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)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, November 21

Young Sheldon - "The Sin of Greed and a Chimichanga from Chi-Chi’s" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The University makes George Sr. a lucrative job offer in the hopes of recruiting Sheldon. Also, Georgie gets a job working for Meemaw’s new boyfriend, and Mary is determined to rid her home of greed.

The Unicorn - "Turkeys and Traditions" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Wade and the girls tackle hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for friends and extended family. Also, Ben attempts to make a fried turkey for the very first time. Annie Mumolo guest stars as Aunt Allison, Wade’s opinionated and passive-aggressive sister-in-law who’s visiting for Thanksgiving.

Mom - "Hot Butter and Toxic Narcissism" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Christy regrets fleeing the scene after hitting a parked car. Also, Bonnie’s therapist, Trevor (Rainn Wilson), offers tools to help her better communicate with Adam.

Carol's Second Act - "Sick and Retired" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Carol’s dear friend Phyllis (guest star Jane Kaczmarek) is admitted to the hospital, and Carol jealously witnesses what retirement would have looked like for her. Also, Daniel takes credit for Caleb’s excellent diagnosis and is bothered when Caleb doesn’t seem to mind.

Superstore - "Curbside Pickup" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
As part of a new corporate initiative Dina is spearheading, Jonah, Cheyenne and other overworked employees have to rush items directly to shoppers’ cars. Amy’s brother, Eric (George Salazar), visits the store, and Amy thinks she sees a spark with Mateo. Garrett is impressed by a customer’s high-tech purchase.

Perfect Harmony - "Thanks-taking" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Jax convinces Arthur to join the choir's progressive Thanksgiving dinner and snoop in various choir members' homes to find a missing item. Meanwhile, Adams invites her handsome contractor to dinner as a set-up for Ginny, but he has something else in mind.

The Good Place - "The Answer" (NBC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
In an attempt to plan a better future, Chidi considers his past.

Will & Grace - "The Grief Panda" (NBC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
In the aftermath of Will (Eric McCormack) and McCoy breaking up, Grace (Debra Messing) and Jack (Sean Hayes) hire the Grief Panda to help Will process his pain. With Karen (Megan Mullally) completely occupied with her new baseball team, Grace believes that she has to fire Karen in order to set her free.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)

Thursday, November 21

Lena Waithe (Master of None) - Catch Lena on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Tom Papa (Come to Papa) and Fortune Feimster (The Mindy Project) - Tom and Fortune are panelists on Lights Out with David Spade at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.
Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever) - Fred is a guest on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Jamie Lee Curtis (Scream Queens/Anything But Love) - Jamie Lee chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. She also talks about Knives Out on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat) - Randall visits The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) - Eric is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls/Raising Dad) - Kat stops by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Jackée Harry (Tyler Perry's The Paynes/In the Cut/The First Family/Sister, Sister/227) - Jackée appears on The Real, so check your local listings. She also talks about OWN's Carole's Christmas on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Tisha Campbell (Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) - Tisha guest co-hosts The Real, so check your local listings.
Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney drops by The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Lil Rel Howery (Rel/The Carmichael Show) - Lil Rel is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - Sean talks about Will & Grace on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
Craig Bierko (Unhitched/Madman of the People/Sydney) - Craig wlll be on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.
Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) - Soleil talks about Lifetime's Staging Christmas on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Peter Porte (Baby Daddy) - Peter talks about Cherished Memories: A Gift to Remember 2 on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
Niecy Nash (The Soul Man/Getting On/Reno 911!) - Niecy appears on a repeat of LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.