SitcomsOnline Digest: Unauthorized Full House Story for Lifetime; Seinfeld Goes to Hulu; Unclear Future for CSI

Saturday, May 02, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: Unauthorized Full House Story for Lifetime; Seinfeld Goes to Hulu; Unclear Future for CSI

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Full House continues to be news thanks to a behind-the-scenes drama being made for Lifetime and some actual mini-drama involving the Olsen twins, Seinfeld has a new online home, and we're approaching that time of the year where we find out once and for all which shows will stay and which will go... and it isn't looking particularly good for one previously unstoppable procedural franchise on CBS. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Lifetime is trying to get in on the Full House mania right now by doing an unofficial movie about the drama behind-the-scenes, much like their Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story. (Deadline)
We mentioned a while back that Sony was trying to find an online home for Seinfeld, and this week, it seems that Hulu got those rights, in a $160 million deal valued around $875,000 per episode. (Variety)
CSI has been one of the defining series for CBS since it debuted in October 2000, but with a declining audience and increasing cost of production, most believe that the series is about to be put to rest forever. The question is whether it will get a proper ending with a short (as short as six episode) season next year, or was the season finale that aired in February have been the last episode ever? (Deadline)
When the NBC series Aquarius debuts later this month, the network is going to try a new approach for a broadcast network sitcom by making all 13 episodes available for immediate binge viewing on video on demand, before the remaining episodes even air on NBC. (Variety)
The entire world knew about the Full House reboot, Fuller House, except for the Olsen twins apparently. But John Stamos isn't buying that. (ABC News)
Actress Suzanne Crough, best known for her role on The Partridge Family, died this week at age 52. (NY Times)
Antenna TV is planning to celebrate Mother's Day with a 40 episode One Day at a Time marathon. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHT

While some series have remained completely unreleased on DVD, The Abbott and Costello Show is about to be released on DVD for a third time on June 9, with The Abbott and Costello Show - The Ultimate Collection.
Mill Creek has another Sony re-release, with Archie Bunker's Place - Season One on July 7.

RECENT REVIEWS ON SITCOMSONLINE.COM

Growing Pains - The Complete Fourth Season: Our DVD reviews "come out of a coma" after a long hiatus with this review of the recent Warner Archive release featuring the season of Growing Pains that brought the birth of a Seaver, a new stepfather for Jason, a new girlfriend (and fiance?) for Mike, and a serious life moment for Carol. The episodes only set looks fine for the most part, although there are some defects on the menu navigation on the first disc.

MAY 5 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Cheers - The Complete Series (DVD, $117.99): CBS puts all eleven seasons of the classic series together in one set for the first time ever.
The Fugitive - The Complete Series (DVD, $79.99): CBS re-releases the complete series of this show, without the bonus disc included in the previous complete series release.
Parenthood - Season 6 (DVD, $39.98): The final season of the NBC drama comes together in this final DVD release of the series; Parenthood - The Complete Series (DVD, $119.98) also available.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Zachery Ty Bryan (Twitter)

Claim to Fame: While Zachery Ty Bryan started out in some advertising spots when he was younger, he came into his best known role when he was only 10 years old, playing oldest son Brad Taylor on the hit ABC sitcom Home Improvement. Following that series, he has mostly done a lot of guest starring roles, on series such as Boston Public, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars, Cold Case, and Burn Notice. These days, he is dabbling in behind-the-scenes work in production. And, if you read his Twitter feed, you'll see that all of that love for soccer that he had on the series wasn't just made-for-TV, it is something that is a real thing in his life. That isn't his only sports connection: his second cousin is former NFL quarterback Brady Quinn.

Pick of the Tweets: "Home Improvement Swag -- #ThrowbackThursday http://instagram.com/p/ZX_6FJzhk2/" (May 16, 2013)

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.