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, January 21

Shifting Gears - "Toys" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Riley’s new relationship feels perfect until Matt crashes in, throwing some unexpected obstacles her way. Meanwhile, Matt’s toy car project is derailed when he and Gabe are tasked with working together. Jesse Williams and Maria Bamford guest star.

Abbott Elementary - "Mall Part 3: Heroes" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After the faculty finds surprising success operating the school in the mall, they quickly realize they are being taken advantage of. Meanwhile, a new custodian arrives to join Mr. Johnson.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 19)

Wednesday, January 21

Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building/Mulaney/I'm a Big Girl Now/The Associates) - Watch Martin on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Jane is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Jessica stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Bert Kreischer (Free Bert) - Bert appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also chats about Unfunny Bunny and Saturday Night Live with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan share details of his new children’s book, Unfunny Bunny, and more on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Scott Foley (The Goodwin Games/A.U.S.A./Scrubs) - Scott talks about Will Trent and It's Not Like That on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.../Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah discusses her love of reading and protecting her vision with Lara Spencer on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Jennette McCurdy (Sam & Cat/iCarly) - Jennette talks about Half Her Age on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Arden Myrin (Free Bert/Working/Still the King) - Arden dishes about her new Netflix series Free Bert on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) and Meaghan Rath (Children Ruin Everything/Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life/The Assistants) - Jason and Meagahn talk about their film Untitled Home Invasion Romance on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Kim talks about Netflix's The Upshaws on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.