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

    Wednesday, February 4

    Shifting Gears - "Surprise" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    Matt revs his love life back up only to find the road rockier than expected. Meanwhile, a chance romantic moment has Riley and Gabe questioning the nature of their relationship. Jenna Elfman, Jesse Williams, Angela Kinsey and Mookie Betts guest star.

    Abbott Elementary - "Candygrams" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    It’s Valentine’s Day at Abbott, and the teachers find themselves meddling in students’ love lives while navigating their own.

    The Muppet Show (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
    Music, comedy and a lot of chaos ensues when Kermit, Miss Piggy and the beloved Muppet gang once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre with their very special guest, Sabrina Carpenter.

    Abbott Elementary - "Picture Day" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    When picture day catches the teachers at Abbott by surprise, chaos ensues.

    Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Good As Gold" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    Ella imparts wisdom and reassurance to her baby boy. Janine and Jazmine schedule much needed mommy daughter time.

    Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Twenty-One" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    Sandra and Philip try to find the best way to celebrate their parents' anniversary; the assisted living facility puts on a manhunt for Reginald, who is still missing.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 2)

    Wednesday, February 4

    • Kate Hudson (Running Point) - Watch Kate on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Nick is a musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Laura Benanti (Life & Beth/Younger/The Detour/Go On/Starved) - Laura makes a special appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
    • Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory/8 Simple Rules/Ladies Man) - Kaley appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat talks about BET+'s The Ms. Pat Show on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
    • Miss Piggy (The Muppets) - Miss Piggy discusses The Muppet Show on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
    • Tisha Campbell (Act Your Age/Uncoupled/Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) - Tisha discusses her new Lifetime movie Be Happy on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
    • Method Man (Method & Red) - Method Man talks about Relationship Goals on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
    • Craig Ferguson (The Drew Carey Show) - Craig talks about Scrabble on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • Michael Imperioli (This Fool/Alex, Inc.) - Drew talks to Michael about his new series Memory of a Killer on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Dove Cameron (Schmigadoon!/Liv and Maddie) and Avan Jogia (56 Days) - Dove and Avan talk about about Prime Video's 56 Days on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
    08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
    09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
    10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
    11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
    01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
    03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (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

    02/04 - Netflix Renews A Man on the Inside for Season 3; Apple TV Premiere Date for Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
    02/03 - NBC Renews St. Denis Medical and Happy's Place for Season 3; Pilot Orders for Comedy Projects on NBC
    02/02 - Remembering Demond Wilson of Sanford and Son, Catherine O'Hara of Schitt's Creek, Yvonne Lime of Father Knows Best, and TV Director Bruce Bilson
    02/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 2, 2026)
    01/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Orders Pair of Comedy Pilots; Final Episode Airdate Announced for The Late Show
    01/30 - Jury Duty Returns March 20 on Prime Video; Katt Williams 4th Netflix Special
    01/29 - Season 4 of Ted Lasso Premieres This Summer; Shrinking Renewed for Season 4 as Season 3 Premieres
    01/28 - Nikki Glaser's New Hulu Special Premieres April 24; HBO Announces Late-Night Series
    01/27 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; New Evolution of The Handmaid's Tale Series
    01/26 - FETV Acquires '70s S.W.A.T. Series; Paramount+ Releases Date for Can You Keep a Secret? Comedy Series
    01/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 26, 2026)
    01/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kenan and Kel Back Together for Upcoming Movie; Amazon Barbershop Series Adds to Cast
    01/23 - CBS Renews 10 More Series for 2026-27; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Return Big in January
    01/22 - Dancing with the Stars Live Tour Starts TODAY; Beef Returns April 16
    01/21 - Prime Video's Bait Premieres March 25; Production Underway on Season 2 of Arctic-set Comedy North of North
    01/20 - Baywatch Casting Call for Reboot on Fox; Mike Epps Netflix Special Trailer
    01/19 - MGM+ Comedy Series American Classic; Taylor Tomlinson Returns to Netflix
    01/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 19, 2026)
    01/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Rockford Files Reboot at NBC; Daniel Stern Fired From ABC Comedy Pilot
    01/16 - Ted Season 2 Trailer Released; Remembering T.K. Carter of Punky Brewster, TV Director Tom Cherones, and Others We Recently Lost
    01/15 - The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Gets Special Preview; ABC Midseason Changes for Monday and Tuesday Night Lineups
    01/14 - NBC Orders Pilots, Including The Rockford Files; The CW to Premiere Celebrity Series
    01/13 - 83rd Golden Globe Winners; Tubi's Upcoming YA Film Slate
    01/12 - Peacock's The 'Burbs Trailer; The Jeff Foxworthy Show Launch Back on COZI TV
    01/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 12, 2026)
    01/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Henry Winkler to Star in NBC Legal Comedy Pilot; First Look at Peacock's The 'Burbs
    01/09 - HBO's Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! Documentary with Interviews Including Rob Reiner; 83rd Annual Golden Globes Presenters
    01/08 - Netflix Orders Nick Kroll Comedy Series; Saturday Night Live January 2026 Hosts and Music Guests
    01/07 - Saturday Night Live Bobbleheads from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum; Fox Entertainment Signs Tracee Ellis Ross to Deal
    01/06 - Emily in Paris Renewed for Season 6; Audible's New Comedy Series Starring Jenifer Lewis, Cedric the Entertainer, and Niecy Nash-Betts
    01/05 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; Season 3 of Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal on Adult Swim
    01/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 5, 2026)