SitcomsOnline Digest: Even More Reboots of Classic Sitcoms?; New NBC Pilots from Mike Schur and Tina Fey/Robert Carlock

Saturday, August 15, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: Even More Reboots of Classic Sitcoms?; New NBC Pilots from Mike Schur and Tina Fey/Robert Carlock

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Once again, it has been a busy news week, and of course there are even more highlights in the world of producers and networks thinking about what other classic series they can reboot. We've also got news on some new NBC series that aren't reboots (though they're from creators and producers familiar to NBC), two pieces of Tonight Show news that are about Jimmy and Johnny, and much more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

In our current era of reboots, everything that is old is new again, whether it is Coach, Full House, Boy Meets World, The X-Files, Twin Peaks, or one of the many others rumored to be rebooted. Now, Will Smith is talking about potentially rebooting The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and the chairman of NBC is talking about rebooting ALF... although we think he is only joking about ALF (or is he?). (Moviehole)
Even more from that "what's old is new again" department, although these aren't old shows being rebooted but rather shows from the creators of two familiar shows from recent years on NBC: the network has picked up two comedies, one from Parks and Recreation creator Mike Schur and the other from 30 Rock creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. (Hollywood Reporter)
Celebrity Apprentice is coming back in the 2016-2017, but not surprisingly, it won't be coming back with Donald Trump as the host, and NBC says they won't budge on bringing him back. (Deadline)
Sesame Street is changing addresses (sort of) as new episodes move to HBO beginning this fall, although older episodes will continue to air on PBS and the new ones will air on PBS several months after they air on HBO. (New York Times)
We're not exactly sure when Michael Bolton suddenly became sitcom star material, but he is now part of a sitcom in development at ABC that is being described as a Three's Company style comedy (though we should warn you that usually that the word "style" is often used too loosely when describing these things). (Yahoo!)
Jimmy Fallon has been a hit when it comes to hosting The Tonight Show, so it should come as no surprise that NBC was eager to sign a contract to keep him on the air through 2021. (New York Times)
However, Jimmy Fallon will be facing some competition in 2016, as Antenna TV brings back old episodes of Johnny Carson's version of The Tonight Show in January. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Though the remastered episodes appeared on Blu-ray three years ago, those who just want the DVDs can look forward to seeing The Dick Van Dyke - The Complete Remastered Series on November 10.
TVShowsOnDVD.com is reporting that the complete series of The Wonder Years will hit retailers on October 6, with both the limited edition locker packaging and a standard packaging.
It looks like Warner Archive is eager to just complete George Lopez as quickly as possible, with George Lopez - The Complete Fifth Season scheduled for August 18. It is also worth noting that the Warner Archive releases, unlike the earlier seasons which were released by Warner Home Video, include the original theme song.

AUGUST 18 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

George Lopez - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, $29.99): Warner Archive continues to fast track this sitcom on DVD, coming just a little over a month after the release of the fourth season and with only one season remaining after this one.
Mike and Molly - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, $24.98): The hit CBS comedy moves forward on DVD.
Welcome Back, Kotter - The Final Season (DVD, $29.93): Shout! Factory wraps up this classic on DVD, previously released as part of the complete series.
The Jeff Foxworthy Show - The Complete Series (DVD, $14.98): Sony previously released the entire series of this short-lived sitcom, and now Mill Creek is getting in on re-releasing it.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Billy Gardell (Twitter), "Stand up comic - #MikeandMolly - #MonopolyMillionaresClub-Forced to Tweet"

Claim to Fame: Obviously, Billy Gardell doesn't really like Twitter, but he is being forced to use it. We're not sure who is doing that. Anyway, the Mike and Molly star is indeed on Twitter. Gardell has gotten much of his fame through CBS sitcoms, beginning with a single episode of The King of Queens in 2000. He had a much bigger recurring role beginning in 2001 on the series Yes, Dear. Along with a lot of guest appearances here and there, including one key non-CBS recurring role on NBC's My Name is Earl, he really became best known from the series Mike and Molly, where he plays Mike. And on weekends, you may be able to find game show host Billy Gardell on the syndicated lottery series Monopoly Millionaires' Club, airing in states where the lottery game of the same name is offered.

Pick of the Tweets: "Mike and Molly fans we are picked up for season 6!!! THANK YOU! " (March 12, 2015)