SitcomsOnline Digest: Cosby, A Different World, and More Now on Hulu Plus; Fox Renews Three Sitcoms

Saturday, March 08, 2014

SitcomsOnline Digest: Cosby, A Different World, and More Now on Hulu Plus; Fox Renews Three Sitcoms

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Today, we've got news about new Hulu Plus offerings, some renewals from Fox, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Hulu Plus (Hulu's paid subscription service) has expanded their offerings from the Carsey-Werner library, providing streaming episodes of some of their popular series that were aren't seen as often on DVD and in syndication. Among these new offerings are Cosby, Cybill, A Different World, and Grace Under Fire. (Hulu)
Fox gave an early fall renewal to three of their sitcoms this week, including one that appeared to be doomed. This week, it was announced that Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Girl, and The Mindy Project are all being renewed. (Deadline)
Game show host Geoff Edwards, best known for hosting game shows such as Jackpot!, The New Treasure Hunt, and Chain Reaction, died this week at the age of 83. Edwards was no stranger to the sitcom world, though, having appeared in episodes of Petticoat Junction, I Dream of Jeannie, and Diff'rent Strokes. (ABC News)
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, who played Kelso and Jackie on That '70s Show (and, by the way, are now engaged in real life) will reunite in the sitcom world on an upcoming episode of Two and a Half Men. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Shout! Factory released some details about their May 27 release of The Bob Newhart Show - The Complete Series. The set will include many special features, such as commentaries, the unaired pilot, a new group "therapy session" interview, a gag reel, a 40 page booklet, and more.

RECENT HOME MEDIA REVIEWS ON SITCOMSONLINE

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/thecosbyshowseasons1and2millcreekdvdreview.html

The Cosby Show - Seasons 1 and 2: The Huxtables return to DVD in this value-priced release from Mill Creek that presents every episode from the first two seasons in unedited form.

MARCH 11 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Dennis the Menace (animated) - Volume 1 (DVD, $12.98): There have been a few home media releases of this animated series from the 80s, but for the first time, Mill Creek is bringing all of the first 33 episodes to one collection.
In the Heat of the Night - Seasons 2 and 3 (DVD, $34.96); In the Heat of the Night - Season 6 (DVD, $24.96); In the Heat of the Night - Season 7 (DVD, $24.96): These three releases from TGG bring many of the unreleased episodes of the series to DVD, although many episodes are not included due to music rights issues.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Jason Alexander (Twitter), "actor/dir./prod./author/magician/ poker guy/once on big sitcom"

Claim to Fame: Like many actors, Jason Alexander began his career on stage in New York City. He first appeared in a sitcom in a recurring role on the CBS sitcom E/R (which, even though that isn't the hit medical drama from NBC that starred George Clooney or even related to that series, actually had George Clooney in the case). His next sitcom role came in 1987 on the CBS series Everything's Relative, but the series only lasted a few episodes due to strong competition from what NBC was airing at the same time (227). He finally found success in 1989 with his role of George Costanza in Seinfeld, a role for which he will always be remembered.

Pick of the Tweets: "Hearing all kinds of nice things about tomorrow nights episode of KIRSTIE. I got a ponytail and an accent. Is that not an automatic Emmy?" (February 18, 2014)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Sunday, July 25

Where Have All the Theme Songs Gone? (CNN, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Don Lemon reviews the most popular TV theme songs in history with Gary Portnoy of "Cheers", Christopher Knight from "The Brady Bunch", Fran Drescher from "The Nanny", and composer Kurt Farquhar.

History of the Sitcom - "Working for Laughs" (CNN, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Work families can be even funnier than our biological ones, since the endless array of wacky sitcom characters on the job offers hilarious insights into the state of the American workplace.

Duncanville - "Crimes and Misters Demean Her" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jack coaches Jing's little league soccer team, but when he feels he's too easy on the kids he calls on Duncan to yell at the team to get them to win; Annie takes Kimberly to work with her after she has a falling out with her friends.

HouseBroken - "Who's Going to the Vet?" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Chief eats Jill's vibrator, he's taken to the vet and ends up leading his own version of group therapy; Tabitha goes to live with The Gray One and learns she has to sing and dance if she wants to survive.

The Simpsons - "The 7 Beer Itch" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Marge and the kids take a seaside vacation, Homer is unwittingly tempted by a British femme fatale.

The Great North - "My Fart Will Go on Adventure" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
While the family prepares for Wolf and Honeybee's wedding, an unexpected guest RSVPs.

Bob's Burgers - "Y Tu Tina También" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Tina is forced to listen to Spanish audio lessons in the library to improve her grade, she develops an unexpected crush; Louise and Gene want to dunk Mr. Frond at the Wagstaff Spring Fair.

Family Guy - "The Marrying Kind" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Stewie gets a mail order bride and experiences domestic life; Peter and Chris become addicted to free hotel breakfast buffets.

Wellington Paranormal - "She-Wolf" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Officers O'Leary and Minogue investigate what they believe are dog attacks, but stumble upon something more mysterious.

Dead Pixels - "The Chair" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Alison becomes concerned over Meg's physical downturn and tries to sway her to a healthier regime; everyone worries about Nicky.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 19)

Friday, July 23

Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Watch Kim on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso/Son of Zorn/The Cleveland Show) - Jason will be on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Christine Baranski (Happy Family/Welcome to New York/Cybill) - Christine appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Minnie Driver (Speechless/About a Boy) - Minnie is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Sarah Levy (Schitt's Creek) - Sarah appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens) - Leah is a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.