Saturday, March 29, 2014
SitcomsOnline Digest: Will Community Get Six Seasons and a Movie?; More Mill Creek Releases
Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest!
Today, we've got news about new Mill Creek releases, updates about The Wonder Years on DVD, and some news that may give fans of a struggling NBC series real hope for "six seasons and a movie." Let's get started!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
- Six seasons and a movie? That could be in the works for NBC's Community, regardless of what NBC decides to do with the series. It appears that if NBC decides not to renew the series (which has been renewed every season, despite constantly struggling in the ratings), Sony is looking at plans for offering a sixth season on a streaming service. (Zap2it)
- Proving once again that Amazon Studios (yes, that same place that started by selling books almost two decades ago) is serious about competing with traditional television, Dana Delany has been cast in their latest pilot, a drama called Hand of God. Production is set to begin next month. (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Remember the Fox reality series Joe Millionaire? Well, the network is going in that direction again this with I Wanna Marry "Harry", a reality show where American women are tricked into thinking they're on a show where the winner gets to marry Prince Harry, a series that is sure to be either the most unrealistic reality show ever or the cruelest reality show ever. (Entertainment Weekly)
- As it turns out, Twitter is more powerful for TV series and stars than one would suspect. (Deadline)
- The Boondocks debuted on Adult Swim nine years ago, and hasn't had a new episode since 2010. But finally, the series is coming back for a fourth (and final) season, without creator Aaron McGruder, on April 21. (SitcomsOnline)
HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
- For the first time in a very long time, Mill Creek is releasing a season of a TV series that has never been seen on DVD, at least not in the US. On June 3, Highway to Heaven - The Complete Fourth Season arrives on DVD for the very first time.
- Meanwhile, on May 20, two more sitcoms from Sony will get a re-release from Mill Creek: The Jeffersons and The Facts of Life. Both sets will include the first two seasons, although it should be noted that the re-release of the first season of The Facts of Life has been available for a while at most retailers.
- Time-Life/StarVista is hard at work on their complete series set for The Wonder Years, but before they get too far ahead, they're interested in knowing what you think are the best episodes of the series, so that they can prepare special features for those episodes. You can tell them on their Facebook page.
APRIL 1 HOME MEDIA RELEASES
- The Dick Van Dyke Show - Classic Mary Tyler Moore Episodes (DVD, $24.98): This best of release from RLJ Entertainment contains 20 of Mary Tyler Moore's best performances on the series.
- I Dream of Jeannie - Seasons 1 and 2 (DVD, $14.98): A value priced re-release of the first two seasons of a series from Mill Creek.
- Newsradio - Seasons 1 and 2 (DVD, $14.98): Another value priced re-release of the first two seasons of a series from Mill Creek.
Who to Follow: James Van Der Beek (Twitter) "Husband, father, professional make-believer."
Claim to Fame: James Van Der Beek really became known in his starring role of Dawson Leery in the successful teen drama Dawson's Creek, and in those days, it would have been hard to imagine us ever talking about him on this website... except, as an adult (if you disregard the fact that he was, after all, a guy in his 20s playing a teenager on that series), he has actually become more of a sitcom star. He most recently appeared as a regular on Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23, and beginning Monday, he will be appearing in the new CBS series, Friends with Better Lives.
Pick of the Tweets: "“@sheldonhigdon: How would've Dawson's Creek been different if Joey Potter was Chloe from Apt 23? #askvanderbeek” Less whining, more wine" (January 19, 2014)
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, January 7
Shifting Gears - "Dog" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Matt refuses to let Carter bring a dog into “his” house, Riley starts to wonder if it’s time for her and the kids to find their own place. Meanwhile, Gabe seeks Riley’s advice amid second thoughts about moving in with Amelie.
Abbott Elementary - "Mall" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Abbott Elementary returns from winter break at their new temporary school: an abandoned mall. The teachers deal with unique challenges that come with teaching in the new location.
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship -- A Special Edition of 20/20 (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A behind-the-scenes look at the beloved sitcom's enduring impact on TV and culture, including interviews with superfans Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kelly Ripa, Laverne Cox and former guest star Mario Lopez.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 5)
Wednesday, January 7
- Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Watch Alan on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Jodie Foster (Paper Moon/Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice/The Courtship of Eddie's Father) - Jodie is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Matt Braunger (Up All Night) - Matt is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
- Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Andy Cohen interviews Jenny on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
- Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Gael García Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle) - Gael talks about Magellan on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Retta (Parks and Recreation) - NBC's Today catches up with Retta in the 9am hour.
- Matt Rogers (No Good Deed/I Love That for You) - Matt co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- John Mulaney (Mulaney) - NBC's Today catches up with John in the 10am hour.
- Chevy Chase (Community) - Chevy talks about his documentary I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Emily in Paris) - Philippine chats about the exciting new season of Emily in Paris on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola/Mike & Molly/Yes, Dear) - Billy tells Sherri about his “The Less Is More Tour” comedy tour on Sherri, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series (DVD)
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two (DVD)
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season (DVD)
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 (DVD)
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
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