Saturday, November 02, 2013

SitcomsOnline Digest: Marcia Wallace Tribute on The Simpsons; Flo Arrives on DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest, our new weekly feature here on SitcomsOnline! We've created this new feature in response to the changing dynamics of home media limiting the news we were able to bring you in our previous Saturday feature, Digital Digest, and also to allow us to bring you other pieces of news relating to sitcoms in general that we did not have the opportunity to cover earlier in the week. Don't worry, we'll still have all of your favorite components of Digital Digest each week (in a reorganized and easier to read format), but we'll also have more! So let's get started on this inaugural edition of SitcomsOnline Digest!


HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • We reported on the death of actress Marcia Wallace earlier this week, and now on Sunday night at 7:30 PM ET/PT, Fox will pay tribute to her by airing a classic third season episode "Bart the Lover," which garnered an Emmy Award for the actress in 1992. They will also conclude the new episode airing at 8 PM ET/PT with a tribute card to the actress from the producers. (Entertainment Weekly)
  • How I Met Your Mother is set to come to an end in May on CBS, but could a How I Met Your Father be in the works? It appears that CBS is in talks with 20th Century Fox to create some sort of spinoff, but it appears that it would include a new cast if it were to happen... although they would be introduced in the current series. (TV Guide)
  • Speaking of spinoffs and remakes, a journalist at Zap2it has observed that of the 250-plus projects in development for the five major networks for the 2014-2015 TV season, about 20% of them are spinoffs or remakes of series that we've seen before, including updated versions of Charmed and even Murder, She Wrote. Of course, a very small number of these projects will actually make it to air, but even so, is this the direction that TV is headed? (Zap2it)
  • Bret McKenzie, best known for his work with Jermaine Clement as part of the duo Flight of the Conchords, could be joining the ranks of Matt Groening and Seth MacFarlane on the Fox Animation Domination lineup. It is far from a done deal, but Fox has given a script and presentation order for McKenzie to produce, according to TV Guide, "(an) untitled workplace comedy (that) follows the exploits of a group of employees toiling away at an almost-obsolete NASA space center in Boulder, Colorado." (TV Guide)
  • The Greatest Event in Television History, a sporadically appearing (as in once every few months) series that airs on Adult Swim featuring Adam Scott from Parks and Recreation and others doing shot-for-shot recreations of classic TV series opening credits, has a third installment coming up on November 7th at midnight ET/PT. The newest installment is said to be a recreation of the opening credits of a "not-so-classic" sitcom... we think we know which one, but we'll let you decide what you think. (Entertainment Weekly)
  • Actress Mary Carver, best known for her role as Cecilia Simon on the series Simon & Simon, passed away this week at the age of 89. In addition to her role on Simon & Simon, she also appeared in roles on The Donna Reed Show, The Twilight Zone, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Mannix, Lou Grant, and other series. (The Hollywood Reporter)
  • In case you missed it, check out our Seven Questions interview with Masiela Lusha, who played Carmen on George Lopez, from earlier this week. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3848399-10811526?sid=&URL=http://www.wbshop.com/product/code/1000446138.do
  • Warner Archive has been steadily releasing seasons of the classic sitcom Alice, and this week they took things a bit further by announcing a release of spinoff series Flo. Flo - The Complete Series will begin shipping from Warner Archive.
  • Halloween may have already passed by us two days ago, but Nickelodeon gave fans of Are You Afraid of the Dark? a treat in their bag this week with their release of Are You Afraid of the Dark? - Volume 1. Not too many details are known about this release, but it can be owned for under $15.
  • Fans of the TNT series Dallas get a chance to say goodbye to J.R. in Warner Home Video's release of Dallas - The Complete Second Season. It'll be available to own on February 11.

NOVEMBER 5 HOME MEDIA RELEASES
  • Boy Meets World - The Complete Collection ($99.98): Lionsgate has released every season of this series, but now they've got every single one compiled in one release.
  • Family Ties - The Complete Series ($220.98): CBS brings all of the episodes of this classic series together in one collection, along with extra bonus material not included on the previous season release.
  • Flo - The Complete Series ($29.95): Warner Archive brings fans all 29 episodes of the grit kissin' Alice spinoff on DVD.
  • I Love Lucy - Colorized Christmas ($16.99): This single-disc release brings fans three classic episodes of the series (including, of course, the Christmas episode) in full color.
  • Naked City - The Complete Series ($179.98): Despite never having any proper season releases of the series, RLJ Entertainment has every episode of this classic police drama on DVD on this set.
  • Saved by the Bell - The Complete Collection ($49.98): Lionsgate brings together all of the episodes of the classic Saturday morning teen comedy in this set.
  • Seinfeld - The Complete Series ($149.98): In case you missed out on the classic series about nothing on the now out-of-print complete series set, a re-release is now available at a slightly lower price.
  • Weeds - The Complete Collection (Blu-ray) ($119.98): Lionsgate brings all of the episodes of the Showtime series that follows a woman that goes from neighborhood soccer mom to the FBI's most wanted in this release, along with some new special features.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Adam Scott (Twitter), "dancer, poet."
Claim to Fame: Adam Scott began his sitcom career several years ago in the role of Griff, the high school bully, on the series Boy Meets World. He followed up with many movie roles and roles in HBO series Tell Me You Love Me and the Starz series Party Down (the latter of which he tends to poke fun of himself for doing, but still appreciates the fans). Most recently, he has played the role of Ben Wyatt on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, and, as we mentioned in today's SitcomsOnline Digest, the irregularly occurring The Greatest Event in Television History opening credit recreations that air on Adult Swim.
Pick of the Tweets: "Party Down Season 2 on DVD today. Join the dozens who already love the show and pick up a copy! Or just find it for free on the internet!" (September 28, 2010)


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, May 6

Night Court - "Funniest Judge in the City" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Abby suspects the courthouse's new "fun judge" may not be as fun as he seems; Gurgs must regain control when her new courthouse welcome video, starring Roz, takes on a life of its own.

Night Court - "A Decent Proposal" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Abby finds herself in charge of two runaway teens; Dan and Julianne balk at the idea that they've become friends; a surprise appearance by a mysterious stranger turns Abby's world upside down.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "No Bueno" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jazmine reminds a forgetful C.J. about his first wedding anniversary; Curtis and Ella bring over a cake called No Bueno to celebrate, only to learn there is no celebration to be had; Calvin prepares to attend Pookie's wedding solo.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "One Drop" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Efe's foundation offers free D.N.A. tests, Karen participates and finds out a shocking discovery; Leah employs Two Hunks and a Trunk to spur Jeremy into action to complete his honey-do list.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 5)

Tuesday, May 6

  • Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Catch Nick on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Reba McEntire (Happy's Place/Malibu Country/Reba), Jenny McCarthy (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) and Jason Priestley (Call Me Fitz/Sister Kate) - E! News has interviews with Reba, Jenny and Jason at 11pm on E!.
  • Kelsey Grammer (Frasier/Partners/Hank/Back to You/Cheers) - It’s a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE with Emmy®-winning TV icon Kelsey Grammer on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings. For the first time, Kelsey gets raw and honest about the effect his sister's murder had on him. He revisits it all in his powerful new book, Karen: A Brother Remembers.
  • Lisa Kudrow (No Good Deed/HouseBroken/Web Therapy/The Comeback/Friends/Mad About You) - Lisa is telling Drew about her first audition ever, her thirty-year wedding anniversary and whether his son has seen Friends on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Plus, she's dishing on her thrilling new show No Good Deed.
  • Carol Kane (Taxi/All Is Forgiven/Amerian Dreamer/Pearl/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) - Carol is joining Drew and they're reminiscing on meeting at SNL in 1982 and talking about Carol's fifty-year career including projects like The Princess Bride and Taxi on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, 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)
07/08 - 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


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

05/06 - Netflix's Long Story Short Announces Cast; NBC Renews All Chicago Series for 2025-26
05/05 - Antenna TV's The Partridge Family Mother's Day Marathon; Rewind TV's 227 40th Anniversary Marathon
05/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 5, 2025)
05/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Cancels The Equalizer; Wisteria Lane Offshoot of Desperate Housewives in the Works
05/02 - USA and SYFY Announce Summer Premieres; CBC in Canada Renews 5 Series, Including Wild Cards
05/01 - ABC Summer 2025 Schedule; Audible Scripted Comedy Podcasts for Summer
04/30 - The Carol Burnett Show Mother of All Marathons; Netflix Renews North of North
04/29 - Lifetime Adds New Ripped from the Headlines Movie; BET+ Orders Season 2 of Series
04/28 - Fox Summer 2025 Schedule; Final Guest Hosts for Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Season
04/27 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 28, 2025)
04/26 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Cancels Poppa's House; Final Season 50 Hosts for Saturday Night Live Set
04/25 - Classic TV's Biggest Auction; Remembering Will Hutchins and Wink Martindale
04/24 - Jerrod Carmichael's 4th HBO Comedy Special; HBO's Pee-wee as Himself Premieres May 23
04/23 - Apple TV+ Announces Comedy Series Prodigies; ABC Renews Unscripted Series Slate
04/22 - Hallmark Channel's May For Moms Month; Prime Video Gets Korean Comedy Action Series
04/21 - Peacock's Twisted Metal Returns July 31; Poker Face Lines Up Big Guests for Season 2
04/20 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 21, 2025)
04/19 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Clueless Reboot in the Works at Peacock; King of the Hill Cast Reunion and Revival Preview at ATX TV Festival Next Month
04/18 - 2025 TIME100 on ABC; Atsuko Okatsuka: Father Premieres June 13 on Hulu
04/17 - BET+ Orders Martin Spinoff Varnell Hill; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Returns in July
04/16 - And Just Like That... Season 3 on Max This May; MGM+ Comedy Series Adds Big Stars
04/15 - HBO's Harry Potter Series; Classic TV Comes to Life in NYC
04/14 - TV Stars Lineup for Summer of 69 Hulu Film; Jessica Kirson Comedy Special
04/13 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 14, 2025)
04/12 - SitcomsOnline Digest: FX Sets Premiere Date for Adults; Netflix Picks Up Monopoly Themed Reality Competition Series
04/11 - Bounce TV Renews Mind Your Business; AMC Networks 2025 Upfront Highlights
04/10 - David Spade's Prime Video Comedy Special; Brett Goldstein's HBO Comedy Special Filmed in New Jersey
04/09 - Paramount+ Orders Season 3 of Colin from Accounts; FX's Adults Premieres May 28
04/08 - Prime Video's New Comedy Overcompensating; Nine Perfect Strangers Returns on Hulu in May
04/07 - NBC Celebrates Joan Rivers with Special; Remembering Jay North of Dennis the Menace
04/06 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 7, 2025)