SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Introduces CBS All Access; Even More Remakes of Classic TV Series Under Consideration; New Family Guy DVDs

Saturday, October 18, 2014

SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Introduces CBS All Access; Even More Remakes of Classic TV Series Under Consideration; New Family Guy DVDs

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we've got news about a new online streaming service from CBS, and even more stories that will make you wonder if the future of television will just be a remake of everything we've already seen. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

CBS launched their new online service CBS All Access this week, which is designed for those who've decided to get rid of cable and view CBS content online, including streaming in markets where CBS owns the local affiliate and episodes of classic TV series in the CBS library. It costs about $6 per month, but you still have to put up with commercials (though there are none on the classic TV series). (CBS News)
Will the remakes ever stop? Now, it is The Courtship of Eddie's Father that is being talked about for a potential remake by Fox.. (Deadline)
It looks like Bewitched is being eyed as a remake too, which if that happens, we can only hope it will bear no resemblance to the movie from a decade ago. (TV.com)
Nearly a decade ago, there was talk of a US version of the British comedy The IT Crowd appearing on NBC, and the talk seemed to go on forever until it was permanently shelved... or so we thought. Now, it seems that they are reconsidering this with a version to be produced by Bill Lawrence, Neil Goldman, and Garrett Donovan. (TMZ)
Saturday Night Live is hoping to get out of what some have considered a disappointing season as Chris Rock returns to host for the first time in almost two decades when the show returns on November 1, with musical guest Prince. (Time)
Netflix has picked up the rights to the series Friends, which will begin streaming on the service in January. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Just like the December tradition of Fox releasing more of The Simpsons, Family Guy isn't going to be left out, as December 9 will bring Family Guy - Volume 11.
Raising Hope has just been completed on DVD, with Fox's MOD release of Raising Hope - The Complete Fourth Season.

OCTOBER 21 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00LMBURJ0/ref=nosim/happydaysonline5-20

Married... with Children - Seasons 5 and 6 (DVD, $14.98): Mill Creek moves ahead with their re-releases of the classic series on DVD.
The Soul Man - The Complete Second Season (DVD, $19.97): Shout! Factory brings fans the second season of the TV Land series on DVD.
Square Pegs - The Complete Series (DVD, $9.98): The one (and only) season of the 80s comedy arrives on DVD as a value-priced re-release from Mill Creek.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Tony Danza (Twitter)

Claim to Fame: Tony Danza is best known as "Tony" in almost every sitcom you've ever seen him appear. He's a name that any sitcom fan knows, and that fame began in 1978 with his role as Tony Banta on the sitcom Taxi. He was actually a boxer before that series, and was first discovered a Taxi producer at a boxing gymnasium. That series ended in 1983, but he wasn't off the air for long, as he returned in 1984 with an even bigger role on the sitcom Who's the Boss? as Tony Micelli, which ran until 1992. Toward the end of that series, he even managed to work on the side playing the voice of a baby (who was actually NOT named Tony) on the series Baby Talk. After that, he had two less successful series with Hudson Street (as Tony Canetti) and The Tony Danza Show (as Tony DiMeo). He even gave drama a shot a bit later on in the series Family Law, where instead of playing a Tony, he played a Tommy. Currently, much of his work is done on stage in Broadway performances.

Pick of the Tweets: "Who's The Boss premiered 30 years ago today! Thanks to all who watched - you made all the great memories possible!" (September 20, 2014)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, October 9

Abbott Elementary - "Back to School" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The neighboring construction site of a new golf course is causing issues at Abbott, forcing the teachers to find creative solutions. An HR representative visits the school. Following their kiss, Janine and Gregory’s relationship status is revealed.

Everybody Still Hates Chris - "Everybody Still Hates Cheat Codes" (Comedy Central, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Chris debates using a cheat code to win a free Nintendo.

Everybody Still Hates Chris - "Everybody Still Hates Halloween" (Comedy Central, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Chris spends Halloween at a church event, hoping to hook up with Tasha.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 7)

Wednesday, October 9

Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) - Watch Quinta on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. She also talks about the new season of Abbott Elementary on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Rachel Sennott (Call Your Mother) - Rachel is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Eric Idle (Suddenly Susan/Nearly Departed) - Eric stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Michael Keaton (Report to Murphy/Working Stiffs/All's Fair) - E! News has an interview with Michael at 11pm on E!.
Ali Wong (Big Mouth/American Housewife/Are You There, Chelsea?) - NBC's Today catches up with Ali in the 10am hour.
Rita Wilson (Girls) - Rita stops by to talk about her new album on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
Goldie Hawn (Good Morning World) - Goldie appears on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl Lee talks about Abbott Elementary on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm. She chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Josh Gad (Wolf Like Me/Avenue 5/The Comedians/1600 Penn/Back to You) - Josh talks about his new children's book PictureFace Lizzy and fatherhood on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jessica St. Clair (Avenue 5/Playing House/Best Friends Forever/In the Motherhood) - Jessica is sharing her breast cancer experience with Drew and Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz is talking about breast cancer diagnoses on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Abigail Spencer (Extended Family/Burning Love) - Abigail discusses her television series Shatter Belt on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Kim Matula (LA to Vegas) - Kim is a guest on PIX 11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:39am.
Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) - Lea appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.