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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, July 13

Ghosts - "Patience" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
While Sam and the ghosts race to find him, Isaac comes face to face with Puritan ghost Patience (Mary Holland) for the first time since she was lost in the dirt.

The Simpsons - "Homer and Her Sisters" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After a fight in an escape room, Krusty's aunt fixes Homer's relationship with Patty and Selma.

Krapopolis - "Ice Week!" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ty struggles to keep his cool when he gets the hots for a visiting reporter; Shlub is paid a visit by an old friend; Hippocampus and Stupendous risk missing the festivities altogether.

Animal Control - "Giraffes, Gorillas and Penguins" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The crew must contain a freak zoo break; Frank realizes that he needs to break up with Yasmin; Emily finds an unexpected benefactor in a celebrity businesswoman.

Going Dutch - "Pilot" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The colonel is reassigned to take emergency command of USAG Stroopsdorf in the Netherlands; Sgt. Conway provides the colonel and Shah with a tour of the things Stroopsdorf is known for... cheese, laundry and bowling.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 7)

Friday, July 11

Aparna Nancherla (The Great North/Fairview/Corporate) and Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Aparna and Whitney are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Malachi Barton (Stuck in the Middle) and Meg Donnelly (American Housewife) - Malachi and Meg discuss Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires and perform on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am. They will also be on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Patton Oswalt (A.P. Bio/The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Patton talks about Black Coffee and Ice Water on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) and Joel Kim Booster (Loot/Shrill) - CBS News contributor Lisa Ling talks with Margaret and Joel on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Krysten Ritter (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - Tamron Hall (repeat) has a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE sitdown with actress/director/author Krysten Ritter who recently released her new thriller/mystery novel Retreat, so check your local listings.
Maggie Q (Pivoting) - Maggie Q talks about Prime's Ballard on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Tisha Campbell (Act Your Age/Uncoupled/Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) and Wendy Raquel Robinson (Poppa's House/The Game/Here We Go Again/The Steve Harvey Show/Minor Adjustments) - Tisha and Wendy chat about their film Operation: Aunties on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings. They will also be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.
David Zayas (The Bear/Saint George) - David appears on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.