ABC Announces Fall Preview Special for Sept. 4; The Simpsons First One-Hour Episode in 2017

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

ABC Announces Fall Preview Special for Sept. 4; The Simpsons First One-Hour Episode in 2017

Viewers can get a behind-the-scenes look at ABC's new 2016 primetime line-up with The ABC Fall Preview Special, airing Sunday, September 4 at 7:00pm EDT, on the ABC Television Network, right before a College Football primetime game (except on the West Coast, the special will air at 8pm PDT). Anthony Anderson (black-ish), Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat), Katy Mixon (American Housewife), John Ross Bowie (Speechless), and Piper Perabo and Daniel Sunjata (Notorious) host the special preview. The show will highlight new fall series American Housewife, Conviction, Designated Survivor, Notorious and Speechless, and will include sneak peeks of returning favorites. Tune in!

The Simpsons

Already in the history books for its unprecedented, upcoming 28th season, The Simpsons makes history once again with its first-ever one-hour episode airing in January 2017 on Fox. In the one-hour "The Great Phatsby," featuring Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson (Empire) as a guest voice, Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) tries to relive his glory days, and crosses paths with a mysterious music mogul. After being conned by him and reduced to bankruptcy, Mr. Burns seeks revenge on the music producer with the help of Homer, Bart, rapper Jazzy James (guest voice Keegan-Michael Key) and the mogul's ex-wife, Praline (guest voice Henson). Also in the episode, Lisa (Yeardley Smith) is courted by the richest kid in town, Smithers (Shearer) begins a perilous journey and Marge (Julie Kavner) opens an obscure boutique store. Premiering Sunday, Sept. 25 at 8:00PM ET/PT, Season 28 kicks off with the all-new episode "Monty Burns' Fleeing Circus," in which Springfield is burned to the ground, and the Simpsons beg Mr. Burns (Shearer) to fund its rebuilding. Burns agrees - with one condition: he gets to put on a variety show at the Springfield Bowl.

Additionally, the series' record-setting 600th episode will air Sunday, Oct. 16 at 8:00 PM ET/PT, with a classic "Treehouse of Horror XXVII" episode. In it, Mr. Burns introduces a "Hunger Games"-style contest in which Springfield's children must fight each other; and Lisa's imaginary best friend becomes jealous of Lisa's real best friends.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Monday, August 26

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Camping Trip" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When the Johnsons invite the Butlers to go camping, Dave is taken aback by Calvin’s idea of roughing it. Also, Gemma and Tina cross paths with Maynard (Jim O’Heir), a general store proprietor who may not be as friendly as he seems.

The Big Bang Theory - "The Inspiration Deprivation" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The concept of what it would mean for women everywhere if Amy were to win a Nobel Prize causes Amy to have a meltdown. Also, Koothrappali and Wolowitz try to relive the good old days after Wolowitz buys a scooter that looks like the one he had years ago. Oscar-winning actress Regina King returns as Janine.

The Big Bang Theory - "The Decision Reverberation" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Koothrappali is worried people won’t take him seriously in his own field after publishing a paper that suggests he may have discovered alien life. Also, Leonard wants to be the principal investigator on a plasma physics study.

Mom - "Flamingos and a Dance-Based Exercise Class" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bonnie and the ladies help Tammy prepare for her first date since getting out of prison. Also, in order to take the edge off, Christy revisits one of her old vices. French Stewart returns as Chef Rudy.

I Ship It - "Superfans" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Ella continues her job as a writer's PA on "Superstition," and Sasha is given an opportunity by being cast as a new character on the show; Winnie asks Ella for the latest details on "Superstition."

In The Cut - "Raging Bully" (Bounce TV, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Jay's sister visits with a new beau, who used to bully Jay; Smitty's barber's license expires, leaving him in jeopardy of losing it without Kenny's help.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 26)

Monday, August 26

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Seinfeld) - Watch Julia on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Dakota Johnson (Ben and Kate) - Dakota appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
Jon Lovitz (Mr. Box Office/NewsRadio/Foley Square) - Jon is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family/The Knights of Prosperity/Hot Properties) - Sofia appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
David Cross (Arrested Develpment/Running Wilde/Oliver Beene) - David is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Wanda Sykes (The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jane Levy (Suburgatory) - Jane is a guest on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
Carly Craig (American Housewife/Burning Love) - Carly appears on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
Henry Winkler (Barry/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
John Travolta (Welcome Back, Kotter) - John and his daughter Ella Bleu are guests on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Jodie Sweetin (Fuller House/Hollywood Darlings/Full House) - Jodie guest co-hosts a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Portia de Rossi (Better Off Ted/Arrested Development/Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher/Too Something) - Portia appears on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples) - Olivia is a guest on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Finesse Mitchell (A.N.T. Farm) - Finesse appears on a repeat of The Real, so check your local listings.
Alysia Reiner (Better Things) - Alysia will be on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.
Niecy Nash (Getting On/The Soul Man/Reno 911!) - Niecy talks about Black Girls Rock on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Christina Milian (Grandfathered) - Christina talks about Falling Inn Love on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Drake Bell (Drake & Josh) - Drake talks about Fuego Lento on People Now at 12pm.