TCA Network Winter Press Tour CBS Day 2; UPN

Thursday, January 19, 2006

CBS was up for a second day at the TCA Tour and they gave information on some of its mid-season entries. Courting Alex, which premieres this Monday at 9:30 p.m., starring Jenna Elman is Alex, an attractive, single, workaholic attorney who has everything in life with the exception of one thing…a life. Executive producer Rob Hanning is comparing this show to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The official SitcomsOnline.com Review of the pilot for this new series is coming soon. So stay tuned to see what we think about the show and about that comparison. Another sitcom they have in the works is The New Adventures of Christine starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Can the Seinfeld alum break the post-Seinfeld curse? Well we can't tell yet because CBS has still not announced what night and time it will air. It'll be either Mondays or Wednesdays, I'm sure, and it will start this March. CBS also has a crime drama (yes yet another!) in the works as well, titled The Unit. No night and time for that yet either.

Elsewhere at CBS, they announced that Nickelodeon on CBS Saturday mornings will be gone starting fall 2006. DiC Entertainment has now teamed up with the eye net for Saturday morning cartoons and the block will be called CBS' Secret Saturday Morning Slumber Party. Shows have not been announced yet, but DiC has a vast array of shows on the air now in some form such as Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?, Sabrina: The Animated Series, Madeline, Strawberry Shortcake, Liberty's Kids, Trollz, Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century, Archie's Weird Mysteries, The Littles, Inspector Gadget's Field Trip, and Sonic Underground.

CBS has optioned the format rights to an internationally successful property dubbed Game Show Marathon, which will feature a half-dozen celebrity contestants competing in a different classic game show (The Price is Right, Match Game, Beat the Clock, etc.) each week.

Former Joan of Arcadia co-star Jason Ritter has enrolled in the CBS comedy pilot The Class.
The action begins with a party thrown by 27-year-old Ethan (Ritter) for his girlfriend, whom he met in third grade. Ethan invites six other people who were in the class with them, all of whom have since lost touch with one another. The party then becomes the springboard for following how the lives of the reunited characters continue to intersect.
Also cast in the pilot is Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who will play one of the schoolmates, a serious man going through a dark period in his life. The two join previously cast Lucy Punch.

In the UPN front, executive producers Chris Rock and Will Smith will direct episodes of their respective UPN series, Everybody Hates Chris and All of Us, which will air later this season on UPN.
In the Chris Rock directed episode of Everybody Hates Chris entitled "Everybody Hates Corleone," Chris grows tired of getting beat up by bullies at school, so he asks his parents to be transferred to the neighborhood school, but when they deny the request, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Julius' new job at the fish market makes him stink up the house and everyone in it.
In the Will Smith directed episode of All of Us, Bobby says the "N" word at a birthday party, and it forces Robert to examine his own use of the term and whether or not it's appropriate.

UPN's comedy Half & Half will feature a three-episode HIV storyline guest starring Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child in which she plays Naomi Dawson, a rival record producer who is HIV positive with whom Spencer (Chico Benymon) is pursuing a relationship. The three-episode arc airs in consecutive weeks beginning Monday, February 13 (9:30-10:00 p.m, ET/PT) on UPN.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Tuesday, February 25

The Conners - "Bad Dads and Grads" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Dan starts to bond with his younger half-brother (guest star Noel Fisher), but he can’t get over the fact that their father paid for Ed Jr.’s college education, something he refused to do for Dan. Jackie hits it off with a fun married couple (guest stars and real-life husband and wife Clark Gregg and Jennifer Grey), so much so that they “invite” her into their relationship. Harris and Mark do not react well to the news that Darlene is trying to have a baby with Ben.

Bless This Mess - "Völsung and the Beef Boy" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When faced with choosing between meat judging (his dad Beau’s preference) or playing music (his shared bond with Mike), Jacob realizes he must figure out what his passions are on his own. Meanwhile, Rio takes driving lessons from Kay, but their friendship hits a bump in the road when Kay learns that Rio has secretly been getting lessons from other townspeople.

mixed-ish - "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Johnsons welcome an African American family that has just moved into their mostly white neighborhood. Santamonica doesn’t get along with the new neighbor’s daughter, until she gives Santamonica attitude. Meanwhile, Rainbow is excited to celebrate her one-month anniversary with Bryce, but he tells her some devastating news.

black-ish - "You Don't Know Jack" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Jack joins the robotics club and Dre worries it might be a detrimental failure for him after already being cut from the basketball team. Ruby embellishes a story for Diane’s school project.

Schitt's Creek - "The Presidential Suite" (Pop, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Johnny and Moira spend a night at the presidential suite in the new motel, while Alexis receives a surprise visitor.

Miracle Workers: Dark Ages - "Dark Ages: Holiday" (TBS, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Al and Prince Chauncley struggle to deal with their families over the holidays.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 24)

Tuesday, February 25

Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Catch Nick on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He also talks about The Voice on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Juliette Lewis (Camping/I Married Dora) - Juliette drops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She will also be on the BUILD Series at 3pm.
Adam Pally (Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam visits The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS. He will also be on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
Karen Gillan (Selfie) - Karen appears on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Tommy Davidson (Between Brothers) - Tommy is a guest on The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse stops by The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Son of Zorn/Suburgatory) - Cheryl appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Leslie Odom Jr. (Big Day) - Leslie is a guest on Access Live, so check your local listings.
Chris Spencer (Significant Others) - Chris appears on Access Live, so check your local listings.
Jason Ritter (The Class) - Jason talks about Frozen 2 on E!'s Daily Pop at 12pm.