Tuesday, January 17, 2006
TCA Network Winter Tour: The WB and FOX; Life Goes On DVD on April 11
Ellen DeGeneres, the multiple Award-Winning Comedienne/Actress/Author/Talk Show Host, will bring her comedic vision to The WB Network with a pilot script for a new half-hour, live-action comedy tentatively titled My Dog Sparky. She will voice the dog. A Nick Lachey sitcom and a Brandy sitcom are also in the works.
Regarding the new Daytime WB block (weekdays 3-5 p.m.):
Although the WB has had mixed early results programming the Monday to Friday 3-5 p.m. daypart in place of Kids' WB! programming, the network is committed to the affiliate stations.
"We worked with the stations to figure out an economic formula of how to do this," said Garth Ancier, chairman, the WB. "And all the feedback has been very positive. The biggest question is should it be a drama, or should it be comedies in there. So far 8 Simple Rules is doing better than ER, but ER is one of those serialized shows that tend to do better over time. So I think the jury is still out as to whether we should go in the comedy or drama direction long-term in the future."
And finally, upcoming this mid-season sitcom wise will be Misconceptions starring Jane Leeves and French Stewart and Modern Men starring Jane Seymour, George Wendt and Marla Sokoloff.
Today Fox was up at the TCA Tour. They made a lot of announcements. Two new comedies, Free Ride and The Loop, will soon join FOX's spring schedule. A partially improvised comedy, Free Ride follows recent college graduate Nate Stahlings (Josh Dean) as he moves back in with his parents in a small Midwestern town, with no life plans past doing his laundry. A preview episode airs Wednesday, March 1 (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), after a special 90-minute episode of American Idol. Free Ride premieres in its regular time period Sunday, March 12 (9:30-10:00 p.m.ET/PT). American Dad returns to the line-up in late April after Free Ride completes its run.
The Loop launches with a special preview Wednesday, March 15 (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) following the half hour American Idol Results Show. The following night, Thursday, March 16, the new comedy premieres in its regular time period (8:30-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) after That '70s Show. Stacked will return later in the season.
And at least two long running Fox sitcoms will come to an end this season. Malcolm in the Middle and That '70s Show. Malcolm in the Middle's series finale is scheduled to air Sunday, May 14, soon after its 150th episode. The show, which has followed the growth of boy genius Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and his family. The show has won six Emmys and a Peabody Award in its lifetime. That '70s Show packs up the polyester bellbottoms, Zeppelin 8-tracks and lava lamps when it ends its eight-season run Thursday, May 18 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX. The series finale also marks the 200th episode milestone. Numerous '70s icons have stopped by to guest-star, including Danny Bonaduce, Alice Cooper, Marion Ross, Eve Plumb, Ted Nugent, Valerie Harper, Richard Kline and Roger Daltrey from The Who. This season, Don Knotts, Mary Tyler Moore Tom Bosley and Isaac Hayes are joining the list.
Other Fox notes: Arrested Development is very likely finished on Fox. King of the Hill is also nearing its end and might not return until January 2007 next season. Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace are in discussions to return for the series finale of That '70s Show.
Finally, last month we broke the news that the '90s ABC drama Life Goes On would be coming to DVD. As of now, the date for that season one set will be April 11! Now, take that with a grain of salt, as it is not official yet. Stay tuned to TVShowsonDVD.com for official information. Bring on Corky!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, July 2
Shifting Gears - "Restoration" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt, the widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, is confronted with his most unexpected and challenging project yet when his estranged daughter, Riley, and her adolescent children come crashing back into his life.
Shifting Gears - "Accommodations" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt joins Riley at Carter’s high school open house, where he’s unsettled to learn about the “accommodations” made for his grandson’s anxiety. Meanwhile, Riley reconnects with Caitlin, a former classmate, and sets her up with Gabriel.
Shifting Gears - "Grief" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Riley discovers a closet filled with her late mother’s clothes, she insists Matt hasn’t processed her death and urges him to see a grief counselor. Meanwhile, Gabriel faces a crisis of confidence when he’s put in charge of the shop for a day.
Shifting Gears - "Valentine's" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A Valentine’s Day visit to his late wife’s grave sparks an unexpected connection for Matt in an unlikely place. Meanwhile, Riley is thrust into the spotlight for a promotional video at the dance studio.
Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Protector in Chief" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
House of Payne is the hilarious comedy about Retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella.
Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Speed Demons" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After losing his job, Jeremy decides to move to the backwoods of Georgia to help his grandfather, who has purchased a rundown home for the elderly.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 30)
Wednesday, July 2
- Will Arnett (Murderville/Arrested Development/Flaked/The Millers/Up All Night/Running Wilde), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) and Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - Watch Will, Jason and Sean on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Monica Barbaro (FUBAR) - Monica appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Owen Thiele (Overcompensating), Amita Rao (Deli Boys) and Malik Elassal (Adults) - Owen, Amita and Malik are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Glen Powell (Scream Queens) - NBC's Today catches up with Glen in the 10am hour.
- Casey Wilson (The Righteous Gemstones/Black Monday/The Hotwives/Marry Me/Happy Endings) - Casey talks about The Great American Baking Show on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a repeat their skincare show and Drew and Valerie Bertinelli are talking all things moisturizers and hydration with board certified dermatologist and TikTok sensation Dr. Shereene Idriss.
- Joe Manganiello (How I Met Your Mother) - Joe talks about Netflix's Nonnas on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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