Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Bounce Acquires Sitcoms for January 2015, Roc, Different World, Parent 'Hood, Hughleys; ABC Family Picks Up New Drama Recovery Road

Bounce TV

Finally! In its first foray into off-network series acquisition, Bounce TV has landed the television rights to four shows in individual, multi-year licensing agreements they announced. In the deals, the nation's first-ever and rapidly-expanding broadcast television network for African Americans acquires Roc (72 episodes) and The Parent 'Hood (90 episodes) from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD), A Different World (144 episodes) from Carsey-Werner Distribution and The Hughleys (89 episodes) from Twentieth Television. The four popular series will be scheduled together to create a new line-up leading into prime time, with the network airing two episodes of each show back-to-back Monday-Friday starting at 5:00pm beginning Monday, January 5, 2015. It kicks off with Roc from 5:00-6:00pm, followed by The Parent 'Hood from 6:00-7:00pm. A Different World will air from 7:00-8:00pm into The Hughleys from 8:00-9:00pm. This will be the first time all four series will air on a digital multicast network.

The critically-acclaimed Roc aired originally on Fox and stars Charles S. Dutton as Baltimore garbage collector Roc Emerson and Ella Joyce as his wife, with appearances by a then-unknown Jamie Foxx. The Parent 'Hood was part of the original Wednesday night lineup that helped launch The WB network, starring Robert Townsend and Suzzanne Douglas. The multiple Emmy-nominated A Different World debuted as the #1 new show of its premiere season, staying at #1 in its time period for five consecutive seasons, with Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison leading the cast. Based on D. L. Hughley's real-life experiences, The Hughleys stars the comedian and Elise Neal as his wife who move their family from the inner to city to the Los Angeles suburbs with hilarious results. Bounce TV features programming mix of original series, theatrical motion pictures, documentaries, specials and now off-net series. Bounce TV is currently seen in 90 markets, including all of the top African American television markets, 90% of African American television homes and 73% of the total television homes in the United States.


ABC Family

ABC Family has picked up a new scripted drama to series Recovery Road. This announcement comes on the heels of the recently announced pick-up of the docu-series My Transparent Life, as the network continues to grow its impressive slate of original programming. Based on the popular young adult novel by Blake Nelson, Recovery Road focuses on a teenage girl dealing with addiction. Maddie has a reputation as a party girl who doesn't think she has a problem, until she's confronted one day by her school guidance counselor and is forced to choose between expulsion and rehab. Maddie makes the difficult decision to live with other recovering addicts at a rehab facility while facing the daily pressures of her teenage life.

ABC Family says casting will be announced at a later date, but their orginal announcement a few months back mentioned the series stars Samantha Logan (666 Park Avenue) as Maddie, Sebastian De Souza (Skins) as Wes, Kyla Pratt (One on One, Fat Albert) as Trish, Sharon Leal (Boston Public) as Charlotte, Alexis Carra (Mixology) as Cynthia, Justin Prentice (Malibu Country) as Dallas, Caroline Sunshine (Shake It Up) as Emily, and also guest stars Doug Savant (Desperate Housewives, Melrose Place) as Alan. We shall see if this cast remains intact or if we will see some changes to this. Stay tuned.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, October 27

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Spades" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Marty and Courtney’s nanny search takes an awkward turn, while Calvin’s secret spades night stirs tension at home. Meanwhile, Dave’s new hobby tests everyone’s patience, and a texting miscommunication between Tina and Gemma leads to a fiery confrontation.

DMV - "Easy Pass" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Marty and Courtney’s nanny search takes an awkward turn, while Calvin’s secret spades night stirs tension at home. Meanwhile, Dave’s new hobby tests everyone’s patience, and a texting miscommunication between Tina and Gemma leads to a fiery confrontation.

TV We Love - "The Love Boat" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The cast, writers and directors of "The Love Boat" reveal how star-studded guest lists and high-seas charm made this series a beloved classic.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 27)

Monday, October 27

  • Tim Allen (Shifting Gears/Last Man Standing/Home Improvement) - Watch Tim on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Katherine LaNasa (Three Sisters) - Katherine appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) and Sarah Paulson (Leap of Faith) - Niecy and Sarah talk about All's Fair on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Brian Jordan Alvarez (English Teacher/Will & Grace) - Brian talks about English Teacher on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) - Jeremy chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) and Scott Bakula (Murphy Brown/Eisenhower and Lutz/Gung Ho) - Ariana and Scott talk about The Baker's Wife on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Edie Falco (Bupkis/Nurse Jackie) and Laura Benanti (Life & Beth/Younger/The Detour/Go On/Starved) - Edie, Laura and the cast of Mayor of Kingstown join Drew on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Lil Rel Howery (Rel/The Carmichael Show) - Lil Rel and Tabitha Brown discuss their film Unexpected Christmas on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

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) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

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)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


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