Saturday, August 08, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: Reboots of Norman Lear Classics?; That '70s Show Complete Series Blu-ray in the Works

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's been a somewhat busy news week (one of the few where we've actually had to limit what we can cover), but we're hear with even more news about potential reboots of classic sitcoms, the unpleasant things about the relationship between John Stamos and the Olsen twins, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • Reboots are all the rage these days, but even we are surprised that there is even talk of rebooting One Day at a Time and Good Times, though these still have a long process to go through before they become a reality (if they even do). (The Interrobang)
  • Every week, it seems, there are new updates on something related to Full House or John Stamos. This time, we learn a bit more about the relationship that John Stamos had with the Olsen twins, and is it turns out, it wasn't very pleasant. (Entertainment Weekly
  • Andrew Ridings, who has most recently appeared in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, has been cast in the starring role as Hayden Fox's son in NBC's upcoming Coach reboot. (Deadline)
  • Sometimes in sitcoms, characters (particularly children) age a little faster than usual. Now Modern Family is getting into the aging children by recasting the role of Joe. (Deadline)
  • Not only is Tracy Morgan recovering from the car accident he was in a little over a year ago, but it now appears that the FXX comedy that was in development before his accident may be rescued, with Morgan in the starring role. (Deadline)
  • John Stewart's final episode of The Daily Show did well in the ratings, but it was only the second largest audience for the series, with the largest audience coming for a 2008 episode featuring an interview with Barack Obama. (USA Today
  • I Dream of Jeannie is celebrating 50 years this year, and Antenna TV is giving it a special marathon next month. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
  • TVShowsOnDVD.com uncovered a bit of a pleasant surprise for fans of Blu-ray sitcoms this week, as they found a preorder listing for That '70s Show - The Complete Series on Blu-ray. It looks as if it will be released November 3.
  • 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 4 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Tracy Morgan (Twitter), "This is really Tracy Morgan"
Claim to Fame: Unlike many actors, Tracy Morgan's life did not start out so simple. His family life was not so great, and he was selling drugs after he dropped out of high school. But he was also trying comedy, and that really seemed to work for him. He eventually ended up with a recurring role on the sitcom Martin, before landing a regular role on Saturday Night Live. He eventually left Saturday Night Live to do his own sitcom, The Tracy Morgan Show. Unfortunately, that series was a dud, but it wasn't much later after that when he landed a starring role on 30 Rock. He was involved in a serious car accident last year, but is now recovering, and could be making a comeback to television soon.
Pick of the Tweets: "I am honored to be getting a walk of fame star.  I hope they put me next to my biological father Charlton Heston from Planet of the Apes!" (June 23, 2015)


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, May 21

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Funky Chili and Friends Who Take Their Clothes Off" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mandy and Jim butt heads when they take over the store for a sick Georgie and Ruben. Meanwhile, Audrey panics when Connor rekindles an old flame.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A New Beau and Someone Else's Mom’s House" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Georgie and Mandy take matters into their own hands when Mary starts warming up to Fagenbacher (Matthew Letscher). Also, Audrey struggles to cope with Connor’s absence.

Ghosts - "Up the Creek" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Woodstone’s future is put in jeopardy, Sam and Jay join forces with the ghosts to protect the mansion by securing its place in history.

Ghosts - "Across the Pond" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A trip abroad could determine Woodstone’s fate. Meanwhile, a major career opportunity takes Sam out of town, leaving others to step in and help with the ghosts.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 18)

Thursday, May 21

  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Watch the series finale of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Jake Johnson (Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed/Minx/New Girl) - Jake appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Andrew is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Maya Rudolph (Loot/Bless the Harts/Forever/Up All Night) - Maya appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) and Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Andy Cohen interviews Keke and Brooke on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
  • LaKeith Stanfield (Atlanta) - LaKeith chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Laurie Metcalf (Big Mistakes/The Conners/Roseanne/The McCarthys/The Norm Show) - Laure discusses Death of a Salesman on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Niecy Nash (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) - Niecy is Sherri's special guest on the final Sherri show, so check your local listings.
  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle stops by for a very special Sherri's Laugh Lounge on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a little bit extra from Drew-crewers Ross Mathews, Sunny Anderson and Valerie sharing their tips in the kitchen with knife skills 101, so check your local listings.
  • Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door/Living with Yourself/Wild Oats) and Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Paul and Nick can be heard on the Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
  • Judith Light (Who's the Boss?/Phenom/Transparent) - Judith talks about AMC+'s The Terror: Devil in Silver on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts) - Utkarsh talks about Ghosts on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD) The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)

11/04/25 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11/25 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11/25 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11/25 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02/25 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16/25 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16/25 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

05/21 - MeTV's The Golden Girls of Summer Event; Fox and JB Smoove Partnership
05/20 - Season 29 of South Park This Fall; All-New Peanuts on Apple TV
05/19 - FX Picks Up Very Young Frankenstein; Disney+ and Hulu Launching Adventure Time: Side Quests on June 29
05/18 - Apple TV Renews Margo's Got Money Troubles; Netflix Announces Crazy Guest Stars for Bad Thoughts Season 2
05/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 18, 2026)
05/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Stuart Fails to Save the Universe; A Different World Reboot Set for Fall Premiere
05/15 - Great Entertainment Television Acquires Happy Endings; Futurama Season 14 Launches August 3
05/14 - Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2026; Netflix Upfront 2026
05/13 - Prime Video 2026 Upfront; BET Announces Lot Patrol
05/12 - ABC Upfront 2026-27: Fall 2026 Schedule; ABC Summer 2026 Schedule
05/11 - NBC Upfront 2026-27: Fall 2026 Schedule; Fox Upfront 2026-27: Fall 2026 Schedule
05/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 11, 2026)
05/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Picks Up The Rockford Files and Two Comedies; King of the Hill Season 15 Premiere Date Set
05/08 - Hulu's Hannah Berner: None of My Business Special; Survival of the Thickest Returns July 2
05/07 - Highway to Heaven Reboot Coming to Fox in 2027-28; Hulu's Deli Boys Trailer
05/06 - King of the Hill Season 15 Premieres July 20; The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Renewed for Season 2
05/05 - Son of a Critch Renewed for Final Season; The Four Seasons Trailer for Season 2
05/04 - Hulu's Lisa Ann Walter: It Was An Accident Trailer; Netflix Announces Season 2 of Bad Thoughts
05/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 4, 2026)
05/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Cancels Stumble; Do You Want Kids? Not Going Forward at ABC
05/01 - ABC Renews Shifting Gears and Scrubs for 2026-27; AMC Upfront 2026
04/30 - Apple TV Season 5 of Trying; Netflix Announces Dad's House
04/29 - Ted Lasso Season 4 Premieres August 5; Heads Will Roll to Return on Audible
04/28 - The Big Bang Theory Spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Premieres in July on HBO Max; The CW Revives Private Eyes
04/27 - Hulu's Alice and Steve Premieres June 8; Prime Video Renews Hazbin Hotel for a Fifth and Final Season
04/26 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 27, 2026)
04/25 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Scooby-Doo: Origins; Clueless Sequel Series Not Going Forward at Peacock
04/24 - A Different World Sequel Wraps Production and Adds More Cast Members; Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Coming to ABC and Hulu in July
04/23 - Antenna TV's One Day at a Time and Rewind TV's 227 Mother's Day Marathons; Valerie Bertinelli's Lifetime Movie Love, Again Premieres May 9
04/22 - Stavros Halkias Returns to Netflix; CNN to Air Matt Friend Comedy Special Friday
04/21 - COZI TV Acquires Two and a Half Men and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper This May; Deli Boys Season 2 First Look