Behind the Scenes

SARAH SILVERMAN COMEDY TO DEBUT ON FACEBOOK: Sarah Silverman is bringing her brand of comedy to Facebook. The Love You, America star will exec produce and narrate Please, Understand Me for Facebook’s Watch video platform. The show will offer a comedic spin on couples counseling. The five-part series will feature mismatched comedians who work through fake problems in front of a real therapist. Comedians expected to appear on the series include Ismael Loutfi, Natalie Palamides, Rory Scovel, Mo Collins and Punkie Johnson. (The Hollywood Reporter – Click our Twitter or Facebook buttons to share this link!)

MOVIEPASS FILMS LAUNCHED: MoviePass‘ parent company Helios & Matheson Analytics has announced that it is acquiring Emmett Furla Oasis Films, and will launch MoviePass Films together in a new partnership. The deal gives 51% ownership to Helios with 49% belonging to EFO Films. MoviePass Films, according to the official announcement, will focus on “studio-driven content and new film production for theatrical release and other distribution channels.” Explained MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe: “To have such a well-known, quality production company join forces with the Helios/MoviePass group of companies is truly remarkable. Since we began disrupting the movie industry with our unprecedented low-cost movie theater subscription service, MoviePass, we have envisioned owning and developing our own studio content and using the power of our several million subscribers to bolster the success of the box office for our films. I believe MoviePass Films will accelerate those efforts and demonstrate the power of MoviePass to drive movie theater attendance and downstream sales, for the benefit of moviegoers, movie theaters, studios and the film entertainment ecosystem as a whole.”

ANDREW LINCOLN TO EXIT WALKING DEAD AS NORMAN REEDUS EYES $20M DEAL: Andrew Lincoln is leaving The Walking Dead franchise during its upcoming ninth season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Co-star (and newly expectant father) Norman Reedus, meanwhile, is in talks to bump up his salary to more than $20 million for the new season. Lincoln leaves the AMC hit as it still ranks as one of the top dramas on television among viewers in the coveted 18-49 bracket.

THIS IS US ENDING IS SET: Creator Dan Fogelman says This Is Us has already filmed portions of the series finale. He shared the news at the FYC panel, which also featured Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Chrissy Metz and other stars. “We have a story to tell and we want to do this the right way,” Fogelman said on the panel. This Is Us returns Tuesdays to NBC in the fall.