NATPE 2011: Day 2 Has Original Sitcoms; CBS Moves Up Mad Love Premiere

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

NATPE 2011: Day 2 Has Original Sitcoms; CBS Moves Up Mad Love Premiere

It's day two of the 2011 NATPE and still it is pretty light in terms of updates, but we have some sitcom updates! But first, THR reports that Father Alberto Cutie, a bestselling author of self-help books and radio talk show host as well as a former Roman Catholic priest, will join the ranks of talk shows and host a daily syndie strip devoted to life matters. The show is being licensed by Debmar-Mercury and the first station group to step up for a launch test is Fox. The show will preview on a number of as yet unspecified Fox stations this summer. The Fox test markets will include N.Y. and L.A., the country's top two markets. Other non-Fox outlets may be invited to join the test as well.
Sitcom wise, CABLEready is entering the scripted programming arena for the first time, offering up two sitcoms, including one with Married... with Children's David Faustino! The two original comedies are being produced by Dan Garcia Productions. Things We Do For Love is a half-hour multi-camera sitcom with a cast that includes Alfonso Ribeiro, Maria Conchita Alonzo, Tamara Mowry and James Avery. Darren (Alfonso Ribeiro) and his lovely wife Lourdes (Tamara Mowry) have recently been married. They struggle with life as newlyweds sustaining a family owned business. Once their zany in-laws move in (Lourdes' mom and Darren's father), their lives change forever. 5 episodes have been ordered and taped. Clunkers is a half-hour semi-scripted, single-camera comedy with Carl Anthony Payne, David Faustino, Katherine Rose and Sherman Hemsley. The comedy reunites high school best friends Ritchie (Carl Anthony Payne) and Shaun (David Faustino) at a used car lot in the deep south. With a feel of Curb Your Enthusiasm meets Sanford and Son, the show revolves around a former local baseball star, Ritchie, who must swallow his pride and return to his hometown after an injury keeps him from making it in the major leagues. 9 episodes have been ordered and shot. Hopefully more news on these two potential sitcoms will come soon, including what cable networks will pick these up. Our buddy Sean Compton, President of Programming at Tribune, wants original sitcoms in first-run syndication, so these two would be a great start for that even though they are being offered for cable. Stay tuned for further updates!
We hope to have our annual list of what is available for Fall 2011 by tomorrow.

Meanwhile, CBS has moved the premiere date of mid-season sitcom Mad Love to Valentine's Day (Monday, Feb. 14) at 8:30pm. The series was originally slated to premiere a week later on Monday, Feb. 21. This means Rules of Engagement will have its last Monday airing on Feb. 7 now but it will still move to Thursdays at 8:30pm starting Feb. 24. 13 episodes of Mad Love will air, while Rules of Engagement will have 9 episodes to air (from its 24 episode order) on its new night of Thursday.
The sitcom stars Jason Biggs, Sarah Chalke, Tyler Labine and Judy Greer. Matt Tarses and Jamie Tarses are executive producers for Sony Pictures Television in association with CBS Television Studios. Look for our review of the pilot closer to premiere date.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Tuesday, January 15

The Conners - "Don't Shoot the Piano Teacher" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Ben offers Mark free piano lessons, Darlene finds this as an opportunity to test his parenting skills. Meanwhile, Jackie throws Becky a baby shower, and Emilio continues his efforts to be part of the baby’s life.

The Kids Are Alright - "Show Boat" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Against Peggy’s wishes, Frank secretly helps design a set for a musical in which Timmy is performing. Feeling jealous of all the positive attention Frank is getting for his work, Timmy devises a plan which forces Frank to admit his involvement on set, but Timmy’s scheming backfires. Meanwhile, Mike grows increasingly concerned that Joey is heading down a shady moral path with all his wheeling and dealing, and decides to teach him a lesson.

black-ish - "Black Like Us" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Dre and Bow are furious after Diane isn’t lit properly in her class photo. Diane doesn’t want to make it a big deal, but they decide to talk to the principal about the need for sensitivity toward all complexions. Meanwhile, Junior claims there is unspoken colorism within their own family, and things get heated.

Splitting Up Together - "China-Curious" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
A concerned Lena tries to figure out if Mae is romantically involved with her new best friend, China (guest star Rowan Blanchard). To make matters worse, Mae asks if China can sleep over, which makes Lena uncomfortable and forces her to confront her own issues with intimacy. Meanwhile, Martin worries about Mason’s relationship with his new girlfriend, Bronwyn (guest star Sydney Taylor), and gives him advice to help avoid another heartbreak.

Teachers - "Thoughts and Bears" (TV Land, 10:00PM ET/PT)
A neighbor moves in next door to Fillmore, but his proud ownership of a dangerous item is concerning to the Teachers. Ms. Watson, fresh off her breakup with Toby, finally has to face him.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 14)

Tuesday, January 15

Ted Danson (The Good Place/Becker/Cheers) - Catch Ted on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer (Broad City) - Abbi and Ilana are guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place) - D'Arcy appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She can also be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
Nina Dobrev (Fam) - Nina stops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry visits The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS. He will also be on Access Live, so check your local listings.
Jameela Jamil (The Good Place) - Jameela is a guest on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
Busy Philipps (Vice Principals/Cougar Town) - Busy appears on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
Anna Camp (The Mindy Project) - Anna stops by The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie/Malibu Country) and Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Lily and Jane are guests on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Molly Ringwald (Townies/The Facts of Life) - Molly talks about All These Small Moments on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
Luke Benward (Still the King/Good Luck Charlie) - Luke talks about Netflix's Dumplin' on People Now at 12pm.
Pete Crashing (Crashing) - Pete talks about the new season of Crashing on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Yeardley Smith (The Simpsons/Herman's Head/Brothers) - Yeardley talks about voicing Lisa Simpson and her new true crime podcast on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Derek Waters (Drunk History/Married to the Kellys) - Derek is a guest on the BUILD Series at 1pm.
Tom Everett Scott (I'm Sorry) - Tom talks about his new movie I Hate Kids on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.
Haley Joel Osment (Future Man/Alpha House/The Jeff Foxworthy Show/Thunder Alley) - Haley Joel appears on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.