SitcomsOnline Digest: Preview of ABC's New Muppet Series; Candace Cameron Bure Possibly Joining The View

Saturday, July 25, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: Preview of ABC's New Muppet Series; Candace Cameron Bure Possibly Joining The View

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we've got a sneak preview of The Muppets, news of a Full House star joining The View on a regular basis, even more Mill Creek re-release news, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

The Muppets are coming soon to ABC, and producers are very eager for fans to get a preview of what is coming. So they have posted a 10 minute preview online. (IFC)
The View can't seem to get things together at all in recent years, and now, there are solid (but not fully confirmed) rumblings about adding Candace Cameron Bure (yes, D.J. from Full House) as a co-host. (Variety)
Sitcoms in the United States have featured gay characters for decades, but in China, such themes still can't be shown on television. But now, a sitcom called Rainbow Family (something being compared to both Will and Grace and Friends) has become a huge hit in China... but it can only be seen online. (Fusion)
Actor Alex Rocco, known to sitcom fans for his role on The Facts of Life, died this week at age 79. (NBC)
It looks as if Syfy is going to milk their Sharknado franchise for as much as they possibly can, as Sharknado 4 has already gotten the greenlight for next year. (Yahoo)
Changes are coming to MeTV this fall, including the addition of Matlock. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Moving ahead with re-releases of things previously released by Sony, it looks as if re-releases of the complete series of both Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie will be coming October 6 from Mill Creek.
Shout! Factory released Mr. Belvedere - Season Four as a Shout! Select release several years ago, but it seems these days that Shout! Select has ceased to exist and that all releases are coming through traditional retailers. While most of the older releases have not been released in such a manner yet, it looks like Mr. Belvedere - Season Four is on the verge of being released in that manner.

JULY 28 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Mama's Family - Mama's Favorites (Season 6) (DVD, $12.98): The classic Vicki Lawrence sitcom returns to DVD one last time with this "best of" release of episodes of the sixth season.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Jean-Luc Bilodeau (Twitter), "canadian actor dude"

Claim to Fame: We tend to neglect a lot of the cable sitcom stars on our Follow Me, but this week, we're featuring one, Jean-Luc Bilodeau. He is currently the star of the ABC Family sitcom Baby Daddy, where he plays a young man whose life is turned upside down when a baby (who turns out to be his daughter) shows up on his doorstep... sort of like cable's version of Raising Hope. This isn't the first ABC Family series for the Canadian actor, though. He first appeared as a regular on the series Kyle XY. Between the end of that series and the beginning of this series, he did a few Nickelodeon movies and a Disney Channel movie, and also made guest appearances on No Ordinary Family and Supernatural.

Pick of the Tweets: "Needless to say, we had a good time at the @abcfamily upfronts. #babydaddy shutting it down as usual. " (April 14, 2015)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 5

The Conners - "Driving, Dating and Deceit" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mark is anxious to get his driver’s license when a job opportunity presents itself across town. Darlene attempts to teach him to drive, but her frantic energy sends him running to Ben for help. Meanwhile, Harris meets a new guy online, whom Becky recognizes from her past.

The Golbergs - "Jenkintown After Dark" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Despite promising to keep distance from Brea so they can each establish themselves at college, Adam calls her, sending Beverly into a tailspin. Meanwhile, Joanne lands a coveted job at a posh Philly law firm and Barry takes full advantage of the perks of her new gig, blinding him from the reality of the situation.

Abbott Elementary - "Story Samurai" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A traveling storytelling troupe Jacob used to be in visits Abbott Elementary for a day of education and entertainment. Jacob can’t wait to share this part of his past with his colleagues; but when he realizes they think the performers are corny, Janine does her best to help him embrace his nerdy side. Meanwhile, Melissa struggles with the new normal of her combined second and third grade class.

Home Economics - "Sushi for Twelve, $482 Plus Delivery" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
With a house full of Hayworths, nothing is off limits for discussion – including Tom and Marina’s lives in, and out, of the bedroom. Connor’s patience as host is running thin so as a thank you, Sarah and Denise strategize a creative way to show their appreciation.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 3)

Wednesday, October 5

Kevin Nealon (Man with a Plan/Weeds/Hiller and Diller/Champs) - Watch Kevin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Kelly Ripa (Hope & Faith) - Kelly appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space), Ana Fabrega (Los Espookys) and Julio Torres (Los Espookys) - Fred, Ana and Julio are guests on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Lena Dunham (Girls) - Lena is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 3:30am on Bravo.
Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) - Lea is a guest on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Kal Penn (Sunnyside/Deadbeat/We Are Men/How I Met Your Mother) - Kal discusses his impressive journey from former White House staffer and actor to author, and why he chose to share details about his engagement to his fiancé, Josh, in his book, You Can't Be Serious, on Tamron Hall, so check your local istings.
Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts/White Famous) - Utkarsh talks about Ghosts on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Wendell Pierce (The Odd Couple/The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber/The Brian Benben Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell talks about Death of a Salesman on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Tamera Mowry-Housley (Sister, Sister/Roommates) - Tamera talks about You Should Sit Down For This on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.