SitcomsOnline Digest: New Greg Garcia Sitcoms in the Works at NBC and Fox; Last Man Standing Season Four Arrives on DVD

Saturday, October 10, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: New Greg Garcia Sitcoms in the Works at NBC and Fox; Last Man Standing Season Four Arrives on DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we've got news of two new projects in development from the creator of My Name is Earl and Raising Hope, new Last Man Standing DVDs, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Greg Garcia, creator of some of some of broadcast TV's quirkier cult favorite sitcoms, is back at it again with new projects at both NBC and Fox, Letters to Beyonce and The Pack. (Deadline)
Bill Lawrence has been part of the sitcom scene for over two decades now, and he even set his expectations low when NBC debuted his current series Undateable as a summer burn-off. Last night, the series began a third season of all live episodes, and he discusses some of the new challenges of creating a sitcom. (Vanity Fair)
Jay Leno may not be part of The Tonight Show (and he probably won't be back for a third time), but it also sounds like he won't be leaving TV either, as his new CNBC series, Jay Leno's Garage, gave the network their biggest audience ever. (Deadline)
Nancy Drew could be the next thing to be rebooted at CBS. (Hollywood Reporter)
Bob's Burgers appeared to be an unceremonious burn-off series destined for quick cancellation when it debuted in 2011, but it has evolved into a piece of the Fox Sunday night lineup that is as reliable as The Simpsons and Family Guy as it has now been renewed for a seventh and eighth season. (SitcomsOnline)
ABC Family is the fifth name that one particular cable network has had in the past 30 years (and it is also the longest running name for the network), but now it is set to be rebranded as Freeform next year. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

It was somewhat expected, but on Thursday, Last Man Standing - The Complete Fourth Season arrived on DVD as a MOD title.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Twitter), "In State of reasonably confused refreshment."

Claim to Fame: Believe it or not, we're actually continuing our theme of "stars of the new season" this week, even if you think we're talking about Zack Morris. Of course, that Saved by the Bell character is something that Mark-Paul Gosselaar will always be known for, and he doesn't seem to mind. That does not distract from the fact that he has successfully transitioned into an adult actor, though. In recent years, he has had starring roles in NYPD Blue, Raising the Bar, and Franklin & Bash. He also had a very memorable single appearance in Weeds, an appearance which we don't feel comfortable describing in an all-ages blog. But now, he is returning to comedy next week on NBC, as he stars in their latest sitcom, Truth Be Told.

Pick of the Tweets: "You all rock! Thanks for the love and support. Hope you also enjoy #TruthBeTold and if you don't...keep it to your damn self!!! Cheers. @nbc" (September 29, 2015)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, March 12

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Big Birthday and Tequila Shots" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mandy struggles to celebrate Georgie’s 21st birthday after hitting a rough patch in her career.

Ghosts - "St. Hetty’s Day 2: The Help" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A St. Patrick’s Day staffing emergency gives Hetty the chance to step into an unlikely role at the restaurant as she regains her once-a-year ability to be seen and heard by the living. Meanwhile, Kyle returns to watch over the ghosts and finds himself caught in an amusing supernatural dynamic.

Animal Control - "Squirrels and Fat Cats" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Frank uncovers Emily and Shred's secret romance during a break-in at city supply; Victoria and Patel confront his daughter's school bully.

Going Dutch - "Tinker, Tailor, Colonel, Spy" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Rick takes a sabbatical from the CIA and returns to the base, hoping to rekindle his strained relationship with Capt. Maggie; paranoia runs high when a mole is suspected to be operating inside the base.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 9)

Thursday, March 12

Will Forte (The Four Seasons/HouseBroken/MacGruber/The Last Man on Earth/The Cleveland Show) - Catch Will on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Minnie Driver (Emily in Paris/Speechless/About a Boy) - Minnie is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Robert Smigel (Let's Be Real) - Robert stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Kristin Chenoweth (Stumble/Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Andy Cohen interviews Jennifer on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan talks about Broadway's Death of a Salesman with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) - Ariana joins Tamron to talk about her fashion evolution and her role in the all-star cast of the new series Scarpetta on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Lauren Graham (The Z-Suite/M.Y.O.B./Conrad Bloom/Townies/Good Company) - Lauren talks about Reminders of Him on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - NBC's Today catches up with Valerie in the 10am hour.
Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil and Lily Rosenthal join Drew for a taste test of weird foods and talk about their children's book Just Try It! Someplace New! (A Phil & Lil Book) on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.