Day 79: WGA's Strike; Network Notes; Remembering Lois Nettleton

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Day 79: WGA's Strike; Network Notes; Remembering Lois Nettleton

Today is the 79th day of the strike and we might have some good news! Tomorrow could be a key day. Why? See the WGA statement below:
On Wednesday, January 23, the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will begin informal discussions to determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiations. Both the AMPTP and the WGA have agreed to make no public comments about the informal discussions until those discussions have concluded.
Meanwhile, NBC will bench Medium on Feb. 4 and 11. It was already slated to be preempted next week, as the State of the Union is scheduled. On Feb. 4 and 11, NBC will air 90-minute episodes of American Gladiators and Deal or No Deal from 8-11pm.
ABC counteracted today by slating a 90-minute Dance War on Feb. 4. I wouldn't be surprised if they do the same for Feb. 11 and maybe a two-hour finale on Feb. 18. So it doesn't seem Samantha Who will air its all-new final few pre-strike episodes until maybe with Dancing with the Stars in March. Too bad, but worth the wait since it is the best new sitcom. We will get a repeat at 10:30pm next Monday, though!

We keep losing TV stars so far in early 2008. Two-time Emmy winning actress Lois Nettleton died this past Friday in Woodland Hills, CA, after a long bout with lung cancer. A veteran of the Broadway stage, films and television, Nettleton recieved Emmys for the daytime special The American Woman: Profiles in Courage in 1977 and for A Gun for Mandy in 1983 an episode of the syndicated religious anthology Insight. She received an additional three noms as guest star in Last Bride of Salem and The Golden Girls and supporting actress in the drama In the Heat of the Night.
She has guest starred on many TV series such as Crossing Jordan, Coach, Seinfeld, Murder She Wrote, Full House, Mr. Belvedere, The Facts of Life, Hotel, Cagney & Lacey, Trapper John MD, The Love Boat, The Streets of San Francisco, Petroceli, Medical Center, Hawaii Five-0, Kung Fu, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and so many more. She was also a familiar face to the game show community, appearing on many game shows such as $10,000 Pyramid and Cross-wits.
She will certainly be missed. Ms. Nettleton was 80.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, May 4

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Kalamazoo?" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Dave and Gemma seriously consider a major life change, it sends ripples through the family and strains relationships. Meanwhile, wedding chaos and unexpected revelations complicate plans for Malcolm and Marty, forcing everyone to confront what’s really ahead.

DMV - "Car-lette" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Colette tries to fix up her run-down car to get it re-registered, Gregg encourages her to buy a new one to save money. Meanwhile, Barb tries to teach everyone DMV robbery protocols.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 4)

Monday, May 4

Nicole Byer (Grand Crew/Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Watch Nicole on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback/No Good Deed/HouseBroken/Web Therapy/Friends/Mad About You) - Lisa appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation) - Andy Cohen interviews Billy on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
Jamie Lynn Sigler (Guys with Kids) - Jamie Lynn talks about And So It Is...: A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Ryan Reynolds (Two Guys and a Girl) and Rob McElhenney (Mythic Quest/It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) - Ryan and Rob talk about Welcome to Wrexham on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Damon Wayans (Poppa's House/My Wife and Kids/Damon) - Damon discusses diabetic macular edema with GMA lifestyle contributor Lori Bergamotto on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Jay Pharoah (White Famous/Champaign ILL) - Jay chats about The Quiz with Balls on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Goldie Hawn (Good Morning World) - Goldie talks about The After-School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose #1 on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour and chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a little bit extra with Sean, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - The Drew Barrymore Show has more from Valerie and and Drew in the kitchen on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Oliver Hudson (Splitting Up Together/Rules of Engagement/My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a little bit extra with Oliver, so check your local listings.
Stanley Tucci (Central Park) - Stanley is a guest on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.