SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Fox Delays 'Til Death's New Slot for Reality Quiz Show; ABC's 10th Season of 'The Bachelor', Other Notes

Rookie sitcom 'Til Death was slated to move to Wednesdays at 9:30pm in late February (with a special two-night premiere following American Idol on Tues., Feb. 27 and Wed., Feb. 28 at 9:30pm), but Fox has decided to go with the new Mark Burnett reality-quiz show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? for those two nights (Feb. 27 and 28). Wednesday, March 7 Fox will have a special preview (as we mentioned before) of new drama The Wedding Bells following American Idol, so the earliest 'Til Death can premiere in its Wednesday at 9:30pm slot will be March 14 now.
As for Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, after those two special half-hour episode previews, it will move to Thursdays for its other four episodes. Episode three and on will be 1-hour episodes. Episodes 3 and 4 airs Thursday, March 1 and Thursday, March 8 at 9pm, following special Thursday editions of American Idol. The final two episodes will be on its own and will air March 15 and 22 at 8pm.

ABC will bring back The Bachelor back for its second installment of the season this April, and tenth installment overall. The series will air 90-minutes now on Mondays at 9:30PM-11:00PM, following the 90-minute performance show of the mega-hit Dancing with the Stars. This could be just what The Bachelor needs, a big boost, as the ratings have gone down but still did respectable. The premiere is set for Monday, April 2 and the official title for this installment is The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman. So, what happens to the current ABC Monday series (Wife Swap, Supernanny, and What About Brian)? Well, What About Brian will finish its 19-episode season on March 26 with a two-hour Dancing with the Stars performance show as its lead-in. The season premiere of Dancing with the Stars on March 19 will also lead into What About Brian. ABC is very keen on Brian, and they seem to want to bring it back next season. I don't blame hem, it is a very hot show. I'm not sure yet if Wife Swap and Supernanny will also finish their seasons in March or not, but I think Wife Swap probably will. Supernanny just started in January, so it might be heading to another night, possibly Tuesdays at 8?
With all this news, it looks like new sitcom Notes from the Underbelly will probably not air at all now. If it does, it'll probably be in the Wednesday comedy block, but it wouldn't fit in there because they are mostly male and family oriented. No news yet on Traveler or October Road, but I'm certain they will debut in March or April. Oprah's first reality project could be Tuesdays at 8 if Supernanny doesn't get that. Interesting stuff.
Also, ABC made some changes to its Feb. sweep Saturday plans. Feb. 10 from 9-11pm was the movie Legally Blonde 2, but now will be the movie Bringing Down the House, which was originally slated for Feb. 17. Feb. 17 is now an encore of Castaway from 8-11pm, replacing a Blooper special and Bringing Down the House.

Not One, But Two 'Cosby Show' DVD Sets Coming; Network February Sweep Programming

The Cosby Show has had two season DVD sets come out so far, both from Urban Works, but now due to some behind the scene stuff that I won't get into, First Look Home Entertainment will release the series, along with spin-off A Different World. This June, First Look will release Seasons 3 AND Season 4 of The Cosby Show on DVD! Wow! Double the fun and double the excitement for sitcom fans! There is no word yet on when A Different World Season 2 will come out, but I'm sure we could expect it sometime this year. Both Cosby Show & A Different World had syndicated copies for the season one sets, but I don't think First Look will gives us new sets for those with the broadcast versions, though Urban Works did give us season 2 of Cosby Show unedited, so I'm sure seasons 3 and 4 will be unedited.
We will keep you up to date.

It's almost sweeps time. The second sweep period (which is February) for the 2006-07 season will be underway this Thursday from Feb. 1-28. The networks are all ready and CBS and Fox look to be going head-to-head to the finish. CBS will be inflated because of the Super Bowl and Fox will get a 1000% increase I bet from November sweeps, because of American Idol. ABC will also be solid, but probably a bit down from November sweeps because Dancing with the Stars is not on, but certainly it will do well with top shows such as Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, and Ugly Betty. Meanwhile NBC will probably not do as well because they don't have the NFL to carry it, though rookie hit Heroes is a bright spot, as other rookies have bombed or dying (Friday Night Lights, Studio 60). The CW will probably be on par from November.
Anyway, to read about each network's Feb. sweep plans, see below:
ABC February 2007 Sweep
CBS February 2007 Sweep
NBC February 2007 Sweep
Fox February 2007 Sweep
The CW February 2007 Sweep - nothing released to us yet.

Full Episodes of 'Jim', Unaired 'Daybreak' Episodes Added to ABC.com; 13th Annual SAG Awards Winners; 'Reba' to End Feb. 18

ABC.com's Free Full Episode Player has just added According to Jim. The four latest episodes will be available online for free for the veteran sitcom that is moving to 9 PM now starting this Wednesday.
They have also re-added Daybreak with all the aired episodes, and also they will add an unaired episode each Monday for the next three weeks! The show is quite addicting and well written, so if you have not seen the show...you're in for a great ride! You can watch all the aired ones and then you can catch up to the unaired ones. I think they have added three or four unaired ones today, with more coming each Monday for the next three weeks. And if you didn't know, a few weeks back ABC.com added rookie drama Men in Trees to their player. They negotiated with Warner Bros., and the deal finally came through, but only the current week's episode is available, along with the series' pilot. So, if you miss the episode, you have a week to watch it.
Other series besides the new ones on the full player are: Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, What About Brian, Brothers & Sisters, The Knights of Prosperity, Six Degrees and Lost--all from Touchstone Television.

TNT and TBS aired the 13th Annual SAG Awards last night. Here are the television series winners:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Hugh Laurie, House - Dr. Gregory House FOX

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy - Dr. Miranda Bailey ABC

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock - Jack Donaghy NBC

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty - Betty Suarez ABC

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Grey's Anatomy, ABC

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
The Office, NBC

Some notes: Reba will end its run with two episodes, including the series finale, on Sunday Feb. 18 from 7-8 p.m. on The CW. CBS has canceled low rated reality series Armed & Famous after getting whacked by American Idol, repeats of CSI: Miami and Criminal Minds will take its slot (Wed at 8) until Jericho returns Feb. 14.
In syndication news, EXTRA has been renewed at least through the 2009-10 season, with 95% clearance. Meanwhile, The Greg Behrendt Show will not see a second season, and will likely be replaced by Steve Wilkos' show coming this fall.
And we remember classic TV writer Bob Carroll, Jr. He wrote on all of Lucille Ball's sitcoms: I Love Lucy, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and Life with Lucy. He died Saturday and also wrote for classic sitcoms such as Alice, Mothers in Law, Paul Lynde Show, and the short lived sitcom Dorothy. Carroll, Jr. was 88.

Shout! Factory DVD News, Includes 'Ozzie & Harriet', 'That Girl', 'Batfink', 'Bill Cosby Show'

For the second week in a row we do not have final numbers yet for this week, so I have decided not to do the ratings blog again. If you want to see last week's final numbers, I have posted them on our General Sitcoms board. I'll post this week's probably Tuesday, when final week numbers are out.
I hope we get final numbers next week, so we can bring that back to you. Sorry about this.

Anyway, we have some news for you on this Sunday. Shout! Factory has some DVDs coming in May and June, that might be of note to you. They will release the classic sitcom Ozzie & Harriet on May 1, in a best of volume for $34.98. What wonderful news! That Girl Season 3 will be streeting on May 29 for $39.98. It is nice that they are releasing that classic sitcom at a nice pace!
In the long range forecast for Shout!, they will release the classic animated series Batfink on June 19 in a complete series set for $34.98. Also that day Shout! will release the second season DVD of The Bill Cosby Show for $39.98.
And we all know they have McHale's Navy coming March 20 and Ironside on April 24. They look to be releasing great stuff!

Mini-DVD Review: Benny Hill Show Set 6: The Hill's Angels Years (Jan. 30)

Welcome to another edition of Saturday mini-DVD reviews! Today we take a look at A&E Home Video's The Benny Hill Show Set 6. You'll have a blast watching this show because it will leave you laughing until you die. See for yourself by reading our review. See My review of The Benny Hill Show Set 6.

The Benny Hill Show, Complete And Unadulterated: The Hill's Angels Years - Set 6 (A&E, $49.95) brings the final 8 episodes from the classic British series to DVD. This set is available on a three-disc set that contains 8 classic hours from 1986-1989. Hill's Angels are back and they are so good. Benny got even naughtier when they arrived, as we found out on the last set! Each episode runs about 50-51 minutes. See funny skits such as Benny as Fred Scuttle, Benny's Quickie, Benny's Ballad, and tons of Hill's Angels skits.
Packaging is very similar to the first five sets--box with three slim cases. The set again has special features. "Hill's Angels in Conversation" runs 10:04 and is produced by A&E and has interviews with some of the Hill's Angels--they share a lot and it is very interesting to watch. Then there is the little trivia game you can play titled "The Benny Hill Cheeky Challenge Trivia Quiz #6." I think there are 15 questions for you to answer. The menu screen has video clips to start off then the main menu comes, and the art is like the cover art. The theme doesn't loop. Episode numbers are on each main menu then when selected, you get to a skit selection screen, or you can just play the episode straight through. Chapter skips are also there, if you need them. I liked the 1982-1989 years the best, so the last two sets have been very good to me, because I liked Benny Hill even better in the 1980s years, as I'm sure many others do, too. Don't show this to little kids, because Benny is very naughty! So go chase after Benny to the video store to buy this set or chase him on the web to Amazon to buy it by clicking below.
-- Reviewed by Pavan
(4/5 stars)

To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
Benny Hill Show TV.com Page

i Network Renamed ION Television; ABC Swaps 'Knights' & 'Jim' on Wednesdays

i Network, which airs classic series such as Mama's Family and Growing Pains, will now be known as ION Television effective this Monday (Jan. 29), to be consistent with the company's corporate brand identity (ION Media). This move reflects the energy and vision behind the network's plans to expand its programming and viewership.
The network's new contemporary look and logo will be prominently featured on-air through a consumer-oriented promotional campaign over the next few months. Tagged "ION Television: Television in Motion," the on-air campaign will kick off with a series of promotions and image spots, as well a new on-screen network bug logo. The viewer campaign will launch on Monday, January 29th with "What's Your ION?," a web-based promotion that invites viewers to submit creative photos of themselves donning the new ION logo to be featured on the network's website, www.ionline.tv, and also on-air.
ION has seen significant gains in its primetime ratings this season, due in large part to its strategy to introduce popular movies and classic TV favorites through multiple content deals with its current partners, including Warner Bros., Sony, CBS Television and NBC Universal. View the full press release here.

I think this is a big step in expanding the hours to more than just 6-11pm. I think we will be seeing the hours expand very soon (clearly says it is expanding in the press release), maybe in the coming months. Let's hope we see shows like Perfect Strangers, Silver Spoons, Wonder Years, Diff'rent Strokes, and some other favorites not being aired currently, very soon!
We will of course keep you posted on anything ION Television (aka: i Network, aka PAX Television).

In order to strengthen the flow of the ABC Wednesday night line-up, effective this Wednesday (January 31), The Knights of Prosperity will move to 8:30 PM ET/PT and According to Jim will move to 9:00 PM ET/PT until further notice. George Lopez will remain at 8:00PM and In Case of Emergency at 9:30PM.
Also, for those of you who missed the second episode of The Knights of Prosperity that aired on January 10 due to President Bush's speech messing up the timing, ABC will re-air this episode this Tuesday (Jan. 30) at 9:30 PM, after the finale of Big Day.
On the first Wednesday of February Sweep (Feb. 7), According to Jim & In Case of Emergency will be pre-empted during the 9:00PM hour for a Lost Survivor Guide clip show hosted by the producers, which will lead into the return of Lost at 10:00PM! Can't wait!

TV Land March Highlights, Includes Three's Company Mini Marathon and To Be Continued Free Fridays; Mary Tyler Moore Show Reunion at SAG Awads

It was only yesterday we released the February schedule for TV Land (we've had it posted in our message board for a while but was waiting for official confirmation to post it here), and today TV Land has officially released the March 2007 schedule. We mentioned yesterday that The Munsters and The Addams Family are coming back to TV Land in March and today that is official! The Munsters will air weekdays at 11am and weekends at 8:30am, while The Addams Family will air weekdays at 12 noon. Weekend mornings will see an extreme makeover, with westerns ruling the mornings now, too. The westerns (Bonanza, Gunsmoke) will air weekends from 6am-8pm, except the 8am hour which will have Flip Wilson & The Munsters. Gone from weekend mornings and the schedule completely are Cheers, 227, Benson, Wings, Night Court, and Highway to Heaven. TV Land has released the contracts reportedly for 227 and Benson, both were set to expire in May 2008, but they have switched that for The Munsters and The Addams Family from The Program Exchange.
Among the highlights include Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg season two continuing all month long; To Be Continued Fridays, catch multiple part episodes back-to-back just like a movie, shows like The Jeffersons & Brady Bunch in Hawaii, and more! Finally, the monthly mini-marathon for March is Three's Company! Catch Jack enter a bake-off, meeting Cindy for the first time, and more!
To view the complete March details, click HERE.

The cast of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, will reunite to hand out the best ensemble in a comedy series Screen Actors Guild award.
Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, Georgia Engel, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, Gavin MacLeod and Betty White are all scheduled to be on hand for the Jan. 28 ceremonies at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. Dick Van Dyke is also scheduled to be in attendance, so it will also be a reunion of the two main stars of The Dick Van Dyke Show.

TV Land February Highlights, Addams & Munsters Return in March; CHiPs DVD Coming in May

TV Land has officially released its February highlights and we have them for you! They will make no schedule changes, as of now, of course, but there will be a lot of specials and marathons. The three-part special That's What I'm Talking About will re-air for Black History Month on Feb. 3. Myths & Legends continues with its final two episodes of the season on Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, before making way for season two of Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg. This year David sits down with legendary comedians such as Roseanne, Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, and Garry Shandling. These celebrated performers offer hilarious stories about their personal lives and careers in the entertainment field. Don’t miss this change to get up, close, and personal with some of comedies favorite stars!
Finally we have a Valentine's Day marathon of The Cosby Show on Feb. 8 and again on Feb. 14. Good Times will get the monthly mini-marathon weekend slot on Feb. 17.
To view the full highlights, click HERE.
And as a preview for March, TV Land has given word that The Munsters and The Addams Family are returning to TV Land! Details soon, but get ready!

The classic '70s cop show CHiPs is coming to DVD this spring! Warner Home Video has set a May release date. This is great news for fans of that show, as this show has been anticipated for so long on DVD. Take this as unofficial news until WHV actually announces it, which could be very soon. So put those thumbs up, and join Erik Estrada this May!

Nick at Nite February Highlights Sees Growing Pains and Tuesday Night Movies; NFL AFC Championship Game Scores Big for CBS

Nick at Nite has finally announced its full February plans. Like we mentioned before, Growing Pains will launch on Monday, Feb. 12. The launch will be a 7 night marathon (Feb. 12-18) and will be all-night long! That's Mon-Thurs 9pm-6am, Fri-Sat 10pm-6am and Sun 9pm-6am. Wow! Episode info is not available for the stunt yet. I would assume that half of each day will be new episodes followed by encores from the same night.
Anyway, Growing Pains will also join the regular schedule starting Feb. 19, airing Mon-Thurs back-to-back from 9-10pm, every night at 1:30am, Fri-Sat at 10:30pm, and Sundays at 9:30pm--all replacing Full House. Full House will still air every night at 1am & 5:30am, and also Fri-Sat at 10pm and Sundays at 9pm. In addition Full House will air on Nickelodeon Mon-Fri at 8:30pm starting Feb. 12.
Also on tap for Nick at Nite February are Tuesday Night movies. Airing Tuesdays at 9pm starting Feb. 20. You'll see movies like Crocodile Dundee. Click HERE to view the full Nick at Nite February details.

We shall bring you TV Land February when announced. We posted some of the highlights already on our message boards, but it is still not official.

Finally we leave you with the number one rated program of the season thus far. CBS Sports' coverage of the AFC Championship Game featuring the New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Jan. 21 (6:44-10:23 PM, ET), averaged 46.7 million viewers (26.4 rating/39 share), up +20% from 39.0 million in 2006 (Pittsburgh-Denver; 3:08-6:16 PM, ET) and up +5% from 2005's 44.3 million (New England-Pittsburgh; 6:37-9:50 PM, ET). Sunday's 46.7 million was the highest number of average viewers for the AFC Championship Game since New England-Miami on NBC in 1986 (47.5 million), over 21 years ago. The 46.7 million viewers for this year's AFC Championship Game was the most-watched non-Super Bowl program since the series finale of Friends on NBC (52.5 million on 5/6/04). The AFC Championship Game viewership peaked at 57.2 million (32.4 rating/45 share) from 10:00-10:23 PM.
To show you how big the Super Bowl is, last year the game did 90.7 million on ABC. With the NFL ratings up this year, can we see 100 million for this year's Super Bowl? We'll find out in 2 weeks.

American Life TV Network February Highlights; '70s Week on Biography Channel

AmericanLife TV Network, the only independent network devoted to the Baby Boomer generation, marks Black History Month in February, with a full slate of programs examining the Black experience, both in America and in Africa .
The network also begins a special salute to the classic ‘60s spy series The Man From U.N.C.L.E., with the series’ original pilot film and three exciting two-part episodes.
For Black History Month, catch two memorable episodes of I'll Fly Away. Bing Crosby and Maureen O’Hara are among the guests this month on The Color Honeymooners. See actor Adam Arkin on Harry O and the final three China Beach episodes. M*A*S*H’s Wayne Rogers guest stars this month on two The F.B.I. episodes. Other highlights include Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara on The Courtship of Eddie's Father, WKRP's Loni Anderson on Harry O and Batman's Adam West on Maverick.
It looks to be an exciting February on one of the best classic TV channels. Click HERE to view the full highlights!


It's '70s week on The Biography Channel all-week in primetime. Starting tonight at 8pm with an A&E Bio on The Bee Gees. Rest of the week has a Happy Days bio on Tuesday, ABBA on Wednesday, Paul Newman on Thursday and the great Mary Tyler Moore on Friday.
And next week on The Biography Channel it is Viva La Italiano week for four nights starting Monday with an A&E Bio on Dean Martin, followed by Nicolas Cage on Tuesday, Sophia Lauren on Wednesday, and Sal Mineo on Thursday. All starting at 8pm ET (9pm PT).

George Lopez returns Wednesday at 8/7 central on ABC with its season premiere, followed by all-new hilarious episodes of According to Jim, The Knights of Prosperity and In Case of Emergency. Comedy rules on ABC Wednesday. Who needs Idol?

Mini-DVD Review: Alvin & the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Valentine (Jan. 23)

Welcome to a special Sunday edition of the mini-DVD reviews. This week we take a look at Paramount Home Entertainment's Alvin & the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Valentine. Alvin & the Chipmunks is of course the hit animated series that ran from 1983-1991. It was most popular in the early-mid 80s and this set has a 1984 Valentine's episode and three mini episodes from 1988 and 1989. Cartoonist Dave Seville takes care of three chipmunks: Alvin, Simon and Theodore! See my mini-DVD review of Alvin & the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Valentine:

Alvin & the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Valentine (Paramount, $14.99) brings a classic Valentine's Day episode and three additional loved-themed animated episodes. This is the third set from Paramount featuring the Chipmunks. The last set was the Halloween set. Previously we had the Christmas special release. Paramount has also released the Chipmunk feature film from 1987 on a separate set. This set has a 1984 half-hour Valentine's Day episode titled "I Love Chipmunks Valentine" that aired during the original series' run! I'm so glad they put that on here because 1983-1987 or so is the best version of the Chipmunks, I think. DiC took over after that and changed the animation. It was good, but I loved the original. The classic half-hour episode is a music-filled adventure as Alvin develops an alter ego after Brittany rejects his invitation to the Valentine Ball. In a dream state, he becomes a dashing Don Juan called Captain Chipmunk. I remember watching this and loving it every time they aired it in the rotation on TV. The set also has three loved-theme episodes from The Chipmunk years, like I mentioned. The classic "I Love Chipmunks Valentine" episode runs 24:03. The other three are mini episodes, meaning each half hour had two episodes when they originally aired, and we get one of them here. The mini-episodes on this set are: "Dr. Simon and Mr. Heart Throb" (11:26), "Dear Diary" (11:16) and "Theodore and Juliet" (11:48). Only one of the three mini episodes have closing credits, as they probably were the first episodes of the half-hour. No chapter stops. Packaging is simple and in the same line as the previous sets--a nice case. The menu screen has Play All and Episode Selection, with a song from the Chipmunks in the background. A colorful menu with the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. When we go to episode selection, the episodes are listed with a screenshot from the episode. The menu is designed quite well and is easy to navigate. The video and audio are decent and very watchable. The classic 1984 special episode looks very good, but not as good as the mini-episodes. I hope we get full season episodes in the future starting with the 1983 episodes. I highly do recommend any fan to pick up this set. New fans might also want to, but I am hoping Paramount (or any other studio) releases the series on DVD in order with the classic episodes, and not just select episodes from The Chipmunks years. I like the old style animation the series had on NBC from 1983-87, and glad to see it for once on these DVDs. So, hopefully we get the series on DVD from the start next, but for now go out and buy this set to make that happen before Brittany doesn't accept Alvin's invitation to the Valentine Ball!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
(4/5 stars)

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Amazon.com

Related links:
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Alvin & the Chipmunks TV.com Page
Chipmunks.com

Our regular ratings blog will return next Sunday, as I didn't have final numbers and I hate using the prelim fast nationals.

TCA Winter Press Tour: Fox; CW to End 'Reba'; Remembering Barney Miller's Ron Carey

The final day of the TCA Winter Press Tour brings Fox up to the plate. They have announced their spring schedule and have a lot of new times and new shows. So, let's get it started right away...
Freshman sitcom 'Til Death is making a move to Wednesdays at 9:30, following American Idol. After special post-Idol airings on Tuesday, Feb. 27 and Wednesday, Feb. 28 (both at 9:30 PM), the time period premiere is Wednesday, March 14.
Sitcom The War at Home is moving back to Sundays, but this time at 7:30. The show premieres in its new time period Sunday, March 4 (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. New sitcom The Winner, from creator Seth MacFarlane, debuts with two episodes on Sunday, March 4 at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM and it will air for three consecutive Sundays at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM, finishing its 6-episode order in just three weeks. King of the Hill will return to 8:30 PM on March 25 after three weeks off, as will American Dad at 9:30 PM.
Fox will debut a mid-season drama from David E. Kelley called The Wedding Bells on Friday, March 9 at 9 PM, but first it will give it a sneak preview Wednesday, March 7, After American Idol at 9 PM.
Freshman drama Standoff will move to a new night and time on Friday, March 30 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).
Finally, the new action drama Drive, created by Tim Minear and Ben Queen, takes viewers for a wild ride when a diverse group of people, all with different motives and secrets, participate in an underground cross-country road race. Drive revs up the schedule with a two-hour series premiere Sunday, April 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and time period premiere Monday, April 16 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Prison Break's season would have ended a week before. Fox has confirmed at the tour that that show will return next season for a third season.
This is not all Fox will air in mid-season. Thursdays is still TBD, but rumor has it that Hell's Kitchen is coming to Thursdays at 9 PM, but Fox didn't announce that today. Also, on Fox's mid-season docket, but not announced yet are returning sitcom The Loop, new reality/game show Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, reality show On the Lot (that could be moved to summer now), and reality show Woman Rule the World. Nanny 911 and Trading Spouses looks like will end early, with Nanny probably ending after its March 23 airing and Spouses ending after its March 2 airing, with the new Fox Friday by March 30 of Standoff & The Wedding Bells.
One final note, Fox will have two episodes of 24 on Monday, Feb. 12. Day Six: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM and Day Six: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM airing Monday, Feb. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the nation continues to reel from the terrorist attacks and Agent Bauer battles unthinkable circumstances.

The CW confirmed late yesterday that long running sitcom Reba will end with a two-part series finale this season. So, it looks like a wrap for that sitcom, unless it pulls a 7th Heaven and comes back.

We leave you today with some sad news, actor Ron Carey passed away this past Tuesday. Ron Carey, the short and puckish comedic actor is best known for his role as Officer Carl Levitt on the hit sitcom Barney Miller. He was also a member of Mel Brooks' troupe in films such as High Anxiety and Silent Movie. Carey died of a stroke Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The 5-foot-7 Carey became a semi-regular on ABC's Barney Miller in 1976, the second year of the sitcom that starred Hal Linden, and remained with the show until it ended in 1982. The Newark, NJ native also co-starred in the series Lucky Luke in 1993. He also had a role in the short-lived ABC sitcom produced by John Ritter called Have Faith in 1989. He also was on two short lived sitcoms in the '70s--The Montefuscos (1975) for NBC and The Corner Bar (1972-73) for ABC. He has guest starred on sitcoms such as Benson, Alice, New Love American Style.
Carey, probably not known by many by his name, certainly will be remembered by his role on Barney Miller by sitcom fans. He will be missed. He was 71.

We will have our Saturday mini-DVD review tomorrow on a special Sunday edition. We might not have our regular Sunday ratings blog tomorrow because we don't have access to final numbers for this week yet. So, I might not do it, or I'll just fast nationals. We'll see...but certainly come by tomorrow for the mini-review.

TCA Winter Press Tour: The CW; TV Land Brings Back 'Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg'

The CW is up today at the TCA Winter Press Tour. The CW wants to bring back Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars next season, but no decision has been made. And if 7th Heaven is not coming back, it will have another series finale...funny. No decision yet on One Tree Hill, Supernatural or Reba. The only locks I think are America's Next Top Model, Smallville, and Everybody Hates Chris. Everything else's chances will probably depend on the development of new shows and how they are. And The O.C. will NOT be picked up by The CW after Fox just canceled it. Thought I would make that clear, The CW did consider it, but passed.
Like ABC's Full Episode Player on abc.com, The CW will get into that business now. The CW will stream episodes of Beauty and the Geek, Supernatural, Veronica Mars, One Tree Hill, Everybody Hates Chris, All of Us, Girlfriends and The Game on CWTV.com effective immediately. And like ABC's, the latest four episodes will be available.
The network is giving Everybody Hates Chris a full-season order for 2007-08. Fans will breathe a sigh of relief for sure, as it was not a given this show would be back next season since the ratings have been down this year.
Coming up in mid-season: America's Next Top Model will launch its eighth run on Wednesday, February 28 with a two-hour premiere at 8 pm. Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll will premiere Tuesday, March 6 at 9 pm and will air for six weeks in place of Veronica Mars, which will return in late April for its final episodes of the season. The network has not announced yet a premiere date for mid-season drama Hidden Palms, but they said they will very soon. I'm betting Wednesdays at 9 to give One Tree Hill a breather. The network is planning Crowned, an eight-episode competition in which mother-daughter teams pair to try and win a beauty pageant. A yet-to-be-announced celebrity mother-daughter pair will be among the judges. No idea when this will premiere, maybe in the summer?

Tomorrow Fox is up, so make sure you make it to our blog for a special news Saturday. We will still have a mini-DVD review, too! It looks to be a fun Saturday indeed.

TV Land will bring back another batch of all-new episodes of talk show Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg. 6 episodes have been ordered with 6 legendary guests. This six-episode series -- filmed in front of a live studio audience -- premieres with an animated and hilarious conversation with Jerry Seinfeld. Subsequent guests in this one-on-one comedy forum include Robin Williams, Roseanne Barr, Jon Stewart, Garry Shandling and Ray Romano, who entertain with funny stories about their personal lives and careers in entertainment.
The second season kicks off Wednesdays at 10pm for six weeks starting Wednesday, February 21 at 10pm (ET/PT).
Click here for episode info.

TCA Winter Press Tour: CBS; NBC Note; i Network February Highlights

CBS was up at the TCA winter press tour today. Not much news from them, other than touting they are number one in the ratings, but they have renewed Survivor for two more installments for 2007-08. CBS plans on keeping its schedule virtually untouched the remainder of the season. The February 5 debut of sitcom Rules of Engagement is the only scripted show currently slated to launch for the rest of the season, though there are some reality projects that could debut. CBS is still looking at bringing back another version of music reality show Rock Star for the summer. Big Brother will return this summer. CBS has said they are retooling The Class and focusing on the three couples, and it is still unclear if the sitcom will return next season. It will end its rookie season in early March.
CBS also detailed its Super Bowl schedule for Feb. 4. CBS will kick off its coverage at noon ET with a Road to the Super Bowl 2007 season highlight show, followed by Phil Simms All-Iron Team: The Difference Makers at 1. A four-hour pre-game show then begins at 2, featuring reports from CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, as well as Early Show anchor and former sportscaster Hannah Storm. CBS Sports' Randy Cross will be doing live cut-ins with American soldiers in Iraq. The game itself is scheduled to kick off at 6:25 p.m. ET from Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla.
The post-Super Bowl show will be an episode of Criminal Minds. CBS will close the day with an airing of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson following local news shows.

CBS's TCA tour so far has been the most boring, but everyone knew that. The CW goes tomorrow and Fox on Saturday, should be more livelier.
NBC made a quick note following their tour yesterday and have announced that mid-season drama Raines will now premiere on Thursday, March 15 at 10 p.m. and will air Thursdays at 10 p.m. for 2 weeks, before moving to Fridays at 9 p.m. starting March 30. Jeff Goldblum stars. The show combines creative forces in the inventive police-drama that blends traditional noir storytelling with humor and intrigue.

The i Network has announced its February schedule to us. There are no regular schedule changes, as of now. So, it will remain the same schedule. They will though have a sitcom Valentine's Week from Feb. 12-16 with sitcom episodes dealing with love & romance. Green Acres, Growing Pains, and Mama's Family are featured. There is one Amen sighting even on Feb 22 at 10:30 p.m., following the special The Making of Amazing Grace.
We will keep you up to date if anything should change, but for now click HERE to view the highlights for February.

TCA Winter Press Tour: NBC; More NATPE News; 'Growing Pains' Delayed on Nick@Nite; Mid-Week Notes

Busy day today. Well, really it is a busy last few weeks with the TCA, NATPE, and schedule changes. Today at the TCA Tour, NBC was up. They had quite a few announcements to make. They made it official today, they will add a fourth hour to their morning show Today, which means it will now air 7-11am. Wow! What's next 7am-12pm? I think they could do that, since most of the NBC Universal new shows are bombing. Anyway, this is what NBC said about adding the 4th hour of Today: On January 14, 1952, Today made history when Dave Garroway and the Today show made its network debut – the first two-hour morning program of its kind. In September, 2000, the program did it again – and expanded to three hours. And now, in the midst of an unprecedented 11 year run as the number-one morning news program, Today will once again make its mark on television history, and expand to four hours. The new hour will launch in September, 2007.
With this piece of news, NBC had to cut an hour from their daytime line-up. So, what is gone? Soap opera Passions will be canceled after August.
Heading into primetime, NBC made announcements that it has renewed some of their shows for next season (2007-08). The four series that received an early pick-up for next season are: Heroes, The Office, My Name is Earl, and Law & Order: SVU. All four will likely have at least 22 episodes next season.
NBC has picked up its popular game show Identity – hosted for one week before Christmas by Emmy Award-winning comedian-magician Penn Jillette -- for a series return in March. Seven episodes have been ordered. No timeslot or day as of yet, but it could be coming to Sundays at 8, when Grease is finished in late March. Speaking of Grease, NBC has announced two more additional episodes have been picked-up, raising it to 11 episodes.
Also at NBC will be a new reality improv-comedy. NBC has ordered six one-hour episodes of Thank God You're Here. Hosted by David Alan Grier, and presided over by judge Dave Foley, each episode of Thank God You're Here showcases the improvisational skills of a group of fearless celebrities as they compete in a battle of wits and laughter to outdo each other's performance in various unexpected situations. Jennifer Coolidge, Bryan Cranston, Joel McHale and Wayne Knight star in the pilot episode. Production on the remaining episodes is expected to resume in February with a launch set for in the spring.
Finally, Dateline: To Catch a Predator (yet again) returns for six weeks Tuesdays at 8 p.m. starting Jan. 30.
NBC has still not announced yet when mid-season sitcoms The Singles Table and Andy Barker, P.I. will be airing. Black Donnellys and Raines are still on target for their premieres on Mondays at 10 and Fridays at 9.

Coming up next are CBS, Fox, and The CW. CBS and Fox had some news today, but we'll make it official when they go at their respected TCA tours. So come back for that.

Just one NATPE note today. Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution has pulled its high-profile Celebrity Jury court strip off the market for this fall after failing to come to terms with the Fox station group on price. But the project may not be dead entirely and could make a comeback sometime later, perhaps in 2008.

Nick at Nite has announced that it will NOT premiere Growing Pains this coming Sunday now. Instead the show will now launch on Monday, February 12. No idea why the delay, but there will now be a Roseanne week next week. Jan. 22-28, nothing but Roseanne. We're also not sure yet what slots Growing Pains will air, but it is likely the same slots we reported when it was supposed to launch Jan. 21. Full House will not air at 8:30 p.m. now until Feb. 12. It was slated to air there on Jan. 22.
Also, Nick at Nite will air the Tuesday night movies in February. It was slated to start Jan. 9. with Crocodile Dundee, but they backed out.
We'll keep you updated when we get more information on the Growing Pains situation.

Now time for some mid-week notes. This is a lightning round of short news items. First and foremost, don't forget the third episode each of hilarious sitcoms The Knights of Prosperity and In Case of Emergency tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Tonight the Knights hire a security expert to help them get passed the bodyguards. Should be fun!
The Super Bowl airs Sunday, Feb. 4 on CBS, but CBS will have Super Monday the next night with NFL legends (and Dancing with the Stars alums) Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice guest starring on the opening hour sitcoms. Emmitt on How I Met Your Mother and Jerry on The Class. Emmitt will play himself in the episode when a star-struck Barney (Neil Patrick Thomas) recognizes the former NFL great on the street. As for Jerry Rice's appearance, Duncan (Jon Bernthal) is shocked when he visits Nicole (Andrea Anders) and finds Rice and former pro-football player Yonk Allen (David Keith) working on a charity event speech together.
The CW Network and CBS Paramount Television will stream a never-before-seen episode of the critically acclaimed comedy Everybody Hates Chris on Yahoo! TV (http://tv.yahoo.com/) for one week prior to its network debut on Jan. 22. The episode, entitled "Everybody Hates Eggs," will be offered free-of-charge and without commercial interruption on Yahoo! beginning NOW. In the episode, which airs on The CW on Monday, January 22 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET), Chris (Tyler James Williams) and Greg (Vincent Martella) get a classroom lesson on parenting when they are each assigned an egg to care for as if it were their own child.

NATPE 2007 Syndication Convention; ABC Family Brings Back '7th Heaven', 'Everwood' Benched; Golden Globes Winners

Yep, it is that time of year again--NATPE 2007. This is where new syndicated shows are bought by stations and where distributors announce what shows will be renewed, among other things. NATPE convention is running Jan. 16-18 in Las Vegas. This year we have a lot of new entries like usual, including even more court shows. Why are these so popular? Sitcom wise, a few shows will be going into off-network syndication, meaning airing 5 days a week. Sitcoms include Two and a Half Men, George Lopez and Family Guy. There are other sitcoms in the run like All of Us, What I Like About You, and Half & Half, but haven't sold much yet.
This year a few dramas are even coming to 5 day a week syndication. In recent years dramas usually air only on weekends. Law & Order Criminal Intent and Baywatch will make the round back to locals, but this time 5 days a week.
As for first-run stuff. We have two talk shows so far: The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet (which is launching on Fox-owned stations next week actually) and untitled show starring Steve Wilkos from The Jerry Springer Show. There will be even a new game show called Temptations, a revival of the old Sale of the Century. Distributors are still trying to sell some other game shows, but nothing has been locked up thus yet. Three more court shows are coming it seems and TMZ.com will get into the TV newsmagazine business with its own show.
Renewals include: Twentieth Television's Divorce Court, Judge Alex and Christina’s Court. Buena Vista has renewed Live! with Regis and Kelly and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire through the 2010-2011 season. CBS Television Distribution has announced it has renewed rookie Rachel Ray through 2009-10 season. Sony's Judge Maria Lopez was renewed already, but Sony has announced it has cleared the show to 92% of the country for next fall. Sony's Judge Hatchett will also be back.

That's all the news we have that is of use, but like usual, we have did a "tentative" list of shows that are being sold to syndication for fall 2007. To see that list, click HERE. We will update periodically and give updates right until fall 2007 starts. So, bookmark it!
We might be back tomorrow if anything else of note is announced at NATPE. Also tomorrow, NBC is up at the TCA Tour. With CBS, Fox and The CW following it later in the week. Keep it right here for full coverage.

ABC Family Channel is bringing back 7th Heaven and will run it weeknights at 6 p.m. starting Tuesday, Feb. 6. It will be replacing Everwood it seems. I am sure Everwood will return soon, so don't worry fans of that show. 7th Heaven came back, as did Smallville, so Everwood is likely to return in the coming months.

And if you're living under a rock, here are the television winners from the Golden Globes last night:

Series, Drama: Grey's Anatomy, ABC
Actress, Drama: Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer, TNT
Actor, Drama: Hugh Laurie, House, Fox
Series, Musical or Comedy: Ugly Betty, ABC
Actress, Musical or Comedy: America Ferrera, Ugly Betty, ABC
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock, NBC
Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Emily Blunt, Gideon's Daughter, BBC America
Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jeremy Irons, Elizabeth I, HBO

TCA Winter Press Tour: ABC; 'Silver Spoons' Coming to DVD; TV Land Schedule Changes

Cable's TCA tour is over for winter, but now the broadcast networks are up! It kicked off yesterday (Sunday, January 14) with ABC going up. The big announcement was the return date for Dancing with the Stars. The show will be in its 4th cycle and will return March 19 and air Mondays 8-9:30 and the results show on Tuesdays 9-10pm. The first two Mondays (March 19, 26) the show will be two-hours (8-10pm) long. To offer viewers two weeks to see the performers in action before voting, the first results show will air on week two, so the first results show will launch March 27 9-10pm. The show will not be facing American Idol. The new cast will be announced on Good Morning America closer to premiere, probably in February.
ABC hasn't mentioned thus yet on when the other mid-season shows will air. But it is safe to assume that new sitcom Notes from the Underbelly will air Mondays at 9:30 p.m. when Dancing goes to 90-minutes starting April 2. ABC will likely use the 2 two-hour editions to launch a new drama at 10pm, perhaps October Road or continue to try to build What About Brian, which will soon feature Stacy Keibler, who was on season two of Dancing with the Stars. ABC also has a great drama coming up called Traveler. That could air Tuesdays or Wednesdays most likely. ABC also has Set for Life, a game show with Jimmy Kimmel and The Big Give, a reality show from Oprah, that could air Tuesdays by February. The sitcom George Lopez (returns Jan. 24) will try to capitalize on the success of Dancing with the Stars, by having past contestants Mario Lopez, Stacy Keibler and Jerry Springer as guest stars on separate episodes. Television icons Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie) and Adam West (Batman) will also guest star, as will Academy Award winner Rita Moreno.
ABC also stated that Six Degrees and The Nine could return to the schedule to finish off its episodes before the season ends. And ABC stated that Day Break will be coming back to finish its episodes online, on ABC.com in February.
The following shows has panel sessions today: Lost, In Case of Emergency, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Men in Trees and Ugly Betty. The biggest discussion came from the Lost panel where were learned quite a bit. The producers of the show are talking to ABC executives on a period on when to end the show. The producers are saying they want to end around 100 episodes, which would be about 4 full seasons and maybe a short 5th season. They want to end on top and not 'jump the shark.' And next season, the series' 4th season, ABC might go with 22 straight weeks of all-new episodes rather than two batches of episodes. So, the show could debut in January and end in May, like 24 does on Fox, or start in the fall and end in late Feb. I would try to have a scheme where it could air in all three sweep months, so maybe start in early October and run it to end of November sweeps. Start it up again in mid-February and end in early May? I guess we can discuss that in the summer press tour or upfronts, it is way too early to talk about 2007-08 season. Winter press tour is about mid-season 2007.
As for the other panels, ABC announced for In Case of Emergency that Jane Seymour is coming on the show for three episodes. Seymour will play Jason's (David Arquette) mother, Donna and tries to get frisky with Harry (Jonathan Silverman). Her first episode will air Feb. 14 at 9:30pm.
Desperate Housewives panel released more on Marcia Cross' real-life bedrest. Dixie Carter will still be on the show quite a lot until April. And Nicolette Sheridan will have more time on episodes when Cross is on bedrest, and we might even see Edie's son finally by season's end.

I think that is all the noteworthy stuff. Come on back for updates, if any,

Here we are, face to face, a couple of Silver Spoons. Silver Spoons is finally going to come to DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment! Judith A. Moose, who wrote a book on the 80s sitcom, has informed us of this great news! She says special features are also being produced for this DVD set, including audio commentaries. Let's hope most (or even all) of the cast can participate. Judith says we can expect the first season to arrive before summer's end! Hopefully all the episodes will be unedited, and I'm sure Judith will check in on that for us, as Sony is sort of notorious on edited episodes on DVDs, especially multiple part episodes.
This is indeed exciting news and let's hope the plan works out and we do get this set in the summer. You can read Judith's little update and also post your thoughts and comments by clicking here. Together, we're going to find our way (on DVD)!

On Friday evening we announced on our message boards that TV Land will make some schedules changes to its line-up starting Monday. The changes on Monday will be for shows airing everynight between 7-11pm. Includes Gunsmoke coming to 7pm, M*A*S*H moving to 9-10pm and the return of The Jeffersons in primetime from 10-11pm. But that's not all. They will make some changes late Tuesday night (early Wednesday) at midnight with more M*A*S*H and Andy Griffith in the hour. That means Star Trek will be moved to 1:10am, followed by another M*A*S*H at 2:20am. Then on Wednesday, daytime changes will be made, with two I Love Lucy episodes now from 10:30-11:30am, followed by two Green Acres episodes, then an episode each of Brady Bunch and All in the Family. At 2pm Gunsmoke will air, The A-Team moves to 3pm, Miami Vice comes to weekdays airing at 4pm, and Bonanza & Little House round it off from 5-7pm. So, M*A*S*H is doing well, Beaver has been cut down a bit, Gunsmoke is now airing 4 times a day on weekdays, and Miami Vice goes from once a week to 6 airings a week.
To view the full list of changes click HERE. Confused? See the entire line-up here.

Week 17 Numbers (First Four Nights); How the Sitcoms Did

Before we get to the numbers, we would like to let you know that TCA Winter Network Press Tour is underway with ABC up today. Come back at 12 midnight ET tonight for a recap!

Week 17 numbers (first four nights, Mon-Thu):

Households: Fox: 9.1/13.8; CBS: 7.2/11.2; NBC: 6.2/9.6; ABC: 6.0/9.3; The CW: 1.8/2.8.
Total Viewers: Fox: 14.9 million; CBS: 11.01 million; NBC: 9.46 million; ABC: 9.06 million; The CW: 2.73 million.
Adults 18-49: Fox: 5.6/14.1; NBC: 3.4/8.6; CBS: 3.4/8.5; ABC: 3.3/8.4; The CW: 1.2/3.0.

Analysis: The 17th week saw Fox starting off big with the BCS National Championship Game and a good showing for House on Tuesday and the network has the lead through Thursday. CBS has won households for 16 straight weeks, which will likely come to an end this week, with Fox winning likely because they also had the NFL playoff game last night. Fox will win the week in Adults 18-49 because of the NFL game yesterday and the BCS game on Monday. Fox will be a player now because American Idol will now launch in week 18--god help us all. As usual, Friday and Saturday numbers are not above, since final numbers are not available yet. CBS is in second place for the week, and will likely stay there for the first time this season. NBC & ABC are almost neck-and-neck through Thursday, and I think ABC will prevail for a decent third for the week, because ABC will do very well tonight. On Monday it was all Fox as the BCS National Championship Game did 28.8 million, down from last year when it was on ABC, but still massive. CBS's CSI: Miami was back with its first new episode of 2007 and did 16.01 million, and NBC's Heroes encore marathon (yes another) from 9-11pm struggled doing 5.72 and 4.45 million, Deal or No Deal started the night off well though with 14.06 million. CBS sitcoms did OK in the 8pm hour doing 8.37 and 7.65 million. Two and a Half Men rose from those numbers and did 14.78 million, with Christine following and holding on well with 12.08 million. ABC saw decent numbers for all-new episodes of Wife Swap & Supernanny doing 7.94 and 8.17 million. Tuesday was again Fox's night. House encore and an all-new House was enough to win the night. The encore did 9.02 million, but the new episode nearly doubled that and did 17.78 million. NBC got decent numbers from both Law & Order spin-offs doing 11.78 and 14.41 million from 9-11pm (though down from last week), with Dateline kicking the night off with a respectable 9.52 million, slightly up week to week. CBS's repeat of NCIS started off strong with 12.84 million, and The 33rd Annual People's Choice Awards did OK with 11.33 million. ABC saw a AFV repeat open up decently with 7.58 million (down from last week's 8.14), but then two episodes of the new sitcom Big Day wasn't so hot, as they did 4.2 and 3.92 million each, down from last week. A new episode of Boston Legal did 8.9 million, not good. Wednesday saw President Bush mess up the night by scheduling a speech for 9pm. All the networks had to retool their schedule. CBS won the night with repeats. Premiere of Armed & Famous didn't do too well though at just 8.07 million, then repeats of Criminal Minds and CSI: NY did decent with 10.85 and 9.68 million. NBC saw Friday Night Lights limping still with just 6.41 million (up slightly week to week), a shortened encore of Deal or No Deal followed the Bush speech at 9:30 with 10.42 million. Medium repeat followed with 7.56 million. ABC's comedy block opened up better than last week with two episodes of According to Jim doing 7.81 and 8.62 million--way up from last week! And it is quite unfortunate that The Knights of Prosperity couldn't get that 8.62 million lead-in because of Bush, instead it started around 9:23 and viewers must have been lost and the momentum that Jim left was gone, the show did 5.2 million only. In Case of Emergency followed that with 5.22 million. Let's hope we see this block doing consistent numbers, which I think it could do. Bush ruined it in week 17. Fox aired a Bones repeat that did OK with 7.09 million and then Bush speech followed by a low rated 'Til Death encore doing 3.32 million. The CW did decent with Beauty & the Geek doing 3.91 million, though down from the premiere. On Thursday we saw ABC dominate with all-new episodes, as CBS was in repeats from 9-11pm this week. ABC opened with an all-new Ugly Betty winning the hour with 13.49 million followed by a new Grey's Anatomy doing a very good 23.03 million, Men in Trees followed with 9.94 million...it should be doing close to 12 million for respect. CBS opened the night with night two of Armed & Famous, doing just 7.69 million, a CSI repeat followed with 12.03 million and a repeat of Shark did 10.2 million. NBC aired all-new episodes of comedies from 8-10pm and did great for the first hour with season highs, but saw bleeding from Scrubs and 30 Rock. They all did decent though in 18-49 from a 2.9-5.0 in range. ER was new and did just 12.18 million though up from last week, 30 Rock is not helping it. And Fox saw pathetic numbers with 'Til Death, War at Home and The O.C.
Friday (numbers not counted in our ratings), saw CBS win each hour. CBS's NUMB3RS was #1 at 10 p.m. and for the night with a 7.3/13 rating. NBC was second in each hour, with its line-up of 1 vs. 100, Las Vegas and Law & Order. ABC re-aired the latest episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives for third in the hour but 20/20 built on their numbers and did well. And The CW and Fox battled for last place, but Fox did better than usual. Saturday ratings saw the NFL playoffs on Fox dominate. We don't have numbers yet. As for tonight, ABC, CBS, and Fox will likely share a win and have something to brag about, with ABC's Desperate Housewives dominating 9 p.m. and the rest of its A-class line-up of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition & Brothers & Sisters. NBC's reality shows will likely take a big dip this week and won't help the season premiere of Crossing Jordan at 10. Fox will likely battle well with the 2-hour season premiere of 24 from 8-10, doing well primarily in the demo. As for this week in general, I expect Fox to win the demo because of the sporting events and also in total viewers most likely. American Idol returns this coming week. Let's hope it goes down a but at least.

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week of Jan. 1-7)

• Reba (The CW) 2 episodes - Two repeats did 2.29 and 3.06 million.
  
• The Simpsons (Fox) - 11.62 million tuned in for an all-new episode right after a NFL Playoff game.
  
• American Dad (Fox) - 9.12 tuned in for a new episode.
• Family Guy (Fox) 2 episodes - Two repeats held steady with 9.02 and 8.83 million.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 8.37 million for a new episode...not bad, but could be better especially for CBS Monday.
  
• The Class (CBS) - 7.65 million for a new episode. Watch the table-read tomorrow (Jan. 15) LIVE at 2pm ET on the internet (See Friday's Blog)
  
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 14.78 million for a new episode...very good like usual.
• New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) - 12.08 million..pretty good retention from lead-in.
  
• CW Monday Comedies: Chris, All of Us, Girfriends, The Game. Repeat episode of Chris started it off with 2.44 million, the highest of the block. The rest ranged 1.53 to 2.11 million. Stop with the repeats!
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Big Day (ABC) 2 episodes - 4.2 million and 3.92 million for two new episodes. Not good, and down from last week. 2 more episodes to go and they will air on Jan. 30.
  

Wednesday Sitcoms

• According to Jim (ABC) 2 episodes - Way up from last week's premiere! A great sign! 7.81 and 8.62 million!
  
• The Knights of Prosperity (ABC) - Bush aired a speech at 9pm, delaying this show in the east and central zones, therefore ABC lost momentum from 8:30pm's great numbers, and this show had to suffer doing just 5.2 million. The Knights' plan is certainly better than Bush's new plan. WATCH THIS WEEK! If you missed this episode cause of Bush, watch it on abc.com
  
• In Case of Emergency (ABC) - 5.22 million...again thanks to Bush.
  
• 'Til Death (Fox) - 3.32 million for a repeat that was scheduled because of the Bush speech.
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• My Name is Earl (NBC) - 10.85 million for an all-new episode and a 4.6/13 in 18-49...SEASON HIGHS!
  
• The Office (NBC) - 10.15 million, held a lot from lead-in this week, but 18-49 was REALLY great with a 5.0/13 rating. WOW!
  
• Scrubs (NBC) - Despite the big jump for the 8-9pm hour this show stayed steady at 7.77 million.
  
• 30 Rock (NBC) - Same as above. 6.1 million.
  
• 'Til Death (Fox) - 4.68 million...back down under 5 million.
  
• War at Home (Fox) - 4.36 million for a new episode...not good, but holding the lead-in's numbers well.
  

Friday Sitcoms
None.

Saturday Sitcoms
None.

Airing tonight (Sunday) are a mix of new & repeat episodes of Fox comedies and Reba on The CW.

Summing it up. Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, According to Jim 8:30, My Name is Earl and The New Adventures of Old Christine were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Class and Scrubs) or just plain old terrible (such as Big Day and War at Home).

Mini-DVD Review: Beavis and Butt-Head: The Mike Judge Collection

Welcome to another edition of mini-DVD reviews! Today we take a look at MTV/Paramount's Complete Collection of Beavis and Butt-Head. Beavis and Butt-Head of course was the popular MTV animated series which featured the crazy duo. Music videos were also seen on the show. See skees53's mini-DVD review of Beavis and Butt-Head: The Mike Judge Collection:

Beavis and Butt-Head: The Mike Judge Collection (MTV, $124.90) contains 122 of the "best" episodes (keep in mind that each episode is only about 5 minutes, although there are a few that are longer) of the former MTV animation hit, along with several bonus features and the motion picture film, "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America." The set itself is actually comprised of three smaller DVD sets and the movie, all of which had previously been released and are also available separately.

Beavis and Butt-Head: Volume 1 (MTV, $39.98) contains 40 episodes, primarily from the earlier years of the series In this set, we get to see who Beavis and Butt-Head are before they become REALLY stupid. The boys help Mr. Anderson prune a tree (and accidentally cause his whole house to fall down in the process), become friends with an escaped serial killer (and reforms the killer, or "Kyler" as they call him, by getting him to put a tattoo of a butt that has a tattoo of a butt, on their butt), discover the joys of a 1-900 number, get sent back a grade, again and again, until they end up in kindergarten, and try to find oil in the backyard after watching "The Beverly Hillbillies." In Volume 1, the special features include 11 music videos from artists such as Pantera, Korn, Beastie Boys, and a bunch of other artists that are, well, not so well-known. Additionally, this set contains original series promos, appearances from the MTV Video Music Awards, appearances with Kurt Loder on an MTV Thanksgiving special, and Taint of Greatness Part 1, which is the first of a three part series (one part on each volume) that is just interviews with those involved with creating the show.

Beavis and Butt-Head: Volume 2 (MTV, $39.98) contains 40 more episodes, beginning with "Plastic Surgin'" (Beavis and Butt-Head discover that women can get their breasts enlarged, and decide they too want a body part enlarged--I'll let you guess what part) and contains many other great adventures such as the boys getting struck by lightning (after imitating Benjamin Franklin), changing the oil in the fryer at Burger World (with motor oil), creating a video for a video dating service, trying to set up a whiplash scam, taking a field
trip where they can't stop misbehaving on the bus (and nearly kill their teacher because of that), trying to buy a prostitute for less than a dollar, and making a series of prank phone calls. Music videos from Beastie Boys, Pantera, Madonna, Rush, and Radiohead are included on this set. It also includes Part 2 of the Taint of Greatness featurette, appearances from the Butt-Bowl, clips from the MTV 20th Anniversary Special, Calvin Klein ad parodies, Moron-A-Thon (an MTV marathon of the show from several years ago) featuring Snoop Dogg, an unaired segment from VH-1's "I Love the 90's," and original series promos.

Beavis and Butt-Head: Volume 3 (MTV, $39.98) contains the remaining 42 of the "best" episodes. In this set, they save a baby bird, get head lice, visit a lingerie store, pierce their own ears, try to get hurt while playing in a shopping cart (to make money), discover impotence,
get drunk from drinking non-alcoholic beer, and imagine themselves as stars of the show "Leave it to Beaver" in the short titled "Leave it to Beavis." This set also contains the Christmas episodes about the boys, and contains the full-length (22 minute) final episode, "Beavis and Butt-Head Are Dead." It includes music videos from Salt N Pepper, Poison, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, Alice Cooper, and more. Special Features include Part 3 of the Taint of Greatness featurette, the original uncut "Frog Baseball" episode (this was the pilot), Yule Log clips, letters to Santa Butt-Head, Beavis and Butt-Head interview with Chris Connelly, clips from the 2005 Video Music Awards, and original series promos.

Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (Paramount, $14.99) is the original motion picture about the boys, where they go on a journey across America to find a stolen television. It includes some behind the scenes footage and commentary. It isn't really a great movie, but it is a nice thing to have in this set.

In general, these sets are well-done, and I have to admit, I like having the episodes without the music videos intact. That is not how they originally aired, but I remember recording and fast-forwarding through those videos when the series originally aired. My only complaint is that they didn't include the rest of the episodes (there are roughly 80 more). Apparently, Mike Judge feels that the remaining episodes were "poor quality" and for that reason, they shouldn't be seen. Why not put them out and let us decide if we want to buy them?
Among those 80 episodes, there are definitely some in there that, in my opinion, were better than ones included in these volumes. It is also worth noting that, along the same lines of Mike Judge deciding for us what is a "poor quality" episode, he decided to edit out small scenes on episodes in Volume 1 (due to slight animation errors that the average person would probably never notice) and had the audacity to advertise this a "Director's Cut," as if we were getting more footage! Fortunately this practice didn't take place on Volumes 2 and 3.

This set is definitely worth buying, but if the price tag on the entire series doesn't appeal to you, you may want to consider buying it in smaller chunks, maybe a volume at a time. Actually, if you look on Amazon.com, it is cheaper to buy each volume individually than it is to buy the complete collection! The gold box that is included in the complete collection is somewhat nice, but seriously, does anybody really need that? In any event, you'll want to get this somehow, but don't try anything they would do while trying to get it.
-- Reviewed by skees53
(4.5/5 stars)

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TCA Cable Winter Press Tour Day 4; Watch 'The Class' Table-Read and Dress Rehearsal LIVE!

Today is the last day for the cable portion of the TCA Winter Press Tour. Up today are: TV Guide Channel, NBC Universal Cable Networks (Bravo, Sci-Fi, USA Network), Sundance Channel, GSN, Rainbow Networks (AMC, WE-TV, Fuse), HBO.
And of note, the biggest thing to come out of this TCA Tour I think is NBC Universal creating a new channel called Chiller, a 24-hour entertainment cable channel dedicated to the horror genre. It will launch March 1. Chiller will feature classic horror films and television shows around the clock. At launch, the programming slate will include the television series Friday the 13th, Twin Peaks, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Tales from the Crypt. We will certainly have the schedule when ready to be posted.
USA Network has announced its first new original series for 2007, In Plain Sight, starring Mary McCormack. A weekly one-hour light drama from NBC Universal Television Studio, In Plain Sight was picked up as a pilot with 11 additional episodes ordered.
Bravo has announced Queer Eye will end after 10 new episodes this season. Making it on the air for 5 seasons. Also at Bravo, Award-winning actress, designer and entrepreneur Jaclyn Smith has been named host of Bravo's newest reality competition series Shear Genius. It will premiere in the spring with 8 episodes. Bravo also announced a new docu-series following the unique and multi-faceted Paula Abdul, Hey Paula! (working title). The series will provide a candid real look at the American Idol judge, pop star, choreographer and multi-platinum artist, as she takes two steps forward, and two steps back into the spotlight, giving an inside perspective on her professional and personal life. Bravo has announced much more, but these are the main ones.
Sister net Sci-Fi Channel has also announced a slew of releases. The most notable one is Flash Gordon. Sci-Fi has greenlit production on Flash Gordon, based on the popular comic strip franchise. Production on the 22 one-hour episodes begins in Canada in early 2007. The series, produced by Reunion Pictures, is slated to debut on Sci-Fi in July of '07, with a broadcast syndication window to follow.
GSN's most notable announcement was a pick-up for a sixth season for the popular original game show Lingo, hosted by Chuck Woolery. The sixth season will premiere Monday, April 2 and will air Monday through Friday 7:30-8:00 PM, ET.
Women's network WE tv has greenlighted the new reality show Wife, Mom, Bounty Hunter. The series, slated for April, will profile Sandra Scott, a former female wrestler who is now a bounty hunter and a married mother of two in the suburbs of Phoenix.

Looks like that is all. If we have more updates we will add them ASAP. Stay tuned for the broadcast portion of the TCA Tour very shortly.

Struggling new sitcom The Class will give viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the show is made. Next week, Warner Bros. TV will webcast live the table read and the run-through of an episode titled "The Class Springs a Leak," which is slated to air February 19.
The table read is slated for 2pm ET/11am PT Monday, and the run-through -- a full-episode rehearsal -- is scheduled for 4pm ET/1pm PT January 17. Both will be webcast on http://www.theclasstv.com.
The Class, which airs Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on CBS, revolves around eight 28-year-old former third-grade classmates. It is slated to run in originals for the next couple of months, completing its first (and last?) season March 5.
This is certainly cool news. If you are into the world of television and especially the sitcom, this is a cool way to learn how table reads are done and how properly the dress rehearsal goes. So, take your 'class' to The Class field trip if you have school. And if you don't have school, school yourself by learning something from the world of television. Fascinating stuff.

TCA Cable Winter Press Tour Day 3; Remembering Yvonne De Carlo

Up today at the TCA tour are:
E! Networks (E!, style, G4), ESPN, Lifetime, Starz!, MTV Networks (MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, Spike, Nickelodeon/Nick@Nite, TV Land).
We will have updates shortly.
First, we will start with VH1. That have started production on new scripted half-hour comedy I Hate My 30s. VH1's picked up eight episodes of the show, which uses the backdrop of a doctor's office to address issues faced by twenty-somethings reluctantly entering their 30s. Also, at VH1, for 16 years, America has been riveted by the outrageous guests and topics that make up The Jerry Springer Show. It showcases some of America's most colorful characters, wild relationships and truly amazing stories. Now, for the first time, backstage cameras capture life behind the curtain with VH1's new docu-soap, The Springer Hustle, an in-depth, insider's look at how America's most controversial television show is put together. Premiering Sunday, March 4 at 10 PM, the 8 half-hour episodes will
focus on the dedicated team of producers in the eye of the Springer
hurricane; a tight-knit family charged with filling the show with the wildest real American stories possible.
Sister network Spike TV has a new project coming up. Donnie Wahlberg has been signed to star opposite John Leguizamo in Spike TV's new fast-paced, thrilling original scripted eight-hour dramatic event The Kill Pit.
At Lifetime, Mark Gordon, a producer of ABC hit Grey's Anatomy will bring his expertise in large ensemble drama to Lifetime Television this summer with the debut of Army Wives. Army Wives, shot in HD, will begin production in February in South Carolina. Lifetime ordered 13 episodes of the show, which will star Kim Delany and Catherine Bell. So far, only the pilot has been shot. Kirstie Alley will star in and executive produce the upcoming Lifetime Original Movie And She Was, a satiric comedy about a middle-aged screenwriter who learns she is all washed up in Hollywood because she is considered too old. She enlists the help of her 20-something nephew who passes himself off as the writer of her scripts. But when he falls in love with a studio executive, her plan to reveal that she is, in fact, the talented wordsmith, is jeopardized. And She Was will premiere this summer on Lifetime Television.
G4 executives introduced a retro-video-game-inspired animated series, Code Monkeys. G4 will also launch Star Trek: The Next Generation 2.0 on January 15. The show features on-screen live chat and interactive features as a Star Trek episode airs. G4 has aired a similar format for original Star Trek episodes since April 2006.
As for style network, interior design pro Thom Filicia is hosting a new show for the style network. In the half-hour series Dress My Nest, Filicia will help redo a room in someone's house based on seeing one outfit of their clothing. The show debuts March 28. Also, style has renewed both Split Ends and Style Her Famous for second seasons.

An active day indeed. No news yet from TV Land or Nick at Nite yet, if anything will be released at all. If they do release something, check back here in this spot or in tomorrow's blog.

Coming up tomorrow (the last day for cable): TV Guide Channel, NBC Universal Cable Networks (Bravo, Sci-Fi, USA Network)), Sundance Channel, GSN, Rainbow Networks (AMC, WE-TV, Fuse), HBO.

Yvonne De Carlo who played wife Lily Munster on the hit '60s sitcom The Munsters has passed away. De Carlo is best known for that role on the horror spoof sitcom. She was also quite known for her role as Charlton Heston's wife in the movie epic The Ten Commandments. De Carlo died Monday in Los Angeles of natural causes. She also played Lily Munster in the 1966 movie Munster, Go Home; The Munsters' Revenge in 1981; and in a cameo appearance in the 1995 TV movie revival Here Come the Munsters. De Carlo was an actress who acted in the 1940s even in various movies. Her other TV credits include guest spots on Bonanza, Fantasy Island, Murder She Wrote, Dream On, and Death Valley Days. She even had a small role in the highest rated mini-series of all time, Roots, playing a slave owner's wife. Let's hope TV Land does a tribute by airing some Munsters episodes, though they don't have rights to the show anymore. The least they can do is air that Bonanza episode. If there is a tribute, we will let you know. Ms. De Carlo will certainly be missed by sitcom fans. She was 84.

TCA Winter Cable Press Tour Day 2; Bush Speech Messes Primetime Schedule Tonight

We are now in day two of the TCA winter Cable Press Tour. Up today: Discovery Networks (Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel), Oxygen, TV One, National Geographic Channel, BBC America, Disney Channel/ABC Family. Of note so far...
New programming coming up in March on Oxygen ranges from the deathly serious (Who Cares About Girls?) to the frivolous (a reality series about Tori Spelling and her new husband, Dean McDermott. Tori & Dean: Inn Love will follow the couple as they invest Spelling's inheritance from her late father, producer Aaron Spelling, by buying an eight-acre bed-and-breakfast in Temecula, Calif.
TV One said it is going into production on a new theatrical competition series, David E. Talbert's Blackstage, with playwright Talbert and Edmonds Entertainment. Eight contestants and two alternates will compete for the chance to be understudies in Talbert's latest play, a touring production of Love in the Nick of Tyme, which stars Morris Chestnut and R&B singer Avant.
Disney Channel announced updates for its various series such as Kim Possible and Handy Mandy. High School Musical fans can go online starting Friday to determine elements of High School Musical 2, which begins filming in Utah in the spring for an August premiere. At the Web site, they can answer 10 poll questions that will determine such elements as the type of dessert that Zeke bakes for Sharpay and the clever sayings on Chad's T-shirts.
Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez have been tapped to star in the ABC Family original movie Holidays in Handcuffs. Production is underway and is scheduled to air in December 2007 as part of ABC Family's annual "25 Days of Christmas" programming event. ABC Family also touted its new series Lincoln Heights, which airs Mondays at 7 p.m.

And yesterday Hallmark Channel and FX were up late. We have updates on both. Hallmark mentioned it will be doing more romance films in February before converting to a scheduling scheme in March that will see each weeknight devoted to genres. The February lineup will include original fare such as Love Is a Four-Letter Word, starring Teri Polo and Robert Mailhouse as cynical divorce attorneys who find love with each other; and acquisitions such as Green Card with Gerard Depardieu and The In-Laws with Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas.
Originals scheduled later in the year include Sacrifices of the Heart, the Davis-penned drama, starring Melissa Gilbert and Ken Howard; Pandemic, depicting a jetliner bearing a toxic virus headed for Los Angeles; and Marco Polo with Ian Somerhalder.
As for FX, Glenn Close is coming back to the network to star in her own legal thriller. Denis Leary's Rescue Me and comedy series It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia will return this summer for fourth and third seasons, respectively on FX.

Up tomorrow: E! Networks (E!, style, G4), ESPN, Lifetime, Starz!, MTV Networks (MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, Spike, Nickelodeon/Nick@Nite, TV Land).

Tonight President Bush has scheduled a speech on sending more troops in Iraq at 9 p.m.--which effects the sitcom world in a way. In the east, central and mountain time zones, ABC's The Knights of Prosperity, In Case of Emergency and an abbreviated Primetime Medical Mysteries will air on a half-hour delay. Knights at 9:30 p.m. ET, Emergency at 10:00 p.m. ET and an abbreviated Medical at 10:30 p.m. ET. In the pacific time zone, you'll get the shows in their regular slots of 9-11 p.m. PT. So, don't miss Knights episode two...I've seen it and it is hilarious. Louis the intern will shine in this episode. And episode two of Emergency is funnier than the pilot. Tune in!
Elsewhere, NBC will join Deal or No Deal in progress at 9:30 p.m. ET, but it will be an encore broadcast now (in the pacific time zone, you'll see the full hour encore). CBS will air repeats of Criminal Minds and CSI: NY now instead of all-new episodes, both on a half-hour delay from 9:30-11:30 p.m ET (in the pacific time zone, you'll see the encores in the regular 9-11pm PT slots). And Fox will pre-empt an encore of Bones scheduled 9-10 p.m. ET for an encore of 'Til Death at 9:30 p.m. Not sure what the pacific time zone will air at 9 p.m. PT--I'd image another 'Til Death. See what the President has caused? Anyway go with the ABC comedies...they will be all-new!