Saturday, March 12, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: Jimmy Kimmel to Host the Emmys; BBC Remaking Classic British Sitcoms; Mill Creek Announces New Releases of Universal Series

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, there are plenty of renewals in the works (it seems that the 2015-2016 season produced more stable series than past seasons as networks are renewing entire lineups), some news of some Mill Creek releases of some Universal library series, and more. Let's get started!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • We heard a few weeks ago that Jimmy Kimmel might be hosting the Emmys this year, and that was confirmed this week. (The Verge)
  • The BBC is looking to recreate some classic British sitcoms as one time specials, including episodes of two classic British sitcoms that became successful American sitcoms: Til Death Do Us Part (which All in the Family was based upon) and Steptoe and Son (which Sanford and Son was based upon). (BBC News)
  • Last week, we announced that Jason Lee is looking to make a return to television with a sitcom pilot for CBS, and now Alyssa Milano has been cast in the same pilot. (Deadline
  • The CW has announced their renewals for next season, and the list basically includes every scripted series currently airing on the network. (Deadline
  • CBS is also looking ahead at some of their renewals for next season, with their CEO is optimistic about "all five" of their freshman series returning next season (though it isn't exactly clear is meant by the fifth series, as we're doubting it is the almost certainly cancelled Angel from Hell). (Variety)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
  • Mill Creek, which was known for years as a low-budget outlet for public domain DVD releases, has been getting very serious about the DVD business in recent years and releasing much more high profile stuff from major studios (while still managing to keep low price releases). This week, they announced a deal with Universal, which will bring series including Miami Vice, Knight Rider, Coach, Necessary Roughness, Friday Night Lights, and Airwolf back to DVD. But there's more: some of these will also be released on Blu-ray for the first time ever. We do not yet know if Coach will be completed on DVD (it is the only series of the six announced that has not been completely released by Universal), but we hope to find out more soon.

    TUESDAY (MARCH 15) HOME MEDIA RELEASES


    FOLLOW ME

    Who to Follow: Tahj Mowry (Twitter), "I ♥ Jesus. // BABY DADDY Weds. @freeformTV (new name for ABC Family) 8:30/7:30c // 2 Corinthians 4:18 †"
    Claim to Fame: Last week, we featured Essence Atkins, who appeared on the series Smart Guy. Now, we're featuring the person who played her brother on that series (and actually was the title character), Tahj Mowry. He is the younger brother of Tia and Tamera Mowry, best known for their role on Sister, Sister, but he got his start on television just a few months before even they did with a 1990 episode of Who's the Boss? and eventually landed the recurring role of Michelle's friend Teddy on Full House. After Smart Guy, he landed a voice role on Kim Possible, and today he is one of the main characters in the series Baby Daddy.
    Pick of the Tweets: "How awesome was the @reba surprise in last nights @BabyDaddyTV 😂 she's the best." (February 4, 2016)


    Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

    Friday, October 17

    Vampirina: Teenage Vampire - "First Vampire Friend" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    When Vee's fritzing knocks out a fang, an unexpected chain of events draws her and Britney closer- just as Elijah and Sophie race to fix the situation.

    Vampirina: Teenage Vampire - "First Parents Day" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    When Parents Day sneaks up on Vee and Elijah, they struggle to keep their parents from meeting; Demi learns how to disguise his ghostly form.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 13)

    Friday, October 17

    • Charlie Hunnam (Undeclared) - Watch Charlie on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Chelsea Frei (The Paper/The Moodys) - Chelsea appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Maz Jobrani (Superior Donuts/The Knights of Prosperity/Better Off Ted) - Maz is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
    • Kristin Chenoweth (Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin talks about Queen of Versailles on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
    • Zachary Quinto (Big Mouth/So Notorious) - Zachary talks about Brilliant Minds on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
    • Tony Shalhoub (We Are Men/Stark Raving Mad/Wings) - NBC's Today catches up with Tony in the 9am hour.
    • Aziz Ansari (Master of None/Parks and Recreation) - Aziz talks about Good Fortune on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
    • Penn Badgley (Do Over) - Penn talks about Crushmore: Essays on Love, Loss, and Coming-of-Age with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Mira Sorvino (Shining Vale) - Mira joins Sherri to talk about starring in Chicago the Musical on Broadway on Sherri, so check your local listings.
    • Cristela Alonzo (Cristela) - Cristela stops by Sherri's Laugh Lounge on Sherri, so check your local listings.
    • Penn Badgley (Do Over) - Penn talks about podcast Podcrushed on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

    01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
    03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
    04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
    05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
    06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
    06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (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)
    10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

    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

    10/16 - Kathleen Madigan Prime Video Special; His & Hers Premiere Date for Netflix
    10/15 - ABC Wednesday Comedies Premiere Strong; Sebastian Maniscalco's Hulu Comedy Special Date
    10/14 - Tubi's Breaking Bear Premieres March 2026; NBC's Stumble Trailer
    10/13 - Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Final Season; Bat-Fam Premieres November 10 on Prime Video
    10/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 13, 2025)
    10/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Upcoming Paramount+ Sitcom Crutch; Yellowjackets to End After Upcoming Season
    10/10 - Prime Video Releases Trailer for The Mighty Nein; Season 2 Premiere Date for Cross
    10/09 - Rachel Sennott's I Love LA Comedy Series Trailer; Kaley Cuoco Heads to MGM+
    10/08 - Prime Video's Kevin Details; Trailer for Crutch with Tracy Morgan
    10/07 - The CW's TV We Love Docuseries; Happy's Place Season 2 Trailer
    10/06 - Dancing with the Stars Surging in Viewership, Especially Among Younger Viewers; Remembering Kimberly Hébert Gregory of Vice Principals
    10/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 6, 2025)
    10/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Cancels The Great North; Everybody Loves Raymond Cast Set to Reunite for 30 Year Anniversary
    10/03 - MeTV Acquires Everybody Loves Raymond; Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Trailer
    10/02 - CBS Presents Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion; Apple TV+ Renews Peanuts Specials Through 2030
    10/01 - The CW's Six Brand New Movies Starting November 16; Hulu's Family Guy Halloween Special Details
    09/30 - Sarah Sherman HBO Comedy Special in December; Huluween Programming for 2025
    09/29 - Netflix Renews Haunted Hotel for Season 2; Christmas Comedy Series Sicilia Express
    09/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 29, 2025)
    09/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Scrubs Cast Comes Together for First Table Read for Reboot; Monopoly Game Show Moving Ahead
    09/26 - Netflix Adds to Cast for Running Point Season 2; Stiller & Meara Apple TV+ Documentary
    09/25 - Adam Pally HBO Comedy Special; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Returns with Huge Ratings
    09/24 - Weigel's Newest Diginet WEST Launches Monday, September 29; New Baywatch Coming to Fox in 2026-27
    09/23 - DMV Trailer for CBS; Mo Amer Returns to Netflix
    09/22 - SNL Season 51 Guests for First Episodes; Prime Video's Bat-Fam Series
    09/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 22, 2025)
    09/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Paper to Get Linear Run on NBC; Saturday Night Live Announces New Hosts
    09/19 - NBC Schedules The Paper and Stumble in November; Remembering Patricia (Pat) Crowley of Please Don't Eat the Daisies
    09/18 - UPtv Acquires The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Camp Rock 3 Coming Soon to Disney
    09/17 - FETV Acquires The Munsters Effective September 29; Apple TV+ The Morning Show Renewed for Season 5
    09/16 - Disney's SuperKitties Adds to Voice Cast; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 2