Saturday, May 10, 2014
SitcomsOnline Digest: Community and Suburgatory Cancelled; WKRP and Welcome Back, Kotter to DVD
Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest!
This week, we're getting a look into what isn't going to be returning in the fall, new DVDs from Shout! Factory, and more. Let's get going!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
- It looks like Community could fall short of six season and a movie as NBC canceled the series this week after just five seasons. But fans shouldn't give up hope just yet: Sony isn't quite ready to give up on the series, and may be looking to air new episodes either on cable or online. (Entertainment Weekly)
- Meanwhile, ABC has renewed The Middle, The Goldbergs, and Modern Family (of course), but the news isn't so good for Suburgatory or Super Fun Night, both of which got the axe. (Laughspin)
- With Stephen Colbert moving to The Late Show on CBS, Comedy Central has needed to find somebody to fill Colbert's shoes, and they've found that person on The Daily Show (does that seem familiar?) with Larry Wilmore, who will host The Minority Report. (Variety)
- Regis and Meredith had nice long runs on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, but Cedric the Entertainer is out after one season due to a busy schedule. In the fall, he'll be replaced by actor Terry Crews, who has found sitcom success on Everybody Hates Chris and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (TV Guide)
- TBS has given the greenlight to two original sitcoms for 2015. (SitcomsOnline)
HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
- It seems that 2014 has been one of the biggest years ever on DVD in terms of the unreleased finally getting released, and that continued this week with news that Shout! Factory is working on a complete series release for WKRP in Cincinnati! The first season, of course, was released by Fox and had heavy music replacement, so we're hopeful that we'll see a much better product from Shout! Factory.
- Meanwhile, another seemingly abandoned series has been confirmed to be rescued by Shout! Factory, with Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete Series. The release will come just in time for back to school on August 26.
MAY 13 HOME MEDIA RELEASES
- Barney Miller - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, $24.97): Shout! Factory continues with another season of one of the greatest cop sitcoms of all time.
- Eastbound & Down - The Complete Fourth and Final Season (DVD, $29.98; Blu-ray, $39.98): The final season of the hit HBO comedy arrives on both DVD and Blu-ray.
FOLLOW ME
Who to Follow: Garrett Morris (Twitter),
"I used to be an actor but then showbusiness decided I should be a
director. I have a wife, a son, a daughter, another son, and 2 People's
Choice Awards."
Claim to Fame: Garrett Morris started his career in music, and even soloed with the Harry Belafonte singers at one point in time. He first appeared on TV in the 60s in an episode of General Hospital, and also appeared with Ed Begley, Jr. on the very short lived sitcom Roll Out that aired on CBS in 1973. But in 1975, he found his biggest success as he landed on the new (at the time) series Saturday Night Live, where he played many memorable characters (but was at times criticized for playing stereotypical roles). After that, he spent the 80s in guest roles on series such as The Jeffersons, 227, Diff'rent Strokes, Who's the Boss?, Married... with Children, Hill Street Blues, and had a recurring role on the series Hunter. Currently, he appears in the regular role of Earl in the CBS series 2 Broke Girls.
Pick of the Tweets: "Me & Mandela's interpreter? LOL You guys are funny! SNL should do it but they won't...shout out to @alroker, always been a fan." (December 13, 2013)
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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