Saturday, June 28, 2014

SitcomsOnline Digest: Big Changes on ABC News and The View; WKRP in Cincinnati DVD Music Update

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we talk about all of the happenings over at ABC this week, have an update on the WKRP in Cincinnati DVDs, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • Diane Sawyer is set to step down from her role as anchor of ABC World News in September, which marks yet another of the now frequent changes in the network nightly news hosts. (Washington Post)
  • It looks like Whoopi Goldberg will be the only one who is taking a little time to enjoy The View in the fall, as Jenny McCarthy and Sherri Shepherd announced that they will not be be part of the new season of the series. (New York Times)
  • Most of us won't be seeing him actually doing it (since it isn't televised), but Terry Crews becomes the latest person to get the honors of hosting a television awards ceremony, as he hosts this years Television Critics Association Awards ceremony, set to take place July 19. Who knows, maybe we'll see him on one of the more publicized ceremonies in the future. (Variety)
  • A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that those who view sitcoms have a very cynical view on love or romance compared to those who watch reality dating shows... but don't blame us for your love life. (Huffington Post)
  • TBS will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Seinfeld next week, with the 25 best episodes of the series. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00KYCA4QY/ref=nosim/happydaysonline4-20
  • This year seems to continue the tradition of releasing huge box sets of popular shows that never quite made it to DVD before, and one of the big ones we're all awaiting (though cautiously) is WKRP in Cincinnati - The Complete Series.  There are many unanswered questions about this release, but perhaps the biggest of those questions is regarding the original music. Series creator Hugh Wilson states in a recent interview that about 85% of the original music has been cleared for the release. That sounds promising (though we unfortunately don't expect 100% clearance), and we'll keep you updated as we learn more.
  • American Dad! - Volume 9 is coming to DVD as a MOD release on Tuesday, but we don't really know much about it yet. There isn't even a pre-order link at amazon.com. But fans should look for it on Tuesday.
  • Releases for special single disc releases of The Dick Van Dyke Show are on the way, including The Dick Van Dyke Show - Classic Halloween Episodes on September 2, and The Dick Van Dyke Show - Classic Christmas Episodes on October 9.
  • The short-lived Nickelodeon series My Brother and Me is now available on DVD as a MOD release.

JULY 1 HOME MEDIA RELEASES
  • American Dad! - Volume 9 (DVD): Although we don't quite have all of the details for this release (including a link to order or even a list price), Fox announced that this set will arrive on DVD as a MOD release.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Jenna Von Öy (Twitter), "Actress/Singer/Blogger Mom, wife, lover of all things creative, avid reader, challenge seeker, novice chef, wine enthusiast, fan of coloring outside the lines."
Claim to Fame:   This week, we have a "very special" Follow Me with Jenna Von Öy, who played Six on the sitcom Blossom. She first appeared on TV in series such as Kate & Allie, Monsters, and Tales from the Darkside, but in 1990, she landed her first memorable (and to this day, most memorable) role on Blossom. After that series ended, she landed some guest starring roles on many TV series before landing in the role of Stevie on The Parkers. She has mostly stayed away from Hollywood for the past decade, but you never quite know when she'll be back.
Pick of the Tweets: "The Blossom reunion is getting so much attention this week, thought I'd send love to my Parkers family too! #tbt pic.twitter.com/KIgQn679yJ" (June 19, 2014)


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, February 18

Abbott Elementary - "Team Building" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The teachers prepare for the upcoming school year with new faces and big changes on the horizon.

Abbott Elementary - "Cheating" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Melissa tries to outsmart her students; Tariq causes chaos in Janine’s class, and a new guidance counselor joins the school.

Abbott Elementary - "Ballgame" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Abbott crew heads to the ballpark for Teachers’ Appreciation Night at the Philadelphia Phillies game.

Abbott Elementary - "Game Night" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Gregory steps in to host game night at his apartment. Mr. Johnson, Ava, Barbara and Melissa head to the DMV to renew their licenses.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Life Is Long" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Calvin must come to terms with his breakup from Laura. Calvin encourages Malik to remain committed to their workouts.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Figuring It Out" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Anastasia is conflicted about continuing her walks with Reginald due to his memory loss; Detective Elliot warns Jeremy about a new DA on the case who plans to throw the book at the young robbers.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 16)

Wednesday, February 18

  • Tyler Perry (House of Payne/Love Thy Neighbor) - Watch Tyler on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Kyle MacLachlan (Carol's Second Act/Sex and the City) - Kyle appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Delroy Lindo (UNPrisoned) - Delroy talks about Sinners on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am. He also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Arielle Kebbel (Ballers) - Arielle talks about Marshals on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am. She also talks about her new film I Can Only Imagine 2 on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Wendell Pierce (The Odd Couple/The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber/The Brian Benben Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell talks about Elsbeth on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Tracy Letts (Mr. Throwback/Divorce) - Tracy talks about Bug on
  • Regina Hall (Black Monday/Grandfathered/Married/Second Generation Wayans) - Regina tells Drew all about her action-packed film One Battle After Another on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Teri Hatcher (The Odd Couple/Sunday Dinner/Karen's Song/The Love Boat) - Teri is whipping up a delicious meal in the kitchen with her Desperately Devoted Podcast Co-Hosts onscreen daughter Andrea Bowen and real-life daughter Emerson Tenney on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (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)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete 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)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

02/17 - New Animated Comedy from Big Mouth Creators Coming May 22; Scottish Comedy Returns to Hulu February 25
02/16 - Saturday Night Live Returns Following the Olympics on February 28; Fox Pays Tribute to James Van Der Beek on Wednesday
02/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 16, 2026)
02/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Trailer Released for Scrubs Reboot; Tubi to Add 100 Cartoon Series from Warner and Cartoon Network Library
02/13 - Remembering James Van Der Beek of Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23; The Way Home Returns for Final Season in April on Hallmark
02/12 - ABC's Scrubs Revival Trailer and Details; XO, Kitty Returns April 2 on Netflix
02/11 - The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Gets Post Saturday Night Live Encore; Chris Fleming HBO Special
02/10 - Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars Premiere Shifting by Two Weeks; Virgin River Season 7 Trailer
02/09 - Shoresy Returns with Season 5; HBO Max Acquires Schitt's Creek
02/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 9, 2026)
02/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Roku Adds New Channels for Bernie Mac, Blossom, and Cougar Town; Catchy Comedy Introduces Catchy Loves Lucy
02/06 - Rooster Premieres March 8 on HBO; MGM+ Comedy American Classic Trailer
02/05 - NBC Unveils Trailer and Guest Stars for The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins; Adult Swim's Anime Series Rooster Fighter Premieres March 14
02/04 - Netflix Renews A Man on the Inside for Season 3; Apple TV Premiere Date for Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
02/03 - NBC Renews St. Denis Medical and Happy's Place for Season 3; Pilot Orders for Comedy Projects on NBC
02/02 - Remembering Demond Wilson of Sanford and Son, Catherine O'Hara of Schitt's Creek, Yvonne Lime of Father Knows Best, and TV Director Bruce Bilson
02/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 2, 2026)
01/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Orders Pair of Comedy Pilots; Final Episode Airdate Announced for The Late Show
01/30 - Jury Duty Returns March 20 on Prime Video; Katt Williams 4th Netflix Special
01/29 - Season 4 of Ted Lasso Premieres This Summer; Shrinking Renewed for Season 4 as Season 3 Premieres
01/28 - Nikki Glaser's New Hulu Special Premieres April 24; HBO Announces Late-Night Series
01/27 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; New Evolution of The Handmaid's Tale Series
01/26 - FETV Acquires '70s S.W.A.T. Series; Paramount+ Releases Date for Can You Keep a Secret? Comedy Series
01/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 26, 2026)
01/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kenan and Kel Back Together for Upcoming Movie; Amazon Barbershop Series Adds to Cast
01/23 - CBS Renews 10 More Series for 2026-27; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Return Big in January
01/22 - Dancing with the Stars Live Tour Starts TODAY; Beef Returns April 16
01/21 - Prime Video's Bait Premieres March 25; Production Underway on Season 2 of Arctic-set Comedy North of North
01/20 - Baywatch Casting Call for Reboot on Fox; Mike Epps Netflix Special Trailer
01/19 - MGM+ Comedy Series American Classic; Taylor Tomlinson Returns to Netflix
01/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 19, 2026)
01/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Rockford Files Reboot at NBC; Daniel Stern Fired From ABC Comedy Pilot