ABC Adds New Sitcom 'Underbelly' to Wednesdays in April, Wednesday Summer Plans; NBC Makes 'The Office' Look New Even in Repeats

Monday, March 12, 2007

ABC Adds New Sitcom 'Underbelly' to Wednesdays in April, Wednesday Summer Plans; NBC Makes 'The Office' Look New Even in Repeats

A new comedy series from director/producer Barry Sonnenfeld and producers Kim and Eric Tannenbaum (Two and a Half Men), Notes from the Underbelly, will premiere on Wednesday, April 11 at 9:30 p.m. ET on the ABC Television Network. The series brings a comedic take on life's greatest adventure – parenthood, and proves that surviving the politics of pregnancy and maintaining your relationships with family and friends can be just as demanding as raising a child.
The series stars Jennifer Westfeldt as Lauren, Peter Cambor as Andrew, Michael Weaver as Danny, Rachael Harris as Cooper, Melanie Paxson as Julie and Sunkrish Bala as Eric.
Look for our pilot review closer to airdate. The show will air for six weeks and it looks like In Case of Emergency will have a few unaired episodes, unless ABC will move it to another slot. ABC has now scheduled encores of According to Jim for the next two Wednesdays at 8:30, instead of George Lopez encores. George will still air for the next two weeks at 8pm, with all-new episodes. Jim encores will lead in to a new Jim at 9.
Meanwhile, ABC has announced changes to its Wednesday line-up once the season is over, for the summer. Two reality shows and a new drama will air Wednesdays starting May 30. ABC announces its new Wednesday night summer line-up: new alternative series The Next Best Thing: Who is The Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?, returning series American Inventor, and new drama Traveler. A special two-hour premiere The Next Best Thing: Who is The Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?, will air Wednesday, May 30 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET (the series will normally air from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), followed by the new drama, Traveler, from 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET. American Inventor, from Simon Cowell, returns for a second season the following week on Wednesday, June 6 from 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET.

NBC's Emmy Award-winning comedy The Office will offer fans extra overtime of laughs by treating them to never-before-seen footage from the hit series in a newly edited hour of encore episodes on Thursday, March 15 (8-9 p.m. ET).
The "newpeats" on Thursday, March 15 (8-9 pm ET) will tie together edited encore episodes "Traveling Salesman" and "Oscar's Return" combined with new, never-before-seen moments throughout the hour. An original episode of Scrubs, (9:00 pm ET) along with the premieres of Andy Barker P.I. (9:30 pm ET) and Raines (10:00 pm ET) will follow.
Additionally, on Thursday, March 29 (8-9:30 & 10-11 p.m. ET), "Toby Flenderson" (co-executive producer/writer/ actor Paul Lieberstein) who plays the Director of Human Resources, will host "A Night at the Office" marathon. Five "human resource nightmare" episodes on March 29 will air surrounding an all-new episode of Andy Barker P.I. at 9:30 p.m. ET. The encore episodes include "Diversity Day" (8:00 p.m. ET), "Healthcare" (8:30 pm), "Sexual Harassment" (9:00 p.m. ET), "The Injury" (10:00 p.m. ET) and "Gay Witch Hunt" (10:30 ET).

March 15 is shaping up to be a big night. Premiere of three new shows...NBC's Andy Barker & Raines and ABC's October Road. Can any of these capture the March 15 success of Three's Company 30 years ago in 1977? We shall see...
The night will also see the "newpeats" of The Office, all-new Ugly Betty & Grey's Anatomy and the first night of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament--March Madness indeed!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, December 2

Young Sheldon - "The Grand Chancellor and a Den of Sin" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Sheldon battles President Hagemeyer’s (Wendie Malick) mysterious boss over the university’s science requirements. Also, Mary discovers that Georgie is working at Meemaw’s illegal gambling room.

United States of Al - "Wisdom / Hikmat" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
While Al is heavily medicated following surgery on his wisdom teeth, he mistakenly insults Art, forcing Riley to choose sides. Also, Lizzie tries to broker a peace among Art, Riley and Al.

Ghosts - "Alberta's Fan" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Alberta is thrilled when a super-fan of her music visits the mansion to learn more about her. Also, Thor convinces Hetty to go on a walk with him in hopes that it will spark a special memory.

B Positive - "A Camper, A Compass and a Cannoli" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Gina brings her dog Cannoli to the retirement home where he bonds with the seniors. Also, Drew prepares for his new life driving cross country in a camper van.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 29)

Thursday, December 2

Nicole Byer (Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Catch Nicole on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Ana Gasteyer (American Auto/Lady Dynamite/Suburgatory) and Rachel Dratch (30 Rock) - Ana and Rachel are guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. They also talk about A Clüsterfünke Christmas on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself/Friends/Wild Oats) - Paul appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Bill Burr (F Is for Family/Townies) - Bill is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Glenn Howerton (It's Always Suny in Philadelphia/A.P. Bio/The Mindy Project) - Glenn appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
William Jackson Harper (The Good Place) - William appears on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Kathy Griffin (Suddenly Susan) - Kathy chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Skylar Astin (Ground Floor) - Skylar is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Holly Robinson Peete (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper/For Your Love/Love, Inc.) - Holly will be on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Michael Keaton (Report to Murphy/Working Stiffs/All's Fair) - Michael appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest co-hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Maya Erskine (PEN15/Casual/Betas) and Anna Konkle (PEN15) - Maya and Anna are guests on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Son of Zorn/Suburgatory) - Cheryl will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Kal Penn (Sunnyside/Deadbeat/We Are Men) - Kal appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Michel Urie (Younger/Partners) - Michael is a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Vanessa Lachey (Truth Be Told/Dads) - Vanessa talks about her book Life from Scratch on Access Daily, so check your local listings.