ABC Family 2015 Upfront; Crackle 2015 Upfront

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

ABC Family 2015 Upfront; Crackle 2015 Upfront

ABC Family announced at its network upfront New York that ABC Family is doubling-down on the life stage that has made it a leading voice in entertainment for W18-34, W18-49, F12-34 and a top five network with adults, in addition to having the most socially engaged audience. The network identified and coined the term 'Becomers' to describe people in this life stage. Traditionally, Becomers are in high school, college and the decade that follows and are navigating the wonderful, fun, exciting, and scary time in life when you experience the most firsts – first car, first apartment, first job, first love, first heartbreak – all the firsts that exists between who they are and who they want to become. Becomers are 69 million strong in the US, with an estimated spending power in the trillions. The strategy begins in June with new additions, including the procedural drama Stitchers and the unscripted reality drama Becoming Us. As for premieres, Pretty Little Liars and Stitchers bow first on Tuesday, June 2, followed by Melissa & Joey and Baby Daddy on Wednesday, June 3. The Fosters and Becoming Us will then premiere on Monday, June 8. Later this summer the new comedy Kevin From Work and the new reality series Job or No Job, Monica the Medium, Startup U and Next Step Realty: NYC will join the line-up. Returning series Young & Hungry, Chasing Life and Switched at Birth will return later this summer, with dates to be announced. Two new dramas will premiere in 2016: Shadowhunters and Recovery Road.

ABC Family also announced many projects in development, including a drama starring Bella Thorne titled Famous In Love. Other projects in development include the comedy Sold Out and a reality series from Eva Longoria titled You've Got To Work It. And ABC Family also has We Heart Disney music spectacular in development featuring some of today's biggest pop stars singing classic Disney songs. David Foster and Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol) will serve as executive producers. Stay with us for contined updates.

Crackle

In its first standalone presentation to advertisers, Crackle, the television streaming network, announced a stellar line-up of original programming. The wide variety of shows includes their first-ever one hour scripted series The Art Of More starring Dennis Quaid, animated comedy series SuperMansion voiced by Bryan Cranston, and Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser – the first ever made-for-digital sequel to a major motion picture and starring David Spade. Jerry Seinfeld, Dennis Quaid, Kate Bosworth, Christian Cooke, David Spade, Seth Green and Brittany Daniel were all on hand at the Crackle Upfront presentation. Crackle's new slate features original programming across a variety of genres and involves top Hollywood talent including Jerry Seinfeld, Bryan Cranston, Dennis Quaid, David Spade, Kate Bosworth, Christian Cooke, Seth Green, Dan Patrick, Keegan-Michael Key, Christopher Walken, Brittany Daniel, Patrick Warburton, Mark McGrath, Jillian Bell, Dennis Miller, Adam Beach, Kevin Farley, Charlotte McKinney, Milo Ventimiglia, Bill Maher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steve Harvey, Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah and Jim Carrey.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Tuesday, December 7

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes - (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
In this one-night-only event, an all-star lineup of talent will tackle the roles first portrayed in the iconic television sitcom “The Facts of Life,” including Jennifer Aniston playing the role of Blair, Gabrielle Union taking on the role of Tootie, Allison Tolman who will play Natalie and Kathryn Hahn recreating the role of Jo. Previously announced “Diff’rent Strokes” cast member Ann Dowd is also set to appear as Mrs. Garrett in this recreation of “The Facts of Life.” The Sony Pictures Television special can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

The live special event will feature reenactments of the hit series “The Facts of Life,” created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, and “Diff’rent Strokes,” created by Bernie Kukoff and Jeff Harris, and will reunite executive producers Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows. Previously announced cast members taking on the famed “Diff’rent Strokes” roles include John Lithgow, who will play Mr. Drummond; Kevin Hart, assuming the role of Arnold; and Damon Wayans and Ann Dowd, who will play Willis and Mrs. Garrett in “Diff’rent Strokes.”

Abbott Elementary - "Pilot" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

The Last O.G. - "Know Thyself" (TBS, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Amira attends college presentations, and her quick decision surprises Tray, who then works to guide Amira toward a better understanding of her identity; while cleaning out Roberta's storage unit, Shahzad makes a discovery about her past.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Wondering Prince" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Lisa helps Miranda set up her online dating proﬁle.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "What the Wellness" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mr. Brown vows that he's finished eating meat until he's left alone with a lot of soul food.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 6)

Tuesday, December 7

Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Catch Brandy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
J. B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Mapleworth Murders/Bent/'Til Death) - J. B. guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) and Cynthia Nixon (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Kristin and Cynthia are guests on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. Kristin also talks about And Just Like That... on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Chris Kattan (The Middle) - Chris will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jane Levy (Suburgatory) - Jane appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Whoopi Goldberg (Harlem/Whoopi/Bagdad Cafe) - Whoopi talks about her new holiday collection on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.