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

Wednesday, August 20

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Golden Bachelor Live" (FXX and FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Host Jesse Palmer walks the audience through Frank's journey up until his final rose ceremony in the "Golden Bachelor" finale.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 18)

Wednesday, August 20

  • Tiffany Haddish (The Last O.G./The Carmichael Show) - Tiffany guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Andy Samberg (Digman!/Brooklyn Nine-Nine) - Watch Andy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Harvey GuillĂ©n (What We Do in the Shadows/The Thundermans) - Harvey stops by Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Billy Crystal (The Comedians/Soap) - Billy is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Amy Sedaris (No Activity/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/Strangers with Candy) - Amy appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Pete Holmes (How We Roll/Crashing) and Echo Kellum (Grand Crew/Sean Saves the World/Ben and Kate) - Pete and Echo are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) - Ron talks about Eden on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Kumail Nanjiani (Bless the Harts/Silicon Valley) and Michael Urie (Shrinking/Krapopolis/Partners) - Kumail and Michael talk about Broadway's Oh, Mary! on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Marsai Martin (black-ish) - Marsai appears on a repeat of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Ariana is joining Drew to chat all about her role in the iconic new musical Wicked on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
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
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)

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

08/20 - Welcome Back, Kotter 50th Anniversary Marathon on Rewind TV; Apple TV+ Palm Royale Season 2 Premieres November 12
08/19 - Antenna TV's Archie Bunker's Place Labor Day Marathon; Larry the Cable Guy Prime Video Special
08/18 - Nobody Wants This Season 2 Premieres October 23; HGTV and Retta Continue Partnership
08/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 18, 2025)
08/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Plans Retool of Cable Networks; King of the Hill Revival Scores Big Ratings
08/15 - Catchy Comedy Acquires Hot in Cleveland; Netflix's Animated Comedy Strip Law Premieres in 2026
08/14 - Dan Levy's Netflix Comedy Series Cast; Betty la Fea: La Historia ContinĂșa Season 2 Premieres Friday
08/13 - Remembering Danielle Spencer of What's Happening!!; Trailer for Season 5 of Only Murders in the Building
08/12 - Netflix's Comedy Kiss or Die Premieres September 9; Lori Harvey Joins Reasonable Doubt
08/11 - Roku Originals Books a Return Trip with Season 2 Renewal of Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross; Netflix's Fixed Trailer
08/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 11, 2025)
08/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Trailer Released for The Paper; ABC Gives Pilot Order to Do You Want Kids?
08/08 - Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 Premieres September 12; The Paper Trailer for Peacock
08/07 - Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 4 Celebs; Sweetpea Season 2 Stars
08/06 - Molly Shannon Joins Will Ferrell Golf Comedy Series; Netflix's Season 2 of My Life with the Walter Boys
08/05 - Disney+ Musical Comedy Electric Bloom Premieres; NBC Renews American Ninja Warrior for Season 18
08/04 - Remembering Loni Anderson of WKRP in Cincinnati; And Just Like That... to End After 3 Seasons
08/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 4, 2025)
08/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Family Guy Specials Coming to Hulu; Jimmy Kimmel Rooting for Emmy for Stephen Colbert
08/01 - Long Story Short Gets Season 2 Ahead of Premiere; Netflix's Wayward Premieres September 25
07/31 - Solar Opposites Final Season on Hulu; Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical
07/30 - FETV Acquires The Jeffersons, Uncut; BET+ Comedy Churchy Returns August 21, BET Greenlights Sketch Comedy Series
07/29 - NBC Fall 2025 Premiere Dates; Fox Fall 2025 Premiere Dates
07/28 - Events Planned for The Golden Girls 40th Anniversary; Family Guy Holiday Specials Return to Hulu
07/27 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 28, 2025)
07/26 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount/Skydance Merger Approved; CBS Orders New Comedy From Producers of Ghosts
07/25 - TV One Honors Malcolm-Jamal Warner; Comedy Central Season 3 of Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head; Remembering Kenneth Washington of Hogan's Heroes
07/24 - Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Premieres September 9; Apple TV+ Stick Renewed for Season 2
07/23 - Apple TV+ Ted Lasso Season 4 Details; NBC Orders Stumble to Series
07/22 - Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner of The Cosby Show and Malcolm & Eddie; Futurama Season 13 Drops September 15
07/21 - Hallmark Channel Acquires Gilmore Girls; Freida Pinto to Star in Netflix Series
07/20 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 21, 2025)