SitcomsOnline Digest: Which Bubble Shows Will Return?; New Tales from the Crypt Series Ordered at TNT

Saturday, April 16, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: Which Bubble Shows Will Return?; New Tales from the Crypt Series Ordered at TNT

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's been a busy week of renewals, new series acquisitions by networks, and above all else, speculation about the lack of renewals of some series. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

As we all know, not every series that is currently airing on the major broadcast networks will return next season, and Deadline has a look at the prospects for some of the bubble shows, which includes the last remaining piece of the CSI franchise. (Deadline)
The CW aired a MADtv reunion special earlier this year, and now they're going all in by bringing back the series in primetime. (SitcomsOnline)
It's official: Tales from the Crypt is returning as a TNT series. (Variety)
TV One has acquired rights to the series Empire. (Variety)
While even the most successful sitcom to air would never be renewed for 16 more seasons by any network, CBS and Turner networks have come to such a renewal this week when it comes to the NCAA men's basketball tournaments. (ESPN)
LAFF is adding five Carsey-Werner sitcoms to their lineup, which will mean that between LAFF and sister network Bounce, every long-running Carsey-Werner sitcom that doesn't include Bill Cosby in the cast will be airing on one of the networks. (SitcomsOnline)

TUESDAY (APRIL 19) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Silicon Valley - The Complete Second Season (DVD, $26.95; Blu-ray, $34.98): The HBO series returns to DVD in this release.
Veep - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD, $26.95; Blu-ray, $34.95): Another hit HBO series, this one starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, returns in this release.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Ilene Graff (Facebook, Twitter)

Claim to Fame: As we often do, we are continuing sort of a theme this week with TV moms of the 80s, and this week we have Ilene Graff. She began her television career with appearances on series such as Barnaby Jones, Laverne & Shirley, and Three's Company. Her big television claim to success claim came from playing the matriarch on the series Mr. Belvedere. However, what many people don't realize is that she started as a stage actress before coming to television, and appeared in Broadway productions. She continues to make such appearances to these days, and to many of her biggest fans, her stage career is what she is best known for. She doesn't post a whole lot or very often, but we hope to hear more from her in the future.

Pick of the Tweets: "Proud of this Mr Belvedere episode." (in response to fan discussing the episode "Wesley's Friend") (April 13, 2015)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 20

The Goldbergs - "An Itch Like No Other" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
With Beverly’s encouragement, Mr. Glascott moves in next door to the Goldbergs and slowly goes from friendly neighbor to cluelessly intrusive. Adam and Murray become increasingly disgruntled while Beverly comes up with a plan to occupy Mr. Glascott’s time with a new friend, Mr. Woodburn. Meanwhile, Barry lands in urgent care with a case of poison ivy in a compromising area – his rear end. Erica and Geoff are called to task to take care of Barry and his ridiculous demands – inadvertently testing their parenting skills and patience with one another.

The Wonder Years - "The Lock In" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dean is reluctant to attend the annual church lock-in until Kim tells him it’s where she got her first kiss. He enlists his friends to help him pair up with Keisa, but his plans are thwarted when he instead gets paired up with the pastor’s daughter, Charlene.

The Conners - "Trucking Live in Front of a Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience -- East Coast" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Lights, Camera, Action: “The Conners” is going live for both the East and West Coast broadcasts of the season four premiere episode. This iconic TV family continues to deal with the current pandemic while navigating breakups and newfound sobriety, all while planning an upcoming wedding.

Home Economics - "Giant Jenga, $120" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tom spirals when Connor dates a woman who broke his heart at summer camp. Then, family game night becomes an all-or-nothing competition between Marina and Denise.

Superstar - "Robin Williams" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The new episode recounts his life through Robin Williams’ own voice, describing “the spark of madness” which defined his life. From his early days in the San Francisco Bay Area comedy scene to his meteoric rise on “Mork & Mindy,” the one-hour special explores the experiences that made Williams into a one-of-a-kind talent and reveals what gave voice to the characters in his mind. It also chronicles the creative force driving critically acclaimed films like “Good Will Hunting” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as fan favorites such as “Aladdin.” The special explores his personal struggles, including substance abuse and depression, and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia before his tragic death in 2014. “Superstar: Robin Williams” features interviews with famous comedians and actors who knew and admired Williams, including Margaret Cho, Howie Mandel, Lewis Black, Jimmie Walker, Paula Poundstone, Gina Hecht and Pauly Shore, as well as Barry Levinson, director of multiple films starring Williams including “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The program also contains interviews with Williams from the ABC News archives, in which he opens up about his life and the highs and lows of his distinguished career.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 18)

Wednesday, October 20

Rami Malek (The War at Home) - Watch Rami on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Issa Rae (Insecure) - Issa appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jamie Foxx (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Jamie Foxx Show) - Jamie appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Debra Messing (Will & Grace/Ned & Stacey) - Debra talks about her latest project: how self-care can change the world on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) and Clint Howard (Gung Ho) - Ron and Clint discuss their new book, The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Amy Sedaris (No Activity/BoJack Horseman/Strangers with Candy) - It's a TV exclusive with sister and brother duo Amy and David Sedaris appearing together for the first time on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) - Jeremy talks about FBI on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
David Eigenberg (Sex and the City) - David talks about NBC's Chicago Fire on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick talks about Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.