ION Television September and ABC Family September; TVComedyClassics.com Launches

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

ION Television September and ABC Family September; TVComedyClassics.com Launches

ION Television and ABC Family have announced its September line-ups, and both don't have any schedule changes really. I'm thinking both, or at least ION, will have changes in October, and that will be their fall line-up. Let;s start with ION September. There is one change, but it really isn't a change. They will add the 11PM hour on weekdays and air a show called Firebrand TV starting September 24. As we mentioned during their upfront release, it is a new interactive entertainment and marketing platform that features TV advertising as pop culture. A first-of-its-kind multi-platform experience that gives consumers interactive access to their favorite brands, products and promotions. Firebrand programs only the best TV commercials as a reflection of pop culture in an environment rich with consumer touch points. It will air weeknights at 11PM, except Tuesdays where it will air at 10PM. The popular primetime line-up of Mama's Family, Who's the Boss?, and The Wonder Years will continue on in September. Let's hope in October we get some expanded hours, say 3-6PM being added Mon-Thurs in addition to 6-11PM? If not, let's hope we get some new shows at least, like Perfect Strangers.
RHI on ION Movie Weekend in September includes movies such as Fatal Error with Robert Wagner and Bridge of Time with Susan Dey; mini-series such as the six-hour Larry McMurtry's The Streets of Laredo and four-hour ones such as Ford: Man & His Machine and Degree of Guilt. The 1996 documentary Titanic will also air...not to be confused by the 1997 blockbuster movie.
To discuss and to read more about ION September, click HERE.

As for ABC Family, as I mentioned there will be no schedule changes in September to the regular schedule. However, two of their original series will have season finales, while one will have its season premiere. Kyle XY will have its fall season finale on Labor Day at 8PM, with an all-day marathon before the finale. The series will return in January with 10 additional episodes. Greek will ends its first season a week after on September 10 at 9PM. Meanwhile, the second season of family drama Lincoln Heights will start Tuesday, September 4 for 10 more new episodes. New animated series Slacker Cats will continue on Mondays at 10PM. On Sunday, September 16 ABC Family premieres its new original movie Big Liar on Campus, Ryan Pinkston fibs his way into the school. The movie also stars Kate Mara, Teri Polo, Craig Kilborn, and Carmen Electra.
A to be determined marathon is on Sunday, September 21...all-day. It will probably be a marathon of Ugly Betty or Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, or another ABC series premiereing its new season that week. We will let you know, when confirmed.

FremantleMedia will launch TVComedyClassics.com, a new web portal that will make a selection of comedy programming from its archives available to consumers for download to own or rent. TV series from the UK such as Tommy Cooper Half Hour, The Howerd Confessions, George and Mildred, Love Thy Neighbour and Bless This House, among others, with new content being added regularly. The website will host comedy selections from FME's archives from across the decades, featuring performers like Tommy Cooper, Frankie Howerd, Eric Sykes, Sid James, Penelope Keith and Jim Davidson. The company is currently exploring content opportunities with other independent production companies and is looking to extend the TVComedyClassics brand locally around the world.

If we have more news we will be back.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, July 9

Shifting Gears - "Gummies" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley is horrified when she finds weed gummies in Carter’s pocket, prompting surprising advice from Matt. Meanwhile, Eve inadvertently lands Gabriel and Stitch in hot water after asking them to donate to a charity auction.

Shifting Gears - "Kiss" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jimmy returns with a new job and a proposition for Riley and the kids to move into his house, Riley is torn between her past and her future. Meanwhile, Matt's feud with Eve flares up once again after she damages his car.

Abbott Elementary - "Volunteers" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ava announces the school district is sending a group of volunteers to help out at Abbott; however, when they arrive, things don’t go as planned.

Abbott Elementary - "100th Day of School" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
During Abbott’s 100th day of school celebrations, Barbara receives a surprise from her daughter. Melissa, Jacob and Mr. Johnson join forces to conduct a search party.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary" (FXX and FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Months after the Gang visited, Abbott's Principal Ava walks viewers through some of the unseen footage of the Gang's volunteerism and reveals their true intentions.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Frank Is in a Coma" (FXX and FX, 9:33PM ET/PT)
The five stages of grief set in for Dee as Frank lies on his deathbed; the Guys plot their new path forward by pitching their business ventures to Philadelphia's elite.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 7)

Wednesday, July 9

Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Watch Salma on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Cole Escola (Human Resources/Search Party/Mozart in the Jungle/Difficult People) - Cole appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Richie Moriarty (Ghosts), Betsy Sodaro (Ghosts/Duncanville/Disjointed/Animal Practice) and Punam Patel (Ghosts/Return of the Mac/Kevin from Work) - Richie, Betsy and Punam are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Tika Sumpter (mixed-ish/Final Space/The Game) - Tika sits down with the Tam Fam to talk about her new children's book I Got It From My Mama a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Isabela Merced (100 Things to Do Before High School/Growing Up Fisher) - Isabela chats about her film Superman on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Anna Camp (Perfect Harmony/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/The Mindy Project) and Justin Bartha (The New Normal/Teachers) - Anna and Justin discuss their film Nuked on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) - Simon talks about Peacock's Poker Face on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.