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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, December 26

Happy's Place - "Promises, Promises" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Emmett continues his nightly check-ins with Bobbie to ensure her safety, Isabella pays the price as she's kept up by their loud late-night chats, prompting her to tell Bobbie to advance their relationship or at least take it out of the house.

Stumble - "Media Day" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Courteney decides to use media day as a way to recruit new cheerleaders and to push her team to get right back on that mat; DiMarcus proves that not all Buttons are meant to be pushed.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 22)

Friday, December 26

Mila Kunis (Family Guy/That '70s Show) - Watch Mila on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Zooey Deschanel (Physical/New Girl) - Zooey appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Laura Dern (F Is for Family/Enlightened) - Laura is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Rose Byrne (Platonic/Physical) - Rose appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jamie Kaler (My Boys) - Jamie is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
Dick Van Dyke (The Dick Van Dyke Show/The New Dick Van Dyke Show/The Van Dyke Show) - Dick discusses his new book with ABC News' Chris Connelly on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Patti LaBelle (Out All Night) - Patti cooks on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Lacey Chabert (Still the King/Baby Daddy/Family Guy) - Lacey talks about Loist in Paradise on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Ryan Reynolds (Two Guys and a Girl) - Ryan appears on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Sarah Paulson (Leap of Faith) - Sarah is a guest on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil appears on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Mo'Nique (The Parkers) - Tamron Hall (repeat) has a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE with Mo'Nique about her weight-loss journey and the launch of her new fitness brand, Mo'Niques Movement, as well as the emotional moment with her husband that changed it all, so check your local listings.
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother/Star Raving Mad/Doogie Howser, M.D.) - NBC's Today has Cocktails and Mocktails with Neil and David Burtka on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Mario tells Sherri about his new holiday film The Christmas Spark on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
Woody Harrelson (Cheers), Dave Franco (The Afterparty/Scrubs/Do Not Disturb), Isla Fisher (Wolf Like Me) and Ariana Greenblatt (Stuck in the Middle) - The Now You See Me: Now You Don't cast including Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher Jesse Eisenberg, Ariana Greenblatt, Justice Smith and Dominic Sessa join Drew to dish all about the third installment of the hit franchise on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.