Pop 2016 Upfront; Melrose Place Themed Episode of Fresh Off the Boat on April 5

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Pop 2016 Upfront; Melrose Place Themed Episode of Fresh Off the Boat on April 5

Last week we told you about the new docu-comedy series starring Christine Lakin, Jodie Sweetin and Beverly Mitchell, now we have more news from Pop (formerly known as TV Guide Network). Pop, a television network seen in more than 80 million homes with original programming that celebrates what fans are excited about, announced its 2016-2017 upfront slate, which showcases premium original series, award-winning talent and programming that taps into cultural trends and topics. The network's upfront programming line-up includes more than 400 hours of original content and a diverse mix of eight original shows, including: the two original scripted comedies Schitt's Creek and Nightcap; the previously mentioned Hollywood Darlings, a new docu-comedy spotlighting child stars of the '90s; the return of Sing It On, Rock this Boat: New Kids on the Block and Unusually Thicke; pop culture game show Easiest Game Show Ever; and the fan-engaged, live late night after-show Big Brother After Dark.

In the new comedy Nightcap, a clever, over-the-top culture-commentary comedy that dives into the hilarity that ensues behind-the-scenes of a fictitious late-night talk show, The Nightcap with Jimmy. The 10-episode original scripted comedy series stars Ali Wentworth (In Living Color, Head Case) and features a mix of improvisational actors and real-life celebrities. Each half-hour episode covers the hectic minutes prior to a live airing of a late-night talk show, which are fraught with insanity, urgency, absurdity, laughter and lip-sync rehearsals. Produced by Ali Wentworth, Tom Brunelle and Brad Wollack, Zero Point Zero and Troy Miller/Dakota Films for Lionsgate, Nightcap is set to premiere summer 2016. As for Alan Thicke's series, it will return on Pop fall 2016. Season two of Unusually Thicke will include 14 episodes featuring buzzworthy storylines and appearances from Alan's celebrity friends, including Lou Ferrigno, Wayne Brady, Cedric the Entertainer, Lance Bass, Russell Peters, Kato Kaelin, Jon Dore, Dave Foley, Alex Trebek, Cat Cora and Robin Thicke. An finally, Pop is in development on its third original scripted comedy series, The Joey McIntyre Project (working title). The network has completed a half-hour pilot starring Joey McIntyre as a fictionalized version of himself. The show catches up with Joey in an attempt to branch out from his New Kids on the Block fame and continue towards his goal of becoming a serious actor.

Fresh Off the Boat

ABC's hilarious '90s themed comedy Fresh Off the Boat will have a very special episode on Tuesday, April 5, as it pays homage to a '90s classic. Jessica (Constance Wu) is obsessed with the primetime soap Melrose Place and is beside herself when the season comes to an end. So to fulfill her need for drama, Jessica and Honey (Chelsey Crisp) do some snooping and discover a juicy secret about Deidre (guest star Rachel Cannon). Meanwhile, Louis (Randall Park) and Eddie (Hudson Yang) help Emery (Forrest Wheeler) find a way to channel negative emotions. And to top off the Melrose Place themed episode, Melrose Place alum Courtney Thorne-Smith will guest star! Nothing more is being said, so perhaps she will be in character as Alison Parker or as herself? Stay tuned on Tuesday, April 5 at 8pm on ABC!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, October 29

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "The Devil’s Interval and a British Stripper" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Georgie and Mandy are caught in the crossfire between their moms over CeeCee’s Halloween costume, and Missy (Raegan Revord) and Mary (Zoe Perry) clash over her Halloween plans.

Eternally Yours - "Halloween" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Up for a promotion at her teaching job, Liz invites her boss and his wife over for drinks on Halloween, when they arrive dressed in stereotypical vampire costumes, much to Charles’ annoyance. Also, the coven fears Max has placed them in danger of a werewolf attack when he inadvertently uses an ancient protective relic as a candy bowl for trick-or-treaters and it goes missing.

Ghosts - "Halloween 6: The Mirror – Part One" / "Halloween 6: The Mirror - Part Two" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A couple of months after Pete’s disappearance, while Sam is in Australia on the set of her new film, Polar Opposites, Kyle (new series regular Ben Feldman) steps up to help baby-sit the ghosts. Also, Hetty is unexpectedly reunited with her estranged sister, Margaret (guest star Maria Thayer), and Bela throws an unconventional Halloween bash at Woodstone.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 26)

Thursday, October 29

Christopher Lloyd (Taxi/Stacked) - Catch Christopher on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Veronika Slowikowska (Tires/Davey & Jonesie's Locker/What We Do in the Shadows) - Veronika appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Rose Byrne (Platonic/Physical) - Rose is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons), Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) and Will Arnett (Murderville/Arrested Development/Flaked/The Millers/Up All Night/Running Wilde) - Jason, Sean and Will talk about the "Smartless" podcast on NBC's today sometime between 7-9am.
David Alan Grier (St. Denis Medical/Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Cool Kids/The Carmichael Show/Bad Teacher/Life with Bonnie/DAG) - NBC's Today catches up with David in the 9am hour.
Meagan Good (Cousin Skeeter/Raising Dad) - Meagan talks about Reasonable Doubt on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Sophia Bush (Partners) - Sophia talks about And I Will Tell You Mine: Notes from a Life in Progress with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Zazie Beetz (Atlanta) - Zazie talks about Nocture on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Joe Manganiello (Mythic Quest/How I Met Your Mother) - Joe opens up about his seven-year health battle, his new memoir, Bloodlines, and the family secrets he uncovered while searching for answers on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - It's a special food news with Valerie Bertinelli on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Plus, Val is joining Drew in the kitchen to make zucchini chips.