Thursday, May 12, 2011

SitcomsOnline.com 2011-12 Upfront Preview: The CW; Classic Animated Series Network PBJ Launches in Summer

The CW continues to struggle, with only one real hit in Vampire Diaries and a declining series in America's Next Top Model, they will need to find some hits. They also need to solve the two big breaks within the season when everything is in repeats and the network is out of business it seems.
Here is the SitcomsOnline.com The CW 2011-12 preview:

New Series Already Picked-Up: None.
Already Renewed Returning Series: 90210, America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, Supernatural, and The Vampire Diaries.
Likely Returning Series: One Tree Hill and Nikita.
Likey To Be Canceled or Already Canceled: Life UneXpected, Shedding for the Wedding, Hellcats and Smallville.
Likely New Series: The Secret Circle (drama), Hart of Dixie (drama), Heavenly (drama) and Awakening (mid-season drama).

OUR FALL 2011 PREDICTION:

Mondays
8:00PM
90210
9:00PM Gossip Girl

Tuesdays
8:00PM
One Tree Hill
9:00PM Heavenly (NEW!)

Wednesdays
8:00PM
America's Next Top Model
9:00PM Hart of Dixie (NEW!)

Thursdays
8:00PM
Vampire Diaries
9:00PM The Secret Circle (NEW!)

Fridays
8:00PM
Nikita
9:00PM Supernatural

Comments: The CW once again had a weak season and saw declines in America's Next Top Model and long repeat breaks hurt their dramas. And once again there are no comedies being developed once again. They could use a change and try to bring a more mass appeal series rather than go after just women 12-17 or 18-34. For Mondays, I would certainly change the night but I am predicting 90210 and Gossip Girl stay put in their timeslots. I would personally have Gossip Girl into a new series, like Josh Schwartz' Hart of Dixie. If they do that, good for them in taking a chance.
For Tuesdays, they will probably lead-off with veteran One Tree Hill at 8 again possibly into a new series like Heavenly. I would step away from that though and try something more different, perhaps move Supernatural to this night into a new series like the cop pilot Copper & Stone, but I just don't see The CW picking that up.
Wednesdays will of course have America's Next Top Model leading off the night followed possibly by another try of launching a drama, perhaps the pilot Hart of Dixie. As I mentioned, I'd rather have that with Gossip, and put something like 90210 here. Top Model hasn't produced any drama hits anyway, so what is the point in keep trying? Hellcats is not likely to return. Even reality series after Top Model hasn't worked. Maybe just encores at 8pm into new episodes at 9pm is the best way to go, as this way they have more shows available in the middle of the season.
For Thursday, that is The CW's biggest night and what I predict is what I would actually do, too. Highest rated drama The Vampire Diaries will continue to lead off the night at 8pm. They should and will likely go with the drama The Secret Circle. It comes from Kevin Williamson and he produces The Vampire Diaries as well. Natasha Henstridge is one of the stars in the series.
And finally on Fridays, with Smallville ending, something will be needed on Fridays. Perhaps Supernatural will be paired with Nikita, which has a good shot of returning.
For mid-season, they could pick-up another new series such as Awakenings, which seems like it would benefit by airing repeat free for 13 weeks. I wish they would hold either 90210 or One Tree Hill for mid-season as well, as they would need something fresh other than one new series.
I still don't get why 90210 is returning. But the bigger question is, how will The CW solve the two long breaks for each show? Will they end the season earlier, like in March? Or will they just continue what they do now and come back to lower ratings? This is why a sitcom hour at least would be good as they would repeat well. I'm not too big of a CW watcher, so not sure what they could do to cut down on repeats, but sound off on our link below.
Discuss your thoughts on our prediction and feel free to make suggestions of your own.

Remember, next Thursday (May 19) is the actual date when we will find out The CW's plans for the 2011-12 season. So, come on back next Thursday and we will let you know the details and you can see how much we were right (or wrong).
And as a reminder, stay tuned starting Sunday evening (through Thursday) for all the final schedules released by all the networks! We will put them up as soon as they are released by the networks, so this will be your home to see them first!


Luken Communications, owner of Retro TV Network (RTV) and TUFF TV, has teamed up with Classic Media to create a new network, PBJ. PBJ will offer iconic characters and shows from the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s, 24 hours a day. PBJ is set to launch nationwide this summer with well-known titles from Classic Media's portfolio including The Archies, Mr. Magoo, The Lone Ranger, Gumby, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and more. Luken will make PBJ available to broadcasters, cable and satellite.
PBJ is bringing back the very enduring and extremely popular animated and live action shows from the past five decades, and now you can watch wake up with these shows all over again. So get out your peanut butter & jelly kids!
The RTV network first went on the air in July 2005 in Little Rock, Ark. RTV currently reaches over 77 million homes and features classic live action television programming from the 1950s through the 1980s such as The A-Team, Dragnet, McHale's Navy and The Rockford Files. TUFF TV launched in June 2009 and offers original programming targeted at men and their specific interests, hobbies and pursuits. Among the series they air are I Spy and Daniel Boone.
Stay tuned for further information as we get it!


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, July 26

The Conners - "Keep on Truckin'" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before.

The Conners - "Tangled Up in Blue" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene gets one surprise after another when David introduces his girlfriend at a parent-teacher conference and mentions that Mark & Harris will be spending the weekend with them.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 22)

Friday, July 26

  • Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Watch Nick on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) - Michael appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Sasheer Zamata (Home Economics/Woke/Robbie), Joe Lo Truglio (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Burning Love/Reno 911!) and Aparna Nancherla (Corporate) - Sasheer, Joe and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jennie Garth (Mystery Girls/What I Like About You) - Jennie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. NBC's Today catches up with Jennie in the 10am hour.
  • Marcus Scribner (grown-ish/black-ish) - Marcus talks about his coming-of-age film How I Learned to Fly on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Delroy Lindo (UnPrisoned) - Delroy talks about UnPrisoned on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Dylan Sprouse (The Suite Life on Deck/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody/Grace Under Fire) - Dylan talks about Lionsgate's The Duel on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD/Blu-ray

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series Check It Out! - The Complete Series The Jeffersons - The Complete Series (2024 Release) Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete Series (2024 Release)

02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
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)
09/17 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season / The Complete Series
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

07/26 - USA Network Revives Scare Tactics; Apple TV+ Orders Season 2 of Camp Snoopy
07/25 - Apple TV+ Comedy Bad Monkey Premieres August 14; Mel Brooks HBO Doc
07/24 - FX's Final Season of What We Do in the Shadows; Lifetime Acquires Taye Diggs and Meagan Good Film
07/23 - Homicide: Life on the Street Makes Streaming Debut on Peacock August 19; Trailer and Game for Emily in Paris Season 4
07/22 - FETV Acquires Dragnet; CBS Special for Bob Newhart
07/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 22, 2024)
07/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Apple TV+ Renews Loot for Third Season; CBS Developing Area 51 Comedy
07/19 - Remembering TV Legend Bob Newhart, TV Bad Girl Shannen Doherty of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, and Doogie Howser TV Dad James B. Sikking
07/18 - 76th Primetime Emmy Nominations; Frasier Returns September 19
07/17 - Fox Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; Apple TV+ Renews Loot for Season 3
07/16 - Survival of the Thickest Season 2 Adds to Cast; Phil Rosenthal Series Renewed by Netflix
07/15 - CBS Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; Disney Entertainment Television at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
07/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 15, 2024)
07/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Martin Prequel in the Works; Wendie Malick to Star in Season 3 of Night Court
07/12 - FX Premiere Dates; CBS Studios San Diego Comic-Con Plans
07/11 - ABC Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; Remembering Doug Sheehan of Day by Day and Clueless and Benji Gregory of ALF
07/10 - NBC Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; New Paramount+ Series with Billy Bob Thornton
07/09 - Futurama Trailer Released for Season 12; Will You Help Solve a Mystery? Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4 Drops July 31
07/08 - Hulu's How to Die Alone Premieres This September; Prime Video's Cross Launches This Fall
07/07 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 8, 2024)
07/06 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Skydance Media Reportedly Taking Over Paramount; Internet Archive Restores MTV News Archives
07/05 - Sitcom Stars Pair Up on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire; TV One Premieres Raising Fame
07/04 - Happy 4th of July; Antenna TV's McHale's Navy Red, White and Navy Independence Day Marathon
07/03 - Netflix Has Baby Fever Again; More Stars Join Sirens
07/02 - Cobra Kai's Final Season Begins July 18; Hell Yeah! Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Premieres July 18 on Max
07/01 - Remembering Martin Mull of Roseanne, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and More; Will Forte Joins Netflix's Upcoming Comedy The Four Seasons
06/30 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 1, 2024)
06/29 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Nancy O'Dell to Host New Daytime True Crime Series; NBC to Use AI Clips of Al Michaels' Voice for Olympics
06/28 - Hulu's Hit-Monkey Trailer Drops; Remembering Character Actor Bill Cobbs
06/27 - New Jersey's North to Shore Festival Brings Out the Stars; ABC's GMA Summer Concert Series 2024
06/26 - Fox Nation Taps Kelsey Grammer for Docudrama; Hallmark Channel's Kansas City Chiefs Christmas Movie