Saturday, September 03, 2005
News Feature: Sitcoms on Local Television, Part I
I will kick-it off with a special report on Sitcoms on Local Television. This report will consist of what sitcoms are currently on local television and the sitcoms that are just not airing at all. Since there are so many sitcoms, I can't cover them all, but feel free to post a comment if you think I missed something and I will be happy enough to check and look for you. Today I will focus on the sitcoms of the 70s and 80s on local television, in part one of our special report. So, before I start, let's cue in on the news music ... then after you listen to that, start reading our special feature on Sitcoms on Local Television:
There are so many sitcoms that have aired on television. Many of them had enough episodes to air in reruns. So, why are many sitcoms not in reruns at all today? Why are some sitcoms just on few local channels? Why do some sitcoms just appear everywhere? These questions are asked by many sitcom fanatics throughout the United States. Today in part one of this report we will focus on the '70s & '80s sitcoms, and some '90s sitcoms as well.
The '90s was not that long ago, and many of those sitcoms still appear everywhere on locals and on cable, such as Seinfeld, Friends, Full House, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Boy Meets World. But what about some of the forgotten the '90s sitcoms such as Anything But Love, Blossom, Dave's World, Dinosaurs, Doogie Howser M.D., Empty Nest, Evening Shade, Hearts Afire, Herman's Head, Sports Night, and The Wonder Years? All of those are not airing anywhere locally or nationally on cable. While shows like California Dreams (filler airings on KCAL in Los Angeles), NewsRadio (few local channels), ROC (TV One) and Major Dad (Turner South) are also rare these days. The '90s is not as bad as the '70s and '80s, which I will detail much more.
With all of the channels available today, it shouldn't be too hard for almost every show that was popular and had enough episodes for syndication to have a home. For the '80s, it is sad that ALF is not airing on cable or in local syndication. The list goes on for shows not on cable or local channels: Benson, Dear John, Growing Pains, Head of the Class, The Hogan Family, Hooperman, It's a Living, Kate & Allie, Mr. Belvedere, My Two Dads, Newhart, 9 to 5, Perfect Strangers, Silver Spoons, Small Wonder, Too Close for Comfort, and Webster. Those are not airing AT ALL anywhere currently. Then there are other ones that are barely airing such as Amen (coming to TV One), Archie Bunker's Place (ME-TV thru Sept. 12), Charles in Charge (few local channels), Diff'rent Strokes (two local channels), The Facts of Life (ME-TV in Chicago), Family Ties (few local channels), Gimme a Break! (three local channels), Night Court (just started on TV Land), Punky Brewster (ME-TV in Chicago), and 227 (WCIU in Chicago and coming back to TV One in late Sept.). Even Bosom Buddies which didn't last too long is airing on some locals and nationally on TBS. Shows like Cheers, Cosby Show, and Who's the Boss? are airing a lot on cable and local channels. There are some shows that have been cable staples and are currently just on cable such as Designing Women, Golden Girls, and Mama's Family. As you can see, more are not airing than airing. It is very sad that this is happening. I didn't even list the somewhat short lived '80s sitcoms that have been popular in reruns such as Three's a Crowd, Just the Ten of Us, Out of this World, Still the Beaver, and My Sister Sam -- those are not airing either, as you probably guessed.
Moving on to the '70s, it seems to be a bit better, but not by much. It is sad that Alice is not airing on cable or in local syndication. The list goes on for shows not on cable or local channels: Doris Day Show, Here's Lucy, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, Maude, Nanny & The Professor, One Day at a Time, Rhoda, Room 222, SOAP, and WKRP in Cincinnati. Then there are other ones that are barely airing such as Barney Miller (ME-TV), Bob Newhart Show (ME-TV & FOXNet), Chico and the Man (AmericanLife TV), Courtship of Eddie's Father (American LifeTV), Eight is Enough (ME-TV), The Jeffersons (few locals), Laverne & Shirley (few locals and Lifetime Real Women), Love American Style (ME-TV), The Love Boat (WBII-TV in Ashland, MS), Mary Tyler Moore Show (ME-TV & FOXNet), Mork & Mindy (few locals), Odd Couple (few locals), Partridge Family (ME-TV), Taxi (few locals), Welcome Back Kotter (AmericanLife TV), and What's Happening!! (few locals, coming to TV Land this fall). Shows like All in the Family, Brady Bunch, Good Times, Happy Days, M*A*S*H, and Sanford & Son are airing a lot on cable and local channels. Three's Company has been a staple on cable for many years, but is currently not on any locals, but airs on TV Land. I didn't even list the somewhat short lived '70s sitcoms that have been popular in reruns such as Angie, Bad News Bears, Phyllis, The Ropers, and That's My Mama -- those are not airing either, as you probably guessed.
As you can see, if we take out that ME-TV local channel in Chicago, we basically have nothing really. The '70s sitcoms are not as bad as the '80s sitcoms in terms of not airing, but still needs work as you can see. Tomorrow we will look at the '50s and '60s sitcoms, so tune in to see if they are more rarely seen than the '70s and '80s or not. Some final thoughts will be included in that story as well. So come back tomorrow for part duex!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, May 29
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to What Used to be the Neighborhood" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Calvin’s favorite restaurant closes and is replaced by a flashy pet spa, he worries the community is losing too many small businesses and starts a campaign to only buy local. Also, Tina helps Necie prepare a special surprise for Marty.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Your Father's Kingdom" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Abishola turns to Gloria and Kemi when Bob mortgages their home to pay for a new factory space. Also, Kemi worries that she and Chukwuemeka are losing their spark.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 29)
Monday, May 29
- Seth Rogen (Platonic/Undeclared) - Watch Seth on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Nicole Byer (Grand Crew/Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Nicole is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Keanu Reaves (Swedish Dicks) - Keanu appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men/Togetherness) - Melanie is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- James Spader (The Office) - James appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Amanda Peet (Brockmire/Togetherness/Bent) - Amanda appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Brett Gelman (Fleabag/Married/Go On) - Brett is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Tichina Arnold (The Neighborhood/Survivor's Remorse/Happily Divorced/Everybody Hates Chris/Martin) - Tichina appears on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Kristin Chenoweth (Schmigadoon!/Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin is a guest on a repeat of The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- John Leguizamo (The Brothers Garcia) - John talks about MSNBC's Leguizamo Does America on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) - Eric talks about Shudder and AMC+'s Slasher: Ripper on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Method Man (Method & Red) - Method Man tells Sherri about his role in Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut, On the Come Up, on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (January-June)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
03/28 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/04 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/18 - Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series (Blu-ray)
04/25 - Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
05/23 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Eleven / The Complete Season Twelve
05/23 - Go On - The Complete Series
05/23 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (Universal)
05/29 - Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/29 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/30 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
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