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
Monday, July 21
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Big Sleep" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
As Marty and Courtney struggle to get their newborn to sleep, the entire Butler family suffers along with them. While Calvin prefers to let the new parents figure it out, Tina insists on jumping in to help with Baby Daphne any way she can. When searching for their old baby swing, Dave finds an old list he made of cool things to do before age 40, which sends him spiraling as he realizes he hasn’t accomplished any of them.
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Great Beyond" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Butlers and Johnsons receive shocking news about their neighbor that changes their outlook on life.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 21)
Monday, July 21
- Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Alan guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear/Girls) - Watch Ebon on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Pamela Adlon (Better Things/King of the Hill/The Facts of Life) - Pamela appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Sandra Oh (Arli$$) - Sandra is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Dave Franco (The Afterparty/Scrubs/Do Not Disturb) - Dave stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Jerrod Carmichael (The Carmichael Show) - Jerrod appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- 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.
- Megan Stalter (Too Much/Hacks) - Meg appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
- Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish/Girlfriends) - Tracee appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo. She also talks about Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
- Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling talks about Washington Black on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Kristen Johnston (Leanne/Mom/The Exes/3rd Rock from the Sun) - Kristen talks about Netflix's Leanne on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Chase Sui Wonders (The Studio) - NBC's Today catches up with Chase in the 9am hour.
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)
07/22 - 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
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