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

    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

    Wednesday, February 18

    Abbott Elementary - "Team Building" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    The teachers prepare for the upcoming school year with new faces and big changes on the horizon.

    Abbott Elementary - "Cheating" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Melissa tries to outsmart her students; Tariq causes chaos in Janine’s class, and a new guidance counselor joins the school.

    Abbott Elementary - "Ballgame" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    The Abbott crew heads to the ballpark for Teachers’ Appreciation Night at the Philadelphia Phillies game.

    Abbott Elementary - "Game Night" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Gregory steps in to host game night at his apartment. Mr. Johnson, Ava, Barbara and Melissa head to the DMV to renew their licenses.

    Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Life Is Long" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    Calvin must come to terms with his breakup from Laura. Calvin encourages Malik to remain committed to their workouts.

    Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Figuring It Out" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    Anastasia is conflicted about continuing her walks with Reginald due to his memory loss; Detective Elliot warns Jeremy about a new DA on the case who plans to throw the book at the young robbers.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 16)

    Wednesday, February 18

    • Tyler Perry (House of Payne/Love Thy Neighbor) - Watch Tyler on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Kyle MacLachlan (Carol's Second Act/Sex and the City) - Kyle appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
    • Delroy Lindo (UNPrisoned) - Delroy talks about Sinners on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am. He also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Arielle Kebbel (Ballers) - Arielle talks about Marshals on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am. She also talks about her new film I Can Only Imagine 2 on Sherri, so check your local listings.
    • Wendell Pierce (The Odd Couple/The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber/The Brian Benben Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell talks about Elsbeth on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • Tracy Letts (Mr. Throwback/Divorce) - Tracy talks about Bug on
    • Regina Hall (Black Monday/Grandfathered/Married/Second Generation Wayans) - Regina tells Drew all about her action-packed film One Battle After Another on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Teri Hatcher (The Odd Couple/Sunday Dinner/Karen's Song/The Love Boat) - Teri is whipping up a delicious meal in the kitchen with her Desperately Devoted Podcast Co-Hosts onscreen daughter Andrea Bowen and real-life daughter Emerson Tenney on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
    08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
    09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
    10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
    11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
    01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
    03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (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

    02/17 - New Animated Comedy from Big Mouth Creators Coming May 22; Scottish Comedy Returns to Hulu February 25
    02/16 - Saturday Night Live Returns Following the Olympics on February 28; Fox Pays Tribute to James Van Der Beek on Wednesday
    02/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 16, 2026)
    02/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Trailer Released for Scrubs Reboot; Tubi to Add 100 Cartoon Series from Warner and Cartoon Network Library
    02/13 - Remembering James Van Der Beek of Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23; The Way Home Returns for Final Season in April on Hallmark
    02/12 - ABC's Scrubs Revival Trailer and Details; XO, Kitty Returns April 2 on Netflix
    02/11 - The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Gets Post Saturday Night Live Encore; Chris Fleming HBO Special
    02/10 - Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars Premiere Shifting by Two Weeks; Virgin River Season 7 Trailer
    02/09 - Shoresy Returns with Season 5; HBO Max Acquires Schitt's Creek
    02/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 9, 2026)
    02/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Roku Adds New Channels for Bernie Mac, Blossom, and Cougar Town; Catchy Comedy Introduces Catchy Loves Lucy
    02/06 - Rooster Premieres March 8 on HBO; MGM+ Comedy American Classic Trailer
    02/05 - NBC Unveils Trailer and Guest Stars for The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins; Adult Swim's Anime Series Rooster Fighter Premieres March 14
    02/04 - Netflix Renews A Man on the Inside for Season 3; Apple TV Premiere Date for Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
    02/03 - NBC Renews St. Denis Medical and Happy's Place for Season 3; Pilot Orders for Comedy Projects on NBC
    02/02 - Remembering Demond Wilson of Sanford and Son, Catherine O'Hara of Schitt's Creek, Yvonne Lime of Father Knows Best, and TV Director Bruce Bilson
    02/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 2, 2026)
    01/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Orders Pair of Comedy Pilots; Final Episode Airdate Announced for The Late Show
    01/30 - Jury Duty Returns March 20 on Prime Video; Katt Williams 4th Netflix Special
    01/29 - Season 4 of Ted Lasso Premieres This Summer; Shrinking Renewed for Season 4 as Season 3 Premieres
    01/28 - Nikki Glaser's New Hulu Special Premieres April 24; HBO Announces Late-Night Series
    01/27 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; New Evolution of The Handmaid's Tale Series
    01/26 - FETV Acquires '70s S.W.A.T. Series; Paramount+ Releases Date for Can You Keep a Secret? Comedy Series
    01/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 26, 2026)
    01/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kenan and Kel Back Together for Upcoming Movie; Amazon Barbershop Series Adds to Cast
    01/23 - CBS Renews 10 More Series for 2026-27; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Return Big in January
    01/22 - Dancing with the Stars Live Tour Starts TODAY; Beef Returns April 16
    01/21 - Prime Video's Bait Premieres March 25; Production Underway on Season 2 of Arctic-set Comedy North of North
    01/20 - Baywatch Casting Call for Reboot on Fox; Mike Epps Netflix Special Trailer
    01/19 - MGM+ Comedy Series American Classic; Taylor Tomlinson Returns to Netflix
    01/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 19, 2026)
    01/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Rockford Files Reboot at NBC; Daniel Stern Fired From ABC Comedy Pilot