Jill Biden Introduces Nat Geo’s New Docuseries (TV News Roundup)

The First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, will present National Geographic’s newest series, America’s National Parks, which is scheduled to premiere August 29. Narrated by Garth Brooks, the five-part docuseries celebrates world-famous and lesser-known international parks across the United States, from Yosemite to Big Bend National Park.

The series will initially be directed by Dr. Biden presented by the Grand Canyon. “America’s national parks are filled with unparalleled natural beauty, geological wonders, cultural history and amazing wildlife,” said Dr. Biden as part of their introduction to the series. “Each national park connects people to a part of American history—who we are and where we come from. With at least one national park in every state, all Americans can enjoy them.”

In partnership with the White House’s Joining Forces Initiative, National Geographic will also premiere a PSA during the five-day event featuring Dr. Biden’s appreciation for the military community shows. America’s National Parks kicks off National Geographic’s annual event, America’s National Parks Week, which runs August 29-September 2.

The series is produced by Wildstar Films for National Geographic. Wildstar’s Anwar Mamon and Dan Rees will serve as executive producers, while Wildstar’s Myles Connolly and Ben Wallis will produce. National Geographic’s Garth Brooks and Drew Jones are executive producers. America’s National Parks streams exclusively on Disney Plus on August 31st.

Watch a clip of Dr. Biden’s introduction.

Also on today’s TV news:

FAN

CNN will premiere on September 5 at 10 p.m. ET via “No Ordinary Life.” CNN.com and CNN OTT for pay-TV subscribers. The documentary focuses on five female photojournalists: Jane Evans, Maria Fleet, Margaret Moth, Mary Rogers and Cynde Strand. From Tiananmen Square to the Arab Spring, these photojournalists remember the stories they’ve covered throughout their careers and the risks they’ve taken on the field. No Ordinary Life is directed by journalist and documentary filmmaker Heather O’Neill. The film will have its world premiere at the 2021 Tribeca Festival and will later screen at Hamptons Doc Fest. No Ordinary Life will also be available on demand starting Tuesday, September 6th. The documentary is being produced by Array Films with producer Rich Brooks.

Great Wolf Entertainment will present its first animated film, The Great Wolf Pack: A Call to Adventure, on September 3 across all 19 resorts of Great Wolf Lodge. Directed by Chris Bailey, the film follows five unlikely forest friends – Wiley Wolf, Violet Wolf, Oliver Raccoon, Sammy Squirrel and Brinley Bear – as they form a pack and adventure together to help those in need. The film is executive produced by Julia Pistor and Kent Redeker. The Great Wolf Pack: A Call to Adventure will also be available for a limited time starting September 5th on Great Wolf Entertainment’s new YouTube page. Check out the official trailer below.

FIRST SIGHT

TO WATER

Rhiannon Ally has been named to co-host World News Now and America This Morning, ABC News announced on Tuesday. In this new role, Ally will work with ABC News’ overnight team. Ally, an accomplished journalist who first joined the ABC News team in December 2021, has previously covered high-profile stories like the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell and the war in Ukraine. Before joining ABC, Ally was a co-host of news programs at KSHB-TV in Kansas City, Missouri and WFOR-TV in Miami, Florida. She is also the author of the children’s book Mama, please don’t go to work!

AWARDS

The Hollywood Critics Association has announced the hosts, presenters and additional honorees for the 2022 HCA TV Awards, to be held August 13-14 at the Beverly Hilton. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah correspondent Dulcé Sloan will host the broadcast and cable categories on Saturday, August 13, while comedian Tig Notaro will host the streaming categories on August 14. “This is Us” star Mandy Moore will be honored with this year’s Virtuoso Award on August 13th. Additionally, the HCA has partnered with Petco Love and Big Love Animal Rescue to transform the awards ceremony into an animal rescue event with guests having the opportunity to adopt a rescue dog. The HCA TV Awards 2022 will be presented both live and live streamed on the HCA YouTube channel and via the HCA App. The two-day event is produced by DIGA Studios and Content.23 Media.

EXECUTIVE NEWS

Leah Buono has been promoted to vice president of casting at Disney Branded Television, Brenda Kelly-Grant — the company’s senior vice president of casting and talent relations — announced Tuesday. Buono now oversees live-action pilots, series, original films and unscripted titles under the Disney Branded Television banner for Disney+ and Disney Channel. She is currently leading the casting process for projects such as Percy Jackson and the Olympians, American Born Chinese, National Treasure: Edge of History, The Santa Clauses and The Muppets Mayhem. Buono joined Disney in 2009 as Director of Casting at Disney Channels Worldwide and was promoted to Executive Director in 2012. She will report directly to Kelly-Grant.

INITIATIVES

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises has announced it will be running a multi-city nationwide campaign called “El Campeón En Ti” (“The Champion Within You”). According to NBCUniversal’s press release, the initiative “will build on their long-standing commitment to inspiring Hispanic youth to — through football — discover the champions within themselves.” Cities like New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix and others with large Hispanic communities will participate in a number of events in the months leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Telemundo’s initiative works with the US Soccer Foundation, independent Hispanic soccer leagues, community leaders, local businesses and elected officials.