Friday, May 26, 2006

Norman Lear Sitcom Book Coming This Fall; NBC Revised Fall Thoughts; Paul Goebel's Hilarious PSA

A new book on the sitcom creator Norman Lear is coming out later this year. The book titled The Sitcoms of Norman Lear, will be written by River Edge, New Jersey native Sean Campbell. The amazing thing is Sean is only 16 years old and he will have a major book out this early in his life. Visit his website at dear-norman.com. And now here is a description of the book:
Archie Bunker, George Jefferson, Maude—the television sitcom world of the 1970s was peopled by the creations of Norman Lear. Beginning in 1971 with the premiere of All in the Family, Lear’s work gave sitcoms a new face and a new style. No longer were families perfect and lives in order. Mostly blue-collar workers and their families, Lear’s characters argued, struggled, uttered sometimes shocking opinions and had no problem contributing to—or at least, acknowledging—the turmoil so shunned by 1960s television. Significantly, not only did Lear address difficult issues, but he did so through successful programming. Week after week, Americans tuned in to see the family adventures of the Bunkers, the Jeffersons, and Sanford and son.
With a thorough analysis of his sitcoms, this volume explores Norman Lear’s memorable production career during the 1970s. It emphasizes how Lear’s shows reflected the political and cultural milieu, and how they addressed societal issues including racism, child abuse and gun control. The casting, production and behind-the-screen difficulties of All in the Family, Sanford & Son, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons and One Day at a Time are discussed. Each show is examined from inception through series finale. Interviews with some of the actors and actresses such as Rue McClanahan of Maude and Marla Gibbs from The Jeffersons are included.
You can pre-order the book by clicking here. It looks like a nice read and congrats and best of luck to Sean!

OK, as I promised, I will let you know my thoughts of the revised NBC Mon-Fri fall line-up. Let's start with Mondays. Previously it was Deal or No Deal, Heroes, Medium. Now it will be Deal or No Deal, Heroes, Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip. I think NBC might have made this night a bit stronger. I think Heroes, Studio 60 should switch slots though because Studio 60 has more buzz and would benefit a lot from Deal or No Deal's strong numbers. Heading to Tuesday, previously it was Friday Night Lights, Kidnapped, Law & Order: SVU. Now it will be Friday Night Lights, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: SVU. I think this change will not really affect them. I doubt Kidnapped would have done better than Law & Order: CI. If they wanted two Law & Order's back to back, they should have moved SVU to 9 p.m. and the original at 10 p.m. The original needs a boost and SVU is perfect for it. Heading to Wednesdays, previously it was The Biggest Loser, 20 Good Years, 30 Rock, Law & Order. Now it will be 20 Good Years, 30 Rock, The Biggest Loser, Kidnapped. OK, now this is a bad move. The Biggest Loser a lead-in to new drama Kidnapped? That is so stupid! Yes, Loser is a good alternative at 9 p.m. from Lost or Criminal Minds, but still poor new drama Kidnapped will be killed by CSI: NY and possibly ABC's The Nine. I would have kept the original line-up they had, but I think I would move the original L&O to 10 p.m. Tuesdays. But what would I have Wednesdays at 10? I think ER would work there. Moving on to Thursday, previously it was My Name is Earl, The Office, Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip, ER. Now it will be Earl, Office, Deal or No Deal, ER. Wise move moving their most buzz show (Studio 60) away from CSI & Grey's Anatomy. Now they are moving their highest rated show Deal or No Deal in that slot. It will take a big hit I think but will do much better than what Studio 60 would have done. NBC should have taken advantage of Deal and aired a new show at 10 p.m., like The Black Donnellys. ER is not going to benefit from Deal. Look for ER possibly to be third place in its slot this fall behind two rookies: Six Degrees and Shark. Finally we will look at Fridays. Previously it was Deal or No Deal, Las Vegas, Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Now it will be Crossing Jordan, Las Vegas, Law & Order. This is their second worse move (behind Wednesdays). No Deal or No Deal means no chance for a win for the night. Crossing Jordan can't air that early...it is a 10 p.m. show. The original Law & Order on Fridays at 10? Stupid. CI would be better here. I don't know what they could have done here. Maybe Dateline, Las Vegas, Law & Order: CI? Or maybe a third Deal at 8? Anyway, I think NBC made Mondays and Thursdays a bit better, Tuesdays will be the same probably, and Wednesdays and Fridays are terrible moves. The first line-up looked better to me, but we shall see what happens this fall!

The King of TV and a good friend of ours, Paul Goebel, has made a hilarious mock video of the Feed the Children PSA. Paul and his little daughter star. Click here to view the funny two and a half minute mock PSA. Feeding the hungry and poor is no laughing matter, but somehow he has made this pretty funny! Sally Struthers would be proud! Don't forget to rate the video there and don't forget to visit Paul's website TheKingofTV.com.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, February 23

Family Guy - "Live, Laugh, Love" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Peter realizes Joe has never found him funny, he is determined to make Joe laugh; Lois chaperones Chris and Meg's school trip, where she strives to reunite the principal with his long-lost love.

Grimsburg - "Molly" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Flute forgets to buy Stan a gift for his birthday, he steals an AI doll from the evidence locker; Wynona is forced to confront her ex-boyfriend.

The Great North - "Bots on the Side Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Ham starts performing at Yet-E-Cheddar's and develops a strange relationship with an animatronic Freddie the Yeti, that puts his relationship with Crispin in jeopardy; the new Tobin boat turns out to have a cursed name.

Krapopolis - "Stavros Live and in Concert" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tyrannis' favorite singer Stavros is in town, but he also happens to be the favorite singer of Athena and her radical followers; Deliria goes on a little getaway.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 17)

Friday, February 21

  • Anthony Mackie (Twisted Metal) - Watch Anthony on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Lizzy Caplan (Party Down/The Class/The Pitts) - Lizzy appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Tina Fey (Only Murders in the Building/30 Rock) and Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) - Tina and Amy are guests on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - NBC's Today catches up with Jane sometime between 7-9am.
  • Alan Ritchson (Blue Mountain State) - Alan talks about Reacher on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/CafĂ© Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series

10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series

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


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

02/23 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 24, 2025)
02/22 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Jury Duty Returning for New Season on Prime Video; New Spinoff of 9-1-1 in the Works
02/21 - CBS Renews 9 Additional Series for 2025-26; Hulu Picks Up Paradise for Season 2
02/20 - 31st Annual SAG Awards Pre-Show Hosts; Hulu's Ellen Pompeo Series Trailer Released
02/19 - Hulu's Am I Being Unreasonable? Returns for Season 2; Apple TV+ New CG Animated Comedy Series
02/18 - Cartoon Network's Iyanu Debuts April 5; Chelsea Handler: The Feeling Premieres March 25 on Netflix
02/17 - Netflix Renews XO, Kitty for Season 3; The Pitt to Return on Max
02/16 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 17, 2025)
02/15 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Sets Cast for Potential Backdoor Spinoff of The Neighborhood; Martha Stewart to Co-Host New NBC Cooking Competition
02/14 - FX's Dying for Sex Premieres in April on Hulu; BET+ Announces Lil Kev, Adult Animated Comedy
02/13 - Antenna TV and Rewind TV Celebrate Valentine's Day; The Handmaid's Tale Returns for Final Season
02/12 - Official Trailer for Hulu's Deli Boys; Doctor Odyssey Returns with a 2-Part Event
02/11 - Trailer for Shoresy Season 4; More Stars for SNL50: The Anniversary Special
02/10 - First Ever SNL Episode This Saturday on NBC; FX Renews English Teacher for Season 2
02/09 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 10, 2025)
02/08 - SitcomsOnline Digest: English Teacher Renewed at FX; MeTV Toons to Launch House of Hanna-Barbera Programming Block
02/07 - SNL50's Star-Studded Lineup; Adult Swim Presents Oh My God... Yes! A Series of Extremely Relatable Circumstances
02/06 - Prime Video Iliza Shlesinger Special; Kate Hudson Stars in Netflix Comedy
02/05 - Fox Midseason Tuesday Change; 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Rosters
02/04 - NBC Summer Staples Return in Summer 2025; Gronk Guests on Animal Control
02/03 - The Conners Final Season Premieres March 26; Tyler Perry Gets 2nd Comedy Series for Netflix
02/02 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 3, 2025)
02/01 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Little House on the Prairie Reboot Headed to Netflix; George Sr. Set to Return on Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage
01/31 - Final Season of The Righteous Gemstones; Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell's Audible Original
01/30 - Netflix's New Little House on the Prairie Series Coming Soon; Sabrina Brier Gets Awesomeness TV Series
01/29 - MGM+ Orders Comedy Series; Peacock's Amanda Seyfried Series Premieres March 13
01/28 - Ellen Pompeo's Hulu Series Gets Premiere Date; The White Lotus Season 3 Launches February 16
01/27 - Hulu's Deli Boys Adds Tan France; Joel McHale Taking Over The 1% Club
01/26 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 27, 2025)
01/25 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Righteous Gemstones to End After Upcoming Season; Mid-Century Modern to Pay Tribute to Linda Lavin
01/24 - Prime Video George Lopez Special; Netflix Renews The Lincoln Lawyer for Season 4
01/23 - Tubi's New Comedy The Z-Suite Launches February 6; The White Lotus Renewed for Season 4