Thursday, October 22, 2015
Hulu Brings Back Casual; Remembering Pat Woodell of Petticoat Junction
Following its successful series debut on October 7, the Hulu Original Casual has already been picked up for a second season with a 13-episode order. Lionsgate Television's critically-acclaimed comedy series will return with creator and executive producer Zander Lehmann and executive producers Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air), Helen Estabrook and Liz Tigelaar. Casual has drawn praise for stars Michaela Watkins, Tommy Dewey, Tara Lynne Barr and Nyasha Hatendi, who will all return as series regulars for the second season. Hulu will continue to roll out weekly episodes for its 10-episode straight-to-series order for season one of Casual, launching its fourth episode today. All episodes will be available to stream to subscribers in both Hulu's limited and no commercials plans.
Casual follows the story of a dysfunctional family with a bachelor brother and his newly divorced sister. Together, they coach each other through the crazy world of dating (on-line and off), while living under one roof again and raising a teenager. New episodes are available every Wednesday. In episode four streaming today, Alex (Tommy Dewey) goes back to work for the first time in weeks. Valerie (Michaela Watkins) slips up and breaks one of his cardinal rules of casual sex, while Laura (Tara Lynne Barr) begins to bond with her photography teacher after class.
The second season of Casual will join 11/22/63, an event series based upon the best-selling Stephen King novel from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions; The Path, a drama series from Jason Katims' True Jack Productions starring Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan and Hugh Dancy; The Mindy Project, a comedy series from Mindy Kaling; and comedy series Difficult People produced by Amy Poehler with stars Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner.
Actress and singer Pat Woodell, who was best known for her role as Bobbie Jo Bradley in the first two seasons of Petticoat Junction, has died. She died on September 29 at her home in Fallbrook, California, after a long battle with cancer. Ms. Woodell was 71.
Woodell starred as the first Bobbie Jo Bradley in seasons one and two of Petticoat Junction from 1963-1965. Her book-loving character appeared in 64 out of 74 episodes. She performed musical numbers in several episodes, including "The Ladybugs." The Ladybugs, a Beatles parody group, consisted of her TV sisters Linda Kaye, Jeannine Riley, together with Sheila James. The Ladybugs also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Woodell was replaced by Lori Saunders after she left to promote her singing career. She was interviewed and provided episode introductions for the season one and two DVD releases of the series in 2008-2009.
She guest starred as Miss Thompson in one of the last episodes ("A Visit from the Teacher") of The Munsters in 1966. Some of her other television guest appearances included Cheyenne, Hawaiian Eye, The Gallant Man, GE True, 77 Sunset Strip, Bright Promise and The New Perry Mason. She retired from acting in 1973.
We remember another 1960s sitcom actress. Melody Patterson was best known for her role Wrangler Jane in F Troop. She died on August 20 at a nursing home in Hollister, Missouri, of multiple organ failure. Ms. Patterson was 66.
Patterson starred as Jane Angelica Thrift/Wrangler Jane in the ABC sitcom F Troop from 1965-1967. Her hard-riding, fast-shooting cowgirl character owned Wrangler Jane's Trading Post and ran the U.S. post office in town. She was Captain Wilton Parmenter's (Ken Berry) beautiful but tomboyish, feisty, romantically aggressive girlfriend. Patterson was only 16 years old when she first appeared on the show.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Wendy and Me, The Monkees and Green Acres. Her drama guest appearances included Adam-12 and three episodes of Hawaii Five-O. She was married to Hawaii Five-O star James MacArthur from 1970-1975. She is survived by her husband, Vern Miller.
We thank these talented and beautiful actresses for the entertainment they brought us in their classic 1960s sitcoms. They will be deeply missed.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (June/July/August)
06/13 - The Andy Griffith Show - Return to Mayberry
06/13 - That's My Mama - The Complete Series
06/20 - Workaholics - The Final (Seventh) Season
06/20 - Workaholics - The Complete Series
06/27 - The Jamie Foxx Show - The Complete Third Season
07/04 - Superstore - Season Two
07/18 - Father Knows Best - Season Six
07/25 - Diff'ernt Strokes - The Complete Sixth Season
07/25 - Girls - The Final (Sixth) Season (Blu-ray)
08/01 - Alice - The Complete Fifth Season (WBShop.com)
08/01 - Crashing - The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)
08/15 - Rhoda - Season Four
08/22 - Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Season Four
08/29 - Will & Grace - Season One (Universal)
More TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Wednesday, September 20
The Goldbergs - "Graduation Day" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Graduation Day is quickly approaching, and Erica cannot wait to get out of the house, until it dawns on her how much Beverly’s love means to her. She attempts to delay her graduating so she can stay home. Later, Barry has plans for him and Lainey, but they turn to dust. Meanwhile, Dana makes a surprise visit just as Adam and Jackie officially become a couple.
Speechless - "C-A-- CAMP" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
As the family readies for their flight to JJ’s camp, Maya gets a surprise at the airport. Ray sees the summer as an opportunity to reinvent himself while Jimmy and Dylan turn the trip to camp into a father/daughter bonding moment.
Modern Family - "The Graduates" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Manny’s father, Javier (guest-star Benjamin Bratt), shows up for his graduation and takes him out on a wild night of celebration, and then Jay steps in to pick-up the pieces. Meanwhile, the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan is getting ready for Luke and Manny’s big day and dealing with the emotions that come with seeing your kids grow up and leave the nest.
American Housewife - "Can't Hide It Anymore" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Katie has been avoiding the mandatory volunteer hours at her kids’ schools all year. But when the other moms pressure her, she hits on a genius excuse after wearing a fake pregnancy “empathy” bump leads everyone to think she is pregnant. But things soon get out of hand after her former frenemies plan a baby shower for her.
Swedish Dicks - (Pop, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Ingmar and Axel get asked to find the breeding ram, Russel Crowe, but before they can start, Ingmar gets picked up by the FBI. Axel calls Sarah to ask her help Ingmar, while he himself continues to look for the missing animal. The situation looks grim for Ingmar, but the FBI seems to be willing to offer him a dangerous deal.
Swedish Dicks - (Pop, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A number of incidents convince Ingmar that he has to move back to Sweden. Sun is quick to take his place in the agency, but before Ingmar has time to leave, they get a case where his own daughter seems to be in danger. When it hits the fan, they all get dragged into the mess - in their most dangerous case to date - leading them towards Ingmar's mysterious past.
You're the Worst - "This Is Just Marketing" (FXX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Jimmy learns that his literary novel is being marketed as erotica. While doing Vernon's podcast, Gretchen realizes she's been letting Jimmy off easy. When Edgar and Lindsay babysit Tallulah, Lindsay learns for the first time that she's capable of love and Edgar tries a new technique to pick up women.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 18)
Wednesday, September 20
- Adam Scott (Ghosted/Parks and Recreation) - Watch Adam on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Pamela Adlon (Better Things/The King of Queens/The Facts of Life) - Pamela is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Bobby Moynihan (Me, Myself & I) - Bobby visits Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He will also be on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
- Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory/Blossom) - Mayim stops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig drops by Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
- Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley) - Kumail is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
- Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/Welcome to New York) - Jim appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
- Garcelle Beauvais (The Jamie Foxx Show) - Garcelle guest co-hosts The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Adrian Grenier (Entourage) - Adrian talks about his life after Entourage and his ocean conservation foundation's Strawless September Challenge on Harry, so check your local listings. He will also be on the AOL Build Show 4pm.
- Christopher McDonald (Good Advice/Walter & Emily) - Christopher will be on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.
- Walton Goggins (Vice Principals) - Walton shows Rach how to make his perfect cocktail on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
- Judith Light (Transparent/Phenom/Who's the Boss?) - Judith is a guest on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
- Christian Slater (Breaking In) - Christian talks about Mr. Robot on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
- Sky Katz (Raven's Home) - Sky appears on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 8:45am.
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