SitcomsOnline Digest: John Stamos and Shaquille O'Neal Looking at Comedy Pilots; New Multicast Networks Devoted to Comedies and Game Shows in the Works

Saturday, January 24, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: John Stamos and Shaquille O'Neal Looking at Comedy Pilots; New Multicast Networks Devoted to Comedies and Game Shows in the Works

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're now at the point of the year where everybody is working hard to get their pilots on the air, and we have news of those, news of some new over-the-air broadcast networks, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

It seems like only yesterday when John Stamos was in his 20s on Full House, and now, he may be playing a grandfather soon if a comedy pilot for Fox is picked up. (People)
TruTV has become a little less true and a little more scripted lately, and now they have ordered a workplace comedy pilot starring Shaquille O'Neal. (Entertainment Weekly)
The New England Patriots are currently in the news for many reasons, some good and others not so good. But since we're a sitcoms blog and not a sports blog, we think it is worth noting that a Growing Pats video, a "Throwback Thursday" about the team done in the exact same style as the Growing Pains opening credits, was posted on Twitter this week by wide receiver Julian Edelman. (Fox Sports)
In most cities these days, you'll find just as many (if not more) more broadcast TV networks as you would find on cable about two decades ago. Now, Buzzr TV, a digital network devoted to game shows, would like to join those ranks. (SitcomsOnline)
Meanwhile, comedy fans will be pleased to know that there is going to be another digital TV network coming in April devoted to all things comedy, LAFF. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

It has seemed for several years that there was no hope for any future seasons of King of the Hill on DVD, but that changed late last year. Now, Olive Films is moving ahead with more of the series on April 7, with King of the Hill - The Complete Ninth Season and King of the Hill - The Complete Tenth Season.
Mill Creek is moving ahead with their re-releases of Bewitched on DVD with their upcoming release of Bewitched - Seasons 5 and 6. It is set for a release date of March 17, and as always, fans will also be able to pick up the seasons individually with Bewitched - Season 5 and Bewitched - Season 6.

JANUARY 27 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00Q5998BM/ref=nosim/happydaysonline5-20

Mama's Family - Mama's Favorites: Season 4 (DVD, $12.98): StarVista brings more episodes of the classic Vicki Lawrence series to DVD in a value-priced "best of" collection for those who have no desire to own the entire series.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Geri Jewell (Twitter), "Actress/Comedian, Motivational Speaker, and Author of I'm Walking as Straight as I Can - Transcending Disability in Hollywood and Beyond."

Claim to Fame: We're still having Facts of Life fever (so to speak) this week, and this week, we're featuring one of the cast members who wasn't exactly a regular, but appeared in many episodes, Geri Jewell, best known for playing Blair's cousin Geri on the series. Jewell was born with cerebral palsy, and even though TV had been around for three decades by the time Facts of Life debuted, she was the first actress with cerebral palsy to be featured on a TV series. While she had some difficulty finding roles following the end of the series, she did appear in a few guest roles, as well as a role in the HBO series Deadwood. Much of her work these days is that of a motivational speaker these days, and she maintains a positive attitude about life by having a sense of humor about her challenges that she deals with.
Pick of the Tweets: "I'm walking as straight as I can...and driving better than I ever walked - and dancing....okay, I will never make DWTS - bummer~" (November 7, 2011)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Monday, April 23

The Big Bang Theory - "The Relaxation Integration" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sheldon and Wolowitz plan birthday celebrations for Amy and Halley, respectively. Also, Leonard receives a Christmas letter from his brother that causes him to spiral out about his own lack of accomplishments.

Young Sheldon - "A Therapist, a Comic Book, and a Breakfast Sausage" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After choking on a breakfast sausage, Sheldon wrestles with his fear of solid foods and discovers comic books for the first time.

Young Sheldon - "A Solar Calculator, a Game Ball, and a Cheerleader's Bosom" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sheldon struggles with newfound popularity after utilizing statistics to help the football team.

The Big Bang Theory - "The Explosion Implosion" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Wolowitz and Sheldon bond when they drive to the desert to shoot off a model rocket. Also, when Leonard’s mom, Beverly (Christine Baranski), finds a new best friend in Penny, it rubs Leonard the wrong way.

American Dad - "My Purity Ball and Chain" (TBS, 10:00PM ET/PT)
When Steve acts out his sexual energy, Francine asks Stan to give Steve "the talk," but Stan's fear that he won't do it right terrifies him; the family builds a giant water slide in the backyard.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 23)

Monday, April 23

Chris Rock (Everybody Hates Chris) - Watch Chris on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
Ali Wentworth (Nightcap) - Ali appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Tracy Morgan (The Last O.G./30 Rock/The Tracy Morgan Show) - Tracy is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm. He also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Dana Carvey (One of the Boys) - Dana visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Mark Consuelos (Alpha House/Hope & Faith) - Mark guest co-hosts LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Constance Wu (Fresh Off the Boat) - Constance stops by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Wendell Pierce (The Odd Couple/The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell appears on Harry, so check your local listings.
Jason Biggs (Mad Love/Drexell's Class) - Jason and his wife Jenny Mollen talk about Lifetime's My Partner Knows Best on the BUILD Series at 4:30pm. Jason can be heard on the Morning Mashup on SiriusXM.
Chris Gethard (Broad City/Big Lake) - Chris is a guest on Page Six TV, so check your local listings.
Ellen Burstyn (The Ellen Burstyn Show) - Ellen appears on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Alfonso Ribeiro (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air/In the House/Silver Spoons) - Alfonso visits Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.