Monday, February 11, 2013

TBS Orders Sitcom Pilot; Episodic Review: Rules of Engagement - "Taking Names" Airing Tonight on CBS

TBS has ordered a pilot for Do It Yourself, a new multi-camera sitcom from executive producers and creators Walt Becker (Wild Hogs, Van Wilder) and Rob Long (Cheers, TBS's Sullivan & Son). The pilot is being produced by TBS. If it gets picked-up to series, it will join other TBS original comedies Cougar Town, Men at Work, Sullivan & Son, King of the Nerds, Deon Cole's Black Box and Who Gets the Last Laugh?. The first three are obviously sitcoms, while the latter three are reality comedies and improv/sketch series. Who Gets the Last Laugh? premieres in April, Men at Work returns for a second season also in April (as we mentioned last week), while Cougar Town and King of the Nerds are currently on the schedule. Sullivan & Son returns later this season (probably in June), while sketch comedy Deon Cole's Black Box will premiere later this year.

As for the new pilot, Do It Yourself is the story of Nick, a 20-something laid-off math teacher who finds himself thrust into the blue collar world when he gets a job at that most American of retail institutions: the big box home supply store. Nick quickly becomes the de facto leader of his band of misfit coworkers while also figuring out ways to redefine what it means to be a teacher. We'll of course let you know if this pilot is picked-up to series. So stay tuned if this show is indeed joining TBS or not. It might be a nice fit for Sullivan & Son, we think.


On the next...Rules of Engagement:
By: Todd

CBS' Monday night ensemble sitcom starring Patrick Warburton & David Spade is back and airs Mondays at 8:30pm and we have just watched the next episode that airs tonight (Feb. 11). Baby names are being thought of tonight! In the episode airing tonight, "Taking Names," Jeff (Patrick Warburton) and Audrey (Megyn Price) ask Russell (David Spade) to provide a list of the names of women he has slept with so they can avoid using that name for their baby. Meanwhile, Adam (Oliver Hudson) humiliates himself after he spends a lot of money on a new bicycle and gear.

Tonight's episode begins with Jeff, Audrey and Jen talking at the diner. Jen tells them that Adam is doing research on bicycles. Jeff and Audrey tell her that they have agreed on a name for their baby. Russell arrives and talks about sleeping with Madison. Audrey asks him for a list of every girl he's ever been with. Jen meets Adam at the bike shop where they talk to Javier. Later at the office, Russell asks Timmy for help in compiling the list of names. Jen makes fun about Adam's bicycling clothing and helmet. Audrey reads Timmy a list of names that were all used. Adam returns hobbling and with a tear in his clothing. Jen plays the video from the helmet camera and finds out how it really happened. Jeff suggests names after bottles of liquor and boys' names. Timmy brings Russell a huge binder of names. Jen tells Adam that she watched the video and knows what really happened to him. Jeff and Audrey talk about when they first met. Jeff suggests a name that they both agree on. Jeff calls Timmy to see if the name is on the list.

Both of tonight's storylines are funny. The gender of the baby was revealed in last season's finale. Tonight Jeff and Audrey finally agree on a name. They are one of TV's funniest couples. I think their relationship is very relatable to people. Jen and Adam are the less interesting couple, but they still have their moments like in this episode. The helmet video scenes of what really happened to Adam's bike are hilarious. Russell and Timmy's interactions are always fun to watch. It will be interesting to see when Jeff and Audrey finally have the baby. That will change the whole dynamic of the show. Overall, tonight's episode is just a solid effort from the entire cast and funnier than last week's season premiere. They are the most underrated and underappreciated sitcom on the air today.B.

Rules of Engagement had a successful mid-season debut last week. The show returned with 9.4 million viewers and a respectable 3.1 18-49 rating. They seem to perform well wherever CBS puts it on the schedule. It has been often been put on the mid-season schedule or been called out of the bullpen to replace a canceled sitcom. They seem to have an extremely loyal fan base. Despite being moved around a lot on the schedule over the years, they will reach 100 episodes at the end of the season. It seems like this could be the final season of the show. CBS has ordered a pilot with Patrick Warburton about a retired baseball player. If they wrap things up this season, hopefully there will be a marriage or two. Not many sitcoms reach 7 seasons or 100 episodes these days, so they have quietly put together a very nice run.


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.

Complete TV Listings


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/CafĂ© 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

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)
07/08 - 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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