Friday, May 17, 2013

USA Network Upfront 2013: First Comedies Ordered, Plus Modern Family Reruns; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 20, 2013)

We were on hand yesterday at the USA Network upfront and we have some sitcom news for USA Network! USA Network greenlit its first original half-hour comedies, with series orders for Sirens from Denis Leary (Rescue Me) and Bob Fisher (Wedding Crashers) and Playing House from Jessica St. Clair (Bridesmaids, In The Motherhood) and Lennon Parham (Best Friends Forever, Accidentally On Purpose). The network also picked up a new comedy pilot, Love Is Dead for consideration. The two new comedies will debut in the first quarter of 2014, and will be strong complements to off-network acquisition Modern Family, the award-winning and top-rated comedy, which premieres on USA Tuesday, September 24 at 8|7c. The announcement was made in conjunction with USA's Upfront (#USAupfront), which was held yesterday at Pier 36 in New York.

Single-camera comedy Sirens follows three of Chicago's best EMTs whose sometimes silly, self-righteous and even self-destructive personalities make them unqualified for sustaining relationships, friendships and most occupations. They are, however, uniquely qualified for saving anyone who winds up in their ambulance. Based on a UK format, Sirens stars Michael Mosley (Pan Am), Kevin Daniels (Modern Family), Jessica McNamee and Kevin Bigley. Leary and Fisher co-wrote the pilot and both executive produce the series. Filmed on location in Chicago, the series is from Apostle and Fox Television Studios, in conjunction with Daybreak Pictures.

Playing House is a single-camera buddy comedy about what happens when two best friends come back together, just when they need each other most. The original half-hour series is inspired by the ultra-close friendship between St. Clair and Parham. In Playing House, when mother to-be Maggie (Parham) asks her single and career-driven best friend Emma (St. Clair) to return home from her job overseas to attend her baby shower, she has no idea what's truly in store. Parham and St. Clair co-wrote the presentation and will executive produce the series. As for that comedy pilot, Love Is Dead (pilot order): This single-camera comedy is set at a unique company that specializes in breaking-up romantic relationships -- rationally, compassionately, thoroughly -- on behalf of those who are willing to pay to not be around when it happens. It's the unconventional romantic comedy that asks: "Why, if love is so fickle, do we keep coming back for more?" Stay with us for info on that if it gets picked-up to series. We'll have much more on Sirens and Playing House soon along with details on Modern Family's syndicated scheduled airtimes on USA Network.


It's Friday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of May 20-24, 2013, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!

Monday, May 20, 2013

  • Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Watch Will on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Ed Helms (The Office) - Ed drops by Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. He will also be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Sarah Chalke (How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)/Scrubs/Roseanne) - Sarah visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) - Zooey appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings. She also performs as She & Him.
  • Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) - Yvette is a guest on The Jeff Probst Show, so check your local listings. She will also be on the series finale on Wednesday.
  • Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke guest co-hosts The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Todd Bridges (Diff'rent Strokes) - Todd opens up about how he is now on a mission to change other kid's lives with the Todd Bridges Youth Foundation on Marie at 12pm on Hallmark Channel.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
  • Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move) - Catch Jason on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) - Eric appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation) - Aziz drops by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC. He will also be on ABC's Good Morning America between 7-9am.
  • Ed Helms (The Office) - Ed continues to make the rounds on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • The Cast of Workaholics - The cast of the Comedy Central sitcom will be on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Jenny McCarthy (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Jenny chats on Katie, so check your local listings.
  • Woody Harrelson (Cheers) - Woody chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
  • Woody Harrelson (Cheers) - Watch Woody on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Jeff Foxworthy (The Jeff Foxworthy Show) - Jeff is a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?) - Alyssa stops by Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. Mistresses premieres on ABC on Monday, June 3 at 10/9c.
  • Jennifer Aniston (Friends) - Jennifer appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Portia de Rossi (Arrested Development) - Portia visits The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) - Yvette co-hosts The Chew on ABC at 1pm ET/12pm PT/CT.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
  • Zach Braff (Scrubs) - Catch Zach on a repeat of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Gillian Jacobs (Community) - Gillian is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse stops by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
  • Ken Jeong (Community) - Ken visits LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
  • Kevin Nealon (Weeds/Hiller and Diller/Champs) - Kevin stops by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • David Alan Grier (Less Than Perfect/DAG) - David appears on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
  • Jessica Walter (Arrested Development/Retired at 35) - Tune in to see Jessica on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
  • Anne Heche (Save Me) - Anne will be on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Friday, May 24, 2013
  • Steve Harvey (The Steve Harvey Show) - Watch Steve on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) - Yvette co-hosts The Chew on ABC at 1pm ET/12pm PT/CT.
  • Valerie Harper (Rhoda/Valerie) - Valerie appears on a repeat of The Jeff Probst Show, so check your local listings.
  • Melissa Joan Hart (Melissa & Joey/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) - Melissa guest co-hosts a repeat of Anderson Live, so check your local listings.
Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this Friday feature! We do listen!


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, May 8

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Ladies Love Brunch" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Georgie tries to juggle his mom, his mother-in-law and Mandy on Mother’s Day. Meanwhile, Audrey wants to meet Connor’s girlfriend.

Ghosts - "The Devil Went Down to Woodstone" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam and Jay host a big party for the launch of Sam and Isaac’s vampire book. Mary Holland (Patience), Punam Patel (Bela) and Matt Walsh (Elias Woodstone) return as guest stars.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 5)

Thursday, May 8

  • Paula Poundstone (Home Movies) - Paula performs stand-up comedy on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) - Natasha appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle talks about Netflix's Survival of the Thickest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
  • Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite/Benched) and Doug Benson (You're the Worst) - Maria and Doug are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • John Benjamin Hickey (HouseBroken/The Big C/It's All Relative) - John stops by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 11:15pm on Bravo.
  • Patricia Clarkson (Davis Rules) - Patricia is a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 11:15pm on Bravo.
  • Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - E! News has an interview with Kerry at 11pm on E!. Kerry and Omar Sy discuss their highly anticipated new film Shadow Force on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Rebel Wilson (Super Fun Night) - Rebel chats about Juliet & Romeo on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/CafĂ© Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - In A Little Bit Extra Valerie and Ross Mathews are sharing more of their conversation with Al Roker in Charleston at the Food & Wine Classic on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) and Randall Park (Young Rock/Blockbuster/Fresh Off the Boat/Veep/Supah Ninjas) - Morris and Randall talk about Watson on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

05/08 - CBS 2025-26 Schedule; Animal Control and Going Dutch Renewed by Fox
05/07 - Netflix's A Man on the Inside Bulks Up Cast for Season 2; The Studio Renewed by Apple TV+
05/06 - Netflix's Long Story Short Announces Cast; NBC Renews All Chicago Series for 2025-26
05/05 - Antenna TV's The Partridge Family Mother's Day Marathon; Rewind TV's 227 40th Anniversary Marathon
05/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 5, 2025)
05/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Cancels The Equalizer; Wisteria Lane Offshoot of Desperate Housewives in the Works
05/02 - USA and SYFY Announce Summer Premieres; CBC in Canada Renews 5 Series, Including Wild Cards
05/01 - ABC Summer 2025 Schedule; Audible Scripted Comedy Podcasts for Summer
04/30 - The Carol Burnett Show Mother of All Marathons; Netflix Renews North of North
04/29 - Lifetime Adds New Ripped from the Headlines Movie; BET+ Orders Season 2 of Series
04/28 - Fox Summer 2025 Schedule; Final Guest Hosts for Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Season
04/27 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 28, 2025)
04/26 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Cancels Poppa's House; Final Season 50 Hosts for Saturday Night Live Set
04/25 - Classic TV's Biggest Auction; Remembering Will Hutchins and Wink Martindale
04/24 - Jerrod Carmichael's 4th HBO Comedy Special; HBO's Pee-wee as Himself Premieres May 23
04/23 - Apple TV+ Announces Comedy Series Prodigies; ABC Renews Unscripted Series Slate
04/22 - Hallmark Channel's May For Moms Month; Prime Video Gets Korean Comedy Action Series
04/21 - Peacock's Twisted Metal Returns July 31; Poker Face Lines Up Big Guests for Season 2
04/20 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 21, 2025)
04/19 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Clueless Reboot in the Works at Peacock; King of the Hill Cast Reunion and Revival Preview at ATX TV Festival Next Month
04/18 - 2025 TIME100 on ABC; Atsuko Okatsuka: Father Premieres June 13 on Hulu
04/17 - BET+ Orders Martin Spinoff Varnell Hill; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Returns in July
04/16 - And Just Like That... Season 3 on Max This May; MGM+ Comedy Series Adds Big Stars
04/15 - HBO's Harry Potter Series; Classic TV Comes to Life in NYC
04/14 - TV Stars Lineup for Summer of 69 Hulu Film; Jessica Kirson Comedy Special
04/13 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 14, 2025)
04/12 - SitcomsOnline Digest: FX Sets Premiere Date for Adults; Netflix Picks Up Monopoly Themed Reality Competition Series
04/11 - Bounce TV Renews Mind Your Business; AMC Networks 2025 Upfront Highlights
04/10 - David Spade's Prime Video Comedy Special; Brett Goldstein's HBO Comedy Special Filmed in New Jersey
04/09 - Paramount+ Orders Season 3 of Colin from Accounts; FX's Adults Premieres May 28
04/08 - Prime Video's New Comedy Overcompensating; Nine Perfect Strangers Returns on Hulu in May