Hallmark Channel March 2014 with The Middle; USA Network Schedules Second Comedy, Playing House, for April 29

Monday, March 03, 2014

Hallmark Channel March 2014 with The Middle; USA Network Schedules Second Comedy, Playing House, for April 29

Hallmark Channel launched its new acquisition The Middle yesterday (Sunday, March 2) with airings at 11:00pm & 11:30pm. The sitcom didn't get the planned marathon on March 2 as originally planned, though. The Middle will air weeknights (Mon-Fri) starting tonight at 9:00pm & 9:30pm and also Sunday nights at 11:00pm & 11:30pm, which started last night. The Brady Bunch is the odd series out on the schedule, as its 2-5pm block is replaced by more Little House on the Prairie, now extended and moved to 2-5pm. The Waltons will follow and air four episodes from 5-9pm, leading into The Middle. Just to note, The Middle was originally planned to air in primetime from 8-10pm, but now Hallmark has decided to launch it for an hour only with The Waltons as a lead-in. The Middle started in syndication this past September in local syndication and also on cable on ABC Family. Back to Hallmark, the rest of the Hallmark Channel schedule in March will remain intact with I Love Lucy, The Golden Girls, Frasier, Cheers and original daytime talker Home & Family. Stay with us for continued updates on Hallmark and The Heck clan.

Playing House

USA Network's first comedy Sirens is launching this Thursday, but now they have scheduled a second original comedy series! USA Network's new comedy Playing House will premiere Tuesday, April 29 at 10:00pm & 10:30pm ET/PT immediately following top comedy series Modern Family with two back to back episodes. Following the premiere, the series will resume with a new half-hour episode every Tuesday beginning May 6 from 10-10:30pm ET/PT. The series, starring and executive produced by Jessica St. Clair (Best Friends Forever) and Lennon Parham (Best Friends Forever), is a single-camera buddy comedy about what happens when two best friends come back together just when they need each other the most. Childhood best friends Maggie Caruso and Emma Crawford have shared countless adventures growing up together in the charming town of Pinebrook, CT. Now, Maggie and Emma are in store for one of their biggest adventures yet - raising a baby. When Maggie discovers that her husband is having an online affair with a muscular German woman, Emma gives up her burgeoning business career in China to stay in their hometown and help Maggie raise her baby. Meanwhile, as Maggie prepares for the birth of her first child and the fallout of her marriage ending, Emma must confront the past that she abruptly left behind thirteen years ago -- her first love and local cop Mark (Keegan-Michael Key), her prim-and-proper mother (Jane Kaczmarek) and a small town that she's never felt comfortable in. Despite their differences - Emma is brash, bold, and assertive while Maggie is grounded, rational, and safe - the women complement each other the way only best friends can, by facing the challenges of their past, present and future--together.

Joining St. Clair and Parham are comedic actors Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele), Jane Kaczmarek (Malcom in the Middle), Brad Morris (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), Zach Woods (The Office) and Gerry Bednob (The 40-Year-Old Virgin). Additionally, an all-star line-up of comedy vets will stop by the small town of Pinebrook, Connecticut. Bobby Moynihan (SNL), Lindsay Sloane (Horrible Bosses), Jason Mantzoukas (The League), Ian Roberts (Upright Citizen Brigade Co-Founder), Andy Daly (Eastbound and Down) John Lutz (SNL, Larry Wilmore (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and Ryan McPartlin (Chuck) will all appear in guest star roles on the series.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, February 26

Shifting Gears - "The Picnic" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The feud between Parker Customs and Premiere Dance Lab heats up when Matt confronts the owner over a picnic table placed in the shared alleyway. Meanwhile, Carter’s need for “me time” sparks a man-to-(almost)-man conversation with Matt.

Abbott Elementary - "100th Day of School" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
During Abbott’s 100th day of school celebrations, Barbara receives a surprise from her daughter. Melissa, Jacob and Mr. Johnson join forces to conduct a search party.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 24)

Wednesday, February 26

Mindy Kaling (Running Point/The Mindy Project/The Office) - Watch Mindy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Natasha Rothwell (How to Die Alone) - Natasha is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Rosebud Baker (Life & Beth) - Rosebud is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea talks about I'll Have What She's Having on NBC's Today in the 10am hour. She chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Kate Hudson (Running Point) - Kate discusses the new series Running Point on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl and her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, sit down for an EXCLUSIVE conversation about their choice to live in separate cities, which set off the internet on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie is joining Drew and Ross to discuss the hottest news stories on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Then, it's Drew & A and Drew is joined by Ross and Valerie to answer audience member's burning questions.
Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) - Sarah is telling Drew about starring as Daisy in The Great Gatsby on Broadway on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local lisitngs. Plus, she's answering questions from Modern Family co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson in a round of Fast Five.
Tori Spelling (Mystery Girls/So Notorious) - Tori talks about Lifetime's Abducted in the Everglades on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.