TV Talk: BroadwayHD debuts ‘Jaws’ play; Daniel Tiger visits Etna

Pittsburghers who flocked to Barebones Productions’ “The Shark Is Broken,” take note: The original British production, written by playwrights Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, was filmed during a tour of the United Kingdom earlier this year and will stream on BroadwayHD beginning Oct. 16.

This comedic stage play is set behind the scenes during the making of “Jaws” and is streaming during the year of the film’s 50th anniversary. Shaw portrays his own father, actor Robert Shaw.

A niche streaming service celebrating its 10th anniversary, BroadwayHD offers filmed stage productions as well as Hollywood movie adaptations of Broadway shows, including the 1999 made-for-ABC version of “Annie” (streaming Nov. 14) that was directed by Pittsburgh native Rob Marshall.

BroadwayHD already has 2017’s “Newsies: The Broadway Musical” streaming and will add 1996’s “The Crucible” (Oct. 1), 1950 film classic “All About Eve” (Nov. 1) and “Bat Out of Hell: The Musical” (Dec. 12), featuring songs made famous by Meat Loaf.

BroadwayHD costs $20 per month ($200 per year) and is available as an app via Google/Android TV, LG TV, Fire TV, Roku TV and Samsung TV. It is also available for purchase through Amazon’s Prime Video Channels lineup.

Be My Neighbor Day

WQED-TV, Fred Rogers Productions and PNC Grow Up Great will host the annual “Be My Neighbor” day in Etna, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, on Butler Street between Freeport Street and Bridge Street. The event will feature service projects, crafts and photo opportunities with Daniel Tiger.

Further afield, Fred Rogers Productions will team with RWS Global to create an immersive, bilingual English-Spanish traveling exhibit, “Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Day with You.” Its mission is to educate young zoo visitors and inspire wildlife advocacy where participants can learn about animals through interactive play and enjoy photo opportunities with Daniel and his friends.

The experience culminates with a live show where Daniel and Katerina Kittycat explore habitats and afterwards participate in character meet-and-greets.

The exhibit will open first at the Bronx Zoo in summer 2026; other zoo locations will be announced later.

‘This Old House’ streams

In 2021 Roku Channel acquired the “This Old House” franchise for $100 million, and although episodes continue to air on PBS stations, next year Roku will launch a new spinoff, “This First House,” which follows two millennial or Gen Z families as they navigate buying, fixing up and maintaining their first homes

Season 47 of “This Old House” and season 24 of “Ask This Old House” launch on Roku on Sept. 29. On WQED, the “This Old House” season premiere airs Oct. 4 at 3:30 p.m. and “Ask This Old House” airs the same day at 4:30 p.m.

WQED-TV re-airs ‘Automaker’

Pittsburgh’s public TV station will air the six-episode “The Last Independent Automaker” at 7:30 p.m. Monday beginning next week. The docu-series chronicles the rise and fall of American Motors Corporation (AMC). It previously aired weekend afternoons on WQED and will now air during the access hour (6-7 p.m.).

Condolences

Condolences to the family, friends and former co-workers of retired WPXI program director Mark Barash, who died Sept. 8. Barash was involved in bringing daytime shows to the Channel 11 lineup, including “Jeopardy!” and “Judge Judy.” He also worked on local televised events including the “Celebrate the Season Parade” and the “Channel 11 Carol Sing.”

A service for Barash was held Sept. 12 at Temple Ohav Shalom in Allison Park. His family requests donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or Animal Friends.

Kept/canceled

Paramount+ renewed “Tulsa King,” returning for its third season Sunday, for a fourth season.

Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show” will be back for a fifth season; its fourth season debuted this week.

Amazon’s Prime Video renewed winning comedy “Overcompensating” for a second season.

Apple TV+ renewed “Berlin ER” for a second season and “Foundation” for a fourth season.

Netflix renewed “The Hunting Wives” for a second season.

On the Emmys red carpet, “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder said the upcoming fifth season of the show will be its swan song.

Channel surfing

Deadline.com reports after winning five Emmys, viewership for HBO Max’s “The Pitt” spiked 142% on Monday versus the prior Monday, Sept. 8. The audience for best comedy winner “The Studio” on Apple TV+ grew by 254% compared to the prior Monday. Netflix’s limited-series winner, “Adolescence,” saw its audience increase by 416% week-to-week. … “The Good Wife”/“The Good Fight” character Marissa Gold (Sarah Steele) will resurface on CBS spin-off “Elsbeth” during its third season, per Deadline.com. … Summer superhero hit “Superman” streams on HBO Max Friday and premieres on cable’s HBO at 8 p.m. Saturday. … The eight-episode, second season of biblical drama “House of David” will premiere Oct. 5 with two episodes on the Wonder Project subscription channel, available via Amazon’s Prime Video. … HBO Max will stream “One Day in October,” the first scripted portrayal of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, on Oct. 7. … The fourth season of “The Witcher” starring Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia premieres Oct. 30 on Netflix.