Explosive Mayor of Kingstown Finale, Dexter and The Boys Spin-Offs, and KDKA's Local Sports Lineup

©Paramount 

Paramount+’s intense drama "Mayor of Kingstown" filmed in Pittsburgh, concludes its third season with a dramatic finale. Streaming this Sunday, the episode showcases a major shootout on the iconic 16th Street Bridge, capturing Pittsburgh’s essence. This episode, like the season, doesn't shy away from violence, resulting in multiple character deaths, most from gunshots, with others meeting their end through different means.

The show, known for its high-stakes drama, continues to push the boundaries of on-screen violence. Rob Owen, who has covered the series extensively, remarks on the excessive brutality, drawing a parallel to his experience with "Sons of Anarchy." Despite the grim content, Owen keeps up with the first and last episodes each season to stay informed about the local production.

The season finale, penned by Dave Erickson of “Fear the Walking Dead” fame, delves deeper into the backstory of protagonist Mike McClusky, portrayed by Jeremy Renner. Through voiceover, Mike reflects on his past, including his prison experiences. The episode also explores the relationship between Mike and his brother Kyle, played by Taylor Handley, offering moments of genuine connection amidst the chaos. Their riverside conversation highlights the show's attempt at injecting emotional depth, despite its heavy reliance on coarse language and predictable foreshadowing.

As the season wraps up, it feels like the writers are resetting the stage, clearing out characters whose stories have reached their end. This paves the way for new characters and fresh plotlines in the anticipated fourth season, though official confirmation is pending. Given the show's success, consistently landing in Nielsen’s streaming originals Top 10, a renewal seems likely.

In other local media news, KDKA+, Channel 19, continues its tradition of airing regional high school football, starting on August 23 with Central Valley at Montour. The channel will also broadcast Division III college football games, though specific times are yet to be announced. This dedication to local sports coverage highlights KDKA+'s commitment to community engagement.

Meanwhile, a significant change is coming to CBS Evening News as anchor Norah O’Donnell steps down post-November elections to take on a senior correspondent role. CBS has yet to announce her successor, marking a pivotal moment for the network.

In the realm of TV renewals and cancellations, AMC’s “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” has been renewed for a third season, moving the action from France to Spain. Fox’s animated series “Krapopolis” has already secured a fourth season even before its second season airs. Acorn TV’s “Harry Wild” will also return for a fourth season, and Hulu’s “Solar Opposites” has been renewed for a sixth season, ahead of its fifth season premiere on August 12. Prime Video has ordered new seasons for “Invincible,” “Hazbin Hotel,” and “Sausage Party: Foodtopia,” while Hulu’s “Life Beth” and Disney+’s “Renegade Nell” have been canceled.

Prime Video continues to expand the universe of “The Boys” with “Vought Rising,” a prequel featuring characters Soldier Boy and Stormfront. Additionally, Michael C. Hall is set to narrate “Dexter: Original Sin,” a prequel series on Paramount+ with Showtime, and will star in a new sequel, “Dexter: Resurrection,” despite his character’s demise in 2021’s “Dexter: New Blood.”

The “Doctor Who” universe is also expanding with a new five-episode spin-off, “The War Between the Land and the Sea,” starring Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, alongside returning cast members. Justin Simien and Tawny Newsome are developing a live-action “The Office”-style comedy set in the “Star Trek” universe, focusing on Federation outsiders on a resort planet.

In celebrity news, Pittsburgh native Billy Porter will host a travel series, “My Happy Place,” on CNN, where he will explore Europe. In other industry updates, the Teamsters and Hollywood studios have averted a potential strike with a tentative deal, and Max’s “Gremlins: The Wild Batch” prequel series is set to premiere on October 3. ABC has ordered Tim Allen’s new sitcom “Shifting Gears” but passed on a comedy pilot starring Ty Burrell.

Lastly, “The Fall Guy,” a summer blockbuster that underperformed at the box office, will debut on Peacock on August 30, including an extended cut. Locally, KDKA-TV videographer Aaron Sledge will be inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmys Silver Circle Society for his 25 years of service.