SitcomsOnline Digest: The End of Cristela?; Terry Crews to Exit Who Wants to Be a Millionaire; More King of the Hill DVDs Coming

Saturday, April 18, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: The End of Cristela?; Terry Crews to Exit Who Wants to Be a Millionaire; More King of the Hill DVDs Coming

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, it is all about goodbyes, as we say goodbye (maybe?) to ABC's Cristela, goodbye to the longest running variety series in the world, and goodbye to a (relatively new) game show host. We also have news of some new DVD re-releases and the launch of a new digital broadcast network. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

While the series hasn't even officially been canceled yet, Cristela Alonzo has already written a "possible goodbye" letter to fans of the series Cristela, in which she reflects on why the series was important. (Hollywood Reporter)
It is unlikely that many of those who speak English watch the series Sábado Gigante, but it is worth noting that the longest running variety series is about to come to an end after an astonishing 53 seasons. (Entertainment Weekly)
Who wants to be the host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? It seems that this is something that changes each year now, and this week, it was announced that Bachelor host Chris Harrison will be taking over that role (currently occupied by Terry Crews) this fall.. (Entertainment Weekly)
The broadcast network LAFF launched this week, with sitcoms including Spin City, Ellen, Empty Nest, and others. (SitcomsOnline)
CBS has made airing the colorized Christmas I Love Lucy episode sort of a tradition in recent years. Now they'll be airing some "late spring" colorized episodes. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

We had news about The Simpsons last week that wasn't necessarily positive (that there may be no future home media releases of the series), but for King of the Hill, things are looking pretty good for the remainder of the series. This week, TVShowsOnDVD.com uncovered that plans are in the works to have the entire series finished by the end of the year.
Mill Creek isn't giving up on The Cosby Show, and will in fact be re-releasing the final two seasons with The Cosby Show - Seasons 7 and 8 on June 16.
Mill Creek is also bringing the entire series of Soap back together on DVD, with a June 2 release of Soap - The Complete Series.

APRIL 21 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

What's Happening!! - The Complete Series (DVD, $29.98): Mill Creek is packaging the entire run of this series into a six disc set with a very low MSRP, and it can be found much cheaper online.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Ernest Lee Thomas (Twitter)

Claim to Fame: Ernest Lee Thomas began his career on stage, and made it onto Broadway in 1974 at age 25. He went into TV with a role on The Jeffersons, and it wasn't long until he got the role of Raj on the TV series What's Happening!!, where he played a character almost ten years younger than he was in real life. He later returned to that same role on the follow-up series, What's Happening Now!! While he mostly does work on stage now, he most recently had a recurring role on the UPN/CW series Everybody Hates Chris.

Pick of the Tweets: "Working on the "What's Happening" Chapter of my Autobiography. Fred Berry,Shirley Hemphill and Mabel King are aliveand funny on DVD. Bless" (October 10, 2012)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, March 29

The Conners - "Stuck in the Middle and Stuck in the Past" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene and Ben get into a fight and ignore Becky’s boundaries in the house. Elsewhere, Dan accuses Jackie of losing all of their home videos.

The Conners - "New Pipes and Old Secrets" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene has issues with Dan’s plumbing work in her new house. Elsewhere, Jackie tries to find a caregiver for Bev.

Abbott Elementary - "Fundraiser" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Barbara organizes a candy-selling fundraiser to raise money for a school field trip to the science museum. When sales don’t go as planned, Ava steps in to teach the students new, unconventional selling tactics. Elsewhere, Mr. Johnson and Jacob butt heads about how to take care of a cat found in the janitor’s closet.

Not Dead Yet - "Not a Tiger Yet" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
As Nell tries to settle into her new job, she gets increasingly annoyed by her latest ghost. Meanwhile, Edward works on a project that sparks Nell’s journalistic curiosity.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Just Payne Trippin" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The family has trouble adjusting to Jazmine's new found independence. Miranda gets an offer that Calvin would like for her to refuse.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Houston, We Have a Karen" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When an old white woman moves into Pleasant Days, her Karen behavior throws everyone for a loop; Reginald fears an escaped convict he put in prison has plans to take revenge.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 27)

Wednesday, March 29

Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Watch Jason on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Ali Wong (Big Mouth/American Housewife/Are You There, Chelsea?) - Ali appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jay Pharoah (White Famous) - Jay is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He talks about taking his impressions to the next level in the new film Spinning Gold on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Adam Scott (Party Down/Ghosted/Parks and Recreation) - Adam will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space) - Fred sits-in with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
John Leguizamo (The Brothers Garcia) - John guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso) - Brendan is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Ali Wentworth (Nightcap) - Ali guest co-hosts LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Juliette Lewis (Camping/I Married Dora) - Juliette appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Dwayne Johnson (Young Rock) - Dwayne is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Kim chats about the new season of the hit comedy The Upshaws on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Judy Gold (All-American Girl) and BD Wong (All-American Girl) - Judy and BD discuss their new play Yes, I Can Say That! on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Zach Braff (Scrubs/Alex, Inc.) - Zach Braff is telling Drew about the real-life inspiration behind his new film, working on it with Florence Pugh and why he got his pilot's license on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jason Ritter (Another Period/The Class) - Jason will be on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Reba McEntire (Reba/Malibu Country) - Reba is a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
Alex Borstein (Family Guy/Getting On/The Cleveland Show), Tony Shalhoub (We Are Men/Wings) and Marin Hinkle (Two and a Half Men/Speechless) - Alex, Tony and Marin talk about The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Lena Waithe (Master on None) - Lena talks about A Thousand and One on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Paula Newsome (Barry/Conrad Bloom) - Paula chats about CSI: Vegas on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Nancy Travis (Last Man Standing/The Bill Engvall Show/Work with Me/Almost Perfect) - Nancy talks about Hallmark Channel's Ride on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Gabriel Basso (The Big C) - Gabriel talks about Netflix's The Night Agent on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Kyra Sedgwick (Call Your Mother) - Kyra talks about Space Oddity on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Andi Mack) - Peyton will be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.