'Benson' Fans Be Happy This Friday; News On 'The Game', 'Reba', 'Boston Legal' & 'King of the Hill'

Thursday, October 19, 2006

'Benson' Fans Be Happy This Friday; News On 'The Game', 'Reba', 'Boston Legal' & 'King of the Hill'

TV Land has changed its schedule for this Friday and Saturday just a bit. The Tom Cruise movie Top Gun will still air at 10pm, but the immediate encore following that has been moved to Saturday at 11:30 a.m., so TV Land has re-added Benson for this Friday night after Top Gun. 6 episodes will air until 4 a.m. This is just for this Friday. Benson will return to the mini-marathon late night line-up on December 15 when the Friday movies are over. Until then you can catch Benson Tuesdays 12 noon to 2 p.m. and late nights on Fridays at 3:30 a.m.

The CW has picked-up the new sitcom The Game for a full season. Meaning, 22 episodes will at least be produced. The Game is a spin-off of Girlfriends and airs Mondays at 9:30 p.m. In other CW news, they have axed new drama Runaway after just a few airings. The CW is expected to bring back veteran sitcom Reba shortly. It will join 7th Heaven and the encore of America's Next Top Model on Sundays. We will let you know as soon as they announce it.
ABC has scheduled a special November sweeps 2-part episode of the well written comedy-drama Boston Legal. It is so good that ABC has scheduled part one on Sunday, November 26 at 10:01 p.m. following Desperate Housewives! Part two will air in its regular Tuesday at 10 p.m. slot on November 28. Click HERE for details.
NBC meanwhile has quietly placed a new episode of struggling new drama Friday Night Lights on Monday, October 30 at 10 p.m. replacing another struggling new drama Studio 60, which was scheduled to have its pilot encored that night anyway. Friday Night Lights will just be a one time only airing on Monday at 10. The episode that will air that night will be repeated the next night on its regular night and time (Tuesdays at 8).
Finally, Hank Hill and the gang return for some beer-drinking, barbecuing and Texas-sized laughs for the 11th season of King of the Hill, premiering Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 7:30 p.m ET/PT on FOX. In the season premiere episode, Bobby's pet snake slithers down the toilet and Hank turns to Animal Control for help. Unfortunately, the Animal Control team takes advantage of the situation and creates a snake-in-the-city frenzy, putting Arlen in a state of panic. With the control team hissing, it's up to Dale to eliminate Arlen's reptile problem and help Animal Control rediscover their love for their jobs.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Tuesday, December 7

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes - (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
In this one-night-only event, an all-star lineup of talent will tackle the roles first portrayed in the iconic television sitcom “The Facts of Life,” including Jennifer Aniston playing the role of Blair, Gabrielle Union taking on the role of Tootie, Allison Tolman who will play Natalie and Kathryn Hahn recreating the role of Jo. Previously announced “Diff’rent Strokes” cast member Ann Dowd is also set to appear as Mrs. Garrett in this recreation of “The Facts of Life.” The Sony Pictures Television special can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

The live special event will feature reenactments of the hit series “The Facts of Life,” created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, and “Diff’rent Strokes,” created by Bernie Kukoff and Jeff Harris, and will reunite executive producers Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows. Previously announced cast members taking on the famed “Diff’rent Strokes” roles include John Lithgow, who will play Mr. Drummond; Kevin Hart, assuming the role of Arnold; and Damon Wayans and Ann Dowd, who will play Willis and Mrs. Garrett in “Diff’rent Strokes.”

Abbott Elementary - "Pilot" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

The Last O.G. - "Know Thyself" (TBS, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Amira attends college presentations, and her quick decision surprises Tray, who then works to guide Amira toward a better understanding of her identity; while cleaning out Roberta's storage unit, Shahzad makes a discovery about her past.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Wondering Prince" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Lisa helps Miranda set up her online dating proﬁle.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "What the Wellness" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mr. Brown vows that he's finished eating meat until he's left alone with a lot of soul food.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 6)

Tuesday, December 7

Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Catch Brandy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
J. B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Mapleworth Murders/Bent/'Til Death) - J. B. guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) and Cynthia Nixon (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Kristin and Cynthia are guests on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. Kristin also talks about And Just Like That... on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Chris Kattan (The Middle) - Chris will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jane Levy (Suburgatory) - Jane appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Whoopi Goldberg (Harlem/Whoopi/Bagdad Cafe) - Whoopi talks about her new holiday collection on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.