FOX Switches '70s' and O.C.' for Mid-Season; Al Sharpton Nixes Sitcom Idea

Thursday, December 22, 2005

FOX Switches '70s' and O.C.' for Mid-Season; Al Sharpton Nixes Sitcom Idea

FOX has announced that The O.C. will move from Thursdays 8 p.m. to Thursday 9 p.m. starting January 12. That '70s Show will air at 8 p.m. with repeat episodes at 8:30 p.m. Originally it was slated for Thursdays 9 p.m. Stacked will be on hiatus until mid-March, when it returns it will air at 8:30 p.m., instead of the original plan of 9:30 p.m. American Idol results show will give FOX a mid-season boost on Thursdays at 8 p.m. for a few weeks in late February/early March. It should be interesting to see who wins the adults 18-49 match -- Will & Grace or That '70s Show? Both shows are on their last legs. The O.C. will be in trouble I think facing CSI, My Name is Earl and the last half hour of Dancing with the Stars. No doubt American Idol will give it a boost in those few weeks where it will be its lead-in.

Al Sharpton will not be the next Archie Bunker afterall. Reverend Sharpton had plans to create and start in his own sitcom, titled Al in the Family. The title even sounds hilarious. The Democrat, who has run for president, mayor of New York and the Senate, was earlier this month reported to be working with CBS on this pilot. "I'm not interested in being Archie Bunker, I'm looking forward to becoming George Bush," Sharpton said, alluding to a possible future presidential race. Too bad, it could have gotten enough buzz to be a hit. I think it would have been even better on sister Paramount network UPN. Pairing Everybody Hates Chris and Al in the Family would have been interesting.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, August 30

The Simpsons - "Guess Who's Coming to Skinner" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Principal Skinner discovers that one of his students is a runaway who has been living in the school library, he has to take the snarky, difficult kid into his home and is forced into a role he never expected or wanted -- being a parent.

Animal Control - "Squirrels and Fat Cats" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Frank uncovers Emily and Shred's secret romance during a break-in at city supply; Victoria and Patel confront his daughter's school bully.

Universal Basic Guys - "Down the Shore" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Hoagies go down the shore; Tammy tries to make amends with her estranged sister.

Grimsburg - "Crystal Ball" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Flute goes for surgery to have a second testicle put in, he finds an unexpected side effect.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 24)

Saturday, August 29 and August 30

Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) and Will Ferrell (The Hawk/The Office) - Amy and Will bond over their box office bomb on a repeat of The Weekend View on ABC News Live at 7:30am.

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