SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Looking to Make a Problem Child Series?; Jeffersons, WKRP, and Facts of Life DVD Updates

Saturday, September 20, 2014

SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Looking to Make a Problem Child Series?; Jeffersons, WKRP, and Facts of Life DVD Updates

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we've got news about more potential sitcoms in development, including one based upon the 1990 movie Problem Child, a nice update on some Shout! Factory DVD releases, and more. Let's get started!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

NBC, which isn't shy about reviving movies that are decades old as TV series (consider Parenthood), is now looking to revive the 1990 movie Problem Child (which starred John Ritter and Amy Yasbeck as a couple who adopted a child who was nothing but trouble) as a sitcom. (Hollywood Reporter)
Mike Scully and Julie Scully, both of whom have a made a name for themselves with their behind the scenes roles on The Simpsons, are looking to adapt a Mexican sitcom to America that sounds a lot like a modern update on The Brady Bunch or Step by Step. (Deadline)
Simpsons executive producer Al Jean has made it clear that a character is going to die this season, and the character will "stay dead" when that happens. (LA Times)
In case you missed it, Groundskeeper Willie of The Simpsons decided to weigh in on the proposal for Scottish independence this week. (Washington Post)
Theodore J. Flicker isn't a name that is well-known to many TV fans, but he was a co-creator and producer of Barney Miller, and he also died this week at the age of 84. (Chicago Tribune)
Friends is turning 20 and The Cosby Show is turning 30, and both are ripe for an anniversary marathon over the next few days. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

One of the biggest releases of the year is certain to be the release of The Jeffersons - The Complete Series, but it gets even better as the special features have been revealed. These include the four episodes of spinoff Checking In and an episode of the first episode of E/R, which featured Sherman Hemsley as George Jefferson.
The list of music to be included on the release of WKRP in Cincinnati - The Complete Series has been released, and it looks like an impressive list with most of the original music intact. So far, there hasn't been an official list of what is missing, though some of the artists (not an exhaustive list) missing from the list that had music one the show include Pink Floyd, The Eagles, The Pointer Sisters, Talking Heads, Devo, The Beatles, James Brown, and Barry Manilow. However, this list is rather short compared to the list of artists included, and we hope to have a through update on this once the set is released.
The Facts of Life - The Complete Series now has a release date set for January 13, but it will ship on December 16 if you order it directly from Shout! Factory, just in time for Christmas.

SEPTEMBER 23 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00GTZWS5A/ref=nosim/happydaysonline5-20

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Season One (DVD, $44.98): The debut season of the Fox sitcom arrives on DVD.
How I Met Your Mother - The Ninth and Legendary Final Season (DVD, $29.98): It's the end of an era as the final season of this sitcom arrives on DVD; complete series also available.
Mama's Family - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, $29.98): For those who skipped on StarVista's complete series release and collected the seasons one at a time, this release should finish their collection. A retail complete series release also arrives.
Modern Family - The Fifth Season (DVD, $39.98): The fifth season of this series arrives on DVD, though this time, no Blu-ray release is being made available.
Mom - The Complete First Season (DVD, $44.98): The first season of this CBS series arrives on DVD.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Kate Walsh (Twitter), "I'm just a gal named Kate, movin' & shakin' it but not breakin' it."

Claim to Fame: Kate Walsh is already rather well-known to broadcast primetime viewers, as she started out with small roles in the late 90s before landing a recurring role on The Drew Carey Show. But she probably became best known to TV viewers in her role of Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey's Anatomy, which was a role that was popular enough to lead to her own successful spinoff, Private Practice. Now she is giving up her role as a doctor in a medical drama to become a judge with a few character flaws in Bad Judge, a comedy that will debut October 2 on NBC.

Pick of the Tweets: "No. I'm going to promote the F outta it & let u guys watch uninterrupted for 22min+commercials! RT @hoIykatic: @katewalsh are you gonna live tweet bad judge series premiere??" (September 7, 2014)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, December 9

Young Sheldon - "The Yips and an Oddly Hypnotic Bohemian" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Sheldon gets the science yips and has to learn how to not think. Also, George Sr. plays handyman at Brenda Sparks’ house.

United States of Al - "Christmas / Krismis" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Vanessa becomes upset when Riley invites his new girlfriend to a family Christmas party. Also, Art is uncomfortable when Lois gets him an incredibly expensive sweater as a gift.

Ghosts - "Possession" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Hetty accidentally possesses Jay’s body just as he and Sam are to about show Woodstone Mansion to a renowned wedding planner.

B Positive - "A Dog, a Mousse and a Bat" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Gina promises to help Harry give his ailing wife a special anniversary dinner. Also, Drew connects with a charming young woman while on the road.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 6)

Thursday, December 9

Will Forte (MacGruber/The Last Man on Earth/The Cleveland Show) - Catch Will on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) - Miley appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Michael B. Jordan (The Assistants) - Michael is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. He talks about his new movie A Journal for Jordan on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your local listings. He chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) - Hannah will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Rachel Dratch (30 Rock) and Ana Gasteyer (American Auto/Lady Dynamite/Suburgatory) - Rachel and Ana are guests on Watch What Happens: Live at 10:30pm on Bravo.
Nicholas Braun (10 Things I Hate About You) - Nicholas is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Eugenio Derbez (Acapulco/Rob) - Eugenio appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) and Nicole Ari Parker (And Just Like That.../Second Time Around) - Kristin and Nicole talk about the next chapter of the iconic TV series Sex and the City on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) - Ariana discusses playing Anita in the highly anticipated new film West Side Story on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke is a guest on a repeat of Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
Cristela Alonzo (Cristela) - Cristela talks about Lifetime's Holiday in Santa Fe on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Sara Ramirez, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker and Karen Pittman (And Just Like That...) - Sara, Sarita, Nicole and Karen talk about And Just Like That... on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.