SitcomsOnline Digest: Tracy Morgan to Host Upcoming SNL Episode; Documentary Now! Renewed for Two New Seasons

Saturday, August 22, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: Tracy Morgan to Host Upcoming SNL Episode; Documentary Now! Renewed for Two New Seasons

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! After a few busy news weeks, things have slowed down this week, and there isn't even a single new rumor of a reboot of any series (though it is possible that there is something that we have missed!). But we do have news of Tracy Morgan hosting an upcoming Saturday Night Live episode, and a lot of news coming from Shout! Factory on new DVD releases. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Tracy Morgan has been recovering after being out of the spotlight for a year, and soon, he will be hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live when the new season returns. (Deadline)
The comedy series Documentary Now! debuted on IFC literally just this week, but before the first episode could even air, the network already renewed it for two more seasons. (Deadline)
Lifetime's Unauthorized Full House Story movie debuts tonight, and not surprisingly, expectations (and actual reviews) are unfavorable. (People)
Even though the video itself is about five years old, a "Seinfeld as a drama" video has been getting a lot of attention in the past day or two. (Vox)
Both Yvonne Craig and Bud Yorkin died this week. (SitcomsOnline)
The Facts of Life has been a hit on Logo (even if they have only been airing the same few episodes over and over again), so now, TV Land will be airing it too. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

November 10 will bring both Automan - The Complete Series and Manimal - The Complete Series from Shout! Factory, and although we're not certain, both sets appear to be Region 1 repackages of the excellent quality Fabulous Films releases from the United Kingdom.
Shout! released McHale's Navy as individual season sets a long time ago, in the years just before they were truly becoming a vintage TV-on-DVD powerhouse, and now they are finally getting around to putting together a complete series release with McHale's Navy - The Complete Series, set for a November 17 release.
If you skipped on the complete series releases for WKRP in Cincinnati and Maude, Shout! is moving ahead with individual releases, with WKRP in Cincinnati - The Complete Final Season and Maude - The Complete Third Season on November 10.

AUGUST 25 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

King of the Hill - Season 11 (DVD, $34.95): Olive Films puts the animated comedy series one step closer to completion with this release.
The Mindy Project - Season Three (DVD, $29.98): This set from Universal wraps up the final season of the series from Fox, though the fourth season with new episodes will debut on Hulu next month.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Neil Patrick Harris (Twitter, Facebook), "I act some. Dig variety acts, Pixar, puppets, prestidigitation, theme parks, my family and great meals. Not necessarily in that order."

Claim to Fame: Neil Patrick Harris started his career as Doogie Howser in the series Doogie Howser, MD. And honestly, that seemed to be the biggest thing that he would do at the time. But that was very, very wrong. He later went on to a role on the (mostly forgotten) NBC series Stark Raving Mad, but his biggest role has been that of Barney Stinson on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. And in between all of that, he has become a celebrity with talent that isn't just limited to one area of entertainment, though he keeps his television celebrity at the center of it all. This fall, he will have a variety series on NBC, Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris. And this week, he has beefed up his "social media" credentials by doing something that allows him to go beyond 140 characters... he has joined Facebook.

Pick of the Tweets: "I already miss David Letterman... #legendary" (May 21, 2015)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, January 22

The Goldbergs - "Game Night" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Geoff struggles to keep his living arrangement with Erica and Barry a secret from Beverly during game night, while Adam goes to his guidance teacher for a lesson in being cool so he can get closer to a new girl in chemistry class.

Schooled - "FeMellor" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Principal Glascott and Lainey struggle to agree on what is an appropriate dress code, while Coach Mellor struggles with his relationship with Julie as she does not enjoy sports like he does.

Modern Family - "Dead on a Rival" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Mitchell learns a valuable life lesson when Murray (Paul Dooley), a former resident of the house, shows up unexpectedly. Meanwhile, the Dunphy’s old neighbor-turned-tech-titan, Kenneth (Josh Gad), comes to visit with a big surprise for Phil. Then, Manny’s dad, Javier (Benjamin Bratt), shows up with a big opportunity for his son.

Single Parents - "Chunkies" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After Angie decides it’s finally time for Graham to meet his dad, Derek (Adam Brody), sickness overtakes the household. Derek is forced to either step in and help or head back out to his van. Meanwhile, when Sophie overhears some big news about Will and Tracy, she takes it upon herself to intervene; and the twins face their first professional failure.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 20)

Wednesday, January 22

John Mulaney (Mulaney) - Watch John on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Fortune Feimster (Bless the Harts/Life in Pieces/Champions) - Fortune visits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She will also be on Watch What Happens: Live at 9pm on Bravo.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He will also be on the BUILD Series at 12pm.
Charlie Hunnam (Undeclared) - Charlie is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse drops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers) - Steve appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Patrick Stewart (Blunt Talk) - Patrick chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. He also talks about Star Trek: Picard on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
Ashley Tisdale (Carol's Second Act/Merry Happy Whatever/Clipped/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Ashley appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Finesse Mitchell (Outmatched/A.N.T. Farm) - Finesse is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
Ilana Glazer (Broad City) - Ilana drops by The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jackée Harry (Tyler Perry's The Paynes/The First Family/Sister, Sister/227) - Jackée appears on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Boris Kodjoe (The Last Man on Earth/Second Time Around) - Boris gives the hosts a workout on E!'s Daily Pop at 12pm.
Erinn Hayes (Medical Police/Kevin Can Wait/Guys with Kids/Worst Week) - Erinn is a guest on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
BD Wong (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens/All-American Girl) and Lori Tann Chinn (Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens) - BD and Lori will be on the BUILD Series at 1pm.
Abby Elliott (Indebted/Odd Mom Out) and Jessy Hodges (Indebted) - Abby and Jessy are guests on the BUILD Series at 5pm.