Sci Fi Launches Early Edition, Highlander; Vivica A. Fox Hosts The Cougar On TV Land

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Sci Fi Launches Early Edition, Highlander; Vivica A. Fox Hosts The Cougar On TV Land

Last year we announced Sci Fi Channel had struck a deal with CBS Paramount to air stuff from their library. So far we have seen Seven Days and Star Trek: The Next Generation air the most in regular airings with marathons/blocks of The Sentinel, Friday the 13th: The Series, and Mork & Mindy. Now coming in March will be two other series from the deal: Early Edition and Highlander. Early Edition will air weekdays at 4:00pm ET/PT starting Monday, March 9, while Highlander will get an all-day marathon on Thursday, March 19 from 8am-1am. The 2007 movie Highlander: The Source will air from 9-11pm that night. Though I am getting reports the Highlander marathon has been delayed to a future date, if that is the case we will let you know...but Early Edition is a firm go to air weekdays at 4pm starting March 9.
Early Edition followed the adventures of a man (Kyle Chandler) who mysteriously receives each Chicago Sun-Times newspaper the day before it is actually published, and who uses this knowledge to prevent terrible events each day. The series aired from 1996-2000 on CBS.
Highlander is based on the movies of the same name. The series aired from 1992-1998. Short-lived spinoff Highlander: The Raven followed from 1998-99 and Sci Fi has the rights to air that, too, but hasn't scheduled it yet. Among the other series from the CBS Paramount deal that have yet to appear on Sci Fi are Charmed, The Invaders and Ghost Whisperer, but the latter can't launch until fall 2009.
Let's hope Mork & Mindy returns at some point for another block or better yet...the regular schedule. Friday the 13th: The Series and The Sentinel usually air once a month in the daytime rotation (8am-4pm).

TV Land announced that film and television actress Vivica A. Fox will host the upcoming TV Land original series The Cougar, a one-hour elimination dating series set to premiere April 15 on TV Land PRIME. Executive produced by Mike Fleiss (The Bachelor) and Warner Horizon Television, The Cougar is an eight-episode series in which an accomplished, beautiful and sexy woman hunts for love from a pool of eligible younger men.
Also in 2009, Fox returns as Larry David's new houseguest in HBO's hit comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm and also co-stars with Jessica Simpson, Cheri Oteri and Steve Guttenberg in the upcoming feature comedy Major Movie Star.
The Cougar will air Wednesdays at 10:00PM ET/PT starting April 15 following the run of High School Reunion from Feb. 18-April 8. The season finale of The Cougar is slated for Wednesday, June 3. After that, TV Land will launch a second season of She's Got the Look, continuing the search for the next great Supermodel that is 35 or over! Once again eight episodes will air, just like High School Reunion and The Cougar.
And finally, the TV Land Awards are back to April. Last year they aired in June and were scheduled to air June 14 this year, too. But they have been rescheduled for April. The awards will premiere on Sunday, April 26 in TV Land PRIME.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Tuesday, December 7

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes - (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
In this one-night-only event, an all-star lineup of talent will tackle the roles first portrayed in the iconic television sitcom “The Facts of Life,” including Jennifer Aniston playing the role of Blair, Gabrielle Union taking on the role of Tootie, Allison Tolman who will play Natalie and Kathryn Hahn recreating the role of Jo. Previously announced “Diff’rent Strokes” cast member Ann Dowd is also set to appear as Mrs. Garrett in this recreation of “The Facts of Life.” The Sony Pictures Television special can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

The live special event will feature reenactments of the hit series “The Facts of Life,” created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, and “Diff’rent Strokes,” created by Bernie Kukoff and Jeff Harris, and will reunite executive producers Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows. Previously announced cast members taking on the famed “Diff’rent Strokes” roles include John Lithgow, who will play Mr. Drummond; Kevin Hart, assuming the role of Arnold; and Damon Wayans and Ann Dowd, who will play Willis and Mrs. Garrett in “Diff’rent Strokes.”

Abbott Elementary - "Pilot" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

The Last O.G. - "Know Thyself" (TBS, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Amira attends college presentations, and her quick decision surprises Tray, who then works to guide Amira toward a better understanding of her identity; while cleaning out Roberta's storage unit, Shahzad makes a discovery about her past.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Wondering Prince" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Lisa helps Miranda set up her online dating proﬁle.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "What the Wellness" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mr. Brown vows that he's finished eating meat until he's left alone with a lot of soul food.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 6)

Tuesday, December 7

Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Catch Brandy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
J. B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Mapleworth Murders/Bent/'Til Death) - J. B. guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) and Cynthia Nixon (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Kristin and Cynthia are guests on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. Kristin also talks about And Just Like That... on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Chris Kattan (The Middle) - Chris will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jane Levy (Suburgatory) - Jane appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Whoopi Goldberg (Harlem/Whoopi/Bagdad Cafe) - Whoopi talks about her new holiday collection on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.