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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, February 25

Scrubs - "My Return" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
John “J.D.” Dorian unexpectedly finds himself back at Sacred Heart, reuniting him with new and old faces.

Scrubs - "My 2nd First Day" (ABC, 8:32PM ET/PT)
J.D. navigates a new normal, while Elliot and Turk clash over the budget.

Scrubs - "My Return" (ABC, 9:58PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
John “J.D.” Dorian unexpectedly finds himself back at Sacred Heart, reuniting him with new and old faces.

Scrubs - "My 2nd First Day" (ABC, 10:31PM ET/PT)
J.D. navigates a new normal, while Elliot and Turk clash over the budget.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Don't Grow Weary" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Calvin is pulled from each direction as he struggles to balance work and family. Ella must face a puzzling conclusion.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Mighty in Battle" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Vinny has the entire assisted living facility reeking of his special batch of baked goods.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 23)

Wednesday, February 25

Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Watch Jason on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Bradley Whitford (Perfect Harmony/Trophy Wife) - Bradley appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Ahmed Ahmed (Sullivan & Son) and Rondell Sheridan (Raven's Home/Cory in the House/That's So Raven/Cousin Skeeter/Minor Adjustments) - Ahmed and Rondell are guests on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
Piper Curda (I Didn't Do It) and Bobby Moynihan (Mr. Mayor/Me, Myself & I) - Piper and Bobby talk about Hoppers on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Ted McGinley (Shrinking/Hope & Faith/Married with Children/Happy Days) - Ted talks about Shrinking on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Michael Urie (Shrinking/Krapopolis/Partners) - Michael talks about Shrinking on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda tells Sherri about her new film Undercard on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a little extra with father-son duo Michael and Cameron Douglas, so check your local listings.
Halle Berry (Living Dolls) - The Drew Barrymore Show A Little Bit Extra with Drew, Halle Berry and Kristina Zias who are celebrating aging helping a viewer over 50 achieve a glow up look, so check your local listings.
Melissa Peterman (Happy's Place/Young Sheldon/Baby Daddy/Working Class/Reba) - Melissa talksa about Happy's Place on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Brenda Song (Running Point/Dollface/Dads/The Suite Life on Deck/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Brenda talks about her film Operation Taco Gary on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.