Rocker Lucas Bidran Joins Jaw Talk for New Single

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Urban Escape drummer Lucas Bidran has joined the alternative rock band Jaw Talk for its upcoming single set for release this fall.

“I am thrilled to join the guys in Jaw Talk in this exciting new single!” Bidran said. “The band has a great energy and a cool musical vibe that makes everyone more creative and work well as a band!”

The song which is still unnamed, features Bidran in his trademark eclectic style that blends intense guitar riffs with a catchy central melody featuring strong harmonies with a powerful lead vocal from guitarist and lead singer Oliver Roman. The upcoming single is the newest for the band which has released a steady stream of singles over the past year. The band is made up of Roman, Evan Myaskovsky on bass, Mason Allport on baritone guitar and vocals and Joel Polacci on percussion.

“Lucas does a great job in this new single, showing great passion and creativity behind the drums,” Roman said. “I’m really proud of the work everyone did on this single and I’m sure fans will appreciate all the hard work we all put into this amazing track!”

Known for his hard driving style that comes from a rhythm and blues and hard rock background, Bidran found a common passion for music with the members of Jaw Talk during the recording sessions.

“This band has more of a soulful vibe to their songs than Urban Escape, which, I love and I listen to that type of music every day, so it wasn't a big change to my approach on drums,” he said. “It was very natural to play with those guys.”

The new single is the latest effort by Bidran, who has been busy recording Urban Escape’s upcoming album set for release on July 26.  The Brazil-born drummer will also be touring with Urban Escape this summer.

For more, follow Lucas Bidran on Instagram at www.instagram.com/lucasbidran/ or visit www.LucasBidran.com.

CBS Brings the 'Star Trek' Universe, 'Nancy Drew' and Others to San Diego Comic-Con

LOS ANGELES – CBS Television Studios will kick off San Diego Comic-Con® with exclusive world premiere screenings of its new series EVIL for CBS and NANCY DREW for The CW on Thursday, July 18. As previously announced, cast and producers of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS and STAR TREK: PICARD will beam into HALL H for a first-ever “Star Trek” universe back-to-back panel block on Saturday, July 20.

The Comic-Con panels and other details are as follows:

THURSDAY, JULY 18

“EVIL” EXCLUSIVE SCREENING AND PANEL 12:45-2:00 PM – EVIL is a psychological mystery that examines the origins of evil along the dividing line between science and religion. The series focuses on a skeptical female psychologist who joins a priest-in-training and a carpenter as they investigate the church’s backlog of unexplained mysteries, including supposed miracles, demonic possessions and hauntings. Their job is to assess if there’s a logical explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work. Please join series stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi and Michael Emerson along with co-creators and executive producers Robert King and Michelle King for an exclusive sneak peek of the first episode followed by a panel discussion. Moderated by Lynette Rice from Entertainment Weekly. EVIL will air Thursdays this fall on CBS. Ballroom 20

“NANCY DREW” EXCLUSIVE SCREENING AND PANEL 2:00-3:15 PM – Nancy Drew is a brilliant teenaged detective whose sense of self had come from solving mysteries in her hometown of Horseshoe Bay, Maine – until her mother’s untimely death derails Nancy’s college plans. Devastated by her mother’s passing, Nancy swears off crime-solving, but when a socialite is murdered, Nancy finds herself embroiled in a ghostly murder investigation. A supernatural presence begins to haunt Nancy’s investigation, and she discovers that the current crime has an astonishing connection to the unsolved murder of a local girl. Whether the ghost is here to help or hinder Nancy remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Nancy’s going to have to unravel the clues from both the living and the dead to solve the crimes. Please join series stars Kennedy McMann, Leah Lewis, Maddison Jaizani, Alex Saxon and Tunji Kasim, along with executive producers Noga Landau, Melinda Hsu-Taylor and Stephanie Savage for an exclusive sneak peek of the first episode followed by a panel discussion. Moderated by Damian Holbrook of TV Guide magazine. NANCY DREW will air Wednesdays this fall on The CW. Ballroom 20

SATURDAY, JULY 20

“ENTER THE STAR TREK UNIVERSE” PANEL 11:30 AM -1:00 PM – Over 50 years ago, the world was first introduced to what would quickly become a cultural phenomenon for the ages. “Star Trek” broke barriers then and continues to do so now, inspiring people of all generations and walks of life with its celebration of cultural diversity, scientific exploration and the pursuit of uncharted frontiers. Today, the “Star Trek” universe continues to thrive, exploring all new missions for Starfleet. CBS All Access invites you to join the cast and producers of its hit series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY and be the first to hear about two new upcoming additions to the “Star Trek” universe: the highly anticipated new series STAR TREK: PICARD, starring Sir Patrick Stewart, and the animated series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Hall H

 “STAR TREK” UNIVERSE BOOTH: U.S.S. DISCOVERY TRANSPORTER EXPERIENCE AND “TREK” TALENT MEET-AND-GREETS – CBS All Access is bringing the “Star Trek” universe to the San Diego Comic-Con Exhibit Hall, Thursday, July 18 through Sunday, July 21, where fans are invited to step aboard the U.S.S. Discovery and travel to strange and distant lands through an immersive transporter experience. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite “Star Trek” talent in person with meet-and-greets in the booth (Booth #4237) on Saturday, July 20. Comic-Con badges are required for entry.

“STAR TREK” UNIVERSE EXCLUSIVE PINS – A number of exclusive, limited-quantity “Star Trek” pins will be available to fans during Comic-Con. All week long, a Starfleet Headquarters visitors badge will be available for those who visit and complete the “Star Trek” transporter experience on the show floor. On Saturday afternoon and Sunday, a limited quantity of pins featuring the debut of two characters from the upcoming CBS All Access animated show STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS will also be available from the “Star Trek” booth. At the “Jean-Luc Picard: The First Duty” museum experience at Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts, fans can get an exclusive replica pin of the Picard family crest as seen in STAR TREK: PICARD.

“JEAN-LUC PICARD: THE FIRST DUTY” EXHIBIT – In celebration of Patrick Stewart’s return to his iconic “Star Trek: The Next Generation” role, “Jean-Luc Picard: The First Duty” is a special exhibition showcasing original props, costumes and other artifacts tracing Picard’s life and Starfleet career. Items on display include his cherished Ressikan flute, the legendary Picard family album, his Starfleet uniforms, models of ships Picard captained, and all that remains of the “Borg Queen.” The gallery also features exclusive first looks at costumes and other items featured in the upcoming CBS All Access series STAR TREK: PICARD. Visitors will have the first chance to purchase exclusive STAR TREK: PICARD merchandise and opportunities for exclusive giveaways. The gallery is located at Michael J Wolf Fine Arts, 363 Fifth Ave., San Diego, Calif. 92101 and will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Comic-Con from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

Additionally, EVIL will be offering festival-goers complimentary rides during the day throughout the Gaslamp District, while hosting “Frightseeing Tours” in the evenings in Old Town. Trailers of EVIL, a CBS original series, will be screened for the passengers, and brand ambassadors will distribute giveaways. Exclusive “Frightseeing Tours” will run Thursday and Friday nights for select fans.

STEP INTO THE “TWILIGHT ZONE” EXPERIENCE – From Thursday, July 18 to Sunday, July 21. Located in the Interactive Zone at Petco Park, fans will be transported into CBS All Access’ THE TWILIGHT ZONE as they enjoy an immersive experience not only of sight and sound, but of mind. Reserve FREE tickets at: StepIntoTheTwilightZone.com.

CARPOOL KARAOKE THE MIC – The Singing Machine launches CARPOOL KARAOKE THE MIC at San Diego Comic-Con from July 18 to July 21, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Located in space “J” at the Interactive Zone at Petco Park, fans will be able to recreate the fun of James Corden’s wildly popular “Carpool Karaoke” segment and become the star of the car as they hop inside a branded Range Rover to sing along to their favorite songs. There will also be a daily CARPOOL KARAOKE THE MIC giveaway to a lucky fan that has posted their performance on social media.

CARPOOL KARAOKE THE MIC will be available for purchase with free direct-to-consumer shipping in the U.S., including a Carpool Karaoke Popsocket.

CBS Wins Ratings Battle for Third Consecutive Year

LOS ANGELES – For the third year in a row, CBS has won the ratings battle across primetime, daytime and late night, earning a ratings trifecta for the Tiffany network.

According to Nielsen NPower (6+ minute qualifier), CBS has reached 239 million viewers this season across all dayparts, beating its closest competitor (NBC) by +9.4 million viewers.

CBS Primetime is currently averaging 9.03 million viewers and won 22 of the season’s 34 weeks and the last 12 consecutive weeks on the strength of a schedule deep with hit shows and top-rated nights.

CBS also had:

•  THE BIG BANG THEORY ranked as the season’s “most-watched” series, repeating a mark that the comedy claimed last season. YOUNG SHELDON was the #2 comedy followed by MOM at #3. 
• 13 of the top 30 “most-watched” broadcast series – more than any other network.
• 12 time-period-winning programs, more than all other networks combined.
• 11 series averaging 10+ million viewers, more than any other network. 
•  Eight of the top 10 comedies – more than the other networks combined.
• 11 of the top 20 broadcast dramas – more than the other networks combined
• All three series in the NCIS franchise delivering more than 10 million viewers with the original NCIS returning to the top as the season’s most-watched drama.
• 60 MINUTES as the most-watched news program.

On the late night side, THE LATE SHOW currently leads “The Tonight Show” by +1.37 viewers (3.81m vs. 2.44m, +55%), an increase over last year’s +1.2m viewer win (3.89m vs. 2.69m). This marks CBS’ third consecutive late night win – the program’s longest winning streak and the largest margin of victory for CBS over “The Tonight Show” since 1993-1994. THE LATE SHOW will also finish +18,000 viewers ahead in adults 18-49 (677k versus 659k), after trailing NBC by -72k adults 18-49 last season. This is THE LATE SHOW’s first adults 18-49 win in its current iteration and first overall since 1994-1995.

With live plus 3-day ratings, THE LATE SHOW won every week of first-run broadcasts against first-run weeks of “The Tonight Show” in viewers with all but one (24 of 25) posting a margin of victory of +1 million viewers or more.

The combination of THE LATE SHOW and THE LATE LATE SHOW easily wins late night by +600k viewers (CBS, 2.54m viewers versus NBC, 1.94m and ABC, 1.76m), up +18% from last season’s +510k viewer margin of victory.

On the daytime side, CBS has dominated the daytime landscape for the past 33 years, and this season was no exception. CBS beat its closest competition in daytime by +1.3 million viewers (3.72m versus NBC’s 2.43m). The Network won in the key women 25-54 demographic (0.9 versus 0.8) and tied for first in women 18-49 (0.6). CBS also had seven of the top 10 most-watched shows in daytime:

1.      THE PRICE IS RIGHT 2

2.      THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

3.      THE PRICE IS RIGHT 1

4.      THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

5.      LET’S MAKE A DEAL 2

Billy Bush Returns to Television as Host of 'Extra'

LOS ANGELES – “Extra,” the Emmy award-winning syndicated entertainment news magazine, has named veteran entertainment journalist Billy Bush as host for the 26th season of the show, rebranded as “ExtraExtra” and premiering September 9, 2019.

Senior executive producer Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey said, “Billy is the consummate journalist with extensive celebrity industry contacts and reach. No one does more illuminating interviews and in-depth stories than him. He’s the perfect host as we reinvent ‘Extra’ for a new generation. I’m thrilled to welcome him back to television.”

Said Bush, “My first job on national television was on ‘Extra’ so this is a homecoming of sorts for me. I’m excited to join the incredible team and be a part of the show as it gets refreshed for a new generation.”

Bush first appeared on “Extra” as a New York-based freelance correspondent in 2002. He will anchor the new “ExtraExtra” from the show’s new broadcast center and newsroom at The Burbank Studios in Burbank, California. The show will feature a new, modernized setting at the studio and will continue its extensive location reporting from bureaus in Los Angeles and New York, and will establish new outposts in both Nashville and Las Vegas.

Billy Bush’s extensive television career includes serving as host of the third hour of “Today,” host of “Access Hollywood” and “Access Hollywood Live,” correspondent for WNBC’s “Today in New York” and New York freelance correspondent for “Extra.” For six years, he hosted “The Billy Bush Show,” a nationally syndicated talk and music radio show. Bush began his career in Wolfeboro, NH as a radio DJ and sales person.

"ExtraExtra" is helmed by senior executive producer Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey and executive producers Theresa Coffino and Jeremy Spiegel. The show is produced by Telepictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. The program website is at www.extratv.com.