Saturday, May 23, 2009

New Fall 2009 Sitcoms Preview

Today we take a look at the new sitcoms that made the fall schedules. There will be a total of 10 new sitcoms this season, including 1 that will air at midseason and 1 animated comedy. 5 will be single-camera. 4 will be multi-camera. Some familiar faces returning to sitcoms include Kelsey Grammer, Melinda McGraw, Macey Cruthird, Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Courteney Cox, Christa Miller, Ian Gomez, Jenna Elfman, Ashley Jensen and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell. Comedy legend Chevy Chase will appear on an American sitcom as a regular for the first time. Former New York Giants great and current FOX NFL Sunday analyst Michael Strahan will appear in a new FOX sitcom.




ABC

Hank

Hank - Wednesdays at 8:00PM EST/PST on ABC

Kelsey Grammer stars in this timely comedy as Hank Pryor, a titan of industry who suddenly finds himself out of work, almost out of money and around a wife and kids for whom he's never made much time. Despite his recent setbacks, however, Hank is confident he's on the road back to the top. He knows he is destined to return to greatness. And he is — just not the greatness he imagines.

The series is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with McMonkey Inc., Grammnet Productions, Werner Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television. It is written by Tucker Cawley. Tom Werner, Tucker Cawley, Kelsey Grammer and Mike Clements serve as executive producers. The pilot was directed by James Burrows.

Cast:
Kelsey Grammer as Hank
Melinda McGraw as Tilly
David Koechner as Grady
Macey Cruthird as Maddie
Ryan Wynott as Henry

Preview:



Links:

  • TV.com
  • Wikipedia

    The Middle

    The Middle - Wednesdays at 8:30PM EST/PST on ABC

    The Hecks are a middle class family living in the middle of Indiana, just trying to keep their heads above water. Emmy-winner Patricia Heaton stars as a wife and mother of three in a comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations.

    The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline are executive producers/writers and Werner Walian is producer. The pilot was directed by Julie Anne Robinson.

    Cast:
    Patricia Heaton as Frankie
    Neil Flynn as Mike
    Eden Sher as Sue
    Atticus Shaffer as Brick
    Charlie McDermott as Axel

    Preview:



    Links:

  • TV.com

    Modern Family

    Modern Family - Wednesdays at 9:00PM EST/PST on ABC

    Today’s American families come in all shapes and sizes. Shot from the perspective of an unseen documentary filmmaker, this comedy takes a modern look at the complications that come with being a family in 2009.

    The series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television. Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd are executive producers. The pilot was directed by Jason Winer.

    Cast:
    Ed O'Neill as Jay
    Sofia Vergara as Gloria
    Jesse Tyler Ferguson
    Eric Stonestreet as Cameron
    Ty Burrell as Phil
    Julie Bowen as Claire
    Sarah Hyland as Haley
    Rico Rodriguez as Manny
    Nolan Gould as Luke
    Ariel Winter as Alex

    Preview:



    Links:

  • TV.com
  • Wikipedia

    Cougar Town

    Cougar Town - Wednesdays at 9:30PM EST/PST on ABC

    Courteney Cox stars as a recently divorced single mother exploring the honest truths about dating and aging in our beauty and youth obsessed culture.

    The series is from ABC Studios. Bill Lawrence is executive producer/writer/director, Kevin Biegel is writer/co-executive producer, and Courteney Cox and David Arquette are executive producers.

    Cast:
    Courteney Cox as Jules
    Christa Miller as Elle
    Busy Phillips as Laurie
    Dan Byrd as Travis
    Brian Van Holt as Bobby
    Josh Hopkins as Grayson
    Ian Gomez as Andy

    Preview:



    Links:

  • TV.com
  • Wikipedia




    CBS

    Accidentally on Purpose

    Accidentally on Purpose - Mondays at 8:30PM EST/PST on CBS

    ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE is a comedy starring Golden Globe Award winner Jenna Elfman as Billie, a single woman who finds herself "accidentally" pregnant after a one-night stand with a much younger guy, and decides to keep the baby... and the guy. A newspaper film critic, Billie is barely surviving a humiliating breakup with her charming boss, James (Grant Show), who's still trying to resume their relationship. Suddenly expecting a child with her "boy toy," Zack (Jon Foster), Billie and Zack make an arrangement: to live together platonically. Billie's party girl best friend Olivia (Ashley Jensen), and Abby (Lennon Parham), her conventional, younger married sister, eagerly look forward to the new addition and offer their own brands of advice and encouragement. But when Zack and his freeloading friends, including Davis (Nicolas Wright), start to turn her place into a frat house, Billie isn't sure if she's living with a boyfriend, a roommate, or if she just has another child to raise. Lloyd Braun, Gail Berman, Gene Stein and Claudia Lonow are the executive producers for CBS Television Studios. Pamela Fryman directed the pilot.

    Cast:
    Jenna Elfman as Billie
    Ashley Jensen as Olivia
    Nicolas Wright as Davis
    Grant Show as Daniel
    Lennon Parham as Abby
    Jon Foster as Zack

    Preview:



    Links:

  • CBS.com
  • TV.com
  • Wikipedia




    NBC

    Community

    Community - Thursdays at 9:30PM EST/PST on NBC

    From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") comes "Community," a smart comedy series about higher education -- and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, "Community" focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin' lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"); Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"); Danny Pudi ("Greek"); Alison Brie ("Mad Men"); and comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Saturday Night Live"). "Community" is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap and Russo Brothers production in association with Sony Pictures Television and Universal Media Studios. Russ Krasnoff ("The Soloist"), Dan Harmon ("The Sarah Silverman Program"), Joe Russo ("Arrested Development"), Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") and Gary Foster ("The Soloist") serve as executive producers. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the pilot that was written by Dan Harmon.

    Cast:
    Joel McHale as Jeff Crocker
    Chevy Chase as Pierce
    Danny Pudi as Abed
    Gillian Jacobs as Britta
    John Oliver as Duncan
    Donald Glover as Troy
    Yvette Nicole Brown as Shirley
    Alison Brie as Annie

    Preview:



    Links:

  • NBC.com
  • TV.com
  • Wikipedia

    100 Questions

    100 Questions - Mid-Season on NBC

    Emmy winner James Burrows ("Will & Grace," "Friends") directs "100 Questions," a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan ("For Your Consideration") that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, "Peep Show") is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals -- but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, "The Ex List") - who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren't easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, "Women's Murder Club"), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC's "Law & Order"), Mike (Christopher Moynihan "For Your Consideration") and Wayne (David Walton "Quarterlife"). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship. Ron West ("Psych"), Kelly Kulchak ("Psych") and Michelle Nader ("King of Queens") join Moynihan as executive producers. The series is produced by Universal Media Studios and Tagline.

    Cast:
    Sophie Winkleman as Charlotte
    Elizabeth Ho as Leslie
    Joy Soprano as Jill
    David Walton as Wayne
    Christopher Moynihan as Mike
    Amir Talai as Andrew

    Preview:



    Links:

  • NBC.com
  • TV.com
  • Wikipedia




    FOX

    Brothers

    Brothers - Fridays at 8:00PM EST/PST on FOX

    Starring Michael Strahan ("FOX NFL Sunday") and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell ("Ed," "Veronica's Closet"), BROTHERS is a new half-hour comedy about a former NFL hot shot who learns that even though you can always go home again, the trip back might be tougher than you think. MIKE TRAINOR (Strahan) seemingly has it all he's a good-looking, wealthy and recently retired NFL player living the high-life in New York City, but he's about to get sidelined. When Mike gets a phone call from his MOM (CCH Pounder, "The Shield") who orders him home to Houston, he quickly realizes the more his life has changed, the more his family has stayed the same. His brother CHILL (Daryl "Chill" Mitchell), whose life was altered drastically after a car accident left him in a wheelchair, is struggling to keep his restaurant afloat with the help of his loudmouth associate, ROSCOE (Colton Dunn, "MADtv"). The dynamics between Mike and Chill are the same as when they were kids, and their sibling rivalry hasn't lessened with age. If they can stop their bickering, put aside their differences and learn to be teammates, the brothers might just turn out to be each other's biggest asset. Wedged between Mike and Chill are their parents. Their father, whom everyone refers to as COACH (Carl Weathers, "Rocky"), is the local high school football coach and the conservative, opinionated alpha male of his clan. Coach thinks he runs the show, but really it's Mom who calls the shots. Saucy, stern and a schemer, she is the mastermind of the family. And when she learns that Mike's business manager took off with all his money, she orchestrates a plan to keep Mike in Houston, save Chill's restaurant and bring the family back together under one roof again all without anyone realizing what she's up to. Mom's plan helps Mike realize that his family however dysfunctional they may be is the only family he's got. And although he may not have a penny to his name, as long as he's surrounded by people who love him, he'll always be a rich man.

    Cast:
    Michael Strahan as Mike
    Daryl "Chill" Michell as Chill
    CCH Pounder as Mom
    Carl Weathers as Coach
    Colton Dunn as Roscoe

    Preview:



    Links:

  • FOX.com
  • TV.com
  • Wikipedia

    The Cleveland Show

    The Cleveland Show - Sundays at 8:30PM EST/PST on FOX

    THE CLEVELAND SHOW is a new animated series that follows everyone's favorite soft-spoken neighbor, CLEVELAND BROWN (Mike Henry), to his hometown in Virginia as he settles down with his high school sweetheart, her unruly kids and his own 14-year-old son, CLEVELAND JR. (Kevin Michael Richardson). Many years ago, Cleveland was a high school student madly in love with a beautiful girl named DONNA (Sanaa Lathan). Much to his dismay, his love went unrequited, and Donna wound up marrying another man. Cleveland once told Donna he would always love her, and if this man ever done her wrong, he'd be there when she called. Well, this man done her wrong. Donna's husband ran off, leaving Donna with a teenage daughter and a young son. Now she's open to Cleveland and has offered him another chance at love. Unattached after the Loretta-Quagmire debacle and true to his word, Cleveland joyously reunites with Donna, and he and Cleveland Jr. move to Virginia to join their new family. Once in Virginia, there are a few surprises in store for Cleveland, including ROBERTA (Reagan Gomez-Preston), a rebellious new stepdaughter; RALLO (Henry), his new 5-year-old stepson who loves the ladies; and a collection of neighbors that includes a loudmouth redneck, LESTER (Richardson); a hipster wanna-be, HOLT (guest voice Jason Sudeikis); and a religious pair of talking bears, TIM (Seth MacFarlane) and his wife ARIANNA (guest voice Arianna Huffington).

    Voice Cast:
    Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown, Rallo and others
    Sanaa Lathan as Donna Tubbs
    Reagan Gomez-Preston as Roberta Tubbs
    Kevin Michael Richardson as Lester and Cleveland Jr.

    Guest Voices:
    Arianna Huffington as Arianna
    Jason Sudeikis as Holt

    Preview:



    Links:

  • FOX.com
  • TV.com
  • Internet Movie Database
  • Wikipedia

    Sons of Tucson

    Sons of Tucson - Sundays at 8:30PM EST/PST in January 2010 on FOX

    In the tradition of "Malcolm in the Middle" and "The Bernie Mac Show," SONS OF TUCSON is a family comedy about three brothers who hire a charming, wayward schemer to stand in as their father when their real one goes to prison. What begins as a business relationship evolves into something more complex and compelling: a family unlike any we've ever seen. The three brothers find their dad-for-hire, RON SNUFFKIN (Tyler Labine, "Reaper"), at the local sporting good store. Ron will be forced to draw on a wide array of skills and a vast bag of tricks as he steps into the patriarch role to take care of the boys of the Gunderson family. ROBBY GUNDERSON (Davis Cleveland, "How I Met Your Mother"), 8, is a loose cannon who doesn't respond well to authority; GARY GUNDERSON (Frank Dolce, "Doubt"), 11, is a bright and street-savvy leader who is every bit the con man his father is; and BRANDON GUNDERSON (Troy Gentile, "Entourage"), 13, is a gentle free spirit who simply goes along for the ride. MAGGIE MORALES (Natalie Martinez, "Saints & Sinners"), Robby's second-grade teacher and the object of Ron's affection, might just be the only stable figure in the lives of this quirky quartet. While SONS OF TUCSON is grounded in the day-to-day challenges of a single-parent home, nothing in the Gunderson household is quite what it seems. An ongoing chess match between Ron and the boys will keep both parties on their toes, as neither side can afford to give up too much power or independence.

    Cast:
    Tyler Labine as Ron Snuffkin
    Davis Cleveland as Robby Gunderson
    Frank Dolce as Gary Gunderson
    Troy Gentile as Brandon Gunderson
    Natalie Martinez as Maggie Morales

    Preview:



    Links:

  • FOX.com
  • TV.com
  • Internet Movie Database
  • Wikipedia




    Discuss the fall schedules here:

    ABC
    CBS
    NBC
    Fox
    The CW

    What's Your Fall 2009 Viewing Schedule?

    Which new sitcoms have the best chance at success? Vote in our poll.

    Stay tuned for our reviews of the pilots for these new sitcoms in the upcoming months!

  • Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

    Tuesday, September 10

    The Conners - "Jeoparde, Sobriete and Infidelite" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Darlene makes a decision about her trip to Hawaii, leading to a heated encounter with Barb; Becky gives a presentation on addiction to Mark's class.

    The Conners - "Two Proposals, a Homecoming and a Bear" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Two proposals bring change to the Conner family; Jackie uses her "Jeopardy!" infamy to her advantage.

    The Conners - "Trucking Live in Front of a Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    The Conners continue to deal with the pandemic while navigating breakups and newfound sobriety, all while planning an upcoming wedding.

    The Conners - "Education, Corruption and Damnation" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    After Ben declines Darlene's proposal, she starts to ponder why she tends to be so negative in life, prompting her to start a journey of self-discovery, which leads to Pastor Phil.

    Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Love Yourz" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    Calvin, worried about his son Calvin Jr.'s math struggles, recruits his eccentric friends Pookie and Peanut to help.

    Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "To The Left" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    Vinny's nightmare causes him to want to get saved and Mr. Brown will do the baptizing, while Lindor is up to his neck in everyone's IT needs.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 9)

    Tuesday, September 10

    • Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Catch Jane on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building/Mulaney/I'm a Big Girl Now/The Associates) and Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building/Wizards of Waverly Place) - Steve, Martin and Selena are guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Kevin Hart (Die Hart/The Big House/Undeclared) - Kevin appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Caitlin Reilly (Hacks) and Rickey Thompson (Foursome) - Caitlin and Rickey are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
    • Kelly Ripa (Hope & Faith) and Mark Consuelos (Alpha House/Hope & Faith) - E! News has interviews with Kelly and Mark at 11pm on E!.
    • The Cast of Emily in Paris) - E! News has interviews with the cast of Emily Paris at 11pm on E!.
    • Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Salma will be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
    • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Drew is introducing the newest Drew-crew member, Valerie Bertinelli! Plus, Valerie is making a shrimp and veggie cups recipe from her latest cookbook, Indulge, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Zoë Kravitz (High Fidelity) - Zoë is joining Drew to talk about her directorial debut Blink Twice. She's spilling on what it was like working with fiancé Channing Tatum and her take on their viral NYC bike photo on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback/Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam discusses his mockumentary series Mr. Throwback on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series Check It Out! - The Complete Series Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD) Young Sheldon - The Complete Series

    04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
    04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
    05/21 - Frasier (2023) - Season One
    06/11 - The Jeffersons - The Complete Series (2024 Release)
    06/11 - Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete Series (2024 Release)
    07/05 - Letterkenny - Season 12 (Final Season)
    07/30 - Ted Lasso - The Richmond Way (The Complete Series) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
    09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    09/17 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
    09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD)
    09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
    10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
    10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


    Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

    09/10 - CBS Fall 2024 Preview Special; The Franchise Premieres October 6 on HBO
    09/09 - Lifetime Orders Christmas in the Spotlight; Hulu Sets Murdaugh Murders Series
    09/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 9, 2024)
    09/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Only Murders in the Building Renewed for Fifth Season; Plex Adds Knots Landing and More
    09/06 - Hulu's Child Stars Documentary; Keke Palmer Heads to The 'Burbs for Peacock
    09/05 - Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Cast; Tia Mowry We TV Docuseries
    09/04 - Nick at Nite Acquires Modern Family; SNL Stars Go Live on Peacock Next Thursday
    09/03 - The CW Swaps Two Nights for Fall 2024 Schedule; Retta Returns to HGTV
    09/02 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2024 Include Barney Miller
    09/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 2, 2024)
    08/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at New Netflix Comedy; One Tree Hill Sequel in the Works
    08/30 - Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween 2024; Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Premieres October 29
    08/29 - Based on a True Story Returns in November on Peacock; Nikki Glaser to Host Golden Globes
    08/28 - Acapulco Renewed for Season 4; Kiernan Shipka Max Movie
    08/27 - Everybody Still Hates Chris Premieres September 25 on Comedy Central; Final Season of Somebody Somewhere Returns in October
    08/26 - Frasier Returns September 19 on Paramount+ for Season 2; Ted Danson's Netflix Comedy Premieres in November
    08/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 26, 2024)
    08/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at New Netflix Comedy; TNT Picks Up The Librarians: The Next Chapter
    08/23 - FETV's Sunday Mystery Matinee Block; Glen Powell Is Chad Powers for Hulu Comedy
    08/22 - Pee-wee Forever on August 27 on Shout! TV; The Lincoln Lawyer Is Back This October
    08/21 - NBC Moves Premiere Due to VP Debate; Seth Meyers Gets Live Primetime Special
    08/20 - The Rockford Files 50th Anniversary Marathons on Great Entertainment Television (get.); Bad Sisters Returning for Season 2
    08/19 - Schitt's Creek Stars to Host Emmys on ABC; Madison Iseman Joins USA Network Series
    08/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 19, 2024)
    08/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Drew Carey Show Now Streaming for Free; Hulu Picks Up Mid-Century Modern Comedy
    08/16 - NBC to Air Mr. Throwback Premiere; Ariel Winter Returns for New Sofia the First Series
    08/15 - Comedy Central Acquires Family Guy; Hallmark to Launch Hallmark+ Streaming Service
    08/14 - Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Trailer; Grotesquerie Gets Premiere Date on FX
    08/13 - Audible Announces Two Scripted Comedy Podcasts; Modern Family's Julie Bowen's Peacock Series
    08/12 - Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Assisted Living Return; First Look at Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
    08/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 12, 2024)
    08/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: A Sequel to A Different World and Reboot for Scrubs?; Cartoon Network Shuts Down Website