CBS has renewed drama The Equalizer for two more seasons. Queen Latifah stars. The show premiered in February 2021 following the Super Bowl. 

“The Equalizer continues to pack a powerful punch on Sunday nights, and we’re thrilled to have it back for two more seasons,” said Thom Sherman, senior executive VP of programming at CBS Entertainment. “The success of The Equalizer is due to the sum of its parts–an outstanding cast led by the superb Queen Latifah, plus the exceptional creative team that has continued to evolve their storytelling with a compelling mix of everyday justice, family dynamics and real-world issues that connect and resonate with audiences.”

The show is averaging nearly 9.5 million viewers, according to CBS.  

Lorraine Toussaint, Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira and Laya DeLeon Hayes are in the cast with Queen Latifah. 

Andrew Marlowe, Terri Edda Miller, Dana Owens (Queen Latifah), John Davis, John Fox, Debra Martin Chase, Richard Lindheim, Shakim Compere and Joseph C. Wilson are executive producers for Universal Television, which produces in association with CBS Studios. Adam Glass is an executive producer too. Glass and Wilson will be co-showrunners next season. 

Lindheim co-created the original Equalizer, which ran on CBS in the late ‘80s. ■ 

CBS will premiere The Equalizer, a drama starring Queen Latifah, after Super Bowl LV Sunday, Feb. 7. The show is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. It slides into the 8 p.m. slot the following Sunday. 

The Equalizer has Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn. The cast also includes Chris Noth, Lorraine Toussaint, Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg and Liza Lapira. 

The original Equalizer ran from 1985 to 1989 on CBS.

Also on Feb. 7, CBS will air a special weekend episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after late local news. 

CBS will run Dick Wolf drama FBI after the AFC Championship Game Jan. 24. Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki star. The Late Late Show with James Corden offers a special weekend episode after late local news that night. 

“The Super Bowl and the AFC Championship Game in primetime is the ultimate combination to promote and showcase an episode of a highly anticipated new series, a rising procedural drama and our acclaimed late night franchises,” said Kelly Kahl, president, CBS Entertainment. “With these games and the Grammys, CBS will have the biggest audience events on television for three consecutive weeks in early 2021. I can’t think of a better way to start the new year or a better promotional environment for our mid-season schedule.”

Super Bowl coverage starts on CBS at 6 p.m. Feb. 7. The game happens at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. 

VH1’s May 8 special Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms drew 1.2 million viewers in its premiere, according to Nielse

The special, hosted by Anthony Anderson and La La Anthony and featuring celebrity tributes for their moms from such stars as Halle Berry, Gladys Knight, Jodeci, Taraji P. Henson and Robin Thicke, garnered 1.7 million viewers including replays, according to VH1.

This year’s Dear Mama special, produced by Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit and Jesse Collins Entertainment, posted a 36% ratings increase over last year’s inaugural special, according to the network.