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

Thursday, October 16

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Tie Breaker and a Huge Mistake" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Tensions rise in the tire store when new co-owners Georgie and Ruben realize they can’t agree on anything, and Jim struggles to find his purpose now that he’s retired.

Ghosts - "Soul Custody" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam, Jay and the ghosts attempt to extricate Jay from his deal with Elias Woodstone (Matt Walsh), the devil. Also, Isaac helps Patience (Mary Holland) through a crisis of confidence and Pete and Alberta navigate the fallout from their kiss.

English Teacher - "Lock In" (FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The teachers oversee the school's overnight lock-in.

English Teacher - "Graduation" (FX, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The teachers try to prevent a student prank from ruining graduation.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 13)

Thursday, October 16

  • Maya Rudolph (Loot/Bless the Harts/Forever/Up All Night) - Catch Maya on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Roy Wood Jr. (Sullivan & Son) - Roy is a guest Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick appers on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. NBC's Today catches up with Nick in the 9am hour. He also talks about Little Woodchucks with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola/Mike & Molly/Yes, Dear) - Billy is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Bette Midler (Bette) - Andy Cohen interviews Bette on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
  • Laurence Fishburne (black-ish) - Laurence talks about The Witcher with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) - Co-host Gayle King sits down with Jeremy on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Janet Hubert (Demascus/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Janet discusses her new Tubi series Demascus on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Lil Rel Howery (Rel/The Carmichael Show) - Lil Rel and Tabitha Brown discuss their film Unexpected Christmas on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Aziz Ansari (Master of None/Parks and Recreation) - Aziz tells Drew about his new movie Good Fortune on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

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

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10/14 - Tubi's Breaking Bear Premieres March 2026; NBC's Stumble Trailer
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10/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 13, 2025)
10/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Upcoming Paramount+ Sitcom Crutch; Yellowjackets to End After Upcoming Season
10/10 - Prime Video Releases Trailer for The Mighty Nein; Season 2 Premiere Date for Cross
10/09 - Rachel Sennott's I Love LA Comedy Series Trailer; Kaley Cuoco Heads to MGM+
10/08 - Prime Video's Kevin Details; Trailer for Crutch with Tracy Morgan
10/07 - The CW's TV We Love Docuseries; Happy's Place Season 2 Trailer
10/06 - Dancing with the Stars Surging in Viewership, Especially Among Younger Viewers; Remembering Kimberly Hébert Gregory of Vice Principals
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10/03 - MeTV Acquires Everybody Loves Raymond; Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Trailer
10/02 - CBS Presents Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion; Apple TV+ Renews Peanuts Specials Through 2030
10/01 - The CW's Six Brand New Movies Starting November 16; Hulu's Family Guy Halloween Special Details
09/30 - Sarah Sherman HBO Comedy Special in December; Huluween Programming for 2025
09/29 - Netflix Renews Haunted Hotel for Season 2; Christmas Comedy Series Sicilia Express
09/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 29, 2025)
09/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Scrubs Cast Comes Together for First Table Read for Reboot; Monopoly Game Show Moving Ahead
09/26 - Netflix Adds to Cast for Running Point Season 2; Stiller & Meara Apple TV+ Documentary
09/25 - Adam Pally HBO Comedy Special; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Returns with Huge Ratings
09/24 - Weigel's Newest Diginet WEST Launches Monday, September 29; New Baywatch Coming to Fox in 2026-27
09/23 - DMV Trailer for CBS; Mo Amer Returns to Netflix
09/22 - SNL Season 51 Guests for First Episodes; Prime Video's Bat-Fam Series
09/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 22, 2025)
09/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Paper to Get Linear Run on NBC; Saturday Night Live Announces New Hosts
09/19 - NBC Schedules The Paper and Stumble in November; Remembering Patricia (Pat) Crowley of Please Don't Eat the Daisies
09/18 - UPtv Acquires The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Camp Rock 3 Coming Soon to Disney
09/17 - FETV Acquires The Munsters Effective September 29; Apple TV+ The Morning Show Renewed for Season 5
09/16 - Disney's SuperKitties Adds to Voice Cast; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 2
09/15 - 77th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Letterman TV Adds Late Night with David Letterman