Wednesday, May 22, 2013
New Sitcom My Crazy Roommate Coming to Bounce TV; Episodic Review: Modern Family - "Goodnight, Gracie" - Season Finale Airing Tonight on ABC
We have some more upfront news. Bounce TV, the nation's only broadcast television network for African Americans, announced its first-ever slate of upfront programming plans, including original new scripted and non-scripted series, series renewals, the return to broadcast television of one of the most-popular game shows in history, an exclusive new college sports rights deal and more theatrical motion pictures for its impressive library. The news that you want to hear first is about the new sitcom. My Crazy Roommate is an original scripted sitcom in the tradition of 2 Broke Girls, Laverne and Shirley and The Odd Couple. Two young African American women, from vastly different backgrounds, are forced together as roommates while each struggles to find her fame and fortune in Los Angeles. Created and Executive Produced by Bentley Kyle Evans (Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show) through his Bent Outta Shape Productions. The new sitcom premieres in Fall 2013 with casting information to come, so stay tuned. Bounce TV did air the sitcom Family Time last year starring Omar Gooding, but not much has been heard from that series since besides TV One acquiring the short-lived series' run.
Elsewhere, The Newlywed Game will be back on broadcast television on Bounce TV. Hosted by The View's Sherri Shepherd, this new version is as wild and hilarious as the one viewer's remember - but with a decidedly sassy and contemporary flavor. The Newlywed Game is produced by Embassy Row for GSN. Broadcast television premiere for this version will be in Fall 2013. Bounce TV has plenty of other original series coming up, including many unscripted series. Still no word if they will air a classic sitcom. Right now the only series they air is Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, with much of the schedule filled with movies.
On the next...Modern Family:
By: Pavan
ABC's Comedy Wednesday anchor starring an ensemble cast lead by Ed O'Neill, airs Wednesday nights at 9:00pm and we have just watched the season finale that airs tonight (May 22). Fred Willard returns as Frank Dunphy. In the season finale, "Goodnight, Gracie," everyone flies down to Florida to be with Phil (Ty Burrell) after his mom's passing. Claire (Julie Bowen) helps Phil with Gracie's last wish for Frank (guest star Fred Willard), and the kids (Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, and Nolan Gould) reflect on the gifts grandma left for them. Gloria (Sofia Vergara) has to contend with an outstanding arrest warrant in Florida, Cam (Eric Stonestreet) finds himself fitting right into an elderly women's group at Frank's retirement community, and Jay (Ed O'Neill) runs into a pivotal person from his past.
It's the season finale and Modern Family always steps it up a notch (if that's even possible) for finales. And that's the case here. It's a sad day for Phil Dunphy because his mother has passed away so he goes down to Florida. The rest of the family will then join him and to mourn the loss. Fred Willard returns as Phil's father and he once again shines, even in at a sad time. Just because there is a death doesn't mean this episode is doom and gloom. In fact, there are plenty of laughs. When the family is all together, you know there will be laughs. They sort of go their separate ways before the funeral, but it doesn't seem like they are separated. Gracie, Phil's mom, has left behind an odd last wish for Phil's dad and Claire tries to fulfill it and get Phil on board as well. The dynamic duo of Phil and Claire bring it in this finale, while their kids have a good storyline about the gifts their grandma left for them. Moving on to the Pritchett clan, Gloria returns to Florida and she left the state on some bad terms so she gets Mitchell to try to help her out...in the courtroom. It's good to see Mitchell back in the courtroom. Jay sees someone he remembers but just can't place who she is and the reveal is hilarious. And finally, Cam is being Cam by mingling with Phil's moms friends at the retirement center. These ladies are sassy and love Cam! Classic sitcom fans, look for guest star Mary Jo Catlett as Edith. Mary Jo of course played the third housekeeper on the hit '80s sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. You might not recognize her right away, but you'll spot her voice out right away. Pearl!
What a finale. It's another great season of Modern Family and this episode caps this season off nicely. The series is probably headed for another Emmy win for Outstanding Comedy Series. Until someone beats it, it is the show to beat. The Dunphy kids for the second straight episode worked together well, but we needed a little bit more of Manny who was the only one who seemed out of place in the episode. Although he has a great scene at the end with Luke. And it looks like Lily didn't make the trip to Florida. Well, it's another fine realistic look on family, as we get another life lesson from Modern Family with a lot of fun mixed in. The season ends with some fireworks and no cliffhanger is needed. Tune in to see what I mean! A
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Friday, June 9
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 5)
Friday, June 9
- Marc Maron (GLOW/Maron) - Watch Marc on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Martin Short (Mulaney/The Martin Short Show) - Martin is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi is a musical guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Sandra Bullock (Working Girl) - Sandra appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Zach Braff (Scrubs/Alex, Inc.) - Zach is a guest on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Morris guest co-hosts a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Jay Ellis (Insecure/The Game) - Jay discusses the motivation behind their new true-crime podcast Freeway Phantom on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig is telling Drew about working with Reese Witherspoon on their new film and the latest season of The Morning Show on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Alfonso Ribeiro (In the House/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air/Silver Spoons) - Alfonso will be on a repeat of The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- Daniel Wu (American Born Chinese) - Daniel talks about his role on the Disney+ series American Born Chinese on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
- Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) and Jason Alexander (Listen Up!/Bob Patterson/Seinfeld/Everything's Relative/ E/R) - Eric and Jason talk about The Cottage on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Reba McEntire (Reba/Malibu Country) - Reba will be on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
- Geena Davis (The Geena Davis Show/Sara/Buffalo Bill) - NBC's Today catches up with Geena in the 9am hour.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (January-June)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
03/28 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/04 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/18 - Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series (Blu-ray)
04/25 - Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
05/23 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Eleven / The Complete Season Twelve
05/23 - Go On - The Complete Series
05/23 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (Universal)
05/29 - Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/29 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/30 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
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