TV Land Orders 2 New Sitcoms, New Season of Retired; NBC Summer 2011 Update

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

TV Land Orders 2 New Sitcoms, New Season of Retired; NBC Summer 2011 Update

TV Land announced that the network is moving forward with three sitcoms – two new series and a renewal for Retired at 35. These series join Hot in Cleveland which was also upped from a 22 episode order to a 24 episode order for season three. Currently, the sitcom is in the middle of season two, with the final ten episodes of season two airing in the summer. These pick-ups take TV Land from zero to four scripted sitcoms within less than a year's time, along with several additional sitcoms in development.
The two new series joining the network's roster are Happily Divorced marking Fran Drescher's (The Nanny) return to television joined by John Michael Higgins (Best in Show), Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris) and Rita Moreno (West Side Story) as well as The Exes (working title) starring Donald Faison (Scrubs) , Wayne Knight (Seinfeld, Hot in Cleveland), David Alan Basche (Law and Order) and Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock from the Sun). Additionally, TV Land has renewed its hit sitcom Retired at 35 starring George Segal, Jessica Walter and Johnathan McClain for a second season. Happily Divorced, The Exes and Retired at 35 are all picked up for 10 episodes each. Happily Divorced is slated to premiere Wednesday, June 15 at 10:30pm airing after new episodes of the final 10 episodes of season two for Hot in Cleveland. No word on premiere dates for The Exes and Retired at 35, but they will premiere next winter (2012).
Happily Divorced is based on Fran Drescher's real life and centers around Los Angeles florist Fran (Drescher) as she deals with dating after finding out her realtor husband of 18 years (John Michael Higgins) is gay. The show focuses on how she juggles her new relationships and her ex-husband post-divorce while still living under the same roof. The cast is rounded out by Fran's best friend Judi (Tichina Arnold), her parents Dori and Glen (Rita Moreno and Robert Walden) and her flower delivery employee Cesar (Valente Rodriguez). Additionally, in the pilot, Fran's love interest, Elliot, is played by D.W. Moffett.
The Exes revolves around three divorced men, ladies man Phil (Donald Faison), homebody Haskell (Wayne Knight) and newly-single and needy Stuart (David Alan Basche). The men live together in an apartment across the hall from their divorce attorney, Holly (Kristen Johnston), who also happens to be their landlord. Holly avoids her own relationship and commitment issues by becoming immersed in the men's affairs as they put their lives back together and return to the dating scene.
As you recall we mentioned TV Land ordered three sitcom pilots, but as of now they have not picked-up the third pilot, Rip City (aka Untitled Terri Minsky Pilot), which stars Christine Taylor, Barry Watson and The View's Sherri Shepherd. If they do pick that up to series, we will let you know but as of now it seems unlikely.

NBC revealed some of its original series programming for Summer 2011 that features the sixth-season premiere of summer's top-rated America's Got Talent on Tuesday, May 31 from 9-11 p.m. ET, the announcement of the new game show It's Worth What? and the second-season debut of The Marriage Ref on Sunday, June 26 at 10 p.m. ET.
In addition, NBC will offer fresh programs such as the musical competition series The Voice (premieres April 26, regular day and time Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET) through the end of June as well as the new game show Still Standing (working title in the U.S.) and reality series Love in the Wild (days and times for both are TBA). Original episodes of the drama Law & Order: Los Angeles on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET also continue through the end of June.
NBC also will present the broadcast network premiere of the final season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent beginning on Monday, May 30 at 9 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the last season of Friday Night Lights on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET also continues into the summer (premieres April 15).
As for timings for America's Got Talent, it will premiere its sixth season on Tuesday, May 31 from 9-11 p.m. ET with a two-hour broadcast. After its debut, the series will resume its run on Tuesdays in the 9 p.m. ET hour from June 7 through June 28. The series then will begin two-hour Tuesday editions from 9-11 p.m. ET starting July 5 until September 6. America's Got Talent will debut its Wednesday broadcasts on June 1 in the 9 p.m. ET hour and will continue on that night through September 7. On Tuesday, September 13, America's Got Talent returns to one hour at 9 p.m. ET for its penultimate episode before returning for its two-hour season finale on the next night - Wednesday, September 14 from 9-11 p.m. ET. Encores of both the Tuesday and Wednesday airings will air on the following Sunday and Monday.
View more about the new original programming for NBC summer 2011. We will let you know the full summer schedule as soon as it is announced, including premiere dates for the three new original series (game shows - It's Worth What and Still Standing and reality series Love in the Wild). For now view the NBC summer line-up without them added in.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 21

The Goldbergs - "Airplane!" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Beverly surprises the family with an end-of-summer vacation to Miami with the flight down resembling the classic film, and Geoff accidentally spills to Erica the real reason for the trip.

The Goldbergs - "The Prettiest Boy in School" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Adam, now a senior, returns to William Penn Academy as he wrestles with the fact that he is a cool kid and no longer a nerd while his original friend group isn’t as lucky. Meanwhile, Beverly attempts to have a more grown-up relationship with Erica and Barry before they head back to college.

The Conners - "Keep on Truckin' Six Feet Apart" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Conners are back and dealing with the pandemic, and life’s financial troubles loom over the family. Dan is still trying to catch up on back-mortgage payments and avoid a potential eviction, while the Lunch Box is closed for everything but takeout and delivery. Becky and Darlene are both forced to search for additional income at the newly reopened Wellman Plastics plant.

black-ish - "Hero Pizza" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The season premiere of “black-ish” takes us to the beginning of the global pandemic for the Johnsons. As a first responder, Bow receives her family’s praise for her work, with Junior being her biggest fan. But over time, the family loses their enthusiasm, and Bow discovers someone in her house is breaking the quarantine lockdown rules. Meanwhile, Dre tries to convince everyone that he too is an essential worker.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Moving On" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
House of Payne is the hilarious comedy about Retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella. Together the loving couple navigate the problems of life with their quirky modern day family.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Mary Jane" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Leah learns that Mr. Brown has cut down Vinny's plants in the back yard.

Family Time - "Somebody's Watching Me" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Tony and Donnie spy on Ebony and her new boyfriend; Lori is recruited to be the face of hair care.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 19)

Wednesday, October 21

Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish/Girlfriends) - Watch Tracee on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. She will also be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Eric Andre (Man Seeking Woman/Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - Eric appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Eva Longoria (Telenovela) - Eva will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Susan Kelechi Watson (Louie) - Susan is a guest on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig will be on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Sara Gilbert (The Conners/Living Biblically/Bad Teacher/Welcome to New York/Roseanne) - Sara appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) - Sarah is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Marlon Wayans (Marlon/The Wayans Bros.) - Marlon talks about On the Rocks on The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Lauren Ash (Superstore/Super Fun Night) - Lauren appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Brandy talks about her struggle with depression, new music and what's next on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Michelle Buteaun (First Wives Club) - Michelle talks about raising twins, relocating to London with her family to tape next season of her hit show The Circle, her new book and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric talks about CBS's The Greatest #AtHomeVideos on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Tim Robbins (The Brink) - Tim talks about the Bobbo Supreme podcast on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Teri Polo (I'm with Her/Man Up!) and Blythe Danner (Adam's Rib/Tattingers) - Teri, Blythe and the cast of Meet the Parents reunite on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Jane Lynch (Angel from Hell) - Jane talks about Weakest Link on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.