SitcomsOnline Digest: Disney Announces Girl Meets World Premiere; New Mill Creek DVD Releases

Saturday, May 03, 2014

SitcomsOnline Digest: Disney Announces Girl Meets World Premiere; New Mill Creek DVD Releases

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Today, we have news about the premiere of Girl Meets World, another look at the fall pilot season, news about more Mill Creek DVD releases, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Disney Channel has announced a premiere date for their Boy Meets World spinoff. The spinoff, Girl Meets World, will debut on June 27. (LA Times)
The past two seasons have failed to produce a breakout comedy for the broadcast networks, so if you're a fan of sitcoms, it might be a bit disheartening to know that the networks are looking into dramas as their best hopes for the 2014-2015 TV season. (Deadline)
After NBC's success with a live on-air production of The Sound of Music, Fox is wanting to get in on the live productions with a live on-air production of Grease in 2015. (Deadline)
Efrem Zimbalist Jr., star of series including The FBI and 77 Sunset Strip, died Friday at the age of 95. (Hollywood Reporter)
It looks like there is going to be even more movement in late night talk shows, as Craig Ferguson announced he would be leaving his show at the end of the year. (SitcomsOnline)
MeTV is preparing for their annual Summer of Me lineup, which will include the return of Happy Days to the lineup. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

We can never go too long around here without news of another Mill Creek DVD re-release, and this week, we have some more. On July 15, the studio will release Diff'rent Strokes - Seasons 1 and 2. That isn't all, though. On August 5, they will release the first two seasons of both The Nanny and Mad About You.
The Jetsons is about to be wrapped up on DVD on May 13, as Warner Archive releases The Jetsons - The Complete Third Season.

MAY 6 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00H5NY6CI/ref=nosim/happydaysonline5-20

The Andy Griffith Show - Season One (Blu-ray) (Blu-ray, $129.99): The classic series about the sheriff of a small town called Mayberry returns to home media in an excellent Blu-ray release, along with new special features.
The Honeymooners - Classic 39 Episodes (Blu-ray) (Blu-ray, $129.99): Ralph and Alice Kramden return to home media with the entire run of their standard half hour sitcom in this Blu-ray release, complete with new special features.
I Love Lucy - Ultimate Season One (Blu-ray) (Blu-ray, $129.99): The Ricardos and Mertez return to home media in this Blu-ray release, which could perhaps be one of the best releases on Blu-ray ever, complete with beautifully restored episodes, new special features, and all of the original commercials for each episode.
Laverne & Shirley - The Eighth and Final Season (DVD, $39.98): The final season of the classic series finally arrives on DVD, with a mostly Shirley-less season.
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis - Season 3 (DVD, $29.93): The classic sitcom starring Dwayne Hickman continues on DVD with the next-to-last season.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Fred Savage (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: Ever since the series Boy Meets World began, much of the Savage attention has been direct toward Ben Savage, but most people forget that nobody would know who Ben Savage was if it weren't for his previously more famous brother, Fred Savage. Fred Savage quickly rose to stardom in the late 80s thanks to films such as The Princess Bride, Little Monsters, and The Wizard, but to TV fans, he was best known as Kevin Arnold from The Wonder Years. Following that series, he appeared in the sitcoms Working (which actually ran for two seasons) and Crumbs (that one didn't last long). But his sitcom success is far from over, as he is now a sitcom director, having directed episodes of series that have been more successful than his post Wonder Years series, including It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Modern Family, Happy Endings, 2 Broke Girls, and countless other series.

Pick of the Tweets: "Thanks for all the kind words about tonight's "Crazy Ones" episode! Between the great cast and the fantastic crew, it's a blast to shoot." (December 5, 2013)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 20

The Goldbergs - "An Itch Like No Other" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
With Beverly’s encouragement, Mr. Glascott moves in next door to the Goldbergs and slowly goes from friendly neighbor to cluelessly intrusive. Adam and Murray become increasingly disgruntled while Beverly comes up with a plan to occupy Mr. Glascott’s time with a new friend, Mr. Woodburn. Meanwhile, Barry lands in urgent care with a case of poison ivy in a compromising area – his rear end. Erica and Geoff are called to task to take care of Barry and his ridiculous demands – inadvertently testing their parenting skills and patience with one another.

The Wonder Years - "The Lock In" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dean is reluctant to attend the annual church lock-in until Kim tells him it’s where she got her first kiss. He enlists his friends to help him pair up with Keisa, but his plans are thwarted when he instead gets paired up with the pastor’s daughter, Charlene.

The Conners - "Trucking Live in Front of a Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience -- East Coast" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Lights, Camera, Action: “The Conners” is going live for both the East and West Coast broadcasts of the season four premiere episode. This iconic TV family continues to deal with the current pandemic while navigating breakups and newfound sobriety, all while planning an upcoming wedding.

Home Economics - "Giant Jenga, $120" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tom spirals when Connor dates a woman who broke his heart at summer camp. Then, family game night becomes an all-or-nothing competition between Marina and Denise.

Superstar - "Robin Williams" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The new episode recounts his life through Robin Williams’ own voice, describing “the spark of madness” which defined his life. From his early days in the San Francisco Bay Area comedy scene to his meteoric rise on “Mork & Mindy,” the one-hour special explores the experiences that made Williams into a one-of-a-kind talent and reveals what gave voice to the characters in his mind. It also chronicles the creative force driving critically acclaimed films like “Good Will Hunting” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as fan favorites such as “Aladdin.” The special explores his personal struggles, including substance abuse and depression, and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia before his tragic death in 2014. “Superstar: Robin Williams” features interviews with famous comedians and actors who knew and admired Williams, including Margaret Cho, Howie Mandel, Lewis Black, Jimmie Walker, Paula Poundstone, Gina Hecht and Pauly Shore, as well as Barry Levinson, director of multiple films starring Williams including “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The program also contains interviews with Williams from the ABC News archives, in which he opens up about his life and the highs and lows of his distinguished career.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 18)

Wednesday, October 20

Rami Malek (The War at Home) - Watch Rami on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Issa Rae (Insecure) - Issa appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jamie Foxx (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Jamie Foxx Show) - Jamie appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Debra Messing (Will & Grace/Ned & Stacey) - Debra talks about her latest project: how self-care can change the world on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) and Clint Howard (Gung Ho) - Ron and Clint discuss their new book, The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Amy Sedaris (No Activity/BoJack Horseman/Strangers with Candy) - It's a TV exclusive with sister and brother duo Amy and David Sedaris appearing together for the first time on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) - Jeremy talks about FBI on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
David Eigenberg (Sex and the City) - David talks about NBC's Chicago Fire on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick talks about Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.