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)