Tuesday, January 17, 2006

TCA Network Winter Tour: The WB and FOX; Life Goes On DVD on April 11

The WB was first up yesterday at the TCA Winter Press Tour. The WB Network welcomes a sexy and intriguing celebrity guest roster to kick-off its midseason, including Nick Lachey (The WB's Charmed, Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica) on Twins, James Denton (Desperate Housewives) returns to Reba, Kelly Carlson (Nip/Tuck) returns to Everwood and James Marsters (Angel) returns to Smallville.
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

Friday, June 13

Happy's Place - "Don't Sweat It" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bobbie asks Isabella to move in with her, but when Isabella sees that Bobbie likes to address conflict head on, Isabella decides it might not be the best idea.

St. Denis Medical - "Some Famous Internet Guy" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When a famous musician's performance at the hospital is delayed, Joyce throws an impromptu talent show with the St. Denis staff; Alex attempts to connect with her daughter, Ella.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 9)

Friday, June 13

  • David Spade (Rules of Engagement/8 Simple Rules/Just Shoot Me!) - Watch David on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Dakota Johnson (Ben and Kate) - Dakota is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) - Natasha appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Whoopi Goldberg (Whoopi/Bagdad Cafe) - Whoopi is a guest on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Jon Hamm (Grimsburg/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) - Jon stops by the studio to talk Your Friends & Neighbors on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Sebastian Maniscalco (Bookie) - NBC's Today catches up with Sebastian sometime between 7-9am.
  • Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel talks about The 1% Club on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Broad City/Baby Boom) - Drew is chatting with best friend duo Joy Behar and Susie on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Drew is chatting with Morris about starring in Watson on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Luke Kirby (Étoile) - Luke talks about Prime's Étoile on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (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)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


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