Sunday, March 13, 2011
Week 25 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did
2010-11 Week 25 TV Ratings (first four nights averages, Mon-Thu):
Households: #1. Fox 8.4/13.6 rating/share; #2. CBS 6.5/10.9; #3. ABC 3.7/6.1; #4. NBC 3.1/5.2; #5. The CW 0.7/1.2.
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 14.66 million; #2. CBS 10.5 million; #3. ABC 5.76 million; #4. NBC 4.91 million; #5. The CW 1.06 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 4.8/13.7 rating/share; #2. CBS 2.5/7.1; #3. ABC 1.8/5.1; #4. NBC 1.5/4.4; #5. The CW 0.4/1.2.
Week 25 (March 7-13) Analysis: Week 25 has Fox again winning across the board for the first four nights as the other networks had repeats mixed in, while Fox was all-new every day. The first four nights network averages has Fox winning across the board. CBS is in second, while ABC is in third and NBC is way back in fourth across the board, as was the case the previous week. Fox should have no problem winning the week in 18-49, but can CBS catch up in HH/viewers? I don't think they will and everyone else should remain as is. Last week, week 24, had Fox win the week over CBS in HH/viewers thanks to three nights of Idol. CBS was second across the board, while ABC was third. And NBC had a terrible week again in fourth place.
Monday saw Fox with the win beating out ABC this week. ABC started with the special The Bachelor: The Women Tell All doing 10.02 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down from previous week's regular episode. Season finale is tomorrow. Dancing with the Stars Season 12 starts next week. At 10pm ABC aired a repeat of Castle doing 5.6 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. CBS was almost all repeats with its comedies and Hawaii Five-0. At 8pm, a repeat of How I Met Your Mother started it off with 6.3 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which seems normal for a repeat. At 8:30, Mad Love was new and did 7.27 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down again from previous week but was expected this week since lead-in was a repeat. Two and a Half Men followed with a REPEAT again, as it will be repeats for the rest of the season now thanks to Charlie Sheen's firing, doing 10.18 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which is down from previous week. At 9:30, Mike & Molly was a repeat too and did 9.23 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, which is solid. A repeat of Hawaii Five-0 at 10pm did 7.69 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. Fox was all-new with House doing 11.08 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. A new Chicago Code followed at 9pm with 7.46 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. NBC preempted Chuck for the two-hour return of The Event and it returned with 5.23 million and a series low 1.4 18-49 rating. For the most talked about new series prior to its fall premiere, this is not good at all. At 10pm, a new Harry's Law did 9.59 million but just a 1.8 18-49 rating for third place, even lower than the CBS repeat again. This show would thrive on Fridays. The CW was in repeats with 90210 doing only 650,000 viewers and a terrible 0.2 18-49 rating. Gossip Girl followed and was even worse with a repeat doing 490,000 viewers and a non-existent 0.2 18-49 rating.
Tuesday had Fox win as CBS was in repeats. CBS started with a repeat of NCIS and did 13.35 million but only a 2.3 18-49 rating despite the big total viewers. NCIS: Los Angeles followed with a repeat and did 13.45 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, wow it built from the lead-in. The Good Wife was a repeat and did 8.31 million but only a 1.3 18-49 rating, yet good enough to win the hour on broadcast, but four cable shows did better. For ABC, No Ordinary Family was a repeat in the 8pm hour and did 4.04 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating, which actually was not down much from previous week when it was new. I still think ABC should be patient and air it on Fridays next fall, as it was against heavy scripted competition on CBS and Fox this season. At 9, V was new and did 4.98 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. The season finale is this week and it looks CRAZY (in a good way). Detroit 1-8-7 was back and did 5.08 million but just a 1.1 18-49 rating. Fox started off with Glee and did 11.91 million and a 4.6 18-49, its best numbers in a while but it is still no Idol, which dominated the previous week. Next Fox disappointed with Raising Hope again and did 6.6 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, which down from the big lead-in the previous week but on par with recent airings prior to that. New comedy Traffic Light was next and did only 3.82 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating only, as the previous week it was on Wednesday instead. NBC aired a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 8.15 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, which was up from previous week thanks to no Idol. Then at 10pm, Parenthood was a repeat and did only 3.14 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. The CW was a repeat with One Tree Hill doing 950,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating. Next at 9pm was a repeat of Hellcats and that did 1.18 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating.
Wednesday was all Fox again with a two-hour American Idol carrying it. Idol did 24.4 million and a 8.1 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week when it was 90-minutes. CBS started the night off with Survivor: Redemption Island doing 10.96 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, which was down some from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was next with a repeat episode doing 8.23 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating. At 10pm, week four of Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior did 9.12 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, for series lows obviously. ABC had its Laugh On comedy block and had a repeat of The Middle open the night with a solid 5.38 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week. Then at 8:30, Better With You was preempted for another repeat of The Middle doing 4.79 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. Then ABC aired a repeat of Modern Family at 9pm doing 6.23 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is not bad at all for a repeat against Idol head-to-head. Then at 9:30, Mr. Sunshine was new with 4.76 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, for series lows obviously, just like the CBS 10pm drama it had a repeat lead-in. Once again, Cougar Town will return with a special airing on Monday, April 18, and then return to Wednesdays starting April 20. Let the countdown begin for the cul-de-sac crew! At 10pm, a new episode of new drama Off the Map aired and did 4.31 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down from previous week. NBC aired a repeat of Minute to Win It and did just 3.46 million and 1.0 18-49 rating. Then two repeats of Law & Order: SVU closed the night off as 9pm did 3.27 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, while 10pm did 5.3 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. The CW had a new America's Next Top Model starting it off at 8pm doing 2.24 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, which was up some from previous week. This show is getting killed by Fox and CBS' reality series. At 9pm, new reality series Shedding for the Wedding did only 929,000 viewers and a 0.4 18-49 rating.
Thursday saw once again Fox win the night, as Idol dominated with mostly repeats (except CBS). ABC opened the night with a two-hour repeat of Wipeout: Blind Date doing 5.47 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, up from the winter repeat from previous week. Four spring specials start this week. Then Grey's Anatomy was next with a repeat at 10pm doing 3.45 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week's 9pm airing. Private Practice was preempted but will be new this week at a special time of 9pm. CBS opened with a new The Big Bang Theory and it did 12.06 million and a 3.8 A18-49 rating, which is similar to recent new episodes. Then an all-new Rules of Engagement did 9.4 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, up obviously from previous week as the lead-in was new. Next, CSI was new and did 13.39 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating. A new The Mentalist did 14.28 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, winning its hour (on broadcast, that is). OK so onto Fox, it was all American Idol as an one-hour airing did 22.05 million and a 6.7 18-49 rating, down sharply from previous week when it was two-hours and had no competition at all. Fox aired Bones at 9pm and did 10.49 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. This show doesn't need an Idol lead-in, as it can do close to these numbers without it. NBC comedies were in repeats. Community started it off with just 2.66 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating. But it gets worse as a repeat of Perfect Couples did only 1.89 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating...ouch! The Office was a repeat and did "the best" of the block with just 3.02 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. Parks and Recreation was next with a repeat doing 2.5 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. 30 Rock followed at 10 with a repeat doing just 2.4 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating and Outsourced was even worse for a repeat doing 2.26 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating. The CW was next with a repeat of Vampire Diaries doing 1.08 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Then a repeat of Nikita did only 955,000 viewers and just a 0.3 18-49 rating.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but Friday had CBS win with their dramas, as 9-11pm dramas lead their hours. Kitchen Nightmares lead for Fox at 8pm and Fringe was second in its hour (but just fourth in viewers). Saturday had Fox easily win with its normal crime reality series with everyone else way behind in 18-49. As of now, Fox has won 5 of the first 6 nights of the week.
Tonight ABC is HALF all-new with AFV, Secret Millionaire, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters as the two dramas are in repeat mode. NBC has a new episode of dead on arrival America's Next Great Restaurant & another two-hour Celebrity Apprentice, all starting at 8 following Dateline at 7. CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by a new The Amazing Race at 8 and new episodes of Undercover Boss & CSI: Miami from 9-11pm. Fox is all-new too with Animation Domination starting at 8pm.
As for the week (week 25), Fox will likely win the week everywhere, especially 18-49. Repeats on other nets and Idol secured that. Everyone else will remain as they are through the first four nights, pending any huge surprises. And for the coming week (week 26), has mix of new and repeats again, as ABC will be big tomorrow with the season finale of The Bachelor starting at 8/7c.
Week 25 How the Sitcoms Did
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 24 -- Feb. 28-March 6)
- American Dad! (Fox) - A repeat did 3.9 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which was up a tenth from previous week.
- The Simpsons (Fox) 2 episodes - A new episode in its normal 8pm slot did 6.13 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating. Earlier, a repeat at 7pm did 3.87 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par really with previous week.
- Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A new episode did 4.91 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which could be better.
- Family Guy (Fox) - A new episode did 6.33 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, which seems below normal.
- The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new episode did 4.79 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, which is not too good.
Monday Sitcoms
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A repeat did 6.3 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating.
- Mad Love (CBS) - 7.27 million for a new episode and a 2.4 18-49 rating is down from previous week thanks to the lead-in being a repeat...but then again it has gone down each week.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 10.18 million for a repeat and a 2.9 18-49 rating, is down from previous week. As expected ratings are starting to ware off, but still solid...but for how much longer as Dancing with the Stars is looming.
- Mike & Molly (CBS) - 9.23 million for a repeat and a 18-49 rating of 2.6 is decent.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode did 6.6 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down from previous week when it had a special Idol lead-in. Back to normal ratings with no bump from the special airing.
- Traffic Light (Fox) - Back on its normal night, the show did only 3.82 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. Yeah, no bump from the Wednesday airing from the prior week. Waste.
- The Middle (ABC) 2 airings - A repeat of this sitcom did 5.38 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, then a second repeat at a special time of 8:30pm did 4.79 million but held the 1.4 18-49 rating.
- Better with You (ABC) - preempted.
- Modern Family (ABC) - A repeat did 6.23 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is good. Yes, down from its last repeat airing which did a 3.5 (best repeat number for any show this season), but if you know how to look at ratings then you know that Idol was not opposite it and Idol was sort of a lead-in to that repeat, if that makes sense.
- Mr. Sunshine (ABC) - A new episode did 4.76 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, by far a series low. Yes, the lead-in was a repeat and it faced Idol so it was expected. Hopefully it can do these or even build the next few weeks with repeat lead-ins.
Thursday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did 12.06 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, on par with recent new episodes.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A new episode did 9.4 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, up from previous week when the lead-in was a repeat. It was doing a bit better on Mondays.
- Community (NBC) - A repeat did 2.66 million and 1.0 18-49 rating.
- Perfect Couples (NBC) - This show should never be in repeats as it did a historic low for NBC in the time period with 1.89 million and a 0.8 18-49 rating.
- The Office (NBC) - A repeat did 3.02 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating, a bit down from previous week in the time period.
- Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A repeat only did 2.5 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating.
- 30 Rock (NBC) - A repeat at 10pm did just 2.4 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating.
- Outsourced (NBC) - NBC's non-existent night concluded with a repeat doing just 2.26 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating.
Friday Sitcoms
- None.
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 7-10pm, with repeats in the 7pm hour.
Summing it up. The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men (R), Mike & Molly (R), Modern Family (R) & Rules of Engagement were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as Mad Love, Raising Hope) or just plain old terrible (such as NBC comedies, Traffic Light).
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Digital Digest: The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years DVD Review
Welcome to Digital Digest, the one place every week where you don't have to worry about any mentions of Charlie Sheen (except of course in this introduction where I mentioned his name). Sadly, the slowdown in the world of home entertainment continues this week (as it has been for several months), and we have yet another slow news week, but we do have a special review for you of the Canadian (also airing on PBS in the United States) series The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years. Let's get going!
DIGITAL NEWS
I feel like we say this every week, but it is true every week--this is our slowest news week ever. However, there is one non-sitcom bright spot to report this week from Shout! Factory. On June 21, they will be releasing the first season of the 90s animated Nickelodeon series Rocko's Modern Life on DVD for the very first time. Although two "best of" sets have been available as manufacture-on-demand titles on amazon.com for quite a while, this marks the first time that the series has been released as a traditional title. It comes at a $19.93 MSRP.
Acorn Media is releasing The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years on Tuesday, but they're already looking ahead with The Red Green Show - The Midlife Crisis Years! Scheduled to be released on May 31, the $79.99 set will contain every episode from the 2000-2002 seasons of the Canadian series.
We do have one contest announcement that you may have been on the blog earlier in the week. Last week, in Digital Digest, we reviewed the PBS series Pioneers of Television - Season 2. Well now, if you want to own a copy of it, you just might be able to with our contest! You can win by posting your comments on your favorite episode of the series from either season 1 or 2 under our comments on our Facebook page. Be sure to read our rules and regulations for the contest before entering.
UPCOMING WEEK PREVIEW
Tuesday (March 15) brings us Universal's release of Coach - The Fourth Season. Unfortunately, we did not receive a review copy of this set. Additionally, we have Acorn Media's release of the Canadian series (which also aired on PBS) The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years, which contains every episodes from the 1997-1999 seasons of the comedy series. We have a review of this set today in Digital Digest.
BLOG DVD REVIEW
"All it takes is a little imagination, some mechanical ability, and neighbors who mind their own business" is the motto of the Possum Lodge, where Red Green and his gang of Canadian friends come up with more mayhem, half-baked ideas, and crazy contraptions. The comedy series The Red Green Show ran for an astonishing fifteen seasons on CBC in Canada (as well as on PBS in the United States) and featured a hilarious style of comedy that isn't normally seen on television. It managed to become a cult classic without a whole lot of fanfare, and fans have many great memories of the show. Now, Acorn Media is re-releasing seasons 7-9 in a single box set in The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years.
DVD Review - The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years
by skees53
The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years (Acorn Media, $79.99) compiles the middle three seasons--or the "delinquent years"--of the classic Canadian series The Red Green Show on DVD in a nine disc set. The comedy series, which was inspired by an earlier Canadian sketch comedy series Smith & Smith, where Steve Smith started the character of Red Green. Red Green is the host of a local home-improvement and outdoor series where he proves that virtually any problem, invention, or home repair that comes up can be solved using duct tape, the "universal adapter." Along with the cast of characters, the one playing the largest role is Harold Green (Patrick McKenna), Red's nerdy and somewhat flamboyant nephew, who serves as the director and the producer of the fictitious series.
Season 7 begins with "Running of the Bulls," where the guys stage a race that is sure to ensue disaster. The show is sold to the Swiss (and goes all European) in "Swiss it Up." What'll happen when the lodge adopts a stretch of highway? Find out in "Adopt-a-Highway." The forest ranger, Ranger Gord, goes missing in "The Stranger Ranger." Every great TV show seems to inevitably become a movie, and that is just what Red and Harold attempt to do in "The Movie." The wives are coming to the cabins (is that a good idea?) in "Let My Count the Ways." Red's leadership is challenged by the other guys in "The Splinter Lodge." Red's latest money-making scheme involves turning to religion (so that the lodge can get bingo) in "Bingo Was His Name."
Season 8 kicks off with a very sad (not really) goodbye when Harold goes off to college in "Harold's Leaving," but he won't be going too far away. In "Neither Rain Nor Sleet," Red decides that the postal service could be more efficient if he ran it--so what else can he do but start his own? Visitors from the planet Gorgon visit the show in "The Cult Visit." In "The Mayor Race," Red takes it upon himself to run for mayor of Possum Lake. The guys get a contract for all of the essential services in the city in "Town Services Contract," so how will they handle these big responsibilities?
In season 9, the fish in the lake stop biting in "The Fishing Derby," and the series is going to explore why in the best way that they possibly can. Red attempts to make a hot air balloon in "School Bus Blimp." In "Rent a Wreck," Red's van is used in the best way possible--in a demolition derby! Red decides to go over the falls in a beer barrel in "Roll Out the Barrels." Finally the ninth season ends with "The Battle Call," where it is a battle between the Possum Lodge and Caribou Lodge. A hurricane is coming in "Hurricane Doug." In "Too Much Information," everybody is all about computers, except of course Red.
The episode runtimes vary (starting out near 26 minutes at the very beginning, but going to a consistent 22:37 by season 9), with runtimes as follows:
Season 7:
Disc 1:
1. "Running of the Bulls" (25:56)
2. "Swiss it Up" (25:55)
3. "The Implosion" (25:55)
4. "Adopt-a-Highway" (25:55)
5. "The Stranger Ranger" (25:55)
6. "Big Guy, Little Guy" (23:15)
Disc 2:
7. "The Movie" (23:15)
8. "Expropriation" (23:15)
9. "The Stool Pigeons" (23:15)
10. "Celebrity" (23:15)
11. "Let Me Count the Ways" (23:15)
12. "Pardi Gras" (23:15)
Disc 3:
13. "The Splinter Lodge" (23:15)
14. "The Good Old Hockey Game" (23:15)
15. "Step Outside" (23:15)
16. "The Town Mall" (23:05)
17. "The Winter Carnival" (23:15)
Season 8:
Disc 1:
1. "Harold's Leaving" (22:40)
2. "House Moving" (22:40)
3. "Neither Rain nor Sleet" (22:35)
4. "The Cult Visit" (22:37)
5. "College Life" (22:37)
Disc 2:
6. "The New Monument" (22:40)
7. "Free Apricots" (22:38)
8. "The Mayor Race" (22:36)
9. "Better to Give Than Receive" (22:36)
10. "Town Services Contract" (22:37)
Disc 3:
11. "It's a Wonderful Green Christmas" (22:39)
12. "Life Cycle" (22:36)
13. "Mad About You" (22:36)
14. "Bingo Was His Name" (22:37)
Season 9:
Disc 1:
1. "Harold's Job" (22:37)
2. "The Fishing Derby" (22:37)
3. "Lady in Red" (22:37)
4. "The Bachelor Auction" (22:37)
5. "Angel" (22:37)
6. "School Bus Blimp" (22:37)
Disc 2:
7. "Coup de Grass" (22:37)
8. "Rent a Wreck" (22:37)
9. "Curse of the Mummy" (22:38)
10. "Roll Out the Barrels" (22:37)
11. "No Retreat" (22:37)
12. "The Battle Call" (22:37)
Disc 3:
13. "Hurricane Doug" (22:37)
14. "Guinness World Records" (22:37)
15. "The Auto Club" (22:37)
16. "Too Much Information" (22:37)
The set comes packaged in three standard Viva-packs inside of a large outer box. The cover art on all of the cases and the box features Red inside of one of his invented motorcycle type kludges. Each season contains an episode guide with a brief (one sentence) description for each episode.
The menus on the set are very basic, with a photo of Red Green on the main menu and the theme song playing in the background. You get options of Play All, Episode Selection (Disc 1 of each season only), and Bonus Features (Disc 1 of each season only) on the main menu. To clear any confusion, on Discs 2 and 3 of each season, there is no separate Episode Selection menu, as the episodes are all listed on the main menu. Episode Selection takes you to a text menu that lists all of the episodes on the disc. Chapters are placed throughout the episodes.
The video and audio quality on the set is honestly a little disappointing. That isn't to say that it is bad, but it looks a bit pixelated and the sound isn't incredibly crisp. Still, this series is supposed to be a parody of a really bad outdoor/home-improvement series, so it is probably more appropriate to see it this way. The series just wouldn't look right in high definition. Each episode on the set is closed-captioned.
The set is somewhat lacking in variety in the special features department. That isn't to say that there is nothing to be found, but all that we have are on-screen text character biographies and production notes that were written by the series star and creator Steve Smith. However, in all fairness, these are rather detailed and give a lot of insight into the show, but you'd almost expect a show as creative as this one to have more creative special features.
I really like this show, although I'm not sure that it is for everybody. It really requires a somewhat intellectual sense of humor to understand the absurdness of the series, kind of like the sense of humor that it takes to appreciate Benny Hill, for example. I just happened to run across the series on PBS several years ago, and didn't really understand what was going on or what it was about at first, but I found what I was seeing very funny, and it quickly became something that I enjoyed seeing every Saturday evening. If a PBS affiliate in your area airs it, you may want to check it out, and if you find it as hilarious as I do, then you should check out these DVDs.
(4/5 stars)
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Related links:
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LOOKING AHEAD
With all of these slow news weeks that we've been having lately, it is time for us to take a reality check: is physical home media starting to die out? We'll take a look at this next week in Digital Digest, and hopefully we'll have more. Until then, keep it digital!
DIGITAL NEWS
I feel like we say this every week, but it is true every week--this is our slowest news week ever. However, there is one non-sitcom bright spot to report this week from Shout! Factory. On June 21, they will be releasing the first season of the 90s animated Nickelodeon series Rocko's Modern Life on DVD for the very first time. Although two "best of" sets have been available as manufacture-on-demand titles on amazon.com for quite a while, this marks the first time that the series has been released as a traditional title. It comes at a $19.93 MSRP.
Acorn Media is releasing The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years on Tuesday, but they're already looking ahead with The Red Green Show - The Midlife Crisis Years! Scheduled to be released on May 31, the $79.99 set will contain every episode from the 2000-2002 seasons of the Canadian series.
We do have one contest announcement that you may have been on the blog earlier in the week. Last week, in Digital Digest, we reviewed the PBS series Pioneers of Television - Season 2. Well now, if you want to own a copy of it, you just might be able to with our contest! You can win by posting your comments on your favorite episode of the series from either season 1 or 2 under our comments on our Facebook page. Be sure to read our rules and regulations for the contest before entering.
UPCOMING WEEK PREVIEW
Tuesday (March 15) brings us Universal's release of Coach - The Fourth Season. Unfortunately, we did not receive a review copy of this set. Additionally, we have Acorn Media's release of the Canadian series (which also aired on PBS) The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years, which contains every episodes from the 1997-1999 seasons of the comedy series. We have a review of this set today in Digital Digest.
BLOG DVD REVIEW
"All it takes is a little imagination, some mechanical ability, and neighbors who mind their own business" is the motto of the Possum Lodge, where Red Green and his gang of Canadian friends come up with more mayhem, half-baked ideas, and crazy contraptions. The comedy series The Red Green Show ran for an astonishing fifteen seasons on CBC in Canada (as well as on PBS in the United States) and featured a hilarious style of comedy that isn't normally seen on television. It managed to become a cult classic without a whole lot of fanfare, and fans have many great memories of the show. Now, Acorn Media is re-releasing seasons 7-9 in a single box set in The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years.
DVD Review - The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years
by skees53
The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years (Acorn Media, $79.99) compiles the middle three seasons--or the "delinquent years"--of the classic Canadian series The Red Green Show on DVD in a nine disc set. The comedy series, which was inspired by an earlier Canadian sketch comedy series Smith & Smith, where Steve Smith started the character of Red Green. Red Green is the host of a local home-improvement and outdoor series where he proves that virtually any problem, invention, or home repair that comes up can be solved using duct tape, the "universal adapter." Along with the cast of characters, the one playing the largest role is Harold Green (Patrick McKenna), Red's nerdy and somewhat flamboyant nephew, who serves as the director and the producer of the fictitious series.
Season 7 begins with "Running of the Bulls," where the guys stage a race that is sure to ensue disaster. The show is sold to the Swiss (and goes all European) in "Swiss it Up." What'll happen when the lodge adopts a stretch of highway? Find out in "Adopt-a-Highway." The forest ranger, Ranger Gord, goes missing in "The Stranger Ranger." Every great TV show seems to inevitably become a movie, and that is just what Red and Harold attempt to do in "The Movie." The wives are coming to the cabins (is that a good idea?) in "Let My Count the Ways." Red's leadership is challenged by the other guys in "The Splinter Lodge." Red's latest money-making scheme involves turning to religion (so that the lodge can get bingo) in "Bingo Was His Name."
Season 8 kicks off with a very sad (not really) goodbye when Harold goes off to college in "Harold's Leaving," but he won't be going too far away. In "Neither Rain Nor Sleet," Red decides that the postal service could be more efficient if he ran it--so what else can he do but start his own? Visitors from the planet Gorgon visit the show in "The Cult Visit." In "The Mayor Race," Red takes it upon himself to run for mayor of Possum Lake. The guys get a contract for all of the essential services in the city in "Town Services Contract," so how will they handle these big responsibilities?
In season 9, the fish in the lake stop biting in "The Fishing Derby," and the series is going to explore why in the best way that they possibly can. Red attempts to make a hot air balloon in "School Bus Blimp." In "Rent a Wreck," Red's van is used in the best way possible--in a demolition derby! Red decides to go over the falls in a beer barrel in "Roll Out the Barrels." Finally the ninth season ends with "The Battle Call," where it is a battle between the Possum Lodge and Caribou Lodge. A hurricane is coming in "Hurricane Doug." In "Too Much Information," everybody is all about computers, except of course Red.
The episode runtimes vary (starting out near 26 minutes at the very beginning, but going to a consistent 22:37 by season 9), with runtimes as follows:
Season 7:
Disc 1:
1. "Running of the Bulls" (25:56)
2. "Swiss it Up" (25:55)
3. "The Implosion" (25:55)
4. "Adopt-a-Highway" (25:55)
5. "The Stranger Ranger" (25:55)
6. "Big Guy, Little Guy" (23:15)
Disc 2:
7. "The Movie" (23:15)
8. "Expropriation" (23:15)
9. "The Stool Pigeons" (23:15)
10. "Celebrity" (23:15)
11. "Let Me Count the Ways" (23:15)
12. "Pardi Gras" (23:15)
Disc 3:
13. "The Splinter Lodge" (23:15)
14. "The Good Old Hockey Game" (23:15)
15. "Step Outside" (23:15)
16. "The Town Mall" (23:05)
17. "The Winter Carnival" (23:15)
Season 8:
Disc 1:
1. "Harold's Leaving" (22:40)
2. "House Moving" (22:40)
3. "Neither Rain nor Sleet" (22:35)
4. "The Cult Visit" (22:37)
5. "College Life" (22:37)
Disc 2:
6. "The New Monument" (22:40)
7. "Free Apricots" (22:38)
8. "The Mayor Race" (22:36)
9. "Better to Give Than Receive" (22:36)
10. "Town Services Contract" (22:37)
Disc 3:
11. "It's a Wonderful Green Christmas" (22:39)
12. "Life Cycle" (22:36)
13. "Mad About You" (22:36)
14. "Bingo Was His Name" (22:37)
Season 9:
Disc 1:
1. "Harold's Job" (22:37)
2. "The Fishing Derby" (22:37)
3. "Lady in Red" (22:37)
4. "The Bachelor Auction" (22:37)
5. "Angel" (22:37)
6. "School Bus Blimp" (22:37)
Disc 2:
7. "Coup de Grass" (22:37)
8. "Rent a Wreck" (22:37)
9. "Curse of the Mummy" (22:38)
10. "Roll Out the Barrels" (22:37)
11. "No Retreat" (22:37)
12. "The Battle Call" (22:37)
Disc 3:
13. "Hurricane Doug" (22:37)
14. "Guinness World Records" (22:37)
15. "The Auto Club" (22:37)
16. "Too Much Information" (22:37)
The set comes packaged in three standard Viva-packs inside of a large outer box. The cover art on all of the cases and the box features Red inside of one of his invented motorcycle type kludges. Each season contains an episode guide with a brief (one sentence) description for each episode.
The menus on the set are very basic, with a photo of Red Green on the main menu and the theme song playing in the background. You get options of Play All, Episode Selection (Disc 1 of each season only), and Bonus Features (Disc 1 of each season only) on the main menu. To clear any confusion, on Discs 2 and 3 of each season, there is no separate Episode Selection menu, as the episodes are all listed on the main menu. Episode Selection takes you to a text menu that lists all of the episodes on the disc. Chapters are placed throughout the episodes.
The video and audio quality on the set is honestly a little disappointing. That isn't to say that it is bad, but it looks a bit pixelated and the sound isn't incredibly crisp. Still, this series is supposed to be a parody of a really bad outdoor/home-improvement series, so it is probably more appropriate to see it this way. The series just wouldn't look right in high definition. Each episode on the set is closed-captioned.
The set is somewhat lacking in variety in the special features department. That isn't to say that there is nothing to be found, but all that we have are on-screen text character biographies and production notes that were written by the series star and creator Steve Smith. However, in all fairness, these are rather detailed and give a lot of insight into the show, but you'd almost expect a show as creative as this one to have more creative special features.
I really like this show, although I'm not sure that it is for everybody. It really requires a somewhat intellectual sense of humor to understand the absurdness of the series, kind of like the sense of humor that it takes to appreciate Benny Hill, for example. I just happened to run across the series on PBS several years ago, and didn't really understand what was going on or what it was about at first, but I found what I was seeing very funny, and it quickly became something that I enjoyed seeing every Saturday evening. If a PBS affiliate in your area airs it, you may want to check it out, and if you find it as hilarious as I do, then you should check out these DVDs.
(4/5 stars)To purchase this DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com
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LOOKING AHEAD
With all of these slow news weeks that we've been having lately, it is time for us to take a reality check: is physical home media starting to die out? We'll take a look at this next week in Digital Digest, and hopefully we'll have more. Until then, keep it digital!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Nick at Nite Acquires Yes Dear, Friends; TeenNick To Add '90s Block; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 14, 2011)
The Nickeloden networks had their annual upfront yesterday. Among the items notable to us were the Nick at Nite and TeenNick news. Nickelodeon's Nick at Nite line-up of modern comedies expands to include the complete libraries of beloved series Friends and Yes, Dear. The 236-episode catalogue of Friends (which we first reported in 2006), one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, will join Nick at Nite this September, as planned. Yes, Dear, the 122-episode family comedy that follows two couples with dramatically different parenting styles, stars Mike O'Malley (Glee, GUTS) and bows sometime in 2012.
Friends will still air on TBS as well when it launches on Nick at Nite. It is a shared deal, with Nick at Nite having the 6pm-6am rights, while TBS has the 6am-6pm rights (except for the first year of this new deal, where TBS can air it through 7pm). Both Nick at Nite and TBS have a six-year deal running through 2017. Friends has been on TBS since 2001 and has been renewed a few times. As for Yes, Dear, TBS is currently airing the sitcom as well since August 2004. It is unlikely though that the series will remain on TBS when Nick at Nite starts it in 2012. We will let you know when the time comes, though. So stay with us as usual for anything like this!
Friends, an ensemble comedy that made Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow household names, follows six friends as they navigate their way through life in New York City and adulthood as they inch toward their thirties. Often hilarious and frequently moving, the series, which ran for 10 seasons on NBC (from 1994 to 2004), addresses universal themes like falling in – or out of – love, launching a career and dealing with (as well as becoming) parents. The critically acclaimed series was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and received six Primetime Emmy Awards.
Originally airing from 2000-06 on CBS, Yes, Dear follows two young couples and their wildly divergent parenting styles. First-time parents Greg and Kim Warner aspire to be the model of parenting. Greg (Anthony Clark) is a successful movie studio executive who must also keep Kim (Jean Louisa Kelly) – a neurotic, stay-at-home mother – calm as she strives to be the perfect mother and wife. Meanwhile, Kim's sister, Christine Hughes (Liza Snyder), and her ambition-challenged husband, Jimmy (O'Malley), are down-to-earth parents living in Kim and Greg's guest house, continually reminding them that life will never be perfect. The series, distributed by Twentieth Television, was created by Gregory Thomas Garcia and Alan Kirschenbaum.
Moving on to TeenNick, they announced a '90s late night block is coming this fall! Nickelodeon will launch a new nighttime programming block this fall on TeenNick called "The '90s Are All That!," featuring a rotating selection of iconic live-action and animated shows from Nickelodeon's 1990s library including All That, Clarissa Explains it All, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Rugrats, Rocket Power, Salute Your Shorts, The Amanda Show and Kenan & Kel. "The '90s Are All That!" has been developed in part as a response to overwhelming demand from fans of Nickelodeon's groundbreaking original series from the 1990s. There are more than 9 million fans of Nickelodeon's '90s programming on Facebook alone.
"The '90s Are All That!" will air Monday through Sunday (every night!) from midnight to 2:00 a.m. (ET), starting in Fall 2011. The block will feature a rotating line-up of '90s Nick library content, as well as forthcoming acquisitions and feature films from the decade. TeenNick's audience also will have the opportunity to influence the block's line-up by requesting their favorite series and episodes via social media sites set up by the network, including a dedicated Facebook fan site.
Just my two cents, it seems they will acquire some '90s non-Nick shows, too. They already have Family Matters from Nick at Nite that they can mix in here. I think it would work well, too. Also a suggestion would be Step by Step and Blossom, both are not airing anywhere on TV right now. This is certainly a block to watch...so stay with us for further updates!
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 (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of March 14-18, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!
Monday, March 14, 2011
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!
Friends will still air on TBS as well when it launches on Nick at Nite. It is a shared deal, with Nick at Nite having the 6pm-6am rights, while TBS has the 6am-6pm rights (except for the first year of this new deal, where TBS can air it through 7pm). Both Nick at Nite and TBS have a six-year deal running through 2017. Friends has been on TBS since 2001 and has been renewed a few times. As for Yes, Dear, TBS is currently airing the sitcom as well since August 2004. It is unlikely though that the series will remain on TBS when Nick at Nite starts it in 2012. We will let you know when the time comes, though. So stay with us as usual for anything like this!
Friends, an ensemble comedy that made Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow household names, follows six friends as they navigate their way through life in New York City and adulthood as they inch toward their thirties. Often hilarious and frequently moving, the series, which ran for 10 seasons on NBC (from 1994 to 2004), addresses universal themes like falling in – or out of – love, launching a career and dealing with (as well as becoming) parents. The critically acclaimed series was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and received six Primetime Emmy Awards.
Originally airing from 2000-06 on CBS, Yes, Dear follows two young couples and their wildly divergent parenting styles. First-time parents Greg and Kim Warner aspire to be the model of parenting. Greg (Anthony Clark) is a successful movie studio executive who must also keep Kim (Jean Louisa Kelly) – a neurotic, stay-at-home mother – calm as she strives to be the perfect mother and wife. Meanwhile, Kim's sister, Christine Hughes (Liza Snyder), and her ambition-challenged husband, Jimmy (O'Malley), are down-to-earth parents living in Kim and Greg's guest house, continually reminding them that life will never be perfect. The series, distributed by Twentieth Television, was created by Gregory Thomas Garcia and Alan Kirschenbaum.
Moving on to TeenNick, they announced a '90s late night block is coming this fall! Nickelodeon will launch a new nighttime programming block this fall on TeenNick called "The '90s Are All That!," featuring a rotating selection of iconic live-action and animated shows from Nickelodeon's 1990s library including All That, Clarissa Explains it All, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Rugrats, Rocket Power, Salute Your Shorts, The Amanda Show and Kenan & Kel. "The '90s Are All That!" has been developed in part as a response to overwhelming demand from fans of Nickelodeon's groundbreaking original series from the 1990s. There are more than 9 million fans of Nickelodeon's '90s programming on Facebook alone.
"The '90s Are All That!" will air Monday through Sunday (every night!) from midnight to 2:00 a.m. (ET), starting in Fall 2011. The block will feature a rotating line-up of '90s Nick library content, as well as forthcoming acquisitions and feature films from the decade. TeenNick's audience also will have the opportunity to influence the block's line-up by requesting their favorite series and episodes via social media sites set up by the network, including a dedicated Facebook fan site.
Just my two cents, it seems they will acquire some '90s non-Nick shows, too. They already have Family Matters from Nick at Nite that they can mix in here. I think it would work well, too. Also a suggestion would be Step by Step and Blossom, both are not airing anywhere on TV right now. This is certainly a block to watch...so stay with us for further updates!
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 (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of March 14-18, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!
Monday, March 14, 2011
- Mila Kunis (Family Guy/That '70s Show) - Watch Mila on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC. And you can also watch her on a repeat of Lopez Tonight at the same time of 12am on TBS.
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Watch Amy on a REPEAT of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Donald Glover (Community) - Catch Donald on a REPEAT of Conan on TBS at 11pm.
- Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) - Watch Edie on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly so check your listings.
- Mindy Kaling (The Office) - See Mindy on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Ted Danson (Cheers/Becker/Bored to Death/Help Me Help You) - Catch Ted on the TODAY show on NBC and later on an all-new Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
- Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation/The Office) - Watch Rashida on a REPEAT of Conan at 11pm on TBS. You can also see her on a REPEAT of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in daytime, check listings.
- Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/Hogan Family/Silver Spoons/It's Your Move) - Watch Jason on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly so check your listings when it airs.
- Lisa Kudrow (Friends/The Comeback) - Watch Lisa on a REPEAT of The Gayle King Show on OWN at 10am.
- Rizwan Manji (Outsourced) - Watch Rizwan on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm only on NBC.
- Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation/Party Down) - Watch Adam on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC.
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Watch Amy on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
- Ed O'Neill (Modern Family/Married with Children) - Watch Ed on a repeat of Tavis Smiley on PBS, check your listings.
- Kaitlin Olson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) - Watch her on a repeat of Conan on TBS at 11pm.
- Rainn Wilson (Th Office) - Watch Rainn on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Mila Kunis (Family Guy/That '70s Show) - Watch Mila on a REPEAT of Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
- David Duchovny (Californication) - Watch David on a REPEAT of The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
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!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
TV Land April 2011 Schedule; Fox, NBC Season Finale Dates for April/May 2011
Yesterday we told you about CSI joining the weekend line-up on TV Land for the rest of March, now we have the TV Land April 2011 schedule for you. As of now, CSI is not on the April schedule, however this April schedule was made before the changes made yesterday to weekends in March with CSI. This means the regular weekend schedule will return in April, for now at least. Stay with us for further updates.
TV Land is excited to air ENCORES of the second season of smash hit original sitcom Hot in Cleveland starting March 30 every Wednesday back-to-back in the 10pm hour. The mid-season finale is March 23. The rest of April remains the same but we do have some awards shows. We mentioned in the March highlights that on April 2, TV Land will air The Best of the American Comedy Awards: A Retrospective of Past Award Shows from 1987-2001, but there is more. The first The Comedy Awards will air on Sunday, April 10 from 9-11pm ET on many Viacom networks. Laugh out loud with TV Land as they simulcast The Comedy Awards in partnership with Comedy Central and sister networks Spike TV, VH1, CMT, Logo, and Nick at Nite! The inaugural award show is set to honor all things humor, recognizing some of the funniest names in film and television today. Hot in Cleveland star Betty White is just one of the hilarious and talented nominees selected by The Comedy Board of Directors, a hysterical group that includes Ray Romano, Joan Rivers, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Don Rickles among others. And of course there is the annual TV Land Awards. Start spreading the news: This year the TV Land Awards are on the move to fabulous New York City! For the first time in the show's history the red carpet will roll out in the greatest city in the world, with honorees including New York native Regis Philbin, as well as reunions of the casts of both The Cosby Show and Family Ties. A Welcome Back, Kotter reunion will also be featured with John Travolta on hand even. A special one-hour block of Everybody Loves Raymond kicks off the festivities at 8pm on Sunday, April 17. Then join TV Land as they take a bite out of the Big Apple at 9pm and then be sure to stay tuned for the TV Land Awards 2011: All Access post-show at 10:30pm, only on TV Land! The TV Land Awards will encore Monday, April 18 at 9pm and Sunday, April 24 at 9am as well.
Other than that, it is quiet at TV Land in April 2011. View our TV Land April 2011 schedule and highlights, and remember to stay tuned if CSI is indeed inserted into April as well.
We have Fox's season finale dates for you. Fox has not announced these officially, but this is our scoop! Fringe wraps up its season on Friday, May 6 at 9pm. Repeats of Kitchen Nightmares will take over the slot the following two weeks at least. The Cleveland Show wraps up its season on Sunday, May 15 at 9:30pm. New cop show The Chicago Code ends its run on Monday, May 16 at 9pm. House will end a week later on Monday, May 23, leading into the first special preview of Terra Nova. Fox's Tuesday comedies end on Tuesday, May 17 with Glee, Raising Hope and Traffic Light. The final Tuesday of the season, May 24, will have American Idol on a special night for its final performance show at 8pm leading into the second special preview of Terra Nova. Fox's Wednesday comedy Breaking In, which premieres on April 6, will end its season on Wednesday, May 18 at 9:30pm. Bones ends its season on the final Thursday of the season at 9pm on Thursday, May 19. The final Sunday of the season will have the Animation Domination comedies end starting at 7:30pm with American Dad!, followed by The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers and a one-hour Family Guy at 9pm. The final night of the TV season will have a new American Idol crowned on Wednesday, May 25 from 8-10pm.
View the Fox season finale dates for Spring 2011.
NBC announced its premiere dates officially on Tuesday. We didn't get a chance to blog about it, but if you missed it...we have it for you! The first finale will be Harry's Law on Monday April 4 at 10pm, wrapping up its 12 episode season. Originally NBC had it scheduled through May 9, but now repeats won't be mixing in, so it will air repeat free through April 4. Law & Order: Los Angeles takes the slot the following week through June 27. Friday reality series Who Do You Think You Are? ends its season on April 8 at 8pm, as Friday Night Lights takes over the following week. New reality series America's Next Great Restaurant wraps up its season on Sunday, May 1 at 8pm. It is unclear on what will air May 8, 15 and 22 in the slot. However, Celebrity Apprentice wraps up its season on Sunday, May 22 from 9-11pm. The Thursday comedies end on different dates. Thursday, May 5 will have the season finale of Perfect Couples at 8:30pm and 30 Rock at 10pm. Community wraps its season the following week with a special one-hour episode from 8-9pm on May 12. Outsourced will wrap up its season later that night at 10:30pm following two all-new episodes of Parks and Recreation, which will end with two more episodes the following week on May 19 but from 10-11pm. The Office will ends its season with a one-hour episode as well on May 19 from 9-10pm.
Elsewhere, Chuck wraps up its season on Monday, May 16 at 8pm, while The Event wraps up on Monday, May 23 at 9pm. It is unclear what will air on May 23 at 8pm. Law & Order: SVU wraps up on Wednesday, May 18 at 10pm, a week before the season ends. And The Biggest Loser wraps up its season on Tuesday, May 24 from 9-11pm.
In addition, NBC's Emmy Award-winning comedy 30 Rock (Thursdays, 10 p.m. ET) celebrates its 100th episode with a special one-hour edition on Thursday, April 21 from 10-11 p.m. ET. 30 Rock celebrates its 100th episode as "TGS," the show-within-the-show, faces the prospect that its 100th episode may be its last. A new corporate boss, a star in hiding, and a mind-altering gas leak may doom America's fourth-favorite Friday night sketch comedy show. Also, Steve Carrell says goodbye on The Office on Thursday, April 28 at 9 p.m. ET.
View the NBC season finale dates for Spring 2011.
TV Land is excited to air ENCORES of the second season of smash hit original sitcom Hot in Cleveland starting March 30 every Wednesday back-to-back in the 10pm hour. The mid-season finale is March 23. The rest of April remains the same but we do have some awards shows. We mentioned in the March highlights that on April 2, TV Land will air The Best of the American Comedy Awards: A Retrospective of Past Award Shows from 1987-2001, but there is more. The first The Comedy Awards will air on Sunday, April 10 from 9-11pm ET on many Viacom networks. Laugh out loud with TV Land as they simulcast The Comedy Awards in partnership with Comedy Central and sister networks Spike TV, VH1, CMT, Logo, and Nick at Nite! The inaugural award show is set to honor all things humor, recognizing some of the funniest names in film and television today. Hot in Cleveland star Betty White is just one of the hilarious and talented nominees selected by The Comedy Board of Directors, a hysterical group that includes Ray Romano, Joan Rivers, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Don Rickles among others. And of course there is the annual TV Land Awards. Start spreading the news: This year the TV Land Awards are on the move to fabulous New York City! For the first time in the show's history the red carpet will roll out in the greatest city in the world, with honorees including New York native Regis Philbin, as well as reunions of the casts of both The Cosby Show and Family Ties. A Welcome Back, Kotter reunion will also be featured with John Travolta on hand even. A special one-hour block of Everybody Loves Raymond kicks off the festivities at 8pm on Sunday, April 17. Then join TV Land as they take a bite out of the Big Apple at 9pm and then be sure to stay tuned for the TV Land Awards 2011: All Access post-show at 10:30pm, only on TV Land! The TV Land Awards will encore Monday, April 18 at 9pm and Sunday, April 24 at 9am as well.
Other than that, it is quiet at TV Land in April 2011. View our TV Land April 2011 schedule and highlights, and remember to stay tuned if CSI is indeed inserted into April as well.
We have Fox's season finale dates for you. Fox has not announced these officially, but this is our scoop! Fringe wraps up its season on Friday, May 6 at 9pm. Repeats of Kitchen Nightmares will take over the slot the following two weeks at least. The Cleveland Show wraps up its season on Sunday, May 15 at 9:30pm. New cop show The Chicago Code ends its run on Monday, May 16 at 9pm. House will end a week later on Monday, May 23, leading into the first special preview of Terra Nova. Fox's Tuesday comedies end on Tuesday, May 17 with Glee, Raising Hope and Traffic Light. The final Tuesday of the season, May 24, will have American Idol on a special night for its final performance show at 8pm leading into the second special preview of Terra Nova. Fox's Wednesday comedy Breaking In, which premieres on April 6, will end its season on Wednesday, May 18 at 9:30pm. Bones ends its season on the final Thursday of the season at 9pm on Thursday, May 19. The final Sunday of the season will have the Animation Domination comedies end starting at 7:30pm with American Dad!, followed by The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers and a one-hour Family Guy at 9pm. The final night of the TV season will have a new American Idol crowned on Wednesday, May 25 from 8-10pm.
View the Fox season finale dates for Spring 2011.
NBC announced its premiere dates officially on Tuesday. We didn't get a chance to blog about it, but if you missed it...we have it for you! The first finale will be Harry's Law on Monday April 4 at 10pm, wrapping up its 12 episode season. Originally NBC had it scheduled through May 9, but now repeats won't be mixing in, so it will air repeat free through April 4. Law & Order: Los Angeles takes the slot the following week through June 27. Friday reality series Who Do You Think You Are? ends its season on April 8 at 8pm, as Friday Night Lights takes over the following week. New reality series America's Next Great Restaurant wraps up its season on Sunday, May 1 at 8pm. It is unclear on what will air May 8, 15 and 22 in the slot. However, Celebrity Apprentice wraps up its season on Sunday, May 22 from 9-11pm. The Thursday comedies end on different dates. Thursday, May 5 will have the season finale of Perfect Couples at 8:30pm and 30 Rock at 10pm. Community wraps its season the following week with a special one-hour episode from 8-9pm on May 12. Outsourced will wrap up its season later that night at 10:30pm following two all-new episodes of Parks and Recreation, which will end with two more episodes the following week on May 19 but from 10-11pm. The Office will ends its season with a one-hour episode as well on May 19 from 9-10pm.
Elsewhere, Chuck wraps up its season on Monday, May 16 at 8pm, while The Event wraps up on Monday, May 23 at 9pm. It is unclear what will air on May 23 at 8pm. Law & Order: SVU wraps up on Wednesday, May 18 at 10pm, a week before the season ends. And The Biggest Loser wraps up its season on Tuesday, May 24 from 9-11pm.
In addition, NBC's Emmy Award-winning comedy 30 Rock (Thursdays, 10 p.m. ET) celebrates its 100th episode with a special one-hour edition on Thursday, April 21 from 10-11 p.m. ET. 30 Rock celebrates its 100th episode as "TGS," the show-within-the-show, faces the prospect that its 100th episode may be its last. A new corporate boss, a star in hiding, and a mind-altering gas leak may doom America's fourth-favorite Friday night sketch comedy show. Also, Steve Carrell says goodbye on The Office on Thursday, April 28 at 9 p.m. ET.
View the NBC season finale dates for Spring 2011.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
TV One March 2011 Has Marathon of The Jeffersons; TV Land Adds CSI To Weekends In March
TV One started their March 2011 schedule the other day, but they didn't send it out in time to us to let you know in advance like usual. The changes to the regular schedule are minor, though. Basically, the 2pm-7pm block has some time changes. Judge Karen's Court moves from 4pm to 2pm. That means The Jeffersons is moving from 2pm to 4pm. The 3pm hour is now Half & Half instead of Sanford & Son, which now moves to 6pm, replacing Half & Half. The lone survivor in the block is Amen at 5pm. Shine on me, indeed! Looks like Judge Karen's Court isn't bringing in the ratings, as she started at 6pm, moved to 4pm, and now is at 2pm.
Stunts wise, TV One will continue to air new episodes of original sitcom Love That Girl every Monday at 9pm, followed by encore episodes from 9:30-11pm. There will be a marathon of The Jeffersons on Sunday, March 20 from 12 noon to 6pm ET. Select episodes will encore in the overnight from 3am-5am later on in the day. The only other sitcom stunt will be All of Us on Saturday, April 2 from 12pm-8pm with select encores from 12am-6am. TV One March 2011 is certainly more quieter than TV One February 2011. Stay with us in the coming weeks for the April 2011 schedule.
CSI is once again appearing on TV Land. It has aired before in stunts and special week-long blocks, but it hasn't been seen lately. The show airs on sister network Spike TV, so that is how they can air it the show. TV Land will air the series for at least three weekends in March. As of now, it is not on the April schedule, which we will try to give to you by tomorrow. CSI will air in big chunks on both Saturdays and Sundays. It will air Saturdays from 11:30am-9pm and Sundays 11:30am-8pm through March 27. Yes, why 8 1/2 hours and 7 1/2 hours? They are airing shows with more commercials and off-the-clock, so you get about a total of 30 more minutes of commercials in these blocks and one less episode, if that makes sense.
"CSI Weekends" will replace I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, All in the Family and Sanford & Son on weekends...for these three weeks at least. Could CSI carry over into April? Sure. But right now it isn't. So, as of now, this means Bewitched is totally off the schedule for the next three weeks, as it doesn't air on weekdays anymore.
I'm sure more will come out of this, so stay with us! For now, view the TV Land March 2011 schedule again.
Stunts wise, TV One will continue to air new episodes of original sitcom Love That Girl every Monday at 9pm, followed by encore episodes from 9:30-11pm. There will be a marathon of The Jeffersons on Sunday, March 20 from 12 noon to 6pm ET. Select episodes will encore in the overnight from 3am-5am later on in the day. The only other sitcom stunt will be All of Us on Saturday, April 2 from 12pm-8pm with select encores from 12am-6am. TV One March 2011 is certainly more quieter than TV One February 2011. Stay with us in the coming weeks for the April 2011 schedule.
CSI is once again appearing on TV Land. It has aired before in stunts and special week-long blocks, but it hasn't been seen lately. The show airs on sister network Spike TV, so that is how they can air it the show. TV Land will air the series for at least three weekends in March. As of now, it is not on the April schedule, which we will try to give to you by tomorrow. CSI will air in big chunks on both Saturdays and Sundays. It will air Saturdays from 11:30am-9pm and Sundays 11:30am-8pm through March 27. Yes, why 8 1/2 hours and 7 1/2 hours? They are airing shows with more commercials and off-the-clock, so you get about a total of 30 more minutes of commercials in these blocks and one less episode, if that makes sense.
"CSI Weekends" will replace I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, All in the Family and Sanford & Son on weekends...for these three weeks at least. Could CSI carry over into April? Sure. But right now it isn't. So, as of now, this means Bewitched is totally off the schedule for the next three weeks, as it doesn't air on weekdays anymore.
I'm sure more will come out of this, so stay with us! For now, view the TV Land March 2011 schedule again.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Charlie Sheen Fired from Two and a Half Men; How I Met Your Mother Renewed for 2 More Seasons; Pioneers of Television DVD Contest
I'm sure everyone has heard by now that Charlie Sheen was fired from Two and a Half Men by CBS and Warner Bros. yesterday. Here are the official statements from CBS and Warner Bros:
As of now, repeats continue to air Mondays at 9pm. Unless something changes, Two and a Half Men repeats are scheduled for the rest of the season. We will let you know of course if anything should change, as they did order two extra episodes each of Mike & Molly and Rules of Engagement.
How I Met Your Mother has been renewed through the 2012-2013 season as part of a multi-year broadcast agreement between CBS Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox Television. The series leads off the CBS Monday sitcom block at 8pm. The series does well in the ratings doing close to 10 million and in the mid-3 rating in 18-49. Currently the show is in its sixth season and this new deal will make it last at least eight seasons. The series premiered in September 2005 and entered syndication last fall on TV broadcast stations and also on cable (Lifetime, WGN America).
How I Met Your Mother stars Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, with Neil Patrick Harris and Cobie Smulders.
We have 2 DVD copies of Pioneers of Television - Season 2 for giveaway thanks to the fine folks at PBS Distribution. The contest ends at the end of Sunday, March 13. So hurry!
Nearly 100 stars from TV's formative years bring their stories to PBS in season two of the Emmy-nominated documentary series Pioneers of Television. Narrated by Kelsey Grammer, each episode melds compelling new interviews with irresistible archival clips to offer a fresh take on TV's founding celebrities. This season's four new episodes profile science fiction, crime dramas, local kids' shows, and westerns. Featured stars include James Garner, William Shatner, Angie Dickinson, Fess Parker, Linda Evans, Robert Conrad, Mike Connors, Leonard Nimoy, Bill Cosby, and many others.
Please read the rules and regulations first, then if you meet the standards, enter the giveaway by posting your favorite episode from Pioneers of Television season 1 or 2 in the comments section on our Facebook page.
Good luck! And don't forget to read our DVD review!
"After careful consideration, Warner Bros. Television has terminated Charlie Sheen's services on Two and a Half Men, effective immediately." -There is no word yet on what this means for the series next season. It is unlikely the series will return with more new episodes this season, though. Will they replace Sheen with another character next season? Only time will tell, but it seems like the sitcom will be back next year for a season nine in someway, but we are just guessing. The show was renewed back in 2009 through 2011-2012 season, when Sheen got his $1.8 million an episode deal. It will be interesting to see if it will still be on the air through 2011-2012.
Warner Bros.
"Based on the totality of Charlie Sheen's statements, conduct and condition, CBS and Warner Bros. Television have decided to discontinue production of Two and a Half Men for the remainder of the season." - CBS and Warner Bros.
As of now, repeats continue to air Mondays at 9pm. Unless something changes, Two and a Half Men repeats are scheduled for the rest of the season. We will let you know of course if anything should change, as they did order two extra episodes each of Mike & Molly and Rules of Engagement.
How I Met Your Mother has been renewed through the 2012-2013 season as part of a multi-year broadcast agreement between CBS Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox Television. The series leads off the CBS Monday sitcom block at 8pm. The series does well in the ratings doing close to 10 million and in the mid-3 rating in 18-49. Currently the show is in its sixth season and this new deal will make it last at least eight seasons. The series premiered in September 2005 and entered syndication last fall on TV broadcast stations and also on cable (Lifetime, WGN America).
How I Met Your Mother stars Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, with Neil Patrick Harris and Cobie Smulders.
We have 2 DVD copies of Pioneers of Television - Season 2 for giveaway thanks to the fine folks at PBS Distribution. The contest ends at the end of Sunday, March 13. So hurry!
Nearly 100 stars from TV's formative years bring their stories to PBS in season two of the Emmy-nominated documentary series Pioneers of Television. Narrated by Kelsey Grammer, each episode melds compelling new interviews with irresistible archival clips to offer a fresh take on TV's founding celebrities. This season's four new episodes profile science fiction, crime dramas, local kids' shows, and westerns. Featured stars include James Garner, William Shatner, Angie Dickinson, Fess Parker, Linda Evans, Robert Conrad, Mike Connors, Leonard Nimoy, Bill Cosby, and many others.
Please read the rules and regulations first, then if you meet the standards, enter the giveaway by posting your favorite episode from Pioneers of Television season 1 or 2 in the comments section on our Facebook page.
Good luck! And don't forget to read our DVD review!
Monday, March 07, 2011
ION Adds Late Night Hours; ABC Family Schedules Original Series Dates for Summer 2011
ION Television is adding more hours to its schedule at the end of this month. Starting Monday, March 28, 2011, ION Television will expand its schedule thru 3am. Currently the network airs programming on weekdays from 3pm-1am and on weekends from 1pm-1am, with infomericals the rest of the time (well except qubo kids Wed-Fri in the 8am hour). It will add two extra hours every night now (weekdays 3pm-3am and weekends 1pm-3am). So what will air in the 1am and 2am hours starting March 28? More of its dramas and movies. Mondays and Tuesdays in both new hours will have Without a Trace. Ghost Whisperer will air on Wednesday nights, while Thursdays and Fridays will have movies. Weekends in the 1am-3am will be a mix of movies or filler airings of My Name is Earl, M*A*S*H or a drama.
Sorry to report that nothing new is being added to these new hours, but hopefully something new will come soon rather than just more Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace or Criminal Minds. ION Television did announce they have acquired crime drama Flashpoint, though. They have rights to all existing episodes, including up to 18 originals which are currently in production and scheduled to air later this year. Additionally, the network has the right to continue original production for season five and beyond. Stay tuned for more info when it is scheduled on the actual schedule.
We gave you updates on ABC Family's four new original series pick-ups, now we have premiere dates for all of them! For the first time in its seven-year history of original programming, the network's slate will be expanded to offer viewers three nights of original programming this summer, including four new original series, three returning hit series and original movies, in addition to showcasing blockbuster theatrical acquisitions.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager will returns on Monday, March 28 with 24 all-new episodes and will premiere throughout the summer on Mondays at 8:00PM ET/PT. It will be finishing off its third season episodes from March 28 to June 6, then it will start on its fourth season episodes. Not sure how many of the season four episodes they plan on airing, but it does look like the second half of season three (11 episodes) will go right into the start of season four! Perhaps the first 13 of season four will air after the final 11 of season three, for a total of 24 all-new episodes?
Airing right after The Secret Life will be new drama Switched at Birth at 9pm starting Monday, June 6. The series will air for 10 straight weeks in the timeslot. The series tells the story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital and stars newcomer Katie Leclerc as Daphne Vasquez; Vanessa Marano as Bay Kennish; Constance Marie (George Lopez as Regina Vasquez; D.W. Moffett (Friday Night Lights) as John Kennish; Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) as Kathryn Kennish; Lucas Grabeel as Toby Kennish; and newcomer Sean Berdy as Emmett. Marlee Matlin guest-stars as Melody. Switched at Birth will succeed Make It Or Break It, which wraps up its second season a week before on Monday, May 30.
Moving to Tuesdays, ABC Family's big hit Pretty Little Liars will move back to Tuesdays for its second season, where it aired last summer for the first half of its first season. Currently, the series is airing the second half of its first season on Monday nights at 8pm through March 21. The second season premieres on Tuesday, June 14 at 8pm. The second season premiere will lead into new drama The Nine Lives of Chloe King at 9pm, which follows Chloe King, who is looking forward to celebrating her birthday with her friends and single mother, just like every other year...that is until she starts developing heightened abilities and discovers she's being pursued by a mysterious figure. The drama stars Skyler Samuels (The Gates) as Chloe King; Amy Pietz (The Office) as Meredith King; Grey Damon (True Blood) as Brian; newcomer Grace Phipps as Amy; Benjamin Stone (10 Things I Hate About You) as Alek; Alyssa Diaz as Jasmine; and Ki Hong Lee (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) as Paul. It is unclear how many episodes the series as, but it is likely 10 episodes, like Switched at Birth. It is also unclear if Pretty Little Liars season two will be split up into two batches or run throughout, but it is probably the former.
ABC Family will add Wednesdays to its original series night this summer. Melissa & Joey, the hit comedy starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, will return to complete its first season on Wednesday, June 29, at 8:00pm! The series has a first season order of 30 episodes and 12 aired last summer/early fall. So that means 18 will air this summer. If it airs weekly, that should have it last through the end of October, similar to last year. Following the sitcom will be a new sitcom, The Great State of Georgia, a new a half-hour multi-cam comedy series starring Raven-Symoné as Georgia, an aspiring actress with a larger than life personality, and her science geek best friend, who try to make headway in New York City. The series also stars Majandra Delfino (Roswell) as Jo and Loretta Devine (Grey's Anatomy) as Aunt Honey. It is unclear how many episodes have been ordered, but it is likely 10. And if it does well, I'm sure more will be ordered, like how Melissa & Joey was extended.
Finally, when new drama Switched at Birth completes its 10-episode run, another new drama, The Lying Game, will premiere at 9pm starting Monday, August 15. The drama follows Emma, a kind-hearted foster kid who learns she has an identical twin sister, Sutton. Sutton, unlike Emma, was adopted by wealthy parents and is seemingly living an ideal life. The series stars Alexandra Chando (As The World Turns) as Emma/Sutton; Andy Buckley as Ted; Helen Slater as Kristin; Blair Redford as Garrett; Sharon Pierre-Louis as Nisha; Kirsten Prout (Kyle XY) as Char; Alice Greczyn as Mads; and Allie Gonino (10 Things I Hate About You) as Laurel. The series is based on the novel by author Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars). No idea also how many episodes have been ordered, but it seems like 10 episodes. If The Secret Life ends its summer run in early September, then this would mean The Lying Game will probably air for over a month without The Secret Life as its lead-in. If it has 10 episodes, it will air through mid-October.
Movie wise, they announced a new new original two-hour movie, Teen Spirit, premieres on Sunday, August 7, at 8:00pm, during the network's annual summer programming event, "Campus Crush" (Sunday, July 31 through - Tuesday, August 9). The movie stars Lindsey Shaw (Pretty Little Liars) and Cassie Scerbo (Make It or Break It). The network will also present a special summer Harry Potter marathon from Thursday, July 7 through Sunday, July 10, showcasing the first five installments of Warner Bros. Pictures’ hit film franchise, leading into its highly anticipated theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2 (in theaters on July 15, 2011). Additionally, the Walt Disney Pictures film G-Force will make its network television premiere on ABC Family in September 2011.
Sorry to report that nothing new is being added to these new hours, but hopefully something new will come soon rather than just more Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace or Criminal Minds. ION Television did announce they have acquired crime drama Flashpoint, though. They have rights to all existing episodes, including up to 18 originals which are currently in production and scheduled to air later this year. Additionally, the network has the right to continue original production for season five and beyond. Stay tuned for more info when it is scheduled on the actual schedule.
We gave you updates on ABC Family's four new original series pick-ups, now we have premiere dates for all of them! For the first time in its seven-year history of original programming, the network's slate will be expanded to offer viewers three nights of original programming this summer, including four new original series, three returning hit series and original movies, in addition to showcasing blockbuster theatrical acquisitions.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager will returns on Monday, March 28 with 24 all-new episodes and will premiere throughout the summer on Mondays at 8:00PM ET/PT. It will be finishing off its third season episodes from March 28 to June 6, then it will start on its fourth season episodes. Not sure how many of the season four episodes they plan on airing, but it does look like the second half of season three (11 episodes) will go right into the start of season four! Perhaps the first 13 of season four will air after the final 11 of season three, for a total of 24 all-new episodes?
Airing right after The Secret Life will be new drama Switched at Birth at 9pm starting Monday, June 6. The series will air for 10 straight weeks in the timeslot. The series tells the story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital and stars newcomer Katie Leclerc as Daphne Vasquez; Vanessa Marano as Bay Kennish; Constance Marie (George Lopez as Regina Vasquez; D.W. Moffett (Friday Night Lights) as John Kennish; Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) as Kathryn Kennish; Lucas Grabeel as Toby Kennish; and newcomer Sean Berdy as Emmett. Marlee Matlin guest-stars as Melody. Switched at Birth will succeed Make It Or Break It, which wraps up its second season a week before on Monday, May 30.
Moving to Tuesdays, ABC Family's big hit Pretty Little Liars will move back to Tuesdays for its second season, where it aired last summer for the first half of its first season. Currently, the series is airing the second half of its first season on Monday nights at 8pm through March 21. The second season premieres on Tuesday, June 14 at 8pm. The second season premiere will lead into new drama The Nine Lives of Chloe King at 9pm, which follows Chloe King, who is looking forward to celebrating her birthday with her friends and single mother, just like every other year...that is until she starts developing heightened abilities and discovers she's being pursued by a mysterious figure. The drama stars Skyler Samuels (The Gates) as Chloe King; Amy Pietz (The Office) as Meredith King; Grey Damon (True Blood) as Brian; newcomer Grace Phipps as Amy; Benjamin Stone (10 Things I Hate About You) as Alek; Alyssa Diaz as Jasmine; and Ki Hong Lee (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) as Paul. It is unclear how many episodes the series as, but it is likely 10 episodes, like Switched at Birth. It is also unclear if Pretty Little Liars season two will be split up into two batches or run throughout, but it is probably the former.
ABC Family will add Wednesdays to its original series night this summer. Melissa & Joey, the hit comedy starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, will return to complete its first season on Wednesday, June 29, at 8:00pm! The series has a first season order of 30 episodes and 12 aired last summer/early fall. So that means 18 will air this summer. If it airs weekly, that should have it last through the end of October, similar to last year. Following the sitcom will be a new sitcom, The Great State of Georgia, a new a half-hour multi-cam comedy series starring Raven-Symoné as Georgia, an aspiring actress with a larger than life personality, and her science geek best friend, who try to make headway in New York City. The series also stars Majandra Delfino (Roswell) as Jo and Loretta Devine (Grey's Anatomy) as Aunt Honey. It is unclear how many episodes have been ordered, but it is likely 10. And if it does well, I'm sure more will be ordered, like how Melissa & Joey was extended.
Finally, when new drama Switched at Birth completes its 10-episode run, another new drama, The Lying Game, will premiere at 9pm starting Monday, August 15. The drama follows Emma, a kind-hearted foster kid who learns she has an identical twin sister, Sutton. Sutton, unlike Emma, was adopted by wealthy parents and is seemingly living an ideal life. The series stars Alexandra Chando (As The World Turns) as Emma/Sutton; Andy Buckley as Ted; Helen Slater as Kristin; Blair Redford as Garrett; Sharon Pierre-Louis as Nisha; Kirsten Prout (Kyle XY) as Char; Alice Greczyn as Mads; and Allie Gonino (10 Things I Hate About You) as Laurel. The series is based on the novel by author Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars). No idea also how many episodes have been ordered, but it seems like 10 episodes. If The Secret Life ends its summer run in early September, then this would mean The Lying Game will probably air for over a month without The Secret Life as its lead-in. If it has 10 episodes, it will air through mid-October.
Movie wise, they announced a new new original two-hour movie, Teen Spirit, premieres on Sunday, August 7, at 8:00pm, during the network's annual summer programming event, "Campus Crush" (Sunday, July 31 through - Tuesday, August 9). The movie stars Lindsey Shaw (Pretty Little Liars) and Cassie Scerbo (Make It or Break It). The network will also present a special summer Harry Potter marathon from Thursday, July 7 through Sunday, July 10, showcasing the first five installments of Warner Bros. Pictures’ hit film franchise, leading into its highly anticipated theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2 (in theaters on July 15, 2011). Additionally, the Walt Disney Pictures film G-Force will make its network television premiere on ABC Family in September 2011.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Week 24 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did
2010-11 Week 24 TV Ratings (first four nights averages, Mon-Thu):
Households: N/A
Total Viewers: N/A
Adults 18-49: N/A
Week 24 (Feb. 28-March 6) Analysis: Week 24 has again Fox winning across the board for the first four night and why wouldn't they as they had 3 nights (5 hours) of Idol. The first four nights network averages were not made available again to us in time for this post, but we can once again project Fox is winning across the board. CBS is in second, while ABC is in third and NBC is way back in fourth across the board. Fox should have no problem winning the week as the lead is too big to overcome. Everyone else should remain as is, too. Last week, week 23, had ABC win the week over CBS in HH/viewers thanks to the Oscars but it was Fox who edged ABC in 18-49 even with the Oscars. CBS was third in 18-49, while Fox was third in HH/viewers. And NBC had a terrible week again in fourth place.
Monday saw ABC with the win beating Fox. ABC started with The Bachelor doing 11.33 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, for another season high. Season finale is next week, as tomorrow will be The Women Tell All special. Dancing with the Stars Season 12 starts March 21. At 10pm ABC concluded the special two-part Castle with part two doing 10.11 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, up from previous week again. This show is a must watch. CBS was almost all-new with its comedies and Hawaii Five-0. At 8pm, a new How I Met Your Mother started it off with 9.24 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week. At 8:30, new series Mad Love did 7.9 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, down some again from previous week and still means lower than any Rules of Engagement airing in the slot this season. Two and a Half Men followed with a REPEAT again, as it will be repeats for the rest of the season now thanks to Charlie Sheen's antics, doing 11.63 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, which is up some from previous week. Amazing, but won't keep it up much longer. At 9:30, Mike & Molly was new and did 11.54 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, which was up a bit from previous week, A REPEAT of Hawaii Five-0 at 10pm, yes a repeat in sweeps (HUH?) did 7.31 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. CBS foolishly wasted some airings earlier this season (second December airing, post-AFC Championship airing) and now was forced to air a repeat in sweeps. Fox was all-new with House doing 11.01 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, up from previous week. A new Chicago Code followed at 9pm with 8.04 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Fox will take these numbers if it remains here, but it is doing similar to Lie to Me--which will return? NBC started its night with a new Chuck doing 5.35 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week once again. At 9pm, the struggling The Cape did 4.1 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating, on par also from previous week. At 10pm, a new Harry's Law did 9.2 million but just a 1.8 18-49 rating for third place, even lower than the CBS repeat. The CW was new with 90210 doing 1.45 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. Gossip Girl followed with a new episode doing 1.39 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week.
Tuesday had Fox come in and win with a special Tuesday airing of you know what. But first CBS started with a new NCIS and did 19.21 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, sharply down from previous week. NCIS: Los Angeles followed with a new episode and did 15.67 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, also down big from previous week. The Good Wife did well in total viewers with 11.38 million but only a 2.2 18-49 rating, but oddly up a bit from previous week. It seems it is not a match for the 8-10pm dramas and could be better fit on another night. For ABC, No Ordinary Family was all-new in the 8pm hour and suffered with Idol on doing 4.26 million and only a 1.2 18-49 rating, for a series low. At 9, V was new and the first half faced the juggernaut and did 5.04 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week. Detroit 1-8-7 was preempted for A Special Edition of 20/20 - Charlie Sheen: In His Own Words and did a solid 9.32 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, winning its hour quite easily. Could have been higher even if Sheen didn't ramble on everywhere. Fox preempted Glee and aired a special Tuesday edition of Idol and it did 21.39 million and a 7.6 18-49 rating for 90-minutes, which is way better than Glee. Next Fox disappointed with Raising Hope at a special time of 9:30pm and did 8.68 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, which is a series high but coming out of the big lead-in, it could have been better. New comedy Traffic Light was preempted but aired Wednesday instead. NBC aired a two-hour The Biggest Loser doing 7.06 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, which was down from previous week thanks to Idol. Then at 10pm, Parenthood did 5.03 million and a third place 1.9 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week when it was first place. It's a weak hour with a big boost from Sheen to win it. That's winning! The CW was new with One Tree Hill doing 1.59 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down from previous week. Next at 9pm was a new episode of Hellcats and that did 1.46 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week.
Wednesday was the last night of February sweeps and had American Idol cut to 90-minutes but still easily won the night. Idol did 22.77 million and a 7.8 18-49 rating, basically on par with previous week. A special airing of Traffic Light followed with series best 7.32 million and a 2.8 18-49, but wasn't that expected since it was so low already? Still could have been way better than this. CBS started the night off with Survivor: Redemption Island doing 11.32 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, which was up some actually from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds was next with a new episode doing 14.37 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, jumping from previous week and especially in the 9:30pm half-hour. At 10pm, week three of Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior did 10.36 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week, but SVU was a repeat...yes for the last night of February sweeps. What is this? ABC had its Laugh On comedy block and had a new The Middle open the night with a solid 7.86 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week. Then at 8:30, a new Better With You did 5.67 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth previous week, but could be better. It's preempted the next few weeks as repeats will be on a lot in March. Then ABC aired a new Modern Family at 9pm doing 10.11 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week as it faced Idol head-to-head again this week and this time the final half-hour. Then at 9:30, Mr. Sunshine was new with 6.87 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week as it didn't face Idol this week. Was expecting a bit more, but didn't bomb. Once again, Cougar Town will return with a special airing on Monday, April 18, and then return to Wednesdays starting April 20. Let the countdown begin for the cul-de-sac crew! At 10pm, a new episode of new drama Off the Map aired and did 4.96 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. NBC aired a repeat of Minute to Win It and did just 3.31 million and 0.9 18-49 rating followed by a new episode at just 3.49 million and a 1.0 18-49 rating. At 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was next but was a repeat (during sweeps??) doing 5.36 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating. Might have helped the competing CBS crime drama a bit there. The CW had a new America's Next Top Model starting it off at 8pm doing only 1.96 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, which was down some from previous week. This show is getting killed by Fox and CBS' reality series. At 9pm, new reality series Shedding for the Wedding did only 1.07 million and a 0.4 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week.
Thursday saw once again Fox win the night, as Idol dominated with everything in repeats (except Rules of Engagement on CBS), as sweeps just ended. ABC opened the night with a repeat of Winter Wipeout doing 5.0 million and a 1.4 18-49 rating. Then Grey's Anatomy was next with a repeat doing 3.98 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. At 10pm, Private Practice was also a repeat and did 3.03 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating. CBS opened with a repeat of The Big Bang Theory and it did 9.12 million and a 2.5 A18-49 rating, decent for a repeat. Then an all-new Rules of Engagement was lower than $#*! My Dad Says doing 8.24 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down obviously from previous week. Next, CSI was a repeat and did 8.77 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating. A repeat of The Mentalist did 10.43 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, skewing older than the lead-in even. OK so onto Fox, it was all American Idol as a two-hour airing did 25.26 million and a 8.2 18-49 rating, sharply up from previous week with no competition at all. No surprise. Fox preempted Bones again this week. NBC comedies were preempted for just one comedy all night...The Office repeats. The 8pm airing did 2.88 million/1.1 18-49 rating, followed by 2.9 million/1.3 18-49 rating, 3.13 million/1.5 18-49 rating, 3.09 million/1.5 18-49 rating, 2.98 million/1.4 18-49 rating and 2.63 million/1.2 18-49 rating. This show doesn't repeat well, so not sure what was the point. Community, Perfect Couples, The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock and Outsourced were not on as normal. The CW was next with a repeat of Vampire Diaries doing 1.13 million and a 0.5 18-49 rating. Then a repeat of Nikita did 1.11 million and just a 0.3 18-49 rating.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available as usual, but Friday had NBC with a rare win with Charlie Sheen-fueled Dateline winning at 10pm. Kitchen Nightmares and Fringe were preempted for Fox for the NAACP Awards which was dead last. Saturday had Fox easily win with its normal crime reality series with everyone else way behind in 18-49.
Tonight ABC is all-new with AFV, Secret Millionaire, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters as Secret Millionaire makes its ABC premiere for six straight weeks. NBC has the premiere of America's Next Great Restaurant & two-hour Celebrity Apprentice starting at 8 following Dateline at 7. CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by a new The Amazing Race at 8 and new episodes of Undercover Boss & CSI: Miami from 9-11pm. Fox is all-new too with Animation Domination starting at 7:30pm. All-new night!
As for the week (week 24), Fox will win the week everywhere. Idol secured that for three nights, plus repeats on the other networks on Thursday. Everyone else will remain as they are through the first four nights, pending any huge surprises. And for the coming week (week 25), has mix of new and repeats, as NBC returns The Event tomorrow (will it be low still?).
Week 24 How the Sitcoms Did
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 23 -- Feb. 21-27)
- American Dad! (Fox) - A repeat did 3.46 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which isn't too far off from an original the previous week.
- The Simpsons (Fox) 2 episodes - A repeat in its normal 8pm slot did 4.85 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating. Earlier, a repeat at 7pm did 4.03 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week.
- Bob's Burgers (Fox) - A repeat did 3.81 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating.
- Family Guy (Fox) - A one-hour repeat did 4.32 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, which seems below normal for a repeat but it faced the Oscars.
- The Cleveland Show (Fox) - preempted.
Monday Sitcoms
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 9.24 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, basically on par with previous week. Seems a bit below normal though, but still good.
- Mad Love (CBS) - 7.9 million for week three and a 2.7 18-49 rating is down again some from previous week and yes still lower than any Rules of Engagement airing in this slot.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 11.63 million for a repeat and a 3.3 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week. I expect these ratings to ware off soon, especially come next month and May, if it is still airing.
- Mike & Molly (CBS) - 11.35 million for a new episode and a 18-49 rating of 3.4 is decent, up a bit from previous week, like its lead-in.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode at a special time of 9:30pm did 8.68 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating for series best, but it was after Idol and held only like 30% of its ratings. Not good.
- Traffic Light (Fox) - preempted and aired Wednesday.
- The Middle (ABC) - A new episode of this sitcom did 7.86 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week, again vs. Idol.
- Better with You (ABC) - A new episode of this series did 5.67 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which was down a tenth from previous week. It is the weak link of the block right now with Idol airing against it.
- Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 10.11 million and a 4.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week as it went face-to-face with Idol again, this time the final half-hour.
- Mr. Sunshine (ABC) - A new episode did 6.87 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating up a bit from previous week as it was NOT against the final half-hour of Idol this week. Could have been better, but next two weeks will be a test to see how it does with repeats as its lead-ins.
- Traffic Light (Fox) - Obviously a series high after Idol doing 7.32 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, on a special night. Not good retention , but what can you do?
Thursday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A repeat did 9.12 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, solid for a second run.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS) - A NEW episode did 8.24 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, for a season low and honestly $#*! My Dad Says was even better.
- Community (NBC) - preempted.
- Perfect Couples (NBC) - preempted.
- The Office (NBC) - A repeat marathon did bad: The 8pm airing did 2.88 million/1.1 18-49 rating, followed by 2.9 million/1.3 18-49 rating, 3.13 million/1.5 18-49 rating, 3.09 million/1.5 18-49 rating, 2.98 million/1.4 18-49 rating and 2.63 million/1.2 18-49 rating.
- Parks and Recreation (NBC) - preempted.
- 30 Rock (NBC) - preempted.
- Outsourced (NBC) - preempted.
Friday Sitcoms
- None.
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 7-10pm, but in repeats.
Summing it up. Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, Two and a Half Men (R) & The Big Bang Theory (R) were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as , Raising Hope, Rules of Engagement) or just plain old terrible (such as The Office (R), Traffic Light).
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Digital Digest: Pioneers of Television - Season 2 DVD Review
It's been a busy news week for Charlie Sheen, but for us, it hasn't been in the world of home media news. The world of DVD and Blu-ray gets a little slower each and every week, but that doesn't stop us from being here, no matter what! This week, we've got a review of the PBS series Pioneers of Television - Season 2, the series that gives a retrospective of the earliest days of television. Let's get going!
DIGITAL NEWS
A few months ago, TMG released a two-disc set of the classic Betty White series Life With Elizabeth, but they aren't stopping there! Now, they are preparing a two-disc set of Betty White's other series from the 50s, Date with the Angels. The 12-episode set will be released on April 26 at a very low $9.98 MSRP.
A few weeks ago, Shout! Factory announced that they would be releasing the first season of the Nickelodeon series The Wild Thornberries. We didn't mention it because it is a bit beyond the scope of our website, but something that didn't catch our eye was this post from Brian Ward on the Shout! Factory Community message boards mentioning that other Nickelodeon series are in the works from Shout! Factory. Now, as to what they'll be or when they'll be announced, there is no telling, but hopefully this will include some sitcoms from the Nickelodeon library.
BLOG FEATURE REVIEW
DVD Review: Pioneers of Television - Season 2
by Todd Fuller
Pioneers of Television - Season 2 (PBS Direct, $24.99)
Nearly 100 stars from TV's formative years bring their stories to PBS in season two of the Emmy-nominated documentary series Pioneers of Television. Narrated by Kelsey Grammer, each episode melds compelling new interviews with irresistible archival clips to offer a fresh take on TV's founding celebrities. This season's four new episodes profile science fiction, crime dramas, local kids' shows, and westerns. Featured stars include James Garner, William Shatner, Angie Dickinson, Fess Parker, Linda Evans, Robert Conrad, Mike Connors, Leonard Nimoy, Bill Cosby, and many others.
These specials began in November 2005 on PBS with The Pioneers of Primetime which focused on vaudeville headliners, radio superstars and television legends. In 2008, four one-hour specials were made that profiled late night, sitcoms, variety and game shows. Season two premiered in January and February 2011 and took a look at science fiction, westerns, crime dramas and local kids' tv.
The cover art features a montage of black and white photos of James Arness, James Garner, Barbara Stanwyck, Linda Evans, Angie Dickinson, Rod Serling, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Chuck Connors, Johnny Crawford and Jim Henson. The episodes are presented in widescreen format. The recent interviews look excellent, but some of the vintage show clips vary in quality. The main menus features the same montage of black and white photos as the cover art. There are options for Episode Selection, Scene Selection and Set Up. Subtitles are available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The set has a running time of approximately 220 minutes.
Here is the breakdown of the four episodes, including the original airdates and runtimes:
Science Fiction (01/18/11 - 55:09) - Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and Nichelle Nichols reflect on the birth of Star Trek. Lost in Space is remembered by Bill Mumy and Angela Cartwright. And a lost interview with Rod Sterling highlights a look at The Twilight Zone.
This episode focuses on three key science fiction series: Star Trek, Lost in Space and The Twilight Zone.. A surprising connection between Star Trek and Lost in Space is uncovered. Star Trek topics covered include Gene Roddenberry's story and the development of the show, William Shatner and how he was cast, Leonard Nimoy and the development of Spock's ears, and Nichelle Nichols and TV's first interracial kiss. Lost in Space topics include Irwin Allen's story and the development of the show, Jonathan Harris' portrayal of the Zachary Smith character, Irwin Allen's creation of The Time Tunnel, and the classic The Great Vegetable Rebellion episode. The Twilight Zone section details Rod Serling's early days, memorable episodes with guest stars William Shatner and Bill Mumy, Rod Serling's favorite episode, the special effects on the show, and the end of the show and Rod Serling's later projects. Others interviewed include Marta Kristen, Veronica Cartwright, Peter Graves, Lee Meriwether, Adam West and Martin Landau. Some bonus pioneering moments in science fiction are shown in the closing minutes.
Westerns (01/25/11 - 55:08) - James Garner (Maverick), Robert Conrad (Wild Wild West), and James Arness (Gunsmoke) are just three of the pioneers who talk about their experiences in this episode -- which also includes Linda Evans (Big Valley) and Fess Parker (Daniel Boone). Classics like Bonanza and The Rifleman are also featured.
From the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, there were more than 100 different western series. In the 1959 season alone, there were more than 30 on the schedule. Gunsmoke, Bonanza and The Rifleman are among the iconic series profiled in this episode. James Garner talks about how he never wanted to become an actor, how he was picked to play Bret Maverick on Maverick, and his later television roles. Sam Peckinpah created his first TV series, The Rifleman, in 1958 starring Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford. Mr. Peckinpah left after the first season. Bonanza topics include Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, and the lack of female characters on the show. The Big Valley would be the first western with a female in the lead role. Barbara Stanwyck played the matriarch of the Barkley family. Linda Evans played her daughter and offers a touching new perspective on her co-star.
Premiering the same season as The Big Valley, The Wild Wild West was one of the most unconventional westerns. Robert Conrad did many of his own stunts and details the on-set accident that cracked his skull. Gunsmoke's story details the casting of James Arness as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, the show's popularity over 20 seasons, and some of the show's other cast members including the break-out character of Chester played by Dennis Weaver. In the last interview with Fess Parker, the star of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, he talks about his effort to cast African-American guest stars at a time when that was rare. The High Chapparal featured Henry Darrow as Manolito Montoya and had Hispanic actors speaking in Spanish. Others interviewed include Robert Culp, Ed Ames, Linda Evans, Veronica Cartwright, Rosey Grier, Ernest Borgnine, Johnny Crawford, Darby Hinton, Henry Darrow, Peter Graves, Stephen J. Cannell, Stefanie Powers, Pat Crowley, Mitch Vogel, Adam West, Chuck McCann, Martin Landau, Mike Connors, Dennis Weaver, Angie Dickinson and Buddy Ebsen. A montage in the closing minutes features some other westerns and cast members.
Crime Dramas (2/1/11 - 55:09) - This episode begins with the 1950s Dragnet and the Untouchables; includes 1960s hits Mission: Impossible I Spy and Hawaii Five-0; and wraps with 1970s favorites Rockford Files, Columbo, and Police Woman.
Dragnet began as a radio drama on NBC on June 3, 1949. In 1951, the television series debuted. Topics include an innovation by Jack Webb that made it possible for them to shoot an episode in just one or two days, close-ups to show emotion, and the famous "just the facts, ma'am" quote. The Untouchables was one of the most violent shows on television. Another show created by Desilu, Mannix starred Mike Connors. Mike Connors talks about how they sped up the pace of the show with 50 set ups a day. Mission: Impossible stars Peter Graves, Martin Landau and Barbara Bain independently reveal the eerie connection between their series and actual cold war events. They talk about the make-up and how they got to play somebody different each week.
I Spy featured Bill Cosby as the first African American male in a lead role on TV. Bill Cosby talks about his groundbreaking role and the challenges he faced. Co-star Robert Culp also discusses his work on the show. Hawaii Five-O featured Jack Lord as Jack McGarrett. Lord's involvement in the show is detailed. Most of the actors on the show were local Hawaiian actors. Women stars of crime drama included Anne Francis on Honey West, Stefanie Powers on The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., and Angie Dickinson on Police Woman. Stefanie Powers talks about her outfits on the show. Angie Dickinson explains her conflict with the feminist movement. Columbo starred Peter Falk. He made the character his own and brought his trademark trenchcoat from home and picked out Columbo's car. Stephen J. Cannell discusses the creation of The Rockford Files. James Garner talks about his role and stunt driving on the series. Others interviewed include Leonard Nimoy, Pat Crowley, Veronica Cartwright, Stan Freberg, Gavin MacLeod, Bruce Bilson and Rita Moreno. Some still images and trivia are shown in a montage in the closing minutes.
Local Kids' TV (2/8/11 - 55:09) - Jim Henson, Willard Scott, and Fred Rogers are among the performers who started their careers in local TV. These three icons -- and a dozen others -- are featured in this episode that highlights the clowns, pirates, spacemen, and puppets who made local kids' TV memorable for a generation.
The Wallace and Ladmo Show began in 1954 and aired in Phoenix, AZ for over 35 years. Bill Thompson, Sharon Kelley and Pat McMahon discuss their work on the show. Stan Freberg talks about a Time for Beany which aired in Los Angeles for 5 years. Jim Henson got his start on Sam and Friends in Washington, DC. His innovations in puppetry are discussed. Joan Ganz Cooney talks about the development of Sesame Street. Fred Rogers disusses his early work on television off camera and the start of his own show where he would appear on camera. Chuck McCann comments on Puppet Motel and later The Chuck McCann Show. Steven Spielberg recounts the Arizona kids' show, The Wallace and Ladmo Show, that shaped his career. Marlene Manderfield discusses Romper Room, which had localized versions across the country. Socorro Serano talks about the strictness and uniformity of the show. Mary Ann King documents the chain of events that led to a lion escaping on the set of Romper Room in Los Angeles. The history of Bozo the Clown is detailed. Willard Scott explains the surprising physical challenges of playing Bozo in Washington, DC. Dan Castellaneta reveals the inspiration for The Simpsons' Krusty the Clown. The Action for Children's Television is briefly mentioned. Bill Cosby, Prof. Gordon Berry PH.D., and Lou Scheimer talk about Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. Others interviewed include Ernest Borgnine, Bill Mumy, and Susan Harmon.
This is a very interesting and entertaining series on the pioneers of television. These episodes are well made with many new interviews, vintage clips and still images. It's sad to watch some of the final interviews of Robert Culp, Peter Graves, Fess Parker and Stephen J. Cannell, who we all lost in 2010. They are able to put a lot of information in one-hour episodes, but they could really benefit by extending them to two hours. There are only able to cover so many shows and people in detail with the one-hour format. The science fiction and crime drama episodes were the most interesting to me, since I've always been a fan of those television genres. The local kids' tv episode was fun, but I think it focused a little too much on The Wallace and Ladmo Show, which may have only been familiar to people who live or have lived in Phoenix, AZ.
Season two is a nice follow-up to the first four episodes. I liked the first season with sitcoms, late night, variety and game shows a little more than the second season, but there should be something for everybody to enjoy on this release. It seems like they are taking ideas for more episodes on the Pioneers of Television Facebook page. I would like to see new episodes on network news and live events, Saturday morning kids shows, animated series, medical shows, music shows and reality television. Thanks to PBS for bringing us some quality programming.
(4/5 stars)
To purchase this DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com
Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Main DVD Reviews Page
Pioneers of Television Official PBS Site
UPCOMING WEEK PREVIEW
Tuesday (March 8) is mostly a dead day for new releases, although there is one classic TV release that we won't be covering here. VEI is releasing McMillan & Wife - Season Three in Canada at a $39.95 MSRP.
LOOKING AHEAD
This has been a very sad and disappointing week, but we can only give you what we have when it comes to news. But we'll still be back next week with more news (let's hope this stuff starts to pick up) as well as a review of the Canadian hit comedy series, The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years. Until then, keep it digital!
DIGITAL NEWS
A few months ago, TMG released a two-disc set of the classic Betty White series Life With Elizabeth, but they aren't stopping there! Now, they are preparing a two-disc set of Betty White's other series from the 50s, Date with the Angels. The 12-episode set will be released on April 26 at a very low $9.98 MSRP.
A few weeks ago, Shout! Factory announced that they would be releasing the first season of the Nickelodeon series The Wild Thornberries. We didn't mention it because it is a bit beyond the scope of our website, but something that didn't catch our eye was this post from Brian Ward on the Shout! Factory Community message boards mentioning that other Nickelodeon series are in the works from Shout! Factory. Now, as to what they'll be or when they'll be announced, there is no telling, but hopefully this will include some sitcoms from the Nickelodeon library.
BLOG FEATURE REVIEW
DVD Review: Pioneers of Television - Season 2
by Todd Fuller
Pioneers of Television - Season 2 (PBS Direct, $24.99)
Nearly 100 stars from TV's formative years bring their stories to PBS in season two of the Emmy-nominated documentary series Pioneers of Television. Narrated by Kelsey Grammer, each episode melds compelling new interviews with irresistible archival clips to offer a fresh take on TV's founding celebrities. This season's four new episodes profile science fiction, crime dramas, local kids' shows, and westerns. Featured stars include James Garner, William Shatner, Angie Dickinson, Fess Parker, Linda Evans, Robert Conrad, Mike Connors, Leonard Nimoy, Bill Cosby, and many others.
These specials began in November 2005 on PBS with The Pioneers of Primetime which focused on vaudeville headliners, radio superstars and television legends. In 2008, four one-hour specials were made that profiled late night, sitcoms, variety and game shows. Season two premiered in January and February 2011 and took a look at science fiction, westerns, crime dramas and local kids' tv.
The cover art features a montage of black and white photos of James Arness, James Garner, Barbara Stanwyck, Linda Evans, Angie Dickinson, Rod Serling, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Chuck Connors, Johnny Crawford and Jim Henson. The episodes are presented in widescreen format. The recent interviews look excellent, but some of the vintage show clips vary in quality. The main menus features the same montage of black and white photos as the cover art. There are options for Episode Selection, Scene Selection and Set Up. Subtitles are available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The set has a running time of approximately 220 minutes.
Here is the breakdown of the four episodes, including the original airdates and runtimes:
Science Fiction (01/18/11 - 55:09) - Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and Nichelle Nichols reflect on the birth of Star Trek. Lost in Space is remembered by Bill Mumy and Angela Cartwright. And a lost interview with Rod Sterling highlights a look at The Twilight Zone.
This episode focuses on three key science fiction series: Star Trek, Lost in Space and The Twilight Zone.. A surprising connection between Star Trek and Lost in Space is uncovered. Star Trek topics covered include Gene Roddenberry's story and the development of the show, William Shatner and how he was cast, Leonard Nimoy and the development of Spock's ears, and Nichelle Nichols and TV's first interracial kiss. Lost in Space topics include Irwin Allen's story and the development of the show, Jonathan Harris' portrayal of the Zachary Smith character, Irwin Allen's creation of The Time Tunnel, and the classic The Great Vegetable Rebellion episode. The Twilight Zone section details Rod Serling's early days, memorable episodes with guest stars William Shatner and Bill Mumy, Rod Serling's favorite episode, the special effects on the show, and the end of the show and Rod Serling's later projects. Others interviewed include Marta Kristen, Veronica Cartwright, Peter Graves, Lee Meriwether, Adam West and Martin Landau. Some bonus pioneering moments in science fiction are shown in the closing minutes.
Westerns (01/25/11 - 55:08) - James Garner (Maverick), Robert Conrad (Wild Wild West), and James Arness (Gunsmoke) are just three of the pioneers who talk about their experiences in this episode -- which also includes Linda Evans (Big Valley) and Fess Parker (Daniel Boone). Classics like Bonanza and The Rifleman are also featured.
From the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, there were more than 100 different western series. In the 1959 season alone, there were more than 30 on the schedule. Gunsmoke, Bonanza and The Rifleman are among the iconic series profiled in this episode. James Garner talks about how he never wanted to become an actor, how he was picked to play Bret Maverick on Maverick, and his later television roles. Sam Peckinpah created his first TV series, The Rifleman, in 1958 starring Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford. Mr. Peckinpah left after the first season. Bonanza topics include Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, and the lack of female characters on the show. The Big Valley would be the first western with a female in the lead role. Barbara Stanwyck played the matriarch of the Barkley family. Linda Evans played her daughter and offers a touching new perspective on her co-star.
Premiering the same season as The Big Valley, The Wild Wild West was one of the most unconventional westerns. Robert Conrad did many of his own stunts and details the on-set accident that cracked his skull. Gunsmoke's story details the casting of James Arness as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, the show's popularity over 20 seasons, and some of the show's other cast members including the break-out character of Chester played by Dennis Weaver. In the last interview with Fess Parker, the star of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, he talks about his effort to cast African-American guest stars at a time when that was rare. The High Chapparal featured Henry Darrow as Manolito Montoya and had Hispanic actors speaking in Spanish. Others interviewed include Robert Culp, Ed Ames, Linda Evans, Veronica Cartwright, Rosey Grier, Ernest Borgnine, Johnny Crawford, Darby Hinton, Henry Darrow, Peter Graves, Stephen J. Cannell, Stefanie Powers, Pat Crowley, Mitch Vogel, Adam West, Chuck McCann, Martin Landau, Mike Connors, Dennis Weaver, Angie Dickinson and Buddy Ebsen. A montage in the closing minutes features some other westerns and cast members.
Crime Dramas (2/1/11 - 55:09) - This episode begins with the 1950s Dragnet and the Untouchables; includes 1960s hits Mission: Impossible I Spy and Hawaii Five-0; and wraps with 1970s favorites Rockford Files, Columbo, and Police Woman.
Dragnet began as a radio drama on NBC on June 3, 1949. In 1951, the television series debuted. Topics include an innovation by Jack Webb that made it possible for them to shoot an episode in just one or two days, close-ups to show emotion, and the famous "just the facts, ma'am" quote. The Untouchables was one of the most violent shows on television. Another show created by Desilu, Mannix starred Mike Connors. Mike Connors talks about how they sped up the pace of the show with 50 set ups a day. Mission: Impossible stars Peter Graves, Martin Landau and Barbara Bain independently reveal the eerie connection between their series and actual cold war events. They talk about the make-up and how they got to play somebody different each week.
I Spy featured Bill Cosby as the first African American male in a lead role on TV. Bill Cosby talks about his groundbreaking role and the challenges he faced. Co-star Robert Culp also discusses his work on the show. Hawaii Five-O featured Jack Lord as Jack McGarrett. Lord's involvement in the show is detailed. Most of the actors on the show were local Hawaiian actors. Women stars of crime drama included Anne Francis on Honey West, Stefanie Powers on The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., and Angie Dickinson on Police Woman. Stefanie Powers talks about her outfits on the show. Angie Dickinson explains her conflict with the feminist movement. Columbo starred Peter Falk. He made the character his own and brought his trademark trenchcoat from home and picked out Columbo's car. Stephen J. Cannell discusses the creation of The Rockford Files. James Garner talks about his role and stunt driving on the series. Others interviewed include Leonard Nimoy, Pat Crowley, Veronica Cartwright, Stan Freberg, Gavin MacLeod, Bruce Bilson and Rita Moreno. Some still images and trivia are shown in a montage in the closing minutes.
Local Kids' TV (2/8/11 - 55:09) - Jim Henson, Willard Scott, and Fred Rogers are among the performers who started their careers in local TV. These three icons -- and a dozen others -- are featured in this episode that highlights the clowns, pirates, spacemen, and puppets who made local kids' TV memorable for a generation.
The Wallace and Ladmo Show began in 1954 and aired in Phoenix, AZ for over 35 years. Bill Thompson, Sharon Kelley and Pat McMahon discuss their work on the show. Stan Freberg talks about a Time for Beany which aired in Los Angeles for 5 years. Jim Henson got his start on Sam and Friends in Washington, DC. His innovations in puppetry are discussed. Joan Ganz Cooney talks about the development of Sesame Street. Fred Rogers disusses his early work on television off camera and the start of his own show where he would appear on camera. Chuck McCann comments on Puppet Motel and later The Chuck McCann Show. Steven Spielberg recounts the Arizona kids' show, The Wallace and Ladmo Show, that shaped his career. Marlene Manderfield discusses Romper Room, which had localized versions across the country. Socorro Serano talks about the strictness and uniformity of the show. Mary Ann King documents the chain of events that led to a lion escaping on the set of Romper Room in Los Angeles. The history of Bozo the Clown is detailed. Willard Scott explains the surprising physical challenges of playing Bozo in Washington, DC. Dan Castellaneta reveals the inspiration for The Simpsons' Krusty the Clown. The Action for Children's Television is briefly mentioned. Bill Cosby, Prof. Gordon Berry PH.D., and Lou Scheimer talk about Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. Others interviewed include Ernest Borgnine, Bill Mumy, and Susan Harmon.
This is a very interesting and entertaining series on the pioneers of television. These episodes are well made with many new interviews, vintage clips and still images. It's sad to watch some of the final interviews of Robert Culp, Peter Graves, Fess Parker and Stephen J. Cannell, who we all lost in 2010. They are able to put a lot of information in one-hour episodes, but they could really benefit by extending them to two hours. There are only able to cover so many shows and people in detail with the one-hour format. The science fiction and crime drama episodes were the most interesting to me, since I've always been a fan of those television genres. The local kids' tv episode was fun, but I think it focused a little too much on The Wallace and Ladmo Show, which may have only been familiar to people who live or have lived in Phoenix, AZ.
Season two is a nice follow-up to the first four episodes. I liked the first season with sitcoms, late night, variety and game shows a little more than the second season, but there should be something for everybody to enjoy on this release. It seems like they are taking ideas for more episodes on the Pioneers of Television Facebook page. I would like to see new episodes on network news and live events, Saturday morning kids shows, animated series, medical shows, music shows and reality television. Thanks to PBS for bringing us some quality programming.
(4/5 stars)To purchase this DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com
Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Main DVD Reviews Page
Pioneers of Television Official PBS Site
UPCOMING WEEK PREVIEW
Tuesday (March 8) is mostly a dead day for new releases, although there is one classic TV release that we won't be covering here. VEI is releasing McMillan & Wife - Season Three in Canada at a $39.95 MSRP.
LOOKING AHEAD
This has been a very sad and disappointing week, but we can only give you what we have when it comes to news. But we'll still be back next week with more news (let's hope this stuff starts to pick up) as well as a review of the Canadian hit comedy series, The Red Green Show - The Delinquent Years. Until then, keep it digital!
Friday, March 04, 2011
ReelzChannel TV Changes Sitcom Times; BET, GMC Notes; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 7, 2011)
ReelzChannel TV will be making some time changes starting on Monday (March 7). First, Carson's Comedy Classics will remain leading off at 8am. NewsRadio moves into the weekday 9am hour replacing Becker, however Cheers will remain at 10am. NewsRadio will no longer air in the 11am hour, as original programming takes over. Then in the afternoon, Ally McBeal moves to 1pm and is reduced to just one airing. NewsRadio remains in the 2pm hour, but now the 3pm & 4pm hours will be sitcoms instead of Ally. The 3pm hour will have an hour of Becker followed by an hour of Cheers. The evening sitcoms remain unchanged with Becker at 6 and 3rd Rock from the Sun at 7pm. Primetime and late night also remains unchanged on weeknights with a movie at 8, Brothers & Sisters at 10, another movie at 11 and Cheers at 1am on most nights.
On weekends, Becker remains in the 9am hour leading into Cheers at 10am, as well as Becker at 6pm into 3rd Rock from the Sun at 7pm. However, Cheers will air now at 10pm on weekends! Everything else remains as is on weekends, including Brothers & Sisters on Sundays at 12pm & 1pm.
Moving on to some other schedule notes, Girlfriends will return to the BET weekday schedule airing weekdays in the 12pm hour starting Monday, March 7. The sitcom will replace Everybody Hates Chris, which will remain at 5pm. Everything else remains as is, with Bernie Mac from 9am-11am, Jamie Foxx Show at 11am, The Game from 3-5pm, and Everybody Hates Chris at 5pm. Weekends will have a mix of all of these sitcoms starting in the morning and lasting into the afternoon. Also, The Unit returns to the schedule on Saturday, Mach 12 at 8am with an encore at 3am.
And on GMC, they will have a marathon of the family drama Christy starring Kellie Martin on Sunday (March 6) from 10am-1am. The drama was on the schedule when they launched the revamped network, but it hasn't been on in a while regularly. Will it return to the line-up? We will let you know, so stay with us!
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 (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of March 7-11, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!
Monday, March 7, 2011
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!
On weekends, Becker remains in the 9am hour leading into Cheers at 10am, as well as Becker at 6pm into 3rd Rock from the Sun at 7pm. However, Cheers will air now at 10pm on weekends! Everything else remains as is on weekends, including Brothers & Sisters on Sundays at 12pm & 1pm.
Moving on to some other schedule notes, Girlfriends will return to the BET weekday schedule airing weekdays in the 12pm hour starting Monday, March 7. The sitcom will replace Everybody Hates Chris, which will remain at 5pm. Everything else remains as is, with Bernie Mac from 9am-11am, Jamie Foxx Show at 11am, The Game from 3-5pm, and Everybody Hates Chris at 5pm. Weekends will have a mix of all of these sitcoms starting in the morning and lasting into the afternoon. Also, The Unit returns to the schedule on Saturday, Mach 12 at 8am with an encore at 3am.
And on GMC, they will have a marathon of the family drama Christy starring Kellie Martin on Sunday (March 6) from 10am-1am. The drama was on the schedule when they launched the revamped network, but it hasn't been on in a while regularly. Will it return to the line-up? We will let you know, so stay with us!
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 (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of March 7-11, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!
Monday, March 7, 2011
- Betty White (Hot in Cleveland/Golden Girls/Mary Tyler Moore Show) - Watch Betty on a REPEAT of Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Watch Amy on a REPEAT of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Kelly Ripa (Hope & Faith) - Catch Kelly on a REPEAT of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC at 12am.
- Meredith Baxter (Family Ties) - Watch Meredith on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Judy Greer (Mad Love/Miss Guided) - Watch Judy on CBS Early Show sometime between 7-9am.
- Heather Locklear (Spin City) - Watch Heather on The Rachel Ray Show, so check listings.
- Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) - See Eric on a REPEAT of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Topher Grace (That '70s Show) - Catch Topher on an all-new Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
- John Stamos (Full House/Jake in Progress) - Watch John with his mom on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1p CT-PT.
- Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation/The Office) - Watch Rashida on The TODAY Show between 7-9am on NBC.
- Will Sasso ($#*! My Dad Days/Less than Perfect) - Watch Will on The Mo'nique Show on BET at 11pm.
- Raven Symone (That's So Raven/Cosby Show/Hangin' with Mr. Cooper) - Watch Raven on a REPEAT of The Wendy Williams Show, so check your listings or watch on BET at 12am.
- Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) - Watch Aubrey on a REPEAT of Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm only on NBC.
- Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Watch Valerie on The Ellen DeGeneres Show so check your listings.
- Henry Winkler (Happy Days/Arrested Development/Monty) - Watch Henry on a REPEAT of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC.
- Shirley Jones (The Partridge Family) - Watch Shirley on The Joy Behar Show at 9pm on HLN.
- Sofia Vergara (Modern Family/Knights of Prosperity/Hot Properties) - Watch Sofia on a REPEAT of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Michael Rappaport (The War at Home) - Catch him on a REPEAT of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:37am on NBC.
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!
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Nick at Nite March 2011; Welcome Back Kotter Reunion at 2011 TV Land Awards
It is a quiet month on Nick at Nite in March 2011, but of course as usual, there is one wall-to-wall marathon week. This month it is George Lopez and it will air Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11, 2011 from 10pm-6am! That's a 40-hour marathon...so get working with George in late nights after your 40-hour work week! The regular schedule will remain the same but Glenn Martin is not airing anymore it seems. As of last Friday (Feb. 25), Nick at Nite removed the animated comedy from its Friday at 10:30pm slot, replaced by George Lopez. As a result, the Friday 9pm hour will no longer be Everybody Hates Chris and George Lopez, it will now be a full-hour of My Wife & Kids. There is no word on if and when Glenn Martin will return to the schedule. The series still has a handful of new episodes left to air from its 20 episode second season order, so it possibly will return soon to air those episodes.
Fridays at 9pm for two weeks in March will have two movie premieres, though. On Friday, March 18 from 9pm-11:30pm it is the Nick at Nite premiere of Ghostbusters (1984)! And on Friday, March 25 from 9pm-11pm, it is the premiere of Baby's Day Out, which was preempted on Feb. 27, so it will make its premiere on March 25.
That's about it for Nick at Nite March 2011, so view the schedule and discuss the month!
TV Land announced that Golden Globe(R) winner and two-time Academy Award(R) nominee John Travolta will reunite with the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter at the 2011 TV Land Awards. The network will salute the beloved sitcom -- set in Brooklyn, NY -- with the 35th Anniversary Award at this year's show taping in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Sunday, April 10 and airing on TV Land on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Travolta will reunite with co-stars Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Ron Palillo and Marcia Strassman -- with more cast members to be announced -- to accept the 35th Anniversary Award for the popular edgy sitcom which ran from 1975-1979 on ABC.
Welcome Back, Kotter ran for five seasons and revolved around an inner-city high school teacher, Mr. Kotter (Gabe Kaplan) who returns to his alma mater to teach a new generation of under-achieving misfits nicknamed the "Sweathogs." As a former "Sweathog" himself, Kotter uses his own life experiences to try and get through to this misunderstood group led by wisecracking Vinnie Barbarino (Travolta). The talented cast is rounded out by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington, Ron Palillo as Arnold Horshack, Robert Hegyes as Juan Epstein and Marcia Strassman as Mr. Kotter's wife, Julie.
Now in its ninth year, the 2011 TV Land Awards pays tribute to classic and contemporary luminaries of television, music and movies. The ninety-minute telecast will feature exhilarating musical performances and will reunite some of the most iconic celebrity TV casts. Previously announced honorees include Regis Philbin (Legend Award), Family Ties (Fan Favorite Award) and The Cosby Show (Impact Award).
Stay tuned for more TV Land Awards announcements and also stay with us for TV Land April 2011 schedule and highlights sometime next week!
Fridays at 9pm for two weeks in March will have two movie premieres, though. On Friday, March 18 from 9pm-11:30pm it is the Nick at Nite premiere of Ghostbusters (1984)! And on Friday, March 25 from 9pm-11pm, it is the premiere of Baby's Day Out, which was preempted on Feb. 27, so it will make its premiere on March 25.
That's about it for Nick at Nite March 2011, so view the schedule and discuss the month!
TV Land announced that Golden Globe(R) winner and two-time Academy Award(R) nominee John Travolta will reunite with the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter at the 2011 TV Land Awards. The network will salute the beloved sitcom -- set in Brooklyn, NY -- with the 35th Anniversary Award at this year's show taping in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Sunday, April 10 and airing on TV Land on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Travolta will reunite with co-stars Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Ron Palillo and Marcia Strassman -- with more cast members to be announced -- to accept the 35th Anniversary Award for the popular edgy sitcom which ran from 1975-1979 on ABC.
Welcome Back, Kotter ran for five seasons and revolved around an inner-city high school teacher, Mr. Kotter (Gabe Kaplan) who returns to his alma mater to teach a new generation of under-achieving misfits nicknamed the "Sweathogs." As a former "Sweathog" himself, Kotter uses his own life experiences to try and get through to this misunderstood group led by wisecracking Vinnie Barbarino (Travolta). The talented cast is rounded out by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington, Ron Palillo as Arnold Horshack, Robert Hegyes as Juan Epstein and Marcia Strassman as Mr. Kotter's wife, Julie.
Now in its ninth year, the 2011 TV Land Awards pays tribute to classic and contemporary luminaries of television, music and movies. The ninety-minute telecast will feature exhilarating musical performances and will reunite some of the most iconic celebrity TV casts. Previously announced honorees include Regis Philbin (Legend Award), Family Ties (Fan Favorite Award) and The Cosby Show (Impact Award).
Stay tuned for more TV Land Awards announcements and also stay with us for TV Land April 2011 schedule and highlights sometime next week!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Empty Nest Joins Regular Hallmark Channel Schedule on March 8; Many Network Notes
As you all know, The Hallmark Channel aired an Empty Nest marathon this past Saturday (Feb. 26) that they called a "premiere" marathon. There were no regular schedule airings planned, as we reported, but now in a last minute schedule change, the show will indeed be joining the regular schedule starting next week! Perhaps the series did well in the ratings? We're not sure actually (we will try to find out), but you can assume it did. Richard Mulligan and company will join the schedule on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 and will air for two-hours every weekday from 3-5pm ET. The sitcom will start from the pilot episode and go in order. So, since it is airing four times a day and 20 times a week (16 times the first week), it should go pretty fast. The "premiere" marathon on Saturday aired all 22 first season episodes, but now the rest of the series will be shown, too. The second season will begin on Tuesday, March 15, if you want to get your DVR's ready, especially if you recorded all 22 first season episodes in the marathon.
Empty Nest will replace Little House on the Prairie from 3-5pm, but Little House will remain at 5pm and will now air from 6-8pm as well, replacing Who's the Boss? So, it is Empty Nest from 3-5pm and Little House on the Prairie from 5-8pm every weekday late afternoon/evening. Who's the Boss? will remain airing on the schedule in the late night/early morning times of 4-6am every single day. Let's hope it returns to a good time slot soon, though, but at least it is still airing. One more piece of bad news is the Who's the Boss? full-day 24-hour marathon for this Saturday (March 5) has been canceled. No reason for the change was given. The regular Saturday line-up will air consisting of I Love Lucy and Golden Girls in the mornings, then movies the rest of the day with Golden Girls and Cheers in late night. The Cheers 24-hour marathon the following day (March 6) will remain on the schedule.
There are no other schedule changes, but view our March 2011 schedule for more info and to discuss these changes!
We have many network notes to recap for you. First, last night's 20/20 special with Charlie Sheen had to preempt Detroit 1-8-7 at 10pm, as you know. ABC will now bump that episode to next week, as expected, and the following episode will air on March 15, but the season finale will air on a special night on Sunday, March 20, preempting a Brothers & Sisters repeat. The Charlie Sheen interview last night did big ratings and won its 10pm hour easily.
Yesterday we gave you the celebrities appearing on Dancing with the Stars Season 12, today we have the pro pairings! Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (who is back for his tenth season), "Psycho" Mike Catherwood and "Racey" Lacey Schwimmer (who is back for her fourth season), Chris Jericho and Cheryl Burke (who is back for his eleventh season), Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas (who returns for his eighth season), Sugar Ray Leonard and Anna Trebunsakaya (who returns for her seventh season), Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff (who returns for her eighth season), Petra Nemcova and Dmitry Chaplin (who returns for his third season), Romeo and Chelsie Hightower (who returns for her fifth season), Hines Ward and Kym Johnson (who returns for her ninth season), Kendra Wilkinson and Louis van Amstel (who returns for his eighth season), and finally Wendy Williams and Tony Dovolani (who is back for his eleventh season). Missing from this last from last season are Derek Hough, who will be back for season 13, and Corky Ballas, while Dmitry Chaplin returns. The season premiere is Monday, March 21 at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Grammy Award winner Cee Lo Green and fellow Grammy Award winner Adam Levine (Maroon 5) have been named as two of the four musician coaches on NBC's new musical competition series The Voice, a show about real vocal talent that will premiere on Tuesday, April 26 from 9-11 p.m. ET. Following the premiere, The Voice will also air on Tuesday, May 3 from 9-11 p.m. ET and then move to its regular time period beginning May 10 from 8-9 p.m. ET that will last through at least Tuesday, June 28. This means The Biggest Loser will be reduced to one-hour on April 26 and May 3, then it will be back to two-hour episodes, but it will move to 9-11pm instead. 10pm drama Parenthood will wrap up its 22-episode season on Tuesday, April 19. The Biggest Loser season finale is on Tuesday, May 24, so it is unclear what will air from 9-11pm starting May 31, but of course NBC has America's Got Talent coming back but no schedule has been announced yet. Last season it returned on this same Tuesday (June 1, 2010) from 8-10pm, so it is likely it returns this season on this night.
Finally, beginning Monday, March 7, The Hills repeats will be airing on TV Guide Network every weekday at 5:00 p.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET, as the series finds a cable home in syndication. Encores will also air at 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. The series will move Punk'd to 4 p.m. & 4:30 p.m., as Curb Your Enthusiasm is replaced. Ugly Betty will remain at 12 noon, 6pm & 7pm. Curb Your Enthusiasm will now only air in its Saturday morning schedule of 1:00am & 11:30am. Weeds will remain Thursday and Saturday nights and an airing on Sunday nights. The Hills, which aired on MTV, follows budding fashion designer Lauren Conrad and her friends as they navigate life, love and friendships. In addition to Conrad, The Hills launched the careers of reality stars such as Audrina Patridge, Whitney Port, Brody Jenner and Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. Audrina Patridge appeared on season eleven of Dancing with the Stars this past fall.
Empty Nest will replace Little House on the Prairie from 3-5pm, but Little House will remain at 5pm and will now air from 6-8pm as well, replacing Who's the Boss? So, it is Empty Nest from 3-5pm and Little House on the Prairie from 5-8pm every weekday late afternoon/evening. Who's the Boss? will remain airing on the schedule in the late night/early morning times of 4-6am every single day. Let's hope it returns to a good time slot soon, though, but at least it is still airing. One more piece of bad news is the Who's the Boss? full-day 24-hour marathon for this Saturday (March 5) has been canceled. No reason for the change was given. The regular Saturday line-up will air consisting of I Love Lucy and Golden Girls in the mornings, then movies the rest of the day with Golden Girls and Cheers in late night. The Cheers 24-hour marathon the following day (March 6) will remain on the schedule.
There are no other schedule changes, but view our March 2011 schedule for more info and to discuss these changes!
We have many network notes to recap for you. First, last night's 20/20 special with Charlie Sheen had to preempt Detroit 1-8-7 at 10pm, as you know. ABC will now bump that episode to next week, as expected, and the following episode will air on March 15, but the season finale will air on a special night on Sunday, March 20, preempting a Brothers & Sisters repeat. The Charlie Sheen interview last night did big ratings and won its 10pm hour easily.
Yesterday we gave you the celebrities appearing on Dancing with the Stars Season 12, today we have the pro pairings! Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (who is back for his tenth season), "Psycho" Mike Catherwood and "Racey" Lacey Schwimmer (who is back for her fourth season), Chris Jericho and Cheryl Burke (who is back for his eleventh season), Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas (who returns for his eighth season), Sugar Ray Leonard and Anna Trebunsakaya (who returns for her seventh season), Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff (who returns for her eighth season), Petra Nemcova and Dmitry Chaplin (who returns for his third season), Romeo and Chelsie Hightower (who returns for her fifth season), Hines Ward and Kym Johnson (who returns for her ninth season), Kendra Wilkinson and Louis van Amstel (who returns for his eighth season), and finally Wendy Williams and Tony Dovolani (who is back for his eleventh season). Missing from this last from last season are Derek Hough, who will be back for season 13, and Corky Ballas, while Dmitry Chaplin returns. The season premiere is Monday, March 21 at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Grammy Award winner Cee Lo Green and fellow Grammy Award winner Adam Levine (Maroon 5) have been named as two of the four musician coaches on NBC's new musical competition series The Voice, a show about real vocal talent that will premiere on Tuesday, April 26 from 9-11 p.m. ET. Following the premiere, The Voice will also air on Tuesday, May 3 from 9-11 p.m. ET and then move to its regular time period beginning May 10 from 8-9 p.m. ET that will last through at least Tuesday, June 28. This means The Biggest Loser will be reduced to one-hour on April 26 and May 3, then it will be back to two-hour episodes, but it will move to 9-11pm instead. 10pm drama Parenthood will wrap up its 22-episode season on Tuesday, April 19. The Biggest Loser season finale is on Tuesday, May 24, so it is unclear what will air from 9-11pm starting May 31, but of course NBC has America's Got Talent coming back but no schedule has been announced yet. Last season it returned on this same Tuesday (June 1, 2010) from 8-10pm, so it is likely it returns this season on this night.
Finally, beginning Monday, March 7, The Hills repeats will be airing on TV Guide Network every weekday at 5:00 p.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET, as the series finds a cable home in syndication. Encores will also air at 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. The series will move Punk'd to 4 p.m. & 4:30 p.m., as Curb Your Enthusiasm is replaced. Ugly Betty will remain at 12 noon, 6pm & 7pm. Curb Your Enthusiasm will now only air in its Saturday morning schedule of 1:00am & 11:30am. Weeds will remain Thursday and Saturday nights and an airing on Sunday nights. The Hills, which aired on MTV, follows budding fashion designer Lauren Conrad and her friends as they navigate life, love and friendships. In addition to Conrad, The Hills launched the careers of reality stars such as Audrina Patridge, Whitney Port, Brody Jenner and Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. Audrina Patridge appeared on season eleven of Dancing with the Stars this past fall.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
TV Land Orders 3rd Season of Hot in Cleveland; Dancing with the Stars Season 12 Cast Has 2 Sitcom Stars
TV Land has announced that its original sitcom, Hot in Cleveland, will return for a third season with 22 episodes to begin shooting this summer. The sitcom, which garnered unprecedented ratings not only for the network but across cable, continues to be a huge success scoring a strong 1.6 among TV Land's target Adults 25-54 audience, a 2.0 among Women 25-54 and an average of 3.2 million total viewers. The sitcom remains the highest-rated and most-watched series in the history of the network and was recently nominated for two Screen Actors Guild Awards® including: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series – Betty White, which Ms. White won.
Production for season three will begin in the summer. Currently the series is airing episodes from the first half of season two. The second season has 20 episodes and the first 10 are airing through March 23. The second half of the season will resume with the final 10 episodes of the season this summer. A return date has not been officially set yet, though. No word on when season three will start airing, but it is possible for a late fall start. Stay with us for further information, as always!
The sitcom revolves around three fabulous best friends from Los Angeles – novelist Melanie Moretti (Valerie Bertinelli), eye-brow archer to the stars Joy Scroggs (Jane Leeves) and former soap star Victoria Chase (Wendie Malick) – who find their lives changed forever when their plane, headed for Paris, makes an unexpected landing. When the friends discover that life is better for them and that they are hot in Cleveland, they decide to stay. Starting over together, they rent a house that happens to come with a very opinionated caretaker (Betty White).
Last night ABC announced the cast of Dancing with the Stars season 12 live during two commercial breaks during The Bachelor. A star-studded cast filled with celebrities across a variety of genres -- including a boxing legend, a talk-show personality, a Super Bowl Steeler, a former Playboy bunny and a legendary comedic actress -- are set to compete each week on the dance floor in the spectacular two-hour season premiere on Monday, March 21 starting at 8pm ET/PT. All 11 couples will dance for the first time on live national television on that night, with couples either performing the Foxtrot or the Cha Cha Cha. The couple with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes for their first two performances will be sent home the following week on the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars the Results Show on Tuesday, March 29 at 9pm ET/PT.
Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke announced in a live press conference that the 11 stars are: Kirstie Alley (sitcom/comedic actress), Mike Catherwood (radio personality), Chris Jericho (former WWE wrestler/rock singer/TV host), Chelsea Kane (Disney Channel star), Sugar Ray Leonard (legendary boxer), Ralph Macchio (film and TV star), Petra Nemcova (supermodel), Romeo (pop-star/actor), Hines Ward (NFL star), Kendra Wilkinson (reality TV star), and Wendy Williams (talk show host).
Kirstie Alley is best known for her sitcom work on Cheers, Veronica's Closet and Fat Actress. Chelsea Kane might not be well known to many, but her Disney Channel core audience will know her best for role on Jonas. The young star also has guest starred on Wizards of Waverly Place, Cracking Up, Listen Up and The Bill Engvall Show. Those are the two sitcom stars, but of course Romeo starred on Nickelodeon's comedy series Romeo! And Ralph Macchio is known for his film work such as The Karate Kid, but he did have a recurring role on ABC's one-hour comedy Ugly Betty.
Dancing with the Stars will continue to bring in theme weeks like it did last season with theme weeks such as TV theme week. The 1,000th Competitive Dance will air on Monday, April 18 (8pm-9:31pm), while the final performance show of the season (The Finals) will air on Monday, May 23 (8pm-9pm) and the grand finale will air the following night on Tuesday, May 24 from 9pm-11pm.
Still no further news on the Two and a Half Men/Charlie Sheen situation besides the strange interviews that Charlie Sheen has done the past few days. He has done radio shows, a live TMZ webcast, the TODAY show (for two days in a row), Piers Morgan Tonight, among others. Bits of his 20/20 interview has aired on Good Morning America (and on other ABC shows like World News and Nightline) the past two days, but you can see the full interview tonight at 10pm on ABC. This is the first network primetime interview. Most of what he says is comedic gold, but yes, he clearly has gone bananas. "Scoreboard doesn't lie" on that, Charlie.
Production for season three will begin in the summer. Currently the series is airing episodes from the first half of season two. The second season has 20 episodes and the first 10 are airing through March 23. The second half of the season will resume with the final 10 episodes of the season this summer. A return date has not been officially set yet, though. No word on when season three will start airing, but it is possible for a late fall start. Stay with us for further information, as always!
The sitcom revolves around three fabulous best friends from Los Angeles – novelist Melanie Moretti (Valerie Bertinelli), eye-brow archer to the stars Joy Scroggs (Jane Leeves) and former soap star Victoria Chase (Wendie Malick) – who find their lives changed forever when their plane, headed for Paris, makes an unexpected landing. When the friends discover that life is better for them and that they are hot in Cleveland, they decide to stay. Starting over together, they rent a house that happens to come with a very opinionated caretaker (Betty White).
Last night ABC announced the cast of Dancing with the Stars season 12 live during two commercial breaks during The Bachelor. A star-studded cast filled with celebrities across a variety of genres -- including a boxing legend, a talk-show personality, a Super Bowl Steeler, a former Playboy bunny and a legendary comedic actress -- are set to compete each week on the dance floor in the spectacular two-hour season premiere on Monday, March 21 starting at 8pm ET/PT. All 11 couples will dance for the first time on live national television on that night, with couples either performing the Foxtrot or the Cha Cha Cha. The couple with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes for their first two performances will be sent home the following week on the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars the Results Show on Tuesday, March 29 at 9pm ET/PT.
Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke announced in a live press conference that the 11 stars are: Kirstie Alley (sitcom/comedic actress), Mike Catherwood (radio personality), Chris Jericho (former WWE wrestler/rock singer/TV host), Chelsea Kane (Disney Channel star), Sugar Ray Leonard (legendary boxer), Ralph Macchio (film and TV star), Petra Nemcova (supermodel), Romeo (pop-star/actor), Hines Ward (NFL star), Kendra Wilkinson (reality TV star), and Wendy Williams (talk show host).
Kirstie Alley is best known for her sitcom work on Cheers, Veronica's Closet and Fat Actress. Chelsea Kane might not be well known to many, but her Disney Channel core audience will know her best for role on Jonas. The young star also has guest starred on Wizards of Waverly Place, Cracking Up, Listen Up and The Bill Engvall Show. Those are the two sitcom stars, but of course Romeo starred on Nickelodeon's comedy series Romeo! And Ralph Macchio is known for his film work such as The Karate Kid, but he did have a recurring role on ABC's one-hour comedy Ugly Betty.
Dancing with the Stars will continue to bring in theme weeks like it did last season with theme weeks such as TV theme week. The 1,000th Competitive Dance will air on Monday, April 18 (8pm-9:31pm), while the final performance show of the season (The Finals) will air on Monday, May 23 (8pm-9pm) and the grand finale will air the following night on Tuesday, May 24 from 9pm-11pm.
Still no further news on the Two and a Half Men/Charlie Sheen situation besides the strange interviews that Charlie Sheen has done the past few days. He has done radio shows, a live TMZ webcast, the TODAY show (for two days in a row), Piers Morgan Tonight, among others. Bits of his 20/20 interview has aired on Good Morning America (and on other ABC shows like World News and Nightline) the past two days, but you can see the full interview tonight at 10pm on ABC. This is the first network primetime interview. Most of what he says is comedic gold, but yes, he clearly has gone bananas. "Scoreboard doesn't lie" on that, Charlie.
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Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, September 9
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 7)
Wednesday, September 9
- Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - Watch Mariska on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Chris Kattan (The Middle) - Chris is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Jon Bernthal (The Class) - Jon appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Stephanie Hsu (Laid) - Stephanie is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Joey King (Bent) - Joey talks about Practical Magic 2 on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Zachary Levi (Less Than Perfect/Telenovela) - Zachary talks about The Fix on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
- Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever) - Maitreyi talks about Best of the Best on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
- Minnie Driver (Emily in Paris/Speechless/About a Boy) - Drew shares more from her interview with Minnie including a round of behind the scenes on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a little bit extra from Drew's interviews with Brittany Broski and Jackson White on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri talks about Angel in the Rubble on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Dondre Whitfield (Girlfiends/Inside Schwartz/Between Brothers/The Crew) - Dondre talks about Angel in the Rubble on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Bert Kreischer (Free Bert) - Bert discusses his Permission to Party tour on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil talks about his Phil Rosenthal World brand on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Jay Hernandez (Hang Time) - Jay appears on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/29/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
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