Max Gao

Say it ain’t so, Courtney! What a pleasure it has been to read and follow your work for more than a decade. Thanks for all of our fun late-night chats in Toronto, Cincy and Madrid, and for all of your lovely words of encouragement over the years. Can’t wait to see what you do next, and all the best!

On to the next.

a cartoon of spongebob standing in front of a rock ALT: a cartoon of spongebob standing in front of a rock

If that screener alone is any indication, the back half of this season is going to be a wild ride…

Guilty as charged.

Massive wildfire spreading across Los Angeles. Nyla chasing (and catching) Glasser with the help of Lopez, Nolan and Penn. Baby Wopez name reveal. Chenford love confession. James getting caught kissing another woman and then both of them getting shot. Ridley is on the chopping block. #TheRookie

The midseason finale of #TheRookie is the most stressed I have felt while watching an episode of this show in years—and that’s a very good thing. Everyone brought their A-game to this terrific (and terrifying) episode. The show keeps going from strength to strength this season. 👏

‘Zero Day’ Star Lizzy Caplan on That Big Finale Twist, Sparring With Robert De Niro and the Enduring Legacy of ‘Mean Girls’ 'Zero Day' star Lizzy Caplan on that huge finale twist, sparring with Robert De Niro, what Jesse Plemons' Roger means to Alex and 'Mean Girls.'

For @variety.com, I spoke with Lizzy Caplan about that big final twist in the new Netflix political thriller #ZeroDay, what it was like meeting and sparring with her onscreen father Robert De Niro, and the enduring legacy of Janis Ian and #MeanGirls: variety.com/2025/tv/news...

‘Suits LA’: What to Expect From the Spinoff (and Remember From ‘Suits’) Whether you watched the legal drama during its initial run or during the Summer of 'Suits,' here's your guide for the next chapter in Aaron Korsh’s franchise.

For @thr.com, I summarized all the key points you need to remember from #Suits, and previewed what to expect from the new spinoff #SuitsLA, which premieres tonight on NBC: www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...

Grosse Pointe Garden Society's Aja Naomi King Previews NBC's Twisty New Murder Mystery She's getting away with murder... again!

For @tvguide.com, I spoke with Aja Naomi King about why she keeps being tapped to play characters who are trying to get away with murder.

After playing an ambitious law student on #HTGAWM, King is now the star of the soapy NBC drama #GrossePointeGardenSociety: www.tvguide.com/news/grosse-...

‘The Rookie’ Star Jenna Dewan on Having Real-Life Fiancé Steve Kazee Play Her Abusive Ex and Touring With ‘Idol’ Janet Jackson ‘The Rookie’ star Jenna Dewan on having real-life fiancé Steve Kazee play her abusive ex on the show. Also, touring with 'idol’ Janet Jackson.

For @variety.com, I spoke with #TheRookie’s Jenna Dewan about playing out her character’s domestic abuse storyline with her real-life fiancé @stevekazee.bsky.social, her viral “Smooth Criminal” TikTok dance with Mekia Cox & what she learned from working for Janet Jackson: variety.com/2025/tv/news...

‘The Rookie’ Star Jenna Dewan on Having Real-Life Fiancé Steve Kazee Play Her Abusive Ex and Touring With ‘Idol’ Janet Jackson ‘The Rookie’ star Jenna Dewan on having real-life fiancé Steve Kazee play her abusive ex on the show. Also, touring with 'idol’ Janet Jackson.

For @variety.com, I spoke with #TheRookie’s Jenna Dewan about playing out her character’s domestic abuse storyline with her real-life fiancé @stevekazee.bsky.social, her viral “Smooth Criminal” TikTok dance with Mekia Cox & what she learned from working for Janet Jackson: variety.com/2025/tv/news...

I have a new interview for @variety.com after today’s episode of #TheRookie. Trust me when I say that it’s a *struggle* as a freelancer to convince an editor to let me cover network TV these days—budgets are tight and readership interest usually isn’t high. I will keep delivering if people show up.

The Rookie's Melissa O'Neil Breaks Down Lucy and Tim's Valentine's Day, and What Comes Next for Chenford 'The heart wants what the heart wants'

For @tvguide.com, I caught up with #TheRookie’s @missoneil.bsky.social to discuss those Chenford hotel room scenes, why Lucy cannot shake the feeling that Ridley is up to no good, Lucy’s future at the LAPD—and who, between her and Eric Winter, Kojo the dog likes more: www.tvguide.com/news/the-roo...

You’re welcome, Chenford fans. 😉 #TheRookie

The Rookie's Melissa O'Neil Breaks Down Lucy and Tim's Valentine's Day, and What Comes Next for Chenford 'The heart wants what the heart wants'

For @tvguide.com, I caught up with #TheRookie’s @missoneil.bsky.social to discuss those Chenford hotel room scenes, why Lucy cannot shake the feeling that Ridley is up to no good, Lucy’s future at the LAPD—and who, between her and Eric Winter, Kojo the dog likes more: www.tvguide.com/news/the-roo...

The Rookie Exclusive Clip: Get Your First Look at Lucy and Tim Working Together on Valentine's Day Some people just don't know when a relationship is over

#TheRookie fans, you won’t want to miss this #Chenford sneak peek of Tuesday’s episode (with some quick insights from @missoneil.bsky.social)…

Full interview to come after the episode! www.tvguide.com/news/the-roo...

*whispers* there are some unreleased chenford photos that will be published in my interview with melissa o’neil tonight

see you later!

The Rookie Exclusive Clip: Get Your First Look at Lucy and Tim Working Together on Valentine's Day Some people just don't know when a relationship is over

#TheRookie fans, you won’t want to miss this #Chenford sneak peek of Tuesday’s episode (with some quick insights from @missoneil.bsky.social)…

Full interview to come after the episode! www.tvguide.com/news/the-roo...

9-1-1: Lone Star's Rafael Silva on Carlos and T.K.'s Final Moments From the Series Finale And what he took from set to remember the show

For @tvguide.com, I spoke with Rafael Silva about how he prepared to play a Texas Ranger on #911LoneStar, the conclusion of Carlos’ search for his father’s killer, how he feels about a Carlos-centric spinoff, and his next role in the new Netflix drama #TheWaterfront: www.tvguide.com/news/9-1-1-l...

9-1-1: Lone Star Showrunner Reveals the Shocking Character He Almost Killed Off in the Series Finale Rashad Raisani also explains how the final moments for each character could set up a spin-off

For @tvguide.com, I spoke with #911LoneStar co-showrunner Rashad Raisani about all the major endings in tonight’s series finale, what he would’ve liked to have explored in a sixth season—and which characters, if any, could reappear in the #911onABC universe: www.tvguide.com/news/9-1-1-l...

Gina Torres on ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ Series Finale’s Twist Ending and Her One ‘Suits’ Request "We’re going to take it all the way to the edge," Torres was told about the unexpected ending for her first responder character, Tommy Vega.

For @thr.com, I spoke with Gina Torres about playing Tommy Vega’s emotional journey on #911LoneStar, the enduring legacy of Jessica Pearson on #Suits—and what she thinks is still getting lost in the larger conversation about diversity/inclusion in Hollywood: www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...

‘Outlander’ Stars Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan on the Shock of That Cliffhanger Finale: “We Had No Idea Ourselves” The couple at the center of Starz's fantasy historical drama unpack how that ending — a surprise to book and non-book fans alike — sets up the eighth and final season, which has already finished film...

For @throfficial.bsky.social, I spoke with #Outlander’s Caitríona Balfe + Sam Heughan about the evolution of their onscreen/offscreen relationships, the key moments from the latest chapter of Claire/Jamie’s love story and whether they’ll work together again: www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...

The Rookie Boss Gives Updates on Chenford, the New Rookies, and Upcoming 'Fun' Episodes The ABC procedural is going back its roots

For @tvguide.com, I caught up with #TheRookie boss @alexihawley.bsky.social to discuss the state of #Chenford, the introduction of Penn and Ridley, the obstacles ahead for John/Bailey, #Wopez and Nyla/James, and whether we should be worried about losing more officers: www.tvguide.com/news/the-roo...

'XO, Kitty' star Anthony Keyvan on life after 'Love, Victor' The 24-year-old actor, who broke out as a love interest in Hulu’s “Love, Victor,” has become a beacon of representation for queer Iranian and Filipino Americans.

For @nbcnews.com, I spoke with #XoKitty and #LoveVictor star Anthony Keyvan, who has become an unexpected beacon of representation for queer Iranian and Filipino Americans: www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...

‘Outlander’ Stars Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan on the Shock of That Cliffhanger Finale: “We Had No Idea Ourselves” The couple at the center of Starz's fantasy historical drama unpack how that ending — a surprise to book and non-book fans alike — sets up the eighth and final season, which has already finished film...

For @throfficial.bsky.social, I spoke with #Outlander’s Caitríona Balfe + Sam Heughan about the evolution of their onscreen/offscreen relationships, the key moments from the latest chapter of Claire/Jamie’s love story and whether they’ll work together again: www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...

David Schwimmer on the ‘Beauty’ of ‘Goosebumps’ and How ‘Friends’ Went From ‘Challenging’ and ‘Dark’ to the ‘Gift That Keeps on Giving’ David Schwimmer, the star of 'Goosebumps,' on how he would have 'devoured' the R.L. Stine books at 13, and why his daughter stopped watching 'Friends.'

For @variety.bsky.social, I spoke with David Schwimmer about starring in the second season of #Goosebumps, his attraction to playing men who are broken and in pain, and how he navigated fame during #Friends (a show he considers to be “the gift that keeps on giving”): variety.com/2025/tv/news...

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brian Hallisay on Lifetime’s ‘The Holiday Junkie,’ Their Crazy ‘9-1-1’ Storyline and Whether She’ll Be in the New ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brian Hallisay talk 'Holiday Junkie,' writing 'Inheriting Magic,' filming that '9-1-1' showdown, her return to 'I Know What You Did Last Summer.'

For @variety.bsky.social, I spoke with Jennifer Love Hewitt and her husband Brian Hallisay about working together on #911onABC and #TheHolidayJunkie, JLH’s experience as a child actor and her involvement in the next “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” and so much more: variety.com/2024/tv/news...

Coming tomorrow!