Wednesday, May 10, 2006

SitcomsOnline.com Upfront Preview: CBS; Joel Higgins and Chris Burke Interviews

The network with the most balanced line-up and most popular drama chain (CSI, CSI Miami, CSI NY) looks to fix the small problems they have. I think they have sprung a leak in their comedy block on Monday in the opening hour, the CBS Sunday Movie needs to go, and maybe a bold move like moving Without a Trace.
Here is the SitcomsOnline.com CBS 2006-07 preview:

New Series Already Picked-Up: The Class (sitcom) and Creature Comforts (animation for mid-season)
New Series We Think That Are Almost Good To Go: Capital Law (AKA: In the Shadow of the Law) (drama), Jericho (drama), and Shark (drama).
New Series Perhaps Picked-Up for Mid-Season: AKA (drama), Company Town (drama), and You've Reached the Elliots (sitcom)

OUR FALL 2006 PREDICTION:

Sundays
7:00PM 60 Minutes
8:00PM Cold Case
9:00PM Capital Law (NEW)
10:00PM Without a Trace

Mondays
8:00PM How I Met Your Mother
8:30PM The Class (NEW)
9:00PM Two and a Half Men
9:30PM Inseparable (NEW)
10:00PM CSI: Miami

Tuesdays
8:00PM Navy NCIS
9:00PM The Unit
10:00PM Jericho (NEW)

Wednesdays
8:00PM The New Adventures of Old Christine
8:30PM Welcome to the Jungle Gym (NEW)
9:00PM Criminal Minds
10:00PM CSI: NY

Thursdays
8:00PM Survivor
9:00PM CSI
10:00PM Shark (NEW)

Fridays
8:00PM Ghost Whisperer
9:00PM Close to Home
10:00PM NUMB3RS

Saturdays
8:00PM Crime Repeats
9:00PM Crime Repeats
10:00PM 48 Hours Mystery

Comments: I actually think they will bring in three new sitcoms for the fall, while most experts say two. Since The King of Queens is said to be not returning, but my money is that it will return in the mid-season for its last batch of episodes, whether it be 6 or 13. The series deserves an actual series finale. I put The Amazing Race off the fall line-up. I think it will return in January, as it has shown signs of decline. Close to Home is on the bubble for CBS, yet it wins its slot regularly on Friday nights, so I think it will return. Maybe CBS can try it on Saturdays to spice up that night. The CBS Sunday Movie is one of few series that will not return I think for CBS. Other series canceled or will be include Courting Alex, Out of Practice, Threshold, Love Monkey, Yes Dear & Still Standing. I think CBS will be bold and move Without a Trace to Sundays at 10 opposite the NFL on NBC and whatever high profile drama that will air on ABC. Can Trace show its legs without CSI? CBS will be happy with 12-15 million...anything under will be a bust, anything over will be a surprise. The series gets 17-20 million usually from CSI. I think CBS should go a different direction on Saturdays. Forget crime repeats. I say for mid-season they should try that Creature Comforts animated half-hour series (it has been picked-up already, so why not?), then a few reality driven shows like Guess Who's Coming Over (which could be a half hour series) and A Hero's Welcome (which is an hour). CBS also has a half hour series with host Wayne Brady titled Jokes On You that could work--unless his CW sitcom pilot is picked up--maybe he can do both since CBS and CW are releated. Then they can still air 48 Hours Mystery at 10 p.m. to close the night, but from 8 to 10, they should plug and play with those alternative series. Sitcom wise, The Class has been picked-up already and should go well with How I Met Your Mother and Inseparable looks promising and matches Two and a Half Men's audience well I think. I picked Welcome to the Jungle Gym to pair up with Old Christine, as both are women driven. All of these are traditional sitcoms. CBS has only one single camera sitcom in the development stage, so it is unlikely it will make it. I think sitcom You've Reached the Elliots will come mid-season, along with dramas AKA and Company Town.

Remember, next Wednesday (May 17) is the actual date when we will findout CBS's plans for the 2006-07 season. So, come on back next Wednesday and we will let you know the details and you can see how much we were right (or wrong). Stay tuned tomorrow for a preview on Fox's upfront.

Our friends at JustMyShow.com has informed us that their latest episode includes Chris Burke from Life Goes On and Joel Higgins of Silver Spoons. Burke talks for about 9 minutes on his show coming to DVD. Life Goes On season one was out yesterday nationwide. Chris Burke likes Three's Company! And Joel Higgins talks about his latest musical opening June 2. Higgins also talks about Silver Spoon's status on DVD and the strange rumor that started that there is a reunion in the works. Some person on OUR message board actually started that--but don't worry it was none of our staff! Higgins talks for about 17 minutes, and it is a must listen. So head over here and click the play button to listen to both of these.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, June 7

Night Court - "Just Tuesday" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Abby makes a mistake in the courtroom, she decides to adopt an all-business approach to get things back on track, but her new style catches everyone off guard.

Night Court - "Dan v. Dating" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
With Abby's encouragement, Dan attempts to venture back into the dating world, but reigniting his love life proves more complicated than anticipated; Gurgs and Olivia search for a new office and find something they weren't expecting.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang Inflates" (FXX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Dennis and Mac get into inflatable furniture to deal with the economy's inflation; Dee tries to find a place to crash after being evicted by her greedy landlord; Charlie wants to pitch Frank his investment idea.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - " Frank Shoots Every Member of the Gang" (FXX, 10:33PM ET/PT)
After Frank shoots Dennis and Dee, they resolve to take Frank's gun away; Mac and Charlie go on a road trip with their moms to get their inheritances.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 5)

Wednesday, June 7

  • Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary) - Watch Chris on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/George/It's a Living) - Sheryl Lee is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Laura Benanti (Younger/The Detour/Go On/Starved) - Laura appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Ike Barinholtz (History of the World, Part II/The Afterparty/Bless the Harts/The Mindy Project/Eastbound & Down) - Ike is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Ben Schwwartz (The Afterparty/Space Force/Parks and Recreation) - Ben appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Betty Gilpin (GLOW/Nurse Jackie) - Betty is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Ken Jeong (Dr. Ken/Community) - Ken will be on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS. He will also be on a repeat of The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
  • Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones) - Sarah appears on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia/Luis) - Charlie appears on a repeat of The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
  • Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) - Chris is a guest on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Brittany Snow (Ben and Kate) - Brittany and entrepreneur Jaspre Guest talk about their online platform September Letters on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever) - Maitreyi appears on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:45am.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (January-June)

Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI) Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI) Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series

01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
03/28 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/04 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/18 - Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series (Blu-ray)
04/25 - Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
05/23 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Eleven / The Complete Season Twelve
05/23 - Go On - The Complete Series
05/23 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (Universal)
05/29 - Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/29 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/30 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

06/06 - New Superman Animated Series Coming to Adult Swim; TV Stars Come Together in Netflix Film
06/05 - Shout! TV's ALF Reunion; Hulu's This Fool Season Two Premieres July 28
06/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 5, 2023)
06/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Declares Rating Victories for 22-23 Season; Australian Version of The Office in the Works
06/02 - HBO Renews Somebody Somewhere for a Third Season; Remembering Marlene Clark of Sanford and Son and Other Sitcom Stars We Recently Lost
06/01 - MeTV's Marry Me Block on June 4; TBS Sets Miracle Workers: End Times Premiere Date for July 10
05/31 - Amazon Freevee's Jury Duty Gets Special Release; Stars on Mars Fan Experience
05/30 - 75th Emmy Awards Nominations on July 12; Final Season of HBO's How to with John Wilson
05/29 - Memorial Day 2023 TV Sitcom Marathons
05/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 29, 2023)
05/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Wins 2022-2023 Ratings Game; Netflix Ends Sharing of Passwords
05/26 - Prime Video Renews Priyanka Chopra Series; Sex and the City 25th Anniversary Event in NYC
05/25 - Brady Bunch House on the Market; The Family Stallone Gets 2nd Season
05/24 - Antenna TV's Father Knows Best Father's Day Fest Marathon; Netflix Gets Glamorous This June
05/23 - CBS Summer 2023 Reality Schedule; Apple TV+ Announces Peanuts Programming
05/22 - More Details on Zoey 102; New Lifetime Movie Series Coming July 8
05/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 22, 2023)
05/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Showtime Looking to Bring Back Two Old Favorites; Disney+ Removing Content
05/19 - Futurama Triumphantly Returns July 24; Final Season of Physical Drops August 2; Primo Premieres May 19 on Amazon Freevee
05/18 - The CW Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; Netflix Upfront 2023
05/17 - Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2023; Sarah Silverman HBO Special Premieres May 27
05/16 - ABC Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; FX's Summer 2023 Slate
05/15 - FOX Announces 2023-24 Programming Slate; iCarly Season 3 Premieres June 1
05/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 15, 2023)
05/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Night Court Season Finale Brings Back a Familiar Face; Comedy Central Renews Digman! for Second Season
05/12 - NBC Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; Hulu Orders Deli Boys from Onyx Collective
05/11 - CBS Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; The CW Summer Lineup Has Comedies
05/10 - Minx Returns in July on STARZ; Never Have I Ever Final Episodes Premieres June 8, Trailer Drops
05/09 - The CW Acquires Son of a Critch; FX's The Bear Returns June 22
05/08 - NBC's Hot Wheels Gets Celeb Judges; Zooey Deschanel's Max Series Premieres May 23
05/07 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 8, 2023)
05/06 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Week of Writers' Strike Already Sees Early Casualties; Fox Cancels Call Me Kat