5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

From an appearance by Kermit the Frog to all-new episodes of a coming-of-age series, you won’t want to miss all the exciting content coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this week! On Tuesday, everyone’s favorite frog stops by Holey Moley, while “The High Roller” faces off against a new group of contestants on The Chase. All episodes of the new series Family Reboot debut, along with the launch of nine episodes from season four of grown-ish, and the final season of Love, Victor.

Two female contestants on the mini golf competition series Holey Moley stand on the putting green as they hold their golf clubs and look at the tees. The contestant on the left is wearing a red top and matching skirt with hot pink tights. The other contestant is wearing a black graphic tee with a hot pink tutu, black leggings, and hot pink legwarmers. Behind them stands the audience including a large cutout of Rob Riggle’s face.

Holey Moley—Tuesday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The legendary Kermit the Frog joins Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore in the broadcast booth for the first time ever as eight musicians compete for the coveted plaid jacket and a spot in the finals. Will this group of competitors be a match for The Distractor and Big Foot Wedge?

James “The High Roller” Holzhauer stands with his arms extended and thumbs up in front of large digital screens on the competition series The Chase.

The Chase—Tuesday, June 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
James “The High Roller” Holzhauer returns as the Chaser in this week’s brand-new episode. A technology trend scout, product manager, and forum series producer step into the ring with the hopes of taking down the Chaser. Who will be victorious in the battle of wits?

The Hernandez Family reconnects during a series of fun games on a journey in the desert while sitting around a fire on the series Family Reboot.

Family Reboot—Wednesday, June 15, on Disney+
The all-new unscripted series follows families who have become consumed with their individual lives and have therefore lost touch with one another. In each episode, a family takes a full week away from their busy lives to reconnect and rebuild their family connections sans cell phones and other conveniences. A Family Reboot guide then leads them through a series of activities and games that spur meaningful conversations throughout the week. All episodes are available to stream at launch. 

A close-up shot of Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) wearing a large pair of orange sunglasses, hot pink swimsuit, and large sun hat on her head that she’s holding with each hand on grown-ish. Large, green tropical plants are seen in the background.

grown-ish—Wednesday, June 15, on Disney+
Summer is nearly here, but it’s time to go back to school because the first nine episodes of season four launch on the streaming service this week. Relive the crew’s wild summer getaway to Mexico—and its aftermath—Zoey (Yara Shahidi) calling out her boss on social media, and so much more!

Victor (Michael Cimino) stands on the Ferris Wheel at the winter carnival as he looks on in the series Love, Victor. He’s wearing a plaid shirt, dark slacks, and blue jean jacket.

Love, Victor—Wednesday, June 15, on Hulu and Disney+
The third and final season finds Victor (Michael Cimino) on a journey of self-discovery—not only deciding who he wants to be with, but also who he wants to be. With post-high school plans looming, Victor and his friends are faced with a new series of challenges as they weigh the best decisions for their futures. All eight episodes are available at launch on both streaming services, along with the first two seasons.

Meet the Characters of Lightyear

By the D23 Team

It’s a sci-fi action adventure, and the definitive origin story of the legendary Space Ranger we’ve come to know and love... Disney and Pixar’s all-new animated feature Lightyear follows Buzz (voice of Chris Evans) after he’s marooned on a hostile planet millions of lightyears from Earth, alongside his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne (voice of Uzo Aduba) and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of enthusiastic recruits (voices of Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, and Dale Soules), as well as his adorable robot companion Sox (voice of Peter Sohn). In the meantime, he’s faced with the arrival of Zurg (voice of James Brolin)—a truly imposing presence with an army of robots and a very mysterious agenda.  

In anticipation of the film’s big launch next week, we’re taking a closer look at Buzz and his friends... and foe:

Buzz, wearing his Space Ranger spacesuit, is seen pointing his index finger towards someone seen a little off camera and to the left, in a still from Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear. They are standing on a metal gangway.

Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans)
Buzz is a confident, loyal, and accomplished Space Ranger whose pride in his work shines bright. “He enjoys the thrill and adventure of gallivanting around the galaxy, successfully completing missions with his friend and mentor, Commander Alisha Hawthorne,” says director Angus MacLane. “Buzz really enjoys the kind of comfort and familiarity that comes with being part of a tight-knit team.”

Buzz has tons of respect for Alisha—but he also doesn’t have a lot of time for the upstarts who dream of being a Space Ranger like him. While that might seem like arrogance, it’s more that Buzz is a perfectionist at heart... for everyone, including himself. When a clutch decision leads to a mission-disabling crash landing, stranding a spaceship full of intergalactic explorers on an uncharted and inhospitable planet, Buzz is determined to make things right—regardless of the cost.

Buzz (wearing a spacesuit and holding a helmet) is standing on the left, while Alisha (wearing a blue jumpsuit and a headset) is pointing her index finger towards Buzz and is standing on the right, in a still from Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear. There are several buildings and large floodlights in the background.

Alisha Hawthorne (voice of Uzo Aduba)
Alisha, Buzz’s longtime commander, is a fellow Space Ranger and friend. “She is skilled, competent, and trusting,” says producer Galyn Susman. “She invests in people, mentoring recruits and welcoming rookies to the action while Buzz just doesn’t have the patience.”

After crashing on an uncharted planet with Buzz millions of light-years from Earth, Alisha obviously shares Buzz’s desire to fix their spacecraft, mine the planet’s resources to create the fuel they need and—hopefully one day very soon—return home. But Alisha’s response to their marooning, especially as it continues far beyond their expectations, differs from Buzz’s. She opts to live her life regardless of the planet she’s on... advancing her career, falling in love, and building a family with her wife. “She’s going to make the best life she can with what she has in front of her,” says Susman. Adds MacLane, “Alisha is somewhat of a founder of the colony. She keeps everyone sane and moving forward while Buzz is focused only on correcting his mistake.”

Izzy is wearing a spacesuit and is looking up at something off-camera, standing to the left of Buzz, who’s also wearing a spacesuit and is looking at Izzy with some concern, in a still from Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear. Buzz has dirt or oil of some kind on his face. Sox the cat robot companion can be seen in the background between them. They appear to be in a forest.

Izzy Hawthorne (voice of Keke Palmer)
Izzy is the eager leader of the Junior Zap Patrol—a volunteer team of self-motivated cadets training to become protectors of the fledgling society that’s taken shape on the planet. She dreams of becoming a Space Ranger like her grandmother Alisha, but that’s easier said than done, especially considering she has a secret standing in her way.

According to director MacLane, Izzy represents a part of the community that Buzz can’t really understand: “She’s only ever known life on [this planet], T’Kani Prime,” he says. “She’s heard tales about Space Rangers and knows everything about her grandmother’s career. Her challenge is living up to that legacy... Izzy represents an opportunity for Buzz to reconnect with Alisha after losing so much time with his best friend through his own hubris. This is his chance to get it right.”

From left to right: In the passenger seat, Izzy is holding Sox the cat robot companion and looking at Buzz; behind her, Mo and Darby are looking out the windows; and Buzz is piloting the vehicle while talking into a communicator on his wrist, in a still from Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear. They are all wearing spacesuits, except Sox.

Maurice “Mo” Morrison (voice of Taika Waititi) (second from left, pictured above)
Mo suffers from a lack of direction—not for lack of trying, but Mo just can’t seem to find his passion. There’s a longstanding fear of commitment there... especially when it comes to a holding a full-time job. Ultimately, Mo decides to join forces with Izzy and the Junior Zap Patrol, but he doesn’t exactly share Izzy’s passion for the cause. It’s just, well, something to do.

“Mo joins the unit because he doesn’t have anything else going on,” says MacLane. “He doesn’t have a lot of confidence in his ability to succeed—he figures he’ll just quit before he has a chance to find out. But it’s impossible not to laugh at his antics.”

Darby Steel (voice of Dale Soules) (third from left, pictured above)
Darby is a totally gruff, no-nonsense, and not-exactly-voluntary member of the Junior Zap Patrol. Nonetheless, she completes the trio in a refreshing, albeit abrupt, way: Darby says it like it is and doesn’t care what anyone thinks about it. “Her mysteriousness is what I think makes her interesting,” admits MacLane, “and kind of hysterical.”

Buzz is standing in a martial-arts pose, looking down at Sox the cat robot companion, in a still from Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear. They are inside some sort of living quarters. There’s a blue door behind Buzz, and a table and desk to the right of him. He’s wearing a blue jumpsuit.

Sox (voice of Peter Sohn)
Sox is an obedient robot companion cat given to Buzz by Star Command and Alisha. Intended to help a Space Ranger’s emotional transition after his time away, Sox basically exists to make Buzz happy. A hidden grab bag of gizmos in a delightful kitty package, Sox is sidekick and pal Buzz needs. He’s also adept at providing soothing white noise and is even capable of complicated computations. “He can fill Buzz in on whatever he’s missed while he’s away,” says Susman. “And, according to Sox himself, he’s an excellent listener.”

Buzz, wearing his Space Ranger spacesuit, is shooting a fiery laser beam up at the imposing Zurg, a huge robot with glowing red eyes, in a still from Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear.

Zurg (voice of James Brolin)
Zurg captains the alien spaceship that shows up at T’Kani Prime while Buzz is on his final test flight. The imposing presence comes complete with an army of ruthless robots and a spaceship chock-full of high-tech gadgetry. Cloaked in mystery, Zurg’s true mission is unclear—but the threat looms large.

MacLane, who was one of the artists who worked on Zurg’s design in Toy Story 2, was thrilled to further explore the character. “Of course, Zurg’s the villain,” says MacLane. “We’ve known for a long time that he’s Buzz’s nemesis. But we never really knew why.”

Lightyear premieres only in theaters on June 17!

5 Marvel Besties: Because Even Super Heroes Need a Friend

By Victoria Hunt

Everyone needs their best friends to get through the hard times—and Super Heroes are no exception. Most of our favorite Marvel characters work right alongside their besties, including Kamala Khan on Marvel Studios’ latest, Ms. Marvel, and her closest pals. In fact, they have inspired us to compile a list of some of our favorite unbreakable Marvel bonds:

1. Ms. Marvel, Nakia, and Bruno

Best friends can offer us the courage and confidence we sometimes lack ourselves. Ms. Marvel, also known as Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), is intelligent and strong beyond compare—but without the support of her best friends, Bruno (Matt Lintz) and Nakia (Yasmeen Fletcher), she may not have mustered the courage to take charge of her abilities. We could all use friends that push us out of our comfort zones from time to time.

2. Groot and Rocket Racoon

Friendships can blossom in the strangest of circumstances—which is how this adorable pair came to be. What’s not to love about the sweet nature of Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) and the hilariously bold spirit of Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper)? The two make the perfect duo in Guardians of the Galaxy.

3. Iron Man and War Machine

Their names may seem intimidating, but we all can’t help but admire the tender friendship between Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Colonel James Rupert Rhodes (Don Cheadle). Two men with immense power that continue to risk their lives for the sake of protecting each other and saving the world. Friendships like theirs can only be described as a brotherly bond.

4. Captain America and Bucky Barnes

You know that friend that you may not have seen for a while but as soon as you reunite it’s like no time has passed? Well, that’s Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). The pair grew up together—and there were many times, before Rogers’ transformation, that Barnes stepped in to protect him risking his own well-being. When they reconnect decades later, they pick up right where they left off: ready to defend each other at all costs.

5. T’Challa and Okoye

T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) gets much of his strength from the consistent and unwavering support of Okoye (Danai Gurira). Not only is she physically prepared to defend Wakanda (and therefore T’Challa), but she stands with him and holds him accountable—like every good friend should. This duo may not be pajama parties and ice cream socials, but we could all use a friend that teaches us responsibility and courage.

Do you and your bestie relate to any of these Marvel friendships? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

Be sure to catch Ms. Marvel, only Disney+ beginning Wednesday, June 8.

Hamster & Gretel Finds Voice Cast—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Disney Channel Announces Hamster & Gretel Voice Cast

Great news for Dan Povenmire fans—y’know, the cool dude and friend of D23 behind the fan-favorite, Emmy® Award-winning animated series Phineas and Ferb? He’s got a sure-to-be-hilarious new animated project coming soon to Disney Channel called Hamster & Gretel, and they’ve just announced its voice cast! Check out a teaser trailer for the show, below.

Disney Branded Television’s Hamster & Gretel will introduce Meli Povenmire in the titular role of Gretel (pictured below, left). The series will also star Michael Cimino as Gretel’s older brother, Kevin; Beck Bennett as Gretel’s pet hamster, Hamster; Joey King as Gretel’s tech-savvy cousin, Fred (all three pictured above)… as well as Carolina Ravassa as their charismatic mother, Carolina, and Matt Jones as the siblings’ easygoing father, Dave (pictured below, middle and right).

Triptych image of Meli Povenmire, left, with red hair; Carolina Ravassa, middle, with long hair in a red tank top; and Matt Jones, right, in a dark blazer and flowered button-down shirt, to promote the Disney Channel animated series Hamster & Gretel.

The series centers on Kevin and his younger sis Gretel, who are, well… about to be given superpowers by space aliens! But something goes awry, and it’s Gretel and her pet hamster who suddenly have new abilities. Now, protective older brother Kevin must figure out how to work with both Gretel and her pet to protect their city from mysterious dangers. Look for Hamster & Gretel to premiere this summer on Disney Channel!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

Summer’s now in full swing, and-as per usual—there’s all manner of mega-entertaining content to fill your viewing calendar from around the worlds of Disney this very weekend. Take in a new episode of The Ghost and Molly McGee; celebrate some of this year’s most influential people with the all-new TIME100 special; and so much more.

First Look at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World

Earlier this week, Walt Disney Animation Studios shared the brand-new teaser trailer for Strange World, premiering later this fall. The original action-adventure journeys deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades, a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest—and by far—most crucial mission. Jake Gyllenhaal lends his voice to Searcher Clade, the son of one of those steadfast explorers.

Helmed by Don Hall (Oscar®-winning Big Hero 6, Raya and the Last Dragon) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer, Raya and the Last Dragon)—and produced by Roy Conli (Big Hero 6, Tangled)—look for Strange World beginning November 23.

Saara Chaudry, on left, has long dark hair and is wearing a black tank top, and is resting her head on her hand; Anders Holm, on right, has red hair and is wearing a reddish-colored blazer and a darker-red button-down shirt; he’s leaning his elbow on a chair. This image is to promote Disney+’s The Muppets Mayhem.

Saara Chaudry and Anders Holm Join Disney+’s The Muppets Mayhem

As Dr. Teeth might say, “Well allllll right!” Disney+ just announced that two new pals have been added to the cast of the streamer’s upcoming musical comedy series The Muppets Mayhem: Saara Chaudry (The Mysterious Benedict Society) and Anders Holm (Workaholics)! They’ll join previously announced stars Lilly Singh (A Little Late with Lilly Singh) and Tahj Mowry (Smart Guy).

The comedy series follows The Electric Mayhem Band—Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on vocals and bass, Janice on vocals and lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone, and Lips on trumpet—on an epic, music-filled journey to record their first-ever studio album. With the help of a driven young music executive, Nora Gibbs (Singh), the old-school Muppet band comes face to face with the current-day music scene as they try to finally go platinum.

Chaudry will play Nora’s younger and arguably more accomplished sister Hannah, who has translated her talent for aspirational make-up videos into a burgeoning social media empire. Holm will recur in the series as JJ, a formerly sheepish, nerdy intern-turned uber-cool tech entrepreneur who happens to be Nora’s ex.

Look for more muppetational info on The Muppets Mayhem in the coming months!

Disney On Ice is Ready to Let It Go with the Family Madrigal…

Earlier this week, our good friends at Disney On Ice announced that some brand-new, and very magical, experiences are coming to a city near you for the first time! Disney On Ice Presents: Frozen & Encanto begins this September, and you can find more information about it—including a link to buy tickets—by clicking here.

In the poster for the Disney+ and Marvel Studios series I Am Groot, Baby Groot is wearing headphones and sunglasses and is relaxing against his cassette tape player, arms behind his head and legs crossed, with a drink by his side and a “tree” made from a car air freshener nearby. A lamp is acting as the “sun,” in the upper left of the image.

Marvel Studios Shares Premiere Date for I Am Groot on Disney+

More fun news from Disney+: They recently announced that the latest Marvel Studios addition to its exciting summer lineup, I Am Groot, will launch on Wednesday, August 10! I Am Groot is a collection of five original shorts starring Baby Groot, everyone’s favorite (and ridiculously adorable) little tree, and will feature several new and unusual characters. All five shorts will be available for viewers to watch upon launch.

There’s no guarding the galaxy from this mischievous toddler! So, get ready as Baby Groot takes center stage in his very owns series—exploring his glory days growing up, and getting into lots of memorable trouble among the stars.

Vin Diesel, who is the voice of Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, lends his voice to Baby Groot. The series is written and directed by Kirsten Lepore, with Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, and James Gunn serving as executive producers. So, make sure to mark those calendars!

ICYMI: WATCHLIST: Your Ewan McGregor Streaming Roundup

He sings; he dances; he can make you feel every emotion under the sun; he can don a realistic fat suit and bald cap with the best of ’em; and he can wield a lightsaber like no one’s business! See all this (and more) in action by checking out all the films on our Ewan McGregor streaming roundup.

Infinitely Interesting Lightyear Concept Art

By Courtney Potter

Get ready for launch! In just a few weeks, we’ll get the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy, in Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear—a sure-to-be-stellar intergalactic sci-fi adventure! The film follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander Alisha Hawthorne (voice of Uzo Aduba) and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits (voices of Keke Palmer, Dale Soules, and Taika Waititi), and his adorable robot companion Sox (voice of Peter Sohn). But complicating matters and threatening their mission is the arrival of Zurg (voice of James Brolin), an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda...

Recently, D23 was lucky enough to hear about some of the behind-the-scenes magic that went into making Lightyear—illustrated by incredible concept art and visual development images highlighted in the gallery below.  As Greg Peltz, sets art director for Lightyear described the film, “We envisioned a push-button world that was thick, geometric, and analog... Our shading and graphics artists went to extreme lengths learning how to create decoration, weathering, and textural variation that gave our digital models a real sense of tangibility like their live-action counterparts. I can't say it enough—we had an incredible team that was able to realize the richness of our world.”

Fran Kalal, tailoring and simulation supervisor, added, “The complex costumes for Lightyear required extreme collaboration between art, modeling, rigging, tailoring, shading, tools, animation, shot simulation, and lighting artists. All hands on deck! We achieved new levels of technical and look complexity to deliver these costumes.” And some brand-new animation methods were even created for the film: “I'm especially proud of our team's development of new groom construction techniques,” explained Jane Yen, visual effects supervisor. “Our braids system has controls for braid partitioning, curl, and graphic shaping that have allowed us to bring our beautiful characters even further to life.”

Check out the Lightyear concept art below—and don’t miss the film coming only to theaters beginning June 17!

The Stars Shine Bright at the World Premiere of Lightyear

By Zach Johnson

Now this is how you generate buzz!

A seemingly infinite number of stars, filmmakers, and special guests gathered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood Wednesday night to celebrate Pixar Animation Studios’ 26th feature film, Lightyear. The man of the hour, Chris Evans (voice of Buzz Lightyear), was joined on the red carpet by his co-stars, Keke Palmer (voice of Izzy Hawthorne), Peter Sohn (voice of Sox), Dale Soules (voice of Darby Steel), James Brolin (voice of Zurg), Uzo Aduba (voice of Alisha Hawthorne), Mary McDonald-Lewis (voice of I.V.A.N.), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (voice of Commander Burnside), and Efren Ramirez (voice of Airman Díaz), in addition to director and screenwriter Angus MacLane, producer Galyn Susman, screenwriter Jason Headley, composer Michael Giacchino, to name just a few!

Lightyear, the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, opens in theaters on Friday, June 17. It follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet and tries—through space and time—to find his way back home. Being asked to voice Buzz was an “exciting” opportunity, Evans told reporters on the red carpet. “It’s intimidating, a little daunting—but more than anything, it’s an honor.”

Keke Palmer, who voices Izzy Hawthorne in Lightyear, signs autographs for fans at the film’s world premiere.

Evans credited the talented team at Pixar with helping him fulfill his lifelong dream of voicing a Disney character. “It’s four years of hard work—not by me, by them,” the actor said. “That’s the magic of Pixar. These guys give so much of themselves for so long, and they give us something that lasts a lifetime. It really is nice to celebrate that.”

And what a celebration it was! Special guests including Yvette Nicole Brown, Sherry Cola, Xochitl Gomez, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Tiffany Haddish, among others, joined the cast and crew in being among the first to see the film. “Here we are—and we’re around people!” a smiling MacLane told reporters on the red carpet. “This is fantastic! What a bonus. Here we are seeing Lightyear with a packed house. It’s the first time we’ve seen the movie with an audience since the crew party. We couldn’t be more thrilled. Although we’ve worked very hard to make this an exciting film, to see it with an audience and [to see their] reaction is truly going to be a dream come true for us.”

The phrase “dream come true” was often mentioned during the cast and crew’s red carpet interviews. In fact, Palmer is so proud of the film that she brought her entire family to the premiere so they could experience it together. “We are in it to win it, honey!” she said. Regarding what she loves most about Lightyear, she said, “When you think about reinventing IP or giving it new life, this is what you’re talking about. We all grew up loving Andy’s most coveted toy, Buzz Lightyear, and now we get to know the world that Buzz came from—why that toy was invented.” The film includes important messages, she added, “all told in a really fun way. And the action, honey? You feel like you’re actually in an action movie. They’re not playing around with the special effects!”

Before you see Lightyear in theaters, enjoy more photos from the world premiere:

Saddle Up for Q&A with BUNK’D: Learning the Ropes Star Miranda May

By Victoria Hunt

Giddy up, because BUNK’D is heading to a dude ranch in the Wild West!

The long-running hit comedy series will return for its sixth season this Friday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. A spinoff of the hit comedy Jessie (2011-2015), BUNK’D revolves around the hilarious adventures of the campers and counselors at Maine’s rustic Camp Kikiwaka. Each season, fans are introduced to a new cast of characters ready to take part in the adventure of a lifetime. But one camper has never quite left the cabin: Miranda May! Since the series debuted in 2015, fans have watched her character, Lou, evolve from camper to camp director. Behind the scenes, May is now an executive producer and will continue to direct select episodes.

Miranda May with her co-star, Trevor Tordjman on the BUNK’D set

Series regulars Trevor Tordjman, Mallory James Mahoney, and Israel Johnson also return for the new installment, titled BUNK’D: Learning the Ropes, and are joined by new cast members Shiloh Verrico, Luke Busey, and Alfred Lewis. Season six begins as Lou, Parker (Tordjman), Destiny (Mahoney), and Noah (Johnson) arrive at the soon-to-be Kikiwaka Ranch in Dusty Tush, Wyoming, where Lou must convince the surly owner, a.k.a. “The Marshal,” to officially sell her the property. In the meantime, counselors Noah and Destiny have their hands full with the new campers, including Bill (Lewis), a no-nonsense descendant of famous cowboy Bill Pickett who prefers roping cattle to hanging out with friends; Winnie (Verrico), a fearless girl who’s earned the nickname “Wild Winnie” by breaking the rules and occasionally blowing things up; and Jake (Busey), a laid-back, easy-going boy who also happens to be a video-gaming fanatic.

Ahead of the premiere, May joined D23 for an exclusive Q&A:

D23: You grew up in Ohio. How much do you relate to your character, Lou?
Miranda May (MM): A lot! Lou grew up a country girl and so did I. Lou grew up on a farm and so did I. She loves animals just like me. We’re also similar in being strong independent women. I pride myself on that—growing within my career and my space. And Lou does that as well.

D23: Just like real camp, your castmates change every season. How do you keep up with new and old friends?
MM: Those friendships are genuine on- and off-screen. We have always been a really close cast and crew. We go on shopping trips, have dinners together, and meet each other for coffee. I hang out with Trevor [Tordjman] and Mallory [James Mahoney] as much as I can. I keep up with the previous castmates as well.

D23: Do you think you could be a camp counselor in real life?
MM: I feel like I am a camp counselor on set! I’m the oldest one and I kind of help everyone through their troubles while also making the set really fun.

D23: What can fans expect from this upcoming season?
MM: This season is going to be wild, adventurous, and heartfelt. Nothing is what we have seen before, which is exciting in a lot of ways. I’m most excited for people to see the new characters and all the animals.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

You won’t want to miss all the whimsical content airing on your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this weekend! The series of shorts Baymax Dreams is now available as you await the debut of Baymax’s brand-new series, coming later this month. Molly dives into politics on a new episode of The Ghost and Molly McGee, debuting on Saturday—with special guest star Sean Giambrone from The Goldbergs—followed by a presentation of Disney and Pixar’s WALL-E that evening. Sunday is chock-full of celebration with the second anniversary of Artemis Fowl and viewing the TIME100 Gala special, which honors the year’s most influential people!

Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit) stands next to Fred (voiced by Brooks Wheelan) who looks on excitedly from the shorts Baymax Dreams.

Baymax Dreams—Available on Disney+
While you wait for the debut of Baymax! on June 29, stream season one and two of these hilarious shorts, starring everyone’s favorite healthcare companion robot. While in a dream simulation, Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit) battles evil sheep, bed bugs, and even multiple versions of himself throughout the series!

Molly (voiced by Ashly Burch) is surrounded by ghosts with city hall seen in the distance from Disney Channel’s The Ghost and Molly McGee.

The Ghost and Molly McGee—Saturday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
Molly (voiced by Ashly Burch) is named “Mayor for a Day” after winning the coveted contest. However, when her term turns into a lifelong gig, she’s uncertain whether she can handle the pressure. The second installment centers around Molly’s internship at Larry’s Pawn Show, as she struggles to maintain her optimism while surrounded by discarded junk. Sean Giambrone from ABC sitcom The Goldbergs voices Reggie, Scratch’s new intern.

EVE (voiced by Elissa Knight) and WALL-E (voiced by Ben Burtt) float in space  after he uses a fire extinguisher to propel himself.WALL-E—Saturday, June 11, at 8:50 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
WALL-E (voiced by Ben Burtt), short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days cleaning the planet one piece of garbage at a time, and after 700 years, he’s a little lonely. Once he spots EVE (voiced by Elissa Knight), a sleek robot sent back to Earth on a scanning mission, he embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows her across the galaxy.

Artemis Fowl Sr. (Colin Farrell) looks at Artemis Fowl Jr. (Ferdia Shaw) as he stares out the window in Disney’s Artemis Fowl.

Artemis Fowl—Sunday, June 12, on Disney+
The live-action adaption of the beloved book by Eoin Colfer celebrates its two-year anniversary this Sunday! Artemis Fowl (Ferdia Shaw) is a 12-year-old genius who is a descendent from a long line of criminals. This fantastical adventure follows Artemis as he attempts to save his father (Colin Farrell) after his kidnapping by tracking down the Aculos—the fairies’ most coveted and powerful magical device. Can the prodigy outwit the all-powerful fairies?

Cover art from TIME 100 special covers featuring actor Simu Liu wearing a pink suit.

Time100: The World’s Most Influential People—Sunday, June 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
TIME and ABC are teaming up once again to celebrate this year’s most influential people—and, for the first time ever, bring viewers inside the exclusive event. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star and Time100 honoree Simu Liu hosts the Gala and one-hour special, which features musical performances by Mary J. Blige and Miranda Lambert and appearances by members of the list, including Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Quinta Brunson, and many more!

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your Pixar knowledge to the test, to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

In Lightyear, what’s the name of Buzz’s personal robot companion cat?

Correct! Wrong!

In the brand-new Disney and Pixar film Lightyear, Buzz has a personal robot companion cat named (D) Sox. Be sure to catch Lightyear exclusively in theaters beginning June 17!

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!
Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!
Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!

The Biggest Presentations at D23 Expo 2022

By the D23 Team

D23 Expo Presented by Visa is only a few months away—and with it, the promise of exciting announcements, reveals, sneak peeks, and more for everything Disney. Plus, Disney100 will kick off at D23 Expo, celebrating 100 years of wonder as The Walt Disney Company enters its second century. The festivities begin Friday, September 9, with the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony and a kick-off to Disney100. Later that day, The Walt Disney Studios will showcase what’s on the horizon from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and Disney Live Action. On Saturday morning, the Studios will give fans a sneak peek at the latest from Marvel and Lucasfilm. That afternoon, Disney Branded Television will preview its exciting slate. On Sunday morning, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and later on, guests will enjoy a special presentation of Disney Princess – The Concert.

These incredible presentations will take place in “Hall D23,” the 6,900-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center. The schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations is as follows (all events subject to change and additional events to be announced in the coming weeks):

Friday, September 9
Disney100 kicks off at D23 Expo on Friday, September 9, at 10:30 a.m. with an epic presentation that includes the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, featuring Disney CEO Bob Chapek. The Disney Legends Ceremony will once again honor those visionaries and artists who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. Look for the names of the 2022 inductees to be announced in the coming weeks.

At 3:30 p.m., guests will be treated to new details, first looks, sneak peeks, surprises, and announcements regarding upcoming theatrical and Disney+ titles from Disney Live Action, Pixar Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Studio heads, filmmakers, and cast members will come together onstage with the inside scoop on some of these studios’ most exciting titles.

Saturday, September 10
Filmmakers, celebrity talent, and surprise guests will join representatives from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, among others, onstage in Hall D23 at 10 a.m. to showcase theatrical and Disney+ titles. Going behind the scenes of these studios’ highly anticipated films, specials, and series, attendees will see exclusive footage and be among the first to learn what else is in the works.

At 3:30 p.m., Disney Branded Television, home to some of the most iconic stories and characters in the Disney canon—including Peabody Award winners Doc McStuffins and The Owl House, plus the culture-defining movie franchises High School Musical and Descendants—will present an exclusive showcase of upcoming content that will continue the legacy of excellence in storytelling. The showcase will feature talent appearances and never-before-seen sneak previews of original content for Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior, including looks at the new Disney+ Original series National Treasure, American Born Chinese, and The Santa Claus.

Sunday, September 11
At 10:30 a.m., join Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro for a look at Disney’s boundless future. With announcements and updates on the magic happening around the world in parks, on the high seas, at home, and beyond, attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at the big dreams of Disney Imagineers. Every Disney fan will want to be a part of this special presentation full of exciting news and surprises.

At 4:15 p.m., Disney Concerts will present a special performance of Disney Princess – The Concert, featuring Tony® nominee Susan Egan (Broadway’s original Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Meg in Disney’s animated feature Hercules), Broadway.com® Audience Award nominee Isabelle McCalla (Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, The Prom), Disney Channel star Anneliese van der Pol (That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, Broadway’s final Belle in Beauty and the Beast), and Broadway World Award winner Syndee Winters (Broadway’s Nala in The Lion King, Hamilton). Music director Benjamin Rauhala (Fiddler on the Roof, The Secret Life of Bees) and Prince Adam J. Levy (Moulin Rouge) will also join the quartet. The acclaimed cast will perform favorite Disney Princess and Frozen songs, including classics such as “Let It Go,” “A Whole New World,” “Colors of the Wind,” and “Almost There.” The performers will share exclusive, hilarious, and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen.

Don’t miss out on the magic! A limited number of single-day tickets for Friday and Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. D23: The Official Disney Fan Club Gold Members can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.

Schedule and talent are subject to change.

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Showcased are the four 2025 D23 Gold Member Premiums: Disneyland 70th Collection, including The Happiest Place on Earth, a replica Disneyland Park entrance plaque, and a reproduction of the Disneyland Entrance plaque text draft; Gold Member Fan Pack including a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse water bottle, crossbody bag, and hat; a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse Spirit Jersey; and a 10-piece Pin Set.

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