SitcomsOnline.com Upfront Preview: NBC; 'Facts of Life' Reunion Tomorrow on NBC's 'Today'

Monday, May 08, 2006

SitcomsOnline.com Upfront Preview: NBC; 'Facts of Life' Reunion Tomorrow on NBC's 'Today'

Sitcoms might be hard to find this fall on NBC. NBC is relying on new dramas to bring them back from the ratings dead. Sitcom wise, we think that the only night we will find them will be on Thursday nights. Tuesdays are possible, at least for an hour, but I think it is unlikely.
Here is the SitcomsOnline.com NBC 2006-07 preview:

New Series Already Picked-Up: The Black Donnellys (drama), Kidnapped (drama), and Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip (drama).
New Series We Think That Are Almost Good To Go: Friday Night Lights (drama), Heroes (drama), Raines (drama), and Tina Fey Show (sitcom).
New Series Perhaps Picked-Up for Mid-Season: 20 Good Years (sitcom), Andy Barker, P.I. (sitcom), and Community Service (sitcom)

OUR FALL 2006 PREDICTION:

Sundays
7:00PM Football Night in America
8:00PM Sunday Night Football

Mondays
8:00PM Deal or No Deal
9:00PM Kidnapped (NEW)
10:00PM Medium

Tuesdays
8:00PM Friday Night Lights (NEW)
9:00PM Heroes (NEW)
10:00PM Law & Order: SVU

Wednesdays
8:00PM The Apprentice
9:00PM Law & Order
10:00PM Raines (NEW)

Thursdays
8:00PM My Name is Earl
8:30PM Scrubs
9:00PM The Office
9:30PM Tina Fey (NEW)
10:00PM Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip (NEW)

Fridays
8:00PM Deal or No Deal
9:00PM The Black Donnellys (NEW)
10:00PM Las Vegas

Saturdays
8:00PM Dateline NBC
9:00PM Law & Order repeats
10:00PM Law & Order: SVU repeats

Comments: So what about ER, Crossing Jordan and Law & Order: Criminal Intent? I say they will be benched until January after the NFL ends. The West Wing, Will & Grace, E-Ring, Apprentice: Martha Stewart, Conviction, Teachers, Four Kings, Joey, Heist, Three Wishes, Inconceivable, Book of Daniel, and Surface are all (or will be) canceled or ended. I really think NBC will only go with one comedy night. Scrubs could also be benched until January and perhaps another single-camera new sitcom, like Andy Barker, P.I. could take its place in the fall. There is a good chance that Tina Fey's sitcom could be paired with The Office. So NBC will be multi-camera sitcom-less in the fall, but I have them picking up 20 Good Years for mid-season. If none of this fails, I think ER will be on the move to another night in January, perhaps Sundays or Wednesdays. Really NBC's only hits this past season were Deal or No Deal and My Name is Earl. They can use Deal or No Deal as a launching pad, since it airs on two nights, for two high-profile dramas. My Name is Earl has been slowly going down as the season ends, so I'm not sure what to expect of NBC's Thursday night comedy block. Their biggest and most talked about new show (Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip) is almost a lock for Thursdays at 10. And finally, The Apprentice (Donald Edition) will probably be on its last legs this season. I was hesitant to put it in my prediction, because this could be another show held back until mid-season.

Remember, next Monday (May 15) is the actual date when we will find out NBC's plans for the 2006-07 season. So, come on back next Monday 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 ABC's upfront.

Get ready to go back in time like it was 1980 as The Facts of Life girls are all together again for the first time since it was canceled in 1988. Yes, there was a reunion movie on ABC in 2001, but Nancy McKeon (who played Jo on the show) was not in it. But tomorrow morning in the 9 a.m. hour on NBC's Today show, you will see Nancy McKeon, Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields and Mindy Cohn reunited once again promoting the first two seasons release on DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Charlotte Rae, who played Mrs. Garrett, is not listed in appearing, which is a sad, but at least we will see the four girls together again for the very first since 1988. Don't miss it tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. on NBC's Today show. We will keep you all up to date if the cast is appearing anywhere else to promote the DVD. Don't forget to buy your copy of the DVD as well, ordering info is at our Facts of Life website.
UPDATE: Word is Kim Fields will not appear now. Bummer. But I do have some good news. Lisa Whelchel's website is reporting more interviews! Such as Showbiz Tonight and Fox & Friends. Click here to view the other interviews.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, July 16

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Alpha Males and the Power of Prayer" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mandy tries to make things right with Pastor Jeff (Matt Hobby) when she learns her controversial comments have hurt the tire store’s business. Meanwhile, Jim and Audrey butt heads over Connor’s allowance.

Ghosts - "Under New Management" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When new pressures threaten Sam and Jay’s control over Woodstone, they’re forced to navigate unexpected challenges to protect its future. Meanwhile, a long-absent ghost returns, reopening emotional connections that complicate new relationships.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Country Club, a Yokel and a New Boss" (CBS, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie’s plan to make new clients at the local country club backfires when its outdated policies upset Audrey. Meanwhile, Mandy struggles to prove herself at work.

Ghosts - "Gate-gate" (CBS, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When an emotion‑driven decision puts Woodstone at risk, Sam and Jay step up to defend what they’ve built. Meanwhile, Isaac struggles to adjust to new surroundings, only to realize that some connections are too important to leave behind.

The Bear - "Raspberries" (FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A traffic jam.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 13)

Thursday, July 16

Ike Barinholtz (The Studio/The Afterparty/Bless the Harts/The Mindy Project/Eastbound & Down) - Ike guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Regina Hall (Black Monday/Grandfathered/Married/Second Generation Wayans) - Regina talks about The Five-Star Weekend on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jon Barinholtz (Amerian Auto/Superstore) - Jon is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Will Ferrell (The Hawk/The Office) - Will stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Jake Johnson (Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed/Minx/New Girl) - Jak talks about The Dink on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Molly Shannon (The Hawk/I Love That for You/The Other Two/Divorce/Kath & Kim/Craking Up) - Andy Cohen interviews Molly on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo. She also talks about The Hawk on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Will Ferrell (The Hawk/The Office) - Will talks about The Hawk on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Brandy and Rita Ora discuss Descendants: Wicked Wonderland with ABC News contributor Kelley L. Carter on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
The Cast of The Hawk - The Cast of Netflix's The Hawk are guests on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Tracy Morgan (The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins/Crutch/The Last O.G./30 Rock/The Tracy Morgan Show) - Tracy tells Drew about his new show Crutch on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Dallas Liu (Pen15) - Dallas appears New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.