SitcomsOnline Digest: Analyzing the Fall Season for the Broadcast Networks; More Community DVDs Coming Soon

Saturday, January 02, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: Analyzing the Fall Season for the Broadcast Networks; More Community DVDs Coming Soon

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! The week between Christmas and the new year is always one of the slowest news weeks of the year, so we don't have a whole lot for you. But we do have a look back at how the networks did for the fall season (compared to fall 2014), recent news (as in this afternoon) of the death of a star from Archie Bunker's Place, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Deadline has analyzed the ratings for the fall season for the broadcast networks, comparing fall 2014 to fall 2015. However, it seems that none of the networks have anything to be particularly excited about. (Deadline)
Jason Wingreen, who played Harry the bartender on All in the Family and Archie Bunker's Place, has died at age 95. (Entertainment Weekly)
Not every show is a top 20 hit, and TV by the Numbers has a look at the series that are rounding out the bottom, some of which keep going on regardless. (TV by the Numbers)
Pop TV is bringing sitcom fans a classic TV favorite, as they have added I Love Lucy to their lineup. (SitcomsOnline)
Earlier this week, we had a look back at all of the sitcom stars that we lost in 2015. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Community moved from NBC to Yahoo! Screen for the sixth season, and fans may have been wondering if the series would continue on DVD. As it turns out, it will, with Community - The Complete Sixth Season arriving on March 8.

TUESDAY (DECEMBER 29) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Season 10 (DVD, $29.98): The FXX series continues on DVD with this release.
Party of Five - The Complete Series (DVD, $69.98): Mill Creek releases the complete series of the teen drama from the 90s.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Tim Allen (Twitter), "Santa? Buzz Lightyear? The Tool Man? Mike Baxter? Hey, I’m still that wisecracking kid from the Midwest, looking for answers to life’s big questions."

Claim to Fame: Tim Allen started his career as a standup comedian in 1975, but his career really took off in 1991 when he was cast in the starring role in the TV series Home Improvement. The series was sort of an unexpected hit and became one of the biggest series of the 90s. He has also tried his hand at movie roles, and found some major successes with The Santa Clause and Toy Story. Currently, he stars as Mike Baxter in the ABC series Last Man Standing.

Pick of the Tweets: "Behind the Last Man Standing set, waiting to go on #LastManStanding (pic)" (October 5, 2015)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 21

The Goldbergs - "Airplane!" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Beverly surprises the family with an end-of-summer vacation to Miami with the flight down resembling the classic film, and Geoff accidentally spills to Erica the real reason for the trip.

The Goldbergs - "The Prettiest Boy in School" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Adam, now a senior, returns to William Penn Academy as he wrestles with the fact that he is a cool kid and no longer a nerd while his original friend group isn’t as lucky. Meanwhile, Beverly attempts to have a more grown-up relationship with Erica and Barry before they head back to college.

The Conners - "Keep on Truckin' Six Feet Apart" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Conners are back and dealing with the pandemic, and life’s financial troubles loom over the family. Dan is still trying to catch up on back-mortgage payments and avoid a potential eviction, while the Lunch Box is closed for everything but takeout and delivery. Becky and Darlene are both forced to search for additional income at the newly reopened Wellman Plastics plant.

black-ish - "Hero Pizza" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The season premiere of “black-ish” takes us to the beginning of the global pandemic for the Johnsons. As a first responder, Bow receives her family’s praise for her work, with Junior being her biggest fan. But over time, the family loses their enthusiasm, and Bow discovers someone in her house is breaking the quarantine lockdown rules. Meanwhile, Dre tries to convince everyone that he too is an essential worker.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Moving On" (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 - "Mary Jane" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Leah learns that Mr. Brown has cut down Vinny's plants in the back yard.

Family Time - "Somebody's Watching Me" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Tony and Donnie spy on Ebony and her new boyfriend; Lori is recruited to be the face of hair care.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 19)

Wednesday, October 21

Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish/Girlfriends) - Watch Tracee on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. She will also be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Eric Andre (Man Seeking Woman/Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - Eric appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Eva Longoria (Telenovela) - Eva will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Susan Kelechi Watson (Louie) - Susan is a guest on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig will be on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Sara Gilbert (The Conners/Living Biblically/Bad Teacher/Welcome to New York/Roseanne) - Sara appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) - Sarah is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Marlon Wayans (Marlon/The Wayans Bros.) - Marlon talks about On the Rocks on The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Lauren Ash (Superstore/Super Fun Night) - Lauren appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Brandy talks about her struggle with depression, new music and what's next on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Michelle Buteaun (First Wives Club) - Michelle talks about raising twins, relocating to London with her family to tape next season of her hit show The Circle, her new book and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric talks about CBS's The Greatest #AtHomeVideos on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Tim Robbins (The Brink) - Tim talks about the Bobbo Supreme podcast on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Teri Polo (I'm with Her/Man Up!) and Blythe Danner (Adam's Rib/Tattingers) - Teri, Blythe and the cast of Meet the Parents reunite on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Jane Lynch (Angel from Hell) - Jane talks about Weakest Link on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.