Saturday, February 20, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: Tony Danza Cast in Greg Garcia NBC Pilot; Good Times Crowdfunded Movie in the Works?

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It has been a very active week of news this week, but we've narrowed it down to some of the (many) highlights, including news of new comedy pilots, a Good Times movie (?), and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • It has been 18 years since Tony Danza last starred in a sitcom (and, to be honest, 24 years since he starred in a successful sitcom), but now he is looking to end that streak with Sebastian, a Greg Garcia pilot being produced for NBC. (Hollywood Reporter)
  • That isn't Greg Garcia's only pilot in the works, as he also has a comedy in the works at CBS, tentatively titled Y'all in the Family. (Deadline) 
  • We're skeptical of a Good Times movie being in the works, particularly since it is a crowdfunded effort that would not involve Sony at all, but nonetheless, there is an effort to get one going. (Deadline)
  • The Mindy Project is set to return to Hulu with new episodes on April 12. (Splitsider)
  • Everybody wants to do live episodes these days, and in May, The Simpsons is going to go live for three minutes. (Hollywood Reporter)
  • Henry Winkler will be making a return to comedy in an HBO comedy pilot titled Barry, which will star Bill Hader as the title character. (AV Club)
  • Jimmy Fallon spent the past week in Los Angeles, and had many special visitors during his time there, including the cast of Full House, who produced a very special skit in character. (Time)
  • George Gaynes, best known to sitcom fans for his roles on Punky Brewster and Hearts Afire, died this week at age 98. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

    TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 17) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

    • Fargo - The Complete Second Season (DVD, $39.98; Blu-Ray, $49.99): The hit FX series returns to DVD with this release.

    FOLLOW ME

    Who to Follow: Bern Nadette Stanis (Twitter)
    Claim to Fame: Bern Nadette Stanis is best known for her role as Thelma Evans on the classic sitcom Good Times. In fact, that was her very first role on television or movies, as she managed to find success in her very first role. After Good Times, she went on to guest roles in series such as The Love Boat, What's Happening Now!!, The Cosby Show, and Girlfriends, among others. Recently, she has made news with her crowdfunding effort to produce a Good Times movie, as we mentioned today in our highlights.
    Pick of the Tweets: "I have a surprise for you. We are making a Good Times movie, I would love your support." (February 2, 2016)


    Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

    Tuesday, November 3

    Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Not Afraid" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
    Determined to face his fears alone, Philip returns to school; his family's covert intervention nearly lands them in jail, forcing everyone to confront trust, boundaries and unconditional love.

    Lot Patrol - "" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
    A squad of security guards patrol a Hollywood studio, wrangling unhinged actors, rogue crew members, and their own dysfunctional lives.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 2)

    Tuesday, November 3

    • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
    • Jane Leeves (Hot in Cleveland/Frasier/Throb) - Andy Cohen interviews Jane on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
    • Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry talks about Hexed and Detective Duck: The Mystery of the Flash Flood on ABC's GMA3 at 1pm.
    • Emma Roberts (Scream Queens/Unfabulous) - Emma drops by for a chat about FX's American Horror Story on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine talks about Nobody Wants This on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • David Zayas (The Bear) and Dominic Fumusa (Nurse Jackie) - David and Dominic will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
    • Awkwafina (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens) - Awkwafina talks about The Unlikely Chef on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.
    • Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer talks about NCIS on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
    • Timothy Simons (Nobody Wants This/HouseBroken/Veep) - Timothy can be heard on the Morning Mashup on SiriusXM.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD) The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray) The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
    01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
    03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
    04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
    04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
    05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
    07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
    07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
    07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
    09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


    Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

    11/03 - Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas 2026 Schedule; HBO Renews Youth for Season 2
    11/02 - Details on Only Murders Season 6; Haunted Hotel Renewed for Season 3
    11/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 2, 2026)
    10/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Criminal Minds Coming to an End; Baywatch Premiere Date Set
    10/30 - VH1 to Bring Back America's Funniest People Starring Ms. Pat; Remembering Barbara Barrie and Patrick Stewart
    10/29 - Peacock's Dig Trailer and Artwork; The CW 2026 Holiday Programming with A Very Brady Christmas, A Flintstone Christmas and More
    10/28 - ABC 2026 Holiday Programming; Remembering Susan Saint James of Kate & Allie
    10/27 - Fox's Baywatch Premieres January 6; aspireTV's First Sitcom Premieres January 7
    10/26 - COZI TV's Halloween Schedule with Roseanne, George Lopez, The Munsters and More; Chloe Radcliffe: Eyes Down Here Stand-up Special
    10/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 26, 2026)
    10/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Reboots in the Works for Coach and Glee; Saturday Night Live Sets November Hosts
    10/23 - Prime Video Renews Carrie for Season 2; Remembering Richard Riehle of Grounded for Life
    10/22 - Abbott Elementary Returns Big After 7 Day Viewing; BET Renews ComicView: Rooftop Series
    10/21 - Charmed Joining Hulu This Huluween; Prime Video's Comedy Variety Series Hosted by Nick Kroll
    10/20 - Hulu's Phony Premieres Today; Janelle James Netflix Comedy Special Drops November 10
    10/19 - Lil Kev Season 2 Premieres December 9; It's a Wonderful Lifetime 2026 Schedule
    10/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 19, 2026)
    10/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Picks Up Reboot for The X-Files; Roseanne Self-Produces New Sitcom
    10/16 - Christa B. Allen in Night of January 16th Play Through Sunday; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Bernie Orenstein
    10/15 - Guest Stars for Peacock's Comedy Dig; Apple TV Renews Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed for Season 2
    10/14 - HBO Brings Back Girls for 5 Episodes; Hulu's The X-Files Picked Up to Series
    10/13 - Full Cast for Three's Company Live Reading in New York City; High Potential to Air After Super Bowl on ABC
    10/12 - Bob's Burgers Holiday Special on Hulu; The Rookie and The Rookie: North Wednesdays on ABC in January
    10/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 12, 2026)
    10/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Colin Jost and Danny Chun to Launch Free Streaming Comedy; Paramount/Warner Merger Completed
    10/09 - Apple TV Comedy Stick Returns November 4; News from New York Comic Con 2026 Day One
    10/08 - FETV Acquires I Dream of Jeannie and The Bionic Woman; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 3, Before Season 2 Launch
    10/07 - More Live Three's Company Readings; Lucy Hale is Scarlett Holmes for Roku in 2027
    10/06 - NBC's Happy Place Season 3 Trailer; Apple TV's Imperfect Women Renewed for Season 2
    10/05 - A Different World to Return for Season 2 on Netflix; Prime Video's Barbershop Comedy Series Premieres February 10
    10/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 5, 2026)
    10/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: A Different World Renewed for Second Season; A First Look at Ted: The Animated Series