More on Golden Girls' 20th Anniversary Marathon on Lifetime; Extra Exposure for Hot Properties

Monday, October 31, 2005

More on Golden Girls' 20th Anniversary Marathon on Lifetime; Extra Exposure for Hot Properties

We first brought you news back in early October that Lifetime was planning a Golden Girls marathon on Veteran's Day (Nov. 11). Now Lifetime has officially announced it! Twenty years -- and still laughing! To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the The Golden Girls, one of television's most beloved and enduring sitcoms, Lifetime Television is throwing a gala on-air, on-line, wireless party beginning Friday, November 11 from 12noon-11PM (ET/PT) showcasing the series' 20 greatest episodes, followed by an encore presentation of The Golden Girls Reunion -- the network's highest-rated special ever. We posted the schedule back in early October, so see our archives. Lifetime's celebration of The Golden Girls, where more than 16 million people watch the series on Lifetime in any given week -- and which boasted Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry as a writer for three seasons --includes a trivia game at http://www.lifetimetv.com along with innovative wireless features that fans can download onto their cell phones, such as:

-- Ring tones -- The theme song, "Thank You For Being a Friend," available as a ring tone
-- Voice tones -- Funny lines from each of the Girls available as both ring tones and ring backs
-- Original voicemail greetings -- Bea Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan have recorded special greetings fans can send as gifts, such as an Arthur 'Happy Birthday' message
-- Graphics -- The cast of The Golden Girls and series logo accessible as cell phone wallpaper

Additionally, during The Golden Girls Reunion, fans will have the opportunity to text in their "shout out" which will be scrolled on screen throughout the program. As well, comedians Mo Rocca and Judy Gold, along with Michael D. Craig, author of Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Boo, host an on-air roundtable discussion aired as interstitials throughout the day. These interstitials feature the most 'obsessed' "Golden Girl" real life fans expressing their love for this classic sitcom by singing the theme song, showing off their
memorabilia and even doing a dance inspired by the Girls.

In other news, ABC will be trying the new sitcom Hot Properties on a special night and time to try to lure more of an audience to this well written sitcom. The special night and time will be on Tuesday, November 15 at 8:30 p.m. with an all-new episode, pre-empting the sitcom Rodney for the night. This will be a one week showing only, but it could be a test for how Hot Properties performs there (with the best new series Commander in Chief following it) . If it does well, I'm sure they'd move it there and bump Rodney to another night or completely. Hot Properties is coming off a series high in the ratings this past Friday, but with just a 4.4 rating. Hot Properties will still air on Friday at 9:30 p.m. (its regular night & time) the week it will have a special episode on a special night and time. In other sitcom news, NBC has ordered two more episodes of My Name is Earl, bringing the already renewed new sitcom to 24 episodes.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, July 22

Shifting Gears - "Loyalty" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt’s dream build turns into a nightmare when controversy between Stitch and the client threatens to derail everything. Meanwhile, Riley hires Carter at her coffee business and quickly learns that working with family brews more tension than drinks.

Shifting Gears - "License" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When he finds out Carter’s getting driving lessons, Matt’s plan to prove he’s the better teacher hits a snag when he learns his license is expired. Meanwhile, Riley’s two worlds collide as she struggles to keep both her business and family afloat.

Shifting Gears - "Nutcracker" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
This holiday season, the Parkers discover that romance isn’t always a smooth ride as Matt and Eve are on thin ice, Gabe enlists Riley to help Amelie impress his mom, and Carter seeks help with his “promposal.” Pamela Adlon guest stars.

Shifting Gears - "Dog" (ABC, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Matt refuses to let Carter bring a dog into “his” house, Riley starts to wonder if it’s time for her and the kids to find their own place. Meanwhile, Gabe seeks Riley’s advice amid second thoughts about moving in with Amelie.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 20)

Wednesday, July 22

Colman Domingo (The Four Seasons) - Colman guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Arsenio Hall (Arsenio) - Arsenio appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
John Leguizamo (The Brothers Garcia) - John is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish/Girlfriends) - Tracee drops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also talks about Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Tamron Hall has a repeat of a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE with Terry and Rebecca King-Crews revealing for the first time Rebecca's health battle, so check your local listings.
Patricia Clarkson (Davis Rules) - Patricia talks about Ransom Canyon on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Pamela Adlon (King of the Hill/Better Things/The Facts of Life) - Pamela dishes on Hulu's King of the Hill on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Kevin Sussman (Stuart Fails to Save the Universe/The Big Bang Theory) - Kevin talks about Stuart Fails to Save the Universe on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory/8 Simple Rules/Ladies Man) - Kaley talks about her new miniseries Vanished on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Valerie appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jack Whitehall (The 'Burbs) - Jack tells Drew about starring alongside Keke Palmer in new murder comedy The 'Burbs on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.