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

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

The Nanny - The Complete Final (Sixth) Season (DVD, $34.99): Shout! Factory wraps up the Fran Drescher sitcom on DVD with this release.
Sister, Sister - The Complete Collection (DVD, $166.99): Technically set for a March 18 release date, this series might be coming out on DVD on that date... though it has already been delayed at least once, so it may be again.

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

Wednesday, October 16

The Goldbergs - "Animal House" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Barry decides to rush a fraternity, but it doesn’t quite work out as he expects. Meanwhile, Beverly and Murray find themselves getting closer to being empty nesters, which means more hobbies and activities for Beverly and more TV for Murray.

Schooled - "Kick Like a Girl" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Hoping to improve the football team’s chances at winning the title, Coach Mellor and Principal Glascott recruit star soccer player Felicia to kick field goals. But soon, she is treated like one of the guys, which affects her relationship with fellow player Reza. Meanwhile, CB chaperones an overnight ski trip and hopes to get in some quality time with Lainey but is constantly thwarted by socially awkward Tom Scott.

Modern Family - "Pool Party" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Mitch and Cam help Lily overcome her insecurities about wearing a bathing suit to a pool party but discover their own. Meanwhile, now that Gloria’s new internship is taking up so much of her time, Jay is feeling particularly neglected.

Single Parents - "Big Widow Wives" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After a house incident leaves Graham in fear of staying in his and Angie’s home, Angie enlists Will to help her get the house back together; however, there is a hiccup in the plan as Angie discovers a possum on the loose that she has to deal with. Meanwhile, Poppy discovers that Douglas is lying to her about a weekly poker game he must attend, as he participates in a weekly widow’s support group instead, causing Poppy to get a little jealous of his emotional vulnerability with the women in his support group.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang Chokes" (FXX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Annoyed that the gang failed to react as he nearly choked to death on an appetizer, Frank decides the waiter, his savior, is the only person who has his back.

Family Time - "Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number" (Bounce TV, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Devin starts dating an older woman, which has Tony and Lisa concerned; Ebony's school project inspires her to go vegan.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 14)

Wednesday, October 16

Jennifer Aniston (Friends/Muddling Through/Ferris Bueller/Molloy) - Watch Jennifer on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Dane Cook (Maybe This Time) - Dane appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Whoopi Goldberg (Whoopi) - Whoopi is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
John Goodman (The Conners/Roseanne/Center of the Universe/Normal, Ohio) - John appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Ed Helms (The Office) - Ed is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie/Burning Love/Players) - June appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) and Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Thomas and Whitney are panelists on Lights Out with David Spade at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.
Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?/Romantically Challenged) - Alyssa chats with the ladies of The View about her book Project Middle School (Alyssa Milano’s Hope #1) on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly/Samantha Who?) - Melissa visits The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Michael Rapaport (Awkward/The War at Home) - Michael stops by The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory/8 Simple Rules) - Kaley is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself/Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later/Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp/Wild Oats) - Paul talks about Netflix's Living with Yourself on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
Ali Wong (American Housewife/Are You There, Chelsea?) - Ali talks about Dear Girls on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
William Jackson Harper (The Good Place) - William talks about The Good Place on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.
Angela Kinsey (The Office/Haters Back Off/Your Family or Mine) and Jenna Fischer (Splitting Up Together/The Office) - Angela and Jenna talk about the Office Ladies Podcast on NBC's Today in the 10am hour and on the BUILD Series at 2pm.
Julie Andrews (Julie) - Julie talks about her book Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years on the BUILD Series at 5pm.