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

    Saturday, June 7

    The Conners - "It's Gonna Be a Great Day" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Darlene celebrates her promotion, hoping it will allow her to spend more time with Ben; Jackie stumbles upon an opportunity to sue the pharmaceutical company responsible for Roseanne's addiction, which sparks a family debate.

    The Conners - "Fame, Flying Fists and Cold Feet" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    The Conners get a taste of fame when their family restaurant is featured in a reality TV show, which inspires Becky to become an influencer; Jackie and Dan meet with a lawyer; Darlene connects with someone at The Lobo Lounge.

    The Conners - "Applications, Accusations and a Man-Bag" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Jackie decides to rejoin the police force despite everyone's concerns; Darlene grows more skeptical about Mark's secretive behavior; Dan and Becky wade through uncomfortable conversations about Roseanne's addiction issues and death.

    The Conners - "Danny Boy, the Interview, the New Hire, and the Hanging Chad" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Dan sidesteps vulnerable emotions surrounding Roseanne's death ahead of an upcoming deposition; Becky prepares for a job interview; Harris impulsively hires a new server at the Lunch Box.

    The Conners - "Exercise Bands, Money Plans, and Faraway Lands" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Ahead of the deposition, Dan gets support from Jackie, Becky and Darlene; Mark is presented with an opportunity which leads to a major life decision; Becky and Tyler consider the next step in their relationship.

    The Conners - "The Truck Stops Here" (ABC, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Jackie prepares for a series of physical tests in an effort to rejoin the police force; Darlene confronts the insecurities in her marriage with Ben; Dan's deposition stirs up feelings; final farewells are made in true Conner family fashion.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 1)

    Friday, June 6

    • Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door/Living with Yourself/Wild Oats) - Watch Paul on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Ike Barinholtz (The Studio/The Afterparty/Bless the Harts/The Mindy Project/Eastbound & Down) - Ike appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • David Oyelowo (Government Cheese), Bokeem Woodbine (Government Cheese/Battery Park) and Simone Missick (Government Cheese) - David, Bokeem and Simone are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
    • Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney appears on Real Time with Bill Maher at 10pm on HBO.
    • Sarita Choudhury (And Just Like That...) - Sarita talks about And Just Like That... on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
    • Mark Hamill (The Texas Wheelers) - Mark chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Brianne chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Steve Guttenberg (No Soap, Radio/Billy) - Steve talks about Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Andrew talks about I Don't Understand You on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
    • Lena Waithe (Master of None) and Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show/Cosby) - Lena and Phylicia talk about The Chi on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
    • Mark Hamill (The Texas Wheelers) - NBC's Today catches up with Mark in the 9am hour.
    • Natasha Rothwell (How to Die Alone/Insecure) - Natasha talks about The White Lotus on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series 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)

    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)
    07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (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

    06/06 - Hulu's First Look at Amanda Knox Drama; Prime Video Lands Spy Thriller
    06/05 - Disney's Electric Bloom Gets Premiere Date; Conan to Guest on NBC's Late Night
    06/04 - Netflix Announces Haunted Hotel with Comedic Voices; Prime Video Unveils Trailer for Thriller
    06/03 - Netflix's Nobody Wants This Returns October 23; The CW Renews All American for Final Season
    06/02 - Remembering Loretta Swit of M*A*S*H, Valerie Mahaffey of Young Sheldon, and The Simpsons Composer Alf Clausen
    06/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 2, 2025)
    05/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: New King of the Hill Reboot Details; CBS Makes Late Night Changes
    05/30 - FX's Adults Pilot Available on Social Platforms; BET and BET+ Premiere New Tyler Perry Series in June
    05/29 - Netflix's New Chuck Lorre Sitcom Leanne; Apple TV+ Season 4 Premiere of The Morning Show
    05/28 - Max Renews Hacks for Season 5; Byron Allen Coming Back to CBS Late Night
    05/27 - Antenna TV Summer 2025 Schedule; Rewind TV Summer 2025 Schedule
    05/26 - Memorial Day 2025 TV Sitcom Marathons
    05/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 26, 2025)
    05/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Zach Braff Joins Scrubs Reboot; 7th Heaven Reboot in the Works
    05/23 - Discovery Channel's Shark Week with Tom Bergeron; Apple TV+ Season 2 of Hit Series
    05/22 - TV Legend Henry Winkler's New HISTORY Series; The CW Renews Family Law
    05/21 - Remembering George Wendt of Cheers; Platonic Season 2 First Look
    05/20 - The CW Renews Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble; Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life on Netflix May 26
    05/19 - North to Shore Festival Returns This June in NJ; S.W.A.T. Sets Spinoff Series
    05/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 19, 2025)
    05/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Picks Up New Dan Levy Comedy; First Look at King of the Hill Reboot Artwork
    05/16 - Michael J. Fox to Guest Star on Shrinking; The CW Picks Up Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent
    05/15 - 2025 Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront; 2025 Netflix Upfront
    05/14 - Chad Powers Premieres September 30 on Hulu; Upfront Premiere Dates for FX on Hulu
    05/13 - ABC Upfront 2025-26: Fall 2025 Schedule; Ted: The Animated Series Coming to Peacock
    05/12 - NBC Upfront 2025-26: Fall 2025 Schedule; Fox Upfront 2025-26: Fall 2025 Schedule
    05/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 12, 2025)
    05/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Cancels Night Court and Lopez vs. Lopez; ABC Renews Duo of Game Shows
    05/09 - Peacock Orders Dig from Amy Poehler; Apple TV+ Comedy Stick Premieres June 4; Remembering Ruth Buzzi
    05/08 - CBS 2025-26 Schedule; Animal Control and Going Dutch Renewed by Fox
    05/07 - Netflix's A Man on the Inside Bulks Up Cast for Season 2; The Studio Renewed by Apple TV+
    05/06 - Netflix's Long Story Short Announces Cast; NBC Renews All Chicago Series for 2025-26