraud and returning to a life even more fractured than when she left.

"After the cliffhanger finale of season 1, season 2 picks up with Adrian Hugo's (played by Jacques Bessenger) second wife (played by Carla Classen) in desperate search for her missing husband," a press statement reads. "The fiercely protective mother (as the titular "lioness") that she is, Samantha must shield her son Liam (played by Joshua Eady), no matter the cost."

DStv Flex:
- The Heartless coming soon to TLNovelas
- What to expect this January on The Home Channel?
Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
What to expect this January on Qwest TV?
Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
What to expect this December on TNT?

The Proud Family is back on Disney+

The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder fans rejoice as the Proud Family revival gets renewed for season 2!

But, before we delve deeper into what we know about the upcoming new season on Disney+, we have to mention that the series is unquestionably making its mark as it recently won the Outstanding Casting for An Animated Program award at the first Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.

Season 2 of The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder will hit the airwaves in February and is expected to feature a stellar list of new guest stars. According to JustJaredJr.com, here are some of the voices that we can expect to hear in upcoming new episodes and the names of the characters that they will portray.

- Gabrielle Union as Talia Rouge
- Chance the Rapper as Darrius St. Vil
- Normani as Giselle
- Leslie Odom Jr. as Kwame
- Anthony Anderson as Ray Ray
- Gymnasts Dominique Dawes, Gabby Douglas and - Laurie Hernandez as themselves
- Holly Robinson Peete as Dr. Lord
- Maury Povich as himself
- Storm Reid as Emily
- Courtney B. Vance as Merlin Kelly
- Liana Mendoza as Singing Judge

Regular Nick:
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
Moonbug Kids gets a dedicated cameo account
January on Disney Channel
January on Disney Junior
January on Da Vinci Kids
The concept of Cartoonito and Boomerang (review)

BritBox picks up two British actor documentaries

The Ghost of Richard Harris debuted in September 2022 at the Venice Film Festival. The actor is known to modern viewers best as the Original Dumbledore, but he had a long career before Harry Potter, including starring in the Oscar-nominated This Sporting Life and Camelot. However, he was even better known for his hard-partying ways, with a reputation for drinking and riotous behavior.

The documentary will feature his children, who followed in his footsteps to Hollywood, including Jared Harris (The Crown), Jamie Harris (Carnival Row), and director Damian Harris (Brave The Dark), as well as co-stars Vanessa Redgrave and Dick Cavett, and his late wife, Elizabeth Harris.

Peter O’Toole – Along the Sky Road to Aqaba only just debuted recently at the end of November 2022 in Spain. Directed by Jim Sheridan, who ironically also appears in The Ghost of Richard Harris, the documentary is structured into four acts, each introduced by a quote from or about the Lawrence of Arabia star to encapsulate that period of his life.

Nominated seven times for Best Actor, the new documentary covers everything about O'Toole from his self-belief to his alcoholism, using his own words, gleaned from 100s of hours of footage, allowing him to act as a narrator for his own life. It also includes interviews with O’Toole’s family, artists, actors, and directors, including Sir Kenneth Branagh, Brian Cox, Stephen Fry, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Sir Derek Jacobi.

YouTube Premium:
VH1 is making a comeback to international shores through BET
DStv Streama bundles Disney+
The Walt Disney Company to expand the reach of Star Channel
Acorn TV shutting down in South Africa
TelkomOne rebrands into SABC+
New Spider-Man series coming to MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video