ABC to Air Match Game, To Tell the Truth in January; Freeform Announces Casting for Indian Sitcom Pilot

Monday, November 21, 2016

ABC to Air Match Game, To Tell the Truth in January; Freeform Announces Casting for Indian Sitcom Pilot

Alec Baldwin and Anthony Anderson are returning for new episodes of their successful game shows, both produced by FremantleMedia North America, Match Game and To Tell the Truth. This summer's game-show darlings are warming up winter with an expanded list of celebrity guest panelists. The new episodes of Match Game begin on January 4, 2017, and To Tell the Truth on January 1, 2017. Both will be giving short winter breaks to ABC dramas like Designated Survivor and Once Upon a Time. Match Game returns for season two on Wednesday, January 4 at 10:00pm EST, with Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin. The series features four contestants each week vying for the chance to win $25,000, as they attempt to match the answers of six celebrities in a game of fill-in-the-missing-blank. Celebrities for the new season are still to be announced, as tapings for the winter edition just wrapped a few weeks ago.

Two-time Emmy Award-nominee Anthony Anderson is back to host a second season of ABC's hit series To Tell the Truth, premiering Sunday, January 1 at 9:00pm EST and then on Sundays from 8:00-10:00pm EST, on the ABC Television Network. The game show is a clever and funny re-imagination of the beloved game show of the same name. In its second season the show will feature a new celebrity panel for each episode. In each round, the celebrity panel is presented with three people who all claim to be the same person with the same incredible talent, job or achievement. One is sworn to tell the truth while the others are not. Anderson's mother, Doris, is also part of the fun, returning as a commentator and bringing their playful family dynamic to the stage. Panelists for season two include Tom Bergeron, Lara Spencer, Rachel Platten, Ashley Graham, Craig Robinson, David Arquette, Cheryl Burke, Jalen Rose, Iliza Shlesinger and many more.

Both shows are expected to get a short winter run and then return in the summer with other ABC hit game shows such as Celebrity Family Feud and $100,000 Pyramid.

Hina Abdullah Punam Patel

Freeform announced the cast of scripted comedy pilot Brown Girls from writers Shilpi Roy and Nastaran Dibai. The pilot will go into production in early 2017. Hina Abdullah (The Last Ship, Young & Hungry) portrays Rimmi, a fashion-forward young woman, who's trying hard to ignore her heritage and launch her own makeup vlog. Told by her mother that she needs to connect with family friend Devi, Rimmi is put off by someone who seems to be her complete opposite. Punam Patel (Kevin From Work) stars as Devi, a traditional young woman who is new to LA. Confident, yet content with her traditional values, Devi reaches out to Rimmi upon arriving in town and is not impressed with Rimmi's quest for Internet fame. Additional cast for Brown Girls will be announced at a later date.

The pilot centers on the relationship between Rimmi, an Indian-American aspiring beauty vlogger, and Devi, a young woman who has recently emigrated from India. Brought together by family, Rimmi and Devi instantly clash over their different views on modern life and love while slowly realizing they both have something to learn from one another. Brown Girls is written by co-executive producer Shilpi Roy (Hipsterhood) and executive producer Nastaran Dibai (According to Jim), and is executive produced by Tracy Katsky, Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, January 22

The Goldbergs - "Game Night" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Geoff struggles to keep his living arrangement with Erica and Barry a secret from Beverly during game night, while Adam goes to his guidance teacher for a lesson in being cool so he can get closer to a new girl in chemistry class.

Schooled - "FeMellor" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Principal Glascott and Lainey struggle to agree on what is an appropriate dress code, while Coach Mellor struggles with his relationship with Julie as she does not enjoy sports like he does.

Modern Family - "Dead on a Rival" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Mitchell learns a valuable life lesson when Murray (Paul Dooley), a former resident of the house, shows up unexpectedly. Meanwhile, the Dunphy’s old neighbor-turned-tech-titan, Kenneth (Josh Gad), comes to visit with a big surprise for Phil. Then, Manny’s dad, Javier (Benjamin Bratt), shows up with a big opportunity for his son.

Single Parents - "Chunkies" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After Angie decides it’s finally time for Graham to meet his dad, Derek (Adam Brody), sickness overtakes the household. Derek is forced to either step in and help or head back out to his van. Meanwhile, when Sophie overhears some big news about Will and Tracy, she takes it upon herself to intervene; and the twins face their first professional failure.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 20)

Wednesday, January 22

John Mulaney (Mulaney) - Watch John on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Fortune Feimster (Bless the Harts/Life in Pieces/Champions) - Fortune visits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She will also be on Watch What Happens: Live at 9pm on Bravo.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He will also be on the BUILD Series at 12pm.
Charlie Hunnam (Undeclared) - Charlie is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse drops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers) - Steve appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Patrick Stewart (Blunt Talk) - Patrick chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. He also talks about Star Trek: Picard on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
Ashley Tisdale (Carol's Second Act/Merry Happy Whatever/Clipped/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Ashley appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Finesse Mitchell (Outmatched/A.N.T. Farm) - Finesse is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
Ilana Glazer (Broad City) - Ilana drops by The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jackée Harry (Tyler Perry's The Paynes/The First Family/Sister, Sister/227) - Jackée appears on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Boris Kodjoe (The Last Man on Earth/Second Time Around) - Boris gives the hosts a workout on E!'s Daily Pop at 12pm.
Erinn Hayes (Medical Police/Kevin Can Wait/Guys with Kids/Worst Week) - Erinn is a guest on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
BD Wong (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens/All-American Girl) and Lori Tann Chinn (Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens) - BD and Lori will be on the BUILD Series at 1pm.
Abby Elliott (Indebted/Odd Mom Out) and Jessy Hodges (Indebted) - Abby and Jessy are guests on the BUILD Series at 5pm.