SitcomsOnline Digest: MacGyver Reboot Officially Picked Up; New NBC Comedies from Tina Fey and Marlon Wayans

Saturday, May 14, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: MacGyver Reboot Officially Picked Up; New NBC Comedies from Tina Fey and Marlon Wayans

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This is that time of the year (specifically this week) where just about all of the news is about what has been cancelled, what has been renewed, and what new series we'll be seeing in the fall, so not surprisingly, most of our news this week relates to these issues. But we also have a few other things, including the passing of more sitcom stars and the retirement of a 60 Minutes correspondent. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

It seems like we've been hearing about it forever, but now it is official, CBS has picked up the reboot of MacGyver. (USA Today)
Even though they've cancelled much of their comedy slate aside from The Carmichael Show and Superstore (the first one hasn't been renewed yet but is expected to be, while the second has been renewed), NBC is making an attempt to make themselves a destination for great comedy once again, with pickups of new comedies from Tina Fey (Great News) and Marlon Wayans (Marlon). (Entertainment Weekly)
Since October 2000, one thing that you could count on is CBS having some version of CSI on the air, but don't count on that much longer, as the last piece of that legacy (and, if you ask many of the fans, one of the worst) has been cancelled. (Hollywood Reporter)
You could count on him being there Sunday nights on 60 Minutes for years, but Morley Safer is now preparing to retire. (The Daily Beast)
Tonita Castro isn't exactly a household name, but she essentially started her acting career in the past decade when she was in her 50s, and most recently landed roles on Go On and Dads. Unfortunately, she died this week at age 63. (Entertainment Weekly)
William Schallert of The Patty Duke Show died this week, and is also the third former SAG president to die in the past two months (after Ken Howard and Patty Duke). (New York Times)
There were more cancellations this week, including the somewhat surprising cancellation of the long-running Castle just days before the planned season finale and the cancellation of every new Fox comedy from the past season. (SitcomsOnline)

TUESDAY (MAY 17) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

The Facts of Life - The Final (Ninth) Season (DVD, $29.93): For those interested in having all of the "facts" on DVD, Shout! Factory wraps up the individual season releases with this release.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Greg Evigan (Twitter), "Actor, writer, producer, director, singer"

Claim to Fame: We've spent the past two weeks doing Mad About You stars as our Follow Me, and as we often do, we're using last week to pivot into this week with Paul Reiser's co-star from his earlier series My Two Dads: Greg Evigan. While Evigan may be known to (slightly) younger people from his role on that short-lived (but memorable) series, his bigger claim to fame came a decade earlier in another short-lived (but very memorable) series, BJ and the Bear. After My Two Dads, he had another role on yet another short-lived (but memorable) series, TekWar. He has never been on a series that has lasted more than three seasons, but despite that, the series that he has appeared on have been memorable ones. He still does some acting these days, most recently appearing in a Hallmark Channel film with his own daughter Briana Evigan, Once Upon a Holiday. He also has another acting daughter, Vanessa Evigan, with whom he is also appearing in movie roles.

Pick of the Tweets: "We're on our way to Hollywood Today Live! @OfficialHTL to talk about @onlygodcanmovie @VanessaEvigan and I (pic)" (April 22, 2016)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, April 19

The Big Bang Theory - "The Comet Polarization" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Sheldon’s comic book store experiences changes when writer Neil Gaiman puts Stuart’s store on the map. Also, Koothrappali takes credit for Penny’s astronomical discovery, and friendships are threatened.

Young Sheldon - "Gluons, Guacamole, and the Color Purple" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Sheldon is no longer academically challenged at Medford High, he audits a college class taught by Dr. John Sturgis (Wallace Shawn).

Mom - "Spaghetti Sauce and a Dumpster Fire" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Christy considers getting a new sponsor, Nora (Yvette Nicole Brown), after witnessing Marjorie have a major meltdown in a grocery store, and Bonnie tries her hand at being a supportive friend.

Life in Pieces - "Portrait Plagiarism Renter Scam" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Jen is offered a custom painting as payment from a hot new artist, she is thrilled until she sees the final product. Also, Sophia convinces Matt and Colleen to use her idea for a children’s book but it isn’t a new concept; Tyler and Clementine advertise their tiny house as a rental property; and John and Joan fall prey to a sleazy IRS scam.

Superstore - "Gender Reveal" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The store hosts a gender reveal party for Glenn (Mark McKinney) and his wife Jerusha (Kerri Kenney), just as Dina (Lauren Ash) is freaking out at the realities of having to deliver a baby. Meanwhile, Amy (America Ferrera) receives some unsettling news.

A.P. Bio - "Eight Pigs and a Bat" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When one of Jack's (Glenn Howerton) students anonymously reports him for canceling their much-anticipated fetal pig dissection, he sets out to find the snitch. Durbin's (Patton Oswalt) chances at Principal of the Year are in jeopardy when the superintendent visits.

Will & Grace - "The Wedding" (NBC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Will (Eric McCormack), Grace (Debra Messing), Jack (Sean Hayes), and Karen (Megan Mullally) attend the wedding of Will's ex-boyfriend, Vince (special guest star Bobby Cannavle). While Grace tries to keep Will from making a scene, Jack learns that his wedding hook-up has many strings attached.

Champions - "Grandma Dearest" (NBC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Vince begrudgingly reconnects with his mother, Gayle (Carolyn Hennesy), so Michael can complete a school project.

Nobodies - "Double Fault" (TV Land, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Rachel and Hugh enlist the help of Blaine Kaine to break some unfortunate news to Larry; Mark-Paul, Sam, Rachel and Hugh have a tennis double date; Larry is forced to move in with Pat after Jen kicks him out.

Atlanta - "Woods" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
It is believed wealth has something to do with Paper Boi's attitude.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 16)

Thursday, April 19

Tina Fey (30 Rock) - Catch Tina on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) - Edie appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Busy Philipps (Vice Principals/Cougar Town) - Busy is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Jason Sudeikis (Son of Zorn/The Last Man on Earth/The Cleveland Show) - Jason stops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Malin Akerman (Trophy Wife/Sin City Saints) - Malin visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Erica Ash (Survivor's Remorse) - Erica guest co-hosts The Real, so check your local listings.
Shiri Appleby (Sunday Dinner/Knight & Daye) - Shiri talks about Lifetime's UnREAL on Steve, so check your local listings.
Rory Scovel (Ground Floor) - Rory talks about I Feel Pretty on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Eddie Leavy (A.P. Bio) - Eddie talks about A.P. Bio on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
Cedric the Entertainer (The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.