New First-Run Syndicated Sitcoms Airing in Weekend Primetime Block; Antenna TV's Movie Hero Marathon

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

New First-Run Syndicated Sitcoms Airing in Weekend Primetime Block; Antenna TV's Movie Hero Marathon

Entertainment Studios, Inc. the largest independent producer and distributor of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations, and owner of seven 24-hour HD television networks proudly announces that Tribune, Weigel and CBS Television Station Groups have given a firm "go" to carry both The First Family and Mr. Box Office as part of a two-hour primetime weekend comedy block, which has been cleared in over 85% of U.S. television homes. Both sitcoms will air two half-hours, back-to-back, creating a two-hour primetime sitcom block. Each sitcom has an initial order of 104 episodes — for a total of 208 episodes for the primetime comedy block.
We have mentioned both of these comedies already (The First Family and Mr. Box Office), but now we know that it will be in at least 85% of the country on weekends in local syndication. There might be a cable pick-up too, so stay tuned for that news. Also stay with us for a list of local affiliates airing these two new comedies. So if your market has a Tribune, Weigel or CBS Television Station Group station, then you're looking good to see these two sitcoms this fall! The First Family is a sitcom about an African-American family that resides in The White House. It features an all-star cast including Christopher B. Duncan (The Jamie Foxx Show), Kellita Smith (The Bernie Mac Show), Gladys Knight (Dancing with the Stars), Jackee Harry (227, Sister Sister), John Witherspoon (The Wayans Bros.), Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons, 227), and Michael D. Roberts (Seinfeld). Mr. Box Office is a sitcom about one of the world's biggest movie stars, who is sentenced to community service teaching English at an inner-city high school in South Central Los Angeles. It features an all-star cast including Bill Bellamy, Jon Lovitz, Vivica A. Fox, Keshia Knight Pulliam (The Cosby Show), Rick Fox, Gary Busey, Alex Thomas, Tony T. Roberts, and Tim Meadows (SNL).

This Memorial Day, Antenna TV salutes the toughest soldiers to serve on the silver screen with a full day "Movie Hero" Marathon on Memorial Day - Monday, May 28. Antenna TV, which airs on 61 affiliates across the U.S. reaching 58% of TV households, will air the best battles from sun up to sun down with 10 classic war movies. Antenna TV's Movie Hero Marathon on Memorial Day will feature: Hellcats of the Navy (1957), Battle of the Coral Sea (1959), Mission Over Korea (1953), All The Young Men (1960), The Mountain Road (1960), King Rat (1965), Bitter Victory (1958), Sahara (1943), Castle Keep (1969) and Anzio (1968) -- from 5am-2am ET. Featured stars include: George Segal in King Rat; Sidney Poitier in All the Young Men; James Stewart in The Mountain Road; Humphrey Bogart in Sahara; Robert Mitchum in Anzio and Burt Lancaster in Castle Keep. Plus, Hellcats of the Navy, is the only film Ronald Reagan made with wife Nancy. Also, New Yorkers, please don't forget the new channel position on WPIX 11.2.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, April 20

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Purse Dog" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Calvin reluctantly agrees to dog-sit a glamorous little companion, only to face an awkward twist when someone else lays claim to it. Meanwhile, a joint celebration prompts Malcolm to question whether he and Mercedes are moving too fast. Amber Stevens West guest stars as Mercedes, Malcolm's Girlfriend.

DMV - "Drive-ory Tower" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Colette tries to bridge a growing divide at the office by bringing the driving examiners and counter clerks together. Meanwhile, Vic stubbornly avoids seeing a doctor after an unusual injury, forcing Barb to get creative to help him.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 20)

Monday, April 20

Kal Penn (The Santa Clauses/Sunnyside/We Are Men) - Watch Kal on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) - Quinta appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She also talks about Abbott Elementary on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Don Cheadle (The Wonder Years/Black Monday/House of Lies/The Golden Palace) - Don is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also talks about Hazardous History with Henry Winkler on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Lea Michele (The Mayor) - Lea appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Aaron Tveit (Schmigadoon!) - Aaron is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
B.J. Novak (The Office) and Jim Parsons (Young Sheldon/The Big Bang Theory) - Andy Cohen interviews B.J. and Jim on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
William Stanford Harris (Abbott Elementary) - William talks about Abbott Elementary on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Ramy Youssef (#1 Happy Family USA/Ramy/See Dad Run) - Ramy chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Laurie Metcalf (Big Mistakes/The Conners/Roseanne/The McCarthys/The Norm Show) - Laurie talks about Big Mistakes on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - NBC's Today catches up with Jane in the 9am hour.
Christopher Briney (Hacks) - Christopher talks about Hacks on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Blair Underwood (Fatherhood/The New Adventures of Old Christine) - Blair tells Sherri about his new memoir A Soldier's Wife: My Mother, the Marvelous Mrs. Marilyn A. Underwood on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Phoebe Dynevor (Younger) - Phoebe is telling Drew about her new movie Thrash on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Dan Bucatinsky (The Comeback/Marry Me/Web Therapy) - Dan appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.