Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Casting for New ABC Family Sitcom Pilot; Fox Orders 4th Cycle of Bob's Burgers
Ryan Sypek (Wildfire) and Kate Lang Johnson (Persons Unknown) have been cast in the lead roles of the ABC Family sitcom pilot Phys Ed. The pilot is a half-hour multi-camera comedy about a high school's star jock, Ed (Sypek), who returns to teach at his former alma mater only to find that, even though he's changed, nothing else really has. Johnson will play Janie, a teacher at the school who was ignored by Ed in high school and is now the object of his affections.
The pilot is written and-executive produced by David H. Steinberg (American Pie 2). It is produced by Prodco, Inc. Ryan Sypek is an ABC Family alum, having starred in the network's first original scripted series Wildfire. Now should Phys Ed get picked-up to series, we will let you know...but for now this is just a pilot. This piece of casting follows the casting of a drama pilot, as ABC Family has cast Denise Richards (Two and a Half Men) to star in drama series pilot Socio, as Karen Ryder. Also cast is Kimberly Quinn as Tess. They join the previously announced Avan Jogia as Danny, Maddie Hasson as Jo and Kylie Bunbury as Lacey in the project. The pilot is currently in preproduction. The pilot follows Danny Ryder (Jogia), who has returned to town after serving five years in custody for murdering his aunt when he was 11. Admitting his guilt, but stubbornly refusing to discuss his motive, Danny returns to a hostile reception and a media firestorm. Ostracized by his peers, Danny reconnects with his former best friends Jo (Hasson) and Lacey (Bunbury), who are still struggling to put the past behind them. But when another student is murdered, suspicion falls on Danny and the question remains: Is Danny a serial slayer, a "socio," or is he a victim with a shocking secret?
Richards will portray Karen Ryder, Danny's perfectly coiffed mother who once ruled the town's social scene but who now struggles to put on a brave face with her son returning home under a cloud of scandal and shame. Quinn portrays Jo's mother, Tess, who tries to give Danny the benefit of the doubt and clashes with her husband over his harsh attitude towards the teen.
Fox has ordered a fourth season of 22 all-new episodes of the Emmy-nominated animated comedy Bob's Burgers. The series is currently in its third season, but there are episodes from the second season still airing this season, as only 9 aired last season. So this fourth season cycle order will probably not get to air for another year or two. Bob's Burgers recently was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program as well as for a 2012 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Animated Series.
This season, Bob's Burgers also serves up holiday cheer with the series' first-ever Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes. In the upcoming Thanksgiving episode, Bob's eccentric landlord, Mr. Fischoeder (guest voice Kevin Kline), invites the Belchers for an unusual Thanksgiving dinner to impress a former flame. In the Christmas episode, Zach Galifianakis guest-voices as a man who is infatuated with a mannequin, and believes he used to be a mannequin himself. Other guest voices this season include Jon Hamm, Jeffrey Tambor, Aziz Ansari, Bill Hader and Sarah and Laura Silverman. Bob's Burgers follows a third-generation restaurateur as he runs his own burger joint with the help of his wife and their three kids. Bob has big ideas about burgers, condiments and sides, but only a few thoughts on customer service and business management. Despite his greasy counters, lousy location and occasionally spotty service, Bob is convinced his burgers speak for themselves. The animated series features the voice talents of H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Thursday, May 8
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Ladies Love Brunch" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Georgie tries to juggle his mom, his mother-in-law and Mandy on Mother’s Day. Meanwhile, Audrey wants to meet Connor’s girlfriend.
Ghosts - "The Devil Went Down to Woodstone" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam and Jay host a big party for the launch of Sam and Isaac’s vampire book. Mary Holland (Patience), Punam Patel (Bela) and Matt Walsh (Elias Woodstone) return as guest stars.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 5)
Thursday, May 8
- Paula Poundstone (Home Movies) - Paula performs stand-up comedy on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) - Natasha appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle talks about Netflix's Survival of the Thickest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite/Benched) and Doug Benson (You're the Worst) - Maria and Doug are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- John Benjamin Hickey (HouseBroken/The Big C/It's All Relative) - John stops by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 11:15pm on Bravo.
- Patricia Clarkson (Davis Rules) - Patricia is a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 11:15pm on Bravo.
- Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - E! News has an interview with Kerry at 11pm on E!. Kerry and Omar Sy discuss their highly anticipated new film Shadow Force on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Rebel Wilson (Super Fun Night) - Rebel chats about Juliet & Romeo on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - In A Little Bit Extra Valerie and Ross Mathews are sharing more of their conversation with Al Roker in Charleston at the Food & Wine Classic on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) and Randall Park (Young Rock/Blockbuster/Fresh Off the Boat/Veep/Supah Ninjas) - Morris and Randall talk about Watson on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.
New on DVD and 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)
07/08 - 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
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