SitcomsOnline Digest: The Wiz Live! Does Well for NBC; The Brady Kids and More Coming from CBS DVD

Saturday, December 05, 2015

SitcomsOnline Digest: The Wiz Live! Does Well for NBC; The Brady Kids and More Coming from CBS DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! News becomes a bit slow this time of the year, but we're here nonetheless with some ratings news, some upcoming DVD releases from CBS, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

The Wiz Live! was a ratings success for NBC, continuing the network's streak of success with live musical specials. (Variety)
In the late night talk battle between Fallon versus Colbert, it seems that Fallon is continuing to win when it comes to ratings. (Deadline)
Sony is known for remaking American series all over the world, and the latest is a Chinese version of Mad About You. (Fusion)
Sumner Redstone isn't a household name, but the media mogul serves as chairman of both Viacom and CBS (through marriage and after divorce), and has been at the top of Viacom for nearly three decades. Now, at age 92, he is involved in a battle over whether he is mentally capable of staying in that position. (Reuters)
ABC has mostly been able to keep Wednesday nights for themselves when it comes to comedy, but now CBS is preparing to take them on. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

CBS is preparing to release one of the more obscure Brady Bunch spinoffs on DVD with The Brady Kids - The Complete Series on February 16.
CBS will also be releasing a re-release of The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Series on February 16, without the bonus disc that was included on the previous release.
Rounding out the February 16 CBS slate is Sabrina, the Teenage Witch - The Complete Series.

DECEMBER 8 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Family Guy - Season Thirteen (DVD, $22.99): The Fox animated series returns to DVD with all of the episodes from the 2014-2015 season.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Cindy Williams (Twitter), "The official Twitter account for actress Cindy Williams. My book -- Shirley, I Jest! -- is available everywhere!"

Claim to Fame: Cindy Williams got her start in some commercials and a few guest appearances on series such as Room 222 and Nanny and the Professor, but it was a 1975 guest appearance on Happy Days that made a big difference, where she first played Shirley Feeney. Of course, that role made it into the spinoff, Laverne & Shirley, which she starred in until the last season (her character was later written out). After that, she did several made-for-TV movies, and also had a few short-lived series. Most recently, she appeared in a guest role in the series Sam & Cat, along with Penny Marshall.

Pick of the Tweets: "Just finished photo shoot for Closer Magazine with all my animals including THE REAL BOO BOO KITTY! Look for it in April. xo Love Cindy" (March 11, 2015)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 20

The Goldbergs - "An Itch Like No Other" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
With Beverly’s encouragement, Mr. Glascott moves in next door to the Goldbergs and slowly goes from friendly neighbor to cluelessly intrusive. Adam and Murray become increasingly disgruntled while Beverly comes up with a plan to occupy Mr. Glascott’s time with a new friend, Mr. Woodburn. Meanwhile, Barry lands in urgent care with a case of poison ivy in a compromising area – his rear end. Erica and Geoff are called to task to take care of Barry and his ridiculous demands – inadvertently testing their parenting skills and patience with one another.

The Wonder Years - "The Lock In" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dean is reluctant to attend the annual church lock-in until Kim tells him it’s where she got her first kiss. He enlists his friends to help him pair up with Keisa, but his plans are thwarted when he instead gets paired up with the pastor’s daughter, Charlene.

The Conners - "Trucking Live in Front of a Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience -- East Coast" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Lights, Camera, Action: “The Conners” is going live for both the East and West Coast broadcasts of the season four premiere episode. This iconic TV family continues to deal with the current pandemic while navigating breakups and newfound sobriety, all while planning an upcoming wedding.

Home Economics - "Giant Jenga, $120" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tom spirals when Connor dates a woman who broke his heart at summer camp. Then, family game night becomes an all-or-nothing competition between Marina and Denise.

Superstar - "Robin Williams" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The new episode recounts his life through Robin Williams’ own voice, describing “the spark of madness” which defined his life. From his early days in the San Francisco Bay Area comedy scene to his meteoric rise on “Mork & Mindy,” the one-hour special explores the experiences that made Williams into a one-of-a-kind talent and reveals what gave voice to the characters in his mind. It also chronicles the creative force driving critically acclaimed films like “Good Will Hunting” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as fan favorites such as “Aladdin.” The special explores his personal struggles, including substance abuse and depression, and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia before his tragic death in 2014. “Superstar: Robin Williams” features interviews with famous comedians and actors who knew and admired Williams, including Margaret Cho, Howie Mandel, Lewis Black, Jimmie Walker, Paula Poundstone, Gina Hecht and Pauly Shore, as well as Barry Levinson, director of multiple films starring Williams including “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The program also contains interviews with Williams from the ABC News archives, in which he opens up about his life and the highs and lows of his distinguished career.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 18)

Wednesday, October 20

Rami Malek (The War at Home) - Watch Rami on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Issa Rae (Insecure) - Issa appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jamie Foxx (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Jamie Foxx Show) - Jamie appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Debra Messing (Will & Grace/Ned & Stacey) - Debra talks about her latest project: how self-care can change the world on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) and Clint Howard (Gung Ho) - Ron and Clint discuss their new book, The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Amy Sedaris (No Activity/BoJack Horseman/Strangers with Candy) - It's a TV exclusive with sister and brother duo Amy and David Sedaris appearing together for the first time on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) - Jeremy talks about FBI on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
David Eigenberg (Sex and the City) - David talks about NBC's Chicago Fire on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick talks about Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.