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

Friday, November 22

Happy's Place - "Happy's House" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bobbie agrees to take Isabella to Happy's house in search of a connection to their late father, leading Bobbie to worry about what they may find; Gabby hopes to strike it rich by searching through Happy's penny collection looking for a rarity.

Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Orlando" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Rosie's spoiled nephew Orlando visits, Mayan sets out to expose Rosie's cultural gender bias; George wants to teach Chance the value of hard work, but, instead, helps him create a toxic work environment.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Whacking the Mole" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Abishola has a romantic dream about Bob, she tries to suppress her feelings for him and pays the price.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Ralph Lauren and Fish" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob and Abishola finally go on a proper date, which is interrupted by Dottie's medical emergency.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Tough Like a Laundromat Washing Machine" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob hires Abishola to take care of Dottie in his home while she recovers; Dottie has a hard time dealing with her limitations and takes it out on Abishola.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Useless Potheads" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
With Abishola only helping part-time, Bob, Douglas and Christina struggle to take care of Dottie.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Wiz-Taken Identity" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Billie struggles with a spell, Roman says he could do it if he was a wizard: to prove him wrong, Billie uses a Power Glass to transfer her powers to Roman.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - " Ain't Gnome Party Like a Wizard Party" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Justin embraces mortality to live with his family; his new challenge arises when Alex introduces Billie, a wizard-in-training, seeking Justin's mentorship.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)

Friday, November 22

Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Watch Kerry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown/Space Force/Silicon Valley) - Jimmy is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Ariana appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Andy Richter (Andy Barker, P.I./Quintuplets/Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) and Aparna Nancherla (Lopez vs Lopez/Search Party/Corporate) - Andy, Thomas and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her new book Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Drew is joined by the hilarious Andrew to celebrate all things Thanksgiving on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Rosie Perez (Human Resources/Search Party) - Rosie tells Sherri about her new Apple TV+ psychological thriller Before on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.