SitcomsOnline Digest: John Stamos and Shaquille O'Neal Looking at Comedy Pilots; New Multicast Networks Devoted to Comedies and Game Shows in the Works

Saturday, January 24, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: John Stamos and Shaquille O'Neal Looking at Comedy Pilots; New Multicast Networks Devoted to Comedies and Game Shows in the Works

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're now at the point of the year where everybody is working hard to get their pilots on the air, and we have news of those, news of some new over-the-air broadcast networks, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

It seems like only yesterday when John Stamos was in his 20s on Full House, and now, he may be playing a grandfather soon if a comedy pilot for Fox is picked up. (People)
TruTV has become a little less true and a little more scripted lately, and now they have ordered a workplace comedy pilot starring Shaquille O'Neal. (Entertainment Weekly)
The New England Patriots are currently in the news for many reasons, some good and others not so good. But since we're a sitcoms blog and not a sports blog, we think it is worth noting that a Growing Pats video, a "Throwback Thursday" about the team done in the exact same style as the Growing Pains opening credits, was posted on Twitter this week by wide receiver Julian Edelman. (Fox Sports)
In most cities these days, you'll find just as many (if not more) more broadcast TV networks as you would find on cable about two decades ago. Now, Buzzr TV, a digital network devoted to game shows, would like to join those ranks. (SitcomsOnline)
Meanwhile, comedy fans will be pleased to know that there is going to be another digital TV network coming in April devoted to all things comedy, LAFF. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

It has seemed for several years that there was no hope for any future seasons of King of the Hill on DVD, but that changed late last year. Now, Olive Films is moving ahead with more of the series on April 7, with King of the Hill - The Complete Ninth Season and King of the Hill - The Complete Tenth Season.
Mill Creek is moving ahead with their re-releases of Bewitched on DVD with their upcoming release of Bewitched - Seasons 5 and 6. It is set for a release date of March 17, and as always, fans will also be able to pick up the seasons individually with Bewitched - Season 5 and Bewitched - Season 6.

JANUARY 27 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00Q5998BM/ref=nosim/happydaysonline5-20

Mama's Family - Mama's Favorites: Season 4 (DVD, $12.98): StarVista brings more episodes of the classic Vicki Lawrence series to DVD in a value-priced "best of" collection for those who have no desire to own the entire series.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Geri Jewell (Twitter), "Actress/Comedian, Motivational Speaker, and Author of I'm Walking as Straight as I Can - Transcending Disability in Hollywood and Beyond."

Claim to Fame: We're still having Facts of Life fever (so to speak) this week, and this week, we're featuring one of the cast members who wasn't exactly a regular, but appeared in many episodes, Geri Jewell, best known for playing Blair's cousin Geri on the series. Jewell was born with cerebral palsy, and even though TV had been around for three decades by the time Facts of Life debuted, she was the first actress with cerebral palsy to be featured on a TV series. While she had some difficulty finding roles following the end of the series, she did appear in a few guest roles, as well as a role in the HBO series Deadwood. Much of her work these days is that of a motivational speaker these days, and she maintains a positive attitude about life by having a sense of humor about her challenges that she deals with.
Pick of the Tweets: "I'm walking as straight as I can...and driving better than I ever walked - and dancing....okay, I will never make DWTS - bummer~" (November 7, 2011)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, May 12

The Goldbergs - "Alligator Schwartz" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Erica fears that Geoff has moved on from their breakup and started dating someone else. Meanwhile, Adam decides to find Dave Kim a date to prom, once he remembers his pact with Dave that they won’t go to prom if they both don’t have dates.

Home Economics - "The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire: An Oral History (Used), $11" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Connor invites the siblings to a party he’s throwing for his ex-wife, Emily. While he feels the need to prove that he is cool with their divorce, he is not the only one in the competitive spirit. Tom and Marina try to prove to each other that they still have game, while Sarah finds the perfect solution to the fact that she’s a bad gift-giver.

The Conners - "Jeopardé, Sobrieté, and Infidelité" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Darlene makes a decision about her trip to Hawaii, leading to a heated encounter with Barb. Meanwhile, Becky gives a presentation on addiction to Mark’s class.

Call Your Mother - "The Raines Games" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Jean fears her family is drifting apart so she brings everyone together for a game night that doesn’t go as planned.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 10)

Wednesday, May 12

The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Aidy Brant (Shrill) - Aidy appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback/Friends/Mad About You) - Lisa is a guest on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Jerry O'Connell (We Are Men/Carpoolers/My Secret Identity) - Jerry guest co-hosts The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Hank Azaria (The Simpsons/Brockmire/Free Agents/Herman's Head) - Hank discusses The Jim Brockmire Podcast on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
The Cast of Mom - Allison Janney, Jaime Pressly, Kristen Johnston, Beth Hall and Mimi Kennedy are guests on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Mike Epps (The Upshaws/Uncle Buck/Survivor's Remorse) and Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life) - Mike and Kim are guests on The Real, so check your local listings. Kim will also talk about The Upshaws on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Seth Rogen (Undeclared) - Seth will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
The Cast of Girls5eva) - Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry are guests on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Leslie Bibb (American Housewife/Nobodies/The Odd Couple/About a Boy) - Leslie talks about Jupiter's Legacy on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Joe Jonas (Jonas) - Joe appears on Access Daily, so check your local listings.