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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Saturday, June 7

The Conners - "It's Gonna Be a Great Day" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene celebrates her promotion, hoping it will allow her to spend more time with Ben; Jackie stumbles upon an opportunity to sue the pharmaceutical company responsible for Roseanne's addiction, which sparks a family debate.

The Conners - "Fame, Flying Fists and Cold Feet" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Conners get a taste of fame when their family restaurant is featured in a reality TV show, which inspires Becky to become an influencer; Jackie and Dan meet with a lawyer; Darlene connects with someone at The Lobo Lounge.

The Conners - "Applications, Accusations and a Man-Bag" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jackie decides to rejoin the police force despite everyone's concerns; Darlene grows more skeptical about Mark's secretive behavior; Dan and Becky wade through uncomfortable conversations about Roseanne's addiction issues and death.

The Conners - "Danny Boy, the Interview, the New Hire, and the Hanging Chad" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Dan sidesteps vulnerable emotions surrounding Roseanne's death ahead of an upcoming deposition; Becky prepares for a job interview; Harris impulsively hires a new server at the Lunch Box.

The Conners - "Exercise Bands, Money Plans, and Faraway Lands" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ahead of the deposition, Dan gets support from Jackie, Becky and Darlene; Mark is presented with an opportunity which leads to a major life decision; Becky and Tyler consider the next step in their relationship.

The Conners - "The Truck Stops Here" (ABC, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jackie prepares for a series of physical tests in an effort to rejoin the police force; Darlene confronts the insecurities in her marriage with Ben; Dan's deposition stirs up feelings; final farewells are made in true Conner family fashion.

Mind Your Business - "The Parent Trap" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Jordan enlists family members to help plan a romantic night when she thinks she overhears her parents talking about getting a divorce; Aaliyah and Mia become roommates.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 1)

Friday, June 6

Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door/Living with Yourself/Wild Oats) - Watch Paul on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Ike Barinholtz (The Studio/The Afterparty/Bless the Harts/The Mindy Project/Eastbound & Down) - Ike appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
David Oyelowo (Government Cheese), Bokeem Woodbine (Government Cheese/Battery Park) and Simone Missick (Government Cheese) - David, Bokeem and Simone are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney appears on Real Time with Bill Maher at 10pm on HBO.
Sarita Choudhury (And Just Like That...) - Sarita talks about And Just Like That... on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Mark Hamill (The Texas Wheelers) - Mark chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Brianne chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Steve Guttenberg (No Soap, Radio/Billy) - Steve talks about Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Andrew talks about I Don't Understand You on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
Lena Waithe (Master of None) and Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show/Cosby) - Lena and Phylicia talk about The Chi on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Mark Hamill (The Texas Wheelers) - NBC's Today catches up with Mark in the 9am hour.
Natasha Rothwell (How to Die Alone/Insecure) - Natasha talks about The White Lotus on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.