Monday, January 15, 2007

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.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, June 7

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

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

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

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

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 5)

Wednesday, June 7

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


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

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

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


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

06/07 - Hallmark's Christmas in July Programming; The Lincoln Lawyer Season 2 Launches July 6
06/06 - New Superman Animated Series Coming to Adult Swim; TV Stars Come Together in Netflix Film
06/05 - Shout! TV's ALF Reunion; Hulu's This Fool Season Two Premieres July 28
06/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 5, 2023)
06/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Declares Rating Victories for 22-23 Season; Australian Version of The Office in the Works
06/02 - HBO Renews Somebody Somewhere for a Third Season; Remembering Marlene Clark of Sanford and Son and Other Sitcom Stars We Recently Lost
06/01 - MeTV's Marry Me Block on June 4; TBS Sets Miracle Workers: End Times Premiere Date for July 10
05/31 - Amazon Freevee's Jury Duty Gets Special Release; Stars on Mars Fan Experience
05/30 - 75th Emmy Awards Nominations on July 12; Final Season of HBO's How to with John Wilson
05/29 - Memorial Day 2023 TV Sitcom Marathons
05/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 29, 2023)
05/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Wins 2022-2023 Ratings Game; Netflix Ends Sharing of Passwords
05/26 - Prime Video Renews Priyanka Chopra Series; Sex and the City 25th Anniversary Event in NYC
05/25 - Brady Bunch House on the Market; The Family Stallone Gets 2nd Season
05/24 - Antenna TV's Father Knows Best Father's Day Fest Marathon; Netflix Gets Glamorous This June
05/23 - CBS Summer 2023 Reality Schedule; Apple TV+ Announces Peanuts Programming
05/22 - More Details on Zoey 102; New Lifetime Movie Series Coming July 8
05/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 22, 2023)
05/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Showtime Looking to Bring Back Two Old Favorites; Disney+ Removing Content
05/19 - Futurama Triumphantly Returns July 24; Final Season of Physical Drops August 2; Primo Premieres May 19 on Amazon Freevee
05/18 - The CW Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; Netflix Upfront 2023
05/17 - Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2023; Sarah Silverman HBO Special Premieres May 27
05/16 - ABC Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; FX's Summer 2023 Slate
05/15 - FOX Announces 2023-24 Programming Slate; iCarly Season 3 Premieres June 1
05/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 15, 2023)
05/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Night Court Season Finale Brings Back a Familiar Face; Comedy Central Renews Digman! for Second Season
05/12 - NBC Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; Hulu Orders Deli Boys from Onyx Collective
05/11 - CBS Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; The CW Summer Lineup Has Comedies
05/10 - Minx Returns in July on STARZ; Never Have I Ever Final Episodes Premieres June 8, Trailer Drops
05/09 - The CW Acquires Son of a Critch; FX's The Bear Returns June 22
05/08 - NBC's Hot Wheels Gets Celeb Judges; Zooey Deschanel's Max Series Premieres May 23
05/07 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 8, 2023)