# What To Watch Thursday: New Descendants Movie, Will Ferrell Is The Hawk, And More

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-16 13:07 UTC · Category: Entertainment

## Executive Summary
Will Ferrell returns to television with the Netflix golf comedy 'The Hawk,' sparking a divide between critical reviews and fan anticipation.

## Intelligence Brief
This production marks Ferrell's television comeback, specifically utilizing the sport of golf as a central comedic theme. Alongside this release, the media schedule includes new content from the 'Descendants' movie franchise, as well as episodes of the series 'Trigger Point' and 'Criminal Minds.' Additionally, coverage indicates a televised revisiting of the Scott Peterson case. These varied programming updates represent a mix of new scripted comedies, established procedural dramas, and true crime investigations. Media outlets have offered contrasting perspectives on 'The Hawk.' Yahoo reports that the actor is making a hilarious comeback, while the Los Angeles Times notes that the show relies on silly, sophomoric jokes, suggesting this is the primary appeal for the audience. Conversely, Slate and another Yahoo report are more critical, with Slate explicitly stating that the new Netflix show is not good and the other Yahoo source describing it as a lame comedy.


The Times has also provided a review of the series. Complementing this critical reception, USA Today reports that Molly Shannon has shared details about Will Ferrell that many people are not aware of, adding a layer of personal insight to the promotional cycle. This trend is significant because it represents Will Ferrell's first series specifically for Netflix, transitioning his brand of comedy to a streaming-first format. The anticipation surrounding the release is evidenced by the immediate appearance of reviews and discussions regarding the show's quality across multiple major publications. The context of this release is further complicated by the simultaneous arrival of more 'Descendants' content, suggesting a competitive window for family and comedy programming on this specific Thursday.


The integration of true crime elements, such as the Scott Peterson case, indicates a broader trend of diversifying viewership across different genres in a single viewing window. Future developments to monitor involve the long-term reception of the series and whether the production will extend beyond its initial run. Yahoo is already questioning if 'The Hawk' will return for a second season, indicating an early interest in the show's longevity. Viewers will likely track the performance of the 'Descendants' expansion and the progression of tension in the latest episodes of 'Trigger Point' and 'Criminal Minds.' Coverage does not yet specify the exact nature of the 'Descendants' movie release or the specific details of the Scott Peterson case revisit, leaving these as key points for subsequent updates.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| TV Insider | Will Ferrell Is 'The Hawk,' More 'Descendants,' Revisiting the Scott Peterson Case, Tension Mounts in 'Trigger Point' & 'Criminal Minds' | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiyAFBVV95cUxQMkgzQ1FVNXJSWFpoaWV6bHJ2VU1rUmRETUs5cFZfNG9hbEZrQS1Rcm1NNUQ1a3d4SHpXSXU0RkdGTUhab0w1WDRfQ1JINzJud2t3UFVKRDZpMWRDbnZiSm5QU3FyM0VTRFoxVGh1T19tZ3VUNGtfRkpya1VybzQxSEVYNTRlUXprY09GQ3RacWtjZk1UZnlMRFJhQThja0FFMFZzQVhqaG9FanFZV3NUdnhZc0MtbmxEN0N6dXZlQ21XLV9oX3JIaA?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Will Ferrell Makes His Hilarious TV Comeback on Netflix Today | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxOUEtfN3VaSnJjOTZJb1BBQkYyV2xlOE4xTURaVjFESUw1cHNoYkoyLWFROHVqeWprZ1hjQ3JSYXNDWFNhQXZKUXlxUzZqNnpnbTVxbXZBNkZhaDlSdGluNGthVUhqa1hHT0lPUWpaY0ZLTlhxc2dQQjFqVzVIR0s3bmp6UVRMTU5oTmowMmlIUUF0dTVrTV9pcG5oVmxDWXc?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Is ‘The Hawk’ Returning for Season 2? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxQQ2pKSlR4SjRENTVEUlFvVlI4TUJmelJuY04xVUNheE8wLUVKel9RQVJnaGxjamdGWVhQTEhYc08xUlI2QW9sVVYxSFVmM19GaERIN0xkZDJWalRpdGpaOVdURDFpVHJfenZ2OGZ1TnROYWZJMWxVUklILUJZZUgyVGIxeG9wQjFZTGtaLTZOTQ?oc=5) |
| The Telegraph | What’s on TV tonight and this week: Will Ferrell’s golf comedy The Hawk, and more | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibEFVX3lxTE15c3ctaEl2aGVueVgwOVpVX0RibjFIWndEZy01UDhaMkRDWjliSFlibE5ISlNHclZraDByb3Vlb1VUcUhhRFRVMnh0bjhFalQ0QVZXR1RzMWdDcnFUUy01enRDS2VPUnVMLWJnRQ?oc=5) |
| The Times | The Hawk review — Is Will Ferrell’s Netflix comedy the next Happy Gilmore? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxONWtlcnRBd2ZmVHBCaWpiNXpYV2tubDhUTEpLSGtqOHVDbDVQYXpyS3Jjd3JRY0hWMk1zUF85eUtiSW93Q2YwRWs2dTJBei0zREd1WFU4Mm9pR0JzZFNydWRwcUc1ajNoelRUeThIeGE3MFZ3ZmJ4ZHowWnJOdHhWLTdOekpLcEdSZzVFWGZCQTRSSGJCem9FZjBRNFo?oc=5) |
| slate.com | Will Ferrell’s New Netflix Show Is Not Good | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxNM1ZOb2JoYTE4alh5MEhwNUN2NkE0Z2JwRTVDaFdreDJlWERvMWNwU1pFYl9rY2RZM1BkUFpVYzBSWUdNZl9iR1cxY0dPM3I2ZVFpcWJIcHhiNHhIY0NmRWFNXzJKbk52UDNxd1Vsc2RpNTZkeUdTWW12TEMybFFQMTdiNUh0NFFtdUYzT19qMkFuVDNEbUZpMlFFTk15Z0tyR3BmVzNBTkdFWVcz?oc=5) |
| Los Angeles Times | Review: Will Ferrell's 'The Hawk' tees up silly sophomoric jokes, but that's why we're here | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxOcFhaUV9HelZNMnNMN2ZxUnFiMEZ0aWUzeGtYRDNqbEd1RzExRnc1VEVOTDVJS2V5cDBBTE9MOURqOFlQakZtajgybWRzbDhzcnVoMHFmM3Yxbnlyem1jT3pDdWZiQUxmQXFyaE51TmR6TTlITmkySFNoMlhzR1FFTF9ZdFVrVkdkam9xa3pvR29KTXpJamliaEppZWI0ZGpVV19vdTlURQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | ‘The Hawk’ Review: Will Ferrell’s First Netflix Series Is a Lame Comedy — or a Bizarre Addiction Drama | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxPMnFUTUZOY3ZGRjJFWjdmazl5QmpKWGhTMXo3LUdWXzZPQTlhSzA2R1hTdkF4cTFvdUUxZnpUeGRjbDhRZEdERWU2NVJLRmZYaW1SNFIySERMY0t5a1M3T2xBdkhzdHhFZlhmOW9PaXRBMjdmX3FUd2NFQ2szOHl4TXFfcGJIRTVtMW14ZjI0d2VPY3RRUm5neURBNUw?oc=5) |
| USA Today | Molly Shannon reveals what many 'people don't know' about Will Ferrell | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxNcm45WGhIN2NEcDVNU1czMldjTGhqQ1BrQ3JmSXB4SGlkSWFTNnowT0JkRW8tbEloZEpJY2FtamxVbVlGVXB2amJENEpwVmxJNFh1a2FpMlplOC00am5YNW1jOWp3ZE9ya2I4UXlCUmlGbnMxMXJPLTBwTEdTMU1XVFdrcnhILXllX09nYVpZWV85a3RyZUJEekVMUEFVY1laYllteFRFTXh6TmVicWV1RHJHN051LXlUTWxNeEEtbHhvVW8?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-16/what-to-watch-thursday-new-descendants-movie-will-ferrell-is-the-hawk-and-more*