Saturday, June 21, 2014

SitcomsOnline Digest: TV Land Casts Smallville Star in Impastor Pilot; Doctor Who and Mystery Science Theater 3000 to Retro TV

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we have casting news for a TV Land pilot in development, news about Retro TV, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • Impastor, a TV Land comedy pilot about a pastor who isn't quite what people think he is, now has Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor from Smallville) cast in the starring role. (The Hollywood Reporter)
  • The digital classic TV network Retro TV will be adding classic reruns of the BBC series Doctor Who later this summer (and also Mystery Science Theater 3000 in July). (Retro TV)
  • MyNetworkTV, the often forgotten broadcast network, has unveiled their 2014-2015 lineup, which includes The Mentalist and The Walking Dead. (Deadline)
  • An alternative newspaper in Houston decided to take a look at NBC's greatest sitcoms of the '70s, and had trouble making a list that included more than four series. (Houston Press)
  • Casey Kasem died this week, and while he'll be remembered most as a Top 40 radio countdown host, he also had a notable career doing voices for Hanna Barbera cartoons, guest starred in numerous action dramas in the late '70s, and was the host of the Nick at Nite's Classic TV Countdown for nearly a decade. (TV Guide)
  • We mentioned a few weeks ago that Blossom would be returning to cable for the first time in over a decade, but it seems that The Hub is also putting together some "very special" reunion moments to advertise the show. (SitcomsOnline)
  • Lifetime is going to finally let us know the truth about what happened behind-the-scenes at Bayside High in The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story, which will air on Labor Day. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
  • Little House on the Prairie is about to continue on Blu-ray with the release of Little House on the Prairie - Season Three (which will also be available as a re-release on DVD in remastered form). Both releases will be out on September 9.
JUNE 24 HOME MEDIA RELEASES
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00JPQ1HXO/ref=nosim/happydaysonline5-20

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Joey Lawrence (Twitter), "Actor, entertainer, musician, singer, songwriter, philanthropist and most importantly, father."
Claim to Fame:   We (sort of) continue our Gimme a Break! theme again this week with a child actor who not only managed to succeed as both a young child and as a teenager, but managed to succeed yet again as an adult in the sitcom world. Joey Lawrence began his career with a guest appearances on both Silver Spoons and Diff'rent Strokes, and by 1983, at age seven, he had been cast as a regular on Gimme a Break! When that series was over, he had a brief break before returning to the NBC primetime lineup in the early 1990s in the series Blossom. It was during that time that he became a teenage heartthrob, so much so that he even managed to release an album that was a hit on the Billboard music charts. When Blossom ended, he already had a third series lined up, yet again on the NBC (and later moving to The WB) sitcom, Brotherly Love, which wasn't as successful as his previous two series but still still popular enough to air in reruns on The Disney Channel for several years. Currently, he is starring in his fourth sitcom on ABC Family, Melissa and Joey.
Pick of the Tweets: "Yo peeps check out who I'm with right now-BLOSSOM is coming back 2 tv @hubtvnetwork #blossomreunion July 4th @7pm pt http://twitpic.com/e6bc2p" (June 16, 2014)


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, November 3

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Not Afraid" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Determined to face his fears alone, Philip returns to school; his family's covert intervention nearly lands them in jail, forcing everyone to confront trust, boundaries and unconditional love.

Lot Patrol - "" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
A squad of security guards patrol a Hollywood studio, wrangling unhinged actors, rogue crew members, and their own dysfunctional lives.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 2)

Tuesday, November 3

  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
  • Jane Leeves (Hot in Cleveland/Frasier/Throb) - Andy Cohen interviews Jane on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
  • Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry talks about Hexed and Detective Duck: The Mystery of the Flash Flood on ABC's GMA3 at 1pm.
  • Emma Roberts (Scream Queens/Unfabulous) - Emma drops by for a chat about FX's American Horror Story on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine talks about Nobody Wants This on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • David Zayas (The Bear) and Dominic Fumusa (Nurse Jackie) - David and Dominic will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Awkwafina (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens) - Awkwafina talks about The Unlikely Chef on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.
  • Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer talks about NCIS on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Timothy Simons (Nobody Wants This/HouseBroken/Veep) - Timothy can be heard on the Morning Mashup on SiriusXM.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD) The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray) The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (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

11/02 - Details on Only Murders Season 6; Haunted Hotel Renewed for Season 3
11/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 2, 2026)
10/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Criminal Minds Coming to an End; Baywatch Premiere Date Set
10/30 - VH1 to Bring Back America's Funniest People Starring Ms. Pat; Remembering Barbara Barrie and Patrick Stewart
10/29 - Peacock's Dig Trailer and Artwork; The CW 2026 Holiday Programming with A Very Brady Christmas, A Flintstone Christmas and More
10/28 - ABC 2026 Holiday Programming; Remembering Susan Saint James of Kate & Allie
10/27 - Fox's Baywatch Premieres January 6; aspireTV's First Sitcom Premieres January 7
10/26 - COZI TV's Halloween Schedule with Roseanne, George Lopez, The Munsters and More; Chloe Radcliffe: Eyes Down Here Stand-up Special
10/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 26, 2026)
10/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Reboots in the Works for Coach and Glee; Saturday Night Live Sets November Hosts
10/23 - Prime Video Renews Carrie for Season 2; Remembering Richard Riehle of Grounded for Life
10/22 - Abbott Elementary Returns Big After 7 Day Viewing; BET Renews ComicView: Rooftop Series
10/21 - Charmed Joining Hulu This Huluween; Prime Video's Comedy Variety Series Hosted by Nick Kroll
10/20 - Hulu's Phony Premieres Today; Janelle James Netflix Comedy Special Drops November 10
10/19 - Lil Kev Season 2 Premieres December 9; It's a Wonderful Lifetime 2026 Schedule
10/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 19, 2026)
10/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Picks Up Reboot for The X-Files; Roseanne Self-Produces New Sitcom
10/16 - Christa B. Allen in Night of January 16th Play Through Sunday; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Bernie Orenstein
10/15 - Guest Stars for Peacock's Comedy Dig; Apple TV Renews Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed for Season 2
10/14 - HBO Brings Back Girls for 5 Episodes; Hulu's The X-Files Picked Up to Series
10/13 - Full Cast for Three's Company Live Reading in New York City; High Potential to Air After Super Bowl on ABC
10/12 - Bob's Burgers Holiday Special on Hulu; The Rookie and The Rookie: North Wednesdays on ABC in January
10/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 12, 2026)
10/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Colin Jost and Danny Chun to Launch Free Streaming Comedy; Paramount/Warner Merger Completed
10/09 - Apple TV Comedy Stick Returns November 4; News from New York Comic Con 2026 Day One
10/08 - FETV Acquires I Dream of Jeannie and The Bionic Woman; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 3, Before Season 2 Launch
10/07 - More Live Three's Company Readings; Lucy Hale is Scarlett Holmes for Roku in 2027
10/06 - NBC's Happy Place Season 3 Trailer; Apple TV's Imperfect Women Renewed for Season 2
10/05 - A Different World to Return for Season 2 on Netflix; Prime Video's Barbershop Comedy Series Premieres February 10
10/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 5, 2026)
10/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: A Different World Renewed for Second Season; A First Look at Ted: The Animated Series
10/02 - Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head Season 4 Launch; Anthony Anderson Returns to Soul Train Awards