SitcomsOnline Digest: Showrunner for The Grinder Exits Before Series Debut; CPO Sharkey Wrapping Up on DVD

Saturday, August 29, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: Showrunner for The Grinder Exits Before Series Debut; CPO Sharkey Wrapping Up on DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're still in the summer slowdown as the broadcast networks prepare for their fall season in just a few short weeks, but we're here with news about The Grinder, new seasons of American Dad! for TBS, and some news on DVD releases for CPO Sharkey and Grace Under Fire. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

The Fox fall series The Grinder hasn't even debuted yet, but it is already in need of a new showrunner. (Variety)
Hulu's Difficult People will be returning for a second season. (Hollywood Reporter)
Alison Sweeney has been a big part of NBC's The Biggest Loser since 2007, but she won't be back when the show returns for the new season. (Entertainment Weekly)
Paste Magazine has taken a look at what they consider to be the five funniest sitcoms from MTM Enterprises. (Paste)
TBS loves American Dad!, and they're proving it by giving it something Fox never gave it: three seasons that contain a true full season worth of episodes. (SitcomsOnline)
The Munsters will be coming to COZI TV in October. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Time-Life will be wrapping up CPO Sharkey with CPO Sharkey - Season Two on September 22.
TVShowsOnDVD.com reports that Grace Under Fire - The Complete Series will arrive on DVD in September, though an exact date is not yet known. The set is up for pre-order at Amazon's Canadian site, amazon.ca, which is showing a release date of October 6 (though there has been a lot of misleading info for VEI releases on Amazon's various sites in the past).

SEPTEMBER 1 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Good Times - The Complete Series (DVD, $44.98): Mill Creek brings fans this re-release of the complete series of the dy-no-mite series.
New Girl - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD, $29.95): The Fox sitcom returns to DVD with this release, though it is only available in DVD-R form from online retailers this time.
The Partridge Family - The Complete Series (DVD, $44.98): "C'mon get happy" with Mill Creek's re-release of the complete series of this classic series on DVD.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: David Alan Grier (Twitter), "Gentleman of leisure, raconteur, liar, con man, teller of tall tales."

Claim to Fame: David Alan Grier's true intention was to be a dramatic stage actor, and he did just that at first. In fact, he was so dedicated to that goal that he actually received a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 1981. But a few comedy guest appearances, along with some comedy movie appearances, eventually steered him into a different direction, and he took a hard turn to comedy with In Living Color. His work is almost solely in comedy these days, and he is currently starring in the NBC series, The Carmichael Show.

Pick of the Tweets: "Ya'll betts recognize! 18 Reasons “In Living Color” Was The Greatest Sketch Comedy Show Ever (link)" (August 5, 2015)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, November 25

The Goldbergs - "Eracism" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Adam sets out to create a movie that will tackle racism but realizes he is out of his depth on the subject due to his sheltered upbringing. Meanwhile, Geoff is determined to teach Erica and Barry to become better people.

American Housewife - "Homeschool Sweet Homeschool" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With Anna-Kat and Franklin (Evan O’Toole) home with mono, Katie seizes the opportunity to use them as the backdrop for her mommy vlog. And when Taylor’s first college paper comes back with an A, Greg questions her TA’s intentions. Meanwhile, Cooper (Logan Pepper) helps Oliver renovate the basement.

The Conners - "Friends in High Places and Horse Surgery" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Darlene begins to develop a friendship with a manager at Wellman Plastics, which lands her in an awkward situation between the boss and her sister, Becky. Meanwhile, Louise’s brother, Neville, tries to win over Jackie by making a thoughtful gesture, creating uncomfortable tension.

black-ish - "Babes in Boyland" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Dre and Bow find out that Diane has a secret social media account and realize that she’s not their little girl anymore. After reprimanding her but allowing Jack more flexibility, Diane calls them out for the double standard in how they are parenting. Meanwhile, Junior and Ruby come clean to their respective romantic partners about white lies they’ve told since the beginning of their relationships.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Out of Character" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
House of Payne is the hilarious comedy about Retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella. Together the loving couple navigate the problems of life with their quirky modern day family.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Add More Color" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mr. Brown gives Sandra advice on how to get what she wants and her outfit for school.

Family Time - "Thanks for the Ticket" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Thanksgiving is approaching, and family members come bearing more than just luggage.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 23)

Wednesday, November 25

Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly/Samantha Who?) - Watch Melissa on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She will also be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
The original cast of Saved by the Bell - The original cast of Saved by the Bell are guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren and Haskiri Velazquez talk about Peacock's Saved by the Bell in the 9am hour.
Rob Corddry - Rob will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Chris Rock (Everybody Hates Chris) - Chris appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Kal Penn (Sunnyside/Deadbeat/We Are Men) - Kal will be on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Tisha Campbell (Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) - Tisha is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
Ben Falcone (Nobodies/Joey) - Ben appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jean Smart (Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/High Society/Designing Women) - Jean will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jill Kargman (Odd Mom Out) - Jill co-pilots a special Thanksgiving-themed Drew's News on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace talks about Hallmark Channel's If I Only Had Christmas on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT and on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
John O'Hurley (Seinfeld/The Mullets) - John talks about NBC's The National Dog Show on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
Judy Greer (Kidding/Married/Mad Love/Miss Guided/Love & Money) - Judy talks about Uncle Frank on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Goldie Hawn (Good Morning World) - Goldie and Kurt talk about Netflix's The Christmas Chronicles 2 on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Marlo Thomas (That Girl) - NBC's Today has Thanks + Giving with Marlo in the 9am hour.