Monday, March 25, 2019
Hallmark Channel Upfront: New Podcast; ABC Gets 2nd Season of The Conners
Highly passionate Hallmark Channel fans, Jacklyn Collier and Shawlini Manjunath-Holbrook, have been tapped as hosts of the network's new podcast, Hallmark Channels' Bubbly Sesh, the company announced at its annual Upfront celebration in New York City's iconic Rainbow Room late last week. The dynamic duo is known for its own Hallmark Channel-dedicated podcast, which they began two years ago when they discovered their shared love for the network's programming. The weekly program will debut in April, with "Jacks" and "Shawl" offering sneak peeks at upcoming programming, exclusive talent interviews, and behind-the-scenes production scoop.
Jacks and Shawl's The Bubbly Sesh podcast began just before the network's annual programming franchise Countdown to Christmas in 2017 as a direct response to their love for everything Hallmark. The program quickly became the most popular Hallmark movie review podcast on the market, featuring fan-favorite Hallmark talent guests such as Candace Cameron Bure, Danica McKellar, and Alison Sweeney, as well as screenwriters, producers, set designers, and more. The duo has since hosted and produced over 150 episodes, drawn in a substantial audience of 50K+ downloads, and earned the backing of the loyal Hallmark fanbase, otherwise known as "Hallmarkies", that has utilized the platform to share the bond of how the networks' content has enriched their own lives and provided comfort during challenging times.
The ABC Television Network has ordered a second season of freshman hit comedy The Conners. Ranking as television's No. 1 new comedy this season in Total Viewers (9.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.2/10) in L+7 data, the self-starting ABC freshman led Tuesday's 8:00 p.m. half-hour in Adults 18-49 by 16% over its nearest competitor. During its first season, The Conners improved its time period by 33% in Total Viewers and by 22% in Adults 18-49, posting 5-year highs for ABC in the half-hour.
In The Conners, this iconic family grapples with parenthood, divorce, dating, aging and financial pressures in working-class America. Through it all - the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns - with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails. The spinoff has also received critical acclaim. The series stars John Goodman as Dan Conner, Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris, Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner, Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner-Healy and Ames McNamara as Mark Conner-Healy. Additional cast to be announced at a later date. The freshman season boasted a star-studded lineup of guest appearances, featuring Matthew Broderick, Juliette Lewis, Katey Sagal, Mary Steenburgen, Justin Long, Jay R. Ferguson and Sarah Chalke, among others. Additionally, fan favorites from Roseanne reprise their roles including Estelle Parsons as Beverly Harris, Natalie West as Crystal Anderson and James Pickens Jr. as Chuck Mitchell.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Monday, May 6
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the World" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The whole crew heads out to see Toni Braxton live in concert, but just as the show begins, Courtney’s water breaks.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Find Your Bench" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Seven years from now, a lot has changed for Bob, Abishola and their friends and family as they reflect on how far they’ve come and consider what’s most important to them as they head into the future.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 6)
Monday, May 6
- Laura Linney (The Big C) - Watch Laura on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) - Hannah appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. He will also be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Chris Redd (Kenan/Disjointed) - Chris is a guest on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Joe Manganiello (How I Met Your Mother) - Joe appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
- Tom Selleck (The Closer) - Tom talks about You Never Know: A Memoir on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Jennifer Lopez (South Central) - Jennifer talks about Atlas on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
- Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Kim appears on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Reba McEntire (Reba/Malibu Country) - Reba talks about NBC's The Voice on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/The Ellen Show/Welcome to New York) - Jim talks about Netflix's Unfrosted on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/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)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/21 - Frasier (2023) - Season One
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