SitcomsOnline Digest: Networks Prepare for Pilot Season; NBC Announced Return of The Carmichael Show

Saturday, January 23, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: Networks Prepare for Pilot Season; NBC Announced Return of The Carmichael Show

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! If you're completely snowed in this weekend, it might be a good time to catch up on some of your favorite series or binge watch some old classics that you may have missed before. Nonetheless, this week, we have news about pilot season, the return of a series that was a bit of a surprising summer success for NBC, several daytime program renewals, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Pilot season is creeping up on the broadcast networks already, and all of the networks are taking serious looks at several comedy series... but how many will we actually see make it to air? (Deadline)
NBC is preparing to bring back The Carmichael Show in March, where it will air in a Sunday night comedy block along with the new series Crowded. (TV Guide)
As Netflix prepares to bring back The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt for a second season, Tina Fey has made it clear that producing the series without the restrictions of a broadcast network censor (the first season was originally produced as a series for NBC) won't change the show, and that it'll still be a series that a mom can watch with her teenage daughters. (Deadline)
Live With Kelly and Michael has been renewed through the 2019-2020 TV season, along with a renewal for Who Wants to be a Millionaire? for the 2016-2017 season. (Hollywood Reporter)
Syndicated daytime game show Celebrity Name Game has been renewed for a third season. (Deadline)
Netflix has announced premiere dates for several new and returning series. (SitcomsOnline)

TUESDAY (JANUARY 26) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

The Facts of Life - Season Eight (DVD, $29.99): Another release for those who skipped on the previous complete series release, this set brings all of the eighth season episodes together in one set.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Beth Broderick (Twitter)

Claim to Fame: We had one aunt from Sabrina, the Teenage Witch last week (Caroline Rhea) and this week we've got the other one. Beth Broderick started out her career in some lesser known films, but by the late 80s and early 90s, she became busy with TV guest roles, on series including Matlock, Hooperman, Married... with Children, and more. She had a regular role on the short-lived Glory Days and appeared in series Hearts Afire. In 1994, she starred in The 5 Mrs. Buchanans, which only lasted for a season. She was cast in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch in 1996, and appeared on that series until 2003. Today, she still makes appearances in TV series on occasion, but does much more community theater and devotes herself to several great causes.

Pick of the Tweets: "Heading to the emergency shelter with Christmas in the sleigh (pic)" (December 22, 2015)