Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Nick at Nite to Launch New Sitcom, More See Dad Run Episodes; Episodic Review: Raising Hope - "Modern Wedding" and New Girl - "Cooler" Airing Tonight on Fox

After five successful seasons on the groundbreaking series iCarly, Jerry Trainor steps into his first starring and producing role on Nick at Nite's brand-new live-action family sitcom, Wendell & Vinnie, premiering Sunday, Feb. 17, at 8pm ET/PT. A multi-camera scripted half-hour, the series follows 30-year-old Vinnie Bassett (Trainor) living the life of a carefree bachelor, when he suddenly becomes the legal guardian of his precocious, wise-beyond-his-years nephew, Wendell (Buddy Handleson, Shake It Up) forming a hysterical odd-couple family dynamic. Nicole Sullivan (The King of Queens, MadTV) also stars as Vinnie's older unlucky-in-love sister, Wilma, with Haley Strode (Gangster Squad) as Vinnie's newly divorced neighbor and love interest, Taryn. The series will air regularly on Sundays at 8pm (ET/PT) followed by the Scott Baio original comedy, See Dad Run at its new time of 8:30pm, which returns with all-new episodes to finish off its 20-episode first season. So far 9 episodes of See Dad Run have aired and also another batch of 20 episodes have been ordered for a second season.

Wendell & Vinnie was also ordered for 20 episodes and follows Vinnie Bassett, proprietor of a pop culture memorabilia store who only takes breaks to read comic books and play video games. His bachelor life comes to a halt when he assumes guardianship of his incredibly intelligent and mature nephew, Wendell. They soon find that 12-year-old Wendell may be just the parent Vinnie needs. This season will find lighthearted Vinnie helping socially awkward Wendell - and vice versa - including Vinnie navigating through PTA politics to help Wendell build a school garden, a sleepover that goes awry when Vinnie becomes the center of attention and Wendell sent to detention after he helps Vinnie get closer to his vice principal. Wendell & Vinnie will also feature special guest appearances by Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons), Robin Givens (Head of the Class, House of Payne) and Willie Garson (Sex and the City). In support of the Feb. 17 premiere, NickatNite.com has launched its Wendell & Vinnie show site, which includes trailers, character information, sneak peek photo galleries and message boards as well as a "Are You A Wendell or a Vinnie?" quiz. Full episodes will also be made available after each premiere. Beginning Feb. 18, Wendell & Vinnie episodes will be available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Xbox Video, Vudu, PlayStation Store and Samsung Media Hub. Viewers can keep up with the show on Twitter by following the Nick@Nite handle at @nickatnitetv and by liking the Wendell & Vinnie Facebook page.



On the next...Raising Hope:
By: Todd

Fox's Tuesday sitcom starring Martha Plimpton airs Tuesday nights at 8:00pm and we have just watched the next episode that airs tonight (Jan. 29). In the episode airing tonight, "Modern Wedding," the wedding day is finally here and Sabrina's mom has hired the camera crew from Modern Family to capture the whole blessed event. But a series of catastrophes threatens to ruin the day, including a battle between Maw Maw and Reverend Bob (guest star Leslie Jordan). So Burt and Virginia scramble to save the ceremony and keep Jimmy and Sabrina in ignorant, matrimonial bliss.

It's the event three years in the making - Jimmy and Sabrina's wedding! Sabrina's mom thinks she will be married three or four times, so she decides to hire the Modern Family camera crew to record it. Things then go horribly wrong. Their wedding invitations are sent to an incorrect address. Virginia and Burt try to get them their marriage license as a gift. The cake is too large to fit in Jimmy and Sabrina's car. Maw Maw and Reverend Bob argue their past history. The wedding gets delayed when Reverend Bob refuses to perform the ceremony. A surprise guest from past episodes also makes a visit to the wedding.

Tonight's episode is one of the highlights of the season. It's filmed in the same style of a Modern Family episode. They have a similar opening sequence and font used in the credits. The characters talk to the cameras in a mock-documentary style. There's even a voiceover that sounds like Ed O'Neill. It's just a hilarious episode that pays homage to Modern Family. Like most episodes of the series, it has a great mix of outrageous comedy and heartwarming scenes. B+

A second episode will follow at 8:30pm. In "Yo Zappa Do, Part 1," as a wedding gift, Barney offers to fly Jimmy and Sabrina to Los Angeles for a taping of "Yo Zappa Do," Hope's favorite show. But due to Jimmy's fear of flying, the entire family embarks on a road trip instead. Meanwhile, Burt and Virginia agree to take in Ricardo (guest star Wilmer Valderrama) as a house guest, but he soon wears out his welcome.

Raising Hope is the most underrated and funniest sitcom that more people should be watching. They have quietly put together three solid seasons. I was a big fan of creator Greg Garcia's earlier series My Name Is Earl. Raising Hope has many of the same qualities. They have an excellent cast, quirky comedy, hilarious storylines, flashback scenes and guest stars galore. Virginia and Burt are a hilarious TV couple. The show performed respectably in the ratings the first two seasons, but it has struggled this season. Only around 4 million viewers have tuned in weekly. They would benefit by airing after Glee or another popular Fox show. Despite the low ratings, they were picked up for two additional episodes for season three, upping their total to 24. It wouldn't be shocking to see Fox bring the show back for a fourth season. A big syndication deal is likely coming soon.



On the next...New Girl:
By: Todd

Fox's Tuesday adorkable sitcom starring Zooey Deschanel airs Tuesday nights at 9:00pm and we have just watched the next episode that airs tonight (Jan. 29). And Schmidt happens! In the episode airing tonight, "Cooler," the loft dynamics change forever! Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Winston (Lamorne Morris) go out on a "bro's night" and leave Jess (Zooey Deschanel) by herself in the loft. When her imagination gets the better of her, the guys are forced to return home, but not without some additional company – Holly (guest star Brooklyn Decker), a beautiful woman over whom Nick and Schmidt get highly competitive; and tough-as-nails Daisy (new recurring guest star Brenda Song), who helps Winston get back his mojo. An impromptu game of "Sexy True American" gets out of control, leading to a surprising development in Jess' relationship with one of her roommates.

Tonight's episode main storyline deals with Nick and Schmidt fighting over a stunning woman named Holly (Brooklyn Decker) that they meet at a bar. Winston strikes out with Holly, but he does meet Daisy (Brenda Song from The Suite Life on Deck). Song will be appearing in multiple episodes as Winston's love interest. She is quite different from his last girlfriend, Shelby. The third storyline involves Jess being left alone in the loft and trying to entertain herself by doing things like finishing a marathon. The drinking game "True American," which was featured in the first season, returns with a sexy new twist. Overall, this isn't one of the most consistently funny or strongest episodes of the season. It does feature a couple of beautiful guest stars in Brookyln Decker (as a brunette) and Brenda Song. The major development happens at the end of the episode between two of the characters. Tune in to see the big event that should set the tone for the rest of the season. B-

New Girl is having a decent sophomore season. The ratings have taken quite a dip from the first season. They are missing Glee as a lead-in and haven't been helped by the low-rated sitcoms airing around them. It would be hard to top their first season when they received five Emmy nominations and were on many people's list of top new TV shows of 2012, but they are still producing some quality and entertaining episodes. The show has been kept fresh and funny. Many guest stars have been brought in for single appearances or recurring roles, such as Carla Gugino and Olivia Munn. The adorkable Zooey Deschanel and company are certainly worth watching on Fox's Tuesday night of comedies.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, March 19

Night Court - "The Duke's a Hazard" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Gurgs' royal boyfriend pays a surprise visit, she questions their compatibility; Dan defends his family's honor after he discovers a feud that dates back centuries.

Extended Family - "The Consequences of Being Irish" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Jim learns of Trey's St. Patrick's Day fundraiser plans, he offers his expertise in an effort to save Trey and the Celtics from embarrassment.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 18)

Tuesday, March 19

  • Tracy Morgan (The Last O.G./30 Rock/The Tracy Morgan Show) - Catch Tracy on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale/God's Favorite Idiot/American Housewife/The Odd Couple/About a Boy) - Leslie appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso), Marc Maron (GLOW/Maron) and Zainab Johnson (Upload) - Brendan, Marc and Zainab are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Hilary Swank (Camp Wilder) - NBC's Today catches up with Hilary in the 10am hour.
  • The cast of Girls5eva) - Busy Philipps, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Paula Pell and Sara Bareilles are guests on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse talks about his podcast Dinner's On Me on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Annie Potts (Young Sheldon/Over the Top/Love & War/Designing Women/Goodtime Girls) - Annie talks about her legendary career and new film, Ghostbuster: Frozen Empire, on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Joe Manganiello (How I Met Your Mother) - Joe stops by Tamron hall to chat about hosting the new Deal or No Deal Island, so check your local listings.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (November-March)

Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Father Knows Best - The Complete Series The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)

That Girl - The Complete Series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


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