Animation Fixation Introduction

Some amazing animated shows that are actually directed at children are going to be hitting our screens very shortly and we thought it was time that we introduced this weekly section to NovastreamTV. 

The shows include Young Justice, Green Lantern The Animated Series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Wars : The Clone Wars.

All shows are part of a Saturday cartoon extravaganza on various stations across the USA. Each week we will bring you the low down on what was great and what sucked, but first we will give you a background on each of the shows. 

Young Justice is an Emmy nominated series based on the DC Superhero Universe. The show features a younger version of the Justice League being trained at Mount Justice (headquarters of the Justice League) and being mentored by their older counter-parts. 

The show centres around Aqualad, Nightwing, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian, Artemis, Speedy and Zatanna training and fighting baddies in true superhero style. The show is addictive and entertaining and stands out as one of the best animated kids shows out there.

Star Wars : The Clone Wars is about to enter its fifth explosive season. Striking a chord with Star Wars fans after a feature film of the same name, the show has gone on to generate 4 seasons and a plethora of industry awards. 

The Grand Army of the Republic, led by Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and other Jedi Knights, fights the New Droid Army of the Separatists.

The show is created and produced by Star Wars god George Lucas who hopes to eventually make 100 episodes of the epic sci fi adventure. 

Green Lantern : The Animated Series is the first TV adventure for the DC Comics character and is a featured part of DC Nation, the animated block he appears in on the Cartoon Network. 

The show centres around Hal Jordan primarily as a GL in space exploring the galaxy and protecting and saving aliens and interesting creatures.

The show has received critical acclaim and generated some ANNIE nominations as well. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are coming back to the small screen thanks to Nickelodeon and we can show you a few images from the debut episode.

The pizza loving reptiles are coming back and looking younger than they ever have in this new origins style story.Not many details of the plot or story arcs have been released yet but the show is set to debut any day now. 

Check out the other pics below

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RATINGS - Friday

Down, down, down seems to be the phrase for this first few weeks of TV resumption. New shows are premiering to low audience numbers, returning shows are in large decline and repeats are getting more viewers than original shows.

Fringe came back to 1.1, a series premiere low for the show, meanwhile new shows Made In Jersey and Last Resort premiered to low numbers as well being easily outdone by Grimm who earned a cool 1.6 share and top in its timeslot.

The full ratings numbers are below

Overnight broadcast primetime ratings for Friday, September 28, 2012:

Time	Net	Show	18-49 Rating	18-49 Share	Viewers Live+SD (million)
8:00 PM	ABC	Shark Tank	1.5	6	5.892
	CBS	CSI: NY	1.3	5	8.999
	FOX	The X Factor -R	1.1	4	3.281
	NBC	Grimm -R	0.7	2	2.843
	CW	America's Next Top Model	0.5	2	0.916
9:00PM	NBC	Grimm	1.6	5	5.312
	ABC	Last Resort -R	1.1	4	4.008
	CBS	Made In Jersey -P	1.1	4	7.744
	FOX	Fringe	1.1	4	3.176
	CW	Nikita -R	0.2	1	0.633
10:00 PM	CBS	Blue Bloods	1.5	5	11.106
	ABC	20/20	1.4	4	4.165
	NBC	Dateline NBC	1.3	4	4.794

Nielsen TV Ratings: ©2012 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

NOTE: All ratings are "live plus same day" from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise indicated.

Definitions:

Rating: Estimated percentage of the universe of TV households (or other specified group) tuned to a program in the average minute. Ratings are expressed as a percent.  

Share (of Audience): The percent of households (or persons) using television who are tuned to a specific program, station or network in a specific area at a specific time. (See also, Rating, which represents tuning or viewing as a percent of the entire population being measured.)

Fast Affiliate Ratings: These first national ratings, including demographics, are available at approximately 11 AM (ET) the day after telecast, and are released to subscribing customers daily. These data, from the National People Meter sample, are strictly time-period information, based on the normal broadcast network feed, and include all programming on the affiliated stations, sometimes including network programming, sometimes not. The figures may include stations that did not air the entire network feed, as well as local news breaks or cutaways for local coverage or other programming. Fast Affiliate ratings are not as useful for live programs and are likely to differ significantly from the final results, because the data reflect normal broadcast feed patterns. For example, with a World Series game, Fast Affiliate Ratings would include whatever aired from 8-11PM on affiliates in the Pacific Time Zone, following the live football game, but not game coverage that begins at 5PM PT. The same would be true of Presidential debates as well as live award shows and breaking news reports.

Time Shifted Viewing – Program ratings for national sources are produced in three streams of data – Live, Live+Same Day (Live+SD) and Live+7 Day. Time shifted figures account for incremental viewing that takes place with DVRs. Live+Same Day (Live+SD) include viewing during the same broadcast day as the original telecast, with a cut-off of 3:00AM local time when meters transmit daily viewing to Nielsen for processing. Live+7 Day ratings include incremental viewing that takes place during the 7 days following a telecast.

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REVIEW - Fringe Season 5 Episode 1 "They Are Here"

**WARNING SPOILERS**

Ah Fringe, definitely (for me) THE BEST Sci Fi TV shows ever made, and some of JJ Abrams finest work. For those not in the know I will fill you in, Fringe has low ratings on Fox and has had for quite some time now, but due to striking a chord with a certain market the show has continued and only gotten better as time has gone on.

We are now up to Season 5 and Fox have confirmed that this is the final season of Fringe.

When we left our favourite paranormal investigators they had been frozen in amber and the show flash forward to the year 2036. Peter, Walter and Astrid have been found and defrosted but Olivia is nowhere to be found.

Unambered by Peter and Olivia's now grown up daughter Retta, it is up to them to find Olivia as she holds the final piece of the puzzle to destroy The Observers and gain back control of Earth.

This episode is highly emotional, I am not going to talk too much about the plot as I do not want to give it away for those who have not yet seen the amazing season return. The show is very different this season, we launch straight into the action and exploring the storyline of how Retta was taken, who raised her and how she became a Fringe agent in the future.

Some very VERY highly emotional scenes here between Walter and Retta, Peter and Retta and the reunion between Retta, Olivia and Peter is heart-breaking and anyone who loves these characters will want to have a FULL box of tissues next to you.

Walter is well Walter and IMO one of the best written characters on TV. He never fails to amuse and entertain but can still tap into that emotional and vulnerable place that makes him one of the most liked characters on the show.

Astrid and Walter share some emotional scenes in this episode and she has shifted to the forefront of the show with the main characters for this 13 episode finale.

Overall Fringe is still packed full of action and emotion and this season opener was no different. If you are not watching the show currently and you are a sci fi or JJ Abrams fan, do yourself a favour, get out there and buy this show on dvd/blu ray and then watch the final season. It's going to be a good one!

Review by Arrow

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REVIEW - The New Normal S01, E04 "Obama Mama"

The New Normal takes a new (cough cough) turn this week, so far we have seen the gender, gay marriage and child adoption played out and it was only a matter of time before it turned political.

Bryan and David are attending more and more school events with Shania to really grasp just how this child thing works with schooling etc. They attend Shania's school where they are holding a mock vote, similar to the upcoming US Election.

Bryan and David discover that Goldie is voting for Cheyney and not Obama and set out trying to convince her that she is wrong. After getting wind of this Jane steps in and challenges the boys beliefs and says that they are racist for not having black friends.

The boys hold a staged dinner party with black actors posing as their friends to put on a good facade. This is the first time that we get a good look into the life of Jane and why she is the way she is. We see flashbacks to her childhood, campaigning for Nixon as a teenager in an amusing flashback.

At the end of the episode when Jane discovers that this is all for show the boys are forced to look at their own lives and realise that they need to vote for the person that represents all of their beliefs, not just one. It is a very powerful and important message that turns the show into serious territory this week.

Still this show is worth every second and I look forward to regular hilarity programming next week.

Review by Arrow

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Britney 2.0 - Glee

So Glee is gearing up to premiere the second Britney Spears tribute episode after the stellar ratings high the last one produced. We have been fortunate enough to see one of the songs "Hold It Against Me" as sung by Heather Morris (Brittany S Pierce)

Check out the video below

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Ratings Round Up!

Looking at the last few days of big shows in the USA and looking at the ratings, a lot of shows are premiering with lower numbers than last season, most significantly is The Voice and Glee.

Tuesday

Broadcast primetime final ratings for Tuesday:

Time	Net	Show	18-49 Rating	18-49 Share	Viewers Live+SD (million)
8:00PM	NBC	The Voice	4.0	12	11.42
	FOX	So You Think You Can Dance (8-10PM)	1.5	4	4.33
	CBS	NCIS -R	1.2	4	8.77
	ABC	The Middle -R	0.9	3	3.74
	CW	Hart Of Dixie -R	0.3	1	0.65
			tvbythenumbers.com
8:30PM	ABC	Last Man Standing -R	0.8	2	2.90
			tvbythenumbers.com
9:00PM	NBC	Go On	3.4	10	9.73
	CBS	Hawaii Five-0 -R	1.1	3	6.90
	ABC	Happy Ending -R	0.8	2	2.14
	CW	the Next -R	0.2	1	0.64
			tvbythenumbers.com
9:30PM	NBC	The New Normal	2.5	7	6.96
	ABC	Don't Trust The B in Apt 23 -R	0.6	2	1.80
			tvbythenumbers.com
10:00PM	NBC	Parenthood	1.9	5	5.48
	CBS	NCIS: Los Angeles -R	1.2	3	6.86
	ABC	Private Practice -R	0.5	1	1.65

-
Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2012 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday

Overnight ratings for Wednesday, September 12, 2012:

Time	Net	Show	18-49 Rating	18-49 Share	Viewers Live+SD (million)
8:00PM	FOX	The X Factor (8-10PM)	3.3	10	8.47
	NBC	The Voice	3.3	11	10.66
	CBS	Big Brother	2.0	6	6.12
	ABC	The Middle -R	0.9	3	3.71
	CW	Oh Sit!	0.4	1	0.93
			tvbythenumbers.com
8:30PM	ABC	Suburgatory -R	0.9	3	3.01
			tvbythenumbers.com
9:00 PM	NBC	America's Got Talent	2.9	8	11.01
	ABC	Modern Family -R	1.3	4	3.66
	CBS	Criminal Minds -R	1.2	3	5.62
	CW	Supernatural -R	0.3	1	0.70
			tvbythenumbers.com
9:30PM	ABC	Suburgatory -R	0.9	3	2.74
			tvbythenumbers.com
10:00PM	NBC	Guys With Kids	2.2	6	6.28
	CBS	CSI -R	1.3	4	6.43
	ABC	Revenge -R	0.6	2	2.51
10:30PM	NBC	The New Normal -R	1.4	4	3.931

Thursday

Overnight ratings for Thursday, September 13, 2012:

Time	Net	Show	18-49 Rating	18-49 Share	Viewers Live+SD (million)
8:00PM	FOX	The X Factor	3.1	10	8.247
	NBC	America's Got Talent (8-10PM)	2.4	7	10.512
	CBS	The Big Bang Theory  -R	1.9	6	6.831
	ABC	Wipeout	1.1	4	3.598
	CW	The Vampire Diaries -R	0.4	1	1.032
			tvbythenumbers.com
8:30PM	CBS	Two and a Half Men -R	1.5	4	5.398
			tvbythenumbers.com
9:00PM	FOX	Glee	3.3	9	8.087
	CBS	Big Brother	2.0	5	5.774
	ABC	Grey's Anatomy -R	0.7	2	2.633
	CW	The Next	0.2	1	0.706
			tvbythenumbers.com
10:00 PM	NBC	Rock Center With Brian Williams	1.4	4	6.02
	CBS	Person Of Interest - R	1.1	3	5.482
	ABC	Scandal -R	0.6	2	2.454

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WATCH X Factor S02E02

For those who missed it, check out X Factor in all its glory in the USA!

Episode 2

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REVIEW - Revolution S01E01

What would happen if all technology in the world stopped working? That's the premise of NBCs new show Revolution. Produced by J.J. Abrams (of Lost, Alcatraz and Fringe fame) and directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Cowboys and Aliens), you know this show is going to deliver a captivating storyline with some great action.

 

Revolution is set in North America fifteen years after a mysterious worldwide event known as “The Blackout” which results in all power and technology to cease working – cars stop in the middle of the road, phones cut out and airoplanes fall out of the sky. America is split into republics, controlled by a group known as the Militia. When they go looking for Ben Matheson (Tim Guinee) and his brother Miles (Billy Burke) one day, all hell breaks loose. Ben's son is kidnapped and it is up to Ben's daughter Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos) to save him, with the help of her uncle, Miles.

 

If the first action-packed episode is anything to go by then the show is going to be exciting, with a gripping storyline that will leave you wondering what happens next (Lostanyone?). There are also some real laugh out loud moments too though, with a clashing of past meets present where the character's who've grown up without technology question everyday things we take for granted. “Google … isn't that a computer thing?” And who can blame them for asking that when the world they live in is basically taken back by nature and nearly all big cities have become deserted or the popular destination for black market dealings.

 

Like many new movies and shows, Revolution is definitely environmentally aware and makes you reconsider how you would be able to survive and prosper without technology. Multi-millionnaires end up living in the same conditions as everyone else and small things like asthma, which can normally be treated pretty easily, become life threatening.

 

The show is enjoyable to watch, especially if you're a fan of the dystopic genre. If you have Foxtel or Austar you can catch Revolution at 8:30 this Wednesday night on Fox8.

Review by Sofie Kiriakidis

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REVIEW - The X Factor USA S02E01

Talent show's are back with a vengeance and this year the X Factor USA is taking no prisoners. Armed with superstar judges Simon Cowell, LA Reid, Demi Lovato and Britney Spears, the talent quest will clearly be a frontrunner for ratings and will draw a crowd based on these judges alone.

Episode 1 saw the introduction of the judges and how they interact, they all seem to get along ok and not of it felt forced or contrived.

Once the actual show began so did the fireworks, it was so different watching a show like X Factor compared to the Voice, this is clearly marketed towards a younger demographic and the cattiness of contestants was amusing to watch among the singing.

Demi Lovato had an up close and personal encounter with a contestant who like herself had been bullied, her emotional song and story was teary to watch and captivating.

Britney Spears proved that she is a cut-throat judge, taking a no holds barred approach with the attitude of "If they aren't good I am going to tell them, they have to hear it from someone" This made for an extremely amusing episode focused around Spears and Lovato as they find their feet in the judging game.

The X Factor USA will be shown 2 nights a week. Check out the highlight video below

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REVIEW Go On S01E01-E02

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REVIEW Guys With Kids S01E01 - NBC

Guys With Kids is another new NBC comedy written by Jimmy Fallon and starring Jesse Bradford, Anthony Anderson and Zach Cregger.

The show is focused around the three male leads as stay at home dads who just like their children have not grown up.

The pilot episode is an introduction to the three male leads and what their lives have become, all about their children.

The humour is derived from stereotypical dad and child dramas and is about as un-interesting as the title suggests. Hopefully this will pick up in future episodes.

Chris (Jesse Bradford) is a divorcee with a child, he is living alone and struggling with an overbearing ex wife who doesn't want him to be happy.

Gary (Anthony Anderson) is a father of 4 and while his loving wife works he is the stay at home dad struggling with his identity (really?)

Nick (Zach Cregger) hasn't really revealed too much apart from having issues communicating with his working wife and being irresponsible.

It is hard to judge a pilot episode as we have seen with some they do get much better (Happy Endings) but it could all fall flat on its face. The second episode airs tonight



 

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REVIEW The New Normal - S01E02

The New Normal is NBC's answer to ABC's hit comedy Modern Family, the difference is The New Normal is very political and in your face which unfortunately may turn some viewers away.

In Episode 2 the story continues as Shania is accused of drawing an imitation of Clay's facial expressions on his antique leather lounge. Clay decides to deal with the situation himself due to his impending fatherhood and results in forming a bond with the british impersonator.

Meanwhile Goldie gets successfully impregnated and Clay and David attempt to re-kindle their relationship at a club and realise that starting a family means moving on from the party/club lifestyle they used to be a part of.

This episode echoes how many feel about gay people becoming parents, the constant media and societal image of club and image obsessed drug users doesn't depict people that would be ideal parents and this show is doing a great job of depicting that.

That being said Ryan Murphy's in your face and often confrontational characters still play in this episode with Ellen Barkin providing the laughs as the Grandmother is funny but at times very politically incorrect.

This show seems to be getting funnier and more interesting with each episode. The ratings are good for an NBC show and should strengthen as the show finds it place in the NBC comedy register.

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Tuesday Ratings (USA)

Broadcast primetime final ratings for Tuesday:

Time	Net	Show	18-49 Rating	18-49 Share	Viewers Live+SD (million)
8:00PM	NBC	The Voice	4.0	12	11.42
	FOX	So You Think You Can Dance (8-10PM)	1.5	4	4.33
	CBS	NCIS -R	1.2	4	8.77
	ABC	The Middle -R	0.9	3	3.74
	CW	Hart Of Dixie -R	0.3	1	0.65
			tvbythenumbers.com
8:30PM	ABC	Last Man Standing -R	0.8	2	2.90
			tvbythenumbers.com
9:00PM	NBC	Go On	3.4	10	9.73
	CBS	Hawaii Five-0 -R	1.1	3	6.90
	ABC	Happy Ending -R	0.8	2	2.14
	CW	the Next -R	0.2	1	0.64
			tvbythenumbers.com
9:30PM	NBC	The New Normal	2.5	7	6.96
	ABC	Don't Trust The B in Apt 23 -R	0.6	2	1.80
			tvbythenumbers.com
10:00PM	NBC	Parenthood	1.9	5	5.48
	CBS	NCIS: Los Angeles -R	1.2	3	6.86
	ABC	Private Practice -R	0.5	1	1.65

-
Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2012 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

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The Voice US S0301 Review

The Voice is back in its second cycle for 2012 with the premiere of Season 3. It has been commented by other TV blogs and website that maybe this is too much, but after watching the season premiere I have to disagree and say that it is simply not enough.

The Voice USA started the format for the different kind of talent show, judging purely on voice with the voices unable to see the singers auditioning and this is the main thing that makes this show different from the rest of the talent shows out there.

Last night host Carson Daly opened the show with a performance from all the judges Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo and Blake Shelton performing the hit song "Start Me Up" and wowing the crowd with an amazing performance proving why they are the coaches for the show.

After the dazzling performance the blind auditions began, contestants brought the goods and as always it gets a little emotional with stories of inspiration, lost love, dead inspirational parents, the usual.

The Voice have promised big changes for season 3 and so far it has been hinted that the coaches will be able to poach singers that they have missed out on in the Battle Rounds if the current coach isn't doing a good enough job. Hopefully twists like this will keep the show fresh and people watching as the viewership tends to drift off after the blind auditions.

The Voice premiered to a 12.28million audience, down 36% from last seasons premiere but still winning the number 1 spot of the night. On Fox The X Factor is starting in a few days with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato as new judges, is too much talent show going to be too much?

The Voice continues with another night of blind auditions tonight.

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TV show release dates

It is that time of year again for all the new US shows to come back and debut. Each day we will bring you reviews of your favourite shows, all the low down on the new ones and when they will debut in Australia.

Check out the list for the US below and be sure to check back every day next week for the scoop!

(Shoutout to TVTonight for the definitive list)

Monday, September 10
The Voice, NBC

Tuesday, September 11
Go On, NBC
New Normal, NBC
Parenthood, NBC
Sons of Anarchy, FX

Wednesday, September 12
The X-Factor, FOX
Guys with Kids, NBC

Thursday, September 13
Glee, FOX
The Real Housewives of Miami, Bravo

Sunday, September 16
Boardwalk Empire, HBO

Monday, September 17
Bones, FOX
The Mob Doctor, FOX
Revolution, NBC

Wednesday, September 19
Survivor: Philippines, CBS

Thursday, September 20
Up All Night, NBC
The Office, NBC
Parks & Recreation, NBC

Friday, September 21
Grimm, NBC

Sunday, September 23
Treme, HBO

Monday, September 24
How I Met Your Mother, CBS
Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars, ABC
Partners, CBS
2 Broke Girls, CBS
Mike & Molly, CBS
Castle, ABC
Hawaii Five-0, CBS

Tuesday, September 25
NCIS, CBS
New Girl, FOX
Ben and Kate, FOX
NCIS: Los Angeles, CBS
The Mindy Project, FOX
Private Practice, ABC
Vegas, CBS

Wednesday, September 26
The Middle, ABC
Animal Practice, NBC
Modern Family, ABC
Criminal Minds, CBS
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC
CSI: Original Recipe, CBS
The Neighbors, NBC

Thursday, September 27
The Big Bang Theory, CBS
Last Resort, ABC
Two and a Half Men, CBS
Grey’s Anatomy, ABC
Person of Interest, CBS
Elementary, CBS
Scandal, ABC

Friday, September 28
CSI: NY, CBS
Made in Jersey, CBS
Fringe, FOX
Blue Bloods, CBS

Sunday, September 30
Once Upon a Time, ABC
The Amazing Race, CBS
The Simpsons, FOX
Bob’s Burgers, FOX
Revenge, ABC
The Good Wife, CBS
Family Guy, FOX
Dexter, Showtime
American Dad, FOX
666 Park Avenue, ABC
The Mentalist, CBS
Homeland, Showtime

Tuesday, October 2
Hart of Dixie, CW
Raising Hope, FOX

Wednesday, October 3
Supernatural, CW

Thursday, October 4
30 Rock, NBC

Monday, October 8
90210, FOX
Gossip Girl, CW

Wednesday, October 10
Arrow, CW
Chicago Fire, NBC
Nashville, ABC

Thursday, October 11
The Vampire Diaries, CW
Beauty and the Beast, CW

Sunday, October 14
The Walking Dead, AMC

Tuesday, October 16
Emily Owens, M.D., CW

Wednesday, October 17
Suburgatory, ABC

Friday, October 17
America’s Next Top Model: College Edition, CW
Whitney, NBC
Community, NBC
Nikita, CW

Tuesday, October 23
Happy Endings, ABC
Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23, ABC

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Glee returns this week!

Set your clocks to Thursday night! Glee returns to Fox with the highly anticipated fourth season of the hit musical dramedy.

New cast members include Kate Hudson and Aussie Dean Geyer.

Check out the promo video below




Also JUST RELEASED the first full Glee performance of the year!

Kate Hudson performs Americano/Dance Again

Check it out below

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The CW remaking Wonder Woman TV series?

According to Vulture US network The CW is looking at rebooting the Wonder Woman story to the small screen. 

Just one year after rival channel NBC passed on the David E Kelley remake, The CW are set to go all origin with Princess Diana and make a series similar to Smallville. 

llan Heinberg, who has written both "Wonder Woman" comics and the CW series Gilmore Girls, has been tapped to write the script which bears the working title "Amazon." As of now, the script is all that has been ordered. There's no pilot or series commitment yet, and Heinberg is taking the character back to the beginning with a retelling of the origin. Vulture says the series "will focus on Wonder Woman as a young, budding superhero, rather than a fully formed defender of liberty."

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