What's Happening!! Leads TV Land to Highest Rated Month Ever; More On the '80s Sitcoms Coming to DVD from Sony & Universal

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

What's Happening!! Leads TV Land to Highest Rated Month Ever; More On the '80s Sitcoms Coming to DVD from Sony & Universal

The classic '70s sitcom What's Happening!! gave TV Land a boost in the ratings in November and helped the network get their highest ratings ever for a month. Good Times, The Andy Griffith Show and Little House on the Prairie were some of the other shows that continue to do well. Among the highlights were:
* What's Happening!!, one of the coolest comedies of the 1970s, launched on Saturday, November 5 with a 48-hour marathon. The showcase averaged a 0.7/628,000, up +75% in rating and delivery versus year ago. Among total viewers, the marathon attracted an average of nearly 1 million, up +41% over last year. The series is also posting ratings gains in its regularly scheduled timeslot of 11 p.m. ET/PT daily, averaging a 0.5/435,000 among Adults 25-54, up +25% over last year. Among total viewers, it is attracting an average of 786,000 total viewers.
* Good Times, which airs every night from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. with back to back episodes, is averaging a 0.5/523,000, up +11% in delivery over last year among A25-54. It is drawing an average of 1.1 million total viewers, up +19% over 2004.
To read the full press release click here.

We have yet another DVD scoop for you! Yes, both TVShowsonDVD.com and I have already told you about Archie Bunker's Place and Diff'rent Strokes for Sony and Charles in Charge and Gimme a Break! for Universal, but now we have a first look on the extras! Unfortunately for Archie Bunker's Place season one and Diff'rent Strokes season two, there will not be any. The back cover art was released today for both and it did not indicate any special features. Click here to view the back art for Diff'rent Strokes and here for Archie Bunker's Place.
Now for the extras on the Universal sitcoms! We were very surprised that there will be some extras on BOTH Charles in Charge season one and Gimme a Break! season one. In fact for Gimme a Break! an episode from season one of the '80s sitcom Kate & Allie will also be included! We are very excited and pleased to let you all know. We hope this means a season one DVD release of Kate & Allie is in the works! Both Charles in Charge and Gimme a Break! will have a half hour featurette on '80s sitcoms and a season two episode preview for each series. Click here to read the full list of extras--this is a first look!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Saturday, June 7

The Conners - "It's Gonna Be a Great Day" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene celebrates her promotion, hoping it will allow her to spend more time with Ben; Jackie stumbles upon an opportunity to sue the pharmaceutical company responsible for Roseanne's addiction, which sparks a family debate.

The Conners - "Fame, Flying Fists and Cold Feet" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Conners get a taste of fame when their family restaurant is featured in a reality TV show, which inspires Becky to become an influencer; Jackie and Dan meet with a lawyer; Darlene connects with someone at The Lobo Lounge.

The Conners - "Applications, Accusations and a Man-Bag" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jackie decides to rejoin the police force despite everyone's concerns; Darlene grows more skeptical about Mark's secretive behavior; Dan and Becky wade through uncomfortable conversations about Roseanne's addiction issues and death.

The Conners - "Danny Boy, the Interview, the New Hire, and the Hanging Chad" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Dan sidesteps vulnerable emotions surrounding Roseanne's death ahead of an upcoming deposition; Becky prepares for a job interview; Harris impulsively hires a new server at the Lunch Box.

The Conners - "Exercise Bands, Money Plans, and Faraway Lands" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ahead of the deposition, Dan gets support from Jackie, Becky and Darlene; Mark is presented with an opportunity which leads to a major life decision; Becky and Tyler consider the next step in their relationship.

The Conners - "The Truck Stops Here" (ABC, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jackie prepares for a series of physical tests in an effort to rejoin the police force; Darlene confronts the insecurities in her marriage with Ben; Dan's deposition stirs up feelings; final farewells are made in true Conner family fashion.

Mind Your Business - "The Parent Trap" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Jordan enlists family members to help plan a romantic night when she thinks she overhears her parents talking about getting a divorce; Aaliyah and Mia become roommates.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 1)

Friday, June 6

Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door/Living with Yourself/Wild Oats) - Watch Paul on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Ike Barinholtz (The Studio/The Afterparty/Bless the Harts/The Mindy Project/Eastbound & Down) - Ike appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
David Oyelowo (Government Cheese), Bokeem Woodbine (Government Cheese/Battery Park) and Simone Missick (Government Cheese) - David, Bokeem and Simone are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney appears on Real Time with Bill Maher at 10pm on HBO.
Sarita Choudhury (And Just Like That...) - Sarita talks about And Just Like That... on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Mark Hamill (The Texas Wheelers) - Mark chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Brianne chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Steve Guttenberg (No Soap, Radio/Billy) - Steve talks about Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Andrew talks about I Don't Understand You on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
Lena Waithe (Master of None) and Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show/Cosby) - Lena and Phylicia talk about The Chi on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Mark Hamill (The Texas Wheelers) - NBC's Today catches up with Mark in the 9am hour.
Natasha Rothwell (How to Die Alone/Insecure) - Natasha talks about The White Lotus on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.