Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Hub Alters Sitcom Line-Up Next Few Weeks; GSN Acquires Minute to Win It and Premiering New Version of Pyramid

With ALF Week going on right now on The Hub, the network has altered its primetime line-up again for next week. Before we get into that, let's recap the ALF Week. ALF, the beloved, wise-cracking alien is hosting the network's primetime programming lineup for a week-long event (thru this Thursday), featuring his unique, brow-raising, sense of humor as he gives his take on favorite episodes of his own series and other classic shows on The Hub including Mork & Mindy, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch and The Facts of Life (yes, Happy Days was scrapped this week for Sabrina). Viewers are learning what ALF has to say about life since his popular series was produced in the late 1980's while he was living with the Tanner clan.
Anyway, back to what will happen starting next week. We mentioned last week that Sabrina, the Teenage Witch would only be airing Sunday nights 3-4am after its July 26 marathon from 9am-2pm (all that will remain still, though). Well, The Hub has changed their primetime schedule again. For next week only, the week of July 23-26, primetime will look like this from 8-10pm: Lois & Clark (two-hour pilot) on Monday, Sabrina the Teenage Witch on Tuesday, The Facts of Life on Wednesday and ALF on Thursday. So Monday and Tuesday has been changed and will not feature the regular Mork & Mindy and Happy Days next week. No reason was given for this change. The following two weeks will feature animated series in primetime from 8-10pm, like Batman: The Animated Series. The Hub is clearly testing to see what works best in primetime for them. As of now, the sitcoms will return regularly in primetime the week of August 13. We just don't know what shows will air when. The good news is that the 10pm-12am block will remain every week with back-to-back The Wonder Years and an episode each of Laverne & Shirley and Batman. Also remaining on the schedule will be Lois & Clark on Sunday nights from 8pm-2am, followed by an episode each of Doogie Howser and Family Ties and a double shot of Sabrina. The only other show of note for us is back-to-back Batman on Friday and Saturday nights from 5-6am, following Honey I Shrunk the Kids: The Series at 4am.
Stay with us for further updates. Let's hope all the sitcoms they air will return regularly starting Aug. 13, but for now enjoy ALF Week this week and sitcoms in primetime next week.


In TV acquisition news, GSN announced it has acquired off-network rights to 68 one-hour episodes of the hit game show Minute to Win It from NBCUniversal Cable & New Media Distribution. Hosted by All-American chef and television personality Guy Fieri, the game features competitors participating in a series of simple, yet nerve-wracking, games that can lead to a $1 million prize. Minute to Win It will air in four-hour blocks on Tuesday nights from 7pm to 11pm (ET) on GSN beginning on Tuesday, July 24 at 7pm (ET). The series only aired from 2010-11 on NBC but had 69 episodes in just two seasons.
GSN has also announced the premiere date for its original series, The Pyramid, a contemporary take on one of television's most beloved game shows, hosted by television executive producer and Beauty and the Geek host Mike Richards. The Pyramid is a daily strip show airing Monday through Friday at 6pm ET, and will premiere on Monday, September 3 at 6pm ET. The Pyramid is back in an all-new, half-hour version of the fast-paced word guessing game. The celebrities, the Pyramid game board, the Winner's Circle: everything viewers know and love about the iconic format is returning in GSN's lively new version. The series, a winner of nine Daytime Emmy® Awards during its storied 40-year run, brings a contemporary sensibility, tone and style to a beloved franchise and will accompany the hit show, The Newlywed Game in GSN's "Iconic Game Reinvented" category.
The Pyramid joins the previously announced new shows on GSN this fall: The American Bible Challenge and Beat the Chefs, which are the first of GSN's "Shiny Floor Game" category - contemporary studio-based game shows that focus on themes prevalent in pop culture. The American Bible Challenge, an original one-hour game show hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, will premiere on Thursday, August 23 at 8pm ET/PT, while Beat the Chefs, an hour-long cooking competition show with host Matt Rogers, will also premiere on Thursday, August 23 at 9pm ET/PT.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, July 9

Shifting Gears - "Gummies" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley is horrified when she finds weed gummies in Carter’s pocket, prompting surprising advice from Matt. Meanwhile, Eve inadvertently lands Gabriel and Stitch in hot water after asking them to donate to a charity auction.

Shifting Gears - "Kiss" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jimmy returns with a new job and a proposition for Riley and the kids to move into his house, Riley is torn between her past and her future. Meanwhile, Matt's feud with Eve flares up once again after she damages his car.

Abbott Elementary - "Volunteers" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ava announces the school district is sending a group of volunteers to help out at Abbott; however, when they arrive, things don’t go as planned.

Abbott Elementary - "100th Day of School" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
During Abbott’s 100th day of school celebrations, Barbara receives a surprise from her daughter. Melissa, Jacob and Mr. Johnson join forces to conduct a search party.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary" (FXX and FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Months after the Gang visited, Abbott's Principal Ava walks viewers through some of the unseen footage of the Gang's volunteerism and reveals their true intentions.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Frank Is in a Coma" (FXX and FX, 9:33PM ET/PT)
The five stages of grief set in for Dee as Frank lies on his deathbed; the Guys plot their new path forward by pitching their business ventures to Philadelphia's elite.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 7)

Wednesday, July 9

  • Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Watch Salma on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Cole Escola (Human Resources/Search Party/Mozart in the Jungle/Difficult People) - Cole appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Richie Moriarty (Ghosts), Betsy Sodaro (Ghosts/Duncanville/Disjointed/Animal Practice) and Punam Patel (Ghosts/Return of the Mac/Kevin from Work) - Richie, Betsy and Punam are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
  • Tika Sumpter (mixed-ish/Final Space/The Game) - Tika sits down with the Tam Fam to talk about her new children's book I Got It From My Mama a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Isabela Merced (100 Things to Do Before High School/Growing Up Fisher) - Isabela chats about her film Superman on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Anna Camp (Perfect Harmony/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/The Mindy Project) and Justin Bartha (The New Normal/Teachers) - Anna and Justin discuss their film Nuked on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) - Simon talks about Peacock's Poker Face on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series 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)

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)

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

07/09 - New Girl Summer on Hulu; Vir Das Gets Brand New Netflix Special
07/08 - Tubi Comedy Series Demascus Premieres in August; LEGO Masters Jr. Lines Up Celebs for 4-Week Event
07/07 - Digman! Season Premiere Moved to July 23; Hulu's Reasonable Doubt Returns September 18
07/06 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 7, 2025)
07/05 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Comedy Central Delays South Park and Digman! Season Premieres; Jackée to Appear in Guest Role in Netflix Series
07/04 - Happy 4th of July; Antenna TV's McHale's Navy Red, White and Navy Independence Day Marathon
07/03 - The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 3 Premieres August 6; South Park New Season Moves by Two Weeks
07/02 - FETV Acquires The Rookies; Hulu Renews The Bear for Season 5
07/01 - Bert Kreischer Gets Netflix Sitcom; NBC Gets Into Survival Mode This Summer
06/30 - The Comeback Makes Another...Comeback; First Look at Black Rabbit at Netflix
06/29 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 30, 2025)
06/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Comeback Returning for a Third and Final Season; South Park to Remain on HBO Max
06/27 - The White Lotus Star Teams Up with Netflix; Remembering Bobby Sherman, Lynn Hamilton, and Rick Hurst
06/26 - The CW's Fall Movie of the Week; First Look at New York Comic Con 2025
06/25 - Netflix Renews Ransom Canyon for Season 2; My Life with the Walter Boys First Look for Season 2
06/24 - Marc Maron Gets Second HBO Comedy Special; Outlander Prequel Renewed for Season 2 Ahead of Series Premiere
06/23 - MeTV Summer Changes, Adds Adventures of Superman; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Summer Guest Hosts
06/22 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 23, 2025)
06/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Night Court Officially Dead After Not Finding New Home; Weigel Announces New WEST Network
06/20 - Great American Media Announces New Danica McKellar Movie; Jennifer Love Hewitt ID True Crime Series
06/19 - Bad Thoughts Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix; Zarna Garg Gets Hulu Special This July
06/18 - Weigel Broadcasting Announces WEST Network with Classic TV Westerns; Hulu's Season 2 of Such Brave Girls
06/17 - Gary Coleman's Ex-Wife on A&E Series; Digman! Returns July 9 on Comedy Central
06/16 - Hulu's Chad Powers Teaser; Prime Video's Jesse Williams Series
06/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 16, 2025)
06/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Mulls Airing The Paper on Primetime Lineup; Fox Revives Baywatch Reboot Talk
06/13 - My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman Renewed for 2 More Seasons; Hanna-Barbera Developing Adult Animated Series
06/12 - Comedy Superstar Jack Black Is the King of Comedy at Nickelodeon; Doc Adds Felicity Huffman
06/11 - Celebrities for Celebrity Family Feud Season 11; Netflix's Little House on the Prairie Starts Production
06/10 - Warner Bros. Discovery Separates Company; Peacock's Jennifer Garner Series Adds to Cast
06/09 - Comedian Ms. Pat Gets Season 3 of Courtroom Series; Disney Branded Television Animated Slate